Category Archives: Devo Drops

Thoughts on daily devotional scripture readings

A Balmy -13

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below 0What’s the difference between -10 and -20 degrees?  I mean, really, isn’t there a point when cold getting colder becomes irrelevant?  This is the third straight morning of below zero temperatures.  In my experience -9 and -29 feel about the same.  When things are bad, how can you tell when they get worse?

I suppose it works the other way, too.  When things are good, how can you tell when they get better?  Goodness heaped upon goodness stacks up, but eventually it stops registering, doesn’t it?

Maybe that’s why ups and downs are better than constant downs or even constant ups.  The give and take between highs and lows is what keeps me from becoming numb to either one.  So I should rejoice in the downs because it means I’ve had a contrasting up recently.  And the present difficulty will serve to enhance the next upward swing….which is due to arrive in April.

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”  Genesis 8:22

Thotful Spot

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Pooh

Winnie the Pooh had a Thotful Spot.

He would sit on his special log, tap his head, close one eye, and say,

“Think, think, think.”

We all need a thotful spot — somewhere to ponder and treasure moments from each day.

Mary must have had such a place.  Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”  And it’s a good thing, too.  When Luke got around to writing his gospel, who better to interview about the night Jesus was born than someone who was there?  And how does one remember every detail years later? By treasuring and pondering.  Everyone else who heard the shepherds’ story about the baby in the manger marveled at the news.  “But Mary…”

There’s a difference between hearing a sermon and marveling at the truth of it….

and giving it some serious thought.

There’s a difference between seeing a beautiful sunset and noticing its beauty….

and reflecting on creation and its Creator.

There’s a difference between enjoying small pleasures in our day….

and stopping to turn them over in our minds.

There’s a difference between reading the inspired word….

and soaking awhile in it, mulling over the meaning of the words.

Taking my cue from Mary and Winnie the Pooh, I declare this year to be a year of pondering and treasuring.

I plan to sit in my special chair, tap into the riches of the Word, close my eyes

and ponder like Mary…

think, think, think like Pooh Bear.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines

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tailpipeHaving a break from the routine sure has been nice.  The week between Christmas and New Years offers slower paced mornings (sleeping in until 7:00), a lighter schedule (a blank Google calendar), and space for the spontaneous (“Want to go to a movie this afternoon?”)  It’s all been wonderful, but it can’t go on forever.

Today I feel like my 1973 Ford Pinto hatchback must have felt on a -11 degree morning.  Getting the old girl started took a few tries before she finally turned over.  Her gear shift felt like it was stuck in a bucket of molasses and could barely move.  She creaked and groaned and fumed a while.  After sitting idle for a few days, she needed some time to warm up.  So….

“This is the day the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

“Rejoice in the Lord always, I say it again, rejoice.”

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

“Without Me, you can do nothing.”

“Nothing is impossible with God.”

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches.”

There.  Now I’m humming.

Lord, as long as You are in the driver’s seat,

and You provide the fuel,

and You know where we’re headed,

this old girl will give it a go.

People Get Ready

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“And he will go on before the Lord….to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”  Luke 1:17

I can just imagine what Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, thought when he returned home from the temple with big news.

“But Elizabeth, honey, an angel told me.  We have to try again.”

No immaculate conception for this couple.

They had to have a baby the old fashioned way.

“Zechariah, dear, are you sure you didn’t sniff too much incense?”

This child would have a single purpose — get the people ready.  Elizabeth’s baby would grow up to be the opening act, warming up the crowd for the coming of Mary’s baby, the headliner: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

John had a one-sentence sermon to prepare people for the Savior:

“Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”

So that’s how we get ready for Christmas.

That’s how we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord.

Repent.  Christmas is at hand.  People, get your hearts ready.

I’ve still got cookies to bake, cards to send, presents to wrap and floors to mop.

But there’s a voice calling in the midst of all that.

“Prepare the way for the Lord!  Make straight paths for him!  Fill in the valleys! Level off the mountains!  Straighten out the curves!  Smooth out the bumps!  Savior is coming!”

Say Thank You

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Having an almost-two-year-old boy in the house has turned every day into an adventure.  Hudson is learning new things at an incredible rate.  He’s picking up words like crazy, finding out what happens when he throws his food on the floor, and discovering how to postpone nap time.  He’s a smart little fella.  But some things don’t come naturally — they have to be taught.

Hud Bud’s parents are patiently instructing their boy to mind his manners.  When he holds out his cup and says, “More”, his mommy responds with, “More please”.  He repeats, “More peese” and then he gets his sippy cup filled.  She tells Hudson, “Say thank you” and he says, “Deet doo”.

It’s not natural to be grateful.  We have to be taught to say “thank you”.  I’m still learning.

This morning I walked outside and took in a big breath of cold air.  I heard in my heart, “Say thank you”.   So I said, “Thank you, Lord, for air.  Fresh, cold air to breath.  Every minute of every day, my whole life long.”

Then I stepped into last night’s dusting of snow and heard it again, “Say thank you”.  So I said, “Thanks, Lord, for seasons and sunshine and snowflakes and this beautiful earth.”

As I walked the dog around the block, I picked up the pace in the chilly wind but heard, “Say thank you”.  So I said, “Thanks so much for legs that walk and eyes that see and heart that beats.”

Nearing the back door, I looked in the window and saw PB making coffee and Hudson eating toast.  “Say thank you.”  “Oh, yes, Lord, for people to love and live with and laugh with — many, many thanks.”

Hudson and I are learning to be grateful.

“Thank you for Your kindness,

Thank You for Your mercy,

Thank You for the cross,

Thank You for the price You paid. 

Thank You for Your promise,

Thank You for Your favor,

Thank You for Your love,

And everything You’ve done for me.”*

In other words, Lord,

deet doo.

*”Thank You” by Hillsong

Rehab

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in sessionSince PB’s shoulder surgery last month, he’s had regular rehab appointments to get the muscles back in shape.  Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday he meets with John, who is a relentless taskmaster, putting PB through 45 minutes of challenging exercises.  Without that consistent work-out, the muscles would never recover strength or be able to function as intended.  That appointment is not optional and John expects PB to come with a willingness to work.   At first, PB dreaded going — he knew it wouldn’t be easy or comfortable.  But now, he and John are pretty good friends and after every session, the shoulder feels better and better.

I need rehab.

So every morning I meet with my Holy Therapist.

He soothes my hurts from the day before.

He rubs my sore spots with the oil of the Spirit.

He pushes me to move in new ways.

He keeps me from becoming stiff-necked.

He rehabs my soul.

Without that appointment, I grow weak and function poorly.

I know He expects me to show up and be open to His leading.

It’s not always easy or comfortable, but there is healing.

Over time, my sessions have gone from duty to delight.

Dear Lord, rehabilitate me.

“I’ll refresh tired bodies; I’ll restore tired souls.”  Jeremiah 31:25

A Ten-Turkey Sunday

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There aren’t many events that call for ten turkeys.

Even the biggest family gatherings at Thanksgiving or Christmas usually get by with one stuffed bird.

But Sunday wasn’t just any day.

Around these parts, Sunday was what we call “Rally Day”.

It’s the annual kick-off to the Sunday school year….

followed by a potluck, the likes of which Wesley himself would be proud.

PB grilled ten turkeys, with a little help from his friends.

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Turkey #1, in prayer position.

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Turkey #2.  Soon to be a burnt offering.

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Turkey #3, waiting in the wings.  Heehee.

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Shooting turkey #4 full of PB’s secret recipe marinade.

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Oh yeah, baby.  We stuff our birds with butter. #5

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#6 getting poked before going to bed for the night.

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#7, 8, 9, 10 – all tucked in and soaking up the savory goodness.

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No parking – turkey heaven right there.  Sizzling, smoky scrumptiousness.

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Dig in, you blessed Methodists.  Gobble up the goodness.

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I sure hope there are potlucks in heaven.

Now tell me, how many pastors cook up dinner for their flock?

No pun intended.

Wait.  Is a group of turkeys called a “flock”?

Anyway, a good time was had by all.

Thanks to all those who kept an eye on the birds while PB preached.

You missed a good sermon.

Thanks to all those who set up, ate up and cleaned up.

You are good souls.

Have we told you lately that we love ya?

 “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”      Luke 14:15

Acres of Glory

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Late summer is one of my favorite times of year.

The mornings and evenings start to cool down, but the days are still toasty.

Sunflowers are in their glory now, so I like to spread some of their cheer around the house.

I put a few on the mantle…

sun 4

and a couple on the shelf.

sun3

I hang some on the wall….

sun2

and set one on the table.

sun1

Yes, sunflowers make me happy.

So imagine my joy when I happened onto this:

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Acres of sunflowers!

As I was taking in the view, I thought, “Now…this is abundance.”

I could run into that field and lose myself in there.

I could stand among the stalks and be dwarfed by them.

I could reach up to the bloom and find tasty nourishment.

I could pick myself a handful every day and never run out.

Then I thought about my paltry plastic petals at home on my mantle.

Those fake flowers and imitation images seemed like a weak substitute…

after seeing acres of glory.

Hmmm….

My life as an authentic believer should have an abundance to it.

Faith is more that a plastic prop to put on display.

Belief is not piecing scraps of good deeds together.

The field of flowers taught me a good lesson.

I want to seek a deep and wide and long and high relationship with God —

not a drive-by appreciation, but a dive-in-and-get-lost-in-glory kind of thing.

I want to stand in His presence and be humbled by my smallness —

and be astounded by His greatness.

I want to reach up – stretch myself to know more, then dig deep —

and let the Seed of His Word sustain me and take root.

I want to be filled with the Spirit every day —

and never run out.

What would life be like if I committed to such a creed?

“I have come so that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10

To Tell the Truth

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I’m mad.  I’m sad.  I’m mad and sad.

  All along I believed him.

But now it seems he wasn’t being truthful.

No, I’m not talking about PB.

He can’t lie to me.

PB confesses every time he sneaks a Big Mac.

I’m talking about RB.

#8.   2011 MVP.  Left fielder.  My favorite player.

Solomon was right:

“Truth lasts;  lies are here today, gone tomorrow.” (Proverbs 12:19)

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.  Lies, deception and cover ups are as old as the Garden of Eden.  The serpent convinced the newly created couple that God was actually the liar.  Even without television and internet and peer pressure, Eve fell for an untruth in paradise.  Before there was corrupt politics and shady business deals and magic potion salesmen, the first family unraveled because of fibs and fabrications.

Okay, I’m not mad anymore.  Just sad.

Sad because people with freakish talent still feel the need to up their performance in order to prove to the crowd that they are most valuable.

Sad to observe a world where we can convince our very own selves that a lie is the truth (or the truth is a lie) if we believe it long and hard enough.

Sad to know that a mom and dad suffer with every scathing comment, locker room buddies wrestle with bitterness, fickle fans find new favorites.

I must not forget that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God —

 most of our transgressions aren’t broadcast on ESPN.

“Surely You desire truth in the inner parts.” Psalm 51:6