by George | Nov 12, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Be Kind… Rewind
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32
Have you seen the yard signs that say “Be Kind”?
When I first saw one, it reminded me of where I first saw the phrase. It was years ago on a VHS tape case. (Long before the DVD and all the digital stuff, this was how we watched movies!)
Rewinding the tape before you returned it was a way to be kind to the clerk at the video store or the next person who rented/ borrowed the tape.
Paul reminds us to be kind to one another. OK, we can do that.
Then he says to be tenderhearted. Let’s show compassion and empathy for folks we come in contact with.
The third part might be the hardest part. “…forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
We shouldn’t hold a grudge. If I’m tempted to, I look in the mirror and remind myself that Christ has forgiven me for a TON of sins. Then, I forgive, and release it to God, and leave the person in God’s hands.
So, maybe the archaic tape label has a new meaning for us today.
When you rewind a tape, you can play it again.
Once you shower someone with an act of kindness, keep doing it. Then, be kind to the next one, even if they don’t deserve it.
Maybe your acts of kindness will inspire others to do the same.
“Be Kind… Rewind.”
by George | Nov 9, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
It’s Not Over Yet
“Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.”
Joshua 14:12
A new walking trail just opened up in my town. Approximately 1.8 miles in length. Blacktop all the way. Really nice!
My third time on the trail, I made it to the 1.8 mile marker. The sign says “Temporary End of Trail.”
That means that one day, brush will be cleared,asphalt will be put down, and the trail lengthened.
Caleb was 85 years old, but he didn’t feel like he was at the end of the trail…
So, he went to see Joshua. It was a reunion of sorts for the two oldest Israelites.
Caleb recalled memories from 45 years ago. He reminisced that he and Joshua were the only two of the 12 spies who went to check out the land of Caanan who brought back a good report.
Caleb reminded Joshua of God’s promise to give him the land. It was a mountainous region, but Caleb was confident, though he was way past retirement age, that the Lord would make him victorious.
“As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.”
Joshua 14:11-12
So Joshua blessed Caleb, and gave him the land.
We see the secret of Caleb’s success a few verses later.
“Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.”
Joshua 14:14
He followed God wholeheartedly!
It doesn’t matter what your age is. Keep moving on the trail of life… Keep following God wholeheartedly. Continue to set goals…
To quote the famous philosopher Yogi Berra: “It ain’t over ’till it’s over!”
by George | Nov 5, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
May I Have Your Attention?
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
Proverbs 19:21
A gentle rain began to fall as I was finishing my walk this morning. It felt good, but it served a greater purpose.
I had let my mind drift from praying and from listening to God.
The rain was a wake-up call.
So, I got to thinking… Maybe some of the things that have happened this year are a wake-up call for us.
Back in December, my mind was on 2020. Planning ministry events for the coming year. How could we do more in the coming year?
Plans were made, but sometime in March all of that changed, as we all started to “shelter in place” because of Covid 19.
There was an interruption to our “normal” lives.
We may never truly understand why this happened.
But, I wonder if God is trying to get our attention.
I believe as a nation, we have turned from God, and have gone our own way. Could it be that God has allowed this to happen to draw our hearts back to Him? (2 Chronicles 7:14)
This “interruption” has also got more of us spending more time with family at home. Reconnecting with them.
But for some, it has meant being separated from family for a long time. It has made us more creative, as we are now using things like FaceTime and Zoom to keep us connected.
Also, this “interruption” has made some of us more reflective, helping us to slow down, breathe, and enjoy simple pleasures.
So, when there is an “interruption” in life, don’t get upset. Maybe God is trying to tell you something.
Draw near to God, and… breathe.
