Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

Last week my mind meandered down memory lane as I spoke with an elderly gentleman on the phone. He had called our office about a business matter, but in conversation I found out he lived near my old stomping grounds. Having been gone from my New Jersey roots for 21 years, I savored the reminiscences of places and people that I have not seen for many years.

I asked myself this question yesterday morning as I was getting ready for work. As I tidied up my bedroom and made the bed, the TV news reporter's voice caught my ear. I paused from my chores to watch the footage of four crazy men who had the "brilliant" idea to skydive over an active volcano in Indonesia this week. Garbed in wing suits and parachutes, these daredevils dove from a helicopter and soared over Mt. Bromo in the East Java Province of Indonesia.

Living in a world of sin, it is hard to keep the mind clean and pure. No matter where one goes he or she will be bombarded by images, thought patterns, and music that pull in the direction of ungodliness. Even walking innocently through the grocery store one's eyes will be assaulted by unsavory magazines that line the racks by the checkout. What is a guy or gal to do?

Do you know what I love? I love when someone does something for me with a good attitude. When you kids do household chores without complaining and arguing, it really lifts my spirits. I especially love it when one of you takes the initiative to do a job that needs to be done without my even asking. These acts of love and responsibility make me feel proud and appreciated.

It started out just like any other day. I got up early and proceeded to take care of all the daily chores that are regularly done in any Roman prison. I checked on all the prisoners and brought them their food (if you can call that slop food).

The other day I was conducting an open house for a property we are going to sell at auction. I noticed that the house was surrounded by a natural fence of trees and foliage. I didn't think much about it until a neighbor stopped by and commented how this house did not used to be so enclosed by greenery. "It seemed to grow up overnight," he said.