Running Away

There are many times that we believe that we cannot take the pressure of events and situations in our lives.   In that regard, I can honestly say "I know how you feel."  Years ago, traveling was my way of coping with issues in my life during some rough situations in my life.

It was March 1982, and I frequently traveled to California and during my travels I had developed a close relationship with a United States Department of  Defense parts inspector located at one of General Electric’s suppliers.  Al was a quiet man who gave me no idea that there were any major problems in his life and always had a kind word and a smile. On a Sunday in late March , I had traveled to Chicago on business.  At about 10:00 a.m. on Monday my manager called me and told me that Al had committed suicide.

How could that be?  Everything I knew about him and his Christian family never pointed to a problem.  So I took the next plane to Los Angeles and went to his home.  Carol, his wife, showed me the note he left on his dresser.  It was simple.  He wrote, “Here is some money to get you through the next few days.  The insurance will give you a good life.  Better than the one I could give you.”  That was it, nothing else!  We couldn’t understand why he didn’t just take his problems to a counselor and to the Lord.   Instead, he kept them to himself chose to take the step to end his life.

 

I stayed with the family until the next Saturday to help them with their loss, but on the flight back I realized that I had been running away from my own problems and not running to the Lord for refuge.  I had prayed many times for the Lord to take my pain away by an accident of some kind that would end my life.  There was good life insurance to take care of the family.  But I never had the guts to do what Al did.   

Today I am so glad that my request for ending my life in my early 30's was one prayer in which the Lord said, “No”. Soon after my return, I went to elders and our pastor but they only gave me their sympathy for the problems and no help.  Lastly I when to the Lord in a wide open field seeking refuge from my pain.  He welcomed me and allowed me the time I needed to deal with the issues in my life.  Now I give Him praise each day for helping me and seeing how he has blessed me beyond measure today.

There ARE times when we should run from a problem, such as those things that control us.  For some it may be an addiction and for others it can be personal issues. 

Nevertheless, our fleeing should take us to the face of the Lord who loves us more than we will ever know, and nowhere else.  If you’ve ever run away from home, you know how lonely it was, but when the Lord says, “flee”, he means for us to turn from our problems and run to Him, where healing can occur.

Replace the desire to run away and run toward the Home of our Heavenly Father.  I can't thank the Lord enough now for saying "No" to one of my prayers.  Are there any "No" prayers you are thankful for?

I'm Too Busy

When I was just 12 years old, I knew what time my Dad came home from work.  He would be gone at 5:30 in the morning and it was always 6:00 p.m. when he got home.  For him it was a quick dinner and then out on the tractor until dark, so my time with him was limited for any real communication.   As early as February in Ohio, I would bundle up, get out my baseball glove and softball then wait on the back porch steps.  

When he got out of the car, he would lay his briefcase on the rock wall and I would toss the ball to him.  He would play catch with me for about five minutes and then it was off the dinner and his evening work load.  This practice continued every weekday until I was 17.  In all the things I did with and around my father, those few moments of one on one time are etched in my brain forever.

When my children were growing up, I worked three jobs at a time to make ends meet but my best memories were when I could spend just a few minutes with my daughter and her tea parties or my son kicking a soccer ball or other things he enjoyed doing.

Today I am focusing on life and rushing around putting in long days while running two businesses, serving at church, working on the farm, or just helping the town chamber of commerce.  So when it comes to something that needs to be done, I rationalize that I am just too busy.

It is with all the activities that some things get put on the shelf.  Some days it is prayer time, devotional time, time for my wife, time for other people, or even time for myself.  Then I find Bill Hybel’s book, “Too Busy Not to Pray”.  OK Lord, - great sense of humor that it is laying around for me to find.  (This is a good read for any busy person)

I know that my priorities are messed up so I take time to refocus on what is really important. I think,  "What is important to you?"  Job, cars, property, boats, fishing, sports?  

My hope is that the most important things we should do is to invest our personal time with the Lord each day.   Next is to spend time with your children and your spouse.  When you have those priorities in order, you will be amazed how much time you have for everything else that is a must do.

Quit rationalizing that you are too busy, but focus on the Lord and family.   Everything else WILL fall into place.   Trust me that the Lord will bless you more when the focus is on others and you will build memories with your children that will last far beyond your lifetime.  

I know that as a fact, so what memories are you creating this week? 

Too Tired to Think

Have you ever had your calendar overbooked?  Have you worked hard but never see the bottom of the stack of papers?  Recently, there are times I get too tired to think and would like to vegetate but the only thing that happens is I go home and fall asleep.  I've heard people say, "it's emotional, it's physical, it's the economy, it's Satan's way of discouraging, or it's the success of a business."

One thing I realized is that when I am too tired to think, I have to rely on the Lord to take the wheel and drive my life.  I can not do it on my own because I would be in the hospital quickly.  Even though I have 90 hours of work to do in the next 48 hours, I still spend an hour each day of listening to the Lord and talking with him.

You may say, "That's a waste of time"  but it is the best part of each day.  Believe it or not, I rely on the Lord to help me focus on what it the most important things that must get done. 

Right now multitasking has a whole new meaning since one phone call can change the whole plan for the day or week.  I refuse to complain about the business possibilities and thank the Lord each day for another day to watch the Lord work. 

My suggestion to you is that when you are too tired to think, take some time each day and give it to the Lord.  Then watch Him work to give you clear direction that does not require you to think but to follow in the path He lays out. 

Today, I am just following the path laid out for today. The Lord can take care of tomorrow as I am too tired to think about it.  How about you?

Swimming Up Stream

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age.

The scenes from any of the TV channels like the Travel Channel or National Geographic are impressive as we watch salmon swimming up stream to spawn, but they can never compare to actually watching three-foot red salmon splashing in the water, over the rapids, in their journey to reach the quiet waters of their nesting place.

While in Alaska and driving to Homer, it all began as we were in the car chasing the flight of the bald eagle. When we saw the eagle swoop down off to the side of the road, we found the first turn off and traveled down this gravel road until we arrived at the Russian River. There we forgot about the eagle and became fascinated with the struggle of these fish that is a part of their life cycle. Knowing their fate made me wonder why they would ever take the risk. Their bodies are bruised and bleeding as they crash against the rocks, yet they keep going up stream.

The dangers that lie in the journey include eagles, bears, raccoons, fishermen, and the impact of all the elements. Then it hits me. God made these creatures to have this built in instinct to travel from the great spacious ocean to the fresh water stream to lay their eggs and then die. Not a life I want, but then I realize that as Christ Followers we are all in this life today to swim up stream.

Over the years there have been so many changes in our values that it appears we may be satisfied to just allow dangers around us to finish us off before we have a chance to finish our goals. Like Paul talked about over 1975 years ago, our plight is not against nations, but against what we Americans may have diluted.

The legal system is stopping us from praying in public, mentioning the word, “God” or “Christ” in certain settings because it may offend someone. And even now there is a move to take the reading of our very Constitution out of schools because God is mentioned by name. The nativity is not allowed to be displayed on government property and these same scenes are being destroyed in front of churches. So what can we do?

As Christians I believe we should begin by praying more for the rights and issues that are quietly being taken from us. We need the Lord’s insight and direction. My grandfather told me in the 1950’s that Christianity is one generation away from being extinct. Our attitude should be that of Christ to tell his message of love, grace, and hope and not just be quietly passive. It was not until the ACLU tried to take the Ten Commandments out of our county courthouse in rural Tennessee that the people started placing copies of the Ten Commandments in their yard. Finally all the legal fights resulted in various religious plaques being posted together in the courthouse as to not offend anyone. The message is now diluted.

As we engage in our daily lives, we must “Fight the good fight of faith, grabbing hold of the life that continues forever. You were called to have that life when you confessed the good confession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

We are going to be bruised and battered with what we encounter, but the reward of a relationship with Christ is worth the endeavor. Just make sure you are swimming up stream and not rafting downstream.

Not Your Normal Conference

Yesterday I was given the privilege to serve at  "LIT"  Leaders in Training Conference in Nashville.  My job was minimal in that I was just a Greeter and Parking attendant but once completed I was afforded the opportunity to sit in on sessions.

I know the intent was targeted at stressed, frustrated, and new pastors but something hit me as I listened to the teaching and the theme of the day.  As a entrepreneur and small businessman every word applied to ME.  Mentally, when the word "Pastor" was mentioned, I felt like the speakers were saying "Businessman, Entrepreneur, or Adventurer" and it resonated strongly to what I am going through.

Like many pastors, we put in 50-60 hour weeks, deal with stressful situations,  worry about budgets and income and increasing our attendance (sales).  With each speaker, I thought, "This would be a great seminar for any small business owner but necessary for any Christ Following business owners or someone thinking about starting a business.

So here's the deal, go the www.litconferences.com and click on the Knoxville tab for the May 12th Conference.  I know of conferences where you pay over $1,200 plus travel and do not get as much value as you will for this $49.00 conference.  The sessions will give you insight, excitement, strength, and a new passion to continue the venture even where the economy, family issues, money, and stress have  impacted your original thought.

As a Christ Follower and businessman, I am once again excited with the passion I had pursued and it was all due to this one day conference.  I encourage you to sign up now for LIT2011.

It will be the BEST money spent in 2011.

Blast from My Past - I Just Want to Celebrate

 Listened to this song yesterday during my quiet time and remember singing this song in 1971 every time it came on the radio.  "I Just Want to Celebrate!"   Then I think, "Well our generation got something right", even though our parents thought it was the "Devil's Music."   What do you think about today's music?  Some churches think that if it is not in the hymnbook then it's not spiritual.  WRONG!  

On the weekend, I get closer to the Lord by my vertical worship (standing, praising, and worship that looks up ) rather than the horizontal worship (sitting and reading from a songbook where no real involvement is required).  

We can become extremely emotional at any sports event, but not when it comes to worship.  In fact I encountered a lady here in town that said that the "wild music played in churches today is a disgrace to God and the church is hell bound".    I asked if she had ever been in a worship service where the music is not from the hymnal and she said, "No,  but she saw the wild music on TV and thought it was an abomination.   Sadly she is quite vocal on something she has never experienced and never plans on it.

Each day should be a new day of praise and celebration.   So . . .

What can get you going more that taking a deep breath of fresh air and letting the music talk to you?  It is in making a joyful noise until the Lord that each day can be fulfilling. 

Click on the link below and come back and sing along with the lyrics.  See if your day doesn't go better as you "groove" to the sounds I grew up with in the 60's and 70's.  Celebrate today!

I just want to celebrate another day of livin'

I just want to celebrate another day of life

I put my faith in the people

But the people let me down

So I turned the other way

And I carry on, anyhow

That's why I'm telling you

I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah

I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah

Another day of living,

I just want to celebrate another day of life

Had my hand on the dollar bill

And the dollar bill blew away

But the sun is shining down on me

And it's here to stay

That's why I'm telling you

I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah

Another day of living, yeah

I just want to celebrate another day of living

I just want to celebrate another day of life

Don't let it all get you down,

Don't let it turn you around and around

And around and around

Well, I can't be bothered with sorrow

And I can't be bothered with hate, no, no

I'm using up my time by feeling fine, every day

That's why I'm telling you I just want to celebrate

Aw, yeah

I just want to celebrate yeah yeah

Another day of living, yeah yeah

I just want to celebrate another day of livin', yeah

I just want to celebrate another day of life

Don't let it all get you down, no, no

Don't let it turn you around and around,

And around and around, and around

Around round round

'round and around round round round

don't go 'round

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZsppOw2Mxk

Celebration Grounds

Sometimes I wonder how people can be so insensitive to others and just want to take something because it is there.  

We live in an area of Tennessee where three of the seven Cherokee tribes lived over 200 years ago.  We can see there lifestyle in local museums and for the most part they got along well.  That is unless they crossed over into the other tribe's hunting grounds. 

Near our town and home is the place where they would gather and celebrate the Cherokee games (like our Olympics) in which the entire Cherokee nation would come.  Our town use to be called Telliquah - The Gathering Place.  Also near our home are the Celebration Grounds for the three local tribes.  There are stones that jettison out of the ground up to forty feet.  In front of those stones they would come, get married, and thank the Great Spirit for a blessed Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall.  On the stone they would carve markings as part of the celebrations.  Those markings are still there today and I love to just go and stare at their work.   They loved and appreciated the area that the Great Spirit had given them.

Then in 1829, gold was discovered in the area and those people coming in the area invaded the Indian Territory and when they killed animals for sport the Indians revolted and killed the invaders,  The government said that these people were too wild to live with the civilized nation and so they had to be rounded up and moved out of the way for progress sake.  (Indian Removal Act of 1830)  The government never even tried to get along with these people but moved them to Oklahoma.  Even today the city where these people are located is called, Telliquah, Oklahoma.  Read the book, "Trail of Tears" and you too will be in tears as to the way the US treated its people in the name of progress.

I give you this history lesson because these people had a better relationship and dependence on the Great Spirit for every provision than we do today. They looked to the Great Spirit for every need and watched for nature signs that are around us even today.

It is a shame that it will take a tragedy worse than what is taking place in Japan before many of us turn to the Savior of this world.  For those who parish in a future tragedy, it will have been too late. 

Sunday I picked daffodils near the celebration grounds and just dreamed of what it might have been like over 190 years ago as they sang and praised the Great Spirit for helping them survive another winter.  At that moment, I too was in praise and appreciation for what the Lord has given to me, you, and our nation.

Are you that appreciative to celebrate making through another day or a season in your life?  It may not be everything you wished for but still there is reason to celebrate.  Can you share that celebration with anyone?  Try!

Playing in the Boiler Room

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of

God to salvation for everyone who believes.”

Over the past few years Americans have focused on our freedoms.  We emphatically expressed our freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of individuality, and some new freedoms we never knew we possessed. 

Then came 9-11. 

I remember that suddenly we focused on our freedom of family relationships and freedom of religion. Church attendance rose and contact was made in strained family relationships.   It was terrible that it takes a tragedy to get people to focus on what is really important.  Now it is Japan and the events surrounding that country.  What is next? Are we waiting to see where it happens next? 

 During crisis we take our freedom of family and religion seriously. But have you ever thought how you would conduct your life if those two freedoms were taken away?

When I was a child, every Tuesday night was choir practice for my parents.  Often there was no one to watch us, so a group of 7-11 year olds played together in the church.  We had been taught about the early Christians and the great persecutions.  History told us that they loved the Lord so much that they held church in catacombs (tombs in caves).  We hardly understood the meaning of such big words, all we wanted to do was play church in the catacombs.

Our church in Ohio had a dingy basement and in one corner was a boiler room.  So while the choir was practicing upstairs, we went to the boiler room.  This area was dirty, smelled of oil, and was poorly lit with one bare light bulb overhead.  To us it was a perfect place for church.

The oldest in the group acted as our “pastor”.  We would listen for the choir to sing and then we would sing.  The lights were extremely dim, but our pastor preached anyway.  That 11-year old gave us his best hell-fire, and brimstone sermons, telling us to not be ashamed of the Gospel and to be saved. What I recall most was listening to our pastor with one ear and for a parent coming down the stairs to find us with the other.  It did not take long for us to get caught because the smell of kerosene oil on our clothes gave us away.

Yet there are people in the world today who live that story every day of their lives. 

We need to ask ourselves some questions.  What would we do if our freedom of worshiping the Lord was taken away?  Would we blend in and not talk to others about it?  Would we change the subject if it was brought up in a conversation?  Would our witness as a Christian shine in those times of trouble?

The reality today is that some people who have a relationship with the Lord act as if their freedom is gone from Monday through Saturday.  After they walk out of the safety of the church building, they won’t mention the Lord until the next Sunday.  These people haven’t even waited until our freedoms are taken away to act as if they were.  They seem to be ashamed of the Gospel and its power. 

Do we live our lives as if the wonderful news of our Savior has little to do with our daily life?  It’s time to look at ourselves.  Is it time for a change?  In your prayers today, ask the Lord for boldness and the opportunity to talk about Him to others.  As a Christian, you have a story to tell and the freedom to express it.  It will not start through a religion but in a relationship with the creator of the universe.

Don’t be ashamed of the Good News!

Books in Our Lives

Matthew 20:28  That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served - and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."

The speaker at a large church in Chicago came to the front of the room and began talking about the impacts that affect how we live our lives.  Lined up across the front of the stage were three platforms.  On each platform was a closed book..  As he spoke, he opened the first book and called it “our past”.  He tore out a few pages and tucked those pages in the book on the center platform called, “our present”.

So often we grow up by taking some of the worse or best times of our lives and carrying them on to our present lives.  It can shape us to make decisions that affect those around us.  Little things that drive Lynnette crazy come from events in my past that I have carried into the present.  Most of those I really want to forget, but they just creep back.

Soon the speaker in this church takes pages again out of our past and places them into the third book, called “our future”.  He noted that he completely by-passed the present.

As we are growing up we are sometimes are reminded of our failures.  Maybe we were not too athletic in sports.  Therefore when we become adults, we try to live our past though our children and push them to be the best at sports.   

Yet so often we take pages from our past and place them in the future.  We try to be what we could not be as a child.  As the speaker noted,  “We make up whatever we need to say or do to “prove” we did not fail as a child.” 

You see for years as a young man, I was told about my failures as a child.  I can still recall my father saying that I was never going to be successful in life.  I can still recall, “You don’t have enough sense to pound sand down a rat hole”.  Or “Your about as smart as a hill of beans.”  Therefore a part of me pushed to change the past, prove him wrong, and make a better future so the past could be forgotten.  Still a work in process.

Jesus is one of the great parts of the past that belongs in our present life books, because He is to only one who can give us a great future book.  His life and death is one of hope and grace that takes every failure of our past and throws those pages away. 

We don’t need to keep the pages of our past or present because we have some great pages in our future book.  Many times it takes a conscious effort to give the Lord our past, but the new pages of your book includes eternal life and a close relationship with the Savior of the world.

A Carrot, An Egg, and a Cup of Herbal Tea

Several years ago, I read an email and thought how the content is one of those parables Jesus might have taught. It’s a message that can help us deal with whatever life throws our way.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that as soon as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed a herbal tea bags. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the tea out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and tea," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the tea. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich herbal flavors. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity ...boiling water. But each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground tea in the bag was unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or herbal tea?"

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did you have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, became hardened and stiff which impacts your friends, and family? Does your shell look the same, but on the inside are you bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or are you like the tea bag? The tea actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain and frustration. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the herbal tea, when things are at their worst, you get better and look to the Lord to help change the situation around you.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, the Lord’s help elevates you to another level. How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or herbal tea? 

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. By living your life in a daily relationship with the Lord you’ll be the one who is smiling when this life is over.

For me the tea is in the boiling water and changing the situation every minute.   

Can’t you smell the tea aroma around you?

Peace in the Valley

Today is a new day and I will rejoice in it.  

Easy words to say but much harder to do when you get up early and the only song that comes to your head is "Peace in the Valley".  The words, "Well I'm tired and I'm so weary, but I must toil on" is not a great way to get your day started.  

Our pastor has been teaching on seeking God's Favor and noted that it is mentioned 118 times in the Bible.  So each day I petition the Lord to give me His Favor, peace, and direction for the day and for me to demonstrate it with faith.  

But in trying to get a new product into the market I find business events put a strain on your faith, your life, and your family.  I have asked, "What am I missing along the way, Lord?"  And then I wait for Him to come into the office and tell me flat out.   Not being factious but just seeking answers and direction.

Looking at a first business email sent in 2006, I realized that I have been striving to sell our new products for four years as of today.  Where is the success?  Why haven't things sold?  What am I doing wrong?  What is it that God wants me to do?   And the questions go on and on.  

I have confided in a mentor to get his view and he said that he sees no place that I have gone against the Lord, as doors open and then close in the business environment.  Nor have I done things without sound business principles.  Yet the reality of today weighs heavily on my heart as I seek what the Lord has in store for our family.  

Nevertheless, I seek the face of the Lord to give our family direction, understanding, and peace.  I continue in faith so that we can have a story of encouragement for everyone some day.  Yes, that Peace in the Valley to be a strength for those starting down the same road.

It's tough being transparent but the Lord calls us all to grow and help each other in that way.  May you have that peace and Favor from the Lord today and every day!