“You can judge how far you have risen in the scale of life by asking one question: ‘How wisely and how deeply do I care?’ To be ‘Christianized’ is to be sensitized. Christians are people who care.” E. Stanley Jones. (“So…first be wise in your caring…and that will dictate how much care you show.” Commentary by Denny Beckham.)
“Reverse AI?”
AI (Artificial Intelligence) = IA (Idolatrous Addictions).
Holiness is…’fearsome’ otherness.
“Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of Hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3). This holiness is the devastating divinity of God. Isaiah is undone by this fearsome otherness.” It’s Good to be a Man book by Michael Foster & Dominic Bnonn Tenant, pg. 135. (Italics and bold added by me, and: “I’ve never heard holiness defined in quite these wonderful terms before = WOW!”)
Hallowed, RELATIONAL Holiness & Wholeness…
“Holiness is not God asking us to ‘be good‘. Rather, it’s an invitation to ‘be His‘.” Lisa Bevere, as quoted in small book, First Cup Devotions for Couples, pg. 57.
Small Gov, Big Growth
“It is not my intention to do away with government. It is, rather, to make it work with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it. The size of the federal budget is not an appropriate barometer of social conscience or charitable concern. It has taken too much tax money from the people, too much authority from the states, and too much ‘liberty’ with our Constitution.” The late President Ronald Reagan
First Love Fire?
“Paul said elsewhere, we should not quench or extinguish the Spirit in our lives (I Thess. 5:19). In the sermon “Reigniting Your Passion for God,” Rick Warren highlights seven passion killers:
- An Unbalanced Schedule
- An Unused Talent
- An Unconfessed Sin
- An Unresolved Conflict
- An Unsupported Life
- An Unclear Purpose
- An Undernourished Spirit
“So many forces are capable of stifling the work of God in our lives. That’s why we must pray without ceasing. It is through prayer we draw close to the God Who is a consuming fire, and we become illuminated (empowered and connected to His People) in His Presence,” as found in The Book on Prayer, by Ken Gurley, pg. 158 (words in parenthesis added by me, dkb).
Masqueraders
In thinking re. my ‘cutting-edge’ yet faltering laptop…and our current fixation on ‘smart’ phones, the thought came to me, ‘it sure is a phone-ey world’! (I know, corny, right? But true, w/our addiction to virtual ‘reality’ and the ‘god’ of technology!)
Law…or Grace?
“For many centuries, it was traditional for many Christians to think of Law and Grace in opposing terms. However, the opposite of Grace was never Law…but disgrace. Just as the opposite of Law was never Grace…but lawlessness.” Pastor/Rabbi Jorge Corrales, IPC (International Pentecostal Church), Simi Valley, CA
Slippery ‘Success’
“(World) history has shown us that, prosper…ity fosters greed, greed fosters hate, hate fosters war, war fosters poverty, pove…rty fosters peace and peace fosters prosperity…and the cycle repeats itself (due to man’s fallen, sinful nature).” (‘America is entering into the hate stage’). Ivan Keim.
‘Easy’…or ‘the Ultimate’?
“‘Easy’ is not always ‘good’, much less ‘best.’” Ivan Keim, Amish Homesteader, Speaker, Educator, Entrepreneur, who did Q & A ‘Panel’ with Homesteader, Country Music songwriter, musician and singer, Rory Feek, after intro by (neighbor/friend/homesteader &) non-profit founder/publisher of Plain Values magazine/ministry, Marlin Miller.
Ponderings of a Sojourner 