Count Your Many Blessings

You know, I was feeling sorry for myself the other day, complaining and whimpering about some things.  And my husband said "You are spiraling downward with this negative talk.  The more you speak it, the more negative it becomes.  Be thankful and think positive."  Okay, Mr. Wonderful positive happy man, I thought, I can turn this around.  I instantly thought of the old hymn we sung in church as a child, "County Your Blessings".  So, I started humming it (at least the words I could remember) and sure enough my mood turned around and I started feeling happier, more positive, and that smile on my face returned as I thought about how God really watches over us - and all is well.  Another old hymn that soothes my soul is "It is Well (With My Soul)".  Wow, music and words are such a life changer when we allow them to be.

Think about the words to these songs, I know they will encourage you:

 Count Your Blessings

Words by Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1897)
Music by Edwin O. Excell (1897)

(Verse 1)
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

(Refrain)
Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done!

(Verse 2)
When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

(Refrain)
Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done!

(Verse 3)
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

(Refrain)
Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done!

(Verse 4)
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

(Refrain)
Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done!

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

Words: Ho­ra­tio G. Spaf­ford, 1873.

Music: Ville du Havre, Phil­ip P. Bliss, 1876

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

(Refrain)

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

(Refrain)

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

(Refrain)

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

(Refrain)

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,

The sky, not the grave, is our goal;

Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!

Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

(Refrain)

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

(Refrain)

SONG HISTORY:  This hymn was writ­ten af­ter two ma­jor trau­mas in Spaf­ford’s life. The first was the great Chi­ca­go Fire of Oc­to­ber 1871, which ru­ined him fi­nan­cial­ly (he had been a weal­thy bus­i­ness­man). Short­ly af­ter, while cross­ing the At­lan­tic, all four of Spaf­ford’s daugh­ters died in a col­li­sion with an­o­ther ship. Spaf­ford’s wife Anna sur­vived and sent him the now fa­mous tel­e­gram, “Saved alone.” Sev­er­al weeks lat­er, as Spaf­ford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daugh­ters died, the Ho­ly Spir­it in­spired these words. They speak to the eter­nal hope that all be­liev­ers have, no mat­ter what pain and grief be­fall them on earth.

WOW.  Both of these hymns are powerful and help me often when I'm in the dark zone of feeling negative, depressed or just sad.  

God says he cares for me (and you) and that he is walking us through our life journey.  So, I'll try my best to be more into the positive light zone attitude and feelings and think of my MANY BLESSINGS and know IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.

May your day be filled with sunshine and filled with God’s blessings.

JEANNETTE

NO MORE OBESITY! Life changes for me must come soon ...

FORGIVING - Is It Worth Trying To "LET GO"

REVISED February 2, 2014

Forgiving is so full of varied emotions for me personally.  It doesn’t just entail thinking of what someone has done or said to me, it involves principles, values, integrity, personhood, safety, respect, on and on.  One of the first things that comes to mind is that of why in the first place am I in a place of choosing to forgive someone or some entity of something, after all, don’t civil people and businesses treat others in a manner that is civil and respectful and lawful and humane and in a way they would want their grandmother treated or the way they would want themselves treated (that is if they value themselves and want the best for themselves)?  Heck yes is my answer!

But sadly, so many people and entities fall very far away from the statistical line of equal positive value to equal positive value when it comes to fair and equal treatment.  We no longer have integrity by our “word” of promise, or “handshake” deal/contract or simple statement of promise.  And written contracts – the loopholes folks find to void them – amazing!

So, back to the issue of forgiveness and my reason for stopping to pause and philosophy a bit first.  Yes, I used to be naïve, thinking everyone must be nice and trustworthy people.  Wrong!  That childhood notion was eliminated at a young age, yet I still clung to it in early adulthood holding on to my fairytale hope in a utopian made up society of wonderful people.

Forgiving someone is really or can be really complicated.  I’ve known some people who have found ways to forgive more easily and more quickly than others and have known others who have held on to a hurt or something or someone who hand “wronged” them and probably took it to their grave.  What I’ve learned however; is that there must be a middle ground to the issue of forgiveness, at the very least, in order to provide a sense of sanity for oneself, so that the hurt does not cause caustic illness in one’s body and psyche.

So, back to the treating others the way you want to be treated.  Because I am a Christian believer, and have centered my life on this faith since I was a very young child, I have strong beliefs based on the Bible.  The Christian Bible says to treat others the way that you want to treated, which many people refer to as "The Golden Rule", as stated in scripture found in Luke 6:31.  This is such a great philosophy that we can embrace.  "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  Simply, if you want to be treated nicely, do the same to others.  If you want to be treated like a jerk, do the same to others. 

To make a point to others who may share a different faith, or those like some of my children who research other religions, I want to point out that this simple phrase is echoed in many religious beliefs, a universal philosophy of integrity. In doing some research of my own, I found the following:

Christianity 
All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. 
Matthew 7:13 

Confucianism 
Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state. 
Analects 12:2 

Buddhism 
Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. 
Udana-Varga 5,1 

Hinduism 
This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you. 
Mahabharata 5,1517 

Islam 
No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. 

Sunnah Judaism 
What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. 
Talmud, Shabbat 3id 

Taoism 
Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss. 
Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ien 

Zoroastrianism 
That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself.

Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5

 Adapted from "The Christopher Newsletter"

However, I've said to myself, 'Is it really worth trying to treat others the same way I would prefer to be treated?', i.e. with kindness, compassion, patience, love, respect, not rudeness or anything unbecoming of the Christ-like nature that our Lord expects of me.  Christ spells it out pretty clearly in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Corinthians when he describes what LOVE (Charity) is:

1 Corinthians 13 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹ If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

 ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

 ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 

 ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

 ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

 ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

 ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

 ⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

 ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 

¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.

 ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

 ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 

 ¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Well, then I take it a step further and ask myself, ‘So what if I forgive and it doesn't necessarily result in a positive outcome?’  I can try to treat others with the Charity (or Love) that it speaks about (above) in scripture, and be respectful, and try not to waiver from the kindness that I would like to be given back in return.  But hey, what if I get taken advantage of by someone, mistreated, robbed, whatever?  Well, I can only do my best, and I can only defend myself under the law the best that I can.  In all the ways that I act, I must act in a way that honors God.  I make the choices that God guides me to make, and take action to move forward.

I've learned that it is emotionally healthier and spiritually more fulfilling if I "let it go".  I leave it up to our Lord to smooth over and heal whatever issues I have within myself - and allow him to work within the other person's heart to change or apologize.  Too many tears or even anger has robbed me of the JOY God gives in trusting him in all things. 

Of course I am not a perfect human being.  However, through God's grace and patience I try very hard to "let go" of comments and actions that hurt or offend me.  When I allow God to take care of my heart as well as take care of others hearts, I do not take the burden on and let it manifest to a deepness that is rotten.  I remember that God is the ultimate judge and harboring any feelings of ill will toward a person or entity hurts me more than the offender.  

Here are two scriptures on JUDGING to make the point we all make mistakes at some point.  I believe, once we do, it’s in our response to the mistake, or sin, in how the outcome will affect the other person and will affect us.: 

  

Luke 6:41 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

John 8:7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

MY POINT:  If we have done something that has caused some type of physical, emotional, or financial harm to someone, something or some entity, aren’t we responsible for our actions?  We are!  We have an obligation to make amends in some manner and show an act and behavior of remorse.  Speak to the person, pay back the financial harm, help them with the physical harm, help them or provide help for them in the emotional, physical, financial or whatever way you’ve caused a problem!  It’s not that difficult.  By doing so, then you have solved the issue in making it an issue whether a person even needs to decide whether an apolgy is worth being made or if it even needs to be let go.  THE ISSUE IS MUTE, BECAUSE THERE NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE TO CARRY FORWARD IF PROPERLY HANDLED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

PEOPLE, WE MUST BE MATURE AND TAKE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR ACTIONS.  AND WE MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OURSELVES AS WELL.

So back to the original question on forgiving.  Is it worth it to try to "let go"?  YES.  It is well worth it?  Yes, because letting go let's God step in.  "Let go and Let God" is an appropriate phrase.  Why not let go?  What do we have to lose?  NOTHING.  We only gain a sense of well being, (that only our Lord and Savior can provide).  If you have no religious belief, just think of it this way, when you release the harboring feelings of unforgiveness, you release the tension and you rid yourself of the thoughts taking up space in your memory popping up every now and then reminding you of something unpleasant in your life.  Let it go.  Release it and be done with one less burden.  It's really well worth it. 

   

It doesn’t change the circumstance oftentimes, but it can release it from your shoulders as you lay it at Jesus’ feet and let him take the burden from you.  Try not to lift it back up and carry it around again.  Let him work it out.  Let him work it out in the other person’s heart or in the entity’s business, whatever. 

When it is appropriate for you to talk to the person or address it to the entity, if you haven’t already done so, then God will provide an avenue and prompt you in his own way to let you know when the time is right.  If he wants it left unsaid, then you will know that as well.  I can tell you that harboring the unforgiveness and giving it time in your life is a waste of minutes and emotions.

Remember this:  "I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me" Philippians 4:13.  AMEN!

My Indearing Grandma Grace

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bakersfield/obituary.aspx?n=grace-mann-lewis&pid=148470606&fhid=3070

Bless the Broken Road

Broken roads and blessed hearts.  Selah sings a beautiful song about how God brought two together.  Awsome.


I am truly blessed that my husband was lead by the Lord and found me.  He is just what I've wanted in a husband.


HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!   - February 14th (3 years)



The song "Bless the Broken Road":  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPaU7jJvqRc

TURN, TURN, TURN - A Time for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (English Standard Version)

---

A Time for Everything

1  For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2  a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

3  a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4  a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5  a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones
together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain
from embracing;

6  a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7  a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8  a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.



There is a song "Turn, Turn, Turn" that became popular by the Byrds, written almost verbatim from scriptures.  Beautiful music to beautiful words.  Listen to the beautiful song "Turn, Turn, Turn":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIBu2p8FR3o

To me, this song and the scriptures reiterate that God truly has a purpose for everything.  His purpose, and his will is always the best.  Just trusting the Lord in his timing to provide us and guide us through his purpose is essential.  It takes patience at times to endure waiting, if it seems longer than we expect, but that wait for God's purpose provides a result that is often more extraordinary than we can imagine.

"Turn, Turn, Turn" - turn to Jesus, he makes a way that is best.

ATTITUDE

                  ATTITUDE


by: Charles Swindoll

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am
convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.