Our Trip to The Garden of Eden

Eternal Slavery

That didn't go well (speaking of the previous post).

I noticed.

Pain got out of control. A riot broke out. Criminals tearing down the country. I kind of lost direction. 

That can happen when you lose focus. You get lost.

Oh. Well, yeah, that's kind of what happened. 

I'm sorry. But you seem to have found your way back.

Yes, but I didn't keep up my 10 days of Praise as I planned. I completely flubbed it. 

That's true, but I think we've talked more lately. I've enjoyed that.

Why do I feel so down in the dumps?

Maybe because the world has become a dump? Look at what they're doing. They're saving me a lot of time burning things down. If they keep it up, I won't have much left to do.

I don't think that's funny. It's very painful to watch them try to destroy our history. It isn't perfect, but it reminds us.

They don't want reminders. They can't forgive and so they can't forget. They want to eradicate it and pretend it never happened. It is why they blame people who were in no way responsible. They feel better having someone to blame rather than admitting it can't be fixed or changed. They are stuck in the past and that is why they can't prosper. Tearing down buildings and statues makes them feel as if they've actually done something. They haven't, of course. They've destroyed their own people and lived up to the expectations of certain groups. Rather than defying the stereotypes, they've lived up to them. 

I studied history. It isn't pretty in any age. Terrible things happen to all cultures. But most of them recover, move on, and change their world for the better. Of course, corrupt people pop up and mess it up, but in virtually every case, people overcome and move toward a better state. They don't keep reliving it. 

The world no longer looks to the source of love and forgiveness. They no longer abide by holy laws. They've become corrupt in their hearts, and this damages their minds. Those who will not forgive wrongs curse themselves and their descendants to relive them and never find peace. 

Forgiveness releases one from the past? 

The past is finished, but unforgiveness acts as a chain to bind us to it. So, it binds the unforgiving to their past. And they will repeat it as long as they remain chained to it. Unforgiveness is slavery perfected. Eternally bound to the past and all its pain.

#ConversationsWithHim

Ten Days of Praise Again: Day 1

I feel as if I'm drifting on some current that I can't see. I don't know where I am in the stream of time or location. I just drift along, in a quarantine daze, waiting for the next bend in the river.

I've been seeing several challenges on Facebook about posting 10 selfies, 10 albums, etc. In 2015 I took up a personal challenge to blog 10 days of praise. The parameters were simple. Write a post of praise for ten days. Not a post thanking God for things. Not a post listing needs for God to answers. Just posts praising God. Here's the original post:

From Ten Days of Praise: Day 1
I bury myself in the dirt of depression, dejection, and disappointment. I do not know why or how that happens. I spend days in despair at the problems that arise with the sun. Yet, you are the resurrection, the way, the truth, and the life. I should not be buried. I'm alive because of your greatness, your grace, and your goodness.

 How can I spend day after day after day wallowing in my misery when you stand right there, with your hand extended to help me up? You, oh Lord, are the light unto my path, the lamp to my feet, and the peace that passes all understanding.

On the darkest days, you, Oh Lord, are my light to guide me through the darkest tunnels, and illuminate the deepest crevasses. You are the hope of the day and the assurance of the night. When I can walk no more, you carry me.

You are so much more than the sum of all my problems. You are worthy of all my praise.

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Today, I will add here. You are the source of all my Praise!

Join me, if you dare, in writing Praise Posts for 10 days and sharing them. During this crisis, let us lift our heart, hands, and our words to God and give Him all the praise.