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March 17, 2004
“This is a day of new beginnings.
time to remember and move on,
time to believe what love is bringing,
laying to rest the pain that’s gone.”
“Christ is alive and goes before us,
to show and share what love can do,
this is a day of new beginnings;
our God is making all things new.”
(This is a day of New Beginnings;Vs 1 & 4; Words: Brian Wren, 1978; Methodist Hymnal No. 383)

Those of you that have known me long enough understand that on March 21, 1977, my family and I started a true “New Beginning.” That was the year of treatment for alcohol abuse and the adoption of the slogan “This is the first day of the rest of your life.” They supported me as did my friends and business associates. Each year I am reminded that through faith and friendship there is a good life. I thank all of you that have been my friends and associates since then.

The story of recovery is repeated in our society every day with the grace of God ever present in the process. Often as Christians we see a need and get a chance to help. One of the beauties of being Christian is the act of helping.

Thought for the Week: This week we will be out in the world interacting with friends and business associates. We may see a need to help. Many people will back away. This week let us recognize needs in others and step forward with God’s support and offer the Christian assistance that is needed.

Prayer for the Week: This week the serenity Prayer
“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. Amen.

My blessings to all of you.

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March 14, 2004
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
(Matthew 7, 1-3: NIV)

We often judge others by our own personal standards. As Christians that usually means that we are very trusting. We expect others to be honrorable. In some instances, however, we make negative judgments of others based on an impression that did not fit our personal model. Yes, admit it, you have done this!

Often we observe an impression of others that generates doubt in our minds. It may be their dress, a display of anger or aggression or something they said. We make judgments without drilling into and knowing the inner self of the person. Clearly we are making an error when we judge others this way.

In the our world today there is violence, terror and way too many negative judgments based on generalizations. Are Muslims bad from the Christian perspective? How about the other way around? People try to judge movies as anti-Semitic or in other racist ways rather than as entertainment. Are they using their entertainment medium as a justification for their own feelings? We will never know.

What we know as Christians is that it is not our place to judge. It is our place to accept and forgive. When someone or something in our lives is unacceptable and needs to be changed we need to change it in a Christian manner. That means with love, compassion and often Prayer.

Thought for the Week: We need to make many choices as this week moves forward. We will be given the opportunity to interact with people. This week let us try not to judge those around us. Let us work with them, help them when we can and accept them for who they are.

Prayer for the Week: Dear Lord, we are again concerned about terrorist attacks around the world. We have governments making judgments and creating conflict. We do not always understand it all. This week we pray that we, the people, may find a way to support your ways rather than the ways of governments and terrorists. We search for solutions through prayer and meditation. Amen

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March 8, 2004
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God —this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12; 1, NIV)
Would any of us offer our bodies as “living sacrifices”? Certainly the events of 911 answers that question. Several people on the plane heading for Washington did exactly that. If given the chance, history proves that many of us would take action under similar circumstances. It is the ultimate spiritual act.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.
If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
…If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously” (Romans 12; 6 & 8, NIV)

When are we contributing to the needs of others? Every day in some way we contribute. Not in the way of the passengers on September 11th, but in millions of lesser ways. Sometimes our contributions are intentional and planned. Often they are reactionary and just something that we do. Through our Church we often help serve at shelters, contribute to transients in the neighborhood and in many other ways. At home many of us jump in when neighbors have projects or problems. Even the simple act of preparing food for someone who is ill is a serious contribution: A spiritual act. As Christians we were all given this gift at some level. As Christians we get a great feeling, a gift from God when we contribute to others.

Thought for the Week: This week let us contribute. No I do not mean put some coins in the tip tray at a fast food restaurant (but go ahead anyway.) I mean let us look for and find someone that we can help. Each day we walk past opportunities to contribute to someone in need. Let us search them out and contribute to their tranquility

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly father often the balance in our lives seems tipped toward being selfish. The immediate needs of our selves, family and occupy too much mind share. We tend to forget to reach out to others. This week we pray for improved focus on Your work. We pray for simpler lives in which we can put “Your will” on our “to do” lists and calendars. Amen

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February 29, 2004
“For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you:
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” (Romans 12:3 NIV)
I like the term “measure of faith” in any context. It causes us to to stop and wonder exactly what scale we would measure it with, yards or meters? Euro vs dollars? Pounds vs kilograms? Faith, of course, can not be measured in such easily quantified terms. The measure that probably matters is probably how well we use God’s gifts.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a person’s gift is serving, let him serve.” (Romans 12, 6 & 7; NIV)

When serving others is done as a passion it is truly a gift from God. The warm feeling of having helped is always worth the efforts. Many people are famous because of this gift and some have been raised to sainthood. In our generation, Mother Theresa was certainly blessed with it. The best part of the gift of service is we all have it and can feel it at some level. We all at some time will have the opportunity to be the “good Samaritan.” We need to use this gift when we can and enjoy the feeling that God gives us as His reward.

Thought for the Week: This week let us think about how we may help. Is there someone with an ill family member that could use a visit? Can we make time for coffee with a friend? If we can’t plan an opportunity to serve, let us look during the week for a chance to use this gift.

Prayer for the Week: Dear Lord, service to you is important to us but we are confused. Violence seems to invade our lives at all levels. World wide there are terrorist threats, locally there are too many assaults on others. We need and want to help. We need and desire to serve our families, others around us and somehow contribute to Your will here on earth. This week we pray for an opportunity to help others in a way that will benefit all.

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February 29, 2004
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
(1 Corinthians 12, 4-7; NIV)

One of these gifts as mentioned in Romans 12 is “encouraging.” As leaders and teachers we need to recognize that those around us often need encouragement. As heads of a family, the old school often seemed critical. Walk softly and carry a big stick. Let’s go out behind the woodshed! Parenting had yet to be enlightened. Just yesterday while jogging around a soccer field during a game I listened to opposing coaches with different approaches. One encouraging the players to do things the other advising them what not to do; one encouraging, one scolding. The encouraged team had a totally different look. The “don’t do this” team had the negatives fresh in their minds and showed it. Guess who won!!! In business management, many schools and teachers coach that the annual review is the one time each year that management can encourage, inspire and coach an employee. Wow, that is often not the case. Unenlightened managers tend to give unbalanced reviews, “yes-but” style. When that happens, it leaves the employee flat regardless of the pay increase and the company loses it’s big chance to pump up an asset. People that have the gift of encouragement are blessed and I hope many of you have it.

Thought for the Week: Like teaching and leadership, this week we will all have an opportunity to “encourage” someone. To some it will be a natural “gift,” to many it will be a chore. Let us recognize where we fit and utilize God’s gifts in our lives to make God’s world a better place.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father we are often confused. The book says, “There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.” However, faith is used by many as a reason for terror and war. We pray that we can understand this, we pray that all persons can come to understand this. This week we pray that all the world come to understand your many “gifts” and use them to lead to “common good.” Amen

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February 15, 2004
Webster says that a teacher is someone who “... gives knowledge or insight to another.” Yes that is part of it all and if that is the case we are all “part time” teachers. I do not think that we can get through a day without sharing part of personal knowledge base with someone. The scary piece is that we do not always know when we are teaching. Think about the following three examples.

Think of the formal teacher, the professional, whether it is a Sunday school teacher or K-12 teacher. These are people that very intentionally share knowledge. Often there becomes a magical attachment with between them and their students. Most of us have a strong memory from our early days about a teacher that was special.

We are often teaching others through our “public actions”. Yes, others observe us and we unknowingly share. One Sunday morning in church, I observed an older gentleman holding hands with his wife. Later he had his arm around her like a teenager on a Friday night date. Let me share with you that this guy and I had a very negative business relationship. That day however, he and his wife set an example for me and all around them. I grew to know them better and use his “behavioral teaching” often to improve my own relationship.

As my family has grown up, June and I have observed a lot of behaviors in our children that make us proud. Also, we often observe something that we wish they had not learned from us. Yes, we often teach our children the wrong stuff! Wouldn’t it be great if they only saw us at our best? My dad used to say “Do as I say, not as I do.” OOPS, that is not reality. Within our families, parents are always teachers.

Thought for the Week: This week let us recognize our God given rolls as teachers. We did not ask for it, we can not avoid it, so let us do it well. Each day let us share through our behaviors, words and actions, teachings that will make us proud.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, we here on earth are troubled and fearful. Terror, war, violence and many other negative behaviors dominate the news and airways. They generate a worrisome environment. This week let me feel Your spirit. This week let me act like a disciple of Christ. This week let ny behavior “teach” those around me that there is good in the world.” Amen

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February 8, 2004
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12,6-8; NIV)Good News021504
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
if it is encouraging, let him encourage;
if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;
if it is leadership, let him govern diligently;
if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
(Romans 12,6-8; NIV)

Leadership is one of God’s greatest gifts. The world has experienced great leaders in many different forms. The ability to have a passion and develop followers that believe and follow the lead is truly a gift from God. In this regard, Jesus is, was and will be the “King of Kings.” Leadership and followers without greed, win win, love abounds etc. make Him different than all others. On a more human scale, we have leaders within our society. Many of us are leaders of our families (mom’s and dad’s), some of us are managers in business, youth sports or at church. Often when in these “leadership rolls” decisions are often made that are different than Christ would have made them.

Several years ago the bracelet with “WWJD” engraved on it was popular. Those letters stood for “What would Jesus do?” The bracelet served as a reminder that when we are making a decision, it is always a good idea to consider our faith and our leader. As normal humans we will not achieve perfection. We can however strive toward it with every decision we make when we are asked to lead.

Thought for the Week: This week we need to again review the gifts that we received from God. We need to recognize and utilize them. When we are placed in a decision making roll, we need to consider what is “right” and perhaps consider “What would Jesus do?”

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father we are all called on to make decisions. Financial pressure, personal perjudices and many other factors often cause us to drift from your will when making choices. In government and business this seems to happen all too often leading to results that are not in the best interest of the World. This week, we pray thet we may all mke decisions that fit Your plan, that would be as Jesus would do. Amen

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January 25, 2004
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working,
but the same God works all of them in all men.” (1 Corinthians 12;4-6 NIV)

God has gave the human race many gifts. None of us received them all. We need to recognize those that we are blessed with and use them to do His work here on earth. It helps us live our lives when we understand which gifts we have received. “To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
to another faith by the same Spirit,
to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
to another miraculous powers,
to another prophecy,
to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12: 8-12, NIV)
In life, gifts often come with an obligation. One of the simpler obligations is the Christmas or holiday Card. We feel obliged to send one when we receive one that we did not expect. In today’s business and political environment, gratuities are shunned and often illegal because of the feeling of obligation. Here are some thought provoking questions about the gifts God gave to each of us: Have we developed an understanding of the gifts we each received? Do we use them in our daily lives?

Do we have an obligation to use them to help others?

We need to think about our gifts and how we use them in our lives.

Thought for the Week: This week let us all recognize our gifts as we put them to use in every day activities. Let us Give thanks to the Lord for them.

Prayer for the Week: Dear Lord, we are living in a confusing world of negativity and frustration. Hate seems to dominate our news. Terror and war abound around the World. Senseless violence seems to dominate our local news. This week we pray that we can recognize our skills and seek a way to help. This week we pray for your guidance so that we may contribute to expanding your love here on earth. Amen

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January 24, 2004
“Husbands, love your wives,
just as Christ loved the church
and gave himself to her.”
(Ephesians 5:25, NIV)

Intimacy is not only a marriage or “significant other” issue. In my business world, several of us, many on the Good News list, have met the evening prior to sales meeting for a prayer dinner. There is a closeness that exists within that group. Another business man in the Good News group once shared with me that his small company starts each week with a prayer breakfast. You can feel something special when dealing with those guys, even when you do not know exactly why. Several years ago I came to realize the intimacy of a group of men who gather to share while dining. The reading that day dealt with “The Intimacy of the Table” and how often we share while dining with others. This time of gathering, whether it be family or friends, is special to us. However, within a relationship, husband-wife, parent -child, good friends or in other instances, intimacy makes a partnership.

Thought for the Week: We all like to feel comfortable and intimacy within a group creates a warmth that we all love. However, we are often guarded with our feelings when in groups. We are conservative and hold back. This week let us think more about letting our inner selves be seen by others. Let us share our Christian love and create more intimacy with our friends and associates.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly father, we seem to be living in a world with hate and revenge common place. Young mothers as human bombs, nations terrorizing other nations and in business there are too many lose lose negotiations. We of faith are searching for your will in all of this. This week we pray that we can understand and contribute to friendships and world wide Godly solutions. Amen

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January 18, 2004
“Then the Lord God said, ‘ It is not good for man (people) to be alone’.”
(Genesis 2:18,NASB)

H. Normen Wright stated in his book “With All My Strength” that “..Intimacy is the foundation for both love and friendship. It is a close emotional bond that involves mutual sharing and understanding.” Yes, intimacy is a two way street in which we know each others deepest dreams, concerns, hopes and fears. It involves being an open book for the other to read. Intimacy in a relationship generates wonderful results: Eliminates the pain of loneliness.
Leads to deep feelings of closeness.
also leads to feelings of warmth and trust. The feeling of being strangers in a relationship.

We all seem to desire intimacy in our lives. Wether you are talking about significant others, fellow workers or just friends, being open will bring you closer. That will make life simpler and more peaceful.

How do you rate the level of intimacy in your relationships?

Thought for the Week: This week let us share with others. Let us allow others to see our vulnerability. Let us be open for them to also share with us, sharing both our joys and concerns.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly father we need your help to grow our relationships. We crave intimacy but do not share. We are too proud to show our flaws to others. We build walls around ourselves in self defence and allow these walls to block our feelings. We pray that you will help us share ourselves with others so that we may enjoy the fruits of deepened relationships. Amen

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January 10, 2004
“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 4, 2004
Pressing on Toward the Goal

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect,
but I press on to take hold of that
for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. “ (Phillipiens3:12-14; NIV)

Happy New Year. For the next few weeks the athletic clubs will be filled with “new years resolutionists.” Diet programs will come and go, self improvement books will be purchased or at least the dust will be blown from last years cover! Does that sound familiar? Yes, we all have had a few resolutions fall by the wayside.

I do not know if Peter wrote the above on new years eve but it is appropriate. Many of us have new goals today: weight, fitness, financial goals etc. Peter is asking us to look at our spiritual goals. “...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize....” Hold that thought as you proceed through 2004.

Thought for the Week: This week let us look ahead rather than behind. Let us look ahead at the opportunities in our lives. This year let us practice Christian ethics and life style in all phases of our lives and by all means share our faith with others.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father as this new year begins please hear our prayer for serenity:
“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.”
Hear this for all the world’s people so that your love and peace may dominate this new year. Amen