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Living The Solution – Online Newsletter |
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| SEPTEMBER
3,
2003 ISSUE |
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past issues here or subscribe to
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Opening Thoughts:
Have you heard the term "liminal
space"? I'm not sure I comprehend it well, but my
understanding is of a space different from our normal consciousness
— a threshold, if you will, to a sacred space where we
all feel connected and where transformation takes place.
It is a place where we recognize that reality is much bigger
than
our
everyday
concerns.
It's
a glimpse beyond the veil.
On September 11, 2001, and for a few weeks afterwards many
of us were in liminal space. We grieved together, we prayed
together, our sense of compassion and community was heightened.
The sad thing is the difficulty of staying in this space.
Most of the time we are in profane space. Anyway, here
we are two years later. Life, the "big picture",
and God are still often elusive and intangible things.
But, not always.
It helps to remember those times in liminal space.
Peace be with you,
Tom Gilbert
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IN THIS ISSUE
Feature
Article: Be Attitudes
In The Spotlight: Back to School?
What's New & Coming Soon: Reviews, Links, etc.
Daily Thoughts & Reflections: The World's Weary
Ways
Prayer & Sharing Requests
For the Fun of It: God's road
signs
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| FEATURED
ARTICLE |
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Be
Attitudes
by Tom Gilbert
I’ve been grappling with the idea of this article
for a while now. I’m really not sure how to go
about it. I want to somehow convey the thoughts I have
about really living what Jesus taught in the Sermon
on the Mount.
I feel entirely inadequate.
And yet, the point I hope to make is in opposition
to “feeling” like I’m not up to the
task. Yes, what Jesus taught is radical and, yes it
often seems unattainable. But, it is not. If I have
willingness, even just the attitude of willingness
and open-mindedness then there is hope of my embracing
the Message.
Some people claim attitude is everything. I don’t
know about such an all encompassing statement. Still,
attitude is very important. If my attitude is negative
then I am resisting and fighting. I am not “tuned”,
if you will, to the proper frequency.
Other than a clever play on words, “Be the Attitude” as
an idea might hold some insight for us all on the Beatitudes.
Can we find a way to “be” meek, poor in
spirit, peacemakers, and comforters? Can we truly “be” satisfied
when hungry; “be” pure in heart and especially “be” able
to feel blessed for the persecution that surely comes?
Read the entire article here
Discover more thought provoking articles
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| IN THE SPOTLIGHT |
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Back to School?
It's "back to school" for many this month.
We’re addressing subjects like home schooling, ministry training
and education. The research on this has been good "education" for
me. There are so many resources for you, especially
with the Internet.
We should never stop learning.
This month will also mark the two-year anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks
in the USA. During these past couple of years there have been changes and ups-and-downs
for all of us, but especially so for the families of those who died or were injured.
I hope we can remember them with true compassion.
See more at our Spotlight Specials page
*********************************************************************************
Visit our online
store. Something for everyone – including
many educational and study resources at our
Special
section we just created.
When you shop with us, you support our ministry – thank you!
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| WHAT'S
NEW & COMING SOON |
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It's hard to believe, but this month we turn a year old!
Our hearts are full of gratitude for all who've discovered
our site and traveled this journey with us. Many
of you are new to Living the Solution and we give
you a warm welcome.
In the months ahead we will continue to explore various
topics and share practical solutions to life's everyday
problems. Many of those "solutions" are shared in
the many articles now on our site.
Some of the new articles on our site include:
Don't Despise the Day
of Small Things by Dr. Ralph
Wilson
Wants and Needs
Kid Stuff
Movies Move Me
New reviews on the following:
Finding
God Where You Least Expect Him by
John Fischer
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
"How Movies Helped Save My Soul" by Gareth Higgins
"Price of Silence" by Staci Stallings
You can read the various reviews currently on site
at Reviews
New link:
Christianity
Oasis — An online Christian community
with lots of resources, counseling, Bible study, chat
rooms and more. They sometimes call it C.O.O.L., as
in Christianity Oasis On Line.
See more at our links page
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DAILY THOUGHTS & REFLECTIONS |
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The
World's Weary Ways
Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t
love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes
out love for the Father. Practically everything that
goes on in the world – wanting your own way, wanting
everything for yourself, wanting to appear important – has
nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from
Him. The world and all it wants, is on the way out – but
whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. (1 John
2:15-17 The Message)
Have you ever wondered why God seems so far way from you
some times? Have you ever noticed that your love for God
is not what it was when you first entered in to a relationship
with Him?
The next time you are feeling this way, take a look
at where you are spending your time; what and who do
you think about? Are you longing for a closer relationship
with God; desiring to be more like Him, or are you thinking
about this life only and what you can get out of it.
John is very clear; if we are only thinking about and
acting like the world – focusing on ourselves – then
that love, love of the world, will crowd out the love
for God, like clover crowds out the grass and takes over
the lawn.
If you find yourself here, ask God to forgive you and
to put back the love for Him you once had in your heart.
Make a conscience effort to focus on God and not yourself.
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.
Subscribe to Living The Solution
– our free twice monthly e-zine. It will come to your
email box. Your email privacy is protected – we never,
ever give it out!
It is our hope that the content of Living The
Solution will stimulate you to deepen your faith. That is certainly
a result for us in both our writing and reading. If you
would like to see articles on a particular topic or you
have comments please let us know.
Living the Solution respects your rights and privacy. We do not lend, sell or
distribute your email address to other parties. We also will never give out any
personal information without your express permission. You can view our privacy
policy online at www.livingthesolution.com/privacy.htm
If you have questions or comments send an email.
For the Fun of It: God's road
signs
Maybe you've seen some of these billboards on the
highway:
Tell the kids I love them.
-God
Let's meet at my house Sunday
before the game.
-God
We need to talk.
-God
Keep using my name in vain,
I'll make rush hour longer.
-God
Loved the wedding,
invite me to the marriage.
-God
I love you and you
and you and you and...
-God
Need directions?
-God
My way is the highway.
-God
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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Letters Between a Catholic
and an Evangelical
by Fr. John R. Waiss
James G. McCarthy
read the review
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