Pride and Humility

“Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,

but humility comes before honor.”

(Proverbs 18:12) 

            My mom used to use some interesting terms and expressions when describing humanity. One of her favorites was “fool hardy” when someone did something out of line. Another was that “It is better to be silent and be thought a fool that to speak out and remove all doubt.” Somehow, when we are proud in the context of today’s text, we are not paying attention. When we kid ourselves with false pride, it helps us grow to have an appreciation for the realities of life.

            We are often overconfident. It seems that the younger we are the more likely we are to suffer from “cockiness”. Somehow that is God’s way of teaching us. We constantly have to monitor our pride and confidence. The elders of society have knowledge and experience but are not always correct. Technology and society are changing faster than fifty years ago. Therefore many of the rules of life have changed.

In our spiritual lives, the rules have not and will not change. We need to take inventory on our pride and be real. The ethics, love and traditions taught to us by Christ will endure regardless of technology changes and cash flows. We need to hold up our values to serve the Lord in an ever changing world. 

Thought for Today: Every day is the first day of the rest of our lives. The mistakes and experiences of our past are nothing more than learning experiences and enable us to move forward with confidence. Today let us focus on being humble and dealing with the realities of our individual worlds.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today we give thanks for the lessons we have learned and the great loves that we have. Through all that Jesus taught us and what we learned from the past, thank you for putting it before us.

Amen

 

Thanksgiving 2012

"As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so live in him, rooted and built up in
him and established in the faith,
just as you were taught,
abounding in thanksgiving".
(Colossians 2:6-7) 

            “Abounding in Thanksgiving” is a great idea; one that we need to think about daily. Every day when we awaken, when there is food on the tables, when we leave for work are all thankful events. One day each year we call Thanksgiving, every day we need to be thankful.

            I like the way H. Norman Wright put it in his book With all My Strength: "Thanksgiving is not to be limited to only the times when we are aware of blessings. Let us give thanks even when we have a problem to solve, when there are difficulties to be met.  At these times, we give thanks to God for unconditional love and goodness, for unlimited wisdom and abundance. When we give thanks continually, we are rejuvenated- spirit, mind and body."

            This year for a bible study exercise, Pastor Jim asked us to write down something we were Thankful for every day in November. I will share three with you because they range from simple to huge.

First was a really big deal, June and I sat at our first ever book signing of my book. The comments from the people reduced us to tears.

Another day it was 50 degrees when my friend and I took our morning walk. We saw woodpeckers, cardinals and a bald eagle and were thankful.

Today I am thankful that I am writing this to you, my Good News buddies; you are a blessing.

Blessings to you all. 

Thought for Today: Let us focus on giving thanks to God for the love we have for each other and the support we both give and receive.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, this week we give you thanks for our friends, our families and our troubles. Yes, we give you thanks for our financial crises, our family stress and the ripples in our personal seas of tranquility. Trough our troubles we learn to pray and appreciate the many blessings that seem greater when compared with the ripples of life. We give you thanks for our lives, your love and your Grace.
Amen
 

Power

I have a post election prayer- Dear Lord, today we pray that our politicians can put their power drive into neutral; that they will take the post election period to work together to manage the USA to be the great place that it is. We are a place of opportunity, warm hearted welcoming of our neighbors and a place where all faiths are free to worship. I pray that we may maintain our strong but welcoming posture.-Amen

 

Power!

 

"You are awesome, O god, in your sanctuary;

the God of Israel, whose power is in the skies"

(Psalms 68:34-35). 

            Power- what a word. What a feeling. We come into the world looking for power. We equate power with security and control. We hear about power brokers. Books are written in the leadership arena telling you how to gain power, retain power and use power. The feeling of power can be addictive. It gives us an adrenaline rush.

            In relationships, power usually manifests itself as domination. How sad, when a significant other demands submission, partnership is lost. The relationship cannot reach its full potential. Power sometimes negates God's will. It can become a power brokers God.

            I have always said that two heads are four times better than either one. My definition of partnership is when two become one in objectives, dreams and goals. In a good relationship, power is not a problem. Power is only a problem when it is misused.

            In relationships (spousal, parent child and others) sacrifice and caring (love) will generate a better relationship than power and control. Often power and control are masks for insecurity and a low self image. It blocks bonding and growing in a caring relationship. "

“Love one another, Just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

(Ephesians 5:25) 

Thought For Today: In all of our interactions today, let us keep caring, consideration and love at the forefront of our decision making. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, help us put the trials of everyday life on earth in perspective. Guide us to the inner peace that can be found in the love of Jesus.

 Amen

Tradition

“Now, brothers and sisters,

I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you,

which you received and on which you have taken your stand.

By this gospel you are saved,

if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.”

(1 Corinthians 15 vs. 1&2) 

            As a sales and marketing person over thirty years I saw markets change in many ways. In the old days we drove a lot of miles selling trinkets and gadgets that met customer needs. We often brought new technology and served as an educational force and consultant.

            Through technology the products evolved as did the communication. The advent of email and the internet minimized personal visits. In today’s world, the customer has reviewed my products and others on line and our challenge is to assist in his selection process. Rather than driving around all day, I sit on line with the customer reviewing our products on line and applying them. Our style is totally different but our message is the same. We can meet your needs.

            We have a project in our church trying to adjust to 2000 years of a changing market. We need to TWEET, POST, E-mail and use the latest technology to give out a 2000 year old message to an ever changing population. Our services are overhauled so we refer to them as traditional, combined and contemporary. We are challenged.

            However, even though our communication has changed, the message has not and cannot. Over these new mediums and through the different styles we must hold firmly to the word. The new market will find the help they need in a very old message. 

Thought for Today: For today let’s marvel at the message; never changing, always true. The lord is with us. 

Prayer for Today: Heavenly father today we are in a hurry. Our calendars are full and technology gives us very little time to meditate. Today we pray for your guidance through it all. We pray for grace and solitude through Jesus. Amen

Spinach is now Available

Hi folks.

Spinach is now available in paperback and hard cover for you. Check the new "Buy on Line" tab for on line stores that carry us. For International, English speaking countries, WH Smith is listing the product. The E-book formats will be available in mid-November.

Signed or dedicated copies are available at the "Buy from Bob" tab.

Blessings to all who have supported Spinach!

Hope!

Hi folks,

I felt that this repeat of “Hope” is appropriate for two reasons today. The first reason is that Super Sandy is devastating the eastern seaboard and the people out their need hope. Secondly, we are entering the final week of a very long political campaign and we all need to pray about the image of America that the negative campaigning has spread around the world. We need the hope that the winner will govern our country to become a stronger America. We need to pray about that!

Hope!
"God, fill them with all hope, joy and peace

that they may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit..."

(Romans 15:13) 

            There must be some lucky guy out there married to a woman named Hope. Isn’t that a great thought; awakening every morning with hope; drinking morning coffee with hope; never being too far from thinking about hope. I like that analogy and the reality is we can be all of those things because the Lord is always with us and through Him hope abounds.

            One day last Winter I sat down to write my message and nothing was happening. So I did exactly the wrong thing; I filled my coffee cup, read the paper and watched the local news. My mom was snowed in, there were several murders reported and of course some political issues. There was nothing there to inspire hope but plenty to pray about.  I commented to June when she awakened that it was a long time since I started my day that way and I hope it is longer next time.

            One of the greatest things about being a Christian is having hope.  When we look toward the future we must remember Proverb 23 vs. 18. “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”

Thought for Today: Let today be a day of hope and light!

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, today we give thanks for our everlasting hope and joy available to us through Jesus. We look forward to a day that we can contribute by showing others the way by example through our hope and light.

Amen

 

Raising Expectations

Folks, I thought this was a good post for the final two weeks of a political campaign.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,

set your hearts on things above,

where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Set your minds on things above,

not on earthly things.”

(Colossians3, 1&2; NIV) 

            We have talked a bit about how the head and heart lead our bodies. How often our thoughts may be negative and they can lead us into depression. Let’s face it, when we read or listen to the news, they talk mostly about negative events. However, most of what goes on in the world is positive. We need to focus on that!

            Remember the words to the old song. “When you’re down and out, lift up your head and shout, It’s going to be a great day.” We are often confronted with the local curmudgeon, the person who finds fault with everything. Let’s face it, they are right, it is always too hot or too cold! Too rainy or their lawn needs watering! Things are too expensive! Coffee is too weak or strong! Pray for them, they need us.

            We will have negative influences in our lives. As we move through our daily lives, we are blessed with the tools to deal with the negative side.  I read this on a sign in front of a local church recently, “The Lord does not guarantee us smooth passage, just a safe landing.” It is up to use our Christian tools to stay positive and be happy. 

Thought for Today: Today we will have to deal with negative issues. Let us turn them into a positive experience by dealing with them promptly. When we encounter some that seem to linger and not go away, let us remember to turn those over to God through prayer.

Prayer for Today: Today is the day you have made for us. Unfortunately the roads have bumps and there are unknown troubles out there awaiting us. Today we pray that your presence will guide us through the tough moments and that we may accomplish our goals in Your name.

Amen