The Passion…

Today is the day after Easter.  An entire belief system was founded based on the faith of believers in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The believers celebrated His Resurrection yesterday and many arose early in the morning to honor the Living God that they serve.  Whether you believe or not, it is amazing to witness the faith of those who do, and to observe how over centuries, the story is still recounted every year with the same zeal as if it happened yesterday.

Easter concludes the Lenten season, and the week before Resurrection Sunday (as some call it) is often called Passion Week. This use of the word “passion” is a little misleading given that the common use of the word involves romantic love or zest.  When we think of “passion”, we generally don’t think about pain – which is what Jesus’ last few days on this earth was filled with.  So why is it that we describe Jesus’ last week on earth as a human being, the week between Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday, Passion Week?

In etymological terms the Latin root of the word “passio” or “pati” means “suffering”.  However in practical terms, think of it this way.  You are generally willing to suffer for whatever you are passionate about.  Think about it.  What have you been willing to suffer for?  Who have you been willing to suffer for?  Those things and those people are your passions.  They are what/who you are passionate about, and what you would do almost anything for.

If you have never suffered – whether it be late night with books or a person, an job or workplace hardship, intense physical training, hospital visits, money invested, long conversations, hours of communication or strict discipline – you have not found your passion.  What and who are you willing to suffer for?


http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110418/wl_uk_afp/britainreligionchristianseaster

Last Words

As you let go of your past, hold on to one thing – the last word that God sent to you.  The last instruction that God gave you is the only thing to hold onto when you move forward.  That word, promise or instruction is your lifeline to your future.  The vision you are working towards is predicated on your ability to continue on the path that God gave to you.

God is changeless and He is always speaking to us.  Are we listening?  What did he tell you last?  These words empower us to move forward and inspire us to continue towards the mark.  Did He tell you to stay? to go? to take a risk? to play it safe? to reach out? to observe silently? to prepare? to seed?

Do what God told you to do and see what He has in store for you.  Don’t delay!  The sooner you move forward holding on to the promise, the closer you move towards your vision and the blessing waiting for you.  What were God’s last words to you?

Let’s Dance!

Since “Dancing with the Stars” some people have decided that dancing is the new thing to do.  If the “stars” can do it, then anyone can do it, right?  Dancing reduces stress, releases endorphins, burns calories, is great socialization and engages the mind.  Why aren’t you dancing already?  Scared?

Try something new like dancing.  It is debatable which dance or style is the best, but the physical, emotional and mental health benefits are results from all types of dancing.  Why not take a class and see what dance fits you and your personality?  Maybe it’s ballroom, line-dancing or salsa.  You’ll never know unless you try!

Stimulate your mind, meet new people, burn calories, release endorphins and live longer – Dance!

http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-amazing-benefits-of-salsa-dancing-421617.html

http://www.nbea.com/archives6.htm

Moving Forward

Where are you headed?  Equally as important, where are you looking? While learning from your past is very important, looking ahead is the only way you can see where you’re going.  How long will you mourn the loss, the disappointment, the setback or the detour that happened how long ago?  Are you moving forward?

To move forward, sometimes we must forget the past and move towards the future.  It is all too easy for us to carry around the woes of the past and stall our progress.  As long as we hold on to our worries, we will not move into the blessing that God has prepared for us.  What has the past done for you lately?  Are you ready to let it go?  

Open your eyes and see yourself in the future that you envisioned for yourself that God has prepared for you.  See yourself shedding the pounds you’ve been carrying around and moving forward lighter and stronger.  Look ahead and forget your past because you can’t carry it into your future.  Move forward!

Do you REALLY want it?

So you say you want it.  You say that that all you need to do is this or that.  You just need someone to help you get there in order to achieve it.  Do you really want it?  Have you persevered in excuses?

Have you ever heard people talk about doing something or going somewhere and they’ve been talking about it for a while?  They may say that “all they need is…”, and they’ve been needing it for five or ten years.  Have you asked them if they really want it?  If they say yes, then what are they willing to do to get it?

What is it that you really want?  What are you willing to do to get it? When you are serious about living the life that you say you want, you will do what it takes to go where you say you want to go.  There may be delays at various points, but that is part of the journey.  Live your life and don’t make excuses.  Don’t just want it, do it, and live it with your whole heart!