In life, it seems necessary to fit into certain standards that seem to be altered with each generation. I remember my mom’s folks being critical of her in many ways and sometimes I wonder where my grand children will end up. In fact, June and I are the matriarch and patriarch of an 18-person family and our toughest job is letting go! Things are different.

Each generation fits the growing needs of their generation and those standards or needs seem to change based on technology and wealth. My mom (90) made a statement last week regarding housing. When she grew up, home ownership was the American dream. Today it seems to be an expectation. Each generation sets their own standards.

Within our society, there is a down sizing of religious concern. The Sunday Blue laws are gone and the Sabbath is certainly not what it was in colonial times and seems to have less respect with each generation. When I grew up we played what they called “sandlot” sports, little league came to my town in the ’50s. A generation ago there were no youth sports on Wednesday evenings and Sundays; now they are played seven days a week. In today’s world, it seems that we never rest and take time for spiritual meditation and growth.

The American motto that we see almost every day is “In God We Trust.” Our founders have given us a constant, something to center on that can keep us on an even keel and straight path. Even as our neighborhoods become more diverse, God is an ever present constant and will play a roll in our lives.

Paul advised the Romans to beware of the patterns of society. Keep a constant set of personal values. We can do that and we need to do that to find personal peace! “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)

Happy Birthday, have a happy day, happy new year; we all speak those words. However, we do not always live them. There are problems in our lives, illnesses, financial issues, family stress etc. that seem endless. Managing our lives can be difficult at times and we need to stay focused on what the Lord’s command. That is we are the light of the world and we need to be happy and allow the light to shine.

When we hear or read the news there is a lot in there to be sad about. Many of the things that are going on in the world are tragic. As Christians we do need to care and be concerned. However, we also need to pray and give thanks to the Lord for the good news side of the coin. Overall, our focus needs to be on the positive side. There is always more right than wrong.

Often we hear the term “blue Monday” and there are way too many people that start the week thinking that way. We as Christians need to start with a better attitude than that. We need to start with a meditation, with a prayer and a positive attitude. Our calling is to be the light of the world and we need to shine brightly.

Thought for the Week: This week will be a great week. Yes, all of the normal things will occur. There will be illness, stress, cranky kids, bad weather, too much to do etc.; so what? There will also be great friends and family, fresh air, good food and other positives. We need to keep our light shining so others may see it.

We all remember where we were six years ago on nine-eleven. The physical world changed that day. For several months thereafter, Christian churches experienced a measurable increase in attendance. The best piece of news regarding that is the very high increase in “un-churched guests” that came and the percentage that actually have kept on coming. There is certainly good that comes from bad events. We will all probably remember that day forever.

I would like to share a few memories of my own with you. On November 22nd, 1963 while donating blood in Salem Massachusetts, the nurse told me that she had heard that the president had been shot. I told her that she should not even joke about stuff like that. Many people remember that day. However, solidly burned in my memory is sitting in front of a radio on Haverford Street in Hamden, Ct, very afraid, listening to reports of the attack on Pearl Harbor. December 7th, 1941. So what is the big deal? I was only 27 months old. (I just called my mom to be sure that is all true and we think that is my first memory.) Both those events changed the physical world in which we live. They changed operations, but not our hearts.

In summary, remember the event and accept the changes. Keep the Lord in your heart and share Him with others. He will be with us. Worldly events can not harm our spirit.

“Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.”
(Psalm40:13,14)

Thought for the Week: This week let us find a friend and share the story about how September 11, 2001 has not changed our faith or how our faith is helping us through societies’ changes.

Prayer for the Week: Dear Lord and father, today we give thanks for the joyous summer that we experienced and look forward to the fall colors as they arrive. We are thankful for the opportunity to do your work here on earth and the pleasure we receive from it. Amen

In a recent trip to London we heard a lot of talk about preparations to be ready to host the 2012 Olympics. Recently there was an article about China’s preparation for the 2008 games and that they were testing some final details. There are thousands of athletes around the world that are working hard to qualify. The Olympic ideal is doing one’s best and the Olympic spirit is about good will.

In all cases, we become better and improve in small steps. In athletics, fitness and education it is easy to understand that we improve in small steps. Experts tell us not to lose weight too quickly. Coaches do not want people to strive for too much at once. However, we all want what we want when we want it, instant gratification.

Our spiritual lives work the same way. We do not wake up some morning and realize that we found the Lord last night. There is a bit more to it than that. We often have a triggering events and forces that cause us to be open and in need support. Also, there are gifts we receive that we realize came from the Lord. These events are door openers to a way to change lives. They are the Lord’s way of giving us opportunity and proof that He is always ready for us.

If you are reading this, you are more than likely in a spiritual growth mode. You are one of what I like to call my Good News Buddies. Yes, let’s grow a bit every day along our life’s journey, one day at a time, one step up every day and we will get there.

Thought for the Week: “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. To know God is on your side is to be able to risk one’s self in life’s journey. Knowing God gives a true sense of self worth.” Psalm 3 vs. 6

In the early ’90s, the pastor at our small church introduced the concept that we were all the ministers. He was just the facilitator or spiritual leader. He used to say that the average Methodist invited a guest to church every 22 years!! He encouraged us to speak our faith, demonstrate our spirituality in our daily lives and reach out to people. In our wildest dreams we may at some time achieve world peace, resolve world hunger and become an ethnically and racially blended society. When that happens, it will not happen through the politics that we have today. It will be a Godly event that we cannot perceive. We are all ministers and have the opportunity to work every day towards an improved society. Language and color divide us into nations and social groups. However there is a common language “... living words of truth which all may hear; the language all may understand when love speaks loud and clear;” We all have a job to do. Thought for the Week: We can find it easy to get caught up in our activities. Families have the sports programs, school issues and their business “stuff.” Singles have their way of filling the week. Yes, most of the world’s people keep busy. This week, let us seek the opportunity to demonstrate and share our spirit with someone.

In the words of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, “Temptation is the urge to do or say something wrong, something contrary to the will of God and the law of Christ. Temptation often comes in pleasant and seductive form and the mind always attempts to rationalize it to make it seem right.” That certainly hits home for us. We face it every day. Throughout our lives we are given the opportunity to chose, the correct path or the wrong path, the opportunistic path from the Godly path. None of us has always chosen the right path, the path that follows the law of Christ. We have all crossed that line and felt the remorse, the guilt or the doubt that follows. Yes, admit it, you just are not quite perfect. It is common for us to hold on to the memories that we have of the times when we slipped and took temptation. Often this sorrowful thinking leads to a bad self image or a sub conscious guilt that affects our lives. Working with others for the last 25 years, I have seen many people turn their lives around by accepting “spiritual growth” and making amends to those that they have harmed. Yes we are not perfect, but when we are growing spiritually, we feel good about ourselves and turn down the temptations that confront us in our daily lives.

Thought for the Week: In our personal lives there are many temptations. Ways to cheat, subtle dishonesty, procrastination, lust, etc. We all have the opportunity break the law of Christ. This week, let us be conscious of these opportunities. Let us note our wise decisions and give thanks for the spirituality and maturity that gets us through the week.

Who in our lives are the winners? Some say the one with the most toys wins. That is a materialistic one liner that 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. Many people also reach out beyond their own family units and share. There are many ways to share and sow the seeds that God has given us to plant, and we are real winners when we reach out and share our gifts.

Thought for the Week: Let us look for an opportunity to help someone this week. Perhaps someone who is sick, someone hurting or someone lonely. If we fail in finding someone, let’s share some extra with our Church. Sharing a bit of will make us feel better.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, we are living in a troubled world. Suicide bombings, road rage, families in strife and many other incidents confuse people. This week we pray for an opportunity to help and share with someone, an opportunity to demonstrate your Grace through our actions. Amen.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
(Matthew 6:33)

Recently a retired pastor was asked about his thoughts regarding the decline of his former congregation. When he was pastor 20 years ago, there were 900 members and 300 attendees on Sundays. Today there are under 300 members and 135 attendees. Like many, his first answer was that the community demographics had changed and the church had not. That seems to be a standard answer.

Then he went on to add, that in fact the church had changed. He stated that within his denomination there was a growing emphasis on social and political issues that seemed to come before Christian outreach. He felt that a piece of the decline was putting the cart before the horse, or that when people develop spiritually first they will then tackle the social ills around them.

In our own lives it is not much different. The expression “We want what we want when we want it”, applies to pour modern society. We want good careers, stability within our families and to be at peace. It often seems that we can’t have it all.

Matthew’s gospel states that we can and tells us exactly how. If we want it all, we need to develop ourselves first. We need to develop spiritually and grow to accept and love others through our faith. After we have done that, we can and will have it all.

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, the drive to work? Our focus when we are in that mode is not on what is right, but on what is wrong with our surroundings. When we really analyze the problem, it is never 100% wrong or bad. We are generally choosing to focus on the negative. We lose big time when we are in that mode. Each and every one of us has good times and bad. The message in Romans 12 clearly helps us focus outward toward others’ good points rather then inward on our parochial negative funk. In my own case, when I am in “the funk,” I am generally being selfish!
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, 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 allowing 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.

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, the world is full of challenges for us. Some of us are so busy that we forget and harm our children. 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

In business and life, aggressive and opportunistic behavior is fairly common. Our economies are generally cash driven, sales is often “let the buyer beware”. In our more modern economy it seems that service has become a lesser part of the equation. We are a society of checks and balances and our scale seems to be tipped on the negative or “evil” side. Keep the faith as we proceed and believe that God plays a role here. We will tip the scale back to more Godly behaviors. Often in my younger days as a salesman, my youthful enthusiasm, lack of confidence and immediate financial needs generated behaviors that may have not been as professional as they would be today. Perhaps that is not the whole truth because I was trained to use all the tools of the opportunistic salesman. Win the negotiation. Guess what folks, opportunistic tactics do not work over the long haul. In fact, in over 30 years of sales, my experience has proven, without a doubt, that open and honest sales and business men out perform the sharks and slippery every time. Good ethics and Godly behaviors generate good rewards. The term “win-win” should be in the bible but I couldn’t find the right passage. In my mind, faith and values need to be practiced in business. Sales is service the customer; integrity is don’t cook the books; buying is get a fair deal; everybody can win, but only when there is confidence and a Godly presence.

Thought for the Week: This week let us ask a simple question as we go about our week. Where is God in all of this?

Prayer for the Week: Heavenly Father, ruler of all, we seem to be in a downward spiral. There is fraud, scandal, anger and war in abundance. Evil seems to abound and there seems to be no end to it. We thank you for the gift of grace and internal peace. Please help us focus and demonstrate that your ways are the correct ways. Help us maintain the confidence and maturity to overcome evil. Amen