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Last
night one of my sons called. It felt good to hear his voice and to
talk with him but what I enjoyed the most was that he and his family
are looking forward to coming to visit over the Thanksgiving holiday.
I love the holidays as they remind us of many special events.
Thanksgiving is a time to remember all that we have to be thankful
for and we have much. However, this Thanksgiving I am most happy
that my family wants to be together on this day and other special
days.
I
often forget how much my family means to me. I sometimes forget how
they have been there for me and have helped me through some difficult
moments. I also forget the many moments we have shared a laugh and
found strength in just being together. So, this thanksgiving count
your blessing and you will be SURPRISED at how blessed you are.
Last
night one of my sons called. It felt good to hear his voice and to
talk with him but what I enjoyed the most was that he and his family
are looking forward to coming to visit over the Thanksgiving holiday.
I love the holidays as they remind us of many special events.
Thanksgiving is a time to remember all that we have to be thankful
for and we have much. However, this Thanksgiving I am most happy
that my family wants to be together on this day and other special
days.
I
often forget how much my family means to me. I sometimes forget how
they have been there for me and have helped me through some difficult
moments. I also forget the many moments we have shared a laugh and
found strength in just being together. So, this thanksgiving count
your blessing and you will be SURPRISED at how blessed you are.
Yesterday
started out as a normal Church day for me. I preached and ate lunch.
After lunch I learned that a tornado had hit Washington, Illinois.
I pastored for five years in that community. I still keep in contact
with several friends in that area. But what surprised me the most
was the one of my friends in O’Fallon has a lovely daughter and
family in Washington and their house was completely destroyed. I
know Greg and Helen. They have gone through so much in life. They
had a son born with some very serious medical issues. He is now a
growing busy young man and I rejoice in that fact.
So,
last night I spoke to Helen and Greg. They are staying at a friend’s
house. What impressed me the most was their faith. I am sure they
are in pain but they know that God will bring them through it and are
confident all will be well. I called them to see if I could help and
found out they helped me. What an amazing God we serve. I ask you
to pray for all who are today finding their lives on a different path
than they ever imagined and may we all learn from those whose faith
carries them through the many challenges of life.
Let
me share something I read recently:
True
Understanding
WE
DO NOT UNDERSTAND;
Joy…..until
we face sorrow.
Faith….until
it is tested.
Peace….until
faced with conflict.
Trust…until
we are betrayed.
Love…until
it is lost.
Hope…until confronted with doubts.
Author
unknown
This
past weekend my spouse and I went biking in Southern Illinois. We
took our time getting there and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors.
The trees were really in full color and we not only looked at them
but even took pictures. But we knew that the pictures would never be
able to convey the true beauty of the fall season. We rode our bikes
on a trail where we could experience the beauty of nature up close
and personal. What a great time is this season of the year.
Sometimes
I have trouble understanding how anyone could deny a Creator when it
seems obvious that all of this beauty and fragile existence is held
together by more than just chance. So, I like to think that the
trees are showing us God’s handiwork at its finest. I will continue
to let my mouth hang open at all the beauty of nature and let my
heart be thankful for a Creator who made it all.
Monday
are always a little bit tough for me. Sundays are such an emotional
day that Monday seems to be the day I am struggling getting my head
on correctly. It is not a bad thing. Many people only see me on
Sunday and I am given a lot of information. Because of this it takes
me Monday to sort it all out. I even have to take notes on Sunday to
keep track of all I am told.
I
am writing this on a Monday and I know there is much to do. But even
as I write I am thankful for being able to minister to others. I am
just praying today that I do it in a manner is pleasing to God. That
is not always easy but it is the way to go. So, today I am thankful
for Mondays that cause me to reflect and realize anew that I need
God’s grace every moment I am alive.
Going
to bed early has some disadvantages for me. It caused me to get up
early today. By early I mean around 4:45a.m.. This has allowed me
to get several things done but it has also allowed me more time to
think about matters of the heart. I think of my parents who are now
gone from this earth. I think of my sons who are now gone from home.
There are even thoughts about the work that lies ahead for the day.
So, as I start my day I ponder many issues that others would not
consider that important. I am not even sure if I consider than great
thoughts. Nevertheless, I let my mind wander all over the place.
For
me this is a way to let God speak and for me to speak to God. It is
not what some would consider prayer and yet my heart is able to speak
in the midst of a mind that is free floating. My heart knows a God
who cares for all of me and all of my thoughts. My heart tells me of
a God who loves me and is working all in my life for good. Today I
am going to try and listen to my heart more and let God continue to
speak to me.
Abigail
Van Buren in “The Oregonian wrote:
Four
ways to grow old gracefully
-
Fear
less; hope more -
Eat
less; chew more -
Talk
less; say more -
Hate
less; love more
I
like that and am going to ponder it more.
I
have been biking more than usual lately. I biked half of the Katy
Trail and the lake shore trail. Today my legs are tired and are
saying they need a day to rest. Life has it share of ups and downs.
There will be days we are up and days we are down. There are times
when God seems near and when God seems far away.
The
word faith means that one carries on despite the ups and downs. It
is tempting to feel great when life is up and feel bad when the
bottom is felt. But faith carries us on. So, today I say keep the
faith and enjoy life as it is- up and down.
Being
with my grandson for a few days has brought me some interesting
thoughts. Let me list some of the lessons I have learned:
-
Life
is to be lived each moment to the fullest. I saw my grandson enjoy
the smallest of activities. He could be happy just running through
a field or looking at a strange shaped rock. I marvel at his
ability to enjoy each moment of life. -
A
hug and kiss can heal all. There is more fulfilling that having a
hug and kiss and being told you are the best grandpa in the world.
I often forget that the smallest of gestures can carry great
healing. -
Humor
can also bring relief from the stress of living. My grandson told
me some jokes and some of them did not even make sense but he
laughed and enjoyed them and brought joy to my heart too. Strange
after being around this for a few moments life seems lighter. In
fact I probably take life a bit too seriously. -
Our
importance is not in what we achieve but in who we are. My grandson
thinks I am great and it is not because of what I do but rather
because I spend time with him and give him my undivided attention. -
Family
is very important to me. I love being able to spend time with my
family and need to make sure I balance my life is such a way that my
actions show they are important.
I
am sure that there was more I learned but this is enough to show that
we can learn a great deal even from small children. Enjoy the little
ones that God puts in your life.
I
have been most impressed with some of the stories floating around
about the new Pope. But today I saw an interview with Pope Francis
and this is how the interview started: “I ask Pope Francis
point-blank: “Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?” He stares at me in
silence. I ask him if I may ask him this question. He nods and
replies: “I do not know what might be the most fitting
description…. I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition.
It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner.” I
love that answer and it accurately describes all of us.
I
find it refreshing when a church leader admits who he is. I love the
reminder and today I am going to reflect on my own state in life and
come again before God just as I am. I believe this is the path to a
new life in Christ.
Today
I am trying to wrap my head around a subject. I wonder how much I
trust. I find myself reacting more out of fear at times than out of
love. So, today I am asking God to give me more of His grace and
love and to help my heart be more trusting.
When
I think about this topic I am beginning to realize that much of life
is out of my control. I cannot control what is happening in the
world around me. So much of what is going on around me is beyond my
control. I really don’t like it but then again I am not God. But I
guess a part of me what to be God. That is very sinful and wrong and
yet my desires at times go down that road. So, I guess my trusting
issue is really a issue of letting God be God and relaxing in His
wisdom and care. Today I am going to go forward and trust more.
I
usually take a nice long walk in the mornings. I even jog part of
it. But today I had an interruption. A person came by and then
came back and started to talk to me. He is a very troubled person
who I knew. He really just wanted someone to rabble on to. He is
not a part of the church I pastor. He talked and even quoted the
Bible to me at various points. I am sure I was not help to him. I
may have even be a source of frustration to him. But what bothered
me the most was that I had no time to myself. I need that time to be
in prayer and get my strength to carry on for the day.
Reflecting
on my experience I came to two conclusions. 1) There are hurting
people all around. 2) All people need God’s love. So, the rest of
today I am going to be kinder and more loving to all.
Yesterday
I ran what is called the Rat Race in Arthur, Illinois. It was a
great race. What made this such a great time was I was with some
wonderful friends. I don’t think about it much but I need to be more
grateful for those people in my life that support me n many ways. It
was a the race that I thought about how my friends let me joke
around. It is during such times that I find my heart floating
upward.
For
me life can get too serious at times. When that happens I lose
perspective. But it is those crazy moments that to others may appear
ridiculous that I find my life coming back to reality. So, today as
I prepare to think about all that needs to get done I am thankful for
friends that let the laughing just happen.
I
am sitting at home tonight tired. I have just gotten back from being
a part of the church’s great amazing race. All I can say is wow.
Who would have guessed that over 100 people would give up a Sunday
afternoon to participate in a race and not just a race but an amazing
one? Being the minister allowed me to talk to many about their
experiences. I heard about a police person getting a hug and a
McDonald’s worker who was impressed with the pay it forward people
coming through her window.
But
the one that spoke to me the most was the family who looked at the
list of things to do and they needed to make a memorable event. They
asked their children and one of them said spending the time together
in the race was memorable to them. I love that happening. Often in
the church we do not see the results of our ‘work.’ So, it is
refreshing to hear of lives being touched by God. Strange how God
works at times. He uses a race to touch families. I love how God
works. He never stops and works through all of life’s happenings.
In the days ahead I am going to look closer at all the events in my
life and look more closely for God’s creative ways.
Life is filled with many
feelings. Today I personally have gone through many of those
feelings. It is tempting to give into those feelings. However,
feelings are just feelings. They are neither bad nor good. One of
the ways that I try to handle all of those feelings is to ask God to
help me sort out what is really going on and to not be ruled by those
feelings but to let God’s Spirit guide me.
Whatever you are going
through let this thought guide you. You are loved by a loving God
who you can trust.
I
just got back from a week of canoeing. During that week I learned a
few lessons.
-
You
can tip over in a canoe and survive. -
The
people you are with are the most important part of the trip. -
You
cannot plan for everything and that is a very good thing. -
After
being in the woods my home looks great to me. -
God’s
creation is beautiful. -
Campfire
stories are the best. -
Life
is simpler living in a tent. -
The
world is filled with helpful persons. -
A
week with others is a very good thing.
10.
I am already looking forward to next year’s trip.
Now to get back to the routines that I love too.
I
found this list to be very interesting. It is a list of six
destructive mistakes according to Macus Tullius Cicero.
1.The
delusion that personal gain is made by crushing others.
2.The
tendency to worry about things that cannot be corrected.
-
Insisting
that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it. -
Refusing
to set aside trivial preferences -
Neglecting
development and refinement of the mind and not acquiring the habit
of reading and studying. -
Attempting
to compel others to believe and live as we do.
I
find myself wondering about many things. I am having a difficult
time believing that one of our major cities is filing for bankruptcy.
And that is just one of the many changes that I my mind is trying to
understand. In my profession there are so many changes each and
every day that at times I am not sure what to do. I am trying to
wrap my brain around the idea that there are many who are hungry for
the things of God and yet they are not interested in the church.
Again I am not sure what to do about that apparent fact.
So,
today as I do many days I am taking all of this and more to God in
prayer. I do not expect a miracle answer that will appear as I am
praying but I am expect God’s love to come over me and tell me that
many of life’s concerns are not to cause me undo discomfort. God is
working and is always working and is working all things for His
purposes. So, today I rest in thought that this is God’s world and
He is really in control.
Today
begins our Church’s Vacation Bible School. It is amazing to me that
this activity has survived the years and continues to reach out to
youngsters. This year it looks like we will set a record in
attendance and we have many great workers ready to lead on. I am
impressed. But what really gets my attention is a God who continues
to work through the ages. He does not let up one second. He is
always luring humans to Himself. He does it in a variety of ways but
keeps the pressure on at all times.
I
just have to say what an amazing God. Today I will get to see those
young one laughing and enjoying being loved and cared for by many
volunteers. I am blessed to see God working right before my eyes.
Today look around God is working all around us all.