HAPPY WITH ME!

In the depths of winter, I finally found there was in me an invincible summer.
- Albert Camus, author

I have learned, and have HAD   to learn, to be happy with myself before I can be  happy...truly happy with other people. It is, I believe, the same needed for all  people regardless or race, creed, religion and so on.

If I am unhappy with myself or my inner soul is in turmoil   and I have negative  thoughts toward myself, I am not happy with me or about me. It is usually at  these times that I am not happy with or at other people I love or know as well.

Therefore I had to come to the point where I accepted who I was for what I was  at that time and learned very quickly to find things I enjoy to keep myself  occupied. I started back into my crafts, playing the piano, writing, reading,  volunteering when I'm able and so on. I read Self Help books by the dozen to  learn more about me and how to improve ALL of me.

Little by little the sunrise in my soul started coming up higher and higher and  staying there longer and longer. I'm at the point now where there is Sunshine  most of the time despite AND in spite of my circumstances whatever they be.

Winter can be very long, especially here in Canada's literal winter and it is a  priority to have plenty of things to entertain me and to have plenty of lights on to  keep me bright. My hobbies   fill my days and sometimes the very long cold nights  which take toll on many Canadian's mental health...declining greatly. Doctors in  some areas have patients taking Vitamin D, such as myself because from the sun  is where we get a good deal of our natural vitamin D. I myself have and continue  to use the vitamin and I feel, personally, that it is working.   I also am very strict  about taking my prescribed medication as prescribed and ON TIME. I never stop a  medication without first consulting my doctor. The only thing that can really get  me down in winter and lessen the length of the sun/summer in my daily life is  when I get very ill with bronchitis. That is when I rest...which is also a part of  Summer...rest and relaxation. :)

Regardless of where I am or what I am going through, I can still sit down, take a  breath and enjoy being myself and enjoying being WITH myself and nobody else.  It was not easy, nor did it happen overnight, but for me, all these techniques  became parts of my eternal Summer, and not just one season in my life. It is the  season which lives longest inside my soul. May it one day be your longest and  happiest season too.

DON'T QUIT..THE POEM AND MORE

This is the original poem as it was written.

This is to encourage people to never give up, here is a poem famous for saying DON'T QUIT!!!


From www.thedontquitpoem.com/
homePage.htm

The Don't Quit presentation is based on a famous poem which was written many years ago. The author of this poem is unknown. Sadly, in recent years a number of people have claimed ownership of the poem and some have even claimed to have written it themselves!

Here is the original poem in it's entirety:

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown

HARD WORK PUTS THE SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTER!!!

REFLECTION:
Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all.
- Sam Ewing, humorist

Boy if this quote doesn't make you stand up and take notice, I don't know what will!!! It sure makes you look at where you are in that small list. If you are like me, you will enjoy this quote and enjoy looking inward and being honest with yourself in answering its question. If you squirm at being introspective, like my mom and dad :) you won't want to go past simply reading my response.

For me, I think I can be in all 3, but at various times in my life. There are times when NOTHING will get in my way of doing the right thing. I enjoy putting my joggers on, getting my walker out, putting my MP3 player on with extra batteries and just going for an entire day. I will even sing out loud while walking without a care of what people are thinking. In the stores I go to, I dance to the music while pushing the walker.

Other times I just think, I'LL GIVE MYSELF A BREAK FOR A FEW DAYS - that's my turning my nose up. "I've done enough for a few days," is my main train of thought and to go out and do more seems to be boring. That's the part of me I don't like and am working on.

Then there are days when I just don't care...honestly don't care. That's the me that I don't like because it does nothing. Either my mood is down, or perhaps I'm tired and just don't give two hoots. I don't like that part of me, but it IS part of me and I have to learn to both live with it and hopefully learn to overcome it.

The favourite part of ME I like is when I am motivated, roll up my sleeves...or put on my joggers :) and get out there and get moving. Limited on what I can do for medical purposes, I have to push myself a little because my medical issues can become an excuse instead of a valid reason!! I don't want them to be a reason or an excuse. I know that, according to my doctor, a FEW of my medical conditions may either decrease or completely go away, depending on if they are partly genetic or just part of my make-up. But what WILL happen every time I roll up my sleeves is that I know I will get stronger, feel better about myself and be losing the weight I want so desperately to lose. I know it will take me much longer than the average healthy person, but the fact that I've lost 50 pounds in 1 1/2 years on all the medications I take and with the 35 medical conditions I have is a great triumph. My doctor gives me hugs and encourages me every time I go down just one or two pounds. He's likely my coach, cheerleader, and everything else combined in one person. He is a hero to me. Everybody needs a support team and I have a pretty good on, in one person at that. Then there is SparkPeople which is also a positive and motivating factor in my life. The more I learn about life and how positive it can be, the more I want to share and pass it on so people can experience the happiness and contentment I have in my life despite and in spite of all the issues I deal with. I like to be the person who pulls up their sleeves and gets out there even if it is only for a 15-30 minute walk.

So now the question lies, where do you see yourself on this list? Or, like me, do you see yourself in all the areas at times?

UNDERSTANDING FEAR AND ANXIETY AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM

Anxiety is something everybody deals with at some point, and most likely, many points in their life. Children experience anxiety when their parents go out and are left with a babysitter. Older children experience anxiety in school when faced with tests, exams, peer pressure and so on. As adults, we are loaded with anxiety. Is my job secure? Is my marriage okay? Are my children doing okay? Am I following God’s will like I should be. Will I have enough money to pay the bills? These are all very valid anxieties. We all experience anxiety attacks at one point or another. Most people are able to cope with them and don’t even realize they’ve had an anxiety attack. They are able to reason things out and understand that things will all work out if they just wait. Others truly have anxiety issues and need intervention such as counseling.
The Bible is full of examples of people who experienced anxiety.

David wrote in many Psalms that his anxiety was bothering him:
Psalm 94:19 - When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. NIV

Psalm 116:11 - In my anxiety I cried out to you, "These people are all liars!" NLT

Psalm 38:18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin.

Proverbs 12:25 New American Standard Bible (NASB)Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.

Philippians 2:28 New International Version (NIV)Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.

Luke 10:40 New Living Translation (NLT)But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me."

2 Corinthians 7:7 The Message (MSG)We were glad just to see him, but the true reassurance came in what he told us about you: how much you cared, how much you grieved, how concerned you were for me. I went from worry to tranquility in no time!

And there are many more examples, but it would take too long to list them and I am sure you are wise enough and know how to look up Scriptures relating to anxiety in the Bible.
The Bible’s response to our anxiety is also very clearly stated throughout the entire Bible:

Ecclesiastes 11:10 New International Version (NIV)So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

1 Peter 5:7 New International Version (NIV)Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Psalm 94:19 New International Version (NIV)When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Ecclesiastes 11:10 New International Version (NIV)So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Psalm 37:5 - Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.

Psalm 55:22 - Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Jeremiah 17:7 7"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.

Jeremiah 17:8 8They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit.

Matthew 6:26-34 26Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. 27Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. 28"And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, 29yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! 31"So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. 32Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, 33and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. 34"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

Philippians 4:6 New Living Translation (NLT)Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Deuteronomy 31:8 The Message (MSG)GOD is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you. Don't be intimidated. Don't worry."

Joshua 11:6 The Message (MSG)GOD said to Joshua: "Don't worry about them. This ti
me tomorrow I'll hand them over to Israel, all dead. You'll hamstring their horses. You'll set fire to their chariots."

So then, having examined what just a portion of Scripture has to say about anxiety, we know that we, if we are born-again believers, have nothing to fear. Even if they put our physical bodies to death, our souls/spirits will live on in Heaven thanks to the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ when the Bible says that those who believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life with Him in Paradise.

Are we going to still have anxiety? Of course we are. We are human. But we need not let that anxiety control our lives when we have so many promises of peace and assistance from God. Turn your eyes on Jesus and remain your focus on Him and your life will go more smoothly and will seem to run with less trouble. Turn your troubles to Jesus. He’s waiting for you to do that right now. What is holding you back? Worry?
©Sheri Leigh Adams - All Rights Reserved

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

©Sheri Liegh Adams, All Rights Reserved

There is much to be said about forgiveness and the impact it has one each life. The Bible holds hundreds of examples of people who have experienced first-hand, being forgiven of wrongful deeds: King David, Peter the disciple when he denied knowing Jesus three times, the woman caught in adultery, Paul who murdered hundreds of Christians before his conversion, Cain who killed his brother Abel because Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and Cain’s was not are just some to name a few who experienced the forgiveness of God in their life first-hand.

The sole purpose behind the come of Jesus Christ as a human was that He died as an atonement for our sins. He hung on the cross in our place. By all rights, WE should be the ones hanging on the cross. After all, Jesus was WITHOUT ANY SIN, but we were born into sin, yet it was Jesus who died and it is us who live. “If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth,” 1 John 1:8.
“For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard,” Romans 3:23.
1 Peter 2:22, “He (Jesus) never sinned, and He never deceived anyone.” It goes on to say in vs 23-24, “He did not retaliate when He was insulted. When he suffered, He did not threaten to get even. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried away our sins in His own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. you have been healed by His wounds!” Again in 2 Corinthians 5:21, it says, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

So we have concluded that we are the sinful ones and that Christ was and is blameless. It was for the forgiveness of our sins that Jesus came and died. In Hebrews 9:22 we find that there would be no forgiveness if Jesus hadn’t shed His blood. “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:14 tells us that we are free because of the shed blood of Jesus and the forgiveness He gives us. Jesus died so we could be forgiven, plain and simple.

In today’s society, when you bring up the topic of forgiveness, it can and it may start a heay discussion, or even an argument. Many cultures, religions and sects don’t believe that forgiving others is a requirement of the way we live. If they took a closer look at the Word of God, they would discover their error in the way they think.

In 1 John 1:8-9 we are told to recognize sin and ask for God’s forgiveness. No one deserves to be forgiven. (Ps. 130:3-4 “Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But You offer forgiveness that we might learn to fear you.”) But when we ask for forgiveness, we are freely given it – all because Jesus died on the cross, bearing our sins, and then rose to Heaven.

The Bible tells us that we are made white as snow when God forgives us (Is. 1:18). When we turn away from sin, we find forgiveness (Luke 3:3). Try and understand – we have already been forgiven of EVERY SIN IN OUR LIFE if you believe in Jesus! That means if you have said the sinner’s prayer and you truly meant it in your heart then ALL of your sins – past, current and the ones you will yet commit, have already been forgiven – completely!!!

And once God forgives you of your sins, He does not remember them (Ps 103:12) As humans, it is next to impossible to forget, but God can do all things. Once He forgives us, He won’t remember what our sin was. When He looks at us, all He sees is the blood of His Son, He sees us as spotless, blameless, pure, forgiven and whole. Awesome, huh?

Just as we trust in Christ for forgiveness (Acts 13:38-39), so we also trust that those we offend will forgive us. In fact, we are COMMANDED to forgive those who sin against us! Jesus spoke of it clearly: Luke 6:37 – Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven.” Matthew 6:14 – “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” It is quite clear that we are commanded to forgive us in order that we, ourselves, might be forgiven also.

We are even told how often we are to forgive someone who offends us. Matthew 18:21-35 tells us that we are to forgive 70 times 7 times. That means that we are to forgive EACH sin up to 490 times each day! That means if someone lies to us, we are to forgive that person up to 490 times for the same lie in one day. And, to add to the pot, if we DO NOT forgive those who hurt us, that person will remain unforgiven by God as well (John 20:23).

In my life, I have had to learn, the very hard way, the peace that forgiveness of others offers. Growing up, I was sexually abused. On more than a dozen occasions, both men and women have sexually abused me. Some of my assailants were male and some were female. I’ve been abused by both genders. The abuse started when I was 3 and the last assault took place when I was 28 – I am currently 35.

For years, I was angry, bitter, hateful and vengeful. I could only think of making my assailant’s lives as miserable as mine currently was. I’d been in and out of psychiatric wards on a regular basis. I’ve been through years of counselling. Then one day, forgiveness was explained this way to me: Loving somebody is like being handcuffed to them. You would do anything for them and would go anywhere for them. In this way, you are connected to them like you were handcuffed. You go where they go. So to it is when you hate someone or don’t forgive someone. When you hate somebody so much that your anger and bitterness rule your life – you think about them daily, you curse them daily, you let them ruin a good day when you think of them – you hate so much that you are again tied/handcuffed to them. Think about it…by loving someone totally, you are willingly being tied to that person. By hating someone to the same extent, and giving them the time and energy and thoughts in your day, you are STILL cuffed to

The Bible tells us over and over that we are to forgive each other: Col. 3:13, John 20:23, Luke 6:37, Matthew 6:14….We are to treat each other like this: Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behaviour. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Eph 4:31-32.

The sole purpose of Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection, was to provide a bridge between us the sinful human race, and God, the holy, blameless, eternal God of all that is good.

Col 2:13-14 tells us when Christ forgives us, that ALL our sins and debts are cancelled – For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross. When He nailed our sins to the cross, He remembers them no more.

If He was able to forgive us, even while He died on the cross because of our sins (Luke 23:26-49, especially verse 34) then who are we to do any less? Why should any less be expected of us as sinners?

Christ loved and forgave us – and continues to do so - He commanded that we do the same – for both our friends AND for our enemies! To be forgiven is to be blessed…to forgive someone is also to be blessed by God. What you expect, give in return.

©Sheri Leigh Adams - All Rights Reserved

When Families Fight

©Sheri Liegh Adams

Who in the entire universe knows you better than your family? Who do you spend at least the first 18 years together with on a daily basis (in functional families)? You eat together, talk together, go places together, worship together, pray together, have fun together, grow together and so on. If you’ve ever watched the television show 7th Heaven, you may be aware of their opening theme song: “Mmmm, 7th Heaven, when I see their happy faces smiling back at me, 7th Heaven, I know there’s no greater feeling than the love of family. Where can you go, when the world don’t treat you right? The answer is home; it’s the one place that you find, 7th Heaven, mmmmm 7th Heaven.” If you haven’t figured out by now, I’m a BIG fan of the show - watch it everyday on Vision TV. But they have a point; where in the world can you go when you are not treated right, if not your family?

I like 7th Heaven because it shows a fairly accurate representation of what a typical functioning family’s dynamics are like. Brothers and sisters fight amongst each other but when it comes to someone else interfering or hurting one of them, they all come together an support and lift each other up. They may fight for a few days, but eventually, they get past the hurtful words, betrayal or bribe and become that loving, caring and united family they desire to be.

In our world today, there are possibly more broken families than in our long history behind us. Divorce is more common now than in any other time and is more accepted. Children are abusing their bodies with cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, sex and self-abuse of other forms. Predators hungry for power and sex are everywhere and our justice systems offers very little justice for the victims of violence.

I hear many people, including my own mind, asking the question of what has gone wrong that our world is so violent and out of control. I know the answer. It’s in the Bible. All life’s answers are in the Bible. As the end times draw nearer and nearer, things are going to become more and more unthinkable and more and more challenging for the Christian alone and the Christian family. Anyone who reads their Bible knows these things. Jesus spoke of one of His purposes in coming to Earth in human form. He said He came not to bring peace, but a sword - which means division. Matthew 10:34-35 (New Living Translation)
34"Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! No, I came to bring a sword. 35I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

If Jesus said it, there must be a reason for it because God is not a God of arguments, fights and disunities. So, sometimes it baffles me why Jesus would say this, because He is, after all, the Prince of Peace. But the reason He DID say this is because to follow Him is greater than abiding by family loyalties. If God were to ask you to go to Asia as a missionary and your family was not in favour of this, you would have a decision to make. Do you stay and ease your family’s fears, concerns and demands, or do you follow God’s command, deny your family and abide by God’s will for your life? You can now see where the conflict comes into play. For the most part of your life, you have spent it pleasing your family, doing well at school, being kind, polite and going out on family gatherings, making many momentous memories. Now you are called to Asia to minister the Gospel to those who have not yet heard and you have your family pulling you one way and God saying, “I want you to go this way.” If you choose your family over God, you are saying that God is less important than your family’s happiness. And while their happiness is important, God’s will is still more important. This is where the division in the family comes in. And each family member will eventually have to go through something like this, where they must follow God’s leading or stay and nurture their family’s dependencies. 1 Corinthians 1:10 10Now, dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so there won't be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”
This passage was actually to deal with arguments that were occurring in the church at the time, but it can be applied to the family as well. After all, it is in the family that we learn the majority of our social dynamics. If we are constantly in conflict with each other at home, how much moreso will we be in conflict with those around us? And yet, sometimes it is easier to get along with “strangers” or friends/acquaintances than it is families. Why is that? I believe it is because we do not spend the majority of our learning lives living with our friends, acquaintances, co-workers and so on. We don’t have nearly the time to get into disruptions. But at home, we eat in the same kitchen, share the same bathrooms, relax in the same room and are just always with each other. It gives us an overdose of time to disagree with one member or more of the family.

And isn’t it much safer to disagree with our family than with people like our friends, co-workers, bosses and teachers? After all, our family members will love us unconditionally, or they should, whereas teachers, bosses, friends and so forth are under no obligation to even give us the slightest thought.

So, how does a family go about resolving conflict? I am no professional, but from personal experience I would suggest the following steps: 1. Each person go off on their own and pray about their part in the disruption. Ask God’s guidance for his/her life, and if needs be, forgiveness for their part.
2. Individually, consult the Word of God regarding what your disagreement is about. What does God’s word tell you is right in His eyes.
3. Come together as a family, praying before you begin to talk, asking for the Holy Spirit’s presence, peace and guidance.
4. Each person be allowed to speak without any other person interrupting them. Let each person speak his/her mind without disruption of any kind.
5. Use “I” statements. In other words, don’t say things like, “you always…..and you never let me….” Instead, say something like, “I’ve noticed that I am not allowed to …. anymore and I feel that it is unfair. And also “I feel like I am not allowed to …. and I don’t understand why not. I feel it is unfair and I would like to discuss some options. Don’t point the finger by saying “you won’t let me…” Accusations will always bring resentment and confrontational attitudes.
6. When one person is done speaking, allow the others to respond. But first restate what you thought the person was saying, in case you misunderstood what they were saying. Say something like, “I hear you saying…..” If it is right, you can go forward. If there was a misunderstanding, allow the person to clarify their meaning. When there is total clarification about the points made, let there be open discussion about what was said. Keep voices low, calm and understanding. Always allow each person in the discussion to have their say and allow each person to respond non-confrontationally.

By following this simple setup, you should be able to come to some sort of agreement and be able to get back to being a loving family, supporting each of its members unconditionally. If no resolution is made, family mediation may be required. A pastor, a counselor or a social worker, may be of some use. It may only take one session to clear things up and get answers. If the subject is deeper and more wounding, more sessions may be required.
But never give up. God will never give up on you, therefore, you should never give up on each other, no matter how tough it gets. Sometimes all that is needed is a time out for each person involved - one may take a walk, one may take a long bath, another may listen to some music. Take whatever time you need to calm down or to remain at an even keel, but NEVER give up on your family. Your family is the gift that God has given you. What greater gift can God give than people who will be your friends for yours and their entire life? Who will love you and accept you, prayerfully, unconditionally.

But families will fight. Everybody has their own ideas, their own will and most people want their own way. This will always lead to some sort of conflict. But it is okay for people to have different ideas, wills and so on, so long as it does not break the ties that bind the family together. When a family cannot get it together and get on with being unconditionally loving, accepting and forgiving, then Satan is at work and there is no glory for God.
The Bible tells us how our character should be: Galatians 4:22-23 says: 22But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.

It also says in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a: 4Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. 6It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 8Love will last forever. So, if truly we are Christians, our lives should display : love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control, forgiveness, truth and justice.

If we cannot be these things to our family members, who are closest to us and know us better than anyone aside from the Lord, then how can we display these characteristics towards others in our lives? It is my belief that the order of loyalty goes as such: God, family, friends and all others.

Sometimes you may have to deny your family and what they think about a certain situation and that may cause disruption in the dynamics of the family. But if each one is willing - and each one MUST be willing for it to work, there can be an agreement and understanding met, if God is allowed to be the centre of each person’s life and the family’s life.
Resolving conflict with family is no different than resolving conflict with anybody else, other than your family will always be your family, whereas your friends, may not always be your friends. Despite the fact families grow and sometimes go separate ways, they remain a family and there are ties that keep them bound together. But friends, co-workers and such will come and go like sand on the seashore.

If there is no resolution after all these processes, you must follow your heart, which is where God will lead you from. And though it may hurt your family if you go according to God’s will, it will not harm them. There is a difference.

Hurt according to the Thesaurus means: injure, wound, and impair.
Harm means: damage and destruction.

So if we hurt somebody, we are to presume that they will eventually heal. Most wounds or injuries are able to be healed with the right aide. But to harm somebody means to destroy them, and to permanently damage them beyond recovery.

Sometimes following God’s will is a hard road to follow. Family is very important to most people. Why are there so many holidays where families can gather to restore, have fun, unite and enjoy each other? Family is the most important union on the face of the Earth. When are families become divided, the world becomes even more divided. What is that saying: United we stand; divided we fall. Family is worth fighting for and not meant for disruptions and divisions. But when God calls, how will you stand? And where will your family stand? With you or departed? God gave us free will, but He would more than appreciate it if we abided by His will. Where is your family at?

Follow up note: I use God’s will as an example of what may cause division in the family, but there are many other circumstances which may cause disruption: friends, work, moving, outside influences, individual opinions, etc. The steps to resolution, in my opinion, remain the same.
©Sheri Leigh Adams - All Rights Reserved

SLAVERY & HOW TO BREAK FREE!

Slavery:  according to www.dictionary.com slavery is described as: 
1.    The state of one bound in servitude as the property of a slaveholder or household.
2.   
a.    The practice of owning slaves.
b.    A mode of production in which slaves constitute the principal work force.
3.    The condition of being subject or addicted to a specified influence.
4.    A condition of hard work and subjection: wage slavery.
And according to the thesaurus on the same site, these are some of the words that go along with slavery:
bullwork, captivity, chains, constraint, drudge, drudgery, enslavement, enthrallment, feudalism, grind, helotry, indenture, labor, menial labor, moil, peonage, restraint, serfdom, serfhood, servitude, subjection, subjugation, thrall, thralldom, toil, vassalage, work, bondage, committal, confinement, constraint, custody, durance, duress, enslavement, enthrallment, entombment, impoundment, imprisonment, incarceration, internment, jail, limbo, restraint, serfdom, servitude, subjection, thralldom, vassalage.

As you can see, slavery is not a very nice thing.  The people of Israel knew all too well what slavery was when they were slaves in Egypt for 400 years.  What started out as good, with Joseph being the 2nd in charge in Egypt, soon turned into something terrible and forceful when a bad pharaoh took over.

Many people today are slaves.  Maybe not in the way of having a master to answer to like the African American people were used to not so long ago, but in other ways.  Some people are slaves to alcohol, gambling, sex, drugs, cigarettes, money, people who control them, their past and so on.  Many people wonder if they will ever break free of what is holding on to them, and I have the answer, if they are willing to do the work.

Yes, there is freedom for prisoners and slaves, regardless of what you are enslaved to.  There are many books out there you can read that will lead you in the right direction to get you started.  One that comes to the top of my mind is Neil Anderson’s THE BONDAGE BREAKER.  Two other books that would be good to help you set boundaries so you do not become slaves to others’ control include Boundaries:  When to Say Yes, When To Say No To Take Control of Your Life, and Safe People, both by Dr’s Henry Cloud and John Townsend. 

The Bible also has much to say about slavery or bondage.  Read these verses and YOU decide what they are saying to you.  Normally, I would tell you, but I think when you are working at breaking free from slavery to whatever or whomever it is, you need to do some of the thinking for yourself.

Acts 13:17 - "The God of this nation of Israel chose our ancestors and made them prosper in Egypt. Then he powerfully led them out of their slavery. NLT

Romans 6:19 - I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. NIV

Romans 7:14 - The law is good, then. The trouble is not with the law but with me, because I am sold into slavery, with sin as my master.

Galatians 5:1 - So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. NLT

Hebrews 2:14-16 - 14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. NIV

When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He set us free from the yoke or burden of slavery/bondage.  We don’t have to carry our burdens around.  He said to lay them at His feet and He would deal with them.  However, many of us CHOOSE to continue to carry around our burdens.  There is something in them that we are holding onto.  And we cannot be truly and completely free unless we let go of ALL of what burdens us.

Remember the Israelites who were in bondage/slavery for 400 years?  When they came out of Egypt, they came with everything there was in Egypt.  God’s plan was to harden Pharaoh’s heart so much that he wanted the slaves gone and anything they wanted to take to go with them.  Pharaoh lost everything in the end because the children of Israel trusted God, even over 400 years of brutal slavery.  And when they were set free, they came out with gold, silver, livestock, clothing and joy.  They came out with more than they could have ever imagined.  And their joy was overwhelming!  Take a look at the following Scriptures that give a brief history of their lives in Egypt:
Exodus 1:14 - They made their lives bitter with hard labour in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labour the Egyptians used them ruthlessly.

Exodus 2:23 - During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.

Exodus 6:6 - "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.

Now when it comes to us, who are living in the years of 2000 and up, God is telling us we can also be set free with joyful jubilation.
John 8:31-34 - 31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; 32 and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered unto him, We are Abraham's seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin.
Jesus was trying to explain to the people that though they were not in bondage to any person, they could be in bondage to sin.  Sin can mean a multitude of things ranging from adultery, murder, rape, lying, stealing and so on.  If we are doing any of these things, we are enslaved or in bondage to them.  They are our masters.  And the Bible clearly states that you can only have ONE true master. 
Matthew 6:24 says "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.  (In this case, money can also be replaced with whatever it is that is controlling you – gambling, food, sex, crime, lying, smoking, drugs, alcohol, another person, and so on.)
Romans 8:15 says For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

All we need to do is cry out to God and ask Him to remove our chains of bondage and slavery and He will gladly set us free. 
Galatians 4:3-6 - 3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
If we have accepted Christ as our Savior and Lord, we no longer have to be in bondage to whatever has its hold on us.
We are commanded, who are believers in Christ, to no longer be in bondage to the various elements of the world.  Galatians 5:1 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

1 Corinthians 7:20-22 - 20Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. 21Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 -  23"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. 24Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. (What this means is that even though we are now Christians and are free from sin and have already been forgiven of EVERY sin we have or will ever commit, it does not give us free license to go out and do what we want.  We are to be wise with the freedom God has given us so that we ourselves don’t stumble and so that we do not cause others to stumble as well.) 
Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love. 

2  Corinthians 3:17 - 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Therefore, if we are disciples or children of God, and He truly lives in our hearts, we are FREE.  What is so hard to understand about that?  It seems to be that a lot of people, myself included, have trouble with this little thing.  When Jesus dwells within us, we are already free.  So why are we still slaves or in bondage?  Because we CHOOSE to be.  Yes, we choose to remain in bondage for one reason or another. 
We can be free if we so choose.  But sometimes we are comfortable in our bondage or slavery.  Sometimes change can seem like a scary thing and therefore we stay stuck in our bondage and suffering.

Galatians 5:1 tells us that we  have been set free from all burdens, bondages and sins the very moment we accepted Jesus as our Saviour.  He tells us NOT to go back to that kind of life:  It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Ephesians 3:12 tells us that since we have become Heirs of God, we can go boldly before the throne of God.  In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.  This means that we can approach Him without fear or trembling and ask Him to take away the things that hold us back and keep us in bondage.  We are FREE people.  Take advantage of it!!!

If you are in bondage to anything, including those things I have listed in this article, please say this simple prayer BELIEVING that God can and will do it.  For the Bible says if we ask for anything in prayer, believing that we will receive it, it will be done. 

Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Matthew 21:22 - If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

So, what have we learned?  We have learned that people everywhere are in bondage.  Whether it is bondage to their past of abuse, bondage to drugs, smokes, liquor, sex, control, food, lies, money, things, exercising, and the list goes on, we CAN be set free if we TRULY WANT to be set free.  All it takes is this simple little prayer:

Precious Father, I come to you boldly before the Throne of God through Your Son, Jesus Christ.  You already know Father, that I am in bondage to ____________.  Father God, I want to be free.  As Your Word says, if I ask for anything and I believe that it will happen, You will make it happen.  I am asking right now Father that You free me from the bonds of ___________.  I believe that when Jesus died, He set me free from all chains of bondage and slavery.  I believe You will do this and I thank You in advance for the answer that is already on its way.  I praise You for granting freedom to Your people.  I love You and I praise You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Congratulations, your freedom is on its way!