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Topic: RE: Hi and prayer need
You and your friend are in my prayers.
Banded Oct 2008: 290
RNY Feb 2012: 245
Dr's set goal: 170 reached Oct 11, 2012
My goal: 160 reached Dec 1, 2012
Today : 145-150
I am half the person I was in 2008.
Topic: RE: Luke 9;24
A lot of the people at the agency are living in a recovery boarding house, which is for people who are early in their recovery. Most need jobs. Some have been arrested for DUI, or drug related offenses. They are usually broke, and are extremely discouraged by the life they find themselves living.
Because society places a stigma on people with histories of addiction or alcoholism, most of the clients are feeling ostracized. They are usually surrounded by pessimistic peers and a lot do feel almost hopeless.
All of the paid staff, and most of the volunteers are in recovery, so we have a lot of empathy, and a deep understanding of where the clients are when they first come in. Since they know I am in recovery, I do give them hope. I was exactly where they were almost three years ago.
I love that four afternoons a week, I am the first person they see when they come in, and the last person they see as they leave. I treat them with dignity and respect.
Hugs,
Trish
Because society places a stigma on people with histories of addiction or alcoholism, most of the clients are feeling ostracized. They are usually surrounded by pessimistic peers and a lot do feel almost hopeless.
All of the paid staff, and most of the volunteers are in recovery, so we have a lot of empathy, and a deep understanding of where the clients are when they first come in. Since they know I am in recovery, I do give them hope. I was exactly where they were almost three years ago.
I love that four afternoons a week, I am the first person they see when they come in, and the last person they see as they leave. I treat them with dignity and respect.
Hugs,
Trish
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Topic: RE: Luke 9;24
That is soooo awesome! It's such a blessing to be able to say I live each day with complete joy and what a blessing that must be for folks who come in for counceling and help. For them to see a joy filled person MUST give them hope that the can someday be there too. It's a joy that only a Christian can understand, it's beyond what the unsaved can feel on their best day. It's more than the average person can understand. I'm so glad that you are doing so well, let us pray it lasts for the rest of your life! You are blessed beyond measure!
Topic: RE: Luke 9;24
Hi Karen,
What I've found recently is that by doing the volunteer work, that I believe is using my Spiritual gifts for His glory, I have more joy each day, I look forward to each day more and more.
In my work at the drug and alcohol agency, I am at the receptionist desk greeting the clients as they come in, and saying good-bye as they leave. When I say "Hello, how are you doing today?" it's always with a smile. When asked about how I'm doing, I usually reply, "Blessed beyond my wildest dreams," because that is exactly how I feel. I'm experiencing so much joy and peace in my life these days, I am just bursting.
When I was in relapse with the alcohol, or not doing the volunteer work, I would whine and complain about how much pain I'm in, or some other imagined complaint. Not anymore.
So, in the past, I used to live for today, for myself, my needs, my pleasure, my wants. Me, me, me. Now that I am living for our Lord, and thinking of others, I am still living for today, but with Him in charge of each day in my life.
Hugs,
Trish
What I've found recently is that by doing the volunteer work, that I believe is using my Spiritual gifts for His glory, I have more joy each day, I look forward to each day more and more.
In my work at the drug and alcohol agency, I am at the receptionist desk greeting the clients as they come in, and saying good-bye as they leave. When I say "Hello, how are you doing today?" it's always with a smile. When asked about how I'm doing, I usually reply, "Blessed beyond my wildest dreams," because that is exactly how I feel. I'm experiencing so much joy and peace in my life these days, I am just bursting.
When I was in relapse with the alcohol, or not doing the volunteer work, I would whine and complain about how much pain I'm in, or some other imagined complaint. Not anymore.
So, in the past, I used to live for today, for myself, my needs, my pleasure, my wants. Me, me, me. Now that I am living for our Lord, and thinking of others, I am still living for today, but with Him in charge of each day in my life.
Hugs,
Trish
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Topic: RE: Hebrews 12:6
Unfortunately I think alot Christians feel that way because parents kind of push that idea of God being a punisher. When we learn that He isn't punishing us but teaching us it can make a world of difference in our Christian growth. We have to remember that we can't put our mortal feelings on an omnipotent God, for He knows more than we can ever imagine and has a love for us that we can't even fathom!
Topic: Luke 9;24
"Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." Oh how satan would like us to believe we should live for today and not worry about tomorrow, just go have fun with no price to pay. However we as Chritians know this is very risky for our eternal future. We can't have it both ways, I always picture the little devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. It is simplistic, but we really do have to make that choice, will we live for the excitement of today or turn to Jesus for an eternal life of more joy than we could ever have here on earth? This is the most important decision we will ever make! Have you made that choice yet? Your very eternal life depends on it!
God bless!
Karen
Topic: RE: Hebrews 12:6
Hi Karen,
Because my perception of God was very entrenched in how I see my mother, till around my divorce 11 years ago, I perceived God's discipline as spiteful, hateful punishment. That's the way Mom punished my sister, younger brother, and me. Now that my brothers are in heaven, she gets along with my sister, and is spiteful with me.
Because of my friend's discipling me, I was able to change how I see God's discipline. It's been a blessing to have my entire view of God changed. As a result, I see many things in my life differently, like my two weeks in the hospital in January, and needing a visiting nurse for two months afterward. I sensed God's loving presence and care the entire time.
Because my perception of God was very entrenched in how I see my mother, till around my divorce 11 years ago, I perceived God's discipline as spiteful, hateful punishment. That's the way Mom punished my sister, younger brother, and me. Now that my brothers are in heaven, she gets along with my sister, and is spiteful with me.
Because of my friend's discipling me, I was able to change how I see God's discipline. It's been a blessing to have my entire view of God changed. As a result, I see many things in my life differently, like my two weeks in the hospital in January, and needing a visiting nurse for two months afterward. I sensed God's loving presence and care the entire time.
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Topic: Hebrews 12:6
"Whom the Lord loves He chastens." When God corrects or disciplines you do you see Him as angry and hateful or do you see Him as He truely is, as a loving God who is teaching us by correction. Sometimes just like our children need discipline, we do too and God will not hesitate to correct us so that we can become the vessels He can use for His glory. We may see it as punishment but try to remember today's scripture, He is in fact showing His love and care for us!
God bless!
Karen
Topic: RE: Psalm 100:2
There is nothing like serving and seeing the smile on another's face to bring on a serious bout of joy!
Topic: RE: Psalm 100:2
Hi Karen,
I recently got involved in three areas of volunteering. I see two of them as ministries, and one is a passion. Since the first day of volunteering, I have had such a joy for no specific reason. It is growing like wildfire, in spite of my financial mess, and physical pain. When people ask how I am, my reply has been either great, or blessed beyond my wildest comprehenstion.
The one area I see as ministry is to volunteer a few hours each weekday afternoon at a drug/alcohol agency that offers free services. Most of our clients are in early recovery, dirt poor, and in need of a job. They come in looking for help getting on their feet.
The other place that is ministry to me is a food bank operated by my church. I just started tonight, and am exhausted. We provided food for 12 families. One was just a bachelor living alone. One was a grandmother who had two adults and 8 grandchildren she was feeding. I was on my feet in a stuffy room for two solid hours.
The volunteer work that is a passion is doing campaign work for a Democratic candidate for Congress. She is trying to unseat an incumbant who voted twice to end Medicare as we know it. While this does not effect me, it does effect many of my friends who will be eligible by the time the changes take effect, if the changes ever pass.
I recently got involved in three areas of volunteering. I see two of them as ministries, and one is a passion. Since the first day of volunteering, I have had such a joy for no specific reason. It is growing like wildfire, in spite of my financial mess, and physical pain. When people ask how I am, my reply has been either great, or blessed beyond my wildest comprehenstion.
The one area I see as ministry is to volunteer a few hours each weekday afternoon at a drug/alcohol agency that offers free services. Most of our clients are in early recovery, dirt poor, and in need of a job. They come in looking for help getting on their feet.
The other place that is ministry to me is a food bank operated by my church. I just started tonight, and am exhausted. We provided food for 12 families. One was just a bachelor living alone. One was a grandmother who had two adults and 8 grandchildren she was feeding. I was on my feet in a stuffy room for two solid hours.
The volunteer work that is a passion is doing campaign work for a Democratic candidate for Congress. She is trying to unseat an incumbant who voted twice to end Medicare as we know it. While this does not effect me, it does effect many of my friends who will be eligible by the time the changes take effect, if the changes ever pass.
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
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I am new to this forum and wanted to know if anyone can give me advice,
Stacy B. · 8 replies · 950 views
Stacy B. · 8 replies · 950 views
