Living a good life

Living a good life is not about accumulation,  it’s about appreciation. To appreciate means to recognize the quality or significance of something. Appreciate who you are, what you can contribute, the blessings you have, and the people you know. Appreciate the opportunities that come your way and the joy in little things. Hindsight says you can even appreciate the challenges that cause you to grow and become.

A good life is about perspective and balance. You don’t have to do it all, but you should do all you can, whenever you can. 

It’s vital to recognize and honor your connection to God. Don’t neglect spirituality, embrace it. You are uniquely created by God. Seek Him out and discover His plan for your life. Study His Word and learn His way of thinking and doing. Adjust your thoughts and actions to align with His teaching. He gave it to you to be blessed and to be a blessing.

The world needs your talents and abilities.  No one is truly happy or blessed unless they are doing something productive, something that justifies getting up in the morning and making an effort. It’s not about a paycheck, although you need that. It’s about seeing what you can do, how you can help, and where you fit into the scheme of seedtime and harvest. It’s not good to always be a taker. You won’t feel good about yourself until you find a way to give your productivity and passion to the world around you.

Make people your focus and not stuff. You need friends and family to live a full and good life. When God created man, he also made woman so the man would have someone to relate to, care for and fellowship with. God desired relationship with His family, and He knew the Adam would need that also. Don’t alienate yourself from people. Stay in touch. Get together. Share life’s experiences. Isolation is punishment; stay connected.

Go and do and see and participate in life’s experiences, for the joy, learning, and expansion it brings. Do it all or as much as you can. Every experience expands your horizons and your thinking. Don’t miss them, embrace them!

Don’t be a sourpuss or take yourself too seriously. God sprinkles small blessings and big ones throughout your day just to see you smile! He wants you to enjoy your life. Find ways to do just that. Walk in the sun. Play music. Dance around your living room! If it makes you smile, do it more often. Choose to be joyful, regardless of the circumstances. Don’t let the ‘stuff’ get to you. 

You know the things that you can’t control anyway. People and circumstances that crop up in your life to challenge and frustrate your plans and desires. Understand that some things are not going to go your way. Don’t let it throw you, mentally or emotionally. Breathe. Release all of it to the universe, to the God who told you to cast your care on Him. If you can’t change it (and that includes the dumb stuff you did), don’t let it change you. Banish guilt. Forgive. Let go. Be free.

Breaking Up Biblical Myths

When I came to pastor the church I currently serve, I was told that people wanted to hear the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. However, as I soon discovered, the Bible truth and their truth were too different things. Folks, after my experience I soon learned that truth to most people means the same thing until it invades a territory they like to live in. One of those truths that I was challenged on was the age-old myth that God will never put more on you that you can bear

How many times has someone said to you, “God will never put more on you than you can bear”? I challenge you to show me that in the Bible.  The problem I have with this myth is that it keeps so many believers wondering why they can’t handle their problems, falsely believing they should be able to, because someone once told them the lie that God would not put more on them than they could.

We do have the promise that we will not be “tempted beyond what you can bear” in 1 Corinthians 10:13), but we need to understand what that verse is saying. It says that God will not allow Satan to bring temptation, or enticement to sin, into our life that is too much for us to say no to it. When we are tempted to sin, God will make a way for us to resist it. That is because He wants us to live holy, just as Christ who calls us is holy.

Consistently, throughout the Bible, I read where at times God allowed more trials, more pressure, than His children could bear.

-Elijah, the powerful prophet of God who held back the rain had a time when the trial must have been bigger than his ability to handle it.  Consider this verse: “The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” (1 Kings 19:7) 

-Once when Paul wrote to the people at Corinth (2 Corinthians 1:8), he told them that he and his followers faced trials “far beyond our ability to endure”.

-David, the great war hero and man after God’s own heart, told the Lord that “troubles without number surround me” and “and I cannot see”. He couldn’t see clearly, because he was overwhelmed with the storms of life!

-Another time David said “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.”( Oh how I identify with David there!) 

-Jehoshaphat prayed, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”  (2 Chronicles 20:12)  It sounds like he was facing more than he could handle on his own.

Are there times when God allows more troubles in your life than you can bear? Absolutely! Positively! If you can accept my testimony as an example, let me tell you that sometimes life throws more at me than I can handle, at least more than I can handle alone. The reason God allows you and I to experience times when we are consumed by trials, when they are bigger than our own strength can handle, is so that we have no where else to turn, except towards Him. We are faced with one solution, and that we realize Christ is our only hope!

After Paul wrote that his trial was bigger than his ability to endure, he offers an explanation. “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:9) He recognized that this overwhelming time of trouble, that he couldn’t handle alone, had caused him to focus more on the power of God, and allow God to work His perfect will.

Are you being challenged beyond your ability to endure? Don’t believe that you can do it alone! You can’t! Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing!” Did you get that point? Nothing! Don’t try anything today without relying on the power of God! He knows you’re weak, but He is available to help, if you will call upon Him! When we are at our weakest, He is strong!

Facing A Dead End

Proverbs 4:20-22 "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

You may be facing a dead end right now that is financial, emotional, relational, or spiritual, but if you will trust God and keep on moving in faith, even when you don’t see a way, he will make a way. It will become more understandable as you head down the path he sets before you, but understanding is not a requirement for you to start down the path.

Proverbs 4:18 says, “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” One day you will stand in the full light of eternity and view the big picture. You’ll see God’s purpose behind the path he specifically chose for you. 

In the meantime, just trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; but in all your ways  cknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”

Be patient because God knows what he’s doing. God really knows what is best for you because He sees the end result not just your beginning. You can’t. All those problems, heartaches, difficulties, delays, and all the things that make you ask “why” will one day be clear in the light of God’s love. But for now, learn to trust God.

Proverbs 4:26, 27 "Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Passion

Many people search for outside answers in an attempt to find an easier way to get to where they want to be in life. When they can't realize their dreams or goals as quickly as they imagined outside solutions become pacifiers for internal desires. That's why they turn to drugs, alcohol, smoking and possessions. These are external tools the devil uses to bury God's voice internally that's telling them, "There's greatness inside. Just don't give up; hold on!"

Everything you need to make your dreams come true God has already placed inside you. You know the right thing to do, but it takes work to do what is right. Paul even reminds us of that in the Book of Romans.  Tap into that source. Find your passion.  Once you do it will fulfill your life and connect you to all the joy and abundance you need before the Lord calls you home. But if you fail to listen to that inner voice,  you most likely will fail to believe you can ever see your dreams come to pass. So, you must know your passion,  live your passion, act on it, and let it fulfill you.

Do I want more from the Lord before I die? Why, yes I do! 

-More opportunities to reach more people. I'm already using the pulpit, the internet, websites, blogs, podcasts, but Lord whatever you open up I will do it. That is my passion.

-More chances to awaken a spirit that lies dormant within another human being. In which ever format or place, Lord, let my light shine.

-I want to see more of the world changed for the glory of God. If one word can do it, let me speak it. If you can use anything Lord to make a difference, then use me.

-I want to sing my songs of hope for people who need it. Let them be as Psalms to the broken and helpless who are searching for a better way.

-I want to write more words that touch the hearts of those who are struggling. Take my thoughts and ideas and let the be anointed by Your Spirit as I write them, O Lord.

-I want to speak to congregations in such great numbers that merely walking out on stage overwhelms me. Give me the platform to reach the multitudes with the gospel of hop and peace.
Theses are my passions and dreams. What is your passion? What one thing do you want to do with your life that would fill the empty parts of your heart and soul?

If God has given you a passion for a thought, desire, or dream for your life then work with it, work on it,  develop it, and create a plan for it. He gave you the passion and will also give you the direction if you will ask Him.

There ain't no future in the past

The man looked a little worried when the doctor came in to administer his annual physical, so the first thing the doctor did was to ask whether anything was troubling him.

"Well, to tell the truth, Doc, yes," answered the patient. "You see, I seem to be getting forgetful. No, it's actually worse than that. I can never remember where I park my car, where I'm going, or what it is I'm going to do once I get there -- if I get there. So, I really need your help. What can I do?"

The doctor mused for a moment, then answered kindly, "Pay me in advance."

Actually, forgetfulness isn't all bad, specially when we decide to forget all that pain from the past that threatens to ruin the present. I like the old saying that goes, "There ain't no future in the past."

The past is to be remembered because we need to learn from our mistakes to keep from repeating them? But why would I want to remember every time I felt hurt because of things people have done to me? Why would I want to fill my mind with the details of past pain? It's better to remember the times that brought me joy or love or feelings of warmth, but sadly even those wonderful moments too easily fade away.

Dwell on the past, but not the negative past, the pain of the past, nor the sadness. Dwell on the good. Be consumed by past joys and obsessed with gratitude. Dwell upon the moments that uplifted you, the times you laughed and the memories of love shown to you by friends and family.

Not everything should be remembered, and those who live well know what to forget and what to cherish. There ain't no future in the past, but there is some joy, love, and kindness there if we choose to remember.

How to Stop Feeling Sorry for Yourself

Some folks have inherited situations they can do nothing about. They can try to change them, but sometimes the harder they try the worse they get.  When they cannot seem to change them, they get depressed and begin to feel sorry for themselves. It seems no matter what they do they cannot shake the oppressing spirits that seem to hang around in that area of their lives.

Most people don't believe in oppressing spirits. Well, Peter did. He preached in Acts 10:38, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."

 

So how do you stop feeling sorry for yourself in situations you inherit or have to deal with that weigh you down?

Your mind is naturally obsessive and will keep you in a never ending cycle of misery until you find a way to break it. Throw yourself into something else, get extremely involved in anything else or find something new to obsess about. This way you change your mental state completely. When your mind tries to go back to feeling sorry, picture a large stop sign and refuse to go back to the situation that caused you so much pain.

Sit down and think long and hard about the effect feeling sorry for yourself is having on you.
-Is it helping you enjoy life?

-Is it getting you closer to reaching your goals?

-Or is it simply giving you a way out?

Perhaps you’ve realized it was caused from a negative event. Are you going to let this event control the rest or your life? You are more important than that. Decide to stand up for yourself now. You cannot control what happened before, but you can control what happens from this day forward. When someone brings up the event that makes you feel sorry stop them and don't let it get to you. Now this is easier said than done, because it's been your crutch for a long time. If you have given it your best effort despite all of the junk you've dealt with, you don't have to feel sorry for your self.

Remember you are a good person and God loves you. Don't let the circumstance get the best of you, but you get the best of the circumstance.

 

We Are One Short

I heard a story of a ship that was sinking in the middle of a storm, and the captain called out to the crew and said, "Does anyone here know how to pray?"

One man stepped forward and said, "Yes sir, I know how to pray."

The captain said, "Wonderful, you pray while the rest of us put on life jackets--we're one short."

It's much easier to pray when there's no pressure, but if you live in the real world please tell me where there isn't any. As far as I can tell and see pressure surrounds us daily. So what do you do when you are one life jacket short and the pressure is on?

Focus.

Sometimes we get so focused on our problems that we forget some key principles in Scripture. In retrospect, it does sound silly but we often lose sight of the fact that prayer has a "gate" through which any believer can enter into the presence of God.

The gate to prayer is in Psalm 100:

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord, He is God: It is He that hath made us, and we are His; We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. 
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise: Give thanks unto Him, and bless His name. 
5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness [endureth] for ever, And His faithfulness unto all generations.

Verse 4 is a simple call to rise from our bed of tears and look -- in faith -- to the Lord Who loves us. This is not easy, or more people would get it right. But if we fill our minds, hearts and mouths with praise to God, we'll find that God's presence is right there, just ahead of us.

This works for two reasons:

• We can't easily concentrate on two things at once. Speaking praises out loud will displace some of the dark and gloom and help relieve the pressure.
• Praising God, while our problems continue to rage around us, is an act of faith. And faith is the key to everything in God's kingdom.

Faith is taking some positive action based on God's Scriptures, even when our circumstances look like the forces of evil are going to win the battle.

But you say how could a good God let me feel so much pressure?

I don't know your circumstances, but God does. All I can say is that you must step forward in faith, praising our Lord for His faithfulness and proven character. Enter into His courts with thanksgiving and praise. Give up your "right" to be angry about your circumstances. Approach the Lord as a hurting child seeking a comforting parent. And the God of peace will make His love real for you.

Light Your World

There are four things to remember about the light of God that is put within everyone of us:

(1) We all have love to give, joy to share, and God's light to shine.

(2) We all can make this world a better place with our laughter, smiles, energy, and vitality.

(3) We all can grow in oneness with God and bring a little Heaven to Earth everyday of our lives.

(4) God didn’t put us here to hide our light. God put us here to share it with the world.

It is YOUR responsibility to always let your light. NO one can do it for you. It must come from within your very soul if it is to have an effect on those that are around you.

Make it your goal to make every room you enter a little brighter before you leave it. Your light may be the one that leads someone who's gone astray back home away from the darkness and into God's loving arms once again.

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Just Do It!

Alan Jackson sang a song that sums up what most of us think, but don't dare say as a Christian:

Here in the real world:

Cowboys don’t cry, and heroes don’t die; And good always wins, Again and again.

And love is a sweet dream that always comes true; Oh, if life were like the movies,
I’d never be blue.

But here in the real world, it's not that easy at all; ‘Cause when hearts get broken,
it's real tears that fall.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe the Bible is God's inspired Word. I believe in Romans 8:28 and all it represents. In fact, I believe everything that God has ever said. However, I am also confident that I don't always understand the ways and the whys of how God operates and wonder when something good will come out of the problems I've faced.

I am still waiting for some good to come out of so many things that have happened in my life that I didn't ask for or expect. I guarantee that most of you are as well. It's in these times we have to just let go of our bewilderment and trust. Pardon me, because it AIN'T easy, but like Nike says, "Just Do It!"

So until God does what He wants I must simply be content that God knows what He is doing, even if He doesn't show me my conclusion. That is a part of trusting Him here in the real world and holding on by faith.

Sometimes faith takes faith

Many things are easy to believe. It’s easy for me to believe that I am writing on my computer right now. Though I don’t have a complete knowledge of how every part of this program works in my computer, the experience is enough to convince me of the reality of my actions. I believe it. So many things in life that we have faith about are easy to believe, but some things are harder to believe.

One thing that we have to keep in mind about the Christian faith is that it often does take faith. I spend a good deal of time trying to help people understand that belief in Christ is not irrational. In fact, I believe that, when we understand things well, it is the most rational thing that we can do. Some things that God calls on us to believe are simple and self-evident. Very often, many aspects of our faith are easy and require about as much effort as belief in the reality of my present action of writing this message. Sometimes faith seems to take very little faith.

However, there are things that are not quite so easy to believe. Just because something is rational does not mean it is always easy to believe.  There are times in our lives (often extended times) when belief is hard to come by. There are things that cause us to doubt and slip into a mire of uncertainty. When faith does not come so easy, we often panic, making the situation much worse as we sink deeper into a pit of despair.

It is easy to believe God loves me when things are going well in my life like when my church is doing good, when my marriage is going well, and when there is enough in the bank to pay the bills. It is easy to believe because we often think that these are the things we should experience if our faith was true. However, when things are not going so well, faith takes a little more faith.

Pain and suffering, the feeling of meaninglessness, depression, and lack of hope can quickly rob you of your faith and send you into a time of debilitating sorrow.

-Belief in God’s goodness takes more faith when you have a wayward son or daughter.

-Belief in God’s providence takes more faith when bill collectors are after you.

-Belief in God’s mercy takes more faith when failure appears as the only option.

-Belief in God’s concern for you takes more faith when in the storm of depression.

When our faith begins to walk with a limp, all things of God become suspect. Reading the Bible becomes a mind bending task, seemingly only adding to our doubt and fear. Standing on his promises is not as easy as singing the song. It's in these times we often forget that sometimes faith does take faith. I know that sounds odd and I am not trying to advocate some type of blind irrationalism. What I am saying is that God will sometimes put our faith on trial, not to watch us fall, but to build us up.

There may be things right now that you are called upon to believe about God that you are finding hard to believe. Maybe you have never doubted them before, but the problem is you are doubting them now. It might be an intellectual struggle, an experiential struggle, or an emotional struggle. The intellectual side of you says, “It is not rational to believe in what the Bible says.” The experiential side of you says, “I am not experiencing God’s relief in this situation and am doubting his presence.” The emotional side of you says, “I don’t feel anything at all and as such I wonder is it true.” It is at these times that we must remember that faith does take faith.

I think that sometimes we spend so much time trying to take the faith out of faith that we are in danger of losing what it means to believe. When God calls on us to believe something, he is calling on us to trust him. It is pretty simple. No, he is not calling on us to trust our own intellect, emotions, or experience (though he often works through these). He is calling on us to trust him. He is saying, “Just trust me. I am God and I know what I am talking about. I do know what I am doing. Just trust me. Just trust me. No, no, no. I am not going to answer that. Just trust me.”

I write this because I fear that we sometimes try to take all the faith out of faith. We try to make faith easy. Although sometimes our faith is hard to believe this does not mean it is unwarranted. God knows what he is talking about. God knows more than you or me. And for that I have three words for you:

"Just trust him."

Have Hope

-I will not always be young and strong. 

-My life circumstances can change in an instant. 

-My health may leave me and I may lose people who are important in my life. 

But there are no hopeless situations. So I won't easily turn loose of my hopeful outlook, even when things seem bleak. 

Without hope, I'm lost. But with it, I suspect that any situation can be creatively redeemed.

-with hope there is help.

-with hope there is a will.

-with hope things can change for the better.

So have hope-today is a new beginning.

The Truth Is

Everybody got spooked last night because of the SC earthquake. Truth is it was small compared to the one that hit in Virginia a couple of years ago. Very little was said about it around here, but so many around here let the snow and the earthquake shake them up real bad (no pun intended). Many have tried to use it in relationship to Jesus' last days warning in Matthew 24 and they could be right, but if you know Jesus it shouldn't really matter. If you know the truth then who cares?

Jesus said to all who are searching, "Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you." In Matthew 7:7. 

If you knock on the door looking for truth and Jesus opens it, what will you do? Will you go in to Him or will you turn and walk away? If you turn away, where will you go? Throughout the ages, in all creation, there is no other truth but Him. Jesus declared it in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but through me."

Most would like a truth that makes no demands. Yet you know that in the long run it will be much harder to find out that you have lived a lie all your life than to accept, right now, the simple demands that Jesus makes. Remember, He is compassionate. Patient. Willing to forgive. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, "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."

Unusual weather and an earthquake might scare you, maybe even get you to think, but the truth is Jesus is still the only way. If you know these other events have no hold on you.

Jesus Is My Valentine

Jesus is my Valentine; I talk to Him each day.
He never, never leaves me; and always listens when I pray.

Yes He is my Valentine; there is no love like His.
He is the heart of all that is; for Him I breathe and live.

He's a Valentine that never lies; never hurts or breaks.
He always has forgiven me; for all my past mistakes.

If you only knew my Valentine; You would love Him too.
For His love is always perfect; His love is always true.

So if your heart is longing; for a love that never ends.
for someone that is faithful; you know you can depend.
 
Call upon my Valentine; He'll wash away your sin.
He will be your Valentine; and your dearest, dearest friend.

-Susan Y Nikitenko -

Thank you Susan for this beautiful and simple Valentine to Jesus. May this day
be the day you accept Him as Lord and Savior. I promise if you do it will be a
Valentine's Day you will always remember.

 

 

 

She Loves Me

42 years ago today I married the sweetest, kindest, most beautiful girl I had ever seen. She has been supportive of me in all of our years together. She has been my rock, my strength, my encourager, my helpmate, my friend, my lover, my all-in-all. God truly blessed me when He put Rebecca Sue Brigman in my life.

My wife cares about people. She has sent more cards, made more phone calls, visited the elderly in the nursing homes, and had services for them as well. She has passed out little crosses for years and twenty years later is meeting the children of people who have those little crosses passed down to them from a mother or father that has passed away. She has made countless bowls of her famous "Love Salad" for parishioners  who were sick or depressed and baked enough cakes to open a bakery for the same. She is always giving and never very good at receiving.

She loves her family. Because of her health we were only able to have one child and Shane has been her heart since he was born. It was hard on her when he went to college and left home, but she has been rewarded by our wonderful daughter-in-law that has provided us with 4 healthy and beautiful grandchildren. Those two girls and two boys are the apples of their grandmother's eye and she would do anything to take care of them and protect them from this harsh world.

She loves me. Yes, she takes care of me. She has been the best life partner a man could have and I hope when the Lord takes us home He will take us together. I don't know what I would be able to do without her. She is the best thing that ever happened to me and the Lord knew I needed someone like her as my wife.

Happy Anniversary Baby. I love you more today than I did 42 years ago and I hope to spend a few more of these with you until the Lord calls us home.

Go for it-You can do it-never give up!

 Steve Goodier wrote this story and it touched me when I read it on this snow-filled day. I thought I would share it with you because it makes a lot of sense.

A sky-diving instructor was asked, "How many successful jumps must a student make before he or she can become certified?" 

He answered, "All of them." 

Sky diving, however, is the exception. Is your life built on a series of successes? Do you usually attempt something new and immediately succeed, then succeed again and again? Or more likely, do you find that it is the other way around? 

Our successes are often built on smaller failures. We fell off the bike a few times before we learned to ride. And we produced a few culinary failures before we baked a successful layered cake or prepared a satisfactory omelet. 

Tom Hopkins observes, "The number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep on trying." And Winston Churchill stated, "Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm." They both agree that discouragement, rather than failure, is the enemy of success. Those who can remain hopeful and focused, though they fail, are those who will eventually succeed. 

In all, Emily Dickinson is said to have written nearly eighteen hundred poems. Though fewer than a dozen were published in her lifetime and the first volume of her poetry was not published until four years after her death, Dickinson's success is attributed to the fact that she did not allow discouragement to keep her from her poetry. 

As she wrote so beautifully: 

"Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words

And never stops at all."

Hope … never stops. Where would we be today had Emily Dickinson lost her enthusiasm for writing? Though largely unrecognized, she kept her desire alive and we now remember her as one of the great poets of all time. 

It's good to remember that success may be just beyond the next failure, and you'll get there, not because you're destined to, but because you're determined to.

Two things about a shepherd

Two things about being a shepherd seem clear. 

First, we will not bind up the broken from a distance; we will not bring healing to people’s lives by dictate, rebuke, persuasion, or even good intentions. Healing requires touch. It requires proximity. It is hands-on, close contact. The kinds of hurts most people encounter won’t be assuaged by an email, a tweet, or a post. Shepherds touch sheep. They hold them.

One day a woman plagued with a sickness that the medicine of her day could not heal made her way to Jesus. She was healed because of her faith and the power of a limitless Savior, but the healing occurred upon contact. Hurting sheep will not be healed and untouched.

One of the few things I know with certainty about pastoral ministry is that if you don’t like people, you’re not going to be a good shepherd. Indeed, one of the primary reasons why pastoral tenures are so shockingly brief today is because too many shepherds never get close to their sheep. You can’t pastor from a distance. A preacher may sequester himself in his study, but the work of a pastor begins in the hearts of the people we touch.

A second somewhat obvious thought is that healing involves assessment. I can’t help heal those I don’t know to be hurting. This involves time spent with the sheep. The good shepherd is always aware of the signs that a sheep is in trouble.

Shepherds who fail to bind that which is broken have embezzled God’s authority but wasted its privilege. Listen, if even the world knows the first responsibility of a physician is first to do no harm, shouldn’t shepherds of our Lord do that and more. The sorrow of our LORD’s rebuke reveals the irony of caregivers who give no care. Like the religious leader who passed by on the other side of the road is the pastor who doesn’t bind up the broken of his sheep.

He was healed, but not cured

Tony Compolo tells a story about being in a church in Oregon where he was asked to pray for a man who had cancer. Compolo prayed boldly for the man's healing. That next week he got a telephone call from the man's wife. She said, "You prayed for my husband. He had cancer." Compolo thought when he heard her use the past tense verb that his cancer had been eradicated! But before he could think much about it she said, "He died." Compolo felt terrible.

But she continued, "Don't feel bad. When he came into that church that Sunday he was filled with anger. He knew he was going to be dead in a short period of time, and he hated God. He was 58 years old, and he wanted to see his children and grandchildren grow up. He was angry that this all-powerful God didn't take away his sickness and heal him. He would lie in bed and curse God. The more his anger grew towards God, the more miserable he was to everybody around him. It was an awful thing to be in his presence.

But the lady told Compolo, "After you prayed for him, a peace had come over him and a joy had come into him. Tony, the last three days have been the best days of our lives. We've sung. We've laughed. We've read Scripture. We prayed. Oh, they've been wonderful days. And I called to thank you for laying your hands on him and praying for healing."

And then she said something incredibly profound. She said, "He wasn't cured, but he was healed."

Philippians 4:6, 7 "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Sometimes God's healing is different than we expect or prepare for. Let His peace surround you today and give you hope in everything He has promised regardless.

 

 

Why people avoid church?

Last weekend most people in America avoided church. And, a sizable portion of those who did make it to church wished they were somewhere else. But why?

Their reasons center around four recurring themes:

-“Church people judge me.” 

A young woman told me that as a child she regularly attended church and Sunday school. But she’s given up on the church as an adult. “They make me feel like an outcast,” she said. “How? Why?” I asked. “Well, I’m a smoker,” she said.

-“I don’t want to be considered dumb if I don't understand something."

More people today want to ask about things they don't understand without feeling dumb. A man told me he’s talked with others who’ve given up on church. He said, “People don’t want to sit in a room and idly listen to some preacher or teacher talk about things they don't understand. They want to ask questions about things they are unsure of and not be regarded as dumb."

-“They’re a bunch of hypocrites.” 

I know church leaders are weary of this “excuse.” But people aren’t merely referring to incongruous behavior. What bothers them is the sense that church spokespeople act like they have all the answers. That they’ve arrived. That they’re only interested in telling others what to do—“teaching,” to use the church vernacular.

-“I don’t want religion. I want God.” 

Many people don’t experience God at church. They’re not looking for the “deep” theological trivia that seems to interest some preachers. They crave something very simple. They’re dying to be reassured that God is real, that he is more than a historical figure, that he is present today, and that he is active in the lives of people around them.

Those of us who remain in this imperfect gathering of the faithful need to stop talking and “teaching” long enough to listen to the majority outside our walls. I’m not suggesting their views are flawless or that we should design ministry merely according to consumer whims. But we do need to keep our ultimate goal in mind, which is to help bring others into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

That’s what defined the ministry of Jesus himself. He boldly broke away from the habits and routines of the religious elite of the time. And he fashioned a highly relational ministry that connected with the disenfranchised.

Despite what many think about the Church of God because of past perceptions, here's our motto for today:

-You’re welcome just as you are.

-Your thoughts are welcome. Your doubts are welcome.

-We’re all in this together.

-God is here, ready to connect with you in a fresh way.

Do Your Job Well

God loves us all and His greatest joy is in seeing us love each other as well.

To love is our job, our mission, and our purpose in this life.

Do your job well then and have the time of your life while you do it.
-Love God.
-Love yourself.
-Love others.
-Love animals.
-Love the lost in this world.
-Love your life.
-Love the unlovable.
-Love the needy.
-Love the unwanted.
-Love those who persecute you and do you wrong.
-Love those who refuse to return you love regardless.

Share your love in everything you think, feel, say and do and rejoice in the peace and happiness it brings to you always.

John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

I

1. I can correct my mistakes. No, I can't change the past, but I can make it right again. And if I can't erase history (after all, what's done is done) I can at least erase a great deal of guilt and anger with forgiveness. 
   
   
2. I do better if I'm sharpened once in a while. My mind and skills grow dull without occasional honing. Even my spirit and attitudes need refining if I'm to be at my best. And there is something else, too. I find that the difficulties of life wear away at me, and they can either grind me down or shape me into a person who is more capable and creative. The sharpening I get from living through tough times is often painful, but I know it can make me a better person. 
   
   
3. I can do some pretty terrific things with a little guidance. Other people bring out the best in me, and with the help of others, I can do far more than I ever can alone. 
   
   
4. I should leave my mark whenever possible. I too often underestimate my influence on another. I have daily opportunities to leave something good behind. That is what it means to leave my mark. It may be in small ways, it may be in the lives of people I love, people I have touched or nurtured, or even in incidental conversations struck with strangers. But, I have a mark to leave and should use every opportunity to leave something good behind. 
   
   
5. My outer appearance matters less than I probably think, while it's the stuff on the inside that folks notice about me. Whether it is understanding or intolerance, love or bitterness, peace or unrest, kindness or self-centeredness, hope or despair, courage or fear, what is on the inside matters most. 
   
   
6. I do best knowing my strengths and limitations. I can't do everything well and that is okay. There is still plenty of good to be done by doing what I do best. 
   
   
7. The biggest part of my purpose in this life can be summed up in three words: to be useful.

Just Remember Who You Are

I had a very close friend and mentor who would always remind me as a young minister growing in the Lord this simple statement:

"Remember Who You are...YOU are God's child, You are very precious in His sight and His precious blood was shed for you, never let HIM down."

Even after he retired and he would come and preach for me he would always say to me, "Remember Who You are."

These words got embedded in my heart so strongly that it always pulls me out of temptations that come by my way all the time. There were times when I had almost given up, but I could hear his clear voice saying, "Remember Who You Are". At that moment the love of Christ flashed in my mind and made me remember who I am, and I would just run back to Christ, who is my fortress and shelter from the temptation and the storm. 

My mentor and friend is now with Jesus, but his profound words will always be with me. His love and dedication for Christ drew me even closer to Christ. I want to do the same, I want to make a difference in everyone's life who come in touch with me, by passing on the light that Christ has given me. I want to always remember who I am in Christ and make sure others do so as well.

So, when Satan tries to deceive you don't give in, just "Remember Who You are." You are God's child, You are very precious in His sight and His precious blood was shed for you, never let HIM down.

Have you ever considered?

These days, I don't worry as much about big choices or accidentally stepping off God's path for my life. But I don't think it's because I'm seeking the Lord any less. In fact, I think it's just the opposite.

There is no figure in the Bible who received full instructions for his life's choices, no one for whom the future wasn't a mystery. Patriarchs, prophets and priests, monarchs, martyrs and magi-they all had to walk in close step with God. While it was God's choice to specially reveal a bit of His will for a person's life, no one got the whole picture

Godly men and women had to trust God and stay close to Him. This meant seeking wisdom, talking with (and listening to) God in prayer, and looking to see where He was already at work in the world. It also meant obeying God's Word, even when doing so was costly. The faithful who have gone before us were no different than you or me. And the same keys to living life in step with God are available to us today.

This kind of life is dangerous, though. It requires yielding to God, day in and day out. It requires giving up a check-the-boxes, seven-easy-steps-to-a-better-life approach to religion. It requires giving up control. It requires a relationship.

Some may tell you that this relationship never leads to anything difficult or painful, but that's not true. The biblical heroes who walked with God before us did not stroll down a path of pure blessing, without trial or struggle. Think about Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Or consider the apostle Paul and the tremendous suffering he endured, walking in close step with the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel across the Mediterranean. Chained. Whipped. Beaten. Imprisoned. Shipwrecked. And beaten some more.

Perhaps, when it comes to our choices in life, our indecision does not come from a place of piety, but rather from a desire to avoid pain. In my own life, if I don't check myself, I will automatically assume that the "right" choice is the one that yields the biggest windfall of personal blessing. But it may be that submitting to the Lord will mean choosing the road with more struggling and heartache and that's not an easy thing to do.

If we're honest with ourselves, we have to ask: Is it possible that what we're really after is not God's will at all, but only His good gifts? Do we ever consider that God's calling on our lives may, in fact, lead us down a path that looks a lot like Paul's? We better because it might just be God's plan for your life.

Super Bowl Rant-LOL!

Another sorry Super Bowl game. I don't believe Seattle is that good and Denver is that bad. I still believe two weeks between the Championship and SB is too long. Go back to one week in between. Seahawks got two breaks in the 49ers championship game and then came off looking like the 1985 Bears in the SB. Denver looked as bad as when we beat them in 1989 when Joe Montana threw 5 touchdown passes. The one person I really feel sorry for is Peyton Manning.

He could never win the big one at Tennessee and now has more playoff losses in the pros than any other QB. How could someone so great look so horrible yesterday? Seattle is good, but not that good. Peyton just looked out of synch all night long, just like Elway did in 1989. The only thing good that came out of this game was we saw the real spirit of Russell Wilson, which I thought was very humbling and gracious.

I must also apologize for writing on my Facebook page last week about the so-called "gay" wedding at half-time by Bruno Mars. I got the wrong information like a lot of you, but I seem to be the only one admitting that I was misinformed. I didn't think the NFL would do like the Grammys and start a political and social snafu and I admit I was wrong. Half-time was rather tame compared to last year's performance. I still don't recognize what language the RHCP band sang in. LOL!

Oh yes, one more thing. To all those who acted like people were a bunch of heathens for not having service and watching the SB, shame on you. Each church situation is different. Each crowd of people is different. Each area is different. Don't condemn if you're in a better situation than others. We have Sunday night service on the second and fourth Sunday night. We've been doing that for awhile and our church isn't the only one that's doing things a little differently. So we didn't call off service for the SB-it just fell on the Sunday night we didn't have service. It's sad that we label people for things we don't really understand.

Now the hardest part of getting older-no football until August. Just basketball-more fouls than play- and baseball-with players I do not recognize or even know how to say their names. Ready for a spring league. Vince McMahon, are you listening?

Circles

Why do we keep going in circles? What is it that keeps us bound in our thoughts and our walk? Paul does us a favor and lists the reasons the Israelites (and they are the same for us) spent day after day plodding in circles. He states in I Corinthians 10 that:

1. They lusted after evil things. 

Passions are given in to and you are driven for evil things. This is why otherwise good men fall to obvious traps.

2. They had idols. 

Anything that comes between you and God. Anything that you trust more than Him. If you weren't worshipping those things they wouldn't be so hard to give up! Your ability to line out may very well be tied to your willingness to give up some things and because you are unwilling to give up a relationship, a habit, a preference you remain circled.

3. They were involved in sexual immorality. 

As long as you continue to cross boundaries, lower your viewing standards, participate in what God says is sin you will circle in destruction! Those boundaries have been set not to harm you but to protect you! What may feel good for a season will circle you every time!

4. They tested/tempted the Lord. 

We tempt God because we encounter God but don't obey God. We get instruction in here and refuse to actually do what we have heard. And once we know to do right and don't do it it becomes sin!

5. They murmured and complained. 

They were whiners. We are the whiniest generation I have ever seen. If everything isn't the way we want. it, when we want it, how we want it we whine and complain. Service has to be the right length, right volume, right style or we complain and not only do we miss we will talk others into missing as well! We complain when we don't get attention. We complain when we do get attention. We complain when we aren't confronted about our sin. Then we complain when discipline is prescribed for our sin. Instead of complaining about your life, your wife, your church, your pastor maybe a spirit of thankfulness should overcome us so that we quit circling. 

This is why we circle. These things cause us to repeat the cycle.

These issues rounded them out. These issues determined their course. These issues forced them to march on their daily route to nowhere. So if the things that caused them to circle cause us to circle then perhaps what enabled them to stop circling will also enable us to stop circling-a relationship with God that is up-to-date and alive.

Negative thoughts

There is no such thing as neutral thoughts. If you catch yourself saying something like ‘you are so clumsy’ or ‘you are so stupid,’ you must replace it with an inspiration message like ‘that is very unlike me’ or ‘I am very capable of doing better.’ It seems Nature abhors a vacuum and, if you leave space in your mind, it will quickly fill with a thought, usually negative.

It has been suggested to me that you should always have a set phrase to use when you have a negative thought. One author suggested saying ‘I cancel that’ and immediately substitute an inspiration message but I have used another technique at times: I pretend to take the words from my mouth and throw them away. Another similar suggestion I have heard is to write the negative thought on a piece of paper and physically throw it in the waste bin. Bold gestures like that emphasize the destruction of the useless thought or words.

Then instantly replace the negative statement with a good inspiration message.

Whatever you do, it is important to tell yourself that you are very capable and special and give yourself an inspiration message to back that up.

Why? Because there is no doubt that you are an important and significant individual and capable of great things. I just want you to believe it.