Attitude

If you fall

World Day of Prayer

Love your own wife



Identify your addiction

Addictive behaviours and the addictive process

Any activity, substance, object or behaviour that become the major focus of a person’s life to the exclusion of other activities or that has begun to harm the individual or others physically, mentally, or socially is considered an addictive behaviour.  A person can become addicted, dependent or compulsively obsessed with anything. Some researches imply that there are similarities between physical addiction to various chemicals, such as alcohol and heroin, and psychological dependence to activities such as compulsive gambling, sex, work, running, shipping, or eating disorders.

 

It is thought that these behaviour activities may produce beta-endorphins in the brain, which makes the person feel ‘high’. Some experts suggest that if a person continues to engage in the activity to achieve this feeling of well-being and euphoria, he or she may get into an addictive cycle. In so doing he/she becomes physically addicted to his/her own brain chemicals, thus leading to continuation of the behaviour even though it may have negative health or social consequences. Others feel that these are just bad habits. It isn’t. This is a full blown addiction.

Most physical addictions to substance such as alcohol, heroin or barbiturates also have a psychological component.  For example an alcoholic who has not used alcohol for years may still crave a drink. Thus some researches feel that we need to look at both physical and psychological dependencies upon a variety of substance, activities and behaviours as an addictive process and as addictive behaviours.  They suggest that all of these behaviours have a host of commonalities that make them even more similar than different from each other and that they should not be divided into separate categories or problems.

 Common Characteristics among addictive behaviours.

Identify your addiction:

There are many common characteristics among the various addictive behaviours:

·     The person becomes obsessed (constantly thinks of) the object, activity or substance

·    They will seek it out or engage in the behaviour even though it is causing harm (physical problems, poor work or study performance, problems with friends, family, loved ones, fellow workers)

·    The person will compulsively engage in the activity - that is do the activity over and over even if she/he does not want to and find it difficult to stop.

·    Upon ending the activity, withdrawal symptoms often occur. These can include irritability, craving, restlessness or depression.

·    The person does not appear to have control as to when, how long, or how much he or she will continue the behaviour (you now have lost control). (They drink 6 beers when they only wanted one, buy 8 pairs of shoes when they only needed a belt, ate the whole box of cookies, eventually get caught up in homosexuality or child pornography when they only wanted to look at a few naked pictures).

·    He/she often denies problems resulting from his/her engagement in the behaviour, even though others can the negative effects.

·    Person hides the behaviour after family or close friends have mentioned their concern (hide food under beds, alcohol bottles in closets, doesn’t show spouse credit card bills, passwords on websites and personal profiles, etc.)

·    Many individuals with addictive behaviours report a blackout for the time they were engaging in the behaviour (don’t remember how much or what they bought, how much they lost gambling, how many miles they ran on a sore foot, what they did at the party when drinking etc.)

·    Depression is common in individuals with addictive behaviours.  That is why it is important to find out what is going on.

·    Individuals with addictive behaviours often have I low self-esteem, feel anxious if they do not have control over their environment and comes from psychologically or physically abusive families.

      Addictive persons often becomes violent themselves towards loved ones, express road rage and are highly irritable with those around them.  This often is the result of suppressing their cravings for their addiction or when they want to hide the matter at hand.

No regrets

Look forward with HOPE not backwards with REGRET....

Irrespective of your past, where you have been, what you have done...or how many times. Jesus is the Author of Hope.

He is HOPE.

Give Him your life, start afresh.
Let today be a new beginning for you.
Let your day start with HOPE today.
Let HOPE take control.

Broken heart

God Draws Near to Those With a Broken Heart. ~ Psalm 34:18

forgive like Jesus

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children. It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began. 

About one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting. As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. 

He began to speak and his statement was this: "My fiancee's past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?"

The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters.

Forgiveness is a very fundamental part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.

today's weather

Anger

Anyone can become angry - that is easy. 

But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way - this is is the challenge.”

~ Aristotle’s 

Deck of Cards vs. The Holy Bible

This is the lyrics of an old song... 

Friends, this is Tex Ritter with a strange story about a soldier boy and a deck of cards. 

During the North African campaign, a bunch of soldier boys had been on a long hike and they arrived in a little town called Casino. The next morning being Sunday, several of the boys went to church. A sergeant commanded the boys in church and after the Chaplin had read the prayer the text was taken up next. Those of the boys who had a prayer book took them out. But this one boy only had a deck of card and so he spread them out. The sergeant saw the cards and said, “Soldier, put away those cards.” After the services were over the soldier was taken prisoner and was taken before the provost marshal. The marshal said sergeant, “Why have you brought this man here?” “For playing cards in church, Sir.” “And what do you have to say for yourself son?” “Much, Sir” replied the soldier. The Marshal said, “I hope for if not, I shall punish you more than any man was ever punished.” The soldier said, “Sir, I have been on a march for six days and I had neither bible or prayer book, but I hope to satisfy you, Sir, with the purity of my intentions.” With that the boy started his story. 

You see sir when I see the Ace, it reminds me that there is but one God.

And the deuce reminds me the bible is divided into two parts, the Old and the New Testament. 

And when I see the three, I think of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

When I see the four, I think of the four evangelists who preached the gospel, there was Mathew, Mark, Luke and John.

And when I see the five it reminds me of the five wise virgins who trimmed their lamps. There were ten of them, five were wise and were saved and five were foolish and were shut out.

And when I see the six it reminds me that in six days God made this great heaven and earth. A

nd when I see the seven it reminds me that on the seventh day God rested from his great work.

And when I see the eight, I think of the eight righteous people God saved when he destroyed this earth. There was Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives.

And when I think of the nine, I think of the leapers our savior cleansed and nine of the ten didn’t even thank him.

When I see the ten, I think of the ten commandments God handed down to Moses on a table of stone.

When I see the king, it reminds me that there is but one king in heaven, God all Mighty.

And when I see the queen, I think of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is queen of heaven.

And the Jack or knave is the Devil. 

When I count the number of spots of a deck of cards I find three hundred and sixty-five, the number of days in a year. There are fifty-two cards, the number of weeks in a year. There’s four suits, the number of weeks in a month. There’s twelve picture cards, the number of months in a year. There are thirteen tricks, the number of weeks in a quarter. 

So you see, Sir, my deck of cards serves me as a Bible, almanac, and prayer book.

And friends I know that story is true cause I knew that soldier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydDv7gyotCE

Courageous

turn turn turn

Choose God

a bad attitude

God is the Author

Jesus' Last Words on the Cross

The hill is quiet now. Not still but quiet. For the first time all day there is no noise. 

The clamor began to subside when the darkness—that puzzling midday darkness—fell. Like water douses a fire, the shadows doused the ridicule. No more taunts. No more jokes. No more jesting. And, in time, no more mockers. One by one the onlookers turned and began the descent.

That is, all the onlookers except you and me. We did not leave. We came to learn. And so we lingered in the semidarkness and listened. We listened to the soldiers cursing, the passersby questioning, and the women weeping. But most of all, we listened to the trio of dying men groaning. Hoarse, guttural, thirsty groans. They groaned with each rolling of the head and each pivot of the legs.

But as the minutes became hours, these groans diminished. The three seemed dead. Were it not for the belabored breathing, you would have thought they were.

Then he screamed. As if someone had yanked his hair, the back of his head slammed against the sign that bore his name, and he screamed. Like a dagger cuts the curtain, his scream cut the dark. Standing as straight as the nails would permit, he cried as one calling for a lost friend, “Eloi!”

His voice was raspy, scratchy. Reflections of the torch flame danced in his wide eyes. “My God!”

Ignoring the volcano of erupting pain, he pushed upward until his shoulders were higher than his nailed hands. “Why have you forsaken me?”  

The soldiers stared. The weeping of the women ceased. One of the Pharisees sneered sarcastically, “He’s calling Elijah.”

No one laughed.

He’d shouted a question to the heavens, and you half expected heaven to shout one in return. And apparently it did. For the face of Jesus softened, and an afternoon dawn broke as he spoke a final time. “It is finished. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

As he gave his final breath, the earth gave a sudden stir. A rock rolled, and a soldier stumbled. Then, as suddenly as the silence was broken, the silence returned.

And now all is quiet. The mocking has ceased. There is no one to mock.

The soldiers are busy with the business of cleaning up the dead. Two men have come. Dressed well and meaning well, they are given the body of Jesus.

From He Chose the Nails: What God Did To Win Your Heart 

Honor your marriage, your bed and your wife

Marriage should be honored [= respected, treasured, appreciated, cherished, precious]

by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, [= clean, unsoiled, spotless, fresh, sparkling]

for God will judge the adulterer [= sexual intercourse between a man and a women other than his wife/between a woman and a man other than her husband & everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart~Math 5:27-28.]


and all the sexually immoral... [flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies ~ 1 Cor 6:19]


God is holy.... live holy lives because if you don't you will not see Lord.
~ Hebr 12:14
~ Hebr 13:3

Honestly

If we be honest with ourselves, we shall be honest with each other.

Comfort Me

O, God do not remain silent
Do not turn a deaf ear to me.
Do not keep quiet, O God
[ps 83]

I am oppressed and needy
O God, come to me quickly.
You are my help and my Saviour.
O Lord do not delay
[ps 70:5]

You know my stupidity, and the things of which I am guilty are not hidden from You.

May my prayer come to You at an acceptable time, O Lord.
God, out of the greatness of Your mercy, answer me with the truth of Your salvation.
I am in trouble, so do not hide Your face from me. Answer me quickly!
[ps 69:5,13,17]

Lord God, commander of armies, restore us, and smile on us so that I may be saved .
[ps 80:19]

Have pity on me, O God in keepin with Your mercy. In keeping with Your unlimited compassion, wipe out my rebellious acts. Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a faithful spirit within me. Do not force me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me, and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience.
[ps 51:10-12]

In Jesus Name I pray. Amen

Lifeguard

When you feel like you're drowning in life, don't worry - your Lifeguard walks on water.

Change

a new heart for a new day

God made the first move...now

Amen

Fearless and Fired-up!

Opportunities

Opportunities are like sunrises....
if you wait 2 long, you miss them!

Context of the bible

When you take a text out of context you are left with a "Con"

Breakthrough!

I was reminded of Jehoshaphat’s predicament in 2 Chronicles 20 when the enemies of Judah threatened to overwhelm them. He called out to God and this is what God said to him.


“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17.

As God’s people on the earth, you and I positioned ourselves against TopTV as they threatened to flood our nation with pornographic filth via their proposed 24 Hour porn channels.

We received the answer to our prayers when the High Court prevented TopTV from launching the channels on 20 Jan. Now God is using the giant labour federation COSATU to fight this battle.

The media reports COSATU has instructed its investment company to disinvest its 20 percent shareholding in TopTV should they proceed with the launch of their proposed porn channels.

TopTV now faces the prospect of a nationwide boycott of their channel from Christians & other religious groups as well as the disinvestment of millions of Rand’s from a major shareholder.

You and I can rest in God’s promises, "stand still and witness the salvation of the Lord." I trust God that ICASA will decline TopTV’s license application for 3 porn channels at the end of January.

Christians who have prayed and actively united against evil have stopped DStv, E-tv and TopTV from broadcasting pornography in SA. However, you and I must not become complacent.

I am writing to the Department of Communications and Home Affairs to once and for all amend legislation to prohibit all forms of pornography on television. The recent public battles with our broadcasters overwhelmingly prove the SA public rejects porn on national TV.

A TopTV spokesman accused Christians of forcing their views on others. However, his allegations were well and truly shot down when COSATU agreed with our views on the harm of porn.

Trust God for BIG things this year! Please pray and push ahead. Your breakthrough is imminent!

TV Pornography Update

TopTv’s plan to launch their appalling 24 hour porn channels on 20 Jan was dealt a blow by the South Gauteng High Court 16 Jan ruling that they must abide by ICASA regulations.

The ruling was handed down the same day ICASA held public hearings on TopTV’s application in JHB. The regulating authority will decide on TopTV’s application by 31 January 2012.

There is much at stake for the family and society. Please earnestly pray that ICASA denies TopTV a license to broadcast pornography in South Africa. You and I must commit to stem the flood of pornographic filth into our nation. Porn is devastating to the family and must be eradicated!

Stay standing in faith with us and in prayer.

We come against these forces of darkness and we cancel their plans to destroy marriages and families in the powerful name of Jesus Christ!

We cancel their plans to have pornography aired on our TV's and we bound them in Jesus Name.

We do not accept these plans; we will not bow down to the evil spirits - we bring destruction to the destroyer with God's two-edged sword. We will stand up against these forces. We call on God's mighty name for Victory!!!

Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

He washed their feet

The tradition in those days was for the lowest person in the room to wash the feet of those who entered a room after a journey because sandals did not afford a complete covering for the feet.

Jesus was demonstrating a form of admonishment to His disciples to show them their arrogance and how they should humble themselves from the high place with the willingness to at times take the low place. [Some of the humility and humbleness that is spoken of in 2Chronicles 7:14]

Jesus was also giving them a visual representation of His love.

He washed their feet to make them remember and realize: We are here to serve God and each other. And that He also was a servant; that He was humble.

He even washed the feet of the man that was about to betray Him. By washing Judas feet, He showed that He had forgiven Judas for what he had done.

Jesus knew that it was God's will for him to die. And he knew that he couldn't be disobedient.

Truth vs lies

Truth is so obscured nowadays and lies so well established... that unless we love the truth we shall never recognize it.

The Lord's Prayer

Comments by CommentNation.com

Genade

Here, ek voel regtig nie elke dag ewe geloofsterk nie.
Male sonder tal wonder ek selfs of ek nog enigsins op die regte pad is.
Maar dankie my Here dat U my vandag weer wil verseker dat U getrou aan my bly... selfs wanneer ek nie is nie;
dat U my vooruitgan...
selfs wanneer ek nie die weg sien nie;
en dat U by my is;
veral wanneer ek U nie voel nie.

Meer en meer besef ek hoe afhanklik ek van U is, U nimmereindige genade.

Gaan ek in my leeftyd ooit die grootheid van U genade verstaan Here? Help my om dit nooit weer te misbruik nie, dat ek die krag en die werklikheid; die prys wat U daarvoor betaal het altyd sal verstaan, brand dit vas in my mense-hart Here.

Dankie dat ek weet dat die eindbestemming van my geloof nie vandag is nie.
Maar dat dit die ewigheid is.