A New Year's resolution to Let It Go!

I heard this week about one of our faithful and committed individuals at church. Our pastor discovered that he is still harboring hurt from a confrontation with an individual who had happened to be the pastor at the time in his northern congregation, a congregation that he left nearly 40 years ago. Our pastor was speaking with him about joining, but out of fear that this former pastor would write something negative about him he hasn’t joined another church since leaving his northern home church so many years ago. In truth he is being held an emotional prisoner by that former pastor and the pain of that confrontation.

In 2006 Bishop T. D. Jakes, senior pastor of The Potter’s House in Dallas, TX and one of all time favorite preachers, wrote a small article entitled, “Let It Go.” The only editing I have done is to remove the references to 2006. What he shared then is applicable as we head into 2011.

“Let it go” By T. D. Jakes

There are people who can walk away from you.

And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.

When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.

The Bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go.

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead.

You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I' m faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was ever intended for your life, then you need to... LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains... LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth... LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you... LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge... LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction... LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents... LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude... LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better... LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him... LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship... LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves... LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed... LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to... LET IT GO!!!

Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing!!! LET IT GO!!!

Get Right or Get Left... think about it, and then... LET IT GO!!!

BE BLESSED BY THE BEST!!!!

Not a bad resolution for 2011 … simply to LET IT GO!

Quote for today: We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Reflection on The Lord's Prayer

While serving my first church I came away one Sunday disturbed that the congregation was just going through the ritualistic process of praying The Lord’s Prayer with very little thought or feeling … so, I determined that we wouldn’t pray the prayer again until someone mentioned that they missed it. Interesting experiment. A lady came up to me about 5 months later saying, “I’m really upset with you pastor.” “Why,” I asked. “Well, we didn’t pray The Lord’s Prayer this morning,” she declared. “Really, you just now missed it?” I said. “Because we haven’t prayed it for the last 5 months.” She looked at me with astonishment and shared, as she walked away, “Well, maybe I need to be more thoughtful in my spiritual walk.”

Here is a made up dialogue that can cause some contemplation concerning the sincerity of praying The Lord’s Prayer …

THE LORDS PRAYER
In a two part dialogue between the prayer and GOD (in Italics) in response.

Our Father Who Art In Heaven.

Yes?

Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.

But -- you called ME!

Called You? No, I didn't call You. I'm praying. Our Father who art in Heaven.

There -- you did it again!

Did what?

Called ME. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven." Well, here I am. What’s on your mind?

But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.

Well, all right. Go on.

Okay, Hallowed be Thy name.

Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?

By what?

By "Hallowed be thy name"?

It means, it means. . . good grief, I don't know what it means. How in the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?

It means honored, holy, wonderful.

Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before.

Thanks.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Do you really mean that?

Sure, why not?

What are you doing about it?

Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if You got control of everything down here like You have up there. We're kind of in a mess down here, you know.

Yes, I know, but have I got control of you?

Well, I go to church.

That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money -- on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?

Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!

Excuse ME. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. . . like you. . . for example.

Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that You mention it, I could probably name some others.

So could I.

I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free.

Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together -- You and ME. I'm proud of You.

Look, Lord, if You don't mind, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. Give us this day, our daily bread.

You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.

Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden You break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.

Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for. Remember, you called ME -- and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep praying.

(pause)

Well, go on.

I'm scared to.

Scared? Of what?

I know what You'll say.

Try ME.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

What about Ann?

See? I knew it! I knew You would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!

But -- your prayer --What about your prayer?

I didn't mean it.

Well, at least you're honest. But it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness and resentment isn't it?

Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy, have I got some plans for her. She'll wish she had never been born.

No, you won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. You know how unhappy you are -- well, I can change that.

You can? How?

Forgive Ann. Then, I'll forgive you; And the hate and the sin, will be Ann's problem -- not yours. You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned.

Oh, you know, You're right. You always are. And more than I want revenge, I want to be right with You. . (sigh). All right . . . all right . . . I forgive her.

There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?

Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven't been getting much rest, you know.

Yeah, I know. But, you're not through with your prayer are you? Go on.

Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.

What do You mean by that?

You know what I mean.

Yeah. I know.

Okay. Go ahead. Finish your prayer.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Do you know what would bring me glory --What would really make me happy?

No, but I'd like to know. I want to please You now. I've really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow You. I can see now how great that would be. So, tell me . . . how do I make You happy?

YOU just did.

Quote for today: When thou prayest, rather let thy heart be without words than thy words without heart. ~John Bunyon

On re-gifting

Well, it has happened again. I’m not really surprised because this isn’t the first time. I agreed to be a part of a “Secret Santa” exchange with a group of individuals that I really don’t know and who really don’t know me. Fortunately, I picked a person that I did know and so I could purchase a gift, under $10, that I thought that he would enjoy.

Unfortunately, the person that picked my name just went to the store and purchased a generic male gift. Now I have something sitting in my closet waiting for the opportunity to be re-gifted. Yes, that’s right, I re-gift. And, if you are honest with yourself, so have you. Not all the time, but there are occasions here and there when something has come into our possession that really cannot be used and appreciated … and so, instead of asking for a receipt so you can return it or taking it to Goodwill or just throwing it away, it becomes a part of the re-gifting box.

This doesn’t happen often and hasn’t happened in sometime, but the minute that I unwrapped my gift from my “Secret Santa” I knew that I would never use it … but I knew someone who could and would. In fact, it will become one his stocking stuffer for next Christmas.

I believe that re-gifting has gotten a bad name in recent years. It sounds tacky, but it is a creative way to “use” those unusable gifts. The first time that I re-gifted wasn’t really that long ago. We were given a set of uniquely decorated glasses. In the store we wouldn’t have given them a second look, but they came into our possession as a hostess gift. We thanked the giver and later put them away in one of the extra closets wondering what we were going to do with them.

Our solution was quickly solved. In a Bible share group we participated in I noticed that the decor of our host and hostess was an exact match to our new set of glasses … and they hosted an annual Super Bowl Party. We usually took them a box of candy as a hostess gift, but not this next time. Out of the closet the glasses came, rewrapped and taken with us to the party. Later we were told that they were exactly what they had been looking for, but couldn’t find. There they were on the counter for all of us to use as we shared the evening snacks and munchies.

When you think about it we are actually directed to re-gift the precious gift we received in Jesus Christ. Actually we are told to give it away … often … to as many people we can … to share the Good News with others … to “re-gift” so to speak. So, don’t put your faith in a closet somewhere or in an empty dresser drawer only to be brought out on certain occasions when the “giver” is coming by to visit or when you think that it won’t offend someone (like when you are around other believers) … re-gift the faith and the relationship. Besides it just might be something that the other individual has been “looking for something exactly like it.” You never know!

Quote for today: An American Express survey about Christmas gifts found that the fruitcake was chosen most often (31%) from a list of "worst" holiday gifts. It even finished ahead of "no gift at all." When asked how to dispose of a bad gift, 30% would hide it in the closet, 21% would return it, and 19% would give it away. This suggests that the Christmas fruitcake might get recycled as a gift for the host of New Year's party. ~Resource

God's return policy

Yesterday was our turn to join the crowds returning certain Christmas gifts. We actually didn’t have many … there were 3 to return and one to exchange … not bad. It helped that we had all the receipts … no hassle … no “reason for returning” questions … just a simple, quick and painless process … a quick in-and-out.

I do have to admit that I am amazed at the variety of return policies. Some are limited as to when you can return an item, usually 90 days and only if you have a receipt. One store in particular, Best Buy, charges a 15% restocking fee … we don’t shop there any longer.

Remember, I’m a part of an older generation who remembers an old department store by the name of Montgomery Wards. They would take back any item period … and I mean any item, it didn’t matter if they sold a particular item or not. Maybe that is why they are not around any longer, but I doubt it. It was an era where the customer was king. The customer was more important than the store policy.

It was during this era that while Sears wouldn’t take back just any item, their service department would help you locate which department store sold the item that you were seeking to return. People went out of their way to assist you. They wanted your business. They cared about what you thought of them and the company they worked for. Times have changed.

I’m glad that God has a no limit return policy, aren’t you. It doesn’t matter how damaged the “merchandise” (you and me) is God will always take us back … fixes the damage and then return us to active service. There isn’t a restocking fee accept a desire to be forgiven. There isn’t a 90-day time period and we do not need to have a receipt. God is always open 24/7 ready to receive us. He never asks us why, although it probably would be helpful for us to do some personal reflection as to why we wandered away from God in the process of our living and God does care, but he already knows the reason.

Within the Kingdom of God we are always important. God wants to know what we think, how we feel, what we are doing, In God’s Kingdom the “customer” is most important. And, while we cannot be king so to speak, since his Kingdom can only have one King and we got into trouble when we tried to usurp his authority in the first place, nevertheless we are important … most important. The entire event that we just celebrated along with the Calvary and resurrection events, to be celebrated in the next few months, are totally for our benefit. We are that important to the Creator of the Universe.

The King’s policy is to take us back, fix us up and love us into becoming what we were created to become … that is worth celebrating … that is reason enough to string up a few lights, bake a few cookies, act a little crazy, hug as many people as you, sing a few carols, drive through a snow storm, spend a little money … it is a celebration worth having!

Quote for today: Author Leo Buscaglia tells this story about his mother and their "misery dinner." It was the night after his father came home and said it looked as if he would have to go into bankruptcy because his partner had absconded with their firm's funds. His mother went out and sold some jewelry to buy food for a sumptuous feast. Other members of the family scolded her for it. But she told them that "the time for joy is now, when we need it most, not next week." Her courageous act rallied the family. ~Christopher News Notes

The light has come into our dark world

Another Christmas and New Years Eve tradition …

When I was a young teenager I delivered the Miami Herald. It was the early to mid 1950s. Streetlights were rather spread apart which resulted in some interesting dark shadows. Most of them had become familiar to me, but every now and again something different would appear and it would cause me to pause, my heart stopping as my breath would be taken away. There were a number of late night bars along 36th street with some rather frightening characters. The police often patrol the area because strange things did happen. Most of the night sounds were taken in stride, but again there were times when strange sounds would happen, my skin with become nothing but goose bumps. I was always glad when I finished throwing the morning paper on certain streets along my route.

But all of that changed on Christmas and New Years Eve because the various people along the route that had outside decorations would leave them on all night. The darkness of night was lit up, the shadows were gone and the causes of those strange noises were easily identified. Besides it sure made for a pretty sight so early in the morning.

Light of the world, we hail thee,
Flooding the eastern skies;
Never shall darkness veil thee
Again from human eyes;
You long, alas, withholden,
Now spread from shore to shore;
They light, so glad and golden,
Shall set on earth no more.

The light of the world has come into our darkened world. There is nothing to be afraid of … no strangers, no noises … nothing that goes bump in the night. And so the lights are left on not only in celebration of Christ’s birth, but in recognition that in his coming our world has received a great light! It is time of celebration and of joy. Old things have passed away and all things have been made new!

Quote for today: Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light? ~Maurice Freehill

'Tis the season to be tempted

I’m beginning to believe that this season has been misnamed. Give everything that is bombarding our senses it should be called … ‘Tis the season to be tempted. If you thought stores opening at 3am on Black Friday were crazy, now there are a number of stores that are operating around the clock … and we are tempted! Then they add those ridiculous “savings” discounts of 50 to 75% off the already discounted price. No wonder that it is being reported that this is turning out to be the best Christmas season for the stores since the downturn in the market … and we are tempted!

Online merchants are sending a constant stream of bargains via e-mail to your in-box offering deep discounts with free shipping … and we are tempted!

Our homes, offices, church events, etc. have plates and plates of goodies placed just within arms reach. We know that none of that stuff is good for us, but we are tempted nevertheless. After all, what harm could just one cookie or one more little chocolate square or one more small glass of eggnog really do to us … and we are tempted.

Our television is offering up and endless number of bowl football games, college and professional basketball games, and a number of other sporting events … so it is tempting to simply find our favorite comfortable chair, kickback and relax a little. After all we have been a little stressed recently and we deserve to take it easy. And, besides the temperature outside is not too inviting to go for a walk or play a pick-up game of touch football or basketball … and we are tempted.

‘Tis the season to be tempted … there are special programs at church, but the good old television is offering up some of our favorite season specials like the Charlie Brown Christmas or the Miracle on 34th Street or the Wizard of Oz and we try never to miss seeing them when they are on. Watching them is just a part of our Christmas traditions … and we are tempted. Plus, there are a couple of new offerings at the local movie theatre that we are just dying to see … and we are tempted.

With the temperature being so low it is tempting to simply turn off the alarm, rollover, pull up the warm covers and stay in bed another hour or two. Thus, we put off doing that chore that has already been put off previously two or three times … it is just so tempting.

At least, my friends, this is MY list of bad temptations that I continue to struggle with every day during this season of temptations. I don’t have an answer of how to successfully deal with them, but I just thought if I spread the guilt around a little it would relieve my personal burden.

Do you have any suggestions? I’m a little tired of singing the old gospel hymn, “Yield not to temptation for yielding is sin …” besides it isn’t working. Have you discovered something that does work?

Quote for today: Historian Shelby Foote tells of a soldier who was wounded at the battle of Shiloh during the American Civil War and was ordered to go to the rear. The fighting was fierce and within minutes he returned to his commanding officer. "Captain, give me a gun!" he shouted. "This fight ain't got any rear!" ~Daily Walk

I'll be home for Christmas

G. K. Chesterton, the noted British poet and theologian, was a brilliant man who could think deep thoughts and express them well. However, he was also extremely absent-minded and over the years he became rather notorious for getting lost. He would just absolutely forget where he was supposed to be and what he was supposed to be doing. On one such occasion, he sent a telegram to his wife which carried these words: "Honey, seems I'm lost again. Presently, I am at Market Harborough. Where ought I to be?" As only a spouse could say it, she telegraphed back a one-word reply "HOME!"

There is something special about that word … Home. It is a place of safety, warmth and comfort. The smells are familiar to us. The people there know us with all of our faults and they still love us. As the old saying goes, “home is where the heart is.” And as the Christmas song states, “I’ll be home for Christmas if only in my heart.”

So one of my counted blessings this Christmas season is my home. It has taken me longer this time to become comfortable in our house … I’m not quite there, but I’m working on it. It really helps to have the familiar Christmas decorations surrounding me. It is also a blessing to know that our daughters have a home in which they are comfortable and are discovering happiness in life.

Sometimes we can get lost … even in our own home. We simply forget how to live. Oh, our bodies are at rest, the surroundings are familiar, and our stuff is scattered about, but our heart simply gets lost in the process. We go through the motions, moving from one day to the next. There seems to be a disconnect between our mind and our heart, our spirit. Nothing, or very little, makes any real sense.

It is at these times that I have found it necessary to check my spiritual compass. Nearly every time my directional needle is pointing in the wrong direction. It doesn’t take much to get us off course and only a fraction of a degree in one direction or another can bring about disastrous results.

We all know what we are supposed to do to remain on course – prayer, Bible reading, meditation, etc. At best I run hot and cold in these spiritual disciplines and it usually takes the sense of that disconnect between mind and heart to bring me back. The message of Christmas that his name is Emmanuel, God with us is extremely helpful. If God is with me then I am not lost and wherever we are together is home!

Quote for today: A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams. ~source unknown