Anxiety and Faith

Anxiety and Faith

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God"
(Philippians 4:6)

            Stress is becoming an American, if not a World wide tradition; part of our life style. We often go through our week wound up like a rubber band that has been twisted tighter and tighter. However, we all recognize that the rubber band eventually breaks. When it is wound too tight or stressed too long, it snaps! We are certainly a higher life form that a rubber band, however are we similar when stressed.

            We have a way of unwinding during the most stressed of times. Mine is by writing "Good News" to people that I love. Yours may be different- exercise, meditation, a chat with a friend, reading. There are many ways to release stress. In Paul's writings in Philippians 4: 8 & 9 he suggests that Faith is a tool to help us.

 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
 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."

Focus for Today: Today let us focus selfishly on ourselves. Let's feel the peace and presence of God in our lives. When the "stress monster" wants to control our lives, let's read this passage and let "the peace of God" into our lives. As Christians we deserve peace.

Prayer for Today:  Heavenly father, the world seems to be a breeding ground for stress. Every where we look there is something to worry about; terror, hate, employment troubles, stock market woes- even severe weather. This week we pray that we may keep you and peace in our thoughts, that we have the presence of mind to make wise choices and release our stresses to find tranquility.
Amen

Life's Goals

Life Goals

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed;

life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

(Luke 12 vs. 15)

            In our democratic society we are encouraged to compete in the workplace and elsewhere. In the 50’s there was the term “Keeping up with the Jones’s.” In the 90’s that seemed to become “Leave the Jones’s behind.”  The two-car family of the 60’s became the two home, four cars and a boat family of the new millennium. It is easy to understand why attendance and giving in church declined; no one has any time or money left!

            This is not meant to be a stewardship message asking for more. It is meant as a caution and designed to provoke thought. One of my blessings was being raised in a household with two cars and two homes. When we moved to Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes and 10 million lake homes, we said no way. You see, I grew up maintaining two homes with my dad and did not want to ever do that again!

            In confession June and I did have too much stuff and too many things. We downsized in 2006 and have not finished yet!

            Jesus is clear in his message as reported by Luke. Life is about spiritual growth, love within the community, helping others, being comfortable in your own skin etc. Happiness has nothing to do with stuff or things.

Thought for Today: Today let us think about what we need to get through the day and contemplate what we want. Let’s try to understand the differences.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we are blessed and live in a great society. Today we ask forgiveness for our participation in the blatant consumerism encouraged in this world. We pray that as we move forward, we experience the blessing of learning what our real needs are and experience the true abundance of your love. Amen.

A Good Name!

A Good Name

"A good name is more desirable than great riches."

 (Proverbs 22:1)

In the 60’s when I desired to change careers from engineering to sales I had several interviews that changed my life. On my very first one, I did not have a clue what I was doing and was sliding into a deep hole fast. The fellow conducting the interview let me know quickly and for whatever reason gave me a lecture on selling myself and dressing for success. He pointed out that the most important product that I would ever have to sell would be myself and how important it was to make sure the product was of high quality. Frankly, that was in 1964 and my next sales interview was in 1972, he scared me to death.

In 1972 a gentleman named Warren started my second sales interview with a question, “What have you ever sold?”  That question would have sent me packing in 1964 but not this time. I talked about selling myself to my company to get my job, selling management on budgets and projects and that I believed everyone was a salesman every day whether they knew it or not. The job was mine and it has been all uphill ever since.

During the time from 1964 through 1972, I did a lot of product development; there were college courses, business books, church and of course by my mentor and partner, June. You see, that first interviewer was put in my life to advise me that the Lord gave me two ears to listen and understand.

In a recent Winner’s minute, televangelist Mac Hammond stated that we are all “Brand Managers”. He stated that George Washington said that the one of the most precious things this side of the grave is a good reputation.

Thought for Today: Today let us consider what we are selling in every situation Let us make sure that we are the best possible brand. Also, we will be interacting with a lot of people that may not be as good as they can be. Let’s be sure that they hear the message so that they may benefit from our experience.

Prayer for Today: Dear Father, today we will be working with younger less experienced folks. We pray that we may influence them in a positive Christian way.

Amen

Perseverance

Perseverance

“Therefore since you have been justified through faith, we have peace with God...

we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our

sufferings. Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance brings character; and

character brings hope. And hope does not disappoint us."

(Romans 5:1-5)

             The key word this week is perseverance. Somehow in our lives we search for serenity or peace. Where does it hide, or do we hide it on ourselves? Certainly we all go through phases when we are not at peace. Careers get in the way, illness occurs and the general business of our lifestyle disturbs tranquility.

            When we are not at peace, what is in control? In the 1990s, my daughter gave me a daily meditation book, With All My Strength by H. Norman Wright. Like most devotionals it gathered some dust. Something about it caught my attention and I gave up reading the morning newspaper and started reading a meditation every day. It helped me have a better day. I no longer new the baseball scores, how Tiger did or better yet, how many negative things occurred in the world the day before. Meditating gave me a level of peace at the start of the day.

            So where does persistence fit in? Well, peace is illusive, hard to grasp and does not come easy; the Lord has it for you and is with you. Starting every day with spiritual thoughts and prayers open doors to spiritual growth, the path to peace.  Paul’s message to the Romans is fairly clear. Throughout the ups, downs and general activity of our lives, we must be persistent in our faith and keep God in our lives. Through the grace of God, we will find the hope, peace and tranquility we desire.

Thought for Today: Today let us review our long standing frustrations. The demanding boss, the developing teenager, the morning commute, whatever is in our lives. Let us pray for God's guidance on how we should help Him deal with the frustration. If He is involved, we will be less frustrated…maybe even at peace.

Prayer for the Today:  Dear Lord, I give thanks for the many blessings that are present in my life: The good friends, the lifestyle, the rain and flowers. There still are many issues that need attention. I pray for your guidance so that as I work through the issues, you are with me and somehow am doing your work.

Amen

Desire

 Desire

"Flee the evil desires of youth,
and pursue righteousness, faith love and peace...”
(2Timothy 2 verse 22)

            Paul sounds a lot like my mom sounded during high school. During the teen years listening was not my strong suit. How could a ranked athlete and honor student be a bad guy? In my mind my record justified my behaviors and the price paid was ten years that today I refer to as my dark period. Those year were the times I spent learning how life really was a two way street as opposed to a one way street that I owned.

            Faith somehow stayed with me and praying was often present when the darkness was dominant. God was with me in spite of my behaviors. He was always there and I would reach out to him just as Popeye would grab for his spinach. And, just like Popeye’s spinach, He always came through for me. He will also come through for you.

Thought for Today: Today will not be perfect so keep your prayer close by and ask for support!

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, today we thank you for the goodness in our lives and the hope and love that tomorrow will surely bring.

Amen

Finishing Again

Finishing Again

"It is better for you to finish now what you began last year.
You were the first, not only to act,
but also to be willing to act.
On with it then and finish the job."
2 Corinthians 8:10-11

         In the spring my thoughts gravitate toward the good old days when my friends and I trained 10 -14 hours a week for endurance events. The camaraderie or the group, the support offered by the group when one of us was having a bad day and the feeling of spirituality in the early mornings as we traveled on our way was priceless.

        As an unranked runner but former elite masters swimmer and Triathlete, there were many times that finishing a running event near the bottom of the pack was more rewarding to me than a swimming or triathlon trophy. A trophy is a nice memento, but over time become unimportant dust collectors. As an elite you are supposed to be near the top, but that really is not what it is about.

        In the early 80's my friend Billy and I ran a half marathon. He finished a good half hour ahead and felt great. My time goal was unrealistic and I ran out of gas at nine miles. The following year, Billy was again a half hour ahead of me but I met my personal goals and expectations. That day generated fond memories and the finishing picture hangs on my office wall. It reminds me that being at the bottom of the pack is not a bad thing when you are at the top of your game. The goal is personal, to be the best YOU can be.  Neither of us won that event or our age group but were proud winners because we finished. Life is like that- when we finish what we start, we win.

Thought for Today: It is spring, a time of renewal. God brings us flowers, green grass and warm temperatures. It is easy to be busy enjoying it all and put a few serious issues on that famous "back burner". Today let us identify what we need to finish; who we need to help; who needs our prayers; who could use a visit. Let us complete the tasks that the Lord has put before us.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we need your guidance on how to use your love to succeed. In our cities, our neighborhoods and the world we pray that we can find a way to contribute so that your love will somehow "finish" the race for peace and security.
Amen