Sixth Beatitude

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”—Matthew 5:8

This beatitude gives an insight into the thinking of Jesus concerning our hearts. It is not enough to clean up our act on the outside. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity. You blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean.” (Matthew 23:25–26)

“What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart . . . For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a man.” (Matthew 15:18–19)

“Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit . . . For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:33–)

We are in Chapter Seven of our Study Book, “Focusing on God’s Light in Others and Ourselves” Forgiveness The Passionate Journey, Flora Slosson Wuellner.

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Our Fifth Beatitude

We are in Chapter 6 of our study book. Chapter Title, “Seeing The Wounds of Our Wounders”. My first thought was I sure want mercy. But, what would that mean? Why would I want mercy so much that I would dig into this study with the same passion that I dip into ice cream. 🍦 It happened when I 👀 at what mercy is not. Do you agree?

Antonyms for Mercy, cruelty, intolerance, meanness, uncompassion

Fourth Beatitude

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.”—Matt. V. 6.

The first thought that comes to my mind is, Whoa, do I,❓do I know anyone, ❓does our Nation(s)❓hungry and thirst after righteousness❓What does it feel like❓ What does it 👀 like❓Does it have a color❓

The title from our Study Book for this beatitude, “Release to New Healing Choices” sorta test my first thought to search for answers. Sure need your help in breaking this power thought down.

Our Third Beatitude

“God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” Matthew 5:5 NLT

We are in Chapter four of “Forgiveness the Passionate Journey” nine steps to forgiveness through Jesus’s Beatitudes. Flora Slosson Wuellner If you don’t have this book just open a Bible to Matthew 5 and follow along. Join us in breaking this promise down to action in our lives. And this is a very good promise, inherit the whole 🌏

I am fascinated with the title of this Chapter, “Away from Force into God’s Gentle Power.” What say you?

Beatitudes-Matthew 5

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I, with some others, are going to be studying a book titled, “Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey” by Flora Slosson Wuellner. It is on the Beatitudes.

I have been reading chapter two, “Facing Our Hurt, Naming Our Need” on the first beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:2-3. The author gives us a more accurate translation of this scripture that she found from the root meanings: “Blessed are those who recognize their total need of God.”

In laying the framework for healthy forgiveness, Wuellner tells us that there are four questions we need to honestly ask “within the presence of God’s love: (1) What happened? 2) Who is responsible? (3) How do I feel about what happened? (4)What is my need right now?”

One thing I have gotten out of this chapter so far is that I have to be able to clearly name what happened in order to experience change. That is not easy and I am having to work on it.

The author ends the chapter by leading us in a meditation designed to help us enter and grow in the healing process. Even without Wuellner’s book, one can take on the study of the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5 from The NT. I think it is a good way to start 2018.

Link to Amazon for book if anyone is interested.https://www.amazon.com/Forgiveness-Passionate-Journey-Forgiving-Beatitudes/dp/0835809455/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1515413351&sr=8-2&keywords=flora+slosson+wuellner

A Christmas Gift

“Capital Caring received a beautiful donation of dozens of poinsettias throughout our Adler Center for Caring in honor of Mary Grace Henry and the care she received. Thanks to her friends and family for brightening the holiday season of everyone at the Adler Center.”

Margaret Galles…Resource Development Coordinator…Capital Caring’s Adler Center for Caring on the Van Metre Campus…24419 Millstream Drive…Aldie, VA 20105

www.capitalcaring.org

MG’s Memorial garden being established at the Adler Center is a 🦋butterfly garden🦋 for others to pause, reflect, meditate and pray. Thanks to all that gave either financially, prayers and time to serve. A beautifully legacy to honor Mary Grace Henry. As my sister shared of this kindness as well as MG’s piano story, This is Christmas. The Merriest of Christmas to All!

MG’s piano

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In this midst of our grieving we find many ‘joy rest spots’. MG’s piano will always play for us regardless of where we are. But, having to relocate her piano which had not been tuned for years was not a ‘rest spot’. That was until the Holy Spirit brokered a perfect match for her little sweet piano.

One of MG’s prayer partners from our Community Church which had been so faithful visiting MG in rehab and helping in anyway she could told me a story about her eleven year old grandson.

He began playing piano before he was 5 years old when he could find one to play. He plays by ear. He comes from a Christian home but a single family home where buying a piano was not an option. They live in W Va maybe an hour or so from Leesburg. His grandmother began to inquire about MG’s piano. I asked her to bring the grandson to see how he liked the piano. He did but knew it had to be tuned since he played by ear. Then there would be the cost of moving down flights of steps and a distance drive to his home.

Our ‘rest spot’…Jerry has the piano as a gift from MG. Grandma paid to-move and tune. The first day he practiced 2 1/2 hours. He played a little video for us. (See below) Had to be short to text to us.

It seems God has given Jerry a gift of music much like MG’s. I am thrilled and hope you will join us in praying for Jerry to be greatly blessed as he blesses many with his gift. Yes, MG’s memorial stone gives a passage,  “Having gifts given to us let us use them. Romans 12:6