Swine Flu Phooey!

I went to the store this AM and while interacting with the clerk, noticed she was sneezing. And not sneezing into her hand. yikes. I think it was cultural to not cover her sneezes. Her english was heavily accented. or maybe she was lazy. So, my mind wandered to thoughts of 'where is my Purell hand sanitizer?' I gave it away this morning so that my kids could use it. Are you worried about the swine flu? Many people are. I saw someone with a mask while walking to work from Grand Central Station. Schools are closing down. Globalization and freedom to travel certainly has its downsides. So what is your response? curl up? isolate yourself? Stay 3 feet from every person you walk near? Not plausible in NYC or any major city.

Matthew 8:14-15 When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

All the News Fit to Print

There is no escape from the headlines when news is 24/7, no reprieve from the bad news..every day. From the mundaneness of fallen politicians to the saber rattling in the mideast and Russia, what do we make of it in our daily lives? How do events in North Korea, China, Iran, Russia, or India affect us? OR what about the inequity of the lives of those only 3 miles north of Rockefeller Center?

One of my heroes, Martin Luther King Jr. once said (and I am paraphrasing) that we are all connected - so that one person's conditions will indirectly affect another's life. Paul wrote to Timothy that such uncertainty would affect believers to stray so that we are to carefully remember ---

Timothy 4:9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

So fret not, be slow to anger, and do not despair. For as believers, we have a permanent place in the heavenly kingdom where there is peace with our Heavenly Father, through His Son, Jesus Christ. We also have good news to share with others.

A Little Help

We all need a little help. Just a little, not a lot. If we ask for a lot of help, we may seem needy or weak. Such vulnerability is just unacceptable to my ego. So, I rather just splash around helplessly in the sea of life. OR, I can see how the Gospel calls us to be vulnerable, to engage other people, to invest in others, and to have others invest in us. On Monday, at the entrepreneurs fellowship group meeting, we discussed mentors and advisors, and how we can be one or need one. If you are "alone" or have not considered finding someone to assist, even temporarily, through this wonderful journey God has put you on, do actively consider this in prayer and talk to others.

Mark 4:38-39 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Rounding the Corner

Home free! Not exactly...We have been reading Bonhoeffer's life Together as part our leaders' training series this "academic" year at the Center for Faith & Work. The last chapter is on confession and communion. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another. Does that mean approaching the nearest person and do a brain dump or air out your dirty little secrets? We should and can be more discriminating. There is a sense of liberation when we take our burdens and share them. Of course, bring the issue to God first and foremost, then upon examination through prayer, seek wisdom and grace through the community of believers. Last evening, the entrepreneurs group discussed why we need mentors or advisors in our lives. It is Biblical to be invested and engaged in the lives of those who we think can help us and those who might benefit from our time. So, if you are not there yet in confession and community, time to start rounding the bases and turning that corner.

Unexpected Guest

We were about to eat dinner. The door bell rang. Hmmm, who would come by unannounced like that? Most likely a neighbor. But knowing how things work around here, I suspected it would most likely be: overly-enthusiastic religious hawkers or social service representatives. BINGO! I am batting .500 in baseball terms. I am sure you have some wonderfully effective yet gracious strategy for taking care of uninvited guests but think hard about this. Why are these people put in your daily life? No, not to inconvenience you or make you miserable. That is far too selfish. Short term interruptions or moments of meeting are rarely impactful but still, how you master and manage the "little things" and how you care for the "least of these" can reflect your overall walk in life. What would happen if Jesus came knocking at your door? Well, my guess is that he won't do so literally, but he does so daily in your hearts. Are u prepared? Do you live your life with an eye to his return at some unexpected time?

1 Thessalonians 5:4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

Tinkering or Totally New

The birds are back. The ones that chirp incessantly early in the AM before the sunrise. A harbinger of the warm weather to come. So, instead of wanting to don my elmer fudd hat and rifle, I just embrace the noise as good news - time to work on my stroke. My golf game has been in hibernation, until last year, and someone gave me a golf book for my birthday so I have been reading - tinkering or using a new grip. Often, we try to keep our core practices and add on bells or whistles or small improvements. That is easy. Hard is tearing up your old strategy or habits, like a golf grip that works for you, and spending a little more time with a new grip. More work and time to get to a better game. As is with the Gospel...the Gospel does not improve you or help you make small adjustments. It is changing everything about how you looked at life and how you carry yourself. And it is not easy and will not be short. But one day, you will stand on the green and sink in that putt and feel pretty good about the hole that you played.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

He is Risen!

John 20:9 They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

John 20:16 Jesus said to her, "Mary".

Each day, we remind ourselves that Jesus has risen so our sins can be forgiven. Each day we know he loves us and looks forward to seeing us upon his return. He is the only hope for the human race.