Random Devil Thoughts

 It breaks my heart to have to post this from time to time.  But, when I hear Christians talking with a "BIG Devil theology"  I feel the need to speak up.  Here are some past blog posts on the topic.

Random Devil Thoughts

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2008

random devil thoughts

A few random devil thoughts today. Does your talk about the devil accurately depict his level in creation or have you made him an equal with God? The devil is a created being, he was Lucifer, an arch angel. If you must compare him to someone, he is an equal to Michael and Gabriel, other archangels.

The devil is not everywhere. This is not Biblical theology. God is, and only God is omni-present. To speak of the devil as if he is an equal with God is not only not true, but what we end up doing is spending our time glorifying evil instead of glorifying God.

If you are depressed, it is probably not because you are being oppressed by the devil. Humans get depressed sometimes. If your home really has demons in it, you could not live there. It would be like the Amityville Horror.

We get into the habit of speaking of evil in ways that are not Biblical. The result is that we spend too much time fighting enemies imagined instead of glorifying God. Is your home a place where God is King and Jesus is Lord, or is your home a place where the devil and his helpers reside. You must decide what you believe.

I will probably write more about this in the days to come. Your comments and questions are welcome of course. I just wanted to get you started thinking today about whose world it is. It is God's world, we are his children and the sheep of his pasture. Lets not cower in darkness, but let us live in the light of his glory and presence.

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

POSTED BY PASTOR JEFF BRINKMAN AT 8:58 AM 

 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

the devil

I have to bring this up from time to time.  Some people talk like the devil [little d devil] is the opposite of God.

What ever we think about the devil, he is not the opposite of God.  He is a created being.  He has a beginning.  He is not eternal.  He was an archangel just like Michael and Gabriel. 

What do we think about Gabriel?  Do we think Gabriel knows everything?  Do we think he is everywhere all at the same time?  No we don't.  We think he is an angel.  So is the devil, he is a fallen angel.  He can't be at everyone's house, tempting all of us at the same time.  We are usually tempted by our own lusts and we need to take responsibility for that and stop blaming a big D Devil.  Some people just like to have someone else to blame.

We have to decide whether we live in a world dominated by an evil spirit or whether we live in a world that still belongs to God.  Let's stop talking about angels, good or evil, and focus on God.  As for me, this is my Father's world!!  The fight with the devil was won on the cross.  We have the right and the opportunity now to live our lives focused on God and his love.

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

POSTED BY PASTOR JEFF BRINKMAN AT 5:30 AM

 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018

The devil has a plan

I was talking to a friend the other day and they told me that God had a plan for everyone and so did the devil.

Let's think about that for a moment.
God can have a plan for us because God is infinite, all knowing and all present.

The devil has a plan for us?
That implies that the devil who is a finite created being somehow knows every single person on the earth.  And boom, we have made him the opposite of God.

It sounds interesting to say that the devil has a plan, but there is no way that a limited creation of God can know and have a plan for everyone in the world.
We have made the devil way too big.
Whatever he is, he is not the opposite of God.

God has a plan.  Bank on that.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2010

A Christian Theology of evil

I may have posted this before, but it comes up so often I feel the need to get it out there again..........

A Christian Theology of Evil
An Outline

The basics.
Many Christians speak of God and speak of the devil but do not know who they are. They act as if we live in a dualistic world where two equal powers struggle for control. No question, there is struggle in the world, and there is sin and evil in the world, but God and Satan are not opposites.

Qualities of God:
All Knowing, All Present, All Powerful, Eternal

Qualities of Satan [the devil] and demons
Not all knowing, not all present, not all powerful, created.

What does this mean?
This means that God is in control. Remember Satan is a created being, an angel that fell from heaven. He is not from the beginning, God is. He is not everywhere in the world….God is. Satan is probably not at your house, he is probably working on Ussama Ben Laden. He cannot be in both places at the same time.

Prov 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Jn 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Only God deserves the attributes of a god. Satan is not equal to God and he is not the opposite of God. God made him and has allowed him to do his work for a short time. He does not deserve the attention that God does. He is operating in this world for a short time and will receive judgment in the end..

Gen 3:14-15 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Isa 14:12-15 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
2 Pet 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

The limited created evil beings in the world are fighting a losing battle against the almighty power of God that works in the world through the Holy Spirit and those who call upon the name of the Lord.

Being led by the Holy Spirit and being possessed or oppressed by demons.
How does one become a Christian?
You choose to ask Jesus to come in.

How does one become possessed or oppressed by evil?
You choose to ask it to come in.

What does this mean?
It means that evil cannot come in and control you without you having opened the door. He/they cannot just sneak up on you and suddenly inhabit your life. You let in Jesus if you want to and you let in demons if you want to. Let me be clear, there is not room in the soul of a Christian for the Holy Spirit and demons. If you have accepted Jesus, you are infilled with the Holy Spirit. You cannot then be filled with the demonic. One or the other, never both.

Psa 91:9-11 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

So is the devil real?
Yes the devil is real, but he is not the opposite of God. See above description. People can be possessed by him or by his demons. These are horribly frightening people. If you have ever met someone who was in such a state it would make a tremendous impression on you. Many people will live their entire lives and never see or meet someone who is possessed. Believe me, you don’t want to meet such people.

Mark 5:1-20
1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.[a] 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil[b] spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. 4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. 6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!” 8For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!” 9Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. 11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. 14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon possessed man–and told about the pigs as well. 17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. 18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis[c]how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Are there other sources of evil? Yes! Other sources of evil include: other people, yourself, and the world.
• People can choose to do evil things. They are responsible for their choices and usually they are not possessed when they choose evil. The human spirit is capable of evil choices without the benefit of or help of the demonic.
• Flip Wilson used to say “the devil made me do it.” He was wrong. He chose to do evil himself. All of us make bad choices and choose to do evil things. That is what sin is. It doesn’t mean that you are demon possessed. It means that you are human.
• The world has evil in it. Tornadoes, Hurricanes, earthquakes, disease. These things are common to human existence and are not the work of demons or the vengeful acts of God. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. The flu is the flu and a cold is a cold. It is not the oppression of the devil.

Does our language and our prayer life glorify God or Satan?
This is the real question.

CS Lewis once said that “the best thing that the Devil can do is to convince the world that he doesn’t exist.” Probably the second best thing for the Devil to do would be to get us to overemphasize his role or involvement in our lives, bringing him glory instead of God.

As believers we are called to lift up the name of Jesus and bring people to him. Most Christians will never see a demon possessed person in their life and would not necessary be prepared to deal with it if they did.

When our prayers refer to Jesus, he is lifted up. When our prayers refer to the devil and evil, they are exalted and fear is injected into the believers thought process.

If you are trusting in Jesus, you don’t have to be afraid of such evil. You are walking with the King. Many Christians unintentionally glorify Satan by including him in all of their prayers and daily chatter and banter. You can do that if you wish. Talking about evil fills people with worry. Talking about Jesus fills people with joy. I want to choose to lift up the name of Jesus. What about you?

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

POSTED BY PASTOR JEFF BRINKMAN AT 7:04 AM 

 

I do care.

On Monday, Dick and I did our normal sandwich delivery.  I had a couple of notable human encounters.

Glen is always at the back of the mattress store on "B" avenue and US 1.  On Monday we gave Glen the customary baloney and cheese sandwich, chips, orange and a bottle of water.  When I asked Glen how he was, he said, "thanks to you guys, I am alive."

If you think that Glen should get a job, you should know that Glen is certifiably crazy.  He could never hold a job.  But he appreciated being fed.

Later at Parkview Park we passed out about six sets of food.  A man that I had not seen there before looked me in the eye and he said, "It is nice to see that someone cares."  I paused, looked him in the eye and told him that we do care.  I told him my name was Jeff.  He told me that his name was Robert.  We shook hands.  As I turned to walk away, my eyes filled with tears.

These people just want to know that someone cares.

St. Patrick's Day

My sister moved to Florida in January.  On Sunday night we tried on our St. Patrick's clothes.

Today is St. Patrick's Day.  On this day I am always reminded of the famous Irishman who invented outdoor tables and chairs.

Do you remember his name?

Patty O'Furniture.

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

not much to say

I haven't posted lately because I haven't had much to say.

I'm not reading much and I just don't feel that I have anything that is blog worthy.

I am sure that you have days when you don't have much to say.

Anyway, everything is ok.  When I have some ideas, I will post again.

Send me any ideas that you have for me to write about.

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

Everything is OK

 We are living through a time that is unprecedented for most of us.  A year long pandemic.  Political turmoil.  Riots.

Add to that the normal stuff.  Worrying about our kids.  Changing jobs.  Friends moving away.  

Change is unsettling.  Too much change and our gray matter arcs.  We feel unnerved and we don't know why.  We need to talk to someone but we can't even put our finger on what is bothering us.

We are worried about the lack of stability.

If this is you, I have a message for you:  Everything is ok.  Everything is ok.  Sure, it is changing times, but we still have each other.  We have lived through change before and we can do it again.  In fact we will live through these days and come out on the other side.

I know you feel discomforted.  Relax.  Take a deep breath.  It is well with your soul.  Everything is ok.

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

God loves you

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep."
Genesis 1:1-2

The earth was without form and void. And the void wasn't good enough for God. Void wasn't going to work for Him.  Being a God of love, he needed someone/something to love. And so God created you and me.

God loves you and enjoys you.  Never forget that.

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

Lunch with a friend

 Yesterday I had lunch with a friend at Captain Hiram's in Sebastian.  This little restaurant is situated on the intercoastal.  It is not uncommon to see dolphins and all sorts of wildlife.

It was a peaceful lunch.  A great chicken sandwich.  Good conversation.  The ambiance of the intercoastal.

Having a friend is a wonderful thing.

Here are some of the birds that I saw.

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

Don't miss the parade

Please take time to watch the parade today. Many people have gone to great lengths to prepare for this special event. Your boss will let you off work for it.
What parade you say?

Today is the day when all of the bands from the local high schools line up downtown and march fourth.

[this was my grandmother's joke, passed on to my mother, then to me and now to you.]

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

the value of your caring is bigger than you think

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

a friend

 A friend is probably the most valuable thing in all of life.  They listen to us.  They console us.  They laugh with us.  They help us stay on track.  They love us.

In unpacking my office, I found this little picture which has hung in various church offices for 15 years anyway.  Today in hangs in my garage office.

Today, make a friend.  Call a friend.  Love a friend.  Value a friend.

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

trees

I have always loved trees.

When is the best day to plant a tree?  50 years ago.

When is the second best day to plant a tree?  Today.

As I have been unpacking things from my office at church I came upon these two small books that were given to me years ago by a friend.  It is interesting in life what you hold on to and what you release.

I also found a disc with pictures from the fall landscape day in 2010.

Jim and Mary Ann Hillman 
work the North side

Jonnie lining out the crew
[This was prior to the worship center addition]

Brad Gartin working on the west face

Random old man digging a hole
but what a nice truck!

look at the size of the pear trees
along the north entrance!

Charles Hasek, his tractor
and Vicki Graham

Jay Gray, Fred Price and an unidentified
young man are planting benches for the walking
trail - stations of the cross.

What lovely memories of a wonderful time.  It is amazing how our work today can grow and become beautiful over time.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good, and maybe plant a tree!

Ash Wednesday

In zero degree weather, a Woods Chapel
Church pastor applies ashes to a member.

Today is Friday, but two days ago was Ash Wednesday.  Over the past 30 years I stood face to face with somewhere between 5 and 10,000 people on Ash Wednesday.

It is the most humbling day of the year.  I shed many tears on Ash Wednesday.  People coming up in tears.  Me seeing them coming and knowing the grief that they had suffered in the last year.

It is the only day that I wear a robe.  Me myself and other pastors when I had them, stood down in front.  Members would make their way down to the front and I would say to them, "are you willing to repent of your sins and follow the way of the cross."  They would say, Yes.

Then I would put ashes on their forehead and say, "The sign of the cross marks you as a disciple of our lord and savior Jesus Christ."

Ash Wednesday was always a very holy day for me.

Three of my former associate pastors, texted me on Ash Wednesday to talk about how much that day meant to them.  We reminisced.

It is a holy day.

But wait...   Any day can be a holy day for that matter.

Are you willing to repent of your sin and follow the way of the cross?

Then the sign of the cross marks you as a disciple of our lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Come see me

So six weeks ago my sister and her husband moved to Vero Beach.  It has been great to have them here.  And they have escaped the KC winters.

I tell my KC friends that they should move here or retire here.  I love my Ft Pierce friends, but I still miss my KC friends.  There is, by the way a couple of homes for sale in our subdivision.

Anyway, get on a plane and come see me.

As I said, come see me.

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

Superbowl

Seven days has passed since the Super bowl.  It was only super if you are a Tampa Bay fan.  For the rest of us, it was a disaster.  Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes you get hammered.  My team, the Chiefs, got hammered on Sunday.

I have known people along the journey of life whose self esteem was destroyed if their team lost.  I have known people who would complain and be angry if their team lost.

The Chiefs did not play well and they did not deserve to win.  Hats off to Brady and the Bucks.

As much as I love football and baseball, a painful loss like this is a good reminder that life is not about winning and losing games.  They are games, just that.  Life is about kindness and love.  Kindness and love for me, for you, for the Chiefs and for the other team.

God doesn't take sides.

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

I met a homeless man

So I was leaving CVS on US 1 by 17th street in Vero. I saw a guy with a sign asking for help...

I rolled down my window and handed him the smallest bill in my wallet. 

[now that is a discussion for another day. why the smallest??? Is that how we want God to treat us??? Here you are in need and I give you the least that I have???] 

Anyway, I gave him the smallest bill that I had, a $5.  I rolled down my window and handed him the 5. Then I asked him his name. this was his response.

"My name is Donald Pitts my dad was in Vietnam I was in the Iraq war thank you for the donation I live in the woods in a tent behind the CVS."

And like every homeless person that I have met, he was a little mentally off. It broke my heart.

I used to say things like "why don't they get a job???"  But now I have learned that they are almost all mentally challenged, which is why they are where they are in life.

Maybe I will find the camp behind the CVS and take them some breakfast tomorrow.

Or Maybe I will do nothing and just go on with MY LIFE.  Not sure... Stay tuned.

It's a  beautiful, first world day in God's world be sure to give, not see, but be sure to give the good.

The Waves

Sunday morning while the other guys slept, I sat on the balcony listening to the waves.  Of course I live a few miles from the beach, you would think that I would be used to the waves, but I am not.   I rarely take time to listen to them at length.

But they are wonderful.  I have been listening now for an hour.  It is so peaceful and calming!!!  There are things in life that just seem to reach into your soul.  Sitting by a fire, listening to a fountain, listening to the wind blow through the trees and waves on the beach all do it for me.  Soulful things that are good for the soul.

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

Superbowl

 It is Sunday morning and I am in Tampa.  We are staying at a VRBO on the beach.  Yesterday I drove in and stopped to visit Dave and Kristina Owsley.  It was so wonderful to see them.

They shared these Chief's cookies with me.

Then I drove into downtown Tampa and met up with Paul, Alex and Rick.  We hit a couple of watering holes.

Later that night we went to a Chief's watch party.  It was a blast.  

Left to Right- Rick Wagner, Alex McClain and my Dad.
Oh, no, wait, that is me, isn't it.

We don't have tickets to the game, but we are going to another Chief's watch party for the game.

Go Chiefs!!!

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

Pepper Park

Last Friday a few friends from church invited me to lunch at Pepper Park on Hutchison Island.  They wanted to say thank you for my work at the church.  They wanted to love on me.  They want to, as I do, be sure that we stay in touch.

There was a hotdog stand in the park and I was treated to a tasty dog.

They also gave me this white church as a memory.  The presentation made me cry.  Happy tears.  I told them thank you.  I told them that they made me feel loved, appreciated and valued.

In this world where people often feel set aside and unwanted, feeling loved and valued is a beautiful thing.

Who can you value today???

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

Mad

Do you ever get mad?  I was mad the other day.  Mad at a person from my past who hurt me.  I couldn't shake it, which is unusual for me.

Finally after most of the morning had passed, I realized that I wasn't mad at that person... no it was much deeper.  I was mad at every person in my life who made me feel bad, clear back to my mother.  I was mad at the messages that I have been given in my life...

You're not good enough.
God only loves you if you are good.
You are going to hell.
You better believe it like this...
God only loves you if...

What a waste of time it has been in my life to try to overcome the negative messages.  Why were they ever given?  People do and say crazy things in the name of God.  I hope that I am not giving negative messages to people.  I hope that you aren't either.

God loves me.  God loves you.  Sinners that we are, God loves us.

That makes me happy!

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

Purpose

 It is too easy to value one's self based on their job or income.  It is very common that if a job changes or is lost, or when a person retires, they are filled with questions and confusion.  It is easy to feel a loss of self.  

Who am I now?  What is my life about now?  Something seems "wrong."

We must remember that our purpose in life is not our particular job, career or calling.  We must remember that our purpose in life is to love people and be kind to them.  We are here on this earth to spread love and to value people.  It is interesting how we ourselves get a sense of joy and value when we are reaching for people and valuing them.

Pick someone to love on today.  Heck, pick everyone.

911

I did something the other day that I have never done before.  I called 911.  

I was talking to a friend on the phone and driving south on 58th Avenue near the Target store when a wheel came flying over the median and into my lane.  Then I saw two cars run off the road in the north bound lanes by the Italian Garden.  One hit a telephone pole.

I called 911.  The woman asked my emergency.  I told her, then apologized as I was sure they had many calls.  No, she said, I was the first.

The whole thing was so unnerving.  For a couple of hours I was on the verge of tears.  It is odd how such things feel traumatizing.

I prayed for the people in the wreck.  I decided a few years ago, that with so many people rubbernecking to see what was going on, a better response would be to pray for them.

A special place in heaven

bags of chips, Save-a-lot bag. 
Concrete is for a handyman job.

So here is another Monday morning, feeding the homeless story.

Dick and I meet for breakfast at 8am, then I go to the Save-a-lot grocery to get chips and whatever else we need.

On Monday I walk into the Save-a-lot and there is an African American man [evidently an employee] working on a sign on the door.

When I am checking out, I am paying for three big bags of 16 bags of chips.  I also buy a big Save-a lot grocery bag.  The checker is trying to put the chips into the grocery bag.  I explain to her that she does not have to do that.  I just want the bag to put sandwiches, chips and water in as we feed the homeless on Mondays.

The man who was working on the sign at the door is standing near by and over hears this.  He comes up to me and lights up.  He says, "Sir, thank you so much for doing this!  There is a special place in heaven for people like you."

I don't tell you this story so you will pat me on the back.  I tell you this story so that you too can capture some of the joy of doing for others.  [I am sure that you are already doing for others]  Acts of kindness make the recipient happy, they make you happy and they make anyone that hears of them happy.

Happy is good.  Kindness is good.

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

It's not just the food

On Monday when Dick and I were taking sandwiches to the homeless, I realized something.  The sandwich, chips, tangerine and bottle of water do not tell the full story of what is happening.  Yes, the folks are very appreciative of us bringing them food, but there is something else going on that is very important too.  It may actually be the most important aspect of the delivery.

We are telling them that they are valuable.  We are telling them that they matter.  We don't actually say the words of course, but our actions and our kindness to them are letting them know that they are valuable humans.

I believe that in this world, everyone wants to feel that they are valuable.  Everyone wants to know that they matter.  Especially the homeless, who have been devalued by so many for so long.  They need to hear it, they need to feel it.

You matter.  You are valuable.

Who can you express this to today?

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

Carnival

 The county fairgrounds are one mile north of our house.  Last year in March, they were setting up a carnival at the fairgrounds when the pandemic hit.  The carnival never opened.  Kind of sad.

A couple of days ago I went to Lowes in Vero and when I was leaving, I saw something that made me happy.  Now, happy is good, especially during pandemic times.  There is so much bad news, so much fear mongering on the news, any good news is appreciated.  [I just used the word "news" three times in one sentence.  Probably not good writing.]

So I am leaving Lowes and I see something that makes me happy.  In our old Sears parking lot [Our Sears is closed]  in our old Sears parking lot, they are setting up a carnival.

A big smile came upon my face.  Carnivals are happy!  I guess this story also speaks to the fact that they pandemic seems far away from our little Florida town.

Carney vehicles

May the carnival come to your town soon!!!

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

Creation is God's first Bible

I don't know who said it, but it is really true: "creation is God's first Bible." People who lived before the Bible, people that could not read, and really everyone can look at creation and know that there is a God.

The heavens declare the glory of God. Psalm 19:1  

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20

I was reminded of this truth the other day when I looked out the front of the house and there were two Sandhill Cranes in our yard. Beautiful majestic birds.

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

Wow

 So there is this feature on my computer with windows 10 that gives me a new background picture every day.  My favorite pictures have castles or old medevial buildings in them.  Some of the pictures that they show me, I don't like.  I can click like or don't like in the upper right corner.

Something cool happened today.  While I have opened pictures that made me like them, today I opened the computer and when I saw the background picture I went, "wow!!!"  Beautiful, Amazing!!!

Here is the picture that made me say wow!!!

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

retired life

 So what do you do when you don't have a job to go to?  I joke that I can only clean the garage so many times.  I can only soak the paint brushes so many times.

But let's face it, some of the benign, seemingly insignificant things that we do matter a lot.

Yesterday I vacuumed the crap out of the bed of my truck.  I put a new head on a sledge hammer.  I installed a new mirror on the truck.  

new truck mirror

Next week when the new icemaker gets here, I will get that in the freezer.

Not a job, and I don't get paid, but important things.  There is great satisfaction in taking care of your stuff.  I think I am going to hire someone to break things around here just so I will have things to fix from time to time.

It is a beautiful, possibly mundane day in God's world, don't see it as mundane.  See it as beautiful.

office

I cleaned out my office at church yesterday.  Kind of melancholy.  

If you attend the Ft. Pierce church and you get up to Vero anytime, let me know and we can have breakfast or lunch.

Also, I might just surprise you at church on a Sunday morning and we can go to brunch afterwards.

Many have asked what lies ahead for me.  Well, I am not sure.  I have some handyman work lined up.  I may take a road trip.  I may go to KC to do some work.

Anyway, don't worry about me.  I am ok.  All is well.

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

Resignation

I am posting today to let my readers know that I have put in my resignation from Ft. Pierce First UMC.

If you are a Ft. Pierce attendee, I am sorry if this is disappointing.  I love you and we can always remain friends.

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

Happy Day!

One of the hardest parts about moving to Florida is moving away from your friends.  Many of my KC friends I have been bonded to for 25 years.  That is why I go back from time to time.  I miss them a ton.

Yes I have made new friends in Florida, but most of them live 20 miles away in Ft. Pierce.

Anyway, I have some happy news to report.  My sister Julie and her husband Mark have moved to Vero Beach!  Very exciting!!!

Now if I could just persuade a few of you to move here as well. 😊😊😊

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

Identification

Football playoffs are here.  Someone's team is going to win it all, everyone else is going to lose somewhere along the way.

Some folks take losing really hard.  I'm from Kansas City.  We have had so many years of bad baseball and bad football, we got used to going to the baseball games and just enjoying watching good players play, even if they were usually on the other team.

Anyway, since many are going to be disappointed, I got to thinking.  What is the main thing in life that I identify with?  What are the main things that we identify with?

Republican or Democrat
Baptist or Methodist
Kansas City Chiefs fan
Cleveland Browns fan
follower of Jesus Christ
or what else?

It occurs to me that if the Chiefs lose, I need to remember that my primary life journey goal or focus is not being a Chiefs fan.  My primary life journey goal is to live a life that emulates and shares the love of Jesus Christ.

If the person you voted for lost, you can still live and fulfill your main life purpose, emulating and sharing the love of God.

If your church splits,  you can still live and fulfill your main life purpose, emulating and sharing the love of God.

If your team loses,  you can still live and fulfill your main life purpose, emulating and sharing the love of God.

Let's remember to keep the main thing the main thing.

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

For years, the church has tried to convert people.

We should have spent more time just loving people.

Jesus never worked to manipulate or convert anyone.  But he loved everyone.

Don't waste your time trying to fix people.  You can't fix them.  Just love them.

That is why we are here.  If we can love them, then God will take care of the rest.

Merry Christmas

Good Morning.  And Merry Christmas!!!

I just woke up in the Fairfield Inn in Titusville Florida.  In an hour I am driving the rest of the way to Jacksonville to spend Christmas with my family at my daughter's house.

When I woke up a bit ago, I turned on the TV and what was on???  Christmas from the Marble Collegiate Church in New York.  I don't know anything about that church, but let me tell you that their rendition of O Holy Night and Silent Night brought me to tears.

I don't think I have ever cried at 5:45 in the morning before.  I am still crying.  I am so blessed!!!

And I feel thankful.  I am thankful for another Christmas.  63 of them so far!!!  I am thankful for God's love and for every person that has ever loved me.

Last night at Ft Pierce First UMC we had a lovely Candlelight Service.  The choir was the bomb!  The sermon was great!  At the end we sang Silent Night.  It reminded me of all the years that we sang it in Princeton and Woods Chapel.  I cried last night as I thought of all of those years of Christmas Eve, and I thought of all of you who loved me over the years.  And I cried as I thought of my new friends in Florida who have welcomed me and loved me and made me a part of their church family.  It was a Holy Night for sure.  

We may have to cover our faces, but no one can make us cover our hearts.

I love you all and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

The discipline of acceptance

A friend asked me to listen to a pod cast.  It was an interview with a pastor named John Mark Comer.  One of the things that he was talking about was slowing down your life.  Decluttering your life.

He spoke of the discipline of acceptance.  Usually we think of spiritual disciplines as prayer, fasting and Bible study.  But there are many others such as solitude, meditation and evidently acceptance.

By acceptance, he means to train ourselves to learn to accept what we cannot change.  When we fight and fight in life to get things the way that we want them, we never find peace.  There are some things that we just cannot change.

My parents are deceased.  I can't change that.

My daughters moved away.  I am not in charge of that.

I want my gall bladder back.  Too bad.

My hair is falling out.  Nothing I can do.

What Comer calls acceptance, St. Ignatius calls independence and  freedom.  It is also what the French mystics called detachment.  A finding of freedom, by letting go of the outcome.  Just learning to live with out trying to control things.

We can fuss and fight over every little thing in life that doesn't go our way, or we can make friends with the difficulties and come to peace with them.

This week of Christmas may you find a slower pace and a peaceful heart.

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

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sermon audio from 12-20-20

 Good morning.  Here is the link from the sermon from last Sunday if you want to listen.

Have a great day!!!

Click here to listen

Paul Harvey - letter from God

 This has been around for a while, as Paul Harvey died in 2009.  I had never heard it before.  Thanks to my friend Bruce for sending it along.  If you would prefer to hear Paul Harvey's voice read it, the link is here:

Click here to hear Paul Harvey read the letter

My Dear Children (and believe me, that’s all of you),

I consider myself a pretty patient Guy. I mean, look at the Grand Canyon. It took millions of years to get it right. And how about evolution? Boy, nothing is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by cell and gene by gene. And I’ve even been patient through your fashions, civilizations, wars and schemes, and the countless ways you take Me for granted until you get yourselves into big trouble again and again.

I want to let you know about some things that are starting ticking me off.

First of all, your religious rivalries are driving Me up a wall. Enough already! Let’s get one thing straight: These are your reli­gions, not Mine. I’m the Whole Enchilada; I’m beyond them all. Every one of your religions claims there’s only one of Me (which, by the way, is absolutely true). But in the very next breath, each religion claims it’s My favorite one. And each claims its bible was written personally by me, and that all the other bibles are man-made. Oh, Me. How do I even begin to put a stop to such complicated nonsense?

Okay, listen up now: I’m your Father and Mother, and I don’t play favorites among My Children. Also, I hate to break it to you, but I don’t write. My longhand is awful, and I’ve always been more of a “doer” anyway. So all your books, including the bibles, were written by men and women. They were inspired men and women, remarkable people, but they also made mistakes here and there. I made sure of that, so that you would never trust a written word more than your own living Heart.

You see, one Human Being to me — even a Bum on the street — is worth more than all the holy books in the world. That’s just the kind of Guy I Am. My Spirit is not an historical thing, it is alive right here, right now, as fresh as your next breath.

Holy books and religious rites are sacred and powerful, but not more so than the least of You. They were only meant to steer you in the right direction, not to keep you arguing with each other, and certainly not to keep you from trusting your own personal connection with Me.

Which brings Me to My next point about your nonsense: You act like I need you and your religions to stick up for Me or “win souls” for My Sake. Please, don’t do Me any favors. I can stand quite well on my own, thank you. I don’t need you to defend Me, and I don’t need constant credit. I just want you to be good to each other.

And another thing: I don’t get all worked up over money or politics, so stop dragging My name into your dramas. For example, I swear to Me that I never threatened Oral Roberts. I never rode in any of Rajneesh’s Rolls Royces. I never told Pat Robertson to run for president, and I’ve never ever had a conversation with Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of course, come Judgement Day, I certainly intend to…

The thing is, I want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort of loyalty pledge to Me. The true purpose of your religions is so that you can become more aware of Me, not the other way around. Believe Me, I know you already. I know what’s in each of your hearts, and I love you anyway with no strings attached. Lighten up and enjoy Me. That’s what religion is best for.

What you seem to forget is how mysterious I Am. You look at the petty little differences in your scriptures and say, “Well, if this is the Truth, then that can’t be!” But instead of trying to figure out My Paradoxes and Unfathomable Nature — which, by the way, you never will — why not open your hearts to the simple common threads of every religion?

You know what I’m talking about: Play nice with one another. Love and respect everyone. Be kind. Even when life is scary or confusing, take courage and be of good cheer, for I Am always with you. Learn how to be quiet, so you can hear My Still, Small Voice (I don’t like to shout). Leave the world a better place by living your life with dignity and gracefulness, for you are My Own Child. Hold back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die will, and the parts that can’t, won’t. So don’t worry, be happy (I stole that last line from Bobby McFerrin, but who gave it to him in the first place?)

Simple stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated? It’s like you’re always looking for an excuse to be upset. And I’m very tired of being your main excuse. Do you think I care whether you call me God, Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Wakantonka, Brahma, Father, Mother, or even The Void or Nirvana? Do you think I care which of My Special Children you feel closest to — Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed or any of the others? You can call Me and My Special Ones any name you choose, if only you would go about My business of loving one another as I love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple?

No I’m not telling you to abandon your religions. Enjoy your reli­gions, honor them, learn from them, just as you should enjoy, honor, and learn from your parents. But do you walk around telling everyone that your parents are better than theirs? Your religion, like your parents, may always have the most special place in your heart; I don’t mind that at all. And I don’t want you to combine all the Great Traditions into One Big Mess. Each religion is unique for a reason. Each has a unique style so that people can find the best path for themselves.

But My Special Children — the ones your religions revolve around — all live in the same place (in My Heart) and they get along perfectly, I assure you. The clergy must stop creating a myth of sibling rivalry where there is none.

My Blessed Children of Earth, the world has grown too small for your pervasive religious bigotries and confusion. The whole planet is connected by air travel, satellite dishes, telephones, fax machines, rock concerts, diseases, and mutual needs and concerns. Get with the program! If you really want to help Me celebrate the birthday of My Son Jesus, then commit yourselves to figuring out how to feed your hungry, clothe your naked, protect your abused, and shelter your poor. And just as importantly, make your own everyday life a shining example of kindness and good humor. I’ve given you all the resources you need, if only you abandon your fear of each other and begin living, loving, and laughing together.

Finally, My Children everywhere, remember whose birth is honored on this day you call Christmas, December 25th, and the fearlessness with which He chose to live and die. As I love Him, so do I love each one of you. Now, I’m not really ticked off, I just wanted to grab your attention because I hate to see you suffer. But I gave you Free Will, so what can I do now other than to try to influence you through reason, persuasion, and a little old-fashioned guilt and manipulation? After all, I Am the original Jewish Mother. I just want you to be happy, and I’ll sit in The Dark. I really Am, indeed, I swear, with you always. Always. Trust In Me.

Your One and Only,
GOD 

In His Time

I have known many well meaning Christians in my life who love to talk about "God's promises." Personally, I am not a fan of the song, "Standing on the Promises."

In effect what some folks are doing, is selecting a particular scripture and determining that this is a promise from God that can be claimed by them. They think that if we believe hard enough and have enough faith, that God is forced to abide by the promise.

There are several problems with this kind of thinking:

1. No consideration is give to the context of the supposed promise.
2. Reality does not bear up the infallibility of such promises.
3. God cannot be forced to do anything.

A good example of such a promise is Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I remember a young mother telling that she was claiming this promise. The problem is that this statement was made to Old Testament Israel, not to American Christians. Over the years, even though she continued to stand on this promise, her family has had all kinds of trouble. Did she not believe enough?

Now let me shift gears. There is at least one passage of scripture that I do consider a promise. In Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He makes all things beautiful in His time."

I have a friend, Lynn who ends each email with the phrase, "everything will be all right in the end. If things are not all right, then this is not the end."

I don't believe that we can control God. I don't believe that we can manipulate him by claiming promises. I believe that we live and we die. Some have beautiful lives of privilege. Others have lives filled with pain. We don't know why one life goes one way and why another life goes another. But we can trust God in all things and know that in the end, it will be beautiful. In the end, everything will be ok. God makes all things beautiful in His time.

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

Someone asked me the other day, what makes a church a cult?

I would answer this way... There are several notable characteristics of a cult.

1. They believe that their way is the only way.
2. And, related to #1, If you are not in their group, then you are out.
3. Control is exerted on the members. People are pressured and guilted to stay in the group.
4. Members of the group are pressured and manipulated to do things that they may not want to do.
5. If you leave, you are shamed and shunned.
6. There is no accountability to a higher authority.

If you are in such a group, get out.  I can tell you from experience that it is not easy to leave, but the sooner you start the journey of departure, the better.  You will learn to love the feeling of freedom.

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

A young man grew up in our church.  He is the age of, and friends with my children - thirty something.  Five years ago he got married.

Last week he and his wife went to the hospital to have their first child.  There were complications.  The baby died.  The next day their were more complications.  His wife died.

A young man who went to the hospital with hopes and excitement for an expanded family, went home alone.

Horrible.  Brutal.  Inconceivable. Grief.  We are all grieving with him and his extended family.  Please pray for him.

Grief.  We want to fix it.  It cannot be fixed.  Don't try to fix people who are grieving.  Everyone has a right to grieve.  They have a right to feel what they feel and to work through it in their own way.  This is not a time for platitudes or foolish statements about God's will.  This is a time for love.  This is a time for hugs.  This is a time to sit with the grieving person and just be there.  Nothing needs to be said.  Nothing can be said.  Any words are just foolish.

If you get a chance to be there for a grieving person, just be there.  Don't try to fix things.  Just let your soul sit with their soul.

No place

Luke 9:58
“Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

Yesterday Dick and I delivered sandwiches to the homeless in Ft. Pierce. Often it is a fun time when we talk to the mostly guys. Dick and I joke around a lot.

Yesterday was different. I was overcome with a feeling of sadness that these folks have no place to go at night. What ever their story, however they got to this place in life, it is just very sad that they don't have a house or a bed or a pillow.

We met a new young woman at the park who had been cutting herself. Moved with compassion, Dick went back to her and gave her his number at the church. [see attached photo]

The world would be a better place if there was more empathy and compassion.  And you know we can't do much to encourage compassion in others, but we are personally responsible for the level of compassion that we personally show.

The world needs more kindness.

The Kettle

Yesterday I went to the grocery store.  A mother and son were ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.  The boy was about 5 years old.

I got out a dollar.  I never pass a kettle.  I had the dollar in my hand and the young man reached out his hand.  I gave him the dollar and he put it in the kettle.  Then he offered me a small wrapped candy cane.

I asked his name.  Eli.

I said, Eli, why don't you keep this candy cane and eat it later if that is ok with your mom.  He looked at mom.  Mom nodded her approval.  He got a big smile on his face.  I said Merry Christmas.  They said Merry Christmas.

As I walked away I heard Eli say, "Mom, I like that guy."

Moral of that story... It is not that hard to be liked.  A little kindness goes a long way.

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

Thankful for...

 The other day I was talking to a couple of ladies at church about making some phone calls.  One agreed to help, the other said that she would love to help but that she only has one working vocal cord and it is very hard for people to understand her over the phone.

I inquired about her story.

She said that she woke up one day and could not talk.  No one could figure out why.  After about three weeks, the doctor got one of the vocal cords to work.

I thought to myself.... "Wow.  I have never woken up in the morning and said thank you God that I can talk."  I know that this woman has.

And I wonder about all of the things that we should be thankful for that we don't even think about.

Thank you God that I can talk.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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Do we really want to learn?

 So I was sitting in my office at church the other day and my eyes fell onto the shelf which holds my favorite books.

• Illusions by Richard Bach
• Walking on Water by Anthony DeMello
• The Orthodox Heretic by Peter Rollins
• The Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

I thought of how many times I recommended these books to people.  I thought of how many of these books I had given to people.

Many went unread.  I think that many people, many pastors, want to do better, but won't read to improve.  I myself would sometimes fall into that category.  We just think we know what to do.  We know best.  We don't need someone to hold our hand.  Pastors can be particularly guilty of this because they feel called or they feel that God leads them.  No outside help is needed.  Even when they see that they are failing, they often will not seek to change.  We are all just creatures of habit.

So I appeal again to myself and to anyone who reads this... Read things from time to time.  Listen to a pod cast.  Come to believe that others can help you and actively try to glean lessons from them.

Most of my aha moments came from the work of others.  I should be reading more.  We are never to old to grow.

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

back row - Gary Vaughn, Doug Hawley, me, Kent Chappelow, Stu Elliott, Jon Cundiff
Front row - Bruce Letner, Joe McMurtrey, Robin Fisher, and Darren Evans
Not pictured, Matt Swanson

I had a dream last night.

I was in Kansas City.  I was in Home Depot.  I started to run into guys from church that used to play in our softball league.  At the height of our softball heyday, we had 12 teams in a league, all from our church.  I find it hilarious that the teams were all named for roadkill.  The Snappers, the Armadillos, the Porcupines, the Woodchucks, etc.

Among the guys that I ran into in my dream were Tyler Stephenson, Paul Dodds, and three others who remained unidentified.  

We chatted softball.  We chatted the old days.  We chatted the glory days.  Bruce Letner used to tell me that we would play until we were 70.  I had to quit at 55 because my knee could no longer take it.

Oh, the fun we had playing ball, hanging out and telling stories.  I am smiling as I write of it now.

And here is the beautiful thing.  The past may be in the past, but no one can take the past from you.  No one can rob you of the memories.  And when you meet your old friends from your old memories, whether in person or in a dream, it all comes back.

I thank God for every person that I have known that was a delightful part of my past.  If you are reading this, you are probably one of them.  Or you could be a part of my present as well.

I thank God for good friends and good times.

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

When I was 20 years old, my Pastor was Wayne Bateman. Wayne has gone on to be with the Lord, but when he was alive on this earth he had a really big heart for God.

I ran across this song the other day that he loved to sing. I found the words comforting, especially in the time of a pandemic.

Just to have a touch Lord from you
It'll help in hard trials I go through
Tho dark may be the night
It brings a ray of light
When I get a touch lord from you

O Lord in you I know I have a friend
You promised you’d go with me to the end
When night begins to fall
And I hear your gentle call
Then I know I'll have a touch lord from you 

When this feeble heart will cease to beat
And they lay me in some flowery bound retreat
Though my body turned to clay
In the grave I shall not stay
I'll come forth at a touch lord from you

Just to have a touch Lord from you 
It'll help in hard trials I go through 
Tho dark may be the night 
It brings a ray of light 
When I get a touch lord from you 

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

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Thankful

 I have always loved cars.  I love to work on the motors and I love to drive them.  I have been fortunate with cars.  My Dad bought me my first car when I was 16.  It was a 63 Ford Galaxie that got 8 miles to the gallon and about the same on a quart of oil.  He gave $100 for it. It had 100,000 miles on it when I got it.  It was worn out, but I loved it.

Over the years we have had lots of different cars.  How nice it is as I have gotten older that we can afford newer cars that are more dependable.

I guess I tend to take having a car for granted.

Yesterday I drove into Ft. Pierce to work at the church.  I noticed a fellow riding a three wheeler about a mile from the church.  I didn't think much of it.

I met Dick for breakfast and then we were off for our Monday sandwich delivery.  Before we started our rounds, I had to stop by the grocery store to get some chips and tangerines.

When I came out of the store I was walking towards my car.  I noticed the man on the red three wheeler that I had seen earlier that morning.  He was loading groceries from his grocery cart into the basket on his trike.  He had rode over a mile [at least] to get groceries.  Then he had to ride home again.

I was struck.  I was struck by how difficult life is for so many, and how east it is for so many more of us.  

I stopped and looked at my car.  I suddenly felt what a privilege it was/is to own a dependable car.  I paused to give thanks for my car.

We have so much.  We have so much to be thankful for.

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

savoring

 A story is told about an American soldier serving during the Korean war.  He is homesick for his family and he loves Thanksgiving turkey.  He is delighted with a local South Korean couple takes him in for Thanksgiving day.  He is also thrilled as he sees that the meal they have prepared is Turkey and dressing.

As the meal goes along, he becomes lost in conversation with the couple.  When he is done eating, he discovers that he had not enjoyed the meal at all because he was lost in the conversation and did not pay attention to what he was eating.

I hope that yesterday you savored the people you were with and the meal.  We are so blessed in this country to have access to such nice food.

Today if you are eating leftovers, pay attention to them and give God thanks for whatever you are eating.  And don't forget to savor the people around you.  They are a gift as well.

Savor everything.

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

 Someone said they hoped I enjoyed a good Thanksgiving.  I wished them the same.

Then I had a thought.  I hope you enjoy Thanksgiving.  I hope you enjoy Friday, I hope you enjoy Saturday, Sunday, Monday and so on.

Each day is a gift from God.  If squandered, they will not come back to us.  The older we get, the fewer days we have left.

May you, may I enjoy every single day that God gives us.

Savor the moments.  Live in the present.  Give thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving, happy day to you.

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

It's all a part of it

I am just finishing Rob Bell's latest book, Everything is Spiritual. My friend Michael insisted that I get it and read it. I am glad that I did.

Like all of us, Rob has had his struggles. One of his struggles was dealing with the fact that he was once the pastor of a large church, and now he is not. The sense of loss in life can come to us in many ways, and often the wounds linger.

One of the statements that he makes in the book is this... "it's all part of it."

Great years playing softball, all part of it.
Not able to play anymore, all part of it.

Healthy skin, all part of it.
Giant scar across your belly from gall bladder surgery, all part of it.

Successes, all part of it.
Failures, all part of it.

Happy memories, all part of it.
Painful hurtful memories, all part of it.

Our life is a mosaic of many things. Some joyful, some not so joyful. I don't think that we dwell on the joyful times long enough, and conversely, I think we tend to linger far too long on the hurtful moments.

Here is the good news. Once we have moved thru the hurtful time, it can no longer hurt us, unless we choose to get stuck there. That thing that happened is really just another station on the railroad of life. It came and it went.

It's all a part of it.

May I, may we focus on the good that we can do today and release the hurts of the past. The good and the bad, it is all just a part of the timeline. It came and it went. Let's focus on today and make today beautiful.

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

We can become consumed by our worries and concerns.

What if this happens? What if that happens? Oh No, a pandemic. That person doesn't like me.

We can be consumed by our worries.

But Nature takes no notice of our worries.

The seasons still come and go. The wind still blows.  The tide still rolls in and goes out.  The stars still shine.  The fish still swim, and the birds still sing. When I remember that, it kind of puts my worries into perspective.

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

When we were young, we thought we found joy in taking things to ourselves. Now, later in life, we realize that joy, purpose, and meaning are found in giving ourselves away. My friend Kathy wrote to me about he experience of helping the needy.

We started making lunches for children in a program that helps the disadvantaged. We also deliver them to homeless men who live in the park. It is so good to reach out to our community and help those that are truly on the outskirts of the population. I made sure we include inspirational messages with the meals for those without homes at this time. You never know when the right word at the right time lifts someone up or changes their life. Today I watched a gentleman reach in his bag and read today’s msg. It is the Lord’s Prayer today.
He read it and folded it back again and placed it in his bag. Just maybe it made difference today Sandy and I both got misty eyed

Sandy and I shop from our other pocket for these individuals.

We are both excited about the program. We shop for items to round out a good lunch and even bring candy to share with them. Candy being the highlight evidently. We now provide bottled water, fruit, granola or a Little Debbie cake, nice sandwich and chips. They are getting to know us and are so grateful and kind to us. A smile says a lot and these people make me smile. We finally found the guy at the river front statue. Two weeks in a row we have provided his lunch bag. We joke and smile at each other and they say thank you to our church .
We are so fortunate now we have four volunteers showing up at 8:00 am Thursday morning to make these meals. I think they also find meaning in doing so.

It is a great world


Our lives get full when we do unto others.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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A Hidden Life

 I was watching the movie, A Hidden Life.  It is a story of an Austrian farmer, his wife and three daughters.  In the movie, he is called up to serve in Hitler's army and refuses.  He ends up in jail.  I won't ruin any more of it for you.

There are some beautiful pictures of love, family, and the struggle to do the right thing when so many around you are doing the wrong thing.

One of the lines that I loved in the movie finds him calling out to God and saying, "darkness is not dark to you."

I love that.  The things that we fear, God is not afraid of.  The things that scare us, do not scare God.  God is not afraid in the dark valley.

This is our Father's world.

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

Sermon audio from yesterday

 Click here to listen to yesterday's sermon on serving others

click here