Long, boring, and personal. Enter at your own risk.

Feb 15, 2025, 10:55 AM

My mother was a sweet, humble, bible-believing Southern Baptist. Born in the early 1920s, she was raised in a mill village and had a high school education, but had that air of "respectable refinement" common to many southern ladies of that era that belied her modest upbringing. Not highly educated, but her grammar was perfect, and based on the way she carried herself and spoke, you would have thought she was from old southern money. Thing is, it wasn't a put-on, or a conscious thing at all; it's just the way she and a lot of women were raised back then.

Her faith was strong, and church was very important to her, and we were there every Sunday, and a lot of Wednesdays for prayer meeting (and "R.A.s" for me). I was very involved all the way through high school. After that, I moved out and began to drift away from God and everything I had been taught.

During this time, my mother signed me up for a daily devotional called "Daily Word", which came in the U.S. mail. It always contains a positive, loving message, and a corresponding bible verse. She loved and embraced that. My mother died in 2002, but I still get Daily Word and read it daily, now by email. As I was reading today's message, it really dawned on me how big of a part my mother, and Daily Word have played in my faith journey, and what a long, strange trip it's been . . . thus this post.

Here's the thing. Daily Word is published by Unity Church. Some of their core beliefs are in direct conflict with those of fundamentalist Christianity, including those of Southern Baptists like my mother. I don't think my mother was ever aware of this. I just think the positive, loving biblical message resonated with her. It always resonated with me too; I think she knew it would. It's a message I can't ignore. I believe this is the way God works, and his real message transcends and gets through when we realize it.

Thank you, Mother. I love and miss you, but I know you are there, and look forward to seeing you again someday. Today's message:

Saturday February 15, 2025

I lift my mind and heart as I pray for my loved ones and all who come to me in need of prayer. I also bless the world with prayerful love and light. With steadfast faith, I trust the power of prayer.

I envision divine love easing the uncertainty and hurt of those who are struggling, suffering, or going through challenging times. As I pray for others, I deepen in faith of my oneness with God and with all creation.

Secure in the presence and power of my divine nature, I pray as I envision a world where everyone feels valued and lives at peace with themselves and all others. My heart is filled with love and compassion. Throughout the day, I keep my heart open and feel love and light flow outward from me to the world.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.—Romans 12:12

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down

thumb_up

"Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard."
- H. L. Mencken

Re: Long, boring, and personal. Enter at your own risk.

Your mother is a lady, past, present in our memories and now, the future with our Savior and Lord.

I pick sometimes calling the KJB what Paul carried on his mission but I am, and have always been aware that even if written on the walls in a bar or tavern the power of it is not diminishes. God is faithful to Christians and Hebrews in the covenants He made and He is faithful to His Word.

I have seen God's Word change my life many times. Many times I've slipped backward in fellowship with God and many times His Word retrieved me to that love, eternal security, hope, mercy and grace.

You could have been describing my maternal grandmother for she was too, just as was your mother. I had a couple aunts who were like that. You seldom see that character these days but when fortunate enough to be in their presence you can see God's Spirit in the glow on their faces. Rare indeed.

I hurt for your loss and share the grief which never leaves but over time gets shows up less frequently and just as heartbreaking as ever.

You honor us by sharing that.
Message was edited by: ClemsonTiger1988®

Re: Long, boring, and personal. Enter at your own risk.

You ought to shoot for Heaven.

Maybe he is?***

Long, boring, and personal. Enter at your own risk.

Re: Long, boring, and personal. Enter at your own risk.

Re: Long, boring, and personal. Enter at your own risk.

Re: Long, boring, and personal. Enter at your own risk.

You ought to shoot for Heaven.

Maybe he is?***

TigerBoard POTD