I've been on enough airplane rides to know the rules of safety: exit strategy, staying in my seat, use of floatation devices, etc. But the rule I like best is what to do when there is a dramatic drop in cabin air pressure. In that event, air masks will drop in front of your face. And, if you are with a child, you are to put your mask on first. Why? Of course you know why - so you can then have the wherewithal to help your child.
Sort of like taking care of yourself first so that you can care for others. Being good to yourself first so that you can be good to others. I think it's quite a Godly idea. How can you love until you first know how much you are loved? How can you forgive until you realize that God has forgiven you?
In John 13:34 Jesus tells us to love one another as he has loved us. This Christmas season I want to make a suggestion that may seem selfish. Be good to yourself. Enjoy being you. Soak up the Father's love. Remember that Christ came for you. Let God whisper in your ear, You are my beloved child. I am so happy with you!
And hey - don't forget the person in the seat next to you.
Yours in Christ,
George
12.11.2009
12.09.2009
December 9, 2009
Those of you who live in the Mattituck area have probably encountered the new 20 mph speed zone at the high school. One friend, who noticed it too late, contributed $300 to the town.
Do you know how slow 20 mph is? It’s hard to imagine... until you hit the zone and creep along, with traffic closing in on you from behind. But I must tell you . . . I love it, absolutely love it, and not even for all the good safety reasons (although I am all for safety). I have discovered here, and in the village of Southold, that going past a school can be a most restful experience.
I don’t know about you but I am one wound up guy most of the time, going from one task to another at about 100 mph. But the new blinking lights and signs (along with thoughts of what I'd rather do with my $300) certainly help. In fact I find myself really wanting to get to the school zone so I can sloooooww down.
We all need to slow down some. Well, most of us anyhow. I am reminded of the Psalm, I think 46, where the Lord says, Be still and know that I am God. Stop and consider God. Think about God. Trust in God. We are so busy sometimes that our life has a "life" of its own and by the end of the day we’re exhausted. Take time to be quiet.
I have to tell you, lately my prayer time with God has taken on such new meaning. It is a time of rest in Him; just being still and letting my mind and heart slow down; just being with God without having to say a whole lot. It is so refreshing. It’s like a God Zone where I have to slow down.
Forget the long lists you have to pray. Just be with God. Take a break. Go for a walk with God. Read a good book with God. And even if you don’t call it prayer, well, just be still and acknowledge that God is the God of your life.
Yours in Christ,
George
Do you know how slow 20 mph is? It’s hard to imagine... until you hit the zone and creep along, with traffic closing in on you from behind. But I must tell you . . . I love it, absolutely love it, and not even for all the good safety reasons (although I am all for safety). I have discovered here, and in the village of Southold, that going past a school can be a most restful experience.
I don’t know about you but I am one wound up guy most of the time, going from one task to another at about 100 mph. But the new blinking lights and signs (along with thoughts of what I'd rather do with my $300) certainly help. In fact I find myself really wanting to get to the school zone so I can sloooooww down.
We all need to slow down some. Well, most of us anyhow. I am reminded of the Psalm, I think 46, where the Lord says, Be still and know that I am God. Stop and consider God. Think about God. Trust in God. We are so busy sometimes that our life has a "life" of its own and by the end of the day we’re exhausted. Take time to be quiet.
I have to tell you, lately my prayer time with God has taken on such new meaning. It is a time of rest in Him; just being still and letting my mind and heart slow down; just being with God without having to say a whole lot. It is so refreshing. It’s like a God Zone where I have to slow down.
Forget the long lists you have to pray. Just be with God. Take a break. Go for a walk with God. Read a good book with God. And even if you don’t call it prayer, well, just be still and acknowledge that God is the God of your life.
Yours in Christ,
George
12.02.2009
December 2, 2009
I learned a valuable lesson a couple of weeks ago. When my mom’s neighbor moved, he left his wood chipper for her. Now, can’t you just see my mom outside in overalls, goggles, and work gloves, loading branches into the machine? I decided to take it – maybe grind up my leaves. The wood chipper sat for a month in my shed until last week when I rolled it out onto the lawn. I thought I’d see if I could just get it started - I'd change the oil later. I put a little gas in the empty tank, gave a pull and it started right up. I put in some leaves and watched them being ground into dust when all of a sudden I saw smoke. And the engine stopped. Uh oh. What could be wrong?
Those of you more mechanically minded than I know what the problem was. No oil. Engine seized up. Another of my magnificent mechanical debacles (I’m hoping someone reading this can give me some advice . . . )
No matter how good the engine or how much gas it has, it will not run without a little oil. A little oil was all it needed.
Just a little oil. Like a little kindness, a little love, a little encouragement – that’s all it takes to keep the "human machine" running smoothly. You’d be surprised how such little but vital effort keeps a relationship from seizing up.
Here’s hoping that I learned something about that The Day The Wood Chipper Died.
Yours in Christ,
George
Those of you more mechanically minded than I know what the problem was. No oil. Engine seized up. Another of my magnificent mechanical debacles (I’m hoping someone reading this can give me some advice . . . )
No matter how good the engine or how much gas it has, it will not run without a little oil. A little oil was all it needed.
Just a little oil. Like a little kindness, a little love, a little encouragement – that’s all it takes to keep the "human machine" running smoothly. You’d be surprised how such little but vital effort keeps a relationship from seizing up.
Here’s hoping that I learned something about that The Day The Wood Chipper Died.
Yours in Christ,
George
12.01.2009
My Book Has Arrived
GRACE IN THE WILDERNESS:
Daily Readings From Twenty-Five Years of Sermons
It is our gift to the MPC church family from Gigi and me in gratitude for the faithfulness and love of this body of Christ. Cover artwork is an original painting by Bob Mueller, created especially for Grace in the Wilderness. Books are available (one per family) from the church office. Extra books are available for $12.
Daily Readings From Twenty-Five Years of Sermons
It is our gift to the MPC church family from Gigi and me in gratitude for the faithfulness and love of this body of Christ. Cover artwork is an original painting by Bob Mueller, created especially for Grace in the Wilderness. Books are available (one per family) from the church office. Extra books are available for $12.
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