Our church family will soon be engaged in a church-wide study titled, "Life's Healing Choices."    We will be reading John Baker's book by the same name, and with the subtitle: "Freedom from Your Hurts, Hang-Ups, and Habits."   But, more importantly, we will be reading and reflecting upon The Beatitudes, from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.    I am asking and encouraging all of us to read Matthew 5:1-12 each and every day August 1st through October 10th (The Beatitudes).     What powerful and difficult teachings from Jesus!

The Oxford Dictionary defines "beatitude" with one word, "blessedness."  Some dictionaries define blessedness as "happiness."    One of the dangers of associating the beatitude teachings of Jesus with happiness, is that it runs the risk of being too shallow and narrow in its meaning and description.   The Beatitudes are never dependent upon circumstances and situations for happiness.    Instead, practicing and living the Beatitude attitudes leads a person to a deep happiness - - - blessedness.     One of the central philosophies and purposes of life and living for any person is this:  We are blessed to be a blessing to God and to others.    If we put into practice Jesus' words and instructions found in Matthew 5:3-12 we are on the road to healing and wholeness....and holiness.  Through these attitude adjustment teachings we can truly take steps to find freedom from the hurts, hang-ups and habits that entangle and imprison.   

Whether you are a part of our church family or not, I invite and encourage you to join the jonrney with us to covenanting to read Matthew 5:1-12 daily, August 1st through October 10th.    Let's pray that God will use these readings and reflections to further bless us through healing us from our hurts, hang-up and bad habits, that we may make God-honoring, healthy choices, so that we may possess a "be- attitude" - - and be an even better blessing to God and our neighbors.