You Did It to ME

He lay there on the sidewalk, a broken down piece of cardboard as his mattress, his hands tucked under his head as a pillow, his clothes had seen many days of wearing and the people just kept right on passing by. He was like that parking meter, that trash bin, that stop sign, that parked car, that person you bump in passing. He was an object. For whatever reason, he had become a man in his own prison. He stopped reaching out. We stopped reaching in. When did we loose sight of that person, that life, that soul?...his and ours.
-kdh-

“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:37-40

Where Did The Time Go?

Do you ever feel like you just need to step away, grab your thoughts and rest for a spell? You are not alone. With the lovely Spring weather here in Southern Indiana I've been captured by the beauty of nature as migrating birds begin to visit my back yard,  the fragrance of the flowers add a sweet aroma to the outdoors, trees burst into full bloom and time keeps ticking away.  Yep, there's nothing we can do to stop time or slow it down. So let's step away, grab a thought and rest a bit, but get up, get moving and enjoy this great big beautiful world. Today belongs to you. This very moment belongs to you. Tomorrow? Well, we hope for another one, but it's not a given. However, if it is, do not regret tomorrow what you did not do today. You could look back in wonder and ask yourself, "Where did the time go? Be all you can be for as long as you can be. Be happy!!

Disguised Beauty Entices

Matthew 26:41

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

We have all been enticed by something or someone. Perhaps it was to do good, but most often it is to do what is not good, what is not appropriate, what is not morale. We live by standards that we set for ourselves. However, the standard of life we should emulate is that of Christ, the one and only Perfect Man.

I recall a statement of such in a sermon I'd heard. 

"Temptation is any enticement to think, say, or do something contrary to God's holy will. Our pride can provide the very opening needed for the sharp thrust of a satanic dart. So can the love of money, a quick temper, a critical tongue or chronic impatience."

Adam and Eve took the bite of the apple that changed what God had designed for us; a perfect garden, a paradise. The servant made the beauty of the apple appealing using words to lure and entice them to do wrong, and they ate. Just like the image here of a coconut covered in the shell of an apple, it looks very attractive and inviting. 

Live each day to do His Will. Be strong and courageous and resist the devil. he will flee from you if God is your center point.

Sometimes I drop my spoon

"I'm going out for a few hours, so would you call or come by to see how mothers is doing?" asked my brother-in-law. "Seems she almost fell." 

Mother is a spunky 92 years, but slightly frail, so I called her. She wears hearing aids, but did not have them in. The conversation became a little trying for me. She and I had a discussion once about what to do when her health got where she could not care for herself. Today I posed the question, "Are you at that place where we need to discuss Nursing Homes?" Of course she said no. Why would I think she would volunteer a "Yes"? No one wants to leave home and go to a place to be cared for, loose a bit of your independence and moreover loose your will to live or even the fight to live.

So today Mother is at home enjoying her big screened television, her recliner and short walks down the hallway to the kitchen. Grand children and great grandchildren still visit, there are occasional family dinners, a visit to the beauty salon and sometimes there is a dinner date with friends or family.

Let us reach deep inside our soul and use the kindness that bridges between the youth and the old binding hearts. 

If you are young, reach out to the older generation. 

If you are the older generation, call out to the younger generation. 

Bridging and binding is the way.

In The Midst Of The Storm

Strolling through the neighborhood today I felt a peace that only comes when you are in the presence of the Savior. I felt the April winds brush my face as they parted the branches on the trees. I felt the twirling, fuzzy dandelions tickle my nose. I saw the tiny buds on the Dogwood trees appearing in anticipation of a new Spring as the sun burst through the clouds and smiled.  In the distance I could hear the birds chirping. I saw and heard all this and thought to myself, "If HE is the Creator of all this beauty (and HE is) then through all my trials, my heartaches and my moments of feeling hopelessly helpless then whom shall I fear. My God made all this beauty. It was then that I just spoke aloud, "Thank You, Jesus. I love You!" He is absolutely and totally in control of all. I will ride the waves of the storm for In the Midst of the Storm He Reigns.                                                                                                                        

You are never alone