Blessed 2

On December 3, I wrote that I sometimes take things for granted until I am reminded of the blessings that I have. I thought about this after a couple of hospital visits I made. Thankfully, both of those people are home now and continuing to get better.

Last week I was again at the hospital. This time I was in a room of my own for 4 days. I don't know if you have ever done that before but those are some long days. I am out now and doing well, thank you.

I guess for me I have never had that experience and it was wierd. Roomservice was great but it wasn't the best food I have had. Anyway, I now understand how important it is to visit and contact those in the hospital. Of course, each situation is different but I would say for most people you trying to do something in the way of contact (whether phone or personal) is the best action. I was bored to tears the vast majority of the days I was there and loved talking to those who called and came by.

I thank God for continuing the healing process on me and for giving me a glimpse of how to handle this tough time in people's lives.

It can be difficult to make the time to visit people but that is why we are here isn't it??

Train up a child....

We would be hard pressed (whatever that means) to find someone who has not heard the old adage "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it". Did you know that is actually a verse from the Bible? (Proverbs 22:6) I find it interesting that the verse immediately following Proverbs 22:6 (Proverbs 22:7 if you are a little slow) says, "Just as the rich rule the poor the borrower is servant to the lender." I wonder if God is trying to tell us something here?

Anyway, I found an article, that is referenced below for your reading pleasure, that bares out what I believe to be true based on these two verses. The article talks about teaching your kids to give as an antidote to materialism. I couldn't agree more!!!

I believe that giving, in whatever form, reminds us that what we have been blessed with really is not ours. It also allows us to see how blessed we truly are when we reach out to those less fortunate. The difficult part, in today's economical environment, is to recognize that some people who have "nice" things are needy right now. I mean they may have a $300k home and two nice cars that were purchased when the housing market was going well, but today those are a burden that has to be dealt with.

I hope you will join me and my family in reaching out to someone in your community that is in need. ALLOW YOUR KIDS TO SEE GENEROSITY IN ACTION!!


http://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/article/103960/Teach-Your-Little-Ones-to-Love-Giving-Really

Blessed...

I don't know about you but there are times that I forget how blessed I am. I take my wife and kids for granted. I forget that it is not a guarantee that I have health and a home and food and clothing and a car and so on and so on...

I made two visits to the hospital today. One of my teammates had surgery today. She is one of the nicest people you will ever know. I pray God wraps His arms around her. A Friend of mine had his leg amputed below the knee on Friday. I can ot imagine what he is going through. I pray that God will show Himself real to my friend and his family.

Our church has many hurting families, health issues, financial issues and marital issues. I pray that God will use us to touch these families.

Sometimes I need a reminder about how much God is blessing me. I pray that I will never forget His love for me and my family, teammates, and friends.