January 6th - Who is the object of your faith?

The story...

The "Wizard of Oz" scared the bejeebies out of my as a kid.  Who in their right mind wouldn't react wildly if Dorthy's situation was an actuality?  Glinda, the good witch, doesn't seem to offer much consolation - seeing the situation today still triggers a version of that same reaction.  Yeow!

Sure, she has a good reason to be alarmed.  The bad witch has expressed disdain and vile intent for what Dorothy's house did when it crushed her sister.  The threat, to both her and her little dog too, appeared valid.  She would've been a fool to ignore the threat and the good witch's protection seemed well intentioned yet with limited protective power.  She had to begin, step by step, down the yellow-brick road, trusting the good witch's advise.  Thank goodness she found three friends along the road to share her journey.  Yet, their recommendation to trust, and seek out, the great Wizard of Oz was misplaced hope.

The only church in town will offer the Word of God's revelations for developing a right relationship with God in Christ.  They'll share the path and Way to go - the true North Star.  Our Creator is sovereign and those who are His, in Christ, live within His protective power.  We can trust Him to journey with us through life and bring us home with Him at the end.  He says the end is a beginning.

Just for today...

"...many of my difficulties were created by me, by my own reactions to the happenings in my daily life."  One Day at a Time (p. 6)

"Who I am; Where I'm going - Trusting God; Sowing and reaping."   Am I a Poet?

January 5th - Close Friendships are Worthy - "muchness"

The story...

I met a friend in a coffee shop that baked wonderfully large and tasty cookies.  The refillable-ceramic coffee mug; throngs of conversationalists huddled closely together; and the big cookie; all feel like "muchness" to me.  "Muchness" is a British romantic word meaning greatness in quantity and degree - it's a really good word to me.

My friend updated me on the reality of his life; in turn, I did the same.  We didn't need to plan what to say - our relationship was big enough to build onto.  It sure helps to have a listening ear that seeks to understand both my message and me.  Our past interactions led me to believe that he truly had my best interest at heart.  When I tell a story, that doesn't seemed to be aligned with who he knows me to be, he challenged me in a kind sort of way.  This close relationship thing is real good.  I'm not so naive to think that he's fully engaged in all my stories; yet, I know he wants to be.  We grow together as we share our stories - that's real good, and I value him and our relationship, greatly.

Clare Ansberry made reasonable claims about the amount of time it takes to develop a close friendship within her 1/02/24, Wall Street Journal, article: "It Takes at Least 200 Hours to Make a Close Friendship, and More to Maintain It."  My personal experience suggests that her claims have face validity. 

The only church in town will offer opportunities to discover people who are similar enough to you that you might take the risk of investing the 200+ hours, to develop that close friendship.  Expect the process to take years rather than weeks.  These relationship endeavors are worthy.  C.S. Lewis said in his book "The Four Loves:"  "Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”   For me, close friends are a key part of the good life - muchness.

Just for today...

"Am I trying to interfere with the natural consequences of a loved one's choices?  Am I trying to do for someone what they could do for themselves?"  Courage to Change (p. 5)

"Unless I am at peace with the child of God I am, I cannot love and help my neighbor. Regrets are vain. They can interfere with the good I could do today, the making of the better person."  One Day at a Time (p. 5)

"Muchness desires; Way to be - Living large; Dreamin ta see."
"Reality challenge; Thus you share - Our destiny; To beware."
"God's revelation; Way beyond me - Lived out; Become We."    Am I a Poet?

January 4th - My thinking propels me towards...

The story...

In 1983, I wanted a 1976, Volvo 240.  I researched, stared at the photos, imagined what it would be like to own one, and was convinced that it was the best possible car I could afford.  I sought it out and found it for sale from an ex-U of M football player.  I even ignored the guys wife asking: "do you like to work on cars?" The only part of the car that was good was my admiring how good my wife looked driving it home - that first day.

Where does my thinker want to send me?  My self-absorbed nature wants to take me towards comfort, praise, security, affirming group-think, competition, awards, legacy, pleasure, and admiration as I gaze into the mirror.  My spirit desires a loving and right relationship with my Creator, the giving and receiving of love from others, honest and open relationships with close friends, continuing growth within community, and the fruit of the indwelling Spirit of God born without my trying to produce them.  The different types of Spirit fruit may be found in Galatians 5:22-24.

A wise man knows where to go and how to get there.  First, he's gotta know where he is and what state's most desirable.  He's got to know what condition his condition is in.  He knows that he doesn't know what he doesn't know so he seeks the truth.  How will I know if and when my thinking patterns are aiming and propelling me towards a destination where I don't wanna go?

The only church in town will introduce people to the Word of God and how they might develop a saving, active, and eternal loving relationship with their Creator, their Sustainer, in Christ.  God's Spirit will produce fruit within the lives of those who are His - the evidence of the "good life" that you may be unaware of, seeking or enjoying.  Why not come to God's table, enjoy the good stuff, and share it with others?  I hope that you don't try to satisfy yourself by merely hoping for it, reading about it, trying to do it on your own, or admiring it worked out within other people's lives.

Just for today...

"My own way of thinking deceives me. I can see but a little way."  One Day at a Time (p. 4)

"When I admit that my life is unmanageable, I don't admit that I am a bad person. In my attempts to maintain the delusion of exercising power where I am powerless, my life has become disorderly."  Hope for Today (p. 4)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,"  Galatians 5:22-24 (NASB)

"Imagine so; Got no fear - Other says other; Plug thy ear."   Am I a Poet?

January 2nd - God's intervention clarifying expectations

The story...

In 1980, I expected to: begin a career as a sales engineer selling industrial robots; marry within a couple years; invest my growing capital in corporations for continual wealth growth; buy a house; drive a convertible; experience adventurous vacations; have four kids; and continue to live out a rebellious sort of ideals - to be free.  In 1981, reality went differently than I expected.  It was as though God pulled, maybe yanked, me in His direction.  When were those key points when God seemed to directly intervene?

Here's my take on the key related factual events, listed chronologically by my age:

8.  Walked to front of neighborhood-children-evangelistic meeting and accepted Jesus the Christ as my Savior.

15. Lost and alone in the dark canoeing in the Boundary Waters, MN.  I promised to dedicate my life to God if He saved me from my predicament - I saw the light of the campfire less than one minute after making my commitment to Him.

16. Worked every other Sunday and drifted away from attending church services.

18. Fully engaged in a self-absorbed college life and stopped attending church.

22. After a period of brokenness, I read the four gospels and was surprised to learn God's story in Christ - new good news to me. Miraculous auto accident avoidance and three incredibly unlikely personal interactions with those who I now believe to have been directed by the Spirit of God.  Steve and Marlene invite me to church - I said yes.

23. Moved to Knoxville, TN and people directly intervene in my life.  They seem to've been led by the Spirit of God.  They lead me to study the Word of God - believe and "be" differently.

26. Dejected by seemingly unbearable "religious'" expectations for "trying" to live a "Christian" life.  Bill Job explains the grace of God - God works out all that's good and that I was identified with Christ and right with God solely by what Christ did for me.

28. We attend a dispensational church that more rationally interpreted God's provisions for we gentiles -  Pauline theology.  We were fully engaged in bible study and the church.

40. Kid(s) resent being told how to be good by following religious practices and principles.  They expose the difference between what we said and did - they also wanted to be free of religion.  A hyper-grace like message seemed to allow the freedom for us to walk a more "sinful" path while under the protective umbrella of the grace of God.  My prayer life might've revealed the problem.

60. Brokenness again leads me to more honestly assess my life and faith walk.  I develop more honest and close relationships while working out my faith in the Light.  I disengaged from those trying to "run" the church and gave up "trying" to be good.  I stopped attempting to fix, manage, and control other people according to what I thought was best.  Trusted by placing my hopes for me and others in the "hands of God."  My life actually began to "bear" fruit that both I, maybe others too, enjoyed.  

The only church in town will lead you to God through His Word.  They'll direct you to God's revelation of how we can have a right relationship with our Holy Creator.  They'll believe the Gospel truth of what God's already done for us in Christ.  Our work is to believe (John 6:29).

Just for today...

"... it is our expectations, not our loved ones, that have let us down . . . learn to treat our needs as important and appropriate, and to treat ourselves as deserving . . . if we stop insisting that our needs be met according to our will, we might discover that all the love and support we need is already at our fingertips."   Courage to Change (p. 2)

"I will not fall in with . . . craving for punishment to relieve his or her guilt. I will not scold and weep, for it will not overcome the difficulties that we are trapped in . . . I pray that I may stop and think before I do or say anything whatever."  One Day at a Time (p. 2)

"'Look back without staring.' As long as I kept staring at my past without experiencing my feelings about it, I stayed mired in fear, resentment, and self-pity . . . Only after I stopped long enough to feel my anguish, bitterness, and emptiness could I let them go and move ahead."   Hope for Today (p. 2)

"Five senses; Limited view - Spiritual truth; Reveal anew."   Am I a Poet?

January 1st - Journey to Better Times

The story...

I've made a new years resolution that signaled hope for more and better fruit to be born from my life and from those within my circle of concern too.  The resolution was doable and built on truth.  I found it to be true in my earlier years and knew it was likely to build better personal character traits.   It was a good place on the morn of this first day of ...

You gotta leave this to go for that.  "This" is normal even if it ain't comfortable.  "That" is like "two birds in a bush" - we may want to hang onto "this" in our hand.  For me, it's been easier to change after I've had the opportunity to verbally appraise the current situation with a friend.  Maybe this kind of life assessment happens for many on the last day of December prompting new-years resolutions on January 1st.  A quick internet search estimates that <10% of Americans follow thorough on their new-years resolutions.  Given my resolution choice, I expect an 80% probability of success.  Why not?

For me, my resolution will help me grow my personal character, relationships and faith.  And, the "doing" of my resolution should result in my holding "things" and the "cares of this world" more loosely.  How about your change resolution?

The only church in town will "generally" be a God's Word knowing, faithful, honest, helping, and loving group of people.  Our idealistic picture of what that one church might be will be wrong.  Why?  We'll find the wide range of personalities, capabilities, knowledge, coping mechanisms, life stories, shame, guilt, pride, and fruit-bearing capabilities there.  The relationships that you might find there are part of the good stuff in life where real personal and spiritual growth might be cultivated.  I hope that you make a resolution to become more involved within your church community.  Maybe you'll expect less and live being thankful for what you receive.  Please accept my happy new-years wishes.

Just for today...

"We all have dark times in our lives, but the journey to better times is often what makes us happier, stronger people. When we stop expecting instant relief, we may come to believe that where we are today is exactly where God would have us be."  Courage to Change (p. 1)

"They see themselves in me, I see myself in them, and we learn to love and accept each other and ourselves."  Hope for Today (p. 1)

"I have authority over no life but my own."  One Day at a Time (p. 1)

"Me like Him; Partially so - Us like Him; More to know."   Am I a Poet? 

December 31st - Hoping future's good - doing our part

The story...

Twenty four has been my favorite number for as long as I can remember.  The number feels even, comfortable, and strangely offered an optimistic spin for that year.  The Ford Motor Company built our new Ford Maverick pickup truck during the last week of January and I planned to Uber drive that spring.  While Uber driving, I hoped to meet, serve, and care for people as I helped them reach their destinations.  Yes, I planned to do my part toward making 2024 a good-to-great year.

My new years resolution was to pray, followed by meditation, for at least ten minutes per day for 100 consecutive days.  Why?  A good friend did something similar, I had the power to make the change happen, and the life change seemed to offer only upsides.

Did I track my progress?  Yes, I wish that I didn't need to record actualities but my old habits are of a stubborn sort.  I willed to practice and sustain this good-living habit.  In reality, my prayer and meditation life drifted to a more normal state that seemed to fit me better.  I repeatably learn that I do not know what's best for the future me.  Often, I'm surprised at what the good life looks like on me.

The only church in town will share about God's promises for a relationship with Him that trusts in His provision.  Prayer and quietly listening is part of that relationship.

Happy new year friends!

Just for today...

"The new year which lies before me has no time for futile regrets. I will live one day at a time, making each one better than the last, as I grow in confidence and faith."  One Day at a Time (p. 366)

"Have I thanked that person for all they've given me? Have I recognized my growing ability to love and trust others?"   Courage to Change (p. 366)

"Envied theirs; I'd see - Thanked God; Became me."
"We're better; I'm okay - Trusting God; His say."   Am I a Poet?

December 29th - Plant your foot solidly and securely

 The story...

My feet had bunions, tight tendons connecting my toes, and almost no arch.  To make matters more challenging, one of my legs was/is about 1/4" longer.  Some of these limitations, and those partially caused by them, were corrected by surgery.  These changes allowed me to move more stably.

It feels good and right to plant your foot - the rest of your body parts, including the lumbar region of your spine, rely on that firm footing.  My lower back has impinged my spinal cord and sent nerve impulses to my brain which I interpreted as negative and painful.  Those "pain" signals trigger unwanted reactions, thoughts, and changes of behavior.  I wanted better.

The following article is from the 12/26/23 edition of the Wall Street Journal.  It claimed that we might change our perceptions of some of the nerve signals that originated from pinched spinal cords.  "The cause is brain sensitization rather than physical injury . . . verbally reappraising the sensations as a false alarm and noting it so that it's not considered threatening or painful."  Yes, we can live better lives by more accurately sensing, perceiving, and acting on reality.  That made sense to me and seemed like right thinking - in response, I willed to reappraise my nerve signals.  You can guess the results.

Within the only church in town you'll learn the value of placing your step solidly within God's will. That firmer foundation allows for sustainable growth centered and planted in reality - the seen and the unseen.  I'm not talking about an imaginary world where a group all agrees in a sort of blind hope.  The faith relationships works within the Light of God's revealed Word and His presence.  It's the place to be - fruit bearing along the way.

Just for today...

"Did I demand to much? Am I being confronted with a natural reprisal for my rigid, uncompromising attitude? . . . If we hurt someone or demanded to much of them, swift retribution may dismay or infuriate us . . . I may feel ever so justified in "taking a stand," but let me consider whether it was something I did that led to the crisis."  One Day at a Time (p. 364)

"Idea flits in; Shiny an new - Fun and better; Not from you."
"It's my own; Favored son - Biasedly favored; Already won."
"They object; Can't they see - The savior; It's about me."     Am I a Poet?

December 28th - Be okay living in reality

The story...

Oh, if I could've been more kind to both me and to others too - more content with what I had and appreciative of what I received.  Yet, none of those years were wasted.  They're all part of who I am.  I'm thankful for each and every one - they were a gift.

From Caroline Kennedy

The bible says that He became flesh and lived a life out on this earth within a human experience as the Son of Man.  His human experience is important to both God and to us too.  Might all of our human experiences have eternal value?  I expect so . . .  they're certainly important to me as I type.

How about being a part of the only church in your town already?  What a great place to meet whilst praising and worshiping our Creator together.  Relationships found there help complete us, contribute to the value of each day, and builds towards the worthy aim.

Just for today...

"We intend to be kind and tolerant, but some uncontrollable impulse changes our attitude into something we later find ourselves regretting. We intend to accomplish so much, but unless we start out with a realistic estimate of what we are capable of doing, we fall far short of our expectations."  One Day at a Time (p. 363)

"I was given; I can do - Lovin me; Lovin you."   Am I a Poet?

December 20th - Love meets each other's needs...

The story...

I imagined a world that was envisioned for me to sell toothpaste, Chevrolets, and scrubbing agents by "Ad Men" in Manhattan.  There was no escaping the overwhelming number of ad messages - they worked.  Life's better when you're drinking a Coca-Cola.

It was a world of love and acceptance - freedom to be me with other like-minded people.  Nobody would tell me what to do.  I'd live out the good stuff and toss the mundane, boring, and self-deprecating parts into the trash.  People would be as you imagined them to be.  I'd find a life partner, who agreed with me, and we'd live out an unburdened good life. 

Good Morning Sunshine - I thought this might be my reality?  Really???

My personality and intellect tended, and tends, to move me towards the rebellious end of the the spectrum.  What was my North Star that kept me going?  Maybe it was my fundamental desire to be accepted, respected, and loved.  Initially, I believed that the marriage relationship would fulfill those needs.  Marriage can do the wonderful - it can teach us how to give and receive love.  Yet, another person can't fill all the missing parts of a good and honest life.

The only church in town will communicate and work out relationships with God, and each other, through His provision in Christ.  I want to be found with Him now and for evermore - work life out alongside friends too.

Just for today...

"What role do my expectations as a child play in my difficulties as an adult?"  Hope for Today (p. 355)

"The more light we generate for others, the better we can see ourselves."  One Day at a Time (p. 355)

"Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."  I Corinthians 13:4-6 (NASB)

"Self hurt; God restore - Love heal; Open door."   Am I a Poet?

December 18th - W.A.I.T.: Why Am I Still Talking?

The story...

When I was young, I was more awkward and felt a tad outside the groups that I longed to be accepted by.  I learned to find acceptance by being interesting, funny, and engaging in group situations - the "story teller."  The persona I worked out seemed to help me be accepted - to feel okayer.  My "style" of being might've been less problematic if I'd learned to listen to and respect others too - wanting the same for others as I wanted for myself. 

George Costanza leaves on a high note.

I was often talking when I should've been listening, understanding, and growing.  Where did I miss the lesson that it's better to first understand than to be understood (Steven Covey)?  Did I talk to much in an effort to be respected and accepted?  The acronym W.A.I.T. would've been helpful for me in conversation: Why Am I Talking?

When the word of God is read in the only church in town, might we listen rather than seek to find ways to invalidate "The Message" or to bend it to fit our imagined reality?  The message will likely conflict with our self concepts of how the world works best for us.  Many of us construct, an operate within, an elaborate "house of cards," virtually erected, through our imagination and mental gyrations - reality is a better place to actually live.

Just for today...

"I will not yield to my compulsion to go on talking after I have made my point - and what I say will have a direct relevance to the subject of the meeting."  One Day at a Time (p. 353)

"Walls are disappearing, and love and community are growing and expanding."  Hope for Today (p. 353)

"What's next; Too silent - Had ta say; Tension eased."
"Me focused; What's the cost? - Felt better; Learnings lost."   Am I a Poet?

December 15th - Growing together

The story...

I went through a period of brokenness - the situation overwhelmed me.  I needed help.  I was withdrawing and isolating from the problem(s).  Thankfully, a caring friend suggested that I meet with a group of people who deal with similar life battles.  They'd helped both him and others he knew.  I went, I felt understood, the environment was comfortable, and I grew to become a better man alongside others.  I actually received love and offered love too.

Even though the people within the group come and go as their needs change - I truly love them and experience love too.  I wish other groups were like that.  Strangely, as I grew towards being a more fully-functioning human, most of the groups that I'm a part of seemed to improve too.  Yes, we rub off on each other and perceive situations differently as WE grow.

The only church in town will have groups and friends who you can grow and walk through life with.  Yes, you can come closer to whom you were created to be.  Yet, most importantly, you can become right with your Creator and begin to walk rightly with Him - that's the relationship that lasts.

I hope that you enjoy todays "Just for today..."  readings.  They're but a sample of those that helped me both during my time of need and today too.  I'm thankful for each of these writers who've shared a chunk of their reality and victory.

Just for today...

"How could I turn my will and my life over to the care of God? . . . It felt so scary to think that I was out of control . . . I wondered what absolute surrender would feel like, and how I would know if I was doing it? . . . He said that turning our will over is like dancing with a partner. If both try to lead, there is much confusion and little forward movement. . . .  But when the partner is willing to relax and let the other partner do the steering, the couple flows easily across the dance floor."  Courage to Change (p. 350)

"Changing myself is such a big job that it keeps me fully occupied . . . I don't let myself get discouraged. Perfection never really has worried me because I know it's unattainable. Instead, I'm thrilled with the small, daily changes I can make in my attitudes and actions."  Hope for Today (p. 350)

"This one day I can easily cope with, if I have not frittered away my energies on destructive emotions, and if I do not provoke antagonism by criticisms, complaints and reproaches."  One Day at a Time (p. 350)

"Lonely solitude; Paths unknown - Preacher maps; Believers follow."
"God met; Narrow path - Truly secure; His way."   Am I a Poet?

December 14th - Quit hole digging - ask for help

 The story...

There was an older guy, who worked for me, that had a difficult time solving his problems with his computer models - he was modeling changes to parts that our company produced.  He'd spend hours trying to figure out his problems by himself with much wasted time and angst.  He was spending too much time per project - he needed to either improve or move on to another type of job. 

I remember meeting with him, in his office, to discuss the types of problems that he had.  Some were dealing with infrequent exceptions to the design process that had special causes.  Some were due to his methods that were different than the ones that he was trained to perform.  Some were due to misconceptions regarding the Computer-Aided-Design process.  Some were due to terminology that he didn't understand.  Some were due to actual design issues that he didn't have to consider when he was drawing with paper and pencil.  Some were due to a sort of uneasiness with his ability to perform his job with a computer that was forced upon him - he felt less capable and valued by the group.

We better understood each other after we met a few times in his office.  We came up with a solution that included retraining on a few modules.  We worked out arrangements, with three other designers, to ask for help when needed - he came to them with the problem clearly defined.  "Timing" rules minimized his propensity to spin his wheels while "hoping" for a solution.  The process included: 1st, take a few minutes to identify and clarify the problem; 2nd, review the training material; 3rd, seek help from one of the three available designers depending on their specialty;  4th, call the software company help desk; 5th, come to me, his manager, to both alert me and to ask for additional support. 

He followed the new process and his performance and attitude improved - problem solved.  Yet, I'm not sure what the main cause of his problem was.   Was help gained by being understood, valued, and being restored to a fully engaging group member - the Hawthorne effect?  We learned a lesson together - I became both a better person and manager in those few weeks.

Those attending the only church in town will learn that God listens to prayers and requests even though he knows about all situations in advance.  For those who are right with Him, He will either fulfill the request or give in accordance to His will.  His will is supremely better and right in His timing.  He cares for us, His creatures, and has plans for both this life and our eternity to follow - scripture says so.

Just for today...

". . . answers came not from books, but from mutual caring and thinking out loud with someone you felt comfortable with."  One Day at a Time (p. 349)

"If I'm not careful, I overwhelm myself with all the various things I could change and I become paralyzed by inaction. It helps to pray for knowledge of exactly what God wants me to change at any given moment."  Hope for Today (p. 349)

"Hopelessly caught; Sticky web - Cocoon forms; Help me God!"
"His appears; Love felt - Fantasies lost; Eternity unveiled!"    Am I a Poet?

December 13th - Being thankful

The story...

I grew up in a small USA town with: two parents, four siblings, needs taken care of, regular involvement in a church, vacations away from home, a learning environment, and expectations of graduating from high school and moving on to college to become whoever I wanted to be.  Wow ... what was there to complain about?  Well, there was always somebody glorying themselves and making it hard for others to be heard or seen.  We were polishing, displaying and proclaiming the glory of our attributes that we imagined to be true - ongoing attempts to glorify self.

As I ponder eternity past, eternity future, and an expectation of living but one life on this earth; each breath is an amazing reality.  I'm so thankful that God provided the solution to that self-absorbing darkness that seems to drift around and through people.  

The only church in town might share a video like "There's a Dragon in my Nativity."  They'll share the story of when our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ came to His earth to redeem us from the darkness that's incompatible with Holy God.  Our Creator and Sustainer is obviously worthy of glory and praise.  The congregation will share a better more fruitful way to live out their life and eternity in Christ  - man... that's really good news!.

Just for today...

"At no point in my life will I achieve perfection; there will never be a time when I will not need the joy and satisfaction of helping others."  One Day at a Time (p. 348)

"What would happen if I started thanking God when problems occurred?  At first I had to force myself to say 'Thank you, God,' through clenched teeth. By and by, my teeth unlocked and I replaced self-pity with gratitude. I truly began to live."  Courage to Change (p. 348)

"Fog drifts in; Darkly murky - Veer offtrack; Lonely lost."
"Preacher's light; Shining truth - God saves; Christ's abode."   Am I a Poet?

December 12th - Love yourself to more fully love others

The story...

Did I need to perform to be loved?  I didn't seem to match the "ideal" person that "we" wanted to be.  And, it seemed my parents were pushing me toward something better than what I was capable of being or best suited for.  I wanted to be loved but close relationships remained elusive.

Growing up, I was smarter than the average kid.  My dad had a respectful job and my needs were met.  We had a bigger boat and newer car than most. They took us on vacations - four states away and to Canada too.  They volunteered and supported our boy scouts and girl scouts activities.  They taught us to be thrifty and capable. They made sure we went to church and were prepared for college.  They did their parenting job well.  My inner man wanted to love and be loved.  Not merely do and receive loving actions; but, to actually love and be loved.  Does love like that require the intervention of God?

The only church in town will be a place where people learn to love themselves gracefully as God loves us through Christ.  These loved people will be more capable and free to love others within graceful relationships.  People will learn the grace that's the undeserved favor of God.  The indwelling Spirit of God will testify of this wonderful loving truth.. 

Just for today...

"How great is the human need for a scapegoat, someone or something to blame for our disappointments . . . at least part of my unhappiness is due to the way I reacted . . . nothing can work damage to me except myself.'"  One Day at a Time (p. 347)

"I had to deal with my old resentments . . . It took discipline and courage to stop pushing every adult away . . . I can love them for who they are, instead of who I think they should be."  Courage to Change (p. 347)

"I wasn't really aware of myself . . .When I learned to love the person I found - myself - I started to perceive and love myriad qualities in the people around me."  Hope for Today (p. 347)

"She smiled; We laughed - The touch; Melding hearts."
"Must keep; Pretend lover - Fades away; Under cover."   Am I a Poet?

December 10th - Get it together - together

The story...

"I can't believe that you vote like that. I thought you were a better person. How could you do that? Aren't you a Christian?"  Yes, I was shunned by a group for presenting positions, from the "other" party, with their "best foot forward."  My position was that "they" were working toward good and just principles even if their means for funding and implementing the changes may be perceived as idealistic, unsustainable or suboptimal. The part that stung was the not so subtle reference that I must not be a Christian if I was on the side of the other party - they were shunning me for offering respect and understanding.  I ended up at the group's governing board challenging others to stand up and support their opinion that people from the other party were errant, naive, and wayward - needing correction.  No one stood up - a moment of reckoning.  I didn't hear anyone speak like that for a season; yet, the groupthink and judgement of "the other guys," crept back in.  I guess it's part of the human nature and another example of the undermining force of "groupthink."

It seems good that government would stay true to it's constitution, standardize what works, and be slow to change the things that work for so many.  Even so, they might run change experiments to test new ideas.  It's hard, if not impossible, to know all of the implications of a change to a system in advance.  They'd try change plans out before institutionalizing them.  They'd plan the change, do the change on a small scale, check for effectiveness, and standardized the parts that worked - make them an integral part of the new system.  Wouldn't it be good for both parties to honestly test how the other guy's most-promising ideas? 

The only church in town will have much leeway within the boundaries of God's revealed Word.  They'll keep "first things first" and work out their faith in honest and faithful ways.  They'll recognize all men as born sinners who fall short of the glory of God.  Faith in Christ's redeeming work transforms them into a new creature who's able to commune with God in the present - born again.  Surely, we continue to live in the world with bodies that tempt us to live self-satisfying lives; yet, our prayer and communing with God "can" restore us to that best working condition of being in Christ.

Just for today...

"Where in the past I have allowed unacceptable behavior . . . Today I have the courage and faith to be true to myself, whether or not others like or agree with me."  Courage to Change (p. 345)

"Let me observe, with new interest even the commonplace things that happen in each new day."  One Day at a Time (p. 345)

"We're better; Either's less - Try it on; May fit us."   Am I a Poet?

December 7th - Are you seeking pleasure?

The story...

I've tried to feel better by eating more, imagining a better place in time, replacing the old with the new, or merely exercising towards an Apple-watch goal.  You likely have similar whims that you'd add to your list.

Watch this YouTube video at your own risk - ain't giving you the link

When I'm seeking pleasure to make me feel better, I know my relationship with God isn't right - "trouble" has crept into my life once again.  I sense those disquieting feeling as I kneel down to pray in quiet meditation.  These inordinate desires melt away and I begin again to experience love joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control anew - fruit of the Spirit of God.

The only church in town will preach, teach, and work out God's Way for living the good life.  They won't suggest self-actualization or pleasure seeking.  Walking honestly and humbly with your righteous God is the best way to live.  An inherently unrighteous man, like me, can't live a good life out on his own.  We must be positioned with Him in Christ by the power of God - living within the body of Christ. 

Just for today...

"I used to think that being good to myself meant eating whatever I wanted, buying anything that caught my eye, sleeping only a few hours a night, and avoiding any activities that weren't fun or exciting. The trouble was that consequences were very uncomfortable, and when I let myself think about it, I felt I was wasting my life."  Courage to Change (p. 342)

"Speak your truth quietly and clearly; listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they, too, have their story."  One Day at a Time (p. 342)

"Serenity is the sure knowledge of God's unconditional love for me. It is an acceptance of myself that flows from God's approving embrace."  Hope for Today (p. 342)

"Be happy; Why be sad? - Whose ta blame; If yer bad?"
"Eroding hearts; Soul's lost - Christ redeemed; Bore the cost."   Am I a Poet?

December 6th - Sense emotions without reacting

The story...

They made a rude and self-centered verbal attack on the character of a person who I deeply cared for.  Multiple emotions rushed into my mind.  I reacted quickly by cutting down the speaker with sharp and hurtful words - my message couldn't be ignored and our relationship was damaged.  The exchange may have been justified but the relationship damage was hurtful and painful for both of us.  An emotionally intelligent person may have used the conversation as a means to more subtly allow the other person to see their actions and perspective more clearly and deal with them in their own way - saving face.

I've heard it said that our emotions will last about 90 seconds if we don't feed them.  If that's true, then within 90 seconds we can choose to either: ignore the feeling, pretend it isn't real, evaluate it rationally, equate it with another feeling, choose to remember it for later reference, react positively or negatively to it, or begin the recurring process of obsessively thinking about it.  Oh... how many hours I've painfully wasted obsessively thinking about a relationships gone bad.

Might we put each emotions out in the light of day and examine them in the present?  We gotta manage them quickly if unfed emotions last less than 90 seconds.  Often, I'm surprised at an important reality they'll expose.  Like a hidden pearl, awareness of an underlying truth can be an unexpected gift.  A benefactor may've endeavored to teach me to be more emotionally intelligent - my need must've been obvious to some.  Maybe they thought I needed to be "broken" first - to grow up on my own.

The only church in town will contain wise and capable mentors who trust God.  They'll be able to meet us where we are and relate to our position and condition as it more truly is.  They'll care because of the grace bestowed upon them by "That Than Which There is No Greater" in Christ - gracefully.

Just for today...

"Anger can give me an illusion of power. For a little while I may feel I have control over my situation and over other people, but that kind of false security always lets me down."  Courage to Change (p. 341)

"He needs much help who thinks he can compel others to do what seems right to him."  One Day at a Time (p. 341)

"Righteous anger; Spews hate - Heard pause; Love sate."   Am I a Poet?

December 3rd - Care for those outside your control or influence?

The story...

Life's taught me that I don't know what's best in many or most situations. The best is often applying something that seemed to work well in similar situations.  It's especially likely that I'll choose a suboptimal course of action if it: involves something that I'm comfortable with; allows me to apply a skill that I've developed; if it uses the tool(s) at hand; brings positive attention towards myself; pleasures me; or is consistent with my limited knowledge.  Actually, I think that I'm a good decision maker.  Yet, I'm prone to make biased-suboptimal decisions while hoping for a cloudy picture of what the best future might hold.

I once taught a graduate class on forecasting with mathematical models.  It involved identifying causal and non-causal data related to key outcomes, weighting historical data, measuring trends, discovering seasonality, and the testing of these time-series models with both historical and current reality.  There was always the underlying concern that these data were not recorded accurately or precise enough.  A good model's helpful for planning within varying: environments, materials, Geopolitics, competitors, and the actual behavior of the people involved.  Sometimes it seems difficult, if not impossible, to do "good" enough.  Our omniscient God knows - but I, his creature, do not - "A man's got to know his limitations."

Most of us believe that a virtuous life is better than a non-virtuous one; but, we might stray and vary between season and conditions.  I value honesty and integrity while others plan on lying as necessary in an effort to achieve a more favorable outcome.  Insecurity can cause us to live cautiously within ever-changing environments.  Situations and related decision making is rarely black-and-white - our situations are often cloudier and greyer with spots of sunshine peaking through.

God's trustworthy and He cares for each of those who trust in His big-loving hands.  This you'll hear within the only church in town.  We can trust Him for the stuff that's outside our control and influence.  When trusting God, we're more likely to live out a restful, peaceful, and hopeful life.   A life that appreciates the past, lives in the present, and trusts God for the future.  It's a wonderful thing to walk through this life, and eternity, within the favor of God - in Christ.  You can fellowship with your Creator and Father now.

Just for today...

"I found it relatively easy to make a decision to turn over my will and my life to God. However, I didn't have any idea how to actually do it."  Hope for Today (p. 338) 

"Speculating on other people's attitudes and motives is a waste of time and effort. To search out the reasons for my own is a voyage of discovery!"  One Day at a Time (p. 338)

"Meditation is higher spiritual awareness . . . a quiet place . . . beyond my thoughts . . . attention on the present day only, leaving the past and the future alone."   Courage to Change (p. 338)

"Will control; Not so much - Influential push; Fell down."
"Chaos pressed, Peace lost  - God held; Big hands."   Am I a Poet?

November 29th - Trying to control the uncontrollable?

The story...

The weather's going to vary.  We might try to control it by moving to a new spot on the globe; yet, it'll vary there too.  We can influence the weather we experience; but, do we really control it?  

We're better able to plan for weather variation in our homes.  We may look at the short-term forecast and  plan accordingly.  Many change their home's environment using: a thermostat with heat and cooling source(s);  a hygrometer to start up the humidifier or dehumidifier; or reported pollen counts to decide to filter the air or close the windows.  Some people don't like it the same way and want the weather within the house to vary too.  Settings are agreed to by compromise or directed by those with authority.  The weather never seems to be quite right.

We try to build homes that are sustainable under all reasonable weather expectations and don't require excessive effort to control them.  We may change the way we dress to better fit how we want to be.  Maybe we'll choose to work in the morning, go to either the air-conditioned mall or beach when it's hot; or travel during periods of weather that's not to our liking.  Maybe its better to accommodate the weather rather than judging it an attempting to control it.   Maybe we could minimize our opinions about the weather and appreciate the natural variation - that sounds good to me.  Yet, I'm going to heat, cool, and filter to adjust for the extremes that may disrupt my life.  I'll dress to accommodate the weather - go with the flow.

How about choosing to be thankful for each day's weather and refrain from judging it to be good or bad?  I'd like to live my life accommodating and appreciating variation.  That'd be better than working never-ending cycles of measuring, judging, controlling, and deeming it to be either good or bad.  And, I'd treat other community members in a similar way.  Engage in their lives and enjoy each other without trying to fix, manage, and control them according to what I expect is best for them.  They won't all be my friends; but, I intend to offer grace, mercy, love, and respect to each.

The only church in town will be thankful for the grace, forgiveness, and love that God pours out on us through our Lord Jesus the Christ.  Church people will work out a similar, albeit clunky, graceful heart within their relationships too - mirroring how God loves them.

Just for today...

"Being an adult was looking good on the outside and not feeling what was going on the inside . . . The first thing to go was the control over others - it simply doesn't work  . . .  Today I can risk being myself. I don't have to live up to anyone's image."  Courage to Change (p. 334)

"Today I can put the past where it belongs and focus on taking care of myself. I needn't wait for someone to do it for me."  Hope for Today (p. 334)

"This self-imposed struggle to control the uncontrollable is certainly not rational."  One Day at a Time (p. 334)

"There it is; Now it ain't - Bouncing along; Loosely free."
"Grab on; Hold fast - Steady now; It's gone."    Am I a Poet?

November 28th - Are you heard?

The story...

It's a special thing to be in a relationship where both: have similar aims and each other's best interest at heart; communicate honestly and respectfully; and are known and cared for.  When sharing is balanced, good friends grow together and enjoy each other's presence.  I'm so thankful for growing alongside close fiends.

I hope you enjoy these three friendship quotes from C.S. Lewis's book "The Four Loves."  I've listened, and enjoyed an audio version of this book at least a half-dozen times.

• “Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .”
  
  
• “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable."
  
  
• “I have no duty to be anyone's Friend and no man in the world has a duty to be mine. No claims, no shadow of necessity. Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art, like the universe itself (for God did not need to create). It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

The only church in town will be a group that contains many friends that make up a better whole.  They'll share a common aim, hope, and experience - together.  Each friendship is a good story within the epic saga of life.

Just for today...

"I lugged my childhood grudges into adulthood . . . All I really needed was to be heard. Then I could let go of some ugly feelings."  Hope for Today (p. 333)

"I will learn . . . to recognize my errors, to see the roadblocks of self-will and self-righteousness I have been putting in my way. Then I will no longer insist that a thing is impossible because I have been unable to accomplish it."  One Day at a Time (p. 333)

"Many of the things I had once thought of as virtues - taking care of everyone around me, worrying about other people's lives, sacrificing my own happiness and prosperity - turned out to be the causes of my misery!"  Courage to Change (p. 333)

"He refers to; I recall so - We scale walls; O'er solid footholds."
"Friendship session; Mutually strong - Liven and lovin; Ain't wrong."    Am I a Poet?