be yourself

"Be yourself, everyone else is already taken" - Oscar Wilde

There are good things about you and less than good. Let's not hide from each other. We all miss the mark from time to time. No point in trying to pretend that it isn't so. That is the wonderful thing about friends- they laugh with you and cry with you, they love you, even in your less than stellar moments.

Be yourself, no one is fooled when we try otherwise.
Real people don't care, they love you for who you are.
hmmm- by the way, so does God.

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

What happened to you?

What happened to you that you think the way that you do? Were you hurt by your parents growing up? Were you taken advantage of, as a teenager?

What happened to me, that makes me think the way that I do? Was I hurt in the past? Did I face deep loneliness? Is there something that just won't line up for me in my life? Do these themes color the way that I look at the world?

Do I resist others ideas because of my own insecurities? Do I feel or express disgust for those who see the world differently than I do? Do I wish for a better world, but feel totally powerless to find it?

Friends, usually when we are at odds with another, it is because we are seeing the world so differently. I don't think that there are good folks, and bad folks, we just see the world differently.

Would our opinion of that other person change if we took a few moments to walk in their shoes?
Do we even have any idea where their shoes have been? Maybe if we stop measuring everything by how it affects me, we might understand more clearly the perspective of others.

It is hard to see the splinter with this board in my eye.

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

FYI

In the Saturday FYI section of the Kansas City Star there were a bunch of ads for churches. They all say the same thing. Hey, its Holy Week, come to our church. We did not have an ad in the Star. I guess we feel like it is too expensive for the return.

What we did end up with was a big splash on the front page of the section. A big article about the prom dress ministry. The article was awesome, and for that matter so is the ministry. Over 800 girls were helped over the weekend!

So, here is my point. I would rather have activity than advertisements. Your ministry is your best advertisement. If there is something going on in your church, you don't need to advertise. Your people will be excited, and they will tell their friends. There is an old saying, "those who say, don't know. Those who know, don't have to say."

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

And then there were none

Big twelve teams. None left, except for Baylor. Not that they don't matter, they do, but the teams that I am the most familiar with in the big 12 are all gone now. KU, MU and K-State have now all bowed out of the NCAA Tournament.

It is not as interesting to me now that there are no local teams left. Oh well, it was all great while it lasted. By the way, if I can root for Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Baylor, KU, MU and K-State, so can you. They are all just good kids anyway. Do you wish leukemia on any of them? I hope not. Will they be welcome in heaven if you get a vote?

I hope so. Every team may not be your team, but every person is your person. Let's keep in mind that they are all people before they are Tigers, Jayhawks or Wildcats.

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

turn the page

The older I get, the more things seem to be changing. Last night we visited an apartment that it appears my oldest daughter will be moving into very soon. My other daughter signed a lease yesterday to move into an apartment in August.

And I look at my wife, and I wonder how all of this came to be. I remember when the girls were babies, now, look at them. All grown up and beautiful. And smart, O so smart.

I know that this is what parents are supposed to do. Raise them up to be functioning adults. Kids are supposed to move out. Everyone tells me, "don't worry, they will be back." Maybe so, but we seem to be passing into another dimension, another stage of life. But, its all good. Just time to turn the page.

Sometimes we have to let go of how it was. It will never be the same again. That's ok, and we need to know that its ok, because it is coming and you better get ready. We just don't get to shape reality. Sometimes you get what you want, and sometimes you get what you get. Period. Anybody that says otherwise is not telling you the truth. The sooner that we understand and accept that, the happier we will be.

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

persistence

The bird is still here. The bird from Wednesday has never left. She is still flying into the window, to the great enjoyment of the cats. For three days not this bird has crashed repeatedly into the window.

And I think of the word persistence. The story of the persistent widow from Luke 18. I have to admit, I struggle with this story. The idea that God would give someone something simply because they would not give up. It seems so contrary to much of the rest of the scripture, and I certainly do not see the principle being played out in life. People just don't always get what they want, no matter how hard they try.

But the bird won't give up. Maybe there are times that we shouldn't either.

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

who knows

"Who knows what tomorrow brings? In a world that few hearts survive." Joe Cocker

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:13-15

I am guilty. I have rolled out of bed, day after day, expecting to have 24 hours at my disposal. But sometimes, God surprises you. Something happens that reminds you that you are mortal and you are not in control.

We should be thankful for every moment. Every day. If you have been on auto-pilot, stop. Give thanks. Appreciate the gift of this day. And be thankful for every person who gives you a shoulder to lean on, a hand along the way or a pick me up when you are down.

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

the door is closed

Sometimes the door [or window] is closed. There is something that we wanted to do. We could see it, we could taste it, but we just couldn't make it happen.


Take the bird who yesterday at about 5pm, spent one hour flying into my living room window. At first I thought she was trying to get somewhere to make a nest. As if she could see the fan in the center of the room and thought it looked like a safe place to raise a gaggle of robins. At any rate, this bird flew into my window, at least 30 times. She just did not understand that it wasn't going to happen the way she wanted.


Now, her efforts did win her the attention of two cats who are not much smarter than the bird. They immediately thought that the robin looked like lunch. They climbed to their perch and watched as the robin sat in the tree. When the bird would fly into the window, the cats would try and pounce. The bird would not give up, and neither would the cats.

Sometimes everybody wants something that they can't have. It just isn't going to happen. Try as you might, there are forces in play that we don't even understand. Eventually, when our heads get sore enough from flying into the closed window, we will get it, and move on. Sometimes you have to trust God, and just understand that it is not going to work out the way you wanted it to. Read the end of Hebrews 11.


The bird finally moved on to make a nest elsewhere. The cats snacked on some Purina and then returned to their napping. We too will be ok, even when the doors and windows are closed. There are other opportunities.


By the way, two cats are free to a good home.

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

being wrong

Being wrong is one thing, admitting that you were wrong is another. All of us are wrong from time to time. When we refuse to recognize that, the chasm grows wider. Yes, we protect our ego, but at what expense? When we stop being defensive and admit that we were wrong, the other party relaxes. They actually gain respect for us for doing so.

Odd, sometimes we try to protect ourselves by not thinking that we may be wrong. This actually hurts us. Relationships are healed when we fess up, take responsibility and just admit it.

Even if you think you are only 5% wrong in a situation, isn't it better to own that, and save the relationship? Being defensive is a sign of weakness. Taking responsibility is a sign of strength.

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

My way

Frank Sinatra sang, "I did it my way......." So did Elvis and Jay-Z. I guess everybody wants to do it their way.

I think it is human nature to want it our way, and to do it our way whenever we can. Many people feel entitled to a life where things go their way. A sense of entitlement is a dangerous attitude to embrace.

Well, I don't know about you, but I notice plenty of times when whatever it was did not go my way. I would not have done that particular thing that way. I would not been in favor of that other thing. My preference would have been something other than what happened.

Well, life is tough. Trusting God is not about getting my way. It is about trusting God. Period. I can't control everything and I just have to learn to relax and enjoy life. It is still good, and often the very things that I was worried about turn out to be ok, even though they went someone else's way.

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

March 21st

Well, I am back. Thanks to Lion's Den Man and the Young Shepherd for posting in my absence. Several asked what I was up to, if I was "ok." Yes I am ok. I was on a 3 day trip with a bunch of guys. No worries, no concerns, it was very relaxing. It was also warm there.

So, I come home, and were did this snow come from? Well, in case you were wondering, yes, we are having church tomorrow. 8am, 9:05, 10:10 and 11:15. We don't close. The lot will be plowed and the sidewalks cleared.

By the way, don't worry about the snow. It will all be gone in a couple of days. I am not even going to shovel the drive because it will all melt very soon. The back of Winter is broken. Spring is just around the corner.

Being gone sometimes is good, because it makes you appreciate home.

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

Speaking of Dreams...

Last night, or sometime early this morning, I dreamed that Jeff did not like my recent posts and deleted them. I did not eat any pizza yesterday.

(If you don’t know what I’m talking about, see the post on Monday, March 15.)

I have been dreaming a variation of this dream for years. Someone is not happy with my work. I am not good enough.

So when I wake up, I work harder. I do more. I say yes to everything anybody asks me to do, with little regard for my own emotional energy, whether I am gifted in that area, my family, or my social life. This cannot be good. I follow a God that freed the Israelites from slavery. In the wilderness, he instituted the Sabbath -- a day of total rest and relaxation. Because a bunch of slaves need to be told to rest. All they know is a life based on output, based on production, based on what they have accomplished.

If they stop working, they’re not sure if they’re worth anything anymore.

And God says, “You have always been worth everything.”

Jesus says, “Here, I’ll prove it.”

So my value comes from the fact that God created me – absolutely on purpose. My value comes from the fact that he would die for me, even though I have completely messed it up and missed the whole point. In Christ, there is a new life. This life is not based on “what have you done for me lately?” but on what Jesus did for you lovingly.

Now, I might create something I don’t love, but I won’t die for it. I would only die for something that I love – something that has value. This is one of the beautiful things about the willing sacrifice of Christ. God has come into the world to prove his love and prove our worth. He never had to do it, but he so wanted to.

My prayer for myself, and my prayer for you is this. May you go to sleep tonight knowing how much you are worth. May you lie down in green pastures. May he lead you beside quiet waters. Even though you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death and slavery, God is with you. God will comfort you. Surely, goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life, and you will live with in the comfort of God forever.

As Phillip Yancey says, “Nothing can make God love you more, and nothing can make God love you less.”

Grace Alone, right?

Go in Peace.

With love,

a young shepherd.

you are the Church.

What if the Church is not just somewhere you go on Sundays? What if the Church is not just something we do once a week? What if the Church is who we are every minute of our lives? What if…?

These are not new questions, but they are the kinds of questions I lay awake at night thinking about.

What did Jesus have in mind when he told Peter to “feed my sheep?” I doubt he was concerned with whether Peter would establish a building where we go for one or two hours a week. I doubt Jesus was thinking of religious institutions, denominations, and sects. I doubt Jesus was worried about how spiritual Peter would feel. Jesus simply gave Peter a mission that would define Peter’s entire life, not just his actions on some Holy Day.

Friends, you don’t go to church; you are the Church. Everywhere you go, you are the Church. Everywhere you go, Christ is in you, wanting to use you to transform the world around you. This is the Kingdom of Heaven. As Brian McLaren explains, in using the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven,” Jesus was using language that was easily accessible to his listeners. They expected their leader to establish a certain kind of kingdom – a political one, a kingdom that is very much of this world. But in Jesus’ Kingdom, the last will be first. In Jesus’ Kingdom, the poor and the hungry are blessed. In his Kingdom, prodigals are embraced. Outcasts are invited. Enemies are loved.

Jesus’ Kingdom was out of this world. It was Heavenly. A Kingdom of Heaven.

Nowadays, he might have said “The Family of Heaven” or “The Network of Heaven.” Those are terms we can understand. Whatever you call it, it is about working to restore God’s Creation to the way he intended for it to be. Whatever you want to call it, Jesus wants to bring it down to Earth and he wants to do it through you.

This is the purpose of the Church. We have the opportunity to change the world around us, one person at a time. Maybe we don’t think we can change the world. Maybe we don’t think we’re strong enough. Let’s read the scriptures together. I’ll show you the kind of people God uses to change the world – a chronically self-doubting Moses; an adulterer and a murder, David; a ragtag group of fishermen and tax collector disciples; and a terrorist by the name of Saul.

I believe these Bible stories are important to read and know. When I read them, I say “if God can use them, he can certainly use me.” And so we start getting the point – hey, maybe it’s not about how good we are at all. It’s about how good God is. It’s not a story about us. This is God’s story.

And we get to live out God’s story every day. It’s a story of redemption. It’s a story of love. It’s a story of grace. It’s a story with a happy ending, and we get to be a part of it.

God has a place for you in his ongoing story. I promise.

With love,

a young shepherd.

Cold Water

Nothing good has ever happened to me before noon, so I prefer to sleep in when I can. (If the first line didn’t give it away, this is not Jeff writing. I understand he reads 300 pages, changes the brake pads on his truck, posts this blog, and cooks a three-course breakfast for Cathy before sunrise.)

I like to sleep. Every morning is a titanic battle of my will to get something done before lunchtime and my passion for the snooze button. But I have learned something.
If I can make it to the bathroom sink, I will win the battle and stay awake. I turn the knob all the way to the right until the water is as cold as it gets, cup my hands and take the plunge. When the cold water hits my face, I am wide awake. In that icy instant, my heart skips a beat and my brain becomes a little clearer. It is only then that I am ready to face the day (the coffee helps, too.)

For many years of my life, I was asleep to the world around me. But there have been splashes of cold water in my face. Something I see wakes me up. Something somebody says. I start listening. Yes, I am waking up. I am being saved from sleeping through my whole life.

Jesus said, “Let those who have ears hear.” It has taken a great deal of cold water for me to wake up and listen.

Here is some cold water that has been splashed in my face recently. In Tony Campolo’s sermon, It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming, he says the following. “While you were sleeping last night, thirty thousand children under the age of twelve died of either starvation or diseases related to malnutrition, and we weren’t shocked over that. We’re not depressed over that. We’re not crying over that. And it happens every day, every day, every day.” [Emphasis mine]

Did you go to a Chiefs game this year? They averaged 60,000 in attendance. Picture that crowd. If you haven’t seen it in person, you’ve seen it on TV. And while we slept peacefully the last two nights, that’s how many children died from just not having enough food.

60,000 children dead while we sleep. Isn’t it time for us to wake up?

There are two ways we generally respond to a message like this. Either we feel guilty for what has happened, or we become passionate about what could happen. (I guess there’s also a third response – you could just get mad at me for bringing it up, but I assume you’re all giving me the benefit of the doubt because I really do love you and mean well.) And I also don’t want you to feel guilty. But if we are serious about following Christ, we might start getting that invigorating but panicked feeling of having cold water splashed in our face. Guilt is a horrible reason to get out of bed. May you awake with passion!

I realize that’s just one story. Granted, poverty is one BIG story. As Campolo explains, there are 2,000 verses of the Bible that talk about the poor. God loves the poor, and so should we.

But maybe, for you, there’s another story, another challenge, another issue that pours cold water on your face and cold chills down your spine? Will you share it with us? What has God placed on your heart? What passion has he given you? May you pour it out today all around you (starting by telling us about it.)

Every morning, I am faced with the choice to keep sleeping, or let the cold water wake me up. When you find your cold water in life, I hope you let it pour down on you like rain. Let it wake you up. Let it break your heart. And take those wide-open eyes and that broken heart and never go back to sleep again.

When your church sees your passion, we will wake up, too. When you are weak, we will help you. When you are weak, Christ will strengthen you.

May you be baptized in freezing, cold water today.

With love,

a young shepherd.

run with this

Yesterday I came home and my wife handed me a gift. Not from her, but from a friend of mine that asked her to give it to me. Very cool and very timely. The gift came as a surprise, but if you knew the person that gave it, you wouldn't be surprised. That's just one of the great things about friendships....people that you let into your life...that you let inside....that you let see how you tick......they know a part of you that others don't..... they have seen a piece of the iceberg that is below the surface.

Some, who see this, exploit it and that is probably why some of us have a fear of letting others see that side of us. More so, I believe people value having that kind of relationship and enjoy the bond created through sharing. I didn't expect this gift. It was like getting that one gift at Christmas that was not on "the list" but was perfect. We all could do more of that sort of thing for those we care for....a gift...a note...a phone call....or an unexpected invite to eat or have a cup of coffee.

We need to remember this for friends and loved ones. And we need to remember not keep score...you can get even....but don't keep score......that is when a friendship becomes one based on expectation and soon dies. So take this message and run with it today. Someone needs to hear from you.

Peace,
Lion's Den Man

to welcome criticism

To welcome criticism is a holy thing. To not be bothered when others challenge you is a thing of the spirit. The Spirit welcomes questions and looks to resolve disputes.

There is never anything to be gained by being defensive. Listen. Hear them. You may learn something.

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

pizza

Well, yesterday at church I talked about Pilate's wife's dream, and how some dreams are based on last night's pizza, some spring from our neurotic upbringing, and some seem to be a word from God.

Last night, this is my dream.

I am driving the truck and I go off the road and through a field, up onto an old railroad bridge. I am stuck in the truck, suspended hundreds of feet above a deep gorge. A woman who follows in a small car actually falls through the floor of the bridge inbetween the tracks. Long fall, bad news for her.

I am able to leave the truck and walk down the rails, off the bridge to the field. There I join the team that I am working with repairing homes. I call my wife, I call my mother, for some reason, they are unable to find me or help me. At the end of each work day I return to my truck and sleep in the back.

Finally my cell phone dies and I run out of water. Then somehow I get the truck in reverse and get off the bridge. I am driving back through the field wondering how I did that, and if it was that easy to get off the bridge, why didn't I do it sooner?

I wake up. Dream over. Now here is the question. Is that dream from last night's pizza, my neurotic upbringing, or a word from God? Well, I don't really sense a great meaning in this dream and I did eat some pretty good left over Tim's pizza last night, so I am going to blame that.

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

brakes

Well, yesterday I replaced the brake pads on the pickup. Yahoo! I am excited. I got it done and saved about $150. And boy, they were as bad as I have ever seen. The ceramic pads were delaminating and separating from the metal part of the pad. Got them done just in time. Here is the bad news......while lying on the garage floor underneath the truck, and horsing around those big tires, I have pulled something in my back.

So, save $150 from the mechanic, and turn around and spend it on the doctor. At least I can drive to the doctor with good brakes. That is, if I can pull myself up into the cab of the truck.

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

in between

I was talking to a friend yesterday about how most of life is lived in between. Not in the valley, and not on the mountain top. In between.

We are not sure what to do with the in between times. We are glad that they are not terrible, but we also wish for a bit more of the mountain top.

Well, sorry about that, but most of your life is going to be lived in the middle, in between. Nothing is really great, but nothing is terrible. Nothing is earth shattering, but nothing is pitiful either.

We live in the world of average. Making the normal times work. That is ok. Get over it. Most people live in a world that is a bit of a struggle all the time. A struggle to live, a struggle to love, a struggle.

Celebrate the times of normalcy. They are ok.

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

Hold the tongue.

Sometimes you just have to hold your tongue. I want to offer some advice to a friend. I want to steer a staff person. I want to make a comment to a church member. I want to say something to one of my children.

Something inside of me tells me that I should keep quiet, even though I want to make the statement. I have learned as I grow old that keeping my mouth shut is sometimes a very good thing to do.

Let it go. Let them go. See what they do. They are not ready to hear from you. You are, I am only going to make it worse. Silence is golden. It is not that big of a deal. I don't have to comment on everything.

Now that I am released from fixing everything, I can see the good of this day for what it is. Let them go. Relax. God is with them.

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

sisters

I have two sisters. When we were growing up, we never really did anything together. We some how grew up in the same house but never knew each other. It is hard to figure. People that are bound by blood, that you would think could be life long friends, aren't really connected. 17 years together in the same house and you aren't even connected. Thankfully, this has changed in our adulthood. We have worked hard on catching up, and I am very pleased to have had the chance to get to know them.

Flash forward to the next generation. A boy and two girls grow up in the same house. My house, our house, this house. I have always hoped and prayed that my children would have a different experience than I did, and that they would be connected and care for each other. I have told them their whole life that this brother or sister will always be your brother or sister. "Never leave your wing man." Cathy and I have tried to teach them to care for one another and to be invested in each other's lives.

Yesterday was Scott's 19th birthday. Last night his college friends in Pittsburg KS threw a party for him. Yesterday afternoon, Alli and Jenny packed their bags and put on their party clothes. They drove the two hours down to Pittsburg to be there for Scott. Scott was so excited that his sisters would make the effort. The sisters were glad to do it. Their Dad was never so proud.

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

mistakes that I made

Well it happens to all of us. We make mistakes. This week, I have two, at least. Two that strike me like, "are you kidding Jeff?"

The first one was yesterday. I spilled an entire cup of coffee on my desk. I can not remember the last time that I did that. I had stuff spread all over the floor to dry out. Silly mistake.

The other was last night. I was leaving the church after my class and I walked out the door with everything. My wallet, checkbook, jacket, phone, everything except my keys. Opps. the door shut. I just locked myself out of the office area. My keys are inside. What do I do?

I obviously need to call someone. I thought about who was the closest. I called Sherri. She showed up in 5 minutes, in her PJ's and handed me a set of keys out her window. I was apologetic. She was accomodating. No problem. I will help you anytime. I am so glad to have people that will cover your sins, in the middle of the night. Thank you.

I know I made other mistakes this week, but that is all that I want to confess to you today.

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

Christmas CD

It is give away day on the blog. I have three copies of Fernando Ortega's Christmas Songs CD. They are all legitimate copies still in their original wrap.

They are free to the first three people who post a comment to this post and request one. Be sure to leave your name and phone number.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
news flash- the first CD has been claimed by Tonia at 9:33am
Terry takes the second one at 4:05pm
the third one went to missy at 830pm
ok, thanks, thats it, they are all gone.

new church

As you probably know, we have been working since August to get the new church, The Beacon United Methodist Church, off the ground.

Last Sunday I asked for help. We need some families who will make the commitment to be missionaries to this new church for 6 months to one year. You can still attend the 8am service at Woods Chapel, then go to the Beacon's 10am service. Another option is to go to the Beacon at 10am and then go to Woods Chapel at 11:15.

I need to hear from you. If you are willing to help or want more information please let me know. Post a comment here with your name, or send me an email. Remember, in 1975 a number of people went out of their way to help start Woods Chapel. We would not be here if it were not for their efforts.

Possibly the most selfless thing that a church can ever do is to make the effort to start a new congregation.

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

Sunday

Sunday is here again. If you are a pastor, it seems like Sunday comes three times a week. Non-stop pressure. Time to preach, and it better be good. Well, that is bad enough when things are going well, but it is much worse, or it seems worse when there are problems.

Problems. Kids with problems, members with problems, employees with problems. You still have to be at church at 6am to get it all going.

So today, at 5:55 I am walking in the dark from the place where the pastor parks, thinking about problems, challenges. I notice something that needs to be taken care of. I continue my walk. I am in between the gym and the playground and out of the corner of my eye I see it. Something dark, darting across the parking lot. Next to the curb. A cat? A skunk? Armadillo? Some sort of ghostly gobinly alien thing that is here to abduct or scare an old man.

Then I see it. The dark object is a shadow. It is the shadow of my own head. The light from the corner of the gym and my own brisk walk have delivered the shadowy object to the corner of my line of site. I was afraid of my own head.

And God speaks. Most of what we worry about is a shadow. A nothing. A here for a moment and then gone. Release the worry. let it go. Get back on task, it is 5:58 and God's work awaits. Not just for preachers, but for all of us, God's work awaits. Let the shadows go.

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

the internet

You know, it is hard to post a blog if you don't have the Internet. What is the world coming to. Everything is so totally reliant on electronic gadgets and wireless signals that run through the air.

You know, if something ever happened to all of the cell towers, where would we be? Well, the young people might be lost, but we who grew up without computers and cell phones might return with joy to the life that we grew up on.

Imagine again, you actually have a little peace and quiet in your world. You carried real paper and pen to meetings. You had a paper calendar.

Well, this post was late today because our Internet was down at home. Now its back up, "phew." What were we going to do? The whole technology thing is kind of mind boggeling.

It's a beautiful 50 degree day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

repetitive humor

Ahh. The joy of repetitive humor. You can tell the same jokes over and over again. That is one of the joys of making new friends. You can tell your old jokes over and over, and to them, they are all new.

So. I have a few annual jokes. I have a St. Patrick's day joke. I have a thanksgiving joke. I have some Christmas jokes. And I have a March 4th joke. That was yesterday.

This simple little joke is the only joke that was passed from my grandmother to my mother, and on to me. It is about going to hear the band, the band that is going to line up downtown and March forth. March 4th.

Sorry. that is all there is to it. Just a little play on words. But what a blessing a sense of humor is. What a gift it is to laugh. I hope that you did not miss the parade yesterday.

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

the parade

Well, it is that time of the year again. Today is the annual parade. All of the local high school bands will be meeting downtown. At noon, they will all line up and March 4th.

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

connections, pt.2

Yesterday I wrote about who we are more connected to, those who feed us or those who need us. Today, a little bit more on the topic.

As you go out into your day, are you a consumer or a distributor? A taker or a giver?

If I am a consumer, I tend to think that the world owes me something. Today is about me. When things don't do my way, I am upset.

When I see myself as a distributor, I understand that I have a product to offer the world today. I am not here to get something for myself. I have something that the world needs: God's love. I see every person as a possible client, a potential customer for my business. They are not annoying to me in anyway, they are simply an opportunity for me to reach out and share the love.

Interesting that my worst days are days when I am a taker or a consumer. My best days are the days when I am a distributor. A giver. That is because we were not created to be takers, we were made to be givers, brokers of God's amazing love and grace.

What kind of a day will you have today?

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

connections

Connections. Connecting. Are we better at connecting with those who support us, or those who need us? Human nature is to spend all of our time connecting with those who make us feel good, and to ignore those who need us, who sap our energy.

But, what does the kingdom ask of us? The kingdom asks us to spend our lives helping others find the love that we have experienced. That means that we have to learn to spend more time with those who need us than we do with those who feed us. Say that again, we have to learn to spend more time with those who need us than with those who feed us.

Actually, when you get out and do it, it is invigorating to help those who need you. Once you get in the practice of being connected to those who need you, it feels like home.

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

favorite song

One of my favorite songs, from many many years ago, was sung by the choir today at 11:15.

Here are the words:

If I had all the riches, This world had to give, All the comfort that it brings, Never needing anything, I could search the whole world Over far and wide, Trying to buy this precious love, That was sent from God above.

But it wouldn't be enough; No, it wouldn't be enough. To buy one splinter of the tree, That Jesus died on; And I couldn't pay the price, For one single drop of blood, That was shed for my salvation.

It doesn't get any better than that.

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