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MONDAY THOUGHT 3/31/08

Anyone who knows me knows that St. Peter is my favorite saint.  That’s because he’s rash, brash, hot-tempered, the first to volunteer and swear undying allegiance … and the first to run for the hills.  He’s so very human.
 
But then something happened to him.  In fact, I  have trouble keeping in mind that this foul-mouthed, unlearned fisherman we see in the Gospels is the same fellow we read about in the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles by St. Peter. 
 
My point:  God can transform anyone from clay-footed self-centered weakness into a person so strong and full of faith and dedication as to be unrecognizable from his or her former self.  Those are the most wondrous miracles of all.  God bless and enjoy God’s gift of this day. — jri
 
    “After a little while, those standing near
said to Peter, ‘Surely, you are one of
them, for you are a Galilean.’
     “He began to call down curses on
himself, and he swore to them, ‘I do not
know this man you’re talking about.’”
        –    Mark 14: 70-71
 
    “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized,
every one of you, in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
And you will receive the gift of the Holy
spirit.  The promise is for you and your
children and for all who are far off — for
all whom the Lord out God will call.’
    “With many other words he warned
them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save
yourselves from this corrupt generation.’
Those who accepted this message were
baptized, and about three thousand were
added to their number that day.”
        –    Acts 2:38-41 

MONDAY BIZ THOUGHT 3/31/08

I don’t think I’m the only one.  As a business owner, I find myself pretty much constantly thinking about (actually, worrying about) money, about sales, about taxes, about getting clients, about losing clients, about making sure that every project is top notch.

In other words, I’m a bit paranoid.  And that’s good.  That keeps me on top of my game, helps me avoid complacency. 

My point?  Never take your success for granted.  We all work hard to make every sale, keep every customer, earn every dollar.  That comes from constant vigilance … which is very close indeed to paranoia. 

So work hard.  Make money.  Have fun.  And, yes, be a bit paranoid. — jri

“In business paranoia is not a psychosis,
it’s a reality; it’s probably survival. People
who are unafraid scare me; they make
me afraid.”
    –    Fred Adler

THURSDAY THOUGHT 3/27/08

I believe in God.  It’s me I’m not always so sure about. 
 
I think I speak for many of us clay-footed folks clomping around the earth when I say: It’s not that I have no faith in God; it’s that I have so little faith in myself.  That’s why when I screw up for the umpteenth time, I know that the Lord forgives me.  But do I forgive myself?  That’s where the true wrestling match takes place.
 
My point?  God believes in us.  And He’s a great judge of character.  Maybe we should trust His judgment and believe in us, too.  Rejoice in the blessings of this day.  — jri
 
“Imperfection is the wound that
let’s God in.”
        –    Ernest Kurtz &
              Katherine Ketcham

TUESDAY THOUGHT 3/25/08

I had an appointment canceled today because of the weather.  That gave me what should have been a gift of almost four hours.  Not so.  By the time I finished rearranging my schedule, I had packed five hours additional work into my day … before I sat back and said, “Whoa, Buckaroo!”
 
I am not unique.  It seems to me that we tend to live open-ended lives.  We’re never done.  Our inbox is never fully empty.  We could always do more, be better, accomplish yet another something-or-other.  No wonder half this country (probably more) is on anti-depressants, and still miserable.  We can drive ourselves nuts trying to do … well, whatever it is we’re trying to do.
 
My point?  All I know is that I need to not only take charge of  my life and hang onto it, but also treat myself like a human being, not a frenetic, self-flagellating beast of burden.  In other words, yes, I’m going to work hard today, but I’m also going to go at a reasonable pace … and enjoy the journey.  — jri
 
“It is the notion that we were supposed to
be perfect, and that we could expect
others to be perfect because we needed
them to be, that leaves us feeling
constantly guilty and perpetually
disappointed.”
        –    Harold Kushner

MONDAY THOUGHT 3/24/08

Did you ever hear God laugh?  Maybe it was my imagination, but I feel as if I did last week. 
 
It had to do with a miracle dropped in my lap.  (The details are unimportant, but it involved a totally needed and totally unexpected windfall.)  It  had come after a lot of whining and complaining, the basic tone of which was: “God, what have you done for me lately?”  And then, like a big fish landing at my feet in a boat, God kerplunked this miracle in front of me.  I had this sense of, “Any more questions?” from God.  Abashed, I had to laugh at my own foolishness and God’s goodness.  And I swear I heard God laugh too, shaking His head gently and, as always, patiently.
 
My point?  If there is one thing I’ve learned over and over again (and keep forgetting over and over again, too), it is that God is always there, always watching over us, with more patience and love than we’ll ever have.  Enjoy that love.  Oh, and by the way, it was a sweet sound that warmed my imperfect soul.   — jri
 
“Faith does not spring from the miracle,
but the miracle from faith.”
    –    Fyodor Dostoevsky

GOOD FRIDAY THOUGHT 3/21/08

Today I join what must have been billions of men and women since the year 33 A.D. who ponder and bear witness to the torture and murder of our Lord. 
 
It is a day of contradictions — of utter darkness … leading directly to the brightest of light; of total and complete failure … leading directly to the greatest of all victories; of the worst day in the history of mankind … leading directly to the greatest day that ever was; of hopeless despair … leading  directly to wondrous joy and hope.
 
Thank you, Lord. — jri
 
“They will proclaim his righteousness
        to a people yet unborn –
        for he has done it.”
            –    Psalm 22:31

THURSDAY BIZ THOUGHT 3/20/08

We all sell something, and we are always selling…like it or not.
 
When we smile, we sell a relationship.  When we short-change a customer or client, we sell doubt and distrust.  When we fail to persuade prospects to buy our product, we have sold them on our lack of ability to meet their need. 
 
The bottom line:  Every word, gesture and attitude is a sales presentation of some kind.  Make yours always positive so you get the sale you want.   Work hard.  Make money.  Have fun. 
 
“A sale is made on every presentation. 
The prospect either sells you that he
can’t or won’t buy, or you sell him that
he can and should buy.”
    –    Zig Ziglar

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 3/19/08

Go easy on yourself.  If the apostles had trouble getting it right, don’t expect perfection from yourself.
 
Look at the 12.  They spent three years in close contact with Jesus, witnessing His miracles, listening to His words, receiving personal instruction and guidance.  And one thing shows up consistently again and again:  They are always coming up a day late and a denaria short, sleeping when they should be alert and awake, arguing like Moe, Larry and Curly when Jesus was trying to explain something to them, pretty much missing every point … and this going on for years.
 
My point:  Like the apostles, we too have been hand-picked, but not necessarily because we are better or brighter than the rest of the world.  Thank God that God is patient.  Enjoy your faith, as shaky as it may be at times … and let’s draw straws to see who gets to sit next to Jesus.  Nyuck nyuck nyuck. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.).  — jri
 
“[B]ut no one at the meal understood why Jesus
said this to him.  Since Judas had charge of the
money, some thought Jesus was telling him to
buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give
something to the poor.”
        –    John 13:28-29

TUESDAY THOUGHT 3/18/08

I know a lot of folks who are discouraged and tired and who sometimes wonder if God really does listen to their prayers or give a hoot what happens to them.  They struggle and stumble, struggle and stumble, and sometimes just want to stay down for the count. 
 
That’s possibly how Jesus felt on Good Friday, dragging the cross on the way to His own death.  Well, He didn’t give up, so I guess we can all take another step or two, as well.  Alcoholics say, “One day at a time.”  Maybe believers should borrow from that and say, “One step at a time.”
 
I’m not sure where I’m supposed to take this rambling thought.  After all, I’m just another struggling soul stumbling along my own path.  But here’s my prayer for daily strength:  “Lord, I won’t give up on you if you don’t give up on me.  Deal?”  And, yes, even in this, I will say, enjoy this day, this wondrous gift from God. — jri
 
“But I said, ‘I have labored to no purpose;
    I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.
Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand,
    and my reward is with my God.’”
            –    Isaiah 49:4

MONDAY THOUGHT 3/17/08

Do you take your faith for granted?  I know a wonderful woman who has an innocent, simple view toward her deep faith.  She is very spiritual and very intelligent.  She was raised in and with faith.  It is a seamless part of her life. 
 
Even though she’s gotten a few two-by-fours across the bridge of the nose over the years, she doesn’t angst over God (is He or isn’t he?), avoids super-intellectual theological discussions, is very much involved in her church, and doesn’t have a doubt that God loves her.  She takes her faith for granted.  It just is.
 
My point:  Faith is a gift, granted by God.  You don’t need to earn it, work for it, or prove it.  Just ask for it, take it for granted, and enjoy it. — jri
 
“Don’t be afraid.  Just believe.”
        –    Jesus Christ
               (Mark 5:36

FRIDAY THOUGHT 3/14/08

Endured your share of soul-crushing disappointments?  Imagine it is Good Friday, you’ve been a hopeful follower of Jesus, had put all your eggs in His basket, and now….  You’re looking up at this battered, broken body.  It’s gonna be a long weekend.  Everything — everything — you’d believed in is now gone, dead.  Well, maybe you can slink on home and get your old job back on the fishing boats.
 
But then — TA DA! — it all changes three days later.  It’s true.  It’s really true.  He did it!  Soul-crushing disappointment has been transformed into amazing joy and triumph!  From the jaws of utter and total defeat: Victory!
 
My point:  Never give up hope and faith, even in the worst, darkest moments.  God knows what he’s doing, and His plans include you, by name.  Prepare your heart with hope and joy.  — jri
 
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
    and are so far from my cry
    and from the words of my distress?”
        –    Psalm 22:1

THURSDAY THOUGHT 3/13/08

For lack of a better term, I’ll call it the “Big Flip.”  That’s when everything got turned upside down.  When I was younger, I saw God as someone to avoid, or to at least not tick off.  So, I’d lay low and make sure I had not committed any egregious sins.  And, of course, when I got into trouble, I turned to Him for help or blamed Him…or both.  Not much of a relationship.
 
Somewhere along the way, though, I got to thinking less about me and more about God (ergo, The Big Flip), which turned my world on its head.  Life got to be less about following the rules to keep from getting clobbered (or praying for a well-timed miracle to pull my bacon out of the fire), but about wanting to do what God wanted me to do and become.  Big difference.
 
My point?  God has a plan and we’re part of it, and it is not to amass blessings, but to give them.  Enjoy.  — jri
 
“Pure prayer only takes possession of
our hearts for good when we no longer
desire any special light or grace or
consolation for ourselves, and pray
without any thought of our own satisfaction.”
        –    Thomas Merton

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 3/12/08

As a businessman, I understand the profit motive.  I also understand that when you want to find out why most people do many things, just follow the money trail.
 
That’s what I looked for to explain the behavior of the apostles after Christ’s death.  Why did these men travel the known world, get spit on, stoned, beheaded and crucified?  Something had happened, something so powerful, so once-in-a-worldtime, that motivated them.  It sure wasn’t money or glory. 
 
Maybe, just maybe, this Christ stuff is really true?  Works for me.  How about you?  Enjoy and rejoice in the “profit” of faith. — jri
 
“Unlike so many, we do not peddle the
word of God for profit.  On the contrary,
in Christ we speak before God with
sincerity, like men sent from God.”
        –    St. Paul
               (2 Corinthians 2:17)

TUESDAY THOUGHT 3/11/08

I used to believe I could control outcomes (a mistake of my ebullient youth).
 
In my late 20s, when my rocket had just begun to break free of the atmosphere and was heading to the stars, I sat on a church parish council and confidently told the older members that a parent could determine, direct and control his children’s outcomes.  The church members listened with bemused, patient smiles, and for that I am grateful.  Looking back, wow, did I have a lot to learn! 
 
My point:  As we all learn eventually, we can control the color of our shoes and the restaurant in which we dine tonight (and, yes, we can influence outcomes), but a lot of life is beyond our control.  Mostly, we can paddle with the current, but we cannot change the course of the river.  So, work for what you believe, give it your best, and then just enjoy the trip, letting the outcomes unfold as they may.  — jri
 
 ”The illusion that we can control events
if we do everything right, that we can
make people love us if we do things
right, and that we can guarantee happy
endings by deserving them, is an
illusion, and a very destructive one.”
        –    Harold S. Kushner
               (How Good Do We Have to Be?)

MONDAY THOUGHT 3/10/08

Scene One, Take One:  I woke up this morning just fed up, tired of the struggles that seem to get me nowhere.  I want to redeem my I’ve-been-so-damn-good-chips for a just one day without worries and disappointments.  So, I said, “Omniscient God, this is all your doing.  When are you gonna start carrying your share of the load?”
 
Scene One, Take Two:  I woke up this morning, shrugged off my impatient hissy fit, tripped over my many blessings — faith, forgiveness, health, family, love, and about a few hundred more — girded my loins (figuratively, of course) and said, “Omniscient God, this is all your doing.  Thank you.”
 
My point:  Same world.  Same day.  Same troubles.  Oh, and same blessings.  Thank God for faith.  Enjoy.  — jri
 
“Be strong and let your heart
take courage, all you who wait
for the Lord.”
        –    Psalm 31:24  

THURSDAY THOUGHT 3/6/08

I’ve come by my faith honestly, with open mind, doubt, stubbornness, and, finally, conviction.  Raised in perfunctory faith, I drifted into indifference in my teen years, followed by angry atheism in college (of course) before settling into glaring, clear-eyed agnosticism that measured every world event and personal experience against the litmus test of, “Is there a God?” 
 
I also realized that everything — EVERYTHING — hinged on the answer to that question.  I talked to a God I wasn’t sure existed, analyzed scientific data, meditated in Zen-like emptiness.  And then, and then, one day, it all made sense.  Wish I could tell you exactly how it happened, but all I know is that one day, I knew — just as sure as I know I can expect to see the sun in the east every morning — that there is a God, and He’s loving and caring and awfully demanding. 
 
My point:  Seek, doubt, question and challenge.  It’s a big question: “Is there a God?”  The answer is well worth searching for.  Enjoy the quest. — jri
 
“‘But what about you?’ he asked.  Who
do you say I am?’  Peter answered,
‘You are the Christ.’”
    –    Mark 8:29

DAILY THOUGHT 3/5/08

God, give me a sign!  We’ve all done it, but then too often ignore it, step around it or write it off as coincidence.
 
I can relate one clear and uncluttered sign  in my life, though I know there have been thousands.  I was attending a Cursillo weekend retreat last spring, and was not totally sure I should or wanted to be there.  I had things to do back home.  I was at best reluctant.  Still, I’d make the best of it. 
 
Each participant received a Bible and a copy of The Book of Common Prayer (a missal for Episcopalians, for those who are unfamiliar with it).  It was my second one.  A month earlier, I had stumbled on my first copy, which had been presented to me when I had been received into the Episcopal Church on May 18, 1997.
 
An early riser, I took my new book outside to read and pray.  I was sitting in the calm of the early morning enjoying the feel and look and smell of the new  book, and was casually admiring it.  As I cracked it open, I realized the date: May 18, 2007.  Ten years to the day.  Now, I won’t push it, and you can call it coincidence.  But I had to laugh out loud with pure joy.  I knew God intended that I should be there … and I suddenly very much wanted to be there. 
 
I don’t make big deals about signs, but — WOW! — when God hands you one, revel in it.  — jri
 
“And they began to argue among themselves,
saying, ‘We have no bread.’  But Jesus,
knowing this, said to them, ‘Why do you argue
because you have no bread?  Do you not yet
perceive, nor understand?  Is your heart still
blinded?  Though you have eyes, do you not
see, and though you have ears do you not
hear? And do you remember?  When I broke
the five loaves among five thousand, how
many baskets full of fragments did you take
up?’  They said to him, ‘Twelve.’  ‘And when I
broke the seven loaves among four
thousand, how many large baskets of
fragments did you take up?’  They said,
‘Seven.’  And he said to them, “How is it
that you do not yet understand?‘”
        –    Mark 8:16-21

TUESDAY THOUGHT 3/4/08

Life is not easy…and we should thank our lucky stars that that is the way it is.  If life were easy, we would get lazy, stupid and bored, like cattle in a feedlot. 
 
Think of our challenges in terms of exercise and practice.  A good workout strengthens our bodies and daily practice in a sport or on a musical instrument brings us to the next level and makes us grow in ability.  Similarly, it is through the tough and challenging events of our daily lives that our minds can become sharper, our wits more alert, our ability to reach new heights more capable. 
 
Enjoy the challenges and setbacks of this wondrous day, and work up a good sweat giving them nothing less than your all.  — jri
 
“Life is strife, and I am prepared
for that strife.”
    –    Jack London