Tradition

Tradition “By this gospel, you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.” (1 Corinthians 15 vs. 2) 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 customers. 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 product options online, and the sales challenge is to assist in the selection process. In the 2000s, sales engineers are online with the customer reviewing and applying products. 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: 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 little time to meditate. We pray for your guidance through it all. We pray for grace and solitude through Jesus. Amen

Life of Victory

Life of Victory “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1: 1-12) The elderly can often be curmudgeons, maybe angry. They are focusing on the past rather than the joys they have now. A good goal in life is to have your grandchildren remember you as happy, content, and proud. Life comes at us in waves or phases: the rapid learning years of childhood and youth; the wealth-building, family, or working years; the secure phase or empty-nesting; the retirement years winding down to an end-of-life experience. Each stage is unique, different, and memorable, filled with joy and sorrow, which is life. We make choices with our focus. We could always use more money, more company, less joint pain, etc. The sun will rise and set; we will wake and sleep. The Lord will be with us, and we will have great memories of our past. Focus on them. One of my favorite television evangelists, Joel Osteen, likes to say, “Keep on keeping on!” Thought for Today: Negative influences will occur, and we can dwell on them or deal with them. Today, let us focus on moving on with our lives and faith. Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, the world is confusing. There is trouble in the mid-east, deranged people shooting up our sacred institutions, and some awful winter weather. We pray for the ability to understand it all and put it into the context of your plan. We offer special prayers for the older generation as they move onward. We pray for peace, understanding our place in your world, and the opportunity to do your will here on earth. Amen

Persistence

Persistence “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5) In his book Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill stated, “A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits.” Today, we live in a fast-paced society that seems to demand instant gratification. In the business world, everyone is looking for the proverbial “low-hanging fruit”; the diet fads are advertising fast weight reduction; if a trip is more than 400 yards, we drive to save time. We want what we want when we want it and often fail to be diligent, persistent, and patient. In the eighties, sales trainer Ty Boyd gave a presentation called “The Life Plan” about making a plan for life as we do for business. He preached that we needed to set goals for life and keep our focus on attaining those goals. They must start with a plan, but many let it go and start reacting to life’s situations rather than implementing the plan. A vital factor in keeping a life plan in order is spirituality. It allows us to focus on the good rather than reacting to negative issues. The ability to forgive and pray helps us get through tough times and focus on the plan. In verse twelve, Paul advises, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” That needs to be a part of every life plan. Thought for Today: Let’s remember where we want to go. There will be both positive and negative distractions. Focus on our spirituality in both celebrations and under stress. Give thanks when things go as planned, and pray when they do not. Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, we are busy working on our plan daily. We pray for success and positive memories and that our plan fits your plan. 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 daily 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 conditions in our world are causing many of our friends and neighbors to go through unplanned life changes. Let us pray that God will be present 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."

Commitment

Commitment “Whatever your lips utter, you must be sure to do….” (Deuteronomy 23 vs. 23) One of the ways to be successful in life is to keep all of your commitments. If you say it, do it, even after having second thoughts. Become known as one hundred percent reliable. It is probably impossible, but the closer you are, the more you benefit. Do you have friends who cancel at the last minute? …show up late? ...or not at all? Are you one that lives that way? We all have missed a few deadlines; some make it a lifestyle. At work or in business commitment is even more critical. On the job, it can determine your future success or failure. In sales, it generally means to win or lose. Abraham Lincoln said this: "Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.” At some time in your life, you committed to God. Today, we have the opportunity to review that commitment and recharge our batteries, stay engaged, and stay on track in a world of distractions. Thought for Today: Today, be committed. First to God and then ourselves by being the best we can be. Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, we thank you for your many blessings. We give thanks for being Godly people who will be accepted and liked by others. Our families, friends, and people that we do not know yet.

Washington

Washington “As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protection of the civil government. I hope to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.” George Washington Today is George Washington’s Birthday. There are many stories and fables about his life. He allegedly chopped down a Cherry tree and threw a silver dollar across the Potomac. These are unproven myths but great folklore. It takes a great man to recognize a weak position and make the proper corrections. He was a man of great vision and envisioned that his ragtag army could defeat the British. He realized when he was wrong and intelligent enough to involve the French as allies. The quote above expresses his dreams for America, and it is also a stated Christian dream delivered through Jesus. Today, our challenge is to accomplish the justice and equality these two men desired. We all need to do a little every day. Thought for Today: Take a step toward bringing equality and justice to our world. Prayer for Today: Today, dear Lord, we pray for equality and the opportunity to contribute to creating a just and equal society. Amen

Also Ran

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 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 disappear, 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. 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 how the battle turns out. Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, thank you for being with us everywhere. We thank you because when you are along, we will be winners. Amen