THE DAY OF THE IGUANA

Jennifer, my daughter in Puerto Rico, shared this touching and amazing story with me. It lets me know that God cares about little things.

A few days back, a large iguana fell out of a tree onto a small porch off one of the bedrooms in their home. She and the kiddies were gone and Javier, her husband, went in to remove the iguana. Before he could do capture it, the iguana got loose in the house and he had to chase it down. They are fast little critters, but finally he caught it. He took it down stairs to release, but something happened and it appeared to have died.

For almost an hour it lay motionless on the floor of their garage long after Jennifer and the kiddies had arrived back at home. They tried everything they could to revive the poor thing, but ants began to crawl up on it and it seemed to have departed to iguana heaven.

Jennifer was a little more concerned about this event as Claudia had just had a little baby chick die that she had aquired from school and that coupled with their dog that got hit by a car and died and her Nana passing had really upset the little ones. So, Jennifer was worried this would be "another death" that would set the kiddies back.

After putting some water on the iguana to hopefully revive it but with no success, Jennifer decided to pray for the lizard.

Her husband laughed and said there was no need to pray because it was dead, but Jennifer and Claudia got down on their knees with Lorenzo and placed their hands on this Puerto Rican lizard and began to pray. Amazingly, after over an hour with no signs of life, the iguana began to move and crawled out of their carport.

Wow, is that something or what?

Does God heal lizards? Does he care about sparrows, or lillies, or the number of the hairs on our head?

Sure, and sometimes he heals iguanas too. No, I am not saying the iguana was dead nor did Jennifer either. Javier was sure he was dead, but now the iguana is roaming Puerto Rico enjoying a second life.

What is the point?

God answers prayer and cares about little things--even iquanas.

***

Since this post was made, I have found out the iguanas actually play dead. I had thought of that possibility, but Jennifer said that Javier had chased the iguana all over the house. It hadn't played dead then, and Jennifer thought the iguana had been hurt and injured in all the chasing. Nevertheless, he got a lot of prayer and it is enjoying sunny San Juan again whether it played dead or died or was just tired and hurt.

LIFE AND SCRABBLE

Norma and I completed our best of three games of Scrabble and I am proud to claim the championship. She won the first game, but I won the next two so that makes me the champ. We had fun playing and the games were close.

Life is like Scrabble. In Scrabble, like life, you don't get a choice in the letters you draw. You have to play with the luck of the draw. Scrabble turns into a game like life in that the words are the letters you play. Scrabble is chance mixed with choice and skill. In life we have to play with what we were born in talent, skill, and abilities. That is just the way it is.

Norma won the first game by forcing me into playing my words so that she would get "set-up" to get to use the double and triple word spots. Now isn't that kinda like the way the devil does it. He sets us up so that he wins and we lose.

No, I am not saying that my precious sister, who is as old as I am, is the devil. No she is a wonderful, loving sister who just likes to win at Scrabble. But she did set me up to give her the bigger scores. That is until I got wise to her ways.

Now that is what we have to do with the devil. We have to get wise to his ways and turn the tables on him. We need to know the cunning ways of the enemy of our souls. Life is far more important than Scrabble, but we must learn about life and how to stay ahead of the enemy of our souls.

There are many other analogies between life and Scrabble, but to draw all of the conclusions would really begin to sound like a sermon and I would have to include a joke and a poem. I will stop now.

TRY THIS

I have an interesting book that I read every so often that is a book of lists. It is titled The Big Book of Lists to live by for everything that Really Matters compiled by Alice Grey, Dr. Steve Stephens, and John Van Diest.

It is a thick book that covers what really matters in life or at least a lot of what really matters. In light of the last post, I have included a section that helps put life into proper perspective. It lists ways to simplify life:

TWENTY WAYS TO SIMPLIFY

1. Eliminate ten things from your life.

2. Cut back on TV.

3. Escape to a quiet spot.

4. Set your own pace.

5. Get rid of clutter.

6. When you bring home something new, throw out something old.

7. Do only one thing at a time.

8. Say no at least once a day.

9. Enjoy the little things.

10. Take at least four breaks per day.

11. Determine what really matters.

12. Make peace with all people.

13. Tell the truth.

14. Appreciate beauty.

15. If you don't need it, don't buy it.

16. If you don't have time, don't do it.

17. Have a place for everything and put everything in its place.

18. Share your thoughts, feelings, and opinions with a friend every day.

19. Allow time to pray.

20. Thank God for what you have.

Some of these points I do well. Some need attention. A couple of the points I struggle with what to do. It is hard to say no when you're a pastor (see point 8). Also it is hard not to press to do things even if there isn't enough time (Point 16).

I do a fair job at not allowing clutter, though I have a hard time throwing away boxes that hold newly purchased items. Go figure? Why do you need a computer box from a year ago?

Which of these points to simplify do you need to work at doing better? I think I will ask the Lord which items I need to improve.

A SIMPLER LIFE

Here is a vote for a simpler life.

No, I am not going to become hermit, but the older I get the simpler I like things to be. Life has too many noises, interruptions, and confusions. I have made it a point to watch less TV and fewer ball games, and leave off reading the paper.

Church life is hectic and busy and I love it so there isn't much to change there, but I feel a need to pare things down. Can you believe that computers and the Internet actually help clean the clutter. I don't have to lug as many books around as much of my study is done via the Internet. Files drawers are not as thick because now the files are in the computer.

Even the Iphone simplifies life. Instead of multiple calendars, phone books, maps, Bibles, alarm clocks, music Cd's, and on the list goes, I have one simple device that carries all of this and far, far, more.

I recently read an article challenging people to pare down in their clothes and possessions. A pastor in Minnesota challenged his congregation to a "100 Thing Challenge," in which each person would winnow down possessions, sometimes dramatically so, to 100 "things." Some people sorta cheated, calling an entire shoe collection one "thing." It's a start. But when it comes to clothing, we're in the land of plenty, especially seeing as each person really only needs one outfit.

I'm looking for a few more ways to simplify my life.

Got any suggestions?

LEARN A NEW WORD

Norma and I are tied now in Scrabble games won. We are into the third game with me slightly ahead as I write. That could change anytime. Actually I should be far more ahead but the Iphone dictionary with the Scrabble app would not allow me a play a word.

Novate is a real word meaning to make new but it wasn't acceptable as a word by Iphone. That cost me a bunch of points. I would have made almost 60 on that word. I had to play nova instead for much less points. It is only a game. Norma is a great player and someone has to lose. I just hope it is not me. Bragging rights are important.

Oh well, I will novate something else. Mondays are a good day to novate. Make something new today. Novate a friend, dream, or recipe. I am not sure if you can properly novate each of those matters, but it sounded good to me.

Just novate. Get with it and novate today. How is that for learning a new word?

MAKE A FRIEND

Norma won the Scrabble game. She beat me pretty soundly 345-286, but she is still as old as I am.

Now we are playing again to see who can win the best 2 out of 3 games. I'm leading but that is the way the last game started. Starting good is important,but the most points at the end of the games is what counts.

***

Here is an article I wrote for our church bulletin. Our church family will read it Sunday, but you get it first.

Make a New Friend

Friends make life worthwhile. They come in when all others go out. They are there and love us including all our faults and flaws. Friends make life worthwhile.

Why are friends so important? Dr. Steve Stephens wrote that friends are important because:

They laugh with us. 2. They cry with us. 3. They build memories with us. 4. They stand beside us. 5. They confront us. 6. They believe the best in us. 7. They help us grow. 8. They keep us from temptation. 9. They enrich our lives.

A friend is one who..... follows through with what he or she says.... understands and inspires... sacrifices for others... invests in another... joyfully gives and serves... respects and honors... is courteous... builds character... loves at all times... challenges growth and maturity... tells the truth and restores dignity... keeps a promise... shares a dream... keeps in touch... is forgiving -- (Glenda Hotton).

How do you have a good friend. Well, it starts by being friendly. Friendship is the return of initiating friendly ways. Jesus has promised to be our friend and will walk with us all through the journey of life. He first loved us and that is the beginning of friendship. I encourage you to stretch beyond your normal boundaries and make a new friend. Try some of the above suggestions and bless someone who needs a good friend. You will be the better and will be blessed.

A VERY BUSY DAY

Norma is still winning our Scrabble game and the letters are running out. It will take some fancy playing with my last few words to make a comeback. Comebacks happen in football, basketball, and the game of life. So, let's see if there is a comeback for me in Scrabble.

What's the score?

Norma 304--Milton 247

***

Tuesday was a very busy day.

We had a minister's meeting at our church with area Assembly pastors. This is a monthly gathering with current topics of interest presented, prayer, and often a special speaker. This month our Sheriff Rutherford was be present. He is a great christian leader and shared some of the great needs of our city.

Yes, and preachers eat too at preacher meetings. What else is there to serve preachers but chicken and banana pudding? So chicken and banana pudding it was.

Tuesday also included a staff meeting, prayer and devotions, sermon study, hospital visits, many phone calls, planning for up-coming events, and just lots of preacher stuff.

Wanda is in Tallahassee to visit her mother and celebrate her mom's birthday. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Davis. How old now? Oh, I know you aren't supposed to ask a lady her age.

Wanda is also going to see her daughter's son, Alex, play football. He plays on Tuesdays so it is hard for me to get over. Maybe I can make a game yet before the season ends.

***

So do you think preachers still just work on Sundays? A preacher's calling is a great, fulfilling and very rewarding life. This is what God has called me to do. It is the highest calling. I am humbled and grateful that the Lord has given me the privilege of preaching His Gospel and caring for His people.