saving or loving

 I used to think it was my job to get people saved.  Believe this and you are in.  Boom - notch in my gun.  Believe this and you are good, you are like me.

I used to think it was my job to help people get saved.  I don't think that anymore.

Today I believe in something that I think is much more healthy and much more powerful.  Today I believe that it is my job to love you.

If I am trying to save you, you are an object, a project, and you are in danger of my bad theology and manipulation.

If I am loving you, well, that is the good stuff.  If I set out to love people, God is in the middle of that, because God is love.  If I am loving you, then the Holy Spirit is right in the middle of that and eventually he will reach you.

I think the world would be a better place if we stopped making people our projects and just loved them.  The Pharisees were always trying to convert people.  Jesus just loved them.

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

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The power of love

 There is a condition that babies and young children can get that is called "failure to thrive."  Some have suggested that in addition to poor nutrition, this condition is associated with babies who are not held, who are not loved.

And I think about all of the people out there in this world who wish to be loved.  There are so many hearts that are just yearning for someone to love them.

Next subject.......... And so I want to tell you that my daughter Allison is a great mother.  She spends a lot of time with baby Izzy and loves on her.  Babies should know that they are loved.

Adults should know that they are loved.

Remember, you have the power to bring a smile to someone's face.  You have the power to help someone feel like a million dollars.

A kind word, a caring hug, a little time spent, or a simple smile can be what it takes to help someone to thrive.

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

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I see you

 I see you.

I don't mean that I am watching you.  I don't mean that I am waiting for you to do something wrong.  I am not saying "ok, you have my attention."

I am saying that I see you.
I value you.
I get you.
I want you to be happy.
You matter.
I see you.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.  And see people...  People want to be seen, to be known, to be valued.
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everybody always

 At church we have been watching the Bob Goff video series in staff meeting.  The title of the series is "Everybody Always."

The idea is that we are to love everyone, always.  No more dividing of people between good and bad.  No more KU vs MU.  No more Gators vs Seminoles.  Jesus loves them all.  No more Republicans vs Democrats.  No more those who are in vs those who are out.

We are called to love everyone, always.

And that makes for a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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a little joy

Yesterday I was looking through a Christmas book.  A book of stories, tales and carols.  Suddenly I was in the spirit of Christmas.  I was no longer hearing the political ads, I was no longer worried about covid, I was at the manger.  My heart was singing.  I thought of so many Christmases past.  So much good.  So much joy.  I played some music.

I found the joy.

If you are burdened in your heart right now, get out something Christmas.  Listen to a song.  I have attached one of my favorites here.

click here to listen

May you find some joy this day, For it is afterall, a beautiful day in God's world.

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Manipulation

I have been watching The Vow on HBO about the NXIVM cult.  The amount of manipulation in this organization makes your head shake.  

I have witnessed a good deal of manipulation from Pastors and churches in my life.  The church that I grew up in insisted that they were the right denomination.  Believe like them if you want to be right.  Only members could take communion.  Don't ask questions.  God does it all, and we tell you what God is like and what God thinks.  There is no room for divergent opinions.

In my teen years I attended a church that "cast demons out of people" or whatever that was about.  I witnessed people being "slain in the Spirit" where the Pastor would push on your forehead and you would fall over on the floor.

Today I would like to say this.... God needs no manipulation to do his work.  You should never feel pressured to do anything.  A church asking is fine, but you should always have the freedom to not do whatever they are asking.  Your questions should be welcomed.  Your different views should be ok.  You should not have to check your brain at the door.

In healthy spirituality, your journey is yours.  Read, think, talk things over.  Find a place that fits you.  Flee from pressure, flee from coercion, and flee manipulation in any form.  And if you find yourself with people or pastors that act like they have no problems or are better than other people, run the other way as quickly as you can.

God does not need human pressure.  His Spirit works by love and grace.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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My friend Kathy sent me this

 

kneeling in prayer

Yesterday I was struck with a need to pray.  I thought of some of the things in my life and some of the things in the lives of others that I know.  I started to cry.  I thought of the pandemic.  I thought of the person who came up to me after church on Sunday with tears in their eyes.

I went to the sanctuary to pray.  I was going to kneel down at the rail and talk it all out with God.  But that did not work out as there was a meeting going on in the sanctuary and I wanted to pray in private.

I will go back though and have my time.

And I thought about this one thing that the pandemic cannot take from us.  That is the ability to go to our church and find a place to kneel and pray.  I don't know about you but it seems to work better for me when I am actually in the sanctuary at the rail.

If you are a pastor, remind your folks that they can come during the week and pray.  If you are a member, I hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to sneak into your church and find your place at the communion rail.

Prayer is good for the soul.

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

the meaning of life

 I was listening to a radio show the other day and they were talking about the meaning of life.

What is the meaning of life?  Please, someone tell me, I have been searching for my entire life.  We all at one time or another, ask that question.  Why are we here, what is the meaning of life?

The radio personality that they were interviewing said something that I thought was profound.  They said the point is not "what is the meaning of life, but what is the meaning in life."

In other words, don't worry about what the big meaning is, look every day for the meaning in life.  What am I doing today?  How can I find the meaning in it?  How can I find the meaning in this day?

What can I do to make a difference?  What can I do to deliver joy?  Maybe if we find the meaning in each day of life, we will find the meaning of life.

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

food for thought

 I wish more Christians would consider more fully the message of this comic.

Provided by my friend Linda.

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

The destructive power of self doubt

 I don't know about you, but my life has been one giant fight with self doubt.

Most of us lose the fight.  Most of us shrink back from our potential because we are afraid.  But there have been those times in my life, and I am sure in yours as well, when you stepped up to the plate, fought through your fears and got the bat on the ball.

Fears will come.  They bring choices to us.  Will we shrink back or will we step into the gap?  The side of the road is littered with people that gave up.  But then there are those who refuse to let their self doubt get the best of them.  These are those who stoop to help the broken.  These are those who hug those who are sad.  These are those who sit with the grieving.  

And this is you.  You are doing that.  You can be doing that.  Never let your worries get in the way of doing good in the name of the Lord.  Never let your self doubt stop you from fulfilling your potential.  There are tons of people out there waiting to be loved.  They need you.  And they need me.

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