April 30, 2011
Hundreds of people from Nepal’s minority Christian community have protested in Kathmandu to demand designated burial grounds.
Last month Christians were prevented from burying their dead in the grounds of the Hindu Pashupatinath Temple - which they have done for decades.
They say that there are only a few places where they can bury their dead in predominantly Hindu Nepal.
The government has pledged to find land near Kathmandu for Christian burials. (more…)
April 24, 2011
The meaning of easter to me is the possibilty of ressurection of love,faith, hope, and vision in our own souls bc of HIM who lives
“Nothing that has not died will be resurrected.” C.S. Lewis
April 22, 2011
A third of U.S. teenagers with cellphones send more than 100 texts a day as texting has exploded to become the most popular means of communication for young people, this according to a new study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project.
The 2009 Parent-Teen Cell Phone Survey, which offers a glimpse into teen culture and communication, found that texting has risen appreciably ever since 2008, eclipsing all other forms of communications including cell phone calls, instant messaging, social networks and talking face-to-face. (more…)
April 12, 2011
You are valuable
Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.
The true birthday is not all about yourself on the stage anymore because your presence on this earth has brought a special color for those around u,
Birthday is more about being the stage for those you love.
Cause as you give honor to the weak, God will give you a rainbow in every storm …
As you give laughter to the mourn, God will give you a smile in every tear…
As you give embrace to the rejected ones, God will give you a promise in every care…
As you give courage to the depressed ones, God will give you a blessing in each trial…
Many Blessings from Indonesia ♥✫•°*”˜˜”*°•.✫_̴ı̴̴̡̡̡ ̡͌l̡̡̡ ̡͌l̡*̡̡ ̴̡ı̴̴̡ ̡̡͡|̲̲̲͡͡͡ ̲▫̲͡ ̲̲̲͡͡π̲̲͡͡ ̲̲͡▫̲̲͡͡ ̲|̡̡̡ ̡ ̴̡ı̴̡̡ ̡͌l̡̡̡̡._
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May today be your day….
to dance lightly with life
to sing wild songs of adventure,
to invite rainbows and butterflies out to play,
to soar your spirit and unfurl your joy. (more…)
April 11, 2011
April 12 is my birthday and I turn 39. I wish for only a prayer below to be read/prayed. It is from a Celtic prayer book I go to daily…
“Circle Joel, Lord.
Keep comfort near
and discouragement afar.
Keep peace within
and turmoil out. Amen.
Circle Joel, Lord.
Keep protection near
and danger afar.
Circle Joel, Lord.
Keep hope within,
keep despair without.
Circle Joel, Lord.
Keep light near
and darkness afar.
Circle Joel, Lord.
keep peace within
and anxiety without.
The eternal Father, Son, and Holy Spirit shield Joel on every side. Amen.
April 3, 2011
“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief…and unspeakable love.”
Washington Irving
April 2, 2011
“Within Father, Son and Holy Spirit is an eternal, interactive relationship of mutual giving and receiving. Within the nature of the one God, who is Source, Word and Spirit, is a communion and community of love. From this love comes creation. From this love comes redemption. From this love comes all the promise and hope that we call the Gospel. And from this love comes both the command and capacity for us to return love to God and give love to neighbor.”
Daniel Vestal (my father)
An old man once said…
“There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living..” (more…)
April 1, 2011
George F. Burns wrote, “I look to the future because that’s where I’m going to spend the rest of my life.”
All throughout the Bible there are so many stories of men and women of faith who kept their eyes on the future, not letting their failures paralyze them or prevent them from continuing to move ahead despite impossible odds and depressing attitudes from within them and from those around them.
The psalmist put it well and reminds us that God alone is our strength and we are on a pilgrimage,
”Blessed are those who strength is in God, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage…” psalms 84
As I look to my future I am reminded of a saying that you have probably heard many times,
“Do not just give someone a fish but teach them how to fish.”
For many years, I have used this statement in my own speaking and writing but always respond that I do not agree totally with this concept when looking at aid and development to the global poor. (more…)
