Enough Bookmarks already.

I am sure there should be enough space here to mark interesting, yet unimportant things I run across.

Integrity

I want to know what it feels like to do the right thing......

I want to know what I would feel, if all that I did was right in the eyes of God. No feeling righteous for my merits, but feeling like I have made it - doing what is right and finding great joy in it.

One important condition here......in the eyes of God. Who am I to determine the quality of my actions? Motivations? Hearts desires? I am interested in many things that I would not want my kids to deal with - maybe they would not be able to handle them or to make right decisions when faced by the outcome of certain steps.

Job did the right thing. Things. Here and there. He was content, yet hard working. He was blameless, yet he was pleading for his family's sake. It must be few levels above what I am used to. Peers can affect you greatly. Earnings, accomplishments, locale, friends - is that what makes me as a person? My views, beliefs, opinions and rules don't get me far. But they can be a right map for planning out my actions and hold myself in the eyes of others, but more importantly, in the eyes of God, as one who looks ahead and one who looks up to a better life to come, starting with a better now.

Why Suffering Exists. MPOV.

Weekly Sabbath School Lesson has posted this questions for the reader:
Write out a paragraph explaining, the best you can, your understanding of why suffering exists in the world despite God's love for it.

The origin and justification of evils can take volumes to explain and understand. What is certain, is that the world as we know it, where we live, is given to the reigns of Satan. One's ability to thrive is to know that they are able to make a difference. Making that difference can either be positive or negative. Prison is feared for the very reason that it limits us from being able to do things. Solitary confinement is so much more feared, for when you are alone, you can neither do good nor bad to anyone but yourself.

Satan's work, the rampage of evil, is a progression of one's accomplishment. It can be damaging, striking, impressive, complicated, sublime, contagious, addictive, destructive and prospering. All is the fruit of the one who decided to do all possible in order to thwart the Name that gives us true peace.

Evil exists because one cannot accept God's love, therefore the darkness presides in him.


http://www.ssnet.org/qrtrly/eng/07c/less09nkjv.html

Living photography

Bring the negatives of your life into the darkroom of your prayer and let the light of God shine upon the negatives to turn them into positive pictures of life.

Genesis 26: Can people tell that we are blessed?

Genesis 26:28,29

Indeed Lord, I have been blessed. From the memories of my childhood to the new days of my life, I have seen your hand guiding me, watching over me and blessing me as you have promised. I know that it is hard for someone to relate to the journey of another, but one thing I want to be known - you deliver on your promises and every intent of my heart has been known to you. Back in my teenage years, I remember choosing in my thinking whether to be bitter and withdrawn, or to have faith in you and know that you will provide the needed peace and comfort. I have chosen you, saying to myself that you will bless and you will provide. I knew little about you then, I knew you even less. This took place half of my life ago, but the times I've gone through since prove that you cherished my loyalty and my dedication to you . Many blessings I can recount, but must mention at least few. My family - each and everyone are an answer to the prayer of my Dad. My health - growing up sick, I wanted a way which would help me stay well and you have provided it. My opportunities - I have traveled, I have met people, I have learned many things. My wife - an answer to prayers and to the specific desires of my heart. If what I've asked for can be seen clearly in someone next to me for the rest of my life, how can I forget your blessings?
I am blessed, and I want to thank you.
Amen.

Understanding the love of Christ

Ephisians 3:13-19
What causes the saints to comprehend the fullness of Christ's love?
v.16 they are strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
Sharing with each other what God has done for us individually brings us a bigger, better picture of God.

P.S. Cheesy poem of my making

You can grow wild and free
In that way resembling a tree

You can grow round and big
Thus looking more like a pig

You can change your mind
To be a little nicer and kind

You will look really smart
If you soften your heart

P. Tomenko

"If the soul is to be purified and ennobled, and made fit for the heavenly courts, there are two lessons to be learned - self sacrifice and self-control" -E. G. White

Do you not find the Bible appealing to you because it relates to the times and experiences you have had? Is direct application of the Word of God in my life different from the intention of the writer? Who is the writer? Is it limited human, i.e. John, or is it unlimited and diverse God, who can supply (perhaps that I may apply) the words that I read to the life I live.

Holy Spirit is not a part of human being. It is a divine being that has an intricate knowledge of our hearts and minds.

Old pastor, new pastor.

1Kings, chapter 13.
The story of a prophet, who was prompted by the Spirit to go and rebuke the idol worshiping and later swayed by an older prophet. Read the chapter to understand the whole story. Perhaps this story can be relevant to our generation, a generation of young people who hear the call of God, who see the wrongdoing of the leadership, whether in the church or in the political arena and call up against it. The Spirit of God can guide the prompted heart, but only to the point of trust and submission. There are leaders, pastors and teachers who have grown cynical, indifferent or plainly withdrawn from the call they've had from God. While this personal growing apart is not easily detectable, it allows the outward appearance to remain the same as before. Thus, the above mentioned positions may remain in the sphere of influence and power they once have had. The young and inexperienced individuals, struggling to follow the call of God for the sake of common 'understanding' may listen to the suggestions of the leaders to cool off their fervor and misleadingly use their authority and respect to propose the things which are not from God. The price to pay is a dear one: once guided by the Spirit and able to perform supernatural things, the man of God in this chapter listened to a lie and paid for it with his life. As it goes, 'it is better to have a millstone be put on his neck...', both need to be watchful: the 'young' need to adhere to the call of God, the 'old' need to realize what role they play and step aside, when needed.