4/10/2022 Who we are must die for us to have hope or to be able to be hope.

This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me hope, beyond hope.

Grace is not something we offer but must be who we have become through grace!!!

From my Grace Journal to remind me of our need not for agreement but grace in our relationships.

 

4/9/2022

Power is like the shimmering reflection of light seen on wine

or the coloring as light flows through glass enclosed alcohol

We are drawn to this reflected and diffused light we call power

and believe as we drink the power of light will flow through us

At first the beverage gladdens our heart and frees us for more

as the problems of our past, present and future become diluted

We are tempted to drink more so power will grow stronger in us

as at first we see what held us back slip away and we are free

Set free by the first drinks we are emboldened to drink deeper

knowing we will be more free and able to have and use power

We sense and know of our brilliance and majesty from the cup,

the cup which used to reflect and diffuse the light of our power

We see things clearer than anyone else even as the light dims

the reflection and diffusion slowly dissipates in our dissipation

The amount we drink of power must grow so we stay the same

but we must look away of what was drowned in powers cup

When problems arise we proudly stand and proclaim it is them,

every problem is the fault of those who want to stand in our way

They desire our power so we destroy them for the good of others

because only our power can bring about all we see for the future

They must be destroyed not because they threaten our power

but cause they threaten the good we can achieve with our power

They are not people but obstacles to all the good power achieves

and these obstacles hurt what our power enables us to achieve

We drink deeper of power and can do what we never thought

and destroy the obstacles that stand in the way of our good

They are not people but obstacles to all the good power achieves

and these obstacles hurt what our power enables us to achieve

We drink again and without thought we label or destroy obstacles

with little thought as lives, families and even communities fall

They are not people but obstacles to all the good power achieves

and these obstacles hurt what our power enables us to achieve

We drink deeper and all thought of other is lost in our greater good

the good our power is enabling to take place to form powers future

They are not people but obstacles to all the good power achieves

and these obstacles hurt what our power enables us to achieve

The more we drink the more important power is in who we are

and we become servants of our own power until the power is us

Power does not just define us but power is who and what we are

and so power is our master and the good is murdered by power

We must destroy all obstacles for they threaten the greater good

so our desire for a legacy of good is prostituted for greater power

Power does not just define us but power is who and what we are

and so power is our master and the good is murdered by power

Power makes us into what evil we wanted power to overcome

and drove us to drink of the cup of power, the cup of God’s wrath

Power does not just define us but power is who and what we are

and so power is our master and the good is murdered by power

Thirst for power destroys all we wanted so our power can grow

and we are lost from not only what we wanted but who we were

Power does not just define us but power is who and what we are

and so power is our master and the good is murdered by power

We are dead but we continue to destroy as power is now master

and we must serve and protect our new master as light dies in us

and it is we who are in the goblet or in the clear shot glass seen

drawing others to the slavery of power and the death of our power

We are dead but destroy because only God can control power!!!

Ronald Ramsey 4/1/2022

 

4/8/2022 While reading a book from the cozy mystery series this quote really hit me.

“I wish I could tell you that we have some big lead about your sister’s whereabouts. What I can tell you is this—losing faith will do no good. Hope is the most powerful thing we have. You have to keep believing that one day we’ll find her.”

Potts, Meredith. Daley Buzz 32-Book Cozy Mystery Set (p. 258). Kindle Edition.

In whatever we face or go through hope is not helpful but essential!

This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me hope, beyond hope.

Grace is not to be abused. We should never assume we can sin because grace will take away our guilt. While reading in the book of Hebrews I realized I have abused grace and sin has become my master once again. I beg you to not abuse grace!

From my Grace Journal to remind me of our need not for agreement but grace in our relationships.

 

4/7/2022 How do you define hope? What difference does having hope mean? What difference does not having hope mean? Take time to write down your answers.

This is an entry from my Hope Journal which helps me hope, beyond hope.

What is grace? Should the question be Who is grace? What part does grace play in my life, family, community or world? Take time to write down your answers.

From my Grace Journal to remind me of our need not for agreement but grace in our relationships.

 

4/6/2022 Around me are wild fires in Weir’s Valley which were whipped by winds of up to 80 miles per hour destroying huge areas of woodland and some homes. Fire crews from around the area converged to fight these fires and put their lives on the line for those they do not even know. While in the Navy I was tasked with others from my ship to help fight an horrific fire. There were many fire tornadoes drawing wind in so fast you were pulled toward them. The fires raced so fast the trees exploded sending huge pieces of wood on us. At times you were not so much fighting the fire as trying to save your own life. While not even a Christian I experienced the power and wonder of hope and grace.

This is a combination of my Hope and Grace Journals.

 

4/5/2022 The Putin invasion of Ukraine continues on as a small nation continues to hold back the massive force raining death and destruction on them. There is no doubt Putin thought it all would be over and by now he would be smugly consolidating his victory and looking at other nations with hunger and desire. Many nations have sent weapons, ammunition, food, healthcare supplies and best of all their prayers to support those fighting for their families, homes and nation. Putin calls the Jewish President of Ukraine a nazi revealing not just how unnecessary this invasion is but also how out of touch with reality he is. Anger and fear demands we hate and revile Putin but hope and grace demands we love and pray for him. If we do not act with hope and grace there will be more Ukraine’s invaded by more Putin’s and we will die in the fire of fear and hatred!!!

This is a combination of my Hope and Grace Journals.

 

4/4/2022

From a small room

For six years we prayed

Joining heart and soul

God has answered each

And has changed the world

People are alive even now

Some have been saved

The weary given strength

And hope has been received

The glory of God on display

Shining from a small room

Across the world lives touched

Some whom we never knew

Heaven invaded darkest earth

And evil forced to flee

As God's power flowed out

God's desire came to be