You never know...

Today I received a forward by email.



One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.
Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.

It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.

That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.

On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" she heard whispered. "I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know others liked me so much," were most of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.

Several years later, one of the students was killed in

VietNam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature.

The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin.
As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. "Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked. She nodded: "yes." Then he said: "Mark talked about you a lot."

After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.

"We want to show you something," his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket "They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it."

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.

"Thank you so much for doing that," Mark's mother said. "As you can see, Mark treasured it."

All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home."

Chuck's wife said, "Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album."

"I have mine too," Marilyn said. "It's in my diary"

Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. "I carry this with me at all times," Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: "I think we all saved our lists"
That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.

The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be.
So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.

And One Way To Accomplish This Is: Forward this message on. If you do not send it, you will have, once again passed up the wonderful opportunity to do something nice and beautiful.

If you've received this, it is because someone cares for you and it means there is probably at least someone for whom you care.
If you're "too busy" to take those few minutes right now to forward this message on, would this be the VERY first time you didn't do that little thing that would make a difference in your relationships?

The more people that you send this to, the better you'll be at reaching out to those you care about.


Remember, you reap what you sow. What you put into the lives of others comes back into your own.

May Your Day Be Blessed As Special As You

Fear God? or Fear God? that is the question!

I was listening recently to a conference of Ministers. Listening as I was unable to attend myself. The speaker, who was wonderful, was covering our responsibilities as clergy and the subject of Servile vs Filial fear came up. Now I hadn't even heard those terms in years and began remembering the subject from my days growing up as a Catholic school girl. I was drawn to research it more extensively and decided to share the subject here.

First for those who don't know, don't remember or just need a little reminder ;o)
a definition:

Servile Fear:
Selfish fear based on dread of pain to oneself that would follow if another were offended. It is the fear of punishment for wrongdoing, without being motivated by honor or a sense of duty, and least of all by love.

Filial Fear:
Fear of some impending evil based on love and reverence for the one who is feared. Actually filial fear is close to love that dreads offending the one loved.

Theologically, according to most Jewish/Christian doctrines Servile fear may co-exist with filial fear. There is nothing incompatible in both loving and fearing God. In the doctrines it seemingly says that fearing God at any cost is just fine. Yet the doctrins also state that "purely Servile fear, with no love of God but only self-love that fears the divine punishments, is at least in theory, inconsistent with the true love of God.

Wow quite a statement and quite a contradiction.

With Filial fear it is stated; "...the filial fear of God is compatible with the highest love of God."

A person, knowing his or her moral weakness, frets that he or she might displease or betray the one who is loved. It is selfless fear.
Etym. Latin filial, becoming of a child in relation to its parents.)


So let us think about this for a moment. In the first Servile fear it is stated that it is selfish, in other words self serving. And there is a question and confusion braught to bear.

So what does this mean to us? Whether you are a follower of the judeo Christian doctrines or not it comes down I think to this. First in order to appreciate either fear we must all as humans understand and yes even accept that we do fear. Outside of even the Biblical statement we must “know” it. Blind following of a doctrine is not the same. So we all fear. We must at some point then decide for ourselves what exactly it is we fear. However first we must decide how we fear.

For example: I am human and I fear it is my normal response to fear in a Filial way. This is not a statement at this point of wrong or right. It is only a fact. I personally fear in this way more often then in the Servile way. This tells me that at least at this point in my life I have finally reached a point where I am putting the “one loved” before myself. It’s a good comparison as to how far I’ve come as a person. (NOT how much better then you I am :o)


I remember fearing in a Servile way. As anyone does growing up and finding their way. Always fearing what will happen to me if… It is not just a type of fear but it is a fear that compounds fears. Though in the doctrine they seem to be saying they are mutually acceptable, I humbly disagree. I feel that Filial fear is more valuable to our direct relationship to God and ourselves as well as each other. It opens doors to discover how we can improve ourselves and act on our better judgment, repentance, knowledge and practices.

I feel that 'the Kingdom' cannot be met by Servile fear but that Filial, childlike parental fear of our Mother/Father God is part of what our Ascended Masters have been trying to open our eyes too. Be like the little children? Yes, I know my boy who is all of 4 years old most definitely is more worried about Momma’s disappointment then ever the “consequences”. As a matter of fact even now at this tender age, if he knows he chose badly he’ll “take it on the chin” as it were without a fuss. If however he thinks he’s hurt me? Tears and drama are sure to ensue. :o)

So what are the benefits of Filial fear vs Servile fear? I believe that the same compassion that causes us to attend to others brings about Filial fear. From this vantage point there is great benefit. Selflessness can create self Love, Love of others and Love of all that is. And though it is called fear it can actually lead to the release and freedom of all fear. One’s compassion relieves the need for fear and so creates more room for Love and reverence.


In contrast Servile fear brings about more fear. Unchecked the fear of “if I do this bad things will happen to me” becomes all encompassing. It is indeed a selfish thing. There is no thought outside ones self or ones own fear and as most of you already know fear breeds more fear. Is this not where superstition and prejudice come into play? Does this not make way for all fearful things. Isn’t this a darkness all in itself? I think it is.

In conclusion today, I would say that to strive for the 'Filial' is a great and powerful attribute. And whether you are beginning at a place of Servile fear or not may God bless you with the capacity and compassion to tip the balance for the better. Practice your Filial fear and see what happens. :o)

I was given a gift

Recently I became the humble recipient of a gift.
A new friend of mine, who I am becoming very fond of, began every once in a while, to send me a scripture.

Now I'm sure many of you non-denominational or other have been "sent" scripture. This is different. This person gave me the chapters and the verses as an honest offering of not only affection but true caring. More then that, they having apparently no ulterior motivation what so ever, gave them to me not as a "forward" from some other source, not at all. They gave each one as an offering of the knowledge they are gaining of me and what they felt I could use to hear. There have been three now. And it is my hope by sharing one here that I can somehow thank this person. Not for giving there opinion of me, not for staying "in the word" but I want to thank them for attending to me. Yes for actually serving me as a friend and a sister as a fellow human being.

So Richard, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and more.

Gift Three 1st Peter 5:10
"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you."

"To Him be the glory and the dominion forever" indeed.

A Thank you!

I would like to thank all of my couples who have chosen me to be the officiant for their Marriage Ceremonies. It is my pleasure and my joy to be there for you and I know God is blessing all of you as you start this new part of your lives. Mother/Father/God keep you. In the name of Jesus the Christ Amen, Amen and Amen. :o) Rev. Anna

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have in mind for you," says the LORD, "plans for your welfare and not for woe, plans to give you a future full of hope".

Hello all!

After being away from my blog for too long I am sharing again.

Our First Quote/Prayer

"Thank You,God that Your love has spread broad
through human hearts and hands."

Anonamous/from a forward email (of all places :o)

It is my prayer that all of your steps be blessed this day.

Rev. Anna M. Pohl