God Looks Into the Heart

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> GOD DOESN'T LOOK AT THINGS LIKE HUMANS DO. HUMANS SEE ONLY WHAT IS VISIBLE TO THE EYES, BUT THE LORD SEES INTO THE HEART. (1 Samuel 16: 7) — We need clear heart- seeing -vision. We are often blinded by the visible and miss the real beauty and meaning in the invisible of the person we see.
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Good Samaritan

WHEN THE HARSHNESS, ANGER, VIOLENCE  HAS EXHAUSTED ITSELF IN DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR THE PROBLEM AT ITS ROOT IS STILL THERE UNRESOLVED. THEN SOMEONE COMES ALONG QUIETLY, GENTLY, KINDLY TO TREAT THE INJURED AND COMFORT THE GRIEVING AND THAT DOES MORE TO QUIET THE ANGER THAN ANY WEAPON OF DESTRUCTION. THE WORLD IS ALWAYS IN NEED OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN. 

Fwd: thought

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> "AND GOD SAW EVERYTHING THAT HE HAD MADE, AND BEHOLD, IT WAS VERY GOOD." -Genesis 1: 31- We know a little bit about how it feels when we have finished a project knowing we have done a very good job. For some it may be a beautiful painting, for another it may be a delicious meal….God' work does not need us to improve upon it or correct errors. I look out my study window and see the rain and hear the thunder mindful that this is God's creation and it is good. I think of each one on this mailing list and consider that each person is God's creation and it is good. Let us live in harmony with the goodness inherent in all creation, in us……
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Fwd: thought

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> It was many years ago I climbed into the back of the pick-up truck each morning along with other men and rode to the ship yard in Savannah to work. In the winter it was cold and in true summer it was hot. I had a dream and this job enabled me to save money for college and seminary. It is all a distant memory now. Many bridges have been crossed. Mistakes have been made and a lot of right decisions have been made, but no matter the right or wrong along the way life has happened, blessings have come, love has held strong and God is Good every moment. And this is the day God is working out and we will give thanks……
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Live Forward

"WE LIVE FORWARD, WE UNDERSTAND BACKWARDS." -William James—and all converges in the present. past,present,future and we cannot cling to either for life is forever flowing into what is yet to be carried by what is now and driven by what has been. "God is Spirit and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth." and today we move forward informed by all that has been…and your insights are important to the experience we share…

   

Fwd: thought

 

WHAT YOU SPEND YEARS BUILDING, SOMEONE MAY DESTROY OVERNIGHT. BUILD ANYWAY. (Mother Teresa) 

Creation

A great mystery-that is life and all creation. No matter how much we know there is more we don't know. Mystery. But there is something in our DNA that is challenged by the mystery and seeks to understand. I choose to think this is our God consciousness  in response to Life Source calling us. Life is a pilgrimage to God and we experience peace only when we say "yes" to the yearning in us to know Holy Spirit. As I look out at this beautiful sunshine morning and feel deep peace of Creator I trust the Mystery and anticipate insight to come…..

GOD’S IN CHARGE

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> GOD'S IN CHARGE—ALWAYS. (PSALM 146:10) - Sometimes this is the only place to be in your mind and heart and this is the best of all places all the time. Through all the history of humans we have not been able to fix the world and human behavior. The wisdom of the ages will teach us God is in charge……..thanks be to God…..this is where I am at this time and this day.
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Real Beauty is on the inside

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> IF WE ARE NOT CAREFUL OUR VALUES CAN GET UPSIDE DOWN. WE CAN PAY MORE ATTENTION TO FORM THAN CONTENT. WE CAN PRESENT OURSELVES IN THE FORM OF SUCCESS WHEN THERE IS NOT REAL CONTENT. I NOTE THAT CRIMINALS ARE BROUGHT INTO THE COURT ROOM FOR TRIAL WEARING NICE LOOKING SUITS AND TIES. THEY LOOK LIKE YOUR LOCAL REALLY NICE GUY. BUT WHAT ABOUT CONTENT? WHAT KINDS OF THOUGHTS FILL THEIR MINDS? WHAT IS THEIR SPIRIT, HATE OR LOVE? I AM REMINDED OF JESUS TALKING ABOUT THE WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING. THE MERCHANDIZING INDUSTRY WORKS AT PRESENTING PRODUCTS IN THE BEST POSSIBLE FORM, BUT THE REAL ISSUE IS WHETHER THE PRODUCT IS REAL, QUALITY, IS THE CONTENT WHAT IS REPRESENTED IN THE PACKAGE? CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART….CLEANSE THE THOUGHTS OF MY MIND……IT IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE CUP TO BE CLEAN ON THE INSIDE………WE DON'T NEED THE APPEARANCE OF LOVE ON THE OUTSIDE BUT REAL LOVE THAT COMES FROM INSIDE…..
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> DAD/PAPA
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Always at work....

"…because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose." (Philippians 2:13) -  The whole matter of God/Holy Spirit is incomprehensible mystery; however, we perceive evidence all around us. 

Experiences happen that we recognize as more than coincidence. We are mot alone. Be open to the mysterious ways God works in your life and the life of those close to you today……..

Fwd: thought

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> "…I have avoided the ways of the violent." (Psalms 17:4) - the enemies of Jesus came to take him. One of his followers drew his sward and cut off the ear of a opponent. Jesus responded telling him to put away his sword. The weapon leads to death. Jesus has chosen a better way to solve the problem even if it cost him his life. The tension between violence and non-violence has characterized the human experience from the beginning of time. It is so today. A meaning I glean from the Jesus story is someone must risk finding a better way of solving our problems. Violent words stir up violent responses. Only by the grace of God can we find a better way. The whole idea that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself offers us a better way if we dare try it……"Create in me a clean heart and put a new and right spirit in me…."
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Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

A MAN SHOULD LOOK FOR WHAT IS, AND NOT FOR

WHAT HE THINKS SHOULD BE. -Albert Einstein (1879-1955)   When a person sees and accepts what is, he/she can then begin the work of visioning and working for what should be in personal life and community.

MOMENTS OF MEDITATION

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> MOMENTS OF MEDITATION/QUIET ALLOW ONE TO SEPARATE FROM THE CONDITION OF THE MOMENT AND CONNECT WITH ETERNAL SPIRIT, TRUTH, PRESENCE-"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD." A FUNDAMENTAL VALUE OF SABBATH IS RENEWAL OF MIND, BODY, SPIRIT THROUGH REST, QUIET, PONDERING VALUES THAT OUTLAST THE MOMENT, THINGS, ………LIFE REQUIRES A LOT OF BUSINESS, WORK TO PROVIDE AND OUR "MACHINERY" REQUIRES DOWN TIME FOR REST AND RENEWAL……………This Saturday morning is quiet and in the sounds of nature Holy Spirit speaks and heals……..or whatever awareness of meaning comes to you….
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