Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 455

Christmas Fun

Christmas is a time for celebration, for laughter and joy. It’s a time for little, even silly things, that make someone very special in our lives ver happy. It’s in that vein that I share a poem that was written to make my Wife smile.

The Cat Meets The Doctor

A visitor arrived in Whoville,

He had a companion we named Lil,

He helped the Cat in the Hat,

They fought a robot that sat,

It was green like the grinch,

With no hands to fight or pinch,

Just a long metal nose,

That shot out worry and woes,

All the citizens of Who hid,

Inside a blue box with a lid,

While cat, Lil, and friend,

Fought to the happy end.

The cat used a wobbly trocks,

While his friend opened all the locks,

With a screwdriver that glowed,

Each machine did explode,

Quieting all gurgling sounds,

No more villains around,

The Dr as he was known,

Shook hands with Mayor Reloan,

Boarded his Tardis ship,

Kissed Lil on the lips,

Of course he called her Rose,

Leaving the Cat in Hat and all Who’s in safe repose.

“Who” is in the iPainting?

Our newest iPainting, “Dr Who’s Christmas” is for my Wife Ashley, a major Dr Who fan!

Sky Bridge: New Starts

She was standing in the waiting room. Her head was down, tears had filled her eyes. Cloris braced herself for a tirade of emotions once she explained to her son why she had pushed him out of her life. Hans had delivered him and his wife to the hospital. Jerry would be prepped for surgery soon.

In the transport, Jerry and Michelle had talked. “Jerry, you don’t have to do this to prove anything to me.” He kissed her hand, “Honey, I love you, but I’m not doing this for you. I wish I could say that I was being noble, and doing this for a cousin that I didn’t even know that I had, but I can’t. I’m doing this for me, you see, the truth is, if I’m a match, I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t. I would be walking away from a family member in need, and I know the pain that feels like.” She kissed him.

Now, he stood before his Mother, all of the anger started to come back, until, he saw something. He saw how his Mother was standing. It had been the same stance that he had in his last argument with his Wife. It was a stance of defiance and apology at the same time. It was a stance that said, I’m sorry, but I need help, I need you to forgive me, even though I don’t deserve it. The defiant part was that he couldn’t bring himself to say the words, he wanted it to be her fault.

He was right, it was the same stance, but with a different outcome. Cloris had spent enough time alone to where the words, while not easy, were worth saying. They were worth saying, if it meant getting her son back. “Jerry, I’m so sorry. It’s not an excuse, and it’s not a reason for the way I treated you, and I have prayed countless times that I had not been so selfish. When your Father died, I pushed away everything that reminded me of him, including you. I told myself there were legitimate reasons for my choices, but selfishness, and fear of pain were the real reasons.”

“My life spiraled to the brink of disaster, until one day, I had none left. That was when a visitor walked into my shop. I remembered him from years ago, he had been homeless, and addicted to numerous things. This day though, he was dressed nicely, but that wasn’t what was the startling thing. When I looked into his eyes, that wild raging anger, the one he had the entire time I had known him was gone. Instead, what I saw in his eyes, was peace.”

“I was bitter, I was angry. I told myself that his pain had been his own fault. I had lost something, but he had squandered it away. That’s when the memories of everyone I had pushed away marched into my head. Your face was the one that brought the tears. It’s been a long road, and I have a lot to make up for, but I’m different now. Would you give me a chance to make up for all the hurt, and the …”

A smile, tears, and a huge hug stopped her. “Mom, I think we’re both pretty much a mess. I’ll help you, and you help me, how’s that?” A few hours, and two successful procedures later, the future looked brighter than it had for a long time. Isaac smiled, this mission was almost over. They just had,

how did Matilda put it? “They had to finish growing a few roses to complete the bouquet.”

The F.L.O.P. – The Eagle

Good morning Mr. President. It had been years since I had been here, especially shortly before Christmas. I had forgotten how cold it gets in northern Nova Scotia. Of course I was also sneezing from my allergies. As you know, our contact never made it at the first appointment. I received a phone call from a local hospital the next afternoon.

He said that he wasn’t sure why Meyersmith hadn’t killed him. I explained that at a certain level, it’s less messy to let people live. Had he killed him, he would have had to discard a body, which brings complications. For some reason, this didn’t really reassure our contact.

Jean Luc made a noise when we left the hotel, it was a garbling sound. I don’t usually work with partners, especially the four legged kind. So the sounds of a Russian blue cat that disliked me didn’t affect me. That’s until the car started overheating. I pulled over and checked it. All of the antifreeze was gone. and a note was wrapped around the coolant lid.”

“Edward, good to have you in town again. We are in a civilized city, it’s a wonderful time of the year. The contact situation was too messy, I got blood on my gloves. I shall see you at Le Tenir tonight at 7:00? We have much to speak about. You still haven’t met my daughter either.” – Meyersmith

I should explain the daughter comment. Meyersmith has an admiration for his competitors. If they are good enough, he thinks they should become family. He and his Wife had eight children. Meyersmith’s two son-in-laws once tried to kidnap him. They didn’t succeed, but they prevented him from eliminating them, and he was impressed. They say his daughters are beautiful, but I’m not anxious to have him for a Father-In-Law.

Jean Luc wasn’t happy about being stuck in his carrier, but he would get over it. In a few hours, I found myself setting at a table in the corner of the restaurant waiting on the host. I expected anything from Meyersmith, but I never expected him to be late. Meyersmith has never been late a day in his life.

Now I was worried. I started going over his invitation in my mind. He never said that he would meet me there. He said he would see me there. That’s when I saw the camera across the room. When I made it back to the room, it was still locked, that didn’t mean anything. When I opened the door, the cat carrier was gone, and my sneezing was not as bad. He had Jean Luc, not the way we had planned, but he had the cat. He also had the eagle, Meyersmith just didn’t know it.

The Native: His First Words”

Matthew 3:15

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now:for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

A child’s first words are huge. I would guess that every parent remembers them. We don’t know what The Lord Jesus’ first words were, each Gospel chooses a different phrase to introduce us to The Master’s Voice. In Matthew, He is talking to John The Baptist. Suffer in the original means allow. Jesus is saying, Allow this now, for we are called to fulfill all righteousness.

Mark 1:14-15

14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand:repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The verse before it is very important as well. The catalyst of this setting is John’s imprisonment. In the Hebrew John means “Jehovah Has Graced”, or the Grace Of God. Man had sinned, and fallen into despair and degradation. For us, the possibility of Salvation was non existent before Calvary. That was when The Lord Jesus walked into the center of the world preaching The Gospel.

In Mark He mentions fulfillment again.”The time is fulfilled, The Kingdom Of God is here, repent, and believe the Gospel. ” In other words, Grace is here, it’s time to make a choice, discard your sins, and believe.

Luke 2:49

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

Luke gives us the earliest words of Jesus, at twelve years old. This is not the bearded face of The Carpenter, this is Christ in transition from boy to teen, the age that began the journey from child to man.

Sought: g2212. ζητεω zeteo; of uncertain affinity; to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life):— be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (x will) seek (after, for, means).

He made statements in Matthew and Mark, in Luke and John He asks a question. Jesus uses a word, sought. He had experienced it’s meaning, in both a positive and a negative way. The Shepherds and The Wise Men sought to worship Him. Herod sought to kill Him. Every one will seek in some way. Either to join Him, or to attempt to destroy Him out of their life.

The Lord Jesus second sentence clarifies our options. If you seek Me, then it’s going to be about the work of God, the work of Redemption. Everything else is secondary. Jesus later said “Seek ye first The Kingdom Of God, and His righteousness …” Prior to saying it, He lived it.

John 1:38

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye?– They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day:for it was about the tenth hour.

In the fourth Gospel, He is followed by two disciples of John. They were Andrew and John. His simple question, “What Seek Ye?” The answer, was, where you dwell, or abide. Jesus’ response to them is His answer to us all. “Come and see.” His life, death, and resurrection made it possible for us to be with Him. Something that was impossible until a child cried in Bethlehem.

When you combine the message of all four of “His First Words”, you see The Kingdom’s Mission Statement. The Lord Jesus allowed Himself to go through all that He suffered so that He could impart His righteousness to man. He made it possible for us to choose Heaven as a future. To leave all our sin, and all our past at an altar. To join Him in the work of The Gospel. Asking others in pain, like we were, what are you seeking? When they ask if this is really an option? We can smile with the hope of Heaven, “Come and see.”

Up On The Housetop

Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving. While we should be thankful every day, it is important to take time to reflect, not on problems, but blessings. Too often, worries fill our days, many times making us numb to more important feelings.

Our concerns are real, our trials, are battles that must be faced. However, I watched this morning, a base of soldiers. They were armed, and ready, having already been attacked recently. What they were not, was jaded, or laden with sadness. These faithful volunteers were smiling, playing games, and celebrating. Even though their closest contact with a loved one is a video screen.

This year, we have faced, and are facing a number of situations, but this morning tears of joy flowed. I was reminded how wonderful our God is, how ardent and how faithful. He reminded me, through Scripture, that He always supports His soldiers. Men and women who were facing insurmountable odds were reinforced by an invincible God. One who understands everything, except the definition of the word impossible.

Today, we are thankful. Thankful for things? Yes, but also simply Thankful. For The God we serve, the family and friends that embrace us, and the future that stands before us. Jesus loved us enough to embrace the cross for one reason.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

God forgive me. For forgetting that The Cross wasn’t easy, that this world was never meant to be anything but hard, and that most of all, our joy will always outweigh our sorrows. Thank You Lord for being faithful, for being kind, and for giving us the opportunity to make this day better for someone in need. Lord, may all that love you today, minister to someone in need, and to give them a new reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving!

Alaskan Fishing Village iPainting

Focus On The Baby

We are blessed to attend the Church, Point Of Mercy in Nashville, Tennessee. Pastor’s message last night was so incredible. It was something that I needed to hear. Lately, I’ve been provided opportunities to overcome. I didn’t realize it as much until the lesson last night. I should have, but too often I tend to panic in the midst of a battle.

We see trials as giants, whereas God sees them as contractions. Struggles cease, but the character they give birth to grows throughout our lives and Ministry.

Too many times, I discard the child and fret over the birth pains. It would be very easy to allow my trial to en-grain itself into my destiny. Instead, I must focus on the baby produced, not the means that brought her to birth.

God reminded me that Joseph didn’t name his trial, he named his sons. One was Manasseh, the other was Eprhaim. When referring to his firstborn, Joseph said that God had made him forget his toil. When the youngest was born, he stated that God had made him fruitful in his affliction.

Joseph raised his sons, not his sorrows. When he left Potiphar’s house, he left it completely. After leaving the prison, he washed, changed his garments, and left it behind. His children produced generations because he refused to allow the germs of past struggles to infect his future.

Lord, help me to focus on the permanent, and to let go of the temporary! We have been blessed with a God, and a Man Of God, that helps us grow the results of our trials. Their goal is to inspire us to release our tears when we hear the baby’s first cry!

The “Sage Bros” Turkey

Harry smelled the turkey when he walked in the kitchen. What he really smelled was the sage in the dressing, but Harry associated one smell with the other. In fact, he probably always would, especially after last year.

Mom’s hands were dripping from the eggs that she was placing in the mixture for the pecan pie. Harry hugged her as he swiped a taste of the batter. Harry loved to visit his Mom in the kitchen, ever since he was a kid.

He navigated through to his Dad in the living room. He and his kid brother were watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade. His Wife Molly was coming through the door with the broccoli casserole and sweet potato soufflé that her Mom had made. It was their first Thanksgiving since they had married in September.

The Oliver Family and the Maxwell family were now one group, and everyone loved it. Thanksgiving was special to them all, but especially since it was what brought them all together to start with. Harry remembered last year well. He was sent out to get more chicken broth and sage in an emergency run. Dad had chickened out and volunteered his firstborn instead.

Harry had expected crowds of fellow shoppers. He told himself to watch for people that ranged from mildly irritated to horribly mean. These were sad victims of forgotten shopping items from the week before. As he pulled into the grocery store, he was ready for anything. Except that he wasn’t prepared for the thump he heard as he backed into an empty parking space.

He sighed, grabbed his insurance information and got out. “I’m sorry I didn’t think I was anywhere near another car.” “Who are you talking too?” Harry looked around. No one was in the space behind him. Hearing a voice but seeing no one not only confused him, it scared him a little.

It only took a couple of seconds, but he was relieved to realize the voice was coming from the person parked to his right. “I heard a noise and was afraid I hit the car behind me. Since there isn’t a car there I don’t guess I have to worry.” He grinned at the young lady parked beside him. She smiled back, “Do you make a habit of hitting invisible vehicles?”

“No maim, I try to avoid both kinds, visible and invisible ones. Still, I know I heard something.” “I did too, but I’m not sure what it was.” Harry offered to help her load her car. It looked like she had forgotten to shop for Thanksgiving dinner period. She thanked him, and agreed.

They made small talk for a short while and then she pulled off. That’s when he turned to head inside to the store, and fell flat on his face. Molly saw this in the rear view mirror and stopped the jeep. She got out to see if he was okay, or if this was some ploy to keep talking to her. He was cute so she didn’t mind either way.

“What did you trip over?” Harry shook his head, “I don’t know.” “First you hit an imaginary car, now you trip over something else that wasn’t there?” Of course, there was something there, and they both couldn’t help but laugh when they saw it.

It was the same thing that he had hit when he parked. They didn’t see it because it was barely sticking out from his back tire. It was a partially frozen, bruised fourteen pound “Sage Bros” turkey. To be more precise, it was Molly’s fourteen pound “Sage Bros” turkey. It had slipped off her cart on the way to the car.

They both laughed as she helped Harry stand. “Can I ask you, did you forget about Thanksgiving? Most people don’t wait until today to buy a turkey.” She beamed from ear to ear. “My Dad was stationed overseas, he wasn’t supposed to make it home for Thanksgiving.”

“Mom and Dad were going to celebrate with my brother and I the first week of December when his project was over. There was a change of plans and they showed up from Germany this morning. They said that we would just have a simple dinner, but I insisted on a complete Thanksgiving spread.”

Harry looked at the wounded bird, “That’s wonderful, but I don’t think that your turkey is going to be fit to eat now.” “I can always get another one, no grocery store wants to run out of turkey on Thanksgiving.” They spent a wonderful fifteen minutes together in the store, and started their goodbyes.

Harry stopped her before she pulled out, “I could come up with some excuse, but I’d like to get to know you better. Can I have your number? I promise not to hit any more turkeys.” She laughed and they exchanged numbers.

Harry told his parents about the beautiful girl as soon as he got home. He had expected to call her first, but was happily surprised to hear his cell phone ring after he got home. “Harry, are you missing anything?”

He was sorely tempted to respond with a corny “Just you”, but didn’t. “Not that I know of, why?” She laughed, “Remind me not to ever send you to the store. You left your sage and chicken broth in my bag with the turkey.”

Harry apologized and left the house with the intention of simply retrieving the forgotten items. His Mother grinned at his Dad. They knew what Harry found out twenty minutes later. He never made it home for Thanksgiving dinner. It had been his first Thanksgiving dinner with Molly Maxwell. This year was his first Thanksgiving with Molly Oliver. All thanks to a can of sage, and a frozen “Sage Bros” brand turkey.