Ask

I Love this time of year, Jessica ask for everything she sees on tv or in a store.  I say ask Santa and see if he will bring it for Christmas or say write in down to give to Santa.  She says, Ok and goes on about her day till the next time something comes along.  But when it’s time to ask Santa she gets scared and never ask.  It makes me think about all the things I’m going to talk to God about but, for this or that I don’t. 

James said, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” James 4:3

Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

Why don’t we ask God for the things we need or have questions about?

We don’t ask because we forget that he wants to take care of us. We sometimes get a false image of God that says that he expects us to make it totally on our own (Matt 7).

We don’t ask because we’re afraid of outcome may not how we want it to be.

We don’t ask because we don’t know how to ask or even what to ask, but God knows our hearts.

A story that I have come across and have look back on and thought about doing once or twice.

A 60-year-old retired man from Arizona had a brilliant plan. He’d simply ask for all of his money back. On every dollar bill he spends, he would write: “Please return this bill to me.” He writes his address on the bill and waits to see if it comes back. It is said he began asking for his money back about ten years ago. Since then, he’s started averaging getting back $2 a day. In some months, he’s received almost $100! All because he asks for it. 

I may not start asking for my money back or will I, but asking God through prayer is something that I going to do more.  If people here on earth will send back the money back to this man, think of what God can send each of us.  Todd

Holidays

It’s that time of year again, HOLIDAYS.  What do the holidays mean to you?  I just seating and planning my family holiday list of what we are doing, and how are we going to get everything done.  But, if the holidays are about family, do I miss the point.  So often I catch myself worried about getting this or that done and not about time with my family. When doing this and doing that I miss the small things that make a family a family.  This year I think I am going to make a list of five things I need to do first each day then see what I have time for after that. 

1. Say “I love you.” Remind my family every day that I love them. The positive reinforcement and verbal reminder of love from me to them.
2. Listen. Really listening to my family, not thinking of what I need to do next.
3. Use eye contact. Watch my body language and eye contact, to let them know I care. You can say a lot when saying nothing by how you listen.
4. Show physical affection. Meaningful touches and hugs, kisses and high fives each day.
5. Pray daily. A daily time of prayer each day for my family of how thankful for what we have.

I don’t know if this will help you or not, but it has made me think of what the holidays are about, and if its family then I plan to make them first.  Hope everyone has a great week.  Todd

November

We are going on the second week in November. Can you believe that we only have two months left in the year? How many times in the past ten months have you taken a break from your busy life to say “thank you” to God? When I think of that I know it humbles me. Many times, we pray to God, we are asking God for something. We ask Him to bless our food, to cure the sick, comfort the grieving, help us find jobs, help get us through tests and doctors’ appointments, and the list could go on and on. We ask God for a lot both big and small! Although there is nothing wrong with asking God for things, sometimes it’s nice to switch things up a bit. What if your kids only demanded food, toys, and money? As Jessica is getting older, we are trying to have her say thank you as she receives something, but I ask myself do I say thank you to God for all has given me.  I can learn from what I am trying to teach my child and use it daily in my life.  “Thank You!” God for all that you have given me.  This month I want us all to focus on “the giver of all good things” (James 1:17) and say thank you for what He gives us daily.  Todd