Too Much Free Time

I've been on both sides of the fence. 

Several years ago, when I was between jobs, I found myself with too much free time on my hands.  These days, because I work more than one job, my schedule stays full.  And even though it may sound crazy, I actually like my life better now. 

It's something I've discussed with several people lately.  And we all agree.  Too much free time is just not a good thing.

When we have too much free time on our hands, we can easily fall into some negative patterns.  Any of us are capable of these things.  Some of these include...

[A] Thinking too much and over-analyzing matters.
[B] Becoming too needy and demanding of other people.
[C] Getting too bored and vulnerable to temptation.
[D] Accomplishing too little and wasting our skills.

Life is better when we have things to do.  Having structure and a to-do list are beneficial to our productivity level, mental health, and emotional well-being.  And on a spiritual level, it's good for us to do something with the life that God has given each of us.

So how should we respond to those seasons of life when we have a little too much free time on our hands?  Well, let me share with you something Jacqueline Whitmore wrote on May 31, 2016 for Entrepreneur magazine.  Her article was entitled "6 Productive Ways To Spend Your Idle Time".  And these are her suggestions of what we can do when our schedule has a few too many openings:

[1]  Record your goals.
[2]  Listen to audio books.
[3]  Learn another language.
[4]  Check up on your loved ones.
[5]  Get moving.
[6]  Give back.

Jacqueline offers us all some fantastic suggestions in her list!

"An idle mind is the devil's workshop."  I've heard that statement many times.   And I really believe it's true.  Don't you?

May God help us all avoid two unhealthy extremes.  One is working all the time and never taking a break.  The other is having too much free time on our hands.  Somewhere in between these two radical ways of life is a happy and healthy medium where we all would do well to live.       

Just Glad

There he sat.  A tall and lanky old guy.  His legs looked rough and beat up.  And he was in a wheelchair at a nursing home.  He was not in the best of health.

As I walked towards him I said, "Good morning!".  He looked at me with a big grin on his face, raised his fists, and said "I lived another day."  We visited another minute before I walked inside.  But I was blown away by his awesome attitude.

Every day is a gift.  To simply wake up in the morning is something to be thankful for.  That's exactly what Psalm 118:24 means when it says, "This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."  That new day that just started is a nice present from God.

Just think about it.  Every day is a blessing.  If we are fortunate enough to wake up in the morning, we have been graciously given another opportunity to enjoy loving fellowship with God and be a blessing to our families and friends. 

Perhaps we all would be better off following the example of the old guy at the nursing home.  Let us wake up in the mornings just glad to be alive.  Thankful that God gave us more time on this earth.  And grateful for another opportunity to make a positive impact in this place where we temporarily live.

Before We Can Take Care Of Others

I was sitting in the home of a kind, elderly lady recently.  She was relaxing there in her big, cozy chair with a blanket spread across her lap.  And she had a pleasant smile on her face.

We had a great talk.  After a while, I held her hand and prayed with her.  Then, as I was getting up to leave, she looked at me and offered the following advice:  "Take care of yourself so you can take care of others."

I can't stop thinking about what she said.  It won't leave my mind.  She said it in such a way that it really hit home with me.

If we're going to take care of families, friends, churches, and hurting people, we've got to begin with making sure that we're ok.  It's a simple fact that we can't help bring wellness into the lives of others if we don't have it ourselves.  And we've got to accept the fact that it's ok for us to take care of ourselves.

1.  Let us take care of ourselves physically.  Eat healthy.  Exercise.  Get plenty of sleep.  When we do these things, we will physically be able to be present and helpful for those who need us.

2.  Let us take care of ourselves emotionally.  Talk with someone you trust about how you feel and what you think.  Surround yourself with people who lift you up and encourage you.  If necessary, see a counselor who can help you work through things you feel and think.  When we do these things, we are emotionally at a point where we can assist those who need us.

3.  Let us take care of ourselves spiritually.  Spend time in prayer.  Read God's Word.  Get alone daily with an edifying devotional book.  When we do these things, we will be able to encourge spiritually those who need us.

It's just a simple fact of life.  We can't give away what we don't have ourselves.  So let's remember it's ok, and even necessary, for us to take care of ourselves.  Then, and only then, can we be at our best to take care of other people.

Yes, I'm All For Sunday School

I'd like to share a few thoughts with you today about Sunday School.

When I was a kid, my parents always took my brothers and me to church.  And yes, that included Sunday School.  Every Sunday, we were there.

Then, when I got a little older, I somewhat changed.  I still went to church on Sunday's, but I didn't make Sunday School much of a priority.  The way I thought at the time was "I'm fine just going to the worship service.  I can hear a good sermon there, and that's really all I need."  So for a while, I took a break from it.

Now, I think and feel differently.  I'm all for Sunday School.  And I humbly encourage you to be the same way.

Here is what I've realized over the years...

Sunday School fosters spiritual growth.  When we gather during this hour, the class can interact with each other.  We can study the Bible together.  We can ask questions.  We can share insights.  There is a freedom to communicate and help one another deal with real life matters.  And that's where we really take off and grow spirutally.  We can't do this during the sermon time of a worship service.

Sunday School creates community.  When we gather during this hour, we have a chance to get acquainted with each other.  We can learn about others in our group.  We can share prayer requests.  And we can encourage one another.  Real friendships can be found in this setting, and that's a blessing.  It's hard to do this during a worship service.

Different churches do this in different ways.  Ours, for example, has Sunday School on Sunday mornings, an hour before the 11:00 worship service.  Other churches have small groups that meet during the week at various times in the homes of church members.  Regardless of what each calls it, and regardless of when the meetings take place, I think many of us would agree with this:  Gathering with a small group of fellow believers outside of the worship service can help us grow in the Lord and enable us to develop meaningful friendships.  It's hard to be against something like that!

Yes, I'm all for Sunday School!  And you should be too.  Good things happen when people get together in the name of the Lord.

High Bill, Right Attitude

A friend of mine was telling me about her car recently.  It was having some problems and it needed to be repaired.  So she took it to the mechanic.  Finally, he was able to fix the problem.  She went to get her car back and then she saw the bill.  Needless to say, it was pretty expensive.  When she told me about it, she wasn't complaining.  Not at all.  But I did say, "I'm sorry the bill was so high to fix your car up."  She then calmly responded, "Well, I'm just glad I have a car to fix up."

Wow!  She was not having the easiest of times. And yet her attitude stayed right.  She kept a thankful heart.  And I admired that.

This is what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:1 - "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  Here we see in the scriptures an important reminder:  Always look for the good in every situation, and remember to thank God for it. 

I believe with all my heart that thanksgiving matters for two reasons.

First of all, we should be thankful to God just because He deserves it.  He's more than earned our gratitude.  Just think of how He blesses us daily.  Let's count our blessings and express our gratitude to him.

Secondly, looking for the good and being thankful protects us.  Thankfulness shields our hearts from negativity, pessimism, and bitterness.  When we're focused on the positive, it helps us deal better with those challenging seasons of life.

My friend responded right to the high bill.  She looked for the good, and responded with gratitude.  May we all do the same.

In closing, let me share this little story with you.  Years ago, Matthew Henry was robbed.  A man took his wallet.  Looking back on that unfortunate event, this is what he wrote:  "I am thankful that he never robbed me before.  I am thankful that although he took my wallet, he did not take my life.  Although he took all I had, it was not much.  And I am glad that it was I who was robbed, not I who did the robbing."

Today, let us all be thankful.  Why?  Because no matter what happens, God is still good.  And we are immensely blessed.

The Meaning Of Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day.  Often times, this day is treated simply as part of a fun, three day weekend where people gather, grill out, and have fun.  Goodness, I'm all for those things, but it is vital for us to pause and remember what this day really is about.

The Department of Veterans Affairs describes Memorial Day this way:

"Memorial Day is a day for remembering

and honoring military personnel who died

in the service of their country, particularly

those who died in battle or as a result of wounds

sustained in battle."

So on this day, we pause and remember those military men and women who died in (or because of) battle.  They made the ultimate sacrifice.  And they gave all they had to give.

I decided to do a little bit of research on how many Americans have died over the years while serving their country in battle.  What I learned really opened my eyes to how many people have perished over the years while on duty.  Just consider how many lives were lost in the following wars...

World War I - 53,402

World War II - 291,557

Korean War - 36,574

Vietnam War - 58,220

Persian Gulf War - 383

Iraq War - 4,412

War In Afghanistan - 2,351



Then I read some accounts of what it is like to lose someone you love in military service.  Alva James-Johnson wrote about Kim Benford Weaver, a nurse, who lost her husband, Staff Sgt. Jason A. Benford.  He died in 2005 while he was on his second deployment to Iraq.  "There's not a day that goes by that you don't think about him," said Kim.  She was just one of many, many people grieving the death of military personnel.

Many Americans today will decorate the graves of these heroes with flags and/or flowers.  It's a way to say "Thank you", and "I remember you."  And this will take place all over the country.

If you're like me, you haven't lost a relative or close friend in military service.  I personally have not travelled that road or felt that pain.  But I can tell the grief weighs heavily on the hearts of those who have endured that experience.

There's nothing wrong with having some fun today.  We all would probably benefit from that.  But in the midst of a day off, may we all pause and acknowledge the true meaning of Memorial Day.  It's about remembering those who have died while serving their country and defending freedom.

In closing, here is a prayer I've written for this day.  Feel free to join in and pray this too, if you'd like.  It's how I choose to remember what this day is really about:

"Almighty God, today is Memorial Day.

It's that special time where we remember

those who lost their lives in, or because of,

military conflict.  On this day, I lift up

in prayer to You those grieving families

who have lost a loved one in battle. 

I ask that You graciously and lovingly

pour out your comfort on those hurting families.

Please soothe their aching hearts and help them

through their season of grief.  On this Memorial

Day, I remember those who died, and their families. 

And I know that You do too.  Thank You for

being the God who cares about hurting people.  

I pray this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen."

Happiness On The Diamond

My son is playing baseball for the first time this year.  It's all new to him, but he's having a blast.  And I've enjoyed watching him learn the game.

Recently, he got his first base hit.  His bat hit the ball towards the shortstop, and Emerson raced to first base.  He made it just in time, and was called "safe" by the umpire.  Needless to say, we all cheered and rejoiced.  My parents were there to see it, and they were mighty proud of their grandson too.

In the midst of our brief celebration, I noticed something.  A boy on the other team was playing at first base.  He knew that was my kid's first base hit, and he did something really classy.  He gave my son a high five.  It was a cool moment of great sportsmanship.

And it reminded me of something very important:  Be happy for other people when things go their way.

If we're not careful, we can fall into negativity when other people succeed.  We know this is the case when we begin to think things like...
"He doesn't deserve that promotion.  I work harder than he does."
"She doesn't deserve to marry a guy like that.  I know what kind of person she's been in her past."
"He doesn't deserve to be the starting pithcer.  I practice way more than he does."

A better way to respond to the victories of others is to be happy for them.  This requires humility and selflessness on our part.  And it protects us from being miserable and in life.

Of course, another key to this is realizing we have our own blessings to be thankful for.  God is good to each of us every day.  He extends to us grace for our souls, forgiveness for our sins, strength for our battles, wisdom for our decisions, peace for our hearts, and assurance for our future.  Keeping this in mind helps us to be more content with what we already have, and it makes it easier for us to be happy for those around us when good things happen in their lives.

Part of growing up spiritually is wanting the very best for other people.  This is what Paul was saying when he wrote the following words in Philippians 2:4 - "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too."  Did you catch that?  Life is about more than the person who stares back at us in the mirror.  It's also about the other guy or girl who also is trying to have a good life.

That first baseman for the other team showed tremendous sportsmanship towards my boy.  His happiness on the baseball diamond made life even better for Emerson.  And it showed he has a good heart.

May God help us all to be happy for others when good things happen in their lives.

When Spider-Man Got Biblical

I have a confession to make.  Here goes:  I enjoy comic book movies.  Whether it's Avengers, Batman, or whatever, I enjoy them all.

Years ago, I was watching a Spider-Man movie.  In one scene, Uncle Ben was talking with young Peter Parker.  Sitting there in a car, the older, wiser man imparts this bit of wisdom to the young superhero:  "With great power comes great responsibility."  What a quote!!

This morning, I read a Bible verse that has the same idea.  Jesus said the following in Luke 12:48 - "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded."  Did you catch His point?  He's saying that God expects His people to utilize and maximize the talents and abilities that He invested in them.

What skills and gifts has God hardwired into you?  Maybe He equipped you to be a caregiver, farmer, teacher, janitor, receptionist, lawyer, housekeeper, musician, administrator, waitress, nursery worker, sales clerk, writer, or something else.  Whatever it is, do what God put you on this Earth to do.  Do it with excellence and enthusiasm.  Give it your best and have a positive attitude about it.

I firmly believe that God expects us to put into practice whatever He has put into us.  And doesn't He have the sovereign right to expect us to fulfill our roles as long as their is breath in our bodies?  Of course He does.

So let's all identify what power God inserted into each of us.  No, we're most likely not superheroes.  That stuff is for comic books and movies.  But we do have something with which God has blessed us.  Whatever that may be, let's use it to make this world a better place.  And let's use it to bring a smile to God's face.

Jesus said it first in real life.  And Uncle Ben said it later in a fictitious story.  We must be responsible with the powers we have been given and use them to the fullest. 

So let's get busy and do what we were put here to do! 

Easter 2017

The church was packed full of people today.

Everyone looked great in their Sunday best.

The lunch was even more than delicious.

It's been a good Easter, 2017 style.

The greatest thrill of it all, however, is simply this:  Jesus is alive and well!!

Paul wrote these words in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4  --  'For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received:  that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."  In these two verses, we see Paul reminding the people of Corinth about his main message:  Jesus died and rose again.  On Friday, Jesus was dead.  On Saturday, He still was dead.  But on Sunday, He was alive and well again. 

Death could not contain Him.  The grave could not restrain Him.  God's power enabled God's Son to live again, forevermore.

What does all this mean? 

It means, God can handle anything.  There's nothing to difficult for Him.  Not even death!  If God has the power to bring His Son back from the dead, then He surely has the power to deal with any of our problems.  After all, God is still the same.  Just as powerful today as He was back then.  So whatever you're going through, whether it's physical, emotional, mental, financial, professional, relational, or spiritual, He's strong enough to handle it if you'll let Him.  Easter certainly does remind us of God's awe-inspiring omnipotence. 

It also means that Jesus is worthy of worship.  In Matthew 28:9, two women encountered the newly resurrected Jesus.  When they saw Him, "they came and held Him by the feet and worshipped Him."  Maybe they spoke words of praise.  Or possibly they sang some too.  It could have been a little bit of both.  Whatever it was, they got on their knees and worshipped their living Lord.  And why shouldn't they?  After all, He did conquer the grave.  That's a mighty big deal.  And it further proves that God's Son, Jesus, is more than deserving of praise and adoration.

Of course it means other things too.  But today I'm just kind of focused on these two.  That's more than enough for me at the moment. 

As I sit here on this cleaned off table, where people were eating and laughing an hour ago, I realized how blessed I am.  Not only because I have a family and a church.  Yeah, those are HUGE gifts from above.  But the best blessing of all is simply this:  Jesus lives.  Because He lives, I know God can handle anything.  And because He lives, you and I can worship Him.  And yes, as the old hymn reminds us, because He lives, we really can face tomorrow.

Elizabeth's Number One Guy



Several months ago, I was having a fun conversation with my daughter, Elizabeth.  We were talking about things like growing up, beginning college, and dating.  At one point I said, "I just hope you'll keep me as the number one guy in your life."  Without any hesitation, she responded, "Dad, you're close.  Jesus is number one in my life, but you can sure be in second place!" 

 

It was a good answer that I was more than comfortable with.

 

See, as much as I want my daughter to love me, I realize there is someone way more important than me.  And His name is Jesus.  He created her, saved her, and has always been there for her.  He is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.  And He matters more than anyone. 

 

When we read the Bible, we see what role our Lord should take in our lives.  In Matthew 6:33 we are taught to "seek first the kingdom of God."  And in Revelation 2:4, a church is criticized with these words:  "you have left your first love."  In other words, they had forgotten to treasure Jesus more than anyone or anything else.

 

The famous actor, Denzel Washington, also has a good word of wisdom on this topic.  He once said the following:  "Put God first in everything you do."  And I believe he's right.

 

There are so many things that compete for our attention and affection in this world.  It's easy to get hung up on people, possessions, power, and pleasure.  But nothing and nobody matter more than Jesus. 

 

I think Elizabeth has realized an important truth in life.  And we all would be wise to do the same.  Let's allow Jesus to be number one in our lives. We can do that by trusting, honoring, and enjoying Him above all else.  When this happens, our lives make sense and we find a sense of wholeness like never before.

 

Jesus.  He deserves to be number one.  Let Him be that in your life today.