Wednesday, December 30, 2015
A Creative Way to Witness
I have a creative witnessing idea for any that are interested. Your mission, should you chose to accept it, is to make dozens and dozens of Jesus packets lol :) You have now been activated. But no seriously, I have been making something I like to call Jesus packets since last Christmas. I used to wrap them up like little presents but now I put them in cellophane gift bags because that is faster. Currently I put peanut butter oatmeal cookies in them that I make, a candy cane and a Bible tract. I have been putting them in mail boxes around my neighborhood. I talked to the mail man about it. It's not entirely illegal. Technically they want you to pay a fee at the post office to do so. Or you can leave them in front of people's doors. Apartment complexes are the easiest and fastest place to deliver them to, because you can distribute about 100 packets very quickly.
My new current idea is to make hundreds of packets to take into schools, elementary, junior high and high school. Please pray for me about this. They may not be able to pass them out to the kids, since there are laws about religions material now, but they might be able to leave them in a box in the office or the library and children can pick them up as they want.
The cost isn't that much. You can buy 100 tracts on Amazon for $6 and there are many great tracts to choose from. You can buy 200 cellophane clear bags for $5. Candy canes are the cheapest and easiest candy but you can put whatever candy you want in it, if you want to put candy in. There are book marks with inspirational Bible verses on Amazon 100 for $10. Another good idea is glow sticks or glow bracelets which you can get 100 for $10 also. There are Christian pencils on Amazon, 100 for $10. And also Christian fish erasers that are cool. There are also Christian bracelets with saying on them like "God loves you" also 100 for $10. You can use your tithe money for this if you want, but some would debate that. I personally think tithe money should be used to spread the gospel, but everyone has their own view on that.
Anyways, if you have extra time on your hands consider doing. Everyone does have extra time. The time that you use to watch TV every day could be time to put these packets together. One has eternal signficance and one does not. Your decision. Anyways, God bless and take care ya'll! :)
On Porn and Sexual Addiction
Sexual Addiction: My Dad's Very Tragic Flaw
I'm looking back at my childhood pics tonight and they make me sad really. Mainly because my dad is now in prison for molesting children. I just can't help but thinking over and over, "How the heck did he, of his own will, mess up his whole life so much?" He could have had it all. He could have had a happy and great family forever. But he let his brain get seriously messed up. So so sad. I feel very sorry for my dad.
That's why I love watching Joyce Meyer so much because she finally has nailed it on the head. Our mind is so so important and the thoughts we allow ourselves to think are so key. How we think will dictate our entire lives. We have to be very, very careful what we think about 24/7, because sin, any sin, is a very dangerous and slippery slope.
I read once that 70% of men look at porn, even Christian men. Any men out there who look at porn, stop now. You DON'T want to end up like my dad . Porn and sexual addiction can get really, really ugly. Beware. Looking at porn is a serious problem that no one should take lightly or excuse easily. Sexual addiction is a serious problem. Learn from my dad's terrible example, dear reader. My dad's fate of being in prison could be your future, if you look at porn. Any person who gets deep into porn could easily end up molesting their own kids, other kids and doing all kinds of other unspeakable disgusting things like my dad did. Don't play with fire. Don't look at porn.
May God bless you all as you seek to follow Him more and more amen!
I'm looking back at my childhood pics tonight and they make me sad really. Mainly because my dad is now in prison for molesting children. I just can't help but thinking over and over, "How the heck did he, of his own will, mess up his whole life so much?" He could have had it all. He could have had a happy and great family forever. But he let his brain get seriously messed up. So so sad. I feel very sorry for my dad.
That's why I love watching Joyce Meyer so much because she finally has nailed it on the head. Our mind is so so important and the thoughts we allow ourselves to think are so key. How we think will dictate our entire lives. We have to be very, very careful what we think about 24/7, because sin, any sin, is a very dangerous and slippery slope.
I read once that 70% of men look at porn, even Christian men. Any men out there who look at porn, stop now. You DON'T want to end up like my dad . Porn and sexual addiction can get really, really ugly. Beware. Looking at porn is a serious problem that no one should take lightly or excuse easily. Sexual addiction is a serious problem. Learn from my dad's terrible example, dear reader. My dad's fate of being in prison could be your future, if you look at porn. Any person who gets deep into porn could easily end up molesting their own kids, other kids and doing all kinds of other unspeakable disgusting things like my dad did. Don't play with fire. Don't look at porn.
May God bless you all as you seek to follow Him more and more amen!
Nice Encouragement
Here are some very nice encouraging words from a friend about my writing. :)
"Lisa, our Lord has blessed you with such wisdom. Not only does He reveal to you such simple yet profound truths, but you are able to put it into written form beautifully for instruction, and yet with a touch of encouragement. No matter the topic, your wisdom is steady and true. Your posts have been such a blessing. You have spot on discernment, the wisdom to apply it, and the pen to share it with others! Write on Lisa! You are blessing others so much! Thank you."
That was so nice to hear. :)
"Lisa, our Lord has blessed you with such wisdom. Not only does He reveal to you such simple yet profound truths, but you are able to put it into written form beautifully for instruction, and yet with a touch of encouragement. No matter the topic, your wisdom is steady and true. Your posts have been such a blessing. You have spot on discernment, the wisdom to apply it, and the pen to share it with others! Write on Lisa! You are blessing others so much! Thank you."
That was so nice to hear. :)
Monday, December 28, 2015
Cures for the 7 Deadly Sins
I have at various times struggled with each of the 7 deadly sins, as I'm sure most have. And here are some practical possible cures that helped me that you can try if you want. :)
1. Greed. The best cure for greed is giving things away. When you buy a shirt, donate a shirt. As many clothes as you buy, donate that many to Goodwill or give them to a friend etc. Periodically get rid of anything that you have not used in the last month or so to someone else who might really need it. You can give away money. My newest idea is to give a $20 to a random stranger whenever you are feeling the most greedy.
2. Envy. The best cure for envy is to genuinely be happy for other people and to have contentment. If you really love others, you will not care if they have better things than you. It won't bother you. And if you are truly content, you will not be envious that they have what you do not. Every day say about your car, "I love my car. It couldn't be better!" etc. Pastor Kenton at Mariners Church taught us to do that. Every Thanksgiving he would go through everything we have and tell us to say about it that we love it and it couldn't be better. Try doing that, out loud. Also try writing a list often of all the things you are thankful for. That will keep you from being jealous of what other people have.
3. Wrath. When you feel wrathful or angry with someone, leave the room and go sit by yourself in another room. Make yourself take a time out. :) Cool off before you say anything. Take a nap if you are tired, as that can make anger much worse. Eat if you are hungry. Call a friend to help calm you down etc. Try writing in a journal. Go for a fast walk around the block to get the energy out of your system that anger initiates. There are lots of great cures for anger. Take a hot bath. Listen to some happy music. Pray. Watch a sermon. I like Joyce Meyer a lot but everyone has their preferred teacher to listen to. Bake some cookies. Do whatever you can to get your mind off of your anger. Don't stuff it, but try to do other things so you don't let your thoughts get irrational, as they tend to when we all get angry.
4. Sloth. A great cure for sloth is to stay busy. Don't let yourself sleep excessively, as in like 14 hours a day. Find a reason to get out of bed every morning. Get a hobby like making jewelry or gardening or baking cookies etc. Go for walks every day around the neighborhood, prayer walks if you want. Don't just sit and watch TV all day. Make something for other people, like crocheting blankets or baking cookies etc. Read books to stimulate your mind. Try dancing in your living room to get your blood moving, if the weather is to bad to go outside. etc. If you don't have a job, volunteer to tutor some children etc. There are many cures for sloth really.
5. Gluttony. By far the biggest cure for gluttony is fasting. Try fasting for 24 hours and see how much it breaks the power of food over you and the thinking that you have to eat or you will die. You won't die. The body can go a very, very long time without food. Fasting teaches you to say no to your stomach, which is very important. I have fasted for 24 hour periods about 20 times in my life I think. It has helped a lot for me to not let food, or my stomach, be my master. Our stomach can be like an unruly two year old. The more we give into it, the more spoiled it gets. You have to learn to say no to yourself and your own hunger.
6. Lust. The biggest cure for lust is learning to control your thoughts. If you have almost no ability to control your thoughts, don't let your mind be idle. Constantly listen to worship music or listen to sermons. If you struggle with looking at porn, and both men and women can, put a "Net Nanny" blocking system on your computer so that bad sites are not accessible. Block any channels on your TV that are bad etc. And don't hang out with anyone else who struggles with lust a lot. They will only pull you down.
7. Pride. Whatever you are doing that makes you prideful, take a break from it. If working out at the gym and trying to achieve the perfect body makes you prideful, take a week break from working out. If making lots of money makes you prideful, take a week vacation from work etc. If your hair makes you prideful, consider dying it. When I was in college I had really cool highlights and I would straighten my hair every day. My hair looked good. But then I realized it was making me prideful, so I cut it shorter and dyed it brown. It's nice to look good, but not if it makes you get a big head. If your clothes make you prideful, try wearing less attractive clothes for a week etc. There are tons of things that can make us prideful. Ask God what it is that would help you the most.
God bless!
1. Greed. The best cure for greed is giving things away. When you buy a shirt, donate a shirt. As many clothes as you buy, donate that many to Goodwill or give them to a friend etc. Periodically get rid of anything that you have not used in the last month or so to someone else who might really need it. You can give away money. My newest idea is to give a $20 to a random stranger whenever you are feeling the most greedy.
2. Envy. The best cure for envy is to genuinely be happy for other people and to have contentment. If you really love others, you will not care if they have better things than you. It won't bother you. And if you are truly content, you will not be envious that they have what you do not. Every day say about your car, "I love my car. It couldn't be better!" etc. Pastor Kenton at Mariners Church taught us to do that. Every Thanksgiving he would go through everything we have and tell us to say about it that we love it and it couldn't be better. Try doing that, out loud. Also try writing a list often of all the things you are thankful for. That will keep you from being jealous of what other people have.
3. Wrath. When you feel wrathful or angry with someone, leave the room and go sit by yourself in another room. Make yourself take a time out. :) Cool off before you say anything. Take a nap if you are tired, as that can make anger much worse. Eat if you are hungry. Call a friend to help calm you down etc. Try writing in a journal. Go for a fast walk around the block to get the energy out of your system that anger initiates. There are lots of great cures for anger. Take a hot bath. Listen to some happy music. Pray. Watch a sermon. I like Joyce Meyer a lot but everyone has their preferred teacher to listen to. Bake some cookies. Do whatever you can to get your mind off of your anger. Don't stuff it, but try to do other things so you don't let your thoughts get irrational, as they tend to when we all get angry.
4. Sloth. A great cure for sloth is to stay busy. Don't let yourself sleep excessively, as in like 14 hours a day. Find a reason to get out of bed every morning. Get a hobby like making jewelry or gardening or baking cookies etc. Go for walks every day around the neighborhood, prayer walks if you want. Don't just sit and watch TV all day. Make something for other people, like crocheting blankets or baking cookies etc. Read books to stimulate your mind. Try dancing in your living room to get your blood moving, if the weather is to bad to go outside. etc. If you don't have a job, volunteer to tutor some children etc. There are many cures for sloth really.
5. Gluttony. By far the biggest cure for gluttony is fasting. Try fasting for 24 hours and see how much it breaks the power of food over you and the thinking that you have to eat or you will die. You won't die. The body can go a very, very long time without food. Fasting teaches you to say no to your stomach, which is very important. I have fasted for 24 hour periods about 20 times in my life I think. It has helped a lot for me to not let food, or my stomach, be my master. Our stomach can be like an unruly two year old. The more we give into it, the more spoiled it gets. You have to learn to say no to yourself and your own hunger.
6. Lust. The biggest cure for lust is learning to control your thoughts. If you have almost no ability to control your thoughts, don't let your mind be idle. Constantly listen to worship music or listen to sermons. If you struggle with looking at porn, and both men and women can, put a "Net Nanny" blocking system on your computer so that bad sites are not accessible. Block any channels on your TV that are bad etc. And don't hang out with anyone else who struggles with lust a lot. They will only pull you down.
7. Pride. Whatever you are doing that makes you prideful, take a break from it. If working out at the gym and trying to achieve the perfect body makes you prideful, take a week break from working out. If making lots of money makes you prideful, take a week vacation from work etc. If your hair makes you prideful, consider dying it. When I was in college I had really cool highlights and I would straighten my hair every day. My hair looked good. But then I realized it was making me prideful, so I cut it shorter and dyed it brown. It's nice to look good, but not if it makes you get a big head. If your clothes make you prideful, try wearing less attractive clothes for a week etc. There are tons of things that can make us prideful. Ask God what it is that would help you the most.
God bless!
Sunday, December 27, 2015
A Cure for Greed
I have a great cure I think for greed. But this is for when you have more than enough money, not when you're struggling with money. Rick Warren says "generosity is the greatest cure for greed and materialism," so when you start to feel greedy, go give a $20 away to some totally random stranger. Not like $100, just $20, and that will help to break the grip of money and greed on your heart, like everyone struggles with from time to time. It will totally work and you will be so much happier blessing others whenever you are feeling the most selfish. Try it.
My cure for greed from buying random things on Amazon.com is making my Jesus packets. When we are too busy giving to others, we don't have time to think about ourselves and what we want and be greedy.
But if you don't have the time to, or don't want to make Jesus packets, try giving away $20 randomly to people. And have fun doing it! God loves a cheerful giver!
I would recommend giving your $20's to any person with young children, cause we all have tons of diapers to buy. :) And when you give it just say "God told me to give you this," because God tells us to always be generous and give of ourselves. "Take up your cross and follow me." Amen.
I could take that farther and recommend that you do that instead of tithing or as part of your tithe, because very little of a church tithe goes to the poor which is sad. But that's up to you. :) But just think how the world would be so different if, instead of using our money on our own selfish wants, or to build bigger church buildings, we actually gave our extra money to the poor? It would be amazing! Proverbs 21:13 says, "Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered."
One in five children go to school hungry every day even in America! I heard that on a commercial yesterday. Think about that. Go give a kid a $20 lol that would interesting. :)
God bless! :)
My cure for greed from buying random things on Amazon.com is making my Jesus packets. When we are too busy giving to others, we don't have time to think about ourselves and what we want and be greedy.
But if you don't have the time to, or don't want to make Jesus packets, try giving away $20 randomly to people. And have fun doing it! God loves a cheerful giver!
I would recommend giving your $20's to any person with young children, cause we all have tons of diapers to buy. :) And when you give it just say "God told me to give you this," because God tells us to always be generous and give of ourselves. "Take up your cross and follow me." Amen.
I could take that farther and recommend that you do that instead of tithing or as part of your tithe, because very little of a church tithe goes to the poor which is sad. But that's up to you. :) But just think how the world would be so different if, instead of using our money on our own selfish wants, or to build bigger church buildings, we actually gave our extra money to the poor? It would be amazing! Proverbs 21:13 says, "Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered."
One in five children go to school hungry every day even in America! I heard that on a commercial yesterday. Think about that. Go give a kid a $20 lol that would interesting. :)
God bless! :)
Monday, December 21, 2015
Jesus Packets
I think I've made and delivered about 100 Jesus packets so far in my neighborhood. My hope is that it will start a domino effect, like in the movie Pay It Forward. I would love it so much if each person that receives a packet then makes 50 or 100 themselves, with whatever creative thing they think to put in them, and takes them to an orphanage or to homeless people etc. That is my dream anyways, that I am starting a chain reaction that will affect all of Georgetown or maybe even all of Austin. :) Who knows. May God multiply my efforts in amazing ways, like he did with the fish. lol :) God bless!
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Addictions Kill Things
Last night I saw the movie "Everything Must Go" with Will Ferrell. It made me think about something; all addictions kill something. Drinking too much kills a person's liver. Over eating eventually kills people early if they get diabetes etc. Smoking kills a person's lungs and every organ in their body slowly really. And then there is shopping. This one seems harmless, but it can slowly kill a person's marriage. The number one reason for people getting divorced is fighting over money. That's something I should probably think about. I seem to have inherited a shopping addiction kinda. It seems to not harm me, but really it does. Sin brings death; any kind of sin. My shopping too much on Amazon is a sin because it comes from greed. Therefore it can lead to the death of a marriage, unless it gets under control. If you're reading this definitely check out the movie "Everything Must Go." It's a great movie! Two thumbs way up to Will Ferrell! :)
Money Personalities
Here is something interesting that I read about in a book once that might help some people to understand others that they know. I read it in a marriage book I think. It's about the four different ways that people can view money.
One person might view money as security. They look at a dollar bill and see security. They are very motivated to save for the future. I think this might be the phlegmatic or golden retriever personality. They have fears abou...t the future, and more fears in general then other personalities, and so saving is very, very important to them. They look to money to feel security. The more money they have saved, the less fearful they are about the future.
Another personality, and this is mine, views money as a way to communicate love. The more they love others, the more money they give them or the more things they buy them. They also feel that the more others love them the more money they will give them etc. To them money equals love. Love is a way of expressing love. This would be the sanguine or otter personality type.
Another personality type might view money as a means to feel more significant than others. This would be the choleric or lion personality. They use money to buy things that will give them a higher societal status such as gold jewelry, nicer cars, bigger houses etc. How others view them and how much they are respected is very important to them. To them money means power. They use money in a way to get power or to seem more powerful.
Then lastly there is the person that uses money almost in the same way that an alcoholic uses alcohol. It is a way to self medicate. If they are feeling stressed or depressed, they spend money to make themselves feel better. This would be the melancholic or beaver personality type.
Hopefully that helped you understand others you know more in how they view and use money. God bless! :)
Another personality type might view money as a means to feel more significant than others. This would be the choleric or lion personality. They use money to buy things that will give them a higher societal status such as gold jewelry, nicer cars, bigger houses etc. How others view them and how much they are respected is very important to them. To them money means power. They use money in a way to get power or to seem more powerful.
Then lastly there is the person that uses money almost in the same way that an alcoholic uses alcohol. It is a way to self medicate. If they are feeling stressed or depressed, they spend money to make themselves feel better. This would be the melancholic or beaver personality type.
Hopefully that helped you understand others you know more in how they view and use money. God bless! :)
Solution to Addictive Behaviors
Here is a common catch 22. Addictions begin because someone feels really badly, about themselves or a situation in life. Then they do a certain behavior to make themselves feel better, but because whatever the behavior was is bad generally, it makes them only feel worse about themselves, instead of good. Then because they feel bad again and worse then they did to start with, they do the behavior again.
What a huge lie from Satan that s...o many believe so easily. He tells us that a bad thing is good and convinces us that something that will make us feel bad, will make us feel good. And we get caught hook, line and sinker again and again.
The solution for this crazy cycle we get on with sin and regret and sinning again is to forgive ourselves, ask for God's forgiveness, and move on with a clean slate.
The Bible says that God will not forgive us if we don't forgive others. I think this can somewhat include ourselves as well. God loves us and doesn't want us to hold un-forgiveness against ourselves either. We need to confess our sins and move on. That is the solution to not getting caught up in addictive behaviors.
Let the cleansing and healing of God's forgiveness lead you to feel better, not committing the sinful act, that you know deep down will end up making you feel worse and not better. Don't believe the lie that Satan tells you that it, whatever it is, will make you feel better; it won't. Maybe for a moment it will, but regret soon follows.
This is true for believers and unbelievers, because the Bible says that God's law is written on our hearts, from birth really. Every person alive has an idea of what is right and wrong. Therefore, we are all capable of regret when we do wrong and sin.
Choose life, not death. Chose to do the right thing, and even if you do the wrong thing, forgive yourself and move on. Amen. Don't get stuck in un-forgiveness toward yourself. Let it go. Move on. And be free. God bless!
The Bible says that God will not forgive us if we don't forgive others. I think this can somewhat include ourselves as well. God loves us and doesn't want us to hold un-forgiveness against ourselves either. We need to confess our sins and move on. That is the solution to not getting caught up in addictive behaviors.
Let the cleansing and healing of God's forgiveness lead you to feel better, not committing the sinful act, that you know deep down will end up making you feel worse and not better. Don't believe the lie that Satan tells you that it, whatever it is, will make you feel better; it won't. Maybe for a moment it will, but regret soon follows.
This is true for believers and unbelievers, because the Bible says that God's law is written on our hearts, from birth really. Every person alive has an idea of what is right and wrong. Therefore, we are all capable of regret when we do wrong and sin.
Choose life, not death. Chose to do the right thing, and even if you do the wrong thing, forgive yourself and move on. Amen. Don't get stuck in un-forgiveness toward yourself. Let it go. Move on. And be free. God bless!
My Weight History
When I was in high school playing basketball tons I weighed 122. Then in college I did gain the "freshman 15" that they all warned us about and weighed 135. Mainly because I had to just sit and read so much. After college I weighed myself a few years later and I was 160. That was after working at Pizza Hut and getting tons of free food lol. Gotta watch out for that fast food junk food for sure. And now after two babies I weigh 185. Not too bad I think but oh how I would love to get back to 122 or 135 lol. Loosing weight is such a slow process though, which I guess is why most don't even try or give up too quickly. But my goal is to get back to 135, eventually lol woot! 😃 may God help me lol. God bless!
Spoiled Grapes
I was thinking how with grapes, one spoiled one can spoil all the grapes around it if it's not taken out. I think that's a good analogy for life and people; don't let yourself get too close to a spoiled grape, or you too will get spoiled, rotten and die too. Oh dear. :( God bless!
On Depression and Forgiveness
I think the main thing that causes depression for people is feelings of guilt and condemnation. I think why I am generally happier than most people I know is because I know that I know I'm forgiven. If I ever feel depressed it's usually over how many people aren't saved yet because wide is the road that leads to destruction and that makes me sad. Or people can stay depressed due to anger over how others have hurt them. Forgiveness is the key to overcoming depression. Forgive... others and move on and forgive yourself and move on. Joyce made a great point that any guilt we feel is us trying to pay for our sins, trying to pay penance. But then we think we can save ourselves by works, the works of beating ourselves up, rather than faith. Catholic monks used to literally beat themselves with boards for their sins, but Jesus was whipped and beat for our sins already right? Yes. So stop or don't beat yourself up, God says. :) Jesus took the punishment for our sins so we don't need at all to punish ourselves for our own sins. "He who the son sets free is free indeed." And "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!" Amen! Believe it, fully. You are free, dear reader. God bless!
On Feeling Like Santa
I think the story of Santa is so popular because everyone likes the idea that there is someone somewhere working really hard to try to make them and their family happy. I actually feel a bit like my Jesus packets are a Santa type thing. (I make something that I call "Jesus Packets." I started making them last Christmas with a necklace that I made, a Bible tract and candy. This year I am putting baked goods in them instead of a necklace.) I am hoping the packets will make people happy. I am baking a bunch and working somewhat hard to try to cheer people up.
On another note, Jesus ministered to physical needs before spiritual needs. So now my packets have cookies or brownies, which meet a physical need of hunger, and the Bible tracts which reach spiritual needs.
More about Santa; I deliver the packets at night like Santa, because it's much easier and kinder I think to try to witness in discreet ways. I don't invade people's fireplaces but I do invade their mail boxes lol. And my tummy is starting to look like Santa haha not really but kinda. Thanks to having two children. They are worth it though. And hey that's partly why I like doing my Jesus packets cause it gets me outside walking around more so I can loose some more weight yay! lol God bless ya'll! :)
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Addictive Behavior Solution
Here is a common catch 22. Addictions begin because someone feels really badly, about themselves or a situation in life. Then they do a certain behavior to make themselves feel better, but because whatever the behavior was is bad generally, it makes them only feel worse about themselves, instead of good. Then because they feel bad again and worse then they did to start with, they do the behavior again.
What a huge lie from Satan that so many believe so easily. He tells us that a bad thing is good and convinces us that something that will make us feel bad, will make us feel good. And we get caught hook, line and sinker again and again.
The solution for this crazy cycle we get on with sin and regret and sinning again is to forgive ourselves, ask for God's forgiveness, and move on with a clean slate.
The Bible says that God will not forgive us if we don't forgive others. I think this can somewhat include ourselves as well. God loves us and doesn't want us to hold un-forgiveness against ourselves either. We need to confess our sins and move on. That is the solution to not getting caught up in addictive behaviors.
Let the cleansing and healing of God's forgiveness lead you to feel better, not committing the sinful act, that you know deep down will end up making you feel worse and not better. Don't believe the lie that Satan tells you that it, whatever it is, will make you feel better; it won't. Maybe for a moment it will, but regret soon follows.
This is true for believers and unbelievers, because the Bible says that God's law is written on our hearts, from birth really. Every person alive has an idea of what is right and wrong. Therefore, we are all capable of regret when we do wrong and sin.
Choose life, not death. Chose to do the right thing, and even if you do the wrong thing, forgive yourself and move on. Amen. Don't get stuck in un-forgiveness toward yourself. Let it go. Move on. And be free. God bless!
What a huge lie from Satan that so many believe so easily. He tells us that a bad thing is good and convinces us that something that will make us feel bad, will make us feel good. And we get caught hook, line and sinker again and again.
The solution for this crazy cycle we get on with sin and regret and sinning again is to forgive ourselves, ask for God's forgiveness, and move on with a clean slate.
The Bible says that God will not forgive us if we don't forgive others. I think this can somewhat include ourselves as well. God loves us and doesn't want us to hold un-forgiveness against ourselves either. We need to confess our sins and move on. That is the solution to not getting caught up in addictive behaviors.
Let the cleansing and healing of God's forgiveness lead you to feel better, not committing the sinful act, that you know deep down will end up making you feel worse and not better. Don't believe the lie that Satan tells you that it, whatever it is, will make you feel better; it won't. Maybe for a moment it will, but regret soon follows.
This is true for believers and unbelievers, because the Bible says that God's law is written on our hearts, from birth really. Every person alive has an idea of what is right and wrong. Therefore, we are all capable of regret when we do wrong and sin.
Choose life, not death. Chose to do the right thing, and even if you do the wrong thing, forgive yourself and move on. Amen. Don't get stuck in un-forgiveness toward yourself. Let it go. Move on. And be free. God bless!
Money Personalities
Here is something interesting that I read about in a book once that might help some people to understand others that they know. I read it in a marriage book I think. It's about the four different ways that people can view money.
One person might view money as security. They look at a dollar bill and see security. They are very motivated to save for the future. I think this might be the phlegmatic or golden retriever personality. They have fears about the future, and more fears in general then other personalities, and so saving is very, very important to them. They look to money to feel security. The more money they have saved, the less fearful they are about the future.
Another personality, and this is mine, views money as a way to communicate love. The more they love others, the more money they give them or the more things they buy them. They also feel that the more others love them the more money they will give them etc. To them money equals love. Love is a way of expressing love. This would be the sanguine or otter personality type.
Another personality type might view money as a means to feel more significant than others. This would be the choleric or lion personality. They use money to buy things that will give them a higher societal status such as gold jewelry, nicer cars, bigger houses etc. How others view them and how much they are respected is very important to them. To them money means power. They use money in a way to get power or to seem more powerful.
Then lastly there is the person that uses money almost in the same way that an alcoholic uses alcohol. It is a way to self medicate. If they are feeling stressed or depressed, they spend money to make themselves feel better. This would be the melancholic or beaver personality type.
Hopefully that helped you understand others you know more in how they view and use money. God bless! :)
One person might view money as security. They look at a dollar bill and see security. They are very motivated to save for the future. I think this might be the phlegmatic or golden retriever personality. They have fears about the future, and more fears in general then other personalities, and so saving is very, very important to them. They look to money to feel security. The more money they have saved, the less fearful they are about the future.
Another personality, and this is mine, views money as a way to communicate love. The more they love others, the more money they give them or the more things they buy them. They also feel that the more others love them the more money they will give them etc. To them money equals love. Love is a way of expressing love. This would be the sanguine or otter personality type.
Another personality type might view money as a means to feel more significant than others. This would be the choleric or lion personality. They use money to buy things that will give them a higher societal status such as gold jewelry, nicer cars, bigger houses etc. How others view them and how much they are respected is very important to them. To them money means power. They use money in a way to get power or to seem more powerful.
Then lastly there is the person that uses money almost in the same way that an alcoholic uses alcohol. It is a way to self medicate. If they are feeling stressed or depressed, they spend money to make themselves feel better. This would be the melancholic or beaver personality type.
Hopefully that helped you understand others you know more in how they view and use money. God bless! :)
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Overly Needy and Controlling Parents
Here's a common dysfunction in families today, parents needing their children too much. Children can need their parents, but parents should never need their children. Not in a clingy sort of way.
When parents need their children too much it can even turn into slavery. When a parent cannot handle it if you don't answer the phone when they call, that is slavery. When a parent tries to control what you eat, where you live, and who you talk to, that is slavery.
Don't let your parents overly control you. When anyone lets their parents overly control them, then their parents are God to them and not God. Only God should dictate a person's every action, not other people, never other people.
Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And where the spirit of control is, there is Satan.
Satan loves to control people, and Satan inspires others to try to control you. Why? Because if other people are controlling you, then God's Holy Spirit cannot control you. Then you have idolatry rather than a worship of God. Then you worship people and their thoughts and opinions rather than God.
If Satan can get you to worship people rather than God, he will, any time.
If you ever feel that someone is trying to control what you do, unless it is something that is actually healthy and good for you, that is inspired by Satan. Resist any person's attempts to overly control you.
Don't be completely un-submissive to good people, but don't be a slave to bad people either. Don't let yourself submit to the wrong people; people who don't love you and who only want to control you. If someone clearly just wants what they want, no matter what's best for you, then they are not a good person. Distance yourself from such people.
If someone, anyone, demands that you answer the phone every single time they call, don't. That is then you saying that you don't have to come to their every beck and call. You are not their slave. You are your own person.
If someone tries to tell you what to do, don't do it. Then they get the message that they can't control you. You can make your own decisions. Don't let other people make your decisions for you.
The more we cater to people that are trying to control us and the more we let them control us, the more controlling they will BECOME.
We create our own monsters. We treat people how to treat us. If you let yourself be someone else's puppet, then they will expect you to remain that lifeless and easily controllable puppet forever.
Don't be a puppet; be a person. Stand up for yourself!
Don't let other people try to tell you how to live your life, how to raise your kids, what food to eat etc. Make your own decisions!
Let God make your decisions and not other people. Don't let people be your God. Make sure God is your God. Amen.
May God bless you!
When parents need their children too much it can even turn into slavery. When a parent cannot handle it if you don't answer the phone when they call, that is slavery. When a parent tries to control what you eat, where you live, and who you talk to, that is slavery.
Don't let your parents overly control you. When anyone lets their parents overly control them, then their parents are God to them and not God. Only God should dictate a person's every action, not other people, never other people.
Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And where the spirit of control is, there is Satan.
Satan loves to control people, and Satan inspires others to try to control you. Why? Because if other people are controlling you, then God's Holy Spirit cannot control you. Then you have idolatry rather than a worship of God. Then you worship people and their thoughts and opinions rather than God.
If Satan can get you to worship people rather than God, he will, any time.
If you ever feel that someone is trying to control what you do, unless it is something that is actually healthy and good for you, that is inspired by Satan. Resist any person's attempts to overly control you.
Don't be completely un-submissive to good people, but don't be a slave to bad people either. Don't let yourself submit to the wrong people; people who don't love you and who only want to control you. If someone clearly just wants what they want, no matter what's best for you, then they are not a good person. Distance yourself from such people.
If someone, anyone, demands that you answer the phone every single time they call, don't. That is then you saying that you don't have to come to their every beck and call. You are not their slave. You are your own person.
If someone tries to tell you what to do, don't do it. Then they get the message that they can't control you. You can make your own decisions. Don't let other people make your decisions for you.
The more we cater to people that are trying to control us and the more we let them control us, the more controlling they will BECOME.
We create our own monsters. We treat people how to treat us. If you let yourself be someone else's puppet, then they will expect you to remain that lifeless and easily controllable puppet forever.
Don't be a puppet; be a person. Stand up for yourself!
Don't let other people try to tell you how to live your life, how to raise your kids, what food to eat etc. Make your own decisions!
Let God make your decisions and not other people. Don't let people be your God. Make sure God is your God. Amen.
May God bless you!
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Eyes to See
One thing I used to always pray in high school for people that I thought might not be saved was that God would "soften their hearts" and "give them eyes to see and ears to hear." Regarding a soft heart, in the Old Testament God says that when someone gets saved He will take out a person's heart of stone and give them a new heart, one that is soft. This makes sense too in relation to the parable of the seeds. The hard ground did not receive the gospel. But the soft soil did and it bore much fruit. :)
So it seems to be a combination of us softening our own hearts in order to really receive the gospel and God softening our hearts. All things in the Christian walk, from initiation to the end, are this partnership of us doing part of it and God doing part of it, the work of saving and sanctifying us. It is not all us and it is not all God; it is both of us working together. Amen. We can't get lazy and think that God will do everything, like make us WANT to read our Bibles etc. But we can't get overly stressed and think it's all on us either. It's a partnership. :)
The second phrase is one that Jesus said over and over at the end of his parables. He meant that yes we all have eyes, but many of us don't REALLY see. And we all have ears, but many of us don't REALLY hear. As in we don't see and hear spiritual things; we can't really perceive them, because God has not opened our eyes. The Bible says that Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers.
I personally have never experienced this, because since I was about two it seems I knew and understood the message of the Bible. But there are testimonies of people who could not understand the gospel or the Bible at all, and then God one day opened their eyes to see it all and understand it. Praise God!
May God give us all eyes and ears that can understand spiritual matters fully. Amen! (I was reading the story of how the candy cane was meant to be a witnessing tool about Jesus and thought about all that. : )
God bless!
Sunday, December 6, 2015
We All Struggle with Something
Lots of people like to think that they don't have an addiction. They might like to say, "Those people that struggle with a drug or alcohol addiction" but don't even think to look at their own addictions.
Gluttony is the most overlooked one. People in church have their potlucks and think nothing of indulging in food but then want to point the finger at people that struggle with drugs etc. Over eating is just as much of a struggle and a sin as drugs can be. It's all the same in God's eyes. One is not better or worse than the other. In both cases, idolatry is happening. A person either thinks drugs or the food will make them happy instead of looking to God.
I have always felt everyone struggles with one of the 7 deadly sins. My recurring one is probably pride. It can be just confidence but often times it turns ugly and becomes pride. Because I can do so many things it's easy for things to go to my head. I never struggled academically in school. I was always good in sports. I had lots of friends etc. So it's easy for me to think too highly of myself.
Others struggle with sloth and being lazy. Others with Vanity and focusing on their physical appearance way too much. Others struggle with food, which would be gluttony of course. Others with Envy etc.
Jesus said we need to take the spec out of our own eye before we can even THINK of taking the plank out of other people's eyes. Hopefully we can all get better at that. Before thinking about judging someone else for their sin, take a look in the mirror at your own. Amen.
May God bless you all!
Gluttony is the most overlooked one. People in church have their potlucks and think nothing of indulging in food but then want to point the finger at people that struggle with drugs etc. Over eating is just as much of a struggle and a sin as drugs can be. It's all the same in God's eyes. One is not better or worse than the other. In both cases, idolatry is happening. A person either thinks drugs or the food will make them happy instead of looking to God.
I have always felt everyone struggles with one of the 7 deadly sins. My recurring one is probably pride. It can be just confidence but often times it turns ugly and becomes pride. Because I can do so many things it's easy for things to go to my head. I never struggled academically in school. I was always good in sports. I had lots of friends etc. So it's easy for me to think too highly of myself.
Others struggle with sloth and being lazy. Others with Vanity and focusing on their physical appearance way too much. Others struggle with food, which would be gluttony of course. Others with Envy etc.
Jesus said we need to take the spec out of our own eye before we can even THINK of taking the plank out of other people's eyes. Hopefully we can all get better at that. Before thinking about judging someone else for their sin, take a look in the mirror at your own. Amen.
May God bless you all!
Cards to People in Recovery
My mom was assigned at her church to write two Christmas cards to people in a recovery home like for drug and alcohol rehab. So I wrote them for her lol :) Here's my cards to them...
Card #1
May God bless you this season! I know it's hard doing recovery. I am still recovering from something in my childhood. One things that has helped me a ton is watching Joyce Meyer sermons. She had to overcome a lot in her life and she has come a long way. Maybe you can get a lot out of watching her too on youtube or from her books. God loves you! God bless! -Lisa
Card #2
I pray God will bring a great friend and mentor into your life. I have had tons of wonderful mentors in my life over the years. I had hard events in my childhood but by the grace of God I stayed on a relatively good path. :) And thanks to my grandma! May God bless you with great Christian mentors. Amen! God loves you! God bless. :)
Card #1
May God bless you this season! I know it's hard doing recovery. I am still recovering from something in my childhood. One things that has helped me a ton is watching Joyce Meyer sermons. She had to overcome a lot in her life and she has come a long way. Maybe you can get a lot out of watching her too on youtube or from her books. God loves you! God bless! -Lisa
Card #2
I pray God will bring a great friend and mentor into your life. I have had tons of wonderful mentors in my life over the years. I had hard events in my childhood but by the grace of God I stayed on a relatively good path. :) And thanks to my grandma! May God bless you with great Christian mentors. Amen! God loves you! God bless. :)
Published Books
For those who might be interested I have about 20 self-published books on Amazon. They are all not too long, about 60 to 100 pages each. Check them out if you like. :) God bless!
(And if you have a book that you have written I highly recommend that you self-publish it through Amazon. It's free and pretty easy to do. If you need help or have questions about how to feel free to email me ...angel28oc@gmail.com)
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lisa+bedrick+books
(And if you have a book that you have written I highly recommend that you self-publish it through Amazon. It's free and pretty easy to do. If you need help or have questions about how to feel free to email me ...angel28oc@gmail.com)
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lisa+bedrick+books
My Wonderful Family
Feel free to follow me on Facebook, dear reader. Lisa Bedrick and I'm listed in Austin, TX. But here are some pictures of my wonderful family so you can know more about me if you like. :)
Here is me and my two daughters. That's pretty much what I look like every day lol. I used to do my hair but there's no use when just being a stay at home mom. :) Babies tend to pull hair a lot. And Joy and Serenity don't look too happy but they are. lol. :)
Cuteness...
My hubby out on a walk with me and the girls yay! :)
My mom with my little baby girl Joy, only about two months old now....
My mom and step dad with our two girls yay!
Here's the best pic I have of my hubby with our girls...
This is the best picture I have ever taken of my little girl Serenity, who is almost two now. :)
Fishing on a lake by my mom's house with my hubby....
Me and baby Joy....
The cutest pic I have of Joy. I just love her little Mohawk lol
And that's my life right now. Hope you enjoyed seeing more of it. May God bless you all!
Here is me and my two daughters. That's pretty much what I look like every day lol. I used to do my hair but there's no use when just being a stay at home mom. :) Babies tend to pull hair a lot. And Joy and Serenity don't look too happy but they are. lol. :)
Cuteness...
My hubby out on a walk with me and the girls yay! :)
My mom with my little baby girl Joy, only about two months old now....
My mom and step dad with our two girls yay!
Here's the best pic I have of my hubby with our girls...
This is the best picture I have ever taken of my little girl Serenity, who is almost two now. :)
Fishing on a lake by my mom's house with my hubby....
Me and baby Joy....
The cutest pic I have of Joy. I just love her little Mohawk lol
And that's my life right now. Hope you enjoyed seeing more of it. May God bless you all!
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Personal Life Trials
Almost every time I watch a Joyce Meyer sermon I am inspired to write something. She is very good at empowering people I think, and she greatly encourages people to spend time meditating on God's word. She probably talks about that more than anything else, which is great! Praise God for her!
Sometimes I have a hard time knowing what to write about. It helps if I look up what the verse of the day is on my YouVersion Bible app on my phone, and then I get an idea. The verse for today is James 1:2-3, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
I will now write not so much my thoughts on this verse, but a story of the trials I have had to go through in my own life, for any interested:
I have much to say about trials. I have written my story several times but I'll write it again for those who haven't read my writing much yet. When I was 6 I was molested by my dad. He was then in jail for a time, which was very hard on me and my brother and my mom I'm sure. Even though he did wrong I still loved him very much. I missed him when he was gone. That was a very hard time in my life and I cried in school a lot. That was 4th grade for me and we were living in Upland, California at the time. Luckily I had a very caring teaching, Mr. Hernandez, that would hold me when I cried. Not in an odd way; he was just a very, very nice person. Perhaps that is one reason why I've always wanted to teach, because he helped me greatly in that seriously painful time in my life.
Then when I was 10 my parents divorced. It was partly because of what happened but also for other reasons. My dad started drinking more etc. But I missed him a lot. He was very sad and depressed about not getting to see us much and that made me sad.
Then my dad married my step mom. She might as well have been an army drill sergeant, with how she was regarding cleanliness. I owe to her my ability now to be a clean person, but it was hard training that's for sure. She was very legalistic about things, like where we put our shoes etc. I never felt like she loved me and she was very hard on me. It was very clear to us that she didn't want kids so we felt quite unwanted by her.
Then when I was 14 my mom moved me back to California. This was kind of hard. We watched the movie recently called "Inside Out." That was kind of how I felt about the move at first. I missed all my old friends. I didn't want to be in California. I was mad that I had to move out there. I didn't seem to fit in with the popular and cool California kids. My clothes were Nebraska clothes etc lol. I just was more of a Nebraska person than I was a California person, even though I had only been in Nebraska for about 5 years and 0 to 9 I was in California.
Also, my dad broke down crying when we pulled away after I told him we were moving to California. That was probably the hardest thing I have ever seen in my life. He was totally heart broken. However, one reason we were moving was because neither my mom nor I really trusted that he would never try something again with me. It's a good thing we did move too because he has since then molested other children. Some people never change. So it's good I got that distance from him for sure.
High school was the happiest time in my life though. I made a lot of friends. I was very successful in my classes and was on the principle's honor roll every year etc. I was in choir, MUN, ASB etc. I absolutely loved high school. I had an amazing youth pastor and youth group. I absolutely loved life in high school.
Then I went to Biola University for college. This was actually the hardest time in my life. I was generally unhappy the whole time I was at Biola. I'm not entirely sure why. It could have been all the pressure I felt to perform well in my classes. I also didn't feel that I fit in with the kids because of my past and my family. They all seemed to have come from perfect families and they all seemed to be very rich. I grew up not rich at all, so it seemed hard for me to fit in. I still regret going there actually, because I think I would have been much happier at a community college. But oh well. Maybe I would be a totally different person if I hadn't gone there. Maybe I wouldn't care about God as much and sharing the gospel and writing this blog etc. Who knows.
Then I dated a bit. That was not fun at all. Dating sucks lol. For any singles out there, I feel your pain. I am SO glad I'm not in that stage in life anymore. Wondering if someone else loves you or not and if you're wasting your time with someone etc. It's quite painful and hard really. I fell in love with about 12 different guys over the course of 14 years before my husband, but most of them didn't love me back, which was sad. Either they weren't able to love or we just weren't a good fit, who knows. All I know is life certainly gets much happier when you finally find "the one" and settle down. Much, much happier. Praise God for my awesome husband! Amen.
Also one guy I dated, I got engaged to but then he died about two years later. He was on about 5 different medications and went out drinking one night and that's all it took. His body just couldn't handle that many meds with the alcohol. That's one reason why I'm very anti medication now, any kind of medications, but that's another subject.
Other than those things though I have been very blessed. I got to work on a cruise ship with kids for awhile on Mexico and Alaska cruises. I have two beautiful and sweet daughters. My mom and step dad are great and my husband is the sweetest guy in the world! :) So praise God for his blessings, but the hard times were definitely hard.
And lastly here is my application of my life to the verse: I suppose all the trials were God testing my faith. Like with Job, God allowed me to be tested and tried by Satan to test my faith. For what purpose? For perseverance. I am a much stronger person today now because of all I have gone through, I know that. And my faith is much stronger. I know that if I could overcome all that, I can overcome ANYTHING! woohoo! lol Also, I can now empathize with a greater number of people and their pain because of what I have gone through. I care more about helping other people because I know what it's like to be in the fires of life. I've been there. I've grieved a very, very hard death. I've had an evil and somewhat crazy parent. I had a hard childhood etc.
I know God will use my pain and my hard times to help me minister to others and to be a blessing and a witness for Him and His kingdom. And there is no greater thing than that. Amen. :) God allows us to go through things so that we can then comfort others. As 2 Cor. 1:4 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." Amen!
So may God give you this perspective on your own painful times in your past. May you find someone to help, rather than possibly being bitter for why God allowed whatever happened to you to happen. Try to figure out why he let it happen, and go be a blessing to other people today! Don't focus on your own pain; focus on what you can do to help someone else with their pain. And that will then help you to forget your own pain. Amen. May God bless you all! :)
.....And here's a great song for you to listen to, dear reader. :) This guy was actually the worship leader in my amazing high school youth group. Pretty awesome huh. For sure! You're awesome Tim Timmons! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBIZ-hshln8
God bless!
Sometimes I have a hard time knowing what to write about. It helps if I look up what the verse of the day is on my YouVersion Bible app on my phone, and then I get an idea. The verse for today is James 1:2-3, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
I will now write not so much my thoughts on this verse, but a story of the trials I have had to go through in my own life, for any interested:
I have much to say about trials. I have written my story several times but I'll write it again for those who haven't read my writing much yet. When I was 6 I was molested by my dad. He was then in jail for a time, which was very hard on me and my brother and my mom I'm sure. Even though he did wrong I still loved him very much. I missed him when he was gone. That was a very hard time in my life and I cried in school a lot. That was 4th grade for me and we were living in Upland, California at the time. Luckily I had a very caring teaching, Mr. Hernandez, that would hold me when I cried. Not in an odd way; he was just a very, very nice person. Perhaps that is one reason why I've always wanted to teach, because he helped me greatly in that seriously painful time in my life.
Then when I was 10 my parents divorced. It was partly because of what happened but also for other reasons. My dad started drinking more etc. But I missed him a lot. He was very sad and depressed about not getting to see us much and that made me sad.
Then my dad married my step mom. She might as well have been an army drill sergeant, with how she was regarding cleanliness. I owe to her my ability now to be a clean person, but it was hard training that's for sure. She was very legalistic about things, like where we put our shoes etc. I never felt like she loved me and she was very hard on me. It was very clear to us that she didn't want kids so we felt quite unwanted by her.
Then when I was 14 my mom moved me back to California. This was kind of hard. We watched the movie recently called "Inside Out." That was kind of how I felt about the move at first. I missed all my old friends. I didn't want to be in California. I was mad that I had to move out there. I didn't seem to fit in with the popular and cool California kids. My clothes were Nebraska clothes etc lol. I just was more of a Nebraska person than I was a California person, even though I had only been in Nebraska for about 5 years and 0 to 9 I was in California.
Also, my dad broke down crying when we pulled away after I told him we were moving to California. That was probably the hardest thing I have ever seen in my life. He was totally heart broken. However, one reason we were moving was because neither my mom nor I really trusted that he would never try something again with me. It's a good thing we did move too because he has since then molested other children. Some people never change. So it's good I got that distance from him for sure.
High school was the happiest time in my life though. I made a lot of friends. I was very successful in my classes and was on the principle's honor roll every year etc. I was in choir, MUN, ASB etc. I absolutely loved high school. I had an amazing youth pastor and youth group. I absolutely loved life in high school.
Then I went to Biola University for college. This was actually the hardest time in my life. I was generally unhappy the whole time I was at Biola. I'm not entirely sure why. It could have been all the pressure I felt to perform well in my classes. I also didn't feel that I fit in with the kids because of my past and my family. They all seemed to have come from perfect families and they all seemed to be very rich. I grew up not rich at all, so it seemed hard for me to fit in. I still regret going there actually, because I think I would have been much happier at a community college. But oh well. Maybe I would be a totally different person if I hadn't gone there. Maybe I wouldn't care about God as much and sharing the gospel and writing this blog etc. Who knows.
Then I dated a bit. That was not fun at all. Dating sucks lol. For any singles out there, I feel your pain. I am SO glad I'm not in that stage in life anymore. Wondering if someone else loves you or not and if you're wasting your time with someone etc. It's quite painful and hard really. I fell in love with about 12 different guys over the course of 14 years before my husband, but most of them didn't love me back, which was sad. Either they weren't able to love or we just weren't a good fit, who knows. All I know is life certainly gets much happier when you finally find "the one" and settle down. Much, much happier. Praise God for my awesome husband! Amen.
Also one guy I dated, I got engaged to but then he died about two years later. He was on about 5 different medications and went out drinking one night and that's all it took. His body just couldn't handle that many meds with the alcohol. That's one reason why I'm very anti medication now, any kind of medications, but that's another subject.
Other than those things though I have been very blessed. I got to work on a cruise ship with kids for awhile on Mexico and Alaska cruises. I have two beautiful and sweet daughters. My mom and step dad are great and my husband is the sweetest guy in the world! :) So praise God for his blessings, but the hard times were definitely hard.
And lastly here is my application of my life to the verse: I suppose all the trials were God testing my faith. Like with Job, God allowed me to be tested and tried by Satan to test my faith. For what purpose? For perseverance. I am a much stronger person today now because of all I have gone through, I know that. And my faith is much stronger. I know that if I could overcome all that, I can overcome ANYTHING! woohoo! lol Also, I can now empathize with a greater number of people and their pain because of what I have gone through. I care more about helping other people because I know what it's like to be in the fires of life. I've been there. I've grieved a very, very hard death. I've had an evil and somewhat crazy parent. I had a hard childhood etc.
I know God will use my pain and my hard times to help me minister to others and to be a blessing and a witness for Him and His kingdom. And there is no greater thing than that. Amen. :) God allows us to go through things so that we can then comfort others. As 2 Cor. 1:4 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." Amen!
So may God give you this perspective on your own painful times in your past. May you find someone to help, rather than possibly being bitter for why God allowed whatever happened to you to happen. Try to figure out why he let it happen, and go be a blessing to other people today! Don't focus on your own pain; focus on what you can do to help someone else with their pain. And that will then help you to forget your own pain. Amen. May God bless you all! :)
.....And here's a great song for you to listen to, dear reader. :) This guy was actually the worship leader in my amazing high school youth group. Pretty awesome huh. For sure! You're awesome Tim Timmons! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBIZ-hshln8
God bless!
Joyce Meyer
Here is a great sermon by Joyce Meyer! My favorite line from it is when Joyce says, "I didn't know I wasn't supposed to be doing what I'm doing because I'm a woman. I wasn't smart enough to realize women "shouldn't" be doing this. Don't think yourself out of your dreams." Amen Joyce! One of my dreams is to do what she is currently doing, maybe not on such a big scale, but something like what she is doing. Lord willing maybe I will. God bless! Check out this sermon. It's great! :)
What is Your Mental Condition?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3v5rfdWs4o
What is Your Mental Condition?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3v5rfdWs4o
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