Toaster

 

Marleen keeps her toaster under the cabinet in an appliance corral.  She likes to keep the countertop nice and clean.  I toasted a bagel this morning for breakfast and then grabbed the toaster to put it away.  Note above that I had just toasted the bagel, which made the toaster hot.  Note again that I grabbed the toaster which was still hot.  Not a very bright move, Gerald.  I set the toaster back down rather quickly to let my fingers cool a bit.  Most people would have remembered that the toaster was hot, but not me.  I was focused on the bagel.  Hey in life, I often forget little details that are nonetheless quite important (like toasters that are still hot).  I have 5 things to do today, and I must prioritize them.  All of them need to get done, but one or two may have to be pushed off until tomorrow.  So, I need to pray and read my Bible first so that the rest of the day falls into place.  Hey, that’s a good plan for you too.  Try it.  Psalm 34:4&6, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”  Put first things first, and have a good day.

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  ;<)