Archive - December 2014

Would you do what Jesus did? He exchanged the worship of angels for the company of killers. If you were God, would you? I wouldn’t, but Christ did! Jesus humbled Himself. He went from commanding angels to sleeping in the straw. Why? Because that is what love does. It puts the loved before itself. Your place in heaven was more important to Him than His place in heaven, so He gave up His so you could have yours.

It’s time to let His love cover all things in your life. Every promise broken, every cross word, and harsh word. His love covers all things. Let it! Do it for His sake. For the peace of your heart. And do it for their sake. For the people in your life. Let His love fall on you so yours can fall on them.

Luke and Obi-Wan are in a Chinese restaurant having a meal. Skillfully using his chopsticks, Obi-Wan deftly dishes himself a large portion of noodles into his bowl, then tops it off with some chicken and cashew nuts. All this is done with consummate ease you’d expect from a Jedi Master.

Poor old Luke is having a nightmare, using his chopsticks in both hands, dropping his food all over the table and eventually himself.

Obi-Wan looks at Luke disapprovingly and says, “Use the FORKS, Luke.”

You contribute nothing to your salvation but the sin that made it necessary.  –Jonathan Edwards

Searching the Night for a Light

On the night when Jesus was born, I wonder if Joseph prayed, “Father, this all seems so bizarre. The angel you sent? Any chance you could send another?” You’ve stood where Joseph stood. Each of us knows what it’s like to search the night for a light. Not outside a stable, but perhaps outside an emergency room or on the manicured grass of a cemetery. We’ve asked our questions. We have wondered why God does what he does.

If you’re asking what Joseph asked, let me urge you to do what Joseph did. Obey. He didn’t let his confusion disrupt his obedience. What about you? You have a choice: to obey or disobey. Because Joseph obeyed, God used him to change the world. Can He do the same with you? Will you be that kind of person? Will you serve…even when you don’t understand?

Doug and Sherrie praise God for the many campers that put their faith in Christ this summer. Also a Wycliffe translation consultant approved the book of Romans, last book of the Havasupai New Testament. They ask for us to pray with them for many of their friends and coworkers that have requests. A specific list of their prayer requests is located on the missionary board.

• As I hurtled through space, one thought kept crossing my mind – every part of this rocket was supplied by the lowest bidder. ~ John Glenn
• When the white missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said ‘Let us pray.’ We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land. ~ Desmond Tutu
• America is the only country where a significant proportion of the population believes that professional wrestling is real but the moon landing was faked. ~ David Letterman
• I’m not a paranoid, deranged millionaire. I’m a billionaire. ~ Howard Hughes
• After the game, the King and the pawn go into the same box. ~ Old Italian proverb
• The only reason they say ‘Women and children first’ is to test the strength of the lifeboats. ~ Jean Kerr
• I’ve been married to a communist and a fascist, and neither would take out the garbage.  ~ Zsa Zsa Gabor
• You know you’re a redneck if your home has wheels and your car doesn’t. ~ Jeff Foxworthy
• When a man opens a car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife. ~ Prince Philip
•  A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kickboxing. ~ Emo Philips
• Wood burns faster when you have to cut and chop it yourself. ~ Harrison Ford
• The best cure for Sea Sickness is to sit under a tree. ~ Spike Milligan
• Lawyers believe a person is innocent until proven broke. ~ Robin Hall
• Kill one man and you’re a murderer, kill a million and you’re a conqueror ~ Jean Rostand
• Having more money doesn’t make you happier. I have 50 million dollars but I’m just as happy as when I had 48 million. ~ Arnold Schwarzenegger
• We are here on earth to do good unto others. What the others are here for, I have no idea. ~ WH Auden
• If life were fair, Elvis would still be alive today and all the impersonators would be dead. ~ Johnny Carson
• I don’t believe in astrology. I am a Sagittarius and we’re very skeptical~ Warren Tantum (School photo album)
• Hollywood must be the only place on earth where you can be fired by a man wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a baseball cap~ Steve Martin
• The first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone. ~ George Roberts
• If God had intended us to fly he would have made it easier to get to the airport. ~ Jonathan Winters
• I have kleptomania, but when it gets bad, I take something for it. ~ Robert Benchley

God of all comfort, keep me from complaining if my burden seems heavy. Help me to follow in your footsteps and endure every weakness without the sin of resentment or complaint.

 –Joni Eareckson Tada

A mother asked her small son what he would like for his birthday. “I’d like a little brother,” the boy said.

“Oh my, that’s such a big wish,” said the mother. “Why do you want a little brother?”

“Well,” said the boy, “there’s only so much I can blame on the dog.”

Received from Thomas Ellsworth. Seen in GCFL.