Sunday’s Blessing – 08/24/2025 – Perspective

Sunday’s Blessing – 08/24/2025 – Perspective

I was sitting in an airport during a layover as I travelled home from a business trip. It would be a few hours before my flight, so I found a comfortable place to sit while eating dinner in front of a window that overlooked the tarmac. All the busyness below helped distract my thoughts while I waited. I became focused on something I was doing, reading or writing, and did not realize the sun had set. To my amazement, when I looked up the next time all I could see was myself and the room behind me in the reflection of the glass.

Even though the hustle and bustle below were still in full stride, because the light inside was brighter than the light outside, it caused a mirror-like effect on the glass. I had never moved, yet my perspective had totally changed. I had gone from Somewhere to Nowhere without even moving! Everything I could see was different than it had been just moments before.

I’m sure you have had similar experiences where the environment you were in changed without notice. It may be rather quickly, like the one above, or may take much longer, years even, like in a workplace, church, or home. You begin a new job with zeal of making a difference in your world, only to find after many years that your zeal is gone and you dread waking up in the morning to make the commute to a place full of people you really don’t like to do mundane tasks for owners or bosses who do not appreciate your talents.

You may start attending a new church because of the life-giving ministry it offers, fully expecting to experience personal and corporate spiritual growth, only to find later that much of it was just hype to keep you coming back each week so you could fill a seat and the offering plate.

God made you for more. Be like the Bereans who searched the scriptures themselves to see if what they were hearing from teachers and preachers was actually a true interpretation of what God had said. Or like the prophet with Elisha (2 Kings 6) who was chopping down a tree for a building to house the work of God. The axe head came off the handle and landed in water. Without the cutting edge of the axe head any effort would be futile until it was recovered.

Never let your effectiveness suffer due to monotony or influence of others. Stay true to what you believe and the purpose for which you were created. Regardless of the environment, be aware of change around you so you can maintain a proper perspective, never allowing what is outside of you to corrupt what is on the inside. You house a valuable treasure – your soul – which should never be allowed to go to waste through meaningless existence.

Today’s blessing:

May the lyrics of this prayer become your own as you pursue the Lord

So you may experience the eternal life of God today

So you may not waste years on the hamster cage, going nowhere

So you may live fulfilled, cherishing every day as the gift from God

A Prayer by St. Fracis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. 

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Sunday’s Blessing – 08/17/2025 – The Speed of Life

Sunday’s Blessing – 08/17/2025 – The Speed of Life

One of the curious things I remember from my time as a music major at Samford University was the meaning of Latin words used by composers to indicate the tempo of songs they wrote. Adagio is approximated as the BPM of the human heart. While the speed varies slightly from person to person, and even varies by circumstances, today it is generally thought to be around 72 BPM. However, music historians believe it was much slower several centuries ago; as low as 60 BPM. This means the performance of older works are played much faster than they were originally intended.

In like fashion, it is believed that relative pitch has also changed over time. Symphonic musicians tune to an A played by the first-chair violinist. Legend has it that in an attempt to keep a sharp, crisp tone, the actual tuning of A has increased. The first-chair violinist would push the tuning slightly sharp to improve the sound. Even in the past few decades, A has gone from a frequency of 440 Hz to 442 Hz in some cases. 

Classical composers played around with various tunings. A=415 Hz, a semitone lower than modern pitch, was common for French Baroque music. Other tunings ranged from around A=392 Hz (particularly in France) to A=422 Hz (a "classical pitch" used by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven). Some organs even reached A=480 Hz. Those same compositions, especially for voice, are now performed at a higher pitch than originally composed; possibly a minor third higher.

The point of all this is the speed of life has increased. One of my favorite lines from Stephen Wright is, “I once put instant coffee in a microwave and almost travelled in time.” We are constantly looking for an edge to get more for less; primarily getting more accomplished in less time.

While productivity may have improved, it has taken its toll on the human body. Heart rates are up, blood pressure is up, stress and strain on muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves are up, creating bodies which are struggling to keep up. At some point, the body will eventually break.

This is why it is vital to find a place of rest. A few months ago I did a series of posts on Sabbath Rest. Go back and read some of them. We must find a way to slow the pace of life so we can breathe, relax, and actually enjoy living. What’s the point of increased productivity if we are broken or dead? There’s a reason we need to stop and smell the roses. This quote is often attributed to golfer Walter Hagen, who said, "Don't hurry, don't worry, and be sure to smell the flowers along the way." Regardless of the origin, the message is still true. Take note of the things around you so you can appreciate where you are, where you have been, and look forward to where you are going.

Now for today’s blessing:

May the Lord give you grace to slow down

So you can “be still and know that He is God”

So you will know you are not alone in the race you are trying to run

And come to understand there really is not a race at all

May you accept the mercies extended each day from the Lord

So you can receive forgiveness from the past

So you can have contentment in the present

And hope for the future

May you give yourself room to change, to slow down

So you can live the life God intends you to have

So you can fulfill the purpose God has placed in your heart

And find rest in being the child of the King

Sunday’s Blessing – 08/10/2025 – Pain

Sunday’s Blessing – 08/10/2025 – Pain

The human body is an amazing machine. It has built within it the ability to heal itself. If you cut the skin and it closes back up. If you pull or tear a muscle or tendon and it repairs itself in time. One caveat to this is pain. When these things occur, especially internal injuries which cannot be directly attended to, it results in pain which is sometime difficult to manage. One thing we try is to avoid activity or motion which irritates the injury causing more pain. This avoidance is sometimes accomplished by moving differently, in an unnatural way, such as limping if the injury is in the leg or foot; contorting a shoulder if the injury is in the arm; sitting or walking differently if the injury is in the back. These unnatural movements, although helpful at avoiding the current pain, sometimes leads to secondary injuries which cause even more pain.

Similarly, emotional pain can have the same unexpected outcome. Something or someone causes us pain through their words or actions. Instead of dealing with it directly we attempt to lessen or avoid the emotional pain through avoidance or changes in our own behavior. This can lead to even greater emotional turmoil.

The worst area in which we do secondary things to solve a primary problem is in the area of our spiritual health. When we violate the relationship we have with God, it creates feelings of guilt and condemnation. If left unchecked, or in this case, unconfessed, this guilt or condemnation can grow to the point of believing God no longer loves us, or worse yet, feel there is no way to ever get back to the relationship we once enjoyed.

Of all the pain we encounter, physical pain gets our attention much more quickly. But it’s the spiritual pain which can have the deepest effect on our life. An icepack or pain meds can usually manage the physical pain, getting us almost immediate relief. Spiritual pain, if left unchecked, can lead to an early death – not physical, but spiritual – leaving us alone and miserable. Do not allow spiritual pain to remain. Apply the instant remedy available to us, which is prayer. Simply ask God to forgive and He promised He would forgive. You can be immediately restored to fellowship and back on your way to pursuing that for which you were created – to become conformed to the image of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Now for today’s blessing:

May the God of Peace and Healing bring you comfort and restoration

So when you suffer physical pain you can be healed and restored to health

Or when you suffer emotional pain you can find peace and hope through His Spirit

So you may live an abundant life, full of joy and happiness

May the God of Grace and Mercy bring you forgiveness and restoration

So when you act against the Covenant God made with you through Jesus

You will quickly find a place of repentance, asking forgiveness from God

Who has promised to restore you back to a place of total rest in Him

Sunday’s Blessing – 08/03/2025 – Change

Sunday’s Blessing – 08/03/2025 – Change

One of the few things guaranteed in life is change. Change is constant. For one thing, time never stops (except for a few exceptions noted in scripture). Each second that ticks brings something different than was there before. Whether intentionally or passively, we change with every passing moment.

The environment (not necessarily the atmospheric conditions of the earth, although they are relevant) is another factor for change which influences us, causing change in our habits, behavior, beliefs, etc. I’m speaking specifically of the people around you, the places you spend time (work, pleasure, etc.), the things you consume (food, drugs, social media, literature, education, etc.), and the activities you engage (hobby, exercise, spiritual growth, etc.).

There are basically two ways to deal with change. You can embrace it by actively working to bring about positive changes (improvement) or you can simply allow things to degrade around you brought on by atrophy and indifference. Most find a sort of happy medium where our life never really bottoms out, nor does it ever reach the potential embedded within us.

For the Christian, we have been given the opportunity to experience a life of purpose and fulfillment by embracing all God has provided for us through the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ. He can so that we might have life and plenty of it. The New Testament calls this life “zoe”, which means “the God-kind of life.” Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This is fulfilled in the New Covenant. By making available to us the forgiveness of failures, restored relationship with the Creator, and the Holy Spirit resident within, we can enjoy the experience of change for the good. We can grow in every aspect into all that God has created us to be by conforming to the image of Christ.

Now for today’s blessing:

May you embrace the process of being conformed to the image of Jesus

By allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us new truth to displace the false

By allowing your mind to be renewed to habits of growth and increase

So that we may reflect the glory of God in the earth

May you realize the restoration available to make all things new

So your mourning can be turned into dancing

So your youth may be renewed like the eagle’s

And you may live out your days with joy and gladness

May you learn to laugh again as you feel this new life overcome you

As the blessings of God begin to overtake you

As the release of bitterness and anger gives way to grace and peace

And you begin to see yourself through the eyes of the One who loves you most

Sunday’s Blessing – 07/27/2025 – The Unseen

Sunday’s Blessing – 07/27/2025 – The Unseen

Over the course of human history there have been many waves of plagues which have caused many deaths. The greatest challenge in battling these is the inability to see them. The germs or virus are only detectable under a microscope. Many do not even know they have been exposed until it is too late. It’s not until the symptoms begin to manifest in the human body that you realize there is a problem. 

This is similar to the warfare which Christians are engaged in. Scripture tells us we wage a battle against that which is unseen, but God equipped us with weapons which are also unseen, yet are effective at stopping the enemy which we cannot see.

This is the life of faith: the evidence of things not seen. When we place our trust in God, He gives us the desire and ability to do His will (definition of grace). The Creator brought to us through Jesus, the Messiah, the authority over everything on earth. We are seated with Christ at the right hand of the Father where we rule and reign with Jesus. Seen or unseen doesn’t have a chance against us.

Now for today’s blessing:

May you come to know your position in Christ, which is far above all rule, power, and dominion

So you will keep your mind focused on things above, not on those beneath

So you can help others find the hope in Christ

And teach them how to wage war on the unseen

May you become aware that the battle we face is not against flesh and blood

So you will not waste energy trying to change people and circumstances

But instead keep your trust in the One who overcame for you

So you may become a continual sacrifice of praise to your Lord

Sunday’s Blessing – 07/20/2025 – A Week in Paradise

Sunday’s Blessing – 07/20/2025 – A Week in Paradise

Until now, the only island I’ve ever visited was Puerto Rico. I don’t really count Ireland since it is so large. Today I will step foot on the “big” island of Hawaii, called Hawai-i. I’m excited. I never thought I would get to visit this tropical paradise. The trip has been somewhat arduous, but sometimes you have to go through a little hardship to get what you want. What I’ve heard about Hawaii is worth the effort.

It has not disappointed. The ocean views are spectacular. The climate is moderate with a constant breeze which makes even the hottest temps tolerable. The resort is very nice, with every amenity you would expect. The 5-hour time difference has taken some time to get used to, but I’m acclimating. There are many things I hope to see, like Volcano Park and the Black Beach. Being accustomed to the sugar-sands of Gulf Shores, the “beaches” are not even comparable. They are filled with rough, jagged lava rocks and coral. Still beautiful, just in a very different way.

I’ve also never travelled this far west from Alabama. Being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is a bit surreal when you realize there is no way to get off the island on your own; unless, of course, you own a boat or plane.

For those who live here, the mindset may be very different. Even the most wonderful environments can become commonplace. Without a view beyond your existence anywhere you live can become mundane. Any relationship you have can get dull and frustrating. Any amount of provision you possess can become inadequate. This is where the importance of thanksgiving becomes vital. This is the reason we need a Savior. This is when our trust in a Creator keeps us moving forward in the life and purpose we have. Contentment is not an excuse or surrender. Paul said in his writings to “be content in every state you find yourself”, but he also instructed us to “press forward toward the prize of the high calling of God.”

These are not contradictory. They are complementary. Together – contentment and drive – they work to keep us at peace while seeking fulfillment. This is the “zoe” life God makes available to each one. This "God-kind of life" is characterized by spiritual vitality, abundance, and a relationship with God. Let us purse the Giver of Life, and in that pursuit we will experience all He is.

Now for today’s blessing:

May the Giver of Life keep you content and blessed in Him

So you will never experience lack or frustration

So you can have an overflowing cup to bless others

And in doing so remain at peace and abundant

May you find all you have need of in pursuit of your “why”

So you can live fulfilled yet motivated

So you can be joyful and content

As you press toward all which lies ahead for you

Sunday’s Blessing – 07/13/2025 – Ordinary Time

Sunday’s Blessing – 07/13/2025 – Ordinary Time

I learned something interesting this week about the liturgical calendar. There is a season called Ordinary Time. There are four main seasons: Lent, Easter, Advent, and Christmas. The remainder of the calendar is called Ordinary Time. It is the longest season of the year and is divided into two sections.

I found this very interesting. During the time I spent in the charismatic church I encountered many people who taught that, for the “spirit-filled” Christian, every day should be a “Book of Acts” kind of day, experiencing miracles, signs, and wonders constantly. Not only is it not scriptural, it is also not feasible. The events found in the Book of Acts covers years of time. The “miracles, signs, and wonders” we read about were not daily occurrences. Sometimes life is just Ordinary. I read a book once called, “God of the Mundane.” It described this topic very well.

I’m glad the church leaders who developed the liturgical calendar to help Christians maintain their walk with God included “Ordinary Time.” It’s ok to have a “normal” day. It does not mean God loves you less, or that you love God less. Ordinary is not a sin. It’s not failure. It’s not defining you. God is still on the throne and, as a Christian, you are still seated with Jesus at the right hand of the Father. Learn to embrace the ordinary days. They can be just as fulfilling and “miraculous” as any other. Use these days to sharpen the cutting edge of your spiritual life. Use them to rest. But always remember, even though they are ordinary, they are still not to be wasted.

Now for today’s blessing:

May the God of Ordinary Time reveal more of who He is to you

So that you can lead ordinary people into a relationship with an extraordinary God

May God use your mundane to reveal His miraculous 

So your average can still lead to advancement in the Kingdom of God