It is not about ME, but who I serve.
In 2nd Peter 1:1-11, The Apostle Peter tells us three very important things: how to make our life happy and fruitful, how to become partakers of the divine nature, and how to make our calling an election sure. One of the great secrets of happiness is the consciouness that our lives have been constructive, helpful, and really worthwhile. But how much happier would we be if we could know that we really have been a help to others? In this chapter Peter gives us the secret of the happy, fruitful life.
I see so many that are so involved with self, that it makes me wonder why they cannot realize that they are being helped by others. I might call it the ME syndrome. We really need to go back often and look at the Christian graces.
In years past one of my favorite writers was Dr. Lloyd Cline Sears. Dr Sears used some interesting stories that really hits close to home with how we often deal with others. He states this item that has been one of my favorites for many years.
As a boy I pulled a little wagon a mile through the hot sun to the ice plant for twenty-five cents worth of ice. On the plat form was already a chunk about the right size. The man put it on the scales and found it slightly too heavy. He took his ice pick and chipped it down to twenty-five cents, letting the chips melt in the sun. An equal amount probably melted on the way home. The man was honest, he wanted to give me what I paid for, but there was something inside him that would not let him give me a half pound more. That man later became an elder in a city church, and I was told he regularly opposed any effort of the church that would require much giving or sacrifice.
He also told the instance that happened to Z.D. Barber, who managed an orphanage in Texas years ago, told of a woman who brought out to the truck a great arm load of clothes. "I can't use these things any more," she said, "but maybe you can use them." Then as the truck started up she yelled, "Wait a minute. I can use the buttons," and the driver waited till she came with the scissors and cut all the buttons off.

Dr. Sears used other stories like this and I will share them if anyone finds this interesting

California Wild Fires

We have been watching the tragic situation on TV regarding the fires that are devasting the southern portions of California. Our hearts go out to these families who are losing their homes and all their belongings. I cannot imagine how they can cope with this. It is good to see people responding and providing shelter etc. for the families. Our prayers are for everyones well being and the recovery process that follows.

Why can't people take NO for an answer. I keep getting these calls from different groups wanting money. I am supposed to be on the Do not call list. Just today, I received a call from a person raising money for the FOP. I tried to explain to him I was 108 years old and on welfare and had no money to give. He never let up on his spiel and was still ranting when I hung the phone up. It reminded me of the story of last winter.
During last winter's violent snowstorms, one Red Cross rescue team was carried by helicopter to within a mile of a mountain cabin all but covered by deep snowdrifts.
The rescuers struggled on foot through the deep drifts and finally arrived at the cabin, where they shoveled away enough snow to clear the door. They knocked, and when their summons were answered by a mountaineer, one rescuer stepped up and said, "We're from the Red Cross."
"Well," said the the mountaineer, scratching his head. "It's been a right tough winter and I don't see how we can give anything this year."

Oh well, There was a time when a fool and his money were soon parted. Now it happens to most everyone.

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power no other nation has ever known=but we have forgotten God.
We have forgotten the gracious hand that preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched, and strenghtened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virture of our own.
Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming grace, too proud to pray to the God who made us.
It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and pray for clemency and forgiveness.
I still have confidence that the Almighty, the Maker of the universe, will through the instrumentality of this great and intelligent people, bring us through present difficulties of our country.

This statement was made by Abraham Lincoln and still rings true today. In our over educated, arrogant attitude about having all the answers, our country is in great trouble. We see God being left out in way too many areas because we are afraid of offending someone. Lets get back to the basics and stand for the principles this nation was founded on.

On the inside looking out

"Look at that one-- the one staring at us through the bars. Doesn't he look intelligent?"
"Yes, Theres something uncanny about it."
"He looks as if he understood every word we're saying."
"Walks on his hind legs, too, and swings his arms."
"There! He's got a peanut. Lets see what he does with it."
"Well, what do you know about that! He knows enough to take off the shell before he eats it, like we do."
"Thats a female alongside of him. Listen to her chattering at him. He doesn't seem to be paying much attention to her though."
"She must be his mate."
"They look kind of sad don't they?"
"Yes, I guess they wish they were in here with us monkeys."

What is accomplished in the late years?

Since I am approaching my eightieth birthday next month and if I am lucky enough to make it, I have been wondering what can I accomplish. I don't have much to my credit in the previous years so what would be possible for me to achieve in the late years. Looking back in history we see examples of individuals who continued to use and enhance their creative gifts into very old age. Verdi composed his "Ave Maria" at eighty-five. Pablo Casals played the cello, conducted orchestras, and taught up to the time of his death at ninety-six. Ralph Vaughn Williams composed his eight and and ninty symphonies in his eighties. Grandma Moses took up painting at the age of seventy-seven and continued to do her quaint and appealing work to the end of her life at ninety-nine. Michaelango worked on his sculptures virtually until his death at eighty-nine.
Arthue Fielder vigorously conducted the Boston Pops orchestra in his eighties, and Arthur Rubenstein at eighty-eight continued to recieve standing ovations for his piano concerts.
I could go on and on with others but we must accept the fact that these were exceptional gifted people. But they do give proof that creativity and fresh ideas the power to enrich one's society and culture need not vanish with old age.
Creativity in one's later years does not fall like manna from heaven. It requires an abiding interest in life and conviction that we can continue to grow, learn, and create to the very end of our days.
I have to ask God daily to let me stay until I have accomplished what is still pending in my own life. Resigning of a leadership role continues to haunt me daily but my fellow Shepards insist that I still play a vital role. However, I have to ask God what the future holds and just ask for him to give me the wisdom to decern what is best and hopefully I can still be effective. We all want to grow old but growing old has its problems that has to be dealt with. All we have and are is due to HIM.

" I Love You Anyway"
This is from an article written by Jack Exum

Years ago I heard a story of a man who was being abused by the boss. He was on time every time and often worked overtime without pay. He was being abused, under appreciated and without recognition. He didn't have the courage to face the boss and ask for what was justly his-- a raise in pay.
Now his decision was made. He said to his wife, "Tomorrow I will go to the office and face the owner and make my case." When he arrived home from work the next day, he kissed his wife, hugged his kids and they all gathered in their usual place around the oval table for supper. Silenced ruled and the tension grew. The meal finished, he placed his napkin back in its holder and said. "Today I faced the boss man. I had been repeating the scripture in Ephesians 6:10, Be strong in the lord and in the power of his might. A strange peace came back over me and I ask for the raise that I felt was fair and due. His response was shocking. He said 'Yes' and more than that. All overtime pay will be at double salary." The kids cheered and the wife cried and they were happy. Then he noticed a slip of paper that was hiding under his plate. It read, "Darling, I am so happy you got the raise. You deserved it and more. I love you."
As the wife got up to clear the dishes, another slip of paper fell from her apron pocket. He picked it up and read, "Darling, I'm so sorry you didn't get the raise. You deserved it and more. I love you anyway."

Are we always supportive of those who are so important to us regardless of what happens?

Overcoming Fear Through Faith

Back in the late 70's and early 80's, I had the opportunity to attend a lot of Seminars regarding subjects on self-esteem. I have sit in audiences with Norman Vincent Peale, Paul Harvey, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Zig Zigler and others who spoke a great deal on self-worth. I think even today there are a lot even in the church who feel subjects along this line are not necessary. One of the topics I remember most is the subject of fear. Even today, some in the church will not take a leadership role simply because of fear. I was probably not ready to accept a leadership role in my own mind many years ago. However, because of my faith, I accepted the role and for the past 50 years I have not regretted that move.

An inscription above the fireplace of an old English inn says, "Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered; no one was there."
The older we grow, the more we come to grips with this thing called fear--fear of failing health, fear of the future, fear of the unknown, perhaps even fear of age itself. I will reach that 80 year mark next month and needless to say, it does weigh on a person's mind.
We need to remember this thought that fear is nothing to be ashamed of. On the other hand, uncontrolled fear is a poison that can paralyze and immobilize.
One antidote to fear is courage. Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the ability to go ahead in spite of fear. What is the source of of courage like this? Its source is faith in God--faith in that power which created the universe and endowed it with with such virtures as kindness and love.
Another antidote to fear is a healthy confidence in ourselves, a confidence which says, "With God's help, I can overcome my difficulties or find the patience and strength to endure them."
When fear knocks, let faith answer. With God's help we can overcome our fears.

For a year and a half, I taught these type lessons to a divorce recovery group at church which included some from our community who were not members. I can assure you that there were many who responded and even today are living a happy productive life because they gained confidence in themselves.

This has always been one of my favorites.

The Man In The Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle with life
And the world makes you a king for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn't your father, or mother, or wife
Whose judgement upon you must pass;
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the man staring back from the glass

He's the man to please, never mind all the rest;
For he stays with you to the end;
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may mimic Jack Horner and chisel a plum
And think you are a wonderful guy;
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years
and get pats on the back as you pass;
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.

God and Man
Julia Ward Howe one day was talking to Charles Sumner, a distinguished Senator from Massachusetts. She asked him to interest himself in the case of a person who needed some help. The Senator answered, "Julia, I've become so busy I can no longer concern myself with individuals." Julia replied, "Charles, that is quite remarkable. Even God hasn't reached that stage yet."

We must guard against being smugly satisfied with what we are and what we have done. We must grow. Even though we are so small and the world so large, there is still much to accomplish if we will live as God wants us to live and be the type people he would have us to be.

My boss used to tell me to take the bull by the tail and look at problems straight in the face. I'll never forget that.