The Mirror of Truth

James 1:23-24

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like?

Standing, gazing ahead
An image of Truth has been placed before me
There, a reflection of myself.

So vivid, and so clear
Every detail has been meticulously captured
It sickens me to think it must be me.

Blisters reeking of disease run down my cheeks
Moist sores have taken control of the mouth I can no longer see
My lips, cracked and bleeding.
Infectious wounds, like carvings from the hand of a child.
Darkness devours the frame of my eyes, now interrupted by tears

A wave of disgust runs through my body
As I gaze at the man I have become?
Unrecognizable.

I can no longer tolerate this hideous being
I turn my head in disbelief?

The repugnant picture begins to fade from my memory?
It must have been a dream
Yet, I dare not look again.

I mask my doubt with a simple grin
And step into the day?
I will not believe
For in my mind, I am unblemished, once again.

This poem was inspired as I was reading through the book of James one day. I am amazed at how I have grown to live with my flaws. As a Christian, the tendency to accept the gift of grace without realizing the cost of our transgressions is hard to avoid. We forget that we are filled with flaws, sins, eeking of disease in the eyes of the Lord...and all this has been covered!! We forget the state which we were in, full of illness and death. Thank God that He will not leave us miserable...He loves us enough to pull us out of our blood and wash us clean. But let us not forget the scent, look, and feel of our sin, as we strive to put it aside...continually surrendering our lives to the Lord.

Debra Rashid is employed as a counselor at a local hospital, working with at risk youth. She has a passion for the urban community and volunteers much of her time working with inner city youth and families. She hopes her writings will be a source of encouragement and motivation to those who read them.

cleaning service near Bannockburn ..
In The News:

Learn how to act against cybercriminals in 2026 with essential security steps like two-factor authentication, software updates and credit freezing.
Choose between OpenAI releasing Sora text-to-video model, the AI race heating up, or Waymo driverless cars launching in cities across the country
Learn how to set up Google Maps and Apple Maps on your phone to automatically remember where you parked. Step-by-step instructions for enabling location services and parking detection.
Phishing scammers use rnicrosoft.com domain to impersonate Microsoft by replacing "m" with "rn" in typosquatting attacks that steal login credentials.
OpenAI announces new teen safety rules for ChatGPT users under 18, blocking romantic roleplay and requiring extra caution on body image topics.
A 2025 data breach at fintech company 700Credit exposes personal information of more than 5.8 million people through compromised third-party integration partner.
Retailers lose $76.5 billion annually to return fraud as nearly 10% of U.S. retail returns involve fraudulent activity, with $850 billion in returns expected in 2025.
ShinyHunters claims responsibility for stealing 94GB of Pornhub user data affecting over 200 million records and demands Bitcoin ransom.
ChatGPT 2025 now connects to Apple Music, Canva, Expedia, TripAdvisor and OpenTable through built-in apps that help users create playlists, design graphics and more.
Apple releases emergency patches for two zero-day vulnerabilities actively exploited in attacks. iPhone and iPad users urged to update immediately.
DoorDash launches Zesty, an AI-powered social app that recommends restaurants through conversational search, now testing in San Francisco and New York.
Cybersecurity firm Infoblox reveals that over 90 percent of parked domains now redirect visitors to scams and malware, making simple typos extremely dangerous.
The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
GPT-5.2 is now live for all ChatGPT users with improved coding, writing and image interpretation, with Kurt Knutsson offering his review.
New iPhone replacement scam uses pressure tactics and fake carrier calls to steal devices from buyers. Criminals claim shipping errors and demand urgent returns.
Amazon Ring's new facial recognition feature sparks privacy controversy as Electronic Frontier Foundation critics argue the AI upgrade expands surveillance risks.
New Android banking trojan Sturnus steals credentials, reads encrypted messages and controls devices.
Denmark's 3D-printed student village proves automation builds 36 apartments faster than traditional methods. Skovsporet project shows housing future.
Discover Android's new Sound Notifications feature that alerts you to smoke alarms, doorbells, and baby cries even when wearing headphones.
New SantaStealer malware reportedly threatens holiday shoppers with password theft. This Christmas-themed info-stealer targets browsers and crypto wallets.
The Christmas season brings a surge in Netflix phishing scams targeting shoppers with fake emails. Stacey P received convincing scam but verified account first.
San Francisco Giants invite Jamie Grohsong to throw ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park after he learned to play baseball with a bionic hand following an injury.
FBI warns cybercriminals are stealing family photos from social media to create fake proof of life images in virtual kidnapping scams targeting victims.
Instagram's new 'Your Algorithm' tool lets you control your Reels feed in real time. The app now gives you power to customize what videos you see.
Major Marquis fintech breach exposes 400,000-plus Americans' data through unpatched SonicWall vulnerability, with Texas hardest hit at 354,000 affected.

Going Where Youve Never Gone Before

One of the first issues people on the spiritual path... Read More

Change Your Outlook on Change

Make no mistake about it, change is challenging whether it... Read More

Writing Letters to God

Many of you come to this site because you are... Read More

The World Revolves Around Me

Lately I have become aware of a new truth that... Read More

An Open Invitation

"All you who are thirsty, come and drink." ISAIAH 55:1,... Read More

Two Simple Ways To Get Anything You Want

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,... Read More

Do You Really Want to Know the Truth?

Back in 1992, Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise co-starred in... Read More

You Must Feel to Heal!

In my work with clients who have physical illnesses there... Read More

The Flow Of Money

The more we worry about money, and who's asking for... Read More

Where Do You Cast?

"Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for... Read More

Sinners by Choice

God said, "Thou shalt not?" and we continue to tell... Read More

Book Ends

In the responsibility we have as Christians, we are displayed... Read More

Going Where God Leads You

I know God will not give me anything I can't... Read More

Strangers In This World

Christians all over the world will all be tempted in... Read More

Equal In the Eyes of God

There was a time in my life when I seriously... Read More

Go Forward!

There is no incident in the life of Moses which... Read More

Origin of Certain Thoughts (Part II)

Continued from "Origin of Certain Thoughts, Part I"If you haven't... Read More

Belief, Designed For Life!

Liam says to Joe; "where is your God now, when... Read More

The Big Choice

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.... Read More

Making Our Self Real

"Self-Actualization" is the process of making our self "actual." Our... Read More

Anam Chara - Telling Your Story

We as human beings travelled in small bands for hundreds... Read More

What Is Wrong With Being Common?

The Emmaus Journal What is Wrong With Being Common? This... Read More

7 Wake-Up Calls-Avoid Self Sabotage to Discover Wealth and Prosperity with the Angels of Abundance

It's an almost unbelievable thought, but could you be getting... Read More

Seeking the Sacred

People have always sought the sacred. It is the Divine... Read More

Getting Comfortable in Your Own Skin

What does it mean to be comfortable in your own... Read More

pet-friendly home cleaners Mundelein ..