Just Love

tyler-nix-Pw5uvsFcGF4-unsplash — Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash

Day 14: Just Love

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 13:10

Sometimes healing comes just from immersing yourself in loving others. When I’m at work I try to find ways to love those around me. It can be as simple as doing something you know you don’t have to do but will make things better for others. It might be a compliment. It might be cleaning up an area that you don’t have to. It might mean taking the time to pay attention to what others enjoy or need and being on the look out for ways to fill the need or bring the enjoyment.

After spending some time doing this and feeling the joy of seeing others lives enriched you find yourself feeling better even though your circumstances haven’t changed.

I wish we all could spend some time each day seeking to bring love to our surroundings. Some have anonymously paid for others food. Some have paid the toll for the car behind them. There are just so many ways we can show love.

I am so grateful for those who have shown love to me. Saying thank you, or giving an unexpected gift. I am so grateful. I choose to fill the world with more of what touches my heart and makes God pleased.

Today I will look for an opportunity to give unexpected love!

I’m journaling about healing and I’d love for you to subscribe. If something here would inspire others please share. Love you all!

David

September 26, 2019

Allergies Part 1

brittany-colette--CDN2nTKfrA-unsplash — Photo by Brittany Colette on Unsplash

As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

Day 12:Allergies Part 1

Do you suffer from allergies?

I’ve wondered if allergies are getting worse. Mine seem to grow more severe every year. And after talking with several co-workers and family members it seems that many who used to take a pill and receive relief now struggle even with medications. Are allergies getting worse?

I’d like you to respond to this post with your stories about how your allergies are progressing and what has helped you handle them most.

I read an article which pointed out that there are longer pollen seasons every year and that the major factor causing the increase is climate change. You can read about it here.

So please share about you successes in dealing with allergies. We can do better as we share with one another what’s been working for us. In my next post I’ll share about what’s working for me.

Today, I commit to sharing what’s working for me so I can be a blessing for you. I also resolve to learn more from you. Healing can be better when we work together.

September 24, 2019September 24, 2019

Day 11: Jesus Heals

Photo by Muhammadtaha Ibrahim on Unsplash

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Day 11: Jesus Heals

As I share during these 100 days of healing I want to be authentic. I live my life depending on help from on high. My parents taught me about the bible when I was a child. Growing up I learned about a God who loves me. I learned that I could bring my problems to him. As I got older I saw my parents pray. Every morning they had worship. When there were major concerns they would pray about them. It gave them a peace and confidence.

I was so impressed with what I saw I wanted to have that experience for myself. As I went into the teenage years I really began searching for answers. I prayed and studied the bible. I started having experiences like my parents.

I wanted to do my own thing and the ideals of my parents seemed restrictive. This collided with my desire to know more about God and follow Him. And then my choices would leave me needing rescue and time and time again I would pray and see things work out.

I’ve also seen people use Jesus however they want to. I’ve seen popular celebrities claim Jesus and then promote lifestyles that don’t align with what He taught. I’ve seen religious leaders use religion to control others.

So I want to invite you to read the bible for yourself and pray and ask God to reveal himself to you. And if you are comfortable doing so please share stories of how you come to know Jesus in the comments.

Today, I come to Jesus for healing, love, and power.

Please subscribe and join us on this journey of healing! Thanks so much for stopping by.

September 22, 2019

Go To The Park

Day 9: Go To The Park

One of the best places to find healing is in nature. In a recent online post the University of Minnesota points out that time spent in nature reduces stress, speeds up the time of healing, and promotes a feeling of connectedness.

I have personally found great benefit spending time walking, taking pictures, or just relaxing in the park. Both of my children enjoy spending time on the slides and swings. I think park life is totally underrated.

I recently enjoyed spending time at Wheaton Regional Park, here in Maryland, USA. In this park there are so many things to enjoy. My mother was married at this park in the botanical gardens area. There are plenty of trails to walk on, a train, a merry go round and plenty of picnic areas. If you come you may want to enjoy a snack or get something to drink from Miss Mercado’s Ice Cream Truck. She has been a regular fixture there for more than 10 years and offers a welcoming smile and a broad selection if treats.

A pastor once said that God’s first book is nature. With the recent reporting of the damage of spending too much time in front of a screen and with the rising epidemic of obesity it would seem to be a wise choice to set aside time daily to spend outdoors in nature. Here are some pictures from my photowalk at the park yesterday.

park life (1 of 1)-4 park life (1 of 1)-3 park life (1 of 1)-5

Today, I will spend some time outdoors in God’s first book, nature.

If you are near Wheaton, Maryland you may want to check out the Montgomery County Friendship Picnic today from Noon-5pm.

September 21, 2019

The Gift Of Tears

kat-j-NPmR0RblyhQ-unsplash — Photo by Kat J on Unsplash

Day 8: The Gift Of Tears

“Jesus Wept”

John 11:35

One of the best gifts you can give is to open up your heart to feel deeply someone else’s pain.

I remember well one of the last times I met with my dear friend Kishore. We got together to share some Korean food for lunch in Northern Virginia. As we sat at the table and talked I shared about some of the painful struggles I was going through. One of the best things about sharing with a brother who I have known for 40 years was the fact that he could see everything through a different lense than most. He could tell that I wasn’t the same person I used to be.

He could see that I had lost some confidence. My faith had dimmed. The outgoing and energetic fellow worship leader he once knew had become very introspective and isolated. And he was moved by what he saw.

That day he gave me one of the best gifts I have ever received. He cried because of what I was going through. I don’t remember seeing him cry before or since. Perhaps it was because he saw himself in my pain. Maybe it was because he missed the person I used to be. Or maybe it was that Jesus in his heart that moved him with compassion.

When I am stuck and reluctant to take the steps necessary to improve my life I reflect on his tears. I know that God made me to give Him glory with my life. And I know there’s still work for me to do for Him.

When we’ve been hurt the last thing we want to do is open up our heart again. But to heal and to grow we must.

Today, I choose to open up my heart again and let the healing love come in. I choose to watch for opportunities to empathetically listen to others hurts and in so doing help them and I heal and give God greater glory.