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“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:19

      A New Year is here. Welcome to 2008.  How does that sound? Scary? Exciting?

     I am grateful for a new year. It means I have an opportunity to grow and be more than I was in 2007. I am thankful for the chance to have a fresh start. Many people feel this same way.

     A number of people have made “resolutions.”  Funny thing is, about two weeks in people will find themselves not being very “resolute” in keeping them. This is one reason I don’t make resolutions. I set goals. Making resolutions has become almost a cliche, or just something to do. I’m not sure using that language or descriptive has much merit anymore.

     A goal is a destination we seek. It means we have to journey to get there. And for me, viewing a new year as a journey has more “stick” to it than a set of resolutions. So 2008 is truly a new start of a new journey.

     I’m reminded that the past is the past. I certainly can learn from it and grow from it, but it is best to leave the past in the past. In order for 2008 to be all that I feel it can be then I cannot harbor 2007. There were goals I did not meet, mistakes were made, attitudes, were at times, less than intended. Yet, in spite of it all, I get a new start. What a gift.   

     That is the key. Living the new year as the gift that it is. My biggest goal this year is to not take any day for granted. I want to greet each day with the wonderment of a child. I want to embrace each day with the thrill of new discovery. I want to accept each day as an opportunity to make a difference. I want to see it ”springing up”.  

     I fully expect 2008 to be the best year of my life. What about you? How will you embrace the new start?

Peace,

Lloyd 

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

      Last night I attended a church service at the invitation of a friend. We had our Christmas service on Saturday evening, so I was free to go some where on Sunday.

     The worship service was an awesome experience. This was quite a surprise. The whole worship service was in Spanish. I know a little of the language and could understand some, and I did have a person who helped translate some of it for me. It did take some getting used to, but after the first song, I felt at home. You may find this odd. but I felt at home. My friend, Oldemar, is the pastor and he speaks very little English. Yet, in-spite of our language issues we are developing a pretty special friendship.

      I was truly blessed last night. I was asked to lay hands on folks and help pray. I was included and, as said earlier felt at home. You see, my friends, love and worship can cross all sorts of barriers. In the midst of what could have been a confusing experience I found clarity.

     This is how it must have been on that night long ago when the angels spoke to the shepherds. I’m not sure they fully grasped all that was being said to them, but I am sure they were clear that what was going on was special. And they took part in this experience.

     My Christmas came at a most unexpected place. I was blessed because I was willing to experience Christmas in a new way. How about you? Are you willing to be blessed, even if it means you will not understand it all?

     May we all be filled with wonder and awe this year.

Peace,

Lloyd 

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4

     Thanksgiving is a special time of year. We gather with family and friends to celebrate the simple joys of life. We spend time giving thanks and filling our plates. We laugh and cry. We reminisce and we hope for the future. And why do we do this once a year?

     Thanks-living should be an attitude that carries us throughout the year. We should spend more time thanking people than we do fussing at people. We should spend more time encouraging than we do moaning and whining. But it is hard. I mean, people tick us off, and we enjoy “getting even.” But is it the right way or best way? I think you know the answer.

      So I challenge each of us to spend more time in thankfulness. May this Thanksgiving day be a springboard for the rest of the year.

Peace,

Lloyd 

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight.” Psalm 19:14

     I’m often asked why I don’t blog more. So I spent some time thinking about that issue.  And I have come up with an answer that has multiple components.

     I love to write and some times people tell me they get something out of what I write. So at first I found it odd, that since I like writing, why don’t I “post” more?  Well, the truth of the matter is that I don’t believe every idea I come up with is “blog” worthy. I’m not that important. I don’t want to blog just because I can, instead, because I feel led to do it.

    I also believe that if I blogged every day or every week, it would become “old hat” to me and the folks that read my blog. Sure, I probably need to blog more than once a month, and I will work on that. But, I feel for it to be “pleasing to God” it needs to be done with a certain sense of awe, excitement, and energy. It needs to be thought out and not just a “posting” of random ideas or just “what I want to say.” I also seek for my blogs to be more “devotional” in nature than advice giving. And most of all I want to write from the heart.

    So, until next time, remember that our words and our thoughts should be pleasing to God. So take some time now and please the Lord.

Peace,

Lloyd 

“…it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8b

     The last Monday of each month we offer free coffee to the public. This event is held at a local coffee shop and folks can come in and get whatever they want; coffee, pastries, muffins, etc. And there is no charge. We do this with no strings attached.

     The most recent “free coffee Monday” offered up a number of “perplexed looks and comments.” One woman kept saying, “No way, you’ve got to be kidding me. It really is free, get outa’ here.” A number of patrons were stunned when told they could not pay, that it was already taken care of. Some even insisted that they had to pay. Some people have a hard time getting their mind around that some things in life are a gift, period.

     That is how it is with God’s love. God loves us freely and we can do nothing to earn that love. We don’t need to pay for it. In fact it has already been paid for, by Jesus Christ. You see, grace doesn’t have “strings attached.” God loves each of us, period.

     This is awesome news in a world where most things have “strings attached.”

Peace,

Lloyd 

     Recently I heard a sermon preached by a friend that he titled, “Relationship Triage.” It was a very straightforward and energetic presentation. The main focus was that we all have relationships that we need to work on. And just because a relationship looks fine on the surface doesn’t make it so. We must delve deep into our heart and soul and look honestly at how we treat people. The pastor also reminded us that if something is amiss, then we need to go the next step and get it fixed.

     Of course, we can’t fix things ourselves, we need the help of God. And we need to call on God to help us, not just occasionally, when things are really bad, but at “all times.” We also need to act as if God does love us unconditionally. We must stop taking God for granted.

     Of course the pastor did a great job with his hospital emergency room imagery. He shared how he interviewed a triage nurse and she told him that the worst cases were the ones where the patient had allowed years and years of decay to build up. And sometimes it is too late. Their heart just gives out. Pretty graphic, I know. But it really got me to thinking.

    How often do I sow words of comfort, harmony and encouragement? When I compare it with the words of discomfort, discontent and hurtfulness which group has the higher number?  Do I really pay attention to the needs of my wife and children?

     I’m convinced that I do need to “triage” my relationships.  I’m convinced that the world will be a better place if we prioritize our relationships. Please join me.

Peace,

Lloyd

“ For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1

   Last week I decided to take some vacation time. And I almost succeeded. Let me explain.

    Tuesday through Thursday were going to be “chill out” days and Friday afternoon through Sunday the family and I planned on a trip out of town. We did get out of town and had a great time. But the other three days that were going to be “chill” days didn’t fully materialize. I ended up still working some.

      Vacation means to “vacate” at least the routines of normal days. I couldn’t “vacate” town that early so I planned on getting away from work, etc. I have no one to blame but myself. Yet, I find that we live in a culture that prides itself on “working too much.” It is almost as if it is a badge of honor.

     Year after year, studies show that workers in America rank very low in taking vacation, personal days, etc. Studies also show that a rested work force is much more productive and wholesome.

     Jesus knew this. The Bible has numerous examples of Jesus “pulling away” to re-energize. I hope that as I continue on this journey that I can resist the temptation to “always be working on doing more.” That is my hope for you as well.

Peace,

 Lloyd 

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” Proverbs 23:12

     This Monday school started. The students, teachers and other personnel began a new journey. Some students are already “counting down” days until school is out. Needless to say, there is a lot that needs to be taught and be learned this year. It is a new opportunity for everyone involved.

     I tell my kids “you get out what you put in.” And this is not just for the academic setting. It is true for the school of  life. What are we going to learn about ourselves this year? And about others? When the first “tough” assignment reveals itself will we address it with grace or decide not to address it at all?

     I want to learn all I can this year. People have so much to teach me. I remember what my Grandpa White used to say, “Peedee, the day I stop learning will be the day I’m pushing up daisies.”

     Grandpa was right. I commit this school year to new growth. Join me.

Peace,

Lloyd

I announced that I would be back with my devotional thoughts this week. I had hoped to keep the deadline, but that did not happen. I apologize.

I’m still working on my new series and do not want to launch the devotionals prematurely. I know many of you read them and I do not want to ”short change” your time.

 I hope to be back next week with some new insights. Thanks for your patience.

Peace,

Lloyd 

    I am taking a break from the “Blog-world” for a couple of weeks. I will return with my devotional thoughts on Thursday, August 16. In the days ahead I have so much to sift through in order to prioritize what I deem necessary to put in my blog.

    See you soon!

Peace,

Lloyd