Overcoming Life's Struggles

Some weeks give us strength for the future while taking so much of our current  strength.  This was one of those weeks. 

In our church family we mourned the loss of a young mother and wife who lived her life with a distinct zeal.  In my professional life our office faced a week with Medicare and state health officials and the stress that brings.  These events on top of the everyday hustle and bustle have been quite draining.

Now I have spent the day with my wife wandering through stores and then attacking some small projects at home.  This has gotten my brain reenergized yet left me physically fatigued.  I so look forward to the possibilities of the coming week and the worship Sunday brings. 

God gives us insight for times like these throughout His word.  I call to mind passages like Ecclesiastes chapter 3 where Solomon tells us there is a season for everything under the sun.  We would do well to find and know several of these passages to comfort us and provide strength for what can be a difficult journey.  You and I will face good times and bad, aligning ourselves with God is the best way to prepare ourselves for all things.  Be strong, with God we will. . . OVERCOME.

Hope

What is hope?  The Bible tells us as Christians that we should be ready always to give an answer for the hope that lies within us.  Again I would ask what is hope?

Hope in the Biblical sense is not the innocent, anxious hope of a child coming up to their birthday or Christmas.  Hope for the Christian is a calm expectant desire, that is peaceful and reassuring.

When we enter into a relationship with Christ we have access to His immeasurable grace and the riches of Heaven.  Though we may be asked to live in a sinsick, deteriorating world we know there is more.  Because of this hope we carry on, we serve for the greater good, and we look to bring others into the fold.  It does not prevent us from messing up or making mistakes, but does point us in the right direction to right our course. 

Do you hold this hope within you?  If not does it sound more appealing than hopelessness and uncertainty?  Open your Bible, visit your local church or find a spiritual mentor to help you gain the Christian hope that helps us overcome the world.

Sleep and Life

How did you sleep last night? There are any among us who struggle in this area.  The Bible tells us in Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know I am God. . ."  This is good medicine for our body, mind, and soul.  Some of us have physical difficulties that give us problems with our sleep, such as sleep apnea.  Others can't stop their minds from working on the problems of the day.  No matter the issue we must realize that a lack of quality sleep dulls our senses, fatigues our bodies, and taxes our systems.  Several recent studies indicate sleep deprivation can impact us similarly to, if not more so, than being under the influence of alcohol.
A couple of thoughts to help us out in this area are to take breaks during your day to clear your mind even if it is just for a few minutes.  This temporary decompression will tend to make us more productive and put us in the habit of letting go, thereby making it easier to do the same at bedtime.  Second many of us go about our daily business in a dehydrated or nearly dehydrated state.  Additional hydration throughout our day will help us feel better and in turn help us sleep better at night.
Finally, as Christians the calming effect of prayer is a must.  Not a trite repetition ran through out of habit, but a simple thank you to God for seeing you through the day along with a request for a good night of sleep to prepare you for service to Him in the day to come. 
Try these simple tips to see if you can improve your sleep quality.  If you sleep better you will have more energy for God, your family, friends and work.  Sleep better, feel better, with God we will. . .

Our Times

How has our society come to this point?  Our news is filled with tragic and heartbreaking stories of innocent babies being slaughtered for profit, the constant drumbeat of discord between certain elements of the various ethnic groups, and the ever growing threat of those terrorists who seek to destroy the fabric of our society.

We are, according to The Bible, a fallen people.  We are in need of a redeemer, and we were given one in Jesus Christ.  Who will take up their cross and follow Him daily?  Until we, as those who have chosen to follow Him, add some depth to our faith we will struggle.  If we, of all nations and ethnicities, would look back to Genesis chapter 1 verse 26, "then God said, Let Us make man in our image, according to Our likeness. . .", and take it to heart I am convinced very little will change for the better.
May we each look at those around us and see past the flaws and the differences, and begin to see that image, that God - likeness in us all.  If we can begin to do this then perhaps we can begin to see a degree of restoration and healing within the land.
If not, then I believe we will further sink into very dark days much like those found in the book of Judges.
Choose Christ, choose a better tomorrow, get fit spiritually, physically, and relationally remembering "With God We Will. . ."

Well, Well, Well

A couple of times in the past,in different forums, I have discussed the parable of Jesus given in Matthew 25:14-30.  In this parable the master upon returning from his trip assesses the efforts of his servants in whom he had entrusted various portions of his property while he was away.  For the productive servants he praised their efforts by saying, "well done good and faithful servant. . . "

In my previous thoughts I have focused on the idea that what was said was not, 'all done. . .' but rather "well done".  The implication being that in our fast paced world we try to do it all and fail when we should be attempting to do things well, with a spirit of excellence.  I still find this to be true but want to take a different turn today.

Rather than focus on the task at hand I want to focus on our ability to perform the task.  Our ability to perform in this life is directly related to our wellness (fitness) which incorporates our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being (in no particular order).  These areas are interrelated and have significant impact on one another and together determine the limits of our ability to serve.  As I have recently written setting some goals is an important starting point.  I encourage you to look at your current situation and make a point to set some goals to propel you forward. 

First take care to grow your spiritual health and pray that God will guide you to grow in the other areas.  Then work on your physical well being, if the body is the temple of God then a little upkeep is in order.  We don't all have to be the super-ripped athlete with the fantastic figure.  However we have a responsibility to take care of ourselves.  We have been entrusted with our mind, body, and soul by the God of the universe, just as the men in the parable were entrusted with a portion of the master's fortune.  What will He find when He returns?  With God we will, live well!

The Second New Year

Personally I have had some struggles the last couple of weeks with keeping my routines and commitments to improving my fitness.  This must change.  In order to be effective in my service to God I need to maintain the best level of health that I can.
Today I look at the back to school season as a "second new year", a time to renew or update my commitments.  So here are a few things that I am looking at to closeout the remainder of the calendar year:
1) Continue my daily Bible reading to complete the reading of the full text this year.
2) Continue toward my goal of reading 30 books this year.
3) Improve my physical activity level further to increase my average daily steps above 10000 per day for the month of September
4) Lower my weight to under 200 pounds by end of year.
As you can see these goals relate to fitness on the physical, mental, and spiritual levels addressing the whole person.  I challenge you to take a look here at "the second new year", and set a few simple goals.  Even if you fail to achieve them you will have at least taken the first step to improvement, recognizing where you are now.  Join me on the journey, set your sights on improvement, and remember "with God we will."

The First Institution

This has been a busy week with my family and that is what I want to discuss in today's writing.  Families, we all have them whether fabulous or greatly flawed.  God established the family early on when he joined Adam and Eve and blessed them with children. 

Even in these early beginnings the family did not always function in the best ways.  The free will we were given as a gift from God often has given way to opportunities to cause great harm.  The vision however, is that the family would be the cornerstone of our civilization.  The family provides a small self-governing unit that provides much needed structure in a fractured world. 

Despite the disappointments that are certain to arise, the family can, and should, be at the heart of much of our enjoyment as we journey through this life.  I am thankful for my family and the great love and peace that they add to my life. 

This week I hope that we would all take another look at our families and how they are a blessing to us.  Think for just a moment about what life would be like without the security and bond of the family unit.  Given that the family was the first institution given by God let's protect it, build it up, and honor it.  With God we will. . .