An Epitaph - "Virgene and Bill....."

    A yellow slip of paper fell from the pages of an old Journal last night, and the words on it brought a vivid memory to life. I closed  my eyes and could see a young couple so overcome with the joy and glory of finding and accepting Jesus as their Savior, being transformed in new purpose that they were devouring God's Word like starving people before a bountiful feast.

    As they read the passage about David and Jonathan's friendship, love and commitment to God and each other, they realized that they let nothing come between them... not even family, careers, problems... they grew closer together when their friendship was tested. (I Samuel 18:1-4).

    As they read on in the Amplified version of the Bible (11 Samuel 1:23)  they replaced the names of  David and Jonathan with their names so it read as their epitaph:
"Virgene and Bill, beloved and lovely! In their lives and in their death, they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions."

    O Yes! Praise God.... more than five years after Bill's earthly death, our covenant to  God and each other and His purpose's for His glory is the solid rock on which I stand.

ATTENTION WITH INTENTION

    "Christian listening is an act which communicates to another, "Right now, I am here for you. No one else, just you. I want to hear and understand what you have to say. I'm all yours."  Listening is allowing the other person to set the agenda for the conversation, seeking to clarify his point of view. Ultimately, listening is helping a  person to understand himself better." (Speaking from the Heart, Ken Durham).

     Listening, is one of the most powerful tools available  for building good relationships with friends and loved ones. Most people think communication means doing a lot of talking, but in truth, I think real communication begins when you start listening to the other person.

     Personally, I find myself  having to review the Book of  James where he says, "Be QUICK to listen and SLOW TO SPEAK."

Returning Intention to Attention,
  Virgene

"I Am" (Redefining Yourself)

"I am not who I think I am.  I am not who you think I am.  I am who I think you think I think I am." (Robert
Schuller.)

Right or wrong, sometimes we define ourselves through other peoples eye's.  A Marti Grau mask that hangs on my wall often reminds me that I have observed myself and others hiding behind a mask.  Are we endeavoring to do what we think others expect and what will please them:

Why do we conceal or disguise our original or genuine self?  To gain approval?  Love?  Or culture? Are we people--pleasers?

I attempt to see each individual as the unique person who the Lord has given special gifts to accomplish the purpose for "being" and bringing His plans to fulfillment.

Why give the power He has given us away for lesser values?

I long to mature in God's purpose for me--to know who I Am.  There is power in our belief.

I smile when I remember Sophia Creamer.  In a Koinonia group discussion she disclosed that she and Roy had a major disagreement.  A college girl listened intently, and finally burst out, "Sophia, You are such a wonderful Christian lady, "How can you fight with your husband?"  Sophia, always her authentic self, replied, "Honey, It wasn't a fight.  It was a disagreement.  And besides, if we agree with each other all the time ... one of us would not be necessary."

I Am (Redefining My Self)

The "I" that is me----You can not see.

You see only the form that you think is me.

The form you see, will not always be;

But the "I" that is me ....lives Eternally!

Shouldn't we put into practice our true identification as the eternal experiencer

rather than the object of the experiencer?

Who Am I?

Acts17:28

In Him...I Live...I move...I have my being.

Therefore who Am I?

I am in God...in the great I Am.

I Am.

Thank you, Lord.

At last I know who I am.

I am a pilgrim and Truth Seeker,

Weaving my own pattern of wholeness in my journey-both in this

(earthly) life and to (Eternal) life.

Striving for Integrity,

     Virgene