The father of aerobic exercise Dr. Kenneth Cooper has a saying that "getting fit and staying fit are not a destination but a journey;" as I am finding out again. Losing weight, trying to maintain one's sobriety being a Christian are all one in the same, journies.
I can't think and become thin, it takes hard work and exercise. I can't race through the "12 steps" and believe that I'm forever free of my addiction. I can't go to church one Sunday and walk with Christ on Monday. It takes time to achieve these things.
I found myself unable to give God an hour a day, and I'm retired with not much to do. God doesn't want us to be "part-timers" but He wants all of us all of the time. He knows we're a work in progress and He's more then willing to wait as long as we're committed to the journey. As Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote "To travel hopefully is better that to arrive." No matter what you're struggling with keep hope alive and faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior who walks beside as we travel towards our final destination.
I invite you then to join with me on this journey, for the rewards are eternal.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Friends
What do you do when a friend calls and asks you for help? If you're like me you'll politely listen all the while thinking of reasons I don't really want to do this right now. Come on, I'm sure many of you have had those thoughts and its not just me. What were some of those reasons we came up with?
Now's not a good time, I was just going out, I'm coming down with something, I'm really tired, I promised_________I'd help_______today (fill in the blank), let me think about it and I'll call you back.
Or, how many of us never gave it that second thought but said sure I'd love to help you. That's exactly what God says to each and everyone of us; "I love you and I'm always here to help you, all you have to do is ask." Philippians 4:6 tells us "Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God." Trust in the Lord and He will provide.
Now's not a good time, I was just going out, I'm coming down with something, I'm really tired, I promised_________I'd help_______today (fill in the blank), let me think about it and I'll call you back.
Or, how many of us never gave it that second thought but said sure I'd love to help you. That's exactly what God says to each and everyone of us; "I love you and I'm always here to help you, all you have to do is ask." Philippians 4:6 tells us "Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God." Trust in the Lord and He will provide.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
The Mulligan pt 2
In my last entry I asked that you think about an excerpt from a book I was reading entitled The Mulligan; " in my opinion not believing in God makes about as much sense as saying the unabridged dictionary is a result of an explosion in a print shop."
Is God the creator and master of the universe or did, as some would have us believe, the Earth and all it's wonders somehow "evolve" in a "Big Bang?" 2 Timothy 3:16 says "All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. The Bible tells us that God created the earth and all that it contains including the men and women who walk upon it's surface.
As the quote from the book suggests, do you really think all that surrounds us is the result of some random act of nature? Walk through a forest, sit at the edge of the ocean or atop a majestic mountain in the Rockies and try to tell me that you can't see the hand of God at work.
God's greatest work however was His Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who was given to us, suffered for us, and died for us so that our sins, yours and mine, would be forgiven. Scripture tells us that by one man's disobedience sin and death entered God's creation, so also through another man's obedience the gift of grace is freely given to all who believe in Jesus Christ. With God's grace comes the promise of eternal life and forgiveness of all our sins.
We are not some random fortune of nature but children of a God who created us, nutures us and loves in spite of our sinful nature. Take a moment then to thank God for His presence in your life and for the world in which we live. If you're having trouble finding God just walk outside into His creation and know that God will find you.
Is God the creator and master of the universe or did, as some would have us believe, the Earth and all it's wonders somehow "evolve" in a "Big Bang?" 2 Timothy 3:16 says "All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. The Bible tells us that God created the earth and all that it contains including the men and women who walk upon it's surface.
As the quote from the book suggests, do you really think all that surrounds us is the result of some random act of nature? Walk through a forest, sit at the edge of the ocean or atop a majestic mountain in the Rockies and try to tell me that you can't see the hand of God at work.
God's greatest work however was His Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who was given to us, suffered for us, and died for us so that our sins, yours and mine, would be forgiven. Scripture tells us that by one man's disobedience sin and death entered God's creation, so also through another man's obedience the gift of grace is freely given to all who believe in Jesus Christ. With God's grace comes the promise of eternal life and forgiveness of all our sins.
We are not some random fortune of nature but children of a God who created us, nutures us and loves in spite of our sinful nature. Take a moment then to thank God for His presence in your life and for the world in which we live. If you're having trouble finding God just walk outside into His creation and know that God will find you.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The Mulligan
I'm re-reading a book entitled The Mulligan and I'd like to share a line or two from the book with you. Of course its a book about golf and the "old pro" is speaking with a new student; he asks him if he believes in God? "I haven't given it much thought" replies the young man. Well says the old pro " in my opinion not believing in God makes about as much sense as saying the unabridged dictionary is a result of an explosion in a print shop."
Take just a moment won't you and think about that statement it's a lot to think about.
Take just a moment won't you and think about that statement it's a lot to think about.
Friday, January 6, 2012
After Advent pt. 2
Athanasius, the 20th Bishop of Alexandria said the following:
"Jesus became what we are to make us what He is."
Nuff said!
"Jesus became what we are to make us what He is."
Nuff said!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
After Advent
Another Christmas has come and gone; it seems like we take weeks to prepare and then in the course of 2 days its over. The tree is coming down, outside lights are being turned off and rolled up, and all the presents have all been opened, or have they?
Every year at this time we miss this gift. I'm sure for many of us it didn't make it under the tree. It probably wasn't on our list of things to buy, we didn't have to wrap it.
It's a gift that doesn't cost us a thing; sounds to good to be true?
God's grace is a gift freely given to each and every one of us because of the sacrifice His Son made upon the cross. It's the greatest gift you and I can receive this holiday season and yet many of us may not have even opened yet.
Go ahead check under the tree if its still there, look once more. If you don't find it it's not to late. Before the New Year arrives may I suggest you make this resolution. Let the power of the Holy Spirit work within you this day and in the days ahead; come to know Jesus Christ and the good news of the Gospel message.
God's grace means our sins yours and mine are forgiven not just for today but yesterday and for all the tomorrows to come. Go ahead open the gift of salvation, its the gift that's free and one that keeps on giving for an eternity.
Every year at this time we miss this gift. I'm sure for many of us it didn't make it under the tree. It probably wasn't on our list of things to buy, we didn't have to wrap it.
It's a gift that doesn't cost us a thing; sounds to good to be true?
God's grace is a gift freely given to each and every one of us because of the sacrifice His Son made upon the cross. It's the greatest gift you and I can receive this holiday season and yet many of us may not have even opened yet.
Go ahead check under the tree if its still there, look once more. If you don't find it it's not to late. Before the New Year arrives may I suggest you make this resolution. Let the power of the Holy Spirit work within you this day and in the days ahead; come to know Jesus Christ and the good news of the Gospel message.
God's grace means our sins yours and mine are forgiven not just for today but yesterday and for all the tomorrows to come. Go ahead open the gift of salvation, its the gift that's free and one that keeps on giving for an eternity.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The season of song
During this Advent season as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Christ child one is surrounded by the sounds of music. The traditional Christmas carols and old standards such as "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" can be heard 24/7 throughout the malls and shops as we go about the task of buying gifts and making prepartions for holiday parties.
Listening to the music often takes me back to different times and places. On more then one occasion I have sat back and reflected upon a song that has caused images of those distant times and places to flood back into my mind.
My father couldn't carry a tune in the proverbial "bushel basket" but oh how he loved to sing "Oh come all ye faithful" at the candle light Christmas Eve service. He' get up on his toes, fingers tapping and let it rip; the rest of the family would move a little further down the pew. I'm sure you have your own memories good, bad or indifferent with the songs that are being played and sung this holiday season.
There are two songs that I especially love to hear, one old and one relatively new. The old one is "What Child is This" to the tune of Greensleaves and the new one is a song written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. It's entitled "Mary did you know" and it can be found on You Tube. Give it a try and I think you'll add it to your list of holiday favorites. As the late great Burl Ives sang and I echo "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" y'all.
Listening to the music often takes me back to different times and places. On more then one occasion I have sat back and reflected upon a song that has caused images of those distant times and places to flood back into my mind.
My father couldn't carry a tune in the proverbial "bushel basket" but oh how he loved to sing "Oh come all ye faithful" at the candle light Christmas Eve service. He' get up on his toes, fingers tapping and let it rip; the rest of the family would move a little further down the pew. I'm sure you have your own memories good, bad or indifferent with the songs that are being played and sung this holiday season.
There are two songs that I especially love to hear, one old and one relatively new. The old one is "What Child is This" to the tune of Greensleaves and the new one is a song written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. It's entitled "Mary did you know" and it can be found on You Tube. Give it a try and I think you'll add it to your list of holiday favorites. As the late great Burl Ives sang and I echo "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" y'all.
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