Monday, September 27, 2010

Touch

Matt. 8:2-3, "A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.' Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!' Immediately he was cured of his leprosy."

These verses tell us that Jesus did an amazing thing--He touched a leper. Lepers were considered untouchable. They were required to cry out in a loud voice, "Unclean, unclean," if anyone approached them so no one would touch them and become lepers themselves.

I read about a doctor who had a new patient with an ugly looking skin disease. The physician said to a friend of his, "Watch. This man will love me because I will touch him," and the patient responded very positively to the doctor's touch.

Many times when Jesus healed someone, He first touched the person who was made well.

Think about running into your mother's embrace for comfort when you were hurt as a child. Remember how cool and comforting her fingers felt on your forehead when you had a fever. There is comfort and healing in the human touch.

Since I now live alone, I am conscious of the absence of touch in my life. If I came to church for one reason alone, it would be worth the trip. Every Sunday morning a man who is many years younger than I gives me a wonderful friendly hug, and I look forward to it every week.

Our world is becoming increasingly more impersonal. Where we used to sit on the front porch after supper and visit face to face, now we even bypass the telephone to email or text each other. May we remember the healing power of the human touch. May we visit each other face to face and, when appropriate, give a hug or a handshake or a friendly pat on the back.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You have touched each of us, and we are different because of it. May we make a positive difference in the lives of others we meet because we are willing to reach out and touch them as You have touched us. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

The group is in the car and ready to go.

They're waiting on you to start the show.

You would certainly like to please

If only you could find the keys!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Seeking God

Jer. 29:13-14a, "You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord....."

Whenever family pictures were taken, my husband and I always scrambled through the crowd, found each other, leaned in toward one another, and held hands.

In the variation of people, events, and circumstances in my life, I am learning to scramble to my Savior's side, lean into His strength, and hold tightly to His Presence.

My life verse is Joshua 1:9. In the King James version it says, "Be of a good courage. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."

Thank You, precious Lord, that You can always be found. At any time I can snuggle up to Your side and find the comfort and strength that I need.

Life's Little Frustrations

Today I went out shopping for shoes,

And I really didn't know which to choose--

The heels that were so pretty and pert

Or the simple flats that didn't hurt!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

One Stitch at a Time


"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."  Psalm 119:105


I have recently begun a new knitting project. The doll blanket I am making has to be knitted one stitch at a time. As tedious as the process is, there are no short cuts.

God teaches us "line upon line and precept upon precept." How often I have wanted to have instant wisdom. I have also wished I could unscrew my children's heads, poke lots of wisdom and understanding in their brains, and then screw their heads back on, but it doesn't work that way. It takes time to gain wisdom and understanding and maturity. It is gained bit by bit, experience by experience. It is not an automatic process, but it comes with studying and meditating on and applying God's Word. My mother-in-law used to quote this saying, "Live and learn and die a fool at last."

If we want to live and learn and be wise at the end of our lives, we will major on the Scriptures. Psalm 119:98-100 tells us this is what studying the Bible will do for us, "Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts."



Father, may we say with the psalmist, "I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word." Psa. 119:15-16

Life's Little Frustrations

Everybody wants to supersize.

When will they realize

If I order something small

I don't want it large or tall.