Day 262

Scripture: Ps 19; Deuteronomy 30:11-14; Romans 10:8b-18; Matthew 4: 18-22
Scripture standout:

His Deed/The Day: Yuck. Last night our family faced a yucky crisis. We're at the beginning stages of working it out. It involves Ben and we're now experiencing parenting 401. I went back to yesterday's post to write down what deed had transpired and got the sweetest message from yesterday's standout:

Ps 11: "⁷ The Lord always does what is right. 

      So he loves it when people do what is fair. 
      Those who are honest will enjoy his blessing."

Ben did nothing wrong, but we have been addressing honesty and forthrightness. I felt spoken to this morning. Thank you!

Day 261

Scripture: Ps 5, 6, 10, 11; Amos 3:1-11; 2 Peter 1:12-21; Matthew 21:12-22


Scripture standout: Ps 11: "⁷ The Lord always does what is right. 
      So he loves it when people do what is fair. 
      Those who are honest will enjoy his blessing."

His Deed/The Day: Asked others to join in on a volunteer assignment — sitting with Samashullah in the hospital through the end of Christmas. The result? Lots of happy "I want to helps." So encouraging...

Day 260

Scripture: Ps 1, 2, 3, 4, 7; Amos 2:6-16; 2 Peter 1:1-11; Matthew 21:1-11


Scripture standout: 2 Peter 1: "⁵ So you should try very hard to add goodness to your faith. To goodness, add knowledge. ⁶ To knowledge, add the ability to control yourselves. To the ability to control yourselves, add the strength to keep going. To the strength to keep going, add godliness. ⁷ To godliness, add kindness to believers. And to kindness to believers, add love.

 ⁸ You should possess more and more of those good points. They will make you useful and fruitful as you get to know our Lord Jesus Christ better."

His Deed/The Day: Bought two "Angels for Allison" angels...they are these colorful, beautiful painted metal angels that also raise money for a local nonprofit.

Day 259

Scripture: Ps 80; Isaiah 64:1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
Scripture standout: Mark 13: "³³ "Keep watch! Stay awake! You do not know when that time will come. ³⁴ It's like a man going away. He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge. Each one is given a task to do. He tells the one at the door to keep watch.

 ³⁵ "So keep watch! You do not know when the owner of the house will come back. It may be in the evening or at midnight. It may be when the rooster crows or at dawn. ³⁶He may come suddenly. So do not let him find you sleeping.

 ³⁷ "What I say to you, I say to everyone. 'Watch!'

His Deed/The Day: Oh thank God for Christmas and Advent...grabbed three angels off the caring tree at church and dropped a bag at Goodwill on the way home. Merry, merry!

Day 258

Scripture: Ps 137, 144, 104; Micah 7:11-20; 1 Peter 4:7-19; Matthew 20:29-34
Scripture standout: 1 Peter 4: "⁸ Most of all, love one another deeply. Love erases many sins by forgiving them. ⁹Welcome others into your homes without complaining."


His Deed/The Day: Spent some time by the water's edge being thankful for the ocean and the breeze and the sand.

Day 257

Scripture: Ps 140, 142, 141, 143; Isaiah 24:14-23; 1 Peter 3:13—4:6; Matthew 20:17-28
Scripture standout: Ps 142: "⁵ Lord, I cry out to you. 
      I say, "You are my place of safety. 
      You are everything I need in this life." 
 ⁶ Listen to my cry. 
      I am in great need."

His Deed/The Day: Helped an elderly couple get out of the house and into their car

Day 256

Scripture: Ps 65; Deuteronomy 8:7-18; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Luke 17: 11-19
Scripture standout: 2 Corinthians 9: "⁷ You should each give what you have decided in your heart to give. You shouldn't give if you don't want to. You shouldn't give because you are forced to. God loves a cheerful giver."


His deed/The Day: Happpy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for so much on this day. Marley and I are heading out to run the Thanksgiving Day 1/2 Marathon. Marley's doing the 5K. I however, will be huffing and puffing through the 13 miles dreaming of food and wine and it being over. I also will be giving thanks for at least one thing per mile...and reflecting on a wonderful year.

Day 255

Scripture: Ps 119:145-176; Ps 128, 129, 130; Obadiah 15-21; 1 Peter 2:1-10; Matthew 19:23-30
Scripture standout: 1 Peter: "¹ So get rid of every kind of evil. Stop telling lies. Don't pretend to be something you are not. Stop wanting what others have. Don't speak against each other.

 ² Like babies that were just born, you should long for the pure milk of God's word. It will help you grow up as believers. ³ You can do it now that you have tasted how good the Lord is."

Matthew 19: "³⁰ But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first."

His Deed/The Day: This deed actually happened late last night, but I'll share today so I can get back to roasting this turkey! I decided there is a new category of deeding. It's called "sharing awareness of deed opportunity." Hmmmm. Translation: you can call attention to a need in hopes someone with greater, or more appropriate resources, can fill it. Case in point: Yesterday afternoon, I was trolling Facebook. I saw that one of our longtime writers had her bike stolen. Oh, this writer LOVES her bike. She goes EVERYWHERE on it. She rides to the store on it. She rides to interviews on it. She goes long and far on this bike, this very special, one-of-a-kind bike...basket and all. To hear that it had been stolen was gut-wrenching. I copied her post and emailed it to my publishers, who would not have heard about it otherwise. And the greatest thing happened! Within minutes, the publishers were on the phone with a local bike store — with which they have almost $1,000 in unused credit. With no intentions to purchase bicycles for themselves, seizing the opportunity to meet the writer's need was a windfall for them! Even better, the bike store had the EXACT SAME bike in stock, with the same little ad-ons that defined her stolen bike. And it gets better! Not only did they reserve and purchase the bike, they went immediately over to the store to pick it up and deliver it to her house. All this, not only five hours after her bike had been stolen. Can a simple act of sharing a need make a huge impact on someone? I think so!

Day 254

Scripture: Ps 120 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126; Nahum 1:1-13; 1 Peter 1:13-25; Matthew 19:13-22


Scripture standout: Ps 121: " ⁵ The Lord watches over you. 
      The Lord is like a shade tree at your right hand."

His Deed/The Day: Donated $10 to an initiative to get 100 homeless people in 100 homes.

Day 253

Scripture: Ps 106:1-18; 1 Peter 1:1-12; Matthew 19:1-12; Joel 3:1-2, 9-17


Scripture standout: 1 Peter 1: "⁷ Your troubles have come in order to prove that your faith is real. It is worth more than gold. Gold can pass away even though fire has made it pure. Your faith is meant to bring praise, honor and glory to God. That will happen when Jesus Christ returns.

 ⁸ Even though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not see him now, you believe in him. You are filled with a glorious joy that can't be put into words."

His Deed/The Day: Bought Christmas cards to share with church ministry that provides cards for prison inmates.

Day 252

Scripture: Ps 100; Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46.


Ephesisans 1: "¹⁷ I pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the glorious Father. I keep asking him to give you the wisdom and understanding that come from the Holy Spirit. I want you to know God better.

 ¹⁸ I also pray that your mind might see more clearly. Then you will know the hope God has chosen you to receive. You will know that the things God's people will receive are rich and glorious. ¹⁹ And you will know his great power. It can't be compared with anything else. It is at work for us who believe. It is like the mighty strength ²⁰ God showed when he raised Christ from the dead."

Scripture standout: Cheating and sharing ForwardMovement's choice and following commentary, which is good stuff for this sleepy, morning-after-slumber-party morning: 
Matthew 25:31-46: "Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.…just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.

Jesus did not tell this parable to the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, or the imprisoned. Had he been speaking to them, he might have told a different story. Jesus told this story to the disciples, and the meaning can hardly be more clear: the disciples are to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, heal the sick, and visit those in prison.

But what if it’s their own fault that some of these people are in bad straits? What if they deserve to be where they are? And what if they misuse what we give them? Jesus doesn’t address those questions, because the story isn’t about the needy, but about the disciples. The disciples have no business sorting the deserving from the undeserving—if there’s sorting to be done, God will do it. Jesus here identifies himself with all the needy, both the deserving and the undeserving. The disciples need ask themselves one question only: did you give or did you not?

His Deed/The Day: There is the nicest lady who works at the neighborhood Goodwill dropoff. Sometimes, I'll do a purge and shove it in a bag and there she is — all cigarette-stained smiles and all, there and happy to help bring it inside. The other day, I purged my underwear and sock drawer, and our craft art drawers. She smiled her big yellow smile, (maybe it's not ciggies, perhaps just bad teeth?) and accepted the bag. I felt bad about that later. Who gives old underpants away, especially thongs? That was bad form, I should have tossed them! So on this day I took a bag to Goodwill and left her a note on top. It's closed Sundays, so hopefully it's there Monday morning for her to see. I thanked her for all the good things she does for Goodwill, and for her pretty smile.

Day 251

Scripture: Ps 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13) * 33; Isaiah 65:17-25; Revelation 22:14-21; Matthew 18:21-35


Scripture standout: Matthew 18:21-35. And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.


His Deed/The Day: Oh geez, is going to Dave & Busters a deed? I took Ben and five friends there for dinner and fun tonight in celebration of his birthday. It is fun, I can't lie. But what's not fun, what's totally ridiculous, is that you get all amped up collecting all these tickets — and then reality hits when you get to the "shop." It's all overpriced junk for the thousands of tickets that you accrue. I had more than 1,000 tickets and I was able to purchase six flashing sucker rings. I had 72 points leftover on my card, which doesn't buy much of anything — especially for six boys. So I asked the guy to apply the points to the teenagers behind me in line. Deed. Done.

Day 250

Scripture: Ps 102, Ps 107:1-32; 1 Maccabees 4:36-59; Revelation 22:6-13; Matthew 18:10-20


Scripture standout: Matthew 18: "^10-11"See that you don't look down on one of these little ones. Here is what I tell you. Their angels in heaven can go at any time to see my Father who is in heaven.

 ¹² "What do you think? Suppose a man owns 100 sheep and one of them wanders away. Won't he leave the 99 sheep on the hills? Won't he go and look for the one that wandered off? ¹³ What I'm about to tell you is true. If he finds that sheep, he is happier about the one than about the 99 that didn't wander off. ¹⁴ It is the same with your Father in heaven. He does not want any of these little ones to be lost."

His Deed/The Day: Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord, for the Downtown Ecumenical Services canned food drive at Ben & Marley's school. I have purchased more cans of food this week, and today, then I ever have in my life. And peanut butter. And jelly.

Day 249

Scripture: Psalm 105;  1 Macc. 4:1-25; Rev. 21:22-22:5; Matthew 18:1-9; Psalm 61; Micah 4:1-4; Titus 2:7-8,11-14; Luke 12:35-44


Scripture standout: Ps 105: "⁴ Look to the Lord and to his strength. 
      Always look to him."

His Deed/The Day: I've totally been on deadline for one huge Christmas issue and the January papers. I can't see straight there is so much to write. A friend called to have an impromptu lunch. I like to look out for this special person. She's kind of like a little sister, half friend. Anway, while I should have plugged on through lunch — I unplugged and listened. That felt good.

Day 248

Scripture: Ps 101, 109:1-30; Ps 119:121-144; 1 Maccabees 3:42-60; Revelation 21:9-21; Matthew 17:22-27


Scripture standout: Ps 119: "¹³⁰ When your words are made clear, they bring light. 
      They bring understanding to childish people."

His Deed/The Day: Going to sit in the hospital with a new Afghan arrival, Shamsulla. He just had surgery last weekend. A group of neighbors and friends are taking turns around the clock to make sure he is not left alone for a minute while he's there. Isn't that beautiful?

Day 247

Scripture: Ps 97, 99, 94; 1 Maccabees 3:25-41; Revelation 28:1-8; Matthew 17:14-21
Scripture standout: Ps 97: "¹¹ The light of his favor shines on those who do what is right. 
      Joy comes to those whose hearts are honest."

Matthew 17: "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, it is enough. You can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there.' And it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

His Deed/The Day: Checked in with a friend today to hold her accountable on something important.

Day 246

Scripture: Ps 89:1-52; 1 Maccabees 3:1-24; Revelation 20:7-15; Matthew 17:1-13


Scripture standout Ps 89: "⁶For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?"

His Deed/The Day: Thankfully, Winn-Dixie hooked me up on a deed at long last yesterday. I was beginning to think three days away indulging in old college friendships and good food had steered me down the wrong path. They had some tickets at the counter where you could tack on a few extra bucks to support a family's Thanksgiving meal. Easy. Done.

Day 242, 243, 244 and 245

Scripture: Psalm 23, 27, 85, 86; 1 Maccabees 1:1-28; Revelation 19:1-10; Matthew 16:1-12


Scripture standout: Ps 27: "¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation— 
   whom shall I fear? 
The LORD is the stronghold of my life— 
   of whom shall I be afraid?"

Here's another from today's BibleGateway that I like: “God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’” Job 37:5-6 NIV


His Deed/The Day: I am going out of town again this weekend. Instead of focusing on family, this time the focus goes to old friends. College friends. Arguably, the most rockin' friends. So I will unplug one more time and focus on the here and now — enjoy the moments (if I can remember them after all the margaritas and vino we plan to share in Austin!) Luckily, however, I will not be without my scripture thanks to my new iPhone app with the Daily Lectionary on it. So high tech!

Here are my goals for each day:
Day 242: While at the airport, I will look for an opportunity to help someone with their luggage check in security. (actually, today's deed is kind of covered...Ashraf is leaving for Afghanistan on Saturday. Finally! He looks wonderful, all healed up and feeling good. He's happy as always. There are some things on his list for his family back home, and I am plotting a 6 a.m. trip to WalMart)
Day 243: Geez, we'll be in the hotel. Let's see, I think holding the door with a big Texas smile is low-hanging fruit!
Day 244:  Hotel again — hmmm. An extra tip for cocktails maybe?
Day 245: Airport again. This is a setting FULL of deeding opportunities. I'll seek out a mom traveling with kids who might need a hand.

Day 241

Scripture: Ps 119:97-120; Ps 81, 82; Nehemiah 7:73b—8:3, 5-18; Revelation 18:21-24; Matthew 15:29-39

Scripture standout: Ps 81: "¹⁰ I am the LORD your God, 

   who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

 ¹¹ “But my people would not listen to me;
   Israel would not submit to me.
¹² So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
   to follow their own devices."

His Deed/The Day: How often do I do this? God probably screams this to me every single day at least 20 million times a day until he shrugs and "gives me over to my stubborn heart to follow my own devices." I was talking to a friend last night about how we are given the experience of parenthood to know just how God feels about us! Yet, it's still so hard to relate. I know how frustrating it feels when I tell the kids something like, "better do your homework now and turn that TV off, or you're not going to have any time to complete your project with all the stuff we have to do tonight." And then they don't listen. They don't do their work. And sure enough, after we get home from climbing at 8 p.m., they're freaking out because they have SOOOOOO much homework to do. Boo-hoo. Stubborn hearts. Silly own devices. They didn't listen, but boy do I still love them!

 Or, Forwarded this along to a few friends and family — what an uplifting story! Why not share the joy...I think "The King has one more move" will be my mantra when I feel check-mated:

The King Has Another Move!

Ron DeBoer
5/2/2008

Have you heard this story? It’s been told by Christian speakers as far back as 1955 when Billy Graham told a variation of it early in his ministry. Two men are standing in front of a painting called Checkmate in an art gallery. In the painting, a man is playing chess with the devil. The devil is grinning ear-to-ear because he has the man cornered. The title of the painting,Checkmate, indicates that the game is over. The devil has won. His opponent has no more moves.

The first man looking at the painting wants to move on to other paintings in the gallery. But the second man, an international chess champion, wants to look at the painting longer, so he waves his friend on and tells him he will catch up later. The chess champion stares and stares at the chess board, then suddenly he steps back, flabbergasted. “It’s wrong!” he exclaims. “There’s one more move.” He runs to his friend and together they look at the painting. “We have to contact the painter,” the chess champion says. “It’s not checkmate. The king has one more move.”

*

When you look at Scripture, you will see that all through history, the devil has had God’s people in what seemed like “checkmate.” But God had another move.

In Exodus 14, with the Egyptians relentlessly chasing them, the Israelites, finally released to journey to the Promised Land, came to the shores of the Red Sea. They could see the dust from approaching Egyptian chariots on the horizon and hear the war cries of their pursuers. They had nowhere to turn. Their families would be killed; their possessions would be taken. Checkmate, right?

The King had another move. God says to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground” (Exod 14:15-16). We know the rest of the story. The Israelites get to the other side; the Egyptians drown when God closes the water alley.

In 1 Samuel 17, the Israelites and their leader, Saul, were terrified. The nine-foot-tall Philistine giant, Goliath, was taunting them and making fun of their God. The Israelites were in checkmate.

But the King had one more move. An insignificant little boy too small to fit into Saul’s armor knocked off Goliath and delivered the Israelites. David, who knew a thing or two about being in checkmate, shows his deep faith when he says, “The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear with will rescue me from this Philistine!” (1 Sam 17:37).

In Daniel 6:1-28, King Darius threw Daniel into a lions’ den because Daniel ignored the new law to pray to King Darius and instead prayed to God. In imagery reminiscent of the tomb of Jesus, a stone was rolled over the mouth of the lions’ den and Daniel was left to be torn apart. You can’t get much more “checkmate” than that situation!

But the King had another move. He sends an angel to close the lions’ mouths. When King Darius finds Daniel safe, he says: “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end”(Dan 7:26).

Perhaps you feel like you are in checkmate in your life. You are in debt. You’ve lost your job. Your marriage is in trouble. Someone you love is dying. You have an addiction that is eating you with shame.

Whatever your situation, you have to remember that God always has another move in your life. He can get you out of whatever you’re in. He raised his own Son from death! Pray to Him. His love for you is unconditional, and he never turns his back on you. You have another move.

Even if your pain keeps you from finding the words to pray, the Holy Spirit will pray for you. Paul says in Romans 8:26: “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.”

When it seems as if you can’t move to the next square on the calendar, remember, the King always has another move.