Unspoken Prayer Requests

 

Seven years ago, I made a rolling stand for the microwave in the school cafeteria.  The students at Calvary Christian school needed the microwave to be at eye-level for lunchtime.  So, I made a four-sided box out of ¾” plywood about three feet high.  I put a bottom in the box to have something to mount the casters on.  And with a bottom, top, and four sides, the box was completely enclosed with no way to access the inside.  But then the Lord gave me an idea: I made a slot on the side near the top and told the students that the slot was for “unspoken prayer requests”.  Anyone could write their most personal prayer request on a piece of paper and slide it into the box, and it could never come out.  Only God would know what the request was.  And I believe that God hears and answers prayer!  Jesus himself said in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

Whitewashing

 

When I was growing up, my Granny Whitely lived next door to us in a trailer.  No, it wasn’t a mobile home, it was a trailer - it was only eight feet wide and thirty-five feet long.  Every spring, she would mix up some slaked lime, whiting, and water, and whitewash the beech tree trunks in her yard.  If I asked, she would let me help.  I have no idea why she whitewashed the trees, but she just did.  I never asked her why, so I just did it too.  She had to do it every spring because the whitewashing didn’t last.  It would look nice for a few weeks, but the rain would eventually wash it away.  In the Old Testament, the priests would offer sacrifices for the people.  But the people would have to come back to have the priest to offer the same sacrifices again the next year.  The animal sacrifices only atoned for their sins for one more year.  But the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary was different.  Jesus was God’s perfect Son and Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for all of our sins, once and for all!  The writer of the book of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:12, “But this man, (Jesus) after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.”  Through Jesus Christ, our sins are paid for forever!  Praise the Lord!

In Trouble Once Again

Watch what you say.  I know that to be true, because I am good at saying the wrong thing … at the right time.  Six years ago, I got into my van outside of Chick fil-A in Vienna, WV, started the engine, put the van into reverse.  As I began to back out, I looked in my side rear-view mirror and saw a girl standing pulling her open car door close to herself so that I would not back into her door.  Or so I thought.  As I eased the van back, I pleasantly called out, “Oh, you’re fine; I’m watching”.  But as I backed out a little further, I noticed that her boyfriend was in the back seat changing his pants right there in the car.  I wanted to correct myself with, “No, I’m not watching,” but as usual, the damage was already done.  I just backed on out and hoped never to see the couple again.  Oh, well …  Have you ever said something that just came out the wrong way?  Or have you ever caught yourself mid-sentence, and just wanted to reel your words back in?  James said in James 3:2, “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”  James was clear: we all offend in what we say.  My goal is to limit my offenses.  Hey, today, guard your lips.  Be careful what you say.  P.S. No picture today  ;<)