thinking thru*

As I have thought thru the simple scripture from Romans 2:11 "For there is no respect of persons with God." I thought about a book I have somewheres packed away by P. Roger Hillerstrom. It talks about family dynamics. I think I actually have two different books by this author, I am not sure. Anyway, in thinking this thru, I believe churches have family type dynamics. Probably each family / Church is different. There are similarities between congregations/families, or I guess you could call it family dynamics. There are healthy dynamics and unhealthy dynamics affected by the various individuals that make up the different families. Churches have a positive effect on the world around them in general. Churches are an institution that takes hurting people and helps them become better and more productive members of society. I remember "Big Bob" lived up in the Arlington area. He was an alcoholic, that is what I knew about him. I didn't exactly run in his circles but I knew him. Some years later I ran into him again at a church. He had become a Christian and had dealt with or was dealing with his alcoholism and was running a support group thru his church. I believe he was a deacon at his church. At the time I thought, wow what a before and after picture, this would make, if we could capture a before and after picture of a changed individual, changed by God's grace. Anyway, I use that as an example of what I see happening in many different churches as they change lives. This happens in all types of churches. But churches are made up of imperfect people, I am one of them. I go off on tangents sometimes like with thinking thru this simple scripture. And I ask questions there may not be an answer for but I try anyway. I am in the process of trying to find a church. I have prayed about it but I don't want to be in too much of a hurry. I have been invited to churches and have been encouraged to return to different churches I have visited. I think I recognize some of these family dynamics as I search. People unintentionally turn me off by the things they say as they encourage me to attend their church. I do not believe in exclusiveness. This is a term I use to describe the belief that we are the best church in town. I believe there are a lot of good churches. I believe you are not the only church in town that is trying to help people become better members of society. IS it a healthy congregation? How is the Pastors relationship with his spouse? To me, these are actually important questions to ask. I have learned some good things from every church I have been a part of.  I have shied away from pentecostal type churches up until CFAN, Preferring Baptist. Sometimes a Black Baptist Church was almost like a pentecostal church. But I believe God has also been working on me, chipping away little things here and there. I am asking God for direction as I search. I wonder if I had ever met Barbara if I had not been going to a Black Baptist Church. I am interested in this particular church, but I have heard this exclusiveness. Some times I think you will hear it from someone in almost any given church. But I do not believe that way. I don't like to hear negatives about the prior church. It didn't work for you - move on, find a healthy dynamic. Remember, you are part of that dynamic when you belong to a church and bring your imperfections with you. I don't expect to find anything as good as CFAN, I really don't. I think CFAN was the best / healthiest church I have ever attended. I hope this doesn't sound like exclusive ness. This is late-night rambling, God bless, LVZ.

Prosperous*

Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make they way prosperous, and then thou shall have good success." Prosperity in God's eyes may be way different than worldly prosperity. We have a lot of prosperity preachers this day, but true success is to accomplish God's will for our lives. God's prosperity may not mean we have the grand house, may not mean we have millions in the bank. Our bank account does not show how spiritual we are. But as I meditate on God's word, as we try to be like Jesus in our living every day by trying to observe to do all that is written in God's word, God promises his prosperity. In an earlier blog, I wrote that I meditate and try to use the word of God in my life. I seek to see how does this apply to me. But I also want to tell whoever will listen about this way of life. I want to be an example of how this works. I remember a time of great discouragement many, many years ago, and I was complaining to God about all the hypocrites in the church. I felt like God said to me, Leon if you think it is so easy to be a Christian then show them how it is done. Don't complain about them unless you are willing to try. There have been many struggles, there are times I look at my children and feel I have failed to pass this on to my own children. But I feel I have come farther than my own parents in my walk. I don't say this to brag. My parents took me to church when I was young and a spark was ignited that never went out. I remember to this day a prayer, as simple as it was, I prayed as a 5 or 6-year-old boy. Dad and I were out in the country east of Bismark, North Dakota. Dad's truck would not start and he was angry. I walked a short distance away and prayed to
 God to let this truck start. I got scared when Dad got angry. God answered and the truck started. This is a personal relationship each of us needs to develop with our creator. Yours may not look like mine. But some things need to be the same, a hunger for God's word and how to apply it to my life. Meditation on God's word for that purpose and God promises to give us his Prosperity. I may not have the wealth that Elvis Presley had or the fame he still has today in the little town of Tupelo Mississippi. I may not have Graceland, But I know that I am blessed and have a life I would like to pass on to others. God bless, LVZ

People skills*

I never thought a lot about people skills until I became a Lead. As I near the end of my career at Busy B and look back I realize some things regarding people’s skills. I was taught people skills in church and Sunday school. I never looked at it that way at the time. Proverbs - A soft answer turns away wrath. Prefer others before yourself; I tried to make sure my team had overtime before I did. I wanted overtime, I really did, but if my team wanted overtime and there was only one opening, they got it. I only worked when I couldn't find one of them to take it. I tried not to be selfish, but I see selfishness in the team. I see a, me first, attitude in some. I have a good team, they could be better if they applied some biblical principles to their life. The word ethics is tossed about a lot. That too is something I was taught in church and Sunday school. It is always the right time to do the right thing. That actually sounds biblical to me. But I see ethics tossed about to get what they want. If they don't like something and they can't influence it another way, I'll see ethics used. Ethics, if we have it is almost built-in. It is a way of life. I see it in people wanting to take the high road in the way they do things at Busy B. They don't always use the word ethics, but it is seen in trying to do the right thing, trying to take the high road. Not choosing a path because it is the easiest way to do things, or it is more convenient. God bless, LVZ

Meditate*

In the first chapter of Psalms the 2nd verse "But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." I really do like this chapter in the Bible. A pastor this morning was talking about meditating from a different text, Joshua the first chapter, but my thoughts went to this verse. Meditate, see how this applies to my life, not seeking knowledge to be able to win a theological argument but seeking how this word applies to my life. How I can live this out in my daily walk. Not looking at it to help others but how about just being able to apply it to my life and live it. Does this word affect the decisions I make everyday? Does it affect the way I react to a situation? I think I have really tried. I think of situations at work where I would think of a scripture that says a soft answer turns away wrath, or think more highly of others. Trying to be a peacemaker and trying to see another person's side of things. There is a wonderful promise in the very next verse. Verse 3. God Bless, LVZ

road map / owners manual*

I see many or hear / read of many looking to other things for guidance thru this life. People read their horoscopes / look to Washington DC / or whatever for guidance. The Bible is our owners manual. The bible is our road map to get from this life to the next. Psalms chapter 1 has had special meaning for me for a long time now. There was a time when I was truly struggling that I read it every day. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly... I would categorize reading one's horoscope with seeking counsel from the ungodly. To some, that may seem hard and I expect it is. The Bible is our owners manual, read that and seek guidance. The Bible is our road map, read the Bible to see how to get from this life to the next. Therein are the words of life. I used maps to get from Washington to Mississippi on my recent move. Those maps did not fail me. If I made missteps it was because I misunderstood the map. The direction was there, and correct. My understanding was not always good. In one area it confused me, but I drove on and soon I came into a town that the map said would be there and I knew I was ok. Trust the word of God, it has the answers for this life and shows how to navigate. But we must first read it and then ask for proper understanding and trust it. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish. I think of my ex-father-in-law. I have a lot of respect for Papa Johns, I think he would say something similar. He was not perfect, nor am I. He has trusted God for many years. God will not fail him, or me. Follow the example of Godly men that went before us, trust the word of God. God Bless LVZ