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Thursday, August 25, 2016

Two Short, But Strong Words

Recently I heard two words, and saw what they meant to Carol.  For her, buying the house from a nice old lady turned out to be a lot of work.  For the old lady the two words brought relief.  
I thought of these two short, but strong words when it came time to wash the windows outside.  It was a lot of work to do.  But I smiled when those two words came to mind.  I’ll remember to announce them when the time might come to sell this house and move.
That would have been the end of it, except for the bright revelation I had last night, stretched out in bed, waiting for sleep to overtake my busy mind and tired body.  A deeper connection dawned on me, and I fell asleep with a smile.  I do have something to write about, a little gem to pass on to my family and friends.
On the scale of 1 to 10 see what score you’d give these words.  And see what spiritual application comes to your mind; then I’ll tell you more.  The words are simply, “As is.”
To sell her house so she could move to a senior apartment community Mrs. Gregorio advertised it, “as is.”  She didn’t try to redecorate, repaint, or even pull out the refrigerator to dust behind and underneath.  She smiled and said, “The price is so reasonable because I must let it go, as is.”  
        And Carol gave her offer, and soon the house on Autumn Lane was hers.
Since perfection is so hard for me to achieve the meals I serve for company are also, “as is.”  The Hawaiian Haystack ingredients are put on the counter.  Those invited dish up for themselves, add this or that or all of it, in amounts they prefer.  No worry for me about over-seasoning it or serving shredded coconut on top for people who don’t like that flavor.  
The best part about “as is” has to be this:  

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Helpful Strategy

      Our latest booklet is finished.  "Helpful Strategy:  Take a New Look at YOUR Plan!  YOUR Progress!"  It's number 85, and all of our booklets are FREE.  Just email to edprha and put in the @ and add gmail with the dot and com.  It's a handy half-page size, 12 pages long, with some articles, and a few poems. We think it's food for thought.  You will enjoy that challenge. 

Saturday, August 06, 2016

At Just the Right Time at the Hospital

        The hospital waiting room was busy all day, but now at 10 p.m. it was quiet and nearly empty.  At opposite ends of the room two men were sitting, both with some kind of smartphone or that sort of an internet device.  At the Welcome receptionist desk an older woman was on the phone.
The younger man stretched and stood up.  He crossed the room to where the other man was sitting.  “Excuse me, got a minute to talk?”
Gerald looked up with a sad look on his face.  He nodded, so Randy introduced himself.  Gerald noticed the name tag this stranger had on his shirt,  “Listening and Praying.” 
Randy explained, “I’m a volunteer here at Good Samaritan Hospital for the night shift on Mondays, and I walk the halls and pray for who’s in each room.  Don’t know what ails him or her, but I pray God’s love and God’s healing for each one.”
“Well, I’m a working man and I’m usually at home snoring.  But Betta had a seizure, so she’s in there, and I’m out here.”  
“OK if I pray for her healing and for your peace of mind?”
“Sure, but I guess I should own up:  I don’t know about God.  Never found out enough to believe.”
“Any particular irritation?”
“Nah,” was Gerald’s reply. 
  A long silence followed, then Randy spoke in a kindly tone of voice,

Wednesday, August 03, 2016

What Shall I Pray About Today?

A - Acknowledge the Lord and give Him thanks, first of all. 
B - Blessings for my family
C - Changes to my schedule today
D - Decisions I have to make this week 
E - Energy and good health for myself
F - Forgiving someone who’s still being difficult
G - Giving to others: who and when and how much?
H - How to help somebody the Lord brings to my attention
I - Illness to be healed in people I know