Always Friends

Always Friends

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,

 clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

(Colossians 3, 12-14; NIV)

            Most of us have a problem with feeling like one of “God’s chosen people”. The control freak in us wants to believe that we chose to follow Him. That is ego-centric and introspective. We all know that we chase Him until he catches us. In our lives, who are “God’s Chosen” and what do they do? 

            This is Thanksgiving week and one of my traditions is to do a Christmas letter. Each gets addressed or emailed to someone special. All played a roll my life. Each in some way has been a friend, advisor, mentor, coach etc. It is wonderful to sit think about each of them (you). Are they God’s chosen people? 

            There is a priest in the UK who included me in his daily prayers during my cancer period, another is a running buddy of over twenty-five years duration, and several former pastors who were spiritual advisors… the list goes on. The holiday season is a great opportunity to celebrate Christ’s birth and life. Also, it is a chance to pause and think of the many people God has placed into our lives that have demonstrated to us “… compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...”

Thought for Today: This holiday season, let us simply think about our friends; remember why they are, who they are and what they mean to us.

Prayer for Today: Dear lord and Father, we have many blessings that you gave us. Among them are our friends and contacts. Each of them is in some way a blessing. This week we offer our prayers for their health and happiness and thank you for presenting them to us.

Amen

Tha Dalai Lama on Man!

The Dalai Lama

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

(Matthew 6 vs. 27)

           

            June and I have been blessed with the ability to enjoy our lives; both the pitfalls and the pleasures. We strongly believe that somehow the Lord has been involved in our lives and lead us to enjoy the simple pleasures. We both believe that the ability to put the events of our life into perspective is our greatest blessing through our faith.

            Several weeks ago a “Good News buddy” forwarded this to me. I believe that this is not describing a person of faith but is right on for those that have not developed a spiritual lifestyle.

            The Dalai Lama when asked about what surprised him most about humanity answered “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices his money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives like he is never going to die and he dies having never really lived.”

           

Thought for Today: Who in our circle of friends resembles the Dalai Lama’s description? It could be family, neighbor, friend or even someone in our church. Today let’s think about that and find a way to share our faith with them.

Prayer for Today:  Dear Lord, today let us pray for those who have not included Christ in their lives; those who are spiritually weak, worried about physical rather than Godly issues. We pray for them and ask you for a way to help, a way to share and a way to contribute to their spiritual growth.

           

Global Peace

Global Peace

"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."
(Philippians 4:9)

            There are almost 300 million people in America and billions worldwide. As individuals we are not statistically significant overall. We all know that statistics can be manipulated and are often misrepresented. Within our Christian faith, each of us is significant to God. In many of Paul’s letters he advised that "God will be with you". I will add; personally, up front and close.
            As statistically insignificant as the mathematicians make us, God gives us meaning, power and faith. We are the Power of one. As Christians, we can impact the world one individual at a time through our faith. When we demonstrate that we are at peace, we infect those around us. When we demonstrate good Christian ethics, we lead others to follow us. When we are at peace, others want to join us.

            We have an opportunity through our faith to be at the top of a living pyramid scheme. One of peace and love! Each day we are at peace through our faith we will positively affect our environment. Our challenge as people of faith is to work our peace and show our love so others will join us.

Thought for Today: It is challenging but exciting to think that we can affect others with our positive actions. This week let us consider others and by example, share our hope a regarding our future.

Prayer: Heavenly Father we see and hear ugliness in the world daily. The mid-east is in turmoil, many streets are not safe and there are many negative financial issues within our institutions. Our world is un-godly in many ways! We pray for understanding of your role and that we may help resolve issues through our Christian faith. We pray for peace on earth.
Amen

Hope II

Hope II

“God, fill them with hope, joy and peace

that may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

(Romans 15-13)

There must be some lucky guy out there married to a woman named Hope. Isn’t that a great thought; awakening every morning with hope; drinking morning coffee with hope; never being too far from thinking about hope. I like that analogy and the reality is we can be all those things because the Lord is always with us and through Him hope abounds.

            Last night I sat down to write my message, and nothing was happening. There was nothing there to inspire hope but plenty to pray about. My concerns are locked in my own confusion:

1.      Democracy in the US is broken and full of hate! We are deadlocked.

2.      Democracy in the UK (June’s home) is the same, Brexit.

3.      Violence worldwide!

4.      Income gap, health care costs, climate change, fires in Ca. ...

ENOUGH of that negativity, that is not my style, but I am torn and confused by worldly events.

So, I re-publish this today because as bad as things seem we can never give up. As Christians we always have hope through prayer and Jesus Christ.

            The book of Proverbs is full of hope and direction, Proverbs 23 vs. 18. “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”

Thought for Today: Let us contribute to making today be a day of hope and light!

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, today we give thanks for our everlasting hope and joy available to us through Jesus. Through our faith, we commit to contribute to making the world a better, more loving and peaceful place.

Amen

Harvest!

Harvest

^“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,

and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give,

not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times,

 having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

(2 Corinthians 9 vs 6-8)

Since retirement and downsizing in 2006, June and I have not had the benefit of gardens like we had at our home. We spent long hours tending them and always had a bountiful harvest. We do not miss that very much because we have other harvests.

As apartment dwellers, we have forty to fifty days a year to fill that used to be spent gardening. Those days are spent together sowing seeds in our relationship, spending time with others; helping where we did not have time in the past. The result is we reap a closer relationship together and with others.

We feel blessed with this different harvest. You see the analogy of reaping crops used by Paul in his message in Corinth is still valid today. We need to sow seeds every day in relationships, our minds and with each other so that we may reap the harvest of love and friendship.

Thought for the Week: This week, let us take a quick look at our calendar and see where we can sow seeds for our future; our worldly future as well seeds for the Lord because He is our real future.

Prayer for the Week: Dear Lord, we seem to live in a world of hate and anger. This week we pray that we may sow seeds of love that will temper negativity and help spread love in our world.

Have a Great Thursday!

Thank you for visiting today!

Autumn; Fall: Indian Summer!

Indian Summer

"This is the day
that the Lord has made,
Let us rejoice and be glad in it"
(Psalm 118:24)

            In Minnesota we are experiencing a wonderful Autumn. An "Indian Summer" as it is called. Our first heavy frost was followed by a freeze and now we have warm temperatures. Certainly, this is a gift to us by God. It is something that we all appreciate and offer our thanks.
            During this time, the crab grass has died; there is color in the leaves; the lawn does not need to be mowed as often; the evenings are cool; the garden does not need weeding.
            There are many blessings about "Indian Summer" and they are easily recognized. In our daily lives there are also many blessings, but we often do not see and acknowledge them. We try to control our lives and often do not turn enough over to God. The more we allow Him to take over, the more blessed our lives become.
            The Psalmist says "...But may all who seek you, rejoice and be glad in you..." As we give thanks for good weather, we need also to give thanks and recognize God's roll in our daily lives.

Thought for Today: The fall season is upon us. The busy holidays are approaching us all too swiftly. This week we can relax and enjoy the dwell in activities between the end of Summer and the holidays. Let us enjoy by allowing God's will into our daily lives. Let Go and let God and appreciate the things he will do for us.

Prayer: Father, we pray specifically for those in the World that need food, shelter and a quality of life. In our country there are too many people out of work or threatened by unemployment. In many countries the Holy season approaches many desperate people. We pray for them and that somehow the prosperous peoples of the world can find a way to do your will. We pray that we may find a way to contribute.
Amen