DAILY OM....Spiritual Being...Physical Experience

 

Physical Bodies on Earth

We are on this earth, in our physical bodies, because our souls have things to learn that we could not learn in any other way. It is through our physical body and the physical world that we can experience life. Purely spiritual beings are just that - they are in a state of being rather than doing – in a place that is beyond the limitations of time and space.

But when we incarnate on the physical plane, we are automatically subject to the laws of physics and the world of dualities. In this place, we know what happiness is because we have experienced sadness, and we understand the value and power of light because we have known darkness.

Knowing this, we have the opportunity to let ourselves be spiritual beings having a physical experience.

There is no pain in the spiritual realm, because we know we are one with the limitless source of the universe. But here, in the material realm, our sense of limitation and separation allows us to feel our emotions and to learn about love, forgiveness, and compassion.

We go from a spiritual state of oneness to learning how to be in relationship with people who are different and distinct individuals. We learn to understand ourselves through our relationships with the world around us—its seasons and landscapes, challenges and opportunities.

And through our journey to find our place among so many others, we begin to recognize our own glimmer of light in a constellation of stars.

Once we remember that we are spiritual beings, we can revel in the experience of being human while knowing we are all connected. We can live from the place of oneness while truly appreciating the beauty of diversity, the bittersweet feel of love and loss, and the elation of triumph over challenges and adversity.

It is through these opposites that we experience life itself, and we can ride through the dark times with the understanding that it will help us to appreciate the light of life and love and spirit more fully.

We are here now because we made the choice to experience an earth life, so now we can choose to enjoy the journey as completely as possible.

What do you think?

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

 

RESTORATION

 

John 10:10.....The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Hebrews 4:16.....Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Philippians 4:6-7.....

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 16:16-18....There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Isaiah 54:17......

No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD.The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

Proverbs 16:9.....In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Proverbs 20:24.....

A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

Galatians 5:6......

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. What a man desires is unfailing love.

Philippians 2:12-13.....

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Hebrews 11:1....Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."

Matthew 21:22....

"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

Isaiah 41:10-13......"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them–Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, "Fear not, I will help you."

Hebrews 10:35-36....

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

 

'Restoration', by Mike Bullock

Peace has fallen on this person
In a static place, no less
It's a lull before the storm breaks
Restoration time, I guess
To the state that He created
Undefiled by human touch
Like an onion, we've gained layers
Some a few, but many much.

Take a painting, sad and lifeless
Vibrant colours dulled by time
You can damage hidden beauty
As you scrub away the grime
So He takes His time about it
Lovingly He cleans away
Years of dead and poisoned foliage
In our cesspit of decay.

So I offer up my secrets
Some remembered, others not
Like a time lord reaching backwards
He is in a land forgot
But I know that when He's finished
I will be His child renewed
Thankful that He loves me dearly
Restored, refined,

no longer crude.

 

 

God's plan for restoration in the Church is not to return it to some original condition of the Church, but to the original intention for the Church in the exalted Christ.

 

The restoration of the Church is not about going back to Acts 2 (this was the Church in seed-form), but onwards to the perfection of the holy city of Jerusalem which is (even now) "coming down out of heaven from God,"

 

Important Message!

 

nobody36

Last Login: May 20

 

otis
North Little Rock, AR

 

This person has been known to steal people's poetry, and post it on other sites.  Block him...He is a thief...

 

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

FRIENDSHIP

 

(Prov 18.24).... A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 17:17.... A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity

Proverbs 27:17.... Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend

Proverbs 27:6.... Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful

Proverbs 27:9.... Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel

Proverbs 18:24.... A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother

Proverbs 22: 24.... Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man thou shalt not go

John 15: 13.... Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends

John 15: 14.... Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

 

We know for ourselves that when we have a good friend, we don’t want them to suffer alone when we are just a phone call away. We want them to call us and share their sorrows with us, as well as their joys, because this is what sharing a life through friendship is about. It is at our lowest points that we really need to rely on our friends without worrying that we are a burden.

If you are feeling self-conscious about having a tough time, you can bring this fact into the conversation by acknowledging it.

Chances are your friend will reassure you that she is happy to be there for you. In fact, rather than feeling taxed, most of us feel better when we have helped a friend simply by listening empathically while they share their feelings.

Without our friends, we would be hard pressed to get through the tough times and celebrate the good ones. If we leave our friends out of our process when the going gets tough, our friendships can begin to feel shallow.

On the other hand, when we include our friends in the full story of our life—the good, the bad, and the ugly—we build authentic relationships in which we can be who we truly are. When we do this, we invite our friends to bring their whole selves to the relationship as well.

 

 

 

What is a friend?

I'll tell you.

A friend is a person with whom you dare to be yourself.
Your soul can go naked with him.

He asks you to put on nothing, only to be who you really are.
When you are with him you don't have to be on your guard.
You can say what you think, so long as it is genuinely you.

He understands those contradictions in your nature that cause others to misjudge you.

With him you breathe freely.
You can avow your little vanities and envies and absurdities and, in opening them up to him, they are dissolved in the vast ocean of his loyalty.

He understands.
You can weep with him, laugh with him, pray with him.
Through and underneath it all he sees, knows, and loves you.

A Friend, I repeat, is one with whom you dare to be yourself.
Author unknown

 

DAILY OM.....Feeling Our Life

Finding Our Life’s Work

Sometimes it takes us the better part of a lifetime to discover our life’s work, even though we may have been doing it our whole lives without necessarily realizing it. Our life’s work is not always what we do to make money, although we often think it should be, and sometimes this way of thinking prevents us from seeing clearly what it is.

It may be the work of having children, caring for them, and running a household. The way we know our life’s work is by how we feel when we are doing it.

When we are doing our life’s work, we feel an uncanny sense of ease and alignment. This doesn’t mean that the work is always easy, and it doesn’t mean that it’s the only work we have to do; it just means that there is a conviction deep inside us that tells us we are in tune with our innermost self.

When we are engaged in our life’s work, our bodies feel more alive, because our energy is devoted to a cause that, in turn, feeds us. We may be tired after engaging in our life’s work, but we are almost never depleted.

We feel grounded in the world, knowing that we belong here and have something important to offer.

When we are deeply unhappy, depressed, or subject to one illness after another, this may be due to a sense of disconnection from our life’s work. At times like these, finding the work we are meant to do is an essential act of healing.

Most of us remember a time when we felt fully engaged in some act of work, service or creativity, and it is here that we may rediscover the work we are meant to do now. On the other hand, it may be time to explore what inspires us through volunteering, taking a class, going back to school, or just doing whatever it is we long to try.

We all have callings, and when we find them, we owe it to ourselves to nurture and protect them, because while they may or may not be our livelihood, they are the keys to our wellbeing

23rd Psalm

[got this in an email..and had to share it..It's Beautiful!]

 

The Lord is my Shepherd (That's Relationship)

I shall not want (That's Supply)

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures (That's Rest)

He leadeth me beside the still waters (That's Refreshment)

He restoreth my soul (That's Healing)

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness (That's Guidance)

For His name sake (That's Purpose)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (That's
Testing)

I will fear no evil (That's Protection)

For Thou art with me (That's Faithfulness)

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me (That's Discipline)

Thou preparest a table

before me in the presence of mine enemies (That's
Hope)

Thou annointest my head with oil (That's Consecration)

My cup runneth over (That's Abundance)

Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me all the days of my life
(That's Blessing)

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord (That's Security)

Forever (That's Eternity)

 

 

Face it, the Lord is crazy about you.

Send this to people you are crazy
about. I thought this was pretty special, just like YOU!!!

What is most valuable, is not what we have in our lives,

but WHO we have in our lives!

After The Storm...A Collab w/Cocoa8007

 

The damage was visible

Destruction

at every turn

Seems with every clap of thunder

there was a new lesson to learn

Stray words spewed,

striking as lightning

illuminating angry souls

as the winds of change

un apologetically blew secrets of tomorrows

from being told

 

Hold on to your rainbow

....

it gets better after the storm

 

The relentless eye of the storm

approaching

Maybe it is bringing a break

in the chaos

and despair

 

Time is slowly shifting

towards peace

and a feeling of calm in the air

 

Hold on to your rainbow

....

it gets better after the storm

 

Although the blemishes

cannot be erased

there is still the ability to heal

Love can be still be made

to love  again

Friends can be friends again

with the ability to forgive

 

Rain comes not to destroy,

but to replenish life

New experiences

New friendships

New dreams to conquer

 

Hold on to your rainbow

....

it gets better after the storm

 

 

Cocoa8007 & jakuper (5/11/08)

Oprah's Legends Ball

In the spirit of Mother's Day, I would like to share with you all highlights of perhaps the most prolific event in the history of this generation. 

A celebration of 64 faces from television, music, and national news.  Freedom fighters, and trail blazers in front, and behind the scenes.  Voices, and faces that have inspired us all of our lives.  I would have loved to been there....

In my lifetime, I never thought I would get to see the many faces of fame, inspiration, and stardom as I did when I got to see this vision of Oprah's come alive.

I am moved, to tears, because these people celebrated God, life, love, and each other. 

I hope this makes us feel good as women, as black women, and as motivators and mothers of this generation....

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

Mother's Day

 

Proverbs 31:17, 18, 27

She girds herself with strength, and strengthens herself daily. She perceives that her provision for her family is good: she does not retire early but works diligently to see to the needs of her family, she is not an idle woman.

Proverbs 31.28
".....Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."

Isaiah 40:11
<sup>"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. "

Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."</sup>

<sup>Philippians 4:19
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

2 Timothy 1:5
"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."</sup>

 

 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This does not mean that the <sup>woman who cowers in a corner is the one who will be praised. On the contrary, a mother filled with the Holy Spirit will have boldness, confidence and peace that is beyond earthly understanding.

This verse also reminds us that beauty is skin deep, and gifts can be shallow. A faithful and strong mother will find her strength in the Lord.</sup>

 

BEHOLD, THY MOTHER!

Behold Thy Mother! prim and proper,
As she wipes off your face.
Behold Thy Mother! broken and wounded,
As you shout for her to, "Get off your case!"

Behold Thy Mother! tears streaming,
As your <sup>spouse to be walks the aisle.
Behold Thy Mother! patiently waiting,
As you pace your 15th mile.

Behold Thy Mother! as she softly smiles,
Her last breath coming near.
Behold Thy Mother! as she rest in peace,
Home with Jesus to shed no more tears.

As mother day comes closer,
And we write Mothers Day Poems.
We need always remember,
Mothers lead us right, not like Jeroboam!

Tell them today that you love them,
Love them like no other.
And on this, their day,
Son and Daughter, Behold Thy Mother!</sup>

 

Your Mother Is Always With You...
Your mother is always with you...
She's the whisper of the leaves
as you walk down the street.
She's the smell of bleach
in your freshly laundered socks.
She's the cool hand on your brow
when you're not well.
Your mother lives inside your laughter.
She's crystallized in every tear drop.
She's the place you came from,
your first home...
She's the map you follow
with every step that you take.
She's your first love
and your first heart break...
and nothing on earth can separate you.
Not time, Not space...
Not even death...
will ever separate you
from your mother...
You carry her inside of you...
Author Unknown

 

SUNDAYS WITH JOYCE

WORD FOR TODAY


Wisdom

1. Daniel full of wisdom Daniel 5:14 I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee
2. God gave Joseph unusual wisdom Acts 7;10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
3. Lord will give you understanding 2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what i say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
4. Pray for wisdom James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
5. Wise with spiritual wisdom Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;





 Grow Heavenward

God said:

When you look up at Me, you are not looking down.
World influence often tends to pull you down.
My influence, by its very nature, lifts you up.
The world has gotten in the habit of denigrating you.
The world gives you a false picture.
It would cut you off at the start,
wanting to keep you indentured to it.
I would have you rise to the heights where you rightfully belong.

Come, look up. Come see a truer picture of you.

In its efforts to keep you small, the world would squash you. I would unleash you.
Do not think I am in competition with the world.
There is no competition when it comes to Me.
Only, life in the world travels on the surface.
It twirls itself around and wants to keep you captive.
I want to free you from the arbitrary restraints of the world.

I am not telling you to spurn the world.
I am telling you to not believe so much in what it says.
Adore the world. At the same time, do not hold it almighty.
You are not really its province. I
t doesn’t own you.
Instead of the world’s twirling you,
by the height of your thoughts, twirl the world.
There is a level beyond the world.
Reach for it.

In your daily life, you will know what is clearly from God
and what is clearly from man.
Look up at the sun and the sky,
and you will know the jewels I have strewn the world with.
Look at what I would show you, beloveds.

The world is imperfect by its own standards.
And yet it would pompously brag
and invite you to join in its legerdemain.
It is my pleasure to offer you the pure fruit of Heaven.

You are meant to be the tillers of the world, not the tilled.
You are not to be pounded into the ground.
You are meant to plant beautiful flowers
and vegetables that, like you, will grow Heavenward.

You would not turn down My invitation to join Me, would you?
Do not tremble.
Do not hold Me in awe.
Hold Me in love.

If you are a building block of the world,
represent Me. Set your feet firmly near Me.
Hold the world up to Me, beloveds.
Hold it in your hands like a precious jewel
that you polish.
Hold the world up like the sun.

FINISH THE THOUGHT

1. Watermelon or cantaloupe? why? 2. My mood today is..... 3. The song in my head today is.... 4. Today is a good day to be..... 5. Nothing brings me more joy than.... 6. If I had to do it all over again, I would still be..... 7. All is fair in love and..... 8. If I wasn't afraid of the repercussions, I would... 9. ......... gives me peace of mine. 10. When I look for answers, I look to...... 11. The easiest way for me to get in trouble is by.... 12.  When it's raining, I like to... 13.  Intelligence or pretty face.. why? 14. Sex or intimacy... why? 15 . My quote for today is.... 16.  I often wonder why women.... 17.  The theme song for my life this week is.... 18 . Weekends are the best time to catch up on..... 19.  If I could make a movie of my life, _______ would play the staring role. 20.  21. Do u talk on the phone alot?  To who? 21.  If u could give me anything...what would it be? 22. If u could rename me...what would my name be? 23.  What song (if any) reminds u of me? 24.  What question would you add to this list?

Extra Questions from you....

*what do you wear to bed...

*DO YOU FOLLOW THE WORLD EVENTS OR DOES IT NOT CONCERN YOU?
*Do You Believe In Heaven? If So, Where Is It & What Does It Look Like...?

*What type of weather makes your private parts hum?