July 27, 2009

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor requite us according to our iniquities. For as a father has tender compassion upon his children, so the Lord has tender compassion upon those who fear him." Psalm 103: 8, 10,13

This past spring I went to the Lazy 5 ranch with a group of kids. I am always fascinated with the peacocks that run loose. Spring was in the air and the male was out to impress the females. He would strut, whistle and then spread those tail feathers. Then he would do this little strut while the feathers quivered and shook. (Reminded me of some young boys I have watched at football games) Anyway, who of us have not at sometime tried to impress someone else? We even try to impress God. We have this crazy idea that if we try hard enough God will be impressed and reward us for WHAT we do. The fact is, we have never deserved one blessing from God. Blessings come our way because the Father has a huge heart of love and can't help Himself. He has to love you because love is who he is. He adores you so much that he will bless you in spite of yourself. It is all about Him, not about you. If you try to impress Him and think He will answer your prayers because you pray so well or know so much about the Bible, you are simply missing the point. He blesses not because we deserve it, but because He adores you. That is what GRACE is all about. Now that is something worth strutting and shaking tail feathers about!

Thought for the week: You can go a long way with a smile. You can go a lot farther with a smile and a gun. -- Al Capone

Funny for the week: Yellow Canaries"

A lady went to a pet shop.

"I'd like to buy two yellow canaries," she told the owner.

"We don't have any canaries, but we have these," the owner said, as he showed the lady some pale green parakeets.

"That's not what I'm looking for," the lady stated.

But the pet store owner refused to give up. He said, "Just think of them as yellow canaries that aren't quite ripe yet."

Today's CleanQuote

"It's ok to kiss a fool. It's ok to let a fool kiss you. But don't let a kiss fool you."

Ah, that is good advice………….Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: Who is "Yahweh" another name for? Jehovah or God

This week’s question: One gospel (Mark) records that a young man ran away when Jesus was arrested. What was unusual about him?

July 20, 2009

"Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honor him." Psalm 91: 14-15

We had a dog at our house named Almond. At four weeks he was found abandoned in a dumpster and taken to a Vet who cared for him for a week. We adopted him. Modern Psychologist might say that it was because of his past. My son says it is because he only had two brain cells, one on each side so he could walk. My wife said it didn’t matter, like me he was cute and she loved him. What you ask was his problem? He was a coward! Bark tough and turn tail and run. He spooked at his on reflection in a mirror. He howled at the sound of wind. He was afraid, period. But let me be sitting in my lazy chair when the fear hits and wham he landed in my lap. All 30 pounds. Why? He found security there. He knew he could transfer the threat to macho master. A calming voice, a calming hand stroking his head and he would lay down and soon be sleeping peacefully. Is God that kind of calming power to you? Occasionally we find ourselves in frightening situations in life and long like Almond did for someone to protect us. Sadly we sometimes think that God is disappointed in us when we are frightened. The opposite is true. Actually He looks forward to when we cling to Him. He really wants to love and protect you. Go ahead, pray and hop in His lap and experience His deep love and fierce protection. (Personal note: Last fall the neighbor’s half wolf dog killed Almond. I lost one of the best friends I ever had to a senseless act of violence. It was my turn to crawl up in God’s lap and cry. He is faithful, and even cares when a pet dies. "God cares for you [to].")

Thought for the week: Yesterday I was a dog. Today I'm a dog. Tomorrow I'll probably still be a dog. Sigh! There's so little hope for advancement.
-- Charles M. Schulz, (Snoopy)

Funny for the week: English Professor

A harried man runs into his physician's office. "Doctor! Doctor! My wife's in labor! But she keeps screaming, ‘Shouldn't, couldn't, wouldn't, can't!'"

"Oh, that's okay," says the doctor. "She's just having contractions."

And I bet he charged him for that information too…………….Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: What do both Calvary and Golgotha mean? Place of the skull (John 19:17)

This week’s question: Who is "Yahweh" another name for?

July 13, 2009

"I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!" Psalm 27:13

There are three toxic attitudes that I believe are very easy for cops to develop. Attitudes that grow on us and against which we must fight our whole life. NEGATIVISM: "Things are bad." PESSIMISM: "Things will turn out bad." CYNICISM: "People and their motives are bad." Just like bacteria can ruin milk, these three attitudes can sour your attitude, poison your soul, erode your faith and make life miserable. And that is true not only for cops but for anyone who becomes infected with these attitudes. God gives us the spiritual ability to resist and rise above these attitudes; to grow in faith, keep confidence in the future, trust God's grace to change people. Dealing with bad situations that tend to always turn out bad because people with bad motives are behind them can color our outlook quickly. That is why only the one who said, "I am the light of the world.." can shine into our dark thoughts and feelings, illuminate and warm the cold black night and give us hope. Do you know Him? He is the only vaccine against these toxic attitudes.

Thought for the week: Whenever you have an efficient government you have a dictatorship.
-- Harry S Truman, Lecture at Columbia University, 28 Apr. 1959

Funny for the week: "Impressions"

One day, at the dry-cleaning shop of a local air force base, I overheard a young airman describe in great detail how he wanted his uniform cleaned and pressed.

When he finished, the counter clerk asked, "Are you getting an award, or do you have an important military function to attend?"

"Nothing like that," the airman said. "I'm going home on leave, and my little brother is taking me to his second-grade class for show-and-tell."

Atta boy ! …………….. Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: In the Beatitudes, who does Jesus say will be satisfied (or filled)? Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matt. 5:6)

This week’s question: What do both Calvary and Golgotha mean?

July 6, 2009

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

Put yourself in his place. Think for a moment. He is in prison. Not a clean heated and cooled one like Caldwell has, but a dirty filthy stinking damp rat infested hole in the ground. He was waiting to be executed the next day. They would come for him at noon, drag him from his cell, stretch his neck over a block and chop his head off. What he did not know was that a church across town was praying for him. God answered their prayers and sent an angel to rescue him. But what was he doing? SLEEPING! Peter was asleep! He had given the Lord his fears and how he was at such peace he was sleeping. Man, I wish I had faith like that. Peter knew his Lord and Jesus had given Peter such inner peace that life or death, imprisonment or freedom mattered none. God can and does give us an inner serenity when we abide in Him. Like a parent calming a frightened child, the Lord wants to take away our fears. Will you let Him? Will I? Will we seek Him and let Him deliver us from ALL our fears? The decision is ours.

Thought for the week: You know that children are growing up when they start asking questions that have answers. -- John J. Plomp

Funny for the week: "Locked Out"

First I had to work late. Then I discovered that I'd locked my keys in the car. But the last straw was learning that roadside service couldn't get a locksmith to me for at least two hours. Finally the guy showed, looking exhausted.

As he struggled with my door, I joked, "Do those Slim Jim tools come in purse-size?"

"Yeah," he muttered. "They're called keys."

OneLiner

"To prevent sagging skin, eat 'til the wrinkles fill out."

My kind of reasoning………………………….Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: What was the garment of John the Baptist made of? Camel hair (Matt. 3:4)

This week’s question: In the Beatitudes, who does Jesus say will be satisfied (or filled)?