Marriage!

This post was written for our 40^th anniversary in 2008. This week we travel to New England for the tenth consecutive year to celebrate our anniversary, visit good friends and of course 98 year old mom!

 Marriage 40^th

" 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)

On July 28^th 2008, June and I celebrated our 40^th wedding anniversary. We were married on her 30^th birthday. She has been a blessing to me and I often refer to her as being the light at the end of my tunnel. She helped escort me from my dark period of the 60’s into something better- that seems to be still growing. Forty years is a long time and it was not all romance and happy times. There was alcohol treatment, recovery, career moves and stress, the challenges of raising four children and just living with Bob, who does not always make sense!

           I often discuss the many wonderful benefits of a good marriage: the great mutual support, the care when illness arrives, the mutual celebrations of the many events that occur. Yes, marriage is truly a great institution when things are well and blessed by God.

Thought for Today: Today let’s keep it simple and enjoy our significant other and those others around us.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, today we give thanks for the people that you have placed close to us in our lives. We pray that as this week progresses, we can share our love with friends, family and others who we meet. 

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. As many of you know I detest the famous Vince Lombardi quote, “Winning isn’t everything it is the only thing.” Here are some examples: 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 or are proud of their accomplishments.

            In my personal instance, I have three triathlon trophies out of 28 races; a second, a third and an only! There was always someone faster until my 72^nd in 2011 when no one else my age competed. Did I lose? Never. In each Triathlon that I did, in the last mile of the run I would well up with tears of joy from the shear pride in my accomplishment. 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 always remember the source of all his blessings.

(From Bobby Bowden’s Called to Coach, Howard Books, and 2010” 

            We rarely are number one but since God is always with us, we are always winners.

Thought for Today: Today we will have battles we do not expect. With God’s help, let us be winners 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

Follow the Way!

Follow the Way

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is...

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,

but rather think of yourself with sober judgment,

in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

(Romans 12; 2-4)

    Society does not fit the biblical model that we are taught and often desire. Truth, honesty, integrity, love and many other virtues seem rare at times. Often in our human desire to "fit", we join in and need correction. It is normal to err and join in. It is also forgivable.

    In a discussion last week in a business environment, we were discussing several long term successful business men. We were comparing the successful men with some that were sinking fast or already out of business. It seems that the ones that have long term success may have read Paul’s message to the Romans. Fairness was their trademark and perpetual growth seemed to be a trait. They were not always right, but always seemed to be growing and striving for excellence.

    They earned the respect and trust of those around them. They were not "sharks" but win-win business men. Somehow, they incorporated their Christian beliefs into the tough world of doing business. That is truly doing God's will.

Thought for Today: Today we will all have a chance to stand up and be counted. We will have opportunities to demonstrate our faith in circumstances where we would not normally do so. Let us demonstrate that we are considerate and Godly in our daily activities.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, the world we live in is distracting and volatile. We all have too much to do, too many commitments and too many fears. Throughout all of this we pray for peace. Peace in our own lives, peace around the world and an end to hate and prejudice. We pray that we end anger and hate in ourselves and can demonstrate the value of peace to others through our example.

Amen

Lean on Me!

Lean on Me!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

(Philippians 4 vs. 4)

            Sometimes rejoice and celebrate are hard words to implement. The last two years June and I have fought some battles that are not going to go away. One of my spiritual advisors challenged me on doing my meditations often enough! Yes, that is required but Paul’s message above says it well.  I choose to listen to Paul!

            This morning I am heading for the swimming pool for a relaxing lap swim with June and after lunch a walk around a lake with a mentor. It does not get much better than that!

            Also, I talked with mom today and at age 98 she was having a great day. Monday is her massage day! She was ahead of me 75 years ago and she still is! If you live to be 98, you want her life and spirit.

            Erma Bombeck wrote a book entitled “If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I doing in the Pits?” We need to focus on the good stuff and listen to Paul.

Rejoice in the Lord

Thought for Today: Today it will be too hot outside, the air conditioning inside will be too cool, the sun too bright and there may be a thunderstorm. It just will not matter so rejoice in the Lord and enjoy it. It is a preset.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, there are many things wrong in our world; Wars, revolution, both national and local money issues. Today we give thanks for what we have and the ability to seek peace through you. We pray for the strength and guidance to find a way to contribute to a world wide solution. We pray that we may help find peace amongst the peoples of the world.

Live the Life!

Live the Life

“…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”

(Mark 10 vs. 43&44)

Spiritual growth is an important part of living a peaceful and rewarding life. Defining it is sometimes difficult. It is more than reading a passage, it is living the life. It is climbing the Christian ladder of success. Not running around preaching a passage, it is demonstrating the lifestyle.  In the above passage Mark mentions greatness and to be great, one must be at peace. This peace can be found by walking the walk; Serving others as a lifestyle.

            TV Evangelist Mac Hammond defined serving others as "...meeting another person's needs when they do not believe you are serving them".

Thought for Today: Today let’s reach out and help someone in need. Let’s serve their every need.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today we feel the need to help. We pray that we recognize those in need that you have placed before us. We thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Amen

Positive Christian II

Today’s blog post is week two of being a positive Christian!

Positive Christian II

Even youths grow tired and weary,
       and young men stumble and fall;”

(Isaiah 40 vs. 30)

            For the last several years I have exercised with an older retired physician, Phil. We walk/jog/waddle 15-20 miles a week and we have a lot of time to talk. He has completed over 25 marathons, 20 ultra-marathons and many of know my triathlon history (Retired from competition on my 72^nd birthday.) Phil and I talk about our youthful days and have determined that growing older is not for the weak! We just do not recover as fast as we used to and often are fatigued and sluggish. It is hard to stay positive. June can tell you what I mean!

            I want to talk about friends that Phil and I have who have lost their spouse. Staying positive while grieving is a difficult challenge and nearly half of us will face it. It is a time when our Faith may be challenged, we may ask, “Why me Lord?” and we need to deal with our new loneliness. It takes a strong faith to stay positive.          

All of the above sounds a bit negative and that is not intentional-it is just data. The reality is that it is great to be a Christian. We have a great perspective on life and a lot to share with future generations. In our later years we have the support of our Lord and have time to help others, time to share, time for ourselves, and time to recover from our ills. We need to be positive Christians, set an example on how to live and be happy. As we struggle through our many challenges, we need to remember the following:

“but those who hope in the LORD
       will renew their strength.
       They will soar on wings like eagles;
       they will run and not grow weary,
       they will walk and not be faint.”

(Isaiah 40 vs. 31-32)

Thought for Today: Be happy, be positive and share our enthusiasm with others.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, today we thank you for our blessings and the ability to focus on positive feelings through your love. Today we pray that we may be positive and radiate joy to those around us.

Amen

Positive Christian I

Positive Christian I

“He gives strength to the weary
       and increases the power of the weak.

(Isaiah 40 vs. 29)

            It is an early morning and I am thinking back to a summer where June and I moved into our seventies and deeper into over 46 years of marriage. It is great to celebrate; it is great to reminisce about the victories and challenges we have worked through over the years. June and I are truly blessed.

            The story is not all that positive however, we are getting older and as my mom who is 98 says, “Growing old is not for the faint of heart”. It comes with its own set of challenges. The last two years we have had several medical challenges. Chronic back issues, atrial- Fibrillation and chronic arthritis; issues that do not go away! Fortunately, June and I set a goal of not being grumpy senior citizens. We want our grandchildren to remember us as fun people. We decided to pray and always try to be positive Christians. It is not always easy.

Thought for Today: Today will be a milestone; things will happen we do not expect. Today let’s recognize the blessings we will have, even if they seem like challenges.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today we thank you for our many fond memories. As we face today’s challenges we pray that we accomplish your will, deal with issues Jesus way and generate more fond memories for tomorrow.

Amen