MOM

Some of you have seen the movie, "Bucket List." There are things that all of us would like to do before we "kick the bucket." No one's bucket list would look the same, but every one of us would have one. It may not be written down, but we have it in our mind or heart.

The problem is, we often say, "I'm going to do 'such-in-such' when I get around to it." I was in revival many years ago in a church in Missouri. On Tuesday night the pastor announced that a package of very special items had arrived, and that there was something for every member of the church. They were to be present on Wednesday night to receive their very important item. We had a large crowd the next night, and just before dismissal the pastor announced that his supply of "round tuits" had arrived and each one would receive theirs at the door on their way out. Then the pastor said in an excited voice, "these 'round tuits' will revolutionize our church, because so many of you have told me they would help the church in a ministry, visit a friend, volunteer to teach a class, or just be regular in attendance when they got a 'round tuit.'" "So," said he, "they are here and therefore no one will have anymore excuses for putting off things they should be doing now."

Needless to say, the message was a powerful one. Even I received a "round tuit." Now you are asking what all this has to do with MOM?

Well By The Way, the things we often put off the longest, are those things involving our families. If your mom is still living, and there is something you plan to do for her or say to her, do not put it off until it is too late.

My mom has been in a special unit of the hospital in Mt. Home, AR. They are recommending that she be placed in a nursing facility. None of us like the idea, but sometimes it is the only logical option.
I remember my mom and my dad as I grew up with my sister. We were cared for, loved and protected. I thank the Lord that I have been able to tell mom how much I love her, and have gotten to do things for her and with her. If I had waited I would have waited too long for her to really understand or appreciate certain things. Because now her mind is failing. And, By The Way again, I also was able to do the same with my dad.

THOT: MOM, I'M THANKFUL I HAD MY "ROUND TUIT" AND USED IT WHEN I DID. I LOVE YOU. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY. THE SAME GOES FOR MY PRECIOUS WIFE AND THE MOTHER OF OUR TWO CHILDREN

THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM

All of you that know me, know I get emotional very easily. There are times that I weep while watching reruns of "Leave it to Beaver." So I knew it was inevitable that the moment would come during my trip to Israel where I would lose it.

By The Way it came while I was at the Western Wall. Now I'm not talking about "western" as in Gun Smoke or Big Valley. This Western Wall shows part of what experts say may be left of Solomon's Temple. I put on my mandatory ya mica (the little skull cap) and slowly approached the wall. I was standing between two orthodox rabbis as they read from the Torah and prayed. I began to pray. All of a sudden it hit me. They were praying and longing for the Messiah to come. I knew that Yeshiva had already come. And They and all the other Rabbis were spiritually blind to that fact. The admonition from the Scripture came to my mind, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." That peace will never come until they acknowledge the Prince of Peace.

I began to weep as I prayed for their eyes to be opened. I thought of Paul's cry, "I would be willing to be accursed if I knew that in doing so it would lead to the opening of the spiritual eyes of my kinsman, my Jewish brothers."

It seems to me that we need to be more missionary minded toward the Jewish people. Jesus said, the Gospel would first be preached in Jerusalem, Judah, Samaria, and then the rest of the world. Now it seems to have made full circle.

When I got back to my group I was still blubbering. It was one of those special moments of blessing, and burden that God from time to time lays upon us.

THOT: JOIN ME IN PRAYING AND GIVING AND GOING THAT THE GOSPEL WILL BE HEARD AMONG THE JEWISH PEOPLE AND ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE GROUPS OF THAT AREA.