St. Patrick's Day '26

 

Give God room to work!

 

Challenged daily

 

How do we serve?

 

Rest in His presence!

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”(Prov. 3:34)Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:5-7)

Have you ever simply rested in God's presence? Seriously . . .?

Just allow your body, mind ands spirit rest . . . relax . . . let go and experience His love, peace, and tranquility. It is a radically different feeling than the hustle and bustle, rat race world we live in today.

We just celebrated Thanksgiving, which is traditionally a time to rest, relax and enjoy friends and family. Time to sleep in, take off from work and school, and chill. Yet for many, it was a hectic few days "off"!

This is not good . . . physically, mentally, or spiritually! Old, young, middle age, we all need to learn how to rest! We must learn to rest in HIS presence. If not now . . . when?

Servant-Leadership

All authority . . . servant leadership is lacking today!

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

While it is true that God establishes our leaders, even today, as followers of Christ we all are to be servants. Jesus showed us this as He washed His disciples' feet. As servant leaders, we can model servant-hood for all to see and mimic. This way entire organizations, even nations, can peacefully and effectively exist.

God does not promote leaders to intimidate those under their authority, but to lead by example and with humility, knowing it is God who established their position.  Pride (and arrogance I might add) goes before a fall.

Are we serving with humility or seeking to be served as leaders?

Something Special....Honoring Black HIStory '23

 

Super Bowl SONday was something special indeed! The first time in HIStory that we had to quarterbacks of color starting the game. It's about time! Most importantly, they were two young men of high character and strong faith in the God who brought them through. I could not help but think of that as the Black National Anthem was played before the game by Sheryl Lee Ralph. (https://youtu.be/p0Qzu6r40) 

The testimony of both Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts throughout the week prior to the game was evident. They came from families of faith and have continued to trust God with their lives and playing career, through ups and downs. Both are humble young men, giving credit to their coaches and fellow players and not seeking the spotlight. 

 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10)

The real winner on yesterday . . . God!

Lest we forget . . .Thanksgiving Lessons '22

Lest we forget why Thanksgiving was created in our Nation:

 It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged 

as with one heart and voice by the whole American people; I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in 

every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea, and those who are sojourning in foreign 

lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and 

Prayer to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to

 them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and 

blessings, the do also, with humble penitence for our national  perverseness and disobedience, commend 

to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable 

civil strife in which we are  unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty

 hand to heal the wounds of  the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine 

purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union. (President Lincoln,10/3/1863)

I know we try to reset the original Thanksgiving in our Nation and make it seem all giddy and fashionable, but as we read from President Lincoln's writing in 1863, we can definitely look back at HIStory and get a better feel for a true-to-life Thanksgiving in 1863 . . . a day of Thanksgiving and prayer!

While we try to believe that all the European settlers were so friendly and hospitable to our Native Americans, facts tell us that was definitely not the case! While the First Nations were much more trusting and helpful, we now better know the HIStory of the settlers. By the way, we also know the meal was mainly venison, berries and squash! 

May I suggest that this week we reflect on pour Nation and its state at the end of the Civil War and now. May we too ask the Lord to forgive our "perverseness and disobedience" and ask His care for "those who have been hurt by our civl strife". May we implore His help and guidance to "heal our wounds and restore the Nation to be in line with His Divine purposes". 

I realize no President of the U.S. would let these kinds of words come from his or her mouth today, in fear of political correctness, but as you and I reflect and see how ridiculously repetitive we as a Nation have become, can we please humble ourselves and seek the Lord for healing . . . at least in our own small circles? We are yet at war . . . against the evil forces of Satan!

Protection is vital to success!

 "A good defense is the best offense". I often heard that as an athlete growing up. Now, I realize a team cannot win without scoring, but you cannot lose either if the other team cannot score! Defense, or protection, is vital to success! Spiritually speaking, we are called upon to protect, or cover one another. 

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Galatians 6:2-3)

A pastor covers his sheep in prayer daily. Husbands  and fathers need to be diligent to not only protect and cover their spouse and children in prayer, but also from physical harm and financial ruin. Youth leaders and teachers are tasked with protecting and defending the children in their daily care.

Even through challenges and conflicts, we are to fight for our spouses and children not against them. The enemy would like nothing better than to break down the walls of defense! 

We must learn how to fight fairly and be gently or lovingly honest with one another. It helps us to avoid any deception from creeping in between relationships.

We need to be proactive in easing one another's burdens in life by assisting with daily activities such as cleaning duties, making of meals, assisting with homework, and the like. Everyone needs a little hand up now and then!

He has been there and back . . .

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Trusting God with His timing . . . now that is a BIG challenge! With our current circumstance, we are totally at His mercy. We do not know when. We do not know where. We do not know what. We do not even know how at this point. We simply know that God is and He knows, because He has been there and back. He knows what is best for us. 

Are we anxious? You bet! Are we apprehensive? Oh yeah! Are we trusting God like never before? Well, who else can we place our trust in these days anyway? Yes, we are lacking wisdom . . . so we are asking God to provide!