9.4 Earth - Energy Stars is Who We Are

Have you ever heard of Energy Star appliances? They use less electricity and help save money on your utility bills. Look for the Energy Star logo next time you shop for an appliance and you’ll save money and help the environment.

Wow that sounds cheesy but who doesn’t want to save money?

Here’s what the logo looks like in case you haven’t seen it.


or

9.3 Soul - Amy's Bakery

Have you ever heard of Amy’s Bakery? They make vegetarian frozen meals and cakes and cookies as well. I bet your first thoughts were, “Oh, gross, no way am I gonna eat vegetarian meals!” But you’d be blown away how good they taste. Not all of them but a lot. The Asian stir-fry is amazing. And they’ve got kids meals as well. They’re pretty good. I’ve tried a couple. Their pasta is really good.

So, I recommend trying some of their products.

Here’s a link to their website.

YOU GO, AMY’S! MORE POWER TO YA!

9.2 Mind - Proverbs

Proverbs 9

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through wisdom[b] your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
13 Folly is an unruly woman;
she is simple and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way,
16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

9.1 Heart - Seventy Times Seven

Have you ever had a confrontation with another person or met a rude individual and the first thing you wanted to do was give them a good lickin'? Well, that's the last thing we should ever do. The first thing we should do is calm down and ask the Lord for a peaceable solution. Because if you cuss someone out or beat them up you're just gonna feel worse and possibly end up in jail. Remember when Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers?

Matthew 5:8-10

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

But that doesn't mean let someone constantly abuse you and take advantage of you. Unfortunately you sometimes have to use violence to defend yourself or your family. But that should be our last resort.

That brings me to my next thoughts on forgiveness. Take a look at this scripture.

Matthew 18:21-35



The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

The point of this scripture is not to forgive someone a certain amount of times but at much as it takes. Because when we hold onto anger, grudges and unforgiveness, it can lead to health problems and sleepless nights. The Lord can help you to let it go. Why let someone else's stupidity ruin your life. Get that gorilla off your back. I reiterate, that doesn’t mean you keep yourself in an abusive situation.



I’ll leave you with that. But like anything, forgiveness isn’t always easy. I recommend, if you ever get a chance, read CS Lewis’ “Thoughts on Unforgiveness” in his book, Mere Christianity. They really opened my eyes.



May the Lord bless you and let’s forgive like He forgave us.