Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article What people need Monday, December 27, 2010 Matthew 2:11-13 The magi fell on their faces and worshipped Jesus. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Did you get what you wanted for Christmas? Did you get what you needed? What do you need, anyway? Gold, frankincense, myrrh? On our own thousand mile trip across deserts and plains to Austin, Texas this weekend (which took two hours, not two months or years like the magi's journey), I sat beside a wise man who helps other people invest their money. His theme for 2011 investments is "what people need;" and four focal points for what people need are food, health, energy and smart, safe money. Look for companies that provide those things, and buy their stock. Makes sense to me. The phrase has staying power. Our daughter Andi is sifting through ideas for a daily photo blog in 2011. "What people need" makes the top two. (To see what she decides, check out www.atomita.com/andi/blog beginning 1/1/2011.) At church today (Aki and Andi attend Grace 360 in Austin), the pastor asked everyone to pray for the church (and for each other). What should they pray for? What do they need? Transformation, a chance to serve and be served, to connect and be connected. This is the first of two Mondays during Christmas this year. Back to the grind day. The snow seems a little dirtier today than it did on Christmas Eve. It seems like a good day to think about what I need. My true love gave me three French hens today. Just what I always needed. It's a start anyway. Jesus, I don't need to tell you what you already know. I need your love and grace; they are food and water for my soul. Give us this day our daily bread. "; Add      Edit    Delete