 by Debra Torres
There was something in the cabinet that someone was trying to keep safe. It was in a shared office kitchen, but the creamer in that cabinet wasn’t for all to use. Thus the chain, the padlock, and the paper clip. Yep, the paperclip. That was the funny part. If you look closely at the image above, you’ll see it. The last link of the chain is connected to the padlock with what looks like a twisted paper clip. I thought it was a funny site. How secure was the creamer, really? Who did it keep out? Probably anyone who wasn’t strong enough to untwist a paperclip. I laughed at that and even took a picture with my phone. But the more I thought about the paperclip lock, the more I realized that I often do the same kind of thing in my own life. And maybe you do, too.  By Debra Torres
Several servants stood around the newly installed telephone at the Downton Abbey country estate staring. “Do you now how it works?” William the footman asked the butler, Carson, after he came in to shoo them back to work. “Will you show us?” Daisy, the kitchen maid asked excitedly. It was the summer of 1914, and the telephone was already in London, so naturally Downton’s owner, the wealthy Earl of Grantham, felt it was necessary to add this bit of new technology to his house as well. "But why would we ever want a telephone at Downton, my lord?" Carson asked Lord Grantham when he spoke about having one installed. There was an unmistakable edge of disbelief that resonated in his tone. As you can probably tell, my family has just been introduced to the British period drama television series, “Downton Abbey,” and we’ve been having fun “catching up” with the world by watching its past seasons. I’m learning that one of the prevailing themes in the season we are currently watching is “change.” Taking place at the dawn of WWI, the show reveals the differing perspectives on change through the eyes of both the rich and servant classes living in the Yorkshire country estate, Downton Abbey. On a larger scale, the characters are impacted by the war and the changes it brings about in their society. And on a lighter side ... Click here to read more Who is God? God is steadfast. And it says in his word that he does not change. I'm glad that God doesn't change his mind on his love and commitment to us. Aren't you? 
The three blue Mason jars waited in a cardboard box in my basement for nearly five years.
Spiders had their heyday with them, but I wouldn’t touch them. Never mind the fact that I had a small collection of antique Mason jars and longed to bring the three up from the basement and display them with my others. There was something about those jars that made me want to hide them away. Because I knew that if I took them out, I’d be overcome with guilt. No, I couldn’t get the jars out. Couldn’t enjoy their sturdy, rounded shoulders, their clear sky coloring, their block “PERFECT MASON” lettering. You see, I wasn’t sure if the jars were really mine and every time I thought of them, my conscience was pricked. The last house we lived in we rented and towering shelves of canning jars new and old were in the garage. I was new to the whole farming thing, but 29 acres and a plowed vegetable garden were pretty strong indications that I start. And so I did. My first year was an absolute ... Click here to read more Who is God ... to you?
God is not a mean old ogre waiting to squash us for our mistakes. In fact, he’s more than willing to take on the burdens of our sin, if only we’d give them to him.
 By Debra Torres Claudia said she didn’t take Joyce’s stuffed animal. It wasn’t hers, so what would she have to do with it? Again and again she denied that she took it, but when we challenged her to open her square, metal lunchbox, I’m sure we probably gasped at what was inside. Joyce’s toy. It was 1973 and I was in second grade. And even though I was only 7, I can still see the tormented look on Claudia’s face when her peers caught her in the act. A lying tongue cuts both ways. In my devotions this morning, I read that we are responsible to teach our children about lying and why it is wrong. And it also said that we should use God’s Word to do it. This challenged me to do a little digging, because you know what? As parents and grandparents, I think we often do a disservice to the young ones who are watching us. Can you guess what it is? We Lie. Click here to read more Who is God?Have you been hurt by a lying tongue? Do you struggle with lying, yourself? When you seek God, you seek the Truth. He is a loving Father who cannot and will not lie.
"God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19 NIV  By Debra Torres
Sometimes, when kids are reprimanded they respond with words like, “You just don’t care about me!” Parents like me just shake our heads in disbelief at this one. Mean nothing? Don’t care? Are you kidding? Someday, our children will understand that our desire to see them walk in obedience comes from a deep set, God-given love for them. In fact, I came up with something the other day that made one of my kids do a double take. I said, “You are so special – that what you do matters.” |
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