Why stress over anything? Think of it this way. For a violinist to make music, the strings on his or her instrument must be taut—but only to a degree. If they are too tight, they will snap. But if the strings are too loose, they will produce no sound at all. The proper amount of tension lies somewhere between the two extremes.
It is similar with stress. Too much can be harmful. But what about no stress at all? While the prospect might sound inviting, the fact is that you need stress—at least to a degree. For example, imagine that while crossing a street, you suddenly notice that a car is speeding toward you. It is stress that enables you to get out of harm’s way—quickly!
But stress is not only useful for emergencies. You also need stress to accomplish everyday tasks. Everybody is under some degree of stress all the time. Just as there are different degrees of stress, there are also different types.
Acute stress results from the strains of everyday life. Often, it involves unpleasant situations that need to be resolved. Since these are incidental and only temporary, the stress can usually be managed. Of course, there are some who jump from one crisis to another—indeed, chaos seems to be part of their personality. Even this level of acute stress can be brought under control. The sufferer may resist change, however, until he or she realizes the effect that his tumultuous life-style is having on him or her and on those around him.
While acute stress is temporary, chronic stress is long-term. The sufferer sees no way out of a stressful situation, be it the woes of poverty or the misery of a despised job—or no job. Chronic stress can also result from ongoing family problems. Caring for an infirm relative can bring on stress as well.
Whatever the cause, chronic stress grinds away at its victim day after day, week after week, month after month. “The worst aspect of chronic stress is that people get used to it,” says one book on the subject. “People are immediately aware of acute stress because it’s new; they ignore chronic stress because it’s old, familiar, and, sometimes, almost comfortable.”
Traumatic stress is the impact of an overwhelming tragedy, such as rape, accident, or natural disaster. Many war veterans and concentration camp survivors suffer from this type of stress. Symptoms of traumatic stress may include vivid memories of the trauma, even years later, along with an increased sensitivity to minor events. Sometimes the sufferer is diagnosed with a condition called post-traumatic stress disorder.
Do Teenagers have that much to stress about? Did the Ipod break? Stop stressing. It won't add another day to your life and only take life away. Do what needs to be done and move on. Do a good job but move on. Imagine if a brother or sister stressed out over a door that they knocked on that went bad. Is it wise to say you won't knock on another door because of what happened a door or two ago?
Don't stress just move on and do what you got to do.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Our Looks
I recall growing up that I always felt as if I was an ugly guy. Who would be interested in me? Where I failed in looks I more than made up in Jokes. I felt that I needed to be funny almost at all times and then people wouldn't pay attention to my looks.
I told so many jokes that I was called a comedian in school. As I aged I didn't care what I looked like. I already found the one loved and I'm beautiful in her eyes. That's all that mattered to me.
The woman of today who is exceedingly beautiful is likely to be spoiled; perhaps not so much because of her own vanity as because of the selfishness her beauty arouses in others.
That excessive love of beauty, a hunger and thirst for it, can become a snare. Eve, the first and only woman created by God, was likely the most beautiful woman who ever lived. But she and her husband, Adam, rebelled against Jehovah. So Eve lost her close relationship with God and shared in bringing a terrible tragedy on the human race. Afterward, she was doubtless still beautiful, but her beauty was only skin deep.
Beauty is ultimately a gift of God, and some have inherited more of it than others. Some wish they were more beautiful—or handsome—than they are, and many spend a lot of time and money making the most of whatever good looks they possess. But as Eve’s example shows, beauty alone is worthless in the long run unless it is accompanied by other qualities.
The Bible has counsel for both men and women in the matter of good looks. For men, it notes: “The beauty of young men is their power.” (Proverbs 20:29) The energy and vitality of young men can be very appealing. But what happens when that youthful vigor wanes? The Bible proverb says: “Gray-headedness is a crown of beauty when it is found in the way of righteousness.” (Proverbs 16:31) Righteousness is a facet of inner beauty. If a young man cultivates it, it will still be there when he loses that attractive vigor of youth.
Regarding women the Bible says: “Charm may be false, and prettiness may be vain; but the woman that fears Jehovah is the one that procures praise for herself.” (Proverbs 31:30) A pretty, charming young woman is a delightful companion. But what if there are hypocrisy and selfish vanity lurking behind the physical charm? Then the beauty is only skin deep, and it hides an inner ugliness. When the prettiness fades, what will be left? How much better if the good looks are matched by an unfading inner beauty, rooted in a ‘fear of Jehovah’!
Makes sense doesn't it?
I told so many jokes that I was called a comedian in school. As I aged I didn't care what I looked like. I already found the one loved and I'm beautiful in her eyes. That's all that mattered to me.
The woman of today who is exceedingly beautiful is likely to be spoiled; perhaps not so much because of her own vanity as because of the selfishness her beauty arouses in others.
That excessive love of beauty, a hunger and thirst for it, can become a snare. Eve, the first and only woman created by God, was likely the most beautiful woman who ever lived. But she and her husband, Adam, rebelled against Jehovah. So Eve lost her close relationship with God and shared in bringing a terrible tragedy on the human race. Afterward, she was doubtless still beautiful, but her beauty was only skin deep.
Beauty is ultimately a gift of God, and some have inherited more of it than others. Some wish they were more beautiful—or handsome—than they are, and many spend a lot of time and money making the most of whatever good looks they possess. But as Eve’s example shows, beauty alone is worthless in the long run unless it is accompanied by other qualities.
The Bible has counsel for both men and women in the matter of good looks. For men, it notes: “The beauty of young men is their power.” (Proverbs 20:29) The energy and vitality of young men can be very appealing. But what happens when that youthful vigor wanes? The Bible proverb says: “Gray-headedness is a crown of beauty when it is found in the way of righteousness.” (Proverbs 16:31) Righteousness is a facet of inner beauty. If a young man cultivates it, it will still be there when he loses that attractive vigor of youth.
Regarding women the Bible says: “Charm may be false, and prettiness may be vain; but the woman that fears Jehovah is the one that procures praise for herself.” (Proverbs 31:30) A pretty, charming young woman is a delightful companion. But what if there are hypocrisy and selfish vanity lurking behind the physical charm? Then the beauty is only skin deep, and it hides an inner ugliness. When the prettiness fades, what will be left? How much better if the good looks are matched by an unfading inner beauty, rooted in a ‘fear of Jehovah’!
Makes sense doesn't it?
Monday, November 9, 2009
Jesse's Talk.
This is Jesse's up and coming talk. This isn't the final version but the topic is
What is the Scriptural hope of the great crowd?
....................................................................................
Imagine what the world would have been like if Adam & Eve never sinned. It’s hard to picture because this world is the only world we have known. The world that we are attempting to get to is the world that they lost but for a moment, just try and picture the kind of world it would have been today.
You can see children playing with the lion. You can see all united in love. There is united worship. There is no violence. No death. There is no one getting sick. Matter of fact, you don’t even know what the word sick is. What were Adam and Eve thinking? To say they had it all is an understatement.
Adam & Eve were required to show their love for God by Obeying a simple command. Please open your bibles to Romans chapter 5 and verse 12. That’s Romans chapter 5 and verse 12. And it reads: Through one man sin Entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all had sinned.
Because we are the descendants of Disobedient Adam, we share in his sin. Because of that Act in the Garden of Eden, the world we live in today is the world we have known, and it’s getting bad to worse as we move deeper into this system.
What kind of world do we have today? All you have to do is open a newspaper, turn on the tv, turn on the radio, go to school, go to work, or even walk outside, to hear, smell, see all the filth that goes on in our world today. Is this what Jehovah wanted for us? Is this what he created for us? No, what Jehovah wanted for us is completely different than what we have today. This was not his purpose for us or the Earth.
Open your Bibles to Genesis Chapter 1 verse 27 & 28. That’s Genesis chapter 1 verse 27 & 28. And it reads: And God Proceeded to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him, male and female he created them. Further, God blessed them and God said to them: Be fruitful and become many and fill the Earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving upon the Earth.
As we can see from the account in Genesis, Jehovah has a purpose and thankfully this has not changed. He lovingly sent his only begotten son to die in our behalf so we can experience what was lost by Adam and Eve. Death-dealing scourges such as cancer, heart disease, and old age will vanish due to the application of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. We could be part of that Great Crowd mentioned in Revelation Chapter 7 verse 9 that no man is able to number.
But it requires that we maintain good spiritual habits such as meeting attendance, field service, regular study, personal study, home study, meditate and apply what is learned. Remember there are two roads. One that leads off to destruction and the other is the road to life. The road to life is cramped but it’s the road we want to be on. Psalms chapter 37 verse 34 says to Hope in Jehovah and keep his way and if we do so, we can have hope that we will be part of that Great Crowd.
.....................................................................................
That's what we got so far. Still a work in progress. I will update as we get closer. The talk isn't due till the week of Nov 23rd. I have another coming up in Dec which is called What Is God’s Kingdom? How to Show We Want It. I have already started working on it. Anyway, have a great day!!!
What is the Scriptural hope of the great crowd?
....................................................................................
Imagine what the world would have been like if Adam & Eve never sinned. It’s hard to picture because this world is the only world we have known. The world that we are attempting to get to is the world that they lost but for a moment, just try and picture the kind of world it would have been today.
You can see children playing with the lion. You can see all united in love. There is united worship. There is no violence. No death. There is no one getting sick. Matter of fact, you don’t even know what the word sick is. What were Adam and Eve thinking? To say they had it all is an understatement.
Adam & Eve were required to show their love for God by Obeying a simple command. Please open your bibles to Romans chapter 5 and verse 12. That’s Romans chapter 5 and verse 12. And it reads: Through one man sin Entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all had sinned.
Because we are the descendants of Disobedient Adam, we share in his sin. Because of that Act in the Garden of Eden, the world we live in today is the world we have known, and it’s getting bad to worse as we move deeper into this system.
What kind of world do we have today? All you have to do is open a newspaper, turn on the tv, turn on the radio, go to school, go to work, or even walk outside, to hear, smell, see all the filth that goes on in our world today. Is this what Jehovah wanted for us? Is this what he created for us? No, what Jehovah wanted for us is completely different than what we have today. This was not his purpose for us or the Earth.
Open your Bibles to Genesis Chapter 1 verse 27 & 28. That’s Genesis chapter 1 verse 27 & 28. And it reads: And God Proceeded to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him, male and female he created them. Further, God blessed them and God said to them: Be fruitful and become many and fill the Earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving upon the Earth.
As we can see from the account in Genesis, Jehovah has a purpose and thankfully this has not changed. He lovingly sent his only begotten son to die in our behalf so we can experience what was lost by Adam and Eve. Death-dealing scourges such as cancer, heart disease, and old age will vanish due to the application of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. We could be part of that Great Crowd mentioned in Revelation Chapter 7 verse 9 that no man is able to number.
But it requires that we maintain good spiritual habits such as meeting attendance, field service, regular study, personal study, home study, meditate and apply what is learned. Remember there are two roads. One that leads off to destruction and the other is the road to life. The road to life is cramped but it’s the road we want to be on. Psalms chapter 37 verse 34 says to Hope in Jehovah and keep his way and if we do so, we can have hope that we will be part of that Great Crowd.
.....................................................................................
That's what we got so far. Still a work in progress. I will update as we get closer. The talk isn't due till the week of Nov 23rd. I have another coming up in Dec which is called What Is God’s Kingdom? How to Show We Want It. I have already started working on it. Anyway, have a great day!!!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Friday
I think I can do it all. I've said that many times. Truth is, you can't and if you can't do it all then don't worry. It all works itself out. When it doesn't that's when the stress kicks in, that's when the frustration kicks in, that's when the grades begin to fall or the talks are pushed back.
Do it right the first time so you don't need to do it again. Easy to say hard to do but why even add all the stress in the first place? I watch others stress out over work or school and I get asked why I'm relaxed. Why is Jesse relaxed.
It's not that work or school isn't hard. It can be but our life isn't this. Our life is focused on spiritual matters. Everything else really is second. Why stress so much off of things that don't matter anyway. If you want to do it, do it but don't stress to much.
I spend maybe two or three hours playing Guitar. I'm new at it. I just take it one day at a time. I posted this before and if you feel how I felt then listen to the hurt in her voice but notice all is ok
Do it right the first time so you don't need to do it again. Easy to say hard to do but why even add all the stress in the first place? I watch others stress out over work or school and I get asked why I'm relaxed. Why is Jesse relaxed.
It's not that work or school isn't hard. It can be but our life isn't this. Our life is focused on spiritual matters. Everything else really is second. Why stress so much off of things that don't matter anyway. If you want to do it, do it but don't stress to much.
I spend maybe two or three hours playing Guitar. I'm new at it. I just take it one day at a time. I posted this before and if you feel how I felt then listen to the hurt in her voice but notice all is ok
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Thursday
Well the talk came out great. I had many who came up and said they were very encouraged by the way I made my talk personal. Afterward, I went to the back of the room and almost started to cry. It was indeed very personal because my father is a subject that can bring me to cry.
Now we are working on Jesse's talk. He asked for my assistance and I'm going to help him. He's a little sick still but he started working on his talk today since he's at home.
Anyway, have a great day.
Now we are working on Jesse's talk. He asked for my assistance and I'm going to help him. He's a little sick still but he started working on his talk today since he's at home.
Anyway, have a great day.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Final Talk
Well I added the finishing touches last night. I am ready for my talk. Here it is..
...................................................................................
Every day we hear reports that a child has been kidnapped or murdered. I‘ve watched mothers and fathers beg for their children to be returned. As a parent, I fear that I may lose a child in this system.
The pain you feel when losing someone you love especially if it's a child is one of most difficult things anyone can go through. When I was younger, I lost my father. When he died I felt as if a part of me was gone. I asked myself. Why do we suffer? Why do we die?
Shortly after, I received a knock at the door that changed my life. I learned of the resurrection and true condition of the dead which gave me hope that someday I would see him again. I learned about Jesus and those who were resurrected.
One that was resurrected was Lazarus. When Lazarus died, Jesus cried. Jesus knew that Lazarus could be brought back to life but yet he cried. He did so because he loved this family. He saw that many were in pain
John chapter 11 verse 35 says that Jesus gave way to tears. Imagine the Joy they felt at seeing Lazarus again.
Jesus was also aware that he too would soon face death. When Jesus was on Earth, he told his disciples that he would be killed but, he also told them that he would return. Let’s read that account, please open your bibles to Luke Chapter 9 verse 22.
So here we read that Jesus will suffer, which he did and will be killed which he was but, he also said that he will return on the third day. Jesus didn’t resurrect himself? He had full confidence that his father Jehovah would resurrect him. Does that mean that Jehovah didn’t feel pain at seeing his son die because he knew that he would bring is son back?
Remember Jesus felt pain because of Lazarus and wasn’t Lazarus brought back? Jehovah loves his son Jesus very much. It's hard to find the words to describe the pain that any Father could have at losing a child. But Imagine the Joy Jehovah felt at seeing his son again.
Now the disciples shouldn’t have been surprised because Jesus told them he would return, they wanted to believe that Jesus was alive again but it seemed too good to be true. Then Jesus appears to his disciples when they are all gathered in a room. Imagine the Joy his disciples felt seeing Jesus again.
Aren’t we glad to know that Jehovah remembers those who serve him? The fact that Jehovah sent his only-begotten son should tell us, just how he feels about us.
In the beginning, I talked about my father, what I didn’t mention is how he died. He died from drugs, but notice what this scripture has to say, open your bibles Acts chapter 24 verse 15. And it reads:
Knowing these things should cause us to want to know how we can make Jehovah Happy. If we happen to pass away in this system or lose a loved one in this system, Jehovah will remember us, just as he remembered his son.
.....................................................................................
I love giving talks. It's fun and exciting. After tonight, we will begin on Jesse's talk. I have to help him because he is sick at the moment and hasn't done anything but sleep. I'm excited about his talk. hehehe
I'm hoping to get Audio of it. Anyway, have a great day.
...................................................................................
Every day we hear reports that a child has been kidnapped or murdered. I‘ve watched mothers and fathers beg for their children to be returned. As a parent, I fear that I may lose a child in this system.
The pain you feel when losing someone you love especially if it's a child is one of most difficult things anyone can go through. When I was younger, I lost my father. When he died I felt as if a part of me was gone. I asked myself. Why do we suffer? Why do we die?
Shortly after, I received a knock at the door that changed my life. I learned of the resurrection and true condition of the dead which gave me hope that someday I would see him again. I learned about Jesus and those who were resurrected.
One that was resurrected was Lazarus. When Lazarus died, Jesus cried. Jesus knew that Lazarus could be brought back to life but yet he cried. He did so because he loved this family. He saw that many were in pain
John chapter 11 verse 35 says that Jesus gave way to tears. Imagine the Joy they felt at seeing Lazarus again.
Jesus was also aware that he too would soon face death. When Jesus was on Earth, he told his disciples that he would be killed but, he also told them that he would return. Let’s read that account, please open your bibles to Luke Chapter 9 verse 22.
So here we read that Jesus will suffer, which he did and will be killed which he was but, he also said that he will return on the third day. Jesus didn’t resurrect himself? He had full confidence that his father Jehovah would resurrect him. Does that mean that Jehovah didn’t feel pain at seeing his son die because he knew that he would bring is son back?
Remember Jesus felt pain because of Lazarus and wasn’t Lazarus brought back? Jehovah loves his son Jesus very much. It's hard to find the words to describe the pain that any Father could have at losing a child. But Imagine the Joy Jehovah felt at seeing his son again.
Now the disciples shouldn’t have been surprised because Jesus told them he would return, they wanted to believe that Jesus was alive again but it seemed too good to be true. Then Jesus appears to his disciples when they are all gathered in a room. Imagine the Joy his disciples felt seeing Jesus again.
Aren’t we glad to know that Jehovah remembers those who serve him? The fact that Jehovah sent his only-begotten son should tell us, just how he feels about us.
In the beginning, I talked about my father, what I didn’t mention is how he died. He died from drugs, but notice what this scripture has to say, open your bibles Acts chapter 24 verse 15. And it reads:
Knowing these things should cause us to want to know how we can make Jehovah Happy. If we happen to pass away in this system or lose a loved one in this system, Jehovah will remember us, just as he remembered his son.
.....................................................................................
I love giving talks. It's fun and exciting. After tonight, we will begin on Jesse's talk. I have to help him because he is sick at the moment and hasn't done anything but sleep. I'm excited about his talk. hehehe
I'm hoping to get Audio of it. Anyway, have a great day.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Monday
My apologies on the delay. The talk I posted that's I'm having tomorrow is a draft version. I'm just about complete with the final version. Just adding some words while removing others or editing what I have.
At the same time, I'm helping Jesse with his talk which is the week of 11/23 which is What Is the Scriptural Hope of the “Great Crowd”? His talk is in the early stages and we are brainstorming at the moment. One idea that we had was to talk about what the world would be like if Adam and Eve didn't sin.
It's hard to imagine because the only world we know is the one we live in but the idea is to take you there and talk about what life would have been like. Then talk about what life is like because they sinned. Then talk about the great crowd and the hope of getting what was lost.
It's not our fault that Adam and Eve sinned and Jehovah knew this and thus created a way out for us. The fact that he sent his son should tell all of us just how much he cares for us. Imagine watching Jesus die. Imagine the pain that Jesus went through. Jehovah no doubt was hurting. Wouldn't any father hurt if they saw their sons or daughters hurt? Of course.....
Anyway, I will update tomorrow. Have a great day...
At the same time, I'm helping Jesse with his talk which is the week of 11/23 which is What Is the Scriptural Hope of the “Great Crowd”? His talk is in the early stages and we are brainstorming at the moment. One idea that we had was to talk about what the world would be like if Adam and Eve didn't sin.
It's hard to imagine because the only world we know is the one we live in but the idea is to take you there and talk about what life would have been like. Then talk about what life is like because they sinned. Then talk about the great crowd and the hope of getting what was lost.
It's not our fault that Adam and Eve sinned and Jehovah knew this and thus created a way out for us. The fact that he sent his son should tell all of us just how much he cares for us. Imagine watching Jesus die. Imagine the pain that Jesus went through. Jehovah no doubt was hurting. Wouldn't any father hurt if they saw their sons or daughters hurt? Of course.....
Anyway, I will update tomorrow. Have a great day...
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