Where do we go when we die - part 2

This was supposed to post yesterday, but something came up that I thought I should address... See yesterday's post if you have questions.

Yesterday I wrote about how we go to heaven when we die.  Today I want to talk about the feeling that we have of not being able to reach our loved ones who have passed.  

The bible speaks of death and the afterlife as something that our current understanding cannot grasp.  There is a mist, a fog, a veil that keeps us here, living on earth and unable to see through to the other side.

But, it has been my experience that sometimes a brief window opens and we find a connection to someone who has made the final journey.  

Shortly after the passing of my dear friend Dan Horn I was working at a house in Blue Springs and a cardinal rested on the electrical line above me.  He stayed there and sang for 20 minutes.  I was so touched.  I was so blessed.  It was as if Dan was telling me that he was ok.

I have also over the years, a time or two, felt the presence of my parents.  It is like from time to time they are allowed to reach for us.

If you have ever had such experiences, they are really reassuring as they help us feel that our loved ones are ok.

If you haven't had such experiences, keep an open mind.  Just beyond our vision, just beyond our grasp, just beyond our understanding is the world of eternity.

I pray that your loved ones can bring you a moment of assurance and some peace to your heart.

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

I am 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

Mercy or Judgment???

Something happened yesterday.  And so, I wanted to say something about how we treat people.

James 2:13

"Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Because mercy triumphs over judgment."

The world needs less judgment and more understanding.  The world needs less accusations and more compassion.  The world needs less talking and more listening.  I have a friend who has found themselves in a difficult mess.  They have received questioning, judgment, accusations and nastiness.

 No one has compassionately offered to ask how they are doing. No one has offered to listen.

Grace isn’t just something we give when we feel like it.  Grace is something that needs to go out every day - every time, to every person, regardless of what the story is that that’s being told.

Every time in my life that I led with judgment, I regretted it later.  However, I have never regretted leading with grace.  The world needs more grace and less judgment.  What are you leading with?

Where can you show kindness to someone who is hurting?

There will always be those who judge.  The world needs more mercy.  Please choose to be one who delivers mercy.

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

Where do we go when we die?

I was thinking about this the other day.  Where do we go when we die.

Well, as a Christian, the easy answer is:  we go to heaven.  Personally, I don't believe in streets of gold and pearly gates.  I believe that these images are the attempts of mere humans to describe the indescribable.

What I do believe is that when we cross over the river of life, we will be taken into an ocean of love.  It will feel like coming home.  It's not that our questions will be answered, our questions will fall away.

I believe that we will find that peace, contentment, joy and bliss that we struggle to secure in this life.  What is a challenge to find on this earth, will be obvious in heaven.

My 2 cents.

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

I am 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

St. Patrick's Day humor

Dave Harris and Paul McClain

So in honor of St. Patrick, let's share a little humor...

What does an Irishman get after eating lots of Italian food?   Gaelic breath.

On St. Patrick's Day let us remember the bullet proof Irishman... Rick O'Shea.

And his cousin, the man who invented outdoor tables and chairs... do you remember his name?  Patty O'Furniture.

Why are there so few Irish lawyers?  Most Irishmen cannot pass the bar.

A man walked into a bar in New York and asked the barmaid for a beer and a packet of peanuts.
‘Oh. You must be Irish’, she replied.
The man was clearly offended and responded, ‘The cheek of you. Just because I order a drink you assume that I’m Irish.
If I ordered Spaghetti would you that make me Italian?!’
‘No’ she replied. ‘But this is a post office…'”

Humor is good.  Enjoy your day!!!

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

I am 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

The alarmist media

I get so frustrated when I listen to the news.  Sometimes even listening to the weather can be frustrating.  It is like the news anchors and weathermen/women need to keep everyone on edge.  I know that they are reading from teleprompters, but they seem unable to describe things in any way other than highly stressful.

It's not just going to snow, it's going to be a terrible storm.  They predict a foot and it snows and inch.  Is there ever an apology?

It's not just a war, munitions are raining down on middle east countries.  Well the fact of the matter is, when this was reported last week, several hundred missiles and drones were launched but only a very few made it through.

"This is the  worst since..."  

And they never apologize when they are wrong.

It is like the news media wants to keep everyone on edge and upset.

I personally, do not want to be on edge or upset.  I want to wake up, be happy and enjoy the gift of life.  Sometimes, I just have to turn the news off.

Don't be sucked into worrying because of what you see on the news.  God is with us.  Life is good.  Smile.  Be happy.  

All is well.

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

I am 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

Steeple Down

This is one of my favorite stories.  In 2015 a big storm blew through Lees Summit, MO.  A church up the street from us had their steeple blown over.

We knew this church well.  We had received members from them and we had probably lost some to them as well.

We inquired about the insurance deductible.  It was $1,000.  Our missions department authorized a check to cover this.  It was my pleasure to deliver it to the church leadership.

You know, it could have been our steeple.

I love the stories of how individuals help others.  In this case, one church helped another.  Anytime we help someone else, it is good for them and good for us.  It makes us feel good to bless others.

Someone around you has had a storm blow through their life.  What can you do to help them?

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

I am 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

A long long time ago...

I was consolidating some pictures and found these.  I just wanted to share...

A long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...

It was 1971.  I was 14.  I was going to a Halloween dance at the Christian Church.  I danced to the long version of Ina-gagda-da-vida.  I won the costume contest.  I remember it all to this day.

It was 1974.  We lived in San Jose, Calif.  I was 17.  During the summer on a day off of work, I rode my bike 30 miles up Mt. Hamilton to see Lick Observatory.  I remember it to this day.

I am in the front.  My roommate Dallas Moore is in the dark sweats.  We played intramural soccer in college.  This would be 1977 or 78.  In one game I got 3 goals!!!  

Fun times!  You may not enjoy seeing this, but it does my heart good to look back and remember. 😊😊😊

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

I am 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

make things ok

Make things ok.  Be ok.  It is your choice.  Either you can create a panic by panicking or you can bring calm by being calm.

Everything is OK.  Everything may not be going the way that I want it to go, but everything is OK. Good leaders remind others that everything is OK.

The world needs more people who are a "non-anxious" presence.  Non-anxious people bring a very important presence to the room, especially in times of struggle and fracture.   Don't contribute to the cesspool of worry.  Take a deep breath... Look people in the eye and tell them, "everything is ok."

I have a friend Lynn who ends her emails with this phrase, "in the end, everything will be ok. If everything is not ok, then it is not the end."

I'm OK, You're OK. Everything is OK.  Remind yourself.  Remind others.

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

I am 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

learning to drive

 

I was driving in Annapolis MD on a job.  It was 730 am.   I recognized that my brain was evaluating a lane change.  My brain, all by itself, was instinctively working out the appropriate amount of time and space needed to move over behind the red car on my left.

I wondered… it all comes so naturally to me now.  But I remember when my Dad was teaching me to drive.  After several driving/teaching sessions he said to me, “son, you have the basics down. Now you just need to learn to drive so that other people are comfortable with you in the car.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant so I asked him to explain.   Evidently, my acceleration and braking was random and my steering was herky-jerky.  He told me to relax and practice to make it all smooth.

So how is your driving?  Are others comfortable in the car with you?  Better yet, how is your life?  Are you living in a way that others are comfortable around you?   Do you bring peace and calm to life’s moments?  Do you bring joy???

May we all learn to drive/live in a way that others are comfortable with us on the journey.

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

I am 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

Beaver

Stop.  If you are squeamish or have an inordinate love of all animals, stop.  Read no further.

If on the other hand, you have a moment for an interesting, almost hard to believe story, read on... keep in mind that I make no promises about the blog being inspirational or anything.  I just write about what is on my mind.  I was going thru some old pictures the other day and I found these and remembered the time when.........

If you would have told me that we would catch a beaver behind our house in Lees Summit, I would have said, no way!!! we lived at least 1/2 mile from the nearest creek or pond.

But here we go...

Some years ago when we lived in Missouri, there was some common area behind our house.  Lots of trees and a small water drainage stream.  The area was usually dry, but in the rainy season, it was fed by three [3] storm drainage pipes.

I used to keep an eye on the area because neighbors would often discard trash and brush there.  I hauled a lot of their junk off over the years.

One time I noticed that a number of the trees appeared to be chewed on, like a beaver would chew on them.  I also noticed what I thought was a small dam on the water drainage stream.  Could a beaver have made its way into this water retention area?  

I disturbed the dam and kept an eye on it.  The next day it was repaired.  I called the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and they sent out a man with a trap.

A few days later, he knocked on my door and showed me his catch...

chewed trees

Dam

Missouri Department of Natural Resources Truck

look what the trap caught!

He was a big boy.

I hate to see anything die, but nothing good was going to come to him or from him with him living down there.

I have always found this a particularly interesting story.

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

I am 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

also on the office door

I posted this picture yesterday and talked about the fortune cookie messages.  It occurred to me as  I  was working on the blog that there is/was another message on the office door.  You can see the dark green oval paper that is clipped to the right side.

This is a message that I clipped from a Christmas card.  It is a quote from the musical "The Sound of Music." 

I hope that you are familiar with the quote.  I hope that your brain has committed it to memory.  To me, it was valuable enough to clip on the office door.  Here is the quote:

"A bell's not a bell til you ring it, a songs not a song til you sing it.  Love in your heart wasn't put there to stay, love isn't love til you give it away."

I hope that you have love in your heart and I hope that you are giving it away, every day to every person that you can.

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

I am 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

Chinese food

I love Chinese food.   And it makes me happy that it is so good, so healthy for you.  [ha ha!!!]  Actually I only eat one dish on the menu. This is my order, every time - General Tsao's chicken, fried rice, no soup, crab Rangoon.  The people at the Panda Cafe used to know me by name.

I once asked one of the servers how to pronounce "General Tsao's chicken."  They laughed and said that I should just call it "General's chicken."

When I was at Woods Chapel, I taped a number of my favorite fortunes to my office door.   Here they are.   May you enjoy them as much as I did.

• Practice an attitude of gratitude.
• A great teacher never strives to explain his vision. He simply invites you to stand beside him and see for yourself.
• Follow your instincts when making decisions.
• You will finally solve a difficult problem that means much to you.
• People in your surroundings will be more cooperative than usual.
• Great things happen when men and mountains meet.
• It is a nice day.
• You will have a close encounter of a surprising thing.
• A friend is someone who knows the song of your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.
• Good timber does not grow with ease; the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees.
• Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.

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

I am 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

Canada and New England Cruise

I am announcing a trip in September next year.  It is a cruise to New England and Canada aboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas.

I have been on this ship many times and it is wonderful.

The cruise will visit... Boston - Portland, Maine - St. John's, New Brunswick - Halifax, Nova Scotia - Sydney, Nova Scotia and Cape May, New Jersey.

St. John's, New Brunswick

Bar Harbor Lighthouse, Bar Harbor, Maine

Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia

I have wanted to go on this cruise for years.  It is pretty affordable and I invite anyone who wants to join me to click the link for more information or to sign up.  Let me know if you have any questions.

click here for more info on the Canada/New England Cruise

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

I am 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

why attend church part 2

My friend Shawnna sent this in...


“The myth in modern life is that we can find meaning on our own.  That somehow, with enough books, enough meditation, enough self-discipline, we will unlock the mysteries of our existence, all from the safety of our own solitude.  However, the divine speaks most clearly in the spaces where our lives intersect, where we catch glimpses of ourselves in the lives of others.  Healthy spirituality demands that we engage with the messy, imperfect, uncomfortable work of community.  We must risk vulnerability, and disappointment.  Lest the only voice of God we ever hear is the one inside our head.”
                                               -David Gate

She said - This is why I attend a church. The community is where I see God. I can’t create that alone.

Jeff comments... totally agree.  We need each other in this 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

I am 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

Why I attend church

Why I attend church...  Heck.  I am retired.  I don't have to go.  I have heard and or preached almost everything that will come from the pulpit.

Why do I go?  Sometimes my pastor says something that I need to hear.  Sometimes, often, the music is good for my heart.  But most of all, I go because of people that I love there.  My friends, my besties, my connections.  Also I go to church because in doing so, I am a small part of blessing the world with missions ministries.  I could never do the shower ministry by myself.  I could never do the feeding programs by myself.  But by my activity and support of the church, I am a part of something much bigger, something that it takes a community to do.

I hope that you have found some connection in your local church.  In my experience, it is good for our soul.

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

I am 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

Bill Murphy

Bill Murphy passed a few days ago.  I want to take a moment to honor his life.   I loved Bill.  He was a handyman client, but he was also someone that I considered a friend.   He was always cheerful, often funny and very generous.  His wife Sharon, another fantastic human, likes to decorate for the holidays. Every time I was at their house to do some work, Bill would encourage me [within earshot of Sharon] to please take a Santa Clause or something home with me.  Whatever season it was, he would always encourage me to take something as to thin out Sharon’s collection.

Bill was a retired FBI agent. He devoted much of his life to making the world a better place.  I join Sharon and the family in grieving his loss.  And I so take this moment to celebrate his life.

May we all live in such a way that when we are gone, someone will celebrate the life that we delivered to this world. Thank you Bill for being you. You will be missed.

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

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

Click here for more information

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.]

Unfortunately, there are those of you that see this coming every year.  Some consider it one of my "signature" jokes.  A few would be disappointed if it did not show up on schedule.

If you are catching this little joke for the first time, I hope it makes you smile. Or at least grimace. Grimace. Get it???

Ronald McDonald and Grimace

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

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

Click here for more information

It's not the last days

So there is a war in the Middle East.  IT IS NOT THE LAST DAYS!!!

Every time there is a war in the Middle East, fundamentalists write books about the end of time.  Well meaning Christians buy them.  Sunday School classes study them.  I was at Woods Chapel for 22 years.  We had one class that would break out the latest end of time book every time there was a war in the Middle East.

THIS IS NOT THE END OF TIME.  It is just a war.  Just another war.  Like our invasion of Iraq.  Like so many others before.

Do you think the Jews thought it was the end of time when the Romans attacked Jerusalem in 66AD?  Sure they did.  Do you think that many thought it was the end of time when Hitler invaded Europe?  Sure they did.  Was it the end of time?  No.  It was just another war.

Sure, feel nervous if you like, but life will go on.  

Focus on living and stop worrying.  Today is a day that we get to live.  Don't waste it with concern about the future.  Pray for the soldiers.  Pray for the civilians that are in harms way.  Pray for peace.

But it is not the last days.  

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

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

Click here for more information

kids

Do you know why God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac when he was a boy?  Because if he would have been a teenager, it would not have been a sacrifice!!!

We survived teenagers.  We thought we kept a pretty tight ship when they were growing up, but we found out later that they had coordinated plans to sneak out of the house.  They would even push their cars up the street so that we would not hear them starting. 😐😐😐

I was looking for a charger to take on a trip as my last one had died.  I found this one from 20 years ago.  Guess what?  It still works.  And it is still in my possession.  I had to put a note on it declaring that it was mine.  This is because when they were teenagers, if they saw a charger, they just took it.

It is amazing that they have survived.  

Now my oldest, Allison, has 3 children.  I can't wait for the paybacks.  As my Dad used to say, "the mills of the Gods grind exceedingly slow, but they grind exceedingly fine."

Just wait Allison, your day is coming.  Soon your kids will have a popped tire and tell you they don't know how it happened.  Pretty soon these sweet faces will be sneaking out at night.  Soon they will be collaborating against you.

Enjoy the peaceful moments while you can.  And if you want to keep your posessions, you might want to start labeling the things that belong to 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

you can learn...

You can learn something from everyone, from anyone.

From some people you can learn character.  From others you can learn selfishness.  And by the way, if they are teaching you selfishness, learn to avoid it.

From some people you can learn kindness.  From others you can learn meanness.  And if they are teaching you meanness, be sure to see the results of their behavior and do the opposite.

You can learn something from everyone.  From some we learn what to do.  From others we learn what not to do.

Learn to follow them or learn to run the other way.

The trick is to keep it all straight in your brain so that you are taking to yourself the good stuff and letting the bad stuff roll off.

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

 

Do better for your children...

Do better for your children

You’ve read my stuff over the years and you’ve heard me complain about my parents and my upbringing.  It was rough.

But it wasn't all terrible.  One thing that my father insisted on, was that we all get through college.  And my parents sacrificed to make sure that happened.  The only time my mother ever worked was when we were in college and the one year that my dad was unemployed.

I of course took note of this.  When I was out of college and had a job with a steady paycheck, I went to visit my dad and I said, "Dad I know it cost you 20 grand to send me to college. I’d like to pay you back. Let’s work out a payment schedule."

I didn’t have any kids at the time, but he said "here’s how you’ll pay me back."  He said, "Do better for your kids than we did for you."

There’s a lot of ways that you can look at that statement.  Do better for your kids than we did for you.  But what I’ve always taken away most from that statement is to be healthier.  Be kinder, be normal, apologize, forgive them, be vulnerable.  Actually love them and make sure that they know you love them.  It was like he was saying, do for them what we did not do for you.

I’ve done my best to be the best dad I could to my children.
Perhaps in some way that is paying my father back for the sacrifices that they made to send me to college.

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

Pain

I was recently on a cruise ship and I ran into this fellow who had a tattoo that said, "pain reminds us that we are not dead."

I asked him the origins/purpose of that thought.  He told me that he had been in the army and that there were many difficulties to face:  loneliness, strenuous exercise, and just being challenged and stretched in general.

Pain reminds us that we are alive.  Some people, many people, hide from their pain.  They drink and drug it away.  They respond to it with anger as if their life should be pain free.

Hiding from pain is not a good long term solution.  To see your pain and accept it, is a healthy thing.  To absorb it, take it in and move on, that is healthy.  Pain is here.  It is around to stay.  But it is not the only story and it does not have to be the loudest story in your life.  There is still much good.

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

last words

I was watching a TV show where a guy was on his deathbed at the hospital. His kids were in the room with him, and he said his last words to his children. I wondered, what would be my last words to my children???

Hope it doesn’t happen for another 10 or 15 years, but these would be my last words:

"I love you so much! I am so proud of you! I am sorry for any failures along the way. You guys are fantastic! Hold your head up in life. Reach for the needy. Care about every single person that you meet along the way. You will find meaning and purpose in just showing daily kindness. I love you so much! I am so proud of you. Thank you for the privilege of being your Dad!"

While I think about it, we don't have to wait until our deathbed to say such things.  I think I am going to email these thoughts to my children now.  Your kids would probably enjoy hearing some happy positives from you as well.

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

Every day, every moment

My friend Bruce sent this in.  I loved it.

My comments... well, then again, as I look at the quote, I have nothing to add.

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

what do we do for others?

Mangoes

It was time for the monsoon rains to begin and a very old man was digging holes in his garden.

“What are you doing?” his neighbor asked.

“Planting mango trees,” was the reply.

“You are an old man, Do you expect to eat mangoes from those trees?”

“No, I won’t live long enough for that. But others will. It occurred to me the other day that all my life I have enjoyed mangoes planted by other people. This is my way of showing them my gratitude.”

- - - - - - 

Jeff comments on the story... surely we can all see our own self interest in life!  I hope that we can see it.  We do so much for ourselves and for our family.  We think it honorable and charitable to do for our families, and maybe it is.  But what do we do for the stranger?  What do we do for the next person that comes along.  How can we invest in humanity in general?  When was the last time that I bought a hamburger for a stranger?

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

Dear A

Dear "A"

You texted me the other day to comment on the blog.  I was so glad to hear from you.  

I think it’s true of a lot of friends... we think of you more than we reach out and talk, and I apologize for that.  But you are definitely someone that we love very much and we wish you all the happiness in the world.

I will always remember the July 4 evenings around the fire.
The softball games at Young Park.

The smiles, the hugs, the laughter.

You’re a very special person to us. 

- - - - -

Friends, the moral of the story is this... if someone is special to you, let them know. 

Remind them how much you care about them.

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

we worry too much

I have O negative blood.  It’s called the universal donor.  That means you can give O negative blood to anybody with any type of blood.  Consequently, it’s in demand and my whole life I’ve been a Blood Donor.  I don’t like donating blood because I don’t like needles.  But I do it because I think it’s important to help people.

So now I’m being tested for rheumatoid arthritis and part of the testing is a very large blood draw.  My doctor warned me about it.  She said you’re not gonna like it.  So I’ve been dreading this.  It’s like 10 vials of blood.  I worried and was filled with anxiety in anticipation of the day.  So the day finally came on Wednesday.  Ash Wednesday.  And they took my blood.  Guess what???  

It wasn’t nearly as bad as I had thought it would be.

For days, I had dreaded this procedure.  But when it actually took place, it wasn’t that bad after all.

It made me think about how we overreact to things, how we cook things up in our minds and make them bigger than they really are. We give them way too much power over us. 

When, if we just had a little more backbone, we’d spend less time worrying and more time enjoying life.  We should all spend less time worrying and more time enjoying life.  Because whatever’s coming my way is coming.  Our worrying can’t change that.  So let’s stop wasting our time with worry and anxiety and put it in the hands of the good Lord and celebrate a beautiful day.

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

it's coming for us...

I have been watching Landman on Paramount + and I have been loving it.

There is a scene where Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter are commiserating on life. They are in the state of life where the kids are out of the house... She is probably 50 and he is probably 60 years old. It is a time of life of reflection and a time of change.

Billy Bob says to her,

"You know, honey, the time is coming when tragedy is gonna dominate our days.  Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s cancer, maybe my mind goes.  I wake up one morning and I don’t have a clue who you are.  Or God forbid maybe it’s you.  Car wreck or whatever you know.  But not today. Today we win."  

She replies to him, "Baby I win every day.  You do too.  You just don’t see it.  But it’s there.  I mean it’s all around you.  You just got to take the time to notice.  Like now."

Jeff comments... yes... the good is here. All around us.  We can focus on the bad and worry about our ailments.  We can fret about the future, or we can see the good.  Just look around you and see the good that you have.  Even though there have been losses, even though there is pain in this day, there is still good around us.  Let's be sure to take notice.



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

poems

My friend Shawnna sent these in...

SHEEP & GOATS

There are those
Who struggle
To earn [their salvation]

And those
Who struggle
To share [with others]

I know which I’d rather be
On the day of judgement

Jeff comments.... far too many Christians live in fear, struggling to earn their salvation. They think it is about being good enough, when really salvation is found when we learn to give ourselves away as Jesus did. Seeing every person as valuable and caring for the least of these.


INSATIABLE

The most difficult part
of helping the poor
is not calling
for the hungry
to be fed
but for the wealthy
to be content

-David Gate

Jeff comments... There are more than enough resources to feed the world if the wealthy would finally realize that they have enough and learn to give.



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

The Fisherman

This is a fantastic story about finding contentment in your life. It is a picture of how we can find peace when we finally realize that we have enough. What we already have right now is enough.


An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.”
The American then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish.
The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”

The American scoffed. “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats. Eventually, you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But how long will this take?”
To which the American replied, “Fifteen to twenty years.”
“But what then?” Asked the fisherman.

The American laughed and said that’s the best part. “When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich; you would make millions.”

“Millions?” asked the fisherman. “Then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evening, sip wine, and play guitar with your amigos!”

Something to think about!!!

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