Year: 2022

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WHY AM I HERE? To fulfil my purpose

Born with a purpose

Some time ago I wrote a post titled, Who am I? Hopefully, most of us have already answered that question and are at least contemplating the next steps. I thought I would help you along the way by asking the next question, which is the second on my list from three years ago. Why am I here?

We are living in a very interesting time in earth’s history. One in which life appears to be moving at lightning speed with the help of technology. Coupled with this are the endless possibilities at one’s fingertip for living your life to the fullest. You are here because you are very special. You are here because you were born with a purpose. One that is so great that it will take a lifetime to accomplish. Let’s think about the circumstances of your being here, at this moment, in this world of chaos, strife, and uncertainties. Maybe you came about as the result of a one-night stand, or rape, or maybe your parents were deeply in love and the result is the resilient, beautiful, and awesome you!  

 The events of your life are important

It doesn’t matter how you came into this world. Whether you were born naturally or by other means, you survived nine long months in the womb and the trauma of the birth canal. You were determined to thrive therefore; you popped your head out right on time and cried. It was your way of announcing to the world that you were here and that you will not be silenced. Immediately, you had the attention of everyone who was running at your bidding, doctors and nurses, to pronounce you healthy. You had the biggest smile from your mama as she welcomed you into the world. Cradling you in her arms while swaddling you with love and the warmth of her breast. You grabbed hold of that breast and had your first meal outside of the womb. After all, you knew exactly what to do, because you were born with the intelligence to do so.

Preparation for life

 Welcome to the training ground of this life. You were born a baby, but we do not expect you to remain there. You were meant to explore your surroundings, become curious, question things, figure out how stuff works and earn social and relationship-building skills.  Humans were created to live harmoniously with each other and the universe by caring for each other and our environment. You are here because you have a purpose to be fulfilled.  What matters most is how you spend your time here and the legacy that you will leave for future generations.  We were not born to occupy space. We came fully equipped with everything that we need to function here on earth. God who created us gave us gifts, talents and a brain that is superior to all the computers that modern man can make.  He wants us to use our gifts and talents for the betterment of humanity. We are called to make an impact in this world; therefore, we should seek out those opportunities that are rewarding, honest, and efficacious and throw ourselves into them for the sole purpose of making the lives of the future generation better.

Pain with a purpose

We were created for God’s pleasure, and He delights in us and our sincere worship. However, He didn’t provide us with an all-expense paid pass in this life because He knows what is best for us. The joy and pains are measured to keep us on the path of righteousness and truth. Many of us have experienced intense pain and suffering in our lives at some point. These are just stumbling blocks on the way to greatness.  When we have endured the furnace of this life, it will equip us with the resilience that is necessary to help us spearhead and advance the cause that we are passionate about and for which we were chosen. You will have tribulations but be of good cheer I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

When your life has a purpose, you will experience pain. Most times the pain is unbearable, however, it brings forth joy as any mother will tell you. After hours of laboring, filled with anguish and excruciating pain, the voice of crying signals that a new life has sprung forth and that labor has ended. (John 16:21) The mother’s heart rejoices with love, gratitude and appreciation for this child that she carried for nine months and that is now the excellent fruit of her labor.  

 The testing

Similarly, college requires a series of exams that tests one’s competency at different levels. Although you went in as a Freshman they expect you to advance to the various levels,  Sophomore, Junior and eventually Senior. This is the most critical part of the journey because this is where the true test begins. There is a final exam and you will be tested on everything you have learned, hence the make-or-break moment. Many have persevered and received their rewards of accolades, honors, and awards, while others failed to make their mark because they simply were not prepared for college life. There is life after college that is filled with endless possibilities; advanced education, high-paying jobs, promotions, social and economic status, fame, fortune and maybe just about anything this world offers. Is this enough?

Our lives are not accidents

Nothing occurs in our lives by accident it was divinely appointed. Even the horrendous and evil things that were designed to destroy us. Although painful and vicious, they teach us persistence, patience, resilience and perseverance, which is the stock that great men and women are made of. When we study the Bible, we come across many great men and women who were severely tried and tested. Moses was an innocent child. He did nothing wrong yet because of Pharoah’s edict against all children under two years old, his life was in grave danger. His parents, through wisdom, placed their three months old son in a basket on the river. He was young and defenceless and to the human, his fate would be death from river monsters or drowning. However, God, who controlled all circumstances, send him help in the nick of time. His rescuer was not an ordinary person but the king’s daughter. She had compassion for him and raised him as a prince in the palace, which was prepared by God as a training ground for greatness. (Exodus 2: 1-10)

Paul the apostle prosecuted Christians with great zeal. This he did out of ignorance. God called him on the road to Damascus and he repented. He became one of the most influential ministers of the gospel, a prolific writer and proponent of the Gospel message. They also persecuted him with the same zeal he had when he oppressed God’s people. (Acts 22:1-10)

It doesn’t matter where you are on the path of life. Whether you are on the off-track, sidetrack, or beaten track, you are important and have so much potential. There is still time for you to accomplish the dream that was created for you by your Father, God. Here’s my hand. Let me help you along the way.

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PROCRASTINATION – delaying your life

Two men talking

We all fall prey to procrastination and within the last couple of months, I found myself in this rut where I didn’t want to write or do anything significant. Somehow I have built up my “resilience muscle” over the years because of the many difficulties I have encountered and have had to plough my way through. As I slowly turned the corner, my mind focused on those qualities that are unique to me. The word procrastination came to mind, and I felt impressed to do a bit of research into it. I realized that I have been putting off doing things because I am experiencing some difficulties in my life that had escalated and, although it has dampened my fire, I still maintained a faint glow. The situation is still present and persists. However, I have refocused my attention on doing those things that light up my soul. Enjoy the article!

 Procrastination is common to most people and is viewed as laziness or the inability to manage oneself. It is natural for people to avoid doing some things. However, procrastinators habitually put off tasks and often deliberately look for distractions. This shows the individual’s struggles with self-regulation. Approximately 20% of the population is habitual procrastinators. Often, their feelings will take precedence over pursuing their goals or responsibilities.  Procrastination creates the perfect condition for individuals to encourage negative emotions that can further undermine their future goals.

Procrastination also has an element of self-deception. There is a moment in which the procrastinator will recognize their actions and their consequences.  However, changing their habits is often more difficult than finishing the assignment in front of them. 

Understanding Procrastination

Procrastinators are often perfectionists. For them, it may be psychologically more acceptable to never take on a job than the possibility of not doing it well. It is common for them to become overly concerned with what others think about them hence; they endanger their future to avoid criticism. Although some procrastinators convince themselves that they do way better under pressure, there is no scientific evidence to substantiate this claim. However, they habitually wait until the last minute to complete a task because it gives them this rush of euphoria to overcome the odds.

Why do I procrastinate?

People are driven by varied thoughts and habits, but we shun work or delay them because we do not feel they are worth the time and effort and care more about being happy or being fearful of not doing a job well.  They might procrastinate when they are overwhelmed by all the complexities of a task, such as learning a new skill or when overly distracted or fatigued.

What are the psychological roots of procrastination?

Some of the influencers of procrastination recognized by psychologists are; low self-esteem, anxiety, lack of structure and the inability to motivate self to complete tasks deemed unpleasant. Studies have also shown procrastination’s close link to rumination or the fixation on negative thoughts. 

Consequence of Procrastination

Although procrastination may distract you from a task for a moment, it can have deep emotional, physical and practical costs later. Students who habitually procrastinate tend to score lower grades because they feel pressured at the last minute, hence underperform. Workers who procrastinate produce lower-quality work, and habitual procrastinators can expect a decline in their well-being as insomnia or immune system and gastrointestinal disturbance. Procrastination also threatens both personal and professional relationships.

Is procrastination bad for my health?

With one’s health – delaying exercise and physical checkups, and failure to commit to a healthy lifestyle can lead to a higher risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Procrastinators are more prone to blame themselves and withdraw from wellness advice, suggesting that more self-compassion would be more beneficial in helping them care more for themselves.

Is there a link between procrastination and depression?

Procrastination, avoidance and rumination are all common symptoms of depression.  Depressed people struggle with future planning, lose confidence in their ability to follow through, and adopt “what’s the point “ thinking. The treatment approach is known as behavioral activation, in which one schedules enjoyable activities that provide a sense of mastery or accomplishment, which may help ease some of these effects.

Is it easy to overcome procrastination?

It’s possible to overcome procrastination, but it takes considerable effort. Changing a habitual behavior consumes a lot of psychic energy, but engaging in a highly structured regimen of cognitive behavioral therapy is one approach that has worked for many. In the short term, some cognitive tricks can help people complete discrete tasks.

How can I stop procrastinating?

Studies based on The Procrastination at Work Scale, which identifies 12 common forms of workplace procrastination, have highlighted some potential solutions, such as adopting timelines that build in time for delay, but not too much; making a personal challenge out of mundane tasks; breaking large jobs into achievable chunks you can celebrate completing, and limiting your access to online news and social media.

How can a procrastinator change their mindset?

When people procrastinate, their present self benefits by avoiding unpleasant work, but their future self pays the price in stress or punishment. Developing empathy for one’s future self as one would for a close friend can be an important first step to ending the habit because we’re less willing to put a good friend in such a disadvantaged position.

How can I stop putting off important decisions?

Many procrastinators struggle to make important decisions, in part because not making a choice absolves them of responsibility for the outcome. But sometimes people simply become so exhausted from making decisions that it seems impossible to make even relatively unimportant ones. Research suggests that sticking to a personal set of decision-making rules, or outsourcing some decisions to a partner, friend, or co-worker may help overcome decision fatigue.

Are you a procrastinator? Please leave your comments below.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/procrastination

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choose happiness -the elixir of life

What is happiness?

Aristotle, the renowned Greek Philosopher said happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and the end of human existence.

Happiness is not a blank check on which you get to write any amount you want. For some people, the natural inclination would be to go out and blow it on some luxurious item that they think equates to being happy. Happiness is the elixir of life. It is a state of bliss where one experiences peace, enjoyment, fulfilment and calmness despite their circumstances. Many people have found it and are living their lives with purpose and meaning. However, some still do not know what happiness is and spend countless years chasing after it. They become fixated on the acquisition of more material goods, only to find themselves right where they started. Disillusionment often creeps in, forcing them to accept the notion that happiness is just an elusive dream. What they cannot realize is that material things are only temporary and do not bring long-lasting happiness.

Happiness is not a feeling. It is a choice that you make each day, followed by a determination to experience life in a new way by living uninhibited. It is a commitment that you make with yourself daily to walk on the path of happiness. Hence, upon awakening, you create the mindset to be happy despite the unforeseen that will always creep up to disrupt your plans and cause chaos. Cheerful people are always grateful and rarely complain about anything. Happiness is that state of mind you will achieve when you are in tune with your body – accepting of yourself, committing to goals and having a willingness to be content with whatever state you are in. It means loving yourself, your limitations, thankfulness, and striving each day to live a positive and fulfilled life.

Health Benefits of Happiness

When we are happy, our bodies respond positively by releasing healthy endorphins which are healing to the body and mind. Happiness prevents depression, sadness, outbursts of anger, envy, jealousy, and strife. When we operate from a place of happiness, it makes us more forgiving and accepting of other people’s flaws. Also, we love, respect, and show kindness and compassion to others. Happiness fuels our passion and love for life. It energizes us to get out of bed each morning to do the things that will create joy and well-being in our lives.

Happiness increases longevity and makes us look younger and longer. Our bodies function better when we are happy.  A calm and peaceful state optimizes digestion, hence our bodies receive the nourishment it needs from the foods we eat. When we are happy, it helps our parasympathetic nervous system to perform better. The functions of the parasympathetic nervous system are monitoring and effectively maintaining our heart rate, blood pressure, weight control, and hormone regulation, and allowing us to have that deep REM sleep the body needs for healing and repair.

Pursuing Happiness

Happiness is like a well springing from deep inside the ground, flowing outward and providing a continual stream of water. Happiness is invigorating and exuberant. Since we are in control of our happiness, we must work hard at creating and maintaining it. To do this, we must begin by taking the time to discover our gifts, talents, and passions and actively pursue them. For some, it will mean letting go of bad habits, parting ways with some close ties, or even breaking off toxic long-term relationships. Since we can only realize happiness when we are at total peace, these steps are necessary. This will be a period of enlightenment as we become reacquainted with our innate selves. Many of us have been living the dreams of our parents, teachers, spouses, and even friends. Often, we lose ourselves because of the unrealistic demands that they place on us. They also impose their values, forcing us into conformity. For years, we carry the burden and stress of pleasing them at the cost of our self-worth. It’s time to break free from all those negative dynamics by reclaiming and charting the course of your life. Keep moving in the direction where your heart is leading, because this is where your happiness begins.

Tips for Maintaining Happiness

Practice thinking healthy, wholesome, and positive thoughts throughout each day. Resist the urge to dwell on negativity that will not only depress you, but others, too. Do not give negative thoughts any room because you will be stuck with them. However, if you find those thoughts becoming overpowering, I recommend reaching out to others such as family, trusted friends, or a trained counsellor for help. Banish doom and gloom, and learn to see the positive in everything. Everyone feels down sometimes and it’s normal. However, do not allow it to prolong. Instead, shift the mood by going for a walk, connecting with the people in your life, visiting the mall nearest to you, or getting out and treating yourself to an enjoyable meal. Avoid negative and critical people because it will only be a matter of time before you adopt their ways, which will be to your detriment. Happy people love being around others. As a result, they enjoy spending time with family and friends and socializing with others. Therefore, surround yourself with a group of cheerful people from whom you can draw strength and inspiration during your downtime.  Remember, you are responsible for your happiness; therefore, do not expect anyone to do everything for you. Cheerful people attract those who are like-minded.

One of my Greatest Happy Moments

I have experienced periods of great happiness in my life despite some very traumatic events. However, I want to share one that has shaped the person I am today. The happiest moment of my life was when I graduated from college. It was a very special day for me because I dared to venture into a place where no other family member had gone. My college life was hard in every way and often I came close to quitting, but I kept persevering. I was overjoyed because I had triumphed, and the victory was sweet. My friends were there to celebrate with me and cheer me on. I could hear their resounding applause as I went forward to collect my degree. My college degree meant everything to me – freedom from financial constraints, independence, and the accomplishing of my other dreams. I had a job waiting for me as well and I was so happy nothing could have gotten me down. It was a jubilant day for me, and the memory is still vivid in my mind.

God created us to be free, and He wants us to be happy and filled with joy (John 15:11). Being happy is to be free from all the limitations that others have placed on us. I encourage you to reclaim your lives from those who have stolen them! Stand up and fight back to reconnect with your true self, as this is where happiness begins. Cheers to the true and happy you!

Do you have any happy moments in your life that you would like to share with our readers? I would love to hear them! Looking forward to reading yours!

www.heartplushands.com

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The Lord Is My Shepherd – Psalm 23

Sun shining on lake

The Lord is my leader;

I have no lack

He prospers and refreshes me.

He renews my soul and leads me into the truth.

Although I am afflicted with sickness, lack and suffer from injustice, I will not be afraid

because God is with me.

His justice and mercy comfort and gives me hope.

He filled my table with nutritious and healthy foods while my enemies lack.

You healed me and renewed my strength, and now I have more than enough.

Your love, wisdom and prosperity will be with me throughout my life

and I will live with you forever.

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Developing Positive Money Habits Early

Pot of money with a plant growing out of it

The holidays are over and many of us have gone overboard on spending excessively on expensive gifts, gadgets, and vacations. I became caught up a bit in the trap and indulged myself with a couple of gifts that I thought I deserved. Now I am paying for them while closing all the gaps to avoid any repetitive behavior. You might ask, how do I do this? Simply by using cash to pay for everything, sticking to my budget and refusing to use credit unless I have the money in my account to pay it off. Many of us are spending our paycheck before receiving it. No wonder we are always in debt. As a result, many of us have found ourselves in the proverbial hole, broke and stressed out from maxed-out credit cards with high-interest rates. These irrational behaviors not only affect our mental health but that of our entire family as tempers flare because there is not enough money for food or paying the bills.

ROOT CAUSES OF OVERSPENDING

There is often a root cause that is associated with compulsive behaviors. According to Neuropsychology Review, compulsive behavior is repetitive acts that are identified as having the feeling that you must do something, although you know these acts are detractors from your goals. Developing positive money habits starts in the mind because this is where our thoughts originate. Each day we decide about our lives by the things we do with our money. How we spend our money speaks volumes about our mental health. Have you ever observed that when someone is hurting, the first thing they will do is buy something, whether ice cream, clothing or something else, which they think will numb the pain? These are distractions for the real reason behind our hurt and pain. Have you ever stopped to think about the pain and your feelings surrounding it? This is a great place to start. Acknowledging our feelings and working through them with the help of a friend or a professional counselor. When our minds are unhealthy, it is very difficult to be consistent in our behavior.

 Some of us grew up in dire poverty where we lacked everything that money could buy and this creates an indifference towards money and spending. No one taught you how to have a positive relationship with money because there was barely enough to buy food. Therefore, it creates a desire to earn money to satisfy the lack of those things they deprived you of while growing up. Once you are old enough to earn money, your thoughts become focused on buying goods and services to satisfy the perceived lack. There is nothing wrong with this. However, savings should start immediately because your focus should be on creating a different future than the one you had. Designer clothing, cars, and gadgets will depreciate. However, solid savings or investment funds will appreciate. Guess what? You will have all the money you need to splurge on anything you need because you have earned it. You will be the lender instead of the borrower.   

They taught those who had access to great wealth from an early age the principle of savings. Some affluent parents gave birthday presents of stocks and bonds to their children. This is a prime example of teaching them how to invest in their future at an early age. Most of them developed a healthy relationship with money. However, some fall prey to addictive behaviors; eating disorders, drugs, and sex addictions because their childhood might have been disruptive. They felt their needs for love and busy parents who were more interested in creating wealth than parenting ignored them. Therefore, they indulged them with high-end gifts, such as toys, cars, designer clothing, and took expensive exotic vacations where they invited their business partners along while they left the children unmanaged. Thus, they develop a very unhealthy relationship with money and indulge in negative practices, which serves as a mask for the scars they had. 

CREATING A BALANCE BETWEEN SPENDING AND SAVING

First, we must have an excellent knowledge of the benefits and rewards of money and also the negative effects of money. To do this, one must determine their motive for spending or saving money. One must carefully evaluate whether the benefit of purchasing a certain product outweighs saving. It is worthwhile giving it some thought by considering the implications of purchasing that item. Here are some questions you might ask yourself before spending money on small or large purchases. Can I afford this item? Do I need to spend this money right now? How important is this to me? Is it within my budget? What am I giving up to get this? Is it better to purchase something of a lesser value? When buying large items, it would be a good idea to plan the purchase by saving towards it. Only purchase it when you have saved up enough money to do so, otherwise, you will become saddled with high-interest credit card debts that will take years or a lifetime to repay. A good rule of thumb is if you are struggling to pay your bill, then you cannot afford to buy anything unless it is a dire emergency. 

HOW DO WE GET OUT OF THIS SITUATION

We must develop a healthy relationship with money by recognizing its value and also the power of money. When we are in control of our finances, it gives us a sense of peace and security because we never have to worry about having enough money to take care of our responsibilities. However, when we squander our money mindlessly, we are devaluing money. When we save and give to those in need, money appreciates.

I am not a financial guru. However, I have based my suggestions on my observation and my experience with money. It is always a good idea to be mindful of your income and your expenditure. Never spend more than you earn. Instead, cut back on something or deprive yourself of buying that new item of clothing, furniture or dining out and save that money because it is a better decision.

CREATING WEALTH

Save a penny, earn a penny! Let savings become a routine in your life. Try to save something from each paycheck. It might be just $5 or $10, but it adds up. Don’t charge it, pay it! It is better to settle for a peanut butter sandwich than a prime steak that will burn you later.

Focus on your feelings and try to identify what is the real reason behind the thought to overspend. It is not about loving money, but about loving what money can do for you. It relieves stress by taking the pressure out of living because you are not in debt and are in charge of your income.

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Procrastination – Lessons From A Sweater

Hands holding a mug

A couple of years ago I bought two 100% Irish wool sweaters, a red and a grey. At some point, I washed them and to my dismay, the red one shrunk to half its size. My disappointment led me to Google to find solutions to restore my sweater. Friends also offered advice that I did not use. Instead, I placed the sweater in my suitcase and forgot it. However, I would remember my sweater in winter and miss its warmth. Although it was an expensive sweater, I lacked the desire to fix it. What caused this reaction? It happens when our minds are so busy that we do not recognize the people and things of value in our lives. Yesterday, I remembered the sweater and retrieved it from the suitcase, determined to restore it.

 First, I immersed it in cold water, then applied a gentle hand wash soap to the sweater. As I pushed it around in the water, I gasped at the transformation right before my eyes. I left it to soak up the water for a while, then rinsed and laid it flat to dry. It brought a feeling of delight and satisfaction to my heart. Had I taken the time and acted on the advice, I could have been wearing my sweater sooner.

This brought me to the spiritual application of this. How many times have we suffered unnecessarily because we failed to act on the advice we received? Often we had resources available but lack the motivation to pursue the things that will improve our lives and empower us. Why do we lack the passion to pursue our dreams? Procrastination! It robs us of the opportunity to do those things that will bring joy and contentment to our lives. To overcome procrastination, we must become intentional about everything we do. Planning daily activities, setting minor tasks and completing them builds resilience and lessens the desire to remain inactive. Treat each day as a workday as it prepares your mind for the tasks on your list. Work on them one at a time and be determined to finish. It reduces stress and creates balance in our minds. When have control of our minds, we become more productive, and experience pleasure and satisfaction, which boosts our morale extremely.

We also procrastinate with the things of God. We have the Bible God’s word that is filled with so many miracles and promises, yet we continue to experience failure and lack because we refuse to believe and exercise our faith. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. (Romans 10:17) We build our faith as we read the word of God aloud and study daily. As we spend more time with God, our confidence will grow. When we are confident and adept, it will inspire us to do more. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! (Philippians 4:7 & 13) God wants to empower us with the wisdom we need to think, plan, act, and have the peace that surpasses understanding.  (2 Timothy 1:7)

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What is acceptance

What does it really mean to accept someone? The world is imperfect, hence no one is blameless. These flaws drive us to be insensitive, impatient, and disrespectful of others who we do not perceive as measuring up. Therefore, we become angry, judge, criticize and alienate those who we presume are imperfect. Those who think they are perfect often give others the silent rebuke. Often, they scoff at those who swear, drink, smoke, and are immoral. Family members, friends and church brethren usually suffer from these harsh rebukes.

Jesus came to call the sinners, not the righteous. (Luke 5:32). Hence, he mingled expressing love and empathy. Christians would be more effective witnesses if they adopt this principle. We must strive to love and accept others the way Jesus did. Often, it’s the life we live that will have more impact on them. Even if they never change, it is between them and God. People everywhere are struggling with guilt and shame. Many want to change, however, they lack the will to do so. When we ignore or give them accusatory glances, it plunges them further into the habit.

We must not become a stumbling block in others’ lives. (Romans 14:13-23). When we are critical of them, they become depressed and succumb to feelings of despair, hopelessness, and worthlessness. They will point the finger at us while labelling us as hypocrites. It is unnecessary to sit with them while they are smoking or doing drugs. However, we must give them the respect and human dignity they deserve.

We are our brother’s keepers. (Romans 15:1). We owe them the debt of our prayers. Stop judging and manipulating them into feeling bad about their choices. Let God be their judge! Peter was a swearer and was even after Christ called him. (Matthew 26:74-75). It is very difficult to overcome bad habits, especially when they have been a part of your life. We cannot expect people to overcome 20, 30, 40 or 50 years of bad habits in a day or even a year. They need our patience while we give them grace. They need to overcome these habits. Therefore, we must stop pointing when they slip or fall. We all have faults, criticizing, gossiping, controlling, pride, blaming, and faultfinding.

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Only Spotless Robes will be in heaven

Revelations 2:10

 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life

Revelations 7:14

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

As Christians, not only do we serve God because we love Him, but we also look forward to the eternal rewards, which is a sparkling white robe of righteousness that the righteous will wear along with the crown of life. However, these usually come with a hefty price tag;  obedience and sacrifice the cost of which many are unwilling to pay. It is understandable since the trials we bear are not only heartbreaking but backbreaking as well. However, eternity is worth any sacrifice that we must make in this life.

Jesus’ Second Coming

Jesus is coming again, and He wants to reward all of His children. Therefore, we must keep our garments spotless by washing them in the blood of Jesus daily in anticipation of His coming.  While we wait, we should keep checking for any spots and asking Him to give it a second wash when necessary. As we spend quality time each day in His presence, worshipping, praying, studying, confessing and repenting, His Holy Spirit will point out our blemishes.

Keeping our temporal robes spotless

Throughout each day it would be wise to re-check ourselves for any spot of sin that might have infiltrated our robes and again get into His presence for a second wash or even a triple wash to remove the stains of the devil and keep our robe pure. Without our robes of righteousness no one may enter His Kingdom of eternal rest.  Jesus demonstrated this in the parable in Matthew 22: 11-13. There will not be a soiled robe in heaven!  Let us prepare for the marriage supper of the lamb by living a life of devotion and service to God and humanity.

Revelations 19: 7-9

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About me

Birds flying on the beach

Hello Everyone,

My name is Diana and I am no stranger to mental health.  I too struggled with mental health issues for a considerable part of my life.  As a child,  I was often depressed and moody and this continued into adulthood.  At first, I had no idea what was happening to me.  I did not have any information available nor did I know where to go for help. Therefore I repressed my emotions and became a sugar addict.  I ate everything from candy, cakes, pies, ice cream, and other sweet treats to numb the pain I often felt at times.  This went on for many years until I had a conversation with a friend who told me she was in therapy. She was smart, beautiful and always looked very happy.  I asked her the reason for this and she said she had issues from her childhood and family life that needed to be addressed.  She also suggested that I too see a counselor.  At first I thought of it as a joke and I laughed it off.  However, after giving it some thought I decided to call the counselor and schedule an appointment. I remember my first appointment like it was yesterday.  I told the counselor that nothing was wrong with me and that my friend suggested I should see her and that I am doing it to please her.  She questioned me about myself and I started crying and she kept handing me the tissue.  This continued for about three sessions when I was finally able to talk and this was the turning point. Since then I have seen other counselors with whom I  have worked on different issues. Also, I earned a degree in Psychology last year and it was very cathartic for me and now I am in a happier place!

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The Good Shepherd – gives life

Sheep on mountain with the sun shining

JOHN 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Satan comes in through the back door, side door, and alley. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will only come in through the front door, which is the main point of entry to a building. Satan, the thief and robber, will force his way in because he intends to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus, the gentle lamb, will stand at the door and knock, wooing you but giving you the choice to let Him in. His children know His voice and will let Him in and allow him to lead them to better grazing ground.


Satan’s purpose is the destruction of the mind, body, and soul. The Good Shepherd came to give and restore life. He will give up His life to save His sheep. While Satan will create the danger and leave them to perish. Whom will you choose today, the Good Shepherd or the thief? The choice is always yours.

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Passionate For Jesus – Luke 10

Tree, water, and a mountain landscape

A colleague, Ron, wrote this and the message is perfect for this time. You can visit his website at hopefulservant.org

25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”  27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

Christ had been talking with the leaders of His people, “experts” in the law. They were starting to see the truth, but were having a difficult time reconciling observance of the law with salvation.  Like usual, Jesus turns their thoughts on their heads and instead asks them to simply summarize the law.  Their response shows they had a good grasp of it, they realized loving God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and loving your neighbor as yourself was the focus. 

The bible makes it clear that this passion for Christ, and loving others, is the outcome, not the path to salvation.  The Holy Spirit, via the Apostle Paul, taught us. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” – Ephesians 2:8-9.

Our sanctification, or being made more holy and Christ like, increases greatly when we observe the next verse.  “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” – Ephesians 2:10.

We have been prepared to love God and do good works in His name.  Loving God can sometimes be difficult to grasp.  When we are regenerated we know we love Him.  How can we deepen our love and relationship with Him?  Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Learn who God is – The bible is a wonderful message from Him.  The more we read and study it, the more we understand the person and nature of God.  There are direct references describing who God is, however digging deeper uncovers key traits and bigger picture motives of our Lord. How can we love God deeply when we don’t know who He is?
  2. Learn what He has done, is presently doing, and will do for us – God gave Himself for us (John 3:16), but we sometimes don’t fully grasp what that really means?  Reading and studying the bible, including the Old Testament, demonstrates the depth of His sacrifice.  In it we learn key elements of the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We see the whole picture, why the earth was created, why we have been taken down this path, why certain events were put into motion.  Finally, we learn about our glorious, forever future.
  3. Commune with Him continually – Continuous prayer is key to communing with our Lord.  We see examples throughout the scriptures, even by Jesus Himself, that continual prayer brings us closer to God.  This is the communication path God has provided to us for communicating with Him with the expectation we use it.
  4. Eliminate competing priorities – We are continually tempted by Satan and his demons to love the world and the things in it.  Jesus explained it best, we cannot have two masters (Matthew 6:24).  World events and the vagaries of life take away precious time we could use to learn about Him and commune with Him.  We must continually fight competing priorities and live our lives knowing every moment is a precious gift.  We were created for good works, not to please ourselves with the pride(s) of life.
  5. Start now – Even if you have little spare time, dedicate yourself to carving it out daily.  Set the clock 15 minutes earlier and spend that time reading.  Many online programs, such as blue letter bible, will allow you to read through the bible in a year in about 15 minutes a day.  Even if you only have 5 minutes, make a promise to get started now.

Loving God with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind and loving our neighbor as ourselves, seems to be a tall order.  Other than Jesus, we only know in our own hearts if we are doing this.  In response to His offer of salvation we agree to love Him as we ought to.  That means focusing our lives on Him, learning who He is and developing a deep love affair with Him.  It means loving one another and forgiving when it hurts.  It takes effort and sacrifice, but as time goes on we will see it is worth every second.  This will be affirmed forever in eternal glory.

God bless,

Ron

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A Mind In Overdrive

Positive saying signs

We are living in the age of consumerism, where technology has made it easier for us to have anything from a pin to an anchor at the click of a button. Our minds are constantly engaged with unwanted information from our televisions, images flashing on our computers, and even junk mail. This amount of information overwhelms the mind, making it difficult to concentrate on important things. The mind becomes easily influenced as it spins out rapid thoughts that often bear no semblance of reality.

We constantly feel as if they invaded our lives, as we spend more than we earn, develop unhealthy eating habits, insomnia, and immoral activities. These pursuits bring no satisfaction but emptiness to our souls. We know we are unhappy, yet we are powerless to make changes. Hence, our minds continue to drive us even to the brink of insanity. Anxiety and frustration set in while we contemplate how to take back the reins of our lives.

Hence, we are stuck in a place frequently travelled by many where the mind gallops at breakneck speed. It quickly transitions from one idea to the next without giving you time to mull it over. There appears to be a controlling force propelling us without our consent. Sometimes we become depressed and stressed as we wrestle to calm our minds to give us a sense of balance. However, the rate at which it is going makes it very difficult to keep up and causes restlessness. We become like robots instead of the free-willed humans we are.

The subtle things that interfere with the functioning of the mind also disable the body. We are mind, body, and spirit, and our mind dictates what the body does. Do you need help to tame your wandering mind? Turn to the word of God. In (Philippians 2:5-11), Paul encouraged us to let the mind of Jesus be in us. What does this mean? It means following in the footsteps of Jesus; getting to know Him through His word, humbling ourselves, confessing our sins, repenting, adapting a servant mentality, and living simply. Jesus has already given us peace in (John 14:27). We will only partake of this peace when we live by the word of God!