Thursday, October 11, 2018

Your Dying Spouse 527 - Satisfied With Who You Are {FMF}

In the 2004 film The Alamo (which I strongly recommend), there's a scene just before the final battle, a conversation between William Travis and the gravely ill Jim Bowie.

Bowie allows that he might, at this point, be entitled to a drink.

Travis replies, "Now, you know, Jim, I don't drink." He goes on to say that he left a pregnant wife, dallies with prostitutes, and gambled his way into heavy debt..."But I draw the line at drinking."

Bowie laughs. "You know, if you live another five years, you might be a great man."

"I think I will have to settle for what I am now."

I will have to settle for what I am now.

There's a Zen-like clarity of thought there...because it's true for all of us.

Yesterday is a ghost, and tomorrow is a dream. Today is all we have, and all we are.

What a wonderful opportunity!

This very moment can be our defining moment, the moment when we truly chose to be Christ-like in thought and deed.

We may not be placed to have a great impact on this world, but that doesn't matter, because in God's accounting, it's not about the world.

It's about you, and the free choices you make. God doesn't care about your past, and He's not promised you anything but the moment you're in. He's watching you now, and waiting to see what you decide to do.

Choose wisely.

Choose Him.

The musical choice today is from The Alamo; it's a scene in which, as Santa Ana's bandsmen give their nightly 'serenade' of Deguello (which means 'to cut the throat), Davy Crockett brings up his violin and adds to the melody. It's a beautiful moment, and I hope it happened for real.


Please pardon my slow response to comments. I do my best, and your comments are really precious to me. Barb is answering many of them now. I'm running on fumes, if you don't mind a macho metaphor.

I'm grateful for the energy to have written this. I'm so glad Barbara's stepped in for many of my posts. I'm really not doing well at all.

Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.

Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.

Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.



If you can, please do leave a comment. I am trying to answer all, and I am failing, but please know this - I read and treasure each one.

Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.







28 comments:

  1. MmmHmm... good thoughts. Truth. Doesn't it seem like we all need to live as if we're dying? Because really, we are. Makes important what's important. I enjoy and grow from your posts.

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    1. Emily, thank you! We are indeed dying as we live...and know this helps us live our dying.

      And beyond.

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  2. "I think I will have to settle for what I am now."

    Wow. Yes and no. No because I don't want to be stuck and settle for my bad habits and lazyness and horrible circumstances. Yes because you're right – all I have is today and I have to accept it and make the best out of it. Only then we'll probably have the strength and right perspective to inspire true change.

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    1. Katha, I don't ant my bad habits either! But they can be completely counterbalanced by one instant of devotion, and that is our salvation, I think.

      So glad you're here!

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  3. Thank you, Andrew.
    As a violin-playing Texan myself, I have always loved the music from the John Wayne version of The Alamo (Green Leaves of Summer).

    A time to be reapin', a time to be sowin'.
    The green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
    'Twas so good to be young then, in a season of plenty,
    When the catfish were jumpin' as high as the sky.
    A time just for plantin', a time just for ploughin'.
    A time to be courtin' a girl of your own.
    'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
    And to stand by your wife at the moment of birth.
    A time to be reapin', a time to be sowin'.
    The green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
    'Twas so good to be young then, with the sweet smell of apples,
    And the owl in the pine tree a-winkin' his eye.
    A time just for plantin', a time just for ploughin'.
    A time just for livin', a place for to die.
    'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
    Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
    'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
    Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
    (Songwriters: Dimitri Tiomkin / Paul Francis Webster)

    Hugs from Annie in Texas

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    1. Annie, thank you so much for this...from both me and my violin-playing wife!

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  4. "Yesterday is a ghost, and tomorrow is a dream."
    May we live today well and for the glory of His Name!

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  5. This is my favorite post, all week! I really, really love it. It is a GOOD reminder. A needed reminder!

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  6. Andrew, you again impress me with your wisdom. God isn't done using you yet. Thank you for continuing to share your words.

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    1. Bethany, thank you so much for this...and please now that you and your family are in our prayers.

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  7. Thanks for sharing, Andrew. Blessings and continued strength to you!

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    1. Thank you for being here, Karen. Blessings back!

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  8. So wise my friend. Blessings and prayers!

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    1. Thank you so much, Tara. Prayers are really appreciated. Blessings back to you! :)

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  9. All we have is right now... so true and so good and --knowing all you guys are battling-- so inspiring! Love and prayers to you both!

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    1. Karrilee, we're so honoured by your words, and strengthened by your prayers!

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  10. "all we have is right now." ... It appears the "3 ft world" of your rock climber self is "shrinking" in the very best of ways. You get to see Jesus soon!!! Oh my gosh, be still my heart, and thank you for yours. It truly has been an honor and a pleasure, Andrew to share this small word space with you. I honestly look forward to some eternity to 'shoot the breeze' with you. :)

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    1. Jane, that world is definitely shrinking...into a singularity in which the Infinite is contained. I can almost touch it, and sometimes think I hear the rustle of His Robes, and the slap of His Sandals.

      Looking forward to meeting you, too, Jane, in that special wonderful Presence!

      And meanwhile, you remain in our prayers.

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  11. Powerful. Thank you, Andrew, for reminding us of the things and the One who truly matters. May God bless you abundantly!

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    1. Mari-Anna, thank you so much! I am abundantly blessed indeed...not the least with friends like you.

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  12. I may have to watch that movie now! I'm so thankful for God's grace. I don't have to face guilt for my past. I have choices to make each day and with God's help, I will choose His path for me each day. May God bless you.

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    1. Debbie, it's a terrific film. You won't regret seeing The Alamo. Isn't He wonderful, this God of ours, in His willingness to forget all the dumb things we did?

      Blessings back!

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  13. Yes, and amen. We impact the lives of those in our sphere of influence whether we realize it or not. Every small moment of every simple day, regardless of where God has placed us. As you do here in this space, Andrew.

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    1. Linda, we sure do...and it can be quite a responsibility, when one thinks on it!

      Thank you so much for being here, and for the words of affirmation.

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  14. So true, Andrew! I needed this reminder today. It puts a frustrating situation in my life in better perspective. I continue to pray for you--did just this morning! I hope you are feeling God's comfort in your times of pain, my friend!

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    1. Beth, I'm so glad you found something of immediate value here...makes my day!

      I sure appreciate the prayers, and I do feel God's comfort...I see every day how blessed I truly am.

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