The Sweetness Of Life

The Sweetness of Life “Everything seems to come so easy to her. For me, I can never get ahead.” Mustering up the energy to finish a project, to go on with a challenging relationship or to continue with the same employ may seem impossible today. Perhaps our poor attitude, scars of yesterday and fears of tomorrow may get in the way of our advancement. Like that of a box of delectable rich smooth chocolate, approach your responsibilities, desires, aspirations and faith in savory bite size pieces. Look forward to each morsel of your day. Savor the many flavors of personalities, the sweet, the less tasteful, the pretty, and the less desirous. Each piece in the box and each experience in your day may not necessarily be your favorite. But each moment that you are graced with possesses an element of excitement, healing, teaching, mourning, celebration, and peacefulness. Today, with intention, love, trust, and experience the sweetness of your life.

Keep Your House Strong

Keep Your House Strong Allow praiseworthy words to often leave your lips. Be compassionate when you think of others. Practice forgiveness and support the one who is still learning. Be wise in your own choices and the friendships you keep. Surround yourself with people who are strong in their faith. Seek out those who outwardly show the face and hands of Christ. Keep company and feed your spirit with those who will lift you and inspire you to keep your house strong. Mark 3:22-30 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons." And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin" - for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."

It's A Pleasure To Love You

It’s A Pleasure To Love You Accepting people the way they are is annoying and will no doubt try your patience. Forgiving others their trespasses may feel like a thorn in your side. Giving others your time, advice and financial assistance when you’ve got so much to do are often too grueling of an undertaking. God knows what you are going through and He supports and loves you no matter what. Until the day these people straighten out their lives and can finally let you be, it’s going to take a lot of love – for others to love you. Live today exercising the grace of your gifts from God. Your heart is capable of holding no grudge. Your spirit is designed to comfort, heal and love. Your faith is boundless and knows no limits. Enjoy the blessing of the gift of life and being needed by someone. It’s a pleasure to love you. I pray you love me too.

A Humbled Spirit Knows The Riches of Life

A Humbled Spirit Knows The Riches of Life “She is poor and acts as though she has so much.” “He is rich and lives as though he has nothing.” Hardship makes one savor a warm meal, thankful for a place to rest his head, and values the offering of another‘s support. One who guards his abundance with selfishness, displays it with conceit, or speaks down to those who do not have material riches may be rebuked by loneliness, depression and a feeling of destitution. The one who suffers sees the greatness of God’s blessings. The one who hurts values more deeply Jesus’ undying love. The one who is cast out knows the greatest love of all. Remain humble and share your abundance when you feel prosperous. There is wealth to be shared with or without material things of this world. Mark 16:15-18 And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’

Act Without Delay

Act With Widsom Without Delay “One at a time please. I can’t help everyone at once.” When there is excitement over a freebee, a new electronic toy, dispensing of food to the hungry, or waiting for a treatment that will provide a cure to an illness there can be extreme forcefulness in our excitement or exasperation in our desperation. Be orderly when there are mobs, patient while waiting for assistance, and humbled when receiving gifts. Know who gives and have trust in the good things that come to you and do what they ask to receive. God offers you much every day, follow His instruction and act without delay. Mark 3:7-12 Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him; for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, "You are the Son of God!" But he sternly ordered them not to make him known

Pro life – A Baby In The Womb is Alive and A Life

Pro Life – A Baby In The Womb is Alive and A Life Do your children know what “pro choice” means? At what age will you choose to explain to your child, teen or young adult daughter that she has the legal right to kill her baby growing in her tummy? What reasons will you offer your child, boy or girl, if asked, “Why would a mom want to kill her baby?” Perhaps your conversation might go something like this. “Sometimes the mom doesn’t love the dad. She might feel like she doesn’t have enough money or wants to finish school. She may not want to get tied down or doesn’t want her parents to know she was having sex before marriage. Another may feel if she killed her baby it would make everything all better.” Are you prepared for these questions: “Did you think about killing me?” “Did you ever abort a child?” “Would you be mad if I killed my baby?” “How many times can I do it?” On January 8, 2013 the Guttmacher Institute at www.guttmacher.org published that by age 45, half of all women will have an unplanned pregnancy. Nearly 1 in 3 will have an abortion. Why would so many women not want their babies to live? Unplanned pregnancy will dramatically, emotionally, and financially change many lives within the family unit. This may account for the fact that many single adult females and especially minors harbor this secret and/or are weary about coming to their family with the news of an unplanned pregnancy. Females and males must be educated at home about respecting the human body before marriage, the value of human life and that sex can result in the consummation of life. Period. Parents must teach their children that sex should be reserved for the special relationship between husband and wife, and together they may choose to start a family. Parents must work to build a trusting relationship with their children so that a child would feel comforted enough to know that they could come to their parents to talk about anything. All does not die after the abortion of a baby, the grief felt by the mother lives on for many years. There have been females who have stated, “If someone would have just told me not to do it, I probably would never have done it.” The act of sex is often used to satisfy a need in adolescence to build self confidence, to feel an emotional connection to someone, or perhaps used to shield a hurt from the past that is so deep it may be psychologically unrealized. Is there a valid justifiable reason a female should opt for death of a child living in her womb? Isn’t it time society aborts the cultural views of abortion as a political and legal issue. No matter what the law says, a baby in the womb is alive, a life, and a gift from God.

Set Ambitions In Motion

Set Ambitions In Motion Each new day we have a clean slate to begin anew. Let go of feelings, decisions and hurt that held you back yesterday. Envision, be bold, and form a new goal, mindset or desire. Do what you can to set your ambitions in motion and watch expectantly what unfolds.

Invite The Well To Lift A Spirit

Invite The Well To Lift A Spirit “Why do you go to his aid every time he gets in trouble?” “You pay more attention to her than you do to me!” A parent is naturally drawn to the aid of a troubled or hurting child. An animal protects his owner if he thinks he’s being threatened. Our arms and hands naturally reflex to protect our face when it’s in harms’ way. Because attention is drawn to the one who is in need, it is not necessarily because one is more well-liked than another. Jesus put it simply, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." Our hearts may not quickly understand the difference between preference and aiding another who is feelings are misplaced, off course or confused, but our spirit can. Let those in your life who are doing well know that you are proud of them. Also communicate to them that like Jesus, we love all, but are drawn to those whose need for us today may be greater than the one who appears to be able and sound. Invite the well to help, it will lift his spirit too. Mark 2:13-17 Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples--for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard this, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

Living With Purpose

Living With Purpose “What a waste! I slept through the whole movie.” “Well there was certainly no purpose in me being there. I should have just stayed home.” “Why should I bother talking to him? He can’t string three words together that makes sense!” If you slept away yesterday your body may have needed rest for what lies ahead. If you’ve spent beyond your means today you’ll know what it’s like to not have tomorrow. If you give to an unfortunate lonely stranger you might appreciate what it’s like when someone remembers you when you need it most. No time is ever wasted, no experience without meaning, no conversation that does not have significance. Your past experiences have led you to the present. Your former conversations will contribute to today’s discussions and opinions. Yesterday’s trials will touch your spirit and may modify your beliefs. Today with purpose be present in the moment, bear kindness in your words and deeds, have faith through your trials knowing that in concurrence with all you experience God is working through the people who will cross your path for the greater benefit of you.

Choosing To Give My Best

Choosing To Give My Best “I’m done doing that for the company. I don’t get paid enough.” “ I can’t be married to him any longer. He is so selfish!” “I wish my child had a better father. I’m tired of being both parents.” “Why did he have to die? I needed him.” Feeling stuck, trapped, taken advantage of, at a dead end, and grieving are all experiences that we may endure at some point in our lives. Rather than complaining about our circumstances we would serve our spirits well by being satisfied, thankful and grateful with where we are today. Give your best at work for the wages you receive is what you agreed to as compensation. If you desire more reward, do more where you are at. If you desire another occupation, seek another position or take time to further your education. With a selfless attitude love wholeheartedly and unconditionally the family you created. If you are married enjoy the gift of giving to your spouse. Take pleasure in giving to your family and treasure the responsibility of teaching your children to treat and offer the world love, compassion and charity. When grieving, acknowledge that sadness is an emotion the heart experiences when it suffers a loss. There will be a time that you concede your loved one died satisfying a need in you. She did leave an intimate and special impression on your heart. And at some time when your spirit is ready, you will come in agreement with God, believing He knew when that angel’s work was complete on earth. Today, I do choose to give my best to my work, give my heart and patience to my family, give thanks to God for the gift of life on earth and that of eternity. Mark 1:40-45 A leper came to Jesus begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean.

A Time To Not Give Up

A Time To Not Give Up “ I’ve been looking for you just so that I could say to your face, ‘Why would you choose a profession like that? Can’t you think of something better?!!!!’” It is easy to be discouraged or distracted from our plans, goals and tasks. We might be easily swayed by a strong personality to change directions. We could feel coerced into stopping our plan by a shameless self-serving or even jealous individual. We might choose to go backwards if the hill seems too hard to climb. We may even give up all dreams because help is slow in coming. If what you wish to do is for the benefit of others, if what you desire will bring peace into the family or wholeness to your spirit, if what you envision will open doors and hearts of a multitude of people, be not swayed. When others come hastily seeking you, take time to gather your thoughts. Aid in their understanding and endeavor to communicate your aspiriations, dreams and good message. Then with love in your heart say, “Thank you for caring. I am setting out to see my plans through; for that is what I set out to do.” There is a time to pray, a time to meditate, a time to educate, a time to listen, a time to be a friend, a time to help, a time to work, a time to rest, a time to contest, a time to set the record straight, a time to not give up. Mark 1:29-39 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

The New Year And You

The New Year And You “HaPpY NeW yEaR!” At the stroke of midnight on January 1st each year these three words seem to bring hope and renewed excitement to millions of the world’s inhabitants. There are some people who each year reach goals, keep targets, and realize their dreams. But what if our goals, resolutions and dreams don’t last longer than a few months, a few days, or perhaps a few measly hours? How can we make this New Year resolute and meaningful without feeling overwhelmed or seemingly setting ourselves up for failure? For many of us, the simple and familiar phrase’ “HaPpY NeW yEaR” somehow encompasses a multitude of happy, inspiring and even larger than life feelings. It can make last year’s disappointments seem like a bad dream rather than a terrible memory. Our goals, resolutions and visions for the future can appear simple, boundless and attainable. We may promise to un-clutter ourselves by cleaning out closets, paying off last year’s bills and organizing paperwork. We may make a resolution to lose weight, be nicer or sign up for a class that might improve our work or social skills. Instead of making an overwhelming list of things that may or may not come to pass, this year make a resolution to make each day work for you! Yesterday’s Mistakes Are Today Rewards We will all make mistakes that can set us back a few steps. Don’t beat yourself up over spilled milk! Treat yourself daily to a playful portion of yesterday’s biggest bloopers! Talk about it. Laugh at it. Learn from it. Change it! There is no better reward than to overcome a misstep! Turn A Sour Attitude Into Great Lemonade No need to dilute a goal or a dream with the first appearance of a bitter moment or a sour attitude. Use the zest of your heart to take out the bitterness in challenging goals, tasks, duties or undertakings. Use the pulp of your spirit to make sweet a vinegary attitude. Add often life giving water and forgiveness to others and to yourself to reduce acidity in your gut and tone of voice. Refer often to your core ingredients and serve up your best year yet! Goals And A Purposeful You We can alter our routine to make time more beneficial. We can modify our reading materials to learn new things. Calendar savings dates in lieu of mindless spending sprees. Choose to say “thank you” instead of “nothing.” Opt for one serving instead of two. Ask, “Could you please” instead of bark, “I need.” Forego complaints and instead compliment. A phone call, a surprise visit, a helping hand, a smile, a hug, and a prayer all have a natural way of making us evolve into better beings. This year should not be about “out with the old and in with the new.” Make this New Year all about being simply “a better you!” “HaPpY NeW yEaR!

Love Requires Love At All Times

Love Requires Love Above All Other Emotions “Uggggghhhh! How many times do you need to hear this! I just want to shake you!!!!” Sometimes we think a loud scream or forceful shake might knock some sense into someone. Speaking loud and rebuking with forceful authority was necessary for Jesus to rebuke an unclean spirit and save a man’s soul. For the imperfect and less practiced mortal, speaking loud with forceful authority may lack the love needed and take away from our message to make well our hearts, reconcile our differences and repair our relationships. Speak with sincerity and act with love to teach, console and set straight the path of the lost, ill and hurting. Do what you can in love and leave the rest to God. Love requires love in the beginning, the end and throughout all our conversations, teachings, interactions, and thoughts. Love requires love above all other emotions. Mark 1:21-28 When the sabbath came, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching--with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Give And Then Give More

Give And Then Give A Little More “Why in the world would you go into that profession if you feel you have no compassion for the sick?!” Perhaps the work we are currently engaged in is not what we’ve dreamed up for ourselves, but it is what we have chosen for now. Be polite to the person placing an order for food, patient to the one airing a complaint over a product that does work, compassionate toward the ill, an example to the young children you are caring for, helpful to your peers who need your help at school, and careful with valuables that others leave in your care. We may have many jobs, duties and unwelcoming situations that affect and test us over the course of our lives. Our job description is always the same: Offer the best you have to give and then give a little more. Mark 1:14-20 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Share Words That Exalt Our Blessings

Share Words That Exalt Our Blessings “I can’t believe you told him. I shared that with you in confidence!” There are times that we mistakenly reveal our own secrets or that which was told to us in confidence. Even if the talk is good there are matters that should be honored and kept personal for those involved and reserved for the respect of another’s confidence, only to be shared if they wish. There are many blessings that we might choose to keep to ourselves to remain humble in spirit and others that should be shouted from the rooftop. The “gift of gab” is to know wholeheartedly and without hesitation the difference between gossip that is self-serving and that which is to edify the knowledge of the gift of the presence of God in our lives. Luke 5:12-16 Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean." Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do choose. Be made clean." Immediately the leprosy left him. And he ordered him to tell no one. "Go," he said, "and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them." But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.

The Celebrated Lot In Heaven

The Celebrated Lot In Heaven We will not proceed as was voted by the majority. We have been pressured by the community, the media, and each other. We will take another vote. This time I ask you to vote your conscience. I believe then, this group will do the right thing. The spirit of the Lord in within all of us. Vote, participate, and make your voice heard so that others will deem that the heart, spirit, and living life of Christ dwells within you. We have been appointed by God to bring good news, healing, aid, comfort and love to our communities, workplaces and homes. The result of our upright decisions, charitable acts and moral and right attitudes may not be well liked among the majority, but good will always prevail over evil. All will not concede to goodness and their recompense is between them and God. Those who do what is right and just may be a minority on earth but they are the celebrated lot in Heaven. Live like you believe! Luke 4:14-22 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’

Rest From The Fight

Rest From The Fight Do you recall a time when the circumstance of your life was so hard to bear and too complicated to straighten out? Have you ever felt so helpless that you didn’t know how you would get through the day? Then something miraculous happened. A hardened heart was softened, a closed door was opened, a web of a string of convoluted events now made sense and was working smoothly, or a matter that weighed heavy on your heart was no more. What changed? What did you give up so that your eyes could now see and your heart could now accept? Every night, perhaps without thinking, we give up our fight of the day. We invite our bodies to rest in sleep and hope that matters that trouble us will look different in the morning. Treat your days as you do your nights. Give up fighting and protesting over matters and people that you have no control over. Rest from all that troubles you. No matter what you hold hostage in your heart, it does not change the “Will of God” nor the grace of a new perfect day. Spend quality time in communion with God so that you will be assured that your spiritual world is far superior to your earthly one. You were made in the image and likeness of God. Have confidence in the steps you take today knowing God has equipped you to handle all you will experience. Trust that you can face even the most grievous of matters with hope, trust, patience, tolerance, forgiveness and love. Be assured that God is able to use all circumstances to show his grace upon your life. Renew and relieve your spirit throughout the day so that you are filled with confidence that God is working for you. The matters of yesterday worked out as they aught have with or without you living in a weary state throughout the day. Be at peace knowing you did what you could. Accept and be filled with joy that God will always do the rest. Mark 6:45-52 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray. When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Receiving More Than What You Asked For

Receiving More Than What You Asked For In prayer, we might ask for healing of a loved one, a new job, or a change in our dire circumstances. What we might receive is the loss of the sick, more time in the same job, or continued misfortune. How is it that these things have answered my prayers? What we will find through our relationship with Jesus, is that when God calls the life of the ill it is for eternal healing. More time at our work place is a gift of the training of patience, forgiveness and faith. Dealing with more hard luck will reveal that our blessings are seen in the hope of a new dawn, the gift of a meal from a friend, a prayer and a hand at a sick bedside, and the excitement of a deeper faith. Coming to Jesus in prayer you should not expect only what you are asking for. If you look close enough, He gives you more than you can ever imagine. Mark 6:34-44 As Jesus went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, 'This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.' But he answered them, 'You give them something to eat.' They said to him, 'Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?' And he said to them, 'How many loaves have you? Go and see.' When they had found out, they said, 'Five, and two fish.' Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.

All Souls Will Come Together And Rejoice

All Souls Will Come Together And Rejoice There will be times in our lives that we sincerely appreciate something that someone did for us and we may feel we’ve missed the opportunity to share it. Even with no exchange of words of appreciation or indebtedness, feeling close, moved, deeply connected and inspired by someone without question has a profound positive lasting effect on both parties. The circumstances of life may make it impossible for two people to joyfully reunite, to go down memory lane, or to pay another back in gratitude. But all things are possible with God. There will be a time, a place, and a way that all souls will come together and rejoice. The details of the past will not matter. What God has in store for each of us in Heaven rewrites ever blunder, forgives transgressions and relieves all expressions of regret. Share now your gratefulness to the people you love. Remember and speak kindly of those who have gone. It’s never too late to thank God for the gift of life and place in Heaven he keeps holy in your name!

My Gift of Life

My Gift Of Life What shall we do when we face times in our lives when we lose sight of who we are, what we stand for, and feel we do not know in which direction to head? Kneel in the presence Jesus so that you may be drawn closer to The Holy Spirit inside you. Remove yourself from all distraction so that your attention may not waiver and prayer will not grow weak. Search your heart so that you may trust it when Jesus touches that foreign part of you. Work joyfully to remain there in that holy state of conversion, revisit it frequently, and share the graces in your life by your attitudes and deeds. God knows who He created. He’s waiting for you to discover the gift of life and great purpose that you already possess. John 1:35-42 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).

WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT YOURSELF?

WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT YOURSELF? Who are you? What do you say about yourself? John, The Baptist, was asked who he was. John had a great gift from God. Although he was doing good things for the people, he did not take credit for being greater than any other. Nor did He compare himself to Christ who was to come. To the contrary, John spoke freely and highly of Jesus saying, “I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” In all that we do, we must use wisely and generously the gifts God granted us. As we move forward in our strides and are challenged by conflicts we should remain humble and faithful as we gain ground or suffer defeat. Through our impasses and peaceful moments we will benefit most by remaining inspired, peaceful and hopeful. As we celebrate our accomplishments or mourn over our losses remaining filled hope and love will speak volumes about who we are. Mere words will not accurately describe ones’ self nor depict one’s spirit. Your consistent humble and virtuous actions, just and moral attitudes and growth in love and faith will say much about you. What do you say about yourself? I do what I can to use the gifts God gave me and I thank God for the gift of His Son that sets my path straight. John 1:19-28 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.