FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION...

The decisions you make today will not only affect you, but generations to come. What seeds are you sowing? Whether it’s a matter of health, finances, morals, etc., what you do today will reap a positive or damaging result in the future. Recently, the slogan, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” inspired some pretty interesting advertisements. That kind of thinking drives many people to abandon sound reasoning and live for the moment, forgetting what Luke 12:2 says, “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” Apply the thought to your own lives; your own family. What are you reaping today that was sown three or four generations ago and what are you sowing for the generations to come?

This month’s Blog encourages us to make wise decisions believing that “whatever a man [or woman] sows, that he [she] will also reap” (See Galatians 6:7,8). Spend some quiet time reflecting on your own life and the paths you've come; your family and the history they've made.

Thankfully, no one is without hope, if we’ve sown bad seed (gluttony, overspending, alcoholism, etc.) or reaped bad crop (obesity, debt, physical abuse), God’s word says that He is able to restore what the locusts have eaten… (see Joel 2:25). We can learn much from those who have lived longer than we have. Either we learn from their mistakes or follow their paths of wisdom. The guy many people admire for doing it all and having it all--Solomon--also gives us kernels of wisdom in Ecclesiastes that we can learn from. Check out his writings; it's not just good reading.

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17th Century Nun’s Prayer

Lord, thou knowest better than I know myself
That I am growing older and will some day be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something

on every subject and every occasion.
Release me from the craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs.

Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy.
With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all,
But thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details;

give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains.

They are increasing,

and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others’ pains,

but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory,

but I ask for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness.
When my memory seems to clash with the memories of others,

teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet.
I do not want to be a saint – some of them are so hard to live with –

but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places,

and talents in unexpected people.
And give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.

Source Unknown

Old School Rhyme

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe
She had so many children, she didn't know what to do
She gave them some soup without any bread
And whipped them all soundly and sent them to bed

New School Rhyme
Copyright 2007 Leuanna Matheson

There was a young woman who lived in a house
She had a few children and thank God, a spouse
She prepared healthy meals, made sure they were fed
And prayed with them nightly, before retiring to bed

WHAT NOT TO SAY TO CHILDREN

Stop crying! What are you, a baby? [Babies aren't the only ones who cry. Children have feelings too and they rarely cry for no reason. Discern the reason and address their need]

Do as I say and not as I do [As adults we should be modeling the life we expect our children to live, otherwise we're just being tyrants]

Do...or else! [I've learned that threats are not a good motivator for action. Behavior changes should be a willing choices that are made after the consequences have been lovingly foretold]

When your child points out an obvious double standard, you say.... When you become an adult, you can ..... [That statement teaches children that once they get older, rules don't apply. Don't be a hypocrite]

You are just like you father/mother [Very rarely is that statement meant as something positive. Remember that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Speak life into your children's lives]

WHERE SAYINGS ORIGINATED FROM

• It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.



• In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them, "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down." It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"

WHO ARE YOU MOST LIKE?

Ask yourself:

What did I get from my mother/father that I did not want?

What do I resent about my mother/father?

How what I got from my mother/father contaminates my relationships?

What do I love about my mother/father?

If my mother/father had 1 minute to live, what would I say to her/him?

Excerpt from an old episode of The Dr. Phil Show

SOWING HEALTHY SEEDS...

...FOR YOUR BODY

Breathe-Free Stop Smoking Seminar

Smoking and related diseases are one of the primary causes of premature death in Baltimore . The impact of these diseases disproportionately affects women and African Americans. The Miracle Temple Counseling Center is sponsoring a Breathe-Free Stop Smoking Seminar, a step-by-step plan to assist people of all ages to break free from the smoking habit in 8 days without the use of drugs or stressful procedures. The program begins on August 7, 2007 and will be held in the conference room of the Education Building at
100 S. Rock Glen Road Baltimore , Maryland 21229.

There is a minimal cost; however, scholarships are available based on need. People can register by calling Dr. Michael Reed of the Breathe–Free Program at (443) 414-9224 or (443) 801-4924.

web: http://www.miracletemple.net/
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...FOR YOUR MIND

Psalms 147:3 – “He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth their wounds”

Have you longed for peace. You’ve always heard that there’s more to life than
what you’re currently experiencing, but can’t seem to find it.

Far too many people have gone through life just existing and it’s worse for the
Christian because he/she knows that Jesus came that we might have abundant life.
But where is it?

The experiences from early childhood and even as far
back as birth, have shaped our thoughts and behaviors today. Oftentimes we react
to situations w/o understanding where our feelings come from.

If you're interested in facilitating or attending a small group in your area, check out, http://www.yourlri.com/.

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...FOR THE SPIRIT

Hosea 10:12 (NIV)
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.

Micah 7:18,19 (NIV)
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.