A Little Late to the Mount

<sup>So, I've decided to take the challenge a year late and memorize the Sermon on the Mount this year.  It seems to fit with my inLove word of 2013... because how can you not love when He blesses?  And if you want to live blessed- His love is where all the blessing is found. 

I want to not only memorize it, but live it, breathe it, understand it.  So here it is from the Message translation.  Praying this new take on the Beatitudes gives them sparkle and life today!</sup>
 
You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. 
With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. 
Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. 
That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. 
He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
You’re blessed when you care. 
At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. 
Then you can see God in the outside world.
You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. 
That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. 
The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. 
What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. -Matthew 5:3-12