Category Archives: Christianity

Articles about Christianity, Christianity, Evangelism

An Opportunity to Shine

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Just a word of encouragement for those who holiday times are not as fun as they could be.   It can be challenging to be around people that are not as kind and put a damper on Holiday gatherings.  Maybe they unfairly judge your looks and mutter unkind words that they think you can’t hear.  Or they judge your income and where you live based on their own “perfect” standards.  Being around those kind of people does give us a unique opportunity.   An opportunity to shine.

In light of eternity those times around unpleasant people are just a mere moment.   Something we won’t remember as the years go by.   We have a choice.   We can dread the holidays and gatherings or we can shine through them.   Yeah people can be rude and behave badly.  That’s how people who don’t understand how much God loves them act.  If they knew how much God loved them they wouldn’t act that way.   Instead they would be more interested in sharing God’s love with everyone they meet especially family during special occasions.

Here’s where you come in.   Why can’t you start your own Holiday tradition?  You’re a believer so why don’t you show God’s love to everyone? Instead of reacting to bad behavior from others why not choose to respond with God’s Love instead? You can’t control how others will behave and they may never understand or even care how their words and actions hurt others.   (I’m thinking of the character “Bones”  she has no earthly clue how her words are inappropriate and could hurt others)   There really are people out in the real world like that, extremely talented in certain areas and basically inept in social settings.

The choice is yours.  You can participate in the same ole same ole and leave the gatherings wishing you never went and dreading how many more years of unpleasant gatherings there will be.  Or maybe hoping you get sick so you don’t have to go.    Whatever negative thoughts  you experience before getting around unpleasant people, does affect your reactions.  You can continue to do the same thing getting the same results or you can do something different.

This time plan to shine. How would a person who wants to show God’s love respond to an unpleasant situation?   Now I’m not talking about cornering people and trying to “get them saved, so they’ll quit acting like heathens.”  I’m just talking about be gracious and kind in your responses.  How would your Heavenly Daddy want you to respond.  What would make Him proud?  Wouldn’t it be nice to leave an uncomfortable situation with a smile on your face knowing that you made your “Daddy” happy and was a great witness for Him.   I’m not saying people will change or treat you better but at least you’ll feel better about your responses. Know this, nothing can separate you from the Love of the Father.

 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39 KJV)

Be a shining example of Christ’s love this holiday season. Look forward to being a real witness for him, not just in words but by filling the room with His love rather than your hurt.  Ask Him to bless you with HIS love to share with those that are unkind and have HIM flood your heart with how HE sees them. Then love on them with the Love God gives you.

Have a Great Thanks and Giving day.

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Christianity, Journal activities, Marriage 101

Are you a Liar or a Lover? #TheDailyLoveWalk

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But if we say we love God and don’t love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don’t love the people we can see? The commandment that God has given us is: “Love God and love each other!” (1 John 4:20-21 CEV)

The scriptures can be pretty straight forward.  This scripture basically says if you say you Love God but you hate someone. You are a liar.  WOW I know that’s a tough thing to hear.  Sometimes we just need someone to wake us up and get our attention.

So what does that mean in your everyday going to work/school life?  Well, look at it this way.  If you love someone you won’t sleep with their spouse, steal their money, damage their property, steal their livestock, take their lunch money, shove them into a locker or give them a swirly.  Even though they might deserve the swirly if you Love like God Loves you won’t do it.  It also means you won’t gossip about people you love.  You won’t compare yourself to people you love and you won’t put someone you love down.   I know TV says just the opposite.  TV says be witty, sarcastic and slaughter people with your words so your friends will think you are cute.  When in all actuality you are showing the beast inside of you not the Love of God.

Couples  you won’t betray your spouse in word or deed.  Meaning you don’t go to your coworkers or church family and tell lies about them so you can play the victim.  If you Love them like God Loves them you will see them as He does and see what He sees in them. And a word to Divorced parents.  Your child did not ask to be born to you and your ex spouse.  It is not their fault that you are no longer together.  However you treat your ex spouse is what your child internalizes about that part of them.

They were created out of a union between two people and half of their being came from that person.   Again even though your ex  may deserve a swirly, if you Love them like God Loves them and you see them as God sees them for your sake and the sake of your child turn away from being ungodly and choose to be a Christ like person.  Jesus died for them just the same as he died for you.   I know…. “you don’t understand what they did to me…”  And I will tell you.  “No you don’t understand how much God Loves you and them.”

So let me make this clear… If you say you Love God but you hate your ex or your current spouse.  You are a liar.

I’m sorry, but if the bridge was out ahead on the road and if I didn’t get your attention you might die.  I have to try to wake you up and get your attention.   Just think of it as if I was screaming  THE BRIDGE IS OUT! THE BRIDGE IS OUT!  You may not like that I screamed at you, but at least you’re not dead because I failed to reach you.

In summary,  #TheDailyLoveWalk  step one.   Love like God Loves.   If you absolutely do not have any Love inside of you for someone that may have hurt you or is still hurting you emotionally, mentally, and spiritually then that’s okay.  Ask God for HIS love for them.  Ask God to take your Love or lack of Love for that person and trade it for His love.   Whether it’s a relationship from the past that went sour or that co-worker that you just can’t stand that always knows which buttons to push to set you off.   It’s actually kind of funny when you love them like God does.  When they try to set you off and can’t…. they kind of wonder off aimlessly like a lost puppy.

Oh my friend, if I could take you by the hand and lead you to a more peaceful life of Love I would.  Love like God Loves and if you don’t know how.. pray and ask Him for His Love.  It will absolutely amaze you when His Love comes through you to the world around you.

Keep a journal of your Daily Love Walk.  Make a note of your success in Loving like God loves and set some goals for dealing with challenging issues and people. How can you Love them like God would?  Ask yourself how does God Love? Pray the prayer in Ephesians 3 over yourself.

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Christianity, physical fitness

Spirit soul and Body. We need all three.

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I just finished listening to the panel at Healing School at Charis Bible School in Colorado.  It was a wonderful and hilarious panel.  Laughter is good medicine and they definitely delivered.

One of the issues was a discussion on aging.  What do we accept and what do we reject?  In a day of constantly being bombarded by medical ads on TV, the internet, and radio.  You really have to fight to not let all that propaganda find a way into your thinking.   And they know it which is why certain times of the day are targeted to reach an older audience.

The Word of God is pretty specific on what we are supposed to think about in Philippians 4:8.   Moses at 120 climbed to the top of a mountain unassisted and his vision was fine.  And he was under the old covenant.  We have  a much better covenant and science today is finally starting to catch up with what the Bible has said all along.

I know this is a little odd to talk about exercising, but after praying for people in a healing line it pays to be strong and able to stand on your feet after preaching a message.  I have found a great thing out there to help us fight to stay strong in body.   It’s called Classical Stretch and Miranda Esmonde-White is amazing.   “Classical Stretch” is typically on PBS stations in your area.  It is a 23 min workout that really works.   She also believes that our bodies do not have to fall prey to the merciless ‘we have to age poorly’ propaganda.   People in their 80’s have seen remarkable improvements in their strength and flexibility.    It’s a great addition to your daily routine and works with the belief of aging well and strong.

Check it out for yourself and see… ClassicalStretch.com

Here are some more educational videos from Miranda Esmonde- White. Educational Videos  Watch the Introduction and look at the aging backwards mini workouts.  She’ll explain how to do the exercises and suggested repetitions.

Put your faith in action and increase your strength and flexibility with these great exercises.  It’s never too early or too late to start moving.  Do what you can and you’ll be amazed at the results of consistently working out with Classical Stretch.  Similar to being amazed at the results of consistently reading the Word and spending time with God.   It takes all of us spirit, soul, and body to reach the lost.

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