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Living The Solution – Online Newsletter |
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| AUGUST
20,
2003 ISSUE |
read
past issues here or subscribe to
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Opening Thoughts:
The major power outage across
much of the Northeast and Midwest in the States last week
(and parts of Canada) is a good reminder that we shouldn’t
take for granted some of the modern conveniences we have,
like electricity. It’s also a good reminder that
at times we aren’t connected to the spiritual power
grid and that can put us into “darkness”.
How do we stay connected? I like to think that all of
us who “plug” into the body of believers
are part of that power grid. God is the source of the
power, of course, but if we aren’t connected then
a power outage will occur for us individually and we
just might be interfering with the flow to others.
Let’s keep shining with the light of God’s
love!
Peace be with you,
Tom Gilbert
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IN THIS ISSUE
Feature
Article: Wants and Needs
In The Spotlight: Big Screen
What's New & Coming Soon: Reviews, Links, etc.
Daily Thoughts & Reflections:Being Set Free
Prayer & Sharing Requests
For the Fun of It: Who Makes the Coffee?
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| FEATURED
ARTICLE |
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Wants
and Needs
by Tom Gilbert
This will start out sounding abstract,
but it really isn’t. We all have wants and needs. I would guess
that most of us concentrate on the wants. For myself,
I’ve often had little comprehension of what my
needs truly are.
In life we will constantly run into situations where our wants are not met.
Despite this, it is quite remarkable how often our needs are met. Think about it.
What do you really need in life? Food, shelter, health, money,
family, and friends — these rank pretty high on most
people’s lists. What is underlying these “needs”?
Is it not happiness? And what is the root of happiness?
Is it not love and acceptance?
The spiritual path reveals a different understanding of wants and needs. What the
world tells us we should want the spiritual life shows us is mostly a sham.
We don’t really need a new car or the latest
big screen television. We typically eat more than we
need. Oh, yes, of course there are people who are truly
in need of a meal, a home, a job and many of the things
taken for granted by the over-commercialized society
we live in. For those of you who are not part of this
Western world where commerce and materialism rule please
don’t feel indicted.
Blessed are the Poor and Meek
I hope you examine closely what your wants and needs are. It is important to learn
to differentiate between the two. Human nature “wants” it all. God
wants for us to be happy, joyous and free. God knows what we really need.
Read the entire article here
Discover more thought provoking articles
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| IN THE SPOTLIGHT |
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Big Screen
The “Big” screen of movies is a subject
that has been occupying my thoughts of late, especially
God’s capacity to reach us through film. Interested?
View the trailer…I mean, read the article “Movies
Move Me”.
See more at our Spotlight Specials page
Visit our online
store. Something for everyone. Have you checked
out the "back
to school" specials?
When you shop with us, you support our ministry – thank you!
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| WHAT'S
NEW & COMING SOON |
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September is the month many go back to school. It’s
nice to discover that we can be life-long students.
There is so much to learn, about life, ourselves, others,
God and the spiritual way of life. Next month we’ll
tackle subjects like home schooling, ministry training
and education. Looks like I have *my* homework assignment!
Some of the new articles on our site include:
Kid Stuff
Traveling Salvation Show
Forgivable Quotes
New reviews on the following:
Pierced by a Sword by Bud MacFarlane, Jr
Divine Discontent by Sixpence None the Richer (music)
Letters Between a Catholic and an Evangelical by
Fr John R. Waiss and James G. McCarthy
Future Reviews:
“The Love Languages of God” by Gary Chapman
"Finding God Where You Least Expect Him" by John Fischer
You can read the various reviews currently on site
at Reviews
New link:
Help
the Children of Malawi — See what
this mission and seminary is doing for children in
this small African country.
See more at our links page
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DAILY THOUGHTS & REFLECTIONS |
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Being Set Free
Jesus said to the people who
believed in Him, "You are truly my disciples if
you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the
truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)
Many people view being a Christian as a life filled
with do's and don’ts. And the don’ts are
all the fun things that they enjoy and the do's are
all part of a boring life. But what they don’t
understand is they have no choice when it comes to
sinning; living a selfish life. They don’t have
the clarity of insight to know the truth. God’s
truth, having a personal relationship with Jesus, will
open your heart and eyes and you will see and understand
that your life, whether you sin or not, is a choice
you make. Unlike others who do not know God and have
no choice but to sin, you have been given the knowledge
and the freedom to choose because of your personal
relationship with God.
The more you devote yourself to God, the more freedom
you will find and understand.
In His grace
Pete Reinbold
Get daily inspiration with a Scripture verse and commentary
at
Daily Thought
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PRAYER REQUESTS & RESULTS |
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Prayer works. It really does. Only those who've never truly tried
it with the proper intentions would say otherwise. We
want to pray for you and your needs. If you have a specific
request let us know at prayer requests.
Of course, we keep you information confidential.
We also like to share testimonies of answered prayers
at prayer results.
There is an interesting email going around about Rev.
Joe Wright's opening prayer at a Kansas State legislature.
Read about it here. You can send us your testimony by
email. Use our form
at contact us.
If you do not want your name to be listed simply let
us know.
By sharing God's love and how He helps us you encourage
others in a powerful way.
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SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND ENCOURAGEMENT
We welcome and appreciate your feedback. If you would like
to submit an article please see our writer's
guidelines.
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Solution will stimulate you to deepen your faith. That is certainly
a result for us in both our writing and reading. If you
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have comments please let us know.
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personal information without your express permission. You can view our privacy
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If you have questions or comments send an email.
For the Fun of It: Who Makes the Coffee?
A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the
coffee each morning.
The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first,
and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee."
The husband said, "You are in charge of the cooking around here
and you should do it, because that is your job,
and I can just wait for my coffee."
Wife replies, "No you should do it, and besides it is in the
Bible that the man should do the coffee."
Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me."
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and shows him
at the top of several pages, that it indeed says**************
"HEBREWS"
Copyright 2003 Living the Solution, all rights reserved.
Tom Gilbert
Editor/Web-servant
Living The Solution
www.livingthesolution.com
Toll free 1-800-399-2564 ext 105
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Practical
Biblical Solutions for life's challenges |
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"Divine Discontent"
Sixpence
None the Richer
read the review
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