DID YOU WIN?

I heard this funny years ago.

A man prayed every Saturday night to God that he would win the lottery. Week after week he lost and never won a dime. One Saturday night as he was praying to God to win a voice came out of heaven and said, "Buy a ticket!"

If you don't buy a ticket then you don't win. Or do you?

Millions upon millions bought Powerball Lottery tickets for the chance of winning over $587.5 million. Now that is a lot of dough. Over $1 BILLION was spent to buy tickets.

But I wonder:

How many spent money they really did have to buy tickets?
How many children had needs unmet because of money wasted on lottery tickets?
How many people were encouraged by this huge lottery to trust more in the lottery than God?
How does the lottery impacts the moral fiber of our Nation in more flesh feelings than Spirit feelings?

They say that there is only 1 in 175,000,000 chance of winning the lottery anyhow. So why put your eggs in that basket? Some may argue that they only spent a dollar or so. That's not much they think. What can that hurt?

A friend recently commented this about the lottery: "The lottery is a voluntary tax on ignorance. You can't pay it without qualifying first."

Ha!

Well, here is my two cents worth. I don't think that buying a lottery ticket will send anyone to hell, but I just don't like the idea of taking advantage of others to maybe get a little or lot out of it.

If you bought a ticket, I have no beef with you, but I think there is a higher way to live. Trusting or playing the lottery isn't one of them.

HAVE YOUR LAUGHED TODAY?

Life is serious and should be taken seriously. However, life lived too seriously leads to fear, anxiety, depression, and misery. That is not God’s will. There is a time for all things, and there is a time to laugh too. 

I believe it helps to laugh daily and often. Take a lesson from children. They can laugh easily, quickly, and over the smallest things. Look at how happy they are and how much energy they have. If you need cheering up, go find a group of children and let them tickle your funny bone. You will be the better for it. They will help take away the blues, and lift your spirits.

Did you hear about the new drive through prayer ministry at the Catholic church? It is called “toot and tell”.  Now come on, laugh a little. 

What does laughter do?

1. Releases tension.
2. Lightens the moment.
3. Renews your mind.
4. Strengthens your body.
5. Straightens your perspective.
6. Heals.
7. Makes you look better.

God made us with with the ability to laugh. He gives eternal joy that makes for peace and rest. The Bible is filled with humor and your life needs laughter. So don’t take yourself, your situation, or your future too serious. Lighten up and laugh. Your faith will grow. 

CLOUD NINE

While eating one of our meals this past Thanksgiving weekend with the girls and kiddies, one of them mentioned that Claudia had said that papa was going to be on "Cloud Nine". She had said that to all of them in the car riding up to see us. When asked why I was going to be on cloud nine, she said because we are coming. I think she knew that having the grandkids around puts me on "Cloud Nine". She is right.

I love their smiles and giggles and wiggles and action packed living. They have such good hearts. They're all still small and soak in everything around them. They are incredible.

Years ago I laughed at grandparents who doted over their grandkids. I thought that was so silly. Boy, did I ever have something to learn. They are your legacy. They are special beyond special for they are from you.

We were out at the zoo again this past Friday. Everyone who didn't go to "Black Friday" was out at the zoo. It was packed.

While walking down the way, Claudia pulled me close and said, "I've got your kisses" and she kissed and kissed on me. Now that is why she knew I was going to be on "Cloud Nine". They were home and we were having a ball.

Another reason I was on "Cloud Nine" was because they all make me feel special. Nic brought a bird feeder that he had made for Wanda and me. It was hand made from a heart of love. Wow, aren't they something.

I'm walking on Cloud Nine.

MOMMY'S HELPER

We've had Julie and Jennifer and their kiddies here for Thanksgiving. What fun!

Wanda is getting better, but I am still not letting her do anything. She is frustrated about it as she isn't one to sit around. She is a doer, but that is the way it is.

I did all the Thanksgiving dinner shopping which is by far the most grocery shopping I have done in my life. I went to Publix on Tuesday afternoon after work with a million other people, or at least it seemed that way.

The only salvation for me was the Wanda downloaded a Publix app on her IPad and made a grocery list that I could get on a Publix app on my IPhone. The whole list was there in order according to the aisles of the Publix store we shop. All I had to do was go down the aisles one by one picking up the items on my list and then checking them off. That was huge.

I prepared the turkey per Wanda's instructions and the girls cooked the sides. Claudia helped too. She is a cute little thing. She loves to help. And she loves her papa!

Everything turned out great. We all gave thanks for different things and then I prayed and we enjoyed a delicious turkey and sides. I'm still full.

God is so good. I give Him thanks for every blessing of life.

A PRAYER OF THANKS

I will admit it. Though I have prayed over my food before I eat all my life, I will be honest and say that far too often I have prayed more out of habit than sincere thankfulness. My parents taught me that we always pray over our food before we eat, and I have done that. But sometimes, it was too perfunctory than truly spiritual.

That changed a few years back. Now the Lord’s blessings and goodness mean more. I realize that all that I have comes from the goodness of God. Without God given breathe, I have no life. I am nothing except for His love, mercy, and kindness.

It is easy to take food, health, and life for-granted. We easily feel that we deserve what we have. We did it. We got it. We may not say it, but our actions at prayer time betray us. 

A thankful heart is one that acknowledges all of God’s provisions. It notes the goodness of the Lord in everything. Gratitude should be primary in our attitude of life. Oh, give thanks for the Lord is good.

So, I have made an honest confession. Now, what about you? Have fallen into the trap of lame thankfulness? Are you thankful just on Thanksgiving Day? Are you too proud to acknowledge God’s loving kindness and faithfulness to you. Have you allowed long, hard, continual trials to blind your heart to the truth and reality of God’s goodness? 

Lift up your eyes to the Lord and give Him thanks for all He has done. Pray with gratitude. God will take note and bless you more. Thanksgiving Day is coming, but thanks-living is year round. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good!

DOES IT END?

Men come home from work at the end of the day. Life is good. Payday is Friday. The weekend is off time. Football games last all weekend. Riding Big Red is ahead. Life is good.

But what about the end of the day for the Lady of the House? When does their work week end. When is pay day?

Well, I am learning again the work of the Lady of the House doesn't end.

Wanda is mending and I'm in charge of all the chores. It is me. She can't do anything. She is off until she heals and that is down the road.

I have had dear friends who have brought in some meals. That helps, but I've cooked all the other meals. Loaded and unloaded the dish washer. Washed the clothes. Made sure everything is straight. The list goes on but I won't say much because it will sound like I'm complaining.

Wanda is a great Lady of the House. She is a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and preacher's wife. I am blessed.

So, I have happily taken over until she is back on duty. I do help daily around here even when she isn't ill. I make bed every morning and help in other ways that I won't go into lest I sound like I'm bragging. It really is only fair to help some because why should my workday and workweek end and the Lady of the House never get off?

I told Wanda that the dishwasher gets full over and over and over again. It just doesn't end. That's life. It is daily. Load and unload. Load and unload. Over and over again. I will rejoice and be glad and rejoice more when Wanda is well again.

She is the best. I am blessed.

GOOD FRIENDS

Friendship makes life meaningful. It adds fulness and blessing. It is comfort and joy. It limits boredom and aids when there is need.

How do you make great friendship? It begins with friendliness. To have a friend starts with being friendly. It is developed by investment. It is bonded by unqualified acceptance.

Friends come in when others go out. They stand when others fall. They support when others critique. They speak truth in love and then help smooth out the rough places.

Wanda and I are blessed with wonderful friends who are so kind and thoughtful. I could call names but someone would be left out. That wouldn't be fair.

Lord, help me to be a good friend. Help me to see other's needs. Help me to be like you.