The inscription engraved in my silver business card holder reads, “Success is making dreams come true. February 3, 1997.” A dear friend placed this wonderful little gift in my hands fifteen years ago on the day when I opened the doors to my own counseling practice. Indeed, that was a dream come true. But fifteen years? Is it really possible that much time has passed since Christian Counseling & Educational Services began? It seems we just celebrated our tenth anniversary!
Last week we talked about the little song, “God is So Good,” and I encouraged readers to share other words that fit that little tune. Thank you to all who took time to write! I had a lot of fun reading your encouraging messages and have printed below the song lyrics you sent. (Read last week’s devotional).
Recently, we started a new Bible study at the condo where I live. It’s exciting to see this new door of ministry open and to be so warmly received. In our last session, we sang the little chorus, “God is So Good.” While the words are simple, it’s a great reminder of the character and care of our Heavenly Father.
When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
In John 5:1-9 we read the exciting story of the lame man who sat by the Pool of Bethesda hoping to be healed by being the first to enter the pool after the angel stirred the waters. When Jesus arrived on the scene He asked the lame man a simple but profound question, “Do you want to get well?”
One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is the sound of Christmas carols! I love them all, but this year there was one that I just couldn’t get out of my head. Over and over again I heard, “O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.” Even now that Christmas is behind us, I still hear those words repeatedly.
It’s just a week until Christmas! Everyone is scurrying around decorating, shopping, baking, traveling. There’s so much to be done; so little time to do it. Just yesterday someone said to me, “I always intend to start earlier so this doesn’t happen, but it seems I’m even too busy then to get a head start on Christmas!”
“Too busy.” It’s the plague of the American society. We rush and hurry, bustle and scurry and life feels like nothing more than a treadmill of getting things done. Sadly we find that our list of things to do is never any shorter.
Katherine Rose arrived just a few days before Thanksgiving—my fifth grandchild. What a joy it has been to be here with my daughter and her family to share in these first days of little Katherine’s life. She’s so tiny, so delicate, and so precious. It’s exciting to watch her older brother and sisters delight in her, to see her mother and dad’s joy and pride, and to welcome this child to our family.
Today I’m heading west to see my daughter and son-in-law and their family! I live in the east coast region of the U.S. and they live in the mid-west. When I reach my destination, I’ll stop; however, if I kept traveling west, I’d eventually wind up back home in the east because there is no point where west ends and east begins. It’s not that way with north and south. If I journey north, eventually I’ll come to the North Pole and from there I’ll go south, no matter which way I move–that is, until I reach the South Pole and from there I’ll travel north again. North and south actually have starting and stopping points.
Paul didn’t make his list of blessings based on what a wonderful time he was experiencing. Instead He focused on his suffering and the fact that in every difficult and dangerous situation, God was there. Truly, He comforted and protected His servants. Paul’s blessing was in knowing that God would see him through all of life’s afflictions and hardships and for that he was thankful.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Loud and long the buzzer sounded early Tuesday morning. Being new to this building, I wasn’t exactly sure what it was so I poked my head into the hallway and saw the flashing lights of the fire alarm.
“The building’s on fire!” I thought. I knew I needed to exit but, not wanting to appear in public in my p.j.s, I jumped into the slacks and sweater I dropped in the dirty clothes basket the night before. I threw on my coat, grabbed my Bible from the table, and in one swoop picked up my keys, purse and cell phone. I had the essentials. What else should I take with me? “No time! Just get out of the building,” I thought.
Price: $14.95Includes 15 scripts by Ann Shorb that can be used with puppets or acted out by children, plus five articles about running a puppet ministry. Available as an electronic PDF download or as a paperback.
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Price: $14.99How does a Christian man give adequate time and attention to his work, his wife, his children, his church, and his own spiritual development considering all the demands that he has upon his life in modern society?
