"Who Moved My Cheese"

One of my favorite books is Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson, M.D.  It addresses the issue of change in one's life.  The next several posts will be reflected in my blog concerning change.  I recently made a huge change in my life and stepped away from the "career" pastorate.  For 30 years I found tremendous joy as a pastor.  It was my "cheese."  I suffered at the hands of members in such a way that caused great distress and regardless of my best efforts, joy began to disappear.  My "cheese" was slowly disappearing. 

Not too long ago, I too, went to the station where there was ample supply of "cheese" for many years.  "WHO MOVED MY CHEESE?"  It was gone.  My "happiness" had vanished.  Oh, it wasn't a quick "here today, gone tomorrow" event.  It was a slow process.  So now I have to find new cheese, and I find myself in the maze searching through tearful eyes and a broken heart.  Oh please don't feel sorry for me because I know my Lord has never and will never leave me nor forsake me.  Encourage me to have courage to strap on my maze running shoes and run the race I know my Lord has set before me.  Once my wounds are healed and my faith is strengthened I will proclaim the gospel.  I may not be a pastor, but my calling is sure as any born again believer in Jesus Christ.  "Go and tell, make disciples." 

My prayer for today, Dear God - show me where the "cheese" is and I will go there.



Have a wonderful day, I know I will --

CW

In God We Trust

The Ponderings of an Everyday Guy...I was thinking the other day about the impact of the "government shutdown."  I was thinking about those "little" phrases such as "for the people, by the people" and some of the basic tenants of democracy.  I remember as a child through my early 20's how secure I felt with "capable" people we placed in office to look out for the well being of our nation.  I remember believing those "patriots" would sacrifice their own agenda to do what was best for the country.  Clearly, that's not the case and a hard reminder for us all.  People will disappoint. 

However, I still believe "in God we trust," "one nation under God," and I know God is on His throne.  I take comfort in that very fact.  I know God will never ever let us down.  The bible teaches us we are to "walk by faith" daily.  Joshua challenges us to "choose this day, whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we are going to serve the Lord."

Trust God, He will never disappoint!!

Have a great day,

CW

My Most Comfortable Chair...

The Ponderings of an Everyday Guy...After several years of being without one, I now am the owner of a recliner.  It's really nice and comfortable.  I try not to sit in it during the day because I tend to fall asleep in it.  Well, I've only had it for a little over a year, but it's where I sit in the evenings.  We do enjoy our luxuries and comforts in life, huh? 

Unfortunately, that carries over to our "Christian" life as well.  It's easy to be a Christian as long as we "do it" on our terms.  Nice buildings, comfortable seats, heating and air.  We can go and sit and watch the "show" on Sundays.  If we don't like the preacher or music is not our flavor, we can just shop around until we find something that's going to keep us comfortable. 

For the past few weeks I have been really heart broken over our brothers and sisters in Christ being martyred for their faith in other nations.  Can you believe it? People are still being killed in 2013 because they are Christian.  Folks, we are going to have to get off our backsides and get down on our knees and pray, pray, pray.  Let's get out of the cushy "Christianity" mindset and "comfortable gospel" and proclaim Jesus Christ in our culture.  God wants our best, not our leftovers.  Pray diligently for our brothers and sisters around the world. 

Remember:  For God so loved the world...We do not have a monopoly on salvation.  I believe there is a real possibility, we too may some day deal with the loss of life and church buildings because we have taken up the mantle of Christ.

Pray, Pray, Pray...

CW

Where oh Where Were You...9/11/2001

The Ponderings of an Everyday Guy...I'm a day late with this posting, I just wasn't settled on what could be said that hasn't already been said concerning that fateful day. 

Where was I when I first heard the news?  I had just finished teaching my first class of the day at Spartanburg Methodist College and caught the news on the first tower and while watching I saw a second plane crash into the second tower.  There was a tv mounted on the wall just outside the professor's lounge.  All of us who were living then remember where we were when we heard the news.  I remember the events that followed the next week and the pictures displayed of the hijackers.  I remember our nation's leaders standing together (democrats and republicans) arm in arm. 

Twelve years have passed by now and our world has never been the same since.  However, I hold on to the fact as much as our nation and the world changes, and we may not feel as secure as we once did.  GOD IS STILL ON HIS THRONE!! JESUS STILL DIED FOR OUR SINS!!  JESUS WILL COME BACK AGAIN!! And I still preach the Gospel Message from the same Bible I did before 9/11/2001 and will continue to do so until the Lord takes me home.

Good News!  Our God Still Reigns!!

Have a great day!

CW

More Pancakes??...

The Ponderings of an Everyday guy continues...Sometimes you just have to order pancakes for breakfast.  Sure, eggs with all the trimmings are good, but there are those times we want to mix it up and have the pancakes with butter and syrup.  Ohhhhh... the wonderful taste of syrup as it trickles over the tongue and down the throat.  Can you say yum??  Of course, we don't eat pancakes for every meal.  Can you imagine what syrup would begin to taste like after a few days.  Ugh!!! Not more syrup.  We would begin to resent it after awhile and it definitely would lose it's "yumminess."

I'm from the South and have lived here most of my life.  We call this the "Bible Belt."  I can walk in any direction and find a church within a mile or less from my home.  Every church around me all have a different flavor.  There are even differences between churches of the same denomination.  All good people with good preachers, but I've noticed a trend in the past several years that is bothersome and of great concern.  With as many "Christian" churches in the same area, why is it a majority of the population are anywhere and everywhere else on Sundays and not in worship.  Oh, I'm not blaming the majority population or even the churches.  I'm just raising the question.

Could it be the church today has become so "syrupy sour" that we are not impacting our communities for Christ anymore?  Have we become indifferent to a lost and dying world to focus more on our own survival?  Has the church become ineffective and powerless?  Sweet stuff such as syrup tastes good, but it doesn't nourish nor lasts.  People need the meat of the Gospel.  People need the truth and truth is a person and that person is Jesus Christ.  We need to stop trying to keep everyone happy and start giving the best stuff.

Put the syrup away and pass the salt - Let's be salty!

Have a great day,

CW

A Song From My Past...

From the Ponderings of an Everyday Guy...When I was a teenager, I sang in the high school choir.  One of the songs we sang has stuck in my mind all these years. It is written by Henry Walford Davies titled God Be In My Head:

God be in my head,
And in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes,
And in my looking;
God be in my mouth,
And in my speaking;
God be in my heart,
And in my thinking;
God be at mine end,
And at my departing.

When I am discouraged or my mind is racing with worry - I still sing these words as a prayer.  This is something very personal and very heartfelt.  It's a relief to know God is there for us in troubling times.

Do you have a song you sing or a verse you can quote during those times?  If not, know God does hear our prayers.

Have a great day,

CW

Just Another Day...

or is it?...The Ponderings of an Everyday Guy...There are some days I wake up "ill as a hornet."  You know those kind of days where you are angry and irritable and don't know why.  It doesn't take much to set you off.  I am an avid people watcher. (no worries...I'm not one of those creepy guys). I just observe people and behavior at the mall or anywhere else.  I have noticed changes in behavior of the masses in the past few years.  People seem to be more impatient and really angry.  I wonder what may be going on in their lives to cause such personal chaos of hearts and minds. Then of course there are those delightful people who are "a breath of fresh air." 

But I digress back to those "angry, unpleasant" folks.  I suppose it is expected in the world we live, but the bothersome part of all this is I have seen it in many Christian Churches as well.  Satan has done a number on many who are to be witnesses not only by words but deeds as well.  Kind words and a genuine concern goes a long way in our witness to a lost and dying world.  In my ponderings for today - Aren't God's children suppose to be the most joyful people on earth?  Aren't we to let others see Jesus in our lives?  If I may quote the fruit of the Spirit for us:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

I still believe God's people can make a difference in our world today.  Sure, there are times we wake up "ill as a hornet," but we need to get over it! Remember, we ought to be witnesses out there.  Even when the world seems to be falling in around us!

Okay-Everyday is not just another day!  It's the day the Lord has made, and God is still on the throne. And we who are born again, have an eternal home called Heaven.  Oh, what a joyous day this can be!

Have a great one,

CW