I have a co-worker who is mentally ill. Now, before I knew they were ill, I would get upset at their behavior  towards me. Frankly, they're rude. But, just today, The Lord opened the eyes of my understanding and showed me they actually do suffer from a mental illness.  This led to this thought -

Everyone on earth who is not Born-again and filled with the Holy Spirit is mentally ill, or, let's say spiritually ill. Either way - they're sick. Knowing this, knowing hate, lust, greed, pride - all of it is a result of a sick soul - makes their behavior much more bearable  - like Jesus did when they were committing suicide by crucifying Him and He said "Father forgive them! For they know not what they do!" Can you say this as they're crucifying you? Can you choose not to retaliate or get bitter but rather pray for them?

I once worked in a mental hospital (my wife thinks I was a patient there, lol). I worked closely with the patients - the point is, when one is surrounded by mentally ill people,  your heart breaks with compassion for them. You don't get angry or upset at their behavior or words, rather, you're patient and kind and long-buffering  - you forgive them and pray for them, knowing how ill they are. Would you get angry at a cancer patient who doesn't have long to live? Who doesn't have the strength to stand and walk with you? Or to clean up their own messes they make? Then neither should you get angry with the sick, lost souls you meet who hate or despise or ignore you. This is how we should treat everyone who sins against us - with love, forgiveness and compassion  - reminding ourselves they're sick.

Jesus is their cure - he's only a heartbeat away - one prayer can free them. The cure for their sickness,  their sin, soulish and spiritual is God's love expressed through us and his word spoken by us. When Paul heard Stephen forgive those who were stoning him - it pricked his heart and cut him to his core. When they see us react to their hate with love - it will convict them to their core too - they may harden their hearts further but they may also soften their hearts, with God's mercy. As someone once said - don't be hurt by them - hurt for them. Or, put another way, don't let the wounds they inflict in your heart and soul cause you to wound them back.

 I affirm that the Word of God is indeed a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path!

 My heart is full of joy because I am in the center of God's will and purpose for my life. 

  The power of the Spirit overwhelms me today as the Word of God comes forth through   me in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs unto The Lord.  The Word gains root in my     heart and has the dominion over my thoughts and actions today, as I make joyful melodies of the Word in my heart unto my Lord.  I rejoice exceedingly today with joy unspeakable and full of glory, for The Lord has done great and wondrous things in my Life! Thus, my heart rejoices in His goodness,  for He has filled my mouth with His words, I am strengthened because the Joy of the Lord in my spirit is my strength.  Gloom, depression and heaviness are far from me, for I carry an atmosphere of joy with me, everywhere I go. Hallelujah! I refuse to worry about anything in this life because I am a child of God, and I know all things work together for my good. No negative thought, comment or situation can distract me from the work God has planned for me to do! I am a daily, living testimony of God's grace - I am living to fulfil  my destiny in God. Blessed be the name of the Lord  - Yeshua! Hallelujah! Amen. 

 Oh Holy Bridegroom!

 Come and take us soon!

 Lest we swoon

 Oh Holy Bridegroom!

Do not leave us be

 Come quickly 

 Catch us up to You

Oh Holy Bridegroom 

For we are the Bride

 given by our Father

Take us deep inside 

 the inner chambers

 of Your heart

Cause us to fly

 farther and farther 

 Till we're like the dove

 that never returned

 to the Ark

Oh Holy Bridegroom 

 come and take me soon

Come and sweep me off my feet

 that i may arise complete 

 There's a drop of Jesus' blood 

 for every memory that haunts your heart.

 The pain they bring,

 the suffering, 

 is shared by the One

 who sees everything. 

 Your sins break His heart,

 but they don't cause Him to depart.

 He is not ashamed 

 of the sins that still remain, 

 no, He's greatly desiring to set you free

 of those awful memories 

 that He's forgotten,  oh soul so lovely. 

 Out of His love He gave His blood,

 so let's be clear -

 your soul is so dear,

 your soul is precious  -

 to you He'll draw near

 if you'll only let Him

 If you'll desire Him to

 He'll never leave or forsake you.

 Just today, a local beauty caught my eye, 

as she swayed in a cool breeze under an azure sky.

I stopped to stare as I said "I hope you don't mind"

"but I'm really enjoying your shape - every curve, every line,

 and your fragrance is wonderfully lovely!"

Yes, the flowers in Korea are something to see!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Oh Lord I'm tryin'

 to look at the bright side

 of life

 but I'd be lyin'

 if I said I was happy

 inside

Too much pain

 Too many fake smiles

 People in love with themselves 

 while they're going to Hell 

 breaks my heart

How can they live without You?

 How can they not think a single thought about You?

 How can they pursue other gods,

 and act as if nothing's wrong?

I hate the darkness that blinds them

 to the Truth

I hate the chains that bind them

 and keep them from You

Oh God I hate this world

 with it's evil, it's filthiness, it's strife

It's so hard to keep on looking 

 at the bright side of life 

Oh Lord I'm tryin'

 but I'd rather be flyin'

 and leaving this rotten, dyin'

 world far behind 

  While I sat and read my Bible

    I had an epiphany 

  For while I was reading my Bible 

    I found my Bible was reading me!

  Like an open book

  my soul is laid bare

  each time I take a look

  at the Truth that is there.

  The Bible is alive, you see,

  when I look at it,

God's looking right back at me!

He's speaking through it's pages

 right down through the ages

 and if you want to know the truth -

 The Bible will speak to you too.

Your heart and mind 

 will be transformed 

 as you take the time,

 the Bible to explore...

Author's note: Dear reader, I'd like to tell you about my weekly podcast. It's called

 "Tripp Jams Radio" and it's full of CCM (Contemporary Christian Music). It's available on a plethora of platforms,  such as: Spotify, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, Podcast Addict, Deezer, Listen Notes, Pod Chaser, Player FM, iheart radio, True Fans, Good pods and Castro. It's also free on Buzzsprout   https://www.buzzsprout.com/1880642/episodes/19744986

 Lord, please,

 Melt my pride

 that i may abide

 In Your house forever 

 oh pure and joyful treasure!

I don't want a mansion of my own...

I want to live in Your home,

 but in Your home, this i know -

 The prideful may not go.

All other sins stem from pride,

 from exalting "self" way too high,

so break me in pieces that i may die

 to all that You despise

 that i may dwell forever inside

Your lovely, holy, House of the Wise

So destroy my pride

quite utterly 

I must confide

my heart is ugly

when i exalt me

and do what i please

Oh my Lord

may You increase

as my heart never ceases

to seek to decrease

May all that is "me"

make room for You

my living King

If everyone loved like Jesus

 

If everyone loved

 with the love of God above 

 there'd be 

 no need

 for jails or prisons

 for everyone would be

 live and let livin'

If everyone loved 

 there'd be no lawyers or courts

 and no babies would they ever abort

No one would ever harm another 

 with words or deeds

Nope, everyone would be 

 sheltered and clothed

 and we'd all have enough to eat

If everyone loved 

 there'd be no militaries

 no armies or air force

 or navy

 cause everyone would get along

 and be respectful of others

 as a matter of course

No police,  no security 

 no need to guard our things

 for there'd be no stealing 

There'd be no need for money either 

 for love compels us all to be

 generous providers 

Yes if everyone loved like Jesus

the world would never be a scary place

 but filled with laughter, joy and grace

 For those abused

 For those misused

 heart broken

 hurts unspoken

God loves you

and He'll touch

and He'll love

and He'll heal

your hurts

through me

through you

through His Body

full of Truth

Tender, gentle, loving kindnesses

to restore your soul

to that place of safety, peace and rest

He'll whisper in your ear

as He holds you close

"Child, give Me your fears

 for it's you I chose

 The day I bled and died for you

 I shared each of your wounds

on My Cross  - it's true

Give them to Me now

I'll take them away

and cleanse you of their memory

so you can run and play

and be a normal child

in this world full of pain"