Tag: faith

“I’m proud of you!”

Luke 3:22b NLT – And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

Peanut Gallery: Jesus was a “blessed child.” At both His Baptism and Transfiguration, the Father made a special point of expressing His approval… the Father blessed His Son.

father blesses son israeliThis blessing – “you’re my child and I’m proud of you” – is something we all yearn for. We want it at the end of life from our heavenly Father. And we want it during our lifetime from our earthly fathers.

It’s that earthly blessing that I’m thinking about here… and many of us never receive it.

One of the saddest recent Christmas stories came out of England:

When it comes to Christmas, it might be safe to assume children will ask Santa for an extensive list of toys, games and treats.

But a survey of their typical lists for Father Christmas has shown many have more serious concerns, requesting “a dad” instead…..

Despite their material requests, the tenth most popular Christmas wish on the list was a “Dad”.

For those of us who have/had loving, encouraging, supportive dads, the gain is immeasurable. For those of us who haven’t, the loss is enormous… it’s a hole in us that we long to fill.

If this unfilled longing resonates with you – or if you wonder how you can bless your children and grandchildren – I commend the book, The Blessing, by Trent and Smalley to you. It provides guidance for families seeking to bless their children following a Biblical model. And it provides healing and help for those of us who have been “looking for love in all the wrong places. “

At a family gathering a few years ago – our 2 kids, their spouses, and 8 grandchildren – we made a special effort to bless our family.

While they all watched, we singled out each of our kids and their spouses, laid hands on them and told them what we saw in them that made them special to us… and how proud we were of them. Then we asked them to do the same for each one of their children. We all prayed together and then had a fun and games evening.

Our kids are spread around the world now, but we continue the practice with them – and now our grandkids – whenever we can.

“A family blessing begins with meaningful touching. It continues with a spoken message of high value, a message that pictures a special future for the individual being blessed, and one that is based on an active commitment to see the blessing come to pass.”

Dr. Gary Smalley;Dr. John Trent. The Blessing (p. 30). Kindle Edition.

Check out Trent and Smalley’s book – The Blessing – there’s even a workbook available for anyone who wants to go deeper. You and your family will all be the better for it.

Morning Reading: Luke 3.21-22 NLT – “great joy”

Joy at Baptism
Joy at Baptism
Reading: Luke 3:21-22 NLT

One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

Reading: Psalm 40.3 NLT

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill me with your Spirit so that I might bring You joy. And place a new song of praise in my heart … in the new year. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Let the wold see joy” (Resurrection Church)
Please click on audio player –

Morning Reading: Luke 3.10-14, 18 NLT – John the Baptist

Reading: Luke 3:10-14, 18 NLT

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The crowds asked, “What should we do?” John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”

Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”

“What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.

Prayer: Holy Spirit – Help me to receive John the Baptist’s warnings as “Good News” – as a way of aligning my life with Your Kingdom purposes. And help me sort through my response to genuinely impoverished people… as a rich Westerner. I ask it in Jesus’ name.

Change my heart Oh God…

Morning Reading: Luke 2.40 ESV

Luke 2:40 ESV
“And the child (Jesus) grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.”

jesus grew in wisdomPrayer: Holy Spirit – strengthen us and fill us with your wisdom and grace. And today, I particularly pray for my children and grandchildren – Josh, Robin, Calvin, Carter, Caleb, Camille, Amy, Shane, Mia, Noah, Jacob, and Mason. Lord Jesus – help them to become more like you. Amen.

“Living with the end in mind.”

The-End-Is-Near-DIF-2

“Begin with the end in mind.”
Steven Covey (7 Habits… # 2)

I’m a guy who likes to know where I’m going and what I can expect along the way. I don’t need all the details filled in, but I do need to know my general direction. “Whatever” doesn’t cut it for me. But that has not always been the case here in The Peanut Gallery… particularly during the last election cycle. At times I’ve been disoriented… off on tangents. So, I’d like to re-focus in 2013.

Refocus with the end in mind.

As I see it, America has crossed the spiritual/cultural “Rubicon” – our nation is rapidly moving into post-Christian territory. Where it will all end, I don’t know. But the failed secular/socialist European states have become our government’s role model. And, to turn a phrase, “I have never been more ashamed of my country.” Truth be told, I never thought I would ever say those words about America. But the lights are dimming on “the shining city on a hill.”

And… there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. I’m a dinosaur… a Christian social, economic, constitutional, and national security conservative… one of the aging remnant – yesterday’s news. So what now?

Live knowing the end is near.

“Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God.” Ephesians 5. 15-17 (Phillips NT)

At my age, the end will come sooner… rather than later. My 4 year old grandson asked me, “Poppa, how old are you?’ I said, “I’m old.” But he wanted a number, and pressed, “But how old?” I said, “I’m 72.” He said, “That is old.” Then thought about it, and added, “I can’t even count up to 72.”

So the Apostle Paul’s counsel “to make the best use of [my] time… and live life as one who knows its meaning and purpose” is a timely word to me… especially in relation to The Peanut Gallery. I want to address the issues that I believe are important to God, to the future of my grandchildren, to America and to the world.

“Jesus at the center of it all” will be the theme of The Peanut Gallery in 2013 – offering “help and hope” as best I can… albeit from an old guy’s perspective, sitting in the cheap seats.

Thank you for reading this far. And thank you for your insights and blogging contributions that broaden my Christian world view. You are greatly appreciated.