Fwd: thought

I HAVE LIVED MY LIFE SPEAKING "ONE NOTE" - HOLY SPIRIT IS PRESENT, REAL, TRANSFORMING, MAKING ALL THINGS NEW—YOU, ME, EVERYTHING. AND SO IS IT THIS ADVENT/CHRISTMAS 2013. In a world of many negative, destructive, polarizing notes let us speak the One Note…….more than that let us live and function in the One Note: good news comes to us……

Fwd: thought

We call him our "grand cat".He is our granddaughter kitty and we keep him when she is out of town. Baci is his name. He is black with white splashes. Here I am on my 80th birthday thinking about my grand cat. Partly this is true because he stretches out in the middle of my dest so I can't do anything but pay attention to him. Now I am not a animal pet person and we never had a lot of pets when our children were growing up. Although I did have a beautiful white dog that just showed up one day. I was a young teen maybe- anyway he was our pet and he followed behind my daddy wherever he went. Well, this is the way I see it. God made these animals and us humans relate to them in all kinds of ways. I look into the faces of dogs and cats shown on TV where they have been rescued from abusive environments. I can see the pain and sadness in their faces and eyes. They are feeling the pain. Now back to baci. for some reason on this current visit with us he has taken to snuggling down in my lap in the warm blanket and sleeps. I watch him. He is peaceful, he is trusting, he is communicating his love in his way. It is a known fact that persons in nursing homes respond to the attention and affection of small creatures brought in for them to touch and hold. For some people this is about all the affection they get. So at this Christmas time i am mindful that our wonderful Creator has given us innocent, vulnerable animals and we chose our own way of relegating to them according to our need and their need.They call us to be kind and compassionate.  I don't know whether animals were really present at the birth of Jesus, but seems proper that they were there.

Fwd: thought

Subject: thought

One of my duties as pastor was regular visits in the homes of my parishioners. When first moving into a new community I would visit  the members homes for the first time. They did not know me and in those days I did not make appointments ahead of time. I just showed up. Once I introduced myself as the new pastor a smile came across their face and a welcome was extended for me to come in and visit. In todays world I would not dare just show up and knock on the door because I might get shot before any questions were asked. Seems we are a trigger ready and fear driven world. In those earlier days very likely most homes had a weapon but did not go to the door with pistol in hand. Well things change and times are different and I am left wondering if we are better off today than people in earlier days. Regardless it well to be mindful we are in the Advent time of the year in which we anticipate the birth of the baby in the manger. He grew up teaching persons to love one another and do all the good they could to make the world a more peaceful and caring place

Thanksgiving

I AWAKEN TO A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY MORNING. THIS IS THANKSGIVING DAY. APPROPRIATELY I AM THANKFUL FOR THIS DAY IN ALL ITS BLESSINGS. I CANNOT BEGIN TO NAME THE WAYS IN WHICH DIVINE PROVIDENCE FILLS MY LIFE WITH TLC. SO TO EVERYONE RECEIVING THIS THOUGHT I SIMPLY SAY I AM THANKFUL FOR YOU AND PRAY YOUR DAY WILL BE BLESSED AND YOU WILL EXPERIENCE GOD'S LOVE IN YOUR LIFE IN WHATEVER MAY BE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE WHETHER IT BE JOY OR PAIN, HAPPINESS OR SORROW, SICKNESS OR WELLNESS,  IN WHATEVER MAY THE BLESSINGS OF GOD BE UPON YOU AND WITHIN YOU.

Your Self-worth

The Bible is full of stories of humans behaving badly toward one another. It is always a lot safer to blame someone else thus turning attention away from your own faults. Well, it is no different today.

NEVER EVER TURN YOUR SENSE OF SELF-WORTH OVER TO WHAT SOMEONE ELSE SAYS OR THINKS ABOUT YOU. THERE IS NO OTHER HUMAN ON EARTH QUALIFIED TO ASSESS AND JUDGE YOUR WORTH. YOUR WORTH IS NOT DEFINED BY YOUR MISTAKES OR LACK OF MISTAKES, THAT COMES WITH SIMPLY BEING HUMAN. LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND SAY YOU ARE REALLY WONDERFUL THEN GO OUT AND LIVE LIKE YOU ARE WONDERFUL. 

DO NOT ACCEPT IT WHEN SOMEONE DUMPS THEIR CRAP ON YOU MAKING YOU TO BLAME. REFUSE IT, DO NOT OWN IT, TURN YOUR BACK AND WALK AWAY.

BEHOLD, GOD MADE MAN AND WOMEN, AND GOD SAID THIS IS GOOD. 

REMEMBER, THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS TO LIVE TRUE TO YOUR BEING GOD'S CREATION AND WHAT GOD CREATES IS DONE TOP QUALITY. AND CHRIST SHOWS US THE WAY……..

Suffering

ALL SUFFERING IS BEARABLE IF IT IS SEEN AS PART OF A STORY. -Isak Dinesen- this is true.Suffering is involved in building business, a career, a family, a home, a marriage, a government.  It took some suffering to grow a family and reach this point in life. It takes some suffering to be where we are now, but it is worth the pain because it is part of my story and my story is worth living and telling and it is not finished. We don't get through this life without pain, mistakes, broken promises, failures—all part of the story, but that is part of the big picture. Some of our greatest learning is done in bad times. We discover more about ourselves. Character grows…."I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all to the glory that is going to be revealed to us…." (Romans 8:18) - Your life, my life is a story and our Creator would not have given us life if the story was not worth living and telling, even the suffering Now if you want to go someplace where there is no suffering and pain, go walk through the cemetery. 

Trust what little light you have

> “An old woodsman told me that the reason most people get lost is because they don’t go far enough. They doubt where they are and change direction too soon. Somehow we are called to lean forward by what little light we are given.” -Nepo — One reason we doubt where we are may the voices in our head telling us we are wrong or don’t know what we are doing. We are vulnerable to what other “authorities” think. It is one thing to be stubborn, arrogant and not value other opinions, but it is also important to trust our own instincts and stay on the path of this deep sense of the way. After all the Spirit of Truth is in us as much as anyone and we are accountable for that awareness Jesus is talking about when he asked the disciples to tell him what they personally thought to be truth about him...
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Faith Hope Love

"We turn our attention….away from fear and toward hope." I read this a few minutes ago and find it a great thought to use as a mantra during the thoughts, feelings, experiences, challenges and whatever today. Fear presents a roadblock in our minds and feelings but lift your eyes and see hope beyond fear, then move beyond fear toward hope. FAITH, HOPE, LOVE dissolve fear-gives you inner vision to see through fear to what really matters. Just try it, — turn your attention away from fear and toward hope.

It's OK

IT'S  OK  ???????   THREE PEOPLE STAND ON THE SUMMIT OF THE MOUNTAIN. ASK EACH ONE WHAT HE/SHE SEES AND EACH WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW OF THE AWESOM BEAUTY.  SO IT IS WE NEED ONE ANOTHER. WE NEED TO LISTEN TO THE TRUTH, AWARENESS, EXPERIENCE OF EACH OTHER AND HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO EACH. MY LIGHT ENHANCES YOUR LIGHT, YOUR LIGHT ENHANCES MY LIGHT. AND THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE WILL HAVE MORE LIGHT……….

make the world a better place

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> Why do anything other than work to make the world a better place, especially with the amazing benefits we've been given? (Howard Buffett) - and this is something every person can do at any time and any place - to begin the day with this thought in mind sets the stage for wonder-full living and unexpected opportunities to do good. and, "as thy days so shall thy strength be."
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My Light Enhances Your Light

IT'S  OK  ???????   THREE PEOPLE STAND ON THE SUMMIT OF THE MOUNTAIN. ASK EACH ONE WHAT HE/SHE SEES AND EACH WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW OF THE AWESOM BEAUTY.  SO IT IS WE NEED ONE ANOTHER. WE NEED TO LISTEN TO THE TRUTH, AWARENESS, EXPERIENCE OF EACH OTHER AND HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO EACH. MY LIGHT ENHANCES YOUR LIGHT, YOUR LIGHT ENHANCES MY LIGHT. AND THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE WILL HAVE MORE LIGHT……….

Daily Quiet Reflection on the Word of God

"Daily, quiet reflection on the Word of God as it applies to me (even if only for a few minutes) becomes for me a point of crystallization for everything which gives interior and exterior order to my life." Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor in Germany who assisted the underground resistance to the Nazi regime..he had a strong biblically based spirituality which called him to work against political injustices. Daily quiet meditation on the Word of God as it applies to me results  in interior and exterior order to my life. At the very outset of my call to preach pilgrimage and to this very day my sense of order inwardly and outwardly came as a result of being centered in the Word of God as I understand its meaning for me. This is sanity, this is balance, this is purpose even though I am a hesitant and far from able practitioner of this truth. God does not expect us to be perfect but to set our sights in His Word. Thus our little pebble upon the surface of each day sends it ripples of influence upon this day and age....

This is the Day the Lord has Made

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> without a healthy spiritual core we are liable to use the creation in which we live foolishly, selfishly, harmfully. Our relationships will suffer all kinds of distortion and dysfunction. Therefore, "Create in me a clean heart and put within me a right spirit….". Let me see this day as, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."
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live it if you preach it

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> faith, hope, charity—key ingredients for living a worthwhile life. CHARITY: "kindness and tolerance in judging others.." thus the dictionary defines this word. C.S. Lewis once spoke of his pastor: "He taught but first he practiced it himself." — if you want a child to behave in a certain way that you think is right, it is best that first you practice it in your relationship with the child and with others. in every generation the world needs persons who live charitably with their fellow humans. start being judgmental toward a person and he will put up his defenses. be kind, gentle, respectful toward him/her and you will find someone more open and ready to listen. so today my intent is to do some charity practicing.
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Howard Buffet

 

 

 

Why do anything other than work to make the world a better place, especially with the amazing benefits we’ve been given? (Howard Buffett) - and this is something every person can do at any time and any place - to begin the day with this thought in mind sets the stage for wonder-full living and unexpected opportunities to do good. and, “as thy days so shall thy strength be."

 

dad/papa

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faith, Hope, Charity

 

 

 

faith, hope, charity—key ingredients for living a worthwhile life. CHARITY: “kindness and tolerance in judging others..” thus the dictionary defines this word. C.S. Lewis once spoke of his pastor: “He taught but first he practiced it himself.” — if you want a child to behave in a certain way that you think is right, it is best that first you practice it in your relationship with the child and with others. in every generation the world needs persons who live charitably with their fellow humans. start being judgmental toward a person and he will put up his defenses. be kind, gentle, respectful toward him/her and you will find someone more open and ready to listen. so today my intent is to do some charity practicing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FW: thought

 

 

 

 

“IT TAKES GREAT EFFORT TO BECOME EFFORTLESS AT ANYTHING. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES” (Roth) - the person of calmness in the storm has likely learned through experience the futility of reacting in haste and anger. my high school friend played the piano so easily and beautifully only after hours and days of practice in the privacy of home. one stands on the peak of the mountain enjoying the wonderful scenery, and seeing great distances, but the peak was reached after hours of hard and painful climbing. a new life comes into the world only after the mothers agonizing birth experience. Jesus moved quietly, confidently, patiently teaching and doing good works only after days of agony and indecision and temptation and value sorting in the distant wilderness. wherever you are in life today, pause allowing yourself to benefit from the rough journey to be there…and he said, “I will always be with you in Spirit."

FW: thought

 

"That day which you fear as being the end of all things is the birthday of your eternity." -Seneca_ this intrigues me. what is he saying? the “securities” we build around us can take on a life of their own and become the end of all things for us. we can so depend upon these contrived  structures that we have no identity apart from them. a type of idolatry. if these are suddenly destroyed, eliminated from our lives we initially are devastated and feel the world for us has come to an end. I hear Seneca saying this end of all things opens the door for us to really find out what life is all about. eternity opens for us and discovery really begins. fortunately this can happen at any stage of life. one is never to young or too old for this liberating and wonder-filled adventure with Creation…..herein " you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” — those words within themselves open for us the real pilgrimage of experiencing the One Known By Many Names. For me that is Holy Spirit. After all The Kingdom of God/Presence is within you and nothing happening outside you is bigger, stronger than what is within you……”the birthday of your eternity.” ----

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

don't be a victim

 

 

I CHOOSE NOT TO BE A VICTIM. INSTEAD I CHOOSE TO BE A LEARNER.This speaks to two sides of the coin. Trouble happens and the attitude we choose determines our response. We can think we are victim or we can think this is opportunity to learn another lesson of life that will make us wiser and stronger and more able. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — so, my prayer is that we will each one have a learner day instead of a victim day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As thy days so shall thy strength be

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Living in the Temple of the Holy Spirit

Living in a temple of The Holy Spirit————(some gleanings from one of my notebooks in which I write when thoughts start flowing and I don't want to forget them.)

Pause pay attention. What is it to live in your body? How does it feel? When you don't feel well what is it like? I wonder what it feels like for a person who lives in a sick body.- A body that doesn't function well? I remember how I felt when I was recovering from cancer surgery. I did not like living in my body unable to move around and go like I wanted to. I was impatient. 

Not feel good when can't take care of yourself. When someone else has to help you get up. Feels bad when the helper is impatient and irritable. Probably upset seeing you in this condition. 

Persons all across the globe are in diverse conditions of living. Some live in affluence enjoying the benefits they can afford. Including the best medical care. Others barely survive and die for lack of adequate care. And prior to medical services as we know it today persons lives were carried on until illness or accident took them down. Which context of living was best?  There must be another level of experiencing life. 

A persons life is more than food, clothes, medical care. There is the invisible spiritual life that is the core of ones human experience. This is not finally dictated by freedom from disease and disability. 

There persons in various un desirable states of physical being who manifest attitude in living that is positive and healthy despite the condition of their body. Maybe such persons have some how come to a state of contentment/grace that enables them to transcend illness. 

There comes a time when one focuses on living and allows the body to run its course to death without superficial interference. i e medical contrivances that keep the heart beating when the rest of the body is ready to die. 

"…..don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you?……(1 Corinthians 6:19)

Balance

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Affluence

Some notes from a Rick Warren and Pierce Morgan conversation on TV.  Warren: The stewardship of Affluence and the stewardship if influence—Worry reminds me that I am taking on responsibility God does not intend me to have—Love is a choice—Takes more than love to make a marriage….Money is a tool——Every person comes to see and understand values that work for us in the daily experience of living. Butting up against the realities of life we find out whether something is really worthy…."You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

Relax and listen to the Holy Spirit

HOW IS HOLY SPIRIT HELPING YOU DEFINE YOUR PLACE IN THE WORLD NOW? IN WHAT WAYS ARE YOU AWARE OF HOLY SPIRIT WORKING IN YOU? 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 day and night, even when we sleep. Relax, let it happen. Holy Spirit is always and everywhere at work in you and all creation. THEREFORE, WE ARE NEVER HOPELESS AND LOST IN DESPAIR.

LET US MAKE MAN IN OUR IMAGE AND LIKENESS...

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> and his name is All Men. generosity, a helping hand in times of weakness and trouble....and the Lord bless and keep you now and always......
> There is only one woman in the world
> and her name is All Women.
> There is only one child in the world
> and the child is All Children."
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WORDS ARE THINGS, AND A SMALL DROP OF INK

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> Tools of communication to be used wisely, skillfully, productively in the service of all creation. Words, ink, computer, sound.......can move us forward into greater discoveries of Creation or they can be used to put us back into being cave dwellers afraid of our shadow.
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Fwd: thought

"Being comfortable with strong emotions means relaxing into uncertainty and ambiguity in relationships." Another way of saying it is accepting raggedness in relationships sets us free to find the worthwhile in one another and grow in grace. And another way of saying it is, "Love is patient and kind, not jealous, arrogant or rude, does not insist on its own way, does not give up..."  Well, I thought this might shine a little light along the way today.

First things first

"LOOK TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY IDOLATROUS WAY IN ME, THEN LEAD ME ON THE ETERNAL PATH" (Psalm 139:24) - This is about priorities. The world is much with us. Marketing is skillfully designed to appeal to our feelings, desires, imagination, ego. It is and always has been humans must beware of investing meaning and value to the created at the cost of forgetting about the Creator. My meditation this morning calls me to keeping first things first and maintaining a wise sense of stewardship in all things.....

Seek and You Shall Find

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Prayer

It is early morning and all is quiet. I reach for a book in my library. The title is "Prayer". As i read words I underscored in years past I came upon these words: "Prayer is a divine deed in the human soul...Through prayer God enters the soul, imparting to it His powers and forming it according to His will....". These words really speak to me this morning. Prayer is not about me, it is about God. I pray in response to Holy Spirit speaking, stirring me in my soul and vibrating through my whole being. I guess this is one reason the scripture teaches us to "be still and know God.." It is not a matter of me telling God anything, it is me being quiet and listening to what Spirit is saying, allowing myself to become aware of Presence. Thus I(you) am being in sync with the Nature of creation. ....add your own thoughts.....

Ever a Widening Thought

Subject: THOUGHT

"WHERE THE MIND IS LED FORWARD BY THEE INTO EVER-WIDENING THOUGHT AND ACTION---" (Rabindranath Tagore) - curiosity leads us to explore unfamiliar territory on land and in the heavens, questions that flow in our awareness and thoughts about the WHY that rises within us when life is perplexing. There is no beginning or end to our knowledge but what we know sets us up to know what we do not know. Our minds, emotions, bodies, beings thirst and hunger for insight, understanding, ever evolving truth. Creator has made us thus and all begins and continues in Thee in ever-widening thought and action.....

If I lose it All Tomorrow

".....if tomorrow I lose it all, I know that in God I still have everything.....Father....I hold tightly to Your hand, but lightly to what You give." ..... For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. --Psalm 50:10 --I ponder my assets to be sure I have enough to make it today and in the days to come. Wait a minute, I need to be a wise manager of what I have; yet, every thing could be wiped out in the blink of an eye be a tornado or a sudden illness I would have nothing more than the most homeless of persons. Thank You Lord for reminding me .....and thank You....all begins and ends in You.

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If I lose it all

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Pray for Kings

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God does not disappoint

Could it be that spiritual suffering is more severe than physical suffering?  Could it be that spiritual un-wellness makes physical suffering more severe? Could it be that spiritual vitality and good health enables a person to live a powerful life despite the ills of the body?"...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." --Romans 5:3-5 -- I guess love, hope and Holy Spirit are the important factors in ourselves....

dad/papa

Bill Edwards

revwge@me.com

Jesus Said

> JESUS SAID, I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN ME, EVEN THOUGH THEY DIE, YET SHALL THEY LIVE, AND WHOEVER LIVES AND BELIEVES IN ME SHALL NEVER DIE......BECAUSE I LIVE, YOU SHALL LIVE ALSO. THE SERVICE OF DEATH AND RESURRECTION IS THE THEME OF THE MEMORIAL SERVICE WHEN SOMEONE DIES. I TAKE GREAT COMFORT IN THIS AFFIRMATION OF FAITH IN GOD'S ETERNAL PLAN AND PURPOSE FOR US. WE SHARE MEMORIES AND INSIGHTS FOR LIVING THAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM OUR LOVES ONES WHO ARE GO ON AHEAD OF US. WE ARE NOT PEOPLE WITHOUT HOPE. EVERY DAY AND ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT HOLY SPIRIT IS RESURRECTING US. BE STILL AND QUIET AND KNOW THESE TRUTHS....WE ARE BLESSED BY THOSE WHO HAVE GONE AHEAD OF US AND WE WILL BE A BLESSING TO THOSE WHO COME AFTER US AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE WITH US NOW.

I have overcome this world

"I have told  you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome this world." --John 16: 33 -- our environment both physical and non-physical is contaminated. The "enemy" is everywhere you turn. Insecurity threatens us. Our hungers and needs are real. Of course it has always been so, even in the days of the cave man. As has been all along, so is it now. Trust and obey the life and teachings of Christ. The result is peace and healing in the midst of this troubled world. The only way you are going to come out of this life alive is in God's unconditional love......let the peace of God keep your mind and heart....

Wisdom from the ones that have lived long

SOME PERSONS WHO HAVE LIVED LONG WERE ASKED WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON LIFE HAS TAUGHT YOU? THESE ARE SOME RESPONSES: "GOD IS RELIABLE BUT UNPREDICTABLE." == "TO TRY TO ACCEPT DEATH AS WELL AS LIFE, REALIZING THEY ARE PARTS OF ONE WHOLE. TO ACCEPT JOYOUSLY THE FACT THAT OUR SPIRITS NEED NEVER GROW OLD!" == "OUR SOCIETY MOVES FROM ONE OBSESSION TO ANOTHER, SOME GOOD, SOME PARTIAL GOOD, AND SOME ABSURD. GOOD CAUSES MERIT SUPPORT, BUT THE WISE PERSON SEEKS A POSITION WHICH TRANSCENDS THE TRANSIENT. == "THE SEEDS OF PEACE ARE BEING SOWN SILENTLY IN THE MIDST OF OUR PRESENT AGONY." == THESE ARE MEANINGFUL THOUGHTS FROM PERSONS WHO HAVE WEATHERED THE STORMS OF LIFE AND COME OUT WITH GREAT REALIZATIONS OF TRUTH. 

Fwd: thought

"I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE VERY END......"  (Matthew 28:20) -- whatever darkness in which you find yourself you are not alone and the One with you or your loved one is LOVE UNCONDITIONAL. 

Prayer is about Listening

PRAYER IS ESSENTIAL TO A PERSON'S SPIRITUAL GROWTH-PRAYER IS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT WE SAY TO GOD, BUT IT IS MUCH ABOUT US LEARNING TO LISTEN TO GOD. I have learned that some of the most effective praying I can do is focusing on a scripture verse or story and listening to what i hear being spoken. For example, "I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me." (Philippians 4: 13) Listen to this, repeat it in your thoughts as you deal with difficult and troubling thoughts and feelings....TRUST GOD'S PURPOSE IN YOUR LIFE.

Fwd: thought

Subject: thought

"The lack of understanding brings about a lack of tolerance and true love, which results in the alienation of people......understanding and love are values that transcend all dogma." -- we may look with suspicion  upon someone who is different from us, particularly someone from a different culture, race, religion, nation. The person we do not know or understand is easily  perceived our enemy. It happens in our schools with bullying, in places of work, between nations, in all settings of relationships....understanding someone does not necessarily mean we will agree with them, but we will see them in a different way. 

Fwd: thought

"GOD'S SPIRIT BLOWS WHEREVER IT WISHES...." --John 3:8--and wherever the Wind of Spirit blows comes freshness, renewal, transformation, encouragement, insight, correction in our life direction and above all the fresh winds of Spirit lets us know we are never really alone. --- Of course sometimes those Spirit Winds may be sort of rough if that is what is needed to get us going in the right direction. --- these are some thoughts to consider.

The Mind is Everything

"Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world." --George Bernard Shaw--"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become." --Buddha-- "More than anything you guard, protect hour mind, for life flows from it.// "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." --Proverbs 4: 23 -- a distinguishing difference between humans and other creatures is our awareness, thinking, imagining. How we feel about ourselves is the result of what we chose to think about ourselves, not what someone else thinks. Think of yourself as a special creation of God, a person of worth made in the image of Eternal Goodness and you will walk out into each day with your head up and your heart at peace and wherever you go others will be blessed.

Thinking of you

THINKING OF YOU....HAVE A BLESSED DAY, AFTER ALL THIS IS THE DAY GOD MADE AND WANTS US TO ENJOY IT. LOVE IS ON DISPLAY ALL AROUND US AND WARMS OUR HEARTS.

You have made known to me the paths of life

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Turn the Mess into a Miracle

"Those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward, even in sleep." (The Practice of the Presence of God) - life always moves forward, never backward. Pick up your broken heart and move forward and the Presence of Spirit has your back. No matter what the mess we make of our lives the Spirit of God never stops working to turn the mess into a miracle. Do not ignore this reality of faith and trust and obedience to the sense of right in you.

Our part is to trust,

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Be What We Were Made to Be

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> "...let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't." -Romans 12: 6 - i read this thought in the Daily Guidepost today. Two persons met at a conference and introduced themselves. One asked the other the typical question, "what do you do?". The answer was not typical. She said, "I bring hope to people who are hurting." It turns out this lady worked in a grocery store, but it was more than just a job. She saw opportunity to extend hospitality and caring interest in others who came to shop. She was sensitive to persons who were obviously worried or weary. No matter what our situation we can relate to the other person in a spirit of love appreciation and encouragement.
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IN THE STRENGTH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

"I HAVE LEARNED THIS SECRET, SO THAT ANYWHERE, AT ANY TIME. I AM CONTENT, WHETHER I AM FULL OR HUNGRY, WHETHER I HAVE TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE. I HAVE THE STRENGTH TO FACE ALL CONDITIONS BY THE POWER THAT CHRIST GIVES ME." (Philippians 4:12) -- This is the Word that stands out for me this morning. Whether young or old, well or sick, recognized or ignored, successful or not............every day is a work in progress with room for improvement. Thanks be to God I am alive and able to do the good I can in the conditions of the moment.....IN THE STRENGTH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

dad/papa

True Nobility

AN OLD HINDU PROVERB SAYS, "There is nothing noble in being superior to some other man. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self." -- "So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace." ( 2 Corinthians 4: 16) -- there simply is no way for us to get to a place where everything is as we want or prefer it. At best we suck up a lot of stuff for the sake of the larger good as it is made known to us in the daily of life. We live in the context of God will in our present circumstance and the circumstance of the world now. But always in the confidence that God' ultimate will is going to get done.

dad/papa

Are We There Yet?

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> "ARE WE THERE YET?" MANY TIMES IN YEARS PAST I HAVE HEARD THAT QUESTION FROM THE REAR SEAT AS WE TRAVELED. THIS IS NORMAL FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, BUT AS ADULTS WHEN WE ASK, THINK, FEEL THAT QUESTION IT IS DISTRACTING FROM BEING FULLY PRESENT WHERE WE ARE NOW. TRUSTING GOD FOR "ARE WE THERE YET?" WE CAN BE FULLY PRESENT TO NOW AND EXPERIENCE THE WONDER AND MEANING HOLY SPIRIT HAS FOR US NOW.
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LIFE HAPPENS IN THE CONTEXT OF ETERNITY

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> LIFE HAPPENS IN THE CONTEXT OF ETERNITY? this thought stirs something in me. i hear it saying life is not temporary, confined to our days, minutes on this earth. there is something more.the generations before us and the generations to come after bear witness to something more than just this life. in this frame of thinking a person lives each moment embraced by those who are before us and with open arms and hearts we embrace each other now and welcome what is yet to be.....HAVE A GREAT TIME TRAVELING LIFE TODAY, and know God is working in your life and his work is good...........
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Dream!! Don't give up

ONE OF THE REALITIES THAT SETS HUMANS APART FROM OTHER CREATURES IS OUR ABILITY TO DREAM, VISION. A PERSON SHOULD NEVER GIVE UP ON HIS/HER DREAM. INEVITABILITY YOU WILL RUN INTO NEGATIVE VOICES, IMPOSSIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES, DISCOURAGEMENTS AND MANY OTHER INTERFERENCES. JUST KEEP ON WALKING, WORKING, ONE STEP AT A TIME AND KEEP YOUR MIND AND HEART ON THE GOAL// THE DREAM. AFTER ALL THE DREAMING IS BETWEEN YOU AND GOD AND GOD DOES NOT GIVE UP//YOU WILL NOT GIVE UP. I know what I am talking about. I have been there and done that and for that matter am still working at my dream. EACH LIFE IS PART OF GOD'S DREAM......

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Live out your truth

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> "YOUR TIME IS LIMITED, SO DON'T WASTE IT LIVING SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE. DON'T LET THE NOISE OF OTHERS' OPINIONS DROWN OUT YOUR OWN INNER VOICE." --Steve Jobs -- Truth is truth no matter what vessel delivers it. Preachers are not the only voices of God's word to the world. Steve Jobs lived out his dream despite his imperfections and illness. Don't wait for the perfect time, the perfect conditions, the perfect opportunity, the perfect moment. Get up off your butt and go after your dream and ignore the voices in your mind and from others who say you can't do it or you are crazy. You are no more crazy that Jesus Christ when he dared to tell it and live it out of his heart.....

Christ listened

"ARE YOU OPEN TO BEING A PASTOR TO THE POOR WITHOUT RESCUING THEM OR JUDGING THEM?...EAT WITH THE POOR....WHATEVER DAY YOU HAVE TIME TO STAY AND EAT WITH ME.....NO GREATER PRACTICE OF TRUE COMMUNITY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THAN EATING TOGETHER....POOR AND HOMELESS ARE USED TO STANDING IN FOOD LINES; WHAT THEY AREN'T USED TO IS RECEIVING FROM PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KNOW THEM.....THE GOSPEL IS ABOUT BREAKING BREAD TOGETHER." These are quotes from "Circuit Rider" 2007 issue. It is a lot easier to stand behind a table and dish out food to homeless persons without looking them in the eye or having a conversation with them. I know because when I served at St John in Augusta we participated each week in serving meals to homeless or low income persons. One of the great blessings of Christ is God coming to us personally, looking us in the face, listening to our stories, sitting at the table with us. Prior to our Christ experience we might have perceived God as distant, unapproachable, out yonder in heaven. In Christ God is present, intimate, love in person. Finally, as we live our lives in relationship with Holy Spirit we are able be Christ present persons with others. 

WE only get one life to live here

This post isn't actually from my dad but I woke up  thinking this today.    For some reason it occured to me that we are only given one life to live here and at 48 years old it becomes more and more apparent that it is slipping away.

Nothing more than to say, don't waste your one life and take care of your body to have every chance at a long "one life"

Today is a GiFT

my my, another day, a new day, a gift, i did not make it but i can be grateful to the One making this day and i can be grateful for you and you and you..this gratitude business will sweeten the day no matter whether it is raining or sun is shining. HAVE A GREAT DAY AND I SEND YOU LOVE IN THE NAME OF GOD WHO IS LOVE,   BTW i know how and when to capitalize but sometime i just like to dis obey the rules.

Philanthropy isn't about writing a check

"PHILANTHROPY IS ALL ABOUT FINDING A PASSION IN SOMETHING AND WANTING TO BE PART OF IT.....MY MOTHER ALWAYS SAID IF YOU APPROACH PHILANTHROPY AS JUST WRITING A CHECK, YOU ARE GOING ABOUT IT THE WRONG WAY." (Isabel Garcia 99 L , Emory Magazine) - When making a gift pause a moment and imagine how this may encourage and help someone who is touched by this gift. Then say a prayer of thanksgiving for the privilege of giving . 

Fwd: thought

YOUR PRESENCE IN THIS WORLD DID NOT HAPPEN BY A CAST OF THE DICE. YOU ARE PART OF THE GLORIOUS DESIGN OF THE CREATOR KNOWN BY THE SPIRIT WE CALL LOVE. LET YOURSELF RELAX INTO THE PRESENCE NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE AND WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE. THERE IS NO PLACE YOU ARE AND THERE IS NOTHING GOING ON THAT IS APART FROM LOVE PRESENCE. AS YOU EXPERIENCE THIS REALITY YOU WILL BE BLESSED AND WILL BE A BLESSING TO THOSE WITH WHOM YOU ABIDE NOW.

Wisdom is Where You Find IT

"WISDOM IS WHERE YOU FIND IT. IT SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH SCHOOLING....." (Western Folklore) - this is a good perspective adjuster.....

We only know a little

So much we know about nearly every thing yet life is still largely mystery. No matter what we learn it reveals we know not all. I see through the glass but it is smokey and I can't see clearly or I see in part and I know in part......or as 1 Corinthians 13: 9 says, " For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only  partial...." but .....

grounded in faith walk in the knowledge/truth you have and pay attention to what Word will teach you.

Depend on Mercy

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> "....THE DYING THIEF OR THE CONDEMNED PRISONER BECOMES A METAPHOR FOR THE HUMAN CONDITION DEPENDENT ON THE MERCY OF GOD FOR LIFE OR DEATH." THESE WORDS ARE PART OF OUR WESLEYAN HERITAGE AND EXPRESSED IN SOME OF OUR HYMNS. THEY REMIND ME OF THE REALTY THAT EVERY PERSON IS NAKED IN HIS/HER GUILT BEFORE GOD. FURTHERMORE THE PRISONS OF ANY COUNTRY ARE A WITNESS TO OUR FAILURE AS A SOCIETY TO FACE UP TO AND REDEEM OUR HOSTILE AND VIOLENT BEHAVIOR OF PERSONS BOTH IN AND OUT OF PRISON. THEREFORE, WE MUST BE BORN AGAIN INTO THE HEART OF PEACE, LOVE, GOODNESS.....AND IT IS A LIFE-LONG PILGRIMAGE.
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Yesterday's Nut that Held it's ground

"TODAY'S MIGHTY OAK IS JUST YESTERDAY'S NUT THAT HELD ITS GROUND." (-Anonymous-)  "....that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord." -(1 Corinthians 7:35)- in any moment of our life pilgrimage we have choices. We can be distracted by the multiple ways of thinking and behaving. Some will lead to dead ends in our relationships. The ideas, principles, values that centered the life of Christ will center our thinking and living too. Some time you may feel like a "nut" but hold your ground and you will be a mighty oak in ways you may not realize.

The truth will set you free

DO WE LISTEN FOR AFFIRMATION OF WHAT WE THINK, TO SUPPORT OUR BIAS, OUR POINT OF VIEW OR DO WE LISTEN TO HEAR THE TRUTH EVEN IF IT TURNS UP SIDE DOWN WHAT WE THINK AND WANT TO HEAR? ACTUALLY WE WANT TO HEAR THE TRUTH BUT ARE GREATLY INFLUENCED BY THE PREVAILING OPINIONS ALL AROUND US. THUS, THE CALL OF CHRIST TO BE HIS DISCIPLES ALLOWS US TO SET OUR MINDS UPON WHAT HE TEACHES AND EXAMINE EVERY THING WE HEAR IN THE LIGHT OF HIS WORDS, THOUGHTS, BEHAVIOR. "IF YOU HOLD TO MY TEACHING, YOU ARE REALLY MY DISCIPLES. THEN YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE." (John 8: 32)

BIGGER PICTURE

THE BLESSINGS THAT ARE IN OUR LIVES DO NOT NECESSARILY COME IN PERFECTLY WRAPPED COLORFUL PACKAGES. SOMETIMES THEY COME IN THE BACK PAIN, THE ARTHRITIS, THE WHATEVER IS CAUSING DIFFICULTY. THE POINT IS THAT WHATEVER THE MOMENT BRINGS AS WE DEAL WITH IT IN THE PRESENCE AND GRACE OF HOLY SPIRIT WE ARE ABLE TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD ANYWAY. WE ARE PART OF THE BIGGER PICTURE OF ETERNITY AND THE GOD WHO IS KNOWN AS LOVE.

Humanity

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> "ONLY A HUMANITY WHICH IS STRIVING AFTER ETHICAL ENDS CAN IN FULL MEASURE SHARE IN THE BLESSINGS BROUGHT BY MATERIAL PROGRESS AND BECOME MASTER OF THE DANGERS WHICH ACCOMPANY IT." (The Wisdom of Albert Schweitzer on Ethics) - A person without a sense of right and wrong is as dangerous to the wellbeing other persons as would be the worst plague imaginable. In large measure it might be said that our current economic condition is due to the behavior of persons who did not act out of a healthy sense of ethics. .....and so is it in all areas of life from the most basic to the most complicated.
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Be Still, Quiet, and Know God

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> "IMAGINE YOU GO AND VISIT YOUR PARENTS. YOU SIT AND DON'T SAY ANYTHING AND THEY DON'T SAY ANYTHING. AFTER A WHILE, THERE IS ANXIETY GROWING IN YOU. YOU THINK, WHAT DOES HE/SHE WANT ME TO SAY? WHAT DOES HE/SHE WANT FROM ME? .......BUT YOU CAN ALSO BE THERE IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU COMMUNICATE, ' I SO ENJOY SITTING WITH YOU QUIETLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE'." I remember how difficult it was for me to visit my dad. He was naturally a quiet man and not given to a lot of talk. I was young and very uncomfortable with silence in the presence of my dad. I would think up stuff to talk about. Now, as I reflect on this I realize it was ok to just be present with each other. I love the words, "Be still, quiet, and know God." our world specializes in noise and sometime on TV is seems the news people try to see how fast they can talk and a person is hard put to understand what they are saying. Anyway, Thank God that I don't always have to fill the quiet space with words, but can just enjoy being together.
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Fwd: thought

 "IMAGINE YOU GO AND VISIT YOUR PARENTS. YOU SIT AND DON'T SAY ANYTHING AND THEY DON'T SAY ANYTHING. AFTER A WHILE, THERE IS ANXIETY GROWING IN YOU. YOU THINK, WHAT DOES HE/SHE WANT ME TO SAY? WHAT DOES HE/SHE WANT FROM ME? .......BUT YOU CAN ALSO BE THERE IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU COMMUNICATE, ' I SO ENJOY SITTING WITH YOU QUIETLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE'." I remember how difficult it was for me to visit my dad. He was naturally a quiet man and not given to a lot of talk. I was young and very uncomfortable with silence in the presence of my dad. I would think up stuff to talk about. Now, as I reflect on this I realize it was ok to just be present with each other. I love the words, "Be still, quiet, and know God." our world specializes in noise and sometime on TV is seems the news people try to see how fast they can talk and a person is hard put to understand what they are saying. Anyway, Thank God that I don't always have to fill the quiet space with words, but can just enjoy being together.