Foods and Friends

FOODS are like FRIENDS, you need a variety to keep you healthy and strong!



That is what I love about circle of friends:



I have friends that make me laugh,



friends that encourage me,



friends that challenge me,



friends that make me think,



friends that share their wisdom and help me learn.



But mostly, I have friends that love me!



Talk about a healthy diet!

It Wasn't Supposed To End This Way

Have you ever been totally caught up in reading a book or watching a movie, only to be completely let down by the way it ended?

Even though there was conflict, maybe major conflict, you just knew they would figure a way out of, or a way through the situation. But in the end, all you felt was shock, disappointment and maybe even a little betrayal, because of where the writer chose to take you.

We all want the "happily ever after" endings, but in real life, that is not what always happens, and it makes for some very sad stories.

And it is because I wouldn't ever want to discourage others from pursuing or believing in their own "happily ever after" endings, that it is so very difficult for me to share with you, what I am about to share.

When I married Nan, almost 17 years ago, I had absolutely no doubt that we were going to be together the rest of our lives. And though there were many, many rocky times for us, getting through those times only seemed to make the bond between us stronger.

Our love for each other was evident to anyone around us, and caused many people to examine their own relationships in light of what they saw in us.

But something happened to tear down everything that we had built over the years. It wasn't supposed to happen, especially between two God fearing, Bible believing, Christians, but it did, nonetheless.

What happened is very complicated and something that we both would like to remain private. But I would like to assure you that neither of us had an affair, nor are we involved with anyone else.

As a result of our problems, we have been separated for over a year now and our divorce became final this week.

I still hold Nan in high regard. She is a fine person and a joy to so many people who are fortunate enough to know her.

For those of you who know me, or knew us as a married couple, I am quite sure you are shocked, disappointed and saddened. It is, after all, a very sad ending.

We both believe that God works all things together for good, and so we believe He can do just that with the mess that we have created.

I look forward to the good things that God has planned for me as I stand in faith on this firm belief:

Each new day, each new hour, each new moment is a fresh and new beginning, fueled by God's mercy and grace.

Thank you, for all of your love and support for each of us.

North From The South, Or East From The West

Have you ever thought about this?


Suppose you were to decide to go on a journey. Suppose further, that you were only going to travel in one direction--let's say north.


So you set off on your journey traveling north. Perhaps you travel a very long time, but at some point in time, if you travel long enough, you can no longer travel north. At some point in time, you arrive at the northern most point and can go no further in that direction.


The same is true if you decided to travel south. At some point you could no longer travel south. And so the distance between the furthest point north and the furthest point south is a finite distance.


Now suppose you decide to travel east. Did you ever stop to think that you could travel east until you dropped dead from exhaustion or old age, and never arrive at the furthest place east?


And the same is true if you travelled west. So, we can assume the distance between east and west is infinite.


So why does this fascinate me?


It has to do with the following passage from Psalm 103: 11-13 (NKJ)



"For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him."





I am so glad the writer didn't say "as far as the north is from the south"!



For me, it is a wonderfully reassuring mental picture of my God's love for me.

Author's note: This was originally published on my blog on www.Tobri.com

Two Lives, Forever Changed

Suddenly, everything changed for Aaron.

In an instant, because of a bad choice that someone else had made, his life was forever altered, and he and his mom were left struggling to live.

They had become victims of a senseless act of road rage, by a man who was having a bad day. He had twice rammed his pickup truck into the side of another pickup truck, in revenge for having been cut off. The other driver lost control, crossed the median, and ran head on into the car Aaron’s mom was driving.

Rescue workers that arrived on the horrific scene at first thought his mom had not survived, but later realized that she was barely clinging to life. They struggled to free them from the wreckage--wreckage so severe that they couldn’t tell whether or not there was anyone else in the back seat of the crumpled vehicle.

Fortunately, there was not. Aaron’s 17 month old half sister was not with them.

Ten year old Aaron never saw his mom again. She lived only nine more days, in a coma.

In an instant, with no time to react, helpless to keep it from happening, everything had changed for Aaron.



On that very same day, May 11th, another life was suddenly changed forever.

Richard’s life was changed, not by the uncontrollable actions of another, but rather by his own actions, his own decisions. You see, Richard is the man that caused the accident.

He now faces up to 50 years in prison for three felony charges which include vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an accident involving a death and reckless driving involving serious bodily injury.

Perhaps even more significantly, he faces a lifetime of knowing that his actions, his lack of self-control, left a woman dead, a boy fighting for life, a husband alone and a baby motherless. How would you feel knowing that?

I can’t help but wonder what he is thinking now. Is he only just absorbed in his own troubles, afraid of the things that will happen to him next?

Or does he feel remorse? Does he find it hard to live with himself, as I would if I were in his place? Is he reaching out to God for forgiveness and mercy? Does he pray for Aaron’s recovery?

There are so many Christians praying for Aaron to heal and to live. Each day their prayers are heard and answered as Aaron continues to surprise doctors who never thought he would . . . or never thought he could . . . do this or that.

And while they pray for Aaron they also struggle with their feelings of anger, disgust and hurt for what this man has done. They struggle because what has happened has shaken them down to the core of what they believe.

They struggle because in part they want justice, judgment, and maybe even revenge against the man that caused this awful tragedy.

Yet deep down, they know that the same God that loves Aaron, also loves Richard, every bit as much. They know that they, themselves, are in need of a savior, no less than Richard is in need of that same savior. They know that in order to be forgiven, they must forgive and they know that unforgiveness in their own hearts, will hinder their prayers.

It is so much easier to pray for the innocent victim.

But doesn’t God want us to pray for the guilty ones, too, so that they might find the same mercy . . . and grace . . . and salvation, that has so freely been given to us?

So my invitation to you is that you join me as I pray for Aaron, but also as I pray for all those like Richard, who need a touch from God just as much.




Heavenly Father, gracious God,

We come before You now with grateful hearts, for You are good and your mercy is forever.

We are thankful for Your great love and compassion for all of us. We are thankful that it is Your heart that none of us should perish.

We ask that You would lead us in Your ways, because all Your paths are truth.

We thank You for opening our hearts to receive Your love, because we know that as we do so, we are able to let Your love flow through us to others who need to know that same love.

By Your Spirit, Lord--that same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead--even right now, fill the room where Aaron is with Your presence, and bring Your healing power upon him as You continue to do in him what no man can do. Complete in him the work that You have begun so that he might be whole again, to the honor and praise of God. Cause comfort and strength to flow into his body, in the name of Jesus.

Father, we know there is not one of us without sin, so as we freely receive your forgiveness, help us to freely give our forgiveness to others.

We lift up to You now, those who need to know Your mercy and grace--people like Richard. Envelop them in Your love so they might sense Your presence with them and Your great love for them. Pour out Your mercy and grace upon them.

Draw them to Your side just as you continue to draw us. May they know the peace that passes understanding that can only come from knowing the Prince of Peace. And Lord, make us instruments of that peace.

And to You, God, we give all of our thanksgiving, all of our praise and all of our worship, for You alone are worthy!

We pray these things in the name of Jesus. AMEN!

Trusting in a Great God

Have you ever known someone who seems to have a lot of faith in God, until something happens to them, or to a loved one? Then suddenly, they find themselves questioning how God could have let this happen?

The next thing you know they are mad at God. They are ready to “throw in the towel“--give up on God--just because things didn’t turn out the way that they thought that they should.

They begin to say things like, “If God really loved and cared about me, then He would never have ever let this happen!”

Maybe they go as far as cursing and screaming at God.

Disappointment, frustration, anger, and just plain not understanding overwhelm them.

I think that in part, we bring it on ourselves, because we are somehow geared to think that we need to be able to figure everything out. We think that we have to understand the whys of everything that happens.

We are all guilty at some time or another of trying to give God advice on how He should handle a particular situation. We figure out in our own minds the best resolution to our problems and then present it to God like a Christmas wish list, rather than just trusting that He knows what is best for us.

But if we could truly understand how great our God is, I think just maybe we would take a different approach in our relationship with God.

We need to begin to try to understand the greatness of God as demonstrated in all that He has created and surrounded us with.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” --Psalm 19:1 (NKJ)

We cannot possibly begin to grasp the greatness of His creation, the vastness of space, and the wonders of the Universe. Nor can we ever truly understand the intricate workings of our own bodies. So how can we hope to fully know the One that created it all, and fully understand His love for us?

In Ephesians 3, Paul prays that we “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge.” Interestingly, he prays for us to comprehend something that passes knowledge.


Yes, we need to seek to understand. We should seek to have an intimate relationship with God. But above all, we must learn to trust Him no matter what comes our way. We must trust Him like Job did when he declared,

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” --Job 15:13a (NKJ)

It is what we are instructed to do in Proverbs, and it comes with a wonderful promise.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths." --Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJ)

In the very midst of all the hurt and confusion and pain, put your trust in Him, and even though what you are having to walk through may not change, He will give you the strength to go on. He will supply your every need!

Could it be that we don't think that God sees us and knows us completely?

“Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” --Isaiah 40:28-31 (NKJ)

This day I invite you to experience for yourself the incredible peace that comes from trusting in a loving God.

Little Miracles, High Places and Amazing Achievements

When I sat down today to write, I was surprised to see how much time had past since my last posting. Time does have a way of moving right along, especially when you are busy.

For me, the last month and a half has been packed with so many events and activities that it wouldn't be possible to share them all with you. So I've narrowed it down to three things, as indicated by the title of this post.

LITTLE MIRACLES

On August 11th, my son Chris, and his wife Charity, welcomed Aribella Grace into the world. After years of trying to have a successful pregnancy, Chris and Charity had all but given up on the dream of having their own child. But our timing isn't always God's timing. God had a plan and answered their prayers with a beautiful baby girl.

HIGH PLACES

This picture is one of the views from the top of Mt. Evans in Colorado. The top of Mt. Evans sits 14,264 feet above sea level. My sister and I hiked to the summit on August 17th. (Now you know why they are called the Rocky Mountains!)



Fortunately, the highest road in North America takes you most of the way there, since in places that high, there seems to be an extreme shortage of oxygen! (Much different than the less than 200 ft. altitudes that I am accustom to in Florida!)


AMAZING ACHIEVEMENTS

On August 26th, my parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary! I was in Colorado, along with many other family members and friends, to help them celebrate this amazing achievement.

Their lives have been an a true testimony of the power of faith, hope and love.


So maybe, just maybe, you can understand why I'm feeling mighty blessed right now!

The Fine Art of Flirting (How Those Sparks Keep The Fire Burning Brightly)

People often tell my wife, Nan and me that they cannot believe that we have been married for over 15 years. They just have a hard time comprehending that people that have been together that long, could act the way that we do around each other.

Well, I’m here to suggest to you that there is an art behind such a relationship. And it is an art that we have learned to do well (after all, we’ve had over 15 years of practice). It is the fine art of flirting.

Let me stop here long enough to say that not all flirting is of the “fine art” variety. There is a great amount of inappropriate flirting going on in the world, as I am sure you know.

I believe if you are married or in a committed relationship with someone, then that person should be the only one that you flirt with. Many a marriage has been ruined by what started out as “innocent” flirting.

And why does it happen so often? Because it feels good to flirt and to be flirted with, and it is probably something that is missing from their relationship at home.

But if you’re good at flirting, it feels no less “good” when you are flirting with your own spouse. It fact, I believe it feels much better, because it carries no burden of guilt with it.

There is quite a range of flirting that Nan and I engage in, from very intimate to very public. Both are important.

The intimate flirting is important because it is something that only the two of us share, which strengthens our unity and commitment to one another.

The public flirting is important because it is an outward declaration of our love for each other to the entire world, or at least as far as to those who are watching us (and people do watch). Not being afraid to show our attraction to each other in public causes trust to build between us.

Hopefully, our public flirting also serves to inspire and encourage others to work on their relationships so that they, too, can experience the joy of what we have.

Good flirting sometimes harkens back to the time when everything was new in your relationship and rekindles those feelings of excitement and anticipation of what might come out of what was only just beginning.

I recently called my wife and asked her to go to dinner with me, but I did it as if I had never asked her out before. The exchange started something like this:

“Hello, is this Nan?”
“Yes.”
“Oh hey, this is Robert. Robert McArthur? I don’t know if you remember me . . .
“Oh, yeah, how are you doing?”
“I’m good. Hey, I was just wondering . . . .”

That began an entire evening of acting like we were on a first date. The only difference was that she did come home with me to spend the night, something that would have never happened on our first date! But it was okay, because we were married before we walked through the door of our apartment!

It isn’t hard. It’s loads of fun. And it feels good.

Don’t know how to start? How about walking up to your spouse in the kitchen and saying, “So, do you come here often?” You might be surprised where the conversation goes from there.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Special thanks to Jessica for sharing with Nan and me some of the flirtations that took place between you and your boyfriend. It helped me realize that the spark that keeps things hot for Nan and me is the flirting, and it inspired me to write this in the hope that it might help others to find a way to have this much fun! From what I can tell, I think that you and Marc have this down really well. Can you imagine how good you’ll be at it after 15 years of practice!?!

The Love of a Father

Today is Father’s Day, and I’ve found myself thinking a great deal lately about the different things that Father’s Day might mean to other people, given the wide range of unique experiences that they may have had with their fathers.

Personally, I always think of Father’s Day as being a celebration of who my father is and what he did for me, rather than being about me as a father. And so, I even find myself sometimes just a little surprised when one of my kids or my wife makes it about me.

I am blessed to have a wonderful father who loved, cared and sacrificed for me, as I grew up, and who continues to love and encourage me today. He worked hard to give me a life full of rich experiences, and lived out a life of compassion and caring for others in front of me.

My relationship with my dad has a lot to do with how I understand God as my loving, Heavenly Father. Unfortunately, not all fathers leave their children with fond memories of their love and support.

So I can’t help but think that it must be harder for those who did not have a wonderful father, to experience the richness of knowing God as their Father, and having that closeness of relationship with him. With my own father, I’ve experienced the kind of love that would have caused him to lay down his own life for me, if needed, so that I could live. But what about those who haven’t known that kind of love?

And what about those, who haven’t known a father at all?

I guess it’s up to all of us to show forth the Love of God in all of our thoughts and words, and in those things that we do, so we are a reflection--however dim--of the Heavenly Father’s love for them. In doing so, perhaps they can experience what it is to be truly loved beyond measure.



“A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.” --Psalm 68:5 (NKJ)

Why Can't People Just Treat Me Right?

Have you ever thought, "I sure wish that person hadn't treated me that way!"? If you work with the public you probably feel like that a lot of times! I know that I do.

So, I was thinking about how I would like to be treated by others, and decided that I would write down a few of those thoughts and share them with you (in no particular order).

• I would like people to be kind and friendly, and invest a little of their time to show some interest in me.

• I would like people to be patient with me. I would like them to take the time to try to see my heart, because sometimes I say things that don't come out just right, or I do things before really thinking them through and I make a mess of it all.

• I would like them to recognize the good in me and assume that the areas that aren't so good are areas God already knows about . . . and that He is working on them with me.

• I would like for them to be helpful and supportive of me. I would like them to believe in my potential and encourage me to excel. I would like them to be gentle when correcting me and genuine in their compliments to me.

• I would like them to listen to me when I am trying to tell them something that is important to me.

• Mostly I just want to be sincerely loved and appreciated on a regular basis.

Now, no doubt if you were to make your own list, many of the things that I put on my list would show up on your list as well. But there would just as likely be things on your list that I might not have considered, so I would encourage you to make your own list.

Now, after you've made your list you could have copies made and give them out to everyone that you know or meet, and hope they start doing you right!

But that's not really how it works, is it? No, the list is for you. It's to remind you of what God expects from you when it comes to how you treat others.

You all know the golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." But how often do we really think about how big that assignment really is. To ask yourself in every moment of your dealings with someone else, "How would I want to be treated if our positions were reversed?"

What a different world we would live in if everyone followed the "rule!" But, while we can't make others follow it, we can impact our world by obeying God's command for ourselves.

"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." --Matthew 7:12 (NKJ)

Oh, and one other important thing to remember: the commandment is about doing . . . not about not doing, so it requires action on your part. You can't just "not do" and fulfill this commandment!

Words Once Spoken, Held Forever in the Heart

I saw an old friend, Mike Peterson, in church today. I probably haven't spoken more than a few words to him over the past year or so, but he greeted me with a warm embrace--evidence of the bond that remains strong between us, though our paths have moved us in different directions.

I was reminded of what an impact he had on me when I first came to the church. And then I was struck by how I still carry something in my heart that he said probably 17 years ago.

I had involved myself in the church by serving as an usher. Mike was the Head Usher at the church. He was a great believer in the power of prayer and before each service he would have all of the ushers join hands, he would say just a few words from his heart, and then we would pray for the service.

It was during one of those times that he shared four simple words with us, which he repeated several times:

"Refuse to be offended! Refuse to be offended! Refuse . . . to be offended!"

What else, if anything, that he said that day, I could not tell you. But those few words, spoken I believe under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, went deep into my heart and have forever changed me.

"Refuse to be offended!"

And since that day have I always refused offense? No, I am ashamed to say that I have not. But why is it so very important for me to try to do just that?

I believe that it is for this reason: Offenses come at us every day in many different ways and from many different sources, from little petty offenses to major affronts. Nearly every time that someone speaks to us we have an opportunity to take offense with something they say. And that is just what the devil would like for us to do.

Offense is a trap because out of offense comes bitterness which steals our peace and our joy. And without joy, our strength is drained and we are trapped! And now, filled with bitterness and resentment, the road back to freedom is so much harder to reach, when we could have avoided the whole detour in the first place if we had only refused the offense.

So, here's how you refuse offense: You simply make the right choice. It's your decision. You can choose to be offended, or you can choose to love, the way God loves you everyday.

Even though we all do things to offend God every single day, His choice is to love us. Why should our choice be any different with those around us.

In I Corinthians 13:5b the Amplified Bible tells us a little about the God-kind of love that is needed to melt away offense:

"Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]."

My challenge to you and to myself is to not be "touchy" and to not "pay attention to a suffered wrong." In loving others, like God loves you, you will find great freedom.

Still On Fire

"Love is friendship set on fire." --Jeremy Taylor


Today marks the 15th anniversary of my marriage to my beautiful wife, Nan. What God began as a friendship, He developed into a deep and abiding love between a husband and wife.

It has been an amazing journey of trials and triumphs. Through it all, though, God has poured out His endless mercies and has graced us for what we have faced.

He has demonstrated His great love for us and has shown us how we must love--by making a deep, committed, steadfast, unfailing, unwavering choice, to love beyond what we feel. For love is not about a feeling, though it certainly can be felt! Rather, true love is an act of faith.

It is an act of faith on a truth that we know in our hearts. And that truth is this:

"Love never fails."
--I Corinthians 8a (NKJ)

Nan and I act out our love for each other on a daily basis and in giving to each other we find such blessing in return. It is this commitment to love that keeps our friendship on fire!

Today, I would like to challenge you to make a decision to "love" someone and find some way, if only a small way, to demonstrate that love. Take that step of faith, and know this: "Love never fails."

November Thanks

I think November must surely be my very favorite month of the year. I enjoy the cooler weather moving in after another of Florida’s long, hot, humid summers finally gives up. I like the fact that November means not breaking into a sweat first thing in the morning simply from walking out of my front door and to my car!

The change somehow energizes me, puts a bounce in my step, gives me a little get up and get ’em in my get-a-long! But even more than the change in the weather, I enjoy that Thanksgiving happens in November.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year for me. I guess that I like it so much because it is a little less commercialized than some of the other big holidays like Christmas, Easter, or even Halloween. It is as if the giant commercial machine didn’t have time to mess with Thanksgiving, because it had to get rolling on to Christmas if it was going to fully capitalize on the money making potential of December’s biggest holiday.

And, that’s just fine with me! Leave Thanksgiving alone!

I like that my memories of Thanksgivings past are filled with the warmth and love of family and good friends. Of days that overflowed with Mom’s good cooking, and laughter, and peace.

I like that Thanksgiving comes more towards the end of the month. It gives me plenty of time to think about what I am thankful for.

This year, like every year, I have much to be thankful for--even though it has been a very hard year. In fact, it has been one of the tougher years of my life. And the tough season hasn’t past yet. But it will pass. And I am so grateful, because through all that has happened, I have loved and I have been loved beyond measure!

So this month, my wish for all of you is that you might know the boundless love of you creator. And be forever thankful in every situation, trusting in Him, resting in His love for you.


"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever."
--Psalm 30: 11-12 (NKJ)

My Love For You, My Precious Wife

A soft, warm thought of you caresses my mind and brings a quiet smile to my heart. A swell of deep felt emotion builds until it overwhelms me as I long to be near you and hold you in my arms. How I want you to know my love for you!

My love for you is relentless! My love for you is forever unconditional! My love for you has no end! I willingly give you my life!

How I long to sustain you in my love! How I long to protect you in my love! How I wish you could know my love in all its fullness, and rest there, secure, at peace, in my love, for all of your days.

Come away with me, my love, to that place where our two loves meet as one. Where nothing can stand against us! Where joy overflows! Where sweet victory is ours!

Come away with me, my love, to that wondrous place of knowing without speaking. And remain there, with me, forever.


by Robert A. McArthur

A Tale of Two Teachers (part 2)

Of all of the teachers that I have had over the years, there are only a handful that I remember and even those I don’t remember very well. Some I remember fondly, others I could stand to forget. Mostly, I remember the phrases that they would repeat over and over again. “Use your time wisely,” one teacher would say in a nasally tone, at an elevated volume to speak over the noise of a class that was obviously not doing so. Or, “I’m a busy man!” from a hyperactive little man who was very caught up in his own importance and who wore his pants too high for his 97 pound frame. When this same man would vigorously erase the chalk board with his right hand, his left hand would work the air just as hard.

Others I remember for a particular moment in time, like the time our school was experiencing some pretty serious racial tensions and the school had gone on “lock down”.

“Mr. Jones, to the office, please. MISTER JONES!”

That was the signal for teachers to lock the doors and keep all of their students in the classrooms. It was supposed to keep the students from panicking, but everyone knew their was no “Mr. Jones.” So, naturally, everyone ran to the windows to get a look at what was going on. The teacher tried in vain to get us away from the windows and regain control of her classroom. She even suggested that we sing a song together. And so she started with the only song that came to her mind, “Happy Birthday.” No one joined in. I just looked at her in disbelief. As I recall, she was the only one panicked by what was happening. Everyone else just seemed curious. I wish now that I had tried to offer her some comfort.

But this is supposed to be a tale of two teachers, so please excuse the little side journey. The second teacher I wanted to tell you about was my English teacher in my senior year of high school. Whenever I think about the teachers that I have had, she is usually the first one to come to mind. I owe her a great debt of gratitude.

I don’t even remember much about her, but these things I do remember. She was kind. She smiled. She acted like she liked her students. She came off as a little out of touch with the present day, but in a wholesome sort of way. Most of all, I remember her as an encourager, to all of her students.

It was a time in my life that I was trying to build up my self-confidence. And she was trying to help me to find my gifts and reach my potential. It was something a slightly under performing student like myself really needed.

I remember a particular project that she had us do. My subject had something to do with different forms of poetry. We were to present our projects in front of the class, but also in front of a video camera. I was very nervous and can only imagine that it showed. I was reading some of the examples that I had written to illustrate my points. As I was finishing up, she gently interrupted me and encouraged me to share a few more of the examples I had written.

When the taping was done and the camera was off she commented on my work. She didn’t tell me I slouched or that I needed to take my hands out of my pockets. She didn’t tell me I needed to speak louder. She didn’t mention that I was shaking like a leaf or that I stumbled all over myself or that there was no flow to my presentation.

Instead, she smiled as she commented on how well she liked my examples. Then she said, “You command such a presence when you are up there.” I’m not sure I understood what she meant at the time, but I do know it felt good. It felt good because I knew that she saw beyond the obvious and saw the possibilities.

That is how I believe God sees us. And maybe--just maybe--because He can see beyond the obvious, it makes us a little more lovable.

Maybe if we could see others as God sees them, we might find them a little more lovable, too.

You Are My Song

You are my hope, when hope is nearly gone.
You are my strength, when I’m no longer strong.
You are my joy and my peace.
Lord, You’re every little thing
That I might need
To make it through
Just one more day.

You are the love,
My heart is aching for.
You are my friend,
When friends are friends no more.
You know my every need,
Lord, You look after me
Like no one else,
Has ever done,
Will ever do.
Your love is true.

And just to know the love You have for me
Is deeper than the sea,
And that You hold me in the palm
Of Your own hand.
To think that You the God of all there is,
And all that there will be,
Would choose to die,
For such a wretched mess as me.

You are my hope, when hope is nearly gone.
You are my strength, when I’m no longer strong.
You are my joy and my peace.
Lord, You’re every little thing
That I might need
To make it through
Just one more day.
You are the way.

And now I know that it is You that lives
And moves inside of me.
And that Your Spirit’s here to guide me
On my way.
A symphony of sights and sounds surround
And fill my heart with love,
With songs of love
Sent from above
For each new day.

You are the Word, given unto me.
You are the Truth, You came to set me free.
You are my Lord and my King.
I need the grace that you bring
Into my life,
Into my heart,
Into my soul.
You are my all!

The melody
That lives in me
You are my Song!


(song lyrics by Robert A. McArthur)

More Than a Cheerleader

I’ve been thinking lately about what a wonderful thing it is to have someone believe in you--believe in your talents and abilities, your dreams, your potential. Many a mother and dad has said something like, “Son, you can be anything that you want to be.” But not all parents go much beyond cheering their child on with,

“You can do it, Yes you can, If you can’t do it, Nobody can!”

My mom was (and still is) an excellent cheerleader for her children, but she was much more than just that as we were growing up. My mom was a great believer in getting involved in what her kids wanted to do, so that they could more fully explore their potential and learn from their experiences.

It was the mid-1960’s. In our family of four siblings there were three groups: Ken (the oldest son), Jean (the only girl), and the little boys (myself and my younger brother, John). John and I were separated in age by two years, just like each of the siblings, but we were grouped together--shared the same room, played together, fought together and grew up together. In fact, when we fought with each other, one of the most effective punishments that my parents could give us was to separate us--we couldn’t stand being apart.

It was during this time that John and I made one of our first attempts to go into business for ourselves when we decided to start a Kool-aid stand. Mom agreed to not only let us, but agreed to be our wholesale supplier. She figured out what it would cost to make the Kool-aid and charged us for the materials (at her cost or below I’m sure, and she probably threw in the first half gallon for free to get us started).

As part of our marketing effort, John and I came up with a catchy jingle we could sing as potential customers came into range. We even enlisted the assistance of a neighborhood girl. We convinced her to ride her bike around the block singing our jingle for free:

“Kool-aid, Kool-aid taste great,
Get it here at 208 . . . Meeker Street, that is!”

Undaunted by a less than enthusiastic response from the community--sales were slow--before long we were looking into expanding our menu. We negotiated with our supplier, M.O.M., and were able to add cupcakes to our menu, at a minimal expense to ourselves. As John reminded me in a recent conversation, Mom only charged us for the cost of materials and threw in the cost of production (her labor, equipment costs, cost for electricity) for free.

It was great working with such a supportive supplier who was so willing to help us meet the changing needs of our expanding market. For example, one day we had a gentleman come by the stand. We asked if he would like to purchase some Kool-aid. He said that he really didn’t want any Kool-aid, but he would take a hamburger if we had one. After a quick negotiation with Mom, we produced a hamburger for the man. Another sale saved by the quick response of our supplier!

As you can see, things did get a little out of hand, but Mom was tireless in her support, helping us to succeed, or at least, helping us to learn while trying. I don’t know how many days this enterprise went on, but it did make a lasting impression on both John and myself. Especially how Mom showed us that supporting someone’s dream often involves a little more than just cheering them on. It means getting involved to help make it happen. But that was the type of mother we had growing up and that’s the type of person she is to this day.

So, of course, I would relate that to how God is always there pulling for us to succeed. And not only that, but He supplies all of our needs. What a blessing to know a God who is for us and not against us!

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 31:8 (NKJ)

My Brother, The Hero?

Have you ever been a hero? Have you ever wondered, if given the chance, whether you could do something heroic?

Just yesterday, my brother John was having lunch with someone when the man began choking. John noticed the man in distress and asked him if he was choking. The man nodded his head. John got up, went to the man and did the Heimlich maneuver on him, and was able to dislodge the obstruction and save the man’s life.

Usually, when we think of someone as being a hero, we think of the stories of someone racing into a burning building to save a baby, at great risk to their own life. Or maybe it’s a soldier sacrificing himself by falling on a grenade to save the lives of those around him. But sometimes it only involves taking the risk that your lunch might get cold, or that someone might look at you strangely wondering, “What the heck is he doing to that guy?”

John took very little risk. Did something he already knew how to do. Was probably well able to get back to finishing his lunch before it got cold. But what made him the hero--at least in that man’s eyes, if no others--was that he did it. No one else in the restaurant moved to help. No one called for help. Not one person.

I’m a person that believes in “divine appointments”. I think that God Himself causes us to be in certain places at certain times to show us His great love for us and for others. Now John does have a free will and he didn’t have to be there. He could have missed the appointment. But, I have to believe that God knew that John was going to be there and that John would act on what he already knew how to do. He loved that man so much that He made sure there would be someone there to help. I expect God even tried to warn the man not to order the chicken! Maybe a nice bowl of soup, instead.

So as you go through your day, looking for a burning building to run into, or a live grenade lying around that you can fall on, don’t miss the obviously less sacrificial ways that you can be a hero. God will put someone in your path today just so you can be their hero. The trick is not to miss the chance and to understand that it doesn’t have to look heroic to be so, nonetheless.

The real hero, yesterday, was God--though I am mighty proud of my little brother.

To Live Without Regrets

Ever wonder what it would be like to live without regrets? To feel good about every single thing that you did, every word that you spoke, every thought that you pondered. No regrets. No looking back and thinking, “Oh, I wish I hadn’t . . . .”

I’d like to suggest that if that were ever to happen, it would only happen as a result of totally and completely surrendering every thought, word, and action to love . . . to God’s love in us.

I remember my brother telling me something a very long time ago, about the girlfriend he had at the time. He said that he had never heard her say anything bad about someone else. As I listened to her in the weeks and months that followed, I found what he said to be true. And I also noticed that when someone else began to be critical of another person, she was always quick to come to their defense with a possible reason why they had acted the way they did. I was so impressed by her example, that I determined in my heart not to ever speak badly of another person as long as I lived. Five minutes later, after failing terribly, I realized that I had a lot of work ahead of me.

Now, thirty something years later, I’m ashamed to admit that I still have so far to go. And it isn’t even like I don’t know what I need to do to make it happen. I do know.

First, I need to let God love me--accept His love, and take a good look at the way He loves me “in spite of . . . .”

Secondly, I need to love God--and in loving Him, I will want to please Him.

And then, because of my personal relationship with God, I will begin to see others as God sees them--not only as they are now, but also as He intended for them to be.

And finally, I need to bring my thoughts under control--to choose what things I allow to stay in my thoughts, because it’s not so much about not ever having a bad thought, but rather not allowing those thoughts to linger.

Seems simple enough, right? So, next time I’m tempted to say something bad about someone, I’m going to try to give them the benefit of the doubt. I’m going to try to understand that I don’t know everything about their situation. I’m going to try to slow down enough to realize that I don’t know what battles they are fighting. I’m going to try to look for their potential. I’m going to try to realize that they probably just need some love and understanding, and that it isn’t always easy to find it in our world. And I’m not going to later regret what I thought, said, or did.

Well, at least I’m going to try. How about you?

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God . . . .” 1 John 4:7a (NKJ)

Amazing Love

Sometimes I am amazed at a person’s ability to love someone . . .
. . . even when that someone is not likable.

Sometimes I am amazed at a person’s response to being loved . . .
. . . how it can melt away years of hardness or pain.

Sometimes I am amazed by how someone expresses love for me . . .
. . . and it catches me by surprise.

Sometimes I am amazed by how much I feel love for someone else . . .
. . . to the point that I am overwhelmed by it.

Sometimes I am amazed at how God loves me . . .
. . . even as messed up as I am.

Sometimes I am amazed that so many people don’t understand . . .
. . . that love is not necessarily something you feel . . .
. . . but it is always something you do.

Maybe we should all take a moment to thank someone who has loved us.

After all, they didn’t have to do it.

Maybe we should all take a moment to love someone who needs it.

After all, the Bible tells us,

"Love never fails.” I Corinthians 13:8 (NKJ)

(I'd love to hear your story about amazing love. Just click on comments and share a little love.)

At Rest

This is a picture of my newest grandson, Jack.

Jack is a very peaceful baby.

Jack doesn’t worry about a lot of things. He doesn’t wonder where his next meal is coming from or how he is going to be able to afford to put gas in the car. He has already learned, in the short few weeks that he’s been here, that if he needs something, his mommy or his daddy, or someone who loves him, is going to make sure that he gets it.

He might not get it as quickly as he thinks he should, but he’s going to get it. All he has to do is ask . . . well, cry, and he’ll get what he needs, and be well satisfied, and taken care of, and loved.

I cried to the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
Psalms 3:4 (NKJ)

As you can see in this picture of my grandson, Jack is at rest. He's trusting in his mommy and daddy. How much more should we be at rest, trusting in our Heavenly Father?

Be anxious for nothing . . . let your requests be made known to God.

Phillipians 4:6 (NKJ)