I did not listen to the songs by John Denver during the days he lived his life. Though recently, I've come to understand why so many were moved by his music. He writ and sang with passion and purpose.

There has never been a time on Earth like we see today. What we need are more ways to experience our interconnectedness - it is a precursor to deep love. So in this quickening light, with the dawn of each new day, let us look for love. Let us no longer struggle. Let us ever become who we most want to be. As we begin to be who we truly are, the world will be a better place.

Isn't that all that God asks of me? To be true to Him and do His will.

There's a book I'm reading and in it, this line spoke to me. I've discovered this thought prior in my own recent writings, yet with other literal phrasing. Author James McDonald says it this way.

I don't want an "A" for appearance - I want the real thing in my heart. I don't want to look right - I want to be right.

In further thought, I can undestand the meaning Dr. McDonald may be trying to express, but it must be taken a step further from being 'right' to 'righteous in living'.

Author Dave Dravecky noted,

I've come to realize that real growth of character takes place in the valleys of life.

The last place I wanted to be was in the valley and to feel the heartache of the descent with blinded sight and an ignorant mind, alone.

However, what is learned in the valley can only be experienced there, in person. That knowledge, that wisdom cannot be felt by reading or contemplation. Nor is the descent ever experienced alone.

Is it written in 2nd Chapter of James, verse 24,

You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

I believe that 'action of faith' is part of the climb. It is an exhilerating adventure that He has always desired His children to experience.

I looked in the mirror today and saw a person screaming to be free! Do something! Change. Make a difference.

The person in the mirror was the 'me' of yesterday. Everything thing that I am today is a culmination of all my yesterdays, but it's not who 'I am'. It's people knowing me from my actions, my words and all the things of the past. And in the blink of my eye I heard a voice tell me, 'Today is a new day to be the person I want you to be.'

It's an opportunity to overwrite the wrongs, begin anew. This today is given to me for a reason. Who am I to squander it. I rejoice and am grateful.

The world was given a glimpse of the holocaust through the eyes of a young girl, named Anne Frank. Her feelings have inspired people of every race and religion. With love, we remember her this day.

The final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.

He has allowed me to create who I am and what I will be. I hope I am making Him proud.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired Americans and individuals around the world. He spoke words and took action that brought unity and non-violence with the principle of unconditional love.

"If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream, the Trumpet of Conscience.”

Dr. King reminds me that beneath this armor is that Trumpet of Conscience, wanting to be played.

This statement from Dr. King hits me especially hard.

“Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

What he must have went through to overcome the obstacles he faced, and the faith in God he must have had to take that first step. The times and circumstances are different, but the obstacle is the same. The obstacle is not the haters or the bashers, or the unholy triad of the desires of this flesh, worldly powers and the devil's temptations, but the depths of my faith and everlasting belief, to take the first step.

In 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. released a book entitled Strength to Love. It contains sixteen sermons and one essay entitled "Pilgrimage to Nonviolence." The book was one of many which he wrote conveying his beliefs and stance on the conflicts he confronted.

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

I find my strength in Truth; to seek it, unveil it, choose it, act upon it, and to believe it in all its humbled glory.

Though spoken many years ago, these words by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are still powerfully true today.

“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”

I feel this occurs when we allow so-called 'science and logic' to give explained reason for our actions, rather than doing what is unexplainably right.

Dr. King said further,

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

No matter if I am right or wrong, let me speak up and know that I am alive, expressing that which I believe.