Sometimes people think they have power over you and they use their words and their position to try to convince you of that, but God who is all powerful, is using them for our good. Unbeknownst to them, their actions are digging the foundation for your blessings. God is all powerful. Nothing they can say or do will hinder or remove the plans and blessings that God has for you. Stay in faith.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Tools of the trade
Consider this prayer warriors,
A carpenter needs wood,🔨 and nails to do his work.if he came to your house without his tools, he wouldn't seem legitimate.
A plumber needs a wrench, pipes and tools to locate a leak in order to look legitimate.
A student needs books, paper and pen, or no progress will be made in their education. They don't seem to be legitimate.
**How can a person call himself/herself a Christian, but never read a bible, or carry one in their heart or in their hands? If scripture says They'll know we are Christians by our love, but no one sees the love, how can they be called legitimate?
** Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing children. They only desire to deceive, devour and destroy you.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Friday, June 24, 2016
Guilt
Guilt is defined as a "negative feeling or emotion that people experience when they are convinced that they have caused harm in some way". It is said to be further defined as "remorse sometimes reflecting continual sorrow leading to "beating oneself up", unforgiveness and eventually depression."
No wonder the bible says "there is therefore now no condemnation in Christ Jesus." His ministry is based on forgiveness. He died to forgive us for our sins. Psalm103:12 "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west". Don't accept guilt except for immediate correction and don't pass it on. When you get feelings of remorse, it can be a good thing, but it's better to recognize it, apologize and change the behavior that caused harm. Then forget it and walk away. God doesn't hold grudges or perpetuate guilt. We shouldn't either. Cut yourself some slack. Let it go.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Nothing is wasted
**Nothing is wasted**
How often do we say, "What a waste of time!", or, "how could I have wasted so much of my life!", or "that job was a waste!" Well, we are in Christ, and in Christ nothing is wasted. He knows how to recycle like no one else. " All things old are passed away, and all things become new." He takes every event, or amount of time that we considered a waste and gives it a use. All of your experiences matter. You learned something from them. That is new information. It's new wisdom. You can believe that there is someone who can use that new wisdom. It will help them more than you know. Forgive yourself, tuck those experiences in your cap, and be ready to share them. In Jesus nothing is wasted.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Forgiveness Quiz - How forgiving are you?
Forgiveness Quiz
How forgiving are you? When someone hurts you, are you more likely to turn the other cheek--or slash their tires?
The quiz below draws on a scale created by forgiveness research pioneer Michael McCullough and his colleagues, offering insight into how we respond to those who do us wrong.
Before starting the quiz, think about someone—a friend, a spouse, a family member, a co-worker—who has hurt you. Then respond as honestly as possible to the following 12 questions with that person in mind, indicating how much you agree or disagree with each statement.
When you’re done, you’ll learn your score and what it suggests about your typical response when someone mistreats you.
The quiz below draws on a scale created by forgiveness research pioneer Michael McCullough and his colleagues, offering insight into how we respond to those who do us wrong.Before starting the quiz, think about someone—a friend, a spouse, a family member, a co-worker—who has hurt you. Then respond as honestly as possible to the following 12 questions with that person in mind, indicating how much you agree or disagree with each statement.
When you’re done, you’ll learn your score and what it suggests about your typical response when someone mistreats you.
forgiveness part 3
Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness
When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger, resentment and thoughts of revenge — or embrace forgiveness and move forward.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Nearly everyone has been hurt by the actions or words of another. Perhaps your mother criticized your parenting skills, your colleague sabotaged a project or your partner had an affair. These wounds can leave you with lasting feelings of anger, bitterness or even vengeance.
But if you don't practice forgiveness, you might be the one who pays most dearly. By embracing forgiveness, you can also embrace peace, hope, gratitude and joy. Consider how forgiveness can lead you down the path of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
What is forgiveness?
Generally, forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. The act that hurt or offended you might always remain a part of your life, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help you focus on other, more positive parts of your life. Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt you.
Forgiveness doesn't mean that you deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life.
What are the benefits of forgiving someone?
Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for happiness, health and peace. Forgiveness can lead to:
- Healthier relationships
- Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
- Less anxiety, stress and hostility
- Lower blood pressure
- Fewer symptoms of depression
- Stronger immune system
- Improved heart health
- Higher self-esteem
Why is it so easy to hold a grudge?
When you're hurt by someone you love and trust, you might become angry, sad or confused. If you dwell on hurtful events or situations, grudges filled with resentment, vengeance and hostility can take root. If you allow negative feelings to crowd out positive feelings, you might find yourself swallowed up by your own bitterness or sense of injustice.
What are the effects of holding a grudge?
If you're unforgiving, you might:
- Bring anger and bitterness into every relationship and new experience
- Become so wrapped up in the wrong that you can't enjoy the present
- Become depressed or anxious
- Feel that your life lacks meaning or purpose, or that you're at odds with your spiritual beliefs
- Lose valuable and enriching connectedness with others
How do I reach a state of forgiveness?
Forgiveness is a commitment to a process of change. To begin, you might:
- Consider the value of forgiveness and its importance in your life at a given time
- Reflect on the facts of the situation, how you've reacted, and how this combination has affected your life, health and well-being
- Actively choose to forgive the person who's offended you, when you're ready
- Move away from your role as victim and release the control and power the offending person and situation have had in your life
As you let go of grudges, you'll no longer define your life by how you've been hurt. You might even find compassion and understanding.
so, you think you can't forgive?
from the Mayo Clinic website
What happens if I can't forgive someone?
Forgiveness can be challenging, especially if the person who's hurt you doesn't admit wrong or doesn't speak of his or her sorrow. If you find yourself stuck:
- Consider the situation from the other person's point of view.
- Ask yourself why he or she would behave in such a way. Perhaps you would have reacted similarly if you faced the same situation.
- Reflect on times you've hurt others and on those who've forgiven you.
- Write in a journal, pray or use guided meditation — or talk with a person you've found to be wise and compassionate, such as a spiritual leader, a mental health provider, or an impartial loved one or friend.
- Be aware that forgiveness is a process and even small hurts may need to be revisited and forgiven over and over again.
Does forgiveness guarantee reconciliation?
If the hurtful event involved someone whose relationship you otherwise value, forgiveness can lead to reconciliation. This isn't always the case, however.
Reconciliation might be impossible if the offender has died or is unwilling to communicate with you. In other cases, reconciliation might not be appropriate. Still, forgiveness is possible — even if reconciliation isn't.
What if I have to interact with the person who hurt me but I don't want to?
If you haven't reached a state of forgiveness, being near the person who hurt you might prompt you to be tense and stressful. To handle these situations:
- Remember that you can choose to attend or avoid specific functions and gatherings. If you choose to attend, don't be surprised by a certain amount of awkwardness and perhaps even more intense feelings.
- Respect yourself and do what seems best.
- Do your best to keep an open heart and mind. You might find that the experience helps you to move forward with forgiveness.
What if the person I'm forgiving doesn't change?
Getting another person to change his or her actions, behavior or words isn't the point of forgiveness. Think of forgiveness more about how it can change your life — by bringing you peace, happiness, and emotional and spiritual healing. Forgiveness can take away the power the other person continues to wield in your life.
What if I'm the one who needs forgiveness?
The first step is to honestly assess and acknowledge the wrongs you've done and how those wrongs have affected others. At the same time, avoid judging yourself too harshly. You're human, and you'll make mistakes.
If you're truly sorry for something you've said or done, consider admitting it to those you've harmed. Speak of your sincere sorrow or regret, and specifically ask for forgiveness — without making excuses.
Remember, however, you can't force someone to forgive you. Others need to move to forgiveness in their own time. Whatever the outcome, commit to treating others with compassion, empathy and respect.
Why Forgiveness?
What Is Forgiveness?
Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.
Just as important as defining what forgiveness is, though, is understanding what forgiveness is not. Experts who study or teach forgiveness make clear that when you forgive, you do not gloss over or deny the seriousness of an offense against you. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, nor does it mean condoning or excusing offenses. Though forgiveness can help repair a damaged relationship, it doesn’t obligate you to reconcile with the person who harmed you, or release them from legal accountability.
Instead, forgiveness brings the forgiver peace of mind and frees him or her from corrosive anger. While there is some debate over whether true forgiveness requires positive feelings toward the offender, experts agree that it at least involves letting go of deeply held negative feelings. In that way, it empowers you to recognize the pain you suffered without letting that pain define you, enabling you to heal and move on with your life.
**this information is from the "Greater Good" website
Monday, June 20, 2016
Clean out the closet
"...and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have committed wrongs against us. " Why did Jesus put this in his pattern for prayer? Forgiveness is key and is central to the message of Christ. The only way that we can join the Christ in his heaven and receive the promises of God is to "clean out our closet". You know, all those bad feelings and all the anger , misgivings and hurt that we put away in the closet, but don't throw away. Let's not "hoard" old pain to be dealt with another day. Time for spring/eternal cleaning of the closet of unforgiveness. Yes, open that dreaded door, and begin to forgive (sweep out ) everything and everyone who is still in that closet. Check it off a list if that will bring finality for you. Anger and unforgiveness that linger can change the chemical make up inside you. You can feel anger when it boils inside your soul. Let ..it...go. save yourself and your soul. Pay your ticket for that chariot ride to glory when it's your time. Prepayment is a good thing. 🙏👏😃😊😘
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Trust Him
Years ago, during the crash I was worried about losing the small amount of money that I'd saved while i was teaching and i was wondering what to do before the crash. I was at a conference and a teammate who's room wasn't ready, stayed in my room one night. She talked about how she'd moved her money into her pension fund and how she'd purchased time from her last job. The next day her room was ready so she left. I liked her idea, so I did the same thing with my money. I added years when I bought my time from Kansas City job. A few years later our governor and legislators changed pension rules. I was safe because that woman at a conference shared some information. When Marshall got so sick, he coded twice, and almost slipped away a third time. I retired from my job with enough years to be able to get a pension, just before the option to do that purchase of time was changed.
God knows our days from beginning to end. He planted that wise stranger in my hotel room with just the right information at just the right time. Trust Him. He's working even when you can't see it. 👀
Friday, June 17, 2016
Hope rises
Hope rises when we recognize that there are possibilities.
Faith is the spark that ignites the embers of hope.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
He cares about the little things
Yesterday during class, my earring fell off while I was teaching. I glanced at it on the floor and continued teaching. I thought to myself, ,"I'll get it at the end of class." Well, class ended and the students gathered around me to ask questions because their finals start today. I went home and ate lunch, did some chores, went to the store, and suddenly there was a picture in my mind of my earring under my desk nestled against the side. I had completely forgotten about it! God reminded me and showed me where it had fallen. I got in my car and went back to the college to retrieve it. Usually by that time the custodian would have cleaned the room, so i didnt know if I'd find it, but since God had shown it to me, I decided to trust Him. Sure enough when I got there, my earring was right where He showed me it would be and the room had not been touched. He cares about us. He even cares about the little things. Decide to trust Him. He cares about you and even about your little concerns. You are not alone.🙏 💒 😇
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Don't be afraid of the waters
If you ever have a feeling that you shouldn't do something, or that you shouldn't go somewhere, don't do it. The spirit of the Lord is speaking deep inside you. He loves you and wants to protect you.
Isaiah 43 "fear not for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name, you are mine. When you pass through troubled waters, I will be with you; when you pass through rivers, they won't sweep over you. When you walk through the fires of life, you won't be burned. No flame (weapon formed against you)will set you on fire because I am the Lord, your God...."🙌🙏
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Listen
There is a reason why God has me sending these words and stories. Remember, "His thoughts are higher than our thoughts ". I'm not sure what the reason is, but if you ask Him in prayer, He'll answer.
In Kansas City, many years ago, the catwalk in a fancy hotel , i think it was thr Hilton, fell down while people were dancing on it. Many people were interviewed who said that they heard a voice deep down inside them saying, "run!". They said that they knew they were not alone. God was speaking to them. Our world is changing every day. Listen for the small whisper inside your heart, and obey it. God is speaking to you. He loves you. You are not alone.🙏💒
Monday, June 13, 2016
That still small voice
Have you ever had any thoughts that were very much against your own character or beliefs? It just pops in your head and you shake it off. You ask yourself where in the world that came from, and you ignore it. Where did it come from? Not from you and certainly not from God.
Then there are thoughts that you know don't come from you and they warn you about danger. Many people said that a voice deep inside said, "don't go!" Or ,"Run!" during 911. Some, like my friends and cousins said that weird things happened in their lives that morning that kept them away from their appointments at the twin towers. They listened. God was speaking. Choose to listen to the voice /thoughts of love. Choose God. He speaks to all of us. We aren't alone. Just have faith.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Walking by Faith
WALKING BY FAITH
We can’t see God, but we can see evidence of His
presence. We can’t touch God, but we can
feel warmth and a joy rising up inside of us that has no logical
explanation. In some churches when
people cry seemingly without reason, they say, “Oh, they caught the Holy
Ghost”. What they are saying is that
they are feeling the presence of God. We
don’t really hear God with our ears, but He does speak to all of us. Sometimes we hear a soft gentle warning not
to go into a place, or we suddenly “remember” something that we have lost, or
have forgotten and have been asking God to help us with. Actually, that sudden “remembering” means
that He is helping us. God is real, and
He reaches out to us everyday and in many ways.
The bible says that He is a spirit and that He doesn’t have flesh and
bone, so we have to be on the lookout for gentle, unusual things that lead us,
or that confirm things for us. Walking
by faith means knowing His word and His will, and going forward with our lives
knowing that he is like a blocker in a sport running interference for us and
helping us reach the goal that He set for us.
We must pray, listen, wait and walk by faith knowing that we are not
alone.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Shine
You are rare and beautiful like a pearl in the ocean. At first you were a little raw, but your beauty shone through even then. Now as you are being refined by the trials of life, you shine even brighter. Your spiritual beauty is even more breathtaking as you grow older. Flattery? Not from me. The creator of the universe spoke everything else into being, but when it came time for your creation, He knelt in the dirt, cradled the soil of the earth in his hands, formed you, and breathed HIS OWN BREATH into you. He created you in his own image with his own breath so that you would reflect His own light. You will/are changing the world with His light. Read Genesis. It's really true. The creator of the universe loves and adores you.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Entry
The bible tells us that we must behave a certain way in order to make heaven our home. God tells us that certain behaviors will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Controlling other people, and rebellion against the laws of God will keep you out of heaven. The bible tells us that those two behaviors are like witchcraft. Controlling, manipulative behavior cannot be allowed to develop in a child. It isn't acceptable to God. Those two behaviors will sneak up on you almost without you knowing. Don't let it happen to you, and don't allow it to grow in children. No one can reach heaven that way. Eyes open, minds alert. Be blessed.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Life can be tough, but God is always good
May 7, 2016
Life can be tough, but God is always good.
Stand securely in the center of the hand of God. Don’t be afraid to call on Him. He’s not too busy. You’re not too insignificant. Your problem isn’t too small. All things matter to Him. You matter to Him. You don’t have to look very hard for Him, and
you don’t have to look too far. He’s
right there, standing next to you. That’s
why the bad things that could have been worse, didn’t get worse. That’s why the things that hurt you came to
an end. The people who didn’t have your
best interest at heart have been moved out of your way. Life can be tough. God is always good.
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