Not sure how ya'll feel about this, but I want to put it out there for your contemplation and hopefully your response . . .
To me, the most important things in the world are relationships!
Of course our relationship with God is of primary importance. How much time do we spend with Him, how often do we thank Him for the gifts He gives-continually, how much are we convinced of the freedom we have in Him to blossom and become what He originally designed us to be?
Family is important also. Last evening we had our daughter and her family for supper and the evening. No TV, just wonderful chatter, laughter, planning and fun. These are relationships to nurture, especially in this time of upset in the world, banding together has many benefits.
To me, friendships are of great importance also. We have "old" and "newer" friends, and we enjoy every one of them. Since we have moved to the mountains, we have a number of "newer" friends and we enjoy them too. But the "old" friends, the ones with whom you have history and many memories, are the very special ones. Sure you have your disagreements, but so what! You solve the issue and move on. Thing is, you chose them and they chose you in the first place, and you did so because you had so much in common. You laughed and cried together, you worked and played and maybe even vacationed, and these memories are priceless treasures.
What do you think? Do you have precious friends and/or family members that you keep in touch with, that you cherish? Do you let minor disagreements wipe out what you once had? Does that serve you well? Let's talk about it!
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Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
In a Hurry?
We had just been in a horrible accident with our car totaled. We were in a rental car, on our way to a hotel for the night. Shaky and traumatized from the near-death experience, we were stopped at a traffic light and in the left lane, waiting to make a left hand turn into the hotel's parking lot.
Suddenly, a vehicle from the cross street raced through the intersection. A man on a motorcycle came from the right and the two collided right in front of us. Car parts, shoes, motorcycle parts and who know what else went flying by along with the motorcyclist, who landed on the pavement. He laid there in a lifeless pose, while several folks in other lanes alongside us, ran to his assistance. We sat, dazed, in our rental car.
We watched as the man on the ground was helped by other motorists and quickly heard sirens screech as an ambulance approached. Stunned and feeling paralyzed, we prayed as we watched.
And then came a knock on our window, so Ron rolled down his window as the woman on the other side demanded. "Can't you see you're blocking traffic? Move this #@&* car!" she barked.
"Well, Ma'am, there's a body in the road right here. A terrible accident."
"What's that got to do with you?" she retorted. "Everyone behind you is angry. We're in a hurry, so get your car outta' here."
Have we totally lost caring in this society? Was the rush, the craziness because we were in a big city? Are people really this cruel and insensitive? Does the severe injury of a man sprawled in the road in front of you not matter?
Does this remind you of the Good Samaritan story in the Bible? Are we really in such a hurry that we cannot show compassion and caring? We were simply trying to block traffic, preventing another accident. Do you suppose a movie this raging woman was going to attend was starting, or was she trying to get to a store or a restaurant before it closed? Are we as humans really this thoughtless?
What do you think?
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Suddenly, a vehicle from the cross street raced through the intersection. A man on a motorcycle came from the right and the two collided right in front of us. Car parts, shoes, motorcycle parts and who know what else went flying by along with the motorcyclist, who landed on the pavement. He laid there in a lifeless pose, while several folks in other lanes alongside us, ran to his assistance. We sat, dazed, in our rental car.
We watched as the man on the ground was helped by other motorists and quickly heard sirens screech as an ambulance approached. Stunned and feeling paralyzed, we prayed as we watched.
And then came a knock on our window, so Ron rolled down his window as the woman on the other side demanded. "Can't you see you're blocking traffic? Move this #@&* car!" she barked.
"Well, Ma'am, there's a body in the road right here. A terrible accident."
"What's that got to do with you?" she retorted. "Everyone behind you is angry. We're in a hurry, so get your car outta' here."
Have we totally lost caring in this society? Was the rush, the craziness because we were in a big city? Are people really this cruel and insensitive? Does the severe injury of a man sprawled in the road in front of you not matter?
Does this remind you of the Good Samaritan story in the Bible? Are we really in such a hurry that we cannot show compassion and caring? We were simply trying to block traffic, preventing another accident. Do you suppose a movie this raging woman was going to attend was starting, or was she trying to get to a store or a restaurant before it closed? Are we as humans really this thoughtless?
What do you think?
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Sunday, February 19, 2012
Know Yourself
This coming weekend, on Sunday, Feb. 26th, we a doing a mini-seminar in Phoenix, AZ at the Glendale SDA Church Fellowship Hall (a separate building). It is scheduled for 1-6 PM.
Our title is "Know Yourself" and is a combination of information regarding the Brain, Mind, Heart, and Personal History's impact on both physical and emotional well-being. It has been great preparing for this seminar. Participants will receive a working handout, and will view extensive power-point graphics and information.
Registration is required and a nominal fee is charged. To register and to obtain further information, call the hosts, Don and Priscilla at 623-298-4684.
Looking forward to meeting you there!
Ron and Nancy
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Our title is "Know Yourself" and is a combination of information regarding the Brain, Mind, Heart, and Personal History's impact on both physical and emotional well-being. It has been great preparing for this seminar. Participants will receive a working handout, and will view extensive power-point graphics and information.
Registration is required and a nominal fee is charged. To register and to obtain further information, call the hosts, Don and Priscilla at 623-298-4684.
Looking forward to meeting you there!
Ron and Nancy
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Wednesday, February 15, 2012
We Are So Blessed!
We Are So Blessed!
We are safely back home from our trip with Karan and Eric to Wichita, Kansas to do the "WHY?" seminar.
On our trip there, we noticed a funny swaying or rocking in our car, so once having arrived, Ron and Eric quickly set out to find the cause. In the process, it was discovered that with the exception of one, all of the clips that hold the exhaust system in place, were broken. That was an $80. fix rather than a 3 or 4 hundred dollar fix if the whole system had collapsed.
Living on Social Security, every penny saved is ever so important! There aren't extra ones to spare, so we are beyond grateful. Our God is so good, all the time, and in so many ways watches out for His children.
Have you been financially blessed during this time of poor economics in our world and particularly in the U.S.? Will you share what the Lord has done for you lately on a financial level? It will encourage others who struggle from paycheck to paycheck. Just make a comment at the end of this post. We would LOVE to hear from you!
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We are safely back home from our trip with Karan and Eric to Wichita, Kansas to do the "WHY?" seminar.
On our trip there, we noticed a funny swaying or rocking in our car, so once having arrived, Ron and Eric quickly set out to find the cause. In the process, it was discovered that with the exception of one, all of the clips that hold the exhaust system in place, were broken. That was an $80. fix rather than a 3 or 4 hundred dollar fix if the whole system had collapsed.
Living on Social Security, every penny saved is ever so important! There aren't extra ones to spare, so we are beyond grateful. Our God is so good, all the time, and in so many ways watches out for His children.
Have you been financially blessed during this time of poor economics in our world and particularly in the U.S.? Will you share what the Lord has done for you lately on a financial level? It will encourage others who struggle from paycheck to paycheck. Just make a comment at the end of this post. We would LOVE to hear from you!
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Sunday, February 5, 2012
Overcoming
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". . . holiness is a personal struggle, not a political ideology; nevertheless, as holiness grows in individuals it can be reflected into the world to enlighten the darkness that surrounds it. Still, as holiness grows, it grows side by side with all the weeds of evil."
The above statement, by Raymond L. Richmond, PH.D., a Christian psychiatrist, is both hopeful and NOT. It's so amazing, and can be discouraging, that those weeds of evil are ever present. Where do they come from? Don't you wonder that when you're in your garden and they seem to appear overnight? Actually their seeds had been incubating, unnoticed for a very long time, beneath the surface.
The same is true for us as humans. The seeds of pain, dysfunction and evil have the opportunity to incubate from our time in the womb throughout our lives. Arising from wounds we receive, they just keep popping up when we least expect them to. And those weeds all to easily choke out the better part of us. Conscious or unconscious, they make us vulnerable to being defensive all of our lives to protect our pride and ego.
As we come to recognize our wounds, as we choose the process of recovery from them, we develop the ability to control the weeds. They still keep showing up, just ask me, but they are easier to destroy, to get beyond, and return to the holiness path. We are blessed to have all the power of heaven at our disposal.
The path to holiness however, is still a noble road to take, albeit not always the easiest. Are you on the path?
". . . holiness is a personal struggle, not a political ideology; nevertheless, as holiness grows in individuals it can be reflected into the world to enlighten the darkness that surrounds it. Still, as holiness grows, it grows side by side with all the weeds of evil."
The above statement, by Raymond L. Richmond, PH.D., a Christian psychiatrist, is both hopeful and NOT. It's so amazing, and can be discouraging, that those weeds of evil are ever present. Where do they come from? Don't you wonder that when you're in your garden and they seem to appear overnight? Actually their seeds had been incubating, unnoticed for a very long time, beneath the surface.
The same is true for us as humans. The seeds of pain, dysfunction and evil have the opportunity to incubate from our time in the womb throughout our lives. Arising from wounds we receive, they just keep popping up when we least expect them to. And those weeds all to easily choke out the better part of us. Conscious or unconscious, they make us vulnerable to being defensive all of our lives to protect our pride and ego.
As we come to recognize our wounds, as we choose the process of recovery from them, we develop the ability to control the weeds. They still keep showing up, just ask me, but they are easier to destroy, to get beyond, and return to the holiness path. We are blessed to have all the power of heaven at our disposal.
The path to holiness however, is still a noble road to take, albeit not always the easiest. Are you on the path?
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Who Needs Doom?
It's January 9th and we are already over a week into the new year - 2012.
So many are predicting doomsday for this year. What with wars and rumers of war, even though we have pulled troops from here and there, still the fighting escalates. Many predict that the USA, will be bankrupt before ya' know it, and that every country of the world will collapse financially, that is, the ones that haven't already. Many experts are are saying that even the climate, the weather patterns are changing and that more catastophic events will occur this year. Earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, floods and fires; even just the words bring a little lump in the throat or a sickening feeling to the stomach.
And we choose to still cling to the words and promise of God as found in Psalm 46, a passage that my father made his youth class memorize. Several times in my life, I have been grateful (but then I was not) that he did insist on memorization, as the words floated back in times of distress . . .
The Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will
not fear though the earth be removed, though the waters roar and be troubled . . . God
will help us, and that, right early!
When we are filled with God's love, our fear will be cast out, because His perfect love empties fear.
So the quick short breath, the lump in the throat or the sickening feeling in the stomach lasts only a split second before the perfect peace that God gives takes control and we lay back in the comforting arms of our Savior.
So our counsel today as this year of 2012 begins: Open your heart's door as He stands there knocking. When you let Him in, and he sups (lives) with you, peace will come easier and joy and love will be your companions!
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So many are predicting doomsday for this year. What with wars and rumers of war, even though we have pulled troops from here and there, still the fighting escalates. Many predict that the USA, will be bankrupt before ya' know it, and that every country of the world will collapse financially, that is, the ones that haven't already. Many experts are are saying that even the climate, the weather patterns are changing and that more catastophic events will occur this year. Earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, floods and fires; even just the words bring a little lump in the throat or a sickening feeling to the stomach.
And we choose to still cling to the words and promise of God as found in Psalm 46, a passage that my father made his youth class memorize. Several times in my life, I have been grateful (but then I was not) that he did insist on memorization, as the words floated back in times of distress . . .
The Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will
not fear though the earth be removed, though the waters roar and be troubled . . . God
will help us, and that, right early!
When we are filled with God's love, our fear will be cast out, because His perfect love empties fear.
So the quick short breath, the lump in the throat or the sickening feeling in the stomach lasts only a split second before the perfect peace that God gives takes control and we lay back in the comforting arms of our Savior.
So our counsel today as this year of 2012 begins: Open your heart's door as He stands there knocking. When you let Him in, and he sups (lives) with you, peace will come easier and joy and love will be your companions!
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Saturday, October 15, 2011
Change and Peace
Currently, some major changes are taking place around the world. No matter where or when you turn on the news, there is discord, disruption, disharmony and disturbance. But . . .
Driving in our area today, there is such beauty . . . the air is fresh and clean, the sky is high and deep blue, the trees are changing color (not as brilliant as in New England this time of the year, but still beautiful.) There's a crispness in the air that matches the crisp apples found at roadside stands, a yummy treat! We bought a bunch of Winesaps last week and made applesauce for the freezer to enjoy with gingerbread or pancakes during the winter. It's hard, on a day like today, to imagine that out there somewhere, the world is turning upside down for a whole lot of people.
We have a friend vacationing in Italy right now, and headlines read that there are dangerous riots happening in Rome. Having been to Italy, we pray that she gets to see the fragrant and beautiful harvest there this time of year, and avoids the danger of the city. We have friends planning on a cruise that includes Greece and Turkey, and we are concerned for their welfare, yet hope that they get to see the beauties of Istanbul (the Spice Market) and Ephesis, unharmed. We see the ravaging that has happened in our beloved England, and feel sick for the places and precious people we loved to visit who live there. We hear of the brewing hotpot in the HolyLand, and we wonder what will be left of Jeruselem when angry people have their way. New York city, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix - even our country's big cities are feeling the effects of people's anger and hatred. These are angry people without Hope.
Is there any peace anywhere in the world? We've decided that the only real peace can be found in our hearts. It doesn't come from crisp apples, tasty cheese, long afternoon drives in the country (although those things can contribute temporarily). It comes from the presence of Jesus Christ within - the one who has placed us all on equal ground and has given us the same hopeful futures if we simply accept Him and His gift. That's where the real beauty is - today and always! Taste and see that He is good.
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Driving in our area today, there is such beauty . . . the air is fresh and clean, the sky is high and deep blue, the trees are changing color (not as brilliant as in New England this time of the year, but still beautiful.) There's a crispness in the air that matches the crisp apples found at roadside stands, a yummy treat! We bought a bunch of Winesaps last week and made applesauce for the freezer to enjoy with gingerbread or pancakes during the winter. It's hard, on a day like today, to imagine that out there somewhere, the world is turning upside down for a whole lot of people.
We have a friend vacationing in Italy right now, and headlines read that there are dangerous riots happening in Rome. Having been to Italy, we pray that she gets to see the fragrant and beautiful harvest there this time of year, and avoids the danger of the city. We have friends planning on a cruise that includes Greece and Turkey, and we are concerned for their welfare, yet hope that they get to see the beauties of Istanbul (the Spice Market) and Ephesis, unharmed. We see the ravaging that has happened in our beloved England, and feel sick for the places and precious people we loved to visit who live there. We hear of the brewing hotpot in the HolyLand, and we wonder what will be left of Jeruselem when angry people have their way. New York city, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix - even our country's big cities are feeling the effects of people's anger and hatred. These are angry people without Hope.
Is there any peace anywhere in the world? We've decided that the only real peace can be found in our hearts. It doesn't come from crisp apples, tasty cheese, long afternoon drives in the country (although those things can contribute temporarily). It comes from the presence of Jesus Christ within - the one who has placed us all on equal ground and has given us the same hopeful futures if we simply accept Him and His gift. That's where the real beauty is - today and always! Taste and see that He is good.
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