A Morning View

In 2010 I went to South Africa and Namibia for seminary. I learned a very important word which honestly I have buried in the closet of my memory and today I remember the importance of this word. "Ubuntu" Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning humanity to others.  Ubuntu can best be described as an African philosophy that places emphasis on being self through others.  It is often described as reminding us that I am what I am because of who we all are. We need one another. I need to make you better and you need to make me better. I need to help draw you close to Jesus and you need to help me draw close to Jesus.  I wonder if in our complex world of science, knowledge, absolutes and intelligence if we have forgotten one another? We can accomplish a lot of things with great success and have nothing. Relationship lasts forever.  "The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love...

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7 NLT   Great scriptures Great advice Great way to live  Easy to understand So difficult to do Keep Trying Peace, PB

I was reflecting back to the beach in Outer Banks this morning and thought of the first time I ventured into the ocean. I find it interesting that the most difficult time to keep my balance was when the waves rolled hard into the shallow water near the shore. As I went deeper, yes the waves were higher and strong, but there was a more firm foundation in the depth of the water. It seemed like the water was going to be over my head and a struggle, yet it was less of a struggle and easier to navigate.  I believe it is the same in our journey of faith in God. It seems like the deeper we go with God the more difficult it would become, yet when we are in a shallow faith journey the more difficult it is to stand. Yes the deeper waters are a struggle, but the depth of our relationship with God provides strength.  "And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though i...

Full Moon Last Night Beautiful Sunrise this Morning  Puffs of Clouds Sunny Day Leaving Soon  Going Home  What to do? "And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved.” - Mark 16:15-16a NLT   Peace, PB

Choose Joy Choose Peace Trust Overflow "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13 NLT   Peace, PB

"Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.” - Mark 6:56 NLT   I saw this scripture this morning and wondered why we do not experience more miracles? Is it because we do not look for them?  We cannot find something we are not looking for.  Peace, PB

So far the weather has not been at its best for us. It is a very cloudy morning. It is rainy with a good chance of clearing up later in the day. But as I sit here this morning I noticed that it does not matter if it is sunny and clear, partly cloudy or even ugly storm cloudy, the sun comes up. We just need to decide how to navigate the day!  Our lives are the same. We need to decide how to navigate each and every day we face. It does not matter what we face, if it is sunny and clear, partly cloudy or even ugly storm cloudy, we still have another day to live and the Son is with us.  I know to some of you this sounds like a no brainer message. Well of course PB, this is the day the Lord has made! Everyday is a great day. To others this is such a difficult message to swallow. It becomes a difficult task to simply tie your shoes. We are all different in our view and response and it is alright to be different.  But please recognize that the sun does come up no matter what. Als...