Start the Week Off Right

Mondays.  In the words of the great philosopher Charlie Brown, “AAARRGH!!”  Mondays are never fun.  It’s always colder on Monday.  The sky always seems grayer (since I live in Cleveland, I am an expert on gray skies).  Everyone is just a little less friendly. 

Is there a way to make Mondays a little better?  Possibly.  What if we began to look at Monday as a blank slate?  It’s the beginning of a new week-full of opportunities to make a difference in someone’s life.  The Bible says, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days” (Ephesians 5:15-16, NLT).  Instead of seeing Monday as back to the grind, how about if we saw it as going back to building the Kingdom of God?  It’s another chance to encourage a co-worker.  Another opportunity to minister to a classmate.  A new week to let God shine through us.

Take just a moment or two on Monday morning to ask God to use you this week.  Ask Him to point you in the direction of one person whose life you can touch.  Ask Him for the wisdom to recognize the opportunities in front of you.  Let’s face it.  Mondays are tough.  No one likes them.  We can, however, use them for God’s glory if we tweak our thinking just a little.  Let this Monday begin a whole new series of adventures for you in the service of God.

The Superbowl Is Set

After watching the Arizona Cardinals play the Philadelphia Eagles, I have one question.  Who are these guys and what are they doing running around in Cardinal uniforms?  I have come to the conclusion that Kurt Warner is ageless and Larry Fitzgerald is Superman.  If you don’t know anything about Kurt Warner, he is really a great guy.  He has a great testimony.  I encourage you to Google him to learn more about him.  Of course, now they play the Steelers in the Superbowl.  Since I loathe the Steelers, here’s hoping the Cardinals’ run continues.

Life

Today is “Sanctity of Human Life” Sunday. It falls on the third Sunday of January every year.  It’s a time when we pause to remember that all life is precious to God.  Unfortunately, many in today’s culture view life as disposable.  If it’s not perfect, we want to throw it out.  If it might be flawed, we don’t want it.  If it is an inconvenience or a financial discomfort, eliminate it.

Each one of us has value in the eyes of God.  He made us special.  The Bible tells us, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13, NLT).  God put us together.  He shapes and forms us.  He put all the hairs on our heads.  He gave us our personality and our abilities.  We are special because He made us so. 

God values us.  He cherishes each and every life.  Young or old.  Sick or well.  Broken or whole.  Living or unborn.  Our culture does not necessarily share His regard for life.  We value the baby whales, the baby seals, the baby termites, but not the thousands of unborn children who die every year.  We cherish old trees, old houses, old rock formations, but not the elderly who have become difficult to take care of.

Our political climate and our media influences have done nothing to elevate our view of life.  Politicians always make promises, but then don’t do anything to back up their words.  As deplorable as the politics of the day are, the politics are not necessarily what needs to change.  It is the hearts of them men and women who walk the halls of power and sit on the benches of justice.

Today, celebrate the life you have.  Enjoy your children.  Thank your parents.  Touch someone else’s life.  Work this week to improve your life, and the life of someone else.  Pray that our leaders change their hearts and minds regarding the unborn.  Learn to cherish life.  It’s a great gift.