The Strangest Thing

Yesterday the strangest thing happened.  I was driving east on Randolph which is a street in the town where I live. It is a two lane road with grass on either side of the road.  I noticed that the cars in front of me were slowing down and coming to a stop.  I couldn't figure out what was going on until I saw the strangest thing. There was a car heading west but it was not in the west bound lane.  This car was on the grass on the south side of the road.  The person driving this car looked like a wild man and was driving at a very fast speed.  

I was shocked as the car sped by me on the side of the road, still on the wrong side of the road.  I knew that if it came back onto the road that someone would be hurt.  I was in a line of about ten cars that just sat there for several minutes and we were probably all wondering what to do.  I looked in my rear view mirror and could see the dust flying as the car was still going the wrong way.

I could see in the mirror that a red pickup had pulled off the road.  I am not sure if that car clipped him or if he just pulled off to call the police.  I was reaching to pick up my phone when I saw flashing lights and heard sirens.  I wondered what on earth was wrong with that person.  Was he drunk or high on drugs?  How on earth did he get headed down the side of the road, on the wrong side of the road?

It made me realize that sometimes I get headed down the side of the road, on the wrong side of the road. It's not because I am drunk or high.  It's not because I am a wild person. (Well not too often)

It is because I have gotten off course.  I have forgotten which direction I should be headed.  

It is not sirens and flashing lights that direct me back to the right side of this road.  It is the prick of a still small voice telling me that I am headed the wrong way. It keeps me from getting hurt.  It reminds of the way, the truth and the light and of what Christ has done for me.  Did you know that Christ did the strangest thing? He left the comfort of heaven to be born a baby in a stable and to die on the cross.  He died and rose again for me and for you! 

If you are headed down the wrong side on the road, He is waiting with all the right directions!

Luke 2:10-12

New King James Version (NKJV)

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

New King James Version (NKJV)

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher ofour faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

How Great Thou Art!!

This morning I woke up with a song in my heart and a sense of comfort!  God reminded me again that no matter what happens in my world that His Hands are on me!  I can draw on His strength and power even in the face of death.(hoping that doesn't happen for a while)  I felt His presence surround me with His song of joy!

I hope that you have His song of joy!

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV

How Great Thou Art Hymn

Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel he gentle breeze;

Refrain

And when I think that God his son not sparing,
Sent him to die - I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

Refrain

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home- what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Copyright © 1953 The Stuart Hine Trust/All rights worldwide adm. by Kingsway Communications Ltd.tym@kingsway.co.uk (except USA admin. by EMI CMG Publishing and print rights adm.
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The blanket of FEAR!

Friday was a day that I would like to forget but as much as I want to I can't.  News trickled onto the internet about a mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut.  I was filled with horror and thoughts that this can not be right.  Somebody had to have gotten the news wrong but it was not.  The more that I read and heard from others I knew that those parent were covered in a blanket of fear.

They had to go to that school and wait to found out if their child was alive, wounded or worse.  I can not imagine the horror and fear that filled their souls!  20 children and 6 adults were killed at an elementary school then the shooter took his own life.  He also killed his own mother.  27 families have been changed forever. There were times that I could not listen, read or hear anymore.  The news was more than my mind could fathom.  The families that lost loved ones could not just turn the news off though.  They are having to deal each minute with the loss of their child, sister, brother, parent and friend.

Since the news there have been many prayer vigils, support and sympathy pouring out to that community from the rest of the United States and across the world.   I think that we should cover the families, the children that went through the horror of that day, the teachers and the community with  many blanket of PRAYERS!  Let's cover them in prayers that God will enfold them in His arms, that He will comfort them and give them strength to make it through each day!  Pray that God will cover them with His love and peace.

Let's keep our blanket of prayers going for these families in the next days, weeks and months!

Luke 18:15-17

New International Version (NIV)

The Little Children and Jesus

¹⁵ People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.¹⁷ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

My daughter's long, horrible, low down rotten day

Saturday was a busy day for my daughter.  She had tryouts for the Red Carpet Honor Band and than later that day a basketball game for the championship of a tournament at her school.  It started out a good day.  She seemed calm, cool and collected.  We left for the tryouts and she seemed good.

The musicians had to go to their stations to get their time.  When my daughter and her friend got to the front to get their times, they were not even on the list.  All at once Sarah was uptight and not so calm, cool and collected. She finally got her number and got to play.

The ball game was later that day and she sat on the bench until the fourth quarter.  I could tell by her face that she was not happy.  She did get to play most of that quarter and she hustled and played well but she still was not happy.

Now this day should have been a very good day for her.  She did make the Honor Band and the team won their game, they are 6 and 0 now.  You would think that this would be a wonderful day full of wins but not in her eyes.  She knows she could have played her flute better.  She was very nervous and her finger's were shaking and she was upset even though the team won.  She wanted more playing time.

As her mother I understand and I hurt for her too.  I want to fix it, I want to help but sometimes she just has to learn on her own.  I had to back off and try to keep my mouth quiet.  It wasn't very easy.  My daughter will have lots of long, horrible, low down rotten days and my hope is that each one will teach her something.  I hope that she will grow because of those days.

There is One though that can calm her and give her a peace that I can not give and that would be Jesus.  He knows all, He comforts His children and helps one through any long, horrible, low down rotten day.


What about you? Do you know His comfort?

Isaiah 66:12-14

New International Version (NIV)

¹² For this is what the Lord says:

“I will extend peace to her like a river,
    and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream;
you will nurse and be carried on her arm
    and dandled on her knees.
¹³ As a mother comforts her child,
    so will I comfort you;
    and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

¹⁴ When you see this, your heart will rejoice
    and you will flourish like grass;
the hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants,
    but his fury will be shown to his foes.

John 14:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[a];believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.