Blessed...

I am in a quest to know more about the Bible. I have a daily reading plan (I'm pretty good M-F) and ask lots of questions to my seminary student husband.

My Sunday reading brought me to Matthew 5, The Beatitudes. I've read it many times before, even sung a version of it, but I never heard it like I did when I read "The Message" version. Here it is:

"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.

You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate insead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

Not only that--count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for confort and they are uncomfortable." Matthew 5:3-11, The Message

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. White Sands
2. family
3. media cards
4. bike riding
5. cats & dogs