Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Cor 5:17

May we offer a unique look at three different kinds of birthdays?  One doesn’t need to go too far to understand how sensitive that topic may be for some of us.  So, our first order of business is to remove all obstacles or sense of threat. Those who choose not to celebrate or acknowledge birthdays can still qualify to benefit from this message of hope. Whether you decide to or not will remain entirely in your control. All I ask is a chance to share a perspective from the heart.  Ready?

By calendar, we have a son who celebrated his 45th birthday on April 1 (no fooling) and a granddaughter who will celebrate her sweet 16^th this coming September 4^th.  They provide personal, yet simple examples of our first birthday category.  It also helps to make sure not to come across as pandering for a birthday gift for me. If you are still with me, then let’s go to the second kind of birthday…

All of us have given birth to a new or creative idea. Think of all the amazing projects you have accomplished. As with a natural birth, great concepts, plans, or projects originate with a seed thought that germinates and develops accordingly.  After reading this message, you’ll see a link at the bottom that sends you to a celebrated website that was born five years ago. While my heart’s desire is that you would be happy with it, I realize your thoughts about this “young baby” are entirely yours. Still there? Then please get ready for the third and most precious kind of birthday–one that comes with an undeserved gift!…

A few months ago marked twenty-one years since I stood before the Pacific Ocean and asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart as Lord and Savior of my life. For me, February 12, 2019 was my heart-felt birthday–the day I was born as a spiritual child into the Kingdom of God. Where is the gift in all this? In John 3:16, the Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Our gift is fully captured in God demonstrating His love for each of us by sending His Son to die on the cross for our sin. As an upcoming 73-year-old and former self-proclaimed atheist, I testify to you that I received this undeserved gift of new life on February 12, 1998.  If you haven’t already, you can receive it too. May God show Himself to you as the giver of all life and help you to choose to be spiritually reborn His way. (John Chapter 3 really explains this well.) What a joy it is to be able to send a message that has so much potential! Just imagine the sound in Heaven when the full chorus of angels have the opportunity to sing “Happy Birthday” on your behalf…

 Jn 3:6; 2 Cor 5:21; Rom 8:9-10; 1 Pet 1:23; Jn 1:13; 1 Pet 1:3

http://www.Lift-in-Love.org

Editor’s Note: I once heard a preacher say (leaving out the birthday of ideas and dreams) the following. “If you are born once, you’ll die twice; however, if you are born twice, you’ll die once.” Praise the Mighty King!

“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

Time is never deterred, it simply marches on.  Like years before it, 2018 has taken a bow and left the stage.  2019 has opened its fresh curtain with life’s anticipated dreams, trials, and serious challenges to surely be part of the scene.  As we focus on another “new beginning” with all the resolutions we’ll be tempted to make, may we take this opportunity to share with you our renewed resolve regarding our weekly Message of Hope.

We know that without air, water, or food it’s only a matter of time before our life would also come to an end. Even with a flow of fresh air and abundance of water and food, a wholesome lifestyle remains as an incredible challenge. Among many other critical necessities, we all need cheerleading and wisdom to help us fight the good fight along the way. In that truth and in the spirit of humility, we believe we’re in this hopeful service to make a positive contribution.

Our commitment for the coming year also recognizes that any personal experience, emotional appeal, or higher-level thought on our part regarding anything hopeful would have a limited effect and soon fizzle. So where do we purpose to go for a credible blueprint; a fail-safe source that has an inherent cheerleading, wisdom, and a persevering influence? Once again, we choose to go to what some have called the Ultimate Owner’s Manual or God’s Living Will. More simply… The Bible!

We promise that our Message of Hope will always rely upon what God says. Take this awesome scripture in Psalm 71: (14-15) as today’s example: “But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.” 

So in preparation for 2019, please anticipate with us as we find ourselves declaring with a joyful confidence, “2019 will be extraordinary because we’ll be about Our Father’s Business.”  How’s that for a timely Message of Hope and willing expectation for a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ps 23:5-6; 1 Tim 6:12; Ps 5:3; Phil 3:13-14; 1 Cor 10:31; Neh 8:10; Luke 2:41-52

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

My purpose was to purchase a couple of posters at the local Lighthouse Christian Bookstore. I went in with that intention. I came out with far more.

During my “shopping time”, a man stopped to address me by saying, “You’re Steve Bouley, right?”   I moved closer to shake hands with Larry Avila, a cross-town baseball and softball competitor from high school days and beyond.  He needed to dominate the conversation because sadly, I didn’t remember him at all.  He said such uplifting things about my talent as a player back then that I wondered if he was really talking about me. In any case, I could feel my hat size growing. He humbled himself when it was his turn to speak of his “positions”during those years, but I did manage to get this – he must have been pretty good too!  After the jock talk, we got to know who we had become.

I got to meet (really for the first time) Pastor Lawrence (Larry) Avila, ordained minister of a Non-Denominational Church in New Bedford, MA.  He got to meet Steven Bouley, retired New Bedford Public School teacher, now working as a varied volunteer at Seekonk Christian Academy. One could say we did more than a quiet and orderly dance in the flesh as we discovered our connection as Christian brothers.  One pleasantry led to another and we concluded with the exchange of phone numbers. Finally, off we went – he with his bag of goodies and me with my posters.

From that introductory time, nearly twenty years ago, Pastor Larry and I have become close friends  and have functioned as teammates in a variety of ministry activities – Players For Christ, if you will. 

We’ve meshed to live for the honor and glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For us now, a uniform for Christ is better than any winning home run-ever hit- in any seventh game- of any world series.  Wherever he leads us to play, we’ll go -knowing that victory in Christ is assured – something neither of us ever experienced as former athletes.

We have a guaranteed future of victory in this Spiritual Biggest League of Life.  Why? Because God says so:

• He chose us to play. John15:16
• We’re born again as His Heavenly rookies. 2 Cor 5:17
• His Holy Spirit is our new power source. 1 Cor 6:19
• We’re being transformed in the likeness of the Biggest League’s best player, Jesus Christ, God’s Son. 2 Cor3:18
• We step to the life plate as playing Ambassadors of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 5:20

As for the trip to the Lighthouse Christian Bookstore – That was for two willing rookies in Christ to stop by a dugout-like structure to become enlightened to eventually go to bat – together-as Players for Christ.  Come to find out,we may have had the bags and posters, but we were the ones being shopped — by God,the Owner of all franchises!

Col 3:23-24; 1 Cor 9: 24-27; Deut 31:6; 2 Tim 4:7; Heb 12:1; Ecc 9:10

We have a guaranteed future of victory in this Spiritual Big League of Life.  Why? because God says

May this message inspire you to visit http://www.lift-in-love.org/ for full details, project locations, forms, sponsors, and much more! 

Sufficient finances are necessary to establish or sustain a thriving, enduring, and successful operation.  Two special Christian-based ministries in the New Bedford, MA area, the Salvation Army and Mobile Ministries fit into this category.  Their general mission is to serve others, transform broken lives, and generate real hope.  Their financial need has inspired a group of us to come along side to help.  There are many approaches to raising funds.  Our team, called Lift-in-Love, will once again partake in a fund-raising instrument called a Serve-A-Thon.

While others choose approaches like walk-a-thons and bike-a-thons, a Serve-A-Thon is a proven fun-raising, fund-raising, friend-raising investment on the part of those who participate.  Choose one of the five Lift-in-Love service projects or initiate a service that you can perform on the Serve-A-Thon date of September 8, 2018.  Here is a quick four step guide toward understanding how it works.

1. Fill out a Sponsor Pledge Sheet that lists the location, service activity, hours you plan to serve, your name (Server) address, and phone number.  Available on line or at the Salvation Amy (619 Purchase Street in New Bedford).
2. Find Sponsors who would be willing to pledge money for your service.  Have the sponsors fill out a line on the pledge sheet.  Thank and collect from people (at this time) who are willing to trust you to complete your service.  Money must be returned if your service is not performed.
3. Perform your service during the time promised.
4. Collect your remaining pledges from your sponsors.  You must turn in all collected money and sponsor sheets to the Salvation Army on or before September 15, 2018.

Beyond the Lift-in-Love projects, we are unlimited as to what service one could choose:  Singing to someone, entertaining somehow, organizing something, cleaning something, improving something, saving something, or moving something only begin the possibilities.

Places and where people gather to serve might include shorelines, parks, group homes, nursing homes, private homes, nature trails, bike paths, homeless shelters, hospitals, schools, libraries, or other special needs establishments.

Potential sponsors are family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, businesses, corporations, people you have sponsored in the past, friends of friends, or yourself.

A couple of sponsoring examples: 1) I volunteer to paint at the Wilks Library in New Bedford for 5 hours. I get 6 people to sponsor me for $2.00 per hour.  My grand total would be $60.00 (5 hours x $2.00 x 6 sponsors) 2) I get permission to read to senior citizens at a nursing home.  I get 15 people to sponsor me for 2 hours at $4.00 per hour, 3 people to sponsor me for 1 hour at $5.00 per hour and 1 person to sponsor me for 1 hour at $10.00 per hour.  My total after collecting would be $145.00 for 2 hours of serving.

The place and number of hours you serve are up to you.  The funds raised depend upon the number of sponsors you find.  Be sure to get permission from the service location if it’s required.  We encourage youngsters to participate, but advise parents or guardians to monitor all sponsoring contacts because safety and integrity are primary concerns beyond raising money for a good cause.

Family and friends, please note that it takes committed, competent, and honest work on the part of participants for any Serve-A-Thon to be truly fruitful. It was the philosopher, Socrates, who said “Know thy self”; it was the psychologist, Sigmund, Freud who said, “Be thyself”; but it was Jesus Christ, who said to His followers and believers, “GIVE THYSELF.” Now that sounds like something that will work!

How can you serve too? Please call 508 264-8211 or 508 998-1120 and we’ll sign you up!!

When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them because they were hurting and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Matt 9:36

Improving our effort to help fund and support the Salvation Army and Mobile Ministries and making a positive contribution in the Greater New Bedford area, is our Lift-in-Love team goal for 2018.  For the past three years, we have conducted a Serve-A-Thon on the second Saturday in the month of September.  Over $102,000 has been raised, and interestingly, there were no overhead costs, and all monies raised went directly to the two ministries.

Here is a brief review of past Serve-A-Thons, where individuals and businesses financially sponsor people to serve/work at specific locations in our general community.  A veteran and historic park have been beautified in Fairhaven; A senior center recreation hall and a 970 ft. wooden fence were freshly painted in New Bedford; Clothes and toys were sorted at Gifts-to-Give in Acushnet; A variety of crops were harvested at the YMCA farm in Dartmouth.

Along with these community service projects, other innovative fund-raising activities, we call our Treasure Chest Projects, have taken place:  Among them were quality talent shows in New Bedford, lengthy round – trip bike rides, a yard and antique sale, an airplane parachute jump, a pogo stick skit, and other individual and fitness efforts.

This year’s Serve-A-Thon is scheduled for Saturday, September 8, 2018.  A number of organizational and public orientation meetings will be held at the Salvation Army facility at 619 Purchase Street, in New Bedford beginning on the second Monday in April from 6-8 PM.  Those interested in learning more are welcome to attend.  Other information can be found on our web page: www.lift-in-love.org or on our Lift-in-Love Facebook Page.

What’s New and Exciting This Year? At our first Salvation Army/Mobile Ministries meeting for this year, we immediately began to focus on how our team can continue to do something good for others in need and how we can recruit fresh volunteers to help us.  Hidden in casual conversation was a powerful association that inspired our direction for this year’s 4th Annual Serve-A-Thon.   The weighty word Shield, an apt description of the Salvation Army’s logo, was mentioned.   From that, Shield was qualified with Family to create — “Family Shield”; the idea of a tightly knit group; one where determined members lend a hand to form a family team to defend and come along side others under life’s negative siege.  We’re excited about the potential the Family Shield motivator will have in helping us to grow into a more effective community service. Please read the reference scriptures below that undergird our effort and highlight our call to tend to the poor.

Eph 6:16; Psalm 18:2; Prov 19:7; 1 John 3:17; Luke 14:12-14; Acts 20:35; 2 Cor 9:7

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Ecclesiastes 4:9

Few would argue the merits of attending conferences for professional development or some other personal  improvement.  The fact my wife and I will be attending our 11th FamilyLife Weekend To Remember Marriage Conference in Newport, Rhode Island in early April, however, may strike a different response. In our “modern” culture, little encouragement can be found regarding the institution of marriage.  In fact, in far too many places, there is a heavy bent on twisting, mocking, and redefining the traditional idea of marriage.

We frequent FamilyLife marriage conferences so often because we are reminded of what marriage is from a godly perspective.  To review that Cynthia and I are different by divine design and made to complement rather than compete with each other always brings us lively hope.  We get to confirm we are not enemies but God’s frontline connection (in His order) to live and positively affect other people’s lives, especially in our own blended family.

Every conference we’ve attended has selected couples or an individual who make presentations over the weekend.  They effectively share their life’s journey, including major struggles in their resolve to make it in their respective marriages. Their testimonies of daunting challenges always encourage us deeply and brings a comforting reality that we’re in this battle together.  At some level, it seems like we’re marital rookies in awe of proven veterans.  The speakers, however, never come to hover above us in some majestic lecturing pattern, but to gently land down beside us to reveal their desire to help, develop and inspire us.

In these gatherings, we witness that it doesn’t matter if people were there who had been married for fifty years without a fight or were married for fifteen minutes of all out war.  The firm belief is — Marriage is God’s idea, and His promise is to provide the provision to go along with it.  In the struggle of the marital union is where God’s beautiful friction for learning and growth resides.  The key is not to quit.  We learn anew that God radically loves us, generously forgives us, and enthusiastically encourages us.

Family and friends, we have nothing against attending conferences for professional development or other personal improvements.  Our purpose here in today’s message is to promote a weekend environment where living, laughing, loving and learning about marriage from God’s point of view is the focus.

We know that as a couple, Cynthia and I still have a long way to go.  It’s when our children, spouses, and twelve grandchildren come to mind, that a godly resolve to continue activates.  We’re grateful to FamilyLife’s Ministry and their Marriage Conferences that provide help for today and hope for  tomorrow.  Our 11th conference can’t come soon enough!

Gen 1-3; Eph 4-6; 1 Cor 13; Col 3: 12-17

How can we warm others if we have no fire in our own heart? 

“Weather” we like it or not, winter is here in the Northeast.  The cold seems determined to stay and snow continues to visit and pile up.  The voice of spring seems too distant to be heard. As I drive around during this season, I’ve noticed many of the roadways have taken a real beating. With all the salting, sanding, and plowing that’s necessary to get us through this winter, some serious restoration and maintenance will be necessary.  There is no doubt….If my car had a mind of it’s own, I believe it would vote to sit in my driveway rather than be subjected to the holes, bumps, and potholes of merely going somewhere.

If we’re not careful, our attitude can be similar to my imagined car.  Our way gets unflavored, people get abrasive (even the ones we’re closest to), and we literally get plowed over by the challenges of merely living.  When storms and conditions of life come our way, sometimes it seems safer and wiser to park ourselves or even go in reverse rather than drive forward.  Fortunately, friends, we are vastly different than any fantasized car with a mind of its own that chooses to simply park.  This hopeful difference is what we’d like to focus on today.

A car can’t think, discern, make good judgments or act on its own… and guess what?.. We can!   We are aware that no one lives life without trials, storms, pot holes and changing seasons.  As a kind of vehicle, we are designed with purpose and potential, and powerfully equipped with marvelous mental, emotional, social, economic, and spiritual capacities.  For us, it is possible to go the right way, do the right thing, avoid pitfalls, overcome roadblocks, and do it in a timely manner.  So….

Let’s get ready to move forward this week with the right perspective; in a spirit of hope and victory, eliminating any consideration to vote for the parking space of fear.  Let’s put these three essential things in mind (under our hood).  1. We’ll move in the right direction avoiding as many pot holes as we can  2. We’ll maintain ourselves along the way by keeping clean of poorly flavored thoughts, abrasive relationships, and by appreciating and protecting the assets we already have and 3.  We’ll equip ourselves with a plow of encouragement, both for ourselves and for others…so the fear in traveling alone is never an option.

Off we go, family and friends!  Rev up our engines—winter is here and spring may not be immediate but there’s a season of hope ahead for us this week. There isn’t a pothole we can’t avoid, a situation we can’t improve, a person we can’t forgive, and a life we can’t be grateful to live.

Psalm 118:24

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  2Cor 3:17

There is an old story worth repeating because it’s so simple, yet profoundly true.  If you don’t mind, I’d like to paraphrase the story a bit, but keep the same direct message.  May it shed light and bring us an additional charge needed for our coming week.   Here goes….

There are two prisoners – sharing the same small cell.  It’s an old fashion jail, with no light except what came through a tiny window about three feet above their eye level.  One of them saw the bars – the obvious ugly, metal reminders of reality.  From day to day he grew increasingly discouraged, bitter, angry and hopeless.  By contrast, the other inmate looked through the window to the stars beyond.  Hope welled up in that prisoner as he began to think of the possibility of starting a new life in freedom.

The prisoners were looking at the same window, but one saw bars while the other saw stars.  One saw punishment and judgment, while the other saw the mercy of a second chance.  The difference in their vision made a huge difference in their attitude and will to persevere.

Unfortunately, some folks who read this message will be literally locked up and serving time as inmates. Others, though free and “living on the outside”, will be locked-up and serving time, in overwhelming challenges and incarcerating circumstances.  Fortunately, for all of us, we can make a choice to change and grow.  Whoever and wherever we may be, let’s make a conscious decision today that we will look beyond the dark despair of our problems and challenges to The Star of hopeful solutions.

Let’s call upon the One the Bible notes as Light Himself; the Creator of all, the Liberator of our sins, the Lover of our soul, and the eternal Rewarder from above:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please fill our life, our circumstances, and our hearts in particular with Your purpose, Your vision, Your strength, Your hope, Your cheer and Your love. Help us to walk in courageous obedience to Your will through the power of Your Holy Spirit. We thank You, and in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

 Prov 13:12; Rom 15:13; Rom 8:28; 1 Thes 5:18

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. Ecc. 4:9

The Star Thrower, written by Loren Eisley in the late 1970’s, is one of my favorite inspirational stories. It has been used by many motivational speakers and writers. In today’s message, may we visit that story again; this time with a modified version of our own-one we believe opens us to an even greater perspective.

A tropical storm caused millions of star fish to wash up onto a local beach.  A wise man who lived in the area was one of the first on the scene.  With star fish littered on the beach for as far as his eye could see, he noticed a young woman on the beach and in their midst.  She was picking up individual star fish and tossing them back into the ocean.  The gentleman approached her and said, “What are you doing?”  She said, “I’m throwing star fish back into the sea.”  He said, “Your effort won’t make a difference, there’s too many of them.”  Her humble reply, “It will for the ones I throw back.”  We have been satisfied with the moral of this story… until now.

May we be bold enough to suggest there is room for the impact of the story to get even better?  If we can learn from a kind and focused individual’s effort, then what about this:  Suppose the young lady replied in the same powerful way, but with an extended opportunity for the wise gentleman on the scene to grow as well. — “It will for the ones I throw back, sir, and if you would help me, we can make a greater difference together.”

For those of us claiming to be children of God, followers of Christ, and led by His Spirit, our inner desire must include the need to cooperate and grow with people in a way we may have missed in our past.  Working together for something decent and living for the exceptional (not the exception) seems too good for us not to pursue.  So, as we walk our individual beaches, let’s stay open to the wisdom of God and His invitation of cooperative star fishing and the possibility of making a more wholesome difference!

Let God’s rich blessings this week include helping us to see there is life abundant in glorifying Him and blending with each other as His laborers. In this regard, Matthew 18:20 stands us at attention.  It says, “For where any two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Family and friends, have a great week! May the real Star participate in your higher quests and provide you with His cooperating power to carry it out!

Amos 3:3; Psalm 133; John 17; Romans 8:28

Editor’s Note:  What possibilities exist when we work together to accomplish the Lord’s business!!

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Prov 27:17

The term “Man Cave” has popped up several times lately.  As a matter of fact, a friend who visits weekly coined my basement area as our “Man Cave”.  I don’t know about you, but unless a clear picture is drawn about his intended meaning of “Man Cave,” imaginations could run wilder than wild.

Without going into Freddie Flintstone details, the guys who came over last night to abide in our “Man Cave” all have past resumes glowing in some type of Stone Age behavior (me too).  When  a contractor, a paint supply salesman, a ferry boat worker, a custodian, a former fisherman, a graphic designer, a retired steel worker and a Real Estate agent get together to socialize, who among us can limit how goofy or “boys will be boys” we could act?  Well, in our case, the past really is the past. Now, as we fellowship, there is a seriousness of purpose; spiced with child-like anticipation rather than random childishness.

As each man came into my home last night to head down into our “Man Cave,” not one brought liquor, not one brought any scratch tickets, not one brought any smoking material, not one brought any girly magazines or porn movies, not one brought a custom cue stick or ping pong paddle or even a TV Guide. Every one of these “born again” men brought their study guide and Bible instead.

We spent a couple of hours together in the “Man Cave.” We prayed together, we shared the trials of living, we encouraged each other, and we researched scripture.  Amidst our desire for development, we sensed our need for each other in an iron-sharpening-iron process. The over-riding admission that we would never be perfect was powerless to prevent us from persevering to learn, grow, and seek our perfect Father’s heart in a trustworthy and grateful way.

So family and friends, there is hope for us who choose to dwell in the atmosphere of the appropriate “Man Cave.”  After all, our Lord Jesus Christ was buried in a cave-like setting. He rose from His cave so we might have real life in Him; the love-kind of life that benefits us all. If that’s not something to beat our chests about, then what is?

Have a great week!!

Phil 1:6; Prov 13:20; Ecc 4:9-10; John 15:12-15