Blessed

 About two months ago, I began a 31week (free!) online study offered by JesusCollege.com  based on Dallas Willard's book The Divine Conspiracy. This study is a deep dive into the Beatitudes found in the fifth chapter of the book of Matthew and explains what it means to be an apprentice of Jesus.  (It's not too late to join this study, if you are interested. Previous half hour lessons are recorded.) 

This is a book to read slowly and thoughtfully. At times, I reread passages to ensure I am getting what is being presented.  I'm learning that the Beatitudes are not rules or a qualification list. Phew! That takes a load off!  

The beatitudes are "explanations and illustrations, drawn from the immediate setting, of the present availability of the kingdom through personal relationship to Jesus. They single out cases that provide proof that, in him, the rule of God from the heavens truly is available in life circumstances that are beyond human hope." p. 121

(Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash)

At the end of last week's lesson, our teacher Doug Webster encouraged us to write down some personal beatitudes. In other words, fill in the blank: 

Blessed are the ________________ for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. 

Here are a few that came to mind for me: 

Blessed are the frustrated....

Blessed are the disappointed...

Blessed are the fearful....

Blessed are the insecure.....

Blessed are the hopeful.....

Blessed are the impatient....

Blessed are the dreamers.....

Blessed are the persistent....

Blessed are the empty-handed....

Blessed are the guilty...

What would you add? 

~Inspire~

Day 9 Inspire

Inspiration means to ‘breath into’, in other words, to give life. The very first example of inspiration in history comes from Genesis, where God created man and woman and breathed into them the breath of life. Sometimes when I sit and just listen to my breath, I think about that. God breathed HIS breath into a human and this person became a living soul. It’s sometimes quite amazing to think about. We all have the breath of God in us, whether we acknowledge it or not. Air is everywhere. Breath is everywhere. God is everywhere. Where there is breath, there is life. Where there is life, there is beauty.

Inspiration is a wonderful word. Where there is inspiration, there is a dream or a plan or an action about to take place. Sometimes I need inspiration to get me going. This morning I hemmed and hawed about whether or not to go for a workout to the gym, about a 12 minute drive away. I just couldn’t get motivated. Then I decided to text my girlfriend.  

Wanna go to the gym this morning?  

Sure! What time? 

Just after 10:30. 

See you there!  

Done! If I hadn’t texted her, I don’t think I would have been inspired to move ahead with what I knew was good for me. And she told me the same thing!  Now I’m back, and I’m inspired to relax! And I don’t feel guilty at all! 

 Sometimes just knowing that a change must happen or there will be trouble is enough to inspire a person.  Health issues inspire a person to change their diet. A sore shoulder inspires a person to do exercises. A deadline inspires a person to quit scrolling and do what needs to be done. What inspires you?

Photo by Tim Goedhart on Unsplash

I’ve  joined the 31 Days of Five Minute Freewrites. Read more about it here.