Your Law is within my heart

"I DESIRE TO DO YOUR WILL, O MY GOD; YOUR LAW IS WITHIN MY HEART." (Psalms 40: 8) The word/truth is internalized--a level beyond the head, beyond information, beyond knowledge. From the Eternal Source deep within a person does what is good no matter how crazy or cynical others may be....we are drawn toward that Nature within.......

The problem of poverty is relentless

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> "Those who exploit the powerless anger their maker, while those who are kind to the poor honor God." (Proverbs 14:31) The problem of poverty is relentless. Sometimes persons are unkind and mean spirited toward the down and out; however given the right circumstances it could happen to anyone. We may not be able to solve all the problems of poor but we can be kind and benevolent to such persons. That little act blesses them and honors God.
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What you are looking for is within you

I READ RECENTLY THAT HELL IS WANTING TO BE SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT FROM WHERE YOU ARE. -- ALWAYS THINKING THAT "IF I COULD...."  I WOULD BE HAPPY. TROUBLE IS WHEN THE "COULD" HAPPENS YOU ARE NOT HAPPY. THE POINT OF THIS IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS NOT OUT YONDER SOMEPLACE BUT IT IS NOW WITHIN YOU. BE STILL, QUIET, AWARE OF YOURSELF AND ACCEPT YOURSELF AS YOU ARE BECAUSE YOU ARE OK. NOT PERFECT, BUT OK. MY/YOUR PRESENT CONDITION IN LIFE IS NOT PERFECT BUT OK. --- NOW, YOU ARE FREE TO BE AND TO BECOME.

The real meaning of love

THESE WORDS COME FROM THE TRUTH IN THE LIFE OF A LIFE LONG COUPLE

What does it mean to "be with" another person?  Sit down, relax, turn your eyes upon his/her face, look into their eyes, receive the feelings emanating from their person, listen to what is there even before they speak, embrace them body,mind, spirit, emotion. Now you can enter their space and be with them as they walk through whatever is their valley now. I sit on the bed beside her, look her in the eyes and see her pain. I listen to her words about wanting to be better, wondering about the pain in her legs or some other place in her body. 

I put my arm around her and hug. She wants me near. I want to be near. Love heals in its own strange ways, not necessarily the body. "Compassion can never coexist with judgement because judgement creates distance and distinction, which prevents us from really being with the other." (Henri J.M. Nouwen) There have been times in the past when I was judgmental toward someone and unable to really feel compassion. My anger at their condition short-circuited compassion which would have done them more good than my judgment. Seems to me Jesus was compassionate especially toward those who were being judged by others. Compassion flows from heart of God and transforms the moment, the hard heart.

lowly of heart

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> "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26: 3) - trusting Holy Spirit results in stability of mind/thought/attitude--the resulting inner calm/wholeness is the gift of Creator....soundness of mind in this world comes from trusting the One not of this world....
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RAIN

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> Showers, rain, wind, storm-for some these events are observed from a distance-for some the rain is a blessing-for some it is disaster, devastation. Then for some these events of nature are reminders of things really important-they pause in the midst of their pain and loss to give thanks. It is all a mystery;yet also a time of revelation and opportunity.....bottom line....GOD IS GOOD and that goodness finds a way for the benefit of all in the worst of times and in the best of times.
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Silence is God's First Language

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> "Silence is God's first language." (Thomas Keating) -- very likely what the other person needs is "A nonjudgmental listening ear." -- "...her smile is her face-lift." -- a few words linked together meaningfully can deliver eternal truth that freshens the moment and lights the way. Be still, quiet, and become aware of Holy Spirit.
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Do what's right

"....don.'t get discouraged in doing what is right." (2 Thessalonians 3: 13)  sometimes the only encouragement you have for doing right is your conscience. The voices around you are nay sayers. When you stick to doing what  is right you will be better off in the long run. Popular opinion may not be the best way. Group behavior may be mindless and cruel. Do all the good you can, do no harm.......let you words and attitude bend toward the right.....anyway, you get the point....

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Life of Faith

I have just read a sentence that speaks to me. ".....the life of faith is by its very nature autobiographical." -- that reminds me of another sentence I have read. "..you shall know them by their fruits..." -- no person lives faith perfectly, but one's faith is the fundamental anchor in the messy, stormy, unsure times in life. Many times I hear persons being interviewed after a tornado has destroyed all their homes say their faith carries them through into the future. Faith blessings to you...