A quick trip "home" to Missouri to visit my mom over the last few days took me away from being in front of my computer for a little while. That is probably a good thing on a number of different levels.

While I was in the St. Louis area I saw a lot of the flooding up close and personal.  The Bob's Creek Levee broke while I was there and that meant about 60 more homes in Winfield, Missouri were going to get flooded.  The people of Clarksville, Missouri had built sand bag levees around their individual homes, businesses, churches, and were trying desperately to preserve the historic buildings of the town.  The exhaustion, frustration, and anxiety could be visibly seen in the faces of the people battling the forces of mother nature.

On this date in 1991a cyclone in Bangladesh killed over 131,000 people and left 9 million people homeless.  That piece of information makes the current midwest flooding look rather insignificant, but for those affected by the rising waters it is no less painful.  Our country has certainly seen a variety of weather related catastrophes in recent years.

As we gear up for another quick blast of snow here in Wyoming, let us keep in prayer all those suffering from natural disasters.  Long after the tv cameras have left devastated areas the rebuilding and the healing continues for these broken communities for months and even years after the event. 

I sometimes wonder why we have tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, cyclones, or why we move from drought conditions to flooding, from warmth back to blizzards, and a multitude of other meterological phenomena.  However, I will simply have to trust that the hand of Almighty God is working through it all.  I will have to pray more slowly the words from the Book of Daniel chapter 3 verses 57 through 88.

"Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Let us praise and exalt Him forever."

In the year 1800 on April 24, the Library of Congress was established with a $5,000.00 allocation.  Who could have imagined where that would eventually lead?  Check out the Library of Congress website and see how it has grown in 213 years.

Books have had a huge impact on our lives.  The world of publishing has literally brought the world to our fingertips.  Technology continues to be enhanced and the publishing world brings even more richness right to our fingertips via our personal computers and cell phone devices.  How is all of that information changing us?

More importantly, how have we been affected by the single greatest library of all--the Bible?  How have these 73 books (or 66 books) shaped our lives?  Has the story of salvation history impacted us in a profound way?

The Bible is a library that shouldn't just sit nicely on display in our living room.  It is meant to be read, studied, and prayed.  Let us be grateful for the precious gift of God's Word in our lives.  Have you prayed from your Bible today?  

On April 23, 1992 McDonald's opened its first fast food restaurant in China.  This change opened up new markets for the corporation and subsequently increased market share.  Change in this case produced positive results.

On April 23, 1985 Coca-Cola announced that it was changing its secret flavor formula and "New Coke" made its debut.  For those of us old enough to remember this event, the results were less than stellar for this corporation.  Change in this case did not produce positive results.

As individuals, we each experience change in our lives.  Sometimes these changes bring us closer to God; other times these changes lead us astray.  However, we are not simply subjected to external circumstances that determine all of these changes.  We are called to be proactive and seek out holiness in our lives.  When we speak of change in regard to our faith journey, we are speaking about conversion.  Are we growing in union with God?

We may not be making corporate decisions that could earn us millions of dollars if we call the right shots, but our decisions regarding faith and morals have much steeper consequences than dollars and cents.  There are eternal ramifications linked to these decisions.  Have we accepted the redeeming love of Jesus Christ?  Does our love for God and our faith in Christ Jesus guide the decisions we make on a daily basis?  Do we trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to give us the courage and perseverance we need to be faithful?

As we continue our 50 day celebration of Easter and move closer and closer to the great Feast of Pentecost, are we sensing the Holy Spirit stirring in our lives? 

On April 22, 1994, the largest lollipop was created in Denmark weighing 3,011 pounds.  I guess a lollipop that large would discourage an individual from biting into it rather than just sucking on it.  I can still remember the commercials from many years ago asking the question about how many licks does it take to get to the inside of the lollipop.  We couldn't seem to get the answer for a regular sized lollipop so I guess there won't be an answer for one weighing over 3,000 pounds.

Think big!  I have heard that statement many times in my life.  I have been in numerous meetings in both secular business and church related endeavors where we have been told to think big, dream big, see the big picture, brainstorm with no limitations, and so forth.  I am all for living life to the full and pursuing sanctity with vigor.  Sometimes we are challenged to do big things, but most of the time we are simply called to do the mundane chores of life in a faithful manner.  These daily tasks provide us with the opportunity to grow in faithfulness and love in a style that seems pretty ordinary.

The saints throughout history have pursued holiness in a variety of ways, but one characteristic present in each of them appears to be singleness of purpose.  They desired sanctity.  Regardless of their state in life, single or married, clergy or laity, their focus was to grow in union with God.  Do we have that kind of focus in our own lives?  Do we have the burning desire to be saints?  We may not be called to do extraordinary things on a regular basis, but we can be assured that we are being called to do the ordinary things of life extraordinarily well.

Is anyone hungry for a lollipop?

Today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is often referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday.  Psalm 23 is one of my favorite psalms and it begins with, "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want."  As I read through the entire psalm this morning, one question kept running through my mind.  Although I am quite familiar with the psalm, how well do I know the Shepherd?

In my own spiritual journey I often reflect upon the words of Revelation 3: 15-16.  Am I hot, cold, or lukewarm in regard to my faith in Christ?  The consequences of being lukewarm as spelled out in these verses of Scripture paint a picture that is not pleasant.  Have I allowed complacency, apathy, and indifference seep into my life?  Have I become satisfied with the status quo?

These are important questions for all of us who are sincerely seeking an intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  However, for those of us who find ourselves in leadership positions within the Church, it is an absolute necessity that we stay rooted in prayer and humble service to our God.  If we fail in our own spiritual quest to know, love, and serve God, we endanger the welfare of those who have been entrusted to our pastoral care.  The words of Scripture penetrate with a resounding boom of harshness in regard to the accusations made toward those who have leadership responsibilities but fail to live up to them.  Do the words, "brood of vipers, hypocrites, whitewashed tombs" sound familiar?  Another one from Matthew 18:6 paraphrased, "It is better to have a millstone tied around your neck and be tossed into the sea rather than lead one of these little ones astray."  It is clear that there is a huge responsibility attached to the privilege of serving God's people.  

A friend of mine and I were recently discussing some of the challenges in Church life, and in particular, Church leadership.  He said, "Politically motivated mediocrity does not inspire."  I will admit that I was stopped in my tracks with that one line.

In my preaching and teaching I have addressed the dangers of mediocrity for years.  I have used resources from some of the best business writers, motivational speakers, and others in addition to our wealth of faith based resources.  However, I had never put it into the context of a politically motivated concept.  By the words "politically motivated" I am not insinuating running for office or being a lobbyist.  I am referring to the comfort zone we find ourselves in when we don't confront and tackle the difficult issues.  Is it easier (safer) to stay away from the hot button topics rather than lead God's people in the ways of truth?  Quite frankly, do we water down the Gospel message and "tickle the ears" of those who hear?  Do we foster complacency and apathy in God's people rather than inspire?

As an individual who has a leadership position in the Church, I have plenty to ponder on this Good Shepherd Sunday.  I also have significant needs for which to pray.  Our hope is in the Lord who made heaven and earth.  Please pray Psalm 23 today.  Please pray for all those who have the responsibility of leadership in our parishes--clergy, religious, and lay leaders.  Ask God to send an abundance of laborers into the harvest, and ask that those who are serving will truly be filled with zeal and fervor in living out their vocation.

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."  ~Galileo Galilei

Reading this quote immediately sent a vast array of images into my mind. The more technology we develop, the more knowledge we gain, and the more gadgets we collect mean nothing if common sense and reason are not applied in our day-to-day lives.  Occasionally, it seems that all of these "advancements" are leading us further and further away from common sense.  For example, a cell phone can be a wonderful tool; texting while driving can prove to be fatal. We know this, and yet many choose to continue to do it anyway. That is just one example of hundreds that could be given.

"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
~Immanuel Kant

It is essential that Christian believers continue to grow in the virtue of wisdom. Wisdom is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and I must join my sentiment to Galileo's that God has not obliged us to forgo its use. We are called to be models of virtue and beacons of light in a world that sometimes struggles to find its way in the darkness. If Christians aren't going to demonstrate the gift of wisdom, who will?

I could point to a multitude of social and moral issues where Christians need to be in the forefront of the discussion.  However, I will leave that piece to each individual reader. Where do you need to take a stand in your own life, in your church, in your community, or in your country to promote justice, peace, wisdom and common sense? If you have become disengaged from the happenings in your family, church, or community it is time to re-enter into the mix. Read one verse from the Gospel of John chapter 10 verse10 and answer the following question. How is God calling you to fullness of life?

The huge snowstorm and the strong, gusty winds made for the fourth day in a row of being home-bound.  Then there was hope!  The snow plow went through our subdivision.  I was also able to finally shovel enough snow out of the driveway to briefly make it into town to get some groceries and hurry back home.  By the time I returned (in less than two hours) most of the road was already drifted shut again.  I couldn't make it back up the lane to our house so I had to carry the groceries through the drifting snow nearly a tenth of a mile.

I will admit that my attitude was a little less than stellar at that point.  It seems that I have shoveled more snow in a week than I have in a lifetime.  The worst part is that I still don't have the ability to get in and out of our subdivision safely.  As the saying goes, "The harder I work, the behinder I get."  Mother Nature certainly maintained the upper hand in recent days, and quite frankly, I had enough.

After resting my aching body, it occurred to me that I should be grateful that I have the health and strength to shovel snow.  There was a time in life when I did not possess the good health and vitality to execute such tasks.  I felt it necessary to remind myself today that every breath I take and every beat of my heart is a gift from God.  To know that God loves me enough to give me the gift of life fills me with great hope.  It doesn't make me want to shovel snow; but it does fill me with hope.

Today, let us keep in prayer all those still recovering from the bombing in Boston, those recovering from the explosion at the fertilizer plant in Texas, and all those in hospitals, nursing homes, and those under the care of hospice.  May the grace and healing of Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.

Although we are more than half-way through the month of April, Wyoming has been receiving an abundance of snowfall in recent days.  The snow, along with gusty winds, have made travel conditions treacherous.  Thus, I have spent a significant amount of time indoors reading, pondering, and praying.  It has been helpful to have this extra time for reflection, but I will admit that it has also contributed to having a heavy heart.

The reality of what took place in Boston is starting to sink in a little more deeply.  The loss of life in such a dreadful attack stirs emotions in a powerful way.  More and more people being interviewed seem to be leaning toward seeking revenge upon the person or persons responsible for this horrendous act.  My concern is that this type of attitudinal approach will tend to fuel the cycle of violence in which we find ourselves rather than promote the peace and justice for which we long.

Violence is a troublesome aspect of life in a multitude of circumstances.  Taking attention away from Boston and moving to Philadelphia where the trial of Dr. Kermit Gosnell is taking place, it is mind-boggling to see the lack of coverage from the mainstream media regarding this case.  The trial has been underway for weeks, and if it wouldn't be for pro-life websites there would be almost no coverage of it at all.  Dr. Gosnell has been charged with seven counts of first degree murder and some absolutely gruesome details surrounding the charges have been depicted during the testimony.  Yet, since it involves abortion, the whole affair has been essentially swept under the rug by much of the liberal media.  It seems that in our culture we only experience outrage at certain types of violent actions.

How do we as a society regain our respect for the dignity and sacred value of each human life?  It appears that it will be a monumental task to turn things around in our country at this point in time.  One thing is for sure.  We, who call ourselves Christians, are being challenged to live our lives in a way that is consistent with what we profess to believe.  Faithfulness in our actions will give greater moral credibility to our words when we speak about the sacredness of life.  

We are filled with HOPE because we are children of God.  During this Easter season, may we continue to grow in union with the risen Christ!

In the aftermath of the bombing in Boston yesterday, it is evident once again that our world experiences pain and suffering in a multitude of ways.  Natural disasters, accidents, and serious illnesses bring enough heartache into our lives, but when the pain is inflicted intentionally by someone desiring to do great physical harm to others, it becomes even more difficult to digest the age old question, "Why?"

Why do bad things happen to good people?  How can God allow such evil to exist?  More directly, why do people choose to use their free will for such evil intentions?  Trying to find reasonable answers to such unreasonable actions as the bombing in Boston is simply a circle without end.

The intent of my blog is to encourage growth in the virtues of faith, hope, and love.  How can each of us make a difference in our little part of the world?  How will we articulate hope to those who are hurting?  Those are the things I hope to explore with you on a regular basis.  Today, let us pray for our country, and for all individuals who have experienced pain, suffering and loss from intentional acts of violence.