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MONDAY THOUGHT 11/28/11

TALENT

Imagine unimagined success!  We’ve seen it.  Many of us have experienced it:  A humble business venture that goes from wobbly near- failure to multi-million-dollar success; the inspired ability to go from couch-potato chunk to marathon-running hunk in less than a year; or a writing effort that goes from a good idea to magical brilliance.  When I run into people who have enjoyed explosive success, I marvel over their brilliance and giftedness.  Their knowledge and ability (grousers would call it luck) make me stop and marvel and ask: “Where does that gift, that talent come from?”  

Then I look at my own small gift as a wordsmith, especially after someone shares a word of thanks or compliments me on some message.  (No, this will probably not be one of them.)  And, yes, there are times when I go back and read something I’ve written and marvel over where it came from … surely not from me. 

My point:  It has to come from somewhere.  Sometimes, maybe, just maybe, there are things that come from us – a set of words, a thought, a painting, yes, even a business proposal – that we had no idea was inside us.  Maybe, just maybe, that is where God comes in.  Maybe. – jri

God’s hand?  I have friends who exhaust me insisting that one’s ability, as well as the complexity and awe-inspiring events of this world must come from anywhere – anywhere at all – but certainly not from God.  That would be illogical, they argue.  They believe in some innate (and not clearly understood) inner ability, but definitely not God.  As for me, thank you, I have searched science and philosophy and books of the spirit, including The Bible, and have found that the most logical source of life and the amazing complexities of this world must come from an intelligent (downright brilliant) source far, far, far beyond our feeble minds.  These are the gifts of God.  Just say Thank you; then enjoy and share them.  — jri

John Ingrisano

209 Church Street

Algoma, WI 54201

(920) 559-3722

www.dailyconnections.net

November 28, 2011

TUESDAY THOUGHT 11/11/11

GRATITUDE

This Thanksgiving, I give thanks most of all for the gift of gratitude.  I have always had many blessings; they have always showered down upon me.  However, I have not always been aware of them.  

Among those many blessings:  My favorite is my Tommy-Tippy-Cup-like faith, that allows me to stumble and fall, but keeps helping me back up … again and again.  Then there is forgiveness, the knowledge that no matter how many times I screw it up, my bad-boy list gets wiped clean … again and again.  Ah, and then there are my family and friends, blessings that I too often take for granted but that revive my tired soul … again and again. 

As for stuff, not so much anymore.  I do understand how younger people (no, I am not old, thank you) focus on and value toys and power (and I am saddened when I see older folks who still do, who have not figured this out yet).  I’ve had it all, been there, and it was thin gruel in the end.  Instead, these days, I am grateful for having enough … enough for me and enough to share. 

So, this Thanksgiving, I am truly thankful and grateful for my cornucopia of blessings.  I am rich beyond measure.  Thank you all for your love, for your care, and for your caring.  You and all that I have are gifts from God, who blesses all of us each and every day. – jri  

SUNDAY THOUGHT 11/20/11

THE STRAY DOG CLUB

 As many of you know, I have a special place in my heart for stray dogs, people like Chicago Mike, who is doing time in federal prison, or Gary, the married, hard-drinking womanizer.  But I also include on that list my friends who have not seen the political light (as in:  they don’t see it my way), atheists, agnostics … even a few Muslims.  Worst of all, I have family and a few friends who are – gasp, gasp – homosexuals … and darn nice folks they are, by the way.  For this (and more), I have on occasion be roundly criticized for not doing my own separating of the sheep from the goats.    

Bummer.  Yes, I guess I am a Christian, but more to the point, I attempt to be a follower of Christ.  (This can be a big difference.)  I am a seeking sheep  (bah, bah, not bah, humbug), but I am also a part-time goat.  Mixing my metaphors, I guess that also makes me something of a stray dog, both to dogmatic “Christians” and sneerful nonbelievers.  But remember that Christ spent a lot of time with those stray dogs, eating and drinking with tax collectors, lawyers (sorry, son), prostitutes, etc. 

My point:  (1) Christ admonished us to love one another; (2) we cannot help the stray dogs in our lives if we do not talk to them; and (3) leave the separating of the sheep and the goats to God.  — jri              

I guess my way of thinking is that I have enough on my plate to try to change myself and find my own salvation, so I should just mind my own business and not try to fix and find fault with everybody else.  It’s God’s job to judge, not ours.  God bless you, even if you are not a stray dog.    

FRIDAY THOUGHT 11/4/11

ATHEISTS, DEISTS & CHRISTIANS … OH, MY!

 Once upon a time, when I was down and almost out, a couple reached out to me and helped me up.  They gave me a glimmer of caring and support (and they fed me regularly) during a time of loneliness and borderline despair.  They were the friends when I could not find a friend.  To this day, I hold them in a special place in my heart, and I still cherish the continuation of our periodic meals together, accompanied by lively conversation.

 Here’s the kicker:  She is an atheist (a devout nonbeliever) and he is a deist (who sees God’s presence in the orderliness of the world, but not so much in the religions of the world), and, in many respects, they are more Christian in their values and actions than many churchgoers I know.  Yes, we tease each other and, on occasion, we hotly discuss the “why” of our positions.  However, we also respect each other, and, yes, they allow/encourage me to offer a prayer before we eat.

My point:  Not sure, exactly, but I think it is that (A) there just may be many roads to Salvation and Truth and  (B) if Christ said we should love one another, then my atheist and deist friends are mighty fine Christians.  Let us not judge. – jri 

I have the privilege of knowing many people who color outside the lines.  I will not judge them.  As for my atheist friends, if you read this, I ask that you do not take offense when I say that I will pray for you at the time of your death … not so much that you come to see life from my perspective, but that God welcomes you as a friend of mine, a friend who, like the Good Samaritan, bandaged my wounds in a time of trouble.  God bless you.

TUESDAY THOUGHT 11/1/11

PEACE & JOY VS. PLEASURE & POWER

 I know a woman who recently lost her son in a tragic accident; he left behind a widow and three small children.  I know another woman who lost her husband a year or so ago to disease and then lost her brother shortly after.  I know several people for whom a cancer has almost completed its devouring meal.  These men and women are believers … or at least they try to be.  So, why didn’t God give them get-out-of-suffering-free cards?

Because that’s not how God does it.  Devout people may be rich or poor, healthy or sick, just like others.  What they do not have (and should not expect) are ponies under the Christmas tree just because they are believers.  They suffer loss, pain, regret, etc., just like others. 

 The difference:  They know and believe (sometimes fully, sometimes not so much) that God has a plan and a purpose, a reason that goes beyond their ability to see completely.  They pray, and their prayers are answered, though nonbelievers will look around and ask, “Did I miss something?” 

 So, God may not elect to cure your cancer or grant you a Mercedes for Christmas.  However, He is always with you, loving you, watching over you, caring for you and attending to your needs.  It is true. – jri

I have been tested with my small share of ups and down in this life.  However, I do sometimes wonder how people keep their faith in the face of true and great tragedy.  So, I encourage you to pray for those who do face tragic circumstances today.  If they are sick, yes, pray for the cure; however, pray mostly that they may have faith and strength.  If they have money troubles, yes, pray for financial relief; however, pray mostly that they may find joy and wealth in their current circumstances.  If they have pain, whether physical or emotional, pray, yes, that they may be healed and restored to health; however, pray mostly that they may find joy and comfort in knowing that the Lord is with them … always.  God bless.