Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Always the Same Lesson?

Have you ever noticed that lessons tend to repeat themselves? Does it seem as if you married or dated the same person several times in different bodies with different names? Have you run into the same type of boss over and over again? Do you find yourself having the same problem with many different coworkers?

Lessons will be repeated until learned...

You will continually attract the same lesson into your life. You will also draw to you teachers to teach you that lesson until you get it right. The only way you can free yourself of difficult patterns and issues you tend to repeat, is by shifting your perspective so that you can recognize the patterns and learn the lessons that they offer. You may try to avoid the situations, but they will eventually catch up with you.

To face these challenges means you need to accept the fact that something within you keeps drawing you to the same kind of person or issue, painful though that situation or relationship may be. In the words of Carl Jung, "There is no coming to consciousness without pain." And come to consciousness you must if you are ever to stop repeating the same lessons and be able to move on to new ones.

The challenge of Rule Four is to identify and release the patterns that you are repeating. As any good facilitator or therapist will tell you, this is no easy task, since it means you have to change, and change is not always easy. Staying just as you are may not help you advance spiritually, but it certainly is comfortable in its familiarity. You grooved your patterns a long time ago as a way of protecting yourself. Moving into unfamiliar new behavior can be uncomfortable not to mention at times frightening.

--- From Chérie Carter-Scott, Ph.D

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Things to Think About

Life is a theatre. Invite your audience carefully. Not everyone is healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.

It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize, your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not going anywhere relationships/friendships. Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention. Which ones lift and which ones lean? Which ones encourage and which ones discourage? Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill? When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse? Which ones always have drama, or don't really understand, know or appreciate you?

The more you seek quality, respect, growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row, and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.

--- Anon.

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost. - Gilbert K. Chesterton

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Peace With One Another, Ephesians 2:11-22...Early Lights Daily Devotional

A great deal of friction and enmity is generated by people who see themselves as superior to others by virtue of their race, religion, or social status. Such attitudes destroy peace between individuals, communities, and even nations. The early church confronted this problem when it addressed the status of Gentile believers.

Because these folks had been excluded from the commonwealth of Israel with all its privileges and covenants, it was easy to view them as second-class citizens in the church despite their faith in Jesus. Even after Pentecost and the outpouring of the Spirit, the old ways of thinking were hard to abandon.

The apostle Paul addresses this very problem in Ephesus when he says, “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall” (Ephesians 2:13-14).

Today there are still many dividing walls between people. Human nature is just the same as it has always been. Power, pride, and privilege still dominate in the kingdom of darkness. And unfortunately, many dividing walls still exist in the Christian community. At the same time, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is just as powerful today in making “the two into one new man, thus establishing peace” (verse 15). It doesn’t matter what the barriers are—we can overcome them by recognizing that we all have our access to the Father through the same Spirit. (verse 18)

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

In some ways, your attitude is the easiest thing to change because you can do it all by yourself. In other ways, your attitude is the most difficult thing to change because ultimately you must do it yourself.

Most other limitations take significant time and energy to overcome. By contrast, a limiting attitude can be changed in an instant into an empowering one.

Even so, affecting that change can at times seem to be an insurmountable challenge. That usually is the case when you identify too closely with your attitude, thinking that it is you and you are it.

You are, in fact, not your attitude. You are the person who creates, controls and maintains that attitude; it is yours to use and direct as you see fit.

No matter what other things may be going on, you can always -- always -- live with a positive, forward-looking, empowering attitude. It is not the least bit painful, nor does it require any special skills or resources.

All it takes is a willingness to exercise the control over your attitude that you already possess. At any time, in any circumstance, choose an attitude that will make life great.

-- Ralph Marston

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Releasing Anger

In Ephesians 4:26-27, Paul tells us to "be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger," he says, "and do not give the devil an opportunity." These harmful feelings must be dealt with swiftly, because if we allow them to sit, seethe, and build up inside of us, our unforgiving spirit will alienate us from God and we will become prime targets for Satan.

Unless we turn to God and release our bitter spirit, Satan will begin manipulating our thoughts and actions. Resentment will turn to rage, rage may turn to violence, and we will ultimately find ourselves in a dire predicamentall because we allowed our emotions to control us.

We must make a conscious choice to let go of bitterness. Regardless of how we have been wronged, we cannot expect to live for Christ while this debilitating emotion consumes us. Selfish anger builds a barrier between us and God. With this sin in our life, we are useless to God, unable to display the forgiving nature of Christ to those who need His message.

1) Identify sources of anger in your own life. Who and what provokes you? Is there bitterness you need to let go or people you need to forgive? Prayerfully hand over your burdens to God.

2) Read the key passages for this month and think back on instances in your life where you became angered easily. How have these verses given you insight into what God expects of you when you are dealing with anger?

3) Do you know people that are being mistreated? Just as Christ defended the disabled man in the synagogue, how can you come to the defense of those that may need your help?

4) Commit Ephesians 4:26 to memory and recite it every night before you go to bed. Make a point to deal with your anger swiftly and never go to sleep in a foul mood. Instead, release your burdens to God and enjoy the peaceful rest that comes
with a clear conscience.

--- In Touch Ministries

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Your most treasured dreams are far too valuable to be hidden away. Instead, put them into action so that they become real and vibrant contributions to your world.

Every moment will be filled with some activity or another. So fill as many of those moments as you can today with positive action. You're always moving in some direction or another. So move steadily in the direction of those things you value and treasure most.

It can be all too easy to get caught up in the empty distractions that continually come your way. But do you really want to waste your time and energy on them when there is so much more you can be doing?

Pick the most positive, valuable, magnificent thing you can imagine and put it into action. Let it fill your thoughts and fill your moments.

When each action, no matter what it may be, is taken as a step toward what you treasure most, the power of joy and purpose will fill your efforts. Put your dreams into action, and put your own special value into life....-- Ralph Marston

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

If you ask God for directions, He will give you instructions. The challenge is whether or not we are prepared to follow those instructions to get to the place we asked for directions to.

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

A Goose Story

*When you see geese heading south flying along in a "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing what science has discovered about why they fly that way.

It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a *V* formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier, because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to do it alone, and quickly gets into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. (If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are going.)When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.

It pays to take turns doing hard jobs - with people or with geese flying south. The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. (What do we say when we honk from behind?)

Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gun shots and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and they then launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with the group.

If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.*

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible. --St. Thomas

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Learning to Listen

Perhaps you've heard the story of the not-so-bright fellow who saw an advertisement for a cruise. The sign in the travel agency window read "Cruise-$100 Cash."

I've got a hundred dollars, he thought. And I'd like to go on a cruise. So he entered the door and announced his desires. The fellow at the desk asked for the money, and the not-too-bright guy started counting it out. When he got to one hundred, he was whacked over the head and knocked out cold. He woke up in a barrel floating down a river. Another sucker in another barrel floated past and asked him, "Say, do they serve lunch on this cruise?"

The not-too-bright fellow answered, "They didn't last year."

It's one thing not to know. It's another to know and not learn. Paul urged his readers to put into practice what they had learned from him. "What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do" (Phil. 4:9 RSV).

If you want to be just like Jesus, let God have you. Spend time listening for him until you receive your lesson for the day-then apply it.

From Just Like Jesus - Copyright 1998 Max Lucado

[sistagirl]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk
who cut us off in traffic last night, is a single mother
who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to
cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and
spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging
for money in the same spot every day (who really ought
to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly
slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

The more time you spend outside your comfort zone, the more comfortable and familiar that new territory becomes. Before long, your comfort zone has been enlarged, and your positive possibilities have grown along with it.

To move forward, you must be willing to continually go beyond what is familiar and comfortable. Sure it can seem a bit frightening and intimidating at first, but it pays to persist. For soon enough, what was once new and intimidating can become positively exhilarating. Soon enough, you'll wonder why you ever entertained even a moment's hesitation.

The world is overflowing with new places, things, people, ideas, challenges and experiences. They are all out there ready to be discovered and met and explored. You cannot now know what positive value they'll bring to your life, but you can know this. They are most certainly worth the effort and courage it takes to overcome any apprehension you may have about venturing out to meet them.

On a regular basis, take a big, bold step away from the comfortable and familiar. What you discover will astound and delight you.-- Ralph Marston

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection II

Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. There were some wonderful things to reflect on that I know has been a blessing to myself, and others. Because this is now 5 pages, I am closing same but please continue to make your contributions in Part III. Blessings [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]ray: