Success

“I saw that wisdom is better than folly,

Just as light is better than darkness."

(Ecclesiastes 2:13) 

            In our democratic society, we are pressed into a competitive market place for our goods and services. That is supposed to be what makes America great. Success is often a matter of having more "stuff". We are building 5, 6 and 7,000 square foot houses, owning bigger boats, luxury cars abound etc. All this is very good for the economy, but is it good for our souls?  

Aristotle Onassis definition of success was to "... keep climbing higher and higher-just for the thrill." 

Barbra Streisand said, “success for me is having ten honeydew melons and eating only the best part of each."  

            Because you are reading this Good News today, I pray that your definition is more closely better epresented by Dr. Gary Rossberg's perspective:

    “Success is not just a matter of money, power and ego, but also issues of the heart-like compassion, bravery, generosity and love. It is an issue of character, not performance. ...of being the person God wanted you to be, not how much salary you can pull down. ...".  

            If we sit in our homes surrounded by our "stuff" and still feel underachieved; If we sit on the couch next to our spouse and still feel lonely; we need to go back to the simple things we learned growing up and search our faith for the definition of success. We will find that Rossberg is very close to the answer.  

Thought for Today:  Today let us look at our calendars and try to evaluate where our efforts are taking us. Let us review our goals and our interactions with others. Let us fit our lives into Rossberg's perspective rather than the more material views of success.  

Prayer for Today: Dear heavenly Father, our world has changed. Terror seems to be taking over well beyond faith and love. Somehow we pray for an answer to how it all fits Your plan. We pray for your guidance and somehow for the ability to keep the power of your light above the darkness that seems to be closing around us.

Amen 

 

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 most of you know my triathlon history and we talk about those youthful days. We have determined that we just do not recover as fast as we used to, in fact we think that it takes three times as long to get our strength back from a good day. During that time, we feel a bit sluggish and it is hard to stay positive. June can tell you what I mean!

            Phil and I have several friends who have lost their spouse. I believe that they are faced with the ultimate challenge and half of us will face it. They are facing different challenges in different ways. Each has shown great growth and seems to be recovering through the grieving process. Each shows a faith and spirituality that they rely on. They seem to be staying positive under the most difficult conditions.

            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

Good News 073010 Positive Christian

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

(Isaiah 40 vs. 29) 

            It is another early morning I am thinking back to a summer where June and I moved into our seventies and deeper into over 40 years of marriage. It is great to celebrate; it is great to reminisce about the victories and challenges we have 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 who is in her 90’s says, “Growing old is not for the faint of heart”. It comes with its own set of challenges. We get tired easier, recover slower, 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

 

 

           

Trust

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.

Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

 (Philippians 4 vs. 10-13) 

            It always amazes me and reinforces my faith when something Paul said 2000 years ago applies directly to today’s world. For several years our free world economy has been flaky. Trust in government has faded as the leaders of America and the world have become polarized. The advent of Ponzi schemes and fraud by high powered executives have hurt the trust we need in our financial markets for them to be strong. Even at low levels of government doubt in their ability to perform are stronger than ever. Frankly, it is scary to me because our country is built on trust. Look at your money, “In God We Trust.”

            My Good News is not meant to be political and that seems to be the case today but I promise to turn this around! You see, Paul is pointing out a simple truth and we need to pay attention to it. In a recent telecast televangelist Joel Osteen put it this way, “We do not know what the future holds but we do know who holds our future.”  Hmmm, there is something to think about. 

Thought for Today: Today and always let us take time to focus on our savior. Let’s take a few minutes to appreciate and welcome Him into our life.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, today we give thanks for Paul’s words and encouragement. We pray that we may accept his advice graciously and lean on you to get through our daily stresses.

Amen

 

Rejoice Always

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.   Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.   And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 4: 4-7, NIV) 

        In our very active, overcrowded lives, we are often "stressed out". Often conversations start out with how busy we are. Fitting things in seems to be the norm. Even retirees like to say that they do not know how they ever had time to work! Then they go home and take their blood pressure medication.

        Several years ago, a very good friend had both serious back problems and high blood pressure. She had tried too many chemicals to work on the problems and was addicted to the pain killers. The addiction  upset her tranquility and effected her blood pressure. A very common and viscous cycle for a young lady.

        In desperation, she and her physician reduced the chemicals and substituted hypnosis and meditation. The meditation evolved into prayer! Well, I can't say that all her problems were solved. She had a bad back disease and a family history of high blood pressure. This is not a story of healing.

        However, most of her problems went away. The meditation and prayer brought her peace and relaxed her back muscles and her blood pressure went down. The disease did not leave, but the symptoms were relieved. She found peace and a better life.

        The effect of slowing down and taking time out for prayer will make God's peace be yours.

Thought for Today: Slow down, pray for peace, pray for the tranquility and serenity that God has for you when you are willing to let it in.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, with these words we pray for the ability to live serene and peaceful lives doing your work:

"God grant me the serenity,
to accept the things we cannot change
The courage to change the things we can
and the wisdom to know the difference."

 

Everlasting Faith- September 11th!

" I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly."
(Psalm 40:10,11)

 
            We all remember where we were on nine-eleven. The physical world changed that day. For several months thereafter, Christian churches experienced a measurable increase in attendance. The best piece of news regarding that is the very high increase in "un-churched guests" that came and the percentage that actually have kept on coming. There is certainly good that comes from bad events.

            We will all probably remember that day forever. I would like to share a few memories of my own with you. On November 22nd, 1963 while donating blood in Salem Massachusetts, the nurse told me that she had heard that the president had been shot. I told her that she should not even joke about stuff like that. Many people remember that day.

            Solidly burned in my memory is sitting in front of a radio on Haverford Street in Hamden, Ct, very afraid, listening to reports of the attack on Pearl Harbor. December 7th, 1941.  So what is the big deal? I was only 27 months old. (I just called my mom to be sure that is all true and we think that is my first memory.) Both those events changed the physical world in which we live. They changed operations, but not our hearts.

            In summary, remember the event and accept the changes. Keep the Lord in your heart and share Him with others. He will be with us. Worldly events cannot harm our spirit. 

Thought for Today: Today let us find a friend and share the story about how September 11, 2001 has not changed our faith or how our faith is helping us through societies’ changes.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and father, today we give thanks for the joyous summer that we experienced and look forward to the fall colors as they arrive. We are thankful for the opportunity to do your work here on earth and the pleasure we receive from it. 

 Amen

Rally Day

“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?

Or am I trying to please men?

If I was trying to please men,

I would not be a servant of Christ”

(Galatians 1-10) 

            As we go through life, we are trained at a very young age that life is easier and more rewarding when we please those around us. I see my eight grand children working diligently to do things to please nana and gramps. Helping June in the kitchen, the garden and doing other non-child-like chores. Often they help me with the pool and fixing whatever needs fixing. They love to help and love the approval they receive in return.

            When looking at Paul’s message to the Galatians, what are we teaching children? To please others gives good feelings. When I think back to my youth, it seems that in my case, I was in my thirties before realizing that being a “people pleaser” was not always in everyone’s best interest. Sometimes when pleasing people, honesty is sacrificed and everyone involved misses a chance to be closer to God.

            What is the best way to get this message to the next generation?

 

Christian education, Sunday school as we used to call it, is probably the best answer. Somehow through the Christian education process, the children learn what is important and meaningful. As they grow they will make a choice to follow Christ and please God rather than people.

            Soon it will be Rally Day at most Christian churches. It is a time of coming together for the Lord after a long summer. There will be thousands of children returning and thousands not coming. In one instance we have a friend who was not raised in a Christian environment whose husband enrolled their two children in Sunday school. He sees the need and she is confused and so far a non participant. Pray for them.  

Thought for Today: As leaders in our community and family, let us focus on visibly doing God’s work in our lives.

 

Prayer for Today: Heavenly father, we give thanks the Christian educators that work with children and youth. Those that teach the belief and faith that will guide them throughout their lives.

Amen