tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47876567588492322392024-02-19T01:08:34.107-08:00Emma JoyEmma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.comBlogger451125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-55553728264892086742019-10-21T14:54:00.000-07:002019-10-21T14:54:41.721-07:00Get off the Internet (Except for Study)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">As recently posted in the Emma Joy Weekly Newsletter</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Living with Intention</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Hello, everyone!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today I'd like to address why spending time on the Internet apart from study, reading, and self-improvement is never worth it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Social media is a horrid thing because it gives every person a voice. Anyone with access to the Internet can share their views, influence the masses, and be influenced by poisonous and toxic ideas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is despicable the vanity, filth, debauchery, and cesspool of lies and stupidity the Internet contains.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I often discuss with my family the importance of daily attending to one's legacy, getting one's life together, serving others, regular exercise, learning new skills, languages, and trades, and how necessary it is for all people to redeem the time. The Internet doesn't allow for these things, unless of course you perfectly curate who you follow and the voices you allow to speak into your life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Internet is a vast space in which the majority brag, compare, distort, make fools of themselves, or throw their God-given hours down the drain. It is a black hole that sucks you in and unless you are careful, will leave you feeling less than, drained, angry, or jealous.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is such joy in self-improvement, learning, maturing, repenting, pursuing wisdom, and being an individual instead of a statistic. And unless you are extremely careful with your Internet use, these grand pursuits and accomplishments just won't be true of you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'd highly exhort you to examine how much time you spend on the Internet, what exactly you use it for, and its influence in your life. How is it impacting your character? How is its use taking away from your roles and responsibilities? How is it influencing your worldview? Does it make God more or less relevant to you? Does it offer you purpose or take away from living a significant life?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Besides giving you the opportunity to keep up with the (highly edited and filtered) lives of others, why do you use social media? Besides endless entertainment, why do you use the Internet?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How refreshing would it be if you decided to make a drastic change in how you spend your time and actually deactivate all your social media accounts, stop associating with people from the past (who left your life for a reason before Facebook made you believe it would be a good idea to become "friends" again), and to call or spend time in person with those who truly bless and better your life?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm not just anti-Internet (apart from the wealth of valuable resources to study), I'm anti-television. Why? Because they both affect your soul. And unless you are extremely careful, you will find that God becomes an afterthought and living for the empty, fleeting, foolish pursuits this temporary world has to offer will ensnare you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Please consider these things and really ponder their effect in your life (spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, relationally). Make changes as necessary. <b>You won't regret it!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-73379399167149694552019-10-07T14:51:00.000-07:002019-10-07T14:51:14.310-07:00Why Complaining Accomplishes Nothing But Bad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>As recently posted in the Emma Joy Weekly Newsletter</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You Gain Nothing from Complaining</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Hey, everyone.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today I'd like to talk about the effects of a heart prone to complaint and why this is never in your best interest no matter your life's circumstances.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whether you realize it or not, complaining leads to a discontented heart and blinds us to the very real luxuries we get to enjoy on an ongoing basis. It takes our minds off of the good and makes us zero in on what we cannot change or cannot control. It is a calamitous habit. Complaining gives us something to do but the results can be disastrous. Complaining serves to convince us that others have it better and causes us to think that life could not get worse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Complaining distorts reality. It leaves us feeling dissatisfied, angry, and in a bad mood. It does not change anything. It is a pointless practice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Complaining causes us to turn away from God instead of toward Him. It disrupts the harmony in all of our relationships. It disturbs our peace of mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The way of the wise is to consider your steps, examine how you have contributed to your problems, and ask God what He is trying to teach you through what you're experiencing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The way of the foolish is to shut down, mock God, snap at the people around you, and give the devil an opportunity to remind you of everything that has ever gone wrong throughout the years. So now you aren't just in the frame of mind to complain about what is happening today, but you begin to recall every single time you have suffered in the past. And like lust, it is never satisfied. It will demand more and more until you're consumed and completely give up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I challenge you to train yourself in the following exercise until you perfect it: Every time you go to complain, list three positives instead. Every time you want to engage in complaining, list ten things you have to enjoy. Every time you are tempted to complain, praise God instead. Every time you want to complain, remember that tragedies happen every day and you ought to be grateful for every hour you aren't experiencing loss or pain. And when you do experience loss or pain, personal or global tragedy, put your full faith in God and cling to Him. Quote Scripture. Remind yourself that there will be no pain or suffering or loss or brokenness in heaven. Remember the pain and suffering Jesus suffered on your behalf because your soul was that precious to Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every time you want to complain, remember God's beautiful creation. Remember all the times you've made good decisions that led to healthy outcomes. Remember that every person struggles and some, to be sure, would gladly trade their losses and crosses for yours. Remember that the past can be redeemed. Remember that Jesus can give you a new heart and a bright, hope-filled future. Remember that we live in 2019 where all manner of inventions and technology make our lives run smoother in myriad ways. Remember who is still alive in your life that you care about and then send them a text, give them a hug, and call them letting them know you're grateful for every day you have together. Remember all the health problems you don't have. Remember all the times the Lord has made a way out of a bad situation. Remember that you have electricity, the ability to shower often, working toilets, books to read, jokes to tell, people to pray for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remember that every moment spent complaining is a moment that can never be regained.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remember that complaining dishonors the Lord and is a terrible example to the people around you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remember that gratitude mends and complaining breaks. It hurts us. It affects our physical and mental health. <i>It doesn't even make us feel better.</i> <b>Why hold on to something that leaves us feeling worse off?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>"Happiness comes when we stop complaining about the troubles we have and say thanks to God for the troubles we don't have."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And keep in mind that healthy choices lead to healthy outcomes, healthy perspectives lead to increased tranquility, and deciding with your will to trust in God no matter what life throws your way is always in your best interest. It is these choices that will actually benefit you. It is these choices that will better your time on this earth. Unlike complaining that leaves you feeling hopeless, helpless, and disillusioned (often exaggerating the bad and diminishing the good).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Will there always be reasons to complain? To be sure. Will there always be reasons to be grateful? Most certainly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I stated in my previous newsletter, <i>perspective is everything.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-18624248899808823632019-09-23T17:15:00.000-07:002019-09-23T17:15:41.676-07:00How a Wrong Perspective Can Bring Us to Ruin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>As recently posted in the Emma Joy Weekly Newsletter</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Outlook Determines Outcome</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Hello, everybody.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today's subject has the potential of totally changing your life around (for better or worse). It also holds within it the power to destroy your well-being, increase envy, and hurt your view of God and other people OR to make you one of the most thankful, vivacious, and healthy people out there. <i>It's the topic of perspective.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have found that assumption is a common problem in the lives of people. It really is a thief. We assume life will go our way...or assume it will turn out terrible despite our best efforts. We assume others have it better than us...or assume no one compares themselves to us and our circumstances. We assume we have life all figured out...or assume life's purpose and meaning cannot be known. We assume our finances and health will always be in turmoil...or assume a different trial would serve best in molding us for the better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Perspective is powerful because it plants seeds of doubt or it increases our overall well-being. It allows us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep or it causes our jealousy to rage and makes us turn a blind eye and deaf ear to the afflictions of others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It can be the difference between suicide and staying alive, between working on problems in a relationship or leaving all change up to the other person.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It can bring us perpetual gladness despite circumstance or can overwhelm us to the degree we turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to numb our reality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It can stir up hatred in our hearts toward those who have wronged us or can cause us to weep on their behalf and diligently pray for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You see, perspective is the way we view the many facets of life. A healthy perspective must be cultivated. It most certainly does not come naturally to any of us. It's like trust in God--it is built as we exercise it and choose to think biblically instead of going by our feelings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Perspective is shaped through many means. It can take a drastic change for the worse depending on what we fill our minds with (social media, the news, depressing lyrics in songs, comparison, negativity, pessimistic people) or can take great leaps toward the better through monitoring our self-talk and filtering our thoughts, words, and actions through the word of God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our choices affect our perspective because every decision has a certain consequence and when we choose rightly, good results. But when we choose wrongly, we suffer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'd encourage you to humble yourself before God and plead with Him to give you the right perspective in all things, build in you gratitude and contentment, and make it clear to you what you must start doing and stop doing to become a healthier person. I'm sure you can tell by my writings that I am a serious advocate for working on every one of our issues and surrendering all to Jesus--our past, present, future, all of our relationships, our hurts, our traumas, our insecurities, our fears, our worries, our concerns, our desires, and our shortcomings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Lord truly is able to refine us and make us whole. And part of being healthy and whole is choosing to make choices and think thoughts that add to our quality of life instead of taking away from it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The very fact that you are still living and likely have food, shelter, and clean water puts you above many people around the world. You might not have everything you want currently, but that may happen in time. Be patient and rest in God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>"The things you take for granted other people are praying for."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-64479725724240159532019-09-09T10:33:00.000-07:002019-09-09T10:33:25.231-07:00Why We Shouldn't Care What Others Think of Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>As recently posted in the Emma Joy Weekly Newsletter</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Opinions Are Not Facts</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Hey, everyone.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm glad to be addressing today's topic. It is something that stole my joy and increased my insecurities for too many years of my life. I am referring to the opinions of others regarding us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">People often form set opinions about us without knowing us well at all. They assess everything from our attire, to our walk, to how we decorate our homes, to the music we enjoy. It's never-ending. What's funny though is that they don't know much at all of what has made us who we are. They don't know the life experiences or friendships that have helped shape who we are and what we like. They don't give us room to be our own person with interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes all our own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">People may want to shape us into their image and sometimes succeed through their incessant (and unnecessary) comments or gossip. Sometimes we cave...or worse yet, sometimes we begin to hide who we really are and get so caught up in our own world that we start to shun good people from having the opportunity of getting to know us for who we are. We wrongly assume that every person we meet is judgmental, cruel, rude, and mean. We believe that no one will like us if they got to know the real us, so we begin to wear a mask and keep the conversation shallow despite who we're around since we fear <i>mere opinion</i>. And this is a shame and disgrace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How many people have deep insecurities that stem back to a few words a family member, teacher, or passerby said in haste because they were in a bad mood or thought they knew how our lives should go? How many times have other people made us think that their opinion of us is what everyone thinks of us? My sister was a cruel and hurtful presence in my life for years. Her careless comments or meanness really scarred me deeply. And sadly the result has been one of separation in our relationship because I refuse to converse with someone who is belittling by her very manner and has a way of leaving me feeling undesirable and like I won't ever amount to anything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I used to think how she viewed me was how everyone viewed me, and let me tell you, it messed me up! I always felt less than around her because that is the air she put across around my family and me. But God has since helped me to work through the effects of her presence over a lifetime and brought along many people who appreciate my uniqueness instead of shunning me as "weird" or "random". Ever since I learned how to set boundaries, surround myself with healthy people, and sought to make a difference in this broken world, I have learned that one person's opinion cannot dictate how I live my life or how I view myself or my future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I share this to encourage and comfort each one of you who have bought the lie that the opinions of others are fact or their thoughts regarding you are gospel truth. <i>They are not.</i> <b>Their opinion is their own.</b> And I can guarantee there is a world of hurt and unresolved issues behind every mean word, careless neglect, or gossip which is based on warped perception and a skewed lens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are all the result of our upbringing, our life experiences, and the people we've encountered since our earliest days. Please don't allow the opinions or words of others to convince you that they know what is best for you or how your life should go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We should regard the endless criticisms of others as pride and clueless chatter. <b>Just like you are not what has happened to you in life, neither are you what others have said to or about you.</b> Only you and God truly know all the details. And only the opinion of God truly matters. How unfortunate we don't keep this truth at the forefront of our minds!</span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-14997375754383295852019-08-26T15:45:00.000-07:002019-08-26T15:45:39.960-07:00How Our Choices Affect Others<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFr2nZyvdAZomtbCU5Ty1VuRJBZ3UhHtI_-c39bXGtMeK0l3WRp_YkaZVJ4nuNld7u_oE7Z8M-xzDCDbR_hc12ADI7EIiqxtpGYKPKTdyC9r-8Jokqd_pnxbGSwCVSWQX3e3VJ-a11gU/s1600/How+much.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="451" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFr2nZyvdAZomtbCU5Ty1VuRJBZ3UhHtI_-c39bXGtMeK0l3WRp_YkaZVJ4nuNld7u_oE7Z8M-xzDCDbR_hc12ADI7EIiqxtpGYKPKTdyC9r-8Jokqd_pnxbGSwCVSWQX3e3VJ-a11gU/s320/How+much.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>As recently posted in the Emma Joy Weekly Newsletter</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What Your Decisions Have to Do with Others</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Hey, everyone.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today I am hoping to bring awareness to a subject many people might think flippantly about (if the majority ponder it at all). It's the subject of our choices and the ways they affect other people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Living in close proximity to others means they are invariably affected by the choices we make. We are always influencing, whether we realize it or not and whether we care or not. And the quality of others' lives suffers or improves based upon our interactions and involvement with them and if that correspondence and influence is healthy and uplifting or destructive and careless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If anyone depends on you, your daily health choices, financial choices, integrity choices, and honesty choices will impact his or her life in more ways than you can imagine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A girl I have mentored lost her dad when she was fifteen due to his reckless lifestyle and drug use.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My father and his five siblings grew up without a dad present in the home (or involved in their lives) because he abandoned his role as husband and father and left the family for an adulterous relationship then moved to another state. My dad has cried to me and explained how deeply this wounded and affected him for decades--all due to one man's selfishness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My mother's dad has refused to serve God with his life for eighty plus years and I am certain our family tree for generations would look entirely different if only he had sought the Lord diligently and lived for something beyond himself beginning from a young age.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm sure we could all tell stories of the people throughout our lives that have left a bitter memory in our minds or a blessed one. And I'm sure every one of us is remembered a certain way by the people we've known over the years. Whether that is a positive memory or a negative one entirely depends on the way we spoke to and acted toward them and toward others in their presence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Legacy is a weighty topic. It's an unfortunate fact that selfishness, pride, resentment, bitterness, and lust reign in the lives of countless people. To the wise person who recognizes and can readily admit fault and take active steps to remedy what is wrong: you will make a positive imprint on the lives of anyone observing you and by your choices will influence him or her to follow in your footsteps. But to the unwise person who continually blameshifts and makes excuses for his or her behavior and words: people will learn also--and the results won't be pretty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every choice we make is leading us down one of two trails: wholeness or destruction. <i>Every choice.</i> And more choices than we might realize will inevitably impact those around us in ways that could take years and hours and hours of therapy to undo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold." Proverbs 22:1</span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-39872899448096978802019-08-12T15:54:00.000-07:002019-08-12T15:54:51.128-07:00Why the Past Shouldn't Define You<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>As recently posted in the Emma Joy Weekly Newsletter</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Beauty from Ashes</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Hello, everyone.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today I would like to address something that commonly trips many people up: the choices they have made in the past.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'd like to start out with saying that every single person you meet has made choices you know nothing about, has dealt with losses and crosses you aren't aware of, and has gone through circumstances that have shaped their character for better or worse depending on how they handled them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I experienced self-hatred and gnawing guilt for several years of my life. I saw myself through the lens of what I had done or what had been done to me instead of resting in the Lord's forgiveness and seeking His restoration earnestly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Too often people believe that the choices they have made or choices others have made regarding them means they are that choice. But just because you have experienced something or done something less than noble does not mean those things have the final say over how your life will turn out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are always underlying reasons for what we do (or what others have done to us). When we actively pursue healing from our experiences, we gain a vocabulary for our wounds and begin the process of being transformed and set free. When we work through our issues we start to see that the wounds others have inflicted upon us are the result of their own brokenness and unresolved traumas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Unless you understand that a child's mind and heart must be cultivated from a young age in order for them to be a healthy adult and productive citizen of society, you will always be at a loss when it comes to explaining your brokenness or that of other people. <i>We don't know what we've never been taught. And what's been modeled to us impacts us.</i> If we grew up in an unhealthy environment, we will be the byproduct of that environment and will live out our brokenness until God or the natural consequences of our decisions intervene and cause us to think twice about changes that need to be made.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Please understand that the Lord offers forgiveness to all who accept Jesus' sacrifice on their behalf. We can apply its healing balm to our past, present, and future. We can choose from this day forward to believe that God's word is true despite how we feel and in its pages we can find life, wholeness, direction, and conviction. Not one person is entirely pleased with the choices they have made and not one person has gone through life without other people inflicting serious wounds upon them through their words, actions, assumptions, or gossip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are all broken (even if that brokenness varies in intensity and manifests itself in very different ways).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I told my mom last night that I have come to believe life as an adult is simply working through all the junk that has taken place in the first half of your life and learning how to undo patterns, thoughts, and beliefs that crushed us during our formative years. Life is not a game. Anything worthwhile must be worked for and kept at until we gain the prize. We can be transformed. We can change and become entirely new people. <b>I have and will continue to.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You are still alive. With every hour we have breath in our lungs, there is hope for a better future. We can begin making choices that will pave the way for a bright future and we can stop making choices that will steal opportunities and richness down the line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As one song says, "You are more than the choices that you've made, you are more than the sum of your past mistakes, you are more than the problems you create, you've been remade."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What joyous and incredible news! Through Christ and through taking initiative to mend our brokenness and overcome our issues one by one, we can truly be made new.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I hope this encourages you today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-15178460335759379422019-07-29T11:10:00.000-07:002019-07-29T11:10:09.635-07:00Every Choice We Make Determines Our Quality of Life<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWHLyFTA-nakCtUzJIqFnknLhVIhXfLXZnQE3Yu0bWN1sjQQVHSEWvVk6LYlzhw6x0KUtZL8Y8lMHec_2DwBSStxW-WdImMNddQaLYc3s08ISydFbeziZMEXZKn0kWm-VXv-SMHFitzI/s1600/Totally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWHLyFTA-nakCtUzJIqFnknLhVIhXfLXZnQE3Yu0bWN1sjQQVHSEWvVk6LYlzhw6x0KUtZL8Y8lMHec_2DwBSStxW-WdImMNddQaLYc3s08ISydFbeziZMEXZKn0kWm-VXv-SMHFitzI/s320/Totally.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>As recently posted in the Emma Joy Weekly Newsletter</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Life Can Get Better Overnight</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Hey, everyone!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At the start of this new week, it's a possibility you need to be reminded that in many ways, the quality of our lives is completely contingent upon the innumerous choices we make on a daily basis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I don't think it'd be wrong to suppose that 90% of people let life happen to them and are not proactive, accountable, or intentional with respect to building a better life for themselves. It could be that they don't know how or they are lazy. It could be they have been living a certain way for so long that they cannot even imagine having more order in their lives. It could be that they feel other people in their lives are the main reason their own quality of life suffers. Or maybe they don't want to make changes because they know that inevitably means they themselves will have to change and the thought seems daunting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are simple yet effective practices you can put into place to gain at least a little more control of your life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Here are a few suggestions:</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A set bedtime</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Make your bed every morning</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Set up automatic pay for every bill and automatic savings to a separate account from every paycheck you receive</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Build an emergency fund (if you don't make a lot of money, just put five dollars per week away because it will add up)! Life is unexpected</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Take every thought captive (despite your feelings or how bleak a situation looks)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Memorize Scripture and quote it to yourself daily</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Keep a food journal of everything you eat and drink daily (this will detail where you overspend, if you overeat, and whether you are increasing or decreasing your overall health with every bite)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Keep a time journal of where your time goes each day (having a written record will encourage change where needed)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Keep the temperature in your home and car comfortable at all times</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Daily read one paragraph or one chapter in a book (imagine the growth after one year, let alone a lifetime of reading!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">List ten reasons you are grateful every morning, afternoon, and night (better yet, keep a running list in a notebook so you can refer back to it during times of difficulty and discouragement)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Do a thought download when feeling any sort of negative emotion (take a ten minute break from what you're doing and write out every thought in a notebook. This will get the chaos out of your head and onto paper so you can think more clearly. By doing this daily or whenever needed, you can plan an hour each week to go through your written thoughts, notice common themes that keep recurring in your mind, identify what weighs heavily on you, then be in a place where you can know exactly what needs to be addressed). <i>Imagine life without this exercise! Swirling thoughts in your head breed nothing but stress and chaos.</i> It's like the concept of throwing up when you're sick with the flu. It won't necessarily cure you of the illness, but getting it out surely makes you feel better!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Set timers for your social media and entertainment usage so you can track how much time you give to both daily and also set limits so you have time for other tasks you currently can't find the time for</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>"Success comes with consistency."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's all about doing more of what feeds your soul and improves your life and stopping altogether what adds to your problems or keeps you from maturing and enjoying your God-given days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is no shame in asking for help and learning from others who may be further on than you in certain regards. If you'd like advice tailored to your specific situation, I'd be glad to help. You can write to me at emmajoyblog@gmail.com</span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-61084772807108526762019-07-15T14:17:00.000-07:002019-07-15T14:17:45.188-07:00A Major Reason We Stay Stuck in Addiction<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilR1ZSBBNhfelqUA1NN4fHfJ1Zm4BYKmaOX19Huj6Deb9M5f1tE5kUzGVCJ2sFzm5irxhn71Og4bwTiUT5KXCeaZ2ok8yd3cB1UTFu9EDPnKOC4iydKmyNaGK2zth_4JdL_k_PmXZ8pgE/s1600/In+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilR1ZSBBNhfelqUA1NN4fHfJ1Zm4BYKmaOX19Huj6Deb9M5f1tE5kUzGVCJ2sFzm5irxhn71Og4bwTiUT5KXCeaZ2ok8yd3cB1UTFu9EDPnKOC4iydKmyNaGK2zth_4JdL_k_PmXZ8pgE/s320/In+God.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>As recently posted in the Emma Joy Weekly Newsletter</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A Key Ingredient in Overcoming Our Strongholds</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Hello, everyone!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I really regret not utilizing writing over the last few years as often as I once did. It has served as a constructive outlet for me and it's really unfortunate that I wasn't consistent. There were reasons to be sure, but I am wanting to write more often from now on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today I'd like to address what often goes missing in our pursuit of freedom from the sins that bind us: <i>making Jesus your first love, your highest priority, and your most treasured relationship.</i> I'm sure I have addressed the need for keeping Christ front and center in our lives in previous newsletters or blog posts, but this truth hit me hard recently when I pondered why I am choosing to not live [a promiscuous] lifestyle or indulge in porn consumption whenever I get the urge for it (and there are plenty of times when I want to fully plummet myself in the depths of such depravity).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I realized that it is because I have been prioritizing the Lord above all other commitments and daily studying resources that enable spiritual growth and gaining insight and understanding over my sexual struggles which has opened my eyes to the deep wounds I carry and has equipped me to truly heal. And thus, my love for Him has grown and my desire to live for myself has decreased dramatically. <b>It is only through intimacy with Christ that we begin to have the right perspective over everything.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I told my mom on a drive the other day that it is only when we treat the Lord with the respect and commitment He is worthy of that we begin to shun our idols and rest in His embrace. It is only when we seek the Lord fully and daily read much of His word (and apply it) that we experience the richness of intimacy with our Creator and understand more fully the depths of our poor choices and how they continuously and always pull us away from Him. It is only when we understand that life apart from a true commitment to the Lord will always end in regret and pain that we begin to search for Him who is able to keep us from the endless pitfalls our broken world has to offer.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We must see Christ through the lens of Scripture and surround ourselves with people who know Him well, people who are lifelong learners, people who diligently read edifying resources, and people who are working on becoming healthy, repentant, and growing in wisdom daily.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We must be willing to say no to the myriad of time-wasters vying for our attention and instead make seeking and serving the Lord our first priority.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We must be willing to grow up, mature, and spend our lives for the glory of God and the good of others if we ever wish to be pleased with how we've spent our brief years on this earth when we reach the end of our journey here.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We must spend time daily in praising God for His many attributes and in prayer asking Him to let everything in this world fall away in comparison to our relationship with Him.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We must honor the Lord as our authority by allowing Him to have first place in our decision-making.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Of course recovery from years of addiction or uprooting wrong ways of thinking or bad habits is the result of many steps, but unless we truly see God for who He is and treasure our walk with Him and guard it jealously from anything that would seek to uproot or diminish it, we simply will not remain repentant--especially long-term. We simply will not experience the growth and healing we desperately need and crave without Jesus being our first love and our most treasured relationship.</span></span><br />
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So when you are tempted, remember who Jesus is. When you want to let off all restraint and go wild with your sins of choice, remember Jesus. Remember His sacrifice on your behalf. Remember His pure love that wants only what is best for you. Remember His power, His goodness, and His mercy. Remember that He knows you intimately and is the only One who you can guarantee will never abandon or cruelly hurt or reject you. He is most worthy. He is most precious. He is trustworthy.</span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-58102464153298645042019-05-23T07:17:00.001-07:002019-05-23T07:17:26.277-07:00The Worst Counsel for Breaking a Porn Addiction<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Originally posted on <a href="http://covenanteyes.com/">CovenantEyes.com</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Is the love of pleasure and amusement growing on you—gaining the power and authority over you? Is it dulling the keenness of your zest for spiritual pleasures? Is it making Bible study, prayer, communion with Christ, and meditation upon holy themes—less sweet enjoyments than they once were? Is it making your hunger for righteousness, and for God—less intense? If so, there is only one thing to do—hurry…to return to God…to find in Christ, the joy which the world cannot give.” –J. R. Miller</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Worst Advice for Breaking Addiction: “Just Stop!”</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">An addiction of any kind is more complex than simple. It is all-encompassing as opposed to one-dimensional. It is fueled through many sources and overcome through several steps. <b>Many people battle addiction for years with minimal success because they suppose the outward action is the problem and do not understand the strong roots stemming way back in the mind and heart.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For the addict, the command to “Just Stop!” is the worst advice. It is vague, ineffectual, and hopeless. It makes light of the problem and unrealistically sends the message that freedom from what binds him or her will be effortless, painless, and quick. Here are three reasons this is terrible advice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Read the rest of my guest post for the Covenant Eyes blog <a href="https://www.covenanteyes.com/2019/02/26/the-worst-advice-for-breaking-a-porn-addiction/">here</a></i></span></div>
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Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-5564605824582016882019-03-27T17:34:00.000-07:002019-03-27T17:34:17.780-07:00De-Stressing for Your Own Good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIeYL6VWhGwM7CjIblLIMZRknqN36ElZLqOlZ_UwW8HC2p7JLm1YD97YyAXCs8Vy40hDlNaX2SK3nFYtapeasaEVBwvNSKFyRUVakYMhBYC5p1Bmfby2PoSjYAgaDc0JXDpzd-9qYvzY/s1600/Keep+Life+Simple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIeYL6VWhGwM7CjIblLIMZRknqN36ElZLqOlZ_UwW8HC2p7JLm1YD97YyAXCs8Vy40hDlNaX2SK3nFYtapeasaEVBwvNSKFyRUVakYMhBYC5p1Bmfby2PoSjYAgaDc0JXDpzd-9qYvzY/s320/Keep+Life+Simple.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"For fast-acting relief, try slowing down."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Being a mere mortal means you are incapable of being everything to everyone. Stress levels increase when we believe that we can handle more than we were intended to in our human frailty and limitations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To achieve peace in our pursuit of stress management, we must keep a running list of our responsibilities but simultaneously not allow them to dictate every moment of our waking hours. Something's gotta give if we ever wish to obtain a tranquil life and find the time to unwind from the day's toils!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A harmonious balance is what you should be striving for. You want to aim for ongoing white space on your calendar and remain in control of where your time goes instead of resembling an amateur juggler who takes on more than he or she can handle and becomes a laughingstock when everything falls to the ground!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is serenity in living a quiet and old-fashioned life. We should jealously guard our time for what matters most. How many of us look back at our younger years and shake our heads in disbelief at how much time was squandered on less than worthy events and people! Let's make every new year of life less about doing and more about being.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It fascinates me how some families will involve their children in more than one sport, volunteer opportunity, and instrument lesson and then wonder why they feel a perpetual sense of rushing and overwhelm! So much of what people pursue in life does not matter at all in light of eternity. And it is only when we return to God and His word to guide our every decision will we see clearly how we ought to be redeeming the time instead of filling it with busyness and stuff that has no eternal impact.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ask yourself if all your current commitments are an absolute necessity to your long-term goals. Be willing to part ways with any extras that are taking up time you can never get back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you will do a regular inventory of where your time is going, you might just discover how many of your hours are spent on unfruitful endeavors and thrown down the drain over common time-wasters like television and the Internet. In moderation it might be okay, but if you are spending an unspecified, undocumented, unaccounted for amount of time daily on shows, movies, or social media, it's time to make a change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Strive for simplicity and you are guaranteed to receive back profound and weighty dividends.</b></span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-74207719330927847182019-02-28T13:30:00.000-08:002019-02-28T13:30:54.202-08:00Amassing the Riches of Relationships Done Right<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>As recently posted in the Emma Joy Weekly Newsletter</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">An Essential Undertaking</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Happy February, everyone.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Each month (or day) we're alive is reason to celebrate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At the beginning of 2019, I put together a document of monthly newsletter and blog post themes I would like to address this year and this month it is the topic of Relationships. My blog post theme for February is on the topic of Goal Setting which can be read <a href="https://babypinkroses.blogspot.com/2019/02/specifics-of-goal-setting.html">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Differing wills can make any relationship feel more like work than play. But like anything in life, hard work always precedes play. We work to gain money, we exercise to be healthy, we study to grow as a person, we deny ourselves and take up our cross daily to do our part in the sanctification process!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If we want our relationships to thrive instead of barely survive, the following must be pursued by each party and lived out intentionally:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Humility</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A willingness to admit fault</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">An eagerness to own up to your part of the problem</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A respect for the other person's separateness and an awareness of how to navigate each of your roles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Learning each other's love language, apology language, and communication style</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">100% honesty</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Transparency (as discretion and discernment see fit depending on the level of intimacy and depth of relationship with each person)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Diligence in working on one's own flaws</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A desire to apologize and make amends where need be</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Handling each argument, disagreement, or conflict honorably (and learning the skills for this, as it does not come naturally to the sinful, prideful heart in any of us)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Total upheaval of bad attitudes, cruel words, and immaturity</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Removal of all toxic, unsafe, and unhealthy relationships for one's own good</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Involving an outside party for accountability and the pursuit of wise counsel</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Making God, His word, and prayer your highest priority regarding all your affairs in life</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is only when these things are adhered to with deliberateness that relationships begin to blossom. Such choices will only make your life better. Will it be easy? Nothing worthwhile is. But don't let pride, stubbornness, or blame shifting get in the way of making changes that will yield a bountiful return.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What else would you add to this list?</span></div>
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Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-69788253639294338202019-02-21T15:06:00.000-08:002019-02-21T15:06:14.567-08:00Specifics of Goal Setting<i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></i>
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<i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Happy Thursday, everyone!</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At the beginning of 2019, I put together a list of themes I'd like to address each month this year. The topic of this month's blog post is Goal Setting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I once read a quote that posed the question, "How do you eat an elephant?" The answer was simply <u>one bite at a time.</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The same applies to the overall endeavor of setting goals. If we are to succeed at anything, we must have numerous steps in place. It is best to make your goals specific, measurable, attainable, trackable, actionable, rewarding, and realistic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you would like to lose weight now that it is a new year, focus on becoming healthy and strong through making it a lifestyle. Your weight will take care of itself if health becomes a priority above weight loss (otherwise it is sure to fluctuate based upon stress and circumstance). Find a form of exercise you love engaging in so it is a delight instead of a burden or chore. Instead of buying processed foods, prepare meals yourself with natural ingredients. Add organic lemon slices to water for natural flavor and to make drinking plenty bearable and even enjoyable. Stretch for ten minutes every morning and night. Take a walk for thirty minutes a day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whether we are seeking to heal from a past trauma, just want to make exercise a consistent part of our routine, realize we need to overcome a bad habit or sin, or want to get our homes or relationships in order, it all requires a plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You also want to implement accountability. If someone else knows about your goals and regularly asks you about the progress you're making (and helps you think of a plan), you're more likely to accomplish what you set out to do than if you tried doing so alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Here are a list of categories in which you might want to set goals and some helpful ideas for each one:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1. Health</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- What type of exercise? How often? Where at? What time? With whom?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- What sort of diet? When will you meal plan? When will you meal prep? How much money will you allot for restaurants? What restaurants will you stop going to altogether? How much water to drink daily? What vitamins will you take?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- How much sleep does your body need? What do you need to purchase for better sleep (i.e. light blocking curtains, a fan to drown out noise, a diffuser with essential oils for a calming atmosphere)?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- How much of your self-talk and thinking is defeating, negative, or not based on the biblical model of Philippians 4:8?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- What coping mechanisms do you have in place for life's unpredictability and myriad stressors?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2. Spiritual growth</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Do you read the Bible every day? When? Where? How much?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Do you pray regularly? About everything?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Have you fully surrendered your past, present, and future to God?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Do you frequently read articles and books that enable spiritual maturity?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>3. Relational harmony</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Are you humble?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Are you teachable?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Are you generous?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Are you intentional about self-improvement?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>4. The pursuit of knowledge</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Is gaining knowledge important to you? Do you see it as a necessity or an option?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- How can you practically live out what you learn?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>5. Annual reading list</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Do you spend more time watching television, being on the Internet, or reading?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- How many books would you like to read this year? What subjects? How many chapters per day? When? Where?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>6. Learning a trade or skill</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Expand your horizons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Become useful in many fields</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Learn to contribute value</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Look for opportunities to be compensated for the help you offer</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>7. Time management</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Set timers for everything</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Time block</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Follow a schedule and have a routine for everything</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Block out distractions</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Schedule in breaks and times of doing nothing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Create a daily plan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Allot extra time to make room for the unexpected</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Arrive everywhere at least 15 minutes early</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>8. Life management</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Prioritize</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Write everything down</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Learn to say no</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Declutter your entire home</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Identify when you are most productive</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Find a mentor for every aspect of life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Do not multitask (give 100% to each task instead of a small percentage to several tasks at once)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Be proactive</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Get Life Insurance for the sake of anyone who is dependent upon your income in the case of your untimely passing</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>9. Stress management</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Do not bring unhealthy food into the house</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Avoid rushing at all costs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Do not neglect your responsibilities</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Learn to set boundaries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Do not agree to anything you don't have time, energy, or resources for</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Exercise immediately or go for a walk or drive instead of turning to media</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Have structure for every aspect of life (I cannot overemphasize how important this is!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Do a daily, weekly, and monthly inventory of your life to see where you are contributing stress</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Write a daily gratitude list</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Laugh often</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Identify simple stressors and attend to them as soon as possible: get a car wash or oil change, fix a broken light bulb, fill gas tank every time it hits halfway point, keep up with laundry and dishes so everything is always clean, cancel the subscriptions you aren't using, make the quick phone call or appointment you've been putting off</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Identify complex stressors and pursue biblical counsel to learn the best way to navigate them in a thorough manner</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>10. Money management</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Budget every dollar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Save 10-20% percent from every form of income (including birthday and Christmas money)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Your goal should be, within a specific amount of time, to look back and say, "This is how I used to live, and this is my new reality." If you aren't setting goals regularly, do not be surprised or upset when you're living the same reality tomorrow that you have been already.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-33689649118039677882019-01-08T12:40:00.001-08:002019-01-08T12:40:09.378-08:00Prioritizing Self-Care<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>As recently posted in the Emma Joy Weekly Newsletter</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Avoiding Burnout Requires Routine Rest</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Good day, everyone!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you are anything like me, you find it difficult to relax. You feel almost guilty for taking the time to wind down, or simply don't know what it means to do nothing. For years now, unless I am cleaning, cooking, reading, writing, exercising, or having a profound conversation with someone, I have almost felt like I was doing something wrong. Like I couldn't just be still and always had to be productive in some way, always had to be contributing value in some way, always had to be striving to make a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Something I have learned over the past several months is that self-care (that is, making time to slow down, schedule in times of doing nothing at all, and accepting the fact that God gave us the capacity for rest and we would all be wise to do so regularly) is undeniably needed for us to remain healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We need to schedule in leisure time, just like we need to schedule in exercise and drinking plenty of water daily and getting adequate sleep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Whatever is going on in your life, whatever stressors you are facing and burdens you are carrying, by all means, please add taking naps, drinking tea, taking walks, sitting in the sunshine, driving without the radio on (as silence is golden and healing), and hobbies to your regular routine. If you enjoy playing an instrument, make this part of your schedule. If you enjoy watching or playing sports, write the days and times you will do so on your wall calendar or in your planner. If you enjoy going to the library, or the park, or being a homebody despite the busyness of so many people around you, add it to your week or month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am learning that a person can be productive and keep up with chores, friendships, family, work, and school even while making time for oneself in order to recuperate, recharge, and simply rest on an ongoing basis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You may even want to unplug from all social media, cable TV, social events that aren't absolutely mandatory, and learn to set boundaries so your time isn't dictated by the overwhelming expectations of others. I haven't had cable TV for several years and deactivated all my social media accounts early 2018 and I am not planning on ever going back. I have even stopped looking at all social media except for a few beneficial YouTube channels and highly encourage you to not feel the need to be <i>in the know</i> as the culture would have you believe is necessary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I wish each of you well at the start of this new year and would enjoy hearing about any changes you have implemented over the last few months or changes you are in the midst of making in order to increase your well-being and add to your quality of life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our choices matter and every single one counts because it is leading us somewhere. But let us also keep this encouraging quote in mind:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering 'it will be happier.'" Alfred Lord Tennyson</span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-54238259881090659752019-01-05T11:58:00.000-08:002019-01-05T11:58:44.578-08:00Setting the Proper Foundation for the New Year<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>As recently posted in the Emma Joy Weekly Newsletter</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Hello, everyone!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A new year is upon us and I am determined to make significant changes in any way needed so the wise choices of last year continue and the poor choices of 2018 are uprooted to the best of my ability.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As you reminisce over the previous year, what does it evoke in you? Who or what helped strengthen your walk with our great King? </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who or what caused you to waver in your commitment to Christ? </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What choices increased your overall well-being? What decisions ultimately brought you more harm than good?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A word I have chosen for the theme of my 2019 is <b>purge</b>. It's a strong word with a powerful meaning. Merriam-Webster defines it as: <i>to free from moral defilement, to cause evacuation from, to make free of something unwanted.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This can apply to toxic relationships, unbiblical beliefs about oneself or the world, stubbornness, pride, rebellion, cussing, squandering time or money, and any stumbling block that serves to keep you complacent, stagnant, unhealthy, or halfhearted in your roles and responsibilities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Life only changes when you do." What a brilliant concept that is often missed by the majority. It isn't all about stopping bad behavior as it is about becoming a person who grows in Christ-likeness and from that flows very real positive change. When we grow in character, we are better equipped for the unexpected changes that life brings to every person. When we do not take character growth or our relationship with the LORD seriously, life will knock us down and cause us to feel like we are drowning with little hope in sight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'd like to ask: How often do you read the Bible? How often do you use the Internet or watch television? Why do you only read the Bible that often? How do you justify using the Internet or watching television that often? You see, often the great disconnect between transformation and remaining the same person (or even getting worse) is that we give countless hours per week to entertainment or social media and very few hours to consuming the word of God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I challenge you to try this assignment: Buy a wall calendar, planner, or even 25 cent notebook and start with tomorrow's date. For two weeks straight (marking each day off), read the Bible for the amount of time you currently use the Internet or watch television daily and watch television and use the Internet for the current amount of time you read the Bible daily. It is a surefire way to bring to light just how much time we as humans tend to squander on leisure, and just how little time we give to seeking our Creator and King. In two weeks, I'd like each of you who are willing to do this challenge (beginning tomorrow) to send me an email with the significant changes that took place in your life through this simple (yet difficult to be sure) exercise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You will discover a newfound desire to please the LORD like never before since I presume you will be reading a lot of the Bible daily, as well as a significant decrease in your struggle with sin since your intake of TV and the Internet will be so little.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am praying for each of you as you give up a mere two weeks of your time to give God the best of your hours. You just might want to continue this exercise indefinitely!</span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-65440864526878369772018-11-16T16:12:00.001-08:002018-11-16T16:12:20.981-08:0010 Tips Exceptional Parents Know<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Originally posted on <a href="http://covenanteyes.com/">CovenantEyes.com</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Parents – Raising Kids is Hard. But all Good Things are Difficult.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Parenting is hard, but there are few things in life that rise to this level of importance. God has chosen parents to be primary instruments in the shaping of a human soul.” –Paul Tripp</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">An honest assessment and probing of society shows the results of how every person was parented. Apparently, we need help in this department. Here are ten things exceptional parents know and live by.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>1. Intentionality is a prerequisite for healthy children.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So much of where we end up results from the way we were pushed at the start, and the direction our lives took from the beginning. And that’s where ethics come in. Call them values, or convictions, or worldview or whatever you want, but the fact remains that the trajectory of our lives generally is set by the things we either accept or reject in our formative years.” –David W. Hegg</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Many can see that success in terms of finances only happens when you strive for excellence in your particular field of work. To be halfhearted or not take your job seriously is to risk financial woe. The quality of your material possessions and ability to have financial freedom depends on the amount of effort and time you invest in your job. So too, in raising children, it must be remembered that you are responsible for another person’s life. The quality of their existence long-term is largely dependent upon the foundations set in childhood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Read the rest of my guest post for the Covenant Eyes blog <a href="https://www.covenanteyes.com/2018/10/29/10-truths-exceptional-parents-know/">here</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-60819671663695309402018-05-06T14:48:00.000-07:002018-05-06T14:48:05.435-07:00Got Porn on the Brain? Here Are 3 Ways a New Hobby Can Improve Your Quality of Life<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Originally posted on <a href="http://covenanteyes.com/">CovenantEyes.com</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We should treat our brains and souls with the same respect, at least, that we give a kitchen sponge. You wouldn’t put your sponge in the toilet and then use it to clean your dinner plate. So why would we let our brains absorb hours of filth every day; filth and violence and sex and everything, and then think that we can turn around and use those same minds to be decent, virtuous people in real life? It’s very hard to do.” –Matt Walsh</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our hobbies, habits, and interests make up, in part, the pie chart of our existence and are interwoven with where our focus lies. Our focus stems from our issues and experiences beginning in childhood. There is a direct correlation between our thoughts and our actions, between whom we associate with and the entertainment we watch, read, and listen to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A more wholesome existence is attainable simply by shifting our focus from one thing to another. Hobbies serve us well in this regard, as they cement our focus on something outside ourselves and help free us from being bound to the patterns of thought and action we’ve become so accustomed to over the years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Life has taught us that every day is filled with the ordinary, the unexpected, the difficult, the mundane, and numerous responsibilities and roles unique to each person. Every decision we make either fuels or starves jealousy, rage, joy, freedom, peace, or euphoria.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Many who have given up porn as a primary hobby experience a new, better quality of life afterwards. Here are three ways a new hobby can help you change your focus away from porn and improve your quality of life:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Read the rest of my guest post for the Covenant Eyes blog <a href="http://www.covenanteyes.com/2018/04/18/porn-on-the-brain-new-hobby-improves-quality-of-life/">here</a></i></span></div>
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Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-78890732882125876562018-03-30T12:13:00.000-07:002018-03-30T12:13:05.793-07:00Forty Practical Tips to Help You Quit Porn<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Originally posted on <a href="http://covenanteyes.com/">CovenantEyes.com</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The power of porn may not just be its explicit content. It may also be its capacity to take the viewer into another world. Porn is a place where bodies and people are perfect, where imaginary lovers comply with every wish, and where the scene created perfectly matches the deepest desires of the viewer. It’s a perfect and perfectly destructive world, and it’s the stuff both horror and heartbreak are made of.” –Joe Dallas</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Similar to a kaleidoscope, pornography can fascinate or intrigue us. Unlike a kaleidoscope, however, the endless variety of “patterns” we see in porn can engulf us to the point we are bound. If this is how you feel, please consider the following 40 tips to quit porn and gain freedom:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Read the rest of my guest post for the Covenant Eyes blog <a href="http://www.covenanteyes.com/2018/03/19/practical-tips-help-you-quit-porn/">here</a></i></span></div>
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Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-2483644472852162612018-02-09T13:25:00.000-08:002018-02-09T13:25:09.595-08:00Five Motivations to Resist the Click<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Originally posted on <a href="http://covenanteyes.com/">CovenantEyes.com</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“When you guard your purity, you’re protecting a treasure, so apply yourself to its longevity the way you’d protect anything valuable. Recognize its worth. Work hard to keep it, and reject anything which threatens it.” –Joe Dallas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To successfully resist the click, it is necessary to have more in place than mere willpower. We must be steadfast with putting in the laborious work of figuring out why we’re using porn to begin with and then have a feasible plan to derail the train of lust before it starts down the tracks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A warrior is strategic in his approach to conquering what is out to destroy him. A sailor calculates the threat of the sea before embarking on troubled waters. A speaker prepares for difficult questions in advance. Becoming debt-free demands we stay on a strict budget and designate the extra money accordingly. Keeping the home in order is maintained through structure and routine. Gaining self-control requires no less of a plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Read the rest of my guest post for the Covenant Eyes blog <a href="http://www.covenanteyes.com/2017/11/03/5-motivations-to-resist-the-click/">here</a></i></span></div>
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Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-10685139242338573682017-10-16T10:38:00.000-07:002017-10-16T10:38:55.345-07:00Healing from Sexual Brokenness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As an adolescent, I was homeschooled part of the time. My mother worked about 30 minutes away from home where my younger brother attended school (not returning home until early evening) and my sister was often at her best friend's house, also homeschooled, about an hour and a half away, so that meant I had a lot of time at home to myself. Cable TV became a great friend through its constant companionship. It wasn't only music videos I adored. I also consumed shows/movies on HBO and other channels that were filled with sexual deviancy. All I did with my time was watch, listen to, think about, and act on perversion. When I wasn't feeding lust in the home, I was acting on lust outside of it. <i>Sex can become a symbol of one's identity and affect every area of life.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Looking back I can clearly see how those choices groomed me for future porn use and a monstrous</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> mindset. I heard one porn star say that so much in her life has been ruined because of sex and unfortunately I find this statement all too accurate. To live for sex and sex only (in all its various forms and outlets) is to gut your life of a special meaning and purpose that can only result when you are in right standing with God and thus in right standing with yourself and others. If sex is your first priority, you will end up making choices that may have disastrous</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> repercussions (not just in terms of your health, but your spiritual vitality, emotional well-being, maturity level, and thought life as well). It will change your life (or maybe a better way of wording it is to say it will take away from your existence).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>So much time has been wasted. Hours and months and years just thrown down the drain simply because I lacked accountability, wisdom, healthy friendships, and a real relationship with God.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Please get super serious about your choices and take the time to ponder where your decisions are leading you. Who or what needs your attention that you have been neglecting in order to cater to your sexual fix (daily or hourly)? Do understand and pay attention to the warnings of Scripture regarding unrestrained living. Do make yourself accountable and pursue healing through biblical counseling. <u>Do not</u> delay with examining your heart and <u>do not</u> run away in shame from what you find dwelling there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Change can happen.</i> Recovery and transformation are real possibilities that many before you have already experienced. My life is proof that there is a God who saves, a Redeemer who rescues, a King who laid down His life for the sake of broken sinners and whose word grants us all we need to live rightly. The Lord has done a mighty work in my life, yet it hasn't been painless, nor consequence-free. Jesus has brought restoration to me in ways I never thought possible, yet the positive changes that have taken place have only occurred</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> in the context of deliberate attention to my brokenness and then enlisting the help of others to help me heal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"STEP 1.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ADMIT I have a struggle I cannot overcome without God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ACKNOWLEDGE the breadth and impact of my sin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">UNDERSTAND the origin, motive, and history of my sin." Brad Hambrick</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I still battle the temptation at times to return to my old ways as I remember what a quick fix sexual sin affords its victims. The fine print I am ignoring in those moments is that ungodliness has a price tag, and its cost can be high.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Be wise and learn from the mistakes of others. It would be foolish and illogical to think it's possible to outsmart the law of sowing and reaping. It isn't, my friends. If you all only knew the tears I've cried, the painful ulcer I've had off and on due to the heaviness of guilt and the secrets I've carried, and the countless conversations I've had with my now young adult brother about choices, consequences, living honorably, and taking God's word seriously. If you all only knew everything you are guaranteed to lose when you embark on the self-serving journey of unbridled indulgence! Please take it from me: get help! Confess your sinful choices to the Lord and ask Him to do whatever it takes to intervene in your life and make you a new creation in Him. It is through Jesus alone that your life can head down a totally new path, one that is only possible through an ongoing relationship with Him and the regular application of His word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Despite the shame you feel and regardless of the humiliation that could result from dealing with the root issues of your sin, do not delay. <i>Do not delay!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">True change is possible. I am a work in progress, yet how different is the person I am today from who I once was! The cringe, the horror, really, is how I see the places I've been and the person I became over the course of time when pleasure was my god. Now I serve the true and living God. And even though my sex drive hasn't died and my insecurities sometimes threaten to overtake me, I continue to turn to the Lord and His word for wisdom, guidance, and strength. I continue to choose, day by day, to make myself accountable to the trusted few in my life who never fail to point me to God and His truth, telling me what I need to hear and not what I want to hear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We'd all love to believe that living in a fallen world with endless opportunities to give in to temptation means that we will always "struggle" -- but the word struggle implies a fight, and if each of us were totally honest with ourselves, we too often immediately surrender to the lures around us instead of putting up any sort of fight. We don't even try to have self-control and don't make seeking after God or hourly reading His word a priority. Then we wonder why our lives and minds are filled with wickedness and corruption, despite our want for change."You are only as sick as your secrets", as one quote says. And you will only continue to become worse if you do not actively choose, despite your feelings, to plead with God to bring along everything needed for you to repent and be changed from the inside out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By committing your life fully to Jesus and making His word your "holy addiction" as someone once said, you are starting the path to true freedom and recovery. A life that is more fulfilling than the passing pleasures of deviant sin. But it is only through Jesus and His word that you will begin to see life, yourself, and sin for what it is. It is only through Jesus and His word that who we are on the inside can truly be refined. Not behavior modification without inward change, but tangible transformation of the mind, heart, affections, and even warped attractions/desires.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>God exists. Jesus is worth it. Eternity is real. </b></span><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Our choices matter. Repentance is possible.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Please reach out for help. You can even write to me at <i>EmmaJoyBlog@gmail.com</i> or through the <a href="http://babypinkroses.blogspot.com/p/contact.html">contact form</a> on my blog so we can dialogue about these important matters and I can hopefully offer more practical counsel. Any questions are welcome. And if I don't have the answer, I can at least pray for you, point you to Christ and His word, and offer a list of resources that can aid in your particular struggles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">May you find new life through Jesus and discover the riches of a close walk with Him. A relationship, in fact, that will be the wisest use of your time, the most rewarding call on your life, the most impactful relationship you'll ever experience, and the way to order, beauty, and peace where there was once only chaos, filth, and turmoil.</span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-8708419695297860692017-10-01T12:36:00.000-07:002017-10-01T12:36:01.851-07:00How to Steer Clear of Pornography When Intimacy Is Lacking<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Originally posted on <a href="http://covenanteyes.com/">CovenantEyes.com</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"The ultimate pleasure you and I seek is intimacy, and the ultimate intimacy is with God." –Ravi Zacharias</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A great need of the human heart is connection. We long to belong, to rest in the fact that we are wanted and appreciated, to bear our hearts to another and still be readily acknowledged.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We may dance in circles, looking for the next thrilling experience in hopes of feeling alive, while settling for what eludes us. We move forward with little direction, often clueless as to what to look for and what to avoid, and in the process, bypass the only true source of acceptance and love (a relationship with the Lord).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We look to sexual gratification (regardless of how illegitimate or dangerous the source), disregard sound judgment and reason, allow our conscience to become seared, turn a deaf ear and blind eye to what is healthy and wholesome, and ignore both the warnings and promises found in God’s word because we wish to pacify our longings in ways we are unfortunately sure to discover will not last or deliver as promised.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Read the rest of my guest post for the Covenant Eyes blog <a href="http://www.covenanteyes.com/2017/09/15/how-to-steer-clear-of-porn-when-intimacy-is-lacking/">here</a></i></span></div>
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Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-91374976415576405042017-09-24T13:57:00.000-07:002017-09-24T13:57:25.882-07:00Why Wishing You Were Someone Else Is Futile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We all have days where we wish we were somebody else. Sometimes the stresses, losses, and unexpected trials of life blindside us and we find ourselves wanting to live someone else's life. This is a dangerous and illogical stance though because there is no telling what is happening in the behind-the-scenes of another person's life. For all you know, others might be wishing they could trade lives with you (despite how tedious your life seems in your own sight).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've discovered through getting to know at least a handful of people very well that what they often portray on social media, out on the soccer field, or in passing conversation with fellow employees at work is not an accurate or full picture of the entirety of their existence. So much is left out. </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For example:</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></i>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When you see pictures of a family on vacation, you don't see the terrible argument they got into on the drive to the airport, the health problems in the parents' lives that recently have become much more of a concern, or the pain in each family member's heart as they recall the loss of a beloved grandparent just weeks before. You don't see the father's workaholic ways or the mother's crippling fear of the unknown. All you see is smiling faces and beautiful scenery which stirs up envy in your heart and causes you to believe their lives are more enjoyable than they actually are.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When you observe a group of people laughing and having a good time, you don't see the addictions they secretly battle, the childhood trauma still fresh in their minds, or their current circumstances. This could be one of the first times they've laughed heartily in months!</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When you wonder how that one guy at work always seems to be in a good mood and you envy his ability to make others laugh, you don't see the time years ago that he purposed to begin using humor as a way of coping with a home-life filled with the unexpected due to a family member's mental illness or physical disability.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When you notice a woman whose appearance and house are always well-kept, you're not aware that her past was filled with disorder and the lack of beauty and structure during her formative years has greatly influenced her perfectionist ways.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When you watch viral videos by well-known YouTubers who have millions of subscribers and a few book deals, you might not think that sometimes he or she wishes they could go back to the safety of anonymity and obscurity when leaving the house for a day of fun and errands brought a sense of freedom and independence instead of their every move being recorded and speculated about on a grand scale through gossip magazines and the array of social media platforms available online.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This holiday season, when you see an SUV ahead of you at the intersection with a beautiful Christmas tree hoisted on top (something you could not currently afford), what you don't see is the previous living circumstances and financial strain that prevented them from purchasing a tree for the last five years (even though they really wanted to).</span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">...and lest you conclude that someone else has a more fulfilling life because they have money or travel often, what you don't see is that despite their apparent financial security and opportunity to shop or visit landmarks around the world, they might be utterly devoid of maturity, good character, and rich friendships. They might be insecure or have terrible non-existent relationships with their family. They might be trying to make a name for themselves through impressing others because they don't know their worth through Jesus or find their security and identity in Christ alone.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are all complicated and complex creatures who have experiences, thoughts, emotions, and feelings others are largely unaware of. Evidence of this is the suicide of someone whom people would never guess struggled with anything life-threatening. Just spending time observing a person's bank account, internet history, or refrigerator will give you glimpses into the sort of person they are that apart from such knowledge, you'd have not a clue of these habits and interests of theirs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Please don't think that other people are better than you. Sure, they might be <i>better off</i>, but that doesn't mean that this season of life will continue indefinitely in their lives (or yours).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are things in my own life that I experienced as a child or teen that I am not open about with others. There are sins I have committed, places I have gone, people I have known, hurts that I still carry, and disappointments that sometimes flood my mind with waves of sadness that even those closest to me aren't aware of. I know for certain that my dad and grandmother think highly of me and sometimes I shake my head in disbelief or cringe inside over who I have been and who I am still capable of becoming that would bring them great pain if they only knew. This is proof that who someone is today (and what they have today) isn't a full picture of their life story (past or future). I'd venture to say that what we see on the surface in most people's lives is an edited version of their actual reality. It is the putting of their best foot forward, accentuating the glamorous and hiding the struggles. Shining a spotlight on the few fun or interesting aspects of life while keeping in the dark what is mundane and draining. I say this often but it is worth repeating: <i>You don't know where someone has been or where they are headed. </i>Life can change at anytime. Loss is a guarantee in this fallen world (to one degree or another, to one extent or another).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our best option is to take responsibility for our own lives, make sure we are in right standing with God and others, build healthy and good habits, set short and long-term goals with action steps we can begin applying immediately, and take care of ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and relationally through the right means and setting needed and appropriate boundaries. If we are ever seeking to better ourselves and honor God in every facet of our existence, we need not be concerned with the paths of others. We should feel led to pray for the less fortunate <i>and for those who have more</i>...because possessions, prestige, and privilege don't always guarantee a desirable life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>"If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd quickly grab ours back."</b> Unknown</span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-84221992601873042862017-09-17T12:52:00.001-07:002017-09-17T12:52:20.869-07:00The Importance of Letting Others Know How We Feel About Them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Hearts are often broken by words left unspoken." Unknown</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Relationships come and go in our lives. Some are for a season, while others endure for several. Yet what we say and leave unsaid in those friendships can affect people for years to come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If there is a person in your life whom you care about, tell them. Let them know you think about them, are concerned for them, enjoy their company, and appreciate their influence in your life. If there are people you are currently missing, send them a note or call them. We'd all love to be the recipient of such acknowledgment, and it won't do any good to leave our concern, respect, or love for another person unknown. It could be just what they've been needing to hear and can propel their day forward with a heightened sense of joy and thankfulness. Who knows what they are going through after all?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"It's a shame to waste an encouraging thought by failing to turn it into an encouraging word." Gaston</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It saddens me to think of all the words left unspoken that were they to be said out loud, people could actually heal. A part of them would be restored to health because the truth of how another person sees them was brought to light instead of being left to curiosity, assumption, or hearsay. It's sort of like the concept of telling a person while they are still alive all that we admire, respect, and adore about them instead of saying it to an audience of strangers at their memorial service.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I can't help but think of how much easier the moving-on process would be for both people were they to set time aside for civil dialogue where they acknowledge that despite each person's faults and regardless of the way the situation turned out, there were many good times and each person possessed certain qualities that were drawing and impactful to one degree or another. In dealing with broken relationships, if we were all to say, "Thank you for the lessons learned. I wish you well..." instead of becoming bitter at the person's departure and wishing misery upon them, both parties would walk away with a sense of peace for having handled the conversation in a mature manner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are all broken people and sadly remain broken because we aren't proactive and consistent in our pursuit of healing. One way we can heal from relationship troubles is to cultivate good character, own up to our mistakes, and have an attitude of humility. If we are willing to be direct and honest with our words, so much could be accomplished. There wouldn't be anything left to question or assume. You would know exactly what the other person is thinking regarding you and the situation you're both in. And you could therefore use that info in seeking counsel from older, wiser mentors on how you should proceed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't leave important words left unsaid. If you are sorry, apologize. If you miss someone, let them know. If you care about, respect, or love a person, tell them. Honesty and transparency yield a connection that can pave the way to intimacy. And how our lives could change for the better were only we to make our feelings known!</span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-73858759622007361652017-09-03T16:03:00.000-07:002017-09-03T16:03:40.536-07:0050 Reasons to Be Thankful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"No matter how bad things get, they could always get worse." (A quote from the movie <i>Ever After</i>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A healthy mindset isn't ours by default. To think rightly, it will take diligent effort, focused training, and ongoing work. We must learn to be grateful, learn to be humble, learn to be positive, learn not to compare, and learn to be content. We also must <i>unlearn</i> the patterns we have formed such as putting ourselves down, zeroing in on the negative in any situation, tearing others down in our minds, or dwelling on anything contrary to the truth presented in Philippians 4: 8. Applying this Scripture moment by moment is the only way to master the unbridled turbulence that takes place in each of our minds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Life is filled with opportunities to grow. If we find ourselves remaining infantile, it's crucial to take personal responsibility and figure out why exactly we aren't becoming healthier and more whole with the passing of time. Just like a youthful appearance and fit body isn't the result of sporadic diet and exercise but of a specific plan and being consistent, so too must we invite feedback from those who know and love us best and be willing to get on our knees before God with a prayerful heart asking Him to bring to our minds all that is wrong with us. You can't overcome a problem without first identifying it. You can't pursue radical change unless you first understand and can articulate what is radically wrong with you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>"An honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what is wrong with him very quickly."</b> Tozer</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have found that practicing gratitude is an instant pick-me-up because it serves as a reminder that we all have so much more than we are deserving of.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If we are pessimistic complainers, we will never experience joy. But if we make worship of God our heart's hourly meditation and joyfully delight in the Giver of good things regardless of our circumstances, we start the process of retraining our thoughts and refocusing them on who and what matters most. We can rise above what is going on around us and gain a winsome outlook on life. We begin to see that the smallest of luxuries really aren't small at all. Everything is a gift to be treasured.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In hopes of helping you gain a grateful heart, here is a list of 50 (or more) reasons I am thankful that many of us overlook in our day-to-day lives:</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Clean (hot) water to bathe in</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pleasant weather</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A good night's rest (and God's forgiveness which is the solution to our guilty conscience)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Air conditioning and ice water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Printers, cell phones, fax machines, scanners</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Electricity, working toilets, clean showers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fresh fruit and vegetables</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fans to bring in cool air at night (and leaving one on while you sleep for the soothing sound)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cheese grater, potato masher, spaghetti strainer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Envelopes, stamps, pens, paper, crayons, colored pencils, paint/watercolors</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The library (having your own library card, using the computers without a fee, enjoying a wealth of resources concerning all different topics)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Trains, planes, automobiles, the bus system (and bus passes)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thought-provoking quotes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Deep conversations</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Record player, radio, video camera</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dining room table and other household furniture</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Napkins/paper towels</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Juicer, blender, food processor</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vacuum, mop, broom</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Clean childhood memories</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every caring adult who made a lasting impact in your life as you grew up</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Music and the wide array of melodies found there</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Video game and movie soundtracks</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Learning to play a musical instrument (or just doing so for fun)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A boring life (read <a href="https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/kevindeyoung/2015/11/03/thank-god-for-your-normal-boring-life/">this article</a> to understand why such an existence should be prized!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The ocean and swimming</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Knowing how to read, write, and speak</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Balloons</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sunglasses, sunblock</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Watching the sunset/sunrise, stargazing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Early morning fog</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Seeing squirrels chase each other and hearing birds sing during morning walks</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The majesty of thunder and lightning</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Roller coasters</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Accents</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dental floss, toothpaste, mouthwash</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Deodorant</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Traditional values, close-knit families, Bible-believing churches</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Holding a baby, reading to a child</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Candles, incense</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Being on the swings at the park</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Common courtesy among strangers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Keeping a bouquet of fresh flowers (and some nice plants) in the home at all times</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Winter attire, autumn weather, summer outings, spring greenery</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Opening windows upon waking to let in fresh air and sunlight</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Gallon/sandwich bags, foil, baking sheets, cutting boards</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tweezers, razors</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Adding kale or spinach to smoothies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Homemade meals, natural dessert</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God's word, prayer, counsel, accountability, mentors</span></li>
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Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-12309637315981634052017-08-02T17:37:00.001-07:002017-08-02T17:37:54.914-07:00Ten Lies Pop Culture Teaches About Sex<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Originally posted on <a href="http://covenanteyes.com/">CovenantEyes.com</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Right or wrong, our culture teaches us about sex. The media conducts sex education all the time." –Stephen Witmer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pop culture is a powerful force in society, as it colors our views of social issues, people, relationships, and sexual activity. What we see, read, and hear through the media influences our worldview on these important matters. We need an internal filter, moral compass, and high esteem of God’s word if we are to live rightly and thrive in our relational and sexual lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sex is a topic that we would all do well to treat with care, being intentional to not swallow whole the ideas put forth by the culture. Lies can be found in excess through a secular view of sexuality. How most entertainment presents sexuality cannot do justice to such a profound and meaningful act. Here are ten lies pop culture teaches about sex.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Read the rest of my guest post for the Covenant Eyes blog <a href="http://www.covenanteyes.com/2017/08/01/10-lies-pop-culture-teaches-about-sex/">here</a></i></span></div>
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Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4787656758849232239.post-64002383679555147852017-06-11T16:03:00.000-07:002017-06-11T16:03:09.956-07:00Utilizing Time Well<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Time.</i> When we think of it in terms of increments (an hour, day, week, month, year, decade), it becomes apparent that it is eluding our grasp quicker than we'd like it to. An adult cannot return to childhood because time has progressed since then, nor can a kid enter adolescence before the natural sequence of time permits. We see time played out in all different scenarios:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- A work day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- A meeting or counseling session</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Classes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Drive home from work</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- The entertainment we consume</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Cooking</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Holding conversations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Exercise</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are called to "redeem the time," not squander it. And redeeming the time is only possible through goal-setting, planning, structure, and accountability. It involves remembering that we have but one life and every day we are writing our legacy. It entails living for a bigger cause than our own wants and desires and actively seeking to make the world a better place through our presence in it. It includes getting rid of ingrained habits like complaining and instead adopting a mentality of purposeful gratitude and positivity, regardless of how cumbersome our present season of life is. It requires us to examine our lives, spending habits, and the company we keep to see if such things hinder or help our progress in moving forward. It demands we be 100% willing to part ways with what society deems successful (countless hours at work in order to attain worldly treasures at the expense of quality time with our families) and instead look to God's word for wisdom as to what real value is. It calls us to turn from our wicked ways and do what is right (even when we are alone and it seems no one would ever find out). It calls for a new perspective, a proper outlook, a right attitude. It beckons us to return to simplicity and righteousness. It requires we think long-term. Indeed, redeeming the time is all-encompassing. Yet nothing we give up in pursuit of it can compare to the riches and beauty of a life well-spent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It helps to see life from an eternal perspective. God willing you live until old age -- will you be content and at peace with how you spent your years? To be sure you can confidently say then, "I have used my life for the glory and exaltation of God and the good of others," you must begin doing so now and continue making right choices throughout your life (no excuses). I've found the following to be helpful regarding how I spend time:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Have a plan for every hour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Set a timer to get chores done</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Say no to anything that steers your mind toward shallow things and lessens your desire to pursue Christ wholeheartedly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Seek counsel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Grow to be responsible</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Learn to manage money</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Practice self-care</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Look for opportunities to serve</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Read remarkable books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Engage in enriching discussion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Take walks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Spend time with the elderly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Pray</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Such choices add to my quality of life (unlike when I sometimes aimlessly view social media which tends to take up more time than I'd like to admit). Having a detailed plan helps ensure time is spent in a way that brings a smile of satisfaction to your face and a feeling of serenity as you ponder all you can accomplish over the course of many decades (God willing). It serves as a useful guide as to what you will agree to and what you will back away from. As the saying goes, "Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best." What a concept! Choosing what is best above what is convenient, what brings the most impact above settling for mediocrity in our endeavors, and what will profit others and not just ourselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When starting a school assignment, working on a project, or writing a book, people tend to make a rough draft, serving the purpose of preparation and making way for action. Yet in the realm of spiritual growth, personal issues, and relationship troubles we are far too often guilty of drifting instead of being intentional with making a rough draft as to guide our next steps toward mending the problems we face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">People settle for mindless entertainment instead of gleaning wisdom through lectures and books. We allow laziness to rule us, make excuses to delay improvement, and do not enlist the help of others. Then we wonder how months have flown by and there is little achievement and growth to show for it. Worse yet, we think we <i>have</i> time and thus don't mind currently wasting it on lesser pursuits than living passionately for the glory of God and making the most of every day we are given. But are catering to self, gaining a variety of experiences, and having fun the ultimate goals of life? Or could a better life await us if only we'd humbly offer God a surrendered heart and pray for wisdom as to what He would like us to do with the one life we've been given?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whether you live to be one hundred or died tomorrow, who will have their way regarding what you do with your time? Will self reign and the changing tides of culture dictate the choices you make? Or will you give God supremacy of your life and pray that He would change you and then use you in the lives of others so they too can come to know their Creator and the One whose purposes far outweigh in meaning and joy anything we could chase after on our own?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As someone who has made plenty of poor choices in life, I can testify (finally) that living life God's way truly is our best option. Oh, the trouble and wasted time it will spare us! Oh, the regret and sorrow we will avoid! And is not the ultimate purpose of life to know Christ deeply, obey Him regularly, seek His glory above our own, make His name known among the nations, and upon our dying day to then hear the precious words, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master"?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Surely nothing this world has to offer is worth throwing our lives down the drain (even gradually) and then being separated from God for all eternity because we chose to try and deify ourselves instead of accepting His offer of salvation and giving God His rightful place in our hearts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's ironic that, from a worldly perspective, complete submission to God and His word makes it seem like our freedom and independence are being stifled. And yet it is only through being in right standing with Him and living accordingly that we gain true freedom: freedom from people-pleasing, freedom from finding our identity in what can never fully complete us, deliverance from following the norms of culture, freedom to not go along with the crowd for the sake of fitting in. Equally ironic is how prone we are to not even acknowledge God until life hurts and we have exhausted all other resources.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So why delay? Why not get on your face before God this very hour and acknowledge you cannot live rightly or flourish as He intended without Him being Lord and Master of your life? Why not ask for His help and guidance in making a complete turnaround in the way you live? Take it from me: There is nothing like an intimate walk with God. Nothing compares to knowing Him (knowing <i>about</i> Him is very different). And I say this not as one promoting the concept of self-fulfillment because of what God can do for us, but as one who realizes how indebted we are to our Maker and sees the need to orchestrate my life and choices in accordance with His word because He is worthy. It is the King of kings and Lord of lords we are dealing with here. How foolish of us to regard Him as anything less.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." C. T. Studd</span>Emma Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531806351071105689noreply@blogger.com0