ONE WISH

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health,
even as thy soul prospereth."
~ III John 1:2 ~

"BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR." Isn't that how the old saying goes?

Imagine, if you will, that each New Year guaranteed us one wish. Okay, what would our wish be?

No doubt, our wishes would include houses, cars, clothes, wealth and good health (and a few wishes for the opposite sex).

Try to imagine how many wishes would involve spiritual aspects? How many of our minds would soar beyond the tangibles and dwell on the true riches given by God?

Most stress-survivors have come to the realization that it's not nearly enough to be careful what we wish for, as it is to be prayerful with our wishes.

Presently, prosperity claims the highest sought-after stats than any single thing. Everyone is striving for more this and more that. Whether it's for sufficient or selfish reasons, we constantly want more. More. . .More. . .More!

John shares that we experience true prosperity as our souls prosper. In other words, prosperity blooms from the inside...out. Having a collection of worldly goods on the outside, but void of goodness on the inside is not what prosperity is about.

True prosperity is a lot like true love: Everyone that claims it doesn't necessarily possess it; and no one gains it by simply chasing wild and wacky schemes. True prosperity is acquired by those whose hearts are prepared to receive it.

Go ahead . . .make a wish . . .be prayerful what you wish for . . . and trust God to grant that extra-special something.

Peace I leave with you . . .

THE GOOD LIFE

"I am the way, the truth, and the life . . ."
~ John 14:6 ~

"IT HAS TO BE MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS. . ."

These words ring anybody's bell? Ever recall mumbling and grumbling something similar--especially during stressful times?

A new year has just dawned and, by all means, we should be revved up and ready to leap into an exciting year.

Sad to say, many of us are so stressed-out and nerved-up and worn-down that we neither have the energy nor the inclination to start again.

Then there are those whose's hearts and minds have become so clouded and confused from worry and stress that even if we attempt to embrace a prosperous new year, we can't be certain of which way to proceed.

Sure, we're surrounded by suggestions galore for obtaining wealth--health-- and happiness, so much so that we're leery as to whom to believe.

As stress-survivors, we have no desire for foolishness. We'd like to bypass all the gibberish and nonsense and go straight to the truth--the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

So what do we do?

Jesus reveals the absolute way to obtain "the good life." The abundant life. He assures, HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE...

To all who are willing to accept, Jesus extends His open-invitation, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. . ."

HALLELUJAH. . .It's a new year! And it's time we decide what matters most for newness of life this year. God makes "all things new" and we can behold His newness if we choose to.

Peace I leave with you . . .

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

"Behold, I will do

a new thing,

Now it shall spring forth..."

Isaiah 43:19 KJV

TELL GOD "THANK-YOU"

"Then the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God

for all the things

that they had heard and seen. . ."


Luke 2:20 KJV

CHRISTMAS 2009

"Glory to God

in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill

toward men!"


Luke 2:14 KJV

THE PRINCE OF PEACE

I have come that they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly.

~ John 10:10 ~

If we've done any Christmas shopping this year, we can readily agree that things are indeed expensive. Even the so-called sale items are creating havoc on our tight budgets.

Many of us have made major cut-backs on gift-giving and have had to make do with what we can afford or possibly create.

Changes to long-held holiday traditions--in whatever form or fashion--creates unbelievable stress. No doubt, holiday shopping can stress even the best of us. And if our priorities aren't aligned properly, we suffer needless stress.

Sure, gift-giving has been a huge tradition throughout Christmases past and present, but the true essence of Christmas centers on JESUS.

When born as a baby on that first Christmas, Jesus brought abundant life to us all . . . including peace that surpasses all understanding.

One can buy, buy, buy with all the money in America, but one cannot buy peace. True peace cannot be bought or borrowed. TRUE PEACE CAN ONLY COME FROM THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

God has given us all the greatest gift of all. . .Jesus. Our abundance for all things at Christmastime and any time thereafter rest securely in the arms of the Prince of Peace.

Peace I leave with you . . .

WHAT WE BELIEVE

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see
the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
~Psalm 27:13~

IT'S BEGINNING to look a lot like Christmas . . .

Could it be that it looks and feels like Christmas because of what we believe?

Each year this time, wherever we are and whatever we are doing-- despite our stresses--we anticipate having a joyous Christmas season. We believe in "Merry Christmas," no matter who says what.

Isn't it awesome how we believe in the tradition of Christmas? Whether it's adoration for the merry season or the Majestic Savior, we harbor a deep-and-abiding belief.

This same fortified faith should dominate stress as well. True stress-survivors realize that what we believe sets the stage for what we'll receive.

Just consider how we conduct our lives and condition our hearts at Christmastime. Imagine dedicating identical energies and efforts to reducing stress.

When oppressed with stress, we can easily loose heart if we don't have a strong belief in a strong Being. When we insist on believing God for His best and refuse to waddle in senseless stress, we maintain that peace and joy in our hearts sought by so many at Christmas.

During the holiday season and all through the year, if we expect our hearts and minds to be filled with "heavenly peace," it's essential to examine what we believe.



Peace I leave with you . . .