Candy Marie Bridges's Blog, page 6

It starts with S. Ends with G.

So what word starts with an S
and ends with a G? 
Keep reading.

My little one year old granddaughter, Sophia is learning something new. Up until now, she has had no knowledge of what it is.  When her older sister Emma wants something Sophia has, like a toy and Emma goes to take it from her, Sophia loudly screams in opposition.

Her mother then stops and teaches her about an important word.

The word that begins with an S. and ends with a G. The word is "sharing." It's funny to think when we are babies all we do is take. Our survival depends on it. We take and demand the time to be fed, changed, and comforted. A new mother and father see beyond those demands and innately embrace them with eagerness. And then there comes a time, when those demands are slowly cut off because we have the ability to do them ourselves. But just because we have the ability to do them ourselves doesn't mean we know  how to do them.

Teaching the art of sharing with a child is draining. Even so, we know as parent's life is a better place when we share. Sharing often involves sacrifice.

When its taught out of love for another person, it perfects itself.

As adults, sharing or portioning out our time is the norm. We do this with our family, friends and co-workers. We also choose limits of sharing. Sometimes keeping things minimal. Other times, we give in abundance. Sharing tangible things in our lives is easier than sharing our time with others.

 

For me, this past week, the word Sharing, has been very present.

Last Sunday evening, I was invited to join a group of married couples who are having a book study with my new book. Each couple reads a set number of chapters and then they all meet to discuss one or more of the questions found at the end of each of the chapters. At the meeting, every person chose which questions they wanted to answer in front of the group. Almost all of them chose the same two questions from chapter 6. The title of the chapter is, Two optimists in motion. The questions were:

1. Do you have a relationship with your grandparents? What are your childhood memories with them?

2. Did you have the ability to know if they were a positive or a negative influence on you even at a young age?

 

What a joy to listen to each person share their own memories from their childhood. Most were happy memories and simply based on times and occasions spent with their grandparents. Some were painful, but they felt they needed to share with the group. There was much laughter along with a few tears. All good and the lesson learned was that in sharing, our stories can bless others. We agreed that sharing our stories with our children and grandchildren are great ways to share time. Time away from examples like the electronics that bombard our lives.

Tomorrow morning I am sharing my story with a group of ladies at a church breakfast in Phoenix. I will share my faith and my trust in the Lord throughout my life by way of tragedy and triumph. My talk with focus on the scripture from Proverbs 3:5-6

Yes I am a little nervous because I am not used to speaking to a group. I will share my story and let you know how it goes here next Friday.

Another exciting event for me was a podcast interview with Deacon Tom Fox and his lovely wife Dee. They interviewed me on the word Immanence a couple of weeks ago and it is now available to listen to below. Click on the word Immanence.

 

 Immanence

 

Front cover of Book

 

 

Book News!

 

The Goodreads contest is getting a lot of entries to win a copy of Meet Me In The Mountains. Sign up and you could win.
This week I received two reviews on Goodreads. One for 4 stars and one 5. The max is 5.
If you have read my book, please let others know about it. If you are looking for a book to use in a study group. Consider Meet Me In The Mountains.

 

 

 

My Tongue Is Bleeding

 
 
 



That's what I say when I want to respond to someones ridiculous statement or claims, but stop myself from speaking. I bite my tongue to avoid something I might say that is hurtful or embarrassing.
 
This past Ash Wednesday after Mass, I dropped my car off at the Chevy dealer for some repair work. The gentleman that was writing down the unusual noise my car was making was cheerful and very kind. While speaking to him, I immediately noticed his left ear. As the sun was partially shining on his earlobe, I noticed a hole in it the size of an m & m. Plain. Not peanut. I could see through the hole in his earlobe almost to the other side of the parking lot. I instantly started thinking all kinds of thoughts as to why he didn't have the gauge in his ear that created the little open window.
 
In case you don't know, Gauging is a form of slowly stretching the earlobe to create a hole so one can wear bigger jewelry.
 
Questions ran through my mind.
 


Did he forget the gauge?




Did he realize that having a big hole in his ear was not something he wanted after all now that he is older?




Or Did he accomplish his goal with the gauge that created the hole so he could  sport the little porthole to the world just as it is?




I of course held my tongue and did not mention anything.
 
While I was answering his questions about my car, I noticed he was a little nervous while writing. He darted his eyes away from me each time we made eye contact.
 
Actually it was more like "forehead contact" for him.
 
Just as I finished signing the work order, he couldn't stand it anymore and politely pointed to my forehead. "You, You have something black on your forehead," he said. Oh yes, I know, I immediately responded. It's ash Wednesday. They are ashes. Embarrassed, he apologized and said that he felt like he just put his foot in his mouth. I reassured him not to worry and be prepared for more customers that might have ashes on their forehead. If my humor hat was on, I would have said to him, you are actually on your way to being holy, especially by the looks of your ear! But… I bit my tongue.


 
Okay I couldn't resist.
 
I used to be embarrassed to have ashes on my head when I was younger, but now they are proudly worn as a sign of the beginning of a journey. A journey that will last 40 days and like Jesus, I am called and reminded to depend on God for my strength. Through fasting, prayer and alms giving. These practices trigger thoughts of what my priorities should be. Being unselfish, forgiving, humble and open to the holy spirit. A time to come closer the Lord.


 
Below is a biblical account from James on the Power of the Tongue.

 

James, Chapter 3

Power of the Tongue *Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly,for we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies. It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot's inclination wishes. In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions.

Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze. The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers. Does a spring gush forth from the same opening both pure and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh.

 

Book News

 

This weekend I will be joining a book study group who have been reading my book and then meeting to discuss it once a month. Twelve people share and discuss some of the questions found after each chapter. One of the questions that might be asked is: How did your first love affect your future relationships with the opposite sex? Did you re set boundaries?
My speech for the women's breakfast is just about finished. I will be speaking at Holy Cross Catholic Church on March 3, 2012 after the Saturday morning Mass. Tickets are $5.00 and include breakfast. I will speak about my faith journey through triumph and trial and incorporate a verse from Proverbs. I have never spoke to a large group before so am a little nervous. Okay, I am a lot nervous. Nothing that a little prayer from friends can't fix, so I ask you to pray that God will use my tongue for his glory during my talk.
Many people are signing up through Goodreads to win a copy of Meet Me In The Mountains. Three winners will be chosen. If you have read my book, please post a comment about it on your facebook page or on amazon.com

Ready…Set…Go !!

 

 

 

      That's how I feel most mornings when I wake up. As my eyes open, my mind fills with all the to do's for the day and I am off to the races ready to tackle the days work and activities.

Rarely does the day go like I plan though, as phone calls, expected and unexpected visitors, emails and working on endless projects cause me to re prioritize all day long. It used to bother me that I could not stick to the plans that I mentally laid out each morning. I have learned that life is too short to get upset over the things I hoped and planned when they don't get done.

     Some say I am a very patient person and yet I know that isn't always true.  Life is constantly  giving us opportunities to learn patience and re prioritize. Me included.

     Any mother knows this with small children. You just do it.  Sometimes, you do what you have to so that peace will prevail along with your sanity. That can mean dying to yourself and putting off the things you want to do to serve your family or a friend in need. If you look at this as a life blessing in the way of service, and not as a "poor me" moment, you will be better off. Our attitude about life really matters. If things aren't going your way, think about how you can learn from the trial at hand. I have an example of what I thought was a trial in my life, until I learned otherwise. I will share the lesson learned below.

A Lesson Learned

 

     There was a time during renovations here at Breath of Life Retreat House where I had workers doing construction all over the property. This went on for a year and a half and I was like a foreman, or I should say, forewoman, making sure all was done as I wanted and planned. My life at the time was filled with thoughts of drywall, paint, stone, two-by-sixes, stucco, plumbing and more.

     I called for a phone technician to come out to rewire some phone lines for me in my office and I could not get a hold of the technician. It was frustrating for me. When I did get a hold of him, he told me more than once that he would come by to do the work and yet, he didn't show up. This irritated me to no end and when he finally did show up two weeks after his promise, I gave him a short lecture on following through with commitments. After I rambled, he sheepishly looked at me and said that he apologized and that he was unable to come by because his son who lived in Texas was suffering from his last stages of cancer and was taking a turn for the worse. He needed to be there and everything else in his life did not matter. His son died while he was there.

     You can imagine how I felt. No bigger than an ant and so sorry for my selfishness. I apologized and instantly thought how I assume things about people when I don't really know what might be going on in their lives. This lesson forced me to ask for forgiveness and offer prayer for him and his family. I was humbled.

Since we live in a very rural town, things don't happen as quickly as the big city. In fact, there is a saying here in Pine that many times work is done on "Pine Time." The definition of that is, "Whenever!" For me this is difficult to accept, but I have learned that sometimes,

Pine Time is a good… time. 

Book News!

 

The contest to win a free copy of Meet Me In The Mountains is still on at the Goodreads link.
How exciting! This week, I was interviewed by Deacon Tom Fox and his lovely wife Dee on their podcast called www.CatholicVitamins.com. The show will be available for download in the next week or so.  I spoke about my life, my book, the retreat house and a funny story about my husband Jim and I.
I am still working on my talk to be given at Holy Cross Church in Mesa on March 3, 2012.

 

I am closing the door……….

 

 

 

 

 

     Before I tell you what I closed the door on, I have to explain why I didn't get to post on my blog last Friday. I was quite ill with a high fever and a case of the crud. In bed for four days and hated every minute of it. I am back on track and getting better each day.

 

So what's this about closing the door?

 

     About ten days ago I made a very difficult decision.  I have been avoiding this decision for awhile.  I decided to close the door on something I am very proud of.  My web site. It's called Amen Christian Calligraphy or http://www.AmenChristianCalligraphy.com and it will close it's cyber doors on March 31, 2012. Over the past fourteen years, it has provided many customers with matted and framed inspirational and scriptural art and calligraphy.

     So why am I doing this? The web site is in need of a major revamp and realistically I won't have the time to take this project on. I thought I could make this one of my winter projects, but I know that in reality, it just isn't going to happen.

     At this time in my life, I find I am stretched to the point of sacrificing other commitments that need attention. Namely the retreat house and all that goes into running it. Phone calls, the web site, paperwork, cooking, hosting our wonderful guests and maintaining the property inside and out are more than a full time job. It's my vocation and passion to serve our guests and take care of the property.  I am blessed to have my husband Jim be such a huge help to me and with a servants heart, we work well together.

In addition, there is the recent publishing of my book and now another updated and re edited version that will soon be out. This involves more time to promote the book. Even though the web site will close, my work will be available in the gift shop here at Breath Of Life.  I hope to slowly as time allows put products up for sale on this blog.

     It can be so hard to make decisions in life. I often ask the Lord to hit me with a brick so I know what I am supposed to do. Often though, I think he wants me to do what I want to do, but I fear not knowing the outcome so want him to make the decision for me. I have learned that many times through my decision making, God provides a confirmation through other people or circumstances. Sometimes it's very clear through a scripture that I read or a meditation.  He shows me that he is with me in all decisions I make whether good or not so good.  He did not create me to be a robot that he can program, but he did create me with a brain and feet. And if I think and act with the desire to please God, then I trust that he will guide me with all decisions.  I accept that and work through whatever comes my way.

Because I put so much into writing my book, I am going to see what the Lord will do in the way of opening and closing doors. Many people tell me that my book has touched them and helped them to see what things are most important in their life and prompt them to re center their faith in God through trial and triumph. For this I am pleased.

 

 

All orders placed at http://www.AmenChristianCalligraphy.com

before March 31, 2012, will receive free shipping

and a free variety pack of 8 note cards.

Free set of eight note cards with your order placed before March 31, 2012from www.AmenChristianCalligraphy.com

 

Book News !!

 

My newly updated book is just about complete.
I will be speaking at a women's breakfast on March 3, 2012. To be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mesa, Arizona
I received another nice review from our local paper.Pine resident Candy Bridges has written a book about the challenges that confront us and offering hope through her experience. She established the Breath of Life Retreat Center here in Pine, showing how hope often grows from despair. Her book, "Meet Me In The Mountains" is a story of life, challenges, faith and hope.To obtain a copy or learn more about our neighbor, go to Amazon.com or www.CandyMarieBridge.com
Enter the Goodreads contest to the right of this blog. There will be three winners chosen to receive a free signed copy of Meet Me In The Mountains. Drawing on April 15th, 2012

 

 

Recalculating

 

 

Have you ever used a portable navigation system in your vehicle? If so, you might have had to change your planned route while driving. When you tell the nav system of this change or there is a glitch with the device, that familiar computer voice speaks up and says: Okay……..Recalculating.

And there you have a new and updated route.

There is another piece of recent technology for the i phone 4s. You ask your phone any question and Siri, your personal assistant, somewhere hiding within your phone, will give you an answer. This morning, I was so pleased to read the article below. When you ask Siri where the nearest abortion clinic is, she directs you to a pregnancy center. Read the article below.

With the San Francisco and New York Walk for Life Ralley's now over, I hope their pros life message inspired those who watched to recalculate their thoughts on abortion. There is no doubt that prayer and speaking out about the truth of what abortion does to the mother, father, family and of course the baby has brought change of heart to many. This has taken time, education and persistence. When you expose the darkness of abortion into the light, it can be dealt with. In that comes pain, but out of pain can come healing and hope for others.

I am so proud of my fellow Christian brothers and sisters who boldly, yet compassionately speak for the unborn. We have all made mistakes. Every single mistake is forgivable in the eyes of God. When we are truly repentant, we can experience peace in that forgiveness.

 

 

 

Siri Sends Women to Pregnancy Centers,

Not Abortion Clinics

by Andrew Bair | Washington, DC | LifeNews.com | 11/29/11 6:19 PM

Technology has been instrumental in moving public opinion on abortion. From the advent of ultrasound technology, which provides stunning glimpses into life in the womb, to iPad applications that allow a pregnant mother to track her baby's development, the pro-life movement has benefited from greater awareness of the humanity of the unborn child. Now, the latest model of Apple's iPhone provides women with alternatives to abortion when making related abortion searches on its new voice-directed Siri technology.

Siri serves as an electronic personal assistant that responds to voice commands for owners of the iPhone 4S. Abortion advocates were outraged to find when Siri was asked questions related to abortion, the phone responded with a list of pregnancy resource centers instead of local abortion facilities.

Despite the persistent efforts of abortion advocates to drown out the positive alternatives to abortion provided by pregnancy centers, the iPhone 4S has chosen to highlight them.

The story broke after abortion advocates tested the phone in New York City, the city New York magazine labeled "The Abortion Capital of America," where over 40% of pregnancies end in abortion (according to the Department of Health). The iPhone's willingness to showcase pregnancy centers stands in stark contrast to the City of New York, which earlier this year sought to place hefty restrictions on their operation.

In their protests of pregnancy resource centers, self-described pro-choice advocates reveal their true goal is not to provide women with authentic choices, but rather to defend abortion-on-demand. In state after state, abortion advocates have fought tooth and nail against informed consent before an abortion. Legislative proposals offering women scientifically accurate information about her pregnancy, including the chance to view ultrasound before an abortion, have been met with firm opposition.

It boggles the mind that in a city like New York, where abortion is so rampant, abortion advocates would be worried about access to abortion. The problem is not that women aren't able to find abortion centers, but rather that women are not receiving the resources they need to carry their pregnancies to term.

A majority of women who have had abortions say they would have made a different decision had they possessed more information or known of other resources available. These women spend the rest of their lives suffering with regret, guilt and sometimes even mental and physical health problems as a result of the abortion they should never have had. We owe it to women everywhere to make them aware of the positive, life-affirming alternatives available to them.

 

Book News

Next Friday I will be starting another giveaway for my book. You might win a copy through Goodreads.
Listen to me read the Preface and Foreword from my book, Meet Me In The Mountains below.

Watch Out For The Mud

 

 

I am not a political junkie or an expert with understanding
all the workings of politics.

I am though, very interested in who our next President will be.

I enjoy watching the presidential candidates debate each other. It's interesting to watch their body language and hear their answers to questions posed to them by the other candidates.

Like someone digging for water, the deeper they go into each others political or personal past, the more likely they will find some mud. This icky substance usually sticks to things and is a nuisance to clean off.

America's candidates along with the news people are feverishly digging deep to find what they can about each man running for the highest office in the land. As the mud is brought to our attention in the debates, the accused will do their best to defend and clean up the mess. They explain their decisions and actions and sometimes they do something very bold…

They apologize for something personal or political in their past, admitting that in hindsight, they should not have voted on a bill or behaved in an immoral lifestyle. This makes them appear human. I respect them for their honesty and willingness to boldly admit they were wrong in their actions. I also respect them for choosing to defend their right to privacy when it comes to their personal life.

Bringing up the past is difficult for many. Especially when it comes to mistakes we have made or mistakes others have made against us. We can not go back and change one single day in our past. But we can, because of our past, admit fault, change our thought process, actions, and lifestyle. It's our choice. We also have to live with the fact that sometimes people will bring up our shady, self-destructive or immoral past.

When I hear someone say that at one time they were a horrible husband or wife who didn't treat their spouse or children with respect, I am curious why. Some claim they were selfish and abused relationships. They smoked pot, shot up, and drank too much to escape. Sleeping around so they could feel loved. They admit they did this in ignorance. They were wrong and they are repentant. They have made a conscious choice to change and admit that through the hell they lived, they are now a better person. They are following a better moral compass. They follow it because it brings peace to them and to their family. God did not intend for us to abuse our bodies or live immoral lives.

Selectively sharing our past can help others and give them hope.  I am not saying to shout out to the world that you have done despicable things, but if you are a changed person because of your past, you might be able to help someone who is destructive to themselves or others or hurting from physical, spiritual or emotional pain. God will use you to help others if you ask Him to. Just listening to others can breed compassion. Compassion can move. Movement can change.

Liars, cheaters, selfishness, greed and narcissism are a plenty in our government. I believe though, there are those who have a genuine interest for the good of the United States. I also believe that we have some great candidates that are running for President. Keep praying for our country.

 

Book News

Last week, I told you I would share something about my book.

Since my book is printed POD, or print on demand, the next printing of my book will have some editing changes. Even though Meet Me In The Mountains was edited by the publishing company, there are some changes that I feel need to be addressed. Nothing major, but improving and bettering my book by clarifying a few stories and fixing some obvious typo's will only make it better. I hate re doing things, but I have found throughout my life that it's okay to re-do things. To improve or change, usually creates something even better and I am resolved to the fact that this is my lot with many things I do and…………I usually feel better about it. Until next Friday. Have a great week.

 

Will There Be Hand Motions In Heaven?

 

It's been more than a couple of weeks since I have updated this blog. Consumed with the holidays along with a trip to see a very close friend battling cancer has kept me from the computer. Christmas and New Years were busy with lot's of dinners, white elephant exchanges and visiting family and friends.

2012 has begun and a new year brings new ideas and new personal goals to my mind. I will be doing my best to prioritize and balance my life. Perfecting this is a constant challenge. I hope to keep this blog active this next year and share with you my thoughts and experiences about topics that interest me. Hopefully you will be interested too.

 

I recently watched a very funny video online by Chris Padgett and Bob Rice. They sang a song about whether or not there would be hand motions in heaven. I love the humor in their actions while singing the song.  Hand motions while singing accentuates the words. It also helps us to remember the words.

Look at the little children who sing, The Its y Bitsy Spider. It's more fun to wiggle your fingers in an upward motion like a spider and then drop them down quickly and shout, "and washed the spider out!"

Being half Italian and more right brained, I tend to use my hands when I speak. I guess I subconsciously do this for emphasis. It's in my blood, as they say. My left brain strains to calculate the timing and rhythm of hand motions in a song, but I still try.

Raise and Praise

 

 

I find myself raising my hands in praise for a beautiful day or in thanksgiving for random things. Blue skies, clouds, good news, etc. Raising hands in praise to God is an act of submission or being open.

Sometimes during church services, people get nervous or offended and snidely stare when they see the raise and praise actions of worship, while some churches are all about the raise and praise in worship.

No matter though. Remember that you can raise and praise anytime. I don't know if there will be hand motions in heaven, but here on earth, I am going to take advantage of the outward sign.

In the Bible there are many scriptures that reference praise to God. Below there are two.

1 Timothy 2:1, 8 – I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone … It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.

Psalm 134:2 – Lift up your hands toward the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

 

Book News
 One year ago, January 1, I committed to writing my memoir and it has since been published and available. It was a commitment I stuck with until completed. The book has touched lives and for that I am happy. Forgiveness and faith are challenges most people face at one time or another in their life, and the many stories I share in my book address my own ways of fighting through both. I am hoping this next year will bring continued awareness of my book, Meet Me In The Mountains. Next week I will share some surprising news about what has happened recently with my book.
Enjoy your weekend and may you blessed with an abundance of peace, health and joy this year.

Is Your Christmas Present?

 

 

Funny how some people try and disappoint Christians by claiming we don't know the true date of Jesus birth. I really don't care what exact month, day, hour and second Jesus was born. The fact that God sent him into the whole world as a babe born to a virgin is what matters. Jesus is the greatest gift given to us and as Christians, we celebrate with gift giving, song, charity, and church services.

Can you imagine if people had an opportunity to buy the living baby Jesus on ebay or amazon or win him in Vegas? Can you imagine the amount of greedy people trying to out bid each other? When Christians unite in celebrating a priceless gift that will never be available on any store shelf, it truly is the best Christmas Present ever. He was born of love, He is love, You are loved, and You were meant to love.

  A very Merry and Blessed Christmas to you and yours.

And I shout

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

 

THANK YOU FOR BEING BORN. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME. THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME.

Thought I would share this video. Enjoy!

Book News!

Congratulations to the three winners of my book, Meet Me In The Mountains. Caitlyn, Phillip, and Precious.
I will begin recording the reading of my book in the new year. More news about that coming soon.

No more Bah Humbug

 

During the Christmas season, it's tradition for my husband and I to spend an evening watching the movie, "Scrooge."

Before marrying Jim, I had no interest in musicals. In fact, I totally avoided watching them. I thought the time the characters sang time. Bah Humbug! I felt the message could have been sent much quicker without all the drama in singing and dancing. I know. That's pretty harsh huh? But wait! Since my life has slowed down some in the past few years, although I know some would beg to differ, I have learned to appreciate the musically talented actors along with other classics like "Holiday Inn" and "It's A Wonderful Life."

In the movie, "Scrooge," Ebenezer is taught the importance of love and charity the hard way. He is forced by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future to learn of his fate if he doesn't change his ways. His past was filled with rejection. In the present, he is self absorbed with an addiction to money and disregard for anyone else's needs or cares.

The Ghost of Christmas Future jolts Scrooge into reality by showing him the consequences of his selfishness and lack of compassion. When he sees the future plight upon his death if he doesn't change his ways, he fears what he sees greatly and fortunately learns that real happiness is in giving, compassion, and loving.

The movie will never die and will forever teach us about our choice to change for the benefit of ourselves and others. No matter how we have been treated in our past, or where we are in the now, our choice to change for the good of all, especially ourselves is in the present.

Besides singing the tune "Thank you very much," a zillion times in my head the past few days, and I share it with you so you can suffer with me, (smile), below I share the most important song in the movie sung by Scrooge. The words are below.

 

Scrooge

 

I'll begin again

I will build my life

I will live to know

I fulfilled my life

I'll begin today

Throw away the past

And the future I build

Will be something that will last

I will take the time

That I have left to live

And I'll give it all

That I have left to give

I will live my days

For my fellow men

And I'll live in praise

Of that moment when

I was able to begin again

I'll begin again

I will change my fate

I will show the world

That it is not too late

I will never stop

While I still have time

'Till I stand at the top

Of the mountain I must climb

I will start anew

I will make amends

And I will make quite certain

That the story ends

On a note of hope

On a strong amen

And I'll thank the world

And remember when

I was able to begin again

I'll begin again!

Written by Leslie Bricusse

As Christians we know that the best gift we receive for Christmas is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. He teaches us through example how to love, forgive and have compassion.

Thank you Jesus for being born and thank you for giving us second chances on this earth. And third, and fourth, etc. etc.

Book News!

 

Monday is the last day to enter your name into the Goodreads contest. You might win a copy of my book.
The Payson Roundup newspaper inserted an article about my book this week. I share here:
Candy Marie Bridges has just released a wonderful memoir, "Meet Me in the Mountains," in which she shares her personal faith journey and leads readers through a lifetime filled with joys and challenges that culminates here in Pine.She started the Breath of Life Retreat Center as a tribute after the untimely and sudden death of her husband. The Retreat Center offers individuals and groups a welcoming environment of clean mountain air and serenity in which to enjoy wildlife, home-cooked meals, and activities.Through her book and the Retreat Center, Candy has forged a path to bring hope and inspiration to others. As so many Rim dwellers, she shares a giving spirit that reaches out to others.In her book, "Meet Me in the Mountains," Candy Marie Bridges encourages readers who feel life is too much to bear. She writes candidly about private heartaches and meeting unforeseen challenges head-on.For more information on the book or the Retreat Center, you can visit her Web site at http://www.CandyMarieBridges.com.

 

Forgiveness Is A Dirty Job

 

 

Hate is a very strong word. I usually choose to say it when I see choices people have made that are self destructive or destructive to others. I hate when I see a child  neglected. I hate when I see pain and suffering. I choose NOT to hate anyone because that is not the christian thing to do. I choose to hate the actions, lifestyle and choices that people make that cause self destruction, sin or hurt towards others. That does not discount the justice that should be served on those that break the law.

 

I am a hyper-compassionate person. This makes forgiveness even more difficult.  As a child, I would often ask "why?" Why can't I go over my friends house? Why can't I buy that shirt? Why can't I watch that TV show? Sometimes I got an answer and sometimes the answer was simply, Because I told you so.  I never liked the "Because I told you so" answer. I always wanted to know "why?" In a sense Jesus gives me the same "Because I told you so" answer about forgiveness. But He also tells me the reasons why, and I share that at the end of this page.

 

When we hold on to anger and hatred, it eats away at us. It changes us and make us into persons we never wanted to be. If we choose to give our chains of hate, anger and the inability to forgive to the greatest of forgivers and ask for help so we can forgive, we will have peace in our spirits which allows us to LOVE.  God's mercy in forgiving us is the greatest of gifts. Forgiveness is about being able to live with the peace of love instead of hate, which tears and destroys.

 

In my past I was dealt a card that most would say is unforgivable. A wrong that affected my whole life and the lives of my children. Not to mention many others in my family and friends.  The normal experience of anger, bitterness, and mourning took hold of everyone affected. If these emotions are not dealt with, their root will grow and will lack inner peace. How can we love if we are angry? How can we love if we are bitter? I know people who are angry at everyone and everything and bitterness shows in their countenance.  It's a living hell to be this way.

 

In my book, I share about a time just hours after my husband died that made me very angry and hurt. I later chose to forgive the person who went against my wishes. Forgiveness was not a simple and easy thing to do. It took time for me to "choose" to forgive. My human nature stills struggles with forgiving, but my spirit tells me to forgive and re forgive again and again. And because of that choice, I receive peace.

 

Give yourself a priceless gift this Christmas Season! Make time within yourself to choose to forgive. Whether you forgive yourself or others, the help from the Lord over time will supernaturally change your spirit. And from that comes something so very priceless…………….Peace.

 

Colossians 3:13 to "make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."

Mt 21-22: "Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven!"

What does this mean? It means that there's no limit to the number of times we should forgive a person. Even if someone hurts you once and you forgive them and a minute later they mess up again, whether they ask for your forgiveness or not, you are to forgive them. Think about it like this – if Jesus can forgive our sins and remember them no more when we repent and ask for his forgiveness, then as followers of Christ we can do the same for others.

Mark 11:25 that "when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins too."

Forgiveness requires that we address the situation in a positive and loving way, instead of with fear and hatred.

Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus says, "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."

 

 

The Lord's Prayer

 

Book News!

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