 If you examine the image above, you’ll notice it’s my bracket for the Men’s March Madness tournament. I’ve not done too poorly, and I feel confident about selecting U Conn to take the championship once more. However, numerous red x’s mark where I incorrectly predicted the winning team. With only 16 teams remaining, 52 teams have suffered losses and exited the competition. What began with immense hope and cheering has concluded with tears, disappointment, and in many instances, supporters blaming players and/or coaches for their team’s premature departure. Some fans might have even removed their school’s apparel to avoid mockery. On Palm Sunday, while attending church, I was struck by the parallels between Jesus entering Jerusalem to the sound of “Hosanna in the highest” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2021:9&version=NIV and the 68 teams entering the NCAA tournament. Both the people lining the streets to worship Jesus with palm fronds and the losing teams’ boosters showing their school’s colors, ended up very disappointed. Peter was the ultimate disappointed fan denying Christ 3 times.https://biblehub.com/matthew/26-75.htm In both situations, people in the stands and on the road into Jerusalem, were putting their trust in man versus God. Fans called for coaches to be fired and in Jesus’ sake, the crowds shouted “Crucify Him”! https://biblehub.com/luke/23-21.htm  So the question for us this Holy Week is “where will we put our trust?” Do you yearn for what the Kingdom in Heaven or the world has to offer? Deuteronomy 8 https://www.bible.com/bible/111/DEU.8.NIV offers this great reminder. You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” God through His son Jesus Christ (not coaches or players) gives us the ultimate victory. As we prepare for Easter, “Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; 8 a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. Deuteronomy 8:6-9 May your Hosannas be cried out whether you are being challenged or blessed. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I can be reached via email at [email protected] Please subscribe to receive email notifications when new content is published. HAPPY EASTER!  |
Lent is a time where we learn how to wait.
 Lamentations 3:25 says, “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him” This verse is part of the lament of Jeremiah, who expresses his hope and trust in God in the midst of his troubles. Isaiah 40;31 says, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” What an encouragement for those of us who found ourselves weary. We are in the midst of the 40 days of Lent https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-lent-700774which started back on February 14th. We are now a little more than half way to culminate this time of waiting with Easter. I have always been intrigued with how many of God’s chosen were put in some sort of “time out” before God released them for His purposes. Noah, Moses, Abraham, Joseph, King David, Ruth, Esther, Paul, and of course Jesus just to name a few. This was written (author unknown) back in 2020 titled “just maybe” during Covid. My additions to it are in parenthesis. • 40 days the flood lasted…• 40 years the Exodus lasted…• 40 days of fasting in the desert where Jesus was tempted…• 40 days of appearances of Jesus after his crucifixion and resurrection…•Number 40 specifically in the Bible attracts much attention, even to today. • 40 days is what is recommend for a woman to rest after giving birth. • 40 is the weeks of gestation.• A group of theologians think that number 40 represents “change”, it is the preparation time of a person or people to give fundamental change. • Will something happen after these 40 days (of lent)• (During Covid) The earth was on rest for first time in many years. • Rivers are cleaning, vegetation is growing, air is clean due to less pollution, the starry sky in the evening is visible even where it was covered by pollution, less theft, less murders.• I would like to (how will you) take advantage of these 40 days.• In the Bible, every time number 40 appears there is a “change.”• So, (as you spend this season of Lent) enjoy it with family; it could be of great blessing, and we will see the changes God will make in our lives (as He did with those He put in time out)• The word quarantine is from Italian and means 40 days. (Just maybe Lent is supposed to be spent allowing yourself to lay low and finding ways to draw closer to God)  Just maybe we are to seek and wait upon the Lord like Lamentations and Isaiah encourage us to do. Think about why God made those He had chosen to do His work wait for a period of time. He forced folks like Moses, David and Paul into their times of waiting. Like them, how many of us might have tried to run out ahead of God before He was ready for you to do so? We are half way through but while you await the celebration of the resurrection, use these next three weeks to find ways to wait on the Lord with the intent of drawing closer to God Brother Lawrence writes about waiting on God in this way. ” Having a silent conversation with Him, a rest in Him, desiring the life and peace of our Soul.” May the rest of Lent be a time where you seek what Lawrence describes as an “unbroken communion with God, asking Him to supply all your needs so that you might find fullness of joy in His Presence.” May that unbroken communion and the fullness of joy result in you feeling released to do what He has willed for your life to accomplish His purposes. May you feel God’s face shining upon you and may His love for you reflect on those who God has cross your path. I can be reached by email at [email protected]  |
How is the Sabbath similar to Retirement
Finding your purpose outside of work
 Those that read my blog regularly, know I led a group of men through Bob Buford’s book, Finishing Well. It is a book that helps individuals transition from our working lives to how we will live our lives after we no longer are expected to show up at the office every day. Bob Buford calls it the ability to leave the identity we found in our work to pursue a life of significance with the extra time given now that the daily work responsibilities have been left behind. The one quote that got my attention was, “Life after we stop working is not meant to be lived on the front porch in a rocking chair waiting for the hearse to come” This is where I started thinking about how the Sabbath can be compared to Retirement. It started with a Sunday School class on the Sabbath. My mindset has recently changed because of my decision to start the transition from full time work to retirement. I started asking myself the question, what could I do that wasn’t work but allowed me to pursue God with the time freed up by not having to be in the office every day?  The Sabbath is supposed to be about rest so that you can go about your work the other 6 days of the week. I am coming to understand that the same can be said about retirement. I don’t think there is any mention of retirement mentioned in the bible. Everyone has different ideas of what are and not to do on the Sabbath and for that matter retirement. Although there are many, for this blog post, I want to focus on one general concept for taking a day or rest and for spending our time once we leave whatever has been our full-time work. That concept is leaving work behind so that you can have the time to “Be Still and know that He is God.” https://biblehub.com/psalms/46-10.htm On the Lord’s Day, we are to take the time to come to the Father with the intent of laying our burdens down. https://biblehub.com/matthew/11-28.htm Making the day holy as He is Holy. The question that needs to be asked is, “How do I make the Sabbath a day that is different than the other 6 days?” I am asking the same question now that my work life has changed. “How do I make Retirement different that what I have done for so many years now?” It comes back to the desire to live a faithful life which creates significance and allows me to finish well. My hope is to not fill the extra time I now have with busyness but instead seek God in ways I haven’t sought Him before so that I can determine what purpose He has for me in this new season in life. Isn’t that really what the purpose of the Sabbath is as well? Taking that 7th day to stop and reflect on the fact that God loves us hopefully encourages us to live a faithful life during the work week. This rest and worship pause should help our actions have a significant impact on the lives around us. One thing is for sure. I don’t want to be that person waiting on the front porch waiting for life to end. I want to continue to practice the presence of God in my life so I can seek His purpose in all that I do. I hope you want to do the same. Brother Lawrence https://spirituallyhungry.com/practicing-the-presence-of-god/ sums it up this way. “God has infinite treasures to bestow. When He finds a soul penetrated with a living faith, He pours into it His grace and blessings plentifully. When He does, it will flow out like a torrent, finding a way around every obstacle; spreading out with extravagant and reckless abundance” May your Sabbath and/or in Retirement, provide you this hope and desire. I can be reached by email at [email protected]  |
Martin Luther King’s life should motivate us to serve others
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We celebrated Martin Luther King Day Monday on his actual birthday. His life, although flawed like the rest of ours, showed that He loved God and wanted to exhibit the fruit of His spirit noted in Galatians 5 https://biblehub.com/galatians/5-22.htm. For those of you who didn’t read my last blog post, https://thankfulinallthings.com/my-thoughts-on-how-i-will-grow-in-2024/ I share that this verse will be a focus for me as I try to live out my One Word for 2024 prayer. Here is what I wrote a couple of years ago on how we can be motivated to live better lives with a heart of service.  On this day do you remember? There is a reason that Dion’s song, “Does anyone here” https://youtu.be/a5hFMy4pTrs remains one of my favorites. When we fret about where our world is today, look back. I was 11 when JFK was killed and 16 when Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King were also assassinated. It was a very divisive and scary time. My question on this MLK Day is not do we remember these men, but in our remembrance, how does it motivate us to be better men and women?In preparation for the MLK King Day in 2022, I had the privilege of helping our local newspaper find people to share their thoughts on what Martin Luther King’s life meant to them. Here is the link should be interested in what was written https://dailyprogress.com/specialty_publications/page-s01/page_ae2d0e53-5094-53ca-9d82-7d42579185d9.html Dr. King lived a life that left a legacy for all to follow. It causes us as Jeff Burton writes, to “ask ourselves, how is it today that I can act; what can I do to leave this place better than I found it; to do our small part to inspire others for good” Nathan Walton, in the publication noted above, asks, “What story are we telling?…..This day gives us an opportunity to tell a new story for our own moment” As we look back this MLK quote should help to move us forward. “We have come a long, long way but we still have a long, long way to go.”Former City of Promise ED, Mary Coleman writes that our story needs to be one where we have learned from the past so we can be exhorted to help make a brighter future. She asks, “Where do we go from here? Will we choose chaos or community in a unified manner that King describes as persevering togetherness.” Yes! There is my 2022 Word. Unity. Uncompromised Never-ending Intensity Toward YES! We can be motivated by others to make our story one that sets an example for those around us. It can be a story line that causes Breakthrough by lifting up others and like MLK, motivating them to pursue peace while making a positive difference in the world versus creating divisiveness and selfishly ignoring those who need our help. Dr King was in no way a perfect man. But he was a man who believed he was redeemed by His Creator and called into a work that would ultimately cost him his life. This gives me hope as I hope it will you. It teaches nothing is impossible for those who love God. Luke 1:37 promises us “that we have the privilege of serving a God who can literally do anything, and there is nothing that is impossible for him.Therefore let us strive to live out the beatitudes noted in Matthew 5:1-12Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you..Like Dr King, When we live our life this way, we will leave our personal legacy that others will continue because of the way you motivated them.Please subscribe to this blog so you can receive an email notification when new content is posted. I can be reached by email at [email protected]  |
My thoughts on how I will grow in 2024.
It is that time of year. We watch another year disappear and ponder on what the new year will bring. We think about things we didn’t achieve in 2023 and commit to being better about it in 2024. All of us focus on how we can make ourselves better people our regarding health, relationships, or in our work lives. Let me share with you how I plan to go about it this year. That way, you all can hold me accountable as the year progresses because we all need to encourage each other. https://thankfulinallthings.com/jesus-sent-folks-out-in-pairs-for-a-reason Jodie Berndt writes, How we walk through life together—for better, for worse—comes with the power to influence our communities, our churches, and our children, including future generations.” https://www.denisonforum.org/popular-culture/book-reviews-excerpts/praying-the-scriptures-for-your-marriage-excerpt-jodie-berndt/
Like a good presbyterian, I am going to focus on three ways I hope will make 2024 a year where when I look back, I can say that my life was changed and therefore, like Jodie, I helped positive difference in the world around me. I encourage you to consider one word on which to focus and build your year around. Here is the link to use if you have never done it before. https://getoneword.com/ As I went through this exercise, two words, Content and Prayer, rose top of mind.
In the end, I chose Prayer because I want to have a more consistent and strategic prayer life allowing me to draw closer so I can better understand what the Lord’s will is for my life. If I am successful, I am pretty sure contentment will occur as well.
Secondly, I will memorize and regularly meditate on https://biblehub.com/galatians/5-22.htm with the intent of impacting others with the Fruit of the Spirit listed as Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. If these characteristics can be made evident in my life, others will hopefully see that God is taking more and more control of my life. These fruits will be produced because I choose to honor Him in all that I do.
Finally, my goal is to visually put on the armor of God https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.6.10-18.niv so that along with my focus on prayer, I can become strong in the Lord and experience His might power so that I might stand firm when adversity comes my way. Each morning I hope to I will mentally buckle the belt of truth around my waist and make sure God’s breastplate of righteousness is in place. I will make sure my feet are fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace and that I don’t forget my shield of faith and helmet of salvation. I will pray for the Spirit to produce the above mentioned fruit and use God’s Word as my sword when I encounter those who want to question the reality of my faith.
My hope is that my 2024 One Word PRAYER results in a bushel full of spiritual fruit being produced in my life. I will go out mentally dressed in the armor God has given me. If I do all three, 2024 will be one that I draw closer to the Lord allowing me to experience the abundant life I have promised. My prayer is that you too, will seek to find your own way in 2024 to pursue the One who wants the very best for you.
Happy New Year to you! Thanks for reading my blog. I would love to hear from you. My email is [email protected] Please subscribe if you haven’t already so you can receive email notifications when new content is posted.
Jesus sent folks out in pairs for a reason.
 If you want to go fast, Go alone, if you want to go far, Go Together! Dottie and I have been at it 45 years now 🙂 I remembered this blog post as I have been recovering from a minor medical procedure. I am happy it is over and look forward to my recovery. There is a reason Jesus sent the disciples out in two’s. Why? Because even though they could have gotten to more places alone, there is power in sharing in the things that come our way, This week I have once again experienced the added impact when two or more people work together toward a shared goal. https://depree.org/why-did-jesus-send-out-his-disciples-two-by-two/ In this case encouraging, praying and checking in on me and Dottie to make sure we are OK. Needless to say, Dottie has again, gone above and beyond in helping and making sure I have everything I need We all need others in our lives. Jenni Marie in Kindred Grace shares that Life was not meant to be lived alone. https://bit.ly/lifeisnotmeanttobelivedalone She asks, “When did you last give up? Were you also alone?” When you have failed in life, were you alone?” She then makes the case of why being a mentor or having one is so important. God wants us to know the value of asking for help versus stubbornly trying to do things on our own. She writes, “As I started to value community, I was able to flourish. I reap the benefits when I ask for help.” When we are blessed to have people there for us, we are exhorted to be the one offering help to someone in need. Jenni shares it “does not need to be limited to a mentor-mentee relationship as might be traditionally expected. Although the formal and in-person relationships are beautiful, only one of my advisors has accepted and embraced the title of mentor. The rest? I doubt they even know how much I lean on them for life and business wisdom.” Even the Apostle Paul needed a Barnabus. https://www.biblestudy.org/apostlepaul/life-epistles-of-apostle-paul/paul-and-barnabas.html He also mentored younger men like Timothy and Timothy would eventually become pastor of the church at Ephesus, and certainly the letters of 1 and 2 Timothy express how much Paul loved and cared for him.  Last year my daughter shared advice with me that was the impetus for me writing this blog. A friend told her to surround herself with people she could trust from every decade. I turned 70 this month (now 71) so it is harder to find folks in higher decades than me but as I thought about Katie’s comment, I realized that I am blessed to have dear friends in their upper 70’s :), 80’s, and 90’s who I can go to for advice or just follow the example they set for me and others. I also can say I have people around me from every decade below me down to my two 4 year old granddaughters. I can learn from them and I hope all in their teens, 20’s, 30’s, 40’s etc will be encouraged by what I say or how I live my life that helps them along the way.I encourage each of us to find people whether younger or older who we can trust to be there for us. I also hope we will look for ways to give back by finding others who would benefit from your mentoring. When you pour into their lives, like this week, they will pour into your life like they folks have done for me. .  We are fortunate that we don’t have to long for a Savior that is represented in this Season of Advent. Jesus came so substantiate God is with you and therefore, you are never alone. Isn’t it interesting that we lean in on this promise more when we are hurting https://biblehub.com/hebrews/13-5.htm Reminds us that God’s promises are eternal, and He will provide love, comfort, and courage so we can live an abundant life in Him and through Him. We live in a fallen world where we are bound to get hurt. But God will never leave us nor forsake us. One of the ways He fulfills this promise is by providing others to walk along side us as we navigate through the blessings and adversity that will come our way. May we all find ways to help others remain thankful in all things.Thanks for finding this blog. If you haven’t already, Please subscribe so that you can receive email notifications when new content is posted. You can reach me by email at [email protected] |
Thanksgiving encouragement. Change the noun Gratitude into a Verb :)
written on BY MRGBLOG
Make the word Gratitude a verb this week 🙂
My guess you aren’t surprised that a blog titled “Thankful in all Things” would be about moving us forward into this week of Thanksgiving. The word “intentionality” keeps rolling around in my mind. When I think about being intentional, it means there is a need for me taking action. Having an attitude of gratitude denotes the same.
My friend Marcus Ellis has a Facebook page titled “Hey! Guess What? I Love You!” It started with him making a decision to go out of his way to encourage others each and every day. His decision has resulted in a Facebook page with over 2500 followers. I am sitting in a hotel in Pittsburgh. I decided to let my server (Rutha May) know how she made everyone who came in feel special. Her face lit up and she now has a little bit bigger smile for those she serves. Maybe Marcus is in to something ?
I recently found this quote by Veronica Neffinger -“There is value in going through the motions even if the feelings aren’t there. Choosing to thank God even when you don’t feel like it. Choose to do the same when circumstances cause you to be more stressed than thankful” It leads to that important first step of allowing having our hearts to be opened to true gratitude.” I call it failing forward.
My point is that being grateful is a choice. The Aspen Brain Institute says it this way. “The effect of gratitude on the brain is long lasting. Besides enhancing self-love and empathy, gratitude significantly impacts body functions and psychological conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression. https://aspenbraininstitute.org/blog-posts/gratitudeandthebrain Scripture reminds us of the same. We are to in prayer and petition let our requests be made known to God (again, the action is going to God with our concerns). When we do, He promises a peace which is beyond our own understanding. Philippians 4 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204:6-8&version=NIV “Let that peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 As you gather with others this week for Thanksgiving be intentional about sharing your gratitude for them. Let them know why you appreciate them. Try what Marcus does and say, “Hey! Guess what? I love You! I bet you get loved right back and find yourself feeling blessed rather than discouraged.
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How will you live knowing you are an heir to the Kingdom of God?
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In a world where there seems to be less and less good news, here is some for you. God loves us! He loves us so much that He wants us to be an heir to His Kingdom. https://www.biblehub.com/romans/8-17.htmHe has chosen us and has made us His adopted sons and daughters. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.1.12-13.kjv It is a gift that He offers each of us. All we need to do is accept it.  This may be a stretch but imagine you live in the United Kingdom under the rule of the Royal family. One day, there is a knock on your door and there stands a uniformed member of the King’s Guard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Guard He hands you a letter sealed with wax which has in it the King’s seal. https://www.royal.uk/great-seal-realm All you need to do is come to Buckingham Palace to be received into the Royal family. You know you have done nothing to deserve it and think there has to be a catch. The question is, “would you then live this new life with a heart of gratitude or treat people in a privileged manner”? If it happened, you would want to live in a manner that substantiates the King made a good choice and that you do anything to show you belong. The same can be said but from an eternal perspective. God has chosen you to be His adopted son or daughter. We have been invited into His family with no strings attached. You have done nothing to deserve it, cannot earn it, and therefore, many of us think there must be a catch as it seems way to simple. I think our response to God allowing us to be heirs to His Kingdom family can help explain the “faith and work” passage found in James 2:14-26 https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.2.14-26.niv If we truly understand what God has done for us through His son Jesus Christ, we should want to show our gratitude in the way we humbly live out being a Kingdom recipient. It should result in the way we care for others. Therefore, living a Godly life is not what we have to do but what we get to do to honor the One who has made it all possible.  I am guessing that King Charles will never show up at your door with an invitation to be adopted into the Royal family. What I do know is God has sent His Son to invite you into His Kingdom family. Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20 Once you open that door to your heart, your life and the way you live it will never be the same. I appreciate you being here. Please subscribe if you haven’t already. I can be reached via email at [email protected] |
Where does the time go? How much does God get?
Luke 5:15-16 says, “But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. ”Mark 1:35 says, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”  Why do we find getting time with the Lord so hard? The scriptures above, along with others, show that Jesus knew the importance of spending time alone with His Father, our God. I have stepped down from my day-to-day responsibilities at work leaving me more free time. These first few free months have been great. I have had the opportunity to travel more to see friends and family which has been wonderful. My daily schedule is now a blank slate to be filled in whatever way I desire. But wait….Why do I still feel so busy? How does my calendar get filled so quickly? The answer is life’s vacuum can quickly replace the extra time one thinks will be available when our job responsibility ends. A Vacuum is defined as space in which there is no matter or in which the pressure is so low that any particles in the space do not affect any processes being carried on there. Solitude could be seen in the same way. We need to get away by ourselves like Jesus did. It allows us to shut out the pressures and distractions of the world so we can “Be still and remember He is our God” https://biblehub.com/niv/psalms/46-10.htm “The entirety of Psalms 46 is written in the third person to remind the reader (or listener) that God is their strength and at work in the midst of their struggle”. I heard someone explain meditation the other day as being so much in tune with yourself that you aren’t distracted by anything else happening around you. It reminded me that I need to get time with God so I don’t conform to the pattern of this world, but instead, focus on the renewing of your mind. https://www.biblehub.com/romans/12-1.htm I can honestly say that my day goes better if I have 1st, spent time with God. If you don’t believe me, here is what Martin Luther says about solitude. “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” “The less I pray, the harder it gets; the more I pray, the better it goes.”  There are times where we are struggling and feeling discouraged. Remembering God loves you and is present in your life can help you into a place of gratitude. Here is a quote from the devotional First15 “If you long to be loved, it’s in the alone time where you’ll discover the wellspring of affections found in the heart of God. If you need someone to listen, it’s in solitude you’ll discover the always listening ear of your heavenly Father. And if you need a friend, it’s in time spent alone fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit that you will find a friend who will never leave you, forsake you, hurt you, or mislead you.” If you have gotten to this place, here is your and, quite honestly, my homework from St. Anselm of Canterbury, “Enter into the inner chamber of your mind. Shut out all things save God and whatever may aid you in seeking God; and having barred the door of your chamber, seek him.” My hope is you will find the everlasting love of God as you seek him in solitude. If you do the homework, I would love to hear how practicing solitude and reneimpacted your life. I can be reached by email at [email protected]. Please feel free to forward this blog post to others who you think might be encouraged by it. |
Understanding your Vocation and Calling
 Our pastors have been preaching through Genesis this fall. These sermons remind us that God intended for work to be good. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2:15. It made me think of my own life and whether I have been living it as if it was a calling from God. In one sermon, Chris shared that we are called to work and that we are to work hard with the hope of being blessed. God’s programming short circuits when we think blessings means wealth or we look for our identity in what we do instead of finding it knowing that we were created to be in a relationship with Him.  I have written in the past about the book, Finishing Well, by Bob Buford. A group of us are nearing the end of the book and are grappling with the words vocation and calling. These sermons came at a perfect time. It confirms that even though we might not be called into full-time ministry, God has a calling for our lives no matter our vocation. In the book, the author talks about men like Billy Graham and Peter Drucker. Reverend Graham https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Grahamwas certainly called into the ministry while Peter Druckerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Drucker taught business principles and was described as “the founder of modern management”. When Bob Buford asked ServiceMaster founder Bill Pollard why Rev. Graham and Peter Drucker are his role models he replied, “The main thing is that they’ve done work all their lives that for them, wasn’t work at all. The commitment was to serve God and passionately serve others using the gifts God had given them. Most of you reading this blog have not been called into full time ministry. You have chosen some other type of vocation. That does not mean you don’t have a calling. It may be doing your job in a way that shows others your ultimate boss is the God of the universe not the pursuit of what the world wants you think is most important. You choose to work hard and achieve success without compromising on how God wants you behave in your occupation. Others of you pursue your calling outside your job. You participate in your church, serve in your community, or spend time in ministry efforts in your free time.  At the end of the day, I hope your goal is to have your time here on earth mean something. That while pursuing success, you stay focused on the significance your life will leave. That significance will go beyond whatever work you have been called into and will allow you to continue to make a difference after you leave the day to day work place. We can’t all be Billy Graham but rest assured, when you allow the love of God to flow out of you onto others, the ripple effect of that act will spread out much farther than you can ever imagine. What is our calling? Hebrews 12;1,2 states it this way. “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Thanks for reading along. I hope this has encouraged you in your faith journey. I can be reached by email at [email protected] God Bless! |