BANK ACCOUNT!!! This is AWESOME ... something we should all remember.
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I had provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window. I love it, he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.
That doesn't have anything to do with it, he replied. Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged . It's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
_____
The above email was forwarded to me. It is how I feel that Christians should lead their lives, by knowing God and trusting in him. Hebrews 10:22 says " let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water."
God will take our worries and cleanse our hearts. In turn, we are to wait for God to direct our paths. By living within the means that he has provided. By giving (of our time, talents and treasures) and not expecting anything in return. We should be willing to give to others and expect nothing in return. We should rely on God for our satisfaction and fulfillment.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Managing Moods - Week 2
Happiness at any Cost
"He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast" - Provers 15:15
This was a great study and we had great conversation about happiness and God's will for our lives.
The opening paragraphs of the study suggest that we will do whatever it takes to be happy since happiness is the most esteemed of the emotions. We will avoid whatever opportunities in life that we are presented with so that we will not be put in a situation that we could fail in our own eyes. "We set up emotional comfort zones and stay within them. No one can make us budge, not eve the LORD. We create our own happy, little bubble - a safe haven, untouched by others. we take firm control so we can always be happy. Happiness - no matter what the cost."
It is apparent at the beginning of the study that our hearts are deceitful. (Jeremiah 17:9, Mark 7:21-22). We will do what WE want to in order to be happy and it is our heart that will allow us to do that if we are not guarding it. Solomon was wise. In Proverbs 28:26 he says "If we follow our hearts along we are fools. We must use our minds and heart to balance and walk according to his word."
"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Thankfully, God understands our hearts when they leave us confused. God is able to see beyond the outward appears to the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). God knows the secrets of the heart (Psalm 44:21). The Lord can search the heart and examine the mind (Jeremiah 17:10). God's word judges the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12).
God knows our hearts. Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not into your own understanding (NLT)." Trust God and don't try to figure everything out on your own. Psalm 34:18 says "The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent (repentant)."
"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit with in me" Psalm 51:10. When I feel that I'm not feeling thoughts that would be delightful in the Lord's eyes I have this song on my iPod and I will listen to it over and over again until I feel that my heart will not lead me astray from the word of the Lord. Ezekiel 18:31 says "to rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit."
Happiness should not be our goal. We should be looking for God to make us new and give us a pure heart. God promises in Ezekiel 36:26 that we will get a new heart and a new spirit. He will take away our stubborn stony heart and give us a tender responsive heart. Isn't that what we all want? A tender and responsive heart.
Trinket to Treasure - Bar of Soap
"Our heart is deceitful. Sneaky as a snake. Crafty as a fox. Wiley as Wiley Coyote, and just as persistent in trying to get what it wants. To remind us of this, this week's trinket is a bar of soap. No matter how much we want for God to make us clean, our heart is as slippery as soap. If we keep this in mind, we can be on guard against the whims of emotion. When we are wise, we cannot be led astray by the wiles of the heart."
Depending on God to stir my heart and do HIS will...Nelda
"He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast" - Provers 15:15
This was a great study and we had great conversation about happiness and God's will for our lives.
The opening paragraphs of the study suggest that we will do whatever it takes to be happy since happiness is the most esteemed of the emotions. We will avoid whatever opportunities in life that we are presented with so that we will not be put in a situation that we could fail in our own eyes. "We set up emotional comfort zones and stay within them. No one can make us budge, not eve the LORD. We create our own happy, little bubble - a safe haven, untouched by others. we take firm control so we can always be happy. Happiness - no matter what the cost."
It is apparent at the beginning of the study that our hearts are deceitful. (Jeremiah 17:9, Mark 7:21-22). We will do what WE want to in order to be happy and it is our heart that will allow us to do that if we are not guarding it. Solomon was wise. In Proverbs 28:26 he says "If we follow our hearts along we are fools. We must use our minds and heart to balance and walk according to his word."
"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Thankfully, God understands our hearts when they leave us confused. God is able to see beyond the outward appears to the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). God knows the secrets of the heart (Psalm 44:21). The Lord can search the heart and examine the mind (Jeremiah 17:10). God's word judges the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12).
God knows our hearts. Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not into your own understanding (NLT)." Trust God and don't try to figure everything out on your own. Psalm 34:18 says "The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent (repentant)."
"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit with in me" Psalm 51:10. When I feel that I'm not feeling thoughts that would be delightful in the Lord's eyes I have this song on my iPod and I will listen to it over and over again until I feel that my heart will not lead me astray from the word of the Lord. Ezekiel 18:31 says "to rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit."
Happiness should not be our goal. We should be looking for God to make us new and give us a pure heart. God promises in Ezekiel 36:26 that we will get a new heart and a new spirit. He will take away our stubborn stony heart and give us a tender responsive heart. Isn't that what we all want? A tender and responsive heart.
Trinket to Treasure - Bar of Soap
"Our heart is deceitful. Sneaky as a snake. Crafty as a fox. Wiley as Wiley Coyote, and just as persistent in trying to get what it wants. To remind us of this, this week's trinket is a bar of soap. No matter how much we want for God to make us clean, our heart is as slippery as soap. If we keep this in mind, we can be on guard against the whims of emotion. When we are wise, we cannot be led astray by the wiles of the heart."
Depending on God to stir my heart and do HIS will...Nelda
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Managing Moods - Week 1
A Bundle of Emotions
" A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and a evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil." Luke 6:45
As we began this study we started with clearing the cobwebs on page 1. Which of your moods and emotions most trouble you? We all used the contents as a guide to determine which one or ones trouble us most. It is my prayer and hope as we journey through this bible study together that we are all able to make a positive step toward these emotions that trouble each of us.
The Foreword of the book by Mary Graham says "God has created us as emotional beings, capable of a wide range of feelings. Obviously, His desire is that those feelings do not control us."......"God has given us His Spirit to control us, His Word to counsel us, ans His People to console and comfort us." Who is it in your life that you rely on to offer you moral and Christ-like wisdom, consolation and comfort? I think we all have that person in our lives that is willing to help us let our emotions take over. My challenge to you is to find that person that will be your partner in Christ and helping you walk in the spirit of what God would want you to do.
This lesson focuses on our hearts and what can happen to them, and what they do and don't have in them. There is a list of emotions in the introduction on page vi. I'd like to see if we can add to this list. Any takers for some new ones?
Homework:
Read the Foreword, #1, Digging Deeper, Ponder and Pray.
Trinket to Treasure: A Rubber Band Ball
"Our moods affect our actions, our attitudes, and the people around us. Your gift this week is something to remind you about the complexity of the moods and emotions that are bound up in our hearts. It's a rubber band ball. Our hearts are just as complex - a bundle of emotions rather than those stretchy binders. And it doesn't take too much to make either one a tangled mess! Through careful study of God's Word, we'll attempt to unravel these feelings and avert a knotty catastrophe!"
-Quotations taken from Women of Faith Study Guide Series Managing Your Moods
" A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and a evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil." Luke 6:45
As we began this study we started with clearing the cobwebs on page 1. Which of your moods and emotions most trouble you? We all used the contents as a guide to determine which one or ones trouble us most. It is my prayer and hope as we journey through this bible study together that we are all able to make a positive step toward these emotions that trouble each of us.
The Foreword of the book by Mary Graham says "God has created us as emotional beings, capable of a wide range of feelings. Obviously, His desire is that those feelings do not control us."......"God has given us His Spirit to control us, His Word to counsel us, ans His People to console and comfort us." Who is it in your life that you rely on to offer you moral and Christ-like wisdom, consolation and comfort? I think we all have that person in our lives that is willing to help us let our emotions take over. My challenge to you is to find that person that will be your partner in Christ and helping you walk in the spirit of what God would want you to do.
This lesson focuses on our hearts and what can happen to them, and what they do and don't have in them. There is a list of emotions in the introduction on page vi. I'd like to see if we can add to this list. Any takers for some new ones?
Homework:
Read the Foreword, #1, Digging Deeper, Ponder and Pray.
Trinket to Treasure: A Rubber Band Ball
"Our moods affect our actions, our attitudes, and the people around us. Your gift this week is something to remind you about the complexity of the moods and emotions that are bound up in our hearts. It's a rubber band ball. Our hearts are just as complex - a bundle of emotions rather than those stretchy binders. And it doesn't take too much to make either one a tangled mess! Through careful study of God's Word, we'll attempt to unravel these feelings and avert a knotty catastrophe!"
-Quotations taken from Women of Faith Study Guide Series Managing Your Moods
When I say I'm a Christian
This was shared at the first night of the Women's Bible Study. I thought it was quite appropriate to start the Blog.
When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean living.
I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'
When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!
Be Blessed, Be a Blessing
When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean living.
I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'
When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!
Be Blessed, Be a Blessing
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