toddcast

We put ourselves in position to receive the grace and mercy of God.   Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. I recognize my spiritual need, my spiritual poverty, and turn my eyes upward to God, his Kingdom, where I see the riches of heaven opened up to me.   Certainly I was made for more than this world.    Once I see the world for what it really is, just a world of empty promises, I begin the journey to another kingdom.   Before I can enter his kingdom I must find discontent with my kingdom.   I begin to dream of a better way of life.   Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. This dream is shattered as I consider the great chasm between me and God.   I mourn my rebellion, I become aware of the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man.   In the Genesis story I see what God had initially intended - a paradise where God and man enjoy unbroken fellowship, a place where all our needs ...

I've been meeting with a small group of church members early in the morning this week to pray.   We've been meeting in the church's atrium, a fellowship hall of sorts, and gather by a large window that overlooks the church grounds.   When we arrive, the morning is just starting to break - stars are still visible and just a touch of sunlight is noticeable.   It really is quite peaceful.   We visit for a few minutes and then spend about 15 minutes in prayer.   As I was taught to do as a child, I keep my eyes closed throughout the prayer and only open them at the final "amen."     It's quite amazing what can happen in those few minutes as the day breaks and the sun rises.   I noticed when the prayer is over and I open my eyes the world is a little brighter.   I commented to the group, "It's always brighter after the prayer."   Initially I was referring only to the fact that during our time of prayer the sun has risen, but as I spoke ...

... some of the time Vending machines have come a long way since I was a kid.   It used to be you slid in a couple of coins and pulled a lever and down would drop your snack or drink.   Now there are lights, levers, cranes, codes, and chutes that make the purchase a production of its own.   It's almost worth the price of the product to see the delivery!   But one of the greatest advances in vending machine technology was the ability of the machine to accept bills rather than just coins.   Especially as prices increased, it came as a relief not having to search the car seats for that extra quarter - now you just slide in a dollar bill or two and you're ready to snack.   That is unless your dollar bill is rejected! What a terrible feeling.   You watch your dollar get sucked into the machine and then it spits it back at you.   You check the little picture to make sure George's head is facing the right way and try again.   If you...