In Memory of all those who died

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This was written in 2008 by my nephew. I thought it would be appropriate to post …LEST WE FORGET

September 11th: in memory of all those who died

United we stand
No matter the plan
for what you did at ground zero
turned every civilian into a true American hero
and yet you thought our country was soft
but all you did was piss us off
even though our strength comes from the heart
don’t ever think it will split us apart
now every person does their part
as bombs go flying
soldiers are dying
from all the training they bleed without complaining
as he eats his daily rations
he hopes to God nothing happens
and at the end of the day
he kneels to pray
he hasn’t much to say
But PLEASE God help me through another day
His words are well spoken
his prayer goes straight to heaven
as he remembers 9/11.
-Aaron Brickey

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

You can also follow me on Twitter @gkelley58

Chapter 2 - DESIRE your Dreams

‎"Success is achieved and maintained by those who try and keep trying." - W. Clement Stone

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The first chapter was concerning our thought process. By directing our thoughts to positive ideals and ideas, we invite similar situations into our circle of living. Have you ever noticed that when your day starts out good, it carries on into the rest of the day? The same thing when it starts out rough …  We can alter either one by focusing our thoughts on certain situations and circumstances.  Smiling at a stranger, greeting your neighbor or offering to open the door for a respected elder. These can turn the shade of your day from bad to good. Remember, the ONLY two things YOU actually control are 1) Your thoughts and 2) YOUR actions

Chapter 2 involves translating our mere thoughts into DESIRES. Thinking is a good start, but until we transform our thoughts into a true desire,  that is as far as it will go. Once we get that burning fire of achieving a goal, things seem to work toward that goal.  Through failures and setbacks, IF we feed our desires, we will overcome and succeed.

Do not be afraid of success, nor the desire of it. If your thoughts and goals are pure, and your intent is righteous, then God will bless the journey through the fire and trials of adversity.

Luke 11:5 – 13 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine has stopped here while on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.' Then he will reply from inside, 'Do not bother me. The door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though the man inside will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of the first man's sheer persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

 "So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Take note that merely "asking" initiates a powerful force in our lives. Persistence perpetuates that force into action and subsequent action transforms that desire into a reality.

Napoleon Hill lists six ways to turn Desires into Gold.  Remember I said earlier that currency is a personal choice and the word "gold" can signify ANY value or trait or whatever you prioritize in your life. But I digress. Here are Hill's listed steps

1)      Fix in your mind the exact amount of money* you desire. Specify a definite level of success. ( There is a psychological reason definiteness which will be described in a later chapter).

2)      Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for your goal (There is NO such thing as something for nothing)

3)      Establish a specific DATE (or deadline) as to when you intend to achieve your desire

4)      Create a PLAN to carry out your desire. BEGIN immediately, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.

5)      WRITE out a clear and concise statement of your goal, name the time limit, state what you intend to give and describe clearly your plan.

6)      READ YOUR WRITTEN STATEMENT aloud, twice a day. Once when you get up in the morning and again just before retiring for the night.

These steps are repeated in several other "motivational" books and philosophies. Although we are specifically using one text as our guide, truth is truth and transcends limited "ownership"

Plan your Work

Work your Plan

Aim High.

I remember when I was in High School, The US Air Force had this as their motto in recruiting. But there is a greater wisdom in this saying ….

Remember that there is no more effort required to aim high in life than is required to accept misery and poverty. A great poet has correctly reflected this universal truth in these lines:

"I bargained with Life for a penny,

And life would pay no more,

However I begged at evening

When I counted my scanty store.

"For Life is a just employer

He gives you what you ask,

But once you have set the wages,

Why, you must bear the task.

"I worked for  a menial's hire,

Only to learn, dismayed,

That any wage I had asked of Life,

Life would have willingly paid."

There are no limitations to the Mind except those we acknowledge

***

Both Poverty and Riches are the offspring of Thought

Matt 21:18-22  Now early in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry. After noticing a fig tree by the road he went to it, but found nothing on it except leaves. He said to it, "Never again will there be fruit from you!" And the fig tree withered at once.  When the disciples saw it they were amazed, saying, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" Jesus answered them, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen.  And whatever you ask in prayer, if you believe, you will receive."

Tomorrow's Chapter reveals the role of FAITH ….

As Always, ALL your comments, questions and suggestions are solicited and appreciated :

 

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

You can also follow me on Twitter @gkelley58

Chapter 1 - Thoughts are Things

“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]”

“Where there is no vision, the people perish. (Proverbs 29:18)”

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This concept is addressed in many books and places. Most recently in “The Secret”.  By directing our thoughts to positive ideals and ideas, we invite similar situations into our circle of living. Have you ever noticed that when your day starts out good, it carries on into the rest of the day? The same thing when it starts out rough …  We can alter either one by focusing our thoughts on certain situations and circumstances.  Smiling at a stranger, greeting your neighbor or offering to open the door for a respected elder. These can turn the shade of your day from bad to good. Remember, the ONLY two things YOU actually control are 1) Your thoughts and 2) YOUR actions
 

Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. -  W. Clement Stone

Persistence and Faith plays a big part in the success of a plan and/or idea. Mr. Hill gives several examples of such actions. He states: Success come to those who become success conscious. Failure comes to those who indifferently allow themselves to become failure conscious.

“The Master of Your Fate”

“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul…” Henley

This is because we have the power to control our thoughts. Our brains become magnetized with dominating thoughts and attracts us to the forces, the people and circumstances of life which harmonize with the nature of our dominating thoughts. (the laws of attraction).




In order to change our path from poverty to wealth, we must first take control of our thoughts and align them to generate and attract positive situations that would enhance our desire to improve our circumstances. So whether we believe in the laws of attraction or not, we still can use this tool to re-direct the path of our day and can enjoy the fruits of happiness regardless of the state or our finances or whether our coffee is too weak or too strong.

SHARE a Smile, it may be the only one that person gets all day

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May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

You can also follow me on Twitter @gkelley58

Is BEING Rich Wrong???

Hey Guys (and Girls).

In my constant search for truth and happiness, I am revisiting my thoughts on wealth and success in this life. I have been rather reluctant in proclaiming my desire for riches and monetary independence, but after serious reconsideration and soul-searching, I am starting to believe that it may be ok to strive toward this end. I will attempt to merge spirituality with philosophy. Most may think this is like oil and water, I disagree. Truth is truth. Just because someone proclaims a truth that is not specifically originated in the Holy Bible does not negate the truth of the thought.  To begin this trek, I will be reading and reporting my thoughts from the book, “Think and Grow Rich” written by Napoleon Hill in 1937. As in the movie, “Julie, Julia”, I want to take you on the journey with me as I explore my thought processes in my perception of personal wealth and document the trek of acquiring and living a successful life instead of a defeatist attitude and poverty.

Cover via Amazon

There are a plethora of get-rich books on the market, today and I want to avoid jumping on the bandwagon of any trendy “new” revelation. This is why I chose this book to read and study. The author is a direct student of the late Dale Carnegie and reflects his same philosophy.  It is not merely larger bank accounts and more “stuff” that defines success. Mr. Hill seems to address this thought as well.  I want to also “bounce” his ideas against the scriptures to ensure that nothing is compromised in my spiritual journey. Reading and studying both texts, side by side, I will try to  filter bad info and attitudes.  I am personally convinced that God, THE Creator of E V E R Y T H I N G, intends for us to be happy serving HIM and wants us to enjoy the blessing of a successful life.

Before we begin this journey/book report, I will establish my current thoughts and perceptions to document my progress (or regress) through my studies. Kinda like a benchmark of sorts. Since I am convinced that “thinking rich” is a deliberate, all-encompassing attitude, I want to merge the biblical wisdom and secular philosophies into a well-rounded conclusion. By this, I intend to allow The Holy Spirit guide my thoughts and attitudes into Abundant LIFE.

The Bible was written to guide us in how to go to heaven and not to restrict us on how the heaven’s go. The Bible assumes basic fundamental truths in human nature and does not “counter” neither Philosophy nor True Sciences.  For example: The Bible gives us an example of positive guidance even as far back as Creation and the 10 Commandments. In the Garden of Eden, God told Adam that he could eat of anything in the garden ..EXCEPT from the two trees. God illustrates our rebellious nature and susceptibility to temptation by Adam and Eve partaking of one of the forbidden fruits instead of being content with all the rest of creation. Another example is the negative and positive approached to God’s Laws. The 10 Commandments uses a direct and authoritarian approach to  revealing the rules in which we must live (Thou shalt NOT ….) whereas Jesus proclaimed the same rules in a positive light and condensed them into only two basic rules: (1)  DO Love GOD with all your existence and (2) DO Love your neighbor as yourself.

The Apostle Paul also embraced the same positive approach in his Letter to the Philippians.( Phil 4:8-9)  Instead of merely admonishing them to avoid specific attitudes and thoughts, he ENCOURAGES them to pursue attributes that, if followed, would occupy their time and thoughts that would not allow the time for negative behavior.

I do not see where The Bible opposes positive philosophies, nor do I find where it forbids striving for success. As a matter of fact, I think that Jesus expressed His purpose was to give LIFE more abundantly. (John 10:10) This is not a promise to larger financial statements nor luxurious amenities. But neither does it condemn the search for a fuller, more productive and satisfying earthly existence. By refocusing our values and re-evaluating our priorities, we can then pursue success and happiness in a more efficient and satisfying manner.

Money and material objects are merely tools that we should use to achieve our happiness and success. Jesus warns us that the LOVE of money (and material possessions) is the root of all evil. Do not confuse this warning as saying that the possession of these things are evil. A dollar is neither good nor evil. It is the USE of that dollar or the attitude of the acquiring the dollar that defines right or wrong. Jesus points out it is very easy for us to lose focus on our mission in life and errantly “worship” the creation instead of the Creator.

Jesus even comments on God-given riches (Matt 6:28-29) bestowed on the lilies of the field and the birds of the air as having greater splendor than King Solomon. This indicates to me that we are given permission to enjoy our blessing without feeling guilty of our success. God bestowed material blessings and riches on His faithful as well (Abraham, David and Job as examples). Note that warnings to the rich are directed with the ATTITUDE and PRIORITIES in the acquisition and management of  riches and not the actual possessions, themselves. Like I said, objects are merely TOOLS to use in a successful life and should not be the ultimate goal by hoarding and cheating others.

Today, successful people seem to be automatically condemned for their success and immediately assumed to be evil. Their possessions are perceived to be tainted with wrongfull acquisition and achieved at the expense of someone else. While this may be true in many cases, we are not in a position to judge. This pre-judgment is just as wrong as the alleged ill-gotten gains. I confess thatI am as guilty as the next guy in this sin. That is one of the reasons I am looking at HONORABLE ways to elevate my life both spiritually as well as materially. By raising my standard of living, I hope to raise my contributions to society.

So, in conclusion of this post, I solicit ALL your thoughts, comments and assistance in my quest. Please “stay tuned” for my “trip reports” in the chapters to come.

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

You can also follow me on Twitter @gkelley58

Happy Labor Day

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Hurricane Season is in full swing and even though I am relatively safe from the direct meteorological attacks, I have my family and friends within the so-called “cone of uncertainty”, so I try to stay informed and updated when storms form and strike . My prayers are going up for the folks in the path of “Earl” and extend to the other folks all along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Seaboard in the event of future onslaughts this year.  Click Here for a good website that may provide you with the info you need to prepare for extreme weather.  I pray that God keeps you safe and sound, and allows you to see the awesome power HE wields rather than the vicious and often sad consequences that unpreparedness  allows.

It is also the long Labor Day weekend and I pray everyone stays safe and has a wonderful and blessed time :) LABOR Day pays tribute to the backbone of society ..THE WORKERS ...so that means it is YOUR day!

 :-D Enjoy

Labor Day

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This article is about the holiday in the United States. For other annual labor observances, see Labour Day or International Workers' Day.

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September (September 6 in 2010).
The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City.^[1] It became a federal holiday in 1894, when, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.^[2] The September date was chosen as Cleveland was concerned that aligning an American labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair.^[3] All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday.
The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parties. Speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key than May 1 Labor Day celebrations in most countries, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess. Similarly, some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school, although school starting times now vary.
In U.S. sports, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day. The Southern 500 NASCAR auto race was held that day from 1950 to 2004.

Notes

1. ^ "The History of Labor Day". U.S. Department of Labor. http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm. 
2. ^ "Origins of Labor Day". PBS. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/business/september96/labor_day_9-2.html. 
3. ^ Brendan I. Koerner. "Why do we get Labor Day off". Slate M

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

You can also follow me on Twitter @gkelley58

The 1st day of School for EVERYONE

All dressed up in new clothes and shoes, sporting a new haircut and armed with pencils, crayons, ruler and even a new box of Kleenex.

-          Yes, it is the FIRST day of Kindergarten and my granddaughter sports a flashy smile and sparkling eyes and excitedly talks about all the new stuff she will be seeing and doing. She embraces the new adventures awaiting her on this voyage through life. Anticipation of recess and reading stories mesh with the knowledge of “growing up” serve to remind her that she is no longer in the ranks of toddlers but has been promoted to the haughty heights of the matriculated search for knowledge and maturity.  Her world grows beyond Mom, Dad little brother and little sister. She will seek and see new opportunities to explore and absorb. Her life unfolds into a colorful, artistic array of choices and consequences (some good and some – well less than wonderful). Although My Little Oiseau (Bird) is not quite ready to fly the nest, she will be discovering the existence of her wings.

-          Mom wipe away the tears of mixed emotions – fear and pride. Both extremes playing hopscotch in her mind. Memories of diapers and 4 am feedings flood through her mind. The gentle touch of an innocent kiss lingers on her cheek.  The pride of seeing  her baby girl, her firstborn, grow into a young lady. Seeing her add another milestone to the “first words”, “first steps” and all the other “firsts” previously encountered in her life.  The fear of bruised knees  and bruised hearts creep over her eyes as she remembers her own thoughts and fears in days past. Words of wisdom from her own Mom and Dad seep through her lips as she speaks the same wisdoms parents have spoken throughout the millennium: “Be good! Mind your Teacher and I will pick you up right here ….  Etc etc etc.”  Only in the dark of the evening will she look into the mirror and realize that SHE is exercising the same scenario she participated in 20 years earlier but in another role.

-          Grandpa and Mamou listen and smile in observance of this new passage in both Mom’s and Daughter’s life. We reminisce on the day we experienced the same event with another little girl, several years past, but not do long ago in our minds. Even though I was not there when THIS Mom made her first steps to school, I remember in another life when I watch a similar scene play out long ago and in another land.  This is the first time for both of them, Mom and Daughter. – Even though Mom has two more “waiting in the wings” at home. Seeing her FIRST born step across the threshold from “babyhood” into being a “schoolgirl” and embracing the transition as gracefully and as proudly as anyone has ever seen. We wonder who is the most affected?  I am NOT saying the emotions of the moment does not affect us, Grandparents. On the contrary, We have a double dose of emotion. Seeing our “Little Momma” pass through her own door of maturity as well as the long familiar “first day of school” jitters felt by the “not-so-little-one, anymore” BIG Girl. We see the circle of life revolving through the same phase that we have known. Like our own parents, we have to force ourselves from inserting our “will” into their transition. It is this freedom to feel and learn that will help mold both Mother and Daughter into their next phase of life. We know that this “freedom of Feeling” will be another brick in the wall of strength and wisdom when Momma stands in our shoes,  sees and reminisces this day when ANOTHER little granddaughter steps across that schoolyard gateway.

The FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL goes beyond the lunch bell and classrooms. It is endured and enjoyed by the WHOLE FAMILY!!!

Does this sound familiar around your house?

DRIVERS: BE ALERT TO THE LITTLES ONES ON THE ROADS!!!!!!!!! Our future is in YOUR hands!!! Drive Carefully!!!

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

You can also follow me on Twitter @gkelley58

What is your favorite Season???

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The sweltering heat of Summer is almost gone and the brisk winds of Winter are drawing nearer. I love this time of year. As Autumn approaches, the temperature drops to comfortable numbers and the foliage explodes into a brilliant array of reds and golds. The 2 medium seasons (Spring and Fall) are my preference, but the extreme heat and cold of Summer and Winter allow us to really appreciate and accentuate our appreciation of God’s Awesome control over our lives.  I know that most people like the warmth of the long days and the freedom from school and vacation activities, but the “old days” rarely afforded people those luxuries. I think that we need to get back to the basics of living and really appreciate the opportunities that GOD has allowed us to undertake. Whether it is sweltering or freezing (or a more moderate temperature) outside, we should grab hold of the chance to worship our CREATOR and acknowledge HIS sovereignty over our lives.

 Many people only take advantage of that privilege during an orchestrated worship service and inside an organized religious event instead of opening their eyes to the grand tapestry of evidence laid before them.  If you regularly attend church services, that is good, but remember that “the other side” also attends churches throughout the world as well (note all the strife and animosity found in churches, today).  Jesus made this observation as well whenever he confronted the religious Scribes and Pharisees. The difference is that the true believer takes his reverence and worship EVERYWHERE he goes and always acknowledges the LORDSHIP of GOD and HIS risen SON – JESUS, THE CHRIST.  Like Spring and Autumn seasons, HE displays the rebirth and glory that carries us through the extreme seasons of our lives.

I have to remember the old story of the 2 old fortune hunters in the late 1980’s. It seems that a certain organization began to offer a $5,000 bounty on each captured live wolf. “Sam and Jed” scoured the mountains searching for their valuable prey. One night they fell into an exhausted sleep with dreams of the potential fortune awaiting them. Suddenly “Sam” awoke to see about 50 wolves surrounding them with their fiery eyes and bared fangs. He nudged his partner and said, “Jed, wake up! We’re rich!”

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This is an example of how we should see our daily challenges and perceive them as opportunities to our advantage.  When Peter stepped out of the boat to come to JESUS, he took his eyes OFF of His Lord and began to sink. But, in fairness to Peter, he at least took that step of faith, which was more than the other 11 disciples. (Oh yeah, in case you forgot, JESUS reached out and lifted him up as when he failed to complete his act of faith) .

So, whether it is Autumn, Winter, Spring or Summer, GOD has opportunities and blessing awaiting us. All we have to do is open our eyes and see things as gifts of THE ALMIGHTY and chances to enrich our lives and promote HIS Kingdom. Even in the more uncomfortable seasons of our lives.

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May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

You can also follow me on Twitter @gkelley58

Helping???

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Rusty Stevens, a Navigators director in Virginia Beach, Virginia, told this story:

As I feverishly pushed the lawnmower around our yard, I wondered if I would finish before dinner. Mikey, our 6-year old, walked up and , without asking, stepped in front of me and placed his hands on the mower handle. Knowing that he wanted to help me, I quit pushing.

The mower quickly slowed to a stop. Chuckling inwardly at his struggles, I resisted the urge to say “Get out of here, kid. You’re in my way,” and said instead, “Here, Son, I’ll help you.” As I resumed pushing, I bowed my back and leaned forward, and walked spread legged to avoid colliding with Mikey. The grass cutting continued, but more slowly, and less efficiently than before, because Mikey was “helping” me.

Suddenly, tears came to my eyes as it hit me: This is the way my heavenly Father allows me to help him build his kingdom! I pictured my heavenly Father as work seeking, saving, and transforming the lost, and there I was, with my weak hands “helping.” My Father could do the work by himself, but he doesn’t. He chooses to stoop gracefully to allow me to co-labor with Him. Why? For my sake, because he wants me to have the privilege of ministering with Him.

I can totally relate to this story. I feel so ignorant, sometimes and maybe like I am just spewing childish thoughts and ideas. I am sure that, in HIS eyes, I am. But, in my heart, I want to provide a little wisdom and I hope to give a little help to someone in my weaknesses. I think it IS a privilege to be able to “help” in the labor. Even though it may be slowing down the process, like Mikey.

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Luke 10:2 He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

You can also follow me on Twitter @gkelley58

FORGIVE AND FORGET?

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I have often wondered if the phrase “forgive and forget was scriptural. I understand and embrace forgiveness, but it seemed to be totally against our mental capacity to forget (except lately with my waning memory. – lol). It is much like the example of putting your hand in a fire. You forgive the fact that it happened, but always remember the consequences. Through research and with the help of internet resources I have found that the phrase "forgive and forget" is not found in the Bible. However, there are numerous scriptures commanding us to “forgive one another” (Matthew 6:14; Ephesians 4:32). A Christian who does not forgive can reap bitterness and the loss of eternal rewards (Hebrews 12:14-15; 2 John 1:8). Forgiveness is a decision of the will. Since God commands us to forgive, we must make a conscious choice to forgive. This liberates the forgiving one from the past. The offender may not desire forgiveness and may not change (Matthew 5:44). Ideally, the offender will seek reconciliation, but if not, the one wronged should still make known his decision to forgive.

In one sense, it is impossible to truly forget sins that have been committed against us. We cannot selectively "delete" events from our memory. The Bible states that God does not "remember" our wickedness (Hebrews 8:12). God is all-knowing. God knows that we have “sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). However, having forgiven us, He treats us as if the sin had not occurred. If we belong to Him through faith in Christ, God does not hold our sins against us. In that sense we must "forgive and forget." If we forgive someone, we must act as if that sin had never occurred. We remember the sin, but we live as if we did not remember it. Ephesians 4:32 tells us, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

"What does the Bible say about forgiving yourself?"

The Bible does not directly mention the idea of “forgiving yourself.” We are told to forgive others when they trespass against us and seek forgiveness. When we ask for God’s forgiveness based upon Christ having already paid for our sins and our having trusted in Him as Savior and Lord, He forgives us. It is as simple as that (1 John 1:9). However, even though we are released from the bondage to sin (as spoken of in Romans chapters 6-8), we can still choose to wallow in it and act as though we are not freed from it. Likewise with guilty feelings, we can accept the fact that we are forgiven in Christ, or we can believe the devil’s lie that we are still guilty and should therefore feel guilty.

The Bible says that when God forgives us, He “remembers our sins no more" (Jeremiah 31:34). This does not mean that the all-knowing God forgets because He forgives us. Rather, He chooses not to bring up our sin to Himself or others. When our former sins come to mind, we can choose to dwell upon them (with the resulting guilty feelings), or we can choose to fill our minds with thoughts of the awesome God who forgave us and thank and praise Him for it (Philippians 4:8). Remembering our sins is only beneficial when it reminds us of the extent of God’s forgiveness and makes it easier for us to forgive others (Matthew 18:21-35).

Sadly, there are people who don’t forgive themselves because they really don’t want to forget their former sins, choosing rather to continue getting a vicarious thrill out of reliving them in their minds. This, too, is sin and must be confessed and forsaken. A man who lusts in his heart after a woman is guilty of the sin of adultery (Matthew 5:28). In the same way, each time we mentally relive our sin, we commit the same sin over again. If this is happening in a Christian’s life, the pattern of sin/guilt/sin/guilt can be destructive and never-ending.

Remembering that our sins are forgiven should make it easier to forgive others their sin (Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Timothy 1:15). Forgiveness should remind us of the great Savior who forgave us, undeserving though we will always be, and draw us closer in loving obedience to Him (Romans 5:10; Psalm 103:2-3,10-14). God will allow our sin to come to mind (Satan may intend it for an evil purpose, but God allows it for a good purpose), but He wants us to accept His forgiveness and rejoice in His grace. So, the next time your former sins come to mind, “change the channel” by choosing to dwell upon His mercies (it might help to make a list of verses that encourage you to praise) and think about how we should loathe sin.

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

You can also follow me on Twitter @gkelley58

Families and distance ... by choice or not ...

Families and distance ... by choice or not ...
Families that put distance between them ... and not necessarily measured in miles.

Yesterday, I wrote about one of the things I learned this past weekend. Today, I want to share another.  As I told you, yesterday, my wife’s parents celebrated 50 years of marital bliss (well from the stories I’ve heard – they were not ALL blissful at all – but they persevered and stayed together through it all, anyway). This thread of history is not without many lessons though (too many to list here) but I want to focus on a couple of points from a couple of the situations we saw this past weekend.

The family of my wife’s mother consists of basically two families, the LaLondes and the Verniers. Both families live within 10 miles of each other (except for a couple of them that moved away to Ottawa or that area).  For some reason, there was a rift between the two and one avoided the other in organized gatherings (family reunions, weddings, funerals and such). Oh, they would be sure to attend these things, but made sure that they separated themselves from each other. There is no known photographic evidence that the two families were ever at the same place at the same time. The only apparent common denominator was my wife’s mother, Lucille. This quiet woman would hear both sides of the stories without judgment and try to offer mediating wisdom. OF course human nature and pride would not allow any “give” in the tensions between this “2 in one” family. Years pass and the rift continued.

This year, my wife and her brother organized a huge celebration and party in the  honour of their parents. Invitations were sent out; RSVPs received; food and decorations prepared and the hall reserved. This had all the makings of a grand event. The mayor of the little village was involved in honouring the couple and all the townfolk offered congratulations and best wished. Except for the realization that we made sure to have a large enough facility to allow the two opposing families to have their space, this was to be a  p e r f e c t   event. The energy that we all put into the planning and preparation was relentless. Every detail was cussed and discussed. The guest list grew to about 150 people.  You can see the results on my  facebook page.  A Happy and successful event. As the late Paul Harvey, famous radio personality, says… And now – the rest of the story : The last time the Verniers and the LaLondes were together in a photo was over 40 years ago!!! Can you imagine??? 40 years of lost family ties that can never be recovered. Living in the same area and avoiding social contacts with your own family. I live about 2000 miles from my family and so, not speak to them often or as often as I would like to , sometimes, but I could not imagine letting a little “something”  drive a wedge between my family for such a long time. 

Another story in the same setting …. One of my brother-in-laws expressed that he felt the family has ignored him and (basically) kicked him out of the “inner circle” of the family. He has gone through some tough time and still has issues that tend to lean on the dramatic … but he gets help from their parents and many times we try to involved him in social events. He has made the decision on most occasions to have an excuse to not get involved with these things … and thereby causing the tension and rift, himself.  Again (as with the LaLondes and the Verniers) they all live close proximity of each other but only see each other on rare occasions .

My lesson to me and my question to you is: What  is the worse divider – distance or attitude? If you are in the same situation, I submit to you to reach out to your family and offer an olive branch of peace and reconciliation. Open your arms to embrace the love of your family. Mend the tears of anger and hurt because I am certain you do not want to wait 40 years and gamble on if you or a loved one will live that long before relationships are mended and love restored.

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

You can follow me on Twitter @gkelley58

You never realize how big your little hometown is until you lose your dog

Hey all,
I know it has been a bit since my last post, but we have been busy
celebrating my in-laws 50th Wedding Anniversary. This evolution has brought
to light some insights that we often overlook (besides the obvious exercise
in longevity and patience). Here are a couple of points that we have learned
through all of this:

You never realize how big your little hometown is until you lose your dog
... that you love
My wife's hometown is a small village in western Ontario with one main
street, one church and one little country corner store. In this global
community, we so often forget just how small we are in the REAL scheme of
things. Last week, Denise and I traveled to this little township of St
Eugene, Ontario to help her brother organize a celebration of their parent's
50th Wedding Anniversary. Since we were to be there for five days, we
brought along our 8 mo old puppy, Taz. On Thursday, we had some running to
do in the next town, so we (I) decided to leave Taz on the back patio. It
was railed in and gated, so I thought that he would be safe and secure there
...... wrooooooong. It seems the second we pulled out, our little "Houdini"
slipped the bonds of his boundaries and went on an adventure of his own.
Roy (Denise's brother), came home for lunch and called us on the cell phone
to see if we had Taz with us. Of course, we went into a panic and returned
home immediately to begin the search. We searched every street and path in
the town. From around noon until about 10pm, we unsuccessfully walked the
town and paths calling out for him. Denise and I were totally distraught. I
beat myself up with the realization that it was my decision to leave him
there. Our feet were hurting and our hope and spirits sank to the depths of
despair. We asked everyone we saw if they had seen the little critter.
Several people even joined in the search with their pets to to try to lure
out our little Mini Taz. With hope waning, I even drove slowly along the
main road to the next town (about 10 miles) seeing if maybe we was hit on
the side of the road or fell int o the river and was hurt. Nothing ... not a
trace. As we slipped into bed, I seem to listen for and hear EVERY dog in
the county, trying to determine if it was our little puppy.

After a restless and sleepless night, we had all but given up any hope of
seeing him again, when one of my sister-in-laws came by for a chat and as we
were discussing the details of everything needing to be done for the
anniversary celebration, Denise happen to mention about losing Taz. Chantal
, the sister-in-law, asked what kind and colour was the dog. We told her and
she said the she JUST seen one that matched our description only about a
half hour earlier just up the road. An area that about 5 people had combed
several times the day before. Of course, I bolted out the door, leash in
hand, and headed back to that area. Walking and calling for him. Our niece
joined me as we walked along one of the side roads asking people again. I am
so sure that they felt sorry for us and believed we were chasing lost hope.
No one had seen this phantom puppy ....ANYwhere. Denise had taken the van
and drove to the other side of the road and began looking as well. She seen
a lady pushing a baby carriage and asked her. Of course, she knew the
situation, but had not seen Taz either. Denise turned away started back to
the van, when the lady screamed out that she SEES the puppy and Denise ran
over and called for him. We had walked that same path of ground numerous
times and did not see him. I am so certain that we walked within a few feet
of where he had just been on several occasions. Even in such a small town.
And of course the reunion was sweet and intense from all of us. Taz has
clung tight to us since then and I have resolved the he will not see the
light of outside without a leash. Everyone in St Eugene, including the town
hall, helped in the search and Denise and I are eternally grateful for the
"small-town" attitude and assistance we experienced in this traumatic
situation.

The reason I am sharing this with you is to illustrate how GOD must feel
when we are not where we should be. When we "set off on an adventure" in our
life and get lost, God calls all HIS Angels and people together to search
for us and return us to his loving presence. Even in a small world, we can
get lost within sight of our protection and just out of reach of the loving
and protecting arms of our Master. In Luke 15  Jesus provided some illustrations about the same thing ... how GOD, THE FATHER, never gives up on his lost loved ones and how he rejoices when they are found. This was quite a traumatic experience for me, but I am grateful that not only did it have a happy ending and we found our Mini-Taz, but I also learned much more on how GOD loves us and regardless of what we do, or where we are, we are welcome back into the "fold" of HIS love and protection.
Since this post is kinds lengthy, tomorrow, I will talk about:

Families and distance ... by choice or not ...
Families that put distance between them ... and not necessarily measured in
miles.

May God Bless You and Yours
Gene
You can follow me on Twitter @gkelley58

What is the difference between Religion and Belief?

Image via Wikipedia

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2010/08/04/behar.anne.rice.christian.hln?hpt=C2

Please watch the above interview between CNN’s Joy Behar and the famous author, Anne Rice concerning her public decision to “step away” from Christianity. I know this is a controversial subject and I do not want to shy away from any debate, but you have to listen in an objective manner to hear what she is saying and her concerns. She has a lot of the same concerns that I feel and hav
e stated myself. I am NOT saying that I agree with all her views (homosexuality is one of them). As Voltaire has been quoted – “ I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”  I think more cruelties have been committed by, and in the name of  religion than any other “excuse” in the world.  Wars, crusades and outright genocides and other atrocities have been “in the name of Christ”. Where do we draw the line and where do we get our guidance?

I think that the early church did not have a steeple, crucifix or gold and silver inlays. The early Church meetings were simple gatherings held in living rooms, under shade trees and wherever Believers happen to meet (Matthew 18:20 ).  As the persecution progressed, many of these meeting became secret and guarded (out of survival). When did ceremony and ritualistically orchestrated meetings become our blueprint for worship? Did JESUS not condemn the rigid rules of ritual? So before you judge Ms Rice (or anyone else) concerning their convictions on organized religion, you would do well to investigate what they ARE committing to. Salvation is GOD’s reaching down to mankind – RELIGION is mankind’s “Tower of Babel” attempt to reach GOD, spreading confusion and dissent amongst the participants. I believe simple is better and we would do well to go back to the basics – The Bible, and remove ourselves from the chaos and hatred that Satan loves to spread in religious settings. So the next time you are having lunch or even meeting a friend at the mall and the exchanging of love and edification occurs in the name of JESUS, THE CHRIST, you COULD consider the rendezvous as a church meeting without the constraints of ritual shackles.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS POSTING (PROS AND CONS)

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

You can also follow me on Twitter @gkelley58

Prioritites

Image by Fergal OP via Flickr

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Jesus Christ (Matthew 6.33-34)

Priorities – I think that is the key to living the abundant life. There are a lot of evangelist and self-help motivators that try to convince us that their formula is the secret to success. I am leery of their “magic secrets”  They remind me of the snake-oil salesmen in the wild west. Their way promotes _____ ( wealth, happiness, love - you fill in the blanks) and we can go on in our lives as if nothing else matters. They even use religious angles to try to cheat you out of your hard-earned cash. “Buy this Blessed cross and your life’s troubles will disappear” 

Many preachers quote John 10:10 as support for the idea that Christianity leads to physical prosperity and "every good thing." The verse has been used as a description of the Christian life, the normative pattern of life that Christians can expect because of God's blessings.

Other scriptures, including the salutation of 3 John 2, "I wish above all things that you prosper and be in good health," are also used to teach that Christians are promised health and wealth if they have enough faith. However, the New Testament usually emphasizes a radically different result of following Christ. We are told that we will be persecuted, that Christ's message is divisive, that we will need to take up our cross and follow him, that the normative expectation for Christian is suffering. Job promotions, new cars, and throwing away crutches are not among the fringe benefits offered by Jesus Christ. 3 John 2 appears as a part of the introductory comments of the letter, and it was meant specifically for a man named Gaius. It was simply part of the polite way to begin a letter in those days, and similar greetings are found in other ancient writings. One manual of letter writing explains that this the is appropriate was to begin a letter.  Someone today might begin a letter by saying, "I hope that this letter finds you in good health." It is not meant as a promise. Likewise, 3 John 2 should not be used as a promise that God applies to all his people. This scripture does not guarantee that Gaius, or any other Christians, will be rich or that they will never suffer from sickness or disease.

And in order to understand what John 10:10 means, we need to look at its context. Chapter 10 develops the biblical theme of sheep and the shepherd. The shepherd is accessible to the sheep. Strangers do not have a personal relationship with the flock, but the good shepherd does. Verse 10 draws the contrast between Jesus and false shepherds, the thieves who come to kill, steal and destroy. By following the Good Shepherd, the sheep will find food and shelter, whereas if they were to follow the thief, they would be led down the path to destruction.  John 20:31 describes the purpose of this Gospel. Speaking of the miracles and signs, John says, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." Jesus' main purpose was the salvation (health) of the sheep, which he defined as free access to pasture and fullness of life. Under his protection and by his gift they can experience the best life can offer. In the context of John's emphasis on eternal life, this statement takes on new significance. Jesus can give a whole new meaning to living because he provides full satisfaction and perfect guidance.

In its volume on John, the Tyndale New Testament Commentaries summarizes the passage that leads up to John 10:10: 

Those who are really "His own" listen to His voice. They recognize that He has been sent from God, and are ready to follow Him as the good Shepherd, who by His sacrificial love rescues His flock from evil and death, and leads them into the best of all pasturage where they can enjoy a richer and a fuller life (9,10). He does not offer them an extension of physical life nor an increase of material possessions, but the possibility, nay the certainty, of a life lived at a higher level in obedience to God's will and reflecting His glory.

In summary, John 10:10 should not be used as though it gives some promise of an improved physical life for the Christian. Such a view, in light of the context, is shallow, and it overlooks the profound truth of the passage. The passage promises superior, superabundant spiritual life, life empowered by the indwelling of Jesus Christ. Because Christians "have" Jesus Christ, because he lives within them, they have the riches of the superabundant life. This is what Paul meant when he said he counted all things loss, that he might win Christ. John 10:10 promises a spiritual dimension to life, not physical abundance. A focus on the physical trivializes the profound depth of John 10:10.

The “secret” to success is GIVING. By focusing on others, we gain the reward of our Creator

as well as the satisfaction of knowing we are following Christ’s example in life. If we seek 

God’s righteous Will in interacting with GOD and our neighbors, we gain the approval of our 

CREATOR and therefore fulfill our life’s purpose. THAT is success.  

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be 

added to you.  

This reminds me of a sermon I heard about God giving you everything you want. This is true 

ONLY when you allow God to change your “wanter” to align with His. God is NOT a prayer 

Vending machine. 

HE is the Ruler of all there was,  is and will be. 

Who are YOU(or I) to tell him what to do? (Job 38:1-42:6)

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

Fighting the Fear - one more time

Image by macwagen via Flickr

How many times as a kid have you heard/said “just one more time”? I think that is the mantra of a successful life. It is not the successes that come easily but the persistent tries after failings. Mary Pickford, the renown actress once said “Supposing you have tried and failed again and again. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call "Failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down.” In the Rocky movies, Balboa seems to always get knocked down, but at the end, he gets back up and eventually he wins. I know that life is not a move, but the same precepts apply in this case. I have said many times that I am just too stupid to quit. That is sometimes a deficiency, but most if the time, It carries me through to an ultimate decision. My Dad used to work for Southwestern Bell and they “preached” to do something …even if it is wrong, that way you know what NOT to do next time. Using that formula, eventually you will run out of wrong choices and make the good one (in theory – anyway). The key is to keep trying.

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall."
~ Confucius

As of this point, I have not reached that successful  level in my life. There are situations that seemingly block my advancement. I do, however have the persistence, willpower, stubbornness, stupidity (you pick the adjective) to try “one more time”.  When I say that I live day by day …that is exactly what I mean. I have to believe that maybe, just maybe, something will happen that will get me through the trials and tribulations of the day and I can face the other ones tomorrow. I would love to be able to travel to and from Texas to visit family and friends, but my situation prevents it  and I must keep searching for a way that I can one day be able to do this. I have finally been gifted with a loving wife, children (of the soul) and grandchildren and I will not give that up willingly. Nor will I intentionally throw it away without a fight.  That is the risk if I attempt to go south. Not that I cannot go south, but the risk of not being able to return to my life here.

Some of you have hinted that you would start a fundraiser to get us to come down for a visit. All I can say to that is that 1) I would LOVE to settle this once and for all and 2) I want you to know that it  would be an uphill fight to raise enough $$ to make this happen. I would never have the audacity or selfish motivations to pursue that avenue of getting the resources for myself to do that.

But in the event I never see the Lone Star State again, I want you all to know that Texas will forever be an integral force in my spirit and values. As for my family friends and former classmates, you are the driving force in my day to day life.

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene