MORE THAN SHADOWS

So, do I find myself impatient?
Is there an unexplained urge to be unkind?
Do I feel that jealous bug relentlessly biting?
Have I bragged too much on myself today?

So, do I feel superior than most around me?
Is it rude words released that spin and seek a target?
Do I find that I want to benefit my shallow needs above all else?
Have I hastily blown up again and let that short fuse explode?

So, do I snap and spew demeaning phrases on those I love?
Is it more comfortable for me to hold grudges than to let them go?
Do I continually put people in their place with their past weaknesses?
Have I ever thrilled to hear that a good person fell into sin?

So, do I enjoy willfully giving into sinful passions and desires?
Is that really the truth I told, honestly? or do lies creep in?
Do I allow juicy tidbits of negative gossip to slip in and sully a reputation?
Have I been suspicious of the true intentions of a faithful one?

So, do I always expect the worst possible, instead of the greatest good?
Is it hard for me to see anything great waiting out there for me?
Do I give up easily on my friends? Do I fail at hanging in there when it's tough?
Have I let someone close to me down by unloving acts that pierce tender hearts?

So, maybe we both see ourselves, somewhere in the midst of all of this.
Is it okay to remain in the shadows?  No, much better to reach for the prototype.
Do we locate a way out of this rut of ugliness that looks for a way to sneak out?
Allow God, the author of love, come in, for he alone brings out our best.


So, maybe I think we should give it a try.  Let's try to find that better part.
Is it so far fetched to imagine that we own intentional power for good?
Do we realize just how much we can bring to the table in our lifetime?
Have the fortitude and the gumption to let LOVE shine in each interaction of life.


So, we're on our way to downloading loving thoughts, actions, deeds, and more.
Isn't it exciting to access and view our potential through lenses of love?
Do we exhale in gratitude?  Sigh! Days never again will be pointless and stale.
Have a time sporting delightful smiles, while joyful feet dance a jig today, tomorrow, and forever.


I Corinthians 13 tells us what love is all about.  The power and the inspiration to live out LOVE comes from God.  A life dedicated to Him and cleansed of our sin by Jesus Christ will begin to start a transition from the sinful bent we are acting out, and we will slowly learn and return to the original design that our life architect had for us.  You are a thing of beauty in His eyes.  He sees us as we were made to be.  He knows the heart he placed in us, to do brave deeds and to aid others in distress.  We are world changers in disguise.  Time to take the disguises off and find out who we really are so we can roll up our sleeves and make this world a better place.  

LOVE.  LOVE one another.  LOVE yourself.  LOVE others as you love yourself.  LOVE God.  LOVE came down and gave all to LOVE us into the Kingdom again.  Get all washed up, splash on that LOVE cologne, spritz yourself and all you touch with the sweet scent that will spread to all the nations and back again.  Be in LOVE now and forever.


PHOTO CREDIT goes to my son.  He's pretty sharp with the camera.  Good eye, Phil.

TWELVE WAYS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR FAMILY

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." -Martin Luther King, Jr.

A DOZEN WAYS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR FAMILY

(This was taken from a Leelanau County Newsheet near 2001.  No author was given credit for this.)

 1.  Spend time with each other: do things together as a family.

 2.  Plan ahead with your family so things will happen and not just happen.

 3.  Establish a reasonable balance between outside activities, work schedules, and your family.

 4.  Talk with each other and listen carefully to understand each others viewpoint.

 5.  Show each family member consideration and appreciation, especially in everyday ways.

 6.  Respect each person--his or her ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

 7.  Develop pride in your family.

 8.  Resolve problems and conflicts in a constructive way.

 9.  Help each other and be willing to let others help you.

10. Contact and build ties with other families.

11. Take part in community affairs and use community services.

12. Develop a spiritual focus within your family.

Just some common sense ideas and reminders for a tune up, or just to tweak a good family into a great family.  God bless and get face to face with people.  Put away technology on a regular basis to keep in tune with your loved ones, and to build a strong family unit.  Stronger families are sure a great heritage to pass along to our descendants.

Listen to the lovely Miranda Lambert as she sings, THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME.

DO WE DARE

Do we dare to dream of a world so perfect?
Do we realize how tainted and limited is our gaze?
Do we fantasize and stretch our imaginations to discover
The wonders of this lovely planet without disgrace?


I dare to let my thoughts race toward images aglow.
I daily want to lesson my limits.  Someday I will fully envision

For now, I strike out on a walk-about peering past the fog.
These thoughts, the sights, the sensations lift me higher than any high.


The Spirit says, "Come.  Come on and experience a refreshing."
The Bride says, "Come.  Come and take my hand, let's go together."
Those nearby say, "Come. We too are weary of this painful existence."
Then together we go.  Sojourners, we view the unseen through the water of life.

This reflection was made after reading the last chapter, chapter 22 in the book of Revelation.  God has planned a way to restore the Earth and all mankind who accept his gift of another chance at the creation that He envisioned when he made the Earth, Adam, and Eve.  I want to see this and be there.  Come along and take his hand and mine as we stroll toward this glorious day in freedom.

Pray to God, tell him you believe that Jesus is the son of God and and ask for his forgiveness of your sins.  Then, you will be assured of being with God throughout all eternity, instead of condemned to eternity in hell.  God loves you and desires all of his children to take advantage of the freedom from an eternity of suffering that was bought by the pure sacrificial lamb, Jesus.