What do you want God to do for you?"

(Jesus asked this of a blind man). Most people deflect the focus off themselves and ask for "world peace" because that's noble and you really don't have to face Christ with the desire of your heart. Also- you don't really have to do anything about it or at least no one will notice if you don't- if you stay uninvolved.

Two will be Posting

I was having lunch with a friend, and he found himself interested in posting to this Blog his struggles too. We want to remain anonymous, so there will be no way to contact us unless you use the comment section and/or the one email address. To identify which of us may be writing, I will at least sign my entries with the nickname 'mad dog'. The reason is that I tend to foam at the mouth when it comes to things and subjects that I am passionate about.   --mad dog

Depression and more...

I wanted to write in this BLOG entries that document my personal struggles as a Christian, in hopes that it might be of help to others. My struggles include forays into the world of pornography (more on that later), my lack of integrity when it comes to how I spend my time at work, and my other struggles.

At this time I am suffering from depression, and my motivation level is way down. It is hard to do anything and it is hard to recognize what is a result of the depression and what is normal. I am taking medication, but it is time to admit that the problem is bigger and more acute that I was willing to acknowledge. Please pray for me in this regard.

Books I am reading:  I am in the middle of Phillip Yancy's Rumors of Another World. I am hoping to give this book to several friends as a Christmas present, who are interested in spiritual things but who are not Christians.

Have a great Thanksgiving. Remember to give thanks for both the things easily seen, and the things invisible and easily taken for granted.

Beatitudes:

What beatitude applies to you? Why?

THE BIBLE & THE COAL BASKET

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains ofeastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was upearly sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible.

His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in anyway he could. One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read theBible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understandI forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible

do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove andsaid, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basketof water." The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leakedout before he could get back to the house.

The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little fasternext time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough, "and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, theboy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather thateven if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when hereached his grandfather the basket was again empty.

Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean. "Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.

That is the work of God in our lives.

To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son.

Take time to read a portion of God's word each day.

-- Author Unknown

Psalms 41

1 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.

2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.

3 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.

4 I said, "O LORD, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you."

5 My enemies say of me in malice, "When will he die and his name perish?"

6 Whenever one comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it abroad.

7 All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying,

8 "A vile disease has beset him; he will never get up from the place where he lies."

9 Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

10 But you, O LORD, have mercy on me; raise me up, that I may repay them.

11 I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.

12 In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.

13 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.