Be an Encourager!

      We were with a great friend this last week and she revealed her New Year’s resolution.  She said, “I am determined to leave everyone I meet this year more positive and encouraged as a result of our meeting.”  Each of us needs to be encouraged at times and there are many ways of giving and receiving.  First, one may be encouraged to push on to the finish line or encouraged by comments of praise.  It may be an expression of confidence in the individual in a pursuit for excellence or a compliment for a job well done.  John Maxwell stated, “Remember, man does not live on bread alone; sometimes he needs a little buttering up.”

      There are some important aspects to remember about being or becoming an encourager.  We should seek other encouragers for friendships, build a support team of people who are honest and firmly established, create and hold on to the memories of past encouragements, and finally, create an atmosphere of encouragement to everyone you meet.  Positive attitude are contagious and people love to be around those who live on the positive side of life.

      Each of us is capable of being an encourager.  It may be just as simple as a smile, a note of appreciation, a telephone call to say thanks or some other special act of kindness.  Just think how much better this would be if we had a lot more encouragement and a lot less criticism of others.  “I believe that any man's life will be filled with constant and unexpected encouragement, if he makes up his mind to do his level best each day, and as nearly as possible reaching the high water mark of pure and useful living."–Booker T. Washington.  Encouragers seem know what to say, how to say it, and the right time, to match the magnitude of the situation.   We were created with special abilities and we must represent the One who created us for a purpose. 

      I had a friend years ago and each time I asked how he was doing, his answer was, “I’m not the least bit dis-encouraged.”  I cannot find that word in the dictionary to make the red, wiggly line go away but it was a correct word for him because it came from the depths of his heart!

      If you meet someone this week that has nothing left but hope, remember, “What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly." 

        Have you encouraged anyone today?  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”  NIV

Clear Vision

      It was a very foggy morning here and as I started my daily routine, I thought of a story in the Bible where Elisha, the Prophet, was facing an enemy and his servant was ready to give up.  The enemy had surrounded the city and his servant asked, "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?”  He could not see any way forward because of the large army surrounding them.  Elisha encouraged him by saying, “Don't be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  Can you just imagine his reaction when he heard this?  He probably thought, “Don’t be afraid?--what else is there but fear?”  Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see."  Immediately his vision was clear and was able to see the situation just as Elisha had stated. 

      I am sure each of us has experienced times when the circumstances of life have obscured our vision and able only to see the “enemies” surrounding us.   This may be a current situation; however, we must not lose hope.  We were created to be victorious; we were created to live above defeat.  Remember the words of Elisha that are so applicable for us today; “Don't be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

      The past couple of years have been difficult for many.  The loss of jobs, the rising costs, the never-ending wars and the world economic situations, just to name a few, has given us many reasons for not seeing clearly.  However, we must not allow the immediate to dominate the future.  Notice, the instruction for the servant was, “Don’t be afraid.”  Fear of current circumstances or the future may be real but remember the words of Neale D. Walsch, “FEAR is an acronym for, ‘False Evidence Appearing Real.’”

      We are often tempted to just say, “Whatever,” and hope for the best without exerting any effort to defeat the enemy.  We must join the army of, “those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  Thomas Edison once stated, “We shall have no better conditions in the future if we are satisfied with all those which we have at present.”

      Is this the day for an eye examination?  We may be surprised to see that the small light at the end of the tunnel is not just another train; it is hope that is changing to confidence that we are going to make it.  When looking at the fog this morning I knew that the sun would rise soon and it would burn the fog away, and it did.

      So, stand tall; stand firm; stand confident and stay focused on winning the battle!  Remember, Rom 8:31, “So, what do you think?  With God on our side like this, how can we lose? Message Bible

I Need a Mulligan

      All of us have experienced times that, we wished we could have a mulligan.  For the non-golfer, it is an opportunity to hit another ball without a penalty.  One asked me last week while trying to play golf, “Why is the second shot always better than the first?”  I like that question better than, “Why didn’t you do that the first time?”  The first question says that I learned from the past and knew how to make the second shot better; the second question keeps one entrenched and focused on the past failures. We know experience is a great teacher; however, experience can be just a memory or a teaching aid for improvements in our life. 

      The New Year is traditionally a good time to assess the past and determine the things that we would like to change.  Beginning again is more than just making a New Year’s resolution.  Resolutions are so easily broken and one starts to feel guilty and disappointed.  We need to look deep into our inner being and see what really matters most to us and determine what we need to do to build a plan from there.  As all of us know, we cannot re-do the past; however, we can create something greater by using the past as a foundation for improvement.  Oliver Wendell Holmes stated, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”   

      Each of us has opportunities for improvement in 2011. One way to keep us focused is to make a list of course corrections that need to made, make a plan for daily improvements and commit to the plan.  Take the ultimate goal, break it into small segments, and start on road to improvement a step at a time.  It is good to have someone that is responsible to help keep us in check and one to which we are accountable.  Walt Disney said, “All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.”   It is amazing what one is capable of accomplishing when the focus is on the goal and the priorities of one’s life remain unalterable.  Look at this day as the first day of the rest of your life.

       Do not just make a resolution; make a plan and follow it one-step at a time.  Do not be discouraged it you do not see instantaneous results.  Results will come, as you stay focused on the ultimate goal.   Do you need a “mulligan?”  Here is your opportunity; take it!

      Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote: Philippians 3:17-18 “Stick with me, friends.  Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for the same goal.  There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them.  I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again.  All they want is easy street.  They hate Christ’s Cross.  But easy street is a dead-end street.”  The Message Bible

Happy New Year

Merry Christmas

      A story told of a mother who was ironing while her little son was drawing pictures.  The mother asked, "What are you drawing?”  He said, "I'm drawing a picture of God.”  She said, "How can you do that?  Nobody knows what God looks like.”  He said, "They will when I get through!"  Mary and Joseph got the first glimpse of God lying in the manger.  According to the Scriptures, and to use a phrase my parents often used, “He was a spitting image of his father.” 

      However, those around Him would say, “That does not look like God; He is not wrapped in splendor that one would expect of God.  Many would not accept the benefit of the Gift because of the circumstances of His humble beginnings.  It is easy to overlook the greatest things in life and the things that have lasting importance while looking for the spectacular.

      Today, many are trying to change the meaning of Christmas.  Christmas is commercialized; however, the commercialization does not prevent us from holding steadfast to the real reason for the season.  Many in our society continually try to remove Christ from Christmas; and this is something we need to guard against.  Try typing “Christmas” without Christ and all one will get is “mas” with a little red wiggly line under it.  In over two thousands years of adding words to the English language one can only find “mas” used as an acronym.  An acronym for “mas” leaving Christ off is just “Mass, Annual, Socializing.”  It is not a word; therefore, without Christ in Christmas there is nothing left.  Here is part of a Poem, “Saving Christmas” by Paul Boris found in the Daily Sun Newspaper, December 19, 2010.

It’s such a wonderful, magical day…Please don’t let it go away.

We know what Christmas is all about, so let us all stand up and shout.

“A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL” not “Greeting, have a good day”.

Does our white washed society really wish Christmas away?

Christmas is a reverent season.  Never forget it’s rightful reason

Celebrate His coming.  Follow his teaching.  Remain together, and all keep reaching.

Illustration:  A little boy saying his prayers after a long day of shopping with his mother said, “Dear God, forgive us our Christmases as we forgive those who Christmas against us.”

Luke 2:9-11 “Then the angel said to them,” Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  NKJV

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Greatest Gift of Christmas

      Christmas began with the greatest Gift one could ever imagine. This Gift was so significant that it literally changed the world that day.  Hope replaced doom; joy replaced sadness; peace replaced fear, and all because of the Gift of Jesus given to the world.  Many have tried to eloquently define the greatness and value of this Gift.  James Hefley stated, “I am within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that One Solitary Life.”

Life is so busy and we often bypass the joy of Christmas as we try to get through the hustle and bustle of the event.  Many have tried to take real meaning of Christmas and turn it into “just another day.”  Therefore, we each need to ask, “What does Christmas mean to me?”  It is a time for giving and receiving; however, it is a great time to just pause, remember and be thankful for the more important things in life.  It was because of God’s great love for us that He gave His most precious Gift.  Sometimes, the most precious gift we give will not have a price tag attached but wrapped with time and love.  One person when asked by her husband, “What would you like for Christmas?”  Her reply was, “I’d like you to sit down and watch ‘Phantom of the Opera’ with me.”  One child’s request was, “I would like lots and lots of attention.”  We need to pause and value what values most in life!

Christmas is a time to remember the reason behind the birthday celebration.  It is a time to remember the gift of love, joy, peace, comfort, compassion, and other attributes that accompanied the greatest Gift and offer the same to others.  These gifts are most important and more lasting than any gift with a monetary value. A little girl was late coming home and her mother wanted an answer why she was late.  The little girl replied, “I stopped to help Janie, whose bicycle was broken in a fall.”  "But you don't know anything about fixing bicycles," her mother responded.  "I know that," the girl said. "I just stopped to help her cry."   

 “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measure to you." --Luke 6:38

Dear God, open the eyes of my heart to see the needs of others and show me someone I can help this Christmas. Make me an extension of your love. In Jesus name, I pray. 

Shaped for Significance

Years ago, while teaching an apprenticeship class on clay modeling, we gave the students a sketch and some clay with the assignment to make a three-dimension model.  The sketch was correct and the clay was perfect in texture for shaping.  Some took the time to make it as perfect as possible while others made a model with some resemblance to the sketch, but rudely created. 

Our life is somewhat like the piece of clay.  There was nothing crude or rudely created in our existence; we are one of a kind and ready for shaping to begin.  Unfortunately, we did not come with a set of instructions for a making a perfect model.  Each of us has the personal responsibility to shape our life for significance.  Therefore, choosing deliberately and enthusiastically the influences and core values are important for the ultimate masterpiece.  A great friend once stated, “Creating excellence takes time and the time it takes is worth the excellence obtained.” 

Many try to shape their life through pleasure, riches, position, or fame and, there are moments of significance in these but do not guarantee lasting results.  To have lasting significance one must have a peace of mind, self-respect, enduring, loving relationships and a satisfaction by seeking to become all that one is capable of becoming.  In seeking for a real significance, one needs to consider adding contentment, gratitude, pride and most importantly, the attributes that only come from God to the list.  The search does not preclude ambition to gain material possessions or high positions; however, one must remember that success and significance do not necessarily run parallel to each other.

One has stated, “Feeling successful can generate satisfying emotions of self-worth, but feeling significant or that one's life really matters is much more important.” 

As we search for significance, we must not overlook the value of the simple things in life.  The capacity to care for others often gives life its deepest significance.  At this time of the year, reach out and touch someone and you will begin to realize how significant you are.  Part of a song Mahalia Jackson made very popular years ago states this so beautifully, “If I can help somebody, as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain.” 

The road of significance is a journey, not a destination.  Therefore, on the road we are traveling, we need to cherish the moment!

Eph 2:10, “For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”  NLT

Life-Changing Days

Standing at the Memorial of the USS Arizona, watching the oily residue coming to the surface, tears filled our eyes.  We could not help but think of the many young men and women who lost their lives that day, those whose lives were scared forever and the pain of the families that also suffered. 

President F.D. Roosevelt stated to the world, “This is a day which will live in infamy.”  So today, we pause to remember the tremendous losses of life (over 2,400) and the other casualties of that day.  December 7, 1941 changed the direction of the world; the following day, President Roosevelt declared war on Japan. 

Many other days in the history of America live in our memory as though they were just yesterday.  We will never forget days like September 11, 2001 and how our lives changed that day.  After nearly ten years, we are still suffering the effects of those events and often pray, “Lord, please do not let us forget the price paid for our continual pursuit of freedom.” We thank God for our resilience to not only return to life but also the determination to use the events to move us to a higher level of excellence. 

Most likely, there are days in each of our lives that changed us forever.  We deal with these “Life Changing Days” differently and either use them to change us for the better or hold us captive.  As we remember, it is good analyze our reactions to these events that have taken place in our life.  Have we allowed them to hold us captive or are we using them as stepping-stones for greater things in our life?  It is never too late to start moving to a higher level and it is “always too soon to quit!”

  Philippians 3:12-14 “I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made.  But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.  Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus.  I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.”  Message Bible