Share The Wealth

Today's Bible Study~ (I really enjoy sharing some of my Bible Studies)

Do Good...Be rich in good deeds...Be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:18

God has blessed many of his people with significant amounts of wealth. The world has one basic message for people like this: Be Proud! Guard what you have, grow it, spend it. But God's principle is to "store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven" Matthew 6:20. One way to do this is to change your view of riches. In God's economy, true riches are not measured in terms of cash. Riches are what we have in him, what we do for eternity, and the good works we do on earth. Paul knew how important it was for those of us who have been given much to keep our perspectives straight. So he exhorted those who are "rich in this present world" not to become spiritually dysfunctional by becoming conceited, trusting in the uncertainty of riches and hoarding what we have. Instead, we are to be "rich in good deeds", generous, and looking for ways we can share, 1st Timothy 6:17-18.

If your spiritual goal is contentment and character, then it will show in how much you are committed to contribution. God's way is for us to place our trust in him, who "richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" and then look for ways "to be generous and willing to share" what has given us with his cause and those in need, 1st Timothy 6:17-18.

What a purifying delight it is to use your riches to bless and benefit others! Measure your management of wealth by the standards of 1st Timothy 6:17-19.

My Simple and Sometimes Complicated Life: More Of Christ

My Simple and Sometimes Complicated Life: More Of Christ: "'What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange in exchange for his soul?' Mark..."

More Of Christ

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:36-37

This was the topic of my bible study for today. This is something we are all guilty of. We focus on the latest fads, who's wearing what, name brand this or that, who's driving what, etc.

Jesus calls us to be "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21) But in a world obsessed with acquiring more, we are prone to live for riches of our present world. Our concerns are intensified by mounting stacks of bills and the shrinking balance in our checkbook. Yet Paul teaches us that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6). To watch our lives you would think he had said that godliness with gain would make us content. In Luke 12:13 A man runs up to Jesus and blurts out "Teacher, tell my brother to divide his inheritance with me". Imagine having the opportunity to talk to Christ. You might expect that this man would have chosen some serious theme or probed the depths of Christ's claims. He could have talked with him about deep realities of life and eternity. He could have asked Jesus to bless his frail humanity. Instead, he asked for wealth-for his piece of pie. He shows how easy it is to become obsessed with consumption. Jesus' answered honest and profoundly. "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist of abundance of his possessions.

There is something far more important than the "more" of this world: It is "more" of Jesus Christ. In him alone we find true wealth and full contentment. We should focus and be more confident in Christ, that he is aware of and will supply our needs, and that id we have "him" we have enough.

"Do you treasure Jesus and his gifts more than earthly gain? How does it show in your life"?

Struggles

Fall has always been my favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather, the smells, and the leaves turning bright golds, reds, & oranges. I just love this time of year! But ever since my father became sick in the fall of 2006 it's become a very difficult time of year for me. I was his care giver until I could no longer handle it. I spent everyday w/him until the week before he passed. I just couldn't stand to see him looking the way he did anymore. It hurt me so much! A church friend/nurse took over until he passed Dec 14, 2006. I still love fall, and I always will. But this time of year changes me. Once again it's that time of year. Time when I need "me" time, to be alone, cry, and reflect. I close myself off from almost everything and everyone around me. I'm sure they wonder why and I wish I could explain what I'm going through, but I can't. I just miss my dad so much! All I can say is don't worry, I will be alright. I will re-emerge when I am ready, and things will go back to being the way they once were.

In One Ear And Out The Other

That statement is easier said then done. Well, it is for me anyway. I've always been the type of person that speaks my mind. I am awesome at it too! Lately though, I have had to bite my tongue. I cannot tell you how hard that is, and how much it hurts too! Family!! I honestly think family should live in other states and visit only on the holidays. Sad to day I know, but, I'm tired of having to watch what I say, do, write on my Facebook, Twitter, and phone calls. I feel like I've lost my freedom and freedom of speech! We are looking to move in the near future, just as soon as we can find a place to live. I'm looking forward to that =} Please pray that God will answer our prayers soon. We will remain in the area but having our own place again will be so wonderful!! I miss my stuff and doing things my way, and decorating. I love decorating!

Tomorrow I will be going back to the doctor for lab work, and to see how my meds are doing. I'm still having probs sleeping so I need to change to another sleeping pill. I'm walking 2 miles a day and slowly adding Yoga or Pilates to that.
I'm off to finish up some stuff and relax a bit.

Much Love!

Learning To Forgive & Move On

Sharing something Chad & I decided to work on: He who angers you conquers you.~Elizabeth Kenny. Sometimes people will do & say things out of anger w/out thinking. Holding a grudge and hating that person only makes YOU filled w/bitterness, & anger. Life is to short for any of it. Plus it put's a strain on relationships w/others. I have had to learn to let go and forgive my mother for things she's done & said to me out of anger/hate. I don't have a relationship w/her, (nor do I want one). Sadly, I'm a happier person not having her in my life. And letting go doesn't mean we have to have a relationship w/that person. It just means we are the bigger person and are capable of letting go, moving on, and not holding on to hate. As Christians we are to forgive just as God forgives us. We are to be Christ like, he made us in his image. ~Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.~Buddha...I'm still a work in progress, & I am NOT perfect (who isn't)? I still have people & family to forgive & let go of the hurt/pain/anger they've caused. But I'm getting there. I keep asking myself WWJD? I know exactly what he would do and what he wants me, & you to do the same...FORGIVE! You don't even have to tell that person that you forgive them, you just have to do it w/ your heart. I'm not saying it's easy, but I believe it makes your life better & happier. I love this quote ~How people treat you is their karma; how you react is your karma.~Wayne Dyer Something to think about!!