Here Comes the Son

“For those who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing." ~ Malachi 4:2

Rain pelted the airplane window beside her seat. For some, driving rain is a soulful massage. But for Corinne, it brought back a familiar fear of flying. She said a prayer, tightened her seatbelt; then placed the flight in God’s capable hands. But the weather wasn’t helping.

As the plane rocketed skyward, a blanket of fear gripped Corinne as heavy and dense as the cloud ceiling. Her heart raced. She had to keep reminding herself to breathe as her body jerked, jostled, and lifted off the seat.

Suddenly, the plane broke through the storm. The plane leveled off just as the cabin filled with luminous golden light. Corrine gazed out the window. No more rain. Beneath them stretched a carpet of fluffy white clouds. Up here, the sun had been shining brilliantly all along!

George Harrison’s iconic song “Here Comes the Sun,” gently tickled her attention. It was the ultimate celebration of sunshine; the promise of things to come.  

Harrison wrote the lyrics at a gloomy time in rock history. It reflected his need for respite during the chaos dominating the Beatles’ final days before their breakup. He sought refuge from the turmoil in Eric Clapton’s garden, finding hopefulness in the sun’s radiance. “It’s been a long cold lonely winter but here comes the sun.” Winter is about discontent, and we all seem to be living through a metaphorical winter presently.

But Christmas is about God’s Son coming to earth and becoming flesh. It’s how God’s redemptive plan not only unfolded but was fulfilled! Most of all, Christmas inspires hope.

It’s an amazing story, one that becomes more incredible with every telling. The King of Kings came as the Son. He left the splendor of glory to roam a broken world, to suffer and die for self-centered rebels. The Messiah wasn’t born in a palace but probably in a cave, perhaps a lamb’s stone water trough. He lived as a pilgrim, denied the small luxuries even afforded animals. 

Despised and rejected, then subjected to a painful public crucifixion. And he did so intentionally and willingly so that those rebels would be forgiven. So that those separated from God would have a home with Him forever.  So that grace will be given to those in desperate need.

Light shines brightest in darkness. The Christmas story brings an overriding message of HOPE. God didn’t come into our world at high noon. He entered our lives in darkness - showing us the light, guiding us toward love, and demonstrating how to overcome the shadows.  Even when things seem dark, we can TRUST the everlasting light. Now that’s something worth celebrating!

Loving Father, help us remember Jesus’ birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Amen  

Merry Christmas Eve

 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward all.” ~ Luke 2:14

The old man busied himself behind the 7-11’s counter on a lonely Christmas Eve. He’d worked most holidays since his wife Martha passed away. It was just another day to him and just couldn’t find a reason to celebrate.

Pete gazed out at snow that’d been falling for the last hour when an agitated man burst in waving a pistol and demanding all the cash. His trembling hand suggested he’d probably never attempted anything like this before.

“Son, don't do this,” Pete said calmly. “Put the gun down before someone gets hurt.”

The thief looked confused. “Shut up or... or I’ll shoot you. Give me the cash, now!”

“It’s Christmas if you need money, here …” He pulled several twenties out of his pocket and handed them over, simultaneously reaching for the barrel of the gun. “It ain’t much but it’s all I got.”

Releasing his grip on the gun, the man fell to his knees and wept. “I’m terrible at this, aren’t I? All I wanted was to buy something for my wife and son. I lost my job, the rent’s due, and my car got repossessed last week.”

Pete helped the young man to his feet. “We all do dumb things sometimes,” Pete began. “That’s what makes us human.” He motioned toward the chair behind the counter, and said,” Sit there and relax while we sort things out.”

Just then a police car rolled up and two officers got out. They entered the store for fresh cups of hot java.  “Everything OK tonight, Pete,” one asked. “Who’s your new assistant?”

The young man froze. “Just hired him this morning,” Pete answered.

After the officers left, the young man looked up and asked almost inaudibly, “Why?”

Before answering, Pete went into the back room and returned with a box. He pulled out a ring box. “Here’s something for your bride. Martha wouldn’t mind; she knew it’d come in handy someday.”

I can’t take this,” said the young man. “It means something to you.”

“And now it means something to you,” replied Pete. “I got my memories. That’s all I need.”

Pete reached into the box again. An airplane, a car, and a truck appeared next. They were toys that the store owner had left for him to sell. “Here’s something for that little man of yours.”

When to man offered the money Pete had handed him earlier, Pete replied, “Keep it, go home and buy a lovely Christmas dinner for your family.”

The man turned, his tears exposing an honest soul: "l be here in the morning to work if that job offer’s still good.”

“Nope. I’m closed Christmas day,” Pete said. “See ya the day after, Merry Christmas.”

Holy Father, giver of all good things. We know that giving gifts is one way we show our love for each other. Let these gifts we share also remind us of the greatest gift of love you have given to us, your son Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Christmas 1941

 “Jesus became human and humbled himself by obeying God." ~ Philippians 2:8

Christmas 1941 was a time of alarming uncertainty. Just weeks after Pearl Harbor, Americans were still reeling from the shock and devastating casualties suffered in the surprise attack.

The Japanese strike force returned home toasting its sweeping success. Across the Atlantic, much of Europe was frozen in Nazi occupation. Churchill and Roosevelt met in Washington to map out their wartime strategy. As the century’s most notable Christmas played out across the globe, no amount of eggnog could quell the fear that came with the US entering another world war.

The war effort required sacrifice from everybody.

Many women not only found themselves as heads of their households but were also called to work in factory jobs and other roles previously held by men. Some even donned Santa’s red suit for the cause.

Real Christmas trees were scarce because men who typically cut them down were either in the military or working in the armament industry. So, people decorated artificial trees made from a type of artificial straw. To ensure cities were less visible to potential enemy planes, they had no lights.

Food rationing prompted creative yuletide recipes. Most gave up turkey for donations to military service personnel. With sugar and butter restricted by the government, Victory” cakes, which used minimal (if any) sugar, became popular as did gelatin desserts.

To bolster the troops’ morale, U.S. Army and Navy Postal Services collected gifts, cards, and other mail to ensure delivery by Christmas 1942. Hallmark reinforced the idea with a “Keep ‘em happy with mail” advertising slogan.

Families exchanged fewer gifts. Due to wartime rationing of products like metal, rubber, and rayon, many children’s toys and gifts were made of wood or paper. Knitted, crocheted, and hand-crafted items were given from repurposed materials and supplies.

Christmas 1941 had a melancholy feel for both the Americans serving overseas and those on the home front with empty seats at dinner tables. During this period, some of the most somber holiday songs were released: “White Christmas” (1941), “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (1943), and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (1944).

President Roosevelt’s 1941 Christmas Eve speech pleaded for God’s forgiveness, guidance, and love in the times ahead. “May we be humble in spirit, strong in our conviction; steadfast to endure sacrifice, and brave to achieve a victory of liberty and dignity," he prayed.

Back then, everyone preached working for the common good. Spiritual stirrings ran far deeper in the years that followed. Churches were busier than they’d been during the Great Depression. And when peace was finally won, the religious upsurge continued. 

U.S. churches today are weakened, shoved to society’s sidelines, and divided internally over basic beliefs. Let us pray for an awakening of our collective Christmas spirit this holiday season.

Lord God, help me remember the true reason for Christmas so that I might experience the true joy that comes from following You. Give me a spirit of anticipation for what You want from our lives and clothe me in Your shroud of hope. Amen

Living Wide

 “God offers second chances and doesn’t punish us when we truly seek forgiveness." ~ Joel 2:13

In what seemed like a lifetime ago, John, a deeply troubled teenager, suffered from social anxiety.  Loneliness and isolation caused deepening violence which he eventually turned on himself. At 16, absent all hope, he raised a gun to his left temple and pulled the trigger. 

But hope hadn’t given up on him. After almost seven hours of surgery, doctors pronounced him alive and stable. They fixed him physically, but mentally John still struggled. He turned to drugs and a felony conviction sent him to rehab.

After getting clean, John attended a vocational school where he met a woodworking instructor who inspired his eager student. Chris Hathaway assured John that he not only had a love for working with wood but a talent for it, too.

Hathaway convinced John to study piano rebuilding at a tech school in Vancouver. He graduated two years later and started his own piano-refurbishing business.  

While in Vancouver, John met an accomplished artist named Anni Becker. Three years after what they like to call their “blind date,” they were married.

Anni bought John a used lathe after listening to his yearning for the smell of maple and walnut sawdust. She encouraged him to quit the piano job and devote his time to woodworking. 

Did I fail to mention that his teenage suicide attempt left him totally blind? Now, consider for a moment working with power tools from John’s “view.” Yikes!

Today the sightless craftsman holds a locally harvested blank ready for turning. With the flick of a switch, the rotating lathe rumbles to life, and he carefully begins shaping the wood stock using his fingers as guides and his hands as his eyes.

Like many great artists, John already sees the finished creation in his mind. Satisfaction comes from giving “new life” to wood and knowing his masterpieces will be seen and cherished by others.

Today he’s “living wide” and happy to share his story with others. John prefers to be defined by the man he is now rather than the teen he once was. At 36 years old, his wooden bowls, plates, mortar and pestles, trays, and smartphone amphitheaters, sell at various local craft events, retail spaces, and online at: https://www.furnissstudios.com/onlinestore

Along with continuing her painting career, Anni helps John run the social media and technology side of their business, Furniss Studios. She does the paperwork, maintains their online presence, and organizes his woods by color and texture.

When they’re not creating or hanging out with their rescue dog, Pickle, John and Anni make time to speak candidly about blind awareness, drug abuse deterrence, and suicide prevention in schools.  Reaching out to that age bracket has led to some life-changing conversations. "Life changes,” he says. “You can affect that change or you can be affected by it – your choice."

Merciful Father, I’m reminded that salvation has a beginning, sometimes a renewed beginning. Thank You that however far we’ve fallen, Your love can still reach us with (another) second chance. Amen

Friends in Worship

 “Ask and it will be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will open.” ~ Matthew 7:7 

Aliya sat at the kitchen table in her bathrobe, bleary-eyed, looking down at the steaming cup of coffee.  She’d been up most of the night with her autistic son Allen.  Life had been a roller-coaster ride since the teen hit puberty.

Allen found it difficult to process everyday sensory stimuli.  Too much information could cause him stress, anxiety, and even physical pain.  She and her husband, David, never knew what might set off an explosion.  They couldn't even enjoy church together.

With three other children and David often traveling for his job, Aliya felt exhausted: finding it increasingly difficult to be both mother and caregiver.  She considered moving Allen into a group home with staff that could better care for him, but quickly erased that thought from her mind - it just didn't feel right.

Someone new was coming over from the support agency later today, but honestly, Aliya’s hope was vanishing.   She prayed for someone who would understand Allen’s need for life to unfold at a predictable, well-ordered pace.

Later that morning, she and Allen greeted a soft-spoken young man at their front door with an unfamiliar accent.  His voice had a soothing quality that seemed to put Allen at ease.

They all sat in the living room.  "My name is Malik," the man said.  "I cared for my mother in Africa until she passed away, then I moved here because I’ve always wanted to live in America."  He turned to Allen and started asking him some questions.

"Allen," she said, "why don't you get your photo album to show Malik?"  For the next hour, she watched them together, paging through the book, encouraged at how well they seemed to get along.  Maybe their prayers had finally been answered. 

Malik almost immediately started visiting 2-3 times a week.

An amazing transformation began taking place.  Allen's anxiety diminished.  Under Malik’s patient and skillful care, he emerged as that lovable boy he’d been prior to his teenage meltdowns.  If only Malik could help on Sundays too,” she wondered.  So, she asked him if he went to church.

"I'm a Muslim," he said.  "I worship at the local mosque."

"We need help with Allen in church on Sundays," Aliya continued cautiously.  "Would that be a problem for you?"

"That would be fine," Malik smiled.  "I can worship God in your sanctuary as well as in my mosque." “Of course, Aliya thought, why would God send us someone who couldn't help us on Sundays?”

Now when Malik slips into the pew next to them on Sunday mornings, Allen grabs his hand, trust that’s born of deep love and a sense that they’re champions together.

She’s struck by the beautiful contrast in skin tones and by the mysterious ways of this God we love.

God, our Comforter, and our Friend - rain down on us.  Baptize us with Your fire. Guide us into all truth. Open the heavens wide and shower us with Your Holy Spirit.  Change us, renew us, empower us.  Amen

Sole Survivor

 “Trust the Lord with all your heart; don’t count on your own understanding." ~ Proverbs 3:5

Watchman Dennis Hale (26) was the last shipmate to board the Morrell for its last run of 1966. The ship left Windsor, Ontario early on November 28th, hoping to beat a blizzard that was roaring across Michigan.

The Morrell first sailed in 1906. The huge 600-foot freighter hauled iron ore to ports around the Great Lakes for six decades.

Ships don’t typically sail the Great Lakes in late November when the infamous gales are the most treacherous. Additionally, ships built before the late 1940s had a fatal flaw: the steel used in their construction had a high sulfur content, making it brittle in icy waters. When another of the fleet’s vessels broke down, the Morrell was ordered to sail one more time.

Out deep in Lake Huron, the ship proved no match for the 35-foot waves and damaging winds it encountered. Around midnight, Hale woke from the sound of two loud bangs. Snatching his lifejacket, he rushed out onto the snowy deck wearing only boxer shorts and a peacoat.

Battered by the elements, the ship’s steel ripped apart below the waterline and split in half. As it sank, Hale and three of his crewmates climbed into a small life raft.

Over the desperate hours that followed, the four nearly-frozen men lay helpless. Huge waves washed over the little raft. The wind lashed at their skin. No one spoke.

By morning, Hale’s shipmates had all perished. He lay among his fallen friends and prayed for mercy: “God, please let me die peacefully.” For the next 24 hours, Hale suffered alone, keeping fingers in his mouth to prevent frostbite and holding in his urine to save body heat.

He tried to eat the ice chips off his coat until a shadowy figure with a white beard and bushy eyebrows urged him not to. I must be hallucinating, he thought.  

Still, he sensed himself being drawn to the heavens, where he later recalled "My worldly pain and misery were gone. The love was so profound. I was sure I was about to meet my God … in person."

That afternoon, a Coast Guard helicopter rescued Hale after 38 hours in the raft.  His nightmare had ended. He was airlifted to a local hospital where his body temp registered at 94^oF. Doctors all agreed that any ice chips would have lowered his survival chances.

Of the boat's 29 crew members, 28 died.

As he closes his eyes and remembers his friends, Hale barely has words to describe his near-death experience. He can still feel the manifestation of God’s presence in that lifeboat - that warmth; that loving comfort.

Only now, nearly 60 years later, did he mention the mystery man who helped save his life that night day. God spared his life, he reasoned, to tell the world about the epiphany he’ll never forget.

Lord, we know with You there are no coincidences. Lead me to trust in Your goodness and mercy, knowing You have good things in store for my life. Amen 

Five-minute Window

 “Be ready to tell anyone who asks why you believe as you do. Be respectful." ~ 1 Peter 3:15

The woman in the hospital bed next to Jonah’s wife, Elle, was loud, cranky, and demanding.  Years of drug abuse had reduced her to a ghost of her former self. Tooth decay, body odor, and legions of open sores suggested a serious meth addiction from which she was detoxing.

As a cartoon character does, she reveled in anger; lost in the moment and the torture her brain suffered. She became enraged when declaring: “No one listens to me. I know my body better than y’all. I just need some "Ice" (slang for crystal meth).

Lying isolated in her hospital bed, Jonah couldn’t help feeling pity and whispered a short prayer. Behind the prickly exterior was surely a sad story.

The patient was testing Elle’s patience. One more outburst and she swore she'd find an illegal use for Angie’s pillow. She knew it wasn't entirely her fault, but her existence had become little more than an extended nightmare until the sweet angel of death came to whisk her away.

No friends, no calls, no flowers, no family. Elle had 4 beautiful bouquets, 17 get-well cards, and a constant flow of visitors sharing love and encouragement.

Suddenly, Angie cried out. “Help … anyone! Why am I here? I want my lawyer! I need to talk with a priest, she shouted bitterly.

Jonah got up from his chair and approached the maniacal woman. He sensed her chest tightening; a quiet rage building from within.

"Mam,” he offered politely. “I’m no priest but I’m a good listener, and in times like these we could all use a friendly ear. He rested his hand on Angie’s, feeling the coldness in her fingers. She pulled away, then turned toward the window.

"You don’t have to talk to me. If you’d rather talk directly to God that's OK," he said kindly.

At his words, Angie rolled back toward him, a mere shadow of the woman she once was. Yet her eyes offered free passage into her soul. She smiled apologetically and settled right down.

Jonah held her hand and prayed for healing, then silently prayed for her deeper needs. Angie liked the way he prayed - earnestly and informally, in a deep, rich voice that put her at ease in a way she couldn’t explain. For the next week, when he visited his wife, she called him “Father.” 

Spiritual help had been given in a narrow five-minute window. Maybe now her recovery could begin, inspired by nothing fancier than a warm smile and comforting words.

The stories God writes for us take us down various paths. No matter where you are on the journey, there’s a plan and a purpose to what you experience. If you’re struggling, take comfort in knowing you’re never alone.  He’s always listening.

Father God, caregiving may last only five minutes.  But You surpass time. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, help me answer anyone who asks about my faith in You with gentleness and reverence. Amen

The Olive Tree

 “Keep your roots deep in Christ, trust Him, and become stronger in your faith.” ~ Colossians 2:6-7

When Joel moved to Rancho Mirage, he was horrified at the ugly trees lining the streets.  They were creepy looking.  Their gnarled trunks looked cadaverous; perhaps centuries old.

“How could it be?” he wondered, “that despite the persistently long and rain-free months, these trees managed to thrive?”  It would take some discovery to learn her secrets.

It turns out there was much more to the olive tree than he encountered at first glance.

The olive tree is mentioned more than 30 times in both the Old and New Testaments. It starts bearing fruit at around five years of age. A Croatian tree has been carbon-dated to around 400 A.D. and still produces abundant fruit today.

Olive trees can grow in almost any soil.  They have deep roots that tap the water which runs far beneath the soil. Its leaves also draw in and retain the moisture of the early morning dew.  That small daily moisture is essential for the nurturing and growth of the olives.  

These two factors help create a tree that can produce fruit in the blistering summer heat, and give abundantly at harvest time in autumn when all else seems barren.  Her endurance brought to mind a passage from Paul’s letter to the Colossians (above).

The world is often a difficult and challenging place.  Yet, we’re called to be just like the olive tree, to let our roots reach down, to deepen our relationship with God and humanity so that we can receive life-sustaining nourishment and reassurance.

And just as the olive tree gratefully receives the early morning dew, we too need to be aware of the gifts of grace that God provides to strengthen us - whether that gift lies in a friendly smile, a kind word, the advice of a caring friend, the unquestioning hospitality of a stranger or even aid from an ‘enemy’ at a moment of personal peril.

Daily newspapers, TVs, and the internet increasingly spread depressing news to info-hungry, consumerist societies.  “News” outlets often propagate graphic, sometimes mind-numbing details about victims’ pain, bereavement, anger, and suffering.  It’s so easy to give in, voice despair, turn bitter, and slump into defeat.

Being faithful disciples in a broken, wounded, bleeding world is an arduous task.  We must sharpen our senses to perceive God’s presence even when so much around us seems to deny it and develop the tools necessary to fight for our faith.

Since he’d done his homework about the olive tree’s history, Joel’s opinion changed.  He fell in love with the gnarled tree and all that it stood for, so much so that he planted a Dwarf Olive outside his back door.  It reminds him to smile and give thanks for God’s blessings: peace, prosperity, wisdom, and honor.  

Father God, thank You for reminding us that true beauty comes from within.  Help us to become more like olive trees - to share our lives, generosity, time, and the fruits of our labors with all who need them.  Amen

A Thankful Heart

 “Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances." ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Grumpy didn’t come close to describing Colleen’s mood. Being a CAN (Certified Nursing Assistant) was hard enough, but especially difficult today knowing her family would soon gather around the table for their traditional holiday feast without her. CNAs have many of the same responsibilities as nurses, but with less recognition and much lower pay.  So yes, grumpiness was her pet dragon.  It sure would help if things around here were less depressing.

In the beds here lie everyone's future unless they’re lucky enough to pass at home. Most are well past their useful years. The happy and healthy years are but distant memories. A woman, her eyes once sparkled at a beautiful Christmas tree as she eyed gaily wrapped gifts. Now when alone, she lets her face sag with gravity, reserving her strength to smile for infrequent visitors.

A man whose feet have known the streets of Rome and the sidewalks of New York. He’d loved without boundaries and donated money when he should have kept it for himself. That person is still in there, locked in a body that won't quit, tethered to a heart that insists on beating despite little chance of recovery. Where’s the dignity in that, she wondered.

A new patient arrived in room 1207, so Colleen stopped in to make her acquaintance. The nonagenarian grinned as she entered. Her smile twinkled as if greeting a beloved daughter.

Colleen reciprocated in her own way, a smile limited to her mouth, unsure of what happens next and wary of being drawn into a conversation she didn’t have time for. "Hello, ma’am” she offered. “And you are?"

“Sadie Reimer,” she said enthusiastically. “I’m pleased to meet you and anxious to get started!”

Collen gazed down at the woman’s missing lower limbs, both amputated from diabetes. The stumps had healed and she was at the care center anxious to walk again. Colleen helped her stand up.  Sadie took only a few steps before flopping back down on the bed.

Her smile returned more radiant than before. “Imagine me at ninety learning to walk again. Now that’s something you don’t see every day I’ll bet. I’m so blessed!”

Colleen couldn’t believe it! Sadie found humor in her situation! Instead of immersing herself in self-pity, Sadie focused on what she could still do, approaching her life day as the loving do, with open eyes, an eager resolve, and a deep sense of gratitude.

We should all observe Thanksgiving with a grateful heart for food in a world where many walk in hunger; for faith in a world where many walk in fear; for friends in a world where many walk alone. We give you thanks, O Lord for our many gifts!

Lord, how can we ever thank You enough? You endured more pain, shame, sorrow, and grief than we can possibly fathom. Help us remember why You gave Your life. Because of love. Because of mercy. Because we desperately need them both. Amen 

Unusual Sentence

 “Forgive each other, just as Christ has forgiven you.” ~ Ephesians 4:32

At 15, Jason got arrested with friends lobbing eggs at a classmate’s house.  He was arrested just four months later as the lookout for some older guys who’d broken into a grocery store to steal some alcoholic drinks.  Stupid kid stuff.

A year later, now old enough for a driver’s license, he reached into an empty car and took the keys from the ashtray.  After joyriding for an hour or so, Jason got pulled over by the police. 

Auto theft is a felony.  He pled to a lesser charge - placed on probation plus community service and a $450 fine.  But he now faced a new problem.  A criminal record made it almost impossible to find decent employment.  Even lower-paying jobs now required background checks.

He survived on savings and the generosity of friends.  A lady from his church brought occasional meals; a friend tucked $50 into a Thanksgiving card; another friend allowed him to sleep in his abandoned farmhouse.  Not the future he’d once envisioned as a “productive member of society.”

Even before his probation expired, Jack entered a jewelry store under the ruse of looking for an engagement ring.  When they pulled out the box, he grabbed it and ran out.  He made it about six blocks before officers stopped him.  Jack fled.  The officers knocked him down, handcuffed him, and charged him with larceny and resisting arrest.

Prior to sentencing, Levi Sherman, the jewelry store owner, was asked to write a Victim’s Impact Statement to be read at Jason’s court hearing.  It was intended to describe how the defendant's actions and resulting trauma had affected his emotional, financial, and spiritual well-being.

Mr. Sherman rose from his chair and stood alone behind the courtroom lectern.  His voice cracked with hesitancy as he described the robbery, characterizing Jack as polite, nervous, and clumsy.  “Without a weapon; I don’t think he’d thought through it clearly,” he added sympathetically.  “Jason seemed down on his luck.”

“Judge” he continued, “we know from research that stable employment is an important predictor of successful re-entry and desistance from crime.  I own another business, one that loads and unloads trucks.  With the court’s permission, I prefer he NOT to be punished in the usual way.  I’d rather help him turn his life around by giving him a chance to earn a living.”

An astonished Judge stared down at Mr. Sherman.  After a moment, he cleared his throat.  If this is your sincere desire wish, and without coercion, I’ll grant your wish.”

“It is, your Honor,” he replied.”

“Let it be so ordered, the Judge said and pounded his gavel.

Jack’s brain stuttered for a moment while his emotions caught up.  Tears fell off his cheeks as a smile spread across his face.  He would NOT let Mr. Sherman or himself down this time.

Father God, help me bless those who have hurt me and walk in righteousness, peace, and joy.  I want to be kinder and more compassionate, forgiving others, just as You unconditionally forgave me.  Amen

Bless This Child

 “Don’t scold your children so much that they become discouraged and quit trying.” ~ Colossians 3:21

Byron watched his 4-year-old son Liam sleep; one tiny hand crumpled under his cheek, blond curls sticking to his damp forehead.  Moments ago, as he relaxed reading a newspaper in the den, a stifling wave of remorse engulfed him.  Guiltily he now stood by Liam’s bedside.

Earlier at the convenience store, Liam accidentally spilled a Slushie … everywhere.  As if in slow motion, red, white, and blue goo immediately covered the floor and merchandise far and wide, high and low.

That was the tipping point for Byron.  He snarled “Now look what’s happened,” annoyance clear in his voice.  The boy started crying and apologizing.  Shaken and ashamed, Liam bent over to pick up the now-empty cup, lost his balance, and proceeded to fall into the middle of the colorful slime.

The child said nothing but ran across in one unpredictable plunge, threw his arms around Byron’s neck, and hugged him with a God-like affection from his youthful heart; one which even anger could not wither.

Byron looked down upon the angelic figure laying on the bed beside him.  A terrible sickening fear came over him.  “What’s wrong with me?” he wondered.  “Do I have a habit of finding fault, of scolding simply because he’s a little boy?  Am I gaging him by the yardstick of my own years?”

“Clearly, Liam, I’m not perfect.  I make mistakes. I get grumpy when I’m tired. I should never take it out on you.”

“There is so much good and fine and true in your character.  Your little heart is as big as the dawn itself, shown by your spontaneous impulse to rush over and hug me, despite my behavior.  I came to your bedside in this darkness, and knelt here, ashamed!”

“It’s a feeble atonement; I knew you wouldn’t understand these things if I told them to you during your waking hours.  But tomorrow I will be a real daddy!  I will hang with you, and suffer when you suffer and laugh when you laugh.  I’ll bite my tongue when impatient words come.  I will keep reminding myself: “You’re only a little boy – a gift to be cherished!”

We all want our kids to be perfect.  Sure, we must guide them and teach them.  We can’t let everything slide, let every misdemeanor go unnoticed and unaddressed.  Otherwise, they might never learn right from wrong.

But if we adults, with years of experience in life are allowed to make mistakes, to act out at times, to learn and move on, then our kids who’re going through all of this for the first time with much less understanding of themselves to draw upon are certainly allowed some leeway.

Heavenly Father, help me understand that my children face struggles I never had to at their ages because of the numerous ways our world has changed. Help me to see them as who You designed them to be – a sacred gift.  Amen

Teeing It Up for Veterans

 “Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against all enemies." ~ Ephesians 6:11

Golf is an honorable game. It’s a sport of courtesy, integrity, and respect which aligns perfectly with military service values. What follows is a true story, verified by a number of sources.

He arrived at the course early, hit a bucket of balls, and practiced his skills on the putting green. The starter matched him with three players he’d had never met. Ben Woods rode with his wife in the golf cart.  He had an enormous golf bag with his name stitched on it. It also said: “Wounded War Veteran” in smaller print.

After a few holes, the conversation turned toward his military service. While he declined to discuss his combat experience, he did reveal that he’d spent over a year in an army rehabilitation hospital in San Antonio.  His wife moved there to be with him and he was released only recently.

A pristine set of clubs suggested he was new to golf.  The quiet, humble guy admitted this was his first full round of a sport he hoped to excel at someday. As part of the hospital’s discharge process, Ping provided him with three days of golf instruction, a golf bag, and a new set of custom-fitted clubs.

Ping, a world-class manufacturer of golf equipment, donates about 50 full sets of golf clubs annually for the Wounded Warrior program. They also offer special rebates to members of the military as a “Thank You” for their service.  They have the good judgment not to advertise this.

"We’ve learned over the 50+ years we've been helping disabled veterans, that they need sports and recreation to get their lives back together," said Kirk Bauer of Disabled Sports USA and a Vietnam War amputee.

Whether it be learning the game, working to improve their skills, enjoying a sense of normalcy in their lives, visiting new places and golf courses, or knowing that they can play a physical game even with physical limitations, golf brings a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

For veterans dealing with PTSD, golf can be particularly helpful. The relaxed pace and social nature of the game can help ease anxiety and provide a distraction from intrusive thoughts. Being outside and with good company can also be highly therapeutic.

God bless America and the game of golf!

First celebrated as Armistice Day, November 11^th marked the end of World War I (recognized on the “11^th hour, of the 11^th day, of the 11^th month” in 1918). It changed to Veterans Day in 1947 - a time for us to pay our respects to all those who’ve served. For one day, we stand united in respect for you, our heroic veterans.  Thank you all, past and present.

God of Peace, we are ever mindful of the cost paid for the liberty we possess.  We ask You to bless the members of our armed forces. Give them courage, hope, and strength. May they forever experience Your support, love, and healing. Amen

Make a Difference

 “We’re called to be good stewards of the Earth; not to waste and to care for our planet.” ~ B. Haglund

Amelia had missed this beach.  At daylight, the sand cast a golden hue, almost earthen and muted.  She missed the driftwood arriving on buoyant waves as tiny rescue vessels.  Then there was also the seaweed, the deeply-green flora of those salty waters, and the tall dune grass that whispered so sweetly into the gusting breeze.  After two years of masks, vaccines, and quarantines, she was so ready for a morning run along the seashore.

Instead of more beauty than the soul could absorb, Amelia was shocked at the amount of trash littering the area.  Water and alcohol bottles, plastic bags, cigarette butts, and food packaging.  Disgusting didn’t even come close to describing the scene.

Add a whole new category of repugnant litter: discarded face masks, sanitizing wipes, and latex gloves used to keep COVID at bay.  Because they're not biodegradable or able to be recycled, masks and gloves may end up in bodies of water or swallowed by marine creatures.

Up ahead, something caught her attention - a man and woman with big plastic bags were picking up the beach’s junk.  At first, Amelia thought they might be cleaning up after their own party but soon realized that wasn’t the case.  So, she approached the woman who introduced herself as Birgit in a thick German accent.

“I came out this morning hunting for seashells and found the coast filthy,” Birgit explained.  “I don’t want to spend my vacation surrounded by garbage.  So, I clean it!”

Amelia felt shame immediately.  She joined the woman and helped clean the beach well into late afternoon.  They even fished a few pieces of garbage out of the water’s edge.  A handful of others also joined in, proving that one kind gesture often multiplies itself.  

Tired but happy, they placed their “treasures” into an empty trash can.  But not before glancing out at an amazing sunset, perhaps made more beautiful by God, and His Angels casting down an appreciative sign.

At times this world’s problems can seem overwhelming.  You wonder what can be done to make a difference.  But the truth is EVERYTHING you do makes a difference!  The average American creates almost 5 pounds of waste every single day.  Every time you stoop to pick up a single piece of trash you make a difference in God’s world.

Every smile you share makes a difference.  Every helping hand you extend makes a difference. Every prayer you pray makes a difference.  Every kind word you say makes a difference.  Every loving thought you think, every hug you share, every flower you plant, every animal you save, everything you do, no matter how small, makes a difference in this world.

Lord, grant us the wisdom to care for the earth and protect it.  Help us to act now for the good of future generations and all your creatures.  Make us all instruments of a new creation, founded on the promise of your love.  Amen

The Gift of Loneliness

“Surely I’m with you always, to the very end of time." ~ Matthew 28:20

Andee (28) lost her husband in a terrible accident.  So, loneliness was something she’d come to know pretty well. 

She didn’t admit that to elicit sympathy, but more as simply a matter of fact.  In reality, she enjoyed a wonderful life with her infant daughter, but she often thought about what it would be like to watch a movie on the couch with her husband rather than alone.

At first, single life was panic attacks and crushing solitude.  It felt shameful - like failure and rejection.  Almost as if society had labeled her ‘defective.’  Now after three years, and with the help of her church’s “Singles Mingle,” Andee was finding a calmer, more peaceful center.  The universe had gifted her time to heal and there was a fresh perspective.

Tonight, at the bi-monthly Singles discussion group, something escaped from her mouth, that had never crossed her mind before – at least consciously.

“We sometimes think of loneliness as a negative thing, but it’s actually a gift of sorts.  For me, loneliness has actually been one of my greatest blessings.  It has taught me to rely on God in a way I don’t know that I would’ve learned otherwise.”

On the drive home, she reflected on her startling comment. The craziest part of those words?  She meant them.  Andee felt them deep within her soul.

Her mind flashed back to points of deepest loneliness and she didn’t actually think of herself as alone.  Instead, she thought of how deeply she came to know God in those sacred moments.

Lonely feelings transformed into confident contentment with solitude.  Failures became a chance to learn new ways of living and behaving.  Shame was a label she dismissed because it never fit.

The next day, Andee got a text from a woman who’d been in the group the previous night.  She said, “Thought about last night: l-ONE-ly ... the root word is ONE (instead of lone!)  When we’re lonely, it gives us the opportunity to be ONE with ourselves and with our Heavenly Father.”

“It provides an opportunity to realign ourselves with our Savior’s plan for us.  It gives us a chance to slow down and think about what we can do better in following Him.  What a blessing!  From now on, I’ll look at being lonely in a whole different way!”

Andee thought about her late husband - the best relationship to date in her life.  It’d been cherished because of the time spent one-on-one, in deep conversation, and working through hard things together.

The same is true for God.  It’s by spending time alone with Him, communicating in stillness, and going through hard times together that she’d come to count Him as her dearest friend.

Loving God, thank You for never forgetting us in the midst of our pain and struggle.  Forgive us for doubting You.  We set our eyes on You today, choosing joy and peace when the whispered lies suggest that we should have neither.   Amen

Why Me?

“Invite the poor, crippled, and blind to your banquet and you will be blessed." ~Luke 14:13

The sunshine in their bones radiated outward on that bright day; an aura so thirsty for summer adventure.  She met some friends at the beach on Chesapeake Bay to swim.

After arriving, she dove in quickly and instantly feared something was wrong.  Though she felt no real pain, a tightness seemed to envelop her.  Her first thought was that she was caught in a fishing net.  She tried to break free and get to the surface.

Panic gripped her when she realized she couldn’t move and was lying face down on the bottom of the bay.  As her otherwise healthy lungs began running out of air, she knew she was going to die.

Luckily, her sister saved her from drowning.

Joni’s life changed forever that July day in 1967.  She suffered a broken neck between the 4^th and 5^th cervical vertebrae; paralyzed from the shoulders down.  While her friends were preparing for college in the fall, Joni was fighting for her life and having to accept that she’d spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.

Rehabilitation was extremely difficult.   Joni raged against her fate, struggling with depression and often flirting with suicide.  “Why me?” she wondered out of desperation.  

Before the accident, Joni worried that she might be missing God’s plan for her life and prayed that God would change her life – that He’d turn it around.  After months of staring at the ceiling and wallowing in her depression, Joni began to understand that this unexpected path was God’s answer to her prayer – one where she learned, adapted, and grew to better understand herself.

“It led me toward a life purpose that was neither grand nor perfect, but it seemed right,” she professed.  “And the beginning of my journey to wholeness as a person with a disability.”

Joni’s life has been full.  She learned to compensate for her handicaps.  Naturally creative, she taught herself to draw and paint holding her utensils with her teeth.  Her artwork sold to broad acclaim which provided a degree of independence.  She signed her paintings “PTL” (Praise the Lord.)

Joni has also become a sought-after conference speaker, author, and actress, portraying herself in the movie “The Life Story of Joni Eareckson” in 1978.  She’s written 48 books including her autobiography, and many children’s titles.  But her most satisfying and far-reaching work is her advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.

In 1979, Joni began a global ministry called Joni and Friends (JAF Ministries), fulfilling Jesus’ mandate in Luke above.  She and Ken, her husband of nearly 40 years, preach God’s Word all over the world, bringing inspiration and hope; living examples of how Christ can redeem broken things.  

It’s no sin to ask God why things happen.  But can we handle his answers?

Lord, I don’t have to worry about not having a plan.  Because You have one; You’ve told me so.  It’s not an emergency backup plan, either.  It’s the perfect plan that You’ve had before I was born.  I’ll wait in silence and trust You.  Amen

Celebrate Rest

 “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him." ~ Psalm 62:5

On this brilliant autumn day, I found myself thinking of spring, imagining warm sunshine that comes to melt ice and snow.  I actually believed it for a second, imagining flowers that colored my world in vibrant shades of pink and gold.  The turn toward cooler months left me yearning for lazy summer days and outdoor barbeques that lingered long into the evening.

Those memories came with a chuckle ... this is autumn, a season with her own special ways of bringing happiness.  It’s a time of wool sweaters, warm apple cider, and vibrant foliage that provide an ideal occasion to recognize our many gifts and graces.

Autumn affords many reasons to celebrate.  It marks the end of the growing season; a time to reap the harvest, celebrate its bounty, and stock up for the long winter ahead.  It’s a time to finish projects and let go of what’s unwanted so that winter can be spent relaxing. 

Autumn is the perfect time to be surrounded by nature, or indoors near a window, and practice being still.  It’s a time for slowing down, embracing the quiet peace of God’s presence, and immersing myself in His Word.

When daylight hours shrink, I’m going to take the occasion to appreciate long nights.  They don’t come naturally to me, especially in this day of artificial light and electronic screens that glare brightly day and night. 

Autumn teaches much about rest and rejuvenation.  I will also make some minor changes at home to extol the virtues of this new season.

Better to light a candle than curse the darkness, I think. Candles soften the mood in ways that electric lights can’t.  I plan to color pictures, play board games, and make shadow puppets with my family, using those flames as focal points rather than wishing for more daylight.

As the weather becomes chillier, the air in our house can get stale.  What a perfect opening for filling the space with spicy scents of apple peels and cinnamon sticks.

Instead of huddling inside as winter approaches, I want to take more walks outdoors, when possible, to enjoy the quiet hours between night and day.  The earth’s natural cycle allows our bodies more restful slumber when mimicking the rhythm of the sun.

Spiritually, autumn may be a time of transition for you - with something ending and something else beginning - everything from a fresh start to a loss that brings grief and emptiness.  It might also be a time of hidden preparation for something yet to be imagined.  Our spiritual Autumn leads us to live in the Spirit of the Cross - the daily “dying of self” that, as Christians, we are called to.

Father God, quiet time with You is balm for my soul.  Thank You for the beautiful change of season, that encourages and inspires me to look inward and let go of what is necessary to make new life.  Amen

Another Dream Team

 “Blessed is the one who patiently perseveres under trial." ~ James 1:12

In the ’92 Summer Olympics, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and the rest of the Dream Teamers were heavily favored to win gold.  But few predicted that a new nation formed from the fallen heap of the communist empire would become a medal contender.

When the Soviets won the 1988 gold medal in men’s basketball, four of the five starters were Lithuanian.  They were forced to stand and honor the flag of the country that had systematically slaughtered thousands of their compatriots.

Lithuania’s new basketball team needed money, desperately.  Šarūnas Marčiulionis, a Lithuanian-born NBA star playing for the Golden State Warriors, took up the cause for his homeland.  He wasn’t having much luck finding donors until a local sports writer penned a piece about their struggle in the San Francisco Chronicle.  The article caught the attention of the Grateful Dead.

Jerry Garcia’s group was big on giving money to deserving groups and individuals that they learned about while touring.  The band not only cut a large check but had their designer send a box of tie-dyed T-shirts in red, yellow, and green - Lithuania’s national colors.  It included the band’s iconic image of a skeleton dunking a basketball.

Along with other grass-root donations, the first-year team soon headed to Barcelona.  Emotions ran high for men competing for their own flag for the first time in over 50 years.  

They defeated Brazil in the quarter-finals before falling to the Americans in the Semis. 

But the fight for national pride and historic dignity came when they squared off for 3rd place against their former Russian overlords.  In the end, the tiny Baltic nation prevailed 82-78.  Call it the “Miracle on Hardwood.” 

They became instant media sensations when they received their bronze medals atop the podium wearing the Dead’s flamboyant T-shirts rather than traditional warmup suits.  The Grateful Dead had supported them when nobody else would.  The design was "enshrined" at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts the next year.

Lithuania captured bronze twice more: Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000.  To this day, Lithuanian basketball merchandise remains one of the most popular designs on the official Skullman lineup of Grateful Dead paraphernalia.

The Grateful Dead remains relevant 25 years after Jerry Garcia's passing.  The group established the Rex Foundation in 1983 to formally guide their charitable giving based on 1960s ideals: not to define or control, but to allow for enough flexibility to adapt.  To date, the Rex Foundation has awarded 1,300 grants and reinvested nearly $10 million into communities across the globe.  

Despite the odds, the Lithuanian team pushed through hardships and complications with a little help from an unlikely source.  And God offered His two hands – the Son and Holy Spirit too.

Father God, guide our steps, our thoughts, and our attitudes as we partner with You in faith, obedience, and compassion for others.  Spark the flame of faith brilliantly in our lives and keep it glowing by Your power.  Amen