July 29 Alone?

You cannot see what you search for because what you search for is often the one doing the search. Only the Holy Spirit of Christ can give extra eyes for the self to become other-centered.

July 25 Real Glue of Life

The right kind of love binds every other value into the best harmony. With Christ’s love, any new life or new value sets cohesion. You can wear this balance with blue jeans or tuxedos, sweatpants or evening dress.

Profit? July 22

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." [ NKJV, 1 Timothy 6:6 ]
"A godly life brings huge profits to people who are content with what they have." [ God's Word Translation].

What is important? July 20

The Apostle Paul names the outstanding values in life: men or angel power of speech, understanding all knowledge, efficient and effective faith, unlimited giving, total self-sacrifice including the body. 

Even possessing all that, he says if he has not love, nothing is gained. [1 Cor. 13:1-3].

Any behavior that has not love in it falls short.

What love? July 18

A preacher said to a man he should work on loving his neighbor like himself. He answered, I don’t do anything bad to my neighbors, I just don’t neighbor.”

That is why Jesus went further than just loving your neighbor as yourself and said, “…..you love one another as I have loved you.” [John 15:12.]

3 Main Urges July 17, 2020

When Jesus said the main motivator in life was “you should love your neighbor as yourself,” he implied three main urges. Three main motivators for humanity are self activity urges, gender/sex action appetites, and group need activities. Only God’s redeeming love can balance all three.

Sword and shield July 16

In the days of sword fighting, a story circulated that there was a man who claimed he had armor that no sword could penetrate. He met a man who claimed his sword could cut through anything. The man of armor told sword man to try to cut. The sword man swung sword and hit armor man on the head. Armor man said “See, nothing happened.” Sword man said. “Shake yourself.” Sword man did and fell into two pieces.

God’s word is sharper than any two-edged sword.

Is God a monster? July 8

God is not a monster who eats his children. He is love who redeems us. We give ourselves, Christ converts  and gives the Self back renewed. God's son teaches self realization through self surrender.

Conclusions of honesty July 1

A few reminders learned from a conscious honesty effort. These are just learned conclusions. You will discover some of your own.

1)   The Holy Spirit continues to love us regardless of any personal failure.

2)   Try to love people openly enough to tell them truth instead of just trying to change them. Think first, then always use kind words.

3)   Genuine truth-practice sets us free to say no as well as yes. When living honesty, I cannot participate in all things [neither could Jesus].

4)   Choose words more carefully. If you feel you must respond at all, instead of telling a truth like, “I sure don’t like your new hairstyle.” You might just answer, “I appreciate you asking. You know, as I see it, that style is not the most flattering for you.”

5)   You may be right, like following your perspective of some rule, but still not be honest. This happens when you have a misdirected value, like money solves everything. Sometimes we should just answer “I need to think more about that.” Or you might say, “Right now, I’m glad you asked, but now, I don’t know, but I’m willing to listen.”

6)   A hurtful honesty is short term. A dishonest lifestyle is long term. A dishonest lifestyle is like a dripping faucet. Over a long period, the slow drip will dig a noticeably big hole. Fix the faucet. Be honest.

I realize these are not all the answers that exist. They remain suggestions to jump start your thinking and action. I think of the old rodeo cowboy and some of his expressions. He would say, “the ride ain’t over yet until the buzzer bends yore ear!” Keep riding. Keep practicing.