:: Love Life * Be You ? Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around? Vanilla Sky.

If you can change your mind, you can change your life. William James.

"Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do." Benjamin Spock.

tinybuddha: "Life will bring you pain all by itself. Your responsibility is to create joy." ~Milton Erickson

http://www.studio360.org/2012/aug/17/

http://www.studio360.org/2012/aug/17/

Neil Selkirk is an accomplished portrait photographer whose chance encounter with photographer Diane Arbus photo: A Family One Evening in a Nudist Camp, Pennsylvania, 1965 led to a transformative, life-changing event.

Mystified Mom: Final Post

Mystified Mom: Final Post: I had originally tried to change the settings to this blog to private so that it would no longer be publicly available. The settings change ...

Your life has been a mad gamble.
Make it more so. You have lost now
a hundred times running.
Roll the dice a hundred and one. Rumi

Reply with your comment.

What if Jesus Had Never Been Born?

mattstone.blogs.com

Luke 2:4-7: “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

What if Jesus Had Never Been Born?
Summarized from 

What if Jesus Had Never Been Born?

 by D. James Kennedy & Jerry Newcomb

 and

 Faith Facts: Christ and the Culture

If Jesus had never been born, would we still have~

Women slaves? If Jesus had never been born, women would still be slaves of free men. Christian missionaries were a major influence in stopping these century-old practices and ideas.

Killing of children? The early Christian church brought an end to the killing of one’s own children that was once considered an act of beauty.

Gladiators? A 5th century monk, Telemachus is credited as being the pivotal force ending the gladiator spectacles.

Slavery? Although many committed Christians owned slaves in history, it was Christians who historians credit with being the primary force behind ending international slave trade. (Two-thirds of the members of the American abolition society in 1835 were Christian ministers.)

Cannibalism? Missionary followers of Jesus are credited with stopping cannibalism in many primitive societies.

Compassion and Mercy? An important aspect to Jesus’ ministry was his emphasis on helping the neediest and lowliest in society. For example, his Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) is a classic illustration that is still part of our language today. Mother Theresa, the Salvation Army, religious hospitals, and church supported soup kitchens and thrift shops in every community do their work in the name of Jesus. Jesus has had such an enormous impact on charity that one wonders how different things would be if he had never been born.

Santa Claus? Santa Claus points back to Christ. St. Nick unquestionably arose within the Christian tradition.

Education? From the beginning of Judaism, from which Christianity is derived, there was an emphasis on the written word. But the phenomenon of education for the masses has its roots in the Protestant Reformation. In America, the first law to require education of the masses was passed by the Puritans. For the first 200 years in America, children’s reading instruction was in the Bible.

Universities? All but one of the first 123 colleges in colonial America were Christian institutions. While these universities have lost their Christian identities, it is interesting to read the founding statements of these schools. Harvard, for example, was founded on this statement: "Let every student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternall life, John 17:3."

Printing Press? In order to promote Bible literacy, Christians have been leaders in education. This trend was accelerated with the advent of the printing press at about the same time as the Protestant Reformation. Many of the world’s languages were first set to writing by Christian missionaries in order for people to read the Bible.

Government?

At least 50 of the 55 signers of the U.S. Constitution were orthodox Christians. The Rule of Law rather than the authority of man traces back to the Old Testament, beginning with the Ten Commandments. The idea that all men are created equal as enshrined in the Declaration of Independence is a Biblical doctrine. The Declaration of Independence recognizes self-evident truths and unalienable rights from the Creator. Fair trials with witnesses have numerous Old and New Testament support. The slogan on the Liberty Bell is "Proclaim Liberty throughout the land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof" is from Leviticus 15:10.

Scientific Law? Christianity is based on the notion that there exists a rational God who is the source of rational truth. This gave rise to the possibility of scientific laws.

Scientists? Nearly all the founders of modern science were Christians. These include men such as Keppler, Boyle, Pascal, Pasteur, Newton, and numerous others.

Private property rights? Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:15, 17 (Thou shalt not steal? Thou shalt not covet.")--as well as to other passages from the Old and New Testaments.

Work ethic? Principles that were always in the Bible were adapted by the American founders. Self-reliance and self-denial are the foundation of the famous "Protestant work ethic." These doctrines are at the heart of our economic (and political) way of life.

Free Enterprise? Anyone who doubts the relationship of Biblical ideas to free enterprise need only to note the stark contrast with communism. Communism is specifically an atheistic system that relies on the non-biblical notion that all men are good (thus will work for the common good). But communism has been an abject economic failure.

Literature? The Christian faith has influenced literature in such Christian writers such as Dante, Chaucer, Donne, Dostoevsky, Shakespeare, Dickens, Milton, and scores more.

Music? Had Jesus never been born, music would likely sound very different from what we’re used to. There may never have developed the cantata, the concerto, or the symphony. Handel, Vivaldi, and Bach were Christians who worked to honor God with their work. Bach, for example, signed all his works with Soli Deo Gloria ("Solely to the glory of God").

Art? Art has likewise been magnificently impacted by Jesus. Classical Christian art tries to bring out the best of mankind--pointing us to a higher plane. Artists like Michelangelo used his paintings to honor Jesus. Incredible architecture in the beautiful cathedrals in Europe were built to honor Christ.

So, in a time when Christians are under attack, belittled, and criticized, they can still stand proud. Without Jesus, our world would be a different place where few would want to live.

Merry CHRISTmas.

Eat Wild

Eat Wild

"If I were doing well with my grief,

I would be over in the corner

curled up in a fetal position crying,

not standing here acting like no one has died."

~Doug Manning in The Gift of Significance: Walking People Through a Loss

S.W.A.P. Ministries: Welcome

S.W.A.P. Ministries: Welcome:

Welcome Home. Home is where the heart is.

It’s nothing like taking that trip home

to receive warm hugs and hot meals from those you love.

Healing is a choice

40-Day Healing Affirmation Challenge

Stephen Arterburn, author crafted the following words he called “Affirmation: Today I Choose to Heal” with an opening prayer.

If you are on the healing journey yourself, join me in taking this challenge: Each day, for the next 40 days, read the following words out loud in a quiet place where you’re alone and communing with God.

OPENING PRAYER: “Lord, I am broken and hurting due to the brokenness of others and mistakes of my own. Please use Your powers to heal me and give me courage to make the choices I need to make to allow Your healing in my life. Forgive me for standing in Your way of healing for me. Thank You for allowing my past to end one second ago, and my future to begin right now in this moment with You.”

AFFIRMATION:

Today I Choose to Heal

Today I choose to heal.
My healing begins right now, in this moment.
I am no longer bound by my sick past.
There is healing in my future.
For the next twenty-four hours, I choose to live free and heal.
I choose to let go of past hurts that I cannot undo.
I choose to forgive myself for wrong choices in the past.
Today I will dwell on what is good and right, not on the darkness I have experienced or the darkness others invite me to live.
Today I will live beyond myself and live for God.
On this day I will choose to feel my life rather than live in denial.
I will not medicate away my pain, sorrow, or anxiety.
I will allow each negative feeling to lead me to greater depths of healing.
I will not drown out or ignore my negative emotions.
I will work through these feelings and move out of them.
I will not project them onto those around me.
When I am unaware of what choice to make next, I will choose to do the next right thing.
Today I will not hide or run away.
I will connect with those who love me and with those who need my love.
Throughout this day I will stay connected to God and ask Him to guide me and lead me.
Today will be an adventure for me.
I will take a risk and enjoy the unpredictable.
I will not be governed by my fears.
I will choose to do something uncomfortable that might lead me to know the truth about
myself or live life to the fullest.
I will not lie to myself today.
I will seek the truth and will ask for help when I need it.
Today I will reestablish some boundaries that will protect me from unhealthy people
and unhealthy situations.
I will tear down some walls that are keeping some wonderful people from knowing me
and loving me.
If there is some ungrieved loss, I will grieve it as much as I can today, and then put it away.
Today I will choose reality and embrace it.
I will accept my life and pick up my life right where it is.
I refuse to wallow in self-pity.
I will not focus on what I do not have or what might have been.
On this day I will not give up.
No matter how difficult the struggle, I choose to persevere.
I will not let any excuse be strong enough to derail my path to healing.
I will never give up or give in to an old life that did not serve me well.
I will allow no one to discourage me.
Today I will heal and rely on God to deliver me through the choices I make.
Today I will allow God to control my life, and each choice I make, I will make with
God in mind and love in my heart.
On this day, I choose healing.
I will do what I can do to heal and accept the limitations God has placed before me.
I will see every limitation I encounter as an invitation by God to do for me what I cannot do for my self.
I will accept that healing is sometimes slow and delayed and will grow in character
in the meantime.
Today I will step outside of myself and serve others.
I will find a need and fill it.
I will find the hurt of another and help heal it.
I will not become self-absorbed or filled with self-obsession.
I will reach out to someone in need and do what I can to meet that need.
Today I will ask for God’s help to live out His purpose.
Today I will live for God and not myself.
Today I choose to live.
Today I choose to love.
Today I choose to heal.

10 Ways to Rethink Your Lists | Real Simple

10 Ways to Rethink Your Lists | Real Simple
Sometimes we get caught up in creating lists upon lists. This article offers some creative ways to think about what we actually do with them and what they do for us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEFINITION from
 thefreedictionary.com
list ¹  (lst)

n.

1. A series of names, words, or other items written, printed, or imagined one after the other: a shopping list; a guest list; a list of things to do.

2. A considerable number; a long series: recited a list of dates memorized.

v. list·ed, list·ing, lists

v.tr.

1. To make a list of; itemize: listed his previous jobs.

2. To enter in a list; register: listed each item received.

3. To put (oneself) in a specific category: lists herself as an artist.

4. Archaic To recruit.

Crafting a Vision Statement to Create Your Ideal Life

A Vision Board

Martha Graham, dancer, choreographer, and American pioneer of modern dance once wrote,“Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can.” Creating a personal vision statement allows the individual to join the mind and body which leads to increased joy,pleasure and energy. The process offers a clear path, yet it is by no means an easy one. It requires  the peeling back of layers. By taking on this process we can define how we want to see our true, authentic self and manifest our dreams.

 I have listed a "few" resources to start you on your way to creating your own personal vision statement.

Create Your Ideal Life with a Vision Statement from DivineCaroline

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/personal-mission-statement.htm

Mission-Vision from Life Tools for Women

http://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurPersonalVision.pdf

from The Self Help Goddess- Create a Vision Statement

Creating Your Personal Vision from Joe Mayer @ COSEMindspring

Good Night Emerson

I read this quote and despite not being able to sleep I somehow feel comforted in being reminded can start fresh.

"Finish each day and be done with it. 

You have done what you could. 

Some blunders and absurdities have crept in; 

forget them as soon as you can. 

Tomorrow is a new day. 

You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." 

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

http://joniew.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/you-are-the-result-of-yourself/

http://joniew.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/you-are-the-result-of-yourself/

Helpguide.org:

This is a wonderful resource for expert, ad-free articles to help empower you with knowledge, support and hope. Covers subjects from bullying and cyber-bullying, trauma/disaster recovery, mental and emotional health,  diet and nutrition to seniors and aging .   Check out Helpguide.org:

"Our Lady's Earrings"

taken by Janay Green 5/17/2011

In an article titled FLOWER THEOLOGY by John S. Stokes Jr.the Impatiens is called "Our Lady's Earrings", symbolical pure adornments of the ears of Mary who heard the word of God and kept it.
www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/FLOWTHEO.htm 

Radical Womanhood

Radical Womanhood

BECAUSE BEING A BIBLICAL WOMAN IN A MODERN WORLD IS A RADICAL ACT

Radical Womanhood blog by writer Carolyn McCulley  offers a distinct view of feminis,. Visit her blog @http://solofemininity.blogs.com/.

J is for Jewelweed. « bitterpattern

J is for Jewelweed. « bitterpattern