Hanging out?

(01-13-22)– Let It Shine! –Hebrews 12:12-13)

My friend, may I ask you a question? Does the Bible encourage us to, while being concerned for our own salvation, be concerned for the salvation of others as well?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

Frodo, one of my little Dachshund friends here at Beech Springs, is a pretty typical dog in most ways. But there is one thing about Frodo that makes him different from any dog I’ve ever owned. It’s true that most dogs have a sixth sense allowing them to sense both canine and human moods beyond that which you and I are able. But Frodo takes it a step further. Even if I have a smile on my face and a calm voice, he can sense the hidden mood that may lie behind the smile and the voice. Just yesterday it happened that I had a deep concern over something that I’d forgotten to do. Despite my attempt to broadcast a calm and in control demeanor, Frodo picked up on my deeply hidden mood. Tail between legs he scooted away when I tried to pick him up. He wanted no part of my mood, smile or no. My mood, although hidden to most, had become his. He wasn’t about to hang out with me and share the anxiety hidden deep within me.

Our friends and family not having Frodo’s instinctive ability to sense the hidden thoughts within us may sometimes be drawn to the life we are leading only to be fooled that our outward motives aren’t all that genuine. In that sense they might end up hanging out with the wrong person–us.

Here's a story: For many years Monterey, a California coast town, was a pelican's paradise. As the fishermen cleaned their fish, they flung the offal to the pelicans. The birds grew fat, lazy, and contented. Eventually, however the offal was utilized, and there were no longer snacks for the pelicans. When the change came the pelicans made no effort to fish for themselves. They waited around and grew gaunt and thin. Many starved to death. They had forgotten how to fish for themselves. The problem was solved by importing new pelicans from the south, birds accustomed to foraging for themselves. They were placed among their starving cousins, and the newcomers immediately started catching fish. Before long, the hungry pelicans followed suit, and the famine was ended. (Author unknown.)

The Bible encourages us to, while being concerned for our own salvation, being concerned for the salvation of others as well. We’re all in this together, the quest for eternal life in Christ Jesus. May the peace of God that passes all understanding be the deeply-felt, inner motivation that moves your life forward. And, like those pelicans, may others sense that peace within us and be drawn to the comfort of it and the eternal survival it offers. May your life and mine be the kind of life others dearly want to hang-out with in the good company of faith.

We pray. Heavenly Father, You encourage us to, while being concerned for our own salvation, be concerned for the salvation of others as well. You have taught us that we’re all in this together, the quest for eternal life in Christ Jesus. May the peace of God that passes all understanding be the deeply-felt, inner motivation that moves our life forward. May others sense that peace within us and be drawn to the comfort of it and the eternal survival it offers. May our lives be the kind of lives others dearly want to hang-out with in the good company of faith. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.

Hanging out?

(01-13-22)– Let It Shine! –Hebrews 12:12-13)

My friend, may I ask you a question? Does the Bible encourage us to, while being concerned for our own salvation, be concerned for the salvation of others as well?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

Frodo, one of my little Dachshund friends here at Beech Springs, is a pretty typical dog in most ways. But there is one thing about Frodo that makes him different from any dog I’ve ever owned. It’s true that most dogs have a sixth sense allowing them to sense both canine and human moods beyond that which you and I are able. But Frodo takes it a step further. Even if I have a smile on my face and a calm voice, he can sense the hidden mood that may lie behind the smile and the voice. Just yesterday it happened that I had a deep concern over something that I’d forgotten to do. Despite my attempt to broadcast a calm and in control demeanor, Frodo picked up on my deeply hidden mood. Tail between legs he scooted away when I tried to pick him up. He wanted no part of my mood, smile or no. My mood, although hidden to most, had become his. He wasn’t about to hang out with me and share the anxiety hidden deep within me.

Our friends and family not having Frodo’s instinctive ability to sense the hidden thoughts within us may sometimes be drawn to the life we are leading only to be fooled that our outward motives aren’t all that genuine. In that sense they might end up hanging out with the wrong person–us.

Here's a story: For many years Monterey, a California coast town, was a pelican's paradise. As the fishermen cleaned their fish, they flung the offal to the pelicans. The birds grew fat, lazy, and contented. Eventually, however the offal was utilized, and there were no longer snacks for the pelicans. When the change came the pelicans made no effort to fish for themselves. They waited around and grew gaunt and thin. Many starved to death. They had forgotten how to fish for themselves. The problem was solved by importing new pelicans from the south, birds accustomed to foraging for themselves. They were placed among their starving cousins, and the newcomers immediately started catching fish. Before long, the hungry pelicans followed suit, and the famine was ended. (Author unknown.)

The Bible encourages us to, while being concerned for our own salvation, being concerned for the salvation of others as well. We’re all in this together, the quest for eternal life in Christ Jesus. May the peace of God that passes all understanding be the deeply-felt, inner motivation that moves your life forward. And, like those pelicans, may others sense that peace within us and be drawn to the comfort of it and the eternal survival it offers. May your life and mine be the kind of life others dearly want to hang-out with in the good company of faith.

We pray. Heavenly Father, You encourage us to, while being concerned for our own salvation, be concerned for the salvation of others as well. You have taught us that we’re all in this together, the quest for eternal life in Christ Jesus. May the peace of God that passes all understanding be the deeply-felt, inner motivation that moves our life forward. May others sense that peace within us and be drawn to the comfort of it and the eternal survival it offers. May our lives be the kind of lives others dearly want to hang-out with in the good company of faith. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.