MY ONE WORD

For the past couple of years now I lead a study in which we chose a word to guide the coming days, the next year.  My very first word is still posted on my refrigerator and speaks to me as I work as a reminder that it is not necessary for me to have absolute control.  Now, this is an idea that does not come easily to me first, by my very nature and second, as I'm discovering, by my life experiences. My first word was BE.  Simple, right?  Just BE...to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted.  Let me tell you, it's far easier sounding than doing!  And what I also discovered was that God was about to give me all kinds of lessons in practicing that simple little two-letter word. 

I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don't be troubled or afraid.  

John 14:27

Message:  Stop being the busy little bee and just be. 

So the second year I was better prepared to choose a word that would, perhaps, be a little easier.  Oh, such foolhardiness!  POSITIVE...meaning find the positive, be the positive.  As prepared as I thought I was, I had no idea what God would lay out for me over the course of this year and being POSITIVE, finding the POSITIVE was not always easy. In fact, a lot of days I didn't find it. I would start each morning with scripture and quotes and prayer to lead me and I would end each night with the same but I have to admit, in looking back over the past 361 days, I fear I failed more than I succeeded...oops!  Darn it!  See how difficult it is?

While the first year held all nature of challenges to BE, POSITIVE went beyond anything I could have imagined.  Major illness, loss of a job, moving to a new community in a new state, leaving such dear loved ones...

It has been a challenge to be sure and I have not been very successful, especially in these last few days of the year.

Watch the way you talk.  Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth.  

Say only what helps, each word a gift.

Ephesians 4:29

Your challenge is not your challenge.  

Now it is time to choose a new word and I have to admit that I'm more than a little gun-shy.  My goodness, the simple little word that is chosen carries so much power!  Who knew?

I have been a teacher in one capacity or another for over forty years.  I know words and I know how powerful they can be to build or destroy, but I never understood the power of a single word and the impact it can have in shaping who we are.  Choosing one word changes our focus from so many things that are demanding our attention every moment of every day to one thing.  And that one thing, that one word, begins to change you from the inside out.  

As I read through my journal that I, quite honestly, had set aside over the past several months I find that perhaps I have learned more than I realized.  If nothing else, I caught myself as I was heading down that less than POSITIVE road.  While my goal was to do my best to totally eliminate the negativity in my head and mouth, maybe I've taken some steps to at least recognize, if not apologize, for the fear that came through.  That's really what it was...fear. Anger over other's actions or inactions.  You know, anger is really just a cover for some other emotion.  So mine is ...  Fear... of not being in control (see that little two-letter word again)?  Fear for someone else.  Fear of someone else.  Fear that ... Oh my goodness!  Do you see how easy it is to forget?

BE.  POSITIVE.  And the next word is...

I really don't know.  I have started my list and I'll begin to work through the words to eventually choose one.  God has brought me through some challenges as I've chosen these words that I couldn't have imagined and He will see me through the next.  I have learned to BE, mostly.  I have learned to look for and find the POSITIVE, sometimes.  But most of all I have learned that whatever word I choose, the Lord will lead me through it.  It might be a bumpy ride full of surprises but here's what came to me this morning,

"God does not call us to a safe faith. He does not promise that we will have a clear view of all that lies ahead. He does not promise us simplicity. Instead, He invites us to embrace a vibrant faith that trusts Him. A faith that is alive and energized, in spite of the unsteady unknowns. His arms are not too short to save and His ears are not dull to hear. He is powerful, capable, compassionate, merciful, holy, just, and faithful."  (from Girlfriends in God, Help for a Heart That Worries, by Gwen Smith).

“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor is his ear to dull to hear.”

Isaiah 59:1 

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.  Psalm 56:3

Hmm...maybe I should add that word to my list.

I Think I'm Confused...

 

I know that in the aftermath of Friday's attacks in Paris, all of us - everyone - is scared and when we are scared we say and do things we might not ordinarily do.  This I know and understand. 

 

And when you think about the rest of the story (Paris was not the only terrorist activity last week), it is extremely frightening!

 

But when I see hateful things posted by someone I know who claims to be a follower of Christ, I am concerned.  I don't recall anywhere in the Bible where Jesus tells us this is the solution to anything.  I've been reading from the prophets in my morning devotionals and I find it kind of alarming that so much of what the Israelites got wrong all those years ago, we seem to still get wrong.  It's as if we have missed the message of Christ altogether.

 

Christ tried to make it really simple for us, given that we have failed so very many times.  He said, "Do two things...just two.  And if you do these two things, everything else will fall into place.  Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all of your mind.  AND love your neighbor as you love yourself.  And your neighbor is anyone."

 

You know, Ekeziel tried to warn the people of God of some of the same things we're facing today, but mostly it came down to this...do you have faith and trust in God, the father of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Jesus, to take care of us?  Can you say, unequivocally, that your faith in God is strong enough to deal with what needs to be taken care of, OR do you think you are stronger and wiser than God and YOU have the answers, or your political party has the answers to 'fix' all these issues.

 

This war is not a new war.  It's the war that has been waged since the Garden of Eden.  It is evil versus good (God).  Time and again you can read about it in the Bible and time and again you can learn about those who trusted and those who didn't and the repercussions of each. 

 

The geographic nature of our country has made it possible to remain isolated from some of this evil until relatively recently.  Our world has become smaller.  Not in geographic size, but technology has made it smaller in our ability to talk, to reach across oceans and land masses to join together, for good and for bad. 

 

We can become like those that we presume to be better than and threaten and shoot and bomb and terrorize and, believe me, I'm not opposed to eradicating these people from the face of the earth, but we must understand that, unless we allow Christ, our Lord and Savior, to lead the way as Commander in Chief, we are destined to the same fate as all who have gone before us.  We cannot use the name of the Lord and then go about our business without him.

 

I heard our president say this morning, as he addressed the press during the G20 Summit, that there is a strategy, one that our partners around the world have agreed to, for the most part, and have allowed the United States to carry mostly as our own load.  As of last night, France has agreed to shoulder more of that load and, hopefully, in the coming days and weeks, other countries will extend their help further as well. 

 

But make no mistake, we can drop all of the bombs and shoot as many of these terrorists as we want, we can spend hours and hours on social media complaining about our leadership and posting all kinds of hate-filled messages, but until we make Christ the leader of this campaign against evil - and I mean each one of us in our homes, in our prayers, in our churches, and in our communities - we cannot win this battle.  Instead of trying to divide ourselves into them (anyone we don't like or understand) and us (all who think like I do), we need to be embracing each other and joining together in the name of God.  Instead of running down our President and his efforts, we should be lifting him up in prayer so that God moves him in the direction that God would have him go.  Instead of dividing into your political party and mine, we should be finding ways to join together in prayer and praise of the one true God who has all the answers.

 

I don't have the answer for these issues...but I don't have to have the answers.  My part is really quite simple... Put my faith in God... and, if enough of us do just that, then He will handle the rest.  Will you be part of the Light?  Or will you be part of the dark? 

 

After all, if you've read the whole book, The Bible, you know how it ends.  If you haven't, I'll not spoil it for you. 

Things Aren’t Always What They Seem



Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion’s guest room. Instead, the angels were given a space in the cold basement. As they made their bedroom the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied…. “Things aren’t always what they seem.”

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good nights’ rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel “How could you have let this happen!?

The first man had everything, yet you helped him,” she accused. ”The second family had so little, but was willing to share everything and you let their cow die.”

“Things aren’t always what they seem,” the older angel replied.”When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn’t find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave her the cow instead. “Things aren’t always what they seem.”

Sometimes this is exactly what happens when things don’t turn out the way you think they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You might not know it until some time later. “Things aren’t always what they seem.”

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Hebrews 13:16 

Hanging Around



One day, a mountaineer was going up a very high mountain.

He was so proud, he was climbing all by himself.

It was very dangerous to climb up a snowy mountain all alone, but he was so proud, he believed he didn’t need anyone.

By nightfall, common sense dictated that he set up camp. But he kept climbing because he wanted to reach the summit quickly.

But in his exhaustion, his foot slipped.

And he found himself free falling through the air. He closed his eyes and saw flashbacks of his life.

All of a sudden, he felt a jolt—and violent pull around his waist. The rope tied around his belt saved him!

In total darkness, he was now hanging onto his rope.

And he shouted, “God, if you’re up there, save me!”

Suddenly, he heard a voice say, “If you believe that I can save you, do what I tell you to do…”

He answered, “What should I do?”

The voice said, “Cut your rope.”
“Wha…what?” he said.

“Cut the rope and let go,” the voice said.

After a few moments, he shouted again, “Is there anyone else up there?”

The next day, mountain climbers saw his limp body, hanging by the rope, frozen to death. The curious thing about what they saw? He was hanging only 2 feet from the ground.

Author Unknown

 “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried:

he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.”

2 Samuel 22:31

 

Don't Worry



Years ago, I was enthralled as I listened to a pastor who for several years had faithfully served the church. His executive responsibilities had taken him all over this country. As he concluded his message, he told of one of the most frightening, yet thought-provoking, experiences of his life.
He had been on a long flight from one place to another. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: Fasten your seat belts. Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."

As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."

Then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.

Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and every thing within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity,when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid." The minister could hardly believe his eyes.

It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark,our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time. Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.

The child replied, "'Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."

There are many kinds of storms that buffet us:
• Physical,
• Mental,
• Financial,
• Domestic, and...
Many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw our plane into apparently uncontrollable movement. We have all known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky.

Let us remember... Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking us home... so Don't Worry.

Author Unknown

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
John 14:1

God's Rosebud



A new minister was walking with an older, more seasoned minister in the garden one day.

Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice.


The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any of the petals.



The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry.


But, because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact. It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do.



Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud, without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem...



It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God's design;

But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.



The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I.

GOD opens this flower so easily,

But in my hands they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God's design,

Then how can I have the wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?



So, I'll trust in God for leading

Each moment of my day.
I will look to God for guidance
In each step along the way.

The path that lies before me,
Only my Lord and Savior knows.
I'll trust God to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose.

Author Unknown

Christ said: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

John 14:27

Parable of Distrust



This is a story about a man called Joseph, who had the misfortune to get caught in a serious flood. The water was rising all around him and was soon up to his knees. He climbed the staircase to the first floor but still the water rose. It wasn't long before the water was up to his waist and he looked out of the window to see what was happening to his neighbours.

A boat was passing and the occupant shouted, "Hey, Joseph! Quick, climb aboard my boat and I will take you to safety." Joseph smiled and replied, "Thank you very much, but I have had a word with God and he will take care of me. You use the space on your boat to help others less fortunate than myself." Soon the boat was out of sight.

The flood would not stop and the water continued to climb. Joseph was forced onto the roof of his home and he surveyed the catastrophe below him.

A helicopter flew over Joseph and a man used his microphone to tell Joseph that worse was yet to come. He threw a rope down to Joseph and cried, "Quick Joseph, climb up while you still have a chance!" Nevertheless, Joseph had been a good man all his life and placed his faith in the Lord, so he declined the offer, requesting that they go in search of other people. "You don't have to worry about me," he shouted, "I have spoken with God and he will not let me die."

The helicopter flew away and the waters rose and rose until finally it was all over. Joseph was taken from this earth.

As stated earlier, Joseph was a good man, so naturally he was taken to the pearly gates to meet St. Peter. On entering heaven he was taken and introduced to God who welcomed him with open arms. But, Joseph was not content and asked God, "I am confused my Lord. I have been a devout follower my entire life, and never once have I strayed from your chosen path. I believe I was too young to die now. I prayed to you and asked you to save me, but my faith let me down. How could you have been so cruel?"

And the Lord replied, "What do you mean I let you down? I sent you a boat to save you, and a helicopter as well."

Author Unknown

 “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.”

Psalm 25:1, 2

Three Trees





Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with Intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull." 

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter"... and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true.  One of the Woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one," and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenter's, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.  The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.  The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. 

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts.  Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.Lord, thank You for the grace that strengthens me for tasks large and small.

author unknown

Actions Speak Loudest



Vincent Van Gogh was not always an artist. In fact, he wanted to be a church pastor and was even sent to the Belgian mining community of Borinage in 1879. He discovered that the miners there endured deplorable working conditions and poverty-level wages. Their families were malnourished and struggled simply to survive. He felt concerned that the small stipend he received from the church allowed him a moderate life- style, which, in contrast, seemed to him unfair.

One cold February evening, while he watched the miners trudging home, he spotted an old man staggering toward him across the fields, wrapped in a burlap sack for warmth. Van Gogh laid his own clothing out on the bed, set aside enough for one change, and decided to give the rest away. He gave the old man a suit of clothes and he gave his overcoat to a pregnant woman whose husband had been killed in a cave-in.

He lived on starvation rations and spent his stipend on food for the miners. When children in one family contracted typhoid fever, though feverish himself, he packed up his bed and took it to them.

A prosperous family in the community offered him free room and board. Van Gogh declined the offer, stating that it was the final temptation he must reject if he was to faithfully serve his community of poor miners.

He believed that if he wanted them to trust him, he must become one of them. And if they were to learn of the love of God through him, he must love them enough to share with them.

He was acutely aware of the wide chasm between words and actions. He knew that our lives always speak louder and clearer than our words. Maybe that is why Francis of Assisi often said to his monks, "Wherever you go, preach. Use words if necessary."

Others are "listening" carefully to your actions. What are you saying to them?

Author Unknown

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

James 1:23-25 

The Empty Pot

 

Once there was an emperor in the Far East who was growing old and knew it was coming time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or one of his own children, he decided to do something different.

He called all the young people in the kingdom together one day. He said, "It has come time for me to step down and to choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you." The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One seed. It is a very special seed. I want you to go home, plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring to me, and the one I choose will be the next emperor of the kingdom!"

There was one boy named Ling who was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the whole story. She helped him get a pot and some planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.

After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept going home and checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by. Still nothing.

By now others were talking about their plants but Ling didn't have a plant, and he felt like a failure. Six months went by, still nothing in Ling's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Ling didn't say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow. A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling told his mother that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she encouraged him to go, and to take his pot, and to be honest about what happened. Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he knew his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace.

When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by all the other youths. They were beautiful, in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other kids laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, "Hey nice try."

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor!"

All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. "The emperor knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!"

When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. "My name is Ling," he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!" Ling couldn't believe it. Ling couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor?

Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grown, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!

by Demi

And Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith, and do not doubt, you shall not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it shall happen.

Matthew 21:21

To Believe...

To believe is to know that every day
is a new beginning.
It is to trust that miracles happen,
and dreams really do come true.
To believe is to see angels dancing among the clouds,
To know the wonder of a stardust sky
and the wisdom of the man in the moon.
To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart,
The innocence of a child's eyes
and the beauty of an aging hand,
for it is through their teachings we learn to love.
To believe is to find the strength
and courage that lies within us.
When it is time to pick up the pieces and begin again.
To believe is to know we are not alone,
That life is a gift and this is our time to cherish it.
To believe is to know that wonderful surprises
are just waiting to happen,
And all our hopes and dreams are within reach.
If only we believe.

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:29

What Life Is All About



Life isn't about keeping score. It's not about how many friends you have. Or how many people call you. Or how accepted or unaccepted you are. Not about if you have plans this weekend. Or if you're alone. It isn't about who you're dating, who you use to date, how many people you've dated, or if you haven't been with anyone at all. It isn't about who you have kissed. It's not about sex. It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have. Or what kind of car you drive. Or where you're sent to school.

It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are. Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on, or what kind of music you listen to. It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, brown, or green. Or if your skin is too light or too dark.

It's not about what grades you get, how smart you are, how smart everyone else thinks you are, or how smart standardized tests say you are. Or if this teacher likes you, or if this guy/girl likes you. Or what clubs you're in, or how good you are at "your" sport. It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of paper and seeing who will "accept the written you".

But life is about who you love and who you hurt. It's about who you make happy or unhappy purposefully. It's about keeping or betraying trust. It's about friendship, used as sanctity, or as a weapon. It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe heartening. About starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip. It's about what judgments you pass and why. And who your judgments are spread to.

It's about who you've ignored with full control and intention. It's about jealousy, fear, pain, ignorance, and revenge. It's about carrying inner hate and love, letting it grow and spreading it.

But most of all, it's about using your life to touch or poison other people's hearts in such a way that could never occurred alone. Only you choose the way these hearts are affected and those choices are what life is all about.

Author Unknown

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely…

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place.

But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 

He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid.  But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Luke 14:1, 7-14



Faith Is Not Belief Without Proof, But Trust Without Reservation



During the terrible days of the Blitz in World War II, a father--holding his young daughter by the hand--ran from a building that had been struck by a bomb.  In the front yard was a large hole left by a shell explosion several days before.  Seeking shelter as quickly as possible, the father jumped into the hole and then held up his arms for his young daughter to follow.

Terrified at the explosions around her and unable to see her father in the darkness of the hole, she cried, "I can't see you, Papa!" 

The father looked up against the sky that was lit with white tracer lights and tinted red by burning buildings and called to his daughter, who was standing in silhouette at the hole's edge, "But I can see you, my darling.  Jump!"

The little girl jumped...not because she could see her father, but because she trusted him to tell her the truth and to do what was best for her.

We may not be able to discern clearly where it is our Heavenly Father is leading us, but we can trust it is to a good place.  We may not know what God has "up His sleeve," but we can trust His arms to be everlasting.

I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

2 Timothy 1:12

I've Suffered a Great Many Catastrophes in My Life. Most of Them Never Happened.



A military chaplain once drew up a "Worry Table" based on the problems men and women had brought to him through his years of service.  He found their worries fit into these categories:

Worries about things that never happened           40%

Worries about past, unchangeable decisions       30%

Worries about illness that never happened          12%

Worries about adult children and friends              10%
(who were able to take care of themselves)

Worries about real problems                                  8%

According to his chart, 92 percent of all worries are about things we can't control, concerns which are better left to God.  The truth is, most of our anxieties are rooted in a failure to trust God.

We simply don't believe He is big enough or cares enough to handle our problems, give us the desires of our hearts, and keeps us--and our loved ones--from harm.

Knowing God's character, we can easily see how we worry for nothing most of the time!

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

Forgiveness is Giving Love

When There is No Reason To

Lisa was shocked when she discovered that David had run up thousands of dollars on every one of their credit cards.  Not only was she furious about the mountain of debt, she was frustrated with herself for not recognizing David's habit of compulsive spending.

In the days that followed she wondered if she could ever trust her husband again, and whether they would ever be able to get out of debt.

Rather than wait for something to happen, she took two bold steps.  The first was to convince David he needed help, and the second was to seek out a financial planner.  She learned if she carefully monitored family funds, they could be out of debt in a few years.  This brought hope for her financial future of their marriage.

Another turnaround in their marriage came when David asked Lisa to forgive him.  She found that forgiving David freed her to turn away from the matter of money and to focus on their relationship.  She decided it was possible to love someone even though they had "messed up."  Forgiving made rust possible again, and once trust was re-established their marriage began to be healed.

Forgiveness turns the heart away from what was and is, to what can be.  Is it time for you to take some bold steps?  If love is your motive, be encouraged.  Situations can change.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Matthew 5:7

Living a Passionate, Inspired Life

As a teacher or a leader or any kind, it is necessary for you to be able to reach the people you are responsible for in a way that ignites a fire in them.  Some people have this ability innately.  They can't really tell you what they do that is any different from the next leader, but they know that it works. Others learn how to do it by watching friends or colleagues and practicing very hard.  What is it that they have or what do they do that makes them so successful?  Let's take a closer look...

The first trait you will find in these leaders is passion.  Passion isn't something that you have and hold on to.  Passion is something that flows through you.  When you know in your heart that what you are doing is exactly what you're on this earth to do- no doubts, no questions, this is it- then you have found your passion.  This is not to say that you are not afraid, for when you step into your passion, in many cases the work in front of you is overwhelming.  You may not have any idea how you're going to climb that mountain, but you know that you must!

The second trait you will see is inspiration.  Inspiration is what happens when we have found our purpose, when we are "in-spirit."  When we are living our lives passionately, we find inspiration in most everything that we do.  It is impossible not to do so.  We are intended to listen to that still, small voice within us that will tell us, unequivocally, that what we are doing is right or wrong for us.  Inspiration and passion create courage to face the challenges and the unknown. 

So the third trait you will see is courage.  You see, each of these traits builds on the other.  When you are living a passionate, inspired life, you won't have to look far for the courage to do what you've determined you must do.  You know, you have faith, that you are taking the correct steps, that you're on the right path for your own purpose.  You are committed, with every fiber of your being, to your that goal.

The fourth trait is commitment.  A passionate, inspired life will lead you to a commitment to do whatever it takes to follow your dream.  You won't allow anything or anyone to deter you from your mission.  It's not just your head telling you to do this thing, your heart won't allow you to do anything less.  You'll be able to set your priorities and reach your goals.  When you fall short, as we all do on occasion, you'll allow yourself the grace to accept that failure knowing there is no stopping.

The fifth trait is grace.  When you hit those roadblocks, grace will show you a new way.  Innovation and creativity will become second nature to you.  After all, failure is not an option.  You've just learned another way NOT to get where you want to go.  You move on, ready for new challenges knowing that you will meet them and succeed.

Finally, when you are living a passionate, inspired life you will generate integrity and trust.  Because you are living your dream, there is no need for deceit and greed.  Your courage will allow you to remain true to yourself in ways you didn't even know you were capable of.  Your lesser self no longer exists.  You have banished it to the past.  You have reached a new plain of enlightenment, never to return to a world of lack and of not being all that you were intended to be.

Being a leader is living a life of passion and then lighting that spark in others around you, simply because you show by example.  Your friends and family see how happy and content you are and they want the same for themselves.  They follow your lead.  Remember, Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."  Let it begin with you!

Red, White and Blue

Ours is the only country deliberately founded on a good idea. 

~John Gunther

June 14 is flag day.  

 

I am the Flag

by Ruth Apperson Rous

I am the flag of the United States of America.

I was born on June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia.

There the Continental Congress adopted my stars and stripes as the national flag.

My thirteen stripes alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen white stars in a field of blue, represented a new constellation, a new nation dedicated to the personal and religious liberty of mankind.

Today fifty stars signal from my union, one for each of the fifty sovereign states in the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known.

My colors symbolize the patriotic ideals and spiritual qualities of the citizens of my country.

My red stripes proclaim the fearless courage and integrity of American men and boys and the self-sacrifice and devotion of American mothers and daughters.

My white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all.

My blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith.

I represent these eternal principles: liberty, justice, and humanity.

I embody American freedom: freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and the sanctity of the home.

I typify that indomitable spirit of determination brought to my land by Christopher Columbus and by all my forefathers - the Pilgrims, Puritans, settlers at James town and Plymouth.

I am as old as my nation.

I am a living symbol of my nation's law: the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

I voice Abraham Lincoln's philosophy: "A government of the people, by the people,for the people."

I stand guard over my nation's schools, the seedbed of good citizenship and true patriotism.

I am displayed in every schoolroom throughout my nation; every schoolyard has a flag pole for my display.

Daily thousands upon thousands of boys and girls pledge their allegiance to me and my country.

I have my own law—Public Law 829, "The Flag Code" - which definitely states my correct use and display for all occasions and situations.

I have my special day, Flag Day. June 14 is set aside to honor my birth.

Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright, your heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow.

I am your title deed of freedom, which is yours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity.

If you fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if I am nullified and destroyed, you and your children will become slaves to dictators and despots.

Eternal vigilance is your price of freedom.

As you see me silhouetted against the peaceful skies of my country, remind yourself that I am the flag of your country, that I stand for what you are - no more, no less.

Guard me well, lest your freedom perish from the earth.

Dedicate your lives to those principles for which I stand: "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

I was created in freedom. I made my first appearance in a battle for human liberty.

God grant that I may spend eternity in my "land of the free and the home of the brave" and that I shall ever be known as "Old Glory," the flag of the United States of America.


I wonder if we, as Americans, really ever think about what this flag represents.  It flies over our sports fields, it flies over our government buildings, it's posted in our churches and our schools, it's draped over coffins, and it's folded and presented to our heroes' families.  I'm afraid that we have taken for granted that our flag will always fly.  I hope that you flew your flag on Flag Day. 

I hope that you will fly your flag every day... and remember, exactly, what it represents...and be proud of the country it represents, flaws and all. 

My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! ~Thomas Jefferson

Is God Only in Stories?

IS GOD ONLY IN STORIES

that happened a long time ago?

Is He living a long way off?

Or is He a part of our everyday life

so I can feel He is here right now?

If you include Him in our happy times,

ask for His help in troubled times,

let Him be real,

let Him be close,

then I'll not have to search for Him

when I am grown.

From Listen to my Feelings

by Ruth Reardon

My son and I have been having this conversation recently.  He is nineteen and questioning everything about life and our world.  He wants proof, verification.  I remember being nineteen and having the same questions and concerns.  I remember a conversation we had around the dinner table one Sunday during my first year of college.  (I know it was Sunday because we were eating in the dining room and the dining room was saved for Sundays, holidays or birthdays).  I had questioned my father about the then candidate for president, Ronald Reagan.  How did we know that he would do all that he claimed he would do if elected?  My younger brother went further and asked how we knew this wasn't the greatest 'part' he'd ever played.  My father was appalled that we could even ask the question, but that's what teenagers do.  They question.  They demand answers, especially to questions that don't have definitive answers.

So we pressed even further.  How could we be certain that any of our leaders weren't just actors?  This was not all that long after Watergate and Richard Nixon.  If teenagers questioned before, and they did, they really questioned everything after that.  My brother's question:  How did we know that Billy Graham or any of the other religious leaders weren't playing a part, weren't doing exactly what Nixon and his buddies did?  I thought my dad might actually blow a fuse and I can't tell you exactly what his response was but I remember that he was aghast that we would even consider asking the question.  "Everyone 'knew' that Billy Graham was a man of God."

I remember thinking that we were right to question and not accept on blind faith that which was presented to us.  Unfortunately, we had learned our lessons the hard way from our leaders that assuming that they were always to be trusted was foolish and fool-hearty.  Now, I have to be honest and tell you that, at that time I had watched Billy Graham only minimally when visiting my grandmother who watched him religiously (pardon the pun) whenever he was on television.  To me he was like all other ministers except for some reason he had a large-enough following to be on television.  He must have something special because presidents called him to their office.  His name was easily recognized by almost everyone.  There were other evangelists, but his name was far better known than most others.  It was only a few years later that Jimmy Swaggert had his fall from grace.  It seemed that our point had been made.  How do you know that God is real, that he's not just in stories?

That's been a few years ago now (if you ask my son WAY more than a few), and I've learned a lot since those youthful days.  I've learned that God has been and always will be here.  He was there when we were questioning.  He's been there when our children were born.  He is here now as the tables have turned and I am being questioned by my son.  You see, the difference today is that I can see evidence of Him in my life, working and keeping us both safe, every day.  I can feel him here and when I become still and really listen, I can hear Him talking to me, guiding and directing me.  It's only when I move away from Him that there is distance between us.

I remember when my son was nine or ten years old, overhearing a conversation he was having with my aunt about how much he enjoyed listening to Joel Osteen on television on Sunday evenings.  I was amazed, first of all because he was supposed to be asleep in his room at that time, but also because I had no idea that he would watch anything like that on television.  He talked about how Joel helped God to be real for him. 

I have no doubt that my son will follow his own path back to God one day soon.  It will be his journey full of trials and errors and faith and hope.  Just like his mother and his uncle, he will decide for himself that God is absolutely real and not just in stories and one day, hopefully not too soon, he will be answering questions from his children about knowing God.

Blessings to you all on this Good Friday! 

What Are You Waiting For?



 

It is a beautiful morning here in Nebraska!  There is not a cloud in the sky, the birds are singing their various melodies outside my window, and there is a gentle breeze blowing the limbs of the trees.  In my mind's eye, this is what heaven must look like, only even better.  It makes me think about a friend of mine who is ill and unable to get outside as much as she would like.  She has cancer and will, in all likelihood, die from it.

You know, I am amazed at her outlook on life.  She is finding only the good things to focus her attentions on.  Even as her hair begins to fall out, she is excited at the prospect of being able to try new wigs and hats.  She's always wanted to try different hair colors; now she's going to do that.  She says she'll have a different color every day.  I marvel at her ability to find the good in everything she sees right now.  Her sense of humor is just amazing; she finds joy and laughter everywhere.  And I thank God for all the lessons she is placing before me.

Lesson #1.  What are you waiting for? 
This is the only life on this earth that we are going to have.  What is it that you need to do to make your life better?  Is there someone you need to make amends with?  Is there something new you'd like to try?  Have you always thought that 'someday' you'd do things differently?  Whatever it is, TODAY is the day!  There is no reason to put off any longer the things that you need to do to make your life your own.  It is a choice that you make every day, either you will or you won't.  You don't need to think about it any longer.  You don't need any more information.  Just go do it!  The difference between people who are living their dreams and those who aren't, is that the ones who are living them have chosen to take action on what they know is right for them. 

It is scary to step out of the unknown and do the things that you'd like to do or that you know you should do.  We feel safe and comfortable in what we are stuck in, even if it's not what we want.  It may even be bad for us, but it's comfortable, it's safe because it's the known.  The unknown frightens us. 

My partners and I have been talking about that very thing this week.  There are so many things to learn when you're starting a new business.  We are all (bite-your-tongue) middle-aged and so are not as "up" on things as we would be if we were younger, technology kinds of things.  Talk about stepping out in faith!  I am humbled every day by the lessons placed before me and just how much I do not know.  There are many, many times that I would happily fold it all up and put it back on the shelf to remain there until 'someday' when I'm more prepared for all of this.  But then the question becomes, just when will that be?  How will I know that I'm ready?  How will it be different from now?

You see, my friend didn't have any choice in this matter.  Her life was changed in the blink of an eye.  She didn't have the opportunity to sit back and contemplate all the angles and probabilities.  Her choices were made for her and she is doing her best to find the good in everything placed before her.  Her choices are limited, but she is making the best of each that she has.  She could sit at home and feel sorry for herself and her family.  She could choose to dwell on the limited time she has and make herself and everyone around her crazy in the process, but she is choosing to embrace her life, just as it is.

Most of us are fortunate; we have the ability to make our own choices.  We may not find them easy, but they are our choices to make.  Be grateful that you have them.  Seize the day and just make a decision.  Do whatever it is you need to do TODAY to live the life you know in your heart you are here to live.  Take that step of faith. 

My friends at Simple Truths have a wonderful video that I would encourage you to watch.  It tells the story of exactly this kind of faith and trust.  It's a short film.  Please take the time. Let me be your mother eagle.

 Even Eagles Need a Push by David McNally and Mac Anderson.  http://www.eaglesneedapush.com/

You Want Me to What????

I think I've mentioned here a few times (OK, a LOT of times) that I'm a teacher.  This is a label that I did not give myself.  It's one that I've known my whole life I had.  There has never been any doubt in my mind that I was put on this earth to teach and over the course of my fifty-three years I have taught a lot of subjects and even more people.  I've taught little tiny folks and grown-up folks; I've taught new moms (and dads) and old moms (and dads).  I've taught middle school students and high school students (thank God I was in a church for those folks.  I needed all the help I could get)!  I've taught public school, preschool, and Sunday school.  I've taught staff members, community members, and anyone who would listen.  I've done my best to teach my son.


But while I was teaching, I was learning.  Way beyond any information I was imparting to my classes, was what they were teaching me!  As I look back on what has been thirty five years in education, I am overwhelmed by the lessons that I have learned from every one of these people, young and old.  Little did I know, as I entered college to get my education, that I would receive much, much more than I've ever given. 
I thank each and every one of them!

And now I'm at a new junction in my life.  We have moved to this new community and when people ask what brought us here, I am honest and tell them that I don't really know.  We were both ready for a change.  We both wanted to move closer to family and friends.  We picked up a map and after some investigation on the internet, we chose a community that sounded good.  When we visited here, everything felt right.  It was decided...this would be our new home.  Most people choose a new home, a new community because of their work or because they've decided to retire there.  Not us, we chose here because that little voice I talked about a few days ago, told us this was where we were supposed to be.  We had made a list of the things that we would like to have in a new place, and within the first hour we were here, we found every one of them.  We are supposed to be here.

The question then became, what are we here for?  My son continues to work on his technology business and I continue to paint, both the interior of my home and the folk art pictures I love.  I give piano and voice lessons.  And more and more I know that I am being called to do something much bigger than I ever dreamed possible.  It's a scary time but what an exciting time!  I'm all about life lessons, so I keep asking myself what it is I'm supposed to be getting from all of this. 

Well, here is what I've learned....so far:  life isn't meant to be played safe.  We are created to reach out and attempt the impossible knowing that there is a power much greater than ourselves that will guide us, if we let it.  I've been forced, through my unemployment, to step out of the safety net and trust--trust those around me, trust myself, but more than that trust that all things work for good.  I have been amazed at the opportunities that have opened for me in just the last few days.  And I am thankful for the lessons that I continue to learn...from all the 'students' I'm teaching.