Welcome to a place where Christ should be exalted and "Self" should be abased!!
Welcome to a place where the BIBLE can be discussed rationally, intelligently, and positively without unnecessary argument!!
Welcome to a place where prayer can be requested and encouraged!!
Welcome to a place where positive and encouraging thoughts from scripture can be shared in a caring and loving way!!
Welcome to a place away from all the arguments, recriminations, and negativity of the outside world!!
Welcome to a place of rest and safety!!
Welcome to a place where Philippians 2:3 is practiced: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
Welcome to this Christian thread.
(Please leave all aggression, bitterness, and philosophy outside the door and please wipe your feet before coming inside!!)
I live in my own little world. But it's OK... They know me Here!
Welcome to a place where the BIBLE can be discussed rationally, intelligently, and positively without unnecessary argument!!
Welcome to a place where prayer can be requested and encouraged!!
Welcome to a place where positive and encouraging thoughts from scripture can be shared in a caring and loving way!!
Welcome to a place away from all the arguments, recriminations, and negativity of the outside world!!
Welcome to a place of rest and safety!!
Welcome to a place where Philippians 2:3 is practiced: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
Welcome to this Christian thread.
(Please leave all aggression, bitterness, and philosophy outside the door and please wipe your feet before coming inside!!)
I live in my own little world. But it's OK... They know me Here!
(((((Laurie))))) Thank you so much for opening up your heart like that and sharing your pain. It sounds like you've really been through the wringer. I'm glad that things finally turned around for you but I'm sure it was awfully hard for you during those two long years. As for myself, I'm not quite in the same place as you were, but I think I need to take a "time out" from the traditional ways that I've been pursuing to further my spirituality because they've become sterile, and boring .... I'm not connecting in those ways any more. I can still say prayers of gratitude but I haven't asked for anything for myself for years.
I do pray for others but for myself, the only thing I ask is for the strength to get through when things are tough. As for what God's will is for my life, I've been asking him that for years and I still haven't received a reply. I'm having to adjust to being able to do less and less as my physical health has deteriorated. I'm not even well enough to attend church most times. I take the medication I'm given and I'm seen regularly by my doctor but most of these conditions are chronic so I have to learn to adjust to the "new me".
I just started reading a book by Jean Vanier called "Becoming Human" and I'm finding that very encouraging. I want to spend more time in nature too and I need more quiet time, to just listen ..... I've heard that prayer should be more about listening than about talking anyway. I'm going to allow myself an hour every day listening to soothing music with no lyrics, so I can free my mind of distracting thoughts and just open myself up to hearing what I need to hear.
I'm ever hopeful in some ways but I think for me it's about finding a path to God that's really personal, that speaks to my heart and invigorates me. It may take a while to find what I need but I intend to keep searching.
Thanks again for your kind words.
I do pray for others but for myself, the only thing I ask is for the strength to get through when things are tough. As for what God's will is for my life, I've been asking him that for years and I still haven't received a reply. I'm having to adjust to being able to do less and less as my physical health has deteriorated. I'm not even well enough to attend church most times. I take the medication I'm given and I'm seen regularly by my doctor but most of these conditions are chronic so I have to learn to adjust to the "new me".
I just started reading a book by Jean Vanier called "Becoming Human" and I'm finding that very encouraging. I want to spend more time in nature too and I need more quiet time, to just listen ..... I've heard that prayer should be more about listening than about talking anyway. I'm going to allow myself an hour every day listening to soothing music with no lyrics, so I can free my mind of distracting thoughts and just open myself up to hearing what I need to hear.
I'm ever hopeful in some ways but I think for me it's about finding a path to God that's really personal, that speaks to my heart and invigorates me. It may take a while to find what I need but I intend to keep searching.
Thanks again for your kind words.
Kind of a lazy day at my house.....Got up too early, then made the mistake of going back to bed and now I wish I hadn't...
Hope everyone has a Blessed Sunday...:-x
Awesome personal testimony, ((((Laurie))))
Really appreciate that!!
Lucie, you are as close to God's heart as anyone else in this world. We all walk different spiritual paths. But one thing I know - God doesn't give us more than we can handle - discouragement is never from God.
Really appreciate that!!
Lucie, you are as close to God's heart as anyone else in this world. We all walk different spiritual paths. But one thing I know - God doesn't give us more than we can handle - discouragement is never from God.
If you want to be the salt of the earth, you have to be willing to be shaken out of the box.
It's long. . . but it's touching.
_________________
THE CAB RIDE
Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive away.
But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.
So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the door.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated".
"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"
"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.
"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now".
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.
"Nothing," I said.
"You have to make a living," she answered. "There are other passengers," I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said.
"Thank you."
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.
What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?
What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware, beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
-Got it on e-mail and googled for a source - I think it's by a Kent Nerburn.
_________________
THE CAB RIDE
Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive away.
But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.
So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the door.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated".
"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"
"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.
"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now".
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.
"Nothing," I said.
"You have to make a living," she answered. "There are other passengers," I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said.
"Thank you."
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.
What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?
What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware, beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
-Got it on e-mail and googled for a source - I think it's by a Kent Nerburn.
If you want to be the salt of the earth, you have to be willing to be shaken out of the box.
I've been asking him that for years and I still haven't received a reply
How do you know that you're not already doing it? You know, people who make great contributions to this world are those who slog it out day after day after day with no recognition. Your heavenly Father knows, though.
It's okay to pray for yourself. You can pray for refreshing. It's really okay to ask for that. You can pray for wisdom, a willing heart, seeing eyes, hearing ears, etc. (Now that I think of it, I should pray for those things more often)
What you are saying about nature, etc. is good.
You know... He says, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. Hang in there, sister - He keeps His promises.
I will keep praying for you.
How do you know that you're not already doing it? You know, people who make great contributions to this world are those who slog it out day after day after day with no recognition. Your heavenly Father knows, though.
It's okay to pray for yourself. You can pray for refreshing. It's really okay to ask for that. You can pray for wisdom, a willing heart, seeing eyes, hearing ears, etc. (Now that I think of it, I should pray for those things more often)
What you are saying about nature, etc. is good.
You know... He says, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. Hang in there, sister - He keeps His promises.
I will keep praying for you.
