The Promise

The Promise

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work
and the love you have shown him
as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end,
in order to make your hope sure.
We do not want you to become lazy,
but to imitate those who through faith and patience
inherit what has been promised."
(Hebrews 6; 10-12)

        In twelve step programs, there is a reading called "How It works". It recognizes that the program is to develop "spiritual growth not perfection". We all tend to get into that perfect mode; perfect mom, perfect dad, perfect employee and the list goes on. Let’s face it; we all fall short of perfection and have room for spiritual growth.

        In our daily lives, we make mistakes. We could count them weekly and judge ourselves as failures. The only one of us that does not make mistakes probably does nothing. Many people work their way into depression by counting their failures rather than their successes.

        In our spiritual lives it is not any different. We all have made mistakes and will continue to be less than perfect. We may feel bad or judge ourselves rather severely. However, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown...".We must remember that as we walk the walk.

Thought for Today: Today we will fail again at being perfect. With that in mind let’s focus on the good that we do, the encouragement that we give others and the love we have in our hearts. That will help us have a great day.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, it is easy to be distracted from your wishes for us. There are temptations that surround us in our daily lives; we make some bad choices and some good ones. Today we pray that we may focus on your understanding and caring love and for the opportunity to share your love with others.
Amen 

God's Love and Grace

 God's Love and Grace

“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God;

He is the faithful God,”

 (Deuteronomy 7 v 9)

           

June and I have been blessed by being 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. 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 in regard to September 11.

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

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 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 strong Godly values in our friends. In most instances, we have observed God working in our friends’ lives and seen God’s grace at work in many ways. Most, importantly, we have experienced God’s grace through our friends.

Thought for the Day: This week let us recognize those around us that are different and try to befriend someone new. Let us seek out someone that looks at God in a different way. The Lord blesses them also.

Prayer for the Day: Dear faithful Lord and Father, the world is a great 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 the ability to bring unity to the world.

Amen

Intimacy, Marriage

 Intimacy, Marriage

"Husbands, love your wives,

just as Christ loved the church

and gave himself to her"

(Ephesians 5:25).

           

            I want to alter Paul’s message here to “Love your spouse just as Christ loved the church and gave himself” because a relationship is a two way street. Tonight as I write this I have said two prayers: Prayers of thanks for a great Valentine’s week and the prospect of a week above zero in the middle of February. St.Valentine’s day reminds us that it is important to love and pray for each other in a relationship, every day!

            In our early years, what I call my dark period, it was not always that way. June’s and my relationship was quite one sided, on the surface. My business schedule, coaching sports for four children, endurance training, tennis and several other items caused our interactions to be out of balance (Way out of balance!). June was more of a support person than a partner. Mom, step mom, cook, house cleaner … and whatever else was required. There was deep love on both sides but not intimacy.

            June and I met during my dark period. I did not recognize it at the time, but June was my light at the end of the tunnel. Through the grace of God, I saw that it was not a train coming from the other end!  Today our relationship is more balanced and giving; perhaps too much so if that is possible.

                        My message is a bit mixed up tonight but in summary, The Lord gives us an unlimited supply of love when we are born. It is never ending, always available to give and we have a chance to share it with our spouses every minute of every day. None of us are perfect and all days are not created equal, but we can love every day because we have an unlimited supply! As my favorite philosopher NIKE says, “Just Do It!”

Thought for Today: Today let us each tell someone close, friend or family how much their relationship means to us.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord today I give thanks for those people in my life that are close to me; spouses, friends or relatives. May I share my love for them as Christ did for the Church.

Frozen Chosen!

“Praise the LORD

 How good it is to sing praises to our God,
   how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

…Sing to the LORD with grateful praise;

Praise the Lord”

(Psalm 147, vs. 1 & 7)

            Listening to Beth Moore recently she talked about evangelism, sharing our faith and singing praises. Not only during Sunday services but all week long! That is evangelism, an invitational ministry, a welcoming format. In our small Methodist church we are far from being evangelists. The young families are too busy and we in the older generation seem too tired. The actuality of it is we are too conservative. A term that I like is that we are the “frozen chosen.” (A good expression for February in Minnesota!)

            Thirty years ago we had a gospel group come to our church for what they thought would be a rousing concert. The leader did all he could to get a group on Methodists to stomp their feet and clap their hands. He had limited success. We enjoyed the music but foot stomping was not an apt description!

            At a worship team meeting several years ago a group came to complain because people often applauded when our quartet or a soloist finished a piece. They requested that we put a notice in the announcements asking for no such show of pleasure or appreciation. As a team member I stated that if applause was outlawed they would have to deal with me standing upon a pew shouting “halleluiah-Amen!” Our pastor said “Pass the motion I want to see that!” I was blessed and the motion failed and we still applaud.

            We make decisions every day as to how we will interact with others. So today we will decide whether we will be inviting Christians or members of the frozen chosen!

Thought for Today: This week let’s mention our faith or our church to show someone why we are who we are. Let’s take our faith public!

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and father, here in the northland we are frozen in a cold February winter while others bask in sunshine. In both climates strife, tensions and un-Godly terrorist attacks take place. We are in need of divine intervention, the interjection of love and respect and the elimination of hate throughout the world. Today we pray that we may contribute to peace and help relax the tensions around the world.

Amen

Let the Glory Be God’s

 Let the Glory Be God’s

“Praise be to the Lord,

for He has heard my cry for Mercy.

The LORD is my strength and shield;

My heart trusts in Him and I am helped.”

(Psalm 28 vs 6 & 7)

In America the “Super Bowl” takes place next Sunday and there are big numbers associated with it. Numbers like 150 million people watching on TV, 3 million dollars for a 30 second add, 250 million added to the area economy- OH yes, a number I do not have but tried to find; there are a number of competitors and coaches from both teams who 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 in my 60 plus years of associating with athletes has convinced me that they are overall not a group to be proud to know. For the most part, their years of competition and “winning is everything” attitude has influenced them in a negative manner. Frankly I don’t like them and avoid them.

            On Super Sunday there will be members of the “Fellowship” who have kept a balance in their life. In sports I find them a pleasing and great 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- all of the 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 foe 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 through our faith we will be good examples of your commandments.

Amen

Win Win!

 Win-Win

"...what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor."
(Psalm 8:4,5)

           In America there seems to be a win lose philosophy running rampant throughout our society. There is a lot of hero worship devoted to overpaid athletes. We seem to have adopted Vince Lombardi's attitude "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing". Well, that may be our world, but it is not God's world.

        The Psalmist above clearly demonstrates that we were created a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory. There is plenty of God's love for each of us. There are worldwide resources that when shared in God's way will do for all. We live in a great world with great people and somehow we taint it with our own un-Godly behaviors.

        As a young athlete in the 40's, I remember the expression "It's not whether you win or lose, it is how you play the game that counts". Somehow that has stuck with me throughout my life. It is an expression of a win-win philosophy. I think that is what God had in mind.

Thought for Today: Today let us focus on creating win-win situations in our lives. Observe our surroundings and lighten them up a bit. Slow for the other drivers, merge rather than block. Open a door and allow a few people through. Sit forward in church and leave some room in the back for late comers. Let's show everyone that we all can win.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we live in a confusing world. Hate seems to dominate love; Racism rears its ugly head in surprising places; religious wars and terror are creating a fearful world. There do not seem to be any safe havens where your love dominates. Today we pray that we may contribute to world peace; to a place where love dominates over negative un-Godly forces! 

MLK Day

Honoring Martin Luther King, January 15, 1929-April 8, 1968

 MLK Day

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me,

But it can keep him from lynching me,

And I think that’s pretty important.

Martin Luther King

            There are many quotes from the great Martin Luther King and when I researched them I picked the one above because I had not heard it before. It does not make a great philosophical statement, there is not a spiritual or social justice meaning; it is a simple truth. Living and having the right to pursue freedom always needs to be protected.

            Other quotes by MLK have deeper meaning, spiritually, and are more often used. Below are the ones that seems to be in the media:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction.
"Strength to Love," Martin Luther King, Jr.

One that I personally like is:

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

And as Christians we need to demonstrate that we have the faith, we need to take the first step.

Thought for the Day: This is the day the Lord has made and He made it for all humankind. We need to remember and promote equality, always.

Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, today we do not pray for forgiveness of the past discrimination and separatist social acts of our forefathers. We need to accept them and move forward. Today we pray for the guidance and will to contribute to peace and acceptance through Jesus love.