Dad's Ramblings -- Insomnia

INSOMNIA
 
 
Esther 6:1
 
"That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king."
 
Insomnia!! You want to sleep but your brain is going a million miles an hour. This is being written early in the morning because I woke up at 4:30 a.m. I am experiencing more and more the symptoms of old age that Solomon wrote of – "when one rises up at the sound of the bird" (Ecclesiastes 12:4). I wish I had a recording of my preaching. I could put people to sleep better than any pill. Granted that Ahazareus' insomnia was God-induced. But he used his time to good advantage – reading history. During sleepless nights, reading God's Chronicles is a good use of time.
 
Today's Thought: Sleeplessness is an opportunity to read God's Word.
 
Have a nap today. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Ungodly Counselors

UNGODLY COUNSELORS
 
Esther 5:14
 
"Then [Haman's] wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, 'Let gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet.' And the thing pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made."
 
Haman surrounded himself with friends who were more than happy to encourage him in his despicable plans. And if a person can't think of enough evil to do on his own, Satan will always have a Zeresh handy to invent new ways. If the only counselors I have are worldly minded, their voices will influence me to do things like the world. It is vitally important to spend time with godly people who will support righteousness in my life.
 
Today's Thought: Listening to ungodly friends will influence and encourage me to do evil.
 
Have a friendly day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Counting Our Blessings

COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS
Esther 5:10-13
 
Haman called his friends and family together and recounted all the good things in his life – his wealth, his family, his success and position in the kingdom . Then he added,
 
" 'Yet all these things avail me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's
table.' "
 
Haman had so much to be thankful for. Yet one thing stuck in his craw that cancelled all the good things in his life. He could not stand the fact that Mordecai refused to bow before him. It's a shame that so often one thing becomes so huge in our minds that we do not really enjoy all the good things God has given. What a tragedy that insignificant molehills become mountains and block our vision.
 
Today's Thought: One thing can keep us from enjoying our blessings if we allow it.
 
Have a thankful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Roller-Coaster Emotions

                                   ROLLER-COASTER EMOTIONS
                                               Esther 5:9
 
"So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai."
 
Haman was on cloud nine one minute, and in the pits the next when he saw Mordecai. How like Haman I am. My emotions can be like a roller-coaster – up one minute and down the next. I can start the day walking on cloud nine and then something goes against my grain and I find myself under the cloud instead of on top of it. Things that cross my own agenda have a way of stealing my joy. But I can control my emotions. As the TOPS pledge says, "I am intelligent person; I will control my emotions and not let my emotions control me." One way to do that is by keeping my thoughts on "whatsoever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy" (Philippians 4:8). It is up to me. I have to practice what I preach.
 
Today's Thought: Emotions are controlled by thinking good things.
 
Have a joyful day. Love you.
 

Thanksgiving Thoughts

                           THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS
   O, Give Thanks
    Unto The Lord,
    For He Is Good.
                Psalm 107:1
　
So, I sez to myself, "To Whom or what do people who do not believe in God give thanks, for the good things in life?"
 
    Their Luck Stars?
      The Government?
         Themselves and their own ability?
 
As people of faith, we say,
"Every good and perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of Lights."
 
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good."

Dad's Ramblings -- Demand vs. Request

DEMAND VS.REQUEST

Esther 5:8

Esther said to the king, " 'If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.' "

Esther didn't just rush into the king with her demand.  She took her time and softened the king with two banquets before she made her request.  There is a difference between a demand and a request.  A demand is abrupt and hard -- "Give me....".  A request is soft -- "Would you....".  Sometimes it is good to soften a person up before asking for something from them.  This reminds me of Philippians 4:6.  "... In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God....".  We have no right to demand anything from God.  How much better to approach the King with thanks for His goodness and leave the answer to Him in His time.

Today's Thought:  A request is better than a demand.

Have a thankful day today and tomorrow -- Thanksgiving Day.  Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- Living By Convictions

LIVING BY CONVICTIONS

Esther 4:16

" 'Go,gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day.  My maids and I will do likewise.  And I will go to the king, which is against the law, and if I perish I perish!' "

Esther understood and accepted the consequences.  She knew that unless the king invited her into his presence by holding out his royal scepter to her, she would be killed (4:11).  Living according to convictions may cause economic reprisal, rejection and alienation, or even death.  But integrity says,"If I perish, I perish!" and leaves the consequences to God.

Today's Thought:  Living by convictions leaves the consequences to God.

Háve a trusting day.  Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- People of Influence

                                               PEOPLE OF INFLUENCE
                                                  Esther 4:14b-16a
 
Mordecai sent a message to Esther: " 'Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.' Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 'Go gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan and fast for me....' "
 
God has placed people of faith in strategic positions of influence, such as our elected representatives. But sometimes they, like Esther, become isolated in their Washington citadel from what is happening in the real world (vss. 4-5). We can inform them of our concerns (vss. 7-8). But there is great pressure for them to keep quiet and not make waves. Their positions are imperilled if they do not follow protocol (vs. 11). We have two opportunities to make a difference: 1) we can inform them of our concerns, and 2) we can pray for them.
 
Today's Thought: People of influence need our input and our prayers.
 
Have an involved day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Power of Mourning

                                         THE POWER OF MOURNING
                                                   Esther 4:1,3
 
"When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry .... And in every province where the king's command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes."
 
Mordecai's response is interesting. He did not picket nor organize protest demonstrations. Rather, he mourned and cried bitterly, as did the rest of the Jews. When the edict went forth in 1972 legalizing the slaughter of unborn children, where was the mourning? Yes, we picketed and had protest demonstrations, but I don't remember any national outpouring of grief. There certainly is a place for voicing our disapproval and speaking out against unjust laws. But I wonder if national mourning among Christians might be more powerful. After all, "the wrath of man [as protests and demonstrations usually are] does not produce the righteousness of God" (James 1:20).
 
Today's Thought: Mourning before God and the heathen is a powerful spiritual tool.
 
Have a "mourning for sin" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Evil Plans

EVIL PLANS

  Esther 3:15  

                                            

"The couriers went out, hastened by the king's command; and the decree [to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews (vs. 13)] was proclaimed in Shushan th citadel. So the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was perplexed (in confusion)."
 
While the proclamation of Haman's wicked plan was being issued, Haman and Ahasureus were celebrating as though nothing was wrong. How can the rulers of a nation have so little regard for the people in their charge that they can kill them without any qualms? Stalin did it, as did Hitler, Pol Pot, Sadam Hussein, and many others. This year the same thing is happening in the Arab nations where thousands are being killed by their own governments. These acts are Satan-inspired and cause social upheaval and confusion. His main goal is to kill and destroy (John 10:10). But God is greater and is able to confound the evil plans of men. We need to be thankful we live in a nation where there is still some sense of righteousness, and we can live in peace.
 
Today's Thought: Satan's plans are evil, but God is greater.
 
Have a peaceful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Individuals

                                          PEOPLE ARE INDIVIDUALS
                                                     Esther 3:6
 
"But he [Haman] disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus – the people of Mordecai."
 
It is so easy to lump people together rather than treat them as individuals – those Democrats, or those blacks, or those Methodists, or the poor. I remember a question posed by a student in a seminary class just after the fall of several noted television evangelists: "What do we do with those Pentecostals?". Our sense of justice and fairness is violated when we are punished because we are a part of a certain group. Yet we do it all the time. God, help me to see not just a world of sinners, but individuals who need Jesus.
 
Today's Thought: We are individual people – not just a part of the masses.
 
Have a discerning day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Antidote To Pride

                                              The Antidote To Pride
 
"When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath."
 
                                                   Esther 3:5
 
Why do I get so angry when others do not respect or appreciate me the way I think they should? The answer is "pride," and at the very center of pride is "I." Anger boils up inside me when I do not get what I want or even deserve, or my personal rights are violated. The Apostle Paul gave the antidote when he said, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who...made Himself of no reputation .... He humbled Himself...." (Philippians 2:5-8). It is hard, but "Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Hebrews 12:3).
 
Today's Thought: The antidote to pride is humility.
 
Have a humble day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Strong Conviction

                                                Strong Conviction
 
"And all the king's servants who were within the king's gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so had the king commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or page homage. Then the king's servants who were within the king's gate said to Mordecai, 'Why do you transgress the king's command?' "
 
                                                     Esther 3:2-3
 
Mordecai stood while everyone else bowed. His answer to the question, "Why," was simply, "I am a Jew" (verse 4). He did not try to evade the issue – "I have bad knees" or "I didn't see Haman." He boldly applied his faith that, as a Jew, God had commanded him not to bow (Exodus 20:5), and he could not violate a command that was higher than the king's. It takes strong conviction to withstand the pressure to conform to the world system when it violates Kingdom rules. Oh for the kind of conviction that says, "I am a Christian, and I cannot bow." It takes that kind of conviction to stand when everyone else is conforming.
 
Today's Thought: Strong conviction comes from strong faith.
 
Have a strong day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Inner Man

"After these things King Ahazuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hamedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him."
 
                                                                 Esther 3:1
 
In every good story there needs to be a "heavy" – the character who causes problems, whether it is the evil step-mother in Cinderella, or the wicked witch in Snow White, or the Big Bad Wolf, or Mrs. Olesen in Little House On The Prairie. Haman fit the role very well – the proud, conniving scoundrel. He must have put on a good front to be promoted to such a high position in the kingdom, but inside, he was rotten. (Sound like any politicians you know?)  Power corrupts and in the proper circumstance, what is inside will come out. Jesus said that "out of the heart proceeds evil" (Matthew 15:19). What I am on the inside will eventually show in my actions. That is why it is so important to keep the inner man clean.
 
Today's Thought: What I am on the inside will eventually show on the outside.
 
Have a pure-heart day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Capital Punishment

"And when inquiry was made into the matter, it was confirmed, and both were hanged on the gallows....."
 
                                                       Esther 2:23a
 
After an investigation that proved that the two were guilty of treason, they were executed. The question about capital punishment surfaces every time there is an execution. The question of whether I personally support the death penalty is irrelevant. The important thing is what God says. Early in the history of the human race, God set the standard: "Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God, He made man" (Genesis 9:6). It is not an issue of vengeance; it is a matter of justice. Because human life is sacred, its value must be preserved. There are cultures where human life means nothing. America is getting close to that place when an unborn baby can be killed because it has no value. The Law of Moses indicates other reasons for the death penalty, among them adultery, talking back to a parent, and rebellion against authority. But the prerogative is always reserved for the government and God (see Romans 13:4). There is no place for personal vendetta or vigilantism. Surely there have been unjustified executions, but that does not nullify the validity of capital punishment. Great care should be taken to investigate and confirm before it is employed.
 
Today's Thought: Capital punishment is God's idea, not man's.
 
Have a godly day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Journaling

"And when an inquiry was made into the matter [of the assassination plot], it was confirmed, and both were hanged on the gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king."
 
                                                          Esther 2:23
 
Chronicles – written records – are important. Without written accounts of history, future generations are left in the dark. The Bible is a chronicle of history and faith, and we would be impoverished without it. Leaving a record of our personal lives and our faith will teach and encourage future generations. Call it journaling or blogging, we need to leave a history of our lives in written form to point the way for those who follow.
 
Today's Thought:  Written histories are vital for understanding the present.
 
Have a journaling day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Speaking Up

"In those days, while Mordecai sat within the king's gate, two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthen and Teresh, doorkeepers, became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. So the matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai's name."
 
                                                     Esther 2:21-22
 
Mordecai was willing to get involved when he saw evil being planned. Being a "whistle-blower" is not easy. It is easier to say, "It's not my problem; I don't want to get involved." I keep quiet out of fear that I will become the victim. But I need to be willing to put my life and reputation on the line when I see wrong being committed, even if I suffer negative consequences. Integrity demands it.
 
Today's Thought: Speaking out against wrong is a matter of integrity.
 
Have an involved day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Accepted By Love

"So Esther was taken to King Ahazuerus, into his royal palace .... The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the other virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti."
 
                                                            Esther 2:16-17
 
King Ahazuerus was only being a human when he chose Esther because of her beauty. Most of us, perhaps unconsciously, choose our closest friends based on whether they are physically attractive or smell good. We tend to, at the best, tolerate those who are not outwardly appealing, and at the worst, we shun them. I'm so glad that God is not like that. I was a stinking, unlovely sinner when Jesus saved me. There was nothing in me that would be beautiful to God. Yet me chose me and accepted me in the beloved, and bestowed on me all the spiritual riches of heaven simply because he loved me (Ephesians 1:3-6). It was only because of his great love for me that I "obtained grace and favor in his sight." Oh, what wonderful love!
 
Today's Thought: True love is not based on physical attractiveness.
 
Have an "accepted" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- In The Presence of the King

"Thus prepared, each young woman went to the king, and she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the woman's quarters to the king's palace .... Now when the turn came for Esther ... to go to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised .... So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace .... The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight...."
 
                                                      Esther 2:13, 15, 16a, 17a
 
When Esther's time came to go to see the king, she took only what Hegai suggested. She did not take her own ideas of what was acceptable to the king and found favor in his sight. When my time comes, and I am ushered into the presence of the King, what will I take with me? My own bling-bling – my own accomplishments and my own goodness? Or will I take what pleases the King? I want to find favor in His sight.
 
Today's Thought: When we die, we will take with us only what is eternal.
 
Have a favorable day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Days of Preparation

"Each young woman's turn came to go into King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months preparation according to the regulation for the woman, for the days of their preparation were apportioned: six months with oil and myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women."
 
                                                            Esther 2:12
 
The key word in this verse is "preparation." The future queen of King Ahasuerus did not just rush into his presence without preparation. It took time for her to be made presentable to the king. If this is the case with an earthly king, how much more for the Heavenly King. We often have the attitude that is expressed in the contemporary song that says, "Come, just as you are to worship." It is wrong thinking to believe that we can just come into His presence any old way we feel like it. Even in the Old Testament, the priests had to go through preparations before entering the Holy Place. There was a laver in front of the door to wash themselves. We need to prepare – cleanse – ourselves to enter into His presence. On another level, as the future bride of the King, we are given days here on earth as preparation for Heaven in His presence. He is beauitifying His bride, cleansing and sanctifying her (separating her), "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish"  (Ephesians 5:27). Some of us need more work than others, but He who has began a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). Today is our time of preparation.
 
Today's Thought: We need to prepare ourselves to be in the presence of the King.
 
Have a preparation day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Endless Job of Parenting

"And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women's quarters, to learn of Esther's welfare and what was happening to her."
 
                                                              Esther 2:11
 
Parenting never ceases. Even when the children are out of the nest and there is not a lot the parents can do for them, Mom and Dad still worry (in a good sense of caring). I imagine Mordecai prayed as he paced, "Lord, help and protect Esther today." I wonder how much my parents paced the floor over me.  Even 25-30 years after my own children have left home, there is still a lot of pacing and praying, wondering, "How are the kids doing?" Lord, please bless my children today.
 
Today's Thought: Parenting is an endless job, even after the children leave home.
 
Someone is caring about you today. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Finding Favor

"So it was, when the king's command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king's palace into the care of Hegai, the custodian of the women. Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor."
 
                                                     Esther 2:8-9a
 
There was something about Esther that set her apart from the rest of the young women. Like Daniel who found favor with his caretaker (Daniel 1:9), Hegai was drawn to Esther above the others. Perhaps it was a gentle and quiet spirit. Perhaps it was a servant's heart. Perhaps it was a concern for others. Perhaps it was a calmness and poise that set her above the others. She reminds me of my daughter, Cheryl, whose beautiful spirit attracts people. Whatever it was, she was different. I want that kind of spirit that is attractive to people. My natural flesh is abrasive. But my desire is to "Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me."
 
Today's Thought: Inward beauty will cause a person to find favor with other people.
 
Have a "favorable" day. Love you.