RE: LESLIE RADDATZ INTERVIEW 
ON POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: 
Yesterday, Leslie Raddatz and I took a brief break from publishing her further interview so that friends and followers could catch up on understanding the PSTD issues. Leslie is a recovering PSTD victim and is telling an incredible story. We will continue with the interview tomorrow. This discussion is on the mature level, but so important to be aware of. Today we have published a couple of comments added to my blog. Please read and be encouraged to return to tomorrow's posting.

Thank You & Be Blessed,

Barb

Leslie Raddatz Thank you Barb for your efforts of getting my story heard and to help educate people about PTSD and abuse. Also thank you to all my supporters all over the world. I am amazed at how many different people I have personally chatted with via email and live chat. God Bless you and we will hope to see more traffic on Barb's blog tomorrow. Thank Leslie: It's really important to talk about PSTD. So many have it and don't know it. You speak very clearly about it. Thanks, Barbara for bringing her to us. Janell Moonyou all for your loving support.




Comment:
Leslie: It's really important to talk about PSTD. So many have it and don't know it. You speak very clearly about it. Thanks, Barbara for bringing her to us. Janell Moon

This week I've been interviewing a remarkable young woman on my blog who is recovering from PSTD. She has been giving me a fascinating interview and I'm sensing that it hasn't received the viewing attention we are hoping for. She has written a book covering her impossible life since childhood and many years of her difficult adult life that led to her PSTD. In my opinion, this is an important issue that more individuals should be aware of. There is hope for these victims, which she speaks about with excitement and trust in the Lord to heal others of this distressing disorder. Since this interview was to be posted in daily intervals for five days....and I feel it is important enough to not publish the third day, tomorrow, so that we can encourage traffic to my blog to read the interview before we publish the third, fourth and final episodes. Honestly folks, we hope you will just give us a look and see if you're not prompted to follow the rest of the postings. There is no intention of offending anyone...the intention is toward Leslie Raddatz to let others read and hear of her experiences that led to her authoring a book soon to be released. She has worked very hard and is finally receiving public attention through radio and her local news. She deserves all the attention she is worthily due. Thank you and God bless you all. Barb Shelton

LESLIE RADDATZ INTERVIEW 

FLASHBACKS IN POST TRAUMATIC 

STRESS DISORDER

TUESDAY - DAY TWO

Barb:  Hello Leslie and Good Friends,

It’s Tuesday already and I’m glad to see everyone so chipper and ready to hear more of your miraculous story of how you are recovering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Leslie..  God has showered much mercy and grace on your life and the lives of your family. You are glorifying him by helping others have victory over this disorder.  I know it’s not always easy and we’ve had several wonderful generous comments sent in to you since yesterday cheering you on. I hope they are of great encouragement to you….I know they must be.

Leslie:   I am so excited that we are getting responses.  Most of the responses on my blog are intended for the blog discussion I leave open for their comments. I invite anyone to my website and blog if they are interested in learning even more about PTSD.  I will provide my email address also if anyone would care to write me. 

Barb:   We’ll hopefully have many that will check your sites out for further information.  Leslie, yesterday, we concluded our discussion when I asked you a question.  I remember not being able to respond aptly about the childhood trauma you had suffered.  I asked you how you became aware of the possibility that you were suffering from PTSD.  I still want you to respond to that question, but perhaps we should fill our readers in on some of the terms you have used to describe your situation.  I’m glad you’re so familiar with the psychology of what you’ve gone through, but personally, I would like a bit of background on what the terms conversion and somatization; as well as EMDR and Brainspotting mean.  PTSD is terrifying enough to be its victim, and I’m not familiar with what conversion and somatization disorders are?  Can you please explain them so our readers can have an understanding of them? 

Leslie:  Gladly, Conversion Disorder is when your body is affected by your anxiety level and will start showing you life threatening symptoms.  This is a way to protect anyone’s mind from breaking down and instead your body gives out.  For example, I had all the symptoms of a stroke.  I lost my memory, numbness in head, face, hands, legs, couldn’t speak or read, didn’t know where I was, forgot I had my 15 month old son with me, and didn’t recognize my husband.  I also didn’t know who the president was, my address or what year it was.  It was the scariest thing I have ever experienced.

Somatization is having the real symptoms of a stroke and the doctor’s test results come back normal. They are unable to diagnose me with any illness.  So from a doctor’s point of view, I am either lying about my symptoms or I am a hypochondriac.  That was when I wasn’t diagnosed. I found a psychiatrist that knew what was wrong with my health problems and finally diagnosed me with the disorders.  I thought I was going crazy.  I was so thankful for the diagnoses because I kept what was happening to me a secret for 11 years suffering by myself.  My husband and I finally understand what is happening so I can cope better to each situation.
 

However, I asked my Psychiatrist “How will I know when the symptoms are for real?”  His response was I won’t.  So If I ever experience life threatening symptoms like a stroke or have chest pain like a heart attack, I have to go to the emergency room to be checked out.  He told me that the more that I have my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder under control the better the other two disorders will be. So I need to be careful not to get too stressed out and make sure I take my medications on time so my PTSD stays in control.

Barb:  Thank you.  That puts a light on this subject for me and I’m pleased you shared that in such an understandable manner.  I asked you before how you became aware of the possibility that you were suffering from PTSD.  We’ll ask for your explanation of EMDR and Brainspotting after we hear your answer.  Is that ok with you….this won’t throw you off the subject, will it? LOL

 Leslie: Won’t bother me at all.   My symptoms started out with panic attacks, zoning out, dizzy spells, staying up all night worrying about things that were out of my control and nightmares. I was afraid to be alone and paranoid someone was trying to kill me.
 

My symptoms progressed and I couldn’t control my emotions anymore. I was constantly yelling at my children because my PTSD symptoms were so out of control.  The loud noises, smells, repeating of words would bother me deeply. I would scream for everyone to be quiet!  They looked at me so strange because my husband would say “we are not being loud, honey.”  When you have PTSD you have a lot of sensitivities such as smell, hearing, touch, sight, because one thing can trigger you back to a memory of your abuse.  My sensitivity to someone touching me affected my relationship with my daughters and husband.

 

This was so sad because my daughter was 12 years old at the time and was unable to hug me without it triggering me because it gave me flashbacks to my ex-husband’s abuse.   If she first asked for a hug, it was fine but the minute she just hugged me without asking me first it would trigger me back to being raped and having my choices taken away. This lasted for three years until I received therapy in 2010.

For my other daughter,11 years old at the time, her yelling and her temper would intimidate me because my ex-husband would get angry and punch holes in the walls so it would give me flashbacks to his angry outbursts and abuse.

  

I was forced to go into to therapy because my health started to decline with my Conversation and Somatization Disorders.  When I had EMDR therapy it triggered rape memories, and me, at the age of 14 years old, would surface. I, 14 year old, was unable to sleep and feel safe with my husband so I slept in my four year old son’s bedroom for months.  Then with the help of intense therapy I was able to learn to talk to the child within that was being triggered. 

I as the adult knew my husband, whom I have been with for 11 years, was safe but the 14 years old rape victim would surface each time we enter the bedroom.  My adult self was able to help her realize that my husband was safe.  It is so strange having PTSD because I am the adult but when triggered I feel the child victim’s feelings and react as if she would as a frightened child.  The whole time I am aware of what is going on but it is hard to control my body and actions.  People would think this means I am crazy but it doesn’t it is different parts of myself stuck in the past that gets triggered by people, environment, smells, touch, sound, flashbacks and body memories.

 

In order to get the each part of myself unstuck, I have to nurture and love the child within so she can heal. Anything the child within didn’t experience my adult self has provided it.  So in my case I had parental neglect, physical, emotional abuse, rape and molestation.  The adult self has to convince the child within, while triggered, that she is safe, loved, protected, her needs are being met, etc. The EMDR, Brainspotting, Eco State, Resource Building, Positive Imagery, and Art Therapies help to release and reprocess the trauma memories that when triggered feel like they are in the present and reprocess the memories so the triggers disappear.  When the triggers disappear for a certain situation then that means my brain recognizes that the threat happened in the past and can no longer hurt me.

Barb   Too Incredible!  Leslie, it really is a miracle that you survived all of this terror.  This was all going on with you, your friend and your sisters. That is horrible. Somewhere…maybe it’s what I remember reading in the Bible…that the truth will out.  God knew your unhappiness and tempestuous childhood and now as an adult, he is healing you.  He obviously knew your limit of “taking it” had been reached.

Leslie: I do praise my Father in heaven for knowing me and interceding in my situation. I have too many instances I could relate to you, but I’m a different person now, and I don’t need to keep reliving the bad times in my past.

 

Barb:     That is marvelous, Leslie.  I think you have worked hard today explaining things.  If it’s alright with you, lets stop now and plan on you explaining how EMDR AND Brainspotting have been used in your therapy.  I’m fascinated with everything you say and can’t wait to hear more of your story.

Leslie:  That’s fine, Barb.  With this break, I can do a little brushing up on how to explain those therapies.  I hope everyone that has come in to read this will return tomorrow.  I look forward to it.

Barb:  Your concern for others affected by this diabolical disorder is quite evident and I applaud your efforts and interest in helping others injured and emotionally hurt by this trauma.  Readers can be sure of finding your web address at the end of our interview.  Oh, and folks, Leslie informed me that her radio interview is up on  the LATalkRadio station,  That's Max & Friends. Go to the website below, and scroll to the bottom of Max's page to find the replay schedule, click on the show you want to replay and listen.The psychologist on the show with Leslie was Kathy Z. (http://www.latalkradio.com/Max.php) 

Thank you for dropping by today.  Please return again tomorrow for the third episode in my interview with Leslie Raddatz.  She will be explaining more about EMDR and Brainspotting as well as more of her story.

Have a Blessed Day,

Barb

TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW!

*Responses from States/Countries:  

POSTED TO LESLIE'S WEBSITE:  www.silencednolonger.com     

USA- Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Florida, Oregon, Massachusetts, Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Connecticut, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Maryland, Texas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Virginia, Tennessee, New York, Ohio, Arkansas, Washington, Maine, Arizona, New Jersey, Utah, Montana, Nevada, Minnesota, Alabama, North Dakota and Iowa, Mexico. Canada, Brazil, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Europe -Iceland, Russia, UK, Australia- Australia, Asia-Iran, India, Philippines, Hong Kong, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Africa- Kenya, Nigeria

POSTED TO LESLIE'S BLOG:  www.silencednolonger.blogspot.com 

United States, Russia, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Austria, Malaysia, France, Italy, Ukraine, Brazil, Romania, Ireland, Japan, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Pakistan, Jamaica, Netherlands, China, Spain, Uganda, Mexico, Czech Republic, United Arab Emirates, India, Kenya, and Latvia, Oman, Nigeria, Thailand, Georgia, Australia, Poland, Indonesia, Columbia, Switzerland, Portugal, Sweden, Philippines, South Africa, Saudi Arabia

facebook:http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002842726485#!/profile.php?id=100002842726485

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ log in and search me at @lraddatz1

Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/?first=Leslie&last=Raddatz&search=Go
 Leslie's Blog:  www.silencednolonger.blogspot.com
Leslie's Website:  www.silencednolonger.com 

LESLIE RADDATZ INTERVIEW 

FLASHBACKS IN POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Episode One

  

Barb:    Hello friends, It is my privilege to introduce my friend, Leslie Raddatz. Leslie, welcome. I’m so pleased to do this interview with you. You have quite a story to tell.

Leslie: Thank you so much Barb for having me. Yes, it is exciting to know that I have written a memoir that will help many victims, survivors and their loved ones all over the world to understand my three disorders.

Barb: Leslie has overcome a crippling disorder that has destroyed many lives and affected families all over the world. Being a disease that seems to be unique and recognized as what can happen to an individual following extreme trauma. Leslie, please inform us about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), what it is and what causes it.

Leslie: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to any event that can result in psychological trauma. This event may involve the threat of death to oneself or to someone else close to us; or to one's self or someone else's physical, sexual, or psychological integrity. 

Barb: You are to be commended, Leslie, this is a tremendous undertaking for you. It is obvious to me and everyone who knows and meets you that the Lord is with you. Jesus must be very concerned about this entire tragedy and he has assigned you a big job. I’m excited for you. When did you know your past experiences were needed to help others?

Leslie: I started my blog and website the last week of November 2011 and have reached many people all over the world. Some have chatted with me on facebook and some privately by email. I have received testimonials from the survivors I have already helped. I have been honest and open with them when they had questions and also suggested coping skills that worked for me. I was impressed to find out that one of the survivors I helped was referred by my psychiatrist to check out my website and blog.

Barb: You’ve mentioned to me that you’ve received amazing response from your blog and website. Break that down a bit for us.

Leslie: People have accessed my website (http://www.silencednolonger.com/) from thirty-six states in America, about seventeen nations or countries, and five continents. People have accessed my blog (http://silencednolonger.blogspot.com) from forty-one countries around the world.  I feel very humbled by all the response – it came overwhelmingly fast. *

Barb:   Leslie, I can’t hold this back any longer, I just really need to throw this right in about you being interviewed on the Max & Friends (Max Tucci) show on LA Talk Radio last evening. I’m so impressed with your presentation and chat with Max. Hearing what you said helped me understand what you’ve been through and how you have approached your recovery. I had tears in my eyes – your life seemed so unreal – but the sad part is that it’s true: and as Max said…the past does not define who you are now. You were joined on the show by Kathy Lee Parker and I’m not sure if she is a psychologist, but she has also written a book on this subject. I enjoyed the conversation you and she had with Max.

Leslie: Oh yes…thank you, I’m so glad you listened. If others would like to listen, they can go to (http://www.latalkradio.com/Max.php) that is Max & Friends page. Scroll to the bottom of that page and find a schedule of shows to replay. It was a wonderful experience, an encouraging experience to say the least.

Barb:   Oh, great.  Thank you for adding that.  I hope many of you will listen to the show.  As a matter of fact…..Leslie is here to tell us about the book she has written and soon to be published. The title of her book is “FLASHBACKS IN POST
TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: SURVIVING THROUGH THE FLOOD.” Leslie, what prompted you to author a book about such a complex subject?

Leslie: I am a survivor of severe childhood neglect, physical and emotional abuse, rape and molestation. I have PTSD, Conversion and Somatization Disorders. Unknown to me at the time, I was suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Conversion and Somatization disorders for 11 years. It didn’t affect me until I was 23 years old when I began having panic attacks. It took a lot of time away from my family, personal happiness, ruined my health and personal power while keeping my abusers’ secrets safe. When I started to receive therapy and my repressed memories started to surface with the help of EMDR and Brainspotting therapy. It became overwhelming because instead of memories slowly surfacing the memories surfaced too fast which my therapist called flooding. So my book started out as a coping skill of journaling my feelings during and after panic attacks and trigger episodes, and also after each therapy session. I decided why let others suffer through it while being fearful of what is happening to them. So I decided to change the format into a book and made that my focus throughout my therapy. I made it my personal mission to help others so they don’t have to go through the emergency stages of healing alone.

Barb: Have any of your responders offered help and advice to you as you reach out to victims? How would you know what to do first with such speedy results of people responding to your blog and website?

Leslie: Oh yes, Blair Corbett, Executive Director for the Ark of Hope (http://www2.children.org) invited me to become a Facilitator for the Justice for All Revolution (justiceforallrevolution.com ). The website has 19 live chat rooms for victims of rape, molestation, addicts, mental illness, child and adult abuse and more. If you go to the website, and select Team, Facilitators, you will see my photo and my profile to read about my story.

Barb:  Oh, Leslie…I’m not quite sure what to respond ….you’ve had terrible upheaval in your childhood. How did you become aware of the possibility that you were suffering from PTSD?

TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW!

*Responses from States/Countries:

POSTED TO LESLIE'S WEBSITE:  www.silencednolonger.com     

USA- Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Florida, Oregon, Massachusetts, Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Connecticut, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Maryland, Texas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Virginia, Tennessee, New York, Ohio, Arkansas, Washington, Maine, Arizona, New Jersey, Utah, Montana, Nevada, Minnesota, Alabama, North Dakota and Iowa, Mexico. Canada, Brazil, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Europe -Iceland, Russia, UK, Australia- Australia, Asia-Iran, India, Philippines, Hong Kong, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Africa- Kenya, Nigeria

POSTED TO LESLIE'S BLOG:  www.silencednolonger.blogspot.com 

United States, Russia, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Austria, Malaysia, France, Italy, Ukraine, Brazil, Romania, Ireland, Japan, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Pakistan, Jamaica, Netherlands, China, Spain, Uganda, Mexico, Czech Republic, United Arab Emirates, India, Kenya, and Latvia, Oman, Nigeria, Thailand, Georgia, Australia, Poland, Indonesia, Columbia, Switzerland, Portugal, Sweden, Philippines, South America

facebook:http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002842726485#!/profile.php?id=100002842726485

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ log in and search me at @lraddatz1

Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/?first=Leslie&last=Raddatz&search=Go

Thank you for dropping by today.  Please return again tomorrow for the second episode in my interview with Leslie Raddatz.  She will be explaining more about somatization and conversion disorders.

Have a Blessed Day,

Barb

COMING UP MONDAY - MEET LESLIE RADDATZ AS SHE TELLS HER STORY ON POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

STARTING MONDAY.....

Coming up next week is something 
a bit different on my blog!

LESLIE RADDATZ

An interview with a Leslie Raddatz who 

suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Leslie has written a book about her experiences 

that we will be discussing. Please come by 

to visit while I'm interviewing Leslie Raddatz. 

The interview will be in five chapters....five days.

Hoping to see all of you next week!

Barb

Are There Animals/Pets in Heaven?

We bloggers respect and watch other bloggers 
to see what they are writing about.  I came across 
a particularly interesting blog recently and want to 
share it with you.
Just to let you know, I agree with Lisa Grace on her
answers drawn from the Bible to the question......
    
    Are There Animals/Pets in Heaven?
             By Lisa Grace from her blog 

Nothing escapes the Eye on the Paranormal

Lisa says.......

Since this time of year focuses on love, nothing quite proves 

love like the loss of a loved one. Sadly, our golden retriever, 

Taffy, passed away two years ago at Christmas. This was 

our second one without her. My daughter never knew a day 

without her beloved dog before Taffy’s death.

At school this year, our daughter (now in the second grade) 

announced the hope of seeing her beloved pet in Heaven 

someday.

Her teacher informed her, “There will be no animals in and

 certainly no pets in Heaven.” My daughter came home 

from school in tears at the thought of never seeing her 

beloved pet again.

Unfortunately, I’ve come across several teachers and 

preachers who say there won’t be animals in Heaven.

I disagree and I believe I have Biblical proof on my side.

In a way, this is kind of thinking is funny because I’ve heard 

many a Baptist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, and Catholic sermon 

where they boast of the feasts they will have in Heaven. And 

as far as I can remember, not a one was talking about a 

vegan feast either. (All though my Messianic Rabbi does.) 

So if they’re going to have animals to eat (which is another 

whole post in itself, which I’ll be happy to chat about on 

another day), why in Heaven wouldn’t they be there as pets? 

There is plenty of proof in the Bible that animals will certainly 

be there. For instance, when the new Jerusalem descends 

and we have that perfect time on Earth, where will the animals 

come from? The Bible says the world will be destroyed and 

there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth. (Rev 21:1) . 

The prophet Isaiah talks about the time after the judgment and 

how the lion will lie down with the lamb, and children can play 

with asps and scorpions. It even says the lion shall eat hay. 

(Isaiah 11:6; 11:8; 66:23). 

Another proof is that this world is a shadow of Heaven. 

For it to be a shadow, the real thing must exist in Heaven. 

(Hebrew 8:5 NIV)

In the book of Romans it says the whole of creation calls out. 

Why would animals be crying out if it leads to their ultimate 

destruction? Obviously, they’re longing for paradise too. 

(Rom 8:22)

In the book of Philippians it says all things in the earth and 

under the earth and in heaven (implies living things) that 

every knee should bow. Things? (Philippians 2:10)

It gets better. In the book of Revelations it mentions 

every creature in the sea. (Rev 5:13) How’d they get 

there if the seas are destroyed? They’re either re-created 

or they’re there to begin with.

The best proof there are indeed animals in Heaven is the 

fact that it says the Messiah will come back riding on a 

white horse. (Rev 6:2, 19:11) Horses are mentioned as 

coming from Heaven fourteen times in the book of 

Revelation (eight verses say horse, six say horses).

And the best proof? The four beasts before the throne are 

mentioned over and over. It mentions angels separately, 

so these are not classified as angels. There are wonderful 

creatures in Heaven that we have not seen yet on Earth. 

(Revelations 19:4) 

There are clearly animals in Heaven so while it doesn’t 

specifically say “pets”, I believe there are. Why? 

Because very few things bring pure joy like the love from 

a pet and to your pet; and as we know, 

God is love. (1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16)

Thank you, Lisa.  Such an fascinating and controversial

issue.  I congratulate you for tackling the question on 

your blog.  You've an open invitation to return 

and fill us in with another interesting nugget about the 

mysterious paranormal.

http://eyeontheparanormal.blogspot.com/2012/02/

Hopefully, you all enjoyed this posting today.  

Have a great day and take care of yourselves 

and each other.

A Friendly Hug,
Barb

MASTER THE ART OF WELCOMING

Master the Art of Welcoming

by Rick Brown

 Maybe you've had  an experience like mine. My wife and I had attended a conference in Nashville. She elected to sit out the first morning session so I went alone. At a break time I remember walking through a crowd of people who were all standing in closed circles of three or four people. No one looked my way or said hello. I felt like the kid in the Jr. High cafeteria who has no one to sit with.

I realized later that this was a close-knit group of long timers in that particular area of ministry. They all knew each other and seemed to be content with just talking to each other.

I also remember feeling very UNwelcome.

People were UNwelcome in the Roman church. People from a Jewish background that put their faith in Jesus as the Messiah were sitting next to Gentiles who had heard the good news that the one true God had accepted them. That was the teaching. But the reality was that sometimes it did not work out that way at church.

So as Paul nears the end of his letter he writes the words that can do the greatest good in building a church:

  Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the

  glory of God (Romans 15:7 ESV).

Paul provides three keys to the art of welcoming.

First, recognize that we are to welcome ONE ANOTHER. "Welcome" means to "receive to oneself," as in taking someone in as a friend or companion or to eat with them. The word is also an imperative. In other words it is a command, not a suggestion. We don't have the option of excluding those who Christ has welcomed.

Next, learn how to welcome. Paul says to welcome "as Christ has welcomed you." How did he welcome you? The answer is as close to you as a reading of the story of the Prodigal Son. In it a father welcomes his wayward son. Notice that he doesn't wait for him to get all the way home. He RUNS OUT TO GREET him. And when he meets him, he embraces him.

When we welcome others as Christ welcomes we convey as the Father did that we delight in them. We smile and we speak words that affirm them.

We listen intently to their lives.

How did Christ welcome you? That's a good question and how you answer it will determine what kind of "WELCOMER" you are. You cannot welcome another in the way Christ welcomed you until you experience first his welcome.

Finally, we welcome with the goal that God is glorified. Here's why:

people will learn more from what they SEE in us than from what we SAY to them. For instance, if a motel chain promises you a warm and inviting place to spend the night and you find instead a run down, roach infested room, which speaks more loudly: what they said or what you saw?

The same is true for the church. When we welcome as Christ welcomes, people far from God see something of Christ in us. They see our words and lives in alignment. God is glorified by that.

Why not make today the day you start being a stronger "WELCOMER"? See who needs to be welcomed and you take the first step towards them.

After all, that's what Jesus did with you.

---------

  (c) 2012 Rick Brown <rabrown0@gmail.com>

RELATED LINKS:

* Welcome One Another!

  http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200901/20090126_welcome.html

* Those Less Welcome

  http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200501/20050102_lesswelcome.html

* Cookie Sheet Welcome Mat

  http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200609/20060930_cookiesheet.html

* One Life to Love

  http://www.onelife2love.wordpress.com

This article can be found on the web at:

http://www.heartlight.org/articles/201202/20120216_artofwelcoming.html

THE SIN OF LYING........

The Sin of Lying

This is a good one. Read it and then think about it :)

A minister told his congregation, "Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17."

The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17. Every hand went up.

The minister smiled and said, "Mark has only sixteen chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying."




I needed a good laugh today, so I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did!


A Friendly Hug,
Barb

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