Spirituality
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The Beauty of Affliction
Ever heard the term, “turn a positive out of a negative”? I have. It is with this same sense that I write this blog I call, “The Beauty of Affliction.” 
Just think, without affliction, we may not have ever had our current USA President, Mr. Obama. So moved by the distressed world conditions that it caused him to place his name on the presidential ballot. Because of injustices and afflictions amongst classes of people, Dr. Martin Luther Luther King Jr. was provoked to civil rights work to help bring about equality. Just think, without affliction the world may not ever have heard of a Helen Keller, nor would we have the diary of a young girl named Anne Frank.
Though unfortunate, it is at the expense of their affliction, pain, hurt, grief and distressing situations that caused great gains in varied ways on behalf of others. Without the afflictions and complexities surrounding the lives and circumstances of these individuals, chances are you may not be reading about them on this page today.
Additionally, scripture denotes another famous person who was a son of Jesse, named David, who drifted astray from the commands of his Heavenly Father. But because his Father loved him so much, he used trouble to draw him back, close to himself. Yes, he allowed affliction to come upon David, one in whom he loved so much. God had a great plan for his life. In other words, there was a “big-picture.”
Scripture further tells us that at one point David (the King) wrote, “before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy word.” Then just four verses down he adds, “it was good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your ways.” Now I tell ya, the affects of trouble doesn’t get more beautiful than this.
Psalm 119:67, 71
Jeremiah 29:11 “…thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you an expected end.”
Genesis: 41 Joseph moves from imprisonment to the palace
Linda Johnson Belfrey has 14-years of radio experience working in faith-based broadcast ministry including, JFM LIVE, www.jfmlive.com. Additional media ministries include her cable market telecast, Reaching a People, by Any Means Necessary and A Word for You print news media inspirationals.
Email inquires to: Johnsonbelfrey@aol.com
Website: www.ljbelfreyministries.com
This blogger is on Twitter: twitter.com/ljohnsonbelfrey
But, I want it now!
Many of us have witnessed little children who almost always want things now! Funny thing is that as adults our attitudes as it relates to this haven’t changed much. We still want it our way or the highway, and now!
We want our small business to grow large, now. We want the job promotion, now. We want our tiny children to grow-up, now. We even have the urge to tell the boss off, now.
It would do us good to become cognizant of the importance of time. Did you know that over 20 times in eight verses the wisest man that ever lived instruct’s us of the appropriate “timings” in which to: speak, be silent, laugh, mourn, to build, as well as to restructure, or to tear-down?
Though she desired it to be much earlier, you may recall Sarah, though 90-year’s old birthed her infant baby Isaac, at the perfect (set) time.
I want to admonish you that life, what we want, and when we want it involves “the process of important and divine timing.” In your lust to “want it now,” strive to become sensitive and keenly aware as to what time it is.
Ref.: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Linda Johnson Belfrey has 14-years of radio experience working in faith-based broadcast ministry including, JFM LIVE, www.jfmlive.com. Additional media ministries include her cable market telecast, Reaching a People, by Any Means Necessary and A Word for You print news media inspirationals.
Email inquires to: Johnsonbelfrey@aol.com
Website: www.ljbelfreyministries.com
This blogger is on Twitter at: twitter.com/ljohnsonbelfrey
The Hidden Jewel
How many of us have misplaced a diamond bracelet or misplaced our favorite gold earrings? Because of their high value we frantically search for weeks on end to locate our prized and hidden possessions.
Did you know that scripture tell us that she, wisdom, is more valuable than our prized silver and gold? So much so that even King Solomon dared to ask for the power of wisdom (over even money—imagine that!) so that he could judge matters accurately and discern right from wrong.
Have ever considered that wisdom has the ability to “get you places” that even beauty or talent cannot necessary take you?
It’s recorded that “the whole world sought audience with Solomon to merely just hear the wisdom that had been placed in his heart by his heavenly father.” Imagine that! They did not come to hear him sing, dance, to give a speech, to do tricks, or to act, but to witness his “heart of wisdom.” Wow!
While the whole world competes to acquire wealth, beauty, power, strength, intelligence and prestige. The precious, valuable, beautiful, shiny and most highly appraised biblical jewel called wisdom lies hidden, just waiting to be embraced and asked for.
Linda Johnson Belfrey has 14-years of radio experience working in faith-based broadcast ministry, www.jfmlive.com. Additional media ministries include her cable market telecast, Reaching a People, by Any Means Necessary and A Word for You print news media inspirationals. For inquiries email her at: Johnsonbelfrey@aol.com
Website: www.ljbelfreyministries.com
Anybody want to live a long life? It’s possible!
It’s a terrible thing to have your destiny aborted here on earth. Goals, dreams and potential many times cut-off at 17, 24, and 30 years old. A king named David cautioned his son to “hear and receive instruction and to allow his heart to retain his words.” His son was further urged to “avoid the way of evil men, to turn from it.”
Anybody want to live a long life? It’s possible. Though conditional, it is possible. Proverbs quotes that a “long and satisfying life” is feasible on the condition that in this case “the son does not deviate from his father’s teaching.”
The fathers in Proverbs give instruction on many matters: discipline, understanding, wisdom, trust in the Lord, sound judgment, and much more. They spell-out what to do, what not to do, how to do, and what to avoid. Many times lives are aborted, potential wasted, mind’s twisted, and we go on self-led journeys. Why? Simply put, we’ve deviated from the instructions of our heavenly father.
Linda Johnson Belfrey
Email: Johnsonbelfrey@aol.com
Website: http://www.ljbelfreyministries.com
http://www.jfmlive.com
A world of Discovery
Looking back I wish that someone had taken the time to sit down with me and show me there was a world of discovery beyond the bottom corner of Belmont Avenue. A three dimensional chat involving the mind body and spirit which would inspire and uplift and take off the restrictions of what I perceived possible for my life and which career path i could choose.
The fifties were a time of both freedom and structure. As a kid I could play in the street or go to the park by myself, even travel on the train aged 8 to meet my father in London – shock horreur – couldn’t do it now but this freedom came with some strange rules. No eating food in the street – including ice creams, don’t speak unless spoken to and certainly do not ask for anything for yourself and be nice to everyone.
These were the funny restrictive beliefs of my family , with grandparents who belonged in the Victorian age and had a certain dislike of anything which involved chatting with or playing with children. Children belonged outside or in their rooms. Those cold icy places with counterpanes as thick as mattresses, a little radio, a shelf of books and a onebar electric fire to be used on days when the ice was on the inside of the windows.No wonder I trained as a therapist in order to get rid of this madness of passivity and blow in fresh air.
If I had had a fairy godmother, then she would have helped me to see that I could find a pathway through the thorns and brambles and stayed by my side whilst I went on my journey. She would have informed, encouraged, motivated and at times where needed, waved her magic wand.
So thats what I do, I help you blow fresh air into your life, dust out the cobwebs, polish up your Aladdin’s lamp and let out the genie and with a sprnkle of stardust – off you go.
So, the New Year is in sight and in this blog over the next month I’ll give you some tips as to how to make your resolutions work like magic so you can become who you were meant to be rather than the result of your family beliefs.
D5 Creation