Faith Based Journal 10

Faith Based Journal Jan. - Feb. 15 2012

Inspire, Inform & Educate

10TH Edition

Making Spiritual Resolutions for A New Year

INSIDE

4 Financial Moves for the New Year

By Lonnie Mathew If you want a better financial outlook next year do something different ...

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The Only Resolution You Need to Make

By David Friedman Letting yourself and others be exactly as they are.

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“As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible—with Your help and guidance.” - Anonymous Spiritual Resolutions for 2012

By Marijo Phelps Have you ever considered volunteering?

Life Is About Evolution

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By Dee Gibson, Contributing Writer

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If you truly want to be a person of influence you first have to embrace evolution. Wisdom will always let you know that fighting change is definitely a losing battle so it is imperative that you move towards being a more evolved enlightened human being. One of the great principle of life is stated this way; “Freedom and happiness are found in the flexibility and ease with which we move through change.”

If you truly want to transition or transform from some-

Well It’s That Time Again…

By Pastor John Ogletree It’s time to make that resolution for the New Year.

one who moves through life unconsciously to a person who becomes the wealthy individual who’s completely aware of and completely at ease with all things around him or her then you must embrace change. It doesn’t matter at all where you are from or what you’ve done in the past, you’re never trapped in any circumstance, relationship, cycle, or situation unless you say and/or believe you are. It’s always better to take each and every day and treat it just as it is; a new day with new

opportunities to do what’s right.

If you’re at a point in your life where you realize you’re going in the wrong direction which means you’re producing the wrong results then simply in most cases do the opposite of what you’re doing right now. Trust me this will make a world of difference and you’ll almost see small and/or big result quickly. I know this is easier said than done but when you add

courage and persistent practice to your constant thought pattern that’s saying “it’s time to make the necessary changes” then I’m absolutely sure you’ll make great progress in living a more happy and fulfilled life.

About The Author

I’m a man that loves to empower everyone on how to become better.

The author invites you to visit: http://www.imperfectchristians.com

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January - February 15, 2012

January - February 15, 2012

Behind The

Journal

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Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr. VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis EDITING CONSULTANT Sharon Jenkins OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Stephanie Myers ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Jourdan King ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mike Jones C.T. Foster Dwight Jones Eric D. Goodwine PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter MARKETING CONSULTANT Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Ghuzzala Malik (Faith) Ferland Antwine

The theme for this month’s journal is Making Spiritual Resolutions for A New Year. 2011 passed away too quickly for some and not swiftly enough for others. December is the time of year where you go back and revisit those results with a discerning eye. Remember to treasure the good, learn from the bad and move forward with hope for a great 2012.

Faith plays a critical part in your year end results. Remember “without it” you cannot please God; but in the midst of it you can move mountains, open blind eyes and raise dead things. Our intent in this journal is to assist you in repositioning yourself for success in the new year. It is our prayer that you be blessed beyond measure in the upcoming year and may all your spiritual resolutions come true.

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support d-mars.com, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work.

Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

CONTENTS Start the New Year Off Right with a New You!..................................................................... 4-5 Who Really Cares About You?............................................................................................. 5 4 Financial Moves for the New Year………………….............................…………….…........ 6 Getting Free!......................................................................................................................... 8 The Only Resolution You Need to Make………………………….......................................... 8 Resolved to See Successful Outcomes…………………………........................................... 10 Year 2012: If You Put Your Life in Order, Then You Can Order The Life You Want!.............. 13 A Suggested Infrastructure For New Year 2012 Resolutions…............................................ 14 8 Proven Ways to Succeed With Your New Year Resolution…............................................ 14 Spare Ribs Ribbing…………………………………………………………….……………......... 14

DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

Spiritual Resolutions for 2012………………………………………........................................ 19

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tamyra Comeaux Michael A. Verdicchio Lonnie Mathew Jan Harrell David Friedman Seth David Chernoff Joyce James James Costello Seth David Chernoff Pam Ford Davis Pastor John Ogletree

Well It’s That Time Again………………………………………………..................................... 20

The Missing Element of Resolutions……………………….................................................... 19 Is Suffering Inevitable?......................................................................................................... 19

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”

- St. Thomas Aquinas

“d-mars.com is certified with SBE, HUB, DBE & Port of Houston SBDP.”

D-MARS.com Business Journal 7322 Southwest Fwy, Suite 805 Houston, Texas 77074 713-272-9511 . Phone 713-272-6364 . Fax 1-800-453-8752 . Toll Free www.d-mars.com

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January - February 15, 2012

Start the New Year Off Right with a New You!

By Dr. Tamyra Comeaux, Contributing Writer

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tem to boost immunity, detoxify the intestines and lymphatic system that aides in proper digestion and restores optimal PH balance. Green Cell Therapy promotes healthy circulation and skin, strengthens the organs and balances internal chemistry that enhances energy levels.

“If you find honey, eat just enough -- too much of it, and you will vomit.” Proverbs 25:16 (Limit sugar intake or you will become ill.)

ow, 2011 has come and gone and we have entered in to a new and exciting year. Most of us have made new years resolutions or promised to do things different in 2012. This is an awesome time to start the New Year off with a promise to renew your physical and emotional health. By maintaining optimal health, you not only reduce the risk of disease and chronic health concerns, but you honor God’s commandment in appropriately maintaining your God’s temple (your body). I Corinthians 3:16, says “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (NIV) The key to a successful year and sustaining God’s temple is encouraging emotional and physical health.

Out with the old, in with the new for 2012!

An effective way to ensure that you start the year off fresh is to cleanse your colon with a parasite cleanse. Everything you eat, drink, or handle could be inviting unwanted guests to set up home inside YOUR body.

It may not be the most pleasant subject, but it’s the reality of the world in which we live. Harmful organisms affect BILLIONS of people. It’s estimated more than 150 million Americans alone may have invaders lurking within their bodies without even knowing it! Most commonly, consuming undercooked meat, fish or poultry, improperly washed fruits and vegetables, and more! For those of you that have chosen to enter into the new year with a season of fasting and prayer, cleansing with natural ingredients like those included in the Octoclense Parasite and Yeast Detox, is a safe and healthy was to rid your body of impurities.

Symptoms of parasites • Fatigue • Bloating • Irritability • Poor Vision • Foul Breath • Foul smelling stool • Itchy Rectum

• Yellow Skin • Poor Memory • Sleep Problems • Unexplained Weight Gain

What if I don’t have parasites?

You can clean your intestines even if they do not have parasites.

There’s one thing that’s certain: the more toxins you have in your colon, the less healthy you are. In the short term, an unhealthy colon environment means bloating, slow metabolism that results in weight gain, and chronic fatigue.

For those that are uneasy about the parasite cleanse, I recommend Acai Ultimate, which gently but effectively supports colon health.

Long-term effects of not cleansing your colon: • Cancer • Heart disease • Diabetes • Parasitic infections After your parasite cleanse, detoxify the intestines and lymphatic system to aid in proper digestion and restore optimal PH balance. Supply lactobacillus (good bacteria) necessary for optimum colon function. Supply digestive enzymes to help with optimal food breakdown. Supply milk thistle to support liver

cleansing. This can be achieved safely and effectively by using Green Cell Therapy.

Detox…Detox…Detox in the new year!

Since our bodies are selfcorrecting mechanisms, as we detoxify and balance all the organs in the body we better equip ourselves to defeat any potential illness that toxins may have set the stage for. As with any form of detoxification product a lifestyle change is highly recommended to increase the efficacy of Green Cell Therapy. In addition to cleansing, I recommend that you drink, shower and cook with purified water, reduce sugar intake, eat lots of organic fruits and vegetables. I suggest that if you choose to eat meat it should be range fed, hormone and antibiotic free. Stay away from processed foods; however, if you choose to consume processed food, a good hint is a short ingredient list. The longer the list of ingredients, the more loaded the food is with artificial ingredients and chemicals.

Green Cell Therapy is a 100% organic product that contains a proprietary blend of 32 energetically balanced compounds of wild herbs. Green Cell Therapy activates cellular rejuvenation by providing nutrition that feeds the inner ecosys-

Chromium helps the insulin in our body to regulate the levels of blood sugar (glucose). There are many people (for example, diabetics) who are oftentimes resistant to insulin. It means that their body finds it difficult to control the blood sugar levels.

The pancreas produces more insulin to balance the blood sugar levels, and this causes an overburden for them as they have to work overtime.

We have products that contain chromium to help with your sugar cravings... fatburner... chromium itself, etc and we can teach you how to customize its use to your advantage according to your health conditions.

Eventually, this leads to the development of diabetes, as the pancreas become unable to manufacture adequate levels of insulin. At such a time, chromium supplements help such diabetic patients who are insulin resistant by keeping the increased glucose levels in balance before it causes stress to the pancreas.

In this way, chromium also helps in weight loss and weight reduction.

Besides that, the typical diet consumed in Western countries is very high in sugars, saturated fats, flours and refined and processed foods. These types of foods create very high levels of glucose or blood sugar in our body.

Thus, although chromium supplements might be very helpful, you should also try to reduce the intake of such type of foods in your regular diet.

Overall, chromium has many other uses in our body and plays a very essential role in health.

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:2 Non nutritious food is not satisfying and your body causes you to keep craving until you give it (iron, magnesium, calcium) what it needs. Being on a diet or eating healthy wouldn’t be so difficult if it were possible to stop craving non-nutritious foods like candy, sugar and sweets. The culprit of most diet downfalls, sugar and sweets are hard cravings to fight off. After awhile it is possible to outsmart those cravings--or do away with them forever. Follow some of these tips to begin the process of eliminating pesky sweet cravings from your daily life.

Your cravings aren’t going to go away overnight, and that’s why you need to start training yourself not to have them. It’s a smart idea to keep healthy snacks, like fruit or a container of almonds, within an arm’s reach. The minute you feel a craving coming on, reach for the healthy snack and eat it instead. This method can be especially effective if you frequently experience sweets cravings at work. The healthy snack will satisfy your hunger and take your mind off of the sweet snack.

Ultimately, God wants you to have a healthy body. God said to not eat animals who are unclean since biblical times, many foods are unclean... salmonella in chicken, antibiotics in beef, sushi, shellfish. We need to eat organic hormone free meat. We need to cleanse from all the toxins that we have encountered.

Parasite cleanse encouragement here... Octocleanse Green Cell Therapy for repair...

Chromium also helps in weight loss and weight reduction…

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Did you break the rules already?

Now that you’ve taken care of your physical health, let’s take care of your emotional health!

One of the most common resolutions for an upcoming new year is “I will not take this stress into the new year.” As soon as the clock

January - February 15, 2012

strikes 12:01, we break our rule and become stressed and worn out over one thing or another.

Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” The Bible teaches us to trust in God and do not worry. Unfortunately, we continue to worry about things that we cannot control. We all know that worrying leads to increased

stress and stress leads to significant health concerns.

When we have pushed our bodies to the limit and we’re running on empty it is difficult to easily and effectively recharge. The body is now out of balance and refuses to relax. Don’t worry, along with maintaining a healthy diet, appropriate exercise and getting an adequate rest, there are other safe and healthy options to bring you back to life and put you on the right track to being more productive.

Herbs, vitamins, and minerals have been used for years to calm the body and bring it back into balance. Herbalith is an herbal supplement compiled of ten active ingredients that aide in helping your body recharge naturally without harsh chemicals and other foreign substances. One of the key ingredients in Herbalith is Damiana. Damiana is a native shrub of Central and South America. It is well known for its treatment in mild depression and anxiety. It can treat emotional and physical distress in people. It enhances hormonal production, both in men and women and acts as aphrodisiac. Damiana acts as nerve tonic, to relieve your stress.

Herbalith can be used to aide in

managing other conditions such as; ADHD, Anxiety, Migraine, Insomnia, Headache, Depression, Mood Swings, Chemical Dependency, Mania, Bi-Polar, Fibromyalgia, and Brain Aging.

• Find a hobby or activity that you enjoy • Utilize herbal supplements as opposed to prescription medication to assist in maintain stress

Options for relieving stress

For more information on how you can effectively maintain optimal health, manage and alleviate stress through Herbalith, Green Cell Therapy, Parasite Cleanse and/or other herbal supplements please contact us today. Our specialties include Wellness Counseling, Weight loss Counseling, Vitamin Intake counseling, and Holistic Medicine.

• Writing your thoughts down/Journaling • Exercise • Listen to soothing music or watch a comedy • Meditate

Who Really Cares About You?

By Michael A. Verdicchio, Contributing Writer

Are there times in your life when you feel like nobody really cares about you?

Yes, there are people who show some concern. But who really knows and understands you?

Life is full of challenges.

Sometimes those challenges are small. Other times they are big. And then there are times when it seems like the challenges are just too much to handle. But who really cares?

Again, there may very well be people who are concerned and hope things turn out for the best. But in challenging times, you can often feel all alone. The burden is all yours to carry.

Feeling all alone can be frightening. Thinking of carrying the weight of your burdens all by yourself can be frustrating. Believing

that no one loves you can be depressing.

So what can you do in times like that? Can you ask someone to please try and understand you? Can you share your whole soul to someone in hopes that they will really help you? Can you tell someone just how much fear you really feel?

The answer is yes. You can share it all with God. Far too often people think that everything that they talk to God about has to be with the right and proper religious words.

They dare not express what they are really feeling at the moment, because that would somehow be sacrilegious. They better not speak anything negative, because that would indicate their ingratitude.

So, instead of going to

God, people so often unload on their friends and loved ones. They tell them just how bad they feel and all their frustrations. And most of the time the response they get back is something like, “Gee that’s really too bad. I sure hope things get better soon.”

Why do some people think that they can express exactly how they feel to their friends, but think it is not appropriate to speak to God that way? Why do people think that God wants to hear pre-written prayers, or right and proper religious words?

In the Bible, there are a number of examples of people talking to God and telling Him just how they felt. Moses said, “You got the wrong guy; I’m not going.” Gideon said, “If God

is still around, where are all the miracles?”

You read in the book of Psalms in a number of places about those who just let it all go when talking to God. They weren’t being irreverent or disrespectful.

They were just communicating where their heart and life was at that moment.

There is a huge difference between blaming God and accusing Him of evil, and pouring out your fears and frustrations to God. The Bible says that His ears are open unto our prayers, and, prayer is talking to God. The Bible says that we ought to pour out our hearts to Him. Why should we do that? Because He said to, “cast all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you.” God genuinely cares

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Dr. Tamyra Comeaux Natural Women’s Health Care 11811 FM 1960 Suite 104 Houston, TX 77065 Ph: 832.237.4200 Email: info@naturalwomenscare.com www.naturalwomenscare.com Blog: www.naturalwomenscare. blogspot.com

about you. He is not only concerned, but He has unlimited resources to help you in any situation you may be faced with.

Why does God care about you? Because He loves you. And His love never waivers; there is nothing that can separate you from his love. His love is totally unconditional.

No one could ever earn God’s love. No one deserves God’s love. But His very nature is love. He so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son so that we could have eternal life.

That is immeasurable love.

Why does God love you? Jesus said, “The Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.” All God requires is to believe in His Son. That opens the door for God’s love to you.

So always remember that you are not alone. You do not have to be afraid and frustrated. You can go to the one who loves you unconditionally and pour our heart out to Him. Give Him all your hurt,

Join me on Facebook at “Natural Women’s Care”

all your fears and all your frustrations.

Tell Him just how you feel. Ask Him to help you. Believe that He will.

And keep going to Him in prayer, asking for His help, and looking for and expecting His solutions.

There is nothing that can separate you from God’s love. His love for you never, ever waivers.

And the Bible says that God is a very present help in time of trouble. God really cares about you because He really loves you.

About The Author Michael A. Verdicchio offers a FREE LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP to, “Enriching Your Life Now!” as well as a FREE NEWSLETTER at http://www.ConfidenceAndJoy.com He also offers a FREE series of articles on success at http://www.ReducingStressAtWork.com Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster. He has also been the voice on numerous projects and productions including Mike’s Pep Talks!

The author invites you to visit: http://www.confidenceandjoy.com

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Financial Moves for the New Year

By Lonnie Mathew, Contributing Writer It’s that time of the year, you know when the air is crisp, the temperature is low and everything is centered on the Holidays.

As another year comes to an end, many people spend time reflecting on the things that they have done and the things they want to do in the coming year.

For me, this is the time of the year when I like to spend a few moments figuring out what I have accomplished financially and what I would like to accomplish in the coming year as well. While I am sure there are several things than should be done and need to be done with regards to my personal finance I have narrowed my list down to the following “must do” things.

To set the course for next year here are four things that everyone should do to get ready for the new financial year. By doing these things you can go into 2012 with confidence and a good Idea of what you want to accomplish.

After things have settled down from the holiday, you have put the Christmas tree back in the attic, take a few moments while you are winding up your holiday season to get things in order for 2012. Before you get back to the grind of everyday life do the following:

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Review your finances -This could mean different

things to different people so I will try to narrow this area down. Reviewing your finances can be as simple as taking the time to organize all of your financial documents from the previous year. Depending on how organized you were during the year this may only take a couple minutes, for others this could be a HUGE task. Either way you should take some time to gather all of your important financial documents and put them in a safe place.

Next take a moment to review your income from the previous year and your expenses from the same time period. The income part should be easy; all you have to do is look at your last pay check stub to see how much income you made last year. For most people this will shock you or maybe not. Now that you know how much you made last year lets you figure out what you did with it. You should be able to determine what your major expenses were, like what you spent on your vehicle.

For example, if you made a car payment each month of this year simply multiply your payment by twelve to see how much of your income was spent on making car payments. You should be able to do this for every major bill.

By doing this you will be able to see what you need to work on for the upcoming year. Also, when reviewing your finances be sure to check your insurance policies (life, health, disability, auto, and home) making sure that you are not either under or over insured. Also check that you have the correct beneficiaries listed on all polices. Check to make sure your will is up to date and if you don’t have a will GET ONE. The last thing to do while reviewing your finances is to gather your tax records from the year before and be prepared to file your 2011 tax return as soon as possible (unless you are like me and you owe then you can wait a while)

2.

Review Your Net-worth – most financially successful people, focus their time and attention on their net-worth. The one true path to financial independence is to increase your net-worth year after year. Your net-worth is basically the total of the fair market value of all of your assets (home, car, cash accounts, retirement accounts and personal belongings) minus the total of all the debts that you owe. The difference between the two is your net- worth. This number should be a positive number, and to build wealth your net-worth should go up every year.

By doing this you can see the effect of the decisions that you made financially last year and how those decisions impacted your net-worth. This is also a good time to review the debts that you have accumulated and more importantly come up with a plan to reduce those debts. The quickest way to increase your net-worth in not by getting more assets rather reducing the liabilities associated with the assets that you currently have.

You should make every effort to quickly reduce your short-term debt (credit cards, personal loans) and continue to manage your longer term debts (mortgage).

3.

Set New Financial Goals

– Yes I said it, set some financial goals. I am convinced that most people are not where the want to be financially because they don’t have goals. It is a well-known fact that those who establish, write down and track goals accomplish more. After looking back at the past year you can tell if you actually accomplished what you wanted. Now is the time to decide what you want to accomplish next year and set some written goals. Next, take a few moments to develop a plan to

make those goals become a reality. I have written several other articles on goal setting, there is even an entire chapter dedicated to goals setting in my latest book called “Spend Everything”. Bottom line you need goals so that you will know where you are going financially.

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Simplify Your Finances – The final thing to do to get ready for next year financially is to make your life as simple as possible. You

can take a lot of the drudgery out of financial record keeping by streamlining the process. I personally use an online bill payment system, which is free at most financial institutions; the key is to examine every financial relationship that you have to see if it is something that you would like to continue to do next year. If not then get out of the relationship, when was the last time you visited the gym with any regularity? Maybe it’s time to cancel your membership and save a few dollars in the process. You can walk for

free if you are serious about getting in shape.

I realize that there are probably several more exciting things that you can do with your time during the holidays but I firmly believe the saying that states “your position in life today is the result of the decisions that you made yesterday.”

If you want a better financial outlook next year do something different this year. Remember money is only a tool that allows us to do what is important in life; you have to manage your tools to complete the job.

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Getting Free!

Physics... Fate... or God. Every one of us has these blocks! NO ONE is exempt! Just because we are alive, there are three human conditions each of us must learn about and come to peace with if we are to move towards the consciousness we seek.

By Jan Harrell, PhD, Contributing Writer

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e have gotten the idea that it is possible to be happy, not just to survive.

We are hunters and gatherers, but now, instead of mammoth and berries, we are trying to hunt and gather happiness. Acquisition was the answer to our struggle for survival, and after thousands of years of it being the driving force behind human behavior, is it any wonder that we try fervently to “acquire” happiness?

Some of us are realizing that happiness does not come from outside of us, from what we have.

We are beginning to realize that it comes from an internal source – from who we are. This is an enormous shift in our awareness: we have gotten the idea that it is possible to be “conscious.”

But we are like scouts sent ahead to explore and report on this new Land of Consciousness.

It is unknown territory, and we stand at the frontier of “consciousness” in awe - eager, excited and longing for the potential of who we can become.

We are determined to awaken to greater freedom, peace and wisdom. We are just not sure how to do that. Like the hunters and gatherers we are, our first reaction was to put on the clothing of consciousness in all its variations – long hair, Indian garb, psychedelics, psychotherapy, new religious practices, free love, celibacy, collecting books and icons, worldly renunciation, adherence to spiritual teachers and gurus, meditation, celebration – anything that might help us to become what we envisioned.

Like children who at first think being “grown-up” is getting adult privileges or wearing clothes just like Mommy and Daddy do, we are realizing that it is the internal changes that mark our maturity and growth into consciousness, not our appearance or what we surround ourselves with.

We need to change our awareness (which is an internal process) not to just change our behavior. True and lasting change necessitates that we not just know something, but that we become it.

More and more people are having this epiphany. But while our intelligent left-brains may instantly grasp the concept, we all still have powerful feelings that overwhelm us and render logical behavior impossible. Although we attempt to change using logic and will- power, we

cannot free ourselves from forces that are beyond our understanding and are therefore beyond our control. These forces originate in our unconscious. Only when we understand and work with the fundamental issues of human existence can we “grow” ourselves “up” and pursue a true state of consciousness.

We were not born angels or saints, and unlike Buddha or Jesus, we will (most likely!) never “arrive” at total enlightenment.

The very nature of Life is growth.

It is our birthright to be fallible, growing human beings - always learning, always changing. We have no choice. It is a biological and spiritual compulsion. But despite our eagerness and our belief in spiritual and psychological principles, we are often unable to shake off the negativity, the fear, the sadness, and the doubt that fill our hearts. The emotions that determine how we operate in the world are a matter of mystery to us, and our behaviors are often a great source of confusion and shame.

We are under the illusion that it is possible to “be” conscious, as opposed to realizing that “seeking” consciousness is a life path to choose and follow. This misunderstanding about being human is fueled by our “get it now” culture and by false “experts” who fear revealing their own vulnerability. False “experts” perpetuate the myth that it is possible to be perfect and that there are people who do not struggle. This leaves many of us feeling stupid and like failures, for their simplistic or idealistic suggestions do not empower us to free ourselves from self-defeating patterns. Even the inspirational (but not self-revealing) messages of kind authors may leave us feeling inferior and inadequate, wondering “What’s wrong with me? Is my faith or desire for change not as good as other people’s?”

We all need to learn how to move through emotional blocks in order to find self-acceptance and our true joy and power, while deepening our connection with the forces that are bigger than we are, whether we call them the Mystery... Nature... the Infinite...

Right to exist: Every human being has the right to exist - we were born, and like every living being, it is our turn to walk this Earth and have a life. It is not something we have earned or need to change ourselves or to work to deserve. It is simply a reality. Despite our intimate knowledge of our own fallibility, we must each claim this right for our own self. No one can give it to us.

By David Friedman

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t’s never been much of a challenge to come up with New Year’s resolutions.

We can all think of a million things we’d like to do, change and improve.

But how do we STICK with our resolutions?

In my work in Thought Exchange® it’s become clear to me that we have several misconceptions about “positive thoughts” that prevent us from staying with our resolutions.

The first misconception is that we will feel good when we take on positive thoughts. In fact, if we’ve been avoiding taking on certain thoughts, it’s because they come with sensations that are uncomfortable. Why would this be?

Because somewhere in our earlier life, when we dared to take on a particular positive thought, we were disappointed or punished or hurt in some way. So any time we think that thought, we will feel the same uncomfortable sensations we felt long ago, and think we have to run away from the thought that “caused” them.

Our second misconception is that we think these sensations mean something or are intolerable. Maybe they meant something or were intolerable to the child we were when the upset originally happened, but In fact they are harmless and completely tolerable to an adult.

When we understand this, we understand that if we can be with the sensations that come up, we can take on and hold any thought, and thus hold any resolution. Want to diet? You must feel the discomfort you feel when you want to eat rather than eating it to get rid of the sensation.

Want to do something frightening? Feel the sensations you’re labeling frightening (they’re just sensations) and do what you set out to do!

So the ONLY resolution we need to make is to be willing to BE WITH WHAT IS, WITH OUR THOUGHTS, OUR SENSATIONS, OUR JUDGMENTS, OUR OPINIONS, EXACTLY

Separateness: For our whole lives, we will journey back and forth along the continuum between fusion (feeling our oneness with the world or with someone else) and separateness, or individuation – having our own self. Sometimes we will enjoy the closeness and comfort of intimate fusion, while other times we will strike out on our own and experience our separate needs and wants. Both fusion and separateness are natural and important parts of being alive. Each of us, however, tends to become stuck at one end of the continuum or the other. We need to learn to move fluidly and appropriately between these two states of being.

3.

Vulnerability: The fact that we are evolving, developing beings means that we will always be fallible and imperfect. We are vulnerable - or visible in our humanness. We attempt to control our world in order to protect ourselves and avoid feeling helpless and exposed.

We do not have to flounder in the ignorance to which we are all born. We can learn how to untangle these three issues that are the source of every bewildering behavior and emotional block that keeps us struggling on that path of consciousness we long to follow. We do not have to settle for adaptation to life, but can grow beyond it, to personal and relationship transformation.

With compassion and knowledge, we can free ourselves from the assumptions and issues that unconsciously run our lives. We will be able to move from being stuck in our feelings to being free in our soul.

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The Only Resolution You Need to Make

713.272.9511

Author of The Thought Exchange ® - Overcoming Our Resistance to Living a SENSATIONAL Life

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AS THEY ARE. No need to do anything about them, to throw them off, get rid of them, struggle with them or release them.

Just let life be as it is.

This is, in fact, the definition of LOVE. Letting yourself and others be EXACTLY as they are. So LOVE yourself, as you are, even with your discomfort, and you will LOVE everybody else because you can let them be exactly as they are. And when you’re LIVING IN LOVE, anything is possible, because the sensations you’re having have no power to keep you from holding any thought you want to hold. Within this ONE resolution you will be able to have and hold any other resolutions you’d like to make.

Solomon prayed for Wisdom. Wisdom is Acceptance. Acceptance is LOVE. And what could be better than a Happy New Year filled with LOVE!

About David Friedman David Friedman is a beloved American songwriter who writes songs of Inspiration and Hope that are not only staples in the New Thought Movement but have been sung by luminaries such as Diana Ross, Barry Manilow, Laura Branigan, Alison Krauss and the legendary Nancy LaMott. David has conducted 6 Broadway shows, 10 movies for Disney including Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and Hunchback of Notre Dame, and written songs for Aladdin and the King of Thieves, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Bambi 2, Trick, 3 Television Series and as a oncea-month regular on the Today Show’s Everyone Has a Story Segment. In an effort to give back the abundance and spiritual learning he has received from his fulfilling and successful music career, David created a method of not only choosing new thoughts but staying with them, which is outlined in his best-selling book, The Thought Exchange – Overcoming Our Resistance to Living a SENSATIONAL Life.

For additional information, visit www.TheThoughtExchange.com To check out our holiday product line, visit www.LibraryTalesPublishing.com

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10.January - February 15, 2012

Resolved to See Successful Outcomes

By Seth David Chernoff, Contributing Writer

Yes, the New Year is fast approaching and after all the parties, gifts and family dinners we look ahead to the coming year.

New Year’s resolutions are a part of January’s journey. Sadly to say though, statics show that many abandon their resolves in the first three months or less. March comes and the mindset of many is—survive by any means necessary, even if it means going back to the old habits and ways.

That’s not the intent in the beginning. Most of us who make resolutions have every plan and hope for successful outcomes.

Success doesn’t just happen. True success is purposed and planned.

Consistent effort must be applied to each resolve. When the right plan of action is in place and committed efforts are engaged, you will enjoy the heaven on earth joy you intended from the beginning.

We cannot view a resolution just as a decision to do something we want to do or stop doing something we don’t want to do.

We must get an understanding, as the Word of God instructs us. I believe the understanding of what the word resolution really means

is lost to most people. It is my purpose in this article to give the reader an understanding and then provide a means by which we can experience successful outcomes from the resolutions we set.

A resolution is “a fixed purpose or determination of mind; as a resolution to reform our lives; a resolution to undertake an expedition,” according to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Webster further defines it as, “the effect of fixed purpose; firmness, steadiness or constancy in execution, implying courage.”

These definitions shed great light on the word resolution and help us clear up a muddy understanding that has evolved over time.

Based on Webster’s definition a resolution is far more than a decision to do something we want to do or stop doing something we don’t want to do. It becomes a purpose that is fixed and determined in our minds that will reform our lives. The resolution also becomes the effect of that purpose. Our firmness and constancy in execution of that purpose brings the desired results.

Resolutions are about reforming our lives.

When we reform our lives, we use a process to reshape the elements that make up our lives.

This undertaking is truly an expedition—it is a process that requires courage. In this process we may need to reduce some things in our lives into simpler forms. We may have allowed things to become too complex and complicated. Resolution time is a time to simplify. Simple goals and tasks are more easily accomplished then complex, complicated or general goals.

May I offer my solution to simplify resolutions for success?

Begin by setting SMART resolutions. SMART resolutions spell success.

• Specific—anyone can read and understand—Habakkuk 2:2 • Measurable—you can assess regularly to gauge success • Agreed upon—make a contract between yourself and God—Matthew 18 • Realistic—be honest with yourself. You may suffer a

sense of defeat if the bar is set too high • Timed—Set a deadline. How much time will I allocate to it and when will I accomplish it Setting SMART resolutions means getting back to BASICS • Believe you can do it—Philippians 4:13—I can do all things through Christ.

• Assess what areas you need to set resolutions—1 Corinthians 11:28—But let a man examine himself.

• Select what is the most important goal to start with—prioritize. Luke 10:42—But one thing is needful.

• Implement a plan—determine what needs to be done and take action. James 2:26— For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

• Commit—dedicate yourself to the plan—develop affirmations that keep you mindful of your commitment. Romans

10:10—with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (or success).

• Sanctify yourself and your environment. Remove all things that are not conducive to your success. Acts 19:19—Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men.

Here is a simple example: Resolution—spend quality time each week with my family. Start with my spouse. #1 Activity—spend 2 hours each week with my spouse only #1 Task—review my calendar for the times I am available #2 Task—ask my spouse what times he/she is available #3 Task—determine what things we like to do together #4 Task—schedule time for this week When we apply firmness and constancy in the execution of our resolutions, success is sure to follow. It is a journey that takes courage, but this solution to simplify resolutions for success is as easy as 1, 2, 3! It is something you can accomplish and by doing so you will experience successful outcomes from your resolutions—as a result, you can have the joy of heaven on earth.

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12. January - February 15, 2012

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Year 2012: If You Put Your Life in Order, Then You Can Order The Life You Want!

As Bishop Paul Hardin, pastor of Dominion Church International moved among us and spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he uttered these words, “If you put your life in order, then you can order the life you want!”

During this moment of divine intervention by the Holy Spirit, there was a holy hush over

the crowd and we knew that this was our directive for year 2012.

The words were powerful and so apropos! The number “12” means “order.” As people of faith, we use the term “divine order.”

Life has thrown many of us curve balls that we were not able to capitalize on, but have struck out and are sitting on the bench waiting for our next turn to come up for bat. God is offering us another chance at bat, and another and another.

However, if we keep striking out, there must be some things we need to correct before we can capitalize on the balls of life that are thrown our way.

We are meant to hit the balls in the game of life and run in to home base and score. If we are to score in life, we must correct or “set in order” some things to avoid repeated strike outs. It may be that we need to change our batting stance, keep our eye on the ball, or not swing at balls that are too high or too low. In others words, there are things in our lives

that must be put in order before we can start making base hits, or seeing things realized that we have tried to accomplish.

As the Bishop spoke, he pointed out practical things that needed to be done to put our lives in order, to which I have added a few. They are:

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Stop avoiding creditors. Answer the phone and make arrangements to pay past due bills.

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Prepare your will.

This is loving consideration for your family who will not have to guess what your desires are related to the disposition of your assets, no matter how meager. Consider a prepaid burial plan and funeral arrangements to ease the burden on family during their time of bereavement.

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Be intentional about the creation

of wealth and use of your finances. Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…” Eccl. 7:12 says, “Money is a defense.” Money protects you from some unnecessary evils such as bill collectors, lack, and the worry caused from not being able to provide for basic needs that can lead to physical ailments.

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Make a concerted effort to work Exercise and maintain a body that on your credit report and get your score raised to take advantage of lower interest rates, which means lower monthly payments on your mortgage, car note and insurance policies.

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Get rid of the clutter in your home, car and office. Clean up!

God can use to do His bidding.

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When we become disciplined in our personal lives—spirit, soul and body—then we can move into the wealthy place of life and order the life we want.

When you have substance— spiritual or natural—you have exercised disciplines that are different from those who do not have.

A perfect example is the parable of the talents. Those who had the five and the two talents used what they had to increase what they had been given. The last person did nothing with what he had been given. Those who purposefully acted, using what they had been given, were entrusted with more.

The one who felt he did not have enough, and probably did not want to suffer the risk of losing the little he had, did nothing. He was stripped of what he had and what he had was taken away.

Whatever you have, use it to help put your life in order and with its God-given increase, you will be able to command the life you want!

Joyce James, Th.S., Senior Pastor Email: totalmanchurch@yahoo.com.

14. January - February 15, 2012

A Suggested Infrastructure For New Year 2012 Resolutions

By James Costello, Contributing Writer

To satisfy the desire for an abundant life in harmony with the communal good, one would do well to be guided by the wisdom of the world’s major religious belief systems. If you have not made your spiritual resolutions for the New Year, here are a few thoughts for consideration.

A Christian belief is that God is gracious, kind, merciful, and abounding in steadfast love for all who keep His ordinances. A further belief is that we reap what we sow because God cannot be

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mocked. The meek and the pure of heart will live in God’s eternal kingdom, entry being earned by the death of His Son. Islam believes that we are blessed who shun human vanity, devoting ourselves to God with complete devotion, for pride is a great deceiver. Another tenet of Islam is that the Lord planted love in our heart, cures our weakness, and forgives our transgressions.

As rain stirs the barren earth, so He who gives life to the earth gives life to the dead.

A Shinto belief is that God is manifest throughout the world.

Confucians believe that the moral man is always truthful. A basic rule of Sikhism is to cause no pain or injury to another. A Hindu belief is that God is radiant and dwells in everyone. Hindus also believe that worship without love is an unfeeling act and that one who loves utterly what is good will not perish.

Buddhists believe that true thinking is compassion, the benevolent parent of all thought.

Proven Ways to Succeed With Your New Year Resolutions

By Seth David Chernoff, Contributing Writer

It’s hard to believe that another year is almost over...but the good news is that a brand new one is about to begin. We all look forward to new beginnings, a chance to right wrongs and perhaps take a second stab at things that didn’t exactly go our way. Perhaps its time to forgive and even try to forget some of the hard times we have experienced. But it’s also a time to be grateful for all of the many gifts we have received throughout the year. It may be a time to try and let go, to find ways to be more loving, or to change some part of ourselves that we believe will make for a happier and more fulfilled life.

Inevitably, this time of year we tend to be contemplative as we think about the year to come, and the life we want for ourselves and perhaps for our families.

Although every day and even every moment is an opportunity for a new beginning, we often wait until the New Year to make those changes that we think will make us truly happy.

The unfortunate aspect is that the pressure to succeed with resolutions made on the New Year has the undesired effect of actually decreasing our chance of success.

It is increasingly difficult to make commitments that will last, espe-

cially when these same commitments have evaded us over many months and perhaps years or even decades.

We do have a tremendous opportunity to make changes in our life, let go of old vices, and make positive changes that will allow us to be happy and fulfilled.

In light of the opportunity before us to make powerful and supportive resolutions, I offer you a few simple recommendations that can give you the best chance to succeed in 2012.

Eight Tips For Successful New Year Resolutions Do It For You – You want to lose weight? Terrific! Want to quit smoking? Fantastic! Don’t do it for someone else...do it for YOU. You are worth it and you deserve it.

Be Realistic – Don’t expect to fix all of your problems overnight.

Be reasonable in what you can achieve. Remember, there is a reason that these resolutions have been evading you - choose what you know you can handle and work toward your dreams.

Rome wasn’t built in day so be patient with yourself. If you achieve your goal, you can always make yet another resolu-

tion anytime you desire.

Be Grateful – Always start from a place of gratitude for what you have. No matter what challenges we face, we all have so much to be grateful for. Sharing gratitude puts you in your heart, where you have the strength to follow through with your desires.

Be In The Moment – Don’t expect to succeed just because you actually made a resolution and even wrote it down. Take it one moment at a time – one day at a time - and eventually you will achieve what previously felt insurmountable.

Pace yourself, but work from this moment because it is the only one that exists, that ever will exist.

Be Strong – Anybody can try to rationalize the past, but it takes true strength and courage to believe in the future. Don’t give up - you can achieve anything your heart desires if you stick with it.

Have Faith – Yes, you need to believe – but irrespective of your specific religion, have faith that you can achieve your desires and overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of your greatness. If you need support, ASK FOR IT. If you need help, FIND IT. Set yourself up to succeed and don’t stop believing

Craving the excesses of life is a sure way to self-imprisonment in the cell of human suffering. It is basic to Buddhist thought that all existence is interconnected and that a balanced person is not resentful. Calm mind, calm action, and calm speech are hallmarks of one who is free and at peace.

These and similar teachings are found in all the world’s sacred writings. They teach us much to keep in mind as we seek to formulate meaningful resolutions for 2012, each year to come, and indeed every moment of our lives.

For instance, we should align ourselves in loving fealty with those in need. Only by surrendering the pursuit of worldly allurements can we transcend the ego-self and attain spiritual fulfillment and abundant life. Would we not be wise to resolve accordingly?

The author, James Costello, recently published THE BOOK OF SACRED APHORISMS, a collection of 285 maxims from the world’s sacred literature, including a new vision of The Book of Psalms. TBOSA ($14.) can be ordered from P.O. Box 22, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

(or perhaps Believin’ - thank you Journey) Start Again – If you fail, try again, and if necessary, again, and again, and again. If you fail or get off course, be kind to yourself, forgive yourself, and simply start over.

Don’t wait until next year because NOW is the time for change. Take it one moment at a time, one day at a time until your resolution becomes your new programming and you are living the life you consciously choose.

Be Of Service – When all else fails, be of service. When you don’t know what to do next, be of service. When you are lost, be of service. No matter what happens on resolution road, SERVICE is the answer to finding your own greatness, and staying on the path to true happiness and fulfillment.

Happy New Year!!! May your new year be filled with magnificence and beauty, growth and fulfillment, happiness and service.

Many Blessings!

Seth David Chernoff

About the Author:

Seth David Chernoff is a twotime cancer survivor, an award-winning author, a gifted public speaker, highly successful marketing professional and founder of multiple companies. He is the author Manual For Living: REALITY, and Manual For Living: CONNECTION, User’s Guides to the Meaning of Life. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Popular Mechanics, Business Week, USA Today, and nationally and internationally on TV and Radio. For more information, please visit http://www.SethChernoff.com.

Spare Ribs Ribbing

By Pam Ford Davis, Contributing Writer

D

oes your diet revolve around meat and potatoes? I have been married to a vegetarian for nearly 44 years but I know we are in the minority. Our son is “carnivore man style”; meat makes his world go around and he keeps an ample supply of barbecue sauce in the family refrigerator. Spare ribs are naked until a master chef bastes them in seasoning and sauce. “Howdy, neighbor!

Ya’ got any ribs you can spare?”

God knew Adam’s physical makeup; as his creator, He held the x-ray and gazed at a rib.

Adam could spare one from his rib cage and admire the transformation from bone to bride.

“So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh at that place. And the Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man (Genesis 2:21-22 NAS).”

The removal of a spare rib was no great loss; Adam delighted in the exchange. “And the man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man (Genesis 2:23 NAS).” His search for a helpmate ended; two became one and the twinkle in his eye planted seeds to our family tree. Ladies, if your husband frequently requests take-out barbecue ribs, humor him and sacrifice your craving for pizza. He cannot explain his hunger but you have a hunch he has love to spare!

With God all things are possible!

Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Secret Place, Daily Devotionals for the Deaf, Light from the Word Daily Devotional. Available now in book store: FORGET-MENOT DAILY DEVOTIONAL http:/ ebooks.faithwriters.com/ebook-details.php?id=520 Article Source: http://www. faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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Spiritual Resolutions for 2012 Is Suffering Inevitable?

Making a spiritual resolution for 2012? Have you ever considered volunteering? I teach The Science of Happiness. That means that there is scientific evidence, or proof for making volunteering a happiness inducing habit. Take a look at most extremely successful and happy people and you will notice they are givers. They give their time to causes, people, and events that matter to them. There are many people in need and as you give you receive! In the end you get more from giving. You end up feeling great.

Another term I use is the word Seva.

Seva is Sanskrit word that means “service”. Seva can be described as a spiritual action born out of compassion to serve others. Seva is a concept that means “selfless service offered to God.” The focus of Seva is to bring our highest and most conscious self to all we do and to do all we do with reverence for the sacred. People who participate in this aspect of giving, bring their energy, consciousness and commitment to creating a healthy and vibrant world.

There is a power for good in the universe that is available to everyone who understands and knows how to use it. Seva can be a life philosophy, a way of living and thinking that helps people realize

their true nature and individual goals in life. I believe and science shows it’s support, that the universe is fundamentally spiritual. It has intelligence, purpose, beauty, and order. Whether we call it God, nature, spirit, energy, or universal

intelligence, all emanates from the spiritual universe.

Being a volunteer is a proven path to personal happiness and self-fulfillment. In fact, research clearly shows that community volunteers believe they get far more out of donating their time than they give. Research concluded that volunteering is associated with lower levels of depression, especially in those over 65, and those who engaged in “sustained volunteering” tended to be less depressed, no matter what their age, in as little as two hours per week. (Morrow-Howell, Hinterlong, SCI SOC, 2003) Professor Paul Whiteley, from the University of Essex in Colchester, in another study has revealed

The Missing Element of Resolutions If you took a minute to review your Resolutions of 2011, what would you see? Would you see triumphs or failures? Or would you see areas for improvement? As the Year 2011 closes, your good or bad experiences may have left you pessimistic or optimistic about setting Resolutions for 2012. Regardless of which you maybe, do not set Resolutions for 2012 until you’ve thoroughly considered the missing element people forget about when setting resolutions.

For many entrepreneurs, this missing element was not in their business plans. Likewise, this element has been missing in many families around the world. Lastly, this element has been missing in the personal walk of countless individuals. What is this missing element you may ask? Well, the element is Faith.

Faith has long been identified as confidence or trust in a thing or person. It’s a belief of assurance and conviction in the midst of negative evidence or proof. While this identification is true, faith has been the missing element taken out of the spectrum of life. This has occurred for so long that people make unrealistic and unachievable resolutions. However, the opportunity is presented to you today to re-institute faith into your whole life. This will allow for resolutions that are real and cause inner fulfillment.

As you begin to prepare your Resolutions for 2012, remember these key principles about Faith: • Faith comes by Hearing (Romans 10:17) – Learn of those who have had faith in completing their vision. Let their

an interesting link between helping others and enjoying a good quality of life. “It seems that when we focus on the needs of others, we may also reap benefits ourselves. It means that voluntary activity in the community is associated with better health, lower crime, improved educational performance and greater life satisfaction.”

In my personal experience I know that volunteering works!

I suggest that you choice a volunteer activity that really charges your batteries. Choose any anything that fits with your life and your passions. It matters not what you do, only that you do it. If you are looking for a way to make 2012 happier, practice Seva and reap the rewards.

In the area of the psychology of happiness, no one is better respected than Elizabeth Manuel. Her message has reached thousands of people through memorable presentations and one to one coaching. Elizabeth offers insightful ideas and principles that can re-shape vision of what is possible. www.elizabethmanuel.com

For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

1 Peter 3:17, NAS Suffering. It’s not standard daily devotional fare, because let’s face it, usually we want to begin or end our day being uplifted, or even better, lifting up God, rather than focusing on our pains and problems.

But there’s the rub... we all have pains and problems, Christian and non-Christian, lifelong disciple and baby believer, red and yellow, black and white. Everyone, from the moment he or she was born, has struggled, tried, failed, hurt, sinned, misunderstood, and reacted. Humanity shares a true brotherhood over suffering, one that we might understand a lot better if suffering weren’t also so relative. By which I mean, one person’s issues may sound simple, easyto-solve, and even petty to another.

“That’s nothing compared to what I’ve had to endure!”

Phone: (780) 445.9299 Email Elizabeth: metamind@shaw.ca Media & speaking inquiries: marketing@elizabethmanuel.com But the fact is your sorrows blog: www.elizabethmanuel.blogsand difficulties are real to you. It’s pot.com

words motivate and inspire you to progress in the vision God gave you.

• Limit of Faith (Matthew 17:20) – There will be many causes (financial, self-esteem, ‘haters’, etc.) that will try to hinder you from the resolution(s) you’ve set, but these will only limit your faith. Stay among those who believe in you and what God has given you.

• Faith Causes Action (James 2:26) – Do not set a resolution if you really do not plan to work for it. Prepare plans and follow through with them. Faith will cause action, progress and movement towards a completed resolution.

If you simply remind and renew your faith, you will find it easy to set realistic and, traceable Resolutions for 2012. This will bring you to the abundant life promised those who have faith.

Var Kelly is the author of, The FAITH Reaction. This book presents the full theology of Christian Faith. With the help of this book, conference sessions, and lectures, his mission is to teach all people to observe God’s Word (Matthew 28:20). [www.VarMinistries.org / Info@ VarMinistries.org]

one reason why I’m no fan of when people say a certain place or time in their lives isn’t “the real world,” as if the spot they are currently tucked away at is immune from any degree of difficulty.

Suffering is very real, and there’s certainly no reason any Christian would expect life to be otherwise. We purport to follow a “Suffering Savior.” His stripes have healed us, and wow do we seem to feel them sometimes, which is as it should be, as we deserved them instead of Him. If we agree that no person but one - no matter where they lived or how easy or hard they had it - has escaped sin’s corruption, then how much more must we agree that truly NO person has escaped suffering?

Look at what Peter suggests in today’s verse: you can suffer for doing good, or you can suffer for doing bad. By extension, some of the problems in your life may be a result of your own rebellion, while other hurts may naturally result from walking so closely with Christ that you ache at the injustice and hardship around you, with the world despising and persecuting you.

In the classic allegory Hinds’ Feet on High Places, Much-Afraid journeys with companions named Sorrow and Suffering, and these

two assist her in her climb up the Injury Precipice, which is a part of her transformation into “Grace and Glory.”

The same is true for you. Your sufferings have informed you, educated you, and helped you along in your journey. You may despise them, but they are yours. And they will be with you whether you are doing right, or not. Of course, the nature of them will be quite different.

There may be one way, though, to avoid suffering. There’s a third option, left out here by Peter, but not left out by John in the Revelation. It’s the lukewarm response to life, the do-nothing approach. This is the approach that cocoons itself off from life and all of its pain. And make no mistake, “Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something,” says that famous theologian the Man in Black in The Princess Bride.

You may not feel anything from inside a cocoon; in fact, it may be an abundance of pain and suffering that forced you in there.

But remember, no creature that cocoons itself is intended to stay locked up forever. The point is to be rested, healed, matured, and transformed, to become more beautiful, and useful. Even the emerging process itself carries a degree of struggle, but one that, if the insect did not go through itself, would leave it too weak to fly.

So be lifted up in your suffering today.

It is a companion.

It is designed to transform you.

It gives you a share in the inheritance of Christ and the brotherhood of humanity.

And it gives you empathy, which gives you every excuse for ministry.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Make it your goal to partake, as much as possible, only of the brand of suffering that comes from doing what is right according to God’s Word.

About The Author

Shawn McEvoy is Senior Editor at Crosswalk.com, responsible for content relating to the Christian walk, spiritual growth, the Church, ministry, and religion. Shawn attended Oklahoma Baptist University to pursue studies in Youth Ministry, but discovered through three wonderful summers as a Christian camp counselor that he was more suited for free-form, non-vocational ministry, including writing and editing. He holds an M.A. in Writing from Virginia Commonwealth University. He runs several fantasy sports leagues, and enjoys pop culture and the discussion thereof. He is married with two young children. The author invites you to visit: http://www.crosswalk.com.

20. January - February 15, 2012

Well It’s That Time Again...

By Pastor John Ogletree, First Metropolitan Church

W

ell it’s that time again.

It’s time to make that resolution for the New Year. Remember the last one? How well did you do? Statistics show that 40 – 45 percent of Americans

make a resolve or a specific determination to do or not to do something at the commencement of a New Year. You may or may not be surprised to know that statistics indicate less than 10 percent manage to keep their pledge.

It is good however to set personal goals or have a determination to begin a year. Most people focus on weight, money, debt, relationships or self-improvement when making resolutions. In this age of microchips, cell phones, digital cameras, cable and satellite TV, email and the internet, I want to suggest that you resolve to spend more time in prayer.

For some prayer is an uncomfortable endeavor.

Lacking in many relationships is the ability to communicate intimately, clearly and confidently.

This also seems to be true in many believers relationship with God. If this is true with you, do what one of Jesus’ disciples did—request help in the area of prayer. In Luke, Chapter 11 the request was: “Lord teach us to pray…

This should be your New Year’s request. It should be your desire to communicate with God, depending on Him, listening to Him, and obeying Him. With all that people have faced in 2011 and will face in 2012, how can prayer not be a priority?

Reflecting on the economy of this country, high unemployment, the increase in poverty, family dysfunction, sickness and disease, the threat of war, how can prayer not be an integral component in our lives?

Our request should be: “Lord teach us to pray…

One problem we may have is presumption. Even though the disciple in Luke 11 had prayed before and

been with Jesus for some time, he didn’t presume that he knew how. Too much depends on prayer for us to be presumptuous; our lives, our families, our safety, our prosperity, our ministries.

We can take note that the request of the disciple was not personal. He did not request: “Teach me to pray…but teach us. As part of a prayer priority for 2012, one should understand that the ills and hurts of our time ultimately are broad to the human predicament.

In many respects our brother’s and sister’s problem is our own.

All people are partners in this thing called life so the request should be: “Lord teach us to pray…

Resolve for 2012 that you will devote more time daily to prayer. Resolve that you will talk with God

before you talk with man.

Resolve that in all things, in all circumstances and

situations prayer will be first. Be blessed in 2012!

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THE EXPERT NETWORK

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THE EXPERT NETWORK

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