Monday, December 19, 2011

WELCOME TO ALL OUR VISITORS, AND NEW MEMBERS. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TO BOTH RECEIVE AND GIVE HELP TO OTHERS TO STAY CLEAN AND SOBER.

Today's Inspiration..........LIFE CHANGE ?

We can always discuss any concerns you may have from an emotional or family perspective. I am a substance abuse and mental health counselor as well as being a minister. I have lived in this world for almost 63 years now. I am a disabled combat veteran and take medications for both my PTSD and Coronary Artery disease. I also have a pretty good working knowledge of most religions and my Chaplain's Association has men and women of all different faiths.

The skeptic and the agnostics and atheists say it is impossible for us to find the answer to life. Many have tried and failed. Maybe they just weren't ready to become teachible or had a terrible experience with religion and people who used it for their own means.

But others have put aside their intellect, or pride and have asked themselves the difficult eternal questions. I certainly can empathize having been on the battlefield of war and having witnessed the inhumanity of man to man. I do not begin to think I have all the answers but I have come to terms with many of them. Maybe I can be of some help to you in this area.

Who am I to say there is no God? Who am I to say there is no purpose in life? The atheist makes a bold statement The universe began with a Big Bang without rhyme or reason and continues expanding without purpose to man. Others live for the moment, seeking thrills and do not even think about why they are here or where they are going. They might as well be clams on the bottom of the ocean, protected by their hard shells of indifference. I have found purpose and life changing power for living. It comes in serving others rather than self and being used for heavenly purpose , here on earth. I do not believe we evolved from some single cell animal or an ape like creature. I do not believe that Ancient Aliens introduced a DNA change into primitive man. I believe that the God of Love, a Heavenly Father created all things in the beginning as well as mankind and we have grown into the human race. Some wanting good, others spreading evil for ego sake and others not caring either way.

I have watched life change happen on a regular basis for those who have sought out God and begin to follow His principles. This is a life long journey and just about anyone can get lost along the way. The key to success is to adopt a program that will bring order out of chaos and then continue to follow it every day with passion, everywhere we go and in everything we do.

Step 11 says that God has a will or plan for us. Step 12 says having had a spiritual awakening we attempt to carry the message to others. It is not always easy, but has incredible rewards and a sense of serenity and joy for us and our loved ones.

Heart and Soul

I am not only about saving lives but also saving souls. I believe the two should go hand in hand in a spiritual sense. One yields and gives way to the other.

There seems to be no active force for evil - outside of human beings themselves. I personally reject this theory. If there is a God, an Entity with a plan for good, then there must an anti-god whose purpose is our destruction. As the universe has a balance in all things, so does the spiritual world. Humans can have either evil intentions - resentments, selfishness, hate and revenge - or good intentions - love, healing and good will. Those character defects or qualities are highly stimulated by spiritual influences, both good and bad.

Ulitmately we can by the grace of God reject those things which are inherently evil and embrace those principles which can produce good thinking and behavior. God has given us free will, the gift of forgiveness at the cross, and also the tools and programs for living that good life. Love can conqueor evil and cover over a multitude of sin. In forgiveness, we can find a new person inside of us. God can give us a new spirit and a new heart. The choice is ours. I can chose to be happy or miserable. If I have a chemical inbalance, there is medication. If I have grown in an abusive environment, here is behavioral modification avalable to help me change. Whatever we feed ourselves, spiritually, intellectually and emotionally, will nourish either the good or the bad. What you feed into yourself will affect who you become.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may feed my life and spirit with the good things of God and reject the evil that Satan, our adversary will try to use to lure us away from God's good plan. This message comes through in all the hymns of Christmas. As we celebrate the Christ child and the birth of the Savior, let us be mindful that it is not just for a day but for everyday of our lives. Let us enjoy the brotherhood of mankind in it's many wonderful forms this Holiday Season of Christmas, THe Nativity, Channukah and Kwanza.

Don't forget your free welcome packet for joining or daily bread devotional. We still have some Chaplain's necklaces available also. Just send me your full mailing name and address. Tell me what to send you. Everything is FREE and there is no cost or obligation ever. There is still time to send Holiday Cards for our gift drawing. We will accept cards through December 31st as in the Twelve Days of Christmas?

OUR MAILING ADDRESS IS:

CHAPLAIN JOHN PETRUSKA

5781 LEE BLVD. # 208 - 394

LEHIGH, FL. 33971

Hugz and Luv to All

PJ