Good morning to you, well almost mid-day. As I sit and type I am struck by how the tyranny of the urgent consumes the minutes availiable to me every day. There are exactally 1440 minutes each day allotted to every human being. That is the one area where we are all equal. Now what we do with them is where the dividing line comes in. We are world changers, movers and shakers, problem solvers or we are couch potatoes, political whiners and part of the problem. It's our choice as to how we cash in those minutes allotted to us. Just remember that once cashed in they are non-refundable.
Ebeneezer Scrooge found that out. One of my all-time favorite stories (my kids will attest to this) is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In it we find this rickety miserly old man who hates eveything and everyone, including himself. Lo and behold he is confronted with three spirits who take him on an journey that shows him his life and all that he lost. All based upon choice. He was given 1440 minutes each day and he chose to utilize them in a way that left him all alone, cantancerous and hated.
Once he was shown what he had lost as a result of his choices, he had a change of heart and "became as fine a man as the old town knew." I love that no matter how far gone we can be as long as we are given another day, we can choose to spend our minutes wisely. Ebeneezer learned that his choices had ramifications beyond himself, and changed how he did things.
There is a verse in the 90th Psalm (Moses's Psalm) that says: "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." [Psalm 90:12]
How will you cash in your minutes today?
My slightly off-centered take on life, love, the Scriptures and the pursuit of Jesus the Messiah. All from the comfortable confines of the home mission field we call Northern New England.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Happiness is a state of mind
I tweeted a week or ago that 'Happiness is as much an act of the will as it is a state of mind. Don't let your circumstances dictate your mood.'That thought struck me as I was headed to of all places, the dump. One of my least favorite things to do and places to go. As I was thinking to myself, well more whining actually about the 'dump run' I heard that gentle whisper. Not that God is overly concerned about my trash disposal, but he is however very concerned with my state of mind and my heart.
Paul of Tarsus, has always facinated me with his change of heart on the Damascus road. He was a man who went through life boiling mad at anyone who he felt defied the Law of Moses. [Acts 9:1] Yet when confronted by Jesus he changed; his heart changed. He, in the span of a short time went from persecutor to the persecuted. Yet in all of his writings he is full of joy regardless of his circumstances. Well except for the last few chapters of 2 Corinthians and a section of Galatians. He never let his circumstances dictate his mood. Good thing, because he fought an uphill battle from the Damascus road to the Mamertine dungeon in Rome. Yet along the way shook the Roman Empire with the Gospel.
We are into the Christmas season, where worries abound. Some are without jobs, money, home, or have lost family members. Some are dealing with sickness and hospital or just plain struggle at this time. Grab onto Jesus . 'Happiness is a state of mind' I have found, is not a cheesy statement that I made up on a dump run. It's a Biblical fact found in Christ, that say's regardless of our circumstances He is in control and we can choose to be happy in that. That doesn't get rid of the circumstances, but it does keep us from being controlled by them.
From prison Paul wrote to the Philippians, and many many times he reminded them to rejoice or to be happy. Remember he was in prison. He always put it this way: 'Rejoice in the LORD'. In other words be happy in him regardless where you find yourself.
'Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.' [Rom 12:2]
Paul of Tarsus, has always facinated me with his change of heart on the Damascus road. He was a man who went through life boiling mad at anyone who he felt defied the Law of Moses. [Acts 9:1] Yet when confronted by Jesus he changed; his heart changed. He, in the span of a short time went from persecutor to the persecuted. Yet in all of his writings he is full of joy regardless of his circumstances. Well except for the last few chapters of 2 Corinthians and a section of Galatians. He never let his circumstances dictate his mood. Good thing, because he fought an uphill battle from the Damascus road to the Mamertine dungeon in Rome. Yet along the way shook the Roman Empire with the Gospel.
We are into the Christmas season, where worries abound. Some are without jobs, money, home, or have lost family members. Some are dealing with sickness and hospital or just plain struggle at this time. Grab onto Jesus . 'Happiness is a state of mind' I have found, is not a cheesy statement that I made up on a dump run. It's a Biblical fact found in Christ, that say's regardless of our circumstances He is in control and we can choose to be happy in that. That doesn't get rid of the circumstances, but it does keep us from being controlled by them.
From prison Paul wrote to the Philippians, and many many times he reminded them to rejoice or to be happy. Remember he was in prison. He always put it this way: 'Rejoice in the LORD'. In other words be happy in him regardless where you find yourself.
'Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.' [Rom 12:2]
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Oh Happy Day
T minus one till Thanksgiving. Vacation has officially started and the desserts are going to be made when Lisa get's home. I cannot wait.
Right now Allie and Miles are over, so I am not doing much except hanging with my grandson and watching Allie make the orange sherbet salad that Lisa always has made. Allie is an awesome mom and a fine cook.
Kay took care of hordevoures, but is going to her boyfriend's house for Thanksgiving with them. Bummer cuz she has turned into an awesome cook too! No wonder I am such a well rounded individual. She will be proud that I spelled hordevoures correctly. At least I think I did.
May everyone have a fantastic and blessed Thanksgiving. God's richest blessings!!
GO PATRIOTS
Right now Allie and Miles are over, so I am not doing much except hanging with my grandson and watching Allie make the orange sherbet salad that Lisa always has made. Allie is an awesome mom and a fine cook.
Kay took care of hordevoures, but is going to her boyfriend's house for Thanksgiving with them. Bummer cuz she has turned into an awesome cook too! No wonder I am such a well rounded individual. She will be proud that I spelled hordevoures correctly. At least I think I did.
May everyone have a fantastic and blessed Thanksgiving. God's richest blessings!!
GO PATRIOTS
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The new office and old traditions
As I type this morning I am sitting at my desk, but it's pointed the wrong way. You see it has been moved into the "spare room/office". The sure sign that I am getting older. This room at one point over the last 20 years was the bedroom to three of my children. Now it is part my office and part "the spare room". A fancy name for storage bin of all that cannot be elsewhere.
As I get older, I see things differently and sense that time marches at a different pace. I get excited like a little kid when Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around. It is a blessing to see my kids come home for the holidays and get excited as adults about our traditions. All the things that we as a family have created over the years that mean so much to Lisa and I have become important to our kids. I guess that is how it is supposed to be. It's the connectedness of the family that grows larger as my house get's emptier.
That is what makes the holiday's so special, their journey home
even as they start their own families and traditions. I am a blessed man as my quiver continues to gather arrows [Psalm 127:4-5].
So whether you have children that cannot make it home or are on their way, be blessed as you gather together and enjoy each others company. God has given us great gifts in each of our children. Soon enough, too soon in fact, that bedroom turns into your office and the spare room. It's how it is supposed to be, but that is what makes it so special when they come home to linger for a day or two and reclaim it as their own.
As I get older, I see things differently and sense that time marches at a different pace. I get excited like a little kid when Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around. It is a blessing to see my kids come home for the holidays and get excited as adults about our traditions. All the things that we as a family have created over the years that mean so much to Lisa and I have become important to our kids. I guess that is how it is supposed to be. It's the connectedness of the family that grows larger as my house get's emptier.
That is what makes the holiday's so special, their journey home
even as they start their own families and traditions. I am a blessed man as my quiver continues to gather arrows [Psalm 127:4-5].
So whether you have children that cannot make it home or are on their way, be blessed as you gather together and enjoy each others company. God has given us great gifts in each of our children. Soon enough, too soon in fact, that bedroom turns into your office and the spare room. It's how it is supposed to be, but that is what makes it so special when they come home to linger for a day or two and reclaim it as their own.
Monday, November 22, 2010
VACATION
Elevate youth was fun last night. One could tell that the majority of my students had started their Thanksgiving break. I got up to speak and the looks on their faces said it all. Getting them focused is going to be like hearding cats. While it is humorous, it is highly unproductive.
I love my students! For their honesty, their genuineness, and their dedication to each other. I pray that all have a great Thanksgiving and a restful vacation week. May you be clothed with the full armour of God. [Eph 6], so that you are prepared for everything this world has to throw at you.
Lastly, remember that you have value and purpose!! God did not put you here simlpy to take up space and use air. He designed you for a reason. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. The fact is that "you were created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do." Ephesians 2:10 You are all awesome and precious in God's sight. I am proud and thankful to be your Pastor!
Have a blessed week and overcome the darkness of this world with random acts of love and kindness. Love the unlovable, give a hand to those who hate and laugh at you. BE World-Changers
I love my students! For their honesty, their genuineness, and their dedication to each other. I pray that all have a great Thanksgiving and a restful vacation week. May you be clothed with the full armour of God. [Eph 6], so that you are prepared for everything this world has to throw at you.
Lastly, remember that you have value and purpose!! God did not put you here simlpy to take up space and use air. He designed you for a reason. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. The fact is that "you were created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do." Ephesians 2:10 You are all awesome and precious in God's sight. I am proud and thankful to be your Pastor!
Have a blessed week and overcome the darkness of this world with random acts of love and kindness. Love the unlovable, give a hand to those who hate and laugh at you. BE World-Changers
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Ever lasting
Stepped out this very chilly morning to walk our Pug and saw the most beautiful moon I have seen in a while. Apparently it is the blue moon. Whatever that means. There's an explaination on Google and Yahoo this morning, but I didn't read it.
What I did read though, just by happenstance was Psalm 8, where David talks about how majestic God is, and I wondered how many times David walked the roof in Jerusalem and looked at the same bright full moon. It's those small things that remind me that this universe was put together piece by piece by the greatest designer ever.
So with my mind the way it is, kind of like a squirrel chasing it's tail in the middle of the freeway, a song popped into my head. "Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades, and the cry of my heart is to bring you praise oh my soul cries out, from the inside out..." Now I don't know if that is exactally how the song goes, but you get the point.
How awesome is our God? Well, John re-tells the Genesis story of creation in the first chapter of his gospel: "In the beginning was the word...in him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood (better rendered "has not overcome") it.
His Majesty is Everlasting Enjoy the day and be blessed.
What I did read though, just by happenstance was Psalm 8, where David talks about how majestic God is, and I wondered how many times David walked the roof in Jerusalem and looked at the same bright full moon. It's those small things that remind me that this universe was put together piece by piece by the greatest designer ever.
So with my mind the way it is, kind of like a squirrel chasing it's tail in the middle of the freeway, a song popped into my head. "Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades, and the cry of my heart is to bring you praise oh my soul cries out, from the inside out..." Now I don't know if that is exactally how the song goes, but you get the point.
How awesome is our God? Well, John re-tells the Genesis story of creation in the first chapter of his gospel: "In the beginning was the word...in him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood (better rendered "has not overcome") it.
His Majesty is Everlasting Enjoy the day and be blessed.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Make a difference today
Spent some time yesterday listening to Mark Batterson, an awesome pastor from the DC Metro area. If you get a chance check his blog out.
Anyway, I woke this morning thinking on what I could do to make a difference in the the world, as well as my little corner of it. You know the Pete Seeger statement I have quoted before: Think Globally, act locally. With all the negative that floats around, it's a wonder we have any desire to get out of bed. Jesus never focused on the negative. He saw an issue and spoke about how it could be fixed with and through God the Father. He suffered more than any man ever has and marched toward his destiny.
Paul from the time he was called on the Damascus road, he was "shown how much he must suffer for my (Jesus) name". Acts 9:16 Yet he rejoiced in all of it for the rest of his days. I learned something as I lay in bed this morning; whiners don't change the world. Winners do!
Be a winner today. That's my goal. Find where God is working around you and join him. Look for solutions where others give up. Find a way to show the gospel in lived out action.
Anyway, I woke this morning thinking on what I could do to make a difference in the the world, as well as my little corner of it. You know the Pete Seeger statement I have quoted before: Think Globally, act locally. With all the negative that floats around, it's a wonder we have any desire to get out of bed. Jesus never focused on the negative. He saw an issue and spoke about how it could be fixed with and through God the Father. He suffered more than any man ever has and marched toward his destiny.
Paul from the time he was called on the Damascus road, he was "shown how much he must suffer for my (Jesus) name". Acts 9:16 Yet he rejoiced in all of it for the rest of his days. I learned something as I lay in bed this morning; whiners don't change the world. Winners do!
Be a winner today. That's my goal. Find where God is working around you and join him. Look for solutions where others give up. Find a way to show the gospel in lived out action.
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