AS LONG AS DAD KNOWS

Happy New Year! I promised a report on the gifts given to my pastor friend in Eden, Texas. He emailed with the overwhelming news that $4910 in gifts have been given to Trinity Lutheran (Box 245, Eden, TX 76837, Eden, Texas) to support the upgrading of the small house he and his wife will be occupying as soon as repairs are made. He made it through the Christmas and New Year season at his two small churches and is looking forward to his next appointment at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston.

Pastor Darrell and Wanda Howanitz asked me to say to all who have supported them by prayer and/or gifts, "WOW - THANK YOU!" I echo those words and am always humbled when people respond to others in need so richly at this time of year. I will let you know when they can move from the parsonage and occupy their newly remodeled home in Eden. Meanwhile, gifts can still be sent to assist them.

I still read the newspaper and always enjoy reading the funnies. I wonder how many of you get the daily paper, read your favorite sections, including the funnies, and do your puzzles. It's a daily ritual for so many. We've tried reading the newspaper online and going without a printed edition, but we always come back to the daily printed newspaper.
 
In a recent "Family Circus" comic strip by Bil Keane, the father is reminding his growing little boy that he needs to know things will change. "You never know for sure what's going to happen, Jeffy," he tells him. Little Jeffy responds, "That's okay, Dad, as long as YOU do."

Bil Keane is a Christian and his artwork shows it. In many ways God will be telling us that each day in this new year of 2015 will be filled with some unsurity, perhaps a bump or a bruise on the road of life, or even a major difficulty. We never know what's going to happen from day to day, but that's okay because we know God does.

God reminds us of this fact over and over in His Holy Word, the Bible. For example: "The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials." (2 Peter 2:9)  Or, "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him." (Nahum 1:7)  Or again, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15)

On my computer monitor I have taped the words of Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and courageous. do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

 This year, this week, perhaps even this day something may happen to remind us we do not know what is going to happen. But whatever it is, it will be okay, because God knows, and when we trust Him to do what's best for us, that's what really counts. Perhaps little Jeffy's words can be our prayer:

"That's okay, Dad, as long as YOU know."