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Post by larus on Oct 23, 2007 7:04:44 GMT -5
hi Witness,
that is a ray of light which I can use today. It is crucial, and good that it is put into words.
How to make ourselves let go of selfishness. Recognizing the selfish state of mind and then relaxing, not clinching, peeling ourselves loose if we can. Be gentle. Just some top-of-the-head ideas.
Working on this is working the edges of addiction. If I can make progress here I know I am going the right way bigtime.
Larus
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Post by witness on Oct 24, 2007 4:15:53 GMT -5
Larus, in the lessons at Recovery Nation they talk a lot about how addiction is all about instant gratification. Freedom means moving away from this selfishness.
A live worth living means living according to my values and NOT living to please my emotions or the whim of the moment that will lead to regret in the future.
No regret today! I'm walking toward the light!
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Post by Disciple on Oct 24, 2007 8:15:26 GMT -5
In demanding the bliss of someone's imagined warmth, we become consumed with ourselves, which destroys the very ecstasy we seek. There is no way out. We are locked in reality, always wanting and therefore always destroying what we want. The process is insane. Until we become consumed with the love that desires to give for the sake of another's good, all joy is an illusion." Hi Witness, I've been away for awhile and your journal was the first one I checked. Thanks for the quote! I've been doing alot of thinking about the lie that I believe when I use P. Peace, Disciple
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Post by witness on Oct 25, 2007 5:49:00 GMT -5
This is from Philip Yancey's book: "Prayer: Does it Make a Difference"
God alone knows the selfish motives behind my every act, the viper's tangle of lust and ambition, the unhealed wounds that paradoxically drive me to appear whole. Prayer invites me to bring my whole life into God's presence for cleansing and restoration. Self-exposure is never easy, but when I do it I learn that underneath the layers of grime lies a damaged work of art that God longs to repair.
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Post by witness on Oct 26, 2007 5:25:27 GMT -5
I'm still walking in the light! Temptations are there. So I must stay alert and true to my values.
Here is another quote from Yancy's book: "We must lay before God what is in us, not waht out to be in us" wrote C.S. Lewis. To put it another way, we must trust God with what God already knows.
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Post by witness on Oct 29, 2007 7:19:31 GMT -5
Freedom is my goal. The closer I get the better I feel! I must stay focused!
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Post by witness on Oct 30, 2007 4:55:54 GMT -5
I faced a temptation yesterday when I went to YouTube to see a clip of a football game. I will be staying away from there. But happy to say that I passed the test.
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Post by MrOuch on Oct 30, 2007 13:01:49 GMT -5
Witness,
Glad to see you are doing well. Stay free and watch out for those unsuspecting traps and try and avoid putting yourself in places that you know will only lead to temptations.
Ain't that the truth.
MrOuch
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Post by witness on Oct 31, 2007 5:18:24 GMT -5
After fighting this for so long I don't know if there are any "unexpected traps". So I guess that means I have no excuses. If I fall it will only be because I chose to. But then, truth be said, it has always been that way. I have a choice. I choose purity. I choose life. I choose to respect others. I choose freedom!
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Post by MrOuch on Oct 31, 2007 7:56:02 GMT -5
lol. I guess those are the traps that aren't expecting YOU to fall into THEM.
Be well.
MrO
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Post by witness on Oct 31, 2007 11:56:25 GMT -5
MrO,
The problem is that ALL of the traps ARE expecting me as I have fallen into almost all of them before!
But as the little poem says, that used to be on the first page of this site, after you have fallen into the hole enough times you should learn to walk around it and eventually even be smart enough to take another street.
So I'll say it again: I choose to walk down a different street!
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Post by witness on Nov 1, 2007 4:46:00 GMT -5
This street is much nicer than the old one. Pity I wasted so much time falling into that hole.
Oh well, no point crying over spilled milk. Today is a day to be enjoyed and lived in the light! A day to be used to be a blessing to others and serve others (not use them for my own personal ends).
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Post by witness on Nov 2, 2007 6:10:15 GMT -5
When I stop to think about the mistakes I made in the past and how long it took me to finally tell somebody and begin to get out of the deadly cycle it makes me sad.
Time to focus on today and build a better tomorrow.
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Post by witness on Nov 5, 2007 12:17:12 GMT -5
I had a good weekend.
Today my wife and I were talking some about how much this has hurt her. She is still trying to work out her anger. This takes time to sort out. What a mess I made of things!
I'm so thankful that she is willing to work with me and keep loving me!
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Post by MrOuch on Nov 5, 2007 12:48:48 GMT -5
W,
That's awesome! You're a good influence here and it's nice to know that your wife appreciates you too. Keep up the good work.
MrOuch
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