Waiting in Line

Larry and I went to a polling location near our house on Wednesday in order to take advantage of early voting.  The weather was nice and there was even a breeze as we waited in line for 45 minutes for the opportunity to cast our ballots.

 

I am grateful that:

 …I am a citizen of the United States of America.

…there was a line at the polling station because so many people were voting.  

…even though most people had never met, they were speaking respectfully to others in line.

 

…there were people from different ethnicities, age groups, and backgrounds.

…we were able to vote without any threats or violence.

 

In gratitude I will:

…pray for my country.

…pray for our elected officials.

…make sure I am part of the solution for our country and not part of the problem.

…point others to Jesus who is the only one who can give true freedom and peace for our lives, country and world.

 

 

…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior.  I Timothy 2:1-3

Family and Football

Since I am a third generation Texas Techsan, I have grown up cheering for Texas Tech.  My grandparents lived in Lubbock, so Mom and Dad would go to the games sometimes when we were there visiting and even went to other games when they were played close to Houston.  We grew up listening to games on the radio, watching games on television, and reading the write-ups in the newspaper.  Even though I don’t know much about specific plays and all the details that go with football, I still enjoy the game and seeing the Red Raiders win.

 

During my freshman year at Tech, I vividly remember the week that Texas Tech played Texas.  For the first time that I could recall, I was in a dilemma over a football game.  You see, my cousin, Rick Nabors, played safety for the University of Texas.  All week long I went back and forth about my feelings about the game.  I remember finally deciding that it mattered more that Rick, who is family, have a good game than for Texas Tech to necessarily win.  After that week, I knew it would be all Tech again.  For the record, I did remember that Rick had a great game, but I had to look up on the internet to see who actually won.  And in 1970, Rick and the Longhorns went on to have a 10-1 record.  So he definitely not only had a good game but a great season as well.

 Through the years, I have learned to cheer for other teams along the way, especially where family and dear friends are concerned.  So yes, I have been known to cheer for the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets, the Baylor Bears, and the Texas A&M Aggies along the way.  And now, with Lori being in the family, I’ll even add the University of Kentucky Wildcats.

 

It’s one thing to be willing to cheer for different sports teams, but it’s a whole new ball game when it comes to the “Game of Life”.  Being on God’s team is the one that I want to be on fulltime, with no choice of ever cheering for another, not even for one game.  That’s the team that I want to give my full devotion, time, energy, and affection.  And that’s the team we already know is going to win in the end!

 

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.   I Corinthians 15:58

 

 ¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love.

I Corinthians 16:13-14

It's That Time of Year

Through the years, I have realized that I have a better chance of remembering information if I not only hear and see it, but also write it down.  With the holidays rapidly approaching, since “It’s That Time of Year”, this is an attempt to “write down” lessons to put into practice and be accountable for during these coming days.

 Things to remember…and apply…

 

The hurrier I go the behinder I get.

(Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll)

 

Take the time to do it right on the first attempt.

 

Don’t get so caught up doing good things that you don’t have the time or energy for the best things.

 

Maximum overload causes minimum effectiveness. 

(Patriarchs Bible Study - Beth Moore)

 

Saying “YES” for one thing means saying “NO” to someone or something else.  Weigh your choices wisely.         

 

Sometimes it’s good to just be still.

 

Most of all, remember and experience that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, winter, spring, summer or fall.

 

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

The Best Dressed

The past few weeks, we have been studying the Sermon on the Mount in Bible Study.  The scriptures in Matthew 5-7 definitely have much to teach us about living a life that can make a difference for God’s Kingdom in our world.  When we read and discussed the “Golden Rule”, I was once again reminded of a situation that happened in college that was a living picture of that verse for me.

 

Back in my college days, girls wore either dresses or skirts for church.  On one particular Sunday morning, a girl came to church in jeans and a t-shirt.  Her father was a minister, in another town, so she had many looks that day with people knowing she knew the proper attire for church.  Fortunately, since there was a girl that came with her, also wearing jeans, I don’t think anyone made any comments to her that morning.  But the next night, at a campus visitation meeting at the church, several people gave her a hard time about her choice of “dress” on Sunday.  When the comments settled down, she stated that the girl she brought with her Sunday morning didn’t own a dress or skirt and she didn’t want her to feel out of place.

 

That example has caused me to pause and think on several occasions about my willingness to do the right thing even if others might not understand or I don’t have a chance to explain my choice.  Am I willing to be a little uncomfortable so that someone else isn’t?  I don’t know about you, but I think God thought my friend was the best dressed person at church that Sunday morning.

 

I Samuel 16:7

“…The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

 

Matthew 7:12

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

 

John 13:35

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”