And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Cor 9:8–NIV)

We are all uniquely designed by our Creator and live our lives at a certain speed. Just think if an objective speed gun were trained on us. At various times and circumstances, we might be subject to being ticketed for living too slowly or too quickly for our own good.

No matter what the pace of your life happens to be, please stop for a moment and read the following poem by Thomas DeWitt Talmage. If you approach these words in a relaxed and cruise-controlled attitude, any ticket you receive will be spelled BLESSING.

For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision;
But today, well lived,
Makes every yesterday
A dream of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

With that family and friends, have a blessed week!!

Ps 118:24; Ps 1:1-3; Romans 15:13; Matt 5:3-11

For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. Col 2:5

There are three types of anchors we would like to discuss today, and a fourth we encourage you to personally deploy. The first anchor we know is the heavy metal one used to stabilize boats or ships. A second type has to do with a psychological term. A “neurological anchor” is used to describe an automatic response to a particular stimulation. For example, at the sound and sight of an approaching fire truck, we are conditioned to immediately pull our vehicle over to the side of the road. The third type of anchor exists not as a material substance, or a mental reaction, but as an attitude stronghold or “happy or miserable anchor.” Here are two stories, one built on the other, to help understand the practical value of choosing to carry a “happy rather than unhappy anchor.”

Before you doze off, the first story is about my wife’s wonderful response to my snoring. Cynthia told me one morning that I had snored loudly during the previous night AND, during that time, she was so pleased. Why? Because to her, it meant I was getting a great night’s sleep! Just for the record, if she had been the “snorer” during the night, my not so happy options would have been to wake her, get up and move to another location, implant ear plugs, or submerge myself in pillows until deaf. The “happy anchor” was her perspective with regard to my snoring. The fact she was truly pleased by what people generally regard as annoying awakened me to a new reality. It didn’t end there. The next episode is where real application worked for me.

Some time later, our plan was to gear up for a bike ride down in the Cape Cod area. When I woke up and looked outside it was pouring rain. Fresh off my wife’s “happy anchor” attitude regarding my snoring, I found myself interpreting this weather condition in a far different way than I would have otherwise. Thoughts like “more drinking water,” “free lawn sprinkling, and “at least the ducks are happy”, held me firm and secure rather than annoyed with it all.

I pray that we all carry a “happy anchor” with us this week. Trust me, it worked wonders for the time I could have been knocked off course with what seemed like an unfortunate condition that soaked the plans of our day. By the way, since then the sun has shone, outdoor activity has taken place, and to set things straight, we realize that it rained because God has a more comprehensive recreational plan; one not to distress, but to bless our life abundantly. You see, the Ultimate Weather Man happens to love us.

The fourth anchor is the most enduring of all. The Bible says the hope we have in Christ is the anchor of our soul. It is believed this scripture inspired the State seal of Rhode Isand, shown here, founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a Christian minister.

So family and friends, as we move toward the port of victory this week, let’s trust the strong anchoring hold of our Lord, and enjoy the tide of hope that rises up within us.

Heb 6:19; Prov 3:5-6; Phil 4:13

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Phil 2:13

Romans 8:28 is the scripture my wife Cynthia and I have relied upon since we were married over 16 years ago. It says, “All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose.” It doesn’t say all things necessarily look or feel good; nonetheless, from God’s perspective, we believe that all things are working together for our benefit… as long as we love God and trust His word. Our choice in this is twofold: one, we can react to challenging circumstances in our lives as victims, merely complaining and surrendering as quitters; or secondly, we can see these same challenges as divine opportunities, helping us mature as thankful and hopeful problem-solvers in the name of our awesome Creator.

It’s one thing to know something deeply; it’s another to have the understanding to draw it out and to be able to apply it. Using scripture as the balanced authority, I have been talking to myself in a serious way lately and repeating this God-focused down to earth sentence–“Whether it be rain, pain or gain,” I will love, be free, and have faith in Christ. Perhaps you can personalize and meditate on a divinely focused, motivating and hopeful statement of your own.

May the following personal prayer help us further, and resound with a confident, relevant, and influential Message of Hope–a launch pad for a stronger reality and the practical truth we all need for this coming week!

Dear Father in Heaven,

I choose to celebrate a level of victory every waking moment this week. In Christ, I can do all things. With Him, all things are possible. Under Your protection, I am safe. Being about Your business is my profitable lifestyle. During my time on earth (including this week), the Lord is my Shepherd. After my temporal journey, I will spend eternity with You, my Father, in the Kingdom of Heaven. Your assurance that we can celebrate never-ending victory in Christ is a promise that is as good as it gets. I receive Your awesome gift of ultimate victory; I cherish it, I set it deep in my heart, and I commit to exercising it from this very moment–no matter what comes across my path! In Jesus’s name I obediently pray… Amen!

Family and friends, our victory is in His will. Have a great week marching in the procession of Christ’s triumphs!

2 Cor 2:14-15; 2 Cor 10:5; Rom 8:37; Gal 2:20; Phil 4:13

I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes. (Rom 1:16)

An “X” could have easily marked the spot of this troubling scene. Traffic was backed up; and tempers were about ready to blow. A team of top-flight engineers were called to the site because a boat and trailer had caused a major blockage. It was found the cargo atop the flatbed was inches too high to travel under an overpass. Despite the experts’ many sketches, theories, and calculations, the wisdom of a nearby child ultimately yielded the answer. His simple suggestion of taking the air out of the trailer’s tires was the good news that won the day.

In the face of the maddening traffic jam and battle among the social media moguls, philosophers and religious “engineers” of our day, is it possible for any of us to serve as childlike bystanders with a profound, simplifying message? On this wonderful day, I ask the Lord to help me to be that voice…

I have no qualifying papers as a theologian, religious historian, pastor, or cult leader. I’m just a bystander watching the major religions and humanist proponents battle over the genuine bridge to divine truth. There seems to be a worldwide traffic jam as to how to proceed; and tempers already are at the level of war. Spiritual and intellectual engineers equipped with “holy books”, new solutions, and even military weapons seem to be everywhere, complete with convenient sketches, self-serving theories, and varying formulas for people’s salvation. Where is the truth? Where is the solution? Where is the good news?

Just as an “X” could have marked the spot in the above example of the boat and the overpass, this bystander suggests that the cross of Christ marks the spot for every manner of faith and philosophy. When one honestly visits the cross, the seemingly complicated dilemma of finding the bridge to the truth turns simple. It is at the cross where one figures, ponders, intellectualizes, ignores, quits, or believes. Either Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, died for our sins in the most unconditional act of everlasting love and forgiveness or He didn’t. Either He rose from the grave in resurrection power or He didn’t. Either He is God and the Messiah or He isn’t. Either He is the way, the truth, and the life and the only way to the Father in heaven or He isn’t. Either He’s coming back for His church or He isn’t.

To cross under a particular bridge in an earthly setting is one thing. To come to the cross declaring that Jesus Christ is the bridge into eternity is entirely another. The heated debate that has come as the result of contending religions and secular movements is undone with the beautiful wisdom of a child. If Jesus Christ is who He says He is, then that makes Him mankind’s simple solution.

So, as the child who stood alongside the “X” at the scene of the boat and the overpass, I stand at the foot of the cross — the most troubling yet redeeming spot–and declare to the seekers of truth that Jesus Christ is the Spiritual air we need to breathe and the Good News we must believe.

John 14:6; Matt 16:16

“A God story never needs to be exaggerated.”

It’s hard to believe that my hometown’s bike trail is already fifteen years old. In all the hundreds of miles I’ve traveled on it, there is one ride I will never forget.

It was one of those first days after it opened, and I was coasting on my ten speed along this new safe way. There were other riders about, but I couldn’t help noticing this one guy ahead of me…. simply because his bike was so noisy. As I got closer, I realized he was riding an old-timer bicycle that must have been resurrected from his cellar. The hype of the new bike path had to be the motivator. As I rode along side of the man on his squeak mobile, instead of asking me for a lubricant, he surprised me when he asked me if I had a bicycle pump. I hadn’t noticed but his tires were low too. I had a hand pump but because we were so close to my home, I invited him to ride there with me to use a quality floor pump I had that would do a much better job.

After casual conversation and pumping both of his tires, we started back to the bike path. We rode along together and continued to talk in general. Soon after we headed back from the end line, the topic of God came up and he admitted spending a lot of time praying and seeking God, but somehow to no avail. One thing led to another and then I asked him if He knew Jesus as his personal Savior. He said not really, but he would like to. So after that invitation, we were simultaneously riding side by side as I was leading him to accept a Godly nature with Christ as his Lord and Savior.

As mentioned, this experience has remained the standout. It wasn’t about a casual ride, noisy joints, air for a man’s tires, or some good deed. It was about the Holy Spirit lubricating a man’s heart, lovingly removing the squeak from his soul.

What a privilege for me to be used as a moving tool by my Heavenly Father; this time in helping pedal another of his lost children to His path of righteousness and Heaven. Hallelujah!!!

John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; Psalm 16:11

The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15

You’ve heard, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish that matters.” About two weeks ago, it dawned on me that this saying (one of my personal favorites) needed further understanding and discussion. As a matter of fact, as comforting as it had always sounded, it suddenly took on a sense of concern.

My wife and I were in Vermont this past weekend. Lo and behold she showed me this quote by Carl Bard she found, thumbing through a Destination Vermont magazine. “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”

If we quickly shift gears, we can go deeper for insight, and visit the scene of the Cross at Calvary. Jesus said, “It is finished.” His job on Earth was over. He started sinless and died sinless; the only One ever to do so in perfect fashion and the only One qualified to die as the pure sacrifice for the sins of others. His miraculous resurrection from the grave still serves as the cornerstone of our Christian faith.

Let’s consider the two criminal men, also being crucified, on either side of Jesus. One started wrong and ended wrong. He mocked Christ, and chose an eternal destiny apart from Him. The second man, in the last moments of his life, repented or thought anew and accepted Christ as God. He started wrong and was ending wrong until he started from then to make a brand new ending – forgiven, saved and going to be with Christ in paradise.

We now understand more fully why John the Baptist, Apostles Paul and Peter and Jesus Himself all called for people to repent of their sinful earthly lifestyle (stop and start thinking and acting in a new Heavenly Kingdom way).

In light of their consistent message, God’s grace and mercy shines brightly. Though we cannot go back and redo our past, we can repent and be forgiven of our sinful nature, be born from above right now, and choose a brand new ending.

Family and friends, in the grandest scheme, it’s not at all about how we start or finish, or how long it takes. It’s whether we repent of our sinful nature and have Christ as our Lord and Savior that weighs eternally. When His purpose for us to personally expand His Kingdom on Earth truly begins, it’s only a matter of time when we too can boldly proclaim—It is finished!

John 3:16; 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 2:20

Final comment from a special friend:

“How you start does matter. You cannot possibly finish right if, somewhere along the way, you did not start right. The best part of God’s merciful plan for us is the “fresh start”. Your initial start might have been a rough one, but in order to finish strong, there must be a “fresh start” along the way.”

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13

Lou Holtz and Jack Easterby are two interesting and inspiring men. Lou Holtz is a high profile TV commentator and former coach of the Notre Dame Football team that won a national championship. Jack Easterby was recently hired by the New England Patriots, in a spiritual guidance capacity, and was described by someone in the Patriot organization as a Lou Holtz on steroids.

During his Notre Dame days, Lou Holtz was quoted as saying, “Do what’s right! Do the best you can and treat others the way you want to be treated, because they will ask three questions: 1) Can I trust you? 2) Do you believe in this? Are you committed to this—have a passion for this? 3) Do you care about me as a person? If the people around you can answer yes to all three of those questions, then you have a very good chance of making an impact on their lives.

Jack Easterby has a career dedicated to encouraging and motivating others to reach their full potential. In one of his presentations, he shares five things necessary to be a champion, truly excellent and a cut above the rest. He identifies the following: 1) Know the why of your life – the reason you do what you do and the passion behind it all. 2) Eliminate entitlements – Be humble, grateful and persevering, and don’t rest on laurels, past achievements or what you think you deserve. 3) Give your all, all the time; have a faithful tenaciousness! 4) Do ordinary things extraordinarily well—positive attitude in attention to duty, obligation, and details. 5) Finish what you start—full, not partial dedication gets it done.

Both of these men have fed off the greatest champion of all and to whom they give ultimate credit for their own development and conclusions – His name is Jesus Christ. Along with the rest of us who believe, Jesus wins their debate of the greatest champion and reference of all time.

What other champion has as a resume with the attribute of seeking and feeding the deepest needs of all that confess they are disoriented and lost in life? Who else fed and healed, and in Gethsemane kneeled, to earn His ultimate crown? Who else competed alone with no TV coverage until sin, Satan, the grave and death were defeated in resurrecting glory?

We can thank God for Lou Holtz and Jack Easterby. These two inspirational messengers help us integrate their insights in assessing our own personal development and conclusions:
1) Can I trust the Lord? 2) Am I committed to Him in a passionate way? 3) Do I care about Him in a personal way? 4) Do I know why I was born? 5) Am I thankful or entitled? 6) Do I give my all – all the time? 7) Do I do ordinary things in an extraordinary way? 8) Do I finish what I start?

As individuals, can we answer yes to the first three questions, and respond in a God-pleasing way to the last five? If so, then we have a Biblical assurance of a Holy-Spirited impact on and in our lives. If not, because of His amazing mercy and grace we can repent, ask for forgiveness and start afresh.

Family and friends, for all of us who personally call on His name and have His promise of eternal life, our greatest champion is our awesome God, the One and Only, Jesus Christ!

Acts 4:12; Romans 6:23; Phil 2:13; Matt 6:33, Prov 3:5-6

References:

360-Degree Leader – Dr. John Maxwell, Pg. 168.

Jack Easterby on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZn2tshx_iE

The Greatest Champion – A Poem by Jack Easterby

To Brian Pereira’s beloved wife Ingrid, his children Chistopher, Matthew, Christian, Christal and the Pereira family. I offer this tribute to Brian; the one you knew as a godly husband, wonderful dad, and family patriarch. 

———————————————

Faced with the challenge of describing Brian’s life in one word–for me–it would be SPECIAL!

There was rarely a time in my decade-plus connection with Brian Pereira that at least a hint of heaven wasn’t present. Whether it was in casual contact, or on a serious mission trip we took together to Guatemala (see photo), Brian’s status in our relationship was consistently special. His pure heart and seriousness of godly purpose would always influence our atmosphere. May I share a couple of specific experiences that will establish more clearly what I mean.

There were several times when Brian would call me out of what seemed “nowhere” to tell me that the Spirit of God prompted him to call. Invariably, I was stuck somewhere in a bad or ugly spot. Brian’s call injected what the world is missing on its own – a godly component. I learned quickly that when Brian called, it was time for me to sit and really listen. Why? Because it was clear that God chose this man as His anointed messenger to me in my time of need. When, what, and how Brian prayed always served as a confidence builder that directed me to a wholesome resolve. He seemed to supernaturally “know” what was going on in my particular situation and to assure me through his spirited words that our God and Father was on the scene.

A couple of weeks ago I went to see Brian at his home in Providence. A nurse was there and I waited in their living room until I could go in to see him. As I sat there, it dawned on me that something more was happening. The room I was in wasn’t just a mere “living room”, it was a room saturated with the Spirit of life Himself. In spite of Brian’s condition, it was my great privilege to be there. I began to read words highlighted on their living room wall and on the mountings and plaques in the room: Here is just a sample:

• Family….where life begins and love never ends.

• Friends are the flowers that bloom in life’s garden.

• Love makes a house a home.

• Dwell in Possibilities.

One plaque said:

I am not gone.

My soul lives on but in a better place

Surrounded by the light of God

In all His glory and grace.

Another read:

The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

The peak of my last visit with Brian was no different than usual. As we concluded our time together, tiring and almost incoherent, Brian prayed his heart out to God for me. It was truly an amazing and final blessing.

Even in physical departure, Brian Pereira’s specialness has not ended. I’m fully persuaded that God has welcomed Brian with a new body and personally ushered him to a heavenly mansion befitting a man who lived a sacramental life; one that honored God as His Father, one that trusted Him as his Shepherd, and one that related to Him as his closest friend

I’m so grateful for my friend, Brian’s life, his sweet memory and lasting legacy. The intimacy of his prayerful communion and the taste of Brian’s “living room” only begin to whet my appetite for when we’ll meet again. Your example of a walk of unyielding faith was extraordinary for those who knew you. I can only thank God for you, Brian.  You will always be that SPECIAL!

A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Prov 18:24

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of your life: as I was with Moses, so will I be with you. I will not fail you or forsake you. (Josh 1:5)

Our men’s group (The Cave) just finished a series called Stepping Up – A Call to Courageous Manhood, offered by Family Life Ministries. It took us through the growing and learning process of boyhood, adolescence, manhood, mentoring and becoming a patriarch. None of the dozen men involved left cheated or felt their time invested was wasted. One participant captured the essence of our experience: “The Stepping Up study has helped me to realize man’s role in God’s will and has given me some tools to help me accomplish it.”

As men of the Cave, it seems clear to us that leading and managing our personal lives in a godly way is beneficial to ourselves, our family, friends, and surrounding communities. There are so many things for us to improve, however, that only God can help us make it happen. When we take a hard look at our personal lives and all the elements involved, an overwhelming sense looms at each of our doors. How we can be successful in structuring our priorities, managing our time, controlling our emotions, organizing our thoughts, words, and actions, tending to our energy supply, and protecting ourselves from the madness of this world is just an opening salvo.

In his book, Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer’s last chapter calls us to live a sacramental lifestyle. He references 1 Cor 10:31 to support that development, as far as God is concerned. It says, “Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

Knowing that God is never finished and we’ll always be a work in His progress, after our Stepping Up series, the question becomes—now what? How can we lead and manage ourselves in a way that is pleasing to the One who created us and wants the best for us? The sense we have is to move from stepping up toward standing up – and doing so in the renewal of our mind.

In the 12th chapter of Romans, God paints a remarkable family picture, where each of us has a unique and critical role to play. The first few verses (1-3) sounds His trumpet of direction, attitude, and hope. Being a living sacrifice, not conforming to this world but transformed by the renewing of our mind, and doing so with Christ-like humility is a very clear format for us to confidently embrace.

Our purpose as disciples in the Cave should match yours—to follow and become more like Christ. As true disciples, the Lord is our Shepherd and we shall not want. We “see” renewing our mind as the way God counsels us to proceed. We plan to coordinate biblical resources to help accomplish our mission.

Now that we’ve stepped up to realize our role in God’s will and are better equipped with some helpful tools, our pressing desire is to remain teachable, to seek truth, to be active in application, and to persevere even when the going gets tough. In Him, as that happens family and friends, no matter what transpires, we’ll be renewing in the spirit of our mind and more successful in “Standing Up.”

Ps 23; Phil 4:13; Eph 6:10-18

Truth, according to Webster’s Dictionary 1828 Edition, is conformity to fact or reality.

I would never pretend to be a scientist, but I’ve learned that matter cannot be created or destroyed, only changed or transformed. If we run with this principle, it is possible to examine something rather mysterious–our spoken words.

Whatever we speak into existence travels via sound waves. As matter is neither created nor destroyed, these sound waves never really “disappear.” They actually convert to some other form of energy within another component of matter to be carried forward forevermore. Wouldn’t it be something if we could recapture those original sound waves from their places of storage? Even better, wouldn’t it be something to locate those sound waves, reconstruct them, and retrace them back to the origin or person who spoke them? Wow! Bye-bye to unwelcome voices and crank phone calls!

The Bible says that God spoke the world into existence. By faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by His word, so the things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (Heb 11:3). It further says that God is truth and whatever He says is reality and not only that—those who receive Him in a heartfelt way, can hear His voice.

So, if matter can neither be created nor destroyed as far as science is concerned, then what if there were a transcendent Creator with the capacity to create, destroy, or transform at will?

Without under-emphasizing the power of our own words, consider the expression and voice of the One who created everything? Not only that, the objects He spoke into the glory of the heavens and the earth can clearly be observed and His voice can be heard through His Spirit and biblical Word. When His words are drawn from Creation or Scripture, they trace to one source–the person of Jesus Christ or Almighty God.

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. And then the Word became flesh. Jesus came into the world to “testify to the truth” (John 18:37). He said He was the way, the truth and the life and no one could come to the Father except through Him. Quite simply, He is the standard which defines reality. That makes Him the fully recovered sound wave of the authoritative voice that first spoke all things into existence.

“Listening up” to the Eternal Voice of God will not only inspire and transform us today, this week, and forever—–it points to the beginning and the end of the matter!

Gen 1:1-3; John 1:1-14; John 8:31-31; 10:3; 14:6