Love v4.0

(~) Love V4.0

Service Rep: Hello, you have reached the Heart Systems Software Company help desk. How may I help you?

Customer: I just received your latest program, LOVE v4.0… you know… the freeware. I don’t understand it. Can tell me how to install it?

Service Rep: Sure thing ma’am. Do you have the installation disk and instructions with you?

Customer: Yes I do, but first can you tell me what the program does?

Service Rep: Sure thing ma’am. LOVE is a unique program, there is no other like it anywhere. LOVE attaches to your operating system and runs silently in the background. You will never see LOVE on your monitor or your toolbar, but you will notice its affect on every application you may have. It makes the good programs run smoother and greatly restricts and/or deletes the bad ones.

Customer: Wow! That sounds great. How does LOVE make my machine run smoother?

Service Rep: Well, good sound files, like COMPLIMENT.WAV, ENCOURAGEMENT.WAV, and KINDWORD.WAV will play frequently. Also, FORGIVENESS.EXE will be invoked every time there is an external violation, including the ever-popular syntax errors. Also, all those aggravating errors that say “unable to connect” will be avoided. LOVE allows for a smooth connection with external devices, regardless of what country it is manufactured in, the brand name, or the age of the model.

Customer: That’s exactly what I need, my machine has been isolated for too long. But what about the bad programs?

Service Rep: Good question. LOVE searches your memory for programs like HATE.COM, BITTERNESS.EXE, SELFISH.COM, and SPITE.EXE. These programs can’t be entirely deleted off your hard drive, but LOVE overpowers those programs. LOVE stops their commands from being executed and runs its own instructions. You will no longer hear INSULT.WAV and you won’t be able to write with the fonts “BADWORDS12″ or “HARSHNESS10″.

Customer: That’s a fantastic program you have. Are the upgrades free too?

Service Rep: They sure are ma’am.

Customer: How do I get the upgrades?

Service Rep: That’s easy. Once you have LOVE installed and running, it automatically copies a module, or a piece of itself, to every external Hard Drive Email And Remote Terminal (HEART) that it comes in contact with. In turn, those external devices run whatever version of LOVE they have and return a module to your HEART. You will be upgraded with each and every module that you receive. But you have to remember, to receive the upgrades you have to be running LOVE, and you have to come into contact with other computers while it is running.

Customer: I can do that. I’m not very technical, but I think I am ready to install now. What do I do first?

Service Rep: The first step is to open your HEART. Have you located your HEART ma’am?

Customer: Yes I have, but there are several programs running right now. Is it okay to install while they are running?

Service Rep: What programs are running ma’am?

Customer: Let me see… I have PASTHURT.EXE, LOWESTEEM.EXE, GRUDGE.EXE, and RESENTMENT.COM running right now.

Service Rep: No problem. LOVE will automatically disable PASTHURT.EXE from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt other programs. LOVE will eventually overwrite LOWESTEEM.EXE with a module of its own called HIGHESTEEM.EXE. However, you have to manually turn off GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM. Those programs prevent LOVE from being properly installed. Can you turn those off ma’am?

Customer: I don’t know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?

Service Rep: My pleasure. Go to your Start menu and invoke FORGIVENESS.EXE. Do this as many times as necessary until GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM have been completely erased.

(Pause)

Customer: Okay, I’m done. LOVE has started installing itself automatically. Is that normal?

Service Rep: Yes it is. You should receive a message that says it will reinstall for the life of your HEART. Do you see that message?

Customer: Yes I do. Is it completely installed?

Service Rep: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other HEARTs in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops… I have an error message already. It says “ERROR 412 – PROGRAM NOT RUN ON INTERNAL COMPONENTS”. What does that mean?

Service Rep: Don’t worry ma’am, that’s a common problem. It means that the LOVE program is set up to run on external HEARTS but has not yet been run on your HEART. It is one of those complicated programming things, but in non-technical terms it means you have to “LOVE” your own computer before it can “LOVE” others.

Customer: So what should I do?

Service Rep: Can you find the directory called “SELF-ACCEPTANCE”?

Customer: Yes, I have it.

Service Rep: Excellent, you are getting good at this.

Customer: Thank you.

Service Rep: You’re welcome. Click on the following files and then copy them to the “MYHEART” directory: FORGIVESELF.DOC, SELFESTEEM.TXT, REALIZEWORTH.TXT, and VALUE.DOC. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching any faulty programming. Also, you need to delete SELFPUNISH.EXE from all directories, and then empty your recycle bin afterwards to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.

Customer: Got it. Hey! My HEART is filling up with really neat files. SMILE.MPG is playing on my monitor right now and it shows that WARMTH.COM, PEACE.EXE, and CONTENTMENT.COM are copying themselves all over my HEART!

Service Rep: Then LOVE is installed and running. You should be able to handle it from here. One more thing before I go…

Customer: Yes?

Service Rep: LOVE is freeware. Be sure to give it, and its various modules, to everybody you meet. They will in turn share it with other people and they will return some really neat modules back to you.

Customer: I will. Thank you for your help.
- Source Unknown

Every 3.6 seconds a real person dies from hunger somewhere in the world!!!
Feed a hungry person today:
http://www.hungersite.com

My YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/Ninure

God is still speaking
http://www.stillspeaking.com

John Mark Ministries
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/

A Paraphrase of the Lord’s Prayer

<h2PARAPHRASE OF THE LORD'S

OUR FATHER most holy,
our Creator and Redeemer,
our Savior and our Comforter.

WHO ART IN HEAVEN
in the angels and the saints,
giving them light to know you,
since you, Lord, are light;
setting them afire to love you,
since you, Lord, are love;
dwelling in them
and giving them fullness of joy,
since you, Lord,
are the supreme, eternal good,
and all good comes from you.

HALLOWED BE THY NAME,
may we grow to know you better and better
and so appreciate the extent of your favors,
the scope of your promises,
the sublimity of your majesty,
and the profundity of your judgements.

THY KINGDOM COME,
so that you may reign in us by your grace,
and bring us to your kingdom,
where we shall see you clearly,
love you perfectly and,
happy in your company, enjoy you forever.

THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN,
so that we may love you with all our heart,
by always having you in mind;
with all our soul,
by always longing for you;
with all our mind,
by determining to seek your glory in everything;
and with all our strength,
of body and soul,
by lovingly serving you alone.
May we love our neighbors as ourselves,
and encourage them all to love you,
by bearing our share
in the joys and sorrows of others,
while giving offense to no one.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD,
your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
so that we may remember and appreciate
how much He loved us,
and everything He said and did and suffered.

AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES,
in your immeasurable mercy,
by virtue of the passion of your Son.

AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US,
and if we do not forgive perfectly,
Lord, make us forgive perfectly,
so that, for love of You,
we may really forgive our enemies,
and fervently pray to You for them,
returning no one evil for evil,
but trying to serve You in everyone.

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,
be it hidden or obvious,
sudden or persistent.

BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL,
past, present or future,
Amen.

- St. Francis of Assisi

Just Now – a poem

Just Now

In the morning as the storm begins to blow away
the clear sky appears for a moment and it seems to me
that there has been something simpler than I could ever
believe
simpler than I could have begun to find words for
not patient not even waiting no more hidden
than the air itself that became part of me for a while
with every breath and remained with me unnoticed
something that was here unnamed unknown in the days
and the nights not separate from them
not separate from them as they came and were gone
it must have been here neither early nor late then
by what name can I address it now holding out my thanks

~ W.S. Merwin ~

(The Pupil)

FAIR USE NOTICE:

This blog may contain copyrighted material. Such material is made available for educational purposes, to advance understanding of human rights, democracy, scientific, moral, ethical, and social justice issues, etc.

This constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

This material is distributed without profit

Every 3.6 seconds a real person dies from hunger somewhere in the world!!!
Feed a hungry person today:
http://www.hungersite.com

My YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/Ninure

God is still speaking
http://www.stillspeaking.com

John Mark Ministries
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/

Challenge, Controversy and Change – a Stikkspeakng Devotional

Challenge, Controversy and Change - Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Acts 21:17-26
When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us warmly. The next day Paul went with us to visit James; and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When they heard it, they praised God. Then they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all zealous for the law. They have been told about you that you teach all the Jews living among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, and that you tell them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs. What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. So do what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow. Join these men, go through the rite of purification with them, and pay for the shaving of their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself observe and guard the law. But as for the Gentiles who have become believers, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.” Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having purified himself, he entered the temple with them, making public the completion of the days of purification when the sacrifice would be made for each of them.

Reflection by Ron Buford

Among religious people, breaking the 10th commandment is a great stumbling block: “Thou shalt not covet.” Here are two Christian sects: one Jewish; the other Gentile. The Jewish sect has good reason to ask, “Why keep Moses’ law when newcomers don’t have to keep it?”

The church today stumbles similarly. Why do we accept unmarried couples living together? We had to get married. Why do we let gay people get married? They used to have enough shame to keep their behavior a secret. Why do we accept people who are divorced? We stayed married and hated each other. Bottom line: We suffered, you suffer too; God requires it.

Correction: No, not God but our imperfect understanding of God required these things for a while. The love of God, changing our understanding, and our own repentance compel us to risk making change, no matter how much it costs us, no matter how many jobs, members, churches, or friends we lose. God’s ever-expanding inclusion and grace is the greater good—even greater than everyone getting along.

In the book of Acts, Paul connives (yes, connives), strategically dividing his enemies based on their theological differences, opportunistically seizing upon his Roman citizenship to bring about change. He escapes Jerusalem’s perception of control over God’s plan, moving it to the Roman Empire–whose control will also eventually fade . . . just as we and so much of what we believe and do eventually fade into the arc of God’s future.

Prayer
Gracious God, we believe in You, and to Your deeds we testify. Let the stillspeaking God be true, and every human trapped in time and space be a liar. As we receive new light from You, grant us courage in the struggle for justice and peace, Your Presence in trial and rejoicing. Amen.

  Join us on i.ucc.org for prayer and conversation.

My YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/Ninure

God is still speaking
http://www.stillspeaking.com

John Mark Ministries
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/

The Job Application

** THE JOB APPLICATION **

I remember in my younger days applying for jobs which included “essay” questions and questions that ask “ethical questions”. I wonder how I did then, and how I might do now? Ninure da Hippie

You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night. You pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus:

1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
2. An old friend who once saved your life.
3. The perfect man (or) woman you have been dreaming about.

Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car? Think before you continue reading. This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application.

You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first, or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.

When given this test one candidate was hired (out of 200 applicants) who gave the following answer.

WHAT DID HE SAY?

He answered: I would give the car keys to my old friend, and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the woman of my dreams.

Planting a Virtual Flower Garden

Planting a Virtual Flower Garden

This is so cool!

Just keep clicking your mouse anywhere on the black space or you can just click and drag your mouse over it. ..SO COOL!)*
Flower garden
http://www.procreo.jp/labo/flower_garden.swf

===================

Every 3.6 seconds a real person dies from hunger somewhere in the world!!!
Feed a hungry person today:
http://www.hungersite.com

God is still speaking
http://www.stillspeaking.com

Was Jesus a Conservative?

(Again, I was looking for something in my files, and I came across one of those articles I kinda wish I had written. I am not terribly thrilled by some of the name-calling the original author get into, but I certainly can understand the anger….

I am also afraid that the author no longer seems to have an active blog. I think there really needs to be more thinking Christians blogging…
Ninure da Hippie)

Conservatives (Republicans and their predecessors) have fought among other things:

* child labor laws
* the forty-hour work week
* unions
* protection of the air and water
* overtime pay
* Medicare
* Social Security
* consumer protections
* national heath care
* racial equality
* equality for women
* inter-racial marriage

Conservatism is about preserving or returning to the conditions of an earlier time, it is, by definition, anti change. Ultimately, unless it goes to it’s extreme expression, fascism, it’s doomed to failure because, simply, change happens. Or the house of cards built on the
exploitation of the poor and working class tumbles. Conservativism is anti-American, running contrary to the Founding Fathers battles against the conservatives (Torys) of their day. If conservativism had prevailed in the late 1700s, there would be no United States of
America today.

In contrast this to conservatism, we read of Jesus:

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. (Matt. 14:14).

Jesus stood against the conservatives of His day, the Republicans of His time, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Herodians, and they released their “Republican attack dogs” on Him and led Him to His death.

The word “Christian,” means “like Christ.” Which is something we should endeavor to become. Religious conservatives are the anti-thesis, the opposite, the “anti-Christ” and stand against His compassion and love for the poor, widows and orphans expressed so many times in the Scriptures.

The apostles, in their letter to Paul, expressed concern that the poor were taken care of, contrarily, Ronald Reagan used to express concerns not to provide a perception of a safety net.

The so-called “Religious Right” and other conservative anti-Christian movements are no more Christian than their father the devil. One cannot Scripturally claim to be conservative and Christian for “Conservative CHristian” is an oxymoron, they are self contradictory.
Indeed, the “Conservative Christian” movement is a part of the “great falling away.” (2 Thes. 2:3)

Terrell D Lewis

http://epigramz.blogspot.com/

Fighting the Riech Wing Conspiracy

The Ultimate Sob Story – a meditation

This is yet anther “thing” pulled from my files.I honestly don’t know where I got it from, but I must say this is a time that I need to hear this message. – Ninure da Hippie

The Ultimate Sob Story
Read: Job 42:1-6

My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You. –Job 42:5

My boyfriend broke up with me. I hated my job. I wrecked my car–twice. But there’s good news too. My dog still loved me.

It may sound like a sad country tune, but it all came true for me one summer. I was anxious and depressed, and I felt as if everything I loved and wanted was abruptly taken away. I didn’t see much hope for me.

That is, until I reread the story of a guy who had it even worse. (Funny how that can make you feel better sometimes.) Here’s a guy who lost his whole family, except, of course, for his kind and sympathetic wife. She’s the one who recommended he “curse God and die.” Love you too, Dear.

Job also lost his wealth, property, and livestock. Not to mention the fact that he suddenly broke out in terrible boils. To which his friends replied that Job, a man of godly character, must be receiving punishment for his sins (true-blue buddies). And since it seemed that God wasn’t listening, Job was feeling more alone than ever.

Finally, God spoke. But He didn’t speak up with reasons for Job’s suffering. Instead, God’s voice split the air as He approached Job with questions of His own: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand” (Job 38:4). “Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind? (v.36). “Does the eagle soar at your command and build his nest on high?” (39:27).

Ouch! Job was suddenly silenced. God’s goodness and love and power couldn’t be questioned. In an instant, Job realized that God Himself was the answer to any question he might have.

This all brings me to a choice: In my times of greatest heartache and struggle, will I turn away from my Creator? Or will I remember Job 42:5 and look to see more clearly who He is and how He wants to use my broken heart?

As God increases my faith, I pray for 20/20 vision to see Him in the middle of my suffering. –SC

REFLECTION
* Have I ever felt abandoned by God? When?
* Is God in control of my life? (Job 42:2). How do I know?
* How can suffering help me to “see God”?

When blinded by sorrow, look to Jesus.

Every 3.6 seconds a real person dies from hunger somewhere in the world!!!
Feed a hungry person today:
http://www.hungersite.com

My YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/Ninure

God is still speaking
http://www.stillspeaking.com

John Mark Ministries
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/

TOP 25 SAYINGS I’D LIKE TO SEE ON THOSE OFFICE INSPIRATIONAL POSTERS

TOP 25 SAYINGS I’D LIKE TO SEE ON THOSE OFFICE INSPIRATIONAL POSTERS
 
Eagles may soar, but weasels don’t get sucked into jet engines.
 
Doing a job RIGHT the first time gets the job done. Doing the job WRONG fourteen times gives you job security.
 
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings, they did it by killing all those who opposed them.
 
We put the “k” in “kwality.”
 
If something doesn’t feel right, you’re not feeling the right thing.
 
Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity.
 
A person who smiles in the face of adversity…probably has a scapegoat.
 
If you can stay calm, while all around you is chaos…then you probably haven’t completely understood the situation.
 
Plagiarism saves time.
 
If at first you don’t succeed, try management.
 
Never put off until tomorrow what you can avoid altogether.
 
TEAMWORK…means never having to take all the blame yourself.
 
The beatings will continue until morale improves.
 
Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups.
 
We waste time, so you don’t have to.
 
Hang in there, retirement is only thirty years away!
 
Go the extra mile. It makes your boss look like an incompetent slacker.
 
A snooze button is a poor substitute for no alarm clock at all.
 
When the going gets tough, the tough take a coffee break.
 
INDECISION is the key to FLEXIBILITY.
 
Succeed in spite of management.
 
Aim Low, Reach Your Goals, Avoid Disappointment.
 
We waste more time by 8:00 in the morning than other companies do all day.
 
You pretend to work, and we’ll pretend to pay you.
 
Work: It isn’t just for sleeping anymore.
 
 

Live simply. Love generously.
Care deeply. Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.

===================

FAIR USE NOTICE:

This blog may contain copyrighted material. Such material is made available for educational purposes, to advance understanding of human rights, democracy, scientific, moral, ethical, and social justice issues, etc.

This constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

This material is distributed without profit

“I trace the rainbow through the rain and see the promise is not in vain.”

“God, I need a miracle.”

“God, I need a miracle.”

Have you ever prayed that prayer? Things were so bad that a miracle from God seemed to be the only possible solution. Maybe you got it; God heard your prayer of faith and answered in a powerful way. Maybe you didn’t; God’s answer was “No” or perhaps “I’m taking care of it another way this time.”

For years I believed that seeing something truly miraculous and amazing would surely make my faith so strong that I would never again struggle to follow God. Guess what: it doesn’t work that way.

In Exodus, God’s people marched out of Egypt after the longest series of miracles in the Bible. Trapped between the Egyptians and the sea they cried out to God and he delivered: the water piled up and they walked across on dry land while their pursuers drowned. An incredible faith-building experience, right?

Wrong. Just weeks later the Israelites were so afraid of starving that they longed for the “good old days” of slavery in Egypt when food was plentiful. The entire nation grumbled against Moses for freeing them.

Or consider Elijah the prophet, who challenged 450 prophets of Baal to a showdown. God rained down fire from heaven, proving His power, validating Elijah’s ministry, and motivating the Israelites to kill the prophets of Baal. An incredible faith-building experience, right?

Wrong. Just hours later, after standing his ground against 450 evil men, Elijah was threatened by a lone woman, Jezebel. Elijah was so frightened that he ran into the desert and kept running until he wound up 200 miles away. So much for great faith.

The link between witnessing miracles and developing a dynamic faith is tenuous at best, for one simple reason: faith is not about what you see with your eyes. Faith is about what you see with your heart. If my faith today is based on an amazing performance by God, where will I base it if God chooses not to perform tomorrow? Faith must exist in spite of God’s sometimes miraculous answers, not because of them.

If you are waiting for a miracle on which to build your faith, don’t bother. Real faith, by definition, must be based on what we cannot see. In fact, without faith already in place, you may miss the miracle altogether.

Faith may bring about miracles, but miracles rarely bring
about faith.

Carole

What makes us
special is….
the signature of God
on our lives

Every 3.6 seconds a real person dies from hunger somewhere in the world!!!
Feed a hungry person today:
http://www.hungersite.com

My YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/Ninure

God is still speaking
http://www.stillspeaking.com

John Mark Ministries
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/