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Fix it Friday

Cease striving and Know God

I'm a prescriber of the free In Touch magazine, it comes monthly with great articles written by Dr Charles Stanley and some guest writers. My mother in law introduced him and his ministry to me when I first came to America in 2005, Dr Stanley came to Dallas that summer to give a sermon so she took me and the guys to see him. I didn't know much about sermons but I liked what I heard that day even though it was short and there were too many people I couldn't hear all of it.
About two years later when we visited my in laws I saw a In Touch magazine laying on the table so I picked it up and started browsing, all the articles interested me, so I went on the website and prescribed it. Since then I've been a regular reader and learned a lot from him.
I just got this month's magazine yesterday, but didn't have time to read it. So this morning I opened it with my first cup of coffee and instantly thought I should share this on my blog. Whether you're a Christian or not, this article will help you relax and give you direction who and where to go to when it all comes apart in life.

People live with a lot of stress these days. Whether our economy s in recession or not, there are a million reasons to be anxious: pressure in the workplace or lack of employment other people's criticism or hurtful actions, failing health or ruined relationships.
Maybe you can't clearly identify the source of anxiety in your life, but you strive every day to pursue your own agenda without God's blessing--this is the worst stress inducer of them all.
whatever your situation, Psalm 46 holds the key to dealing with demanding situations:"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change" (vv.1-2). The psalm continues, describing earthquakes, fallen kingdoms, wars and desolations, but concludes with these words:"Cease striving and know that I am God"(v.11)
How can you do this when things are falling apart all around you? To cease striving, you must rest in the Lord. To rest, you must trust Him completely. And to trust, you must know Him.
So how do you get to know God? The process begins when you place faith in Jesus as your personal Savior. Then develop the relationship as you would with a good friend.
  1. First of all, spend time alone with Him. You have to make an effort to meet with Him regularly.
  2. Get to know what He thinks--read the Bible, pray, and listen to sermons.
  3. Observe what God does in other people's lives and also in your own.
  4. Tell Him honestly what you are thinking and feeling. It is important to be open and transparent.
  5. Be still and listen to Him. He will speak straight from His Spirit to your spirit and quiet your troubled heart.
Once you understand that God loves unconditionally and forgives completely, you will be able to let go of guilt. When you realize that He has a will and a plan in your life, you can stop worrying about the future. And when you see how He turns suffering into something good, your fear will be replaced by a growing confidence and inner joy.
          

Happy Mother's Day

For all your hard work and warm loving hearts... ...

Fix it Friday!

This is my Fix...sorry I don't have time today to write my steps but hopefully I can catch up and write them down next week!

Original

"Fixed" ^_^

Discouragement won't stop me from dreaming and exploring

Today I got discouraged by one of the most important people in the world that I care about.
I cried instantly because of what he didn't like about what I did. or maybe for some other reason?
then I went to the bedroom, alone, cried out to the God my Father in heaven, "should I continue?"
"is this really what I should do?" There was a moment when I knew I'd have impulsively erase all my photos
and this blog and all my passions and ideas and plans and, my camera. I have to admit that I take criticism
badly, I hate confrontation, especially with people I care. So I became a people pleaser inevitably, but this
could be a very deadly trait, which you will focus on the wrong things, and lose yourself.
Maybe, I wasn't born to be a photographer, but then, why is it that I have this passion and joy in my heart?
you can dislike my style, my point of view, my compo, or even my entire work, but don't forget to give plenty
respect and encouragement, because maybe one day, this is exactly what you'll need in life.
I asked the Lord to give me comfort, to help me forget and most importantly forgive those who unconsciously
hurt me or discouraged me.
later today as I'm writing the last part of this entry, the Lord put these words in my head: 那加给我力量的.( through who gives me strength) but I don't remember where this verse is in the Bible so I found it on www.biblegateway.com

¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength.


here is a quote that I like very much, hope to share with you who have also been or are discouraged, or those who do the opposite:

One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement. …It is easy to laugh at men’s ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others.  The world is full of discouragers.  We have a Christian duty to encourage one another.  Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet.  Blessed is the man who speaks such a word.

William Barclay

Keep on the passion.

Bluebonnet wonderland

My sweet little buddy Luke.

Zaniya