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In one of the “signposts” (The Smell of Bread) we have 2 Cor 2:14-17.  In it Paul speaks about our ‘sincerity’. In context, he compares sincerity to ‘peddlers of God’s word’. I think it is the sincere heart that pleases God. The heart that sincerely wishes to become more and more deeply connected to God, to hear Him speak through His word. This heart sets aside time each day to do as Jesus said and ‘dwell’ with God. We make mistakes. But the sincere heart can be soothed by God and God will come to the rescue. The sincere heart is not trying to manipulate, either other people, God, or themselves… the sincere heart seeks to love and glorify God… from this loving and dwelling and glorifying we can then serve God… not to build a kingdom of our own, but to build His. Let the Christian leader and layman alike examine our heart for sincerity. For when we have this will have the ‘fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.’

The other day, I got a call from a friend asking for a book recommendation for someone. After he described the need, I immediately said The Call by Os Guinness. Yesterday, I was trying to bring some order to my office after finishing a ton of correspondence and I found a cassette of Guinness discussing Calling. I was reminded of the very purpose of life.

“How pretentious,” you might say, “to think you know the purpose of life.” Okay, I hear you and if its your perspective that the purpose of life is illusive then I’m guilty. It is my belief that I really do know the purpose of life.

It is simple. Click here.

Now if you read this blog very often then you are not surprised. Want to know more? Click here.

I’m trying to do this.

Are you?

Really?

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(btw: not to make a big deal about it, but this is post 901)

I saw this for a sec on the Today Show Sat or Sunday… and put up a Tweet… I have posted about similar troubling statistics before… Do I really need to express a comment? Do not the stats speak for themselves??

From the APPA website:

“The following spending statistics are gathered by APPA from various market research sources and are not included in the organization’s bi-annual National Pet Owners Survey.

“Total U.S. Pet Industry Expenditures

“Year Billion
2009 $45.4 Est.
2008 $43.2
2007 $41.2
2006 $38.5
2005 $36.3
2004 $34.4
2003 $32.4
2002 $29.5
2001 $28.5
1998 $23
1996 $21
1994 $17

When I was in Korea back in the 1970s there was serious political turmoil. One of the leaders of said turmoil was Kim Dae Jung. He met his maker last month. Read the obit put out by The Economist about this great S. Korean leader… if nothing else, read the last couple of paragraphs… click here

I’ve begun using our nature trail for hiking 3-4 times a week. The map says that the whole thing is about 3 miles in length and it rises from a low point of about 150 meters to the highest point of nearly 230 meters. Some of the climbs are a bit steep. Like all activity of this sort, the more one does this the easier it becomes.

The other day it occurred to me is that one reason some folks struggle to pray when they get in trouble is that they are trying to climb a tough hill with no training. They are trying to suddenly have this conversation with someone they don’t talk to very often and they don’t get why its hard. Its hard because prayer is really a kind of skill… and skills need cultivating… The more we pray ahead of time, the easier the praying when things are tough and I would even suggest, the more the prayer works on US when there has been ample preparation.

I got this in an email today and I sure did smile big!!!

God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael, the archangel, found him, resting on the seventh day..

He inquired, “Where have you been?”

God smiled deeply and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds,
“Look, Michael. Look what I’ve made.”

Archangel Michael looked puzzled, and said, “What is it?”

“It’s a planet,” replied God, and I’ve put life on it… I’m going to call
it Earth and it’s going to be a place to test Balance.”

“Balance?” inquired Michael, “I’m still confused.”

God explained, pointing to different parts of Earth. “For example,
northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while
southern Europe is going to be poor.

Over here I’ve placed a continent of white people, and over there is a
continent of black people. Balance in all things.”

God continued pointing to different countries. “This one will be
extremely hot, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice.”

The Archangel, impressed by God’s work, then pointed to a land area and
said, “What’s that one?

“That’s Virginia, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful
mountains, rivers and streams, lakes, forests, hills and plains.

The people from Virginia are going to be handsome, modest, intelligent, and
humorous, and they are going to travel the world.

They will be extremely sociable, hardworking, high achieving carriers
of peace, and producers of good things.”

Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then asked, “But what about
balance, God? You said there would be balance…”

God smiled, “Right next to Virginia is Washington DC. Wait ’til you see
the idiots I put there…”

I told you, I just couldn’t help myself, I HAD to post this.

I tried to find the source, a Google search had this on a GOP site but it didn’t look original to them so I’ll not give them credit.