Month: March 2016

For years, my wife has had the Mary Englebriet Daily Calendar on her dresser. Each day she is greeted with a cute little picture and a bit of wisdom.   Sometimes she shares, sometimes she doesn’t.  Most of the time, I don’t pay  any attention to it.  I just watch the used days pile up as they are pulled from the calendar.

Today, however, I was admiring my readiness for work in the mirror, I glanced down and saw these words looking back at me, full of typography, color, and flowers that is Mary Englebriet.

Flexible people never get bent out of shape!

The words stuck with me and made me pause and think about my days.  I grabbed the calendar and walked directly to my keyboard.

What a great goal, and what a great way to live.  Just imagine how much of our own stress would melt away and how others would perceive you.

I love it. It reminds me my of one of my favorite chapters – Romans 12.  I love Romans 12 for the first few verses, but what follows is equally terrific. Interestingly enough, this section falls under the heading of ‘Marks of a True Christian’ in the ESV.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.17Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:14-18 (ESV)

Flex today, and keep your shape!

Over the weekend, I watched a fantastic movie called The Railway Man.  It’s based on a true story from the second World War and recounts the post-war trauma a British soldier, Eric Lomax, experienced from the time he spent in a Japanese POW camp.

If you want to watch this without knowing the ending just stop now, or jump to the end.

Years after the war, the soldier seeks out his previous tormenter and a pretty intense reunion ensues, ending with an exchange of letters as reconciliation wins the day.  I love this from the very end of the movie.

Dear Mr. Nagase, the war has been over for many years. I have suffered much, but I know you have suffered, too. And you have been most courageous, and brave in working for reconciliation. While I cannot forget what happened in Kanchanaburi, I assure you of my total forgiveness. Sometime the hating has to stop.

Although several parts of the movie are dramatized from the actual event.  This quote is fairly close to the letter that was sent from the Lomax to Nagase.  As we go about today, let us make sure that the hating stops with us.

March Fourth!

It’s a day.  It’s a sentence. It’s a marching band. It’s Friday! (and for those with a hankering against puns, it is National Grammer Day!)

Whatever your thoughts on this pun, it’s a great day to think about persistence and taking a stand and moving towards a goal.

Let’s Go!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 NIV

When I get into a rut where I don’t read, sometimes, it’s hard for me to write.  That’s been this week, and that;s when I stumble into insane stuff like this.

Today is ‘I Want You To Be Happy Day’, which seems pretty fitting for the general theme that has been coming out of these posts this year.  And since it is also National Anthem Day, maybe we can make our anthem making others happy!   yeah, see what I did there!

Really.  Keep your eyes out for someone else who you can uplift today!

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) 

Sometimes when you wake up and look at the news you have to remind yourself of how all of this ends. I quick look in the last chapter can provide a little bit of refreshment and hope.

“He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:20-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬