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Breathing-Fragile-Life choice compassion conscientious-ness happiness healing Joan Winifred love wisdom

Not Ordinary (Part 1)

These are not ordinary times in which we live/breathe/exist…
to put one’s own whims, agendas, preferences, and “so-called” personal happinesses..comforts
ahead and above everything/everyone else…
is to naively
and blindly
miss out on
seeing/understanding
the big picture! (issues of sovereignty)

some of us…mature ones aka spiritually discerning ones…realize/appreciate…there are make it and/or break it…important times in life/history/reality when one’s own (personal/individual) desires, wants, gratification, immediacy…need and have to be put aside for the much greater good…

how deep is your love?
how deep is your compassion?

extraordinary love & compassion required!:)

(Let True Compassion Reign/Rule You aka True God of Compassion and Agape Love…it’s the only pathway to peace/the only way to survive the pelting/harsh rain/reign of cruelty aka man’s selfish-self-rule…
hurting humanity and the planet!:(

8/19/17 @ 8:03 p.m.

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attitude choice compassion conscientious-ness Joan Winifred wisdom

ID

Innocent as a Dove (Matthew 10:16)

and “Cautious as a Serpent” = Discretion

Discretion (can) mean(s) being spiritually awake and vigilant(.)! (& at all times…in the light/dark)

“Look out that no one takes you captive by means of the philosophy and empty deception . . . of the world.”​—COL. 2:8.

7/30/17 @ 10:58 a.m.

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Breathing-Fragile-Life caregiving change conscientious-ness Joan Winifred logic wisdom

Painting

Painting projects…busy with these.  At times, it makes sense/the appropriate thing to do…a fresh coat of paint, a fresh, different color/s. i LOVE painting…and those types of projects…(using both left and right hands/arms.)


Rearranging furniture…can be fun, etc. Changing things around/organization/reorganization is healthy…change is good. However, just randomly knocking down walls/any walls…the house collapses…supporting wall/(s)…are necessary for structural integrity! (Sometimes–the safest/wisest choice is to just paint the wall!)

Structural integrity is the ability of a structure to withstand its intended loading without failing due to fracture, deformation, or fatigue. It is a concept often used in engineering to produce items that will serve their designed purposes and remain functional for a desired service life. [excerpted definition wikipedia]

Supporting beams a necessary…say, for example, within society…civilization(s), certain supporting beams and walls are essential to integrity/peaceful functioning of said society/(ies). What causes civilizations to collapse and organizations to crumble aka structural failure…figuratively and otherwise?! Certain people/certain roles played therein/serve to support structural integrity, right? Globally, among all fragile-life…ecosystems/support systems are important/valued/valuable to sustain life, huh?

(back to my project(s)/work…HOPE to continue this post further….later when/If possible aka find time.)

7/26/17 @ 10:46 p.m.

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attitude happiness Joan Winifred motivation wisdom

Don’t Cha CARE??!

Nope.

excerpted readings…[and past article highlights: Three Things That Money Cannot Buy AWAKE! October 2013]

“On average,” says The Narcissism Epidemic, “materialistic people are less happy and more depressed. Even people who simply aspire to have more money suffer from poor mental health; they also report more physical health problems such as sore throats, backaches, and headaches and were more likely to drink too much alcohol and use illegal drugs. Striving for financial success, apparently, makes people miserable.”

There is more to a secure future than stockpiling money. After all, money can be stolen—and it cannot cure disease or prevent death. (Ecclesiastes 7:12) The Bible teaches that genuine security comes from knowing God and his purpose.—John 17:3.

There is more to life than money and the things it can buy. After all, it is as the Bible says: “Even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)

The Bible predicts a time when money is worthless and people will be throwing it in streets…(potential topic for another post?)

The Bible exposes the folly of what it calls “the showy display of one’s means of life.” (1 John 2:16) The fact is, an obsession with possessions distracts us from the very things that matter most in life—the things that money cannot buy.

The love of money causes all kinds of trouble. Some people want money so much that they have . . . caused themselves a lot of pain.”—1 Timothy 6:10, Contemporary English Version.

“Better to eat vegetables with people you love than to eat the finest meat where there is hate.”—Proverbs 15:17, Good News Translation.

The bottom line: Money cannot buy family unity. That only comes from spending time with your family and giving them adequate love and attention.—Colossians 3:18-21.

“Stop storing up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal.”—Matthew 6:19.

“You do not know what your life will be tomorrow.”—James 4:14.

“Having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things.”—1 Timothy 6:8.

“Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.”—Matthew 5:3.

 

Stockpiling spiritual treasure(s)…a compassionate/healthy intention/lifestyle IF YOU:) ask me…oh, You didn’t? ask…OOPS!;)

7/20/17 @ 11:42 a.m.

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Breathing-Fragile-Life God wisdom

Discerning Wisdom & Position (arrogance v. humility)

5  When E·liʹhu saw that the three men had nothing to say in answer, his anger flared up. 6  So E·liʹhu the son of Barʹa·chel the Buzʹite began to speak, saying:“I am young And you men are aged. So I respectfully held back, And I dared not tell you what I know. 7  I thought, ‘Let age speak, And let a multitude of years declare wisdom.’ 8  But it is the spirit in people, The breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. 9  Age alone does not make one wise, Nor is it only old men who understand what is right.10  So I say, ‘Listen to me, And I will also tell you what I know.’ (Job 32:5-10)

 

“age alone doesn’t make one wise”…commentary on verse: “Wisdom does not come with age alone. It requires understanding of God’s Word and the guidance of his spirit.”

speeches & debates…Job and supposed comforters…[excerpted reading Insight On Scriptures Vol. 1 “Elihu”] (my highlights)

Likely Elihu listened carefully to the entire debate between Job and his three would-be comforters. But, out of due respect for their age, he remained silent until all had finished speaking. Though modern critics have labeled Elihu as loquacious, saying that his speeches were long-winded, the statements of Elihu were not those of an impertinent young man. He fully appreciated that wisdom was not the exclusive possession of those advanced in years, but that God’s spirit made one truly wise. Elihu, therefore, leaned heavily on God’s spirit. He was thus able to discern correctly that Job had failed to appreciate that the vindication of Jehovah God is far more important than the vindication of any man and that Job’s three friends had actually pronounced God wicked.—Job 32:2-9, 18.

Elihu was impartial, not bestowing a flattering title on anyone. He recognized that he, like Job, was made of clay and that the Almighty was his Creator. Elihu had no intention of terrifying Job but spoke to him as a true friend, addressing Job by name, something that was not done by Eliphaz, Bildad, or Zophar.—Job 32:21, 22; 33:1, 6.

In every respect Elihu exalted the position of the true God: The Almighty is just, rewarding the individual according to his conduct. He judges without partiality and is fully aware of the course taken by men. God hears the outcry of the afflicted. He is a Teacher who makes men wiser than the animal creation. Only untruth does God not hear, and so Elihu encouraged Job to wait for Him. Furthermore, Elihu assured Job that God was with him and that He would not preserve the wicked alive, but that those serving Him “will finish their days in what is good.” (Job 36:11) Job was then admonished to magnify the activity of God, the great Provider, who gives food in abundance. Elihu called Job’s attention to the great things done by God and His control of natural forces, encouraging Job to show himself “attentive to the wonderful works of God.” (Job 37:14) Elihu concluded on a lofty plane, saying concerning the Almighty: “He is exalted in power, and justice and abundance of righteousness he will not belittle. Therefore let men fear him.”—Job 37:23, 24; chaps 34-37.

7/1/17 @ 8:24 a.m.

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choice humility Joan Winifred wisdom

Am i stupid??

Whoever trusts in his own heart is stupid,

But the one who walks in wisdom will escape. (PRO verbs 28:26)

i don’t follow my emotional heart– nor do i listen nor trust misleading songs, etc that tell me to do so…

The heart is more treacherous (deceitful) than anything else and is desperate. 

Who can know it?  (Jeremiah 17:9)

there is danger in letting (fleeting/deceitful) emotions dictate action(s)…especially if angry and/or discouraged/down…

The one who is quick to anger acts foolishly,

But the man who thinks things out (or the man of thinking abilities) is hated. (Proverb 14:17)

If you become discouraged in the day of distress, (times of trouble)

Your strength will be meager. (ProVerb 24:10)

5/19/17 @4:35 p.m.

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insights Joan Winifred logic wisdom

Light By Day, Light By Night

We live in times of uncertainty; that’s for sure!

2 “certain” things to trust:

The Sun.

The Moon.

“This is what Jehovah says,

Who gives the sun for light by day,

The laws (statutes) of the moon and the stars for light by night,

Who stirs up the sea and makes its waves boisterous,

Whose name is Jehovah of armies:” (Jeremiah 31:35, 36)

Man’s products: Light bulbs blow out and break. Candles melt and wicks burn up. (Aka whatever so-called “good” man can accomplish is only temporary at best including any solutions to problems.)
God’s creations: Everlasting Luminaries!:) (Permanent, reliable reminders of the surpassing superiority of Divine Wisdom at continuous work.)

Why not put your (complete) trust in God??

 

4/28/17 @ 8:32 a.m.

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Joan Winifred peace wisdom

Sunday 4/16/17

So Sunday…just getting home; off goes my purple blazer…plopping down in a comfy chair–snap!…reflecting/meditating/”capturing” a moment about…

an important topic (my Fam and i heard an afternoon talk) “pursuing peace in an angry world.”

Have You noticed?? how “many” are very upset, ANGRY and on the verge of losing it whether on the road or at the store or anywhere these days?? (Yes, we are all tired, over-worked, hurt, humiliated, sick, in pain, rejected, dejected, and stressed out, huh?!)

“Therefore, we do not give up, but even if the man (person) we are outside is wasting away, certainly the man we are inside is being renewed from day to day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Practical (Scriptural) Points to Help Us All…Pursue Peace with Fellow-Fragile-Life:

“Let go of anger and abandon rage;

Do not become upset and turn to doing evil.”

* (Or possibly, “Do not become upset, for it can only lead to harm.”) Psalm 37: 8, 9

Cultivate Peace: Being Kind. (When we choose to treat Others the way we would like to be treated (kindly, compassionately, and with respect); we don’t retaliate aka seek/scheme our own personal sense of justice by seeking some sort of vengeance: ouch!) Rather, we improve (IF possible) the situation/relationship by doing the kind/compassionate thing…anyway…e.g., “But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals on his head.” * (That is, to soften the person and melt his hardness.)

We are all responsible for peace between fellow-fragile-life at home, in our respective communities, and globally…we can play a part in breaking the cycle of anger, hate, and violence:

“Return evil for evil to no one. . . . If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be peaceable with all men.”—Romans 12:17, 18.

 THANK YOU so MUCH READER:) for PURSUING PEACE!!:)

4/19/17 @ 6:53 p.m.

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Joan Winifred things i learned wisdom

Wherever & Whenever

This quote brought me a chuckle 🙂 this Sunday: 4/19/15!

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.
~Oscar Wilde
Dare to contemplate: which “happiness” category i would fall/be put into…(both most likely?)..depending on whom You ask, huh?!  Though, idealistically, i would want to bring/cause/bring happiness wherever or whenever.
 

 Um, just a friendly reminder: You may exit this post whenever You wish. :)…and take some PEACE with You (i hope).
Oh, You decided to stay a little longer…okay. Then, may be ? You’ll read on (or NOT) Your choice. (I cannot make You do/read anything You ultimately don’t wanna.)
Personally, the following is a compassion obligation of mine:

“Rescue those who are being taken away to death,  And hold back those staggering to the slaughter.” (Proverbs 24:11)

My thoughts are…1 minor way to accomplish this is being kind, helpful, compassionate and treating Others the way we would like to be treated…in effect helping to bring refreshment to tired-weary-souls in need of some heartfelt/sincere understanding and relief/rescue. Our choice of speech and our choice of action can be Oasis-like. We can reach painful hearts, appeal to positive qualities and help…the beaten down and those staggering to death…assisting them to…reach a “real” place of concealment from the rainstorm. (Making wise choices leads to greater happiness…and greater displays of compassion..whenever & wherever.)

We all need shelter from the storm…in whatever form storm takes. One storm that many of us face constantly/relentlessly is anxiety…stress/distress. We all turn to various things for comfort/help. As an avid reader/researcher, I enJOY or find comforting the book of Proverbs…wherever or whenever.

Dealing wisely with oneself. The book of Proverbs contains priceless counsel on avoiding alcohol abuse, cultivating healthful emotions and combating destructive ones, and being an industrious worker. (Proverbs 6:6; 14:30; 20:1) It warns that trusting in human judgment apart from the counsel of God leads to disaster. (Proverbs 14:12) It urges us to protect the inner self, the heart, against corrupting influences, reminding us that “out of [the heart] are the sources of life.”—Proverbs 4:23.

Millions of people the world over have found that living by such counsel makes for a better life. […]The book of Proverbs is a compilation of inspired counsel—mostly by Solomon—that provides guidance for daily life […]

  Where can satisfaction and meaning in life be found? Solomon was in a unique position to seek the answer. With immense wealth, wisdom, and authority, he was able to investigate whether these could bring him genuine fulfillment. He pursued the pleasures of material things, married many beautiful women, and enjoyed the best in recreation. He undertook great building projects. He explored the wisdom of learned writings. What did he find? “Everything is vanity.” However, he came to this profound realization: “The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear the true God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole obligation of man.”—Ecclesiastes 12:8, 13. (excerpted: Divine Wisdom for Life)

 What did You find? (Hassle?) Happiness?

(p.s. depends, huh? What am i looking for?)

(published 2:17 p.m. 4/19/15)

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Joan Winifred wisdom

Quid Pro Quo? NO!

Is that my (compassion) motive/motivation? quid pro quo?? NO!..(my answer:)

it’s not about what’s in it for me…it’s about what’s in it for YOU!:)

yeah, pure compassion & agape (manifestation(s))…long-term, uh-huh...everybody wins!:)…(including me?)

 

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Kids, o.k., teens say the (darndest/truest/cutest) hit the nail on the head kinda things:

“You are the quietest when you think, you should think more often.”…so says my son about me today!:)

 

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(above-space sans writing aka “thinking”…published? 3/4/15 @ 5:00 p.m.)

 

“For everything there is an appointed time, . . . a  time to keep quiet and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7)[…], some problems may evoke strong emotions. If that happens, have the self-control to call a temporary halt—to “keep quiet”—before tempers flare. You can save your relationship from much damage if you heed the Bible’s advice: “Starting a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before a fight breaks out.”—Proverbs 17:14, New Century Version. excerpted: W May 2008-Key to Solving Problems

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