In recent years, I have become more aware of the multitudes of hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick and imprisoned. Ministering to them seems a monumental task that I turn away from, saying I don't have enough of that precious commodity, time.

A friend recently reminded me that I do already minister to my family, circle of friends, neighbors and co-workers.

Those around us may be hungry not only for food but also for love. They may be homeless not only for physical shelter but also homeless because of lack of emotional shelter. They may be imprisoned not only in penal institutions but also by doubt, fear and feelings of hopelessness.

One objective continues to remain my highest priority: to serve God and to live Christ every moment. Jesus was a servant. He told us a servant has a very important place in life when conforming to God's standards.

I discovered a personal truth through a verse of scripture. It expresses the importance of not just talking or writing about obedience but putting myself totally in God's hands as His servant. "Behold, the bondmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" - Luke 1:38. This was Mary speaking when the angel told her she would conceive a child who would be the Savior.

In my life, I can apply this scripture to my service to God. I can put myself totally in His hands and let Him guide my life in harmony with His will. I say I can do this but until I actually do it, they are only meaningless words. Only the actual giving of myself allows true obedience to happen.

Goals provide the path. Activities provide the light that shows the way. Through prayer for guidance, there is joy in every step of life through knowing.

I can play around with the possibilities in my head. Write ideas on paper. Think affirmatively. Prevent any possible limitations as I begin the creative process. The practical will take its place as it becomes necessary. There is no place for it in the beginning stages. My imagination can have free reign.

Repetition brings achievement. By getting hold of the stuff that is preventing my desires from happening, I can write it and then throw the paper in the trash. By putting the stuff on paper and disposing of it, I just threw out any blocks that were preventing me from achieving my desires.

With those blocks and excuses no longer giving any flack, I can now look at my desires in a new light. Rather than why I can't find time for helping others, I can list some ideas of how I might reach those desires.

Writing goals and activities freezes the images from fleeting thoughts into reality. By bringing the desired path before my eyes in written form, I can see it from many angles. I can then choose the desirable path and begin taking steps toward attainment.

Becoming humble and accepting my mission for each day is the only way I can serve Christ in obedience.

My prayer is that my writing and my words and actions toward those with whom I come in contact may be a message of love, care and concern that offers them hope and joy.

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SHORT CUTS TO AWARENESS - In Service
By Dusty Reed

As the year travels on, we continue to include a series of personal reminders and suggestions for relaxation exercises and methods for uniting in communication with others.

Discovery is everywhere.

May these personal reminders give you the joy of discovery and enlightenment.

Each Short Cut best finds its enchantment if the exercises are performed in a quiet, relaxing space.

There are no "short cuts" if the path of awareness has not already been traveled. Each person's path is unique.

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Choose a project, away from home, where you can volunteer your services for whatever amount of hours you have available, whether it is one hour a week or several.

PURPOSE: Giving of self in service.

HINT: As a result, watch for where you receive, in other areas, which keep your cup full and overflowing.

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Facets of Light - Variety

Facets from a diamond refract differently than facets refracted from a mirror, a piece of glass, or from shiny copper. Each contains its own beauty, reflecting with a different interpretation. Each receives the same Light. The service each provides is unique and useful.

We see facets from others everyday, with everyone we encounter. Can we acknowledge the quality of beauty in these refractions?

By keeping ourselves polished and glistening, we are refracting qualities to others... every moment!

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Our guest article this month is by Michael Levy:

Fighting For A Cause
(Based on an old Norse folk tale)

Once upon a time there lived two famous, strong knights. One knight was evil and hated the world. He fought with everyone he met who tried to stop his evil ways. The other knight was good and chivalrous, but he also loved to fight for his crusades. Both knights had to always be top dog in their different countries. No matter how much effort or struggle it took, they always managed to come out on top.

One day (after numerous years of fighting and were feeling tired weary) they heard of a contest in a far off distant land. A wise man had heard of these knights and he issued a challenge that he would give a large bag of gold if they could fight and beat a withered, shriveled up old man.

Well, the good knight thought he could do much charitable work with the gold and the evil knight wanted the gold to add to his stash of ill gotten gains. Both were ready to hang up their swords for retirement.

After a weeks journey the two knights arrived at the same time in the small town where the contest was to be held.

They wasted no time and immediately both knights asserted they wanted to be first to challenge the withered man.

The wise man declared that since they had traveled a long way, they both could fight the withered man at the same time. They laughed out loud and called the wise man a fool.

Suddenly, the wise man vanished and there in front of them stood a hunchback, dried up, little man. The two knights jumped upon him and began to beat up the withered man, but they could not harm him. He just laughed and laughed. This enraged the two strong men and they fought with more earnest and energy.

They pulled out their swords and tried to cut the little man to ribbons, but he evaded and shunned their blows.

Eventually, after many days of struggling and fighting the two knights wore themselves out and died of extreme exertion. A little later it was revealed to everyone that the little withered old man was called "Old Age" which humans fight.

Moral: No matter what lifestyle you pursued were when you were ‘young and foolish,' if you try to fight old age, it will kill you far too soon. However; if you live in harmony and peace with nature, without fighting anyone ...... you will live with old age in contented comfort.

With old age comes the wisdom of the years and you can become a mentor for the leaders of tomorrow, teaching..... Fighting and arguing is a fools pursuit.
- Copyright Michael Levy, 2003

About the author:
In 1998 Michael established Point of Life, Inc., as a vehicle to project his philosophy. The website Point of Life and the associated newsletter (Point Of Life Global Newsletter) are visited and read by thousands of people around the world every month.

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Here are a few sites I find very worthwhile. I will be including those of subscribers so, if you have a site and think I might not be aware of it, let me know!

Reality Shifters A Very Worthwhile Site!

Emanations

CWG with Anna

Rescue Animals!

And something to do with your idle time! (This is cute!) Fling the Cow!

Arthritus and Glucosamine Center

And, for anyone who enjoys playing at ebay, I continue to have a few items (which change daily) available for sale - Dusty's eBay

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Enjoy every moment to the fullest! - Dusty

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Working toward consideration and to better humanity, we want to encourage free enterprise, free speech. We are Life Now, a spiritual happening on and off the Internet.

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