Good deeds make good days

When you prepare to fall asleep and thank God for another beautiful day, it is wonderful to count among your blessings the opportunities to pay it forward and share, help or witness with others.  People need to get off depression pills and get busy doing good.  If they were doing something positive instead of waiting for someone to do something for them, they would not have time to be depressed.  Plan ahead to keep yourself busy doing good and see how good it makes you feel, even when your nose runs, or your head hearts, and even sometimes when your heart hurts.

Thomas Jefferson's Bible

Thomas Jefferson was so enthralled with the life of Jesus Christ that he sifted through the documentation available in  his time and composed a "Bible" limited to Jesus. 
In a little twist of fate a library patron had requested the book, so I had it come across my desk without even thinking about using it for research, but once again finding proof that our founding fathers were not only Christians but knowledgeable Christians whose basis for religious freedom was not about freedom from religion but freedom to worship God without the tyranny of government to tell them how.  Government cannot prevent Christians from being Christians.  It is not meant to sanction any other religion either.  Simply put - when we elect Christian leaders again, we will have a Christian nation again as it was in the beginning. Vote carefully, not on one issue or for monetary gain, but on the strength of character of the candidate.  God please bless America, again!

Ben Franklin, my hero

Since the writings of Ben Franklin are a cornerstone of the material I hope to bring together for a book, I will often quote him on this blog as a collection of important points and as a reminder of his contributions to the character of our country.  Ben inspired many to give time and effort to public service.   He followed the Puritan teachings of Cotton Mather and he recognized God and Jesus, not in a Baptist, Methodist or other denominational way, but in the spirit of the new American, worshipping God as the divine power, Jesus as the Savior and one of a new generation literate enough to read and discern history on his own. 

For much of the world, prior to this time, literacy was not widespread so the organized church taught and directed rituals and forms of worship rather than individuals seeking Jesus through Bible study themselves.

Franklin was in addition to being a printer and a writer, the instigator of lending libraries in America.  He is indeed my hero.

Franklin sought to cultivate his character by a plan of thirteen virtues, which he developed at age 20 (in 1726) and continued to practice in some form for the rest of his life. His autobiography lists his thirteen virtues as:

1. "Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation."
2. "Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation."
3. "Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time."
4. "Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."
5. "Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing."
6. "Industry. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."
7. "Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."
8. "Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty."
9. "Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve."
10. "Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation."
11. "Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."
12. "Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation."
13. "Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates."

God lights the path...

Thought for the Day: “God lights the path we walk. Sometimes we can see far ahead but other times we have only enough light to see where we are at the moment. These are the times that we need to take our next step completely with our faith in Him knowing that, although we might stumble, He will not let us fall. ~Elmer Laydon~~Thanking God for His "Sonshine" and for this special promise!
  This quote on the Facebook page of a good Christian friend of mine, reminds me of why I originally named my storytelling business - Miss Pockets Book Light Productions - to focus on shining God's light in the programs I do.  There are plenty of scary storytellers,  pundits and people who get humor from humiliating others, my stories and my writing are to be focused on the uplifting.  Lord, please help me walk that cheerful path, and lead me back if I should stray!
  I believe in the triumph over good and evil.  I believe evil exits in the world and we must fight evil in any way that God has armed us...and his book gives all manner of ways to fight evil. 
       And, I also believe that leading and teaching and storytelling should be uplifting and leading in a positive direction, not tearing others down for a laugh or seeing if you can shock someone.  Good stories shine a bright light on good news that people can use.