Happy Birthday

3 remarks

Quick Remark:

Mark 5:36

"Don't
be afraid; just believe."

-Jesus-

0 remarks

Quick Remark:

Psalm 107

I know this is long, but it seemed appropriate for today.

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures
forever. 2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has
redeemed you from your enemies. 3 For he has gathered the exiles from many
lands, from east and west, from north and south. 4 Some wandered in the
wilderness, lost and homeless. 5 Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. 6 “Lord,
help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their
distress. 7 He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live.
8 Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he
has done for them. 9 For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with
good things. 10 Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in iron
chains of misery. 11 They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the
counsel of the Most High. 12 That is why he broke them with hard
labor; they fell, and no one was there to help them. 13 “Lord, help!”
they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 14 He led
them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. 15 Let
them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has
done for them. 16 For he broke down their prison gates of bronze; he cut apart
their bars of iron. 17 Some were fools; they rebelled and suffered for their
sins. 18 They couldn’t stand the thought of food, and they were knocking on
death’s door. 19. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them
from their distress. 20 He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them
from the door of death. 21 Let them praise the Lord for his great
love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. 22 Let them
offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious
acts. 23 Some went off to sea in ships, plying the trade routes of
the world. 24 They, too, observed the Lord’s power in action, his
impressive works on the deepest seas. 25 He spoke, and the winds
rose, stirring up the wave. 26 Their ships were tossed to the
heavens and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in
terror. 27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their
wits’ end. 28 “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved
them from their distress. 29 He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled
the waves. 30 What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them
safely into harbor! 31 Let them praise the Lord for his great
love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. 32 Let them
exalt him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the
nation. 33 He changes rivers into deserts, and springs of water into
dry, thirsty land. 34 He turns the fruitful land into salty
wastelands, because of the wickedness of those who live there. 35 But
he also turns deserts into pools of water, the dry land into springs of
water. 36 He brings the hungry to settle there and to build their
cities. 37 They sow their fields, plant their vineyards, and harvest
their bumper crops. 38 How he blesses them! They raise large families
there, and their herds of livestock increase. 39 When they decrease
in number and become impoverished through oppression, trouble, and
sorrow, 40 the Lord pours contempt on their princes, causing them to
wander in trackless wastelands. 41 But he rescues the poor from trouble and
increases their families like flocks of sheep. 42 The godly will see these
things and be glad, while the wicked are struck silent. 43 Those who are
wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the
faithful love of the Lord.

Now go back and read verses 1 and 2 again.

3 remarks

Quick Remark:

Stress

According to a high school psychology textbook, stress is "a
particular pattern of disturbing psychological and physiological
reactions that occur when an environment event threatens important
motives and taxes one's ability to cope."

In plain English, stress is the "wear and tear" our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment.

But not all stress is bad -- some stress is good. In fact, everyone
needs stress in their lives; without it, life would be dull and
unexciting. Stress adds flavor, challenge and opportunity to life.
Stress can pump you up, give you energy, supply that zest for living.

Stress is an unavoidable part of life. The challenges caused by
stress help to develop new skills and behavior patterns. The problems
occur, however, when stress becomes excessive. It can become
destructive and can turn into distress. Too much stress on your mind
and body can make you feel miserable, worried, sad and ill.

Contrary to popular belief, stress is not the pressure from the
outside--the divorce, the death, the burned supper, the vacation, the
isolation. Those are stressors. Your response to those situations constitutes stress.

Matthew 6:27 Who of you by worrying can add a
single hour to his life?

John 16:33 "I have told you these
things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world." (NIV)

1 remark

Quick Remark:

Pride or Fear

Over
the past several months, I have noticed that most people who are going through a rough time, even if they will tell about it, refuse to ask for or accept help from others. I wonder if this is from a fear of needing help, or a fear of being rejected, or just pride getting in the way.

5 remarks

Quick Remark: