Appalachian Trail

 

I have a new sticker on my computer that is a little misleading.  It reads “AT” (see picture), which is the logo of the Appalachian Trail, the longest footpath in the world: 2,200 miles long.  Now, I haven’t hiked all 2,200 miles, but last week I did hike one of the steepest of those 2,200 miles, so I bought the sticker.  Years ago, Margaret H. was battling cancer in Nashville at Vanderbilt Hospital, so I bought a tee shirt with “Vanderbilt Medical” on it to remind me to pray for Margaret.  But twice, a total stranger asked me, “Did you go to Vanderbilt Medical School?”  Of course, I said that I hadn’t, but I began to think: what if someone in Walmart had a heart attack and one of those strangers remembered the Vanderbilt doctor looking for coffee on aisle 5?!  I would have to begin chest compressions immediately.  NOT!  So I gave the tee shirt to Goodwill.  Hey, are you a real Christian, or just a pretend Christian.  When someone calls you out on your religion, are you proud to be called a follower of Jesus Christ, or do you just have the tee shirt and the sticker?  Think about it.  Discipleship calls for commitment, not just a tee shirt or a sticker.  Luke 14:33, “… whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”  Hey, put God first, and you’ll never be sorry that you did.

Prayer Trigger

 

Two years ago, my brother-in-law gave me a rechargeable headlamp.  Kirk works in heating and air and found the headlamp indispensable, so he got one for me too.  And it has been a blessing!  I use it all the time.  I recharged it last night because I am using it today when I replace an LED light panel at church.  There are no windows in the downstairs hallway, so it will be totally dark when I turn off the power.  I can’t hold a flashlight while working overhead, so the headlamp is the perfect light.  And when I use the headlamp, I am reminded to pray for Kirk.  Paul was like me in Philippians 1: 3&4, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.”  Hey, use triggers to remind yourself to pray for friends and loved ones throughout the day.  It’ll be good for them and good for you: they need the prayer and you need the practice.  As a matter of fact, pray for me just now … and when you click on a like or leave a comment, I’ll be reminded to pray for you  ;<)

Fighting the Wind

 

Saturday, I was using my gas blower (thanks for the gift, Eric) to blow off the church parking lot.  But the wind was contrary and kept blowing the twigs and leaves into my face.  I would make progress, but then a gust would undo what I had accomplished.  I was frustrated until I stopped and thought for a moment.  I turned around and blew the debris with the wind and cleaned the entire parking lot in short time.  I not only didn’t have to fight the wind, I actually used the wind to my advantage.  I was reminded of the Jewish Sanhedrin examining the apostles in Acts chapter 5.  Gamaliel offered this wise advice: Acts 5:38&39, “… if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”  Well said, Dr. Gamaliel!  Hey, don’t fight against God; fight with God; be on the Lord’s side!