Love vs Lust

What is the difference between LOVE and LUST ?

Love does not take what is not offered and lust takes what it wants regardless of the other ones needs or desires.

Love is patient and kind - Lust is impatient and rude

Lust can also be associated with the love of material things, money and power.

James1:14-15 - "Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death."

Heaven and Hell

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.' The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.' They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, 'I don't understand.' It is simple,' said the Lord. 'It requires but one skill. You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.' When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you.

Forgiving

Forgiveness - well this is now an interesting topic and lets face it - one of the most difficult things to do is to forgive someone for hurt caused upon oneself.

What is very important with the word "forgive" is that when we are hurt by someone and we do not forgive that person we enslave ourselves to that individual.

The quicker we forgive the quicker we forget and the quicker our lives return to normal.

God tells us that we can only get forgiveness from Him if we are able to forgive others. (Matthew 6:14-15)

So when we do wrong how does God forgive us ?

Matthew 26:28 - "This is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many." - Jesus died so that Gods forgiveness is freely available for us.

Acts 10:43 - "Everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name."

Through Jesus we have forgiveness

Fear

Many people have so called fears and sometimes we wonder what is it that causes fear but what we do not realise is the following:

Your biggest FEAR is usually something that has already happened to you.

Think about it and you will most likely discover what your fear is.

A Special Word

Tracey (not my sister) this one is just for you - Hope you enjoy it

Seeing you yesterday and chatting to you again was really great and I know from what you have told me that you have come out of a difficult time/situation.
I do a bit of writing these days as you know and I also place my writings on my website (blog).

I was thinking about our discussion and I believe God has prompted me to write the following:

Sometimes we look at the past and see it as a failure on our part, I myself have done things and have looked at it wondering if I am a failure. Sometimes we make the wrong decisions, sometimes we fall, sometimes we cry, sometimes our heart breaks, sometimes we not sure why bad things happen and sometimes we just think we failed – here is a verse to remember.
Matthew 7:24 – 27 – “anyone who listens to my teachings and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on a rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like the person who builds his house on the sand. When the rains and floods come and the wind beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.”

This verse tells us that by listening to Christ and his instruction we can avoid those feelings of failure and God tells us to live and obey His instruction - so what do we do or how do we do it - the only way is to learn from our mistakes we have made in the past and when we obey God’s Word we prevent feelings of so called “failure”. We can withstand any knocks in life as long as it is not contrary to what God tells us.

Sometimes a lot happens out of our control and I know that for sure, but Tracey, just know that I do know what you have experienced, I do know it is not nice, I do know that it takes time to heal wounds, I do know how it feels, I do know people let other people down, but most importantly remember this:

NEVER SEE IT AS A FAILURE ON YOUR SIDE

Please also know that I have had my mistakes and failures too and you know most of them and yes even I a few years ago did things wrong but THE PAST IS GONE – WE CAN’T CHANGE THE PAST – ITS PAST - we take the past experiences and use it to ensure a better future

GOD’S PROMISE = PSALM 37:23-24 – “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.”

GOD will sort everything – He always does – He will direct us all in the right path and all we need to do is follow His Word.

It was just something short I felt needed to be written – hope you have a nice day and I am truly sorry that you had an engagement broken off.

To My Friends

(Just some thoughts of my own)

I have realised that sometimes life feels unfair
I have realised that sometimes life sucks
I have realised that sometimes life is difficult
I have realised that sometimes life is complicated
I have realised that sometimes life is great
I have realised that sometimes life is fair
I have realised that sometimes life is like a roller coaster
I have realised that sometimes life is plain sailing
I have realised that sometimes life is stormy

I have realised that I have friends
I have realised that there is love
I have realised that good friends are forever
I have realised that some people are afraid
I have realised that some people have no fears
I have realised that some people have many fears
I have realised that many people shed tears
I have realised that we have emotions
I have realised that we have flaws
I have realised that we have talents
I have realised that we are all different

I have realised we have an awesome GOD
I have realised GOD is with us all
I have realised GOD determines our future
I have realised GOD is my support
I have realised GOD is everywhere
I have realised GOD never forsakes
I have realised GOD is my strength

To all from me I just want to say the following:

I will always be grateful for your friendship and my wish for all of you is simple:

GOD IS WITH ME 24/7 AS HE IS WITH YOU - MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL

A Story to live by

This i did not write - it is from an email:

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.
He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift

Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who died too early
Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets.
Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us is without sin.And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around

Carry Your Cross

This was from an email i received:

We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't.
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall; But God's always ready, to answer your call....


He knows every heartache, sees every tear, a word from His lips, can calm every fear...
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night, But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light...
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, to give you His grace, and send you His love...
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage

My YouTube videos

Hi everyone - for all those who pop onto my blog i have added a widget at the top of the home page for a link to my videos.

All videos will relate to posts that i have made and i have decided to create videos on various christian topics

If you would like to follow any or see my videos you can link to:

http://www.youtube.com/johnno4u

You can even subscribe on youtube for updates or alternatively just keep an eye for new ones on the home page.

Thank You

What is a Diocesan Priest

The priest that serves your parish in many instances is a diocesan priest. He may also be involved in other ministries as well: he may serve on a campus, as a hospital chaplain, a teacher, be an administrator or even be coordinator of special events within the diocese.
The diocesan priests were called to serve people by God, accomplishing the mission for the Church through the celebration of the Eucharist, the liturgy and other sacramental commemorations. They make no vows, however, during ordination, they freely make promises of celibacy and obedience to their bishop.
The order of the priesthood is recognized as the highest of the Major Orders according to the traditional Catholic Rite of Holy Orders.

Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you." Luke 22: 19-20

Celibacy

The Bible teaches celibacy to be honorable, but not required. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7, "Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: 'It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.' But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband." (verses 1-2); "I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." (verses 7-9); "I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord." (verses 32-35)

Catholics understand celibacy to be a reflection of life in Heaven, and a source of detachment from the material world, which aids in one's relationship with God. Catholic priests are called to be espoused to the Church itself, and espoused to God, without overwhelming, exclusive commitments interfering with the relationship. Catholics understand celibacy as the calling of some, but not of all.

Mahatma Gandhi, considered the Father of India, took a vow of celibacy at the age of 37 after already being married and with a family, and remained so for the rest of his life.

Isaac Newton, the mathematician and scientist was a virgin all his life.

Creed

Creed ~ Third Day

Dear Lord

I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things that are of you. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And it is the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that don't believe.

I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers, and for each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes, that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.

In The name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

AMEN

Fairness

Have you experienced any unfairness in your life ? It may be a work situation or someone treated you in a manner which you felt is unfair.

Firstly what we must remember is that we should never blame God for the unfairness of other people and what is important to recognise is that ultimately it is God who will triumph with justice and fairness over all matters.

Psalm 37:28 - The Lord loves justice, and He will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever.

St Paul's Cathedral

I came across a virtual tour of St Paul's Cathedral - its really awesome so if you want to look around then click on the link below:

http://www.sphericalimages.com/stpauls/virtual_tour.htm

It is definitely worth having a look - hope you enjoy the tour

Facing Your Giants - Max Lucado