CHRISTMAS CONNECTIONS

I hope you love Christmas as much as me and my family do. And I hope you love my latest book about Christmas, too. It is available as of today on Amazon.

Christmas Connections: Devotionals During December and Beyond

DYSFUNCTION AND DECEPTION

KEY VERSE:

“Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “But my brother Esau is a hairy man while I have smooth skin. What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.” Genesis 27:11-12

ESSAY:

I got a tremendous sense of frustration as I read Genesis 27 this morning. These Old Testament characters are REPEATEDLY deceptive. Specifically, in today's chapter it is Rebekah and her son Jacob who deceive Isaac and sabotage Esau.

            The relationship between Rebekah and Jacob strikes me as highly dysfunctional. There may always be a danger when a mother plays favorites. Although there is no indication in the Bible that Jacob struggled with this issue, I think mothers who smother and dominate their sons are opening them up to the possibility of same sex attraction.

            Jacob seems very willing to take direction from his mother. In fact, he doesn't seem bothered at all by the fact that they plan to lie to his father. He only seems bothered by the possibility that they might get caught. "What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing," he says in verse 12.

            Rebekah helps Jacob carry out the deception and Isaac blesses the younger son, not Esau his firstborn. Reading this chapter, I feel sorry for Esau. He seems like a decent enough fellow. Rugged. Hairy. Hardworking. The kind of man John Eldredge praises in his book Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul. True, he is a bit impulsive earlier in Genesis when he sells his birthright to Jacob. But in this chapter of Genesis he doesn't do anything wrong. He just gets to serve as an example of how sometimes life is beyond our control. Circumstances or people can rob us.

            Ultimately my frustration is not going to get resolved in this chapter. While I detest their deceit, as does God, He still chooses to use them and honor them. Because of Abraham they are his chosen people and his plan of righteousness and redemption will prevail through, and in spite of, them.

APPLICATION:

            Like Jacob in this Old Testament story, have you ever gained something you didn’t deserve via deception? While it is encouraging to know God can forgive us and still bless us in spite of our sinfulness, we should not lose sight of the fact that God hates deception. Psalm 5:6 reminds us, “You destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest.” Search your heart and mind and confess any known deception to God. He will forgive you. Ask him to help you hate deception as much as he does.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

THE GAME SHOW GUY

KEY VERSE:

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23

ESSAY:

"Rich Seiber, Come on down. You're the next contestant on The Price Is Right."

            Oh how I long to hear those words. Especially lately.  Since I have been unemployed for the last two and a half months, I have reinvigorated my fondness for game shows. My six-year-old son Parker and I have been enjoying game show reruns on the Game Show Network, GSN. One of his favorite phrases to say around the house is, "I'd like to buy a vowel please, Pat."

            In that way, he is definitely his father's son. I have vivid memories of me at a young age. My Grandma would place me in my crib for nap time. But I didn't nap. Instead I would invent and host game shows in my head. My favorite one was where you had to find words inside of another word. For example, if your word was "Grandma" you would get a point for "grand," and a point for "and," and a point for "ma," and so on.

            My love for game shows didn't end there. When I was a senior in high school I was interviewed by our local metropolitan newspaper and asked what I wanted to be when I finished college. "He wants to become a television game show host" is a direct line from the article.

            Well, that goal I haven't met...yet. But with all this free time on my hands I have returned lovingly to my longing for programs hosted by Regis Philbin and Alex Trebek. More than just the free time, though, I think when you are unemployed you tend to focus on the need for money. That is what game shows are all about. That quick fix and emotional high that money can provide.

            Shortly after I lost my job my family won $250 in a Little League raffle. At the time I viewed it as an answer to prayer, a method that God was using to provide for my family. Since then I have been wondering and hoping that God will continue to use a form of winning as His way of provision -- hence the increased interest in game shows.

            But "survey says" that's not likely to be the way it is done. The book of Proverbs is full of reminders to work hard and rely on your diligence to provide for you and your family.

            Proverbs 14:23 says "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." One chapter earlier it says, "A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied" (Proverbs 13:4).

            So I can use a lifeline and phone all the friends I want but my final answer of provision is going to have to come from a job not Jeopardy.

APPLICATION:

            When we expect game show or lottery winnings to provide for our needs and our family’s needs, we are living in fantasy land. God expects us to work hard and do our part to put food on the table and a roof over our heads. He can certainly provide in other ways, and ultimately everything we have is from Him. But that doesn’t give us the right or permission to be lazy. If you are unemployed, in humility, seek and pray hard for that new job opportunity. Or if you know of someone who is unemployed but honestly seeking to provide for themselves and their family, be a tangible source of encouragement to them. Send them a greeting card to cheer them up. Buy them a grocery store gift card. Or recommend them to someone you know who is hiring. Help them help themselves.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

GRIEF IS THE WORD, IS THE WORD THAT YOU HEARD

KEY VERSE:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

ESSAY:

I am still trying to get used to the idea of writing every day. I am learning that I should stop and write as soon as I am aware I am passionate about something. Or in the case of today, when I am feeling something acutely. It has been a melancholy day, reminding me of that verse in Ecclesiastes: “(There is a) time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

            This morning it was all grief -- just an overwhelming sense of sadness over the loss of my job. I have been dreaming a lot about my former workplace. Sometimes it is a stressful dream, sometimes more pleasant. It just continues to be on my mind and subconscious mind. Maybe because there has been little closure.

            The hardest parts for me have been the ending of relationships. When people get laid off, I think everyone chooses sides. Partly for reasons of self-preservation some employees side with the boss because they want their own jobs to be more secure, feel more secure. So, friendships end abruptly. And I miss that day to day contact with those coworkers. We were a part of one another's lives for eight years.

            Plus, I think there is the very human response of wanting to know that you are missed. That your productivity and contributions are missed. But you don't see those people anymore, so it proves difficult to access that information. And then there is the fear of what if you are not missed?

            Thankfully I don't relive the ending over and over. The grief isn't tied up in remorse or wishing I had done things differently. I'm not second guessing myself. But I probably am still second guessing the decisions of the boss and others.

            I have always heard that for adults losing a job is one of the most stressful things you can go through. Right up there with having your spouse die and being forced to speak in public. (I love public speaking so that one doesn't stress me out). Thus, I get that the grief is normal, even healthy. But for how long? And at what intensity? I would imagine you would move on from grief over a job much more quickly than grief over the death of a loved one. Still I am stuck in the grief and ready for the other parts of that Ecclesiastic verse -- the laughing and the dancing.

ABOUT AUTISM:

My wife and I grieved over the loss of our son’s normalcy. What I mean by that is when we found out our son was going to be born with health challenges or each time we discovered a new medical diagnosis for him, there were moments of grief. I remember bawling my eyes out in a public place when my wife shared news of Parker’s brain trauma with me. And there was shedding of tears in the doctor’s parking lot when we first learned Parker had cerebral palsy. I have cried after long, tiring days of dealing with our son’s autism-related behavioral tantrums. Grieving for what might have been, a healthier child, is perfectly natural and normal. If you are in a similar situation, allow yourself to grieve without judgment.

APPLICATION:

            How do we help those who are grieving move on to laughing and dancing? Whether they are grieving the loss of a loved one, the loss of an income or the loss of an opportunity, we can come alongside them and usher them into new times, new memories. Reach out to someone you know is grieving today. Write them an encouraging note. Call them and just say hi. Take them to lunch and lend a listening ear. Laughing and dancing don’t happen outside of relationships so relate to someone’s sorrow today and bring them relief from the grief.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

ENCOUNTERS WITH THE HOMELESS

KEY VERSE:

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17

ESSAY:

I've had four encounters with homeless people in the last two weeks. Two of those encounters happened in my front yard. Four interactions are more than I have had in an entire year in the past. Let me breakdown the four times.

1) I brought my son home from behavioral therapy for his autism to find a homeless couple and their belongings on my front lawn. I argued with the homeless women about her smoking in my front yard and asked the couple to depart.

2) A homeless and intoxicated man approached me at a public park. I had gone there mid- afternoon to read my Bible and do my devotions in the shade trees. He was very polite. I declined to give him money, but he stayed and talked with me for 30 minutes. We talked about God and our wives and going through pain. He seemed like a decent enough man. But he obviously had an alcohol problem. We probably would have talked longer but I had to leave to pick my son up from therapy.

3) After church today another homeless couple approached me in my driveway. The woman, who acknowledged her missing teeth when she asked me for money, wanted me to pay her husband or boyfriend to mow the lawn. I had mowed the lawn that morning before church. I politely excused myself from her request and took my son inside the house.

4) About 15 minutes after encounter number three my son and I left for lunch at McDonald's. While leaving the McDonald's parking lot we were approached by a homeless woman. She was hot and sunburned and carrying a lot of belongings. She asked for a ride. I told her that since she was a stranger and I had my six-year-old special needs son with me I did not feel safe giving her a ride. She said she understood and then asked me for money. I told her that I would not give her money.

            For a long time my wife and I have had a policy of not giving money to homeless individuals. When you do you just have no control over how or what they will spend it on. The length of the encounter is usually so short that you have no sense of the character or integrity of the person asking or begging. I used to carry extra food in my car so that when I got approached by homeless people in downtown Sacramento, I could decline their request for money but offer them food instead. Only one time did the person take the food (a granola bar) I offered.

            As the economy continues to collapse these interactions with homelessness are only going to increase. Heck, I am currently unemployed. There's no guarantee me and my family won't be joining their ranks soon. Stranger things have happened. In the meantime, I must be prepared for these more frequent and more aggressive and more invasive (two in my driveway!) encounters. I don't know what the safe and gracious thing to do is. But I do know that God is giving me many opportunities to work on crafting a compassionate response.

APPLICATION:

            The book of Proverbs in the Bible makes it very clear that God loves the poor. He reminds us over and over to provide for them, love on them, defend them. In the four encounters above, how well did I do? Not that great, I would surmise. I think example number two was my best response. I provided my time and interest to a man in need. Because of his apparent alcoholism, I did not choose to provide him with any money. In the other three examples, I am not sure if I honored God or not. Certainly, there are safety factors involved when you reach out to the poor and homeless. Nevertheless, we are called to do so. My wife frequently donates crocheted items to elderly and ill people in need. In doing so, she is honoring God by taking care of the downtrodden. For several months recently, our immediate family befriended a homeless young man who was living in his car in our neighborhood. We provided him with food, gas, money and even access to our home. What are some ways you can reach out to the poor and homeless today? Find a Christian charity that cares for the poor, such as Compassion International or the Salvation Army, and donate to them today. Do it today or you risk forgetting or changing your mind. It doesn’t have to be a large donation, just whatever you can give. God promises to reward you for what you have done.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

APPEARANCE BEFORE ABRAHAM

KEY VERSE:

“The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
He said, ‘If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.  Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.’
‘Very well,’ they answered, ‘do as you say.’
So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. ‘Quick,’ he said, ‘get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.’

Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.  He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.” Genesis 18:1-8

ESSAY:

I've been lamenting over a tough decision the last few days. After much thought and prayer, I still don't really feel like I know what the right thing to do is. I was reminded by my recent readings in Genesis that God, in the Old Testament, often appeared to His people. Here in chapter 18 it says, "The Lord appeared to Abraham..." He doesn't seem to do that anymore. As best I know He has never appeared to me. Or to my friends. Or even to the modern leaders of the church. But in the Old Testament it was a frequent occurrence. Maybe it is because the New Testament church has the Holy Spirit and so God doesn't feel He needs to make a physical appearance. Or maybe it is because if He did appear to us today, we wouldn't treat Him like Abraham did in this chapter:

            "Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground" (Genesis 18:2).

            When Abraham saw God and his angels appear, he worshipped Him. His worship was quick (he hurried) and humble (he bowed low to the ground). Maybe if God appeared before us, we would have to finish our cell phone call first. And then after we hung up, we would recognize it was God and get around to worshipping Him.

            After Abraham worshipped God, he also served Him (Genesis 18:3-5):

            "He said, 'If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way -- now that you have come to your servant'.”

            'Very well,' they answered, 'do as you say.'" (Genesis 18:5b).

            Maybe if God appeared to me, I would get around to serving Him after Wheel of Fortune was over.

            Not only did Abraham serve God, but he got his whole household involved and invested, too:

            "So Abraham hurried {there is that quickness again} into the tent to Sarah. 'Quick,' he said, 'get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.' Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree."

            Abraham enlisted Sarah and his servant in the worship of his God. He was so willing and eager he hurried, and his attitude was contagious. Sarah picked the finest flour. Abraham ran to the herd. His servant quickly prepared it. They gave it their best effort. This was a gold medal winning service performance.

            I am frustrated by my indecision and wonder why God doesn't appear to me as He did to Abraham. Maybe when my worship and my service of God Almighty look more like Abraham's then I'll take the medal stand and be blessed with a personal pep talk from the Coach.

APPLICATION:

There are some big questions that arise from just these eight verses in the Old Testament. Why does God appear in person to Abraham? Why doesn’t God appear to you or me? Why isn’t our worship as eager and earnest as Abraham’s worship? Ask yourself, if God wanted to appear to me in person, what might impede his arrival? Am I too busy to notice Him? Am I too lazy to worship Him? Am I too isolated to involve my friends in the preparation? Ask God to appear to you however, whenever and wherever He wants. And ask Him to help you be ready when He does.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

MY TEN EVENTS IN HISTORY

KEY VERSE:

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

ESSAY:

            My friend Dave Logan died this week. He may be better known as the courageous conservative blogger, Third wave Dave. That’s how I came to know him, as we never met in person. Dave faithfully served his country for several honorable years in the United States military. In his honor I am completing a writing challenge he thrust upon me a while back. We will miss you Dave.

I have been summoned to play a game of tag and name the ten events in history I wish I could have witnessed in person. This seems like an overwhelming task, one where you risk seeming silly and superficial if you don't pick "significant" events. In any case, reluctantly, here I go.

1. Either inauguration of President George W. Bush as the 43rd President. The second time may have been sweeter.

2. In the audience when President Ronald Reagan said the immortal line that changed the world, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."

3. An early crusade of the Reverend Billy Graham when it was clear the Holy Spirit had anointed him, and God was blessing his ministry.

4. When Christ uttered, "It is finished." Then the Temple curtain ripped in two. Matthew 27:51 says, “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split.”

5. Backstage at the 1992 Grammys when my favorite artist of all time, Amy Grant, was nominated for four major awards and she performed live on the telecast.

6. Any day in the 1950s or early 1960s when I could have met both of my grandfathers. They both died before I was born in 1967.

7. On the set of ET: The Extra Terrestrial during the bike flying sequences and the goodbye scene, so I could see cinema magic being made.

8.The January days of 1998 with Matt Drudge when he had the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal news and blew the story wide open on drudgereport.com, permanently damaging the Bill Clinton presidency.

9. Sitting near Rosa Parks when she decided she was not willing to give up her seat on that bus.

10. Any day on the set with Regis Philbin during the Live with Regis and Kathie Lee heydays.

APPLICATION:

            If you had a Back to the Future-like time travel machine, what historic events would you want to experience firsthand? I seem to be particularly interested in visiting some modern presidential moments. I lived through the presidencies of Ronald Regan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush but I did not get to see items one, two or eight up close and personal.  Ultimately, we are fooling ourselves if we do not see the events revolving around Jesus’ death and resurrection as the single most significant events in world history. Without Christ’s death and return to life, there would be no history to celebrate. He is the supreme reason to commemorate and celebrate the events of our world and our individual lives. Write out your top ten historical events you’d like to visit or revisit and contemplate how the resurrection of Jesus fits into your life and your history.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

TIMELY TUNE?

 KEY VERSE:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5

ESSAY:

            I was praying while driving in the car the other day. Yes, my eyes were open. I have been trying to make a decision for days, maybe weeks now. I was asking God whether or not I should take a particular risk. A ministry risk that involved a financial investment. I am unemployed right now so there is a lot of financial risk-taking going on. And with my son’s autism, cerebral palsy and brain malformation, his medical needs and expenses are always paramount on my mind.

As I was wrapping up my prayer, a specific song came on the radio.

It's called Walk on the Water by one of my favorite Christian artists, Britt Nicole. The lyrics certainly seem to imply that our faith warrants taking risks and that we shouldn't let our fears hold us back.

I apologize that I don’t have permission to reprint the lyrics in this book, but you can easily search for them on the Internet. It is a catchy tune and you may even already be familiar with it.

            Can James 1:5 wisdom from God come in the form of a song lyric? A timely song lyric? I'm not sure. Evidence of my unsureness is that another week has passed, and I still haven't decided whether to take that risk. And I acknowledge that not deciding is ultimately in fact deciding. I am willing to take the risk but don't feel like I have enough information yet. I guess I've been waiting for more confirmation from God that this is a wise risk to take. So far it hasn't come, so I haven't moved. Maybe I am waiting too long, wanting too much.

            I'll probably pray about it in the car some more tomorrow. I'll let you know if any more timely tunes have something to add to the conversation.

APPLICATION:

            Admittedly, James 1:5 is a verse I sometimes struggle with. I don’t doubt that God is wise and has wisdom to share. I am just not always sure how he specifically shares it with me. Have you ever heard the audible voice of God speaking to you? I believe some believers have, but I have not. Has a song on the radio or the seemingly random word of a friend ever conveyed the wisdom of God to you? However God shares His wisdom with you, I think we can all agree the Holy Scriptures are the most likely way that God communicates His wisdom. 2 Timothy 3:16 points out that, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” We all need God’s wisdom for our demanding decisions and day to day lives. Commit yourselves to reading His word every day for the next 30 days and write down the times you feel, sense or know He is sharing with you specific wisdom for your life.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

WE'RE UNDER A SPELL

KEY VERSE:

 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

 ESSAY:

Why are we a nation of such horabul spelurs? I used to teach college and it amazed and discouraged me how inept my students were at spelling. My students even messed up on simple words like "time", "didn't" and others. 

Working professionals aren’t much better. As an employee I have proofread everything from medical policies to political literature. You would be shocked at how atrocious adults are at spelling. (I was pretty sure I knew how to spell atrocious, but I did ask our Amazon Alexa to confirm the spelling for me.) Even on the computer people don't bother to use spell check. 

I am not a perfect speller, but I will take the time to look a word up in the dictionary if I am not sure of the spelling. It is not hard to memorize how to spell basic words. Unfortunately, with our move toward texting, laziness is making abbreviating and purposely misspelling words to save time more common and more acceptable. I bet if we saw the private writings of our leaders and elected officials we would be appalled at their spelling. But except for the occasional spelling bee champ that we celebrate for 35 seconds once a year on the evening news, spelling has become a lost art that we no longer value. And in the long run I believe that will be a big M-I-S-T-A-K-E.

(If I've spelled anything wrong in this paragraph, I will be humiliated. But don't call me out on it if I did because I'll just say I did it on purpose to see if anyone was paying attention and was a good enough speller to catch it!)

APPLICATION:

            I happen to be a pretty good speller. But there are plenty of things I am not very good at, like math, science and taking photographs. My wife is the picture taker in our family, as evidenced by her photos in this book. The pictures I take always turn out blurry and off-center. Stephanie has tried to teach me some photography tips, but I just have never gotten into it. In Colossians chapter three, the apostle Paul encourages us to do our best in everything we attempt so that we bring glory to God. It wouldn’t hurt me to try and improve my picture taking. With each photograph I take it is an opportunity to honor my Savior. What do you do in your everyday life that could stand some improvement? Maybe it is cooking or cleaning or crafting. Pick out one thing in your life where you would like to improve and pray that God helps you to remember that each time you do it is an opportunity to “work at it with your whole heart, as if working for the Lord.”

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

PRO-LIFE PRAYER

KEY VERSE:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16

ESSAY:

I went to a pro-life prayer vigil and church service on Sunday in Sacramento, California, about twenty minutes from my home. It was very moving. We stood in front of a Planned Parenthood complex and prayed for an end to abortion for about 30 minutes. I felt the battle of good and evil as I stood there praying. I still feel it, to some extent, now 48 hours later. We prayed in the pouring down rain. Then we walked about three blocks to a small church and had a combination worship service and pep rally about how to end abortion. Despite the weather, about 100 people showed up. That was encouraging. I thought the blustery conditions would keep people away. I ran into a friend at the rally that I hadn't seen in a while. It was good to reconnect over our shared mission. Abortion is evil. Let us all pray and act that it might end.

APPLICATION:

            Evil still exists and thrives in our world. Abortion is just one glaring example. God wants us to be faithful to do our part to thwart evil. How are you thwarting the evil of abortion? Prayer is a most-effective tool. Pray right now to end abortion. You can do even more. Donate some spare cash or your time to a crisis pregnancy center in your area. If you don’t know of any, you can support this ministry online, Pregnancy Support Group. I served on the Board of Directors for this pro-life ministry for five years and they do mighty work in God’s name.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

BONKERS FOR BLINKERS

KEY VERSE:

“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." Psalm 126:2

ESSAY:

We have lost our ability to use our blinkers. As a nation, collectively, we have lost our ability to use our blinkers. Just like we have lost the ability to resist trashy reality TV programming. The Kardashians could move next to the Osbournes and they could open up lemonade stands in their driveways and it would be a top ten hit.

I think our blinker issue is because of all the processed food we eat nowadays. Let’s blame it on the Twinkies. I am convinced there is some chemical in Twinkies that has altered our mental ability to anticipate and use our car blinkers. Even when Twinkies went away for a while (Oh, the horror. My therapist is still on speed dial.) we still failed to use the blinker. Maybe if there had been an afterschool special when we were younger about the trauma caused by not using our blinkers, starring Scott Baio and Cloris Leachman, we would have changed our blinker-avoiding ways. But we’re beyond that now. All because of Twinkies. And NASCAR. Yah, NASCAR doesn’t help. You don’t see Kurt Busch using his blinker when he cuts off Brad Keselowski on the third curve of the 240^th lap. That is about as likely as Kevin Harvick stopping in the middle of a race, blocking a lane and rolling down his window to ask Jimmie Johnson, “Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?” Not gonna happen. NASCAR vehicles don’t even have blinkers.

When I die, hopefully not as a result of someone failing to use their blinker, I want a simple phrase on my tombstone: “He always used his blinker.” It’s true. Always have, always will. Except occasionally when I forget, or I am in a hurry to get home because I really have to pee. But most of the time I use my blinker. It frustrates me when people don’t use their blinker. Perhaps we could save the younger generation by inventing a video game where the goal is to use your blinker. In order to save the queen, or win the battle, or plunder the treasure (or whatever you do in video games these days), you must excel at using the blinker. Use your blinker and get 500 points. Use it two times in a row and get an extra life. Use it with your left hand while holding your cell phone in your right hand and you get nothing. Because talking on your cell phone while driving is even worse than not using your blinker. I can’t put anything about that on my tombstone because, in all honesty, I need to work on that. But you can put the part about the blinker. Maybe my tombstone could even have a blinker, a light that flashes on and on while the throngs of people come to visit my grave. Or not. Just when you come to visit, please use your blinker. 

APPLICATION:

            I like this essay. I know, I wrote it and so I am not supposed to admit that. But I do like it. It makes me laugh. Hopefully, it made you laugh as well. Laughter is, as they say, good medicine. God wants us to laugh and make others laugh. So, make someone laugh today. Tell them a funny joke. If it is appropriate, tickle them until they giggle. Or take them to a comedy movie. Do what you can to fill someone’s life with laughter today. Chances are it will make you laugh, too.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

RACING ON A PRAYER

KEY VERSE:

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11.

ESSAY:

“Oh, say can you see?”

In the United States, amateur and professional sporting events usually begin with those words, the first lines of the United States National Anthem. It seems perfectly fitting and appropriate to me to pay patriotic tribute to our nation before boxing, basketball and baseball.

But there is one professional sporting event in America that does more than just the Star Spangled Banner. NASCAR begin their pre-race event with a prayer. A Christian prayer. They pray to God. They say, “in Jesus’ name, Amen.” I love it. The televised prayer comes just before the anthem and the four most important words in racing, “Gentleman (or Drivers) start your engines.”

Why don’t more sporting events start with prayer? Why is only NASCAR willing to honor the Almighty? A couple of quick thoughts as to why:

1) NASCAR is very big in the South, known as the “Bible Belt.” The people of the Southern United States seem more predisposed to accepting Christian tradition.

2) Auto racing is a very dangerous sport and the prayer almost always requests that the Creator keep the cars and their drivers safe from harm. When you have large objects made of metal hurling around a circle at 200 mph, praying for safety and seeking the Lord’s face seems wise.

Regardless of why NASCAR does it, I am grateful they do. My son loves to watch NASCAR. Every week he sees the drivers and their pit crews praying on national TV. The prayer is always offered by a pastor, usually one from the local area of the race track. For those at the venue who are looking for a home church or some spiritual guidance, they now have a name and a face to look up in their region. And to the national TV audience watching at home, often on a Sunday, praying in Jesus’ name reminds them of God, maybe even convicts them of sin. Praying before the race is a win-win for everyone involved. Let’s pray that more of the sports world will follow NASCAR’s lead.

APPLICATION:

            Do you pray before your meal in a restaurant? (For that matter, do you remember to pray before your meal in the privacy of your own home?) I confess I am not always faithful at remembering to do that. NASCAR is taking a public stand to honor God. We should be willing to do the same. After all, the verse from 1^st Chronicles says to seek his face “always.” Always encompasses both our public and our private life. Pray, along with me, that the next time we are eating in public we remember to stop and pray to God. And when we see others doing the same, whether it is in a restaurant or at a racetrack, let’s thank them for publicly honoring God and encourage them to keep it up.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

BRAVO

Earlier this week I had the chance, with 2 others, to do a speaking engagement. We presented on how to perform an internal risk assessment for your organization. It went very well. I have already received a written thank you note and it expressed, "the examples you shared on risk insights into department operations were fabulous. Bravo!"

RELIGIOUS RACING

KEY VERSE:

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9: 22-23

ESSAY:

God’s Not Dead.

Write Your Story (on My Heart).

Better than a Hallelujah.

These are some of my favorite titles from my favorite songs on my favorite radio station, KLOVE. KLOVE is a nationwide, listener-supported Christian radio station. They feature a contemporary Christian music format featuring such artists as Toby Mac, Amy Grant and the Newsboys.

KLOVE radio also sponsors a car in NASCAR, fast becoming my favorite spectator sport. Driver Michael McDowell drives the #95 KLOVE car. While I have yet to see McDowell win a Monster Energy Cup race (I did see him win an Xfinity series race), I always root for him to do well because of his connection to KLOVE and Christianity.

My son Parker loves McDowell as well. With his autism he has every driver, every car number, every sponsor and every crew chief memorized. Parker does play by play announcing for each NASCAR race we watch in our humble abode.

He has an autographed poster of McDowell hanging in his room. And he proudly wears his KLOVE racing shirt to school or church or even Disnelyand (see photograph below). We even took a tour of the KLOVE station in hopes of scoring some Michael McDowell swag.

KLOVE, I believe, sees their NASCAR vehicle as an outreach effort, hoping to make more NASCAR fans familiar with their radio station’s Christian music and gospel message. I think it is a unique and admirable outreach mission. It reminds me of the apostle Paul telling the Corinthian church he desires to become anything and everything that might help someone find faith in Christ. And that is always a mission we should drive across the finish line.

APPLICATION:

            Who is God calling you to reach with his gospel message? What mission field (or racetrack) do you need to join or support? How can you become all things to all people so that you might lead some to Christ? Pray over these verses in 1^st Corinthians and see where God leads and what doors he opens. And then tell yourself to do it, “for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.