THE "TO BE" ATTITUDES: BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

The third Beatitude is Matthew 5:5:

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.



Meek. Yeah. That’s about Jesus turning the other cheek, right?

No. Turning the other cheek is about forgiveness.

Then meek is about us being gentle all the time, like Jesus was, right?

Jesus at the temple with whips? Jesus wasn’t always gentle.

Then what does it mean? Why does Jesus want us to be weak and timid?

He doesn’t.
　

BEING MEEK

Contrary to the way the word meek is used in the modern world, a meek person in scripture is humble. He is kind during adversity. He has self control. He is obedient to God.

A person who is meek is overcome by God’s greatness and counts his own life as nothing. He has good will toward man and reverent obedience to God

Moses was meek:

Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. (Numbers 12:3)

　
God prized Moses. He was meek but he was strong. God gave Moses stewardship over the 10 Commandments. God allowed Moses to stand in His presence. God handpicked Moses to lead His people out of bondage to the very riverbank of their deliverance.

Meek does not mean weak.

The Greek word for meek, is praus. It referred to strong, domesticated animals such as a horse or ox that are disciplined to be used by man.

Similarly, the word meek used in Matthew 5:5 refers to a strong person who is disciplined, under obedience to God and can be used by God. She is controlled in her thinking, speaking, will and action.

A person who is meek has strength. He has the strength to not submit to his own will or to the world’s will. He submits only to the will of the all-powerful, mighty, gracious and loving God of the universe.

A meek person is bold. She speaks with confidence about Jesus and what he has done in her life. Her faith is strong. She trusts in her savior who is mighty in the world and mighty against Satan.

We become meek because we see God in everything. It immediately humbles us. We do not say, "I can do all things." Rather we say, "I can do all things through Christ." (Phillippians 4:13)

We see that God is big and we are little. We submit to God’s will in all things.

　

WHY DO THE MEEK INHERIT THE EARTH?

After all, shouldn’t we prefer to inherit heaven?

Well, we do. And we will. But think about how Jesus taught. Many biblical scholars believe "the earth" here in Matthew referred to the Promised Land. Not the Promised Land of the Jews wandering through the desert; but the eternal Promised Land of heaven that we souls seek as we wander through the spiritual desert on planet Earth.

Other scholars believe "the earth" refers to the restored earth in the messianic age. That day when Jesus returns. When we have that second heaven and second earth. (Revelation 21)

Modern society makes us feel like the wicked are rewarded here on earth. But Jesus assures us that He will be victorious over evil. He wins. And if we are on his team; a member of his army—we win, too.

But part of Jesus’ teaching is that we have to "inherit" the earth. As meek folk, we would never aggressively seize it as our personal prize. Instead, the meek will inherit the earth (heaven or New Earth) as a legacy. As children of God.

How cool is that?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please make us meek. Please remind us how undeserving we are and how great and mighty you are. Thank you for your promised blessing that we will inherit your kingdom as your adopted children. We love you so. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Have you found any different interpretations of inheriting the earth? What makes the most sense to you?

EVERY DAY IS A DAY OF ATONEMENT

This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work —whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you—because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. (Leviticus 16:29-30)
　

Today is Yom Kippur—the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The day when Jews feel closest to God. The day they seek forgiveness from their sins; turn away in repentance and are cleansed.

Asking for forgiveness is usually the easy part for us—although sometimes it only comes after the pain of owning up to our sins.

Accepting forgiveness and being cleansed are also the easy part—we just open our hearts and receive the flow of God’s grace and mercy.

It’s the repentance that’s the toughie in the equation. I sin. I ask forgiveness. But do I really intend to turn away from that sin? Never do it again? Do I even want to?

Repentance is about change. Changing our thinking. Changing our focus. Changing our habits. Changing our desires. Sometimes—changing our natural instincts.

It’s the hard part. And it’s usually painful.

The temporary pain of understanding our need for repentance is tough, too. It’s about accepting the truth that we are wrong, infallible, faulty. The repentance is usually ongoing—forever. It’s about changing for good. And sometimes that change requires daily or even moment-by-moment awareness and commitment to change.

But God rewards that repentance with his forgiveness; his mercy and grace.

Mercy is not getting what we deserve. When we are forgiven and cleansed, we get to skip the punishment part. You know, that eternal damnation thing? Praise God for His mercy.

Grace is getting what we don’t deserve. When we sin, we realize we don’t deserve God’s forgiveness and cleansing. We don’t deserve His love. We don’t deserve His promise of eternal life in His glorious presence. But He gives us grace anyway. Praise God for His grace.

As Christians, Jesus provided a way for us to approach the throne of mercy and grace every moment of every day. We don’t have to wait for that one day each year when we ask forgiveness, repent and are cleansed. Just as we need God’s mercy and grace each moment, so can we seek it.

And each time we seek God, we see more of His character and—hopefully—can grow more into the likeness of Jesus.

Enjoy today as Yom Kippur and rejoice that—for Christians—every day is the holiest day of the year.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus and the means to come before you every moment of every day to ask forgiveness, repent and be cleansed. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Which part of the equation is harder for you: the process of owning up to your sin or the turning away from it?

MORE PRAYING NAMES

Each month I create prayers for people we love based on the meaning of their names. These additional names are then added to the ongoing list at the tab to the right titled, "PRAYING NAMES."

If you don’t find the name of your loved one listed, please leave a comment below and I’ll research it and create a name for a future month.

Interestingly, the two boys names I picked to research and pray for this month BOTH mean broad or wide meadow. So my prayer for both Bradley (Brad) and Sidney (Sydney, Sid, Cid) are the same.

Also, the names Dana and Sydney are often used as both boys and girls names. Just substitute he/she where needed.
　

Dana: arbiter; variation of Daniel that means "God is my judge"

Heavenly Father, I pray that Dana will live the meaning of her name. I pray that Dana will seek justice in all things. I pray that she will be known as a peacemaker to others and especially in your eyes. I pray that she will trust in your ultimate justice. Amen.

Linda; Lynnette; Lynn: pretty one

Heavenly Father, I pray that Linda will live the meaning of her name. I pray that others will see her quiet, inner beauty throughout her life. Moreover, I pray that her spirit of beauty will be a delight to you and a reflection of your love to others. Amen.

Bradley; Brad: broad meadow

Sidney; Sydney: wide meadow

Heavenly Father, I pray that Bradley/Sidney will live the meaning of his name. I pray that his life will remind others of your promise in Psalm 23—that being in his presence will feel restful as if they are lying down in green pastures. More than that, I pray that Bradley/Sidney will seek the comfort and peace that you provide, trusting and resting always in you. Amen.

THE "TO BE" ATTITUDES: THOSE WHO MOURN

The second Beatitude is in Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.










WHAT IS MOURNING?

What? God wants us to be sad? That can’t be right.

Maybe God wants us to grieve so we will turn toward Him for comfort. No, that can’t be right either.

What then does the mourning refer to?

It means that we are to align our hearts to God—to mourn as God mourns. We are to grieve for our own sins and for how our sins grieve our Holy God.

It means to mourn for how we have hurt others.

for the misery of others.

for others who are unsaved.

The person who mourns understands that he has dishonored God. If I mourn for my sins, I recognize that my sins hurt God; that I am empty of righteousness; that I do not deserve salvation or heaven.

If I mourn I realize through the grace of God am I forgiven and approved.

If I mourn I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit. 

If I mourn, I desire to do what is right in the sight of our Holy God. 
　

THE PROMISE

The promise to those who mourn is to be comforted. When we accept Jesus, we are gifted with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit?

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever. (John 14:16 AMP)
　

If we mourn—ask forgiveness, repent, believe—we receive the Comforter. The Holy Spirit will comfort us. Always. Because the Holy Spirit is always with us.

Mourning is a blessing, after all.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for making us teachable. We’re sorry when we hurt you through our sins. We know we don’t deserve your salvation. Thank you for saving us anyway. Thank you also for sending us the Holy Spirit to comfort us with your love. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? In what ways to you mourn on behalf of God?

POCKET CHANGE FOR JESUS

One of hubby and my favorite things to do when standing in the shopping line, is to hand a child a quarter. The child might be fussy and in need of a nap. Or she might be delightfully flirty. But when we hand her a shiny quarter, the same thing happens each time: a slow, shy smile spreads over her face.

But it’s the parent who is often most delightful. There’s always the "What do you say?" nudge to the child. But then the parent looks at us and silently speaks words from his heart:

"Thank you for loving my child."

These experiences remind me of Jesus. It brings the point home that when we love others on behalf of Jesus, we are showing them the love He feels for them.

Showing Jesus’ love doesn’t have to be two weeks spent at a mission in Africa. It doesn’t have to be an emptying of the bank account to establish a presence in Tibet. It doesn’t have to mean quitting your job, selling your house and moving to Cambodia. It might be

A compliment to a frazzled store clerk

A smile and hello to a harried business man

A cup of coffee paid for the next car in the coffee drive through

A quarter to a child

When Jesus sent us into the world, He sent us into the whole world. Even the world in our country, our state, our city, our grocery store. To love others in His name. Because when we love them, He is loving them through us.

You can almost hear Jesus saying, "Thank you for loving my child."

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the world and the people you have placed in it. We know you love all of us. Please show us ways to love others who come into our lives and to do so in your name. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? What is your favorite random act of kindness?

THE 10+ 1 BUILDING BLOCKS OF RELATIONSHIPS: APPROVAL

Welcome again to my friend, Chris Vonada. He's back with the next in his series on the 10 + 1 Building Blocks of Relationships. Visit him often at ChrisVonada.com.

10 + 1 takes a new twist today...

Approval... it's...

The award of recognition.

Or, unconditionally accepting.

This, to me, is one of the main reasons that we should be very careful about how we choose the people who are closest to us... authentic and meaningful approval comes from like-minded people, those who share our personal beliefs and traits. If we want to keep moving in the right direction, we have to be influenced by the approval of the right people. (click to tweet) It's just that simple.

In a way, when it comes to approval, we're all among the walking wounded... seeking the approval of those who we value their opinion. Having self-confidence is extremely valuable too... but, at some point, I think we would all agree that we yearn for approval.

Looking for the ultimate stamp of approval? Consider this...

"When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife." Matthew 1:24

Our numero uno most important relationship is with God. If we're looking for the ultimate stamp of approval it should be from Him. This verse from the book of Matthew resounds with that... when Mary turned up pregnant with baby Jesus, Joseph had a mind to divorce her quietly. Surely that's probably what his close friends would have told him too... but an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream (yep!!) and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:20

Sounds like a crazy dream, right? Yea, I would think so too... and so would my close friends, if I were to tell them about it and ask them for approval. Joseph probably knew, though, that all of this fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet Isaiah. Plus his faith in the Lord was so strong that he took the good angel's advice and ran with it. Sounds crazy... Right! I'm thinking Joseph probably didn't talk this one up with his friends... he probably took God's excellent advice... our Heavenly Father's approval, and ran with it.

Well, has God ever asked you to do something crazy? Maybe He is right now? If you're surrounded by good people consulting them would give you some feedback, for sure... but don't ever forget the most important place for us to gain guidance and approval is from our Heavenly Father. Always try to take His advice... and approval, before that from anyone else.

Remember, God made us out of dust... we're nothing without Him... He desires to have a relationship with us.

Seeking approval?

While we may not ever agree with every word or action of someone else, the underlying premise of approval is that our general sense or feeling... the vibe, if you will, that we're giving off in our approval is that the other person is good. We have a favorable opinion of them... I've got your back.

Giving your blessing...

Showing your favor...

10 + 1... Approval... remember, ask God first... and seek the advice of wise counselors...

Are you conscious of who your wise counselors are at this time?

THE "TO BE" ATTITUDES: BEING POOR IN SPIRIT

After a lifetime of periodic reading through the Beatitudes, it hit me one day that I had no idea what they meant. Really. Starting right at the beginning.



"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3) 



You’d think this verse referred to poverty. But poverty isn’t a blessing. To live in poverty is not to be blessed.

<Carol scratches her head in confusion.>

So then I wondered if this verse meant to be poor in spirituality. To not have enough faith. But why would having little faith make us blessed?

<Carol continues to scratch her head in confusion.>

What does make sense is that to be poor in spirit means to be humble. To be poor (lacking) in a prideful spirit. It means to realize that everything I am and everything I have comes from God’s grace. If I am poor in spirit, I am empty and ready to be filled by God. And when we are ready to be filled, God fills us.

<Carol stops scratching her head and pays attention.>

Poor in spirit means I realize I can’t achieve salvation on my own. Rather, I have to put complete faith in Jesus.

It means I realize I am completely unworthy of God’s mercy and grace. I am unqualified and unworthy to have fellowship with God.

It means I can only enter God’s kingdom when I accept grace through Jesus’ sacrifice. Only when I empty myself and accept that free gift.

<Carol notices a dim light bulb

shining above her well-scratched head.>

When I come to God, conscious of my sins and lack of righteousness, unqualified for fellowship with Him, undeserving of His gifts, without hope of salvation except through Jesus—that’s when I come poor in spirit. I am blessed because only then—through Jesus; not my own works—can I enter the kingdom of heaven.

So how do I apply this to real life? For many of us—read "me"—even though I know I can’t get to heaven on my own, I sometimes still try to do things in order to get heavenly brownie points.

<Carol peers sheepishly up at that light bulb.>

Brownie points are different from a God smile. A brownie point is something I can spiritually pin to my chest and point to. "Look, see what *I* did to get this from God?"

A God smile comes from simply pleasing God.

A God smile comes simply because He loves me.

Nope, seeking brownie points is not being poor in spirit. Learning not to seek brownie points but to seek a God smile is about learning the difference between righteousness and self-righteousness. And some days that lesson is kinda tough.

Who am I in Christ?

When I learn the lesson of the Beatitudes, I seek to answer with enthusiasm: I am poor in spirit!

<Carol wearing sunglasses because that light bulb is brilliant!>

　

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we recognize that it is only through Jesus that we can enter your kingdom of heaven. Please forgive our pride and self-righteousness when we think we’re "all that." Please break our hearts to be poor in spirit. We can’t do this ourselves. Thank you for making a way for us so that we don’t have to try. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? In what area do you need to work on becoming poor in spirit?

　

NOTE: Just as I was planning, researching and writing for this series, my brother mentioned he was writing a series of articles for his church on the Beatitudes. His is more introspective than my little series. But reading through his thoughts and seeing how God has orchestrated both of us to write about these verses at the same time, has encouraged me take a much deeper look at my own attitude toward the Beatitudes.

Sometimes those deep looks are pretty painful as the Holy Spirit reveals things and then convicts us to repent and try again. I’m finding it painful to see how flawed I am in certain areas of life; and how much Jesus wants me to live more like Him. I hope you’ll join me in the process of looking deeply.

POCKET CHANGE

You know the routine. Drive up to the stop light and try to avoid the eyes of the homeless man on the corner with the cardboard sign that says, "God bless you."

Sigh.

The guilt sets in. Sometimes the indignity. The self-righteousness. The annoyance.

Sometimes the pity. Sometimes the compassion. Sometimes the generosity.

And sometimes the window rolls down and pocket change drops from your hand into that of the man with the cardboard sign.

You wonder if the change will end up as food or…

But you shrug your shoulders because—in the end—it doesn’t matter from an eternal perspective what the money is used for.

Certainly the money means something to the receiver. But my giving to the man with the cardboard sign isn’t about him as much as it is about me. From my perspective as a giver—and from God’s perspective on eternity—my gift reflects my heart for others. It’s about God moving me toward not just being a giver. But a cheerful giver.

It’s about God moving me from a giver of pocket change to a giver of paper money or time or prayer or love or a cup of water to one who is thirsty—in Jesus’ name. And with Jesus’ frame of mind, Jesus’ heart for others and Jesus’ leading.
　

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)

That man with the cardboard sign? Could be an angel. Read his sign again. He’s sending you God’s blessing, after all.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for your provision and the way you are changing our heart. Please help us see people in need from your eyes and with your heart. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? How do you respond to folks in need of change?


This post is part of the Christian Writers blog chain. Our theme for September is "change." Please follow the links to the right to see what my friends have to say this month.

WASH DAY

Scriptures talk a lot about white clothing.

• As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow… (Daniel 7:9)
• His (angel of the Lord) appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. (Matthew 28:3)
• Clothes became white as light. (Matthew 17:2)
• His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. (Mark 9:3)

And lest you doubt the process of doing laundry itself is biblical, take a look at Exodus 19:10:

And the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people."

Doing laundry is so biblical, it’s almost like having a spiritual gift. We scrub and soak; bleach and oxy; rub and twist and wring. Sometimes the whites just stay yellow; sometimes the spots just won’t come out. No matter how biblically robed we’d like to be, our clothing never becomes dazzling white like in scriptures.

But if you notice, all those folks wearing white in the scriptures were divine: Daniel referred to God’s clothing that was white as snow; it was an angel of the Lord at the tomb whose clothes were white as snow; it was Jesus on the mountain when his clothing became whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.

So maybe our earthly clothing is a lost cause. But fortunately God has coated our souls with stain guard.

• Our black hearts turn white when we call on Jesus.
• Our muddy thoughts burn brightly when we let Jesus shine through them.
• Our darkened impulses receive light when Jesus illuminates them in our conscience.

I like to think about laundry day in Heaven:

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Hebrews 9:14)

No one but God would think about washing us in blood to cleanse us.

No one’s but Jesus’ blood could cleanse us.
　

Need a few more wash day verses?

• Acts 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
• Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
• Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
• Revelation 7:14 "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
• Revelation 22:14: "blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and go through the gates into the city."

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for washing us clean through the blood of Jesus, and making us pure in a way we can never do on our own! Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? What's your favorite wash day scripture?

　

GRAMMAR 101: TO BE

God knows grammar. And uses it correctly.

"I Am," God says.

It’s about verb use and infinitives. The infinitive "to be."

I AM
You ARE
He, She, it IS
We ARE
You ARE
They ARE


In God’s grammar lesson, He is the I Am, but He wants us "to be." To be like Jesus.

• We are to have that attitude.
• We are to live that attitude.
• We are to BE that attitude.

You've read the Beatitudes. Some of you can even recite the "Blesseds" in order. But I never quite "got" their depth. Never fully understood why being poor, meek, and persecuted would be a blessing.

For the next eight Fridays then, let’s look at each of the Beatitudes. What do they mean? What could they mean to us? How can they help us BE the person Jesus wants us to be?

How can we make the Beatitudes our TO BE ATTITUDES?

It’s just Grammar 101. But perhaps they will take—at least this gal’s attitude—closer TO BE what Jesus desires. TO BE more like Jesus; so that while He is the great I AM, I can be the little I am.

Class starts next Friday. Come early. Get a front row seat—on the floor. I’ll be there with you.

At the feet of Jesus.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you have so much you want to teach us. We have so much we need to learn—about your character, your desires for our lives, how you want to change our attitudes. Please prepare our hearts each day for what you want us to learn from this one earthly life you have blessed us with. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? How about sitting down this week and reading through the Beatitudes? They’re over at Matthew 5:3-10.

COLLECTING CHANGE

A Widow's Mite

This post is part of the Christian Writers blog chain. Our theme for September is "change."

Please follow the links to the right to see what my friends have to say this month.





Ever watch the movie Sahara? Dirk Pitt (Matthew McConaughey) is off searching for Civil War gold in the desert of Africa. At one point, his friend Al Giordino (Steve Zahn) points to the gold coin in Dirk’s hand and says,

"Hey, you know my dad collected ancient coins, from Rome, China, Siam, Persia… somehow they all ended up in a shoe box in New Jersey."

Ancient coins are valuable to us today. A single worn bronze circlet—pocket change 4,000 years ago—might fetch a thousand dollars from a collector of antiquities. No matter that it was of little value back then.

I like to imagine God as an eternal collector of antiquities, gazing down at us from heaven. He’d point to us with love, saying, "This one is old and worn; but it is precious to me."

And one by one, He’d gather up all of our old and worn out souls—not to be kept in a shoe box in New Jersey; but to sit at his feet in glory. Bright and shining in His presence. Beyond value. Of incomparable worth.

I’m old and worn. A bit ragged around the edges. Not worth much in today’s standards. But praise God! I’m precious to Him and He was willing to pay the ultimate price to add me to His eternal collection.

Remember on those days when you feel like a widow’s mite and thinking of those treasures in heaven: You’re one of them.

Thank you, Jesus.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for looking at us as worthy of the ultimate price Jesus paid for our salvation. Thank you for gathering us unto you and securing a place for us in your heavenly treasury. Thank you that even if we are old and worn, we still shine brightly in your eyes. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Do you collect coins?

CAROL'S GEMS: SEPTEMBER'S SAPPHIRE

CAROL’S GEMS: SEPTEMBER’S SAPPHIRE
Every month has a birthstone. The birthstone for September is the sapphire. And it reminds me of Jesus.

　
The Sapphire is Strong

The diamond is the only mineral harder than the sapphire. I like that fact. It means you can wear sapphires every day, without having to worry about them cracking, being scratched or disintegrating.

We should put on the armor of God each day also. Jesus’ cloak of righteousness is not only beautiful; it is strong and durable, too.
　

Protection from Evil

According to folklore, the sapphire protects the wearer from evil and grants the wearer peace and joy. Its traditional blue color symbolizes truth, sincerity, and faithfulness, which is one reason women in many countries (remember Princess Diana and later, Kate Middleton?) prefer a sapphire engagement ring.

Jesus protects us from evil and grants us His peace and joy. Jesus is truth and sincerity and is ever-faithful.

　
Sapphires Remind Us of Heaven

Medieval clergy wore sapphires to symbolize heaven, while commoners thought the gem attracted heavenly blessings.　 The sapphire’s various shades of blue reflect the sky at different times of the day and night—from soft blue to twilight to midnight blue. Some ancient stories claimed our earth sat inside a large blue sapphire heaven.

Sapphires come in other colors than blue, however. In fact, the sapphire and the ruby are both in the same family of minerals—the corundum (see July "Rubies for Jesus"). The existence of additional mineral elements (such as iron, titanium, vanadium, chrome) in corundum, determine its ultimate color. When corundum contains chrome, it is called "ruby." All other colors of corundum are called "sapphires" and come in white (clear), black, yellow, pink, green, blue, and violet—basically the colors of the rainbow.

Speaking of rainbows…God created them as a reminder to us and to Him of His love for us. One more way sapphires remind me of Jesus.

Happy birthday to everyone born in September.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the great variety and excessive beauty you have filled this world with. Please help us see the beauty around us and be reminded that it is but a small reflection of your glory. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? What do you love about sapphires? Do you know someone born in September?

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Today I'm cross-posting at Chris Vonada's blog. Please visit him often.