Do Unto Others

Cruising for less than you think…

Two years ago, Cookie and I took our first Disney Cruise. Our experience was one of the most delightful experiences we have ever had. Half-way through the week something happened that was nothing we would have planned but turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

On the fourth night we returned to our stateroom around midnight. As we approached our door we could feel moisture in the air. As I opened the door I heard the sound of dripping water and quickly realized that something was wrong. Water was coming from the ceiling and the floor on one side of our room was soaked. I quickly called for help and moments later one of the ship's personnel quickly came to our aid. We were told that we would have to pack our bags and that someone would help us take them upstairs to a lounge area while we waited to be assigned another room. It turns out that a pipe had broken inside the wall and about 7 other staterooms also experienced flooding.

The Disney personnel were outstanding in how they treated us and with remarkable efficiency, tended to our needs in a most timely manner. While we were waiting we listened as several other passengers made unkind, even caustic remarks about "How they paid good money for this cruise and didn't deserve for something like this to happen." Cookie and I were amazed at how unkind and demanding some of those other passengers were, expecting to be well-compensated for the trouble they were experiencing. When one of ship's personnel asked how we were doing we assured them that we were fine and not to worry about us. About an hour later we settled into our newly relocated stateroom and went to sleep.

The next day the phone in our stateroom indicated that we had a message. We were being asked to meet with one of the captain's staff. We did. There was an apology for the trouble we had experienced and the gentleman told us that Disney was prepared to compensate us by refunding 25% of the cost of our present cruise and give us vouchers for 25% off the cost of a future cruise. We could hardly believe our ears. But there was more. We were told that the Disney staff shared about how we treated them during this midnight crises, with kindness, patience and with a spirit of not demanding anything. Such had not been the case with the other guests who had experienced their staterooms being flooded.

So, because we had been nice, because we had treated others like we would have wanted to be treated, Disney refunded that cruise 50% and gave us vouchers for 50% off a future cruise. We were ecstatic!

So, we just got back from another week-long Disney cruise. It's like we have experienced two cruises for the price of one. You see, it really does pay to do the simple things like treating others like you want to be treated. God has a way of blessing us when we are obedient to Him.

"Do unto others…as you would have them do unto you."

You never know how God may bless you for doing what He says. We've been on two cruises now for far less than you would think.

And no, we didn't pray for our stateroom to be flooded this trip!

Safely in His Hand

You may have already guessed. The little guy on the left is me. I'm in the hand of my father. So...here's the story of how God spoke to me through this picture.

I graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary on May 15, 1981, with a Master's of Divinity degree. During my time in seminary, I was privileged to pastor a country church, Patillo Baptist Church. Cookie and I drove out each Saturday, stayed in a trailer on the church property and would return home to Fort Worth on Sunday evening. During that spring, we were anticipating the arrival of our first baby. As graduation approached I was longing for God to open a door that would allow me to be employed full-time as a pastor. May ended, June came and went and there was no call.

We went to Strong, Arkansas to spend 4th of July holidays with our friends, David and Laura Wilson. David had graduated a semester ahead of me. He was pastor of First Baptist Church of Strong, a church running about 200 people in attendance. They lived in a pretty brick parsonage. They were settled. We had a great time with our friends and then made the 5 hour drive back to Ft. Worth. The car was quiet much of the way. It was obvious that what they had is what we longed for, to have a place to serve that would allow Cookie to stay home and be a full-time mom with our baby that would arrive in October.

Later that night when we prayed I cried so hard. I poured my heart out to God and asked Him to open a door. I knew I had been faithful to surrender to His call and complete my theological studies. Now I was ready for Him to open a door. Days passed.

A couple of weeks later I was looking through some loose photographs that were special to me. I came across the one you see here and God spoke to me powerfully through that picture. It is as if He said,

"You see how safe you were in your dad's hand as he held you? Do you see the smile on your face as you looked into his? He protected you...provided for you and loved you. I am your Heavenly Father. Don't you think my love for you far surpasses that of your earthly dad? Trust me. I have something very special for you. Wait on me. Be patient. I love you more than you can imagine."

Within a few days our telephone rang. It was the pastor of our home church in Orlando, Jim Henry. He was calling to ask Cookie and me to pray about flying to Orlando and talking to them about leading a church that was practically dead. They asked me to lead it to turn around and grow and be a dynamic church for Jesus Christ. After a week, we called and said we would come for a visit. We met with Brother Jim and other leaders. Cookie and I drove around the east side of Orlando. All we could see was a vast sea of people that needed to be reached. God's calling became evident to us. First Baptist Church of Orlando voted unanimously to call me as the Mission Pastor of Parkway Baptist Church. We began a brand new ministry there on September 6, 1981. My how God blessed those years. I thought so many times about how God had spoken to me through that picture and what He had promised. How great is our God!

Yesterday, October 1, 2007, made 16 years since my dad died. I think of him often. I will always be grateful for his commitment to provide for me, including an education. I knew he was proud of me.

Today I thought about all of this and about the fact that the One who spoke to me that summer day in 1981 is not dead. He is very much alive. His faithfulness to me has been shown over and over again. He safely holds me in His hand and He will never let me go. He provides everything that I need. His love means more to me now than ever.

Whatever experiences you go through, remember that if you have put your faith and trust in God, He holds you in the palm of His hand. And because of that, you are forever blessed.

I am reminded especially of these verses:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future." Jeremiah 29:11

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch out of my hand. " John 10:27-28