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March 3
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith...” (Hebrews 10:19-22, NIV)

We often slip into moods that weaken our spirituality and faith. In life, fear, anger, lack of trust (doubt) often get more attention than they deserve. It is normal for humans to let them dominate their thoughts. It is also not a healthy way to live.

At a meeting recently, the subject of “angry unhappy people” was being discussed. There are unfortunate people that have not forgiven enough. They have hung on to so many resentments that they have become cynical, angry, unhappy or all of the above. It almost seems that this is a penance for not practicing forgiveness.

We need to somehow live closer to Jesus’ example; to forgive and to believe that out of this life will come peace. Draw nearer to God. Spirituality and faith are works in progress. Let God take our hand to find peace and tranquility and continue spiritual growth.

Thought for the Week: This week let us selfishly think about ourselves. Focus on our own faith. Certainly we will have opportunity to be angry and frustrated. This week we need to recognize when that occurs, act more like Jesus and “draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith....”

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, we live in a world of anger and hate. Terrorists seem to be everywhere, war gets a very large piece of our mind share. As your followers, we are confused by this, we have a desire to understand what it is all about. This week we pray for the world leaders. We pray for the innocent victims of violent acts. We especially pray for two special sets of children. Those that are taught to be human bombs (martyrs) in the mid-East and the children in terrorist (war) zones. We pray that the world draw near to you and that peace will prevail.

Amen

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February 27
“Precious Lord, take my hand lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light, take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.” (Thomas A. Dorsey, 1932 UMC Hymnal 474)

God works in many ways when we allow Him to help us. Yes, He is always there, but not always present in our minds. We have a way of being self centered, focusing on business issues, personal problems etc. We want to be in control. We can deal with it ourselves.

Many years ago, June came home with a big orange refrigerator magnet that had the message “Let go and let God” written across it. She did it because we were, and still are, control freaks. Often we get into the “control mode” when we can not help or do anything about the problem. Trying to control things beyond our sphere of influence made us “tired..weak...and worn.”

It is easy to become frustrated when things are beyond our control. It is normal to try to control. It is better to recognize our place and let God take our hand, lead us home.

Thought for the Week: This week is a new week. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. We do not have to function the same way as we did last week. This week, let’s us take a look at God’s influence in our decisions. Let’s let some of it go and allow Him to help us.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, we thank you for our many blessings and the many wonderful things that we enjoy. We are concerned about others in our society that have less; some without food, housing or a job. We are concerned about the many people that are afraid they will lose their jobs and their security. There seems to be a growing acceptance that this is OK here on earth, as long as it is the other guy. This week we pray for our society in general. We pray that somehow everyone can be at peace, that everyone may find enough, that all children have food and that our riches are shared as You would have us share them.

Amen

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February 16
“Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us; teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace; Be present , Lord, among us, and bring us to believe we are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.” (Fred Kaan, “Help Us Accept Each Other,” 1974 UMC Hymnal 560)

In our diverse society today there are many different cultures. God is adding ingredients to America’s melting pot. We are constantly challenged by a change in the brew. There are growing populations of various nationalities and religions that seem foreign to us. Yes, some of these make us uncomfortable. Must we accept and love them all?

Picture yourself leaving a movie tonight and walking through a parking lot. You see a group of youths of your race coming toward you. They could be a street gang or a church youth group or your friends going to the next show. At first there is some doubt, then recognition and then, hopefully, comfort.

Sometimes we are uncomfortable with who is approaching. We get nervous. When that occurs, it can be justified as a safety precaution. Often it can be a sign of subconscious or even a conscious prejudice. Yes, often our prejudices show up in this way. As Christians we need to recognize this when it happens.

To get back to the question, “Must we accept and love them all?” the answer is clear. John quotes Jesus in chapter 15:17, “This is my command: Love each other.” Jesus left no one off the list.

Thought for the Week: This week let us look at our fears, our prejudices and the way we view the diverse elements of our society. Let us ask if we can learn to exhibit Christian love toward these elements. We will learn that we can when we try.

Prayer for the Week: Dear Lord, this week let me reach out to people. Help me understand the undesirable. There is still terror and the threat of war through out the world. We are confused and have difficulty Loving our enemies. We pray for the ability to understand and follow Jesus’ command for love.

Amen

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February 8, 2003
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.” (Proverbs 31:10,11 NIV)

Many of you that know me have heard me discuss the many wonderful benefits of a good marriage. The great mutual support, the care when illness arrives, the mutual celebrations of the many events that occur. Yes, marriage is truly a great institution when things are well and blessed by God.

Many times it has been stated that marriage is the worlds toughest job. Let me quote from The Mystery of Marriage by Mike Mason. “Marriage, even under the best of circumstances, is a crises; one of the major crises of life. It is a dangerous thing not to be aware of this. Whether it turns out to be a healthy, challenging and constructive crises or a disastrous nightmare depends largely upon how willing the partners are to be changed, how malleable they are.”

“Crises” seems a bit extreme to me, but certainly marriage is a great opportunity for the fulfillment of life and it certainly is not without it’s “opportunities” for either success or failure. A marriage blessed by God, one in which the partners have allowed God’s love to grow in their relationship, is one of the worlds greatest experiences.

Thought for the Week: We are facing many distractions in our daily lives; work, busy schedules, terrorism, war, deficits and many more. This week let us look at our primary relationships. Let us focus introspectively, up close. Let us understand that when things are fine in our relationships, the outside problems seem less intense. Basically, let’s focus on our loves.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, we are in a world of hurting people, a world of fear. Fear of job loss, fear of not finding a job, fear of terrorism, fear of financial ruin and many others. Many of us are growing uncomfortable. This week we pray for love within our lives. We pray that somehow we can feel your presence in all of the fear and overcome our doubts. Somehow we pray that through your love the fears will dissipate.

Amen

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January 18, 2003
“...what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:4,5 NIV)

In America there seems to be a win lose philosophy running rampant through out our society. There is a lot of hero worship devoted to overpaid athletes. We seem to have adopted Vince Lombardi’s attitude. “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” Well, that may be our world, but it is not God’s world.

Psalm 8 above clearly demonstrates that we were created a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory. There is plenty of God’s love for each of us. There are world wide resources that when shared in God’s way will do for all. We live in a great world with great people and somehow we taint it with our own unGodly behaviors.

As a young athlete in the 40’s, I remember the expression “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game that counts.” Somehow that has stuck with me through out my life. It is an expression of a win-win philosophy. I think that is what God had in mind.

Thought for the Week: This week let us focus on creating win win situations in our lives. Observe our surroundings and lighten them up a bit. Slow for the other drivers, merge rather than block. Open a door and allow a few people through. Sit forward in church and leave some room in the back for late comers. Let’s show everyone that we all can win.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, last week there were war protests. Many nations are eyeing each other with cross intentions. Terror seems to be the rule of the day. We pray for some guidance. We pray for understanding. We desire peace and fellowship with our fellow man rather than anger and violence.

Amen

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January 11, 2003
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” ( Hebrews 6; 10-12 NIV)

In twelve step programs, there is a reading called “How It works”. It recognizes that the program is to develop “spiritual growth not perfection”. We all tend to get into that perfect mode; perfect mom, perfect dad, perfect employee and the list goes on. Obviously, each of us falls short of perfection.

In our daily lives, we make mistakes. We could count them weekly and judge ourselves as failures. The only one of us that does not make mistakes probably does nothing. Many people work their way into depression by counting their failures.

In our spiritual lives it is not any different. We all have made mistakes and will continue to be less than perfect. We may feel bad or judge ourselves rather severely. However, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown...”. We must remember that as we walk the walk.

Thought for the Week: This week we will fail again at being perfect. Let us try to focus on the good that we do, the encouragement that we give others and the love we have in our hearts. That will help us have a great week.

Prayer for the Week: Dear Lord and Father, there is scary and awful news every day. Often we forget your love because of worry and concern. This week we pray that we may focus on your understanding and caring love. We pray for the opportunity to demonstrate and share your love to others.

Amen

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January 8, 2003
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23, NIV)

Have you ever had a person take unfair advantage of you. Lie about a deal? Sell you something that did not meet expectations? Perhaps a neighbor encroaching on a property line? Doing something opportunistic or unnecessarily aggressive.

Opportunistic behavior is one of my pet peeves. However, we live in a free market society. Let the buyer beware, competition for resources is a way of life. That is the American way!; or is the American way the golden rule?

June and I have often met someone in a church environment who was very aggressive in business. In fact, some out and out crooks!! (OK, so we should not judge, but that’s another Good News) The question we often ask is, “Can a person be an opportunistic shark in one part of his life, deal with a dark side, and be a Christian on Sunday?”

Well, I think that if the aggressive (dark) side exists, it is God’s place to do the judging. However, in our lives, June and I have concluded that being God like and following the Golden rule is the only way to pursue goals.

Thought for the Week: This week let us consider how much darkness exists inside of our lives. Let us make a conscious choice to let the light in and share it with others. Let us light up other peoples lives in the name of Christ.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, we offer prayers this week for peace. There are nuclear threats in Korea, alleged chemical weapons in the Mideast and extremely harmful biological material was found in London. It makes us ask, where is the world going? We pray that sharing the light brings common sense and tranquility to the world.

Amen

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January 1, 2003
My annual New Years “Good News” is based on the serenity prayer. It is used by most 12 step programs and I believe was originally drafted by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

As we go into the new year, peace and tranquility always seem to be part of our new year goals. Last year we did too much. One more committee at church, the kids need a coach, how can we get everyone to every game, lesson class etc. Oh, the boss wants us 50 hours a week too!!

It takes a certain courage to let go and let God play a roll in our lives. “I... will have sufficient courage so that now, as always, Christ will be exhaulted in my body...” Philippians (1:20). At work and in our daily lives, we often fail to take the risk of allowing God to take control.

How often we do not accept the spiritual help available. We will handle it all. Where is our humility when we try to do it all ? “...humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James (2:1).

We tend to forget the basic rules taught to us by our faith. When we are taking control, adding stress to ourselves, do we ask for the help available? “ If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God...and it will be given to you.” ( James 1:5)

We are told to keep God at the forefront in our search for this inner peace: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

The serenity prayer is simple. We all know that simple is good. Let us start the new year with this thought in mind.

Thought for the week: Let us focus on peace and tranquility in our lives; with our families, neighbors and coworkers.

Prayer for the week: Let’s use the serenity prayer, this week and for the year, especially when over stressed.

Happy New Year.