Fool

The Bible is pretty strong when it talks about that;  Matthew 5:22, "And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell."
When was the last time you were treated like one?  Your response reveals pride or wisdom.
When was the last time you felt like one? Your response reveals pride or wisdom.
When was the last time you called someone that?  Your response reveals pride or wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Fool seems like a very simple word but the connotations that it presents are damning for yourself and an outright curse to others.  Apparently God doesn't like that. 

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Grace

When you are void of grace, the world appears to be your own personal canvas, a place where you can change and manipulate anything and anyone without recompense.  Others emotions are simply an action of their own doing and not related to anything that you're doing. People appear 2 dimensional and if you wreck one then "its okay because they are not real anyway".  You basically have no feelings for others except what they can do for you only.

It's when we suddenly become aware of this, how we have been treating others and then our conscience is activated that we experience grace for the first time.

Romans 6:14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Grace grants us peace in the midst of turmoil, gives us patience when we see ourself reflected in others, and opens our eyes when the real truth finally breaks through the dichotomy we have been surviving in.

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Variables

Looking at a very deep spiritual life with Christ is a daunting endeavor and filled with variables.  You need to strip away anything that doesn't magnify the message that He gives you.  You need to remove all aspects of the world in order to increase the depth of the relationship that He so desires.  You need to understand that when He calls you that there can be no hesitation in your step, no pondering whether it is worth the risk.  When you speak, you must be in full adherence to the doctrine and teachings in the Bible.

Titus 2:1 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.

Avoiding that commission, teaching anything that is false, and trying to steer clear of a single truth is only a path that leads you away from that relationship with Christ. 

The hardest thing in the world is to say yes to a truth, something that will drag you through pain and hardship, but the reward is so much greater when you surrender to that truth, all the while walking away from those things that will trap you in the past. 

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Living in the Spirit

It's a hard thing to try and see if your own walk with the Lord is the way it should be.  It's hard to look at yourself when you're always looking away from yourself.  This requires some serious reflection time, a time when nothing else matters except your relationship with God.

God requires that time too, so that He can download what He needs you to hear, the places He needs you to go, and the next task He has for you.  We may be completely unaware of that download and will only realize that it happened when we are in that unusual place and something miraculous happens.  Something that we could have never orchestrated on our own.

1 Corinthians 2:13  This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

This is when we are speechless, when we see miraculous events taking place around us but have no control over it or input to make it happen.  That's called living in the spirit.

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Transparency

What is the fear about being transparent with people?  I've heard that it is a flaw of character when you reveal your weaknesses to people, I've heard that it is a private matter and shouldn't be revealed, and I've heard that it means that you can be taken advantage of.

Transparency reveals the truth about you, it shows that you can be trusted because. . . yes . . .you too have mistakes in your life.  We all have mountains of mistakes that we can spend the rest of our life covering up and losing ourself in those onion-skin wrappings, to other people it stinks and we spend money, effort, and self worth spraying it with pretend deodorants to try to make it smell pretty.

John 3:21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Just knowing that you don't have to carry all of those facades around with you for every situation, releases you to be a much happier relaxed person.

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Relief

Relief from our personal destructive behaviours only comes after we hit a wall and simply can't do this any longer.  The reasons behind the wall is God giving us the opportunity to stop and look at ourself and see just what we look like to others.  It's not a mean thing, it's just a glimpse of what we need to do next.

Galatians 5:17  For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

This is the reason we run into trouble when we are doing things and keeping God at a distance.  When we live like hell and want to do that, then God steps out of the way so we can enjoy ourself . . . .but . . . do we really enjoy the outcome?   If so, then why do we need relief to begin with?

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Trickery

Have you ever been forced into a tricky situation where you have no options but to do the evil plots presented to you?  It's either do it or face the consequences and the consequences are dire.  What would you do?  Would you give in under the pressure, would you try and negotiate a way out?  Would you run or fight back?

Those are not easy answers to some tough questions especially if you are trapped in a place where you will lose everything.  We can all say that we would stand up for ourself if it has never happened to us, but would we really?

These are the trials in life that can lead to compulsive and addictive behaviours.  These are the sticky situations that can just be enough to allow us to break down and fall into a bad habit.  Keeping your faith is the only thing you can do when nothing else seems like its going to work out.

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

This is the other alternative to falling into a substance abuse problem.

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Accuracy

Accuracy is one of the things that is so easily forgotten about or missed all together in the heat of a confrontation  and we sometimes blurt out misconceptions or even lies when we are put on the spot.  We some times encounter the well of resentment rising up in us when we feel the least bit slighted or challenged in the image of our self.  We can even get agitated and very aggressive when talking about religion!

If you feel that you are bested or corrected when ever you try to share the word of God and feel like giving up, then the only thing you can do is just keep doing it.  God loves our determination and cares much less about our mistakes.

Phil 1:18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Last time I looked in the Bible, I didn't read anything about Jesus condemning people for saying the wrong thing, but I have read about him encouraging everyone to just do it.  Besides if you're talking about Jesus then you're not really focusing on your problems.

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Responsibility

What is our responsibility as individuals in our neighborhood and greater community?  Why are we faced with so many challenges in life?  Why does life appear to be so difficult and unpredictable?

No easy answers to some serious questions.  But here's a thought, why not focus on other things rather than the negative things that seem to consume our thinking and energy?  In all actuality that's what we are supposed to do.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Why waste your time thinking and worrying about garbage most of which you can't do anything about anyway?  Focusing on junk like that can very easily drag you into compulsive and addictive behaviours.  So lets think about things that will help change one of those negatives and gradually others will join in with you...as long as you don't quit in the meantime.

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Memories

Every memorable event in our life is capable of building a beautiful picture book that we can feel good about as we peruse through our past, as long as the events were worthy of a pleasant memory.  But not all memories are pleasant, some are injurious enough to leave scars on your soul, some are so damaging to you that you wind up repeating those injuries on others.

Mark 7:6  "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me".

When you allow bad memories from the past to control your actions today, then Mark 7:6 applies to you.  Twisting the word of God can keep you frozen in a compulsive or addictive pattern that is very hard to break.  

Not reading and studying the Bible is an open ticket to absolutely anything you want, except God's saving Grace.  

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Calling

Most people these days are furthest from spiritual teaching and for the most part lack any real direction in their life.  Oh they know their career choices and retirement needs or their next meal, but spiritually they are dead.  They buy a wooden thing or hang a picture on the wall of an ideology and claim that is their belief system, but truly lack any depth or meaning.

Luke 10:42  "but few things are needed - or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.” 

 But 2 verses earlier Martha says, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Mary was absolutely taken by Jesus' teachings and couldn't get enough, whereas Martha was so overwhelmed with protocol that she couldn't stand taking the time to hear Jesus until the deeds were done.   Isn't that like us with our spiritual life most of the time, only talking to God when we are hurt or want something or when we have time? 

Mary realized the urgency in getting that teaching while she could and craved something better in life, while Martha was burdened with obligation and political correctness.

Let me ask this question; if Jesus came to your house only once, would you spend your time trying to please Him through service to Him, or please Him with your undivided adoration towards Him?  It's a difficult mix to find the balance between service and adoration.

Basically, are you the prize or is He?

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Young Adult

When I was young; I knew everything, my ideas were all original in my mind, my actions were necessary, and I was the most just person I knew back then.   Nobody could tell me I was making a mistake because I wasn't. . . . at the time!!  It's funny how the older you get and the more kicks you take in life, the more you realize that wisdom is just a collection of hurt feelings, black eyes, cuts and bruises.  

Ecclesiastes 11:9,  "You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.  Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment."

Every questionable action, frivolous thought and comment, are all necessary in order to be judged for our actions.  So why would we purposefully do that, when we know full well that we will be in trouble later for it?  Because we don't have enough emotional damage in order to think clearly about things.  Our carnal desires have NO consequences . . . right now, but they will and its going to hurt!!  

Best to clear the air right now by confessing your sins so the damage will be less later.  It's time to think ahead.

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Hidden

It's very easy to hide objects, the truth, or even our self when we need to. We can do it out of greed, envy, hatred, pride, or even fear.  When, where, how, and what, are less important as who.  But the most important reason is why!  Why defines who you are as a person, which labels you as the type of friend you are, if you are a confidant or bully, trustworthy or a schemer, liar or depressed person, excessively happy, or uncontrollably selfish.   One day everything will be revealed.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

The truth is, hiding is only a band-aid approach to a false sense of security.  One that will fade away as quickly as does any "fix" associated with an addiction.  Yes hiding is an addiction, but being alone is not hiding unless you are trying to avoid something: being caught with legalities, victimized, exposed, hurt emotionally, or taken advantage of is the short list of why people use the tactic of hiding themselves and things. 

One thing for sure: whatever you hide right now will be exposed when Jesus comes back, so confessing your sins now is the only answer!!  JUST DO IT.

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Instruction

Following instructions should be a way in life as long as the directives are in the best interests of everyone concerned.  However when those requests lack substance or virtue then problems arise.  People fall victim to teachings and doctrines that do not have their best interests at heart, but more over only acknowledge their shortcomings and actually promote them as a completely acceptable way of life.  We are then told, "as long as it doesn't hurt anyone then its okay".  The Bible warns us that we are treading on thin ice when we fall for that.

Proverbs 13:13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

The things the Bible tells us about life are focused around the truth and are all based on whether its  legal, moral, and ethical.  If you notice, the world's interpretation always leaves out moral and ethical, because without out those 2 directives then absolutely anything is legal to do.

If all we do is just accept what somebody tells is okay to do then we are blinding our self to the truth. Because that's really all the Bible does; is tell the truth.

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Projection

We all have a past that can haunt us if we let it, but there's another side to this where we can become so over confident because we think we know it all because of what we went through to the point of projecting our biased opinions on others.  This can happen with a traumatic event, our job, raising a family, or anything we become very proficient at.

Projection is the belief that because of what we experienced, then we are the ruling authority.  This may be true but we can unknowingly project all those beliefs on others, even when it doesn't fit the situation surrounding that person.

Hebrews 10:22   let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

This is how False Profits start, but the bigger concern is that we are still sinning by judging others through our own hurts.  All this means is that we haven't let go of our past and haven't accepted the forgiveness that God has granted us.

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Appreciate

Here's a topic that we never really learn the answer to until we are in a place where we have to.  That usually follows right after a separation or ending of something or someone in our life.  But before we can appreciate it we have to miss it, and before that we have to take advantage of it, or some sort of  continuous disrespect.  It's kinda funny when you think about it, when we expect something then we really don't respect it, and when we assume we can control it then it fly's away.

The problem is, we let our emotions get in the way, we haven't completely forgotten about our past as Jesus said we should, and our pride overshadows all of the teachings we have received.

Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

When we model Christ then petty differences, judgmental moments, and condescending spirits do not block our vision when it comes to appreciating others for who they are.

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Sorrow

If you think about it, sorrow is really only in our mind.  Other people have sorrowful situations that don't really affect us, particularly if we aren't aware of them or their problems.  The only time other peoples sorrow effects us is when we are personally connected to them in some fashion.   We are sorrowful when things don't work out the way we planned which is regret, as well, we hurt when people we love are hurt which is sorrow!  Regret is internal and sorrow should be external!

A two edged sword is sorrow!  The worlds interpretation with no God in it is sooo focused on self that sorrow can overtake us if we are ignorant to its effects.  Our sorrow can be from things we have done or we let others do to us.  The only way we can keep sorrow from consuming us is to face it head on and put it in perspective.  The Bible is clear on how to do that.

2 Corinthians 7:10  "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."

That makes it pretty clear!  Empathy for others aside, personal sorrow is a weakness in our thinking and regret means we are aware of it.

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Conduct

Poor conduct is lying, stealing, revenge, infidelity, dishonesty, neglect, gossip, sloth, injustice, self hatred, and many more!  By incorporating these in your daily thought life & activities, you are worsening your final state.  Addictive & compulsive behaviours live in that group of traits.  The more of these you do, the less good you will be inspired to perform, and the less people want to be around you.

Psalm 112:5  Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.

Living a life free of the above behaviours gives you more time to focus positively on the individuals in your life.  It gives you more rest, peace of mind, energy, and over all happiness.  People don't mind being around you because you make them feel good about themselves.

Chemically speaking, if you put acid into acid, it only becomes more acidic and damaging, and much harder to get rid of!

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Stubborn

You can try and deny it, but addictive & compulsive behaviours are a part of everyone's life.  They are not restricted to drugs and alcohol, and can be as heinous as anything you can imagine.  Or as miniscule as doing nasty little things behind someone's back to try and get even.

From God's perspective, one act is no worse than the other, but rather is the motivation in someone's heart that is the deciding factor.  By this perspective; spitting in someone's coffee is no worse than physically putting them in hospital.  Anything you have in your heart to harm someone is an "Addictive & Compulsive" behaviour.  That's what we'll be judged on; "not the physical act, but the intent to do wrong". 

Psalm 81:12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

The Bible says that the only way to stop this addictive & compulsive behaviour is to forgive and then you'll forget.  Lets be addicted to forgiveness instead.

Simply put, the behaviour remains because you refuse to stop trying to get even with others.

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected

Rebellion

Causes us to be taken captive by the negative things we let into our life.  Why do we keep having problems in our life over and over again?  Without God, we have to willfully not do the crazy things we do and constantly fall back into it.  With God's help we give it away and He takes it from us...buuttt... occasionally we choose to go back to the filth we left.  We are supposed to live guilt free once He takes our sinful behaviours away.

Ezekiel 21:24   “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because you people have brought to mind your guilt by your open rebellion, revealing your sins in all that you do—because you have done this, you will be taken captive.

Captive by our habits and others who are stronger in their sins than we are in our resistance of it.  That's why we need God in our life. 

Think about how small our stupid habit would look to God who created the world!

Why not start some new good clean habits today?

Do you have a question about your life, or a story to share? Email us at helpingmeheal@live.ca.

Confidentiality will be respected