Being blessed......

My good friend, Linea, gave the sermon this morning.  It was a very difficult passage to speak on....from the book of Matthew 5:1-12....the Beatitudes (or part of the Sermon on the Mount).  She said some scholars believe it may have been a compilation of some of the truths Jesus attempted to offer the crowds that followed him, not to mention his 12 disciples as opposed to him saying all of these things at one sitting, nevertheless, here's what Jesus said:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."


These are truths that, in today's society, look almost ridiculous, they are so counter-cultural in nature....well, counter-everything actually, of the way we look at things in the world today.

It just showed me again, how God desires us to do things differently from what most people would tell us.  In today's corporate landscape, we are told that production is everything.   Just get ahead as much as possible even if it's at the risk of either being dishonest or losing a friendship.  It kind of all boils down to money and power vs. necessities of life and gentleness.  Seems like they're at opposite ends of the spectrum.

I constantly fail in doing what Jesus said!  I try, mind you....sometimes...but when I see someone acting like a jackass, I want to whack them over the head....when I'm really supposed to be a peacemaker and not go on the offensive....that's what a child of God is supposed to be like.

I've a very long way to go, I'm confessin'....

Sometimes taking photos is much easier than being pure, merciful, peaceful, righteous, meek, etc.  Besides, cameras really don't care how I act....

I'll have to be more purposeful in doing those things that God taught.  Those are the things that last, after all....not photos! 

But this one is nice....:)

And I must remember that living a life after God's heart is not as black and white as some may think!
 
'Nite....