RESILIENT PEOPLE - 2 Corinthians 4:8

Resilient people (1)

'We are hard pressed.' 2 Corinthians 4:8
When a back injury paralysed Angela Madsen from the waist down, she vowed to do whatever it took to get back up. As a result she started training to be the first woman with a disability to row across the Atlantic. Journalist Denise Foley writes: 'Madsen is what researchers call 'resilient - able to rebound from whatever life brings. She's one of those people who make us wonder how we'd fare if our mettle were tested. Would we bounce back?' Paul writes, 'We are hard pressed...but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.' Resilient people: 1) Take control of their lives: Drs. Steven & Sybil Wolin write, 'It's easy to blame others for your problems and wait till they fix them. But then you never get to rise to the occasion...When you see yourself as a problem-solver life goes very differently. Identify your strengths. Recall those moments when you triumphed over adversity. Focus on what you can influence instead of what you can't.' 2) Surround themselves with the right people: The Psalmist said, 'They...treated me badly all my life, but they have not defeated me' (Psalm 129:2 NCV). Ned Hallowell grew up with a bipolar father, an abusive stepfather, an alcoholic mother, and two learning disabilities - a history that's often a precursor to jail or a mental institution. Today he's a prominent psychiatrist, a happily-married father and a successful author. It happened largely because at boarding school he attached himself to teachers who cared about him and took him under their wing. So in tough times, lean on God, take control of your life, and surround yourself with the right people.



Resilient people (2)

'We are hard pressed.' 2 Corinthians 4:8
Two other traits resilient people share are: 1) They allow pain to spur growth: At the peak of her career when photographer Linda Joy Montgomery learned she was going blind, an inner voice said, 'This isn't the end; it's the beginning.' She began writing poetry, discovered her calling as a motivational speaker and created the True Vision Institute, teaching kids to tap into their inner resources. The Bible says: 'Though good people may be bothered by trouble...they are never defeated' (Proverbs 24:16 NCV). Finding purpose in your pain isn't a new idea. Survivours of life-threatening illnesses, natural disasters and the Holocaust, and parents of chronically ill children continually demonstrate how over-comers find the proverbial silver lining by reinventing themselves. Paul talks about being 'battered by troubles, but...not demoralised...thrown down, but [not] broken' (2 Corinthians 4:8 TM). Meeting challenges helps develop confidence and a can-do attitude that says: 'I've been there, done that, and I'll survive.' Michael Jordan once said, 'I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career...lost over 300 games...26 times I've been trusted to make the game-winning shot, and missed. I've tried and failed over and over again. That's why I succeed.' 2) They insist on changing what they can: Paul says: 'Whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord' (Ephesians 6:8 NKJV). Workers digging through the rubble to help rescue survivours of the Oklahoma City bombing, though understandably distressed, showed fewer symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder later on. In concentration camps POW's who routinely gave away their last morsel, proved that you can choose your attitude in any given set of circumstances. How? By drawing strength from God and learning to control the one thing you can control - yourself.

You'll win if you don't quit! 1 John 5:4

'This is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.' 1 John 5:4
The Bible is a 'David and Goliath' book. It's filled with stories of ordinary people whose faith overcame great obstacles and impacted the world around them. That's why John the Apostle writes: 'Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.' If you haven't heard of Irwin Rosenberg, here's his inspiring story. As a junior officer he was discharged from the Navy when he was diagnosed with cancer. That was the standard military procedure at the time. But he was determined to get back both his health and his job. At one point he was given only two weeks to live. But through faith and dogged determination his cancer was eventually brought under control. Irwin then focused his attention on becoming a naval officer again. But he discovered that navy regulations forbade reinstatement of a person discharged with cancer. Everyone around him said, 'Give up. It can't be done. It would take an Act of Congress to get you reinstated.' Their advice gave him an idea - he'd pursue an Act of Congress. After years of waiting, petitioning, cutting through red tape and battling bureaucracy, President Truman eventually signed into law a special bill that allowed Irwin Rosenberg to reenlist in the Navy - and go on to become a Rear Admiral in the United States Seventh Fleet! The poet writes: 'You can never tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems afar; so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - it's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit!'

FAILING MEMORY ? Let the Bible fill your mind, rule your heart, and guide your life.

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READ: Psalm 119:33-40
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way. —Psalm 119:37A New York Times article linked the increase of computer storage with the decrease of data in the human mind. Our electronic aids now remember phone numbers, driving directions, and other information we used to learn by repeated use. In schools, memorization and oral recitation are disappearing from the curriculum. We have become, according to the Times, “products of a culture that does not enforce the development of memory skills.”

Yet never have we as followers of Christ been in greater need of hiding God’s Word in our hearts (Ps. 119:9-11). Scripture memory is more than a helpful mental exercise. The goal is to saturate our minds with God’s truth so that our lives will conform to His ways. The psalmist wrote: “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. . . . Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way” (Ps. 119:33,37).

Why not begin committing Scripture to memory? Daily consistency and review are keys to success. And just like physical exercise, this spiritual discipline is enhanced when done with a small group or with a friend.

Let’s not forget to remember and follow the life-giving wisdom of God’s Word.

God’s Word will change your life
If you will do your part
To read, to study, and obey,
And hide it in your heart. —Sper

Let the Bible fill your mind, rule your heart, and guide your life.

Having a cause greater than yourself

Is there not a cause. 1 Samuel 17:29

How could David stand up to a giant everybody else was running from? Because God's people were being threatened, and everybody around him was afraid to tackle the problem. When you're confronted with a situation that needs to be changed, what is it that makes you rise up and say, 'I'm going to do something about this'? Having a cause greater than yourself! Refusing to live trapped in fear or the small dimensions of a self-centred world! A survey was conducted among people who lived to be over 100. Now you'd expect to read about health diets, miracle drugs and strenuous exercise. But the thing all these centenarians had in common was - purpose. They had a compelling reason to get out of bed in the morning. Paul writes: 'For to me to live is Christ' (Philippians 1:21). For Paul, that was it! To exalt His name and promote His kingdom. Too many of us are like the guy who said, 'No matter what I'm working on, I'd rather be doing something else.' Are you like that? Or do you have a cause great enough to focus your energies and strong enough to keep you going when the odds are stacked against you? God made you for a mission. Have you discovered it yet? At age 12 Jesus said, 'I must be about my Father's business' (Luke 2:49). Twenty-one years later, dying on the cross, He announced, 'It is finished' (John 19:30). These two statements frame a totally fulfilled, God-glorifying life. So ask God to reveal to you His purpose for your life. Until you find it you haven't lived, and until you fulfil it you're not ready to die.

Pope: Vanity makes our life a fraud --- & --- WHEN YOU FEEL ANXIOUS ...

Pope: Vanity makes our life a fraud - Published on Sep 26, 2016

We feel in our souls two kinds of anxiety: a good anxiety, which comes from the Holy Spirit, and which moves us to do good works; and a wicked anxiety that is born from a dirty conscience. That was the message of Pope Francis in his reflection during the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. The Holy Father based his homily on the perplexity and malice of Herod, as described in the Gospel of Saint Luke. Wickedness, the Pope said, always has the same roots: Greed, pride, and especially vanity – an evil that makes one anxious for appearances, pretences, and leads one to cover-up their true selves. How many people, the Pope asked, strive to appear good, but are actually wicked? They seem to be good, but ...

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When you feel anxious (1)

Do not be anxious about anything. Philippians 4:6
Anxiety starts as a trickle then creates a channel in our mind through which all our thoughts begin to flow. Most of our anxieties fall into three categories: 1) Anxiety about things we all face: like aging, disability, retirement, loneliness, financial uncertainty, accidents, illness, losing a loved one, and death. 2) Anxiety about things we all must do: like making decisions, starting and ending relationships, losing weight, changing careers, making a mistake. 3) Anxiety reflecting our inner state of mind: These anxieties reveal how we feel about our ability to handle things. For example, fear of rejection can affect every relationship in your life. In order to avoid being hurt you shut others out, your world grows smaller and your opportunities for personal growth are more limited. Many of our anxieties can be reduced to one question, 'What if I can't handle it?' Your mind is the battlefield where victory is won or lost. So ask yourself, 'Would I still be anxious if I knew for certain I could handle anything that came up?' The answer is no. Anxiety can't immobilize you and steal your joy when you know you can handle whatever happens. You say, 'That sounds too simple.' Not when you bring God into the picture! Here are two great anxiety eliminating Scriptures you can stand on when times are tough: 1) 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). 2) 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds' (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).
from - UCB Word For Today




WHEN YOU FEEL ANXIOUS (2 of 2)

When you feel anxious (2)

Do not be anxious about anything. Philippians 4:6
We all face times when we must choose between faith and anxiety. A woman trapped in an abusive relationship must choose between getting help, getting out or staying stuck. A young person being pressured to do drugs can choose to give in, or say, 'no' and walk away. A person anxious about death can read God's Word, talk to a friend or counsellor, or continue to be anxious. The Bible says: 'The righteous are bold as a lion' (Proverbs 28:1). You say, 'Right now I don't feel too bold.' Courage doesn't eliminate anxiety, it rises above it! David said, 'Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart' (Psalm 27:14). When your cause is right and you're committed to God, He gives you the courage needed to act. But you must learn to face the thing you fear. This can mean standing up for what you believe, making a phone call you've been putting off, expressing your opinion, acknowledging some character flaw and asking God to help you change. What you must remember is, doing always comes before the feeling of increased confidence. Each time you confront your anxieties you take a step forward. But when you allow anxiety to control you, you retreat into your 'safe zone' and start seeing yourself as somebody who can't handle life. Here's some great advice for living: analyse the situation fearlessly, figure out the worst that can happen. Once you've accepted that, you experience a release of energy and you can begin doing something about it, even if all you can do is - leave it in the capable and loving hands of God.
from - UCB Word For Today






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Tradition, Scripture and the Catholic Church --- How Old Is Your Church ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Old Is Your Church ?
If you are a Lutheran, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex-monk of the Catholic Church, in the year 1517.

If you belong to the Church of England, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the year 1534 because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to remarry.

If you are a Presbyterian, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the year 1560.

If you are a Protestant Episcopalian, your religion was an offshoot of the Church of England founded by Samuel Seabury in the American colonies in the 17th century.

If you are a Congregationalist, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in 1582.

If you are a Methodist, your religion was launched by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1744.

If you are a Unitarian, Theophilus Lindley founded your church in London in 1774.

If you are a Mormon (Latter Day Saints), Joseph Smith started your religion in Palmyra, N.Y., in 1829.

If you are a Baptist, you owe the tenets of your religion to John Smyth, who launched it in Amsterdam in 1605.

If you are of the Dutch Reformed church, you recognize Michaelis Jones as founder, because he originated your religion in New York in 1628.

If you worship with the Salvation Army, your sect began with William Booth in London in 1865.

If you are a Christian Scientist, you look to 1879 as the year in which your religion was born and to Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy as its founder.

If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as 'Church of the Nazarene," "Pentecostal Gospel." "Holiness Church," "Pilgrim Holiness Church," "Jehovah's Witnesses," your religion is one of the hundreds of new sects founded by men within the past fifty years.

If you are Roman Catholic, you know that your religion was founded in the year 33 by Jesus Christ the Son of God, and it is still the same Church.


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