T.J.I.F.A.
THANK JESUS IT'S FRIDAY AGAIN!
PASS IT ON...& ON...& ON... & ON
MARCH 21, 2003
SUBJECT: ARE YOU ASHAMED?
THIS QUESTION SHOULD BE ANSWERED AS HONESTLY AS POSSIBLE. IT IS ONE THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF MORE THAN ONCE IN A LIFETIME. WHEN YOU BACK AWAY FROM CERTAIN CONVERSATIONS, AND REFUSE TO EXAMINE YOUR GROUND MOTIVES.
IF YOU'RE READING THIS NEWSLETTER...IT'S NOT TOO LATE! ASK FOR FORGIVENESS AND TAKE A STAND FOR JESUS.
NOTEWORTHY: THE PSYCHOLOGISTS HAVE GRABBED HOLD OF A NEW TERM - "SUBJECTIVE WELLBEING." (IT MEANS HAPPINESS) THE THINGS THAT YOU WOULD THINK SHOULD BRING HAPPINESS ... DON'T! READ ON AND REMEMBER THAT THE ONLY TRUE JOY IS THE JOY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.
FRIDAY'S WORD: FELICITY-MAKE IT A GOAL
IN THE MIRROR: JOINS IN ON NOTEWORTHY
O TASTE AND SEE: A BLUEBERRY POUND CAKE WITH GINGER SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE.
LOOKING FORWARD
SEE YA NEXT TIME
TER
ARE YOU ASHAMED ?
What are you ashamed of? As a child, you may have been ashamed of that little brother or sister that you had to carry everywhere you went and watch them so that they didn't get hurt. As a teenager, you may have had clothes that weren't up to date or ‘cool.' As a young adult, you may have had parents whom you thought were ‘Ol Fogies' who didn't know any other answer except "No!"
You found a means of escape in all of the above situations. With the bothersome sibling, you usually had one friend, who loved little children and would look after the little nuisance until you had your time to bat and run the bases. With the teenage gripe you would go to school and exchange clothes with a friend, so that just that one day you could look like everyone else. Then, like Super-Man, you'd change your clothes to go home. With the young adult problem...YOU GOT MARRIED!
"When I was a child, I spake as a child; I thought as a child; I understood as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things."[1Cor. 13:11]
But, what do you do when you're all grown up and you still have a problem of intrusion into your life with being embarrassed? And what is causing this state or feeling? It's something that you can't unload, dodge, duck, or scheme your way out of.
Many Good Christians are ashamed of Jesus, His Cross, and His Gospel. It is an age old problem. Jesus, himself, recognized it in His followers. When Peter spoke up and tried to rearrange the outcome of Jesus' life, Jesus rebuked him an said,"Get thee behind me Satan. For thou savourest not the things that be of GOD, but the things that be of men." [Mark 8:33]
Jesus was from the Glory of GOD. His mission on earth was to PLANT THE GOSPEL. The Good News that all men could receive through His obedience to His Father - GOD. To allow anything or anyone to interrupt or divert His purpose, was intolerable. Jesus could see that Peter would some day be a great man of GOD, but at that time, Jesus had to... "bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." [11Cor.10:5b.]
Have you ever wondered ‘What are the things of man?' Everyone has. The things of man are the things of the flesh; mundane. Things you can feel, smell, taste, see and hear. They are the things that man lives to GET. Things that will eventually destroy the temple of GOD, here on earth. They are things that cause addictions, afflictions and destruction.
Jesus taught His disciples and all that followed Him the significance of ‘denial,' which is always contrary to this world's understanding. Denial puts fleshly desires away and builds up the Soul of a man. It causes a regenerated glutton to eat what he needs rather than what he wants. Denial steps in front of the computer and television screen of a redeemed soul from pornography and ‘x' rated movies. Denial shuts off repugnant RAP music; illicit relationships; illegal drugs of every kind (even prescription drugs.) It comforts and protects exploited individuals and children. Jesus said, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For who soever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it." [Mark 8:34b,35.]
Bearing the Cross of Jesus is a peculiarity. Whether you walk through the streets with a large cross, like Arthur Blessed, who has walked over 300,000 miles or more, or whether you carry the cross quietly and seemingly without notice. People notice! They recognize ‘the difference' in you as compared to others in your same situation and circumstance. They will notice that you don't shun conversation to encourage and lift up a fallen soul. They notice your bright outlook on life, even in these days of terror and fear. They'll notice that you seem to have it all together even though you've been laid off and you stand in the same line with them. WHY?
You have learned to trust HIM. You have learned that The Word of Your Testimony and the Blood of the Lamb are the means by which you overcome any and all circumstances. You have matured through Grace and Mercy you now know the POWER of THE GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST, and knowing the truth, you are free to choose; and once you choose, your choice shouldn't make you ashamed. This choice isn't like choosing a football team or a political party, which when defeated, rather than hang your head, you quickly CHANGE SIDES and pretend that you were on the winner's team. At the end of these competitions, there is always a winner and a loser. With Jesus Christ even when it looks like you lose, you...WIN!
Shame and embarrassment are experienced when an individual FEELS (a sensation) that he or she is out of step with the majority. When dining out, bowing your head, folding your hands and praying before your meal is ‘out of step.' Testifying about the goodness of GOD on the public transportation is ‘Out of step.' Reading your Bible in public is ‘Out of step.' And the mention of the name, Jesus, is surely ‘Out of step.'
Jesus said ,"For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the Holy Angels." [Mark 8:36-38]
The ‘Death Rate and Percentage' in England, France, Italy, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Israel, South America, Russia, Korea, China, America and everywhere else in the whole wide world is... 100%. Everyone is going to close your eyes for the last time some day. Will you be in the line on the right or the left? Will Jesus welcome you and say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant, welcome home." Or will he look you in your eyes and say, "Depart from me, I know you not." You will have none of the things that you traded for the relationship with Jesus Christ on earth. You'll want to call on everything that you thought you knew about Jesus, but you'll only have your shame and embarrassment to show.
Is it worth it? If you are ashamed of Jesus Christ, repent now. Here's a quick prayer...Jesus, I come to you with a broken and contrite heart, repenting of my indifference and embarrassment toward You. Today, I change. Today I turn to You. Give me Words to speak to those around me suffering and lost. I will not be ashamed of You anymore, Dear Jesus. Thank you for redeeming my life."
The answer to the question...Are you ashamed? Is it a resounding NO! I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.?
Looking Forward
See Ya Next Time
TER
NOTEWORTHY: HAPPINESS
RESEARCHERS ARE INVESTIGATING WHO IS HAPPY; WHAT MAKES US HAPPY; AND WHETHER OR NOT IT CAN BE LEARNED.
MARTIN S. SELIGMAN-PHD WHO IS ONE OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY WROTE THAT THEY SHOULD NOT ONLY FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE, BUT SHOULD FIND OUT WHAT IS STRONG ABOUT THEM. (HE WROTE AUTHENTIC HAPPINESS) - FREE PRESS 2002.
SUBJECTIVE- "WELL BEING" IS ANOTHER TERM USED IN PLACE OF "HAPPINESS."IT INCLUDES JOY, OPTIMISM, SELF ESTEEM, FULFILLMENT, GRATITUDE, RESILIENCE AND LIFE SATISFACTION.
SCIENCE HAS ESTABLISHED A STRONG GENETIC LINK TO HAPPINESS.
THESE FACTORS DO NOT EFFECT LEVELS OF HAPPINESS;
GOOD EDUCATION; PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS; AND ENJOYING PHYSICAL HEALTH; NEITHER IS WEALTH A FACTOR IN PRODUCING HAPPINESS.
MOST PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD DESCRIBE THEMSELVES AS ‘SLIGHTLY TO MODERATELY' HAPPY. .
SCIENTISTS HAVE LEARNED, TO BE HAPPY WE NEED CLOSE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS; OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK AND GRATITUDE; ACTIVELY RELIGIOUS PEOPLE SEEM TO BE HAPPIER; A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR; GOOD DISPOSITIONS; AND PEOPLE WHO ARE SERENE AND READILY ACCEPT CHANGE.
THE WRITER STATES THAT HE DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT HAPPINESS COR-RELATES WITH FAME, POWER, WEALTH, OR MATERIAL COMFORT.
HAPPIER PEOPLE HAVE STRONGER IMMUNE SYSTEMS AND MAY EVEN LIVE LONGER. THEY ARE MORE EXTRAVERTED AND AGREEABLE AND SEEM TO BE MORE CREATIVE THAN THOSE WHO ARE LESS HAPPY. THEY ALSO ACTIVELY DO FOR OTHERS MORE THAN THEIR OPPOSITES.
FROM "HEALTH AND NUTRITION NEWSLETTER" JANUARY 2003
DR. ANDREW WILD "SELF HEALING"
TER
Attitude of Gratitude is the Key to Happiness...
"These are not the best of times for a sunny outlook on life.
Happiness depends on one's outlook and perception...not on external events."
"Robert Emmons, is among those who say being grateful for what you have is the key to happiness."
"When people consciously practice grateful living, their happiness will go up and their ability to withstand negative elements will improve as does their immunity to anger, envy, resentment an depression."
"Science is now focusing on the felicitous effects of the free sample. People who get a free sample or unexpected gift feel more generous, friendlier and healthier." Alice Isen found, " they became better able to solve problems."
"As a society, we tend to think of happiness as something that comes from outside us. It's kind of radical? Isn't this just what our mothers and grandmothers have been telling us for generations? That we have some control of happiness." said William Fleeson, Professor of Psychology at Wake Forest.
"In the midst of all the uncertainty, some things don't change. That makes me happy."
This is from the Atlanta Journal and Constitution March 13, 2003
In reflection I am reminded that Our Lord is never changing...Yesterday , Today, and Forever. As for ‘free samples' He demonstrated this power because we have THE FREE GIFT OF SALVATION.
Submitted by BMcC
FRIDAY'S WORD: felicity- fe*lic*i*ty; (noun) great happiness, pleasing faculty; especially in art or language
The felicity in the Christian life is something so worthy of consideration.
IN THE MIRROR:
This was taken from Max Anders book, 21 Unbreakable Laws of Life. The quote is from Blaise Pascal, pertaining to " Happiness".
"All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attending with different views. The "will" never takes the least step but to this objective. This is the motive of every man, even of those who hang themselves."
In his chapter, ‘The Eyes of Faith Have 20/20 Vision,' he proceeds to say to the Christian; "This is a crucial thing to understand. We do what we do because we believe it will make us happy. We may be dead wrong, and often are, but we do it nevertheless because of what we believe. When a Christian deliberately sins, it is a breakdown of faith. He believes that the sin will make him happier than God will. The opposite of obedience, then, is not disobedience. The opposite of obedience is unbelief!
Therefore it is vital for us to be alert to what we believe. First we must be sure... that what we believe is rooted in facts. Second, we must be sure we actually believe what we say or think we believe."
Anytime someone shares something with you of a happier life or lifestyle, it's because they themselves found something edifying, and have hopes of making a difference in another life somewhere along life's way.
Don't just pass along a word of ‘happiness' to someone today, but try to make a point of giving them along with the element of happiness, the love that was given to us through Christ Jesus.
By the way. Don't settle for a ‘good' day, when a ‘great' one is available!
S.L.C.
O TASTE AND SEE!
BLUEBERRY POUND CAKE
1 ½ CUP SUGAR
1 CUP BUTTER OR 2 STICKS
4 EGGS
½ TSP. CINNAMON
1/4 TSP SALT
½ TSP NUTMEG
½ TSP GINGER
3 CUPS ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
1 TSP BAKING SODA
1 CUP BUTTERMILK
1 CUP BLUEBERRY JAM *SMUCKERS 100% FRUIT OR JAM
1 CUP NUTS (TOASTED PECANS)
DIRECTIONS:
CREAM BUTTER AND SUGAR;
ADD WELL BEATEN EGGS;
BEAT THOROUGHLY;
SIFT SPICES, SODA AND SALT WITH FLOUR ;
ADD BUTTERMILK AND FLOUR MIXTURE ALTERNATELY;
THEN ADD PRESERVES AND NUTS;
BAKE IN TUBE PAN 300F FOR APPROXIMATELY2 HOURS OR UNTIL TOOTHPICK INSERTED COMES OUT CLEAN
CONTRIBUTED BY BMCC.