Old Man By The River

On my morning walk today, I passed by an older man, likely retired, sitting by the river where I usually walk. He had a fishing pole, but it was laying on the river bank. His posture suggested a more ponderous state of being. I wondered what he was thinking. Was he troubled? Was he sad? Lonely? Was he contemplating his life ... his future? Was he there to spend time alone Father God?

As I rounded the bend for a second pass, my thoughts of wondering what his purpose there was shifted to a broader wonder. Why was he the only person there? This is a public park, and it's a very accessible river with much inviting space. I began to wonder why we rarely take the opportunity to commune with God that way. We're so busy. And mostly we tell God what we want, and ask Him to fix things, and to provide. I'm guilty. But I think what I'm learning more is that He wants to get alone with me, talk to me, and have me listen. When I do that it's beautiful, and rich, and powerful.

Maybe the old man by the river was having a wonderful time with his Papa. A time of fellowship, and devotion, and gleaning the Fathers heart for His son. That's what I choose to believe, because that's where I want to be.

When's the last time you sat by a river, or walked in a park, or went for a hike, or a bike ride, or sat alone in your back yard, just listening to what your Father in Heaven has to say?

What is keeping your from sharing that time with Him?

Chance To Be An Angel

In an August 5th interview with Vanity Fair magazine, Ryan O'Neal spoke of his relationship with the late Farah Fawcett, "I would have been much kinder, more understanding, more mature. I'd lose some of the savagery. I don't know how she got cancer; maybe some of it was me."

I wonder; how many of us feel like that inside? I wish I would have been more kind, more helpful, more forgiving, more available, less busy, less selfish, less grumpy.

Adelaide Proctor wrote; "It isn't the thing you do, dear, it's the thing you leave undone, which gives you bitter heartache at the setting of the sun."

If there could be just one goal in life, I think it should be to minimize regrets. Proctor writes; "The tender words unspoken, the letter you did not write. The flower you might have sent, are your haunting ghosts at night. The stone you might have lifted out of your brothers way, the bit of heartsome counsel you were too hurried to say." Does any of this bring undone moments to your mind?

"These little acts of kindness, so easily out of mind, these chances to be angels, which even mortals find." We have so many opportunities to be the face of Jesus; possibly the only life line someone might receive. Are we too consumed to notice? Don't let woulda, coulda shoulda, be your epitaph. Your chance to be an angel to someone is just moments away.

Doing What I'd Rather Do

The golden "coaching question" eludes me. If money were no issue, and you could do anything you wanted to do, what would you do? Has anyone every asked you that question? What would you do? Have you ever thought that you might not be doing what you were predestined to do? I do. I have this dream; maybe it's even a vision ... I know it's what I was built to do. And yet, it seems so far away. Only with God, will I be able to fulfill that dream.

Ah yes, God. Of course. Without Him, nothing is possible. He knows my dreams. He put them there. And He must know my frustration. And still He whispers, "Be patient, relax. I am still in charge. Stay with me. I have provided. Rest in me - daily. I am in charge. Live the life I've called you to live."

There's comfort there - yes. And yet, I still wonder; how God, when? And Father just grins, and repeats the message, with this line added, "I am still teaching you."

May you find your rest in Him through the uncertainty. "Be still," He says. "And know that I am Lord."

Perseverance

"If I had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant."

Life is just tough sometimes. We get down, things come at us, we struggle with jobs and relationships, and habits, and obstacles, etc. I spent a lot of years asking "why?" I still don't have all the answers - not by a long shot - but I am learning that God is in all of it with me. I'm not suggesting that He causes our pain - I don't believe that. But we do know that the Scriptures tell us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." (Romans 8:28) And again in Romans (5:3-4) Paul says, "We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character, and character produces hope." I find all of that encouraging - that, while I might not understand why I'm struggling with a particular issue, God is working the situation for my good, some how, some way. And as I persevere, He is developing my character, which builds hope in me. I can tell you, I have more hope, and peace than I have in a long time - in spite of the times - and I know it's because I have begun to let God reign more, and trust the process, and persevere. James, brother of Jesus said this, "we consider blessed those who persevered." (5:11)

17th century poet, Anne Bradstreet wrote, "If I had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." And motivational speaker Tony Robbins said this; "The only reason we really pursue goals is to cause ourselves to expand and grow. Achieving goals by themselves will never make us happy in the long term; it's who you become, as you overcome the obstacles necessary to achieve your goals, that can give you the deepest and most long-lasting sense of fulfillment."

It's in the journey where most of our life's progress is made. As we travel our path, the things we encounter, the obstacles we overcome, the successes, and yes failures we experience along the way, are what really molds and shapes our lives. Perseverance is success. And perseverance builds your character. And your character is where your strength comes from to endure. Stay strong. Stay the course. And keep your back to the wind. Each day brings it's own success.

Thoughts To Ponder
1) Where in your life might seem like a struggle, that in reality is an opportunity for you to persevre?

2) Have you ever considered the idea of; perseverance producing character, and character producing hope?

3) Consider again this quote; "If I had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."

Change Your Mind

Norman Vincent Peal wrote in his book, The Power Of Positive Thinking, "A primary method for gaining a mind full of peace is to practice emptying the mind."

I could use a mind full of peace these days ... how about you? Are you feeling the pressure? I can feel it all around. Everyone seems to be waiting for the "other shoe to drop."

Romans 12:2 says, "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." Peal says, "To be happier and healthier, we need a change in the pattern of our thoughts."

Kind of hard to do right now, isn't it? But it has to happen for any amount of peace to settle in on us. I believe it will be those who begin to take the Scriptures seriously, maybe for the first time in their lives, that will be the ones who navigate this leg of the journey without the emotional devastation we see happening all around.

Transform your thoughts. How? Begin by writing down at least 10 things every night before you go to bed that you are thankful for. 10 good things about your day. Don't quit until you have at least 10. I know there's more than that. Think about it. What have you been blessed by today? Your health, a few extra dollars in your wallet, no bills due today, a hot meal, family, good friends, a pet you care about ... try it. You might be surprised how it changes your mind.

Why Nothing Changes

Why Nothing Changes ...

I've had these two quotes in front of me lately;
"If you change nothing, nothing changes."
"If we want different results, you've got to do something different."

Think about those for a moment ...
What about your life needs changing? Where would you like different results? The difference between wanting and having is ACTION. "Change" and "Do Something" are action statements.

My wife and I put flooring in our bedroom, everywhere except the closet that is. See, we needed the door jam cut so the floor piece would fit properly. For 3 years we looked at bare closet floors because we chose not to do something about it. We finally hired a contractor to to cut the door jams, and I laid the floor in both closets in about an hour. An hour project was stalled because of door jams, and my in-action to call a contractor.

What is effecting your life that needs action on your part? Often, the choice not to act creates more pain and frustration than actually following through on what you know will generate positive results in your life.

Remember, "if YOU change nothing, nothing changes."

Thoughts On Guilt

Thoughts On Guilt ...

Romans 8:1 says, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ." It amazes me, how we have it there in black and white, yet we live most of our day under condemnation; either self imposed, or heaped on us by others. Jesus told the righteous men gathered around to stone the woman caught in adultery, "let the one without sin throw the first stone at her." When they left he spoke the woman, "Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "And Jesus replied, "Then neither do I condemn you."

If Jesus did not condemn the woman, clearly breaking one of the beloved commandments, then why is it we allow ourselves to fall under such condemnation? In his book "No Condemnation," Bruce Narramore writes, "As I studied the dynamics of guilt and conscience I soon realized how many problems in Christian life relate to guilt. The discouraged, defeated Christian, the perpetual alter-goer who never feels secure in his Christian life, the religious legalist who rigidly orders his own life and finds it easier to condemn others than to love them, and the rebellious adolescent from a highly religious home, have all been touched by guilt. So, too, have many who have lost the vitality they once had in their Christian faith and who have seen that love replaced by religious ritual and orthodoxy devoid of personal meaning ... we heap unneeded condemnation on ourselves and other sensitive people and impose a burden that interferes with the freedom we could have in Christ."

It's a form of control exercised over someone or some group in order to manipulate them into a partucular way of thinking. Don't buy it! We have freedom from all of that junk. Don't sit there and take it anymore. It's not the life God intended for us. Walk away, and step into the arms of a loving God who rescues us, not condemns us.