November 30, 2009

Instead of a scripture and thought this week, join me in a prayer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ;

Lord Jesus, next month we will open presents, share gifts and celebrate your birthday. How many will revel in the moment never knowing you, the one we are celebrating? How many will praise Santa for their gifts and never mention your name at all? How many will curse the light because it exposes their debauchery from the night before? Many, I am sure, will willingly choose to avoid any mention of you as they celebrate. And yet, you are there. You smile with the child who opens a shoe box full of treasures. You hug the now single one who weeps a tear because the one they spent last Christmas with is not present now. You fill the hearts of those who listen to the laughter of a child playing with a new toy. You hold the one who's heart longs for the one they love who is away in a foreign war torn land. It's your birthday, and yet you are the one giving the gifts. Nothing we have can compare to what you give, and yet we want to give something to show our love. Something to say "Thank you for loving me." Lord Jesus, I offer to you the only gift I can give you this Christmas; myself. May I become a gift in your hand to those you love. Let the meditation of my heart and the words of my mouth be acceptable in your sight. Happy Birthday Jesus! Amen.

Thought for the week: I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.
-- Galileo Galilei

Funny for the week: Household Duties

One rainy morning, my mother went for her daily run. As she returned to the house, she slipped and fell, hitting her head on the driveway.

I called the paramedics. When they arrived, they asked my mom some questions to determine her coherency. "What is today?" inquired one man.

Without hesitation, Mom replied, "Trash day."
-- Jaime Swart

Sounds like my late mother-in-law……… Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: What is Omega? The last letter of the Greek alphabet

This week’s question: Who baptized Simon the sorcerer?

November 23, 2009

"He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD." (Proverbs 18:22)

It was their golden anniversary party. The husband struggled to put his feelings for his wife into words. Since age had diminished her hearing, she often misunderstood what he tried to say. Surrounded by friends and family, the loving husband rose to offer a loving tribute. His voice heavy with emotion, he declared, "My dear wife, after 50 years I've found you tried and true!" Everyone smiled. The wife said, "What?" He repeated himself a bit louder: "After 50 years, I've found you tried and true!" His wife nodded briefly and responded, "Well, let me tell you something, after 50 years, I'm tired of you, too!" So you think you know your mate? After a few years of marriage, you know what kind of movies they like. You can predict with infallible regularity what they likely will order at a favorite restaurant. You may even know the size and color preference of their clothing. Yawn! You've been there, done that. Is there no mystery left? Consider these questions: What is your mates fondest daydream? What is their most terrible fear? What is their most significant goal for their life five years from now? If you want to practice loving your mate, get to know them better. TALK! Don't ask the questions, however, if you aren't willing to listen and act on what you discover. Love learns, then does. Turn off the television tonight and talk to your mate.

Thought for the week: A Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.@

Thought for the week: Perhaps in time the so-called Dark Ages will be thought of as including our own. -- Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

Funny for the week: I was telling my three boys the story of the Nativity and how the Wise Men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the infant Jesus. Clearly giving it a lot of thought, my six-year-old observed, "Mom, a Wise Woman would have brought diapers." -- Angie Flaute

Bet they would be disposable too…………. Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: Who was the first farmer recorded in the Bible as becoming drunk? Noah (Gen. 9:21)

This week’s question: What is Omega?

November 16, 2009

"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." (Isaiah 40:31)

We don't have many eagles around here. Mostly what we see soaring are buzzards. But soar they do. They catch a thermal and up- up - up they go! I used to think that must be such fun until I took the controls of a glider and made my first and only free flight in a glider. Around and around I went seeking a thermal and around and around my stomach went with it. Soon I decided I best put it down or I was going to put it out. Have you ever wished you could be lifted up above the problems and junk that weigh you down? That you could soar above it and not be stained by it. There is only one thermal with the strength to lift you that high and it is Jesus Christ. But He will not be bought. You must wait patiently. In his time and his time only you will find the lift you seek, and it won't be found going around and around.

Thought for the week: People who have what they want are fond of telling people who haven't what they want that they really don't want it.
-- Ogden Nash

Funny for the week: Automatically Inappropriate
Most businesses like that our credit card machines automatically print "Thank you, please come again" at the bottom of receipts. One guy called to ask if I could take it off.

"Sure," I said. "But do you mind my asking why?"

"It just seems inappropriate," he answered. "We're a funeral home."
-- Michelle Ballard

Yelp, he’s the last one to let you down………….. Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: What will occur when people are saying, “Peace and Safety”?

The second coming of Jesus (1 Thess. 5:3)

This week’s question: Who was the first farmer recorded in the Bible as becoming drunk?

November 9, 2009

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; making the most of every opportunity. (Colossians 4:5)

Five year old Bobby was adjusting to the life of a kindergartner. In the middle of the afternoon the teacher announced to the boys and girls that it was snack time. "Who brought the snack today?" she asked. Silence followed. The teacher checked her list and found Bobby's name. "Bobby, did you bring the snack?"

"Yes Ma'am." he replied.

"Good, Bobby. What did you bring?"

"Popsicles!"

The teacher asked, "And where are your popsicles, Bobby?" The smiling youngster replied, "In my backpack in the closet!"

Time has an unfortunate habit of melting away. The brevity of this life demands that we treat every day as a gift from God, and every moment as an opportunity to serve Him. The work place is one of the best arenas for modeling Christ-likeness. Paul said, "be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity." Be a wise person today. Pray that God would cause you to be frugal with your time today.

Thought for the week: The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
-- E. E. Cummings

Funny for the week: No Labor Required

When my friend got a job, her husband agreed to share the housework. He was stunned by the amount of effort involved in keeping a house clean with small boys to pick up after, and insisted that he and his wife shop for a new vacuum cleaner.

The salesman gave them a demonstration of the latest model. "It comes equipped with all the newest features," he assured them.

The husband was not convinced. "Don't you have a riding one?" he asked
-- Pat Montgomery

Pretty good idea don’t-cha think?.......Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: Hearing of his wisdom, who visited Solomon? The Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:13)

This week’s question: What will occur when people are saying, “Peace and Safety”?