Boy, I got in a short walk before the rains started again. But I did get a walk in. And I thought how often we just take God’s riches and blessings for granted.
The report of the icy conditions through the Midwest reminded me of the years we served in Missouri. The Mexico/Vandalia parish was 35 miles apart, and I drove that each Sunday. The Only time I missed was one Sunday when ice had blanketed the entire area, trees were losing branches, and 21 miles of telephone wires were down when one pole broke, and the domino effect took down the rest with the lines heavy with ice. So I called Mr. M, in Vandalia and said I wouldn’t be coming. He replied, “There’s nothing moving here, Pastor, and we weren’t expecting you”. Certainly, we prayed for safe travel, but always expected to be home again for the service in Mexico.
We do tend to take God’s presence and shelter for granted, do we not?
One other thought, during all that travel, I had one flat tire along the way and had no jack. So I went to the farmhouse where it happened, and asked for help. The man, who happened to be a vet, jumped in his truck, jacked up the car, replaced the tire, took nothing but my thanks, and I was on my way in five minutes.
The Psalm has it so right.
“O Lord, you have searched me, and you know me,
You know when I sit, and when I rise;
You perceive My thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out, and my lying down,
You are familiar with all my ways”. Psalm 139, 1-3.
So He does, and God is always right there with us, blessing, guiding, leading, and keeping, so that “No harm shall befall thee”. So the rain falls, and I am dry, because God supplies all my needs. And I am grateful.
GPD 12/12/07
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Shade Tree Wisdom 12/10/07
Kind of misty this morning. As a matter of fact, it was raining when I got up, but had stopped by the time I was ready for the walk. So, do I go, or not? Do I take an umbrella, or not? Do I just pick up the paper and skip the walk. Well, I walked, and it didn’t rain, but it remained misty.
Thanks to all who took the time to send a line saying my scribble reached your house. Really amazing, this stuff, isn’t it?
I notice while walking some houses leave their decorating lights on all night, some do not. It’s a matter of habit, I assume.
But it does bring to mind that yearly puzzle, why do lights we put away so carefully come out in a tangle the next year? Well, stick with me a bit, and I shall offer the solution. A solution by the way, offered after research by the U of California and the U of Pennsylvania math department. One suggestion is to hang the lights over the rafters in the back of the garage. Their study found that any string of lights, if it had one end free and was jostled a bit, would become tangled, and the more shaking, the worse the mess. So store the lights with ends joined, and the cords packed tightly, and let them alone.
Now that was simple, wasn’t it?
I was paging through a Popular Science issue lately and marveled at the advanced technology already here or just over the horizon. For an example, they are testing the scramjet engine, capable of flying at speeds up to 15 mach, 10,000 mph. Or something that will replace the cable for internet connections. It is almost too much.
Then I remember it was a little squirrel, looking for some new taste, that brought the whole thing to a halt when it nibbled through a cable.
I urge us to remember, “My times are in Thy hands”. He it is who created it all, and keeps it in His gentle care. Praise His holy Name.
GPD 12/10/07
Thanks to all who took the time to send a line saying my scribble reached your house. Really amazing, this stuff, isn’t it?
I notice while walking some houses leave their decorating lights on all night, some do not. It’s a matter of habit, I assume.
But it does bring to mind that yearly puzzle, why do lights we put away so carefully come out in a tangle the next year? Well, stick with me a bit, and I shall offer the solution. A solution by the way, offered after research by the U of California and the U of Pennsylvania math department. One suggestion is to hang the lights over the rafters in the back of the garage. Their study found that any string of lights, if it had one end free and was jostled a bit, would become tangled, and the more shaking, the worse the mess. So store the lights with ends joined, and the cords packed tightly, and let them alone.
Now that was simple, wasn’t it?
I was paging through a Popular Science issue lately and marveled at the advanced technology already here or just over the horizon. For an example, they are testing the scramjet engine, capable of flying at speeds up to 15 mach, 10,000 mph. Or something that will replace the cable for internet connections. It is almost too much.
Then I remember it was a little squirrel, looking for some new taste, that brought the whole thing to a halt when it nibbled through a cable.
I urge us to remember, “My times are in Thy hands”. He it is who created it all, and keeps it in His gentle care. Praise His holy Name.
GPD 12/10/07
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Shade Tree Wisdom 12/9/07
First of all, let me report that the Power Company kept its promised and fixed that street lamp with two days to spare. Excellent.
Now bear with me. I am learning a different way to send emails, and I am trying something different. A person of my years already knows so much, but this modern technology – well, my family is more than patient with instructing me. And they do this with kindness and serve as excellent tutors.
So I will take it a kindness if you will let me know if this comes through, please.
GPD 12/9/07
Now bear with me. I am learning a different way to send emails, and I am trying something different. A person of my years already knows so much, but this modern technology – well, my family is more than patient with instructing me. And they do this with kindness and serve as excellent tutors.
So I will take it a kindness if you will let me know if this comes through, please.
GPD 12/9/07
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Shade Tree Wisdom 12/8/07
I’m back. After God’s created creature messed up this wonderful technology and disconcerted me and the internet, It happened like this. When the cable was put in, either a careless workman or a lazy one did not bury the entire length, and a squirrel took a liking to that cable, chewed it, till he got through.
So I called the company whom I pay money each month, and after a while I managed to get a repair visit scheduled. Here comes a nice young man, checked the machine inside, found everything in good shape, then checked the outside and found the unburied cable nipped in several places, one of them fatal. He replaced that, promised to send a man out to bury it, received my thanks, and left.
Now that I am back, let me report on that street lamp. It is burning again, and the repair was done with two days grace. I trust that company!
But I did find a rose that I had planted two years ago. It’s a miniature rose, and it had produced a fine yellow bloom. I harvested that, placed it into a vase, and gave it to my lovely wife. And I thought of Psalm 8. “How excellent is Thy name in all the earth.” Then it speaks of man, placed here “:a little lower than the angels” to enjoy His creation. And this man has been able to invent much, and yet, that is still under God’s daily eye, isn’t it. It gives me joy to be able to celebrate Advent and Christmas again, for it assures me that God always keeps His promises to me, and on that my salvation is true, and certain.
Bless His Holy Name.
GPD 12/8/07
So I called the company whom I pay money each month, and after a while I managed to get a repair visit scheduled. Here comes a nice young man, checked the machine inside, found everything in good shape, then checked the outside and found the unburied cable nipped in several places, one of them fatal. He replaced that, promised to send a man out to bury it, received my thanks, and left.
Now that I am back, let me report on that street lamp. It is burning again, and the repair was done with two days grace. I trust that company!
But I did find a rose that I had planted two years ago. It’s a miniature rose, and it had produced a fine yellow bloom. I harvested that, placed it into a vase, and gave it to my lovely wife. And I thought of Psalm 8. “How excellent is Thy name in all the earth.” Then it speaks of man, placed here “:a little lower than the angels” to enjoy His creation. And this man has been able to invent much, and yet, that is still under God’s daily eye, isn’t it. It gives me joy to be able to celebrate Advent and Christmas again, for it assures me that God always keeps His promises to me, and on that my salvation is true, and certain.
Bless His Holy Name.
GPD 12/8/07
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Shade Tree Wisdom 12/5/07 More on Heritage
The yard people were here yesterday and gave the lawn its fall treatment and used their blowers to clean the roof and yard of leaves. When their blowers blow, they blow, and leave no leaves. Most have fallen now, so that chore is done for this year.
No, that light is not been replaced. But they still have three days, and I trust the company. Because the power company has faithfully served us and has developed a backlog of trust. That comes with such faithfulness.
And it led me to think of Creed in my walk. The Nicene Creed, recited by millions every week, has this phrase, “Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God. Begotten, not made”.
That phrasing was adopted by the Council of Nicea in 325 to resist the error of a priest named Arius, who taught that Jesus Christ was not God, but was created. Many followed this false teaching.
However, Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria, opposed his false teaching. For years Athanasius stood alone. As a matter of fact, Emperors regarded him as a bother, a thorn in their side. He was exiled from office 5 times by 5 different emperors. But gradually Christians who believed In the deity of Christ came to see if they abandoned the wording of the creed they were standing on a slippery slope that would lead them to regard Christ simply as a high ranking angel, not God. The more they experimented, the more clearly they saw only the wording of the Nicene Creed would preserve Christianity. The Church affirmed this in the council of Constantinople in 381.
It is because such men fought for the faith that we today can still hear Him say to us, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11,28. We come, repentant sinners, and receive forgiveness, and his peace. God grant you such peace in these busy times.
GPD 12/5/07
No, that light is not been replaced. But they still have three days, and I trust the company. Because the power company has faithfully served us and has developed a backlog of trust. That comes with such faithfulness.
And it led me to think of Creed in my walk. The Nicene Creed, recited by millions every week, has this phrase, “Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God. Begotten, not made”.
That phrasing was adopted by the Council of Nicea in 325 to resist the error of a priest named Arius, who taught that Jesus Christ was not God, but was created. Many followed this false teaching.
However, Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria, opposed his false teaching. For years Athanasius stood alone. As a matter of fact, Emperors regarded him as a bother, a thorn in their side. He was exiled from office 5 times by 5 different emperors. But gradually Christians who believed In the deity of Christ came to see if they abandoned the wording of the creed they were standing on a slippery slope that would lead them to regard Christ simply as a high ranking angel, not God. The more they experimented, the more clearly they saw only the wording of the Nicene Creed would preserve Christianity. The Church affirmed this in the council of Constantinople in 381.
It is because such men fought for the faith that we today can still hear Him say to us, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11,28. We come, repentant sinners, and receive forgiveness, and his peace. God grant you such peace in these busy times.
GPD 12/5/07
Monday, December 3, 2007
Shade Tree Wisdom - Our Heritage 12/3/07
One of the street lights is out along the way I usually go. Finally, last Friday it was, I called the power people and reported it. Now I am waiting to see if it will be on by next Friday, because their rule is to respond in 7 days. We shall see, IF I remember.
Because we do have trouble remembering, don’t we? Quick, tell me your mother’s birth date. See.
So the psalm said, “I remember the days of old. I meditate on all Thy works” Ps. 143,5. Or read psalm 77. Again and again it says “I will remember” or “I meditate”. He doesn’t want to forget what God has done in their history.
This is a theme for the prophets also. They say things like, “Teach them to your children” and “remind them”. “Teach them diligently to thy children” and “write them on the door posts of thy house” Moses had said in Deuteronomy 6.
So remembering became important to this people. So, when the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh had helped their brethren take the land of Canaan, they were allowed to go back to their own land on the other side of the Jordan river. But when they came to the crossing, they decided to erect an altar as a remembrance. When the rest of the people heard this, they were ready to go to war because they thought these tribes had set up their own god. They were pleased when they heard this altar was a way to remember God.
Remembering is one thing the Church ought to do. St Peter said, “As long as I am alive I will remind you” 2 Peter 1,12.13. In chapter 3 he says “I have written to stimulate you to wholesome thinking, recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through his apostles.” V.1.2.
The Lutheran Church has a rich heritage. It is exciting and instructive to read what struggles they went through to keep the truth of the Gospel pure for us today. We do well to pay attention to that, and find in such study and remembering strength for our journey, for the battle is active so long as the earth remains. But we rejoice in this, that our Lord said, “I have overcome the world”. Thank God for being able to claim that victory as ours.” He’s judged, the deed is done,. The Kingdom ours remaineth”.
GPD 12/3/07
Because we do have trouble remembering, don’t we? Quick, tell me your mother’s birth date. See.
So the psalm said, “I remember the days of old. I meditate on all Thy works” Ps. 143,5. Or read psalm 77. Again and again it says “I will remember” or “I meditate”. He doesn’t want to forget what God has done in their history.
This is a theme for the prophets also. They say things like, “Teach them to your children” and “remind them”. “Teach them diligently to thy children” and “write them on the door posts of thy house” Moses had said in Deuteronomy 6.
So remembering became important to this people. So, when the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh had helped their brethren take the land of Canaan, they were allowed to go back to their own land on the other side of the Jordan river. But when they came to the crossing, they decided to erect an altar as a remembrance. When the rest of the people heard this, they were ready to go to war because they thought these tribes had set up their own god. They were pleased when they heard this altar was a way to remember God.
Remembering is one thing the Church ought to do. St Peter said, “As long as I am alive I will remind you” 2 Peter 1,12.13. In chapter 3 he says “I have written to stimulate you to wholesome thinking, recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through his apostles.” V.1.2.
The Lutheran Church has a rich heritage. It is exciting and instructive to read what struggles they went through to keep the truth of the Gospel pure for us today. We do well to pay attention to that, and find in such study and remembering strength for our journey, for the battle is active so long as the earth remains. But we rejoice in this, that our Lord said, “I have overcome the world”. Thank God for being able to claim that victory as ours.” He’s judged, the deed is done,. The Kingdom ours remaineth”.
GPD 12/3/07
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Shade Tree Wisdom 12/1/07
There it is. A brand new month, bright, shiny, unused as yet. Just waiting for us to use. And there seems to be so much to do.
Christmas month. Already stores are filled with stuff to buy. The paper and magazines are replete with ads beckoning our dollars. Furniture stores are offering ‘No interest till 09”. Auto agencies shout with red tag sales. And the family is thinking about decorations inside and out for the Season.
Got to get the cards out, and Christmas letters prepared, and packages to buy, and greetings to send. And for many it is baking cookies and planning preparing special meals. And time is flying too fast.
I was looking at some special flyers and saw stuff about games that I do not understand, and toys that seem too sophisticated for casual play.
Then we stopped this Saturday morning for an hour of Bible study. And were reminded about the Advent season, and the promised coming of the Messiah, so long promised and now Immanuel, God with us.
What a calm this news does bring us. God not only promised the Messiah, but sent Him, and also said He will come again, soon, unexpectedly, finally.
So in all this getting ready for the Christmas celebration, stop, prepare your heart , and rejoice that YOU see in Jesus Christ your Savior. YOU know His death on the cross, that blood shed there, paid for the sins YOU do and did.
So the month lies before us. Bright, shiny, to be filled with many things, but first and chief among them let it be prayer and quiet study at the wonder of His coming as the Babe of Bethlehem who is our Savior and Lord, even Jesus.
O Come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.
GPD 12/1/07
Christmas month. Already stores are filled with stuff to buy. The paper and magazines are replete with ads beckoning our dollars. Furniture stores are offering ‘No interest till 09”. Auto agencies shout with red tag sales. And the family is thinking about decorations inside and out for the Season.
Got to get the cards out, and Christmas letters prepared, and packages to buy, and greetings to send. And for many it is baking cookies and planning preparing special meals. And time is flying too fast.
I was looking at some special flyers and saw stuff about games that I do not understand, and toys that seem too sophisticated for casual play.
Then we stopped this Saturday morning for an hour of Bible study. And were reminded about the Advent season, and the promised coming of the Messiah, so long promised and now Immanuel, God with us.
What a calm this news does bring us. God not only promised the Messiah, but sent Him, and also said He will come again, soon, unexpectedly, finally.
So in all this getting ready for the Christmas celebration, stop, prepare your heart , and rejoice that YOU see in Jesus Christ your Savior. YOU know His death on the cross, that blood shed there, paid for the sins YOU do and did.
So the month lies before us. Bright, shiny, to be filled with many things, but first and chief among them let it be prayer and quiet study at the wonder of His coming as the Babe of Bethlehem who is our Savior and Lord, even Jesus.
O Come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.
GPD 12/1/07
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