I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, and my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio.
I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Transforming the Task List
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
What got you out of bed this morning (besides the lure of a hot cup of coffee)? If you’re like me, you finally pulled yourself out of bed because you’ve got stuff to do. In fact, your obligations for the day will probably end up being itemized on a list.
My to-do list is unapologetically low-tech. Just a small pad of lined paper with the date on the top and a handwritten itemization of things I need to get done before I hit the sack at the end of the day. I know that a Palm Pilot, a Blackberry, or even my trusted laptop could make my list look much trendier, but in the end a list is a list—a long series of items that keep my feet to the fire.
What’s troubling is that as I get to the bottom of one page of tasks, there’s often a note that says, “See next page.” And the scariest page is the one from yesterday that reminds me that I didn’t get it all done after all. It’s easy to begin to feel that life is only about “living for the list”! But if all of life is just about the stuff to do, it becomes little more than an accumulation of random, disconnected events in life. You climb in bed at the end of each day exhausted, thinking to yourself: There really has to be more to life than this.
The good news is that God has an overriding purpose for your life that encompasses everything on your list. When we put that purpose at the top of our priorities, even a day with an incomplete task list can be a smashingly significant, successful day. Are you ready to find out what it is?
God’s purpose for you is that you live to glorify Him. Not that you stop doing the list thing, but that everything on your list can be done to His glory. It’s just that simple. Glorifying God in all we do takes us beyond the routine of “just getting things done.” It fills the stuff on the list with a new sense of significance and in the end leaves us feeling that even the smallest task is significant. Getting the right degree, finding the right job, making lots of money, or landing a meaningful relationship is no longer the end game. Thankfully so, those kinds of pursuits left to themselves soon run out of gas. But getting a degree (or doing any of those things) so that you can use the degree to glorify God instead of yourself fills your life with a new and lasting sense of significance.
This is exactly what Paul had in mind when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whether you eat or drink, do it all for the glory of God.” There is nothing in your life that can’t be done to glorify God. Living to bring glory to Him is the all-consuming, driving, defining purpose that God has intended for our lives. Glorifying God simply means to do all we do in a way that communicates the attitudes and actions of God. It is filling life with His presence. When others see His mercy, justice, grace, love, tolerance, generosity, and humility in everything we do, they are seeing the glory of God through our lives. And tactfully giving Him the credit for all our accomplishments focuses the spotlight and applause on the right person.
Let’s face it—our lists are here to stay! Let’s make something of them. Do it all to show your world what God is like!
YOUR JOURNEY…
* Look over your tasks and plans for the day ahead. What priorities are reflected in your list?
* What are the dangers of being ruled by your task list? Have any of these dangers crept into your day-to-day activities?
* Consider one of the more mundane items on the list. What are some ways God could use that task for His glory if submitted to Him?
* Think of some practical ways you can submit your plans and lists to God each day. You can start right now. Take some time to ask the Lord to show you how to bring glory to Him in all your activities
What got you out of bed this morning (besides the lure of a hot cup of coffee)? If you’re like me, you finally pulled yourself out of bed because you’ve got stuff to do. In fact, your obligations for the day will probably end up being itemized on a list.
My to-do list is unapologetically low-tech. Just a small pad of lined paper with the date on the top and a handwritten itemization of things I need to get done before I hit the sack at the end of the day. I know that a Palm Pilot, a Blackberry, or even my trusted laptop could make my list look much trendier, but in the end a list is a list—a long series of items that keep my feet to the fire.
What’s troubling is that as I get to the bottom of one page of tasks, there’s often a note that says, “See next page.” And the scariest page is the one from yesterday that reminds me that I didn’t get it all done after all. It’s easy to begin to feel that life is only about “living for the list”! But if all of life is just about the stuff to do, it becomes little more than an accumulation of random, disconnected events in life. You climb in bed at the end of each day exhausted, thinking to yourself: There really has to be more to life than this.
The good news is that God has an overriding purpose for your life that encompasses everything on your list. When we put that purpose at the top of our priorities, even a day with an incomplete task list can be a smashingly significant, successful day. Are you ready to find out what it is?
God’s purpose for you is that you live to glorify Him. Not that you stop doing the list thing, but that everything on your list can be done to His glory. It’s just that simple. Glorifying God in all we do takes us beyond the routine of “just getting things done.” It fills the stuff on the list with a new sense of significance and in the end leaves us feeling that even the smallest task is significant. Getting the right degree, finding the right job, making lots of money, or landing a meaningful relationship is no longer the end game. Thankfully so, those kinds of pursuits left to themselves soon run out of gas. But getting a degree (or doing any of those things) so that you can use the degree to glorify God instead of yourself fills your life with a new and lasting sense of significance.
This is exactly what Paul had in mind when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whether you eat or drink, do it all for the glory of God.” There is nothing in your life that can’t be done to glorify God. Living to bring glory to Him is the all-consuming, driving, defining purpose that God has intended for our lives. Glorifying God simply means to do all we do in a way that communicates the attitudes and actions of God. It is filling life with His presence. When others see His mercy, justice, grace, love, tolerance, generosity, and humility in everything we do, they are seeing the glory of God through our lives. And tactfully giving Him the credit for all our accomplishments focuses the spotlight and applause on the right person.
Let’s face it—our lists are here to stay! Let’s make something of them. Do it all to show your world what God is like!
YOUR JOURNEY…
* Look over your tasks and plans for the day ahead. What priorities are reflected in your list?
* What are the dangers of being ruled by your task list? Have any of these dangers crept into your day-to-day activities?
* Consider one of the more mundane items on the list. What are some ways God could use that task for His glory if submitted to Him?
* Think of some practical ways you can submit your plans and lists to God each day. You can start right now. Take some time to ask the Lord to show you how to bring glory to Him in all your activities
Friday, August 13, 2010
God Decrees.....God Permits
The way of God is complex
he is hard for us to predict.
He moves the pieces and they
come somehow into a kind of
order.
he is hard for us to predict.
He moves the pieces and they
come somehow into a kind of
order.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The Rain
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am..
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.
He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.
As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'
He smiled as he patted my hand and said,
'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought,
'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'
True love is neither physical, nor romantic.
True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.
With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message. This one I thought I could share with you.
The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.
I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did.
'Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
But how to dance in the rain.'
We are all getting Older
GOD BLESS!
"Ask not of your friends , That which your friends could not ask of you."
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.
He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.
As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'
He smiled as he patted my hand and said,
'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought,
'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'
True love is neither physical, nor romantic.
True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.
With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message. This one I thought I could share with you.
The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.
I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did.
'Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
But how to dance in the rain.'
We are all getting Older
GOD BLESS!
"Ask not of your friends , That which your friends could not ask of you."
Friday, July 16, 2010
El milagro de las convicciones
Mi palabra y mi predicación no fue con palabras persuasivas de sabiduría humana. . . 1 Corintios 2:04
Pablo era un erudito y un orador de la graduación más alta, él no estaba hablando aquí de un profundo sentido de humildad, sino que decía que cuando él predicaba el evangelio, se solaparía el poder de Dios, si impresionó a la gente con la excelencia de su discurso. Creer en Jesús es un milagro producido únicamente por la eficacia de la redención, no por el impresionante discurso, ni por cortejar y convencer, sino sólo por el puro poder sin la ayuda de Dios. El poder creativo de la redención viene por la predicación del evangelio, pero nunca debido a la personalidad del predicador.
El ayuno real y efectiva de un predicador no es el ayuno de alimentos, pero el ayuno de la elocuencia, de la dicción impresionante, y de todo lo demás que pudieran dificultar el evangelio de Dios que se presenta. El predicador está ahí como representante de Dios-". . . como si Dios rogase por medio de nosotros. . . "(2 Corintios 5:20). Él está allí para presentar el evangelio de Dios. Si es sólo por mi predicación que la gente desea ser mejor, nunca se acercaran a Jesucristo. Cualquier cosa que me halaga en mi predicación del evangelio, como resultado, me hara traidor de Jesús, y puedo evitar que el poder creativo de Su redención haga su trabajo.
"Y yo, si soy levantado. . . , A todos atraeré a mí mismo "(Juan 12:32).
Pablo era un erudito y un orador de la graduación más alta, él no estaba hablando aquí de un profundo sentido de humildad, sino que decía que cuando él predicaba el evangelio, se solaparía el poder de Dios, si impresionó a la gente con la excelencia de su discurso. Creer en Jesús es un milagro producido únicamente por la eficacia de la redención, no por el impresionante discurso, ni por cortejar y convencer, sino sólo por el puro poder sin la ayuda de Dios. El poder creativo de la redención viene por la predicación del evangelio, pero nunca debido a la personalidad del predicador.
El ayuno real y efectiva de un predicador no es el ayuno de alimentos, pero el ayuno de la elocuencia, de la dicción impresionante, y de todo lo demás que pudieran dificultar el evangelio de Dios que se presenta. El predicador está ahí como representante de Dios-". . . como si Dios rogase por medio de nosotros. . . "(2 Corintios 5:20). Él está allí para presentar el evangelio de Dios. Si es sólo por mi predicación que la gente desea ser mejor, nunca se acercaran a Jesucristo. Cualquier cosa que me halaga en mi predicación del evangelio, como resultado, me hara traidor de Jesús, y puedo evitar que el poder creativo de Su redención haga su trabajo.
"Y yo, si soy levantado. . . , A todos atraeré a mí mismo "(Juan 12:32).
Friday, May 28, 2010
Nehemia 4: 16-23
We must watch always against spiritual enemies, and not expect that our warfare will be over till our work is ended. The word of God is the sword of the spirit, which we ought to have always at hand, and never to have to seek for it, either in our labors, or in our conflicts, as Christians. Every true Christian is both a laborer and a soldier, working with one hand, and fighting with the other. Good work is likely to go on with success, when those who labor in it, make a business of it. And Satan fears to assault the watchful Christian; or, if attacked, the Lord fight for him. Thus must we wait to the close of life, never putting off our account till our work and warfare are ended; then we shall be welcomed to the rest and joy of our Lord.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thank God for Mothers!
"I have been reminded of your sincere faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded, now lives in you also." 2 Timothy 1:05
It was Sunday morning and his son had not yet been presented at the breakfast table. She had tried to climb the stairs shouting: "Wake up and get down here!" But there was no response. Finally, up the stairs and opened the door to the room of his son and said: "We must rise and dress. It's time to go to church!"
"I do not want to go to church," her son complained of under the covers.
"You can not give me one good reason not to go to church, so get up!" Replied his mother.
"Actually, I'll give you three reasons. Number one: it's boring. Number two: people are gossipy and critical. And number three: nobody loves me. So why do I bother?"
"I'll give you three reasons," replied her mother. "Number one: the Bible says you should go. Number two: you are 45 years. And number three: you're the pastor! Now get out of bed and dressed for church!"
Where would we be without the tireless insistence of our mothers to do the right thing? Across the United States this weekend, the flowers will be delivered, homemade cards will be given, and mothers celebrated Mother's Day. And it is right to do so. I know of very few roles that such demand unconditional perseverance, selfless commitment and that of motherhood.
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul pauses to acknowledge the impact that a mother can have, mentioning Lois, Timothy's grandmother, and Eunice, his mother. Paul's mention of these women is interesting because he, personally, could claim a major influence on the spiritual journey of Timothy. Paul called his spiritual son (2 Timothy 1:6, 1 Corinthians 4:17, Philippians 2:22) and not only Timothy had been included in mission trips, but there were numerous tasks entrusted to him, including grazing growing church in Ephesus. It is clear that Paul had spent much of his life in mentoring and helping to make Timothy capable and useful.
But Paul readily and willingly acknowledged that the seeds of Timothy's faith were planted by these two women. We know very little about Lois and Eunice, but our imagination can imagine young Timothy to pray, teaching them simple stories of Jesus and the life-changing truths of the Word of God and submit to the early church leaders. We all know that motherhood is a difficult task, but the rewards to faithful moms is great. Think about how the mother and the grandmother of Timothy must have felt to see him blossom as a leader in the work of Jesus!
I know for sure that my character and faith has been shaped and molded by my mom. I will always be grateful for his influence in my life. It has been a privilege for me to see how my wife, Martie, has impacted the lives of our children, and now our grandchildren. So this weekend, I'm excited for the opportunity to celebrate the important role of our mothers.
Because let's face it, where would we be without them? We will listen to the mothers!
YOUR JOURNEY ...
* For some, Mother's Day brings pain, perhaps the pain of a fractured relationship between a mother and her son, the pain of losing a loved one, or the pain of unfulfilled longings for motherhood. Psalms 34:18 offers these compassionate words: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit." Jesus knows and understands your pain and is willing to not only grieve with you, but to bring peace and hope soft.
* If you're a mom, how to stimulate and excite you to know that you can play a key role in the lives of their children (and grandchildren)?
* Take a moment to thank the Lord for your mom, then make sure to thank her mother specifically!
It was Sunday morning and his son had not yet been presented at the breakfast table. She had tried to climb the stairs shouting: "Wake up and get down here!" But there was no response. Finally, up the stairs and opened the door to the room of his son and said: "We must rise and dress. It's time to go to church!"
"I do not want to go to church," her son complained of under the covers.
"You can not give me one good reason not to go to church, so get up!" Replied his mother.
"Actually, I'll give you three reasons. Number one: it's boring. Number two: people are gossipy and critical. And number three: nobody loves me. So why do I bother?"
"I'll give you three reasons," replied her mother. "Number one: the Bible says you should go. Number two: you are 45 years. And number three: you're the pastor! Now get out of bed and dressed for church!"
Where would we be without the tireless insistence of our mothers to do the right thing? Across the United States this weekend, the flowers will be delivered, homemade cards will be given, and mothers celebrated Mother's Day. And it is right to do so. I know of very few roles that such demand unconditional perseverance, selfless commitment and that of motherhood.
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul pauses to acknowledge the impact that a mother can have, mentioning Lois, Timothy's grandmother, and Eunice, his mother. Paul's mention of these women is interesting because he, personally, could claim a major influence on the spiritual journey of Timothy. Paul called his spiritual son (2 Timothy 1:6, 1 Corinthians 4:17, Philippians 2:22) and not only Timothy had been included in mission trips, but there were numerous tasks entrusted to him, including grazing growing church in Ephesus. It is clear that Paul had spent much of his life in mentoring and helping to make Timothy capable and useful.
But Paul readily and willingly acknowledged that the seeds of Timothy's faith were planted by these two women. We know very little about Lois and Eunice, but our imagination can imagine young Timothy to pray, teaching them simple stories of Jesus and the life-changing truths of the Word of God and submit to the early church leaders. We all know that motherhood is a difficult task, but the rewards to faithful moms is great. Think about how the mother and the grandmother of Timothy must have felt to see him blossom as a leader in the work of Jesus!
I know for sure that my character and faith has been shaped and molded by my mom. I will always be grateful for his influence in my life. It has been a privilege for me to see how my wife, Martie, has impacted the lives of our children, and now our grandchildren. So this weekend, I'm excited for the opportunity to celebrate the important role of our mothers.
Because let's face it, where would we be without them? We will listen to the mothers!
YOUR JOURNEY ...
* For some, Mother's Day brings pain, perhaps the pain of a fractured relationship between a mother and her son, the pain of losing a loved one, or the pain of unfulfilled longings for motherhood. Psalms 34:18 offers these compassionate words: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit." Jesus knows and understands your pain and is willing to not only grieve with you, but to bring peace and hope soft.
* If you're a mom, how to stimulate and excite you to know that you can play a key role in the lives of their children (and grandchildren)?
* Take a moment to thank the Lord for your mom, then make sure to thank her mother specifically!
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