TEARS OF JOY

. . . always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.  For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:4-6).

I'm working on the 2nd in a series of sermons from the book of Philippians.  In the first, I pointed out that the Church, and individual Christians, are out-posts of Heaven.  Like the city of Philippi was an out-post of Rome, committed to Roman law, culture and defense, so the Church, and its members, are committed to Jesus Christ, his law, his culture and his defense--For our citizenship is in heaven . . . (3:20).

The 2nd in the series, I am looking at joy as the theme.  How are we able to be joyful in the face of adversity?  The culture of Christ is not one of "gloom and doom" in times of adversity and trials, but of optimism and joy.  I will freely admit that there are times when the trials come that we are "misty optics" rather than "optimistics" as we look at life through a vale of tears.  In a recent Christian Counseling Today I read an article written by Gary Oliver called, Lessons Learned from the Doorstep of Death.  In it he chronicled the deaths of his dad, wife, son, sister and his own personal battle with cancer.  As a result of his tribulations, Dr. Oliver shares this wisdom, I have discovered there is a big difference between surviving and thriving and know Christ did not die and rise again for us to merely survive. Just treading water is not what He meant by "becoming more than conquerors." (emphasis is mine)

In faith we draw on a resevoir of Divine grace, hope and fellowship so that we can live out our days, until His return, with joy.  The Christian does not deny the pain of tribulation in his life, but, while acknowledging it, chooses to be joyful because Christ is working in us and he will keep his promises.

Our Father's Love,
Tom

CLEAN UP YOUR PLATE, IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE

And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost."  So they gathered them up and fill twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten (JOHN 6:12-13).

Feedstuffs is a newspaper for agribusiness that I receive each week.  In a recent issue Rod Smith wrote a column called, "Food waste astounding."  He begins the column with these words and basic statistics: In a day and time when agriculture is under increasing pressure to produce 70% more food for 30% more people in 40 years, it's incredible that one-third of food production is wasted every year, yet that's the estimate from the U.N. Food & Agriculture Organization.  That's a lot of waste!

Waste is part of living in a fallen world; it can never be eliminated.  Nevertheless, it should be a high priority to reduce it as much as possible.  In America we have been bountifully blessed, so much so that American waste as much as 40% of their food and food waste is the largest single kind of waste entering land fills. If just 25% of what is wasted in America and Europe could be reclaimed there would be enough to solve world hunger.**  I might add that politicians are the biggest obstacle to solving world hunger.

Jesus did not believe in wasting food.  That which was left from the multiplication of the loaves and fishes was saved to be distributed to the poor and needy.  Christians must understand that it does make a difference to someone else in the world if they waste their food.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

*EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe

**food waste expert Tristram Stuart

A TASTE OF NEW WINE

Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now (John 2:10-11).

The United States has a long-standing tradition of temperence.  We owe the Methodist circuit riding preachers a debt of gratitude.  They recognized what unrestricted consumption of home-brewed alcohol was doing to children and families.  They preached against it and worked for legislation against it.  Thomas Welch was a Methodist minister who started making non alcoholic grape juice with which to celebrate the Lord's Supper.

Today, within the Stone-Campbell restoration movement, there are quite a number of preachers, ministers and pastors who regularly drink alcoholic beverages.  The purpose of this bullet is not to consign such leaders to hell, but it is intended to remind each one of their responsibility to be an example.  I have known of such drinking leaders who, when they go on paid leave to a Christian convention, will, skip the convention to celebrate their "freedom in Christ" by partying and drinking.  They wouldn't be employed at my church very long.  The Church must be a safe place for addicts and sinners! 

In the United States, each year approximately 80,000 deaths are directly attributed to alcohol consumption.  Gun violence, domestic abuse, automobile accidents all increase as alcohol consumption increases.  Because of how alcohol effects the brain, one under the influence KNOWS what he is doing, he just doesn't care.  There are 14 million alcohol addicts in the United States.  The cost of alcohol to the U.S. economy is about $230 billion dollars each year.  Is it any wonder that Solomon warned his sons, 'Do not even wish you could have some wine' (Tom Steele paraphrase of Proverbs 23:31).

I do not believe Jesus consumed wine with alcohol.  I know there are scholars who will "guffaw" this and think I am ignorant, so be it.  But I am willing to do a word-study with you if you like.

Experts say that the use of yeast for making alcoholic wine has been around since about 4,000 BC.  That is fairly consistent with the Biblical record of Noah's wine making.  Generally, from the beginning to the end, the Bible takes a dim view of alcohol consumption, but commends those who abstain.  Among those are the Rechabites of Jeremiah 35 of whom God said they "shall never lack a man to stand before me" because they obeyed the command of  Jonadab, their father, to not drink alcohol.

What would Jesus do?

Our Father's Love,
Tom

*It's just an opinion of mine that the water Jesus turned to wine was what wine will be in the new creation. 

COMMUNION: LET US USE WHAT JESUS USED

Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (I Corinthians 5:8).

Recently, I had the opportunity to teach a class of 5th and 6th graders about communion, as a result, it made me think that it is important for all to understand.  A couple of  points about communion that are important for Christians to understand are what the elements were that Jesus used to institute the memorial and why.

When Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper he used a couple of the elements of the passover meal that he and the disciples were eating (Read Matthew 26:26-29).  The bread that Jesus used was unleavened bread.  Leaven, throughout the Scriptures, is symbolic of sin.  The Jews were to search out all leaven in their houses and dispose of it at this time.  The spread of leaven is subtle, but it always spreads.  It is symbolic of sin's influence, relentless and malignant.

The contents of the "cup" that Jesus used was nonalcoholic wine, "fruit of the vine."  I say this with confidence that what was used to celebrate the Passover, and what Jesus used to institute his memorial was not wine as we think of it today.  Making wine with alcohol required yeast, otherwise known as leaven.  The same leaven that makes the bread ferments the wine.  It would not have been on the passover table.

The body that was broken for us and the blood that was shed for us was without sin.  The emblems that are used in this memorial should not be that which contain the symbols of sin.

Our Father's Love,
Tom

GOOD TO SEE AN OLD BROTHER

It is good to see a cherished brother or friend not often seen (a paraphrased proverb somewhere in the Bible).

To make this a matter of historical record, my brother Kieth made a quick visit to Iowa, visiting friends and relatives.  His wife Vonda was unable to accompany him.  Helen and I took him to Sutherland's finest dining establishment (The Old P.O.) for supper.  It was a good good time talking memories, philosophy, theology and family systems.  We hope something like this happens again.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

THE MIDDLE EAST: THE TRUE FACE OF ISLAM

You will know them by their fruits.  Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from thistles? (Matthew 7:16).

Islam reveals its true face in the Middle East.  What has followed in the wake of Islam is war, famine, pestilence and death.  Egypt, at least, has had the sense to reject the Muslim Brotherhood.

When a counselor counsels, the actual behavior of the client reveals the nature of the client more than anything the client says.  Likewise, the actual result of a belief system reveals its true nature.  It clearly is on display in the Middle East.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

*It must be added: There are apparently peaceful Muslims, but they will not speak up when atrocities happen.  They will not condemn the sensless slaughter of innocents.  They remain silent either because of fear or because they approve in their hearts what is going on.

 

AN EXAMPLE TO MICAH

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). Sunday, the 18th of August, 2013 my newest grandson was dedicated to the Lord. Grandson, Micah, is going to be a fine servant of the Lord as he grows in wisdom and stature and in favor of God and man. I am not going to absolutely guarantee outcomes, but if Micah's parents and grandparents keep their vows, Micah will have a solid foundation on which to build his life. One of the absolute essentials in successful child rearing is congruence--congruence between what a parent says he believes and how he acts. If a parent says he believes one thing and behaves in a different manner, kids will spot those inconsistencies and conclude the parent's values are not that important. Eventually, everyone differentiates from their parents, they take ownership of the values they have. A child will depart from the way he should go if parents do not live in the way they say they believe. Our Father's Blessings, Tom

PRAYER THOUGHT: HELP ME TO SEE

. . . let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us . . . (Hebrews 12:1).

I have been reading through the book of Hebrews in my daily Bible reading.  The translation of the Bible I am using is the New American Standard Version.  The author strongly urges us to let go of our sins which trip us up as we live for the Lord.  We know what sin is--the Bible defines them.  What isn't so easily understood are the "encumberances".  Encumberances are not sin, but they are, nonetheless, obstructions and burdens that hinder our service to the Lord and cloud our witness as we live our Christian lives.

Encumberances are not so easily defined.  What might be an encumberance to me might not be one to you.  It might be a good thing that is taking the place of a better thing.  It might be placing undue importance on things that do not matter that much.  I am not going to be specific beyond this unless someone would ask me. It could have to do with money and debt.  It might have to do with sports or politics.  It might have to do with hobbies and entertainment.  It might have to do with employment or even have to do with church work.

Since this is a more personal matter to which one might be blind, it is essential to ask God to help you to see and understand the encumberances to our Christian lives.

Love & Prayers,
Tom

PRAYER THOUGHTS: PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James 5:16).

One of the foundation stones of the reformation is, "the priesthood of all believers."  It is based in I Peter 2: 9 which says, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.  This was written to Christians in general, not to a specific class of clergy.  The reason this is important to bring up is that it isn't just clergy who can offer up effective prayers.  In the New Testament God makes no distinction between clergy and laity.  Every Christian has the responsibility to pray for each other and to share the gospel with others.  Granted, there are differences of spiritual gifts, but God hears the prayers of each committed Christan whether he or she is "clergy" or "laity."

I tell you all this because it is important for you to understand that your prayers prayed in faith are just as effective as any pastor, priest or pope!

Love & Prayers;
Tom

PRAYER THOUGHTS: PRAY WITH AUDACITY

And he cried, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!"  And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Luke 18:38-39).

Because we are humans, we will make mistakes when we pray; we might ask for things that are not theologically correct.  That's okay.  I believe God welcomes passionate mistakeness more than luke-warm correctness.

In 1540, Martin Luther's great friend and assistant, Frederick Myconius, became sick and was expected to die within a short time.  On his bed, he wrote a loving farewell note to Luther with a trembling hand.  Luther received the letter and instantly sent back a reply, "I command thee in the name of God to live.  I still have need of thee in the work of reforming the church.  The Lord will never let me hear that thou art dead, but will permit thee to survive me.  For this I am praying, this is my will and my will be done, because I seek only to glorify the name of God."  One week later, Myconius recovered and died two months after the death of Luther (I found this story in a sermon by Peter Marshall--it is supposed to be historically accurate).

What audacity!  Audacity is boldness and brashness.  It is willing to ask for outcomes that cannot succeed unless God is in them.  Have you prayed with audacity lately?  Be done with praying wimpy prayers!

Love & Prayers,
Tom

PRAYER THOUGHTS: WHAT DOES ANSWERED PRAYER LOOK LIKE?

"What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:11-13). * Answered prayer takes some surprising turns, but they always work out for God's glory and our blessing--even when the answer is, "No!" * Answered prayer can come disguised as hard work. God promised Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4:6 "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts. What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of 'Grace to it!'" (Zechariah 4:6ff). The rebuilding of the temple was an answer to the prayers of the Jewish people. God said He would help in the building--in fact, if it weren't for the the power of God it never would have been rebuilt. The Jews had no money, no tools, no weapons, but they worked. And, with God's provision, after 20 years of hard work and toil, in faith, the temple was built. It was an answer to prayer. * What I am trying to say is that sometimes God's answers to our prayers might not be what we expected, but they will always bless us. Prayers for wisdom, for example, might be answered with a disciplined study of the Bible in a Bible study group. Prayers for healing might be answered by following a disciplined life style. * Sometimes answered prayers meet our expectations, sometimes they do not. Before we assume the prayer is unanswered or the answer is, "No" we need to take a closer look and see if God has placed some resources at our disposal to use in making our request happen. * Love & Prayers, Tom * **For me, the answer to my prayers is the lovely and gracious Helen who has been a blessing to my life for 43 years.

PRAYER THOUGHTS: HOW TO GET YOUR PRAYERS ANSWERED

When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.  Wash ourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good . . . (Isaiah 1:15-17).

The one who asks, "How can I get my prayers answered?" is one who doesn't understand the importance of relationship with God and what it means to pray in Jesus' name.  First, it must be understood that God can respond to the requests of anyone in any way he chooses.  There are many testimonies of desperate sinners who have been answered in miraculous ways when they prayed--God is free to answer in any way he sees fit.  God can answer prayers, "yes" or "no," or he simply may refuse to listen or ignore the prayers of the unrepentant.  How has he been responding to you?

When you can relate to God as "daddy, daddy,"(Romans 8:15) you are well on the way to praying prayers that can be answered in a positive way.  Children know what their dad's values are.  Children, being immature, sometimes make foolish requests of their dads, but they also know this: "And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him" (I John 5:14-15).

"Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it (John14:13-14).  Praying in Jesus' name is not a way of ending your prayers so that you will get your prayers answered--it is not magic.  Rather, it is first an acknowledgement that it is through the grace of Christ Jesus that we are able to come to the throne of grace at all.  It is also in the character of Christ that we come to our Father too, making our requests to God.  God wants us to ask (James 4:2), but I just happen to believe that he wants us to ask thoughtfully in the character of Jesus.  The answer to one of Jesus' prayers was "no."  The answer to some prayers of yours may be, "no," but you will know that all of your prayers are answered.

Love & Prayers,
Tom

PRAYER THOUGHTS: WHY PRAY?

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

The question has been asked many times, "Why pray?  God knows what we need before we need it so why doesn't he just give it?  Not only that but, God's mind can't be changed once he has determined something so isn't prayer just futility?"  Pardon me for saying it, but questions like these are indicative of the relationship of the person who is asking with God.  They see God only as useful if he gets them out of the jam they are in right now.

Prayer is necessary for relationship with God.  In a letter written to Christian folks the Lord said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20). Similarly, in Isaiah 1:18 the Lord extends the invitation, "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord." God is not there only to save us from hell and to get us out of jams.  God is there to have a relationship with you and me.  The closer the relationship, the more we will become more and more like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).  We should pray because God wants us to, and we will be blessed because of it.

Prayer also draws Christians closer to each other.  In Matthew 18:19 Jesus tells us, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my father in heaven."  Prayer isn't something that is done only alone in your prayer closet, it is something we should do together as well.  We should at least agree about the things that we need to pray about in church so that as a body we can pray together.  As a result it will draw us closer together and closer to the Lord.  No one will then be able to say, "It was my prayer that brought about this powerful answer," but only, "It was our prayers that God heard and answered."  One of the good things about agreement in prayer is that others can help the one requesting see the true need for prayer, not just the emotional desire.  We should pray to deepen our relationship with others.

In sum, those who see God only in utilitarian or fatalistic terms, do not have a relationship with God.  God calls us into relationship with Him--that is His desire.  Without prayer your relationship with God and others will be shallow.

Love & Prayers,
Tom

PRAYER THOUGHTS: WHAT IS PRAYER?

Pray like this: Our Father who art in heaven . . . (Matthew 6:9).

I'm putting a few thoughts together for a prayer ministry that will be meeting at my church each Monday evening.  What I am writing here will not be the final form, but I find that writing out a few of my thoughts helps me to think more.  The next few posts are a part of my thinking process, so here we go.

A simple dictionary definition of prayer is that it is a solemn request for help from God or an expression of thanksgiving to God.  From the model prayer the Lord Jesus gave us, prayer is also an acknowledgement of who God is--He is holy and he is our Father.  By implication, God is our creator and redeemer.  Prayer, then, is not just asking and thanking, it is acknowledging the relationship that God wants to have with us.

Prayer is an exercise of faith.  First, it is a part of the body of faith that is to be believed and obeyed.  Second, God is a spirit, He cannot be seen, touched, smelled, tasted or heard unless He wills it.  Thus, whether it be in church, at home or in the forest, that prayers are getting a listening higher than the treetops is a matter of believing God's word.  But the Bible tells us that the just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38).  We cannot have a relationship with God unless it is by faith.  One of the ways that faith grows is through prayer. 

How is your prayer life--is your faith growing?

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

HOME FROM VACATION 2013

When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him . . . (Luke 4:42).

Even Jesus needed some time off, though His times off were short.  Every year the Tom and Helen Steele family attempts to round up as many children and grandchildren as can come and do a family vacation together.  This kind of togetherness helps to integrate inlaws and grandchildren into the Steele family system--at least we have not scared anyone away yet, though we might have come close this year.

We rented two cottages near the northern-most tip of Michigan's lower peninsula on Black Lake.  The trip to Black Lake included driving a lot of miles on two-lane roads through Wisconsin's and Michigan's rural areas.  That was a treat because of the beauty of those states.  We stayed the night in Green Bay, Wisconsin the first night.  We football fans could not stay the night without visiting Lambeau Field--it would be a sin not to visit.  None of our family are "Packer" fans, but we were inspired, none the less,  by the great tradition of the Packers.

The next highlight of the vacation was crossing the Mackinac bridge.  The Mackinac bridge is the third longest suspension bridge in the world.  Including approaches, the total length of the bridge is a bit more than 5 miles long.  The height of the roadway above the water at its highest point is 200 feet and, depending on wind strength, the bridge can sway as much as 35 feet.  So, to me, it was an adventure just to cross the Mackinac bridge.

The time we had together on vacation was priceless.  It will be a dynamic in the formation of the lives of our grandchildren.  Hopefully, the faith in Christ that is lived out in their grandparents and parents will take root and grow in their lives too.

On the way home we stayed the night in Elkhart, Indiana, very close to South Bend and Notre Dame University.  Though none of us are fans of the "Fighting Irish," the men among us could not not visit one of the revered sites of college football.  Our visit to the campus was inspiring and makes for a more favorable perspective of Notre Dame University and football.

Much more could be said about vacation, but we arrived safely home for some much-needed rest.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

*If you are planning a vacation, the Mackinac area is a great place to go--it will be a "Moment in Time" that will not be forgotten.  We spent a day on Mackinac Island and it was an enjoyable historical experience.

PROMISE, NOT PERFORMANCE

That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants (Romans 9:8).

What a privilege to be a child of God!  One is not a child of God because of the color of skin, the amount of money, power or beauty that is possessed.  One is not a child of God because of apparent fulfillment of the good works of the Old Testament Law.  One is a child of God because of faith in Christ.  That is the promise of God . . . for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation (Romans 10:10).

What a person believes changes his life.  If a person believes and there is no life change, does he really believe?

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

MUSING ON THE 4TH OF JULY

A city set on a hill cannot be hid (Matthew 5:14).

A person who "muses" is one who thinks deeply.  Right now my mind is exhausted so I do not know if I am capable of thinking deeply, but the question has crossed my mind today, "What would the world be like if America would never have come into existence?"  It is not difficult for me to believe that the world would have progressed little from the time of the forming of America until now.  I do not believe that the world would have continued on, progressing as though America had no influence on the progress of nations.

Without America, Hitler would have won.  Without America, the Soviets would have won.  Without America, the Islamists would have won--oh wait, that one isn't over yet.  In any of these cases, freedom would have been killed and the vast majority of humanity would be living in slavery.  Freedom is rare!  It is precious!  It is not free!

The Lord has said that man does not live by bread alone.  A tyrant can feed his people, but without freedom they can never really live and thrive.  The freedom that Americans enjoy has fed the aspirations of the peoples of the world.  The basis of that freedom is the rule of law, law founded on the God of the Bible.  Laws of purely human origin are arbitrary and unlawful, but laws based in the character of God are truly lawful.  What has made America exceptional is that, for the most part, America is a nation of the rule of that kind of law.

Times are changing.  American jurisprudence is becoming more and more arbitrary.  Becoming as the other nations of earth, the light of America is going out, then what will the world be like?

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

THE RIGHT PEOPLE

. . . the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).

About 15 years ago, while I was in graduate school, I hired a cattleman to sell my cattle for me on a commission basis.  He told me that Canton, South Dakota was where the market for my calves would be "hot."  So, the day before the sale we loaded a "pot" load of 600 pounders and shipped them to Canton.

I had a morning class at the seminary in Sioux Falls, but it would be no problem to make it back to Canton for the sale at 1:00.  When I drove into the parking lot of the sale barn there were only a half dozen cars and pickups there and I thought, "Oh joy! I looks like I'm going to lose my shirt today!"  With only a few bidders on my calves I thought the price they would bring would be very low and when one only gets paid once a year it is import to get the most out of them.

It turned out that it was a "hot" market!  I made some money that day.  Though there were only a few people in the sale barn, they were the right people; the people who wanted calves to feed and were willing to pay good money to get them.  I have often thought of that experince when I read this parable of Jesus on the parable of the sower and soils (Luke 8: 4-15).  The concern of the preacher is not primarily how many people there are to preach to, but that they be the right people, the ones with sincere hearts who desire God in their lives.  We often equate success in pastoral ministry with large crowds of people, but it seems to me that our prayer should be that the gospel would be planted in the hearts of the right people, whether the crowd be great or small. 

Our Father's Love,
Tom

3 WORDS @ 60 MILES PER HOUR

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).

It's pure Americana, posting religious signs along the highway to dispose those in passing vehicles toward faith and repentance.  "Ye must be born again,"  "Jesus Saves," or "Prepare to meet thy God" are the most recent examples of signs I have seen lately.  Isn't America a great country that we have that kind of freedom?!

Last September, during the hot political race, I decided to get into the sign-posting action.  I believed, and still do, and all the recent scandals bear me out, that Obama was bad for the country, so I posted an empty chair and some political signs on the fence line of the Steele property on highway 10.  After the election was over I continued to post signs because of comments and reactions I received from the sign posting.  I try to change signs every 2 weeks.

The challenge of sign-posting is how to communicate something significant in 4 words or less that will resonate with the viewer. Research has shown that recognition can be measured in milliseconds, so one does not have have to view the sign very long, but the message does have to be simple.  If the sign is too busy with lots of letters and lots of words, the message will be lost.

My signs are sometimes political, sometimes humorous and sometimes inspirational, but most often, religious.  Hopefully, someone has started the journey of faith because of one of the signs I have posted.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

BE CAREFUL, OBAMA IS WATCHING

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body (II Corinthians 5:10).

There has been much concern expressed, by liberals and conservatives alike, about government surveillance of American citizens.  We should be concerned.  Though we would like to trust the government because it is to be a government of the rule of law, we know that the government has violated the law to intimidate, to limit criticism and to cover up unlawful and incompetent behavior.  I have known for a long time that even this humble little blog has been monitored by the government.

As concerned as we should be about government intrusion into our lives, there is One who is constantly aware of what we are doing; even what we are thinking.  One day we will have to give an accounting to Him.  The Creator of an infinite universe, in terms of its expanse, will have no problem dealing justly with all your thoughts and actions.  Everything you thought was private will be made public and a just punishment will be required.  While that is frightening, we do know that God is just, we can trust Him to keep His word.  Those who belong to Christ will find salvation only because they belong to Christ and, as a result, live lives devoted to Him in this present life.

As concerned as you might be about government surveillance of your life, you should be even more concerned that God knows everything, even your very thoughts.  Do you belong to Jesus?

Our Father's Love,
Tom

SHORTER LIFE SPANS?

And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? (Matthew 6:27).

This blurb comes from "The Foster Report."  The most educated Americans are making the biggest gains in life expectancy, but now they say mortality data show life spans for some of the least educated Americans are actually contracting.  The reasons for the decline remain unclear, but researchers offered possible explanations, including a spike in prescription drug overdoses among young whites, higher rates of smoking among less educated white women, rising obesity, and a steady increase in the number of the least educated Americans who lack health insurance.

I expect to see a greater decline in life spans as "ObamaCare" is implemented, and as a result, health care is rationed.  So, the most important things one can do is to become educated and self disciplined in the matters that make for physical health.  It has been known for years that staying physically active, having a positive out-look on life, being social and being one who trusts in God are great contributors to extended physical life.

Long life, by itself, is not the reason that a Christian should want to physically live longer.  Rather, serving the Lord is our aim.  If it should be that God calls me home today, that's okay.

Being a cattleman and a hog farmer, they don't write songs about hog farmers, I need to add that there are no 100-year-old vegetarians.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

JUST SIT STILL

Be still and know that I am God (Psalms 46:10).

If one takes the time to read this verse in context it will be found that God fights battles for us.  It is not an insane strategy to stop and let God battle for us.  It is especially true for Americans that we think we have to do something, and we do something and make things worse. 

The great mathemetician-philosopher-theologian, Blase` Pascal is said to have said, All men's miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone.  If all one did is sit in a quiet room alone, something would be quit wrong.  However, if one never sits in a quiet room alone, except for the presence of God, there is something quit wrong too, and the greatest resource of his life is simply disregarded.

Make some time each day to spend some quiet time alone with God.  Who knows, you might receive an inspiration that will keep you from making things worse.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom 

BEEN THANKFUL?

. . . give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (I Thessalonians 5:18).

I was on my way to an early morning meeting, listening to Christian music on Sirius satellite radio.  I do not remember what song had just played, but I do remember the comment by the radio host.  He said, "What if the only things you will have tomorrow are the things you gave thanks for today?  What would you have?"

It is a question worth pondering.  We go through life just assuming that the things we enjoy will always be there and then the day comes and they are not.  What will you do then?  Perhaps we need difficult times to remind us of the One who is the Source of all good things.

God supplies good things for both good and bad people.  One of the differences between those who belong to Christ and those who do not is that they are thankful people.  What about you?  Have you given thanks today?

Our Father's Love,
Tom

POWER OF THE LORD WAS WITH HIM TO HEAL

On one of those days, as he was teaching, there were Pharisees, and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was with him to heal (Luke 5:17).

During my daily Bible reading this morning, this verse made me stop and question, "Did Jesus not always have the power to heal?  If not, how did Jesus know when he had the power to heal?"  I had always had the view that the power to heal was always with Jesus.  Matthew 13 records Jesus' second rejection at Nazareth and says, he did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief (v. 58).  I think, from a thorough investigation of scripture, the lack of faith on the part of the residents of Nazareth manifested itself in not presenting the sick and disabled to Jesus for healing.  Jesus power does not depend on another's faith to heal. John 5:1-15 records the healing of the disabled man by the pool of Bethesda.  Jesus picked one from many to heal that day--Jesus can heal whom ever he chooses.

The immediate context of Luke 5:17 includes vs 16, But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.
What it means to be fully God and fully human will probably not be completely understood this side of heaven, but we do know that Jesus depended on regular communication with his Father for sustenance.  With out that time would he have had that power to heal?

God has adopted those in Christ to be his children.  How can we have power to manage our lives without regular communication with our Father?  If Jesus couldn't, how much less can we?!?

Our Father's Love,
Tom

HAVING HOPE HELPS TO DEAL WITH GRIEF

. . . having no hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:12-13).*

I often read "Dear Abby," an advice column in the Sioux City Journal.  In a recent column, Abby shared several letters from people who wrote about what they would do if they won the lottery and had millions of dollars to spend on whatever they wanted.  Being a counselor, I try to "read between the lines" and evaluate what is really going on in the situation from the contents of the letters.  What follows is an excerpt from a letter that made tears flow from my eyes (I tear up easily in my older age).  Dear Abby: If I were to win the lottery, I would trade all of it just to have one more hug and one more night talking with my wife, who died 16 years ago . . . my heart still aches over losing her to cancer.

I am blessed to have the lovely and gracious Helen as my wife, but as I read this man's letter I began to think and then feel what it must be like to be in this man's shoes--to be willing to trade the world for one more night with his wife.  His words remind about what is truly important in our lives on this earth--relationships.

From this man's letter it appears that he has resolved his grief and raised healthy functioning children, but resolving grief does not mean that grief has ended, it means that grief is managed.  Resolution simply means that grief does not keep one from living responsibly in a painful world.

A legitimate hope helps one to come to resolution, for in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ the promise is that it will not be just one more night, but one more eternity to spend with our loved ones in Christ.

Our Father's Love,
Tom

*If one reads the context of  the scripture text I used, it might be inferred that I misused the text.  Perhaps, but is there anything that feels more empty and lonely than being hopeless and without God in the world?  Is there anything that inspires a legitimate hope more than the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

A CHARACTERISTIC OF TRULY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE

My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.  For if a man with gold rings and in fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "Have a seat here, please," while you say to the poor man, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4).

I was just thinking about the qualities of the truly successful people I have known.  One of the characteristics they all have in common is that they treat every person they meet with dignity and respect.  It is a trait I admire because I do not do as well as I should in this regard.  There are times when it is extremely difficult to be respectful to some people and treat them with dignity, but this is a behavior our Father expects of those who are His children.*

To be successful in business, in professional practice, certainly, in pastoral ministry, or social relationships, dignity and respect must be an obvious characteristic.  However, I have seen people in each one of these social relationships who think they are impartial who are not.  But I have observed pastors, lawyers, high-end carpenters, doctors who were willing to serve others, no matter who they are.  It might well be that the first step on the ladder of real success is that of impartial service.

Our Father's Love,
Tom

*A book could be written on this subject because there are many people who are extremely difficult to treat with dignity.  How does one treat a rapist, kidnapper, abuser, murderer with dignity and respect?  By prosecuting them to the full extent of the law.

CALLING IT SCIENCE DOESN'T MAKE IT SCIENCE

Come now let us reason together, says the Lord (Isaiah 1:18).

I do not consider myself to be a scientist, though, as a farmer there is a lot of science in what I do.  As a marriage and family therapist, there is a surprising amount of science involved in what I do there as well.  In my seminary education a class was required called Research Methods in Family Therapy.  The purpose of the course was to help the students to design and evaluate approaches and methods of family therapy for validity and reliability.  Even in pastoral ministry one should have a scientific background in subjects as diverse as biology to archeology with a good amount of psychology in between.  So, I am not attempting to dismiss the scientific method as something incompatible with faith.  I believe that good faith and good science walk together hand in hand.  It was faith in a reliable God that produced science in the first place.  The God of the Bible has always given man a reason to believe.

Science should be objective, but it seldom is, it can be very subjective and biased.  Scientists are human beings.  They choose to research what interests them personally or what the government--or other funding agencies will finance.  The whole "human-caused-climate-change issue" is a glaring example of this.  There was truly little science, a lot of theory and a whole lot of dishonesty involved in this fraud.  People with credentials sold their souls and the taxpayers are still funding funding politically directed research on climate change.  Calling it science doesn't make it science.  Personal pride and funding issues make good science hard to come by.

In this generation, science has become god for many.  People look to science to solve the world's problems.  Developing sophisticated weaponry to deter evil has resulted in those who are evil to have sophisticated weaponry too.  The use of antibiotics has resulted in super germs that antibiotics can't kill.  The use of herbicides has resulted in super weeds that herbicides can't kill.  What I am saying is that science is, at best, marginal in the salvation of mankind.  I do not want to go back to the old days either, but we can see the logical conclusion of science from here.  When the remedies of men have run out, then time will have run out too.

When science has reached its logical conclusion and has no answers for you, what will you do? Will it be too late?

Our Father's Love,
Tom

A CREDIBLE BIBLE

All scripture is inspired by God . . . (2 Timothy 3:16).

Faith requires credibility.  Those who believe the incredible have a faith that will not save them--it is faith in the truth that makes the difference.  True scripture bears the marks of being God-breathed.  One of the characteristics of God-breathed scripture is that it is true.  First, it is true in its relationship to the events of  history.  Though the Bible is not intended to be a history book, it has been used as that because it has proven itself to be a trustworthy representation of the time periods of which it speaks.

Second, the Bible is true in its representation of geography.  The names and places of which it speaks are accurate according to time period.  Those writing much later, or writing a fiction, would not have expressed the such accuracy.

Third, the Bible is true in its representation of the culture in the time periods of which it speaks.  The Bible speaks of many cultures, but when it speaks it truly represents the culture from which it is written.  Some of the apparent contradictions of the gospels are solved when one understands this.

Another characteristic of God-breathed scripture is that it is dynamic.  Scripture is the primary means by which God confronts mankind with himself.  One is forced to wrestle with the message of scripture and make a decision about it--what will I do with what the Bible tells me?  Because the Bible speaks with such authority, there are many who seek to discredit the Bible, contending that the authors of many books of the Bible are not the actual authors because miracles do not happen, because of differences of style, because of a great time gap between the events of scripture and actual authorship and because of the Hegelian process that must have occurred before Petrine and Pauline teaching could coalesce.  However, none of these charges can with stand objective history and archeology--they simply hold no water.

The Bible is the most studied book of all time, without question, the most scrutinized book of all time by both friend and foe alike.  There are many foes who would like nothing more than to discredit the Bible.  They do not want to be accountable to a holy God.  Of course, there are many friends of God who study the Bible because they want to serve Him and worship Him. 

The Bible is a dynamic book.  It will change your life, for better or for worse.  How will you allow it to change your life?

Our Father's Love,
Tom

TAXMAN

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's (Matthew 22:21).

The Beatles recorded this song in 1966--it is just as true today as it was then! 

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, the taxman

Should five per cent appear to small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

Don't ask me what I want it for
If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me.

The Jews of Jesus' day were taxed to death.  That was one of the reasons they were so rebellious.  After studying the history of the time of Jesus Christ on this earth, I have often thought, "Would I have been any different than them?"  Indeed, I was a Constitutional tax protester, and I still believe that the income tax and property taxes are unConstitutional.  There are legal and better ways to raise money and we are close to being taxed to death.

But Jesus refused to be drawn into politics.  The matter of first importance for every person is to render to God what is God's--your life! 

Our Father's Love,
Tom

THE VICTORS

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37).

Hail! to the victors valiant.  Hail! to the conqu'ring heros . . . (University of Michigan fight song).

First, it is important to note that I am not a Michigan fan, except for the times when they are representing the Big Ten.  Such was the case a week ago when they were playing Louisville for the NCAA basketball championship.  It was late in the game.  I believed Michigan had a run in them.  The Michigan band boomed their fight song.  It seemed to energize the team and they did respond, but they still fell short.  I've always thought that the Michigan fight song was worth a touch down in a tight football game or five points in a tight basketball game, as seemed to be the case last week.  Sadly, it was not enough.

What makes the Michigan fight song different from the typical college fight song is that it does not exhort the team to fight harder.  The song celebrates a victory already won.  From Michigan's perspective, to put on the Michigan uniform and play on the university's team makes one a winner in any case.  That is good Christian theology.  When a person puts on Christ, our uniform, and faces life head on, he is the winner!  Sometimes I think Christians need a great fight song to remind them of that!  Sometimes we need a pep band booming in the background reminding us of who we are!

I'm getting to be a little sappy* in my old age, so when the Michigan pep band began to play at the time they did, my eyes began to water as I began to think the thoughts I have shared with you.

Our Father's Love,
Tom

*I know that "husker red," "gobucks" and "hawkeye gold" will think I have gone over the edge.

POINTY-HEADED INTELLECTUALS

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads to poverty (Proverbs 14:23).

I came on to this while reading this morning--it is from my financial newsletter: Karl Marx's wife once told him he should stop writing about capital and go out and make some.  Karl Marx and his wife lived in poverty even though he was an intellectual.  Of course we know that Marxism resulted in the execution of over 100,000,000 people in the 20th century and brought virtual poverty to many many more millions than that.  Watch out for the pointy-headed intellectuals!!!

Having said that, I need to go out and get to work.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

THE PROBLEM WITH STATISTICS

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ . . . (Ephesians 4:15).

The problem with statistics is that they often do not tell the truth.  This is what prompted Benjamin Disraeli to say, "there are three kinds of lies, lies, damned lies and statistics."  Very often statistic are only  factoids, meaning that they look factual, they sound factual because the researchers have some credibility behind them, but the research is flawed so that what appears to be a fact is not a fact, it is only a factoid.  So, question the research!

A conversation I had recently with a pastor who fell into the trap of statistics that all of us fall into is what precipitates this "bullet."  He repeated this statistic that Christians divorce at the same rate as non Christians. That stat has been out there for 15 years--I remember dealing with it in grad school.  First, it must be noted that there are some reasons why Christians should divorce, there are circumstances when there is no other choice.  Having said that, I am going to mention a blurb by Gary Foster in the Christian Counseling Connection that reports some of the most recent research that more likely fits reality:

The research actually showed couples who are active in their faith are much less likely to divorce.  Catholic couples were 31% less likely.  Protestant couples 35% and Jewish couples 97%. (Foster quoted Ed Stetzer's Church Report).

If one wants to question this research, that's okay, but from my experience, it fits reality much better.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

HOW TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3).

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

I was listening to the Rush Limbaugh program last week when Rush quoted some source about people who refused to apologize had higher self-esteem than those who did apologize.  So I did a quick search on line and and found that a University of Queensland researcher, Tyler G. Okimoto, surveyed 228 Americans and found that those who refused to apologize seemed to exhibit higher self-esteem than those who did apologize.  Okimoto said, "Refusing to apologize makes you feel more empowered . . . power and control seems to translate into greater feelings of self worth."

That may very well be true.  We put feeling better about our selves pretty high on the list of virtues, but, as usual, it is about completely back wards to the way of God.  What is important is doing the right thing.  What is important is taking responsibility for our behavior.  If we have done wrong, apologizing is taking responsibility for our behavior.  People who can apologize are the kind of people God can work with.  Those are the kind of people who will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

BE CONTAGIOUS--IN A POSITIVE WAY

Your boasting is not good.  Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (I Corinthians 5:6).

I found another article in the 4-13 issue of Psychology Today by Ron Friedman called Motivation is Contagious that I thought was important.  Essentially the article speaks about how motivation is contagious--both positively and negatively.  University of Rochester research has shown that when highly motivated employees are grouped with lesser motivated employees the performance of all the employees was enhanced.  It also worked the other way as well.  When an employee was paired with a less motivated employee, "their inspiration dwindled and their performance dropped, too."  When participants in the study were asked if they had been influenced by the other person they said, 'absolutely not.'  They did not personally recognize an influence of the other on their own performance.

There are some lessons here: 1. Though you may not have a choice in a tough job market, choose to work around the most positive people you can because the people you work around have a huge effect on you.  2.  Be the one who is positively contagious.  Sometimes we don't have the choice, we have to have a job.  Determine to be positive, put on a happy face, to look for the good in every desperate situation because, for the Christian, God works together for good in everything for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose (See Romans 8:28).  3. We do not recognize how others are affecting us, that is why we need to hang around the most positive person there is, Jesus Christ.  Praise, prayer, reading the Word, the Lord's Supper celebration, intentional fellowship with the most positive people, brothers and sisters in Christ.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

THE POWER OF TOUCH

It is well for a man not to touch a woman (I Corinthians 7:1).

For some unknown reason, this is the first Scripture verse that came to mind when I was thinking of writing this piece, though there are others that are better, so I am going with it.  Touch is a powerful thing.  In the area of male and female relationships it must be used very carefully because of the emotions that can be triggered as a result of a touch.

In the most recent issue of Psychology Today (April 2013) there is an article by Rick Chillot called, Touch, Louder than Words.  I thought the article was good, but I am only going to share a couple of brief quotes to stimulate your curiosity to read it and to remind Christians how important touching is.

In a study by the University of Illinois, physical contact between professional basketball team mates was tracked: The study revealed that the more on court touching (chest bumps, high fives, back slapping, etc.) there was early in the season, the more successful teams and individuals were by season's end.  The effect of touch was independent of salary or performance, eliminating the possibility that players touch more if they're more skilled or better compensated. 

. . . research shows that touch can communicate multiple positive emotions: joy, love, gratitude, and sympathy . . . touch is a much more nuanced, sophisticated, and precise way to communicate emotions. 

A warm handshake, hug, pat on the back, high five, fist bump, etc can work motivational and attitudinal wonders! 

Our Father's Love*
Tom

*I'd give you a hug if I could.

FROM WHERE DOES OUR POWER COME?

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the holy name of your holy servant Jesus.  After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly (Acts 4:29-31 NIV).

The apostles Peter and John had been jailed for preaching about Jesus Christ.  Upon their release they returned to the assembly of Christians and reported to them what had happened.  Then they prayed.  The cited text above is their prayer.

In his book, The Great Omission, Robert Blair makes an important assertion for us to give some serious consideration:  They [Peter and John] didn't petition the Lord to change the authorities' hearts or to alter the high court's decision.  They didn't beg for leadership skills and money to form a popular protest.  The church solicited two things from God.  First, they wanted boldness to continue their witness in the face of threats.  Second, they asked God to do something else few Christians request today -- "Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."  . . . Current Christians depend too much on lawyers, letter-writing campaigns, political clout, and legal maneuver.  Jesus' real followers fearlessly declare his good news and pray powerfully.  They do not demand a cozy, comfortable, safe environment.

The Christian consensus is gone.  Perhaps that is a good thing.  In times past, most people lived their lives by Christian assumptions, but they were not Christian.  Now the contrast between a Christian and a person of the world is much more distinct--as it should be.  It is more difficult to live as a Christian now.  Where does the power to stand for Christ come from?  I think Blair's point is valid.  Our source of power is from God.  The great weakness of the church today is that we seek power in the wrong places.  As our culture becomes less and less moral, do we try to correct it by more political action or by prayer and disciple making?  As I have said in an earlier post, in a government of the people, by the people and for the people, I have the responsibility to participate in it--and I will speak up politically.  But my power doesn't come from government, but from God.

Perhaps the most powerful thing you can do for God, others and yourself is to organize a powerful prayer meeting--it is something any Christian can do (see Matthew 7:7-12).

Our Father's Blessing,
Tom

THE UNITED STATES: A GIFT TO PASS ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given unto me.  God therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20).

I finished reading Robert Blair's The Great Omission.  It is a book that has been around for a few years, but is well worth reading.  In this, and the next post or two, I will share some thoughts.  The Church has muddled the message of Christ and, as a result, mixed the mission of Christ so much so that the Church must have Divine origins and support to even exist.  Blair makes an important point when he says,  Many conservative American Christians seem to think they need all the rights and freedoms afforded by the U.S. government in order for the church to survive until Jesus returns.  They fix their hopes in the courts and Congress. (p. 291).  What ever the political situation is, Christians have a job to do.  We are empowered by our God to carry it out--it is His will!

Having said that, I want to say this: I am a conservative American Christian.  I have been blessed to live through the best times in history, enjoying the blessings of freedom and material wealth that most of earth's population has not been afforded.  The reason that we enjoy this is because we are a nation founded on Christian principles.  It is so sad to see this slipping away.  Why would I stand around and just let this treasure be lost without saying something, without doing something?  I can't!

The success of the Kingdom of God does not depend on the United States of America.  As Christians we must keep on with the mission regardless of the political situation!  Nevertheless, as a Christian citizen of the United States, I cannot idly standby and watch it that heritage be squandered so that it cannot be enjoyed by the next generation.

Our Father's Love,
Tom 

HOW TO READ THE BIBLE

You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life (John 5:39-40).

In a book authored by a friend of mine, Robert Blair, he makes a statement that I think is important to share: Until people read Scripture allowing God to speak forcibly and unequivocally to their own hearts, they had just as well read Shakespeare . . . (The Great Omission).

I think it is important for a person to get into the habit of Bible reading.  There are times when one isn't feeling good, or sections of the Bible that seem to be boring and uninspiring and, as a result, it is a matter of will power just to keep on reading.  At these times Bible reading may seem to be less important than Shakespeare.  Nevertheless, if one is reading for the purpose of knowing God--of understanding His will, I believe God rewards that, All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:16-17).  We do not read the Bible to "score points" with God, but to know Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Brother Blair mentioned in his book [knowing brother Blair, I know he did not say this to brag] that he had read the Bible clear through more than sixty times.  My wife has read the Bible through several times.  I have been critical of those who read on a ridged schedule and read so fast, how can they get anything out of it?  Yet, it is clear that they do.  I read at a virtual snail's pace because I like to meditate as I read.  I also read one of the gospels after I read one of the other sections of the Bible because it is important to connect it all to Jesus--that's my style.* 

One last thing, I believe it is important to ask God to bless the reading of His word.  Living in this world and in this body of flesh we need the encouragement, strength and wisdom that God has to give us through his word.  Whatever your style is for Bible reading, make it every day and ask God's blessing on your reading. 

Our Father's Love,
Tom

*I also think that one meditates better with a cup of coffee and something chocolate.

CHRISTIAN UNITY

I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me (John 17:20-21).

That the Church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one; consisting of all those in every place that profess their faith in Christ and obedience to him in all things according to the Scriptures, and that manifest the same by their tempers and conduct, and of none else as none else can be truly and properly called Christians (Thomas Campbell, the first proposition of his Declaration and Address, June 1, 1851).

More than a week ago I posted my story about my hernia surgery, relating how my surgeon asked to pray with me before the surgery.  I certainly welcomed that prayer prayed in Jesus name!  Knowing a little of his denominational background, I know there are some doctrinal issues upon which we differ, but on the person of Jesus Christ there are no differences.  Jesus, the Messiah, is God become flesh who dwelt among us, being fully tempted in every way and yet without sin.  Who gave himself as the only sacrifice for sin, dying on the the cross, raising from the dead, ascending into Heaven with the promise to return for His own.  This Jesus is the only savior!  Belief in this Jesus is the foremost essential.

In saying that belief in the gospel is the foremost essential, all other doctrinal matters are secondary essentials.  If Jesus Christ is not who the New Testament says he is, all other doctrinal matters make no difference anyway (I Corinthians 15:17).  I know the good doctor and I have differences on a secondary essential and some matters of opinion, but I am thankful that we share our belief in the same Lord Jesus Christ, the foremost essential.  God will deal with the rest.  Let us celebrate the unity we do have!

Our Father's Love,
Tom

HAVE YOU CHOSEN YOUR LIFE OR HAS YOUR LIFE CHOSEN YOU?

For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it (Matthew 16:25).

Many people know what their career choice is while they are very young; not so with me.  Where I am today was not the result of careful planning, but more the result of the Lord's leading--I am thoroughly convinced of it!  I do not claim to be a great philosopher, but it seems to me that when one commits his life to the Lord Jesus Christ he cannot go wrong on the vocational choice of his life, for in any case, he will always be serving the Lord.  If one is committed to serving the Lord, he will find his best possible life.

Even though some get started in their career choices at an early age, still the route one takes vocationally can be a circuitous one.  Sometimes we will find that we are doing something that is other than what we want to do.  What is most important is that we are doing honest work to make ends meet.  It might well be that God prepares us in these times for the great vocational goal where we really want to be, or for the great vocational satisfaction we never expected. 

As a young person, pastoral ministry was one of my vocational choices, along with teaching and coaching.  I have degrees in pastoral ministry and marriage and family therapy.  To some degree, I serve in each of those capacities, but if one asks me what I do, I call myself a farmer.  I say that because I do not doubt that God led us to the farm. Farming was not an occupation that I chose for myself in my early years, but as I look back at my life, this is the place where I fit the best.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

THE COST OF POSSESSION

For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or for forfeits himself? (Luke 9:25).

We seldom take into account what it costs to possess a thing, whether it is a house, a car, a boat, a camper or a set of golf clubs.  What do you mean?  Once I have paid for a thing I can't keep it for free?  I subscribe to a financial journal and in it was an article by Mark Ford called, The Cost of Possession: A New Concept in Financial Planning.  It was a good article about the best use of our money.  One of the reasons I thought it was good was that his thoughts echoed some of my personal thoughts about the best use of my money as a small farmer.  We do not use our money to make ourselves look good, we use it in the way that makes the best sense.  What does it really cost to own a house, a car, a new tractor?  Is that the best way to use your money?

One thought Mr. Ford did not include in his article is that our many possessions can possess us.  For example, when people buy campers then they will have to use them for camping.  Of course, the best time for camping is the week end.  Many times people will miss worship on Sunday because their camper possesses them, and the same is true for motorcycles and golf clubs, etc.  I am not saying these things are wrong to own, but has the cost of possession been considered in the total price?

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

ON THE SAME TEAM

Pray at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18).

This morning at 7:00 I was on the operating table receiving the anesthesia for my hernia surgery.  A few minutes prior to that my surgeon was in my room explaining the procedure to me--the nurses had already explained it to me a couple of times, then he asked if it was okay for him to pray for me and how he would do the surgery.  I welcomed his prayer!  He is a Christian, but of a different denomination than me so I'm sure there are some doctrinal differences between him and me.  Still, it is quite clear that he is a believer in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and is committed to following him in his daily life.  We are on the same team.

I am sore and achy right now, which is normal, but all went well.  It is good to know that there is another man on the same team!

Our Father's blessings,
Tom

DO NOT ALLOW THE DEVIL A PLACE

. . . do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-27).

These are a few of the thoughts that came to my mind as I read this Scripture this morning during my daily Bible reading.  I am one of those people who has difficulty controlling his emotions.

One of the marks of emotional maturity is the ability of a person to control his or her emotions.  When emotions are in control of a person, it allows the devil a place to do his work.  When we nurture angry thoughts over a long enough period of time then satan steps in and does his destruction of relationships.

Anger is not necessarily a bad thing, in fact, in some cases it is good.  It motivates us to stand up and make a difference.  Sometimes it is wrong not to be angry.  However, when anger is not resolved and is nurtured and it crosses the boundaries God intends for it then satan uses it for his destructive schemes.

So, to prevent satan from having a place to work is to be a self-disciplined person, not allowing emotions to control you, but rather, you controlling your emotions.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

LOOK LIKE YOU CARE

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27).

In a recent family discussion about what pastoral attire should look like, my son said, "They should at least look like they care."  I whole-heartedly agree, but it still begs the question, What does looking like you care look like?

There isn't a pastoral uniform described in the New Testament.  The 21st century evangelical American pastoral uniform is blue jeans and a shirt with the tails hanging out.  Does that communicate that the pastor cares more than if he had on a suit and tie?  Almost all basketball coaches and television news people wear suits, ties and nice dresses. Does that make them look like they care?

Like it or not, there is a degree of competence and leadership, or lack of it, that is communicated by our dress, it reflects what we feel about our message and our mission.  No one stays home from a basketball game because the coach is wearing a suit and no one will stay home from church because the pastor is wearing one either.

Having said that, how we dress does not communicate that we care if we are not willing to get our clothes dirty.  Several years ago, I went with our youth and family minister to a home where the clothes dryer was not working.  The people who lived there were in poverty and were dirty.  In that situation, our youth pastor was willing to get down on his knees in the middle of a dirty mess and work on that dryer.  He did it because he cared.  I was moved by his willingness to do that.

When it comes down to where the rubber meets the road, looking like we care means that we look like Jesus.  We are clothed with him--he is our uniform.  What is it that people see when they look at us?  Do they see Jesus or just our attire?

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

LOOKING AHEAD BY LOOKING BACK

Do this in remembrance of me . . . For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (I Corinthians 11:24,26).

The first full week of January each year, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, is the time for the Dakota Farm Show.  Each day thousands of people flock to the Dakota Dome on the campus of the University of South Dakota, where the event is held.  It is my custom to take a day off and go to the show each year.  It is both enjoyable and educational to take the show in and see what new is coming to agriculture.

Two blocks from the Dakota Dome is the W.H. Over Museum.  I always take time from the Show to spend a little time at the museum.  The museum has excellent exhibits from prehistoric to modern times, the ones most fascinating to me are the those of the plains Indians.  Important lessons can be learned from history if one is teachable, but it is true that one of the lessons we learn from history is that humanity does not learn from history--very well.

The museum was nearly empty while I was there.  As I visited the gift shop I asked the man behind the counter if anyone from the farm show had been over to visit.  He said, "no."  Everyone at the farm show was interested in looking ahead, but if we fail to look back we do so at our peril.  It is hard to chart an accurate course ahead if we do not stop and consider where we have been. 

Redemption history is no different.  One cannot look ahead without looking back.  If one doesn't look back to Jesus, there is no hope, there is no "after life," there is no salvation, no wholeness, no justice and no ever-lasting love.  To chart the road ahead one has to look back to Jesus Christ.

Our Father's Love,
Tom

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH LIFE?

How long, O Lord?  Wilt thou forget me for ever?  How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?  How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my soul in my heart all the day? (Psalms 13:1-2).

In an email that was forwarded to me by a friend, there was a simple statement that I thought was profound and worth quoting to you: "Life is not the way it is supposed to be.  It is the way it is.  The way you cope with it is what makes the difference." 

To me, the author of that quote is unknown, but the statement is so true!  The psalmist who started the 13th Psalm on such a sorrowful note ends it this way: But I have trusted in thy steadfast love; my heart will rejoice in thy salvation.  I will sing to the Lord because he has dealt bountifully with me (Psalms 13:5-6).

The way you cope with life makes the difference.  You can chose to look at life through the dark glasses of negativism or you can choose to see in every circumstance God working for your good.  I know that in some circumstances it is almost impossible, but, by faith,  it is true.

Our Father's Love,
Tom

RESTORING AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS (Part 5)

Greet one another with a holy kiss (II Corinthians 13:12).

What I want to emphasize in this post is the importance of touching to human relationships.  In the culture of Paul's world, kissing was an appropriate greeting.  We westerners have difficulty with the manner of greeting, but we must note what is important in the text, a warm greeting by touching.  Whether it is a hand on the shoulder, hug, handshake, it doesn't matter.  What does matter is that there is a touch.  Touching is affirming, it is a declaration of a person's significance and worth.  In a world where wealth, talent, beauty and power are worshipped, it is essential that the significance of every person be recognized.  In a small way, every time we touch another appropriately, that significance is communicated.

Our Father's Love,
Tom

RESTORING AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS (Part 4)

. . . do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:3-4).

What does giving have to do with relationships?  A lot!  If one isn't willing to invest in a relationship, is it worth anything?  How valuable is a relationship if one isn't willing to invest in it even if he or she does not get any recognition?  As strange as it may sound, when "invisible" support is given to another, both are blessed.  One's commitment to the relationship is strengthened by offering help in secret.  The other's mood is lifted by receiving hidden acts of kindness.  So, find secret ways of blessing another--in the end it blesses both.

Our Father's Love,
Tom

*A note of caution about building and strengthening relationships:  One has to assess the relationship and think about whether or not the relationship is worth saving.  Some are not.  Marriage is a sacred covenant relationship so one has to examine that relationship in the light of Scripture.  In any case, relationships can be so poisonous and destructive that one cannot survive.  God does not expect those relationships to be held on to.

RESTORING AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS (Part 3)

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all" (Proverbs 31:28,29).

The Scripture text is an example of giving a compliment, this one is for a wife, but both husbands and wives need to hear a good word from each other.  It is a human need to know that there is something about one's self that pleases another.  Relationships grow stale quickly if there is not mutual positive affirmation of the other in that relationship.  Celebrating the successes of the other in a relationship is a predictor of relationship success. 

Our Father's Love,
Tom

RESTORING AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS: Part 2

A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22).

"Don't worry.  Be happy."  There is much wisdom in that little phrase.  Because God is our Father, everything is going to work out for good.  So it is our responsibility to have a positive sense of humor, to re frame life events so that the light of God's provision is seen in them, to learn to not take ourselves so seriously.  What I'm saying is, no one likes to be around a contentious, negative, critical person.  Unless you are hanging around a lot of other contentious, negative and critical people, your spouse and your friends will love you for it!  Don't be thin-skinned.  Learn to take a joke.

Our Father's Love,
Tom

RESTORING AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS

Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:4).

There is entropy in every relationship.  If you remember your science, entropy is the inevitable movement from order to disorder that exists in every system, institution, relationship and communication.  The effect of entropy in relationships is to make them grow stale and fall apart.  How is it then that marriages and friendships can last a life time so they seem to be impervious to relationship entropy?  Whether the people in these relationships realize it or not, there is on constant in these relationships that resists entropy, gratitude.

In truth, a good relationship is not easy to come by.  Yes, in our culture and in our time, we go in and out of relationships all the time.  We think that someone will always be there, but when the time inevitably comes when one needs absolute faithfulness, Semper Fi, is there anyone who will really care?  Step 1 in building, strengthening and restoring relationships is to be thankful for the one you already have!  Be grateful for the ones around you who care!  Let them know that you are thankful for them--it will make a big difference in their feelings about you.  So thank God for your spouse and your friends and express genuine, heart-felt thankyou's to them.  This will generate a lot of positive emotion in your relationship that will last.

One of my rules in marriage counseling is that the negative talk stops!  There will be no name calling, sarcastic humor, making a joke at the other person's expense or laughing about what has hurt the other.  A marriage cannot survive this kind of negativity so this kind of behavior has to stop.  What will heal it is a genuine gratitude felt for and expressed to the other.

Our Father's Blessings, 
Tom

IS IT WORTH IT TO EAT RIGHT AND EXERCISE?

Train yourself in godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for this present life and also for the life to come ( I Timothy 4:7-8).

I have said it before and I will say it again, the reason I do physical exercise and try to eat in a healthy way is not to live longer, my times are in the Lord's hands, but to use this life to the fullest.  I want to be a companion to my wife, not to have her as my nurse.  I want to be able to enjoy my grand children, not to have them feel sorry for me.  I want to be able to travel, doing short-term missions, teaching, preaching and counseling.

My doctor obsesses over her patients.  Being 65 I went on medicare this year.  At the beginning of the medicare process the government wants each one to have a physical check up, so I had one this week.  All of my numbers were good.  Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, PSA were very good except my heart rate was slow, 45.  So, she called me into the hospital today for me to have another EKG.  Everything checked out okay, but my heart rate was still 50.  She still was not happy, but I told her, "Doc, I feel fine, I exercise 45 minutes a day.  I'm going to be okay."

My testimony is this:  Last year, having some medical problems was a wake-up call to me.  I had been self-medicating on some over-the-counter heart-burn medications, was on a prescription blood-pressure medication plus other medications need to deal with my cancer treatment, so I was a medication mess.  Though I thought I had been living a reasonably active life, I decided to become more disciplined in working out and eating right, though I do not obsess about it.  As a result, I now breath deeper, feel better, I am off the heart-burn and blood-pressure medications.  I have still a ways to go.  I might not live longer, but I think I will get more out of the life I have.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

METRICS OF DECLINE part 2

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17).

Much of the time my postings on Silver Bullets can use some refinement.  With my previous post, The Metrics of Decline, this is true.  Liberals and "progressives" would deny that the United States is in decline at all.  Often times, before the fall of a great civilization, it seems as if everything is well when, on close examination, it is not.  In the previous post I listed 4 metrics of decline that characterize the United States:
1.  A reductionist view of human life, for example, a preborn baby is nothing but and unviable tissue mass;
2.  The loss of personal freedom,
3.  The lack of monetary and budget credibility;
4.  The mainstream news media becoming the propaganda machine of the government.
While revising this post for publication elsewhere I had a moment of clarity when I realized I had left off  the most important measurement of decline:
5.  The rejection of a Christian moral compass.  The denigration of Christian holidays, institutions and morality occurs with regularity.  In America, we understand that free speech is one of our God-given rights so if one wants to denigrate our Christian foundation that is their right.  Free speech also helps us to measure where the hearts and minds of our people truly are.  It is true, however, that denying the One who holds all things together surely means that America will come apart.

Decline can be reversed, but it is dependent on God's help and our commitment to His service.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom 

THE METRICS OF DECLINE

This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to and end;  TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5:26-28).

E.J.Dionne Jr wrote an opinion piece that appeared in the January 15th Sioux City Journal titled, America isn't in decline and isn't retreating.  His piece has a very defensive tone, but he is a a socialist so the tone is understandable.  To the socialists in America, utopia is just over the horizon where there will be no guns, everyone will have a neat little abode with a few grains of rice and a bureaucrat watching their every move--Oh, I just described North Korea.

Dionne set me to thinking about what the metrics of national decline really might be.  My measurements would include the following:

1.  55 million abortions in the 40 years of legal abortion.  Our most innocent have been routinely "flushed down the toilet" since Rowe vs Wade as a matter of convenience.  This is a reductionist view of human life that is held by most of our legislators, our president and Justices and is reflected in "Affordable" Care Act.

2.  The loss of freedom.  Generally, people get the kind of government they deserve because government is a reflection of the national character.  Only a responsible people can be a free people.  What does it mean for us when we have government by executive order?  I thought we fought a war over that matter.

3.  The lack of monetary and budget credibility.Trillion plus dollar budget deficits a head as far as the eye can see and, in fact, the democrats want no limits on borrowing authority. There is nothing in obamanomics that can assure anyone that dynamic economic growth is ahead.  High unemployment and underemployment is the new normal.   Higher taxes and high inflation are on the horizon for everyone.
4.  The incompetence, or worse, of the handling and the cover up of the Benghazi affair.  The lack of resolve to bring to justice the radical Islamists who murdered Ambassador Stevens is criminal.  Is that interpreted as weakness and decline by the radicals in the Middle East? Absolutely.  The cover up of this, and like incidents, by the government with the full compliance of the main-stream news media to further a political agenda is certainly a metric of decline.  When the main-stream media becomes a propaganda machine for the government, our freedom is in jeopardy.

Blessed by God, America is a dynamic country and a land of great opportunity for all.  Each one must look into their own heart and determine if they are willing to be responsible and sacrifice so that our children can inherit the same opportunities that we did.

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

2012 WAS A BIG YEAR FOR TOM AND HELEN STEELE

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Here we are, almost to the middle of January 2013 and I am just trying to put 2012 into perspective.  I made a resolution to quite procrastinating, but that will have to wait until next month.  It must be noted that 2012 was one of the most eventful years of Helen's and my married lives.  More could be written, but what follows are some of the most salient:

1.  Helen's dad, Charles Huff passed away and he is greatly missed.  A genuine war hero, elder in the church, youth leader, scout leader in about every capacity from volunteer to executive, active in community service organizations he was an inspiration and a former of character in the lives of a lot of people.  Charles was a servant of Jesus Christ so we know that, according to God's promise, he is waiting and watching for us to join him in heaven.

2. Daughter Rebecca, husband, Kirk, grandchildren, Faith, Deacon and Parker moved from Ceres, California to Indianola, Iowa.  They are much closer and easier to visit--what a blessing!!!

3.  This spring our family grew a little when the best dog I ever had joined us.  His name is now Scoobie, a pit bull.  He is faithful, gentle.  He just appeared on our farm one early spring morning.  We do not know where he came from, but he has been a joy to have around.

4.  This year Helen has experienced a great deal of success with weight loss, so much so that if you have not seen her in a year you would be amazed.  She is even more the "lovely and gracious Helen."

5.  New siding and a new roof were installed on the house.  The dust from a heavily traveled gravel road would not allow the paint to stick, but now I think we are done with painting for good.

6.  We moved my mother from her lake-side house to the Willoway Heights Apartments.  She is 93.

7.  Tom has experienced some significant health issues this last year so he reconditioned a bike and rides every day.  I don't know if I will live longer, but hopefully, I will be able to get the most out of every day that I can.

8.  2012 was the year of the big drought.  It has been more than 50 years since we had a drought like this.  I hope we do not have a drought 2 years in a row!

9.  Tom bought a Mustang convertible.  It is a vintage "7Up" Mustang, 1990 5.0.  The pipes are the best music this side of heaven.

10. Of least importance, Tom turned 65 and went on Medicare.  That is a whole education in itself.

2013 will bring more significant events, a couple of them will happen soon, but I will save them for next year's letter.  Helen and I are doing well and doing our best to enjoy each moment the Lord gives us.  The older we get, the more precious each moment is.

Our Father's Love,
Tom & Helen Steele

HOW IS YOUR CHARISMA SHOWING?

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord (II Peter 1:2).

Of all people, Christians should be people who are optimistic about the future, who are approachable and pleasant to meet because they have a smile on their face, warmth in their voices and love in their hearts. That is "charisma." There are a lot of different applications of the Greek word, "charis," but generally the formal dictionary definitions tell us that charisma is a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.  It seems to be a quality that leaders have.  Charisma can be a divinely conferred power or talent.  In any case, "charis," itself, is a gift of grace that is not earned, but can certainly be refined and polished to bring glory to God and inspire others to greater service for Him.

For Christians who appear to not be "charismatic" I would ask the question, "What is going on with your faith?  Do you feel hopeless?"  Christians are human beings too, so they can be troubled with the same physical pains, illnesses and mental illnesses as anyone else. As a result, there are some compelling dynamics for not having a smile on the face.  Also, extroversion and introversion are genetic factors so it is very difficult for an introvert appear to be as charismatic as an extrovert.  Nevertheless, Christians can exude a peace, because of their faith in a faithful God.

It must also be added that, being people of faith in God, we do what is gracious whether we feel like it or not.  The truth is that our emotions often follow our actions.  When, in faith, we give thanks we will then feel thankful.  When, in faith, we show love, it is then we feel love.  When, in faith, we forgive, we feel forgiveness.

In Christ, you are a charismatic person.  Let it show!

Grace & Peace,
Tom

SIX WAYS TO MAKE TIME

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).

It is important to start off the new year with a resolution to make the most of the time you have, after all, we only have a limited amount of it before we die.  According to the cited Scripture text, not only are we to make the most of the time we are given, we are to buy-up time, or to rescue time for good use because the days are evil.  So here are my 6 ways to buy-up, rescue or make time so that it can be put to proper use*:  1.  Get an education.  I believe in life-long learning, so the process never ends as long as we can draw a cognizant breath.  True education is not is not cheap, but it does free time for its best use.

2.  Eat right, exercise and get proper amounts of sleep.  In other words, do the things that make for good physical health.  Though we do not have complete control of our health, there are many physical and mental health problems  that can arise because we do not take proper care of ourselves.  How many opportunities are wasted because of poor health!

3.  Seek salvation in Jesus Christ.  Salvation is wholeness.  It is finding comfort in your relationship to God, in human relationships and eyes to see the things that are really important so that time is not wasted on lessor things.  These few lines from a prayer attributed to Francis of Asissi are appropriate here: For it is in giving that we receive,  It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,  It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

4.  Take a risk.  Though this might seem to be contradictory to #2 because risks are dangerous, sometimes there are no opportunities if there is no risk-taking.  I know doing the Lord's work is not safe because we are in spiritual combat against the world.  According to Jesus, in the parable of the talents, the servant who refused to take a risk was called, "wicked."

5.  Pray.  God is the God of all time, past, present and future.  He is the only One capable of time travel.  When situations seem to be impossible, He is the only one who can make them possible.  Our Father answers the prayers of His children in ways that we do not expect.  To make time we need God, our Father's, help!

6.  Honest self-examination.  To make time we need to understand what it is about we, ourselves, that is hindering us.  There is nothing more time wasting as pet sins of which we keep dragging around; as well as bad habits.  You have got to do some honest personal housecleaning!

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

*These are not necessarily in proper order and there might be some of which I have not thought.  You are welcome to suggest more if you like.