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This Christmas our family will gather around the Christmas tree, with its multi-colored lights and beautiful ornaments, and once again take part in that most ancient of holiday rituals – The Seeking of the PIckle!

We have an ornament, shaped like a pickle, which we hide in the tree each year. Before anyone can open a present, the pickle must be found. To encourage an enthusiastic search Ana wraps the pickle in a twenty dollar bill. In addition to the money, whoever finds the pickle gets to give the first gift and to hide the pickle next year.

I know it’s a silly tradition, but we have so much fun! It’s hilarious to watch our boys, who are both 6’5”, crawling under the tree, while their wives and our daughter shove them out of the way to get to the pickle first. The Seeking of the Pickle is a great way to kick off Christmas Day!

Christmas is a time for seeking. We seek just the right present, the perfect tree, or sometimes just a silly pickle. We seek friendship and family, someone to love, and kisses under the mistletoe. Unfortunately, in our frantic holiday rush, we sometimes forget to seek the most important gift of all – the Babe in the Manger, our Savior and King.

This has been the case from the very beginning. Not only was there no room for Jesus in the inn, but there was no room for Him in most peoples’ hearts. In search of worldly riches, power and fame, they missed out on the Pearl of Great Price.

There were some who sought Him, however. Shepherds left their flocks and Wise Men journeyed far from home to seek the baby Jesus. Theirs was not a half-hearted quest. They left all to seek the King.

We too must do the same. We must not let anything stand in our way. We must spend daily time in God’s Word and in prayer, pouring our very souls into the quest. And our search will not be in vain, for God promises, “you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV).

This Christmas why not follow shepherds example and “seek the Lord while he may be found…” (Isaiah 55:6).? Seek Him with all your heart everyday and every moment of everyday. Then, like the Wise Men and shepherds of old, “spread the word” everywhere you go, so all who hear may also go and seek the King!

Happy Sabbath and Merry Christmas!

Have you ever noticed how a little thing can make or break your day?

Yesterday was a busy day at the Walk-in Clinic. Patients were packing into the waiting room like the crowds at Wal-Mart on Black Friday. No matter how fast we went, the rooms kept filling up. To top it all off, I wasn’t feeling great. Scratchy throat. A little achy. Just kind of under the weather.

By two o’clock, I was starving. I knew if I didn’t get some food in me soon I wasn’t going to make it through the next 6 hours. I went to the break room and grabbed the container of mixed nuts I always bring with me. I knew after a couple handfuls I’d be ready to go.

Back at my desk I went to put the container down by my keyboard. Unfortunately, it slipped from my hand and hit the floor, scattering nuts in all directions. In dismay I stared at the mess. Now what was I going to do? I didn’t have time for lunch. Those nuts would have gotten me through until I could get a real break. In frustration, I kicked my chair, where a few nuts had landed, sending them spiraling down to join their companions scattered on the floor.

After calming down, with the help of my coworkers I cleaned up the mess, then, feeling a little embarrassed by my behavior, I wearily grabbed another chart and got back to work. The rest of my day was ruined, all because of some spilled nuts.

When I finally got back to my desk I discovered two small bags of mixed nuts sitting on the desktop. Carrie, one of my amazing co-workers, seeing how discouraged I was, had bought them for me with her own money. Suddenly my day looked a whole lot better! That simple act of kindness lifted my spirits and gave me the energy to keep on going.

Ephesians 4:32 reminds us to “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” Carrie could have shook her head at my little spout of temper and just gone on about her business, but instead she went out of her way to make me feel better. That little act changed my whole attitude!

In this season of giving, let’s look for little things we can do to make another person’s day. A gentle smile, a kind touch, a helping hand. It doesn’t take much, because sometimes the best gift you can give is the smallest gift of all – even just a little bag of nuts.

Merry Christmas and Happy Sabbath!

My inner clock was all messed up this week. With working an extra day on Tuesday and not working on Thursday, I totally lost track of what day of the week it was. I kept thinking yesterday was Thursday, instead of Friday. It was very confusing!

A similar thing can happen to us when it comes to our relationship with God. We lose track of what time it is. We think we’ve got plenty of time to make things right, to give Him first place in our lives. We go about our normal routines, secure in the certainty “everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” (2 Peter 3:4 NLT).

What we don’t realize is “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.” (Romans 13:12). It is later than we think. “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” (Hebrews 10:37). We cannot wait any longer. “Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Yesterday, all I needed to do to get my mind straight about what day it was was to look at the calendar. In the same way, all we need to do is look at events happening all around us to realize time is short, for, as Bob Dylan sang, long ago, “the times they are a-changin’.”

Political unrest, a changing climate, conflicts near and far, all warn us Jesus’ coming is “near, right at the door.” (Mark 13:29). “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

Many years ago the group Chicago asked the question, “Does anybody really know what time it is?” For a Christian in this day and age the answer should be a resounding, “Yes!” Through His prophets God has shown you clearly what lies ahead, so you won’t “let that day catch you unaware.” (Luke 21:34)

Today, if you will diligently study His Word, praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, God will open your mind so you can truly understand “the signs of the times” Then you can face the future unafraid, because you will “really know what time it is” – It’s time to wake up!

God bless and have a wonderful Sabbath!

I met a beautiful little lady this week. Her parents had brought her in because of difficulty breathing, a recurring problem. Born prematurely, her lungs hadn’t had time to develop fully, so even the slightest infection could bring on shortness of breath.

What struck me about this little girl, as she sat on the exam table, struggling for air, was her smile. She was just beaming! She just seemed so happy to be alive! Even when I was causing her discomfort, as I felt her belly and looked in her ears, she struggled to smile.

Thankfully, a nebulizer treatment did the trick and we were able to let her go home. The funny thing is, her smile stayed with me the rest of the day! When things got stressful, the memory of her beaming face put things back in perspective. If she could keep smiling, even while struggling for air, then surely I could handle a little pressure now and then.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

“All circumstances”? How is that even possible? Why would God tell us to do this? The answer is two-fold:

First of all, it’s good for us. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found a positive attitude can lead to better health. They suspect positivity may reduce inflammatory damage caused by disease. Apparently Solomon knew what he was talking about when he said, “A cheerful heart is good medicine…” Proverbs 17:22 NLT)

Secondly, having a cheerful spirit, in spite of our circumstances, helps others. Proverbs 15:30 says, “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” Just like this little girl brightened my day, your thankful attitude, even in tough situations, may be just the pick-me-up someone else needs.

Life can be rough sometimes, especially around the holidays. It can be hard to find much to be thankful for. However, if we choose to have a positive attitude, to “give thanks in all circumstances” it can change our whole perspective and the perspective of everyone around us.

So today, if you’ve got the “holiday blues”, remember my little friend. Then take a deep breath and smile. Now, doesn’t that feel good?

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

This last Monday my brother-in-law Danny and I poured the concrete landing for the front steps at our house. I carefully textured the surface and rounded the edges, making sure it was just the way I wanted it. Finally satisfied with my efforts, I put away my tools and went inside, planning to finish the steps the next day.

Unfortunately, when I got up the next morning, I discovered deer had walked all over the cement! My beautiful concrete pad was a mess. I was so upset!

Thankfully, with a little elbow grease and a thin finishing layer of cement, Danny and I were able to repair the damage. This time we made sure to put barriers all around the pad to keep the pesky deer away!

Often in life things can be going along just fine, with everything just the way we want it, then something comes along and messes up our carefully laid plans. It could be sickness, divorce, the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, our own foolish mistakes. Whatever it is, we are left staring in dismay at the shattered remnants of what had been a beautiful life.

Thankfully we have a Heavenly Father who makes “everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). No matter how bad the setback or how deep your disappointment, “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

This morning, if you’ve woken to find someone or something has stomped all over your dreams, don’t be discouraged. Instead, hand things over to the One who made you, the Master Craftsman, Jesus Christ. He says, “…do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).

Like my concrete landing covered in deer prints, your life may seem to be a lost cause, but remember “with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). There is no damage God cannot undo, no setback He cannot turn around. Give God the broken pieces of your life today. Let Him have control. Then stand back and watch, for He will make everything beautiful in His time – even you!

Earlier this week I found myself standing by the bedside of a dear friend’s husband as she and her children said their final goodbyes. Recently diagnosed with a serious illness, his condition had rapidly deteriorated and he was not expected to make it through the night.

As I stood there, watching this good woman comfort her children, I was blown away by her faith and courage. Facing this terrible tragedy, she was still able to praise God for his goodness and encourage her kids with the hope of the resurrection.

I, on the other hand, felt totally inadequate. I’d been asked to come be with them in their hour of need and I didn’t have a clue what to do. What do you say at a moment like that? What can you do? My feeble words of comfort seemed so pointless in the face of such loss and I ended up just shutting my mouth and standing off to the side to give them space to grieve.

In retrospect that was probably the best thing I could do. There are times when words cannot help and anything you try to do will only make matters worse. In those moments, the most important thing is to just be there for them. No words, no actions, just you, loving them the best you can.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to “comfort each other…”. Sometimes the best way to do this is just show up. Just having someone there, knowing someone cares, is all a person may need to get them through whatever trial they’re facing. Just being there, holding them up, giving them a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a gentle hug, can make all the difference in the world.

As Jesus faced His own hour of trial, the one thing he longed for was someone to be there for him. In Gethsemane, he said to Peter, James, and John, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:38. Unfortunately, they couldn’t stay awake, leaving Jesus to face that long dark night alone.

I pray we never make the same mistake. All around us are people facing their own dark nights of trial. They don’t need our well-meaning words or our clumsy attempts to help. What they need is for us to just show up, to hold their hand, to give them a hug, to show we care. In other words, they just need us to be there, to stay with them and keep watch, holding them through their long, dark night.

This Sabbath someone needs what only you can give – yourself. Will you show up? Will you be there for them today?

A patient prayed for me this week!

I know all too well medicine can only do so much, so, whenever I feel a patient would be open to it, I offer to pray for them. Rarely do they turn me down, but the other day was the first time a patient prayed for me. I was blown away!

I’d seen this person once before. He’d been going through some difficult challenges, so I’d offered to pray with him, which he readily accepted. Well, apparently that stuck in his head, because at the end of last week’s visit he said to me, “I want you to know I’m so glad it was you who saw me today. The last time I was here you prayed with me and that meant so much.”

Naturally, of course, I offered to pray with him again, but this time was different. When I finished, he took right up where I left off and prayed a beautiful prayer, thanking God for my care and asking Him to continue to bless and guide me. I was shocked! No patient had ever done that! His words buoyed my spirits the rest of that day and I’ve thought of them often throughout this week. He gave me a wonderful gift, one I’m eager to pass on to someone else.

Pray in the Spirit

Ephesians 6:18 tells us to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

We need to be lifting each other up in prayer far more often than we do. We need to be looking for opportunities to pray with someone “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”

We hesitate to do this, afraid to offend, but, more often than not, people would welcome it. We all face challenges and it makes such a difference when someone is willing to help us lift our burdens before the Lord.

Keep on Praying

This Sabbath, and throughout this coming week, let’s “be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Especially pray for those who serve, the ministers, doctors, nurses, first responders, and military. They give so much of themselves each day and ask so little in return. Offering to pray with them may be just the encouragement they need to make it through another day.

God bless, have a Happy Sabbath and remember, I’m praying for you!

BTW:

If you need prayers about something, please let me know. Galatians 6:2 tells us to “Carry each other’s burdens…” and I would be honored if you’d let me help you carry your burden today. At the same time please “Pray also for me, that…words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” (Ephesians 6:19, 20).

This week Mom fell getting out of bed. Her feet slipped from under her and down she went! Thankfully she’s okay, but she gave me a little scare.

The problem was she didn’t have her walker by her bed to give her support. Without it to lean on she ended up on the floor. She tried to get up on her own and gravity did the rest!

Too often I find myself making a similar mistake. I stumble through life, trying to make it on my own, only to end up falling on my face over-and-over again. If only I’d learn to lean on Jesus, to hold tight to His promises, I’d save myself so much trouble.

In John 15:5, Jesus tells us, “apart from me you can do nothing…”

When we fail to lean on Jesus, fail to spend time building a relationship with Him through daily study and prayer, we are doomed to failure. But “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24).

God promises if you “Humble yourselves before the Lord…he will lift you up.” (James 4:10).

This Sabbath, don’t risk another fall. Instead, put your hope in the Lord. If you feel yourself slipping and about to fall, grab a hold of His hand and, no matter what, never let go!

I had a rude awakening this morning. About 4 AM Ana suddenly leapt up and slammed her window shut. Groggily, I mumbled, “What’s wrong?” Then it hit me! The overwhelming scent of a skunk assaulted my nostrils and filled the room, making me gag! I tried to get back to sleep, but the awful smell finely drove me from our room out to the couch.

I think a similar thing happens to people who leave the church. They come to worship, looking forward to breathing deeply of “the aroma of the knowledge” of Christ, only to be assaulted by the stench of judgmental words and self-righteous attitudes when they open the doors. Disappointed, they turn away mumbling, “What is that smell?”

We profess to be “the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV). Unfortunately, too often our attitudes and behavior spew a much less appealing odor into the air around us, driving those we are called to lead to Christ from the room and out of our churches. Is it any wonder God declares, “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me” (Amos 5:21)?

So, what can we do to fix this? Well, when there is a bad odor in the room the best thing we can do is throw open the windows and let the fresh air flow in (unless there is a skunk outside). Jesus said in John 6:63, “The Spirit gives life…The words I have spoken to you-they are full of the Spirit and life.” It only by the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we become “an aroma that brings life.” (2 Corinthians 2:16).

It is time for us to open the doors of our hearts and the windows of our churches and let the Holy Spirit sweep through, driving away the stench of death and decay, our worn out forms of religion, and our judgmental attitudes. We must fill our minds and hearts with the words of Christ, who tells us “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” and “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Matthew 7:1, Ephesians 4:2)

This Sabbath let’s determine to make our churches and our homes places where angels love to dwell and where people love to come. Let’s invite the Spirit to pour Himself into our lives that our assemblies may no longer be a stench in God’s nostrils, but that we may truly be “the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:15).

God bless and have a Happy Sabbath!

I see them everyday, the walking wounded:

• The teenage girl, forearms crisscrossed with self-inflicted scars, pleading for someone just to hear her cry for help.
• The middle aged man staring at the shotgun leaning against the wall, wondering if it holds the answer to his pain.
• The single mother doing her best to care for her brood, while longing for just a little love herself.
• The cashier in Walmart, struggling to keep a smile plastered on her face after a long, hard day.

They are all around us, the hurting, the lost, the weak and tired. Some days they are us, just trying to put one foot in front of the other, unable to look past this moment, starving for a kind word.

Sometimes it is overwhelming, the pain all around us and the pain in our own hearts. Where is “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding…” (Philippians 4:7)? Where is the God who said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5)?

The answer eludes us, yet it is right before our eyes.

Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you.” (Luke 6:38a).

The Secret

The secret to healing our own pain is to ease the pain of another. We get what we give. If you give love, you’ll receive love. Give hope and you’ll find hope. Ease another’s burden and you’ll find your own burden easier to bear. “For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (v. 38b).

Booker T. Washington said, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” In bringing joy to another we find real joy for ourselves. It is when we reach outside ourselves, to give love to another, that we touch the heart of God.

The Choice

This morning you have a choice. You can continue to wallow in your own misery and despair or you can open your eyes to the pain all around you and do something about it.

Someone needs you to be God’s hands and feet today, His love in action, His voice speaking to a troubled soul, His peace in the midst of chaos. Someone needs your arms to hold them close, your hands to lift them up, and your feet to walk beside them every step of the way. This Sabbath, will you answer the call?

Francis of Assisi said “For it is in giving that we receive.“ What will you give today?