Author: Don

A poet named Loren Eiseley wrote a beautiful story that I’d like to share with you.

Once upon a time, there was a man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had the habit of walking along the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore; as he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day, so he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn’t dancing; but instead, he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, “Good morning! What are you doing?” The young man paused, looked up and replied, “Throwing Starfish into the ocean.” “I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing Starfish into the ocean?” “The sun is up and the tide is going out and if I don’t throw them in they’ll die.” “But, young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and Starfish all along it, you can’t possibly make a difference!” The young man listened politely, then bent down, picked up another Starfish, and threw it into the sea past the breaking waves. “It made a difference for that one.”

This week we are looking at the starfishes in our lives – the people for whom we can make a difference. How can we make a difference? We can start by being an example. There is an old saying, “what you do speaks so much louder than what you say.” Whether we like it or not, as Christians, we serve as walking billboards for Jesus. People listen to what we say, watch what we do, and make judgments about the Gospel based on what they see in us.

You may be familiar with the story about the policeman who pulled a woman over after observing her making some rude gestures to another driver. The policeman demanded that she get out of the car. Lean against the trunk, and keep her hands in sight at all times.

“But officer,” she protested, “what did I do?” “I suspect you are driving a stolen car,” the policeman replied. “But this is my car”, she insisted, “What makes you think it is stolen.” “Well,” the officer explained, “I saw the ‘I love Jesus’ bumper sticker, and the ‘John 3:16’ window decal; then I saw your rude reaction to that other driver. Either the car is stolen or somebody’s been decorating it when you weren’t looking.”

Contrast the lady in the “stolen” car with the lady we saw on TV who uses her meager social security check to feed the homeless in her neighborhood. Which one represents the type of example Jesus would like to see us put forward?

In the 5^th chapter of Matthew, verse 16, we read, “let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Being kind and loving to others is a start, but our responsibility goes beyond just living a Christian life. Jesus commands us, “go into the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)

Going back to the story of the starfish, imagine that, instead of a beach covered with threatened starfish, you see your neighborhood full of people facing a spiritual crisis. The Bible tells us, “people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:27-28)

Like the star thrower, we can make a difference by sharing the Good News.

We all are struggling on this beach we call life, and we are privileged to have the opportunity to offer hope to others. We can invite them to go to church with us, or we can welcome them into a small group or bible study. We can pass along a “Daily Word” magazine, or – if we are moved by the Holy Spirit – we might even share our personal testimony. We can’t save them; but we can make a difference by pointing them toward the One who can save them – Jesus – the original Star Thrower.

Verse for the Week: Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…”

Blessings, Your friends in Christ

Dear Friends
We never know how or when God will speak to us. He spoke to Moses from a dark cloud. He spoke to Elijah in gentle whisper; and He spoke as a voice from Heaven when He proclaimed, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

Have you ever asked God to let you know that it was His voice you were hearing? The other night, Bonnie prayed that God would speak to her in a way that was unmistakably from Him. She awakened the next morning humming a song that seemed familiar, but whose lyrics escaped us. After humming the tune several times, the words “near you” came to mind.

We Googled the words “near you” and found the lyrics to the 1947 Andrews Sister’s pop hit “Near You”. When we substituted the words “a prayer” for the words “two lips” in the original song, we discovered a wonderful, personal praise song that voices our desire to stay near Jesus.
“Near You”
By Andrews Sisters (with minor adaptation)
There’s just one place for me! Near you! (Jesus) It’s like heaven to be Near you! Times when we’re apart, I can’t face my heart! Say you’ll never stray, More than just [ a prayer] away! If my hours could be spent, Near you, (Jesus) I’d be more than content Near you! Make my life worthwhile, By telling me that I’ll Spend the rest of my days, Near you!	There is just one place for me! I’m happy when I’m near you! It’s wonderful as heaven! A special kind of heaven, But only when I’m near you! At Times when we’re apart, I wonder how I can face my heart! Say you’ll never stray, More than just [a prayer] away! If my waking hours Could be spent more Near you! I would be content! More than be content just to be Near you! Make my life worthwhile, By telling me that I’ll Spend the rest of my days, All of those happy, happy days Soooo Near you!
Songwriters: GOELL, KERMIT / CRAIG, FRANCIS Near You lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Perhaps, God used a song to let us know that we need to stay near Him.

A recording of the original song can be heard at: https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AuuERS3l6DVgMyfHhWnWlSObvZx4?fr=yfp-t-901-s&toggle=1&fp=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&p=near%20you%20andrews%20sisters%20lyrics

Verse for the week: “God has said, ‘…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5)

Blessings,
Your friends in Christ

Dear Friends,

For many, Memorial Day weekend signals the start of the summer season. Retailers advertise huge sales, back-yard cooks clean off their grills, and many of us pull out our bathing suit to make sure it still fits. But, before we head off to the sales, throw hot dogs on the grill, or try to wiggle into that swim suit, we should first pause to consider the true meaning of this holiday.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for United States military of all generations who, as Abraham Lincoln intoned at Gettysburg, “gave the last full measure of devotion…”  Formerly known as Decoration Day, the commemoration originated after the United States Civil War to honor soldiers from both sides who died in that war.  In the 20th century, Memorial Day was extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military services.

As we reflect on the many who have died in defense of our freedoms, we are reminded of Jesus words: in John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

This weekend, we also celebrate Pentecost (the fiftieth day). Pentecost is the Greek name given for the Feast of Weeks, a major Jewish feast celebrating God’s giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. In the Christian calendar, Pentecost is a feast celebrating the Holy Spirit’s descent upon the twelve Apostles.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2: 2-4)

Wouldn’t it have been marvelous to be with the Apostles on that day? Jerusalem was filled with visitors from all over the Roman Empire. Jews and proselytes had come to the city in celebration of the Festival of Weeks. Imagine their astonishment when the Apostles came stumbling out of the upper room praising God with words that each listener heard in his native tongue. As the Apostles spoke their native Galilean, through the power of the Holy Spirit, their words were translated into twenty or thirty different languages or dialects.

Joy filled the air and the celebration became so exuberant that some in the crowd accused the Apostles of being drunk. Peter addressed the crowd, “…These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people...” (Acts 2:15-16)

At Pentecost, we celebrate the birth of the Church and remember Jesus’s words to his Apostles, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).” Lord, give us power to be your witnesses. Amen.

Verse for the week: Romans 15:13 (NIV) “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Blessings, Your friends in Christ

This website offers an excellent overview of United States military history:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war

We thank them all for their sacrifice.

In-N-Out with God?

Since the 1980’s the In-N-Out burger chain has included discreet references to Bible verses on their food wrappers and cups. The book, chapter and verse are printed inconspicuously on the containers – they leave it to the patron to look up the verse.

Next time you have a craving for a “Double-Double”, a burger, or a milkshake, use the reference sheet below to help you feed your soul by reflecting on God’s word.

We all face times when we aren’t quite sure if we are IN or OUT with God. If we would just stop to think about the scripture referenced on our coke cup, we would remember that God gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

As we look at the white cup with red decorations, we might be reminded of Isaiah 1:18. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

As we munch on a cheeseburger, we can be comforted knowing that the Lord says, “if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.” Something tells us that burgers won’t be the only thing on that menu.

And as for that milkshake… It’s worth the 590 calories if we are reminded to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. Maybe the restaurant chain’s theme song needs to be modified: In-N-Out, In-N-Out; that’s what [God’s Word} is all about.

Verse for the Week: Deuteronomy 8:3 “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

Blessings,

Your friends in Christ