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September 23, 2006, What? Me worry?
This is a repeat from 2002.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food,
and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:25-27)

Several years ago, my pastor and I were having coffee at his request. His concern was due to some business stresses that were affecting June’s and my lives. During this session we talked about money, lawsuits and tough decisions that often have to be made. Often these decisions are made to minimize financial risk. We surely all do that. This was without me having remembered today’s passage. As we talked about my life strategy, he was challenging some of my decisions based on normal financial logic. My comments made Pastor Rick laugh harder than I had ever heard him laugh in our seven year relationship. They were that “June and I felt that God had a plan that we had not yet seen and that somehow we were serving His needs.” Then I made a slight error and slipped into some music studio language, “ After all, it is only #@^%# money.” Pastor Rick almost fell out of his chair in laughter. There is a message there somewhere. Matthew 6:27 above asks what “worry” will do for us. But we still worry. What will worry accomplish? Higher blood pressure? Broken relationships? Jealousies? Just maybe we should pray more than we worry. After all, our faith says that God is with us at all times.

Thought for the Week: This week let us think about Matthew 25-27 and try harder to enjoy the week. Think about how great it would be to get through the week without “worry.” Let’s “Let go and let God.”

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, there are many reasons for us to be concerned about our future. There is war and conflict in the world; many of us are unemployed or concerned about our future; our children are exposed to dangers that were not around when we grew up. It seems that there are endless reasons to worry. This week we pray for the faith and good judgment to let you help us. We pray rather than worry. Amen

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September 18, 2006, Sharing
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Who in our lives are the winners? Some say the one with the most toys wins. That materialistic one liner gives me goose bumps. However, in our society today, we pursue “things” instead of happiness and peace. So who are the real winners and how do they win?? God placed us here to be his stewards with our first priority to be sharing the gifts we received from Him with others. That seems to be a very tall order. However, we always feel great when we have reached out and helped a friend or stranger. In fact, is that not when we feel the best?

God gives us resources in many different forms. We have money that we earn and knowledge that we have learned. We graciously share these things with our families and children and that makes us feel good.

In today’s busy society with mom and dad both working and active children pursuing outside activities, there is little room to share God’s gifts with others outside of the family circle. According to the National Council of Churches, fund raising is at an all time low and volunteers are harder to come by than in recent years. We need to think about our priorities. There are many ways to share and sow the seeds that God has given us to plant. When we are too busy, we have an outlet, give to give to the Church. Our church family has people that can reach out when you are too busy. When funded, a strong Christian church is something to make us proud. We can be winners through our Christian family.

Thought for the Week: Let us look for an opportunity to help someone this week. someone who is sick, someone hurting or someone lonely. Let us see if we can share a bit of ourselves to make someone else feel better. If we perceive that we are too busy, let’s find a way through our Christian family to help out.

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September 9, 2006, Love Benefits
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment,
because in this world we are like him.
There is no fear in love.
But perfect love drives out fear....
The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:16-18)

In all relationships there is a need for love. That is not to say that we should walk around all day handing out roses! But being kind, serving and helping when we can is an act of love. Within our family structures, trust comes from our love. One of my favorite quotes is from H. Norman Wright’s “Ten Commandments for Loving Your Spouse”—“Don’t suffocate your spouse with possessiveness.—Remember that God is the one who owns us; He has merely entrusted our spouse to our care.”

Love is an interesting concept. It is something that we all want and need, but is it something that we freely give? My experience indicates that successful or over achieving people are passionate people; people that enjoy serving, people that feel that they have helped others while accomplishing their tasks, people that love other people. Often when looking at their lives, they also have a strong faith. They usually have a love of God. Election day in 1992, I had a chance to talk with a former Governor and Senator from Minnesota and asked him if he missed running for office. He talked for several minutes about missing the ability to “serve” the people. His answer surprised me. The truth of the matter is, to put up with the exposure of politics and the negatives of the job, the reward must be internal; a love of serving. Since 1992, I have grown to understand this man’s spirituality, motives and his love of humanity. He deserved and earned my respect.

Somehow, through loving God, having a strong faith and spirituality, we can give and receive love. This sharing gives us confidence and drives out fear. It makes our lives better.

Thought for the Week: Let us focus on those who give us love, those close to us. Let us stop each day and appreciate the benefits we receive from those around us. Let’s enjoy the week.

Prayer for the Week: This week we pray that we can appreciate the love and caring in our lives. We pray that we can contribute to the peace and tranquility of others by sharing our love for them and our love for You. Amen

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September 3, 2006, Success
“I saw that wisdom is better than folly, Just as light is better than darkness.” (Ecclesiastes 2:13NIV)

In our democratic society, we are pressed into a competitive market place for our goods and services. That is supposed to be what makes America great. Success is often a matter of having more “stuff.” We are building 5, 6 and 7,000 square foot houses, owning bigger boats, luxury cars abound, etc. All this is very good for the economy, but is it good for our souls? Aristotle Onassis’ definition of success was to “... keep climbing higher and higher-just for the thrill.” Barbra Streisand said, “success for me is having ten honeydew melons and eating only the best part of each.” Because you are reading this Good News today, I pray that your definition is more closely better represented by Dr. Gary Rossberg’s perspective:

“Success is not just a matter of money, power and ego, but also issues of the heart— like compassion, bravery, generosity and love. It is an issue of character, not performance. ...of being the person God wanted you to be, not how much salary you can pull down....” If we sit in our homes surrounded by our “stuff” and still feel underachieved; If we sit on the couch next to our spouse and still feel lonely; we should go back to the simple things we learned growing up and search our faith for the definition of success. We will find that Rossberg is very close to the answer.

Thought for the Week: This week, let us look at our calendars and try to evaluate where our efforts are taking us. Let us review our goals and our interactions with others. Let us fit our lives into Rossberg’s perspective rather than the more material views of success.

Prayer for the Week: Dear heavenly Father, our world has changed. There are new fears, heavy grief, threats of war and revenge running rampant through out our society. World terror seems to be taking over well beyond faith and love. Somehow we pray for an answer to how it all fits Your plan. We pray for Your guidance and somehow for the ability to keep the power of Your light above the darkness that seems to be closing around us. Amen

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August 27, 2006, Birthday Special
June and I attended two birthday parties this weekend. My 67th and my colleague’s 50th. My friend ran the Pikes Peak marathon last week to celebrate her 50th. I did a 90 minute walk/jog, a one hour bike ride and swam a few laps. In celebration of our birthdays, I am repeating this good news from 2002. If we are to serve the Lord, our families and society, we need to be all that God designed us to be.
“Always be joyful. Keep on praying.
No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15-15)

Each year on my birthday, I give thanks to something that I learned in my youth as a YMCA brat. The symbol for the Y is a triangle; each side has a meaning, “spirit, mind and body.” Each year I give thanks for my role as a father, son and my place in society. But let’s talk a bit about what it takes to be in a good place with ourselves. It is selfishness. Yes, being selfish in pursuit of a healthy self: Mentally, physically and spiritually.

In each of our lives, we must fit into some basic places in society; a family, a workplace and a social setting. We fit best when the three sides of our personal triangle are in a healthy balance. That is to say we focus on each a little every day so that we minimize life’s problems.

In all areas of our lives, it is important to demonstrate the forgiveness and love that comes from a strong spirituality. We need to be physically fit enough to deal with the long days without being fatigued and run down. Also, we need to be mentally sharp enough to make the decisions that are expected of us. That is a lot to ask of mortals and not an easy task. So be a bit selfish, take care of yourself so that you may be all that what God wants you to be and be capable of doing God’s work when the opportunity presents itself to you. Take care of yourself so that you can be all that your family needs you to be. Remember the logo of the YMCA, spirit, mind and body. Keep totally fit. “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless...” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Birthday Thought: Today is the day the Lord has made, a day for me to enjoy. Friends will recognize it, family will celebrate it and I will enjoy it. It is a blessing that we all have and a great day to give thanks to the Lord for all of our many blessings.

Birthday Prayer: Heavenly Father today is a very special day, the day that you brought me into your service. Through out this day, I give thanks for all the opportunities that you have given to me. The opportunity to have a healthy relationship with family and friends. Today I will often hear the words “happy birthday.” To those words I say, “Thanks be to God.” Amen

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August 19, 2006, Devotion to Others
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
.. keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:9-11).

Do we love each other as God loves us? If so, why do we have negative thoughts about people? Have you ever sat in the office complaining about the boss, your work associates or the drive to work? When we are in that mode our focus is not on what is right, but on what is wrong with our surroundings. When we really analyze problems, they are never 100% wrong or bad. We are generally choosing to focus on the negative and lose big time when we are in that mode. Each and every one of us has good times and bad. The message Paul gave the Romans clearly helps us focus outward toward others good points rather then inward on our parochial negative funk. In my case, when I am in “the funk,” I am generally being selfish!

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:12-13). The message is quite clear that if we want to be at peace, we need to love, respect, and allow God’s work to be done through our presence.

Thought for the Week: Let us focus on the positive aspects of life and other people. Let us seek out the good in others and enjoy their presence.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, the world is full of challenges for us. Sometimes we are angry and frustrated with careers and jobs. Our introspective and sometimes self centered nature is our worst enemy. This week we pray that we may remain open to seeing the good in our lives and taking the time to share it with others. Somehow through this positive view, we will be doing your work. Amen

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August 11, 2006, The Lords Will
“Be very careful, then, how you live—
not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians5:14, NIV)“Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

In life and business there are temptations. Opportunities to take more than we know we deserve. In many parts of the world, that is thought of as the American way. The relentless pursuit of things or money. After all, that is what makes our economy run. A classic example is the negotiations between young athletes and the team that drafted them. Often, these people are grappling over extra millions and the relationship and respect between those involved is permanently damaged. Harvey McKay, one of my favorite people, wrote about this subject in his weekly article. He pointed out that good negotiations were not opportunistic, but “win-win.” The temptation to go for it all leads to ultimate failure because the team spirit is damaged. Harvey is a business man, tennis player, marathon runner and author. In all of his endeavors, he is a winner and has that burning desire for excellence. Harvey built his life around playing by the rules and constructing a win-win lifestyle. I do not know Harvey well enough to know his spirituality, but from a casual observation, he does God’s work very well.

Thought for the Week: This week, let us search out the temptations in our lives. Let us recognize them for what they are and follow good Christian ethics in our decisions. Everyone can win.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, our World seems to be full of ungodly events. Kidnappings, suicide bombers, illness and many others cause us to focus on the negative. This week, please help us maintain our focus on the good things in our lives and give us the will to spread goodness in our confused world. Amen

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July 30, 2006, Subconscious Landmarks
“So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you...

These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” (Joshua 4:4-8 Niv)

God wanted the Israelites to make landmarks for the future children of Israel. He also wants us to have landmarks in our lives. Often when we are about our daily activities, something happens that triggers a distant but fond memory. These memories are landmarks in our lives; landmarks we have that remind us of the value and pleasure of living. Last Memorial Day weekend, my thoughts transgressed to a very early celebration back in my home town in Massachusetts. It was just after World War II and emotions were very high as there were many soldiers to be honored. But something simpler than that affected me as a six year old. At a parade, I heard my first marching band, up close from a curbside seat during the parade. Led by the older kids in the neighborhood, we all jumped up and marched alongside the big base drum. My heart was beating out of my chest with excitement. In fact I can feel it as I write. An experience that had slipped into my sub conscious, a landmark saved for me. Throughout our lives we are blessed with many positive landmarks. We celebrate certain ones, birthdays, anniversaries, Holidays etc., but many of the fondest landmarks are much simpler and often very personal. These are the ones that bring meaning to life.

Thought for the Week: This week, let us think back and try to remember what brought us to this point in our lives. Let us focus on the “landmark” events that shaped us to be what we are. Let us understand God’s role in the meaning of these events and how he shaped and developed us in many simple ways.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, as a nation, we have just celebrated independence, our many privileges and especially our religious freedoms. This week we give thanks for all of them. We pray that around the world, people can learn to appreciate their own faith, the love that goes along with it and an appreciation for the faith of others. Amen

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July 23, 2006, I yam what I yam
June and I are moving today. It is stressful and sad to be leaving the home we built. We pray for a successful downsizing and are excited about our future. This good news is a repeat and one of my favorites! Bless you all,
Bob