Pass on the past and don't worry about the future.

This quote came in from my friend Bruce.


One day at a time – this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.
                                   Ida Scott Taylor

Jeff comments... today is a gift.  That is why they call it the present.


It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Things not to say

I have posted this before, but we need continued reminders...

We so easily forget. We so easily fall back into patterns that are not healthy.

Things not to say to people who are hurting or at the time of a death... [and I have heard all of these said at one time or another]

He looks better
You look terrible
He is in a better place
Remember you have your children that need you
It was God’s will
God needed another angel [I heard this one last week]
Everything happens for a reason
It must have been his time
How are you going to carry on?
I told him smoking would be the death of him
How are you fixed financially?
Life goes on
You know he is going to hell
Are you taking any medication?
I know how you feel
At least he’s no longer in pain
You are young, you can marry again

Don’t overdo your emotions
Don’t ask, “how did he die?”
Don’t call the person the deceased. They had a name.
Everyone is uncomfortable, don’t act out of your discomfort or nervousness.

On the other hand here are some things that are good to say a the time of death or loss:
I love you
I am sorry
Let me know if I can help you in any way

Keep it short
Keep it quiet
Move on, don’t hover

No pat answers please. They don't work and they don't help. Be a part of the healing by loving them and hugging them.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

presence

Too often we humans want to fix a problem by spurting out some pat answer.

The world does not need our pat answers.  Especially in times of pain... at a funeral, when someone is sick, when there is a loss... our pat answers are not needed and they do more harm than good.

What our friends do need though, is the gift of presence.  Just be there.  Just hug them.  Tell them that you love them.  Stand by them.  Let them lean on you.

You don't need to say anything.  Your presence is more beneficial than any words that you might say.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

People will follow

What ever you do, people are watching.  Others are watching.  If you behave in a selfish or hateful way, people will notice that and the message they get is that "this nasty behavior is ok."

Children especially are watching how we treat others.

If on the other hand, you show great kindness, people will notice that as well.  I don't flash money, unless I am leaving a tip.  Or if I am on a shuttle bus, I will get out $3 for the driver and hold it in plain sight.  I want others to know that this is a good thing to do.

You don't have to announce your kindness, but others around you will see it.  They will be affected. 

Whatever you do, whether selfish or gracious and kind, others are watching.  You are teaching them how to live.

I spent plenty of years being selfish.  Let's double down on our efforts to show kindness.  Others are watching.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Our proper work

Mary Oliver 1935-2019 was an American Poet.  I heard this quote of hers the other day.

"Our endless and proper work is to pay attention."

Jeff comments on the quote... we get so preoccupied with our own stuff.  When we are with others, we need to be present.  To pay attention to them.  When we are alone, we need to pay attention to the world around us.  Pay attention to the trees, the birds, the clouds, the wind.  Everything.

Our endless and proper work is to pay attention.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Nextdoor App

Do you have the Nextdoor App?  Years ago I used it to find handyman work.  These days, I just read what others post.  Unfortunately, the social media platform has been taken over by negative, unhappy, complaining people.

My food was cold.  The server was slow.  They charged 3% because I used a credit card.  The emergency room wait was too long.  On and on and on and on...

I have even tried to inject some hope.  I have invited people to see the good.  When they complain about the grocery stores, I tell them about the grocery stores in Russia that I have visited.  We have so much to be thankful for. 

But some people, evidently, need to complain.

I am deleting the app and unsubscribing from all of the unhappiness.

Life is too short.  I want to spend my time focused on positive things.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Not that important???

Well I do not know what I did.

Evidently I deleted a bunch of emails that were in my inbox.  I went from 50 emails to 5.  I don't know what I did or if I did anything.  Some of the emails were ideas about blog posts... hate to lose those.

I have tried to rescue them, but I can't find them.

Maybe I can live without them.  Maybe I will live without those other 50.

If you are expecting to hear from me and don't, email me again.

The moral of this story is this... 75% of what we think that we have going on, is just nothing.  If you delete it all, life will go on.

Simplify.  Crash your inbox on purpose.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Miserable

Recently I was on a flight to Louisville.  The flight attendant that took care of our section seemed particularly miserable.  She didn't smile.  She would not look at you.

I wondered.  Is she sick?  Is there bad news in her life?  Who knows.

Finally when she was serving drinks I was able to engage her and ask her about her day.  She unloaded a heart full of misery.  Nasty customers, flight delays...

We talked a bit... She smiled.  I think.

I thought about the book "Fish" About the Fish market in Seattle, where the employees are happy.  The culture there is focused on play, being present and making someone's day.

Culture is so important.  Those at the top create it, and those at the top can destroy it.

Each of us have power to create culture.  By how we treat others, by what we allow, by what we celebrate and how we look at people.

What are you contributing to the culture of the world around you???

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

David Burns

David Burns passed away suddenly last week.  

The first Sunday that I walking into the First United Methodist Church in Ft. Pierce, David was there.  He never missed a Sunday.

I hear that he lived in a tent behind the Shell station.  He rode a bicycle.  He was my age.  I don't know if he had a family.  I would like to find out.

The last few years, David had been helping as a church usher.  He helped receive the offering and take the attendance.  I thought it was great that our church welcomed and deployed a marginalized person.  I wish that more churches were good at this.

But if you met David, you would not have felt that he was marginalized.  He always seemed happy.  Happy with himself, happy with you and happy with life.

He will be missed.

We never know which day will be our last.  Live each one to the fullest.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Criticism

I recently heard this said, "don't accept criticism from those from whom you would not accept advice."

I like that quote.  And I will add a couple of thoughts... Caring people can deliver constructive criticism in ways that do not hurt.  I think that it is important to listen to the caring, even correcting thoughts of others.

Sometimes though, when people are critical, it says more about them and where they are at in life than it does about you and what you may be doing.

Sometimes there are unhappy people who just need to barf on someone because they are unhappy.

Let it roll off your back.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Who we value

My friend Bruce sent in this quote...

"When I was young I admired powerful people, as I have grown older, I have come to value kind people."

I love that!!!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

tears for chocolate

You know that I take chocolate on airplanes to give to the flight attendants.  They are almost always appreciative.  Very appreciative.

Often because of the recognition, as much as the chocolate.  Last week I flew to Minnesota to visit some friends.  On the plane, later in the flight, one of the flight attendants came up to me, knelt in the aisle, and with a couple of tears in her eyes, thanked me again.

I don't write this kind of stuff to pat myself on the back.  I write this stuff as a reminder that humans need care.  They need to know that someone thinks that they matter.

There are plenty of humans out there treating other humans poorly.  Let's do what we can to change that trajectory.

Do a random act of kindness.  Treat every person as if they are awesome.  There is so much insecurity and hurt in this world and we can do so much to end it.

A little kindness goes a long way.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

The one star house guest

I spent the weekend with friends.  They had a dog visiting and they warned me that this dog can be a lot.

Well, after meeting the dog, I decided that I can be a bit too much at times.  

I think that I am funny.  That can be dangerous.  Sometimes I get going, and my jokes are bad.  Sometimes I get going and I am loud.  We joked that I was a one star ★ house guest...

I love life and I love my life, but I think that I am going to calm down for a few weeks.

I'm sorry if I was too much...

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Inherited ideas

Inherited ideas.

These are ideas that we just grew up with.  We didn't take them to ourselves.  We didn't evaluate them.  We just became aware one day that they were a part of what we thought.  

Somewhere along the line, we become aware, self-aware, and understand that we think things are a certain way.  And when we understand that we’re thinking about things a certain way, we have the ability to make changes as to how we think.  

We don’t always do it, but we have that ability to change how we think. Some people live their lives and never become aware of the fact that their inherited ideas maybe right or wrong. 

I personally inherited a tinge of racism. I personally inherited the notion of a very dualistic world- right and wrong- good and bad- up and down- in and out- saved or lost. 

Just because we inherited ideas and they’re what we have believed for a long time does not mean that they are correct and it does not mean they are biblical. Sometimes a re-examining of the way we think is helpful.  Sometimes reading books on the subject that stretch our world view helps us to grow up.

Sometimes, the path away from guilt and shame, the path to living a joyful life and a life of love begins with releasing ourselves from old, unquestioned, interited ideas.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Grief

Grief doesn’t always get better.   Sometimes, it just gets different.  When something happens in our life that hurts, we grieve and it may take many different forms over the years.  For example, we may feel sad, wistful or nostalgic.  The grief doesn’t always go away.  It just changes forms.  Somethings we will carry until the end of the game.  The wound may heal, but the scar remains.  I guess the trick is to learn to look past the scars, focus on other things and still see the good.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Life is messy

Life is messy.  Our culture teaches us to have all the answers.  Our culture teaches us to be right.  Our culture teaches us to figure it out. But this is not always possible. 

Sometimes life cannot be folded, wrapped up, boxed up and tied with a bow.  Sometimes life is messy and learning to live with that ambiguity is something that healthy people do.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

violence in the Bible

I was listening to a podcast about violence in the bible. The author made what I thought was a very good point. When you read scriptures like this:

"Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys."

1 Samuel 15:3


Passages like this tell us more about the people of that time, what they believed, and how they saw God. It doesn’t mean that God is like that, or that he commands violence.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

letting go of hatred

I am watching a new show on Netflix.  It's a western.  I love a good western.  The name of the show is Lawman – Bass Reeves.  Here is a quote...

“It’s hard for a man to put fear and hate behind him.”

Law Man – Bass Reeves

It may be hard, but it can be done. There are people from my past that I have made peace with. It can be done. [you are not one of them]

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Forrest Clay

Forrest Clay is a singer.  In his song, "Does God" verse two,  I heard these lyrics:

"Did God kill his kid?
Did he have to have blood
Before he could forgive?
Maybe we made a god that looks like us."

Something to think about...

Here is the link to the song if you want to listen.

link to song "does God"

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

email signature

My friend Cara ends her emails with this Cherokee Proverb...

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice!"  Cherokee Proverb

I have nothing to add to this, but I thought that it was lovely.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

volunteers

I was talking about volunteer trees the other day.  Someone made fun of me.  They said that I was making it up...

Well, here is a link where I found the following info...

https://biologyinsights.com/what-are-volunteer-trees-and-should-you-remove-them/

"The appearance of an unexpected tree seedling in a yard is a common experience for property owners. These spontaneous seedlings, often referred to as volunteer trees, are self-sown plants that germinate and begin to grow without any human intervention."

So volunteer trees are a real thing and they are pesky.  I am writing about this though because while volunteer trees are annoying, you and me volunteering our time is a very important gift in this life.  Imagine if the next time you were in need, you were surrounded by a group of friends that just popped up and popped in to help.

You and I can be that surprise bit of good news that shows up unexpectedly in the life of a friend.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

why do you believe?

I was listening to a podcast the other day and the author was explaining that people believe things for three reasons:  evidence, logic or community.

1.  evidence... they have seen the evidence

2.  logic - it seems logical to them

3.  community... someone else, a church member, the pastor, a friend, told you that it was logical or that there was evidence for the belief.

Unfortunately, in my mind, the worst reason to believe is also the most common... community... someone else told me, told us, that this is the right way to think.  Most humans never consider the logic of the thing and they usually never see the evidence.  We just drink the kool-aid that our parents and pastors fed us.

It is challenging to ask one's self the hard questions about our/my beliefs.  But it is also ok, more than ok, in fact I think that it is mandatory in a meaningful life, for us to question that which was handed down to us.

So why do you believe what you believe?  Logic, evidence, or community pressure?

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

indiscriminate

Love is indiscriminate.

It doesn't discriminate between people.  It doesn't say that some are worth it and others are not.

Consider the light that emanates from a lamp.  Consider the shade of a tree.  Consider the scent of a rose.  Each of these fall upon all humans, both the good and the bad.

So it is with love.  You don't earn love.  You don't get good enough to receive it.  Love is God's amazing gift and it goes out to all.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

We are frail

Lindsay Graham, Senator from South Carolina passed recently at 71 years of age.  Evidently his aorta tore.

We humans are frail.  We don't think that we are, but we are.  We are frail.  So many things could happen to us.  Cancer, a car wreck, a heart attack.  On and on it goes.

But don't be depressed.  I am not writing this to depress  you.  I am writing this to say, once again, that life is to be appreciated.  Life is to be savored.  Life is to be valued.  Life is to be prized.  Life is to be cherished.

We are frail.  We will not be here for ever.

Be thankful for every day and live it with joy and gratitude.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

love like a banana tree

A poem by John Roedel...

How terribly strange it is
that we keep debating...
who deserves a meal?

While the trees keep giving fruit
to anyone who wanders by.
A full stomach shouldn't depend on luck.

Oh my love,
let us be less like bureaucrats...
and more like banana trees.

                                John Roedel

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

that doesn't make it bad

Oh.  Something is different.  I don't remember it like that.  I wouldn't do it like that.

But wait.  Just because it is different, doesn't mean that it is bad.  

Look at the thing.  Think about it.  Why did they do it like this?  What do I know, it may just work out.  It may be just fine.  It will probably be fine.  It is not that big of a deal anyway.

I saw it.  It was different.  I had a reaction.  

I need to remember:  just because it is different, doesn't mean that it is bad.  Get over yourself Jeff.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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 we express...

My friend Orpha sent me a note about how she is choosing to live her life.  She said, "In my current stage of life, I find it important to express my love and appreciation."

I absolutely love that.  What stage of life are you in?  Do you find it important to show love and appreciation?  Can't we do that at any stage of life?

It is not that hard to show love and appreciation.  May we all put a little more effort into doing that, regardless of our age.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

those who say...

There is an old saying in the ministry world... you are never someone's pastor until they tell you that you are.  The Bishop cannot make you someone's pastor... only the love in your heart, only your ability to connect with the people will cause them to call you "pastor."

My Dad had a saying.  It is now my saying.  It is found in many of the world's religions... "those who say, don't know.  those who know, don't have to say."

Be yourself.  Keep your identity in check.  Do your job.  Love the people.  Then, in time, they will call you pastor.  And you will be, indeed.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

july 19 - my moms birthday

Paul and Mary Brinkman
Julie and baby Jeff

Today is my mom's birthday.  July 19, 1932.

Had she lived, she would be 94 today.  She died in 1995 at the age of 62.  Mom was married to my Dad when she was 19.  Three years later my sister Julie was born.  Add two years later and I came along.

Mom had her issues for sure.

One of my favorite books, "The four things that matter most" by Ira Byock, suggests that we can learn to remember our loved ones, not as they were, but as we wished them to be.

In other words, instead of grieving what your mother was not, think of her and remember her as the mother that you wished that she had been.

It's an interesting thought.

To celebrate someone for what you thought that they might have... could have been.  I guess it releases them from our resentment and helps us to see the good.

And I am all for that... seeing the good.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

everyone needs to cry

Everyone needs to cry from time to time.  I attended the funeral of David Conchola on Wednesday July 8th.  I cried the entire time.

When the prelude music started, I cried.  When the pastors walked in, I cried.  I cried through the entire thing.

The man sitting next to me probably thought I was a loon.  He might be right.

I loved David Conchola.  But it also seemed to be the case, that I needed a good cry.  I hadn't cried for a long long time.

Sometimes we all need to cry.

Don't be embarrassed to let yourself cry.  It's ok.  It is a part of being a human.  Let your self cry.  You will feel better.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

It was a day

It was a day.  It was a day that wasn't going the way that I wanted it to go.  I had several complaints.  Nothing changed.  I was frustrated.  I was tired.  I wanted things to go my way.

Then I had a thought.  I had a novel thought.  Maybe the problem isn't with the day, maybe the problem is with me.

Maybe I need to change my expectations.  Maybe I need to change my attitude.

I did.

Ok, all good now!!!

Sometimes when we find the problem, we recognize it, and it is me.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

The mills of the Gods

 

My Father would quote this to me.  His version was, "the mills of the Gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine."

Recently, my 39 year old daughter asked me for the exact words of the quote. 

Evidently, when you have children, you face real life.  Ultimately, when you grow into adulthood, you are forced to face real life.

And as you move along the journey of life, the work of the gods moves slowly, but eventually it comes to you and teaches you things that your parents were trying to.

I used to tell my kids, "listen to me.  learn from me.  let me teach you.  Or, life will.  And kids, life can be a cruel teacher."

The mills of the Gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

our perspectives

Too often, we think that we are right.  Too often, we think that we have the world figured out.  In my experience, the older we get, the less we know.  Or, the older we get, the more we know that we don't know.  

And that takes me to my granddaughter Bella who is trying to understand the world.  She lives in Chicago but visits Florida from time to time.  In Florida she visit Disney and Cici and Pooh [grandma and grandpa.]

Here she is floating in the pool.  Telling her mom, "look at me, I am relaxing."  

After she got out of the pool, she inquired of children who live in Florida.  She said, how does it work, I guess that there are no schools in Florida, and the kids just go to Disney???"

And I wonder if our thoughts about the world are any closer to reality than hers?  We think we know, but really, how right are we?

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Thoughts on paying attention

Have you misplaced your keys?  No worries.  I know right where they are.  They are right where you put them.

If we paid more attention when we set our phone down, we would remember where it was.

I was thinking the other day about how life races by and we don't pay enough attention to even remember.  For some reason I recalled something that I hadn't thought of in years.  In 9th grade, I was the school badminton champion.  I wonder how I would fare on a pickle ball court today???

How many things in this life have come and gone and we do not remember?  Moments and memories that are just lost to the sands of time?

Friends... life is racing by.  Pay attention to the moment you are in.  Enjoy it.  Savor it.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Can this blog continue?

Not that I am thinking of dying soon, but you never know, do you?

Anyway, when I die, I would like for this blog to continue.  I want it to continue so that readers will have something to read that reminds us all to see the good.  I want readers to have some honest thoughts to interact with.

I have asked several people over the years to take my user name and password so that they could write when I was on vacation.  Dan Horn used to do this for me.  God bless him, I miss him so much.

Any way, you who are reading this, would you be willing to keep this going?  Bruce?  Pat?  Courtney?  Mary?  Woody? Sherri?  Mary?  Arthur? You?

There needs to be a consistent, ongoing voice reminding people that it is not about me.  Reminding people that life is bigger than my perspective.  Words that challenge people to see the good.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

hope

Hope is the feeling we have 

that the feeling we have 

is not permanent.



Mignon McLaughlin


Thanks to my friend Bruce for this quote...

I have said for years that feelings can be fickle.  Thank God, sometimes the feelings that we feel go away.  If you just wait it out, that worry, that hurt, that thing, will usually pass.

My late friend,  Jerry Alyea, when people would ask him about a big purchase, he would say, "lay down until the feeling goes away."

Sometimes, often, usually, feelings change.  Thank God.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

More on trash

Gosh I'm on a roll on trash.  Last week I was on a job in Massachusetts.  

Right outside of our store, someone rolled down the window of their car and threw a bag of McDonalds trash and 3 cups out onto the parking lot.

I had several thoughts... Who does this???  Why do you think that this is acceptable behavior???

I stewed.  I was ... upset.

I went out and picked up their trash and went back to work.

In life, is your behavior, is my behavior making it easier or harder for others?

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Trash

Trash.  Taking out the trash.

Sometimes I travel for a construction company.  I am a substitute superintendent.  That means, at the job site, I am in charge to see to it that the subcontractors and workers fulfill the expectations of my boss.

I am a middle manager.  A substitute middle manager.

From time to time I work with new people.  Recently I worked with someone who was training to be a superintendent.

One of the things that I watch for is this-  Is taking out the trash below you?  Or do you gladly break down boxes, jump down the dumpster and sweep the floor.  Those three.

People that apply themselves, people who want to work, people who find success in life have got to learn to embrace the "little jobs."

How people handle trash on the job and in life in general says a lot about the prospects of their success.  Roll up your sleeves and get into the middle of the mess.  Let's make it better together.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

preparing for disappointment

I was in a suburb of Boston last week on a job. It was Sunday morning and I was going to go shopping. The internet said that the Dollar Tree opened at 8 AM. I love the Dollar Tree. I was wondering on the way there if the store could possibly open at 8am on a Sunday.  Seems a bit unusual...

So I kind of got my brain into a place where my expectations were low. When I got to the store, there’s some kind of a problem. They’re not even open today. Since I prepared myself for the disappointed, I wasn’t disturbed.

My favorite store!

Odd signs on the front door.

I wonder what they say???

So I left the dollar tree and went to my next stop: Walmart. I was about a half a mile from the Walmart and a Dollar tree appeared on the side of the road! I pulled into the parking lot and that one was open!!!

Sometimes you’re expectations don’t work out and sometimes in life you’re pleasantly surprised. Sometimes in life we get what we want and sometimes in life we get what we get.

Preparing myself for disappointment, helps me to relax. In life, it won't all go my way. This attitude tends to make the day go better for me.


It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Stella Lefty

I heard a song the other day.  I liked it.  I looked it up.  Seems the title of the song is "Boston" by Stella Lefty.  I didn't do a lot of research on the song, but part of the refrain is this: I like it when you're nice, I like it when you're nice to me.

I think about that some times.  Am I nice to you because I am a nice person or am I nice to you because you are nice to me?

 Bruce is nice to me.  I like him.  Mary is nice to me.  I like her.  On and on we go.

Do we only like people that are nice to us and tolerate the rest?  Is it possible that someone is a totally awesome human but just isn't very nice to me?  Maybe if I was nicer to more people, they would return the nice?

Is it selfish of me to like you because you are nice to me?

We all want to be treated with kindness.  We like it.  And so we should all probably be nice to others.  Do unto others.

I like it when you're nice. I'm gonna try to be nice.  Nicer.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

thoughts on being an exceptional person

I have been thinking lately about what it takes to be an exceptional person.  And I mean an exceptionally good person.

1.  I think a self awareness that I can improve is important.  Without that, we all stay stuck.

2.  I think an awareness of the importance of kindness is vital.

3.  I think moving toward a more generous lifestyle is a must.  Moving away from worrying that I will have enough and coming toward wanting to share with others.

4.  believing that you will likely get from others what you give to them.  Input joy, get joy.  Exceptional people create a positive culture.

5.  Finally there is this... Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  I have heard that somewhere before.

I think that this list is a good start.  May we all work on pursuing being exceptional humans.  If you have any thoughts to add to the exceptional concept, I would love to hear them.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

When friends die too soon

Recently a friend of mine passed suddenly.  A beloved father, husband and friend.  Several of us thought about how painful it is to lose a loved one too soon.

My friend Paul sent in this thought... "while we grieve that we did not get to spend the rest of our lives with them, we must remember that they got to spend the rest of their lives with us."

I find this to be a helpful thought.  It invites us to think of the world with a lens that is about more than how things impact me.  I can serve others, I can help others, I can be there for others.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

July 5th

Today I am 69 years old.

On January 24th, 1982 on the occasion of his 50th birthday, Henri Nouwen, wrote, "Within a few years [5, 10, 20 or 30] I will no longer be on this earth.  The thought of this does not frighten me but fills me with a quiet peace. I am a small part of life, a human being in the midst of thousands of other human beings.  It is good to be young, and to grow old and die. It is good to live with others and to die with others.   God became flesh to share with us in this simple living and dying and thus [his presence] made it good.  I can feel today that it is good to be, and especially to be one of many.  What counts are not the special and unique accomplishments in life that make me different from others, but the basic experiences of sadness and joy, pain and healing, which make me part of humanity.  The time is indeed growing short for me, but that knowledge sets me free to prevent mourning from depressing me and joy from exciting me. Mourning and joy can now both deepen my quiet desire for the day when I realize that the many kisses and embraces that I received today were simple incarnations of the eternal embrace of the Lord himself."

Henri Nouwen died on September 21, 1996 at the age of 64.

Today I am 69 years old. I would like to write something profound.... ha ha ha....

I look back on every day that I have lived and they are all a treasure. I remember running track in high school. In my mind, in my soul, and in my dreams, I still run with the track team, but the body has moved on. So I am the same as I used to be, but also very different.

I think of every person that I have loved, and oh I am so blessed. I cherish every hug that I received from you and I hope to receive many more. I think of the friends that we have made, the broken relationships that have been healed, and the amazing power of love.  I don't know how many days that I have left but I am going to take the advice of Ruth Gordon from the movie Harold and Maude.  She told Harold, live, LIVE, L.I.V.E. LIVE!!!

What a joy. What a miracle life is. Thank you all for being a part of mine.


It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

July 4

This year our nation celebrates 250 years!

Congratulations to America and to all who made her great.

While I celebrate and appreciate living in the greatest country in the world, while I celebrate living in the richest country in the history of the world, I do have some concerns.

I grieve what our great grandfathers did to the Indians.  I grieve that our great grandfathers enslaved African people.  I grieve that in both cases, we considered these "other people" as less than... not really quite human.

Now that I have that off of my chest, May we enjoy some burgers and baked beans today.

And remember... we are citizens first of God's kingdom.  And although our ancestors did not always show fairness or kindness, we can.

We can.  We can choose to show love.  We can choose to treat others well.  And the better we get at doing that, the brighter our future will be.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

make life easier for me?

Alexander Fraser Tytler 1747-1813 was a Scottish Judge and writer.  The following quote is attributed to him, though this is doubtful.  But I think the quote makes a good point. Here it is:

"Democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government.  It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largesse out of the public treasure.  From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefit from the public treasury, with the result that democracy always collapses over a loose fiscal policy, always to be followed by a dictatorship, and then a monarchy."

I want to focus on the evident theme that when voters elect those who promise more benefits, we are all in trouble.

One example in my opinion was the $2500 checks that were distributed to every American during the pandemic.  I was glad to get the check, but was this needed?  And where did the money come from to pay for this?  In Florida there is discussion of doing away with property/real estate taxes.  How will that income be made up for the state?

Sure we all want something for nothing.  We all want life to be better and easier for me.

But:  success in life is rarely found by sitting around complaining that we want a free cell phone or a bigger tax break or what ever we may think we want.  Success in life, in my experience, comes by work.  Hard work.

It is not the governments job to give us everything we want.  May we all work a little harder and want a little less.  Feeling good, feeling satisfied at the end of the day is not measured by freebies, feeling good, feeling satisfied only comes after a hard days work.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

the things that I cannot change

Sometimes the world will not align itself to make me happy.  In those moments, I need to exercise the skill of accepting the things that I cannot change.

My daughter lives in Chicago, way too far away from us.  Nothing I can or should do about that.

An abnormal freeze killed many of our palm trees.  Lots of sadness, but nothing I can do about it except to cut them down and get over it.

I was watching the US world cup soccer game and the internet service went down on the plane.  You could hear the collective groan of passenger disappointment, but it could not be fixed.  People either got mad or they got over it.

This is our choice when the world does not make us happy.  We can be mad or we can get on with life.  In my experience, we will find life much more enjoyable when we choose to accept the things that we cannot change and move on.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

serenity prayer

Most of us are familiar with the serenity prayer, at least the short version. Here is the long version written by the theologian Reinhold Neibuhr...

From time to time I find this prayer to be a necessity in our lives...




living one day at a time... enjoying one moment at a time.

accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.

trusting that God will make all things right.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Christian Confusion

As a follow up to yesterday's follow up... let's not confuse our Christianity with our view of American politics.

There are American Republican Christians.

There are American Democratic Christians.

There are Christians in Russia that support Putin.

There are Christians in Ukraine that want the Russians out.

There are Christians in China and Iran.  Some support their government, some do not.

The Christian faith rises above the flag of any country.

Let's not get the two confused.  And if this thought bothers you or me, I would suggest that one might have something to think about and work on.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

follow up

A week ago I posted about the importance of ministering and caring for people who disagree with us politically.  I thought there might me many responses.  I only received one.  It was from my friend Arthur who wrote some pretty thoughtful things...

From Arthur:

Two thoughts on this: First is when I started going to church a few years ago for the first time as an adult someone somewhere had said to me that lots of kingdoms and nations have risen and fallen since Jesus' time but Christianity still persists. 

The second thing is I think a lot of people (including myself) have tried using politics as a replacement for religion without realizing it- their party is a part of their identity and they're trying to "evangelize" people to their team. (This goes to both sides of the aisle)

In the last couple of years I've dropped a lot of this thinking. It's not that I don't care, it's that my life here in my community with people I see face to face is way more important than what people in DC are up to. Modern political debates look to be about dehumanizing and vilifying the opposition, so I just worry about the real people I see in the here and now where I can directly do something that makes a difference.

Good advice!!!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

challenges

When our family moved to Lees Summit in 1994 I met the director of the church day care program.  Her name is Peggee Schwartz.  A lovely human.  She taught me something that I have never forgotten.

I was my habit, my practice to discuss what ever "problem" we were dealing with.  She told me that we don't have problems, we have challenges.

I loved that.  I think of it often.  It is such a positive way to look at the challenges and opportunities that come along in life.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Joy

My friend Bruce sent this in...

What if joy is not only entangled with pain, or suffering, or sorrow, but is also what emerges from how we care for each other through those things? What if joy, instead of refuge or relief from heartbreak, is what grows out of us as we help each other carry our heartbreaks?

Ross Gay

Jeff comments... there is certainly something to be said for the connections that we feel for others and the joy of being with them in the good and the difficult times.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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

Grandchildren

When I was a child we visited my grandmother.  Visiting grandma was something for my mother's benefit.  It was not about us children.  There was one shoebox with some toys in it.  But remember, I grew up in a time when children were to be seen and not heard.

Oh my how the tables have turned.  Our grandkids visited this week from Chicago.  My wife packed both  refrigerators full of their favorite foods.  She bought tons of new toys for them.  They were the center of the universe for four days.

I like that.  Children should have times when they feel really loved.  So should adults.  Everyone should be spoiled every now and then, just to remind you that you matter.

Bella and Cruz

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

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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

unconditional love

Most of us learned love with conditions.  When I was a child, some of the big ones in my home growing up sounded like this...

•  I will love you as long as you behave. 
•  I will love you if you agree with me.
•  I will love you when you do what I want. 
•  I will love you as long as you don't embarrass me.

On Sunday, my pastor reminded us that God's love does not have conditions. He just loves you. No matter what you think, no matter what you do, no matter what you say. God loves you. No strings attached.

Romans 8:38  "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Think about it.  Get it through your head.  You are loved.  There is nothing to worry about.  Just accept the love, let the love fill you, and give it away.

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

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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

Who am I

Who am I and how did I get to be this way?  And while we are at it, who are you and how did you get to be the way that you are?

I am shaped by so many things.  You are shaped by so many things.

Can you love me in spite of the broken parts of me?  Can I love you in spite of the broken parts of you?

I have come to believe that when you love people, you stop asking questions about why they are the way that they are.

You just love them. And you enjoy it, and you suffer with it.  And you love them.

I love you.  Warts and all.  Can you love me the same???

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

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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

hold that tongue

Have you ever tried to grab your tongue? The dentist does it with a paper towel. It is not easy to hold our tongue, especially when we get our feelings hurt.

But may we all remember that when someone says something hurtful, you don’t have to, I don't have to hurt them back.

Ignore it. Hold your tongue.  Absorb the pain.

In a few days or a week, the pain will go away or at least it will fade.  Heck you might not even remember what you were upset about.

And then you can go on.  And believe me you will be glad that you did not hurt back.  Hurting back never achieves what we hope it will.  It simply expands the divide.

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

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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

Pride Pt 2

On Wednesday, June 17th I posted this: "Pride will cost you everything and leave you with nothing."

A friend wrote in and asked this question... "Should we say something to those showing so much PRIDE!! Or just avoid and ignore regardless of how hard they want to make that impossible ??"

I think that it is a good question. Sometimes I feel like I want to write a letter or reach out to a person who I feel has overstepped. I almost always stop myself from doing so.

Why? I guess in my opinion, a letter or a statement to someone in power will usually do nothing at all. If they had a modicum of decency, they wouldn't be displaying arrogance to begin with.

On the other hand, I have had pretty good luck talking face to face with employees and people that I was close to.  And along the way, I sometimes learned something about how I was coming across.

Moral of the story is this... maybe we should say something, maybe not. It is a case by case basis. But for sure we need to keep our hearts and minds on alert for pride in our own life.

Selfishness is pretty sneaky.  We see it in others, but tend to turn a blind eye to it in our own hearts.

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

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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

disappointment

"sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one's hopes or expectations"

I have been disappointed at times by others. That is not much fun. But what is worse is when I disappoint another person. I did that recently and it is killing me.

We want everyone to like us, but particularly we want the people that we like to like us.

I am sorry if I have disappointed you.

Do better Brinkman...

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

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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

Please pray for ...

So on Sunday night, I asked two of my friends to pray for something.

I should not have bothered them.  One is dealing with serious physical ailments and the other is on a fantastic vacation.

But sometimes we want to ask for prayers.

I asked.  They both said that they would pray.  Now I do not believe that our prayers control God, but sometimes, I have this urge, this desire, this need to pray.

And so I prayed. And they prayed.  Will you join in praying for the need, the person.  That things will go well for them.

Thanks.

We don't know how prayer works.  I don't believe that our prayers control God.  But sometimes,  I feel the desire to pray.

God bless the person that is on my mind.  Thank you.  Amen.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to be 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