focus on what you love

This is a thought from the book, "The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse as shared by my friend Kathy.

Sometimes life does feel out of control.  Especially as we grow older, there are so many things that happen.  Our children move away, age takes it's toll on our bodies.  There is often a growing sense of disconnection.  Unforeseen and unwanted change can do that to a person.

If you find yourself in such a spot, here is the advice from the book:  don't get lost in all of the crazy stuff.  Don't focus on it.  Look around, see what you love, give thanks for that and enjoy that.

There are plenty of things and plenty of people to love.  Let's let our hearts live there.

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

Awareness

Awareness... it is paying attention... seeing who you are and acting out of your best part...

From my friend Courtney...

When we start paying attention to how we affect others, we start changing our behavior.  What message are your words delivering?  What direction are your thoughts taking you?  Are you paying attention to the people that you are with???

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

more power

In response to yesterday's post, a friend wrote in and said, "When I read the word 'power' my first thought was, that power is the ability to invoke change.  I wish I had more power."

I think that this is a sentiment that all of us can share.  I wish I could help people understand.  I wish I could get people to listen.  I wish my kids...

I would simply say this... we all have power.  Make sure that you are using every bit of it at your disposal to affect positive change.

Don't fail to do something, just because you can't fix everything.

You can make a difference.

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

power

In moments of power, are you thinking about you and what you want?  Do you use your power to consume and control things to your benefit?

Or are you thinking about God?  Do you think about His justice and kindness?

This is the topic of the Sermon on May 31.  Stay tuned.

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

Yellowstone

I have been watching the series "Yellowstone." I picked up a great quote:

"It’s the shame that hurts the most, you know.
But shame is in the mind.
You can turn that faucet off whenever you want to."

I love it... As human beings, we can only think about one thing at a time. Let’s talk about Chief's football. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.  Whoop Whoop!!!

Then let’s stop and talk about war in Iran. Three aircraft carriers in the Middle East.  Do you notice how when I started talking about aircraft carriers you forgot about the Kansas City Chiefs?  We can only think about one thing at a time.  

When your mind is stuck feeling bad about who you are or what you’re doing, turn off that faucet, just start thinking about something else.  Like how much you are loved by 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

I missed Mother's Day

I apologize.  Yesterday was Mother's Day and I didn't say anything about Mothers.  

I don't know why... I am not a mother [and it is always about me right?]  My relationship with my mother was troubled until the very end.  I did get my wife a card.

I know that there are many many many great mothers and you all deserve to be honored.  Thank you.  Bless you.  Hugs to you.   We appreciate you so very much.

I guess we all have days when we miss something important.  I think that it is important to admit it when we miss the boat.  I will be sure to do better next year.

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 be noticed

From time to time, everyone needs to be noticed.  We were at a winery in Napa last week and I noticed this big fat bumble bee just walking on the ground.

A bee?  He might sting me.  Then I thought, why hurt him, he is after all, a beautiful creature of God.

I decided to just watch him and appreciate him.

Sometimes we are worried that people will hurt us, so we make a preemptive strike and crush them.  But let me just say that everyone needs to be noticed and appreciated from time to time.  Even me, even you.

Do no harm.  Do all the good that you can.

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

kindness again, kindness still...

"Love- Practice kindness every day to every one that you meet and you will soon realize that you are already in heaven now..."  Jack Kerouac

Thanks to my friend Bruce for sending this... and you know it is true... in this life, on this earth, we can create our own hell or our own heaven...

And from my friend Patricia...  "If you are going to be one thing on this earth, be kind."

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

to take or to give

To take or to give, how are you wired?  I think initially, we are all wired to take.  We love to make it about us.  But somewhere along the way, I hope that we wake up and move away from selfishness.

What is better?  To consume this life or to be good to others?  What feels better to you?  Taking may feel good initially, but in the long run, I think that learning to give, learning to live a generous life makes us feel much better as humans.

How are you wired???

Are you a consumer, or have you come to realize that you are here to help others???  Do you want to feel good about being alive today?  Find someone to be good to.

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

Tell me that I am ok

Sometimes we need someone to tell us that we are ok.

I called a friend.  He answered the phone.  He was out watching his son playing softball.  I said I’m sorry to interrupt.  We’ll talk another time.

The next day he called me and he asked what I wanted.  And I said I didn’t want anything.  I was just calling to hear your voice and have you tell me that I’m OK.

I thank God for the people in my life that tell me that I’m OK.  Personal connections in this life are so important.

And if you don’t have anyone in your life, that tells you you’re OK, call me and I will tell you that you’re OK.


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

A prayer for these times...

I got this from my buddy Bruce. The author is someone named Nadia Bolz-Weber.  Spoiler alert, it includes a bad word...


Dear God,

Not sure if you’ve noticed, but the world feels pretty unhinged at the moment.

Reading the news makes me feel powerless, angry, and terrified. And because I don’t want to feel like that all the time, I sort of zone out on TV and Instagram, which makes me feel better...for a minute. Then I just feel worse, because life is rare and precious and we only get so many hours, and I just spent 1.2 of them scrolling videos an algorithm picked out just for me, because apparently I’m both more predictable and more manipulable than I like to think.

So, I won’t ask for you to fix the world to suit me because better people than I have tried those prayers and they don’t work, so could you maybe just help me be in this world without letting it hollow me out quite so much?


And if you’re not going to just fix this shit (which, again, I assume you’re not), then could you help me to see where you ARE knitting together what I’ve unraveled, where you ARE ushering in reconciliation between people who have disappointed each other again, where you ARE quietly loving us into tomorrow?

And please let me know what I can do down here, even if it’s small. (And make it obvious please, because I tend to miss the subtle stuff).

Like what kindness I can offer that might not fix the world, but at least help another person survive this day on your Earth? And forgive me for not noticing how often other people are doing the same for me, because I’m too busy freaking out.

And if it’s not too much to ask, a few more good TV shows soon?

Amen.


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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

When is Cinco de Mayo this year?

When is Cinco de Mayo this year?

Today is Cinco de Mayo. Cinco = five. Mayo = May. The fifth of May.


I love to ask people, "when is Cinco de Mayo this year?" Many people recognize it as a holiday but do not understand that it is date specific. Much like someone from another culture might hear that we celebrate a holiday called July 4th. If the words July and fourth don't translate well into their language, they might not know it was a specific day.

Did you know that Cinco de Mayo is not celebrated very much in Mexico? [I have readers who disagree with this]  Cinco de Mayo is actually a fabricated holiday for Americans to drink margaritas and have a party.

It is also not the Mexican day of Independence. That is September 16th. Cinco de Mayo celebrates a Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, May 5th 1862.

Anyway, today is Cinco de Mayo. When is it next year?




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

Star Wars Day

Yes it is here again... Star Wars Day!

I remember when the original Star Wars movie came out. I was 19 years old at the time and visiting my friends in San Jose, California. I was there for two weeks. I saw the movie seven times during that visit.

Why is today Star Wars Day?

May the Forth be with 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

pay it forward

A friend gave me a ride to pick up my car from the mechanic.  I thanked him.  The next morning I sent a text thanking him again and offering to buy breakfast or lunch.

He said, you owe me nothing.  Pay it forward.

Do you pay it forward?  Do I?  Do I need to have something good happen to me before I pay it forward, or is it possible that I can start a cycle of kindness by just doing gracious things for people.

Who will you bless today?

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

generosity for anyone

Generosity.  I think that we think that it is only done by and only for the wealthy.  Today, I file a disagreement.  I think that generosity is practiced by generous people, regardless of the size of their bank account.

The other day I took an uber.  The driver and I had a good talk.  She told me about her life and about the kind of people that ride with her.

Uber charged me $20 for the ride.  She was paid $4 by Uber.  This is why we should always leave a nice tip for an Uber or Lyft driver.

She told me about how she knows all of the homeless people in town.  They don't own cars, so the have to Uber sometimes when the bicycle isn't enough.  She told me about how she always takes them to Wendy's or McDonalds and buys them a sandwich.

Here is a person who does not have much in terms of the world's wealth, but has a very generous heart.

We don't have to wait to win the lottery to live a generous life. 

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

for a reason???

My Pastor said it last Sunday... "never say, everything happens for a reason."  I totally agree with him.  When a human says, "everything happens for a reason," they think that they are honoring God but actually they are doing the opposite.

They are insulting God and making him the cause of childhood cancer, murder and rape.  My wife worked for three years in the Neuro-Blastoma ward at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.  During that time, scores of children came through with that disease.  Every one of them died.  Did God do that?

When humans say that everything happens for a reason, we are also minimizing God, boiling him/her/it down to something that can be controlled and understood by the human mind.

Life is a mystery.  Pat little answers are not helpful.  Sometimes things happen.  Sometimes bad things happen.  That does not mean that God is the cause of these things.  He does not bring us evil, he stands with us in our pain.

There is often something that we can learn from difficulty, but please do not blame God for every thing that happens.  He stands with us each day that we are alive on this earth.

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

dealing with grief

Not to diminish anyone's grief.  We have all had it, and we will certainly have more in the future.  This is a quote from the Paramount+ show "The Madison"

"After grief, you will have as much life to live as you allow yourself.  Or you will have none.  You have to give yourself permission to move on."

In other words, we control how we respond to what happens in our life.   Yes there are painful things, but if we let them take over our entire being, we are no good for us, no good for our family, no good for God, no good for anyone.

Allow yourself to live and love.

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

Negativity

Oh, the negative impact of negativity...

Consider all of the negativity that has been poured into so many of us.  Some of it came from our parents, some of it came from our churches...

• you are bad
• you are a sinner
• you will go to hell
• you better not do that
• do not embarrass me
• do not veer from the straight and narrow
• do not break the rules
• be good or else

After a while, after enough of this kind of indoctrination, our inner voice is no longer the voice of God's love, but the guilt laden tapes that came from our parents and our high demand churches.

It is time for the voice in our head to change... It is time for us to learn to hear the voice of God...

• I love you
• you are worth it
• you are forgiven
• you are loved, just as you are
• you are good
• life is good, enjoy it, live it
• be happy in your heart
• you are loved

If your brain is filled with negativity and worry, you can change it.  Just start working on reminding yourself of what God says about you.  It takes time, but you can reprogram your brain.  You can come to actually believe that you are loved by 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

take a breath

I got this from my friend Bruce...

And so I comment on this meme.  First of all, the woman reminds me a bit of Mary Weden.  

But the message is good.  Most of us worked so hard along the way trying to accomplish something, that we did not understand that simply just living was the gift.

Hopefully in retirement, we can take a breath and enjoy the journey.

And if you are younger, like my friend Abby, please take time to enjoy more of life along the way... more than I did.

It is too easy to live on auto-pilot/cruise control.  Instead, look to see the sunsets.  Smell the roses.  Hug a friend!!!

No achievement is more important than the joy and life that we find along the 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

We all have our bias

A Bias is the filter that you use to see the world.  [if you don't think that you have them, open your eyes]

I listened to a pod-cast that was talking about how we grow as humans.  It said that one of the largest detriments to growth was our various biases.  

The first bias that we face is our "affinity bias."  This means that we tend to surround ourselves with people that we have an affinity for.  We surround ourselves with people like us.  The problem with this behavior is that it insulates us from the rest of life.  We never grow if our contacts are just the same as we are.

The second bias that we face is the "confirmation bias."  This is when we only read books that support our current view of the world.  [ie.  a fundamentalist church would not carry Rob Bell in their bookstore because he is "too liberal"]  Again, if we are controlling the information that comes to us by only allowing in ideas that confirm what we already believe, how will we ever grow?

The third bias is the "systems bias."  This is being a part of a church or a family system that works hard to keep things the status quo.  If it doesn't fit into the church or family system it is dangerous and it is out!!!

Friends, if we are not open to new ideas, if we are not open to other ideas, if we are not open, why is that?  Are we afraid that someone will disrupt our nice perfect boxed in life?  

A life lived without input from outside sources is not a life.  It certainly is not a pursuit of truth.  A life lived without interface with outside sources is simply an ego defense project.

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 version may not be correct...

Early Christianity had many versions. What emerged as “orthodox” is the version that came out of the Roman church. The Roman version was selected as correct because the Emperor Constantine was of that flavor.  All other versions were labeled as heretical.  Followers of other versions were converted or killed and their books were burned.

Nestorians believed that Jesus had distinct human and divine persons rather than a mix or joining of the two natures.

Arians believed that Jesus was not eternal from the beginning but was created by God and thus not co-eternal.  There are groups that still believe this today.

Ebionites believed that Jesus was a man who was adopted to become the Son of God.  There were many adoptionist groups in the first century and they are still around today.

Docetic Christians believed that Jesus did not have a real body but was more like a phantom. He only appeared to be human.

Montanists believed in new prophetic revelations. [the church’s doctrine was not complete but the Holy Spirit could bring new revelations.]

Marcionites believed that the God of the Old Testament was a different God than the God of the New Testament.  Many people believe this today.

Monophysites believed that Jesus did not have a human nature, only divine.

Gnostics believed in a special secret knowledge that was only revealed to them.  You had to have the special knowledge to be “in.”

You can see that some of these outlawed beliefs are alive and well today.  My point in writing all of this is that there is no reason to argue or be concerned about methods of baptism, the virgin birth, if Jonah really got swallowed or just about anything that Christians and Pastors insist that you believe.  There is no reason for any church to insist that their way is right or “this is what you should believe.”

When all of those trappings are rejected, what is left is the opportunity to follow Jesus into a life of love.  What a relief!!!  We don’t have to worry anymore about getting it right or believing the right things.  We just need to apply ourselves to loving God and loving others.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

our expectations bring misery

Happiness is your current situation, minus your expectations.

Most religions teach that desire is the cause of suffering.  If I want something to be different, if I pine for change, If I worry about whatever it is.  I will naturally see my current situation as not good enough.

But, when I drop my expectations, when I choose to be ok with whatever is currently happening, well then happiness naturally rises to the top.

The only thing that robs me of happiness is my desire for more.

Think of how our lives would change for the better if we looked at what we have and finally agreed that "it is enough."  What we have is enough.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see 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 info on the Canada/New England Cruise

keeping costs down

So this blog post is a reminder that the daily posts will be about anything and everything.

I am frugal. If you need some help with your budget, I am available for free advice.

It has been my job to pay the bills for 40 years. Guess what???  Companies have found very interesting ways to lure you in with a low rate and then come back later and hit you with a bigger charge.

I am routinely fighting with various providers to keep their costs down. The cable company, the Internet company, the TV subscription.  My latest free for all was with the AAA.

We have been members of AAA for 17 years. Believe me, between Alli's flat tires, and towing various cars to the shop, it has been well worth the cost.

Anyway, an automatic renewal came through at $245 which was a lot more than we paid last year. I was upset. I lost sleepover it and I was angry about it. So finally, I called them and a nice lady answered the phone and I told her what was going on. She said "well we have a promo to fix that." Basically they don’t want you to threaten to quit. She took $90 off the bill.  All I had to do was call...

So I suddenly got over myself and I was happy. The point of this story is this... if you’re fighting against a provider, tell them that you’re gonna cancel and you will be surprised what they will do to keep your business.  When you call them ask for the customer retention department.

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

appreciating life

Do you have an "almost" story?  I do.

It was 1971.  I would turn 14 that summer.  The last day of school was a Thursday. We lived a few blocks from the school so I always walked or rode my bike.  That day on the way home, I felt a stiffness and a soreness in the back of my neck.

Over the next eight days I would lay in the house and get worse and worse.

In my family, you didn’t get to go to to the doctor unless there was a bone sticking out.

I was so sick and weak.  I begged my mother to take me to the doctor.  Finally on the following Friday, my mom and my sister carried me to the car.

The doctor took one look at me and sent me to the hospital.  They did a spinal tap and confirmed that I had meningitis.

Back then, there weren’t a lot of worries about privacy and there were set visiting hours.  The Doctor told my mother right in front of me that the next 24 hours would tell whether I would live or die.

Obviously I lived.  And oh, have I enjoyed most of the 55 years since then.

Stories like this remind us that life is precious.  We never know when our time is up.  Dear friends, appreciate each day that God gives you.  Today is a gift... that is why they call it the present.

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

Coping skills

We all have a tool box of coping skills.  When we are young, the box is pretty empty.  Over time, I hope that we will collect ideas and abilities that will help us in difficult times because when things get tough, our coping skills can be stretched.

A financial issue.  A death in the family.  A divorce.  All of these things and many other things can bring an amount of stress and discomfort that we are unprepared for and challenge our coping skills.

If you find yourself in such a place, here are some thoughts about expanding our coping skills:

1. Number one recognize that the problem doesn’t have to own you. Your life is bigger than whatever is going on. 
2. Secondly stay busy - keep your mind off of the problem. Don’t let it absorb all of your time and eat your lunch emotionally. 
3.  Do something physical... take a walk.
4. Focus on one issues at a time.  Agree that the other issues will be there when you get back... put them on the shelf and work on one at a time. 
5. Practice prayer and meditation.... sit by a fire, sit by a fountain, spend some time in God's creation.  I used to go up to the church and just sit in the sanctuary all by myself.
6. Talk to a friend.
7. Repeat.

I know that some of you are facing some tough stuff.  I love you and I am praying for you.

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

Let's stop blaming others

From Father Richard Rohr's post on Palm Sunday...

"The human delusion seems to be this: We think someone else is always the problem, not ourselves. We tend to export our hate and evil elsewhere. In fact, this problem is so central to human nature and human history that its overcoming is at the heart of all spiritual teachings.... 

Human nature always wants either to play the victim or to create victims—and both for the purposes of control. In fact, the second follows from the first. Once we start feeling sorry for ourselves, we will soon find someone else to blame, accuse, or attack...."

Jeff's thoughts... it is human nature to try to deflect responsibility away from ourselves and toward others.  Blaming others gets me off the hook.  But, we almost always play a role in difficult situations.  Being honest with ourselves about our actions is a big step toward healing and living a congruent life.

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

silence

A friend shared this quote with me...

"Silence isn't awkward, it allows the soul time to breathe."

I don't know the original source, but I love it.  So many of us are in such a hurry, going and doing, that we never stop to relax and let our brain and soul meet up again.

Don't feel awkward about moments of silence.  Sit by the fire, sit by the fountain, stop and listen to the gentle wind blowing.

Busyness separates us from ourselves.  Quiet and solitude restores us.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see 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 God knows, what God causes

A friend of mine wrote in with some questions about what God causes, what God controls, and the role of free will... I wrote back to him...

Hello Brother,

I am finally writing to you. Sorry it has taken me so long to reply.

Let me say that your question is complicated, or many Christians make it complicated and I am not sure that my answer is that helpful, but it does help me.

The questions about God controlling, God knowing, God causing, free will vs predestination, well they go back a long way. To many Christians, the answer to these questions are important. They have led to many books being written about how to understand these things theologically. There are many different answers that people come up with. This is one of the reasons that there are so many denominations.

Personally, I don’t think about such things very much anymore.

I would encourage a person to ask themselves a question about what they believe about God. Like fundamentally, how do we view Him/Her/It/God?

· Is God wrathful?
· Is God controlling?
· Is God loving…

I have come to believe, and it is simply a choice for me, I have come to believe that God is loving. Consequently, I don’t think in terms of what he knows or what he controls. I spent so many of my early years worrying, I just don’t want to do it anymore. My years of worry only hurt others, and hurt me as well.

These days, I think in terms of what he loves and how he shows that love.

If my brain is filled with thoughts about God being angry or wrathful, or controlling… my brain becomes filled with worry. Am I doing it right? What if I am not? Will he send me to hell? This creates an endless cesspool of worry and fear, and many Christians live there their entire lives.

When I think of God as loving, I just wake up in the morning and I am happy because I am loved. I don’t worry about my mistakes or failures. I just wake up in the morning and say thank you. I go about the rest of my day trying to love people. For me it is simply, it feels good, and it makes me happy. It helps me love God and love others.

I’m not sure this answers the questions that you posed, but this line of thinking satisfies those concerns for me.

All the best…

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

 

Am I better than God?

Well that sure is a dumb title for a blog post... but here goes...

If you are like me, you have heard your whole life that if you don't do the Jesus thing just right, you are going to be sent to hell... [really?  who believes that God is like that?]

Anyway, my sister who is a kind and gracious person, but does not go to church, will she go to hell?  I would not send her there myself.

And Mahatma Gandhi, a famously kind human... is he going to hell?  Well I would not send him there.

So am I kinder than God?  Am I more gracious than God?  

Maybe the issue here is that we have our beliefs about God all wrong.  He/She/It is not sending my sister, or Gandhi or you or me to hell.

If God loves us, we have paradise to look forward to, just like the thief on the cross.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see 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 info on the Canada/New England Cruise

just because you were taught it, doesn't mean that it is true...

You have been told your whole life that this is blue. Your parents told you, your pastor told you, your friends told you. It has been completely ingrained in your life that this is blue.

You fall in line and drink the koolaid. Even though some of it doesn't add up to you, you don't ask questions. Don't rock the boat. Be a good Christian. Read the bible, go to church, give 10% and say your prayers. The world is this particular way.

Now the years have gone by and you are hearing new ideas. Maybe this isn't blue. Maybe my pastor was just trying to protect traditions from the past. Maybe my parents did not want me to make waves. Maybe no one had the guts to challenge the status quo. Maybe there is more Hiratio, than was dreampt of in your philosophies.

Some of the things that we were taught as children are not true. Green is not always blue. Don't throw away a new idea simply because it causes you to swim upstream. In fact, real learning never takes place until we take the plunge and go against the current.



It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see 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 info on the Canada/New England Cruise