Merry Christmas

Good Morning.  And Merry Christmas!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The discipline of acceptance

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

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

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

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

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

I want my gall bladder back.  Too bad.

My hair is falling out.  Nothing I can do.

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

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

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

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

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sermon audio from 12-20-20

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

Have a great day!!!

Click here to listen

Paul Harvey - letter from God

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

Click here to hear Paul Harvey read the letter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your One and Only,
GOD 

In His Time

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

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

There are several problems with this kind of thinking:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No place

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

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

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

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

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

The world needs more kindness.

The Kettle

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

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

I asked his name.  Eli.

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

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

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

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

Thankful for...

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

I inquired about her story.

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

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

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

Thank you God that I can talk.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I had a dream last night.

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

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

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

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

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

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

I thank God for good friends and good times.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Thankful

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

savoring

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

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

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

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

Savor everything.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Thanksgiving, happy day to you.

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

It's all a part of it

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It's all a part of it.

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

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

We can become consumed by our worries and concerns.

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

We can be consumed by our worries.

But Nature takes no notice of our worries.

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

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

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

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

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

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

It is a great world


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

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

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

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

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

This is our Father's world.

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

Sermon audio from yesterday

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

click here

ways we can care

 Last week I asked for ideas from you about ways that we can care for others.  Ideas on how we can serve.  I have to tell you, reading what you all are doing was so inspirational to me.

I am sorry that I could not use all of them in yesterday's sermon, but below is the entire list.  I hope that something that someone is doing will inspire you to kindness in the name of the Lord.

Here is what you all sent in... Its a beautiful day in God's world...

I did fix soup and cookies and had Glenn drop off on Mike and Kathys porch today and texted them and told them the food was there because I knew they weren’t up to company.

I keep track of the date of the death of loved ones of my friends and family and on that date each year I acknowledge that their loved one passed on that day.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Sometimes a simple phone call to a friend or family member can me their day.

I have received lots of cards of encouragement that have meant a lot to me during my cancer treatment.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Ever morning when I awaken I say a brief prayer asking God to give me the strength and courage to try to joyful and positive with everyone with whom I come in contact. It is difficult to be of service to others if you don’t have a positive attitude. I pray that I can pass a joyful attitude to others, remembering that it doesn’t take any talent to be grump!

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Blessing bags with water/fruit juice, packaged sandwich crackers, fruit snacks, piece of chocolate and an alcohol prep wipe (can add other items like socks, Band-Aids, etc). Ready in car to hand out to persons asking for money on street corners.

Joy surprises by paying for car behind you when in fast food or coffee drive thru.

Ask a low income apartment complex manager if there is someone close to eviction and pay one month rent for them.

Take a reheat meal to a widow, new mom, person who is sick or quarantine.

Hold the door for others.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Hi Jeff, hope you’re doing well. I’m hanging in there. Looking for help for reference to helping people. When I was working with the Elks Lodge. We helped a lot of the underprivileged at holiday time. It was very rewarding just seeing people so grateful for the groceries that we brought them for the holidays. We also gave kids bicycles that we had refurbished from parts of old ones that were donated. The kids were very grateful for those too. One little guy was just so grateful just to get a gallon of milk. We also worked a lot with the vets. Helping them with the necessities of Getting things they needed for an apartment. Hope this helps.

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We don't think we are able to do a lot right now but we help at WCC Raytown now with meals that we prepare there and hand out to drive thru. (Word that however you want)

Also we buy for the food pantry and other areas that the church needs food for.

We only donated money towards the school supplies as we don't shop.

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take rolls of quarters to the laundromat.

give a larger than 20% tip to the server.

Take a box of candy to your bank tellers.

Buy a house for a family in Nicaragua.

take food to the homeless

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Covid has put a huge crimp in visiting people in hospitals and nursing homes, but some things I loved doing for/with these folks was just carving out a little time to be with them: listening to their stories and things they are concerned about, reading to them, writing out cards for them to send, sometimes feeding them, if necessary, brushing their hair, applying hand lotion or lip balm, etc., showing interest with grace and compassion.

We may not be able to serve others in this way at the moment, but other things we can do right now as we’re out and about is to smile at people. I have heard it lamented that wearing our masks makes it impossible for others to see our smile, but I beg to differ. Look into their eyes....people smile with their whole expression! Smile. Share a greeting. Be a light in someone’s day.

Hope this was helpful. Love you.

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Work in a food pantry or donate extra items to it. Work in or donate to an organization like Hillcrest.

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I prepare sack lunches and keep them in my care for people standing on street corners.

We cook a meal and serve it monthly at the shelter Kc’s women shelter. Doing this regularly has allowed us to build a relationship with the staff and women. This had also opened up many other opportunities to serve these women.

I try to look out for any neighbors that are going through difficulty.

I help my niece who has emotional problems. I have learned not to try to change her but to do this with no expectations. I clean her apartment and help with finances

I am a cancer survivor and am an active participant in the cancer connection. I deliver care bags to members that are in treatment

I try to send notes of encouragement to anyone I feel needs a boast

I try to be open to the nudges I get from the Holy Spirit and try to act on them

I try to be a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

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1) Make or send cards to your local hospital staff as a means of encouragement and thanking them for their service. As Covid -19 cases rise in Florida and nationwide, medical personnel feel discouraged and frustrated.

2) Send cards or donate baked goods to your local police station or fire station. These folks risk their lives for us every day and I think they need our encouragement and appreciation.

3) Next time you are shopping whether it’s at the grocery store, gift shop or department store, thank your clerk or cashier and say their name. It means so much to these essential workers to hear a kind word as the public has been increasingly ugly and combative. I also tell them to stay safe- their health and well being is important to me.

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Mow their yard

Shovel their walk

Rake their leaves

Offer them a ride

Offer to drive them to a scary dr appt if they are alone and stay with them

Leave a bag of groceries at their door

Anonymously leave cash for rent when you know they are struggling

Spend an evening with someone who is lonely (after COVID)

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I grew up, Jeff, in a family that chose not to mix freely with others. As a consequence I had few friends growing up, and to this day I am at ease with that. But I am concious of many others like me, and in many settings at church, where I am known and elsewhere I make a point of offering a greeting or other brief gesture of friendship.

...and in so many cases it is returned.

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I’ve been picking up leftover Panera bread and pastries on Monday night’s for years and bringing the pastries to the Tuesday morning men’s Mpact meeting (which temporarily has been suspended because of Covid), and then delivering the bread to Salvation Army or mainly Hillcrest housing in Ind. or Lee’s Summit.

For the past month, I decided that our own WCC Food Pantry could also benefit from it, so I’m splitting up the bread and pastries delivery to both now. Shirley Early is also bringing a lot of the bagels over to Grace Place.

My wife and I also spend a lot of time working on the Landscape team at church. Plus other projects at church that I help out from time to time (helping Jay move big rocks this morning from south islands to the other locations prior to islands be rocked this week).

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I work at the Hillcrest office one afternoon a week answering calls and helping the residents and case managers. I used to volunteer at Harvesters and weigh the food the agencies picked up. I think a great way to serve is doing things like what you do and making sandwiches and delivering them to the homeless, or doing meals on wheels or taking food to people who are sick, grieving, etc. It's super hard to make a time commitment, but sometimes that's more important than spending money. I always admire people who do Habitat as an example.

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Actually listen. A lot of people don’t feel heard and understood. People have a tendency to think about what they are going to say next instead of actually listening and watching nonverbal clues.

One way to serve is to actually and actively listen. A lot of people don't feel heard or understood. People have a tendency to think about what they are going to say next instead of paying attention to the person they are talking “with”. Whether it is a stranger or a family member.

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When you see someone in a restaurant with a Veteran cap (WW II, Viet Nam, etc.) … secretly buy their meal and have the server tell them “thank you for your service”.

Put a little tip next to your pillow on your last day at a hotel (for the cleaning crew)

Homeless people need food … yes … they also need candles. Save your candles (skinny, fat, big, little, half-burned jars, etc.) for them.

Give someone something special to you … just because they need it more than you do. Last winter, I was feeding the homeless in KC. I had on my favorite Chiefs stocking cap that was so so warm. A homeless man asked, “How would I get a stocking cap like that one?” I said, “Oh we have stocking caps on the Uplift truck.” He said, “I mean one just like the one you’re wearing.” You probably know the rest of that story!!

Hand out full size Halloween candy … the trick or treaters LOVE it.

After your grandkids are in bed and almost asleep, run back into their room and tell them, “Get up, get up … we’re going out for ice cream.”

When you can and feel safe, stop and smile and have a conversation with a homeless person. Look into their eyes. I try to remember … there is no one whose eyes I look into that God does not love.

My friend goes to garage sales and buys sleeping bags and boots to give to homeless. He just might stop on the side of the road and say, “Do you need a pair of boots.” So cool!!

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- providing a school lunch for students in Haiti

- sponsoring the education of a student in Haiti where fewer than 50% graduate from 6th grade

- sitting in the hospital emergency waiting room with person awaiting results of a friend/relative

- calling anybody who is sitting/working at home during Covid

- listening - yielding to understanding - yet not necessarily agreeing

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I think about Gloria, who is going through Chemo treatments for lymphoma, but has still been helping a friend with dementia--taking him to dr appointments, checking in on him almost every day, moving him from his condo to a care facility, making dinner for him a couple of times a week.

I think of Judy--who has for the past 6 years been sending a short prayer or scripture passage via text/email every morning to maybe 30+ people.

I think of Joanne who cares for animals and the environment and is usually the first to volunteer to roll up her sleeves and work on their behalf. Working to protect the nest of burrowing owls, for example.

I think of Cheryl, who every day calls or texts at least one person who is in need of companionship, support, or encouragement.

I think of a group of ladies who alternate weekly delivering a homemade meal to a woman who is bed ridden (and has been for 5 years) and under the care of her husband.

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Jeff, not very creative but some things that gave us lots of reasons to smile—-random acts of kindness. Clearing someone’s driveway of snow, raking or mulching someone’s leaves, bring food to a neighbor for no reason, pay for someone’s meal behind you at a fast food restaurant(really like to do this for first responders)

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I have doubled my tips to servers and to my hair dresser. I gave 20% before the pandemic, now I give at least 30%, and most of the time 40% because they lost so much business these last months, and they depend on tips.

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Buy several fleece blankets at Walmart (2.50-5.00) to keep in your car. And when we start to have cool nights, give them to a homeless person.

Sponsor a student in Nicaragua for $30.00/month.

Buy Christmas presents for a foster child, this is what we give to our adult kids at Christmas. We sponsor 3 children every year. I put pictures of the gifts in a special card to each couple. ( My three married children.)

Walk dogs at an animal shelter.

Volunteer at your local elementary school. They need volunteers with many different skill levels. Work in the library, read to the young ones, help with a craft, help with office work, spruce up the outside play area.

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When cleaning out your closet, don’t take your clothes to Goodwill or the such. Take them to a local women’s shelter or homeless shelter for their use. Or even purchase new for either shelter.

Give your TIME to a food pantry unboxing food coming in or box up/take to their car food going out.

Mow a neighbors yard. (I’d say shovel snow off neighbors sidewalk/driveway but I don’t think it’s applicable where you live. LOL)

Offer to watch a friends/neighbors children a couple of hours for the parent(s) to have a date.

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By being aware of our surroundings and those who need help and it can be as simple as reaching a higher shelf at the grocery store for someone.

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During this quarantine I have been leaving a ziplock bag of treats/bottled water for my trash collectors. I leave one on top of both my trash bin and my recycle bin. They have occasionally left me thank you notes which made my day!

If you get any more good service ideas, send those out in another blog!

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We have an elderly neighbor and friend who lives down the road from us. She lost her beloved husband 5 years ago. Lina is such a gifted artist, but when Val died, she put down her paintbrushes and lost interest in her artwork.

This summer I asked an artist from church for an art assignment because I missed her art challenges to the church: painting a verse from the Lord’s Prayer or from the 23rd Psalm. I’m not an artist nor have had any training, but I felt the Lord’s presence whenever I took on Martha’s projects. Martha very kindly sent me a simple assignment: find an object, draw it, but when drawing I wasn’t allowed to lift my pencil from the paper. My drawing had to be a single line.

I felt the Lord nudging me to call Lina, so I went outside and picked up a maple leaf and an oak leaf. I called Lina and asked her if she wanted to do Martha’s art assignment with me. She hesitated but then said yes and invited me to her home. When we walked into her studio, she told me she hadn’t been in her studio since Val died. We hugged each other and reminisced about Val and what a special, wonderful husband and friend he was.

We sat side-by-side at her drawing desk, and I brought out the leaves. Lina chose the maple leaf. I gave her Martha’s assignment and the instruction about not being allowed to lift our pencils from the paper. Lina guffawed loudly! Her eyes lit up! She had never heard of such a thing! We laughed and began to draw the leaves. We worked and talked nonstop for over 2 hours on the complexity of this “simple” project. Then Lina enthusiastically got out her colored pencils and wanted us to color our leaves and finish them “properly!” Lina was so radiant! A spark had been reignited within her! Her eyes shone and a smile covered her face.

After that first project, Lina and I have drawn and painted together many times. She instructs me in paints, drawing techniques, and we have wonderful discussions, or sometimes no discussions; we simply paint and enjoy the fellowship. Lina is back in her studio and creating beautiful works of art. She calls me an inspiration, but we all know God is the inspiration. All we have to do is listen and follow His lead.

One other thing: Give everything away! Your time. Your money. Your prayers. Your love. Even yourself. It’s such a blessing to freely and lovingly GIVE.

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Hope all is well with you. Like you, I am rather handy and most of my friends and neighbors over the years have learned this fact. I often get solicited to help and almost always jump at the chance to do so, even if it means putting myself behind on my own projects, etc. I take a lot of pride in helping others and this is something that I enjoy. It truly makes me feel better inside to help others fix things or solve problems.

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We are able to do more with our time than treasures therefore we send cards to those who are needing a lift that might be experiencing cancer (Cancer Connection) or other things.

During COVID, one of the best ways to serve is to reach out and call or Zoom others you haven't talked to in a long while. I have an Aunt problem. LOL.

My problem is I have 5 Aunts and I haven't reached out like I should, so this week, I reached out to all of them to let them know I love them! :) They are precious to me.

I schedule coffee dates with my Mom and Dad via Zoom or friends that I've missed connecting with over the years. It's soul lifting for us all.

God's Bucket Brigade is a new charity in KC that delivers 5 gallon bucket of needed items to gender specific people. Ladies get lady items. Men get men items. Kids receive the things kids need.

All I have to give is time right now, but I'm finding people need that as much as anything else. It sure does my heart good to connect.

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I plant trees at the church

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I missed two haircuts when barbers and hairdressers were prevented from working. When I was able to get a haircut, I gave the woman who cuts my hair a payment that amounted to three haircuts and tips - one for the current work, and two for those that I missed. It wasn't really generous on my part, because I would have paid for them anyway. But she appreciated it.

Maybe Thanksgiving and Christmas would be a good time to pay barbers and hairdressers for income they missed earlier this year.

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Call shut-ins, sick people, anyone needing encouragement.

Send paper notes, cards to the above.

Donate cash or food to local food banks.

Acknowledge beggars on street corners; have prepared bags of toiletries or food and water to give at street corners. Don't judge them - that's God's job.

Give them a blanket in cold weather.

Donate necessary items thru your chuch.

Say "God bless you." Some of them really mean it when they say it.

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What about doing something for someone without looking for acknowledgment.

 

 

Please help me with my sermon

I am preaching this Sunday on service. How we can serve others. Why we serve others. I am asking you to send me any specific ideas that you have about how to serve others. If you love people, I know that you are finding ways to serve...

Ways that we might serve...

• take rolls of quarters to the laundromat.
• give a larger than 20% tip to the server.
• Take a box of candy to your bank tellers.
• Buy a house for a family in Nicaragua.
• take food to the homeless

I need help. I would like to give the congregation specific things that they can do to help others. I won't use your name, but please tell me how you show your love for others.

sent replies to Jsbrink57@gmail.com
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

I am sorry

Healthy people say that they are sorry.
As I look over my life I see that I have many things to apologize for.

I am sorry for hurting you.
I am sorry for not being there for you.
I am sorry for leaving you in a bad spot.
I am sorry for all of the times that I was thinking about me - me - me.

Please forgive me.

I hope that from time to time, you apologize. It is something that all of us need to do.

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

 Some people will be happy with the outcome of this presidential election, others will be disappointed. I heard some disappointing news the other day that really took my spirits down.

Proverbs13:12 tells us
    "Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

When we want something to go a certain way and it doesn't, it can really hurt.  That is why our mothers cautioned us not to get our hopes up.  But it is hard to not get your hopes up, especially when you have a lot invested in whatever is going on.

When things don't go your way, don't grouse.  Well, ok, allow yourself to grouse and complain to a trusted friend for an hour, then pick yourself up and move on.

If the election goes your way, good for you.  If it doesn't, just remember that in our life times we have had presidents from both parties.  America has continued, and our lives have gone on.

No matter how a thing goes, just remember to see the good.  There are happy times to come, and there are still people that love you.

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

 I was talking to a friend the other day about death.  About losing friends and loved ones.  It really stinks when those we love die.  It is so final.  It is such an insult.  There is nothing that we can do about it.

But, if I die first, I don't want you to be sad.  As soon as possible, I want your mourning to turn to a savoring.  Remembering the good, the fun, the joy.  Ohhh we lived!!!

But if you die first, I want you to know something that I have learned from the death of my father... it is possible for a person's grief to turn to a savoring.  I missed my dad and I hurt for the loss of him for years.  Now I miss my dad and I am thankful for him.  I love him still, I savor the good.

If you are aching from the loss of a loved one, may God soon turn your grief into an appreciation, a savoring.

And let us all remember that we will be together again!

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

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one short

 Yesterday we were doing our Monday sandwich deliveries to the homeless and marginalized.  At the last stop we were one sandwich short.  We told the people we would make more and come back.  But as we were driving away, the homeless friends were dividing what they had with the person that got nothing.

It was a beautiful thing to watch.  Maybe if we all shared, we would never be one short.

What do you have that you can share today?

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

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hacked

 I have been hacked.  If you get an email from me asking for help or financial help, please do not send any money.  I am fine.  I don't know how this happens.

Anyway, love and blessings to you all.  Send no money please.

All is well.

saving or loving

 I used to think it was my job to get people saved.  Believe this and you are in.  Boom - notch in my gun.  Believe this and you are good, you are like me.

I used to think it was my job to help people get saved.  I don't think that anymore.

Today I believe in something that I think is much more healthy and much more powerful.  Today I believe that it is my job to love you.

If I am trying to save you, you are an object, a project, and you are in danger of my bad theology and manipulation.

If I am loving you, well, that is the good stuff.  If I set out to love people, God is in the middle of that, because God is love.  If I am loving you, then the Holy Spirit is right in the middle of that and eventually he will reach you.

I think the world would be a better place if we stopped making people our projects and just loved them.  The Pharisees were always trying to convert people.  Jesus just loved them.

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

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The power of love

 There is a condition that babies and young children can get that is called "failure to thrive."  Some have suggested that in addition to poor nutrition, this condition is associated with babies who are not held, who are not loved.

And I think about all of the people out there in this world who wish to be loved.  There are so many hearts that are just yearning for someone to love them.

Next subject.......... And so I want to tell you that my daughter Allison is a great mother.  She spends a lot of time with baby Izzy and loves on her.  Babies should know that they are loved.

Adults should know that they are loved.

Remember, you have the power to bring a smile to someone's face.  You have the power to help someone feel like a million dollars.

A kind word, a caring hug, a little time spent, or a simple smile can be what it takes to help someone to thrive.

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

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I see you

 I see you.

I don't mean that I am watching you.  I don't mean that I am waiting for you to do something wrong.  I am not saying "ok, you have my attention."

I am saying that I see you.
I value you.
I get you.
I want you to be happy.
You matter.
I see you.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.  And see people...  People want to be seen, to be known, to be valued.
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everybody always

 At church we have been watching the Bob Goff video series in staff meeting.  The title of the series is "Everybody Always."

The idea is that we are to love everyone, always.  No more dividing of people between good and bad.  No more KU vs MU.  No more Gators vs Seminoles.  Jesus loves them all.  No more Republicans vs Democrats.  No more those who are in vs those who are out.

We are called to love everyone, always.

And that makes for a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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a little joy

Yesterday I was looking through a Christmas book.  A book of stories, tales and carols.  Suddenly I was in the spirit of Christmas.  I was no longer hearing the political ads, I was no longer worried about covid, I was at the manger.  My heart was singing.  I thought of so many Christmases past.  So much good.  So much joy.  I played some music.

I found the joy.

If you are burdened in your heart right now, get out something Christmas.  Listen to a song.  I have attached one of my favorites here.

click here to listen

May you find some joy this day, For it is afterall, a beautiful day in God's world.

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Manipulation

I have been watching The Vow on HBO about the NXIVM cult.  The amount of manipulation in this organization makes your head shake.  

I have witnessed a good deal of manipulation from Pastors and churches in my life.  The church that I grew up in insisted that they were the right denomination.  Believe like them if you want to be right.  Only members could take communion.  Don't ask questions.  God does it all, and we tell you what God is like and what God thinks.  There is no room for divergent opinions.

In my teen years I attended a church that "cast demons out of people" or whatever that was about.  I witnessed people being "slain in the Spirit" where the Pastor would push on your forehead and you would fall over on the floor.

Today I would like to say this.... God needs no manipulation to do his work.  You should never feel pressured to do anything.  A church asking is fine, but you should always have the freedom to not do whatever they are asking.  Your questions should be welcomed.  Your different views should be ok.  You should not have to check your brain at the door.

In healthy spirituality, your journey is yours.  Read, think, talk things over.  Find a place that fits you.  Flee from pressure, flee from coercion, and flee manipulation in any form.  And if you find yourself with people or pastors that act like they have no problems or are better than other people, run the other way as quickly as you can.

God does not need human pressure.  His Spirit works by love and grace.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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My friend Kathy sent me this

 

kneeling in prayer

Yesterday I was struck with a need to pray.  I thought of some of the things in my life and some of the things in the lives of others that I know.  I started to cry.  I thought of the pandemic.  I thought of the person who came up to me after church on Sunday with tears in their eyes.

I went to the sanctuary to pray.  I was going to kneel down at the rail and talk it all out with God.  But that did not work out as there was a meeting going on in the sanctuary and I wanted to pray in private.

I will go back though and have my time.

And I thought about this one thing that the pandemic cannot take from us.  That is the ability to go to our church and find a place to kneel and pray.  I don't know about you but it seems to work better for me when I am actually in the sanctuary at the rail.

If you are a pastor, remind your folks that they can come during the week and pray.  If you are a member, I hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to sneak into your church and find your place at the communion rail.

Prayer is good for the soul.

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

the meaning of life

 I was listening to a radio show the other day and they were talking about the meaning of life.

What is the meaning of life?  Please, someone tell me, I have been searching for my entire life.  We all at one time or another, ask that question.  Why are we here, what is the meaning of life?

The radio personality that they were interviewing said something that I thought was profound.  They said the point is not "what is the meaning of life, but what is the meaning in life."

In other words, don't worry about what the big meaning is, look every day for the meaning in life.  What am I doing today?  How can I find the meaning in it?  How can I find the meaning in this day?

What can I do to make a difference?  What can I do to deliver joy?  Maybe if we find the meaning in each day of life, we will find the meaning of life.

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

food for thought

 I wish more Christians would consider more fully the message of this comic.

Provided by my friend Linda.

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

The destructive power of self doubt

 I don't know about you, but my life has been one giant fight with self doubt.

Most of us lose the fight.  Most of us shrink back from our potential because we are afraid.  But there have been those times in my life, and I am sure in yours as well, when you stepped up to the plate, fought through your fears and got the bat on the ball.

Fears will come.  They bring choices to us.  Will we shrink back or will we step into the gap?  The side of the road is littered with people that gave up.  But then there are those who refuse to let their self doubt get the best of them.  These are those who stoop to help the broken.  These are those who hug those who are sad.  These are those who sit with the grieving.  

And this is you.  You are doing that.  You can be doing that.  Never let your worries get in the way of doing good in the name of the Lord.  Never let your self doubt stop you from fulfilling your potential.  There are tons of people out there waiting to be loved.  They need you.  And they need me.

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

Welcome to Marwen

Welcome to Marwen is a 2018 film starring Steve Carell.  I had been wanting to watch it because I like war movies and it appeared to have some WW2 flavor in the previews.

Well, what I finally watched on Sunday night was not a war movie.  I don't know exactly how to explain what the movie is about.  Steve Carell has some tragic things happen to him and he spends the rest of the movie trying to come to grips with his wounds.  By the way, it is a true story.

Have you ever had tragic things happen to you and then spend years trying to come to grips with them???

At one point he realizes that what happened to him, what was done to him, was not his fault.  When he said that, I stopped the movie and cried.  What happened to him was not his fault...  And I thought about so many things that happened to me as a child.

Sure, much of my adult issues were, or are my own fault, but when I was a child, I was a child.  The wounds that were inflicted upon me were not my fault.

At one point Steve Carell tells the court, "the people that hurt me, they are gone.  They are gone for good.  They cannot hurt me anymore.  But I am still here.  And I have my friends. And I will be ok."

May all of you who were hurt as children know that you cannot be hurt by them anymore.  They are gone.  They are gone for good.  But we, we are still here.  And we have our friends, and we have those that love us, and we can still work with tools and play catch.  We can still help the needy and do what we were sent to this earth to do.  We can still love one another.

At some point in this life we have to overcome what happened to us as children.  It was not our fault.  They are gone, gone for good, and we, we live on.

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

Are we not over this kind of stuff yet?

 I received an email the other day from someone that I do not know.  They were insisting that if you are not baptized by immersion, then you are going to hell.  Are we not over this kind of stuff yet?

Jesus isn't keeping track of who is baptized and who is not.  He does not care what you believe about the second coming, baptism, or the bible.  

Jesus cares about us learning to love.  Love God, love others.  That is all there is.  All the law and the prophets hang on this.  Everything hangs on this.  Every doctrine, every opinion, every everything is measured by the practice of love.

No love, then we are a noise.  No love, then we are a clashing cymbal.  No love and we are missing it.  May we all spend more time, much more time working on being loving and less time, much less time worrying about doctrine.

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

Good News

 

I am so tired of bad news.  I am so tired of ABC, CBS, NBC and all the rest.  Shootings.  Murders.  Abuse of power.  Terrorists.  Bad Politicians.  Protests.  Looting.  Covid 19.  Is there only bad news?  Are our brains only to be filled with angst?

How about some good news.  It is all around us if we look.  

A new baby was born.  Friends got to have dinner together.  Someone loves someone.  Dick fed homeless people.  Someone was generous.  People were grateful.  Friends came over to visit.  Many people are not sick.  There is water at the sink.  The water is clean.  There is a roof over my head.  I have love in my heart.  Some people love me.  I get to go to the dentist.  I can see.  I can hear.  I own a car.  It starts and runs.  A woman saved her husband from a shark attack.  

I love you.

There is lots of good news in this world if we just focus on it.  It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Will we Christians ever learn?

I have featured this sign before in this blog.

Today we have the message, "Come as you are... you can change inside."  I have so many thoughts about this.  It reminds me of a story my dear friend Ken W told me about his former church.  They had a slogan that said, "first we catch them, then we clean them."  [as if people were fish.]

Here is the message... we accept you as you are, briefly.  Soon after you enter, we will begin to shape you and mold you and guilt you so that you sound and look like us, like we think Christians should look.

So let's be clear, I do believe that our faith should effect our behavior, it should change us.  It should make us more loving and gracious.  But that is up to God.  That is between you and God.  We should never try to make other people straighten out.  We are not the Holy Spirit.  We are here to love people.  If God wants someone to change, God can work on them.

Here is my real problem... do you think that this message on this sign makes people want to come to church there?  No.  Absolutely not.  In fact, anyone who does not go to church will be further repulsed by this message.  They won't want to go to any church.

End of tirade.

Now let's see the good.  You and I don't have to judge people as needing to change.  We can work to love them and understand them and welcome them.  That is what Jesus did.

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

The Rancher's Orange

 This story is not original to me.  I read it some years ago and have looked unsuccessfully for the source.  I have recreated it here to the best of my ability.

The wild west was pretty wild.  It was tough times in many ways.  Life expectancy was lower and farming life was very difficult.

The year was 1880.  A rancher in Montana lost his wife to pneumonia.  The pain the family felt was immense.  The death of the mother left the rancher to care for a 12 year old daughter and a 10 year old son.  Winter came early and the small family lived a meager lifestyle.  

With Christmas coming, the rancher wanted to do something nice for his children.  He wanted to do something that would help his children feel loved.  He wanted to bring a good moment to dispel some of the pain of the prior year.

So, on Christmas Eve he rode to town and was able to procure an orange from the grocer.  They were rare and expensive, but the rancher loved his children very much.  On Christmas morning, the children woke up and went to their chores as they would any other day.  There was no tree nor stockings.  No expectations.  The children knew that times were tough.

When they came back in the house, their Dad had breakfast ready.  When they finished their eggs and bread, the rancher asked if they had seen their present.

Present?  what present?  The children hopped up from their chairs and took a look around.  

There it was, on the mantle.  A single orange.  Their mouths hung open in amazement.  Their eyes were filled with joy.  Dad, this is for us?  "Yes," the rancher replied.  "Merry Christmas!"

The rancher was so moved by his children's response that he began to cry.  He slipped into the bedroom to let the tears fall.  Then hollering came from the kitchen,  "Dad come out."

He wiped the tears from his eyes and stepped out.  There to his surprise were his children, sitting at the table with the orange.

Then the unexpected.  The orange was cut, not for two children but cut into thirds.  The rancher began to cry again.   The gift that he had given to them, had turned out to be a gift to him too.

Dark times were made bright by the sacrificial gift of an orange.  Hearts were warmed as the orange was prepared not for two, but sliced for three.  The father was never so proud of his children.  It was a Christmas to remember.  Love, generosity and hope are beautiful things.

the tangerines

 Our Monday morning sandwich delivery to the marginalized now includes tangerines thanks to a lovely couple from church.  Let me tell you, if you thought a sandwich was welcomed, if you thought chips were welcomed, you should see the eyes pop when the tangerines come out.

We take so much for granted.  We have so much.  These folks sit down with their sandwich, their chips and their tangerine and the tangerine is the first thing opened.  The joy that the cool and fruity taste brings is something that they appreciate so much.

We have so much that we forget the value of many things.  We have forgotten to be amazed.  Oh that we would wake up and see the good.

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

The orange

When I was a kid we always got an orange in the toe of our Christmas stocking.  I never really appreciated the orange, but over the years I have learned the significance of this gift.

During the Great Depression, oranges were scarce, everything was scarce.  Kids did not get bags of candy like we did growing up in the 60's.  Without fanfare or explanation, my mother [a depression era child] would put an orange in the toe of our stockings year after year.  I know she was hoping that some day we would understand the significance.

As her parents went to great length to give this scarce treat to them on Christmas day, she was reminding us that there are precious things in life to be savored.  It has taken me years to understand the value of that orange.

This year, my kids are going to get an orange in their stockings.  I know that one day they will understand.

May we all find ways to give from the heart, scarce and precious things that will be a blessing to others.

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

another tipping story

A reader shared this in confidence. I love it when I see others experiencing the joy of living a generous life.

Not to “let the left hand know what the right hand is doing” but...
I, too, tip very generously at times. Beyond this though, there are times I am led to look around a restaurant.  The Spirit will take me back time and again to a certain table. It may be a family, it may be a couple...once it was a group of very young teenagers counting every penny they had to experience eating out without mom and dad around.
I pay for their meals. I do it anonymously, for I do not want the credit. It is all His. The glory, the praise, and the money in my pocket to give, it is all His.

Love you brother. Keep telling your stories, to prompt us to tell ours.
Generosity in money, friendship, and love...it’s a circle. As is life.


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

inclusion vs exclusion

Richard Rohr's devotion on Sunday was very good. He talked about the inclusive nature of Jesus.

He said that the cross is a sign of solidarity, not judgment. That we should look at the cross as something that brings people together, something that shows the great love of God. And as people are brought together in Jesus, we are reminded how "to imitate Jesus, the good Jewish man who saw and called forth the divine in Gentiles like the Syro-Phoenician woman and the Roman centurions who followed him; in Jewish tax collectors who collaborated with the Empire; in zealots who opposed the Empire; in sinners of all stripes; in eunuchs, pagan astrologers, and all those “outside the law.” Jesus had no trouble whatsoever with otherness."

"If we are ready to reclaim the true meaning of “catholic,” which is “universal,” we must concentrate on including—as Jesus clearly did—instead of excluding—which he never did. The only thing Jesus excluded was exclusion itself."

Some Christians exclude others in the name of Jesus. That is odd when Jesus included everyone. I hope that you can feel the holiness of including and welcoming people.  Something to think about.

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

watch for this sign that the pandemic is ending

 

I love tools.  I love Harbor Freight Tools.  Harbor Freight has provided 20% off coupons for years.  They come in the mail, you can tear them out of magazines, they come in the valpack, and many other places.  In the past it has not been uncommon for me to have a stack of these coupons in a pile based on expiration dates.  

Lately I have noticed that the coupons have dried up.  Why?  During the pandemic, people are spending time and money fixing up their homes.  Harbor Freight does not need to give coupons right now because business is booming.

So the other day I had to pay full price for the items that I bought because I have run out of coupons.  And it occurs to me... as the pandemic ends and things get back to normal, I think that we will see Harbor Freight tools coupons in the mail again.

Here is to the coupons coming back!

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

The tip

 Last week I had breakfast with a friend.  I picked up the bill of $13.  She left the tip, a cash tip.  I went to the cashier to pay with a credit card.  I wanted to leave a tip too, but for some reason no tips were allowed on credit cards.  So I finished at the cashier and walked back in to hand our server $3.  She had just picked up my friend's tip of $5.  

The server was so pleased!  $13 bill, $8 tip.  I was so pleased to see her joy.

This reminded me of a story.  [I know that this is not exactly right but you will get the idea.] I have a friend who eats once per month with 5 girl friends. They pick a restaurant and each of them pays for their own meal. They also have $20 each for the tip. So, once a month, a server at some random restaurant gets a $120 tip! I have heard many stories about how this has brought the servers to tears.

I love stories of generosity.  I think it is great when we can bless others.

I share this story with you because it is likely that there is money in my pocket and your pocket that might be better used to bless someone else.

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

Thank you

On Saturday my Pastor Tim Willcox was ordained.

There are many memorable moments in life.  Graduations.  Births.  Grandchildren.  If you are a Methodist Minister, the day that you are ordained is a big one for sure. 

Bishop W.T. Handy Jr.

It was round about June 7, 1991 when I was ordained.  We were in the Linn Memorial Chapel on the grounds of Central Methodist College.  The ordination class was called up one by one.  My parents were there.  My wife was there.  I made my way to the front and knelt down.  Two men, my mentors, David VanGiesen and Jim Bryan put their hands upon my shoulders.  Bishop W.T. Handy laid his hands upon my head and said, "take thou the authority to preach the word."  I am brought to tears as I write this.

Thirty years have gone by since that day.  Sure I had a few negative people and a few negative experiences along the way, but the overwhelming majority of it has been wonderful. 

I want to thank you all, The members of:
Cache UMC
Indiahoma UMC
St. John's UMC
Lebanon First UMC
Princeton UMC
Mercer UMC
Woods Chapel UMC
Cape Coral UMC
and finally
Ft. Pierce First UMC

Thank you all so much for the journey, for the love, for the friendship!!!  It has been awesome.

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

sermon audio from 9-6-2020

I had the pleasure to fill in for a friend while I was visiting in KC last Sunday.
Here is the sermon audio if you are inclined to listen.
The assigned topic was "the yeast of the Pharisees"

click here to listen

If Jesus came for a visit

I was thinking what would happen if Jesus came to visit America today.

The blue lives matter group would gather around him.
The black lives matter group would gather around him.
The all lives matter group would gather.
Trump supporters would be there.
Those against trump would be there.
Random protesters would be there.

Pretty soon everyone would be shouting at each other.
Threats would be made against each other.

But amid the noise and the din, from time to time various people would look over at Jesus and notice that he wasn't saying anything.

Little by little, more people noticed that although Jesus was there, he wasn't saying anything.  The noise began to die down.  Finally there was silence.

Jesus stepped forward.
[he has a way of speaking to us when we stop talking.]

One by one, he looks deeply into the eyes of each person there.   Every person on every side and he said to each of them over and over and over...

Love one another.
Love one another.
Love one another.
Love one another.
Love one another.
Love one another.
Love one another.
Love one another.
Love one another.
Love one another.
Love one another.
Love one another.
Love one another.
Love one another.

Everyone went home that day with a new reminder of what was important in life.  They took seriously his words and began treating each other differently.

It could happen.
It starts with you and it starts with me.

sandwiches

Yesterday was sandwich delivery day.  Every Monday morning my friend Dick and I make and deliver about 20 sandwiches to homeless men and women in Ft. Pierce.  Dick is really the boss and I am a tag along.

Originally the sandwiches were two slices of bread and a piece of cheese.  My wife loved that we were doing this, so she kicked in for baloney.  My daughter Jennifer and  her fiance David got wind of this and wanted  to help.  So thanks to them, we are now delivering baloney and cheese sandwiches with a bag of chips.

Yesterday after handing a man a sandwich, he said thank you.  I said God bless you.  Then as I started to walk away I heard him begin to pray, "dear Jesus I thank you for the gift of this food."

It brought me to tears.

This is such a simple thing, but it is so rewarding.  May we all find ways, many ways that we can see the needy and reach out.

That is why we are here, to care for one another.

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

Baby Izzy

On Friday, Grandpa "Pooh" got to hold baby Isabella "Izzy."

It's a very beautiful day in God's world.

friendship

A friend is someone who knows the song of your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

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

The Book of Revelation

Is Covid-19 a sign of the end of time? Are we in the last days? I have heard several fundamental folks say that we are. One suggested that you won't be able to buy or sell unless you get the vaccine.

In response to these silly speculations, I want to provide a video of a presentation that I did on Revelation in 2014.

If you like it, feel free to pass it along. It is Revelation and Baptism from the view of one Methodist. Your fundamentalist friends won't care for it.

click the link below to watch or cut and paste it into your browser.

click here to watch


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTvlF5X07P4&fbclid=IwAR1d1J-M2Xo2yBLwb_RqGs2WNWk3uCU483Tm2U_0MGXJo7eTnApqOQP2-gc