On this Lenten Sunday Virginia is dusting off something she shared during her 1st post-a-day Lent gig (7 years ago.) Here’s an inspiring interpretation of the Beattitudes of Jesus Christ from favorite Scripture scholar, J.B. Phillips.
‘Exposition on the Beattitudes’
“Most people think:
Happy are the pushers: for they get on in the world.
Happy are the hard-boiled: for they never let life hurt them.
Happy are they who complain: for they get their own way in the end.
Happy are the blasé: for they never worry over their sins.
Happy are the slave drivers: for they get results.
Happy are the knowledgeable men of the world: for they know their way around.
Happy are the trouble-makers: for people have to take notice of them.
But Jesus Christ said:
Happy are those who realize their spiritual poverty: they have already entered the kingdom of Reality.
Roses by the Sea of Galilee
Happy are they who bear their share of the world’s pain: in the long run they will know more happiness than those who avoid it.
Happy are those who accept life and their own limitations: they will find more in life than anybody.
Happy are those who are ready to make allowances and to forgive: they will know the love of God.
Happy are those who are real in their thoughts and feelings: in the end they will see the ultimate Reality, God.
Happy are those who help others to live together: they will be known to be doing God’s work.” (J.B. Phillips)
grace, peace & attitude adjustments
Virginia : )
Roses in the Rubble 
Nice share Virginia. I like this alot. 😊
Thanks GH – I had this up on the wall in my office years ago when I worked in the Middle East. Glad you like it, too. Big hugs!! ✨🌟🤗🌟✨
Wow..you worked in Middle East…hot hot hot summers!!
Very (VERY) hot summers in the Middle East – but even hotter all-year-round where I worked in Africa.. ☀️🤪☀️😎☀️
Oh my..you have worked in far flung areas, away from civilization haha
I also appreciate the Beatitudes in the Message.
Thank you, I love the Beatitudes. Thank you, Jesus for your sermon and teaching.
That’s a great way to read them, too, Carol-Jo. I also like the Message – & the JB Phillips New Testament translation (of just about everything in the NT!) Hugs! ✨📚✨
I don’t remember this … great words to challenge and beautiful pictures to inspire. Thanks! 🙏💖
Thanks Cin! I’ve been a J.B. Phillips groupie for eons – I took Papa’s New Testament edition overseas (with his blessing) & now it’s a bit worn out. Blessings & hugs! ✨🌟📚🌟🤗🌟📚✨
Wonderful flowers
Thank you – took those pics in the Galilee when I lived in the Middle East. 🌷🌟🌷
Love it! Thank you Virginia! ❤
Thanks Patty – I had this up on my wall years ago when I lived in Bethlehem. Still find it relevant today, Blessings & hugs! 🌟🌷💜🌷🌟
I treated this as a pleasant weekend-ending prayer. Thanks. [Well, not the first set of beatitudes, which really are more like ‘D’-attitudes.
Right on, Tim (about the ‘D-attitudes.’) I’ve been a J.B. Phillips groupie for a (very) long time. His translation of the New Testament is a fav & his book “Your God is Too Small” influenced me years ago in a major way. Blessings! 🌟✨📚✨🌟
especially loved this one.
It’s a long time fav, Michele, & lots to ponder. Blessings! 💜🌟🙏🌟💜