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Post by BW on Dec 30, 2013 3:19:15 GMT -5
Kindness
Kindness is a language we all can speak.
The deaf can hear it and the blind can see it.
- Mother Teresa
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Post by BW on Dec 31, 2013 10:32:09 GMT -5
Every end is a new beginning.
******
10 RESOLUTIONS FOR 2014
This coming year, I have decided that with God's help, I shall:-
Give up complaining . . . focus on gratitude.
Give up harsh judgments . . . think kind thoughts.
Give up worry . . . trust divine providence.
Give up discouragement . . . be full of hope.
Give up bitterness . . . turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred . . . return good for evil.
Give up anger . . . practice patience.
Give up pettiness . . . put on maturity.
Give up gloom. . . enjoy the beauty that is around me.
Give up gossiping . . . control my tongue.
-- Author Unknown
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Post by BW on Jan 1, 2014 11:56:04 GMT -5
Daily Inspiration
Begin every day as if it were your very first because you really are always at the beginning. Lord, thank you for the constant ability to stop any offensive behaviors that I have and the gift of being forgiven and being able to forgive myself.
To be wise, you must first find peace, for peace opens the door to a freer and fuller life. Lord, continue to draw me close to You so that I can know more and more of Your peace within me.
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Post by BW on Jan 2, 2014 11:18:20 GMT -5
It always comes back to the same necessity: go deep enough and there is a bedrock of truth, however hard.
May Sarton
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Post by BW on Jan 3, 2014 10:10:25 GMT -5
Self-Discipline
I reap the benefits of self-discipline.
The words disciple and discipline derive from the word for “pupil” or “student.” As a student of life, I learn continuously and apply what I discover to my daily activities.
Just as Jesus’ disciples sought to follow him and learn from his teachings, I, too, seek to learn new ways of being and put them into practice. Conscious of my physical and spiritual well-being, I develop constructive habits and routines that promote transformation and I experience positive results.
Self-discipline is not a hardship; it is the key to growth. As I adopt good habits, I honor and reward myself. Through discipline, I reap the benefits of good health, peace of mind, and abundant living.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.—2 Timothy 1:7
Daily Word
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Post by BW on Jan 4, 2014 12:36:33 GMT -5
Discover
Every challenge reveals my spiritual power.
Discoveries reveal what has always been. Whether an *archaeologist uncovers buried artifacts from ancient cultures or an infant finds her toes, what is discovered was already there, waiting to be found. In challenging times, I may find within me vast stores of spiritual strength, love, and wisdom I didn’t know I had. These qualities have been within me always, simply waiting to be claimed.
When life is calm, I may fail to notice the indwelling power of Spirit. Crises or unexpected events may spur me to discover my divine gifts. In hard times, I discover all that I am and all that I can be. I am more than I thought I was! I give thanks for all of my God-given powers and for all that I have yet to discover.
I will love them and reveal myself to them.—John 14:21
Daily Word
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Post by BW on Jan 5, 2014 13:20:30 GMT -5
A Time to Think: We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. –Edith Lovejoy Pierce, poet
To Act: Make it a point to start each day of this New Year with a prayer.
To Pray: Bestower of blessing, throughout the new year, show me Yourself in ways I least expect.
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Post by BW on Jan 6, 2014 8:26:31 GMT -5
Beautiful, powerful, thought provoking reading today
********
Light On My Path - A Short Supply of Love
by Gail Rodgers
Spontaneous feelings of love spring from our hearts when we think of some of the dear people in our lives. Then there are others who are not so easy to love. They challenge our sense of justice, our patience and even our Christian faith as we grappled with how to love them.
The Bible clearly outlines the characteristics of love. One phrase stands out today…
“Love is patient and is kind… ” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
It’s easy to call to mind those who challenge our patience and love. There might be those at work or at church who are spreading rumors; or that neighbor who just seems to want to make life miserable for those around. What about the one who acts in a way toward their family that disgusts you or even the politician who represents you and makes decisions contrary to your beliefs. Even some family members can be trying leaving us feeling self-justified in withholding our love.
Yet here God clearly outlines the characteristics of love. His Word said the world should know we are Christians by our love. Love should be the hand-rail that will steady us in all our relationships and dealings with the world around us. Yet how is it possible? One can not just turn a blind eye to injustice, mistreatment and gossip.
The springs of love are within God… love does not naturally exist in our own hearts when challenged by things that grate on us. God tells us exactly what is required of us when we face this dilemma in our hearts. Listen to His wisdom…
“And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly
To love mercy
And to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
It makes sense. Our responsibility is simply to walk humbly with our God. We need to allow Him to keep our hearts soft with mercy while striving for fairness. This will make a difference in the situations where people seem so irritating. His Holy Spirit gives us the patience and the ability to be kind and to look for fairness in our dealings. This approach would help bring balance to situations that may be getting out of control. This love makes sense. It bring perspective. It doesn’t suggest a “door mat” response yet it holds out hope when mercy and fairness, from God’s heart, fill ours and helps us deal patiently with some of the hard people in life.
prayer & reflection
Father in Heaven,
You have called me to love the world around me. It’s not an easy thing to do. Thank you that You not only spell out how but You also offer the resource of Your mercy and Your wisdom to bring balance to circumstances that seem so out of balance. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit today and let Your love flow through me so others see You through me.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Post by BW on Jan 7, 2014 10:01:35 GMT -5
Guidance
Abiding in the presence of God, I am clearly guided.
A freed prisoner in ancient Rome received a white stone as proof of his right to a new beginning. The white stone symbolized a clean slate. Every new moment is an opportunity for me to begin again with a clean slate. Turning within for guidance, I initiate change in my life right now and become the person I want to be.
In my sacred time of prayer, I put aside any hesitation or uncertainty. Abiding in the presence of God, I ask for clear and unmistakable guidance. I listen in the Silence and trust the answers I receive.
I am grateful for the beginning of each new year and the opportunity for a clean slate upon which to design my life.
I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.—Revelation 2:17
Daily Word
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Post by BW on Jan 8, 2014 10:07:05 GMT -5
A Time to Think: You can tell the size of your God by looking at the size of your worry list. The longer your list, the smaller your God. –Author Unknown
To Act: When you pray, release your worry and rest in God.
To Pray: Remind me, Lord, to give my worries to You and to trust You when I do.
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Post by BW on Jan 9, 2014 11:42:26 GMT -5
Find Grace
Genesis 6:8 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord."
The grace of God is found in the first book of the bible. Noah built an ark for a hundred years and found grace in the sight of God each day. When one is obedient to God's word they also will find grace that saves, and mercy that covers the effect of sin, and love that will last throughout eternity. God loved Noah with an everlasting love.
God's grace is not just for a moment, but for each day of our lives. Live one day at a time for Christ Jesus and you will experience great grace. Walk with Him, talk with Him, love Him and life will be poured upon the hurting, the sick, and the lost.
Source Unknown
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Post by BW on Jan 10, 2014 12:40:30 GMT -5
I AM THERE
Do you need Me ?
I am there.
You cannot see Me, yet I am the light you see by.
You cannot hear Me, yet I speak through your voice.
You cannot feel Me, yet I am the power at work in your hands.
I am at work, though you do not understand My ways.
I am at work, though you do not understand My works.
I am not strange visions. I am not mysteries.
Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me
as I AM, and then but as a feeling and a faith.
Yet I am here. Yet I hear. Yet I answer.
When you need ME, I am there.
Even if you deny Me, I am there.
Even when you feel most alone, I am there.
Even in your fears, I am there.
Even in your pain, I am there.
I am there when you pray and when you do not pray.
I am in you, and you are in Me.
Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for
only in your mind are the mists of "yours" and "mine".
Yet only with your mind can you know Me and experience Me.
Empty your heart of empty fears.
When you get yourself out of the way, I am there.
You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all.
And I AM in all.
Though you may not see the good, good is there, for
I am there. I am there because I have to be, because I AM.
Only in Me does the world have meaning; only out of Me does the world take form; only because of ME does the world go forward.
I am the law on which the movement of the stars and the growth of living cells are founded.
I am the love that is the law's fulfilling. I am assurance.
I am peace. I am oneness. I am the law that you can live by.
I am the love that you can cling to. I am your assurance.
I am your peace. I am ONE with you. I am.
Though you fail to find ME, I do not fail you.
Though your faith in Me is unsure, My faith in you never
wavers, because I know you, because I love you.
Beloved, I AM there.
--- James Dillet Freeman
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Post by BW on Jan 11, 2014 10:57:33 GMT -5
Our words destroy and tear others down when they’re born out of an angry, knee-jerk reaction. Our words encourage and bless when they are obedient to God’s command that we build others up!
Think about the words that you use. Do you say hurtful things? Are ALL your words helpful in building others up? Are your conversations critical and cutting, or gentle and grace filled?
You know how your mom wishes you would talk. Think about how God wants you to talk! If you can’t something nice . . . say an encouraging word!
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Post by BW on Jan 12, 2014 10:56:07 GMT -5
A Time to Think: Darkness cannot put out the Light. It can only make God brighter. –Author Unknown
To Act: View your problems with a spiritual perspective.
To Pray: Thank you, Lord, for the tremendous difference You make in our lives.
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Post by BW on Jan 13, 2014 10:50:57 GMT -5
A Time to Think: Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. –Corrie ten Boom, author
To Act: Trust that things will be fine.
To Pray: Lord, Your love and protection is the one true thing that I can always count on.
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Post by BW on Jan 14, 2014 14:25:59 GMT -5
Try to identify your wants that can be confused with needs. Ask God to help you to know when your hunger pains are due to a need to be with Him. Determine to hunger after righteousness so that you may be truly filled. If you begin to give in to the temptations for the wants, imagine yourself as a baby sucking on a pacifier--you may see yourself content for a moment, but you will soon see yourself crying out for what is really needed.
Day by Day Devotionals
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Post by BW on Jan 15, 2014 12:13:40 GMT -5
Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength. —Corrie ten Boom
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Post by BW on Jan 16, 2014 8:36:51 GMT -5
THANKS, GOD
“We thank God from the bottom of our heart that we know Him better.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 75
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
For what it’s worth: What a waste, all those years of drinking, painfully trying to escape a judging, punishing God. Or were those years necessary? After all, it was the agony of alcoholism that drove me to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, seeking only relief from the suffering, but finding hope and nourishment for my empty soul. That little taste of heaven on earth kept me coming back to those meetings. One day, I cannot pinpoint when, I came to believe there was a kind and merciful God who thought I was worth saving. I set about to know more about that God. Over the years of my sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous, I have come to know a Heavenly Father, who loves me just as I am, and who I can trust with every little detail of my being and my day today. For that, I am deeply grateful!
God bless you!
Joe W.
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Post by BW on Jan 17, 2014 11:25:39 GMT -5
A Time to Think: The safest place to be is within the will of God –Author Unknown
To Act: Face your challenges with determination and resiliency.
To Pray: Lord, help us to trust You as we walk through our lives.
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Post by BW on Jan 18, 2014 11:27:17 GMT -5
Faith
Author Unknown
Doubt sees the obstacles
Faith sees the way
Doubt sees the darkest night
Faith sees the day
Doubt dreads to take a step
Faith soars on high.
Doubt questions 'who believes?'
Faith answers, 'I.'
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. I will be back looking for Lin and others.