just quotes.

I have been doing a lot of reading. Books, blogs, just about anything. Tonight I want to write, but I am suffering from a pretty severe migraine, so I am going to post quotes. I'm giving links to originating pages, so I don't think I'm breaking any infringement laws. I would like to see if anyone has any comments on these. I always like to get inside of the heads of people so... have at it. Any opinions or comments? These are just webpages, I might do another one on some quotes I found in some books. have fun.

(I act like I have a million readers when I only have two and a half that I know of :) )

“Where is Jesus in this thing we call Christianity? Where could you take Jesus to church and not feel like you had to explain it to him?”

Jim Henderson

Another one I like...

Got it from here

Religious life is not for wimps,
It is for those filled with courage.
Religious life is not for the lazy,
It is for those who have the fire within.

Religious life is not for those who thirst for wealth,
It is for those whose treasure is set and kept in God.
Religious life is not for those who are their own boss,
It is for those who are obedient in seeking God’s will.

Religious life is not for those who expect to be directed,
It is for those who trust and listen to the Holy Spirit.
Religious life is not for the loners,
It is for those who hope to grow in the company of others.

Religious life is not for those who have a single plan,
It is for those who are ready to help with many plans.
Religious life is not for the grumpy,
It is for those who already rejoice in God’s friendship.

Religious life is not for those who always need to be busy,
It is for those who can remain in the quiet and stay a while with God.
Religious life is not for the militant,
It is for those who are able to be flexible.

Forgiveness

In this world, I am probably not known as the calmest person, probably not even as the most understanding person. I would say though, that with enough time, I can forgive anyone, of anything. I cannot even get into some of the situations in which I have forgiven. But, some might say it's too much. I was thinking about myself, where I stand as this new year rolls in. What are my main struggles? Is there anyone I haven't forgiven? Is there anyone I haven't talked to about why I'm upset?

I thought about it and prayed about it and thought about it some more. I can't think of anyone I have not forgiven. Well..... I can think of one person.... Myself. There are a lot of things that have hurt me in my life. Even a lot this last year. I can still look back and say, "If I had done this differently..." or "I shouldn't have said that." I haven't forgiven myself. I sit here, thinking about how my whole life, I have been so content with blaming myself. That if I took all the blame it would make everything better. Mom wouldn't be as mad, or my girlfriend would be happy knowing that it was all my fault, and not hers. My friends would be glad to hear that I took the blame and they were off the hook. I never needed my own forgiveness.

I don't know if that is entirely true. I mean, I know that God forgives, yadda yadda, but I've always wondered. People often say, no one can love you if you don't love yourself. Is it the same with forgiveness? Does that include God? Meaning, God can't forgive me until I forgive myself? Don't get me wrong. I am not questioning God's love, or forgiveness. I guess what I am asking is, is it really love or forgiveness if there isn't an end willing to accept it? Have I been really blocking the fullness of God's love and forgiveness because of my discontent with myself?

I don't know if that makes sense or not, but it does to me. I am saying this though. There is no reason for me to be so pissed at myself, or anybody else for that matter. There is no reason for me to sit and dwell on things I could have done differently or should not have done. I don't have the time for that. I guess the thing is, I'm not perfect, but I don't think anyone in this world is. I have made mistakes, and some might say worse mistakes than others. I don't know. I don't think it matters. What makes someone who they are is who they love and what they forgive. Which I guess that makes me a pretty awesome person. I don't fall into all of that "New Years Resolutions" jabber. But I can say, this year, I am not going to hold grudges against anyone who trespasses against me, not even myself. Donald Andrew McMahon, I forgive me.