DailyConnections.net

TUESDAY THOUGHT 5/25/10

Simple Blessings

A friend of mine who died six years ago this month had MS.  By the end, he was so paralyzed that he asked me when I arrived for a visit one time to please scratch his nose.  He would have been delighted beyond words to have been able to do it himself.  Yet Les was always cheerful, always grateful.  He always counted his blessings. 

These days, a lot of us are worried, what with the economy in shambles.  Still, we all have many blessings, more than we realize on most days.  We can let our concerns cloud the joy out of our days and rob us of the present.  Or how about we just scratch our noses, think of Les, and delight in our many, many wondrous blessings?  

My point:  Especially with the Memorial Day weekend coming up, honor the fallen, but also celebrate the freedoms and gifts of family and friends, and do so without fret or fuss.  These are the true blessings. – jri

Suggestion:  Food pantries are low and the need is great these days.  So, when you shop this week, pick up just one of those two-for-one specials and bring that second item to church or a food pantry.  You’ll be amazed how great it will feel contributing even a 49 cent can of beans.  God bless. 

John Ingrisano
DailyConnections
204 Lakeview Drive
Algoma, WI 54201
(920) 559-3722
May 25, 2010

FRIDAY THOUGHT 5/21/10

Blowing Right Past the Miracles

Sometimes I’m a little dense.  Yesterday, I reviewed with my daughter an upcoming business trip that, over a three-day period, would put me in and out of Madison, Wisconsin, where she and my other daughter live.  Angie asked me to stay over an extra day and play at the farmers’ market on Saturday.  I hesitated, thinking I would need to get home. 

Then “click”!  Duh!  What am I nuts?  My daughter (with whom I had had a few painful years in our history together) wanted to spend time with me.  All the standard-issue stresses (money worries, deadlines, pick up the stupid dog before noon on Saturday worries, you know the list) dissolved.  A miracle before my eyes!   Seven years ago, I would have given up seven years of my life for her to even acknowledge I existed.  Today, she’s my loving daughter, who actually wants to spend time with her old burn-out of a dad.

My point:  I’m not sure what the technical definition of a miracle is.  However, I do know that the opportunity to spend time with my daughter – and my realizing it – is, by my definition, a miracle of sorts.  Ask for miracles.  Make your miracles.  Find your miracles.  Recognize your miracles when they are staring you in the face.  And, most of all, cherish your miracles.  God bless and have a joyful weekend, packed with happiness and miracles.  – jri

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No quote today.  Just gratitude for a bucket and a half of blessings.  But I do ask one favor:  Please seek out a loved one – near or far, close or estranged – and tell that person how much he/she means to you.  Ask for nothing in return.  Just share your care.  If you’re not sure what to say, try, “I love you.”  God bless. 

John Ingrisano
DailyConnections
204 Lakeview Drive
Algoma, WI 54201
(920) 559-3722
May 21, 2010

THURSDAY THOUGHT 5/20/10

Seeing is Believing … Kind of

 I’ve never been afraid of ideas, even if they threatened to topple my accepted “isms.”  So, I recently began looking at deism, which is belief in a rational God based on observation of the laws of nature, science, observation and reason, though dismissive of religions as mythology “revealed” through books such as our Bible. 

It’s all very Spock-like and logical, and I had to say that the tenets challenged my mind and my soul.  I’m a big fan of the rational mind, which is perhaps the greatest gift given mankind by God.  However, I also know that we “see” and observe not just with our eyes, but with our hearts.  In fact, it is what we see with our hearts that gives the greatest value to our lives:  love, willingness to sacrifice for a beloved person or cause, and other irrational, illogical acts.

My point:  I’m no theologian or philosopher, so my logic may not be perfect.  But I do know that there is much room in this wondrous world for logic and love and faith and stone-cold reasoning … room to see with both our eyes and our hearts.  I guess that’s one of those illogical, rational facts of life. – jri

FRIDAY THOUGHT 5/14/10

Who’s In Charge Here? 

Recession lesson:  Back in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, it was almost impossible to fail.  Sure, a lot of us were smart and hard-working, but our success had more to do with a booming economy than our skills.  Today, a lot of folks who thought they were hot stuff – talented, clever, ambitious, with the Midas touch – are now out of work and looking for a job.  Once again, nothing to do with them.  Factors beyond their control. 

Kind of like faith.  We can work hard, pray hard, stop kicking the family dog and start handing out quarters to street beggars.  That is good, but it won’t buy us a ticket on the Pearly Gates Express.  That’s a gift, totally out of our control.  The best part:  All we have to do is ask.  That’s it. 

My point:  We fool ourselves if we think we’re in charge … of any of it.  Make a million bucks, build an empire and get cancer on Tuesday or put money into the wrong securities deal and go from riches to rags.  Or – and here’s the good part — we can screw up from Sunday through Friday, make a mess of everything … and then let God take charge on Saturday and turn it around in a twinkle.  Nothing is hopeless.  Nothing is impossible.  It’s all in God’s hands.  Period.  – jri 

THURSDAY THOUGHT 5/13/10

Take It On Faith 

I have a friend who is color blind.  When we return from fishing, he cannot see the red lighthouse at the entrance to the Algoma harbor from far out on Lake Michigan.  Still, he knows it’s there.  He takes it on faith until its presence is confirmed when it comes into view.

I think it is similar with “the eyes of our hearts.”  There are things that some see clearly, as if they were a red lighthouse guiding the way, while others remain blind to their presence.  It is the faith itself that opens our eyes.  This is a puzzlement to some; makes total sense to others.

My point:  In the rational world, we believe because we see.  In the world of faith, however, we see because we believe.  We see with the eyes of our open hearts. – jri 

MONDAY THOUGHT 5/10/10

 Why Bother to Pray? 

I read somewhere that it is a peculiar god who knows all, can do all, and yet would make us beg him to change his mind and grant us a favor.  I agree, and if that’s the way we see God and prayer, maybe we need to look again.

As for a clear, brilliant answer, sorry.  I do know, however, that God gives us the choice to present our petitions, along with our thanks.  I also know that He rarely answers our prayers in our way and on our schedule.  Why?  I don’t know.  But I also know that He does answer prayers, though rarely in the same form as that which we asked.    

My point:  Vague and not all that clear (this is a tough one).  However, I do know that prayers are about faith and trust, not about a “gimme” list you fire off to God like He’s Santa Claus.  Pray.  Trust.  Try to serve God.  Amen. – jri

FRIDAY THOUGHT 5/7/10

Thirty-Day Money Back Guarantee

With apologies to my hero, Vince the Pitchman: Hi!  John from God, Inc. here, with a special Friday offer.  Try God for 30 days, free!  That’s right, absolutely free!  Just pick up your heart and call today.  No cost.  No obligation. 

If you’re not 100 percent satisfied within 30 days – if all those spiritual aches and pains haven’t vanished – you get a full refund.  So, pray today.  There’s nothing to lose. 

But wait, there’s more.  If you pray right now – but you’d better hurry because we can’t do this all day – we’ll include a lifetime of peace AND guarantee of eternal salvation.  That’s right.  No tricks.  No gimmicks.  I can’t believe we’re still making this offer.  

So, don’t wait.  Don’t be the last one on your block to get in on this fabulous offer.  To order, just get on your knees, offer up your heart … and trust!  That’s right.  It’s so simple I can’t believe you’re still waiting.  This is a risk-free offer.  You have nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain.  So, pray today.  Just say, “Hey, Lord, I accept your offer.”  — jri

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 5/5/10

Money!  Money!  Money!

As is often the case with small business owners, I spend way too much time thinking about money.  Especially today, in this tough economy, I know exactly what’s in the bank, what’s coming in over the next 30 days, and what will be billable over the next several months.

Too often, when the numbers look like it’ll be a squeaker, I’ll spend a sleepless night … sometimes many of them.  This concern for money can rob me of joy and color my whole outlook.  But what annoys me most is how this concern is a glaring sign of a lack of faith.  More telling than I’d care to admit sometimes.     

My point:  I am a man of faith … but it is, unfortunately, such a small faith.  I am easily distracted and discouraged.  I suspect I’m not alone.  So, my prayer today?  “Faith, Lord.  Grant me faith, please.”  — jri 

MONDAY THOUGHT 5/3/10

EVERYTHING Makes sense!

I know a young lady who, when in medical school, nearly destroyed herself and her career through substance abuse.  She finally beat it and got her life on track, but it was a tough couple of years.

A doctor now, she was recently offered an opportunity to work in a clinic that specializes in treating pregnant women who are struggling with – you guessed it – drug and alcohol abuse.  I could not think of anyone more suited or prepared for the work.

My point:  Just because we don’t always see God’s hand in our everyday lives (and sometimes we may wonder if He’s even there), God does know what He is doing. – jri