Bethlehem Blessing

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  • Quitting Virtual Smoking

    Although I quit vaping nicotine quite a while ago, I took up smoking air with what I call an “air vape.”

    It is actually a device that looks like a two-inch-long metal straw. It has a cartridge inside that contains mint flavor. It reminded me of the mint vape nicotine I used to use. And that is the problem. It is too much like regular vaping. Normally, the device is used to exhale air after a long nasal inhale. It is designed to relax you. However, I was using it as a virtual vape device.

    One of the reasons I quit vaping nicotine was that I did not want wrinkles to develop around my lips. And what I was doing with the relaxation air vape was causing wrinkles, too. I know this sounds a bit like I am being vain, but first of all, I already have enough wrinkles, and secondly not wanting more, is a good reason to quit doing the air vaping.

    I think it looks like smoking and I don’t feel frustrated or bothered by anything in my life now. I do not want to represent myself as someone who needs some kind of a crutch. When I did smoke, I felt I needed to do something like smoke to complete myself in some way. I do not feel that way now.

    So, I am quitting the air vape too. I do have a fidget device that I can use if I feel the need to do something with my hands when I am sitting around, so I am not worried.

    The main reason I feel there will be no problems with my feeling or sensing a need to vape anything is the following verses from the Bible.

    Luke 4:10 reads, “For the scripture says, ‘God will order his angels to take good care of you.” And Hebrews 2:18 reads, “And now he can help those who are tempted, because he himself was tempted and suffered.” The Good News Translation Bible (GNT).

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Schedules Help Us

    Working from home presents an array of challenges. Don’t get me wrong, it is a wonderful way to do your job. There are many perks.

    Several years ago, people all over the world began working at home because of necessity. I do my job at home now, because I have a room for my art studio. It is my living room with the couch, end tables, lamps, and the coffee table removed.

    As someone who is starting to figure out how to do a job with no boss telling me what to do, I am learning things every day. The first thing I needed to get under control was to put myself on a schedule. When I thought about locking in a certain time for everything, it stopped me from even writing it down. Then I estimated how long each part of my work would take.

    I decided to schedule three hours to work on my screenplay, since it may consume the most time. Then I will spend the remaining five workday hours painting, writing a nonfiction book, a blog, a novel, and a podcast script, practicing my latest song, and reading about being an entrepreneur.

    In Ephesians 5:16, it reads, “Make good use of every opportunity you have because these are evil days.” The Good News Translation Bible (GNT).

    When I look at the items within the daily plan, I could get overwhelmed. But then, I think back to when I worked at a garden center watering at least a quarter of an acre of plants in 90-degree weather, and I feel blessed. Back then, I would have water filling up my rain boots, and I’d have to slosh around in them like that all day. Humidity, bugs, and leg and arm strain plagued me. Ironically, I was thirsty even though I carried a hose around everywhere.

    I will always be grateful for my new job.

    As I go through my days, I smile and feel like I am playing.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Forgetting the Past

    Although some parts of the past were good, many of them were in times when I wondered what in the world was going on. Times when I couldn’t move forward no matter what I did. So, I was thrilled when I found the Bible verse Isaiah 43:18. It reads, “But the Lord says, ‘Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago.’” And the following verse helped me, too. Isaiah 43:19 reads, “Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already–you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.” These two verses are from the Good News Translation Bible (GNT).

    I do see the new thing Jesus is doing, and it is good. I have already accomplished much. I am having fun while I work at the tasks involved in my business. I have also tackled other important matters that have confused me and that I thought were impossible for a multitude of reasons.

    I am even planning to do some plein air painting. That’s when you take your supplies outdoors and paint in the yard, the park, or on your porch. I will be hiking in the woods as I did during the spring of 2020, when the whole world was locked down. Only these will be newly discovered green areas. Running through the sprinkler and singing at the top of my lungs like no one is watching also makes the list.

    It is wonderful to let go of the things of times gone by. It makes me feel ready for fresh happenings, and there is a sense of freedom that surrounds venturing out to the unknown.

    Thank you for reading,

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Taking Action

    When we want to do something good and helpful, it can be a call from the Holy Spirit. Jesus left the Holy Spirit for us when he died on the cross. The Spirit resides in all of us and guides, teaches, and helps us.

    There are times when we wonder whether we can do what we feel is right. What we feel we’re being guided to do. But when it is aligned with Jesus’ will, he will give us the power to achieve it.

    I was thinking about taking care of some business matters, yet I felt that they could be difficult. I don’t know why I felt this way, but when I decided to go for it, I looked to the Lord.

    In Philippians 4:13, it reads, “I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.” The Good News Translation Bible (GNT).

    After reading the above verse, I know I can get dressed, get in the car, and drive down to the offices where I need to be, take care of business, and smile in the end.

    Relying on Jesus helps me do good things. In fact, as soon as I accomplish one good deed, I am usually working on another. Things just flow when I am following the Lord in all that I do. I love being in the “flow” state. When I am there, I do not worry or feel sad.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Bethlehem Blessing. org

  • I’m Healed

    For almost a year, maybe longer, I have been wondering what was wrong with me. I have been spinning in circles, running back and forth, and not knowing what to do with myself. I was supposed to be flying forward with the business I had started, but it just wasn’t happening.

    I would take a few steps in the right direction and then I’d be falling backward, not progressing.

    Finally, after many trips that felt like traveling to the moon and back, I remembered a Bible verse I had seen quite a while ago. When I saw the verse had a part about having a demon, I thought it might just be for other people. I never thought I had a demon in me. I was wrong.

    Matthew 12:22 reads, “Then some people brought to Jesus a man who was blind and could not talk because he had a demon. Jesus healed the man so that he was able to talk and see.” The Good News Translation Bible (GNT).

    In my case, I could not see that I was getting angry with other people and blaming them for my not advancing, when it was in my control all along. I realized that I needed to stand up for myself. Mostly, it was a silent activity. It was believing in myself and my abilities. It was identifying my value.

    I read Matthew 12::22 aloud, prayed it, and instantly knew what I am worth. I do feel healed by Jesus now. I am ready for the destiny that awaits me.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa/ Soon to be Lisa DeWitt

  • Jesus’ Plans For Us

    When I was speaking with someone about how I began learning about the Bible, I said, “I think it was helpful that I acquired knowledge about different verses gradually. And it was a subtle learning. I spotted verses in a book by Norman Vincent Peale, and later, on an app. Soon, I became intrigued.

    As I kept reading Bible verses, I felt encouraged and hopeful at a time when I had lost all hope for everything.

    It seems to me that anything that can change a person’s attitude from looking at the negative side of things to seeing life with eagerness and an optimistic viewpoint is good. At least that is how it was for me when I first started looking into what Jesus was all about. I had given up on making an attempt to change things that were bothering me, and I didn’t want to do anything at all back before I knew Jesus.

    The Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 sent hope surging through me, like warm rays from the sun do when you’re strolling barefoot on a tropical beach, taking in the sight of turquoise waves rushing up on the sand.

    Jeremiah 29:11 reads, “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.” The Good News Translation Bible (GNT).

    Since those first days of reading the Lord’s words, I have come to enjoy what he has to say more and more. I want everyone to know just how awesome Jesus is, and how he can make life really good.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa / Soon to be Lisa DeWitt

  • We Can Rest on the Green Grass Jesus Has Given Us

    I was in the city and away from green grass, trees, and flowers.

    Now, I am back in the countryside amongst the greenery, and nature at its best.

    I am lying in the grasses of tranquility and splendor. The sky is blue, and a friendly hawk flies overhead as the sun radiates its warm rays downward.

    After a time of meditation, and searching for answers to a multitude of questions, I rest. I am now going about the business of daily living with a renewed sense of optimisim.

    In the Bible, in Psalms 23:1-2, it reads, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in the fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.” The Good News Translation Bible (GNT).

    It’s been a long time since I have been able to indulge myself in the beauty Jesus provides us on this planet. As our nation’s astronauts travel in the heavens above our atmosphere in search of places to live on other planets, I am enjoying life on Earth.

    Sometimes we go so fast that there isn’t time to just be. To take in what we can see, touch, hear, smell, and feel and taste. makes us feel alive. The smell of tangerine can linger long after we peel it. The taste of apple pie tingles our taste buds for a time after our last bite. The sight of hot air balloons lifting off together sends colorful, tantalizing sensations to us through our eyes. The sound of Mariah Carey singing “When You Believe” rings in our ears for days after we’ve heard it. And the feel of a velvety soft blanket comforts us when we touch it.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa / Soon to be Lisa DeWitt

  • Good Gifts Are From Jesus

    Today has been a day with a lot going on. First, before I left home, I had the wrong socks on. They were too thick. Then, when I got in the car, the thinner pair I switched to were still too thick, so I took them off.

    As I passed the shoe store while on the road, I stopped. The shoes I had on were short boots, and they were too hot for a 79-degree day. I went to the store and opted for a cooler pair of shoes.

    All this was going on while I was headed to the Urgent Care doctor’s office for some medical help. I said a prayer that the pain would go away soon, and it did, but I still went to the appointment. I needed some antibiotics. I was already worn out.

    I was too tired to stop and get my nails done like I had been thinking about, but I had to wait for the medicine, so I went. When I sat down, I relaxed. When he (the nail tech) got to the beautiful neon green color I chose, I really felt happy. As I enjoyed the hand and arm massage at the finish of the visit, I thought to myself, “Thank you, Jesus!”

    I was right to thank him because in the Bible verse James 1:17 it reads, “Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning.” The Good News Translation Bible (GNT).

    The pampering was truly a gift.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa / Soon to be Lisa DeWitt

  • Wrongdoing Deserves Goodness

    My first instinct was to do something not-so-nice to those who were hating me. Then, I saw the Bible verse, Romans 12:17, that reads, “If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good.” The Good News Translation Bible (GNT).

    I don’t know what I had been thinking about doing to the haters. I am a Christian, so whatever it was, it wasn’t something designed to hurt them. Yet I was hurt myself, especially when I found out the negativity they were spreading was not true. They put the lies out into the world for no other reason than that they just didn’t like me.

    In a case such as the above, a person just doesn’t know what to do at first. But after reading Romans 12:17, I can see that when you do good in response to haters, it throws them off course. Then, they don’t know what to do, and probably have a hard time believing your response to it all.

    Also, after being kind and offering them homemade food and tasty treats, I felt better. I know now that when you don’t hate them back or hold a grudge, you can let it go. You don’t have to harbor the ill feelings any longer. So, doing good for them also relieves you and sets you free.

    In the future, if anything like hatred crosses my path, I will pray for the individual and ask the Lord to bless them.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa / Soon to be Lisa DeWitt

  • I am a Spokesperson for Jesus

    Jesus has assisted me with creating the ability in me to speak about the Bible. I found the Bible verse Jeremiah 1:5. I think it is for me. It reads, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (NIV)

    I am not special. I have just lived a life filled with stories that as it turns out, might help people understand some of the things Jesus says.

    When I discovered the above verse, I was making an important decision. The decision regarded an issue about the direction of my life. I decided to take action on something that ultimately will set me up to prophesize–to tell my stories, paint my Christian art, and to sing songs about Jesus.

    I am in the process of aligning things so that it is easier to help the Kingdom of God. I am not someone who is at a rank above others. I am in fact a person who has been at the bottom rung of the ladder of life. Because I have been through a variety of troubles and situations, I have it in my heart to give to others who might be experiencing some of the same concerns I have delt with.

    At first, when I headed off on the path of life with Jesus, I did not know why things had happened to me the way they did. And, after a while I thought, “Oh no,” “Are problems going to keep cropping up so I’ll have subject matter for writing?”

    Since then, I can see that many of the enlightenments that cross the pages of my words, praise Jesus. That is wonderful. I want others to know life is better with him.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa / Soon to be Lisa DeWitt