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FRIDAY THOUGHT 12/31/10

A JOYFUL, WONDROUS NEW YEAR

I would like to wish you all a joyful, joyous, wonder-filled and peaceful new year.

Yes, 2011 will be a year with its own unique mix of troubles and triumphs.  That’s God’s way; no sense in trying to predict, speculate or worry about it.  Just enjoy it and let that wondrous peace beyond comprehension fill your heart and soul.  

Just let it go and let God take over.  God bless you all. – jri

TUESDAY THOUGHT 12/28/10

MONDAY THOUGHT 12/27/10

THE IN-CONTROL SOUL

I’m not in charge.  It took me darn near 60 years to figure it out (or at least to admit it to my stiff-necked self), but there is very little over which I have power or control.  I used to believe I could dig and sweat and plan and maneuver, and when things went as planned, I was a glorious, talented, in- control soul.  Oh, and that new boat and beachfront cottage somehow made me somehow superior, or at least special.     

Well, as I said, I’m not in charge, and that’s just fine.  I can make a few million dollars and own a ton of stuff, but then – poof! – I could lose it all to a turn of fate, a sudden illness, an economic downturn.  And that’s just fine.  When I had more money than sense, I had nothing.  Today, I have quite enough, and it’s more than enough. 

My point:  I’ve come to recognize the simple fact that God raised all us up out of the elements of the earth He created.  Yes, we’re all pretty swell and special … not because we’re so incredibly clever, but only because we are creations of God and the grace which He showers upon us like warm spring rain each day. – jri

When all is said and done, it seems to me that all we have to do, as they say, is let go and let God.  Very uncomplicated.  Very simple.  Very peace-filled and joy-filled.  So, I invite you to let today go. Oh, sure, work hard; however, don’t fret or struggle.  If things go as you have planned, say “Thank you, Lord.”  If they go otherwise, say “Thank you, Lord.”  God bless.       

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 12/22/10

THE MOST INCREDIBLE WOMAN WHO EVER LIVED 

Powerless by most accounts and by the standards of her day, Mary didn’t have a whole lot to say, and I get the impression she was more inclined to hold her tongue than question, argue and lecture.   So, when the angel said to her, “Greetings, favored one!  The Lord is with you … she was much perplexed and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” (Luke 1:29).

She seemed more concerned with little things and family matters (like the social embarrassment of the wedding party at Cana when they ran out of wine) than with world and heavenly affairs.  (Imagined dialogue:  “Son, I know you’re going out to cure lepers and feed multitudes, but be sure to bring your heavy cloak; it can get cold in the hills.”  “Okay, Mom, thanks.  Gotta go now.  Love you.”)  She was there throughout Christ’s whole life – from the day He was born (obviously) until the day she stood below the cross and watched Him die a painful, humiliated death … the tragic end to a promising career. 

My point:  What I love about Mary is that she was chosen because she was totally committed and open to the Lord’s will.  She had a vague idea what was in store for her and her incredible son, but she believed, she trusted, she left it in God’s hands. What a lady!  What an example! – jri 

I’ve always felt a tender bond with Mary and believe she has a special, powerful influence with her son, who cannot resist her requests.  So, if you’re not sure how to ask Jesus for His help, turn to His blessed mother.  You see, or at least it seems to me, she’s less concerned with all the big issues of God’s epic battles of good versus evil than with a mother’s love for family … and we’re all part of her family.  God bless and “ponder” this incredible woman on the day of her son’s birth.     

MONDAY THOUGHT 12/20/10

“DEAL FASTER!” CRIED THE LOSERS

That’s an old poker line – “Deal faster,” cried the losers.  It’s also like that basic definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.

That’s how it is for a lot of us in our quest for purpose and peace in this scary life.  Try harder, own more, earn more, bike further.  Only one problem:  While such quests may distract us for a time, they really don’t work.  Like the alcoholic’s indulgence in booze — that gives temporary good feeling but leads only to long-term misery and dissatisfaction — our determination to distract ourselves with larger doses of earthly challenges and delights is nothing more than a dead end with a brick wall waiting around one of those turns. 

My point:  The only people I have ever met who have peace and balance are those who have honestly and guilelessly sought the Lord.  Can’t argue it; just state it as fact from what I’ve seen and experienced. – jri

SATURDAY THOUGHT 12/18/10

NETWORKING WITH GOD 

First, forgive me for this terribly flawed analogy. 

In business, it’s called networking.  People connect, share information and give something of value (tips, referrals, mentoring, etc.).  It’s supposed to be a two-way street.  However, I know many folks who don’t get it; they only show up when they need something  (and often never bother to say thanks when they get it), only to show up again the next time … and then wonder why networking does not work.  They give nothing in return, and it is not long before their associates stop associating with them.  

Okay, now to the flawed analogy.  That’s how many of us act with God.  We only show up — all big smiles and warm handshakes — when we need something.  Then we  barely bother to mutter thanks if we get it, and wouldn’t even think of offering anything in return … until the next time we are in need. 

My point:  Even beyond spiritual networking (still, ultimately a self-serving act), faith is about the relationship, based on a genuine caring and trust.  Give it to God – “If you truly keep to my path,”  says the psalm below – and He will take care of the rest.  Oh, He may not (probably WILL not) do it your way, but He will make the relationship bountiful and wondrous beyond imagination. – jri 

MONDAY THOUGHT 12/13/10

ALEX LIVES! 

Sharing an unexpected giggle moment here:  Alex lives!  The discovery made me burst into an ear-to-ear grin.  Alex was a ten-foot tall tropical plant.  (No, I don’t know what kind, but I keep thinking corn plant.)  He was nearly dead two years ago when I first got him, then a shriveled, failing six feet tall.  After lots of sunlight, water and fresh soil, he thrived – grew and sprouted a wealth of deep, luscious, green fronds.  He was unstoppable. 

Well, I moved to new digs last month … and a lower ceiling.  Heeding doubtful advice, I cut Alex down to about three feet, an extreme, brutal act (reminder:  Our family motto is, “It seemed like a really good idea at the time!”), and only pretended to believe he would survive.  But, glory, glory!  Sunday I saw three nubs of fresh, new green just bursting to start the next ten feet of growth.  I was surprised and tickled beyond rational behavior. 

My point:  Something about life and surprises and belief and, again, the miracle of life.  If a goner like Alex can come back from near-death, aren’t all things possible?  Though I don’t know the answer for sure, and I will always doubt right up to the  moment of the miracle, I do know that Alex delivered a wondrous surprise.  – jri 

SATURDAY THOUGHT 12/11/10

UNFORGIVEABLE 

Years ago I knew a man whose psychiatrist said had such guilt and self-hatred that the doctor would never ride in a car with him out of fear the man would kill himself.  This fellow is not all that alone.  I know a lot of folks who live with mind-numbing guilt and soul-clawing self-hatred – over something they’ve done, something done to them, or just because it seems to be their nature.  They believe they are unique, alone … and hopelessly unforgiveable.

Tragically, these men and women miss the whole point of God and why Jesus lived and, most of all, why He died on the cross.  Though I do  not know much, I do know that Christ’s message is about forgiveness, about new beginnings, about total and complete expunging of the record … washed clean. 

My point:  Nothing is unforgiveable.  Nothing.  If you or someone you know thinks he or she is the worst, bad-ass (pardon the term; it is appropriate here), unforgiveable sinner in the world, think again.  Better yet, hand it over to God, ask forgiveness and you will get it.  Guaranteed.  Then just accept it and believe it.  Period.  – jri 

FRIDAY THOUGHT 12/10/10

THE 10,000 HOUR RULE

On my business blog (www.TheFreestyleEntrepreneur.com) I recently wrote about the “10,000 Hour Rule.”  Simply summarized, the premise is that people do not fail in their quest to achieve a certain goal (sales or business success, etc.), but that they quit before they succeed.  If they commit to their objective (and 10,000 hours has been shown to be an almost magical breakthrough number, according to research written about by Malcolm Gladwell in his terrific book, Outliers) they will be successful.  That 10,000 hours, by the way, requires something between three and five years of full-time dedication.     

I think it’s kind of the same  when searching for God.  No, I do not know the exact time frame.  However, I do know that too many of us quit in our quest for faith and God before we achieve success.  Christ said we should knock and it will be opened.  He did not say the door would swing wide on the first rap of the knuckles. 

My point:  Search.  Do not give up.  Commit time each day to talking with and seeking God … and you will be successful.  A long time?  Maybe.  However, we will find that our faith will grow a tad today, a bit next month.  Never give up.  Seek God.  After all, we have nothing better to do. – jri 

“Into your hands I commit my spirit.”

                      – Psalm 31:5

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 12/8/10

THE WRITINGS OF JESUS 

Jesus was one cool character.  Not only did He apparently have a terrific speaking gift, powerful enough to win thousands of followers, but He could also win an argument without words. 

That’s what Jesus did the day an adulterous woman was brought before Him, and He was asked to pass judgment.  He said not a word for or against her.  He just bent down and began to write  on the ground with His finger.  This is the only record of Jesus writing anything … and we never learn what it is He was writing.  

My point:  Not a clue today, except that Our Lord’s wisdom, intelligence and ability to “read a crowd,” so to speak, must have been awesome.  Yet on some of the most important occasions, He made His point with silence.  What a guy! – jri 

TUESDAY THOUGHT 12/7/10

 CELEBRATE THIS DAY

MONDAY THOUGHT 12/6/10

PLAYING IN THE MUD 

I have been cursed with glimpses of pure joy, (were I a Buddhist, I’d probably call it enlightenment), when I felt so close to God I could feel His breath.  I say “cursed” because it has always left me with a lingering, restless hunger for this deep, deep, in-my-soul sense of contentment, an elusive understanding that goes beyond knowledge. 

Too often – focusing more on the feeling than the God who touched me — I attempt to box up and save the experience, only to slip back into and settle for the muddy playground of mundane days rather than cherish it as a gift, a glimpse of that promised joy that exceeds anything imaginable. 

My point:  I do not believe that faith is about a feeling, but a lifestyle of believing, of trying to trust (so much easier said than carried out on a daily basis) and of knowing beyond knowledge.  It is in that where we find a unique joy that goes beyond all understanding. – jri

FRIDAY THOUGHT 12/3/10

GOOD DAY, BAD DAY 

My mother never had a bad day, at least to hear her tell it.  She once came out of massive surgery and was hovering around death’s door and someone asked her, ‘How are you feeling, Sally?”  Eyes closed, pale and exhausted, she snapped a smile on her face and whispered, “Fine, thank you.” 

She had a gift for shrugging at setbacks and greeted each day with a ferocious joy and passion.  (On more than one occasion in my slightly misguided youth, after I’d engaged in a night of home-from-college self-indulgence, she’d sweep into my room, snap open the blinds, laugh devilishly as I’d bury myself into the covers, and burst into her loud, off-key rendition of “Open up the windows, open up the doors, and let the merry sunshine in!”) 

My point:  Many of us are in the habit of doing a running calculation, deciding that it is either a good day or a bad day based on the tally of wins (we get what we want) and losses (we don’t).  Instead, as my mother was wont to do, we should put all things in God’s hands, count every day as a good day and go about it joyfully, even when things do not go as we would prefer. – jri 

 Abraham Lincoln once said that most people are about as happy as they make up their minds they want to be.  As Christians, we have an added benefit:  We believe (at least most of the time, kind of).  For today — leaving tomorrow for tomorrow – why not put it all in God’s hands, unburden our hearts and live the day in light-hearted joy?  God bless.   

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 12/1/10

VICTOR THE BEAR

Years ago, back when I lived in Indianapolis, a nightclub had a de-clawed bear named Victor, with whom anyone with the fuzzy-headed desire could wrestle.  Victor, chained loosely to the floor, mostly just stood there while half-drunk men (women being too smart to try this) threw themselves against his huge body.  Claws or no, Victor could have crushed these fellows in an instant (hence the term: bear hug).  However, he mostly just stood there … unless somebody got too close to annoying or hurting him.  Then he’d fling them like rag dolls across the room.

My half-baked analogy:  That’s kind of how God can be with us.  He could crush us in an instant (say, “Okay, heart stop beating; this guy bores me to tears.”), but He doesn’t.  I don’t think He’s humoring us, but He must get a bit bored with how seriously we take our logical, rational calculations, or when we rail and flail against Him, challenging Him to pony up, give us the winning touchdown … or telling Him to just get out of the way.  Unlike Victor the Bear, He lets us pound away.     

My point:  Vaguer than on most days, but I think it’s that we really don’t need to challenge or dare God in a confrontational, adversarial way.  It’s really not that complicated.  I think God likes us and wants us to enjoy the gifts of this life.  What does He ask in return?  Play nice; seek Him (not dopey distractions like bigger kitchens or smaller waists); share; care; and remember to say thanks every now and then for the world He has given us.  – jri