I can't get a grip on this feeling. I feel ansty. When I get like this I start filling up my "To Do List." It give me a sense of control.
There are many addictions out there that people are going to recovery groups to overcome. I think the most overlooked one is emotional addiction. Some have an emotional addiction to want to feel something all the time whether it is good or bad. Drama. Take a day where a schedule is quiet the emotional response could be translated as loneliness, rejection or emptiness. They are looking for something to fill voids in their life that can be used beneficially for rest but their mind chooses to look at it differently. Usually emotionalism discharges hormones that create a response in their body. The response can be good or bad but the point is that it is creating their body to do something. It is an addictive behavior.
Another emotional addiction is those that look for a fight. Have you ever met a person that is just looking to disagree with you so they can start up a heated discussion. They are like "Sharks" looking around to find something or someone to attack. Do you have any people like that in your life?
Both of these types of additive people tend to like drama to play out in there life. Many are denial and don't even realize they have a problem.
How do we do if we have to live or work with people like this?
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
KARMA
Friend tell me what you think!
“Where can they be” I frantically said. Every item I bought
yesterday was in the bag except for those two necklaces. I ran to my car and
looked around, no necklace. I stopped and had to retrace my steps from
yesterday. The only thing I can figure out is that it did not get in the bag. “Come
on” I blurted out with aggravation. How can it be? I was at that
store twice yesterday. Oh well, no sense crying over
spilt milk I thought. I’ll just run back and explain.
You won’t believe what I am going to tell you next. I had
apprehension about buying one of the necklaces because on the packaging of it
had the title “Karma.” I always think when some refer to Karma it means the
same thing as the biblical saying “You reap what you sow”, right? I never
clarify if the person is following the beliefs of another religion. I just
assume people are using that term because it is popular to say. I value the
person who I am giving the necklace to. An inner whisper was asking will you be giving the recipient of this
gift an impression that you believe in other things, not just Christianity. I
did not have peace about the gift but it was cute and I would get one more
thing done on my to do list for the day, so I ignored that inner whisper and
bought it.
It gets even more ironic. The store manager finds one of the
necklaces but not the “Karma” one. She said she would look around but there was
none left in the store. I put my head down and asked myself could the God I serve be that concerned about me giving that necklace
that now it is gone completely? Could God have intervened and put a stop to me
giving that gift? What do you think?
The manager called me from the store. She replaced one necklace but the “Karma” she couldn’t but she refunded me that amount. I will get a more suitable gift and not rush in the future. I was teary eyed thinking how much God loves me today. How much he cares for the person who will receive the gift. He brought good out of this and taught me at the same time. I told the manager that I am a Christian. I explained and told her originally I had no peace about buying this gift but ignored that and bought it anyway. She said she got the chills as I told the story and that she was a Christian. She said she is sure it happened for a reason and she was amazed by the story. I told her to check my blog for the story. I will add her part of the story. She was funny she kept saying “I have chills.” I thought she was so generous to give me a refund.
Thank you Lord for watching over me. Help be courageous to do the right things in all circumstances. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
The manager called me from the store. She replaced one necklace but the “Karma” she couldn’t but she refunded me that amount. I will get a more suitable gift and not rush in the future. I was teary eyed thinking how much God loves me today. How much he cares for the person who will receive the gift. He brought good out of this and taught me at the same time. I told the manager that I am a Christian. I explained and told her originally I had no peace about buying this gift but ignored that and bought it anyway. She said she got the chills as I told the story and that she was a Christian. She said she is sure it happened for a reason and she was amazed by the story. I told her to check my blog for the story. I will add her part of the story. She was funny she kept saying “I have chills.” I thought she was so generous to give me a refund.
Thank you Lord for watching over me. Help be courageous to do the right things in all circumstances. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Friday, August 16, 2013
I'M TRYING
Dear Friend:
Do you read a daily devotional or your bible? Perhaps you see a verse that resonates with you.
Maybe you have put it to memory. It is relevant for every day living and you set out to apply it to your life.
But then an incident creeps on you and your taken off guard. It happens! You did not practice what you memorized. Eek you declare "I am an epic failure, I've disappointed God again."
You have a choice either you can continue to think you have failed or look to God for His grace.If you're a child of God, His arms are always wide open to you. In God's arms the good news is "He is the ultimate forgiver of any epic failure!"
I think we all know for sure that there will be mores chances to try again and with God's help you will get it right the next time. My personal example is with my tongue. "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (James 1:19 NIV). I hear a doubting voice ask, "What if the result doesn't fix the problem and there is still tension?" That can be the case but when you do all that is possible the result is still inner peace and security.
I had some words with someone recently and it did not go well. I was disappointed that I made mistakes sayings things wrong. Then I prayed about it and decided to go back to the person and try again. I did not have all the words to say. But I had God's same reassurance that he said to Moses and the apostles and many other prophets. Each of them did not have the words to say and the Lord guided them in the moment to say things right. All that we can do in our strength is pray, apply James 1:19, then count on His promise that he will give us the words to say.
Do you read a daily devotional or your bible? Perhaps you see a verse that resonates with you.
Maybe you have put it to memory. It is relevant for every day living and you set out to apply it to your life.
But then an incident creeps on you and your taken off guard. It happens! You did not practice what you memorized. Eek you declare "I am an epic failure, I've disappointed God again."
You have a choice either you can continue to think you have failed or look to God for His grace.If you're a child of God, His arms are always wide open to you. In God's arms the good news is "He is the ultimate forgiver of any epic failure!"
I think we all know for sure that there will be mores chances to try again and with God's help you will get it right the next time. My personal example is with my tongue. "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (James 1:19 NIV). I hear a doubting voice ask, "What if the result doesn't fix the problem and there is still tension?" That can be the case but when you do all that is possible the result is still inner peace and security.
I had some words with someone recently and it did not go well. I was disappointed that I made mistakes sayings things wrong. Then I prayed about it and decided to go back to the person and try again. I did not have all the words to say. But I had God's same reassurance that he said to Moses and the apostles and many other prophets. Each of them did not have the words to say and the Lord guided them in the moment to say things right. All that we can do in our strength is pray, apply James 1:19, then count on His promise that he will give us the words to say.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
GLOOMAWAY
Dear Friends:
"And they were calling to one another:“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:3-5).
The realization. The admission. Recognition. What a time in Isaiah's life. Reading this verse brought me to the memory of when I dealt with how unclean I was. It was a somewhat gloomy time when I came to grip with my sin but learned to rejoice. Your probably inquiring "Why or How?" Think about it! When you are aware it is the beginning stage of healing. In verse ten the Lord expounds "They might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." I found physcial and mental healing.
At one point I just became determined to rid myself of my whole history of sin and confess it to God. I asked God to reveal to me my sins of the past and present. Be careful. If you choose to ask. Mean it because God is faithful to do it. Not because he is a mean God. Quite the contrary! He loves the intimacy! You looking eye to eye with Him. Revealing your greatest shame. From the biggest to the smallest. God did show me even the small. An example was when I was driving and merged into another lane and the car behind me gave me the finger. I stopped and thought "I am guilty of that same sin." I have given someone the finger. Remorse touched my soul. Instead of raging back at the person. I saw my own sin.
The revelation of my sin continued for weeks. My journal was getting full. I cried. I felt as if I was in the accelerated program called "Advanced Admission of Sins." Well thank goodness there was absolution. It is called forgiveness and I graciously accepted it. Ahhh Grace! The thing I did not deserve. I was getting to know God there was more room in my heart for Him. He does not spare grace. No! He pours it out. It overflows from my head to my toes.
What does all this mean? I rejoice now. Knowing forgiveness and I try to extend that same forgiveness to others. I pray now for those who, wrong me or even when I see someone do something wrong, that they will discover the same truth about "Grace." I learned to hate the sin not the sinner.
There is a body lotion called "Gloomaway." The product name is cute. I like to use it. It is refreshing. God's my true "Gloomaway." After I spend time with Him I always feel as if He soothed my soul.
Prayer: Father thank You for Your forgiveness. Your love is amazing. In Jesus' name. Amen.
"And they were calling to one another:“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:3-5).
The realization. The admission. Recognition. What a time in Isaiah's life. Reading this verse brought me to the memory of when I dealt with how unclean I was. It was a somewhat gloomy time when I came to grip with my sin but learned to rejoice. Your probably inquiring "Why or How?" Think about it! When you are aware it is the beginning stage of healing. In verse ten the Lord expounds "They might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." I found physcial and mental healing.
At one point I just became determined to rid myself of my whole history of sin and confess it to God. I asked God to reveal to me my sins of the past and present. Be careful. If you choose to ask. Mean it because God is faithful to do it. Not because he is a mean God. Quite the contrary! He loves the intimacy! You looking eye to eye with Him. Revealing your greatest shame. From the biggest to the smallest. God did show me even the small. An example was when I was driving and merged into another lane and the car behind me gave me the finger. I stopped and thought "I am guilty of that same sin." I have given someone the finger. Remorse touched my soul. Instead of raging back at the person. I saw my own sin.
The revelation of my sin continued for weeks. My journal was getting full. I cried. I felt as if I was in the accelerated program called "Advanced Admission of Sins." Well thank goodness there was absolution. It is called forgiveness and I graciously accepted it. Ahhh Grace! The thing I did not deserve. I was getting to know God there was more room in my heart for Him. He does not spare grace. No! He pours it out. It overflows from my head to my toes.
What does all this mean? I rejoice now. Knowing forgiveness and I try to extend that same forgiveness to others. I pray now for those who, wrong me or even when I see someone do something wrong, that they will discover the same truth about "Grace." I learned to hate the sin not the sinner.
There is a body lotion called "Gloomaway." The product name is cute. I like to use it. It is refreshing. God's my true "Gloomaway." After I spend time with Him I always feel as if He soothed my soul.
Prayer: Father thank You for Your forgiveness. Your love is amazing. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
TO DO LIST
Dear Friend:
So many things are important.
Marriage is important
Family is important
Spending time with God is important.
Visiting the lonely and sick is important.
Being available for others is important.
Marriage is important
Family is important
Spending time with God is important.
Visiting the lonely and sick is important.
Being available for others is important.
Work is important.
When I look at the words above it becomes a "To Do List".
I must make others happy.
I must make my marriage happy.
I must spend time with God.
It goes on and on…
It goes on and on…I’m trying to do it all.
Honestly I get up in the morning and I want to go back to bed and hide/sleep. I muster up energy to stop, run to my devotions and bible so I can trust God with it all. God never lets me down. I feel unexplained energy wash over me like a wave. I get excited about it. I pray that others get this connection. Want this connection.
Without it I would feel as if I can't:
Be happy.
Make my marriage work out.
Have peace in my home with my family.
Visit others.
I must make others happy.
I must make my marriage happy.
I must spend time with God.
It goes on and on…
It goes on and on…I’m trying to do it all.
Honestly I get up in the morning and I want to go back to bed and hide/sleep. I muster up energy to stop, run to my devotions and bible so I can trust God with it all. God never lets me down. I feel unexplained energy wash over me like a wave. I get excited about it. I pray that others get this connection. Want this connection.
Without it I would feel as if I can't:
Be happy.
Make my marriage work out.
Have peace in my home with my family.
Visit others.
Make a difference.
My love from above has to be enough. He turns my “To Do List” into joy. He helps me to do things with joy for Him. I can’t do life with Him. He is everything to me. How about you?
2 Corinthians 12:9
My love from above has to be enough. He turns my “To Do List” into joy. He helps me to do things with joy for Him. I can’t do life with Him. He is everything to me. How about you?
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more
gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Prayer: Father Your grace is sufficient. I want to talk more
about you than me. Help me God to trust You. Help me to be in the moment. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Faith, get on your mat!
I yelled at the dog. She ran to her mat, sat, looked at me with those puppy eyes as if she was saying "Look I'm on my free zone, you can't touch me now."
Did you play "it" or "tag" as a kid? Did you have a free zone called "glue"? The spot if you touched or hung onto to where you could not get tagged to be "it."
That is what I thought of in that moment when I stared at the dog. She is in her free zone.
A "free zone" I like the idea of that. A spot to go where you are free. Free from others comments, betrayals, stubbornness, impatience, bad moods...
I thought about this before that day when I woke up in the night with anxious thoughts on my mind. Where can I go from these thoughts?
"The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress" (Psalm 46:11 NIV)
With that verse on my mind I began to ask "If God is my fortress, what would it be like to be in a God's fortress?" A fortress in my mind. I let my mind wander further. What would it look like, who would be allowed in? I discovered a free zone in my mind and I now visit it often.
Where is your free zone? It does not have to be in your mind. Perhaps it is a place you go to. A favorite safe spot: your bed, couch, chair...
Find your glue and stick to it!
Prayer: Thank you God for being my free zone. Amen.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free" (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
Did you play "it" or "tag" as a kid? Did you have a free zone called "glue"? The spot if you touched or hung onto to where you could not get tagged to be "it."
That is what I thought of in that moment when I stared at the dog. She is in her free zone.
A "free zone" I like the idea of that. A spot to go where you are free. Free from others comments, betrayals, stubbornness, impatience, bad moods...
I thought about this before that day when I woke up in the night with anxious thoughts on my mind. Where can I go from these thoughts?
"The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress" (Psalm 46:11 NIV)
With that verse on my mind I began to ask "If God is my fortress, what would it be like to be in a God's fortress?" A fortress in my mind. I let my mind wander further. What would it look like, who would be allowed in? I discovered a free zone in my mind and I now visit it often.
Where is your free zone? It does not have to be in your mind. Perhaps it is a place you go to. A favorite safe spot: your bed, couch, chair...
Find your glue and stick to it!
Prayer: Thank you God for being my free zone. Amen.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free" (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
I SMILE, YOU SMILE
Dear Friend:
I greet you in the Lord Jesus Christ. Where have I been? Out of town. But when I got back I sat at my computer, my fingers hit the keys vigorously with excitement. I could not wait to see God help me write a message from my heart and then pass it to your heart. May God richly bless you in this new Season. Summer can be a fresh start.
I took a bike ride. During which, I slammed on my brakes blurting out “Sweet nibblets.” I almost raced by and missed this glorious display of God’s beauty. Have you ever seen a Catalpa tree? If not Google Catalpa tree. The ground around the tree, full of blossoms, appears to look like it snowed in the summer. I love it! I picked up a blossom. I wish I could send you a picture. I will post one on my facebook for anyone to see. (friend me at Elaine James) It smells so sweet!
I left for my bike ride with much on my mind. I was processing. Or maybe over processing. Over thinking. Thinking too much. Wasting time. When will I learn! I slammed on my brakes to a complete halt and focused on the blossom. I allowed myself to enjoy nature. That helped me to just appreciate the now. I took a deep breath and told myself “God is in control.” This is what matters now. Taking in the moment. Appreciating what God gave me. A glimpse of heaven through His creation. It turned my day around. I went from “Elaine’s world” to “God’s world.” That is a good thing.
Friend, do you understand what I am telling you? Each day is a new day. A new opportunity to smile and appreciate even the smallest of things, like a blossom. I nodded and said “Hi” to someone and that felt good inside of me. I smile, you smile. (I am not singing a Justin Bieber song at this point, but I am tempted to). It brings peace throughout your whole being.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1 Peter 1:3).
New birth means. Strength from God to: love the unlovable, to have an deeper awareness, to see good in others, to stop saying I can’t when you can through Christ. You are a new creation in Christ the old is gone. This knowledge can help you stop being impatient, unkind, uncaring and be more like Christ.
Below is a writing that was published in the last month. I pray that you enjoy this new season realizing you have been given a new birth.
Pray: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In your great mercy You have given me new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Thank you. Help me to understand this new birth for daily living. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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