March, 19 2010                                                  Ephesians 6 vs.4

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. NLT  

Restraint

Growing up none of the kids on the block wanted to play at Rick’s house. His Dad had earned the title “Mr. Crabby Pants”. No one was quite sure just where this originated, but the shoe fit well. Do not cut through his yard or expect a reprimand from the grass Gestapo. Demanding rules ruled the roost. All three squares precisely at seven, twelve and five thirty, best be on time. His raucous brood spent way too many hungry nights lying awake in bed. The regimented expectations he demanded were past extreme. They reeked with meanness, and insensitivity. Rick’s Dad always felt he was a Christian father steeping their lives with parental authority, and discipline.  Toe the line or else, after all that’s how he was raised. This style of bringing up children was dipped in fear, not respect. This rigid regime mentality yields despise and resent. The Dad failed to incorporate the real message God intends for a parent to teach, that is one of real love for, devoted compassion, and caring for them at all times. Love them the way the Lord loves us.

©rw 03.19.10

March 18, 2010                                                  Ecclesiastes 7 vs.9

Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. NLT

Manage

The toothpaste tube lie crumpled, cap less as green white gel oozed its way onto the formerly neat bathroom counter. Annoyed, Robert screamed “Kids, who, who made the mess!”  He was greeted with dead silence. Robert shouted even louder “get down here, now!” Minutes crawled by then two tired faces stood in the doorway to the kitchen. Jessie slurped a soda as he says “whs up Dad?” The fifteen year old slouched with honest innocence. Confused by the freaked out expression on his Dad’s fuming irritated face he opted to duck into the dining room. Ten year old Steven scooted into the kitchen arena asking dad “what do you want?”  Robert stabs a “who used the paste?” Jessie pants “not me, get a grip.” Steven sobs, “I just got up, haven’t eaten yet.” Getting nowhere with his home grand jury he turned heading for the bedroom. There he was met with the icy stare of his wife Barb. She reluctantly reminded Robert that he was the one cleaning up last night at eleven thirty. Remember Dear?

©rw 03.18.10

March 17, 2010                                                   Deuteronomy 1 vs.11

And may the Lord, the God of your ancestors, multiply you a thousand times more and bless you as he promised! NLT

Proliferate

It started with a knock at the door; there he stood alone carrying the message of a new church meeting in the gym of the elementary school. The welcoming pamphlet was left as the invitation to the young family. The brave missionary grew weary as he tread paths to countless suburban portals. The days were filled combing the harried details of readying for that first worship service. Here it is ten o’clock Sunday morning with Ruth his wife of six years sitting on the old wood piano stool motionless eyeing the music of “A mighty Fortress”. As she looked up, two couples, and four children shuffled in. Finding a place they stood in front of the metal folding chairs. A sincere greeting was offered by the young pastor thanking God for the gathering to worship, and blessing the flock of new Christian soldiers rallied for this humble beginning. Seven years later the burgeoning group houses in a permanent structure. The brick and wooden building becomes the encasement for the congregation which has blossomed into four hundred faithful. That knock, the invite to worship, and praise God was the watered seed which flourished. The branches of God’s love are forgiving shade to all that worship Him.  

©rw 03.17.10

March 16, 2010                                                   Daniel 6 vs.22

My God has sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” NLT

Spare

The road ahead was flowing with a sporadic pulse of heavy traffic. At last the light a block up turns from red to green so Becky signals to change lanes, planning on turning left at the approaching intersection. While navigating the turn her cute yellow car suddenly was slammed into with tremendous force. The impact threw her face into the exploding airbag.  The two seconds of terror seemed to be an eternity. This vehicle accident was the first for the twenty year old driver. It was a relief when she found the breath of composure, lifting herself out of her tangled crumpled transport. Walk away she did; a blessing gift she realizes she had received. As man continues to improve the safety of his inventions to protect him from harm we also have to be thankful for having a loving God that has the patent on everlasting protection. The policy is fulfilled with our faith. By the grace of God we are saved, loving Him, trusting Him, and spreading the good news of His mercy.

©rw 03.16.10

February 26, 2010                                                  2 Corinthians 11 vs.30

If I must boast, I would rather about the things that show how weak I am. NLT

Unassuming

A common caution issued by parents of all ages is to remind their offspring not to get to big for their own britches. Another often used one is to show some modesty. If you cannot say something nice keep your mouth shut. We are never too old for this sage advice. Most remember that braggart in the class, or on the playground. The endless blub, blub, of winning this, and having that, it was constantly me, me. It carved craters in the stomachs of those around. Some might entertain the blow your own horn nonsense just to get close to the tempting glitter of the other side, the greedy world of the “haves”. The shine of worldly gains and acquisitions are but a fleeting bauble. It will escape in a blink, a momentary flash in evil’s plan to take you prisoner. With personal resistance to the lure we through grace are given an eternal home from our God that loves us. The Lord welcomes the ordinary frail ones of simple means. He has set a place at His table for the inconspicuous, the humble, and the down to earth. To have Faith is the possession that endures for all time.

©rw 02.26.10