Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

It was a number of years ago, but there was always a part of me that could identify with what Frodo must have been feeling in this scene from the first movie “The Fellowship of the Ring” from the Lord of the Rings trilogy:

Frodo: “I wish the Ring had never come to me.

I wish none of this had ever happened.”

Gandalf: “So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide.

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”

The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkein

To a casual observer from afar—as were those of us who saw the movies comprising the Lord of the Rings trilogy—Frodo’s assigned task clearly seemed unfair.

His journey to make sure that the Ring was destroyed of its evil power was fraught with intrigue and life-threatening danger. It was not a venture to find something, but to rid the world of something—something that was both a burden to him and had potentially terrifying consequences to the world. (more…)

Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.”

Proverbs 29: 18 (KJV)

Here we are entering another week through yet another Monday together. And I hope that where you are the sunshine is streaming through into your day, whether or not any clouds may have temporarily rolled in over the locale where you live.

As we sit here, I have a few questions for us to think about together. Here’s the first one—what do you expect the day to be like? And the second, looking forward a bit—what do you expect the upcoming week to be like? (more…)

Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?

The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?…

For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary.

He will place me out of reach on a high rock…

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.

Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

Psalm 27: 1, 5, 14 (NLT)

So let’s see—what is in front of you today?

Experience any “white outs” yet today?

Here we are together—beginning yet another day, another week. And if we’re honest with each other and ourselves, we might remember that when our feet hit the floor this morning, there was a bit of anxiety in our hearts mixed in with another day of expectations of things we had planned and didn’t plan, but which may occur anyway. (more…)

Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“Even when I walk, through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”

Psalm 23: 4 (NLT)

It’s been another tough week for us as a nation. It’s been especially tough for our friends, neighbors—our family—in Boston and the surrounding towns. Struck with a horrific act on Monday, committed by evil cowards, the Boston Marathon ended differently this year than in years past—with two bombs detonating and killing three of our own and injuring one-hundred and eighty others.

(more…)

Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.

Ecclesiastes 12: 13 (NLT)

The morning is breaking forth with its radiant glow upon a very special day. No, it’s not because this is the year of the one-hundredth anniversary—which will probably pass without much public celebration—of the income tax signed into law on October 13, 1913 by President Woodrow Wilson.

I said special.

No, actually, today is the birthday of our youngest Godson.

We were and remain best of friends with his family—“family” actually is the way his family and our family have always viewed the relationship. And to begin the journey which would call us to continue in our roles as Godparents to him—since we were, and remain, the Godparents to his older sister and brother—Lynda and I traveled to be there when he was born at Langley Air Force Base on this day. (more…)