Siggy's Blurbs: Siggy's Edge of Country …

Yes, every person has a spiritual life.  You may invoke the name of God, Jesus, higher power, whatever, there is no escaping that every thing you do, say reflects some kind of spiritual value stated or otherwise.  At some level it does not matter what name you give it.  There is no escaping this.  Every action, every thing, even your thoughts reflect something even if you do not define it yourself.  Every thing you believe is reflected this way.  People around you usually know what you believe in your inmost being given enough time.  Certainly this must be true of those people closest to you:  your significant others–friends, mates who see you under fire.  It is too easy to invoke the name of God.  It is easy to tell another this is what the word of God (whether it is the Bible, the Koran or any other holy book) says but do you really believe this is the truth, this is what you believe in your heart and soul.  Hypocrisy is always recognized by others.  No one likes a phony.

Tags: Bible, God, higher power, holy book, hypocrisy, Jesus, koran, love, phony, relationships, spiritual life, truth, what you believe, Word of God, your inmost being
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The parable of Jesus (of the talents) illustrates how important it is to use our talents wisely.  Talents in biblical times referred to a sum of money.  I will let the scriptures speak for themselves.

Matthew 25:14-46

14   For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15   And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16   Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17   And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18   But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19   After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20   And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21   His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22   He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23   His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24   Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25   And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26   His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27   Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28   Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29   For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30   And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Tags: abundance, Bible, God, Jesus, joy of thy Lord, kingdom of heaven, money, parable of the talents, responsibility, scriptures, servant, the Lord, time, well done thou good and faithful servant, wisdom, your talents
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It is so easy to view the current events occurring in the world and feel completely helpless.  You really have to back down and look at your life and your personal sphere of influence.  Every day you have contact with people.  You never know for sure how your actions will impact the world.  That is beyond your scope.

To love the people God puts in your circle is no small thing.  It might send small shock waves throughout the universe.  It is true you can not predict the impact of your daily behavior but loving each person who is in your personal sphere of influence is no small thing.  The world could be transformed.  Yes, that might not happen but don’t linger there.  It will only defeat you.

Mother Teresa said do not do big things with love but small things with much love.  It is so easy to get lost in the big picture.  Look at the lives you are intertwined with:  your wife, your kids, your relatives, your friends even the strangers you pass every day.  You never know how a kind or encouraging word can just be the right medicine for some hurting person.

You can transform the world but first learn to do small things with much love.  Life is really composed of many small things.  The big things in life only come along once in a while.  So learn to reach out to each person with love, acceptance and respect.  As Jesus said, “Lose your life and you will find it.”  That does not sound like an exact quote but nevertheless reach out to others.  You will never be disappointed.

Tags: "lose your life and you will find it", a kind or encouraging word, acceptance, change the world, do small things with much love, friends, God, Jesus, kids, live is many small things, love, love people, Mother Teresa, reach out to others, relatives, respect, strangers, wife, world transformed, your sphere of influence
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Church is composed of people–other very flawed human beings.  The only thing a church can do is to demonstrate the love of God although it is not the church who does that.  It is really individuals who demonstrate love.  It is always done one on one.  Jesus taught his disciples one on one.  In fact He did more than that:  He transmitted love.  Your talk does not matter if love is not demonstrated in your life.  Truth is not enough.  Ultimately each person wants to be loved.  That is the only way one truly can find out about the all encompassing love of Jesus–not from the church but through individuals who chose to love the people God puts in front of them.  Thus, I hate religions who over and over claim to know the only way.  There is only one way you can find about the love of God–through contact with an individual who lets the love of God flow through his/her spirit and chooses to love the very flawed people who He puts in his way.  Love is the only thing that matters.  Forgiveness is embodied in love.  He died for you.  Only you.  And only another individual can transmit that to you.

Tags: church, church is composed of people, demonstrate the love of God, disciples, each person wants to be loved, everyone wants to be loved, flawed human beings, forgiveness, God, He died for you, individuals who let the love of God flow through their spirit, Jesus, Jesus transmitted love, love is the only thing that matters, love of God, love the people God puts in front of you, one on one, religion, religions, spirit, your spirit
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