He'd been a teacher at the missionary school for several years and he was concerned about the Christmas gifts he might receive from his students.

His students came from families who worked hard to make a living in that poor and struggling part of their country.  Also they welcomed the chance to get a good education so they could rise above the poverty of their community for the school curriculum offered a comprehensive education as well as a complete course of Bible study.

John knew that some of the boys had responded to the gospel and others didn't seem interested. Still there was one boy who had not only responded but had enthusiastically studied his Bible, attended Chapel services, and even brought his family to where they could hear about Jesus.

Yet as happy as John was at Ahmad's growing faith, he was also worried about him and the other boys as Christmas approached.  In a culture where education was traditionally treasured and teachers greatly respected it was the local custom for each student to give his teacher a special gift of great value – even if it meant the family going into debt.  John knew it was important to respect the local tradition but he was also concerned that his students would go without what they needed just to give him a gift.  Still he was especially concerned about Ahmad, afraid that with his special devotion he would want to give a gift he could never afford.

Then as the last day of school before Christmas arrived and the students began to present their gifts, John was flattered and humbled by their tributes and he showed great appreciation with each presentation.  Then as Ahmad approached John felt a twinge of worrisome anticipation as he saw Ahmad hold out a shiny pink seashell of lustrous beauty.

John knew this particularly valuable seashell was found only on the coast in particular location on the coast many miles away. So Ahmad had either paid a high price for it or he himself had traveled that long distance.

"Thank you, Ahmad." John said. "It's beautiful but you must have traveled a long way to get it."

Ahmad lowered his head a bit. "The long walk is part of the gift."

The best and most meaningful gifts we can give are those which involve our greatest effort and we're particularly aware of that at Christmas time. As we welcome God's special Gift that is Christ himself. However, the Gift wasn't just the person of Christ but what He did for us.

We're so used to thinking of Jesus only as the baby in the manger, welcomed by the shepherds and the Magi, but it was as an adult that He fully demonstrated the most important part of God's plan for Him. Just as Ahmad's special gift included a personal sacrifice, so does God's gift of His Son include the very death of His gift. However, we know that the death was certainly not the end but only the beginning. For the Gift involved far more than just a baby, but a Man who would be the means by which God could share all He wanted to provide for His children.

"We're proud of our accuracy," the editor told him. "So it's our policy that we don't print corrections or retractions."

"But you made a mistake – I'm not dead!" The man complained, but despite his entreaties, the editor was adamant. Finally the editor offered a compromise.

"We can't print a correction, but how about if next week we print your name under the new births?"

Do you ever wish you could have the chance to be born a second time and then make a new start? That's a fascinating possibility especially since we're coming into a new year when we may be interested in new beginnings, and particularly in our relationship with God. We know being reborn comes with our belief in Christ yet once that's done it's also important that we regularly remain in close fellowship with God, especially since we have a human tendency to drift away. And when that happens how can we restore our fellowship to start over again with God?

The wonderful news is that God's already provided for a solution when He offers us his constant and readily available forgiveness despite our failures. In His loving provision of the new birth of His children He also provided the means for His children to have new spiritual beginnings when He forgives us.

We may never find our name in the obituary column but we can get a new start every moment of our lives when God forgives us. It's another example of the provision of our loving and caring Father.

It had started as an afternoon outing into the national forest near their home. However, they had only hiked a short distance when they first smelled the smoke. As they mounted a rise that gave them a view of the surrounding area, the father saw the source of it. It was a brush fire that was snapping and crackling some distance away, but quickly coming toward them!

"Let's get back to the car," he told his son and they headed back down the trail, the boy's hand clasped in his own.

The father knew that he'd left their car in a nearby parking lot, and once they reached it they could easily escape because the lot and the exit roads were clear and safe. However, to save time the father detoured from the longer descending trail and headed for a small bluff that overlooked the parking lot where they could scramble down right beside his car. Yet, as they reached the bluff the smoke had begun to swirl so near the father realized that both he and his son wouldn't have time to scramble down.  Their only chance was for the father to clamber down the ten foot bluff and then have his son jump into his arms.

The boy watched as the father scooted down to the parking lot and then called back. "Now jump! I'll catch you!"

Yet as the father stood at the bottom of the bluff, his arms outstretched, the smoke that had been coming up behind them suddenly swirled up and around the boy partially obscuring him.

"Daddy!" He screamed. "I can't see you!"

"Jump! I can see you - just jump and I'll catch you."

"But I can't see you!" The boy squealed.

"You don't need to!" The father called. "I see you and that's all that matters! Jump!"

The boy hesitated a half second more, then as the smoke nearly obliterated his small figure, he hurled himself down the bluff... and into his father's arms. They hastened to their car and drove to safety.

Sometimes when I find myself panicking in times of difficulty I can feel as fearful as the boy when my problems seem overwhelming. However, while I know that God is ready to help to accept His assistance I must jump from my own ideas and conceptions into His arms in complete and total trust. Indeed, though I may not see Him, He can see me, and is ready for me, and that's all that matters.

Pastor Jones paused and leaned forward as the mother passed. "You don't really have to remove the child," he said in what he hoped was a helpful tone. "He's not bothering us."

The mother looked up. "No, maybe not – but you're bothering him!"

Things can bother us now and then, but if it's a troublesome situation or person we can usually cope with it and dismiss it. However, there's occasionally something that may bother us that we shouldn't try to dismiss so easily. After all, it could well be God's trying to get our attention and particularly when He's trying to nudge us to change direction and go where He wants us to go or take on a new task He has for us.

Of course we can ignore this or any other divine nudges but do we really want to? If we do we might miss the challenges that can mean spiritual growth, or seeing God at work in our life or that of someone else.  For when we ignore those bothersome nudges from God we miss so much, especially when it means being part of His eternal plans.

Still, he knew the students were already in the room and since they would be watching his every move he entered the room with what he hoped was confidence.

There was a pause in the rumble of conversation as Tony took his seat behind the desk, then began some paperwork. It would be a few minutes till the bell rang to signal the beginning of class.

Then as he tried to concentrate on his work, he felt a breeze and as he turned to see the open window his tie flipped up in his face. He put it back down, but again it flipped up.  On a sudden whim Tony reached out and grabbed the desk stapler and opening it up flat, pressed it against his chest. The prongs of the staple easily pierced his tie, then his shirt and then the body cast. Putting the stapler down, he returned to his paperwork as the bell rang. Then as he stood and was about to call the class to order when he realized the students – particularly the boys – were watching him in complete silence. He quickly recovered his poise and began to speak to the now attentive group.

He had no problems with discipline that term.

Tony probably didn't realize that he had such unexpected provision as that but I've discovered I find the same thing when it comes to how God works in my life. There have been many times when I've experienced something that was bothersome, but things work out and I proceed.  However, when I later look back and see the events in totality I often discover some aspect I'd not be aware of that corrected the difficulty.  Perhaps someone intervened or something unexpected happened providing a solution or some direction and there occurred just what I needed just as I needed it.  Coincidence? Of course not – the word doesn't exist in my spiritual life.  The answer is simple - God and His loving provision.  Over the years I've experienced it and unexpected or not, it's always there and always for my benefit and His glory.

Unhurt, but shaken, she picked herself up and pronounced her anger: "This wouldn't have happened if you'd wear a wristwatch like everyone else!"

Sometimes our spiritual difficulties can be like that clock when they seem so large they've become ungainly and hard to handle and when that happens it can send us into a quandary as to how to deal with them.

So what to do?  At desperate times like that it's reassuring to know that God is always ready and willing to show us how to handle them. After all, He's been in the rescuing business since time began and is always willing to show us how to extract ourselves and get us back on the path he has planned for us.

"Oh, yes, " said the leader sensing the possibility of a generous tip. "What would you like to hear?"

"Could you play 'Stardust'?"

The leader was puzzled. "But, ma'am, we just played that."

"Oh, I wish I'd known," The lady sounded wistfully vague. "It's my favorite piece!"

That lady certainly missed out on something important to her but in a way so do we – especially when we aren't aware of God at work in our lives.

Yet how could we miss out on something so important? Perhaps it was because we weren't looking for it or we could have been distracted with fear or worry, or maybe we were too concerned about running our own lives we didn't think to include Him. Then perhaps we suddenly realize His presence when something unexpected happens and we feel a spiritual void that we know from experience only He can fill.

Ideally we should be so constantly in touch with Him that we never miss His presence but even when we don't, He's still there, guiding and providing.

"Hey!" The would-be actor broke character and stalked angrily to the front of the stage. "It's not my fault this is so bad…" He waved the script. "I didn't write this drivel!"

Actors of course don't always have a choice in what part they get, but like that fellow demonstrated they do have a choice in how they play the role. Of course it's the same with us as believers when we must choose how to respond to whatever struggles might come our way. Will it be with courage or with fear? Will we shy away from the challenge or step out in faith that God will see us through? It's our choice.

Our life roles may indeed vary but with the right response and with God behind us we're sure of good reviews from the Divine Critic!

"Coffee." The customer ordered and as Henry returned with the cup he saw that the newcomer had withdrawn a hand from his shirt pocket to place a tiny furry figure on the counter.

"Hey, that's a mouse! Get it out of here!" Henry pointed to the white rodent who sat crouched next to the cup.

"Oh, he won't cause any trouble - in fact he's not an ordinary mouse." The man said. "He can sing…No, I'm telling the truth! Watch and listen!" The man snapped his fingers and the mouse rose to his hind legs, and to the astonishment of Henry and the others broke out in song - an elaborate operatic Italian aria in a high tenor voice. They listened to the intricate melody, accompanied with several long high notes and when the mouse finished he again crouched down.

Henry broke the astonished silence. "Wow - that's terrific! Say - is the mouse for sale?"

"Yeah - I'll sell him. For a dollar."

Henry felt his jaw drop in surprise, "A dollar? For a mouse who can sing opera?"

"Aw, he's not so special." The man sniffed. "He can only sing in Italian."

That guy certainly didn't put much value on what he had, and though we might do that with a lot of things in our lives we never need to worry about God feeling that way about us.  We may not be able to sing Italian arias, but He loves and cares for us on an individual basis no matter our talents, gifts, or even lack of them.  Individual value? With God it's assured.

"I'm afraid I just can't find my ticket," The man told the conductor as he searched his pockets. "I know I put it somewhere when I got on but now I just can't seem to locate it."

The conductor by this time had recognized a well known statesman and he was sympathetic. "That's okay, Senator, I know you had it. Just relax and don't worry. If you find it you can just mail it to the office."

The man shook his head. "No, that's not what bothers me. I need that ticket to tell me where I'm going!"

That's amusing of course but did you ever wonder the same thing about your spiritual destination? Do you know where you're going?

We all feel a bit lost at times, but if by some chance you don't know where you're going then there's Someone who has good news for you! If you don't know where you're going then He does - and He has great plans for you. True, His designs may not always be exciting or dramatic - in fact they might even be frustrating and even difficult. Also, His plans take in every aspect of your past, present and future, and since He won't give you more than you can handle, then how can you lose? To put it simply, take God at His Word, enlist in His plan, and while the results will be for your benefit and His glory -the eternal benefits are out of this world!

"Man overboard!"

The dreaded words were audible, even to William in his cabin below the main deck. He was awake now, and half rose to his elbows as he heard the grinding of the pulleys that he knew lowered the lifeboat just above him. He peered into the darkness through the rain spattered glass of the porthole over his bed but could see nothing. He reached up to tug open the catch on the porthole to get a better look but all he felt was the cold spray on his face. However, he could make out the lifeboat pulling away from the side of the ship and being engulfed in the darkness of the heaving ocean, it's searchlights sweeping out. William felt another heaving in his stomach and was about to collapse back onto the bed, when he got an idea that might help in the search. He reached into his nearby duffel bag and extracted a flashlight. Flicking it on, he lifted it up and directed the beam out the porthole into the darkening spray. After a few seconds when he could hold it up no longer, he put away the flashlight, closed the porthole, then dropped back to the bed and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning as he awoke William felt only the gentle rocking of the ship and a glance out the porthole revealed the first rays of a bright sun peeking over the horizon of a calm ocean. Soon he joined the other much relieved passengers and crew at breakfast and of course the main topic of conversation was the lost sailor.

"Oh, he's fine!" One of the officers told them. "He'd only been in the water a few minutes but to tell you the truth we weren't sure we could find him because it was so dark and the sea so rough. We had the boat out with the searchlights sweeping the water yet it was so dark we would have missed him if it hadn't been for that strange beam that seemed to come out of no where."

William looked up as the officer continued. "Yeah, it was really strange. The fellow told us he was holding his hands up as high as he could while trying to stay afloat and that light just appeared. It seemed to come from one of the portholes on that side and though it shone for just a few seconds, it was enough to reflect off the guy's hands and when we spotted that that we pulled him in quick."

Sometimes what I do for the Lord seems so small and insignificant and yet... is it really? In the Lord's service there no service is too small - and though I may never know how it happens, how can I think of as small what He uses -for my benefit and His glory.

"Will that be next day or one hour service?" She asked.

"I'm not in a real hurry but I would like it back as soon as possible. Okay, give me the next day service."

"Okay, it'll be ready Friday."

"But this is Monday."

"I know, but we're backed up from the holidays last week when we were closed."

"Then I'll have the one hour service."

"Then it'll be ready tomorrow."

Like Marian, I can find any type of delay very frustrating but what can be particularly annoying is when there's a delay in God's answering my prayers. However, often what I see as a delay is just His better judgment in dealing with my request. He may well grant what I want but only on His own time line, or maybe He'll say no. Yet whatever His decision, it will be what is best for me and what goes with His will for my life.  Indeed, He has His reasons for His response and I know they're always perfect – just as He is.

Gary paused again as he remembered what his doctor had said at his last checkup. "You've got to get some weight off and starting cutting down on the sweets and fats," the physician warned him. "With your family history of heart problems and your high cholesterol you just can't keep eating the way you have."

"Well," Gary stroked his chin, "What I want is that chocolate glazed doughnut…." The clerk reached but Gary spoke again. "No – what I really want is that cruller there…" He gazed at the icing glistening on the fluffy surface." No – what I really want is that cheese Danish…"

The clerk had reached for each and then pulled back as he spoke again. Her face a picture of growing frustration, she looked up at the last pause.

"Now that's what I want …..but I guess I'll have an oat bran muffin."

Whether it's our diet or our spiritual life, there's often a difference between what we want and what's best for us – something that's particularly pertinent when we consider our plans vs. God's. We often find God doesn't give us what we want and while we trust his reasons are perfect, sometimes he does it because He has planned something even better for us. I' ve seen this on a personal level. Perhaps I want to take on a task that will reach others for Him but He's planned something that will not only reach more people but also help me grow spiritually. Or maybe I seek to acquire something that I think will make me happy but He really knows it won't and instead wants to provide what will make me even happier – and often it's something I never considered.

His purposes or my desires? If they're not the same then I certainly know which is better!

"Oh, that's Ken," one of the flight attendants told Mark when he asked. "He's a salesman who been flying with us once a week for several months. He gets around quite well with his dog."

As the aisle cleared and the flight attendants re-entered the cabin to prepare for the new arrivals, Mark noticed that the pilot had come from the cockpit and approached the other passenger.

"Ken, we're going to be here a bit longer than usual," the pilot told the blind man." So if you'd like to get off and stretch your legs we'll give you the time."

Ken looked up toward the pilot. "No, Captain, I don't need to but what would really help if you could take my dog off and walk him around."

"Sure – I'll take him. I have to go out and inspect the plane anyway and can walk him around while I do it. Be back in a few minutes."

The pilot took the leash, then the harness and as the dog arose they left the plane. A few minutes later Mark looked out of the window and saw the pilot, using the dog's harness handle, was walking around outside on the tarmac beside the plane.   Since it was a sunny day, he'd slipped his sunglasses on as they walked along the edge of the runway near where workers were loading and unloading luggage, and the commissary truck was pulling up to restock the flight.

That was a considerate thing to do, Mark thought, then suddenly he got another idea as he looked up at the airport windows where the passengers were waiting to board his plane. Several were gazing out the glass at the unusual sight – and as Mark watched further, several beckoned to others to see the sight, and their animated conversation was evident as they watched the pilot and the dog. Mark had to smile at what the scene implied.  If they thought their pilot was blind then they would naturally be concerned because after all, we like to think that the person who'll be at the controls of our flight can see where he's going and also knows how to get there!

Yet that's certainly not something we have to worry about when it comes to our life path. For we know that God is never limited by anything – and certainly not physical blindness. He also has perfect knowledge of all aspects of our current and figure lives. And when you couple that limitless provision and knowledge with his love for us that's a wonderful combination!

"I really want to join this club, but I don't know what to say about my father."  The young man told the friend.

The friend thought a moment and then handed him back the application. "Maybe you could put it this way: 'Father died from a fall. He was taking part in a public function when the platform gave way.'"

We all have a tendency to want to cover up and hide what we see as failures and that's usually because we think people will think less of us if they know we have a foible or two.

Yet what we're so concerned with hiding means absolutely nothing to God. For He loves us as we are despite our offenses and since He readily forgives and forgets our confessed sins then He isn't concerned about them like we are.  So with Him any hiding faults is futile and a waste of time, and that's a great time-saver!

Henrietta gritted her teeth as her left front tire dropped into the pothole and bumped out, followed by her back tire.  With a sense of gnawing anger, she drove more slowly down the street on her way to work.

Those potholes!  The street was pockmarked with them and it had been a problem for so long! A neighbor had told her that the potholes were caused by wear from the heavy trucks that used their side street as a shortcut to the freeway, but whatever the cause Henrietta wanted them removed! She'd complained to the city public works department innumerable times, and each time they'd assured her they would take care of it, but nothing was ever done.

She even complained to her councilman and when he called her back, he said he'd personally contacted the public works department and they'd assured him they would take care of it.

The next morning as Henrietta pulled out of her driveway on her way to work she passed a city public works truck.  Looking in her rearview mirror she saw the truck stop and some men jump out, and as she turned the corner she relaxed a bit knowing that something was about to be done.

Sure enough something had been done. As she returned home in the evening she could see the workers had taken care of the problem. In front of her house was a newly installed sign that read "Rough Road."

Henrietta certainly didn't get the solution she thought she should and it's often the same way on my spiritual journey when I have a problem and I ask God to remove it.  Of course that's what I want but what often happens is that God doesn't share my idea of the perfect solution.  Of course if I'm really struggling then I want relief – and yet while He might remove it more often He doesn't. Yet why wouldn't He if He truly loves me and wants what's best for me?

The truth may be that it is really better for me if the struggle continues and God allows it because of that.  He may want me to gain some new sense of proper priorities, or perhaps learn to trust Him more when my own resources fail, or maybe even learn something I can later use for His service. And because He sees all aspects of the situation – past, present and future - and since He loves me His reasons for what happens in my life can only be for my benefit and His glory.

"How can you call yourself A-1 when you did that?" She demanded.

He picked it up and examined the material. "I don't see anything wrong with this lace."

"Lace?" The lady's face grew red. "When I brought it in, it was a tablecloth!"

That lady certainly got something different than when she started and sometimes it can be like that on a personal basis when I undertake something from God.

It usually happens when I have a new task or even a struggle and as I pass the tests involved and emerge on the other side I've changed. I'm not the same person as I was before. If I've followed His leading then I've directly experienced His guidance, protection and what is most important I've experienced the hushed sense of awe that comes when He lets me work with Him. No, definitely not the same but hopefully better and available again for His call.

Crazy or not – that mother had the right idea when she saw her son had a need and she meant to provide it.

As our spiritual Parent, God does the same thing when He provides our needs exactly at exactly the right time and in doing so He not only provides exactly what we need but when we need it.

However, often we don't always realize what he's done till after He's done it, looking back on our experience and then see how and when He'd come through. A wonderful discovery but standard procedure for God.

The little fellow mumbled a bit and Sue realized a reminding prompt was in order. “Now since this is Easter morning we're going to wake him up with a special reminder. He's been helping the church people learn it – so he'll know what to say. It's all about how God's Son Jesus died and came back to life – that's why we celebrate Easter.  You go in and say ’Christ is risen!’ and he should say to you ‘Christ is risen indeed!’ It'll be the same as saying ‘Good Morning’ as we usually do. You have that? Now you go in and wake him up and say ‘Christ is risen!’”

The child nodded enthusiastically, yet further rehearsal proved he still wasn't sure of his part.

“I want to wake up Daddy!” He wiggled in anticipation, so Sue felt she could only take her chances. She sent him off down toward the bedroom. “Remember, darling, it's ‘Christ is risen!’”

The boy pattered down the hall. “Daddy! God's back!”

That child may have misquoted the traditional greeting, but actually he was entirely correct. For Easter means that God – in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ- was indeed back – from death and the grave. He was no longer dead but alive - back among the living as an ongoing example for us of eternal life and the very essence of Resurrection.

Indeed, God is in Jesus’ resurrection is back among us – but of course he never left!

"Je ne suis pas ici," I responded. She muttered something and went on to the next person. A friend who knew more French than I did revealed that the mutter was: "Very cute."

So what had I said?  It was “I am not here.” and while it was grammatically correct it was logistically incorrect. It was just couldn't be true. How could I say I wasn't somewhere when I actually was?  Proper French as well as English but in a practical sense just impossible.

Yet it occurred to me that there would be one time when if Someone made such a statement it would make an eternal difference. Suppose on Easter morning Jesus stood in front of the tomb He'd just vacated and proclaimed, "I am not here!" He could say it and in this case the fact that He could say it makes all the difference. No, He is not there.  And that's the entire basis of our faith. For we share His eternal life and because of that we have the courage to face our present as well as know our future.

Later Linda was at work in her kitchen when she heard a tentative knock on her door and she opened it to find her clearly agitated neighbor there. “I think I'm going crazy!” She shivered. “Our rabbit died yesterday and the kids wanted to bury him in the back yard. We did but now he's back in the cage and all cleaned up!”

While Linda had the best of intentions in trying to make things right, in the end she didn't really solve anything. And often it's the same way when we make a mistake and try to take care of it ourselves instead of seeking God's help.

It's so easy to do and it's a natural reaction especially when we think that our efforts will make everything right. Yet no matter what we've done or try to do all our attempts are so useless because He's the only One Who knows all aspects of the situation and can provide the perfect solution.

So if you've got a problem you're trying to straighten out by yourself? Ask God for help – He's waiting – and willing – to help you!

 Her young neighbor Melinda had recently given birth to a stillborn baby and was just home from the hospital. It was tragic because they'd wanted children for several years and they had joyfully anticipated the birth. Then just when their long-held dreams were to be fulfilled, the young mother felt something was wrong, went to her doctor and was admitted to the hospital. Somehow the child had died in the womb and was delivered dead.

Though Lisa on her part was saddened over the loss she was also concerned about how her small daughter would take the loss

Five-year-old Gina loved babies and so had become particularly close to Melinda as they'd spent time planning for the coming child. Though Lisa had done her best to explain that the baby's death had been an accident and it couldn't have been prevented, she was concerned how Gina might react when she saw Melinda.

 Lisa had kept Gina home to let Melinda have time to recover and now Gina had gone to visit Melinda.

 Lisa watched through the window as Gina left the neighbor's house then came home to join her mother in the kitchen

 "How's Mrs. Jones?" Lisa asked. "Is she sad because of the baby?"

 "Oh, yeah. We're both sad." Gina said.

 "What did you talk about?" Lisa asked.

 "We didn't really talk much. But it didn't matter. She just hugged me and we cried together."

Gina may only have been a child but she had a perfect sense of how to comfort her friend with her presence. So often in our own lives when we have a struggle we're at a loss at how to cope or what to think. There are so many questions. Why has it happened? What's going to happen? And we also tend to think that we're the only one who's struggled this way and that we’ re entirely at the mercy of a whimsical fate. We wonder if anyone cares or is this the result of some faceless uncaring force. Does anyone actually care?

However, we can be assured that we're in the hands of the omnipotent and omnipresent God of the universe Who not only knows know what's happened to us, but Who He cares deeply about us. And He also knows the reasons for our struggle and because He loves us His reasons are perfect.

So when we have difficulties and don't know the reasons or outcome God is there – comforting us with His presence.

There he found the pilot literally tied to the wheel, so he wouldn't lose hold of the wheel as the ship pitched.  A new wave pitched the ship and caught the visitor so suddenly he slid back into a corner of the wheel house where he dropped to sit on the floor.  He remained there, watching the pilot straining at the wind driven forces that could pull the ship off course and onto the rocks.

Through the window of the wheel house off toward the bow the visitor watched the low lines of brooding clouds that hugged the horizon. As he watched gradually he saw a thin line of blue sky just above the heaving ocean and with it a thin beam of sunlight streaming over the sea toward them.

The ocean still pitched but the line of sunshine had split the gloom of the clouds and glanced off the wheel house. The pilot, still gripping the wheel, turned around to the visitor - and smiled.

The passenger nodded and descended the still precarious ladder to the decks below where his fellow passengers gathered around him. "I've seen the storm," he told them. "and I've seen the pilot - and he smiled! All is well!"

We often use the image of our Christian experience as a sailing ship and our struggles as a storm and another very comforting part of the picture is that of God is the pilot at the wheel of the ship that is our lives. And when we continue this image we see that just as a pilot is in control of the ship so is God in control of our lives.

So then if we trust Him as He guides us past the shoals and rocks, then we can see Him smile – and know He is in control. All is well.

“What’s the problem?” She asked.

“I didn’t want to finish my apple so I threw it away, but now I’ve got to find it. It was just too expensive.”

“Expensive? What do you mean?”

“When I threw it away, it had my dentures in it!”

Just as that fellow discovered something inexpensive could suddenly become very valuable, sometimes we as Christians can likewise abruptly realize the real value of God’s loving provision when we weren’t always aware of it before.

For often we enjoy what God’s done for us without really noticing it - at least until we have a problem that clearly reveals it. This can happen often when we look back after a difficult time and we wonder how we’d get through it and then we realize how solutions to our difficulties evolved at the right time and in the right way.

Of course it’s best if we’re constantly aware of all God does for us and not take it for granted, yet even if we never notice His what He’s doing for us He still continues - providing and guiding in just the right way.

Mattie, the church secretary, heard the pastor’s wail all the way into her office. She jumped to her feet and scurried through the door to find him waving a sheet of paper and shaking his head. Then she suddenly realized the problem. The paper was the bulletin for that Sunday’s service and there must be something wrong.

“This is terrible! Who put the bulletin copy into the computer!” He wanted to know.

Mattie thought a second. “Oh, dear - it was one of the volunteers. We’ve wanted to let them help. What’s the problem?”

“They left off a letter in the announcements.” He showed her the sheet and indicated the error. “It’s too late to reprint.” He paused and smiled wryly. “Well, maybe I can jokingly point it out and tell the congregation what it’s supposed to be. I hope they’ll understand. And you know, it is pretty funny - and maybe I can use it as a humorous example of something. It’s like my old seminary professor used to say - ‘there’s a sermon in that!’”

The announcement read: “This evening at 7 p.m. there will be a hymn sing in the park across from the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.”

Actually the “sermon” in that might well be that we don’t need a blanket or even come prepared to “sin” - we just do it naturally! For after all, because we’re humanly imperfect it’s inevitable that we’ll violate God’s plans and policies. Of course though that’s reality, it’s not an excuse and our life’s challenge should to be avoid such faults. However, God understands and has of course already provided a remedy. For if there’s a break in our fellowship with Him because of our faults then with just the confession of that offense then He forgives - and forgets and we’re again reconnected to His plans and promises.

Tillie regained consciousness and she recovered, and with the realization that she had acquired a new purpose for living. Since she knew she had a lot of years left to live she decided to enjoy it by drastically improving her appearance and trying to regain her youth. So without even leaving the hospital she arranged for a drastic course of plastic and reconstruction surgery. Over the next weeks she had a variety of operations including a facelift, a tummy tuck, liposuction, and even arranged for a complete change of hair color.

Once all this was done and she was discharged, and completely changed in appearance she set off across the street from the hospital to begin her new and exciting life. However, she had barely stepped into the street when she was struck and killed by a speeding car.

This time when she arrived in front of God she was irate. “I thought you said I’d live another 40 some years and here it seems you sent that car to hit me to bring me back here! What’s going on?”

God had an answer. “I didn’t recognize you.”

That’s silly of course, but isn’t it comforting that while we can laugh at it, we know it’s certainly not possible for God to have a lapse in memory and not remember us. For how could the sovereign and perfect God Who created not just the universe but also each of us as His children not actually recall and recognize us? It’s not only impossible, but knowing that it is makes it is enormously reassuring!

Fiorello LaGuardia was in a quandary.

The legendary mayor of New York City in the 1930s, according to the story, was faced with the difficult challenge presented by the upcoming official visitor. A high-ranking German Nazi official was due to visit the city and while LaGuardia had to offer the city's official hospitality, he hated what the man's government stood for and even more dreaded the inevitable anti-Semitic tirades that might come. Also, since there was always the possibility that some deranged assassin would attack the visitor, so LaGuardia also had to provide a security escort. Then after a while, the mayor had an idea of how he could provide hospitality, security and at the same time make the Nazi aware of their opposition. The guest's security force was a contingent of New York City policemen - all Jewish.

That German official found himself surrounded with what he hated - and sometimes I've also experienced that when I'm suddenly confronted one some experience I thought I'd never want to face. Yet it's when this happens that I can learn my best spiritual lessons.

For it's when I'm in the midst of these difficulties that God has the opportunity to find me at my weakest; when I can do nothing for myself and thus can only rely on Him. Then when I do turn to Him, He's ready to provide not only His presence, but also His reassurance, and then when I'm ready He'll teach me what I need to know. And often I find that the experience I dreaded has made me stronger and taught me what I wouldn't learn in any other way.

Good manners are equally as important in our daily lives as well as in our spiritual experience, when we treat others with respect, courtesy and also in the spiritual sense - with love.

Yet occasionally we forget "good manners" and step out of God's plans and purposes in various ways. Then when that occurs we can utilize the other part of the child's definition - the confession. Once we've done that then we're forgiven and back in God's plans - where we can pursue our good manners again.

Though police work was occasionally exciting, Chris had discovered that most of the time it was almost routine. However, one day as he arrived for duty one morning he discovered it could be unexpected as well.

It started just after he'd sat down at his desk and looked over his paperwork when he glanced up to see a middle aged couple approaching, the man carrying a small box.

"The fellow out front said you could help us, officer." The man said as they sat down across from the desk." It's these old bullets."

He opened the box to show, resting in a nest of shredding paper, a pair of metal cylinders with flat bottoms.

"These do look like bullets." Chris told them. "But why do you have them in this box?"

"We thought they'd be safer that way," the man said. "You see, my dad brought those back as souvenirs from Europe when he was in the war. He died several years ago and we've had them since, but we've kept them put away from the children. Now we're moving and didn't see any reason to keep them. And since we're dealing with something that could be dangerous I thought maybe you folks could dispose of them safely."

Chris put the box down on his desk. "We probably can - but let's see what we have here." He opened the box and carefully extracted one of the bullets.

"Actually we forget we had them," The woman said. "They've been put away so long."

By this time Chris had discovered something. "This has little holes in the top." He examined it more closely. "And the top unscrews…. A bullet wouldn't be made that way."

The couple watched as Chris twisted the top of the cylinder and it came off in his hand, scattering small black specks on his desk. Then he reached for the second one and also twisted the top off, revealing a few white crystals. He ventured a taste.

"I thought so." Chris said." Your bullets are souvenirs all right. They're souvenir salt and pepper shakers!"

That couple may well have felt a bit chagrinned when they realized they'd kept hidden what they could have used and that can happen to us as believers when we don't utilize what's always available - God's ever ready guidance and provision. What often happens is that when we get into a difficultly and try to solve it ourselves. We may not think God would ever be interested in our minor problems - after all, we think He has far more important things to do. Or maybe we think we can easily solve our own problems, and don't want to admit we need help. Yet whether we eventually come to our senses and then seek God's help or start out with total reliance on Him we find Him ever ready to help.

The story is told that Mark Twain one time he took a train to a local racetrack and as he was leaving he met a friend with a sad story.

"I lost all my money here and I don't have enough money for a return ticket," the friend said. "I wouldn't ask you to buy me a ticket, but I thought if I got on the train with you I could hide under your seat."

Twain agreed, and as the friend waited a short distance away, bought two tickets and they got on the train where the friend crouched under the author's seat. Later when the conductor came around and the author handed him the two tickets, Twain was ready with an explanation for the extra ticket.

"The other ticket is for my friend here." He pointed under the seat at the fellow who was trying to be remain unseen. "He's a bit crazy and likes to ride under the seat."

Though that might have been embarrassing at least that fellow got a free ride and that's exactly what happens to us spiritually when we become Christians. After all, it's a very basic concept of our Christian faith that because of our human failures we can never match God's perfection and holiness. Thus logically we could never have a relationship with Him. However, God has provided a solution - where He imputes our sins to His sinless and perfect Son who took our rightful punishment. Then our belief in Christ allows God to look beyond our sinful nature, see only the imputed sinless nature of Christ instead of our imperfection, and thus accept us as His children. In this way with Christ's sacrifice, God paid our ticket and we ride free - and He even picked up the tip!