Enjoying the Journey
Posts Tagged ‘Gifts’
12 Days of Christmas!
Go ahead and sing it – you know the words! We have always had a lot of fun singing and acting out the old Christmas classic The Twelve Days of Christmas. This English Christmas Carol was based on the twelve days of Christmas celebration that actually began on December 25 and ended on January 5. While the lyrics have changed some through the years and there is debate over the exact meaning of each line, one thought permeates the song: each day and each gift is a reminder that someone truly loves you. Did you know that Christmas is only 12 days from today? What a wonderful thing it would be if over the next twelve days we meditated each…
Read MoreSeeing Through The Eyes Of The Blind
It has been my privilege to have several blind friends. As a college student I met a blind young man who had read several times through the Scriptures using his braille Bible. One of my greatest encouragers now is a blind missionary. Indeed, in the words of Fanny Crosby, “I sometimes think that blind people see more than their friends who have the power of vision.” As I flew home from a meeting just a few days ago I had the pleasure of reading the autobiography of Fanny Crosby. Fanny’s hymns have found their way into great hymn books and, more importantly into the hearts of those who know and love Christ. Blinded as a young girl, she glimpsed with…
Read MorePreachers Are All Different!
No two people are the same, and no two preachers are either. The gifts and callings of God are unique in the life of every one of His servants. It is a beautiful revelation of the wisdom of God and a reminder that He can use others who are not exactly like us. Over the last few weeks I have had the privilege to preach in a number of preacher’s fellowships. As I spend time with ministers of all ages and personalities I am reminded that the common denominator is not us but the Christ in us. Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?…Therefore let…
Read MoreMonday’s Thanksgiving Thought
Gratitude begins vertical and becomes horizontal. As we offer thanks to the Source of every good gift, we are reminded of the many channels that He uses to deliver them. Sometimes it is easy to recognize blessings from a distance and miss the ones that are right in front of us. Permit me to share an example from my own life… I am more grateful to God than ever for the wife He chose for me. In the words of Proverbs 19:14, “A prudent wife is from the LORD.” There is no way that I could do what I am doing with my life without Tammy. The other day she picked me up from the airport (again) with a smile…
Read MoreMaking Christmas Gifts More Meaningful
Shiny packages and suspense are part of the excitement at Christmas. Fascinating, isn’t it? We spend weeks buying the gifts (or one crazy day if you are like me) and in about 30 minutes it is all over! My grandma used to say, “It is just a big build up for a big let down.” Perhaps a little pessimistic, but very close to the truth. Things change as we get older, but the fun of gift giving (and receiving) continues. Yesterday we celebrated with our family at home and on Christmas day we will do it all over again at my mom and dad’s house. Gift exchange has become more like a progressive dinner than an event! To be sure,…
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