Punxsutawney Phil

0202 Good News 020111 Punxsutawney Phil

We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world”

and that “There is no God but one.”
For even if there are so-called gods,

whether in heaven or on earth…

…for us there is but one God,

(1 Corinthians 8 vs. 4 & 5)

            On Groundhog day every year in Pennsylvania they forecast the end of winter. This year Phil’s shadow was seen and it was declared that winter will end in six weeks. Well, you see Phil is never wrong because somewhere in the world in six weeks it will be warm; probably not here at my come in Minnesota.

            Phil is a character, not even a legend. He is no Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed or Ichabod Crane. He is just a ground hog being disturbed for a group of people in Pennsylvania to have fun. Frankly he is not a very good idol!

            I would love to see them open Phil’s den next year and have Jesus step out in a white robe, the sun beating down on him in a heavenly glow, and have the crowd speechless. Imagine Jesus saying something like, “Sorry folks but even I refuse to do a long range forecast. There will be more bad weather here in the north country but do not fear for the Lord will be with you.” He would then give is his blessing and arise toward the heavens.

            Bless you all and may we have an early Spring!

Thought for Today: The Lord blesses us and keeps us 365 days a year.  

The Serenity Prayer

Good News 010105 Serenity Prayer

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

to 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 New

Year’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

50 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 are takingcontrol, adding 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 in 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. We all know that simple is good Let us start the new

year with this thought in mind.

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 over stressed.

Happy New Year

Good News010206- Happy New Year

"Not that I have already obtained all this,
or have already been made perfect,
but I press on to take hold of that
for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize
for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. “
(Phillipiens3:12-14; NIV)

        Happy New Year. For the next few weeks the athletic clubs will be filled with "New Years resolutionists". Diet programs will come and go, self improvement books will be purchased or at least the dust will be blown from last year’s cover! Does that sound familiar? Yes, we all have had a few resolutions fall by the wayside.

        I do not know if Paul wrote the above on New Year’s Eve but it is appropriate. Many of us have new goals today: weight, fitness, financial goals etc. Paul is asking us to look at our spiritual goals. "...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize.” Hold that thought as you proceed through the New Year.

Thought for Today: Let us look ahead rather than behind. Let us look ahead at the opportunities in our lives. This year let us practice Christian ethics and life style in all phases of our lives and by all means share our faith with others.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father as this New Year begins please hear our prayer for serenity:

"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference."

Hear this for all the worlds people so that your love and peace may dominate this New Year.
Amen

“Joy to the World, the Lord has come"

        There are a lot of one liners that can be taken from Christmas carols. The opening

of "Joy to the World" says it all to me. It summarizes our Christian lives. Lives of joy

through the forgiveness of our faith and our Christian peers. Let us all feel the joy of the

season, the love for each other and keep our faith strong throughout the season.

With blessings, have a Merry Christmas.

My message for Christmas week is:

Good News121105-Joy

“Be joyful always; pray continually;

 give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5 vs. 16-18 

            The Christmas is a joyful time. The joy of the celebration generally pushes the stress and negativity into the background. A friend recently commented that he wanted to bottle up the holiday spirit for later use.  He needs to learn that the bottle he needs is the bible on his bookcase. The bible is more than a bottle; it is a large jug of joy. A drink a day will keep miseries away and you can take as many drinks as you want!  

            Ok, so that’s enough analogy for today! If you are reading this “Good News” you know where to go when in need. You know to seek out a spiritual mentor, a sponsor or even to grab your favorite prayer guide and pray. That is truly what spirituality is all about; having the faith to snatch joy from the heat of the moment rather than getting bogged down in negativity.

Thought or Today: Today and throughout the holiday season, let us shed the stress, pray for the moment and find the joy.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, today we ask that we may find the joy of the holiday season. We ask so that we may share it with others and be leaders in our faith.

This is my favorite quote and a great way to run your life:

Do all the good you can,

by all the means you can,

in all the ways you can,

in all the places you can

at all the times you can,

to all the people you can,

as long as ever you can.

John Wesley

The Dali Lama on living.

Below is a quote from the Dali Lama thai I like. Think aboutb it! We Christians need to livd like we are going to die and die like we are going to live!

The Dalai Lama when asked about what surprised him most about humanity answered “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order 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.”