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

This quote came in from my friend Bruce.


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

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


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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Things not to say

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

presence

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

People will follow

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

Children especially are watching how we treat others.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Our proper work

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

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

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

Our endless and proper work is to pay attention.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Nextdoor App

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

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

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

But some people, evidently, need to complain.

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Not that important???

Well I do not know what I did.

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

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

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

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

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

Simplify.  Crash your inbox on purpose.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Miserable

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

David Burns

David Burns passed away suddenly last week.  

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

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

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

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

He will be missed.

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Criticism

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

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

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

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

Let it roll off your back.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Who we value

My friend Bruce sent in this quote...

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

I love that!!!

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

tears for chocolate

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

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

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

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

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

A little kindness goes a long way.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

The one star house guest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Inherited ideas

Inherited ideas.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Grief

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Life is messy

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

violence in the Bible

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

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

1 Samuel 15:3


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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

letting go of hatred

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

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

Law Man – Bass Reeves

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Forrest Clay

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

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

Something to think about...

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

link to song "does God"

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

email signature

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

volunteers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

why do you believe?

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

1.  evidence... they have seen the evidence

2.  logic - it seems logical to them

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

indiscriminate

Love is indiscriminate.

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

We are frail

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

love like a banana tree

A poem by John Roedel...

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

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

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

                                John Roedel

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

- - - - - - - -

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

that doesn't make it bad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

what we express...

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

those who say...

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

july 19 - my moms birthday

Paul and Mary Brinkman
Julie and baby Jeff

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

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

Mom had her issues for sure.

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

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

It's an interesting thought.

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

everyone needs to cry

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

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

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

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

Sometimes we all need to cry.

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info