teaching

Something is reflecting our thoughts back to us in obvious and not so obvious ways.

There is no such thing as perfection and it is okay for you to have negative thoughts.

I looked out again at the rising moon and I let the weight of my day, my week, lift away with the rushing wind as I was blown into the depths of myself.

I__ see the arrow. I__ think about attitude and perception. Maybe the green arrow on the ceiling is to Muslims as the KJV in the Motel 6 nightstand is to Christians.

As long as you know 'to let' means to rent and not a place to pee, you__e all set to travel in the UK. The lifts and the boots and everything else don__ really matter.

The night skyline was stunning. I could see the Monas and Istiqlal Mosque bathed in brilliant white lights and a dozen other places of cultural and historical significance. It__ an amazing, beautiful world we live in _ despite Uncle Google__ abysmal view of American schools, the security checkpoints and vehicle inspections that seem to be everywhere, and the need to be vigilant because of the things we do to each other.

As the silence returned, I sat back and felt the tension ease away; I hadn__ even known I was tense. A few moments passed and once again the cycling fan laced in with the clanging chains and mixed with the rumbling mower and the buzzing insects.

It was one of those striking moments in life where you find familiarity in the inexplicable.

And so we went. And so it went. And, slowly, I began to learn: speaking in the same language does not equal communication, especially when there is a cultural divide.

Somehow, we were passing the boundaries of language and finding clarity in shared thought, even if we were just talking about beer!

Some strive to make themselves great. Others help others see and find their own greatness. It's the latter who really enrich the world we live in

You cannot save people from themselves. All you can do is stand firmly in your hopes for them, with compassion.

Have compassion for people as long as you are one of them too.

No one can hurt you without teaching a life's lesson. So accept it with love and kindness.

The most compassionate thing I can do for them is continuing to see their potential. They need to know that people are not going to abandon them because of their bad behavior. Only in the security of this can they let themselves learn better strategies.

In our modern world, we often separate faith from practice. But the way of Jesus rejects this notion. Only living our faith offers the credibility to teach our faith. Anything less is less that the teachings of Christ.

Jesus may give you eternal life, but until then, your ass going to stay right were it is until you do something about it.

Teach me your way of looking at people:as you glanced at Peter after his denial,as you penetrated the heart of the rich young manand the hearts of your disciples.I would like to meet you as you really are,since your image changes those with whom you come into contact.Remember John the Baptist__ first meeting with you?And the centurion__ feeling of unworthiness?And the amazement of all those who saw miracles and other wonders?How you impressed your disciples,the rabble in the Garden of Olives,Pilate and his wifeand the centurion at the foot of the cross. . . .I would like to hear and be impressedby your manner of speaking,listening, for example, to your discourse in the synagogue in Capharnaumor the Sermon on the Mount where your audience felt you __aught as one who has authority.