As I left the house, I knew I would not talk to her again this side of Heaven. She was a wonderful friend and I still miss the warm talks and fun laughter of the days we spent. The first time I met her was our freshman year in college. I was eager to make a good impression with all the new people I would meet. When I met her, she seemed so different.

She had a rare confidence that I lacked. Perhaps it was her confidence that drew me to her. I actually thought she was an upper classman because she just acted like she knew what she was doing. I, on the other hand, did not have a clue.

She helped me figure out my schedule and we even had three classes together. We quickly become friends. The thing that impressed me most was her deep love for God. She talked of Christ as though she really, really knew Him. She trusted Jesus with a pleasant approach that made me want to be a better Christian. It was like she knew that she would soon be with Him. She always spoke of Him like He actually was standing there with us.

At the end of our freshman year, we broke for the summer. I would spend an amazing summer working at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. I remember returning to school to be greeted by so many friends excited for the New Year. It did not take long for me to realize I did not see her around. It was not until I ran into her sister that I found out why.

"She has cancer". The words cut through my heart like an icicle dropping from its perch. I questioned God and wondered out loud how such a precious Christian girl could be afflicted. The semester went by quickly. I remember walking across campus the first week of the second semester and there she was. I could pick her out of a crowd. She was much thinner and her hair was so short, but it was her. I raced to embrace her. We laughed like children on a playground. She was back!

That semester was hard on her body. She fought for every moment like she was on a mission with limited time. Her countenance was so pleasing that one just could see the reflection of Christ in her smile and in every word that came from her mouth. No matter the crippling cancer, she loved God!

By Christmas at the end of our junior year she could no longer attend class. Her days now numbered, she was so kind to the hospice people who attended her. We talked of heaven in that final conversation. She was not bitter, never bitter. She was happy. She knew the mystery. She forever made a mark on my life that helps me not fear death.

That was twenty-two years ago. I have had other friends pass on and I have thought joyfully of each one. I know others will be called home and I know that my day will come. I am good with that. I want so badly to walk each day with a confidence that Jesus Christ is my risen savior. I want to have a reflection on my face of joy and peace and grace. I want to be like my friend. I want to be like Christ. Walk with me!

Category: One Thought at a Time

Tags: Devotionals |Death |

As a teenager growing up in Austin, TX I had a lot of pride in being a Texan. I was a Dallas Cowboy fan, A Houston Astros fan and a San Antonio Spurs fan. The University of Texas was my college team and Texas pride was my banner. Since that time to now, I have lived in many different states. I have resided in Oklahoma, Indiana, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado. I have found that no matter where I go, people are people. I have learned that a smile is a smile and heartache is everywhere.

I have also learned it is good to be from somewhere, but better to be where you're at. To live for the here and now and look towards the future is better than staying in the past. We should learn from the past, but make choices for the future. Staying in the glory days of yesteryear leaves one old and outdated. Hopes and anticipation for tomorrow makes one vibrant and creative. God is the God of yesterday, today and forevermore and He is active, progressive and building for our tomorrow. He knows what you need, and has made you for a purpose. Spend each day in pursuit of that purpose. The journey towards the goal is the goal!

Jeremiah 29:11-14
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD.

Hook'm Horns!

Category: One Thought at a Time

Tags: Devotionals |

While going through boxes in the garage, I had a eureka moment! I waded through old photos and wondered what happened to the time? I began to think about death. I was falling into the trap of wondering about how I was going to die. And then it happened. I changed direction, I did an about face.................

Why think about how I am going to die, instead of considering how I should live? If I have one week or forty years, I want to produce a daily life that is pleasing to God. I want to invest in people. Starting with my family and trickling down to each person I have a life moment with. I want people to know how important they are to me. So if you are bothering to read this right now, I want to say something to you:

You are very important to me. You have touched my life and I want you to know how much I appreciate you. I want you to have joy, peace, laughter and grace. I want you to experience Christ. Hopefully I can represent Him in front of you and when I fail, please don't hold that against Him. My life is so rich because I know you. You are valuable to me but more so to God. Walk in the understanding that you have many people who need you. I consider myself one of them! I even want to represent you before God.

God, bless my friends today. Help them realize that you are interested in every aspect of their life. May they understand how important they are to you! Help them to smile in the face of discouragement, to trust you in the moment of anxiety and to praise you for others' kindness. In Jesus name, Amen.

Tomorrow, I have another chance to do it again...........

How should I live this day?

Category: One Thought at a Time

Tags: Devotionals |

It was one of the most horrendous noises I have ever heard in my life. It woke me from a dead sleep, a pleasant sleep.

Laurie and I made plans to travel with my in-laws to Ohio for vacation. We had been married for a year. No kids in the picture and time was our own. The two-week trip sounded fun. To save on expenses, we would share a hotel room at some of the stops along the way. First night out, we settled in for a good night's slumber.

Not really caring about the agenda, I was along for the ride. Then it happened. Not an alarm clock, not the ringing of the phone, but a sonnet which would make the worst American Idol contestant sound good. Laurie's mom, my new mother-in-law, belted out a rendition of "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning". It was loud it was scary, and it was meant to antagonize. I bolted out of bed as though I'd missed the second coming. It was a wakeup call. The intent was to rouse me from my sleep, and rouse it did! My bolt so caught my mother-in-law off guard she could not stop laughing.

As we live this thing called life, sometimes we fall asleep and we need a wakeup call to remind us what is really important. I received a wakeup call last week. It is not the first wakeup call I have had in my life, but it is one of the more serious ones that has come along in some time. My doctor had a stern conversation with me about my health. The blood pressure is high and the time for change is immediate. A wakeup call!

I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:22

If I have truly given my heart and life to Christ, I have time on loan from God. I spend way too much time pretending that this life is my own. I have a responsibility to honor God by living a life that is pleasing to Him. I am not under obligation to anyone but my Creator. If I walk in this attitude, it will change a lot of things about how I live.

As much as I want others to acknowledge me and like me, if that is in contradiction to who God wants me to be, I am out of line. I am trying to recapture my life, which should be lost in Christ.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:2-4

The wakeup call for me is this: I need to guard how I take care of my body, so that I can be about God's business. I am awakening to the trap that I must "enjoy" the things of this world. We are not of this world and our joy does not come from the things of this world. Christ Jesus, who is my joy, has such a peace available to us that if we could just get past ourselves, we can enjoy what God has intended for us from the beginning.

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13–14

We drink of the wrong cup when we think our value and pleasures are wrapped in this world. Jesus has offered us a new cup and a greater understanding of what is important. As a fresh spring fills the countryside with green, so the Spirit of God can raise up in each of us a scenery of joy in our lives.

My wakeup call has given me back my joy. I have work ahead of me, but I am confident to know that God will help me. I have been enlightened to the fact that Christ continues to offer the cup of eternal life to me, the taste of which will help me set aside the temporary moments of this world, as I anticipate the eternal pleasures of the next.

Category: One Thought at a Time

Tags: Devotionals |

I love my dog! He has been a part of our family for seven years now. He does a great job of listening to me. He is my dog. He plays with the kids, but when I walk in the house, I am the master! I remember when we got him; he was the runt of the bunch. The breeder gave him to us and requested that we just remember him in prayer.

One flaw Jake has is he is a runner. If he finds a hole in the fence, he is gone. I recall one time after we just moved to Yuma, AZ he made a great escape. At the time we had another dog and they both got out of the backyard. We searched everywhere for them. Three days went by and I finally called the pound. They did not have the dogs, but someone called in with a description that fit them. I went to the person's home and, sure enough, it was them.

The person said he found them on the highway heading east. Returning home, we fixed the hole in the fence and waited till the next time. Since that time, Jake has probably taken off 8 or 9 times. He has it made at our house. He's spoiled. So why does he jet? Why does he do things he should not do?

We are a lot like Jake. We have it made with God. He gives us everything we need. Yet, we look for holes in the fence. We turn away from the good we have. I know human nature often calls us to think there might be something to this life of sin. Sin is attractive. If it was not fun, it would be no problem for us to avoid. When we run, God searches for us.

God makes calls, he drives streets, and He does what He needs to for your return. The best thing to do is to realize where you have come from and not return to a life of sin. As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Proverbs 26:11

Category: One Thought at a Time

Tags: Running from God |