“Only for today……….” 

The success or demise of a day is often determined by the first thoughts we receive into our minds and the first words we deliver from our mouths.   Some people wake up welcoming the gift of a new day with hope and thanksgiving.  “Good morning God!”  Others declare with defeat, dread, and a grunt before their eyeballs ever fully open, “Ugh…Good God. It’s morning again.”  

My dad taught me years ago that I get to choose how I begin and end my day. Lots of stuff will happen in between over which I have no control, but how I CHOOSE to start and end my day makes all the difference in how I respond.  

The creamy center of an Oreo is sweet and delicious, but it is the two cookies that sandwich the middle that makes it an Oreo.  And I would contend, how you begin and end your day will make it or break it. 

Like many of you, I have accepted the 46 Focus Lenten Challenge. I am beginning every day Reading scripture, Reflecting, Praying then looking for opportunities to Connect with and Serve others throughout the day.  I am asking God to reveal my blind spots so I can be the human my family and friends need and believe me to be. 

I have added what I am calling my Daily Lenten Declaration to help me see and honestly face my Blind Spots.  For the next 46 days, I will wrap up my time with God by reading the following ten statements.  I will end my day by reading them again and evaluating how I did. It is my hope speaking these declarations every morning will make room for the Holy Spirit to transform my soul as I travel through the wilderness of each day.   

I hope you will consider writing your own Daily Declaration or use mine, so we all might be able to begin each day joyfully declaring, 

“This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

  1. Only for today, I will seek to live with a positive mindset without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once. 
  2. Only for today, I will be especially mindful of how others experience me.  I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not try to improve or discipline anyone but myself. 
  3. Only for today, I will believe in the certainty that I was created to be joy filled, not only in the next life but in this one. 
  4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances without expecting all circumstances to adapt to my own liking.
  5. Only for today, I will devote 15 minutes of my time to reading God’s Word, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so is reading God’s Word necessary to the life of my soul. 
  6. Only for today, I will do one act of kindness and not tell anyone about it. 
  7. Only for today, I will do at least one hard thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure no one notices. 
  8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself; I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against the two evils, hastiness and indecision. 
  9. Only for today, I will firmly believe despite how I feel that God is with me, cares for me, and loves me.  
  10.  Only for today, I will live with no fear. I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. I will do what might cause me anxiety if I were to believe I had to do it my whole life. 

I am praying for you.  Please pray for Ukraine. 

 

Rick

 

RICK OWEN

Senior Pastor