Sunday, January 3, 2016


HAPPY NEW YEAR ... AND CLEAN UP YOUR ACT!

By ANTOINETTE RAINONE
      On New Year's Eve, someone told me about a gainfully employed couple he knows who also collect Welfare checks. Shame on them for cheating and taking money away from the people who are physically and mentally disabled and unable to work.
     My New Year's message is this: Before any of us dare to dream our big dreams, plan our dream vacations, build our dream kitchens and sumptuous bathrooms and summer homes — make a resolution to look within ourselves first. 
      Are we are cheating others in any way? 
      Are we cheating the government, which in turn translates to cheating people in real need?
     CLEAN UP YOUR ACT.
     Are we taking profits from a "charitable" organization while giving only 10 percent to the needy?
     CLEAN UP YOUR ACT.  
     Are we gaining favor with the boss or teacher while lying about others?
     CLEAN UP YOUR ACT.
     Are we making new friends by taking them away from their other friends?
     CLEAN UP YOUR ACT.
     Are we "advocating for children," but not really looking out for their best interests? 
     CLEAN UP YOUR ACT.
     Are we "women's rights advocates" if we don't treat all women favorably?
     CLEAN UP YOUR ACT.
     Are we making six-figure salaries and not helping our parents who took care of us and now need us the most?
     CLEAN UP YOUR ACT.
     Do we expect to be blessed if we have cheating hearts? Do we believe profits derived from some form of cheating are truly blessings? 
     What are blessings? Who are the blessed?
     "BLESSED are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Humility is the realization that all our gifts and blessings come from the grace of God.
     "BLESSED are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Mourning and regretting our own sins — and the sins of this world — creates a desire to improve ourselves and to do what is right.
     "BLESSED are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." A humble person becomes gentle and kind, even in the face of adversity and hardship. A meek person exhibits self-control and obedience to God's righteousness.
     "BLESSED are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." A desire for justice and moral perfection will lead us to a fulfilment of that desire — a transition to holiness. 
     "BLESSED are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Love, compassion and forgiveness towards our neighbors will bring peace in our relationships. 
     "BLESSED are the pure of heart, for they shall see God." Pure of heart means to be free of all selfish intentions, self-seeking desires and cheating in any way. How many times have we performed an act perfectly free of any personal gain? Such an act is pure love...and that act of pure love brings us happiness.
     "BLESSED are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." Peacemakers try to bring peace and friendship to others. But we first need to be filled with the blessings of peace in order to communicate that peace with others in need of it. 
     "BLESSED are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." Jesus said many times that those who follow Him will be persecuted, just as He was. Nearly all of the Apostles and many Christians in the Roman era suffered martyrdom. But we are promised that if we suffer for his sake, we will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. 
     So, do we really want to cheat others and get more profits in our pockets in order to go on that dream vacation ... build that new kitchen ... buy that summer home? 
     Or do we want to be PURE OF HEART, knowing that if we perform acts perfectly free of any personal gain, WE SHALL SEE GOD?
     Isn't SEEING GOD way more awesome than a vacation or kitchen or summer home can ever be?
     It's never too late to clean up our acts.
     Find your wings ... at any age.
   

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