REGRET: Worrying about the past

-Illinois country road

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 "The past cannot be recalled and you can do nothing about it.

You can sit down and be miserable and you can go round and round in circles of regret for the rest of your life, but it will make no difference to what you have done...We must never for a second worry about anything that cannot be affected or changed by us. 

It is a waste of energy."

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and its Cure

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Choosing to be Kind

Living our lives among unfriendly, unkind people is difficult, to say the least.

If certain people claim to be Christians, for us, it can be extremely hurtful.

Even so, We can choose to rise above their words and hurtful attitudes of us--the LORD is our comfort: He is our strength.

Colossians 3:12-17

..."So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."...

Ephesians 4:17-32

..."So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

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Reality vs Blatantly Living in Your Sins

-Kinsman

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Question Christian:

If you believe that Jesus died for your sins, was raised from the dead so that you may have life and life more abundantly all because of what He did for you- 

--then walk in His truth not your sins!

Get your act together, 

humbly ask for forgiveness, 

make things right with people and God, then

begin to walk as Jesus would have you to live!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

..."do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, 

whom you have from God, 

and that you are not your own? 

For you have been bought with a price: 

therefore glorify God in your body!

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Mark 1:15

...“The time is fulfilled, 

and the kingdom of God is at hand;

 repent and believe in the gospel.”...

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*follow what the gospel says!*

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

-Kinsman

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 James 5:13-20

..."Is anyone among you suffering?

Then he must pray. 

Is anyone cheerful? 

He is to sing praises.

Is anyone among you sick? 

Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. 

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."

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God's Handiwork

 Psalm 19

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Day to day pours forth speech,

And night to night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words;

Their voice is not heard.

Their line has gone out through all the earth,

And their utterances to the end of the world.

In them He has placed a tent for the sun,

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;

It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

Its rising is from one end of the heavens,

And its circuit to the other end of them;

And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right, 

rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the Lord is pure, 

enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.

They are more desirable than gold, 

yes, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey 

and the drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;

In keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors? 

Acquit me of hidden faults.

Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;

Let them not rule over me;

Then I will be blameless,

And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and 

the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. 

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Wisdom from the Queen

 -Kinsman

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"Grief is the Price we Pay for Love"

~wisdom from Queen Elizabeth II

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Being Washed

Lately...I dealt with a prideful, haughty person.

It is disturbing to watch and hear a haughty, snobby person.

They are right. 

They are rich and I am not. 

So what?

Meanwhile, I just politely listen (and hope this person will leave soon).  

I suppose this is probably a snobby attitude of mine---but at least it was only in my head.

Contemplating this recent person...I began to remember this one particular person from over twenty years ago.  

This is how I remember her: 

The most rude, haughty, selfish, conniving, pernicious women I have ever met. She haughtily claimed her salvation.

This sadly being said....we all must "police" ourselves in our minds and with our mouths.  

Let us put all evil thoughts away, forgive others even if they never repent. 

YOU are in charge of YOU.

Get right with the LORD.

Choose to be washed in the LORD's Forgiveness!

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

..."do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? 

Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."...

1 John 1:5-10

..."This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us."

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Being washed scriptures

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Yes, Worth Celebrating!

 

Words

"The saddest words 

are those that are left unspoken."

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Love is in the Air: Love the Ones you know

1 Thessalonians 4:9-11

..."Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. 

But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need."...

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This is the way the LORD planned it to be.

Colossians 3:12-17

..."So, as those who have been chosen of God, 

holy and beloved, 

put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, 

gentleness and patience; 

bearing with one another, and forgiving each other,

 whoever has a complaint against anyone; 

just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Beyond all these things put on love, 

which is the perfect bond of unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

to which indeed you were called in one body; 

and be thankful.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, 

with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another 

with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, 

singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Whatever you do in word or deed, 

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks through Him to God the Father."...

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KINDNESS, CARE, & LOVE

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Happy Christmas!

Jesus came to be our Savior! 

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Matthew 1:21

..."you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”...

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Yes, you can have freedom from your past

 Romans 8:1-17

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. 

But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him."...

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"Sin is So Exceedingly Sinful"

 "Sin is so utterly sinful"

Romans 7:13 KJV

..."Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceedingly sinful."...

Romans 7:4-13

..."Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.

For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? 

May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.”

But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.

I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died; and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.

So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.

For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.

But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.

So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.

For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.

But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin."

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Sisters in Christ:  

The World is Evil.  Be so very careful to live your life righteously for the LORD, not legalistically for the LORD, for this is in itself sinful. 

Live faithfully, righteously in everything you do, because we know from His Word that sin is exceedingly, utterly sinful, and we can so easily be caught up in it.

If you find yourself enveloped in sin, get up, choose righteousness, and change your path to one in which you walk with the LORD.

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Who understands my sadness and who can know why I cry?

 Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
 an ever-present help in trouble.


Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
 and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 
though its waters roar and foam
 and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
 the holy place where the Most High dwells.


God is within her, she will not fall;
 God will help her at break of day.


Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
 He lifts His voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;
 the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done,
 the desolations He has brought on the earth.


He makes wars cease
 to the ends of the earth.


He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
 He burns the shields with fire.


He says, 

“Be still, and know that I am God;
 I will be exalted among the nations,
 I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;
 the God of Jacob is our fortress.

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Bad Fruits in This Life Ruin Lives

Get in HIS WORD!

READ HIS TRUTH!

STOP ALLOWING the evil ones to control you!

GLORIFY GOD not your deceiving, scripture twisting "masters"!

ROMANS 8:1-2

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death."...

Colossians 1:13

 ..."For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."...

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LOVE the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!

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Read and weep....

Matthew 7

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

So then, you will know them by their fruits.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?

'And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching;

for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes."

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If you have been taken down a false path by others then: 

-ASK FOR HIS FORGIVENESS as HE FORGIVES the REPENTANT-

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I don't belong, I'm a foreigner here

I DON'T BELONG

by Gloria Gaither, music by Buddy Greene

 

It's not home

Where men sell their souls

And the taste of power is sweet

Where wrong is right

And neighbors fight

While the hungry are dyin' in the streets

Where kids are abused

And women are used

And the weak are crushed by the strong

Nations gone mad

Jesus is sad

And I don't belong

 

I don't belong

And I'm going someday

Home to my own native land

I don't belong

And it seems like I hear

The sound of a "welcome home" band

I don't belong

I'm a foreigner here

Singing a sojourner's song

I've always known

This place ain't home

And I don't belong

Don't belong

But while I'm here

I'll be living like I've nothin' to lose

And while I breathe

I'll just believe

My Lord is gonna see me through

I'll not be deceived

By earth's make-believe

I'll close my ears to her siren song

By praisin' His name, I'm not ashamed

'Cause I don't belong

 

I don't belong

And I'm going someday

Home to my own native land

I don't belong

And it seems like I hear

The sound of a "welcome home" band

I don't belong

I'm a foreigner here

Singing a sojourner's song

I've always known

This place ain't home

And I don't belong

 

I belong

To a kingdom of peace

Where only love is the law

Where children lead

And captives are freed

And God becomes a baby on the straw

Where dead men live

And rich men give

Their kingdoms to buy back a song

Where sinners like me

Become royalty

And we'll all belong

 

Yes I belong

And I'm going someday

Home to my own native land

Where I'll belong

And it seems like I hear

The sound of a "welcome home" band

Yes, I'll belong

No foreigner there

Singin' a sojourner's song

I've always known

I'm going home

Where I belong

Yes I've always known

This place ain't home

And I don't belong

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2 Peter 3:8-15

..."But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!

But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation"...

Revelation 21:1-4

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, 

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”...

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Happy Resurrection Day! Celebrate Every Day!

 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

..."Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive."

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Looking forward to Glory!

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Here's Looking at You

What is with that guy? 

Have you ever wondered about your neighbors? 

It's "either/or", right?

They are either unsaved and desperately in need of the Savior or they are saved by God's grace and live their life for Jesus. Right? 

-What about the ones who claim Jesus's name, but their demeanor and actions just don't show it? 

This one neighbor is who baffles me. I just can't understand a person who claims Jesus's name in His salvation, but his actions toward me, at least, are gruff to ignoring. 

They have never accepted an offer to come over (they never offered one either), and they are rather snubby. 

I live my life calmly, keeping our home and yard neat.  Meanwhile, through the years, I have seen him pick up trash, dead animals, and yard debris and merely, pitch it in our yard. 

What's with that? This week I found a chunk of concrete and rock right next to it.

Through the years huge storms barrel through with damages throughout our neighborhood. These are the only times he actually speaks to me. I often wonder, does he know he is speaking to me?! 

The last damaging storm was terrifying. As we were out helping people, he came right into our backyard to see our damage. After he made his comment, he just left. No helping us. No helping anyone else.

Well...It is not like I always obsess about this guy, but just this week I was out there picking up sticks and raking so - ah - I can say there was no concrete pieces there nor that rock in the middle of the grass area.

So once again I run to the LORD in repentance! I already have many sinful thoughts to repent of with the LORD, plus my own disappointing thoughts of my neighbor. 

So what if I have to pick up after him??

  

I am not him. 

I am me. I live and do for the LORD and I do it to glorify His Name. 

You can do this also no matter what is happening to you if you have given your life to the LORD through Jesus Christ our Savior! 

Philippians 4:4-13

..."Rejoice in the Lord always; 

again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. 

The Lord is near.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything 

by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving 

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, 

which surpasses all comprehension, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, 

whatever is honorable, 

whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is of good repute, 

if there is any excellence 

and if anything worthy of praise, 

dwell on these things.

The things you have learned and 

received and heard and seen in me, 

practice these things, 

and the God of peace will be with you.

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, 

that now at last you have revived 

your concern for me; 

indeed, you were concerned before, 

but you lacked opportunity.

Not that I speak from want, 

for I have learned to be content 

in whatever circumstances I am.

I know how to get along with humble means, 

and I also know how to live in prosperity; 

in any and every circumstance I have learned 

the secret of being filled and going hungry, 

both of having abundance and suffering need.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."...

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Glory to God!

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