move along to what is important

In the first Star Wars movie, the Empire is looking for Luke Skywalker and his droids [robots.]  In a scene that I have always found interesting, Obi-one-kenobi, Skywalker and the droids roll up to a checkpoint.

Keobi waves his hand and uses "the force" to speak into the minds of the storm troopers.  He says, "these are not the droids that you are looking for."  Kenobi then says, "move along."  The trooper repeats the words and the moment of concern is avoided.

you can watch the 23 second clip here

Sometimes in life, we are focused on the wrong things.  We get stuck on something that is not helpful.  Sometimes we need to be told, this is not what you should be looking for.  Move along.

Don't get stuck.  Move along to what is important.  Move along to what is healthy.  

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure

Dublin Hospital

I just remembered this story from our trip to Ireland in October.  You may remember that on one day, we had some really still winds blow several of our friends off of their feet.  We took one of our members to the doctor and then to the hospital.

The Dublin hospital was so so very crowded.   Some people had been waiting for 4-5 hours and had not yet been seen.  We were waiting patiently with our injured friend.  You know when you are waiting to see the doctor, it is easy to be impatient.  We had sat for several hours and had not yet been taken back to see the doc.

Suddenly a man comes into the waiting area from outside, pushing a woman in a wheelchair.  She is screaming in pain.  It was shocking.  It was unnerving.  SCREAMING!!!  They took her right back to see the doc.

Even though we had waited for hours, it did not bother us that they took this other human, obviously in deep pain, back before us.

In fact, there was this feeling as well... it could be worse.  It can always be worse.  The next time something isn't going your way, you might, I often do, find comfort in remembering that it could be worse.  It could be much worse.

And when I think about how bad it might be, I realize that today maybe isn't as bad as I was thinking.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure

name on the wall

I have never been one who sought attention.  [unless telling jokes is a way of getting attention]  I never wanted to tell people that I was a pastor.  Or when I was the pastor of that big church, I never wanted to tell people that I was the pastor there.

Over the years I have been in churches that had large pictures of their pastors and former pastors on the wall in the foyer.  I always thought that was creepy and odd.

I was never a fan of putting plaques with peoples names on things that they donated.  That is why at Woods Chapel, you will be hard pressed to find any plaques.  I always thought that people should give because they wanted to do so, not because they were going to get recognition.

So, in the back of the sanctuary at Ft. Pierce First United Methodist Church, there is a plaque with the names of every pastor that ever served.  I was the interim there in 2017.  They added my name to the list a year or so ago.

I have to tell you, for as much as I recoil from the attention, it made me feel good.  I am proud to have served and glad to have my name on the wall.  I guess we all enjoy a bit of recognition and appreciation.

Right or wrong, it made me feel happy.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure

The Kingdom comes first

I was active in the United Methodist ministry for 30 years.  During that time, I voted in every national election.  Sometimes the people that I voted for won, and sometimes they lost.  I still had to pastor the church.

Most people had no idea of my political preferences.  Why?  Because the kingdom comes first.  Jesus probably did not like the Romans, but he did not come out against them.  He had a higher calling.  He had to teach everyone about love.  Also, had he come out against the Romans, he would have lost the ability to minister to them.

The kingdom comes first.  I know that you have your political feelings.  Fine.  But do not divide your church over your opinions.  Half of the people in your congregation voted for the other guy.  Do you want to ruin your relationship with 50% of your congregation?  Do you want to drive away half of your people?  Do you want everyone to feel that the church is off mission?

The kingdom comes first.  Love one another.  Republican or Democrat, love them.  Welcome them, care for them all the same.  We are all in this together, unless some well meaning pastors choose to draw lines that Jesus never did.

The kingdom comes first.  It comes before anyone's political feelings.  We are here to love.  May we never forget that.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure

Lester

Shel Silverstein tells the story of a fellow named Lester who was gifted a wish by a goblin.  With his wish he wished for more wishes.  With those wishes, he wished for more.  Soon, Lester had accumulated more wishes that a person could use in a lifetime.

Finally at the end of his life, he found himself surrounded by wishes but feeling quite empty.  Everyone else had children, jobs, lives, joys, hopes and dreams.  Everyone else had stepped up to the plate of life and accomplished things.

Lester had wishes.

Don't wish your life away.  Get to work on what you can.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure

thank you

So I was cutting down a 4 x 8 sheet of paneling.  Usually I would pop a line on it, but this sheet had lines on it already.  One of the lines was right where I needed to cut.

It is important that this cut is straight and that I follow the line very closely.

I get about two feet into the 8 foot cut and I realize that I am, my eyes are, watching this very small notch travel along the line.  

I had a "thank you" moment.  I thought, God, thank you that I can see this.  Thank you that my eyes can follow this.  Thank you for the gift of sight.

Oh, friends we have so much to be thankful for if we just open our eyes.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure

What did they ever do to me?

What did they ever do to me?  Nothing.  They have never bit me or tried to choke me or swallow me.  I have never touched one.  What have they done to me?  Nothing.

Yet I fear them.  I am so afraid of them that I feel a hatred.  Yet they have done nothing to me.  It doesn't even seem fair.  

What am I talking about?

Snakes.

The other day I worked at a lady's house and she warned me about this big water moccasin [see picture above] that evidently has a habit of sunning along the side of her house.  Well I had to go back and forth from the street to the back of her house at least ten times.  Let me tell you, I was very careful about where I stepped.

But seriously, I do think it odd and unfair that I have a revulsion for something that has never done me wrong.  I expect better of myself than that.  If I treat snakes that unfairly, are their other groups of people that I may have unfair attitudes towards?  I hope not.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.  And watch where you step!!!

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure

the non anxious leader

I had lunch the other day with two of my favorite humans.  We talked about many things.  I thought back to my days as a pastor.  Later in the day I reflected on our meeting and the importance of effective leadership. 

I don't know who coined the phrase, "the non-anxious presence."  But I love it. There is so much anxiety in the world.  So much anger, so much stress, so many people reacting instead of acting.

What if we could all be "a non-anxious presence."

Your son is injured... the situation needs a non-anxious presence. Your daughter is moving out of state... the situation needs a non-anxious presence. Your mother in law falls down the stairs... the situation needs a non-anxious presence.

Imagine the next time you find yourself in a stressful situation, you are the one that is saying to everyone else, "everything is ok."  Imagine that you are not threatened by the circumstance, but you simply welcome everyone to the table.  Healthy organizations help people be ok.  They are not threatened by questions or new ideas.

Think of the most stressful thing in your life.  Today, when you walk into it, tell everyone that there is a solution.  Tell everyone that we will figure it out.   Tell everyone that being upset won't help.  Tell everyone that it is ok for us to talk about it and to talk it through.  Be the non-anxious presence.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure

what do you do?

I was watching a movie the other day and one of the characters asked the question, "what do you do when the sadness overwhelms you?"

That question struck a chord with me.  Sometimes I feel sadness.  Sad for people that have died.  Sadness for things that didn't turn out as I wished.  Sadness for missing friends.  

There is plenty of sadness out there in the world.  Heck, every time I hear the Sinead O'Connor song "Nothing compares to you" I feel sad.

So, what do you do when you feel sad?  Well the first rule is, do not hurt yourself.  I heard another story a few days ago about a good man who took his own life.  Do not hurt yourself.  It solves nothing.  It only passes your pain on exponentially to those around you.  It doesn't end pain, it magnifies it.

But what do I do when the sadness comes?  I don't give it space in my brain.  I don't give it the time of day.  I get busy.  I listen to music.  Sometimes I let myself cry, but then I get up.  Distract, deflect, and move on.

There is so much good in the life.  There is so much good in this world.  When I think about the good, it always pushes the sadness out.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure

An act of God?

Sunday on the way home from church, I was driving North on US 1 near 34th street.  There are some trees that hang over the road there.  While I was rolling through at 45 mph, a branch fell and hit the Mustang.  It bonked the hood, scraped over the top and left a mark on the rear spoiler.

Now if you are saying, well this is only a 2010 Mustang, nothing to be worried about, you are correct.  Except that it is my only Mustang, and I might be overly attached to it.

I was a bit miffed by the chance branch attack.  Some would say it was an act of God.  You know, random things that happen that we humans like to blame God for.

Well personally, I don't believe that God makes branches fall on certain people's vehicles.  I don't believe that he makes people get cancer.  I don't believe that he causes our pets to get hit by cars.  I  believe that a lot of random things happen in this life, and we are very fortunate to have the Good Lord at hand to lean on when things are tough.

So if something bad has happened to you, don't blame God.  He isn't up there pushing buttons to punish you.  Somethings bad stuff happens.  I am just so very glad that he is there to walk with us through whatever may be bothering us.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure

I've got a feeling

Sometimes we have feelings that we want to dismiss.  Sometimes we explain our feelings away.  Sometimes we don't understand our feelings.  Sometimes we act on them.

And sometimes, for reasons that I cannot explain, we have feelings that are, or seem to be spiritual.  I had such a feeling yesterday in Church.

So it is about 15 minutes before church start time.  I am walking amongst folks, as is my custom, and this thought came into my brain.  It was accompanied by a warm hearted feeling.  I heard and felt the words, "Oh my gosh, I love these people."

It was great!  It was true!  I am so glad to have found the First United Methodist Church in Ft. Pierce.  I love them and they love me as we did at Woods Chapel and Princeton.

It is a good feeling to love and be loved!!!

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure

Find a good mechanic

It has always been difficult for me to find an honest mechanic.  Dana Cunningham introduced me to Paul's Auto repair in Raytown.  Paul was great.  Billy's in Vero is great.

I have heard way too many stories of people being told that their car needed work when it did not.  My neighbor was told that he needed new brakes - immediately.  He bought the pads and brought them down to my house.  Bruce Letner taught me how to do brakes, so I replaced my neighbors pads yesterday morning.

Still over 1/4 of an inch of brake pad left!

If you know about brakes, you can see that my neighbor was lied to.  There are lots and lots of miles left on these old pads.

Moral of the story... get a second opinion.  Take someone with you that knows cars.  Keep your receipts so you know when the last time various types of work were performed.

Be careful.  Do not be taken advantage of.  

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure

another great quote

I recognize that as I have aged, my views on many things have changed.  I have grown more tolerant and hopefully more loving and kind.  I wish that I would have grown up sooner.

My friend Bruce sent me this quote...

"Looking back over a lifetime, you see that love was the answer to everything."
                                                   Ray Bradbury

I love it.  May we all keep that in mind.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentine's Day!!!  You are loved!!!

Now on to today's post.  Last weekend I was in New Orleans for the Super Bowl.  Wow did the Chiefs take a beating.  Well, I guess that it is better to get there and lose than to watch it on TV like many other teams did.  [by the way, I did not actually go to the game.  we just watched it in the french quarter]

Sure, I wish that the Chiefs would have won but's just a football game after all.  Life goes on.  Life is more important.  Love is most important.

Here is a good story from the weekend:  On Monday morning after the game, I rode with my buddy Paul from New Orleans to Ft. Myers Florida.  12 hours in the car together.  We talked and we took turns napping.  And, there were many hours when we were both awake, both there, and no words were exchanged.  Sometimes it is just fantastic to be in the presence of people that we love...  word are not always needed.

I love long rides with friends.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

whiners

My friend Tom from Colorado recently sent me this...

We humans have a natural tendency to make life about us.  When things don't go our way, too often we end up complaining that the world won't align itself to make us happy.

There is another way to live, and it is a better way.  When we can get our focus off of ourselves and onto the business of loving others, we find the happiness that eludes us when we are selfish.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

transformation

In New Orleans last weekend, there were a number of "street preachers."  It was so annoying.  They were so loud and their messages just felt so hateful.  My fear is that they do more harm than good.  Oh if they would just learn to love people.

Sunday's post from Richard Rohr included the phrase:
"Transformation always results in missional action in the world."

In other words, when we are touched by God and not simply following some system of religious doctrine, when we are truly touched by God, we begin the move away from ourselves and towards a love of others.  We no longer feel the need to change or fix others.  We simply want to love them.

When people find love, they find God.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

my little part

A dear friend wrote to me and mentioned their "little part" in trying to share God's love.  

Well, I said to them, and I will say to you... your part may seem little to you... we often feel so small and insignificant.

But to the people that you love, your little part is huge.  It is amazing.  It is needed and wanted.  It is not little to them.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

emotional adjustments

Think about the incredible emotional adjustments that we experience in this lifetime

You fall in love or you don’t.  You fall in love and the relationship ends.

You make the track team or you don’t.

You have children or you don’t.

You have children and they move away and your world changes.

You grow older and look in the mirror.  Dad, how did you get here?

I was thinking about this the other day... about the amount of changes that we are invited to experience in this lifetime, and it is quite amazing.

It takes determination and a desire to be a healthy person.  It takes hard work to learn to adjust to things that were not what we were expecting and to learn to be comfortable with the things that we weren’t hoping for.

And it can still be a beautiful day, because it is.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

superbowl

Thoughts before the Super Bowl.

I am of course so excited that the Chiefs are in it again.  We were so bad for so many years...  I know that many people are Chiefs haters.  Just like I hated [disliked] the Patriots and the Cowboys when they were winning it all, the Chiefs have collected a number of humans who have the feeling of, "it's time for someone else to win."

I get that.

But here I am, in New Orleans with some of my peeps.  I am not going to the game, but the party here is a blast.  We have met many Eagles fans and they have all been very nice.

What ever happens later today, win or lose, life goes on.  The business of loving people is so much more important than a football game.

Oh and by the way, I ran into Steve Biggs Friday night in the French Quarter.  What an amazing coincidence!!!

Left to Right...
Steve Biggs, me, and Paul McClain

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

trying too hard

Sometimes we try too hard to fix things.  Sometimes we only make things worse by trying to make them better.

Sure, we should try to make things better, but some things we cannot fix.  We only make ourselves and others miserable by trying.  Sometimes you have to know when to call it quits or take a break.

Sometimes what really needs to happen is that our brain needs to adjust to new realities.  Sometimes we have to play the cards that we are dealt and stop asking for a re-deal.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

The root of Christianity

Martin Thielen is a retired United Methodist minister. He writes a newsletter called "The Doubter's Parish." You can read his stuff at

doubtersparish.com

click here for doubters parish

Recently, he sent this out. I loved it...

Christianity is not primarily about a book. The Bible offers guidance and inspiration to many people, including me. But it’s not the heart of Christian faith. For example, the early church thrived for hundreds of years without having what we call the New Testament. Plus, the Bible is an ancient (and very human document) that includes large numbers of problematic passages (like slavery, genocide, and women’s subordination), which need to be understood in historical context and carefully interpreted.

Christianity is not primarily about a creed. The church went for centuries without any official doctrinal statements, including the Apostles’ Creed. And sadly, that creed doesn’t even mention the life, example, or teachings of Jesus. Instead, it jumps from his birth directly to his death. In many ways, doctrinal beliefs, including the historic creeds, have done more damage than good, reducing Christianity to theological propositions rather than a way of life.

Christianity is not primarily about an institution. It’s unlikely that Jesus intended to create a new religious institution. Especially one that consistently fails to follow his example and teachings. Of course, the church has also done a lot of good things. But the church is not the heartbeat of Jesus’s life and mission, which was about advancing the kingdom of God, not maintaining an institution.

Christianity is not primarily about a religion. It’s pretty clear Jesus did not come to start a new religion. Jesus was a Jew, not a Christian. He wanted to reform Judaism, not replace it. It would surprise Jesus greatly that his followers created, in his name, the largest religion in the world. He invited people to follow him in living a life of love. He did not call them to create a new religious order.

Of course, it’s important to note that the Bible, doctrinal beliefs, the church, and the Christian religion can all help people as they seek to follow Jesus. I’m not saying these things are unimportant. But they are not the main thing.

Instead, Christianity is primarily about living a life of love. That love can be expressed in many ways including compassion, practical service, following the Golden Rule, and seeking justice. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, he said, “Love God and love your neighbor.” The second most influential person in Christian history, the apostle Paul, once said, “The greatest of these is love.” In short, the core of authentic Christianity is living a life of love. Nothing else even comes close.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

from my friend Bruce...

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day."  Sally Koch

This is simply a reminder that the small simple acts of kindness add up.  The world doesn't need a flashy, amazing thing from you, just the ongoing cadence of a life lived with compassion for others.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure 

you never know

 

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

my Dad is not a criminal

On Saturday afternoon I went to Sam's Wholesale Club.  It was a really bad time as it was so very busy.  The roads were busy - everyone was out.

When I got to the corner of 20th and 58th Avenue, there was a demonstration.  For those of you in Lee's Summit, this would be like going to the corner of Langsford and 291 and there was a demonstration.

I would say that about 100 young people were out on all four corners of the intersection with flags and posters.  One flag said, "stop hiding your racism behind your patriotism."  One said, "families should stay together." One said, "none of this is my fault."  One said, "my dad is not a criminal."

These were Mexican and central American people protesting the possibility of being deported.

there were many more people than these pictures portray

Now I want to tell you... I believe in orderly, lawful immigration.  I do not believe that people should just be able to jump the fence and get in.

But on the other hand, I felt the angst of all of these people.  The pictures do not do it justice.

We live in a complicated world.  We always must remember that in all situations, people are to be loved. I was a stranger and you welcomed me.

It is very hard to make sense of things in a world where things do not make sense.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

study and mission

I watched over the years as members of the Church engaged in Sunday School studies.  I am not against it.  But I wish that every Sunday School class, every small group of any kind, also had a mission.  Something that they were doing to reach beyond themselves and care for the needy.

If all we do is study, we lure ourselves into a false sense of Christianity.  It's like we think, "If I just learn more, then I will be closer to God."

But this is not true.  The more that we turn in towards ourselves, the more our Christianity is defined by me and my experience.

Christianity does not exist without a love for neighbor.  One of my favorite quotes is this one:

"Learn by study, grow by serving"  Rick Rusaw

Great. You want to be in Sunday School, or Bible Study, I am all for it.  But do not think that you are growing.  Sure you are learning.  But if you want to grow, take sandwiches to the homeless.  Join Becky and Kim on their trips into the inner city.  Help with the shower ministry.  Hold the hand of a person in hospice care.  Find the least of these and reach out to them.

Really try to empathize with the broken.  Get outside of yourself.  You will be glad that you did.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

Not in mission...

If we are not in mission as Christians, then what are we doing?  What do we think that our life is about?

I have a customer that does not read this blog.  We got to talking about me preaching three Sundays in January.  They listened to the sermon from Jan 19 about caring for the least of these...

click here to watch or listen to that sermon

This was part of that person's response:

"One thought....I don't believe that every Christian has the same spiritual gift...example, feeding and clothing the poor is not mine. Growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, studying doctrine on a day by day basis and being part of the pivot of a client nation is a gift that I believe I have. In the past, I tried to do so many things for others!!! I'm so introverted!!! I admire that you can. Would love to hear a message on what you think of the rapture, seven year tribulation, second Advent, the millennial reign and the Great White Throne Judgement!!!"

I will not be able to talk with them about this because we are not on the same page, we are not even in the same book.  We are not in the same universe.  Their Christianity and mine are mutually exclusive.  Using the excuse of being an introvert to not care for people???   Stop.  Really??? Now I have heard everything.

I have said it before and I will say it again... "

"if you did it unto the least of these you did it unto me"  Jesus

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

Thinking of others

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  But here is the question... how much time do we spend thinking about ourselves, and how much time do we spend thinking about others.

You can only think of one thing at a time.

As long as we are thinking of ourselves, we cannot think of others.  So, make an intentional effort to break your mind away from self and think of another human.  That woman at the McDonalds drive through.  Cindy the server at the Sunrise City Cafe.  Rudy the server at First Watch. Practice thinking of others, and then the next time you see them, you will SEE them.

And kindness will flow from you to them.

And that is why we are here.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

polarizing

Politics and politicians can be polarizing.

Don't be polarized.

The news channels, whichever one you watch, invite us to be polarized.

Don't be polarized.

Our mission to love each other is bigger than politics.

Don't be polarized.

People are more important than ideas.  Love one another.

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

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I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year with Pastor Sherri Swanson.  There is plenty of room and we would love to have you join!!!

click here for the Italy brochure 

unconditional love

We humans have made love conditional so that we can make people behave.

But love is unconditional.  God gives it freely.  If love is unconditional, what will make people behave?

Oh, my, you don't have to behave?  What a new thought.  But, when you come face to face with love, you just want to have more of it.  You just want to be a part of it.

So life ceases to be driven by "behaving" and instead is driven by being a person of love.

I like that.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure 

Good news

In Monday's post I mentioned that there was good news that I had heard at church on Sunday.  Here it is... after church, two of my favorite humans who serve on the board of trustees asked me if I would paint a couple of rooms in the church.

Now that may not sound like good news, but I was elated.  I feel like I get so much from the First United Methodist Church in Ft. Pierce.  I am excited to be able to do something to give back!!!

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure 

Amy's Prayer

On Sunday, my friend Amy assisted with worship at Woods Chapel. I thought her morning prayer was fantastic...

Here it is...

"Gracious God, we thank you so much for this day. Thank you for breath and life.  Thank you for all the gifts that you’ve given us.  Thank you for the big and small gifts and for the things we take for granted. Lord help us to see the good all around us and give us grateful hearts.  Lord, many of us today brought with us burdens, pain, and fear.  God, we ask that we would feel your comfort and your presence.  Help us to remember that you are always with us and that we are never alone. most of all thank you for your amazing love. Fill us with your love so that it flows out of us so we will be your ambassadors in this world."

Good stuff for sure!!!

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure 

good news, bad news

Yesterday at Church I got good news and bad news.  Since the bad news is pretty significant to me, I am going to lead with that...

My friend Glen has chosen to go into hospice.  Evidently the doctors told him that future treatment would be difficult.  Glen made a choice.

I think that I will probably make the same choice if it comes to me...

But I don't like it.  I love Glen.  I don't know if he feels it, I think that he does, but I feel a bond with him. 

I got the news as worship was starting.  I sat in the pew and cried.

The sermon was on friendship.  It was very good.  Friends are so valuable. 

Pray for my friend Glen.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure 

in 37 years

Hey! Let's get married!  In 37 years we won't have a phone in our home anymore.  Instead, you will have your own phone and I will have mine.  And we will both have personal computers.

Our cars will have maps on the dashboard - car tv screens that we can follow.  Our cars will play music from our phones through the car audio.  My phone will have over 1,000 songs on it.  Our cars will have back up cameras so that you can see what is behind you.

Instead of reading the newspaper, we will read the news on our phones.  Instead of picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy, they will just show up in the mail.  Photographs will automatically be on our phones... Fotomat will be a thing of the past.

We will pay our bills without ever sending a check.  While you are taking a bath, I will wander into the bedroom and ask you to look on your phone and give me the secondary level security number that you were just sent so that I can look at your Chase account.

A lot has happened in 37 years. SMH!!! 

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure

Guy walks into the bar...

So a guy walks into the bar, sits down, and start putting away some bud light bottles.  After about three beers, he starts hearing this little voice...

You're amazing!!!

You look great today!!!

You're such a fine person!!!

The guy is mystified and he calls the bartender over.  He says, "Bartender, I know I've had a few beers, but I keep hearing this sweet voice saying nice things to me.  What is that about?"

The bartender says, "Ahh yes, it's the peanuts.  They're complimentary."

. . . . . . . . . .

Bada boom!!!  Yes friends I am here all week.

And while we are at it, evidently, yesterday was National Compliment day.  If you don't believe me, look it up.

My friend Bruce sent this in:

Even though national compliment day was yesterday, you can still say something nice to someone today.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure

character in the moment of crisis

When the sky is blue and the sun is shining, we all have great attitudes.  But given the slightest challenge and our dark sides, our selfishness can sneak out.

When times get tough, you can learn a lot about who people really are.  In the face of a challenge, do we fall apart or do we lean into the wind?

If you have failed in a moment of challenge, join the club.  The good news is, we do not have to be repeat offenders.  Hopefully we can learn from our over reactions to situations and stand a bit taller the next time around.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure

at the crossroads

Sometimes in life we come to the crossroads.  A choice lies before us.  Shall I go to the left or shall I go to the right.

Robert Frost suggested that we take the road less travelled.  Probably good advice.  I believe that most humans however, make a natural choice for what is easiest.  It is like we default to our comfort.

But, great things were never accomplished by those who repeated take the easy way out.  Sometimes you have to put your big boy or big girl pants on and wade into the unknown.

If you are facing a challenge in your life, don't keep avoiding it.  Sometimes a bright future is just on the other side of the clouds that hamper our view.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure

free them, free me

One of the main principles of forgiveness is that the person that is hurt the most by unforgiveness' is not the person that hurt you, but it is you yourself.

Often, the person/the object of our unforgiveness has no idea that we are fuming, steaming mad at them.

When we release others from being the object of our resentment, they will likely feel nothing.  We on the other hand will feel everything.  A freedom, a joy.  Simply because we chose to find a way to extend love and grace.

We thought that we were setting them free, but instead, we set ourselves free.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure

Hostages come home

I watched the videos of the three Israeli women being reunited with their mothers after being released from Hamas captivity.

They cried...  I cried.

I can't imagine what they went through.

Hatred and wars, all fought over land, power and control.  Why can't we just get along?  The political sphere in this world is way too big for me to understand.

But I do know that I can treat people in my sphere of influence in a way that will hurt them, or in a way that will heal them.

Probably no one that reads this blog can influence world politics.  But we can make a difference in this world every day, one person at a time.

Jesus came to release the captives.  Is there someone that you or I have held hostage?  Who can you release, who can you free in this life?  Something to think about.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure

gratitude is like a flashlight

"Gratitude is like a flashlight.  If you go out in your yard at night and turn on a flashlight, you can suddenly see what is there.  It's always been there, but you couldn't see it in the dark."

Dawna Markova

Don't wait for something to appear to find gratitude... Express your gratitude and the many object of your appreciation will make themselves known.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure

See the good

If you find yourself from time to time getting stuck on sadness, remember this:

No amount of sadness is gonna fix the things in your life that turned out differently than what you’d hoped for.

I am sorry for the things that didn't turn out the way that you and I wanted them to. But if we get stuck thinking about that, then we will just be sad and grumpy old people.

There are plenty of those out there. I refuse to be one.

So, especially when you are feeling sad, look on the good.  Always see the bright side of life. Even though my daughters live far away and I can get sad about that, I am glad that they are doing well and secure.

Even in things that we don't like and don't prefer, there is some good. Look for the good. Focus on that.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure

determination

So while I was working in KC I was supposed to assemble some shelves for a friend.  Well, the snow delayed the delivery.  We waited and watched.

Finally, they arrived.  She let me know that they were there.  Each box weighed 100 lbs.  I told her that I would come by and get them inside.

By the time that I got there, she had moved them inside herself.  She is not a large human, but evidently she is very determined and she believes in perseverance.

She got the shelf boxes inside without me.

There is something to be said for the attributes of determination and perseverance.  Nothing is accomplished when we give up too early.  If a challenge lies before you, stay with it.  You will  be glad that you did.

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

 - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November!  Everyone is welcome.

click here for the brochure

important slogan

In response to some of my recent blog posts here, my friend Warren wrote in to say...  "I am a Methodist because I liked the fact that our philosophy was Open Doors Open Hearts Open MINDS.  Sometimes it seems that some have lost that belief.  I just have the belief that Jesus/God loves us all the same."

Honestly I had forgotten about the slogan, Open Doors, Open Hearts, and Open Minds, but it is a great one.  Our doors are open to everyone.  And I mean that we will treat every person with dignity.  Our hearts are open to be led by God.  Our minds are open to ideas beyond our own.

Too many people in this world get stuck in one place and determine that they are right.  They never consider anything outside of the box that they live in.  Sad, I think.

There is so much joy in having an open life paradigm.  I love it that we are welcoming, including, and that our minds are open to all.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure

a funny story

Last week, the ice came first, then the snow.  By the time I got to the place I was staying, it was the dark of night and bitter cold.  For some reason, my code to the garage door is not working.  I know what this means.  It means that I am going to have to go around the house to the back yard, up the staircase and into the side door.

14" of snow fell the day before.

I am not looking forward to this journey.  It had snowed 14 inches and was still coming down.  I started through the side yard.  There I encountered drifting snow that was up to my crotch.

I came to the gate.  The gate has one of those swimming pool, child proof latches.  It is covered with ice and it will not budge.

I am going to have to jump the fence.  Now, at 67 I don't do much jumping.  And the fence has steel spikes every six inches.  

True story... some years ago, a deer misjudged the fence and landed on the spikes.  The more he fought, the deeper they went in.  He bled out on that fence that night.  The homeowners found him the next day.

This is the fence that I have to get over.

I found a spot where some large landscaping rocks were set against the fence.  That made it 3 feet tall on the close side.  I put both hands on the fence, lifted myself up, and slung my left leg over.  My upper body is much weaker than when I was young, and I am wearing 30 pounds of winter clothing.  I am trying with all my might to keep my body off of the spikes.

I slung my other leg over and started to let myself down.  It is a full 4 feet down to the other side.  But wait, I am stuck.  The crotch of my jeans is hooked on one of the spikes.  I am hanging on this fence by the crotch of my pants and I can't hold myself up much longer.  With one final burst of strength, I lift myself up and pull the jeans off of the spike.

Whew.

Then I made my way through the snowy backyard, up the stairs and into the back door.  Safe at last.

Sometimes you just have to laugh.

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

 - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November!  Everyone is welcome.

click here for the brochure

See the good

Last week I had biscuits and gravy with an old friend.  It was so good to see him.  He is such a fine young man.   As we caught up, I recounted to him what was going on with the kids and life in general.

When I got back to where I was staying, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of sadness for things in my life that have not or did not turn out the way that I wanted.

I cried.

And when the tears stopped, I remembered again all of the good things that have come my way.  All of the  blessings, all of the happiness.  I have had a fantastic life when you think about it...

We can choose to focus on the sad things or we can choose to focus on the good.  I reminded my self to see the good.  There is plenty of it around if we just open our eyes.

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

 - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November!  Everyone is welcome.

click here for the brochure

let them go

I don't know where I heard this, but there is probably someone out there that needs to be reminded...

"At some point, there is no longer anything to gain from punishing those who have hurt you."

The unforgiveness that we carry is a burden to our souls that we can choose to put down.  

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

 - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November!  Everyone is welcome.

click here for the brochure

Snoopy

 

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

 - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November!  Everyone is welcome.

click here for the brochure

don't look back

The other day I ran into old friends Ken and Jennifer Harrison at the funeral of a mutual friend.  We had a lovely talk.  It was so good to catch up.

I our discussion, Jennifer said something that I thought was quite profound.  She said, "Don't look back, you are not going that way."

I loved that.  Don't focus on the past.  It is a new year.  Let's move forward.  Let's focus on the positive opportunities in 2025.

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

 - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November!  Everyone is welcome.

click here for the brochure

helpful words

In response to yesterday's post, a reader wrote in. I share their words with permission:

One foot after the next... one step at a time... It’s been exactly that for the last 3+ months. Uncertainty and heartache. Then enough time passes, the anger and grief start to lighten up and you begin to see things differently. Maybe, just maybe there can be growth and change.  I’m feeling joy again. My emotions have settled enough to have some productive conversations.
we are working on our way back together. I’m smiling while I write that last sentence. Joy. Yes JOY!!

I wanted to share their words because sometimes we get lost in the emotions and feel hopeless.  Sometimes, in the pit of despair, we don't see a way out.

This friend acknowledges the difficulty of the journey and is starting to find hope again.  Don't lose heart.  Keep at it.  One day at a time, one step at a time.

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

 - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November!  Everyone is welcome.

click here for the brochure

pain and recovery

Probably from the show Lessons in Chemistry, but I made the notes and forgot to source it, I got some of my own thoughts mixed in....  anyway, it is good stuff...

Pain is a teacher for those who are listening- - -
Pain makes us resilient, pain gives us a capacity to experience joy.  It helps us to appreciate the simple things of life.

When the sun is up and the sky is blue, it’s hard to experience joy, but when you come out of a dark night and you awake to the sunrise, then you will know what Joy really is.

When you don’t think you can move forward, when you’re sad about your yesterdays,  and you’re not sure of what’s going to happen tomorrow, there is still a purpose for you.  In those moments, your purpose is just showing up, being there and putting 1 foot in front of the other.  

One foot, one foot, one foot.

 It’s all you have to think about 

And then sure enough you’ll be home

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

- - - - - 

I am leading a trip to Italy in November!  Everyone is welcome.

click here for the brochure

Lessons in Chemistry Pt 2

Another quote from the show that resonated for me.

Sometimes we humans like to hide from our feelings. Sometimes we just stuff things down and refuse to deal with them.

Someone on the show, speaking to the star said, "Whatever you’re trying to not feel you’re going to have to let yourself feel it someday at some point."

Holding stuff in hurts. It hurts us and it hurts others as we project and subconsciously pass on our pain to them.

Let your self feel it. It is not easy, but it is healthy.

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

- - - - - 

I am leading a trip to Italy in November!  Everyone is welcome.

click here for the brochure

Blind Faith

I have been watch "Lessons in Chemistry" on Apple TV.  A quote that I made note of...

"Blind faith is the furthest thing from faith."

I love this quote.  You should never take what I say or what any pastor says as the gospel truth without checking it out for yourself.

If you are involved in systems or organizations that discourage questions... run the other way.  Never drink the Kool-Aid.

You are a smart person and you are entitled to your thoughts, beliefs and questions.  God does not need to be defended.

Blind faith is not faith.

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

- - - - - 

I am leading a trip to Italy in November!  Everyone is welcome.

click here for the brochure

Let it snow

So I lived in the Midwest for most of my adult life.  We moved to Florida 9 years ago.  From time to time I get back to Kansas City, but I never go back hoping for snow.

This trip I was not so lucky.  I am in town filling the pulpit for a friend and I got stuck in a very big blizzard.  On Saturday by 3pm I was headed back to where I was staying.  Sunday I was stuck inside all day.  About 7pm the snow was ending and I went out to clean things up a bit.  Thankfully I still have some cold weather gear and I brought it with me.

I actually enjoyed the shoveling.  I would estimate that we got 12-16 inches here.   In the morning, I hope to get out and meet my friend Tyler for breakfast.  I have to tell you that as much as I love hanging with my KC friends, I do not miss the ice and snow.

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

 - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November!  Everyone is welcome.

click here for the brochure

relief

Two bits of relief to share today.

First of all, my son in law, Bobby Lascon has gone home from the hospital finally.  Thank you for the prayers.  

Second... todays post:  the relief of having a sermon behind you.

So Sunday I filled in for a pastor friend.  If you want to watch or listen, here is the link:

click here to watch or listen to the message from yesterday

So I have to tell you, it has been a while since I have preached a sermon.  Also, this was a first time for me in an unfamiliar venue.  When it was all over, and I got back to the place where I am staying, there is a huge relief!

The worry, the concern, the preparation, the trying to get it just right...
the trying to feel it, even if it’s something you’ve said 100 times.

And then preaching it to room that’s completely empty due to a snow storm.

Finally it is over, and you are done and it is quite a relief!!!  And I have two more Sundays coming up so I have to get to work on next week.  It is the first time in 7 years that I have preached more than one Sunday in a row.

Very exciting.  But also a relief when it is over.

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

Note... if anyone in the KC area has a very large suitcase that I can borrow please let me know.

- - - - - - -

Here is the link to the Italy trip that I am leading in November of 2025.  There has been a good deal of interest, but there is certainly room for you!

click here for the brochure

license plate

My son in law Bobby Lascon should be going home from the hospital in the next couple of days.  Thank you all so much for your prayers.

- - - - 

I bought a 2016 pickup from my friend Paul.

I was looking for something for the front license plate.  In Florida you only put a plate on the back, so you can add whatever kind of plate you want on the front.

There was a nice "life is good" plate.  I saw this one and laughed out loud.  It is a take on the band AC/DC and adhd.

I laughed out loud.  Sometimes a little laugh is good.

I hope that you laugh today.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure

one word

I read an article online.  Here is the link...

click here for the entire article

The premise of the article is that a mom is on her deathbed and can barely speak.  She calls her daughter over and issues one final word.  It took a long time in the article to get to the final word.  I actually started to think it was one of those threads created to have you see lots of ads and never get to the punchline.

But it finally came... her last word to her daughter was "lucky."

She pointed to herself and said lucky.  The daughter responds with an acknowledgment that she feels lucky/blessed/fortunate as well.

For all of the stuff that goes on in this life, I have to tell you that I feel very blessed, very lucky, very fortunate for so  many things.

An awareness of the good in our lives is such a pleasant and powerful force.

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

- - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of this year.  Would love to have you join.

click here for the Italy brochure

what to do???

Doctors are talking about removing Bobby's feeding tube.  He may be able to go home in a few days.  Thanks for your prayers.

So we all find ourselves in situations where we do not know what to do.  How will I respond to this???  Look what happened.  What will we/I do now?

I heard a great answer the other day.

What do you do when you do not know what to do???

Do the next right thing.  Do the next right thing.

We can't control what just happened.  We cannot control the general situation.  Everything seems out of control.  

Just take a deep breath and "do the next right thing."  I have control over my choices and I can choose to do that.  It is a seemingly easy choice.  Just do the next right thing.

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

- - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Italy in November of 2025.  It is open to everyone.  Even you, Carla King.  Bring your friends.  Bring your cousins.  Everyone is welcome.

click here for the brochure

more on worry

My son in law is still in the hospital, but continues to improve...

From my friend Susan...

Not much more to say about that.  I guess the first step to moving away from worry is to recognize that your worrying is a problem and that your way of thinking must change.

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

- - - - - 

I am leading a trip to Italy in November.  Would love to have you join!

click here for the brochure

https://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/it25110425a17768#eotours

leaving for the fundamental church

Health update... Bobby my son in law is improving.  Still in the hospital, but he has turned a corner.  Thanks for your prayers!!!

Over the years, people joined our church and sadly, people left our church.  Thankfully, more joined then left.

Sometimes when people left, I understood.  Sometimes it was difficult to watch.  

The most difficult for me was when people left for a more fundamental church.  I remember one teen who was raised in our church...  I baptized them as a baby and I was their pastor for 17 years.  Then some friends convinced them that our church was wrong.

They were told:

1. you have received a watered down version of the gospel
2. your church does not believe the bible.
3. you were baptized the wrong way.
4. Your church does not take a stand for anything.

Those were tough accusations.  Those were words that hurt.  Had I been given a chance, I would have tried to help that young person understand some things...

1.  if the focus on love is a watered down version of the gospel, then let me drink it all day long.

2.  no church believes the entire bible.  Otherwise they would be advocating for slavery which is clearly supported in the Bible.  Everyone picks and chooses.  There are many examples of this.

3.  you are giving up a Christianity based on grace for one based on fear and guilt.  You are leaving a place that is based on freedom of thought for a place where your questions are not welcome and you cannot question the pastor.

4.  I would tell them that God doesn't care how you were baptized.  It is not a core issue.  

5.  I would tell them that we stood for love and the welcome of all people.  I would beg them not to trade the immense God of love for a God of simple formulas.

You see, I once lived in the world of fundamentalism.  I know what it is like to live in a system based on fear.  I know the hypocrisy of wanting to live a normal life but feeling guilty every day because I was not good enough.

Friends, we can never be good enough to satisfy the formulas.  There is an alternative to formulas... we are loved.  We are just loved.  That is the message.  There is none other and there is nothing to add.

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

- - - - - - 

I am leading a trip to Italy in November!  Everyone is welcome.

click here for the brochure