En-Joying Life

Taken from From the Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB120709012659781613.html



Despite the sharp rise in our standard of living in recent decades, Americans today are little or no happier than earlier generations. Why not?

Americans are no happier today than they were 30 years ago. Why? How would you rate your happiness level right now? There are various reasons we feel sad, mad or glad.
Feeling unpleasant. Think of happiness as having three components. First, there's our basic disposition -- whether we are, by nature, a happy person or not. Clearly, there isn't a whole lot we can do about this.
Second, there are your life's circumstances, such as age, health, marital status and income. Often, this stuff isn't nearly as important as folks imagine. If my income doubled, I would initially be delighted. But research suggests we would quickly get used to all that extra money.
Third, how you spend your time -- something you have a fair amount of control over. This is the subject of a major new study by academics Daniel Kahneman, Alan Krueger, David Schkade, Norbert Schwarz and Arthur Stone. The people were asked to rate three episodes based on feelings such as pain, happiness, stress and sadness. All this was used to calculate what percentage of time people spent in an unpleasant state.


Result?

Women, folks under age 65, those divorced or separated, lower-income earners and the less educated were likely to spend a bigger chunk of their day in an unpleasant state.

The standout cluster of positive feelings were associated with what the authors label as "engaging leisure and spiritual activities." Things like visiting friends, exercising, attending church, listening to music, fishing, reading a book, sitting in a cafe or going to a party. When we spend time on our favorite of these activities, we're typically happy, engrossed and not especially stressed.



Find your passion, calling and gifting and do it. That sounds positively biblical. This is another reason why Seasoned Believers need to find a ministry that will allow them to be actively involved in positive, self chosen activities.



Get out and do something with friends or for someone and you will be blessed. Just as the Bible says: "It is more blessed to give than it is to receive."

The Grace of Aging

Where are women from????
At the age of eleven or thereabouts women acquire a poise and an ability to handle difficult situations which a man, if he is lucky, manages to achieve somewhere in the later seventies.
PG Wodehouse

On May 5 I will gain poise!!!

Seeking Prayers

It is helpful to remember that there are at least three main categories of prayers. They are: Seeking, Speaking and Soaking Prayers.

Seeking Prayers in which we focus our attention on building our relationship with the Heavenly Father and hearing from Him. In my view this is the key to developing a successful prayer life in the other two realms. If we do not seem to connect with the Lord then trying to Speak meaningfully or Soak a person is dry and boring.

"And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." - 2 Kings 6:17

Open the eyes of my heart Lord,

Open the eyes of my heart-

I want to see you

I want to see you

Speaking Prayers occur after we have developed a comfortable connection with the Spirit and we hear His still, small voice directing us to focus on a particular person or issue. For example, as I commune with God a certain person or need comes to my mind and I allow myself to follow the Spirit's guidance wherever it takes me. I try to rest in the Lord and not pressure myself to any structure or plan of my making. It is a loose, stream of spiritual consciousness rather than my trying to tell God what to do.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Colossians 1:9

Soaking Prayers are needed when we face a particularly difficult problem such as a chronic illness, an attack of evil, a family dysfunction or persecution. Here we, sometime with a group, focus on the one person or issue that is broken or under attack. Sometimes we add fasting to the regimen.

"So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes." Daniel 9:3

Seeking Prayers can be a part of our daily activities and become like breathing to us. Breathe out our focus on God and breathe in the Spirit's presence. This is the way we can "Pray without ceasing."

Prayer and Listening-Again!

Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one (Deut. 6:4). Meditate on this for awhile and let it sink in to your heart. It is the core of our faith.

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The servant of the Lord in Isaiah 50:4, with whom Jesus is identified, proclaims the Lord morning by morning as the one who wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.

The Greek word upakouo that we usually translate as obey possibly can be better said to mean hyper listen or listen intently.

Obey normally means that we have a moral or ethical responsibility to do what we are told. Morals are important of course. However, but they can lead to laws that kill the spirit and soul. On the other hand, if the focus is listening to God, we get a far different idea about how to relate with God. It is much closer to abiding in Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit rise up within us. That changes the emphasis from external rules to internal energy and communion with God.

The prologue of the Rule of St. Benedict begins this way. Listen carefully and incline the ear of your heart.

Since God is holy and awesome, don't talk too much about your external issues and concerns. Take time to be silent and humbly approach God. Seek His inner witness and the Holy Spirit’s energizing force. Find your rest in the Spirit's flow that produces guidance about what to say and how to say it.

ECC 5:3 As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.

We show a lack of peace, wisdom and maturity when we talk too much during prayer. It’s best to settle down, focus and receive His peace before we say anything. Our hyper-talking rather than hyper-listening indicates worrisome self-focus rather than peaceful godly focus.

By listening to the inner witness of the Holy Spirit we will be able to hear that small voice of direction and focus and speak out of hearing not hear out of speaking.

Barbara McClintock is working to develop new and better strains of corn. Highly regarded as a world expert in her field, Dr. McClintock was once asked to reveal the secret that made her so able in her research. She replied: "I lean into the kernel. I lean into the kernel."

This "listening to the kernel" allows her to understand how it lives and reproduces. We need to lean into God to let Him guide our prayers and guide our lives.

Words either kill or heal but caring ears always mend. Gary Sweeten

ECC 5:6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry with what you say and destroy the work of your hands?”

Our mouths get us into trouble by quickly vowing to God on a matter. It is foolish to promise to act and then fail to carry it out. Hasty words and thoughts are the marks of foolishness leading to the Lord’s discipline.

It also warns preachers not to ask for a hasty commitment from listeners. Some evangelists use psychological manipulation to get a desired response but that is dangerous. They start with simple questions, like “Do you think it is warm tonight” or “How many of you enjoyed that musical presentation?” in order get people in the habit of to raising their hands.

Before long the evangelist will ask if people want to make a vow to follow Christ or never marry and some may raise their hands without counting the cost. Some evangelists gave Bibles to Russian audiences so they would to get used to saying yes. Manipulation is wrong for many reasons. First, it leads people astray from God. Second, it mocks God and teaches listeners to trust manipulation not the Lord. Third, it is an extreme form of works righteousness.

Trust God and do what you want.

Health Care for Seniors

Garrison Keillor of The Prairie Home Companion radio show is one of my favorite humorists. He sees humor and with it insight in many wacky and wonderful places. For example, getting old and getting the government to pay for it.

http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/features/deskofgk/2008/01/22.shtml

The Old Scout

What is Wrong with Our Country Today

January 22, 2008

Q. As a senior citizen, do you feel that the health care system is doing all it can for your health problem?

A. I am not now, and never have been, a senior citizen. I happen to be 65 years old. Not the same thing. I am lively and quick, don't shamble or shuffle, and don't clutch the banister when I go down stairs. The brown spots on the backs of my hands are from experiments with a chemistry set when I was a boy. I have the urinary tract of a young horse. Doctors continue to be astonished.

What was the question?

DollyWood

Our good friends Jack and Sheri Herschend are the chief designers and idea people behind Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. They took that idea and planted it in the Smokey Mountains many years ago. Karen and I first took Julie and Tim down to visit Silver Dollar City about 30 years ago and we had a ball.

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Now it is Dollywood in her home town of Pigeon Forge and she has made herself proud. Dollywood has expanded greatly.

We had a great time and I am highlighting two shows that were outstanding in entertainment and inspiration. The First group I saw (Right photo above) consisted of six male singers from Zambia. Their vocalizing was wonderful and their repertoire varied from Country and Western to Gospel to Zambian.

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The second was a terrific group from Ireland that sang, played traditional instruments and danced. It was thoroughly entertaining.

What talent!

Vacation

Karen and I just returned from a few days in the Smokey Mountains with daughter and her family. We rented an awesome cabin outside Pigeon Forge. It was plenty big enough for all six of us and even more could have slept and played there.

It has been a very long time since our family went to Dollywood and it has grown immensely. The rides and shows were great and the weather terrific.

Listen

ECCL 5:1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.Guard your steps.

Put a hedge around yourself; make sure you have appropriate boundaries on your thoughts and actions by self-discipline.

As you go to the house of God. This is the dwelling place or a resting place of the most high. It is not a building but the tabernacle of God. The Tebernacle for Christians is within themselves. As we go inside place boundaries around our heart and mind.

The Tabernacle can also be a prayer group that meets in His Name. Have discipline when you meet with God. Draw near to Shama.

One of the most important words in the Old Testament is Shama. It means, "Give attention, understand with an undivided focus; with a clear mind and heart. Attend to God and interact with Him."

Rather than offering a sacrifice of fools who do not know they are wrong.

What a verse! Some foolish people do not even know they are doing evil (unethical, immoral, or injurious) behavior toward God and man when they meet for prayer but do not listen and only talk.

A Way of Prayer

In order to "abide" in Christ and allow the noise and static of the day slip away from our mind it is necessary to learn how to meditate. The most common barrier to hearing God comes from an inability to rest and focus my mind.

Remember, Jesus promised in John 14 to leave us the Holy Spirit so we would not be lonely or afraid. The Spirit is with us and in us and He wishes to guide us. Can you believe that the Spirit of God has a stronger desire to speak to us than we desire to speak with Him? Why, then, is it so rare that we hear Him?

Too much interference. Perhaps there is so much going on in us and around us that the "still small voice of the Lord" has trouble breaking through. Here is where meditation can help us.

Christians, unlike Buddhists, and Hindus, begin by meditating on something rather than nothing. The Eastern "mantra" is a sound such as, "OOOMMM". For Christians it is different. We focus on a passage of scripture, a prayer or the Name of Jesus. A famous Russian phrase often used to facilitate meditation is:

Lord Jesus Christ

Son of the living God

Have mercy on me, a sinner.

Try this or a prayer and see what happens. Is it helpful to your being calm and ridding yourself of anxious thoughts? Are you more peaceful?

Seasoned Believers

A few posts ago I challenged you to guess how many people 45 and older live in the nine counties we call Greater Cincinnati. A few took the plunge but I suppose the risk of being off by a few thousand people kept some from guessing.

My buddy Ron Tate has read numerous books, demographic studies and census reports and here is his report. There are some 870,000 people 45 and over around the beltway in Greater Cincinnati. That is a lot of people.

Is your church doing anything to appeal to this huge demographic? This group is the richest, most experienced and best educated cohort of Seasoned Citizens ever. To ignore them is to risk spiritual and economic ruin, yet I know of few churches that have even thought about reaching out to the more mature among us.

The number of Seasoned Believers among the 870,000 total is unknown. Some researchers indicate that about 2/3 are unchurched. Modern church planters and church growth experts do not, to my knowledge discuss reaching this group.

Some Seasoned Believers have told me that Pastors were threatened by their skills and gifts and refused to involve them in significant ministries. I believe it.

Our ministry is looking for men and women who are successful in life and who want to serve God more fervently now that they are reaching midlife. A retired physician volunteered to assist in a local hospital. When he showed up ready to use his forty years of medical experience the administration assigned him to wash and refill water bottles.

A friend was attending a small country church near Cincinnati when the Pastor was called to active duty in Iraq as a Chaplain. There were three retired ministers in the church but the denomination would not allow them to volunteer to fill the empty position. They were, however, allowed to help plant flowers and clean the church.

In fact, I was told by a young Pastor in Cincinnati that I should "step aside" so he and the young city leaders could take over and run the renewal ministries in Greater Cincinnati. The new organization they had formed to "bring renewal to the city" lasted about six months but the one headed by us old geezers is still in operation.

Can this be what the Bible meant for Elders? Does God want the experienced and well off Elders to play golf all week? Does the term Elder mean people in their fifties and sixties should just get out of the way?

What has happened to turn ministry/servanthood into an exclusive club for professionals? Are the 2/3 of the Seasoned Citizens who now fit the description as "Church Alumni" staying away from church because they are not allowed to fully use their talents, gifts and experiences?

In April we are going to look at some of these issues when we gather at River Hills Church in Loveland, Ohio. Write me for more information.

Gary Sweeten
gsweeten@cinci.rr.com

Abiding in Christ

One of my most important insights on hearing God speak came as I was preparing for our workshop. While reading John 14 it occurred to me that the first part where John says, "Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God believe also in me. In my father's house are many resting rooms and I go to prepare a room for you."

In the hundred times I have heard this passage used as a text for preaching it is in a funeral. Thus, it is famous a s "Funeral Text". But I disagree. That passage is a foundation for living not one for dying.

If we read all of John 14 and 15 it become clear that Jesus is preparing us for the need to "dwell" in one of God's "resting rooms" as Believers in Jesus.

A following text reveals God's plan to enable us to dwell in God. Jesus says, "You will have the Counselor, the Holy Spirit to be with you and in you." This changes everything I do.

As a Pastor, Counselor and Coach I realize that the Counselor has more wisdom, insight and knowledge than I. I was taught in grad school that I was the expert who should be telling others what to do. This statement indicates how badly I was taught.

Now I expect that the Counselor in them and with us can give them guidance and wisdom greater than anything I could think or imagine. What a relief! God has given us both the same Counselor.

We must trust that the Counselor can and will speak. While meeting with a Pastor about training his elders, the term "Legacy" came to my mind. It was somewhat surprising that that term appeared in my thoughts because we were not discussing the future.

About thirty minutes later I said, "We need to remind the Elders that they are influencing the future of their children." He replied, "Legacy is very important to me. I speak on it regularly."

So, God brings things to mind regularly and often if we listen. In the midst of a conversation, while reading or writing the Counselor in me will speak gently, subtly and carefully, so learning to discern is important.

I am still getting notes from our Saturday participants who reveal visions, word's guidance and insights they received during our time together. Thanks for keeping me informed.

Contributions to Sweeten Life Systems are tax deductible and are the only source of income we have to continue our ministry to leaders here and around the world.

Sweeten Life Systems

P.O. Box 498455

Cincinnati, Ohio 45249

Hearing God Stories

Marie Martin and I were praying together at the monthly healing service when a lady came forward and asked for prayer as she knelt. She explained that her cancer had gotten so bad that there was little medical hope for recovery.

Marie and I developed the habit of seeking God before we petitioned Him for healing. So, we asked for guidance and Marie asked the lady a question. "I have the impression that you and your husband are having conflict. Is that correct?"

"No. We are fine," she replied.

So, we bowed in seeking prayer again and for the second time Marie asked about her husband and her relationship. "No, we are fine," she said.

The third time it happened again and Marie said, "I cannot pray for you to be healed of cancer because I keep getting that there is a root of bitterness and anger." This time the lady screamed, "That no good SOB raped my daughters and I hate him."

Marie calmly said, "Well, we need to get that healed first before we pray for cancer." This is why we seek God before we speak to Him about acting.

Gary Sweeten

gsweeten@cinci.rr.com

Dialogue Prayers

I taught a very brief workshop Saturday on "Dialogue Prayer". This is a process whereby Believers get together and discuss issues with each other and with God in faith that they can hear His voice. In the process we carry on a dialogue and do not get stuck in a monologue. This is not easy because we are much more used to monologues than dialogues.

It might be helpful to describe some different ways we can be involved in these times of "Dialogue Prayer". During the too brief workshop, we were in small groups of five to ten people. (Ten is a bit large.) We remembered that Jesus promised in John 14 to place the Holy Spirit with and in us. Thus, the Spirit is in our midst and within each person. When we gather it is easy to talk to God while we are talking to each other.

Usually someone shares a need and starts the prayer circle and everyone focuses on that person and need. During the dialogue we may become aware of as new idea, a passage of the Bible or a picture that fits the need. The idea or passage could be shared and the group may stop and analyze the idea. Here is an example.

One of the members needed a new job. We asked for wisdom and guidance from the Spirit. We paused and thanked the Lord for His concern. Then, one person saw a vision of a man and heard the name of a state so he shared it. The man looking for a new job said he was presently discussing a job with a person from that same state.

This gave us all a feeling of God's presence and concern for us. We then went on to other topics.

Send your stories in to:

Gsweeten@cinci.rr.com

Send Donations to:

Sweeten Life Systems

P.O. Box 498455

Cincinnati, Ohio 45249

Hearing God

At the Day of Prayer Saturday we encouraged folks to think about times they had encountered the Lord personally. We heard a variety of stories, starting, for many, with the encounter of conversion.

One of my most memorable encounters came when I was twenty years old and was in my 1957 Ford Fairlane heading as fast as possible for a dance hall and tavern eleven miles south of my home in West City next door to Benton, Illinois. West City was a notorious village where gambling, dance halls and booze dominated the economy and it had a history of violence and underage drinking.

Just south of my home on Route 37 while driving I experienced an encounter with God. I was just passing the Clabber Girl advertisements and headed into the Burma Shave signs when it happened. Not a very likely place or condition for God to break into my consciousness.

Many people talk about the importance of "Deciding to follow the Lord". I had decided a few years earlier to follow Lord Gary. My plans that night proved it. But God had another plan. He chose to interrupt my misery and false sense of importance and bring me back to following Him. I was drawn to faith in Christ at age ten but circumstances and teenage rebellion tempted me to "fun". Now God was reeling me back in.

The car filled up with a heavy, fog-like presence of the Spirit and I distinctly heard His voice. "Gary, choose this day whom you will serve." I was stunned but I knew it was the Lord. My shock came from hearing it so clearly while driving to a gambling and drinking party. That did not fit my theology.

I had been in churches and prayer meetings all my life. My Maternal Grandmother, Mom Taylor, went to house church meetings and often heard the Lord speak. I was around such people so I knew that God was not silent. So, when He spoke, I answered. "Lord, to whom else can I go? Only You have the words of life."

When God chased me down beside the Burma Shave signs it was the beginning of a great ride. It occurred fifty years ago this summer and I have been radically different ever since. Soon afterward I began hunting for a Christian wife and God supplied her. We have over 46 years of bliss together. God is good.

What is your story? Can you remember times when the Holy Spirit showed up in a dramatic or gentle manner? I will relate other times but I want to hear from you.

Gary Sweeten

Sweeten Life Systems

P.O. Box 498455

Cincinnati, Ohio 45249

A lifetime of great relationships

Gsweeten@cinci.rr.com

Day for Prayer

Karen Sweeten and Dawn Donovan Serve Us

Great Food, Great People and Great Prayer

Dialogue and Prayer

Day of Seeking God

Almost fifty of us gathered at the Crestview Presbyterian Church in West Chester, Ohio just north of Cincinnati on March 15 for a time of Seeking God's voice. In light of the statement by Jesus that, "My sheep know my voice..." we decided to work on doing just that.

John 10:1 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

Maybe we are like the Disciples and are confused by this saying. But, we decided to try it out. And we did. Here are a few photos of the church and the day.

In my Father's house are many rooms.

Are you ready for Easter? I hope to help you prepare for one of the greatest days in the history of the Church and humanity. I am currently studying what it means to be in union with Christ or abide in Christ. This is a central aspect of the Orthodox Church Movement. It is, unfortunately, largely ignored in Roman Catholic and Protestant circles. Perhaps that is because we in the West think like Greek Scientists. Thankfully, Orthodox theology and practice is much more Eastern, as is the Bible.

Yesterday, Saturday, March 15, about fifty of us had a half day of seeking God's presence so we might dwell in Him. It was a great day. Over the following posts I will share my insights and show photos of our time together.

What do you think it means to "Abide in Jesus Christ?" Almost the whole of John 14 and John 15 is focused on describing Jesus' description of the future of Christianity. Yet, many of the conversations and discussions as well as the sermons largely miss the point.

Here is my challenge. Read John 14 and try to imagine what Jesus is talking about. Do not read John 15 yet. Yield not to the temptation to look at the metaphor Jesus used to explain what He meant.

Now, write out what it means to abide. Use other terms and other concepts. In fact, write your own metaphor or word picture as if you had to describe it to another person.

Send your insights and ideas to me and I will print them. The best metaphor will receive one of my books free and get their name and picture on this blog.

Perceptions of Christianity

A new book entitled unChristian (see it at)http://www.unchristian.com/ is the result of research by the Barna Group on how Christianity is perceived by young people. The ad for unChristian says:

Christians are supposed to represent Christ to the world. But according to the latest report card, something has gone terribly wrong. Using descriptions like “hypocritical,” “insensitive,” and “judgmental,” young Americans share an impression of Christians that’s nothing short of . . . unChristian.

Groundbreaking research into the perceptions of sixteen- to twenty-nine-year-olds reveals that Christians have taken several giant steps backward in one of their most important assignments. The surprising details of the study, commissioned by Fermi Project and conducted by The Barna Group, are presented with uncompromising honesty in unChristian.

Find out why these negative perceptions exist, learn how to reverse them in a Christlike manner, and discover practical examples of how Christians can positively contribute to culture.

So, let's get this straight. The Fermi Project is dedicated to facilitating a wider conversation on the topic of how to change these negative perceptions. May the Lord have mercy on your soul!

I am an educator and cognitive therapist trained in understanding how people perceive reality or mis perceive reality. As scripture says and cognitive psychology confirms, "The heart is deceitful..." Our hearts deceive ourselves and others without even half trying.

This does not mean that we nor unChristian is wrong for trying to shift perceptions. It is probably not a bad thing to market our faith to the world. It is, however, difficult if not impossible to accomplish.

Now read This

A new study about people who use an expensive brand name medicine versus others who use a generic cheap version shows that perception really matters. Those who knew they were using an expensive pill reported those pills were decidedly more powerful in relieving pain than the cheap pills. Both pills were made of sugar and had no chemicals in them to reduce pain.

This is called, "The Placebo Effect" and has a very powerful influence on our experience. The Bible calls it, "The Faith Effect" and says that our faith really does effect our experience.

The authors of unChristian did a "Research Study" about people's experience of Christianity. The faith as well as the past experiences of the people interviewed undoubtedly influenced their answers. The authors do not seem to understand that surveys reveal the top of the head perceptions of the people. They do not revel deep heart beliefs.

The book unChristian seems to take the perceptions, biases and frustrations of the respondents as facts. Now they set out to criticize "Christianity" based on those conclusions. Here is the rub. There are between 300 and 400 thousand churches in America. There are many preachers on TV and radio. All of them are different in style, theology and practice. To criticize Christianity is misleading. They seem to indicate that there is only one voice or one channel of communication in American Christianity.

I often read marketing magazines and management books about these issues. Several years ago I read that there are eight categories of males who drink beer. So Coors and Bud must develop and communicate eight different types of marketing ads to get guys to buy their beers. Eight different messages to market the same beer!

I am listening to the Fermi pod casts and they seem to assume that there is one, consistent, hateful and legalistic, right wing political message emanating for some central location in America. Their solution is for this little group to send a new message approved by the Left Wing of American politics.

They also seem to assume that they are the first generation to care for the poor and who are sensitive to minorities. They now will be able to change the perceptions of young people by going into prisons, doing ministry among the poor and so on. Since no one has ever done that before in America, others will finally see the light of Christian charity. As you can see, I am sceptical of their approach.

Instead of building on the shoulders of giants they must destroy the negative ideas built by former generations. Then a new Phoenix can arise from the ashes.

Such idealism and lack of real knowledge about both the good and bad of past generations is not unusual. However, it is misplaced and unhelpful.

The issues and opportunities facing Christianity are multifaceted, interconnected and massive. Their solution will require new cooperation, dialogue and prayerful interaction of all ages and groups. I am not convinced that the Fermi Project or unChristian is adding much to the progress.

By attacking other Christians the Fermi group can hardly build a new vision of love, grace and cooperation.

God Has A Plan

Many years ago the Lord indicated that we needed to get ourselves ready to travel and minister overseas. We were very excited and wondered where we would be going. We never doubted that the word was genuine so we began to make plans to be ready when called.

During our second LIFE Seminar, a couple of wonderful ladies came from South Africa to learn. That was quite a shock for us. As we talked, they shared a great deal about church life and the racial crisis. SA certainly needed to learn about healing and peace. It seemed obvious that God was going to send me to the tip of Africa to train Believers in prayer, healing and forgiveness. But I was wrong in my assumptions.

A couple of years later a group of us met for prayer at an international conference board meeting. The Lord spoke to us about His plan for pouring out His Spirit in a New Reformation around the world. We believed that our group was supposed to take a major role in renewing Reformed Churches.

Our President mentioned that there was a big international conference in Kenya that he was invited to attend. “Say,” he said, “I think we need to send Gary.” This was confirmation that international travel was in the offering and Africa was looming large.

I attended that conference and it changed my life. I was launched into an world wide ministry of teaching and training.Many organizations in several nations have taken our materials to establish training centers. However, I still have not been to South Africa.

During the conference I met Jens-Petter Jorgensen, head of OASE, the renewal group of Norway! God sent me to Africa to meet a Norwegian Lutheran! We have been ministering there ever since and it helps keep me from jumping to so many conclusions.

Types of Prayer

Seeking Prayer-Soaking Prayer

Dr. Francis McNutt has been a wonderful teacher and mentor for the body of Christ for some 30 years. He was the first person to teach us about the concept of soaking prayer. I have benefited from that process ever since. Dr. Maurie Loomans voiced a provocative thought about soaking prayer on January 7, 1997. Maurie said,

"Whereas Soaking Prayer calls us to focus our Calls for God's healing and delivering power to be released on a particular person or for a particular need, Seeking Prayer emphasizes the desire to only Seek God's will and presence. After He shows up we will hear and follow His voice about what to pray about and what other actions to pursue. Dr. McNutt is also a master at Seeking God's direction and teaching on Seeking Prayers.

There is a big difference between having our agenda set in a cognitive fashion and an agenda that comes from the Holy Spirit. Both can be legitimate and both can result in a dynamic prayer life. However, it seems to me that the "Spirit led times" are more effective and efficient. It also follows that those praying are more likely to follow up and act accordingly when they hear God's voice and not just the call of a human to act.

As St Paul said, "I will pray with my spirit and I will pray with my mind also. I shall sing with my spirit and sing with my mind also." ICO 14:15

When do you find yourself most open to the touch of God?

Gary Sweeten

A lifetime of great relationships with God, self and others. (SM)

Hearing God Workshop Coming Soon

A "Double Your Money Back" Guarantee!

If you don't hear the Lord speak clearly while attending the workshop on March 15 I will give you double your registration fee back!

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You spoke and we listened. Our surveys said you are hungry to rest in the love of God and hear His voice. In response we are taking a Half Day on March 15 for “Talking and Listening to God”.

Forty years ago I learned how to abide in Christ and listen to the Holy Spirit through “Dialogue Prayer”. It has been one of the greatest blessings of my life and ministry.

Bring your family and friends to an experiential day of learning this simple process in the midst of a worshipping community. (Groups may wish to learn together.)

When Saturday, March 15, 9:00-12:30

WHERE Crestview Presbyterian Church

9463 Cincinnati Columbus Rd

West Chester, OH 45069513.

777.6555 (p)

Sign ups: (Seating is Limited. Register Now.)
No Fee but Registration is required: gsweeten@cinci.rr.com or 513-697-6494
Name, address, email and telephone number
Materials and Details will be sent to registrants
Worship and praise are included
A lifetime of great relationships©

DIRECTIONS
9463 Cincinnati-Columbus Road (Rt. 42),
West Chester, OH,
2 miles north of I-275

Come and touch the hem of His garment

Faith, Hope and Love

These three remain, Faith, Hope and Love and the greatest is Love. I CO 13

Is there any doubt that Senator Barack Obama is one of the most exciting candidates for office that we have ever seen? He is in my mind and I have seen and heard a lot of candidates.

It is hard for people to understand why he is so inspiring but I think it is clear. He speaks and people have hope. The winner of the election will be the person who inspires not only hope but is also able to connect with the electorate to promote faith and love. Mr. Obama has the hope but can he deliver on faith and love?

St. James said that faith without works is dead. Hope without action is also dead. However, Obama may be able to communicate all of these spiritual intangibles. We desperately need to experience faith, hope and love. The USA needs them and our world needs them. Especially we in the West need all three of St. Paul's trinitarian liturgy of faith, hope and love.

Why do we, the G 8 nations, who are so rich and so extremely successful, need to be inspired with spiritual values? Because we are so incredibly wealthy in material goods we no longer need to work long hours to get more than enough.
Wealth can lead people to a loss of appreciation for what we have.

Wealthy folk tend to develop an "Entitlement Mentality" that sees what we have been blessed with as something we deserve. Just think how many people now speak of things we once only hoped and prayed to achieve as though they were our right to automatically possess.

Perhaps the most powerful book on this topic is The Fourth Great Awakening by the Nobel Prize winning Economist Robert William Fogel. His analysis of the issues and problems we face is unique and incisive. He says we need to share our spiritual values and beliefs with others and especially the poor. And who is best able to do that? The Seasoned Citizens who have excess time, knowledge, wisdom, experience and finances.

Sweeten Life Systems is dedicated to unleashing and mobilizing Seasoned Believers so they can mentor others with spiritual, emotional, relational and family values.

You can support these efforts with prayer, finances and servant hood. Get involved. You have a lot to give.

Gary Sweeten

gsweeten@cinci.rr.com

Paula's Guess

Paula thinks the percentage of Seasoned Citizens in the Greater Cincinnati are is 67.5%. That comes out to about 1,687,500 people.

That's a lot!

Seasoned Believers All Around Us

How many people in the Greater Cincinnati Area are 45 and older? There is a total of 2,477, 826 people living in the Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana counties around the 275 Beltway.

How many do you think are Seasoned Citizens?

The person, other than Ron Tate to who compiled these data, will get a free book from Sweeten Life Systems.

Opportunities for Seasoned Citizens

According the Bureau of Labor Statistics,

16.2 percent of the work force was comprised of employees aged 55 and older in 2005;

by 2050, this number is slated to grow to almost one-fourth (23 percent)

A survey released on Sept. 25 by Monster.com found that organizations weren't adequately prepared for the impending "brain drain" brought on by employees who retire. They knew these shortages were looming, but only 23 percent had plans in place to identify the knowledge that needed to be protected.

Among other pieces of advice, the survey recommended that employers create incentives to keep their older workers around.

The shock and shame of this trend comes from the fact that if we did a survey of churches we would find that almost none of them have planned for ways to keep their Seasoned Believers and Leaders engaged in meaningful ministries. In the headlong rush to replace Elders with Younger, there is an unfortunate lack of planning on how to retain the knowledge and wisdom of those with years of experience and insight.

This is not a hidden way to keep youth from being involved. That is essential for the health of the people and the organization. We must recruit and train younger members. We must allow them to design their own programs and tend to their own needs. However, this does not mean that it is wise to have a wholesale replacement of the Elders with people who have no institutional knowledge. Nor does it make sense to completely displace the people with the most time, energy and disposable income.

It is foolish to ignore Seasoned Believers. No smart organization rejects the insight and support of an important group of "Customers". As the photo above shows, SeeBees can offer all kinds of creative and dynamic gifts and talents to a congregation. Here thaty have planned and implemented a special service at their church.

Sweeten Life Systems works with churches to develop ways all of God's children are able to worship, learn and worship as well as discover their gifts and use them for the Kingdom.

What do you think is the best way to include every age group?

Gary Sweeten

Consultant to Seasoned Believers