Coping skills

We all have a tool box of coping skills.  When we are young, the box is pretty empty.  Over time, I hope that we will collect ideas and abilities that will help us in difficult times because when things get tough, our coping skills can be stretched.

A financial issue.  A death in the family.  A divorce.  All of these things and many other things can bring an amount of stress and discomfort that we are unprepared for and challenge our coping skills.

If you find yourself in such a place, here are some thoughts about expanding our coping skills:

1. Number one recognize that the problem doesn’t have to own you. Your life is bigger than whatever is going on. 
2. Secondly stay busy - keep your mind off of the problem. Don’t let it absorb all of your time and eat your lunch emotionally. 
3.  Do something physical... take a walk.
4. Focus on one issues at a time.  Agree that the other issues will be there when you get back... put them on the shelf and work on one at a time. 
5. Practice prayer and meditation.... sit by a fire, sit by a fountain, spend some time in God's creation.  I used to go up to the church and just sit in the sanctuary all by myself.
6. Talk to a friend.
7. Repeat.

I know that some of you are facing some tough stuff.  I love you and I am praying for you.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
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click here for Canada New England cruise info

Let's stop blaming others

From Father Richard Rohr's post on Palm Sunday...

"The human delusion seems to be this: We think someone else is always the problem, not ourselves. We tend to export our hate and evil elsewhere. In fact, this problem is so central to human nature and human history that its overcoming is at the heart of all spiritual teachings.... 

Human nature always wants either to play the victim or to create victims—and both for the purposes of control. In fact, the second follows from the first. Once we start feeling sorry for ourselves, we will soon find someone else to blame, accuse, or attack...."

Jeff's thoughts... it is human nature to try to deflect responsibility away from ourselves and toward others.  Blaming others gets me off the hook.  But, we almost always play a role in difficult situations.  Being honest with ourselves about our actions is a big step toward healing and living a congruent life.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

click here for Canada New England cruise info 

silence

A friend shared this quote with me...

"Silence isn't awkward, it allows the soul time to breathe."

I don't know the original source, but I love it.  So many of us are in such a hurry, going and doing, that we never stop to relax and let our brain and soul meet up again.

Don't feel awkward about moments of silence.  Sit by the fire, sit by the fountain, stop and listen to the gentle wind blowing.

Busyness separates us from ourselves.  Quiet and solitude restores us.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

click here for Canada New England cruise info

What God knows, what God causes

A friend of mine wrote in with some questions about what God causes, what God controls, and the role of free will... I wrote back to him...

Hello Brother,

I am finally writing to you. Sorry it has taken me so long to reply.

Let me say that your question is complicated, or many Christians make it complicated and I am not sure that my answer is that helpful, but it does help me.

The questions about God controlling, God knowing, God causing, free will vs predestination, well they go back a long way. To many Christians, the answer to these questions are important. They have led to many books being written about how to understand these things theologically. There are many different answers that people come up with. This is one of the reasons that there are so many denominations.

Personally, I don’t think about such things very much anymore.

I would encourage a person to ask themselves a question about what they believe about God. Like fundamentally, how do we view Him/Her/It/God?

· Is God wrathful?
· Is God controlling?
· Is God loving…

I have come to believe, and it is simply a choice for me, I have come to believe that God is loving. Consequently, I don’t think in terms of what he knows or what he controls. I spent so many of my early years worrying, I just don’t want to do it anymore. My years of worry only hurt others, and hurt me as well.

These days, I think in terms of what he loves and how he shows that love.

If my brain is filled with thoughts about God being angry or wrathful, or controlling… my brain becomes filled with worry. Am I doing it right? What if I am not? Will he send me to hell? This creates an endless cesspool of worry and fear, and many Christians live there their entire lives.

When I think of God as loving, I just wake up in the morning and I am happy because I am loved. I don’t worry about my mistakes or failures. I just wake up in the morning and say thank you. I go about the rest of my day trying to love people. For me it is simply, it feels good, and it makes me happy. It helps me love God and love others.

I’m not sure this answers the questions that you posed, but this line of thinking satisfies those concerns for me.

All the best…

 It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

click here for Canada New England cruise info

 

Am I better than God?

Well that sure is a dumb title for a blog post... but here goes...

If you are like me, you have heard your whole life that if you don't do the Jesus thing just right, you are going to be sent to hell... [really?  who believes that God is like that?]

Anyway, my sister who is a kind and gracious person, but does not go to church, will she go to hell?  I would not send her there myself.

And Mahatma Gandhi, a famously kind human... is he going to hell?  Well I would not send him there.

So am I kinder than God?  Am I more gracious than God?  

Maybe the issue here is that we have our beliefs about God all wrong.  He/She/It is not sending my sister, or Gandhi or you or me to hell.

If God loves us, we have paradise to look forward to, just like the thief on the cross.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

just because you were taught it, doesn't mean that it is true...

You have been told your whole life that this is blue. Your parents told you, your pastor told you, your friends told you. It has been completely ingrained in your life that this is blue.

You fall in line and drink the koolaid. Even though some of it doesn't add up to you, you don't ask questions. Don't rock the boat. Be a good Christian. Read the bible, go to church, give 10% and say your prayers. The world is this particular way.

Now the years have gone by and you are hearing new ideas. Maybe this isn't blue. Maybe my pastor was just trying to protect traditions from the past. Maybe my parents did not want me to make waves. Maybe no one had the guts to challenge the status quo. Maybe there is more Hiratio, than was dreampt of in your philosophies.

Some of the things that we were taught as children are not true. Green is not always blue. Don't throw away a new idea simply because it causes you to swim upstream. In fact, real learning never takes place until we take the plunge and go against the current.



It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

questions

Questions are needed in this life.

If your church, or your pastor, or that favorite Aunt who is such a Christian... if they don't like questions, then they are living a life based on control not love.

Jesus welcomed questions.  He still does.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

you don't need the spotlight

My friend John M wrote this...

You don’t have to be the headliner.
You don’t need the spotlight.
Sometimes all it takes…
is showing up in the van.

When someone’s stuck, hurting, or trying to find their way home—
be the one who says,
"Hop in. We’ll figure it out together.”

No fanfare. No expectations.
Just heart.

Because in the moments that matter most,
the ones who show up…
are the ones who change everything.

Never give up. Never surrender.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Controlling Jesus???

From my friend Terry the Painter...

"It's hard to follow Jesus when you are trying to direct him."

Jeff adds some thoughts... God does not conform to your notions of him just to make you happy.  God doesn't stop being a God of love, just because someone is insisting that he is filled with judgment.

Reject the angry, guilt laden God of your youth and fall into the arms of the loving God.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

a dog's best day

I was driving down the road and I came up behind this dog with his head hanging out the back window of the truck.  He was as happy as he had ever been in his life.  I celebrated with him.

It is good to see the good in life and enjoy it!!!

Happy Dog!!!  I wish I could make everyone this happy.  If it is in my power to make you happy, please know that I am going to do my very best!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

making it about me

Have you ever been listening to someone tell a story and then you get over involved? They are telling about their eye surgery, and as soon as they came up for air you had to tell them about yours?

I was watching a show last week and two people had this exchange.

"I know how you feel."
"No, you don’t know how I feel."
"OK, you’re right, but I can imagine how you feel."

I have to tell you, there are some situations where I cannot imagine how you feel. I hurt for you and I can't fathom it. It is ok to admit that we can't understand a persons situation. But what we can do is hurt for them and hurt with them.

As I have said many times, there are way too many pat answers delivered in difficult situations. Sometimes, almost always, the best thing that we can say to a hurting person is "I love you, I'm sorry and I am here for you."

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Making plans

So I was sitting in a hotel in Miami... I had to work the next day. I was thinking about where I would eat breakfast, lunch and dinner.

And then it occurred to me, I was reminded, that we are not promised tomorrow.

I may not be able to go on that next vacation. I may not make the trip for Annual Conference. I hope I do but we never know. We need to live each day with a bit of humility and an awareness that we are, at every moment, in the hands of a loving God.

James 4:13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

wrong baptism?

Why would one church say that the baptism of another church was invalid?  Not enough water?  Too much water?  The wrong prayer.  You weren’t old enough?  Do we really think that God is gonna hold people on a technicality because they got baptized in the wrong way at the wrong time or in the wrong place? 

I know a person who was baptized five times... every time he made a new commitment he did it again.  Then he finally realized that baptism is about what God is doing, not what we happened to be thinking at the time.

How silly all of this is.  It sets our brains up for worrying about doing it wrong.  What if we did the Christian thing wrong?  Oh nooooo....  

Life is too short for this nonsense. No church has it all right, but when you were baptized, God was there and the people around you were praying for you, whether you remember it or not.

I wish we could stop scaring people by insisting that our ideas are better than your old ideas. Let's just learn to live and love. That is what Christianity is about.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Anxiety

I have become more aware lately of the anxiety that is created by conservative/fundamental churches.  Instead of fostering an atmosphere of love, they create worry and fear.  This is how they accomplish this:

1.  by insisting that Jesus is coming back soon, an urgency is created.  Be good, get ready.  Jesus is coming back soon.  worry- you don't want to be left out.

2.  behave... you don't want him to catch you being bad...

3.  Hell... if you are bad, you are going to hell.  God will torture you for eternity... [how can anyone believe that about God???]

4.  questions are not allowed.  The pastor is always right.  The bible is perfect.  No questions.

5.  no thoughts or feelings outside of the groups dogma can be entertained.  

6.  core message of judgment and hatred for those outside of the group, or those who want to leave the group.

I hope you can see that such an approach to faith is very painful and incites fear and worry.  It instills unhealthy thinking into the minds of people and condemns them to years of mental suffering.

I wish that I had been more forceful in my younger years to help parents understand the damage that is done by high demand churches.  Still today, I see good people falling into these quasi-cults and allowing their children to do so.

All churches are not the same.  All approaches to Christianity are not the same.  

It is ok to question.  It is ok, even normal to have doubts.  God loves you.  Be happy.  Live a happy life and love others.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Out of control

I love the Dollar Tree.  If you have never been, schedule 30 minutes and walk every aisle.  You will be glad you did.

Well, the other day I was in the checkout line and I noticed an issue with the balloons.  They sell balloons for $1.50, the same balloons that you buy for $5 at other places.

This is where the balloons live prior to sale.  I guess that there is a lid or screen of some kind on the top of the display that keeps them under control.

But for some reason, there is a glitch and a bunch of them have been freed.  I wonder how the customer or store employee feels when the balloons get away.

That is a lot of balloons on the ceiling.  Out of control.

Does your life ever feel out of control?  Sometimes we have to just relax and go with the flow.  Eventually the balloons will all come down.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

some things cannot be helped

So I was walking into Home Depot and I noticed the landscape timbers.  Like all wood, they can warp and curl.  People throw those off to the side and look for lumber that is straight.  In the discard pile I noticed this one particular timber.  It was almost an "S" shape.  It was as out of sorts of any board I think I have ever seen.

I stopped to look at it.  I felt sorry for it.  It will never fulfill its intended purpose.  It will probably end up in a landfill somewhere, and there was nothing it could do about it.

And there is my thought.  Sometimes in life, there is nothing that a person can do about it.  Someone has frizzy hair?  Nothing they can do about it.  Someone is not attractive, nothing they can do about it.  Someone was raised a certain religion, nothing they could do about that.

Sometimes when other people annoy us, I think we need to consider the possibility that there was nothing that they could do about that.

Grace is always better than judgment.  And offering grace to others, that is something we can do something about.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Joke Day

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the day after Easter is joke day. They tell jokes because on Easter, Jesus pulled the wool over Satan's eyes. He got the best of the devil. [now you know that I don't believe that the devil is the opposite of God, but I am just going to let them keep their metaphor.] In fact, I am going to join in. Today is joke day. Let's enjoy.

Here is a smattering of my favorite jokes
Two cheese trucks were in a collision. One turned on it's side and split open. Debris was everywhere. [De Bris, the bree]

My friend was in a side swipe accident. He lost his left arm and left leg.
He's all right now.

When does a joke become a Dad joke?
When it becomes apparent.

Did you know that a Florida Alligator can grow up to 12 feet???
But most of them only have four.

A toothless termite walks into a bar and asks "is the bartender here?"

A pair of jumper cables walk into the bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."

Well we could go on and on, but if you catch one little smile today from a joke that you know, give thanks to God because Jesus is the Victor and we can all rest easy today. He is risen!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Easter Sunday

It is Easter.  Something is happening!  Look up!!!

My wife took these pictures of the rocket launch on Wednesday evening.

It is not uncommon for 20 or so neighbors to be out in the street to watch these launches.

It is a very exciting thing to watch.

And so it is Easter.  Something is happening up above us.  It is big.  It is exciting.  Look up to the sky!!!

God is working his work in this world.  Get out into the street and take notice!!!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Saturday

Between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is Saturday, sometimes called Black Saturday.

Black because Jesus is in the grave.

This is how I look at this day.  Imagine that all of creation is stopping to take a break.  To sit down and ponder that God is doing something in the world.  Creation takes a pause.  Jesus died.  Something is going to happen.  Let's pay attention.

We could all probably benefit from slowing down and paying more attention to what God is doing in the world.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Good Friday

I no longer believe that God has to kill something to be happy.

I used to believe that God killed Jesus so he didn't have to kill us.  I don't believe that any more.

What I do believe is that sacrifice is a sign of love.

Good Friday is proof that God loves us.

To willingly make a sacrifice for the benefit of others is a sign of love. Good parents do it for their children.  Friends make sacrifices for each other.

Jesus gives himself up. It shows the immense depth and width of God's love for us.

That is why they call it Good.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -

Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Today is not just another Thursday

A little bird told me that many people do not know what Maundy Thursday is... so here goes...

Today is Maundy Thursday. Thursday of Holy Week.

 
Maundy.  It is another church word.  Irrelevant to most people outside of the church, how many people within the church know what it means?

If the church wants to win the world, it would be nice if we started using words that regular people understood. People outside of the church do not know what discipleship is, or spiritual formation.  And I bet if we asked 50 Christians for definitions, we would get 50 different answers as well.  Heady theology will never win the hearts of the masses.

It is time for us to speak the language of those whom we are trying to win.   If we can't, then they won't be listening. That is one reason why so many people are not interested in church... it is just too churchy.

Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, from which we get the word mandate. So today is mandate Thursday or commandment Thursday.  So named for the new commandment that Jesus gives at the last supper. "A new commandment I give unto you that you love one another." Jn 13:34

Maybe we should call today, Love Thursday, since that is what Jesus asked us to do.   Everyone love each other today.  Everyone get in the habit of loving each other.  Good idea.  Good stuff.  Thank you Jesus for teaching us to love. 

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

April Fools Day

In honor of April fools day, a few jokes...

Did you hear about the goats that got in trouble for playing pranks on April Fools'? It turned out to be a couple of kids.

Two guys walk into a bar on April Fools' Day. The third one ducked.

I told a chemistry joke in honor of April Fools', but I didn't get a reaction.

Where do birds vacation during April break? Someplace cheep.

Why can't you trust spring trees? Because they're shady.

Did you hear about the guy who drank invisible ink as an April Fools' prank? He's at the doctor waiting to be seen.

Why was the frog late to work on April Fools' Day? His car got toad.

How do birds know how to fly north in the spring? They wing it.

Did you hear about the cashew and the walnut that threw an April Fools' Day party? It was nuts.



It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

A quote about raising children

My oldest daughter, Allison posted this on Facebook:  "One of the things that they don't tell you about having kids is how many times you have to get up from where you are sitting.  It's unbelievable."

Well there are a lot of things that they don't tell you about having children.  It takes a lot of determination and self-sacrifice to raise healthy children.

There is a reason that we celebrate Mothers on Mothers Day and Fathers on Fathers Day.

If you are a parent, keep up the fight.  If you have a parent, be sure to say thank you.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

memorial service poem

Following up on the last few days of posts, I thought of this poem that I have read at many memorial services.  I find it to be comforting and heart warming.  To me it is yet another reminder of ways that we can sense the presence of our loved ones...

Do not stand
By my grave, and weep.
I am not there,
I do not sleep—

I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain.

As you awake with morning's hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the day transcending night.

Do not stand
By my grave, and cry—
I am not there,
I did not die.

— Clare Harner, The Gypsy, December 1934

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

You have got to be kidding me

I noticed this sign at the Walgreens pharmacy-

And this one at Lowes...

I am embarrassed that evidently these kinds of signs are necessary.  There are some humans out there that have forgotten that other people are people too.

I hope that you are kind to bank tellers, McDonald's workers, Walmart employees, every person who works in those helping industries.  I have come to believe that how we treat those who work in the service industry tells everything about our Christianity or lack thereof.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Avoiding the bombs

And so I’m looking for something to watch on Netflix.  I’m home from my 17 days in Baltimore. My brain says I’m tired of watching the news. I’m tired of watching people getting blown up.  

And then it occurs to me how fortunate I am/we are that I can just click out of people getting blown up. What if I/We lived in a country where people are actually getting blown up?  We are very fortunate.  We have many blessings that we do not pay attention to.

It reminds me of this story that I tell from time to time...
During the great war we prayed for protection. We prayed that God would keep us safe from the bombs. And Praise The Lord! He Did! All of the bombs fell on the other side of the town.

We have many blessings that we take for granted.  Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that we deserve them.

A little gratitude goes a long way to helping us find and live a healthy life.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Count to Four

Count to four.

Anytime I go somewhere I count to four.  Wallet, phone, Watch, keys.  1234 and I make sure that I have everything -wallet watch phone keys.

One time I was going somewhere with a friend and they saw me do this and they made fun of me. They said I sounded like the old song, head, shoulders, knees, and toes.

So I was checking in my rental car at the Baltimore airport last week.  And as I was walking toward the shuttle bus,  I counted to four and I realized that I couldn’t see my watch.  I thought I felt it on my wrist, but I wasn’t sure.  Did I leave it at the hotel?  It wouldn’t be the first time.  And I thought to myself "well it’s too late now if you’ve left it behind it’s lost to you and a blessing to whoever finds it."

Sometimes we get too attached to our possessions.  Turns out I did have the watch on my arm, but I still think we get too attached to things. May we all learn to count people as more important than things.


It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Do I still feel like a kid?

A week ago I posted some pictures from back in the day.  My friend Arthur wrote...

"When you look at those pictures do you still feel like the kid in those pictures?  I'm 40 and honestly still feel like the same kid I was in middle school or high school, just with more responsibilities and some knowhow around a few things.  I was talking to my Grandma who's in her upper 80's and she said she still feels like a kid inside too, despite all the things that have gone on in her life.  Sometimes I think about that and wonder how many people are really just kids with lots of responsibilities rolling around in their day-to-day."


Jeff Comments...

Do I feel like a kid???  Sometimes, sure.  I have some of the same thoughts and feelings.  My body still thinks that it can do what it used to do.

But in some ways, many ways, I do not. and this is going to get kind of serious...


When I was a kid, I was controlled by others.  Now I make decisions for myself.
When I was a kid, I lived under guilt and shame.  Now I refuse to do so.
When I was a kid, I didn't pay attention to life... I just assumed that it would go on for ever...  I was on auto pilot. Now, I am thankful for every day, every moment.

So sometimes yes, I feel like a kid, but in many ways, I have learned. I have grown.  And I am glad to be out from under the systems of guilt and shame.


It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Attending Church

From my friend Georgia...

"I have often heard people say 'I don't have to attend church to be a Christian.' While I believe that is true, I also believe we don't just attend for ourselves, but to encourage and learn from others."


Jeff comments... I totally agree. We humans can be so self consumed. What did I get out of it? What did it do for me? Sometimes the measure of a visit to church is about seeing friends, caring for them and listening to them.

If you read this blog and are not attending a church, I encourage you to get back to it. Keep looking until you find the right fit.


It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise

Grief is a sign of Love

John Allanson passed. He was Kathy C's brother. He was one year younger than I am. I really liked him.

At the memorial service, dozens of people showed up who worked with him. I loved that. If the people that worked with you will show up for your funeral, that says a lot about the kind of person that you were.

Kathy spoke at the memorial service. Here is some of what she said... "There is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some people will test you. Some people will use you. Some will bring out the best in you. But everyone will teach you something about yourself…."

"Life is fleeting. The time has come for us to take what we have learned and apply it to our lives as a way of honoring him and keeping his spirit alive…"

"One of my best lessons from my brother was about grief.  He had a greeting card that he kept in the house that says, grief never ends, but it changes. It’s a passage not a place to stay.  Grief is not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith.  Grief is the price of love. ”

"At the end of our lives we will be asked, did I live, did I love, did I matter…"  


Jeff comments... may we all live in a way that there will be no question about whether we mattered or not.

And, if you think of someone and miss them, if you hurt and wish you could be with them again... that is a sign of love.  Grief is a sign of love.  Grief is the price of love.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
Click here for New Zealand Info

I am also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
Here is the link for more information

Click here for info on the Canada/New England Cruise