Tuesday, July 7, 2012

Today in History:

1782: George Washington created the Order of the Purple Heart, a decoration to recognize merit in military enlisted men and noncommissioned officers.

1999: Boston's Wade Boggs became the first player to homer for his 3,000th hit.

1771: Francis Asbury answers John Wesley's call for volunteers to go to America as missionaries; he would become the father of American Methodism.

Birthday Verse of the Day:

Deuteronomy 8:7 NIV = For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Today in History:

1806: The Holy Roman Empire went out of existence as Emperor Francis I abdicated.

2003: Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger used an appearance on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" to announce his successful bid to replace California Governor Gray Davis.

Birthday Verse of the Day:

1 Corinthians 8:6 NIV = Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Today in History: 

1776 Delegates sign Declaration of Independence.

1923, the 29th president of the United States, Warren G. Harding, died in San Francisco. Calvin Coolidge took the oath of office as President of the United States.

Midday Devotional: A very important guideline for setting priorities is to keep looking forward. Learn from past experiences and mistakes, but don't continue looking backward at them. Look forward to experiences that will help you continue to grow to a deeper level of faith in Christ Jesus. The things you give your time and energy to should help you become a better person and a stronger Christian. Don't beat yourself up over past failures. Forget them and turn to look at what is ahead for you. Face the finish line and do everything you can to be worthy of the prize you will receive when you cross that line.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Today in History:

1790: The first U.S. census was completed, showing a population of just under 4 million people.

1960: Parkway Records released single #811: Chubby Checker’s "The Twist."

1779: Francis Scott Key, author of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and a devout Episcopalian who helped establish the American Sunday School Union, is born.

Midday Devotional:

Yes, interruptions can be annoying, but they can also mean you are greatly loved.
By Bob Perks
I had been complaining to a friend about my Sunday. My wife and I went upstairs to put the television on and watch some old movies. I was determined not to be interrupted. "I just won't answer the phone," I declared.
About 10 minutes into my "peace and quiet" the phone rang.

I knew it had to be my son, Keith.

He could sense a bit of frustration in my voice, and I toned it down. I didn't want him to feel like I really didn't want to speak with him.
Afterwards, I crawled back into bed. Our dogs, Ricky and Lucy, often join us for a quick nap. They normally sleep through anything, but today every little sound made them bark.

I had just settled down when the phone rang again.

It was my brother. He was trying out his new cell phone and wanted to give me the number. We talked and I felt bad for not wanting to answer the call. He makes me laugh. Today I needed to laugh.
Not more than 15 minutes later the phone rang again

I grabbed the phone and almost yelled "Hello!" I heard the sweet voice of my neighbor from across the street. This was highly unusual for her to call at this time. I thought there might be a problem. "Bob, this is Grace. I just had to call you," she said.
"Yeah, like everyone else today!" I thought to myself.
"I just finished my lunch and I was sitting here looking out my window. Every time I do I say, ‘You know you should call Bob and tell him.’”
"Tell me what?"
"I have been enjoying the beauty of your labor. Your flowers are wonderful, Bob. I sit here and enjoy my lunch just looking at those beautiful flowers you planted. Every time I do I say I should call and tell you.

I thought back on that Sunday. My son called twice just to tell me about his day and to end the call with "I love you." This November 11th he will celebrate 10 years cancer free. You would think I'd appreciate his call any time of day.
My dogs barked and moaned while I was trying to sleep. Every day of my life they give me unconditional love any time I want it and never get angry when I interrupt their sleep.
My brother called. It was just last week I was so very worried about him. Hearing his voice should be music to my ears.
My neighbor, who depends on me to watch over her, called to tell me she loved me and to thank me for the beautiful flowers she sees each day.

Seven interruptions in my day.
Seven blessings. I thank God that I don't have an uninterrupted life.
I'll think I'll give my friend a call. I know he doesn't want to be left alone.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Today in History: 

1930: Orson Welles starred as "The Shadow" in the show's radio debut. At first, the Shadow was the narrator for changing stories, but later became a character in his own adventures. He had the ability to cloud men's minds so they could not see him and he knew what evil lurked in the hearts of men.

1970: The complete New American Standard Version of the Bible is published.

Midday Devotional:

My word . . . shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please. —Isaiah 55:11
They know Tom Dotson pretty well in the prisons of Michigan. They ought to. He spent more than a decade behind bars.
Tom gave his testimony at the annual banquet for prison chaplains in Muskegon, Michigan. He said he had grown up in a Christian home but had rebelled and rejected the gospel. His wife, who sang at the banquet, stayed with him in spite of his repeated failures. A prison chaplain faithfully worked with him, Tom genuinely surrendered to Jesus Christ, and his life was changed.
Dotson urged Christian workers,“Continue on in your ministry with people like me, no matter how frustrating. We may have lots of setbacks. But don’t give up. There’s power for change in even the most frustrating person through the sacrifice of Christ, the One who really sets us free.”Then, looking right at the chaplain who had patiently witnessed to him, Tom said tenderly,“ Thank you for not giving up on me."

God will “abundantly pardon”all who come to Him (Isaiah 55:7). His powerful Word can bring change (v.11), freeing men and women from the prison of sin (John 8:32).
Are you about to give up on someone you think will never change? Don’t! Keep at it! —Dave Egner

 

Monday, July 30, 2012

Today in History:

1954: Elvis Presley made his first paid performance opening for singer Slim Whitman at Overton Park in Memphis. The 19-year-old nervously began gyrating his leg and a legend began.

1965: U.S. President Lyndon Johnson signed legislation creating a health-care program for the elderly called "Medicare." It became effective the following year.

1956: In God We Trust becomes the official motto of the United States by an act of Congress signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Midday Devotional:

She has done what she could. —Mark 14:8
As Mary of Bethany gave her best to Jesus (Mk. 14:1-9), so each of us must give in our own way the best we have to the Lord. Our efforts may not seem significant, but God can use them for His glory.
D. L. Moody told the story of a man who was crossing the Atlantic by ship. He was terribly seasick and confined to his cabin. One night he heard the cry "Man overboard!" But he felt that there was nothing he could do to help. Then he said to himself, "I can at least put my lantern in the porthole." He struggled to his feet and hung the light so it would shine out into the darkness.

The next day he learned that the person who was rescued said, "I was going down in the dark night for the last time when someone put a light in a porthole. As it shone on my hand, a sailor in a lifeboat grabbed it and pulled me in."
Everyone holding forth his own light, or using his one talent, no matter how small, will help accomplish God's purpose on this earth, and will thus glorify the Savior. What a joy it will be when the Master looks into your eyes in that future day and with a loving smile of approval says, "Well done, good and faithful servant . . . . Enter into the joy of your Lord" (Mt. 25:21).

 

Friday, July 27, 2012

Today in History: 

1940: Bugs Bunny debuted in the movie cartoon A Wild Hare. Artist Bob Clampett created Bugs after seeing actor Clark Gable munching a carrot in the movie It Happened One Night.

1965: President Lyndon Johnson signed legislation requiring cigarette packages and ads to display a health warning from the U.S. Surgeon General.

2003: Comedian Bob Hope died in Toluca Lake, California, at age 100.

Midday Devotional:

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. —Hebrews 11:8
One of life’s most distressing experiences is being separated from the things and the people we love. It is often difficult to leave a house that holds many pleasant memories, and it is always hard to say goodbye to loved ones when we must leave them.
So it wasn’t easy for Abraham to obey God’s demand that he separate himself from his country and his friends and relatives. Yet, without obedience to God’s command, there would have been no blessing for him or his descendants.
God called Abraham to this life of special consecration because He had chosen him to be the channel through which He would work His plan of redemption. The human race had rebelled and become idolatrous, and Abraham needed to worship the one true God.
It is still the duty of all believers to sever connections with anything that hinders our spiritual progress and effectiveness. We must forsake all sin, all self-will, and every worldly pleasure that draws our heart away from God.
If we do this, when we are tested and tried the spiritual fiber of our lives will stand the test. We’ll be strengthened in the process, so that we in turn might be a blessing to those around us. —Herbert Vander Lugt