What the Eyes See
On a trip to New York in October 2006, Pam Cope saw a full page story in the New York Times showing the face of six-year-old Mark Kwadwo, enslaved to fishermen.
Before five each morning the child was awakened to work a 14 hour day, bailing water from a fishing canoe, paddled by an 11 year old, another indentured child. Each year over one and half million children are sold into slavery and brothels. Some parents are promised their children will be treated well, but the opposite is the norm because ruthless people use child labor to line their pockets.
The photo of Mark's face uploaded into Ms. Cope's heart. When she arrived back in her home state of Missouri, she made many phone calls to find the exact location of Mark Kwadwo. She longed to purchase his freedom.
Several years ago, Randy and Pam Cope's athletic son Jantsen died due to an undetected heart defect. With his memorial fund, they set up a foundation, Touch a Life Ministries. James 1:27 became their guide: Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.
TV empress Oprah saw the same New York Times story and Mark's picture haunted her, too. She ordered a search. By the time her many resources found the fishing village in Ghana, Pam Cope had already rescued Mark and six other children, who by then thrived in The Village of Hope orphanage.
Pam Cope was invited to tell her story on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah and her audience gave Ms. Cope a standing ovation, because a mom with few resources chose not to turn her eyes away from exploited children.
Through Touch A Life Ministries, the Copes were already rescuing children in Vietnam and Cambodia, and had adopted two Vietnamese orphans. Their eyes saw needs.
Jesus set the example of eyes-that-really-see. Every day, his eyes looked beyond his current condition to the despair of others. Because of his example, many people, both rich and poor, had heart changes.
Poor fishermen helped the lame. Rich Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus after his cruel death. Joanna, Susanna, and other women financially supported the ministry of Christ. They had eyes for service rather than eyes for their riches.
The season of Easter shouts renewal. "Refuse to let the world corrupt you." When we remove our eyes from temporal treasures, they can focus on the real jewels of this earth-little children. Like the Copes, we can hand out passports to a better life.
(As you read this the Copes are now in Ghana rescuing 14 more child slaves. To keep up with their campaign to free these children, visit http://www.touchalifekids.blogspot.com)
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Bare Feet
I wear shoes in public, but at home I go barefoot most of the time. My ancestry roots run back to the red dirt of Arkansas, but probably have nothing to do with my barefoot habit. To me, wearing shoes in my intimate home setting doesn’t feel comfortable.
In a recent women’s Bible class, the subject of bare feet came up. We studied the life of Moses, called at age 80 to lead the Israelites from slavery. At God’s command, Moses took off his shoes near a bush that had internal fire. God eventually caused flames within Moses, igniting a deeper devotion to God and for the oppressed.
The Bible includes other barefoot remembrances. In innocence, the first humans Adam and Eve were barefoot in the Garden of Delight (Eden). Much later, during the tabernacle and temple eras, the High Priests entered the Holy of Holies shoeless, anointed on their right ears, right thumbs, and right big toes, the whole man set apart to serve God.
Outside of Jericho, Joshua removed his shoes, instructed by an angel of the Lord to do so (Joshua 5:13-15). Also, Hebrew mourning traditions included taking off shoes (Ezekiel 24:15-17). Later, on the cross and barefoot, God rescued our High Priest Jesus from life, and Jesus reentered holy heaven to plead our cases.
At age 8, my grandson Jack and I talked about these events. Since our fellowship practices baptism by immersion, Jack said, “And we’re barefoot when we’re baptized.” Why are these moments so significant in the lives of Bible heroes? It’s about more than not having shoes on our feet. Each meeting with God offers an opportunity for a light-catching, for becoming more like his goodness.
Speaker Rick Warren, addressed a group of 20,000 young people and asked them to hold up three fingers to form a “W”. This sign signified “whatever, whenever, wherever” for the cause of Christ. Speakers often use prompts such as Warren's illustration to help audiences remember presentation points, to propel the message beyond an immediate hearing into everyday living.
Your bare feet can be a prompt. Next time you wiggle your toes out of sandals, socks or shoes, think about “holy ground” moments and the humble heroes of the Bible who encountered God and took off their shoes.
Whenever we humble ourselves toward God, we become kindling, lives where just a spark from God can light fires within.
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
In a recent women’s Bible class, the subject of bare feet came up. We studied the life of Moses, called at age 80 to lead the Israelites from slavery. At God’s command, Moses took off his shoes near a bush that had internal fire. God eventually caused flames within Moses, igniting a deeper devotion to God and for the oppressed.
The Bible includes other barefoot remembrances. In innocence, the first humans Adam and Eve were barefoot in the Garden of Delight (Eden). Much later, during the tabernacle and temple eras, the High Priests entered the Holy of Holies shoeless, anointed on their right ears, right thumbs, and right big toes, the whole man set apart to serve God.
Outside of Jericho, Joshua removed his shoes, instructed by an angel of the Lord to do so (Joshua 5:13-15). Also, Hebrew mourning traditions included taking off shoes (Ezekiel 24:15-17). Later, on the cross and barefoot, God rescued our High Priest Jesus from life, and Jesus reentered holy heaven to plead our cases.
At age 8, my grandson Jack and I talked about these events. Since our fellowship practices baptism by immersion, Jack said, “And we’re barefoot when we’re baptized.” Why are these moments so significant in the lives of Bible heroes? It’s about more than not having shoes on our feet. Each meeting with God offers an opportunity for a light-catching, for becoming more like his goodness.
Speaker Rick Warren, addressed a group of 20,000 young people and asked them to hold up three fingers to form a “W”. This sign signified “whatever, whenever, wherever” for the cause of Christ. Speakers often use prompts such as Warren's illustration to help audiences remember presentation points, to propel the message beyond an immediate hearing into everyday living.
Your bare feet can be a prompt. Next time you wiggle your toes out of sandals, socks or shoes, think about “holy ground” moments and the humble heroes of the Bible who encountered God and took off their shoes.
Whenever we humble ourselves toward God, we become kindling, lives where just a spark from God can light fires within.
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Saint Patrick's Shield
Today's post from New Wineskins Daily Lent Reflection:
Shield of Saint Patrick
I bind unto myself today the strong name of the trinity,
by invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three.
I bind this day to me forever by power of faith Christ's incarnation,
His baptism in the Jordan river, his death on the cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spiced tomb, his riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to harken to my need,
The wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward,
The Word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me;
Christ to comfort and restore me;
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three,
Of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word;
Praise to the God of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord!
New Wineskins Online Magazine http://www.wineskins.org/
Shield of Saint Patrick
I bind unto myself today the strong name of the trinity,
by invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three.
I bind this day to me forever by power of faith Christ's incarnation,
His baptism in the Jordan river, his death on the cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spiced tomb, his riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to harken to my need,
The wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward,
The Word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me;
Christ to comfort and restore me;
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three,
Of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word;
Praise to the God of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord!
New Wineskins Online Magazine http://www.wineskins.org/
Friday, March 16, 2007
Right Hand Shade
The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand. Psalm 121:5
This week thoughts about shade and the right hand sleuthed through my mind: shade, as in any shelter from harshness, and right hand, as the one most people on earth use, about 85 per cent.
Several years ago, I longed for shade when my pickup truck quit running. The breakdown happened on a rural, sparsely traveled road, and before I had a cell phone or a network.
I began a ten mile trek to the nearest town. Drawbacks were numerous: August afternoon, 100 plus temps, no hat, a pair of cutesy not-made-for-walking sandals, and only three ounces of Diet Sprite.
After two miles of walking, eight vehicles had zoomed past me. I counted. They avoided eye contact. So did I. Meanwhile, I wrestled with the idea of roasting or getting into a vehicle with a stranger.
Finally, with a parched voice I said aloud, “Lord, I trust you to send someone. So, the first person who offers me a ride, I’ll get into their car.”
Soon after, an eighteen wheeler pulled to the side of the road, and the kind driver gave me a lift to Montgomery. Good enough. I like big trucks. The shade of the cab was as cooling as the biggest floppy hat I’d ever worn. What relief!
The second element of the scripture is about the right hand. This week, I experimented with not using mine. For 15 minutes I put my work hand behind my back and proceeded through my early morning routine.
With my chin and ingenuity, I unscrewed a soy milk cap, and poured the liquid on bran cereal, without spilling. But spooning bran and liquid soy with my leftie caused a few dribbles down the chin.
After breakfast, I gathered clothes hangers to place fresh washed garments over them. My meager successes were accomplished only after frustrating, clumsy attempts that took ten times longer than normal.
In this psalm’s metaphor, God is described as shade over a right hand. When someone offers shade under an umbrella, an awning or a tree, respite arrives. Cruel conditions pause.
Also, the portrayal of someone near your work hand is the depiction of aid. A trusted friend or coworker may even be referred to as a “right hand man.”
How many times do we strike out to work without noticing that God is near our work stations, longing to shade pleasant and strenuous chores.
“The LORD watches over you.” Sun block is available. Help is near because the Tree-of-Life God is shading your right hand.
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
This week thoughts about shade and the right hand sleuthed through my mind: shade, as in any shelter from harshness, and right hand, as the one most people on earth use, about 85 per cent.
Several years ago, I longed for shade when my pickup truck quit running. The breakdown happened on a rural, sparsely traveled road, and before I had a cell phone or a network.
I began a ten mile trek to the nearest town. Drawbacks were numerous: August afternoon, 100 plus temps, no hat, a pair of cutesy not-made-for-walking sandals, and only three ounces of Diet Sprite.
After two miles of walking, eight vehicles had zoomed past me. I counted. They avoided eye contact. So did I. Meanwhile, I wrestled with the idea of roasting or getting into a vehicle with a stranger.
Finally, with a parched voice I said aloud, “Lord, I trust you to send someone. So, the first person who offers me a ride, I’ll get into their car.”
Soon after, an eighteen wheeler pulled to the side of the road, and the kind driver gave me a lift to Montgomery. Good enough. I like big trucks. The shade of the cab was as cooling as the biggest floppy hat I’d ever worn. What relief!
The second element of the scripture is about the right hand. This week, I experimented with not using mine. For 15 minutes I put my work hand behind my back and proceeded through my early morning routine.
With my chin and ingenuity, I unscrewed a soy milk cap, and poured the liquid on bran cereal, without spilling. But spooning bran and liquid soy with my leftie caused a few dribbles down the chin.
After breakfast, I gathered clothes hangers to place fresh washed garments over them. My meager successes were accomplished only after frustrating, clumsy attempts that took ten times longer than normal.
In this psalm’s metaphor, God is described as shade over a right hand. When someone offers shade under an umbrella, an awning or a tree, respite arrives. Cruel conditions pause.
Also, the portrayal of someone near your work hand is the depiction of aid. A trusted friend or coworker may even be referred to as a “right hand man.”
How many times do we strike out to work without noticing that God is near our work stations, longing to shade pleasant and strenuous chores.
“The LORD watches over you.” Sun block is available. Help is near because the Tree-of-Life God is shading your right hand.
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Friday, March 09, 2007
King Cake
Early this year I bought a king cake. I told my Ohioan friends about it, and they had never heard of one.
Centuries ago, the church took a pagan treat and attached a higher meaning to the sweet. Traditions vary, but in some Eastern churches on Epiphany or Twelfth Night (after Christmas) a feast is held, celebrated on January 6th. The feast is in memory of “the appearance” of God’s son in human form and the visit of the kings from the East, the magi.
These feasts usually include a cake with a bean or trinket baked inside. Whoever gets the slice of cake with the trinket gets to be king of the feast. Early French settlers brought the king cake tradition to Louisiana, mostly a family celebration until after the Civil War. Afterwards, the cake became part of public feasts.
In the Southern United States the king cake is sold by bakeries from January to the beginning of Lent. Since the 1950s, the trinket most often added to the coffee cake like pastries is a small plastic baby. Some attach no significance to the trinket, while others see it as a symbol of the baby Jesus, carried over from Christmas celebrations.
I see the king cake as an opportunity to teach my grandchildren about the life of Christ and doing something for the sole benefit of others. Another tradition associated with the cake involves Southern hospitality: the one who finds the trinket in their piece has to throw a party and supply the next cake. In the south, schools, office workers, and society circles keep this tradition alive.
Of course, most partygoers are eager to get the piece of cake with the trinket. However, during the Great Depression, many southern mothers had limited resources and dreaded their child receiving the coveted trinket. Custom dictated the receiver furnish the cake for the next week’s school party.
I know our family is breaking protocol, but we’ve stretched the tradition. Our timeframe is from Christmas to Easter. When we ate our first King Cake with the grands, it opened an avenue to talk about Jesus, his birth, baptism, forty day fast, ministry, final sacrifice, and resurrection.
Watch for opportunities to engage your little ones in conversations about God. This week, I’ll help a grandchild bake another cake with a trinket inside, one to share with his siblings. We’ll talk about Jesus while stirring cake batter. When we divide up the cake, we’ll discuss what it means to make a place for Jesus in their lives. Each child longs to find the baby Jesus in their slice of cake.
Grandma longs for Jesus to be hidden in four young hearts.
“These commandments . . . are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along on the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Friday, March 02, 2007
"Ex-aisles"
I’m borrowing a coined phrase from the current issue of New Wineskins Online Magazine. The word is “ex-aisles.” Many Christian periodicals emphasize, with new zeal, the mission of the church outside of our meeting places. After we leave our Sunday pews, what happens Monday through Saturday? How do Christians act like Jesus in their communities?
Jesus set the outside-of-the-synagogue standard. Daily he engaged in conversations, helping the most religious and the outcast. He shunned no one.
Because of past and current language, the term “church” has weakened. We go to church. We wear our church clothes. We ask, “What church do you go to?” or “Where is your church building?”
The “church,” the living body of Christ, resurrected people, is a fellowship of believers assembled by the grace of God. The “church” is not a place. The church doesn’t have a physical address.
The church is built of “living stones.” We walk on two legs out of the aisles after our corporate worships to live like Christ. Much of those days will be engaged in bread-winning and keeping our families nourished and tidy, but beyond those expected tasks, where do our hearts roam?
One way hearts travel is the movin’-on-up path. When you get a raise at work? What are your first thoughts? We can eat less hamburger. We can have steak and shrimp once in a while. I can buy more expensive and deserved clothing. I’m trading up from the old Chevy to a sporty car.
When blessed with more, how do we choose to spend it? Do we have thoughts of others or simply how to better our own lives? Who comes first in our hearts? Me-first is a tough little devil to slay.
And the old lying devil is good at feeding us propaganda. He daily offers up tasty procrastinations: When you have more time, you can help the poor. When you get more money, you’ll redecorate your home, and then invite your neighbors for dinner. You’re not in any position to really help that troubled marriage. Wait. Tomorrow. Maybe. Try later.
Oswald Chambers said you shouldn't worry about being useful where you are, because you certainly can't be useful where you aren't. Start today. Be the church, the body of Christ, Sunday through Saturday. Be “ex-aisles.”
Give the church a new address—General Delivery to the World. On Sundays, when we hug and shake hands goodbye, we’ll know the church has left the building.
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Jesus set the outside-of-the-synagogue standard. Daily he engaged in conversations, helping the most religious and the outcast. He shunned no one.
Because of past and current language, the term “church” has weakened. We go to church. We wear our church clothes. We ask, “What church do you go to?” or “Where is your church building?”
The “church,” the living body of Christ, resurrected people, is a fellowship of believers assembled by the grace of God. The “church” is not a place. The church doesn’t have a physical address.
The church is built of “living stones.” We walk on two legs out of the aisles after our corporate worships to live like Christ. Much of those days will be engaged in bread-winning and keeping our families nourished and tidy, but beyond those expected tasks, where do our hearts roam?
One way hearts travel is the movin’-on-up path. When you get a raise at work? What are your first thoughts? We can eat less hamburger. We can have steak and shrimp once in a while. I can buy more expensive and deserved clothing. I’m trading up from the old Chevy to a sporty car.
When blessed with more, how do we choose to spend it? Do we have thoughts of others or simply how to better our own lives? Who comes first in our hearts? Me-first is a tough little devil to slay.
And the old lying devil is good at feeding us propaganda. He daily offers up tasty procrastinations: When you have more time, you can help the poor. When you get more money, you’ll redecorate your home, and then invite your neighbors for dinner. You’re not in any position to really help that troubled marriage. Wait. Tomorrow. Maybe. Try later.
Oswald Chambers said you shouldn't worry about being useful where you are, because you certainly can't be useful where you aren't. Start today. Be the church, the body of Christ, Sunday through Saturday. Be “ex-aisles.”
Give the church a new address—General Delivery to the World. On Sundays, when we hug and shake hands goodbye, we’ll know the church has left the building.
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Friday, February 23, 2007
Opinions
“Knowledge is true opinion.” Plato
I cringed. While listening to a recording of the New Testament, I heard something that made me wince. In a crowd around Jesus, a few sideliners voiced untruth and slandered John the Baptist and Jesus.
When someone shares an “opinion,” they express their view, their judgment, and their estimation. Even though John the Baptist lived an austere life of fasting and tee totaling, the street buzz became, “He has a demon.” He’s crazy.
Jesus ate with the elite and also dined on bread with the common man and outcasts. And the opinionated complained, “He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and ‘sinners’” (Matthew 11).
After history weighed in, it’s plain to see the truthful character of John and Jesus. And, yet, many voiced false statements about them.
Whatever happened to the adage, “Wait and see?”
Much of media, masquerading as newsworthy, could be silenced if people waited to gather facts.
Jesus made a statement after he confronted the opinionated people around him. “Wisdom is proved right by her actions.” Eugene Peterson in The Message rendered Jesus’ words, “Opinion polls don’t count for much.”
Opinion polls are a nickel a hundred in 2007. Cranky opinionated people are numerous, too. Obviously some poll questions are trite and just for fun, but others seem to stir boiling cauldrons and the contents are splattered on those around the pot. Well, at least that’s my opinion.
When practiced, the sage advice James gives is powerful. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God” (1:19-20).
Listen. Be slow to speak. Be even slower about becoming angry. It’s a proven formula for ushering in the righteousness of God. In that slow processing of information, there’s also time to utter a prayer for help.
Coins have two sides. As William Ralph Inge said, “It’s useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism, while the wolf remains of a different opinion.”
Listening, slow answers, controlled anger—good advice for both sides of any coin.
www.stainedglasspickup.com
I cringed. While listening to a recording of the New Testament, I heard something that made me wince. In a crowd around Jesus, a few sideliners voiced untruth and slandered John the Baptist and Jesus.
When someone shares an “opinion,” they express their view, their judgment, and their estimation. Even though John the Baptist lived an austere life of fasting and tee totaling, the street buzz became, “He has a demon.” He’s crazy.
Jesus ate with the elite and also dined on bread with the common man and outcasts. And the opinionated complained, “He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and ‘sinners’” (Matthew 11).
After history weighed in, it’s plain to see the truthful character of John and Jesus. And, yet, many voiced false statements about them.
Whatever happened to the adage, “Wait and see?”
Much of media, masquerading as newsworthy, could be silenced if people waited to gather facts.
Jesus made a statement after he confronted the opinionated people around him. “Wisdom is proved right by her actions.” Eugene Peterson in The Message rendered Jesus’ words, “Opinion polls don’t count for much.”
Opinion polls are a nickel a hundred in 2007. Cranky opinionated people are numerous, too. Obviously some poll questions are trite and just for fun, but others seem to stir boiling cauldrons and the contents are splattered on those around the pot. Well, at least that’s my opinion.
When practiced, the sage advice James gives is powerful. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God” (1:19-20).
Listen. Be slow to speak. Be even slower about becoming angry. It’s a proven formula for ushering in the righteousness of God. In that slow processing of information, there’s also time to utter a prayer for help.
Coins have two sides. As William Ralph Inge said, “It’s useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism, while the wolf remains of a different opinion.”
Listening, slow answers, controlled anger—good advice for both sides of any coin.
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Sweet Home
A recent close encounter with a skunk reminded me of a pair of skunks on this same property some years back. Then, we lived in a 150-year-old farm house with a crawl space beneath. The frame rested on wooden and cinder blocks.
Night after night, a pair of skunks ventured under the house. Perhaps our home simply lay in the path to the watering hole. Or maybe they liked sneaking up on our cats and the dog Bengie. We usually heard the mêlée of critters before the nose-wrinkling smell assaulted us. They cavorted, bumped water pipes and caused a ruckus under the house.
After the skunk pair awakened the snoozing guard dog, he responded to their capers, and a rancid odor drifted up through the old wood flooring and linoleum rugs. David and I didn’t relish the idea of shooing skunks from under the house, but we planned to defend home turf and devised a plan.
The next time we heard or smelled them, we’d go outside with the old 12-guage shotgun. I’d hold the light, while David shot under the house, close to the dirt, hoping to scare them away permanently.
On a cool fall evening near midnight, the skunks arrived. Bumping, thumping, jumping noises were the alarms that awakened us. In our PJs, we sneaked out the back screen door and around to the side of the house. A brisk wind skittered leaves about our ankles.
After the flashlight beam made a few sweeps beneath the carriage of the house, we spotted the pair and their question-mark black and white tails.
I cowered behind David, dreading a possible dousing from a skunk in close combat. Our children slept soundly while their fearless parents fought to keep our home unsullied by the night marauders.
Ka-boom! Bird shot sprayed beneath the house, kicking up spiffs of dirt.
Fortunately the skunks didn’t retaliate with any smelly ammunition. They scampered out the other side of the house. We never sniffed evidence that they were under the house again.
Our children, lulled to sleep with a sense of security, had slept through the entire night-capades. We asked them the next morning if they’d heard anything. They both answered “No.”
Parents can be the buffer zone between children and harm. And more than just defending the home turf, parents can create an atmosphere of learning the basic tenets of family life. The family IQ Center lists the traditional basic tasks in life as work, play and love.
Defend home, protect homes, of course, but also create a haven where work, play and love is adequately practiced and learned.
“Home, Sweet Home,” the best smell for any culture.
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Night after night, a pair of skunks ventured under the house. Perhaps our home simply lay in the path to the watering hole. Or maybe they liked sneaking up on our cats and the dog Bengie. We usually heard the mêlée of critters before the nose-wrinkling smell assaulted us. They cavorted, bumped water pipes and caused a ruckus under the house.
After the skunk pair awakened the snoozing guard dog, he responded to their capers, and a rancid odor drifted up through the old wood flooring and linoleum rugs. David and I didn’t relish the idea of shooing skunks from under the house, but we planned to defend home turf and devised a plan.
The next time we heard or smelled them, we’d go outside with the old 12-guage shotgun. I’d hold the light, while David shot under the house, close to the dirt, hoping to scare them away permanently.
On a cool fall evening near midnight, the skunks arrived. Bumping, thumping, jumping noises were the alarms that awakened us. In our PJs, we sneaked out the back screen door and around to the side of the house. A brisk wind skittered leaves about our ankles.
After the flashlight beam made a few sweeps beneath the carriage of the house, we spotted the pair and their question-mark black and white tails.
I cowered behind David, dreading a possible dousing from a skunk in close combat. Our children slept soundly while their fearless parents fought to keep our home unsullied by the night marauders.
Ka-boom! Bird shot sprayed beneath the house, kicking up spiffs of dirt.
Fortunately the skunks didn’t retaliate with any smelly ammunition. They scampered out the other side of the house. We never sniffed evidence that they were under the house again.
Our children, lulled to sleep with a sense of security, had slept through the entire night-capades. We asked them the next morning if they’d heard anything. They both answered “No.”
Parents can be the buffer zone between children and harm. And more than just defending the home turf, parents can create an atmosphere of learning the basic tenets of family life. The family IQ Center lists the traditional basic tasks in life as work, play and love.
Defend home, protect homes, of course, but also create a haven where work, play and love is adequately practiced and learned.
“Home, Sweet Home,” the best smell for any culture.
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, February 09, 2007
The Impossible-February 9
THE IMPOSSIBLE
Alden, barely four years old, said to her granddad. “I love three things.”
Granddad asked, “What three things do you love?”
“I love God . . .” With the naming of the first, Granddad’s heart became happy.
Alden listed her second-love. “I love Jesus . . .” Granddad grew even happier.
Alden finished the list, “. . .and I love money!”
When my friend told me the story about her granddaughter, I chuckled. But, Jesus met adults who still believed they could love God and money with equal devotion.
A rich young ruler thought he wanted to follow Jesus, but when asked to give his inheritance to the poor and follow Jesus, he grew sad. The young man chose the god Money. He followed the scent of wealth, the jingle of coins, preferring slippery riches over an ever-present God.
Jesus told about an impossibility. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24).
This is a strong statement, a strong contrast, a line drawn in the sand of Israel, a call to make a decision because fence-straddling is soul dangerous.
Much earlier, God warned the Israelites and aliens living among them that heart-idols separate them from God. Jeremiah 14:7 tells how a broken relationship with God is caused by any who “sets up idols in his heart.” Here, the original phrase for idol is “large idol, what is rolled about.” These were gigantic altars where sacrifices were made.
Eugene Peterson in The Message says people with massive heart-idols are those who sacrifice the good things in life and “install the wickedness that will ruin them at the center of their lives.” Godliness wilts when camped in the shadow of an idol.
Deceitful things pay cheap rent and move into hearts. Even good things can become cunning idols—careers, goals, sports, politics, wealth, personal appearance, food, acquaintances, money, possessions or hobbies. It’s the nature of idols to grow and take up more and more floor space in the heart.
God made promises to those who put him first. Just as he feeds robins and fashions shimmering dress for flowers, God will provide his children with daily needs and will be present as a genuine companion.
Thank you, little Alden. You made me think about Who is at the center of life. Now, I’m off to reflect on the three things I really love.
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Alden, barely four years old, said to her granddad. “I love three things.”
Granddad asked, “What three things do you love?”
“I love God . . .” With the naming of the first, Granddad’s heart became happy.
Alden listed her second-love. “I love Jesus . . .” Granddad grew even happier.
Alden finished the list, “. . .and I love money!”
When my friend told me the story about her granddaughter, I chuckled. But, Jesus met adults who still believed they could love God and money with equal devotion.
A rich young ruler thought he wanted to follow Jesus, but when asked to give his inheritance to the poor and follow Jesus, he grew sad. The young man chose the god Money. He followed the scent of wealth, the jingle of coins, preferring slippery riches over an ever-present God.
Jesus told about an impossibility. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24).
This is a strong statement, a strong contrast, a line drawn in the sand of Israel, a call to make a decision because fence-straddling is soul dangerous.
Much earlier, God warned the Israelites and aliens living among them that heart-idols separate them from God. Jeremiah 14:7 tells how a broken relationship with God is caused by any who “sets up idols in his heart.” Here, the original phrase for idol is “large idol, what is rolled about.” These were gigantic altars where sacrifices were made.
Eugene Peterson in The Message says people with massive heart-idols are those who sacrifice the good things in life and “install the wickedness that will ruin them at the center of their lives.” Godliness wilts when camped in the shadow of an idol.
Deceitful things pay cheap rent and move into hearts. Even good things can become cunning idols—careers, goals, sports, politics, wealth, personal appearance, food, acquaintances, money, possessions or hobbies. It’s the nature of idols to grow and take up more and more floor space in the heart.
God made promises to those who put him first. Just as he feeds robins and fashions shimmering dress for flowers, God will provide his children with daily needs and will be present as a genuine companion.
Thank you, little Alden. You made me think about Who is at the center of life. Now, I’m off to reflect on the three things I really love.
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Saturday, February 03, 2007
"But, first . . ."
In the time of Jesus, many Jewish teachers roamed Galilee and Judea. In outdoor settings and synagogues, they told parables, taught the Law of Moses, and gave extra “rules” on how-to live out that law.
As they traveled, they took note of potential disciples, observing those who wanted to further learn and might later qualify as teachers.
But among the itinerant rabbis, Jesus was supreme because he alone was the Son of God. Jesus watched for sincere followers, who would trust God to take care of them while they engaged in enlightening others about God.
In one setting (Luke 9:57-62), three different people heard the call to follow Christ. If they accepted, they would literally traipse along, follow him around, and experience his training-on-the-go. However, each gave an excuse. They had something back at home that first needed attention.
When called to follow Jesus, the third said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”
Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (61-62).
Undoubtedly, Jesus valued devotedness to family and he didn’t imply never contacting family again. His response emphasized in farmer-terms that a good start with a plow involved follow-up planting and a harvest. He wanted visionaries who could see the big picture, not those who lived by whims.
Matthew Henry, born in 1662, wrote about this scene where Jesus called disciples, “They that take up a profession in a ‘pang’ will throw it off again in a ‘fret’.
In my own life, I’ve experienced false starts and failures. “But, first” is often thought or spoken. I’ll start eating better tomorrow, but, first let me eat this fudge-striped cookie. I’ll phone my sick neighbor, but, first let me mow my lawn. I’ll ask forgiveness for my cross words, but, first let me pout and nurse this grudge a bit longer.
“Love finds a way, indifference makes excuses.” Ouch. I’m afraid it’s true, at least in my own life, that my excuses are often anchored to that awful cement block of indifference. One can drown in excuses.
Jesus has promised we will not plow alone. He is beside his farmers in the furrows because he is the “author and finisher” of faith.
www.cathymessecar.com
www.stainedglasspickup.com
As they traveled, they took note of potential disciples, observing those who wanted to further learn and might later qualify as teachers.
But among the itinerant rabbis, Jesus was supreme because he alone was the Son of God. Jesus watched for sincere followers, who would trust God to take care of them while they engaged in enlightening others about God.
In one setting (Luke 9:57-62), three different people heard the call to follow Christ. If they accepted, they would literally traipse along, follow him around, and experience his training-on-the-go. However, each gave an excuse. They had something back at home that first needed attention.
When called to follow Jesus, the third said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”
Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (61-62).
Undoubtedly, Jesus valued devotedness to family and he didn’t imply never contacting family again. His response emphasized in farmer-terms that a good start with a plow involved follow-up planting and a harvest. He wanted visionaries who could see the big picture, not those who lived by whims.
Matthew Henry, born in 1662, wrote about this scene where Jesus called disciples, “They that take up a profession in a ‘pang’ will throw it off again in a ‘fret’.
In my own life, I’ve experienced false starts and failures. “But, first” is often thought or spoken. I’ll start eating better tomorrow, but, first let me eat this fudge-striped cookie. I’ll phone my sick neighbor, but, first let me mow my lawn. I’ll ask forgiveness for my cross words, but, first let me pout and nurse this grudge a bit longer.
“Love finds a way, indifference makes excuses.” Ouch. I’m afraid it’s true, at least in my own life, that my excuses are often anchored to that awful cement block of indifference. One can drown in excuses.
Jesus has promised we will not plow alone. He is beside his farmers in the furrows because he is the “author and finisher” of faith.
www.cathymessecar.com
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, January 26, 2007
Running Out of Steam
Dave drove and I read. He pointed out fascinating scenery. I shared motivating tidbits from the printed page. After mispronouncing “calliope,” I sounded it out. Then I asked Dave what fueled the calliope instrument. He knew. The first ones ran on steam.
I later read that Joshua Stoddard invented the calliope, patented in 1855. Late in the century, horse-drawn circus wagons traveled to communities, in the beds calliopes and trademark organ pipes.
The calliope evolved from an 1832 “steam trumpet.” You still hear these today—known as train horns. Modernized calliopes and horns are fueled by compressed air, but the old ones ran on steam. It took steam to make music.
At least one time in the Prophet Elijah’s life, he ran out of steam and his song lost its lilt. F. LaGard Smith calls Elijah “God’s man for the hour.” He delivered messages to kingships and common men alike. Powered by God, miracles trailed his wake: he raised a boy from the dead and a widow’s jar of flour and jug of oil didn’t run empty during a drought.
After a nasty run-in with wicked Queen Jezebel, Elijah grew especially weary. Rampant idol worship in Israel, left Elijah feeling alone, abandoned in his faith with no one to fight alongside of him. His tune went flat.
That’s when God appeared with his booster cables. To Elijah hiding in a cave, God sent fireworks. First, he sent a jackhammer-wind that cracked the mountain and split stones (talk about compressed air).
What expression chiseled Elijah’s face when next an earthquake shook the soil he stood upon? When the earth quit wobbling, Elijah watched a bellowing fire devour trees and twigs. After the God-steamed display, Elijah heard a gentle whisper and he was drawn to The Voice that could right his senses.
God drew Elijah from his cave of self pity and gave him a huge helping of courage. He also told him that 7,000 Israelites had refused to bow to the Queen’s preferred idol. He wasn’t alone in his faith. After this God-arranged intimate encounter, Elijah “propheted” again.
Gas to keep driving. Air to keep tires up. Food for energy. Depleted sources still leave one weak and vulnerable to Satan’s tool of discouragement. But God can draw us out of caves of despair. He can profit us again because he is able to re-sculpt doubt into sheet music.
“Send forth you light and truth, let them guide me: let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell” (Psalm 43:3).
www.stainedglasspickup.com
I later read that Joshua Stoddard invented the calliope, patented in 1855. Late in the century, horse-drawn circus wagons traveled to communities, in the beds calliopes and trademark organ pipes.
The calliope evolved from an 1832 “steam trumpet.” You still hear these today—known as train horns. Modernized calliopes and horns are fueled by compressed air, but the old ones ran on steam. It took steam to make music.
At least one time in the Prophet Elijah’s life, he ran out of steam and his song lost its lilt. F. LaGard Smith calls Elijah “God’s man for the hour.” He delivered messages to kingships and common men alike. Powered by God, miracles trailed his wake: he raised a boy from the dead and a widow’s jar of flour and jug of oil didn’t run empty during a drought.
After a nasty run-in with wicked Queen Jezebel, Elijah grew especially weary. Rampant idol worship in Israel, left Elijah feeling alone, abandoned in his faith with no one to fight alongside of him. His tune went flat.
That’s when God appeared with his booster cables. To Elijah hiding in a cave, God sent fireworks. First, he sent a jackhammer-wind that cracked the mountain and split stones (talk about compressed air).
What expression chiseled Elijah’s face when next an earthquake shook the soil he stood upon? When the earth quit wobbling, Elijah watched a bellowing fire devour trees and twigs. After the God-steamed display, Elijah heard a gentle whisper and he was drawn to The Voice that could right his senses.
God drew Elijah from his cave of self pity and gave him a huge helping of courage. He also told him that 7,000 Israelites had refused to bow to the Queen’s preferred idol. He wasn’t alone in his faith. After this God-arranged intimate encounter, Elijah “propheted” again.
Gas to keep driving. Air to keep tires up. Food for energy. Depleted sources still leave one weak and vulnerable to Satan’s tool of discouragement. But God can draw us out of caves of despair. He can profit us again because he is able to re-sculpt doubt into sheet music.
“Send forth you light and truth, let them guide me: let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell” (Psalm 43:3).
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, January 12, 2007
Dirt Dauber Determination
To feed their families, the mud daubers (dirt daubers) pack their dinners on my back porch. Spiders seem especially tasty to them, so they paralyze the main course and stuff them into their custom designed storage units.
Mud daubers are members of the wasp family and are not hostile “stingers” as are some of their cousins. However, they are aggressive in another area: nursery construction.
In the summer, females can be spotted near the edge of mud puddles, where they roll wet dirt into tiny balls, about the size of a BB. One uniform ball at a time, held in the mandibles (jaws), is flown to a construction site. Pellet by pellet they construct tubes, shaped like organ pipes.
The females around here are partial to the mortar indentations on my bricked back porch. Bit by bit, BB by BB they carry out their mission to ensure the survival of their young.
Upon completion, each bin holds paralyzed spiders and grub-like larvae to feed upon them. Mud dauber moms put their babies in cylinders with spiders, but first, they made sure they could do no harm.
In the Old Testament story about Joseph, his brothers in a moment of very poor judgment sold him to Midianite merchants. Later, in an act of deception, they showed their father Joseph’s blood-soaked coat. Their dad reasoned that Joseph, mauled by a wild beast, was dead. The sons did nothing to correct his assumption.
Meanwhile in Egypt, Joseph grew to a position of power, eventually a tool in God’s plan to save Joseph’s family and thousands upon thousands during a seven year famine. Much later, his guilty brothers acknowledged Joseph in his powerful role and asked for protection.
Joseph recognized God’s providential touch saying, “Don’t be afraid.” What his brothers had intended for harm Joseph knew “God intended it for good.” Joseph “reassured them and spoke kindly to them” (Genesis 50:15-21).
To help protect the next generation, God told the Israelites to keep account of how he watched over them: Stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves. Don’t forget what you’ve seen. Don’t let your hearts wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live. Then God said, “Teach what you’ve seen and heard to your children and grandchildren” (The Message, Deut. 4:9).
Throughout life, our little ones will come in contact with harm similar to live spiders, but God can paralyze evil and turn a bad situation into benefits for many.
When summer arrives watch for God’s mysterious teachers, the mud daubers.
Contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Mud daubers are members of the wasp family and are not hostile “stingers” as are some of their cousins. However, they are aggressive in another area: nursery construction.
In the summer, females can be spotted near the edge of mud puddles, where they roll wet dirt into tiny balls, about the size of a BB. One uniform ball at a time, held in the mandibles (jaws), is flown to a construction site. Pellet by pellet they construct tubes, shaped like organ pipes.
The females around here are partial to the mortar indentations on my bricked back porch. Bit by bit, BB by BB they carry out their mission to ensure the survival of their young.
Upon completion, each bin holds paralyzed spiders and grub-like larvae to feed upon them. Mud dauber moms put their babies in cylinders with spiders, but first, they made sure they could do no harm.
In the Old Testament story about Joseph, his brothers in a moment of very poor judgment sold him to Midianite merchants. Later, in an act of deception, they showed their father Joseph’s blood-soaked coat. Their dad reasoned that Joseph, mauled by a wild beast, was dead. The sons did nothing to correct his assumption.
Meanwhile in Egypt, Joseph grew to a position of power, eventually a tool in God’s plan to save Joseph’s family and thousands upon thousands during a seven year famine. Much later, his guilty brothers acknowledged Joseph in his powerful role and asked for protection.
Joseph recognized God’s providential touch saying, “Don’t be afraid.” What his brothers had intended for harm Joseph knew “God intended it for good.” Joseph “reassured them and spoke kindly to them” (Genesis 50:15-21).
To help protect the next generation, God told the Israelites to keep account of how he watched over them: Stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves. Don’t forget what you’ve seen. Don’t let your hearts wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live. Then God said, “Teach what you’ve seen and heard to your children and grandchildren” (The Message, Deut. 4:9).
Throughout life, our little ones will come in contact with harm similar to live spiders, but God can paralyze evil and turn a bad situation into benefits for many.
When summer arrives watch for God’s mysterious teachers, the mud daubers.
Contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
A New Name
An out-of-town restaurant we frequent has a walk-up order counter and then patrons wait at their tables while their food is prepared. The clerk asks for a name to place on the meal receipt. For fun one day and on a whim, I falsely identified myself. I don’t remember what new name I gave the clerk, but the antics made my husband smile.
As long as I was giving a name, he didn’t care what name I gave, because he’s not fond of having his first name “yelled” out in a restaurant. Since then, when we order at that restaurant, I try on a new name, sort of like a stage name. The only trouble—when our order takes too long, I tend to forget my current name.
Sometimes I give my middle name “Lee.” On other visits, I’ve been Nadine, Elizabeth, Charlene, and one time I was Lucy. When we walked away from the counter, I whispered to David, now you can say, “I love Lucy.”
The fun may get me into trouble if the IRS ever checks our out-of-town restaurant stubs because my “new” names are on the tickets. Maybe I’ll save this article as substantial proof of my many identities.
Many adults would like to shed nicknames or names they’ve earned, but Thomas C. Haliburton said, “Nicknames stick to people, and the most ridiculous are the most adhesive.”
Renaming is not a novel idea. God renamed people. Usually when he did gift a new name that person was at a crossroad in their life, one where they traveled in a better direction. Jacob’s name meant “deceiver,” but after many heart rending lessons about deception, God renamed him “Israel” which means “ruling with God” (Genesis 32:28). The fresh name suited his new track and was much more desirable than a name suggesting fraud.
Occasionally, God let parents know before a child’s birth that the baby was chosen for a special work. Samson, future judge of the Israelites, was such a child, and his Danite mother chose a name that meant “distinguished, strong” (Judges 13:24). Jesus means “savior,” and long before his birth and naming ceremony, a herald angel announced his name to Mary and then to Joseph.
Here’s something to contemplate: If God named you instead of your parents, what might it be? Or if God renamed you based on your current path, what might your new name be? God is good at naming. The Psalmist said He named trillions of stars (Psalm 147:4), and I like to think he has a special defining name for each of us, one that fits perfectly.
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
As long as I was giving a name, he didn’t care what name I gave, because he’s not fond of having his first name “yelled” out in a restaurant. Since then, when we order at that restaurant, I try on a new name, sort of like a stage name. The only trouble—when our order takes too long, I tend to forget my current name.
Sometimes I give my middle name “Lee.” On other visits, I’ve been Nadine, Elizabeth, Charlene, and one time I was Lucy. When we walked away from the counter, I whispered to David, now you can say, “I love Lucy.”
The fun may get me into trouble if the IRS ever checks our out-of-town restaurant stubs because my “new” names are on the tickets. Maybe I’ll save this article as substantial proof of my many identities.
Many adults would like to shed nicknames or names they’ve earned, but Thomas C. Haliburton said, “Nicknames stick to people, and the most ridiculous are the most adhesive.”
Renaming is not a novel idea. God renamed people. Usually when he did gift a new name that person was at a crossroad in their life, one where they traveled in a better direction. Jacob’s name meant “deceiver,” but after many heart rending lessons about deception, God renamed him “Israel” which means “ruling with God” (Genesis 32:28). The fresh name suited his new track and was much more desirable than a name suggesting fraud.
Occasionally, God let parents know before a child’s birth that the baby was chosen for a special work. Samson, future judge of the Israelites, was such a child, and his Danite mother chose a name that meant “distinguished, strong” (Judges 13:24). Jesus means “savior,” and long before his birth and naming ceremony, a herald angel announced his name to Mary and then to Joseph.
Here’s something to contemplate: If God named you instead of your parents, what might it be? Or if God renamed you based on your current path, what might your new name be? God is good at naming. The Psalmist said He named trillions of stars (Psalm 147:4), and I like to think he has a special defining name for each of us, one that fits perfectly.
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, December 29, 2006
Revisit, Rethink, Revise
During Abraham Lincoln’s terms of office, he and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln held regular receptions at the White House on Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Also on January 1st, the President and Mrs. Lincoln received guests, both old friends and new faces. People were a priority.
This is their typical New Year’s Day schedule: Near 11:00 A.M., officials and diplomats arrived and went through a reception line, greeting the President and Mrs. Lincoln. About 2:00 P. M., the public streamed in, some had prepared short speeches. By the time Lincoln’s gloved hand found theirs, they had time only to shake his hand and utter a few words.
Mr. Lincoln usually wore a black broadcloth suit, called a “clawhammer” suit. He wore white kid gloves in the reception line, and shook so many hands that his own hand swelled afterwards. Eyewitnesses reported his glove “always looked like it had been dragged through the dust-bin.”
Abraham Lincoln, not only invested time at these orchestrated events, but in everyday life he identified with the oppressed and tried to relieve their distresses.
On December 31 at the strike of midnight, the year 2006 will be history. New Year’s Day is a good time to shake hands with the old year, revisit, rethink, and if needed, revise plans.
Carl Sandburg’s book “Abraham Lincoln, The Prairie Years and The War Years” is one of my favorite biographies. In it are many stories of personal encounters between Mr. Lincoln and many races. Although he rose to one of the most powerful positions in the world, he didn’t forget his roots or that his best investments were in the welfare of others.
An old Chinese proverb states: If your vision is for a year, plant wheat. If your vision is for ten years, plant trees. If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people.
God’s clarion call is for people to love Him with all their hearts and then to love each other. The Ten Commandments outlined respect for God and fellowman. When asked what commandments were most important, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind . . . and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). He also said when we do something for others it’s like doing it for the Son of God.
In 2007 plant wheat to feed your neighbors, plant trees to shade your neighbors, and grimy your gloves from working with people. Because, when you lend a hand to people, you touch the face of God.
You may reach Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
This is their typical New Year’s Day schedule: Near 11:00 A.M., officials and diplomats arrived and went through a reception line, greeting the President and Mrs. Lincoln. About 2:00 P. M., the public streamed in, some had prepared short speeches. By the time Lincoln’s gloved hand found theirs, they had time only to shake his hand and utter a few words.
Mr. Lincoln usually wore a black broadcloth suit, called a “clawhammer” suit. He wore white kid gloves in the reception line, and shook so many hands that his own hand swelled afterwards. Eyewitnesses reported his glove “always looked like it had been dragged through the dust-bin.”
Abraham Lincoln, not only invested time at these orchestrated events, but in everyday life he identified with the oppressed and tried to relieve their distresses.
On December 31 at the strike of midnight, the year 2006 will be history. New Year’s Day is a good time to shake hands with the old year, revisit, rethink, and if needed, revise plans.
Carl Sandburg’s book “Abraham Lincoln, The Prairie Years and The War Years” is one of my favorite biographies. In it are many stories of personal encounters between Mr. Lincoln and many races. Although he rose to one of the most powerful positions in the world, he didn’t forget his roots or that his best investments were in the welfare of others.
An old Chinese proverb states: If your vision is for a year, plant wheat. If your vision is for ten years, plant trees. If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people.
God’s clarion call is for people to love Him with all their hearts and then to love each other. The Ten Commandments outlined respect for God and fellowman. When asked what commandments were most important, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind . . . and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). He also said when we do something for others it’s like doing it for the Son of God.
In 2007 plant wheat to feed your neighbors, plant trees to shade your neighbors, and grimy your gloves from working with people. Because, when you lend a hand to people, you touch the face of God.
You may reach Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, December 22, 2006
Leftovers or a Feast
Hope is Born
Recently, two grandson-sayings blessed and enriched my understanding about God-instilled hope.
The first grandson-comment occurred on Thanksgiving Day. Our dining table creaked, weighted by luscious food, but it wasn’t a dream feast for six-year-old grandson Adam. Cranberries and cornbread dressing don’t have the same appeal as Ronald McDonalds’ menu.
An hour after our 20 family members feasted on bountiful Pilgrim food, Adam opened the refrigerator door. With a voice steeped in doubt, he asked, “Grandma, do you have anything to eat in here?” He’d bypassed a feast and ended up searching for leftovers.
The second insight came from eight-year-old grandson Jack. My grandchildren know that I’m a soft touch when we’re running errands and they’re hungry. I’ll fly through the fast food lane at Long John Silvers quicker than the down of a thistle.
Jack accompanied me to Wednesday night Bible classes, and afterwards, Jack said, “Grandma, I’m really hungry.”
Teasing I said, “Well, if you’re that desperate, we’ll drive through and get you something on the way home.”
After a thoughtful pause, Jack asked, “Why did you say I’m desperate? Doesn’t desperate mean without hope?” And then we had a nice conversation about expectation of better things, and the One who supplies us with hope.
After these encounters with grandsons, I was reminded of the daily feast of opportunities to over-indulge in God’s hope. A Bible proverb states, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (13:12). Or as Eugene Peterson paraphrased that proverb in “The Message”: “Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.”
Life is often described as mountains and valleys, but I recently read (can’t remember where) that life is more like railway tracks. Parallel of sad things are such good things as the next breath, food, friendships, income- producing-work, and family.
Life consists of dual moments of sunshine and rain. Paul wrote to the Ephesians about the time they were without hope, without God in their lives, and reminded them that hope entered when they embraced Jesus Christ.
Grandsons Jack and Adam often refresh our lives with antics, unusual wisdom, and little boy embraces. This Christmas reflect on another little boy -- the one born in Bethlehem, the Son of God destined to bring personal peace.
Don’t settle for leftovers because Jesus sets a banquet table before the world, laden with individual servings of hope.
Merry Christmas.
You may reach Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Recently, two grandson-sayings blessed and enriched my understanding about God-instilled hope.
The first grandson-comment occurred on Thanksgiving Day. Our dining table creaked, weighted by luscious food, but it wasn’t a dream feast for six-year-old grandson Adam. Cranberries and cornbread dressing don’t have the same appeal as Ronald McDonalds’ menu.
An hour after our 20 family members feasted on bountiful Pilgrim food, Adam opened the refrigerator door. With a voice steeped in doubt, he asked, “Grandma, do you have anything to eat in here?” He’d bypassed a feast and ended up searching for leftovers.
The second insight came from eight-year-old grandson Jack. My grandchildren know that I’m a soft touch when we’re running errands and they’re hungry. I’ll fly through the fast food lane at Long John Silvers quicker than the down of a thistle.
Jack accompanied me to Wednesday night Bible classes, and afterwards, Jack said, “Grandma, I’m really hungry.”
Teasing I said, “Well, if you’re that desperate, we’ll drive through and get you something on the way home.”
After a thoughtful pause, Jack asked, “Why did you say I’m desperate? Doesn’t desperate mean without hope?” And then we had a nice conversation about expectation of better things, and the One who supplies us with hope.
After these encounters with grandsons, I was reminded of the daily feast of opportunities to over-indulge in God’s hope. A Bible proverb states, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (13:12). Or as Eugene Peterson paraphrased that proverb in “The Message”: “Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.”
Life is often described as mountains and valleys, but I recently read (can’t remember where) that life is more like railway tracks. Parallel of sad things are such good things as the next breath, food, friendships, income- producing-work, and family.
Life consists of dual moments of sunshine and rain. Paul wrote to the Ephesians about the time they were without hope, without God in their lives, and reminded them that hope entered when they embraced Jesus Christ.
Grandsons Jack and Adam often refresh our lives with antics, unusual wisdom, and little boy embraces. This Christmas reflect on another little boy -- the one born in Bethlehem, the Son of God destined to bring personal peace.
Don’t settle for leftovers because Jesus sets a banquet table before the world, laden with individual servings of hope.
Merry Christmas.
You may reach Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, December 15, 2006
Cathedrals
The World is a Cathedral
The guys fished all night without success, not for fun. This fishing mattered because it put bread on the table. Their work included casting cumbersome nets and moving their boats by hoisting sails and straining at oars.
Throughout the night, again and again they cast bulky nets over the inky lake. Each cast brought the same disappointing results. Empty. Empty. Empty. Their shift ended without profit. Or, so they thought.
Dawn found them anchored on shore. Weary. They washed their nets, searching for tears and snarls from lake debris. Also at lakeside that morning, Jesus drew the usual crowd to hear his teachings. Finally, Jesus asked the fishermen Simon Peter to launch his boat into the surf as a pulpit.
Peter moved the boat just offshore where Jesus sat down and taught from a watery platform. When Jesus finished he said, “Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
Peter answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” On the lake, Peter felt the familiar drag of a catch, a huge catch. Checking the nets, he saw teeming fish and the weight of them causing tears in the sturdy rope lacings.
He motioned to partners on shore to join them, and James and John oared out and hauled in fish after fish. The weight of the fish soon leveled the boat railings with the water surface. One more fish wiggle and water might spill into the crafts.
But water didn’t flood in, and fishermen, scaly catch, and The Teacher came ashore. That’s when Simon Peter recognized God’s divine hand and fell at Jesus’ feet saying, “Go away from me, Lord, I am a sinful man!” But Jesus didn’t leave.
Instead, Jesus consoled Simon Peter and said, “Don’t be afraid, from now on you will catch men. Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Luke 5).
On this day, the lakeside became a cathedral. Once more, God used the earth, his footstool, as a setting to showcase the Son of God, to show his overflowing compassion for Simon Peter and all men.
Chapels, cathedrals, church buildings are formal places of worship where body and mind can be stilled, but God dwells in everyday happenings, too.
Fish, boats, a starry host, stables, shepherds, sheep -- all are stage props for the Savior. Today, as in times past, a car, a rented room, wooded acreage or a mall can be a cathedral if Jesus is there.
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Need a gift for the holidays? Cathy’s devotional book The Stained Glass Pickup is a thoughtful gift that will continue to encourage throughout the year. Read reviews at www.amazon.com and www.christianbooks.com
Autographed copies available at www.stainedglasspickup.com Cathy will discount purchases of two or more – for details contact Cathy Messecar at writecat@consolidated.net
The guys fished all night without success, not for fun. This fishing mattered because it put bread on the table. Their work included casting cumbersome nets and moving their boats by hoisting sails and straining at oars.
Throughout the night, again and again they cast bulky nets over the inky lake. Each cast brought the same disappointing results. Empty. Empty. Empty. Their shift ended without profit. Or, so they thought.
Dawn found them anchored on shore. Weary. They washed their nets, searching for tears and snarls from lake debris. Also at lakeside that morning, Jesus drew the usual crowd to hear his teachings. Finally, Jesus asked the fishermen Simon Peter to launch his boat into the surf as a pulpit.
Peter moved the boat just offshore where Jesus sat down and taught from a watery platform. When Jesus finished he said, “Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
Peter answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” On the lake, Peter felt the familiar drag of a catch, a huge catch. Checking the nets, he saw teeming fish and the weight of them causing tears in the sturdy rope lacings.
He motioned to partners on shore to join them, and James and John oared out and hauled in fish after fish. The weight of the fish soon leveled the boat railings with the water surface. One more fish wiggle and water might spill into the crafts.
But water didn’t flood in, and fishermen, scaly catch, and The Teacher came ashore. That’s when Simon Peter recognized God’s divine hand and fell at Jesus’ feet saying, “Go away from me, Lord, I am a sinful man!” But Jesus didn’t leave.
Instead, Jesus consoled Simon Peter and said, “Don’t be afraid, from now on you will catch men. Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Luke 5).
On this day, the lakeside became a cathedral. Once more, God used the earth, his footstool, as a setting to showcase the Son of God, to show his overflowing compassion for Simon Peter and all men.
Chapels, cathedrals, church buildings are formal places of worship where body and mind can be stilled, but God dwells in everyday happenings, too.
Fish, boats, a starry host, stables, shepherds, sheep -- all are stage props for the Savior. Today, as in times past, a car, a rented room, wooded acreage or a mall can be a cathedral if Jesus is there.
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Need a gift for the holidays? Cathy’s devotional book The Stained Glass Pickup is a thoughtful gift that will continue to encourage throughout the year. Read reviews at www.amazon.com and www.christianbooks.com
Autographed copies available at www.stainedglasspickup.com Cathy will discount purchases of two or more – for details contact Cathy Messecar at writecat@consolidated.net
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Maria's Christmas Eve
Maria's Christmas Eve
With permission, I share Maria Skinner’s reflections of a Christmas Eve:
I watched flurries of white flakes settle on the mountaintop. The small house for our missionary assignment in a high mountain village in Mexico had no heat. Wind stabbed through gaps around the windows and door, chilling the indoor air. It would be necessary for my husband, Dave, and me to keep our children, Shannon and David, fully clothed throughout the night.
“This is our first Christmas on the mission field,” I thought to myself. “No one in this village knows us. No one will visit or call. The children's grandparents live more than a thousand miles away. They will not be dropping by with surprise gifts.”
My daughter Shannon looked out the window, “Look Mommy, the children run so fast, even without shoes. And they aren't even wearing sweaters!” I tried to smile as I wiped tears from my face.
"Tomorrow is Christmas," I offered an explanation for my weeping. Shannon knew we had no money to buy a Christmas meal, not even a single gift. “It doesn't matter to me, Mommy," Shannon said. "We can mother the children."
Her words took residence in my heart. "Mother the children?" I repeated. "What do you mean?"
"Those poor children have no shoes. They need some gifts for Christmas."
"Oh, but how are we going to give them gifts?"
"I want to give them my things! They can have my shoes and dresses." Now she was very excited! "It is better to give than to receive. Remember what Jesus said!"
"Oh, yes, Shannon, He did say that!" I gave her a hug. My daughter ran to the cold, damp room she shared with her brother, and I helped her neatly fold her clothes. We wanted each item to look as much like a gift as possible. That night, we trudged through the snow, going house to house, giving what we could.
At village homes, children peered from behind the doors. They jumped up and down with eagerness. "Let me see, let me see!" At each home the parents reacted in disbelief and shock. Finally, they said, "Gracias, gracias! God bless you!"
That night we slept with smiles on our faces. We received far more than we had given. On Christmas morn, still excited from our Christmas Eve visits in the village, Shannon jumped from bed and ran to the door to look outside. We saw the snowy landscape sprinkled with the darting colors of village children squealing and laughing, wearing their "new" Christmas clothes.
“Thank you, Lord,” I thought. "You sent little angels to dance for us at Christmas!" That Christmas Jesus showed our young daughter how to bring joy to her family and an entire village on a high mountain in Mexico.”
You may contact Maria at www.nbt.org or Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
With permission, I share Maria Skinner’s reflections of a Christmas Eve:
I watched flurries of white flakes settle on the mountaintop. The small house for our missionary assignment in a high mountain village in Mexico had no heat. Wind stabbed through gaps around the windows and door, chilling the indoor air. It would be necessary for my husband, Dave, and me to keep our children, Shannon and David, fully clothed throughout the night.
“This is our first Christmas on the mission field,” I thought to myself. “No one in this village knows us. No one will visit or call. The children's grandparents live more than a thousand miles away. They will not be dropping by with surprise gifts.”
My daughter Shannon looked out the window, “Look Mommy, the children run so fast, even without shoes. And they aren't even wearing sweaters!” I tried to smile as I wiped tears from my face.
"Tomorrow is Christmas," I offered an explanation for my weeping. Shannon knew we had no money to buy a Christmas meal, not even a single gift. “It doesn't matter to me, Mommy," Shannon said. "We can mother the children."
Her words took residence in my heart. "Mother the children?" I repeated. "What do you mean?"
"Those poor children have no shoes. They need some gifts for Christmas."
"Oh, but how are we going to give them gifts?"
"I want to give them my things! They can have my shoes and dresses." Now she was very excited! "It is better to give than to receive. Remember what Jesus said!"
"Oh, yes, Shannon, He did say that!" I gave her a hug. My daughter ran to the cold, damp room she shared with her brother, and I helped her neatly fold her clothes. We wanted each item to look as much like a gift as possible. That night, we trudged through the snow, going house to house, giving what we could.
At village homes, children peered from behind the doors. They jumped up and down with eagerness. "Let me see, let me see!" At each home the parents reacted in disbelief and shock. Finally, they said, "Gracias, gracias! God bless you!"
That night we slept with smiles on our faces. We received far more than we had given. On Christmas morn, still excited from our Christmas Eve visits in the village, Shannon jumped from bed and ran to the door to look outside. We saw the snowy landscape sprinkled with the darting colors of village children squealing and laughing, wearing their "new" Christmas clothes.
“Thank you, Lord,” I thought. "You sent little angels to dance for us at Christmas!" That Christmas Jesus showed our young daughter how to bring joy to her family and an entire village on a high mountain in Mexico.”
You may contact Maria at www.nbt.org or Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, December 01, 2006
Daniel Diet
Need a gift for the holidays? Cathy’s devotional book The Stained Glass Pickup is a thoughtful gift that will continue to encourage throughout the year. Read reviews at www.amazon.com and www.christianbooks.com Autographed copies available at www.stainedglasspickup.com Cathy will discount purchases of two or more – for details contact Cathy Messecar at writecat@consolidated.net
This is a terrible time to tackle the subject of being overweight. First, because I am several pounds over my desired weight, and second, in the USA, Thanksgiving just passed and some of us didn’t pass on second helpings. We’re drowning in gravy guilt.
Recently, The World Health Organization labeled the world’s obesity problem as pandemic. No pun intended, but that means widespread. For the first time ever, statistics show that the number of overweight people outnumber the undernourished.
Approximately 1.6 billion adults age 15 and up are overweight and 600 million are undernourished. By the year 2015 the number of overweight people is expected to rise to 2.3 billion. This preventable pandemic is threatening to overwhelm every medical system in the world as cases of diabetes and heart disease increase.
Affluent countries are no longer the only ones facing this problem. Middle and lower income populations are gaining weight at an alarming rate. In any public setting, it’s plain to see that many struggle with regulating their intake of food.
Many of us avoid exercise or changing eating habits and follow J. Loveland’s idea: “An alternative to losing weight, I use when all else fails; Tho’ I’m unable to stay on a diet, I can stay off the scales.”
Daniel is a Bible hero who instills hope and gives helpful dietary guidelines. Captured in Jerusalem, he and many others marched to foreign Babylon. There, young men of Israel, who showed intelligence in “every branch of wisdom” (Daniel 1:4), were chosen to serve the king. As part of the royal wining and dining, they were given the king’s choice food (literally the fat of flesh) and wine.
However, Daniel and his three friends wanted to follow the dietary laws of the Hebrews. To remain faithful to God and for consciences’ sake, Daniel requested water and vegetables for himself and friends. At the end of ten days their countenances reflected vitality and health, more so than the others who ate the king’s buffet.
Daniel’s faith, wisdom, food choices, and his regular prayers illustrate how one can be under extreme stress and maintain a clear conscience before God. His good choices still inspire today.
Several years ago to get on a better eating regimen, I followed Daniel’s lead and limited my intake to fruits, veggies and water for a couple of months. This December, I’ll do the same, because the weight of the world is bothering me in a personal way, and with God’s help, I’ll do something about it. I’m off to peel an orange for breakfast and scrounge for a celery stick . . . how about you?
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
This is a terrible time to tackle the subject of being overweight. First, because I am several pounds over my desired weight, and second, in the USA, Thanksgiving just passed and some of us didn’t pass on second helpings. We’re drowning in gravy guilt.
Recently, The World Health Organization labeled the world’s obesity problem as pandemic. No pun intended, but that means widespread. For the first time ever, statistics show that the number of overweight people outnumber the undernourished.
Approximately 1.6 billion adults age 15 and up are overweight and 600 million are undernourished. By the year 2015 the number of overweight people is expected to rise to 2.3 billion. This preventable pandemic is threatening to overwhelm every medical system in the world as cases of diabetes and heart disease increase.
Affluent countries are no longer the only ones facing this problem. Middle and lower income populations are gaining weight at an alarming rate. In any public setting, it’s plain to see that many struggle with regulating their intake of food.
Many of us avoid exercise or changing eating habits and follow J. Loveland’s idea: “An alternative to losing weight, I use when all else fails; Tho’ I’m unable to stay on a diet, I can stay off the scales.”
Daniel is a Bible hero who instills hope and gives helpful dietary guidelines. Captured in Jerusalem, he and many others marched to foreign Babylon. There, young men of Israel, who showed intelligence in “every branch of wisdom” (Daniel 1:4), were chosen to serve the king. As part of the royal wining and dining, they were given the king’s choice food (literally the fat of flesh) and wine.
However, Daniel and his three friends wanted to follow the dietary laws of the Hebrews. To remain faithful to God and for consciences’ sake, Daniel requested water and vegetables for himself and friends. At the end of ten days their countenances reflected vitality and health, more so than the others who ate the king’s buffet.
Daniel’s faith, wisdom, food choices, and his regular prayers illustrate how one can be under extreme stress and maintain a clear conscience before God. His good choices still inspire today.
Several years ago to get on a better eating regimen, I followed Daniel’s lead and limited my intake to fruits, veggies and water for a couple of months. This December, I’ll do the same, because the weight of the world is bothering me in a personal way, and with God’s help, I’ll do something about it. I’m off to peel an orange for breakfast and scrounge for a celery stick . . . how about you?
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, November 24, 2006
1000 Gifts
Need a gift for the holidays? Cathy’s devotional book The Stained Glass Pickup is a thoughtful gift that will continue to encourage throughout the year. Read reviews at Amazon and www.christianbooks.com Autographed copies available at www.stainedglasspickup.com Cathy will discount purchases of two or more – for details contact Cathy Messecar at writecat@consolidated.net
Christian Women Online Magazine is encouraging their readers to begin a list of 1000 gifts from God. Ann Voskamp, author of the article, wrote “I am daily jotting down items on my ‘Thousand Gifts List.’"
Ms. Voskamp says the discipline of writing down her gifts is opening her eyes to things unseen before. She is “working, one-by-one, up to a thousand gifts. Not of gifts I want. But of gifts I have.”
I liked her idea and started my list a few days before Thanksgiving. The first 25 are family and friends and in that mix, near the end, is a warm bed and a place to shower — such luxuries. Over the years, my list will grow.
A home-schooling mother (nearly a dozen children) has taken the challenge and appearing on her list are such blessings as “fluffy towels, the cry of a newborn, and gathering warm eggs.” She also lists “old books discovered for pennies at a garage sale and the still small voice of God.”
Gratitude is the warm friendly feeling toward a benefactor, thankfulness because God or a person bestowed kindness. Melodie Beattie said, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” Also, she said, “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” The first American settlers had the same attitude.
H. U. Westermayer writes, “The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.”
God, the ultimate benefactor, told Moses about himself: “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness and sin” (Exodus 34:7).
Ms. Voskamp says she is writing down her gifts “as they happen, as they arrive, as they are unwrapped . . . the daily graces that He gives in an infinite number of ways that stir me.”
I’m thankful for readers of this column and you’re number 21 on my list of tailored blessings. On Monday, I’ll pack away the Pilgrim and turkey trinkets, but I will not shelve appreciation.
Join me in keeping Thanksgiving alive year round with a Thousand Gifts List. Are you ready? Number one, number two . . .
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Helping out a friend: Joan Anderson, author of New York Times bestseller Where Angels Walk, has lost some of her mailing list. To sign up for her newsletter, contact her at www.joanwanderson.com
Christian Women Online Magazine is encouraging their readers to begin a list of 1000 gifts from God. Ann Voskamp, author of the article, wrote “I am daily jotting down items on my ‘Thousand Gifts List.’"
Ms. Voskamp says the discipline of writing down her gifts is opening her eyes to things unseen before. She is “working, one-by-one, up to a thousand gifts. Not of gifts I want. But of gifts I have.”
I liked her idea and started my list a few days before Thanksgiving. The first 25 are family and friends and in that mix, near the end, is a warm bed and a place to shower — such luxuries. Over the years, my list will grow.
A home-schooling mother (nearly a dozen children) has taken the challenge and appearing on her list are such blessings as “fluffy towels, the cry of a newborn, and gathering warm eggs.” She also lists “old books discovered for pennies at a garage sale and the still small voice of God.”
Gratitude is the warm friendly feeling toward a benefactor, thankfulness because God or a person bestowed kindness. Melodie Beattie said, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” Also, she said, “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” The first American settlers had the same attitude.
H. U. Westermayer writes, “The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.”
God, the ultimate benefactor, told Moses about himself: “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness and sin” (Exodus 34:7).
Ms. Voskamp says she is writing down her gifts “as they happen, as they arrive, as they are unwrapped . . . the daily graces that He gives in an infinite number of ways that stir me.”
I’m thankful for readers of this column and you’re number 21 on my list of tailored blessings. On Monday, I’ll pack away the Pilgrim and turkey trinkets, but I will not shelve appreciation.
Join me in keeping Thanksgiving alive year round with a Thousand Gifts List. Are you ready? Number one, number two . . .
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Helping out a friend: Joan Anderson, author of New York Times bestseller Where Angels Walk, has lost some of her mailing list. To sign up for her newsletter, contact her at www.joanwanderson.com
Friday, November 17, 2006
Family Table Time
The Kitchen Table
A friend told me about her paratrooper cousin. During practice, all went well and his chute opened, but the next man didn’t have that good fortune. His chute failed to open. Somehow, he managed to grab hold of the cousin’s legs, and they landed in-tact under one parachute.
The kitchen table is a parachute for the family. Do you remember the kitchen or dining table in your childhood home? The evening meal is when my family ate together. The television was off, and after Dad prayed, we ate and shared the happenings in our days.
We often had orphans at the table, someone who had latched onto our family. Not necessarily persons without parents, just those needing a temporary home. We hosted a woman receiving treatments at M D Anderson Hospital and our grandmothers for extended visits.
Often, though, we had neighborhood kids and parentless children at the table. Rare, but two of my best friends were motherless, one killed in an automobile accident and the other taken by cancer. To this day when I see these two women, they mention our kitchen, and specific foods eaten there. One remembers the Russian salad dressing.
Today, home meals are sacrificed on the altar of busyness. Single parents are making a living and rearing children. In some dad-and-mom families, both parents work, besides chauffeuring kiddos to a plethora of activities. Too many family meals are eaten at 55 mph, fast foods eaten in minivan bucket seats.
The National Center on Substance and Drug Abuse lists ten positive results for families who regularly eat together at home. They can be found online. To help recapture family time around the table, follow this advice: One, clear off the table. Make it inviting. Find other places for school projects, junk mail and laptop computer. Shoo the napping cat from the table surface.
Second, on the weekend, plan the week’s menu and dining times. Buy ingredients, and prominently post menu and meal times. Third, during your together-meal, turn off electronics and have light-conversation. Don’t nag. Instead, say “only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs” (Eph. 4:20).
Fourth, in your prayer time, briefly roll-call the names of those gathered, giving thanks for their presence. Fifth, serve a light dessert and keep family and guests at the table a few more moments. Keep dessert simple. Serve fresh fruit or angel food cake with chocolate whipped cream.
In your home, bring back family meal time. Someone could be descending without a parachute and your table-time may rescue a precious child or the gathered “orphans.” Happy Thanksgiving!
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
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