Bethlehem Blessing

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  • Narcissists Subtlety Manipulate the Unsuspecting

    The easiest way to clue you in on what a narcissist is, is to mention some of the ways they take advantage of people.

    One of the sneakiest techniques they use is what is called “breadcrumbing.” It’s where they provide others with just enough positivity to convince them, that they are kind. But for narcissists it is all fakery, and dishonesty. They aren”t even a little but truly nice. The term about the breadcrumbs comes from the idea that they deliver niceties a little at a time.

    When they give out things that create happiness in huge amounts, it is what’s called “love bombing.” It can be done in a romantic situation in the form of expensive jewelry, dinners, or trips as well as saying “I love you, too soon. It can also be done when they do anything above and beyond what’s considered normal.

    Because these narcs are too proud to ask for things, they often cajole you into doing services for them. like fetching items, cooking, cleaning, errands, laundry and any type of work. An example of this is hearing them say “I am going to go out and clean the garage.” What they’re trying to manipulate you into is cleaning the garage for them while they watch the game on TV.

    Also, they demand to have their egos stroked. That is being told how great they are, how good they look and such. If you don’t bow down to them, they’ll find other sources–other people who will and leave you in the dust.

    A narcissist crossed my path when I moved. Someone living nearby kept stopping me, interrupting what I was doing and insisted on telling me long twisted stories about how they had been wronged out in the world. The cajoling began almost immediately. It came in story form about a drug store messing up some prescriptions. It was one complaint after another. It was designed to get me to mention whether or not I took prescription drugs. This person was attempting to judge me as a candidate for dating them.

    Right after the conversation about the pills, an attempt to create a level of jealously in me, arose. It was a series of questions about another person who was absolutely beautiful and in great shape. I didn’t know who they were talking about after the first few descriptions of the stunning woman. Then in typical narcissistic manner, this guy’s Mr. Nice Guy’s mask fell to the floor. He suddenly became angry with me for not knowing who this woman was. And he had a snotty look on his face while acting like he was some kind of God, and in charge of the whole planet, and everyone in it.

    I ignored this man the next time I was outside, and each time after for a while. Then, he tried to gift me with something. He told me he’d give it to me and didn’t. Narcs like to punish the people they manipulate too. I think he wanted to make me mad because I had ignored him for so long.

    I am not going to let him get away with bothering me again. I am going to tell him; I am not on the market for anything or anyone. Telling him that I don’t even like him is what’s coming out of my mouth the next time I see him.

    He is a swindler, and a rotten person who claims to be a church member who obeys the word of God. But he does not practice what he preaches.

    The Pharisees in the Bible did not practice what they preached either.

    Matthew 23:3 reads, “They tie up cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” NIV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Celebrate God

    I talk to God even in the middle of the night. I keep Jesus’ picture propped up against a pillow on the side of my bed. I like seeing him when I wake. I know he is always there even if I can’t see his picture though.

    I talk to the Lord about everything. Whatever is on my mind is what I have a conversation with him about. I don’t wait to go to church to say anything. I just go for it.

    I celebrate him all of the time. In fact, I have what I call his “birthday lights,’ which are Christmas lights, on my silk Ficus trees. I put them on whenever I am going to be in the living room. And, I have another set of them in the bedroom.

    One year on Christmas Day, I baked him a cake. Then I saw a Bible verse about not doing human things for him or something like that, and decided I better not bake him cakes. But he is so nice and kind he probably wouldn’t mind if I did it again.

    The things God does for me are amazing. He is awesome. I even prayed about meeting friends. I prayed and asked if he would let me know if certain people were the type I wanted to hang out with. When I meet people, I am going to listen for the Holy Spirit telling me through what seems like intuition, what is right to do.

    Jesus is in charge of everything, so I know he cares about it all. Nothing is too small for his concern, and nothing is too big either. He does want us to step with him moment by moment like little children, and I do.

    When I first heard about staying that close to him, I wondered how a person could do that. It’s easy though. And I feel safe always that way. When God is directing your steps, you don’t have to worry, fear, or get upset about things that would normally cause problems.

    People of all kinds like to celebrate God. My neighbor lady just brought me over a set of crystal glasses because someone told her I was religious. She is appreciating God in her own way. It’s beautiful.

    I will sit here tonight and take in the glistening disco balls on my Ficus trees with the lights shining on them. I am celebrating.

    Philippians 4:4 reads, “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!” MSG

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Give Thanks Always

    Saying thank you to my favorite young person helps her to realize it is good to have gratitude. Then when I hear it coming back my way I smile.

    When it involves the Lord, I have much gratitude. For he is responsible for everything. He created it all and gives it all. So, for him I say thank you all day long. I don’t care if it’s the vitamins I take, I say thank you.

    And he says every good and perfect gift is from above. That means no matter who it comes from, it originates with Jesus.

    Gratitude works a couple of ways. Yes, we’re giving thanks, but we also get a benefit. From feeling grateful, we avoid feeling a host of other less than wonderful things. While we’re thankful, we can’t be sad, because we have a stronger emotion taking its place in our minds. Even if we do sense some discontent, and are given a hug for example, it changes up what’s going on in the brain.

    The same is true if we’re not happy about an occurrence. That’s because God works all things together for good for those who love him. And in the case of a thing causing us a negative jolting, we have to know that some good is going to come out of it. Maybe we can’t see it, or even imagine it, but some will. The way Jesus works is different than we humans do.

    There have been times when I said thank you Jesus for a happening when I could not decipher anything positive following it. On a few occasions goodness arrived soon, yet on others, it took quite some time. I guess for the ones that took longer, it just wasn’t God’s time to act.

    On a regular basis, I want the Lord to know that I feel gratitude for what he gives me. I figure that may make some difference when it comes to the next item or event I pray for. I know that we can’t do anything to garner blessings or grace from God, but it seems to me that he appreciates our thanks anyway.

    1 Thessalonians 5:18 reads, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ESV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Investigating the Interests of Others

    Often, we stick with our pastimes and disregard what other people are doing with their time.

    What I have discovered though is that it is interesting to take a look at the avocations and vocations of the people around us. At one time I completely avoided sports of any kind. I didn’t play sports, or watch any either.

    Then one night I was watching TV with a known sports enthusiast, and the NFL draft pick show came on. All of a sudden, the athletes paraded across the screen dressed in their tuxedos and finery looking amazing. It was like a fashion show for men. I was impressed. I really enjoyed it. As the men strutted up to the podium to accept their pick assignment, I felt like I was in New York at a high society designers show.

    Just after each athlete accepted their nomination, they ran videos of them in action on the field. Watching them catch passes that spanned over 70 yards and make touchdowns where they ran almost the entire length of the field, took my breath away. I had become a fan of a sport, I had no interest in before,

    Another time I reached out to the pastime of another, was when I took a look at cooking. It was my great grandmother’s favorite hobby next to tending to her massive garden. It was years after she taught me how to cook that I actually jumped in and began mixing up the baking soda, salt, flour, and cocoa powder to make a chocolate cake. Or to get out a giant roasting pan with a lid to bake an Amish chicken. But I did it. Then I could see why she loved this activity so much.

    Going back to the sports for a minute, I will say that the sport of golf never intrigued me. I couldn’t understand why people would do something so boring. The game just didn’t seem to move fast enough for me.

    Now that I have relaxed in my life, I am thinking of taking up golf. Maybe at first I will only stop by the driving range, and the putting green. Eventually, I may even get out on the course. I appreciate nature these days.

    Philippians 2:4 reads, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” ESV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • When Evil Strikes, We Pray

    Someone who evil touched, took it out on me. I would say at first, that maybe they couldn’t help it. However, almost at the same time they were able to smile, act kind, and seem in a normal realm. This gives me the idea that they can control themselves when they want to, or when someone else is watching.

    So maybe I am a bit conflicted as to whether I should be praying for someone who was mean to me. Someone who manipulated me, and tried some other tactics that were anything but nice.

    However, Jesus tells us in the Bible we are to pray for our enemies. Here’s the prayer. It’s a Bible verse.

    Luke 10:19 reads, “Behold I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” NKJV

    The above verse is a prayer for the evil-touched one. I suppose it matters how you feel as to what you do. But, the Lord, wants us all to avoid going to hell, and to have a chance to go to heaven.

    It’s hard to function after people have hurt you, let alone do something productive. But, when we pray, it does help relieve anxiety, and it puts us in a more optimistic frame of mind. So, while we’re at it let’s say a prayer for ourselves too.

    Ephesians 6:13 reads, “So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.” GNT

    Ephesians 6:13 is a good prayer to pray day and night. I pray Ephesians 6:11-12 each morning and each night to ward off evil spirits.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Jesus Comforted Me with a Bible Verse

    Googling Bible verses is so helpful. It helps me when I want the correct verse for my writing, and also when I need a verse to help me personally. Today, I found a verse that made me realize Jesus cares about everything and anything.

    The verse is 2 Corinthians 1:4. It reads, “who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” ESV

    Just reading the above verse made me feel better right when I was about to cry. It was like Jesus himself reached out and hugged me with a great big bear hug and told me it was going to be okay.

    I had been missing a loved one. It is a someone I haven’t seen in a while, and whom I am trying to make arrangements to see soon. It was a difficult situation as to the why of the distance between us. It was painful to no part of this person’s fault. In fact, it was due to another person’s involvement that we were separated.

    I didn’t know if I would ever see this loved one again, but I prayed that I would. Then the Holy Spirit let me know how I could make this happen. I am going to implement a plan later this afternoon. I am feeling optimistic. And I am looking forward to when the two of us can bake in the kitchen, go for a walk, have lunch out, and watch some TV. It’s the simple things we like to do together. Mostly, for us, it’ just knowing the other one of us is there.

    When I look at the above verse, I see that because Jesus gave me a virtual hug, I can give one to you, and to any others I encounter who are troubled. I hope you are okay today. If not let Jesus reach out to you, and let these words help you understand that I care too.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • I Observed Gossip in Action

    It wasn’t the first time I came across a person who seemed they had nothing better to do than to gossip.

    When this person first saw me, they asked if my name were Linda, or Layla. They were close. From the tone of voice and the accusatory nature of their questions, I knew that they had been gossiping about me.

    Right away, after acting nasty with me, the person began to tell a tall tale about someone I had just met who was kind, and who believed in God. I defended the kind woman, and the gossiper began to insist on relaying the story they had begun a few minutes before. I just raised my arms up in the air as if I didn’t know what was going on. I clearly knew what was going on though.

    About a week later, another person whom some people had told me to stay away from. while they circled their fingers in front of their ears as if to insinuate the innocent person was crazy, mentioned the gossip down at the entrance to the building. All they said was that there was a lot of gossip going on down there.

    So, when I went down in that area of the building today, there was the group of people holding court for those coming and going in and out of the door. A person who had tried to get me all worked up before, spoke up. She asked, “What’s your name?”

    I wasn’t about to give her anything to speak about, so I quickly asked her what her name was, and popped out of the door. I didn’t give her my name.

    I am a confident woman, so I just figured these types we desperate, bored, and a tad evil. But, when I thought of the other girls whom the gossipers gossiped about, it made me sad. Sad, because the other girls are gentle, quiet, reserved and filled with goodness. They wouldn’t hit a mosquito if it landed on them. I could tell it hurt their feelings when they were talked about negatively.

    When I got back upstairs, I found my promises from God book, and recited the verses about our enemies, prayed them in Jesus’ name, and said Amen to all of them. I prayed them for all of us who had been the butt of hurtful people’s jokes, and evil statements.

    I won’t mention that I came across the gossipers when I speak to the other girls. I will just keep it to myself. And if I see them trying to pull something on myself or others I will not speak, I will pray.

    Psalm 121:7-8 reads, “The Lord will keep you from all harm–he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” NIV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Jesus Gave Me Strength

    I am not sure what has been going on with the way I’ve felt recently. I have had sensations that have indicated to me that things were just not right somehow.

    The first thing I did was to pray Bible verses back to Jesus. I prayed the ones that are meant to help with sickness. In them the Lord mentioned healing me. I thought, I need to experience a healing to feel better. As soon as I prayed, my attitude improved.

    I had gone out to accomplish a few errands that were important. As I was driving, I realized I did not feel confident. about the situations in life that were on my radar. I needed power in my human batteries. I needed strength.

    I finished what I was doing and went on with the rest of my day. Upon waking the next day, I could see that certain issues were still bothering me. So, I searched for a Bible verse that would help.

    Isaiah 40:29 reads, “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.” NKJV

    When I read these verses I quote in this blog, I immediately feel better than I do before reading. And the above verse worked that way too. I got out of bed, made it, cleaned up the room, washed up and had a take charge perspective that permeated all of my being: My heart; my mind: my soul; my emotions; and my body.

    I am going to get outside, go for a walk, meditate on nature, watch the birds, and feel good in every way.

    Believe me, if you need inspiration, google whatever’s on your mind and you’ll find a verse that is helpful. It can change your whole day. What you think about will be like being on a tropical beach with refreshing breeze blowing on you. The seagulls will appear overhead, the sun will illuminate the book you are reading, and you will be relaxed.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Nothing Will Be Impossible for You

    The day started out great. I was up listening to something motivational, having coffee, then I did some stretching.

    A bit later I thought I’d go out and stop by the library. What I was looking for over there were some books about the subject of meeting new people. Then I got figuratively tripped as I journeyed through the rows of books. I stopped an employee of the library, and she acted as if she were mentally challenged. She asked me to repeat myself three, maybe four times. All I was asking her for was where the books with the numbers beginning with 6 something were. Then she abruptly turned around and began walking. And she said, “You didn’t have to yell at me.”

    Well, I may have had a discontented tone, but I hardly raised my voice beyond what a person standing next to you can hear. It was a situation where we were both wrong in the way we communicated, but she acted all insulted.

    It was ironic that what was on my mind was meeting new people when this woman seemed bothered by my question, I left the library with a newspaper and couldn’t even look at the books any longer.

    I came home, fed my cat, and scrubbed up my stuffed rabbit and I still felt uncomfortable. I wondered if meeting new people was a good idea. I was giving up before I had even tried. So, I read a few devotionals out of a book entitled “A Surrendered Yes,” by Rebekah Lyons. They are devotions to let go and live free as her subtitle reads.

    Then I was flipping through the New Testament and landed on the Book of Matthew. Matthew 17:20 reads, “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

    After reading the above verse, I thought, I will say this verse aloud, thank and praise Jesus, and say the prayer in his name and soon I will go out and meet people.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Putting Things in Order

    I thought I was moving since last week. Then I discovered that I was not moving just yet, and not for a while.

    I must have tossed out 20 trash bags of unusable stuff over the past seven days. Then all of a sudden, I found out I would not be moving for at least a year or two. So, for the past several days I have been unpacking and setting things back up the way they were. Or, rather in a better way than they were organized before.

    Now the clothes in my closet are all color coordinated as well as categorized. And all of my backpacks and purses are hung up too. It looks like some of my shoes are missing. I don’t really think they are though. I imagine they’re tucked in with some of my other items that I haven’t unpacked yet.

    Jesus made sure that some of the things that I had to replace were and are better than what I tossed. I got rid of some old silk flowers that were dingy and were the wrong color for my living room decor. And a couple of old rugs that I had in my bedroom were replaced with the exact same shade of turquoise that my comforter that my sister-in-law quilted for me were. The color match was perfect.

    The silk greenery that I had looks wonderful under the TV table, and before it was just sitting on top of something somewhere without much thought. In addition, my Tony Robbins DVD set is all neat and tidy under a low windowsill where I can see it. In the old situation, I couldn’t even read the labels to be able to decide if I wanted to view the Energy ones or the Relationship ones.

    My cat’s play area where he rolls around in catnip is all fresh too. He’s got some silk flowers tucked up against the wall where they’re secure and he can’t disturb them. He’s got a scratching post, a stuffed lamb and mouse and a sheep skin rug to match the decor of pastel pink in the front room.

    The only things that are not in order are a stretchy band exercise set I picked up at the thrift store, and my art supplies and art table set up. I will get to those items tomorrow.

    Before I did all of this work, I did not know there was a Bible verse to go along with what I was doing.

    1 Corinthians 14:40 reads, ” But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” NIV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown