It Really Matters...Significant Christianity

What if you found yourself in a place where nothing you did seemed to matter? It did not matter the sacrifice you made for someones Christmas to be merry, or the comfort that you gave a depressed friend; you could likely name any number of other situations where you felt like your efforts didn't seem to matter.

I just want you to know that if you feel like what you do doesn't matter…well then take heart because what you do for the Kingdom of GOD and others does matter.

Almost 4 1/2  years ago now my wife and I made a drastic move and left a larger stable assembly to assist in a small church to help out on their ministry team. The word drastic is not an exaggeration at all, bear in mind we were content with the security and a sense of comfort in our lifestyle. In our early to mid 50's we were not looking for adventure, we kind of thought we might ride out any difficulties from the safety of our little home in the country. Our finances were doing alright and we as semi-retired empty nesters did pretty much what we pleased.

Riverside Apostolic in Marshfield

However, when we felt a tugging in our hearts by what I can only call a leading of the Holy Spirit we could not just waste our gifts and abilities from a place of security and comfort. When we stepped out in faith from the doors of a large church into a room behind the liquor/tobacco store we found ourselves in a tremendously rewarding place.

Oh sure we might have been able sort through agates on the shores of Lake Superior for the rest of our lives but that would have been wasting our gifts and blessings. Mary and I found ourselves being involved in helping new friends and involved in things where we really felt needed and not just appreciated. We came to the realization that what we had stepped into something really important. We were feeling a little overlooked before but now we were doing things that seemed really important and that brought us a renewed sense of purpose. Everything we did really seemed to matter.

We worshipped in our new church, we gave financially, and helped move into and remodel a new building but most importantly we loved and were loved in return. Loving and investing in people is one of life's greatest accomplishments. I will not be taking any Lake Superior agates to heaven with me but if I changed the eternity of even one person my life has been a total success.

Way to often we wake up early, stay up late and we will do it all again tomorrow, bone dead tired of chasing after things in pursuit of...whatever. What if our lives were spent helping and loving others? I am fairly certain we would find a new sense of purpose and living lives that can make a difference. What we do really does matter.

Grace Like Water

When I was a kid in school we learned about the water cycle. The rain came down and the water fell into lakes, streams and the ever so humble homes of frogs and mosquito larva; the slough. If I were to pour out a glass of water or if it rained a giant storm I know which direction the water is headed...to the lowest point. Unless there is a lake on the mountain top the rain is going to try to head down the mountain to the valley below.

I know all of this seems rather simple and if you argued long enough you might be able to explain that not all of the water makes it down hill; I will give you that. The point I want to establish is that water seeks the lowest level that it can. Which brings me to the similarity between water and the Grace of God. Grace always seeks the lowest places and often drips past many of the places that we might expect it to stay.

Paul in the first chapter of 1 Corinthians explains that God has
not chosen the wise...
He has chosen the foolish things
not chosen the strong...
He has chosen the weak things
not chosen the noble...
He has chosen the base and the despised things
               
WHY?
So He can...
confound the wise
So He can...
confound the ones who are mighty
So He can...
prove that He can raise up something from nothing

Not many of us are mighty, wise, or noble. Many of us are however weak, foolish and despicable. God is very interested in weakness and frailties; look up, grace is falling like rain and it might be headed your way.

You Are So...Uncommon

I have recently come upon a startling thought...(ok maybe not startling)... but interesting none the less. There is an old saying that says, "there is nothing more uncommon than common sense."

I am so...uncommon

Well, with that being said...

Average, dare I say, common people, posses the potential to be really uncommon and interesting,  simply by being themselves. Not just uncommon and interesting but strong, and self confident. Strong enough to be encouragers, good examples, positive role models, and healthy parents raising kids to rise above the wash of low self esteem.

After all no is quite like you. So stop measuring yourself by other peoples standards. It seems that we are surrounded by people not comfortable being themselves, and they struggle with joy stealing self loathing. People who just never seem to be happy. How sad for them.

You are like a finger print, no one is quite as uncommon as you are. So despite my rather common appearance fishing on the big water, I really am quite an uncommon sort of guy.

Uncommon (adjective)
out of the ordinary...unusual...remarkably great.

Yeah thats us..Our best days are still ahead of us. Repeat after me...My best days are still ahead of me...say it again...My best...you get the idea, tell yourself everyday.

Insignificant Christianity: Live Somewhere Else

If you want to be a truly insignificant Christian it is vital that you live some where else other than where you are right now. Often insignificant Christians cannot see where they are (right now) nor do they understand the value that they bring to today.

If it is your desire to be a really insignificant Christian you must allow yourself to live in the past.

I know that "back in the day" 

The streets were safer

  The neighbors were kinder

    The food tasted better, because everyone ate at home

      The old church was preferred because of it's pastor, its songs, and the pot luck dinners

        All of the children behaved better...even the animals behaved better

          ...and the list goes on and on...

Who will take a stand in the middle of today and declare powerful Christianity?

It is certain that our culture has changed, and remembering the "good old days" may bring sweet thoughts and memories of your past; but at what price? I do think that we spend a lot of time wishing things could be the same as we remember, but those days are gone. If the truth were told we may have never understood the sacrifice that our elders may have payed for our days to be so sweet...thanks mom and dad.

What we need to do as vital functioning change agents for Christ today is to stand up and face our difficulties and be real men and women of God by obeying His word and living righteously. Living in the past will drain power from today; leaving us wondering why our lives feel so empty and meaningless.

The other place that we often make the mistake of living is the future. Certainly it is prudent and wise to plan for tomorrow and step into that day by faith. I have made the mistake of dreaming too much about what might be, waiting for some mysterious door to open only to find that I have missed opportunities to be a significant Christian. It is a little sad because I may never get those opportunities back again.

One day while leaving Jericho a blind man was crying out for Jesus to notice him; his name was Bartimaeus. His name meant "son of Timaeus". Timaeus meant one who was unclean, weak, (defective). Bartimaeus (the son of weakness and uncleanness)  was the son of a man of weakness; his father may have had a very similar problem. Perhaps this uncleanness and weakness may have been genetic. Bartimaeus was not allowed to enter the temple and was likely the scorn of the people around him because of his frailty and his past;  it is very likely that everyone knew all about this family.

When he cried out to Jesus he tossed aside the garment he wore that may have  identified his condition and decided to leave the past behind. Jesus asked Bartemaus what do you need me to do for you? Bartimaeus might have replied, "Lord, deliver me from my blindness and my past" and Jesus did.

Lord help me to get past my past to be a significant Christian.

Rising From the Ashes

Sheepishly as if eyes were watching him, he approaches his key board clears a path to the track pad and keyboard. He looks at the screen then the i-sight camera still feeling like someone is watching, he opens up the blogging program. He signs in and wonders what  he should write about after all of these months of silence. Almost apologetically Frank tries to gather his thoughts and then realizes that there just aren't that many new things to offer the rest of the world...screech (screaming tires and then the sound of a car crash, the sound of twisting metal and busting glass...it sounds better in an audio book or on the radio).

Wait a minute he is one of the most interesting people he knows; certainly things will come and the world will be a better place.

Making a resolution this year to blog once again he has already failed by 3 days. With this understanding of the weakness of his own character and with the knowledge that weakness seems to not only run through out his life, I am, (I mean Frank is) certain that, they have in fact in recent months purchased race cars and are using his mind and lifestyle as a race track.

Oh the misery and the condemnation that this sense of failure brings...and once again the despair of his own short comings loom like a thundering storm cloud that will most certainly bring flooding and damage to the the small community that was once a happy man.

How does one begin to rebuild in the ruble of what seemed a glorious ancient culture. He determines that this amazing civilization will rise again only by the turning over of stones and picking through the twisted lumber and salvaging what he can...one day at a time...one post at a time until once again all of his friends will know that like a Phoenix he has risen from the flames of devastation and obscurity.

So many thought so many ideas and yet so little time to blog. Understanding that others have the same number of hours in their days and that this capital must be budgeted and spent wisely. Being the giving person that he is he wonders; can he remain effective in the tangible world of real people and still send his thoughts to people he does not know or will never meet. Could it be that both could be accomplished? Could he somehow be insightful and encouraging to those who read in the far reaches of this ever shrinking planet, and still minister to needs in Marshfield, Wausau and who knows where. This poor man with a guilty conscience trying to be all things to all men must...somehow...fight...through these... hindrances.

A mental picture from the long past days of comic books comes of Lex Luthor and Superman; it is the weakness that kryptonite brings. Yet somehow he must push through the impending doom and fight until he once again soars. Frank (with the help of the superman analogy) once again realizes that in spite of frailties, weakness and very few gray cells (brain power) he can in fact push through, he will once again rise and be better...(still not sure at what).

But that will come another day...stay tuned...do not touch that knob...do not attempt to change the channel.

Whew I am exhausted.

Harry's Secret

His name was Erich Weiss by the time of his death he was likely one the highest paid entertainers of his day. He was born into a Hungarian-Jewish household in 1874. He lived in Appleton, WI; I have driven past his house situated over the river. His name was changed to Harry. A master showman known for his mystifying magic, and a distinguished flyer. What we remember him most for is his ability to escape. He was the master of "escape-ology" (wow is that a new word?...you heard it first right here).

On March 10th, sometime around 1904(?) he was challenged by the London "Daily Illustrated Mirror" to escape from a special pair of handcuffs they had prepared. There were six locks on each cuff and nine tumblers on each lock. Seven days later 4000 spectators gathered in the London Hippodrome to witness the outcome of this seemingly impossible challenge.

At 3:15 in the afternoon Harry Houdini stepped into an empty cabinet that came up to his waist, he lowered himself into the the box. Out of sight for 20 minutes he stood up smiling. The crowd broke out in applause thinking that he was free...but he was not, he only asked for more light. The lights shown brighter and again he lowered himself into the box for another 15 minutes.Once again he rose out of the box and into the sight of the crowd. Applause erupted certainly he was free now; he said he needed only to flex his knees. Down into the cabinet box again for another 20 minutes (the crowd murmuring and wondering what was going on, certainly this was unusual for Mr Houdini). The heat of the lights and the confines of the cabinet were too much, he was overheating.

Leaping from the wooden cabinet Harry twisted and turned until his manacled hands were in front of him so he could reach a pocket knife in his vest pocket. Harry opened the knife with his teeth and bent over so far that his coat tails fell and hung over his head. Grabbing the coat he pulled it over his head and then proceeded to cut and slash his jacket to ribbons and toss it aside. The crowd roaring with approval Harry leaped back into the box. Again lowering himself he remained out of sight for another 10 minutes. With all of the drama and flourish that he could Harry leaped out of the box to show his hands were indeed free waving the bulky handcuffs over his head. Pandaemonium erupted and the crowd exploded with excitement and enthusiasm; certainly Harry Houdini had accomplished the seemingly impossible.

Later Harry was questioned in an interview why he had interrupt the process so many times with what seemed meaningless reasons. He replied that his ability to escape was based firmly in the knowledge that could escape. His ability to escape was based in knowledge. He interrupted the show to allow the audience to to bolster and keep up his own enthusiasm. Two things set Harry free that day, the knowledge that he could indeed be set free and the cultivation of his own enthusiasm.

Enthusiasm is vital in all of our lives. It is what keeps us going forward in the face of the dull monotony of life; we must find something to get excited about and run with it. Without an enthusiasm for learning, teachers and students fail, without it salespeople starve, and leaders would have no followers. Nothing really important is ever achieved without some form of enthusiasm to motivate us to accomplish the deed.

The secret to our lives as Christians is to have a knowledge of all of the great things that God has promised us, and being excited about it. His Word should stir up and instill enthusiasm in us. No one is going to be interested in the God you serve or your  testimony if you are not excited about being a Christian.

When you cannot "feel" the excitement of your own Christianity...you better "know" something about your Christianity.

So Why Am I Afraid?

A little scary

Not everyone loves Ronald

There are a million reasons for a person to be afraid. Without the proper perspective and frame of mind a person can find a reason to fear in almost any arena of life. Some people fear clowns (coulrophobia); they are afraid of the unknown. Why do they have such big pockets, and what is inside? Why do they wear so much make-up; why is their nose so big? Why are they so happy?

Fear can grip us to the point that we become paralyzed; afraid to move ahead, afraid to stand still and afraid to go back to what we have always done. Fear is irrational. Fear is never your friend. Fear will keep us locked up in a house of loneliness. I read a book at a time in my life when fear had a strangle hold on my daily thoughts; I know a little of fear.

The following is from a book by Jenetzen Franklin;
40% of the things we worry about never happen.
30% of the things we worry about are in the past and can't be helped.
12% of our worries concern the troubles of others, and we have no part in them.
10% of our worries concern illness, real or imagined that may or may not have happened.
8% (Only 8%) of the things that we worry about are things that might really happen.

The words fear not, or be not afraid, occur over 360 times in the Bible, that is enough don't be afraid's for each day of the year. When we frame plan and view our lives through the lens of God's word and His promises for and to us we find far fewer things to fear. Trust God with your concerns and don't allow them to become fears that paralyze you.

Behold God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid. Isaiah 12:2

Why Oh Why Cant It Be Like That Here?

Almost four years ago now I took a trip to Martinique to see my brother in the French Caribbean and I enjoyed it immensely; I was able to totally forget about it being winter here. Now I am not typically an unhappy sort of guy, but I am sick of cold weather already and it is only the middle of December.

"Help me Jesus I am fading (freezing) fast"

This last year we have become Home Missionaries by helping out in a growing Home Missions church pastored by my very good friend Jeff Peckham. I am wondering if the Lord sent me someone else's mail; maybe I was supposed to go to Fiji or Barbados; at least that is what my cold fingers tell me when I go outside. (Please understand this is all in jest, I know I am in the middle of God's will for my life). Why can't it just be in the 60s I would love to mow the yard again.

The Bible says that godliness with contentment is great gain. I have been so blessed, especially in the last year with the birth of a brand new granddaughter Coralie; she is such a sweetie pie. I am content in spite of the cold. Let winter come and stay if it wants I am blessed.

Wow, I Thought I Was The Only One

I wonder how many friendships have been formed and forged because of a common experience or a familiar mindset. I remember sitting in a middle school class and feeling very much out of my element; I had just arrived from a summer of fun and a small elementary school to a much larger social landscape. D. C. Everest Middle School had students from all over the place and we are all placed together in a really big school.

I was sitting in a classroom back in the...along time ago, and I did not know anyone. I looked around the room to see if there was anyone else who looked terrified and a little insecure; (because I was) and I found one. Seated in the row of seats right next to me was this guy who looked a little nervous and shy. What did I have to lose? I asked "so, where do you live?' It was that simple and a conversation began, he liked to go hunting and fishing, and confessed to being a little intimidated at the new school thing. His name was Nathan. We had an encouraging sort of friendship for awhile back when I needed it.

I wonder how many friendships we miss out on because we never speak up? If we would only brave up a little we just might be surprised at what others could add to our lives. I find it a little too easy to mind my own business; I could be in a room full of people and not say a word. Our cell phones and Ipads have made seclusion in a crowd easy to do. Don't look up or around, it is easy as pie...(I have made many pies and honestly it is not as easy as it sounds). But really, who knows how many good things I have missed out on.

Over Under Around and Through

There was an old song written and sung by a man named Gary Paxton and the words declared that "there's gotta be more to livin' than people just waiting to die" How true. As a pastor/minister when a thought hits for an encouraging word I try to keep a notebook nearby so I can write things down and maybe let that thought develop into a sermon; (just for the record it never works out as well as I would like). I wrote something down the other day that has sort of stuck with me. Here goes.

There has got to be more to my life and the way I live than the dreams I have for the future, and the achievements or regrets I have from the past; what about today?

The Bible says that Jesus is an ever present help in a time of trouble. It also says that if I will seek Him I will find Him, as a matter of fact there is a reward for seeking Him. He will never leave me or forsake me, He is with me until the end. All of these passages refer to my today situations. I have often wondered why as Christians we always mention God in relation to trial or trouble and for a long time I did not have a good answer, but then I realized that when things are going really well for us Jesus is often the last thing on our minds. But when we do face difficulty we can turn to Him and He is always there.

Don't get stuck spinning your wheels between yesterday and tomorrow, do something that matters today. Something that matters to someone who could never pay you back, something that might affect someone else's eternity. James tells us that pure religion and undefiled before the Father is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep ourselves unspotted by the world. Do something out of the ordinary.  Today begins when you tie your shoes, and head out the door. 

Over, under, around, and through, this how we tie our shoe.

Long Live Lemons

It is hard to believe that the summer is already over half done. I am not going to complain about how busy I have been or any thing like that. I am just thrilled to be here and alive; everyday is an adventure, some days are a slow moving boring sort of adventure but an adventure none the less. I have read some good books this summer and grown a great deal as a Christian and a minister.

Remember Calvin and Hobbs? The boy and his stuffed wild tiger who hated school but secretly liked the neighbor girl Suzy. Bill Waterson compiled a collection of Calvin and Hobbs comic strips and called the book, The Days Are Just Packed; what a hoot.

I am trying not to over analyze my Summer but I do not want to miss the beauty and magic of everything that I am blessed to experience. I am grateful for trouble and hardships as well as blessings and creature comforts. I do think that this has been one of the most difficult summers financially but I am sure that things will work out somehow. I will keep trusting the Lord to help me out when I need it most.

Sometimes I think that the ones who have the least are the ones that manage best at squeezing every blessing and positive experience out of their difficulties. How many times have we heard stories of physically impaired people accomplishing amazing things because they just wont give in to self pity. People who seem to have less, finding and experiencing more in their lives. Heres to hardships, may the Lord make me more than I am because of them.

You know what they say about lemons...Lemonade anyone? How about lemon meringue pie, or lemon bars, or a lemon loaf with a sugary glaze over the top...mmmm.

This Is Only A Test

I am old enough to remember when at any given moment, yes, even in the middle of my favorite television program (arghhh) the network would flash the test pattern screen and the annoying tone. It was only 30 or 60 seconds but it came unexpectedly and it made for a very long 30 seconds; "for crying out loud, Giligan was just about to kiss Mary Ann...". I was totally helpless to the plans of the TV station and network. It was an unwelcome interruptionan with that infernal tone; Lord help me! But I guess I could always turn the channel and pick up another show if I chose to, so all was not lost.

Unfortunately, interruptions in life seldom last only a minute or less, and they are often unwelcome and unexpected. We may not be able to see things headed our way when we become the unwilling the subjects of the "Network's" decisions; we may not be able to control that sort of thing, but we can control how we respond to life's interruptions. We must find a way to keep our attitudes in check. We are all faced with opportunities to live a blessed and vital life each day, unfortunately each opportunity is hidden in the "unwelcome interruptions" that the Lord allows to come our way.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.
Chuck Swindoll

Discouraged In The Fog

Florence May Chadwick was a swimmer born in 1918, at age ten she began competing in swimming events, at age 11 she had her first rough water competition and placed 4th. At the age of 32 she swam the English Channel from England to France, a distance of 21 miles, setting a new world record by a woman. A year later she crossed again making her the first woman to swim the channel both directions setting yet another world record. Florence's first attempt to swim the channel lasted 13 hours 20 mins breaking the record set by American Gertrude Ederle; the second swim was made in 16 hours 22 mins.

In 1952 Florence May Chadwick was determined to swim the 26 miles between Catalina Island and the California coastline. She began the swim surrounded by small boats to keep an eye on her safety and to help her in case she need to be pulled out of the water due to exhaustion or injury. After about 15 hours in the water a thick fog set in so that Florence was unable to see anything in front of her. Florence's mother, and her trainer, in a nearby boat offered encouragement telling her that it was not much further; but all that Florence could see was the very thick fog. With only a half mile to go for the first time, Florence quit; it was not the fatigue or the cold it was the discouragement of not being able to see her goal. In spite of the encouragement that others offered she was not able to see the coastline and gave up hope.

Two months later she attempted the swim from Catalina Island to the California coastline for the second time. This time despite the same thick fog she accomplished the swim; this time she swam with the goal clearly pictured in her mind becoming the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel.

The message is to have a clear goal in your mind and never to quit.
Florence Chadwick

It's always to early to quit.
Norman Vincent Peale

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
The Bible (Proverbs 13:12) 


Even when there is not single shred of evidence for proof, keep moving forward.
Me...Mr. Toad

The Third Most Interesting Situation

There are two situations that make interesting stories; when an extraordinary person is plunged in the commonplace, and when an ordinary person gets involved in extraordinary events.

Sister Helen Prejan

As I read the quote by Sister Helen Prejan movie titles and book titles came to mind. We are continually drenched in reality shows and documentaries that tell the stories of nobodies who are now famous because they might have won an award or top spot on a show like American Idol. It is silly, and sad, at the same time, this curious obsession we have with under dogs and fallen heros. You can be certain there will always an audience willing to listen.

I would like to propose a third interesting situation that some may not seem to find all that interesting. What about the man who gets up every morning and goes to work and has scratched out a living for his wife and kids for the past 25 years. What about the single mother who gets her kids up at 6 in the morning to feed them and get them off to day care or school and barely makes it to work on time...every weekday. Or the pastor of a small congregation who works all week and still feeds the flock on Sundays and Wednesday nights, who visits homes and hospitals during the rest of the week. We pretty much ignore those stories because they just aren't as exciting. No paparazzi following them everywhere.

The world is full of people doing the right things for the right reasons, day in day out, justlike you and me, with no nod from Hollywood. It is this third interesting (or not so interesting maybe) that makes the world work, day in and day out. The man at the gas station, the store cashier, the waitress, and the CNA; they all lead common lives that really are the back bone of everything that happens everyday.

So the next time you are tempted to get excited about the new American Idol, ask yourself this question. How is this really going to benefit me or touch my life? Then when you go to the store be nice to the cashier, and be thankful that ordinary people like them are making your life a little easier; just like you are, theirs.

We touch so many lives everyday; what kind of impact are we having on those around us? Good? Bad? Do they see Jesus in us? I hope so.

The Worst of Times

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparisons. 

Charles Dickens "A Tale of Two Cities" (1812-1870)

Have you ever had a time or season in your life that you believed to be the most difficult ever? Perhaps you are in such a time or season. Did you know that in each "worst of times" there is in fact an opportunity to lay hold of the "best of times"; that each difficulty is a lid to a treasure chest? The real difficulty in our difficulties, is pushing past the betrayal, or illness and looking through it all, to open that lid, and push ahead one day at a time. There is a "season of light", even in a "season of darkness", and there is hope in your "season of despair". Don't give up, you can make it through the difficulties. It may take weeks, months and even years to see it through, but you can make it.

I have come through a difficulty just recently and I am better for it, much better. It has lasted over a year, and at times all I could do was sing "Jesus Loves Me". It was the "worst of times" yet looking back I can connect some dots and realize it was a good thing, a very good thing. They say that hind-sight is 20/20 vision. I can look back and connect dots in my life and realize that even though my life is hard at times I am still growing. When we allow resentment and bitterness to grow in us it is like a cancer. It grows in us but it does not belong in us; it will steal your health (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) and kill you.


We cannot look ahead and connect dots; only behind. There are too may variables for us to be sure how the future will turn out, which is why we must continue to be and love ourselves, do what we love, and move ahead one dream at a time. Yes there will be times when we are walking in the dark, but even that time can be a "season of light.

A Great Music Video; God Will Take Care of You

I do not know where this family is from but the song has such a powerful message, and this little guy does a great job of singing.

God WILL take care of you.

A Question To Ask Yourself...It Could Change A Life (1)

What can I do to make a difference?


Everyone, and I mean everyone wants to feel like their life matters somehow. Your life matters to you and everyone around you is living a life that matters to them. I will say up front that I do not have all of the answers to all of the problems in my own life, much less, the answers to the all the situations that people around me face. But I can make a difference.

I received a call from a very close friend. I have set across the table from this guy many times, and together, we were able to hammer out the problems of world. Simple, actually nothing was at stake for us so it was easy. Tonight he called and told me of a tragedy in his family and how his wife and daughter are really struggling with the mess. When it all hits a little closer to home the problems get a bit more complicated; the trite, "hang in there" sentiments actually seem a little thoughtless and almost insulting. What can I do to make a difference in that situation? I am not sure, but I am working on it.

It seems that the longer I live the less I really think I know, when I was younger I pretty much knew it all; but I don't now. But I do understand this, that going the extra mile matters to people. You do not need to have all of the answers, people around us simply need to know that we will not bail out on them when the going gets difficult, and that we are willing to do what we can.

If you really want to make a difference in the lives of other people, go the extra mile. Jesus spoke of walking two miles with a friend even if they ask you to only walk one. Just do something!

Call someone just to encourage them or just listen
Drop a little card in the mail, or send a text or e-mail just to say, "Hi"
Look an elder in the eye and thank them for their friendship and for being a good example
Tell someone that they are doing a good job
Pat someone on the back
Buy a fast food "Happy Go Lucky Meal" and give the toy to a nephew, niece or neighbor kid
Say something nice about someone else
Find someone to go with you to get a Chicago style hot dog (at Mikes) and spend an hour being together
Visit someone
Cook a meal for a shut-in, or a sick neighbor
Try to restore a broken friendship

I think that is what Jesus would do...Who will be Jesus to them?

(The hot dog was great Mark, in a couple of weeks let's go look for a good burger)

The Ultimate Reveal

Our problem is that we are so short sighted. Unless we are able to put together "all" of the pieces of our lives, we often become overwhelmed and frustrated. Or if we don't understand a few of the pieces, that our puzzle and life is somehow defective. I am just going to face the fact that I will never see or understand the "Big Picture".

I was talking to my wife the other day and we had one of those, "do you remember when we" conversations. No, I did not remember. It was like I had never done that particular thing; but we did, Mary told me we did. I had completely forgotten a nice memory. We can rest assured that any good deed or sacrifice performed for God, or others will be remembered and revealed one day. God never forgets. We would like recognition for the things we do right now. We might do something nice, and it may go unrecognized, but that's alright. Do we do, the things we do, for a pat on the back?

We can rest assured that God sees and knows every sacrifice and effort we put forth and He remembers each one, I mean every seemingly insignificant detail. It matters to Him. He remembers, and will not forget; like I do. One day all of the things we have done will be revealed and there will be a reward for them. So keep on doing your best, not because you want to be promoted to the top of the heap, but because you are trying to please the Lord in every aspect of your life.

Good works, sacrifices, and giving bits of your life away, do nothing to add to your salvation, but it is a means by which God can bless others through us. Those may be some of the pieces of the puzzle we don't see or understand. So it could be that the "missing" pieces of our lives the things we perhaps think of as a failures may be some of our highest achievements; we just don't know what God is doing in us and through us.

He will never forget a single detail. He sees everything and it will be revealed one day in heaven. When you finally understand how your life touched the lives of so many others, you will be amazed. But it won't matter that much; all that will really matter is Him.

One Day At A Time

I am so glad to be in January. Yes I know that the temps are cold, and going anywhere seems like a monumental task, but at least Christmas is over. It is time to resume the daily grind and I am happy to do so. Did you notice that the days are getting longer. Please do not look at any gardening books or seed catalogs, it will only make the winter and spring seem that much longer. Let's just take it a day at a time.

The new year is generally a time to resolve to do better, to be better, lose weight, and quit smoking or drinking. The list goes on. When I was a kid everyone always talked about how their life was going to change because of a New Years resolution; no one really does much of that any more. Perhaps we are all tired of breaking our vows after only a week or so of being good, and feeling like a failure. I don't like to break vows, but I am not sure that goal setting should become a thing of the past either. I would like to tell you a story.

Charles Schwab was the president of Bethlehem Steel, (I am pretty sure that there is no connection with the Christmas story). Ivy Lee was a consultant. Lee was given the task of formulating a plan that would help Schwab, "Show me a way to get more things done with my time." Schwab agreed to pay Lee "anything within reason" if the plan worked. Lee at a later date handed the president of Bethlehem Steel a sheet of paper with a plan to help get more things done with his time; the same amount of time given to all of us.

It went something like this. Write down the most important tasks that you have to do tomorrow. Number them in order of importance. When you arrive tomorrow begin at once your number 1 task and stay at it until it is accomplished. Re-check your priorities and begin with number 2 on your list, then move on to number 3, and so on until you have accomplished your goals for the day. Make this a habit for every working day.

The plan turned Bethlehem Steel into the largest independent steel producer in the world within five years. How much did Schwab pay his consultant? Several weeks after receiving the note Schwab sent Lee a check for $25,000, admitting that it was the most profitable lesson he had ever learned.

I know not every one works well from a list. Maybe you are a "planner" and not a "doer" but regardless of your type we need to live life one day at a time and really try to get as much living in as we can. Not just living for ourselves but doing what we can for others as well. You can do it.

Everybody

This was too cute not to post. My son Avery sent it too me.