someone tell me that I am ok

There is this cry that I hear coming from people from time to time.  "Someone, please tell me that I am ok!  Please!"

It doesn't matter how old we are, how grown up we think that we ought to be, from time to time I think that most of us need a little affirmation.

If today is a day that you don't feel ok, let me say something to you.
You are OK.
YOU are OK.
YOU ARE OK!

God isn't mad at you.  You are not a loser.  You are not less than others.  You have not failed.  You are awesome.  I love you.  I hug you from afar!!!

Please don't feel badly.  You are a fantastic human.  You are one of my favorite humans.

Smile, you are loved.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Mad at the church

Sometimes I am mad at the church.  Now remember, there is no reason to get mad at institutions.  Institutions don't hurt us, people do.

I am not mad at Ft. Pierce First, or Woods Chapel.  It is a generic mad at the church.

Why would I be mad at the church?  I have just grown tired of the people who try to convert others without love.  I am tired of decisions that protect the status quo.  I am sad that so many of my friends have given up on the church.  My children have given up on the church.  Millions of people across the country have given up on the church.  I am tired of the judgment and self-righteousness that I see in some Christians.

Having said that, I had a wonderful experience in church last Sunday.  A few rows in front of me, a woman was crying quietly during the sermon.  It seems that Pastor Tim had said something that touched her.  That was very very very cool to see.

So I thought to myself, yes you are mad from time to time at some of the things that Christians do.  Yes the church is not perfect.  But from time to time, God still moves and someone is touched. 

I think that I am going to keep going to church.  👍

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

SO EXCITING!!!

Last Monday I received a text message.  I was already asleep when it came in, but I woke up in the middle of the night and read it.  It was from Donna Hoover.  Seems that Donna, Alexandra Duenow and Donna's sister in law Brenda were in Florida and wondered if I would be available for a visit on Tuesday.  Donna and I worked together for about ten years at the church in Kansas City.  Alexandra attended there as well.  Can they come by for a visit?

ABSOLUTELY!!!

They arrived at the house about 12:30.  We had a marvelous talk and then a nice lunch at Mulligans.  It was so delightful to see my old Kansas City friends.

As I think of it, I am still smiling.  May you have something happen to you this week that makes you smile a really big smile!

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

first prayer

I sometimes take an over the counter sleeping aid, like Tylenol PM.  I never do it more than 3 days per week.  The nights that I don't take them, I sometimes only sleep for 4-5 hours. 

A few days ago I slept all night without a sleep aid.  I slept soundly.  I dreamed that I was at a big country estate, a beautiful place inside and out.  In the dream I was making a milkshake in a blender.  Mmm!!!

Then I woke up.
Interesting.  The very first thought on my mind was, "thank you Lord for another day."

I cannot stress the importance of saying that prayer every morning.  To give thanks for every dawn, to celebrate every moment of every day, to acknowledge God and say thanks!

That is the good stuff.  First prayer of the morning.  Maybe the best prayer of the day.
Thank you God for the gift of this day.  Thanks for waking me up!

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

rules or joy

Rules or Joy? 
Does your church major in rules or joy?  Does your pastor distribute rules or joy?  Do you, do I as a Christian deliver rules or joy.

In Jesus' day, the Pharisees were the ones who delivered rules.  Jesus delivered joy.
Pharisee's side = rules.
Jesus' side = joy.
With that in mind it is hard for me to understand why so many churches and so many Christians still major in rules instead of joy.

Jesus focused on joy.
Life is too short.   Let go of the shoulds, the oughts and the musts and celebrate the God of love and joy!

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

breakfast with friends

I had breakfast last week with a couple of dear friends.  I really like these folks.  Now if I did not have breakfast with you last week, it doesn't mean that I don't like you.  I am sure that I do.  In fact, if you want to meet for breakfast, let me know as I would love to do that. I'll even buy.

Back to the breakfast.  Good food, good friends, good feelings.  Having a friend is a true gift in life.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

I lost him

I was getting off of the plane in Melbourne, Florida.  We were all, all of us were waiting to get off of the plane in Melbourne.

I noticed a commotion a few rows back.  A short man, carrying his duffle, was working his way through the crowded isle.  Without saying anything, he bumped past me and continued his way toward the front of the plane.

Several folks commented about his behavior.  I decided that I was going to say something to him when I saw him in the terminal. 

"Hey friend, you were rude."  "Hey friend, there was no reason for that."

When I got off the plane I looked for him.  I was going to set him straight.  But I had lost track of him now and could not remember which man he was.  I lost him in the crowd.

Ten minutes later, waiting for my bag at baggage claim, I thought about how it was probably a good thing that I lost him in the crowd.  An unnecessary negative encounter was avoided because I lost him.  I began to feel glad that the encounter did not happen.  I started to get over myself.

How much better might life be if the people that we were mad at got lost int he crowd. 
Let it go...  let them get lost in the crowd... you will be glad that you did.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Hard Work

There is no substitute for hard work.  I meet people all of the time who are just willing to try and skate by.  But friends, nothing of value was ever accomplished without hard work.

See an organization slipping?  Someone should be working hard to turn it around.  See an organization thriving?  There is probably someone behind the scenes who is working hard.

Life is a series of self-fulfilling prophecies.
Lack of effort almost always produces lethargy.
Hard work almost always produces results.

What ever is our goal, may we all get up and get after it.
There is nothing more rewarding that to see the results of your hard work.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

ripples

My friend SG wrote in about the ripple effect of love...

As a child, I remember tossing small stones into the water, so we could enjoy watching the ripple effect.  I have been thinking lately about the ripple effect of showing love. I think God uses the love we show, in many ways we wouldn't have realized.
- someone's day is suddenly brightened
- a person who awoke feeling hopeless suddenly finds a glimmer of hope
- a baby coos and smiles back
- a wife suddenly doesn't mind cooking one more meal
- an ordinary looking person suddenly imagines themselves to be beautiful
- a hubby suddenly doesn't mind the drive to the office, and the grind of another day's work

all because a little bit of love was shown.

How can your acts of love and kindness change the day of those you come into contact with?  And once being touched by your act of love, what effect might they have on someone else?  So we see that your one act of love may stretch well beyond you into the lives of many.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

purpose

My friend Bev sent this in...

Many Christians are always trying to find God's will.  They expect a light to shine from heaven giving them a purpose.  Relax.  If you are loving people and showing kindness, that is your purpose.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

unbelievable

Bstroy, a New York-based streetwear brand, hosted a show during New York Fashion Week to debut its spring 2020 collection. Included in the show were four sweatshirts featuring bulletholes and emblazoned with the names of school shooting sites Sandy Hook, Columbine, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and Virginia Tech.

You have got to be kidding me.

How is this good for anyone? What school will allow them on their premises? And what will people stoop to next to make a little money?

This is why we must continually focus on seeing the good... there is so much craziness in this world.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Truth and Love

Truth and Love
or should we say...
Love and Truth.

Both are important.  One is more important.
Can you guess which one?

I recently visited with a friend who has started attending a fundamental church.  This person whom I love was all about truth.  Right and wrong.  This is right and that is wrong and everyone must know that.  Maybe this person has a new job to straighten everyone out.

I didn't disagree with the truth they presented, but I tried to explain that love must come before truth.  If we don't love people, they will never listen to our truth.  If our delivery is so filled with judgment they will never hear our message.

And for that matter, I personally believe that the message of love is enough.  We don't have to pound others with our truth.  But we should certainly shower them with our love.

Truth without love is a clashing cymbal and a sounding gong.

Love first.  Love only.  God will bring people to truth as he sees fit.
It is not our job to guide people to truth.  It is our job to love them.
Too often we humans try to play God, but God's job is not ours to take.
"when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth."
                                                                           John 13:16

It's our job to love them.  It is God's job to lead them into truth.

If you disagree, I hope that you can lead with love.  Because if we are not leading with love, we are not doing God's work.

Love comes first.  All the time.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

I love puns

I love puns.  Those surprising little words that make us groan.  Those play on words that my kids say they hate but they love me for them.

I was in KC for a bit and when I returned there was a card on my desk from someone who missed me, it featured a hot dog.  The cover said, "I never sausage a good person"  inside the card said, "frankly you're the best." 

Other puns...
remember when air was free at the gas station?
now you have to pay 4 quarters.
Do you know why?
inflation.

Why do people from Athens hate the morning?
Dawn is tough on Greece.

😊😊😊

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Talk like a Pirate Day

It is back!!!  Today is one of my favorite holidays, it is national talk like a pirate day. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Here are some terms to help you make it through today as a joyful participant.

Avast ye =Pay attention
Hornswaggle =To cheat
Shiver me timbers=An expression used to show shock or disbelief
Head=Toilet on board the ship
Poop deck=Deck that is the highest and farthest back
Landlubber=A person who is not incredibly skilled at sea
Davy Jones' Locker=Refers to death
Ahoy, matey=Hello, friend
Batten down the hatches=A signal to prepare the ship for an upcoming storm
Blimey!=Something said when one is in a state of surprise
Booty=Treasure
Crow's nest=The place on the ship where the lookout stand is built
Heave ho=Instruction to put some strength into whatever one is doing
Old salt=A sailor that has a great deal of experience on the seas
Scallywag =A name that is used as an insult to someone
Seadog =An old sailor or pirate
Thar she blows!=An expression used when a whale is spotted from the ship
Three sheets to the wind=Someone who is quite drunk
Walk the plank=A punishment which entails someone who walks over the side of the ship off of the plank. Their hands are often tied so that they cannot swim and they drowned.
Yo Ho Ho=There is often used to express some sort of cheer but also can be used to call attention to the speaker.

Be sure to tell a joke or two.
Where do pirates buy their music?
Aye - tunes
Why are pirates cool?
They just rrrrrrrrrrrr.

Rrrrrrr. It's a beautiful day in God's world, be surrrrrre to sea the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

the zing of disagreement

There are people that I can have a discussion with, disagree, and be ok.  These are the folks who put people before ideas.  We aren't on the same page on an issue, but we still care for each other.

Then there are those folks who need to deliver a zinger if you don't agree with them.  They need to dismiss you, they need to shame you, they need to give you the cold prickly stare.

Dear friends, there is no reason to deliver a zinger to another person.  We are different.  We are going to disagree.  It's ok.  They don't deserve to be hurt by me because they have a bumper sticker that I don't like.  They don't deserve to be rejected because they voted for someone else.

People are more important than ideas.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

dualism

Dualism is the practice of dividing the world into two camps.

Good vs Bad
Right vs Wrong
Christian vs UnChristian
East vs West
Catholic vs Protestant
Republican vs Democrat
Me vs You
Us vs Them
God vs the Devil

I reject dualism.  I reject the idea that we have to make someone the scapegoat.  Maybe folks just disagree with us.  They don't have to be like me to be ok.

Jesus rejected dualism.  He embraced the rich and the poor, the whole and the lame.  He embraced Jews and Romans and people who came from all kinds of places.  He hung out with the chaste and the immoral.  He treated humanity like it was one big family.  Yes, he distinguished between those who loved and those who did not, but he loved them all just the same.

We don't have to be against the people who are different from us.
We don't have to convince them of anything.
What we can do is love them.  That is what Jesus did.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

of course I am right

I have noticed lately in a few discussions that I have had with people that I sincerely believed that I was right.  I have caught myself thinking this and wondered if that wasn't a little bit arrogant.

I think that most of us think that we are right.  If we thought we were wrong, wouldn't we change our opinion?

But I am not sure it is helpful to think that I am right.  Maybe the world would be a better place if I approached discussions and issues with a completely open mind.  No preconceived notion that I already know the answer, just an openness to learn.

Imagine the amount of energy it takes to be right.  Now imagine how much more relaxed life would be if a person could just go with the flow and enjoy being with people without worrying about being right or wrong.

Maybe instead of needing to be on one side or the other of an issue, we could just relax and enjoy living in God's world.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

a new ministry job

A friend started a new job in ministry, he asked for my advice.  I sent him this letter...

Dear Brother,

There is an old saying that free advice is worth what you pay for it.

As you start your new job, here are some random Jeff Brinkman thoughts...

You may know everything that I am going to tell you.  You probably do, but here goes.

As you start your new job, remember that there are two sides to any job.  The actual work of, in this case ministry, and the relationships that you build.  As odd as it sounds, the relationships are as or more important than the ministry.

In fact, without relationships, how can ministry take place?

Some folks think that if they preach a good sermon or lead a good choir, everything else will take care of itself.  In the long run however, gaining and keeping the trust of your people is so very important.

So here I go…. Sure work on the ministry plans.  In fact, plan the ministry with them… find out what they like, what they have done, and what genres seem to fit at their church.  Remember that they will be there long after you are gone.  On the relational side, be intentional about getting to know your members….  Have a picnic.  Take them to breakfast and or lunch.  [take women in pairs] Have them in your office to volunteer to set up folders and other volunteer work.  Just as you would invest time and energy in your relationship with your wife, success in the church world rides heavily upon your ability to build relationships.

If people know that you love them, they will walk thru fire for you.  People will not always remember what you said, they won’t always remember what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel.

Ok, that is it.  Hope I have not overstepped my bounds.

Have a great week!

Your brother, Jeff

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

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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

devotional for General Conference

I was asked to submit a devotional for General Conference.  I have no idea if they will use this devotional thought, but this is what I sent in...

It’s the only thing.

When it comes to finding wisdom and following God’s will, we need to remember the main thing. The Apostle Paul made it clear that the main thing is the only thing. If I’m ordained an elder but have not love I’m a clashing cymbal. If I’m elected a delegate to a conference but have not love I’m a sounding gong. If I stay up late at night burning the candle at both ends but have not love it’s all for not. Jesus also made it very clear as to what he considered important. When challenged by the Pharisees as to what was the greatest commandment, he replied basically, Love God and love others. This answer represented his wisdom regarding what it meant to live in the will of God. He continued, On this hangs all the law and the prophets. In other words to love God and others matters head and shoulders above anything else. These two things are the core of what it means to be a Christ follower. May you and I regardless of our status, regardless of our age, regardless of our opinions always strive to be those who follow Jesus in the way of loving God and loving others. Love is the root of Christian wisdom, life and vision. It’s the only thing that matters.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Listen to what the man says

My friend Jean pointed out the words to the Paul McCartney song, "Listen to what the man says."  I have known this song, and sung this song, but I guess that I never paid attention to the words.  Here they are:

Any time, any day
You can hear the people say,
That love is blind, well, I don't know
But I say love is kind

Soldier boy kisses girl
Leaves behind a tragic world
But he wont mind, he's in love
And he says love is fine

Oh-yes, indeed we know
That people will find a way to go
No matter what the man said
And love is fine for all we know
For all we know, our love will grow - that's what the man said
So won't you listen to what the man said

The wonder of it all baby.....
The wonder of it all baby.....
The wonder of it all baby.....

Love is not blind.  Love is kind.  Love will grow.  That is what the man says.

click here to listen to song

be good to your self

I read this somewhere recently.

How you treat yourself is how you will treat others.  If you don't measure up in your own mind, then you will be hard on others.  If you judge yourself, you will judge others.  When our heart is filled with ungrace we cannot give grace to others.  We cannot give out what we do not have.

Conversely, if you are kind to your self, forgiving of your self, gracious to your self, you are much more likely to be kind, forgiving and gracious to others.

Be kind to yourself.
If it is not your normal way, then change your ways.
Learn how to be kind to yourself.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

callous

It is an unfortunate fact of life that we humans grow calloused to things that we should not.

When the Columbine school shooting happened, we were all shocked and deeply saddened.  Now when we hear of another mass shooting, it is like we have lost all of the emotional energy that we used to have.

I am not saying that we need to be emotional messes, constantly grieving, but we need to keep caring.  We can't let the years or the continued run of tragic events cause us to not care.

Today is September 11.  You know what happened on this date in 2001.  Although it feels differently to us than it did then, may we all still care very deeply.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

I thought that I had seen everything

So I was visiting my daughter in Jacksonville.  I had to go to the grocery store to get something for dinner. 

In Florida, people like to park under trees to keep their cars in shade.  Here is a new product that is available in case you can't find a tree.

I guess that you set up a tent over your vehicle.  I don't even know what to think about that.  People are funny and we keep finding more ways to spend money. 

An umbrella for a car.  And I thought that I had seen it all.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

hotel room

Cathy and I stayed in a hotel room in Jacksonville over the weekend to visit our daughters and go to the Chief's game.

The hotel rooms these days are much nicer than in the past.  [By the way do you know why Motel 6 is called Motel 6?  When they first opened, the rooms cost $6.]  Anyway, thanks to my wife's travel points we stay in some nice hotels when we travel.

And so I am in this hotel room and I remember that when we moved to California in 1969, our house was not finished so we lived in the Vagabond Inn for 3 weeks.  We had two basic rooms.  One for mom and dad and one for the three kids.  We ate breakfast every day at the Denny's on site.  I loved living in the hotel and I loved eating the pancakes every morning.

The house was finally done and we moved in.  We lived in San Jose for 7 years.  I went to Jr Hi, Sr Hi and did my freshman year of college at San Jose State.

All those memories from being in a hotel room. 
Life is good, but it sure goes by fast.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

unfortunate surprises

A friend wrote to me and used this phrase, "This stage of life looks nothing like I had looked forward to in retirement."

There is no question that retirement brings many changes and since we have not been down the road before, it is important to understand that there are going to be some surprises.  It is unfamiliar territory to us.
Personally, my biggest surprise in retirement was that it came five years sooner than I had planned.  But all in all, I feel that I am adjusting better each day that goes by.

Life is filled with experiences that were not what we expected.  Our starry eyed notions of love and marriage and our general expectations of life in general tend to keep providing disappointment.  Somehow we have to get our expectations under control and learn to see the good in the real world.

Frankly the thing that terrifies me the most about growing older is the prospect of spending years in a care center with a broken down body but a sharp mind.... being fully aware of where you are and what is going on around you.   [someone might ask Jeff where did you get a sharp mind???]

So now this is starting to sound depressing.
Let us turn the page.

Yes we can find our selves in a rut, but things can get better.  We can find friends.  We can find a ride to church.  We can figure out that challenge.

May your, may our determination to live happy and healthy lives rise above the current winds that may be blowing.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

don't speak, just look...

My friend Mary wrote about writing and having writer's block...

Sometimes we aren’t meant to speak or to write...sometimes we are simply meant to look. Here’s this morning’s reminder of God’s ever-present love! Be blessed! We are well loved.

 

Oh, the beauty of the small things, if we just take the time to look and see what God has done.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

baggage

My friend SG sent me this quote...

It's so strange, that babies come into this world in innocence, with no baggage and no worldly possessions.. .they aren't even wearing clothes.  But many adults exit this earth with lots of baggage. We are creatures of an imperfect world.

I agree.  What is going on?  It is like we spend the first years of our lives collecting shame, the need for approval, and all kinds of baggage.  Then we must make a decision about the rest of our lives.  Will we just live out our baggage or will we see it for what it is and work diligently to learn to live as a healthy person?

I remember in my 20's, blaming my parents for my problems.  Then when I was 28 I came to an epiphany... sure, they delivered some baggage... but now my decisions are mine.  The rest of my life is on me.

Are you lost in your baggage or actively working through it?  The rest of our lives are on us.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

The world fair of religions

An Anthony deMello story

My friend and I went to the fair. THE WORLD FAIR OF RELIGIONS. Not a trade fair. But the competition was as fierce, the propaganda loud.

At the Jewish stall we were given handouts that said that God was all-compassionate and the Jews were his Chosen People. The Jews. No other people were as chosen as they.

At the Muslim stall we learned that God was all-merciful and Mohammed is his only Prophet. Salvation comes from listening to God's Prophet.

At the Christian stall we discovered that God is love and there is no salvation outside the Church. Join the Church or risk eternal damnation.

On the way out I asked my friend, "Who do you think of God?" He replied, "He is bigoted, fanatical, and cruel."

Back home, I said to God, "How do you put up with this sort of thing, Lord? Don't you see they have been giving you a bad name for centuries?"

God said, "It wasn't I who organized the fair. In fact, I'd be too ashamed to visit it."

May your faith, your religion, your spirituality and mine be loving, compassionate and kind.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Bye bye Dorian

So the excitement about hurricane Dorian is over here in Vero Beach.   [Vero is the blue dot on the picture]

Dorian cruised by yesterday late afternoon.  It was 75 miles off shore and it had diminished to a category 2 storm.  We got a lot of rain and some 50 mile an hour winds.  We never lost power.

Thank you all for your concern and your prayers.  Today I plan to open up the shutters and return the home to a normal state of operation.

The folks that we really need to pray for now are the residents of the Bahamas.  Dorian sat on top of them for over 24 hours.  There is much damage there.  Maybe a nice destination for a future mission trip?

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

better news

So as I headed to bed last night, it appears that hurricane Dorian is heading out to sea.  The farther it moves from the coast, the better for us.

In 2016, hurricane Matthew came through, Cat 3 and 30 miles off shore.  Still the winds at our house were 75 mph.  If Dorian performs in a similar fashion, at least we will know what to expect as we have been through such storms before.

The town is locked down.  Our house is locked down.

At 11:45am yesterday,  I was headed to Walmart.  The parking lot was packed.  We parked way out there.  As we walked toward the store, I noticed that three policemen were blocking each entrance.  No one allowed in after 11:45.  Many people argued, but the police were not budging.  Walmart was closing.

Grocery store, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Shell station, all closed at noon.

We hope that the bulk of the storm will remain off shore. 
Will bring you up to speed later today.

Thanks for your prayers and positive messages.

anticipating a hurricane

Gas lines in Vero Beach

No gas in Vero Beach

Businesses boarded up in downtown Vero

I think it was Carly Simon who sang, "anticipation, is making me wait..." 

Sidebar... By the way, did you know that Carly Simon began her singing career with her sister Lucy?  They were known as the Simon Sisters.  Lucy got married and went on to a life.  Carly became a superstar.  Life has it's paths and everyone has a journey.  You are entitled to your journey.

Anticipation.  The hardest part of a hurricane is waiting anxiously to see what the storm is going to do.  If you are from the Midwest, you know that a tornado warning lasts for 30 minutes to an hour.  Waiting for a hurricane is like a week long tornado watch.  Everyone prepares and worries.  All of your friends call you and text you.

Well at present, it looks like Hurricane Dorian will stay mostly off of the coast of Florida.  Good for us, bad for the Carolinas.  Cathy and I went down to Ft. Lauderdale and have a hotel there for a few days.  We will see what happens.

As always, we humans anticipate and worry, and often make a thing bigger than it should be.  It will all work out.  Thanks for your prayers and well wishes.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

And a tree falls

From my friend, Pat...

Tonight, just a few minutes ago, an 80 foot Monterrey pine tree across the street suddenly died and fell. For the past year we have enjoyed the murder of crows that roost there along with four nests of herons. The original property owner planted it in 1869. It was majestic. And now it’s not.
There is much in our lives to be appreciated, way too much in fact. We have to take some things for granted or no one could function.

 The mistake is to differentiate between what’s important, and what’s not. Some folks solve that mystery by taking everything for granted. All of us miss order our priorities sometimes. The sudden death of a 150 year old tree may help bring order back to chaos.

Who or what are you taking for granted today? What will you do about it? Better act. Even 150 year old trees die.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

on finding joy

We all meet grouchy people.  We don't have to become one. 

We don't have to lose the happiness of our youth.  All we need to do is to tap into our sense of gratitude.  Find something to be thankful for.  When we do, we become like children who are seeing the world for the first time.

What are you thankful for today?


It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Where will the hurricane hit?

Hurricane Dorian is bearing down on the Atlantic Coast of Florida.  Please pray that it does not hit us.

The models for where the hurricane will go stretch from West Palm Beach to Jacksonville.  But many of the models put Vero Beach [where we live] and Melbourne [30 miles north] at ground zero.  [You can see Vero on the map just below the red line]  We have had glancing blows of two hurricanes since we moved to Florida, but if Dorian hits Vero Beach, it will be a direct hit of 125+ mph winds.  Makes a guy a little nervous. 

We will be in full hurricane prep mode over the next few days.  I already have water and gas.  We will take everything that is not tied down off the deck and put it inside.  I also will be boarding up a couple of other homes for friends who are enjoying the summer up north.

Conveniently, we had planned a weekend vaca to Ft. Lauderdale.  We will probably board up the house and just head down there.

Now back to where the thing will hit.  Please do not pray that it will not hit Vero Beach.  When we pray that prayer we are in effect saying, "Dear God, may some other family in some other town suffer the effects of the hurricane, just spare Jeff's family."  Kind of a selfish prayer don't we think?

It reminds me of this story that I used to tell.
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.

The moral of this post is that life has it's difficulties.  Sometimes praying for them to go away is simply asking that the pain be given to someone else instead of us.  May we get better at bearing pain instead of wishing that God would save us from it.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, even if a hurricane is coming... be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Life and death

When we are young we feel invincible.  As if aging and death won't come for me.  Even though we know that all people die, we hope for a pass or an exception to the rule for ourselves and those whom we love.

My friend Kitty sent me a note recently...
I have had several dear friends “leave this life for a better one”
of late. What do we say to that family or friend to comfort them?
When I send a card, I always share this thought.”
I don’t even know where I first read it, but it has always been very
meaningful to me:
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

Love is so valuable, and loss is measured by the level of love.  No love, no sense of loss.  Huge love, huge cavernous loss.  The only way to not have the loss is to never have had the love in the first place.

You know the old saying, it is better to have loved and lost, then never to have loved at all.

Love leaves a memory that no one can steal.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Sitting with my Dad

Late in my Dad's life I would meet him for lunch once a month at Romanelli's at 71st and Wornall.  He knew the servers there because he ate lunch and dinner there every day.  He actually died in the parking lot there on February 2nd 2002.

Anyway, he liked Romanelli's because when he was 18 he rode the streetcar there and had his first beer.  First of many.

So I would meet dad for lunch.  I remember one time, Probably 1999 when we were in the throes of building and moving into a new church, I met dad for lunch.  I was stressed.  I sat down across from him in the booth and I said, "Dad, I am so glad to see you."

Being with him made me feel ok.  It made me feel safe.  It made me feel whole.

Dad said, you know son, I am 72 years old, and still there are days that I wish I could go sit down with my mom and dad at their kitchen table.

These days, I wish I could go to Romanelli's and meet my dad for lunch.  I wish I could go and sit at his table.  The adult world can get very complicated and very stressful.

I miss my Dad.  Someday I will see him again.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Sundays when I was a kid

My friend SG asked me to write about Sundays when I was a kid...

When I was a kid, Sundays were for church.  We got dressed up [white shirt and tie.  I hated it.] and the whole family went, unless Dad was working [which was about 50% of the time.]

We went to church and sat in the pews.  We sang the liturgy.  Holy holy holy Lord God almighty... During the sermon the lights were turned down.  Good time to sleep.

No stores were open on Sunday.  That changed when I was 30.  But back in the day, you better get what you need on Saturday, because Sunday was the Lord's day.

Mom always made a big Sunday dinner.  Usually fried chicken and mashed taters.  Mmmmm.

One Sunday for whatever reason, my Mom made grilled cheese for lunch.  I complained.  My Dad asked if I did not want to eat the grilled cheese.  I said, NO!  He sent me to my room.  I sat there for 6 hours until dinner time, 6pm.  Then he knocked on the door and asked me if I wanted to eat dinner.  I said, yes sir.  I got to the table and that cold grilled cheese was still there.  I ate it with joy.

We only had one TV and it belonged to Dad, so Sunday afternoon we played outside.  Soccer, football, baseball, snow sledding, whatever, always something.  No watching sports on TV, we played them for real.

Sunday night was the wonderful world of Disney.  We all sat around and watched it together.  It was probably the closest thing to feeling like a family that I ever knew.

These days on Sunday I go to church and hug my friends.  I try to make new friends.  My wife makes lunch.  We float in the pool.  Later we have a beer and watch football.

Sunday's have changed, but Sundays are still good.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

sermon audio from Sunday 8-25-19 Boiling it all down

here is the link to the sermon audio

click here to listen

The breakfast group

The breakfast group started larger, but dwindled over the years to three men. Gary Glenn, Dan Horn and Tyler Stephenson. You will remember that Dan was my co-writer of this blog... Lions Den Man. The breakfast club was a place where jokes were shared, hearts were opened, new ideas tossed about. Everything was real. And I was invited to join the group anytime that I could.

I moved to Florida. Dan passed away suddenly 2 years ago. Gary moved to New Mexico.

I can speak for Tyler, Gary and myself that we all miss Dan so much. Gary sent me a text the other day to that effect and attached this song. Drowning, by Chris Young

click here to listen to the song

Here are the lyrics...

Still got your number in my phone
And even though you don't wanna listen
I still call and wait till the tone
Just to hear you saying "Leave a message"
Since you've been gone I've had to find
Different ways to grieve
There's days that I don't even want it on my mind
But tonight I'm awake

So I'm gonna pull out pictures, ones with you in 'em
Laugh and cry a little while reminiscing
By myself, I can't help, that all I think about is
How you were taken way too soon
It ain't the same here without you
I gotta say, missin' you comes in waves
And tonight I'm drowning

Yeah I know you're in a better place
And one day I'll see you again
But it's killing me we can't be face to face
I miss my best friend

So tonight I'm gonna pull out pictures, ones with you in 'em
Laugh and cry a little while reminiscing
By myself, I can't help, that all I think about is
How you were taken way too soon
It ain't the same here without you
I gotta say, missin' you comes in waves
And tonight I'm drowning
Yeah tonight I'm drowning

I know it's a part of life
But I wasn't ready to say goodbye

So tonight I'm gonna pull out pictures, ones with you in 'em
Laugh and cry a little while reminiscing
By myself, I can't help, that all I think about is
How you were taken way too soon
It ain't the same here without you
I gotta say, missin' you comes in waves
And tonight I'm drowning
Yeah tonight I'm drowning

we over complicate things

I believe the core message of the Bible is that we should love God and love our neighbor. On this hangs all the law and the prophets.

It took 1,000 s of years for the bible too be written

another 1400 years for us to decide for sure [mostly] which books were in. Not all Christian groups agree today about which books are in and which are not.

If I steal a recent question from a friend and reinterpret it, I might say that I believe that the most important, core part of scripture is to love God and love others. Everything else hangs on that.

Too bad we use the rest of it to cloud the simple message of love.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Grace in denial

I was listening to a sermon by my friend Pastor Robyn Miller.  She was talking about grief and Elizabeth Kubler Ross's stages of grief.  One of EKR's stages is denial.

Pastor Robyn said that there is a bit of grace in denial.  I had never thought of that, but I loved it.  If I can deny or pretend that something is not a certain way, I keep the pain at bay.  I buy myself time to deal with reality in the future.  I portion the struggle out a little bit at ta time. 

That is grace.  I don't have to face it all today.  I don't have to swallow it all today.  My heart can have some time to adjust.

Grace is always good.

Sometimes grace buys us time.


It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland
July 13-22, 2020
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

what have we buried?

From Anthony deMello's book, The Prayer of the Frog...

In the early 1850s American painter, James McNeill Whistler, spent a brief—and academically unsuccessful-period at West Point, the U.S. Military Academy. The story goes that when he was assigned to draw a bridge he drew a romantic stone one, complete with grassy banks and two small children fishing from it. “Get those children off that bridge!” said the instructor. “This is an engineering exercise.”

Whistler got the kids off the bridge, drew them fishing from the bank of the river and resubmitted the drawing. The angry instructor yelled, “I told you to remove those children. Get them completely out of the picture!”

But the creative urge was too strong in Whistler. His next version had the children “completely out of the picture” indeed. They were buried under two small tombstones on the river bank.

What hopes and dreams lie within you?  Have you allowed the pressures of life to bury them, or are your dreams still alive???

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland
July 13-22, 2020
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Monsters at night part 2

My brain has been thinking about my friend Pat's post from the other day.

There are things that I think about at night that I don't think about during the day.  Why don't I think about them during the day?  Because my brain is driving a car, it is visiting someone from church, it is talking to you on the phone.

But at night, the junk comes out.  The worries.  The regrets.  The things that still hurt.  I have noticed that there are a few recurring themes that take over my brain at night.  In my dreams, in my thoughts when I am in and out of sleep.  I think that I still need to work on forgiving some people.

I hope that you don't lay awake at night and think of past hurts.  It is not so much fun.

I know that I am getting better because I don't need to talk about those times anymore.  Maybe one day soon I will stop dreaming about those hurts.  Let's keep working on them.  Let's keep giving our hearts to God.

May God grant us all more daytime joys even in the night.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland
July 13-22, 2020
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

what a Kindergarten teacher sees

Brian's grand-daughter's Kindergarten teacher sent this home on the first day of school.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland
July 13-22, 2020
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours