To: Olive Garden Italian Restaurant,
Jennifer Callaway, General Manager
It was a day of celebration for our family. We had just left Children’s Hospital Oncology Unity where our four year old granddaughter had rang the bless three times, meaning she is leukemia free. The day marked over two and half years of chemo treatments, bone marrow tests and spinal taps. There was the hair loss, weight loss and gain due to steroids, the fearful trips to ER when fever rose high and long hospital stays. This was celebration day.
Because your restaurant was the common choice, we parked ourselves in your place, all eleven of us. The treatment by the staff was excellent, as always. Four year old Harmony hugged family and staff and talked of her “MAKE A WISH” trip to Disney World in late October. I didn’t think the day could have been any sweeter but then came the appetizers we hadn’t ordered. Then as I asked for the bill, I was informed it was covered by the manager. It’s not about money, I could have paid but you stepped in the circle of our family’s celebration to make it complete. You shared in our joy, you felt our emotion and saw our tears. You hugged Harmony Downey and celebrated with her.
Truly, you made us feel like family on a day we will never forget. We will continue to eat at Olive Garden and will always remember Jennifer Callaway, the serving staff and the kindest people on earth. Harmony is alive. She beat leukemia with God’s help and gifted medical professions. Then as we crossed the finish line of victory you were there to make it special. Thank you Jennifer and thank you Olive Garden. You are more than a business, you are an atmosphere of family.
Sincerely Yours!
Rev. Larry D. Sparks
Grandfather of Harmony Downey
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
HIS NAME IS ALL OVER IT
There was not a cloud in the Missouri sky of soft baby blue on this Monday morning. A crisp fall breeze refreshed my face like a fan of nature turned on low. God had certainly turned on His lights on this side of planet earth. Water streaming over gray rocks created a sound of leisure and distraction from anything man would offend with his obnoxious machines. What an awesome God to have given us such beauty from chaos of pre-creation.
The autumn leaves dare the artist to attempt to copy their color. They blend into a canvas of landscape that owns no frame. Each tree is distinct, needed as a contribution the Ozark picture. One must look past the people, cars, buildings and billboards to appreciate the ancient surroundings that a century before were walked or ridden through on horseback. What a creative God to bless our eyes and senses with consistent lovely scenes.
We are all visitors, pilgrims and even witnesses to this land God made. We may hold a temporary deed but He reserves eternal ownership. His name is all over the mountains, lakes and foliage. Pause, breathe it in, catch your eye full and be thankful. Sit on the ledge of a rock, contemplate, meditate, drink in through the senses god gave you. Look in your corner of that poetic, artistic workmanship and see indelibly the eternal name of God.
Larry D. Sparks
Branson, Fall 2008
The autumn leaves dare the artist to attempt to copy their color. They blend into a canvas of landscape that owns no frame. Each tree is distinct, needed as a contribution the Ozark picture. One must look past the people, cars, buildings and billboards to appreciate the ancient surroundings that a century before were walked or ridden through on horseback. What a creative God to bless our eyes and senses with consistent lovely scenes.
We are all visitors, pilgrims and even witnesses to this land God made. We may hold a temporary deed but He reserves eternal ownership. His name is all over the mountains, lakes and foliage. Pause, breathe it in, catch your eye full and be thankful. Sit on the ledge of a rock, contemplate, meditate, drink in through the senses god gave you. Look in your corner of that poetic, artistic workmanship and see indelibly the eternal name of God.
Larry D. Sparks
Branson, Fall 2008
REVIVAL
REVIVAL
It seems like some ancient word tied to an event in the early churches or in the old fashioned seasonal meetings of American church. The supernatural attraction of the Holy Spirit upon believers’ hearts to forsake sin and fall in love anew with Jesus Christ. It would be preceded by weeks of prayer; burdened hearts would break over lost family members and friends. The preachers were faithful delivers of the Word of God. They too would fall under the influence of the Spirit and the mundane monotone proclamation would turn into the dynamic presentation of an evangelist.
The topics at work the next day would be how God worked in the services. Who was saved and how people were moved to rededicate their lives to Christ were the real news among the brothers. Revival! That personal work of the Holy Spirit on a Christian’s heart changing them again toward a commitment to the Lord and His church. I’ve been there and remember it well. I’ve seen the effect of true revival on God’s church. I long to see it again.
The singing is louder, less inhibited; people seem not to be time conscious, there is anticipation as invitation time or altar call begins. When it happens, no one wants it to end. We yearn for that pew clinging, heart wringing, hymn singing, Holy Ghost preaching filled services. People start praying on their knees, weeping uncontrollably, repenting of sin completely and life changing confessions are shared.
It is not a matter of technology nor does the Lord care whether we sing old Hymn or contemporary Praise. He just wants our hearts again surrendered to Him. There will be little remembrance of the preacher but the scripture will resonate in the hearts of changed people. Every age will be touched, every Bible teacher quickened to understand deeper truth and families once again start those devotions daily.
All of this brings back memories of those precious times God visited our churches. Oh Lord! Do it again! We need revival desperately in our churches, our country, and our own lives. Help us before it’s too late. Send revival to our church. The time is now before it is too late.
It seems like some ancient word tied to an event in the early churches or in the old fashioned seasonal meetings of American church. The supernatural attraction of the Holy Spirit upon believers’ hearts to forsake sin and fall in love anew with Jesus Christ. It would be preceded by weeks of prayer; burdened hearts would break over lost family members and friends. The preachers were faithful delivers of the Word of God. They too would fall under the influence of the Spirit and the mundane monotone proclamation would turn into the dynamic presentation of an evangelist.
The topics at work the next day would be how God worked in the services. Who was saved and how people were moved to rededicate their lives to Christ were the real news among the brothers. Revival! That personal work of the Holy Spirit on a Christian’s heart changing them again toward a commitment to the Lord and His church. I’ve been there and remember it well. I’ve seen the effect of true revival on God’s church. I long to see it again.
The singing is louder, less inhibited; people seem not to be time conscious, there is anticipation as invitation time or altar call begins. When it happens, no one wants it to end. We yearn for that pew clinging, heart wringing, hymn singing, Holy Ghost preaching filled services. People start praying on their knees, weeping uncontrollably, repenting of sin completely and life changing confessions are shared.
It is not a matter of technology nor does the Lord care whether we sing old Hymn or contemporary Praise. He just wants our hearts again surrendered to Him. There will be little remembrance of the preacher but the scripture will resonate in the hearts of changed people. Every age will be touched, every Bible teacher quickened to understand deeper truth and families once again start those devotions daily.
All of this brings back memories of those precious times God visited our churches. Oh Lord! Do it again! We need revival desperately in our churches, our country, and our own lives. Help us before it’s too late. Send revival to our church. The time is now before it is too late.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Way
The Way
“When the woman (Eve) saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye … she took some and ate it. She (Eve) also gave some to her husband (Adam), who was with her, and he ate it.” Genesis 3:6
Yes, the first sin of disobedience had to do with food. The curse and fall was due to the Devil’s bag of potato chips which left greasy fingerprints all over freshly sewn fig leaves. It’s always about obedience or disobedience. They saw, they listened, they imagined, they decided and took and ate the food. When the Lord brought the bill, it was more than they could pay. They were tossed out of the restaurant along with the waiter and the Lord closed the door.
There are some interesting truths to note about this Eden experience which is a powerful lesson for us all. As soon as someone tells us we can’t have something that is the only thing on our mind, getting it! We always want what we shouldn’t have. There is a difference between hunger and appetite. Hunger signals a need for nourishment for our physical bodies to sustain them. However, appetite has to do with desire, the mind, a craving for something. Was Eve hungry? No! But her appetite was inflamed for that one particular chunk of chocolate hanging there. We see it on a commercial or a grocery shelf and though not hungry appetite takes over.
The body does what the mind tells it to do. Appetite is a habit where hunger is a real need. Paul said we do not wrestle against flesh and blood enemies but the battle is in the mind.
Here is a truth from an old children’s song –
1. Be careful little eyes what you see –
a. When the woman saw the food…
i. Change your kitchen and cabinet look
ii. Stay out of places that smell like French fries
iii. Read the label, not the picture
2. Be careful little hands what you do –
a. She took some and also gave…
i. Don’t touch it!
ii. The distance from the hand to the mouth
iii. Remember the power of your influence?
3. Be careful little ears what you hear –
a. And the serpent (devil) said…
i. The Devil owns the refrigerator, “come over here”
ii. The suggestions are rapid and repetitive
iii. The Holy Spirit speaks also, listen to Him!
Dacia said a pound is 3500 calories. So cutting out 500 calories in a day is one pound a week. Increase exercise moderately each week and it’s two pounds a week. That’s 8 lbs. a month and over 100 lbs. in a year or for those needing to gain or get in shape muscle tone. Amen!
“When the woman (Eve) saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye … she took some and ate it. She (Eve) also gave some to her husband (Adam), who was with her, and he ate it.” Genesis 3:6
Yes, the first sin of disobedience had to do with food. The curse and fall was due to the Devil’s bag of potato chips which left greasy fingerprints all over freshly sewn fig leaves. It’s always about obedience or disobedience. They saw, they listened, they imagined, they decided and took and ate the food. When the Lord brought the bill, it was more than they could pay. They were tossed out of the restaurant along with the waiter and the Lord closed the door.
There are some interesting truths to note about this Eden experience which is a powerful lesson for us all. As soon as someone tells us we can’t have something that is the only thing on our mind, getting it! We always want what we shouldn’t have. There is a difference between hunger and appetite. Hunger signals a need for nourishment for our physical bodies to sustain them. However, appetite has to do with desire, the mind, a craving for something. Was Eve hungry? No! But her appetite was inflamed for that one particular chunk of chocolate hanging there. We see it on a commercial or a grocery shelf and though not hungry appetite takes over.
The body does what the mind tells it to do. Appetite is a habit where hunger is a real need. Paul said we do not wrestle against flesh and blood enemies but the battle is in the mind.
Here is a truth from an old children’s song –
1. Be careful little eyes what you see –
a. When the woman saw the food…
i. Change your kitchen and cabinet look
ii. Stay out of places that smell like French fries
iii. Read the label, not the picture
2. Be careful little hands what you do –
a. She took some and also gave…
i. Don’t touch it!
ii. The distance from the hand to the mouth
iii. Remember the power of your influence?
3. Be careful little ears what you hear –
a. And the serpent (devil) said…
i. The Devil owns the refrigerator, “come over here”
ii. The suggestions are rapid and repetitive
iii. The Holy Spirit speaks also, listen to Him!
Dacia said a pound is 3500 calories. So cutting out 500 calories in a day is one pound a week. Increase exercise moderately each week and it’s two pounds a week. That’s 8 lbs. a month and over 100 lbs. in a year or for those needing to gain or get in shape muscle tone. Amen!
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