A great Christmas story

The story came from
Martin Thielen's Doubter's Parish Newsletter. Too good not to share!!!

Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. . . . “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same” (Luke 3:4, 10–11 NIV).

Several years ago, I heard about a Methodist church in North Carolina who spearheaded a wintertime homeless ministry. They recruited fourteen other churches in their city to care for homeless people for one week each winter. Each church opened up its facilities, usually the fellowship hall, to care for eighteen to twenty homeless guests. They provided a warm and safe place to sleep, along with meals, transportation, and other assistance throughout the week.

In early November the cooperating churches gathered for their final organizational meeting. The agenda included scheduling a specific week for each church during the winter months. The United Methodist pastor planned to go to the meeting. However, given her busy schedule, she asked a woman from her church to go in her place. This woman, a new church member, was an enthusiastic and devoted layperson. The pastor gave her a list of convenient weeks in January and February for their congregation to care for the homeless group. The pastor told her, “Make sure to schedule us for one of these weeks.”

The woman went to the meeting. But not long into the meeting, they reached an impasse. Not one of the fifteen cooperating churches expressed willingness to take Christmas week. First, it interfered with all their Christmas activities, including Christmas Eve services. Second, everybody knew their members would not want to cook meals and provide other services for homeless folks during the Christmas holidays. This woman felt dumbfounded. She could not believe that none of the churches would take the week of Christmas. In fact, the more they argued about who was going to have to take Christmas, the madder this woman got. Before she knew it, she smashed her hand down on the table, stood up, and gave a speech. “I can’t believe this,” she exclaimed. “Jesus and his family were homeless in Bethlehem on the very first Christmas, and yet not one church in this community is willing to care for homeless people during the week of Christmas. Shame on you!”

The pastors all felt ashamed—but not ashamed enough to volunteer for the week of Christmas! When nobody volunteered, this laywoman boldly proclaimed, “My church, the First United Methodist Church, will take Christmas week, not only this year but every year.” One of the pastors quickly said, “So moved.” Another said, “I’ll second that.” After a quick vote the meeting adjourned.

After leaving the meeting, this woman went to see her pastor, full of excitement. She said: “I have great news! Our church gets to care for homeless people during the week of Christmas not only this year but every year! Isn’t that great?” Well, that wasn’t exactly great news to the pastor. What about their Christmas Eve services? How would they find volunteers to cook and care for homeless people during the holidays? No, this was not good news at all to the pastor. She deeply regretted not going to the meeting herself. But what could she do? It was a done deal.

The next Sunday the pastor gave the news to her congregation. She said, “We are going to host homeless people during the week of Christmas, and we need a bunch of volunteers to help.” She didn’t think she would get any response, but her assumption proved wrong. People came out of the woodwork to volunteer. Families with young children volunteered, saying to the pastor, “We want our kids to know there is more to Christmas than getting presents.” Families who had lost loved ones during the year volunteered, hoping to fill the void of the Christmas season. The pastor almost received more volunteers than she could use. Christmas week finally arrived. Eighteen homeless people came to the Methodist church to spend the week. And much to this pastor’s surprise, it ended up being the highlight of the year for the church.

People brought in loads of food. The homeless guests ate like kings all week. Church members also brought nice clothes and coats for them to wear. They brought gifts for everyone, especially the children. And they didn’t just give food, clothes, and gifts—they gave of themselves as well. People stayed for hours to visit with the group. They ate meals with them and played games with them. They even held a three-day-long marathon Monopoly tournament! Many members spent one or more nights during the week. The church members got to know their guests as real people. Although they were not required to go, all eighteen of the homeless guests went to the Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion service. The congregation warmly welcomed them, and everyone in attendance had a holy moment. In fact, the entire week ended up being a glorious experience for the church, and it continued that way for the next five years.

This story has an unusual ending. After six years of hosting homeless folks during the week of Christmas, the Methodist pastor received a phone call from the Baptist pastor. He said: “Everyone in town has heard how much your church enjoys hosting the homeless group at Christmas. So we wondered if you would you be willing to share that week with some of the other churches? We were hoping we could do Christmas week this year."

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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The golden windows

This is a picture of my grandmother, Mary Lee Toll.  She was 18 when this picture was painted in 1912.  I of course, knew her much later in her life as my grandma.  We called her Toopta or Toopie or Toop.  No one knows why.

Note the red hair.  Before I went gray, my beard was red.  [random trivia.]

When I was a child, my father's mother, my grandmother, Toopta, told me a story.  In the story a boy wakes up in the morning and looks to the west.  He sees a house with brilliant golden windows.  The boy decides that this is a better house than his and he takes off for a day long trek to get to the house with golden windows.

At the end of the day, he arrives, to find that the windows are not golden.  But as he looks back towards the east, he sees his house now, with golden windows.

My grandma had to explain this story to me.  In the morning, the sun shines on the houses to the west and their windows shine golden.  In the late afternoon, the sun has moved and the houses to the east now have golden windows.

The moral of the story is that no home is better than your home.  Stop wanting something more.  Stop wanting something different.  Go home and be happy.

And so, the other day I was up in the morning and there was a rainbow over my neighbors house.   I took a picture of it, and sent it to him.  Ten minutes later, he sent me a picture of a rainbow over our house.  The pictures were not on the same day, but it reminded me of the story that my grandmother told me.  

Rainbow over my neighbor's house

Rainbow over our house
 [on the left with garage door open]

You may think that it is different or better over there, but it is good at your home as well.  Learn to see the good.  Bloom where you are planted.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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Please don't hit the tree

So I have driven up to Kingsland, GA to visit my friend Roger Grout.  Yeah Roger!!!  And so, when Roger isn't giving me a tour of the submarine base, we go to St. Mary's [a near by town] for a beer.  And when we were leaving St Mary's, I noticed this tree that is right on the road side, so close that the town council nailed reflectors into the tree to keep people from hitting the tree.  [Roger did not hit the tree.]

reflectors mean - don't hit the tree!!!

This goes to the whole notion of paying attention.  Oh, I am driving and look.  There is a tree???

Sometimes you have to laugh at the crazy things that people do.

I would imagine that some of the damage was before the reflectors
and some of the damage was after.

Don't look at the reflectors.  Stay on the road and get away from the tree.

Pay attention in life.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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Now entering the mission field

One of the things that I was so proud of at Woods Chapel [and still am so proud of] was our decision to become missional.  We came to believe that if a church is not missional, it is not the church.  

We are not here to make a nice place for us to sing and pray.  We are not here to worship the Bible or attend Sunday School classes.  We are here to be in mission.  Every aspect of the church, every group in the church should point people into mission.  We are here to be motivated to go out into the world to help others.

Missions isn't just what the missions department does, it is what every Christian does.

We planted this sign on the way out of the property.  We also put similar words up on the walls of every building exit.

The walking trail is visible as is the introduction
to the stations of the cross.

I hope that it continues to motivate people to understand why the church exists.  Are you in the mission field?  Are you looking for people to be good to?  Christians are missional.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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Lenny

Lenny at ground zero on 9-11.

I have known a few famous people in my life.  Some thought they were more famous than they were.  But from time to time I have met some special people.

Lenny is a friend that I have met at Bobby's in Vero Beach.  On 9-11 he was a NYC fire fighter.  He was there at ground zero.  He lived through that hell.

This year, on 9-11 this year, he wore his uniform to the restaurant.  Everyone wanted a picture with him.  You have never met a more quiet, unassuming, kind human.  I am pleased to know him.  I feel proud every time that I see him.

Thank you Lenny and all first responders for your service.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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It's not good to brag

My Dad loved to say, "never blow your own horn, it just doesn't sound that good."  But every now and then I have to tell a story of success.

I hate to spend money if I don't have to.  So my Kia Sportage has this handle lock on the lift gate that has deteriorated and is falling apart.  Since I have this neurotic thing about wanting things to work correctly, I asked the dealer how much this part costs.  Part is $100, installation is $150.  $250 total.  Hmm.  There must be another way.

So I look online and find the part for $50.  It takes a month to come from South Korea.  No worries.

Then I proceed to spend an hour taking apart the tailgate and installing the new part.

New part is in.  I am smug and happy.  Jeff 10, Kia dealer 0.

If you need me to fix something at your place, just let me know.  [and sorry for bragging.]

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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Where did they go?

I was listening to the Bob Seeger song, "Like a Rock."
Here are some of the lyrics...

Twenty years now
Where'd they go?
Twenty years
I don't know
I sit and I wonder sometimes
Where they've gone

click here to listen to the song

Seems like just yesterday you were sitting on our deck in Princeton.  I loved you then and I still love you.

Seems like yesterday we watched the girls play intramural football at Warrensburg.  Seems like yesterday that we played softball at Young Park.  Seems like yesterday that we ate at Patty O'Quiglies or Tiff and Jays.  Seems like yesterday we built that church.  Seems like yesterday we worked on sermons at the Outback.  Seems like yesterday that we had a beer at Tanners or Mulligans.  Seems like yesterday that we met for happy hour at the Summit Grill.  Seems like yesterday we saw that steamboat on the Missouri river.

Seems like yesterday we met at Overtime Pizza.  Seems like yesterday we met at the Pot Belli Deli.  20 years or more now, where did they go?  And we had fun and we loved each other and it was awesome.

I savor every moment that I have had you guys in my life.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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Something should be said

A few weeks ago I provided the memorial message for Mary Wrobleski.  90 years old, and a lovely positive wonderful human.  She was driving people around just a few months before her death.

After the memorial service, someone came up to me and said, you know, so many wonderful things were said about Mary today.  We should not wait until people die to say good things about them.

I agree. So here goes.

Thank you for your kind emails to me.

Thank you for going to the park to hear me talk.

Thank you for being interested in what I have to say.

Thank you for your hugs
Thank you for helping me with my I.T. issues.
Thank you for welcoming me to your table.
Thank you for welcoming me as an acquaintance.
Thank you for putting up with my jokes.
Thank you that when I look at you, I know that we are connected in ways that I cannot explain.
Thank you for picking me up at the airport.
Thank you for putting me to work.
Thank you for forgiving me.
Thank you for letting me love your kids.
Thank you for loving my kids.
You are the best.
I love you.

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

I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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Thanksgiving past

This year on Thanksgiving, I realized that I have had 64 thanksgivings. When I was young it never occurred to me that I would or wouldn’t have 64 thanksgivings.

At the age of 40 I might’ve thought that 64 would be good I might have thought that 64 would be a lot. No hurry to end them by the way. And I know that every Thanksgiving that I get is a bonus. A lot of people that I have loved have died before me.

I don’t just want to have a Thanksgiving each year, I want to live every day as a Thanksgiving!

In the old days at Woods Chapel, November was the month for 4 sermons on Thanksgiving. I was trying to stretch Thanksgiving to 4 weeks. What if we were thankful for 52 weeks? What if we were thankful for 365 days.

We have so much to be thankful for. Get in the habit. Make it a habit to be thankful.

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

________________

I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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It could be worse

I received this from my friend Linda on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Today is the day for leaf pick up in our cul de sac. Yesterday, we had to clean the leaves out of our landscaping (the first year we had to do this). We have a LOT of bushes to clean around. It was the subject of much grumbling and whining on my part. After we had finished ours, and my back was aching, my husband said we should go clear out the leaves from a neighbor’s landscaping. The neighbor had a debilitating stroke, and is unable to do this. I trailed along, still complaining, when I remembered the Bible verse from last Sunday’s message about being grateful in all circumstances. The reason that I was able to complain about raking leaves was because my 70-something body was still able to do this kind of activity. I know lots of people who cannot say the same! Thank you God for a body that is still reasonably functional. Tomorrow I will be probably be able to walk half a block to my sister-in-law’s for Thanksgiving!

Friends, when we stop and think about it, we still have much to be thankful for.

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

________________

I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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Homeless Ministry in Ft. Pierce

Last week in church this statement was read by Pastor Joe.  The author is Greg Rogolino, the chair of the church council.

"Kathy Rice started the Thursday homeless bag lunch ministry and Dick Lystra started the Monday homeless sandwich ministry. The ministries are on hold until the winter months when most of the homeless are gathered around the downtown area. I’ve had the opportunity to ride with Dick on Monday and out with Kathy and her team on Thursday morning looking for those in need. I’ve always had difficulty giving handouts instead of hand ups to homeless community. I want so desperately to see them dig themselves out of poverty, but over the years I have discovered that in most cases this will never happen. 

 Most have some kind of issue, from substance addictions to mental cognitive issues. There are plenty of programs to help the homeless, but in most cases they don’t want to conform to the requirements to receive the support of the program. So the dilemma is do we allow the homeless to go hungry because they don’t want to help themselves or do we at least try to show some kind of human compassion? 

 The homeless men and women are God’s children and are seen in his eyes as no less. I’ve also been reminded that we’ve been given a directive to love all, not just the people who are like us. I see Gods working every time I go out and serve those who are struggling. I have found that when we walk up to someone in need and hand them a sandwich or meal they show gratitude. I’ve received and observed sincere thanks, not for just the sandwich but for showing compassion. 

 This past winter I observed kindness and caring among the homeless community for each other. One Thursday, when the temperature had dipped into the 30’s, we had the opportunity to hand out knit caps and blankets. One of the homeless men pointed out a friend saying he had struggled all night and needed the blanket and knit cap more than he did. I observed this kind of compassion more than once during our outings. The men we saw regularly looked forward to our visits and conversations of concern. Sandy Knepp who serves on the team always brings candy with her on the Thursday morning outings, receiving the nickname the candy lady from the homeless men. These two ministries are much more than a handout, they bring hope, compassion and love for not just the homeless men but also for those that serve as well."

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

________________

I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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I've got a feeling

So there is this strange thing that happens from time to time. Sometimes I can feel a thing... I know that something is true or I know that something is going to happen a certain way. It’s a feeling in your gut. And I can't explain it but I know that it is how the thing is going to turn out.

It’s so counterintuitive. Shake my head.

In some way, it is a spiritual thing. An evidence in this life of the life beyond. I hope that you, from time to time, get feelings about something that you know, but cannot explain.

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

________________

I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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Something to be thankful for...

Ailments

We don’t like aliments. We want to be well. We want to be whole. But when was the last time that you considered the miracle of the body healing itself?

I sleep overnight and I wake up and my knees are feeling better. I get a bad cut and then watch it heal. I split a fingernail. Ouch. And then I watch over the next few days as it grows out and restores itself and I cut the bad part off. How about how our eyes can make tears and dispel foreign objects?

The body is an amazing thing. Let’s give thanks for the body’s amazing ability to heal itself.

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

________________

I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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Praying for others

My friend Joyce is evidently comfortable praying for complete strangers. I love that and sometimes I wish I was so bold. She sent in this story.

Sometimes a friend or an acquaintance will ask you to pray for them. We have the best of intentions to remember to take their concern to God during our prayer time. Several years ago, I read that when we are asked to pray for someone that we might do it right then. Isn't that really the best way?

Recently while waiting in two different pharmacies, two different days, I noticed two different women who were awaiting prescriptions for pain medication to be filled. The first woman was trying to explain her need. Although I was 10 feet away I could not help but overhear. I felt led to ask if she would like me to pray with her re: her scheduled hip surgery. Her face relaxed as she came nearer and affirmed my offer and added her prayer after mine. A little later as I was leaving she enthusiastically introduced me to her son who was her involved caregiver.

A few days later while awaiting my turn for the flu shot, I noticed a woman rocking in what I recognized as pain. Again I felt prompted to offer to pray for her. She shared that following many weeks of pain, physicians and tests had still not revealed the source.

Praise God and the prompting of the Holy Spirit that I was blessed to show love to two strangers. Even if a person might rebuff your offer, you can still pray for them silently as you go on with your day.

I would add to what Joyce wrote: when you are driving and you pass a wreck, pray for them. When you hear an ambulance, pray for them. Prayer is good for them, and prayer is good for us too. It puts us in a positive frame of mind. It reminds us that we are all in this together.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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Can we be honest with ourselves?

When I was a child, we were poor.  The discipline delivered by my mother would be considered abuse today.  I have so many tough stories about my upbringing that I have never told.

Having said that, I had it better than many.  I, as most readers, grew up privileged.  Now if that offends you, consider this...

We always had clean drinking water.

There was always a toilet.

My parents stayed married.

I knew who my Dad was.

I learned to read.

I did not have to be taught to be afraid of the police.

I have a college degree.

My parents paid for my college.

On an on it goes.

I have spent most of my life enjoying these benefits without ever considering how the other half lived, or why they lived that way.  I even spent most of my life wondering why homeless people did not just "get a job."  I spent a number of years thinking that people without privilege should just work harder.

We would love to keep the wool pulled over our eyes, but if we look hard enough, we know

It’s not knowledge that we lack. If we really pause and look at what’s going in this world, we will see that it has gone on for hundreds of years. We don’t lack knowledge, we know what’s been going on.

Injustice, unfairness, and prejudice has been all around us for years.  My town of Vero Beach has an area that was platted out when the town was planned... an area for the African Americans to live.  It is called "Gifford."  Vero is not the only town with such a story.

It’s not knowledge that we lack, it is compassion that we lack. We have an inability to see how we’ve been a part of the problem. We refuse to see that we have hurt others by excluding them and sticking with our own kind.

When we really look and see ALL people as people, then we can begin to create a healthy future, a safe future for everyone. We can create a world where everyone is valued.

The person at the Burger King window.
The man making your burrito at Chipotle.
The guy putting on your tires at NTB or Firestone.

The man on the corner with the sign.

In Jesus’ parable of the great banquet, the wealthy, the important, those who are on top, all have excuses not to attend. One bought a cow, one got married, they all had excuses.  Those who end up at the banquet are the least of these. Maybe we should welcome the least of these. Maybe we should throw a party for them. Maybe we should work to help them feel loved and valued.

They are not less than us. They deserve the same kindness and care that we want for ourselves.

If this is a hard read for you, it is for me as well.  But love happens with compassion increases.  Let's take the blinders off.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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Patch Adams

I was home alone on Saturday night. I was bored and tired and depressed. I decided to watch a movie. We don’t have HBO anymore so I went through our remaining DVDs and finally selected Patch Adams with Robin Williams.

If you are unfamiliar with the movie, it is about a man who brought joy to others.  I was so looking forward to getting that happy feeling. 

I looked through the cabinet and when I found the movie I was so excited. I pulled it out started into the next room and I realized it felt light.  I opened the case and the DVD was gone.  This is why we have children, so your favorite movies can disappear.  I hope one of them is enjoying it.

Empty case.  No movie.  Poop!

Sometimes in life you get what you want and sometimes in life you get what you get.

I refuse to stay depressed.  I ordered a new copy. When it comes I am going to watch it and get that happy feeling!

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

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Favorite Songs

I have a ton of favorite songs:

Van Morrison- Into the mystic

CCR - Heard it through the grapevine

CCR- anything by them

Lynyrd Skiynyrd - the Breeze

Dolly Parton - Islands in the stream

and on and on.  Yesterday's post reminded me that one of my very first favorite songs was, and still is, If you want to sing out sing out by Cat Stevens.  It is a song that I first heard when I saw the movie Harold and Maude in 1971.  So I have loved this song for 50 years.

Here are the lyrics and here is a link to listen... The song is linked to a video from Youtube that has scenes from the movie.  The pictures are grainy, but note the concentration camp prisoner number on Maude's right forearm...

So here are the lyrics...

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are

And if you want to live high, live high
And if you want to live low, live low
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

[Chorus:]
You can do what you want
The opportunity's on
And if you can find a new way
You can do it today
You can make it all true
And you can make it undo
you see ah ah ah
its easy ah ah ah
You only need to know

Well if you want to say yes, say yes
And if you want to say no, say no
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

And if you want to be me, be me
And if you want to be you, be you
'Cause there's a million things to do
You know that there are

[Chorus]

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are

click here to listen to the song

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

you can always go to the web site

Over the past week this blog has had some issues with delivery by email.  My I.T. person is wonderful, but I asked her to do some things that might have caused some of you to miss the blog.  My fault.

Please remember to check your spam folder for the blog.

Also, if you don't get a daily email, you can always go to the web site of the blog:

canyouhearthebirdssing.blogspot.com

click here to go to the blog site on the web

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

Discomfort

Recently heard on a TED talk: Discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life.

It seems to me that there is more discomfort as we get older. More ailments, more disappointments, more sadness.

I realize that I can wallow in the discouragement, or I can work harder to see the good. Because, the good is still there.

Harold Kushner, in his book, Why do bad things happen to good people says, "we have to realize that the universe has some rough edges."

You know one of my favorite movies is Harold and Maude. At the end of the movie [spoiler alert] at the end of the movie, Maude dies. Harold is mad. He drives his car at high speeds towards the cliff. You think he has gone over. The car surely goes over. But then the camera pans up and there is Harold on top of the cliff with his banjo, and the Cat Stevens song comes on, If you want to sing out sing out.

Tomorrow I will post those lyrics, but the point is, we have a choice. To bow to rejection and pain and discomfort, or to get up and see the good.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

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I was at my best

A week or so ago, I watched the movie, The Big Chill.  It is a coming of age movie about friends who have not seen each other for ten years and then are brought back together due to the death of a mutual friend.

Interesting note, the deceased is played by Kevin Costner, even though none of the scenes showing his face made the final cut.

Anyway, in the movie there is a good bit of remembering and a good bit of reminiscing.  Glenn Close is talking to the group and she says,  "I was at my best when I was with you people."  That line struck a chord.

I was at my best when I was with you in Princeton and Mercer.  I was at my best when I was with you at Woods Chapel.  I was at my best when I was playing ball with the Armadillos.  I was at my best when I was with you in Cape Coral.  I was at my best when I was with you at Fort Pierce First UMC.

I hope to be at my best again, soon.  But who knows?

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

You will be grieved

I have written about this before, but I think about it often.

There is a scene in one of the Superman movies after Clark Kent’s father dies. He is standing by the grave and he says to his Dad, “you will be grieved.” I once told this story to my father. I told him that when the time came, that I would grieve him. He told me that that was one of the nicest things that anyone had ever said to him.

And here is a note to you my friend, to many many of you my friends.  If you go before me, I will grieve your loss. Losing you will leave a huge hole in my heart.

I love you.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

I am thankful

Today I want to tell you how thankful I am.

I am thankful for my family.  They put up with a lot.

I am thankful for my friends.  They don't have to be my friends, but for some reason, they keep hanging around.

I am thankful for the ability to read.  For the ability to think.  For the ability to think thoughts that challenge the way that I was brought up.

I am thankful for ice cream.  I am thankful for a car that runs.

I am thankful for living in a free country.

I am thankful for how I feel when I think of you...

We have so much to be thankful for.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

We have a lot to be thankful for

A man was struggling to get a table into his truck.  I stopped to help.  When we were finished, he said, "thank you and have a happy thanksgiving."  I replied... We have so much to be thankful for.

Later in the day I was checking out and the checker wished me a happy thanksgiving.  I replied as before, we have so much to be thankful for.

In both situations, those simple words "we have so much to be thankful for" those simple words were the catalyst that launched two very meaningful conversations.  I talked to the man with the table, and the checker for ten minutes each, about gratitude.

We have so much to be thankful for.  Do you want to talk?  Could we talk for an hour about what we are thankful for?

I hope so.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

it doesn't count

I have talked about this before, but some things bear repeating.  My friend Pat Stark once said, "if you are thankful for someone and don't tell them, it doesn't count."

This week is thanksgiving.  While I believe we should be thankful every day, we should certainly make the extra effort this season.

If you are thankful, and don't say so, what good does it do?  If you love someone and don't tell them, what good is that?

If you don't say it, it doesn't count.

I am thankful for you.
I love you.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

take me to church

Yesterday I went to church for the first time in a while.

It was so great to see everyone!  They were all so welcoming and gracious.  I loved the music... Come ye thankful people come! and We Gather together.  Great thanksgiving songs.

I loved the sermon.  It was about helping the poor.  Good stuff.

The bell choir was awesome!

It felt good to be there and my heart was strangely warmed.

I plan to go back next week.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

A small act of kindness

A friend sent this in to me.

One of the many morning walkers in our neighborhood is a man who used to stop and visit with my husband. These days, every morning, when this man is out walking, before I even get up, he retrieves the paper out of my yard and puts it on the front porch. All I have to do is open the door and reach out to get it.

There are many kind people in the world. This is one small example of one human showing kindness to another.

I love examples of kindness. They don’t usually take much effort, but they can make such a difference to the receiver and the giver.

What can you do today that would take less than a minute of your time, but mean the world to another person?

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

leave them alone

My friend’s sister died. His boss sent an email to the entire team. “____ is on vacation for the next seven days. Don’t call him, don’t text him, don’t copy him in on anything, leave him completely alone. Let him do what he needs to do."

I absolutely love that. Sometimes we need to be off the grid. Sometimes we need to leave people alone.  Sometimes we need to be left alone.  Sometimes we need all the craziness of our world to take a vacation so that we can have some brain and heart space. It is ok to go off the grid from time to time. Our brains need it.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

The other side

So we have a story about our country’s history. God bless America, from sea to shining sea. We learned a narrative in school about our story. But it is not the only version of the story.

Every story has more than one version. What did the whale think of swallowing Jonah? What did the Mexicans think of the Alamo? What did the Cherokee think of the trail of tears? What did the Arawak Indians think of the landing of Columbus?  What did they think when he claimed their homeland for the King and Queen?

We rarely consider the version of the other side. Because, whoever wins, in the end, gets to tell the story. The victors tell the story. So many of the stories that we have come to embrace are not the truth, but they are our version of the story.

It can be painful, but we all benefit when we consider how the other side sees it. 

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

It's not perfect, but it is ok, it is even good!

 

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

Supremacy in love

From Richard Rohr’s blog, Friday, October 22nd [edited]

God’s Supremacy in Love
Friday, October 22, 2021

Brian McLaren is a guest author from time to time on Richard Rohr’s blog. Brian has spent years calling Christians to a practice of faith that reflects the loving, nonviolent Jesus of the Gospels instead of the conquering Jesus of colonialism and empire:

"The God imaged by Jesus exerts no dominating supremacy. In Christ, we see an image of a God who is not armed with lightning bolts but with a basin and towel, who spewed not threats but good news for all, who rode not a warhorse but a donkey, weeping in compassion for people who do not know the way of peace. In Christ, God is supreme, but not in the old discredited paradigm of supremacy: God is the supreme healer, the supreme friend, the supreme lover, the supreme life-giver who self-empties in gracious love for all. The king of kings and lord of lords is the servant of all and the friend of sinners. The so-called weakness and foolishness of God are greater than the so-called power and wisdom of human regimes.

In the aftermath of Jesus and his cross, we should never again define God’s sovereignty or supremacy by analogy to the kings of this world who dominate, oppress, subordinate, exploit, scapegoat and marginalize [see Luke 22:25–27]. Instead, we must migrate to an entirely new universe, or, as Paul says, “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17) in which old ideas of supremacy are subverted by kindness and love."

Luke 22:25-27
25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

It can't always be my way

My daughter Jennifer is a pretty smart cookie. We were talking the other day about relationships. She said, “Sometimes people are not going to give you what you think you need. We need to understand that and accept that. If this is someone that we want to stay connected to, we need to work on the relationship and figure out how to keep the it going.”

Sometimes in relationships, you get what you want. Sometimes you don’t. We can still love people, even if it isn’t quite the way that we want it to be. In fact, as long as we are all balled up about what we think is wrong, or what we think we are not getting, we cannot love. We cannot love because our heart is filled with feelings about that which we wish were different. What if we release others from doing life the way we want them to do it. Then we would have space in our heart to love them, even if it isn’t exactly the way that we prefer.

"In honor preferring one another." Romans 12:10

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

People care about you

Do you know that people care about you? They have told you when you were with them. And then they tell you again, and again. And they act like they genuinely care about you!  

But for some reason when you’re not around them you have this weird feeling like you don’t matter and you’re irrelevant. What is wrong with us? How many times do they have to tell me that they care before it will sink in? My friend Bruce says there’s a story that plays over and over again in your head that something is wrong with you. We need to stop thinking like that.

There is nothing wrong with you. I like you. I care for you. Be happy in your own skin.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

Cruising again

Last week I finally got back out on a cruise ship. The Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas out of Port Canaveral. 

For those of you that are wondering what that was like, I want to tell you some things about starting back to cruise. First of all you have to have both doses of the vaccine. And they have to be done weeks before your cruise. You also have to have a negative Covid test with results in writing from your doctor and the test can’t be more than two days prior to cruising. 

Lines to get on the ship are longer than in the past as all of these forms need to be checked and verified. In any enclosed areas masks are required unless you’re actively eating or drinking. All of that’s a bit of a pain in the neck. But having said that, all the beauty of watching the waves go by and the sound of the ship cutting a path to the ocean was amazing to hear again. 

For me all the headache was well worth it.

a peaceful, easy feeling

a close up look at the glory of God

The Chiefs vs Packers game was on the big screen!!!

This is a short video of the sound of the sea.  So soulful, so mesmerizing, so touching.

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

I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

Dark Humor...

Dark humor

Most of my friends have a bad sense of humor. It might even be a requirement. A fellow sent me a very bad joke the other day. I told him that I did not believe in hell anymore, but after a joke like that he will probably be relegated to a Section 8 duplex in heaven. Referring to me he indicated that he would not be alone.

Anyway, Cathy and I were on vacation in California with Roger and Kathy Grout. We enter this outdoor bar "The Chowder Hut" on Fisherman’s Wharf. It is crowded. There are four chairs open around a fire table. We look at the young couple seated on the other side. They motion for us to join them. We have a nice talk. Young people are so beautiful. I mentioned to Roger that young people have the most beautiful skin. He replied, “yes, I want to wear it.”

We all laughed. We laughed really hard. I am laughing as I write this now. The crazy things that people think!!!

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

click here for the brochure

Yeah Roger!!!

When we lived in Princeton we became great friends with Roger and Kathy Grout. Scott was two and three years old. Roger taught Scott to say “yeah Roger!” Every time Roger came over, Scott would throw up his hands and shout, “yeah Roger!” 

Shortly after Scott’s injury my phone rang from an unknown number. Sometimes I answer them just to mess with the telemarketers. It wasn’t a telemarketer. It was Roger Grout. We had not talked for about 15 years. Since that phone call, we have seen each other five or six times. We took a trip to California together.

I am glad to have Roger back in my life. Yeah Roger!!!

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/RC22_031922T_TulipTime_002_FINAL-1.pdf

Click here for the brochure

A listening ear

Our friend Kathy’s 28 year old daughter came over for the weekend. Kathy was tired and wanted to go to bed but her daughter said, “Mom please stay up and talk to me.”

They were up until 4am. I love that. It’s what you do for your kid. It is what you would do for anyone that you loved.

The gift of your time and the gift of a listening ear are such a blessing.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/RC22_031922T_TulipTime_002_FINAL-1.pdf

Click here for the brochure

What does it take to be an extraordinary person?

Our friends Tyler and Kenna came for a visit a few weeks ago.  One of the things that we talked about was "what does it take to be an extraordinary person?"

No one wants to be ordinary. No one wants to be average. But we do meet people from time to time that stand out as exceptional. What sets them apart?

I think that people become amazing people when they start caring enough to pay attention. Pay attention to others. Pay attention to how my attitudes and words effect them. Amazing people rise in the morning and look to do the good. They look to share the love. They look to share the kindness. Amazing people learn to forgive themselves for their mistakes. They don't let their slip ups keep them from their goal of seeing people. They look for people, they reach for people, they care about them and they tell them that they matter.

Is it that hard to be exceptional? It just takes some effort. We can all start right now.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/RC22_031922T_TulipTime_002_FINAL-1.pdf

Click here for the brochure

Paying attention

Part of living a full life is paying attention.  We cannot see the good unless we are paying attention.  We find our car keys easier if we pay attention to where we sit them down.

When I lose something, I always know where it is.  Right where I left it!

Getting off of autopilot begins when we pay attention.  Finding joy, finding the soul, finding love begins when we wake up and pay attention.

I guess we should also pay attention when going to the car wash.  Evidently my new ladder rack was a bit too tall for the car wash.  Sometimes we learn to pay attention because we got hurt from a previous incident.  The ladder rack is gone, but if I get another, I will be sure to know how tall it is.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/RC22_031922T_TulipTime_002_FINAL-1.pdf

Click here for the brochure

If you borrow

If you borrow a thing, return it in better condition than you found it.  If you borrow it and break it, replace it.

Years ago I borrowed a paint sprayer.  I dropped it on the patio and broke it.  I was heartsick because I knew that I had to replace it.  Fortunately it was not as expensive as I had thought.

My dad gave me this speech 100 times.  "Return it better than you found it."

If you borrow someone's truck, take it to the car wash.  Use the vacuums.  Throw away the trash.  Buy tire black from the Dollar Tree for $1 and make the tires look great.

Bless the loaner by returning the item in great condition.  Then they will be glad to loan to you again, and, its just the right thing to do.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/RC22_031922T_TulipTime_002_FINAL-1.pdf

Click here for the brochure

Not feeling generous???

This was my favorite line from yesterday's post... "If you’re not feeling generous, try harder to feel grateful.”

We all have days where we don't feel it.  It is ok to not feel it.  I may not feel happy.  I may not feel like being generous.  But we have to remember that we can control our thoughts.  We can't think of two things at the same time.  When you are not feeling it, try to steer your thoughts towards gratitude.  Make a list of things that are going well for you.  We have so much to be thankful for.  When we feel grateful, I think it makes us want to be generous.

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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/RC22_031922T_TulipTime_002_FINAL-1.pdf

Click here for the brochure

Ways to be generous

I wanted to give examples of ways to be generous.  I found this on the web.  The author is Chloe Wigan.  Her website is https://oneinfinitelife.com/simple-ways-to-be-generous/

I changed a couple of them that I found to be redundant.  The ones that I changed I have underlined.

76 SIMPLE WAYS TO BE GENEROUS

1. Be present, really listen and give someone your complete undivided attention when they’re talking to you.

2. Write words of encouragement on post-it notes and stick them random places.

3. Pick up any rubbish that you see at the beach, park or in the street.

4. Tell someone you’re grateful for them and why.

5. Hold the door open for someone else.

6. Smile at every single person you come across for the day.

7. Tell someone that they’re doing an awesome job.

8. Give someone a meaningful compliment.

9. Make eye contact with people when you talk to them.

10. Bring breakfast or morning tea for the people at your workplace.

11. Call someone you haven’t talked to in ages purely to check in with how they are and what’s going on with them.

12. When you get paid — give first. It doesn’t matter how much. You might like to donate to your favorite charity, a local homeless shelter, the person selling pins outside the supermarket or someone who’s doing awesome things.

13. Send someone a card on their Birthday instead of texting or writing on their Facebook wall.

14. Be a "day maker" and do something to make someone else’s day.

15. Write a glowing review for a podcast you’re obsessed with.

16. Buy someone their favorite chocolate for no particular reason.

17. Tell someone who’s embarking on something new that you believe in them and know they can do it.

18. When you encounter someone who’s wearing a name tag make an effort to use their name when you speak to them. Bonus points for giving them a compliment or saying something nice.

19. Tell someone why you love having them in your life.

20. Use good manners. Please and thank you are simple but appreciated.

21. Put in a good word for someone without being asked to.

22. Share your knowledge on something without asking anything in return.

23. Send someone a letter or card in the mail.

24. Give someone a compliment about something unexpected that you really love about them.

25. Buy something from a company that is doing awesome stuff in the world eg. Thank You, Who Gives a Crap and Washaway Poverty.

26. If you know someone who’s going through a really tough time tell them that you’re here for them and that you want to help and give them 3 solid suggestions on how you could do this.

27. Bake something for someone and surprise them with it.

28. Use social media to send words of encouragement to someone.

29. Make someone a cup of tea just because (if they like tea of course!) or make them their favorite hot drink.

30. Offer to do someone something that doesn’t benefit you at all.

31. Give someone a gift, not for an occasion, just because you thought they would love it.

32. Make an awesome playlist for someone and give it to them (you could send them a Spotify link or burn it to a CD.)

33. Pass on a book you read and loved for someone else to read or donate it to somewhere that collects books.

34. Write an awesome comment on an article you enjoyed.

35. Forgive a debt.

36. Donate clothes and belongings you no longer need, want or love.

37. Give a dollar or two to the person standing on the corner.  Regardless of what is going on, they obviously need it more that us.

38. Pay for something for the people behind you in the queue (coffee, ice-cream etc.)

39. Gift someone a book on their Kindle.

40. Be grateful for all that you have to give. As Danielle Laporte put it “When you treasure how much you have – from your good health, free evenings, expertise, a loving soul, a bit of cash – you KNOW you have so much to give. If you’re not feeling generous, try harder to feel grateful.”

41. Send someone an email with no agenda just to tell them that you love what they’re doing.

42. Spend time away from social media, emails, your phone and technology and instead give everyone your full and undivided attention for a particular amount of time.

43. Giving someone space when they need it (the introverts in your life will love you for this!)

44. Smile extra long at someone.

45. Give blood (if you can).

46. Buy a gift card and give it to someone.

47. Tell someone, "you are awesome!"

48. Purchase some extra groceries when you’re shopping and put them in the food bank in the supermarket.

49. Wash someone else’s car.

50. Share on social media about a person/product/book/experience that you truly loved.

51. Go to someone’s house and cook for them.

52. Give someone a tutorial of something you know how to do that they don’t, and be super patient with them as you talk them through it.

53. Celebrate someone else. Make them a cake or send a card. For their birthday, some exciting news, an achievement or just because they’re awesome.

54. Give someone flowers (just because!)

55. Write someone a letter and send it to them (here’s an awesome resource with templates to help get you started.)

56. Do the dishes when someone else has cooked something for you.

57. Take chocolate to your bank tellers.

58. Sell something you don’t use anymore and give the money to a worthwhile cause.

59. Forgive someone who has done you wrong and let go of the anger and resentment towards them.

60. Forgive yourself for not being perfect, screwing up, failing, or doing something you shouldn’t have. Give yourself permission to be human.

61. Tell your parents, grandparents (or any significant people in your life) how they’ve influenced you and why you’re grateful for them.

62. Truly support someone and be there for them in their time of need.

63. Give the people you’re out for dinner with your full and undivided attention by not going on your phone.

64. Take rolls of quarters and give them to people at the laundromat. 

65. When someone shares something with you that they’re really excited about or proud of, meet them with their enthusiasm and truly celebrate with them.

66. Package up your leftovers to send home with your dinner guests.

67. Ask someone what the BEST part of their day was and give them your undivided attention when they tell you about it.

68. Over tip your server, 25 or even 30% or more.

69. Buy an extra copy of a book you’re getting to give someone else.

70. Buy a meal for someone.

71. Send someone a voice clip instead of a text message.

72. When someone in your life is sick and not feeling good, take them over some movies to watch.

73. Dedicate an hour (or 3 or even a whole day) to someone else (to help them or to just be there for them).

74. Take care of yourself first so you can give to others and be generous from a place of overflow and not lack.

75. Tell someone that they make the world a better place and truly mean it.

76. When someone does something kind and generous for you, accept it with gratitude and thanks.


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

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I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/RC22_031922T_TulipTime_002_FINAL-1.pdf

Click here for the brochure

We need more

I run into people all the time who are worried that they don't have enough.  A survey of Americans once reported that we would be happy if we made 20% more than we currently do.

This is crazy.  Most Americans have plenty.  A life view of scarcity robs us of being generous.  Back when we were holding capital campaigns at church, there were millionaires who gave less than we did because they were worried about not having enough.

Enough is enough.  Most of us have enough.  Instead of looking at what you have and thinking that it is not enough, look at what you have and say "thank you."  Buy 20 chocolate bars and give them to the servers in the restaurant [along with your 20%] tip.

Life is much happier when we realize that we have enough.

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

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

I am leading a River Cruise to Belgium and the Netherlands March 19-27, 2022. If you are interested in reading about the trip or joining in, the link is below.

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/RC22_031922T_TulipTime_002_FINAL-1.pdf

Click here for the brochure