You are not Loser!

 Also Ran? 

Then the LORD said to Joshua,

 "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

(Joshua 8 vs.1) 

            Being an also-ran is a way of life. We rarely finish first. Russell Sanders uttered the famous quote, "Winning isn't everything. It is the only thing." It is not valid, and here are some: My friend Pat McNamara qualified in four different Olympics and did not win a medal; my brother Wayne swam for years and was a national top ten in four events but never had a national championship; Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski played years for the Red Sox and never received a world series ring, and the list goes on. None of the above is a loser, and all were proud of their accomplishments.           

In my instance, I have three triathlon trophies out of 21 races; a second, a third, and an only. There was always someone faster until the Summer of 2011 when no one else my age competed. Did I lose? Never. In each Triathlon that I did, I would well up with tears of joy from the sheer pride in my accomplishment in the last mile of the run. The pain experienced during the run would go away, the legs would seem fresh again, and the finishing sprint would feel and look great. Second, Third, or twentieth did not matter; I was winning inside.           

Clint Purvis, the team chaplain for Florida State University's football team under Bobby Bowden, put it like this after a tough loss to Miami, "There is a huge difference between getting beat in a game and being a loser." Clint reminded the team of the characteristics of being a winner: 

 

1.      A winner still remembers that God never forsakes His own.

2.      A winner must remember that it is always painful and costly to claim victory again.

3.      A winner will never forget the source of all his blessings.

(from Bobby Bowden's Called to Coach, Howard Books, 2010.] 

            We rarely are number one, but we are always winners since God is always with us. 

Thought for Today: Today, we will have battles we do not expect. Let us be winners with God's help, no matter which way the battle turns out. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, today we thank you for being with us at all times in every place. We thank you because when you are along, we will be winners.

Amen

 

Respect 

"Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers, they succeed."
(Proverbs 15:22) 

        Earning respect is an ongoing challenge throughout our lives. According to the book of Proverbs, communication will make other people want to connect with us. Proverbs 15vs22 talks about the benefits of good counseling sound advice.

       

"Two people working together are four times better than the best of the two alone.

Also, three heads are nine times better than the best of the three working alone."  There are no scientific studies to confirm this, but it is true at some level. Sharing our thoughts and advice makes us all stronger.

       

To earn respect, be a willing advisor. Share your experiences, your knowledge, and goodwill with those in need. Share that precious intellectual property that God has allowed you to accumulate. Earn respect through sharing.

Thought for Today: Today, let us think about helping others through our experienced advice. Try hard to let others help us. Listen and share as Proverbs advises us and observe how much better we feel when we practice sharing.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, we pray for peace and tranquility for those around us and throughout the world. We pray that somehow our life's experiences may be shared and used as an example of your will.

Amen

 

Excellence

 

Excellence 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

 as working for the Lord, not for men,

 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

 (Colossus 3:23-27, NIV)

 

            Earlier I wrote about my “Pickeringism” that all days are not created equal. Here is another example. There are days that we are full of boundless energy and others when we are as flat as pancakes. However, these feelings are mental, physical, and emotional states, and they do not affect our hearts, just our performance or output.           

As a long-term weekend athlete, there have been too many days when only the heart showed up for the workout; the arms, legs, and head wanted to go back to bed. There were many days when that’s how the day started, but the performance was in the excellent range when it ended.           

One of my best friends and four-time Olympic athlete relates to this. Pat has trained every day of his life, and he can relate to the fact that the heart and head often lead the body, “ …  work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord,” and you will be rewarded with excellence. Excellence starts with believing in yourself and the Lord, and the rest will follow. 

Thought for Today: Today, let us remember that “All days are not created equal.” On the day we want to go back to bed, let us trust our hearts and move out, take the leap of faith and give ourselves the chance to exhibit the excellence that God wants us to share. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, we give you thanks for your ongoing presence in our lives. When we are physically worn, you help us recover, and when emotionally drained, you recharge our spirits. We give thanks that you are always with us.

Amen

Pandemic Weariness

 Pandemic Weariness 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

 as working for the Lord, not for men,

 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

 (Colossus 3:23-27, NIV) 

            All days are not created equal. There are days that we are full of boundless energy and others when we are as flat as pancakes. However, these feelings are mental, physical, and emotional states. They do not affect our hearts, just on our performance or output. Certainly, our 2020 has been one of stress and often fatigue. Pandemic Weariness is probably not in the medical journals, but it is a reality.          As a long-term weekend athlete, I try to compare this to a long race, marathon or triathlon. There is no comparison, they are voluntary and have a measured end! When a race ends, recovery begins and there are very few long-term effects. We need to pray that the same is true of COVID.           

We did not enter this race, it found us. We are in it and hopefully rounding the final corner. As we move forward into recovery we need to “…  work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord,” (Colossus 3:23-27) and we will be rewarded. with a belief in yourself and the Lord. The rest will follow. 

Thought for Today: Today let us remember that “All days are not created equal”. On the day that we want to go back to bed, let us trust our hearts and move out. Let us take the leap of faith and give ourselves the chance to be a positive force in a world of Pandemic Weariness. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord we give you thanks for your ongoing presence in our lives. We are physically and mentally weary from COVID. We pray that you recharge our spirits, and we thank you for always being with us.

Amen

 

Confidence

Confidence 

 “For you are my hope;

O Lord God, you are my trust…

And the source of my confidence.”

(Psalm 71:5)                

            The Psalmist above gives a strong message a new year; we can develop confidence and trust through faith. Our news sources all seem to sell negativity to increase ratings. They think focusing on the negative is the way to sell their time. That is not an excellent service to the world. It is good to be aware of the news, even when negative. Reading the good news of Jesus to balance the books can and will overcome all the news media’s negativity. 

                This Psalmist also said:

“But as for me, I will always have hope.”

(Psalm 72-14)

and

“You will increase my honor

And comfort me once again.”

(Psalm 71-21)               

Through the good news of Jesus Christ, we will all have a better life and live in a better world. 

Thought for Today: Grow in confidence and share our good news. 

Prayer for Today:  Dear Lord and Father, we pray for the spiritual maturity and growth to be better at being a disciple and worker for You. We pray that we may find a clear vision of what we can do.

Amen

 

 

Persistence

 Persistence

"Then Jesus told his disciples... that they should always pray and not give up."

(Luke 18:1)

 Bob Dylan's lyrics said, "Times, they are a-changing…" and maybe not for the better. One of life's constants is change. It is like an endurance event or marathon. There will be ups and downs along the way that necessitates keeping our eyes on the prize. It takes persistence to get to the end. We need to "…always pray and not give up." 

There is a long year ahead, and there will be changes and some stresses; COVID, careers, financial, health, to name a few.

The holiday season is a period of stressful joy due to all the activities. January is when reality comes to the forefront, starting an annual endurance event called the year.

                 

Dr. Benjamin Mays wrote the poem "God's Minute."                                                               

                                                                I have only just a minute.

                                                                Only sixty seconds in it.

                                                                Forced upon me, can't refuse it.

                                                                Didn't seek it, didn't choose it.

                                                                But it’s up to me to use it,                                                 

                                                                I must suffer if I lose it,

                                                                Give account if I abuse it,

                                                                Just a tiny little minute,

                                                                    But eternity is in it!

 

Mays had it correct, but we need to think about a whole year.  

Thought for Today: Today, let us pray for people in need, dealing with challenging life issues: COVID, family stress, financial stress, or others. As charity begins at home, it is a given that prayer also does. Have a great day. 

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today we pray for smooth sailing through the rough seas of life. We pray for ourselves and others who are in need. We pray that we will do better and seek a way to do your will here on earth.

 

Sincerity

01230 Sincerity 

"Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Honor one another above yourselves.
 Never be lacking in zeal,
But keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
Share with God's people who are in need.
Practice hospitality."
(Romans 12:9-13) 

        During the Christmas season, we all share material gifts. It is a beautiful time of year. It is a time of love and caring with lots of hugs, kisses, and tears of joy. The love and spirit of Christ are a blessing. 

        Now we are faced with a New Year and the resolutions that come with it. We tend to go back to the grind of daily life and settle into our routine with very few changes. However, we need to continue to share this love, this zeal, and this joy. When we do, we all benefit and live better lives. Here are two of my favorite quotes and worth thinking about for the New Year. 

John F. Kennedy:  "One person can make a difference, and every person must try." 

John Wesley:"Do all the good you can,

by all the means you can,

in all the ways you can,

in all the places you can

at all the times you can,

to all the people you can,

as long as ever you can."

 

Thought for Today: As we proceed toward the New Year, let us focus on ourselves and our talents. Let us recognize that we have unique gifts from the Lord to use for Him.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we are entering the New Year, and we wonder where it will have in store for us. We pray we can apply our talents and gifts in the New Year to pursue your will.

Amen