Luke 23:43

 

And he said to him, 

“Truly, I say to you, 

today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:43 ESV 

*********

Please join me this week in praying for the Church. Pray that we focus our attention on our purpose and goal in this life. Pray that we keep our eye on the prize. Everyone, every single person will live forever, will have eternal life, but it's where they will spend eternity that needs to motivate our action each and every day.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#ThisIsMyHallelujah #7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerse #bible #eternallife #eternity #heaven #home #greatcommission #gospel #life #death #revival #church #purpose #spiritualgift 

John 14:2

 

In my Father's house are many rooms. 

If it were not so, would I have told you 

that I go to prepare a place for you? 

John 14:2 ESV

I'll post a follow-up next week regarding the "scam" I wrote about yesterday. 

*********

Please join me this week in praying for the Church. Pray that we focus our attention on our purpose and goal in this life. Pray that we keep our eye on the prize. Everyone, every single person will live forever, will have eternal life, but it's where they will spend eternity that needs to motivate our action each and every day.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#ThisIsMyHallelujah #7thHourPrayerPower #eternallife #eternity #heaven #home #greatcommission #gospel #life #death #revival #church #purpose #spiritualgift

Our permanent home

 

I would love to be able to capture this Bible passage in a picture and share it with all of you, but I would never be able to do it justice. The glory of our permanent home, the place our loving Father has prepared for us is beyond our human comprehension. John described it to the best of his ability (and did a wonderful job, I might add). I love reading this passage and imagining what he saw, and what we will all someday see:

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Revelation 22:1-5 ESV

You may also like: "Grieve as one with hope" from January 17, 2019

*********

Please join me this week in praying for the Church. Pray that we focus our attention on our purpose and goal in this life. Pray that we keep our eye on the prize. Everyone, every single person will live forever, will have eternal life, but it's where they will spend eternity that needs to motivate our action each and every day.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#ThisIsMyHallelujah #7thHourPrayerPower #eternallife #eternity #heaven #home #blog #blogpost #blogger

Abhor hate

A KKK group is hosting a rally today in downtown Dayton. I urge everyone to just avoid this area if at all possible. I would hope the media doesn't give them any limelight and that protestors don't use violence to counter hatred. Stay safe today. Pray for peace and love.

Be angry and do not sin; 

do not let the sun go down on your anger, 

and give no opportunity to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Romans 12:9 ESV

*****

Please join me this week in praying for those who hide their emotions, for whatever reason, that they may open up to you and that you may comfort them or help them heal in a timely and healthy way. So often people who hide their emotions are the ones who are in the direst need to talk to someone. Offer your ear to listen and/or your shoulder to cry on. You don't have to offer suggestions, cures, or anything. You just need to be there.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Rejoice or weep

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15 ESV

*****

Please join me this week in praying for those who hide their emotions, for whatever reason, that they may open up to you and that you may comfort them or help them heal in a timely and healthy way. So often people who hide their emotions are the ones who are in the direst need to talk to someone. Offer your ear to listen and/or your shoulder to cry on. You don't have to offer suggestions, cures, or anything. You just need to be there.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Jesus loves you

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. 

God is love, 

and whoever abides in love abides in God, 

and God abides in him.

1 John 4:16 ESV

*****

Please join me this week in praying for those who hide their emotions, for whatever reason, that they may open up to you and that you may comfort them or help them heal in a timely and healthy way. So often people who hide their emotions are the ones who are in the direst need to talk to someone. Offer your ear to listen and/or your shoulder to cry on. You don't have to offer suggestions, cures, or anything. You just need to be there.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Self-Control

I have a client, actually, it's the client's contractor, who makes my life miserable! He seems to feel like it's his duty to stretch out this project as long as possible by constantly asking for more details. I try to get specifically what details he needs and he just keeps repeating the same vague request. It's very stressful especially since he cc's the client whenever he's belittling me.
     When I get emotional, whether it's sad, angry, anxious, I write. When I write at work, it's usually in the form of an email. Usually, I send it and then regret it later, but yesterday, I took a deep breath and just sent it to my boss instead of this yahoo. I felt better for having written it out and my boss can tone it down and take out the frustration and anger and still get my point across.
     We can do the same thing in almost any circumstance, especially those of us who have a hard time verbalizing what's bothering us. Writing or journaling is a way to express yourself (and it gets easier the more you do it) and then you have the opportunity to forward it to someone you trust, someone who can help or sift through what you're wanting to say. The beauty of it also is that you don't have to share it at all. Once you've written your peace, you can store it away and move on.
     Self-control is necessary in order to function in society, but it can also cause pent up resentment and anger. Whatever it is that you're controlling could manifest itself elsewhere and become a source of depression, anxiety, alcoholism, over-eating, etc. We need an outlet for our emotions.
     We're to be in constant prayer. Use some of that time to just talk to God about what's going on in your life, in your heart and head. He already knows, but it's such a comfort to be able to take everything to Him. He wants to hear from us. It will make you stronger mentally and emotionally; it will bring you peace.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

*****

Please join me this week in praying for those who hide their emotions, for whatever reason, that they may open up to you and that you may comfort them or help them heal in a timely and healthy way. So often people who hide their emotions are the ones who are in the direst need to talk to someone. Offer your ear to listen and/or your shoulder to cry on. You don't have to offer suggestions, cures, or anything. You just need to be there.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

He cares for me

Yesterday's move didn't go perfectly, but it was alright and I survived and now I can transition into yet another "new" life. Hopefully, this time around, I won't make so many stupid mistakes. I'll ask God for guidance a lot more often and listen better. Instead of praying for what my heart and flesh want, I hope to pray for what He wants for me and how I can serve Him. After all, that's why we're here; that's why He created us. 1 Peter 5:7 says:

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (ESV)

This is a great comfort. I don't have to worry about anything because He has a plan for me and a purpose for me being here. I never have to be alone, because He is always there for me.

*****

Please join me this week in praying for those who hide their emotions, for whatever reason, that they may open up to you and that you may comfort them or help them heal in a timely and healthy way. So often people who hide their emotions are the ones who are in the direst need to talk to someone. Offer your ear to listen and/or your shoulder to cry on. You don't have to offer suggestions, cures, or anything. You just need to be there.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Be true

Jesus wept.

John 11:35

The shortest verse in the Bible, and in my opinion, the most powerful. Jesus was so moved by Lazurus' mourners that he also cried.
     I imagine Jesus feels all of our pains and sorrows, crying when we cry, rejoicing when we rejoice, yet we often hide our negative emotions from the world. Maybe we think our true emotions makes us appear weak; maybe we're just too full of pride to let others share in our sorrows and pain. We don't want others to know that we're depressed and hurting. We would rather suffer alone. It's so senseless and even hypocritical. I do it, too. When someone asks me how I am or how I'm feeling, I'll answer "fine" or even "good" when really, I'm a fragile mess beneath that cheery facade.
     Maybe we don't want to create an awkward situation by answering that we're sad or lonely. Or, maybe we just don't want to talk about something, but we're also denying that friend the opportunity to help or comfort us.
     I overheard a waitress training someone. She said, "And if you're having a bad day, just put on a big smile, and soon you'll feel better." That could be good advice, and it could possibly work, but, in the long run, you're not dealing with whatever has you down. All you're doing is putting on a very fragile veil that you hope others won't look past so that you can suffer alone.
     I get it. I do this, too. There's a fine line between sharing and burdening sometimes, but if you're talking to a family member or a true friend, that barrier can be broken over and over again and be repaired each time.
     I'm a bundle of emotions right now. I'm sad; I feel empty - sometimes numb - inside. I'm still in shock that my short marriage is over and that I'm living in my parents' house, yet again. I'm embarrassed and angry and anxious and depressed, yet day after day I let on that I'm strong, independent, understanding; that I'm fine with all of this. I don't want other people to feel awkward and I don't want to bring them down with me.
     In less than a month, I've been uprooted from my husband, my home, my church, and my community. I have no sense of belonging.
     Today is the final move. I've been very emotional. I've wept.

*****

Please join me this week in praying for those who hide their emotions, for whatever reason, that they may open up to you and that you may comfort them or help them heal in a timely and healthy way. So often people who hide their emotions are the ones who are in the direst need to talk to someone. Offer your ear to listen and/or your shoulder to cry on. You don't have to offer suggestions, cures, or anything. You just need to be there.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

What God has joined together

“What God has joined together, let no man separate”

Matthew 19:6

Patience in God's plan

I know I post this one a lot but it seems to be perfect for almost anything life throws at us (me). With everything I'm going through, I have to just have faith that God's in control, and He has a plan. I pray for both patience and guidance.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will direct your paths

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

*****

Let's pray for someone who is returning home. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Our forever home

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; ...

Isaiah 61:1-11 ESV

*****

Let's pray for someone who is returning home. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Teach your children well

Train up a child in the way he should go; 

even when he is old, he will not depart from it.

—Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)

I'm very blessed to have two wonderful parents; they did a good job raising us (IMO) and my brother and I turned out pretty okay.  It's been a really difficult 7 months or so and I've felt fortunate to have a family that I can turn to. Be a blessing to your own children and witness the outcome.

*****

Let's pray for someone who is returning home. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

New house rules

Going home again as an adult, especially an older adult means breaking through some of the long-established parent-child relationship "rules" and developing a somewhat "equal" relationship without being overbearing. In our household, my mom's first instinct is to do everything for us, but she has so much on her plate right now that she is conceding a few things for my daughter and me to do and to help with. There's a fine line between being helpful and being overbearing. Be patient and openly discuss things as they come up; don't let them build to the point that they become too volatile to deal with.

How long will you waver, O faithless daughter? 

For the Lord has created a new thing on the earth: 

a woman encircles a man.”

Jeremiah 31:22 ESV
(There is a lot of different commentary about this passage, but overall is about returning home to forgiveness and acceptance).

*****

Let's pray for someone who is returning home. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Your country

There is hope for your future, declares the Lord, 

and your children shall come back to their own country.

Jeremiah 31:17 ESV

This speaks about the 10 Tribes returning from captivity but also about the hope in the Messianic Covenant. When we stray, or our children or grandchildren stray, we pray that they come home safely. The same is true when we stray spiritually; we can be assured that we will be welcomed home. We are His forever. If you are lost, pray that the Lord will guide you back to the right path.

*****

Let's pray for someone who is returning home. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Returning Home

     When I left for the University of Cincinnati at the age of 18, I believed that I was leaving my parents' home for good (except for holidays and summer quarters). I fully expected to live in Cincinnati 3/4 of the year for the first couple of years, and then eventually find a place there to live permanently. I believed I would graduate and start a career and buy a home. Things don't always work out according to our plans as we've discussed many times here. I moved back in with my parents after 3 years of college; moved to Michigan and after a failed relationship, moved back in with my parents. So, a bumpy start, but thankfully, each time, they took me in and cared for me.
Now, at age 55, I'm back once more. My husband and I are separated (his idea, not mine) and there was only one place for me to go, my parents' house. I came back because I needed a place to stay, but also because I needed the comfort and love and support of my family.
     The same thing happened to me spiritually in the early 2000s. I had metaphorically moved out of my Father's house when I left for college and spent the next two decades without Him. I didn't pray, read my bible, attend church; I don't think I served Him or glorified Him in any way at all. But when I hit rock bottom, I was able to return to Him and He was there for me. Just as it was for the prodigal son, my Father in Heaven greeted me with open arms and rejoiced in my return. I am thankful and blessed to be a child of God.
     I am thankful and blessed to have my mother. In the midst of everything she's going through, she has put it all on hold in order to help me.

So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was 

filled with compassion for him; 

he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Luke 15:20 NIV

*****

Let's pray for someone who is returning home. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Father's hand

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, 

and they follow me. I give them eternal life, 

and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, 

and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

John 10:27-29 ESV

I will prepare a place for you

And if I go and prepare a place for you, 

I will come again and will take you to Myself, 

that where I am you may be also.

John 14:3 ESV

Good courage

For the wages of sin is death, 

but the free gift of God is 

eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23 ESV

So we are always of good courage. 

We know that while we are at home in the body 

we are away from the Lord, 

for we walk by faith, not by sight. 

Yes, we are of good courage, 

and we would rather be away from the body 

and at home with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 ESV