copyright Millie Plastaras 6/3/2004
Today is a new day. What a gift, and what a blessing!
How then shall we invest it? It is a clean slate, yet
unwritten upon. I say this often, and perhaps you get tired
of hearing it. But for years, I didn't KNOW this. I just
took each day for granted, my health, my relationships.
Then one by one I started to lose people I loved, sometimes
to anger, sometimes to death, and sometimes they just moved on.
Important moments slipped through my fingers, unnoticed,
and uninvested. I took some of my relationships for granted,
and left compliments unspoken and deeds undone.
I learned some hard lessons about relationships
through my lack of wisdom, but each lesson taught
me deeply, and I listened!
The harsh realities and losses of life, taught me
to take a deeper look at each day, and each person.
And although I still miss the mark sometimes, I surely
look deeper, feel more strongly, love more and deeper,
and let go of the past and hurts much quicker.
If only we could learn this at 15 so we could absolutely
pack our days with purpose. If we could love
everyone around us, and help them, be there for them
in their time of need, never too busy to listen. If only
we reached out more quickly, and listened more alertly.
But most of all if we forgave everyone, even if they
do not ever ask. If we could just let go, take a deep
breath and move on.
That would be a life with no regrets!
When I was young my grandmother Boyd showed me
a article in Reader's Digest about how important it
is to say things to people while you can. That
soon those people pass out of our lives and we will
not have a chance again to say those words that
were needful and loving, and forgiving. I am so
glad she showed me that article, because I was
able to start changing, and learned to look at
others more often, instead of myself. It gave
me a fresh perspective of the bigger picture of life.
I said all I needed to, to my grandparents and my dad,
and I am so thankful I did.
My mom and I left many words unsaid and feelings unhealed.
Although she knew I loved her, we never resolved so many
important things or said the needful words we both longed for.
My mom passed away rather unexpectedly and I was
unable to say to her what I needed to, and I didn't want to
carry around regrets. So I sat down and wrote a series
of letters to my mom, and even pretended she was
in a chair across from me and told her what was in my heart.
It released me, and comforted me, and I felt like somehow it
released her and she knew.
My friends, seize the day. Make the most of it. Today is all
you are guaranteed. Live each day as if tomorrow will
never come. Express to those around you loving thoughts.
Look beyond their faults and see their needs, just as Jesus
does you. Be a light. Appreciate people for who they are not
what you expect them to be. Pray for them. Don't have
unrealistic expectations for friends or family, just love
them where they are, and for who they are, just as Jesus loves
you unconditionally. For who among us is perfect?
Be his hand extended.
Live long, love much, laugh often, forgive easily.
Love Always,
millie
´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·°°´·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°
"10 Rules For A Happy Day"
1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK:
If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is
unkind... I will not respond in a like manner.
2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY":
If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I
will quietly ask GOD to bless that individual. I understand the
"enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or
stranger.
3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY:
I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I
do not spread gossip.
4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE:
I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.
5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE:
I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.
6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE, BUT I WILL NOT DO
IT SECRETLY:
I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.
7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE TREATED:
I will practice the golden rule - "Do unto others as I would have
them do unto me" - with everyone I encounter.
8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISCOURAGED:
My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the
difference to someone who is wrestling with life.
9. TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY:
I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank GOD
for my body.
10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY:
I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin
reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a
quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to GOD's
voice!!!
"But since we belong to the day, let us be self controlled,
putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation
as a helmet." - 1 Thessalonians 5:8
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Can Jesus Come to Your Church?
I often hear how people say I got hurt in church
and I won't go back there again. They found church
to be a court of law and not a hospital for broken
and wounded people. They often spent more
time seeking the approval of people than God.
Or counting on people, and we know that
all people fail us from time to time, just as we fail others.
We are ALL still under construction.
I am reminded of how angry Jesus got with the
way people judge each other. I know that while He
walked the earth, he walked around with publicans,
sinners, prostitutes, he got around the demon
possessed. Jesus came to earth and died for
every one's sins. He had a heart of compassion
He looked beyond people's flaws and outward
appearance, and looked on the heart.
He knew we were all but dust. We needed
a Savior... for none are without sin.
There is none perfect... no NOT ONE.
He said it is not the well that need a physician but
the sick, the infirm, the lost. How can we reach them
if we avoid them? What a revolutionary message he
brought to a world so used to legality in their church
and not love.
He taught a new covenant. To love one another.
We know people will come to church, who will
not be where they should be spiritually. If we cast
them out.. who will tell them about Christ?
If you are legalistic, and chase people away from
God, by your very judgmental, religious snobbery
do not expect your church to grow. It will become
stagnant and die.
The following story is a classic example I wrote
of a church going wrong.
Please take time to Read the Purple thing below.
I know you will enjoy it.
love
millie
´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·°°´·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°
The Purple Thing.
Copyright Millie Plastaras 3/7/2004
May not be electronically, nor physically reprinted
without authors permission.
Once upon a time there was a village. In this small
village there were 2 churches. They were a bit
different in what they believed, and often had a problem
with each church thinking they were more important
and better informed than the other church.
One day there came to town a person, who felt
herself to be very religious. She had a particular
way of looking at things, of dressing, of doing her work,
and felt that everyone should pretty much feel the same.
This person's name was Dora. Dora had long held
the opinion that she had been raised the "right" way,
and no one else, quite had the edge on wisdom of
life that she did.
Dora visited both churches, and then chose the one
that fit better in with her line of thinking. She got very
involved right away, and joined every women's group,
and set about to "reform" anyone who was a bit
different from her, feeling the need to inspire people
to become lined up with her thinking.
Dora loved purple. She thought it was a "divine" color.
It was included in every dress she owned. Her dresses
were long sleeved, high collared, and were always
strewn with bits of purple coloring.
As Dora was sitting at the ladies missionary meeting
one day, she met a young girl, whom she wanted
to take under her wing and mentor. She told Wendy,
that there was just certain right and proper ways to do
things. Dora casually mentioned, I notice you do not
wear any purple clothing. I am utterly shocked. This is
a righteous' color. Even Jesus wore this color. Don't you
want to please Him? Wendy, being young, naive and
impressionable, felt Dora was a wise woman and
must know what she was talking about. After all wasn't
Dora self assured? Didn't Dora attend church every time
the doors opened? Didn't Dora witness to others, and fix
meals for others? Dora was very religious. So Wendy
decided to start wearing purple.
Soon, Wendy's friends at that little church notice what
was happening and asked Wendy why she always
had purple in her clothing. Wendy, who had suddenly
become "the" informed one, said, why anyone knows
you can only be righteous when you wear purple clothes.
Soon everyone that went to that church, felt the pressure,
and if they didn't wear purple in their clothing.. other people
just "knew" they weren't righteous. So the "Purple Thing"
took over this little village, where before people had
pretty much been friendly with each other.
Suddenly, there was a new standard. If you weren't
purple, you weren't anything. You just didn't fit in,
and you were looked down upon.
Then came a stranger to town one day, and He sat in
this church a few weeks, and noticed the "purple trend,"
and overheard the discussions about the reasoning
behind it. He watched the demeanor of those with
the "purple" righteousness. How they were so
haughty with anyone that didn't wear the purple.
And how the whole church had changed because
of one woman's misinformed, misguided belief
that she knew better than anyone else.
This man was soon to be the new preacher voted in
by the district board. And He had come to town,
just to check things out. He went home and prayed
fervently about the scenes he had witnessed at this
small church. And it became a great burden to His heart.
Because He, and only He, recognized that people had
forgotten what they were going to church for - Jesus.
To worship Jesus, and to love one another.
You see, this man knew that it wasn't about being purple,
or pink or blue or white, it was about God's great love
for one another, and how the more we love God,
the more that Great Love should dwell within us.
He knew that only through salvation by the atoning
blood of Jesus Christ, could we be cleansed from our sins.
And that by the mercies of God.
The pastor took the position in that church
and became a powerful speaker and prayer warrior.
And soon people felt the shame come over their
consciousness and felt the draw of the Holy Spirit
to return to the simplicity of the gospel, and to live
a life called out unto holiness, and surrendered to Christ.
No longer did purple reign. Jesus did.
As it should be. And the broken in spirit, and the lost,
the lonely and the needy found solace there. As they
all gathered and heard the word of God and grew in Christ daily.
We become a product of our input.
Whatever we sow in our spirit, is what we speak to
those around us. We are to be a light to the world.
This true light can only come from absolute surrender to Jesus Christ.
remember
Only one life,
will soon be past
Only what is done
For Christ will last
James said:
If there should come into your assembly a man with gold
rings and fine apparel, and there should also come in
a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to
the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him,
" You sit here in a good place." and say to the poor man
"You stand there" or "sit here at my footstool, have you
not shown partiality among yourselves and become
judges with evil thoughts?
Listen my brethren, Has God not chosen the poor of
this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
which He promised to them who love Him?
But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich
oppress you and drag you into the courts?
If you really fulfill the royal law according the scripture,
You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well.
But if you show PARTIALITY, you commit sin,
and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
James 2:1-9
and I won't go back there again. They found church
to be a court of law and not a hospital for broken
and wounded people. They often spent more
time seeking the approval of people than God.
Or counting on people, and we know that
all people fail us from time to time, just as we fail others.
We are ALL still under construction.
I am reminded of how angry Jesus got with the
way people judge each other. I know that while He
walked the earth, he walked around with publicans,
sinners, prostitutes, he got around the demon
possessed. Jesus came to earth and died for
every one's sins. He had a heart of compassion
He looked beyond people's flaws and outward
appearance, and looked on the heart.
He knew we were all but dust. We needed
a Savior... for none are without sin.
There is none perfect... no NOT ONE.
He said it is not the well that need a physician but
the sick, the infirm, the lost. How can we reach them
if we avoid them? What a revolutionary message he
brought to a world so used to legality in their church
and not love.
He taught a new covenant. To love one another.
We know people will come to church, who will
not be where they should be spiritually. If we cast
them out.. who will tell them about Christ?
If you are legalistic, and chase people away from
God, by your very judgmental, religious snobbery
do not expect your church to grow. It will become
stagnant and die.
The following story is a classic example I wrote
of a church going wrong.
Please take time to Read the Purple thing below.
I know you will enjoy it.
love
millie
´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·°°´·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°
The Purple Thing.
Copyright Millie Plastaras 3/7/2004
May not be electronically, nor physically reprinted
without authors permission.
Once upon a time there was a village. In this small
village there were 2 churches. They were a bit
different in what they believed, and often had a problem
with each church thinking they were more important
and better informed than the other church.
One day there came to town a person, who felt
herself to be very religious. She had a particular
way of looking at things, of dressing, of doing her work,
and felt that everyone should pretty much feel the same.
This person's name was Dora. Dora had long held
the opinion that she had been raised the "right" way,
and no one else, quite had the edge on wisdom of
life that she did.
Dora visited both churches, and then chose the one
that fit better in with her line of thinking. She got very
involved right away, and joined every women's group,
and set about to "reform" anyone who was a bit
different from her, feeling the need to inspire people
to become lined up with her thinking.
Dora loved purple. She thought it was a "divine" color.
It was included in every dress she owned. Her dresses
were long sleeved, high collared, and were always
strewn with bits of purple coloring.
As Dora was sitting at the ladies missionary meeting
one day, she met a young girl, whom she wanted
to take under her wing and mentor. She told Wendy,
that there was just certain right and proper ways to do
things. Dora casually mentioned, I notice you do not
wear any purple clothing. I am utterly shocked. This is
a righteous' color. Even Jesus wore this color. Don't you
want to please Him? Wendy, being young, naive and
impressionable, felt Dora was a wise woman and
must know what she was talking about. After all wasn't
Dora self assured? Didn't Dora attend church every time
the doors opened? Didn't Dora witness to others, and fix
meals for others? Dora was very religious. So Wendy
decided to start wearing purple.
Soon, Wendy's friends at that little church notice what
was happening and asked Wendy why she always
had purple in her clothing. Wendy, who had suddenly
become "the" informed one, said, why anyone knows
you can only be righteous when you wear purple clothes.
Soon everyone that went to that church, felt the pressure,
and if they didn't wear purple in their clothing.. other people
just "knew" they weren't righteous. So the "Purple Thing"
took over this little village, where before people had
pretty much been friendly with each other.
Suddenly, there was a new standard. If you weren't
purple, you weren't anything. You just didn't fit in,
and you were looked down upon.
Then came a stranger to town one day, and He sat in
this church a few weeks, and noticed the "purple trend,"
and overheard the discussions about the reasoning
behind it. He watched the demeanor of those with
the "purple" righteousness. How they were so
haughty with anyone that didn't wear the purple.
And how the whole church had changed because
of one woman's misinformed, misguided belief
that she knew better than anyone else.
This man was soon to be the new preacher voted in
by the district board. And He had come to town,
just to check things out. He went home and prayed
fervently about the scenes he had witnessed at this
small church. And it became a great burden to His heart.
Because He, and only He, recognized that people had
forgotten what they were going to church for - Jesus.
To worship Jesus, and to love one another.
You see, this man knew that it wasn't about being purple,
or pink or blue or white, it was about God's great love
for one another, and how the more we love God,
the more that Great Love should dwell within us.
He knew that only through salvation by the atoning
blood of Jesus Christ, could we be cleansed from our sins.
And that by the mercies of God.
The pastor took the position in that church
and became a powerful speaker and prayer warrior.
And soon people felt the shame come over their
consciousness and felt the draw of the Holy Spirit
to return to the simplicity of the gospel, and to live
a life called out unto holiness, and surrendered to Christ.
No longer did purple reign. Jesus did.
As it should be. And the broken in spirit, and the lost,
the lonely and the needy found solace there. As they
all gathered and heard the word of God and grew in Christ daily.
We become a product of our input.
Whatever we sow in our spirit, is what we speak to
those around us. We are to be a light to the world.
This true light can only come from absolute surrender to Jesus Christ.
remember
Only one life,
will soon be past
Only what is done
For Christ will last
James said:
If there should come into your assembly a man with gold
rings and fine apparel, and there should also come in
a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to
the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him,
" You sit here in a good place." and say to the poor man
"You stand there" or "sit here at my footstool, have you
not shown partiality among yourselves and become
judges with evil thoughts?
Listen my brethren, Has God not chosen the poor of
this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
which He promised to them who love Him?
But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich
oppress you and drag you into the courts?
If you really fulfill the royal law according the scripture,
You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well.
But if you show PARTIALITY, you commit sin,
and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
James 2:1-9
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Relief In The Attic
copyright Millie Plastaras 10/16/2008
In these troubled times... almost everyone you meet is weary,
tired, and often discouraged. The world seems chaotic,
falling apart at the seams, not a familiar place anymore.
Relationships are strained, and people are struggling
to find joy within them that sustains them through these times.
I am here to declare to you that there is hope, that hope
never fails, that the answer is on the way, it may be different
than you expect, but you will not be alone waiting for that
answer. You have a heavenly Father watching over you.
He sees each tear, he hears the cries of your heart, and
sees your fear and sorrow. He knows the trials you are going
through, whether brought on by your own mistakes or just
the part of life that all of us must face and learn to overcome
with the face and courage of a soldier, a victor, and a righteous
child of God.
Here is that good news:
This makes you very happy, even though now for a short time
different kinds of troubles may make you sad. These troubles
come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is
worth more than gold, which can be proved to be pure by fire
but will ruin. But the purity of your faith will bring you praise
and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed to you.
You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You cannot
see Him now, but you believe in Him. So you are filled with
a joy that cannot be explained, a joy full of glory. And you are
receiving the goal of your faith the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:6-9
My friends:
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything
you need, ALWAYS giving thank. And God's peace, which is so
GREAT we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds
in Christ Jesus. Brothers and Sisters, think about the things
that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that
are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and
respected.
Philippians 4:6-8
This verse contains the secret to happiness within.
Your focus. Where is your focus? Is it on your problems?
Is it on the hurt you are feeling from those who love you?
Is it on the rejection you feel? Is it on your crashing finances?
Is it on the chaos of this world? All these negatives serve
to do one thing to us. They bring us anxiety. Anxiety
breeds depression and every sad thought.
WE have a choice.
We were instructed to look on the things that are good.
We can do this by turning off the news, only watching it
for short times. Read good books that teach you and uplift you.
Get around people that uplift you inspire you and encourage you.
Volunteer at nursing homes and places where people need love
and encouragement. You will soon find yourself forgetting
about yourself and focusing on what you can do to make
a difference. Get busy, do useful things that make you feel
good and make a difference in the lives of others. If each
person did this what a wonderful place this world would be.
Losing courage shows one thing: lack of faith.
We all fight this battle. There is no Christian who does not.
The secret is to find relief in our attic: our minds.
We can seek that which is good, and fill our minds with hope,
inspiration, beautiful music, joy and the peace of God,
or we can fill it with things that defeat us.
Which sounds best to you? Which are you doing?
How is it working for you.
Jesus said:
I leave you peace; my peace I give to you. I do not give
it to you as the world does. So do not let your hearts be
troubled or be afraid.
John 14:27
Are you walking in faith or fear?
We have troubles around us, but we are NOT defeated.
We do not know what to do, but we do not give up the hope
of living. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us.
We are hurt sometimes, but we are NOT destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
So do NOT lose the courage you had in the past, which
has a GREAT reward. You must HOLD ON, so you can
do what God wants and RECEIVE what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36
My friends, like you I am going through great trials, and
some very deep internal pain right now. I could let it rule
my spirit, but I fight it with all that is in me. Everyday
I run to the arms of my Father God and leave it in his hands,
knowing full well He will watch over me, protect me, guide
me lead me, strengthen me and show me the way to go.
Who else could do this for you?
What are you looking at? What solutions are you seeking?
Has it worked for you?
Peace is a choice.
Happiness is a choice.
A hurricane could be raging around us,
but if we know how to focus on God, we cling to,
rely on, trust in, find hope in and REST in Him.
Just Trust.
Let RELIEF fill your attic, in Jesus name.
Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting it away.. and not taking it back. Walk forward into
this new day with faith, hope and strengthened in the Lord
and the power of his might. Do not look to the right or left.
FULLY RELY ON GOD.
love always
millie
In these troubled times... almost everyone you meet is weary,
tired, and often discouraged. The world seems chaotic,
falling apart at the seams, not a familiar place anymore.
Relationships are strained, and people are struggling
to find joy within them that sustains them through these times.
I am here to declare to you that there is hope, that hope
never fails, that the answer is on the way, it may be different
than you expect, but you will not be alone waiting for that
answer. You have a heavenly Father watching over you.
He sees each tear, he hears the cries of your heart, and
sees your fear and sorrow. He knows the trials you are going
through, whether brought on by your own mistakes or just
the part of life that all of us must face and learn to overcome
with the face and courage of a soldier, a victor, and a righteous
child of God.
Here is that good news:
This makes you very happy, even though now for a short time
different kinds of troubles may make you sad. These troubles
come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is
worth more than gold, which can be proved to be pure by fire
but will ruin. But the purity of your faith will bring you praise
and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed to you.
You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You cannot
see Him now, but you believe in Him. So you are filled with
a joy that cannot be explained, a joy full of glory. And you are
receiving the goal of your faith the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:6-9
My friends:
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything
you need, ALWAYS giving thank. And God's peace, which is so
GREAT we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds
in Christ Jesus. Brothers and Sisters, think about the things
that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that
are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and
respected.
Philippians 4:6-8
This verse contains the secret to happiness within.
Your focus. Where is your focus? Is it on your problems?
Is it on the hurt you are feeling from those who love you?
Is it on the rejection you feel? Is it on your crashing finances?
Is it on the chaos of this world? All these negatives serve
to do one thing to us. They bring us anxiety. Anxiety
breeds depression and every sad thought.
WE have a choice.
We were instructed to look on the things that are good.
We can do this by turning off the news, only watching it
for short times. Read good books that teach you and uplift you.
Get around people that uplift you inspire you and encourage you.
Volunteer at nursing homes and places where people need love
and encouragement. You will soon find yourself forgetting
about yourself and focusing on what you can do to make
a difference. Get busy, do useful things that make you feel
good and make a difference in the lives of others. If each
person did this what a wonderful place this world would be.
Losing courage shows one thing: lack of faith.
We all fight this battle. There is no Christian who does not.
The secret is to find relief in our attic: our minds.
We can seek that which is good, and fill our minds with hope,
inspiration, beautiful music, joy and the peace of God,
or we can fill it with things that defeat us.
Which sounds best to you? Which are you doing?
How is it working for you.
Jesus said:
I leave you peace; my peace I give to you. I do not give
it to you as the world does. So do not let your hearts be
troubled or be afraid.
John 14:27
Are you walking in faith or fear?
We have troubles around us, but we are NOT defeated.
We do not know what to do, but we do not give up the hope
of living. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us.
We are hurt sometimes, but we are NOT destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
So do NOT lose the courage you had in the past, which
has a GREAT reward. You must HOLD ON, so you can
do what God wants and RECEIVE what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36
My friends, like you I am going through great trials, and
some very deep internal pain right now. I could let it rule
my spirit, but I fight it with all that is in me. Everyday
I run to the arms of my Father God and leave it in his hands,
knowing full well He will watch over me, protect me, guide
me lead me, strengthen me and show me the way to go.
Who else could do this for you?
What are you looking at? What solutions are you seeking?
Has it worked for you?
Peace is a choice.
Happiness is a choice.
A hurricane could be raging around us,
but if we know how to focus on God, we cling to,
rely on, trust in, find hope in and REST in Him.
Just Trust.
Let RELIEF fill your attic, in Jesus name.
Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting it away.. and not taking it back. Walk forward into
this new day with faith, hope and strengthened in the Lord
and the power of his might. Do not look to the right or left.
FULLY RELY ON GOD.
love always
millie
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