children

Christ Our Life

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 
Colossians 3:2-4 ESV

It was so early that the sun was not even thinking of rising and I was snuggling deep under warm covers when I felt a little hand on my shoulder. As I pried open one eye, I saw the smiling face of our 5-year-old son Ben. “Can we get up Dad?” He asked. “It’s already 6 o’clock and it’s Christmas!” Hearing the eagerness and joy in his voice, any thoughts of being annoyed evaporated. Ben just couldn’t sleep even one more minute, because he was thinking of all the fun of opening presents. That is one of my sweetest memories, but every morning as we wake up, a far less endearing list of questions gets thrown at us. “What will we do first? What will we eat? What will we wear?” Now it’s normal for a five-year-old to be anxious on Christmas, but if we allow anxious thoughts to drag us out of bed every morning, they will change our choices, manipulate our moods, and govern the words that come out of our mouths. They are hoping to hurry us on, without stopping to pray. Their plan is for us to open packages of impatience, selfish thoughts, and nasty words. But today’s verse has wonderful news for those of us who are Christians. It reminds us that we have the ability to say, “No!” to those dastardly door knockers, and “Yes” to the Christ, who is already living inside of us. We may not be able to see Jesus, but by faith we can turn to Him. He is far more than just a part of our day’s agenda. He loved us and died so we could freely receive eternal life. Since Jesus is our life, let’s get up and open the gifts that He has waiting for us today!

Have You Taken Your Medicine?

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments
This is Madeline and Wyatt,
our two youngest grandchildren

When our hearts are sick because of past hurts that have left us bitter, hopeless and frustrated, we need to stop and take our medicine. The joy that Jesus gives springs from something far deeper than even our deepest sorrows and leaves us with a joyful heart. Today’s video left me with a smile in my heart. I pray it does the same for you. Have you taken your heart medication today?

Waking Early With Christian

/ pastorpete51 / 12 Comments 
You will go out in joy
 and be led forth in peace;
 the mountains and hills
 will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
 will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12 NIV

Back in 1975 when our first child was just 14 months old, we used to read to him from a book titled, "Poems and Prayers for the Very Young". In that precious little volume, one of our favorites was Singing Time by Rose Fyleman. I read it so often that I eventually added a melody and wrote some verses to make it into a lullaby somewhat based on Isaiah 55:12.. Now in spite of the fact that I loved the tune, neither of our boys say they have any memories of it. But when I played it for our grandson Christian, he fell in love with the song and insisted that we record it together. This video has knocked around in my files ever since and each time I see I say, "I need to do something with that someday." Today someday arrived, and I hope that this simple recording will be fun to watch and maybe even a melody you could share with your own children or grandchildren. I did finally get the song copyrighted in 2015, but please feel free to use it with your own families as you wish. I'll send the chords and lyrics on request. Have a blessed day all!