spiritually minded people

Have you ever pretended to be better than?  Have you ever put on as if you had it all together?  It is such an awkward uncomfortable place to try to live.

Spiritually minded people, the truly spiritual ones, do not have their heads in the clouds.  They do not live in an ivory tower.  They are not above everyone else.

The truly spiritual have their hands in the dirt.  They are walking with and caring for the common folk, the broken the leper.

Never think that spirituality makes you better or different.  True spirituality reminds us that we are just normal humans ourselves and it drives us with deep compassion into the world of the normal ordinary humans, and there, we shall feel at home. 

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

peace in church

Recently, an anonymous person left this note in the offering plate...

"I will always feel closer to God when I sit in our church. I look at the congregation and I see a thread that gently joins our souls in common love. This thread is not broken by prejudice or judgment but made strong by joy, gratefulness & love. I feel so blessed."

Oh how it does my soul good to know that there are people that are being blessed at church. I hope that all of you feel this way.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

leaning into the person of God

My friend Brian sent this in...

“I’m learning a lot from my grandkids. One unexpected recent byproduct is that it seems to help me with some insight into our/my relationship with God. A few weeks ago, our 2-year-old grandson had managed to tip his high chair over backwards and fallen so that the back of his head hit a shelf on the way down. He split his head open and our daughter rushed him to ER. We dropped what we were doing and headed up to see and help. When we reached the hospital a wonderful person at the desk in ER let us go back to see him even though the rules said no more than 2 people in the room at any time. When we got to the room our daughter was holding a very serious little boy. Without thinking I just went to him and leaned my head toward him. Without a word, he leaned his head into mine and our foreheads touched. We did not speak. No words were necessary. How long we stayed like that I don’t know but it was not longer than a minute or two. We just loved each other. The next day I was in prayer and realized our Father may long for that type of moment with us. So I sat silently and just leaned my head forward. It may have been one of the best “prayers” I have ever experienced. I am going to continue doing it when I can. You might want to try it. Just be silent and lean into God. I’m quite sure He will be there to touch you with His presence.”

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

crazy ideas

The church, churches, churches in general have filled our minds with crazy ideas.  Not all churches, but some.  Some churches, some preachers have filled our brains with stuff that does not matter.

The worst thing about having your brain filled with stuff that doesn't matter is that it keeps you distracted from what does matter.

Crazy things that the church taught some of us:
- that we should try to figure out the second coming
- that the King James bible is the only real version
- that our denomination is right and everyone else is wrong
- that if you sin right before you die you will go to hell
-worry about everything
- feel guilty about everything.

I remember when I was in my 20's my parents were having trouble with their adult children [me included.]  They went to their pastor who told them, "just keep praying, reading the bible, going to church and giving 10% and everything will work out."  My Dad told me that this was their pastor's pat answer and that the man didn't really know how to offer empathy or guidance.

What crazy religious ideas do you worry about?
I hope none.
I hope that you have long cleared your brain of the irrelevant, made up ideas...

I hope that all you think about when you think of God is that we want to love him, and his creation.
Love God, love people.

It's really pretty simple.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Confucius

Confucius Says, "he who rows the boat, has no time to rock the boat."

When we Christians are engaged in ministry, when we are  living our lives to reach and care for others, we have little time left to worry about or complain about our church.

But the moment we get our eyes on ourselves... am I being fed?  am I feeling important?  Is this place doing what I want?  Once we get our eyes on ourselves, we have stopped rowing the boat and have more time to think about rocking it.

Am I rowing or rocking?

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

outward focus

There was once a woman who was religious and devout and filled with love for God. Each morning she would go to church. And on her way children would call out to her, beggars would accost her, but so immersed was she in her devotions that she did not even see them. Now one day she walked down the street in her customary manner and arrived at the church just in time for the service. She pushed the door, but it would not open. She pushed it again harder and found that the door was locked. Distressed at the thought that she would miss service for the first time in years and not knowing what to do, she looked up. And there, right before her face, she found a note pinned to the door. It said, “I’m out there!”

I hope that I don't have to explain this Anthony deMello story.  The woman went to church for her soul, but along the way, walked by so many of God's needy people.  God reminds us to think not primarily of ourselves, but of all of those in the world around us.

He is out there.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours  

Pastor Appreciation Month

Did you know that October is Pastor Appreciation Month?
Recently I read a post on Facebook where a pastor complained that no one ever appreciated them during October.  He never got any cards or gifts.
Are you kidding me??????????

Did you know that October is Pastor Appreciation Month?
What???
Really???
Who says so???

Hallmark says so.

When I was a kid there was no such thing as pastor appreciation month.  There was also no such thing as Cinco de Mayo.  [By the way, when is Cinco de Mayo this year?]
Pastor appreciation month was invented by hallmark so they could sell cards.
Cinco de Mayo as a drinking holiday was invented by some tequilla company for obvious reasons.

Did you know that October is also:   

[you gotta read these...]
National Pet CBD Month *
Adopt A Shelter Dog Month
American Cheese Month
Antidepressant Death Awareness Month
Bat Appreciation Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month
Celebrating The Bilingual Child Month
Christmas Seal Campaign (10/1-12/31)
Church Library Month
Church Safety and Security Month
Co-op Month
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Eat Better, Eat Together Month
Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month
Emotional Wellness Month
Employee Ownership Month
Financial Planning Month
German-American Heritage Month
Global Diversity Awareness Month
Halloween Safety Month
Head Start Awareness Month
Health Literacy Month
Home Eye Safety Month
Italian-American Heritage Month
International Walk To School Month
LGBT History Month
Long-Term Care Planning Month
National ADD/ADHD Awareness Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Apple Month
National Applejack Month
National Arts & Humanities Month
National Audiology Awareness Month
National Bake and Decorate Month
National Book Month
National Bullying Prevention Month
National Caramel Month
National Chili Month
National Chiropractic Month
National Cookbook Month
National Cookie Month
National Crime Prevention Month
National Critical Illness Awareness Month
National Cyber Security Awareness Month
National Dental Hygiene Month
National Dessert Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Depression Education & Awareness Month
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
National Dropout Prevention Month
National Ergonomics Month
National Fair Trade Month
National Family Sexuality Education Month
National Go On A Field Trip Month
National I’m Just Me Because Month
National Kitchen & Bath Month
National Learning and Development Month
National Liver Awareness Month
National Medical Librarian Month
National Orthodontic Health Month
National Pasta Month
National Physical Therapy Month
National Pickled Peppers Month
National Pizza Month
National Popcorn Poppin’ Month
National Pork Month
National Pretzel Month
National Principals Month
National Protect Your Hearing Month
National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
National Reading Group Month
National Roller Skating Month
National RSV Awareness Month
National Sarcastic Awareness Month
National Sausage Month
National Seafood Month
National Sensory Awareness Month
National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
National Stamp Collecting Month
National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month – October
National Toilet Tank Repair Month
National Work and Family Month
National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month
National Window Covering Safety Month
Organize Your Medical Information Month
Pear and Pineapple Month
Photographer Appreciation Month
Polish American Heritage Month
Positive Attitude Month
Raptor Month
Rett Syndrome Awareness Month
Rhizomes and Persimmons Month
Rhubarb Month
Right Brainers Rule! Month
Self-Promotion Month
Spinach Lovers Month
Squirrel Awareness Month (Different Than Squirrel Appreciation Day in January)
Tackling Hunger Month
Talk About Prescriptions Month
Vegetarian Month
Wishbones for Pets Month (10/15 – 11/30)
Workplace Politics Awareness Month
World Menopause Month
Back to the concept of appreciation.  When I was a pastor I always felt appreciated.  Well usually.  If we need a special day or month to appreciate someone, then something is wrong.  Mothers should be appreciated every day, not just on mothers day.  Our country should be appreciated every day, not just on July 4th.  Every human should be appreciated every day.

I am sure that you appreciate your pastor all of the time.  No card in October is needed.  In fact, just for fun, send your pastor a card on some random month.  Oh and don't spend a lot... remember that Dollar Tree has hallmark cards for 50 cents.  That is something we can all appreciate!

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Stand with Hong Kong

There is unrest in Hong Kong.  Seems that the Chinese want to limit some of the freedoms there.

Hong Kong was leased to the British for 99 years and went back to Chinese control in 1999.  The stipulation was that Hong Kong would have western style freedoms.  China apparently wants to change that.

So there have been a lot of protests in Hong Kong.

An official with the Houston Rockets tweeted something about supporting, standing with those seeking democracy in Hong Kong. 

The Chinese retaliated.  They have cancelled NBA games in China and are shutting down the NBA there.  The NBA is or was big business in China.

Now Lebron James and the entire NBA are back pedaling.  Business before freedom I guess.  Some of what we Americans do in this world I do not understand.

I personally remember what China did to the protesters in Tienanmen Square.  I think that we should stand for freedom.  Period.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

maybe we throw people away too quickly

I was talking to my sister the other day. Someone had said something that annoyed me. It made me feel like I did not want to hang with that person so much.

She pointed out something very profound...

Someone said something that you don't agree with. So what? You don’t have to be upset with everything that someone says. Don’t let it get under your skin. Maybe they just need to say those words. Maybe somehow it’s important for them to get it off their chest. You don’t have to throw them away. You can listen and move on without buying whatever it is that they are saying.

It's ok. I can still run with that person. I don't have to be upset with what they said. It was just something that they needed to say. There, now you've said it, let's move on.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

faith without works

The Apostle James said, "faith without works is dead."

Brian sent in a quote from the upcoming Harriet Tubman movie... “To be someone who has faith is a wonderful thing. But seeing faith in action is even better”.

What are ways that you can share God's love and kindness today? Be intentional about sharing kindness. You will be glad that you did.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

There is some good news in the world

From my friend Pat...

Sometimes it all strikes you. Yesterday, my wife and I spent the day with at lest 40 other people reconstructing two houses owned by two very elderly ladies in the poorer part of Kansas City. Satisfying to come together to help others who cant physically, or financially, help themselves.

And as I looked around the internet this morning, I see friends doing similar things in Lee’s Summit, I see others building bunk beds for homeless shelters. An 85 year old gentleman I know named Charlie, takes his dog named Charlie to the retirement home to visit “the old folks” and bring some cheer to their day. And a group of adults set up a safe trick or treat center for neighborhood children.

You know I am missing many, many efforts, probably including yours, whatever it was this week.

I say all of this in light of the political wars in Washington, the actual war in Northern Syria, the vaping epidemic and so on. We do better in our own worlds every day. Surely we can do better in the rest of it too.

We will survive because most of us are kind to one another. Remember, you are an example to those who aren’t. Keep up the terrific work, and thank you for being you.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland
July 13-22, 2020
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Rudy

A number of my Kansas City friends frequent the First Watch restaurant on 40 highway. One of the servers that has become dear to many is Rudy. Rudy is a pretty deep thinker.

My friend Brian sent this in... From Rudy at First Watch; “the purpose of Christianity is not to avoid difficulty but to produce a character adequate to meet it when it comes. It does not make life easy. Rather, it tries to make us great enough for life. The most beautiful people I’ve known are those who have known trials, have known struggles, have known loss, and found their way out of the depths.” Can’t really think of anything to add to that.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

rich or generous

Not all rich people are generous.
And by the way, if you read this, you are probably rich.  Oh, yes there are lots of people who have more that you and I, but if you own a car, if you can read, if you own a computer, you are rich.

There is a difference between being rich and being generous.  Not everyone can be rich, but everyone can be generous.

An extra dollar or two on the tip.
Paying for someone's breakfast [am I really going to miss that $6]
Pausing for a few moments to tell someone how much you appreciate them.
Holding the door open.
Driving someone to an appointment.
Sitting with someone who is sad.

There are tons of ways to be generous that don't involve money.  Being generous makes us happy.  May we all be so generous with kindness and money that people think we are rich even if we are not.

ability + kindness = generosity.
A great habit to get into.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

under appreciated

I think that one of the most under appreciated groups of people in our society are those that serve in minimum wage or low wage jobs.

The guy behind the counter at Taco Bell.
The server at the restaurant.
The checker at the grocery store.

My grocery store does not allow tips.  But the checker deserves a smile and a kind word.  I have initiated the practice of saying, "thank you for helping me today."  Sometimes they say, well it's my job.  I say, "still.  Thank you for helping me."

I often give a server five dollars at the start of them waiting on me.  They say, what is this for?  I say, it is the pre-tip tip. 

You would be surprised how much nicer people will be to you if you call them by name, thank them for doing their job, and over tip them when you can.

In fact, people are nicer to us and to everyone else when we are nice to them.  It's not that hard to be nice.  We can all get better at it.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

plaque

I bought this little plaque.  It speaks for itself.

We should all go a little easier on ourselves.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

blackouts in California

There are electrical blackouts in California now.  Pacific Gas and Electricity has shut power off in selected areas to prevent fires from power line equipment.  Evidently some of the fires in the past were caused by equipment that PGE did not keep up to date.  They face multiple law suits over the fires and have since declared bankruptcy.

But the lights are still out in parts of California.

No stop lights.  No dentist visits.  No computer at your home.  No pool pump.  No refrigeration.  Imagine the traffic issues!!! And the traffic in California is already terrible.  Imagine the grocery store that loses all of it's perishables.

Wow.  It is back to the dark ages.

While I feel for my sister and others who live in these areas, I am reminded of just how spoiled we Americans have become.

My grandparents used oil lamps for light.  They swam in the creek or lake.  They had no idea what a computer was, they used a pencil and paper.  If they had a garage door, they opened it the old fashioned way.  They took warm irons to bed to keep warm.  They slept out on the porch during hot weather.

Personally, I don't want anyone to lose electricity.  It brings so many good things to our lives.  But at the same time, it is probably a good thing to stop and appreciate all that we have and all the good that comes our way in this life.

We may just be one blackout away from a very different lifestyle.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

St. Francis and the Lepers

I was reading a story about St. Francis and the lepers.  At first he was afraid of them.  They were dirty.  They were sinful.  He did not want to catch what they had.  He was repulsed by them.  He did not want to have anything to do with them.

Then he began to reach out.  To care.  Slowly.  To listen.  To feel a sense of compassion.  His heart began to change towards them.

Soon he noticed an amazing thing.  The space in his heart that was previously filled with concern and fear, was now filled with love.  What an amazing thing... a portion of a heart that was filled with fear, is now filled with love.

Who are the lepers in your life?  Who are the people that you are afraid of?  Who are those that might be on your outcast list?  Try reaching out, slowly, with compassion.

Maybe your fears too, can be replaced with love.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Jesus and the Bible

In a world where many people worship the Bible, I think it is fair to ask how Jesus looked at and how he treated the scriptures. While many Christians put scripture above all, Jesus put love above the scriptures.

Richard Rohr writes, "Jesus consistently ignored or even denied exclusionary, punitive, and triumphalist texts in his own inspired Hebrew Bible in favor of passages that emphasized inclusion, mercy, and honesty. For example, referencing two passages from Exodus (21:24) and Leviticus (24:20), Jesus suggested the opposite: “You have heard it said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you . . . turn the other cheek” (see Matthew 5:38-39). He read the Scriptures in a spiritual, selective, and questioning way. Jesus had a deeper and wider eye that knew which passages were creating a path for God and which passages were merely cultural, self-serving, and legalistic additions."

Jesus was bigger than the book.  God is bigger than the book.  They are not bound by the book.  Love is the first law of God.   Using scripture without love is not God's way.  Love always comes first.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Dreams

Do you dream?  I dream all of the time.  Why do we dream the things that we dream?In the past few nights I have dreamed all of the following.

- I was dancing at a wedding.- I was roofing my sister's house in California- I was at a long boring 3 hour church meeting that was held at the high school football stadium and interrupted by a track meet.- I lost control of my truck and was in a head on collision with a light blue VW bug.Well, why do we dream such things?

Some I get, some I don't.

My daughter got married last year and we all danced.I may actually go to California and roof my sister's house.Church meetings?  I have not been in a boring one for many years.Car wreck?  Let's hope not.

Life is a beautiful mystery.  Dreams are a beautiful mystery!Here is to fewer wrecks and more dancing!!!

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - -I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of IrelandJuly 13-22, 2020http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Science, Religion and the God who loves us

From my friend, Pat...

Science often disproves the religious instruction that we learned in our youth. The world was not created in 7 days just 4000 years ago. You can think that because well meaning Bible teachers have said so, but if this is what we believe,  it and you are wrong. Besides, there are two different versions of the creation in Genesis(see Genesis 1 and Genesis 2: which is right?)

Scientific advancement doesn’t mean that God doesn’t exist, it just means that what was written 2500 years ago was written for an audience 2500 years ago. Most of the Genesis story was adopted from the Sumerians and written down once in Israel, and once in Judah around 850 BC. Sometimes the lessons of the Old Testament are universally true (pride goeth before the fall), but sometimes(and on the third day…) science shows otherwise.

So how can you count on anything? Faith? 

Maybe.

Suppose we ultimately discover how everything works in the universe. We answer questions all the way back to the big bang, or maybe before. We still won’t know the answer to the most fundamental of all questions: “Why is there anything at all?” Nature shows us that something doesn’t spring from nothing. Really, nothing should exist, much less be in motion like our universe. But stuff does exist and it is in motion tho our limited perceptive abilities may not actually see the real motion.(gravity is a function of mass in the space time continuum. (It’s Einstein. It’s real)

Something preferred everything and set everything in motion. Something probably isn’t an old white man with a long beard surrounded by winged creatures with harps.(but it could be). What started everything is still the ultimate question. The fact that anything exists at all tells me that God, whatever He(or She if you prefer) is, exists.

And the fact that God made everything tells me that He(or She) is a God of love because He used some incomprehensible power to create something that really did nothing for him, and everything for me.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours