Good Morning

Good morning!

Today is Tuesday. Just another day during this new normal called the covid-19 shut down. I can look out my window and see the sun shining on the flowers in the yard. A breeze blows the branches on the trees and the flag waves in the sunlight. For all intents and purposes it is a good morning.

But that is the problem with superficialities. Things don’t always appear as they are. A duck floats along on a pond looking calm and at peace but below the surface its feet are franticly paddling! Likewise, outside my window the sun shines, birds sing, flowers grow and all appears to be well on my street.

But.

But within the walls of the brightly lit homes on my block are people who are locked down. Locked down, sheltered in place, quarantined, staying safe, flattening the curve, whatever you want to call it, they are not going about living life as usual. It is obviously the same almost everywhere around the world and maybe we can take solace in the fact that we are not the only ones suppressed by this.

And.

“And how are you holding up?”

“Well. We are doing well thanks, considering. It is an inconvenience but we will get through it. Together, of course.”

“Well, be safe and stay well. Please tell everyone at home I said hey!”

Platitudes. The things that we have come to learn are appropriate to say in ever circumstance. We know what to say when someone gets a promotion. What to say when someone looses a loved one. We know what to say to encourage each other when we face an unusual and stressful time such as this.

Why?

Why be superficial and just keep up appearances? Why speak in empty platitudes? Would being real really be so bad? Would it really be so bad if we said how we feel?

Fearful

Frustrated

Broke

Angry

Stressed

Worried

Tired

Hungry

Hot

Cold

Dirty

Defeated

Rejected

Lonely

Overwhelmed

Unemployed

What if we showed ourselves as we are? Drop the facade. Allowed ourselves to be real.

Yell. Cry. Rest. Take five. Take a nap. Call a friend. Hug someone. Ask for help.

Yes, ask for help! How many times have you been willing to help someone? Friend or stranger, have you been ready to help out without a seconds thought? Many people in our world can be so caring and giving. Yet, so many people will not ask for help. They hold it in. They “man-up” or “push through” or “press on” or whatever ridiculous thing they tell themselves just so they don’t have to swallow their pride and be real.

Jesus told us to ask. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 Take note of the words Jesus used – Ask, Seek, Knock – “A” “S” “K”!

The Word of God tells us the we have not because we do not ask. James 4:2

We are also commanded many times to help each other.

Love our neighbors as ourselves. Carry each others burdens. Look after the widows and the sick. Just to name a few. Mathew 22:39, Galatians 6:2, 1 Tim 5:3

But the point I wish to make here today is to be real! Superficialities and platitudes help no-one. Be Real! Be You. Let someone in during these difficult times and let yourself be refreshed by their love and support. After all wouldn’t you be loving and supportive of them if they needed it?

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.        John 4:23-24 NIV

If this scripture isn’t calling for us to let down our superficial ways of approaching God (and each other) then I know nothing and should stop writing. Don’t be locked into platitudes in life and especially not in your prayer life. Be real and be transparent. Love and encourage everyone but also allow yourself to be loved, encouraged, lifted up or even carried if that’s what you need.

I’ll stop now. I’ve obviously gotten carried away with this thought for today. Just be encouraged today and if you need help ask. Ask God. Ask a loved one. But ask. Because pretending you are ok when you are not will not help.

 

Be Blessed A&B

It’s A New Day!!

Happy New Year!!!

    2018 is here and the New Year is in it’s second day. A new day in a new year with hope in our hearts as we head down the road! Why shouldn’t we be hopeful and optimistic? We serve a great God Whose Love watches over us each and every day.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. Lam 3:22-23 NIV

    Does this mean that we will live this year free from suffering or misfortune? Will we be isolated from the pain that life can sometimes bring with it? Obviously the answer is a resounding no. As long as we are in this world we will be subject to the effects this world has on its inhabitants. So, where is this “mercy” that this scripture speaks of? It’s in the power to stand the storms of life. The umbrella in the rain if you will. It’s in the knowledge that although we might be shaken we will not fall because God is on our side.

    Paul talked about the fragility of our lives as we carry the Light of God within us –

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;

perplexed, but not in despair; 

persecuted, but not abandoned;

struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV

    Paul knew too well how hard life can be especially for someone who works to spread The Good News to the world. In a rare moment he boasts of his credentials and lists his sufferings for the Gospels sake in 2 Corinthians chapter 11. He shares that before his conversion he had a zeal for the Lord and goes on to describe what he has endured for Christ.

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.  Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,  I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.  I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.  Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 2 Cor. 11: 23-28 NIV

    Yet, Paul suffered all this and if we look at  2 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 17 and 18 we see that he refers to all those sufferings as “light afflictions”!

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

    So, the mercy of God may not save us from the troubles of this world, it will sustain us and perfect within us a spirit of strength, hope and love if we look past the storm in faith.

Faith in Him Who bore our sins and promised –

I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Matthew 28:20 NIV

 

 

Ps – Before anyone thinks I am sitting on a high horse as I write this I will share that I dispise the pain of a paper cut! I hate drama and the troubles that can knock on my door. I pray for storms of life to pass quickly and can’t always see that the sun will shine again. But I try, by faith, to preserver and not ask “why me?” Because I know the answer to that question is – So, that I may bring glory to God as I learn from the experience.

Be Blessed in 2018 and thanks for stopping by. A&B

 

Build the Wall

There’s lots of talk about building a wall that will separate America from Mexico. Who will pay for it? Is it feasible? Is it the right thing to do?

I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said “Hey! We’re all immigrants!!” I suppose that could be said in a broad loose way about everyone that isn’t  of Native American heritage. That is a shot at those who are opposed to the illegal immigration epidemic that has been a part of our country’s past. I don’t think that this new administration is anti-immigrant per-say when they talk of securing our borders. Just anti-illegal immigration.

Can we step back from the politically correct rhetoric long enough to acknowledge the phrase – Illegal Immigrant?

My heritage is Irish American. My paternal Grandmother came from Ireland as a teen at the turn of the last century. She went threw the process to get here. She became a citizen. She learned the language. She assimilated! She came here legally to become part of this great nation. Likewise, my in laws came here from  Ireland legally. Every year people from all over the world swear an oath as they become American citizens.

There’s a right way to do something and a wrong way. While we hear people say that “Jesus loves everyone” and “Jesus ate with/hung out with/associated with sinners” we have to look at the whole picture. Jesus loves everyone for sure. He died so we all might live. He also ministered and befriended sinners because He wanted to save them. Jesus often said to a sinner “go and sin no more”. So don’t start saying that Jesus endorses a lifestyle of sin because He loves the sinner. His heart will break over every single soul lost to eternal damnation because they did not repent.

Over and over the Word of God tells us to do what is right. Obey the laws over us. Pray for those in authority over us. Jesus doesn’t endorse breaking the laws of God or man.

We here in America have in place an Immigration and Naturalization Department expressly established for the introduction of foreigners into our country. Those who seek to (or have already) circumnavigated this process are criminals and as such are subject to the penalties laid out for such acts. They are not victims. They are not citizens. They are not innocent. They are criminals.

Build the wall. Make it high and strong. Make it so that those who wish to join our nation do so through the door that has been provided for so many other law abiding people.

The government has a right and a responsibility to protect its people from all threats foreign and domestic.

 

I suppose this will not be “Liked” by many but it’s what I believe to be true. Be blessed, Al

Happy New Year

Hey we’re back! Did you miss us?
Well, Dell stood by their product and sent out a new (refurbished) PC after several failed attempts to get the nearly 3 year old back up and running. Once all the old info is placed into the knew system and I become better acquainted with Windows 8, I can get back to the business of sharing with all of you. It is my hope that as we go forward with this blog, that others will join the conversation. I have asked some of my respected friends to contribute their thoughts and welcome all comments from any and all of you out there. Until then, our hopes and prayers go out to you all for a good new year in the Lord. Let 2014 be your best year yet!!