So MANY THANKS GIVING TREASURES in THE BLUE BOOK ...

Although we are not doing 

The Blue Book

right now together 

for a Thanksgiving break

I am thankful for so much this

THANKSGIVING!

[image credit: Bible Study Tools]

So very thankful for YOU!

As I looked ahead at the ones that are left in The Blue Book, which will follow later in this post, the one that came after COMPASSION seems very appropriate for this Thanksgiving week and season of Advent that starts on this coming Sunday, November 30th - #50 which is:

GIVE YOUR LIFE AWAY

... which as true Christians, we know or accept that Jesus Christ, showed us this & how as He demonstrated His deep love for us by giving His life away (at the mere age of only 33, after only 3 jam-packed years of ministry). So, the very first & for me the very most important thing I give my thanks for each day - not just on Thanksgiving Day is for Jesus Christ and that He gave His life so that I might have eternal life. 

None of us can match that ... even if like many who serve in our military, and have served in the previous years for this nation; many who gave their very life and their families were forced to sacrifice and lose their loved ones, that might have given us freedom or protected our country but it did not give us eternal life; however all of their service gave us many of the freedoms and liberties afforded all of us for many, many years yet some of the many of us were not given the same freedoms & liberties that we all should have had. So I am grateful for the men and women who serve in our country to protect our democracy and pray fervently with much hope that we preserve and are able to keep the Constitution and restore so much of which is being destroyed. {I will refrain from detailing the atrocities of this nation now & in the past, because I am so thankful for having the privilege to be born here that others were not given or it's being taken away or never fully allowed for them to receive equal part.} Lives have been given and taken away unjustly and without cause. Every life is precious. And God is watching! 

I came here today, not with all this grief and burden that I finish that last gratitude but to share the Opening Prayer for this 50th (chapter) because it was not just One Word - it was one that still had much to share between GIVE and AWAY and that's YOUR LIFE! How precious that is!

Since I have not yet read this one, and truthfully I was going to skip this #50 & #51 because we have more Words to finish and not enough weeks, so I figured we could always come back to the ones like this and do at another time (when there is more time), probably next year. Yet there are many reasons to reflect on the meaning of this phrase "give your life away". By skipping it, I, in no way meant to slight its content, because it always surprises me with the readings of reflection and the scriptures what they hold or held for me. And even though, my focus so far was literally giving your life away - what I think is meant (but like I said I have not read beyond the opening prayer) is "surrendering your life to God" (which does not mean dying, but it might or it could), it's living your life for others and for the good of others and sacrificing your own desires for a greater purpose. Without getting back on my previous thread of thoughts {that I walked away from above}, I'd like to say that right now, in the times that we are living in, we are being given such a CALLING - to live a selfless life by serving others (and I'm sure if you see what's happening in the world around us) that you know we are doing the exact opposite. Far too many are living in fear. Far too many are living for their selves, they're greedy for power & wealth at the expense of others that cannot afford this. Following Jesus' example or His many teachings calls us to put the needs of others before your own by living a life of service (and worship) and commitment. When we surrender our lives to our Creator, we hand control of our life to a greater good and a higher power of loving through living selflessly.

In Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Hope, he used Romans 6:13 in the GNT version to explain:

“Give yourselves to God . . . and surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purposes.” Romans 6:13 (GNT) Surrendering to Jesus means laying down every area of your life. God wants you to learn to be a giver in life, not a taker." Pastor Rick Warren, May, 2025

{sorry to say that there is not much of that happening currently}
I am sure that we thankfully can still find some examples of this but not like it was. People (children mostly) are dying by thousands because of de-funding of programs and letting product meant to save their lives not be accessible to them. I know that God is not at all happy about what we are allowing, or in some cases, doing, if we are in a responsible position. Clearly I have much heartache and much to say about all this but once again, I will refrain & it's not my intent here at all. I really should have shared the prayers before this as I was led.

So let me share the Opening Prayer(s): 1st by Ken Gire (JB blog) and the 2nd in The Blue Book by Ignatius of Loyola

"Dear Jesus, Help me to realize the many voices of hunger, the many sounds of thirst, the many cries of loneliness, the many callings of sickness and nakedness and imprisonment.  Help me to hear in all of them something of You calling to me to become more than I am. More understanding.   More compassionate. More involved. More like You. (Reflections on the Word by Ken Gire)

that's my heart
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This next one by Ignatius of Loyola is a Prayer of Surrender (Suscipe, the Radical Prayer)

"Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O Lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and Thy grace, for this is sufficient for me." Ignatius of Loyola

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These are the remaining ones in the

[continued on J Branch's *blog in April, May & June, 2013]

each one linked to Day 1 on blog for that part

{I might add more of the Scriptures or Readings of Reflection here too]

#50 GIVE YOUR LIFE AWAY

#51 INVOLVED IN MINISTRY (*A Life of Ministry)

#52 DOWN {back in *March, 2013}

#53 CALLING

#54 DIRECTION

#55 JOY and CELEBRATION

#56 HOME

Still unsure which ones, or even if we will continue, but I'm thinking of breaking JOY & CELEBRATION into twostarting with JOY the week of December 15, and thenCELEBRATION for the first part of Christmas week,followed by HOME for the remaining days of 2025.
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During my Internet issues/service interruptedI have felt that perhaps God is/was CALLINGme away from devicesinto the many half finished books I need to read along with MORE TIME with Him and His Word
It might just be an excuse or a cop out for me,trying to put the pieces of my life togetherbut truthfully, I just couldn't figure outwhy all these technical issuesand what is God really wanting to say to me.
Much soul searching and our Blue Book time has indeed given me so much valuable reflection and readingbut I do have far too many books to read{so maybe He was telling me "not another book"} loluntil I make a dent in the ones I have ...
BUT
I did find one most recently that I have to share:
It's really too expensive, but I have rewards that might make it do-able that I have to use or I lose (though I shouldn't)and probably it's too much to read right now, however, it piqued my interest again in theNative American view (by a Choctaw elder)so I'm enjoying the Kindle sample of

Perhaps you might want to check it out more.
I was not looking for this but so grateful that I found it.

[there are two more images with the book]
It is published by a local publishing company in Mpls., MN

{yeah, you know, I'm going to order it}
Sorry Godlast one for this year🙏but I really would like to gift one to ...

[image credit to Etsy]but I've had it saved for quite some time & don't recall from which Etsy

I have begun setting all of these up at YV🙏 and plan to continue & publishto use whichever and whenever one chooses
MANY BLESSINGSto you & yoursthisThanksgiving Day Eve!
🦃

TRUST built through COMPASSION

COMPASSIONbuildsTRUST
because trust and COMPASSION are interconnected
(even AI knows this)
COMPASSION
is often the key component to building
TRUST
TOGETHER

[image credit: Andy Lee]

This week as we continue in the

we turn to

COMPASSION

"Compassion, a profound and central theme in the Bible, is the sympathetic consciousness of others' distress coupled with a desire to alleviate it. It is a divine attribute and a moral imperative for believers, reflecting the character of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ."

I just sensed that there has to be a flow; or some kind of link between the previous One Words TRUST, and then TOGETHER, that surely with the next one being COMPASSION -there must be a link. It seems for me that each week's next WORD is building or connected to the previous ones and in my personal journey EL RACHUM has touched me & spoken through each of these One Word FOCUSES. The One Word being COMPASSION definitely seems to be one that is so needed in the world and times that we are living in and facing; it seems to be in a high demand but at the same time lacking sadly in so many. Being a compassionate person (at least I thought of myself as this), I easily hurt for others. I thought before looking it up in a search that COMPASSION is having passion with ... but I found out that the Latin root words are actually "com" meaning "with" (I had that part ok) but "pati" means to suffer or to endure; so literally "compati" means to "suffer with or endure TOGETHER". I guess if you're going to suffer or endure together with someone in their suffering, pain, circumstance, etc. it takes a bit of passion to be able to remain deeply committed to being willing (& able) to endure, and so much empathy and understanding feeling as they must feel, facing with them all that they face.

The current crisis in our country brings me to this place far too often and breaks my heart & my spirit to hear, see, witness the many hardships that millions are facing and communities finally more and more are standing up and standing with them, yet it does not deter or stop their suffering and the injustice on so many levels that are randomly being imposed on people.

The COMPASSION in me, tells me that this is far beyond what God wants or intends for us, for them and has called us forth to show COMPASSION, not just to cry out for or with them but to go that extra mile in their shoes & do all we can to stand, guard, and resist the cruel, inhumane treatment unleashed and not on many of the guilty ones (so far) but on innocent people. It's barbaric in so many ways! It definitely is uncalled for and God will hold us all accountable (even if we remain uninvolved or stay clear of the conflict & wave of mass cruelty, we are responsible to and for one another) {just by not watching the horrific news or keeping up with all that's happening is not any excuse, WE are called & WE are chosen to be the feet and hands of Jesus} - to love one another as our neighbor as ourselves and as God loves them and us, and to show our Love of God & to God by how we are toward humanity. We are called to be humane to all! If we cannot love those who we see right in front of us, how can we love God, who we have not seen visibly? - but ohhh how those of us who love the Lord, our God, we have felt His Immense & Unfathomable Love shown to us through Jesus Christ. We do know, we must care & be concerned about all the destruction & deceit in our midst. How have so many forgotten this basic premise of God's Love? (John 3:16; John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:16) - look how much love the Father lavished on John through his relationship with Jesus; knowing, loving & serving alongside Him - as WE too must do with hearts of COMPASSION.

I know that at the time that Jim Branch, author of "The Blue Book", wrote and put all of this TOGETHER, he did not have the foreknowledge of how much these weekly Words would impact and speak to this day, but I am sure that God guided and instructed him & the choice readings of Reflection as well as the scriptures, prayers and songs to speak to us whatever situation we find ourselves or our world in - so that we would have gained much on each of these WORDS to be able to deepen our faith in Jesus Christ and the fabric of our morals and the character & perseverance it takes to endure and stand WITH others in all that we face. This takes COMPASSION and EMPATHY! This takes the heart of God, the Father, who wants us to stand TOGETHER in His Love - the Love Jesus shows/showed us. We serve the God of COMPASSION - EL RACHUM - for HE IS COMPASSION (as HE IS LOVE) & so MERCIFUL!

Opening Prayer: "Loving Father, teach me to love and care for those that need you today. Those who are passed over and do not feel love unless I love them for You. May Christ's love for others be felt through me today. In Your name and by Your power I pray these things. Amen." (Disciplines for the Inner Life by Michael Benson and Bob Benson)

Page 376 in book is the starting page
with Psalm 103
and Jim Branch's website (April, 2013) is one location I found,which may or may not go along with the Book,and from what I can see the Scripturesare not the same on *day 1 only - but 2-7 seem OKbut always go with the BookI will continue to look for another location in his archives forCOMPASSIONand update if I find another

compassion, day 1   compassion, day 2  compassion, day 3 compassion, day 4 compassion, day 5 compassion, day 6 compassion, day 7

*On Jim Branch's website day 1 has Luke 6:27-36and The Blue Book has Matthew 9:35-38(for us on Monday)
I like to go to Jim's pages for the Readings of Reflectionsthat he puts with each of the Daily Scripture

Frederick Buechner #2 Reading

So amazingly AI provided me with:
"How Compassion Builds Trust"
and also
"How to Build Trust with Compassion"
I think if you are interested and put those words in the Searchyou can learn what AI taught me, but you know I preferwhat God shows you through this week's readings & Scripture.
What I used to initiate my search are the words in my title:
TRUST built through COMPASSION
AI Overview and one special tidbit from a Deeper Dive{see if this aligns with what you think or discover}

"Trust is built through compassion by showing genuine care and understanding, which creates a safe environment for open communication and collaboration. By demonstrating empathy, you make people feel valued, heard, and secure in their relationships, leading to greater loyalty and a stronger connection. This foundation of trust can be cultivated through consistent, small actions and empathetic communication strategies." "Trust is significantly enhanced by compassion because it creates a sense of psychological and emotional safety, where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued without fear of judgment. This safety is foundational for open communication, collaboration, and resilience in both personal and professional relationships."

For me 
COMPASSION
is one of my core values
I do hope it shows more as the need increases
in our nation and the world
through me and others 
who share this value.
A Great and Prosperous Nation
can and must do better!
Americans are deeply compassionate people
(at least we use to be, and tried to be better)
So I for one, and I hope for others, that
WE, the people
will not tolerate indifference toward the poor
nor allow injustices to continue
against people different from us 
whether that be 
color, creed, citizen or not - just hoping to become one;
nor our gender
WE, must embrace our diversity
WE, must seek for economic, educational, and employment equality that many before us have fought & died for.
May EL RACHUM have mercy on us!
and lead us into how WE can rally 
TOGETHER
in the social battle and struggles
of this blessed country
being given up
for people
who lack
COMPASSION
and show little to no mercy for others
just more greed, power & control
over the lives of others
who were given
the same free will to choose
not to steal, rob & destroy
Please take a
good look in the mirror
and seek the reflection of Jesus Christ
wanting to build up & restore
not tear down. 
Give as you have been given!
Kindness not cruelty.
Love not hate.
I beg of you
to do your part to
STOP
what's happening
&
show more
COMPASSION
<><><>
God is watching!
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COMPASSION
requires
Action Also
Feel the suffering & injustices
and be touched by it,
then do something positive
for someone other than yourself
"COMPASSION is a feeling that spurs
us to Action." Jim Branch, p.377
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COMPASSION
is the catalyst for racial & all justice
NOT WAR
Not creating a reason to go to war but rather 
find a solution to end all wars and seek
PEACE
HIS NAME
JESUS CHRIST
(the essence of COMPASSION comes from Him)
Embrace Him
and
Wrap yourself with all of Him, starting today with
COMPASSION
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Perhaps this Conversation might enlighten youand give you the encouragement & hopethat I found in this 2025learning how toTRUST
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In between the last post and this blog post
I should have written one on
"TRUST TOGETHER"
I began and had one in draft but never completed it to publish.
However, I do believe that WE, can work TOGETHER
to build TRUST and COMPASSION shown
is a really good place to start.
TRUST
TOGETHER
means relying on each other,
and each other's honesty, commitment, and reliability.
This builds a strong, unified bond.
This is what America needs.
Please Pray for US
🙏
AMERICA
is from North to Central to South
one hemisphere
TOGETHER
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Help one another and
STAND TOGETHER
(one example only that I had in the draft)
and
PEW RESEARCH
shows decline (May, 2025) from 46% (1972) to 34%
{sadly I think it's even lower right now}
"American's TRUST in One Another"
[an incredibly interesting detailed study]
{my way of book marking to refer back to this}

TRUST through ...

tears, trials, troubles; tomorrows
whatever you may face
We need to
TRUST
God
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If you recall
I took a quiz at the beginning of 2025and this was my result

so as 2025 was catapulting ahead

through so much

I hoped I might get to this

One Word in the

before TRUST would

take me beyond my human limits

so I would hold on closely to my

TRUST in GOD

who's never failed me

when I arrived at that final testing of

the last breath of my spouse

and would I be able to

TRUST GOD

with the endless prayers

I have prayed for him to receive & know

Jesus, as the Son of God & his personal 

need of Jesus as Savior.

I'd love to write that wonderful 

testimony of salvation glory

but I don't & won't know

this side of eternity.

BUT God ...

He knows, He knew and He heard

every prayer I uttered and so,

I've come to that place of

TRUST

with peace and comfort

that it was never in my hands or words prayed

but always in God's hands & will, just as

John 3:16

declares

{oh, & by the way, the week prior to his death,

our daughter read him that exact verse and

she believes he's in heaven;

he died at 3:16 pm}

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Since the beginning of 2025 & half of last year

I & another were his caregivers as he

went from hospital home care to hospice 

to palliative care and back to hospital 

to a veteran placement in a home

over Labor Day weekend;

just like in 2018

when this decline started with a stroke,

sent home on hospice to die & he

recovered in 3 months.

We decided that

we had to get him home again,

which we did that Tuesday.

So he was there until Saturday ... 3:16

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At the start of 2025, after

TRUST

became my One Word

I began a OBS & reading of Lysa's

"I Want to Trust You ..."

but I never finished with the group

so as this week came 

and this One Word was finally the Word

after 

Tears, Fears, Questions,

Gathering, Broken,

Moving through Suffering 

as weekly One Words

I was determined to go back to this 

TRUST 

Journey book

along with the main book & study guide

to see if I could get further this time 

or better yet finish

but

I haven't 

{at the time of writing this blog,

I just finished the chapter where I left off}

So the one that I'm beginning now is

"And I Didn't Want to Be Alone"

and I'm stuck here

even though

I'm not Alone

God is with me & He has been each day

closer & closer

I'm tempted to skip ahead

{and I just might because just look at the

titles of these chapters that follow}

"How Can I Trust God When I Don’t Understand What He Allows?" "How Can I Trust God When the Person Who Hurt Me Got Away with It?" "What We Don’t Trust We Will Try to Control"

and there's a couple more including 
the final one with where I really would love to be
"The Secret to Really Healing"
{yes, I am one of those kind of readers;that love to skip to the finish & read}
but, in this case, as in most,it's the process & workingTHROUGH it
that completes this journey in
TRUST
or at least builds one lesson upon the next
one healing to the next
one step to the next
UNTIL ...
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When I began this blog post and perhapseven this journey, I never plannedon any of what I shared above
nor did I have more to add from ourScriptures or Reflection Readings(all good & beneficial)
I just keep thinking(which causes me to do searches)why I am not crying in my grief?{still so fresh}I came across various responses, articles and other blogs {even a really wonderful one youcantrusthim.com}that I thought I'd be sharing.
However,it's what AI gave methat I'd like to end with because it surprised me:

"Trusting through tears often involves relying on faith and hope during difficult times, recognizing that pain can lead to growth and deeper understanding. Many find comfort in spiritual beliefs, knowing that their struggles are seen and understood by a higher power. Understanding Trust Through Tears The Nature of Grief Grief often brings deep emotional pain, leading to tears. This response is natural and signifies the heart's struggle with loss. In times of sorrow, trusting in a higher power can provide comfort and hope. Many find solace in the belief that God is aware of every tear shed, as expressed in various spiritual teachings. The Role of Faith Faith can be a source of strength during difficult times. It encourages individuals to trust that their pain has purpose. Many believe that God keeps a record of their tears, symbolizing His intimate awareness of their suffering. This belief can help individuals feel less alone in their grief. Moving Forward Navigating through grief involves acknowledging emotions and allowing oneself to heal. Trusting in God’s promises can provide a pathway to peace. Many find that, over time, their sorrow can transform into hope, leading to renewed relationships and personal growth. Practical Steps to Trust Acknowledge Your Feelings: Allow yourself to feel and express your emotions. Seek Support: Connect with others who understand your pain. Engage in Prayer or Meditation: This can help foster a sense of peace and connection. Reflect on Positive Memories: Remembering joyful moments can aid in healing. Trusting through tears is a journey that many undertake, finding strength in faith and community as they navigate their grief."

*I realize this does not actually answer why I am not crying; but I got some answers elsewhere like I thought: numbness; in shock; delayed or anticipatory grief (having grieved throughout the losses); fear (that I won't stop - it'll be too intense or I'll lose control)& complicated relationship.

ADDED NOTE: After publishing (of course) I found some more at Grief Healing (like last week) and also a YV grief.bites plan "When Grief & Loss Become a Spiritual Battlefield", which reminded me of some very good truths and the enemy's playbook of moves to get us when we're down ... I'm not looking for something to justify "no tears", I'm really hoping that with all that's been going on that I am not growing cold, becoming less compassionate & feeling for others and have somehow held back for some unconscious reason from my past reactions & fears. I knew that this end was coming just not when and in many ways, I've been preparing too in these last 7 years. I know that God will (and has frequently) turned my story around for the good. I have re-watched what I spoke impromptu at the Fort Snelling honor service and in my demeanor, I still saw love & compassion. The enemy cannot steal that too from me, I won't let myself be robbed any further in my life. I won't act as if I don't care just because others may be glad it's over (that's a long 'battle' story) yet even that will strengthen me & continue to open doors. My life would have missed out on so many good people, if God was not for me or in this with me to see me through (almost 50 years of marriage) and 55 years of knowing each other. It's complicated - so unless you know me, and know him; you probably will not understand. Yet tears are not the only indicators of grief. I know I can TRUST God with all of this - that's what matters. I have learned many lessons on getting through & although I did not share images this week, photography & music are my soothing care & love from my precious Bella, as if she knows how I'm feeling & when I need her unconditional love.

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The songs that have helped me get through this week; & almost 2 months already {in addition to the Playlist of songs by Lysa TerKeurst in her "Trust Journey" book} but not 2 of these 3:

💙"Do I Trust You, Lord?" Twila Paris

💚💙"Trust in You" Lauren Daigle

and The Blue Book's "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" ... 

--- playing on repeat in my head & heart. Music always helps on our journey; nature walks in the autumn warm colors; and memories in photos.

This weekend of All Saint's Day & All Soul's Day; both days are Mexico's Dia de los Muertos; which brings me way back (1990) to another loved ones' early death at 30, when I cried & cried long afterwards & often, I could not cope & I miss my youngest brother, Gary, so much; like it was just yesterday and yet a lifetime ago; after my mother(1986), then father (1998), then most recently our older brother (2023). With all the practice of lament for so many losses in our family of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, I should really be a pro at Grief Share & this death process, but this one, indeed is different - up close, personal & so much to take care of ... but still time to rest, read & recover. 

I thank you all for your love, comfort, support & prayers. I believe those are what hold me together & give me the strength to face each tomorrow. 

Healing will come and my TRUST Journey will continue - if not this side of eternity, the other. WHOLENESS is our next step ... bound for HOME