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Journal — November 2007 |
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AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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November 29, 2007
The desire for peace in the Middle East is a positive thing. The
track record for peace efforts organized by the United States between
Israel and her Arab neighbors is less than satisfactory. The latest summit
called by President Bush between Israel and Arab countries is again provoking
optimism. Time will tell is this will be a success. America's
role will be closely watched and held accountable by other countries. I
think this article by Trudy Rubin (posted on DallasNews.com), Wanting
Mideast Peace won't make it so, has some valid points.
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November 28, 2007
Ann Lamont is an author of 11
books, some that have made the New York Times bestseller list. Because
she speaks what she strongly believes to be the truth this Christian
writer has fans and detractors.
In an interivew with RELEVANTmagazine.com Lamont
states, "I need to tell the truth as it’s come through me. It has
helped me grow and get less crazy and less self-centered, which is the
source of so much of my unhappiness. I write books that I would love
to come upon, so that what I am longing for would exist."
You can read the full interview online
here.
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November 26, 2007
Having just come off a long Thanksgiving weekend many of you may be recognizing
just how difficult family relationships can be. While it is great to
gather, "break bread", and enjoy each other's company, we also must recognize
how much work is required to have honest and open relationships, especially
those with our spouses and children.
Working to improve my relationships with others always starts with the
often painful recognition that I need to change and improve my way of
communicating and interacting. It is so easy to think I'm doing
a good job when the reality, or at least the perception of others (which
is still part of the reality), indicates something different.
God can, should and will work with us in our relationships. But
we must start by admitting we need help, accepting help and being open
to how that help will change us and our behavior.
If any of you are struggling with this in your marriages you might want
to investigate Stormie Omartian's latest book, Praying
Through the Deeper Issues of Marriage, available online here.
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November 23, 2007
Today you may be thinking about how maybe you ate too much yesterday. Thanksgiving
feasts are wonderful in many ways, but if you go back to load up on more
and more eventually you'll get that bloated sensation.
I came across an article online at NPR about
the medical benefits of occasional fasting, such as 24 hours once a week
or so. Retune
the Body with a Partial Fast suggests that this process can
help to retune the body, burn up stored sugars (glycogen) and that in
turn gives your digestive system, particularly your pancreas, a rest.
This type of fasting is fine as long as you drink water throughout the
day. It's always wise to check with your physician, of course, especially
if you have any medical conditions.
There are also spiritual benefits from fasting. When we spend a
day focused on God, life, and becoming a channel for God's love, we help
retune our spirit.
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November 22, 2007
Thanksgiving Day, 2007. The turkey is in the oven and a feast is
just a few hours away. Yet the hunger in our souls needs more than
turkey and all the fixings to satisfy the deep craving in all of us. That
hunger is there whether you consciously know it or not.
Because gratitude is such a powerful spiritual principle it can help
us tap into the free-flowing grace of God's Spirit that is available
to us all. The reason we are taught to "count our blessings" is
not so much to number them as to contemplate them, give thanks for them,
and recognize them for what they truly are. Life is a gift. What
you choose to do with this gift is up to you.
If you haven't had a chance to read our newest Living
the Solution newsletter it is online here, including the article Doggone
Grateful.
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November 19, 2007
The 2007
Weblog Award Winners have been announced. The Weblog
Awards are the world's largest blog competition, with over 525,000
votes cast in the 2006 edition for finalists in 45 categories. Nominations
for 49 categories ended October 17, 2007 and voting began November 1,
2007.
Blogs have become a phenomenon of the Internet and a source of endless
commentary and conversation. You can spend hours, days, weeks - your
life - reading blogs. Perhaps the most voracious readers are the
bloggers themselves. And I'm sure it can become too much of an "inside" community.
Neveretheless, the ability for anyone anywhere to comment on anything
is part of our world and the new media. As for spiritual matters,
blogs can be a great source of inspiration and controversy. I'm sure
I've ruffled a few feathers here from time to time.
In visiting the Weblog Awards site I
was overwhelmed by the number of blogs you can check out. I admit I'm
unfamiliar with most of them, but I'll probably return to investigate,
especially the nominated religious
blogs.
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November 15, 2007
Being young and in college can be a tremendously exciting time. You are
exploring independence and stretching your intellect. You socialize,
make new friends and perhaps explore issues like faith and spirituality.
However, you may also find you are engaging in activities that seem
fun, even harmless, but can be very dangerous. Binge drinking on
college campuses has resulted in more than a few tragic results. Alcohol
can be a lubricant that helps people mix. But it doesn't truly quench
the thirst we have for deep and lasting relationships.
An well-written article on this topic is on EveryStudent.com.
Check out Quench
Your Real Thirst by Judy Clark here.
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November 12, 2007
Today is the observance of the Veterans
Day Holiday in the United States. We still have many members of
our armed forces deployed around the world and we think especially of
those in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Something that would definitely be appreciated by our fellow Christians
deployed in the military would be the Rapid
Deployment Kits. RDKs contain a pocket-sized, camouflage-cover
New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs, an Our Daily Bread devotional
guide and other resources. More information at militaryministry.org.
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November 7, 2007
There is a saying, “First Things
First”. What is first in your life? What, above
all else, is primary? If we are following the often difficult
way that Jesus leads us on we know that we will sometimes
trip and stumble. At other times we will crest hills
and suddenly see beautiful valleys where we can graze
on the bountiful blessings that God gives us.
It is easy to become distracted. At various times of each day I might
put something ahead of the love and service of others. But God is patient
and God is good and the direction He gives is true..
The main thing is to keep the main thing the main
thing.
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November 6, 2007
There is a world of misunderstanding
behind eating disorders. There is also a lot of shame
and guilt attached to it for those suffering from these
afflictions.
Freedom From Eating Disorders is
a Christian-based help site with resources and information to provide
help, hope, encouragement and inspiration for your personal journey. Visit
the site at www.freedomfromed.com.
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November 1, 2007
When people get together to worship or prayer we call it "fellowship". Gathering
with friends and sharing matters of the heart is not limited to religious
gatherings. When we share honestly with others about spiritual
matters we open up our minds and spirit to the subject of God, the Divine
and the true purpose of life.
We have faith that as believers when we die we join with Jesus and other
believers in the presence of God. You can call it Heaven, the Beatific
Vision, the Communion of Saints -- whatever name you want to put on it. None
of us here on earth no exactly what it is; it is beyond our human comprehension. Read
what St. Paul spoke about in 2 Corinithians 12: "I
know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third
heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God
knows. And I know that
this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know,
but God knows— was
caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man
is not permitted to tell." (2
Corinthians 12:2-4 —NIV).
We may not concieve of ourselves as saints in this earthly life, but
we can look to the lives of those who were considered "saints" and, of
course, to the life of Jesus Christ, and find direction to good daily
living.
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| Read past Journal entries here. |
Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved
throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks
of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering
of goods or services requires the prior written consent of International
Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New
Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale
House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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PSALM 118:24
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"This
is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad
in it."
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(NIV)
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