Revitalize Your Church

Recent tragedies in our world have set me to thinking about the courage to endure. "When Dad died," the young lady remarked, "Mom allowed herself to die along with him. Her body was still alive, of course, but her spirit seemed to shrivel up and disappear." How sad it is when people give up on living before life is really over.  We have a birth date and someday we will have a death date. It is up to us to make the very most of all the dates in between.  Sometimes, going on is the hardest thing to do. It would be much easier to give up and quit trying. Cloistered in an emotional shell, life doesn't hurt so much -- but there's no joy in existing that way.  John F. Kennedy said, "There is, in addition to a courage with which men die, a courage by which men must live." In difficult times, we must possess the courage to live. No matter what happens, we can make the best of it. Annie Dillard, in Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, remarked, "Our bodies are...

Dr. Maxwell Maltz, an acclaimed plastic surgeon once wrote a best selling book,  New Faces, New Futures,  describing the tremendous changes in individuals' lives after having plastic surgery.  He told many stories about "ugly ducklings" who were given a new life by receiving a new face. Unfortunately, after the publication, Dr. Maltz discovered he had made some serious errors in his book.  A careful study of all his patients revealed that people were generally no more happy with life after a plastic surgery than before.    He found that a face lift did not automatically bring a better life. So, Dr. Maxwell Maltz quite the plastic surgery business and devoted the rest of his life to helping people find inner beauty.  He discovered that true happiness comes from the inside.  It isn't obtained with a new face. This is not a new concept.  The Bible has lots to say about inner joy and peace.  Building a better life is an insi...

 Your place is not as important as your perspective.  Your position is not as important as your disposition.  Your standing is not as important as your understanding.  Your reputation is not as important as your character.  Your challenges are not as important as your gumption.  Your career is not as important as your family.  Your difficulties are not as important as your determination.  Your money is not as important as your peace of mind.  Your gratification is not as important as your ultimate satisfaction.  Your outer looks are not as important as your inner beauty.  Your impressiveness is not as important as your honesty.  Your success is not as important as your integrity.  Your conditions are not as important as your choices.  Your grades are not as important as your education.  Your pet peeves are not as important as your kindness.  Your preferences are not as important as your respect.  Your...

  Here are a dozen ways to have a happier home life:  1. Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire, or someone is hard of hearing.  2. Use the 7:1 ratio -- It takes seven positives to counteract the force of one negative -- It could even be more like 10:1. Make sure you speak at least seven affirmations and encouragements for every criticism.  3. Make up your mind not to allow petty annoyances to become barriers.  Always ask, "Is it worth it" before you react.  4. Accept those in your home for who they are, and not what you assume they should be.  5. Determine to brighten up your home whenever you walk in the door.  Some people bring joy wherever they go -- and others bring joy when they go!  6. Express your appreciation and love often. "Please" and "Thank you" are more precious than gold.  7. Hug a lot. Meaningful touch provides a sense of security and belonging (If course, if someone does...

When the sad news of Shirley's unexpected death arrived, I immediately called her husband Dannie.  Before their move to Missouri a couple of years prior, Dannie and Shirley were pillars of our church, and we missed them dearly.  Now, Shirley was gone. " I'm so sorry to hear about Shirley." Dannie was glad to hear from me. I continued, "All of your friends up here in the Northwoods are praying for you." "I can tell," he replied, "I've been amazed at the peace and strength I've felt all the way through this terrible ordeal. It has been just unbelievable. How could I possibly have such peace at a time like this? Then I thought, 'I know why! Someone is praying for me.'" Dannie continued, "You know, Pastor Mark, light travels at 186,282.397 miles per second. But I've discovered something that travels even faster than that -- the prayers of God's people!" "Losing Shirley is the hardest thing ...

You can't do everything  You can't have everything  You can't know everything  You can't fix everything  You can't change everything.  You can't be everything  But. . .   You can do something  You can have something  You can know something  You can fix something  You can change something  You can be something  So. . .  Do what you can  Have what you can  Know what you can  Fix what you can  Change what you can  Be what you can. . .  Without complaining or comparing. . .then leave the rest to God.

"Our prayers lay the track down which God’s power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails." -- Watchman Nee