Spring

Spring "Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants." (Deuteronomy 32:2) "I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil." "\(Deuteronomy 11:14) Spring is a beautiful time of the year. Long warmer evenings replace short winter days. Spring bulbs emerge from the ground with green sprouts, and color returns to the woods, parks, and yards. It is a time when the wonders of God bring peaceful thoughts to us all. We also live in a world of protests, shootings, and fear. Terrorism, anger, illness, and other crises fill our world alongside the wonders of spring. Where is our "peace on earth"? Spring shows us how close it is and that God is trying to bring it to us. What is our best way to participate in having a peaceful world? The message in another hymn,"...let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." gives us a hint. If each of us does our part, we can influence the world. John F. Kennedy put it like this. "One person can make a difference, and every person must try." Thought for Today: We encounter negativity, anger, frustrations in the workplace, and frustration in our lives. We can choose to be anxious or at peace. Let peace begin with each of us. This week let's demonstrate Christian love and our quiet side. Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we see violent negativity worldwide and have very little control over it all. We pray that we may lead by the example of Christ, and that our living example may contribute to a better world.

Enough is Enough

Enough is enough "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127 vs.1) The competitive nature of our society has generated a workaholic mentality. In the 1960s, we occasionally met someone who worked a 50-hour week, and in some families, both the wife and husband had full-time jobs, but they were not commonplace. People work way too much. They are on the internet daily, attached to cell phones, and then overloaded with our sports and recreational commitments. In "When I Relax I Feel Guilty," Tim Hansel wrote about our present state. "We are called to be faithful, not frantic. If we are to meet the challenges of today, there must be integrity between our words and our lives and more reliance on the source of our purpose. "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders' labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain, you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for He grants sleep to those he loves." In the Christian sense, running here and there, volunteering is now required to be considered a dedicated, sacrificing, spiritual Christian. Perhaps the seven deadly sins have created another member- Overwork! We must remember that our strength lies not in hurried efforts and endless long hours but our quietness and confidence. The world says today that enough is enough. Thought for Today: Slow down, take a break. Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, we thank you for your many blessings. Through you, we have enough. Amen

Style Change

Style Change? “For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” (Proverbs 1:32/33) The more we change, the more we seem to stay the same (adapted from Alfonse Karr). When we focus on our spirituality, we can live “…without fear of harm.” Negatives build when we lose focus and create a slippery slide. Putting oneself first part of each day is critical to maintaining sanity and personal growth. It is essential to take time to grow every day to be a good parent, employee, and friend. How do we do all we need to do to meet our obligations? The answer is priorities and including the Lord on the list. When we do not have time for God, it is a sign of over-commitment, reacting to our “to-do” lists rather than planning our day. Pat McNamara, a former Olympian from Minneapolis, once advised me that if I was going to stay in shape, I had to give fitness a priority part of every day. Make it a calendar item and follow Nike’s advice, “Just Do It.” The same applies to faith. Schedule a time to listen to the Lord’s message so we “…will live safely and be at ease, without fear of harm.” Thought for Today: Recognize the internal conflict between our over-committed “to-do” lists and the time required for personal growth. The concept is simple: we all want to be better in spirit, mind, and body but lack time. Let’s try placing the Lord first for a few minutes and feel the difference. Prayer for Today: Father, you are at the top of my list today. I look forward to the piece that you will bring. Amen

Don't Forget To Call

Don't Forget to Call "The Lord said, 'Call to me, and I will answer you.'" (Jeremiah 33:3) It is easy to go through a busy day without acknowledging the presence of God in our lives. Sometimes, when we get to the end of a day and look back, the day seems un-Godly. When that happens, we have not done the best job of caring for ourselves. That is our fault. Confusion and stress seem to find their way into our lives. We will have busy and stressful days, and bad things will happen to us. It is advisable to put ourselves first for a part of each day, which requires a bit of selfishness. Alone time shared with God will make us better workers, parents, and people. There is nothing selfish about that. Henri Nouwen called it a still place: "…This still place is where God can dwell and speak to us. It also is the place from which we can speak in a healing way to all the people we meet in our busy days." We all need to think about that. Thought for Today: Remember to be selfish, take a break, and allow God to support us. Prayer for Today: Let us pray that God will be present in our lives as we pursue the opportunities before us. Amen

April Fool

0401 Boldness "Almighty God, may they be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak the Word of God with boldness..." -- Acts 4:31 April fool's day is a day of practical jokes, misleading emails, and general tomfoolery. That will not work because we cannot hide from God, who loves us. So, let's skip reading our devotional and forget the Holy Spirit and our Lord so that we may participate. Today the comics in the newspaper will have Fool's Day jokes, the news and sports programs will be full of them, and there will be a few bogus press releases to get your attention. If I were to write a press release for today, it would be "Bob shoots par at St. Andrews!" or "… wins the Ironman." People would immediately recognize these were jokes, and some would know they were my fantasies. Like all days, I hope this devotional puts you on track to recognize the Holy Spirit in your life and its role in you. While others are playing jokes, we need to be sure that we are bold in our faith. Blessings to you all, and enjoy the start of April. Thought for Today: Today, we will be bold in our faith and remember that it is ok to be a joker. Prayer for Today: Father, we give thanks for all we are and have. We thank you for having the freedom to enjoy a good joke, a great laugh, and the faith to know the absolute truth. We pray for good health, world peace, and prosperity for all. Amen

Easter!

Enjoy

On the Hill

Tradition

Tradition “By this gospel, you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.” (1 Corinthians 15 vs. 2) In thirty years as a sales engineer, I saw a lot of changes. In the seventies, it was called “show and sell.” We drove thousands of miles with our sample cases, bringing solutions to the customers. Often, we had new technology and served as an educational force and consultant. Technologically, the products and sales process evolved as the advent of email and the internet minimized personal visits. In today’s world, the customer reviews product options online, and the sales challenge is to assist in the selection process. In the 2000s, sales engineers are online with the customer reviewing and applying products. The style is different, but our message is the same. We can meet your needs. Our church is trying to adjust to 2000 years of a changing market. We need to TWEET, POST, Email and use the latest technology to send a 2000-year-old message to an ever-changing population. Our services are overhauled, so we refer to them as traditional, blended, and contemporary. They are often online. It is a challenge to service present-day needs. However, even though our communication has changed, the message has not and cannot. Present generations will find the help they need in an ancient message. Over these new mediums and through the different styles, we must hold firmly to the word. Thought for Today: Let’s marvel at the message: never changing, always true. The Lord is with us. Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we are in a hurry. Our calendars are full, and technology gives us little time to meditate. We pray for your guidance through it all. We pray for grace and solitude through Jesus. Amen

Life of Victory

Life of Victory “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1: 1-12) The elderly can often be curmudgeons, maybe angry. They are focusing on the past rather than the joys they have now. A good goal in life is to have your grandchildren remember you as happy, content, and proud. Life comes at us in waves or phases: the rapid learning years of childhood and youth; the wealth-building, family, or working years; the secure phase or empty-nesting; the retirement years winding down to an end-of-life experience. Each stage is unique, different, and memorable, filled with joy and sorrow, which is life. We make choices with our focus. We could always use more money, more company, less joint pain, etc. The sun will rise and set; we will wake and sleep. The Lord will be with us, and we will have great memories of our past. Focus on them. One of my favorite television evangelists, Joel Osteen, likes to say, “Keep on keeping on!” Thought for Today: Negative influences will occur, and we can dwell on them or deal with them. Today, let us focus on moving on with our lives and faith. Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, the world is confusing. There is trouble in the mid-east, deranged people shooting up our sacred institutions, and some awful winter weather. We pray for the ability to understand it all and put it into the context of your plan. We offer special prayers for the older generation as they move onward. We pray for peace, understanding our place in your world, and the opportunity to do your will here on earth. Amen

Persistence

Persistence “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5) In his book Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill stated, “A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits.” Today, we live in a fast-paced society that seems to demand instant gratification. In the business world, everyone is looking for the proverbial “low-hanging fruit”; the diet fads are advertising fast weight reduction; if a trip is more than 400 yards, we drive to save time. We want what we want when we want it and often fail to be diligent, persistent, and patient. In the eighties, sales trainer Ty Boyd gave a presentation called “The Life Plan” about making a plan for life as we do for business. He preached that we needed to set goals for life and keep our focus on attaining those goals. They must start with a plan, but many let it go and start reacting to life’s situations rather than implementing the plan. A vital factor in keeping a life plan in order is spirituality. It allows us to focus on the good rather than reacting to negative issues. The ability to forgive and pray helps us get through tough times and focus on the plan. In verse twelve, Paul advises, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” That needs to be a part of every life plan. Thought for Today: Let’s remember where we want to go. There will be both positive and negative distractions. Focus on our spirituality in both celebrations and under stress. Give thanks when things go as planned, and pray when they do not. Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, we are busy working on our plan daily. We pray for success and positive memories and that our plan fits your plan. Amen

A Still Place

A Still Place "Be still and acknowledge that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) The world is a busy place. Americans are overbooked; families are tied up daily with career and children's activities; empty-nesters seem to have filled the time with commitments; often, retirees do not know how they ever had time to work. That leads to a lot of stress, tension, and often family failures. That's correct; the family that plays too much together may not have enough quality time to survive. They do not have time to call for help. In his book Bread for the Table, Henry Nouwen says it this way, "These are words to take with us in our busy lives. We may think about stillness in contrast to our noisy world. But perhaps we can go further and keep an inner stillness even while we carry on … It is important to keep a still place in the "marketplace." This still place is where God can dwell and speak to us. …with that stillness, God can be our gentle guide in everything we think and do." Do you have a still place? How do you keep your sanity? Thought for Today: COVID and other conditions in our world are causing many of our friends and neighbors to go through unplanned life changes. Let us pray that God will be present in their lives as they pursue new opportunities. Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, the world around us is confusing, sometimes cruel, and always challenging to understand. Please allow us time to step aside and dwell upon "your will" rather than "our wants and needs." Let us find the peace or stillness to allow "thy will to be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Commitment

Commitment “Whatever your lips utter, you must be sure to do….” (Deuteronomy 23 vs. 23) One of the ways to be successful in life is to keep all of your commitments. If you say it, do it, even after having second thoughts. Become known as one hundred percent reliable. It is probably impossible, but the closer you are, the more you benefit. Do you have friends who cancel at the last minute? …show up late? ...or not at all? Are you one that lives that way? We all have missed a few deadlines; some make it a lifestyle. At work or in business commitment is even more critical. On the job, it can determine your future success or failure. In sales, it generally means to win or lose. Abraham Lincoln said this: "Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.” At some time in your life, you committed to God. Today, we have the opportunity to review that commitment and recharge our batteries, stay engaged, and stay on track in a world of distractions. Thought for Today: Today, be committed. First to God and then ourselves by being the best we can be. Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, we thank you for your many blessings. We give thanks for being Godly people who will be accepted and liked by others. Our families, friends, and people that we do not know yet.

Washington

Washington “As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protection of the civil government. I hope to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.” George Washington Today is George Washington’s Birthday. There are many stories and fables about his life. He allegedly chopped down a Cherry tree and threw a silver dollar across the Potomac. These are unproven myths but great folklore. It takes a great man to recognize a weak position and make the proper corrections. He was a man of great vision and envisioned that his ragtag army could defeat the British. He realized when he was wrong and intelligent enough to involve the French as allies. The quote above expresses his dreams for America, and it is also a stated Christian dream delivered through Jesus. Today, our challenge is to accomplish the justice and equality these two men desired. We all need to do a little every day. Thought for Today: Take a step toward bringing equality and justice to our world. Prayer for Today: Today, dear Lord, we pray for equality and the opportunity to contribute to creating a just and equal society. Amen

Also Ran

Also Ran? Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Joshua 8 vs.1) Being an also-ran is a way of life. We rarely finish first. Russell Sanders uttered the famous quote, "Winning isn't everything. It is the only thing." It is not valid, and here are some: My friend Pat McNamara qualified in four different Olympics and did not win a medal; my brother Wayne swam for years and was a national top ten in four events but never had a national championship; Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski played years for the Red Sox and never received a world series ring, and the list goes on. None of the above is a loser, and all were proud of their accomplishments. In my instance, I have three triathlon trophies out of 21 races: a second, a third, and an only. There was always someone faster until the Summer of 2011 when no one else my age competed. Did I lose? Never. In each Triathlon I did, I would well up with tears of joy from the sheer pride in my accomplishment in the last mile of the run. The pain experienced during the run would disappear, the legs would seem fresh again, and the finishing sprint would feel and look great. Second, Third, or twentieth did not matter; I was winning inside. We rarely are number one, but we are always winners since God is always with us. Thought for Today: Today, we will have battles we do not expect. Let us be winners with God's help, no matter how the battle turns out. Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, thank you for being with us everywhere. We thank you because when you are along, we will be winners. Amen

Excellence

Excellence “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossus 3:23-27, NIV) Last weej, I wrote about my “Pickeringism” that all days are not created equal. Here is another example. There are days that we are full of boundless energy and others when we are as flat as pancakes. However, these feelings are mental, physical, and emotional states, and they do not affect our hearts, just our performance or output. As a long-term weekend athlete, there have been too many days when only the heart showed up for the workout; the arms, legs, and head wanted to go back to bed. There were many days when that’s how the day started, but the performance was in the excellent range when it ended. One of my best friends and a four-time Olympic athlete relates to this. Pat has trained every day of his life, and he can relate to the fact that the heart and head often lead the body, “ … work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord,” and you will be rewarded with excellence. Excellence starts with believing in yourself and the Lord; the rest will follow. Thought for Today: Remember that “All days are not created equal.” On the day we want to go back to bed, let us trust our hearts and move out, take the leap of faith, and give ourselves the chance to exhibit the excellence God wants us to share. Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, we thank you for your ongoing presence in our lives. When we are physically worn, you help us recover; when emotionally drained, you recharge our spirits. We thank you for always being with us. Amen

Confidence through Trust "One who trusts in the Lord is secure." (Proverbs 29:25) 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' 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

God's Gifts

God's Help Wanted (Seven Gifts) Paul's message to the Romans lists seven specific gifts. We have been blessed with some of them and can use them daily. God's "HELP WANTED" asks us to use our gifts to do His work. We, therefore, have two challenges. One is to recognize the gifts given to us. The other is sharing these gifts in our daily lives. The sharing of these gifts in a loving Christian way brings us peace. Thought for Today: Let's focus on our gifts, understand them, and use them to help ourselves and others. Prayer for Today: we pray for peace and justice in a troubled world. We are trying to understand what everything means and our piece in it all. We feel too small to help. We pray that we may recognize and use our gifts to help the world.

Let the Glory Be God's

Let the Glory Be God's "The LORD is my strength and shield; My heart trusts in Him and I am helped." (Psalm 28: 7) The "Super Bowl" takes place in January, and enormous numbers are associated with it. Numbers like 200 million people watching on TV, six million dollars for a thirty-second ad, five hundred million added to the area economy- Oh yes, some competitors and coaches from both teams will attend a prayer meeting and bible study Sunday before the game. They are 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. Their years of competition and "winning is everything" attitude have negatively influenced them for the most part. On Super Sunday, there will be members of the "Fellowship" who have kept a balance in their lives. In sports, I find them a pleasing and significant minority. They represent what I feel every Christian and person 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. 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. We pray that we will be good examples of your commandments through our faith. Amen

Soar Like an Eagle

Soar Like Eagles "... 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: 31) Photo By Stephanie Symmes In the nineteen fifties, a bald eagle was a rare sight. Now 60 years later, they are soaring over shopping centers, eating fish out of the local lakes, and generally hanging out with us. Seeing them makes it easy to see why our founders selected them as a national symbol. They are big, majestic, and beautiful birds. Their revival as a species shows us how humans can contribute to God's creations and the world. We changed a few rules, respected the Lord's way, and the Bald eagle is now a common sight. We are always searching for ways to make a better world, a way to soar. I spent my early years in engineering working for AT & T, a huge company. A lot of the policies seemed restrictive and bureaucratic. The younger engineers in the department, including myself, thought we would change the world right NOW. That was not the way company systems worked. When frustration with the system came to the surface, our trainer and mentor often advised us to "Rise above it and move on." Eagles do that. There is a story about Eagles rising above storms. They sense the storm coming and use the wind to rise above the dangerous currents and ride out the storm. In many instances in life, we need to keep our faith while staring at negativity, the storms of life. We count to ten, punch a pillow, and ask the Lord for support when we are wise. When we involve our faith while handling our storms, we minimize our stress and significantly improve our quality of life. Thought for Today: Let us use our faith in the Lord to rise above the problems of everyday life. Prayer for Today: Let us pray to find a way to serve "God's will" rather than "our will" as a country.

Serenity Prayer

Serenity Prayer "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference." As we go into the New Year, peace and tranquility always seem to be part of our New Year's goals. Last year we did too much. One more committee at church: the kids need a coach. How can we get everyone to every game, lesson, class, etc.? Oh, the boss wants us fifty hours a week too. It takes faith and courage to let go and let God play a role in our lives. "I... will have sufficient courage so that now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body..." Philippians (1:20). At work and in our daily lives, we often fail to take the risk of allowing God to take control. How often do we not accept the spiritual help available? We will handle it all. Where is our humility when we try to do it all? "... humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." James (2:1). We tend to forget the basic rules taught to us by our faith. When we take control, adding stress to ourselves, do we ask for the help available? "If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God , and it will be given to you." (James 1:5) We are told to keep God at the forefront of our search for this inner peace. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7) The serenity prayer is simple, and that is good. For the new year, let's keep it simple. Thought for Today: Let us focus on peace and tranquility with our families, neighbors, and coworkers. Prayer for Today: Let's use the serenity prayer this week and for the year, especially when overstressed.

Persistence

Persistence "Then Jesus told his disciples... that they should always pray and not give up." (Luke 18:1) Bob Dylan's lyrics said, "Times, they are a-changing…" and maybe not for the better. One of life's constants is change. It is like an endurance event or marathon. There will be ups and downs along the way that necessitates keeping our eyes on the prize. It takes persistence to get to the end. We need to "…always pray and not give up." There is a long year ahead, and there will be changes and some stresses: careers, finances, health, to name a few. The holiday season is a period of stressful joy due to all the activities. In January, reality comes to the forefront, starting an annual endurance event called the Year. Dr. Benjamin Mays wrote the poem "God's Minute." I have only just a minute. Only sixty seconds in it. Forced upon me, can't refuse it. Didn't seek it, didn't choose it. But it’s up to me to use it, I must suffer if I lose it, Give account if I abuse it, Just a tiny little minute, But eternity is in it! Mays had it correct, but we must consider a whole year. Thought for Today: Today, let us pray for people in need who are dealing with challenging life issues such as COVID-19, family stress, financial stress, or others. As charity begins at home, it is a given that prayer also does. Have a great day. Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today we pray for smooth sailing through the rough seas of life. We pray for ourselves and others who are in need. We pray that we will do better and seek a way to do your will here on earth.