Peace Together

Peace Together

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.”

(John 15 vs. 4)

            Often people tell me they are no longer interested in organized religion The ritual, rules, money and work did not do it for them; shame on them and shame on their church. There are others that change churches often searching for something they never quite find. They are sad and typically don’t know what they are after.

In general those described above are less than happy in their lives.

            Jesus message is clear, He is with us always. When we are searching and restless the ball is in our court; we are the problem. These are the times that we are out of touch with the Holy Spirit; not taking the time to open our hearts. When we are spiritually down and out, we need to look at ourselves first.

            There was a song in the 50’s that said, “…open up your hearts and let the sun shine in.” We need to allow the Lord in. Then we may find peace together.

Thought for Today: Today let us open our hearts to the Lord. Let’s find peace with Him.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, today we thank you for being wit us; joining us on our walks, at work, in our cars and in all phases of our day. Today we pray that we may stay in touch with you under all conditions.

Amen

Our Rock

Our Rock

“There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.”

(1 Samuel 2 vs. 2)

            Growing up in New England we often fished in streams and frequently crossed them by stepping from rock to rock. When we stepped on a loose one or slipped from one, we got cold and wet. The analogy I am getting at is we chose the wrong rock! That is not an option with God.

            The Lord is the rock of our life; our foundation and always with us. There are times when we forget that simple truth; when we feel lonely; when we will not let Him in to help. During those times we can feel cold and lonely. (Hopefully not wet!)

            Prayer and devotionals will help that situation. If you are reading this today, you are probably sitting squarely on the rock.

Thought for Today: Today let’s be aware of our foundation; our rock!

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today I recognize you and give thanks for being my rock and foundation. Today I pray that I may recognize someone who has slipped from your rock and help them.

Amen

Peace, Rely on Him!

“My God, my Rock, in whom I take refuge, my Shield,

The Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold,

My Refuge and my Savior”

(2 Samuel 22:32)

Peace

            It is the time of year when ministry teams in Christian churches make a lot of phone calls and home visits. In August many pastors connect with everyone in the church directory and invite them to the fall programs. With the help of a ministry team there will be home meetings, visits in coffee shops around the city and often just messages on answering machines saying that we care. Now is time of invitation, a time to lead people back to the Rock: the Rock of stability and peace.

            For families, school is about to start, the fall activities are about to begin, the summer slowdown and vacations are over. We empty nesters are looking at the leaves starting to turn and thinking about the winter season, warm weather travels and the holidays. Here in Minnesota, humanity is kicking into high gear- back to being too busy. In many cases it means not being at peace.

            In the next few months many of us will find ourselves in busy and challenging situations, we need to be reminded not to leave the Rock, our Lord, behind as we move forward into these exciting times. We need to keep Him in our lives to maintain our tranquility and keep us on an even keel. It is a time to accept the invitations from our ministry teams and keep the Lord in our everyday lives.

Thought for Today: Let’s take our look at our calendars and schedule a few minutes with our Lord; a few minutes for meditation; a few minutes to give thanks and a few minutes for ourselves. Let’s do this so that we will be at Peace and be better able to help others.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, today let us be cool and relaxed, patient and observing, caring and loving as we deal with others. Let us shine your light so others will recognize we are at peace.

Amen

Thank You

August 21- 80^th Birthday Celebration

“Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and

may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless...”

(1Thessalonians 5:23)

            Hi all. Please know that today on my 80^th birthday I am thinking of YOU. My “Good News Buddies”, Facebook Friends, God Is My Spinach Page and Blog followers…every one of you. Today will be special with June and family, it has been a great ride. You all help me every day keep in focus that happiness is what is important.

From August 21^st in God Is My Spinach.

            From the early 1980’s through the late 90’s we hosted Pick’s birthday run and cookout. The guests were truly a diverse group, economically, religiously and socially. The bond of physical fitness crossed all lines. (We also had the desire for good food and a party!). There were opportunities for the differences to show through, but none were apparent. This is the group that helped June and I start a charity event in 1989 that had 12,000 plus attendees on Thanksgiving 20 years later.

            If you are a relative of friend of mine, you probably have received special attention on your birthday. June, my wife, dreads what I may do next. She does not like surprises, and we have had a few. Other friends have been taken on mystery rides, special lunches, walks etc. You see, everyday each of us is special but one day a year we are “extra special.” Two days ago, I used the following passage from John, “Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:17) The bible does not say not to love yourself. On this one special day, love yourself as Christ loved you.

You have earned it.

Thought for Today: Love is a world leader. When it exists, people are happy and successful.

When love is not present, everyone suffers. Let us search for opportunities to convert our

anxious moments into positive events. Let us recognize resentments, jealousies and other negative forces and cast them aside with a loving heart.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, today we give thanks for friends. We find them everywhere we look; all colors, shapes, sizes, nationalities and faiths. Through your love we cannot see the differences. We are blessed.

Amen

Do It

“Never tire of doing what is right.”

(1 Thessalonians 3:13)

            One of my Pickeringisms is that there are two types of people in the world; givers and takers. That is certainly a gross oversimplification I use to describe humanity. It came from my sales and business training and has overflowed into my teachings on living.

            In business I was taught to watch for those who would want to win at any cost; those who would think they were climbing a corporate ladder rather than building a pyramid of support. On a ladder you step on the rungs as you climb and often the ladder breaks. In the pyramid you build a base wide and tall as you move forward and up. I like that.

            It Christian life there are also givers and takers. We are all people in need and the level of that need is relative. Often our needs vary from year to year, decade to decade. When June and I were raising four children we were active in our Christian family. However, we often needed love and support from our peers. I feel there were times when we took a bit more than we gave; emotionally and financially.

            Today we are in what I think of as the elder mode; we have more time and the children’s educations have been paid. Today we give more than we take. That gives us a much warmer and more rewarding feeling.

Both being a taker and a giver in the Christian sense is OK. You see, if there were not people in need, there would not be anyone to give to and that would be a conundrum.

            Paul’s message says never tire of doing what is right; my experience is that when you are doing what is right you will not get tired! OOPS- is that a Pickeringism?

Bless you all for being my friends.

 Thought for Today: Today let us live as good Christians. If we need support let us accept it without guilt and recognize that we have made the giver feel good. If we are givers, let us give freely where there is need.

Prayer for Today: dear Lord, today we pray for those in need. Whether the need is great or small, physical or emotional, we pray that we recognize it and give them support in your name.

Amen

Fitness

Fitness

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother’s womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex…

Your workmanship is marvelous.”

(Psalm 139, Vs 13 & 14) 

             The following three people have been my mentors in spirit, mind and body. Yes, we may all have a compulsive disorder, but we are strong in our faith as well as our bodies.

            Bob D is a friend in Christ that I met in my years of excessive training for triathlons and running. He once had a business career but that went away and became a personal trainer. There was a very difficult transition from a commercial cash flow to that of a club trainer. His strength and faith have kept him a positive role model and he has contributed to people as both a social and physical example. In the challenging financial time, we are experiencing today people who can emulate his example will be better for it in spirit, mind and body. Winning the battle has a lot to do with having a strong faith and keeping it in focus.

            George is a church associate who impressed me when we started attending church here in Minnesota. Early on I can remember sitting in an annual meeting when he was talking and thinking that I hoped that someday I could contribute as much to the church. He was a leader that I wanted to emulate. He was blessing in my Friday bible studies as well as a positive example of both fitness and spirituality. George’s name came up today, RIP George.

            Paulette, a Good News associate, is someone that I love and respect. WE worked on a family fitness event and run together. Next year she will complete her 100^th 26.2 or longer running event and I hope to be there at the finish!  She is a great Christian friend and fitness example.           

            In Summary, we are what we are; born in a state of near perfection, we spend a lifetime trying to mess it up. The Lord gave us some marvelous equipment and an opportunity. It is a wonderful life and we need to take care of our spirit, mind and bodies in His name. 

Thought for Today: Today, let us focus on our physical selves. Let’s park a bit further from the door, say no thanks to the desert tray, walk the stairs as we are able. Let us be as good as we can be. 

Prayer for Today: Father, today we give thanks for who and what we are and the many helpers that you have sent us along the way.

Amen

Positive Focus!

 Positive Focus

"Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it."

(Psalm 34: 12-14)

            Many of us today are challenged with issues. Some have lost jobs, some have divorced, others have significant others who are terminally ill; anger, fear and resentments are fostered in this way. How do we deal with the issues without destroying the peace in our life?

            Obviously challenges that threaten our livelihood and families are difficult. Some are hard decisions but get dealt with quickly; others seem unsolvable and could drag on forever. The quickies are best dealt with on the spot and then go away. The long-term issues need other techniques and the best are through our faith.

            Several years ago, there was a serious issue that involved discrimination within our church. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of it and there was no obvious solution and prayer did not work for me. So, I went with plan B, when prayer does not work, pray again- but the second time was with my spiritual mentor. It eventually worked out the way the Lord wanted it.

            I like to say that when the going gets tough the tough start praying! Sometimes that is the only solution. 

Thought for Today: Today let’s recognize the tough spots or bumps and pray for a win-win solution.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father we give thanks today for the ability to insert you into our life’s problems through prayer.

Amen