Do You Fear Dying?

This was on my mind today, and I thought about it. Do you have an unnatural fear about dying? I think about it more now that I am getting older, most certainly. I don’t think that my thoughts are unnatural, for we all come to terms that death is a natural part of life. I think more along the lines of how it will affect the lives of those left behind. Dying is the easy part. Sometimes my thoughts about something happening to one of my kids could be alittle out there, I think, after losing my brother at such an early age, compounded with my fear of “not trusting this crazy world”.  I don’t know what else to say about that one, I can take that one over to the OCD level. I have to be careful with that one. The Bible tells us not to fear death, and I know the end result of the journey is worth it. We are not of this world, or from this world, so we don’t expect to stay in this world.

I guess I have always been that way with my children. I have only meant to protect them and shelter them. Having grown up with a family of law enforcement, reality about the dangers of this world were real! Real stories,. real victims, real crime scenes… something you don’t easily forget. It doesn’t help either when you are street smart, and know what time it is.

I need to give this to God, I can’t control it, and I can take responsibility for my role in this scenario. I can continuously pray for their safety, wisdom, strength and guidance, and above all else, the Intelligence to know to whom to go to when the troubles come, God…. for they are coming.

One of the greatest gifts that I was ever told that  is this, “We as Christians have the power given to us by Jesus Christ our Lord to command the enemy to flee from us! He must flee! Oh trust me, He will be back, but you have that power!

Penny for your thoughts.
Peace

Addiction and God’s Grace……

Let’s be real here, this is a very raw subject we often don’t want to talk about, bring up, or much less think about, but I feel I have to do it. This blog started out as “my” personal place to write and share with myself, (really?) the things that I had read, gathered, or learned about. I started noticing that people were reading it, and sharing the blog. That is great, but It made me realize, wow, other people are reading this, better watch what I write. I don’t think that is what God’s intention ever was…nor is it mine! So beware, some things you read are personal, honest, and could be a bit raw… but it is my hopes that other’s can apply what I write, line it up with God’s truth, most importantly!, and apply it, share it, or whatever you are called to do……

I read this morning, “Dance like no one is looking, Sing like no one can hear you, and Love like you can’t be hurt!” Isn’t that so awesome?!

OK, back to the topic of this post…. Addiction’s. There is a really good book, actual several Christian books out there that talk about Addictions, but the best one I have found is the Bible. One in particular that I am looking at right now is, “Stop the Madness, Finding Freedom from Addictions.” by Serendipity House. It is the Picking Up the Pieces Series.

I won’t make this too long, but I can tell you from experience, that addiction is not a fun place to be. It is a very long, lonely, isolating place, and if you are BLESSED enough to pull through it, it is only because of God’s Mercy and Grace! It is nothing that you did, or another person did for you, but only through the Grace of God, I repeat! God loves you, and will use other people to put in your path in helping your recovery, but please understand and give the credit to whom it is due!

The twelve steps are great, if taken with a Christian concept. The first step of Admitting your need,  of admitting your life is unmanageable! This is the time to get on your knee’s and pray for guidance from HIM! n Idolatry and addiction go hand in hand, putting the desire to get high, above Him and everything else, including yourself. Admitting this sin to him, is a first step to getting free!

A verse that I really like, is this….”It was for freedom that Christ set us free, therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1 NASB

I would love to share feedback with you on this topic, I can say that there is a life to live outside of this, for HIM to do His work. It is our responsibility to share with others, and to try and help by using our lives as an example. It’s not for us, to keep our experiences, both Good or Bad, to ourselves. So share your story….

Peace

I am here to share and help you along your way.

Renewing of My Mind….

I am re-reading “The Power of Positive Thinking”, by Norman Vincent Peale. He is an amazing author who has a God given talent of expressing with words the importance of how to live life thinking positive!  In a secular world filled with sin, the art of having joy can be easily lost. It is when you put God’s amazing love and trust in all of your circumstances is it when you are truly in a good place. It is often a “covered” art of positive thinking, and sometimes the “how to be happy” is revealed to us in prayer, trust, having and building of our Faith, and seeking HIS Knowledge.

One of the greatest verses to know and really absorb, is this one. “I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.” Phil 4:13. To really build your confidence, and knowledge of things, know this, God can and will do amazing things through you, that otherwise would be impossible to do. God’s ability and grasp of things is so beyond our wildest comprehension. His ways are never our ways!

Norman Vincent Peale says in his book,” The greatest secret for eliminating the inferiority complex in ourselves, is to fill your mind with Faith. Develop tremendous faith in God and that will give you realistic faith in yourself.”  He goes on to more detail by saying, “The acquiring of dynamic faith is accomplished by prayer, reading of the Bible, and practicing its faith techniques. The ability to possess and utilize faith must be studies and practiced through God to gain perfection!”

Fill your mind with affirmations of God, make this your first source of reflection, answers to your questions. Filling your mind with positive things and the releasing of the negativity in your life will create a life changing situation.  “Attitudes are more important than facts.” Dr Karl Menninger once said.

A simple knowledge and belief that God is always with you, and will help you through your difficult situation. The ability and forethought to “give it over to Him, and let Him handle the situation”, is often one of our most challenging and debilitating mistakes. We as humans, don’t want to lose control, for we feel, if we lose the control,( that we never really had in the beginning), we will not be able to solve the problem. Hint, we were never to solve in the first place. Control and Fear go hand in hand.

The solution, Try Prayer Power…..

“You are dealing with the most tremendous power in the World when you pray” Seriously, think about this…. by simply talking to God, Wars have ended, lives have been saved, marriages have been healed! There is no greater gift to give someone else, than to pray for them!

Hoping to have planted a seed, until next time.
Peace and Blessings to you