TROUBLED

"If your closest associates are grateful people, you're likely to become more thankful for what you have. If your closest friends are negative, critical complainers, you will soon emulate them."

Bob Russell and Rusty Russell
Jesus: Lord of Your Personality
Howard Publishing  2002
p. 16


I'm troubled. Because "I" am someone's closest associate. My workplace, with it's challenges and smorgasbord of personalities, comes to mind. If my half-dozen, or so, coworkers emulate "me;" or if the customers who cross our threshold carry my attitude out with them what will our workplace and community look and sound like?

God, when needed, help me go against the flow.

Better yet, help me set the pace.

Ready To Grow,
Lonnie

A FORK IN THE ROAD

"Imagine walking down a road and coming to a fork, one leading to eternal life and the other leading to hell. The problem is you don't know which one leads where. Then you notice 2 men--one living, one dead. Which one will you ask for direction? The living man, of course."

Franklin Graham
The Name
Thomas Nelson Publishers  2002
p. 77

We all, without exception, have the promise of eternal life. "Where" is our "choice." Eternity is a long -- long -- time. Choose wisely.

Ever Growing Closer to EverPraying,
Lonnie

JESUS IS GENTLE, BUT . . .

"Jesus is gentle, but He is not weak. He loves the sinner but is absolutely intolerant of sin. He is not a negotiator. He is Lord."

Franklin Graham
The Name
Thomas Nelson Publishers   2002
p. 57

What's to add?
EverGrowing,
Lonnie

CLINGING OR SHARING

"We cling to our possessions rather than sharing them because we are anxious about tomorrow."

Richard Foster
Celebration of Discipline
Harper SanFrancisco/Harper Collins  p. 89


I love sharing, but I admit that the more anxious I am, the less I do so. Sadly, I call my actions wisdom, careful planning, or even saving for the future. Careful planning is correct, if it's spelled differently: Care-full. So full of care (for myself) that I, like the man with one talent, hide what I have and end up with less--if not in possessions, certainly in richness of life.

Foster's flip-side is where I want to live, and will, with God's promptings and help.

" . . . we can share because we know that He will care for us."

Richard Foster

EverGrowing With His Help,
Lonnie

BIRD BRAINS

"Birds retain strong memories of places where they have been threatened or alarmed. Margaret nice noted that a tame Song Sparrow was deeply agitated when taken into a room where he had been shown a stuffed Barred Owl more than four months earlier. The same sparrow was even moderately alarmed when exposed to the outline of a model of an owl that had frightened him thirteen months earlier and that he had not seen in the interval."

Alexander F. Skutch
The Mind of Birds
Team A & M University Press  1996
p. 18

We've been reading about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families).

Hmmm. I think this applies. I used to think PTSD was all about service men and women; and if anyone has permission to that experience, they do. But I feel anxiety rise without warning in certain situations--and have realized, recently, the feeling is at least a cousin to PTSD.

EverGrowing With An EverPresent and EverLoving God,
Lonnie

MISSING CORRIE TEN BOOM

"The Butlers (who headed Corrie's organization, Christians, Inc.) said, 'Few Christians take risks. Corrie would take risks and when the big time came, it was just more challenge for her to meet God. God created a strong leader for our time--someone who went through things we fear, to show us that He will take care of us."

Carol C. Carlson
Corrie ten Boom: Her Life Her Faith
Fleming H. Revell Company  p. 211

Missing Corrie. What great stories of faith she told, and left for us.

Who are your faith heroes? If you haven't read their stories lately, maybe now is a good time.
EverGrowing,
Lonnie

TEN MILLION DOLLARS TO RESEARCH FORGIVENESS

"The LosAngeles Times recently reported that the Templeton Foundation gave a $10 Million grant to a team of psychologists, sociologists, and neuroscientists, earmarked for 'forgiveness research.' The researchers determined that the problem with forgiveness is that most people are willing to forgive but don't know how.

"They concluded that the ingredients required for forgiving someone included facing up to the fact that you've been hurt, giving up the grudge, and choosing to show mercy. They spent $10 Million to confirm the Bible's teachings are true. God commanded, 'Do not take revenge . . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.' (Romans 12:19, 21)"

Bob Russell with Rusty Russell
Jesus: Lord of Your Personality
Howard Publishing  2002
P. 87

It's Sunday, the Christians' Sabbath . . . a day of rest. Can't think of a better way to "rest" than to put down those heavy grudges and hurts we've been carrying around.

Yes?

Ever Challenged--EverGrowing,
Lonnie

P.S.
"Forgiveness can be instantaneous. Trust takes time to earn."
Bob Russell with Rusty Russell
p. 85