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Book Feature – Killing Jesus

Killing JesusImagine you are a reporter during the time of Jesus. What would you see? What would you report? Who would you interview? What historical events are associated with this time period that contributed to the life, trial and killing of Jesus Christ? How would you report such an event without bias during highly conflicted and explosive times?

As these authors have done with other books, the story starts at the beginning of what would eventually lead to crucifixion and death. Herod was fearful of a new “king” and upon his orders to Roman soldiers, set out to kill the baby Jesus before he could grow up.  Instead, his parents and the baby flee and many other children are slaughtered instead.

As a student of the bible for many years, I am familiar with the story of Jesus as portrayed in the four gospels just as you are.  But these authors, Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard, have included historical information that fills out the life and times of that period.

I highly recommend this book. Put aside any political ideologies, and simply read this by an author who has been a reporter for many years and gives us this rare opportunity to explore the life and death of Jesus from a historical basis.

As in the other books written by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard, this book grabs your attention and gives you an additional account of an event that has impacted the world and our lives as none other. Follow the link below.

http://http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_13?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=killing+jesus+bill+o%27reilly&sprefix=Killing+Jesus%2Cstripbooks%2C372

Other books that I have enjoyed reading written by these authors that you might also enjoy are: Killing Kennedy, Killing Lincoln, Killing Patton.

Marlene Anderson

Forgiveness – the Key to Our Release from Prison

MP900174966“But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27

Love them? Really? Pray for them?

In his book, “Forgive for Good”, Dr. Fred Luskin lists 11 definitions of what forgiveness is and 7 definitions of what forgiveness is not.

In her book, “Forgiving the Unforgivable”, Beverly Flanigan, MSSW, defines how betrayal of people we trust shatter our core beliefs and concept of right and wrong and create unforgivable injuries.

Dr. Klimes in his work on forgiveness has identified 5 steps for “Granting the Gift of Forgiveness.”

There is more and more research and researchers who have written about forgiveness as a necessary ingredient for emotional, physical and spiritual health.

Unforgiveness creates a destructive force in our lives. Within its tenets we find hatred, rage, and revenge – all corrosive and self-destructing emotional reactions to life.

Research studies show that “forgiveness leads to less stress” and fewer health problems. When we fail to forgive, that unforgiveness may be a greater risk factor for heart disease than hostility.

Centuries ago, biblical writers spoke to this need. Christ taught us not only to forgive but to do good things to them who hate us and pray for them.

When we pray that good things happen to the person who has done bad things to us, we are intentionally turning harmful things around so that healing can occur.  It is not just a biblical command, it is science telling us why and how.

Forgiveness is not a way for an offender to get off the hook, be pardoned or otherwise not be held accountable for any wrong doing. Neither is it a way to minimize or deny that you have been hurt. In forgiveness we are able to make appropriate boundaries as well as open the door for potential reconciliation.

Forgiveness is primarily for the person who has been injured. It is a way for the injured to reclaim their life and turn it into something positive.

Sometimes, that injury can be so egregious there are no words to describe it other than “unforgivable”. It has changed your life forever.

The injury may have been the result of a destructive childhood filled with abuse, rejection and abandonment and confusing messages. It may be an insult to your character by a loyal friend or colleague that has had long lasting consequences. It may have been the murder of your child, an accident caused by alcohol or drugs that has taken away a loved one or imprisoned you forever in a wheelchair. There are many injustices whose consequences last a lifetime.

Forgiveness is for you.

It is a complicated, difficult and almost an insane thing to ask of someone who has been wronged. Yet forgiveness is for you.

Without forgiveness you are stuck – and so is the person who wronged you. Forgiveness opens the door to possibility. It allows your energy to flow again in a positive, constructive manner. It is not easy. It is not something you accomplish overnight.

Forgiveness is a choice.

Forgiveness is a “journey” – a way to “reshape” our lives after we have been injured. It is not easy.  It takes courage.  It is a choice.  Without that choice we put ourselves in a prison with a locked door and throw away the key. The key to that prison is forgiveness.

To learn more about forgiveness visit the following site established by Dr. Klimes, founder and president of the Klimes Institute of Continuing Education: http://cecourses.org/ethics/care-ethics/free-to-forgive/

Also, you may want to read “Forgiving the Unforgivable” by  Beverly Flanigan, MSSW, published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., NY, NY, 1992.

“Forgive for Good”, by Dr. Fred Luskin, Harper San Francisco, A Division of HarperCollinsPublisher, 2003. http://www.learningtoforgive.com/about/

Bible quotation from The New Oxford Annotated Bible, NY, Oxford University Press

Marlene Anderson

 

 

Sisters

IMG_1156My sister – not by blood, but by a bond forged over the years.

Sometimes we are fortunate in that God gives two people a heritage that goes beyond blood, and we can truly call ourselves sisters.

Through thick and thin – good times and bad – I know I can depend on her to be there – for support – for physical assistance – someone who never thought twice to fly all the way from England to be with me when my husband was dying.

We were a foursome – with husbands who were just as good friends as we were. Coming home for summer breaks, they would walk in the door and we continued our conversation as though it were yesterday instead of two years.

Our lives though lived apart most of the time, was entwined by common threads that took us beyond the everyday and mundane to something special and extraordinary.

So, I was humbled and honored to be with her and her husband when she became an American citizen. As a Canadian married to an American, she traveled the world with him on military orders, to bases throughout Europe as he taught at DODS schools, and she taught tap dancing and helped with school plays and entertained men and women of the military in their home.

They were proud to be Americans and now she was making it official. She took the oath of allegiance, went up on that stage to receive her certificate of citizenship with other people from countries around the world, and cried when they showed a video of scenes of America while “I’m Proud to be an American” was sung.

There were tears because she had felt like an American for many years. She was there with the military men and women who served their country so proudly stationed in so many countries across the world. She wasn’t renouncing her other citizenship and birthright – she was just adding to it.

God bless America. And God bless you my dearest sister. We are proud of you and all you have done. You have always been an American to us. And American or not, you will always be my sister.

And may God guide each person who comes to this country and swears allegiance to her lands to be loyal and true to her as we continue to forge a land of greatness under God.

Congratulations sister. And thank you for giving me the honor and privilege to be there with you in this moment in your life.

Marlene

Book Review – Undivided Heart

How do you write a review of a book so full of information that it is hard to know where to begin. Undivided Heart, Bridging my Relationship with Myself, Others and God is such a book.

Cover Front Book 2While full of information that each of us needs and can use, it is written in a simple style, easy to follow and understand.

It is a boon to those who are tactile and visual as Diana has taken complex, concrete concepts and has reduced them to an everyday language we can use and understand.

It opens up the mysteries of emotions and helps us explore our values and the conflicts we encounter when we are conflicted about them. She helps us explore the places in our life where we have gotten stuck; those moments when we struggle to believe in God and ourselves.

Every life story has those moments of hurt and pain and misunderstanding. In her seven step approach, Diana helps us bridge a relationship with ourselves which can then led to bridging that communication with God and others.

The first two steps help us discover what I want and need and renew our hope.  Step three outlines healthful ways of living and step four reveals the lies we are lead to believe about ourselves.  The last three steps help us understand and identify our feelings, recapture spontaneity and prepare for a wonderful new adventure in life.  She weaves in both God’s principles, the gospel and beatitudes along with psychology which  helps us understand the steps we need to take to reach those objectives and live joyful, happy lives.

There are self help books and then there are self help books. This one is at the top. It is full of charts and well designed questions to help us uncover more about ourselves.  It is recognized by counselors and theologians alike and is a delight to the lay person.

Diana is a Northwest writer, a graduate from Western Seminary, and has taught at colleges and presented retreats for women for the last ten to 15 years. Her book is used to teach elders in her church how to help others. Undivided Heart is a two book series that takes you through understanding and then application of biblical and psychology truths. There is a Leaders Guide available for those who want to lead a study group in their church or community. These are available on her website. http://dianagreeneministries.com/.

She has published two other books, Where’s the Water and Winter Has Passed, which are available on Amazon.com. Diana is available for speaking engagements, retreats and teaching leaders how to use her material. Diana is a warm, engaging and dynamic woman who loves her Lord and has a passion for helping others become who they were designed to be.

Marlene Anderson

A Step Into the Past

CCC band in Hawaii 001Every once in a while a door opens from our past and allows us to revisit friends and colleagues and experience once again good times from an earlier period in our life even if it is at an otherwise sad occasion.

One of my husband’s college band students had died and I went to Portland over the weekend to attend the memorial service. It was soon evident that this was more than just a memorial – it was a celebration of this talented young man’s life: by family, peers, and past teachers. CCC band Hawaii 002 001

Musicians have a camaraderie and bond shared in their love and expression of music. Mark was an excellent trumpet player, band teacher and administrator. In commemoration of Mark’s life in music, a group of 10-12 musicians played at the beginning and middle of the memorial service.

LeRoy's band 001At the reception afterwards, 17 jazz musicians formed a band and played the music they loved: the big band sounds of the 40’s and 50’s. It was a celebration of the love they share as musicians. They played for the joy of it in the moment and in remembrance of those no longer with us.

The rest of us who never had the pleasure of playing together on a band stand listened, appreciated and were uplifted by the sounds of the big bands we all loved.

It was a wonderful weekend in many ways: a time out from a very busy schedule, an opportunity to visit and spend time with friends I hadn’t seen for a long time, and connect with a friend who had lost a loved one not too many months ago – a spouse who besides, being a premiere baker and chocolatier, had been a musician who played in my husband’s bands.

The weekend was highlighted with time spent with my son and his family and meeting with an acquaintance who had authored an exciting new book that will be the book review on this upcoming Wednesday’s blog.

The weekend went too fast. It was sorrowful – but uplifting; filled with tears and laughter; full of memories. And it reminded me again of how much we need to celebrate the lives of those we love while they are still with us and rejoice in the wonderful relationships we have made over the years.

Marlene Anderson

Sweet Revenge

Brush Fire Along I-84An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948), (attributed)

 

“How dare she!” –  “That was mean”  –  “That’s it – it’s over.”  –   “How could he do that to me”

Someone has wronged us or betrayed us. Anger rises. It simmers in our thoughts as we contemplate our revenge: “Just wait” – “I’ll get even with you”.

And we repeat to ourselves over and over again the injustice of the situation, of how we were treated and why we didn’t deserve it. Our expectations, whether appropriate or not, have been trampled.

Now we continue that pain as we replay over and over again what was done to us.  As we continue to stoke the flames of anger, hurt, and betrayal, we soon have a raging furnace inside of us, our stomach churning into hard knots; yet we feel chilled to the bone. Each time we re-play the events, we become more victimized and traumatized.  Each time we review the offence, our desire for revenge gets stronger and stronger.

It doesn’t matter that it was a loving spouse, a sister, or trusted friend – what was, is no more. You had been a loyal and good friend – and now you have been betrayed. You thought your love would last forever, but now the affair revealed the great deceit against your relationship. Humiliation and shame move in with anger. You have been vilified. You have every right to be angry. You have every right for revenge.

Revenge

“Something of vengeance I had tasted for the first time:as aromatic wine it seemed, on swallowing, warm and racy;its after-flavor, metallic and corroding gave me a sensation as if I had been poisoned.” Charlotte Bronte

The problem with revenge, however, is that it doesn’t resolve anything. Even if that revenge is only played out in our heads, there is no sweet satisfaction. We remain stuck in a cycle of endless need for justification and retribution.

And each time we lament on how unfair life has been, we continue to beat ourselves up, continue to feel the pain. Any dreams or goals we may have been pursuing has been replaced with settling of scores; our grievances turning hard and rigid inside of us until all we taste is bitterness.

What someone has done to you – you are now doing to yourself.

Words have physical responses within our bodies. With the first shock, you felt like someone had punched you in the stomach. As you repeat the events, the words continue to keep you in a state of turmoil and high stress.

Whenever you “gear up” for a battle in your mind, you are gearing up your body to take some kind of action. When there is no action you can take, the chemicals and hormones dumped into your system begin to eat away at you – physically.

Stress has turned into dis-stress.

What can you do?

1.  Acknowledge that you have been wronged. Acknowledge that you are angry. Accept that it has happened.

2.  Ask: I have been hurt; but do I want to continue hurting myself?

3.  Am I willing to let go of the injustice and use my energy in more constructive ways?

There is a reason why Jesus said to forgive 70 x’s 7. It is not so we become self righteous. It is to keep us from destroying ourselves.

Retribution and revenge is not seeking justice. It just continues a cycle of unhappiness and bitterness with no end.

Marlene Anderson

 

 

Book Review – Little Merchants, The Golden Era of Youth Delivering Newspapers

41XzVcMmkML__AA160_  - little merchants The clock shatters the peace of the quiet, early morning. It is 4:00 and dark. The wind is howling. You want to snuggle deeper under the blankets. But you dutifully crawl out of your warm, cozy bed onto the cold floor and quickly get dressed. Grabbing a bite, you are out the door.

No. You aren’t the milkman going to work in the wee hours of the morning. You are 8 or 9 years old. Some are as young as 4 or 5. You are newspaper boys, on your way to pick up the merchandise you will deliver.

As you reach the drop off site of the bundled papers dropped off in the wee hours of the morning by delivery trucks, you don’t have time to think about how cold it is. It is your job to cut the wire or twine holding the bundles together, roll them into deliverable bundles, stuff them in your large bags, get on your bikes and start delivering. When snow and ice prohibit the use of bikes, you walk or use sleds. You are little merchants, as Sandra Walker calls them in her wonderful book, “Little Merchants, the Golden Era of Youth Delivering Newspapers”.

To tell their story, Sandra has interviewed hundreds of people who in their aging years have relayed their stories to her – stories about young boys, and yes even some young girls, who got up at 4 or 6 in the morning to collect their newspapers, roll them up, get on their bikes to deliver them to 100, 150 or more people every morning. Then they would hurry home, get dressed and get to school on time. In the afternoon, the routine would start over again, often completing their routes in the dark. Sundays, the loads on their shoulders and on bikes doubled with all the Sunday paper inserts.

Rain or shine, snow or sleet, ice or high winds, these young boys never missed a day. It wasn’t just the natural elements they braved, but dogs who barked, attacked and bit, sometimes grabbing a chunk out of legs and even backsides. They persevered and treasured the pennies, nickels and dimes they received. This allowed them to get in to see the cinemas, or buy a new bike or even fishing gear. Often, it was to help their families as they struggled through the depression and other hard times.

Their customers were patrons in bars and saloons, in town and suburban residents who expected to have their paper by 6 in the morning and complained when it didn’t arrive. They rode their bikes miles to complete their routes. Nothing kept them from their jobs except serious injuries. Even dog bites only slowed them for a short while.

They were rarely sick, and when they were, they did not let it interfere with their route. There were no sick days. When early 19th century activists tried to legislate them out of business, they found a way to continue anyway. Having that paper route was that important to them.

From the east coast to the west coast – from the southern states to Alaska, these young entrepreneurs couldn’t wait to have their own route. And would do almost anything to keep it.

It is a fascinating and wonderful book. These kids met life where it was. They willingly gave up comforts which we would consider necessities to earn that money – and fought to be able to do so. From these early life experiences grew individuals who were resilient, independent and industrious. They got good grades in school and even participated in after-school sports. They learned early in life what it takes to overcome and persevere, and did it without grumbling, complaining or giving up. We could all learn important life lessons from them.

Sandra Walker is a Northwest writer and a member of Northwest Writers Associations. She began this industrious project as a way to honor her brother who was a “paper carrier” and interviewed “hundreds of former paperboys and girls”. She lives in the Puget Sound area and was a former teacher and counselor. You can purchase the book on Amazon.com in both paperback and kindle. Follow the link below:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Merchants-Golden-Delivering-Newspapers/dp/0988819201/ref=la_B00FIN99JW_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426608088&sr=1-1

I hope you enjoy the book as much as I have.

Marlene Anderson

What Stresses You Out?

SSGP0899Everyone sees the world differently. What “stresses” one person out may be another person’s excitement and enthusiasm for life.

When we share family stories with our siblings, we are often surprised at how differently each person growing up in the same household interpreted family dynamics and what their goals and aspirations were.

We are shaped and molded by our life experiences.  We develop core beliefs about what we can and cannot do and how we perceive the world.

But despite their influence, we have the ability to change negative and self-defeating perceptions and re-direct our lives.

Within each of us are passions and personality traits that draw us to different desires and accomplishments.  Many of our dreams, however, are sabotaged by a mindset that keeps us stuck in negative cycles that use up our energy before we can accomplish those dreams.

Typical stresses

Many things can create unhealthy levels of tension and stress. Here are some of the more typical ones that create problems for people. Do you find yourself in the list below?

  • Negative thinking and outlook (pessimistic attitudes, unrealistic expectations and assumptions, worry, anxiety, fears)
  • Family pressures (relationships, chaos, lack of structure, single parents, work load imbalance)
  • Environment (economy, weather, financial concerns, anything outside of my control)
  • Problems at work (conflicts, boring jobs, unrealistic expectations and demands, difficult bosses)
  • Care giving (taking care of others, no time for self, assuming responsibility for everything, lack of support and appreciation, exhaustion)
  • Letting others take control of our lives (passive, lack of assertive skills and personal empowerment, poor communication skills, passive/aggressive and manipulation to get needs met)
  • Short term coping strategies vs. long term solutions (alcohol, overeating, anger/rage, drugs, escape through the internet, gamboling, fantasy, pornography)
  • Few stress management skills or coping skills (inability to manage time, set goals, evaluate and prioritize)
  • Traumatic events/tragedies with long term consequences (accidents, natural disasters, disease)

Go over the list and ask yourself:

“Is there something listed that I am currently experiencing?”

“What is under my control to change and what is not?”

“Am I ready to make some positive changes?”

“How can I change my reactions and responses so I can redirect my energy in a positive way?

 

Marlene Anderson

 

Book Review – It’s A God Thing

Have you ever wondered whether people actually have experienced miracles and the protection of God in life and death situations? Have you ever wondered whether prayers are answered when the answers to those prayers could only have come from the intervention by a loving God? Have you ever wondered if God is real and cares about us very much?

It’s A God Thing”, is a collection of stories by real people who have experienced God’s protection, comfort, healing, provision, and everyday miracles. It is a collection of 42 real life events in which people have experienced the love of God – those moments in time that have no explanation for what has happened except for some intervention by a caring God.

Real people.  Real Life.  Real Grace.  A new start after a colossal failure. Reconciliation with a son that had stormed out of the house years ago.  Complete recovery when the doctors said there was nothing else they could do.  A broken marriage restored.  A moment of absolute joy, even when storms were raging all around.  Big moments. Small Moments.

My story, “Angels on Duty”, was one of those stories selected to be in this book. It’s a story about a time many years ago when I was attacked in my home by an intruder. My husband was at work – the kids were sound asleep upstairs. The intervention by God’s angel was real. I share this story to let people know that God does hear whispered prayers, gives us the strength we need in any situation and the power to follow through.

This is a book about those special moments in life when the only explanation for what has happened – protection, joy, forgiveness, reconciliation, healing or a fresh start is something that God brought about.

If you like to read true stories shared by people about real life events, you will enjoy this book. I have read all 42 stories and they are inspirational and help us “experience the heart of God.”

“It’s A God Thing, Stories to help you experience the heart of God,” by Freeman-Smith, published by Worthy Inspired , 2013, is available at Amazon.com. Just click on the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=it’s+a+god+thing%2C+stories+to+help+you+experience+the+heart+of+God&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Ait’s+a+god+thing%5Cc+stories+to+help+you+experience+the+heart+of+God.

Marlene Anderson

Good Stress – Bad Stress

Woman Holding Hand to HeadProperly channeled, stress enables us to live happy, energetic, productive lives. It allows us to set goals, meet dangers and defend ourselves.

Life is not perfect.

Just as there will be times when we will experience incredible joy and happiness, there will be times when we will experience high, extreme levels of stress because of unexpected tragedies, adversities, and losses that severely impact every aspect of our lives.

At such times, we will feel anxiety, worry and fear. The more overwhelmed we are in such circumstances the more helpless, hopeless and depressed we can become.

Our bodies were made to deal with stress

So, if we were made to handle all kinds of stress, should be concerned?

Yes. Why?

Perhaps we could liken ourselves to that of a well maintained car engine. As long as it is taken care of, it will run effectively and smoothly for a long, long time. But when neglected or not taken care of, that engine will begin to break down.

In a recent website article by According to a Psychology Today, Norman B. Anderson, PhD was quoted as saying, “Seventy-five percent of health-care costs are associated with chronic illnesses. What’s a key driver of chronic illnesses? Stress.”

Stress is a “proven precursor of many chronic conditions, such as depression and cardiovascular disease, and often makes existing illnesses worse.”

If 75% of doctor’s visits can be attributed to high and prolonged levels of stress, it would make sense that we look carefully at where we fit in that paradigm.

Consider the following:

  • Tranquilizers, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications account for one fourth of all prescriptions written in the United States each year
  • Stress contributes to heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and other illnesses
  • Stress contributes to the development of alcoholism, obesity, suicide, drug addiction, cigarette addiction and other harmful behaviors
  • Prolonged stress exhausts the adrenal glands, depletes the nervous system and can cause symptoms such as ulcers, chest pains, headaches, depression and finally exhaustion. It also lowers the immune system which protects us from many serious diseases
  • Recurring health problems of any type can be a signal that we are under high levels of stress that we need to pay attention to. When the body is highly stressed for too long, it gets out of balance and that imbalance is expressed with disease.

We were designed to deal with whatever life throws at us. Our internal “engines” were made to function in many different situations.

However, when overloaded and fatigued for longer and longer periods of time, we begin to show signs of distress, both internally and externally. Normal stress gradually becomes “dis-stress” where we are constantly geared up for action without an opportunity to act.

Marlene Anderson