These Beatitudes are something my father left for his children and their children's children. He lovingly highlighted every word in various colors to punctuate his thoughts as he had done before through seven large print Bibles, scripture to scripture until no word was left untouched. This comes as no surprise since he helped build and name a church that now spans quite a few countries. That being said, this is no call to Jesus. Jesus can call you Himself well enough though you will find the words Jesus, Christ and God throughout. I hope my father enjoys this Shout Out from his lookout in his Heaven. BLESSED are they who continue to be affectionate, considerate, and loving after the wedding bells have ceased ringing. BLESSED are they who love their mates more than any other person in the world. BLESSED are they who joyfully fulfill their marriage vows for a lifetime of fidelity and mutual care and support of each other. BLESSED are they who are as polite and courteous to each other as they are to their friends. BLESSED are they who never speak loudly or sharply to each other, and who make their home a place where seldom is heard a discouraging word. BLESSED are they who have a sense of humor, for this attribute will be a handy shock absorber. BLESSED are they who remember to thank God for their food before they partake of it. BLESSED are they who set apart some time together each day for the reading of the Bible and for prayer. BLESSED are they who faithfully attend church together and work for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom. BLESSED are they who practice the teachings of Jesus in their home by being unselfish, loyal and loving. BLESSED are they who humbly dedicate their lives, their marriage, and their home to Jesus Christ. That's all he wrote. This hangs near our front door where visitors sometimes stop to take pictures of what he so painstakingly created. In this way, he continues to live on and encourage Faithfulness, Hopefulness and HUMOR. He always said, "It's best to let things slide away like water off a duck's back." He lived that every day with his definition of Forgiveness which was, "Once you've forgiven someone, never bring up again what you already forgave." He excelled at both that and having a terrific sense of humor, that most handy shock absorber. Good thing, poor man probably had more shocks in his life than an electric chair. No doubt, that sense of humor kept him going to almost 97. This was not done in response to A.I.Rockstar'72's Doom Bells, which is an Absolute Hoot by the way.
