How do you live your life?

I have been spending a lot of time in prayer these last few weeks. I also know that God often puts things on our hearts because there is either something He wants us to learn or there is someone headed our way or has already crossed our path that will or does need what we have learned. Your encouragement is great help to me.

The golden rule, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". I too have found great joy in my life now that I have the proper guidance, thank you Jesus.

Some times I like to read large sections - like maybe a book or several chapters. That is good for understanding context and getting a comprehensive view. On the other hand, I also really enjoy verse by verse, cross references, commentaries and bible dictionaries. It may slow you down, but of course with prayer, it is really rich.

Oh Dear I do the same thing when reading the scriptures, like potatoe chips "Can't read just one" and I have to jump all over and even from one translation to another. I do feel better though when I've spent time in The Word.

I've gotten to where I seldom read more than a chapter at a time. For some reason I just don't feel like I can do it justice by moving on so fast as to keep reading on. I've been reading the parables a lot the last few months. They are so interesting and Jesus had so much He taught us with them.

Been there, done that, bear the scars. Just climbing out of the quagmire now. Do you think we've been guided to MyLot? I've met so many people I want to be friends with. I'm learning we all have our weaknesses but we have strengths as well. Those that can are prepared to put their hand out to those that need one...this place seems to have brought together so many kindred spirits.

I have seen that very much and I have no doubt at all that God brought us all here for some reason. Support and encouragement for each other, witness to others, sharing all that God has given and taught us. Praise the Lord!

Amen to that sister - I remember back when I didn't have a relationship with Christ and didn't have Him to turn to during these times. I was a big mess, me, my life, my soul, everything nothing but a jumbled mess.

This is very good, thank you. For those who may not have a bible on hand this is the scripture referenced. Matthew 5:22-24 (NIV) 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

LOL I do that too, my kids will yell "Look out, she's gonna blow".

I to don't like fighting and think that's alot of why often when I'm angry I don't talk to the person I'm angry with because I'm afraid it will turn into a fight.

Amen! We can do all things through Christ but I am convinced He wants us to do some of the work also. Maybe we can all support each other to fight the sin. No one is perfect but I would like to be as near as humanly possible. To be honest, the minute I posted this discussion I started feeling better, not thinking about the people I am/was angry with but looking more at all the glory we have available to us.

They don't want to be responsible for what comes out of their mouths, and they DON'T govern their actions by what they believe.. (should have had the DON'T in there.. sorry) I wish we could edit our posts! (:

I think that may be another one of my problems these last few days - not getting outside. This weather has been horrid, normal for Michigan this time of year, and this happens a lot from being closed up for so long. Spring comes and I'll be working in the garden (where I feel closest to God), walks, bike rides, and visiting parks in the area. I love spring and look forward so much.

You are very lucky to have someone close to talk to. I have close friends but they are all married and I don't like to "bother" them even though I know they would say I'm no bother, I just don't like taking time from their families to listen to me. I talk to God alot.

That is wonderful, it's a shame more people can't be like you.

Yea in one case it would be nice if an opportunity would arise but it's actually my landlords that I'm most upset with and although we attend the same church we've never socialized or really connected in anyway but paying the rent and accepting the rent (for 2 years). Summer before last I asked if I could paint the front porch (it was really bad) and they said that would be fine and they would even buy the paint - next day he dropped off the paint. We barely talk :(

Thank you! I thought it might get people thinking. I do try to always end and begin my day in prayer but often I forget or am sidetracked. I am working on that and also setting aside a certain time of day for devotionals. I'm not consistant with that and know it's important also.

If you find you are getting angry with people it is usually because you are feeling stressed for some reason. What happens then if someone says or does something that you don't like you then direct your anger at that person - even if you keep it to yourself - you are projecting your feelings onto that person. When people say that you shouldn't bottle anger up what they mean is not that you should vent your feelings on that person but that you should find someone to talk to about how you feel. Sometimes we have worries that we can't face so we project our feelings onto other people because we can't face the real cause of our feelings. Praying can definitely help and if you are a religious person then is their someone at your church you could talk to? What can help is if you find you are thinking about something and it is upsetting you, turn that picture in your mind into a black and white image and try to make the image smaller and further away from you. Also if you hear your own critical voice, that we all have - that tells us we are stupid sometimes - try to change that voice to a funny one or a hight pitched one. If it is a person you have a problem with then try to see that person in your mind dressed as a clown with a clown nose and hair and then imagine them saying the things they have said that have upset you in a funny mickey mouse voice. Sometimes tricks like this can take the power away from upsetting images. Also imagine a time when you where happy, it maybe a day out that your enjoyed or something good that happened that made you feel good. Then think of that time as an image in your mind and make the image brighter, larger and more colorful. Try to remember how you felt in that good time and try to hear what you heard and feel what you felt. This can help us change our mood from a bad to a good one. Sometimes it helps to set aside some time each day to relax, if you could have 10 minutes or so to just relax all your muscles and imagine yourself in a beautiful place, deep breathe and feel all your body relax then this can have a positive effect on how stressed you feel.