Morning All !  I want to ask, Do you have any addictions? Before you answer look at the definition of addiction:  “the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, person, or activity ”  Boy, doesn’t the definition cover a lot of areas; chocolate, exercise, work, sex, food, substances, cleaning, and the list can go on and on.   If everyone is honest most of us are an addict (to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively) in some form.  Now I ask again, Do you have any addictions?

Many who know me would tell you I am addicted to work. Personally, since I am down to one job I feel like I have kicked that habit. LOL  Yes, for 35 years I worked 2 sometimes 3 jobs…I would like to make the excuse it was to sustain myself and my children but, if I am honest that was only a portion of the reason. I do like working and I do like play too which means I have to work a little extra to have the funds to play. I learned from experience in my other life (teens to 20 yrs old) the way to kick a habit (addiction) is when you finally get to the point that it is a True Hearts Desire to Quit whatever. Then to drive it home so you don’t forget:  go Cold Turkey : (Quit in a sudden and abrupt manner). Funny idiom Cold Turkey: it stems from the American phrase “talk turkey” meaning “to speak bluntly with little preparation“.  Which is what I am doing today talkin’ turkey. smile Back in my other life I had drug addictions and a long list of other addictions stemming from that addiction. I got to that place of ” Wanting and Choosing to Quit”  Enough was enough and I had a baby coming… it was like my heart came to life again saying, ” Is the road you’re on one you want your child to travel”  Heck, I didn’t like the road I was on, I sure didn’t want my baby girl to take that route. So, with the aid of my BFF, Yeshua (Jesus) & her father who took care of me, I locked myself in the bedroom for 30 days and QUIT!  Lord have Mercy! That was an experience I will never forget and NEVER return too. Now here I am almost 62 years old and still Thanking God for bringing me thru and Out.  And now here I am realizing Cold Turkey is the route I need to take whether it is a Major or a Minor addiction,  which in my interpretation means bad habits. Like my addiction to too much TV, which I acquired when I dropped down to one job. LOL    When I get off work, I find myself going straight to my room to relax and indulge in TV programs.. when I actually need to practice what I preach; ” all things in moderation” and spend some time doing more exercise and in the Word of God. I have procrastinated in this far too long. Making excuses of I am tired after a long days work. And yes, I am tired sometimes but, most of the time really I am just addicted to my shows. Recently, once again, I heard that still small voice in my heart saying, “really, are TV programs your hearts desire?”  When put that way it really tapped me up, OMG NO!  This made me see I had made another Left in my journey and now need to go back to the Right.  I love the Lord and my hearts desire is to grow in The Way of His Word. I love Me and I have let the physical aspects of me get out of shape sitting & lying down all day. (I sit at a computer all day then lie around watching TV evenings)  My active time is mostly on the weekend.. “Not enough” and as I age I am seeing the Fruit of my actions.  Then my past popped in my head saying, ” You know what you need to do”.  Once again, Go Cold Turkey for 40 days and cut that TV time down to 2 hours a night (or less) & get back to your Habits (not addictions) that will uplift My Mind, Body, and Spirit…top of the list, getting back into spending quality time with the family of God in His Word and 30 mins a day in some form of exercise!

My challenge this post:  Look within..what is your addiction? What are you hooked on that is not to your benefit and maybe even you don’t even really enjoy? Once you see it won’t you join me in the 40 day Cold Turkey challenge… it will be a challenge but, I can testify in the end it is so worth it and Know this:  You can Call on Jesus, seek His route on the journey and He will carry you thru!

Shalom!

There are all sorts of reasons to Fast. Physical, Spiritual Cleaning, prior to a procedure, and I am sure there are others. 5/26/17 Ramadan began. This is a spiritual time in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (Sawm) to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. In addition to the fasting the Quran is read from beginning to end. I have done this fast both reading the Quran and reading the Bible from beginning to end. It is a very enlightening and renewing experience. Just about all faiths practice some form of fasting. This site gives a list of many faith fasting practices:  http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2001/02/Fasting-Chart.aspx   And here is another great website with Much info on Biblical fasting. http://www.allaboutprayer.org/prayer-and-fasting.htm  As this site states: Except in The Old Testament specifically required prayer and fasting for only one occasion, which was the Day of Atonement. Nowhere else does the Word of God “command ” believers to spend time in prayer and fasting. However, throughout The Word prayer and fasting is definitely indicated as something we should be doing. Far too often, though, the focus of prayer and fasting is on abstaining from food. Instead, the purpose of Biblical fasting should be to take our eyes off the things of this world and focus our thoughts on God. Fasting should always be limited to a set time because not eating for extended periods can be damaging to the body. Fasting is not a method of punishing our bodies and it is not be used as a “dieting method” either. We are not to spend time in prayer and fasting in order to lose weight, but rather to gain a deeper fellowship with God. 

Introduced by Abraham, Issac, and Jacob Jewish Law makes it our duty to pray three times daily: in the morning, in the afternoon and at nightfall. These prayers are called morning prayer (shacharit), afternoon prayer (minchah) and evening prayer (arvith or maariv ).  When practiced prayer 3 times a day sure does help keep you focused on The Way of our Lord (Jesus was a practicing Jew ya know, so this is Not a Old way of Jewish Law).  God says our bodies are the Temples of God 1 Corinthians 6:19-20..That said Prayer and Fasting is both cleansing your mind and your body.

Most people take baths or showers to keep the outside of their bodies clean, but they do very little to keep the inside of their bodies clean.  (Which is even more important.)  Fortunately, there is a way to remove the excess toxins that have built up in your body over the years, and it’s called “cleansing”.  There are many different ways to cleanse the body, but the most natural and the most effective is to simply go on a fast. This site gives 6 steps of Fasting. http://www.sixstepstobetterhealth.com/cleansebody.html      Our bodies have the ability to “heal themselves of virtually anything”, but if the inside of your body is a highly toxic environment where disease can easily manifest and thrive, fasting may be the best way to give your body a chance to really work it’s magic.  Is it a bit of a sacrifice? YES..however the end result is so worth the sacrifice.

On that note:  I pray you read all the info above and consider joining me in a Fasting period of cleansing Mind, Body, and Spirit. Try 3 prayers a day sharing all your troubles and Praises along with the reading of His Word ..even if it is just a few verses. I personally am doing a 30 day water and Veggies Fast. Then once completed I plan to do a 3 day fast monthly. I haven’t done one all year and no doubt the toxins in my body are stacked up. We all get so caught up in the “world” we tend to neglect ourselves. Remember, if you do not Love yourself it is hard to love another and if you get ill from lack of taking care of yourself how can you care for those you love? Not to mention, why feel yucky if there are ways to ” heal thyself” ..

Shalom.

In this post I want to focus on the benefits of moderation. I’ve said over the years, ” you know the Word says all things in moderation.”  Well actually the Word doesn’t literally say that. Even though countless others use the same ” verbage ” from a spiritual standpoint, I discovered there is no actual Bible verse saying, “all things in moderation?” There are verses that translate to the meaning of the statement like:            1 Corinthians 6:12 ” Everything is permissible for me – but, everything is not beneficial. Everything is permissible for me – but, I will not be mastered by anything” or Proverbs 25:16  “If you find honey, eat just enough-too much of it, and you will vomit ”   Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying there is not Truth in the statement,  all things in moderation. Just saying, man can and does “reword the Word”.  Usually with all good intention. Which is part of why I have this website… to seek His Word, the benefits of it for our lives, and to bring awareness to how the foundations of God’s Word is revealed in All the various “religions” man has created. It amazes me how even though man divides and segregates, the Truth of God’s Word leads us to integrate and Love one another as ONE.  This is found in Moderation ” Moderation”.

Moderation: The avoidance of excess or extremes; temperance. Like when you go to a buffet, have a little bit of everything instead of gorging on steak and ice cream…(or gorging period. smile) After doing some CSI investigation on Moderation, the Spirit revealed to me the key to happiness, success, etc is living ” SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN” in all things we do. In this post I share examples of the consequences of extremes for you to ponder and consider as you make your Life Choices. Please know my comments are not condoning alcohol or drug use; personally I only have one drink tops 5 times a year. Usually only twice.. my B’day and New Years. His Word further proves how God views the matter: Ecclesiastes 9:7 “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” Numbers 15:5  “and you shall prepare wine for the drink offering, one-fourth of a hin, with the burnt offering or for the sacrifice, for each lamb.”  & my proof of His clarity in moderation: Ephesians 5:18  “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit ” or 1st Timothy 5:23 ” Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for the sake of your digestion and thy frequent infirmities.- a verse with proof in the Word to substantiate scientific Facts Wine (and some alcohols) can be beneficial to your health.. “in Moderation.” Also, I am not living in denial as though no-one does either of these things – whether it be recreationally or prescribed. smile Did you know 9 golden raisins soaked in Gin & eaten daily aids in Joint Pain? Here is a site for more details. https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2014/10/23/how-to-make-gin-soaked-raisins-for-joint-pain/  Ok moving on: Let’s say you go out to have a drink with friends, the 2 drink limit is a good rule of moderation to follow so you can walk away relaxed, you had some fun, and you won’t vomit, wake up with a sick headache (see my post on July 31st, 2014 for a headache cure recipe) , nor will you get sloppy and insult anyone. (as a rule, if you have a very low tolerance maybe you should be the designated driver and don’t drink at all.)   Same with drugs, prescription or otherwise, if you “over”indulge in the recommended amount your body will not have a positive reaction. In FACT, you can count on excess with either of these Will create health problems and can lead to your Death. Did you know this is true of most things in life? Too much food on a consistent basis can cause disease within your body that will result in health issues of which most are full of suffering and or just take you out. Like obesity or too much stress can result in heart attacks . Too much sex (believe it or not) can kill you…in several ways; mentally, spiritually, and physically. Here is one form of how that goes: In women too much sex can cause a urinary tract infection, as the urethra is literally right next to the vagina and when you have sex the bacteria from the vagina can get rubbed into the urethra, where it travels up to the bladder. It is a Medical Fact that a UTI can range from a minor infection to a life threatening illness.   I love the Sun and being out in it however, over indulgence can lead to skin cancer and what…death. Now think about these examples I’ve given and look back over your life…can you see what I mean about living ” Somewhere In Between” (extremes that is)  results in better days? Or maybe you will see how it Saved your Life.  I know I can look back and one time my extremes had me pronounced Dead!  Praise God for that smart Dr. that said ‘ No, do the paddles one more time”… and here I am today able to testify over indulgence of drug use Can and Will take you out…usually in multiple ways 1st Mentally, then Spiritually, then Physicially. I Praise God for the Angels He sent my way to Pull that pulled me back to the Life He created just for ME. I Praise God for opening my eyes and giving me ears to hear; ” Don’t be an extremist in Anything you do” Not in Religion, Politics, Eating, Drinking, Spending money, Water,  TV, phones, computers, Earth abuse, and so on and so on. I leave you with this request:

Look around you in the world today on any or all of the matters that I mentioned then ask yourself:  What happens when we do to little or too much in relation to any of these areas of Life ? What are the consequences I see right in my face of excess? What do I see as I look around me? What consequences do I see in the lives of people & on this earth when moderation is the choice?

Remember: Proverbs 23:7   ” For as a man thinketh in his heart, so Is He. ”

It has been my experience as a man thinketh in his heart he will DO that thing. Now I ask; ” What are you thinking and choosing to DO? What have the consequences been or what will they be of your “thinking and Doing?”

Shalom!

What is that exactly? In today’s world it seems to become more and more difficult to eat healthy. Between the preservatives, additives, this is good for you, that isn’t, ooops we were wrong Coffee is good for you, Oh and we can’t leave out the cost of eating Organic .. it seems it is not a simple task.

Or can it be? ..a simple task that is. Many including my daughter and son-in-law have become Vegan Urban Farmers, growing most of what they eat right in the yard! That is the front and backyard of their little beach cottage. My nephew went the hydroponic route with live fish providing the nutrient filled water. And me I am patio & indoor pots grower highly considering a Garden Tower so I can grow more.  Just haven’t decided should I do dirt and compost like this site shows: https://gardentowerproject.com/shop/product/garden-tower-2/ $389.00  or should I go hydroponics with This: https://foodyverticalgarden.com/ which is what I am leaning toward since it can be indoors or out. Foody vertical growing has several styles and sizes ranging from $64.95 to $289 to and they have a Soil tower $139.00. Less maintenance and cleaner too, plus the tower is too cute!  All are pesticide Free and grow such Tasty and Fresh foods for my body. There are vertical wall hanging styles at Target but, since I rent I won’t be choosing those. Smile  It trips me out how great tasting some of the recipes my daughter comes up with are. I am finding myself choosing to lean more into her Vegan lifestyle choices as each day goes by. Everything tastes so good I don’t even miss the meat. I am not all the way there (yet) cause I love me some Fish, occasional chicken, and fancy cheeses like Brie. So, like I told her I think I can commit to an 80/20 plan.. 80% Vegan. You can check out some things she makes on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/theFlourfield/appetizers/   This is good food tip too: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/26/hummus-health-benefits_n_4834315.html

And for the best guidance on what to grow and eat…it’s in the BOOK ! Which includes meat but, the Book is not speaking of meats/foods full of fillers/additives/and by products of who knows what.  Genesis 1:29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.  This site shares more verses on foods according the His Word: https://www.openbible.info/topics/eating_the_right_foods  

Just remember:  Your body is the temple of God so do all things in Moderation. Smile

So, I say if you can…join us in becoming Farmers for your home. And should you have moe than you can eat:  Show some Love & Share with your neighbors. I know if I can grow my own veggies/fruits/herbs in Las Vegas these things can be grown anywhere.

Hugs… Shalom

Your Life…that is His gift. And when I say “your Life” I am not just speaking of the physical Living and Breathing. Life: the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.

Now that says volumes doesn’t it? The skinny of it is: All things you do – including all things around you are Life..all part of the Whole. Hard to say that isn’t one Fantastic Gift.  So what will You do with this Gift?

There is a saying, ” Your Life is God’s Gift to You…what You do with it is your Gift to God”   This saying, of course is the motivation for this post. I started thinking on the very definition of Life and all I can say is:

“WOW! I AM BLESSED and I LOVE my GIFT!”

See ya, gotta go look at what I am going to do with it in this next stage of LIFE.

Shalom.

at least on this Earth.

That said, what are you doing with yours? In assorted seasons of my life I have asked myself that question…I ponder and make lists of what I feel led to do or just would like to do or see happen in my life…then all to often Life in general and all it has to offer sends me off down another road. There was the season of being “Young and Restless” trying out a bit of everything and I mean that literally. (and yes I am a soap opera nut – which is enough “reality” TV for me…check it out..the now so called “reality” TV is very much the same) Then the years where I walked somewhere in between…what I call my General hospital years..going thru the change of life and all that goes with it..lots of chaos and needing God’s hospital of healing on a daily basis. And Now my Golden Years..a time I am realizing more and more that we have but One Life to Live and I better get to living it. I know for sure I need to get back to those lists (visions) of what God showed me was mine to Life to live. To take advantage of the opportunities and doors that continuously open for me and not let things pass me by. To kick Lucifer to the curb when he tries to distract my mind with those whispers of ” what about this, or that?” Or “do you really think you can do that?”  And worst of all when I let fear get into the drivers seat. I realize now that fear is a lack of trust shining through. Silly me, with the family of God on my side I truly have nothing to fear.  His Words: Worry about nothing, pray about everything immediately popped into my head.

When that slapped me up this past weekend, I realized I needed to dig deep into my inner garden and pull out those roots of mistrust bearing fruits of fear. Because I DO want to LIVE my Life I was created to Live.  I ask you: Do you have vines of fear growing within you? Roots of mistrust that have taken hold that you too need to dig in and eradicate? Are you living in who you were created to BE? If not, Why Not?  As we begin the time of Lent, March 1st to April 13th it is the perfect time to dig in…giving up & weeding out those things holding you from LIVING the Life you were meant to Live. As part of this project I suggest you make it a point to carve out ( at least) 1 hour a day for meditation and prayer. I personally am following King David’s lead in Psalms 55:17 “As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice“ Not to say I am always praying in distress..OFTEN my prayers are in Praise and I am sure his were too…One hour comes out to 3 x a day 20 mins each.  Did you know the Bible even lays out the times?  The three daily special times of prayer observance recorded in the Bible both the Old and New Testaments) were at: 9 A.M., 12:00 P.M., and 3 P.M.                   

Here is a website with more info on this & good prayers:

http://www.prayerfoundation.org/dailyoffice/z_daily_office_000_index.htm  

I love how God is the God of all mankind and the prayers found in various religions of mankind – this site list the essential prayers of many of those religions:

http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/prayer/essential-prayers-of-world-religions.aspx 

This is a good way to better know thy neighbor..as our prayers for sure reveal us.

So now I leave with this invitation: Won’t you join me in taking the steps needed to Be ALL that you Can Be!?  Whatever those steps my be..open your heart and I know the family of God will show you the tools you need to accomplish just that.

Happy Lent! Shalom!  Renee’

Words drive the bus, our intent and choices plant the seeds that create the harvest we will deliver in our daily lives. Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

Each day Life presents Choices…choices we have the “authority” to make. Today, I want to share a few Proofs of this Fact. Even if you say you are not a believer in the Word…there are Truths in LIFE that are just that. like what is in your heart is what determines how you drive your bus.. the remainder of Proverbs 23:7 says: “Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” So you see a man can be saying one thing and thinking another in his heart..and he is not really with thee. OR his heart can be totally with you walking in the oneness of Love. It is a Truths: Your Choices create your next step whether you seek God’s word or not. Yet why not check out what God already Promised and planted within us? It is our Choice what we cultivate in the heart and where and how we drive the bus each and every day. The wise way is to do your due diligence..take a moment to seek the best Choice.. This means checking out where that road will take you should you choose it. Where will it take you? What will the consequences be should I take that turn?  You see as John 10:18 says: “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 7:17 ” If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority” As adults We Choose what to take up and lay down. As children others plant what they believe should be in your garden..these may or may Not be good choices. As none of us are perfect. However, once an adult we Choose the seed and cultivate the garden of our heart. We can Renew the mind and Change direction. I am learning it is best to seek and cultivate what is indigenous within each of us.  His Spirit breathed within us at creation.The spirit of LOVE: this is what I know to be indigenous: innate; inherent, natural within our being.  What is the “treasure of your heart” ? What are you seeking to cultivate & Grow? Where are you choosing to drive your bus and what are you delivering? Are you checking out all the routes and what is the best soil and Way to go? Who are you traveling with? To make those decisions I suggest you stop and consider these words:  James 1:19-20 “ Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God”

Luke 6: 36-38 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. 38“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”   Another thing God is showing me loud and clear is: Be sure to get the Full picture before you choose which way to go. Be specific before you step out, it will determine what bumps or Not I find in the road. My choices and my Words do determine what grows within my heart & the treasures I share.

I leave you now to ponder these things…and off I go to share some Love with my neighbors.   Shalom!

Let me begin with the question, How do you choose to start your day? With a smile saying, ” Good Morning God!” Or  dragging saying ” Good god it’s morning.” These two statements contain the energy that kicks off Your day and continues to grow in each moment throughout day. I like the reminder in the verse Psalm 30:5 it is said, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”  That is IF we Choose to seek The Way of Love, process the circumstances, and move forward and out of what brought on the weeping. It is our Choice what we create in Each Moment, in each interaction, in each Action we take, & views we choose to have as we move forward in the day. We Do have Free Will choice: Free Will” meaning that God gave humans authority on Earth which allows us the opportunity to make choices that genuinely affect our destiny. And yes, human beings  free will choices Do affect those around them. Our energy (the seed of your spirit within) does grow by what you are feeding it and produces that harvest. Next question: What seeds are in your garden? Those of anger, bitterness, blame, resentment, etc…Or that of Love, forgiveness, compassion, the desire to serve, etc. Even saying or reading these words…do they not open your eyes to see the best harvest.  Lord Knows I understand things being Done To You that you did not ask for…abuse, bullying, and so on… the thing about that is: What is Your response if these attributes are directed at you? Remember, you can’t control what another may do to you but, you can Control your response and the direction you go once it has happened. What good will it do you to blame, become angry & resentful? Can you not see those emotions draw and grow into  “becoming” just like the “them”?  And those emotions can’t be held within…then you find yourself planting those very seeds in the lives of others. Unfortunately it is usually on those you love…those close to you that you interact with daily… What’s growing in your inner garden begets more of the same.

I can testify, when I  Take responsibility for my “reactions”then Choose to toss bad seeds to the curb to be washed down in the gutter and Die, Life knocks at the door with opportunity, possibilities, & potential. It is my Choice again whether I swing it open to accept the seeds of Love & promises the Good News of His Word has to offer.  I am Not saying you must accept ” a Religious/Political/Man’s World pack of seeds “. I am saying, ” Answer the Knock of the Spirit breathed within YOU – that of LOVE…seek and accept that LOVE and all it’s attributes already rooted deep within you, Cultivate the attributes of Love so it grows to the fullness of its potential and purpose for Your Life. God did not create robots/ sheep/puppets. His Word IF you choose to Seek, Read, and Walk in it guides you to a life of living in abundance of all good things. Really! Take a moment of awareness..look around & see the results of Hatefulness, Backbiting, Gossiping,Bullying, trying to Control another, & so on.  Then pay attention & see the results of Love, Compassion, Forgiveness, Mercy, Joy, Peace, and the list goes on. We are the drivers of the bus…we are the gardeners on this Earth…how Your Garden grows is All About Your Choices…and if another doesn’t choose to plant the same seeds…you DO have the God Given Choice to Choose to agree to disagree and part ways. Then continue on YOUR Path planting the Seeds You Choose for your garden and the seeds you Choose to share with those willing to receive.  Together you can choose to create on Earth as it is in Heaven…a garden of Love, Peace, and Joy.. Only WE the People can Create the environment of Love bearing all its attributes. And that is not done from a place of  thoughts & actions of Dictatorship, Predators, and beating down the Good News of Love to have it Your Way. Love Co Exists..it finds a way to SERVE All Mankind…to Love, Heal, Understand, and Care for the Needs of ALL Creation.  Now I ask, What seeds will you Choose today?

Shalom! Hugs.

January being a month of “resolutions” and “planning” I felt it appropriate to “Love” my “neighbors”, by reminding them not to get caught up in what “they” (whoever they are)  are doing & loose sight of who You are as an individual. Or maybe you already have and the New Year’s resolution should be get to ” Know Thyself”.

Start by asking yourself:  1. Who am ” I “? Not who was I, who does my mate or family expect me to be, or who society says I should be? But, Who are YOU? 2. Do you Love and Respect yourself? In all walks of Life/Faiths we are called to Love Ourselves: Mark 12:30-31 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’^{[a] 31} The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b] There are no commandments greater than these.” From Hadith 13 “Love for your Brother, what you love for yourself” As stated in Judaism, when Jesus said, “love thy neighbor as thyself,” he was merely quoting Torah: Leviticus 19:34: “Love [the stranger] as thyself “. When searching Hinduism take on this I found Michael Jordon’s testimony views on this site which say it all: http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Conversations-with-self-Learn-to-love-yourself/article15777862.ece   As you see the foundations of ALL mankind flow at it’s best from God’s Word (in all it’s various forms) and the Word Works when You work it. We Are an interfaith world, we Each have a part to fulfill in the garden here on Earth, and we CAN COEXIST  ” IF ” we allow LOVE to drive our daily choices. It is man’s lack of operating in Love that brings division and a House Divided can Not stand. 3.ask yourself What am I passionate about? Have you even really looked at that? Are you walking in your passions? If not, think about it and seek what is out there that you can most utilize your passion to the good and GO For IT!  And when I say “Go for It” I am not saying seek and find out how “they” say do it but, do it in such a way that Your Spirit and Soul rejoice in your living and doing the things you LOVE. Where when applying your gifts and talents it is an enhancement to those you are interacting with…where when you work Together it brings a more hybrid abundant harvest. It is the only way you and your neighbors will reap the Best benefits of the harvest. 4. Let go of the Past ! Who you were and what you did in the Past is just that…the Past. Being creations of Spirit and Earth our minds and bodies operate like the seasons in Time. The old is meant to pass away allowing new life and Growth as we move into the next Season. That does not mean to be a blind follower of trends…it means You as an individual should be going thru your own growth cycles as You Become who you were designed to BE in Mind, Body, and Spirit. In this, you serve Your Purpose in this Life, a purpose worth mention, a purpose when lived brings you and others from darkness into the light…when you walk in this LOVE in all you do, a Change to the good does happen. When you walk in the Love quoted in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Joy comes with each new day & even your tribulations can and will work to the Good. If you feel you are a mess, I can testify your mess Will become a message. Trust in what LOVE Can and Will accomplish within your inner garden and in the outer garden of Earth. Remember this:  ^“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.”  As we move forward in 2017, I pray these words tap your spirit into “Being All you can BE” & that you Think on these things I have said and LIVE LIFE in LOVE not in the judgment and harshness of what we are seeing so much of in the world today. Do your part to heal and bring the Oneness of God’s Plan to pass on Earth as it is in Heaven. As you cultivate your being, I share these wise words to plant in the garden of your mind:  Phillipians 4:8  “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”   Wise words from Islam are to direct the act reflection (tafakkur), or deep thought, towards the signs of Allah, the names and attributes of Allah, to his blessings and wonders, to hope in the Hereafter, and to optimism. By controlling our thought processes in a positive manner, we can increase the effectiveness of our prayers and worship as well as relieve ourselves from the anger, depression, and anxieties that worldly thoughts induce.”  In Buddhism it is said: We usually see altruism, concern for others before oneself, as being the opposite of selfishness, concern for oneself before others. Buddhism does not see it as either one or the other but rather as a blending of the two. Genuine self-concern will gradually mature into concern for others as one sees that others are really the same as oneself. This is genuine compassion and it is the most beautiful jewel in the crown of the Buddha’s teaching. Last but not least, I sign off with the words of one of my fav gurus OSHO: ” You have to be so loving that your love transforms the other, to such an extent that you can say the other is not hell. You have to be very articulate, (know and think before you speak) be very understanding. Walking in Love, It is one of the greatest experiments in life. There is no other experiment which is bigger. You have to love in such a way that slowly, slowly it changes the other person, and the other person starts dropping the effort to dominate, the effort to manipulate. It all depends on your love.

SHALOM to ALL  : Commonly translated as “peace” and used as both a greeting and farewell, shalom has rich meaning in Hebrew. “Peace” is an accurate translation of the term, but shalom implies more than lack of conflict. According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, shalom means “completeness, soundness, welfare, peace.” It is translated “success” and used as part of an inspired blessing in 1 Chronicles 12:18. Shalom is applicable to an external peace between two entities—such as individuals or nations—and to an internal sense of peace within the individual.

In this season of giving all to often we think even believe that giving must be a physical thing…something of monetary value. This could not be further from the Truth. Part of the problem we have, especially in America, is we think to give we must BUY, BUY, BUY Gifts..over extending ourselves EVEN when we Don’t have it to extend. In turn, this stresses us out and creates distention, grouchy attitudes, and often resentment. Now that over extended “giving” is darn sure from the place of a “cheerful” giver. This year it would all be to our benefit if we take heed to the verse in 2 Corinthians 9:7  “As every man purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly or out of compulsion; for God loveth the cheerful giver.” 

The need to BUY and Give is a People Pleasing action. Our spiritual walk is not one that calls us to People Please but, one to LOVE one another. “Love”  is a Much Bigger, Better Gift than Stuff, more than any monetary giving, more than out doing the next guy. Yes, in the holidays people even tend to try to one up one another or feel guilty because they didn’t get as big or as expensive a gift as someone else did. STOP that! Even if you didn’t ” BUY ” a gift at all you have NOTHING to feel guilty about. You always have Gifts to Give: Your Love, your Hugs, your Smile, your Uplifting Words, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and the list goes on.  Maybe you and someone in the family have had a tiff…both are stubborn…what a GIFT to lay that tiff aside and Forgive. That Forgiveness will heal you Both. Trust me that Forgiveness is a GIFT much more important than any “bought gift”. The Best Gifts I have ever received are those of Mercy, Forgiveness, compassion given from the heart. Those simple gifts like: a rock painted by my grand daughter, a surprise visit, a Hug right when I really needed it, the words “ I love You” and you can “hear” the sincerity of those Words, a warm Smile, etc. I recently received a little box made by a friend (not an expensive box) but, clearly made with me in mind, the color of the box, the decoration she used on it and in it makes that box a cherished box. Why?  Because she thought of ME while she made it! That means so much more than a Fancy bought box made by some factory.  Everyone has a Gifts to share…an internal Gift. It is Not the External Gift that brings Happiness. If you activate the Gifts God gave you and Give from your heart, what you HAVE within, it is so much more special. You can use those inner gifts to make an Outer gift and that gift becomes beyond Special. Like the gift of sincere Words written in a Card, a CD made of music shared between you and that person, cookies made by hand, a sandwich made with LOVE, a plant you grew yourself and share a clipping, use your voice and sing a song, or light some candles and dance with the one you love…or just lie back, relax, and Talk…take the TIME to stop and Spend Time with the ones you Love… that is more important than dropping in with attitude of I only got a minute, handing a bought gift, and “gotta go.”   So, this season…Put some Thought into what GIFT you are giving. Don’t give more than what you HAVE to give it will dampen the Joy of the giving…if your spirit is not smiling while you are preparing the Gift…how it that a gift of a “cheerful giver”?

HUGS to ALL!!! May you all Give and Receive Gifts from the Heart!