Blue Christmas

 

 Blue Christmas

“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you, my soul takes refuge.

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings, until the disaster has passed.”

(Psalm 57:1)

Today our church will have a special service for people having a sad time over the Holidays. We call it a Blue Christmas Service (Thank you, Elvis). We can always find reasons to be blue over the holidays, and it is good to look at those feelings, put them in perspective, and pray to God for the support available to us. It was one worth attending whether you were sad or not.

Our friends Bob, Carl, and Dave miss their wives who passed away. There are too many to list with severe ailments and others with challenging career and financial situations. Several years ago, we met a young gentleman, John, who had visited during the summer. He was in tears during the service. He was despondent because his parents were having a problem with his sexual preference. I ask you all for prayers.

Celebrating Christmas is for all of us. Through it all, we remember those who are experiencing loss. June and I pray about aging and life in a new society with COVID and war. It is important to take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings.

Thought for Today: Let us take note of our sad feelings over the holidays. We need to recognize that they exist rather than masking them with joy. Pray about them, turn them over to God, and enjoy the celebration of Christ’s birth.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we have special holiday prayers. We pray that your presence brings trust and love to the world. We pray for people who have lost loved ones and are spending their first Christmas with an empty place at the table while giving thanks for your role in our lives and the help you give us. Thank you for being available for us each day.

Amen

Problems?

 

Problems? 

“From them will come songs of thanksgiving
and the sound of rejoicing.
I will add to their numbers,
and they will not be decreased;
I will bring them honor,
and they will not be disdained.”

(Jeremiah 30 vs.19) 

            Every day is a day to rejoice. We are between our formal day of Thanksgiving and Christ’s birthday celebration. Most of us are enjoying what we call the holiday season. The message above tells us that God wants us to rejoice and to be happy. We need to pay attention to that.           

Thought for Today: We will be happy as we will work through our busy schedules, deal with holiday stress, and, in the end, let us rejoice. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, today we rejoice in your name and thank you for giving the Grace and spirit of your son, Jesus.

Amen

Endurance

Endurance and Encouragement 

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement

give you a spirit of unity among yourselves ….”

(Romans 15 vs. 5) 

            Instant gratification is something that we always seem to want and often expect. We have national lotteries around the world, and people become instant winners. (They may have played for twenty years!)

The desire is clear; we want what we want when we want it. 

            If that is where you are at in your life, you need not read any further today. That is not my message! Paul’s message to the Romans is about endurance and encouragement, two things given to us through our faith and prayers that will make us successful. There will be no lightning bolt that makes us winners. 

            In the years that June and I were associated with my son’s music business, we dealt with hundreds of starry-eyed musicians waiting for their big break. Some made it, but all that succeeded earned it. The ones that worked at it 24/7; the ones with an undying passion for writing and performing; those who were too serious about it to enjoy the party atmosphere succeeded. 

            In our own lives, we need to endure. Life is not a sprint, it is more like a marathon, and there are no days off. We will feel weary and need encouragement. We need a place where we can find encouragement; we have it because God is with us. We do need to reach out and grab it through prayer. 

Thought for Today: Let’s think about who we could reach out to for encouragement; our pastor, significant other, child, or bartender. There is always someone. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, we thank you for your support and pray that we can let you in when we are tired.Amen

            

 

The Happiest Season!

December is Christmas month, the happiest season. 

 Happiest Season 

“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi.

On the way, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist.

others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

(Mark 8 vs. 27-29)

            It is a wonderful time of the year when we look forward to celebrating Christ’s birth. We are blessed because of His presence in our everyday lives. We have a God-given relief from the daily stresses our society places on us. 

            Interestingly, 30-plus years after his birth, Jesus asked who they believed he was. My thoughts are that the Christmas story would be enough. But then, nothing in this world is ever easy, not then and certainly not now. 

            So what is Christmas really about? Gifts, material giving, and recharging of our spiritual batteries. It is a great time of the year, the happiest time. We must enjoy the season while recharging our batteries, reinforcing our beliefs, and preparing for the New Year. 

             Katharine McPhee said in her song:

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Let your heart be light.

From now on, our troubles

Will be out of sight.” 

Blessings to you all for a great season of Joy! 

Thought for Today: The Christmas season is not all joys. We will encounter stress, financial hardships, bad weather, and all the events of winter life. They are all blessings that are part of our lives. We need to keep Christ as our focus. 

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we give thanks for Christmas and festivities. Through prayer, we give thanks that “our troubles will be out of sight.”

Amen

Always Friends

Always Friends 

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves

with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.

 Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

(Colossians 3, 12-14; NIV) 

            Most of us have a problem feeling like one of “God’s chosen people.” The control freak in us wants to believe that we chose to follow Him, which is ego-centric and introspective. We all know that we chase Him until he catches us. In our lives, who are “God’s Chosen,” and what do they do?  

            This month is Thanksgiving, and one of my traditions is to do Christmas greetings. Each card and letter that gets addressed is to someone special. The addressees have all played a role in my life, including friends, advisors, mentors, coaches, etc. It is a wonderful feeling to sit there and think about each of them (you). Are they God’s chosen people?  

            The holiday season is an excellent opportunity to celebrate Christ’s birth and life. It is also a chance to think of the many people God has placed into our lives that have demonstrated “… compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience...” A priest in the UK included me in his daily prayers during my cancer period, another is a running buddy of over thirty-five years duration, and several former pastors were spiritual advisors… the list goes on. 

Thought for Today: This week, let us think about our friends. Remember why they are, who they are, and what they mean to us. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, we have many blessings you have given us. Among them are our friends and contacts, and each of them is a blessing. We offer our prayers for their health and happiness and thank you for presenting them to us so that we may all get through this 2022 holiday season healthy and thankful!Amen

 

 

The Dalai Lama

 

We must ask what we receive when we worry!

The Dalai Lama

 

“Can any of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life?”

(Matthew 6 vs. 27)

            June and I have the ability to enjoy our lives, both the pitfalls and the pleasures. We strongly believe the Lord is involved in our lives, leading us to enjoy simple pleasures. We both believe that the ability to put the events into perspective is our greatest blessing through our faith.

            A Christian friend forwarded this to me. It does not describe a person of faith but is accurate for those who have not developed a spiritual lifestyle. 

            The Dalai Lama, when asked about what surprised him most about humanity, answered: 

“Man. Because he sacrifices his health to make money.

Then, he sacrifices his money to recuperate his health.

And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;

the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;he lives like he is never going to die, and he dies having never really lived.” 

Maybe we can help the friends being referred to by the Dalai Lama.           

Thought for Today: Who in our circle of friends resembles the Dalai Lama’s description? It could be a family member, neighbor, friend, or church member. Let’s think about that and find a way to share our faith with them. 

Prayer for Today:  Dear Lord, today, let us pray for those who have not included Christ in their lives, those who are spiritually weak and worried about physical rather than Godly issues. We pray for them and ask you for a way to help, a way to share, and a way to contribute to their spiritual growth.

            

Global Peace

Global Peace 

"Whatever you have learned or
received or heard from me,
or seen in me—put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you."
(Philippians 4:8,9)

             There are over 300 million people in America and billions worldwide. As individuals, we are not statistically significant. But we all know that statistics can be manipulated and misrepresented. Indeed, each of us is significant to God within our Christian faith. In many of Paul's letters, he said, "God will be with you." I will add, personally, upfront and close.

            As statistically insignificant as the mathematicians make us, God gives us meaning, power, and faith. We are the power of one. As Christians, we can impact the world one individual at a time through our faith. When we demonstrate that we are at peace, we infect those around us. When we demonstrate good Christian ethics, we lead others to follow us. When we are at peace, others want to join us.

            Our challenge as people of faith is working our peace so that others join us. We all know of pyramid schemes and chain letters. Through our faith, we can be at the top of a living chain. Each day we are at peace through our faith, and we will positively affect our environment.

Thought for Today: It is challenging but exciting to think that we can affect others with our positive actions. This week let us consider others and, by example, share our hope regarding our future.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we see and hear ugliness in the world. There are wars, revolutions, and a worldwide refugee crisis. Our streets are unsafe, and our institutions have too many negative financial issues. It is hard to understand where you are when we are bombarded daily with these issues. We pray for an understanding of your role and that we may participate in an overall solution.

Amen