Jesus said to him "Get Up! Pick up your mat and walk!"

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"JESUS SAID TO HIM, 'GET UP! PICK UP YOUR MAT AND WALK'." (John 5:8) - The following quote is credited to Abraham Lincoln: "You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves." Helping a person when he/she is down and out is risky for the person being helped and the person giving the help. Helping should not create a condition of dependency. We must be moved with compassion but we must be aware what we are doing. Are we helping the other person or are we satisfying some need in ourselves? Well, probably a little of both. I observe in the Jesus healing stories that he holds the person being healed accountable by giving them something to do in their healing. Get up and move....Go to the pool and wash...To become dependent can be degrading to self-respect. There is a lot of wisdom in the words: "Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and feed him for a life time."  We work hard as children to stand on our own feet and walk. Wise parents teach a child to do for themselves and their self-confidence grows. None of this is to discourage our helping others. This is a must for civilized people and for Christ followers, but be careful that we help and not weaken....

Your WORD is a lamp before my feet

> "YOUR WORD IS A LAMP BEFORE MY FEET AND A LIGHT FOR MY JOURNEY." (Psalm 119:105) = I read the scripture purposefully--As a child I listened as mother read the stories-some excited my imagination, some disturbed and saddened me--As a young person I read/listened to the Word that enlightened me for living in the Way of God --As a young preacher I read/listened for the Word to preach before the people on Sunday--As a older man I listen to the scripture planted in my mind as I purpose to walk in God's Way in these times in life---I will listen and by God's Grace heed the counsel of God's Word alive and Light within me--Beyond scholarship, various debates from one group or another, the Word is personal, real, conversation with Spirit and flows from memory deep within me.
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> Blessings and love,
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Love your enemies

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> This is the way God's family of humanity behaves: "But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6: 27,28) - You draw a circle that excludes me. I draw a circle that includes you. Sameness is boring. Diversity is colorful, different, beautiful, exciting, challenging. God"s Kingdom is not made up of people who all look alike, think alike, believe the same thing. God's kingdom is made up of diverse, different, thoughtful, searching, learning, exploring, questioning, debating, inclusive people and there is no "us" and "them". There is only "we". Being a maker of peace does not mean everybody becomes the same. It means we accept, respect, love, seek the good of one another and challenge one another to improve......
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Psalm 63:1

> "....my soul/my whole being thirsts for you....." (Psalm 63: 1) - David is in the Judean desert and is literally physically thirsty. He is reminded in this thirst of his great thirst for the refreshing presence of God in his life. Nothing else will meet that thirst deep in his soul. Have you ever finished a meal and still not satisfied. We feed on a lot of stuff in life yet are not really satisfied, until we turn our minds, hearts, beings toward the Great Supplier of all our need. Thanks be to God.....
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Give Thanks to the Lord

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> "GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD BECAUSE HE IS GOOD. GOD'S FAITHFUL LOVE LASTS FOREVER!" - Give thanks to the One who sustains me always. GOD'S FAITHFUL LOVE LASTS FOREVER! - Give thanks to the One who is with present with each of my loved ones. GOD'S FAITHFUL LOVE LASTS FOREVER! - Give thanks to the One is giving TLC to each person who suffers at this moment. GOD'S FAITHFUL LOVE LASTS FOREVER! - ( THIS IS BASED ON PSALM 136)
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Jesus and Politics

Subject: thought

I WONDER WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SITUATION IN WHICH WE LIVE?

"us" and "them" evolves to "we"

"us" and "them" evolves to "we" "--You have made us to think-You have made us to chose-You have made us to respect our thoughts-You have made us to respect the thoughts of others, even when we don't agree with them-You have made us to share our insights and to enrich each others understanding---But too often we take the positions of "us" and "them"-the result is hostility to "them" who do not belong to "us" -- We need your help Lord, to come together as "WE" in knowing the truth and way to living in this world. Amen.

Fwd: thought

I listened to the election results last night with a mixture of emotions. At the end I listened to the two candidates give their closure speeches. Both men rose above the many campaign speeches and graciously accepted the choice of the people. One rose above defeat to face forward and call our nation to move forward together. The other accepted victory and called for all of us of every persuasion to work together as one people and one nation. This will not be done without great struggle and debate but it can be done and to that end I pray for everyone in the halls of government and all the rest of us. We are "one nation under God".   

Fwd: thought

"..getting right with God." is not just a religious teaching. It is a fundamental principle of creation..it is a law of nature..all creation is one...being in since with the Spirit of creation gives unity to all else in life.   -a thought to ponder-

Body, Mind, Spirit

BODY,MIND,SPIRIT. One does not exist to the exclusion of the other. Each one takes work to maintain. To be intellectually lazy is as unhealthy as to be physically lazy or spiritually indifferent. Use your mind-think-question-examine-test-lerarn. When Jesus said you will know   the truth and the truth will set you free, he was inviting us to seek,  to do the work of thinking and knowing. Otherwise we will stumble around in the blindness and foolishness of ignorance and ignorance is not bliss....it is disastrous. 

You are my Friends

You are my friends. These words Jesus spoke to the people of his day and to us today. I like to think of it as the difference between dialogue and dictatorship. God is not interested in being our dictator making us slaves. God wants us in relationship, conversation. God wants us to travel with Holy Spirit through each moment and see the wonders of life, also do with him the work of kindness, reaching out with a helping hand or saying a encouraging word in the right moment. Let us walk together in relationship with Presence.

Fwd: thought

"To be Christian means to be in a continuing conversation with the Bible as foundational for our identity and vision." (Marcus J. Borg) - The two words that are important to me here are "continuing conversation". Knowing God through scripture is a life long journey for the Word that comes through the words of scripture come alive in part according to my readiness to know and understand. I enter conversation with the Bible today and see something I did not see yesterday because today I am at a different place in life. -continuing conversation-

Be Still and Know that I am God

> BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. The NATURAL NORTH POLE of creation draws us into the HEART AND PRESENCE of HOLY SPIRIT all through the day and night, even when we sleep. We are being made new, born again, in GOD'S ETERNAL LOVE FOR US. Relax, let it happen....
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God's Spirit Blows Wherever it Wishes

GOD'S SPIRIT BLOWS WHEREVER IT WISHES....(John 3:8) -- God's Spirit is prejudiced against no one and inclusive of everyone. Don't be surprised when you suddenly become aware of Spirit present in a most unexpected and unusual way, but on the other hand expect Spirit in the most common of ways and moments too.

Fwd: THOUGHT

I FORGET ABOUT THE THINGS BEHIND ME AND REACH OUT FOR THE THINGS AHEAD OF ME. ....GOD'S UPWARD CALL IN CHRIST JESUS. (Philippians 3: 13,14) -  There is a lot of stuff behind me that clutters my mind, clogs my spirit, sabotages the opportunity and relationship of the moment. It is like living in a house that is never cleaned, never culled of useless stuff until it has no room for yourself of anyone else . No matter what is the past it does not have to dictate the present. It does not predict the seem for now. God sends the storms to clean up nature and if we allow it the storms can clean up our inner self and we can make fresh new experiences and memories. and so i say to myself and you let go of the past crap and let the miraculous providence transform the present and deliver a wonderful future.

Fwd: thought

"LET JUSTICE ROLL ON LIKE A RIVER AND RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE AN EVER-FLOWING STREAM." (Amos 5:24) - "DO TO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO TO YOU." (Luke 6:31) - Seems to me these teachings are the two sides of the same coin. They have to do with how we treat one another. They are about respect and fairness in all our interactions. They caution us about the danger of saying things about one another that are fabricated and untrue. We can benefit from these teachings in the toxic verbal climate of today. These teachings are as relevant today as they were the day they were first spoken.

Fwd: thought

 MY TIMES ARE IN THY HANDS-MY FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS. (Psalm 31: 15) - as I remember all the way back into early childhood I see glimpses of times when these words were fulfilled in my life. Thank You Holder of past,present,future. amen

Fwd: thought

Subject: thought

sometimes the only thing you can do is float and in so doing you are trusting in the buoyancy of Creation. you might say this is another way of living in faith.

dad/papa

Fwd: thought

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> GOD PUT YOU IN THIS WORLD. SOMEONE IS COUNTING ON YOU. GOD HAS PUT YOU HERE TO BE THERE FOR THE PERSON COUNTING ON YOU. AND GOD WILL PROVIDE ALL YOU NEED. JUST BE PATIENT, WAIT, TRUST IN GOD. AND THE ONE COUNTING ON YOU AND YOU WILL BE BLESSED BY HOW IT ALL WORKS OUT WITH YOU, THE OTHER PERSON AND GOD. --NOW THAT IS JUST GREAT!!!
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Father, save me from this hour?

> "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say --'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." (John 12:27) - He agonized over this decision. He did not want to die. But his heart, his life was surrendered to the work of God's love for humanity. He gave his life for us. Let us not squander the gift. Let us live our lives for him in the way the Spirit teaches, inspires, lights the way for us. The world calls us to live self-serving, but this is a dead end street. Pay attention to the lives of persons who use what they have to serve the good of others. You will see it all around you.......Well, these are some thoughts to ponder......
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The Fruit of the Spirit is Kindness

HE SAT ACROSS FROM ME. HE WAS BLIND. HE DEPENDED UPON THE LADY WITH HIM TO GUIDE HIM SAFELY. THERE HE SAT. WHEN HE SPOKE HIS VOICE WAS SOFT. HIS DEMEANOR WAS PEACEFUL. I WONDERED WHAT HE WAS THINKING. "....THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS....PATIENCE, KINDNESS, ....GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL." (Galatians 5: 22,23) - I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HIS SPIRITUAL CONDITION; HOWEVER AS I LOOK A THE EVIDENCE I SUSPECT SOMETHING GOOD IS GOING ON WITHIN HIM.

Fwd: thought

Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. (Mark 10:21) - Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:24) - God calls us to be open and engaged in responding to the needs of persons who do not have what they need for daily living. Sometimes that need is food, clothing, housing, medical care, training for a job, deliverance from injustices of the culture that prevails. The conflict between good and evil is on going and we must deal with it til the end of time and God holds us accountable. The story of the Good Samaritan teaches us that we cannot get by ignoring the need of suffering humanity. We are present to do what we can to care for our sister,brother,fellow human in the way they need..compassion.....this involves us at every level of life personally and in all the institutions of our world.

Fwd: thought

"Lord make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love,..." (St. Francis) - These words speak to each relationship and to the violence across the world. "Blessed are the peace makers...." (Jesus Christ) - This kind of life is worth living any place and any time.

Freedom

"It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out--in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then? (Galatians 5:13-15/The Message) - We will do well to let this light of truth shine upon the path of our minds and hearts today as we journey in the world. 

Your word is a light to guide me

"Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105)-- I can only walk in the light of Providence for  me.....I cannot judge the light on another persons path.....yet together our combined light can shine for all along the way.

The peace of God

> "....AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS.." (Philippians 4:7) -- this is our grounding in whatever is in the now of my life, your life, .....at the center is Spirit and there is calm, peace flowing into us as quietly we wait.....
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Ageless truth upon which I stand

> "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55: 10,11) Ageless truth upon which I stand today and in which I live in this present content to trust the Word that is producing in it's time in me and in all creation...
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If you keep looking Down at Fear..

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> if you keep looking down at all the fear around, you will stay bogged in your trouble, if you look up you can hear the word God has for you and see the path he opens.
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Constant Conflict

CONSTANT CONFLICT GETS NOTHING DONE---COOPERATION MOVES MOUNTAINS-IN FAMILY, BUSINESS, POLITICS, IN ALL GOD'S CREATION......COOPERATION, COMPROMISE, TEAM-THESE ARE NOT BAD WORDS. WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST AND INDIVIDUALLY MEMBERS OF THE BODY. EACH HAS A PLACE BUT WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE BODY TO FUNCTION CREATIVELY AND FOR GOOD IN THE WORLD....

AND UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS

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> "AND UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS." (Deuteronomy 33: 27) - Babies, young children, teenagers, young adults, middle age adults, older adults yearn for, greatly need a sense of the Everlasting Arms of our loving, compassionate, forgiving, renewing, enlightening God. To deny this need results in foolish dependency upon superficial securities and/or transitory investments, alliances. Thanks be to The Everlasting Arms...
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Seeing life from a human level only results in dismay, despair, violence

Seeing life from a human level only results in dismay, despair, violence.---seeing life on the human level grounded in God's Kingdom and Righteousness results in faith and hope to deal with issues--engaging constructive patterns of behavior no matter how small. I looked out and saw my neighbor moving my trash can off the street to my garage door. That, i thought, is the Kingdom of God at work in seedling form.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength

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> "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4: 13) - These words have traveled with me through many years. They have been faithful reminders of my innate strength for the moment. Every person's story includes pain and joy; success and failure. The essence of all is how we prevail and succeed in the midst of troubles and hardships.
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Love....is not self-seeking

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> "Love....is not self-seeking...." (1 Cor. 13:5) --- we are taught to do not be selfish, but I read another way of saying it is "..be unselfish with the other person...". we all deal with issues of selfishness, but we have the power to choose to be unselfish with one another. Our relationships flourish when we make the choice to behave unselfish in our relationships, especially those who are near and dear to us...
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so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

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> ".....so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith....." (Ephesians 3: 17) --- "....the heart of the matter is...." -- what is the heart of all life, family, business, government, creation? Well, it seems to me the fundamental heart message Jesus Christ lived in this world was "God is love.." --- but the great "wisdom" of the day would say that is "pie in the sky" thinking and not practical for government, business, politics, making a living and surviving in this world. Well, why is what we are doing devoid of love not working???? And why are those small and almost unseen places where love is the heart of the matter that life is turned around for good???
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Thank you, Holy Spirit

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for these early quiet moments to get started today on the right path of thought and life. Thank you for loved ones near and far and friends all over. Thank You for healing and hope and love and purpose worthy of the effort and thank you on and on and on......

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Special Prayer for Grandmother

HAVE NO ANXIETY ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD. AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS. (Philippians 4: 6,7) --- This is the Word for the journey today.  This is the word as grandmother goes for Cochlear Implant surgery in the hope and confidence she will be able to hear and participate in the conversation. 

Faith is not Blind

Faith is not blind. It is good sense to faith. Every where you turn in all creation is evidence of  Great Creation. 

If a persons religion cannot stand a bit of the doubting Thomas mentality there is something wrong with it. Thomas was being honest and asking for truth.

The my way or no way mentality in religion and politics today is frightening. This makes working together impossible. 

we are never alone

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> "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands." -Psalms 91: 11,12 - we are never ever alone and without help we need, no matter how dark and desolate the way, the moment may be.
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THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S

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> "THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND EVERYTHING IN IT, THE WORLD, AND ALL WHO LIVE IN IT;.." (PSALM 24:1) -- WHEN I CONSIDER THIS THOUGHT, I REALIZE THAT THE PERSON OF A DIFFERENT CULTURE, RELIGION, HERITAGE IS A CHILD OF GOD AND A BROTHER OR SISTER TO ME; THEREFORE I NEED TO GET TO KNOW THAT PERSON......
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Fwd: THOUGHT

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> "NOW WE SEE BUT A POOR REFLECTION AS IN A MIRROR; THEN WE SHALL SEE FACE TO FACE. NOW I NOW IN PART; THEN I SHALL KNOW FULLY, EVEN AS I AM FULLY KNOWN." (1 Corinthians 13: 12) --- I have been on my God journey since early childhood and now in my senior years I still feel like a beginner in my journey. I don't even see the tip if the ice burg fully. The wonder, mystery, goodness, love, creativity of God is daily a fresh and evolving experience. But this I know, I am renewed in my inner being day after day and all along the way. Thanks be to God!
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> AND ALL GOD'S BLESSINGS TO YOU TODAY.
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LinkedIn Network Updates, 8/09/2012

	LinkedIn Network Updates, Aug 2 - Aug 9 Featured Updates View All Updates   NEW CONNECTIONS   Gail Pallotta is now connected to Susan Kuebler   Tom Blubaugh is now connected to Frank Pryor and 13 other people   Lynn Nester is now connected to Steven Williams and 1 other person Eddie Snipes is now connected to Tracie Peterson   Sheri Okun is now connected to Caroline Donini and 1 other person   POSTS Tom Blubaugh Two Book Giveaway Barbara Bentley - Tom Blubaugh, Christian Author - Tom Blubaugh,...           Today I'm interviewing Barbara Bentley. Barbara is a victim’s advocate in California, where she was directly responsible for the passage of Assembly Bill 16, which changed California divorce law.  A member of STAND!... Comment Cherise Bopape What are your thoughts about Ann Mehl's article, "12 Tips for Time Management" http://lnkd.in/wrXA36 12 Tips for Time Management Feel like you're trying to keep too many plates spinning in the air? You're not alone. Business coach Ann Mehl provides advice. Comment Cherise Bopape Just presented a program at the Christian Authors Guild. Discussed how to invest in yourself & hone your craft via #writers #conferences. Comment Tom Blubaugh A great read. I love the innocence of chilren. GEEZER GUYS AND GALS: Adding colour to my world I had been a poet for many years when I was asked the question that floored me: “Was the whole world in black and white when you were young?” and at first I thought my young son had cracked a joke but studying his upturned... Comment (1) Tom Blubaugh http://lnkd.in/gZ9wJV Linda Weaver Clarke: Dreaming of Books, Books, Books! Summer Giveaway Hop August 1 - 7 : You have a chance to win a book or e-book in different genres: Sweet Romance, Mystery/Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Children's, YA Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and Non-fiction. How do... Comment   View All Updates
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…are one in the body of Christ..

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> "......are one body in Christ......if one member suffers, all suffer together......" (1 Corinthians 12: 12, 26) -- this speaks to God's intention for us in this world, and God offers this to us in Christ. All around us is pain and suffering. In Christ we are moved with compassion and reach out in words and deeds of love and care. We stand with one another in doing what we can for those in suffering. And just being there with the ones we are caring for is a powerful presence. No matter how bad things may be we are connected in Christ and bad will not have the last word.
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Jesus the Savior

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> "FOR GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO BE ITS JUDGE, BUT TO BE ITS SAVIOR." (John 3:17) --These words are a great comfort and assurance. So much of the world around us tells us we ought to be other than we are. Every person we see is plagued with many negative voices that muddy the inner waters of daily living. --pause-- roll these words across your consciousness, ..God did not send Jesus Christ into your life to criticize and berate you. He is present to take you by the hand and lift you up when you make a mistake. He is present to listen to your worry and fear. He is present to teach you truth when you have been misled by false.....he is present when you look in the mirror and see the face of someone special-YOU--
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A Fool Will Believe Anything

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> "A FOOL WILL BELIEVE ANYTHING; SMART PEOPLE WATCH THEIR STEP." (Proverbs 14:15 TEV) ---- pay attention to where your mind and emotions are walking. stay away from dead end streets of falsehoods. step by step go the way of truth, goodness, love, kindness, compassion......HAVE A GREAT WALK TODAY.
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Fwd: thought

"For who of us does not carry around an image built both of our own pride and the expectations of others?--which is very different from the living man/woman that God made. And who of us is not afraid  to shatter that image so that the person God sees shines through?" (Guideposts Feb. 1967) -- "...you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)

Fwd: thought

Being able to care for yourself is a vital aspect of our nature. We all need assistance from time to time but we do not want to be dependent. We do not want to give up our freedom to dream and act to make dream into reality. --- Too much government or too little government-- this is a tension we must not walk away from. We don't want to be entangled  by government that eliminates our need to stand on our own feet and provide for ourselves. Nor do we want government that does not protect our freedom and responsibility. This tension must be ongoing. --- While we are fundamentally dependent upon God for life, we are also created to practice self-dependence that we might participate in our own survival. God expects us to plow, plant, harvest and if we don't we will starve or find ourselves in a unhealthy dependence. ---   And so this is as I view life this morning.

Something will End me and it has not End

"Something began me and it had no beginning; something will end me, and it has no end." - Carl Sandburg - I visited his home, saw his study, his writing table and typewriter and a note board from which he wrote. He could look through the window at the wonders of nature and experience the flow of thoughts and inspirations. Yield to the Creating Force that is your life and soul, let flow the inspirations and thoughts that will light your way and reveal something good and beautiful to those you encounter along the way.

Whatever keeps us from saying I'm sorry

"....BUT I ALSO LIVE WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE HUMBLE AND REPENTANT, SO THAT I CAN RESTORE THEIR CONFIDENCE AND HOPE." -Isaiah 57:15 (TEV)-  We are constantly falling on our faces in some kind  of mistake, failure, bad behavior, wrong attitude, unhealthy conflict. Arrogance, egotism or whatever keeps us from saying "I am sorry" and we continue down the road of misery. However, a recognition of our error, a sense of sorrow and repentance opens the way for Holy Spirit to restore our confidence and hope for living better and faithfully in the way of God's will for us. Well, I feel better already as I listen to the Word for today and I pray thus for you!!!!

dad/papa

Bill Edwards

revwge@me.com