letting go of hatred

I am watching a new show on Netflix.  It's a western.  I love a good western.  The name of the show is Lawman – Bass Reeves.  Here is a quote...

“It’s hard for a man to put fear and hate behind him.”

Law Man – Bass Reeves

It may be hard, but it can be done. There are people from my past that I have made peace with. It can be done. [you are not one of them]

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

Forrest Clay

Forrest Clay is a singer.  In his song, "Does God" verse two,  I heard these lyrics:

"Did God kill his kid?
Did he have to have blood
Before he could forgive?
Maybe we made a god that looks like us."

Something to think about...

Here is the link to the song if you want to listen.

link to song "does 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

email signature

My friend Cara ends her emails with this Cherokee Proverb...

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice!"  Cherokee Proverb

I have nothing to add to this, but I thought that it was lovely.

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

volunteers

I was talking about volunteer trees the other day.  Someone made fun of me.  They said that I was making it up...

Well, here is a link where I found the following info...

https://biologyinsights.com/what-are-volunteer-trees-and-should-you-remove-them/

"The appearance of an unexpected tree seedling in a yard is a common experience for property owners. These spontaneous seedlings, often referred to as volunteer trees, are self-sown plants that germinate and begin to grow without any human intervention."

So volunteer trees are a real thing and they are pesky.  I am writing about this though because while volunteer trees are annoying, you and me volunteering our time is a very important gift in this life.  Imagine if the next time you were in need, you were surrounded by a group of friends that just popped up and popped in to help.

You and I can be that surprise bit of good news that shows up unexpectedly in the life of a friend.

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

why do you believe?

I was listening to a podcast the other day and the author was explaining that people believe things for three reasons:  evidence, logic or community.

1.  evidence... they have seen the evidence

2.  logic - it seems logical to them

3.  community... someone else, a church member, the pastor, a friend, told you that it was logical or that there was evidence for the belief.

Unfortunately, in my mind, the worst reason to believe is also the most common... community... someone else told me, told us, that this is the right way to think.  Most humans never consider the logic of the thing and they usually never see the evidence.  We just drink the kool-aid that our parents and pastors fed us.

It is challenging to ask one's self the hard questions about our/my beliefs.  But it is also ok, more than ok, in fact I think that it is mandatory in a meaningful life, for us to question that which was handed down to us.

So why do you believe what you believe?  Logic, evidence, or community pressure?

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

indiscriminate

Love is indiscriminate.

It doesn't discriminate between people.  It doesn't say that some are worth it and others are not.

Consider the light that emanates from a lamp.  Consider the shade of a tree.  Consider the scent of a rose.  Each of these fall upon all humans, both the good and the bad.

So it is with love.  You don't earn love.  You don't get good enough to receive it.  Love is God's amazing gift and it goes out to all.

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

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

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

click here for Canada New England cruise info

We are frail

Lindsay Graham, Senator from South Carolina passed recently at 71 years of age.  Evidently his aorta tore.

We humans are frail.  We don't think that we are, but we are.  We are frail.  So many things could happen to us.  Cancer, a car wreck, a heart attack.  On and on it goes.

But don't be depressed.  I am not writing this to depress  you.  I am writing this to say, once again, that life is to be appreciated.  Life is to be savored.  Life is to be valued.  Life is to be prized.  Life is to be cherished.

We are frail.  We will not be here for ever.

Be thankful for every day and live it with joy and gratitude.

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 like a banana tree

A poem by John Roedel...

How terribly strange it is
that we keep debating...
who deserves a meal?

While the trees keep giving fruit
to anyone who wanders by.
A full stomach shouldn't depend on luck.

Oh my love,
let us be less like bureaucrats...
and more like banana trees.

                                John Roedel

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

that doesn't make it bad

Oh.  Something is different.  I don't remember it like that.  I wouldn't do it like that.

But wait.  Just because it is different, doesn't mean that it is bad.  

Look at the thing.  Think about it.  Why did they do it like this?  What do I know, it may just work out.  It may be just fine.  It will probably be fine.  It is not that big of a deal anyway.

I saw it.  It was different.  I had a reaction.  

I need to remember:  just because it is different, doesn't mean that it is bad.  Get over yourself Jeff.

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

what we express...

My friend Orpha sent me a note about how she is choosing to live her life.  She said, "In my current stage of life, I find it important to express my love and appreciation."

I absolutely love that.  What stage of life are you in?  Do you find it important to show love and appreciation?  Can't we do that at any stage of life?

It is not that hard to show love and appreciation.  May we all put a little more effort into doing that, regardless of our age.

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

those who say...

There is an old saying in the ministry world... you are never someone's pastor until they tell you that you are.  The Bishop cannot make you someone's pastor... only the love in your heart, only your ability to connect with the people will cause them to call you "pastor."

My Dad had a saying.  It is now my saying.  It is found in many of the world's religions... "those who say, don't know.  those who know, don't have to say."

Be yourself.  Keep your identity in check.  Do your job.  Love the people.  Then, in time, they will call you pastor.  And you will be, indeed.

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

july 19 - my moms birthday

Paul and Mary Brinkman
Julie and baby Jeff

Today is my mom's birthday.  July 19, 1932.

Had she lived, she would be 94 today.  She died in 1995 at the age of 62.  Mom was married to my Dad when she was 19.  Three years later my sister Julie was born.  Add two years later and I came along.

Mom had her issues for sure.

One of my favorite books, "The four things that matter most" by Ira Byock, suggests that we can learn to remember our loved ones, not as they were, but as we wished them to be.

In other words, instead of grieving what your mother was not, think of her and remember her as the mother that you wished that she had been.

It's an interesting thought.

To celebrate someone for what you thought that they might have... could have been.  I guess it releases them from our resentment and helps us to see the good.

And I am all for that... seeing the good.

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 cry

Everyone needs to cry from time to time.  I attended the funeral of David Conchola on Wednesday July 8th.  I cried the entire time.

When the prelude music started, I cried.  When the pastors walked in, I cried.  I cried through the entire thing.

The man sitting next to me probably thought I was a loon.  He might be right.

I loved David Conchola.  But it also seemed to be the case, that I needed a good cry.  I hadn't cried for a long long time.

Sometimes we all need to cry.

Don't be embarrassed to let yourself cry.  It's ok.  It is a part of being a human.  Let your self cry.  You will feel better.

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

It was a day

It was a day.  It was a day that wasn't going the way that I wanted it to go.  I had several complaints.  Nothing changed.  I was frustrated.  I was tired.  I wanted things to go my way.

Then I had a thought.  I had a novel thought.  Maybe the problem isn't with the day, maybe the problem is with me.

Maybe I need to change my expectations.  Maybe I need to change my attitude.

I did.

Ok, all good now!!!

Sometimes when we find the problem, we recognize it, and it is me.

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 mills of the Gods

 

My Father would quote this to me.  His version was, "the mills of the Gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine."

Recently, my 39 year old daughter asked me for the exact words of the quote. 

Evidently, when you have children, you face real life.  Ultimately, when you grow into adulthood, you are forced to face real life.

And as you move along the journey of life, the work of the gods moves slowly, but eventually it comes to you and teaches you things that your parents were trying to.

I used to tell my kids, "listen to me.  learn from me.  let me teach you.  Or, life will.  And kids, life can be a cruel teacher."

The mills of the Gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly 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

our perspectives

Too often, we think that we are right.  Too often, we think that we have the world figured out.  In my experience, the older we get, the less we know.  Or, the older we get, the more we know that we don't know.  

And that takes me to my granddaughter Bella who is trying to understand the world.  She lives in Chicago but visits Florida from time to time.  In Florida she visit Disney and Cici and Pooh [grandma and grandpa.]

Here she is floating in the pool.  Telling her mom, "look at me, I am relaxing."  

After she got out of the pool, she inquired of children who live in Florida.  She said, how does it work, I guess that there are no schools in Florida, and the kids just go to Disney???"

And I wonder if our thoughts about the world are any closer to reality than hers?  We think we know, but really, how right are we?

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

Thoughts on paying attention

Have you misplaced your keys?  No worries.  I know right where they are.  They are right where you put them.

If we paid more attention when we set our phone down, we would remember where it was.

I was thinking the other day about how life races by and we don't pay enough attention to even remember.  For some reason I recalled something that I hadn't thought of in years.  In 9th grade, I was the school badminton champion.  I wonder how I would fare on a pickle ball court today???

How many things in this life have come and gone and we do not remember?  Moments and memories that are just lost to the sands of time?

Friends... life is racing by.  Pay attention to the moment you are in.  Enjoy it.  Savor 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

Can this blog continue?

Not that I am thinking of dying soon, but you never know, do you?

Anyway, when I die, I would like for this blog to continue.  I want it to continue so that readers will have something to read that reminds us all to see the good.  I want readers to have some honest thoughts to interact with.

I have asked several people over the years to take my user name and password so that they could write when I was on vacation.  Dan Horn used to do this for me.  God bless him, I miss him so much.

Any way, you who are reading this, would you be willing to keep this going?  Bruce?  Pat?  Courtney?  Mary?  Woody? Sherri?  Mary?  Arthur? You?

There needs to be a consistent, ongoing voice reminding people that it is not about me.  Reminding people that life is bigger than my perspective.  Words that challenge people to see the good.

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

hope

Hope is the feeling we have 

that the feeling we have 

is not permanent.



Mignon McLaughlin


Thanks to my friend Bruce for this quote...

I have said for years that feelings can be fickle.  Thank God, sometimes the feelings that we feel go away.  If you just wait it out, that worry, that hurt, that thing, will usually pass.

My late friend,  Jerry Alyea, when people would ask him about a big purchase, he would say, "lay down until the feeling goes away."

Sometimes, often, usually, feelings change.  Thank 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

More on trash

Gosh I'm on a roll on trash.  Last week I was on a job in Massachusetts.  

Right outside of our store, someone rolled down the window of their car and threw a bag of McDonalds trash and 3 cups out onto the parking lot.

I had several thoughts... Who does this???  Why do you think that this is acceptable behavior???

I stewed.  I was ... upset.

I went out and picked up their trash and went back to work.

In life, is your behavior, is my behavior making it easier or harder for 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