GREENE STREET LETTERS: THE SIMPLE THINGS

Friday, March 19, 2021

THE SIMPLE THINGS

Psalm 119:130
The entrance of Your words gives light. It gives understanding to the
Simple.

adj. sim·pler, sim·plest

1. Having or composed of only one thing, element, or part. See Synonyms at pure.

2. Not involved or complicated; easy: a simple task. See Synonyms at easy.

3. Being without additions or modifications; mere: a simple "yes" or "no."

4. Having little or no ornamentation; not embellished or adorned: a simple dress.

5. Not elaborate, elegant, or luxurious. See Synonyms at plain.

6. Unassuming or unpretentious; not affected.

I do consider myself to be a simple man. I don't take that as a put down or a criticism at all.

I lead, what I consider to be a simple life. I don't need a lot of stuff to feel good about my existence. I find joy in what some refer to as life's simpler pleasures.

I love a good cup of coffee. Coffee that doesn't have to be flavored or dressed up. Don't mind others who like theirs that way, but it's not for me.

I love me some "grand children" hugs. Never tire of them. I love to hear my grand kids call my name when they come through the door. Nothing like having a lap full love when they crawl up to hug your neck. Only now such is relegated to memories and good ones they are. My grand kids are no longer "kids"...Tyler at college and Ashley in high school. Spending time with them brings me great pleasure.

I like a firm handshake. A good hug. A backs slap. A hand on the shoulder. All good because of human contact.

I like hearing my wife's voice before we drift off to sleep, and then see her face first thing every morning.

The smell of Honeysuckle is good also. I especially like it when the day is over and the sun is going down.

Freshly mowed grass and freshly turned earth are the two best smells in the world, because they represent work that has been done.

I like a good laugh, even at my own expense. If you can't laugh at yourself, you better go sit in the corner and do some thinking.

Thunder and lightning are the best show ever. Standing on the porch waiting for the rain. You can smell rain. My wife taught me that one. Bless her heart, she can sniff out a storm a hundred miles away.

I love to see my wife in new ways. You know what I mean. I'll be going through my day doing all the little tasks that have to be done to keep a household running, and I'll be walking through a room and catch a glimpse of her. And for a brief moment, it's like I'm seeing her again for the first time. It kind of catches your breath and makes your heart skip a beat. I silently throw up a prayer thanking God for the life He has given the two of us.

I love to worship.

I love to sing and pour out my heart to God. I love to worship when Debbie Handy is leading. She can take us into the presence of God faster than any other person I know of.
I love it when God comes down and fills the room with His presence during worship. I simply love to get lost in worship. Get lost to the point that there doesn't seem to be anyone else in the room except for God and me.

I love it when the Holy Spirit lets me see a verse in a new way. One that is applicable to me. One that I need to read and apply. It's like the verse stands up on the page and screams my name out..."Michael! Pay attention! You need to understand this."

I love a good sermon that is filled with God's word. Not much for what I call "pop self-help" kind of messages. I love it when the Holy Spirit moves me during a sermon.....moves me to consider my own life and the way I've lived it. To show me things that are not pleasing to God, so I can repent and rid myself of these thoughts and behaviors. Nothing like being free from all the old junk.

I never tire of seeing someone saved. Of seeing that "light" come on in their hearts that truly reveals that they are the problem and Jesus is the answer.

I appreciate you letting me ramble this morning.

I was feeling grateful for all that God has allowed me to see and experience.

It has been a great ride so far, and I look forward to seeing it all the way to the end.

In case I haven't told you lately....
I love you and so does God.

God on you...

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Looking At The World Through Cracked Lens

As ol' Paul wrote in his Corinthian letters.."We see in part and we know in part." Now what piece of this bit of wisdom do we not get? I wish to not run around acting and trying to be some sort of Biblical G00-Ru (I meant to spell it wrong). Or a sage of sages.

I simply want to be able to communicate some of what God has given to me. Why? Do I think what I get is better than what you may have received from Him? Nope. But I do think encouragement comes when we share our daily story of struggle and victory in an effort to encourage each other.

Thanks for letting me share.

Time to soldier on..

mbb

Our Statement of Faith

We believe that God is the eternal king. He is an infinite, unchangeable Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, goodness, justice, power and love. From all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God in three persons of one substance, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit equal in power and glory. we believe that God created mankind in His image, male and female, for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth. Under the temptation of Satan, our original parents fell from grace, bringing sin, sickness and God's judgment of death to the earth. Through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God's good creation. Creation now experiences the consequences and effects of Adam's original sin. Human beings are born into sin, subject to God's judgment of death and captive to Satan's kingdom of darkness. We believe that Jesus, God's Son, was sent to this world, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Mary, fully God and fully man in one person. He is humanity as God intended us to be. Jesus was anointed as God's Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, ushering in God's kingdom reign on earth, overpowering the reign of Satan by resisting temptation, preaching the good news of salvation, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. Jesus' atoning death on the cross took God's judgment for sin which we deserved as law-breakers. Jesus' resurrection and ascent back to heaven opened the door for those who received salvation to begin a relationship with God.

Little Nets Into Deep Waters

Fishing nets were designed for one purpose only. To catch fish. Nets are no good if they stay on the boat. Nets serve no purpose if they are never used. I think maybe God sees us this way. We are all created for a purpose (by the way, the creator gets to define what our purpose is). Any other use besides the one we were created for does us no good. But when the creator places His hands upon us, casting us out into those scary, dark places with deep waters, it is then we can see the reality of our purpose. He knew there would be a catch waiting for us. I think I will be the net God has called me to be.

The Twelve Steps

As a community of people in recovery, we affirm that our higher power is Jesus Christ. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Just as God told the children of Israel He was going to give them a promised land, He has revealed to us that He desires to give us a "Promised Life." When Israel got to the promised land, God instructed them to go and in a possess it, fight for it and claim it. In recovery, the 12 Steps are the directions given to us on how to fight, possess and claim this promised life.

Friday, March 19, 2021

THE SIMPLE THINGS

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THE REALITY OF THE NAME OF GOD