Saturday, January 31, 2009

Use the Power

The God of love and peace shall be with you.--2 Corinthians 13:11

Have you really tried God?

Since all the other methods have failed, a divine compulsion is laid upon everyone to find the power of God and make use of it. It is not merely a new theory about God that you are looking for; rather, it is the actual power of God that you hope to harness. Unfortunately, this compulsion and mind-set often leads us on a journey in search for truth that ultimately becomes more about us and not so much about God. In Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren establishes in the first chapter of his book that our life is first and foremost about a sovereign God.

Our trouble is that we have not really believed that this Presence exists and operates in human affairs. We have not realized the Divine Presence of God is a living and dynamic reality, the only true reality. What we need is the direct experience of a conscious contact and true sense of oneness with the Divine. Jesus experienced a oneness with God and showed us that it is possible if we would only have faith in the Divine Presence of God.

God is pure Spirit, filling all space. This pure Spirit animates your every act. There is a real you, which lives in a real God, and the two are One. To know this is to understand the great secret of life. to realize this is to understand your relationship with this Divine Presence. To realize that the natural Laws of this Universe which comes from the Mind and Life of God is written in your own mind and is made available to you an awesome power that can meet every need. But you must truly believe and then you will know this secret of life.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Love Overcomes Hate


Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love;where there is injury, pardon;where there is doubt, faith;where there is despair, hope;where there is darkness, light;where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.--Prayer of Saint Francis of Assissi

I know that there is but One Power in the universe and that Power is God. This Power manifests in and through all form, all people, all conditions, and also exist at the very center of our being. This Power is Life Itself and It's only nature is Love--All Good. I know that just as light dissipates darkness, just as heat warms the atmosphere, so a consciousness of good overcomes evil. I know that God constitutes the only Power, Presence, and Law, and the knowledge of this Good, which is the knowledge of Love, overcomes all evil, dissipates it, obliterates it, blots it out.

I refuse to think of hate or any negation as a power, and I know that evil has no power other than what we give it. It truly saddens me to see people emotionally scarred and crippled by a false belief in a power of evil which is made manifest from their imagination only but then propagated through superstition, myths and religious dogma. Hate cannot exist where love is recognized. Knowing that God alone is real, I turn to the Truth that Jesus and others have articulated so well before. When I recognize this Eternal Truth, every so-called evil in my experience, those dark places of my imagination are instantly dissolved into light. The disolution of evil is complete; the manifestation of good is perfect.

Today I am guided into an ever-widening unfoldment of my true being and my every thought, feeling, and act is an expression of the God-Nature, which is always Love and always Good and Perfect. This nature is evident in me, through me and exist all around me and you continuously. Knowing this, I overcome hate with love.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

When Do You Know?



'You know you're a redneck when.....


1. You take your dog for a walk and you both pee on the same tree.
2. You can entertain yourself for more than 15 minutes with a fly swatter.
3. Your boat has not left the driveway in 15 years.
4. You burn your yard rather than mow it.
6. The Salvation Army declines your furniture.
7. You offer to give someone the shirt off your back and they don't want it.
8. You have the local taxidermist on speed dial.
9. You come back from the dump with more than you took.
10. You keep a can of Raid on the kitchen table.
11. Your wife can climb a tree faster than your cat.
12. Your grandmother has 'ammo' on her Christmas list..
13. You keep flea and tick soap in the shower.
14. You've been involved in a custody fight over a hunting dog.
15. You go to the stock car races and don't need a program.
16. You know how many bales of hay your car will hold.
17. You have a rag for a gas cap.
18. Your house doesn't have curtains, but your truck does.
19. You wonder how service stations keep their rest-rooms so clean.
20. You can spit without opening your mouth.
21. You consider your license plate personalized because your father made it.
22. Your lifetime goal is to own a fireworks stand.
23. You have a complete set of salad bowls and they all say 'Cool Whip' on the side.
24. The biggest city you've ever been to is Wal-Mart.
25. Your working TV sits on top of your non-working TV.
26. You've used your ironing board as a buffet table.
27. A tornado hits your neighborhood and does $100,000 worth of improvements.
28. You've used a toilet brush to scratch your back.
29. You missed your 5th grade graduation because you were on jury duty.
30. You think fast food is hitting a deer at 65.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Creativity of Faith

Faith acts like a law, because it is a law. It is the law of mind in action. When we realize this we no longer feel that we must have faith in ourselves as isolated beings, but, rather, that as human beings we are included in the great Law of Life. Paul said, "We are saved by grace, by faith..." Therefore we are set free by faith, mind in action. Now we can rest in complete confidence that our words, spoken in this faith, are the presence and the power and the activity of the Spirit of God in us. All effort to make things happen or to concentrate the mind is put aside, and with quiet childlike acceptance we make known our requests with thanksgiving. We are One with God. Nothing can separate us from the Source.

Letting our faith be of God's Presence and Power we can each say: All that I am, all that I will ever be, and all that I do this day, is the Divine Presence expressing Itself through me. The thoughts I think and the words I speak are Life and Truth because God speaks them through me. Of myself I give no authority to my prayer, but the child of God in me knows that the authority of the Almighty brings to pass the words that I speak.

I speak the word of health for my body, my feelings, and my thoughts, knowing that the Father within is the Power that brings this wholeness into complete being. I speak this day the word of Divine Guidance, and the Wisdom of the universe wells up as a beacon to lead me into the right path, to make straight and clear my everyday paths. I speak the word of joy, and the Spirit of God within frees me from loneliness and sadness. I speak the word of peace to the world and know that the Peace of God reaches into the hearts and minds of people everywhere

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Lord is One

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.--Ephesians 4:6

The key thought for me today is the idea that there is an active Presence of the creative Spirit of God in all my affairs. I am not talking about something passive, but something moving in and through everything we do. I affirm that this Divine Presence is everywhere, that It is always active in, around, and through me.

Believing that this Spirit is at the center of everything and at the very center of my own physical being, I recognize this Presence harmoniously acting in every cell, every organ, and every function of my physical body. I know that every activity within is in harmony with this Divine Life. If there is any doubt, think about what happens when this Life leaves the human body, everything stops functioning and what was once our human form soon turns to compost.

One Mind governs everything, and I now affirm and accept that this same Intelligence governs my affairs this day and every day. It is within me and around me at all times, directing, guiding, governing, controlling, and leading me happily to the fulfillment of all good purposes and the pursuit of happiness.

Recognizing all of nature as the handiwork of God, I see the beauty of His activity in everything--in the wind and the wave, in the sunshine and cloud, and in everything that God has created.

I ask this day that only Good and Perfect things be made manifest in my life as it is in the Life of God which is our only true Reality. Jesus said ask, believing, and you shall receive. I ask that only love, joy, peace, happiness, good health, wealth and prosperity, kindness, generosity, success, money, confidence, wisdom and understanding, seeing beauty in others, creativity and passion are made manifest this day in my life and I receive these Good and Perfect things with a grateful heart.

Always pray in the affirmative, believing it has been done!

This is the best day of my life, for I am set free!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Larry the Cable Guy


The wisdom of Larry the cable guy......


1. A day without sunshine is like night.


2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.


3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.


4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.


5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.


6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.


7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.


8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.


9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.


10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.


11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.


12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.


13. OK, so what's the speed of dark?


14. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.


15. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.


16. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?


17. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.


18. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?


19. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?


20. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'


21. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.


22. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.


23. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Crazy World!

In Lebanon , men are legally allowed to have sex with animals, but the animals must be female. Having sexual relations with a male animal is punishable by death. (Like THAT makes sense.)

In Bahrain , a male doctor may legally examine a woman's genitals, but is prohibited from looking directly at them during the examination. He may only see their reflection in a mirror. (Do they look different reversed?)

Muslims are banned from looking at the genitals of a corpse. This also applies to undertakers. The sex organs of the deceased must be covered with a brick or piece of wood at all times.
(A brick?)

The penalty for masturbation in Indonesia is decapitation.
(Much worse than "going blind!")

There are men in Guam whose full-time job is to travel the countryside and deflower young virgins, who pay them for the privilege of having sex for the first time. Reason: under Guam law, it is expressly forbidden for virgins to marry.
(Let's just think for a minute; is there Any job anywhere else in the world that even comes close to this?)

In Hong Kong , a betrayed wife is legally allowed to kill her adulterous husband, but may only do so with her bare hands. The husband's illicit lover, on the other hand,may be killed in any manner desired.(Ah! Justice!)

Topless saleswomen are legal in LiverpoolEngland - but only in tropical fishstores.(But of course!)

In Cali , Colombia , a woman may only have sex with her husband, and the first time this happens,her mother must be in the room to witness the act.(Makes one shudder at the thought.) (Reminds me when I took my mother-in-law to a restaurant once. The waiter, for some reason, took my order first. "I'll have the strip steak, medium rare, please." He said, "Aren't you worried about the mad cow?"" Nah, she can order for herself." )

In Santa Cruz , Bolivia , it is illegal for a man to have sex with a woman and her daughter at the same time.(I presume this was a big enough problem that they had to pass this law?)

Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour.(Who volunteers for this stuff?)

Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure.(Is that why Flipper was always smiling?)

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. (I know some people like that.)

Starfish don't have brains.(I know some people like that, too.)

And, the best for last?

Did you know that turtles can breathe through their butts. (And I thought I had bad Breath in the morning!)

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Cowboy Philosopher


Headstone of Russell J. Larsen
Logan City Cemetery , Logan, Utah


FIVE RULES FOR MEN TO FOLLOW TO A HAPPY LIFE:

1. It's important to have a woman, who helps at home,who cooks from time to time, cleans up and has a job.

2. It's important to have a woman, who can make you laugh.

3. It's important to have a woman, who you can trust and who doesn't lie to you.

4. It's important to have a woman, who is good in bed and who likes to be with you.

5. It's very, very important that these four women do not know each other.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Share and be Blessed


One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.

Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.
It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers. That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.

On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. 'Really?' she heard whispered. 'I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know others liked me so much,' were most of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.

Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature.

The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin. As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. 'Were you Mark's math teacher?' he as ked. She nodded: 'yes.' Then he said: 'Mark talked about you a lot.'

After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.

'We want to show you something,' his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket 'They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.'

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.

'Thank you so much for doing that,' Mark's mother said. 'As you can see, Mark treasured it.'

All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, 'I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home.' Chuck's wife said, 'Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.' 'I have mine too,' Marilyn said. 'It's in my diary'

Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. 'I carry this with me at all times,' Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: 'I think we all saved our lists'

That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.

Tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Remember, you reap what you sow. What you put into the lives of others comes back into your own.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Sons of John Franklin Dunagan



I recently found this picture of the sons of John Franklin and Frances Samanthra Bryant Dunagan. They look like some really tough guys! Top left to right: Alfred Benton Dunagan, Joseph Alexander Dunagan. Bottom left to right: Jeter Andrew Dunagan, John Marion Dunagan.

John Franklin Dunagan is my 2nd great grandfather and married Frances Samantha Bryant on 22 Jan 1854 in Hall County, GA. John Franklin Dunagan fought with Company D, 55th Regiment, GA Volunteer Infantry, Army of Tennessee, C.S.A. He was captured by Union forces in Alabama but later escaped from a POW camp in which he was held.
They had the following children:

Alford Benton Dunagan born Oct 1855, died 7 Sep 1931 in Jackson County, GA.

Jeter Andrew Dunagan born 26 Aug 1856, died 3 May 1923 in Barrow County, GA. He is shown in the photo above as a young man.(bottom left) He became a builder/carpenter. Below is a picture of Jeter Andrew in his later years. He was my great-grandfather and my father, George Jeter Dunagan, was named after him.

Joseph Alexander Dunagan born 8 Apr 1862, died 25 Dec 1949 in Barrow County, GA.

John M. Dunagan born 22 Mar 1869, died 14 Nov 1920 in Hall County, GA.

Eveline Dunagan born ABT 1871, died ?

Amanda Dunagan born 22 Aug 1871, died 6 Dec 1943 in Hall County, GA.

Lucinda “Lady” Dunagan born ABT 1874, died ?

Sarah Jane Dunagan born ABT 1867, died ?


Jeter Andrew Dunagan

Monday, January 5, 2009

Rome News-Tribune

Heart of the Community 01/04/09

Six local unsung heroes, Henrice Berrien, Dr. Craig McDaniel, Pete McDonald, Steven McDowell, Ronnie Wallace and Ralph White have been selected as recipients of the 2009 Heart of the Community Awards of Honor. These six individuals, along with Board of Governors Honorees, David and Susan Harvey, will be honored on February 14, at the 23rd annual "An Affair of the Heart." These awards are sponsored each year by Redmond Regional Medical and produced by the Heart of the Community Board of Governors.
Steven McDowell is the first recipient of the Young Heart of the Community award. The award recognizes community leaders who are 35 years of age or younger. Steven arrived in Rome in 1998 as a Berry College Bonner Scholar student. His community service hours began then when he volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of Rome and Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital. His involvement in the Rome/Floyd County community has included:
-- Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce -- Bartow County Chamber of Commerce -- Network Day Service Center -- United Way of Rome 2008--09, Campaign Chair -- Historic Preservation Commission of Rome/Floyd County -- Kiwanis Club-- -- Young Professionals of Rome -- Leadership Rome -- Rome/Floyd County 20/20 Plan, Steering Committee -- Rome Area Council for the Arts
A downtown business owner, Steven is engaged to Lindsey Dunagan of Gainesville and they are the proud parents of three black labs.
"Steven ran for public office for City Commissioner twice. Although he didn't win either time, he motivated and encouraged other young people to get involved in their community." -- Jason Litton

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Currents of Life

When I say that our body is spiritual I am not denying that we have a physical body. The physical is included within the spiritual. If the Spirit of God, Divine Intelligence, has seen fit to give us a physical body it would be absurd to think of our body as an illusion unworthy of our attention. Rather, we should think of our body as a spiritual instrument, and every statement we make about our body, or belief we hold about it, we must accept the spiritual Perfection that is the substance of our body and how this Spirit of Perfection heals itself.

My body is the temple of the living Spirit, the invisible. It is spiritual substance now. Every part of my body is in harmony with this Living Spirit within me. The Life of this Spirit, which is God, flows through every atom of my being, vitalizing, invigoration, and renewing every part of my physical body. There is a definite pattern of perfection at the center of my being that is now operating through every organ, function, action, and reaction. My body is forever being renewed by the Spirit of God.

I speak into the Mind of God, this day, and I ask that only Good and Perfect things be made manifest in my life as it is in the Life of God. I ask for love, joy, peace, happiness, harmony, good health, wealth and prosperity, kindness, generosity, success, money, confidence, creativity, wisdom and understanding. I receive all that I ask for with a grateful heart and a thankful attitude.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

The Real Jesus

For too long now, people have studied the life of Jesus from the standpoint of some preconceived notion of Him or His mission and such an approach always tends to lead a person to erroneous conclusions.

The common concept or view of Christ today was given to the church by the priest of the dark ages, at a time when a religious ideal was wanted which should induce men to be content with slavery and suffering, and to bow their necks to every kind of wrong and oppression, administered ususally by the rulers and monarch of the time and often by the church itself.

The concept of the personality of Jesus was drawn directly and almost wholly from the book of Isaiah; the Christ of the church is the Christ of Isaiah, and our ideas of Him grew primarily from this perspective which was hardly an impartial study of the true character and history of His life.

Such passages in the prophecies of Isaiah as; "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and we hid, as it were, our faces from him; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth," have been quoted to show His character, and the meekness and humbly submissive spirit with which He endured wrong and injustice; and we have had held us as the ideal man a despised, friendless, poverty-stricken laborer whom the upper classes regarded with scorn because of his lowly origin and station; who had no friends save fishermen, laborers, outcasts, whores and sinners; who was often shirtless and hungry, and who bore insults and persecutions with meek submission, and walked about in a scornful world with his hands always uplifted in loving benediction.

This character has too long been offered as the Christian ideal; Be meek, Be submissive, Be lamb-like or sheep-like. Bow your head before the persecutor, and offer your back to the shearer. Rejoice when you are fleeced; it is for the glory of God. It is a good religion for the man with the shears. This view of Christ was held up in the old fashioned orthodox pulpit as a weak character. He is not the kind of man we would nominate for president and his followers would have very little faith in him as a community organizer(no pun intended).

Well, who was the real Jesus? In the first place, Jesus could not have been despised because he was a carpenter, or the reputed son of a carpenter. Custom required every Jewish Rabbi or teacher to have a trade. You can read in the Talmud of Rabbi Johanan, the blacksmith, and of Rabbi Isaac, the shoemaker, both learned and highly honored men. Rabbi Jesus, the carpenter, would be spoken of in the same way. Considering his family connection and the culture, and the people of that time, Jesus could not have been despised for His birth and station. He was popularly supposed to be of royal blood, being saluted as the son of David; His lineage was well known. The people who cried "Hosannah to the son of David" knew that He was an aristocrat of the aristocrats; a prince of the royal house. He was not "lowly" in birth, nor was He supposed to be so. On this point I refer all of you Bible scholars to Matthew 9:27; Matthew 15:22; Matthew 20:30; Matthew 21:9; Mark 10:47.

Secondly, He was a highly educated man. Therefore he could not have been despised for his ignorance, for he was a very learned man. Whenever he went into a synagogue he was selected to read the law and teach the congregation, as the best qualified for that work. Luke says; "There went a fame of him through all the region round about, and he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all." In those times of fierce religious disputation, no unlearned man could have held his own in such fashion. He must have been letter-perfect in the books of the Jewish law, for he was always able to rout his adversaries by making apt quotations from their own books. Even his enemies always addressed him as Master, or Teacher, acknowledging his profound knowledge and wisdom. On this point, read Matthew 13:54; Mark12:24-34; Luke 4:14-15; John 7:19-23; John 10:34.

Third, Jesus did not live in poverty, he had plenty. He was not despised for his poverty, for he had many wealthy and influential friends, and knew no lack of anything. Lazarus and sisters, whose home was always open to him, were people of consequence; for we are told that "many of the Jews" came to comfort the sisters when Lazarus died.

Luke says that Joanna, the wife of Chuza, the king's steward, and other women "ministered unto him of their substance"; that is, they were supporters of his work. The king's steward was a high official, and his wife would be a prominent lady. Joseph of Arimathea, who came to get the body of Jesus, was a well-to-do man. So, probably was Nicodemus. Jesus healed the sick in the families of rulers and high government officials, and they appear to have responded liberally in supplying his financial needs.

True, Jesus to our knowledge, never owned property and bought no real estate; but he dressed expensively, lived well and never lacked for money. Whe he was crucified the soldiers cast lots for his clothing because it was too fine a garment to cut up, as they would have normally done with garments of an ordinary man: and on the night of his betrayal, when Judas went out, it was supposed by the others that he had gone to give something to the poor. It must have been their custom to give away money, or how could such a supposition have arisen? Jesus wore fine clothes, had plenty to eat and drink, and had money to give away. Read Luke 8:1-3; Luke 5:33; Luke 23:50; John 11:19; John 19:23.

The last point I want to make is the fact, that Jesus was not humble, in the commonly accepted meaning of the word then or today. He was a man of the most impressive, commanding, charismatic and powerful personal appearance. He "spoke as one having authority" and "his word was with power."

Frequently, we are told, great fear and awe fell upon the people at his mighty words and works. In one place they were so frightened that they besought him to leave; and John tells how certain officers sent to arrest him in the market place lost their nerve in his commanding presence, and went back, saying "Surely, never man spake like this man."

On the night of his arrest a band of soldiers approached him in the grove and asked for Jesus of Nazareth; and when He answered "I am he," such was his majesty and physical presence that they prostrated themselves; "they went backward," the account says, "and fell to the ground" (John 18:6)

To be like the true Christ of the four Gospels, one must be learned, well dressed, well supplied with money, and of noble and commanding appearance, speaking with authority, and having tremendous magnetic power. It is time that the church reexamine their age old teaching about the life, character, and personality of Jesus. But, will they? Probably not.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Law of Ultimate Reality

  • Law of Mechanical Repair After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee.
  • Law of Gravity Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
  • Law of Probability The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
  • Law of Random Numbers If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.
  • Law of the Alibi If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.
  • Variation Law If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).
  • Law of the Bath When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.& Law of Close Encounters The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.
  • Law of the Result When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.
  • Law of Biomechanics The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
  • Law of the Theater At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.
  • Murphy's Law of Lockers If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.
  • Law of Physical Surfaces The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.
  • Law of Logical Argument Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
  • Brown's Law of Physical Appearance If the shoe fits, it's ugly.
  • Oliver's Law of Public Speaking A closed mouth gathers no feet.
  • Wilson 's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.
  • Doctors' Law If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better. Don't make an appointment and you'll stay sick.


''Life's tough ... it's even tougher if you're stupid.'' - John Wayne

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Begin This Day

Are you in earnest? Then seize
this very minute.
What you can do, or dream you can,
begin it;
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it;
only engage then the mind grows heated;
Begin, and then the work will be completed.--Goethe

I believe that new arts, new sciences, new philosophies, better government, and a higher civilization wait on us this day. These things work through our imagination and will and I believe the time is ready, the place is where we are now, and it is done as we believe and act.

As we begin this new year, I enter into a newness of Life. The Spirit of God is forever unfolding Its own nature in me and through me. I now release the multitude of doubts and fears that crowd into my mind, and I become quiet and still so that the Life of God be made manifest and visible in my reality.

And so my faith, the faith of the little child in me, rises with expectancy to meet this new day, this new year in joy, peace, happiness and love. I accept this great bounty of heaven. With the faith of a little child I place my human hand in the invisible hand of the all-sustaining goodness of God, and I accept the miracles of Life and Love taking place all around me.

Today and everyday I possess the vitality of the Infinite. I am strong and well, confident and sure. The Life of the Spirit of God is my life. I have been born of this Spirit. I am in this Spirit. I am this Spirit made manifest this day and everyday.
In this moment, this day, I ask that only good and perfect things be made manifest in my life as it is in the Life and Mind of God....love, joy, peace, happiness, good health, wealth and prosperity, confidence, success, money, wisdom, knowledge and understanding, friendship, creativity, laughter, music, generosity, harmony, kindness and passion. I receive all these good and perfect things with a grateful heart.