---

December 31, 2001
“Telling the truth gives a man satisfaction, and hard work returns many blessings to him” (Proverbs 12:14,TLB)

The last Good News mentioned the Madison Avenue advertising people trying to appeal to our needs for self improvement as we enter a new year. Well, so is the Good News Guy!!! As we proceed into the new year, many of us reflect on last year and make commitments for a new improved self. For six weeks, the parking lots at my athletic club are full, exercise areas crowded, aerobics classes turn away people. I call the rush of people “The New Years Resolutionists.”

What does Proverbs 12:14 or last week’s Proverbs 12:25 have to do with a New Years resolution? Absolutely nothing. However, they are a basis for improving your life and the lives of those around you. I ask that as you start the new year, you put “encouragement,” “truth” and “hard work” at the top of your priority list. Use the words in Proverbs to help yourself and others.

Thought for the Week: This week let us focus very selfishly on ourselves. Let us look at our own heavy hearts and fears. Let us meditate and pray for the wisdom and courage mentioned in the serenity prayer. Let us understand that when we are healthy and have a strong spiritual faith, we are in position to help others and better enjoy our own lives.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the many blessings that you bestowed on us last year. We are confused by the events of September 11th and can not see how they fit into your plan for us. We pray for the wisdom and strength to help others, the faith to be kind to our enemies and the courage to be honest when tempted to be otherwise. We pray that we may be available to do your will when you call upon us.

Amen

---

December 28
As we look forward to a new year, we have a lot of choices. It is a great time of reflection and promises. Many of us make resolutions to improve our lives. One of the most noticeable signs of this is the radio and TV advertising for various diet and health improvement programs. There are “fat burners,” athletic club specials and a variety of home exercise machines. The Madison avenue people are trying to take advantage of our need for self improvement.

Around each of us are people that need us. People with heavy hearts. Also, certainly, through out the next year, each of us will have some periods when our hearts are heavy and we are burdened with the challenges of our lives. Yes, our lives will not be perfect and “happily ever after” is always a a dream. As Christians, we have both the tools to help others and also to work through our own issues. That is one of the advantages of our Faith.

When dealing with others that are “down and out,” under stress, generally with heavy hearts, remember today’s passage. Speak to them with words of promise. Show them you care, let them see your love and take the time to listen to their issues. Invite them to join you on a Sunday for a service. Be a friend— both in the world and in faith.

Thought for the Week: There are many questions we have as a new year approaches. Many are introspective or looking inward at our selves. Let us stop and think of our friends; someone who has an illness, lost a loved one, with career challenges or whatever. Let us make a new years resolution to say “a kind word of encouragement” to them.

Prayer for the Week (and again for the year): The serenity prayer helps me get through my tough times and I urge you all to keep it close to your hearts. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”

Amen

---

December 17
“If I have the gift of prophesy, and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 3-2 NIV)

The holiday season is a time of great joy. It is full of symbolism. There are bright lights in almost every neighborhood. Stores are full of shoppers buying gifts for their loved ones. Christmas trees light up our homes. Special carols, that we sing only once each year, sound pleasing to our ears. Yes, the celebration of Christ’s birthday is a wonderful experience.

As Christians, we proceed through this season each fall. In general, love abounds within our society. When we donate to the food shelf; to Toys for Tots; serve at a shelter; or just say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays- we feel good because we are demonstrating our love for each other- through Christ. Love is wonderful gift we have been given through our faith.

Thought for the Week: As we go through the week before Christmas, stress tends to build. Year end activities pile up on top of holiday parties, annual budgets and all the “to do” about Christmas. As we go through the week, let us focus on why we are doing all of this. Not because we have to, but out of love for each other, those around us and the love of Christ.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, we are all wrapped up in the season’s activities. We are concerned about all of the “hate” in the world. The mid-east, Afghanistan, northern Ireland all seem to be embedded in it. In America and through out the free world, there is confusion and fear of terrorism. We pray that somehow love can shine through all of this, that we as people may see through the negative forces and learn that love is possible; and the real solution to all the problems.

Amen

---

December 12

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” (Mathew 11:28)

If this passage sounds familiar, you probably read last weeks Good News. This is a strong message worth repeating during such an active time. It suggests that we have tools through our faith that can help us enjoy the season. However, just like the tools in the garden shed, they will not help us if we don’t reach out and pick them up.

The many tools of Christianity are available to us all, and “picking them up” just takes the time to allow them to work. Here are some suggestions.

Try changing your daily routine for the season.

In the morning shut off the news, put down the paper and sit alone with your beverage and just think about the season in quiet. That may change your outlook for the day.

When you feel out of control or stressed, have this weeks passage in your presence, take a break and read it. Give your faith a chance.

Something that I do is wear my “lapel pin.” The pair of feet from “footprints in the sand.” They constantly remind me that I am not alone.

There are many options. God is available to us, but we have to let Him into our lives.

Thought for the Week: The Christmas story is one of wonder and genius. The genius of the wise men to read and follow the signs shown to them. They took the time to go and answer a call. They took a leadership role. As we go through this busy time, let us understand our roles as Christians and be leaders in spirituality.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, we are experiencing unusual times. The weather is confusing and there is unrest in our society. We are approaching a new year with hesitence and in many cases fear. We need you beside us in times like this. We pray for the presence of mind to stop and let you come with us.

Amen

---

December 7
Please consider some special prayers this week for; the families of the soldiers killed and wounded in the war. the Craighead family who lost their innocent father in a police mistake. June’s and my good friend, Jim Cherry as he battles cancer.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mathew 11:28-30)

The Holiday season has arrived. Thanksgiving just past and surely we all spent four days meditating and offering prayers of thanks for our blessings.

What?? That’s not what we did in my house! What we did was have a wonderful gathering with both friends and family. Yes, there were prayers and thanks combined with some outside games, football, Christmas shopping and a 5K race. Put the weekends activities on a list and most of us would realize why we were tired the following week.

As Christians, we are coming to a very special day. A day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Our focus however is often placed on gifts, parties, getting our acts together for the new year. Our calendars are full with many special events: holiday parties, Winter sports, Christmas pageants and services, shopping, year end business meetings. Sometimes it just gets out of control. Is all this activity a “bad thing”? I think not, especially if somehow we can get through it all by keeping Christ at our side and on our mind.

Christianity and spirituality are wonderful allies during busy times.

Thought for the Week: This week let us focus on finding more time for ourselves during this busy period. Let us be selfish once a day and take “time out” from our obligations to society. Let’s find a few minutes each day to let Christ help us enjoy the season.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, we are overburdened with problems. There are people dying at war and on the streets of our cities. We are busy with year end business activities and planning for Christmas. Many of us will be traveling over the holidays. Please give me the power to be aware of Christ’s presence through all of this. Help me find a way to walk through this activity with God as my co-pilot.

Amen

---

November 20
“But now, this is what the Lord says, ‘Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fires of oppression be burned up, the flames will not consume you.’” (Isaiah 43:1-2)

As Americans, fear seems to have become a resident in our neighborhoods, living rooms and our daily lives. Not the instantaneous fear felt when we have a close call in an accident or other one time event, but a subtle hollow fear about our security. That’s right, for the first time ever, our society has come to the realization that we can be harmed at home!!

My neighbor canceled a bicycle trip to the south of France. My doctor canceled a vacation trip to Italy. People generally feel different when going downtown to a high rise building. Church attendance is also increasing. Yes, fear has found a place in our lives in a different way than ever before.

The fear that used to be most common was that one time event, usually over in seconds. An automobile scare, a fall on the ice—that type of event. In 1991, while leaving the U.S. Open golf tournament, a driver going the wrong way on a one way road came within a few car lengths of hitting us head on at high speed. He missed. With this one kind of event, God seems to follow it up because there is no time to pray. The fear we feel today is different than that.

Read Isaiah 43 carefully. Understand the message. As Christians, we need not let fear change our lives. We are blessed with the ultimate protection plan. It is through our Lord, God. Yes, we have fear today. And yes we have a tool to alter that fear and convert it to a concern. It is our faith through meditation and prayer.

Thought for the Week: This week, let us all focus on our new found fears. Let us recognize them as real. Let us pray about them and as God for guidance. Let us change our fears and move them down one level to concerns. Remember the 23rd Psalm, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me....”

Prayer for the Week: Dear Lord, the world has become a violent scary place to live. The events of the last few months are beyond our comprehension. We ask your guidance in all of this. We ask that we may understand it all. We ask that somehow through out the fear, terror and war, there will emerge a global understanding, peace and a world where love and respect is at the forefront.

Amen.

---

November 15
“And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit...” (Ephesians 6:17, NASB)

As many of you know from yesterday’s e-mail, yesterday my computer was attacked by a virus. My operating system has 23 corrupted files my stress level was very high. This morning I reached out for the following passages that are helpful to me when in times of need:

• Strength: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” ( Is 43:1-2).
• Loneliness: “...God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5) “...and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
• Trapped and helpless: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3).

Yes, this was a challenging 48 hours and well out of my control. It was a great help to write this and put my life back in order. It always brings peace when we let go and let God handle stressful situations. To put the “virus” in perspective, one of our Good News friends had a cancer scare after a mammogram and another has just started chemotherapy. Let us hope that this Good News helps them deal with their issues.

Thought for the Week: As we go through the next week, we will encounter situations where we feel weak, lonely and possibly trapped. Rather than panic or anger, let us review the above passages and allow the Lord to pull us through.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly father, thank you for all of the blessings that you have placed before me. Family, friends, business associates are wonderful. However, there are many times that I get lost and forget you and the support you graciously have for me. I pray this week for the time and the thoughtfulness to meditate and allow you to guide me in my daily activities.

Amen

---

November 6
“Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, it’s hopes are fadeless under all circumstances.” (1 Corinthians 13:7, AMP)

We are all having our lives adjusted since the WCT event. There are concerns regarding out safety, we are more tense and restless, we are changing our style of operation and the way we live our lives.

There are businesses laying people off, those that continue working are doing more for either less or the same. In short form, our lives have become more stressful and in many cases the stress has grown into frustration and then anger. Sometimes it is hard to focus on the benefits brought to us through the Lord and our faith through Jesus Christ.

One of the reasons that “Good News” exists is exactly the above. Meditation works and helps bring us back to reality. There is a Good News recipient whose wife has had chronic degenerative back problems for over 15 years. She is tired of pain killers and muscle relaxants. A few years ago she started meditation classes and learned to meditate almost to the point of self hypnosis. She reduced her drugs to one quarter of her previous dosage. The stress and worry about her disease was causing the tension and many problems that added to her symptoms.

One of the things they teach us in sales is to always be ready for the “sales call” or meeting. Sit in the car before entering the building and review in your mind why you are there and what you hope to accomplish. It works in sales.

Many of us bring our daily problems into the home at night and let our frustrations effect our family life. The children bring home their frustrations from school, mom and dad from their jobs (or from a bad round of golf) or from the evening traffic. What for? Tonight when you go home, try sitting in the driveway and read this weeks passage and leave the stress behind. Pray that you can go into the house in a loving and caring mood and contribute to the peaceful and loving environment called home.

Thought for the Week: Someone once said that at times we are all salesmen. My example of preparing for a meeting is a serious part of business life and success. This week, let us all focus on “preparing for the meeting” with our families and with God. Let us contribute to peace and tranquility rather than helping increase stress.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly father, in our world today there is war, fear of attack, theft and many negative forces. Somehow please guide us to contribute to the peace and friendship, somehow show me how to act when stressed, somehow give me the good judgment to stop and pray rather than to react. help us do your will through our presence here on Earth.

Amen

---

October 31
“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:7

Since September 11, we have been living in a different world. For the very first time in history, Americans realize the fear of attack. Malls are empty, travel is light, people are cautious and church attendence is up. We all realize that we are not imune to attack. Our nation is at it’s highest level of security. Many of us realize that real security comes from having a relationship with God.

The author of the 23rd Psalm realized this centuries ago when he wrote these familiar words, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” The psalmist does not say that we will not have to walk through the darkest valley or that evil does not exist. Rather, the psalmist reminds us that we need not fear or be overwhelmed because God is present with us at all times and in all places. God will see us through. The ground and content of our hope is the promise that nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love.

Focus for the week: Since those who walk with God are never alone, then let us focus on our faith and try to live a normal life.

Prayer for the Week: Almighty God, when the foundations of our lives are shaken, hold us close to you and remind us that you will never leave or forsake us. You alone are our hope and security.

Amen.

---

October 24
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for he who promised is faithful.
Let us consider how we may spur one another on
toward love and good deeds.
...Let us encourage one another...”
(Hebrews 10, 23-25)

In our every day lives, we encounter negativity, anger and difficult situations. When encountering this negative force, we make a choice in how we will respond. In our society, often we stand up to be counted rather than be perceived as weak, wimpy or undecided. We can take the confrontive course, meet the challenge head on, or the Godly course and work out the problem through love, through our hearts. We can demonstrate our love of God through our responses.

When we encounter anger, what happens when we show love? ...caring? ...calm logic? ...prayer? A few years ago, I had to deal with a very angry neighbor. She was upset with the world and wanted my advice. She had cut herself off from several friends to the point that it was affecting her family and her overall lifestyle. I was part of her anger equation and saw no real need for what seemed to be misplaced or secondary anger. I could not even figure out what to apologize for! She was irrational.

Fortunately, I could not think of any thing to say to appease her anger. So I told her that I appreciated her concerns, could not understand her reaction to her friends, but would pray for her in two ways. First, I would pray that God would lead me to a better understanding of her will. Second, I would pray that God help her find a way of dealing with her resentments without choosing to be angry and lashing out at others. The room filled with silence, we hugged and I left. Our relationship is different today.

Perhaps, through prayer and the help of God, she is less angry and has a better life. Perhaps she even chooses prayer over anger and resentment.

Thought For the Week: This week let us focus on what positives we can find. There is terror, bombing, war and negativity all around us. Let us deal at our own level to encourage others to be positive through prayer.

Prayer for the Week: Let us pray for the unfortunates that are homeless, starving and trapped in a place without shelter. The refugees from society. No, not just the Afghan civilians, but those homeless in our towns. In Minneapolis, the shelters are filling up and the cardboard box shelters are being built under the freeways. Let us pray for all of them.

Amen

---

October 12
“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?
Or am I trying to please men?
If I was trying to please men,
I would not be a servant of Christ”
(Galatians 1-10, NIV)

As we go through life, we are trained at a very young age that life is easier and more rewarding when we please those around us. I see my six grand children working diligently to do things to please nana and gramps. Helping June in the kitchen, the garden and doing other non-child-like chores. Often they help me with the pool and fixing whatever needs fixing. They love to help and love the approval they receive in return.

When looking at Galatians 1-10, what are we teaching children? To please those around them gives good feelings. When I think back to my youth, it seems that in my case, I was in my thirties before realizing that being a “people pleaser” was not always in everyone’s best interest. Sometimes when pleasing people, honesty is sacrificed and everyone involved misses a chance to be closer to God.

What is the best way to get this message to the next generation? Christian education, sunday school as we used to call it, is probably the best answer. Somehow through this process, the children will learn what is important and meaningful. As they grow they will make a choice to follow Christ and please God rather than people.

Thought for the Week: As leaders in our community and family, let us focus this week on visibly doing God’s work in our lives. Let all of our associates see that side of life so that they may emulate and learn this valuable lesson first hand. Let us leave people pleasing to God through our behavior.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly father, we give thanks to you the Christian educators that work with children and youth. Those that teach the belief and faith that will guide them throughout their lives. In times like we are presently experiencing, may we, as adults, keep those lessons at the forefront of our lives and find peace and courage.

Amen