So many interesting things come our way in a day it is nice to take the time to appreciate and acknowledge them. A friend recently sent me a series of beautiful pictures and quotes which I am going to share for a few days next week under the title Pleasant Surprises. Happy Saturday.
Make no mistake about it. Our world is us…we the people. So what about us is influencing the marked increase in anxiety among our young, mid-age, and elderly?
Some say it is the food we eat, the meds we take, the air we breathe, the games we play, a synapse malfunction…and a myriad of other reasons. Granted, some of these may be responsible but why not look into ourselves? Could there be a connection to the way we treat others, to the way we tune out the conversations that make us uncomfortable, to the way we handle our differences, to the way we exhibit aggressive behavior with the excuse that ‘that’s just the way I am’? All this and more is seen in families, business, the coach’s bench, schools, churches…you name it.
Anxiety is not only a modern day problem. It existed two thousand years ago and even longer. It existed in the Garden of Eden. But that’s not to say that it can’t be overcome. A change of attitude on the part of ourselves and the people we share the world with would be a good first step. Asking ourselves if we could be a contributing factor to our own or someone else’s anxiety and then making a move to do something about it would be a good second step.
I feel that like cancer and other debilitating diseases we deal with on a daily basis, we must continue to look for ways to eradicate this mind-numbing, body-stiffening, nausea-producing ailment before it eradicates us as a humanity.
I, for one, am praying for healing of the afflicted and know that with our own awareness and God’s help, they will be restored. There is a way…let’s find it.
Whether you are enjoying your favorite Olympic sport today, doing your favorite thing or being with your favorite person, may your Saturday be a mountaintop experience.
Planet Earth is home to approximately eight billion people, give or take the many births and deaths on a day to day basis. It is believed to be the only planet in the universe to sustain life.
My question is this…why do we continue to mess up something so complex and beautiful by destroying the life and love it was designed for? Each and every one of us is in some way responsible for the state our world is in…each and every one of us; by our disregard for life whether by killing or indifference; our lack of empathy; our unforgiving and uncaring ways. It all adds up to being responsible for messing up our Planet Earth.
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you” Jesus says this in John:14:2 KJV.
It occurred to me that the universe may be God’s house and our beautiful planet could possibly be one of His many mansions.
Let me also say there are some who believe this planet is a random act of chaos in a universe reflecting even more chaos.
But I look at this Planet amid all the brilliance of the universe’s intricate design, and have to wonder, how beautiful is this?
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth…Isaiah 40:22 NIV
Let me introduce you to some interesting people I found in cyberspace after being told about them by others. Some of them have written many books, some of them lecture on You Tube, and some of them debate Stephen Hawking. If you haven’t heard of them perhaps these brief intros from the Internet will spark an interest in their teachings. As you can see, everything is at your discretion, even the music at the end.
Hugh Norman Ross (born July 24, 1945) is a Canadian astrophysicist, Christian apologist, and old Earth creationist.
Ross obtained his Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Toronto[1][2][3] and his B.Sc. degree in physics from the University of British Columbia.[4] He is known for establishing his own ministry in 1986, called Reasons to Believe that promotes progressive and day-age forms of old Earth creationism. Ross accepts the scientific age of the earth and the scientific age of the universe, however he rejects unguided evolution andabiogenesis as explanations for the history and origin of life.[5][6][7]
Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., (born May 16, 1952) is a Jesuit priest, philosopher, educator, author, speaker, and retired President of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Many of Fr. Spitzer’s lectures can be found on You Tube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHCisnAVrWQAug 16, 2011 … This video is one I made from an MP3 download of Ravi Zacharias‘ talk called ” Ravi Answers Atheists”. He’s got his own channel at …
http://www.biography.com/people/stephen-hawking-9331710Follow the extraordinary life of Stephen Hawking on Biography.com. Learn more about his groundbreaking work and the effects of his affliction with ALS.
However, if these interesting people don’t interest you there is always good music.
Have you ever thought of a prayer roll reversal? What if God sent a prayer to us? Yesterday, I wondered what God would say to us in a prayer. Here’s what I came up with:
My Earthly People
I have been watching your troubled world for quite some time now and pray that you would take these few suggestions as to how you might turn things around.
Your environment is in big trouble. It is going to take more than demonstrations to set it right. It is going to take all world leaders, not just a few, to acknowledge the problem and make intelligent decisions. It is also going to take the world population as a whole to do their part. I pray that all of you will take the necessary steps to save your planet.
Your love for one another is sadly lacking. This is obvious from the wars, terrorism, senseless killings, starvation and disease that plague your world. People who love each other do not tolerate this behavior, and, once again, would make intelligent decisions to rectify these situations. I pray that you would do all in your power (and mine) to recognize and eradicate such behavior.
Your daily lives are sadly lacking in love and respect, not only for each other, but for yourselves. You have been taught love from the moment of birth and somewhere along life’s path have either abandoned, forgotten, or ignored this love…not in all cases, but in many. Husbands and wives break their vows, parents pit children against one another, children come to believe that life is all about them, governments forget that they are elected for the betterment of the people, not the detriment.
You are my people and I want only the very best for you. I gave you free will, hoping you would use it wisely. Some of you have willingly and lovingly accepted me; others have deliberately denied my very existence.
It is my prayer that you will open your minds and hearts, and use your intelligence as intended.
You are my children and I love you dearly. Please hear my prayer.
Your Heavenly Father.
Okay, so I guess with the exception of those responsible for such an inhumane act as the recent chemical attack in Syria that killed over seventy people including children, the rest of the world is trying to digest this disgusting act of depravity. A recent Facebook comment was that someone would have to pay for this atrocity…and someone will. The victims died a horrible death…and for what?
In the meantime, here in our own country, people are killing each other daily with knives, guns, cars and stupidity if I may be so blunt as to say so…like the person seen driving and texting on the 401 highway a couple of weeks ago. I’m told that this is a common occurrence…a common occurrence? Why is that?
We, as a concerned people see these things going on and wonder what can be done about them. One thing we should not do is become complacent. When we see it we should act on it whether it is by writing a letter, making a phone call, or bringing awareness by other means…or stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility for whatever infinitesimal part we may play in the unfolding of world chaos.
Whether we are witnessing and condoning by silence, or refusing to get involved, we are part of the problem if we continue to keep our distance.
Each time we turn our backs on family, ignore the helpless, pretend it’s okay to blame someone else for our own inadequacies, we are contributing to the atrocities of the world. You don’t think so? Just ask the One who is watching from a distance.
Happy weekend…I hope it is peopled with those who make you laugh loud, smile big, and live better.
Everyone has their favorite thing, favorite people, favorite song, favorite season, etc. Last night one of my favorite people sent me one of my favorite quotes. It has been my motto for over forty years; not only my motto but my truth; and here it is:
In his inaugural speech today, President Trump quoted from Psalm 133: How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in harmony! He went on to say,”We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.” Read that sentence again…”We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.”
And yet, out on the streets, some of these same people he was talking to and about were pursuing violent protests, having no interest whatsoever in solidarity. They were smashing shop windows, causing havoc in whatever way they could. What gives them the right to do that? What are they thinking?
And yet, who are we to talk? Does not this same thing go on within our own borders and indeed, our own walls? Do we speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly or even think of pursuing solidarity, togetherness, peace, harmony, unity; whatever it takes to make our world a better place? Unfortunately, all too often the answer is…not really.
It came to me today that whoever would not watch and listen to the upcoming inauguration with an open mind would be missing something. And then it came to me that whoever does not live life with an open mind would be missing even more.
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in harmony! Why don’t we get it?
My Precious Life 