There Isn’t Much

A friend just sent me this little poem, that has made me smile and know that I’m not alone.  Just like to pass it on to all those who may feel all alone.  Don’t know where they got it from, but love the ending of each line- “as on OUR way WE go”.

There Isn’t Much

There isn’t much that I can do, but I can share my bread with you and sometimes share a sorrow, too – as on our way we go.

There isn’t much that I can do, but I can sit an hour with you and I can share a joke with you and sometimes share reverses, too – as on our way we go.

There isn’t much that I can do, but I can share my flowers with you and I can share my books with you and sometimes share your burdens, too – as on our way we go.

There isn’t much that I can do, but I can share my songs with you and I can share my mirth with you and sometimes come and laugh with you – as on our way we go.

There isn’t much that I can do, but I can share my hopes with you and I can share my fears with you and sometimes shed some tears with you – as on our way we go.

There isn’t much that I can do, but I can share my friends with you and I can share my life with you and oftentimes share a prayer with you – as on our way we go

Todd

Batman

My favorite super hero is Batman.  Yes, some say He’s not a super hero, but just a rich man with really really cool gadgets.  Super hero or not he’s always ready to help others out.  I guess that’s why I like him so much.  When it comes to helping people out, have you noticed that Batman’s Batphone rings at some of the most busiest of times? Once, it was right before his birthday party and other times His at a gathering. Other times, it’s when he’s exhausted after a long hard day as Bruce Wayne. The call never seems to catch him off guard or unprepared to help others. He finishes the call, slides down his secret pole into the Batcave, hops into the Batmobile and off he goes. Here’s the thing that gets me: he never has to stop and get gas in that car or find His bat suit before he heads off to save the world. Now granted, he’s got Alfred, but if I were Batman, my first stop would most likely have to be the gas station to fill up!  Will we be ready? Be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. –2 Timothy 4:2 For this to happen, are our own spiritual “gas tanks” filled up ready to share our hearts with others about Him?  Be ready, keeping our tanks filled up and ready to do His call… whenever it comes!  Hope everyone is having a great wee.  Todd

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

Factory

In a story that I came across the other day it talks about doing our best.  Many years ago in a factory there was a sign on the wall which read: "If your threads get tangled, send for the foreman." One day there was a woman who was new but was a hard worker, her threads got tangled up. She tried to get them straightedge out, but only made matters worse. After a while she gave up and called the foreman for his help. He came and looked then asked: "You have been trying to untangle them yourself, haven't you?" "Yes," she said. "Why didn't you send for me, as I have asked?" She said: "I did my best.”  He said: "Remember that doing your best is asking me for me."

How often in life have we tried to straighten out our own messes, only to make things worse, and certainly not to solve things? We think that a little more effort, wisdom, and hard it will be fixed.  Then God reminds us: "Doing your best is asking for me."  Is there something in your life that needs to be handed over to God.  If, so I stop using human effort and let God take control.  Hope everyone has a blessed and safe week.  Todd

Waves

This week I have been thinking about the beach. I guess because its been cold and rainy and the beach is hot and sunny.  I like the beach and love listening to the waves come crashing in. 

Life is really like the waves on the beach with all its ups and down, highs and lows, they go through in just one day. In the book of James we are taught to count everything as joy. The highs and the lows of life are all tests of our faith and we need to embrace them all with an attitude of joy in our hearts. A Joy for us to glorify God in both the ups and the downs of life.

Joy is powerful and it is not just a thing we need to overcome trials with, it is also something that we can receive from God. There is the Joy from worshiping God. There is the Joy from gathering with fellow believers of the church. There is even Joy found in the studying the scriptures and unlocking the love of God has for us. Joy goes hand in hand with God in knowing we have total peace in him.

The Joy from God is also gained in many ways. Joy is gained simply with the good things he allows to happen in our lives. It can be found in the little things such as the loving smile of a little child.  Even giving Joy is something that comes in many forms. One extremely important way is the Joy you give when you show love for one another. Let’s show joy today by showing God’s love to others as He first showed it to us.  Todd