NATIVE WOMAN
I am proud of who I am
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
TRUST IN GOD AT ALL TIMES! Encouragement for Today!
"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
John 11:40 (NIV)
Devotion:
Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus were in Jesus' inner circle of friends. As part of the "in" crowd, Mary and Martha felt certain Jesus would come to them when Lazarus got ill. They had seen Jesus heal and minister to complete strangers. Surely, He'd come to those whom He loved. However, we see in John 11:4-6 that was not the case.
Jesus indeed loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Yet, when He heard that Lazarus was sick He stayed where He was two more days.
Let's pause here for a moment. I find it very confusing that while Jesus loved His friends, He waited two days before He went to their side. These verses appear to validate our fear of rejection. We think, "If Jesus ignored His friend Lazarus, then He can ignore me too."
After my husband died, I felt unloved and forgotten by God. I had trusted Him and believed as His child nothing bad would happen to me. When something bad did happen, I bought Satan's lie. "I knew it, God. I knew You really didn't love me!" I believed Satan's propaganda which caused me to doubt God. He had promised never to leave or desert me, but there I was, alone. How could God betray me? I wondered.
Do you know that hollow, helpless feeling that accompanies the pain of rejection, loss, and loneliness? It may be the loss of your home, the loss of a pregnancy, or perhaps a loved one rejected you in some way. The pain of that rejection warns that trusting again is too risky.
The truth is, when you and I experience either emotional or physical trauma, and God doesn't respond like we think He should, we will do one of two things. Either we turn to God, trusting Him with the result; or we run from God and feed on bitterness. But it doesn't have to be this way. We can learn to trust again.
Perspective is often limited by circumstances. God knows exactly what He's doing in your life and it's always based on love. When I'm overcome with fear I'm not really looking for answers. I'm looking for the assurance that God is near, that He's in control, and He cares about me and my circumstances.
While others may reject us, you and I need not fear rejection from God. As I began to understand that God had not left me, but was in the pit with me, I started to see a deeper truth. Bad things are going to happen to me while on earth. Usually they are the result of living in this fallen world.
Sickness, abuse and death are part of life in a fallen world that God will someday restore. Until then, God may allow me to go through these things. It's not to cause me any undue pain, but rather He allow them and then use them to accomplish spiritual growth. Charles Stanley explains, "Some things are so important to God that they are worth interrupting the happiness and health of His children in order to accomplish them."
This was true with Mary and Martha. Jesus told Martha that she would see the glory of God if she believed. Did you catch that? Believing is seeing. If you and I choose faith over fear, we will see the glory of God turn our pain into life and blessings.
As Mary and Martha believed, they witnessed the glory of God when He raised their brother from the dead. Their fears vanished and their faith was restored. If you and I want to exchange our fear for faith, we must believe that what Christ has in store for us is worth our present pain.
Dear Lord, even when I don't understand Your actions, help me trust that You have my best at heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
GET YOUR REST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON from the girlfriends of god
Matthew 11:28-29 (NCV) "Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives."
It seems that during the holiday season, we frantically race from activity to activity, desperately keeping track of the items on our "to do" lists, but losing sight of who and what and important. I am a Master List Maker! I have even been known to write down things on my list that I have done - just so I could mark them off. I know. But I tend to equate the success of my day with the length of those lists. I constantly battle this behavior...especially during the holidays.
Rest is usually way down on my list of things to do. I am such a slow learner in this area of life. Why, I don't need to rest because ...well, I am Superwoman, right? So very wrong! God is so good to "give" me rest and is so creative in His ways of doing so. Illness, cancelled appointments, missed flights, or unexpected company will force me to stop and rest, focusing on the important things in life like time with God, family, friends, and health. We can cheat this thing called "rest" short-term but the inevitable truth that we need and must rest will play out in our life.
During the holiday season, carve out time each day to rest. Get a good nights' sleep. Take a 10 minute walk. Learn the art of the 15 minute nap. Turn off your phone, don't answer the door and spend 30 minutes in total silence. Play a game with your children or visit a shut-in neighbor. Rest can come in many ways. Discover what replenishes you, what rests your soul, and make it a daily habit.
Let's Pray
Father, forgive me when I abuse my physical body by not getting enough rest. I want to be obedient in this area, but Lord, it seems to be so hard for me. I need Your power to help me make the right choices about how I spend my time. I need Your strength and love to remind and encourage me to be obedient when it comes to rest. I want to praise You and worship You this holiday season by choosing to rest.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Now it's Your Turn
Think of one person who is replenishing in your life. Make a plan to spend time with that person this week.
Identify one activity that reduces stress in your life. Make a plan to incorporate that activity into your schedule this week.
Read Psalm 23 every day during the month of December and regularly measure your stress levels.
Make the commitment today to walk in obedience as you learn and choose to rest.
Ask a friend to hold you accountable in learning to rest
THE PORTAL'S OF HEAVEN By Mary Ann Trott
THE PORTALS OF HEAVEN
Oh to see the Portals of Heaven,
and my sweet Saviour standing there.
My heart longs to be with Him
In the land so bright and fare.
I hear Your voice inside my heart,
Calling out to me.
Come my child,
to the land so rich and free!
We walk along those golden streets,
Just my Lord and I,
His presence leaves me breathless,
As I watch Him passing by.
He smiles at me as we stroll along,
The Chrystle Sea so green,
I follow close beside Him,
Such beauty I have never seen!
But no one compares to My precious Lord,
whose nail scarred hands I see,
I fall upon my knees at last,
Giving praise for what He's done for me!
�
Mary Ann Trott
May 24, 2009
Friday, November 26, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Dare to Be Different!
WELCOME TO COMMENT GRAPHICS - DOLL GRAPHICS
WAY'S TO ENJOY HAPPINESS EVERYDAY OF YOUR LIFE - CORALIE
Daily life can be made happier. It is a matter of choice. It is our attitude that makes us feel happy or unhappy. It is true, we meet all kinds of situations during the day, and some of them may not be conductive to happiness. We can choose to keep thinking about the unhappy events, and we can choose to refuse to think about them, and instead, relish the happy moments. All of us constantly go through various situations and circumstances, but we do not have to let them influence our reactions and feelings.If we let outer events influence our moods, we become their slaves. We lose our freedom. We let our happiness be determined by outer forces. On the other hand, we can free ourselves from outer influences. We can choose to be happy, and we can do a lot to add happiness to our lives.
What is happiness? It is a feeling of inner peace and satisfaction. It is usually experienced when there are no worries, fears or obsessing thoughts, and this usually happens, when we do something we love to do or when we get, win, gain or achieve something that we value. It seems to be the outcome of positive events, but it actually comes from the inside, triggered by outer events.
For most people happiness seems fleeting, because they let changing outer circumstances affect it. One of the best ways to keep it, is by gaining inner peace through daily meditation. As the mind becomes more peaceful, it becomes easier to choose the happiness habit.
Here are a few tips for increasing happiness in daily life:
1) Endeavor to change the way you look at things. Always look at the bright side. The mind may drag you to think about negativity and difficulties. Don't let it. Look at the good and positive side of every situation.
2) Think of solutions, not problems.
3) Listen to relaxing, uplifting music.
4) Watch funny comedies that make you laugh.
5) Each day, devote some time to reading a few pages of an inspiring book or article.
6) Watch your thoughts. Whenever you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts, start thinking of pleasant things.
7) Always look at what you have done and not at what you haven't.
Sometimes you may begin the day with the desire to accomplish several objectives. At the end of the day you might feel frustrated and unhappy, because you haven't been able to do all of those things.
Look at what you have done, not at what you have not been able to do. You may have accomplished a lot during the day, and yet you let yourself become frustrated, because of some small things that you did not accomplish. You have spent all day successfully carrying out many plans, and instead of feeling happy and satisfied, you look at what was not accomplished and feel unhappy. It is unfair toward yourself.
8) Each day do something good for yourself. It can be something small, such buying a book, eating something you love, watching you favorite program on TV, going to a movie, or just having a stroll on the beach.
9) Each day do at least one act to make others happy. This can be a kind word, helping your colleagues, stopping your car at the crossroad to let people cross, giving your seat in a bus to someone else, or giving a small present to someone you love. The possibilities are infinite. When you make someone happy, you become happy, and then people try to make you happy.
10) Always expect happiness.
11) Do not envy people who are happy. On the contrary, be happy for their happiness.
12) Associate with happy people, and try to learn from them to be happy. Remember, happiness is contagious.
13) Do your best to stay detached, when things do not proceed as intended and desired. Detachment will help you stay calm and control your moods and reactions. Detachment is not indifference. It is the acceptance of the good and the bad and staying balanced. Detachment has much to do with inner peace, and inner peace is conductive to happiness.
14) Smile more often
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
TOTALLY SAVED - Totally Naked
Totally Saved -Totally Naked
| To be a sinner is to be naked, and to be naked is to be ashamed and fearful of God. This sense of nakedness is so awful, that the very first thing Adam and Eve did was try to cover themselves with fig leaves. |
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| Unfortunately, fig leaves are just not good enough to cover up your nakedness, because Adam and Eve were still afraid of God when He came to visit them. The only thing that could truly take away their nakedness and allow them to be comfortable in God's presence, was for God himself to kill an animal, and then give our first parents this animal skin to wear. Genesis 3:1-21 | |
| The symbolism here is important. Fig leaves represent human efforts, human excuses, human rationalizations. Because of sin, we know we are naked, and we quickly try to cover ourselves with our own deeds. But it never works. Only God can cover our nakedness, and He can only do that by killing an animal, which is Jesus, "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29 | |
| If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, then your sinful nakedness is covered. To try and gain God's approval by human works is like sewing fig leaves on TOP of the lamb skin God gave you to wear! In fact, your works are so useless in getting you saved, that God doesn't even let you kill the animal. Only God can do that. All you do it wear it. | |
| If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, then you are wearing the covering of the Lamb, given to you freely by God. To try and add to that covering with human works or deeds is only an insult to God and to the Lamb who was stripped naked of even his skin that your sinful nakedness might be covered. God himself has done EVERYTHING needed to cover your nakedness, and that covering guarantees that you can now boldly come into God's presence, because He has taken away your shame, and made you TOTALLY SAVED! |
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
REAL CUSTOMER SERVICE
While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. Matthew 9:32
Years ago, it was not uncommon to have your milk delivered to your home. Doctors made house calls. And when you made a call to a company to discuss a problem, you actually spoke to a human being. Those days of personal serivce are gone, and if we are not careful, we will follow the same trend in how we share the gospel.
So often we are encouraged to bring people to church. Yet, we see no examples of where Jesus brought people into the synagogue to get them saved or healed. The miracles happened more often in the marketplace because that was where Jesus could be found. Jesus had less response and found more resistance in the synagogue than in the marketplace. He took the gospel to and modeled the gospel in the marketplace. That is where the power of God was manifested. This is not to say we should not bring people to church, only that our priority should be to bring the Church into the marketplace, not bring the marketplace into the church.
Paul understood this when he said,
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power (1 Corinthians 2:4).
Paul understood that it wasn't words that impacted people; it was the power of God manifested through him.
When is the last time someone saw something happen through your life that could not be explained other than God working in your life? When you begin to see this happen, you will be modeling ministry as Jesus modeled it. You will be bringing the Church to the people, not the people to the church. Pray that God makes you a vessel of His power, not simply a vessel of words.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Joseph Apollo, Native American UFO Secrets
Friday, November 12, 2010
The AGE of AQUARIUS By Samme Samareta
much greater experience of existence through integrating a huge
vibrational change of energy. The gateway to such a time of awakening
opened on your world in 1987, when the energies from super nova
Christian Confusion
WHY is it that we as Christians say: "I believe that Jesus died for ALL of my sins" and then in the very next breath say: "BUT only if I repent"?When we say that, we are in essence, saying (maybe without realizing it) that our repenting or whatever else we do OVERSHADOWS what Jesus did on the cross.
In other words, what Jesus did on the cross was JUST NOT QUITE ENOUGH to completely save me so I must ADD something that he did to stay or get saved and if I don't then God is going to punish me for what Jesus died for.
Those who believe that are not going PAST the cross of Christ to find out EVERYTHING God has applied to the "Finished Works of Christ".
It's what he did AFTER his death that we should be concerned with and it's a shame that most Christians want to go backwards in the Old Testament and the four (gospels) to find their salvation when indeed it is not found there. As Paul says concerning the EARTHLY ministry of Jesus:
"Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the CIRCUMCISION (Israel) for the truth of God, to confirm the PROMISES made unto the fathers. Rom. 15:8
We are members of the "Body of Christ". We are NEW creations in Christ, we have been adopted by God, have received ALL spiritual blessing in heavenly places, are DEAD to the Law and Sin, our life is HID with Christ, we have been MADE the righteousness of God, are in the Spirit and not in the flesh, sealed with the spirit, are COMPLETE in him, we are ACCEPTED in the beloved, HEIRS with Christ. have the fruit of the Spirit, RECONCILED to God by the BLOOD of Christ and saved by HIS life.
Now WHEN did God did all of this happen or does it happen moment by moment as God sits back and wonders what we are going to do next so he can put Plan B into operation?
"For if, when we were ENEMIES, we were (past tense) reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by HIS life." Rom. 5:10
We saved saved by "HIS life" and not by anything we think we can do or not do. There is only room for one savior and it's not us.
" And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through THE FAITH OF CHRIST, the righteousness which is of God by faith." Phil. 3:9.
Did you SEE IT? The "FAITH of Christ".
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The NEW YEAR's Prayer
New Year Prayer God grant us this year a wider view,
So we see others' faults through the eyes of You.
Teach us to judge not with hasty tongue,
Neither the adult ... nor the young.
Give us patience and grace to endure
And a stronger faith so we feel secure.
Instead of remembering, help us forget
The irritations that caused us to fret.
Freely forgiving for some offense
And finding each day a rich recompense.
In offering a friendly, helping hand
And trying in all ways to understand;
That all of us whoever we are ...
Are trying to reach an unreachable star.
For the great and small ... the good and bad,
The young and old ... the sad and glad
Are asking today; Is life worth living?
The answer is only in, loving and giving.
For only Love can make man kind
And Kindness of Heart brings Peace of Mind.
By giving love, we can start this year
To lift the clouds of hate and fear.
author- Helen Steiner Rice
Monday, November 8, 2010
Drugging the children in America: 84 percent of ADHD kids put on medication
Researchers from the magazine interviewed 934 parents whose children (under age 18) had been diagnosed with the disorder, asking them questions including which treatments they had used and how effective each of them had been. The survey was conducted online in July and August 2009.
Eighty-four percent children had taken drugs for the condition at some point. More than 50 percent had taken two or more different drugs in the past three years alone. The average age of children receiving drugs was 13; older children were more likely to take drugs than younger ones.
The two classes of ADHD drugs include stimulants, such as Ritalin, and non-stimulants, including atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants. The stimulants include the amphetamines, such as Adderall, and the methylphenidates, such as Ritalin.
"We asked parents to rate how helpful each medication was in the following areas: academic performance, behavior at school, behavior at home, self-esteem, and social relationships," the authors wrote. "Both amphetamines and methylphenidates were equally likely to be helpful in all areas with the exception of behavior at school, where amphetamines were rated as slightly more helpful."
Among parents whose children had taken drugs, 67 percent said that the medication had helped "a lot." Thirty-five percent said that the drugs were most helpful at improving behavior at school and academic performance, 26 percent said the drugs had helped their child's social relationships, and 18 percent said they improved their child's self-esteem.
Even though the rate of psychiatric drug use was so high, only 22 percent of children were being seen by a psychiatrist; in contrast, 65 percent were receiving treatment from a pediatrician. Non-medical treatment providers included psychologists and learning-disability specialists.
Yet despite the high use of the drugs, parents did not appear to be comfortable relying on them. Only 52 percent of parents said that if they could go back and start over, they would give their children drugs, while 44 percent said they wished there were a non-pharmaceutical way to help their child.
Part of this dissatisfaction may have come from side effects, which were experienced by 84 percent of children who took drugs. The most commonly reported adverse effects were digestive upset, decreased appetite, irritability, trouble sleeping and weight loss.
The high rate of side effects suggests that doctors might not be adjusting dosage properly to account for different patients, said neurologist Orly Avitzur, a medical adviser to Consumer Reports.
"It's not like you can just give the child a pill and you're finished," she explains. "There's a lot more to it in terms of management."
According to Patrick Tolan of the University of Virginia, drugs are simply not capable of correcting all ADHD-related problems.
"With medication, the child isn't so distracted, and that makes it easier to learn," he said. "But it's not going to teach the child problem-solving skills or give him the ability to stop and think things through like other kids do."
Indeed, the excessive use of medication to regulate children's behavior is one of the primary criticisms leveled at the ADHD diagnosis.
"If the forcing of the ADHD diagnosis and drugs can be justified, then why not do it for every other condition? After all, it is for the good of the child, right?" writes Fred A. Baughman, Jr. and Craig Hovey in The ADHD Fraud.
"The problem, of course, is that ... anything that disturbs adults in authority can be classified as a disease and parents threatened with the loss of their children if they don't go along with 'treatment.' Do any of us want this to happen, to witness childhood itself held hostage by drug pushers?"
##Story Title## | ##Vertical## | Windstream.net
##Story Title## | ##Vertical## | Windstream.net11/08/2010 6:04:26 AM
Share|NEW YORK - Lindsay Lohan's mother says her daughter's treatment for addiction at the Betty Ford Clinic has been "life-changing."
Dina Lohan says the world-renowned addiction center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., is "an amazing place" that has really dug into the "Mean Girl" actress' problems and brought them to the surface. She said Lindsay, who was seen shopping on an approved outing over the weekend, is happy and relaxed.
Her mother said on NBC's "Today" show on Monday: "She's just a different person."
Jail and rehab have failed for the actress in the past. She was sentenced to stay at Betty Ford until early January.
Lohan's interview with Matt Lauer was far less contentious than a similar one with Lauer this summer, and much shorter
When We Love Too Much: Escaping The Control Of Codependency
When We Love Too Much: Escaping The Control Of Codependency
VIEW PDF
Order This Booklet Years ago, the term codependency was associated with family members of chemically addicted people. Today, it is applied to a much broader group—those who struggle with controlling others or being controlled by others. In this booklet, counselor Jeff Olson helps you discover how you can be free from the stresses and anxieties of codependency and how to get on the path to a better way of living with God and others
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Daily light on the daily path -- November 7
Daily light on the daily path -- November 7Daily light on the daily path
Devotional compiled by Jonathan Bagster
*****
November 7
MORNING
Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men Psa. 197:8
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psa. 34:8
How great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee! Psa. 31:19
This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. Isa. 43:21
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Eph. 1:5, 6, 12
How great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Zech. 9:17
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Psa. 145:9-12
*****
EVENING
Behold, we count them happy which endure. James 5:11
We glory in tribulations: . . . knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Rom. 5:3-5
No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Heb. 12:11
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For when I am weak, then am I strong. II Cor. 12:9, 10
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Smoke-Signals.html?soid=1102775044636&aid=CMUotySgyEQ
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Smoke-Signals.html?soid=1102775044636&aid=CMUotySgyEQHau Kola "hello friend",
I was shocked and humbled when the pastor from Libya told me, "I use your materials in my church leadership training in Libya." I am amazed at how "small" the world is sometimes. My participation in the 3rd Lausanne Congress on World Evangelism in Cape Town, South Africa gave me the privilege to listen to and share stories with followers of Jesus from Iran, Nagaland, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Romania and others from around the world. Some 4000 people spent eight days talking, listening, learning and worshipping together in Cape Town. A great deal of our conversations centered on the subject of what the global church of the future will look and be like. The global consensus was it will look like is has in the past 200 years as a predominantly "white" or Euro-centric and western cultural expression. A major focus was on the emerging and dynamic church of the global South, which will be the future of Christianity worldwide. Internationally, all agreed that the era of the church of Jesus Christ being centered in the global north are over! Indigenous people will have strong voice in this new reality. I have been saying for many years that First Nations Christian leaders in North America have much to contribute in shaping the church of the future. Lausanne confirmed this in so many ways and Wiconi International is uniquely positioned to play a vital role in this emerging new reality! Your friendship and support has never been more pronounced and Katherine and I are deeply grateful for your partnership with us!
Your Lakota brother, friend and follower of the Jesus Way,
Richard Twiss
Wiconi International
www.wiconi.com