INTO THE NEW YEAR

Monday, January 23, 2012

The days of this year seem to be moving forward at a rapid pace.

 Regardless of how I describe it, this year is moving. It may be sinking. I'm not sure. If so, it is not a forward movement but a downward one. You can see I am confused. The year is definitely going. I'm just not sure if it is going up, down, forward or where the heck it is going---but it is going.

Yes, I am amazed that this month is almost gone. Kaput. Gone.

Don't ask me why I am amazed, surprised. It is always this way. "Here today. Gone tomorrow."

Every year, for fifty-three years when we take down our Christmas tree, my wife says, "We will just turn around a few times and be putting it back up." Of course it never happens that way but she always says it---and always will.

Why? Because life seems to be "flying" by. 

"What is your life? You are a mist that

appears for a little while and then vanishes."

                                                                                               James 4:14

I have already done a lot of "stuff" in this new year. The Lord willing, I will do a lot more.

I want to try and do everything I do to the glory of God. He does so much for me!

Yes. January is going. But February is coming. I'm kicking it up a notch into pure joy!

PRAYER FOR THE HEART AND WILL OF GOD

Saturday, January 21, 2012

I LIKE THIS PRAYER OF THOMAS A KEMPIS

Grant me, O Lord, to know what I ought to know,

to love what I ought to love,

to praise what delights thee most,

to value what is precious in Thy sight,

to hate what is offensive to Thee.

Do not suffer me to judge according to the sight of my eyes,

nor to pass sentence according to the hearing of the ears of ignorant men,

but to discern with a true judgment between things visible and spiritual,

and above all things always to inquire what is the good pleasure of They will.

---Thomas A Kempis (Germany/C. 1380-1471)

GAINING AND LOSING

Friday, January 13, 2012

I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness

of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all

                                    things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

                                                                                                  Philippians 3:8

Remember Jim Elliot's words: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." That is what Paul experienced. He lost his religion and his reputation, but he gained far more than he lost. In fact, the gains were so thrilling that Paul considered all other things nothing but garbage in comparison!

No wonder he had joy---his life did not depend on the temporal things of the world but on the eternal values found in Christ. Paul had the spiritual mind and looked at the things of earth from heaven's point of view. People who live for things are never really happy because they must constantly protect their treasures and worry lest they lose their value. Not so believers with the spiritual mind; their treasures in Christ can never be stolen, and they never lose their value (see Matt. 6:19-21).

Perhaps now is a good time for you to become an accountant and evaluate the things that matter most to you.

(Taken from Warren W. Wiersbe's book Pause for Power--A 365-Day Journey Through The Scriptures.)

THESE ARE THE DAYS MY FRIENDS

Thursday, January 12, 2012

I agree with Ben Stein who said in a recent article, "Time goes by so amazingly, incredibly fast."

New Year's Day 2012! I turned around a few times and here it is the 12th day of 2012!

It was only "yesterday" that I was sitting in the first grade classroom at Emerson School in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Now here I am at age 77 sitting in my upstairs study in Scottsdale, Arizona. I'm sitting in front of a computer---something I had never even heard of or dreamed of back in the first grade.

I was born in the thirties, lived through the forties, fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties, nineties and have raced from 2000 to 2012. I'm tired!

But not exhausted!

I cherish the time I have left.

I adore my wife, my children and my friends. Many of my friends are gone and time is drawing to a close for several more. We all need to appreciate and enjoy our loved ones while we can.

Enjoy your days. They are slipping away--moment by moment.

I expect to shortly hear, "Dinner is ready dear." Charlotte's meatloaf. I love it. I will thoroughly enjoy it! 

These are the days my friends. Thank God for them.

LOOKING LIKE "SOMETHING THE DOGS DRUG UP"

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

CLOTHING MATTERS: WHAT WE WEAR TO CHURCH, What we put on may be more important than we think is the title of a wonderful article in the January 11, 2012 issue of Christianity Today.

When I say wonderful I mean just that---WONDERFUL!

Do you ever read something and think to yourself, "Wow, I wish I had written that"? Do you? I do! Occasionally. And today was one of those occasions.

Author Duane Litfin served for 17 years as president of Wheaton College. His article about the clothing we wear to church has really touched a sensitive nerve with me. Yes, I realize the reason I appreciate his article so much is because he agrees with me.

People who wouldn't dream of going to a loved ones funeral or wedding dressed casually assemble for worship of the Lord looking like they just came in from skid row. And if they indeed did just come from skid row their clothing would be appropriate. It would be the best they had.

Following a recent memorial service I attended a lady said to me, "I no longer come here. I find it hard to worship. The preacher doesn't need to dress up but he comes looking like he is going fishing." I felt like saying, "Yes, but so does everybody sitting on the pews." But all those people, including the preacher were "dressed up" for the funeral that day.

Enough from me! I can't begin to explain this as well as Duane Litfin.

I implore you to read his splendid article. It is lengthy--eight pages. But please read it all. And read with an open mind. Think about it. Pray about it. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/januaryweb-only/clothingmatters.html

I will be happy to hear what you think, even if you disagree with the article and with me.

Peace.

HOW WOULD YOU RATE YOUR LIFE?

TEN
How Would You Rate Your Life?
By Terry A. Smith

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Terry A. Smith has served as a lead pastor of the Life Christian Church for twenty years. TLCC is a nondenominational faith community in West Orange, NJ, serving the New York City metro area. Terry is a cofounder of the New York City Leadership Center and an instructor in its Leadership Fellows program. A gifted communicator, Terry speaks in a variety of venues nationally and internationally. He is passionate about challenging, developing, and encouraging leaders.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Many of us dream of living a richer and more significant life—the kind of fulfilling life that, when rated on the scale of one to ten, would score a definitive ten. Inviting us to awaken to the TEN Life is the theme of a new book by Terry A. Smith, lead pastor of The Life Christian Church in West Orange, New Jersey. A gifted communicator, Terry is a national and international speaker with a passion for challenging and encouraging others, especially those who are completely unaware of their own unique power and potential.

Based on the tenth verse of the tenth chapter in the Book of John, Ten: How Would You Rate Your Life? (Higher Life Development Services, Inc) is a guide to living the life God dreams for us. “We can only know life in all its fullness,” he explains, “if we live the life God dreams for us. And part of the TEN experience is to try to figure out what that means for each of us as individuals.” Smith’s easy-going style of writing, coupled with his broad scope of reference, makes the book appealing to any reader wanting to create a richer quality of life.

MY REVIEW:  I agree with Ken Blanchard, author of The One-Minute Manager, who said, "If you are looking for significance in your life, this is a must-read." This is an instructive and inspiring book and will challenge you to grow. Terry Smith is a gifted communicator. Frances Hesselbein, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of The USA (1976-1990) said, "Ten is the guidebook for the journey--the wisdom for the future--for those who serve and those who seek to serve." This book will inspire you to create the best possible future for yourself and others. I was impressed and amused by what Priyan Feernando, President and Chief Operating Officer for American Express Business Travel said about the book: "Terry Smith inspires us to think and act more boldly in our personal, professional, and spiritual journeys. I read this book on the plane. Despite some great in-flight movies, I couldn't put it down."

I recommend this book. Your faith will become stronger.