A Still Place

A Still Place 

"Be still and acknowledge that I am God."

 (Psalm 46:10)           

The world is a busy place. Americans are overbooked; families are tied up every day with career and children's activities; empty-nesters seem to have filled the time with commitments; often, retirees do not know how they ever had time to work. That leads to a lot of stress, tension, and often family failures. That's correct; the family that plays too much together may not have enough quality time to survive. They do not have time to call for help.           

In his book Bread for the Table, Henry Nouwen says it this way, "These are words to take with us in our busy lives. We may think about stillness in contrast to our noisy world. But perhaps we can go further and keep an inner stillness even while we carry on … It is important to keep a still place in the "marketplace." This still place is where God can dwell and speak to us. …with that stillness, God can be our gentle guide in everything we think and do." 

Do you have a still place? How do you keep your sanity? 

Thought for Today: COVID and other varied conditions in our world are causing many of our friends and neighbors to go through unplanned changes in their lives. Let us pray that God will be a presence in their lives as they pursue new opportunities. 

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, the world around us is confusing, sometimes cruel, and always challenging to understand. Please allow us time to step aside and dwell upon "your will" rather than "our wants and needs." Let us find the peace or stillness to allow "thy will to be done on earth as it is in heaven."

 

God's Love

Gods Love and Grace

 

“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God;

He is the faithful God,”

 (Deuteronomy 7 v 9)           

June and I are 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, and 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 regarding September 11. 

Recently, a Jewish friend whom I have known and liked for years attended bible studies to learn about the Christian perspective. His strong family values, general upbeat personality, and strong ethical standards make him someone I am glad to know. 

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 Buddhist sister in law, 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 solid, godly values in our friends. In most instances, we have observed God working in our friends’ lives and see God’s grace at work in many ways. Most importantly, we have experienced God’s grace through our friends. 

Thought for the Day: Recognize those around us that are different and try to befriend someone new. Seek out someone that looks at God differently. The Lord blesses them also. 

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

Amen

 

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