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Category: Holidays

Cost an Arm and a Leg

Cost an Arm and a Leg

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Cost an Arm and a Leg--silhouette of a soldier saluting Many things cost much more than we want to pay.

If we believe their price is too high, we say they cost an arm and a leg. Most of the time we mean they cost too much money:

  • Fancy cars
  • Big houses
  • The latest electronics
  • Long vacations

All these may be nice, but none are worth the loss of an arm or leg. In fact, I don’t know anyone who wants to give an arm and a leg for anything.

Sometimes we say, “I would give my right arm for” something we want. However, we don’t mean it. We simply wish we owned that item.

On Veterans Day, we honor those who pay a great price for our freedom.

Many give an arm and a leg or much more. Those who serve our country face danger most of us cannot imagine.

Veterans often suffer in ways we never see. We immediately notice missing arms and legs. However, losses we don’t see can cause as much pain or worse.

One good turn deserves another. Do something special for a veteran this week. We can never repay veterans for all they give. However, we can offer respect and an attitude of gratitude.

To those who faithfully serve or have served, thank you. We salute you, one and all.

“The ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough” (Psalm 49:8 NIV).

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Easy as Pie

Easy as Pie

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Easy as Pie--PumpkinsFrom October through December, gaining weight becomes as easy as pie (very easy). We no longer want small summer meals Instead, we desire comfort food … and plenty of it.

Farmers have picked the last of their fruit and vegetables. We find them for sale everywhere. Let the eating begin!

Making pie is not easy.

Of course, many cooks buy pie crusts already made. Some also buy pie mixes. Making those pies is easy. However, making a whole pie takes work … and plenty of it.

Eating pie is easy.

Pumpkin pie is a fall favorite, especially for Thanksgiving. I prefer chocolate, lemon, or pecan.

Easy as pie applies to more than pies.

Anything that requires little work is easy as pie.

However, something easy  for you may be hard for me.

  • You may be a great painter. Not me.
  • You may understand physics. Not me.
  • You may be able to fly a plane. Not me.

If I study painting, physics, and flying planes, I will improve. They may never be as easy as pie, but, if I tackle them, they will get easier.

Perhaps this fall and winter we should try to gain more knowledge instead of weight. Physics or pie? Which sounds better to you?

“ Salvation that comes from trusting Christ—which is what we preach—is already within easy reach of each of us; in fact, it is as near as our own hearts and mouths” (Romans 10:8 TLB).

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Green Thumb

Green Thumb

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Green thumb-flower garden with American flagMy friend Carolyn’s husband has a green thumb.

Tim grows beautiful flowers, shrubs, trees, and other plants. His flower garden amazes me. In the middle of his garden stands an American flag. The flag serves as a symbol of the freedom we celebrate each July 4.

My thumb is definitely not green.

Most of my plants get sick and die. Therefore, I grow flowers that require little or no care.

In spite of my lack of talent, I admire the beauty of other people’s plants.

  • I may not know the plants’ names.
  • I may not be able to grow them.
  • However, I can enjoy them.

I am thankful for people with a green thumb. I am also thankful I don’t need a green thumb to be used in other ways.

God gives each of us our own special talents.

Like Tim’s flowers, we are all different. Yet, we can all be beautiful in our own way.

  • Some people work well with numbers.
  • Others work well with people.
  • Some are great planners.

Whatever our talents, green thumb or not, let’s bloom where we are planted.

“Then God said, ‘Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.’ And it was so” (Genesis 1:11 NIV).

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Pick Up the Pieces

Pick Up the Pieces

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Pick Up the Pieces-Judy ClarkWhen we break a dish, we pick up the pieces. Occasionally we glue those pieces back together. The dish may not be as good as new, but it works.

Sometimes we must pick up the pieces of our lives. We return to normal or a new normal after a bad experience. We try to make a difficult situation okay. We may have:

  • Broken hearts
  • Broken bodies
  • Broken minds
  • A broken world

Yet, we decide to make the best of our trouble. We pick up the pieces, pull ourselves together, and move on. We may not be as good as new, but we still work.

Easter is all about picking up the pieces. However, we don’t have to pick up the pieces ourselves. Jesus did that for us when He:

  • Lived a sinless life to pay for our sins.
  • Died on the cross to give us eternal life.
  • Rose from the grave in victory over sin and death.

When we give Jesus control of our lives, we receive more than a return to normal. Jesus makes us new — better than ever. Like a potter forming a new creation, He gives us a fresh start.

  • We become God’s child.
  • God’s Spirit gives guidance and support.
  • We gain a home in heaven. There we never have to pick up the pieces again.

“Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8 NIV).

Thanks to Judy Clark for the photo.

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Head over Heels

Head over Heels

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Head over Heels morgue file8161310074013Have you ever been head over heels in love?

  • You were so in love you did not know up from down.
  • You acted silly but didn’t care.
  • You wanted to spend every single minute with your loved one.

Have you later realized that was not true love?

So often we get the meaning of true love all wrong. We focus on the temporary:

  • Physical attraction
  • Common interests
  • Popularity
  • Desire to love or be close to someone

None of those are necessarily bad. However, true love means so much more. Love that lasts means moving beyond puppy love to:

  • Commitment to the loved one, regardless of circumstances
  • Willingness to give 100 percent, not 50-50
  • Being there for one another when life gets hard

At the same time, we want to keep true love lovely by:

  • Talking and laughing with one another
  • Sharing fun times
  • Hugging and saying “I love you” often

That helps keep us head over heels in love with our loved one for life.

Above all, we want to follow the ultimate example of love – Jesus’ unconditional, sacrificial love.

“You have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes” (Song of Solomon 4:9 NIV).

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Photo courtesy of morgueFile.

One Step at a Time

One Step at a Time

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One Step at a TimeWe climb the highest mountain and walk through the lowest valley the same way – one step at a time. We place one foot in front of the other over and over again. Little by little we move forward.

We do the same emotionally. Whether we feel on top of the world or in the deepest depression, we keep going, one step at a time. Faced with a hard row to hoe,  we do what we need to do now. Then we take the next step.

Good teachers guide us one step at a time. If we move too fast or change the order, we often fail. If we take our time and follow directions, we usually succeed.

I rarely make New Year resolutions. If I did, I think this would make a good one. For this year, I want to take:

  • One step at a time
  • One day at a time
  • One task at a time

This one thing I know: Whether our journey fills us with joy or sorrow, we never have to walk alone. If we invite Him, God will walk with us every step of the way.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4 NIV).

What New Year resolution have you made? Please comment.

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Tis the Season

Tis the Season

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Tis the SeasonThe song “Deck the Halls” tells us tis the season (it is the season) to be jolly.

  • Children write letters to Santa.
  • We shop for gifts.
  • Stores sell more in a few weeks than the rest of the year.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

  • We decorate houses, yards, and businesses.
  • Christmas trees pop up everywhere.
  • Music rings from businesses, bells, and choirs.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

  • We read Twas the Night before Christmas.
  • We watch Christmas movies.
  • We practice Christmas plays.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

  • We eat, bake, and eat again.
  • We attend parties.
  • We visit family.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

Charlie Brown yelled, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”  Linus told him, simply and beautifully.

That holy night a Savior came who changed our world. Will you let Him change your life?

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV)

What does Christmas mean to you? Please comment.

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Tightfisted

Tightfisted

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TightfistedFew people want to be called tightfisted or closefisted. We don’t like to be known as selfish or cheap. A tightfisted person hates giving or spending money. They want to keep it all for themselves.

However, we can be tightfisted with more than money. Too often we fail to share our time and love. We need those much more.

  • How many children wish for more time and love from parents?
  • How many husbands or wives wish for more time and love from a spouse?
  • How many people live alone, thinking no one cares?

We can do something about the needs around us. If we are tightfisted, it is never too late to change. Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol provides a perfect example.

Of course, we want to use what we own wisely. We need to save money for future needs. At the same time, most of us can give far more than we do. With money, time, and love, let’s freely share.

The Gaither video Give It Away includes a scene of children receiving Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes filled with gifts. What a great reminder that we can make our world a better place to live.

This Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks for what we have. Then let’s open our tight fists and share with others. After all, we can’t take it with us.

“Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8 NIV).

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Old Glory

Old Glory

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Old GloryMany people today call any flag of the Unites States Old Glory. However, that nickname began with one flag.

The first Old Glory was a 17- by 10-foot flag with 24 stars. It belonged to sea captain William Driver. We can still see that flag in the National Museum of American History.

Like the original Old Glory, today’s flags have seven red stripes and six white stripes. The stripes represent the first 13 states. However, the number of stars changed as we added states. We now have 50 white stars for our 50 states.

Some people also call the flag Stars and Stripes. Another nickname is The Star-Spangled Banner, the title of our national anthem.

According to PBS, each color of the flag has special meaning.

  • Red — Hardiness and Valor
  • White — Purity and Innocence
  • Blue — Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice

Thousands of people have died to provide the freedom our flag represents. We show respect when we say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag by:

  • Standing at attention
  • Facing the flag
  • Men removing their hats
  • Placing right hand over the heart
  • People in the military saluting

 “I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one Nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.”

“Show respect for everyone. Love Christians everywhere. Fear God and honor the government” (1 Peter 2:17 TLB).

Do you have a favorite flag story or July 4 tradition? If so, please comment.

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Fresh Start

Fresh Start

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Fresh StartWe all need a fresh start occasionally.

  • We lose a job and need a new one.
  • We hurt someone and need forgiveness.
  • We make bad choices and need another chance.

A fresh start means a new beginning. We start over.

A fresh start gives hope. We look for better days ahead, much like:

  • Springtime arrives after a long hard winter.
  • We build a new fence after the old one falls apart.
  • New flowers bloom through dead grass and leaves.

The message of Easter offers the greatest fresh start of all. Jesus died on a cross on Friday, but he rose from the grave on Sunday. He defeated death and sin.

When we choose to follow Jesus, we receive new life. We gain God’s love, peace, hope, and joy. We still have problems, but the problems will not defeat us. In addition, we have the promise of an eternal home in heaven.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).

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