GOD BLESS AMERICA

It sure is a Blessing to be able to live in America. God has truly blessed us for the freedom that we have.

I also want to thank all the men and women who have served our country. May God watch over them and bring them back safely.

Stigma and Mental Illness

Just this past week I took a short trip to Traverse City, Michigan. Traverse Ciry is a beautiful city. At one time Traverse City had a Asylum for the Insane which was established in 1885. Dr James Munson, the first superintendent of the hospital was a firm believer in treating the patients with kindness, comfort, pleasure and the beauty that surrounded the hospital. With the increase in success in drug therapies, many mentally ill patients improved. In 1989, the hospital closed because of lack of funds and many of the patients were released were homeless.

Today our society continues to face stigma. Stigma is a negative attitude. People who are labelled mentally ill are just as human as everyone else.We need to be more sensitive and caring. We need to change hearts, minds and attitudes about mental illness. We need to set standards for quality education about mental illness. Focusing on recovery and hope is important. Increase funding for services is a critical issue and we need to raise awareness about mental illness and hopefully to make changes in policies that currently exist.

http://Traverse City, Michigan and http://stigma and mental illness

Thanksgiving Prayer

I thank God for all the blessings that have been granted to me O Lord.

I thank God for all the friends He has given me.

I thank God for good health and for the job I have.

Thank you dear Lord for each day you give me.

I enjoy the beauty of nature and flowers as it reminds me of God's Love.

Seven Magic Words in Time of Crisis

by: Norman Vincent Peale

"People are called to face crisis and difficult situations and here again the seven magic word supply the strength required under such circumtances. The promise that 'I can do all things through Christ...' has probably pulled more persons through more difficulties than almost any other ever made.

http://The Power of Positive Thinking

Nornam Vincent Peale

The Need for Guidance

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

in all yoour ways acknowledge Him,

and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

My Lord is My Strength

May the Lord strengthen you with the power of the Holy Spirit and may our Lord dwell in your hearts through faith, hope, and love.

May you have many blessings in your lifetime.

Amen

The Seagull reminds me of the Holy Spirit.

The Sunset reminds me of God's every lasting love.

The Clouds remind me of our eternal home, in heaven.

Everything Has Its Time

For everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to throw away;

a time to tear. and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

God is our Lord and Savior

God In Your Life

A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.

One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by.

The young man climbed up to the highet diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body, was in the shape of a cross. The man felt a strange feeling, like someone was speaking to him. Instaed of diving, he knelt down and finally asked to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on. The pool had been drained for repairs. (Story told by my instructor, Donna Bricker from Indiana Weslyan University)

Phil 4:13 states:

"Without him, I am nothing but with Him I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me" and "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

LOVE AND FAITH

My dear people, let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.

Anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is LOVE.

God's love for us was revealed when God sent into the world his only Son so that we could have life through him; this is love I mean;

not out love for God, but God's love for us when he sent his Son to be the sacriface that takes our sins away.

My dear people, since God has loved us so much, we too should love one another. No one has ever seen God; but as long as we love one another God will live in us and his love will be complete in us.

1 John 3:1-12