Archive for Spirituality Resources
June 3, 2008 at 7:43 pm · Filed under Spirituality Resources
Many things can bring us down like jobs, holidays, or just the grind of every day life
and finding that little something, that little motivation can help us triumph over
these events can really make
a difference in our lives.
We can find inspiration in poems, motivational books, stories we read, pictures, our
favorite music and just about anything else that puts us in a state of mind that
makes us a more productive, happier us.
With our ever-increasing busy lives having the opportunity to find that little
inspiration at our disposal gets a bit harder all the time. Having something that can
easily be obtained at an instant for inspiration like a picture or a message you carry
with you, it can be exactly what the doctor ordered.
How about your jewelry for inspiration?
Inspirational Jewelry can be something that reminds you of a special time in our
lives or Inspirational Jewelry can hold a picture that brings you strength.
Inspirational Jewelry can also have a subtle powerful message engraved on it that
reminds you of the happier, motivated person you are.
Lets face it we all need to be inspired at one time or another during the course of
our day and we all love our jewelry, which most of us wear every day. So having your
jewelry as symbol of inspiration is very convenient and logical. Whether if you have a
locket with an inspiring quote, whether you have a bracelet with an inspirational
message or have a special saying etched on a ring you have, when it is with you
always on the go inspiration is just a fingertip away. So when you feel like you need
to be inspired you can always revert back to that special piece of jewelry that is with
you always.
Get inspired by jewelry, it can make your jewelry an even more important
possession.
This article was written by: Toni Rossi. I am experienced in the jewelry industry and
understand quality. If you are looking for
Unique Gift Ideas or
Inspirational Jewelry we can
help you. Visit our
website today at: http://www.inspirationalsterling.com
April 26, 2008 at 10:25 am · Filed under Spirituality Resources
A prodigal is a person who at one time received Christ as Lord and Savior, but has since strayed from God and is no longer living in obedience to Him. The term comes from a parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32.
Sometimes it is difficult to understand why our wayward loved ones are running from God, and we try desperately to save them. I have found that the more we preach at them the faster they seem to run. We eventually discover that we can’t save them. It is a work of the Holy Spirit, and our part is to pray for them, love them, and live a Christ-like life before them.
Like the Apostle Paul, we too must wait for an open door to minister. When Paul and Silas were visited by God in prison, their shackles were loosed. When the jailer saw what happened, he asked, “What must I do to be saved?”
This was an open door to talk to jailer about Christ.
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31 NASB)
This verse doesn’t mean that just because the jailer believed in God, his family was saved also. But once a person comes to Christ and prays for his or her household, God will make Himself real to them, and it will be very difficult for them to turn their back on the Lord.
It is God’s will to save and deliver your loved ones. And because it is His will, you can believe that when you pray, God will answer your prayers in His way and in His timing.
Listen to this promise from 1 John 5:14-15.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears uswhatever we askwe know that we have what we asked of him.” NIV)
Even though we have this promise, it’s tempting to look at the circumstances in your prodigal’s life instead. When we do that, it becomes easy to doubt and feel helpless.
Listed below are some things that you can do to turn your wayward loved one back to the Lord:
• Believe the word of God more than what you see with your physical eyes
• Pray God’s word. Find personalized scripture promises at www.gardenoftheheart.com/prayers/prodigals.htm.
• Ask God to remove the veil that is blinding them to the truth.
• Wait for an open door to minister to them.
• Demonstrate God’s love.
• Pray daily for them.
• Do not judge them.
• Hate the sin, not the sinner.
• Trust God (Trust in the Hebrew means “a confident expectation of what God is going to do, not a constant anxiety”).
• Be an example of living for Christ in all that you do.
• Wait patiently for the harvest of their souls.
• Keep a journal and record what God is doing in their lives.
• Learn all that you can about how to pray effectively for their hearts.
“The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16 NASU)
Pray and never give up. Even though it looks like nothing is happening, always remember that because you are praying, God is at work deep within their hearts.
Find more information on how to pray for your prodigal at
www.gardenoftheheart.com/teachings/prodigals/prodigal_teachings_index.htm.
Copyright © 2006 Garden of the Heart Ministries
Debra Bosacki is co-founder of Garden of the Heart Ministries.
She is an intercessor, author and speaker at seminars, retreats and conferences. She teaches an online course called Intimacy with God through Journaling.
She is also an administrative assistant for The Foundation for a Great Marriage.
Debra has been married for thirty two years to her husband, Gene, and is a homemaker and mother of five children. She resides in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
To visit her web site go to http://Gardenoftheheart.com
March 31, 2008 at 7:03 am · Filed under Spirituality Resources
Here are some thoughts for finding and experiencing joy in your life. If
there were one thing I could wish upon my family, friends and the readers of
this Ezine, it would be joy in everything they do!
Know your purpose. Nothing will bring you joy more than knowing what it is
that you are about on this earth. Not knowing brings sadness, wondering, fear
and lack of fulfillment. Above all, find out what your unique purpose is
here on this earth - then fulfill it! As you do, you will experience joy!
Live purposefully. This is a follow up to number one. It is one thing to
know your purpose, but then you need to live according to that purpose. This
is a matter of priorities. Let your actions and schedule reflect your
purpose. Don’t react to circumstances and let them cause you to live without
your purpose fully in site. Living without your purpose will cause
frustration. Living purposefully will bring you deep satisfaction and joy!
Stretch yourself. Don’t settle into the status quo. That will leave you
unfulfilled. Always look to stretch yourself. Whatever you are doing,
stretch yourself to do more! Stretching yourself will break the limits you
have set for yourself and will cause you to find joy in your expanded
horizons!
Give more than you take. It brings happiness to accumulate. It brings joy to
give away. Sure, getting the car you worked hard for will bring you a sense
of satisfaction and even happiness. But it won’t bring you joy. Giving
something away to the less fortunate will bring you deep, abiding joy.
Surprise yourself, and others too. The words here are spontaneity and
surprise! Every once in a while, do the unexpected. It will cause everybody
to sit back and say, “Wow, where did that come from?” It will put a little
joy in your life, and theirs.
Indulge yourself sometimes. To much indulgence and you are caught in the
happiness trap. Looking for the next purchase, celebration etc to bring you
a little “happiness high.” But if you will allow yourself an infrequent
indulgence as a reward for a job well done and a life well lived, you will
appreciate the indulgence and experience the joy of it.
Laugh a little - no, a lot! Most people are just too serious. We need to
laugh a little - no, a lot! Learn to laugh daily, even if you have to learn
to laugh in bad situations. This life is to be enjoyed! The next time you go
to the movie rental store, get a comedy and let loose! Let yourself laugh!
Joy can be yours! Look for it, pursue it and enjoy it!
About The Author:
Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of
Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn
their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and
achieve their dreams.
To see Chris “live” at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on
the subject of Secrets of Influence go to
http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434.
