Hannah's Lucky Day

A child's cry pierced Philip's peace. Children's laughter and songs had filled the air on that beautiful spring day. They ran up the hillside ahead of their parents. In those days it was customary for parents to bring their sons and daughters to a rabbi to receive blessings on their birthdays. This particular day, they brought them to Jesus. He took them in His arms and loved them.

Philip wondered, what caused the crying? He looked around and under an olive tree sat a little girl. She couldn't have been more than four years old.

"Hi, little one. What's your name?" he asked.

"Hannah," she replied.

"How old are you?"

Hannah held up four fingers. "It's my birthday," she smiled. "Mama brought me to see Jesus, but I can't find her."

Philip picked her up and put her on his shoulders. "Can you see her now?"

"No, I don't see her."

Philip walked all over the hillside and sang in his deep baritone voice, hoping someone would hear and claim Hannah. No one did. At dusk he carried the little girl to his home. He wondered, how could anyone abandon such a sweet child? The servants smiled and gave Hannah pomegranates and raisin cakes, and they took care of her.

In today's troubling times, for whatever reason, more children end up on the streets. Crowded orphanages and foster families need help. Safe Families, part of Koinonia Family Services is an organization that helps children of families in crisis. Find out how you can get involved whether by sponsoring a child or helping provide for the families that do.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your amazing love. In these trying times, watch over the children at risk. Hold them in them palm of Your hands and protect them from the environment and from evil people that would abuse them. O Lord, my heart breaks for the children. I pray, too, for the parents, that in their distress they would turn to you, say your name, the name above all names. And when they do, that  they would experience your amazing and unconditional love. Amen.

A Miracle in Process

Luke Marton October 2012

December 2002 Scottie and Janell called us and all their extended family to their home. We traveled through one of the worst storms I can remember with the question in our hearts, "What could be this important?"

We gathered near the Christmas tree in the living room. "Our baby is deformed. He has a 30% chance of making it," Janell said. Then silence. All our eyes were on her and Scottie. "We are not giving up on Luke."

Then Scottie explained that a sonogram revealed our baby had no diaphragm. His liver and intestines were in his chest and his lungs were not developing. Doctors told them Janell was a good candidate for fetal surgery. In late January we drove to UCSF Children's Hospital where surgeons performed the procedure of inflating a balloon in Luke's trachea in order to push the liver and intestines down. This would allow his lungs to develop a little before birth. Luke was born a week later. Five days after birth surgeons relocated Luke's liver and intestines and installed an artificial diaphragm. Amazing how that patch, a man-made product, has grown with Luke all these years.

Luke Marton February 2003

Skilled doctors and nurses cared for Luke 24/7. UCSF Children's Hospital has expanded to another location called UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, and Luke is the poster boy. His picture is on billboards, buses and at bus stations in San Francisco, California.

I am thankful to God for the wonderful care and technology made available to Luke. Our family witnessed a miracle in motion. Although God has the power to heal instantly, this time He chose a process. He drew our family close to doctors and nurses and united us in His love. We learned to trust Him because we had no one else to turn to. He held all of us in the palm of His hands and healed Luke.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your great love, that we can trust you to walk through the valleys with us. Thank you for Luke's life and healing. Thank you for that beautiful smile. We love you. Amen.

What if You're Wrong?

The trouble around the world today made me think of this song by Nichole Nordeman. Why take a chance? Jesus is standing at the door of your heart, waiting for you to invite Him into your life. If you already have, would you share in a few words under comments what that means to you?

What if you're right?
And he was just another nice guy?
What if you're right?
What if it's true?
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it's true?

What if he takes his place in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then?

But what if you're wrong?
What if there's more?
What if there's hope you never dreamed
of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He's more than enough?
What if it's love?

What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends?
What if you dig?
What if you find thousand more unanswered questions down inside
That's all you find?

What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more
Than folklore that must be told and retold?

You've been running as fast as you can
You've been looking for a place you can land for so long
But what if you're wrong?

God's Tool Box

Have you wondered what you would find in God's tool box? I closed my eyes and found the Bible and the Ten Commandments, mercy and love, grace and peace, gentleness and goodness. I didn't expect to find sin, death, Satan, tears, suffering or pain. But they are there.

God works in people, places, things and situations we would never consider to accomplish His purpose. He can use my testimony of a sinful life which He redeemed by Jesus' precious blood. He has used the deaths of close friends and family to draw me close to Him and experience His amazing love. He worked in my mom's suffering to draw her close to Him before He took her Home.

When I look at the sinful world around me, it seems hopeless. It is not hopeless or impossible for God. For Him all things are possible. The good news is, He wants all of us to be with Him forever, and He's waiting for the last sinner to turn and invite Him into his/her life. We have a choice to love Him or not. God will not force Himself on anyone. But be sure, if you choose to follow Christ, to love and serve Him and others, you will reap an incredible, eternal inheritance of peace and love and abundant life.

Lord Jesus, I would not think of using evil for good. I am thankful you can use my past in your tool box to redeem other broken hearts and lives. May your name be praised. Amen.

Highway to Heaven

John and I spent a lot of time at Lake Almanor this summer. A walk on wooded trail or drive through Lassen National Forest is a heavenly experience. It makes me feel close to God, but it also makes me think of the hope we have in Christ.

Since the first day we believed in Jesus as our Savior, that the precious blood He shed was for the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with God, we have been on a highway to heaven. While I'd like to think of it as a jeweled staircase or a treelined path, Jesus gives another perspective. He said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me," Luke 9:23, and "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world," John 16:33.

Jesus showed us what the highway to heaven looks like. He went by the name that even today brings rejection and persecution, but He gives us this encouragement: "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it," John 14:12-14, and "If you love me, keep my commands. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever," John 14:15-16.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is always with us, for comfort, counsel, peace, and strength. We have nothing to fear for greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world.

The highway to heaven is not the popular way that leads to destruction, but it is the narrow way that leads to eternity with our Lord. And surely His mercy and love will follow us all the days of our lives, on earth and in heaven.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the hope of heaven. Thank you for showing us the way, even being the way (John 14:6). Thank you for the peace and supernatural strength to follow you. Amen.

Everyone Needs Compassion

God calls us to love as He loves. That's what I want to do, but sometimes it's easier said than done. In our troubling economy, more and more people are hitting the streets after losing their homes. My heart goes out to them and I wish I could help.

Today in a restaurant I saw a retarded woman walk from the restroom with the end of her dress caught in her underwear. While I felt sorry for her, a young woman jumped to her aid and pulled down her dress. Why couldn't I have done that? The retarded woman turned and thanked the merciful woman. "Things happen," she said.

I find it hard to love the man who pulled in front of my car or the woman who pushed her way to the front of the check out line. Don't they know better? The truth is they probably don't know better. They are in their own little world and don't know or care that I'm alive.

It's easy for me to justify forgetting about them, but then I ask myself, What would Jesus do? Jesus healed the lame, the blind, deaf and mute. He reached out to lepers and people possessed by demons. He ate with tax collectors and prostitutes. I am without excuse.

Lord, have mercy on me and teach me to love as you do. Help me to be quick to help the ones I can and resist judging people who are not like me. Amen.

Be Mine

"Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief." Cicero

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! King Solomon-Ecclesiastes 4:16

Friends are gifts from God wrapped in love and relationship. Jesus valued His circle of friends, and I do too. They inspire, encourage, comfort and counsel me. The sound of a friend's voice brings a smile to my face and draws me out of the doldrums. I love being with my friends for walks, shared lunches, or help in times of trouble. My very best friend is closer than a phone call or an e-mail or FB message. He is with me all the time and His name is Jesus. He wants to be your best friend too. He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light," Matt. 11:28-30.

Think About It
Do you know Jesus as your Friend? He says in Revelation 3:20, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Imagine Jesus waiting at the door of your heart for you to invite Him in. He loves you so much that if He had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it (Max Lucado).

Pray About It
If you would like to ask Jesus into your heart, pray this prayer. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for not giving up on me. I have made choices and done things that are not pleasing to You, and I need You to forgive me and help me live for You. Amen.

Lovely Feet

The Bible says I have lovely feet. Hard to believe that my feet--the ones with crooked toes, callouses, and bunions could be considered lovely to anyone. However, Isaiah 52:7 says, "How lovely on the mountains, are the feet of him (her) who brings good news . . ." NASB.

And I have good news. Are you consumed with cravings and desires that never get satisfied? I've been there and can testify that it is a lonely and empty place. Fortunately for me, I had God somewhere in my past and enough sense to cry out to Him. By earthly standards I was a complete failure. But to God, I was worth picking up all the broken pieces. That's what He did. He took my broken life and gave me a new heart.

I was the prodigal (daughter) and my Heavenly Father was waiting for me with open arms. I was ready to give up but He whispered in my heart, "Could you make it today if I promise to stay with you?" What love God lavished on me! It changed me forever. You know what I learned? That what God does in me, doesn't stay in me. I have to tell others.

If you are searching on line for meaning in life, I urge you to call on Jesus' name. He is waiting to warm you with a love like you've never known before. Say His name and surrender your heart to Him. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Lord Jesus, I am praying for the person reading this post. He might be out of choices, out or sorts, at the end of the road. Show him your ways, oh Lord, and teach him your paths. Amen.

Though None Go With Me--Review

      Though None Go with Me begins at the turn of the twentieth century and spans World War I and II, The Great Depression and considerable personal loss. Elisabeth Grace LeRoy wants what all of us want—to love and be loved. When she discovers her deepest longings can only be met by our Lord, she makes a commitment that will shape the rest of her life—to make her life an experiment in obedience to Christ, regardless of the cost.

      As a wife, I learned from Elisabeth to cherish each moment with my husband, even in suffering. As a mother, I related to how she taught her children to love God and how she never stopped loving them and praying for them. I joyfully shared her love story and cried through every loss with her, amazed at her strength. It was hard for me not to pray for her as I read through the novel. I carried the book with me everywhere and read it while I waited for my kids or grandkids.

     The story of Elisabeth's extravagant faith was made into a Hallmark channel movie. Like other books by Jerry Jenkins, it is heart-moving and life changing. Though None Go With Me is one of my favorite books and I've chosen to publish this review for a second time. It is available in paperback, Kindle, audio and DVD here.

Love Each Other

Mother's Day brought memories of times when my children were little. How I miss those days! My son, Jason, used to hold his stuffed bear over his shoulder, close his eyes and pat the bear gently on the back. Softly he whispered, "O-o-o-o," and it occurred to me that he loved his bear the way I loved him.

Jesus said in John 15:12, "Love each other as I have loved you." That's what Jason showed me that day  so long ago, and it became my prayer--that I would love as God loves. Some people are not easy to love, like the guy who cut in front of me in traffic and made me slam on my brakes or another man who yelled at me, shaking his fist at a stoplight. For me to love others as God loves me, I need His help.

Lord, help me love people as you do. Keep me from any temptation to judge those who are not like me. I need your help. Thank you, that because you are always with me, I can do what you call me to do. Amen.

Are You Living With Eternity in Mind

          “Sue, you won’t believe this place!” I dreamed of hearing these words from my friend, Betty, who lost her fight for life after a brief illness. She’s now joyfully home with our Lord and her cheerful voice made me long to be in heaven. Images of Betty walking with God in the cool of the day replaced memories from a few days before when I held her hand in the hospital during times of excruciating pain. No longer would she experience the unbearable suffering—not because of death, but because of life, eternal life with Christ. He rose from death, victorious, and I’m convinced Betty did and so will all who believe in Jesus as their Savior.

While it’s fun for me to imagine my friend feasting under the Tree of Life or splashing her feet in the River that flows from God’s throne, you and I are left here on earth to finish the work He called us to do.  

Life Goes on in Heaven

Whatever we do for God, whether in ministry or daily tasks we perform as for the Lord, will last forever. Randy Alcorn says in his book, Heaven, that man’s creativity and technological advancement will not be lost in heaven. Could it be this is how God created us in His image? He says in His Word that His gifts and callings are irrevocable. Certainly, these skills will be necessary in the New Jerusalem, a city as high and wide as it is long (from San Francisco to Chicago—cubed). A city of this size will require workers—people with intelligence, skills and abilities.  

Set Your Mind on Things Above

Today God is not as interested in our work, as He is in how we live and show His love to a dying world. Jesus set an example for us. He wasn’t rich as we think of rich, but He fed the hungry, healed the sick and helped the poor. We may think the need around us is too great, but Jesus fed a huge crowd from a boy’s lunch. The boy gave what he had and Jesus multiplied it. I’m amazed how this principle works in my life—that whatever time, talent or resources I offer, God multiplies for His purposes. When I visit or pray for the sick, teach a class, give monetarily or by a word of encouragement, God keeps giving to me so I can keep giving to others.

A few years ago, my friend, Shirley, modeled Christ’s love to me when I fell at work. I didn’t know the fall broke my hip—just that I couldn’t get up. Tears of fear welled up in my eyes. Shirley surprised me when she lay down by my side. Patting her outstretched arm, she said, “Rest your head here and don’t worry about a thing!” She stayed with me until the ambulance came. Shirley’s demonstration of Christ-like love motivates me to find ways to show God’s love by being vulnerable and sensitive to other people’s needs. At our Lord’s glorious appearing, I hope He finds me busy so He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

          Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making a way for us to be with you forever. Thank you for the hope of never having to say goodbye. Amen.

Are You a Good Person?

Are you a good person? Good enough to get into Heaven? By whose standards? Yours? Gods? God's standards are the Ten Commandments. Have you kept them all? Disobeyed one? Jesus said if you look at anyone besides your spouse with lust, you have committed adultery in your heart. He also said if you have been angry (the source of malice), you have committed murder in your heart.

We have all come face to face with God's law at one time or another. This cover picture of the May-June copy of The Upper Room shows how far we have come. Although the religious leaders brought this woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus, our Lord didn't condemn her. He said, "You who are without sin, you cast the first stone," because the consequences of her sin was death by stoning. One by one, the men dropped their stones, starting with the older men first. Finally, Jesus looked up.

"Has no one condemned you?" He asked.

"No one, sir."

"Then, neither do I. Go and leave your life of sin," He said.

I am reminded how much it cost God for Him to say that. He sent His only Son into the world to pay the price for our sins on the cross so we wouldn't have to. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have eternal life." Jesus died on the cross, but death could not hold Him. He rose from the grave to give us life,  abundant life--forever. Think of the reality of living through eternity with Jesus, cashing in on all His promises. This is what Easter is all about.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for resurrection power in our lives today. Let us walk in Your spirit today and always. Amen.

Crumbling Spirit - Review

As you read about terrorist's attacks or see news reports on television, have you wondered what it would be like if something like that happened in your neighborhood? The bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City affected thousands of people. Many parents lost their children and children lost their parents. Julia Kinser, a fourth grader at James Buchanan Elementary School, recorded her personal experience of terror in her diary. It's in a published book titled Crumbling Spirit on American Soil by D. Ed Hoggatt. Julia turned from tears to strength with God's love, the love of her parents and the love of her teacher.

Every American grieved with the people in Oklahoma City. We cried with them as we put ourselves in their places. Many kids in schools across the United States reached out to the kids in Oklahoma by writing letters and sending stuffed animals. Mr. Atkinson taught Julia and me that we don't have to be victims, but we can find positive ways to reach out to each other even in the midst of our grief. We can all be survivors. For Julia it meant responding to the letters, thanking people for their thoughts, prayers and gifts. After you read the book, you will know what you can do if the times comes for you to rise above your suffering in order to survive. It will make you a stronger and more compassionate person. You can order the book online at http://hoggatt.weebly.com. You will be glad you did.

Heaven is for Real-Review

Books about Heaven fascinate me and Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo is no exception. Colton Burpo, Todd's son, reported of what he saw and heard in Heaven. It happened during an emergency appendectomy. The days and weeks following, Colton told of seeing Jesus, Pop and a sister whom his mother had miscarried. Each captured memory is told as a little boy would--in a matter-of-fact way. It was almost like hearing my little grandson's voice.

I appreciated how Todd Burpo verified things Colton saw with how the Bible describes Heaven. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him, but it has been revealed in His word, and through Colton's eye-witness.

Colton said one thing over and over again. "Jesus loves children." It was amazing to me that a four-year-old boy could speak with such urgency about the truth of Jesus and His love. I hope you will read this book. It is available on Amazon's Kindle. Don't forget, if you don't have a Kindle, you can download a Kindle Reader to your PC, laptop or other electronic reader for free.

History (His story)

Every good story has a beginning, middle and end. God promised it would be true of His story (history) too. I am glad His story is still being told. However, too many things point to an upcoming end. Here are some things to think about:

The world has not seen anything before like the catastrophic storms in recent history. Earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and tsunamis leave outrageous paths of death, destruction and devastation. Some say all these storms have something to do with the change in earth's atmosphere as well as the change in the sun's gravitational pull. While these things have scientific explanation, I believe they also have spiritual implications. God destroyed the earth in a flood the first time, but He said the next time it would be by fire. Do you see the connection I'm talking about?

Jesus promised at the end of the ages there would be wars and rumors of wars. We have always had wars, but the wars we have now are in the middle east. Although these people have been fighting for centuries, this is where the earth had it's beginnings--in the Garden of Eden. Could it be that this is the place of earth's endings?

As 2012 draws closer, many people speculate the end of life as we know it. Jesus said no one would know the day or the hour, so I don't pay attention to specific predictions. What Jesus said, is for us to be watchful and prepared. Are you ready, my friend? Do you know that if the end came you would be in Heaven with our Lord? You can be for sure. Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." [NIV]

God saved us with His amazing love, my friend. He loves us just as we are, but He wants us to be like Jesus--doing wonderful things for the glory of His kingdom. Yet He doesn't expect us to do it alone. He promises to be with us always and to strengthen us to stand firm to the end. Isn't it incredible to know that Heaven is within your reach? Believe in the Lord Jesus, beloved. He doesn't want anyone to be left behind and neither do I.

Thank you, Lord for your amazing love and your plan to have us with you forever. I am praying for the ones reading this right now that they may know you and serve you forever. Amen.

Don't Be Afraid--I'm Here

As a sick little girl, I was afraid of the dark and of being alone. "Don't be afraid," Mama said. "I'm here." She gave me the comfort and security I needed to get through rhuematic fever and scarlet fever, allergies and heart trouble. Mama's home with Jesus now and I have kids and grandkids of my own.

Fear of failure or success and fear of having no value at all replaced my fear of the dark and being alone. That was until I found my personal worth in God, the Maker of Heaven and earth. My poor choices took me down a road of sin and destruction. Facing the next day seemed impossible and in my despair I wanted to give up. It was then that I felt the warmth of God's love and presence. Who was I that He would care for me? "Don't be afraid," I heard Him say. "I'm here."

Just when I think fear is no longer a part of my life, I see catastrophic storms in Australia on the news and hope that nothing like that comes to California.Then the news, thank them for their uncertain projections, says that the West Coast expects a storm that will change the way we live in California forever. When will this happen and what does all this mean? My thoughts go crazy!

Then I remember a horrific storm on the Sea of Galilee. Among Jesus' disciples were experienced fishermen who had been through storms on that lake many times. This one was different. Just when  Jesus' friends paniced, He showed up walking towards them on the water. "Don't be afraid," He said. "I'm here." (Matthew 14:22-36)

So if the predicted storm hits California, I will call on the name of the Lord, knowing He is always with me. I hope, my friend, that you will too.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for always being available to calm the storms of our lives. We love you and trust you to protect us and lead us in your way. Amen.

Continents Apart - A Review

Continents Apart by Dana Sudboro is the romance of two missionaries, Xavier assigned to Japan and Odette to Africa. Odette and Xavier met at O’Hare Airport during flight delays due to a snowstorm. The attraction continued aboard a plane traveling to the California Bay Area. Within a few weeks, the couple fell head over heels in love with each other.

The story intensifies as Odette and Xavier deal with their love for each other and return to their mission fields. Poetry and romance weave themselves into the relationship. I keep asking myself how Odette could resist Xavier’s proposal, but she remained true to her first love, the Lord God, and His call on her life to minister to Muslim women in Africa. Prayers for someone to replace her or for God to take her out of Africa seemed to go unanswered. Odette’s faith never wavered. God’s strength met her weakness and kept her in ministry to the African converts who faced persecution for their new faith.

Odette inspired me through her faithfulness, love and loyalty to God and His people in Africa. Amazingly, God matched her devotion to Him in a way that keeps me thinking about the story weeks after reading the book.

Kindle Bliss

The Kindle electronic reader is something I've wanted for a l-o-n-g time and I waited until black Friday to see if it might go on sale for $99. No luck, so I stepped off the deep end and pressed the 'purchase' button. It was so easy!

The next day it was delivered by an angel. It must have been an angel. I never heard a truck or saw a delivery person. I heard a small knock on the door and wondered who that could be because it was before 9:00 in the morning. When I opened the door, there it was all by itself. I rescued it from the porch and tore into the box. It was already set up with my Amazon profile and passwords. Amazing!

Just to see if it was as easy as I heard, I turned it on, clicked on menu, clicked on the Amazon store, and keyed in 'Francine Rivers.' Her two new books popped up on the page. I clicked on them one at a time and purchased them. In seconds they were downloaded to my Kindle. I was so excited!!! I've already read the first book, Her Mother's Hope. I can't wait to read Her Daughter's Dream but I'm on a writing assignment with a looming deadline.

The next thing I downloaded was the NIV Study Bible. Now I don't have to have a big Bible in my car or lug one on the airplane when I travel. I can read it wherever I am and that makes me happy.

The best part is that this Kindle fits in my purse. I don't ever have to be caught in a waiting room without reading material again. The second best thing is that it has a cover with a reading light. This will come in extremely handy when John and I go camping next summer.

Thank you, Lord, for the this wonderful reading tool. It won't require so much shelf space for all the books I purchase and greatly reduces the cost of each book. While I am reading, I'm also becoming a better steward of all the blessings you give me. I love you. Amen.

A Christmas Past

After working with my little Cherub Choir in Wiesbaden, Germany, I headed over to the nursery to pick up my son, Jason. The year was 1970 and he was two years old. It was dinner time for the kids when I showed up and I waited and waited and waited for the childcare helper to bring my little boy to me. Finally she said, "Mrs. Stratton, we can't find Jason." My heart sunk. "You are welcome to come in the facility and look in any of the hiding places you think he might crawl into. Pregnant with my daughter, I couldn't kneel very well. While I peeked around and called for Jason, thankfully, the helper called the Security Police. "He must have slipped out the door when we released the children to the dining area," the helper told the police.

It was dark outside and I began to panic. Others joined us with flashlights, searching the outside perimeters of the nursery. Cars zipped by and I worried about Jason's safety. It seemed like hours before someone asked, "Are you looking for a little guy this high with a gray, hooded sweatshirt?"

"Yes," I said. My heart leaped.

"My friend, Jennifer, saw him when she was going home from Girl Scouts and took him home with her. She was afraid he was lost."

"Where does she live?"

The kind little girl took me to her friend's house. I could hear Christmas music when we walked up the steps and knocked on the door. Jennifer opened the door to a beautifully decorated home--flickering lights on the tree and presents crowding the base of it. I was so glad to see my little boy, but shocked when he shouted,"I don't want to go home!"

Speechless, I wondered if the people thought I abused him or something. Fortunately he had no marks on him. Then I realized that Jason was caught up in the Christmas spirit. While I was teaching five to seven-year-olds the meaning of Christmas and some carols, Jason was having fun with his new friends. He was safe and I was thankful. After we shared a cup of hot chocolate with Jennifer's family, Jason took my hand and went home with me.

My wish for you this Christmas Eve is that you experience God's lavishing love on you. Merry Christmas.

People Desperate to Hear Handel's Messiah

After the Galleria Mall in Roseville, California recovered from a fire, its Public Relations Department invited the Sacramento Choir to sing Handel's Messiah on Monday, December 20, 2010 in an effort to kick off its re-opening. The performance was to begin at 7:30 but the Roseville Fire Department closed the mall at 7:00. Here is a news link. Below the video is a slide show. http://www.kcra.com/news/26204541/detail.html

The media says the flash mob caused the event to be a flop. Yet I am praising God that so many turned out to hear the names of Jesus sung by this beautiful choir.

I haven't had so much fun sitting in traffic as I did last night with my friend, Beth. We shared stories of Christmases past and enjoyed the lights, but we had to go home to hear Handel's Messiah on CD.

My wish is for you to have a Merry Christmas, and if you live in the greater Sacramento-Roseville area, I hope you'll visit the Galleria Mall. They've had two strikes against them this holiday season. I have a little more shopping to do, so I'm headed the the Galleria this morning.