appointed prayer

week of October 5

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Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon your church the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Anna, Isaac, and Haley the Christmas dogSolomon tells us that “a happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing” (Proverbs 17:22, AMP ). God undoubtedly has a sense of humor; we need only look at some of the animals He created (it’s hard not to smile at the sight of a hippo, a monkey, or a puppy). Or think of some of the married couples you know: don’t you think God was smiling at the wedding as He looked ahead to the interaction of the wildly different personalities that will be living together?

And as if often the case, medical science is proving the wisdom of Solomon’s Spirit-inspired words.

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a room with a view

Thursday, July 27, 2006 · no responses · comments closed

I’m writing from my “junior suite” at the Ross Bridge Resort about 20 minutes from our house. I’m in a wonderful leather chair (with ottoman) looking out at a beautiful golf course and marvelling at the goodness of God.

Ross Bridge Resort

This suite has a living room, bedroom, walk-in closet, a bath and a half, balcony, flat-screen TV, lovely furniture, beautiful draperies (when your wife does draperies professionally, you notice such things), and fresh flowers. If this is “junior,” I really can’t imagine what the not-junior suites are like. Hampton Inns and LaQuintas are more our speed when we travel, so this is a really special for us.

Through the generosity of a friend, what was going to be a relatively inexpensive stay at state rate (one of the benefits of teaching for a public university) in a small room has turned into a free stay in a suite. And, another friend, God bless her, secretly set up an hour-long massage for Teddie tomorrow morning in the spa.

These kindnesses are allowing us to make this into a Really Big Deal to the kids. Before we arrived, we debated about whether to carry in our own bags (not matching luggage, by the way) or let one of the doormen get it and pay the tip. As Teddie and I discussed it, Anna piped up from the back of the van, “Well of course you want to pay the doorman. That’s what everyone does.” So, we had our bags taken up on the cart. Now Teddie and the children are out swimming, and they will order room service and eat by the pool.

Thank you, Father, for the kindness of friends!

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