“Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.”

“Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption……… (examples of corruption: religious busy bodies, meanness, dirty talk, nasty sexuality, bad temper, wanting your own way, etc)……. guard against corruption from the godless world.”

“Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly.”

“It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts.”

“Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom.”

“Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom.”

“Twisting the truth to make yourself sound wise isn’t wisdom–it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving.”

“Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.”

“Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others.”

“It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced.”

“Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time.”

“Purify your inner life.”

“Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out.”

-book of James

And then, rise and shine.

***********

I imagine a woman, poor in spirit, broken and struggling, used and abused, pregnant over and over, multiple abortions…….seeing a poor soul lying homeless and suffering on the streets calling for someone to help them, the self-righteous are walking by, over and over, they are on their way to church, or a political rally, busy with “importance” but she, with her little, reached out a hand to help. Sat down by the poor soul’s side, stayed and listened, loved.

I imagine a person with set-in-stone morals and ethics. Nothing would sway them from their beliefs. They work hard and make money, and are involved in church or politics. Meanwhile their own precious child is crying and lonely and emotionally neglected.

The lonely might sit in a church every sunday but find their comfort and sincere friendship from beautiful strangers — deep, thinking. creative, full-of-life humans who come from anywhere, perhaps a drag queen, a gay person, addict, perhaps someone in deep poverty, and the lonely are shown mercy and grace from God, through that generous soul.

(every good and perfect gift is from above)

In fact, I know of a woman who was actively using her body as a prostitute, when she took action to help God’s spies escape, she believed and acted; her name lives on in the Scriptures. RAHAB

A handicapped person faithfully volunteering their time to help others, while receiving practically nothing in return from whole-bodied people, not even a look or a glance.

A child, skipping through Trader Joe’s, handing out flowers after her dad paid for them. I witnessed this with my own eyes, and I would rather be that child today than involved in today’s seemingly cut throat political arena and media reporting.

Give to the government what is the government’s, your vote, your taxes, but live the life you are meant to live.

Look for a way to help someone else. Spread kindness. Heal and be healed.

Listen to your heart, see with it, and take action when you are able. Keep what you do to yourself. These are your pearls. But give a loud testimony of what you see someone else doing. Light hearts on fire with stories of crystal clear and joyful goodness.

You won’t find most of God’s most beautiful people easily, you have to search them out, because they are the ones that are almost completely hidden, ordinary and plain, quiet to the point of silence, exhausted, yet glowing with that certain something in the eyes.