A Pickeringism is a phrase or idea that is an absolute truth with no scientific basis. A favorite is "All days are not created equal!" Hmm. Truth in all areas of life. Marriages vary daily when one spouse has a gloomy day, or maybe both do! In the workplace, differences are variable despite all the rules and policies. That is what makes life exciting and challenging. In Thomas A Harriss' book, I'm OK; You're OK," he reviews the four states of every two-person relationship. They are summarized as “I'm OK, you're not OK": when one person has some stress or discomfort with the moment. That same position is reversed with the second condition, "I'm not OK, you're OK. A great place to be is home when all is well and comfortable; I'm OK, you're OK; the state of marital bliss; Live happily ever after. (Wow, is that optimistic?) Then, the whole relationship may be a mess with the condition "I'm not OK, you're not OK." Among all life's variables, there is a constant: the power of one that can work on any day, in any condition. That power is our faith. Pickeringisms can be negated by confidence and the knowledge that God is with us and will bring us through. Joseph Kennedy, President Kennedy's father, is credited with saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." We must recognize that the going will often vary, and sometimes, we need to pray for guidance and help. Thought for Today: Today, let's be secure in knowing that the Lord is with us and will help us through. Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, we thank you for your support in our everyday lives. We are grateful for your blessings. We are thankful that no matter how the world changes, you will be there when we need you. Amen Facebook Facebook

God;s Gifts

God’s Seven Gifts "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." (Romans 12; 6 & 7, NIV) Paul’s message to the Romans lists seven specific gifts. Each of us has been blessed with some of them and can use them in our every day lives. We are bombarded with opportunities. God's "HELP WANTED" asks us to use our gifts to do His work. We are therefore facing two challenges. One is to recognize the gifts given to us. The other is sharing these gifts with others in our daily lives. It is the sharing of these gifts in a loving Christian way that brings us peace. Thoughtfor Today: Today let us focus on our gifts. Let us understand them and how to use them to help ourselves and others. Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, again we pray for peace and justice in a seemingly troubled world. We are trying to understand what everything means and our piece in it all. Often, many of us feel too small to help. Since "...we are one body in Christ" we pray that we may recognize our gifts and use them. Amen

Super Bowl!

“The Lord is my strength and shield; My heart trusts in Him and I am helped. (Psalm 28 vs 7) The “Super Bowl” takes place in January, and there are enormous numbers associated with it. Numbers like 150 million people watching on TV, six million dollars for a thirty-second ad, five hundred million added to the area economy- Oh yes, there are some competitors and coaches from both teams who will attend a prayer meeting and bible study Sunday before the game, members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. My sports history goes back to age six as a YMCA swimmer, and my 60 plus years of associating with athletes have convinced me that they are not a group to be proud to know. Years of competition and “winning is everything” attitude have negatively influenced them. On Super Sunday, there will be members of the “Fellowship” representing what a Christian needs to be: The best they can be with an appreciation of the Lord and Jesus Christ. Below is the last paragraph of their competitor’s creed. “I give my all every time. I do not give up. I do not give in. I do not give out. I am the Lord’s warrior- a competitor by conviction and a disciple of determination. I am confident beyond reason because my confidence lies in Christ. The results of my efforts must result in His glory. Let the competition begin and let the glory be God’s.” Thought for Today: Let us enjoy today by being the best we can be while keeping the Lord in the forefront. Prayer for Today: Father, today we pray that we will keep you in our lives, that we will be fair in our dealings and competitions. Amen

Let It Shine!

Our Task for a New Year . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5; 16 Happy New Year! We say and think that and have trouble living it because there are problems (illnesses, financial issues, family stress, etc.) that do not roll over at midnight on December 31st. “Happy New Year” is an excellent thought to have. If we are the light of the world, then we need to be happy and allow the light to shine. Hearing or reading the news can be depressing. There is our post-COVID world, and racial violence seems to be on the uptake, New Year’s Eve violence, and world economies seem lackluster. As Christians, we need to care and be concerned. However, we also need to pray and thank the Lord for the good news side of the coin. Our focus needs to be on the positive side; there is always more right than wrong, good than bad. In a recent TV sermon, Joel Osteen asked, “The Bible says we are the light of the world. Have you got your light shining out?” Focus on that with smiles and laughter, and show the warm glow and the light of the world. Thought for Today: Today will be a great day. Yes, everyday things like illness, stress, cranky kids, bad weather, and too much to do will occur. There will also be great friends and family, fresh air, good food, and other positives. We need to keep our light shining so others may see it. Prayer for Today: Dear God, we give thanks for the warmth and joy you give us in our hearts and our Christian love for others. We thank you for the happiness in our lives and the ability to share it. Amen

Renewal

We are in the Holiday recovery mode and are weary. From time to time, it is necessary to take a break. It is vital to prevent burnout and refresh ourselves. We need rest to be the best we can be and do our jobs as parents, employees, and citizens. Along with resting, we need meditation. Ok, if you are reading this, I am preaching to the choir again. However, many rest and renew their minds and bodies without thinking of renewing their spirit. They forget to pray or recognize the Lord’s role in their lives. Others neglect their bodies. It is easy to overeat during the holidays and skip a workout. That’s a double-edged sword that I have been guilty of for years. That’s what New Year’s resolutions are all about. We will do fine next year. The message from Isaiah above is to keep hope in the Lord, keep him in your life, and he will help you soar like an eagle. Thought for Today: Let us think about keeping God in the forefront of our minds. Prayer for Today: Father, we ask that you fill us with your spirit and strength and guidance. Amen

Joy to the World

Joy to the World “Joy to the World, the Lord has come" There are a lot of one liners that can be taken from Christmas carols. The opening of "Joy to the World" says it all to me. It summarizes our Christian lives; lives of joy through the forgiveness of our faith and our Christian peers. Let us all feel the joy of the season, the love for each other and keep our faith strong throughout the season. With blessings, have a great Christmas Eve.

Blue Christmas

01219 Blue Christmas “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you, my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” (Psalm 57:1) Many churches have a special service for people having a sad time over the Holidays. Our pastor must have been an Elvis fan once because he called it a Blue Christmas Service. We can always find reasons to be blue over the holidays, and it is good to look at those feelings, put them in perspective, and pray to God for the support available to us. It was one worth attending whether you were sad or not. Our friends Bob, Carl, and Dave miss their wives who passed away. There are too many to list with severe ailments and others with challenging career and financial situations. Several years ago, we met a young gentleman, John, who had visited during the summer. He was in tears during the service. He was despondent because his parents were having a problem with his sexual preference. I ask you all for prayers. Celebrating Christmas is for all of us. Through it all, we remember those who are experiencing loss. June and I pray about aging. It is important to take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings. Thought for Today: Let us take note of our sad feelings over the holidays. We need to recognize that they exist rather than masking them with joy. Pray about them, turn them over to God, and enjoy the celebration of Christ’s birth. Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we have special holiday prayers. We pray that your presence brings trust and love to the world. We pray for people who have lost loved ones and are spending their first Christmas with an empty place at the table while giving thanks for your role in our lives and the help you give us. Thank you for being available for us each day. Amen