What I Owe … May 12, 2014

Jonathots Daily Blog

(2229)

Things sure seem to be getting noisier.

Of course, there’s always been some racket raised from the human race, with the clamor of complaint and the lament of lacking. But it sure feels like what is important is shoved to the back of the news in favor of gossip.

I don’t offer this as a criticism. Let people do what they want to do.

But it does make me wonder what I owe to my fellow-travelers. Here’s what I came up with–I owe my brothers and sisters:

• a pure heart
• a seeking soul
• a renewed mind
• a willing strength.

Now I’m tempted, like everybody else, to advance a deceitful heart, a religious soul, a made-up mind and an overwhelming burst of strength.

But simply because things are promoted does not make them right, and running a country on the basis of the majority rule only puts off the inevitable need to recognize the truth, which often hangs back with the minority.

So the questions I ask myself are:

How can I have a pure heart?

That’s simple. Tell the truth as much as possible and if a lie comes from my lips, make sure I’m the first one to catch it and correct it.

To have a seeking soul:

I have to admit to myself that my faith must grow instead of just remaining stubborn. After all true spirituality is about building a road instead of a fort.

How does one renew one’s mind?

I call it “learning-thinking.” After all, there is thinking which has stopped learning, and there’s learning that doesn’t think that much. This is even simpler. Knowledge is better than opinion, and truth trumps them both.

And finally, since I owe a willing strength:

I can pay that debt by bringing what I’ve got to every situation without trying to control, manipulate or make excuses.

Yes, it really is that simple. Because if I tell the truth, let my faith grow, drop my opinion in favor of what’s everlasting and I bring what I’ve got to every situation, I suddenly become valuable.

That’s what I owe you.

And by the way … it’s all you owe me.

 

The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly subscription donation of $10 for this wonderful, inspirational opportunity

After an appearance earlier this year in Surprise, Arizona, Janet and I were blessed to receive a “surprise” ourselves. Click on the beautiful Arizona picture above to share it with us!

Click here to get info on the “Gospel According to Common Sense” Tour

Please contact Jonathan’s agent, Jackie Barnett, at (615) 481-1474, for information about scheduling SpiriTed in 2014.

Click here to listen to Spirited music

 

 

Quietly … September 9, 2013

Jonathots Daily Blog

(2001)

Taking four one-dollar bills and placing them on the night stand in my motel as I leave the room, to benefit the hard-working maid, and doing it quietly.

Changing the toilet paper roll quietly, even though it has a few more sheets on it, and could be passed off to the next bathroom pilgrim.

Quietly waving my hand to allow another human being to go ahead of me in traffic–because after all, arriving three seconds later is not that big a deal.

Sending a note to a friend who’s going through a hard time, even though that friend has not been particularly friendly of late–because he needs it more than I need to maintain my minimal grudge … quietly.

Quietly taking a moment of prayer, knowing that the only person who will know is in heaven … unless He makes it known by graciously (and quietly) answering my request.

Picking up my underwear and socks quietly instead of waiting for someone else to do the job, even though it might not make any difference, is something you can place in your being, to let you know that you’re alive, breathing and thinking instead of just going through the motions.

Quietly reaching your two thousandth  jonathots essay without blowing a trumpet, dancing around or even portraying that this day was any different from any other day. After all, they’re just twenty-four hour periods that the Lord has made.

“Quietly” is precious because it is an acknowledgment that the work itself brings joy, without having to clamor, plead, beg or cajole for attention.

“Quietly” is when we’re at peace with ourselves instead of waiting for something else to make us peaceful.

“Quietly”  is spiritually having tea and toast … with God.

The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly subscription donation of $10 for this wonderful, inspirational opportunity

Please contact Jonathan’s agent, Jackie Barnett, at (615) 481-1474, for information about personal appearances or scheduling an event