Jan 30, 2014

What’s so great about being “Empty Nesters”?

We have been "empty-nesters" for a few years and this seems to be the goal for so many couples. Me; I am so grateful to be a dad and grandfather who is able to have so many opportunities to reconnect with my children and grandchildren at various times.

I love the drop-ins and stop-ins and pop-ins! I love it when I am up in my office in my home and I hear one of my children coming up the stairs to simply let me know that that they stopped over to pick something up. And that they wanted to say; “Hi”.

I love it when we get the last minute calls of; “Hey can you…babysit…or help me with…or stop over and… I LOVE IT!

That is why we moved our home office to the third floor of our house and set up guest rooms. Our house may be “empty” during parts of our week, but we want to be ready for opportunities for our children and grandchildren to spend the night or to join us for a meal (or two or three…).

(To my children and grandchildren who I’m not always able to connect with because of schedules or the proximity of your house to mine, please know how fondly I think about you and miss you when we are apart...)

When I was praying about some job opportunities over the past few years (some which would require Cathy and I to relocate) these scriptures became the anchor to part of our decision (Deuteronomy 4:9):

“Just make sure you stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves. Don’t forget anything of what you’ve seen. Don’t let your heart wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live. Teach what you’ve seen and heard to your children and grandchildren.” (MSG)

“Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren” (NKJV)

We knew that part of what we are called to do is to continue to be parents to our adult children and to “start the process over” by teaching our grandchildren the ways of the Lord. We know that we are called to keep our empty nest full as part of the blessing of the Lord.

“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.” (Psalm 127:4-5a)

Steve Green- "Children are a Treasure from the Lord"

Jan 23, 2014

What Makes Something Valuable?

My wife Cathy works at a school that is designed to meet the unique transitional needs of students with special needs between 18-21 years of age. As part of her job, she runs a thrift and craft store during school hours. The school accepts donations of cash, new, and gently used items. Money raised through the store goes directly back to the school to support the daily curriculum, as well as after school programming.

Cathy is always looking for great deals that will provide for those who ask her; “If you ever get this in, let me know…” For me, one of the great things about this is that she also looks for items that will make me happy (what a great wife!); especially pertaining to hockey.

Recently she came home with some shirts that she purchased for me that had something to do with hockey. And, to my great joy, they all fit me! After trying the shirts on, I folded them up to put them away.

As I was folding one of the shirts, I noticed on the back of it that someone had collected some autographs. Looking a little closer, I saw that one of the autographs was from Brett Hull. I recognized it because in the past, someone had given me a puck with his signature on it. Suddenly, the shirt became even more valuable; to the point that I probably won’t wear it.

So what makes something valuable? Do you know? Some would say its usefulness. But, something useful to you may not have any usefulness to me. Others would say how available it is adds to its value. In other words; can you buy it today but not tomorrow? Or how rare is it or what someone is willing to pay for it. Some would even go to say that who owns it or whose it is makes it valuable.

When I take an old Cuban cigar box from 1912 and turn it into a guitar, does that now make it more valuable? Does the maker of the item make any difference to the value of something or if someone attaches their name to it those that make it valuable?

What about for people? Are you any more valuable simply because of whom you belong to? In the Book of Isaiah (chapter 43), The Lord God says; that we are “precious” and “I gave Egypt for your ransom…”

I love how Eugene Peterson translated it; “I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.” (Isaiah 43:3-4 MSG).

Would you give a whole nation to purchase something or someone? I’d say that He thinks we are valuable; so that makes us valuable! He paid a tremendous price so that we could be redeemed from our sin.

As you continue to ponder my question as to ‘what makes something valuable’, I’ll try to get to my point…

The Apostle Paul wrote;
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (1 Corinthians 5:21 NJKV)

Today, as you wander through your schedule, stop and ponder the fact that this God who made us and all we see saw such great value in you! He paid a tremendous price not because he was angry at you; but because He wanted you to know how valuable you are to Him. And that you were worth paying for so that He could spend time with you!

Call out to Him; He longs to spend time with you even at this very moment. Perhaps that is the reason for this post.

Do you know that you are God’s Special Treasure? Do you know this Jesus who paid for you? Call 1-888-NEED HIM. Someone is waiting to talk with you right now.

Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright � 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.)

Jan 16, 2014

Persevering on Protein Powder

When I first started into body building, I discovered the value of using protein powders. Protein sources have different absorption rates thus allowing for a more extended "feeding time” and a more complete amino acid pool for the working muscles.

By using protein powders, I supply my body with the highest quality proteins that are “pre-digested”, mix easily, and fortified with vitamins and minerals to deliver the most complete protein supplement. I made sure that they are also high in BCAA’s and contain “L-Glutamine” for maximum recovery! And they are a great Source of Lactalbumin (whatever that is)!

I would drink one serving upon waking in the morning and one after my daily workouts by making a “protein shake” by using 1-2 scoops of protein mixed with 8-12 oz of milk, a hand-full of fresh berries, a banana, as well as other vegetables such as spinach and carrots in a blender. A few minutes later, I was drinking a very nutritious drink that would supply vitamins and minerals to meet my needs for the day.

I also discovered that in my fast paced life, I could mix 1-2 scoops of protein mixed with 8-12 oz of just cold water and in an instant put 30-60 grams of protein in my body and be out the door in a flash! No sitting down; simply mix, shake, and on my way! No taking time to make anything that would require cooking or cleaning! In fact some days, when in a hurry, I can drink my protein while running out the door and wash the mixer bottle later.

This worked great for both exercising as well as when I played hockey.

Now, I don’t like to eat “fast foods” and I stay away from them because I don’t what is added to the “food” as well as the idea that we can rush in, pick up something, and wolf it down and then get back to what we are doing.

As Randy Stonehill says;

“American fast food, what a stupid way to die… Its prefab junk at an exorbitant price and it's bound to make you nauseous if you look at it twice. But they're selling you by telling you its food that's fun when it tastes like cardboard it chews like sponge 'cause it's really only garbage on a sesame bun…”

And yet, I had come up with my own form of fast food that was quick and easy and perhaps bypassed how I was to consume my nutrition.

But this is not how we are intended to consume our foods. We are not meant to “eat on the run”. Instead, I believe that part of the way we are made to consume our foods is in the preparation as well as the time we stop, and rest, and especially sit and dialog with friends and loved ones.

Then one day I realized that on some days, this is how I consumed my “spiritual food”; a quick verse or a short devotional and I was out the door and on my way to bigger and better things. No sitting and pondering the Word of God (Bible) until it filled me up. No sitting and taking time for relationship with the only One who could meet my every needs.

When Jesus said; “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37 NKJV), He wasn’t talking about a quick protein shake. He wants us to come to Him because He is talking about a relationship.

So if today, you find yourself reaching for a quick spiritual protein shake, STOP! Listen to Him as He cries out through the Prophet Isaiah:

“Hey there! All who are thirsty come to the water! Are you penniless? Come anyway—buy and eat! Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk. Buy without money—everything’s free! Why do you spend your money on junk food, your hard-earned cash on cotton candy? Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with only the finest.” (Isaiah 55:1-3 MSG)

He really is longing to sit down and have a meal with you. Do you hear Him knocking?

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20 NKJV)

The Message (MSG)

“American Fastfoods” by Randy Stonehill

American fast food, what a stupid way to die
American fast food, order me the jumbo fries
Oh, oh, it's easy
It's so easy and it's trouble free
It's quick and disposable, just like me
If I don't stop eating this greasy American fast food

Well, we're undernourished, but we're overfed
And we're munching on the burger with the white bread
And we're sucking up the sugar in a milkshake
Till we slip into depression with a big headache
And our arteries are crying out, "give us a break"

American fast food, what a stupid way to die
American fast food, you kiss your old age goodbye
Oh, oh, it's easy
It's so easy and it's trouble free
It's quick and disposable, just like me
If I don't stop eating this greasy American fast food

You won't have to embalm me when my life is through
There are so many preservatives in what I eat
The job's being done right now for you

"Can I take you order, please?"
"A cheeseburger, fries, and a big chocolate malted"

It's prefab junk at an exorbitant price
And it's bound to make you nauseous if you look at it twice
But they're selling you by telling you it's food that's fun
When it tastes like cardboard It chews like sponge
'cause it's really only garbage on a sesame bun

American fast food, what a stupid way to die
American fast food, order me the chili-size
Oh, oh, it's easy
It's so easy and it's trouble free
It's quick and disposable, just like me
If I don't stop eating this greasy American
I don't stop eating this greasy American fast food

Jan 9, 2014

Switching to the right side

I’ve been playing hockey since 1967. For most of those years I have played the “Left Wing” position; which is the forward player that plays the leftmost position just to the left of the center position.

In one game in 1988 however, I was asked to play the “Right Wing” position; and my game was thrown off. I hadn’t gotten into the habit of skating BOTH directions in warm up and I spent part of the time trying to wrap my mind around being on the opposite side of the net.
Same ice, same net, same teammates, same clothing, same skates and jersey; and yet I felt as though something was way out of whack simply because I switched from left to right side.

In the past few years, I have had games where I have been asked to play defense on the left side, and, amazingly, it has been much easier to play this different role other than Left Wing; perhaps because I was on the left side of the net.

When you are asked to switch roles does it throw you off? How do you handle changes that take you to a totally different place that you have ever been experientially?

This can be true with any new situations we find ourselves in like a new house, job, baby, spouse, car, etc. Do you rejoice for the new opportunity and all that is coming to you? Or move into ‘panic’ mode because your new environment seems so out of place as though a multitude were coming at you and your feel a loss of power or control. Perhaps it feels strange because you are on the wrong side.

It is during those times that we need to stop and not be overwhelmed by the task.

It is during those times that we need to call out to God, “we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chronicles 20:12 NKJV)

In fact, take time to read 2 Chronicles 20. It is a great story of King Jehoshaphat who was overwhelmed by new changes in his kingdom and to whom the Lord spoke and said; “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” (v.17)

King Jehoshaphat and his people followed the exhortation to “Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established” (v.20). They went to the right side by singing and praising (v.22) and a tremendous victory was won by the Lord. It was a victory in which the king and his people spent “three days gathering the spoil because there was so much” (v. 25).

And the story ends; “the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.” (v. 30)

Although you may feel right now as though you are in a totally different place that you have ever been and you are on the wrong side: Stop. Call out. Let the Lord fight for you. And you too will get the victory as He slowly helps to you to understand that He is on your side.

Jan 2, 2014

en·ti·tle·ment:

“the fact of having a right to something…”

I was driving home from a service and I was overwhelmed as I pondered a story that was shared by one of the speakers. This individual had stood in faith when his hope was totally gone and had prayed and paid a tremendous price for the twenty-year old ministry at which I was working.

I also thought about how so many individuals have stood in faith and had prayed and paid a tremendous price for the eighty-year old congregation that Cathy and I are a part of.

I realized for the first time how much a sense of entitlement had crept into some areas of my life. I had felt that I had a right to work and make money and even to say how I felt about things; after all I am an American.

I thought about how free at times I have felt that I had a right to speak out about the Christian Church; after all I am a Christian.

And yet, as I allowed the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart, I realized how much a sense of entitlement has become the lens from which we view life. We are called to be grateful for all that HE has provided for us; not only the physical things but the spiritual things as well. After all, it was He who paid the ultimate price for our salvation; not us! As it is written:

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." (Romans 5:7-9)

This year, as we step out into the new wonderments and opportunities, throw off the thought that we are entitled to anything. Let us instead be filled with a sense of gratefulness for how much and how often it is well with our body, mind, and souls.

Let this be the year that we focus on His entitlement to our very lives. Let this be the year where our praise is louder than our complaints. Let this be the year that we respond as Mary did when faced with the opportunity to carry the Christ-child;

“Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)