Boy, Jesus was right.

The Lord said that it is more blessed to give than to receive.So true.I just had a birthdayand people were very generous, giving me cards,gift cards, a cake, and good wishes. Made me feel uncomfortable.I know I don't deserve any of it,that's for sure. I'd much rather be on the other end,giving to someone. There's no better feeling for me than giving,other than giving annyomously. That's the tops.It's a contrary mind set for sure,but the rewards are much better.Lord, thank you that Your ways go against the grain. When I go Your way, it's the BEST one.

"Like you've been there before"

The old coach of the Bills, Marv Levy said about scoring a touchdown"When you get to the end zone, act like you've been there before". In other words, no ridiculous celebrations, just give the ball to the official, and go on with your job. I appreciated that. That's what you're supposed to do,not dance and high five someone just because you made a tackle.Hey, that's what they pay you to do,remember?I love to hear people pray who have "been there before". They are so at ease with God, and just talk to Him from their heart.I could listen to them pray all day. That's the way to do it,not bring a grocery list of wants to Him.Marv's advice about acting like we've been there before applies in the spiritual realm,too. The more we go "there" to Him in prayer, the more natural and easy it will be

Southern hospitality

We spent a few days in Georgia this past week. What nice people down there!Everywhere we went,very helpful,friendly people. My brother's friends all were very, very nice. It just came naturally to them, it seemed.That's how I'm to be in my walk with The Lord. He should come out of me naturally, easily, effortlessly. I'm not there yet by any means,but that's what I strive for. Lord, help me to have "God hospitality".

After grass snackies

It's a tradition.I get out the lawn mower, fire it up,and Boots and Hattie take off. They don't like it, or the noise it makes. After I'm done though, they come out,and we go to the picnic table for some snacks.This has been going on for years now. Boots always comes back out, Hattie most of the time. Yes, I can count on that Booties to show up every time.Got me thinking about God. In spite of my failures and sins, I can count on Him to "show up" in my life every day,all the time without fail.He is always there for me,and I thank Him so much for that.

Escape Artists

Harry Houdini was the most famous, David Blaine is doing it ow. All they want to be is "turned loose",to escape.I need to be an escape artist. I need to turn loose of those things that God has given to me.Himself, faith, money, time, talent,to name a few.I still need to take in these,but I need to let them escape, turn them loose,distribute them to my fellow man. I will be judged not on how much I took in, but by how much I let get out. Lord, make me a good escape artist!

"You just want to use their pool"

That was the accusation in the neighborhood every summer when I was growing up.All the kids got accused,myself included. It was said that we were hanginng around certain kids when the weather got warmer,so we could swim in their pool.We had nothing to do with them when swimming season was over, just hung around them for what we could get out of them.True?In my case, not really. I had to pay people to be my friends, so this case didn't apply to me.What about God and me? Why do I "hang around with Him?To get blessings out of Him? For "hell insurance"?Or is it becuse I love Him,and am grateful for the very breath He gives me, and in gratutde for how He's changed my life?Is it because I'm so grateful that want to serve Him and my fellow man? Lord, may my answers not disappoint you.