Sincerity

Sincerity

"Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Honor one another above yourselves.
(Romans 12:9-10)

        During the Christmas season we all share material gifts. It is a time of great love and caring.  There are a lot of hugs, kisses and tears of joy. It is a truly wonderful time of year. We are blessed with love and the spirit of Christ. 

        Now we are faced with a New Year and all of the resolutions that come with it. In most cases, we go back to the grind of daily life and settle into our routine with very few changes. However, we need to continue to share this love, this zeal and this joy. When we do, we all benefit and live better lives. Here are two of my favorite quotes and worth thinking about for the New Year.

John F. Kennedy:  "One person can make a difference and every person must try."

John Wesley:

Do all the good you can,

by all the means you can,

in all the ways you can,

in all the places you can

at all the times you can,

to all the people you can,

as long as ever you can.

Thought for Today: As we proceed toward the New Year, let us focus on ourselves and our talents. Let us recognize that we have special gifts, given to us by the Lord to use for Him.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we are entering the New Year and we wonder where it will have in store for us. We pray we can apply our talents and gifts in the New Year to pursue your will.
Amen

Song!

There’s a Song I the Air

“There’s a song in the air!

There’s a star in the sky!

There’s a mother’s deep prayer

And a baby’s low cry!

And the star rains its fire

While the beautiful sing,

For the manger of Bethlehem

 cradles a king.”

(1989 Methodist Hymnal #249)

(Josiah G. Holland 1874)

            There is a lot of joy around the Christmas season. I am somewhat reluctant to use non-carols as a lead-in, but the pop songs do create joy. Songs of Rudolph, Jingle Bells, White Christmas, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, (My personal favorite for a Christmas laugh) and many more usually do not help increase the spirituality but do certainly add to the happiness of the season.

            Several years ago, at lunch with a pastor the restaurant was playing pop Christmas music. He did not want to hear about Rudolph, Santa or Grandma. I spent a good part of the lunch applying my considerable sales skills trying to manipulate the mood to positive and in the spirit of the season. I could not do it!  I realized later that he was having a bad day and grabbed on to the music as a symbol of his angst.

            My view on Christmas pop music is noncritical; it adds to the joy, the event and maybe even brings someone to Church. It gives people an opportunity to think about what it is all about and adds to the season.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

(Luke 2 vs. 14)

 Thought for Today: For today as we wrap up our last minute preparations for Christmas, let us take a few moments, forget the stresses and enjoy the moment.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today we approach the celebration of Jesus birth. It is a wonderful season and we are blessed. We thank you for the Grace guaranteed us through him.

Amen

Universal Hope

Universal Hope

“The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

 (Psalm 19v1-4)

The holiday season is a time of hope. The Psalmist notes that there is one clear message from the heavens, one God with one message in all tongues to all peoples. Clearly, this encourages us to believe that there is hope for universal understanding and someday world peace.

We live in an often troubled world. This year there have been natural disasters, terrorism, attacks in schools, layoffs and all sorts of ungodly events. They capture the headlines. Certainly there many who question God’s role in all of this; remember that “The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”  The press and news media report on other issues. It is up to each of us to focus on the message. With our example, we can infect the world with faith, peace and hope.

  

John F. Kennedy said it this way, "One person can make a difference and every person must try."

Thought for Today: There will be bad news this week. We will hear it, see it and sometimes feel it. This week we need to overcome it with the faith and hope of the Lord. This week let us show others our hope for future generations.

Prayer for the Season: Dear Lord, this is the time of year when all faiths celebrate you. We celebrate your presence in different ways with the common thread of love and peace. We pray for the guidance to share our faith so that we may sow a seed in your name.

Christmas Love

Christmas Love

"If I have the gift of prophesy, and can fathom all mysteries

and all knowledge

and if I have a faith that can move mountains,

but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,

but have not Love, I gain nothing.”

(1 Corinthians 13-2)

            The holiday season is a time of great joy. It is full of symbolism. There are bright lights in almost every neighborhood. Stores are full of shoppers buying gifts for their loved ones. Christmas trees light up our homes. Special carols that we sing only once each year sound pleasing to our ears. Yes, the celebration of Christ's birthday is a wonderful experience.   

             As Christians, we proceed through this season each fall. In general, love abounds within our society. When we donate to the food shelf; to Toys for Tots; serve at a shelter; or just say Merry Christmas- we feel good because we are demonstrating our love for each other- through Christ. Love is wonderful gift we have been given through our faith.

Thought for Today: As we approach Christmas, stress tends to build. Year end activities pile up on top of holiday parties, annual budgets and all the "to do" about Christmas. Why we are doing all of this? Not because we must, but out of love for each other, those around us and the love of Christ.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we are all wrapped up in the season's activities. We are concerned the world’s political log jams and street protests. In America we suffer from domestic terrorism, fear outside forces and political turmoil. We pray that somehow love can shine through all of this and that we as people may see through the negative forces and learn that love is possible.

Amen

Persistence!

Be consistent in your faith and always pursue spiritual growth. 

Day Of Infamy

Infamy

The LORD Almighty has sworn,

“Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,
   and as I have purposed, so it will happen.

(Isaiah 14:24)

            Today is a famous day described as a day of Infamy. It is one of the most famous days in the history of war. There are a lot of famous battles described in our history books, David and Goliath, Troy, Gettysburg…and more. I need to wonder and ask why. Most wars since WWII have been un-Godly nobody wins situations that do not seem to resolve anything. In fact, after the treaties are signed there has been as much tension as before and does not make a lot of sense to me.
            So where is God in all of this? What would Jesus do? How come both sides can think God is with them? These are great questions and I am not even going to try to answer them. I will refer them to Abraham Lincoln as he analyzed God’s presence in war.
            In Abraham Lincoln: A History by Nicolay and Hay, Lincoln is quoted: “The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purposes of either party—and yet the human instrumentalities working just as they do, are of the best adaption to effect His purpose…God wills this contest, and wills that it shall not end yet. …He could give final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds.”
            
            Today we need to remember Pearl Harbor, a day in infamy. We also need to pray for an end to all conflicts and terrorist acts, we need to contemplate world peace.

Thought for Today: Contemplate world peace.

Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord and savior today we are wondering where it will all end. Throughout history the world’s people have found ways to battle. Today we pray for some understanding as to your role in all of this. We pray for understanding so that we can represent your will in search for peace.

Blue Christmas

Blue Christmas

"Humble yourselves ... under God's mighty hand,
that he may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on him
because he cares for you. “
(1 Peter 5: 6 & 7)

            Christmas season is a time when it is easy to be happy. The cheer it brings is a great and wonderful thing. There are bright lights, merry music, more smiles and more eye contact as we walk the streets. Yes, the Christmas season brings us great joy.

             There are, however, those that are experiencing tough times and events that just cannot be ignored. Those with critically ill loved ones who are fearful that this is their last holiday together, some that are experiencing their first holiday season alone after losing a loved one. Many who are ill and fearful. These are friends of ours that are experiencing a "Blue Christmas". (Thanks Elvis!)

             Many of us do not know how to deal with people in this kind of emotional need. We would love to help but do not want to interfere.  I pray that all of us think about that. This is a time to share; a time to listen; a time to pick up the phone and just say hello; a time to ask someone if they would like to share a prayer. This is a time when we can reach out to someone out of love and share God's faith.

Thought for Today: Let us focus this Christmas season on those around us that are experiencing a blue Christmas. Let us identify them. Let us reach out to them with love.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father we pray for ourselves, our friends and loved ones. Many are ill and experiencing fear, uncertainty, loneliness or hurt. They need you in their lives and have not found you. Today we pray that we may be the conduit that strengthens their faith and eases their anxieties. We pray for a way to do your will in this way.
Amen

Thank You!

Thank You!

Thanksgiving in America is a holiday that starts the official beginning to the holiday season. It coincides with the start of the new church year, Advent. This post is a thank you to all my Christian friends and readers.

"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)

 
            This is just a short prayer of Thanksgiving today for all of you. The best part of this blog and my nook is the many of you who contact me that I have never met. Our list of friends includes four CEO's (at least two take time to share the devotions with staff), many salesmen (because that is my world), clergy in several countries, many retirees and all sorts of others. Thanks to you all because you each enhance my life at some level.
        Several years ago my pastor spoke of "returning thanks" to God this week rather than "Giving Thanks". It was something his grand father used to do three times a day. His basis was that God gave us the things we are thankful for and he wanted to hear from us but that we were really giving back or returning thanks.
 
        This week I return thanks you all, as well as to God, and share my love of people and life with you.

Prayer for Thanksgiving: Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, we return blessings and thanks to you today for the many wonderful experiences we have, the love that we feel from our friends and acquaintances and for the guidance that you give us in our daily lives. We pray that through out the world people learn to appreciate your blessings and to live the life that you desire for us; one of peace and good will for all.
Amen

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

"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)

            June and I are especially thankful for a family running event we started in 1990, now called the Turkey Day 5K. Each year we are tearfully proud when 10,000 plus runners, walkers, pets and wheel chair participants enjoy their Thanksgiving morning in downtown Minneapolis.(…and Chicago, Boise, Miami and Deerfield, Ohio) As an aside, but probably more important, will be the contributions of food and hard cash that will be received by the Second Harvest food shelf. We both feel blessed that the Lord gave us the inspiration start this event and placed people in our path who have made it special.

             Thanksgiving is the traditional start of what we call the holiday season. While giving thanks we must be aware and focus on the good rewarding parts of our lives; on the positive.

I like the way H. Norman Wright put it, "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 in spirit, mind and body."

    Let us hold those thoughts and be thankful for all of our blessings.

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. Through 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

Positive Christian II

Positive Christian II

Even youths grow tired and weary,
       and young men stumble and fall;”

(Isaiah 40 vs. 30)

            For the last several years I have exercised with an older retired physician, Phil. We walk/jog/waddle 15-20 miles a week and we have a lot of time to talk. He has completed over 25 marathons, 20 ultra-marathons and many of know my triathlon history (Retired from competition on my 72^nd birthday.) Phil and I talk about our youthful days and have determined that growing older is not for the weak! We just do not recover as fast as we used to and often are fatigued and sluggish. It is hard to stay positive. June can tell you what I mean!

            I want to talk about friends that Phil and I have who have lost their spouse. Staying positive while grieving is a difficult challenge and nearly half of us will face it. It is a time when our Faith may be challenged, we may ask, “Why me Lord?” and we need to deal with our new loneliness. It takes a strong faith to stay positive.          

All of the above sounds a bit negative and that is not intentional-it is just data. The reality is that it is great to be a Christian. We have a great perspective on life and a lot to share with future generations. In our later years we have the support of our Lord and have time to help others, time to share, time for ourselves, and time to recover from our ills. We need to be positive Christians, set an example on how to live and be happy. As we struggle through our many challenges, we need to remember the following:

“but those who hope in the LORD
       will renew their strength.
       They will soar on wings like eagles;
       they will run and not grow weary,
       they will walk and not be faint.”

(Isaiah 40 vs. 31-32)

Thought for Today: Be happy, be positive and share our enthusiasm with others.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, today we thank you for our blessings and the ability to focus on positive feelings through your love. Today we pray that we may be positive and radiate joy to those around us.

Amen

Positive Christian I

Positive Christian I

“He gives strength to the weary
       and increases the power of the weak.

(Isaiah 40 vs. 29)

            It is another early morning and I am in Sterling, Mass caring for my ailing ninety-eight year old mother .I am thinking back to a summer when June and I moved into our seventies and deeper into over 40 years of marriage. It was a year of celebration and joy. We also did a lot of reminiscing about the victories and challenges we worked through over the years. June and I are truly blessed.

            The story is not all that positive however, we are getting older and as my mom says, “Growing old is not for the faint of heart”. It comes with its own set of challenges. We get tired easier, recover slower and can eat less. Several years ago June and I set a goal of not becoming grumpy senior citizens. We decided to pray and always try to be positive Christians. It is not always easy.

Thought for Today: Today will be a milestone; things will happen we do not expect. Today let’s recognize the blessings we will have, even if they seem like challenges.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today we thank you for our many fond memories. As we face today’s challenges we pray that we accomplish your will, deal with issues Jesus way and generate more fond memories for tomorrow.

Amen