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Are you not ashamed of heaping up the greatest amount of money
and honour and reputation, and caring so little about wisdom and truth
and the greatest improvement of the soul?
~Socrates~
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Hello, and welcome to this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter. Your editors are, SophyBells  , Puditat  , and me, windac. May something you read here today touch you in a positive way! Today's topic is integrity, which applies to both our moral and spiritual sides.
in·teg·ri·ty (ĭn-těg'rĭ-tē) n.
1 Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
2 The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
3 The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.
Courtesy of dictionary.com
If you have children, chances are you had an invisible house guest when they were small; a mischievous little sprite who was blamed for everything from a spilled glass of milk to a colorful masterpiece drawn on the wall. I couldn't tell you if it was male or female, only that its name was, I Don't Know. Aha, you remember now, don't you? I would hazard to guess that most children throughout history have used this reply when asked, What happened?, or Who did this?
It must be a natural process for children. Lies, and the ultimate result of telling them, serve as stepping stones in the evolution of our moral education. What better way to test the boundaries of authority than to place the blame somewhere other than ourselves? Thankfully, most of us learn as we mature that telling the truth has its own rewards.
There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.
~French Proverb~
We all tell little white lies from time to time in an effort to spare someone's feelings. When a co-worker asks if you like their new hairstyle, do you reply honestly that you do not, or do you say something positive instead? But when you make a mistake at work and your boss asks, How did this happen?, do you own up to it, or do you try to shift the blame away from yourself?
And then there are those lies we tell ourselves. When you are given too much change when paying for a purchase, do you point out the mistake, or do you pocket the money? I once had a co-worker who deposited her monthly paycheck, only to find when she received her next statement, the amount had been credited to her account twice. She closed her account before the bank could catch the error.
To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.
~Confucius~
During my teen years a friend and I told our parents that we were going to the movies, when in reality my friend had set up us with two older boys from another part of town, unbeknownst to yours truly. To say that I was uncomfortable is a gross understatement, but it didn't bring me home safely any earlier. Upon returning home, my mother asked what theatre we went to, and what movie we saw. Mothers have hearts that know, and I'm not a good liar. I learned then that lies wouldn't cut it with Mom, and that they did nothing but create situations that called for more lies.
Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth.
~Franklin D. Roosevelt~
Life situations such as these are the gauge by which our integrity is measured. Lies and untruths used to deceive are nothing more than flimsy excuses for less than admirable behavior. Laying blame at the feet of another is nothing short of running from the truth, and as hard as we try, there's nothing we can do to hide from God. He knows our hearts intimately, and is able to peer into our most dark and secretive places.
I have eaten crow on more occasions than I care to remember. The taste is bitter and not easily swallowed - I much prefer the taste of humility. Telling the truth is not always easy, but it's wonderful to look in the mirror and not flinch at the reflection you see!
If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people.
~Virginia Woolfe~
 Until next time, stand tall and true.
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Submitted By: womandisciple
Hi, thanks for being the wind. You brought me right into your busy world, and made it sound like a fun place to be, despite all the challenges. Even in chaos, you were able to pull back and see the pattern of your life coming into focus that week. Thanks!
Thanks so much for taking the time to send feedback my way, and many blessings to you and yours!
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Subbmitted By: donald
I agree 100% change is not the greatest thing one can go through. All of us are prone to it never the less, and getting old and set in ways, is the perfect recipe for disaster. This is where you have to give it ALL to a LOVING GOD if you can and I know it is very hard... Don.
Thanks for sending comments Don, and you're right. It's not always easy letting go and letting God, but I try! Many blessings to you and yours.
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Submitted By: faithjourney
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I've been through the budget cut/staff shortage situation, and it's not pretty. In fact, it was the worst two and a half years of my career, but eventually it did turn around and things improved. A transfer to a different division also helped greatly. Good luck to you! I hope your interview goes well and these trying times give way to the bright light of hope for your future.
Thank you Sherri, for your kind words of encouragement. Although the new position I applied for wasn't offered to me, there is still a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Many blessings to you and yours!
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Submitted By: PlannerDan
Very well said, Winda. In fact it was very appropriate for the Spiritual Newsletter. Faith is found in the everyday living of life as we alternate between being the bug and the windshield.
But we musn't forget the occasional wind Dan! Although rare, it is wonderful, refreshing and ever so joyful. Thank you my friend, for sending feedback my way. Blessings to you and yours!!
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Submitted By: PastVoices
I love it when we as Christians don't put on airs and just let the good and the bad hang right out there for all to see. I wish the Christian right or whatever they call themselve would see that. They tout perfection that is only attainable by being on the path, it isn't a magic potion marked "For Christians Only."
Although I was caught up on most of it, your candor was so refreshing being put out there for the world.
Hello PV! As always, it's good to hear from you.
We do ourselves and Christ a disservice when we try to hide behind a false mask of perfection. It is only when we share our flaws, faults and foibles with each other, that we can then share the faith that fills those holes.
Thanks for the feedback PV, and blessings to you and yours! |
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Spiritual: August 22, 2007 Issue [#1898]
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