"Think on these things..." Archives

For May 6th

Think on these things… 
By Bud Turnage

When our precious perfect grandchildren were born, it gave me pause to reflect on my own children’s young lives.  It’s something I don’t think about often, but perhaps I should.  I don’t believe I will ever forget those days.  I loved it when they crawled in my lap and wrapped those little arms around my neck and rested their little heads on my shoulder, so secure and comfortable, both of us. Those beautiful eyes watching my every move, taking in all that they could.  The baby babble talks after a bottle, those sweet smiles and giggles…oh, my heart grows warm just thinking about them now.  And as they grew, they mimicked my words and my actions.  The excitement when I got home, the bedtime stories, the hugs, the kisses, the unconditional love…oh, the memories.  They needed me.  Thanks be to God, I now have grandchildren and have the opportunity to experience it again. 
A large group of people heard that Jesus was in town and they loaded up the camel with the stroller, diaper bag, and the kids and headed out to see him.  They wanted their children blessed, healed, and held by the Son of God.  Nothing we wouldn’t do if He dropped by the Civic Center here in Abilene.  The disciples were beside themselves.  “You don’t have time for these snotty nosed kids!”  But Jesus took the time, and He told those disciples to take a hint from these children.  Become like these little children He told them.  Love unconditionally, rely totally on the Father, know Him, need Him and mimic Him.  Enjoy His loving arms, and when you are weary, rest your head on His big shoulders.  You know how much you love your own children…can you image how much more the Father loves you?
Give those babies extra hugs and kisses today!  Before you know it, they will be grown.

For April 22

Think on these things…  By Bud Turnage
After a long hard day of mowing, weed eating, trimming, weed pulling, watering and feeding, Emma and I decided to take refuge from the sun under the awning of the porch swing.  Emma stretched out beside me while I took off my mowing boots.  Emma lay there for a few moments, then she raised up sniffed my boots and looked over at me with a disgusted look on her face.  She then slid her body around so that her face was well away from the offensive footwear.  Hmmm…was Emma trying to tell me that my feet stunk?  Wow! Talk about bad news!  I mean not only were my feelings hurt, but I was a little concerned, I mean if my footwear and feet were bad enough to offend a dog, well…  Needless to say, I did take a shower that night.
Sometimes God says things we do not want to hear.  Just ask Peter.  Jesus told him he was going to deny Him, not once but three times.  Then later He told Peter how he was going to die.  Jonah fled from God’s instruction, but found himself in a whale of a mess.  And I’m sure David didn’t want to hear what God had to say to him after his little hiccup.  The Bible is chocked full of things that we are to do and not do, and sometimes they don’t appear to be such fun ideas.  But those commands and suggestions are in the Bible for a reason.  To help us grow closer to God, our Father who loves us unconditionally and to help us live lives that draw others closer to Him. 
Today we have an opportunity to go out into the world and practice one of His Commands, loving and serving others.  Let’s pray that God will open our eyes to the needs of those around us and open their eyes to His love. 

For Feb 5

Think on these things…......... by Bud Turnage

While Emma and I were doing a little clean up around the woodpile the other day, we spotted a family of skinks sunning themselves on one of the logs.  I saw them first, and I marveled at how beautiful they were.  The sun caused their skin to shimmer and shine, and it looked as if their little bodies were lined with gold.  When Emma spotted them, she didn’t pause to appreciate God’s beautiful creation as I did.  Nope, she pounced on them like a chicken on a June bug.  They scurried into the woodpile, but that didn’t stop Emma’s assault.  She was ripping through that wood, using her mouth to move small logs and her paws to push away the big ones.  She wanted those slimy lizards for her trophy case, and she wasn’t going to stop until she got them.

Much like Emma’s reaction to those poor helpless skinks, Satan spends little time admiring God’s handy work.  As a matter of fact, like Emma, he does his best to rip us from our shelter so that he can expose us to his lies and schemes.  But when God looks at us, I can only imagine that it’s the same picture we see in Genesis when He first placed Adam and Even in the Garden.  He stepped back and looked upon them and was pleased.  And then He blessed them!  When he gazes upon you and me, I know that He is pleased.  I know He smiles and just as with Adam and Eve, He blesses us. He loves us right where we are, but I also know that He wants us to grow in His love and be just like Jesus.  This week let’s accept the Blessings that God so generously pours upon us, and let’s share those blessings with those around us.

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