As I write this I am listening to a group called Celtic Worship.  They are a worship band from Scotland.  Their music is centered around the old hymns.  Of course they add their twist to the songs.  Yet, they return the listener to the old ways, the old thoughts, the ancient paths.

 

Music has always had a soothing effect upon people.  While some music promotes rage and anger, for the most part music is done to create an emotional response. 

 

The Bible has one book devoted to songs.  It is called Psalms.  The Jewish people to this day still sing from this book.  They have memorized it because of music.  Therefore, at anytime in life they can bring up a promise from God, a directive for living, a word of encouragement, or even a prophecy.   All because of the musical lines.

 

Take some time today and listen to Christian music.  Do not have it playing in the background, listen to it.  If you can listen to Jewish people who sing the Psalms.  It will bring joy to your day.

The fastest growing organizations in the United States are clubs.  Like Spanky and Alpha’s He Man Woman Haters Club.  Today it is Biker clubs, Golf Clubs, Baseball Leagues, and well: you get the idea. 

 

Why are these groups growing, especially among men?  Several reasons: accountability, companionship, common interest, and reliability. Men needs these items to grow.  Love is not viewed here as a feeling, but it is shown through the before mentioned traits.  Men view these traits as essential for personal growth and community growth.  Thus, every weekend one will find men at various clubs or organizations.

 

Today is Sunday.  Unfortunately for the church, few men will attend.  The reason is because of the traits that Jesus demonstrated in his life like accountability, companionship, reliability, and common interest are not prominent.  Church is not for men.  Therefore the body of Christ must return to the Scriptures, where men were prominent and lead the church.  Today that is not a popular idea, but it is God’s idea and that is enough for me.

 

Today, if you are a man, read the Bible.  Look at the men in the Bible.  Most of these men were strong, tough, reliable, solid men, who stood their  ground in their beliefs and morals.  Men strong then the greatest body builders or strongest men.  Men of God.

Everyone needs time with their family.  It is just a part of life, an important part of life.  Enjoying the laughter, jokes, hugs, grand kids, daughter, son-in-law(he is really more of a son).  The strength that is derived from the time is amazing.  Peaceful.  Awesome.  Especially if there is over 500 water balloons.

 

While this is only two or three times a year, family time is very important.  It brings us back to our roots and our love. 

 

The same is true about the family of Christ.  When the family is together, there is peace, laughter, building, love.  It is a time of refreshment and at times a tears. People willing to open their lives to grow.

 

Do not short change the time together as followers of Christ.  It is important.  It is needed.  It is family time, the best time.  For when the family is together, Jesus is present.  It is the greatest of times.

I started my Master’s Program with orientation.  This was done at Ozark Christian College.  In their defense, it was their first orientation.  There were speakers, previous master students, and of course professors and instructors.  Mountains upon mountains of information was presented.

 

Now, I have been in 28 Naval schools.  There was no introduction.  There was no grace periods.  In several classes, 98% or below was failing.  It was down and dirty from the first breathe to the last.  So, when I walked into this orientation I was ready for down and dirty.

 

It was not that way.  It was puff and stuff.  Cookies, coffee, and water was provided.  There were mints on the table.  Later there was  chocolate candy. 

 

Now let me say this: for their first orientation it was good.  They poured their heart into it, with mountains upon mountains of information.

 

However, there is one saying that helped the most, this is just one season of your life.  No matter how difficult it may be, there will be other seasons.  That is true for every aspect of life.  No matter, how difficult it may be, this is just a season of your life God has given you.  Learn from it.  He will lead you through it.

Yesterday my mother and I drove to Joplin, Mo.  Driving with my mother is very interesting at times.  She has her view points of directions.  Sometimes it is good and sometimes is well………………………..    Along the way she pointed out the sun dogs, strange cloud formations, lack of trees, new routes, and places to eat.  She loved my GPS.  At times it was different.

 

It did remind me of an important fact, I really do not know how much time I have left with her.  Despite, her words of “wisdom” I enjoyed the times of just being with her.

 

We do not know how much time we have with people, especially of those close.  Cherish every moment.  Laugh.  Tell insane jokes.  Look at all the weird cloud formations, but be reminded: every second is precious.  Every second is important.  Never take it for granted.  Most of all, thank God for all of it.

When I was a kid, if you got thirsty while playing, you drank from a garden hose.  We did not think if it was sanitary or not.  It was cold water on a hot day.  Of course before your drank from it, you sprayed your friends.  That was fun also.

 

We are so germ conscious that we drink water from a bottle.  Water that is just tap water from another town.  A bottle that is plastic and has been proven to cause cancer.

 

Now if you are like me, you are wondering which is safer: the bottled water or the garden hose? 

 

We have become so conscious about germs, that we have lost our common sense.   Everyone survived the garden hose.  Everyone had fun spraying each other.  No one got hurt. 

 

It is the same with life.  What we have lost is the simplicity of it.  God created life.  He gives life.  All life comes from Him.  The way one is created is the way he or she is created by God.  It is just that simple.  I noticed when things are simple, life is better.  Drink from that hose, enjoy the cold water.  Don’t forget, spray someone.

There is no such thing as free advice.  Wish there was, but all advice comes with a string attached.  That string is simple.  The person that is giving it is expecting you to follow it.  If you do not, friendship is in jeopardy or there will be a “I told you so.”

 

Everyone has an opinion.  All opinions are like armpits.  Some smell better than others. 

 

Those who are truly concerned about you will stand by you.  Occasionally they will offer words of wisdom, but you know that they will stand by you no matter what with no repercussions.  They care about you.  They will care for you.  They will never leave you.  They are true friends.

 

What type of person are you? 

I am sure that we all liked going back to school.  I am sure someone did, just not me.   Learning, that is a different story, but school, not so much.

 

School will be back in session soon, for some it already is back to school.  Teachers are preparing.  Kids are dreading.  Parents they are rejoicing. 

 

School represents learning.  Learning is what we need to do.   Every second of every day, we need to be in a mood of learning.  Learning helps us to live life, deal with other people, and grow in our jobs or vocations. 

 

What are you learning today?  What have you observed and taken to heart?  What are you doing with it?

 

Coffee time.  Have a good one.

 

Sooner or later, you will get stuck.   You will stand there in the morning getting out of bed, at work, or at play and wonder, “What am I doing?”  “Which way do I go?”  “What am I doing here?”   You are stuck.

 

Unlike a car, when you get it stuck, you get a pull; life does not give you a pull.  You are wondering.   Now what do I do?

 

A couple of thoughts.  List your priorities.   Start at the top and just work at it until completion.  Pray.  I know, you say that all the time.  It works, all the time.   Meditate on positive matters or words (Bible is a great source).  Never give up to defeat. 

 

Simple ideas that make great gains in your life.  Give it a try.

The work week begins again.  The weekends are never long enough.  By the time you get done the household chores for the week, it is Monday again.  Where was the fishing?

 

We work only to seem that we get now where.  The bills go up.  Relationships end.  Life changes so fast, our heads are left spinning.  Then it is Monday.  Back to the grind.  Back to what seems like an endless existence.

 

Jesus came on the scene and the Jewish people were a slave nation to the Roman Empire.  Work and taxes.  That was life.  Work and taxes.  Jesus told everyone that God took care of the birds, the flowers, the fields, and all the animals, would He not take care of them?  Most did not really believe, I guess.  Why should they?  After all they were slaves again to another nation.  Yet they were slaves more than they realized.

 

They were slaves to a defeated heart.  They were slaves to emotions, defeat, anxiety, fear.  It was Monday every day for them.  But Jesus wanted that to change for them, for us.  He reminded us to make God our first passion.   To seek Him with everything, no matter your circumstance.  He will take care of the rest.  It will not be Monday everyday.