Gosh this seems really harsh to me.
Daily Bible Reading from BibleStudyTools.com
December 21, 2011 - New International Version
Colossians 3:18-25
Rules for Christian Households
3:18-4:1pp -- Eph 5:22-6:9 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism
About Me
- Families and Happiness
- Well, where do I start? I could start at many stages in my life; all very exciting and adventurous in some sort of way. Probably best to start when I met my husband 10 years ago, as this was the turning point in my very emotional and dramatic life. Met Ben through work, we had a wonderful life together, very ambitious, career driven until we decided to started a family 4 years later. The fertility Journey did take 2 years to conceive but we got there eventually and conceived little Thomas, now for someone like me who has no patience what so ever this was a agonizing and stressful wait but well worth it. We moved from our home town Bournemouth to Ipswich with Ben's work, I gave up my careern and then married in Cumbria in 2009. We continued to have 2 more children very easily compared to Thomas, Jesiica and Baby Wilson.
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
The signs are back yippee
After having a bad week, feeling down, unappreciated and going off on the wrong path, I am back. Thanks to Caroline and my book. Oh boy, it feels good, just in time for Christmas.
Felt very lost last night, I had my dinner, the kids were all in bed and I had completed my tasks for the night. But I still felt lost. So I got snuggled into bed and started reading one of my new books.
All I can say, like every Sunday at church the book was talking to me, how fabulous. It was describing exactly how I am feeling at the moment, exactly how I describe my situation to Caroline yesterday. Well all I can say is I am so grateful I chose to start reading this book. Thank you. x
Felt very lost last night, I had my dinner, the kids were all in bed and I had completed my tasks for the night. But I still felt lost. So I got snuggled into bed and started reading one of my new books.
All I can say, like every Sunday at church the book was talking to me, how fabulous. It was describing exactly how I am feeling at the moment, exactly how I describe my situation to Caroline yesterday. Well all I can say is I am so grateful I chose to start reading this book. Thank you. x
Daily Bible Reading - Very appt as I need to get back on the right path!
Daily Bible Reading from BibleStudyTools.com
December 20, 2011 - New International Version
Colossians 2:20-23 20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21 "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? 22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Colossians 3:1-17
Rules for Holy Living 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
December 20, 2011 - New International Version
Colossians 2:20-23 20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21 "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? 22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Colossians 3:1-17
Rules for Holy Living 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Doubt!
I WANTED TO POST THIS AS I CAME ACROSS THIS ON A OPEN FORM .THIS IS FROM The Little Princess - http://misselizabethmary.wordpress.com/
Each Christian is probably going to go through a time in their lives where things seem pretty tough. New christians this often occurs as the initial "high" (if I dare call it that) wears down and we come face-to-face with the "awsomeness of being human". Please let me reasure you that this is a perfectly normal experience.
1) PERSONALITY: Some people are prone to doubt.
"And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted." (Matthew 28:17)
2) THE PAST: People are complex beings who have leant and grown from every experience - sometimes these can have positive impacts upon us while sometimes their consequence can be negative.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
3) MEDICAL CAUSES: Often people experience chemical imbalances in thier brains (which can then in turn alter the way they think and affect thier relationship with God as there is a vital connection between the brain and soul).
"A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22) 4) PHYSICAL CAUSES: A lack of sleep, lack of exercise or poor diet, etc. can all result in someone experiencing feelings of doubt and spiritual isolation.
"I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me." (Psalm 3:5)
5) STRESSFUL CAUSES: When we have too much going on and our mind is full of worry (exams? job? relationships? etc.)
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."(Matthew 11:28-30)
6) THEOLOGICAL CAUSES: Sometimes Christians, especially those who are new in the faith, have a poor understanding of who God is and as such we may assume things about Him that are not true.
"Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it." (1 Cor 3:1-2)
7) SINFUL CAUSES: Sometimes the reason that Christians may feel distant from God is due to a specific sin that they are living with. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7–8).
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).
Isn't it encouraging to think of JUST HOW MUCH God LOVES YOU -- he is a forgiving God who is patient with his children.
Each Christian is probably going to go through a time in their lives where things seem pretty tough. New christians this often occurs as the initial "high" (if I dare call it that) wears down and we come face-to-face with the "awsomeness of being human". Please let me reasure you that this is a perfectly normal experience.
1) PERSONALITY: Some people are prone to doubt.
"And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted." (Matthew 28:17)
2) THE PAST: People are complex beings who have leant and grown from every experience - sometimes these can have positive impacts upon us while sometimes their consequence can be negative.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
3) MEDICAL CAUSES: Often people experience chemical imbalances in thier brains (which can then in turn alter the way they think and affect thier relationship with God as there is a vital connection between the brain and soul).
"A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22) 4) PHYSICAL CAUSES: A lack of sleep, lack of exercise or poor diet, etc. can all result in someone experiencing feelings of doubt and spiritual isolation.
"I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me." (Psalm 3:5)
5) STRESSFUL CAUSES: When we have too much going on and our mind is full of worry (exams? job? relationships? etc.)
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."(Matthew 11:28-30)
6) THEOLOGICAL CAUSES: Sometimes Christians, especially those who are new in the faith, have a poor understanding of who God is and as such we may assume things about Him that are not true.
"Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it." (1 Cor 3:1-2)
7) SINFUL CAUSES: Sometimes the reason that Christians may feel distant from God is due to a specific sin that they are living with. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7–8).
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).
Isn't it encouraging to think of JUST HOW MUCH God LOVES YOU -- he is a forgiving God who is patient with his children.
Thank you Little Princess this has really help me through this doubting period I seem to be going through today!
Are You Struggling With Your New Found Faith In Jesus?
Are You Struggling With Your New Found Faith In Jesus? - http://www.christianblog.com/blog/following/are-you-struggling-with-your-new-found-faith-in-jesus/
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Having a Down Day!
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| http://eswar.hubpages.com/hub/You-can-Control-Stress |
Trouble is I seem to be looking after everyone, worrying about how they feel, what can I do to make them feel better when they are sad. Look don't get me wrong I know my friends worry about me, are always there when I need them, this feels different some how. It all boils down to making time for me, taking time out from my daily life, feeling like I am having me time, no not having a hot bath, or reading a book, nor going to the Alpha course, while it is great and self absorbing it is not want I am wanting at the moment. I need time for me!
Maybe I need to look at what the bible says about the way I am feeling this morning, I have a poorly Daddy this morning because he had his Xmas party last night (I can hear jealousy in my head, God does not allow that), I have kids running riot and I feel like I want to run away. Forget the cleaning and up keep of the house I really don't care about it this morning. Gosh I sounds like I am wallowing in self-pity which the bible says you should not do. The bible would say it is Satan taking over my Spirit, I say I just need a break. I am experiencing all the bad things that the bible says I should not feel, that will take me away from God, and yet somehow the last thing I want to do right now is pray, how bad it that. Maybe by writing this down here (forgetting I started to run a bath for myself an hour ago and my hubby is shouting at me) may make me feel better, it certain will direct me to bible verses that hopeful will rein me back in again and put me back on the right path. So here goes, let see what I can find. One thing I know I can do is get my self an evening out whether it be with a friend or even on my own, who cares, just as long as I take myself away from it all and get away. I feel bad right now as my poor hubby had a night out, feel rather worst for where the last thing he needs is to look after three children while I wallow in self-pity writing my blog.
Just had a thought, how can I be so sad and miserable when I have a great life, great opportunities. Somehow in the mist of all these tears and frustration this doesn't help. Is it possible that you can over work yourself mentally and emotional to the point of exhaustion, where you just need to take a breath, recuperate, refresh yourself so you can then pick yourself up and be happy again, vibrant joyous, kind and loving to the universe and everything in it.?
I know I am grateful for one thing right now and that is for my hubby, thank you hubby for letting me have an hour out while you feel terrible and are struggle yourself. See I have already let him down by not being there for him letting him have a sleep in to nursing his poor fragile head, but right at this moment in time I find I cannot be there for him.
To be continued..................................
Christianity “is not an easy path” but a “demanding climb,” says Pope
1 Corinthians 10:11-13
New Living Translation (NLT)
11 These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.
12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
How come I have managed to keep calm, peaceful and patient all week and now I am just plain cross and angry. Fed up, exhausted and tired. I am naturally a very selfless person and I just want some me time even to read the bible or work on this blog!
Ten Guidelines for Effective Prayer - Christview Ministries
Thought this would be perfect for anyone wanting to know if they are praying correctly ; http://www.christviewmin.org/spiritual.growth/guidelines.prayer.php
Ten Guidelines for Effective Prayer
Guideline 1. Effective prayer is based on the revealed word of God.
Because all the scriptures are fulfilled in Christ and help to form our lives in Christlikeness, praying appropriately chosen words of scripture is one effective way to pray. But whether we use the Bible's words or our own words, our prayers should be consistent with the purposes and promises of God as they are revealed in the Bible. Luke 24:44-49; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Ephesians 6:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:14-17.
Guideline 2. Effective prayer is grounded in our faith in the reign of God.
Jesus’ basic gospel was that the reign of God is at hand (available to us) if we will repent and believe the good news. Jesus’ miracles revealed the kingdom’s presence. Answers to our prayers also demonstrate the kingdom’s presence. We are to pray with confidence that God is in charge and is prepared to answer faithful prayers. Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 12:28; Luke 7:20-23.
Guideline 3. Effective prayer is directed toward making the reign of God visible.
Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” He taught us to, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” trusting that all our needs would be fulfilled as the kingdom takes first place in our lives. We are commanded to make the kingdom visible in our ministries, and we are blessed by the results. Matthew 6:10, 33; Luke 10:1-12, 23-24.
Guideline 4. Effective prayer is “in the name of Jesus.”
“In the name of Jesus” is more than a verbal formula tacked onto the end of our prayers. It means that the request is offered with the intent that it be found fitting to Jesus’ compassionate character and redeeming, reconciling mission. We pray in the name of Jesus because we are his ambassadors in this world, already speaking and acting as his representatives. John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-24; Acts 3:16; 4:8-12; 16:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Ephesians 4:32—5:2; 5:18-21; Colossians 3:12-17.
Guideline 5. Effective prayer begins with seeking the Holy Spirit.
God wants to give us good gifts. The very best gift that he can give us is his loving, purifying, guiding, and empowering presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit. Jesus instructs us to ask, seek, and knock fr this gift. When we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit will teach us how to pray. When we cannot put our prayers into sensible words, the Holy Spirit will carry the sense of our unintelligible groanings to the throne of God. Luke 11:9-13; Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:17-18.
Guideline 6. Effective prayer is offered from purified hearts.
James notes that sometimes we do not have because we have not asked, and sometimes we do not have because we have asked wrongly to spend the answer on our own passions, our own desires that flow from divided hearts. We cannot be wavering between godly solutions and ungodly solutions and expect that our prayers will be answered. James counsels us to purify our hearts, to get single minds about our trust in God and his wisdom. James 3:13—4:10.
Guideline 7. Effective prayer is offered in the context of the community of faith.
When two or three of us gather in the name of Jesus for the sake of his mission and agree in prayer, based on the leading of the Holy Spirit, the effect of the prayer is powerful. Since significant agreement among any group of human beings does not come easily, the mere fact of agreement sometimes is evidence that we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Consistent with Guidelines 5 and 6, we must be sure that our agreement flows fron the Holy Spirit and not from the spirit of this world. Matthew 18:19-20; James 5:13-18.
Guideline 8. Effective prayer persists.
This is not to say that we need to treat God as an unrighteous judge that we must wear down with our constant pleading. The point is that, if an unrighteous judge can be worn down by repeated pleadings, then God who is already favorably disposed toward the good of his children can be trusted not to forget our needs. We can wait with confidence that our prayers will be answered in the right time and in the right way. We may wish to check back in from time to time to reaffirm our faith in what we have asked and to continue to listen to see if God would redirect our prayer in some way. In the end, even if we must wait through this life, we want to be found still trusting the goodness of God and his power to answer our prayer in the best possible way. Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8.
Guideline 9. Effective prayer puts its faith in God and not in our own faith.
It is not the quantity of our faith, but the fact that we are willing to put whatever faith we have into play that counts. Even faith as small as a grain of mustard seed will suffice when we take our stand on it. Mark 9:14-29; Luke 17:5-6.
Guideline 10. Effective prayer is something that any believer can do.
Some people may have special spiritual gifts for intercession, healing, miracles, etc. But all Christians can pray effectively. None of us are experts at prayer. All of us will have some learning moments in prayer. But not one of us is excluded from lifting up the concerns of people in need before the throne of God. The key point is that there is no insufficiency in God’s love, grace, power, or wisdom, and that is what determines the results. Therefore, all of us may pray effectively. Just do it. Philippians 4:4-7; Colossians 4:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 Timothy 2:1-7.
Guideline 1. Effective prayer is based on the revealed word of God.
Because all the scriptures are fulfilled in Christ and help to form our lives in Christlikeness, praying appropriately chosen words of scripture is one effective way to pray. But whether we use the Bible's words or our own words, our prayers should be consistent with the purposes and promises of God as they are revealed in the Bible. Luke 24:44-49; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Ephesians 6:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:14-17.
Guideline 2. Effective prayer is grounded in our faith in the reign of God.
Jesus’ basic gospel was that the reign of God is at hand (available to us) if we will repent and believe the good news. Jesus’ miracles revealed the kingdom’s presence. Answers to our prayers also demonstrate the kingdom’s presence. We are to pray with confidence that God is in charge and is prepared to answer faithful prayers. Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 12:28; Luke 7:20-23.
Guideline 3. Effective prayer is directed toward making the reign of God visible.
Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” He taught us to, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” trusting that all our needs would be fulfilled as the kingdom takes first place in our lives. We are commanded to make the kingdom visible in our ministries, and we are blessed by the results. Matthew 6:10, 33; Luke 10:1-12, 23-24.
Guideline 4. Effective prayer is “in the name of Jesus.”
“In the name of Jesus” is more than a verbal formula tacked onto the end of our prayers. It means that the request is offered with the intent that it be found fitting to Jesus’ compassionate character and redeeming, reconciling mission. We pray in the name of Jesus because we are his ambassadors in this world, already speaking and acting as his representatives. John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-24; Acts 3:16; 4:8-12; 16:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Ephesians 4:32—5:2; 5:18-21; Colossians 3:12-17.
Guideline 5. Effective prayer begins with seeking the Holy Spirit.
God wants to give us good gifts. The very best gift that he can give us is his loving, purifying, guiding, and empowering presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit. Jesus instructs us to ask, seek, and knock fr this gift. When we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit will teach us how to pray. When we cannot put our prayers into sensible words, the Holy Spirit will carry the sense of our unintelligible groanings to the throne of God. Luke 11:9-13; Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:17-18.
Guideline 6. Effective prayer is offered from purified hearts.
James notes that sometimes we do not have because we have not asked, and sometimes we do not have because we have asked wrongly to spend the answer on our own passions, our own desires that flow from divided hearts. We cannot be wavering between godly solutions and ungodly solutions and expect that our prayers will be answered. James counsels us to purify our hearts, to get single minds about our trust in God and his wisdom. James 3:13—4:10.
Guideline 7. Effective prayer is offered in the context of the community of faith.
When two or three of us gather in the name of Jesus for the sake of his mission and agree in prayer, based on the leading of the Holy Spirit, the effect of the prayer is powerful. Since significant agreement among any group of human beings does not come easily, the mere fact of agreement sometimes is evidence that we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Consistent with Guidelines 5 and 6, we must be sure that our agreement flows fron the Holy Spirit and not from the spirit of this world. Matthew 18:19-20; James 5:13-18.
Guideline 8. Effective prayer persists.
This is not to say that we need to treat God as an unrighteous judge that we must wear down with our constant pleading. The point is that, if an unrighteous judge can be worn down by repeated pleadings, then God who is already favorably disposed toward the good of his children can be trusted not to forget our needs. We can wait with confidence that our prayers will be answered in the right time and in the right way. We may wish to check back in from time to time to reaffirm our faith in what we have asked and to continue to listen to see if God would redirect our prayer in some way. In the end, even if we must wait through this life, we want to be found still trusting the goodness of God and his power to answer our prayer in the best possible way. Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8.
Guideline 9. Effective prayer puts its faith in God and not in our own faith.
It is not the quantity of our faith, but the fact that we are willing to put whatever faith we have into play that counts. Even faith as small as a grain of mustard seed will suffice when we take our stand on it. Mark 9:14-29; Luke 17:5-6.
Guideline 10. Effective prayer is something that any believer can do.
Some people may have special spiritual gifts for intercession, healing, miracles, etc. But all Christians can pray effectively. None of us are experts at prayer. All of us will have some learning moments in prayer. But not one of us is excluded from lifting up the concerns of people in need before the throne of God. The key point is that there is no insufficiency in God’s love, grace, power, or wisdom, and that is what determines the results. Therefore, all of us may pray effectively. Just do it. Philippians 4:4-7; Colossians 4:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 Timothy 2:1-7.
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