Coal Basket Bible
(One last well-received post to the end the week. One of my favorites, too!)
This day began very early and I pray that it has a relatively early bedtime. But regardless, I am glad that You were with me throughout it. I am glad that You come to mind regularly. You have a comforting effect on my life and a confidence that You instill in me. Thank You, Father, for it all.
Today I randomly shared a post that a friend had shared from Mikey’s Funnies (http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/). It is a wonderful story with an excellent message that I truly believe needs to be shared. So here it is.
COAL BASKET BIBLE
The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson, who wanted to be just like him, tried to imitate him in any way he could.
One day the grandson asked, “Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?” The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.” The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was “impossible to carry water in a basket,” and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Papa, it’s useless!”
“So you think it is useless?” the old man said. “Look at the basket.” The boy looked at the basket and for the first time, he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean. “Son, that’s what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.”
Lord, I would pray that You continue to change me from the inside out. Amen.
June 21st, 2017, Wed, 9:23 pm
My Ball, My Rules
(A well-received post in that I am having carpal tunnel surgery today – prayers appreciated.)
Yesterday was full from beginning to end and Father, I was grateful for Your presence. On top of all we planned, we were blessed to spend some time with my dear Aunt Ruby and got to see my cousin, Chase, as well! Thank You, Father, for the extra blessings!
3 John 9-15 (<<click green)
There are many aspects of childlike behavior that are honorable, Lord, when You were asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” You called a child to stand among You and said,
“I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 18:1-4
Children are wonderful examples of innocence and faith but a keyword of how we are to become like a child is the word humble.
In today’s passage from 3rd John, Diotrephes sure missed that memo. Instead, pride is the name of the game for him. Instead of innocence and faith – other less desirable childlike behaviors are prominent in his life. And unfortunately, childishness is rampant in our society, as well. Many have the “my ball, my rules” mentality. In actuality, it is neither our ball nor our rules. It is supposed to be all about You, Lord, not about us.
Much to our detriment, the enemy of our soul likes to plant thoughts of entitlement and control in our hearts. Even people we admire and love can be overtaken by pride. “I am in charge. Don’t play with them – I don’t like them. If you play with them, I don’t like You anymore, so get out of here!” No humility, no love – just pride and a “me, me, me” mentality.
Lord, may we all look into Your eyes. May we see You for who You truly are – in all Your glory. And may that vision help put us in our place as well – loved immensely by You but Your humble faithful children as well. Amen.
May 29th, 2017, Mon, 6:35 am
Wings Like Eagles
(I will be sharing more well-received posts in that Massey is home for a few days – enjoy!)
Father, this morning I am weary. I have no one to blame but myself – up a little later than normal last night (and not really for any good reason). And I’ve allowed myself to get into a position where I have no reserve of journal entries upon which to rely. I have enjoyed the freshness of our time together but this morning it has caught up with me. I am bleary-eyed and worn. Normally, at this hour of the morning, I am fresh and ready for the new day – a little rough around the edges on this one.
Lord, I am glad you are far above me and my weakness. I am reminded (by You I am sure!) of a beautiful passage from the book of Isaiah, a wonderful prophet of old.
Isaiah 40:28-31 reads,
28 Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Even when we are irresponsible and silly in the way we use the time given us, Lord, when we trust in You, our strength is renewed. Your word tells me that I “will soar on wings like eagles.” I am reminded that when eagles soar they are not doing so in their own strength – they expend a fair amount of energy flapping their wings to the heights but once there they soar. They allow the thermal winds to sustain them.
Lord, may I allow you to sustain me this day. There are many more hours ahead of me, many things to accomplish, many people with whom to interact. And though I am bleary-eyed and worn, help me to rely on the One who “never grows weak or weary.” May I trust You to be the wind beneath my wings. Amen.
Mar 14th, 2017, Tue, 5:20 am
The Journey Continues
(Another well-received post – my son is in from Texas!)
Father, thank You for where I am today. It’s hard to believe that over a year ago I began to take my first steps in setting aside a daily time to be with You. Admittedly early on they were faltering steps and it took a couple of months for it to be a relatively regular occurrence. You were faithful in the midst of my inconsistency. You continued to love and encourage me. I have been truly blessed.
Time and time again I have seen and felt evidence of Your presence in my life. I have felt Your guiding touch, I have experienced Your strength in staying the course and not being lured away by numerous temptations. I have had the privilege of sharing Your wisdom while preparing for my role as pastor, while interacting with people on a day to day basis. Our time together has molded me to become more like the man You created me to be.
I am grateful that I am making good progress in my journey with You, Father, but in many ways I have just begun. I have known You as my Savior for decades but only in the last few months have I reached a level of intimacy in our relationship for which I have only craved. I am far from perfection. I have so much further to go, but as Paul states in Philippians 3:12 and following, “But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No…I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Lord, thank You for encircling me in Your arms. Thank You for showing me the way. And even as we have deepened our relationship from the shallow one that it once was I am amazed that we have gone deeper still. This week I passed the 60 day mark of not missing a single day of spending time with You. What a privilege. I am humbled at the attention You have lavished upon me. I am eternally indebted. All praise to You!
Mar 23rd, Wed, 4:54 am
Extended Family
Father, this Is Your day. May we come together this morning ready to listen to what You have for us today. May I clearly proclaim what I have been given. Draw us together in harmony in Your Spirit. Amen.
“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1a
Yesterday, we had the privilege and pleasure of attending a family wedding. We traveled with immediate family to celebrate with extended family. And even though this family is pretty extended (in this case it was the granddaughter of my mother-in-law’s cousin) we are embraced as family and have been blessed to partake in graduation parties, and weddings, and baby showers of several of them.
So does this extendedness make us any less family? Not a bit. They have been a part of our lives; we have been a part of their lives. Distance may separate some of us but it makes no difference. No matter how thin the bloodline connection may be we are still family.
Another great connection we have with them is that many of us are a part of an even more extended family. We are fellow believers – brothers and sisters – in the body of Christ. Just because I don’t intimately know members of either family does not negate the fact that we are family. There are people who may live in my community whom I have never had the privilege of meeting – but they are still family. There are people who live on the other side of the world whom I will never meet on this side of eternity – but they are still family.
And in reality, a bloodline joins us all together! The blood of Christ covers the sins of us all! We have been brought into the family of God because Christ provided a way when there was no other way. His sacrifice enabled us –not our works or efforts – He alone has empowered us to be a part of the greatest family of all…and oh, what a reunion there is going to be someday!
“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1a
Aug 5th, 2018, Sun, 7:43 am