Saturday, June 29, 2024

Sunday’s Blessing – 06/30/2024 – Independence Day Week

Sunday’s Blessing – 06/30/2024 – Independence Day Week

May you come to understand July 4 is not a Christian holiday
Because your independence was bought at Easter
Through the death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and seating of Christ
Freeing you from any dependence other than to the Father

May you be thankful for a country where you are free to exercise your faith without penalty
Giving praise to the One who provided your liberty
And pray for those who are not so fortunate
As they face unknown consequences for exercising their faith

May you live your life as an ambassador of The Kingdom
Representing the Lord to your world
Serving as a minister of reconciliation, leading all people back to God
By revealing Christ to those you meet

Sunday, June 23, 2024

Sunday’s Blessing – 06/23/2024

Sunday’s Blessing – 06/23/2024

May you encounter the God of New Beginnings
So you can realize it is never too late
So you can know that God is always for you
So you will see there is still a reason to live

May you mark this day as the beginning of the rest of your life
Forgetting prior mistakes or failures
Allowing yourself to receive the grace God has given
And live today as if you have nothing to lose

May you be aware of the wonder God has placed in your path
So you will never stop dreaming
So you will keep a creative mindset
So you will become more like your Lord

Saturday, June 15, 2024

Sunday’s Blessing – 06/16/2024 – Father’s Day

Sunday’s Blessing – 06/16/2024 – Father’s Day

May the Lord encourage and comfort you on the day we honor fathers
Encouragement for those who did/does not have a great father
Comfort for those whose father is no longer living
Hope that you will know the love of THE Father

May the Lord strengthen and humble fathers on their special day
Strength so you may stand firm for your family
Wisdom to guide them toward their purpose
Humility to realize that without the Spirit’s power you are nothing

May the Lord bring clarity and understanding to the Church fathers
Clarity of purpose for those bold enough to lead a congregation
Understanding the role God has given to nurture those in your care
Willing to follow the model of the Good Shepherd

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Foreword to my current writing project: The Road Back from Nowhere

It is hard to understand the twists and turns we encounter in life. Some simply write it off as “God’s will.” Others argue that the path we travel is the result of choices. And yet there are those who place the reason on fate, serendipity, or kismet. Regardless of the why or how, when we one day realize we are “not in Kansas anymore,” it is difficult to comprehend exactly how we arrived at “here.”

Whether good or bad, the challenge becomes “what now.” Some lament their current state and sit down, never to get up again. Life just passes them by. Others rebel, thinking they have been cheated or duped into something less than what they thought was coming to them. But there are others who make a conscious decision to move; move forward, up, ahead, toward the prize or goal, reaching for the horizon to see what lies beyond.

There are, however, those rare individuals who have been following the path and realize life may have been a long journey in the same direction. Without anything to base it on, or guarantee of the outcome, they hold fast to hope. A dream lives within them which they refuse to let die. It’s not always in their conscious thoughts, but it is never far either. Almost daily reminders, the memories fuel their anticipation that one day, somehow, something will change.

And then it does! You wonder, “Why has it taken this long.” But in the same millisecond of thought you exclaim, “It all happened so fast.” Finally, suddenly! Wearied longing coupled with exuberant jubilation. You weep because the end of frustration has been eclipsed by heart-pounding joy. Like encountering an oasis after long, hot days in the desert. You realize you survived but feel almost guilty about drinking so much of the cool water. Why were you allowed to reach this point of elation while others still struggle to wake up in the morning?


Saturday, June 8, 2024

Sunday’s Blessing – 06/09/2024

Sunday’s Blessing – 06/09/2024

As graduates everywhere are being celebrated
May the Lord continue His work in you until the Day of Jesus Christ
So you may walk in the knowledge and wisdom of Christ
So you may prove yourself to be a good workman in the Kingdom
So that you can be celebrated when you meet Him face to face

As each graduate begins a new phase of their life
May the Lord give you eyes to see what comes next
So you can live from your purpose
So you continue to grow into new areas of influence
So you may hear the Father say, “Well done”

Monday, June 3, 2024

Sunday’s Blessing – 06/02/2024

Sunday’s Blessing – 06/02/2024

May the Lord bless you with those sent ones
Those who will speak words of edification, exhortation, and comfort
Ones gifted at bringing information to a decision-point
Those who can encourage and teach you

May the result of those sent by the Lord
Equip you for your journey
To place you so you will flourish in your purpose
That you may know the Father and the Word, being emersed in the Spirit

May the completion of your experience
Bring you closer to the image of Christ
Being able to stand steady when the wind blows
Firmly established on the Foundation Stone