New Direction to Find "Cheese"

You have heard the statement and I have made it too, "Change for the sake of change is never a good idea."  Guess what?  I don't believe that anymore.  There are times, I believe, change for the sake of change may be good for the soul. 

Not too many years ago there was a movie about making "bucket lists."  Wow!  Just about everyone was making their list of things they wanted to do before they "kicked the bucket."  It was a popular trend for a few years after the release of the movie.  However, I never made one at the time.  I surmise that many who did were unfulfilled in their lives and found strength to accomplish things they have always dreamed of doing.  In some ways I guess it's selfish, but I don't think it is completely.  As I said earlier, I believe change can be good for the soul.  Henry Blackaby, in his book Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God, says, you cannot go with God and stay where you are.  It means more than just physically - it means there must be a transformation or as Paul states, renewing of the mind.

I have found my running shoes and fixing to head down those paths in the maze.  Oh, I know I will not be by myself.  God is leading me to fulfillment and joy.

On my mark, get set......I'll keep you informed...

Have a great day,

CW

"Smell the Cheese Often"

"Smell the cheese often so you know when it's getting old."  I had always thought of myself as innovative and open to knew and "cutting edge" ideas.  Wow, when did I get old? Not in years, but ideas and methodology.  I never saw it coming because my "cheese" was gradually shrinking and getting old and one day it was gone.  What was left was the smell of "moldy," "old," and "rotting" "cheese." 

Sometimes in life many of us, myself included, become comfortable with the status quo and accept things the way they are and always have been.  I took my eyes off that which has always brought me joy and everything changed when I looked again.  I should have saw the signs a long time ago.  Oh, I'm not beating myself up over this change, I am looking for my running shoes to get back out into the maze of life and begin searching for that which will bring me joy and I can make a difference.  Mazes are filled with many dead ends, but there are those pathways that go forever.  I'm glad I have Christ in my life because God's word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Ps. 119:105. 

2013 was a year of change - 2014 will be a year of discovery. 

Have a great day,

CW

"Who Moved My Cheese" 4

Fear can be debilitating to say the least.  It can lead to all kinds of problems in one's life.  Anything from fear of failure to fear of succeeding can freeze us in our tracks.  I have to confess there have been times in the past few months where "fear" was and still is at times overwhelming.  I have found myself very much afraid of the "what ifs."  What if I cannot find a job? What if I made the wrong decision?  What if I'm a failure?  What if I cannot recapture my self worth?  Then I am reminded there is nothing to fear except God and God says he will never leave me.  I take comfort in those words.  Change has brought about many emotions for me.  Some days I am at peace, but there are those times when I am anxious to the point of explosion.  Through the tears of fear I can see great possibilities for my future.  I covet prayers and pray continuously for God's comfort and strength. 

By the way, today is a good day!!  Going to get up and get dressed and meet my brother for lunch.  I'm really looking forward to it.

Have a great day!

CW 

"Who Moved My Cheese" 3

I have never been one who advocated "change for the sake of change."  With that said, I am reminded of Albert Einstein's definition of insanity, "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." 

This has been a time of sincere self reflection for me.  These are some things I have discovered:

1.  I cannot force others to change to suit my ideal person.
2.  Listen more and talk less.
3.  My opinion may be valid, but not everyone has the same opinion.
4.  Most importantly, trust God in all circumstances.  I'm not superman.

These are just a few of a long list, and there is one more thing that is so very important.  It doesn't matter what strangers think of me as long as those whom I love and care about love me and accept me with all my quirks. 

Now for the change.  I want to be more like Jesus before I disappear into the crowd. 

1.  Really really love God with all my heart and mind.
2.  Really really love others as myself.
3.  Always exhibit an attitude befitting of being Christ-like.
4.  Stop complaining to others about everything.
5.  Work on the fruit of the spirit in my life.
6.  Finally, let others see Jesus in me.

Change?  Yes!  With God all things are possible.

Have a great day,

CW

doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins133991.html#GpIRTyRCH7Ko1V6l.99

doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins133991.html#GpIRTyRCH7Ko1V6l.99

"Who Moved My Cheese" 2

Like most, I have lots of "stuff" and have learned in almost 52 years how unimportant my "stuff" is to me.  Oh sure there's the comfort and sometimes security my stuff provides, but when it's all said and done, it's just "stuff." 

I have worked endlessly trying to protect, not "stuff," but my ministry.  I have held onto it tightly and spent much of my time trying to defend it and myself.  Now I can look back on it and know how foolish I was to think it was mine from the beginning.  I found much comfort and security in the role of pastor.  I liked the "position."  Many times I would look in the mirror with pride as though I was doing God a huge favor by being a pastor.  Yeah, yeah, I knew in my head that ministry belonged to God, but I still tenaciously held on to the role.  "Mine, mine, all mine!" 

I believe God placed a calling on my life, and it is still alive, but it's not well.  God has benched me for awhile.  I pray daily for forgiveness and maybe someday I will humbly find better "cheese."  May I be more submissive to His will and direction in my life.  Thank you, Lord for your patience and love.

Have a great day!

CW

"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