Posted on Friday, July 2, 2010

Turn The Other Cheek

From the Category, “The Eastern Eye”

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.” As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.]

Many people are familiar with the expression, “turn the other cheek.” However, when it comes to understanding what that means, there is a fair amount of confusion.

Jesus Christ taught that whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek, you should turn to him the other cheek also. Thus we end up with the expression, “turn the other cheek.”

Some say this is a metaphor meaning that if someone does you harm, you just walk away. Others have a literal point of view and believe that if someone physically hurts you, then you allow them to keep hurting you. Perhaps that’s where the expression, “door mat for Jesus” came about.

What Does Smite Mean?

The Greek word that is translated, “smite” does not necessarily mean to inflict pain or injury. It can also mean to touch, and it’s important to note that Jesus mentioned the “right cheek.”

Once again, understanding the culture in the lands and times of the Bible opens up the meaning of the scriptures. Yes, Jesus Christ brought a new message. But we need to always remember that the words he spoke and the words he employed were known and understood by the people he spoke to. His message was new, but the words and phrases he used to convey that message were not new.

But to our minds, not being familiar with that culture, many times we misunderstand those words and phrases. Gaining an understanding of the words and phrases used in that culture helps us to then understand the meaning of what Jesus taught.

A Great Insult

In Bible culture, one of the greatest insults was for someone to touch your cheek with their hand. This is what Jesus meant when he said if someone were to smite you on your right cheek. If someone did in fact touch you on the cheek, it would be a very great insult. It would be one of the most insulting things that someone could do to you.

The message is clear. Do not retaliate. Do not respond back with an insult. It may be very humiliating; it may make me look like dirt. But, I can let someone touch the cheek on the other side, too.

Jesus was surely not saying that if someone smacked you in the face and jarred your teeth loose, that you should then allow them to smack you again on the other side of your face. That is just ridiculous.

Bless And Curse Not

Jesus said that we should take his yoke upon us, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” It is certainly not easy nor is it light to let someone break your jaw, and then let them break it again.

But if someone does insult you, then by the grace of God you can “turn the other cheek,” and bless them instead of retaliating against them. The Bible teaches, “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”

Matthew 5:39:
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Matthew 11:28 and 29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Romans 12:14
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Mike Verdicchio

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Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written. The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced. But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

Sleep On It

Yesterday I posted Last week’s article in The pep Letter, called, “How To Face Another Day.” If you’re not a subscriber to the free Pep Letter, then you can see a sample of what you get in your email once a week.

This morning I wanted to post a followup to that article. It’s called, “Sleep On It,” and it really presents some great information about our subconcious.

Isn’t amazing the way God created us!

The information in both of these articles is simple and practical. It can change your life.

Sleep On It

What thoughts do you think before you go to sleep? Does it really matter? Actually, what you think about before you drift off into dream land could be very beneficial and profitable to your life.

While your conscious mind takes a much needed break as you sleep, your subconscious mind actually stays very active. Because of this, the thoughts that you think about shortly before you fall asleep are vitally important.

Junk Before Bed?

Many people end their day by watching the news, which is usually negative and often depressing. When they go to sleep after pouring all that junk into their minds, they are basically saying, “Okay subconscious mind, work on all that stuff.” And then people wonder why they wake up depressed, negative, and with no ambition for the new day ahead?

Your subconscious mind is at work day and night, including throughout your slumber. Maybe you have heard someone say, “I’m going to sleep on it?” I remember watching a movie and when faced with a problem, the main character said, “I’ll sort it out in the morning.” Many times after, “sleeping on it,” a person wakes up with a solution, or at least, a new direction in which to proceed.

A Solution

Perhaps you have heard the story about the man who had diligently worked for many, many hours towards a solution to a problem, yet still knew that there was something missing. He went to sleep, still trying to grasp that missing piece. His thoughts before he fell asleep were focused on unearthing the solution.

He said the next morning he suddenly woke up feeling “the greatest excitement.” In a short amount of time thereafter, Albert Einstein wrote his first draft of a new article – a full thirty pages. It was the start to his theory of relativity.

Time To Get Up

There are a lot of people who wake up right before their alarm goes off. Does that happen to you? Is it just a habit, or, before falling asleep, do you consciously think about what time you want to get up? I think it is the latter.

Personally, the only time I use an alarm clock is when I need to get up much earlier than usual. However, every time I set the alarm clock, it seems like I still wake up before it goes off. I really believe that is because before falling asleep, I am very aware that I need to get up earlier. I am very conscious of setting the alarm for a specific time. And then, the next morning, my subconscious mind steps in, telling me it is 4:30.

Methods

There are some who suggest deliberately putting specific information into your mind before you fall asleep. Having noted many examples of people going to sleep with a problem or dilemma, and then waking up with a solution, they suggest doing it on purpose, intentionally.

There are many programs that suggest doing your affirmations right before you go to sleep. Some recommend reviewing your goals at that time. The Bible talks about not going to sleep angry. Why? Because our God designed the brain, and He knows that anger, resentment and bitterness is not something you want to give your subconscious to work on while you sleep.

So before you fall asleep, take note of your emotions. If you are angry, stop for a few minutes and figure out why. Our emotions are simply indicators of the thoughts in our hearts and minds. If you need to forgive someone, then do it before you go to sleep and release that anger from your mind.

Don’t Fall Asleep In A Bad Mood

The point is, don’t allow yourself to fall asleep in a doubtful mood, or in a depressed mood, or in an angry mood. If you fall asleep in a negative mood, you are impeding the work that your subconscious mind could be doing for you while you sleep. Deal with the cause of the emotions. Release the anger and replace it with forgiveness. Release the depressed feeling with anticipation of God’s help in your life. Release the doubt and replace it with confidence that God has a solution for you.

Once you release the negative emotions and replace them with something you do want to see in your life, then, deliberately give you subconscious mind something to work on. Whether it is your affirmations, or goals, or something you are working to solve, be specific and deliberate about your thoughts right before you fall asleep. Your subconscious mind is going to be working all night on something anyway, so why not give it something profitable?

Successful people develop successful habits; it doesn’t just happen automatically. You can take charge of your life by doing many little, seemingly insignificant things. However, those “little” things will reap enormously profitable dividends in your life.

So have a sweet, peaceful, and productive sleep!

Michael A. Verdicchio
2010

Related Posts:
How To Face Another Day
I Woke Up This Morning
What Do You Expect?
Stop Looking Back!

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Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2010

How To Face Another Day

Last week’s article in The pep Letter was called, “How To Face Another Day.” I have received a number of positive responses to that article. So, I have decided to post it here this morning.

If you’re not a subscriber to the free Pep Letter, then here’s a sample of what you would get once a week.

By the way, I am going to post a followup to this article, tomorrow, here on the blog. It will be called, “Sleep On It.” The information in both of these articles gives you some very simple and practical keys to help you live your life to the fullest.

Applying the information in these two articles can be life changing.

How To Face Another Day

Do you wake up every morning ready to take on the world? Do you jump out of bed enthused and motivated? Are you genuinely excited at the start of each brand new day?

Most people would answer all three of those questions with a great big emphatic, “No.” Some people wake up only to realize that nothing in their life has changed and they must now get up and try to face another day. At best they try to just get through another day.

What’s The Answer?

Some say that the answer is to start each new day with positive thoughts. But, again, when waking up to the “same old, same old,” it’s difficult to bounce out bed enthusiastic about a new day. The real secret is what you do before you go to sleep.

At the end of a day your mind is full of many things that happened throughout the day; the pleasant things and the not so pleasant. And for lots of people the unpleasant outweighs the pleasant. But before you go to sleep, there are things you can do that will help you greatly in starting your next new day.

This is not a magic formula. It is simply a way to deal with your own mind. Countless motivation and self help books will relate similar suggestions. But it is still up to you to decide what you do with your own mind. Changes in our lives begin with changes in our own thinking.

Get Rid Of The “Negs”

First, get rid of any and all negative emotions. Never go to sleep with negative emotions bothering you. It adversely affects you mentally and physically, and when you wake up, negative emotions will still be present.

Let them go. As you undress before getting into bed, also remove any anger, bitterness, and resentment you may be feeling. Toss them to the side; do not take them to bed with you.

If you’re having a problem tossing them off, then wait before you climb into bed. Sit down and address those emotions. Make a decision that you are not taking them to bed. Make a conscious effort to put them aside.

Forgive

Then as you fluff up your pillow (or whatever you do right before you get into bed) forgive anyone who hurt you during the day; genuinely forgive them, hold no grudge or desire for retaliation. Wipe it all away. Ask God to forgive you where you fell short during the day and accept His forgiveness. And, make sure that you forgive yourself, too.

Never go to sleep with condemnation and sin consciousness. If you do, you will wake up in the morning feeling lousy about yourself. Ask for God’s forgiveness, knowing that He will forgive you. Accept His forgiveness and forgive yourself. Now you are ready to get into your bed.

As you climb into bed and get comfortable, remind yourself of the blessings that God has bestowed on you, personally. If things in your life are really bad, then start by thanking Him for being alive; for having a bed to sleep in. If you have to get back to basics, then do it. Express your gratitude to God for His blessings.

Gratitude For His Love

Take a few moments to think about some of the things that God has done for you in the past. Remind yourself that His love for you has not changed. Remind yourself that His power and desire to bless you have not changed either.

As you begin to relax, talk to God and tell Him the desires of your heart. Ask Him to open doors for you and to bring to you the things that you need. Ask Him to show you solutions. Fall asleep with your trust in God to provide all that you need.

Try this out for a week. You will be amazed at how different your attitude is when you wake up. And when you do wake up, pick up right where you left off. Face the new day with trust in God to provide for you today, expectations of Him showing you solutions, and, anticipation of open doors that will bring you the desires of your heart.

God gave us all free will; we decide what we are going to think about. The thoughts we think will determine the direction our lives will proceed. We can decide the thoughts we think so that we are genuinely excited at the start of each brand new day.

Michael A. Verdicchio
2010

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Posted on Monday, June 28, 2010

God, Please Fix It

It’s Another Podcast!

Have you ever found yourself in a big mess?

I believe in a miracle working God. Do you? He has and continues to perform miracles. But aren’t we supposed to take some responsibility for our own actions.

In this short podcast (3:28 ) discover what you should do when you find yourself in a mess.

Enjoy the podcast!

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

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Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

It’s Another Podcast!

This podcast is not about Tina Turner’s hit song, “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” or the movie about her life with the same name.

This short podcast (4:05) is about God’s love. Find out how much God really loves you.

Enjoy the podcast!

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Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2010

Are You Blogging?

I get asked on a regular basis about blogging or about how to set up a blog.

There is some really good free information out there for those just getting started as well as for those who want to earn some money with their blog.

For those who are interested in making money with their blog, I always give them this link to Income Blogging Guide In fact I just sent that link to a friend last week.

I know, Joel, one of the authors of this free Income Blogging Guide. I’ve been blogging here at Confidence And Joy for a little over a year. I owe a great deal of gratitude to Joel for all his personal help with site. You are looking at some of his handy work.

Joel is very blog savvy and this guide is a great tool, not only for those who want to earn some extra money with their blog, but also for those who are just getting started in the blogging arena.

Particularly helpful is their step-by-step guide, with images, of ‘must-have’ plugin that you need to install on your blog, plus the necessary tweaks for those plugins.

If you’re blogging at all, just Click Here and get this free guide.

Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010

What In The World Is Going On?

Out Of Control?

Do you get the idea that some people think that the Federal government here in the United States is out of control? Now, whether you think they are out of control or not, basically everything that they do is outside of your control.

Yes you can vote in an election year, and you can write to your representative. But when they are in office, the deeds they do are outside of your control.

When you stop and think about it, there are a lot of things that are outside of our control; the weather, oil spills, people’s actions, the stock market, etc. The current economic situation in our country, and, around the world, is outside of our control. But we certainly do feel and experience the effects, don’t we?

What’s Your Response?

I think what is important is how you respond to the things going on around you and especially the things that are directly affecting you. Many people are reacting with anger and disappointment over things that are outside of their control.

Have you noticed that reacting and thinking that way simply leaves you frustrated, negative, and depressed? All of the energy that you could be using to look for personal solutions is being wasted on something that never helps or solves anything, because it is outside of your control.

It’s Not Fair!

You can say, “This isn’t fair; that’s not right; those are wrong decisions that will bring serious consequences down the road.” You can say anything you want to say. But there will always be situations outside of your control.

So then why not put your energy and focus on what you do have control over. You! I can’t control your thoughts and you can’t control mine. Only you can control your own thoughts. Only you can decide what your mindset is going to be.

God Has Not Changed

And here’s some “good news.” God is not, and never will be out of business, regardless of the times that we live in, There are many places that you can read in the Bible of God providing His protection and help in some of the most unpleasant of times. God has not changed in His desire to help, nor has He lost any of His power.

The choice is always ours. We can choose to focus on everything that we think is going wrong. We can allow the circumstances to make us angry, frustrated and afraid. Or, we can choose to focus on God and His promises. We can look to Him for His help, guidance, and, personal direction for our lives.

I choose the later, how about you?

Michael A. Verdicchio
2010

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Related Posts:
Are You In Panic Mode
Facing The Unknown
Are You Discouraged?

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Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010

A Test From God?

It’s Another Podcast! ‘

Yesterday was Father’s Day and I was thinking about how often the blame for bad things gets put on our heavenly Father.

People talk about God testing them, or God having a reason for this and for that. It all adds up to blaming God.

In this short podcast (3:52) discover if God is really testing you.

Enjoy the podcast!

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Related Posts:
Is God Testing you?
God Is Not In Charge

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Posted on Sunday, June 20, 2010

Today Is Father’s Day

Happy Father’s Day!

I wanted to wish all the Dad’s a very Happy Father’s Day. I love being a dad; I love my kids; and, I think it’s real special being a dad, for a million reasons.

Did you know that this year is the centennial celebration of Father’s Day? 100 years of recognizing dear ‘ol dad.

Father’s Day is a celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement Mother’s Day in celebrating fatherhood and male parenting. It is also celebrated to honor and commemorate our forefathers.

Father’s Day is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide and typically involves gift-giving, special dinners to fathers, and family-oriented activities.

100 Years Ago

The first observance of Father’s Day is believed to have been held on June 19, 1910 through the efforts of Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. After listening to a church sermon at Spokane’s Central Methodist Episcopal Church in 1909 about the newly recognized Mother’s Day, Dodd felt strongly that fatherhood needed recognition, as well.

She wanted a celebration that honored fathers like her own father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran who was left to raise his family alone when his wife died giving birth to their sixth child when Sonora was 16 years old.

The following year with the assistance of Reverend Dr. Conrad Bluhm, her pastor at Old Centenary Presbyterian Church (now Knox Presbyterian Church), Sonora took the idea to the Spokane YMCA. The Spokane YMCA, along with the Ministerial Alliance, endorsed Dodd’s idea and helped it spread by celebrating the first Father’s Day in 1910.

Red Roses And White Roses

Sonora suggested her father’s birthday, June 5th, be established as the day to honor all Father’s. However, the pastors wanted more time to prepare, so on June 19, 1910, young members of the YMCA went to church wearing roses: a red rose to honor a living father, and a white rose to honor a deceased one.

It took many years to make the holiday official. In spite of support from the YWCA, and churches, Father’s Day ran the risk of disappearing from the calendar. Where Mother’s Day was met with enthusiasm, Father’s Day was often met with laughter. The holiday was gathering attention slowly, but for the wrong reasons.

It was the target of much satire, parody and derision, including jokes from the local newspaper Spokesman-Review. Many people saw it as the first step in filling the calendar with mindless promotions.

The US Congress Was Not Helpful

A bill to accord national recognition of the holiday was introduced in Congress in 1913. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson went to Spokane to speak in a Father’s Day celebration and wanted to make it official, but Congress resisted, fearing that it would become commercialized.

President Calvin Coolidge recommended in 1924 that the day be observed by the nation, but stopped short of issuing a national proclamation. Two earlier attempts to formally recognize the holiday had been defeated by Congress.

In 1957, Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith wrote a proposal accusing Congress of ignoring fathers for 40 years while honoring mothers, thus “singling out just one of our two parents.” In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day.

Congress finally got on boaad six years later; the day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.

This year, 2010, is the Father’s Day Centennial. Spokane Washington has events scheduled all month long. Celebration occurs in Spokane with a month of events commemorating the day.

Mike

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Posted on Friday, June 18, 2010

Three Keys To Prosperity

It’s Another Podcast!

In these days of economic uncertainty, why in the world am I talking about prosperity? Shouldn’t the focus be on surviving this economic fiasco? Maybe. And then again, maybe not.

God’s promises of prosperity are still true.

In this short podcast (9:51) discover three basic and simple keys to prosperity. But, if you think that God’s will is for you to just survive and get by, then you don’t need to hear this.

Enjoy the podcast!

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

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