A Daily Spiritual Look At Life

[MajestyJo]

God Found Me

I believe that God found me, more than I found Him. It was similar to

watching a child walk; he falls down again and again, but it is better not

to try to help him until he comes to realize that he cannot do it alone---

and extends his hand. I had gotten myself into a position where I had

no other place to turn; I was at a point of almost complete despair. Then,

and only then, did I honestly and simply ask God to help me. He came to

me instantly, and I could feel his presence, even as I do this moment.

Nashville, Tennessee

"Came To Believe" page 24 © Alcoholics Anonymous World Services

Fifteenth printing 1989

God wasn't lost, I was! I just had to reconnect!

[MajestyJo]

God Found Me

I believe that God found me, more than I found Him. It was similar to watching a child walk; he falls down again and again, but it is better not to try to help him until he comes to realize that he cannot do it alone---and extends his hand. I had gotten myself into a position where I had no other place to turn; I was at a point of almost complete despair. Then,
and only then, did I honestly and simply ask God to help me. He came to me instantly, and I could feel his presence, even as I do this moment.

Nashville, Tennessee

"Came To Believe" page 24 © Alcoholics Anonymous World Services

Fifteenth printing 1989

God wasn't lost, I was! I just had to reconnect!

[MajestyJo]

What Kind Of God?
I have to believe that there's a purpose for everything," my student said, as much to herself, I suspected, as to her classmates. Her position made perfect sense.

If she didn't believe that bad things happen for a reason, how would she be able to deal with the head injury her father had suffered several years ago, or for that matter, with her birth mother's decision to give her up for adoption?

Heads nodded in agreement all around the room.

Sensing that others might not share her certitude, I asked,
"Does anyone have a different point of view?"

Cautiously, a trio of students raised their hands.
I lifted mine as well.
What had taken us down this path was our discussion of Terry Tempest Williams's book 'Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place.' An account of Williams's mother's death from cancer, interwoven with a lament for Utah's flooded Bear River Migratory Bird Sanctuary,

Refuge raises myriad questions about loss, change, faith, and the heart-rending experience of watching a loved one die.

Does God will such things to take place?

I could tell that my students were thinking.

Predominantly college freshmen, these 18- and 19-year-olds have
nonetheless felt the impact of pain in their lives; they have seen parents split up, brothers sent to prison, friends die violently and far too soon behind the wheel of their very first car.

To imagine that these events would have no larger purpose is anathema to them.
Can good come out of suffering?
Of course, I assured them.
To believe this, however, is not the same as believing that God desires our pain.

"What kind of God would this be?"

I asked, not really expecting an answer.
Looking into the middle distance, a few of them pursed their lips and nodded.

They were thinking, I realized; finding the answer, I knew, would take them the rest of their lives.

- source unknown to me

Originally posted on my site The Angel of Health

Most of the troubles in the world today are man-made or they are a result of someone's decision or action. Most people don't want to take the responsibility and often pass the bucket and play the blame game. If everyone made their space the best that it can be what I much better world this would be.

I don't believe God tests us but I do believe we are taught lessons. So often I have tested God. Okay Big Guy, let's see if you are up to this!

He is a loving God, but for me, more importantly, He is a forgiving one. Most times I cause my own pain and it is a result of choices I have made in the past be it even two days ago. In today I try to make healthy choices. What goes around comes around!

My brother was killed when he was two and I was three. My mother told me that I would go up to my uncle who was driving the truck that ran over him and ask, "Why did you kill my Dougie?" I heard her tell the story many times and it reinforced that I was a bad girl and that I should say those things. I had trouble for years communicating with that uncle because of it. I felt shame and guilt. It wasn't until I was in recovery that I learned that I was a little girl in pain and didn't know how to deal with her pain. I was there, saw it happen and all I can remember is me "Calling Dougie, come out of the way." I thought it was my fault because he was coming to me when he was run over. I later learned that when he was born, I nominated myself as his caregiver. I felt the guilt because I wasn't able to save him and take care of him. It was heavy burden for a little girl to carry, let alone the woman who didn't deal with the issue unto 50 years later.

[MajestyJo]

The original video doesn't come up with this link, but there other many gifts on the site to choose from.

http://www.biblesociety.ca/free_scri...esiastes3.html

I believe this is the original post, A Reason, a Season, A Lifetime.

http://www.biblesociety.ca/escriptures

[MajestyJo]

Hold on to the truth that all dark nights end with a light illuminating a new path. - Caroline Myss

In times of doubt and difficulty, our attention goes to finding a source of illumination. And if it doesn't seem readily available, we are called upon to do whatever it takes to discover the light within us. Having had to reach deeper within our being to reveal this light, we then expand our capacity to access it.

"I HOLD ON TO THE TRUTH THAT A BRIGHT LIGHT IS RADIATING MY PATH."

"With no inner turmoil can we help others much better?"

Antestian Newsletter

This is from an outside source, and yet it is about Step Four. Taking an inventory and bringing the darkness into the Light. I am only as sick as my secrets.

When I surrender and ask for help, I am enlightened and shown the way to a better way of life.

[MajestyJo]

Discover The Power Of Loving Yourself

Sometimes it's hard to trust life with all its sudden twist,
turns, and storms. When something unexpected or
painful happens, when we become blocked or
frustrated, when life takes a different course than we
hoped it would, it's easy to stop trusting the flow of our
lives.

It didn't ask for this. It's not fair. I don't want this, we think.
This road isn't leading anywhere, at least no where I
want to go. Often, when we feel life has turned on us,
we respond by turning on ourselves. But turning on
ourselves doesn't help. In fact, it can compound the
situation.

It can prevent us from healing and acting on the very
guidance that will lead us through, get us through,
and take us to the next place. It can prevent us from
hearing our heart.

Keep loving yourself, and taking care of yourself, no
matter what__through the storms, the twist, the turns,
and the blocks.

Take a moment, breathe deep, restore yourself to that
sacred place of self-love and self-responsibility.
Feel all your feelings. Them let them go.

Love yourself until you can hear your heart
and what it tells you to do.

Love yourself until you find the courage to act
on that guidance.

Loving yourself is a powerful tool, a powerful force for change.
It can reconnect you to creativity, to universal love,
to the best possible flow of events within your life.
It can and will reconnect you to life's magic.

There's a trustworthy road through whatever life brings.
Loving yourself will help you find it.


-- Melody Beattie

[MajestyJo]

TRIP HOME!

A pastor had been on a long flight between church conferences..

The first warning of the approaching problems came
when the sign on the airplane flashed on:
Fasten Your Seat-Belts.
Then, after a while, a calm voice said,
"We shall not be serving the beverages at this time
as we are expecting a little turbulence.
Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."

As the pastor looked around the aircraft,
it became obvious that many of the passengers
were becoming apprehensive.
Later, the voice on the intercom said,
"We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time.
The turbulence is still ahead of us."

And then the storm broke .

The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even
above the roar of the engines.
Lightning lit up the darkening skies,
and within moments that great plane was like a cork
tossed around on a celestial ocean.
One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air;
the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort
and fear of those around him.
He said, "As I looked around the plane,
I could see that nearly all the passengers
were upset and alarmed.
Some were praying.
The future seemed ominous and many
were wondering if they would make it through the storm.

"Then, I suddenly saw a little girl.
Apparently the storm meant nothing to her..
She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat;
she was reading a book and
everything within her small world was calm and orderly.

"Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again;
then she would straighten her legs,
but worry and fear were not in her world.

When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm
when it lurched this way and that,
as it rose and fell with frightening severity,
when all the adults were scared half to death,
that marvellous child was completely composed and unafraid."
The minister could hardly believe his eyes.

It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its
destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor
lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.

Having commented about the storm and the behavior of the plane,
he asked why she had not been afraid. The child replied,
"Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."


There are many kinds of storms that buffet us.
Physical, mental, financial, domestic, and
many other storms can easily and quickly
darken our skies and
throw our plane into apparently uncontrollable movement.
We have all known such times,
and let us be honest and confess,
it is much easier to be at rest
when our feet are on the ground
than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky.

Let us remember: Our Father is the Pilot.
He is in control and taking us home.

Don't worry!

[MajestyJo]

"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring.
He sends you a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He listens.
He can live anywhere in the universe, but He chose...your heart.
Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!"

[MajestyJo]

They say:

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Beauty is only skin deep.

Beauty comes from the inside out.

All my life I thought I was ugly! I could not believe that people thought I was attracted. If someone wanted to be with me they always had alterer motives or it was my personality they were attracted to, which is funny because for most of my heavey using years I was a first class 'itch.

If I adorned myself to reflect my heart, what would I wear - Anne Wilson Schaef


What a statement, makes you kind of think. In the past it would have been dangling earrings for sure, they made me feel light hearted and devil may care.

Make up for sure, and yet today my boyfriend says I don't need it because I have very few wrinkles and my skin is still quite firm. Mind you when I lose some of the fluid and weight I have been carrying, I have to do some toning up exercises. It depends on whether I want to look I am under 55 or over 55 whether I wear makeup, and who I am trying to impress. When I went to court with my sponsee I wore make up. The difference is today I don't have to put it on with a pallet knife.

One of the greatest freedoms in recovery was the day I could stop wearing clothes to hide my figure and could accept it for what is was. The day I tucked my shirt into my jeans was a miracle.

My dress code today is jeans, a turtle neck and a jacket. If you can get me out of that, I will put on a long skirted dress. I love hats. I like plain and simple. My sponsor said if you have recovery show it, so I like to keep it simple. I am not for flowers, lace, buttons and bows, I am denim, jersey, cotton and zippers.

I wear red, black, white, navy, green, gold, and brown, and grays. I am a fire girl who loves colors which connect her to Mother Earth. I do have blue in my wardrobe today, but for years it drained me of all colour and it is only age that allows me to wear it. Some people find it comforting and relaxing and for the most part all it did was remind me of my ex-husband and his family, so being able to wear it today is a big recovery step.

I think true beauty is when you walk into a room and no one notices what you are wearing.

This was posted on another site in 2004. Since then the blonde has gone and I am content to wear my gray. I still don't like the swelling, and I can't eat all the foods I use to eat because of diabetes, but the body is not bad for an old woman. You can't defy gravity forever and the wrinkles started to get a little deeper when I reached 65, although there are not that many all things considered. LOL!

[MajestyJo]

If you want to beat traffic. . .

Pick some fruit!!

Yesterday it took me an hour and fifteen minutes to go 10 miles.

I was frustrated.
I was powerless.
I was exhausted.
I was grateful.
I was victorious.
I was energized.

Heavy traffic volumes are a fact of life in any big city. Many of the local governments fund road improvement programs, only to close lanes as they improve the roads.

Lanes close, traffic increases, people get more frustrated and distracted, they have accidents, they cause more traffic pile-ups.

It's a vicious cycle.

It is often said that a person's first reaction in times of crisis tells a lot about that person. I say that a person's reaction while traveling six inches per minute tells even more about that person.

Sitting in traffic is one of the best times to pick some fruit.

Pick some patience. . .
You'll be able to relax. After all, you'll be sitting there for a while anyway.

Pick some peace. . .
Try something different --- instead of listening to the radio traffic reports about the traffic you're sitting in, turn the radio off. Play a classical CD.
Or better yet, just enjoy the quiet time.

Pick some kindness. . .
Smile at the person in the car next to you. Now that's really different!

Pick some love. . .
Start a conversation with your spouse or child about something you know is bothering them. Time spent driving can be time spent talking and understanding each other.

Pick some joy. . .
Be thankful that you're not the person involved in the calamity that's causing the traffic.

Pick some faith. . .
Take this time to look up at the sky, observe the trees, marvel at the birds. Think about your own life. Then you'll know for sure that there is a God.

Pick some gentleness. . .
I know you have a cell phone, so pick it up and call someone you haven't spoken to in months. You still remember the number.

Pick some goodness. . .
Plan a good deed that you'll do for someone as soon as you get out of the traffic. Maybe there's something you can do immediately to help the person on the side of the road.

Pick some meekness. . .
No matter what kind of car you're riding in, understand that it's not by your own works that you were able to obtain it.

Once you pick your fruit, your frustration, powerlessness, and exhaustion will transform into gratitude, victory and energy.

You'll have a new outlook on life all because you pulled over,
. . . and decided to pick some fruit.


~A Mountain Wings Original by C. Elijah Bronner~

They say, if we do the work, we will see the fruit of our labour. If you don't put something into it, you won't get anything out of it.

I think that is why they say, give it a way in order to keep it. When you do, it comes back to you, not always from the same source, but it will come back.

May you have a fruitful life today.

[MajestyJo]

Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition. -Alexander Smith

One reason our program has such power to change lives is that it is based on the principle of sharing between people with similar problem and experiences. We are able to help each other when nothing else seems to work because we can identify with one another.We recognize ourselves in each other, making it easier to love one another

God made us all equal. It is hard for us to believe this until we see others who seem so different, but are really just like us. The knowledge that we are essentially alike -that God gave each of us the same feelings, the same inner needs -comforts us and gives us confidence. That's why it's important that we share ourselves by revealing our feelings.

I will share my feelings with others today and delight in the recognition it brings.

In God's Care

PRAYER FOR TODAY: I pray that I may recognize the goodness I see in others. May I acknowledge and affirm the source is reflected from within me.

Posted on my site The 5 As in February 2012. So glad the story never grows old.

[MajestyJo]

DAILY OM

Working Through Silence
Noise as a Distraction

Our lives are typically filled with noise. There are the noises from the outside world that we cannot control, and there are the noises we allow into our lives. These noises, from seemingly innocuous sources like the television and radio, can actually help us avoid dealing with uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. However, using noise as a distraction hurts more than it helps because you are numbing yourself to what may be internally bubbling up to the surface for you to look at and heal. Distracting yourself with talk-radio, television, or other background noises can also prevent you from finding closure to issues that haunt you.

Noise as a distraction can affect us in many ways. It can help you stay numb to emotions that you don’t want to feel, allow you to avoid dealing with problems, distract you from having to think, and make it easier for you to forget reality. Drowning out the thoughts and emotions you find uncomfortable or overwhelming can complicate your issues because it allows them to fester. By tuning out noise and relishing silence, you create the space to experience and express what you are hiding. It is only then that self-exploration can begin in earnest and you can stare down frightening issues. In silence, it becomes easier to let your strongest feelings come forth, deal with them, and find new ways of resolving your problems.

When you go within without the veil of noise to shield you from yourself, you’ll be able to figure out what you need to heal. Embracing silence and introspection allows you to work through your thoughts and emotions and transmute them. Free of the need for noise, you can accept your pain, anger, and frustration as they come up and turn them into opportunities to evolve.

What do you think?

I could not be alone with myself and had to have the noise happening around me. Now I can make that inward journey when the noise and chaos is there and find peace and quiet.

[MajestyJo]

How hard is it to be with ourselves? So grateful that my God has given me the gift of being able to sit in the quiet and find the stillness as mentioned in Step Three. I did a major meditation yesterday asking for help. I found myself wanting to move onto other things and had to keep bringing myself back and be still, mind, body, and spirit. Whether your God is a Christian one or something much bigger, I found that I still needed that stillness and quiet to connect to the God of my understanding.

[MajestyJo]

[MajestyJo]

Why Doesn't God Answer?

Not long ago I heard a story about a young man and an old preacher. The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn. So he went to see the old preacher.

Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why doesn't God answer?"

The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply--something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked.

The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning
on the preacher's chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you." With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him."

This time the young man heard and he understood. We all want God's voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But God's is the still, small voice. . .the gentle whisper.

Perhaps there's a reason. Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God's whisper means I must stop my ranting and move close to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then, as I listen, I will find my answer.

Better still, I find myself closer to God.

- - author unknown