from fear driven to love drawn

Edited from Richard Rhor's daily devotional May 15, 2026

It seems we are addicted to our need to make distinctions and judgments, which we mistake for intelligent thinking. Most of us think we are our thinking, yet almost all thinking is compulsive, repetitive, and habitual. We are forever writing our inner commentaries on everything, commentaries that always reach the same practiced conclusions. That is why all forms of meditation and contemplation teach a way of quieting this compulsively driven and unconsciously programmed mind.

The desert fathers and mothers wisely called this process “the shedding of thoughts.” We don’t fight, repress, deny, identify with, or even judge them; we merely shed them. We are so much more than our thoughts about things, and we will feel this more as an unlearning than a learning of any new content.

When we meditate consistently, a sense of our autonomy and private self-importance—what we think of as our “self”—falls away, little by little, as unnecessary, unimportant, and even unhelpful in many cases. The imperial “I,” the self that we likely experience as our only self, reveals itself as largely a creation of our mind.

Through regular practice of contemplation, we become less and less interested in protecting this self-created, relative identity. And also, we don’t have to attack it; it calmly falls away of its own accord, and we experience a kind of natural humility.

If our prayer goes deep, “invading” our unconscious, as it were, our whole view of the world will change from fear to connection. We won’t live inside our fragile and encapsulated self anymore, nor will we feel any need to protect it. In meditation, we move from ego consciousness to soul awareness, from being fear-driven to being love-drawn.

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

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

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
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loneliness

From Courtney...

"loneliness isn't a failure, it's a classroom for your soul.  It's where you learn to be enough without anyone else's approval."

Jeff comments... there is always something to learn, especially from the difficult moments of life.  It is just very important in times of pain and struggle to be open to learn from what is happening at the time.  Too many people, thinking that life is supposed to be about their comfort,  just wish trouble away and never learn the lessons.

Be open.  be listening.

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

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

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
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something I want to learn most of all

My friend Bruce sent this in...


The Arrival

After I drove six hours
she welcomed me at the door
of her home
with a pair of slippers
and a glass of water—
there are many languages
I want to learn to speak fluently.
Kindness, most of all.

—Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer


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

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

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
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click here for Canada New England cruise info

at the edge

I found this poem on Richard Rohr's daily devotional...


“A Blessing for Those at the Edge”

Maybe you walked here.
Maybe you ran here.
Maybe you followed a trail of stones, of feathers, of flowers,
of scents, of sky.
Maybe you went afoot with the Mystery & so how you got here
is also a mystery.

But here is where you are & here
is always its own kind of blessing & here
at the edge, blessings compound.

Bless those at the edge of the river
of their heart, full of promise.

Bless those at the edge of the morning,
singing the bright face of day into the blue.

Bless those at the edge of what they know,
watching the old certainties crumble.

Bless those at the edge of doom,
bearing it out, as the famous bard wrote,
with or without the draw of a happy ending.

Bless those at the edge of love
of self, of other, of world,
as the way forward grows more subtle, less sound.

Bless those at the edge of language,
whose tongues & tales & names
are more pledge than guarantee.

Bless those at the edge of believing
a life can be lived at the edge.

- Alison Davis

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

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

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
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click here for Canada New England cruise info

not afraid to be wrong

I will live by the best I can discern today. Tomorrow I may find out I was wrong. Since I do not live by being right, I am not destroyed by being wrong.

—Verna Dozier

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

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

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
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click here for Canada New England cruise info

sometimes

Sometimes.  Sometimes it sneaks out.  The worst of me.  That part that I try to keep in check, sometimes, it sneaks out.

Sometimes when I am driving, I cannot control the frustration that I feel with drivers that will not turn left or who are on their phone and don't know that the light has turned green.

Sometimes I am annoyed with what people post on social media.

There are all kinds of things that annoy me, and sometimes the worst of me sneaks out.  I try to keep me in check, but sometimes... you know... I show up.

May we all keep working on keeping the worst of us in check.  May God grant his blessing to our efforts to help make us all a bit sweeter.

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

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
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Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
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click here for Canada New England cruise info

the first thought

I am not always the best person or the person that I want to be.  So, here is a bit of a reveal...

The first thought in my brain isn't always good.  Sometimes the first thought in my brain is small, judgmental and hurtful.

I was waiting for the tram at the Atlanta airport. A very attractive young woman stepped up right next to me.  My brain thought, "my goodness, I'll bet that she’s just totally full of herself." 

I guess I thought that because I have had experiences with very attractive people who came across like they were all that. 

And then my brain went to it's second thought.  My brain said, "no that’s terrible. That’s a terrible thing to think. She may be the nicest person in the world."

Thank God for second thoughts.

I only share this because sometimes what our brains think initially isn’t fair, it isn’t right and can be judgmental.  And we can't always control our first thought.

We need to pause that first thought and look for a better thought.

Actively work to move your brain away from judgment to love and acceptance.  You will be glad that you did.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

She lost her phone

I was waiting in line to drop off a package at the UPS store.  A woman can rushing in.  She was in panic mode.  She bypasses the line and yells to the clerk.  "Did I leave my phone in here?"

He looks.  He says, No.

She leaves.

A few minutes later she is back.  "I know I left my phone in here.  I was talking on it in here."  The clerk acknowledges that she was talking on it, but he doesn't think that it is here.

I step in.

Ma'am if you give me your number, I will call your phone.  She does.  I call it.  There is no ringing.  The phone is not in the store.  

I tell her to go out to her car and I will call her there.

By this time, I am done with my UPS transaction and I am standing by her car.  I call her number again.  She says, "I can hear it in here, but I don't know where it is."

She opens the hatch back and sure enough, there is her phone, sitting in the trunk area, right where she left it.

My favorite author, Anthony Demello says, "if you can't find your keys, I know where they are.  They are right where you sat them."  The problem isn't that we don't know where they are, the problem is that we are not paying attention to life.

We are in such a hurry that our brains are on to the next thing and we didn't pay attention to what we just did.

Time to slow down.  Time to live in the moment.  Time to pay attention.

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

- - - - - - - -
Sherri Swanson and I are leading a trip to New Zealand January 30-Feb 12, 2027
If you want to sign up, you can use my host number 17768 or Sherri's 57707
Here is a link for more information
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Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
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click here for Canada New England cruise info

When reality says "No"

"Can you accept a 'no' from reality? Can you allow things to not go your way? Suffering means that you are having a tantrum because reality isn’t behaving the way you want it to."   Anthony DeMello

Jeff comments... when we choose to accept the moments that we do not like, when we choose to relax in the face of difficulty, when we come to grips with the fact that it is not going to go my way,  then we find a peace that the world cannot give.



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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Loan or gift?

A friend of mine loaned another friend $10,000.  A good deal of it was paid back.  But then the payments stopped.  It became clear that friend #2 was unable to make any more progress on the loan.  

The situation wore on both of them.  It affected their relationship.

Finally, friend #1 said to themselves, "this money is getting in the way of our friendship.  I don't need the money and they obviously are not going to be able to pay it back."  Friend 1 called friend 2 and cancelled the remainder of the debt.

Let nothing be between you and me.

Some things are more important than money.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

the hereafter

I am starting to forget things.  It is fairly common, it happens several times a week that I will forget.  I will walk into the garage, or into a room in the house and totally forget why I went in there.

So I believe in the here after.

I walk into the room and I ask myself, "what am I here after???"

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

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

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
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click here for Canada New England cruise info

be prepared

Some people are surprised, even angry when difficulty comes their way.  Into each life a little rain must fall.  Don't be upset and don't be surprised when trouble comes knocking on your door.

My friend Courtney sent in this screen shot...  it is a quote from the book "This Beautiful Truth" by Sarah Clarkson.

This is how the world works... beautiful and terrible things will happen.  Do not be afraid.  You are not alone.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Nothing to Earn

We humans keep trying to earn love.  What if there’s nothing to earn?  What if God just loves us as we are?  There’s just nothing to earn.  There’s nothing to prove.  That is true love.

You just wake up in the morning and realize that you are loved.

Sure, there is a negative voice that tells you that you were bad or wrong or ugly or stupid or a sinner or should be going to hell.  Love washes that voice away.  Just take a deep breath and admit all of those voices were wrong. 

You have nothing to prove.  You have nothing to earn.  Love is just given.  Love keeps no record of wrongs.

Receive it.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

triangulation

Triangulation is a concept in relationships where a conflict between two people is engaged in by a third person.  For example, I have a beef with a co-worker, so I go to a third co-worker for help.  Or in a family, a brother has an issue with a sister, but instead of working it out between the two of them, he goes to a third sibling in hopes that they can help resolve the situation.

Triangulation is never healthy. In his book, "Creating a healthier Church" Alan Richardson says, "one person cannot change the relationship between any two people; efforts to do so usually only make things worse.  If you are person C in the triangle, you can only manage your own relationship with either A or B.  You cannot do anything about the relationship between A and B.  As soon as you take a side in the triangle, regardless of the righteousness of the cause or of the issues involved, you automatically become a part of the problem."

If you are engaged in triangulation, you may want to take a step back.  Let them work it out.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Love

My friend Bruce sent this quote in...

"Love- the greatest thing that one will ever learn in this life is to love and to be loved in return."
          Eden Ahbez

Personally, I think I am doing better on learning to love, still struggling with being loved in return.  Let's keep working on it!

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

just borrowing and sermon audio from yesterday

If you are interested, here is the sermon audio link from yesterday...  open the link and scroll down past classic worship to modern worship on 5/31/26

click here for yesterday's message

Now on to today's blog post...

In response to my post a few days ago about going to garage sales, my friend Arthur wrote in about going to estate sales.  He said that it bothered him for a while, buying things that belonged to the dead... kind of morbid...

Then he said that he had this thought... we really don't own anything permanently, we are only borrowing it while we are here.

How much did the rich man take with him when he died?  None of it.

Everything that we have is on loan from God.  After we have no need for it, it will go to the rubbish pile or someone else will borrow it while on their earthly journey.

Something to think about.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Thank You

The last few days, I have awoken with one thought on my mind.  "Thank you."

Thank you God for the gift of another day.  Thank you.

Although the simplest of prayers, I find it to be truly profound.  To begin the day with gratitude and to keep an attitude of appreciation during the day is such a healthy and positive thing for us humans to do.

A grateful attitude keeps our egos in check and effects how we treat others.

Meister Eckhart, a German Catholic Priest 1260-1328, said quite famously, "If the only prayer that we learn in this life is 'thank you,' it is enough."

Practice practicing gratitude, you will be glad that you did.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

loneliness

I was watching a movie the other night called "All is Lost."  It stars Robert Redford as a man on a sailboat, alone and in trouble in the middle of the ocean.

I had to watch in sections as the feelings of loneliness were so powerful.

I thought of so many people who feel lonely.  I thought about how we can feel lonely even with a house full of people.

I thought about the remedy for loneliness.  To me, that remedy is friends.  We all need them.  People to talk to, people to sit with, people who care.

If you are lonely, please reach out to a friend.  Send me a note if you like at jsbrink57@gmail.com

Even though we get lonely from time to time, it is still a beautiful day in God's world...be sure to be the good.

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

It could be me

I went to a garage sale last Saturday.  Sometimes I get the urge.  Usually I find nothing, but this time, I hit the jackpot.  For $20 I got a box of sprinklers, sprinkler fittings, a log chain, a collection of drill drivers, a bunch of little lead birds, four concrete tools and some other cool stuff.

Turns out the husband had passed and the wife was selling his collection.  He collected the same things as I do.  Now I have more.  [we always want more don't we???]

I realized... it could have been me.  A bunch of locals coming to the house to buy my precious collection of fix it stuff.  It could have been me.  One day it will be me.

My point in all of this is to say this... no matter what is going on in your world, you woke up today!!!

Life is good.  Life is a blessings.  Life doesn't last forever.

Enjoy the day.  Keep a good attitude.  You only get this day one time.

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

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

Sherri Swanson and I are also leading a Canada/New England cruise in September of 2027
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click here for Canada New England cruise info

The Sabbath - quote 3

"The higher goal of spiritual living is not to amass a wealth of information, but to face sacred moments."

Far too many Christians are pursuing a Christianity of knowledge and information.  Learn more about the Bible.  Learn the secrets.  Know the stuff.  Know the secret stuff.  Knowledge is power.  Know more.

But knowledge is not salvation.  Knowledge is not the mark of a Christian.  Love is.

Too many Christians sit on their hind ends in class rooms, filling their head with knowledge and never get out for the sacred moments.

Sunday School is fine, but it pales in comparison to feeding the hungry, visiting the lonely or working the shower ministry.

Sacred moments are not experiences of the mind, they are experiences of the heart.  

Close the book and get out amongst them.  You will be glad that you did.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Chocolate

Most of you know that I take chocolate for the flight attendants when I go on an airplane.  It is one way that I have chosen to express kindness to people who are often treated poorly.  How we treat people in the service industry tells so much about our Christianity.

Anyway, I give them the chocolate and they are almost always grateful.  I don't do this because I want a response, sometimes there is none.  But usually they are thrilled and they want to give me snacks and drinks.

On a recent trip to Ashville NC for a wedding,  the response was surprise, joy, and this:

a bag of snacks, note the pilots wings pin

and this note...

"Thank you for making us feel seen."  Wow.  I thought that was fantastic.  And it just goes to show you how many human beings are out there, waiting tables, standing behind the counters, cutting the grass, and they don't feel seen.

Everyone wants to be acknowledged.  Every one want to feel like they matter.

See the humans in your life.  Look them in the eye.  Show kindness.  It will make their day and it will be a blessing to you as well.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Bill Carter's words

Bill Carter was a fantastic man.  He did so many great things at the church.  He built the altar, pulpit, and communion rails.

He was also very wise.  He passed on many things to me.  A couple of his sayings that were humorous 🦴 still resonate with me.

When we were designing the new church, the architect had drawn a private bathroom next to the pastor's office.  I said, "hey if we put the door on this side, the entire staff can use it, the pastor doesn't need his own bathroom."  Bill replied saying, "you won't always be the pastor here."

He was right.  And I will tell you that there were many times when I was very appreciative of that private bathroom.

Another time was in 1994, I had just arrived at Woods Chapel UMC.  There were six exterior doors on the old building and all of the panic bars were worn out.  One in particular, we had trouble dogging the panic bar open.  I asked him to come work on that door.  He came by and worked on all of the doors.  When he was done, he called me over to one of the doors.  It was not the door that I had asked him to work on.

He started to tell me how the panic bars worked.  I started to tell him that this wasn't the door in question.  Before I could finish he said something profound... He said, "son, you are talking when you ought to be listening."

Initially I felt hurt for a moment or two, then I realized that he was right.  And I have thought of it many times afterwards, I still think of it today.

Are there times when you are, when I am talking when we ought to be listening???

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Memorial Day

Memorial Day... a day to remember those who fought in our wars. Whether we agreed with the wars or not, to fight in the military is a sacrifice that I believe deserves respect.

Memorial Day is also a day to remember our loved ones who have gone on before us. My Dad, Paul Brinkman. My mother, Mary Brinkman. My friends, Dan Horn, Joel Horsch, Jonny Cross, Robin Fisher, Kent Chappelow and Kathy Krueger.

It is sad to lose those that we love.  When we love someone, we set ourselves up for pain.

The older I get, the more time I spend thinking about life. What a gift it is! What a joy it is to be alive. I also believe that whatever is on the other side must be pretty good too.

But for now, let us live, let us love, let us live lives of gratitude. We only get one shot at this, so let's make the most of every day and every moment that we have left.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Mystery still

As I have been thinking about the God who is beyond us, the God who is found in mystery, I remembered again the story of the salt doll. I have posted it before, but it has been a while.

"A salt doll journeyed for thousands of miles over land, until it finally came to the sea.
It was fascinated by this strange moving mass, quite unlike anything it had seen before.
“Who are you?” said the salt doll to the sea.
The sea smilingly replied, “come in and see.”
So the doll waded in. The farther it walked into the sea the more it dissolved, until there was very little of it left.  Before the last bit dissolved, the doll exclaimed in wonder, “now I know what I am!”

When we fall into the mystery of God we come to know ourselves better. We let go of the need to be right. We let go of the need to be in control.  We let go of doctrine.  When we fall into the mystery of God and dissolve into him, we find a comfort, a rest, a peace.

Wade in. The water is fine.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Male or Female or ?

I grew up in a culture where all pronouns relating to God were male.  He, Him, Father.  To this day, I am still comfortable with that.

But do we believe that God is really a male?  Come on...

A politician got in trouble recently for referring to God as non-binary.

Non-binary means "denoting, having, or relating to a gender identity that does not conform to traditional binary beliefs about gender, which indicate that all individuals are exclusively either male or female:"

We can get very uncomfortable with language about God. I want to suggest to you that God is not male or female or non-binary.  God is beyond our description.  God is bigger than our ideas.

Instead of trying to control God with our ideas, lets consider him as bigger than our thoughts and just enjoy the beauty of the big giant mystery that God is.

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” declares the LORD."

Fall into the mystery.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Doctrine or mystery?

If you grew up in the church, you were taught doctrine.  You were taught what to believe.  Doctrines, are a collection of ideas accumulated and formulated by men.  They take random ideas and random scriptures and create doctrines, ideas or pathways about God and salvation.

There are 1,000s of different ideas about God and salvation.  Who says that the one you and I were taught is right?  The next pastor picked a few different ideas and scriptures and shaped something else.

Ultimately, God is bigger than doctrines.  People can quote the Bible, but GOD is bigger than the bible.  The bible is not GOD.  God is bigger.  Period.

Ultimately I think that we can know three things about God:

1.  God is good

2.  God is loving

3.  God asks us to follow him and to be loving and kind.

Beyond this, our knowing of God is a journey into the mystery of something that is so very much bigger than we are.

Are you living in a world of doctrine or a world of God's infinite mystery???

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

quote 2

Quote 2 from the book "Sabbath."  By the way, if you want to buy this or any book, I was introduced to a site called Dealoz by my friend Alexandra.  There is a dealoz app.  I can usually get used books in great condition for a very very good price.

Quote 2: 

"In order to retain an idea of the holy God, to perpetuate the presence of God, His image is fashioned.  Yet a God who can be fashioned, a God who can be defined, is but a shadow of man."

Let me extrapolate... In order to secure the concept of God, in order to stay close to God, in order to feel like we understand God, we humans create images... Maybe a stone idol, maybe a church sanctuary, maybe a collection of doctrines.  Yet, any God that can be defined by man, is but a shadow of man, a creation of man, a figment of His true being.

God is bigger than our doctrines, he is bigger than our notions of him.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

new book

A friend recommend a new book to me.  The title is "The Sabbath" the author is Abraham Joshua Heschel.  A Jewish theologian, the book was originally published in 1951.

Over the next few days I am going to post some quotes from the book.  The theme that I am encountering in the early chapters is this... We focus too much on collecting stuff and having more.  In doing so, we miss the gift of time.  We miss the gift of enjoying this precious moment.  

Here we go... [quote edited by me...]

"There is a realm where the goal is not to have, but to be, not to own, but to give, not to control, but to share, not to subdue, but to be in accord.  Life goes sideways when our acquisition of things becomes our sole concern."

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

just sit

Last weekend I was invited to officiate a wedding in North Carolina.  Outside of Ashville, we stayed in a lovely cabin that had a fantastic view of the mountains.

I did something that I have not done for a long time.  I sat on the porch and enjoyed the view.  It was wonderful.  It was peaceful.

I realized that I can do this anywhere.  I can do this on my back porch at home.  I think I am going to start making a habit of just sitting for a bit.

Meditation.  Appreciation.  Joy.  Slow things down.  Enjoy the moment.  It feels good to the soul.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

self-less

From my friend Arthur...

I heard this recently;  "Being selfless isn't thinking less of oneself,  it's thinking of one's self less."

Jeff says... I would add, being selfless isn't thinking less of one's self, it is thinking of others more.  It is thinking more of others.  It is noticing others.  It is seeing others.

Being selfless doesn't denigrate me.  It lifts up others.  And that makes me feel happy and fulfilled.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

cranky

I bought a new battery for the car.  I paid online and picked it up from the store.  An employee brought it out to me in the pick up area.

The next day, I took the core [old battery] in to Walmart automotive.  The woman informed me that she could not refund the core charge due to a glitch in her system.

Back and forth we went.  She wanted me to leave the battery with out receiving the core charge refund.  Back and forth we went.

I am trying to be nice, but this does not make sense.  I have dealt with this woman before.  She is always cranky.  It is like she is unhappy in her life and so it boils out to everyone that she comes in contact with.

And I wonder... did she think that I was cranky?

You know what they say, when I point one finger at another, there are three pointing back at me.  How am I coming across even in, especially in the frustrating moments of life???

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

focus on what you love

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Awareness

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

From my friend Courtney...

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

more power

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

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

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

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

You can make a difference.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

power

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Yellowstone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

I missed Mother's Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Everyone needs to be noticed

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

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

I decided to just watch him and appreciate him.

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

kindness again, kindness still...

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

to take or to give

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

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

How are you wired???

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Tell me that I am ok

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

A prayer for these times...

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


Dear God,

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Amen.


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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

When is Cinco de Mayo this year?

When is Cinco de Mayo this year?

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


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

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

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

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




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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Star Wars Day

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

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

Why is today Star Wars Day?

May the Forth be with you!!!



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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

pay it forward

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

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

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

Who will you bless today?

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

generosity for anyone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

for a reason???

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

dealing with grief

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

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

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

Allow yourself to live and love.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Negativity

Oh, the negative impact of negativity...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

take a breath

I got this from my friend Bruce...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

We all have our bias

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

Our version may not be correct...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info