Day 293

Scripture: Ps 46, 48; 1 Kings 3:5-14; James 4:13-17; 5:7-11; John 5:1-15


Scripture standout: Ps 46: "¹ God is our place of safety. He gives us strength. 
      He is always there to help us in times of trouble. 
 ² The earth may fall apart. 
      The mountains may fall into the middle of the sea. 
      But we will not be afraid. 
 ³ The waters of the sea may roar and foam. 
      The mountains may shake when the waters rise. 
      But we will not be afraid."

James 4: "¹⁷ So when you know the good things you should do and don't do them, you sin."

James 5: "⁹ Brothers and sisters, don't find fault with one another. If you do, you will be judged. "


His Deed/ The Day: For the past few days, the family has been involved in a group deed — helping out some visiting family that came with two toddlers and two small, yippy dogs. The parents have had to travel in and out of town a couple of times, so it's been "it takes a village" style lately. Today, we have the yippy dogs. A small deed in a big gift of "what family's there for."

Day 292

Long day — deed was doing something I would have done anyway: comforting a sick daughter and taking her to the doctor for two shots in her but for strep.

Day 292

Scripture: Ps 18; 2 Samuel 23:13-17b; 2 John: 1-13; John 2:1-11

Scripture standout: Ps 18: "I love you, Lord. 
      You give me strength. 
 ² The Lord is my rock and my fort. He is the One who saves me. 
      My God is my rock. I go to him for safety. 
      He is like a shield to me. He's the power that saves me. He's my place of safety."
His Deed/The Day: OK, so last night David, Dad and I went to Bistro Aix for a little farewell dinner. Serendipitously, David's sister Margaret and her husband Tom arrived and we enjoyed a lovely little evening out with great food and even better company. Margaret and Tom left early for a concert and paid their half. Then the waitress told those of us remaining that our bill had been "taken care of." How nice! I figured we'd been deeded by Margaret and Tom and texted them a thanks. Trouble is, they didn't pay for our half. Not sure who did! The plot thickened! So I called the restaurant just now to fess up. They thanked me for doing the right thing, but after some research — determined that DAVID had paid. Confusing. Oh well, maybe just trying to "do the right thing" is a semi-deed?

Day 291

Scripture: Ps 124; Jeremiah 31:15-17; Revelation 21:1-7; Matthew 2:13-18


Scripture standout: Jeremiah 31: "¹⁶ The Lord says, 

   "Do not sob anymore.
      Do not let tears fall from your eyes.
   I will reward you for your work,"

   announces the Lord.
      "Your children will return from the land of the enemy.
 ¹⁷ So I am giving you hope for the years to come,"

His Deed/The Day: I liked today's devotional on Forward Day by Day. I can't even imagine losing one of my children (I have been in bed with Marley, who is still sick with the pukes and know how terrible even that feels) and am struck by how the small gift of a cross helped give this woman so much encouragement. Today's deed is doing some e-encouraging, which is all I can muster from Marley's sick bed. Geez, the throw-ups are the worst!!!

Matthew 2:13-18. When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.

One day I casually admired a silver cross worn by an adult student in one of my college English classes. She related that it had been left on her doorstep the day after her two sons died in a fire. She says that she has worn it constantly ever since.

In subsequent conversations with her, I have come to admire this woman and her enduring faith. She “gets it” in a way I am not sure I would be able to do, were even one of my children to perish. She understands that her boys, as she calls them, have gone ahead into eternity and that she will, with patience, catch up to them. For now, she works and studies—lives, loves, and learns. Like the Holy Innocents we remember today, her children died too soon. It’s a cruel injustice that challenges our deepest beliefs. I hope that the mothers of Bethlehem, like my student, found strength in their faith and had loving family and friends to grieve with them.

Day 290

Scripture: Ps 92; Exodus 33:18-23; John 21:19b-24; 1 John 1:1-9


Scripture standout: 1 John 1: "⁵ Here is the message we have heard from him and announce to you. God is light. There is no darkness in him at all.

 ⁶ Suppose we say that we share life with God but still walk in the darkness. Then we are lying. We are not living by the truth.⁷ But suppose we walk in the light, just as he is in the light. Then we share life with one another."

His Deed/The Day: More condolences, darn it. A lot of loss this holiday, sadly. Also, a family member is trying his hand at making and marketing spicy pecan brittle. It's really good! Told him so...

Day 288 and 289

Today was the day to sleep in — Boxing Day. No work. Nothing on the books. Sleep city. Funny what happens when you start planning. The morning started with Marley puking over the side of her bed — and it's 9 p.m., and I haven't gotten out of my pajamas. Marley still feels cruddy. Sigh. Shared condolences with two people who lost good friends during the holidays.

Day 285, 286, 287

Apologies for not keeping up during the past few days. But I have hit the ground running since returning from Colorado on the 22nd. We were supposed to come in on Dec. 21. But the kids and I raised our hands for the $500 travel vouchers to hop off the plane and stay over for a flight the next morning. Let's just say Christmas preparation took over at that point.

I've been keeping up with the one deed a day through the kids' "Blessings Bowl," which has been a huge help, but I've been keeping my eyes out for other opportunities. Extra tips, the Salvation Army tin, volunteering my children to be Mary & Joseph in the church Christmas pageant — praying for strangers.

While we were in the Dallas airport, a big "urge" hit me. I have to share. Not sure about anyone else, but I've strangely never felt very comfortable about thanking a military person for their service. It feels weird. And what are they supposed to say to that? As always, I think myself out of it. But on Thursday, I got an urge to say something to the soldier re-tying his boots after going through security. "Thank you for your service," I said, about to DIE of embarrassment. He said, "no problem!" I was dying again — what an uncomfortable answer! Geez, what a dumb idea to say something. To ease the weirdness, I asked him where home was for him. "New York," he said. "I can't wait to go home. I haven't seen my wife in 2 years."

2. Years.

I had a lump in my throat, and my voice cracked — enough for the kids to look at me funny. "Well, enjoy — Merry Christmas to you."

2. Years.

It sure put Christmas in perspective.

Tonight is Christmas Eve.

Day 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284

Scripture: There's no better time than now to read the Christmas stories in all gospels!

Scripture standout: Check it!

His Deed the Day: So we're off for the slopes. There will be plenty of deeding and fun to be had, but in case we miss something, here are the deeds for the days we'll be gone;

278: Don't miss a Beat Inc., $10 for student field trips
279: ElderSource, Dining with Dignity, $10 for making built up silverware and weighted cups
280: Dignity U Wear, $10 to provide five new pairs of socks and underwear for one week for a child living in poverty.
281: Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of Jacksonville, $10 to Christmas meals for recently housed individuals
282: Davis Performing Arts Center, $10 for music books
283: Communities in Schools, $10 for seeds and small plants
284:Career Frontiers of NE Florida, $10 for a recordable DVD disk

Day 277

Scripture: Ps 50, 33; Zechariah 4:1-14; Revelation 4:9—5:5; Matthew 25:1-13

Scripture standout: Ps 50: "³ Our God comes, and he won't be silent. 
      A burning fire goes ahead of him. 
      A terrible storm is all around him."
Ps 33: "²⁰ We wait in hope for the Lord. 
      He helps us. He is like a shield that keeps us safe. 
 ²¹ Our hearts are full of joy because of him. 
      We trust in him, because he is holy. 
 ²² Lord, may your faithful love rest on us. 
      We put our hope in you."

Zech 4: "⁶ So he said to me, "A message came to Zerubbabel from the Lord. He said, 'Your strength will not get my temple rebuilt. Your power will not do it either. Only the power of my Spirit will do it,' says the Lord who rules over all."
His Deed/The Day: Yesterday, I figured I might should raise my hand and say "let's it" when I learned the Boys & Girls Club is short 500 kids' wish list gifts. Check. Sent this year's friends Christmas present — $10 to WeGive and wrapped every present I had. Christmas deeding is fun, but exhausting.

Day 276

Scripture: Ps 119:49-72; Ps 49, 53; Zechariah 3:1-10; Revelation 4:1-8; Matthew 24:45-51


Scripture standout: Matthew 24: "⁴⁵ "Suppose a master puts one of his servants in charge of the other servants in his house. The servant's job is to give them their food at the right time. The master wants a faithful and wise servant for this. ⁴⁶ It will be good for the servant if the master finds him doing his job when the master returns.⁴⁷ What I'm about to tell you is true. The master will put that servant in charge of everything he owns."

His Deed/The Day: I just got back from an overnight with Shamsullah, the little Afghan boy staying at the hospital for so long. It felt right to be there. That wonderful place, Wolfson Children's Hospital, is a marvel — all of those kind and skilled nurses tending to the weakest of the weak. I saw a tiny baby in there. But mostly, it was quiet. Quiet with happy Christmas decorations everywhere.

Day 275

Scripture: Ps 45, 47, 48; Zechariah 2:1-13; Revelation 3:14-22; Matthew 24: 32-44

Scripture standout: Zechariah 2: "¹⁰ " 'People of Zion, shout and be glad! I am coming to live among you,' announces the Lord. ¹¹ 'At that time many nations will join themselves to me. And they will become my people. I will live among you.' says the Lord. Then you will know that the Lord who rules over all has sent me to you.

 ¹² "He will receive Judah as his share in the holy land. And he will choose Jerusalem again.

 ¹³ "All you people of the world, be still because the Lord is coming. He is getting ready to come down from his holy temple in heaven."

Revelation 3: "⁰ 'Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If any of you hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with you. And you will eat with me."

His Deed/The Day: $10 to White Oak Plantation to buy a rhino hay for the day. What the hay! We are leaving for Colorado on Friday. Yup. The plane is taking off...and I'll be on it, even if I haven't finished my work, my projects, Christmas cards, Christmas presents or planning Christmasy events. I'm just going to let it all go — but before that, I'm going to stockpile some deeds since I won't be writing for a few days. Yesterday, I got to a few that will tide me over until we return, I think...rang the Salvation Army bell (LOVED that. LOVED it! Will definitely be something we can do next year)....brought food to my sick sis-in-law and a family, a sweet special family, that has taken in another foster baby. This baby was five days old when she came into their life. That is just something.

Day 274

Scripture: Ps 41, 52, 44; Zechariah 1:7-17; Revelation 3:7-13; Matthew 24:15-31


Scripture standout: Ps 41: "¹ Blessed is the one who cares about weak people. 
      When he is in trouble, the Lord saves him."

His Deed/The Day:

Day 273

Scripture: Ps 126; Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28


Scripture standout: Ps 126: " ⁶ Those who go out sobbing 
      as they carry seeds to plant 
   will come back singing with joy. 
      They will bring the new crop back with them."

1 Thess 5: "¹⁶ Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus."



His Deed/The Day: $10 for Bark 'N Howl Bakery to buy color-coded measuring cups. They are an organization that helps special young adults who have aged out of school but need vocational training. They make dog biscuits!

Day 272

Scripture: Ps 30, 32, 42, 43; Haggai 2:1-9; Revelation 3:1-6; Matthew 24:1-14
Scripture standout: 
PS 32: " ⁸ I will guide you and teach you the way you should go. 
      I will give you good advice and watch over you. 
 ⁹ Don't be like the horse or the mule. 
      They can't understand anything. 
   They have to be controlled by bits and bridles. 
      If they aren't, they won't come to you. 
 ¹⁰ Sinful people have all kinds of trouble. 
      But the Lord's faithful love 
      is all around those who trust in him."

His Deed/The Day:

Day 271

Scripture: Ps 31, 35; Haggai 1:1-15; Revelation 2:18-29; Matthew 23:27-39


Scripture standout: Matthew 23: "Many times I have wanted to gather your people together. I have wanted to be like a hen who gathers her chicks under her wings. But you would not let me!"


His Deed/The Day: $10 to provide a weekly backpack for a child for one month during the school year through Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida.

Day 270

Scripture: Ps 37:1-42; Amos 9:1-10; Revelation 2:8-17; Matthew 23:13-26

Scripture standout: Matthew 23: "²⁵ "How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You clean the outside of the cup and dish. But on the inside you are full of greed. You only want to satisfy yourselves. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish. Then the outside will also be clean."

His Deed/The Day: $10 to support admission for one child to participate in a Jaguars Game through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Day 269

Scripture: Ps 38, 119; Amos 8:1-14; Revelation 1:17—2:7.; Matthew 23:1-12
Scripture standout: Ps 38: "⁹ Lord, everything I really want is clearly known to you. 
      You always hear me when I sigh. "

Matthew 23: "¹¹ The most important person among you will be your servant. ¹² Anyone who lifts himself up will be brought down. And anyone who is brought down will be lifted up."

His Deed/The Day: $10 to purchase pet ID tags for Meals on Wheels clients with Pets

Day 268

Scripture: Ps 26, 28, 36, 39; Amos 7:10-17; Revelation 1:9-16; Matthew 22:34-46


Scripture standout: Ps 36: "⁶ People are only shadows as they go here and there. 
      They rush around, but it doesn't mean anything. 
      They pile up wealth, but they don't know who will get it. 
 ⁷ "Lord, what can I look forward to now? 
      You are the only hope I have."

Matthew 22: "³⁷ Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind.'—(Deuteronomy 6:5) ³⁸ This is the first and most important commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it. 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.'—(Leviticus 19:18) ⁴⁰ Everything that is written in the Law and the Prophets is based on these two commandments."



His Deed/The Day: $10 to Hope Haven to buy school supplies for their VPK program

Day 267

Scripture: Ps 25, 9, 15; Amos 7:1-9; Revelation 1:1-8; Matthew 22:23-33


Scripture standout: Ps 25: "³ Those who put their hope in you 
      will never be put to shame."

His Deed/The Day: $10 toward the purchase of a Casio Hybrid GPS Camera for the North Florida Land Trust.

Day 266

Scripture: Ps 85:1-2, 8-13; Isaiah 40:1-11; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8
Scripture standout: Isaiah 40: "³ A messenger is calling out, 
   "In the desert prepare 
      the way for the Lord. 
   Make a straight road through it 
      for our God. 
 ⁴ Every valley will be filled in. 
      Every mountain and hill will be made level. 
   The rough ground will be smoothed out. 
      The rocky places will be made flat. 
 ⁵ Then the glory of the Lord will appear. 
      And everyone will see it."

2 Peter 3: "⁹ The Lord is not slow to keep his promise. He is not slow in the way some people understand it. He is patient with you. He doesn't want anyone to be destroyed. Instead, he wants all people to turn away from their sins."

His Deed/ The Day: $10 for Jewish Family and Community Services to purchase a gift or gift cards for a child in the foster care system.

Day 265

Scripture: Ps 20, 21, 110, 116, 117; Amos 5:18-27; Jude 17-25; Matthew 22: 15-22


Scripture standout: Ps 20: "⁷ Some trust in chariots. Some trust in horses. 
      But we trust in the Lord our God."



His Deed/The Day: $10 to a chariot of another kind. The organization Waste Not Want Not, a group that picks up leftover food from area restaurants, needs a truck to do their impressive deed.

Day 264

Scripture: Ps 16, 17, 22; Amos 5:1-17; Jude 1-16; Matthew 22:1-14
Scripture standout: Ps 16: "⁷ I will praise the Lord. He gives me good advice. 
      Even at night my heart teaches me. 
 ⁸ I know that the Lord is always with me. 
      He is at my right hand. 
      I will always be secure."



His Deed/The Day: Oh how I love having company for deeding this month! Marley and her friend, Ethan decided to give $10 to help build a new owl habitat at a local nature center. Their $10 purchased a box of screws. I could insert a joke here, but I won't. Night, night!