Marriage

Marriage 

" A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value."
(Proverbs 31:10, 11) 

            Many of you have heard me discuss the benefits of a good marriage: great mutual support, care when illness arrives, and joint celebrations of the many events that occur. Yes, marriage is truly remarkable when things are well and blessed by God.

           

It has often been stated that marriage is the world's most challenging job. Let me quote from The Mystery of Marriage by Mike Mason.

 

            "Marriage, even under the best of circumstances, is a crisis, one of the major crises of life. It is a dangerous thing not to be aware of this. Whether it is a healthy, challenging, and constructive crisis or a disastrous nightmare depends largely on how willing the partners are to be changed, how malleable they are."

           

 "Crises" seems a bit extreme to me. Still, undoubtedly, marriage is a great opportunity for life fulfillment, and it certainly is not without its "opportunities" for either success or failure. A marriage blessed by God, one in which the partners have allowed God's love to grow in their relationship, is one of the world's most incredible experiences.

 

Thought for Today: We face many distractions in our daily lives; work, busy schedules, terrorism, war, deficits, and many more. Let us look at our primary relationships. Focus introspectively, up close. Focus on our loves. When things are okay in our relationships, the outside problems seem less intense.   

 

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we are in a world of hurting people and crises. Wars, earthquakes, and general civil are creating havoc. It is uncomfortable. Today, we pray for love within our lives. We pray that somehow we can feel your presence in all of the fear and overcome our doubts. Somehow we pray that through your love, the fears will dissipate.
Amen

 

Abe Lincoln

 

Lincoln

 

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure;

then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."

(James 3 vs. 17, 18) 

                President Lincoln presided over a war that was one of the bloodiest in the history of our country. He could not have done what he did without his strong faith. His bible was often at his side in meetings and had dog-eared pages from continual use. It reinforced his belief that he and the union were doing the right thing.           

It brings to my mind the old joke about disagreements in church congregations. The arguments are often fierce because both sides feel God on their team. We are not making decisions that cause battles where 10,000 plus soldiers die in church politics. People get assassinated, brothers fight brothers, and a race's freedom is at stake. Still, somehow we do the Lord's will.           

            Often Lincoln felt badly after a traumatic field report and would lean on the Biblical hope offered to him (and all of us. Today's verse was one he often used when he needed reassurance. He would say to his cabinet and all who would listen, "Let us renew our trust in God and go forward without fear and with manly hearts." (Note from Walking With Lincoln) 

Happy Birthday, Abe. 

Thought for Today: Today is the birthday of America's most loved president. His faith is a strong example for us. Our summons is to be happy Christians, be the light of the world, and share and contribute through our faith. Today let us shine our light brightly. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, we thank those great men who had gone before us and contributed to our world. We pray that we contribute in some small way to accomplishing your will and spreading a world of peace and love.

Amen

Self-Respect

Self Respect 

"Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,

And let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air,

over the livestock, over all the earth,

and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

So God created man in his image,"

(Geneses 1v 26 & 27)          

                    God made us in His image. But one of humanity's significant problems is people suffering from lowself-esteem and a lack of self-respect issues, including substance abuse and depression, are lousy ways to go through life.           

Low self-esteem occurs when someone loses touch with the Lord and has trouble recognizing His presence in their lives. Twelve-step programs have been very good at dealing with these two issues. They work because people admit there is a power greater than themselves (God), and their goal is spiritual growth. 

            Spirituality, self-respect, and confidence go hand in hand. Understanding that the Lord is with us every day makes for a satisfactory lifestyle. If you are reading this, you probably have life under control. Meditation is one way of recharging our spiritual batteries. We must do that for ourselves, our families, and others. When we have self-esteem, others will want what we have. That is when we can help. 

Thought for Today: Today, when we look in the mirror, let's look past the visual image of ourselves. Let's look into our own eyes and try to see where our hearts and soul reside. Take that thought out for the week and display our pride, self-respect, and faith in the Lord to others. 

 Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, we live in a beautiful place surrounded by beautiful people. Some let differences separate us and come between us. We pray that we can contribute to dissolving and understanding those differences. We pray that with our strength through you, we find a way to do your will and accept spiritual differences by respecting others.

Amen

 

Pickeringism?

Confidence through Trust

"One who trusts in the Lord is secure."

 (Proverbs 29:25)               

                A Pickeringism is a phrase or idea that is an absolute truth with no scientific basis. A favorite is "All days are not created equal!" Hmm. Truth in all areas of life. Marriages vary daily when one spouse has a gloomy day, or maybe both do! In the workplace, differences are variable despite all the rules and policies. That is what makes life exciting and challenging. 

            In Thomas' book, I'm OK; You're OK," he reviews the four states of every two-person relationship. They are summarized as I'm" OK, you're not OK": when one person has some stress or discomfort with the moment. That same position is reversed with the second condition, "I'm not OK, you're OK. A great place to be is home when all is well and comfortable; I'm OK, your OK; the state of marital bliss; Live happily ever after. (Wow, is that optimistic.) Then, the whole relationship may be a mess with the condition "I'm not OK, you're not OK." 

            Among all life's variables, there is a constant; the power of one that can work on any day, in any condition: That power is our faith. Pickeringisms can be negated by confidence and the knowledge that God is with us and will bring us through. Joseph Kennedy, President Kennedy's father, is credited with saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." We must recognize that the going will often vary, and sometimes we need to pray for guidance and help. 

Thought for Today: Today, let's be secure in knowing that the Lord is with us and will help us through. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, today we give thanks for your support in our everyday lives. We are grateful for your blessings. We are thankful that no matter how the world changes, you will be there when we need you.

Amen

 

 

I Yam what I Yam

I Yam what I Yam 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,"

(Phillipiama 4-13) 

Was Popeye a philosopher? Cartoonists often are. When Popeye was confronted with difficult situations, he would say, "I yam what I yam?" gulp down his spinach and defend right.

        We are not all Popeyes, and we are expected to conform, often to standards below our Christian faith standards, and may face difficulties if we do not. It is necessary to understand who we are and what we are and keep the Lord in our daily lives. We need our "spinach."

.

         In many ways, we are continually fighting image syndrome. Quite often, we get flack because we don't fit in. Conformity is the word, and clones are the result.

    How did some prophets or John the Baptist fit in with the rest of their society? Probably not too well at times, and they were special. The truth is you are you. You are who God created you to be, and he wants you to know who you are and understand your individual characteristics. No one else is exactly like you. God created you and then broke the mold.

 

        You are unique, and it is all right to be you. Don't let others shape you. That is God's task. He started with you, will finish with you, and will be with you. He is our spinach.

 

He does want you to be you.

Thought for the Day: Let us search for the person that God wants us to be so that we may serve him better.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we travel through our weekly chores, we need to see a way to help You. We often lose track of your plan, and sometimes we are too busy and do not understand it. This week we pray that we may find a better way to serve You and make life better for everyone.

Amen. 

 

Kindness

 

 Kindness 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law."

(Galatians 5:22) 

In his book "Bread for the Journey," Henri Nouwen acknowledged that "… All people, whatever their color, religion, or sex, belong to humankind and are called to be kind to one another, treating one another as brothers and sisters. There is hardly a day in our lives when we are not called to do this." 

It is a great feeling when someone treats us kindly, opens a door when we are carrying something, lets us into a traffic lane, or offers to help in any other way. We get an incredible feeling of gratitude and thankfulness. A few of these feelings each day contribute to a great day.              

A better feeling is when you are on the giving end, the door opener, courteous driver, etc. Contributing to others in such small ways seems to make the day smoother. The warmth of their smiles and the thank you make my day, and it will make yours, also. 

Thought for Today: Today, let us enjoy ourselves by smiling to show appreciation when others show kindness and acknowledge us. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, today we pray that we can contribute to others in a kind and considerate manner. We pray that when we interact with people, they will be glad and feel Jesus through our actions.

The Serenity Prayer for 2023

Serenity Prayer

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

 the courageto change the things I can 

and the wisdom to know the difference." 

    As we go into the New Year, peace and tranquility always seem to be part of our NewYear's goals. Last year we did too much. One more committee at church. The kids need a coach. How can we get everyone to every game, lesson, class, etc.? Oh, the boss wants us fifty hours a week too.

    It takes faith and courage to let go and let God play a role in our lives.

"I... will have sufficient courage so that now

 as always, Christ will be exalted in my body..."

Philippians (1:20). 

At work and in our daily lives, we often fail to take the risk of allowing God to take control. How often we do not accept the spiritual help available. We will handle it all. Where is our humility when we try to do it all?

"... humbly accept the word planted in you,

which can save you."

 James (2:1).

 

    We tend to forget the basic rules taught to us by our faith. When we take control and add stress to ourselves, do we ask for the help available?

"If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God

...and it will be given to you."

 (James 1:5) 

    We are told to keep God at the forefront of our search for this inner peace.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 4:7) 

    The serenity prayer is simple, and that is good. For the new year, let's keep it simple. 

Thought for Today: Let us focus on peace and tranquility in our lives; with our families, neighbors, and coworkers.

Prayer for Today:  Let's use the serenity prayer this week and for the year,especially when overstressed.