Not about chocolate

Joey fidgeted because the church carpet was cool and hard but mostly because his friend Jeremy was poking him in the ribs. He knew that if they sat quietly and didn’t wrestle, they’d get candy at the end of this. So he tried to ignore Jeremy.

Mrs. Spraggs had a big storybook out, reading to them about two little girls who had gotten into a fight but finally decided it was better to share than be selfish. “And why?” Mrs. Spraggs asked.

Joey’s hand popped up. “Jesus!” he said and she gave him a big smile. He might even get to hand out the candy now, which meant he could sneak an extra piece.

“Yes!” she said. “Jesus tells us to be nice to our friends and share things. When we obey Jesus, he’s pleased with us.”

And Joey knew what she meant, because it looked like chocolate in the candy basket this week.

Oswald Chambers calls this the teaching of the effects of redemption rather than revelation about Jesus. Mrs. Spraggs didn’t mean to do this, but she didn’t teach the children why they should share and forgive their friends. She actually implied that doing so would bring earthly benefits. Well, sometimes it does.

So, why would I share and shed selfishness? The answer should be because I'm passionately in love with Jesus, because I belong to him and fall in gratitude at his feet. Otherwise, I'm implying that the blessings of redemption are foundation of faith.

Our foundation is a relationship with Jesus, not worshipping the blessings of his work. We worship our King and enjoy his blessings, not vice versa.

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

John 10:9

About Weston

Just a couple of days after Christmas, in that afterglow of vacation and gifts, Weston Brewer was accidentally shot in the head. This 12-year-old boy who loved fishing, baseball and hanging out with his buddies was suddenly plunged into a coma with doctors predicting his death within 24 hours.

But the doctors weren’t praying like his family and friends were.

When the ventilator tube came out, Weston kept breathing. He survived 24 hours and 48 hours and then a week. Three weeks after Christmas, Weston emerged from the coma. Before long, he was chewing on popsicles and discussing the Super Bowl with his father. (He wants the Giants to win but figures the Patriots will take it.)

His family and friends are praying for full recovery now.

If you’re interested in being a meaningful support person for Weston, follow these directions:

1. Go to www.carepages.com
2. Click "Visit a CarePage"
3. Register (first-time users only)
4. After you've registered, enter exactly: WestonBrewer

You can even check out a YouTube video of Weston.

You know those people who reject God for letting orphans suffer in Africa? If they want to blame God for tormenting those children, do you suppose they thank God for preserving Weston’s life? Maybe not. But we sure can!

Prayer log

I don't always comment on our prayer log, but want to thank you for posting requests and for praying. We may never know how God has used your prayers and your concerns.

I add these prayers to my morning prayer time and love to see how God is working. Thanks for posting prayer needs and for praying!

Reading or collecting?

Odd, the way the less the Bible is read

the more it is translated.

C.S. Lewis

Around the table

My father was a punster and our supper table was frequently punctuated with groaners, puns formed out of our conversations. (This is also a plug for family meals together.) So, I collect puns and here are a few:

• A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.
• Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with stalking.
• We'll never run out of math teachers because they always multiply.
• When the smog lifts in Los Angeles , U C L A.
• The math professor went crazy with the blackboard. He did a number on it.
• The professor discovered that her theory of earthquakes was on shaky ground.
• The dead batteries were given out free of charge

Quit groaning. You know you like 'em!

Quirky me

I’ve been tagged by Tina (who is a scrapbooker, by the way, another one of my hobbies) and so I’ll give this a whirl.

Here are the rules: (1) Link to the person that tagged you. (2) Post the rules on your blog. (3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. (4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. (5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Here’s the quirky list:

1. My husband and I do not remember the first time we met. (You’ll have to ask if you want more details!)
2. I once devised a code for tracking every play in a football game. (You’ll just have to ask if you want to know why.)
3. My son and I show Holland Lop rabbits and are members of the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
4. My very first camera used 127 film (anybody remember that kind of film?) and my very first typewriter was a black manual with thin spidery fingers that carried the letters up to a black ribbon, impressing the ink onto the paper.
5. My favorite food is the dish I haven’t tried yet.
6. My least favorite part of an eBay transaction is wrapping the packages for mail. (Remember, this is about unimportant quirky details. I KNOW you don’t care about my angst over eBay transactions! You probably don’t care that I’m trying to raise some money to buy a new Palm either!)

Now, who to tag... Here’s the deal. If you’re reading this, you’re tagged. Go have fun with this and leave me a comment so I know what you’ve done.

Friday Five: light of the world

The LORD is my light and my salvation--
whom shall I fear?

Psalms 27:1

The LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.

Isaiah 60:19

The people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned."

Matt 4:16

In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

John 1:4

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9