tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349503039124574432024-03-05T11:22:40.103-05:00Never Going Back NowMy Journey (Health, Faith, Wisdom)Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-73851779940380699212021-08-08T11:09:00.001-04:002021-08-08T11:09:19.774-04:00Satan Doesn't Attack His Own Forces<p><i></i></p><blockquote><i>"To protect us from Satan's crushing blows, Paul tells us to 'take the helmet of salvation.' ... Paul was addressing believers. Unbelievers don't have to put on spiritual armor. They aren't even in the battle. Satan doesn't attack his own forces." - pg 1089 of MacArthur Drawing Near Devotional Bible (from the Devotional)</i></blockquote><p></p><p>I wanted to share this quote from my devotional Bible because it stopped me and made me think. It's referencing <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%206:10-18" target="_blank">Ephesians 6:10-18</a> which is where the Armor of God is introduced. </p><p>In the quote above, the line "Satan doesn't attack his own forces," is what stopped me. Unbelievers don't need the armor of God because Satan doesn't attack unbelievers. Really? I hadn't thought about it. I assumed Satan enjoyed attacking all people. But it's true that he is against God so it makes sense that he attacks those who believe in God only. So when you become Christian and accept the Lord as your savior, you will need the Armor of God to protect you. </p><p>Here is a <a href="http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god.htm" target="_blank">FREE Bible Study</a> I found on the Armor of God if you want to learn more. There are 9 lessons so make sure you click to the next lesson after you read the first page and keep going. </p>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-3403459950782054652021-07-30T12:26:00.003-04:002021-07-30T12:26:50.049-04:00We Must Trust in God<p>Have you ever wondered why God doesn't just make our lives easier? Why he doesn't help us win the lottery or get a high paying job or give us a great house? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiirS4wUnv5YoMzZFBZwybRMXX_Q8KOgLtwUkEUpErxv3u9spvnFXtiDlwu0YruCsodIXR6iHaU6lrtErT9SAbo6RfkuQ_douJXpJDdRXYU_vnYBptX5C1-MzmY2W8b33lBxF31-Qyys/s900/trust-in-god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiirS4wUnv5YoMzZFBZwybRMXX_Q8KOgLtwUkEUpErxv3u9spvnFXtiDlwu0YruCsodIXR6iHaU6lrtErT9SAbo6RfkuQ_douJXpJDdRXYU_vnYBptX5C1-MzmY2W8b33lBxF31-Qyys/s16000/trust-in-god.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Remember in the bible when the Israelites are wandering in the desert? God gives them manna or food every day. He provides only enough for them to need and if they try to save some, it goes bad. They must rely on God to get food everyday. Why doesn't he just give them a weeks worth at a time?</p><p>Consider this quote from the book <a href="http://www.smsnonfictionbookreviews.com/2021/07/spurgeon-on-prayer/" target="_blank">Spurgeon on the Power of Prayer</a> compiled by Jason K. Allen:</p><p> <i>"...suppose this child should doubt whether his father would provide him with his daily food. He might then say, "Father, give me enough money to last for the next ten years, for I shall then be a man and able to provide for myself. Give me money to quiet my fears, for I am in great anxiety." The father replies, "My son, what should I do that for?" And he gets for a reply, "I am very sorry to say it, dear father, but I cannot trust you. I have such a weak faith in you and your love that I am afraid one of these days you will leave me to starve, and therefore I should like to have something sure in the bank." Which of you fathers would listen to this child's request?"</i></p><p>When you consider it this way, it makes perfect sense. Why should God provide us with a week's worth of food or help us win the lottery just so we can forget him until we need him again. This is not the kind of relationship we are meant to have with him. By needing him daily, we are reminded to trust in him and to have faith. </p><p>Do you trust in God?</p><p><br /></p>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-71505256542844066912019-09-19T12:36:00.002-04:002019-09-19T12:36:38.162-04:00What Sin Really IsA while back I read a book I received for review called:<b> Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science by Drew Dyck</b>. <i>(this post contains affiliate links.)</i><br />
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You can read <a href="http://smsnonfictionbookreviews.com/2019/06/your-future-self-will-thank-you/" target="_blank">my review</a> on my book blog but I wanted to share something from page 20.<br />
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"From the biblical view, there are only two modes of life available to us, enslavement to sin and life in the Spirit. The former speaks of confinement in the extreme. Today, "sin" is a playful word, associated with decadent desserts and lingerie ads. We see the word sin and imagine someone sampling a menu of forbidden delights. Don't be thrown by that connotation. Instead, think of being pistol-whipped by increasingly destructive patterns of behavior, ones that ultimately lead to your demise."</blockquote>
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This passage really made me think. They are right. Non-Christians even use the word sin but they don't mean what it really means. The image of being pistol-whipped by each destructive pattern over and over until it kills us really makes you think of sin as a worse thing than the image of eating a chocolate cake would be.<br />
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Wouldn't you be more likely to avoid sin if you thought about it as the deadly choice? I know I would.<br />
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You can read more of an excerpt of this section of the book <a href="https://factsandtrends.net/2019/02/27/why-self-control-is-actually-the-path-to-freedom/" target="_blank">here</a> or <a href="https://amzn.to/308QdQ0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">buy the book</a> to get the full idea of self-control the biblical way.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-20229109055167297452018-11-07T10:37:00.002-05:002018-11-07T10:41:04.047-05:0065 People to Pray For ListYou've been told (or read) a lot about spending more time in prayer and how important prayer is. But when you remember to pray, are you stuck for ideas of who to pray for after your family? Or do you find yourself praying for the same few people over and over and just don't feel like you are covering enough people?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4wZBBxrQ2qsxb2KsnVQnVDxGGtVgz0iL1fwvspEvGWnj5fNW0c1PVNu_eW0dx_vZFEQTpEXNr2gCnPDTh8Ms5qJ2RuTxpo57V7gBKL9RHnS27zfJw53a9CnV4XjzDmbDtPOSLwHmG_Q/s1600/65-People-To-Pray-For-List.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="65 People to Pray For List - Don't Leave Anyone Out!" border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4wZBBxrQ2qsxb2KsnVQnVDxGGtVgz0iL1fwvspEvGWnj5fNW0c1PVNu_eW0dx_vZFEQTpEXNr2gCnPDTh8Ms5qJ2RuTxpo57V7gBKL9RHnS27zfJw53a9CnV4XjzDmbDtPOSLwHmG_Q/s1600/65-People-To-Pray-For-List.png" title="" /></a></div>
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<h2>
65 People to Pray For</h2>
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This list starts with the obvious and then goes to others you might not have heard of. Not all of these will be applicable but choose the ones that are and start spreading your praying around.<br />
<ol>
<li>Husband/Wife</li>
<li>Children</li>
<li>Parents</li>
<li>Your Siblings</li>
<li>Your Children's Families (if they are grown)</li>
<li>Your Children's Friends</li>
<li>Your Extended Family (Aunts, Uncles, Cousins)</li>
<li>Grandparents</li>
<li>Close Friends</li>
<li>Acquaintances</li>
<li>Coworkers</li>
<li>Boss</li>
<li>Your Child's Teachers and Other School Staff</li>
<li>Your Children's Classmates</li>
<li>Pets</li>
<li>Stray Animals</li>
<li>Pets waiting to find forever homes</li>
<li>Specific Neighbours</li>
<li>Your Neighbourhood</li>
<li>Your Town/City</li>
<li>Your Province/State/etc</li>
<li>Your Country</li>
<li>Your Political Leaders (Municipal, Provincial/State, Federal or your country's equivalent)</li>
<li>Members of Your Church</li>
<li>Your Church Leaders</li>
<li>Your Church Type (e.g. all United Church or all Pentecostal Church or all Catholic Church)</li>
<li>The Unsaved</li>
<li>Orphans</li>
<li>Children in Foster Care</li>
<li>Widows and Widowers</li>
<li>All Children</li>
<li>All Seniors</li>
<li>Seniors in Nursing Homes Without Families</li>
<li>All New Moms/Dads</li>
<li>All Struggling Moms/Dads</li>
<li>Those who are anxious</li>
<li>Those who suffer from any mental illness</li>
<li>Those who are suffering from any illness/disease you are suffering from (eg. I pray for those who suffer from migraine, fibromyalgia and Bipolar)</li>
<li>Those who have Cancer</li>
<li>Those with dementia</li>
<li>The families of those who are sick with any of the above</li>
<li>Those who are poor</li>
<li>Those who are homeless</li>
<li>Those who do not use their money wisely</li>
<li>Those who are struggling with pornography</li>
<li>Those who are struggling with adultery</li>
<li>Those dealing with shame or guilt</li>
<li>Those dealing with anger</li>
<li>Those who have divorced or are contemplating divorce</li>
<li>Those who have false beliefs about the faith</li>
<li>Those who poorly represent Christians</li>
<li>Those who have hurt me physically or emotionally</li>
<li>Those who make poor decisions</li>
<li>Those dealing with persecution</li>
<li>Those dealing with discrimination</li>
<li>Those doing the persecution or discrimination</li>
<li>Those in abusive situations</li>
<li>Those being abusive</li>
<li>Criminals</li>
<li>Those contemplating turning to crime</li>
<li>Doctors/Nurses/Medical Staff</li>
<li>Police</li>
<li>Firefighters</li>
<li>EMS and other Emergency Crew</li>
<li>Those who do the same job as you</li>
</ol>
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Did you think of any I forgot?</div>
Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-42108183034979976552018-10-31T10:02:00.001-04:002018-11-01T19:44:21.657-04:00The Antidote for SinDaily I read the MacArthur Drawing Near Devotional Bible and the devotion I read a while back said that Love is the Antidote for Sin. I wanted to share what I learned here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dOGnU41SkIsDCPGN6Or0CbESQjlwiIdZfuj4tmft-xyrBUl3M9z0VHFtuEs0yr5-YC-Z6xou-8JptlHgKev81R7qrJtAyZ6VnwFSluVxYapC2s680Z_nGbfOlpn7J1YpfSRbXa6onXg/s1600/Antidote-to-Sin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Antidote to Sin" border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dOGnU41SkIsDCPGN6Or0CbESQjlwiIdZfuj4tmft-xyrBUl3M9z0VHFtuEs0yr5-YC-Z6xou-8JptlHgKev81R7qrJtAyZ6VnwFSluVxYapC2s680Z_nGbfOlpn7J1YpfSRbXa6onXg/s1600/Antidote-to-Sin.png" title="" /></a></div>
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<i>This post contains affiliate links.</i><br />
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It goes on to state two sections of bible verses. (emphasis mine)<br />
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The book of Matthew tells us what the greatest commandment is:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “<b>Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?</b>”
37 Jesus replied: “‘<b>Love the Lord your God</b> with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘<b>Love your neighbor as yourself.</b> 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:37-40</i></blockquote>
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Then Paul in Romans tells us that love is the fulfillment of the law:<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i></i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and <b>whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: </b>“Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 <b>Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law</b>. - Romans 13:8-10</i></blockquote>
<b></b><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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What the devotional is saying is that when you love others, you will not want to sin against them. <b>That is why love is the antidote to sin.</b> If we love as Jesus loved and as God loves us sin will naturally disappear. Don't you agree?<br />
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I highly recommend the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/MacArthur-Drawing-Near-Devotional-Bible/dp/1433540509/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1540993503&sr=8-1&keywords=macarthur+drawing+near+devotional+bible&linkCode=sl1&tag=nevergoingback-20&linkId=0cfe41cdbccdc7175d56268fd2f784b3&language=en_US" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MacArthur Drawing Near Devotional</a> as each month a new topic is covered. August was the month to talk about love. After reading the devotional for the day you have some parts of the Bible to read. You read from the Old Testament, Psalms/Proverbs and New Testament every day. The Psalms and New Testament are read twice during the year.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-72318849161841404932018-10-29T10:35:00.000-04:002018-10-29T10:37:30.811-04:00Did Sin Cause My Depression?Sometimes Christians with Depression wonder if they did something to deserve their suffering. They wonder if their sin caused their depression. Some things I read in a recent book,<a href="http://smsnonfictionbookreviews.com/2018/10/depression-anxiety-christian-life/" target="_blank"> Depression, Anxiety and the Christian Life</a> (my review) made me think and I wanted to share.<br />
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<i>This post contains affiliate links.</i><br />
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<h2>
Did Sin Cause My Depression?</h2>
It is true that some of the hardships we encounter are a result of sin and so sin can cause or worsen depression and sometimes it's not related at all. It's not usually one sin that causes an illness but many sins over a long period of time. <b>However that's not what you should be worrying about. </b>The cause of your depression for the most part is irrelevant. It's what you do with that depression.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>If they were more aware of how sinful is their overvaluing the world, failing to trust God, having bitter thoughts of him and meager, unholy thoughts about his goodness, and devaluing the glory of heaven (which should give them some solace even in the most desperate state), as well as their being frequently impatient, worrying, and discontent, and their denying previously received mercy or grace, this would do them more good than words of comfort. </i> - from <a href="https://amzn.to/2O8Psvy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Depression, Anxiety and the Christian Life</a></blockquote>
What this quote is saying is that by doing those things, you are sinning. Someone telling you that they are sins and that you should work hard to overcome them would be better than just simple words of comfort such as "don't worry, it will be okay." Hope is important but just hoping it will get better is not taking matters into your own hands.<br />
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<h3>
Words of Wisdom</h3>
Don't make the world more important than faith. Trust in God, resist bitter thoughts of God and unholy thoughts about his goodness. Watch your impatience, worry, discontent and don't deny already received mercy or grace or deny that you will receive more.<br />
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<h3>
Sin Doesn't Mean...</h3>
However just because you might be struggling with sin (as we all are in some way), it doesn't mean that you are not worthy of grace or that God doesn't love you.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>On the other hand, if they foolishly imagine that all these sins prove them to be devoid of grace and that God will count the Devil’s temptations as their personal sins, condemn them for the very things they abhor, and reckon their very illness of depression to them as a crime, these notions need to be refuted and discarded. Otherwise, they might mistakenly relish their disordered emotions and sufferings. </i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">- from </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2O8Psvy" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Depression, Anxiety and the Christian Life</a></blockquote>
God doesn't count the Devil's temptations as yours, as long as you resist them. God doesn't consider your illness a crime either. God loves you and your imperfections but he hopes you will be able to resist sin and try to live as he would.<br />
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Repent of your sin, ask for forgiveness and then work on your illness. It's hard, trust me I know. But you have to take an active role in your depression to get rid of it. It won't go away by itself. God Bless!Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-23939482147883579512018-10-22T22:01:00.000-04:002018-10-22T22:01:22.539-04:00Choosing Life (Suicide and Faith)I suffer from Bipolar which means I have struggled with Depression and Mania and have dealt with suicidal thoughts most of my life. My manias are dysphoric which means that instead of feeling excessively happy or having grandiose thoughts (I'm better than others or I can conquer the world) most of the time I feel excessive anger, anxiety and obsessive thoughts when I'm manic. It also means I get suicidal thoughts during depressions and manias.<br />
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<i>NOTE: This post may be triggering to some. It talks about suicide. Please read with care.</i><br />
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<h2>
Choosing Life - Suicide and Faith</h2>
If you've struggled with suicidal thoughts and you believe in God you may have wondered what God thinks about suicide. I have been suicidal off and on for many years but I've only been<br />
Christian for just under 5 years.<br />
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Before I believed in the Christian God, I thought it didn't matter if I committed suicide because when I died I thought I'd be reincarnated to another life no matter how I died. Once I started being a Christian I struggled with what God would think if I killed myself. Does it matter? Would I be welcomed into his arms no matter how I died? Surely God would understand that I was suffering. Surely God didn't want me to suffer right?<br />
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I had searched online for what the Bible says about suicide but wasn't happy with the answers one way or the other. Luckily I chose life. I'm not currently suicidal (thank goodness) and am doing okay. But I recently came across Deuteronomy 30 in my reading and I wanted to share what it says with anyone who might have considered suicide or might consider it in the future.<br />
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<blockquote>
Deuteronomy 30:19-20<br />
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19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now <b>choose life</b>, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.</blockquote>
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<h3>
God says "Choose Life."</h3>
Okay so God wasn't talking about suicide but I still feel like this is his message to me.<br />
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The commentary on <a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/deuteronomy/30-19.htm" target="_blank">this page</a> says this about this passage:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Every man wishes to obtain life and good, and to escape death and evil; he desires happiness, and dreads misery. So great is the compassion of the Lord, that he has favoured men, by his word, with such a knowledge of good and evil as will make them for ever happy, if it be not their own fault. Let us hear the sum of the whole matter. If they and theirs would love God, and serve him, they should live and be happy. If they or theirs should turn from God, desert his service, and worship other gods, that would certainly be their ruin." </blockquote>
<br />
<br />
So the phrase is about choosing God, loving God and serving God so that we may live through him. I feel this is still what God wants me to think of if I consider suicide thoughts. If we seek him and follow him we are doing it so we can live with God when the time comes and so we should be doing so only when HE decides the time comes.<br />
<br />
I don't think it's a matter of whether you will go to Heaven if you kill yourself or not. We still go to heaven when we sin as long as we accept Jesus as our saviour and try to life like he would. I think if we DID go through with it, we would still be accepted into Heaven. HOWEVER, God wants us to choose life, now and then with him after we die, as HE wills it.<br />
<br />
These are just my thoughts and I am still studying more but I hope it is helpful to someone.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-23321030390884358022018-10-15T11:08:00.000-04:002018-10-15T11:08:00.602-04:00Sinning is Like Cheating on God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUNBSKxVHZVRAFScVHKgk0DDHrl-0UcADrfUO0jzZUtc7lGz5cMxZQ6V0ZUdQR02DSziWnuYpCGvp9lgJmR9Ze9EmVTMgkSamecaa_3Gv3EQFYFoJ_FxQfKTdZ4Z1wHtX6XUIcLDg5yo/s1600/sinning-cheating-on-god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="740" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUNBSKxVHZVRAFScVHKgk0DDHrl-0UcADrfUO0jzZUtc7lGz5cMxZQ6V0ZUdQR02DSziWnuYpCGvp9lgJmR9Ze9EmVTMgkSamecaa_3Gv3EQFYFoJ_FxQfKTdZ4Z1wHtX6XUIcLDg5yo/s640/sinning-cheating-on-god.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
<br />
When we accept God as our Saviour, we enter into an intimate relationship with him. The Bible compares the love of a man and woman to the love God feels for us. It compares a marriage with how the Church (us) is married to God.<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<i>Ephesians 5:25 ESV /Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i>Ephesians 5:22-33 ESV /
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word...</i></blockquote>
<br />
So therefore, <b>when we let Satan tempt us and we sin</b>, we are dealing with him instead of God. In essence, we are <b>cheating on our relationship with God</b>.<br />
<br />
A small sin might be equivalent to lusting after another while a bigger sin might be equivalent to fully being intimate with another person.<br />
<br />
Our relationship with God is important and special and we are to be faithful to God.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Deuteronomy 28: 1-2 /
And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.</i></blockquote>
This does not mean that if we sin, God will "break up with us." He is faithful to us as well and will not abandon us because of a little sin. As long as you repent of your sins and try to live a sinless life he will always be there for us.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>1 John 1:9 ESV / If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. </i></blockquote>
<br />
The next time you are tempted to sin, remember that you would be cheating on God and stay faithful to him.<br />
<br />
<i></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>James 4:7-8 / Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. </i></blockquote>
Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-75424888463189480672018-10-01T13:34:00.002-04:002018-10-01T13:34:07.672-04:00I'm Not So Bad, Everyone Sins.. Right?I was reading a book today and something I read about sin jumped out at me and made me think. Let me share.<br />
<br />
<i>This post contains an affiliate link. I make a small commission if you make a purchase through that link. </i><br />
<i></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn-8vk-qEhLtkpZX_OxBnU1Z24kLzrTOxNXNGAt2-WpelHYODBQV_vhqIPT1riq-jd4fxEDRAqqbt3X9CYQPYlI7gLKYt6Utz7BxmgFoBe6yHouv75bmetc8pGGrzU_2151tnVa635DA/s1600/everyone-sins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn-8vk-qEhLtkpZX_OxBnU1Z24kLzrTOxNXNGAt2-WpelHYODBQV_vhqIPT1riq-jd4fxEDRAqqbt3X9CYQPYlI7gLKYt6Utz7BxmgFoBe6yHouv75bmetc8pGGrzU_2151tnVa635DA/s640/everyone-sins.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"No one is above the dilemma. No one is righteous enough to escape God’s judgment. Solomon wrote, “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins” (Eccles. 7:20). The apostle Paul wrote, “None is righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10); and, “There is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (vv. 22–23). Notice carefully that when Scripture mentions our fallenness and the universality of sin, the point is never to excuse (or even to mitigate) the guilt we bear as sinners. <b>No one should ever think, I’m not so bad. After all, everyone sins.</b> But when Scripture speaks of the fact that all have sinned, it is always to stress the truth that without a Savior, the whole human race would be utterly doomed." </blockquote>
<br />
- from <a href="https://amzn.to/2OxNxFj" rel="nofollow">The Gospel According to God</a> by John MacArthur (emphasis mine)<br />
<br />
It can be easy to think that since everyone sins, it's not really that bad. Or to compare your sins with the sin of someone else. "Well at least I don't do that!"<br />
<br />
When the bible tells us that we all are sinners it's not so we will think any of these:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>"We all sin, it's not that bad"</li>
<li>"Well we are all sinners anyways so what's the point of trying to be good"</li>
<li>"No matter what I do I'll always be a sinner so whatever"</li>
<li>"My sin isn't as bad as my friend's sin"</li>
</ul>
<br />
As the above quote states, it's so we will think this:<br />
<br />
<b>"Since we are all sinners, we all need our saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.</b><br />
<b></b><br />
Even though we will never be perfect, sinless beings, it doesn't mean we shouldn't try to do good as often as possible. We are to imitate Christ and TRY to live sinless lives.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
1 John 3:6-10 New International Version (NIV)<br />
<br />
6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.<br />
<br />
7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.</blockquote>
Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-43469135381673655762017-11-14T20:48:00.000-05:002018-05-01T21:51:24.414-04:00The Many Paths to God TheoryBefore I was Christian I believed in <b>The Many Paths to God Theory</b>
which states in one way or another that each religion is like a path up
a hill but that all the paths lead to the same Supreme Being. We just
call them different names. It made sense to me. I know better now.<br />
<br />
<i>This post contains affiliate links.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4WKxlbo7cZ9HrRg5VU0m8bTnYD-LtzfFPSooaS9C-j1zTNXT7eZcfgSb3XFxsBhnxH0qU6SgZ0KhhnuKgkGK3m6ZN77Boqg4bIEsytH7IRcLBgvLlIT81z27huK_fz3iykaZf2hVb3E/s1600/many-paths-to-god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="736" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4WKxlbo7cZ9HrRg5VU0m8bTnYD-LtzfFPSooaS9C-j1zTNXT7eZcfgSb3XFxsBhnxH0qU6SgZ0KhhnuKgkGK3m6ZN77Boqg4bIEsytH7IRcLBgvLlIT81z27huK_fz3iykaZf2hVb3E/s1600/many-paths-to-god.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h1>
The Many Paths to God Theory</h1>
The book I’ve been reading, <a href="http://amzn.to/2zFLHdB" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Reunion by Bruxy Cavey</a> has something to say about this theory that put it into perspective for me.<br />
<blockquote>
This kind of thinking is fundamentally religious in the
worst possible way. The “many paths up the mountain” theory is based on
three faulty assumptions. (1) God is still up on the mountain. (2) it is
our lot in life to climb up the mountain to get to God, and (3) the
paths and the Person are separate. Nothing could be further from the
truth.</blockquote>
Maybe it’s because I’m a newer Christian but those revelations really
had me intrigued. I’m still learning who God is and these were ideas I
hadn’t thought of.<br />
<blockquote>
First, the story of the incarnation, God becoming one of
us, is the heartbeat of the gospel. God is not “up there” somewhere, but
right here, with us and in us. Jesus said, “I am with you always”
(Matthew 28:20)</blockquote>
Oh yeah! I know that of course but I still tend to think of the idea
that God is up there somewhere more than I remember the God is with us
part since I’m new.<br />
<blockquote>
Second, the gospel is the message of grace […]: God has
given us everything religion tries but fails to give. We don’t have to
climb any path up any mountain to get to God. We don’t have to do
anything. God has already done it all.</blockquote>
God brings himself to us, not the other way around. We aren’t
journeying this life to GET to God. He is already here and he was here
long before we were.<br />
<blockquote>
Third, if Jesus really is God come to us, then Jesus is
not just one path to get to the person of God. Instead, the Path and the
Person are one. This is the context for Christ’s statement in John 14:6
that he is the only way to God because Jesus is God (see John 14:7-9)</blockquote>
Jesus IS the path and he’s the ONLY path. God is clear what we must
do to get to Him and it doesn’t involve other religious practices.<br />
<br />
I’ve posted a lot about what I’ve learned from <a href="http://amzn.to/2zFLHdB" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Reunion by Bruxy Cavey</a> in the last few weeks and I have more to share. Even with all that, I still won’t have covered ALL the points the book covers.<br />
This book has crammed the MOST faith based information into one book
I’ve ever seen and he writes in such a different way from many other
Christian books. He writes like a friend talking to you, without using
big words or complicated ideas. He brings the teachings down to the
level of the everyday person.<br />
<br />
<b>Remember: Jesus is the ONLY Path to God.</b>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-23545820750180548002017-11-10T20:52:00.000-05:002018-05-01T21:51:24.354-04:00Jesus is EnoughWhile reading from Reunion by Bruxy Cavey there is a section titled Jesus. Period.<br />
<br />
<i>This post contains affiliate links.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy5yThBPafF2oRBzG9ydHnFCbAA4K5a5_ItkOjG8NpSFylACnmRJ5oDj4NP9RyKy4ZiCp08aDXw1MwkccvSrMzRQvm0NMQmBOg9MyyAW0rHDQvTPrx8E_60eTijBt_MCuwzqJpgn_05M/s1600/jesus-is-enough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy5yThBPafF2oRBzG9ydHnFCbAA4K5a5_ItkOjG8NpSFylACnmRJ5oDj4NP9RyKy4ZiCp08aDXw1MwkccvSrMzRQvm0NMQmBOg9MyyAW0rHDQvTPrx8E_60eTijBt_MCuwzqJpgn_05M/s1600/jesus-is-enough.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In <a href="http://amzn.to/2i1ftjd" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Reunion</a> I read:<br />
<blockquote>
Julie loved Jesus, and because of her generous spirit,
she was trying to bring every other faith system she appreciated into
her love relationship with Jesus. Her spiritual thinking was a mixture
of the teachings of Jesus, Buddha, stuff that sounded like Eckhart
Tolle, Deepak Chopra, a dash of Sufi poetry of Rumi, a drizzle of the
environmental consciousness of Wicca, and a sprinkle of Hindu philosophy
from her favourite yoga instructor […] Theologians call is syncretism:
mashing together different faiths to get the one we like.</blockquote>
This part of the book grabbed my attention because I used to do the
same thing. Taking the parts of the religions/belief systems that made
sense to me and making my own.<br />
I thought it made sense at the time but what the book continued to say puts it all into perspective.<br />
<h1>
Jesus is Enough</h1>
<blockquote>
[…] she was relating to Jesus as though he were one of
God’s messengers, one of God’s prophets, one of God’s self-revelations,
and one of God’s ways for us to know his heart. But that isn’t what
Jesus taught about himself.</blockquote>
The author continues a little later:<br />
<blockquote>
Julie was engaged to be married at the time. Ted asked
her if she loved her fiancé, and of course she affirmed that she did. He
then asked her if she was planning on marrying any other men as well.
[…] I know Tom is the only man you want to marry, but how about
boyfriends? How many men do you hope to date on the side over the years
while you’re married to Tom? […] Why do you think it would be a dumb
idea to plan on dating men on the side once you’re married to Tom? Ted
asked. Because it would be deeply insulting to him and emotionally
confusing to me, Julie answered. Tom is enough. Julie had just answered
her own question.</blockquote>
When you put it like that, it makes perfect sense. Tom is enough for
Julie. Jesus is enough for me. There are parts of religions I’ve been a
part of in the past that I still like. But I can’t mix them with Jesus
if I truly believe Jesus is the right path to God. Jesus is enough.<br />
<h2>
If You’ve Been Mixing Religions</h2>
If you’ve been doing what Julie was doing and mixing religions or
beliefs to make your own path but you fully believe in Jesus and that he
is the word of God please consider if Jesus is Enough.<br />
Do you truly love Jesus? Do you believe he is the way to God? God’s
only prophet and son? If so then tell yourself God is Enough. You are
dishonouring God by incorporating other religions. Jesus is all you
need.<br />
<br />
I highly recommend <a href="http://amzn.to/2i1ftjd" rel="nofollow">Reunion by Bruxy Cave</a>y.
I did receive the book for review on another blog but I am blogging
here about what I’ve learned because I love the book so much.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-54285961169970900362017-11-02T20:53:00.000-04:002018-05-01T21:51:24.445-04:00We Are People of the PersonAre we People of the Book or People of the Person? I’m reading
Reunion by Bruxy Cavey and I am finding so many good takeaways from the
book I decided to blog about them to share. I <strong>highly recommend</strong> purchasing a copy of Reunion for yourself.<br />
<br />
<em>This post contains affiliate links. I will get a small commission
if you make a purchase through these links. I also received an copy of
the book Reunion for review purposes on my <a href="http://smsnonfictionbookreviews.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">nonfiction book blog</a>.</em><br />
<h1>
</h1>
<h1>
We Are People of the Person</h1>
I realize that sounds weird. First let me quote <a href="http://amzn.to/2zfETTE" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Reunion</a>:<br />
<blockquote>
We read the Bible because it is the best God-given window
through which we get a clear view of Jesus – who is God’s ultimate
self-disclosure. The Bible is not a painting to be looked at, but a
window to be looked through, and through that window we see Jesus. […]
In other words, Christ-followers are not actually “People of the Book”,
as the Qur’an calls Christians. WE are People of the Person. We don’t
follow the Bible – we read the Bible so we can follow Jesus. – ch 4 of
Reunion</blockquote>
The author goes on to explain the difference.<br />
<blockquote>
…if I follow the Bible, I can use its stories to justify
all kinds of violence, from beating children to waging all-out holy war.
But if I follow the Jesus whom I read about in the Bible, he won’t let
me get away with anything short of active, other-centered, nonviolent,
enemy-embracing love.</blockquote>
<h2>
Misunderstanding the Bible</h2>
I never realized it before reading this chapter but that is so true. I
used to not believe in the Bible because I couldn’t see how bad things
could happen in the bible when God was supposed to be good. I’d think,
“if we don’t stone people when they cheat why do we have to follow the
other laws?” I thought the Bible was just a set of laws to follow. I
hadn’t actually read the Bible let alone studied it so I didn’t
understand.<br />
<br />
The stories of the Bible took place over many, many years and the
laws changed and Jesus came and so the Bible isn’t saying we should live
the way every person in every story lived. It’s not a bunch of stories
of perfect people it’s the stories of sinners.<br />
This all might make perfect sense to some or make you think, “duh!”
But let me tell you it wasn’t obvious to me so if someone you are
reaching out to has trouble with the negative things that happen in the
Bible please keep this in mind. We are not following the Bible, we are
following Jesus.<br />
<h2>
The Bible isn’t the Center of Christianity, Jesus Is</h2>
Bruxy Cavey continues…<br />
<blockquote>
[…]”You study the Scriptures diligently because you think
that in them you have eternal life. These are the very scriptures that
testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John
5:39-40)<br />
Herein lies the beautiful irony: we learn in the Bible that Jesus
wants us to move beyond just learning the Bible. Sure from the outside
in, we look like a People of the Book, reading and studying our Holy
Scriptures like people of any other religion. But looks can be
deceiving. From the inside out, we are a movement of people who follow
Jesus, and that shapes how we read our own Bibles.</blockquote>
So Jesus himself told us to not just grip the Bible tightly but to
come to know Jesus through the book. The Bible is a tool to get to
Jesus. Jesus is the center of Christianity. Thank you to Bruxy Cavey for
your book <a href="http://amzn.to/2zfETTE" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Reunion</a> which helped me to understand that.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-31887515944666351522017-10-26T20:55:00.000-04:002018-05-01T21:51:24.384-04:00How to Connect With GodAren’t we all trying to connect with God? Every Christian wants a
connection with God, to feel his love and grace and to feel like we
matter to Him (which we do!)<br />
Sometimes though we can be stuck on how best to connect with God.<br />
<br />
<em>This post contains affiliate links. A purchase through this link gives me a small commission. Thanks.</em><br />
<br />
The following comes from <a href="http://amzn.to/2gFcOdW" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality and Spirituality by Rob Bell</a><br />
<blockquote>
“You can’t be connected with God until you’re at peace
with who you are. If you’re still upset that God gave you this body or
this life or this family or these circumstances, you will never be able
to connect with God in a healthy, thriving, sustainable sort of way.
You’ll be at odds with your maker.” – pg 46</blockquote>
<h2>
How to Connect With God</h2>
<br />
<h2>
Thinking Negatively About My Life</h2>
When I read the above quote I really stopped and thought about all the times I’ve said any of the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>I’m no good</li>
<li>I’m a failure</li>
<li>I’m overweight</li>
<li>I wish my life was like _________</li>
<li>Why does my child have to be like that?</li>
<li>and many others</li>
</ul>
<h2>
Thinking Negatively About God</h2>
However I never once thought that by thinking those things, by dwelling on them, I was essentially saying to God:<br />
<ul>
<li>You made me wrong</li>
<li>You failed when you created me</li>
<li>You don’t know what’s best for me</li>
<li>I’m not happy with you</li>
</ul>
Can you imagine saying those things to God? I can’t imagine facing
him and saying those things yet that’s basically what I tell him when I
complain about my life.<br />
<h2>
Connecting with God</h2>
How can I be connected with God if I’m not at peace about me and my life?<br />
Read that quote again.<br />
<blockquote>
“You can’t be connected with God until you’re at peace
with who you are. If you’re still upset that God gave you this body or
this life or this family or these circumstances, you will never be able
to connect with God in a healthy, thriving, sustainable sort of way.
You’ll be at odds with your maker.” – pg 46</blockquote>
<h2>
What the Bible Says</h2>
The bible talks about our connection with God too:<br />
<br />
<em>So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27</em><br />
<br />
God made us right. He made no mistake when he made us, not one. For he made us in his image.<br />
<br />
<em>For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV</em><br />
<br />
He has a plan for us so while we have free will, a lot of what
happens in our life was planned that way, even the bad things. God
didn’t make a mistake with your life.<br />
<br />
<em>Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands,
you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8 NIV</em><br />
<br />
If you connect with God he will connect with you too. Connecting with
God doesn’t mean just sitting there and hoping it happens. You do what
you can to get near to God and you should start with loving yourself and
your life.<br />
<h4>
So, does that quote make you think?</h4>
This post is linked up at <a href="http://messymarriage.com/">Messy Marriage</a>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-56728673025548788082017-06-20T20:57:00.000-04:002018-05-01T21:51:40.352-04:00eMoods Bipolar Mood Tracker Review<strong>eMoods Bipolar Mood Tracker</strong> is the best tool to keep
track of your Bipolar condition so that when you talk to your doctor he
or she can tell if you are doing better or worse and if anything needs
to be changed in your treatment plan<br />
.<br />
I’ve tried multiple ways to track my symptoms but most of them didn’t work for one reason or another.<br />
<strong>I’ve tried paper</strong> but that requires remembering to print or photocopy it each month and keeping it somewhere where someone doesn’t find it.<br />
<strong>I’ve tried just writing</strong> it down on paper but it inevitably gets lost and its hard to be clear on what means bad and what means good.<br />
<strong>I’ve tried lots of phone apps</strong> too but most of them
were made for depression, not Bipolar and so I couldn’t track my mania
or they weren’t easy to use or weren’t free.<br />
<strong>Until now…</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<h1>
eMoods Bipolar Mood Tracker Review</h1>
I recently found an app called <strong>eMoods Bipolar Mood Tracker</strong>. It must be new because I’ve been looking for a Bipolar tracker for years.<br />
<br />
I’ve been using it for over a month now. It tracks your depression,
mania, irritability and anxiety. You rank each from None to Severe and
you are ranking the worst it was that day. This works best for me since
my moods change throughout the day so it’s hard for me to rank my
depression at a certain number for the day if it’s been all over the
place. But this way I’m ranking the worst it was.<br />
<h2>
eMoods Log Your Moods</h2>
<br />
You can also mark if you had psychotic symptoms or had talk therapy
that day. Also you can track the hours of sleep you got so you can see
any patterns. Those with Bipolar know (or should know) that lack of
sleep can be a sign of an Mania. If you are sleeping less and less and
your mania is going up, it’s time to talk to your doctor.<br />
<br />
In setting you can add a spot to track weight or menstrual cycle. My
doctor used to have me track this and I found my depressions were worse
during that time of the month. You can also allow it to automatically
check that you took your everyday medications.<br />
You can view your results in calendar or graph mode to see how you
are doing over time. You can also set a reminder to use the app.<br />
<h2>
eMoods Sleep Results</h2>
<br />
<h2>
eMoods Tracking Points</h2>
As you can see below (graph mode) you can see how depressed, elevated
(manic), irritable or anxious I was from May 10th when I started using
the app until the end of May. The darker, longer lines are worse. The
small light blue dot means none. So you can see the 14th and 15th were
bad for me with depression and irritability.<br />
<br />
<h2>
eMoods Calendar Mode</h2>
I don’t personally like this mode as much but you can see how you did
in calendar mode. So here again you can see more dark circles on the
14th and 15th. In this mode you would have to remember that the first
circle is depression, second is manic etc.<br />
<br />
<h2>
eMoods 3 Month Overview</h2>
The app just recently added this feature. This is another way to see
how you’ve been doing. You see one month at a time but you can scroll
down to see the last 3 months.<br />
This one is showing June. It drops off on the 20th because that is
today, when I wrote the post. You can see two irritability peaks, one of
which happened when I was manic (elevated) but not the other. I mostly
had mania this month, you can barely see the depression because it
mostly was less than the mania was.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
The Premium Version</h2>
All the above is free but if you upgrade to the paid version (which I
have not) you can add custom tracking points so you can say mark down
when you exercised.<br />
The premium version also allows you to add time stamped notes,
generate printable reports older than 6 months and 10% of the profits
goes to mental health charities.<br />
All your app data is saved and you can email yourself as a backup as well.<br />
<h2>
Get the eMoods Bipolar Mood Tracker App</h2>
You can find the app on <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=my.tracker" target="_blank">Google Play</a> for Android.<br />
You can find the app on the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/emoods-bipolar-mood-tracker/id1184456130" target="_blank">App Store</a> for Apple.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-77512911956719472362017-05-27T21:06:00.000-04:002018-05-01T21:51:40.383-04:00The Silver Linings PlaybookThe Silver Linings Playbook is a 2012 romantic comedy-drama starring
Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence with Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver,
Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher and Julia Stiles.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Summary: <i>After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher
Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with
his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a
mysterious girl with problems of her own.</i><br />
<br />
Rated R<br />
2hr 2min<br />
<h2>
Silver Linings Playbook Review</h2>
When
I found out this movie was about someone with Bipolar I knew I wanted
to watch it. Since I have Bipolar, I like to see how the media portrays
us.<br />
I realized as I watched it that there is always a problem with portraying people with mental illness in movies or TV.<br />
<br />
Those with mental illness are all different, even if they have the
same diagnosis. So because of this, a movie can only portray one version
of that illness. So anyone with that illness that experiences it
differently will think they didn’t portray the illness correctly. Anyone
without that mental illness will think the illness ONLY looks that one
way.<br />
<br />
That being said, overall I think the movie was pretty good. I
identify with Pat’s anger although I deal with it in a different way. He
lets it out, I hold it in or unleash it on myself. I may have enjoyed
it more if I was a football person as a lot of the show revolved around
watching football on TV and betting on games.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35fD6kVb3dzOwNtQVljMzoUuGQlmxBoVwo-H4ZhUoJ3kG1MJTSHmvawMy9u5QqaHqY-urp1MdcO3dtfdaaLuHYg2Yme7gSlWOWDRdO3V-0Wo3nRoMx7do0UZBHu16HpKw0LxEOd6u4OI/s1600/silver-linings-playbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35fD6kVb3dzOwNtQVljMzoUuGQlmxBoVwo-H4ZhUoJ3kG1MJTSHmvawMy9u5QqaHqY-urp1MdcO3dtfdaaLuHYg2Yme7gSlWOWDRdO3V-0Wo3nRoMx7do0UZBHu16HpKw0LxEOd6u4OI/s1600/silver-linings-playbook.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It’s one of those movies you can watch while you do something else,
it doesn’t require intense concentration. Which honestly is a good thing
for me right now as I can’t concentrate well.<br />
The ending was the best part of the movie (as it should be as far as
I’m concerned.) The movie is listed as a Romantic Comedy-Drama but
honestly there wasn’t really any comedy in it. But that was okay. A
Romantic Drama was refreshing.<br />
<h3>
Silver Linings Playbook Trailer</h3>
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lj5_FhLaaQQ" width="560"></iframe>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-75579946697851740202017-01-27T20:59:00.000-05:002018-05-01T21:08:30.880-04:00NLP: Neuro Linguistic ProgrammingNeuro Linguistic Programming or NLP is something I just recently
stumbled upon. It can be a bit confusing at first but it sounds like
something I’d like to try and I wanted to share a bit about it.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<h1>
What is NLP: Neuro Linguistic Programming?</h1>
According to Wikipedia:<br />
<blockquote>
<b>Neuro-linguistic programming</b> (<b>NLP</b>) is an
approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy
created by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in California, United States
in the 1970s. […] NLP’s creators claim there is a connection between
neurological processes (<i>neuro-</i>), language (<i>linguistic</i>) and behavioral patterns learned through experience (<i>programming</i>), and that these can be changed to achieve specific goals in life</blockquote>
<br />
If that seems very confusing, don’t worry. I find the more I read about NLP the more I understand it.<br />
Basically there are a set of practices you can do to acheive results
whether it be freedom from depression and anxiety or just the negative
thoughts every person has from time to time.<br />
You should know that not all of these ideas can be proven through
science and probably because of that, certain people and groups
discredit NLP. However there is nothing harmful about using NLP and
besides, sometimes if you believe something helps, it helps.<br />
<h2>
Anchors</h2>
Anchors are used to change the feelings/thoughts surrounding a
particular situation. You know how sometimes if a person is wearing
something specific and they win a competition they start to think of
that item as lucky? Whether or not it has any actual luck in it doesn’t
matter. The person associates said item with luck and so when they wear
it in the future, they feel more lucky.<br />
Anchors are like that but you can make them intentionally too. So if
you create a few anchors like a calming stone you can hold or a joyful
necklace, you can train your brain to change how you’re feeling when you
have those anchors with you.<br />
<h2>
Change The Memory</h2>
There is another one that involves remembering something negative
that happened (and that you think about often) and looking at it again
from a third person’s perspective, as if you are a movie director. You
can zoom in and out, change the view, focus on certain things and
unfocus on others.<br />
Manipulate the memory, take the focus off the main part and focus on
smaller, average things such as the flowers in the vase behind you or
the dog barking at your feet. Doing this enough makes the memory seem
distant and non important, stopping your brain from going back to it
again and again.<br />
<h2>
And More</h2>
There is way more to it than that. I am still learning but I think
it’s an interesting way to try to change your thinking. I wish I had
heard of it sooner! There are some resources below if you wish to know
more. The free ebook is pretty good and if after that you want to learn
more, you might want the other books. Just remember that it can seem
confusing at first but keep reading.<br />
<h3>
Resources:</h3>
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170830192823/http://nlpcanada.com/resources/nlp-basics-from-words-to.pdf" target="_blank">NLP Canada FREE ebook on NLP</a><br />
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170830192823/http://amzn.to/2kBil5e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NLP Depression & Anxiety Kindle Books</a> (affiliate link)<br />
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170830192823/http://amzn.to/2jZdX0A" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Neuro Linguistic Programming for Dummies</a> (affiliate link)Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-90774351284055462192017-01-24T20:57:00.000-05:002018-03-31T20:58:16.711-04:00The Difference Between Angry and MadHow many times have you heard people use the word angry and mad
interchangeably (me included) when there really is a difference between
angry and mad.<br />
<br />
<h1>
Difference Between Angry and Mad</h1>
While there is technically a difference between being angry and mad,<strong> it’s not that big of a deal</strong> if you say you are mad when you mean angry, especially if you live in North America.<br />
Although I will be explaining a bit behind the meaning of the words, <strong>this post is about dealing with your anger as much as it is about the correct grammar.</strong><br />
<h2>
Angry and Mad Defined</h2>
<strong>Angry</strong><br />
1. Having a strong feeling of or showing annoyance, displeasure or hostility; full of anger.<br />
Some synonyms: irate, cross, vexed, incense, infuriated, etc.<br />
<em>He makes me so angry.</em><br />
<em>I get angry when she does that.</em><br />
<strong>Mad</strong><br />
1. mentally ill, insane<br />
Some synonyms: crazed, psychotic,<br />
<em>She felt as if she was going mad.</em><br />
<em>He could feel the madness welling up inside of him.</em><br />
If you live in England you will hear the word mad used to mean
mentally ill more than you will in North America but the meaning is
still the same.<br />
<h2>
How Angry and Mad Got Mixed Up</h2>
So how did people start using the word mad when they mean angry?<br />
Unfortunately a lot of people have trouble with their anger and
instead of expressing it well, as soon as it bothers them, they do a
number of different things to not express it from bottling it all up
quietly inside of them, to acting passive aggressive (e.g. the person
who says nothing is wrong but gives you the cold shoulder) to the person
who takes the anger out on the wrong person.<br />
When they do this, <strong>anger tends to build inside of them and act like a poison to their body</strong>.
They are not expressing their anger in a healthy way and so it can feel
like they are going mad (insane) because their anger is building inside
of them and affecting their mental health.<br />
This seems to be the way that the word became known to be about anger.<br />
<em>“To feel and to express anger healthily is actually the antithesis of madness.”</em> – The Angry Book by Theodore I Rubin, M.D.<br />
<h2>
Not Letting Anger Turn to Madness</h2>
I have no idea what the actual stats are but I do know that many people struggle with anger problems.<br />
The Angry Book by Theodore I Rubin, M.D., although old, is a good
resource for recognizing how you deal with anger. It shows the MANY and
varied ways that people don’t deal with their anger in the best ways.
Some are obvious but many you would not at first think have anything to
do with anger.<br />
You might be surprised to see how your behaviours might be betraying a
long standing “slush fund” of past anger. Slush fund is the term used
in the book to indicate the built up anger inside of you.<br />
Definitely if your anger often seems stronger or more potent than
would make sense for that situation, is very frequent, hurts your
relationships or makes you act violently than you definitely are having
troubles with your anger.<br />
Seek help with your psychiatrist, doctor, counsellor or a trusted family member or friend if you are worried.<br />
<strong>NOTE:</strong> I have reviewed the book I mentioned above at one of my other blogs if you are interested you can read my review of <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170703081847/http://smsnonfictionbookreviews.com/2017/01/angry-book-theodore-rubin-m-d/" target="_blank">The Angry Book</a>.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-10291671449618280852015-08-30T13:24:00.001-04:002018-05-01T21:51:58.039-04:00Are you the egg, the carrot or the coffee bean?<div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
Are you the egg, the carrot or the coffee bean?</h2>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
In life, some people are like the egg, soft in the beginning, malleable, delicate. But when pressure (like boiling water or life's pressures) surrounds the egg, it gets harder and is tough, not malleable. These are the people who have a hardened heart thanks to the pressures of life.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In life, some people are the carrot. They start of hard and strong, but when pressure (or water) surrounds the carrot it gets softer and softer until it turns to mush. It can't hold it self together, it gets crushed under any weight.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In life, some people are the coffee bean. When pressure (water) hits the coffee bean, the coffee bean changes the water/pressure, not the other way around. The beautiful scent of the coffee bean is magnified by the mixture with the water and the scent affects life and sets the atmosphere. If you're the coffee bean, you are the scent that clears the air. You affect the pressures of life and spread your scent to everyone else. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>So which one are you?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i>*I was taught about this at the Christian Women's Conference I attended. I wanted to share the short form of it with you.</i></div>
<br />Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-43787217782066932862015-08-29T12:58:00.000-04:002018-05-01T21:51:58.159-04:00Christian Women's Conference Day 2Day two of the Christian women's conference brought me even more knowledge and hope.<br />
<br />
Imagine you have a cup of water with impurities in it. You want to drink from it but it's not clean. How do you make it more clean and less impure? Saturate it with more water. The water will filter the impurities to the top where you can take them out. By the same token, God doesn't want to change us, he just wants to put more of himself in us to saturate us with himself so that our impurities may be filtered out.<br />
<br />
<h3>
About Revelation</h3>
Revelation - unknown fact that is made known in a dynamic or dramatic way.<br />
<br />
You need a revelation about who you are. A revelation of your true destiny. <br />
<h3>
About Drama </h3>
<br />
Drama reveals reality. Women are deep and so we have more drama. Men are simple. Drama you have been through becomes your reality unless you let it go.<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
About Your Past</h3>
<br />
Satan tries to stop you from advancing. He makes you focus on the past and present instead of the future.<br />
<br />
Women replay the past over and over. You must let it go.<br />
<br />
Don't own where you've been or who you've been.<br />
<br />
Use your past as a stepping stone, as a platform.<br />
<br />
AA says that once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic but that is NOT true. You are NOT what you used to be.<br />
<h3>
About Your Destiny </h3>
Satan tries to assassinate your destiny<br />
<br />
"You Must Now Know Who I Am!" - I am important, I am unique, I am me<br />
<br />
When I know myself - I walk, talk and act different. <br />
<br />
"You're about to have a coming out party" - you are going to come out as you really are<br />
<br />
If God put me in the world, the world must need me.<br />
<h3>
About Others</h3>
<br />
See your accusers, the haters. They look up at you because they are beneath you.<br />
<br />
"Take the stench of your past and make it perfume of your present!"<br />
<br />
"If you're gonna go with me, you gotta grow with me" - only surround yourself with people who will help you advance.<br />
<br />
"You gotta love everybody but you gotta love some from a distance" - regarding people who bring negativity to the world. <br />
<h3>
About Your Issues</h3>
Circle Your Problems, Don't Let Them Circle You<br />
<br />
Your dysfunction has become your normal. If you lead a dysfunctional life for long enough, it becomes your normal and you have to constantly work at keeping it where you want it. You have to keep adjusting yourself. You might feel like it gets worse before it gets better.<br />
<br />
Get off Facebook and put your face IN the book.<br />
<br />
God doesn't want to bless your mess. He can't bless you until you deal with your issues (just like in John 4 when he is talking to the Samaritan woman. <br />
<br />
Your issues are coming between YOU and your DESTINY.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-57683829593249845702015-08-28T22:36:00.000-04:002018-05-01T21:51:58.248-04:00C.O.P.I. Identity Christian Women's ConferenceToday was day 1 of the Christian women's conference held by a local church. As a new Christian, I figured this was my change to learn something new, to be surrounded by other Christians and hear some great words from a different Pastor than I normally hear from each Sunday.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Here are just some of the great nuggets of wisdom I gleaned from Day 1<br />
<br />
<h3>
About Community</h3>
We must all be planted not just in God's word but in a church, one church, a community in order to be surrounded and to defeat Satan. No hopping from church to church, find the one that fits you best and get rooted in it.<br />
<h3>
About Your Past</h3>
"When you run into your past, tell them, let me show you my future"<br />
<br />
"We all have a history but we also all have a destiny."<br />
<br />
"You are not what happened to you." - Satan wants you to think that's true, but it's not.<br />
<h3>
About Our Mind </h3>
There is a difference between Truth and Fact. It can be a fact that you feel a certain way about a situation but that doesn't mean that those feelings are grounded in truth.<br />
<br />
"As a woman thinks in her heart so is she" - Proverbs 23:7 <br />
<h3>
About Our Purpose</h3>
Purpose= motive, justification, advantage, worth, value, profit etc..<br />
<br />
Live ON Purpose but also live IN Purpose, live in the purpose that God has for your life. <br />
<br />
"It's time for me to be free to be me"<br />
<h3>
About Satan</h3>
Satan is an identity thief. Satan doesn't want you to know who you are.<br />
<br />
Pull Satan out of the front seat and stop letting him drive your life!<br />
<br />
Let the Lord bless you and the devil pay for it!<br />
<br />
If Satan keeps trying to hurt you or make you sin, it's because you are a commodity he doesn't own. You are gifted and he wants you for himself.<br />
<h3>
About Decisions</h3>
You can't make decisions because Satan gives you too many options. If
you didn't have options, you wouldn't be able to pick a bad choice like
drinking, drugs, adultery, etc<br />
<br />
If you say "I'm not going to decide right now" you've already made a decision. You decided NOT to decide.<br />
<br />
Decision= settle the matter or cut off all other options.<br />
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When you make a decision, you cut off all the other options Satan wants you to have.<br />
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About Misc.</h3>
Reactions speak louder than actions. Reactions are your first response, your facial expressions, first words. You can't fake your reaction.<br />
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When you magnify - you manifest. The more you think about a negative thing, the bigger it becomes. The more you think of good things, the bigger they become. Which do you want more of?<br />
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"My setback is a setup for my comeback."<br />
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Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-50356719365953572802015-08-16T20:18:00.002-04:002018-05-01T21:51:58.218-04:00Homemaker In Training...againI always said I wanted to be a stay at home mom when I first got together with my husband. I loved the idea of caring for my kids, teaching them things, keeping the house clean and organized for my loved ones.<br />
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After the number of kids rose and the stresses piled on though, homemaking ended up being last on my list of things I wanted to do. I started getting majorly stressed and because I didn't have a good system in place, the house got out of control and I sturggled to manage it.<br />
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Recently, having been called to Christ, I've been reading about homemaking in the biblical sense and I'm working on changing my outlook. I am remembering those I am keeping home FOR. Not me, but my husband and children. I love them and I can show them that by cleaning the house and cooking meals and sharing my knowledge with them.<br />
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So I keep reading about homemaking, reading what the bible has to say about it and fine tuning both my attitude and my systems and routines until I get it to where I need it to be.<br />
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So for now, I am a homemaker in training.. again.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-30796512072157262762015-08-08T20:49:00.002-04:002018-05-01T21:51:58.099-04:00How My Call to God Affects My FamilyMy family is not religious. Not the immediate family, nor extended, on either sides. So my kids have grown up knowing there are religions out there but not really being surrounded by it. As I mentioned in a previous post, we celebrated the secular version of Christmas and Easter and although we celebrated some Jewish holidays too, I'd consider the family very reform so it's not religious exactly.<br />
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So when I was called to Christianity and have since been embracing it with daily prayer, bible reading and studying and Christian music, it was a lot more than my family was used to. My husband is being very supportive and one of my children is interested in learning more but another of my children apparently is annoyed by it.<br />
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Yesterday she asked me, "When are you going to get over it?" I was very hurt by this but today I sat her down and explained that although she's not used to, many families are full of religious observances and talk and that I'm not saying she has to be Christian but if she has any questions I'm here.<br />
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So now I'm struggling with being the only Christian in the family. I keep praying that my family will find Jesus but until that happens, I feel very alone.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-48960409273253435882015-08-07T22:26:00.002-04:002018-05-01T21:51:58.189-04:00Working On My MarriageHonestly my marriage was pretty awesome but as I was new to Christianity I was reading and studying what the biblical marriage was supposed to look like. It turns out we are doing a lot right but I did have some things to work on.<br />
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I used the bible, blog posts, a Proverbs 31 study at Good Morning Girls, books and my own heart and prayers to find out what makes a good wife so I could be a better one. Then I picked up the Women Living Well book and it has been phenomenal so far. I'm currently doing the marriage challenges it has in it and I love it!<br />
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I have completed week one and will be starting week two on Monday. Even now I can say my marriage is great and it's where I want it. Next in line is becoming a better mother. I know I have a lot more to work on for that.<br />
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I have some resources already but I'm looking for more if anyone reading this has any.<br />
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I think wanting to become a better wife or mother is a good thought but if you aren't willing to actually work at it, it means nothing. Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-33136479100255585182015-08-06T21:43:00.004-04:002018-05-01T21:51:58.128-04:00Books About FaithSince I became interested in Christianity, I've been acquiring books like crazy. I've spent almost $200 on books, most of which were faith related and most of which were only $1-$5 each.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_Y6EkdrN8vRBRKm0PH6GTVTqGYcuL_-HQJkEpO-o0QahCr_4K1-sUHpOpnm03wZyPDjs2R0Q6fKtalGO5nF6AEAfamstUAejy0H1lYU4mjME14wfxouN1KXAbC7NIuhuE86nwEbCYvI/s1600/xianbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_Y6EkdrN8vRBRKm0PH6GTVTqGYcuL_-HQJkEpO-o0QahCr_4K1-sUHpOpnm03wZyPDjs2R0Q6fKtalGO5nF6AEAfamstUAejy0H1lYU4mjME14wfxouN1KXAbC7NIuhuE86nwEbCYvI/s1600/xianbooks.jpg" /> </a></div>
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This is my Christian book shelf. I'm running out of room and I still have more books on there way to me (half were bought online, half from thrift stores)</div>
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Here is a closer look </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NufCtdxnr-sR2dvh3ba5GPg1dYfekptO6jr-orqqAp6W4_wJwScWMEE8LCrvzptGnKP2_U3xasq5gYbmSHRSd5jvEivKyUh-k2GwTftv53A7dcnu6BV5GZgvw9DRtelGlf_hh4kfPrg/s1600/xianbooks1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NufCtdxnr-sR2dvh3ba5GPg1dYfekptO6jr-orqqAp6W4_wJwScWMEE8LCrvzptGnKP2_U3xasq5gYbmSHRSd5jvEivKyUh-k2GwTftv53A7dcnu6BV5GZgvw9DRtelGlf_hh4kfPrg/s1600/xianbooks1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqumcyXIAWkaqIgLiqZzJgDel5Xj4dzJgoN3cqHuUXGitUzdHH1PsJnQytA6Ut8DYWY8UZcBTYSelrnQenu3utHgaSCt_yJYTg6Rc7YShZbYyO7lc-Yzh9Zium4E0ifVUhozKwm4sAvY/s1600/xianbooks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqumcyXIAWkaqIgLiqZzJgDel5Xj4dzJgoN3cqHuUXGitUzdHH1PsJnQytA6Ut8DYWY8UZcBTYSelrnQenu3utHgaSCt_yJYTg6Rc7YShZbYyO7lc-Yzh9Zium4E0ifVUhozKwm4sAvY/s1600/xianbooks2.jpg" /></a></div>
Do you see any books you've read? I've only read about 4 of them but I'm going through them as fast as I can. I also acquired a regular bible and a study bible which are not pictured so I've been making time to read that as well. <br />
<br />Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834950303912457443.post-24645907580425293892015-08-04T21:02:00.003-04:002018-05-01T21:51:58.069-04:00Christian MemoriesMy mom is technically Roman Catholic while my dad is technically Jewish. I say technically because although both were raised as such a little bit, neither one attended church/temple or followed the laws in the Bible.<br />
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However they had enough background that I was raised learning of both religions and then later on in life, only the Jewish culture as we celebrated Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah and Passover every year. Christmas and Easter were always secular though. As such as I got older, I showed and interest in Judaism and took it upon myself to learn more while my Christian side sank deep down in my memories... until now.<br />
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I remember:<br />
<ul>
<li>Saying the Lord's prayer</li>
<li>Singing Christian songs such as Michael Row the Boat Ashore, He's Got the Whole World In His Hands and Kumbaya as well as many others.</li>
<li>Saying the "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" child's prayer before bed many times</li>
<li>Putting out a nativity scene for Christmas every year until it broke. </li>
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I have also learned other songs as a Girl Guide leader before we became more multicultural that I now know and a much younger friend taught me the Jesus Loves Me kid song as a teenager.<br />
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What would have happened if I had more of my mom's family around or had been taught more of Christianity? I certainly needed it many times throughout my life. How much better I might have handled problems through my childhood, teenager and young adult years if I had embraced Christ. Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013633281843747712noreply@blogger.com0