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Did you know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?



Please take the time to click on the following link, then click the button to help support the Breast Cancer Awareness!!! You do not have to donate money, 500 clicks will reach the goal, and make a difference!! Take the time for this!!





To repost- Hit reply to get the codes then copy and paste, it's that easy!! Please keep it going!

A Five-Day Spiritual Workout: Day 3

By Dr. Bernie S. Siegel
Today's exercise helps you counteract worry or fear.

Day 2: Inhale, Exhale

If you are interested in surviving and thriving, you must stop and take the time to breathe. Something as simple as breathing properly can make all the difference in your life; it can help you to feel invigorated and inspired. For this exercise, practice relaxed, deep breathing. Become aware of the movement of air in and out of your nostrils and the movement of your chest and abdomen. Become aware of your body's need for oxygenation. By focusing on your body and the life-giving air you breathe into it, you will help to heal your life as a by-product.

When you are worried or disturbed, your breathing changes. You may become short of breath or hyperventilate; this can cause other symptoms and lead to physical problems because of the changes it creates in your body chemistry.

Make a point of noticing when you become worried or fearful, and in those moments, practice peaceful breathing. Become mindful of your breathing and the flow of air moving in and out of your nostrils, the movement of your chest, and inspire peace and light, and expire fear and darkness. Watch what changes occur when you do this, how the tensions throughout your body and mind are relieved. Let yourself be inspired through the deep relaxation that occurs. What inspires you will lead you to inspire. Life-enhancing activities enhance our ability to breathe in the life we are living

A Five-Day Spiritual Workout: Day 1

Finding inspiration in others
By Dr. Bernie S. Siegel

Inspiration is the greatest gift because it opens your life to many new possibilities. Each day becomes more meaningful and your life is enhanced when your actions are guided by what inspires you. The following exercises will help you discover what generates enthusiasm in your life. I encourage you to undertake both the possible and the impossible. True inspiration overrides all fears. When you are inspired, you enter a trance state and can accomplish things that you may never have felt capable of doing.

Where do you find this type of inspiration? Look deep into your soul and ask yourself: "What is the purpose of being alive and living on this planet?" Your soul's response will tell you. You can also look for inspiration in various myths and parables, but it is most often found when you share your unique loving acts with others.

When your heart speaks to you about what you need to do to sustain life on this planet, listen to it, make a difference, and be an inspiration for generations to come. Be inspired by people like Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Christopher Reeve, Albert Schweitzer, Helen Keller, and many others. Now go and add your name to the list and make me proud of you. Bring your enthusiasm for life with you everywhere you go, and it will be contagious.

Day 1: Who Inspires You?

Our culture tends to idolize people based upon superficial qualities such as physical beauty and material possessions. But are these people whose example would help us live our lives in a fulfilling way? I know from my experience how unhappy people can be when surrounded only by material goods. Even when others see them as attractive, they only see their own faults and what is lacking in their life.

The people who truly inspire us have an inner beauty. They have overcome major obstacles in their own lives and learned how to accomplish meaningful change. For this exercise, think of the people who inspire and motivate you. Whose motto can you live by? These could be famous people, family members, or others. It would be someone who, if he or she won the lottery, would ask, "Why me?" and would use the money to better the world rather than seek personal success. It would be someone who, if he or she developed a life-threatening illness, would ask, "What can I do with this?" They are people who see more than their personal circumstances.

List the qualities these people have that you would like to emulate, then hang a photo of or a symbol representing each person in a conspicuous place, so that every time you walk past, you will be reminded of what you admire about them. Strive to live your own life in a way that validates their message and makes it your own.

Father, I'm praying for myself and others in my circle of family and friends to grow in our prayer lives...

May we be people of prayer, asking not only for our daily needs to be met but praying for others. May we ask, seek, and knock with right motives, living lives of obedience that are pleasing to You so we may receive whatever we ask. (Matthew 6:11; 1 Samuel 12:23; Matthew 7:7–8; James 4:2–3; 1 John 3:21–22)

May our prayers be set before You like incense as we pray without ceasing, praying always without giving up—boldly and with persistence. Help us come before Your throne of grace with confidence and be able to pray as Elijah prayed—fervently, effectively. May we be watchmen on the wall, standing our ground in prayer. (Psalm 141:2a; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 18:1–5; 11:5–8; Hebrews 4:16; James 5:16b; Ezekiel 33:7; Ephesians 6:10–18)

Help us pray in faith, believing we have received what we've asked because we've prayed according to Your will. May our faith be so strong it amazes You! (Mark 11:22–24; 1 John 5:14–15; Matthew 8:5–13)

Help us to grow strong in prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.

Jesus, the Ultimate Example of Humility

In order to live daily by the grace of God, we must be willing to walk in humility. "God...gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5). The word of God offers extensive teaching concerning a life of humility. Moreover, in all of the scriptures we will find no greater insight than that which pertains to Jesus, the ultimate example of humility.

Before He came to earth as a man, Jesus had existed throughout eternity past as deity, the eternal Son of God. "Bethlehem...out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). Since He was God, claiming deity was not an inappropriate intrusion into another's domain: "who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God." Although He would of necessity exist endlessly as God (even during His pilgrimage as a man), He did not go about independently exercising His Godhood: "but made Himself of no reputation." Instead of manifesting all of His innate glory, He functioned as any human slave would: "taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men." During His earthly ministry, He Himself would emphasize His servanthood role. "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).

In His majestic salvation mission, Jesus, the Son of God, would voluntarily accept the path of humility. "He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." This humility involved a yielding to the Father that was so extensive He would even embrace the most abhorrent death of all, a sin-atoning crucifixion. In spiritual agony, He would pray, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). This humble surrender to the Father's will is the path that our Lord calls us to walk. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."

The TRICKS USED BY SEXUAL PREDATORS:

The Apple Of My Eye Trick
The first trick is named after Laura Ahearn's new book coming soon "The Apple Of My Eye" This trick is top on her list for the most insidious of all tricks because predators use the same innocent vulnerablity we strive to protect in our children for purposes of methodically gaining their trust by giving special attention to them so they can eventually sexually abuse them. All children want love, attention and affection this is why they are particularly vulnerable to those who are experts at grooming them to lead to their eventual sexual abuse.

Accidental Touching Trick
Children are often unaware that an accidental touching may be intentional or may be an offender attempting to touch closer to genitalia the next time.

Assistance Lure Trick
Offenders may ask a child for help with directions or carrying packages. One convicted offender stated that he liked to hang around kiddie hamburger restaurant bathrooms. He would abuse young boys under the guise of helping them with their zippers.

Another type of assistance lure may be an offender who senses a role he might play by assisting a family with children. His assistance might be needed for babysitting or for driving a child to activities. Watch for those who are more interested in your child than you, there is a reason.

Authority Trick
Many of us have taught our children to respect authority without realizing that individuals who target our children take advantage of their position such as a teacher, coach, religious or club leader.

Desensitize Trick
Offenders may continually talk to children about sex or use pornography to demonstrate sexual acts. They may arouse a child*s curiosity by leaving sexual material and aids around where they may see them.

Drug & Alcohol Trick
Drugs or alcohol can be used to incapacitate a child making them highly vulnerable to sexual abuse.

Emergency Trick
Crisis can be confusing for young children and offenders count on that so they construct an emergency to lure children.

Fame Trick
Promises are made to make the child a movie star.

Friendship Trick
Older children may bribe a younger child (or same age) by saying that they will not be their friend anymore unless they participatein a sexual act.

Games Trick
Body contact games such as wrestling are played where touching genitalia is part of the rules.

Hero Trick / Special Privileges Trick
(Coach/Teacher/Person In A Position Of Authority)
Children are often impressed with those individuals they look up to such as those in a position of authority like a coach, teacher, older cousin. They may endure abuse to maintain a relationship where they are receiving special privileges for fear of losing those privileges.

"I Know You" Trick
Do not write your child*s name on the outside of any of their clothing or items they use outside of their home such as umbrellas or lunchboxes. This gives the offender an opportunity to make your child feel as though they know them.

Internet Trick
The internet has become a preying ground for sex offenders trying to lure victims. Offenders will try to get specific information from your child without directly asking for it. For example they may ask if your child plays on sports teams which would eventually lead to a discussion of where your child played these games. Ultimately, they want to try to set up a meeting. Predators on the internet may also transmit pornography to your child.

Job Trick
Promises of high paying jobs easily influence young adults into meeting individuals in questionable places for interviews where they may be sexually abused. Young children may be offered high pay for odd jobs inside an offenders house where they too may be sexually abused.

Legitimacy Trick
There are a few organizations that promote sexual relations with children and attempt to legitimize this activity. Those offenders may attempt to convince a child that sex with an adult is a legitimate activity.

Outing Trick
Offender is continually attempting to take a child out alone for special trips or outings and insists that no one else attend. A pediatrician in New York who was convicted of sexually abusing many of his patients would take them away for the weekend quite often. Parents trusted him because he was well liked and perceived as the pillar of the community.

Pet Trick
Similar to the assistance lure, the offender may ask a child to help find his lost dog. They may carry props such as a photo of a dog and a leash.

Teaching Trick
Assistance is offered to a family to help teach a child a sport or how to play a musical instrument, often without cost. Parents from across the nation have also informed that sexual predators may be working as driving school instructors.

Threat Trick
Children may be threatened into cooperation and further silenced. Once the abuse has taken place, they threaten to expose the child either to their parents or to their friends. The offender may threaten the abused child into recruiting other children.

Costume Trick
Most volunteers who dress up as clowns, cartoon characters or as Santa Claus during the holiday season are not pedophiles attempting to access children. However, you should always be aware that there are pedophiles who would do anything to get at kids.

"The best offense is a great defense. Understand the dynamics of childhood sexual abuse and you and your children will be safer."

The Cross In My Pocket

I carry a cross in my pocket,
a simple reminder to me
of the fact that I am a Christian
no matter where I may be.

This little cross is not magic
nor is it a good luck charm.
It isn't meant to protect me
from every physical harm.

It's not for identification,
for all the world to see.
It's simply an understanding
between my Savior and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket
to bring out a coin or key,
the Cross is there to remind me
of the price He paid for me.

It reminds me too, to be thankful,
for my blessings day by day,
and to strive to serve Him better
in all that I do and say.

It's also a daily reminder
of the peace and comfort I share
with all who know my Master
and give themselves to His care.

So, I carry a cross in my pocket,
reminding no one but me,
that Jesus Christ is Lord of my life,
if only I'll let Him be.

By Verna Thomas

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