Our Rock

Our Rock 

“There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.”

(1 Samuel 2 vs. 2)

             Growing up in New England, we often fished in streams and frequently crossed them by stepping from rock to rock. We got cold and wet when we stepped on a loose one or slipped. The analogy to the passage is that we chose the wrong rock! That is not an option with God.

             The Lord is the rock of our life, our foundation, and always with us. We forget that simple truth; we will not let Him in to help when we feel lonely. During those times, we can feel cold and lonely. (Hopefully not wet.)

             Prayer and devotionals will help that situation. If you are reading this today, you are probably sitting squarely on the rock.

 Thought for Today: Let’s be aware of our foundation, our rock.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, I recognize you and thank you for being my rock and foundation. I pray to identify someone who has slipped from your rock and help them.

Amen

 

Indian Summer

 

Indian Summer

 

"This is the day
that the Lord has made,
Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
(Psalm 118:24) 

            In Minnesota, we are experiencing a wonderful Autumn. An "Indian Summer." A freeze followed our first heavy frost; now, we have warm temperatures. A day like this is a gift to us by God that we all appreciate.

            During this time, the crabgrass has died; there is color in the leaves; the lawn does not need mowing; the evenings are cool; the garden does not need weeding.

            There are many blessings about Indian Summer that are easily recognized. Our daily lives also have many blessings, but we often do not see and acknowledge them. We try to control our lives and often do not turn enough to God. The more we allow Him to take over, the more blessed our lives become.

 

            The Psalmist says, "...But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you..." As we give thanks for good weather, we also need to give thanks and recognize God's role in our daily lives.

Thought for Today: The fall season is upon us. The busy holidays are approaching us all too swiftly. This week, we can relax and enjoy the dwell-in activities between the end of Summer and the holidays. Let Go and Let God and appreciate the things he will do for us. Let us enjoy by allowing God's will into our daily lives.

Prayer: Father, we pray specifically for those in the world that need food, shelter, and quality of life. There are too many people out of work or threatened by unemployment in our country. In many countries, the Holy season approaches many desperate people. We pray for them and that somehow the prosperous peoples of the world can find a way to do your will. We pray that we may find a way to contribute.

Amen 

Eisenhower

 Eisenhower 

“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant

—not of the letter but the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

(2 Corinthians 3 vs. 6)

 

            We are in some way the light, ministers of the gospel, or promoters of the Holy Spirit. That is a part of the covenant we make when we join the Christian church. That is a tremendous responsibility, and I certainly don’t feel like a “spirit” promoter every day.

 

            I have always had a propensity for relaxing through exercise. Workouts are a daily piece of my life, and pursuing it shows my selfish streak. I made a covenant with myself in my late twenties to be as good as possible. I wanted to be a good dad and husband and believed that fitness was a piece of the equation.

 

            Later in life, June and I decided that fitness was more than physical; i.e., it was spirit, mind, and body. We agreed that we would work on the spirit and mind together, but she was not interested in joining me on my swims, bike rides, and runs. (She was always a bit smarter.) OOPS- that decision meant three times as much work.

 

            Our 34^th President, Dwight David Eisenhower, firmly believed in this. He did his morning exercises, and whenever possible, he kept his calendar open for an after-lunch nap. When at the Whitehouse, he would spend time chipping and putting before his afternoon meetings. His colleagues considered him eccentric and selfish, and he felt he needed a scheduled break to be the best he could be for himself and his country.

 

            We all need to be the best we can be for ourselves and our families and serve the Lord. Be a bit selfish so that you can help.

 

Thought for Today: Today, let’s do something for ourselves to help our spirit, mind, and body.

 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, we pray to keep our covenant made to you today. We pray that we are shining your light as bright as we can. We pray that we are the light of the world so others may find you through us.

Amen 

 

Brotherly Love

 

 Brotherly Love 

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

 Honor one another above yourselves.”

(Romans 12vs 10) 

            Paul’s message to the Romans says that the person closest to or standing next to you deserves dignity and honor at any moment. In many cases, that is not how it works. We are an overloaded society and rarely give the person near us enough of our thoughts. We are about thinking too far ahead rather than the present. We need to slow down.           

            Christ served everyone; He made time for lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, the “unclean” and needy, and his disciples. We should not forget to consider or care for everyone, even when we do not have time. We are often called or approached by a friend or acquaintance for advice or help at an inconvenient time. When that happens, we often look at our watch while they talk, space out and not listen, and then brush them off as quickly as possible- Wow, WWJD on that one. 

            The above is a real problem faced by all of us almost daily. We have deadlines in our lives and people that matter long term, our families and career colleagues. With that in mind, how do we deal with others who come for help when we do not have time? We need to pray about how we can be considerate and tolerant.   

Thought for Today: Let’s focus on being caring when we are interrupted by a friend. Let us ask how Jesus would deal with the telemarketer. We always need to find ways to share our Christian love.

 Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, I will meet someone in need and won’t have time to listen. Today when that happens, I pray and hear in your name, as Jesus would.

Amen

Busy?

 

BUSYness 

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,

 and the time has come for my departure

I have fought the good fight

 I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

(2 Timothy 4: 6 & 7) 

            Over the years, I came to relate closely with the race analogies used by Paul in his letters. They are meaningful today because the events around the world have thrown us into a high state of BUSYness. (Spell-check hates that word, but I like it!). Paul's message above is not about a marathon, a workweek, or getting to the children's activities; it has nothing to do with our BUSYness. It has to do with keeping our faith peaked during the process of life. 

            BUSYness! I wrote this today because retired old Bob is too busy with retirement stuff; writing, blogging, helping others in need, increasing my exercise program, and generally being Bob. For the second day in a row, my morning meditation did not fit. 

In the early 1990s, my daughter gave me a devotional, "With All My Strength" by H. Norman Wright." Before that, I skimmed the newspaper while watching the morning TV news and drinking my coffee. That would increase my stress and negativity. Reading the devotional improved my attitude, and life improved through spiritual growth 

            Today, I read Paul's message to Timothy before tackling the day's tasks. You see, life is excellent but longer than a marathon. Sometimes called the daily grind. Life is good when the good fight is supported by spiritual growth. Finish your race by keeping the faith. 

Thought for the Day: In a counter to Paul's message about the race, I read the following from the 23^rd Psalm: "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." Take a prayer break today and every day. 

Prayer for Today: Dear father, today we pray for personal peace.

Trust

 Trust

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last, you renewed your concern for me.

Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

I am not saying this because I am in need,

 for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

 (Philippians 4 vs. 10-13) 

            It always amazes me and reinforces my faith when something Paul said 2000 years ago applies directly to today’s world. For several years our free world economy has been flaky. Trust in government has faded as the leaders of America and the world have become polarized. The advent of Ponzi schemes and fraud by high-powered executives have hurt the trust we need in our financial markets for them to be strong. Even at low levels of government, doubts about their ability to perform are stronger than ever. It is scary because our country and the world rely on trust. In America, our money reminds us that “In God We Trust.” 

            I promise to turn this around. I try not to be political, but that seems to be the case today. Paul is pointing out a simple truth, and we must pay attention. In a recent telecast, televangelist Joel Osteen said, “We do not know what the future holds, but we do know who holds our future.”  Hmmm, there is something to think about. 

Thought for Today: Today and always, take time to focus on our savior. Take a few minutes to appreciate and welcome Him into our life. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, today we give thanks for Paul’s words and encouragement. We pray that we may accept his advice graciously and lean on you to get through our daily stresses.

Amen

 

Start The Day

 Start the Day 

^" The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;

they do not know what makes them stumble."

(Proverbs 4:18& 19)           

            Those who have known me long know I have always been a morning person. I think there is no better time of day than early morning, even sunrise. There is no prettier sight than the sun coming up out of the sea off of Boston, the early light on the first tee waiting for enough daylight to see the ball's flight, or the sun coming up over a mountain when viewed from a canoe while fishing. I am blessed because the first light is a spiritual event to me. 

Each sunrise starts a new beginning, a new opportunity to do better, and a new opportunity to do God's work. Yesterday is gone and can not be changed, and our future is today and beyond. 

These devotionals started as something to do during the early hours. The newscasts on TV were (and still are) depressing. The newspapers are full of bad news. It seems that bad news sells. Tomorrow you will see a "first light." It may be mid-morning if you are a late sleeper or a sunrise. Either way, it is a new beginning, a new opportunity. It will be the first day of the rest of your life. Spend it with hope and joy. 

Thought for Today: There will be seven days this week. Each is a fresh start. Let us feel the spirit in the first light, the blessing of a new day. Let us live the first day of the rest of our lives with faith and the joy of the Lord. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, we thank you for the sunrise, the new beginning, new opportunity. We pray we may use this opportunity to do your will here on earth.Amen