At lunch yesterday Gloria and I saw a customer hand a book to our waitress. I asked her whether the customer had written it. “No,” she replied, his daughter wrote it. She is a famous Christian writer.”
“Who is she?” I asked.
“Beverly Lewis.”
“I know who she is.” I explained, “She and I had a book signing at a Christian bookstore, but the line at her table was much longer than mine.”
The waitress wanted to know what books I had written.
“Mostly biblical, theological books, but I have written a couple of others—one for golfers and another for dog owners. Do you play golf or own a dog? If you do, I’ll give you a book.”
She answered, “No, but I would like one of your other books. I use books like that for the papers I write for my classes at Pike’s Peak Community College.”
“Okay! Next time we eat here, I will give you a book.”
Soon we were chatting with Bev Lewis’s father. He explained that they had lived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, so Bev’s books based on Amish life were authentic. He also told us he is writing a book.
We learned he had lost his wife about a year and a half ago after 58 years of marriage. He had been a pastor for many years, having gone into the ministry in 1948.
I shared with him that Gloria and I will celebrate our 50th Anniversary June 7 and I am currently serving a church in Penrose, having entered the ministry in 1958.
So there we were, a couple of old preachers swapping stories while our food was getting colder with each story. It was a good lunch!
Later yesterday, several anniversary cards arrived in the mail. One was from George and Laura Bush.
It was a very good day.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day
Sunday morning attendance was low yesterday morning. Likely a number of families went camping. Our church is located close to the Arkansas River, Royal Gorge, and beautiful mountains. The area attracts many tourists and locals to fish, hike, bike, ride the rapids, and enjoy the majestic scenery. The low attendance was not surprising.
So there was ample room in church for the two visitors that arrived after I had started the morning service. But a couple of members chased them from the sanctuary and out the front doors. The unwelcome guests were dogs. We had left the church’s front doors open because the weather was pleasant. Apparently, the dogs had interpreted the open doors as an invitation to check out our worship service. Perhaps they had hoped we would sing the dogsology. At any rate, they helped make Memorial Day weekend even more memorable than anticipated.
Our flag is flying in front of our house this Memorial Day. I hope yours is too. We owe so much to our military men and women. Many of them paid the ultimate price to keep us free. Those who are serving our country in faraway places are sacrificing for us. We owe them our prayers, our support, and our thanks.
The greatest sacrifice of all sacrifices was the one Jesus made on the cross on our behalf. He voluntarily laid down His life to give us eternal life. Let’s remember this sacrifice with deep gratitude today and every day.
So there was ample room in church for the two visitors that arrived after I had started the morning service. But a couple of members chased them from the sanctuary and out the front doors. The unwelcome guests were dogs. We had left the church’s front doors open because the weather was pleasant. Apparently, the dogs had interpreted the open doors as an invitation to check out our worship service. Perhaps they had hoped we would sing the dogsology. At any rate, they helped make Memorial Day weekend even more memorable than anticipated.
Our flag is flying in front of our house this Memorial Day. I hope yours is too. We owe so much to our military men and women. Many of them paid the ultimate price to keep us free. Those who are serving our country in faraway places are sacrificing for us. We owe them our prayers, our support, and our thanks.
The greatest sacrifice of all sacrifices was the one Jesus made on the cross on our behalf. He voluntarily laid down His life to give us eternal life. Let’s remember this sacrifice with deep gratitude today and every day.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Tornado
Two days ago a tornado ravaged Windsor, Colorado, a community about two hours north of our Colorado Springs home. A few years ago I spoke at a golf outing in Windsor, and more recently preached several Sundays for a church near Windsor. What was a community of upscale homes then is a devastated community today. The tornado struck without warning and ripped many houses asunder. It shattered lives as well as structures.
The Bible warns that we do not know what a day may bring forth. No one in Windsor knew at break of day that a tornado would strike at noon. And no one knows right now what might happen one minute from now. Life’s uncertainty, therefore, should persuade us to live every moment with faith in the Lord. Unbreachable security is found in Him alone.
The Bible warns that we do not know what a day may bring forth. No one in Windsor knew at break of day that a tornado would strike at noon. And no one knows right now what might happen one minute from now. Life’s uncertainty, therefore, should persuade us to live every moment with faith in the Lord. Unbreachable security is found in Him alone.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Tunnels
I have never met a tunnel I liked, and I have met a few of them. The Holland and Lincoln Tunnels pass under the Hudson River and link New Jersey and New York City. The Baltimore Tunnel stretches under Baltimore Harbor. The Eisenhower Tunnel is the highest vehicular tunnel in the world. It crosses the Continental Divide in Colorado at an average elevation of 11,112 feet.
Almost as soon as I enter a tunnel I look for light at the other end. A long, dark tunnel simply doesn’t enthrall me.
We all pass through dark “tunnels” when we experience trials. Some are shorter than others, and none are pleasant. We may accept them as inevitable, but we hope to find light at the end of each one. Job entered a long tunnel when Satan targeted him for grim trials. He must have thought the tunnel would never end when in the midst of his severe trials he received advice from his wife to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). But he kept on trusting God and continued his search for light at the end of the tunnel. It arrived in the form of a revelation of God that caused Job to see both God and himself more clearly than ever (38:1—42:6). Beyond the trials Job was doubly blessed by an all-wise and all-loving God (12-17).
The Rapture may occur in our lifetime, but if it doesn’t, each of us will experience life’s darkest trial, but even then light will shine at the end of the tunnel. We will see the light of heaven—the light of Jesus’ face.
Almost as soon as I enter a tunnel I look for light at the other end. A long, dark tunnel simply doesn’t enthrall me.
We all pass through dark “tunnels” when we experience trials. Some are shorter than others, and none are pleasant. We may accept them as inevitable, but we hope to find light at the end of each one. Job entered a long tunnel when Satan targeted him for grim trials. He must have thought the tunnel would never end when in the midst of his severe trials he received advice from his wife to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). But he kept on trusting God and continued his search for light at the end of the tunnel. It arrived in the form of a revelation of God that caused Job to see both God and himself more clearly than ever (38:1—42:6). Beyond the trials Job was doubly blessed by an all-wise and all-loving God (12-17).
The Rapture may occur in our lifetime, but if it doesn’t, each of us will experience life’s darkest trial, but even then light will shine at the end of the tunnel. We will see the light of heaven—the light of Jesus’ face.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Life Is a Journey
Memorial Day will arrive soon, and many Americans will observe it at state parks, camping sites, ballparks, and backyard barbecues. Getting to destinations beyond home will cost more this year. Gas costs almost $4 a gallon. If you hit the open road for Memorial Day, you may want to reduce your speed and choose a less distant destination in order to save fuel.
Life itself is a journey. We can choose to make it successful, or we can choose to turn it into a colossal waste of time. The difference depends on whether we pursue the path God has set for us or go our own way. Proverbs 3:6 counsels us to acknowledge God in all our ways, and promises, “he will make your paths straight.” But Proverbs 14:12 warns: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
Anchor, Haven Ministries’ devotional guide, is dedicated to helping readers find and follow the path God has prescribed. I wrote Anchor’s June issue, titled “Travel Tips for Life’s Journey.” If you have the opportunity to read the 30 devotionals next month, I hope you will find each one inspiring, encouraging, and beneficial.
May you enjoy a close walk with God today!
Life itself is a journey. We can choose to make it successful, or we can choose to turn it into a colossal waste of time. The difference depends on whether we pursue the path God has set for us or go our own way. Proverbs 3:6 counsels us to acknowledge God in all our ways, and promises, “he will make your paths straight.” But Proverbs 14:12 warns: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
Anchor, Haven Ministries’ devotional guide, is dedicated to helping readers find and follow the path God has prescribed. I wrote Anchor’s June issue, titled “Travel Tips for Life’s Journey.” If you have the opportunity to read the 30 devotionals next month, I hope you will find each one inspiring, encouraging, and beneficial.
May you enjoy a close walk with God today!
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