learning from history

Today marks the 70^th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that crippled much of our military. It also marked the day, in my opinion, that American leaders said “enough”. You can take your books of history along with the stories you and I have heard of World War II and beyond tracing their start to that horrible invasion in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands.

Are there other marks in our history that leave us tracing happenings in our own lives? Those might be days of celebration such as marriage or the birth of a baby or even and rightfully so the day that we accepted Jesus as our Savior. It could even be dark days such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a job.

All along our path there are times, dates and events that mark our push forward or the walls that hold us back. We have choices to make in life. Do we allow things to hold us back? Or do we press on, climb the walls, keep looking up and seek to stay strong and have light even when it seems to be getting dark? I challenge you to make a life map, if you will, of where you have been. Put on the graph the days or events that have shaped your life. Both the good and the bad should be noted.

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 8:39 NLT

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The points along our life map say much about us, but they do not define us. Listen up. God made you. He is your creator and sustainer of your life. He loves you no matter what. You might be short or tall, fat or skinny, rich or poor but the same God made us and loves us all.

Let those points remind you that God is working on you. He is remaking you. He is ready to use you and me if we let Him. How strong we will be if we learn from history and allow God to teach us and strengthen us so we can impact the future!

Philippians 1:6 NLT

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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