RevRainbow

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  1. Wish I could upload photos but I tried two different servers and a variety of methods and still no results! Anyhoo...I have two books written for and compiled by Edward R. Murrow titled "This I Believe." Volume One is dated 1952 and Volume 2 is 1954. Each book has 100 personal philosophies of (a few) historical and (mostly) prominent figures of the day from Charles Darwin, Dag Hammarskjold, Carl Sandburg, Adlai Stevenson, Helen Hayes, Helen Keller and the list goes on and on. Also, some historical biggies as Confucius, Socrates, Dante... Thoughts by artists, musicians, politicians, writers, newsfolk, leaders, movers and shakers. It is most interesting to peruse the beliefs and philosophies of famous, or at least notable, figures of the 20th Century. I always have admired and, in a way, emulated, Edward R Murrow. I remember as a kid watching the McCarthy hearings on TV along with "See It Now" and "Person to Person." I have videos of his shows, transcripts of his messages, and books. These two editions have been a wealth of insights and diversity of thought, and, there is room for contemplation on the way others view life in general as well as their own purpose in it.. I wonder if we asked 100 prominent people today, "What do you believe (in regards to the relative importance of spiritual and moral things)?" what would their answers be. PS: I also like to read passages occasionally from The Art of War by Sun Tzu. I have a more recent translation and commentary from 1972.
  2. God desires spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

    1. Atwater Vitki

      Atwater Vitki

      rofl!! call me "Papaya"... ;)

      Blessings of Peace,

    2. DrChrisBryant

      DrChrisBryant

      (Smiling) I like that! - Chris

  3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Map1zRj0Nlc&feature=share
  4. Happy Birthday, Pete!

  5. Wedding this weekend. Be back on Sunday.

    1. Atwater Vitki

      Atwater Vitki

      Safe journey and Blessed event!

    2. RevRainbow

      RevRainbow

      and to you too! Get some trout!

  6. Gonna take some time off from posting. I will be monitoring my assigned forum topics during this time. Peace.

  7. Makes me almost like cats! Cute pics.
  8. is proud to announce that he was requested, and agreed, to perform his first Gay wedding ceremony in Illinois.

    1. Show previous comments  3 more
    2. RevRainbow
    3. Bluecat

      Bluecat

      Congrats to you and them. Wish you'd done mine!

    4. Atwater Vitki

      Atwater Vitki

      Don't know how I didn't see this one!? How great! I'm sure you'll be wonderful...and of course we await a report of this experience! Blessings,

  9. Shades of the Wrath of Khan, as if I aint neurotic enough already, you gotta bring up earwigs!
  10. I dont think you get the meaning of the word perverse as used, and, if that is the way you read my intent, so be it also.
  11. To Hyperreal: There is a quote from scripture that says, "With the merciful, thou will show mercy, with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright, with the pure, thou wilt show thyself pure and with the perverse thou wilt show thyself perverse." - 2 Samuel: 26-27. Have you considered that the reason we envision God the way we do is because of the way we are?
  12. No doubt my faith would be challenged, as it many times is, but shaken? I suppose it would be like the parable of the housebuilders. The house I am building with my fragile faith would shake, rattle and perhaps roll, but when that happens, I would run to the basement, standing on the bedrock foundation of my faith, Christ Jesus, surrounded by the firm walls of God's love. My house of faith may rock and roll, the windows of hope may rattle and shatter, but the foundation of love will not crumble. For now we walk by faith and live with hope but these shall eventually pass away and what will remain will be abiding love. We must learn to rest in that love thereby increasing our faith and assuring our hope. So, perhaps yes, shaken, but not decreased, weathered and worn by the winds and storms of life, but still standing. Where human doubt enters, one must claim spiritual assurance. It it not easy, by any means, but experience after experience of God's grace in our lives should give us greater understanding in these matters. The peace of God is not just singing on a bright, sunshiney day, but rather singing even when the storms are raging around you!
  13. Thanks, Fawzo. ps: I enjoyed and appreciate your sharing in the "hot seat."
  14. I can’t help but think of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” song as I begin to write this sermonette. Everything’s gonna be alright was something I should have been singing to myself all along. Five years ago, on New Year’s Eve, I had an attack of vertigo. It really scared me because I had never experienced anything like it before. I wound up in the emergency room where the folks just thought I was drunk and let me chill on a bed for a while before sending me home. A few days went by and I figured it was a one time event, but I prayed about it and consulted with a friend of mine who is an audiologist. A year went by and then came the second episode, more severe than the first. It happened on the same day my audiologist friend was visiting me. I became nauseous and threw up. The episode lasted the entire day. He told me that it could be from a build up of crystals in the inner ear which would cause an imbalance, and that it basically would just get worse over time and I would just have to live with it. It was then I began some serious prayer about healing. I never wanted that horrible experience again. I began to have momentary dizzy spells over the next few years and then this past year something began to happen, I was amazed at the amount of junk that simply began to fall out of my ears. I had tried some cleaning fluid which produced nothing much, but every so often my ear would itch and this clump of stuff fell out on its own. Also during this time, little episodes of momentary dizziness occurred which triggered an anxiety response because of my fearing another vertigo episode. The vertigo never returned and it has been over four years. I was concerned about the dizzy spells becoming more frequent so I finally saw the doctor and began tests. Each and every time, the tests came out negative (much to my relief). It was then I realized these spells could very well be caused by anxiety and the foreboding of expecting another vertigo attack. I knew my arteries and other body equipment were okay so what was it that was happening to me? I realized that although I was asking my heavenly Father for healing, I was not trusting Him to do so – not entirely. I had prayed for others with fantastic results in the past, but I was not at peace with my own supplications. I continued to pray and ask for guidance. I decided not to rely primarily in the doctors or anyone else but to rely solely on my heavenly Father to guide me in my decisions It was then, as I was reading in the Psalms that the answer came. Psalm 119 (Teth) verses 67 and 71. “Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have kept thy word…It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy statutes.” Yes, the answer was there and God was right, my affliction drove me to searching the scriptures and prayer and in doing so, drew me closer to Him. God allowed the affliction so He could be closer to me. So last night I prayed about my tests results and asked my heavenly Father to confirm my healing through them. This morning, the doctor told me that all the tests were normal and whatever had caused the initial episodes of vertigo were gone. It was then I realized what all that gunk coming out of my ears was – my healing taking place. I also realized that it was my fear that caused the anxiety which brought on the dizziness. Yes, the doctor said it could be the blood pressure meds and, perhaps, on occasion, they are the cause, but for me, I know it was more my not trusting God and allowing my fears to control my mind. I know I am healed and there will be no more vertigo. I will deal with my fears and anxiety and will continue to draw closer to my God for I believe He cares for us all. I will rest in the knowledge that He cares for me and, as it says in scripture, “All things work together for good…” and, “In the day that I cried, You answered me and strengthened me in my soul.” And, “I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.” And, most of all, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding but in all things acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” I know now that it is not just reading and praying that works. It is reading, praying and believing – trusting – that God does hear and answer prayer. You must ask and believe that you have received what you asked for. And, believe me, it works. I have finally learned to practice what I preach. Most of us will say we believe in God but how many of us can say we believe God? In Marley's song, if you believe God’s word and promises, the refrain, “don’t worry ‘bout a thing, because every little thing’s gonna be alright.” Ring true. Peace.
  15. Stand with me for a while, here in this quiet place, and look around. They’re all the same. It could be a military cemetery or just a cemetery with a military section or, it’s just a small town cemetery where the tombstones date back to the Revolutionary war. Let’s take a little walk through the rows of tombstones and look at the dates: July 1863, September 1917, June 1943, February 1968 and May 2011. And the ages: 32, 18, 45, 21. It used to be called Decoration Day. It began when ladies would come and decorate the graves of those who fought in the Civil War with fresh Spring flowers and maybe someone would say a prayer. It became a tradition. It was a day, as the tradition continued and became more popular, when old soldiers would gather to honor their fallen comrades, to remember their sacrifice and add little American flags on the graves. There would be a few speeches and someone would play “Taps” on a bugle. Now it is called Memorial Day and has become a national holiday. It has become a three day weekend to celebrate the beginning of summer with a backyard barbeque or picnic and to go to the mall for the weekend sale. 20-50% off in honor of those who gave their lives! Not too many folks actually go to the cemeteries anymore. There are still ceremonies marking the day and there are still services held in churches and various places. It’s just that they are usually not that well attended and they are short and sweet because folks have other things to do – the pursuit of happiness. Barbeques and picnics aren’t so bad. I believe those who have fallen on the battlefields of war would have wanted us to celebrate the liberty and joy of living in freedom that they so nobly fought for. Just one thing, however, and that is all stores should be closed on this day. All stores. Stand here with me and look upon the rows and rows of white markers, for under those markers lie the dreams, hopes and aspirations of young people from every walk of life. Young people who had their future cut off. Men and women who, had they lived, may have discovered a cure for an illness, invented new technology or just raised a family and lived their lives as best they could. We will never know the true cost of sacrificed lives. Contemplate for a while that someone placed their body between liberty and tyranny, between your freedom and an oppressor’s enslavement. What greater love is there than one would lay down their life for another. Stand with me just a little while longer. Look at the rows and rows of white markers. Have you ever laid a flower on a soldier’s grave? Or placed a tiny flag? Do you even hang a flag out your window on this day? Those of us who survived the war are here to remind you of those who did not survive. We are here to remind you that freedom is not free. Ah yes, freedom has a savory flavor to the veteran that those who never served can never taste. There are still wars and rumors of war. One day, perhaps you or your children may be called to protect our lives and liberty. And there will be many who will answer the call. And then, gentle reader, it will be more personal to you. We must never forget those who came before and who gave their lives so that we may enjoy that which we still have today, paid for in blood. Let us remember them! They were the protectors of our liberty and the guardians of our freedom. Perhaps in your own experience, you had a family member or a friend or someone you knew at work or in school, who never returned from war except in a flag draped casket. Let their name be with you this Memorial Day, for that is what it is all about. May they rest in peace. Thank you for being here with me for this little while. Perhaps we should do this again next year. We should…because there will be new markers added to these rows and rows.
  16. Ear specialist appointment next thursday. Hope the dizziness is casued by a bunch of impacted ear wax and nothing more.

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. vickijava

      vickijava

      I do hope you will be OK Rev. Rainbow. Sometimes the most difficult thing is getting an accurate diagonsis. I suffered from vertigo for over 30 years (among other issues) and didn't get a proper dx until I was 45. I pray the physician does not relent until the problem is found and hope it is easily solved. Blessings

    3. RevRainbow
    4. Rev. Serenko

      Rev. Serenko

      I also have dizziness problems and my head also feels like I am in the clouds I also get pressure build up in my head hope you find the problem best wishes

  17. Happy Birthday! Hope all is well.

  18. Happy Birthday, Carl. I got you beat by two years. Have a great day!