tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29609891706681540982024-02-07T16:52:03.061-05:00Unending GraceUnending GraceDavidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.comBlogger265125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-13545744602348255722014-01-17T21:18:00.002-05:002014-01-17T21:18:40.763-05:00Graceful moonThere's a lovely moon shining overhead.<br />
If I see the moon it means I'm not dead.<br />
Thank God for the moon hanging in the sky.<br />
Thank God for his grace keeping me alive.<br />
<br />
I know this may sound a bit morbid to some but it came to me quickly last night when I saw a gorgeous full moon above me as I was driving. Evidence of God and God's grace is all around us if we only open our eyes and our minds to notice. Anything I see around me—moon, sun, trees, my lovely wife, the barking dog that greets me—if I can see it, it means I am enjoying yet another day of life. And for that I thank God, who is the giver of life.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-12770187557084917362013-08-09T07:27:00.001-04:002013-08-09T07:30:25.588-04:00Abigail's Gift of Grace<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="Section1">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Abby is her name, short for Abigail.
Somewhat of an old-fashioned name yet timeless in its elegant beauty. In Hebrew
Abigail means "my father rejoices", and, oh, how this father rejoices
because of this Abigail.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">King David of Biblical fame had a wife
named Abigail, who was a virtuous woman full of tact and wisdom. Perhaps Abby
will grow up to be that way, too. I have a feeling she will at least grow to be
beautiful...and charming...and kind...and loving...and generous. I know because
she is all those things already, even at the age of seven. Let me tell you how
I know.</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">She sits cross-legged on the floor, in
front of the television, dressed in Winnie-the Pooh pajamas that Grandma and
Grandpa got her for Christmas. Matching Pooh slippers warm her feet. Her hair
is pulled back into a ponytail that dangles halfway down her back. The ponytail
helps to keep the hair out of her freckled face as she bends over,
concentrating on her art</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">A pad of plain white paper lies in front of
her, markers to the right, stickers to the left. The stickers are
scratch-n-sniff, each one emitting the fragrance of the fruit depicted on it.
These fruits are animated with arms and legs and faces and are doing things
like dancing and singing, diving underwater, skateboarding. A banana, its skin
half-peeled, wears a derby hat and croons a tune into a microphone. A grape
sports a diving mask and snorkel as bubbles emanate into the water. Two bananas
hold hands and dance wearing over-sized shoes on feet at the end of their
stick-skinny legs.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="Section2">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I try to glance at Abby's art work but
she quickly slaps her hands on the paper, obstructing my view.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I'm making a card for you so you
can't look yet," she says.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Oh, sorry," I say, feigning a
properly chastised expression while I retreat to the sofa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">She focuses intently on her work, only
occasionally looking up at the television. For at least half an hour she is
busy drawing, coloring, printing, stickering. Finally she awards me her
finished product.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the top of the page capital letters of
various colors proclaim TO: DAD. Underneath the words is a large cross, a
thoughtful choice for design since Abby has observed that I have a small
collection of crosses, many of which I wear to church on Sundays. Her cross is
brown and accented by horizontal wavy stripes of green and yellow. A wavy red
stripe runs vertically,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> giving
the impression at first glance of blood cascading down. Under the cross, again
in capital letters of various colors, are the words CROSS and, below that,
ABBY.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="Section3">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am thrilled to receive such a gift. I
never tire of Abby's hand-drawn cards and pictures because I know they are
expressions of her love for me and her desire to make me happy. I wish I had
space enough to keep them all, along with those of her two brothers.
Unfortunately, parents must be very selective in choosing what goes into the
keepsake box and what goes into the trash bin.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I say "Thank you, Abby" with a
big smile as I give her a kiss and a crushing hug. This one is a keeper, for
sure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">She returns to her spot on the floor,
picks up another sheet of paper and begins another act of love, this time for
MOMMY. This one, when finished, bears similarities to mine, save for the
central image. The cross is replaced by an angel with flowing gown and smiling
face. Abby has any number of models for her design since Debbie's angel
collection spreads throughout the house.</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" />
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">These are the times that expose my guilt
for my selfish use of time. Abby has just passed an hour or more of her time -
time she could have spent on <i>herself</i> playing with Barbies or watching
TV. Instead, she gave of herself, creating "gifts" which she wasn't
even sure would be kept. I'd like to say she was following the good example of
her 40-year-old daddy, but would I be honest?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Would I spend time on activities others might consider frivolous simply
to show my love for her?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, I suppose I
could make the excuse that I show my love for her in other ways. Still, at
times I wonder who is being the example for whom.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, continue Abby, for your father
rejoices. Keep showing me the way to live—with unconditional love and grace.
One of these days I may just get it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And don't ever change. Don't let the
trappings of adulthood change you from the sweet, kind, loving, generous person
you are now. I'm expecting a hand-drawn card for my 70th birthday</span>.</div>
Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-33965894057926692482013-08-08T07:30:00.000-04:002013-08-08T07:30:03.934-04:00Bright Future"The future is as bright as the promises of God." —Adoniram Judson<br />
<br />
One of those promises is Psalm 32:8—I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. (NRSV)<br />
<br />
An even better rendition is from the New Living Translation (NLT)—I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.<br />
<br />
What a great promise from God! He promises to guide us along the best pathway for our life. We cannot possibly know what God has in store for us 10 years from now or next year or even next week. But God knows.<br />
<br />
People always say, "I want to know what God's will is for my life. What is God's plan for my life?"<br />
<br />
God may not want us to know the whole plan or be able to view the pathway far into the future. God wants us to follow him one step at a time, following the pathway he leads us on. If we follow one step at a time, 10 years from now we will be right where God wants us.<br />
<br />
What does the future hold for me? I don't know. But if I trust God, I know I have a bright future ahead of me.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-17794088555358933612013-07-30T07:30:00.000-04:002013-07-30T07:30:03.099-04:00Generous GraceLoving God,<br />
This meal reminds us that you give to us so generously that we have more than we need. May we give generously to those who do not have enough so they, too, may have full stomachs and warm bodies. Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-49849778266789060502013-07-28T08:30:00.000-04:002013-07-28T08:30:02.123-04:00GraceGod of hope,<br />
The Bible nourishes our minds and helps us grow spiritually. Your gifts of food nourish our bodies and help us grow physically. Thank you for both, and for all of your blessings. Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-38796776836307098852013-07-26T07:30:00.000-04:002013-07-26T07:30:04.425-04:00Remembering GraceGracious God,<br />
We enjoy eating. Thank you for the pleasure it gives us. May we always remember, even when eating away from home, to thank you for our food. Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-31031479690507550552013-07-24T07:30:00.000-04:002013-07-24T07:30:00.838-04:00Salt and LightGod, who calls us to be salt for the world, may our words be seasoned with grace.<br />
Lord, who calls us to be light to the world, may this food nourish us so we may shine your love to all we meet. Amen.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">See Matthew 5: 14-16</span>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-88392847765419853932013-07-22T07:30:00.000-04:002013-07-22T07:30:00.570-04:00Sharing GraceDear Jesus,<br />
We thank you for our food today;<br />
bless it to our good, we pray.<br />
We thank you for your loving care.<br />
With others may we always share.<br />
Amen<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Paraphrase of a prayer written by Dan Hauk, at age 10)</span>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-7509561239815686322013-07-20T09:39:00.000-04:002013-07-20T09:39:51.319-04:00Nature's graceWe thank God for the sun and rain<br />
that feeds the orchard fruit and grain.<br />
Thank God for trees and tiny seeds<br />
from which comes food to fill our needs.<br />
Thank God for joys that fill our days.<br />
To God we'll always give our praise.<br />
Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-36852733758178502882013-07-13T08:30:00.000-04:002013-07-13T08:30:01.314-04:00Sufficient GraceSufficient God,<br />
Make us neither rich nor poor, but give us only what we need. If we have too much we may forget that our blessings come from you. If we have too little we may be tempted to take what is not ours. Thank you for providing just what we need. Amen.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(B</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">ased on Proverbs 30:8-9)</span>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-76019126870236306802013-07-11T08:00:00.000-04:002013-07-11T08:00:06.349-04:00Unending GraceDear God,<br />
For all you give to help us live—<br />
for fruit so sweet and corn and wheat,<br />
the sun above, your endless love—<br />
we give you praise for all our days.<br />
Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-19756585119158069352013-07-09T07:00:00.000-04:002013-07-09T07:00:08.992-04:00Everywhere GraceGreat God, we bow our heads in prayer<br />
to thank you for your loving care.<br />
Be with us as this meal we share.<br />
May your love be known everywhere.<br />
Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-12117399457396123272012-08-17T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-17T07:00:03.135-04:00Pay attentionGod, may we not be so concerned with our own needs that we fail to see the needs of others—in our neighborhood, in our church, in our school, even in our family. Thank you for fulfilling our needs with this food. Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-16755276738940874362012-08-14T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-14T07:00:08.845-04:00Singing GraceCan be sung to the tune of "Twinkle, twinkle little star"<br />
<br />
God of love and God of grace,<br />
now we come to you in praise<br />
thanking you for all you give:<br />
family, friends, and food to live.<br />
Bless this meal and help us be<br />
folks who serve you faithfully.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-8898467599487609102012-08-12T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-12T07:00:07.461-04:00Unending GraceEverlasting God,<br />
Like the waves of an ocean your love never stops. Day after day your blessings wash over us, enriching our lives. Thank you for this meal. May we live each day in worship of you. Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-71255726827064497972012-08-10T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-10T07:00:16.134-04:00Sensing GraceDear God,<br />
For eyes to see, ears to hear,<br />
for mouths to speak and chew,<br />
for this food and all your gifts<br />
we give our thanks to you.<br />
Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-36193789928820901002012-08-08T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-08T07:00:03.683-04:00Incomparable GraceMerciful God,<br />
This grace we offer in thanks for our meal can not compare to the grace with which you forgive us so freely and lovingly. Accept our thanks for your grace and for this food. Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-24527242730466615552012-08-06T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-06T07:00:05.995-04:00Abundant grace<br />
Gracious God,<br />
Fruits and vegetables, bread and cheese,<br />
meat and sweet desserts that please,<br />
all the foods that help us grow<br />
come to us from you, we know.<br />
So we thank you, and we pray<br />
that we'll serve you every day.<br />
<br />
Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-29901946530287583582012-08-04T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-04T07:00:04.321-04:00Guiding graceWe pray, O God, you'll bless this meal.<br />
And bless us, too, so we may feel<br />
your holy presence at our side.<br />
Throughout our life, Lord, be our guide.<br />
<br />
Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-79736412011624388242012-08-03T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-03T07:00:10.776-04:00Loving graceWe thank you for the good things, Lord,<br />
that come from you above.<br />
Please bless this food, and help us learn<br />
to live a life of love.<br />
Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-15754021258840507012012-08-01T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-01T07:00:00.972-04:00Reaping GraceAlmighty God,<br />
You have fed us with the harvest of the fields and nourished us with the fruit of the land. May we not forget to feed our minds by reading your Word and spending time with you. Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-65753832014625640412012-07-30T07:00:00.000-04:002012-07-30T07:00:11.671-04:00Sharing Grace"The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth he has given to human beings." * Thank you, God, for the earth. Give us the desire to take good care of it and share what it produces so all people in all lands may be fed. Amen.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">* Psalm 115:16, NRSV</span>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-58953890235963022382012-07-28T07:11:00.000-04:002012-07-28T07:11:00.375-04:00Spiritual & Physical foodGod of hope,<br />
The Bible nourishes our minds and helps us grow spiritually. Your gifts of food nourish our bodies and help us grow physically. Thank you for both, and for all your blessings.<br />
<br />
Amen.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-42886235437472533452012-07-26T07:00:00.000-04:002012-07-26T07:00:13.614-04:00Loving grace<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Loving Father, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Be with us as we share this meal </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">for which we give you praise. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Your loving presence may we feel </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">throughout all our days. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amen.</span></span>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2960989170668154098.post-11739920283916490082012-07-24T07:06:00.000-04:002012-07-24T07:06:00.295-04:00Salt and LightGod, who calls us to be salt for the world, may our words be seasoned with grace.<br />
Lord, who calls us to be light to the world, may this food nourish us so we may shine your love to everyone we meet.<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">See Matthew 5:13-16</span>Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13628257716027767881noreply@blogger.com0