Spring

“I will send rain on your land in its season,

 both autumn and spring rains,

 so that you may gather in your grain,

 new wine and olive oil.”

“\(Deuteronomy 11:14)

 

            Spring is a beautiful time of the year. Long warmer evenings replace short winter days. Spring bulbs emerge from the ground with green sprouts, and color returns to the woods, parks, and yards. It is a time when the wonders of God bring peaceful thoughts to us all.

       

We also live in a world surrounded by protests, shootings, and fear. Terrorism, anger, illness, and other crises fill our world alongside the wonders of spring. Where is our "peace on earth"? Spring shows us how close it is and that God is trying to bring it to us. What is our best way to participate in having a peaceful world?

 

The message in another hymn,"...let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." gives us a hint. If each of us does our part, we can influence the world.

 

John F. Kennedy put it like this.  "One person can make a difference, and every person must try."

Thought for Today: We encounter negativity, anger, frustrations in the workplace, and frustration in our lives. We can choose to be anxious or at peace. Let peace begin with each of us. This week let's demonstrate Christian love and our quiet side.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we see violent negativity worldwide and seem to have very little control over it all. We pray that we may lead by the example of Christ, that our living example may contribute to a better world. 

 

Tradition

Tradition  

“Now, brothers and sisters,

I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you,

which you received and on which you have taken your stand.”

(1 Corinthians 15 vs. 1) 

            In thirty years as a sales engineer, I saw a lot of changes. In the seventies, it was called “show and sell.” We drove thousands of miles with our sample cases bringing solutions to the customer. Often, we had new technology and served as an educational force and consultant.           

Technologically, the products and sales process evolved as the advent of email and the internet minimized personal visits. In today’s world, the customer reviews the product options online, and the sales challenge is to assist in his selection process. In the 2000s, sales engineers are online with the customer reviewing products and applying them. The style is different, but our message is the same. We can meet your needs.           

Our church is trying to adjust to 2000 years of a changing market. We need to TWEET, POST, Email, and use the latest technology to send a 2000-year-old message to an ever-changing population. Our services are overhauled, so we refer to them as traditional, blended, and contemporary. They are often online. It is a challenge to service present-day needs.           

However, even though our communication has changed, the message has not and cannot. Present generations will find the help they need in an ancient message. Over these new mediums and through the different styles, we must hold firmly to the word. 

Thought for Today: For today, let’s marvel at the message; never changing, always true. The lord is with us. 

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we are in a hurry. Our calendars are full, and technology gives us very little time to meditate. We pray for your guidance through it all. We pray for grace and solitude through Jesus. Amen

 

Mile Markers

Mile Markers 

“Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

(Psalm 40 vs. 12) 

            Each day of our life is a present and special in some way. Each has a memory, some fade but the great ones stay forever. We often catalog them, and many hide in our sub-conscious. Numbering our days is an excellent thought. 

            The major ones do not take rocket science to remember. I am an elder and remember where I was for Pearl Harbor (27 months old), JFK’s assassination, the twin tower assault, Ted Williams last at-bat (a home run at age 41). 

            The un-conscious ones are often more fun when brought to the front. Recently, an old friend from 1955 and I reconnected and reviewed our memories together; high school football experiences, school days, former teachers, and cheerleaders. He brought back so many memories that he called me one evening while online. We talked for two hours. 

            The Lord has been good to us. We are not wealthy but rich in memories, full of love, happiness, and wisdom. The numbering of our days has paid off in a worthy life. It will also work for you. 

Thought for Today: Today, we will create a memory. Whether it is a major or minor event remains to be seen. Either way, let us recognize its contribution to who we will be. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, we thank you for all the great memories and blessings you have bestowed upon us. Today we pray that we serve your will here on earth as we go through our day.

Amen

 

Hope in Prayer

 

Hope Through Prayer

 

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”

(Romans 12 vs. 11 & 12)

 

            Hold on to your faith; keep holding on. When the going gets tough, when choices are hard, when the stress builds, pray about it; turn it over to God. Paul’s letters repeat that time after time, and often we do not hear it. Our faith is not always strong, and we can be confused.           

In his message above, he talks about a great way to get through a day, week, or month. He is preaching a way of life through faith to confidence and peace.           

Memorize this one, try it, and you will like it.

 

Thought for Today: Let’s attack today with “fervor,” being “joyful,” and by all means prayerfully. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, we give thanks for the day you have made for us to have. We thank you for the opportunity to do your will and contribute to each other’s peace.

Amen

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