4/5/11 Lord, I really enjoy what You've given me to do, working with those society seems to toss away, often with little thought. But lately, You've given me a couple of little breaks that certainly sweeten ongoing ministry.

I had the privilege of immersing my nephew Daniel not long ago. What a pleasure, especially now that he's graduating and will be heading off to Missouri State to study and play football this fall. So, 14 year old his sister, Mandy, wanted to know more about having a relationship with You. Actually, she's been thinking about You, wanting to give her life to You. She said, "I've been giving my life to God for some time, now, Uncle Anthony." That thrilled my heart, Lord, for we both know it's a process.

So, after a couple of phone call Bible studies about Jesus, the good news, and such, I asked her to read the Book of Acts to see what people were thinking about and doing back then. She agreed. Then You put a thought in my head, which was so not me, it had to be You. I said, "And here's what I'd like for you to do. After you read for the day, send me a text about one good insight that caused you to learn more about becoming a Christian." This morning, the first one came in. Here it is.

"I just read chapter 1 verse ten and it said that they were looking into the sky intently and that reminded me of xmas eve one year were [when] we were lookin for santa"

I wrote back, "And Mandy, that's how we look for Jesus everyday."

Lord, please, reteach me to have such a childlike view of looking for Your coming, moment by moment, intently, like a child anxiously awaiting Santa Claus to come with Christmas gifts, because You, O Lord, bring the greatest gift of all. A home with You forever.

They were looking intently up in the sky as he was going ... "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come again in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:10-11, NIV