God

"God loved us before we loved, or could love, Him. God's love for us rendered possible and actual our love of God. Hence the most fundamental need, duty, honor and happiness of man is not petition, nor even contrition, nor again even thanksgiving these three kinds of prayer, which indeed, must never disappear out of our spiritual lives but adoration." FRIEDRICH VON HUGEL Sometimes it seems like I hear God clearly, but there are also stretches when I can't hear him at all. There are different reasons for this, but basically I am the problem.

I read the News-Press story on Tuesday (July 2) that detailed how a former resident was the inspiration for the "under God" phrase put into the Pledge of Allegiance. Call me suspicious, but I wonder if the groundswell of support this person got for his suggestion at the time didn't have something to do with a certain Supreme Court decision that was made, also in 1954? Brown v Board of Education desegregated the public schools, and a lot of people in this country and in Glendale weren't happy about that.

"Prayer is a two-way conversation with God. It involves listening, attentiveness and communion. It is actually enjoying the privilege of God's presence." Dr. Deborah Newman I was in a study group of women recently and we talked about listening to other people as well as to God. The leader's name was Anne and she led us in a discussion of questions such as "What is a good listener?" "Why do we listen?" and "How can we listen better?" Anne also asked us what some of the character qualities of a good listener were, and we all nodded in agreement at the answers.

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON "Your lives may not be what you would like them to be. You may not have all that you would like to have, but God will make sure you will have what you need to do His work." JOSEPH GIRZONE "Our sole purpose, our basic reason for existence, is to bring maximum glory to our God -- to magnify, exalt and elevate the Lord our God." CHARLES R. SWINDOLL God has a creative sense of humor and he often uses humorous situations to get my attention.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6). This popular proverb calls people to trust in God amid each and every one of life's circumstances. As I write this column, I am in New York at a conference for a rare disease called Hermansky Pudlak syndrome (a platelet dysfunction that can effect people with albinism). While I look around me at all the children and adults effected by this syndrome, my mind has countless thoughts and my heart experiences profuse emotions.

Karen S. Kim A federal ruling that declared the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional because of its "under God" phrase has done more than ignite controversy over the past several days among the residents, students, educators and church leaders of Glendale. For some community members, it's stirred long-buried memories. Those memories take residents back to 1954, when former Glendale resident and business leader George H. "Bud" Gilliland vaulted himself into the national spotlight by calling for the addition of "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance.

Last month, I sat with my oldest daughter in the oncology clinic at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. As I looked around at the children with cancer, my heart broke. I could have asked God why I had to be there with my daughter, who has Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome. Instead, I thanked God that she did not have leukemia. I put my life in perspective. Our gratitude depends on perspective. I know there are those who suffer with terrible trials in their lives.

KIMBERLIE ZAKARIAN It seems that stress has increased for many people these days. Our world has become fast-paced and aggressive. While I myself love hard work and being busy, my husband and I also long to one day slow down a bit, having more time to take pleasure in life and people. Perhaps the days of our ancestors sitting on the front porch sipping lemonade in the company of a neighbor are forever lost, at least in Southern California. Our family used to go back to Boise City, Okla.

This is the time of year that most Christians attend church and celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. A worship song comes to my heart and mind this spring season that includes the following words, ?For Thou O Lord are high above all the earth. Thou are exalted far above all gods.? These words hold theological truth, for Jesus Christ did die for our sins, was raised from the dead on the third day, and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father.

"I have never understood why it should be considered derogatory to the Creator to suppose that he has a sense of humor." William R. Inge I am convinced that I keep God chuckling at my many foibles and fumbles. Unfortunately I'm sure he shakes his head in disbelief at many of the same. Though I know I have caused God sorrow too, I'm thankful for his forgiveness whenever I admit and apologize for my mistakes. Lately, I've really been enjoying the ability to laugh at myself, in spite of myself or along with others.