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Here we go! Thanksgiving is over, and there are just a few days remaining in November. Today is the day that has been named "Black Friday" here in America, for it is the day that retailers count on to "go in the black" for their year's sales projections. Homes will quickly now become engulfed in brightly colored lights, shining out each night to all passersby. Trees will be erected in the homes of millions. Decorations go up everywhere! Music on radio stations, no matter what the specific genre of music, will now begin to play holiday tunes, set to the style of their choosing. Parties and celebrations will be held for nearly every company and organization. Children will all be filled with growing excitement which will mount day by day throughout the month. Throughout the land, its now the Season of Joy! However, for many people, it is anything but a joyous time. For the one that has just recently lost a loved one, it will be a season of sorrow. For the one trying to escape the realities of their life, it will be a season of secrecy, hiding behind all the glitter and tinsel. And, for the one who questions all of what makes up their life, it will be a season of searching. My friend, as we now enter this season, let us remember that Jesus is the reason for the season! We have the wonderful opportunity to share the good news that Jesus has come to bind up the wounded, hurting hearts, and turn their sorrow into gladness! We will have the opportunity to share the real meaning of life, that Jesus has come to give life, true life, to all who will call upon His name. We will have unique opportunities to answer questions about who Jesus really is, and to introduce them to the babe born on that first Christmas day, who was born to die for the sin of all mankind. Paul said that he was willing to become all things to all people, that he might by all means be able to win them to Christ. In this season, let us be sensitive to all those around us, and be ready at all times to proclaim joy to the world, for the Lord is come! Article 1 – Wha'dja Bring Me, Daddy?
Soon, he spots his father walking through the jetway, coat over one arm, and a handle bag in the other, filled with the potential of great surprise for his son. The boy quickly runs and jumps into his father's outstretched arms. The reunion of father and son is filled with joy! As quickly as they hug, the little boy utters the words that every child awaiting the return of their parent has said at one time or another, "Wha'dja bring me, Daddy?!" You see, the boy knew that every time his father came home, he had a special gift just for him! The young child was, of course, happy to see his father, and felt the comfort of the family back together again. But, for that specific moment, in the eyes of a five-year old, it was time for a special gift! The present was the most important thing to him – or so it seemed. What he didn't realize was that there were far more important things that his daddy's return brought! It meant that his father was safe, that he was successful on his business trip, that he would be there with his son to raise him to adulthood. It meant so many more things than the little boy comprehended. And, friends, that is how it is with us, as we now await Christmas! Thanksgiving is over, and we are now in the month of waiting for Christmas Day! For many children, it means that there are presents waiting to be opened on that special day. Christmas means many things to many people. But, what does Christmas really bring to each of us? In Luke 1, we read the very familiar account of that first Christmas. This Sunday, as we begin the Christmas season, I would like to look at this passage and discover with you just exactly "What Does Christmas Bring." I know you will be blessed! My friend, Peggie Bohanon, who has the wonderful "Peggie's Place," one of the great Christian websites, shares the following: Take some turkey chunks, a can of mushroom soup, some veggies, a handful of noodles. Mix; top with cheddar cheese and French onion rings, throw it (well, don't THROW it!) in the oven... and what do you have? A Thanksgiving LEFTOVER casserole for Friday – AND Saturday – AND if you added ENOUGH of everything, you – and your grateful (??) family will "enjoy" it on Sunday as well! Leftovers are a part of the whole "dining experience" in our society; our moms did it – we turned up our noses; now we do it – and OUR kids turn up their noses. Hey, leftovers can be good, kids – lighten up! But hold on... for all leftovers are NOT good. No, I don't mean the kind you eat; I mean the kind I found in the Bible as a Sunday school kid – not tasty, not tempting – and NOT thankful! Have you guessed the story? Ten lepers came to Christ for healing; He touched and healed them all. Nine of them "LEFT over" whatever their ingratitude, negligence or haste; only one remained to fall at our Lord's feet and thank Him. Now before you condemn these LEFTOVERS in Bible land, look around – we've got them in the land today... Meet the "leftovers" in the family – Well, you can't really MEET them – they've skipped town. Spouses who have "left over" whatever reason seemed convenient at the time, forsaking their families for "greener pasture." Maybe you are one of the injured ones "left behind" and you're hurting, especially at this Thanksgiving season. That's tough – and I have no answers, except that the Grace of God will hold you, heal you, love you, support you, and bring you through. And please – don't ever let the "leftovers" of life color YOUR world so black that YOU leave too! Hang in there; God is on your side and will see you through. Meet the LEFTOVERS in the Church! Know any? Well, you can't really meet them either – they're GONE too! People who leave over the most minor reasons: the pastor did not shake their hand; someone else was elected to a position they wanted; sister so-and-so can't stand brother so-and-so, and on it goes. How sad that believers in the Body of Christ should let hurt, misunderstanding, anger, bitterness, resentment – and sometimes just plain foolishness – cause them to reject the goodness and grace of God – and become the LEFTOVERS OF OUR LAND! It's Thanksgiving season, and whatever LEFTOVERS you know – personally or in I'm off my soapbox – no, actually it's a few stacked boxes of canned mushroom soup, vegetables and noodles – for MY leftover dish – what else... grin! Now go make YOUR dinner casserole for tonight – hope it is tempting, tasty and terrific – and have a great holiday weekend! Happy Thanksgiving to all! Visit Peggie's Place on-line.
When I was a young turkey, new to the coop, His look and his tone I will always remember, And soon you'll be thick, where once you were thin, Then she'll pluck out all your feathers so you're bald 'n pink, Well, the rest of his words were too grim to repeat, I began a new diet of nuts and granola, I maintained my weight of two pounds and a half, And sure enough when Black November rolled around, She held me today, while sewing and humming, It Was The Day After Thanksgiving It was the day after Thanksgiving and all thru the house With cash in my pocket, the keys in my hand, I rush to the gas station to fill up with gas. I rush in the stores with a twinkle in my eye Buying up everything within my sight As I walked away and looked in the store With presents stacked way up to the ceiling With presnts to wrap and scotch tape to find
PING. PING. PING. Sara angrily looked at the call light box, "Good grief!" The patient was a seventy-year-old woman. Sarah had been to her room at the end of the hall at least fifteen times. Angrily she started down the hall. On her way, she suddenly stopped. She stood motionless as a soft voice wafted out of room 235. "And then one day I'll cross the river; I'll fight life's final war with pain; And then as death gives way to victory, I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives." Tears welled up in her eyes as she listened and thought about the young woman in that room — a thirty-five year old mother of two with cancer, with only a week to live, perhaps days. Sarah stood there, with tears in her eyes, remembering how this young terminal woman had such peace. The patient would speak to everyone who came into her room and she would smile even in her pain and took the time to share her faith and let people know the reason for her peace was a faith in God. All the nurses who had been around her commented on her strength and how they had felt peace and calm after talking with this exceptional young woman. "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know who holds the future, Life is worth all the living, just because He lives." Unstoppable tears flowed as Sarah stood a few moments more, but the tears had taken on a newness. No longer were they tears of sadness for this young woman but tears of renewal that washed away the disappointment and disillusionment of her job, and the fear about the future. Sarah started down the hall to answer the call light, but she was no longer going to check on some pestering old woman. She was going to the room of a patient, a person, a fellow human in need. Sarah no longer looked to January so she could quit — she looked to her next shift when she would again have the opportunity to serve her fellow man. Sarah left work with a new outlook on life. She had a rekindling of the spirit of service that had motivated her to become a nurse. Those fires had almost died, but for a young terminally ill woman who had the desire to be of service to her fellow man even unto death. This is a reminder to me that the reason that we are on this earth at all, is to be of service to each other. It was said best when He said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his brother."
Her life had been easy, like a spring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole that from her. During this Thanksgiving week she would have delivered a son. She grieved over her loss. As if that weren't enough, her husband's company threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose holiday visit she coveted, called saying she could not come for the holiday. Then Sandra's friend infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer. She has no idea what I'm feeling, thought Sandra with a shudder. Thanksgiving? Thankful for what? She wondered. For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life but took that of her child? "Good afternoon, can I help you?" The shop clerk's approach startled her. "I....I need an arrangement," stammered Sandra. "For Thanksgiving? Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Thanksgiving "Special?" asked the shop clerk. "I'm convinced that flowers tell stories," she continued. "Are you looking for something that conveys 'gratitude' this thanksgiving?" "Not exactly!" Sandra blurted out. "In the last five months, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong." Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the shop clerk said, "I have the perfect arrangement for you." Just then the shop door's small bell rang, and the shop clerk said, "Hi, Barbara...let me get your order." She politely excused herself and walked toward a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses. Except the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped: there were no flowers. "Want this in a box?" asked the clerk. Sandra watched for the customer's response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems with no flowers! She waited for laughter, but neither woman laughed. "Yes, please," Barbara, replied with an appreciative smile. "You'd think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn't be so moved by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again," she said as she gently tapped her chest. And she left with her order. "Uh," stammered Sandra, "that lady just left with, uh....she just left with no flowers! "Right, said the clerk, "I cut off the flowers. That's the Special. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet." "Oh, come on, you can't tell me someone is willing to pay for that!" exclaimed Sandra. "Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling much like you feel today," explained the clerk. "She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was into drugs, and she was facing major surgery." "That same year I had lost my husband," continued the clerk, "and for the first time in my life, had just spent the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel." "So what did you do?" asked Sandra. "I learned to be thankful for thorns," answered the clerk quietly. "I've always thanked God for the good things in my life and never questioned the good things that happened to me, but when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask questions! It took time for me to learn that dark times are important. I have always enjoyed the 'flowers' of life, but it took thorns to show me the beauty of God's comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we're afflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort others." Sandra sucked in her breath as she thought about the very thing her friend had tried to tell her. "I guess the truth is I don't want comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God." Just then someone else walked in the shop. "Hey, Phil!" shouted the clerk to the balding, rotund man. "My wife sent me in to get our usual Thanksgiving Special....12 thorny, long-stemmed stems!" laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator. "Those are for your wife?" asked Sandra incredulously. "Do you mind me asking why she wants something that looks like that?" "No...I'm glad you asked," Phil replied. "Four years ago my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the Lord's grace and guidance, we slogged through problem after problem. He rescued our marriage. Jenny here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of rose stems to remind her of what she learned from "thorny" times, and that was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific "problem" and give thanks for what that problem taught us." As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the Special!" "I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life." Sandra said. "It's all too...fresh." "Well," the clerk replied carefully, "my experience has shown me that thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, it was a crown of thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don't resent the thorns." Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since the accident, she loosened her grip on resentment. "I'll take those twelve long-stemmed thorns, please," she managed to choke out. "I hoped you would," said the clerk gently. "I'll have them ready in a minute." "Thank you. What do I owe you?" "Nothing. Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The first year's arrangement is always on me." The clerk smiled and handed a card to Sandra. "I'll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would like to read it first." It read: "My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant." Praise Him for your roses; thank him for your thorns!
"Here, have some cooking oil." "Yuck" says the boy. "How about a couple raw eggs? " "Gross, Grandma!" "Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Grandma, those are all yucky!" His Grandma then replied, "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way. Many times we wonder why he would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!" He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. Do It Anyway, by Mother Theresa
If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, You will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, People may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, Someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, They may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, People will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, And it may never be enough; You see, in the final analysis, It is between you and God;
Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air. "My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God's eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him. Psalm 17:8 states that God will keep us 'as the apple of His eye.'" |
Volume 2.48 – November 29, 2002 Sign up here to receive Click here to view archived issues of |
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The little boy stands excitedly at the airport terminal, watching as the plane pulls up to the jetway. Onboard the plane is the boy's father, who has been away the last week on a business trip. "Mommy, when will Daddy be here, when will Daddy be here?!" he asks, barely able to contain himself, as his arm strains at the firm, protective grasp of his mother's hand. "When you see the door open, Daddy will come walking down the hall," his mother answered.
I grabbed all the cards and out the door I ran.
Late one December night on the hospital cancer ward the halls were quiet and solemn. The patients were asleep and most of the visitors were gone. The nurses were gathered about the nurse's station preparing for shift change. Sarah, one of the nurses, was especially tired, having worked seven straight 12 hour days. The kids had needs, her husband had been laid off and the house payment was due. What kept her going was, that in January she was going to find a new job. After ten years of answering call lights, working short staffed, putting up with constant administrative changes, she had decided that it was not worth the effort anymore.
Sandra felt as low as the heels of her shoes as she pushed against a November gust and the florist shop door.
A little boy was telling his Grandma how "everything" was going wrong – school, family problems, severe health problems, etc.. Meanwhile, Grandma was baking a cake. She asked her grandson if he would like a snack, which of course he did.
People are often unreasonable, Illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"