Fall arrived today, but it doesn’t seem like fall at our house. It is still warm and sunny; the grass is still green; and most of our trees are still green. However, our flaming burning bush testifies that summer has ended; and pumpkins and gourds sit in full array in stores as messengers of fall.
Every passing season reminds me that life is advancing, but it also reminds me of God’s constant faithfulness. He sets the seasons in order (Gen. 8:22), and He has also ordained the seasons of a human’s life. Whether we live now in life’s springtime, summer, fall, or winter, we can rely on His great faithfulness (Lam. 3:23). His compassions never fail; they are new every morning.
God’s daily faithfulness encourages us to face each new day confidently. He will give us our daily bread, supply strength for every trial, and enable us to do what He wants us to do. He keeps us alive to honor Him. As Kenneth Wuest, my Greek teacher at Moody, used to say. “The servant of the Lord is immortal until his life’s work is done.”
Perhaps the first day of fall is the ideal time to refocus on God and His faithfulness. Wall Street may disappoint us, and Washington politics may disturb us, but God will never fail us. When Jeremiah reflected upon God’s self-renewing compassions and unfailing faithfulness, he exclaimed: “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him” (Lam. 3:24.)
Monday, September 22, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Making Ends Meet
A word to seniors . . .
“Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel” (Proverbs 20:17).
Most seniors live on a fixed income that requires constant fixing. The cost of filling up the car’s gas tank is definitely high octane even when the gas is low octane. Remember when gas cost about twenty cents a gallon and an attendant pumped it, checked the oil, and also washed the windshield? The cost of heating the house seems to be going through the roof faster than smoke from the chimney. Food eats up your social security allowance faster than you eat your food. And when it comes to medical and prescription costs—well, let’s not even go there.
Our challenge, as seniors, is to stretch our income so that it will reach the ends that seem to keep moving farther apart. But how do we do that?
One way is to refuse to buy what we don’t need. If we really don’t need more clothes, even if they are marked down fifty percent at the department store, we ought to say no and save some closet space—and budget space too. If our car runs okay and doesn’t pollute the air, talk back to all the new car commercials. Remember that a new car becomes a used car the minute you drive it off the dealer’s lot.
Another way to get financial handles on those ends that keep moving farther apart is to conserve and consolidate. Instead of driving a mile to pick up a loaf of bread, walk! We would all be better off if we walked more and drove less. And think of the gas we would save by walking! Also, visit the grocery store less often and you will save gas. Make it a habit to shop for groceries after eating a meal. We tend to buy more when we are hungry.
If you have the health and stamina to work part time, why not give it a try? A number of companies are discovering how smart it is to hire older workers. It seems we seniors have a good work ethic and demonstrate company loyalty. If you can’t work away from home, maybe you can work from home. Make an inventory of your skills? Can you prepare taxes, write articles, baby-sit, teach music, or turn a hobby into a cottage industry? You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that people will pay for your services.
Finally, trust the Lord to provide all that you need. He has promised to do so and He never breaks a promise. Assume the positive attitude of the believer who commented, “I may be living from hand to mouth, but it is the Lord’s hand and my mouth.”
© Jim Dyet
“Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel” (Proverbs 20:17).
Most seniors live on a fixed income that requires constant fixing. The cost of filling up the car’s gas tank is definitely high octane even when the gas is low octane. Remember when gas cost about twenty cents a gallon and an attendant pumped it, checked the oil, and also washed the windshield? The cost of heating the house seems to be going through the roof faster than smoke from the chimney. Food eats up your social security allowance faster than you eat your food. And when it comes to medical and prescription costs—well, let’s not even go there.
Our challenge, as seniors, is to stretch our income so that it will reach the ends that seem to keep moving farther apart. But how do we do that?
One way is to refuse to buy what we don’t need. If we really don’t need more clothes, even if they are marked down fifty percent at the department store, we ought to say no and save some closet space—and budget space too. If our car runs okay and doesn’t pollute the air, talk back to all the new car commercials. Remember that a new car becomes a used car the minute you drive it off the dealer’s lot.
Another way to get financial handles on those ends that keep moving farther apart is to conserve and consolidate. Instead of driving a mile to pick up a loaf of bread, walk! We would all be better off if we walked more and drove less. And think of the gas we would save by walking! Also, visit the grocery store less often and you will save gas. Make it a habit to shop for groceries after eating a meal. We tend to buy more when we are hungry.
If you have the health and stamina to work part time, why not give it a try? A number of companies are discovering how smart it is to hire older workers. It seems we seniors have a good work ethic and demonstrate company loyalty. If you can’t work away from home, maybe you can work from home. Make an inventory of your skills? Can you prepare taxes, write articles, baby-sit, teach music, or turn a hobby into a cottage industry? You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that people will pay for your services.
Finally, trust the Lord to provide all that you need. He has promised to do so and He never breaks a promise. Assume the positive attitude of the believer who commented, “I may be living from hand to mouth, but it is the Lord’s hand and my mouth.”
© Jim Dyet
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Another Fine Mess
“This is another fine mess you’ve gotten us into, Stanley?”
Do you remember those words from the Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy era? It seems Stan was always bumbling his way into trouble and dragging poor Oliver with him. Stan and Oliver are out of the spotlight now, but when I read the newspaper or watch the news on TV, I feel like saying to the human race, “This is another fine mess you’ve gotten us into.” Country after country is fraught with military conflict, unrest, poverty, drug traffic, disease, and corruption. We could laugh at Laurel and Hardy’s predicaments, but the chaos we see in our modern world is no laughing matter.
Who is to blame for the current global mess?
Adam and Eve? Not entirely. Their rebellion against God resulted in a cursed earth, a troubled home life, pain, suffering, and death, but according to Romans 5:12, we have all sinned. The human race continues to rebel against God and inflict hatred and misery on one another. The legacy of evil and its consequences will continue until God says, “That’s enough!”
And He will—in a clear, authoritative tone. He will wrest control of our planet, punish evildoers, and inaugurate eternal, peace and well-being for all His children. Someday, an angel will announce, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).
When that glorious day arrives, believers from every era of history may spin Oliver Hardy’s words and tell the Lord, “This is a fine mess you’ve gotten us out of!”
Do you remember those words from the Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy era? It seems Stan was always bumbling his way into trouble and dragging poor Oliver with him. Stan and Oliver are out of the spotlight now, but when I read the newspaper or watch the news on TV, I feel like saying to the human race, “This is another fine mess you’ve gotten us into.” Country after country is fraught with military conflict, unrest, poverty, drug traffic, disease, and corruption. We could laugh at Laurel and Hardy’s predicaments, but the chaos we see in our modern world is no laughing matter.
Who is to blame for the current global mess?
Adam and Eve? Not entirely. Their rebellion against God resulted in a cursed earth, a troubled home life, pain, suffering, and death, but according to Romans 5:12, we have all sinned. The human race continues to rebel against God and inflict hatred and misery on one another. The legacy of evil and its consequences will continue until God says, “That’s enough!”
And He will—in a clear, authoritative tone. He will wrest control of our planet, punish evildoers, and inaugurate eternal, peace and well-being for all His children. Someday, an angel will announce, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).
When that glorious day arrives, believers from every era of history may spin Oliver Hardy’s words and tell the Lord, “This is a fine mess you’ve gotten us out of!”
Thursday, September 11, 2008
A Day to Remember
I was born on 11/11. A date you may identify as Veterans Day, but for many years it was called Remembrance Day. Today is another 11th day of a month—9/11. It is also a day to remember.
Only young children can’t remember the horrific explosions of two planes crashing into New York City’s Twin Towers and the crash of Flight 93 in a Pennsylvania field, and the flaming impact of a fourth plane striking the Pentagon? Approximately 3,000 lives crossed into eternity that day at the hands of crazed assassins.
The rest of us will always remember 9/11, and hopefully honor those who lost their lives that infamous day. May we never back down to terrorism, but always stand up proudly for democracy and liberty, and pray daily for the United States of America.
In less than two months we Americans will vote in a national election. We will not all vote alike, but we can stand united in our allegiance to our country!
Only young children can’t remember the horrific explosions of two planes crashing into New York City’s Twin Towers and the crash of Flight 93 in a Pennsylvania field, and the flaming impact of a fourth plane striking the Pentagon? Approximately 3,000 lives crossed into eternity that day at the hands of crazed assassins.
The rest of us will always remember 9/11, and hopefully honor those who lost their lives that infamous day. May we never back down to terrorism, but always stand up proudly for democracy and liberty, and pray daily for the United States of America.
In less than two months we Americans will vote in a national election. We will not all vote alike, but we can stand united in our allegiance to our country!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Nurse Molly
Sunday afternoon I developed a high temperature and severe chills. Not intentionally, of course! I think a virus caused it. I am feeling better today, but I haven’t gained my full strength. I may have to eat more spinach.
While I was feeling puny, shooting pains kept striking the right side of my right foot. This episode occurs sometimes when my back hurts. It was especially brutal before I had my first back surgery. Maybe the virus settled in my back. At any rate, when the pain jabbed my foot these past two days, I winced and moaned. Each time I did so, Molly, the oldest of our three dogs, jumped into my lap and planted a kiss on my face. She has always been sensitive to my discomfort. After I suffered a stroke in 2001, Gloria and I purchased Molly from a breeder 30 miles east of Colorado Springs. We refer to her as our little dog on the prairie. Molly helped me regain my strength and balance by insisting on daily walks.
Some Christians have the gift of “showing mercy” (Romans 12:8), but that fact doesn’t excuse the rest of us from exercising compassion, kindness, and brotherly love. Paul exhorted the believers at Colosse to clothe themselves with compassion and kindness (Colossians 3:12).
What are you wearing today?
While I was feeling puny, shooting pains kept striking the right side of my right foot. This episode occurs sometimes when my back hurts. It was especially brutal before I had my first back surgery. Maybe the virus settled in my back. At any rate, when the pain jabbed my foot these past two days, I winced and moaned. Each time I did so, Molly, the oldest of our three dogs, jumped into my lap and planted a kiss on my face. She has always been sensitive to my discomfort. After I suffered a stroke in 2001, Gloria and I purchased Molly from a breeder 30 miles east of Colorado Springs. We refer to her as our little dog on the prairie. Molly helped me regain my strength and balance by insisting on daily walks.
Some Christians have the gift of “showing mercy” (Romans 12:8), but that fact doesn’t excuse the rest of us from exercising compassion, kindness, and brotherly love. Paul exhorted the believers at Colosse to clothe themselves with compassion and kindness (Colossians 3:12).
What are you wearing today?
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