You and I may never agree. In fact, if we do not agree, it simply reminds me of the uniqueness God has placed inside of each of us. Sure I would like you to agree with me, but it is not necessarily the basis of our friendship, fellowship or familyship.
And yet daily each of has the ability to incur the wrath of someone who disagrees. Continue reading Oh No. They Went…Shopping!
I read the news. Part of me was “not surprised”(If you are around long enough you see a lot.) while there was another part of me that just sat there in disbelief. Another person I spent years with, tragically dead. I sent the news on to my siblings. They wrote me back in disbelief. Death at the hands of a family member. It is not the first time in the last few years I have “been here”. I would like to tell you it is a dream. But it is not. Continue reading Anger He Wrote
It was clear that she was having an affair. How was I going to approach her? Never mind. I did not have to. She came over to talk to me. I saw her husband outside with the rest of the company. “Why are you coming to me” I thought. Continue reading Friend Of Sinners
Thank a veteran.
Today is Veterans Day in the United States. A day for honoring the men and women of our armed service. A news blog wrote this. …the most productive thing anyone outside the military can do is actually very simple and easy, they say: Strike up a conversation with a veteran. Get to know one of them in a meaningful way. There is a wide cultural gap between Americans who have no relationship with the Armed Forces and those who’ve served their country. Closing that gap is as necessary as it is long overdue. Continue reading For Those Who Have Gone Before Me- Thank You!
Yesterday I spent a lot of time with my family. I had my 3 of my grandchildren over as well as my daughter. A lot was going on. The funeral for a friend was one. Making sure I gave the children the time they needed and wanted. Getting ready for a turkey dinner was on the agenda and at one point I took them to look at the house my son and his wife are purchasing here in Keene. (And that lead to going around a looking at other homes for sale.) Finally we got home for dinner and a movie. Continue reading God Focused – Family Centered
Lots of people want to “do something” for God. I get it. But just to do something because you can does not necessarily bring benefit to you or to the kingdom.
When I was in school as a child, a certain Mrs. Clapp would speak to me about the value of assignments. At first she would hand out papers and say “this is your assignment”. People would moan as they dutifully passed the papers back down the row. Assignment. She would talk of the responsibility attached to the assignment. Continue reading “This Is Your Assignment”
Never Giving Up
This weekend a young woman who used to be in our fellowship in Vermont some twenty years ago did something incredibly amazing. She swam the English Channel. I remember Bethany being in our youth group. So I have been following her progress. Continue reading Fulfilling A Calling
Last night I had the opportunity and pleasure to sit with friends of many a year. They are older and he explained “I am in bed pretty early…around 9”. Well, it was well after 11 when we left. He was not the tired one. I was. Knowing I had to get up early to do what I am doing. Not only for work, but to maintain my articles and such. But our relationship is a good one and they are well worth it in my book. But I thought, we blew right past his 9PM curfew! Why! Because relationship is important. And when people are energized by relationship and friendship, time slips away.
This morning as I got up some 4 plus hours later I realized, “they were worth it”. They have sown into my life over the nearly 20 years we have been together. But just as important was the idea that I need it as well
Relationship in any life is important. I meet people all the time who tell me they “don’t need it” but I am convinced that God hardwired us for relationship. Not only to connect to Him but to connect with one another.
This morning as I reflected on last night and being together with others I realized that our time at their home was a perspective on relationship.
A couple of things I noticed.
I never heard a cell phone go off because both Tina and I left ours in the vehicle when we go there. Too often, we carry our devices into our meetings immediately indicating in most cases our device connections are more important than the ones in front of us.
There was no music or TV going on in the background. We have become so used to these things that perhaps we do not realize how much they interfere with one another and their relationship.
There are relationships we “bank” on but they are often not at the forefront because of busyness and interruption.
It is time to live this area of life we call community and begin to live it on purpose and work on relationships.
Intuitively, I believe we know this, but it is easy to “forget” and disconnect.
Yesterday I had a conversation with a young mom who is working hard to “get her life together”. She is smart, pretty and adept at the work she does BUT she is lonely. While at work as I watched parents come in, many of them had been crying at their children heading back to school.
I heard this phrase but a moment ago, “disconnected no more”.
What if we gave people our full attention? What if put down devices and communications and focused on the one in the room? What if we rekindled the relationships we know to be important?
I know the world is in an unusual place. That the temptation is to to work more, longer and harder to make ends meet. But when we leave the rest of God and allow anxiety and urgency to take over, what have we gained?
I would ask you to consider that.
Disconnected no more!
My friend was only allowed 14 items in the container he was being allotted on the train. He was thinking this would not be a “big” deal and did not ask for help from anyone. The items were varied. Some large pieces of furniture, boxes and crates. People had helped him get the items to the loading area, but then he sent everyone away. He was going to finish the loading himself. Continue reading Help! I Need Somebody!
