By Jim Lewis “I wish that I…” “I sure hope that…happens” “What if…doesn’t pull through?” Have you ever thrown money in a wishing well? Somehow it’s a good feeling isn’t it? Traditionally we are to make a private wish and then pitch in some change. Then, magically we have a small amount of hope and confidence that the wish might come true. If we throw a lot of change in, is there more confidence in the possible outcome? Why? Is it because we believe or at least hope that someone or something is aware of our offering and the sincerity of the wish? A presence that knows our hopes and desires? Of course we do. Why else would we make a wish first?
By Jim Lewis In politics there is an acronym for some republicans and democrats that seem to lean and vote towards the opposite side of their parties ideologies. It is RINO, (Republican in name only) and DINO, (Democrat in name only). That is, they might claim and campaign as a representative of a certain party, but their actions don’t align with the party platform. This can be quite frustrating to their voters and constituents. You know what they say, “The proof is in the pudding.” Saying something is one thing, doing it is another.
By Jim Lewis It amazes me that you can buy a small packet of tiny, brown, dead seeds, plant them in the ground, and have them turn into magnificent flowers or vegetables. Something that was once alive shrivels and becomes dormant and dead looking. If you didn’t know any better, you would look at them and say that they were past their usefulness and throw them away. Good thing that we know better.
By Jim Lewis Have you flown lately? Ever? The last time I took a trip it was to South America. The return home started in Peru and ended up in Ithaca N.Y. via Bogota Columbia, Miami Fla., then Newark N.J. and finally Ithaca. With the layovers, security checks, boarding, customs etc. it took about a day and a half for the trip. Was it a hassle? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes.
by Jim Lewis Back in the day, there used to be people that were called “door to door” salesmen. They would go down the street knocking on each door hoping to display a product and sell it to you. Be it a vacuum cleaner, home products or magazine subscriptions, they always had a sample or kit of display items to show and demonstrate with.
Do you have stress in your life? To quote a teen, “Well, duh?! Of course I do!” We all do. Some of us have more than others, but we ALL have some, that’s just the way it is. Finances, family situations, health issues, car problems, your boss… whatever, choose your poison(s). How do you deal with it? There are many stress medications out there. Drugs, alcohol, anger, isolation, hobbies, activities to excess, running away, and being super busy are just some examples of how we might be distracting ourselves from how unsatisfied we feel inwardly. A new year does not mean a new life. Is there a better way? This CAN be the Year of Peace for you.
Do you remember when sweat pants came without pockets? It used to be that they were made with the sole intent of being used during strenuous exercise. You only saw people wearing them while running or working out in the gym. Now these, “sweat pants” come with all kinds of designs and pockets and are used as casual dress in and out of public. They have the appearance of exercise clothing and can be used as such, but for most of us they are worn for comfort and convenience. Most of the time, when I am wearing this, “workout clothing” and am exerting energy, it’s only by accident, (Like, running to the fridge!) How about you?
A friend of mine reminded me that many of us as Christians wear our, “Christianity” like we wear our sweat pants. Perhaps we started out with the intention, (and practice) of serious, focused and dedicated use of our faith and relationship. Then over time, we got comfortable and wore our faith with the appearance that we exercised it, but in reality it has/had become a matter of comfort and convenience. Going through the motions keeps us warm, but it does not produce the sweat and results that our faith and commitment was designed for. This is easy to do and I am trying very hard to stay away from MY mirror so that I don’t have to look at it! By Jim Lewis Can you imagine being a slave in 1863 and hearing that the president of the United States has issued an order for YOUR freedom? I can imagine that it brought feelings of both fear and uncertainty but also amazing excitement and hope! It is difficult for me to understand what it must have felt like. How about you? I do know that The Emancipation Proclamation was part of a hinge-point in American, and dare I say world history that opened the doors of freedom and opportunity for countless millions of people. How much has our world changed for the better as a result of it?
By Jim Lewis Did you hear about the Paul Revere/Sam Adams era time capsule that they recently found sealed in the Massachusetts State House? It included coins, records of the Mass. Colony, as well as some silver pieces that were actually smithed by Paul Revere himself! Pretty cool. The artifacts representing some of the foundations of our country had been sealed there for 219 years and were found in the building’s corner stone. After hearing of this, I began to wonder if these foundational documents and the cornerstone that housed them would actually exist if Paul Revere hadn’t made his famous ride. What if the defense of our fledgling nation hadn’t been warned and prepared, would we have survived? Thankfully we, (they) were prepared and took heed to the warning!
We sometimes see on T.V. and the movies, a situation where there is a line to get in, (or not) to an upscale night club or event. This usually involves a scenario where there is an attendant at a velvet roped gate and a line of hopeful and expectant attendees waiting to get in. Often it appears that you get in or not on the basis of who you are or who you know. You need to have money, connections or fame or you aren’t considered, “special” enough to gain access. They sometimes show someone refused entry trying to buy, beg or convince the attendant in order to get in, only to be turned down. The party is reserved for a select few; you have to be special.
There seems to be an award show for every acting, music, sports and “whatever” celebrity profession. Some of our culture is fixated on these, ”Red Carpet” events and the people who attend them. We wish that we could be there, to be a star and go the parties with the other celebrities. Many want to be one of the special people and be accepted into this inner circle, even if it’s for a brief time. To walk the, “Red Carpet.” By Jim Lewis
Suppose that there was a fire in your house or apartment that resulted in some things being ruined, and others being saved. What would be on your priority list that you hoped had survived the destruction? After you, your family/others and your pets what would be next? My most important belongings would be family heirlooms, pictures and other items of sentimental value, the things of lasting importance in my life. How about you? Can you think of some? Why are these things so important? It is because there is love and commitment attached to them. They are in some ways a part of us. T.V.’s, appliances, furniture and cell phones can be ruined and replaced without a whole lot of regret. Their significance is temporal. Are our lives here on earth the same? Do we function for a time and stop working and that’s it, or is there more? Are there things that we do here that have lasting value like a photo or heirloom? Is there a God and if so, does He have a photo album? Are you in it? Is YOUR picture on His refrigerator? How would you know? By Jim Lewis
I hit a deer with a pretty large truck once. I caught it with a good bit of the front end and after having pulled the truck over; we found the deer was in the middle of the road and not moving. My coworker and I went over to see its condition and get it out of the way of traffic. At first we thought it was dead, but then noticed it was breathing. Well to make a long story short, after 5-10 minutes of trying to encourage the deer off the road, it gradually became stronger and more alive until the last thing we saw was that deer running away through the brush! Whatever it had, it was over it; it went from dead to alive. By Jim Lewis
“I am an adult, and it’s not bothering anyone else so it’s ok.” In today’s world this sounds right doesn’t it? How about, “If everyone else consents, then WE should be able to do it.” Right? I imagine you have heard the enticing phrase, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” If everyone in Vegas says it’s ok and you don’t bring whatever it is home with you, then it’s ok, right? “After all, it’s legal and so I have the right.” This is true, but does that make it a good thing? When you do come home, are you better for it? Are there consequences? By Jim Lewis
New politicians, a shift in control, executive orders…ugh! A lot of “We are going to right the ship” talk before and after the elections, but very little afterward. Is this how you feel? Do you want change in how our country is run? Not? Don’t care? I believe that many of us don’t see much at all happening just because of the system and perhaps some of those elected have become corrupted by it. I am not trying to be negative and am NOT suggesting anarchy, but after talking to people, this idea that the system as it is won’t allow for the necessary change that many of us want seems to be prevalent. Many feel that a complete overhaul, “Clean house and start over” is the only hope. Do you? President Obama ran his first election campaign on the premise of, “Hope and Change.” This was attractive to some of us who were not happy with the system and how things are. It was like he was going to, “Clean house and start over” for us. He was going to be the instrument of the overhaul. Well we won’t get into what we think of the results of his elections but I do want to talk about true and real, “Hope and Change.” Over the course of history, nations have come and gone; nothing has been certain. Every change, political, by war or other has been temporal. Perhaps you have heard the term, “Nothing is forever.” Well I disagree. ”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. He came to change our world forever. He is love (unconditional), Grace (showing us favor when we don’t even deserve it), Mercy (Not giving us what we DO deserve) and Salvation (The real instrument of hope and change in YOUR life and eternity!). God is in complete control of EVERYTHING and His system IS not and CANNOT be corrupted. Period. By Jim Lewis
Do you wonder sometimes about people that you knew in the past? Who they became and how their lives turned out? I do. Social media has helped many of us reconnect with those that we haven’t seen for a long time. Perhaps someone from the past has reached out to you. Either way it is usually a rewarding experience, but not one created out of desperation, just desire. How about those circumstances where those seeking someone else is desperate? |
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