The small and simple things of the Harvest.

We choose the thoughts we sow, and we reap the feelings that bloom.
We choose the feelings we keep, and we reap the actions they compel.
We choose the actions we perform, and we reap the unalterable consequences affixed.
We choose the actions we persistently repeat, and we create our character.
Character once forged in the fires of time, reveals our sure and future destiny.
There's a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.
Choose the Good thoughts.
Maintain the Right feelings.
Perform the Edifying actions.
Create the Righteous Character.
Reap your Destiny!
For the power is within us to choose what we will.
And what we will, determines what we become.

P.U.S.H.

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had a work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. So this man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down; his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all of his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts in the man's weary mind: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't moved," thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.

"Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough." And that is what he planned to do, until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. "Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?

The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. Now I, My friend, will move the rock."

At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just a simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves mountains.

When everything seems to go wrong, just PUSH! When the job gets you down, just PUSH! When people don't react the way you think they should, just PUSH! When your money looks "gone" and the bills are due, just PUSH! When people just don't understand you, just PUSH!

P= Pray
U= Until
S= Something
H= Happens

- Author Unknown

Join the Dance

Welcome to the Ball, trumpets the majesty of the beat, as we rush into the festival of motion;
stunned to the scene...pause for a breath.., the grand spectacle of movement - a great mesmerizing ocean.

But only a moment, for the movement is fierce, soon we're swallowed by the marauding melee.
Dance friend, that's what's done here, dance for as long as you stay.

Caught off guard, people abound, partners to join for some meters.
But something is strange, guise is about, faces untrue to the wearer.
Facades cloud the view, masquerading as true, making it difficult to see.
For many dance for themselves,
and more prance for the crowd,
both decorated with beautiful shrouds,
all in great scenes of jubilee.
But untrue they are,
for denied is the Ball's true star,
the harmony of music and partner.

Through misteps, and imperfect form,
though bruised our toes might be,
the beauty of dance is shared heart,
a genuine working towards unity.
One with the music,
one with each other,
though truly two people exist.
The great dancers know it takes effort,
and many, many things to fix.
Yet free from a plastic cocoon,
genuine to plain sight,
they enjoy sharing and partaking of inspiration,
not force,
to dance right.

The key to good dancing is expectation,
held in the right light.
Seeking to share in a person,
and not a fancifully selfish plight.
Genuine to self,
not masking over,
discovering the truth of you and of me,
together,
openly,
honestly,
respectfully,
we work to move,
effortlessly!
To do so requires practice together,
those movements both good,
and bad.
In weakness exposed:
affection,
acceptance,
and appreciation still had.
Never a partner passed off,
like an unfashionable fad.
When stepped on, kindly, yet firmly expressing the pain of the step,
to ears hopefully perked up ready to dance more adept.
And even when repeated,
the offense of a heavy sole on a sensitive toe,
realizing the partner's weakness and adjusting,
responding in patient kindness by giving time to grow.

When tango gets tangled,
just tango on,
enjoying the person
strengthens the bond.
The best dancers to watch,
are those plain to see,
love dancing together,
afraid never to be.
But the road to that place,
is marked with a face,
as dropped is the mask of pretense.
For our movements describe
those feelings inside,
resulting from musical blindness.
So as we clasp hands,
to dance to the band,
remember to treat with much kindness.
People have hearts that feel and that swell.
Care for how they're regarded.
Lest before you know,
your insensitive show,
deepen an unseen woe.
Therein helping create,
a most horrible fate,
another masked shell in the making.
See others as you would be seen,
well treated, remembered,
cared and importantly deemed.
For then will you dance with passion of fire,
instead of behind masks
with all the liars.

Destiny

We are a people of destiny! Not meant in the sense of our actions being predetermined, for within the domain of our lot, our choices are uniquely ours, to do with as we please. We are a people of destiny, meaning we are a people of promise, a people of consequence, each traveling self selected roads that each have a real and undeviating destination. The roads we travel determine the destinations we reach. The roads are unbiased; whether the destination is what we desire or not, the destination will not change. Only we can change! We can change roads, though it may mean backtracking and starting over at times. Ultimately, we bear the responsibility and accountability of those paths we choose to endure. So let us choose carefully, for we are plotting our very future existences. The freedom and power to chart our own course, life, and future destiny hangs upon intelligence. The truth (reality) of things becomes tantamount. Knowing, believing, and acting upon the reality of things as they were, as they are, and as they will be, establishes security and the assured fulfillment of expectation; believing and acting upon lies, the greatest threat to happiness. Herein is this mortal life's quest - seek, discover, and act upon truth, believe nothing else, and then of a surety, and with complete confidence, you will know your final destiny - peace, power, and joy!

Intentions

The ever knowing "they" tell us that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
What "they" don't tell us is that the road to Heaven is also paved with good intentions.
How can that be? And how can we know what path we tread?

The answer remains with the particular truths of each experience.
If we are deceived into believing anything that is untrue about any of the details inherent to any scenario, then our judgement is compromised, and our expectations have no realistic foundation. It is in these circumstances that good intentions result in anthing but good.

Good intentions fuel action, but only correct works realize good intentions.
Good intentions without correct works result in misdeeds!

Perspectives - To what end?

Person 1

What need have we for humanity? For do we not live as cogs and hands to feed. Realize you must, I have no real need of thee. For it is only me I live to serve and please. To that end I tolerate that which you bring, and where displeasure you touch, I discard you, you wretched thing! Or better yet, manipulation becomes my creed; for tomorrow comes with lightning speed. Years roll by, and what weight have these deeds? After all, I have needs that a mere two hands can't feed. All that matters is filling momentary greed; for fleeting is time, and soon it runs out! So why should I not be about; lying and stealing, all to get gain, as much as I can, enough for great fame; nothing more, and nothing less, than that which feels good to me, for after death no more will I be. So, why should I waste time and effort on kindness, love, or patience for others? Do you not see, we are not brothers, you are merely an object to me.

Person 2

I'll answer you sir, for you are in error. No object am I. I share not your terror. Death holds no great fear for me, for afterward I'll continue to live, and you too will see; that this time is a forgetful waking. A step to a life of a superior making. What good is a man should he live forever, without the strength to be better; better than greed, and selfish merry making, better than tricks and deceitful soul breaking, what use would they be, in eternity? A useful devil would he become to those of a lesser knowledge, unless he learned that love, is not bondage. But with all time, work, effort, and truth, the friend to humanity, commited to love, rises above the corrupt and uncouth, and with peace in his wings flys higher and higher, much like a dove, rising high to inspire. More family, more friends, more power, and glory, all things eventually gained, no end to his story.

Person 1

Don't talk to me of angels, saints, and God. For what proof do you bring with your religious mobs. I see no purpose in life, no more than the relentless toil and strife. So, why not enjoy the pleasures I lay claim; enjoy glitz, and glamour, and all of the fame. I remember no life before I was born. I am no chump, to be tricked to conform. If it is true that there's more to this life than I know, then God never gave me that important memo. And what can he charge against what I here do, if he didn't care to tell me that which you do? No, instead I know what you're about, leading captive the weak minded that don't doubt; getting them to do whatever you please, whatever your fancy, and all with great ease. For disobedience quickly labeled sin, you threaten them with imaginary scenes of the most grim. Why would your God, full of grace and great love, not tell me the purpose of life from his throne up above?

Person 2

To what end would this serve, what choice would you show? How else could He help you to learn and to grow? To know and disbelieve carries a different fate, than one who has imperfect faith, and fails to equate. So, hard as it is, for a perfect Father above, he lets you own your decisions, to hate or to love. Experience as key, to discovering what's true, the test now is not for Him, but completly for you. Unfettered by a premortal past, released from bonds of what you knew, you show what's in your heart, and what's trully important to you. What would you choose without God there in person, to remind you that evil carries a cursing. Would you choose to come to know Him, and do as He does, following truths paths of righteousness or merely go looking for a buzz? God is good, he does not hide, seek Him out, you need to want to try. Get to know Him and you will see, He is love, loves you, me, and all humanity!

The Contemporary World - Appetite of the Modern Slave

Wandering..., searching..., relentless....
Fumbling place to place,
no longer running,
but now sprinting.
Drinking and tasting from a cornucopia of fanciful delicacies.
Gobbling down every exquisite morsel,
but just slow enough to give room for the next tasteless bite.
Palate swimming in numb blinding sensation,
fearing forever,
the absence of the unaccounted savor.
Must eat faster!
Titilated by prospects of tantalizing taste,
the seared callous tongue dismissed,
unawares of the paradoxical emptiness,
the unsatiable fulness,
must not miss out.
Must go faster.
Must have more.
Must dismiss distraction.
Tongue trapped,
and sumptuously shackled,
definitions disparage and values distort,
freedom wrested,
first myopically disregards,
digressively departs,
and finally disputingly disdains,
the passion - less path.
Betrothed to unrequited want,
impervious to appreciation,
affectionate only for sensation,
accepting of everything yet to - no one.
Heresies of heresies,
the ultimate blaspheme,
choking the breath of life,
the ultimate sign of slavery,
the fiendish design to demise,
reframed to resist remorse,
reconstituted to read as rectitude,
re-enthroned as heart and head,
relabeled ruler, teacher,
root of action and intent,
LOVE of master discovered,
the slave clings forever to,
and for,
their bondsman - destruction.