what it means to stay positive

---

These words speak to me about having a resilient attitude.  They remind me to keep going in hard times.

I have had a rough week. I needed to be reminded that success often looks like just keeping on keeping on.

So in the coming days I will purpose to live one day at a time and find joy in things both small and large.

---

developing my inner voice

---

A few thoughts that I recently shared with a friend ...

It has been hard for me to discern and develop my own inner voice. Here are a few thoughts about my journey:

1. Acknowledging the existence of my beautiful inner heart/self/voice seemed to be the starting point. Getting past the idea that my heart was actually trustable and not desperately wicked was a good start.
   
2. Trying to figure out why I have done, or am doing, things is sometimes hard but necessary. My big discovery was that I did a lot of things because I was a rules follower. I still love rules and principles but now understand a tad more about how impotent and limiting they can be.
   
3. Focusing on becoming more loving seems to sometimes identify the battle between head and heart. I am always aware about how much fear is a part of my journey. Even today I struggle with the future because I am fearful of future health problems for Ann and me.
   
4. Being open to change has been really been hard for me. I retired at 49 from a job that I loved. A few years later I left a ministry position that I did not want to leave. Each time I tried to lean into the still small voice of my inner self. In each case I was glad that I did.
   
5. In my early years I really judged myself harshly. I had grace for everybody but me. Being comfortable in my own skin and owning who I am seems like a cliche but it took a long time for me to get there.

Hoping that this might help someone who struggles finding their inner voice. I welcome your input.

---

Losing sleep over losing an hour of sleep?

---

Just a reminder for you in the United States and other places that observe Daylight Savings - this weekend is the time that we proverbially spring ahead. I am a big fan of DST. I love having an extra hour of daylight in the evening.

The idea of daylight saving time was first conceived by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 but some think it was first proposed in 1895 by George Vernon Hudson. It was first implemented by Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1916. The US began implementing it in the 1940s.


How about you? Are you a fan of this practice or will you lose sleep over losing an hour of sleep tonight?

---

a christian litmus test

---

A few excerpts from an article by Stephen Mattson titled "Not Everything 'Biblical' Is Christlike".

"While the Bible can be manipulated to say and mean almost anything, the words, actions, and life of Jesus aren’t as pliable."

"For Christianity, the litmus test should always be: Is this Christlike? Imagine all of the times were read, see, and hear the term ‘biblical’ used. Now practice changing the wording to ‘Christlike’: Would you rather your church be biblical or Christlike? Would you rather a political policy be biblical or Christlike? Would you rather someone’s actions be biblical or Christlike? Would you rather have your beliefs be the most biblical or the most Christlike? Would you prefer a life that is biblical or Christlike?"

I recommend the article to you. You can read it here.

---