Where do the days go? Everything is moving so fast that I can scarcely keep up. At times I feel as if I am on this giant treadmill and getting no where, but I sure am getting there fast !
We get together with someone over a coffee or lunch, and even that time is often interrupted by "text messaging" during the visit. Blackberrys and Cell Phones have increased our efficiency so that we can do anything, anywhere, anytime and just be busy all the time.
With being so busy, there is less time to cultivate friendships. We don't spend time with friends, not only because we are so busy but also because, when there is time, we are too tired to take on even one more thing.
Even so, friendships are so important, aren't they. It has been said that each of us needs at least six friends....Pallbearers to attend to our coffin when we die. I know this was meant as a joke when I first heard that but I suspect there are some of us who aren't sure we have that many that we have kept in touch with on a regular basis.
Most of us need to focus on how to do a better job of keeping in contact. I'm not just pointing fingers at everyone else; I'm saying this to myself as well. Today as I write this newsletter, I have come to a decision. I am going to:
- Take time to get together with someone who I haven't spoken with for a long time.
- Leave my cell phone in my car and visit without interruptions.
- Do everything I can to make my next offee visit meaningful and worthwhile.
- Make an effort to slow things down just a little even if only for a little while.
I have a friend who calls me every so often and usually talks for no more than a couple of minutes. He just checks in to see how I'm doing and then the conversation is over, but at least he keeps in touch. I'm not waiting for his next call. I'll call him first! In fact I think I'll call him right now! As I slow down this treadmill to invest time in my friendships, I will reap the rewards. I know you will too!
The Likeness
My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Papa, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo, while I asked, "No, how are we alike?" "You're both old," he replied.
It's Finally Happened!
The web site for Lost and Found Ministries is finally up and running. We've been talking about it for so long that many of you, like us, probably thought that it might never happen. Our address is:
Lostandfoundministries.com and/or Lostandfoundministries.ca
We are so excited about being able to put information into your hands immediately, especially as it relates to the ministry, concert promotions and this humble newsletter.
We believe this will be a cost saving move. In fact, If you have an e:mail address, we would love to send this newsletter to you by email and save the postage and printing from this end.
Check us out and browse through the various features, including our feedback section. Any comments you may have will be appreciated.
Toppings
A farmer was driving along the road with a load of fertilizer. A little boy, playing in front of his house, saw him and called,
"What have you got in your truck?"
"Fertilizer," the farmer replied.
"What are you going to do with it?" asked the little boy.
"Put it on strawberries," answered the farmer.
The little boy pondered the situation momentarily, then told the farmer, "You ought to live here. We put sugar and cream on ours."
Quick Stinking
A family of skunks was trapped in a thicket, surrounded by a pack of hungry wolves that were edging even closer. The mother skunk calmly instructed her young,
"Quickly, children, let's put our heads together!" They obeyed, forming a circle so she continued, "Now -- let us spray!"
Duh
I recently purchased a new desktop-publishing program that surprised me by containing a special "make-a-paper-airplane" option. I decided to give it a try.
After I selected the plane I wanted, the software gave me a choice of accessories available for my plane, including a stick-up tail, adjustable flaps and an AM/FM radio.
Out of curiosity I chose the AM/FM radio. The program responded with a message box stating: "Come on, be serious. These are just paper airplanes."
Lighter Load
The lady next door sympathized as my mother complained that her back was really sore from moving furniture.
"Why don't you wait until your son gets home?" the next door neighbour asked.
"I could," my mother told the lady. "But the couch is easier to move if he's not on it."
Hope For The Future
As pretty much everyone knows by now, unless you left the planet, history has and is being made with the election of a black man, Barack Obama, as the president of the worlds' most powerful nation, the USA. In fact he has just completed his first trip outside of the USA as its president, to us here in Canada.. What a stir he made. He was treated like a "rock star".
As many others, I too have watched as the world has been mesmerized by President Obama. I‘ve thought about what it is that makes everyone sit up and take notice of this man and the event.
I have come to the conclusion that it has very little to do with knowledge, even though he is a university graduate. It certainly is not his skill because he has never had a job in industry. It most definitely is not his experience for he is a novice on the political scene.
He is, however, an eloquent speaker who has captured the minds of those who hear him even though in listening to him objectively, he says very little that commits him to anything.
Americans want "hope." Canadians want "hope". In fact, the whole world is looking for "Hope". The theme of "hope" obviously struck a chord with voters in the recent election in the USA. Obama's success comes from the fact that he has the ability to instill "Hope" in the hearts of those who follow him. His, is a timely message .
The word "hope" usually has a certain intangible quality about it. Perhaps that's because the dictionary calls it a "feeling" that "what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best." To hope is "to feel that something desired may happen."
There's nothing wrong with that and hope is essential to the human spirit. Without genuine hope of something better, it's hard to see how a person could face another day. The opposite, after all, is "hopelessness", a condition of despair that no one wants, but is all too common in this world. The real problem is that hope can be tragically misplaced.
I'm not the first to tell you this, but there is no politician, none in fact, that can provide real hope. Anyone who places his full hope in man and forgets God "will perish" (Job 8:13). I could find no reference in the Bible describing true hope other than that which is found in the Lord.
There has never been a book written that is more hopeful than the Bible. Hope runs through its pages as a golden thread, from God's promise to Adam and Eve (in so many words) of a coming Redeemer through the book of Revelation to the Christian's ultimate hope of eternity with Christ. What could be more hopeful than that? In fact, that's the purpose of Scripture: "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4).
Jesus Christ is called "our hope" (1 Tim. 1:1) and Paul refers to "Christ in you, the Hope of Glory" (Col. 1:27). Our hope in Christ is justified because He is God's only Son who rose from the dead on the third day, proving His deity.
For this reason, "we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men" (1st Tim 4:10). Peter tells us we have "a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..." (1 Peter 1:3). He is, quite simply, "the God of hope..." (Romans 15:13).
The bad news is that some Christians are in for unprecedented persecution, both subtle and not-so- subtle. Christian liberties that have been in place are being whittled away in the name of multiculturalism and diversity. But take heart! God has an amazing way of turning what men intend for evil into something good (Romans 8:28).
In fact, in Romans 5, Paul says that not only do we rejoice in "hope of the glory of God" (verse 2) but we also "glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope" (verses 2 to 4).
For the Christian, even tribulation results in, or strengthens, hope. In Romans 12:12, Paul talks about three things hope-full Christians should be: "rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing steadfastly in prayer." Not a bad "to-do list."
But how can we "rejoice in hope" during difficult times, even persecution? The psalmist said, "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord" (Psalms 31:24). Christian hope, after all, "does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5b). Our hope not only is in God but also comes from God through His indwelling Holy Spirit.
As the old hymn by Edward Mote and William Bradbury says,
My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly trust in Jesus name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand.
Everything in this world, especially in politics, is subject to change. But "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8). And that truth is exactly why He is the only One in whom we can safely and confidently place our hope.
This "hope" is a lifestyle for the Believer. Our lives are to be examples of the "living hope" that Peter was talking about. That's why "hope" is one of the three Christian virtues (along with love and faith) cited by Paul (1 Cor. 13:13). Are you an example of "living hope?" Could you explain your hope to others? Scripture says, "always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is within you..." (1 Peter 3:15).
There is Hope for the Future. Christian hope is something that should be so obvious, that it makes people curious. What do you have that they don't? And how can they get some of it? Praise God, He has an abundant supply. There's more than enough to go around. Let's share this hope with all we meet, unashamedly and with gladness and respect.
Verse For Today
Always be ready to give an answer to everyone that asks you, a reason for the Hope that is within you, with meekness and with fear.
- 1 Peter 3:15
Blind Date
"That was nice of you to set up a blind date for your ex-boyfriend." "I know, but I don't hold any grudges." "I'm surprised he trusted you enough to agree to go out with her." "Well, I had to swear to him she's Jennifer Lopez's double." "Wow! Is that true?" "I wouldn't lie. She's twice her weight and twice her age."
Reminders
One Sunday a pastor announced he was passing out miniature crosses made of palm leaves. "Put this cross in the room where your family argues most," he advised. "When you look at it, the cross will remind you that God is watching." When the parishioners were leaving church, a woman walked up to the pastor, shook his hand, and said, "I'll take five."
Thoughts On Exercise
This is not something I actually recommend, but I thought they might make you giggle!
~ I joined a health club last year. Spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently, you have to show up.
~ If God meant us to touch our toes, he would have put them further up our body.
~ I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.
~ If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.
~ I don't jog. It makes the ice jump right out of my iced tea glass.
~ I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
~ I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing.
Your Choice
One beautiful Sunday morning, a pastor announced to his congregation: "My good people, I have here in my hands four sermons... A $100 sermon that lasts five minutes, a $50 sermon that lasts fifteen minutes, a $10 sermon that lasts a full hour and a coin sermon that lasts till noon. Now, we'll take the collection to see which one you want."
Looking Ahead
Lost & Found is continually looking ahead and trying to anticipate what we will be doing and where we should be going. Time has a way of moving so fast that venues and groups are booked in no time. The following dates still open are:
April 26th p.m.
May 2nd, 3rd and 23rd , 24th
June 27th, 28th
It is never to early to plan ahead. In fact, we are also accepting dates into summer and fall. If you are planning something special, we also have a limited number of additional dates available scattered throughout the next few months that we haven't advertised. As always we will come for a love offering or an honorarium.
Please contact us as soon as you possibly can so that we can make ministry and concert dates work for you. Contact us by calling:
Ken Harder (403) 616-8316
Contact Information
For bookings, comments, questions, posters and information, don't delay! Check us out on the www at LostandFoundMinistries.com or by telephone, contact:
Ken Harder at (403) 616-8316.
For e:mail, you can reach us at LostFound@shaw.ca. Written correspondence or donations can go to:
- 347 Patterson Blvd SW
Calgary, AB., T3H 3K1
Until we meet again, keep your ears on the music and your eyes on God.
