Meatless Monday-try it your body and mind will thank you!

I Prayed for You today...

I said a prayer for you today! I prayed: Dear Lord, please watch over all my friends and family. Please heal their bodies, supply all their needs, deliver them from evil and harm! I also asked the Lord to lift you up when you are fainting under the weight of your burdens. I asked Him to cause His son to shine on your rainy days, and give you His peace. When I was done  praying for you, I thanked Him with all my heart for His Word, because in His Word He has promised to do all the above and so much more if we would but ask! and believe!!!!

Forgiveness

     Have you every wondered why it is easier to forgive someone
who hurts us then forgiving ourselves? Isn't it funny(not ha! ha!
funny) that a friend or loved one can make a mistake that affects
us in a big way yet we still find a way to forgive that person!
    I have been thinking about that a lot lately. Last week, I 
had to exercise my forgiveness muscle a whopping seven times
in one day! That seems like an awful lot of forgiving, especially for one twenty-four hour period doesn't it?
   On the other hand, given the number of times the Word of
God tells us we should forgive those who hurt us, a mere seven 
times is a piece of cake. Never the less, why is that it always seems
easier to forgive others than it is to forgive ourselves? 
   I of course don't know for sure, I can only speak for myself
but I am pretty sure it boils down to one word, "mercy". Sometimes
I think that I have a lot of it for others but not much for myself.
If I had to give an answer as to why that is, I believe I would have
to say that perhaps I don't think I deserve it!
   The truth is I would be right, I am right. I don't deserve
mercy, I can't  purchase or earn it either! Instead I just have
to give it freely to others, and accept it readily for myself! Mercy
is God's gift to us,mercy is our Lord Jesus Christ freely given
to us!
     That being the case, I must forgive myself, If God has
loved me enough to send His only Son to die, that I may live,
then I, you, must forgive ourselves as He has forgiven us.

Good food for thought

If you agree simply leave a comment below

You, Yes You are Loved!

JESUS loves YOU! and so do we!!!!

Monday, January 7, 2013

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, 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 compassion, kindness 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
• Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse

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 pay the price repeatedly by bringing anger and bitterness into every relationship and new experience. Your life might become so wrapped up in the wrong that you can't enjoy the present. You might become depressed or anxious. You might feel that your life lacks meaning or purpose, or that you're at odds with your spiritual beliefs. You might 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
• When you're ready, actively choose to forgive the person who's offended you
• 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

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Wishing all our friends a wonderful and blessed Celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus!

The real reason for Christmas is...

  During this festive and busy time
of the year it is so easy to get caught up in all the festivities and craziness. All that is well and good but in my humble opinion, I believe that Christmas would be even more beautiful if we spent more time focusing on the true meaning of Christmas....Jesus, the Son of God!
 Most of us put a lot of thought into the
gifts that we will give to our family and friends but how often do we ask ourselves,
"hmm, what should I give Jesus today!"
    Or, "I wonder what His favorite color is?" If we are truly honest with ourselves I am pretty sure most would not be able to say that we ask ourselves that question or similar questions at Christmas.
I am not proud to admit that I used to be one of those people until one Christmas day not too long ago.
    Like pretty much everyone else, I love Christmas, I love
the music, I love the beautiful colored lights, and most of all, I love
the "comfort and joy" that seems to permeate the very air we breathe through out the entire Christmas season. Everyone seems to be in love with life and all the beauty that is Christmas!
   On that particular Christmas, I started to think about what I DON'T....................................................................................
like about Christmas...I don't like all the temptation that comes
disguised as cookies, and cakes, and all the other "holiday" foods.
That brings me to another thing I don't like about Christmas, it's the
very word "holiday". It really isn't the word itself, it's more about
the fact that the word "holiday" is now supposed to replace
words one associates with the season such as "Merry Christmas,"
and "Jesus Birthday."
   So now every where you go this time of year you may hear,
"Happy Holidays" and "It isn't really Jesus birthday, anyway!"
Well in my opinion, if it isn't Jesus birthday, then let's cancel
Christmas! yes cancel Christmas, instead of canceling Jesus
the true meaning of Christmas. Come on, we know that Jesus 
wasn't really born on Christmas day, but if one IS going to
celebrate it, then it should be celebrated in His name.
   So, it would be safe(and of foremost importance) to 
give God the glory and praise for sending His precious son to
be born as a man so that we all could be delivered from the curse of sin and death and have the abundant life He promised. That is
the real meaning of Christmas.
  During this time of year, perhaps the best gift we can give
anyone is the gift of time! There are many people who are lonely, and depressed, and truly alone. Perhaps some of them may feel or be that way all the other 364 days of the year, even so, there is
something about the arrival of Christmas and all it's sparkle, that
causes the lonely and hurting heart to break in a whole new way.
   So this Christmas, I am looking to for people, places, where
I can be His hand extended, where I can share the love of God, even if it is in some small way! If you know anyone that needs to
know, or be reminded that they are loved, that they are not alone,
reach out to them in some small way. We have all heard it said
I'm sure, "it is more blessed to give then it is to receive," and it
is true!
   If on the other hand, you are the one who needs to know or
be reminded that Jesus loves you, that He was born, and died, and
will come back to take you home with Him one day then please
know it is not a fairy tale, Jesus truly loves you! you are not alone! He loves you, and so do I. If you need prayer or a reminder then it is you I am talking to and about here, more importantly, it is He who is talking to you here. You are loved, you are not alone, call on His name, He will hear you!