Author Archives: famtree2014

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February 20, 2014

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God's Plan, Prayer

The Butterfly Effect

butterflyOh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? [Romans 11:33-34 (NLT]

A simplified explanation of the “butterfly effect” is that a small change to one thing can result in a large change to a seemingly unrelated thing or condition somewhere else. In theory, the flap of a butterfly’s wing could cause a hurricane several weeks later. When we say our prayers and ask for something or someone to change, we need to remember that God is the only one who can see all of the ramifications of that alteration. While we have a very limited concept of what the future will bring, God’s view is all-encompassing. He has a perfect view of yesterday, today, and tomorrow all at once. He sees not just our lives, but all of the lives before us, with us and that will come after us. He knows exactly what will happen if he grants our prayers, not just to us but to everyone else, too.

Thank you, God, for your limitless vision and infinite wisdom when answering our prayers.

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February 19, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Nature

We Know the Artist

zebrasThe heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or words; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. [Psalm 19:1-4 (NLT)]

Recently, I toured an art museum with a docent who told me about each artist’s life and work. Knowing something about the individual artists helped me to better appreciate their art.

Aren’t we fortunate that we know the artist who scattered the stars, painted the stripes on the zebra, sculpted the Rocky Mountains, fashioned the delicate hummingbird, and handcrafts each flake of snow? When we observe God’s artistry, we’re doubly blessed. Not only do we know something about His majestic work, but we also know the Creator personally!

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. [Romans 1:20 (NLT)]

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February 18, 2014

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God's Plan, Obedience

How Will We Respond?

The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. [Jonah 1:1-3a (NLT)]

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” [Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)]

When God calls, will we hear his voice or turn a deaf ear? And, once we hear his voice, will we be willing to heed his call? Like Jonah, will we run the opposite direction or, like Isaiah, will we respond, “Here I am. Send me!”?

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February 15, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Grace & Love, Joy

Let’s Go Fly a Kite

2014-2-15Jerusalem, sing and be happy! Israel, shout for joy! Jerusalem, be happy and have fun! [Zephaniah 3:14 (ERV)]

We sometimes take ourselves way too seriously. Our reading is often for the sole purpose of learning or spiritual enlightenment, not simply pleasure. Our walks or runs aren’t for enjoyment but to burn calories and get fit. We feel the need to be intentional about every moment of our lives, but must everything we do have a serious objective? When was the last time you enjoyed your old photos without feeling guilty about not having them sorted or put in albums? When was the last time you took a run and didn’t check your pace or pulse? When was the last time you relished the beauty of your garden without thinking about the weeds that needed to be pulled? Christians, especially, can be a serious, if not a somber, group. “Fun-loving” or “light-hearted” are usually not the first adjectives that come to mind when one hears the word “Christian.”

This has been a brutal winter for many. Some have endured terrible weather, others have suffered from health issues, and yet others have been troubled with financial or family problems. Whether we call it relaxation, enjoyment, or amusement, God’s gift of fun replenishes us. So, today, let’s have some fun. Why not play a silly game, build a snowman or a sandcastle, watch a sunset, have a snowball fight or walk in a nature preserve? Watch an Abbott and Costello movie, read Dr. Seuss, sit in front of a fire and enjoy a cup of cocoa with whipped cream and marshmallows, have a picnic (inside or out), or go to the zoo. Fly a kite, do jigsaw puzzles, go to the dog park and play with your pooch, curl up by the fire with Agatha Christie or Stephen King, or look through old photos, remembering the good times and laughing at the outfits and hair. Whatever you do, enjoy yourself and don’t feel guilty about not being productive. We’re told to “make a joyful noise,” and while having fun won’t bring us joy, I’m not sure we can ever be truly joyful without having a little fun! Fun, like every other good and perfect thing is a gift from God; let’s not forget to have it!

Thank you. Lord, for the gift of fun; never let me forget how to smile and relax. Help me understand the difference between wasting time and having a good time!

But God was always there doing the good things that prove he is real. He gives you rain from heaven and good harvests at the right times. He gives you plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. [Acts 14:17 (ERV)]

The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. (Bertrand Russell)

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February 14, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Holidays & Holy Days, Thanks & Praise

He Sends Us Valentimes Every Day (Valentine’s Day)

But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. [Psalm 42:8 (NLT)]

We are loved and God doesn’t play favorites with his people. He couldn’t love any of us more than he already does and He won’t love any of us less. He loves the leper as much as the missionary, the street-weary prostitute as much as the social worker, the homeless addict as much as the soup-kitchen volunteer, the embezzler as much as the humanitarian and the sinner as much as the saint. No one is considered damaged goods or ‘seconds’ in God’s world. He loves us all! Thank you, God, for your unwavering love for us your flawed children.

God does not love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because God loves us. [Fulton J. Sheen]

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February 13, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Joy, Today: Make it Count

Our Days Are Numbered

Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. [Psalm 39:4-5 (NIV)]

Within a few days’ time, I met one woman who recently lost her husband to cancer and another who would soon lose her husband to cancer, not because he is ill but because of her terminal illness. Both women were fully aware of the fragility of life and how quickly one’s life can change. Rather than complain about the unfairness, sorrow and pain of their circumstances, both women said they count their blessings daily and thank God for every one of them. People of faith, these women have come to terms with God’s plan and a sense of peace radiated from them both.

Lord, our time here is brief. Guide us so we make the most of every day. Don’t let us squander time and energy on petty complaints, in self-pity, anger or resentment. Show us how to savor each minute and squeeze every moment of joy out of life that is humanly possible. Help us to find your love in all circumstances and enable us to see and appreciate each day’s blessings.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. [Psalm 90:12 (NIV)]

It’s only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth – and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up – that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had. [Elizabeth Kübler Ross]