May The SON'S Love Shine on Us All in 2010...

Please would you copy this link below and see where it lead you?

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Asking for what you need...Really!

ASK and you shall receive, SEEK and you will find, KNOCK and the door will be opened to you.

What an amazing statement Jesus made in in what is sometimes called the "Sermon on the Mount". I 've often asked God for what I thought I needed or for what I wanted.  How do you ask for what you really need?

My suggestion to you is "often". Lately my wife Carolyn and I are waiting at least three days before be buy what we think we need. After the third day we often realize we don't really "need" what ever it is and don't buy it. It gives us time to look at "the big picture" and I know our God really knows the "big picture" from the beginning of time to the end of time.

Jesus is said to have prayed three times for His Father to "remove the cup" he had been given: to die for our sins. Three times. Then he said, "not my will but Your will be done".  This is a prayer I believe he prayed every day, "Abba in Heaven, holy is Your Name, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN..."'

How do we know what the Father's will is--REALLY?  Jesus said if we ask, really believing, really out of faith, it "SHALL BE GIVEN TO YOU".  Wow.  The Father's will seems to have to do with "Loving your neighbor as you love yourself". How much do you love yourself? Would you give your life for your neighbor?
Jesus did.

I had a duck when I was a little boy growing up in the Mojave desert in California.  One day I was playing with that duck and I by accident sat on it and killed it. I prayed and prayed that God would not let that duck die. Well it died. It was one really dead duck. I felt so sad and I cried and cried.  Why didn't God answer my prayer? I really believed he would raise up that duck. Did not God hear my prayer? I think so,  So it seems sometimes God's answer is 'NO' even when we pray in faith. It must not have been His "will" that that duck lives.  So what did seven year old Donny learn by all this? Ducks die when you sit on them. And if God doesn't think it's best that that duck comes back to life, it wont.

So why even bother?  It's not our will be done, it's God's will be done "on Earth as it is in Heaven".

I love Garth Brooks' song, "Thank God for Unanswered Prayer". It seems that part of what it means when we ask in faith, is trusting that God will do what's best, even if we don't like it.

I asked God to provide for the ministry of Life Connections. I really believe He is and He will. How and if  he does this is really up to Him.  I also ask you to pray with me that "God's will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day what we really need..."

That seems really worth asking for, don't you think?

Friendship

On this earth I believe God gives us many gifts, number one being the gift of his Son, Jesua. Then there are childhood friends like Earl, best friends like Al and Kathy, bestest friends like Carolyn and last of all special adult friends like Jen who are angels in disguise.

Once upon a time in a land not so very far away there once lived a fairy princess who one day would be queen. She was given a gift by the Gift Giver. Like all gifts of this special type, this one could only be given once to whomever she chose to bestow it.  "Bestow" is a gift giving word. A gift has no real meaning until it is bestowed--given away.  No strings, no wings and no seems or dreams, a gift must be.  She decided to give her gift to an old dried up worm of a man who least deserved it, yet had only one good quality: broken-ness. So when old worm man was offered the gift he bowed his head in submission to her will and simply said "thank you." Worm man was instantly changed into who he had been forever destined to become: Connection Man.

As the new year approaches I would ask us all one extremely important question: "Who are you connected to--Really?  The answer to this question can not only change the way we think about ourselves, also the way we think about others and ultimately the way we think about the Giver of Life who offers His Friendship to all.

"Happy Birthday Jesua, Happy Birthday Christman"

I was wondering the other day while I was driving down the highway: Just how did Mary and Joseph celebrate their firstborn son's birthday. What was that first "he's one year old" birthday party like in their home?  Did they realize that Jesua was 'one year old plus infinity'? How did Jesua's earthly parents remember "the first Noel"?

What feelings came to them as they thought back to Jesua's first night on this earth?

Well what do you think of when you think about your first born child's birth: The water breaking; the call to the doctor; the rush to the hospital; or the calling of the midwife; the "miracle of his/her birth"; checking out the fingers and toes; the call to parents and family and friends and on and on and on?

Ok, now add a few other details to their story: the inablity to find a place to stay that first night in Bethleham; the labor pains increasing; finally a place--even if it was "a hole in the wall" old stable; and finally the birth of their first born son; remembering what the angel had said, "and you shall call him 'Jesua' for he shall save his people"; the shepherds showing up; their story of the Heavenly announcement and on and on and on.

Ok that's all the physical stuff going on. Now let's go deeper. Now can you just imagine the "spirit world" stuff: the Father looking down on His 'first and only begotten son'; the knowledge that the 'eternal had become flesh' just a momentary nine months earlier; now living carnal fetus: "Imanuel-God with us"; the proud Father who had "spoken the Word into Living Flesh" knowing also in that instance it was now "the beginning of the end." I can only imagine and I wonder: 'what was the Father thinking--REALLY': "What if My Son chooses His will over Mine, after all He is human now as well being part of Me?" (Kind of blows the mind doesn't it?)

What was going on in the spirit world that " Ole Holy Night"? The angels rejoicing--at least the host of the heavenly angels. What about the other "host of fallen angels" led by their "father Lucifer", what's going on with the outcasts? We get just a glimpse from the Apocolypse of John (see Revelation chapter 12) as the dragon tries to devour the Son of the woman. What amazing spiritual battles occur as they think "ok, you're in our territory now baby" and all the Forces of Hell clash with all the Heavenly Forces of Life. Now there's a "Real Life Connection" for you!

How do Jewish parents remember the birth of their first born? Goggle it and you will be amazed: "The first born son of a Jewish family". Well maybe that's "another blog story" and for now would you sing with me:

Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday dear Jesua,
Happy Birthday to You."

How old are You,
How old are You,
You look like a Baby
And you smell like one Too.

What did infinity smell like on that first "Christman" morning? (No that wasn't a misprint.) The fresh aroma of all eternity given as all first fruits are given--in sacrifice back to the Giver of Life so that we might have "LIFE ETERNAL"

Wow!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His One and Only Son, that whosoever belives in Him might not perish but have everlasting LIFE". (Would you read John 3:16ff?)

On this "Christ-man Eve" believe again or for the first time: "Jesus Loves me this I know because the Word of Life tells me so".

Merry Christ-man EVERYONE!

A Jesus Sandwich

When I was a little kid I could eat PBJs three times a day. I loved them. They had to have butter and jelly and especially peanut butter--the chrunchy kind. I loved them then and I love them now. It just doesn't get any better than a PBJ Sandwich. I didn't like sharing my PBJs with anybody, espescially my big brother Bill. He was mean to me sometimes. But sometimes I had to. Sometimes he'd take the whole sandwich.

This life is like a PBJ sandwich. I never thought about it much, but the most important thing about a PBJ is the bread. It's what holds it all together. It's what gives you something to hold on to, otherwise it could get really messy. Imagine slapping a hunk of butter and jelley and chrunchy peanut butter on your hand and trying to eat it. Well, I don't have to imagaine it, I've tried it. The first time it was kind of fun, but it was a mess. And it just didn't taste the same. The bread is so important. You might like wheat or white or rye or whatever. As a kid I loved thick Wonder Bread--do they still sell Wonder Bread?

So what's a Jesus Sandwich? It's all the good and messy stuff in this life wrapped between two big slices of the Bread of Life. I call one slice "Peace" and the other "Joy". Or if you want to get real crazy make a "triple decker". That third slice is called "Love". And all the really great Jesus Sandwiches need to have a big slice of "Love", right?

Well enjoy your Jesus Sandwich everyday. And as hard as it is, cut it in half and share it with the people you come across who are the most hungry.

Especially share it with your "big brother" who calls you names and says other mean things to you. And if he/she takes the whole thing, make him another one. There just isn't anything better than a Jesus PBJ Sandwich.

My Father's Name is Art and he Lives in Heaven

When I was a little kid growing up in the Mojave desert in California, I remember those Sundays when the congregation prayed in unison "The Lord's Prayer". I didn't understand most of it but it's where I first learned that God's first name was "Art".

It was the only time I can remember when they used God's first name. I didn't know much about God but I knew where he lived and I new his first name. I don't remember this exactly, but I'm sure I once must have asked my Dad (whose name was Harry): "Daddy",(that's what my sisters Betty & Debi and brother Bill & I always called him), "Daddy, what's God's Last Name?"

Dad said, "Son (he always called me son) why do you think God has a last name?" I said, "well everyone's got a last name, what's Art's?" Dad said, "Whose Art?" "You know", I said, "that's God's first name, remember every Sunday when we pray together in church we all pray to our Father Art who is in heaven!"

Well Dad, somehow kept a straight face and without missing a beat, said: "Son, God's, ah Art's last name is Jehovah." I said , "well what do you know about that, Art Jehovah. Thanks Daddy." And with that question answered I went out to play "cowboys and Indians" or hunt for horney toads with my best friend Richie Snerlly.

I loved to talk to "Art" when I was a little kid. I'd be laying in the bottom bunk of the bunk bed (Bill always slept on top)and I'd talk and make up songs and sing them to my Heavenly Father, Art. After awhile I'd say well, I guess I better get to sleep, I'll let you go, I'm sure some other little boy is waiting to talk to you, too. Goodnight Art. Sleep tight. And I drifted off asleep safe and secure, wrapped in the arms of the invisible, only and all powerful Immanuel.

Well, some of the above story is true. And some is the imagination of the "little boy, Donny" who still lives deep inside of me.

So what's so important to me about this? Really? It's the unquestioning faith and trust I had in my earthly Dad, Harry and in my Heavenly Dad, Art. I didn't "know" a lot but I knew I was taken care of and nothing on this earth would hurt me--not even the big alligators my brother Bill said were under the bed.

I'm not sure how all little Jewish boys prayed. I am very convinced that when Jesus was a little boy he called his earthy and heavenly father by the same name: Abba which could very easily be translate, "Daddy". And I believe as he grew into the only human being who ever lived on this earth without sinning even one time, would daily pray:

My Daddy who is Heaven. How Holy is Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done
Here on earth as it has always been done in Heaven.
Would You please give me this day what I really need (bread--both physical and spiritual)?
Please forgive those who hurt me by sinning as I give my life for them.
And keep me from the evil one who tempts me every single chance he gets.
For Yours is the Kingdom (Eternal Rule) in my life.
Yours is the ultimate Power.
And Yours is the Glory forever and ever.
Amen.

Goodnight Daddy. I love You.

May this same all knowing and caring God wrap His loving arms around you and your family. Really.

"Aqualung My Friend"

Jethro Tull, the rock group, sings a terrible song called "Aqualung" which I just love. Not that I like Aqualung's behaviors, I hate them. It starts out: "Sitting on a park bench, eyeing little girls with bad intent. Snot is running down his nose......Aqualung my friend."

Life Connections is about reaching out to people who are really hurting. Who really need friends, true friends who love them inspite of themselves. What do we think and do about the "terrrible behaviors" of the people we "run into" in our life? Do we despise them or love them? "While we were "still terrible", God loved us and sent his Son to die for us.

Jesus came to this earth for such people as "Aqualung". The "well" don't need a doctor, the "sick" do.

What are your thoughts--really?

The God Who Came Down to Earth to Die

The God Who Came Down to Earth to Die

As the world gets ready to once again celebrate the birth of the Christ-child, I think about his death. Christmas lights and trees and bells ringing around the little red buckets at Wall-Mart all bringing in this season of giving and taking, of buying and selling.

Certainly this is a time for joy and "peace on earth" and I would not say as I once preached in a sermon 30 years ago, "Let's take Christ out of X-Mas". And yet at the same time this truly does seem to be such an artificial time of year--including our little tree in the living room--or certainly it can be viewed that way. And I really do appreciate the well meaning people who try to remind me of "the true meaning of Christmas".

I do have wonderful memories as a child sitting around the tree with Mom and my brother Bill and my sisters Betty and Debi as our Dad read us the "Christmas Story" from the Book of Luke from our family Bible.

This same book interestingly does not mention, ask, command or hint at the yearly Celebration of the birth of baby Jesus. It's very interesting to me that Jesus doesn't ask us to remember his birth--and if you know me I love birthdays, especially my own. Jesus surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly) asks us to celebrate and remember his death.

Even the origin of the word "Christmas" seems to come from our Catholic friends who celebrate Christ's MASS. The early disciples didn't like Jesus talking about his death and all but a few women and one "disciple whom Jesus loved" deserted him as he hung and died on that old rugged Roman cross. One of his last requests to them at their "last supper" together, was not to remember how he came into the world. Jesus passionately asked them to remember his death as they took the bread and wine.

Now as I think back to that 30 year old sermon telling my listeners to "Take Christ out of X-Mas", I now feel very strongly and "Passion-ately" about the "X" which is much closer to the shape of the instrument of capital punishment upon which Jesus died. I would now like to ask you to think about putting the "cross" back into Christmas. Jesus said it was for this reason he came to this earth, to die, to be buried and to be raised again. The early disciples didn't believe it until Jesus showed up three days after his death. And my guess is we don't believe it either until we allow Jesus to show up in our lives.

God came down to this earth to die so that you and I might live. This amazing grace, it seems to me, is the real meaning of Christmas.

"Merry Christmas" to you all or may I say very thankfully "Merry X-Mas".

Don McPherson

The Rest of the Life Connections Story-- So Far

About 15 years ago, when I graduated from UWO with a MSE in community counseling, I set up the non-profit organization called Life Connections. I had quit the ministry (or the ministry had quit me) with Churches of Christ which I had been doing full-time for about 15 years. I wanted to focus on counseling instead of preaching. The beginning of the end was when I preached a sermon called "Are We Becoming the Undenominational Denomination" at a Preacher's Retreat at a place called Fall Hall Glen. My Church elders got a tape of it and sent me packing. I had been struggling for years with the indoctrination I had received from "the Brotherhood".

I had attended a "preacher training school" sometimes called seminaries by other denominations. My school was a very legalistic one which I later would call a "cemetary" because they seemed more concerned on "burying the Truth" than proclaiming Him. Jesus was put more in the background to "Biblical understanding". It became more important "what" you knew instead of "Who" you knew. I made all "As" for the equivalent of four years of college crammed into two years. From Greek to Logic, denominational doctrines to apologetics, from Genesis to Revelation, we were drilled five days a week, studying 6 nights a week. My teachers even called it "saturation learning". I loved it. I gloried in it. I was saturated in the B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me.

I became sure I was saved by my "great learning" and was becoming 5 times a son of satan with my knowledge of "the truth". I came from Texas to Wisconsin to save all the lost in and out of their churches to come to the one and only TRUE CHURCH of CHRIST. Interestingly in Wisconsin I began to return to the faith of my childhood--were Jesus became again a real person and a personal God.

I had originally gone to this school to gain "tools" so I could try to make sense of the Bible. Well I learned the tools. Unfortunately the TOOLS became more important than the people. I had become a "religionist" and as my knowlegde of "the Book" grew my spirituality slipped away. My faith was replaced with facts. The Bible had become a text book instead of a guide book to point to the one who is the Source of Life. I needed to once again become connected to that Life. I had to lose my life to find it.

I wanted to offer counseling to those who were hurting at a cost they could afford, especially if they didn't have insurance. I didn't want to be a "Christian Counselor". I wanted to be a counselor who could help guide people--\especially religious people--to find what I had found. Unfortunately, I didn't know I wasn't ready. Fifteen years later, two years of being part of a mental health clinic, two years of counseling sexual abuse victims (and their abusers) and ten years of facilitating domestic abuse offenders was helping to prepare me. Especially by using the cognitive, behavioral approach to assertive communication skills. Assertiveness training and decision making is learning to think in a way to really take care of ourself without being abusive or controlling to others or to ourself.

So now Life Connections is going to be the conduit to help guide others and myself to the Way, to the Truth and to the Life. What do you and I need to do to connect to Life--REALLY? How is this done? Well it's a journey called "this life'. In a word: ASKING. Learning to ask for what we really need and focus on what we have control over--ourselves and not the other person, be they partner, spouse, parent, child, friend, enemy, etc. It seems so simple yet it is so profound: Ask and it will be given to you, Seek and you will find and Knock and the DOOR will be opened to you. A--S--K. And everyone's journey is individual. And no one can ask or seek or find for you and I. We need to do that ourselves. And it's ok to ASK for help, in fact I believe it is essential.

What do you need to do to take care of yourself, without hurting or controlling others? What is it that you need to ask for--really? Interested? How do you not focus on others or things which we have no control over? How can we learn not to give our power away? It can be done and it's a process of connecting the dots. Which dots you ask? The dots that connect your heart to your Life Connections--emotionally, physically and spiritually. Check out the website: http://www.lifeconnectionsinc.com and continue your journey. I would be honored, humbled and previledged to walk beside you. We can help each other as we seek to connect to the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. I promise you I do not have all the answers. I do believe I can help you in asking some of the really important questions.

What do you think about what Jesus said from the cross to the very people who were killing him: Father forgive THEM, for they don't know what they are doing? He didn't say forgive what they were doing, he asked his Father to forgive THEM. Does this help you to forgive yourself for what you've done?

As a person thinks in his/her heart so is he/she.

I'm wondering what you really think this means?

Check out Life Connections' website at LifeConnections.homestead.com