New Beginnings

This is a story of personal recovery and spiritual growth that started with believing that a Higher Power could restore me to sanity! The Higher Power was a good start and has been followed by God and then Jesus. Enjoy and thank you for being part of my support team!

New Beginnings

"This is a day of new beginnings

time to remember and move on,

time to believe what love is bringing,

laying to rest the pain that's gone."

"Christ is alive and goes before us,

to show and share what love can do,

this is a day of new beginnings;

our God is making all things new."

(This is a day of New Beginnings;Vs 1 & 4;

Words: Brian Wren, 1978; Methodist Hymnal No. 383) 

            Those of you that have known me long enough understand that on March 21, 1977 my family and I started a true "New Beginning". That was the year of treatment for alcohol abuse and the adoption of the slogan "This is the first day of the rest of your life". My family supported me as did my friends and business associates. Each year I am reminded that through faith and friendship there is a good life. I thank all of you that have been my friends and associates since then.

            The story of recovery is repeated in our society every day with the grace of God ever present in the process. Often as Christians we see a need and get a chance to help. One of the beauties of being Christian is the act of helping.

Thought for Today: Today we will be out in the world interacting with friends and business associates. We may see a need to help. Many people will back away. Let us recognize needs in others and step forward with God's support and offer the Christian assistance that is needed.

Prayer for Today: Today the 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. Amen

St Patrick's Day

Good News St Patrick’s Day

 

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then,

and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

(Galatians 5 vs. 1) 

            Growing up in Boston there was always a very large St Patrick’s Day parade and celebration. There were stories about a saint who drove the snakes out of Ireland, green beer and buttons that said everyone was Irish for today. It was great fun; mythical fun without a grain of truth to it!

            St Patrick was an Irish saint and lived from 387 to 461. He is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Wow, I never heard that growing up. Wikipedia does not mention green beer or parades. He was a great man who converted a country. He allowed the Irish to become free of their demons (maybe snakes?) and experience the grace of Christ. We need to honor him for that!

 Thought for Today: Today let us honor a person who spread our faith and the grace of Jesus to heathen population. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, today we give thanks to Saint Patrick and the many saints of the first millennium. They brought the grace of Christ to the world and made our lives special. We pray that in some way we are guided to carry on their work.

Amen

Spiritual Prosperity

Spiritual Prosperity 

“After Job had prayed for his friends,

the LORD made him prosperous again

and gave him twice as much as he had before.”

(Job 42:10) 

            Prosperity is generally the result of good work; some people are prosperous and some are not. The world economy works that way. It is competitive and some people end up with more than others.

            Today ask yourself where you are in this regard and become a guaranteed winner. You see, real winning is not a financial thing at all. In our competitive business world growth has been difficult. Regarding our physical selves; growth in fitness, weight loss, and staying healthy are challenges that few actually change from year to year. That is why New Year’s resolutions go by the board.

            One area where we can always grow healthier and have plenty of help is spiritual growth. If you are reading this devotional you are on the right track. You see, there is no limit to God’s love and the benefits of being a spiritual being. Spiritual growth is always available, unlimited and beneficial. That is where true prosperity is found. 

Thought for Today: Today let us ask if we are experiencing spiritual growth? …and why? 

Prayer for Today: Lord and Father today help me grow in you, grow in my faith so that I may be a better servant. Amen

 

Make a Difference

Make a Difference

 

Thought for Today

 We will encounter bad news this week and is important to overcome it and make a positive contribution to those around us. Today let us show others our hope for future generations.

 

“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 19 verses 1-4) 

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

Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, today we thank you for the blessed life we live and the love that surrounds us. We pray that we can demonstrate your love to all and contribute to the spiritual growth of those around us. Amen

Good Things Happen!

 Good Things Happen 

^“And we know that in all things God

works for the good of those who love him

who have been called according to his purpose.”

(Romans 8v28)           

Each day is a great opportunity for us. Paul said to the Romans, “God works for the good of those who love him”. Yes, each morning we chose from our many options. There is the TV news, the news paper, (sports section or business?), daily meditation or prayer, exercise are all classic options. Each of us needs to chose every day or go back to bed.

            The sun will rise tomorrow and every other day. How we greet it is our choice. Not all days will go our way, if they did Kushner’s book about bad things happening to good people never would have been written. Just maybe each day when we wake up, before the newspaper and TV, before the exercise, perhaps we need to remind the Lord we love Him.

                        The song “Morning has Broken” finishes with “Praise elation, praise every morning, God’s re-creation of a new day.” Yes, tomorrow shows promise through God’s love. We need to accept it and move ahead. 

Thought for Today: Today, let us look forward to the sunrise and the opportunity of each new day. Let’s bring the Lord with us, let him support us and let us give thanks for His presence in our lives. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, today we are blessed with another day. We pray that we may use it to spread your word and blessings.

Amen

 

 

 

Peaks and Valleys

Peaks and Valleys

 



"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God ...
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us,..."
(Romans 5:1-4,)

        Life is full of peaks and valleys. It is very human to take credit for the peaks and blame something else for the valleys. It is hard at times to identify with our own "piece of the action" when there is pain. It is often hard to appreciate the lessons learned through the suffering process.

        We look to our faith more often when we are in a valley than when we are at a peak. Many people that visit our churches come through crises. Divorce, illness, grief, loneliness etc. are among the common reason for a visit. I have personally never greeted someone that told me that they had such a great week that they came to say thanks to God.

        However, one of the beauties of our faith is that we recognize God's role in helping get us to the next peak. We recognize God's role in getting us to the final peak. Each peak gives us a reason for a stronger faith, the lessons learned in the valleys gives us the "... perseverance, character; and character, hope" that carry us through out our lives.

Thought for Today: Today let us recognize if we are in a peak or a valley. Let us recognize the lessons we are learning if it is a valley and give credit to those things that helped make it a peak. Either way, let us give thanks to God.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we are in a confused world. Many people are concerned about their future in tough economic times. There is war, fear, terror that seems to dominate the news. Certainly there are many needing a "peak" to help them out. This week we pray that through your Son Jesus, we all may find a peak and a way to share your Love with someone.

Amen 

 

 

Spiritual Growth! Be Happy!

Spiritual Growth! 

"I gave you milk, not solid food,

for you were not yet ready for it

Indeed, you are still not ready."

(1 Corinthians 3 vs. 2)  

            Several years ago June and I made a decision that our families would not remember us as angry old people. We decided that based on our time spent interacting with elderly people as Stephen ministers. Recently I have been involved with two such people and have concluded that somehow being happy has everything to do with spiritual growth. Let me share a story with you from a recent Saturday.

            My friend and I were volunteering at a race in a very cold April rain and many volunteers were complaining. My friend stated that as bad as it was he was dreading his next appointment even worse. Trust me, we had been out in the rain for four hours serving over 8000 participants and worse seemed impossible!

            He was going to his parents place to do a few odd jobs that his dad could or should not risk doing any more. He said that somehow dad would get angry, be disagreeable and be dissatisfied. He could not understand why. In my usual big mouth way I asked him about his dad’s spirituality. The  answer was that mom and dad go to church every Sunday!

            This lead to my favorite discussion: religious versus spirituality! You see, there are a lot of people who attend church every week that do not experience spiritual growth. In a recent discussion it was said that too many religious people just never get to know the Holy Spirit! I believe that the people who are edgy, angry or uncomfortable fit that description.

            In summary, the Lord wants us to be happy, cheerful and appreciative. He has given us the tools and we need to use them every day. The tool we have is faith and the Holy Spirit. We need to keep them in mind and in our hearts to be happy! 

Thought for Today: Today let us use Paul’s message about the milk and drink our milk but demonstrate with our happiness and spirit that we are ready for the Lord’s solid food. That food results in our happiness and peace.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, today we pray for all who are experiencing anxiety and anger. We pray that they may find peace and tranquility through the Holy Spirit.

Amen