Here is to opportunities! I just want to take a moment to thank God for opportunities.
I have had many in my life. Sometimes I took opportunities to do good and used them to complain. Sometimes I whined when I should have said thank you.
But over the years, I am striving to see the good in every opportunity given.
Gosh, if we wake up today, we have chances. Opportunities. To love, to live. To give and forgive.
Do you see the joyful potential in this day? God has given you the chance to change the world. Your world at least. Will we do it? Or will we sit around and complain about things that we should not complain about.
This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Each day given is an opportunity for us to be a part of making the world a better place.
How will you choose to use it?
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Saturday, May 30, 2015
you have to be ready
You have to be ready to hear a thing. A person can tell you that you need to see a thing in a different way, but sometimes you are not ready, sometimes we are not ready for that message, for that teaching.
Sometimes we reject things that we should listen to. Sometimes we shelve things that we are not ready for.
Keep reading the same things. Read new things, but keep reading. The stories and points may hit you just right tomorrow.
I apologized to a member because they have heard my stories over and over. She said, "Don't apologize, I hear them every so often and they always hit me in a different way because I am at a different place."
Thank God for the day that my brain opened up to hear what I could not hear the day before.
What do you need to hear that you are not quite listening to?
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Sometimes we reject things that we should listen to. Sometimes we shelve things that we are not ready for.
Keep reading the same things. Read new things, but keep reading. The stories and points may hit you just right tomorrow.
I apologized to a member because they have heard my stories over and over. She said, "Don't apologize, I hear them every so often and they always hit me in a different way because I am at a different place."
Thank God for the day that my brain opened up to hear what I could not hear the day before.
What do you need to hear that you are not quite listening to?
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Friday, May 29, 2015
the camel
A new monk proudly strutted into the Abbot's office. He told the Abbot that he had great faith. So much faith in fact, that upon arriving today he did not tie his camel up outside. He was trusting God to keep his camel with the others.
The Abbot said, "Fool! Go tie up your camel. Never ask God to do anything for you that you can do for yourself."
I like that story. It reminds me of the fact that God does expect us to take responsibility in this life for the things that we can. We are not blithering idiots, stumbling along with no abilities. God has blessed us with many gifts and talents and he expects us to use them.
Every day, do what you can do. Tie up your camel.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
The Abbot said, "Fool! Go tie up your camel. Never ask God to do anything for you that you can do for yourself."
I like that story. It reminds me of the fact that God does expect us to take responsibility in this life for the things that we can. We are not blithering idiots, stumbling along with no abilities. God has blessed us with many gifts and talents and he expects us to use them.
Every day, do what you can do. Tie up your camel.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
chime chapel
I have been asked many times over the last few weeks, “what
is that big wooden thing in the parking lot?” Well, that is our new chime
chapel under construction. Some years ago, a consortium of members of the
landscape team and the cancer connection team began to envision a place on our East walking trail where someone could stop, rest and remember. This structure is modeled after a chime chapel that Nancy Vilmer saw years ago on the St. Olaf campus.
As it is pictured here, it is unfinished. In a few weeks, a
crane will come out and hoist the roof structure up and set it onto the four
legs that you can see in the back of the picture. Some have asked how it
was paid for. The answer is that like many things here at our church,
private donations have paid for the entire project.
Each side of the chapel is engraved with one of the fruit of
the spirit. Wind chimes will hang from the rafters. This will be a
place where anyone can go to remember loved ones or just to sit and rest in the
presence of God. A wedding is already scheduled in the chime chapel for
later this fall.
This is another feature on our property that will remind
people of the goodness and glory of God. The walking trail, the bridge,
the stations of the cross, the gardens, the labyrinth, the pavilion and now the
chime chapel are all meant to give you a chance to rest and experience the
presence of our Father.
It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the
good.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
disappointment
Disappointment. We all know it. Sometimes we make the mistake of wallowing in it. Poor me. That thing did not go my way. Poor me - my life has not turned out the way I had hoped. Poor me - my Cinderella expectations have not been met. It's not fair!!
Into every life a little disappointment will fall. We have a choice. Some people let disappointment in and marry it. They usually become sad, bitter and depressed. Life just did not line up to make them happy.
Others choose to acknowledge the disappointment and move on. Yes that is not exactly as I would like it, but life is still good and I am going to give life my best.
Don't let disappointment have it's way with you. You have your way with it. Look past it. See the good.
It is after all a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Into every life a little disappointment will fall. We have a choice. Some people let disappointment in and marry it. They usually become sad, bitter and depressed. Life just did not line up to make them happy.
Others choose to acknowledge the disappointment and move on. Yes that is not exactly as I would like it, but life is still good and I am going to give life my best.
Don't let disappointment have it's way with you. You have your way with it. Look past it. See the good.
It is after all a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
to be offended
I apologized last week for something that I wrote in the blog and a reader took me to task for apologizing, and to some degree, rightfully so.
What I wrote was not meant to be hurtful or offensive. The reader pointed out that people can choose to take offense or not. Now this is a fine line, and I run the risk here of emphasizing one side of the discussion and not another.
We should not hurt others. But, things come to us all the time that challenge us and are even at times painful. We can choose how to respond. We can choose to take offense or we can choose to not take offense.
Remember 1 Cor 13? Love keeps no record of wrongs. So, while I don't ever want to hurt others, and neither should the rest of us, we also need to take responsibility for how we respond to things that we find challenging.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
What I wrote was not meant to be hurtful or offensive. The reader pointed out that people can choose to take offense or not. Now this is a fine line, and I run the risk here of emphasizing one side of the discussion and not another.
We should not hurt others. But, things come to us all the time that challenge us and are even at times painful. We can choose how to respond. We can choose to take offense or we can choose to not take offense.
Remember 1 Cor 13? Love keeps no record of wrongs. So, while I don't ever want to hurt others, and neither should the rest of us, we also need to take responsibility for how we respond to things that we find challenging.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Monday, May 25, 2015
ambiguity vs certainty
We American Christians like to be in control. We like to be certain. Some Christians quote scripture to lock God in a box. They are certain about everything.
The problem with this is that God will not be contained by any human. If we are honest with each other, there is always going to be a bit of ambiguity or a lack of clarity about many things related to God.
God is bigger than we are. He is beyond our control. Worship is not boiling him down to 20 points of doctrine. Worship is falling headlong into the arms of the God who is indescribable, uncontainable and beyond our management.
On This memorial day let us take time to thank God for the lives of those who have gone before us. Where would we be without them? And particularly for those who suffered and sacrificed so that we could be free.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
The problem with this is that God will not be contained by any human. If we are honest with each other, there is always going to be a bit of ambiguity or a lack of clarity about many things related to God.
God is bigger than we are. He is beyond our control. Worship is not boiling him down to 20 points of doctrine. Worship is falling headlong into the arms of the God who is indescribable, uncontainable and beyond our management.
On This memorial day let us take time to thank God for the lives of those who have gone before us. Where would we be without them? And particularly for those who suffered and sacrificed so that we could be free.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Work, part 2
Someone made a very true comment on yesterday's post. They said that the worst companies are the ones where no dissent is allowed and the boss is always right.
I agree. I am all for gracious dissent. I have just seen too many people who go from one job to the next and are never happy. The point I was trying to make was not that dissent is bad, but that things always go better at work when we work as unto the Lord.
My post and the comment are another example of how difficult it is to deal with an issue in a few paragraphs. There are always many pieces of truth that I end up neglecting.
On a personal note, my dear wife is in town this weekend and then begins her travel blitz. Her sites have been assigned: New York, Boston, Miami, Houston and Columbus Ohio. It has been really really nice to have her here. Never take your loved ones for granted. They are a blessing and a gift.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
I agree. I am all for gracious dissent. I have just seen too many people who go from one job to the next and are never happy. The point I was trying to make was not that dissent is bad, but that things always go better at work when we work as unto the Lord.
My post and the comment are another example of how difficult it is to deal with an issue in a few paragraphs. There are always many pieces of truth that I end up neglecting.
On a personal note, my dear wife is in town this weekend and then begins her travel blitz. Her sites have been assigned: New York, Boston, Miami, Houston and Columbus Ohio. It has been really really nice to have her here. Never take your loved ones for granted. They are a blessing and a gift.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
work
100 people applied for a job. There was one question on the application. The question was, "what is 2x2?" 99 people answered "4." None of them got the job. The person that got the job said that 2 times 2 is whatever the boss says.
Now I hope you have a good boss and I want to be a good boss, but every job has its moments. I have lots of bosses and I don't always agree with them, but they would never know it. Great employees understand that they are there to move their employer's agenda forward. We don't deserve a job, we work hard to keep a job. As my Dad said, "make yourself indispensable to the company."
Don't complain about your boss or your work or anything else or you will become known as a complainer. In a downsizing, those are the first people to go.
Hard work is a joy. Work is a 4 letter word. Anything that my boss asks of me, if it is in my power to make it happen, I will. The Bible encourages us to work as if we are working for the Lord.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Now I hope you have a good boss and I want to be a good boss, but every job has its moments. I have lots of bosses and I don't always agree with them, but they would never know it. Great employees understand that they are there to move their employer's agenda forward. We don't deserve a job, we work hard to keep a job. As my Dad said, "make yourself indispensable to the company."
Don't complain about your boss or your work or anything else or you will become known as a complainer. In a downsizing, those are the first people to go.
Hard work is a joy. Work is a 4 letter word. Anything that my boss asks of me, if it is in my power to make it happen, I will. The Bible encourages us to work as if we are working for the Lord.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Friday, May 22, 2015
I'm sorry
I posted something the other day that hurt some one's feelings. I wasn't thinking. I am sorry.
Sometimes you can say something that you think is true, but it can still be misconstrued or hurtful. It is indeed my intention in this life to keep John Wesley's three rules:
1. do all the good you can
2. do no harm
3. stay in love with God
I apologize because I hurt someone. May we all limit the ouches that we deliver to others.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Sometimes you can say something that you think is true, but it can still be misconstrued or hurtful. It is indeed my intention in this life to keep John Wesley's three rules:
1. do all the good you can
2. do no harm
3. stay in love with God
I apologize because I hurt someone. May we all limit the ouches that we deliver to others.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
ANGRY
I have a friend who is never angry. I have told her on numerous occasions how amazed I am at her temperament.
Well the other day I ran into her at church and she was mad! Pot boiling mad! It was kind of fun to watch.
Well, what ever was bothering her all settled out and she is fine now. Know this about people: just because they don't show you something, does not mean that it is not there. Every one laughs, everyone cries, let your friends and acquaintances be who they are. Not every body is wired like you are wired. God made many temperaments and it is all good.
Grace is letting people be themselves without trying to make them turn into you.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Well the other day I ran into her at church and she was mad! Pot boiling mad! It was kind of fun to watch.
Well, what ever was bothering her all settled out and she is fine now. Know this about people: just because they don't show you something, does not mean that it is not there. Every one laughs, everyone cries, let your friends and acquaintances be who they are. Not every body is wired like you are wired. God made many temperaments and it is all good.
Grace is letting people be themselves without trying to make them turn into you.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
FIRE!
We had a fire alarm at church on Sunday. The 10:10 service is our largest hour and we had just started service. The welcome was over, we were showing the spotlight on ministry video, when that nasty aching piercing noise filled the entire building.
Brian led the north section of the Sanctuary out via the choir door. The band led the south section out the front side door. The middle sections exited via the back.
The entire church was evacuated in less than 10 minutes. I was very very proud of our staff and hospitality teams. Everyone knew what to do and they acted with such order and calm.
The good news is that there was no fire! After about 10 minutes, the fire truck arrived and gave us the green light to re-enter the building. We had a new welcome, a song, a sermon and grace alone.
Although it was very unnerving at the time, it all worked out very well. I thank all of you for following the directions of those who where trying to clear the building. I also thank you for hanging around and staying for the 10:27 service.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Brian led the north section of the Sanctuary out via the choir door. The band led the south section out the front side door. The middle sections exited via the back.
The entire church was evacuated in less than 10 minutes. I was very very proud of our staff and hospitality teams. Everyone knew what to do and they acted with such order and calm.
The good news is that there was no fire! After about 10 minutes, the fire truck arrived and gave us the green light to re-enter the building. We had a new welcome, a song, a sermon and grace alone.
Although it was very unnerving at the time, it all worked out very well. I thank all of you for following the directions of those who where trying to clear the building. I also thank you for hanging around and staying for the 10:27 service.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Monday, May 18, 2015
investments
When we hear the word investment, we usually think of money. You put a little bit in, add some along the way, and after a while there is a return on your investment.
The most important investments that we make in this life, are not investments in stocks or bonds, but investments in people. All around you are folks that can benefit from you. Whether you buy them lunch, give them advice, give them a ride, or simply smile and say hello, every encounter with another person is a chance to invest in them.
We feel good when we invest in others. It is part of why we are here on this earth. Don't miss a chance to reach out to others. You just might make some one's day. You just might influence their life for the better. And how cool is that?
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
The most important investments that we make in this life, are not investments in stocks or bonds, but investments in people. All around you are folks that can benefit from you. Whether you buy them lunch, give them advice, give them a ride, or simply smile and say hello, every encounter with another person is a chance to invest in them.
We feel good when we invest in others. It is part of why we are here on this earth. Don't miss a chance to reach out to others. You just might make some one's day. You just might influence their life for the better. And how cool is that?
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
faith
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1Here is my tiny new tomato plant, looking up at a giant cage. Will it ever fill it?
Faith is believing for more. Faith is knowing that you are not alone. Faith is pursuing your potential. Faith is knowing that everything is ok, even when the odds look overwhelming. Faith is knowing that your DNA will fill the cage. Faith is knowing that God made you to grow.
What are you facing? What is the best attitude that you can bring to the table? Great things have been done by those with just a small amount of faith. Don't shy away, hang in there. You are not in this alone.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
God is Love
I am hanging one of my theological hats on 1 John 4:8 "God is Love."
When you listen to preachers and teachers, stop and ask yourself, what are they hanging their theological hats on? It is a very enlightening question to ask... what are they basing their teachings on?
God is good with love, but that is not the point. God likes love, of course. God is glad when we love of course. God is like love, for sure. But what the scripture actually says is this:
God is love.
This messes with my brain. This makes me crazy, until I remember that God is not an old man with a beard, God is not a human. God is a spirit. Love is a spirit. God is love.
So, whenever you encounter love, you have encountered God. God is love. That still messes with my brain, but I am falling for this God that is bigger than my ideas about him.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
When you listen to preachers and teachers, stop and ask yourself, what are they hanging their theological hats on? It is a very enlightening question to ask... what are they basing their teachings on?
God is good with love, but that is not the point. God likes love, of course. God is glad when we love of course. God is like love, for sure. But what the scripture actually says is this:
God is love.
This messes with my brain. This makes me crazy, until I remember that God is not an old man with a beard, God is not a human. God is a spirit. Love is a spirit. God is love.
So, whenever you encounter love, you have encountered God. God is love. That still messes with my brain, but I am falling for this God that is bigger than my ideas about him.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Friday, May 15, 2015
subtraction
I keep thinking about this, so I am going to keep writing about it.
American Christians think that becoming more spiritual means learning more. Learn more, know more, add more.
What if spirituality is first discovered by unlearning what we mislearned in the past. Our minds are so filled with junk that is irrelevant to spirituality. For us to begin again, we must subtract some things that were drilled into us as kids. We must come to faith with an open mind, as a child.
What if every denomination subtracted all of the particulars that they fight about? What if all we had left was the simple message: God so loved the world? We have made it so complicated - and it is so simple.
Subtract the dogma and we end up with love. There is nothing else.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
American Christians think that becoming more spiritual means learning more. Learn more, know more, add more.
What if spirituality is first discovered by unlearning what we mislearned in the past. Our minds are so filled with junk that is irrelevant to spirituality. For us to begin again, we must subtract some things that were drilled into us as kids. We must come to faith with an open mind, as a child.
What if every denomination subtracted all of the particulars that they fight about? What if all we had left was the simple message: God so loved the world? We have made it so complicated - and it is so simple.
Subtract the dogma and we end up with love. There is nothing else.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
jokes
Yesterday's post reminded me of a joke line.
Did you hear about the fire at the shoe factory? It was terrible. 100 soles were lost.
I bet it was started by some heel.
Did you hear about the fire at the circus?
It was in tents.
Ok, that's all folks. A little smile is a gift to any day.
And it is a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Did you hear about the fire at the shoe factory? It was terrible. 100 soles were lost.
I bet it was started by some heel.
Did you hear about the fire at the circus?
It was in tents.
Ok, that's all folks. A little smile is a gift to any day.
And it is a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
too much talking
Ok, I find it pretty annoying when someone talks too much. Maybe they think that their opinion is the only one that matters. Usually they are a bit loud. The introvert within me is repelled in such situations.
And last night that person was me. Yikes. I was on a panel discussion and I know I talked way too much. Talking too much can make you feel like a heel.
Today is a new day. I promise to offer fewer words and more kindness.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
And last night that person was me. Yikes. I was on a panel discussion and I know I talked way too much. Talking too much can make you feel like a heel.
Today is a new day. I promise to offer fewer words and more kindness.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
I'm Back.....
I have been gone for a week. I give my heartfelt thanks to Lions Den Man and Ami for posting for me while I was gone. I also thank you many generous and kind friends who helped us load the truck.
Monday morning a week ago, we closed on our house here and started the long drive to Florida in a 26' Penske truck and a 16' truck. Turns out we had more junk than we thought. Off we went down I-70- Columbia, St. Louis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Macon, Orlando, and finally Vero Beach. We made it in two days and arrived about 7pm on Tuesday.
When we got there, we were locked out. We had the garage door code, but someone had locked the door from the garage to the house. When we finally got in, the AC wasn't working. It was fixed the next day at a cost of $200.
Wednesday we unloaded the truck. The movers were late, but they did good work and we got all of the junk off loaded and into the house. We spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday unpacking boxes and going to the store to add more stuff to the stuff that we just unloaded.
Today, Scott and I flew home. It was bitter sweet leaving my wife in Florida, but she will be in town in a couple of weeks.
I know that many of you were praying for safe travels, and we made it safely home. Our new Lee's Summit address is 1229 NE Deerbrook Circle, 64086.
The cats are glad to see me, and I will see you on Sunday if not before.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Monday morning a week ago, we closed on our house here and started the long drive to Florida in a 26' Penske truck and a 16' truck. Turns out we had more junk than we thought. Off we went down I-70- Columbia, St. Louis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Macon, Orlando, and finally Vero Beach. We made it in two days and arrived about 7pm on Tuesday.
When we got there, we were locked out. We had the garage door code, but someone had locked the door from the garage to the house. When we finally got in, the AC wasn't working. It was fixed the next day at a cost of $200.
Wednesday we unloaded the truck. The movers were late, but they did good work and we got all of the junk off loaded and into the house. We spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday unpacking boxes and going to the store to add more stuff to the stuff that we just unloaded.
Today, Scott and I flew home. It was bitter sweet leaving my wife in Florida, but she will be in town in a couple of weeks.
I know that many of you were praying for safe travels, and we made it safely home. Our new Lee's Summit address is 1229 NE Deerbrook Circle, 64086.
The cats are glad to see me, and I will see you on Sunday if not before.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Monday, May 11, 2015
Quotes
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" - Maya Angelou
"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose" - Dr. Seuss
"Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art" - Elenor Roosevelt
And last but certainly not least (I love this one) :-)
You deserve flowers on your doorstep and coffee in the morning. You deserve notes left on your dashboard and ice cream sundaes at 3am. You deserve honesty everyday and to be kissed every hour. You deserve to be reminded how beautiful you are.
Peace and love to you my friends.
Always,
Ami
"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose" - Dr. Seuss
"Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art" - Elenor Roosevelt
And last but certainly not least (I love this one) :-)
You deserve flowers on your doorstep and coffee in the morning. You deserve notes left on your dashboard and ice cream sundaes at 3am. You deserve honesty everyday and to be kissed every hour. You deserve to be reminded how beautiful you are.
Peace and love to you my friends.
Always,
Ami
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