grandchildren

Have You Been Adopted?

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Have You Been Adopted?

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  Ephesians 1:5 NLT

“Have you asked Jesus into your heart Madeline?” I asked our grand-daughter as she sat on my lap.  P1030885

“Oh yes Poppy. Just last week.” she answered

“Then do you know what to do next?” I asked with a smile.

“Get baptized!” she said with a big laugh. And I’m getting baptized this Sunday.

Madeline is special to us because she is adopted and because after six grandsons she became our first granddaughter. I was so excited to learn that Madeline has accepted Jesus and become not just a part of our family but a part of the family of God. She is now adopted into both our family and into the family of God. In fact the only way for any of us to get into

P1040514

God’s family is to be adopted. He only had one Son born in the manger, but the rest of us get in by adoption. Becoming a Christian is such a simple thing. Jesus never said we needed go through any mysterious or complicated process. Instead He invited us to enter into His kingdom like little children. Just like Madeline all we have to do is to believe and ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior!

Our Quiet House

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

The bathroom and guest room are clean again. 20190813_123703_Film4The refrigerator is mostly restocked and there are no more piles of sneakers by the doorway. But the return to our normal order of things  is too quiet for me. They say that we smile when the grand-kids come and then again when they go. But for me – I slept better with the disorder of family in the home. I am just sharing this thought with other Pops and Nanas out there to encourage you to treasure those special moments that race by so quickly.

20190813_172934_Film4

 

 

Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.            Psalm 17:6 KJV

 

Sometimes as moms and dads we are too busy and too tired for the small struggles of our children. But God has made us grandparents; to walk a little slower and ask for things to be repeated now and then because we listen carefully and give time generously to grandchildren. So now in my too quiet and too orderly home I am left with the assurance that God bends especially low to listen to the prayers of grandparents and to send His angels to watch for them and His Spirit to guide them on their way.

 

Again I Say Rejoice

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice Philippians 4:4 

While Paul was writing from a Roman prison with guards chained to him on either side, my life’s problems pale in comparison. Yet Paul’s kind of rejoicing is a hard lesson for me to learn. Yes, things are not all that bad. We have moved into our comfortable small home in Florida but those we love especially the grandchildren we kissed good-bye just last week seem like a universe away. As we unpack and make phone calls to change our address with a thousand people we feel lost, lonely and joy, real load lifting and soul refreshing joy is something we long for.

But Jesus told us He was leaving us His joy – not a joy to be found anywhere on planet earth.

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11

His joy kept Jesus through the wavering loyalties, betrayals and treacheries that pressed Him towards a harsh Roman cross. His joy caused Him to wash dirty feet and skip lunch in the sweltering heat by a well to meet a woman who was thirsty for a water only He could give. The joy of Jesus Christ rises up and says, “Enough!” to waves and wind. His joy sees the way along shadowy valley paths and lights a candle of hope waiting for us at the end of the day. Maybe that is why Paul tells us, “Rejoice!” then in face of the improbable backdrop of His life and our’s He tells us again, “Rejoice!” The world may not get it. Our weary bodies may not feel like it and The devil can not understand it. But we who are God’s children are given the priceless gift of His joy. We only have to remember and believe His joy is especially deep and true when it comes in a morning light that wipes away the tears of our darkest night!

1536799831347_image.jpg