7 “Ask and it will be given to you;(B) seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;(C) and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts(D) to those who ask him!12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,(E) for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.(F)
I asked God about hidden orange flowers and was lead to this one
A message from A Woman’s Spirit today. I want to emphasize that as I share this I’m thinking of you men folk too! Everyone struggles at some degree with self-esteem and the God of our understanding, for me Jesus Christ, stands ready to help:
I always thought some people were just born with self- esteem and others not. The fact is, the people with self-esteem May have learned to develop it sooner than others, and now it’s my turn. -Laurel Lewis
One element of our growth is making new choices for ourselves. One of our choices is to have the self-esteem that is our right as a human being.
Some women may have never struggled with low self-esteem. Certainly, many women were born into families where unconditional love helped to develop the kind of self-esteem we crave. Yet with the help of this program and our Higher Power, we too will begin to feel a full measure of self-esteem.
Having self-esteem is really nothing more than beginning to understand and then accepting our worthiness in this vast panorama called life. We have always mattered to God and our fellow travelers, or we wouldn’t be here. It’s our beliefs that need to change-nothing more. We are worthy and loved children of God.
Self-esteem does not have to elude me today. My worth is guaranteed. God doesn’t make junk!
———————-
Matthew 13:44-46New International Version
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like(A) treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.(B)
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like(C) a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
There are “churches” like this all over the earth We were not prepared for the environmental cost of a global pandemic – how many masks , gloves and wet wipes?
Something I enjoy is spending time in quiet and prayer near waterways. So much is going on – so much life happening. Such a variety of lives thriving in little pathways of water. Sometimes I think the lives we share earth with are taken for granted until they are gone.
There is only ever one of any kind. Take good care of them while they still remain. You can try to replicate….clone….mimic or copy but you only get one. Even bees, looking and behaving so much alike, are having a unique experience while here on earth. There was one Jesus Christ, Elvis Presley, Chris Cornell, David Bowie, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Maya Angelou……so many I can’t even list them all and that’s just humans that have come to us with all that they were and now they are just little fragments….memories. People try to re-enact…re-create what they were but can never be what the original was. Even a clone or robot will still be a unique individual…not an exact copy. How many animals, insects, plants in all the habitats….vessels God has dwelled within? Each one a unique perspective on existence. They each left a legacy that either is cherished or has been lost in time….forgotten.
A question I ask a lot is “why am I here?” The conclusion is to be an observatory vessel for God. To try my best to see the world with a loving, caring mind, body and soul. I’m not just here for myself even though I do spend a lot of time alone. I am here to give all that I am to the God of my understanding. As I get older it’s tougher to do all the things I want to….that I should do but I’m trying. I’m still here so God must still need me here.
Why are you here? That was a question recently in the headlines and other headlines I’m seeing:
https://youtu.be/bDbOCI0s_VU – “why are you here?” Senator Murphy Begs Colleagues to Compromise on Gun Legislation
The study found that Flint water was “very corrosive” and “causing lead contamination in homes”. It concluded in its report that “Flint River water leaches more lead from plumbing than does Detroit water. This is creating a public health threat in some Flint homes that have lead pipe or lead solder.”
https://www.abc12.com/news/business/flint-plastics-recycler-expanding-adding-24-new-jobs/article_38e458cc-f96c-11ec-958c-cf53a4dfd54f.amp.html – 24 jobs?! Reminds me of what they said would happen with more gas pipelines. What was that like 30 jobs and not even permanent. Do the people of Flint want this? Their water is already messed up – is this company going to make a positive or negative environmental impact on this community? Seems predatory to me. Hope I’m wrong. I read that plastics is where fossil fuel investments are headed. Is that the best they can do ? Make more crap and we can’t even manage what we’ve already made! Why are these people, making these choices that affect us all, here?
What’s your individual power? How you spend your money. You can say “No!” If we don’t buy it, they don’t make money. Until such a day money is no longer currency, that’s what we have to do. Figuring out why you are here involves taking personal responsibility for the choices you make. I am trying to do this myself and it can be really tough! It’s so easy to succumb to the allure and ease of convenience.
There is one earth. All of those trying to build ships to leave need to remember that if you abandon earth without having done all you can to save her your just going to do it all again someplace else. Where you go – there you are. Even if you proclaim it will be different it won’t be because YOU are still the same. Look at how it is here at all levels. We run and take ourselves with us where we run to. The other thing to consider is whether or not God and the rest of the Universe is going to actually welcome us beyond earth? We are not alone – as time goes on I feel pretty certain it’s going to be made abundantly clear what God and the rest of creation thinks of us and what is happening to this planet. You get one.
Hello to you. How are you today? I have been thinking a lot about being a responsible guest in Gods house, this planet we call earth. Yesterday I took a walk and and saw the usual varieties of litter. Some intentionally disposed of in the wrong place and some cumulative from trash day trash that gets away from the trucks, stuff that gets out of peoples vehicles. There are many things we buy that we just don’t know what to do with once we are done with it or it’s inconvenient and complicated to do so. It’s beginning to feel like no matter where we put all of this it’s ending up in undesirable places like living bloodstreams:
So after another walk like this and really feeling tired of cleaning up after people or trying to encourage them to do it – not just consumers but companies that begin the pipeline of trash. I got to thinking about the upcoming holiday and all the gatherings and events happening this time of year. Metric tons of trash generated that has to go somewhere. Think about all those plates, to go containers, plastic utensils, plastic red solo cups, napkins, beverage containers and expended firework containers! What if event coordinators incentivized people bringing their own stuff to these things? Like a picnic basket concept? I am not entirely sure what the answer is but that idea popped in this morning….. just passing it along for taking, leaving or ignoring.
“Plastic forks, knives, and spoons are one of those things that we tend to think are inevitable when eating on the go or feeding a crowd. Even though alternatives do exist, these are not widely known or accessible, which is a pity, considering the impact that plastic cutlery has on the environment. It does not biodegrade, and a recent study found plastic cutlery to be among the 10 most common types of plastic trash found on California beaches.”
Let me take you on a trip Around the world and back And you won’t have to move, you just sit still Now let your mind do the walking And let my body do the talking Let me show you the world in my eyes
I’ll take you to the highest mountain To the depths of the deepest sea And we won’t need a map, believe me Now let my body do the moving And let my hands do the soothing Let me show you the world in my eyes
That’s all there is Nothing more than you can feel now That’s all there is
Let me put you on a ship On a long, long trip Your lips close to my lips All the islands in the ocean All the heaven’s in the motion Let me show you the world in my eyes
That’s all there is Nothing more than you can touch now That’s all there is
Let me show you the world in my eyes Let me show you the world in my eyes Let me show you the world in my eyes Let me show you the world in my eyes Let me show you the world in my eyes Let me show you the world in my eyes Let me show you the world in my eyes
Hello to you today. How are you? I hope you are well and if your not, believe me your not alone.
What’s up there? Crab apples growing all over and they don’t taste too bad! Part of the litter problem comes after trash day – getting out of the garbage trucks I think this is a Yucca plant – Yucca is a genus of perennial shrubs and trees in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae. Its 40–50 species are notable for their rosettes of evergreen, tough, sword-shaped leaves and large terminal panicles of white or whitish flowers. They are native to the hot and dry parts of the Americas and the Caribbean. Wikipedia
This morning I got to thinking about a phrase I hear a lot, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you.” If so many thoughts and prayers are happening why does it seem like so little meaningful change has occurred? What came to me is if there is no conviction and intent on action behind the thoughts…the prayers…. so nothing changes. A lot of us say we care but are still firmly entrenched in our own way of things. Our thoughts remaining true to our own perception and desires and prayers empty rhetoric we are “expected” to say when tragedy befalls us, no matter what it is. Many sorry something bad is happening but unless it directly affects them – no intention of taking action to change. I’m not innocent in this but I am aware of my character defects and trying to follow up thoughts and prayers…words, with action. God provides but will not do it all for us – that’s in part why WE are here! Even doing just one small thing, starting today, can change the world. Open the eyes God placed in our hearts not just the ones in your head.
Matthew 5:8New International Version
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,(A) for they will see God.(B)
As I look back over my journey thus far and look at the landscape of the world, one of the biggest obstacles seems to be money. For what we need to happen and as fast as it needs to happen, what seems to be in the way is funds. I keep reading and hearing, “it costs too much.” An idea that came to mind was “blank check.” What would happen if we collaborated via teams of our best representing all the different crisis areas and said, all accountabilities in place, “do whatever it takes to fix this, we’ll get you whatever you need.” How fast could people like Boyan Slat from Ocean Cleanup get things done if the obstacle of financing was removed?
“(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love And Understanding”
As I walk on through this wicked world Searching for light in the darkness of insanity I ask myself, “Is all hope lost?” Is there only pain, and hatred, and misery?
And each time I feel like this inside There’s one thing I wanna know What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding? What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding?
And as I walked on through troubled times My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes So where are the strong? And who are the trusted? And where is the harmony? Sweet harmony
‘Cause each time I feel it slipping away, just makes me wanna cry What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding? What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding?
So where are the strong? And who are the trusted? And where is the harmony? Sweet harmony
‘Cause each time I feel it slipping away, just makes me wanna cry What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding? What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding? What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding?
Hello to you today. How are you? I’m doing better – got some sleep. This morning was grocery shopping at Ridley’s here in town. Didn’t want to go but when your down to one bottle of water you gotta go. One word was on my mind – packaging. I found everything I needed and plenty of the wanted I kept out of the cart. I looked at things closely and the amount of packaging for everything appearing before me was overwhelming. A lot of packaging that can’t be recycled. It’s those little individual packages I find when I’m out on my walks. Accidentally and intentionally thrown wherever the person is done with it even if there is a garbage can nearby.
For all that stuff we buy in grocery and other types of stores, places we eat out at or experience entertainment at there is a process that takes a lot of energy to include the human kind. A lot of processing and “handling” going into the near and sometimes very far of us being able to buy and experience what we do. This is reflected in the types of packaging having to happen for something to get from one place to another and ultimately to us. Those “cheap” Dollar Store things you can buy go through a lot to get to those shelves….contrary to pricing, NOTHING is without a price probably much higher than you actually pay. The mentality of getting so much for so little is reflected in landfill contents. How many “one-use” convenience items end up in the trash or on a city street….National park or recreation area?
I looked at the life cycle of plastic bottles today – a lot of resources for even one plastic bottle. If that bottle ends up in a landfill, it can take thousands of years to break down. Gotta love micro-plastics in the water, air….blood. I just bought water today and not happy about it. Even if I got a filter system installed there would still be some kind of waste. We used to buy those you attach to the faucet with filters inside. Those filters had to be replaced and were not recyclable. What are options for consumers that are environmentally responsible? Who actually drinks water straight from the tap these days?
A thought came to me today of wondering if the people behind what we buy actually take responsibility for the life cycle of their products? I imagined a CEO of one of these companies actually going to a store like Ridley’s and seeing for themselves what is going on. What is my company doing about persuing packaging alternatives? What is the environmental impact of my company? What companies are successfully on tract to reducing their carbon footprint? May be talking to them? Collaborating efforts? I heard Coca Cola is working with Ocean Cleanup – what are they doing to try and reduce what has to be cleaned up?
Message from A Woman’s Spirit today:
If what we are doing with our anger is not achieving the desired result, it would seem logical to try something different. – Harriet Lerner
How productive is anger? There is more than one school of thought. Some say we addicts can’t afford to be angry. Others warn against repressing it. Learning simply to recognize anger is a big step for many of us. One thing we all agree on is that anger is a powerful feeling that affects us in many ways. If it goes unacknowledged, our relations with others are damaged.
Anger is uncomfortable for many of us. We feel it often enough, but it makes us nervous anyway. Frequently we think we must be doing something wrong or we wouldn’t be angry. Sometimes that’s true. However, anger always signals that it’s time to assess what we are projecting onto the situations or the people in our midst. Anger doesn’t just happen. It’s sown and cultivated by us.
If I get angry today I will look for the reason within myself. I can’t change others, but I can change myself.
I spent some time yesterday with plants considered Superweeds. As you can see, they have a defense mechanism against predators – thorns. Plants, like us and all living things will do what it takes to survive. That’s why it’s taking stronger and stronger poisons to eliminate weeds like this. I used to pick them out by hand but they still came back. When you remove them they leave seed behind in the hole you plucked them from. When I was in Texas I took a sample of some of these and ate them. Do you know some tasted like a bunch of different herbs mixed together? Some “weeds” are actually edible and quite tasty. I wonder if with our help we could cultivate “softer” versions for consumption? Many are drought resistant.
I’m only human, I’m just a woman. Help me believe in what I could be And all that I am. Show me the stairway, I have to climb. Lord for my sake, teach me to take One day at a time.
One day at a time sweet Jesus That’s all I’m asking from you. Just give me the strength To do everyday what I have to do. Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus And tomorrow may never be mine. Lord help me today, show me the way One day at a time.
Do you remember, when you walked among men? Well Jesus you know if you’re looking below It’s worse now, than then. Cheating and stealing, violence and crime So for my sake, teach me to take One day at a time.
One day at a time sweet Jesus That’s all I’m asking from you. Just give me the strength To do everyday what I have to do. Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus And tomorrow may never be mine. Lord help me today, show me the way One day at a time.
14 The Lord will fight(A) for you; you need only to be still.”(B). — is Jesus just a name? Is God just a word?
Last night before bed my thoughts and tear filled prayers went out to Jesus. Longing to hear him tell me what he thought of our times. Of course there were no words but I felt his presence and my tears dried…..I got a little sleep. This morning I found this article in answer to my question if Jesus was a feminist. In his time and stories of the Bible certainly suggest he might have been or he at least treated women as equals:
“Jesus had a radical approach for the times in which he lived 2,000 years ago. The culture of the Middle East then was male-dominated. Women were second-class citizens with very few rights. Jesus might not be seen as a feminist by some modern standards, but his attitude to women was revolutionary. He challenged the patriarchy repeatedly. He saw women as equal to men and treated them with equal respect. The Bible books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John document a range of encounters Jesus had with various women, which illustrate how he challenged the norms of the time and treated women with compassion and care.”
I like to think if he ever does come back home that what he might think, say and do might disappoint some. He didn’t have statistics to look at in his time…..evidence of the crimes of humanity against themselves, each other and the world often committed in his name or some other man-made God. Thinking of Mammon:
Matthew 6:24New International Version
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.(A)
The selective mind-set of being “pro-life” in this country and world. Read the other day capital punishment is still alive and well…prisoners requesting death by firing squads. We want the babies but discard the adults. How many neglected and abused children and adults? How many discarded pets? Forgotten elderly? You are either for all life or your not pro-life. It’s really hypocrisy how we pick and choose which life has more value or meaning. The Jesus I know didn’t do what we do and so many using his name to justify their hate of gays and minorities. Who made these babies that become targets of hate? With regards to gay people….straight people made them so that must mean , according to the logic I’ve been hearing especially right now with women’s reproductive rights under attack, that God wants them here. Contrary to what many want to comfort their hate with – being gay is not a choice. Can you just stop being heterosexual?
According to Bruce Bagemihl, same-sex behavior (comprising courtship, sexual, pair-bonding, and parental activities) has been documented in over 450 species of animals worldwide.
The purpose of this post is to try and be a voice of reason from a Christian perspective not to piss anybody off or insult you. Your going to think , feel and do what you want no matter what anybody tells you. I’m encouraging you to get out of the box you might be stuck… programmed to be in. It’s the only path to peace for you personally and this world.
Some good songs I found yesterday, the one by Blue October in the middle of the night:
Hello to you. How are you? I don’t know how it was for you yesterday, but it was rough for me. I won’t get into all the details. By now most of the world knows about the big news going on here in the states. If you don’t, it’s all over the news. Yesterday was reminding myself not about what I cannot do but what I can do. Yesterday I did things I could do to include singing….so many variations from all over the world of Elevation Worships The Blessing. Lots of praying and talking to God, to the earth, asking what I can do, trying to dance, reading and watching the Beatitudes….being sad and feeling hopeless takes so much energy! What really helped was singing. Singing is so helpful on so many levels and I have found the little ones outside don’t seem to mind! I found this poem this morning. My Grandma Schmidt used to vacillate between prayer and worrying too, I’m so glad she isn’t having to be here and go through the stuff going on right now. I had a dream once that my Grandpa and I went to find Grandma in heaven and we found her singing in a choir.
We’re all experiencing a lot of anxiety and uncertainty, so Mary Oliver’s poem, “I Worried,” seems especially appropriate now.
I Worried Mary Oliver
I worried a lot. Will the garden grow, will the rivers flow in the right direction, will the earth turn as it was taught, and if not how shall I correct it? Was I right, was I wrong, will I be forgiven, can I do better? Will I ever be able to sing, even the sparrows can do it and I am, well, hopeless. Is my eyesight fading or am I just imagining it, am I going to get rheumatism, lockjaw, dementia? Finally, I saw that worrying had come to nothing. And gave it up. And took my old body and went out into the morning, and sang.
If you look, the earth and citizens like this tree show us we can survive in spite of anything put before us. What can you do? We must focus on those things and give them our personal power.
A message:
“If you are going to make it law women carry unwanted babies to term are you prepared for the consequences? Will you be taking full responsibility for what it means for a child to come to earth? Will you adopt the unwanted, properly feed, clothe, water, educate, protect their rights, clean up the world you will ask them to live in…will you unconditionally love them well beyond the fetal form? Do not spare the babies only to “starve” the child….the adult they will eventually become. It is my worry that many, unwanted from conception, will never overcome in life the knowing deep inside they are not truly welcome here. Are you prepared? God only does so much. “
People also ask
How many kids commit suicide a year in the US?
In the United States
Suicide is the third leading cause of death of young people between the ages of 15 and 24. 5,000 young people complete suicide in the U.S. each year. Each year, there are approximately 10 youth suicides for every 100,000 youth. Each day, there are approximately 12 youth suicides.
Mother, mother There’s too many of you crying Brother, brother, brother There’s far too many of you dying You know we’ve got to find a way To bring some lovin’ here today, yeah
Father, father We don’t need to escalate You see, war is not the answer For only love can conquer hate You know we’ve got to find a way To bring some lovin’ here today
Picket lines and picket signs Don’t punish me with brutality Talk to me So you can see Oh, what’s going on (What’s going on) What’s going on (What’s going on) What’s going on (What’s going on) What’s going on (What’s going on)
Right on, baby Right on, baby Right on
Mother, mother Everybody thinks we’re wrong Oh, but who are they to judge us Simply ’cause our hair is long Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way To bring some understanding here today
Picket lines and picket signs Don’t punish me with brutality Come on talk to me So you can see What’s going on (What’s going on) Yeah, what’s going on (What’s going on) Tell me what’s going on (What’s going on) I’ll tell you, what’s going on (What’s going on)
Right on, baby, right on Right on, baby Right on, baby, right on
To be 