 |
|||||
|
|||||
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
On September 15, 2000, I sent out my first Daily-E-Votional. It started with a desire to have contact with members of the congregation and give a spiritual uplift during the week. At that time I had no idea what would happen and to what extent it would grow. Since that time the subscriber list has continued to grow and reach virtually every continent on earth. To God be the glory! So why mention all of this today? Well, it is because of a significant milestone. Today's Daily-E-Votional is the 2,000th issue that has been sent. I want you to know that it is not within my power to accomplish this. It is entirely the work of the Lord. Many people have asked me how I come up with the topics. My response is that I really do not know. It may be a Scripture that I read or hear, an illustration, a suggestion from a friend, or just quietly waiting at the keyboard and praying that the Lord will give me the right words to touch just one heart that day out of the thousands on the subscriber list that will receive it that day. Today I would like to dedicate this issue to my mom and dad who so greatly influenced my life. They did not have advanced degrees or fancy titles. I am glad! They were simple people who loved the Lord and taught my brother Harold and I values to live by. You know, when our parents were growing up on the panhandle of Oklahoma, an eighth grade education was considered to be about as well educated as one could expect. I am amazed at how much they knew with that amount of education. My mom tried to teach me how to behave. (I was never very good in that subject). That was back in the days when my dad shaved with a straight edged razor and used a razor strop to hone the blade. I was almost grown before I realized that the strop was for the razor and not for the south end of my anatomy. The fear factor was greater than the pain, (almost). The strop had two pieces, one leather and one canvas. When it struck my posterior, the two would slap together and I would be sure that a compression fracture had happened to me. BUT I LEARNED TO MIND! Thanks, Mom and Dad! Dad taught a lot by example. He had a strong work ethic. We have all heard the story from parents who told of how hard they had it when they were young. How they had to walk five miles in the snow to get to school and it was up hill both ways! Well I can still remember when we had an ice storm when we lived in Camas. At the time dad worked in the paper mill. He would not stay at home as many did. He fashioned some ice cleats by taking two pieces of leather and putting steel pitons of some sort through them and then strapping them to his feet. He walked two miles to work and back while the ice remained. Thanks, Dad! My folks were never rich by any means, but they were frugal and made an effort to get the best deal. Mom worked in the college dining hall and she would bring gallon buckets of food that was left over for our meals. Not the best gourmet meals, but it was free. She also would share this food with the friends we knew who also had to pinch pennies. Thanks, Mom! My dad taught me to Love God's Word. I can remember when I was just a little boy and dad shared that our grandpa Thompson had died and gone to be with the Lord. But he didn't just say that, he told about grandpa's last moments. He said that grandpa had been sharing with his eight children how good The Lord had been to him throughout his entire life. Grandpa was in a lot of pain, but suddenly it seemed as if the pain had left and he looked at the door and said, "Well, there's Jesus, now!" With that he was gone. Thanks, Dad and thanks, Grandpa!! Matthew 7:9-11 says, "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!" Before I close today, I want to add one more thought. Each of us is leaving memories for those who come after us. These are not only our physical children, but also our spiritual children. It is not just what we say (or what we write) that will have an impact. Are we living is such a way that our "children" will say thanks to us? I pray so! Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing. --- Pastor Cecil
©
MMXI, The GOOD BOOK Company LLC, All Rights Reserved. Phone
Order Line: 1-888-808-0070 Christian Book Store - Christian Posters - Christian Art - Christian Music - Gifts
|
