Wednesday, March 31, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “You really shouldn’t say I love you unless you mean it, and if you mean it you should say it a lot. People forget.”
Jessica age 8
When I was a child in the 50’s it seemed to me, that men didn’t tell each other that they loved each other. I became aware of men telling other men that they loved them sometime in the late 60’s. The hippies were the first group of people that I saw that were open enough to tell each other that they loved one another. I remember how strange it felt to tell another man that I loved him. In my whole time spent in the Army and my time spent in Vietnam, I don’t remember telling any man that I loved them, or hearing any man tell me that he loved me. At that time my heart was so hardened I would have rejected the words anyway. Today it is just the opposite. We use the word very casually, and some times with no emotion attached to it at all. I love you man……..Hey brother, I love you…… I hear and say these words all the time. They are used many times as a hello and goodbye. When the words come from the heart of one person to another there is no greater communication between people. I remember in 1996 when I turned 50 years old. I had been drinking a quart of whiskey a day and my life was miserable. I went to the VA hospital in Poplar Bluff to make arrangements to get in treatment. I was in a small room alone when the phone rang. It was my Aunt Sharron, she called to tell me that she loved me. I will never forget it. That, is a part of my recovery. God was doing for me what I could not do for myself………….JRE
“A new commandment I give you: Love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” JOHN 13:34-35 NIV
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A MORSEL OF KINDNESS
“Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God’s love is not living in that person.”
1 JOHN 3:17
Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, tells of the time he was walking down the street and passed a beggar. Tolstoy reached into his pocket to give the beggar some money, but his pocket was empty. Tolstoy turned to the man and said, “I’m sorry, my brother, but I have nothing to give.”
The beggar brightened and said, “You have given me more than I asked for, you have called me brother.”
To the loved, a word of affection is a morsel, but to the love-starved, a word of affection can be a feast.
MAX LUCADO………….He Still Moves Stones
***********************
Yes He does, He still moves stones so that we can see in. So that we can see that He is God. Thanks for letting me share today. Please remember Jack Swall and Patsy King in prayer for healing………JRE
Love you man......
Thought for the day: “You really shouldn’t say I love you unless you mean it, and if you mean it you should say it a lot. People forget.”
Jessica age 8
When I was a child in the 50’s it seemed to me, that men didn’t tell each other that they loved each other. I became aware of men telling other men that they loved them sometime in the late 60’s. The hippies were the first group of people that I saw that were open enough to tell each other that they loved one another. I remember how strange it felt to tell another man that I loved him. In my whole time spent in the Army and my time spent in Vietnam, I don’t remember telling any man that I loved them, or hearing any man tell me that he loved me. At that time my heart was so hardened I would have rejected the words anyway. Today it is just the opposite. We use the word very casually, and some times with no emotion attached to it at all. I love you man……..Hey brother, I love you…… I hear and say these words all the time. They are used many times as a hello and goodbye. When the words come from the heart of one person to another there is no greater communication between people. I remember in 1996 when I turned 50 years old. I had been drinking a quart of whiskey a day and my life was miserable. I went to the VA hospital in Poplar Bluff to make arrangements to get in treatment. I was in a small room alone when the phone rang. It was my Aunt Sharron, she called to tell me that she loved me. I will never forget it. That, is a part of my recovery. God was doing for me what I could not do for myself………….JRE
“A new commandment I give you: Love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” JOHN 13:34-35 NIV
***********************
A MORSEL OF KINDNESS
“Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God’s love is not living in that person.”
1 JOHN 3:17
Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, tells of the time he was walking down the street and passed a beggar. Tolstoy reached into his pocket to give the beggar some money, but his pocket was empty. Tolstoy turned to the man and said, “I’m sorry, my brother, but I have nothing to give.”
The beggar brightened and said, “You have given me more than I asked for, you have called me brother.”
To the loved, a word of affection is a morsel, but to the love-starved, a word of affection can be a feast.
MAX LUCADO………….He Still Moves Stones
***********************
Yes He does, He still moves stones so that we can see in. So that we can see that He is God. Thanks for letting me share today. Please remember Jack Swall and Patsy King in prayer for healing………JRE
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Ah Lord God! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.”
JEREMIAH 32:17
There is nothing too difficult for God. God can work miracles in my life if I don’t let myself get in the way. It’s a matter of my will or God’s will. I want God’s will in my life, and I pray for “Thy will be done,” but I always seem to take back some of that prayer and use my will to do it my way. Many times when I exercise my will, I have to back up and make an apology, or fix something that I messed up some how. There is a small compass in my heart, that like the natural compass that always points north, my compass points to right as opposed to wrong. I always know what is right spiritually, but I don’t always do right. Why, because my will is the strongest part of my mind, and is the conductor of the flesh. By making mistakes God allows me to train my will to be obedient to God’s Word. The Word of God is where I find God’s will for my life. When I feed my spirit with the Word, the mind becomes trained, and the body will follow along. All three parts of our being will work together, but the spirit must be fed spiritual food first, or we get all out of line. May I pay attention to which way my compass is pointing today, and God will do for me what I could not do for myself………………..JRE
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” MATTHEW 16:24-25 NKJV
A.A.Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
The process of recovery involves several important paradoxes. One is that we must give up in order to win. Jesus voices this central paradox when He says, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Serenity Bible page 27
***********************
GOD WITH HIS PEOPLE
Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart. PSALM 24:3-4
David was more than a kid who killed a giant. He was a real person who endured incredible difficulty and rose beyond impossible odds, raised by God almighty Himself to become a king of Israel. David was a man who understood God’s heart.
It was not only God’s reverence for the awesome majesty of the Almighty that produced his understanding of the Lord, but also his insight into God’s desire for intimacy. He knew God wanted to dwell with His people, up close, in every heart, with every family, in every home.
JACK HAYFORD……………Glory on Your house
Spiritual compass
Thought for the day: “Ah Lord God! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.”
JEREMIAH 32:17
There is nothing too difficult for God. God can work miracles in my life if I don’t let myself get in the way. It’s a matter of my will or God’s will. I want God’s will in my life, and I pray for “Thy will be done,” but I always seem to take back some of that prayer and use my will to do it my way. Many times when I exercise my will, I have to back up and make an apology, or fix something that I messed up some how. There is a small compass in my heart, that like the natural compass that always points north, my compass points to right as opposed to wrong. I always know what is right spiritually, but I don’t always do right. Why, because my will is the strongest part of my mind, and is the conductor of the flesh. By making mistakes God allows me to train my will to be obedient to God’s Word. The Word of God is where I find God’s will for my life. When I feed my spirit with the Word, the mind becomes trained, and the body will follow along. All three parts of our being will work together, but the spirit must be fed spiritual food first, or we get all out of line. May I pay attention to which way my compass is pointing today, and God will do for me what I could not do for myself………………..JRE
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” MATTHEW 16:24-25 NKJV
A.A.Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
The process of recovery involves several important paradoxes. One is that we must give up in order to win. Jesus voices this central paradox when He says, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Serenity Bible page 27
***********************
GOD WITH HIS PEOPLE
Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart. PSALM 24:3-4
David was more than a kid who killed a giant. He was a real person who endured incredible difficulty and rose beyond impossible odds, raised by God almighty Himself to become a king of Israel. David was a man who understood God’s heart.
It was not only God’s reverence for the awesome majesty of the Almighty that produced his understanding of the Lord, but also his insight into God’s desire for intimacy. He knew God wanted to dwell with His people, up close, in every heart, with every family, in every home.
JACK HAYFORD……………Glory on Your house
Monday, March 29, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Underneath are the everlasting arms.” What child of God was ever permitted to fall lower than God’s “underneath”?
H. Gill
As Children of God we are in the grip of grace. We cannot fall beyond His great love. When I slip, and I am caught by the Everlasting Arms of God, I feel secure knowing that I am still covered by the blood and still in the grip of grace. Oh, but my, my, how the fall hurts. I’ve heard people say that “it’s not the fall that hurts you it’s the sudden stop.” This might be true in the physical, but not so in the spiritual. In the spiritual the sudden stop is when we become aware of our thinking and actions, and make a decision to turn from our old ways and start anew. At this point of turning we are given strength from a God who forgives us and draws us closer to His presence. God does not wish any to be lost. Living in this time of grace gives us freedom, but this freedom does not come without responsibility. Grace is a free gift from God, but there is an “unspoken of” price, called responsibility. If we are un-responsible too much, we may be lost and out of the grip of grace and not even know it. If we do not get too hard hearted we will feel the tug of God’s love drawing us ever closer. Today God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………JRE
I have a book by Max Lucado titled, In the Grip of Grace. Inside the cover there is this statement, share this with me:
Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us?
Does God really love us forever? Not just on Easter Sunday when our shoes are shinned and our hair is fixed. We want to know, how does God feel about me when I mess up, fail or fall short? When I snap at anything that moves; when my thoughts are gutter level; when my tongue is sharp enough to slice a rock. How does God feel about me then?
That’s the question. Can I drift too far? Wait too long? Slip too much? Did I outsin the love of God? The answer is found in one of life’s sweetest words, GRACE.
“Ponder the achievement of God,” he offers. “God doesn’t condone our sin, nor does he compromise his standard. He doesn’t ignore our rebellion, nor does he relax his demands. Rather than dismiss our sin, he assumes our sin and, incredibly sentences himself. God is still holy. Sin is still sin. And we are redeemed.”
***********************
Meditation is something which can always be further developed. It has no boundaries, of width or height or depth. Aided by such instruction and example as we can find, it is essentially an individual adventure, something each one of us works out in his own way. But it’s object is always the same: to improve our conscious contact with God, with His grace, wisdom, and love.
And let’s always remember that meditation is in reality intensely practical. One of its first fruits is emotional balance. With it we can broaden and deepen the channel between ourselves and God as we understand Him.
BILL W. A.A. 12X12 pages 101-102
The grip
Thought for the day: “Underneath are the everlasting arms.” What child of God was ever permitted to fall lower than God’s “underneath”?
H. Gill
As Children of God we are in the grip of grace. We cannot fall beyond His great love. When I slip, and I am caught by the Everlasting Arms of God, I feel secure knowing that I am still covered by the blood and still in the grip of grace. Oh, but my, my, how the fall hurts. I’ve heard people say that “it’s not the fall that hurts you it’s the sudden stop.” This might be true in the physical, but not so in the spiritual. In the spiritual the sudden stop is when we become aware of our thinking and actions, and make a decision to turn from our old ways and start anew. At this point of turning we are given strength from a God who forgives us and draws us closer to His presence. God does not wish any to be lost. Living in this time of grace gives us freedom, but this freedom does not come without responsibility. Grace is a free gift from God, but there is an “unspoken of” price, called responsibility. If we are un-responsible too much, we may be lost and out of the grip of grace and not even know it. If we do not get too hard hearted we will feel the tug of God’s love drawing us ever closer. Today God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………JRE
I have a book by Max Lucado titled, In the Grip of Grace. Inside the cover there is this statement, share this with me:
Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us?
Does God really love us forever? Not just on Easter Sunday when our shoes are shinned and our hair is fixed. We want to know, how does God feel about me when I mess up, fail or fall short? When I snap at anything that moves; when my thoughts are gutter level; when my tongue is sharp enough to slice a rock. How does God feel about me then?
That’s the question. Can I drift too far? Wait too long? Slip too much? Did I outsin the love of God? The answer is found in one of life’s sweetest words, GRACE.
“Ponder the achievement of God,” he offers. “God doesn’t condone our sin, nor does he compromise his standard. He doesn’t ignore our rebellion, nor does he relax his demands. Rather than dismiss our sin, he assumes our sin and, incredibly sentences himself. God is still holy. Sin is still sin. And we are redeemed.”
***********************
Meditation is something which can always be further developed. It has no boundaries, of width or height or depth. Aided by such instruction and example as we can find, it is essentially an individual adventure, something each one of us works out in his own way. But it’s object is always the same: to improve our conscious contact with God, with His grace, wisdom, and love.
And let’s always remember that meditation is in reality intensely practical. One of its first fruits is emotional balance. With it we can broaden and deepen the channel between ourselves and God as we understand Him.
BILL W. A.A. 12X12 pages 101-102
Friday, March 26, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “If there is a way to do it better…find it!”
THOMAS EDISON
“In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” PSALM 55:10-11
What an exciting time of life we live in. It just blows me away how technology is advancing. I was seven years old when we got our first TV. It was 1953 and we lived in Washington D.C.. Today we have color, large screens, remote controls, surround sound, DVD and CD players, cell phones, digital cameras, and computers that can transmit all kinds of information and images. Even in the 1970’s I would not have imagined that we could have advanced this far so soon. Just in the last five years technology has taken giant leaps. In this world of constant change, is there anything that does not change? Yes there is! I have found Jesus to be the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). There was a time in my life when I needed to “find a way to do it better.” What has made the difference has been a solid foundation to stand on. Something, that wouldn’t change and need to be updated next week. Something, that would not become obsolete. Something, that would not be out of style a couple of years from now. Something, that demonstrates forgiveness, and teaches how to love one another. That Something has been Jesus Christ and the work that was accomplished on the Cross. I am learning to appreciate things that change in our lives. And I am also grateful for what never changes, Jesus. Today God is doing for me what I could not do for myself……..JRE
***********************
MOVED WITH COMPASSION
You, O LORD, are a God full of compassion……abundant in mercy and truth. PSALM 86:15
The word compassion comes from two Latin words meaning “to suffer with.” What a better picture to describe God’s compassion for us?
Suffering is the common lot of the human race. We see pictures on television of people ravaged by war or famine, and our hearts are touched (as they should be). But all around you are people who suffer in other ways: loneliness, fear, rejection, disability, grief, poverty, discrimination, addiction, or a multitude of other problems.
But God has compassion on us, He suffers with us. He knows what we are going through, and He cares. The greatest act of compassion in the history of the human race was the Cross, for there Christ suffered for us. He endured sin’s penalty so we would not have to endure it ourselves.
Now He calls us to have compassion on others, for His sake….to suffer with them, and to point them to the One who suffered for them. The Bible says, “Be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8 NIV).
BILLY GRAHAM
Something
Thought for the day: “If there is a way to do it better…find it!”
THOMAS EDISON
“In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” PSALM 55:10-11
What an exciting time of life we live in. It just blows me away how technology is advancing. I was seven years old when we got our first TV. It was 1953 and we lived in Washington D.C.. Today we have color, large screens, remote controls, surround sound, DVD and CD players, cell phones, digital cameras, and computers that can transmit all kinds of information and images. Even in the 1970’s I would not have imagined that we could have advanced this far so soon. Just in the last five years technology has taken giant leaps. In this world of constant change, is there anything that does not change? Yes there is! I have found Jesus to be the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). There was a time in my life when I needed to “find a way to do it better.” What has made the difference has been a solid foundation to stand on. Something, that wouldn’t change and need to be updated next week. Something, that would not become obsolete. Something, that would not be out of style a couple of years from now. Something, that demonstrates forgiveness, and teaches how to love one another. That Something has been Jesus Christ and the work that was accomplished on the Cross. I am learning to appreciate things that change in our lives. And I am also grateful for what never changes, Jesus. Today God is doing for me what I could not do for myself……..JRE
***********************
MOVED WITH COMPASSION
You, O LORD, are a God full of compassion……abundant in mercy and truth. PSALM 86:15
The word compassion comes from two Latin words meaning “to suffer with.” What a better picture to describe God’s compassion for us?
Suffering is the common lot of the human race. We see pictures on television of people ravaged by war or famine, and our hearts are touched (as they should be). But all around you are people who suffer in other ways: loneliness, fear, rejection, disability, grief, poverty, discrimination, addiction, or a multitude of other problems.
But God has compassion on us, He suffers with us. He knows what we are going through, and He cares. The greatest act of compassion in the history of the human race was the Cross, for there Christ suffered for us. He endured sin’s penalty so we would not have to endure it ourselves.
Now He calls us to have compassion on others, for His sake….to suffer with them, and to point them to the One who suffered for them. The Bible says, “Be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8 NIV).
BILLY GRAHAM
Thursday, March 25, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.” PSALM 119:125 NIV
People enter in our lives through doors that we open ourselves to allow them in. As children we have help from our parents and those who instruct us, in opening the doors of fellowship. As we get older, we open the doors ourselves. Some enter and stay our whole life. Others stay for a limited time and then because of circumstances they leave. Still others walk in and walk out just as quickly. All leave footprints. Sometimes with time the footprints fade and we forget that they have even walked through our life. At other times no matter how short the visit they leave footprints that are seen and can be felt our entire life. Some come in our lives with muddy feet, and when they leave we must do a little cleaning. Many come prepared for a visit with clean clothes and clean up after themselves. All bring something and leave it, what we do with what they leave is up to us. I am grateful for all the footprints left in my life, even the ones that caused me to do a little cleaning after they left. I am especially grateful for the ones that came with clean feet and left some of their gifts……….God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………..JRE
Thanks Jesse for praying for me and leaving those big ole footprints. The door is always open.
***********************
PRAISE IS BEAUTIFUL
It is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. PSALM 147:1
Beauty may not be your first thought when you get up in the morning and stare into the mirror. Stress, tragedy, or deep sorrow may have etched creases of weariness or suffering on your face. But make this experiment; prove god’s Word. Take that countenance, as it is, into the presence of the Lord day after day, in frequent, steadfast praise and worship. The prophet Isaiah says plainly what you will receive in return. He says the Messiah is sent specifically to console those who mourn with “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning” (Isaiah 61:3). That’s an oil that surpasses the anti-aging effects of the best cosmetics!
JACK HAYFORD…………….The Heart of Praise
***********************
Understanding is the key to right principles and attitudes, and right action is the key to good living.
BILL W. A.A. 12X12 page 125
Big ole footprints
Thought for the day: “I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.” PSALM 119:125 NIV
People enter in our lives through doors that we open ourselves to allow them in. As children we have help from our parents and those who instruct us, in opening the doors of fellowship. As we get older, we open the doors ourselves. Some enter and stay our whole life. Others stay for a limited time and then because of circumstances they leave. Still others walk in and walk out just as quickly. All leave footprints. Sometimes with time the footprints fade and we forget that they have even walked through our life. At other times no matter how short the visit they leave footprints that are seen and can be felt our entire life. Some come in our lives with muddy feet, and when they leave we must do a little cleaning. Many come prepared for a visit with clean clothes and clean up after themselves. All bring something and leave it, what we do with what they leave is up to us. I am grateful for all the footprints left in my life, even the ones that caused me to do a little cleaning after they left. I am especially grateful for the ones that came with clean feet and left some of their gifts……….God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………..JRE
Thanks Jesse for praying for me and leaving those big ole footprints. The door is always open.
***********************
PRAISE IS BEAUTIFUL
It is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. PSALM 147:1
Beauty may not be your first thought when you get up in the morning and stare into the mirror. Stress, tragedy, or deep sorrow may have etched creases of weariness or suffering on your face. But make this experiment; prove god’s Word. Take that countenance, as it is, into the presence of the Lord day after day, in frequent, steadfast praise and worship. The prophet Isaiah says plainly what you will receive in return. He says the Messiah is sent specifically to console those who mourn with “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning” (Isaiah 61:3). That’s an oil that surpasses the anti-aging effects of the best cosmetics!
JACK HAYFORD…………….The Heart of Praise
***********************
Understanding is the key to right principles and attitudes, and right action is the key to good living.
BILL W. A.A. 12X12 page 125
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “To forgive is to set the prisoner free, only to discover the prisoner was you.” Anonymous
When I came across this statement today and saw that it was from an anonymous source, I took some thought about it and realized that this idea is the basis for my beliefs. Worded the way it is, the author might be anonymous, but the idea conveyed here is found through out the Word of God. It is also a concept that is used in the programs of AA and NA, where we do not become free from our past until we forgive others and our selves. Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt. 6:14-15) I have also found forgiveness to be directly related to answered prayer. Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your heavenly Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mark 11:24-26) Everything I believe is tied into forgiveness somehow. How do we truly forgive someone who has done us great harm? I don’t know! I don’t have an answer for this. In my past I have had people come against me in ways that filled me with fear, hate and revenge. In my heart I try, that is all I can do, I try and forgive them. But when I see them my mind goes a little insane and says, “it’s payback time.” Once again I have to go to my heart and realize that this is the starting place. I apply the blood of Jesus and realize that I am forgiven, and to keep what I’ve got I must give it away. God is truly doing for me what I could not do for myself……..JRE
***********************
Lord, make me a channel of thy peace……that where there is hatred, I may bring love……that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness……that where there is discord, I may bring harmony……that where there is error, I may bring truth……that where there is doubt, I may bring faith……that where there is despair, I may bring hope……that where there are shadows, I may bring light……that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted……to understand, than to be understood……to love, that to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. Amen
Saint Francis of Assissi
***********************
“For it is by self-forgetting that one finds,” how true this is. Today may I look up and around, instead of in…..thanks for letting me share…..JRE
Self-forgetting
Thought for the day: “To forgive is to set the prisoner free, only to discover the prisoner was you.” Anonymous
When I came across this statement today and saw that it was from an anonymous source, I took some thought about it and realized that this idea is the basis for my beliefs. Worded the way it is, the author might be anonymous, but the idea conveyed here is found through out the Word of God. It is also a concept that is used in the programs of AA and NA, where we do not become free from our past until we forgive others and our selves. Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt. 6:14-15) I have also found forgiveness to be directly related to answered prayer. Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your heavenly Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mark 11:24-26) Everything I believe is tied into forgiveness somehow. How do we truly forgive someone who has done us great harm? I don’t know! I don’t have an answer for this. In my past I have had people come against me in ways that filled me with fear, hate and revenge. In my heart I try, that is all I can do, I try and forgive them. But when I see them my mind goes a little insane and says, “it’s payback time.” Once again I have to go to my heart and realize that this is the starting place. I apply the blood of Jesus and realize that I am forgiven, and to keep what I’ve got I must give it away. God is truly doing for me what I could not do for myself……..JRE
***********************
Lord, make me a channel of thy peace……that where there is hatred, I may bring love……that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness……that where there is discord, I may bring harmony……that where there is error, I may bring truth……that where there is doubt, I may bring faith……that where there is despair, I may bring hope……that where there are shadows, I may bring light……that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted……to understand, than to be understood……to love, that to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. Amen
Saint Francis of Assissi
***********************
“For it is by self-forgetting that one finds,” how true this is. Today may I look up and around, instead of in…..thanks for letting me share…..JRE
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” PSALM 119:32 NIV
In the fall of 1996, myself and five other guys went to a Promise Keepers Conference in Memphis. There was a fire that was kindled that weekend that is still burning to this day. Promise Keepers is an organization of Christian men who gather in stadiums all over the country during the spring, summer and fall, to worship God. We were fifty-some thousand strong, and we cheered Jesus just as if He had made the winning touch down in the last super bowl to ever be played. That conference taught me not to be ashamed of the Father and the Son. That conference taught me to raise my hands in praise to God almighty. That conference taught me to truly humble myself around other men and pray. That conference taught me that I could cry in front of other men. That conference showed me men in three thousand dollar suits together with bikers worshiping the same LORD and Savior in their lives. It was the greatest stadium event I have ever been to. And Jesus did score the final touch down on resurrection morning, which brought the victory to each and every one of us. We only need to ask Him into our lives, He awaits eagerly for the invitation. Today God is still doing for me what I could not do for myself………..JRE
***********************
I CHOOSE PATIENCE……..
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
MAX LUCADO………When God Whispers Your Name
***********************
In all of us there is an inner consciousness that tells of god, an inner voice that speaks to us intimately, personally, in a time of quite meditation. It is like a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We can reach out into the darkness and figuratively touch the hand of God. As the Big Book (AA) put it: “Deep down in every man, woman, and child is the fundamental idea of God. We can find the Great Reality deep down within us. And when we find it, it changes our whole attitude toward life.”
HAZELDEN……….Twenty-Four Hours A Day
The final touch down
Thought for the day: “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” PSALM 119:32 NIV
In the fall of 1996, myself and five other guys went to a Promise Keepers Conference in Memphis. There was a fire that was kindled that weekend that is still burning to this day. Promise Keepers is an organization of Christian men who gather in stadiums all over the country during the spring, summer and fall, to worship God. We were fifty-some thousand strong, and we cheered Jesus just as if He had made the winning touch down in the last super bowl to ever be played. That conference taught me not to be ashamed of the Father and the Son. That conference taught me to raise my hands in praise to God almighty. That conference taught me to truly humble myself around other men and pray. That conference taught me that I could cry in front of other men. That conference showed me men in three thousand dollar suits together with bikers worshiping the same LORD and Savior in their lives. It was the greatest stadium event I have ever been to. And Jesus did score the final touch down on resurrection morning, which brought the victory to each and every one of us. We only need to ask Him into our lives, He awaits eagerly for the invitation. Today God is still doing for me what I could not do for myself………..JRE
***********************
I CHOOSE PATIENCE……..
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
MAX LUCADO………When God Whispers Your Name
***********************
In all of us there is an inner consciousness that tells of god, an inner voice that speaks to us intimately, personally, in a time of quite meditation. It is like a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We can reach out into the darkness and figuratively touch the hand of God. As the Big Book (AA) put it: “Deep down in every man, woman, and child is the fundamental idea of God. We can find the Great Reality deep down within us. And when we find it, it changes our whole attitude toward life.”
HAZELDEN……….Twenty-Four Hours A Day
Monday, March 22, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining esteem.” SAMUEL JOHNSON
Today my self-esteem and self-respect are in a working condition that I can deal with on a daily basis. I give credit for this to the fact that I commune daily with a loving God, I have a family that demonstrates unconditional love, I have a church family that loves me and gives me room to grow, I have friends in AA and NA that keep me accountable. This morning for some reason I was thinking about the summer of 1960, a time in my life when my self-esteem was at a low. My father was stationed in the Army in San Antonio, and my mother, sister and I were there with him. Because of his drinking they were getting a divorce, and as I look back I see where I was rebelling against everything that was going on. I did not consider it rebellion, but just the way I felt. I was thirteen years old and smoked a half a pack of cigarettes a day, drank alcohol every chance I got, was breaking into buildings and stealing, I was getting into fights, and had been arrested a couple of times. As I look back I see where my future was leading, the penitentiary or death.
My mother sent my sister and I to our grandparents farm in Missouri, the very home that I live in today. I showed up here with the same attitude and chip that I had in San Antonio. My grandmother put up with me for about a month, and shipped me off to an aunt in Oak Grove, Missouri. She lived on a farm also, and my playing days were over. I was put to work. At first I hated it because it hurt, but along with work came responsibility and this I liked. The first real job I had was working in the hay fields for my uncle’s father. I got to drive a tractor. Also my aunt and uncle let me drive their tractor and an old car to go feed some calves down the road. I milked two old cows and fed the hogs morning and night, cut weeds and mowed the lawn, and still found time to hunt and fish. My sister and I lived with my aunt and uncle for around five months. The time on the farm and the hard work probably kept me from going to the penitentiary. I am grateful to Laura and Jack for taking us in when times were bleak, and giving me some direction in my life.
Later in life alcohol and drugs became an everyday thing. The old rebellion and attitude came back. Once again a loving God allowed me to experience emotional, physical and spiritual pain and sent others my way to help me find direction in my life. I am grateful and may I never forget the help that was given to me. May I learn to help others in the same way. Today God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………….JRE
“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, it is by grace you have been saved.” EPHESIANS 2:4-5 NIV
***********************
THE FORGOTTEN MOUNTAIN
When I was a child, I acquired some of the traits that had a lot to do with my insatiable craving for alcohol. I was brought up in a very little town in Vermont, under the shadow of Mount Aeolus. An early recollection is that of looking up at this vast and mysterious mountain, wondering what it meant and whether I could ever climb that high. But I was presently distracted by my aunt who, as a fourth-birthday present, made me a plate of fudge. For the next thirty-five years I pursued the fudge of life and quite forgot about the mountain.
BILL W. A.A. COMES OF AGE, pages 52-53
***********************
I am grateful for a aunt who not only gave me fudge, but showed me where the work was………thanks for letting me share………..JRE
The summer of "60"
Thought for the day: “That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining esteem.” SAMUEL JOHNSON
Today my self-esteem and self-respect are in a working condition that I can deal with on a daily basis. I give credit for this to the fact that I commune daily with a loving God, I have a family that demonstrates unconditional love, I have a church family that loves me and gives me room to grow, I have friends in AA and NA that keep me accountable. This morning for some reason I was thinking about the summer of 1960, a time in my life when my self-esteem was at a low. My father was stationed in the Army in San Antonio, and my mother, sister and I were there with him. Because of his drinking they were getting a divorce, and as I look back I see where I was rebelling against everything that was going on. I did not consider it rebellion, but just the way I felt. I was thirteen years old and smoked a half a pack of cigarettes a day, drank alcohol every chance I got, was breaking into buildings and stealing, I was getting into fights, and had been arrested a couple of times. As I look back I see where my future was leading, the penitentiary or death.
My mother sent my sister and I to our grandparents farm in Missouri, the very home that I live in today. I showed up here with the same attitude and chip that I had in San Antonio. My grandmother put up with me for about a month, and shipped me off to an aunt in Oak Grove, Missouri. She lived on a farm also, and my playing days were over. I was put to work. At first I hated it because it hurt, but along with work came responsibility and this I liked. The first real job I had was working in the hay fields for my uncle’s father. I got to drive a tractor. Also my aunt and uncle let me drive their tractor and an old car to go feed some calves down the road. I milked two old cows and fed the hogs morning and night, cut weeds and mowed the lawn, and still found time to hunt and fish. My sister and I lived with my aunt and uncle for around five months. The time on the farm and the hard work probably kept me from going to the penitentiary. I am grateful to Laura and Jack for taking us in when times were bleak, and giving me some direction in my life.
Later in life alcohol and drugs became an everyday thing. The old rebellion and attitude came back. Once again a loving God allowed me to experience emotional, physical and spiritual pain and sent others my way to help me find direction in my life. I am grateful and may I never forget the help that was given to me. May I learn to help others in the same way. Today God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………….JRE
“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, it is by grace you have been saved.” EPHESIANS 2:4-5 NIV
***********************
THE FORGOTTEN MOUNTAIN
When I was a child, I acquired some of the traits that had a lot to do with my insatiable craving for alcohol. I was brought up in a very little town in Vermont, under the shadow of Mount Aeolus. An early recollection is that of looking up at this vast and mysterious mountain, wondering what it meant and whether I could ever climb that high. But I was presently distracted by my aunt who, as a fourth-birthday present, made me a plate of fudge. For the next thirty-five years I pursued the fudge of life and quite forgot about the mountain.
BILL W. A.A. COMES OF AGE, pages 52-53
***********************
I am grateful for a aunt who not only gave me fudge, but showed me where the work was………thanks for letting me share………..JRE
Friday, March 19, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.”
“My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” PSALM 25:15
I don’t have too much to add today on my own, just sitting here looking out the window at the last day of winter and grateful for this day. I have learned that having gratitude does not always mean that everything is hunky-dory. My gratitude comes from having a sense of awareness, both the pleasing and the unpleasing. Having a right mind. There have been times in my life when alcohol and drugs left me numb to everything around me. There was extended pain in having no awareness of life that went on around me. Days, weeks, months and years would slip by. Sometimes in AA meetings I will introduce myself as, “Jerry, I am an alcoholic, grateful to be here fully clothed and in my right mind.” People laugh at that, and I even chuckle myself, but the truth is I am very grateful to have a right mind. Even, if it means feeling the pain, as well as the pleasure. Today God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………JRE
There was a man possessed with many demons, who lived in the tombs, and he would cry out day and night and cut himself with stones. When he met Jesus, Jesus told the evil spirit to come out of him. Jesus asked him his name and he said “Legion for we are many.” The demons asked Jesus if they could go into a herd of pigs, he gave them permission, and they ran down a steep bank into the lake and drowned……….JRE
(my paraphrase, Mark 5:8-13)
“Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.”
MARK 5:14-15 NIV
He was fully clothed and in his right mind…………….JRE
***********************
ALWAYS ON TIME
“ We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.”
EPHESIANS 2:10
Jesus Christ is very direct with His disciples. He never issues a call that we’re incapable of responding to, but the timing of His call always seems too soon to us. We think we need more, more time, more money more preparations, more qualifications, more………..
But the Savior is also a saver of time when it involves His purposes. He won’t waste it by calling us into His purpose prematurely or by allowing us to linger beyond the timing He knows is best.
JACK HAYFORD…………….The Power and Blessing
Right Mind
Thought for the day: “You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.”
“My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” PSALM 25:15
I don’t have too much to add today on my own, just sitting here looking out the window at the last day of winter and grateful for this day. I have learned that having gratitude does not always mean that everything is hunky-dory. My gratitude comes from having a sense of awareness, both the pleasing and the unpleasing. Having a right mind. There have been times in my life when alcohol and drugs left me numb to everything around me. There was extended pain in having no awareness of life that went on around me. Days, weeks, months and years would slip by. Sometimes in AA meetings I will introduce myself as, “Jerry, I am an alcoholic, grateful to be here fully clothed and in my right mind.” People laugh at that, and I even chuckle myself, but the truth is I am very grateful to have a right mind. Even, if it means feeling the pain, as well as the pleasure. Today God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………JRE
There was a man possessed with many demons, who lived in the tombs, and he would cry out day and night and cut himself with stones. When he met Jesus, Jesus told the evil spirit to come out of him. Jesus asked him his name and he said “Legion for we are many.” The demons asked Jesus if they could go into a herd of pigs, he gave them permission, and they ran down a steep bank into the lake and drowned……….JRE
(my paraphrase, Mark 5:8-13)
“Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.”
MARK 5:14-15 NIV
He was fully clothed and in his right mind…………….JRE
***********************
ALWAYS ON TIME
“ We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.”
EPHESIANS 2:10
Jesus Christ is very direct with His disciples. He never issues a call that we’re incapable of responding to, but the timing of His call always seems too soon to us. We think we need more, more time, more money more preparations, more qualifications, more………..
But the Savior is also a saver of time when it involves His purposes. He won’t waste it by calling us into His purpose prematurely or by allowing us to linger beyond the timing He knows is best.
JACK HAYFORD…………….The Power and Blessing
Thursday, March 18, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” JOHN MUIR
I had an opportunity yesterday to do a little fishing. A friend asked me to go to the Gasconade River because the goggle eye were biting, and boy were they. With the air and water still a little cool, the fish took the bait slowly, but consistently. We caught thirty-three fish. Just like John Muir said, as the gentle tug of the fish on the line occurred, the whole panoramic scene of the river, the bluffs, the valleys, and the wildlife was taken in. Only a small vision and a closed mind would see only the fish. John Muir was a great naturalist, and I personally don’t know his views and opinions about the spiritual. But I do know that his statement can be applied to the spiritual. When one tugs at a single thing in the spiritual, he finds it attached to the rest of eternity. I am so grateful that when I found my life in a hopeless state, I tugged at the hem of His garment, and to me, was revealed eternity. Being set free from this hopeless state of mind and body by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, has never ceased to influence my everyday living and way of life. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself……………………JRE
And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment; for she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.”
But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith had made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. MATTHEW 9:20-22 NKJV
***********************
“I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to You among the nations. PSALM 108:3
By making us in His image, god gave us capacities not given to other forms of life. Ideally, He made us to know Him, to love Him, and to obey Him. He did not put rings in our noses that He might pull us around like oxen…….
No, He gave us freedom to make choices. By His grace we are equipped to understand His plan because we have a mind with which we can know Him. We are also free to love and adore Him because we have emotions. He takes pleasure in our affection and devotion. We can obey His instructions but we are not pawns on a global chessboard. It is in the voluntary spontaneity of our response that He finds divine pleasure. When His people freely respond in worship and praise, obedience and adoration, God is glorified to the maximum.
CHARLES SWINDOLL………..Laugh Again
***********************
Gratitude should go forward, rather than backward. In other words, if you carry the message to still others, you will be making the best possible repayment for the help given to you.
BILL W. a letter dated 1959
Garment
Thought for the day: “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” JOHN MUIR
I had an opportunity yesterday to do a little fishing. A friend asked me to go to the Gasconade River because the goggle eye were biting, and boy were they. With the air and water still a little cool, the fish took the bait slowly, but consistently. We caught thirty-three fish. Just like John Muir said, as the gentle tug of the fish on the line occurred, the whole panoramic scene of the river, the bluffs, the valleys, and the wildlife was taken in. Only a small vision and a closed mind would see only the fish. John Muir was a great naturalist, and I personally don’t know his views and opinions about the spiritual. But I do know that his statement can be applied to the spiritual. When one tugs at a single thing in the spiritual, he finds it attached to the rest of eternity. I am so grateful that when I found my life in a hopeless state, I tugged at the hem of His garment, and to me, was revealed eternity. Being set free from this hopeless state of mind and body by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, has never ceased to influence my everyday living and way of life. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself……………………JRE
And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment; for she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.”
But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith had made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. MATTHEW 9:20-22 NKJV
***********************
“I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to You among the nations. PSALM 108:3
By making us in His image, god gave us capacities not given to other forms of life. Ideally, He made us to know Him, to love Him, and to obey Him. He did not put rings in our noses that He might pull us around like oxen…….
No, He gave us freedom to make choices. By His grace we are equipped to understand His plan because we have a mind with which we can know Him. We are also free to love and adore Him because we have emotions. He takes pleasure in our affection and devotion. We can obey His instructions but we are not pawns on a global chessboard. It is in the voluntary spontaneity of our response that He finds divine pleasure. When His people freely respond in worship and praise, obedience and adoration, God is glorified to the maximum.
CHARLES SWINDOLL………..Laugh Again
***********************
Gratitude should go forward, rather than backward. In other words, if you carry the message to still others, you will be making the best possible repayment for the help given to you.
BILL W. a letter dated 1959
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Pride like a magnet, constantly points to one object, self; unlike the magnet, it has no attractive pole, but at all points repels.”
CHARLES CALEB COLTON
Webster’s Dictionary says, “Pride, refers either to a justified or excessive belief in one’s own worth, merit, superiority, etc.”. It actually has a lot more to say about pride, but I found that it could be divided into two camps, justified and excessive. In my life I take pride in some of my accomplishments. But I must be careful not to cross over that invisible line that would make my pride excessive. At that point my “magnified self” would say to the world, “look what I’ve done, look at me!” Most of us from time to time feel very good about ourselves, and what we have done, and I think that this is healthy. But I have found that in myself, when that feel good feeling blocks out the love and spiritual light of others around me, I soon become like a black hole and collapse in on myself. Like Charles Colton, I also see pride as a magnet, flowing only one way, inward. I have found it to use up spiritual resources. It costs us to have pride, and too much pride will cause bankruptcy. I can keep my pride in check by feeding the spiritual side of myself on the Word of God. Also I can make time and listen to others around me. I find it hard to be full of myself and seriously listen to what is going on in someone else’s life. My prayer today is to keep my pride in check by being attentive to the needs of others. Thanks for letting me share. Today God is doing for me what I could no do for myself……..JRE
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
PROVERBS 16:18
**********************
GOD’S PASTURES ARE GREEN
“We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” PSALM 100:3
I am told that sheep, being stupid animals, frequently are alarmed and actually run over each other, racing away from something that startles them. The shepherd corrects the problem by catching a sheep and gently, yet firmly, forcing it to lie down and feed quietly on the grass beneath its feet…
In our hectic, hurried, harassed age in which headache medications have become the best-selling national product, we must occasionally be made to lie down by our Shepherd-Savior. When He steps into our helter-skelter world, He often forces us to rest. If that has occurred in your life, give thanks, the pastures are green!
CHARLES SWINDOLL………..Living Beyond the Daily Grind
**********************
“For us, if we neglect those who are still sick, there is unremitting danger to our own lives and sanity.”
BILL W…………..A.A. 12X12 page 151
Magnified self
Thought for the day: “Pride like a magnet, constantly points to one object, self; unlike the magnet, it has no attractive pole, but at all points repels.”
CHARLES CALEB COLTON
Webster’s Dictionary says, “Pride, refers either to a justified or excessive belief in one’s own worth, merit, superiority, etc.”. It actually has a lot more to say about pride, but I found that it could be divided into two camps, justified and excessive. In my life I take pride in some of my accomplishments. But I must be careful not to cross over that invisible line that would make my pride excessive. At that point my “magnified self” would say to the world, “look what I’ve done, look at me!” Most of us from time to time feel very good about ourselves, and what we have done, and I think that this is healthy. But I have found that in myself, when that feel good feeling blocks out the love and spiritual light of others around me, I soon become like a black hole and collapse in on myself. Like Charles Colton, I also see pride as a magnet, flowing only one way, inward. I have found it to use up spiritual resources. It costs us to have pride, and too much pride will cause bankruptcy. I can keep my pride in check by feeding the spiritual side of myself on the Word of God. Also I can make time and listen to others around me. I find it hard to be full of myself and seriously listen to what is going on in someone else’s life. My prayer today is to keep my pride in check by being attentive to the needs of others. Thanks for letting me share. Today God is doing for me what I could no do for myself……..JRE
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
PROVERBS 16:18
**********************
GOD’S PASTURES ARE GREEN
“We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” PSALM 100:3
I am told that sheep, being stupid animals, frequently are alarmed and actually run over each other, racing away from something that startles them. The shepherd corrects the problem by catching a sheep and gently, yet firmly, forcing it to lie down and feed quietly on the grass beneath its feet…
In our hectic, hurried, harassed age in which headache medications have become the best-selling national product, we must occasionally be made to lie down by our Shepherd-Savior. When He steps into our helter-skelter world, He often forces us to rest. If that has occurred in your life, give thanks, the pastures are green!
CHARLES SWINDOLL………..Living Beyond the Daily Grind
**********************
“For us, if we neglect those who are still sick, there is unremitting danger to our own lives and sanity.”
BILL W…………..A.A. 12X12 page 151
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “You can tell the spiritual heart of a person by looking at what they laugh at, what they read, who they hang around with, and how they spend their money.” Anonymous
The Lord God gave Samuel instructions to find a new king for Israel. Samuel thought he had found the perfect person in the older brother of David, but this was not who God had in mind. Taken from 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV:
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”
It’s all a matter of the heart. We cannot judge a book by the cover. I have several large books in my library of books. Some have very pretty and impressive covers, but as I try and read the many pages I just don’t seem to get much out of them. Then again I have some very small books in my collection that speak to me day after day. Books are only enjoyed and found useful if the subject or the heart of the book is speaking to us. I find people to be like this. If on the outside they appear impressive and look important, but their mouth and heart speak of something else. Then I don’t get much from the experience. And then there are those who don’t have much to offer in the material and physical aspects of life, but their heart is full of the love of God, and they truly care about others. These people are small books with a great message that can be read day after day. Today for myself I am reminded of a song, “Change my heart O God, make it ever true. Change my heart O God, may I be like you.” Today God is doing for me what I could no do for myself…………………………JRE
***********************
I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL
I am a spiritual being………After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
MAX LUCADO
Look at the heart
Thought for the day: “You can tell the spiritual heart of a person by looking at what they laugh at, what they read, who they hang around with, and how they spend their money.” Anonymous
The Lord God gave Samuel instructions to find a new king for Israel. Samuel thought he had found the perfect person in the older brother of David, but this was not who God had in mind. Taken from 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV:
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”
It’s all a matter of the heart. We cannot judge a book by the cover. I have several large books in my library of books. Some have very pretty and impressive covers, but as I try and read the many pages I just don’t seem to get much out of them. Then again I have some very small books in my collection that speak to me day after day. Books are only enjoyed and found useful if the subject or the heart of the book is speaking to us. I find people to be like this. If on the outside they appear impressive and look important, but their mouth and heart speak of something else. Then I don’t get much from the experience. And then there are those who don’t have much to offer in the material and physical aspects of life, but their heart is full of the love of God, and they truly care about others. These people are small books with a great message that can be read day after day. Today for myself I am reminded of a song, “Change my heart O God, make it ever true. Change my heart O God, may I be like you.” Today God is doing for me what I could no do for myself…………………………JRE
***********************
I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL
I am a spiritual being………After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
MAX LUCADO
Monday, March 15, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit. It is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us.”
TRYON EDWARDS
For years the only humility I understood, was that which was forced on me. I had a way of thinking that was very self-centered and was only directed in a way that brought about relationships and things in my life that made me feel good or were pleasing to me. Because of this life without direction or good will to others, decisions were made that went against society and the result was corrections that were forced on me. Many times they were in the form of jail time, fines or loss of privileges. This was the only humility I really understood. This is not so today. Today I have a loving God in my life who when I come on bended knee, and humbled heart grants peace that surpasses all understanding.
Yesterday evening I had the pleasure to spend a few hours at the Salvation Army’s Harbor House in Springfield. We played music, sang songs, and shared the Word of God. What an honor it was to be around men and women who recognized the second chance, or third chance, or fourth, and were humbled before God and receiving peace. I was one of them, I had been in places just like that many times in my life, and they ministered to me yesterday evening. I realized that God is doing for me what I could not do for myself, and I don’t want to go back to my old life……………….JRE
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
ACTS 3:19 NKJV
A.A. STEP SEVEN: “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (page 76) offers the following prayer for the seventh step: “My creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen.”
***********************
WE CRY FOR GOD
“The Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true.” 1 John 5:20
When you’re in the middle of a bad day……aim your hard questions at God, not at man.
Why? Because in life’s darkest hours, there are usually no human beings with adequate answers. Counselors may analyze, associates may sympathize, and experienced friends may empathize. But finite minds and feeble flesh can never satisfy us with the Presence we seek, for we truly cry for God Himself, not answers.
JACK HAYFORD………………How to Live Through a Bad Day
Second, third, or fourth chance.....
Thought for the day: “True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit. It is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us.”
TRYON EDWARDS
For years the only humility I understood, was that which was forced on me. I had a way of thinking that was very self-centered and was only directed in a way that brought about relationships and things in my life that made me feel good or were pleasing to me. Because of this life without direction or good will to others, decisions were made that went against society and the result was corrections that were forced on me. Many times they were in the form of jail time, fines or loss of privileges. This was the only humility I really understood. This is not so today. Today I have a loving God in my life who when I come on bended knee, and humbled heart grants peace that surpasses all understanding.
Yesterday evening I had the pleasure to spend a few hours at the Salvation Army’s Harbor House in Springfield. We played music, sang songs, and shared the Word of God. What an honor it was to be around men and women who recognized the second chance, or third chance, or fourth, and were humbled before God and receiving peace. I was one of them, I had been in places just like that many times in my life, and they ministered to me yesterday evening. I realized that God is doing for me what I could not do for myself, and I don’t want to go back to my old life……………….JRE
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
ACTS 3:19 NKJV
A.A. STEP SEVEN: “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (page 76) offers the following prayer for the seventh step: “My creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen.”
***********************
WE CRY FOR GOD
“The Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true.” 1 John 5:20
When you’re in the middle of a bad day……aim your hard questions at God, not at man.
Why? Because in life’s darkest hours, there are usually no human beings with adequate answers. Counselors may analyze, associates may sympathize, and experienced friends may empathize. But finite minds and feeble flesh can never satisfy us with the Presence we seek, for we truly cry for God Himself, not answers.
JACK HAYFORD………………How to Live Through a Bad Day
Friday, March 12, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.”
We can share our experience strength and hope. I am learning that I cannot give advice very well. I am also learning that I cannot tell you what to do in a certain situation because I am not in that exact place at that exact time. But I can share with others what I did in a similar situation. For years I looked for advice from people around me, and as I look back I see that I didn’t really take much of it. Many times people would give me advice when I didn’t really want it, and boy, that didn’t settle very well. At other times I would ask for advice and what I heard I didn’t like, so I would let it go in one ear and out the other. Today I find the lessons I have learned, came more by experience than by being led by someone else. In some ways this is sad because I know that some very good advice was given to me as a young man, but my self-centeredness let it run off like “water on a ducks back.” Today at fifty-seven I try and listen when others share their experience, strength and hope. As I hear of others sharing their strength, I realize I can’t do it on my own, and turn to a Power greater that myself, whom I choose to call God. Likewise, when I hear of hope, I realize that my faith in God gives me hope each day. When I direct my life to share with others, my experiences are better, my strength is renewed, and my hopes become real. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself……………………………………….JRE
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” HEBREWS 11:1 NIV
**********************
ASK AND RECEIVE
“Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” MARK 11:24
Someone has said that before our prayers can mean anything to God, they must first mean something to us. Mindlessly repeating a prayer we memorized in childhood, or vaguely asking God to bless everyone, everywhere, that isn’t authentic prayer. Prayer is speaking to God about the deepest concerns of our hearts.
What is the source of true prayer? It is a heart attuned to God. It is a life lived in loving obedience to the Father. The Bible says, “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do these things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22).
God delights in the prayers of His children, prayers that express our love for Him, prayers that share our deepest burdens with Him. Don’t pray casually or thoughtlessly, but “come boldly to the throne of grace, that [you] may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16).
BILLY GRAHAM
Water on a ducks back
Thought for the day: “We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.”
We can share our experience strength and hope. I am learning that I cannot give advice very well. I am also learning that I cannot tell you what to do in a certain situation because I am not in that exact place at that exact time. But I can share with others what I did in a similar situation. For years I looked for advice from people around me, and as I look back I see that I didn’t really take much of it. Many times people would give me advice when I didn’t really want it, and boy, that didn’t settle very well. At other times I would ask for advice and what I heard I didn’t like, so I would let it go in one ear and out the other. Today I find the lessons I have learned, came more by experience than by being led by someone else. In some ways this is sad because I know that some very good advice was given to me as a young man, but my self-centeredness let it run off like “water on a ducks back.” Today at fifty-seven I try and listen when others share their experience, strength and hope. As I hear of others sharing their strength, I realize I can’t do it on my own, and turn to a Power greater that myself, whom I choose to call God. Likewise, when I hear of hope, I realize that my faith in God gives me hope each day. When I direct my life to share with others, my experiences are better, my strength is renewed, and my hopes become real. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself……………………………………….JRE
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” HEBREWS 11:1 NIV
**********************
ASK AND RECEIVE
“Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” MARK 11:24
Someone has said that before our prayers can mean anything to God, they must first mean something to us. Mindlessly repeating a prayer we memorized in childhood, or vaguely asking God to bless everyone, everywhere, that isn’t authentic prayer. Prayer is speaking to God about the deepest concerns of our hearts.
What is the source of true prayer? It is a heart attuned to God. It is a life lived in loving obedience to the Father. The Bible says, “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do these things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22).
God delights in the prayers of His children, prayers that express our love for Him, prayers that share our deepest burdens with Him. Don’t pray casually or thoughtlessly, but “come boldly to the throne of grace, that [you] may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16).
BILLY GRAHAM
Thursday, March 11, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Peace starts with a smile.”
Not only does peace start with a smile, but, it continues with a smile. When peace and serenity slip away the only smile that we see is one that is forced. Kind of like the one you get at the pay window at McDonalds. After three hundred cars have ordered and have driven up to pay, what you see is a minimum wage smile. I am not putting down the good employee’s who are friendly and courteous to their customers. I guess what I am trying to say is that when we know peace inside, as it can only come from knowing God in a personal way, we smile. We may not always smile with our lips. It may be our eyes that are smiling as we acknowledge one another. It may be our voice that is smiling as we offer words of encouragement. Our hand may smile as we reach to open the door for another. Our feet may smile as we move in to comfort someone with a broken heart. Maybe it’s just our heart that is smiling as the Spirit of God that dwells in us, acknowledges the Spirit of God dwelling in others. The smile of peace is just a reflection of the Spirit of God. Today I’m grateful that God is in my life. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself. Thanks for letting me share…………………..JRE
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8 NIV
***********************
Today look upward toward God, not downward toward yourself. Look away from unpleasant surroundings, from lack of beauty, from the imperfections in yourself and in those around you. In your unrest, behold God’s calmness; in your impatience, God’s patience; in your limitations, God’s perfection. Looking upward toward God, your spirit will begin to grow. Then others will see something in you that they also want. As you grow in the spiritual life, you will be enabled to do many things that seemed too hard for you before.
HAZELDEN………..Twenty-Four Hours A Day
***********************
THE KING’S BUSINESS
“Do business till I come.” LUKE 19:13
The advent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost launched the Church. He anointed every member with the King’s anointing, ensuring that His Kingdom would travel in them, giving them ability to deal with situations they would encounter in daily living.
The Church is comprised of people who have been (1) born of the same Spirit who begot Jesus; and (2) empowered by the same Spirit who empowered Him. Born of and baptized with the Spirit, the Church is assigned to do business, to operate with all God’s gracious power until the King returns!
JACK HAYFORD……………Glory on Your House
***********************
We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS page 84
Minimum wage smile
Thought for the day: “Peace starts with a smile.”
Not only does peace start with a smile, but, it continues with a smile. When peace and serenity slip away the only smile that we see is one that is forced. Kind of like the one you get at the pay window at McDonalds. After three hundred cars have ordered and have driven up to pay, what you see is a minimum wage smile. I am not putting down the good employee’s who are friendly and courteous to their customers. I guess what I am trying to say is that when we know peace inside, as it can only come from knowing God in a personal way, we smile. We may not always smile with our lips. It may be our eyes that are smiling as we acknowledge one another. It may be our voice that is smiling as we offer words of encouragement. Our hand may smile as we reach to open the door for another. Our feet may smile as we move in to comfort someone with a broken heart. Maybe it’s just our heart that is smiling as the Spirit of God that dwells in us, acknowledges the Spirit of God dwelling in others. The smile of peace is just a reflection of the Spirit of God. Today I’m grateful that God is in my life. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself. Thanks for letting me share…………………..JRE
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8 NIV
***********************
Today look upward toward God, not downward toward yourself. Look away from unpleasant surroundings, from lack of beauty, from the imperfections in yourself and in those around you. In your unrest, behold God’s calmness; in your impatience, God’s patience; in your limitations, God’s perfection. Looking upward toward God, your spirit will begin to grow. Then others will see something in you that they also want. As you grow in the spiritual life, you will be enabled to do many things that seemed too hard for you before.
HAZELDEN………..Twenty-Four Hours A Day
***********************
THE KING’S BUSINESS
“Do business till I come.” LUKE 19:13
The advent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost launched the Church. He anointed every member with the King’s anointing, ensuring that His Kingdom would travel in them, giving them ability to deal with situations they would encounter in daily living.
The Church is comprised of people who have been (1) born of the same Spirit who begot Jesus; and (2) empowered by the same Spirit who empowered Him. Born of and baptized with the Spirit, the Church is assigned to do business, to operate with all God’s gracious power until the King returns!
JACK HAYFORD……………Glory on Your House
***********************
We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS page 84
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “The worst sorrows in life are not its losses and misfortunes, but its fears.” A.C. Benson
I did a study on the word “forgive” this morning. The reason for the study was because I’m in need of forgiving myself. I am sure that there are those out there that I need to forgive, and I try to do this when it is necessary in my daily living, my program so to speak. But what I need to forgive myself about is something that happened years ago and yesterday I realized that it is still unresolved in my life. Oh, I have claimed to forgive myself, and have went through the mental motions of the process. But yesterday I had a feeling of quilt and realized that there was some unforgiving there. I know that God forgives me and now I need to work on myself. The word “for” means in favor of, to fight for a cause. The word “give” means to turn over the possession or control of, to someone without cost or exchange. I need to be in favor of giving up this feeling that is controlling me in a small way. The first time the word is used in the Bible is in Genesis 50:17, where Israel asked his sons to have their brother Joseph forgive them, for selling him into slavery. Joseph found this easy because he knew that God was the one that had brought it about. Then we have Paul in 2 Cor. 2:5 telling the church to forgive a man so he would not be swallowed up with grief. Jesus spoke of forgiveness many times and went as far as to say that “if we do not forgive, our heavenly Father will not forgive us.” Jesus said very few words while on the cross, he did ask the Father to forgive the ones that brought about His execution. To be able to forgive is one of the great facts of being a Christian. As I write this, I wonder why the last place I exercise this principle is with myself. I learn and grow each day, because God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………..JRE
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9 NIV
***********************
PRAISE GOD
“I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers.”
Daniel 2:23
Praising God in the midst of difficulty stakes out God’s territory and power against Satan’s.
I’m sure it wasn’t easy for the three young Hebrews in the book of Daniel to praise God in the midst of the fiery furnace. They weren’t praising the fire, but the presence of God with them in the fire. In times of difficulty, assert Jesus’ overpowering presence with your praise and thanksgiving to Him.
JACK HAYFORD………………..The Heart of Praise
***********************
In every case, pain had been the price of admission into a new life. But this admission price had purchased more than we expected. It brought a measure of humility, which we soon discovered to be a healer of pain.
BILL W. A.A.12X12 page 75
Forgive
Thought for the day: “The worst sorrows in life are not its losses and misfortunes, but its fears.” A.C. Benson
I did a study on the word “forgive” this morning. The reason for the study was because I’m in need of forgiving myself. I am sure that there are those out there that I need to forgive, and I try to do this when it is necessary in my daily living, my program so to speak. But what I need to forgive myself about is something that happened years ago and yesterday I realized that it is still unresolved in my life. Oh, I have claimed to forgive myself, and have went through the mental motions of the process. But yesterday I had a feeling of quilt and realized that there was some unforgiving there. I know that God forgives me and now I need to work on myself. The word “for” means in favor of, to fight for a cause. The word “give” means to turn over the possession or control of, to someone without cost or exchange. I need to be in favor of giving up this feeling that is controlling me in a small way. The first time the word is used in the Bible is in Genesis 50:17, where Israel asked his sons to have their brother Joseph forgive them, for selling him into slavery. Joseph found this easy because he knew that God was the one that had brought it about. Then we have Paul in 2 Cor. 2:5 telling the church to forgive a man so he would not be swallowed up with grief. Jesus spoke of forgiveness many times and went as far as to say that “if we do not forgive, our heavenly Father will not forgive us.” Jesus said very few words while on the cross, he did ask the Father to forgive the ones that brought about His execution. To be able to forgive is one of the great facts of being a Christian. As I write this, I wonder why the last place I exercise this principle is with myself. I learn and grow each day, because God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………..JRE
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9 NIV
***********************
PRAISE GOD
“I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers.”
Daniel 2:23
Praising God in the midst of difficulty stakes out God’s territory and power against Satan’s.
I’m sure it wasn’t easy for the three young Hebrews in the book of Daniel to praise God in the midst of the fiery furnace. They weren’t praising the fire, but the presence of God with them in the fire. In times of difficulty, assert Jesus’ overpowering presence with your praise and thanksgiving to Him.
JACK HAYFORD………………..The Heart of Praise
***********************
In every case, pain had been the price of admission into a new life. But this admission price had purchased more than we expected. It brought a measure of humility, which we soon discovered to be a healer of pain.
BILL W. A.A.12X12 page 75
Monday, March 08, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joy, and dividing our grief.” JOSEPH ADDISON
Sharing our lives with others will bring us joy, and lessen the burden of troubles that we sometimes carry on our shoulders. That would be how I would paraphrase that thought. The type of friendships that I have today, are different than the “old gang” that I used to hang with. To sum up the main difference I can use the word accountability. Today, I fellowship with those that I hold myself accountable to in some way. It’s like the parent and child relationship. As the child is accountable to the parents for their actions, today I am accountable to my friends. Accountability means honesty. This is the foundation for my sobriety and true fellowship with others. The “old gang” didn’t require honesty. The foundation for the old gang mentality that I had was; having a good time, getting high, and “what have you got for me?” A common bond was knowing what was going on was illegal, and not right. In this type of fellowship happiness seemed short-lived, and grief always doubled. Today I am grateful for my support groups of family, friends, church, and the fellowship of AA and NA. God truly is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………..JRE
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives, in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” TITUS 2:11-14 NIV
***********************
A young fellow rushed into a gas station to use the pay phone. The manager overheard his telephone conversation as he asked: “Sir, could you use a hardworking, honest young man to work for you?” [pause] “Oh……you’ve already got a hard-working, honest young man? Well, thanks anyway!”
The boy hung up the phone with a smile. Humming to himself, he began to walk away, obviously happy.
“How can you be so cherry?” asked the eavesdropping manager. “I thought the man you talked to already had someone and didn’t want to hire you.”
The young fellow answered, “Well, you see I am the hardworking young man. I was just checking up on my job!”
If you called your Boss, disguised your voice, and asked about your job, what do you think would be His answer?
CHARLES SWINDOLL……….Living Beyond the Daily Grind
***********************
What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS page 85
The "old gang"
Thought for the day: “Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joy, and dividing our grief.” JOSEPH ADDISON
Sharing our lives with others will bring us joy, and lessen the burden of troubles that we sometimes carry on our shoulders. That would be how I would paraphrase that thought. The type of friendships that I have today, are different than the “old gang” that I used to hang with. To sum up the main difference I can use the word accountability. Today, I fellowship with those that I hold myself accountable to in some way. It’s like the parent and child relationship. As the child is accountable to the parents for their actions, today I am accountable to my friends. Accountability means honesty. This is the foundation for my sobriety and true fellowship with others. The “old gang” didn’t require honesty. The foundation for the old gang mentality that I had was; having a good time, getting high, and “what have you got for me?” A common bond was knowing what was going on was illegal, and not right. In this type of fellowship happiness seemed short-lived, and grief always doubled. Today I am grateful for my support groups of family, friends, church, and the fellowship of AA and NA. God truly is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………..JRE
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives, in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” TITUS 2:11-14 NIV
***********************
A young fellow rushed into a gas station to use the pay phone. The manager overheard his telephone conversation as he asked: “Sir, could you use a hardworking, honest young man to work for you?” [pause] “Oh……you’ve already got a hard-working, honest young man? Well, thanks anyway!”
The boy hung up the phone with a smile. Humming to himself, he began to walk away, obviously happy.
“How can you be so cherry?” asked the eavesdropping manager. “I thought the man you talked to already had someone and didn’t want to hire you.”
The young fellow answered, “Well, you see I am the hardworking young man. I was just checking up on my job!”
If you called your Boss, disguised your voice, and asked about your job, what do you think would be His answer?
CHARLES SWINDOLL……….Living Beyond the Daily Grind
***********************
What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS page 85
Friday, March 05, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “This is the true joy of life: the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clot of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”
George Bernard Shaw
WOW…………..what a statement! As I take a little time this morning for prayer, meditation, and self-examination, I ask myself if I have been complaining because the world will not devote itself to making me happy. When things don’t go my way, I lose some of my happiness. At times I relate my happiness with my joy, this is when I need to go deeper in my self-examination to the seat of my joy, my heart. Happiness has a seat and resides in my mind. My joy lives and furnishes spiritual strength from my heart, my inner-being, my spirit-man. What is my joy? I’ll try and define it, as best I can. It is knowing that I am not alone, that God resides with me and in me. It is knowing that I try and do right, while also at the same time realizing that I am not perfect. It is knowing that I have a loving God who forgives me and teaches me to forgive others. As I write this I it is revealed to my spirit that my joy is built on a foundation of forgiveness and faith. So if I experience a little unhappiness, what is that compared to the true joy in my life, being forgiven. Today God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………….JRE
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.” Philippians 2:1-4 NIV
***********************
LOOKING FOR LASTING JOY
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy.” Romans 15:13
How often have you found what you were looking for in life, only to realize it didn’t bring you the satisfaction you though it would?
It’s life’s ultimate frustration, thinking we will find fulfillment in the things of this world. But they can never bring lasting happiness. As one bumper sticker I saw expressed it, “All I want is a little more than I have now.”
We look for love, security, and happiness through our jobs, our possessions, our relationships, but if they really brought lasting joy, wouldn’t we have testimonies to that effect from millions of people all over the world? Instead, we find emptiness, discontent, and hopelessness.
Try putting Christ first and watch how your life is turned around. You will discover that He alone is the source of the love, peace, and joy you have been searching for.
BILLY GRAHAM
Forgiveness and Faith
Thought for the day: “This is the true joy of life: the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clot of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”
George Bernard Shaw
WOW…………..what a statement! As I take a little time this morning for prayer, meditation, and self-examination, I ask myself if I have been complaining because the world will not devote itself to making me happy. When things don’t go my way, I lose some of my happiness. At times I relate my happiness with my joy, this is when I need to go deeper in my self-examination to the seat of my joy, my heart. Happiness has a seat and resides in my mind. My joy lives and furnishes spiritual strength from my heart, my inner-being, my spirit-man. What is my joy? I’ll try and define it, as best I can. It is knowing that I am not alone, that God resides with me and in me. It is knowing that I try and do right, while also at the same time realizing that I am not perfect. It is knowing that I have a loving God who forgives me and teaches me to forgive others. As I write this I it is revealed to my spirit that my joy is built on a foundation of forgiveness and faith. So if I experience a little unhappiness, what is that compared to the true joy in my life, being forgiven. Today God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………….JRE
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.” Philippians 2:1-4 NIV
***********************
LOOKING FOR LASTING JOY
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy.” Romans 15:13
How often have you found what you were looking for in life, only to realize it didn’t bring you the satisfaction you though it would?
It’s life’s ultimate frustration, thinking we will find fulfillment in the things of this world. But they can never bring lasting happiness. As one bumper sticker I saw expressed it, “All I want is a little more than I have now.”
We look for love, security, and happiness through our jobs, our possessions, our relationships, but if they really brought lasting joy, wouldn’t we have testimonies to that effect from millions of people all over the world? Instead, we find emptiness, discontent, and hopelessness.
Try putting Christ first and watch how your life is turned around. You will discover that He alone is the source of the love, peace, and joy you have been searching for.
BILLY GRAHAM
Thursday, March 04, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose.” Hada Bejar
“Share your love, your joy, your happiness, your time, your food, your money gladly with all. Give out all the love you can with a glad, free heart and hand. Do all you can for others and back will come countless stores of blessings. Sharing draws others to you. Take all who come as sent by God and give them a royal welcome. You may never see the results of your sharing. Today they may not need you, but tomorrow may bring results from the sharing you did today.”
HAZELDEN……….Twenty-Four Hours A Day
***********************
This morning I went outside to feed my cat, and remembered that yesterday someone had given me eight small pine trees to plant. It has rained most of the past twenty-four hours so the ground was soft and moist. As I was finding places for the trees to be placed, I was thinking thirty and forty years down the road to a time when they will reach full maturity. I thought of my grandsons, and how they might say that grandpa planted these trees. I think of them in turn planting trees and having similar thoughts. There is a row of pines coming up the drive that my uncle Dale planted in the 50’s. I see out my window a large maple tree that my grandmother planted seventy-eight years ago. I wonder if she had the same thoughts I had this morning when she planted the tree? Planting a tree that will possibly be around longer than us is long range sharing. When Jesus was on the cross, I was on His mind. His sacrifice and the gift of salvation by grace through faith, is truly long range sharing. Everyday new believers come to the cross, it still works today as it did then. A refuge, a place where I feel the love of the Father flowing from Calvary to the place I live today. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………………JRE
***********************
CHARACTER CREATES COURAGE
“All you who put your hope in the LORD be strong and brave.”
Psalm 31:24
A legend from India tell about a mouse who was terrified of cats until a magician agreed to transform him into a cat. That resolved his fear…until he met a dog, so the magician changed him into a dog. The mouse-turned-cat-turned-dog was content until he met a tiger, so, once again, the magician changed him into what he feared. But when the tiger came complaining that he had met a hunter, the magician refused to help. “I will make you a mouse again, for though you have the body of a tiger, you still have the heart of a mouse.”
Sound familiar? How many people do you know who have built a formidable exterior, only to tremble inside with fear? ….We face our fears with force…or….we stockpile wealth. We seek security in things. We cultivate fame and seek status.
But do these approaches work?
Courage is an outgrowth of who we are. Exterior supports may temporarily sustain, but only inward character creates courage.
MAX LUCADO……….The Applause of Heaven
Long range sharing
Thought for the day: “The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose.” Hada Bejar
“Share your love, your joy, your happiness, your time, your food, your money gladly with all. Give out all the love you can with a glad, free heart and hand. Do all you can for others and back will come countless stores of blessings. Sharing draws others to you. Take all who come as sent by God and give them a royal welcome. You may never see the results of your sharing. Today they may not need you, but tomorrow may bring results from the sharing you did today.”
HAZELDEN……….Twenty-Four Hours A Day
***********************
This morning I went outside to feed my cat, and remembered that yesterday someone had given me eight small pine trees to plant. It has rained most of the past twenty-four hours so the ground was soft and moist. As I was finding places for the trees to be placed, I was thinking thirty and forty years down the road to a time when they will reach full maturity. I thought of my grandsons, and how they might say that grandpa planted these trees. I think of them in turn planting trees and having similar thoughts. There is a row of pines coming up the drive that my uncle Dale planted in the 50’s. I see out my window a large maple tree that my grandmother planted seventy-eight years ago. I wonder if she had the same thoughts I had this morning when she planted the tree? Planting a tree that will possibly be around longer than us is long range sharing. When Jesus was on the cross, I was on His mind. His sacrifice and the gift of salvation by grace through faith, is truly long range sharing. Everyday new believers come to the cross, it still works today as it did then. A refuge, a place where I feel the love of the Father flowing from Calvary to the place I live today. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………………JRE
***********************
CHARACTER CREATES COURAGE
“All you who put your hope in the LORD be strong and brave.”
Psalm 31:24
A legend from India tell about a mouse who was terrified of cats until a magician agreed to transform him into a cat. That resolved his fear…until he met a dog, so the magician changed him into a dog. The mouse-turned-cat-turned-dog was content until he met a tiger, so, once again, the magician changed him into what he feared. But when the tiger came complaining that he had met a hunter, the magician refused to help. “I will make you a mouse again, for though you have the body of a tiger, you still have the heart of a mouse.”
Sound familiar? How many people do you know who have built a formidable exterior, only to tremble inside with fear? ….We face our fears with force…or….we stockpile wealth. We seek security in things. We cultivate fame and seek status.
But do these approaches work?
Courage is an outgrowth of who we are. Exterior supports may temporarily sustain, but only inward character creates courage.
MAX LUCADO……….The Applause of Heaven
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24 NIV
Early this morning I got a call from a man who needed help in overcoming a drug problem. We talked for a short while and I tried to make him feel comfortable, and let him know about our meeting schedule. It never ceases to amaze me how that when I made myself available to share my experiences with others, how God has sent people my way. I can only keep my sobriety by giving it away. This is something that I learned early on in my present program of recover. This is one of the factors, that makes my program different at this time, than from previous attempts at staying clean and sober. And to be honest, sometimes I don’t feel like sharing and giving of myself to help others. But I know from past experiences that the outcome is a disaster. When I isolate myself and become self-centered, thinking only of myself, I gain nothing and lose my spiritual growth, which leads to material and physical loss. I can’t afford to go back! This principle of sharing our experience, strength and hope with others who are like us, will work in all aspects of life, not just for the alcoholic and drug addict. After all, the concept of sharing and caring didn’t originate with AA. Man has know from the beginning that we can’t make it on our own. Jesus referred many times to loving one another, and encouraging one another. I am so grateful that others share with me, I am not alone. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…….JRE
“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”
1 Corinthians 9:22 NIV
***********************
Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends, this is an experience you must not miss…Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS……..page 89
***********************
DAILY MATTERS
“Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11
God is concerned for daily detail, and we should ask about it.
The most important thing about this is not the discovery that we can ask for God’s help in the mundane matters of our personal lives. The most important thing is that we are told to do so. The message is plain. We must ask about day-to-day matters as well as large eternal issues.
Full understanding is prayer leads us to consul the Father about the smallest matters in life,……which, in fact, inevitably become the largest if neglected in prayer.
JACK HAYFORD……..Prayer Is Invading the Impossible
Sharing
Thought for the day: “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24 NIV
Early this morning I got a call from a man who needed help in overcoming a drug problem. We talked for a short while and I tried to make him feel comfortable, and let him know about our meeting schedule. It never ceases to amaze me how that when I made myself available to share my experiences with others, how God has sent people my way. I can only keep my sobriety by giving it away. This is something that I learned early on in my present program of recover. This is one of the factors, that makes my program different at this time, than from previous attempts at staying clean and sober. And to be honest, sometimes I don’t feel like sharing and giving of myself to help others. But I know from past experiences that the outcome is a disaster. When I isolate myself and become self-centered, thinking only of myself, I gain nothing and lose my spiritual growth, which leads to material and physical loss. I can’t afford to go back! This principle of sharing our experience, strength and hope with others who are like us, will work in all aspects of life, not just for the alcoholic and drug addict. After all, the concept of sharing and caring didn’t originate with AA. Man has know from the beginning that we can’t make it on our own. Jesus referred many times to loving one another, and encouraging one another. I am so grateful that others share with me, I am not alone. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…….JRE
“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”
1 Corinthians 9:22 NIV
***********************
Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends, this is an experience you must not miss…Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS……..page 89
***********************
DAILY MATTERS
“Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11
God is concerned for daily detail, and we should ask about it.
The most important thing about this is not the discovery that we can ask for God’s help in the mundane matters of our personal lives. The most important thing is that we are told to do so. The message is plain. We must ask about day-to-day matters as well as large eternal issues.
Full understanding is prayer leads us to consul the Father about the smallest matters in life,……which, in fact, inevitably become the largest if neglected in prayer.
JACK HAYFORD……..Prayer Is Invading the Impossible
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “Nothing in the world can take place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” Anonymous
“Hang tough.” Don’t give up. It’s not what you know, but whom you know. The apostle Paul said himself, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Also I think of Peter. Here was a man that had persistence and determination. In my opinion, when Peter started walking with Jesus he was probably not the smartest of the twelve. At times he lacked faith; he said words that got him scolded; he carried a sword and pulled it on a guy and cut off his ear; he lied and denied knowing his friend, his Lord and his Savior, Jesus. But still Jesus saw something deeper in Peter. He saw his determination and persistence, and told him that he would be the rock, and upon that rock he would build His church. Even after Peter was baptized in the Holy Spirit and delivered a great sermon on the day of Pentecost in which three thousand people got saved, he still made mistakes. He was close-minded about allowing non-Jews into the fellowship. Paul had to correct him and this must have been hard to take coming from a man who had less time and seniority in the ministry. Peter did not quit; he “hung tough.” Some day I hope to tell him what an influence he is in my life. Thanks for letting me share. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………..JRE
***********************
A RARE COMMODITY
“A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.”
Proverbs 29:23
Humility isn’t a show we put on; in fact, if we think we’re humble, we’re probably not. And in our day of self-promotion, self-assertion, spotlighting “celebrities of the faith,” and magnifying the flesh, this quality, so greatly valued by the Lord Jesus, is a rare commodity indeed……
A truly humble person looks for opportunities to give himself freely to others rather than holding back, to release rather than hoarding, to build up rather than tearing down, to serve rather than being served, to learn from others rather than clamoring for the teaching stand. How blessed are those who learn this early in life.
CHARLES SWINDOLL…………..Hope Again
***********************
Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into our activities……….. Alcoholics Anonymous page 85
Hang tough
Thought for the day: “Nothing in the world can take place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” Anonymous
“Hang tough.” Don’t give up. It’s not what you know, but whom you know. The apostle Paul said himself, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Also I think of Peter. Here was a man that had persistence and determination. In my opinion, when Peter started walking with Jesus he was probably not the smartest of the twelve. At times he lacked faith; he said words that got him scolded; he carried a sword and pulled it on a guy and cut off his ear; he lied and denied knowing his friend, his Lord and his Savior, Jesus. But still Jesus saw something deeper in Peter. He saw his determination and persistence, and told him that he would be the rock, and upon that rock he would build His church. Even after Peter was baptized in the Holy Spirit and delivered a great sermon on the day of Pentecost in which three thousand people got saved, he still made mistakes. He was close-minded about allowing non-Jews into the fellowship. Paul had to correct him and this must have been hard to take coming from a man who had less time and seniority in the ministry. Peter did not quit; he “hung tough.” Some day I hope to tell him what an influence he is in my life. Thanks for letting me share. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself…………..JRE
***********************
A RARE COMMODITY
“A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.”
Proverbs 29:23
Humility isn’t a show we put on; in fact, if we think we’re humble, we’re probably not. And in our day of self-promotion, self-assertion, spotlighting “celebrities of the faith,” and magnifying the flesh, this quality, so greatly valued by the Lord Jesus, is a rare commodity indeed……
A truly humble person looks for opportunities to give himself freely to others rather than holding back, to release rather than hoarding, to build up rather than tearing down, to serve rather than being served, to learn from others rather than clamoring for the teaching stand. How blessed are those who learn this early in life.
CHARLES SWINDOLL…………..Hope Again
***********************
Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into our activities……….. Alcoholics Anonymous page 85
Monday, March 01, 2004
jralphengland@yahoo.com
Thought for the day: “You may find the worst enemy or best friend within yourself.” English proverb
The first of March, we are slowly stepping out of winter and into the newness of spring. What a wonderful time of the year spring is. A time for flowers, gardens, wild life, new life, and cleaning house. There is a pair of nuthatches that feed at the bird feeders in the back yard. I have noticed that they have set up residence in an old telephone pole that is next to the driveway in the front. As I was watching them the other day they were busy cleaning house. They have moved into an old woodpecker hole near the top of the pole, and one would fly in and get a piece of debris and fly out, the other would do like wise. Cleaning house getting ready for new life. In AA we have a saying that sums up what we do. We “trust God, clean house, and help others.” Today I am reminded of spring-cleaning. I must look inside the house of my mind and do a little sweeping. I must remember to get the corners and not to sweep stuff under the rug. I must not just sweep it out the door so it can be trampled back in, but gather it up and ask to have it removed. My God will remove the trash from my life if I humble myself and ask. Today I have work to do, I am grateful that I don’t have to do it alone, God is doing for me what I could no do for myself…………………JRE
“You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
I will instruct you and teach you in the way your should go; I will guide you with my eye.” Psalm 32:7-7 NKJV
AA Step 7: Humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings.
David continually acknowledged his total confidence in God who became to him a Hiding Place and surrounded him with “songs of deliverance.” Just as God delivered David from his foes, He will deliver us from our shortcomings and old behavior patterns. When God sees us humble and trusting before Him, He will bring about changes in our lives, repair the damage of our past, and restore us to wholeness.
God has said: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” That is, God takes special, personal interest in each one who belongs to Him. How incredibly wonderful that our God is so loving and caring! We are not just a number or statistic to Him. Rather, His relationship to us is supremely important to Him. And because it is, we can have the faith to humble ourselves before Him and allow Him to transform our lives into beautiful examples of His serenity and love.
NELSON SERENIY BIBLE……..page 409
Spring cleaning
Thought for the day: “You may find the worst enemy or best friend within yourself.” English proverb
The first of March, we are slowly stepping out of winter and into the newness of spring. What a wonderful time of the year spring is. A time for flowers, gardens, wild life, new life, and cleaning house. There is a pair of nuthatches that feed at the bird feeders in the back yard. I have noticed that they have set up residence in an old telephone pole that is next to the driveway in the front. As I was watching them the other day they were busy cleaning house. They have moved into an old woodpecker hole near the top of the pole, and one would fly in and get a piece of debris and fly out, the other would do like wise. Cleaning house getting ready for new life. In AA we have a saying that sums up what we do. We “trust God, clean house, and help others.” Today I am reminded of spring-cleaning. I must look inside the house of my mind and do a little sweeping. I must remember to get the corners and not to sweep stuff under the rug. I must not just sweep it out the door so it can be trampled back in, but gather it up and ask to have it removed. My God will remove the trash from my life if I humble myself and ask. Today I have work to do, I am grateful that I don’t have to do it alone, God is doing for me what I could no do for myself…………………JRE
“You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
I will instruct you and teach you in the way your should go; I will guide you with my eye.” Psalm 32:7-7 NKJV
AA Step 7: Humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings.
David continually acknowledged his total confidence in God who became to him a Hiding Place and surrounded him with “songs of deliverance.” Just as God delivered David from his foes, He will deliver us from our shortcomings and old behavior patterns. When God sees us humble and trusting before Him, He will bring about changes in our lives, repair the damage of our past, and restore us to wholeness.
God has said: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” That is, God takes special, personal interest in each one who belongs to Him. How incredibly wonderful that our God is so loving and caring! We are not just a number or statistic to Him. Rather, His relationship to us is supremely important to Him. And because it is, we can have the faith to humble ourselves before Him and allow Him to transform our lives into beautiful examples of His serenity and love.
NELSON SERENIY BIBLE……..page 409
