Sincerity

01230 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.
 Never be lacking in zeal,
But keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
Share with God's people who are in need.
Practice hospitality."
(Romans 12:9-13) 

        During the Christmas season, we all share material gifts. It is a beautiful time of year. It is a time of love and caring with lots of hugs, kisses, and tears of joy. The love and spirit of Christ are a blessing. 

        Now we are faced with a New Year and the resolutions that come with it. We tend to 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 unique gifts from 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 

 

Gifts 

  "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,
but rather think of yourself with sober judgment,
In accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Just as each of us has one body with many members,
And these members do not all have the same function,
so in Christ we who are many form one body,
and each member belongs to all the others.
We have different gifts,
according to the grace given us."
(Romans 12:3-6) 

            Christmas has passed, and we were all involved in the materialism of it all at some level. The advertising, the gift-giving, the holiday cards all tend to lead us away from its meaning. It is not about the gifts that were given and received by people.  

            Earlier this year, we read about the gifts that God gave us.  Paul's letter to the Romans has a special meaning. When reading further through verse 9, God's many gifts to us are listed. It is essential to understand God's blessings and recognize our gifts. We need to know where we fit in God's world and how to apply His gifts in our lives. These are the gifts that matter- They are not advertised on TV or in the newspaper. They are given to us by Him to use.

Thought for Today: As we approach the New Year, let us think about who we are and what gifts God has given us. Let us learn to use these gifts to make our lives and the lives of others better.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, self-improvement always seems to be an objective at this time of the year. Each year I focus on "my improvement" and sometimes do not recognize the tasks you may have set forth for me. I pray that this will be the year that "my improvement" is accomplished by identifying your gifts to me and finding a way to do your work with them.

Amen 

 

Christ is Born Today

Good Christian Friends, Rejoice!

 

"Good Christian friends rejoice

With heart and soul and voice;

Give ye heed to what we say:

Jesus Christ is born today!

Jesus Christ was born for this!

Jesus Christ was born to save!"

(1989 Methodist Hymnal # 224) 

            This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Christmas is a special day in our faith and our society. The public displays that represent our faith, the music, the crowded stores, and special events impact the world, as has Jesus. 

            June and I lived for several years in a complex over half occupied by Jewish families. In the lobby, there was a Christmas tree alongside a menorah. Several of the Jewish families put up lights and had Christmas trees. Recently, One of June's friends, Cheryl, invited her to see her first Christmas tree. Religion was not the issue. It was about happiness, sharing joy, and a beautiful tree. 

            My Jewish tennis friend Bobby has a daughter in college. Every year since she was very young, they would set up a tree for Christmas, and Bobby and his wife would share gifts to celebrate Christ's birthday. He and his wife wanted to acknowledge the spirit of the Christian celebration, and it gave them the chance to discuss openly the differences that exist in the world. Bobby also attends bible study and often contributes using his Old Testament knowledge. 

            My family is Unitarian, and my mom's grandparents were both Unitarian ministers. They view Christ as a great teacher/ philosopher. They do not recognize the holy trinity. However, Christmas is undoubtedly the most important day on their Church calendar. They share in our Joy of Christmas. 

"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph,and the baby, who was lying in the manger."

(Luke 2 vs. 16) 

Thought for Today: This is the day the Lord has made:

Jesus Christ is born today!\

Jesus Christ was born for this!

Jesus Christ was born to save!

 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, on this joyous day, we pray that we may follow Jesus' teachings and do your will here on earth. We pray for a world of peace and love.

 

 

Universal Hope

 

Universal Hope 

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

 Day after day, they pour forth speech; night after night, they display knowledge.

 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

(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 statement in all tongues to all peoples. We are encouraged to believe that there is hope for universal understanding and world peace. 

We live in a troubled world. There have been natural disasters, civil unrest, layoffs, and COVID and its various strains this year. They capture the headlines. Indeed, people question God's role in all of this. 

We need to 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. We can infect the world with faith, peace, and hope with our example. 

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

Thought for Today: OK, there will be bad news this week. We will hear it, see it, and sometimes feel it. We need to overcome it with the faith and hope of the Lord and 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 honor 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 mane.

 

A 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) 

            This week Christian Churches have a particular service for people having a sad time over the Holidays. Often called a Blue Christmas Service after the Elvis Presley song, but also exists as a Service of Light and Hope. It is worth attending. We can always find reasons to be blue over the holidays, and it is good to take a look at those feelings, put them in perspective and pray to God for the support available to us.

            Our friends Bob, Carl, and Dave miss their wives who passed this year. There are too many to list with severe ailments and others with challenging career and financial situations. Also, we need to pray for what seems to be our new COVID lifestyle.  

            Christmas is a time of celebration. Through it, we remember those who are experiencing loss. June and I pray about aging, living in a new society with COVID, and our growing family’s future. We need to accept the joy of the season as we move toward the holiday. Take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings. 

Thought for Today: Let us take note of our sad feelings over the holidays. Let us recognize that they exist. Rather than mask them with joy, let us pray about them and turn them over to God so we can enjoy the celebration of Christ’s birth. 

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we have special prayers for the holidays. 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. We give thanks for your role in our lives and the help you give us. Thank you for being available for us each day.

Amen

 

 

Christmas Love

Christmas Love "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not to love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13-2) The holiday season is a time of great joy and symbolism. There are bright lights in almost every neighborhood, stores are full of shoppers buying gifts for loved ones, and 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 beautiful experience. As Christians, we proceed through this season, and love abounds within our society. When we donate to the food shelf, Toys for Tots, serve at a shelter, or say Merry Christmas, we feel good because we are demonstrating our love for each other; through Christ. Love is a beautiful gift we have through our faith. Thought for Today: As we go through this week before Christmas, stress tends to build. Year-end activities pile up on top of holiday parties, annual budgets, and all the "to do" about Christmas. As we go through the day, let us focus on why we do all of this. Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we are all wrapped up in the season's activities. We are concerned about all of the "hate" in the world. Everywhere there seems to be unrest and fear of terror and violence. 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

Invisible Qualities

Invisible Qualities “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature have been seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1vs. 20) The holiday season is a hectic time of the year. Next year’s budgets at home and work, the snow needs to be shoveled (for us northerners), and increased activity at church, holiday parties, and all the holiday sports tournaments added to our schedule. It is easy to get caught up in human activities and leave our spirituality behind. Merry Christmas. Interestingly, activity surrounding Christ’s birthday celebration may often deprive us of the time to meditate and appreciate the wonders of his gifts. It is a glorious time of the year, full of memories of our youth and the excitement of growing closer to our families. Where is God in all of this? First and foremost, God is with us, even when we are too busy to be conscious of His presence. His “…invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature” are available to us all, every day. All days are not created equal! We all have our ups and downs. On those days when we are out of touch, where is the Lord? He is precisely where we left Him, waiting to support us. Thought for Today: We face holiday activities added to the norm. It is a blessed time of the year. Let us focus on being sure that we bring the Lord with us every day. Yes, He can go shopping, to a youth Holiday tournament, to a business meeting, or any place we will take Him. This week let us silently recognize His presence through meditation and prayer. Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, today we thank you for the gift of grace received through your son Jesus. We are blessed this time of year through the memories of his life and the celebration of his birth. We give thanks for your presence in our lives and the ability to reach out to you when we are stressed. Amen

Expressing Yourself

Expressing Yourself “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5 vs. 6) As Christians, we need to demonstrate our best every day in every event. That does not mean walking around handing out roses hugging everyone we see, which would scare many people off. Therefore there must be another way. Greeting people in biblical times included a hug, a cheek kiss, and sometimes water to wash off dusty feet and cool their heads. If we did that, people would be uncomfortable. Times have changed over 2000 years, and however, expressing our faith through love still works. You may do simple things that will help, and you can see the effect immediately. When you open a door for someone, make eye contact and smile; they will almost always smile back and seem more relaxed. In public places, we often see a crying child with a frustrated mom. Don’t look away or walk away! Try to make eye contact, smile, and wave to the child; say something nice. Inevitably if you do, both the mom and child will relax. You would have expressed love. In photos and movies, Jesus is portrayed with piercing, loving eyes, often a stare. No one knows if that is a truism, but it works. We are to be the light of the world we can be through simple acts of consideration and love! Thought for Today: Today, let’s smile at people and see their difference; they will be more comfortable with us. Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today I pray that I demonstrate your love and faith through my behavior toward others. I pray that I shine your light brightly. Amen

The Dalai Lama on Worry

The Dalai Lama 

“Can any of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life?”

(Matthew 6 vs. 27)           

            June and I have the ability to enjoy our lives, both the pitfalls and the pleasures. We strongly believe that somehow the Lord has been involved in our lives and led us to enjoy simple pleasures. We both believe that the ability to put the events into perspective is our greatest blessing through our faith. 

            Several weeks ago, a “Good News buddy” forwarded this to me. It does not describe a person of faith but is accurate for those who have not developed a spiritual lifestyle. 

            The Dalai Lama, when asked about what surprised him most about humanity, answered, 

“Man. Because he sacrifices his health to make money.

Then he sacrifices his money to recuperate his health.

And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;

the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;

he lives like he is never going to die, and he dies having never really lived.” 

Maybe we can help the friends that the Dalai Lama is referring to.           

Thought for Today: Who in our circle of friends resembles the Dalai Lama’s description? It could be a family member, neighbor, friend, or someone in our church. Today let’s think about that and find a way to share our faith with them. 

Prayer for Today:  Dear Lord, today, let us pray for those who have not included Christ in their lives, those who are spiritually weak, worried about physical rather than Godly issues. We pray for them and ask you for a way to help, a way to share, and a way to contribute to their spiritual growth.

            

 

For the second year, we will celebrate the holiday season with COVID on our minds. June and I are planning Thanksgiving dinner with our daughter Claire. Usually, we would be in downtown Minneapolis with over 10,000 others at the Turkey Day 5K that started at our home in the 1980s. There will be no event again this year. 

01111 Always Friends 

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,

 clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.

 Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

(Colossians 3, 12-14; NIV) 

            Most of us have a problem with feeling like one of “God’s chosen people.” The control freak in us wants to believe that we chose to follow Him, which is ego-centric and introspective. We all know that we chase Him until he catches us. In our lives, who are “God’s Chosen,” and what do they do?  

            This month is Thanksgiving, and one of my traditions is to do Christmas greetings. Each card and letter that gets addressed is to someone special. The addressees have all played a role in my life, including friends, advisors, mentors, coaches, etc. What a wonderful feeling it is to sit there and think about each of them (you). Are they God’s chosen people?  

            A priest in the UK included me in his daily prayers during my cancer period, another is a running buddy of over thirty-five years duration, and several former pastors who were spiritual advisors… the list goes on. The holiday season is an excellent opportunity to celebrate Christ’s birth and life. It also a chance to think of the many people God has placed into our lives that have demonstrated to us “… compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience...” 

Thought for Today: This week, let us think about our friends. Let us remember why they are, who they are, and what they mean to us. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, we have many blessings you have given us. Among them are our friends and contacts, and each of them is in some way a blessing. This week we offer our prayers for their health and happiness and thank you for presenting them to us and that we may all get through this 2020 holiday season healthy and thankful!

Amen

 

Global Peace 

"Whatever you have learned or
received or heard from me,
or seen in me—put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you."
(Philippians 4:8) 

            There are over 300 million people in America and billions worldwide. As individuals, we are not statistically significant. But we all know that statistics can be manipulated and misrepresented. Indeed, within our Christian faith, each of us is significant to God. In many of Paul's letters, he advised that "God will be with you." I will add, personally, upfront and close.

            As statistically insignificant as the mathematicians make us, God gives us meaning, power, and faith. We are the power of one. As Christians, we can impact the world one individual at a time through our faith. When we demonstrate that we are at peace, we infect those around us. When we demonstrate good Christian ethics, we lead others to follow us. When we are at peace, others want to join us. 

            We all know of pyramid schemes and chain letters. We have an opportunity through our faith to be at the top of a living chain. Each day we are at peace through our faith, we will positively affect our environment. Our challenge as people of faith is to work our peace so others will join us.

Thought for Today: It is challenging but exciting to think that we can affect others with our positive actions. This week let us consider others and, by example, share our hope regarding our future.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we see and hear ugliness in the world daily. There are wars and revolutions in the mid-east and Africa, a worldwide refugee crisis, many of our streets are unsafe, and there are too many negative financial issues within our institutions. It is hard to understand where you are when we are bombarded daily with these issues. We pray for an understanding of your role and that we may participate in an overall solution.
Amen 

 

 Halloween 1991 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God. …which transcends all understanding…?”

(Philippians 4 verse 6) 

            On October 31st in 1991, Halloween was a significant event in the northern part of the United States. We had two events to prepare for; children trick or treating and June’s departure to the UK for a family visit on November 1^st. Mother nature also had a plan that she had not consulted with me on; the great Halloween three-day blizzard in Minnesota, which was a piece of what is now known as “The Perfect Storm.”         

Paul told the Philippians, “Do not be anxious about anything…” but millions of Americans were anxious that weekend. People died on lost ships on the Grand Banks, and Minneapolis had 30 inches of snow. But it was not all bad on our end. Let me explain. 

            In the early afternoon, we had a temperature drop, and a snowstorm started. That is not unusual in Minnesota in the fall, and we did not expect it to be anything but a fun Halloween. You see, I had already decorated the outside of the house with Christmas lights, so we turned them on. The lights drew a large group of Halloween revelers. We met them with a special greeting, “Ho Ho Ho, Happy Halloween.” There were six inches of snow on the ground, and we did pray for the safety of the children. 

            In the morning, there were 15 inches of snow, and the visibility was near zero. A trip to the airport seemed impossible. We decided to depart after lunch for a 6:30 flight, and the twenty-minute drive took over two hours and was very dangerous. June’s flight departed 3 hours late, and I had a three-hour ride home. Happy Halloween. 

            Tonight is Halloween; enjoy it with your neighborhood goblins. 

Thought for Today: Halloween is a special day, and we should enjoy it with the revelers. We should also think back to 1991 and be prayerful. 

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, this week, we pray for children on a day they look forward to each year. We pray that they are safe and have a great evening. We give thanks for their presence in our lives.

Amen 

 

Indian Summer 

"This is the day
that the Lord has made,
Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
(Psalm 118:24) 

            In Minnesota, we are experiencing a wonderful Autumn. An "Indian Summer." A freeze followed our first heavy frost, and now we have warm temperatures. Certainly, this is a gift to us by God, and it is something that we all appreciate.

            During this time, the crabgrass has died; there is color in the leaves; the lawn does not need mowing as often; the evenings are cool; the garden does not need weeding.

            There are many blessings about "Indian Summer," and they are easily recognized. There are also many blessings in our daily lives, but we often do not see and acknowledge them. We try to control our lives and often do not turn enough over to God. The more we allow Him to take over, the more blessed our lives become. 

            The Psalmist says, "...But may all who seek you, rejoice and be glad in you..." As we give thanks for good weather, we also need to give thanks and recognize God's role in our daily lives.

Thought for Today: The fall season is upon us. The busy holidays are approaching us all too swiftly. This week we have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the dwell-in activities between the end of Summer and the holidays. Let us enjoy by allowing God's will into our daily lives. Let Go and Let God and appreciate the things he will do for us.

Prayer: Father, we pray specifically for those in the world that need food, shelter, and quality of life. In our country, there are too many people out of work or threatened by unemployment. In many countries, the Holy season approaches many desperate people. We pray for them and that somehow the prosperous peoples of the world can find a way to do your will. We pray that we may find a way to contribute.
Amen

 

 

 

Trust in the Lord 

 “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
(Jeremiah 17:7-10) 

        In the 1990s, June and I enjoyed four weeks of vacation. It was not easy when surrounded by world events. While staying in Pyrford, south of London, there were concerns regarding a serial rapist that had just struck for the ninth time. A sniper started shooting in Washington, DC. There was a bomb in Bali and then a plane crash. It is easy to ask, “Where is God in all of this?” It is logical, by human standards, to feel concerned and helpless. We felt guilty while enjoying a vacation amongst the tragedies. 

        Somehow, through prayer and understanding, we need to keep the faith we have in the Lord. He does not expect us to understand everything, love and trust Him to put it all together. Together we need to demonstrate this trust and love to others through times of stress and tragedy. We need to be like a tree with roots planted by the stream. We need to be fresh and always bear the fruit of the Lord;  to have this fruit available when others need it.

Thought for Today: Today, let us focus on our fruit and understand what our faith can do for others with less understanding. Let us pray and keep our spiritual fruits fresh to share them with those in need.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we come to you confused by world events. We are concerned about our issues; unemployment, depleted retirement funds, sickness, and many other problems. Throughout all of this, we pray that we may recognize our role as servants and that we make our spiritual fruits available to those in need.

Amen

 

I Yam What I Yam

I Yam What I Yam 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,"

(Phillipiama 4-13) 

Was Popeye a philosopher? Cartoonists often are. When Popeye was confronted with difficult situations, he would state, "I yam what I yam?" gulp down his spinach and defend right!

        We are not all Popeyes, and we are expected to conform, often to standards below our Christian faith standards, and may face difficulties if we do not. In any case, it is necessary to understand who we are, what we are, and keep the Lord in our daily lives. We need our "spinach."

.
         In many ways, we are continually fighting an image syndrome. Conformity is the word, and clones are the result. Quite often, we get flack because we don't fit.
    How did some of the prophets or John the Baptist fit in with the rest of their society? Probably not too well at times, and they were special.

 
    The truth is you are you. You are who God created you to be, and he wants you to know who you are and understand your individual characteristics. God created you and then broke the mold. No one else is exactly like you.

 
        You are unique, and it is all right to be you. Don't let others shape you. That is God's task. He started with you, he will finish with you, and he will be with you. He is our spinach.

 

He does want you to be you.

Thought for the Day: Let us search for the person that God wants us to be so that we may serve him better.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we travel through our weekly chores, we need to see a way to help You. We often lose track of your plan, and sometimes we are too busy and do not understand it. This week we pray that each of us may find a better way to serve You and make life better for everyone.
Amen.

 

 

Special Days

Special Days 

^” This is the day the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

(Psalm 118v 24) 

            There are 365 days every year. Our goal and challenge are to enjoy every day. We can not allow our finances, a boss, or other outside influences to steal pleasure from any day. God put us here to be happy, and we need to do that for Him. 

OK, let’s get real. Some days are just a drag, and things go wrong. God rains on our parade, our back goes out again, etc. When negative things get in the way, we have a hard choice to make. We can choose to have a bad day or trust our faith and give thanks for what went right. Some days it seems that the only thing to give thanks for is that it is over. Well, that’s enough to make it a good day. 

We all have problems and challenges that will take longer than one day to resolve. Many issues seem unsolvable. We need to remember two important things. When we live one day at a time, we simplify our solutions. If we do not get it today, we can work on it tomorrow. When we believe an issue is unsolvable, we need to remember that the Lord is with us, and He can change the rules. We need to pray and turn unsolvable matters over to the Lord. 

Allowing God to be with us every day guarantees that we will have a good day. 

Thought for the Day: This will be a wonderful week for all of us. We will walk through the challenges and bless the Lord for the experiences and lessons that we learn one day at a time. 

Prayer for the Week: Dear Lord and father, we are often confused by our world. There are problems that we want to fix now and can not. This week we give thanks for the many things that go well and the blessings that we have. We give thanks and pray that we may cheerfully contribute to your plan. 

 

Brotherly Love

 

 Brotherly Love 

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

 Honor one another above yourselves.”

(Romans 12vs 10) 

            Paul is saying that the person closest to or standing next to you deserves dignity and honor at any moment in time. In many cases, that is not how it works. We are an overloaded society and rarely give the person near us enough of our thoughts. We care about thinking too far ahead rather than in the present, and we need to slow down.             

            My point is that we should not forget to consider or care for everyone, even when we do not have time. Christ served everyone; He made time for lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, and all of the “unclean” and needy as well as his disciples. We are often called or approached by a friend or acquaintance for advice or help at an inconvenient time. When that happens, we often look at our watch while they talk, space out and not listen, and then brush them off as quickly as possible- Wow, WWJD on that one. 

            The above is a real problem faced by all of us almost daily. We have deadlines in our lives and people that matter long term; our families and career colleagues. With that in mind, how do we deal with others who come for help when we do not have time. We need to pray about that, about how we can be considerate and tolerant.   

Thought for Today: Let’s focus on being caring when we are interrupted by a friend. We always need to find ways to share our Christian love. Let us ask how Jesus would deal with the telemarketer. 

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today I will meet someone in need, and I won’t have time to listen. Today when that happens, I pray and hear in your name, as Jesus would.

Amen

 

Gods Love and Grace

“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God;

He is the faithful God,”

(Deuteronomy 7 v 9)

June and I are close to people of varied faiths. Through our association with each, we have come to a strong belief that we all worship the same God in different ways, and we all experience God’s grace.

Several years ago, we became good friends with the family of an executive from Pakistan, and it was our first real close relationship with a Muslim family. We were close to them in 2001 and observed the frustration that a true Muslim felt regarding September 11.

Recently a Jewish friend that I have known and liked for years shared with me that he does bible studies to learn about the Christian perspective. His strong family values, general upbeat personality, and strong ethical standards make him someone I am glad to know.

We have spent many Sundays with my family in Unitarian Meeting Houses when we return to Massachusetts. We are learning more about my mom’s grandparents, who were Unitarian ministers.

To avoid making this a 10,000-word essay, let me summarize some of our other relationships: A son in law who is a Southern Baptist, a brother in law who is a Catholic priest in the UK, a Buddhist sister in law, a Mormon best friend who lost touch with his faith, a Native American friend who has involved us in some spiritual activities, and the list goes on.

In each instance mentioned, June and I have experienced good friendships and observed solid, godly values in our friends. We have observed God working in our friends’ lives in most instances and see God’s grace at work in many ways. Most importantly, we have experienced God’s grace through our friends.

Thought for the Day: Recognize those around us that are different and try to befriend someone new. Seek out someone that looks at God differently. The Lord blesses them also.

Prayer for the Day: Dear faithful Lord and Father, the world is an incredible and wonderful creation. There are many peoples of all colors and beliefs. There are generation gaps, social differences, and economic separations. Often the differences get in the way of social graces. Today we pray for the ability to bring unity to the world.

Amen

23rd Psalm

 

School Days

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters..."
Psalms 23:1-2).

            In my grammar school years, the school day started by reading the 23^rd Psalm, Lord's prayer, and saluting the flag. Wow, by today's standards, that is powerful stuff. Let us take a look at this and see if we can apply it to our lives today.

        The first two lines above lead us to tranquility. Faith will take care of our wants, lead us to the inner peace we desire, and lead us to the restful place beside still waters.

 

"He refreshes and restores my life;
He leads in the paths of righteousness
for His namesake."
(Psalm23:3).

There are always periods when things in our lives need rebuilding. Thereare temptations to take the easy way. These verses point out that the way to get out of the "dumps" is to follow Him.

"Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff to comfort me."
(Psalm 23:4).

The Psalm points out that the Lord is with us and will guide and support us throughout our lives.

    Yes, today, our lives get filled with stress. As Christians, we have excellent tools to work within our daily lives. The more we let God lead us, the more we will be at peace.

Thought for Today: Let us reflect on our pandemic experiences. Read the 23rd Psalm and accept the help that God has available to us as we move forward. It will be a big help in locating those still waters we all seek.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, often stress builds up in our lives. It is a combination of hurts, anger, and resentments kept hidden inside of ourselves. When this occurs, I pray that I find a way to let you help and accept the guidance, protection, and support promised through our Christian faith. 

 

Our newspaper reported yesterday that Minneapolis is on track to have 10,000 gun shots fired this calendar year. We as citizens need to do what we can to bring peace to our world.

 

 Peace Together 

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.”

(John 15 vs. 4) 

            Often people say they are no longer interested in organized religion The ritual, rules, money, and hard work did not do it for them; shame on them and shame on their church. There are others that change churches often searching for something they never quite find. We need to pray that they locate it.  

In general, those described above are less than happy in their lives. 

            Jesus message is clear, He is with us always. When we are searching and restless the ball is in our court; we are the problem. These are the times that we are out of touch with the Holy Spirit; not taking the time to open our hearts. When we are spiritually down and out, we need to look at ourselves first. 

            In 1954, Stuart Hamblen published the song “Open UpYour Heart” (and let the sunshine in.). Google shows that it was a big hit by the Maguire Sisters that year. It has since been used hundreds of times in cartoons, children's messages, and TV shows.  Jesus is our Lord and sunshine; we the people need to allow the sunshine in so that we may find peace together. 

Thought for Today: Today let us open our hearts to the Lord. Let’s find peace with Him. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, today we thank you for being with us; on our walks, at work, in our cars, and all phases of our day. Today we pray that we may stay in touch with you under all conditions.