A Morning View

Do Over, Do you ever want a do over? Go back and take back?  Go back and change the moment? Do over and do better?  Have a do over and live a happier life?  Sadly it can never happen...... Do better, Do you strive to do better? Go seek forgiveness? Change the moment moving forward? Never repeat?  Have a changed life and live a happier life?  “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT Happily are newness can begin. Peace, PB

I remember Mr. Geometry Teacher talking in my class my Sophomore year of high school about a plane intersecting a plane. I do not remember the details of what he was trying to teach, but I just didn't understand. It was difficult for me. So to illustrate his point he took a textbook and tossed it on the floor in front of me and said, "Do you see it and understand now?" As hard as I tried, I really did not understand and I said no. He looked me in the eyes and said, "Are you stupid?" My response was, "apparently I am." I shut down and I got a D for my final grade while learning nothing.  How clearly do you communicate with another and how clearly do others communicate with you? It is difficult to grow and understand what is said, what is done and what is being communicated if we do not intentionally find ourselves seeking to clearly hear and understand what is being said and not interpreting it through our personal lens? If we do not strive to place our...

Have you ever had someone gossip about you? Have you ever gossiped about another?  False words hurt and destroy. Is that the intent? Talk to the person whom the gossip is about to find the truth, or don't talk about it at all. “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.   Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say,  “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days,  keep your tongue from speaking evil  and your lips from telling lies.” -1 Peter 3:8-10 NLT Peace, PB

When you read the scripture, you will understand why there is not much to write.  I would love a world where those who proclaim Christ live and act like it.  “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.” - Romans 13:8-10 NLT Please ponder and do!  Peace, PB

Going to church today? Did you have church last night? Just a reminder, you do not need to be "okay" to go to church. In fact I go because I am not okay! Well, and my church also expects the pastor to be there! Find a place that feeds your soul, challenges your actions and helps you remember that you are a gift from God, NO MATTER WHAT! “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.” - Exodus 20:8-10a NLT Peace, PB

I might be wrong, but it seems like there is pain, strife and division everywhere. People seem to be doing more and more self destructive things. Christians and not Christians are finding ways to blame others for everything and are not seeking peace. A spirit of I am right, you are wrong and you are the reason for whatever the next dividing issue is seems to rise to the top. There is little trust, little hope and unfortunately a lack of Agape love for others and perhaps even for the self.  This morning I am reminded that there is only one person I can change and that person is me. So if I truly desire to be one with God and make a difference in my world, I must start with me and allow the Holy Spirit to impact the world.  The Apostle Paul shared the follow words to encourage Spiritual Growth to the Church at Ephesus.  “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your ...

People often try to do too much. For some reason, we believe we are a failure if we do not complete a task from beginning to end. You cannot do it all. Do what you are good at and find others who can help you in your weakness. The only weakness to be upset with is the weakness to not get help to fill in the space of your weakness.  “So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” - 1 Corinthians 12:24b - 26 NLT Peace PB

How do you treat others? What kind of friend are you? Are you a neighbor who loves? Are you self focused or other focused? Do you label others and put them in a box just to cope with them? Are you safe with your love or are you willing to risk your heart? Do you encourage or walk away? Do you tear down or build up?  “For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 NLT Love like God love us through our Lord Jesus Christ. Are you willing to risk being Jesus?  Peace, PB

*The following Morning View was written 6 years ago and has more understanding for me today.  As I sift through the make up of life and who I am and why I do and react the way I do, I often ask the question why am I who I am? What I have found at 54, (60 now) years of age is that the formation of life in the little boy growing up has impacted me. I know that I may have a keen sense of the obvious in saying this, but in my life reflection I am finding that even in the small events the small impression left can be huge in life development. My reflection today is very simple, when and how we react to, talk to, and deal with our children is bigger than we could imagine. Every moment of every day leaves a life imprint on our children. What we say, do and how we treat them is a lifelong part of who they become! This is not intended only for parents, but for all of us as we encounter little ones daily! I am led to two scriptures to share today! "And, fathers, do not provoke your children...

"Wisdom for Life" is the title above this passage in my Bible. Is this how you live?  Many claim to be Christian, I wonder how many of us live Christian?  “Control your temper,      for anger labels you a fool. Accept the way God does things,     for who can straighten what he has made crooked? Enjoy prosperity while you can,     but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.     Remember that nothing is certain in this life.” - Ecclesiastes 7:9, 13-14 NLT Live wise. Peace, PB

I wonder what heaven will really look like? Have you ever wondered? Will people who attend the right church, read the right translation of the Bible, give large sums of money and make sure they keep the rules lead the way? As I watch the news and read about the USA I think I see that what political party one belongs to makes a difference? Maybe just being good and helping others gets us there? How about God's chosen people, the Jews? Will it just be the elect? Perhaps people who hold leadership positions in the local church will lead the way? Maybe pastors have a corner on the entrance into the gates? Does the color of skin, family heritage, economic privilege or the country one was born into help us make it?  Perhaps it might just be the leper who said thanks, the widow who gave all she had and what if it was only the thief on the cross who made it at the last minute of his life? What about the boy who gave his lunch to feed many? Perhaps the Samaritan who broke all of the cultura...

Cold and dark outside.  Warm and comfortable inside. The weather...... Warm and comfortable outside.  Cold and dark inside.  The person....... Recently I have heard of many suicides in the area I live.  We live in such an internal demanding time with questions, loneliness, failure and fear.  Death is all around us. People are hurting and looking for peace. Often there seems to be little to no earthly hope.  Jesus, hold on to Jesus “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” - Colossians 3:1-4 NLT Peace, PB

Good Morning World!  There is nothing better than seeing a morning post on Facebook from someone who is excited to see you which reminds you how much you are loved and appreciated. It is easy to live in the one negative comment directed toward you and focus on the hurt, when in reality there are 10 other people out there who love you, lift you up and would go to the end of the earth for you! To top it off, the Creator of everything, including you, loves you no matter what! Yes I realize life stinks at times, death happens, struggles are still there! We push through the desert and enjoy the mountains. But remember people love you and God loves you! "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our L...

It is easy to think about everything going on around us. It is easy to think about politics, illness, division, my rights, suicide, divisive issues, failure and falling short, evil in the world, seemingly senseless actions people are involving themselves in and the list goes on. It is so very difficult to not focus on life as it is placed before us.  I find it difficult to not dwell in the negative thoughts, failures of life and fears of what is yet to come. It is human to do so. But my head knows that God does not desire the inner self to be in pain and dwell on the not good things. It is difficult work to train our hearts to believe our brains and trust in God.  “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ” - Philippians 4:8 NLT Press on my friends, Press on. Peace, PB 

I have an Oriental Rug in my church office. It has been there for a few years so I decided it was time to turn it so that it would change the wear and tear pattern from people walking on it. I also made some subtle changes in the layout of the room. I just needed something different.  Do you have old voices from your past in your head reminding you of your past and how you are not enough? Even bigger, those voices tell you that there is no possible way that God could love you? They remind you of who you once were and that you will never amount to anything in your life.  I have an idea, rearrange your room. Move the carpet so that it would change the wear and tear pattern from hearing the voices. Make subtle changes in your thinking so that you will hear a different voice from the Holy Spirit claiming you as redeemed. Recognize the newness and forget the comfortable place of pain you know. Don't you just need something different?  This means that anyone who belongs to...

I recently played in a golf scramble and on one of our better holes, one person hit a great drive. The second person put us in a great position to score well and the third person sunk a fairly long putt for the birdie. I was the fourth person and I cheered them on and wrote down the score! All four of us contributed on that hole. It was a team effort and no matter what we contributed, we all contributed to our success.  As rationally and unbiased as possibly can be, I sit back and take a snapshot of the Body of Christ today and what I see is extremely disturbing. I see Christian unity amongst individual parts of the Body of Christ. Those we agree with we are a part of and those we disagree with we are not. There is little evidence of teamwork together to share Jesus Christ in the world. It feels like there are pockets of Christians, or at least those who say they proclaim Christ, focused on selfish gain for God, perhaps even giving glory to God and yet fighting the other parts of t...

Plant seeds Water the soil Let the process happen Reap the harvest Often we wonder what we need to do to "Make Disciples for Jesus Christ?" Perhaps we try to do too much. People respond better to the gospel of Jesus Christ when they experience it from you. You may never know the difference you make and you may never see the harvest, but just do what you are called to do. No more and no less.  “Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.” - 1 Corinthians 3:5b-7 NLT Peace, PB

Coffee.... I need my coffee. I do not start my day without my coffee. My coffee gives me energy, my coffee clears my head, my coffee helps me focus on the day ahead of me! "God—you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts.” - Psalm 63:1 - Message God..... I need my God. I do not start my day without my God. My God gives me energy, my God clears my head, my God helps me focus on the day ahead of me! Peace, PB

A Morning View From the Woodpile = A Morning View From the Patio  Western Ohio Conference = West Ohio Conference  Recently these were phrases used with good intentions, but not correctly presented. There was absolutely nothing harmful or mean intended in use, but is was not accurate in presentation.  Often though, there are many times people think they know something by what they see or hear and misinterpret words and intentions. Stories are created and twisted with harmful "truths" as the result. Rumors and false information damage people and institutions. Perceptions are harmful and hurtful. Yet humanity loves to stretch and hear a good juicy story, but it is not accurate in presentation.  This happens in small life situations and global events. There is little room for grace and understanding while hurt and damage bring others down.  “A gentle answer deflects anger,     but harsh words make tempers flare. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appea...

Have you ever believed you are not good enough? Have you ever believed you mean more to others and find out you are not? God believes in us. God created us. God loves us. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body      and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!      Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15  You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,      as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16  You saw me before I was born.      Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out      before a single day had passed.  - Psalm 139:13-16 Peace, PB

"Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in his moccasins."   -American Indian Proverb The longer I hear the stories of those whom I sit with and talk to in ministry, the more I realize this proverb to be true. This is true for all of humanity. We see the outside surface issues of peoples lives for 2-3 hours during church services and events. Sometimes they may share more deeply their passion in corporate worship or small groups. But we really do not know. We think we know people, their situations and their hearts. We give them great answers on how to FIX everything. Have you ever had someone tell you, "If you would just do this, this and this it will be fine?" Better yet, how about the great advice, "Just give it to the Lord and it will be fine." Now do not get me wrong, I believe we need to surrender to God. We need to allow the Spirit of God to guide us. We need to truly give it to the Lord. But how? Advice without Jesus in skin with it may...

Today we celebrate World Communion Sunday. This is the day when Christians gather around the world and recognize the gift of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world. The Church, the Body of Christ gathers in this holy sacred sacramental moment to remember the great love of God.  I find it interesting that we need to set aside a day to do this. Each time we partake in holy communion we should remember our sisters and brothers in Christ. I also would like to make an observation that Jesus was not the white savior we often see portrayed in the picture hanging in many of our churches. Jesus was of Middle Eastern descent. Jesus was not caucasian. Jesus would also not be loyal to just the good old USA. If he had a flag around him, he would have all the flags of the world. Jesus died for each one of us.  Why then do we try to make Jesus be so much like us? Shouldn't we strive to make us like Jesus? Let us remember Jesus left the tomb empty for all of the ...

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” - Matthew 5:43-44 NLT Really? Honestly God? You want me to do what?  Okay, I will "love" them and pray for them.  So what does love look like? “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance..” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT How is this working for you?  Peace, PB

Do you ever sit and wonder?  While wondering, do you feel helpless?  Is it easy to see all kinds of questions with few answers? Are there things that make you go hmmm........?  When I was teaching school, a colleague, Tom, always said that teaching would be great if we did not have students! He was correct. But the problem is without the students there was no opportunity to make a difference. Yes, there were daily struggles. Yes, there were times one wanted to quit. Yes, there were times when students, parents and even co-workers wanted to hurt you. Yes, there were times when you would wonder if you made a difference.  A student, Beth, (Not her real name)  really struggled with life and one day at bus duty, Beth was beating on another girl across the street. It was bad. I ran across to the incident and hip bumped Beth off of the other girl. If I had not done this, the outcome may have become a tragedy.  This summer I saw Beth. She was gentle, she was pleasa...