If you have faith and you are keen to make it a central and important part of your family and home life, then there are a lot of ways you might go about achieving that. One is to make sure that you are teaching your kids about faith in some way or another, and the more effectively you do this, the happier you are probably going to be with the results. All in all, there are a few things to think about if you are keen to teach your kids about faith, so let’s take a look at what they might be right now.
The best way to come to faith is by exploring it on one’s own, so this is something that you should try to encourage your kids to do as best as they can. If, from a young age, you are helping them to feel their own way into what they believe, that is the kind of thing that is really going to help them to figure it out for themselves. Then, having done that work, whatever they come up with will be so much more powerful for them in the long run. It’s amazing how well this can work. Try To Answer Their Questions Your children will probably have all sorts of questions about faith-related things, and it’s a really good idea to try and answer them as best as you can. Doing this is a good way to have a back-and-forth with them, and you might be surprised at just how effective it can be. All in all, it’s the kind of thing that can be incredibly helpful. They might want to know about God’s attributes, or they might ask: is heaven a real place? In any case, having an answer for them can be encouraging for them. Don’t Force Anything Although there is nothing wrong with being open about your own beliefs and helping your kids to see the truth, there is a difference between that and actively forcing something on them. If it is clear that they are keen to go in a different direction, then you should allow them the freedom to do so, because that will be better for them and for you. Not forcing anything is a really important thing that you have to consider in all this, and it’s something that you will definitely need to make sure that you are keeping firmly in mind at all times. Finally, if you want to get your kids looking into their own faith and belief, then you might want to try and keep it light and fun. One way to do that is to play faith-based games. There are all sorts of board games and even video games based around this idea, and playing these together can be a really wonderful way to explore those themes together as a family. That’s a great way to ensure that your kids are discovering their own faith.
2 Comments
They say that it doesn’t matter how you have a relationship with God, but just that you do. But over time, we can get a little lost in everyday life and need to take a moment to step back and refresh our relationship with God. It doesn’t matter if you have been away from your religion for a while or if you just want to strengthen your bond with him. Here are some ways that you can solidify and strengthen your bond with the Almighty. PrayWhen was the last time you prayed? Now when was the last time you spoke to God? All of our relationships rely on communication to happen. And each time we talk, we can strengthen our bonds. The same goes for your relationship with God. What makes praying incredible is that you can do it while you wash the dishes, you can do it in church, and you can join in with The House of Prayer - whatever moves you is the right option for you. Start and end every day by praying to God, or at the very least communicating through the day as you run errands and more. Keep those lines of communication open, and you will have a direct line and a strong bond for life. Bible Think of the Bible as the one-stop shop for everything you need when you need it. The Bible is available to us everywhere and in many different forms, but it is the one place where you can always find God. Pocket bibles offer a great sense of support on the go, while a larger, more comprehensive bible is ideal for at home. Consider how much of our time we take to read emails from work and letters from bill collectors - and how little time we might spend on something that we have been given as a guide and a light. The Bible is often described as a love letter to those who would read it directly from God. While reading it from cover to cover could be considered a task worth attempting, for many, a few pages each evening or each week is enough to keep us enlightened and further understand our role on the planet and God's wishes for us. Serving To serve others is to serve God. While it is your relationship that you are focusing on, the relationship between all humans, you, and God also matters. God asks us to commend and serve him and others. Putting the emphasis on others here - where can you do good? Where can you make a difference in the lives of others that is impactful for them? Go into serving, volunteering, or giving with the idea that it is not for thanks. Instead, it is for you to give thanks for all that you have. Putting good back out into the world comes in many forms. You may work in soup kitchens; you might offer support in many areas of life. The stronger your bond is with God, the more that you will see you have a lot of love and kindness to give to others - and you will soon see where those efforts should be put too. Putting God in your everyday life will keep him close; here are some reasons why it is worth your time: Why Dedicate Your Time to Faith. It happens to everyone from time to time, and yet the solutions to being stuck in your career are actually relatively straightforward if you know what to do about them. Whatever it is that might be causing your feeling of being stuck, you should find that there are always steps you can take to improve the situation. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the main things to consider trying whenever you feel stuck in your career, for whatever reason that might have happened. As long as you give these a go, you should find yourself in a much better position in no time.
Identify The Problem It might sound obvious, but the first thing you need to do is to identify the problem at hand. After all, it is not always as simple as you would think to work out what the problem is, and you need to figure this out if you are going to fix it properly. Is it that you are fed up with your employer, the nature of the work itself, or something else entirely? Whatever it is, try to get as close as possible to a real understanding of it so that you can figure out what to do more fully and easily. Seek Coaching Often, to make a change in your career, you need to also make a change in your own way of being generally. In other words, you need to make sure that you are able to bring about a general transformation in your life if you are going to make a transformation in your career. To help with that, you might want to consider seeking transformational coaching like Glitter for the Soul. this can be a really powerful way of learning how to bring about bigger and more useful changes in your life. Grow Your Network At some point soon, if you are really serious about trying to change careers, you might find that you need to grow your network first. If you have done that early on, you are going to be in a better position, because you’ll already be in touch with the kinds of people that you might need to help you out here. So that’s something that you should focus on soon if you want to improve your career prospects in the future. It is likely going to help you out a great deal. Invest In Yourself Finally, it might be a good time to think about investing in yourself a little, in whatever way that might be necessary to do so. This is one of those things that can help you later on, after all, and it will also mean that you are going to have a better chance of developing some skills as appropriate too. So make sure that you are spending some time and effort on improving yourself if you want to see these kinds of changes. You will find it really helps you out a lot. Maria T. Henriksen is a lover of reading, writing, and the arts. She considers it a privilege to be able to pursue her dreams of being a multi-published Christian author. She invites you to join the many readers who embrace her unique blend of genres which combines the turbulent adolescent years with mature topics that are often swept under the rug. Maria takes you on a spiritual and emotional journey that displays God’s unconditional love, power, and faithfulness in the face of seemingly unbearable trials and tribulations.
Helping others in any capacity is what drives Maria. The Not Again duology was designed to draw people closer to God. Not Again The Fallout, the sequel, was specifically created to demonstrate that by sharing our burdens, as well as asking for and receiving help, anything can be accomplished. Maria believes that it’s also important to dig deep and to look upward and outward to help those in need. She feels that giving of yourself may lead to your own restoration, in addition to being a blessing to others. This born-and-raised Philadelphia suburbanite resides with her husband, Dave, of over two decades, along with their amazing college-age twins, Brandon and Kathryn. Maria feels extremely blessed to have such a close family and continues to find each of them as a source of daily inspiration. Not Again, book one of the Not Again duology, is a realistic coming-of-age Christian novel set in the 1980s where romance collides with conviction and innocence collides with tragedy. Its inspirational messages will transform your life forever. Https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WHKGDF7 To celebrate the release of Not Again The Fallout, Maria is having a spectacular multi-prize giveaway. Open link for more information. King Sumo Promo: https://www.mariathenriksen.com/not-again-the-fallout-giveaway In addition, Maria would love to giveaway a pre-paid ebook from Amazon of the first book of the Not Again series called Not Again to the lucky winner who comments and shares this blog post. US only. Not Again The Fallout Book Description Not Again The Fallout. Book two of the Not Again series. This edgy, faith-based novel continues the life of Christina De Rosa, who experiences the fallout of her past during her college years in the 1980s. Will Christina be able to open her heart again for a second chance romance? Is she brave enough to face her worst fears to allow the healing needed to live a productive life? Or did her most recent event cause permanent devastating effects? Will Christina be crushed once again by a former love? This book will not only tie up unanswered questions from Not Again book one, but the inspiring messages will have a lasting impact. Not Again The Fallout is so powerful that it may cause emotional responses, as well as put you on a path of healing. Bring tissues. From now until July 12, Maria is giving away a choice of swag for pre-ordering the sequel, Not Again The Fallout. With proof of pre-order purchase, you have the choice of receiving a Not Again The Fallout bookmark or magnet. Simply forward Maria your email confirmation of the delivery of the Not Again The Fallout ebook on release day, July 13 to authormariathenriksen@gmail.com. Not Again The Fallout https://amzn.com/gp/product/B09YNJ8B9H/ Here is Maria’s beautiful, newly redesigned, interactive website. New subscribers to her newsletter/blog receive a FREE relaxation audio 🧘♀️🎧: https://www.mariathenriksen.com Here is all of Maria’s social media links in one convenient spot: https://.linktr.ee/AuthorMaria What is your faith to you? For a lot of people, especially those who are brought up in the church and don’t take much time to inspect their own faith, it might be something that’s innate, passive, and simple. “The faith of a child,” as it was once put. However, if you’re been looking to strengthen your connection with your faith, you might want to do more than pray and go to church. Here are some of the ways to spend more time with God, and why it’s worth it. You can better know your scripture A lot of people, even those of deep faith, have never read the Bible fully. This doesn’t mean that their faith is lesser and, indeed, for the majority of Christianity’s existence, most believers weren’t able to read the Bible as it was typically only written in Latin. However, we don’t have that problem today and we even have more convenient opportunities to engage with it such as audio bibles that you can listen to at any time, such as on your commute. Learn more about your faith If you find yourself pondering the scripture that you hear or read, or you wonder the deeper meaning of the prayers that you say, there’s a lot of depth to be discovered when it comes to your faith. With the help of things like online theology courses, you don’t have to be restrained in how you explore your faith. Learning more about your beliefs doesn’t spoil or diminish them. In fact, it can help you get a more holistic appreciation of God through your daily life. It can help you find your moment of peace throughout the day The way that you spend time with and engage with God doesn’t have to be anything especially disciplined or structured, either. One practice that can help is to take what time you can find, even a few minutes in the day, to sit, be at peace, and to say a prayer or even a few faith-based affirmations. Simply by taking the time to keep God in your mind, you can quickly remind yourself of lessons you’ve learned and thoughts you’ve pondered about your beliefs, and you can take them with you through the day. Remind yourself to be good to others Faith is not something you practice only in your own heart. It should reflect how you treat others as well. If your faith doesn’t involve charity, giving, or volunteering to help, even those outside of your faith community, then you should consider changing that. Taking the time to spend a little more of the day with God can then help you reflect on how you treat others. Perhaps you’ve been dealing with stress, for instance, and let it out on others. A reminder of your faith can help you course-correct for the rest of the day. Faith can help you put more positive energy out into the world, which can help you stay positive in times of challenge, too. There’s nothing inherently wrong with having a more passive and simple faith. However, for those that seek more, there is always more to find if you’re willing to open your heart and dedicate your time. Stress is a very common and a natural part of everyday life, whether moving home, starting a new job or navigating parenthood, your decisions are laden with stress and worry. The best thing you can do to help find your way through difficult and stressful situations is to develop tools to help you manage them effectively. The good news is your faith can play a huge part in stress management and even in overcoming stress. Here are some ways that having faith can help you.
You will be better placed to deal with stress. Stressful situations can have a negative impact on your daily life, your overall wellbeing and even your relationships. To avoid this from becoming all-consuming allow yourself to trust in your faith to step in where you cannot actively affect change. There will be things that are out of your control and allowing your faith to take over and remind you of your limitations, over what you can and cannot do to change a situation will serve you. Going back to the house move example, you can control a number of aspects in relation to the process, choosing the best realtor or legal representative - you can research them, visit websites for more details, and talk with them. You can complete all the paperwork and documentation required, you can organize everything efficiently on your end but ultimately there will be things you cannot do and that are out of your control. Trust in your faith to help you through the stressful times, the unknown and the bits you have no say in. If it doesn’t always go to plan your faith will be there to help you navigate the next steps. Faith can give you hope. Faith can help promote a sense of optimism and hopefulness that things will all work out for the best, things that are beyond your control. A positive mindset is one of the best things you can do to help improve your mental and physical health. Once again, if things do not work out then your faith can help you to accept the outcome and move forward in a positive way, knowing that there is hope and having faith for better days. Faith brings people together Faith can unite communities and bring about a sense of togetherness and unilateral support. When you are part of a religious community you part of a community that is there to support one another in their time of need and having others to support you is a great way to reduce the impact of stressful situations. Faith can help keep you calm and relaxedMany people will turn to meditation or mindfulness to help them remain calm and relaxed in a stressful situation and while these practices certainly have their place do not overlook the power of prayer and contemplation. Both prayer and contemplation can be akin to a form of mediation and help the body and mind to relax and in turn reduce stress. "The Christian Life is a challenge. It's a battle against sin, Satan and the world." - Oswald Chambers. We know that sometimes life can be difficult. If you're struggling with staying positive during challenging times, then this blog post is for you! This post will discuss different ways to stay positive through any situation by drawing on our faith in Christ.
#1 Quiet time in the mornings We can start each day by reading the Bible and praying. This will bring you closer to God, strengthen your relationship with Him and help you face any challenge that may come along during the day! Quiet time in the mornings also gives one a chance to collect your thoughts before the busy day ahead and maybe get some exercise or stretching in to feel your best and ensure you have enough energy to tackle the day with positivity and productivity. #2 Focus on the positives When things are challenging, it's super easy to focus on the negative aspects. However, focusing on the good in life is what will help you stay positive during challenging times! The Bible outlines how important it is to reflect God's glory through our lives and actions, so why not start by reflecting His love? Reflecting His love means that you can be kinder towards others than usual, as Pastor Paula White says - this does not mean being fake or insincere but simply loving people just as they are without needing anything from them. Reflecting God's love also shows up when you're feeling challenged because rather than give in to negative emotions like anger or sadness (which may feel like "the way out" of a difficult situation), instead choose forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn't mean you're letting someone off the hook or allowing them to continue their mischievous behavior; it simply means choosing love over hate, understanding over anger and peace over violence. Lastly, reflecting God's glory can also look like doing kind things for others without expecting anything in return - whether that be donating your time to volunteer at a food bank or helping an elderly neighbor carry groceries; kindness is free but always worth more than money! We all want life to go smoothly most of the time (and sometimes we take steps towards making this happen); however, when problems come along, remember not to let stress overtake you. #3 Draw support from your family and friends When things are challenging, it's always great to have your loved ones by your side. Sometimes, however, they may not be the best people to get advice from because of their own personal struggles with negativity or perhaps just living far away! So this is where you can come up with a list of friends and family who will help motivate you through tricky times - maybe invite them for lunch once in a while so that when hard days hit again, at least you'll have someone on speed dial! Having support systems within our lives also means keeping lines of communication open between ourselves and everyone around us, especially those closest to us like parents, siblings or spouses. A lot of people are brought up to follow a certain faith from a young child, as their parents have taken them to church every Sunday and therefore it is now a part of their life. However, people can find faith at all ages, and if you want to explore Christianity for the first time, read on for a brief introduction. Christianity is the biggest religion on a global scale, with more than two billion followers. The Twelve Apostles founded the early church, and Christianity was made an official religion by the Roman Empire in 380. Christians believe that the Bible is the word of God that has been inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the religion is largely based on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s son. When you visit a church such as The Gathering Church, you will listen to many verses from the Bible, which reveal Christian beliefs and principles. Some of the most important beliefs include Jesus Christ is our savior who came to save humanity from its sins. According to the Gospels, the Holy Spirit conceived Jesus and the Virgin Mary gave birth to him in Bethlehem. Jesus’ death resurrection and ascension are deemed the most essential doctrines of the Christian faith. Christians believe that there is life after death, although the nature of this life remains a mystery. The best place to start when it comes to Christianity is the Lord’s Prayer. Rowan Williams, the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, said: “If somebody said, give me a summary of Christian faith on the back of an envelope, the best thing to do would be to write Our Lord’s Prayer.” The Trinity Explained The Trinity is one of the most confusing Christian concepts, which a lot of people still do not understand. You can visit a Bible study session to seek the guidance you require. But first, read on to discover more about the concept. A lot of Christians admit that they don’t understand the Trinity. In short, the Trinity is the belief that there is One God, who is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. While each person is distinct and fully divine in nature, they exist as a unity. This means that the Father is not the same person as the Holy Spirit, who is not the same person as the Son, and the Son is also not the same person as the Father. They all exist separately, however, they are all God, and there is only one God, not three. It is a controversial doctrine, which some people find hard to grasp. However, it is important to note that the Trinity is not three properties of God, nor is it three Gods joined or three individuals that make one God when together. The Trinity emphasises that God is very different from human beings and can only be seen as a spiritual experience who can’t be comprehended logically and whose mystery inspires wonder, which can help you to understand the concept a bit better, since in essence there does not need to be a logic. The Trinity is regularly referred to in churches throughout the country. Many people respond to trauma by repressing it, in an attempt not to notice or give a name to what has happened. The trauma that is pushed/moved aside is manifested through the development of a variety of physical symptoms such as: headaches/migraines, asthma attacks and a wide range of physical pains. Trauma can be represented in many ways, from childhood trauma to issues that have arisen in work. Such as during a war, in your work etc. Thankfully there are people to help, for example you may want to look at Operation Heal America.
The price of ignoring trauma or distorting the body's messages is the inability to identify what is really dangerous or harmful, as well as what is safe and nutritious. Self-regulation depends on being able to have a good relationship with your body. Without this you have to rely on external regulation - drugs, drugs, alcohol, compulsive pleasures of others, the need for constant approval and the like. Traumas can affect health in old age in many different ways. Increased mental stress can lead to decreased immune system function and flare-ups of symptoms that existed in the past. Another explanation for physical problems among trauma survivors is the occurrence of an “body memory” experience that causes emotional discomfort associated with a particular organ in the body, which may later manifest itself in physical pain. The frightening physiological sensations
Retirement is something we all think about throughout our working life. Whether it is something you have started to look forward to or you are thinking of it as an intimidating change, retirement is an important part of life.
While government schemes and pension programs allow us to make the most out of these golden years, there is much you can do to truly craft your dream lifestyle once you have said goodbye to your work colleagues. However, planning in advance is a must - especially if you are unsure about how your lifestyle will change after your last day at work. Here are ten tips to prepare in the best way for this important milestone. Test Your Lifestyle in AdvanceAs you approach the last day at work, you can start calculating your pension. Usually, between the pension contributions and your savings, you will live on 70-80% of your current income. Many people find the transition between work life and retirement scary and intimidating, especially because they are unsure about what to expect from this change. But if you are able to anticipate how much money you will have, you can start testing your new lifestyle early on. Reducing your expenditures and living below your means can help you save more and know exactly what to expect post-retirement. Check Out Your Retirement Destination EarlyIf you wish to move after retirement, you should make sure to spend some time before checking out the location. And this does not only mean learning about available properties and locations. It also means being in the destination area during the different seasons, learning how these affect your life, and finding out transport connections. After all, after retirement, you might not be able to count on the mobility and level of energy you have been used to. Therefore, you will need to find a location that is well connected to amenities and main transport hubs - and ensure that harsh seasons won’t take a toll on your lifestyle! Set Up An Emergency FundWhen you stop working, you might not be able to count on a steady income that can help you cover unexpected expenses. Therefore, it is crucial that you have set up an emergency fund far before the retirement date. This allows you to start saving up for emergency costs that might arise later on in life. These might include healthcare or medical costs, assistance, and equipment. Many retired professionals feel that paying lump sums after retirement can be a struggle, especially if you have monthly expenses to take care of and you are unable to save as much as you wish to. That is why important repayments, investments, and funding projects should all be made before your last paycheck! Start Investing EarlyYour savings alone might not be rough to support you throughout a long and happy retirement. In this case, you should consider investing to achieve the level of savings you need to live a frugal but fulfilling life. When it comes down to investing in improving your retirement lifestyle, it is vital to balance benefits and risks. If you are new to this complicated world, you should always try to find an advisor that can talk you through the steps of improving your finances. Don’t Make Risky Moves.There are moments in life when it is right to be more risk-prone. By getting out of our comfort zone, we can face our fears and grow. However, as you are preparing for retirement, there are several important decisions that you will need to make. And, it is vital that you don’t take important risks at this time in your life. After all, you could be losing the savings of a lifetime or seriously compromise your lifestyle after retirement. If you are unsure about the right moves for your situation, it is always recommendable to consult an experienced financial advisor. Find the Right Care CenterEveryone dreams of the perfect retirement - but sometimes the perfect retirement is not the one we have in mind! In fact, in certain cases, it might be vital for you to have assistance. Thinking about this possibility in advance and finding the best care center in your desired area can help you make the right choices. Aside from checking out the staff’s qualifications, ensure that the center aligns with your values. For example, the Catholic Care Center can help you strengthen your faith and others to share your experiences with - all while receiving state-of-the-art care. Keep Yourself BusyThe lifestyle changes that might come with retirement can have long-lasting consequences for your mental wellbeing. Someone who is used to working several hours a day and leads a busy life might lose focus and purpose. In this case, it is crucial to be prepared for it, undertake new hobbies, and rekindle new interests. Whether this has to do with sports, crafts, DIY, gardening, community help, or volunteering, it is vital to dedicate yourself to a new purpose. Thinking about what you wish to dedicate your golden years to can truly make a difference in how you will live this period of your life. Maintain an Active Social CircleOnce you have said goodbye to your work colleagues, you might find it hard to restore your social circle and enjoy events and parties. However, cultivating a rich social life is just as important in retirement as it has always been. Whether you make new friends at a club, church, community center, care center, sports field, or volunteering grounds, there are always new people to connect to - put yourself out there! Location MatterThe location you choose for retirement can make a difference in your future experience. Naturally, the city and surrounding area are important. But it is also crucial to agree with your family about where you will live. In fact, you might need their support, and they might want to look after you and your family. Make sure you are all happy with the arrangements before you start further looking into these locations. Don’t Delay Estate Planning.Your properties are important. Of course, you will want your home to be your nest throughout retirement. Yet, material possessions are likely to outlast us on this Earth. Therefore, don’t forget to take care of them and pass them onto your offspring. While we are all hesitant about this, the earliest you divide your possessions, the earliest you can enjoy a stress-free retirement. |
Where I'm featuredWhere I am a member
Click to set custom HTML
Archives
January 2023
Categories |