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Post by caressa on Dec 3, 2012 18:32:13 GMT -5
Until we have transcended any negative causation, we have set into motion we shall suffer. This is why, we should do to others what we would like them to do to us.
In this law alone we can find exact justice.
- Donna Zajonc
Please include link back to Antesian Road To Enlightenment in forwarded material antesianroadtoenlightenment-subscribe@yahoogroups.com |
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Post by caressa on Feb 12, 2013 20:32:11 GMT -5
The Creator is my companion; I shall not hurry.
He helps me pause in pleasant places;
He gives me moments of renewal.
He calms my anxiety.
He keeps me in the path of quietness for His love's sake.
Yes, though I am surrounded by rush and stress and worry,
I will not be overwhelmed; for You are with me.
Your clamness protects and comforts me.
You have refreshed my soul even in in the middle of my busy life.
You have eased my mind with inner peace.
Surely quietness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the care of the Creator for ever.
This modern interpretation and adaptation of Psalm 23 helps me when I am overworking and not taking care of myself.
Celia Haddon - The Yearbook of and WisdomAttachments:
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Post by caressa on Feb 12, 2013 20:41:31 GMT -5
Have been thinking of the healing properties of color. Look at what the color of your clothes you grab to put on. Is there one color that you seem to reach for? Does your body need something and is it giving you a message as to what it needs. Look at the food you eat, what do you have missing in your life? Check out the color chart to see what you need for healing and change in your life. What don't you have? Today, I reached for a navy sweat shirt that I seldom wear. www.mariabowling.com/color.htmlAttachments:
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Post by BW on Aug 28, 2013 12:31:56 GMT -5
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By The Mouth of Two or Three
Today's Scripture
"By the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed." - Matthew 18:16 NASB.
Thoughts for Today
Years ago, I heard a powerful teaching about how, in certain situations, we can discern God's will by asking Him to confirm it through the mouths of others. This biblical principle is based on Jesus' words in Matthew 18:16 (NASB), where He tells His disciples: "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed." The Lord has allowed me to use this principle in certain cases when I've sought Him in prayer and in the study of His Word, and have still had trouble discerning His will for me. One such case was when I began having some serious tooth pain recently, and I hesitated to make an appointment with my dentist because we had no dental insurance. I desperately wanted to know the Lord's will, because we would have to rely heavily on His provision to cover the cost of treatment. As I sought the Lord in prayer, I said--"Lord, You know our financial situation and our lack of insurance coverage now. If it's Your will for me to see the dentist at this time, then please confirm that I should go." When I approached about the matter, he urged me to make an appointment right away. As it turned out, I was so thankful that I had seen my dentist without delay, because I had some significant tooth problems that needed prompt attention. We became especially confident that we had the Lord's blessing, when He put it on my dentist's heart not to charge us a penny for the visit.
I have seen God's people successfully use this principle with their doctors, employers, coworkers, and neighbors, as well as with relatives and friends. We all have people in our lives who the Lord can use to guide us along His chosen paths for us. Sometimes, others will readily agree with what we believe is God's best for us. But then there are the times when someone will stubbornly refuse to come into agreement with us. In some cases, it's the Lord who is causing them, or allowing them, to be disagreeable, for our own good. In other cases, the person we consult will set himself or herself against God's will. We always have the option of asking the Lord to change their hearts, but if He chooses not to, we must trust that there's a good reason why He doesn't. Scripture says: "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills." (Proverbs 21:1 AMP) Quite often, I hear from young people who are frustrated about their parents not allowing them to do something that they are convinced the Lord wants them to do. I tell them to pray and ask God to change their hearts, for He is certainly able to do that, if He so chooses. Throughout the pages of the Bible, we see examples of the Lord's ability and willingness to soften or harden people's hearts in order to suit His
divine purposes.
What if WE are the ones who are sought out by others to confirm God's will in their life? In that case, we would be wise to pray for the Lord's wisdom before we decide to agree or disagree, because He will hold us accountable for our decision. Scripture gives us a very clear description of godly wisdom: "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere." (James 3:17 TLB) While believers are called to take a firm stand against wrongdoing, we must be sensitive enough to the Holy Spirit's leading to be ready to "yield to others" when God calls us to.
A word of caution: There will be times when the Lord will expect us to obey Him in a matter without confirming His will for us through someone else. In those cases, we will have to rely solely upon His Spirit and His Word. What daunting circumstances are you facing today that are begging for God's supernatural wisdom? Right now, ask the Lord if it would please Him to guide you through the mouth of someone else.
Prayer: "Our Loving Father in Heaven, help me to discern when it's Your will to confirm Your best for me through someone else. Remind me that in some cases, it will take some time for You to change someone's heart. Make me sensitive to Your Spirit's leading, so that I will promptly come into agreement with those things You want me to. Thank You for the divine wisdom and grace that are my inheritance in Christ! Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, In Jesus Loving Name I Pray, Amen."
Have a Blessed Wednesday and God Bless you.
****************************
The gift of "discernment"...What a blessing to have been granted that along this journey of recovery. It is often thru our sharings of ESH that God does speak.
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Post by BW on Aug 29, 2013 10:48:13 GMT -5
Slow Me Down, Lord
Slow me down,Lord!
Ease the pounding of my heart
By the quieting of my mind.
Steady my harried pace
With a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me, admidst the confusions of my day,
The calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves
With the soothing music of the sighing streams
That live in my memory.
Help me to know
The magical restoring power of sleep.
Teach me the art
Of taking minute vacations of slowing down to look at a flower;
To chat with an old friend or to make a new one;
To pat a stray dog,
To watch a spider build a web;
To smile at a child;
Or to read a few lines from a good book.
Remind me each day
That the race is not always to the swift;
That there is more to life than increasing its speed.
Let me look upward
Into the branches of the towering oak
And know that it grew slowly and well.
Slow me down, Lord,
And inspire me to send my roots deep
Into the soil of life’s enduring values
That I may grow toward the stars
Of my great destiny.
Wilferd A. Peterson
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Post by BW on Aug 30, 2013 11:15:22 GMT -5
In shady green pastures, so rich and so sweet;
Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet,
God leads his dear children along.
Sometimes on the mountain where the sun shines so bright;
Sometimes in the valley; in the darkest of night!
Though sorrows befall us and Satan oppose,
Through grace we can conquer defeat all our foes!
God leads his dear children along.
Some through the waters,
Some through the flood,
Some through the fire,
But all through the blood!
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
in the night season and all the day long!
— G.A.Young
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Post by BW on Sept 11, 2013 8:45:49 GMT -5
THE FENCE Author Unknown
There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Then it gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.
It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
But your best friend of all should be Jesus. Show your friends how much you care. Be like Jesus.
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Post by BW on Sept 11, 2013 16:10:29 GMT -5
Often I hear in meetings to "NEVER SAY NO"
Here is a thot to ponder that contradicts that ......
A Healthy Habit
Mark 5:18-20: “…The man…begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him…” (vv.18-19).
For most of my life I avoided using the word, “no.” Sometimes it meant I participated in situations I knew were contrary to God’s will for me. Often it meant I hid my opinions or feelings when they differed from someone else’s thoughts. I neglected my own physical and spiritual needs for rest, because I could not refuse the request to work late “just one more time.” I felt used and burned up.
Eventually I realized I could no longer function effectively always giving in. I began to say “no” at appropriate times. At first it felt extremely unfamiliar and uncomfortable, but in time I developed a healthy habit.
One of my journal entries indicates my progress. I wrote: “No, no, no, no, no. No, no, no, no, no. No, no, no, no……..” No’s filled the page. The last line read: “And IT’S OK!” Musical notes lined the margins.
I am singing a new song.
Lord, help me to have the courage to say “no”
when I believe it is sensible to do so.
I want to follow your example.
Joan Webb
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Post by BW on Sept 11, 2013 16:27:03 GMT -5
Alive In Christ Part 03 - "I" Influence
by Gail Rodgers
Susan yelled at the kids. She didn’t like doing it but it seemed to be happening more and more lately. It had been a busy time with lots of challenges and she was tired. She sat at her computer to answer a mentoring question before she headed off to bed. “Lord, give me your wisdom to help someone tonight.”
She logged on and was immediately engaged as she read a letter from a dear soul asking for help in parenting. The writer felt she yelled at her kids too much. Susan smiled. God was not going to leave her to settle into this behavior herself. She sat there and talked with God for a few moments about her own heart, her own weariness. Then she got up from the computer and went in and talked to her kids as they were settling for bed. She apologized for yelling and they talked about some of the issues that caused it.
Susan sat back down at the computer. She got out her Bible and read the verse the Lord had reminded her of tonight.
“A soft answer turns away anger but harsh words stir it up.” (Proverbs 15:1)
She asked God to help her put the stirring sthingy of harsh words and raised voice away and to help her put a soft response in its place. She knew that also meant being firm at times but with a gentleness that God could help her have. She began to type…
As we mentor others we have a greater responsibility to model Christian character. And yet we are all dealing with daily life and its challenges too.
Here is a simple exercise that can help us move from “reacting” in our own lives and circumstances to “responding” in the character of Jesus.
Grab a child’s hoola-hoop, stand in the middle of it and hold it around your waist. There… that circle that surrounds you represents your area of control. It is your own thoughts, your feelings, your ideas, your passions, your decisions, your words, all that you are responsible for.
Now envision a second larger circle outside the hoola hoop. This is the circle that represents other people’s thoughts, emotions, decisions, passions, ideas and words. You have no control here, only influence.
Beyond the second circle is the third circle where you have no control and no influence. Your only input is prayer.
As mentors our first job is to keep our own relationship with Jesus fresh. We need to model how following Jesus makes a difference in our responses where we walk daily.
Think about what’s been happening this week and this month inside your hoola-hoop. Have you been reacting to life’s pressures with the stirring sthingy of harsh words, raised voice or angry tones?
Have your thoughts been spiraling you down or are you choosing to take captive thoughts that are negative and critical and march them to Jesus for His tempering? (2 Cor. 10:5)
What about your emotions… are you anxious and worried or are you experiencing His peace within your hoola-hoop? (Isaiah 26:3&4)
When we go to Jesus with the reactions in our lives that are abrasive, He will exchange them for His character qualities.
Then we will be less inclined to reach into the next hoola-hoop and try to control the decisions, ideas, words and feelings of others. We will be more aware of the gentle influence we can have when we “respond” with Jesus’ help rather than “react” in our own sandpaper humanness. (Gal.5:22)
Tending carefully what is happening in your hoola-hoop and being less concerned about what is going on in other’s, will enable you to walk in a freshness of spirit that will impact and influence all your relationships and your mentoring as well. (Romans 15:13)
We give out of who we are. Keep fresh what you offer others by keeping Jesus very close in your hoola-hoop. Turn your reactions into chosen responses by the power of the Holy Spirit. Tune up your influence today.
For real freshness today meditate on the scriptures noted.
God bless you richly as we serve Him together.
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Post by BW on Sept 13, 2013 10:32:03 GMT -5
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Post by BW on Sept 13, 2013 11:15:36 GMT -5
Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.
~ Oscar Wilde
Romans 10:11
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not
be ashamed.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
Failure happens only when I refuse to learn from my mistakes.
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Post by BW on Sept 15, 2013 20:54:46 GMT -5
"N" Needy
by Gail Rodgers
Shelly loved to reach out to others. She had a heart of compassion for those in need. She rarely thought of herself as needy.
No one likes to think of herself as needy. We prefer other adjectives for ourselves, words that reflect strength or wisdom. As mentors we stand ready to help and to share from our strength and wisdom. We often see those who come to us as the needy ones. We don’t care to have “needy” beside our own name, yet we all wear that tag.
Just for a moment think about your own needs. It’s easier to think of someone else and how you can help them. But can you identify where you are needy? We can see the needs of others clearly, but can be blind to our own.
There is a tool we can use to help us see our own need. Once you have the tool in your hand you will actually be surprised that it works so well. The tool is paying attention to any conflict in your life. Conflict often reflects our unmet needs.
Think about it for a moment. Recall the last encounter you had with conflict. Most of us don’t have to dig very far into our memories. Sometimes the unmet need is basic and easy to remedy such as the need for sleep.
But often it is much deeper. The need to feel valued and heard or the need to be accepted or respected can cause conflict from a wounded heart. Control and manipulation can stem from an angry heart, rooted in a need to forgive others or oneself.
We all have ashes in our lives. A wise friend of mine has said, “Listen for the ashes in peoples lives and then pray into them.” Ashes exist where hope has burned up and need remains. Think about where conflict exists in your life and ask God to help you identify any unmet need, whether yours or someone else’s, that may exist at the root of it. Begin to pray into those needs.
The deep needs of our heart can only be adequately met by God. He is the one who promised to bring “beauty out of ashes” (Isaiah 61:3).
When you see potential conflict lurking on your horizon… stop… and use the opportunity as a tool to build into your own life or to pray into another’s. Look honestly at yourself. Grow from it in these four ways:
Give God the opportunity to reveal to your heart any unmet need that may be at the root of this conflict. Be open to seeing your own need and be open to praying into the needs of another. It will help dissolve hostility too.
Recognize that God is the only One who can meet all of your needs.
Open your heart to God’s help, asking Him to be the Source you need for that unmet need in your life. Bring another Christian alongside who can pray for you in this as you move toward God’s healing and finding “beauty from ashes.”
Walk beside another in prayer as you pray for their unmet needs. They may not be open to you but you can pray into their life, asking God to be their Source in meeting the needs of their soul.
God invites us to ask for His help in our needs.
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
God promises to be the Source for all of our unmet needs.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
As we seek God in our conflicts and allow Him to reveal where we are needy, He will supply what we need and we will be equipped, in greater ways, to extend our hands to the needy in our pathway.
Allow Him to GROW you in and through the deep needs of your heart.
********************************
"Ask him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick."..."But obviously you canot transmit something you haven't got" [pg 164 Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous
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Post by BW on Sept 16, 2013 1:01:53 GMT -5
MERCY
"...We ask God's forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken." Alcoholics Anonymous, page 86
"Lord, how great is your mercy; in your justice, give me back my life." Psalm 119: 156
For what it's worth: Alcoholism stole my life. I was forced into a miserable self-centered existence, alone, insecure, and afraid of God. I had severely disappointed Him and even cursed Him. When I finally but reluctantly came to Alcoholics Anonymous, I was too diseased to appreciate what was happening, but looking back I realize I sensed God’s presence there, and I was frightened. But the people and the atmosphere there were so warm and welcoming; I stayed and found hope my life might be given back. And, indeed, it has been. Even more rewarding, Alcoholics Anonymous people taught me about a loving, forgiving God, and I slowly came to believe He would forgive me. And, indeed, He has. But my weaknesses, my defects, keep trying to steal my life again and throw me back into that miserable self-centered existence. I am grateful I have been given the Twelve Steps, especially Steps 6, 7, and 10 where I find God’s benevolence and forgiveness. I can not count the times my Higher Power has extended His love and mercy and protected the precious spiritual life that selfish distractions try to steal from me.
God bless you.
Joe W.
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Post by BW on Sept 17, 2013 11:56:16 GMT -5
A Time to Think: Four things let us ever keep in mind: God hears prayer, God heeds prayer, God answers prayer, and God delivers by prayer. –E. M. Bounds, author
To Act: Believe God loves you and is present in every aspect of your life.
To Pray: Lord, show me new ways to bring comfort and healing in Your name.
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Post by BW on Sept 18, 2013 8:41:35 GMT -5
SELF-ACCEPTANCE
"Clay doesn't talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, 'Why did you shape me like this?'" Romans 9:20
"Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy." Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 417 (449)
For what it's worth: Self-hate and self-resentment are killers. Preoccupation with my defects, insecurities, and shame fueled my alcoholism for years, and, in sobriety, can readily cause relapse. At times, when I feel relaxed, as happened so often during my drinking, I am only letting my mind wander around loose and unsupervised. This is dangerous even without the influence of alcohol because I easily drift back to stinkin' thinkin' about my inadequacies. Is not this the pot criticizing the potter? At these times, I must beg my Heavenly Father's forgiveness and seek His strength to practice self-acceptance. Until I do, "I cannot be happy".
God bless you.
Joe W.
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Post by BW on Sept 19, 2013 11:01:02 GMT -5
Holding On
Mark 9:24 “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.”
“I’m worried about my future, my present, my choices — everything,” admitted a student in my class.
“I so want to make the right decisions. But what if I don’t? What then?”
Some of us are paranoid we might make a big time mistake, that we will misinterpret God’s plan for us. We become so preoccupied with making certain our future is perfect that we often miss contentment today. Gradually we may lose the ability to enjoy our jobs, our relationships, our recreation, our faith, ourselves.
We long to relax and give it all to God, but we can’t. Why? Who or what taught us that a situation or friendship must be just right or it is worthless? Perhaps it is time to risk uncovering our misconceptions about living a successful life. Let us take the initial precarious step toward peaceful living by talking with a caring friend or knowledgeable professional. With help we can begin to discover the perfectionistic thinking that binds us. While holding on to our shaky faith, we can ask God to increase our confidence and courage. And move on toward positive change.
Lord, increase my faith. Please teach me what is keeping me from “letting go” and allowing you to work in my life.
Joan C. Webb
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Post by BW on Sept 20, 2013 10:41:09 GMT -5
Today, God’s message for you is to not fear illness or death. We must accept that today may be all we will ever have. Tomorrow may belong only to others. Be inspired by what you have already accomplished and create memories that will forever live in the hearts of those you must leave behind.
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Post by BW on Sept 21, 2013 8:29:46 GMT -5
SACRED SANCTUARY
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7
"To those of us who have hitherto known only excitement, depression, or anxiety -- in other words, to all of us -- this newfound peace is a priceless gift." Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 74
For what it's worth: God did not care for me; I slapped Him in the face too often. I existed in this self-built insane asylum until the day I attended my first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting on August 8, 1974. There, despite my prideful resistance, the gifts of sobriety and the Twelve Steps combined with the example of members to free me to come to sane beliefs about God, the world, and me. God's grace has opened my heart, mind, and soul to a safe and holy place of peace where I am wrapped in His loving arms. Why, after many years of sobriety and daily practice of proven principles, am I so often slow and dimwitted about throwing off my burdens and entering my Heavenly Father's sacred sanctuary of serenity?
God bless you.
Joe W.
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Post by BW on Sept 22, 2013 14:10:19 GMT -5
Anger and the Truth
Psalm 25:5 “Guide me in your truth.”
“For years I believed that if I loved unselfishly I would never get angry,” explained my depressed friend. “So I consistently refused to be mad. Of course, I was angry when I was treated poorly, but I called it by another name and pushed it down.” In her book, Codependent No More, Melody Beattie lists several myths about the confusing emotion called anger: Good, nice people don’t feel angry.
Anger is a waste of time and energy. If we feel angry at someone, it means we don’t love that person any more.”
My friend believed these lies. Repressed anger contributed to her depression. Admitting her anger set in motion the possibility for inner healing. “If the anger exists, why is it there?” she asked. That caused her to seek the truth about the injustices she had experienced and subsequently denied.
When she realized that acknowledging the wrongs committed against her was acceptable to God, she saw a light at the end of her long dark tunnel.
Are you hiding anger under a mask of determined service or obsessive work habits? Is it worth the anxiety and depression to keep up the facade? If not, start by admitting the truth of your anger. God will help you in finding the truth.
Lord, this is a scary process. Please guide me.
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Post by BW on Sept 23, 2013 1:08:17 GMT -5
PLACE OF NO RETURN
"We were in a position where life was becoming impossible, and if we had passed into the region from which there is no return through human aid, we had but two alternatives: One was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best we could; and the other, to accept spiritual help." Alcoholics Anonymous, page 25
"I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me." Psalm 13:5
For what it's worth: Life as an alcoholic was impossible. Every relationship was destroyed and all that was valuable was lost. Alcoholism dumped me into a pit of despair that I believed would never end. Thank God and His mercy, it did. He gave me strength to stop drinking and hope that I would improve. And, indeed, I did, because of the spiritual power in the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. Practicing these principles planted in me a trust in God's unfailing love that has stayed with me over many years of being at many of life's places of no return. And, over and over again, God has rescued me. Not always as soon as I wanted. Not always as gently as I wished. But always! So, indeed, I rejoice because I can trust His love.
God bless you.
Joe W.
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. I will be back looking for Lin and others.