Monday 29 April 2013

Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years

.
 30 October 2001 (USA)

Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years is a 6-hour 40-minute historical narrative of the Christian religion produced by FilmRoos for the A&E Television Networks in 1998. It has since been updated in the 2000 and made available by the network as a boxed set of two DVD discs that can be purchased either from the network's Internet store site or in many retail book stores. Each disc within the cardboard box has its own separate plastic case and is broken down into 24 chapters that encompass a little over 1,000 years of Christian history. The first disc details the first thousand years while the second disc details the second thousand years. There is some overlapping of events between the two discs for continuity's sake.

Disc 1 - Christianity: The First Thousand Years

The first disc, entitled Christianity: The First Thousand Years, tells the story of Christianity from the death of Jesus in 30 AD to the 1077 standoff between Pope Gregory VII and Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV over who had authority to appoint bishops.
  1. The Apostles
  2. The First Leaders
  3. Controversy
  4. Paul [Saul] of Tarsus
  5. Seeds of Faith
  6. Struggle for Survival
  7. Constantine’s Rule
  8. The Gnostics
  9. New Testament
  10. Monastic Life
  11. Augustine of Hippo
  12. Fall of Rome
  13. Saint Patrick
  14. Irish Church
  15. Byzantine Empire
  16. Theodora
  17. Birth of Islam
  18. Iconoclasts
  19. King Charlemagne
  20. Church and State
  21. King Louis
  22. The Vikings
  23. Otto the Great

 

Disc 2 - Christianity: The Second Thousand Years

The second disc, entitled Christianity: The Second Thousand Years, has a 20 minute review of what was on the first disc and continues the story to 2000, when the documentary was updated, ending with subjects such as Televangelism, Martin Luther King, Jr, Vatican II (the 21st Ecumenical Council) and South American Catholic "Liberation theology".
  1. The New Sect (a review of what’s found on the first disc)
  2. The Dark Ages (continuing the review: barbarians and Islam threatened Europe from the 8th century on)
  3. Reformation
  4. The Crusades
  5. Constantinople Falls
  6. Saint Dominic
  7. Birth of Spain
  8. The Protestants
  9. Martin Luther [John Calvin]
  10. The Eastern Church
  11. The Renaissance
  12. Henry the VIII
  13. The New World
  14. Slavery
  15. The Methodists
  16. Christianity in America
  17. Napoleon
  18. Doctrine of Faith
  19. The Modern Age
  20. Missionaries
  21. The Mormons
  22. The Evangelists
  23. The Black Church
  24. The Church today

Wednesday 24 April 2013

A Love Letter's From El Shaddai

[

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1 
 
I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28 

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28 

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12 

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.

Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.

Acts 17:26 

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14 

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13 

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.

John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.

1 John 4:16 

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1 

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.

1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11 

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33 

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3 

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.

Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40 

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.

Jeremiah 32:41 

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3 

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.

Deuteronomy 4:29 

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4 

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13 

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.

Ephesians 3:20 

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.

Psalm 34:18 

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.

Isaiah 40:11 

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.

Revelation 21:3-4 

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.

Revelation 21:3-4 

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.

John 17:23 

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3 

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.

Romans 8:31 

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.

1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.

Romans 8:31-32 

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.

1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.

Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.

Luke 15:7 

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.

Ephesians 3:14-15 

My question is…
Will you be my child?

John 1:12-13 

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32
 
Love, Your Dad
Almighty God
EL SHADDAI

 
 ANG LOVE LETTER NG AMA Aking Anak

Marahil hindi mo Ako kilala,
subalit batid ko ang lahat tungkol sa iyo
Awit 139:1

Batid ko kapag ika'y nakaupo
at kapag ika'y nakatindig
Awit 139:2

Batid ko ang lahat ng gawain mo
Awit 139:3

Maging ang mga buhok mo sa ulo ay aking nabibilang
Mateo 10:29-31

Pagkat ika'y nilikha sa aking wangis
Genesis 1:27

Sa akin ika'y buhay, nakakakilos at ganap
Gawa 17:28

Pagkat ika'y nagbuhat sa akin
Gawa 17:28

Kilala na kita bago ka pa ipinaglihi
Jeremias 1:4-5

Hinirang na kita nang balakin ko ang paglikha
Efeso 1:11-12

Hindi ka isang pagkakamali, pagkat lahat ng araw
mo'y nakatitik sa aking aklat
Awit 139:15-16

Aking itinakda ang panahon ng 'yong pagsilang
at saan ka mananahan
Gawa 17:26

Buong ingat at buong inam kitang nilikha
Awit 139:14

Aking hinugis ang lahat mong sangkap sa
sinapupunan ng 'yong ina
Awit 139:13

At iniluwal ka sa araw ng 'yong pagsilang
Awit 71:6

Ako'y di wastong pinakilala ng mga hindi
nakakikilala sa akin
Juan 8:41-44

Hindi Ako malayo ni galit,
sa halip Ako'y ganap na kapahayagan ng pag-ibig
1 Juan 4:16

At nasa 'kong puspusin kita ng aking pag-ibig
1 Juan 3:1

Dahil ika'y aking anak at Ako ang iyong ama
1 Juan 3:1

Aking ihahandog sa iyo ang higit pa sa maaaring
ibigay ng iyong ama
Mateo 7:11

Dahil Ako ang ganap na ama
Mateo 5:48

Lahat ng mabuting kaloob na iyong tinatanggap ay
galing sa aking kamay
Santiago 1:17

Pagkat Ako ang nagkakaloob at katatagpuin ko ang lahat ng
iyong pangangailangan
Mateo 6:31-33

Aking plano para sa iyong kinabukasan
ay laging puspos ng pag-asa
Jeremias 29:11

Pagkat ika'y mahal ko ng walang hanggang pag-ibig
Jeremias 31:3

Ang aking isipan patungkol sa iyo
ay sindami ng buhangin sa dalampasigan
Awit 139:17-18

At Ako'y masayang aawit sa iyo ng may kagalakan
Sofonias 3:17

Ako'y di titigil sa paggawa ng mabuti sa'yo
Jeremias 32:40

Dahil ikaw ang aking pinakamamahal na kayamanan
Exodo 19:5

Aking nais na patatagin ka ng buong
puso't kaluluwa ko
Jeremias 32:41

At nais kong ipahayag sa iyo ang mga dakila't
mahihiwagang bagay
Jeremias 33:3

Kung Ako'y buong puso mong hahanapin,
Ako'y iyong masusumpungan
Deuteronomio 4:29

Hanapin mo sa akin ang iyong kaligahayan
at aking ibibigay ang mga naisin ng iyong puso
Awit 37:4

Pagkat Ako ang nagbigay ng iyong mga naisin
Filipos 2:13

Ako'y makagagawa ng higit sa iyong iniisip
Efeso 3:20

Dahil Ako ang iyong dakilang mang-aaliw
2 Tesalonica 2:16-17

Ako din ang Ama na aaliw sa
iyo sa lahat ng kapighatian
2 Corinto 1:3-4

Kapag ika'y bigo, Ako'y malapit sa iyo
Awit 34:18

Tulad ng pagkanlong ng pastol sa isang tupa,
Kinanlong kita palapit sa aking puso
Isaias 40:11

Isang araw papahirin ko ang bawat luha
sa iyong mga mata
Pahayag 21:3-4

At aking papawiin ang lahat ng
hirap na iyong dinanas sa mundong ito
Pahayag 21:3-4

Ako ang iyong Ama, at iniibig kita gaya ng aking pag-ibig
sa aking anak na si Jesus
Juan 17:23

Pagkat kay Jesus,
ang pag-ibig ko sa iyo ay nahayag
Juan 17:26

Siya ang ganap na sinag ng aking pagka Diyos
Hebreo 1:3

Siya ay dumating upang ipakita na Ako ay panig sa iyo,
at hindi laban sa iyo
Roma 8:31

At upang sabihin sa iyo na hindi ko
binibilang ang iyong mga kasalanan
2 Corinto 5:18-19

Si Jesus ay namatay upang ikaw
at Ako ay magkasundo
2 Corinto 5:18-19

Ang kanyang kamatayan ay naging ganap na
kapahayagan na ng aking pag-ibig sa iyo
1 Juan 4:10

Aking ipinagkaloob ang lahat ng aking iniibig upang
makamit ang iyong pag-ibig
Roma 8:31-32

Kung iyong tatanggapin ang kaloob ng aking anak
na si Jesus, tinanggap mo rin Ako
1 Juan 2:23

At wala nang makapaghihiwalay
sa iyo sa aking pag-ibig
Roma 8:38-39

Umuwi ka na sa akin at Ako'y magpapahanda ng
pinakamalaking handaan na mangyayari sa langit
Lucas 15:7

Ako ang Ama sa pasimula pa,
at palaging magiging Ama
Efeso 3:14-15

Ang tanong ay…
Maaari ba kitang maging anak?
Juan 1:12-13

Ako ay naghihintay sa iyo…
Lucas 15:11-32

Nagmamahal, Iyong Tatay
Makapangyarihang Diyos 



courtesy and thanks to
fathersloveletter.com

Saturday 20 April 2013

e-Sword Bible Study Software

e-Sword is a Bible study computer software package created by Rick Meyers and developed for Microsoft Windows, Pocket PC, and the Apple iPad. The package aimed to supply basic operating system and older out of copyright content as freeware.[1][2]
e-Sword development started in January 2000. It has continually grown in popularity, reaching 20,000,000 downloads in January 2012.[3] The user interface is available in twenty seven different languages. Resources are available in over eighty languages.

Purpose

Rick Meyers aspired to make Bible study freely available to anyone, while also providing power and depth to research. His theme verse is Matthew 10:8 "Freely you receive. Freely give". Rick Meyers states on the e-Sword homepage:
As a Bible student and teacher I have experienced the necessary work involved in searching the Scriptures for the competent preparation of a Bible study, Sunday school lesson, or a sermon. There are volumes of books available as study tools (and the Christian community is indebted to the various authors' perseverance and scholarship), but there is not enough time, money, or shelf space to properly take advantage of these resources. Computer software has changed the way we can study the Word of GOD. With a simple search or click of the mouse button, we now have access to these same volumes of scholarship within seconds![4]

Different versions

Pocket e-Sword 1.0 was released in December 2003. By May 2007 there had been 1,000,000 downloads of Pocket e-Sword.[3] This is the version that runs on the Pocket PC. Pocket e-Sword 3.0.1, released 17 May 2007, was the last version to be released for Pocket PC 2002, Pocket PC 2003, and Windows Mobile 5.0. Released in June 2009, Pocket e-Sword 3.1.0 runs only Windows Mobile 6.0 and higher. Released in December 2009, Pocket e-Sword 3.2.0 runs only Windows Mobile 6.0 through Windows Mobile 6.5. On 12 December 2009, it was officially announced that there would be no future development of Pocket e-Sword.
Development for e-Sword Live started in November 2007. It went public in May 2008. This is the web based version. Rick Meyers actively promotes this version for users of platforms other than Windows.
e-Sword HD was publicly released on 15 OCtober 2012. This is a port of e-Sword to the iPad. Version 1.0 supported English only.

e-Sword Live Features

The web version can display Bibles, Commentaries, Dictionaries, Lexicons, and Topical Bibles

Pocket e-Sword Features

In addition to displaying Bibles, Commentaries, and Dictionaries, Version 3.1.0 offers the following components:
  • Bible Markup Overlay
  • Bible Reading Plan
  • Bookmarks
  • Devotional
  • Prayer List
  • Scripture Memory Verse List
  • Study Notes
  • Topical Notes
These components offer similar functionality to the e-Sword equivalents. Study Notes and Topical Notes are RTF text files, rather than a database.

e-Sword HD Features

In addition to Bibles, Commentaries and Dictionaries, Version 1.0 offers the following components and functionality:
  • Bible Markup Overlay
  • Bible Reading Plan
  • Bookmarks
  • Devotional
  • Prayer List
  • Scripture Memory Verse List
  • Study Notes
  • Topical Notes

e-Sword Features

In addition to Bibles, Commentaries and Dictionaries, Version 10.0.5 offers the following components and functionality:
  • Bible Markup Overlay
  • Bible Reading Plan
  • Bookmarks
  • Devotional
  • Gospel Harmony
  • Journal
  • Map/Graphic Viewer
  • Localization
  • Prayer List
  • Reference Library
  • Resource Download Manager
  • Scripture Memory Verse List
  • SermonAudio.com Integration
  • Sermon Illustrations
  • STEP viewer
  • Study Notes
  • Topical Notes
  • Verse Analysis Tool
The program allows the user to view the text of the Bible, Bible commentaries, study notes and dictionaries. Through its customizable layout the user can chose which of these resources to view at once, or how they are arranged on the screen.


e-Sword is a fast and effective way to study the Bible. e-Sword is feature rich and user friendly with more capabilities than you would expect in a free software package. The fact that e-Sword is free is just one of the blessings and does not speak of the quality of the software. I make my living writing software and I believe I have put forth my best effort in this endeavor. The real work, however, was put in by the godly men and women who devoted countless years creating the texts that have been made available for our benefit.
In His service,
    Rick Meyers



The Word Bible Study Software

The Word (short for In the beginning was The Word) is a free Bible study software application for Microsoft Windows. It was first released in 2003 by its developer, Costas Stergiou. Though created mainly as a proof of concept Bible viewer,[1] The Word has developed into a comprehensive and powerful Bible study application,[2] offering not only Bibles, but also commentaries, dictionaries, general books, maps, etc. The Word also provides advanced, full library search capabilities. The Word is an internationalised application, featuring support for Bibles in many different languages, and user-interface localizations

Features

The Word supports the following features:
  • Easy to use[1]
  • Quickly search through Bible texts[2] and annotations
  • Support for non-Bible resources (commentaries, dictionaries, generic books)
  • Compare/Parallel view
  • Ability to create and edit complete user modules of any kind (dictionary, commentary, maps, etc.)
  • Cross references (either embedded in Bible texts, or user defined)
  • Advanced hyperlinking in modules to Bibles, internal locations, or other modules
  • Clipboard Monitor the Windows clipboard to display the text of copied verse references
  • Inline commentaries and word lookup dictionaries
  • Support for right to left languages
  • Support for Strong's Numbers, Greek morphological codes, and numerous other viewer options
  • Support for Footnotes
  • Support for non-Bible documents (commentaries, dictionaries, generic books)
  • Greek and Hebrew Support
  • Configurable interface[2]
  • User defined and saved window layouts
  • Advanced, full library search capabilities
  • User markups and highlighting
  • Verse lists
  • Highly customizable UI with skin support
  • Support for purchasing copyrighted, priced modules
  • The ability to create & distribute user created modules as is done at DoctorDaveT.com

Vision

"To provide top quality software to aid fellow believers in the teaching and proclamation of God's Word free of charge" - Costas Stergiou

Version History

Below is a brief summary of version information.
  • Version 1.0: First non-beta release, Clipboard Monitor feature introduced
  • Version 1.1: Ability to print Bible texts and personal notes, and export personal notes in various formats
  • Version 1.2: Improved Greek support in non-Greek environments
  • Version 2.0: Multiple Bible windows, Bible text formatting, Dockable windows and layouts
  • Version 3.0: Integration of non-Bible resources, search capabilities for them, priced copyrighted modules, user-created modules
  • Version 4.0: Current version, new program icon, first alpha implementation of hybrid modules (books+commentaries), new default tw4 theme

The Word Importer Tool

The Word Importer Tool is used for importing Unbound Bible, Zefania XML, and free e-Sword modules and using them in The Word.[2] The Importer Tool does not allow importing of modules purchased from e-Sword.
Examples of how the converter tool works to convert modules to The Word can be seen in the modules available at DoctorDaveT.com.

The Word Portable

 The Word portable is a portable version of The Word that can be installed to a USB flash drive. The installer is included in the main installer of version 3.0, which gives the option of installing as portable.

BIBLE SOFTWARE WITHOUT A PRICE!!!

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Prayer Book



THE SIGN OF THE CROSS 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

MORNING PRAYER
O Jesus, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, the sins of my Loved Ones, the sins of the Whole World and for the relief of all the Souls of Purgatory.

COME, HOLY SPIRIT
O Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.

SACRED HEART PRAYER

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us, humbly prostrate before Your altar. We are Yours and Yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with You, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Your most Sacred Heart. Many, indeed, have never known You; many too, despising Your precepts, have rejected You. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Your Sacred Heart. Be You King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken You, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned You; grant that they may quickly return to Your Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be You King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd. Be You King also of all those
who sit in the ancient superstition of the Gentiles, and refuse not to deliver them out of darkness into the light and kingdom of God. Grant, O Lord, to Your Church, assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the Earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor forever. Amen.

SACRED HEART CONSECRATION
To the Sacred Heart of Jesus I give myself and consecrate to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, my person and my life, my actions, pains and sufferings, so that I may be unwilling to make use of any part of my being other than to honor, love and glorify the Sacred Heart. This is my unchanging purpose, namely, to be all His, and to do all things for the love of Him, at the same time renouncing with all my heart whatever is displeasing to Him. I therefore take You, 
O Sacred Heart, to be the focus of my love, the guardian of my life, my assurance of salvation, the remedy of my weakness and inconstancy, the atonement for all the faults of my life and my sure refuge at the hour of death. Be then, O Heart of goodness, my justification before God the Father, and turn away from me the strokes of his righteous anger. O Heart of love, I put all my confidence in You, for I fear everything from my own wickedness and frailty, but I hope for all things from Your goodness and bounty. Remove from me all that can displease You or resist Your holy will; let your pure love imprint Your image so deeply upon my heart, that I shall
never be able to forget You or to be separated from You. May I obtain from all Your loving kindness the grace of having my name written in Your Heart, for in You I desire to place all my happiness and glory, living and dying in bondage to You. Amen


ANIMA CHRISTI
Soul of Christ, be my sanctification; Body of Christ, be my salvation; Blood of Christ, fill all my veins; Water of Christ's side, wash out my stains; Passion of Christ, my comfort be; O good Jesus, listen to me; In Thy wounds I fain would hide; Never to be parted from Thy side; Guard me, should the foe assail me; Call me when my life shall fail me; Bid me come to Thee above, With Thy saints to sing Thy love,
World without end. Amen.

THE GOLDEN ARROW 
May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and ineffable Name of God be forever praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.

REPARATION TO THE TRINITY
O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the conversion of poor sinners.

GENERAL REPARATION
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You. I beg pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love You.

THE FATIMA PRAYER
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Your mercy.

OUR FATHER
Our Father, who is in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

HAIL MARY
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed are you amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH
Remember, O most pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my sweet protector St. Joseph that no one ever had recourse to thy protection or implored thy aid without obtaining relief. Confiding therefore in thy goodness, I come before thee, and humbly supplicate thee. Oh, despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen. 


PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

PRAYER TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL
Angel of God, my guardian dear to whom God's love commits me here. Always be at my side to light, to guard, to rule and guide. I praise you and I bless you for your guardianship! O Angel of Christ, my holy Guardian and Protector of my body and soul, forgive me all my sins. Deliver me from all the wiles of the enemy, that I may not anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, sinful and unworthy servant - that you may present me worthy of the kindness and mercy of the All-holy Trinity. May God bless you. Amen.

SAINT JOHN VIANNEY’S PRAYER
I love You, O my God, and my only desire is to love You until the last breath of my life. I love You, O my infinitely lovable God, and I would rather die loving You, than live without loving You. I love You, Lord, and the only grace I ask is to love You eternally My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You, I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath.

PRAYER TO SAINT FAUSTINA
O Jesus, who filled Saint Faustina with profound veneration for thy boundless mercy, deign, if it be Your holy will, to grant me through her intercession, the grace for which I fervently pray… Many sins render me unworthy for Your mercy, but be mindful of St. Faustina’s sacrifice and self-denial, and reward her virtues by granting the petitions, which I present, to You through her intercession.

SAINT FAUSTINA KOWALSKA’S HEALING PRAYER
Jesus, may Your pure and healthy blood circulate in my poor ailing organism, and may Your pure and healthy body transform my weak unhealthy body, and may a healthy and vigorous life flow once again within me, if it is truly Your Holy Will.  Amen.


Chaplet of Divine Mercy

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

OPENING PRAYERS
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You! 

OUR FATHER…
HAIL MARY…
GLORY BE…


THE APOSTLES' CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, the Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. On the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life
everlasting. Amen.

*****  X5
ETERNAL FATHER

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world and those of all the souls of purgatory.

MERCY

X10
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy upon us, upon the whole world and upon all the souls of purgatory.
*****

HOLY GOD X3
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world, now and at the hour of our death, and have mercy upon all the souls of purgatory.

After 3rd time:  Amen

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.



Chaplet of Our Lady of Mercy

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

HAIL, HOLY QUEEN
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement! O loving! O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen

*****  X5

MOTHER OF ALL GRACES

Mary, Mother of all graces, Mother of Divine Mercy, defend us from our enemies and receive us at the hour of our death.

MERCY    X10
Mary, Mother of Mercy, implore for us mercy of your son. 
*****

OPEN YOUR ARMS
You open your arms to us most merciful Mother, and stretch out your hands, full of mercies and gifts. Your Mother's heart is restless to endow us with everything we need. Encouraged by your goodness, we have confidence in you. We beg you to intercede for us. Mother obtaining for us all we need. Through your most powerful intercession, obtain from God especially the gift of chastity and innocence, and foster in our heart truly childlike love for you. So that we may bear the image of the Sacred Heart of your Son, may the Sacred Heart defend us, guide us, and take us to eternal light. Amen.

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Chaplet of St. Michael

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

1) By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity. Amen.

OUR FATHER…
HAIL MARY… X3

2) By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim may the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection. Amen.

OUR FATHER…
HAIL MARY… X3

3) By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility. Amen.

OUR FATHER…
HAIL MARY… X3

4) By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominions may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions. Amen.

OUR FATHER…
HAIL MARY… X3

5) By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers may the Lord protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil. Amen.

OUR FATHER…
HAIL MARY… X3

6) By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord
preserve us from evil and falling into temptation. Amen.

OUR FATHER…
HAIL MARY… X3

7) By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.

OUR FATHER…
HAIL MARY… X3

8) By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven. Amen.

OUR FATHER…
HAIL MARY… X3

9) By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted in the life to come to Heaven. Amen.

OUR FATHER…
HAIL MARY… X3

(Our Father is to be said in honor of each of the following leading Angels:  St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael and our Guardian Angel)

OUR FATHER… X4

CONCLUDING PRAYERS
O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the Heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor; you who shines with excellence and superhuman virtue - deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day. 

The Church venerates thee as protector and patron; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in Heavenly beatitude. Pray for us sinners, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ, that we may be made worthy of His promises.

O glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of the Heavenly host, defend us in battle, and in the struggle which is ours against the evil principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against spirits of evil in high places. Come to the aid of men, whom God created immortal, made in his own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil.

Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Almighty and Everlasting God, Who, by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most glorious Archangel St. Michael Prince of Thy Church, make us worthy, we beseech You, to be delivered from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into the August Presence of Thy Divine Majesty. This we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.


 
Prayers for all the Souls in Purgatory


O Jesus, Thou suffered and died that all mankind might be saved and brought to eternal happiness. Hear our pleas for mercy on all the souls in Purgatory:

PRAYER OF SAINT GERTRUDE 
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus Christ, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, for those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

INSPIRATION
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I ask You through Your love of me, to inspire me and to inspire many people with a passionate devotion for the conversion of sinners, the relief of the souls of purgatory, the reparation of sins and the love of God. Amen.

O HOLY VICTIM 
O Holy victim for our salvation. You are perfect humanity, true divinity, the source and origin of our salvation. Have mercy on the deceased! You are our redeemer, O Jesus! You erase our sins and you forgive us. Have mercy on the deceased! Touched by our prayers, sweet Jesus, and by the supplications of all the faithful, receive our prayers, and have mercy on the deceased! 
O Jesus, we beg you to grant eternal rest to those who have died in your Grace. May the eternal and blessed light shine upon them. Amen.

Prayer for a Dying Person

Lord Jesus Christ! You who are the Son of God and Son of the Virgin Mary, God and Man, You who in fear sweated blood for us on the Mount of Olives in order to bring peace, and to offer Your Most Holy Death to God, Your Heavenly Father, for the salvation of (This dying person). If it be, however, that by his/her sins he/she merits eternal damnation, then may it be deflected from him/her. This, O Eternal Father through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Dear Son, Who lives and reigns in union with the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ! You Who meekly died on the trunk of the Cross for us, submitting Your Will completely to Your Heavenly Father in order to bring peace and to offer Your most Holy Death to Your Heavenly Father in order to free (This dying person) and to hide from him/her what he/she has earned with his/her sins; grant this, O Eternal Father! Through Our Lord, Jesus, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in union with the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ! You Who remained silent to speak through the mouths of the Prophets: I have drawn You to me through Eternal Love, that Love which drew You from Heaven into the body of the Virgin, that Love which drew You from the body of the Virgin into the valley of this needful world, that Love which kept You 33 years in this world, and as a sign of Great Love, You have given Your Holy Body as True Food and Your Holy Blood as True Drink, as a sign of Great Love, You have consented to be a prisoner and to be led from one judge to another and as a sign of Great Love You have consented to be condemned to death, and have consented to die and to be buried and truly risen, and appeared to Your Holy Mother and all the Holy Apostles, and as a sign of Great Love You have ascended, under Your own Strength and Power, and sit at
the Right Hand of God, Your Heavenly Father, and You have sent Your Holy Spirit into the hearts of Your Apostles and the hearts of all who hope and believe in You. Through Your Sign of Eternal Love, open Heaven today and take (This dying person) and all his/her sins into the Realm of Your Heavenly Father, that he/she may reign with You now and forever. Amen.

Saturday 13 April 2013

Book of Blessings



Book of Blessings -

Sickness and Healing



Sickness and Healing -

Saturday 23 March 2013

Deep Breathing Can Have Many Health Benefits

Breath of Life

Take a deep breath through your nose. Breathe in through your nose, and fill your lungs as full as
possible. Allow your belly to extend as you fill your lungs. Hold that breath for four seconds, and then slowly exhale through your nose. Be controlled and deliberate as you breathe in and when you exhale. You just performed the most important healing activity that you can do for your body. (We’ll discuss this aspect more later in the study.) While that fact in itself is reason enough to be more mindful of your breathing, scripture provides us with an even more significant reason.

1. Read Genesis 2:7, Isaiah 42:5 and Acts 17:25. What is most significant about the breath in our
bodies? 

Do you realize that as you breathe, the breath of God fills your lungs and, when done properly, promotes healing within your body? Let’s say that again: THE BREATH OF GOD FLOWS THROUGH YOU AS YOU BREATHE. Our life and spirit come from God’s Spirit. For this reason alone, our lives have tremendous value.

In addition to giving life to humans on earth, God’s breath also gave life to the heavenly hosts. ( Psalm 33:6 ) In fact, without the breath of God, if He were to take back the breath he has given to life on earth, “all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.” (Job 34:14-15) God’s breath holds all lifetogether, and we are but dust without it.

2. In addition to God’s breath giving us life, what else does His breath give us? See Job 32:7-8.

In this portion of Job, Job’s friend Elihu acknowledges God as the only source of real wisdom;
unfortunately Elihu failed to use that wisdom to help Job. He recognized the source of wisdom, but he did not seek to acquire it. Knowing about wisdom is not enough. It must become an ongoing, lifelong pursuit. The tie between wisdom and the air we breathe brings an interesting and poignant correlation which we explore in this lesson.

Like a Breath Take a deep breath through your nose, hold it in for a few seconds, then slowly and with control let it out. One good, deep breath takes maybe 15 seconds, right? In light of eternity, that breath represents the length of our individual lives. It represents our mortality.
Not only is every breath we take a representation of the brevity of life, it also represents the single biggest element on this earth that we need to survive. Someone once said that a person can survive weeks without food, days without water but only minutes without oxygen. (See Lesson 2 for a study on the importance of water.)

3. Read Psalm 39 to get David’s take on the fact that life is so brief. 

Verses 5 and 11 of Psalm 39 specifically speak about man’s life being but a “mere breath,” but the entire Psalm really holds the theme of life being fleeting and empty apart from God. Because life is so brief, David is appealing to God for mercy. Really, a reading through the Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes produces a better understanding of how life is truly a blink of the eye. But isn’t it ironic that we spend so
much time obtaining security in this life where we spend so very little time in comparison to eternity? 

Grasping and being continually reminded of life being a “mere breath,” can help us understand the gift of life on this earth that we are given but even more so the gift of eternity in Heaven that is offered to us. So, not only is the air we breathe from the actual mouth of God, it is also endued with the wisdom we need to live a life this side of Heaven that will allow us to see the other side of Heaven one day. As much as we require oxygen to live not only physically but also in order to receive true wisdom from God, we need God Himself even more as He is the giver of that breath! And God, in His infinite wisdom, uses this connection we have to His breath for life and wisdom to help us understand so much more about him, and this is the focus of our next section.

Breath of God
The impact of God’s breath is felt throughout scripture from the life-giving air we breathe to the wisdom that allows us to know God to the power of God seen throughout history. Let’s take some time to explore the power that is found in a single breath from God to help us realize the power we are given because our life is sustained by that very same breath.

4. Read 2 Samuel 22 and note the power of God’s breath described in verse 16.

This chapter on 2 Samuel has been called “David’s Psalm of Deliverance” because it was given by David after God had delivered him from the hands of his enemies and from Saul. (As a side note, it’s interesting to notice that Saul is separated from being one of David’s enemies even though he was the source of most of David’s troubles at the time.) 

Verse 16 speaks to the power of God’s breath to alter nature, in this case to the advantage of David. Not only does scripture speak of the power of God’s breath to affect weather, it also speaks to its power to control fire and water, a feat yet unachieved by man. Just when we think we have control over these elements, a fire raging out of control or a torrential rain causing flooding waters that break a levy makes clear that control over fire and water is an illusion.

5. Read Job 37:10 and 41:21 out loud and take a moment to realize the power that God’s breath
over these elements and how humans are often at the mercy of fire and water. 

Let’s take this idea of God’s breath and the role that it plays in nature a bit further by exploring water in a way not covered in Lesson 2. The freezing of water is still somewhat a mystery, especially the fact that it expands when it freezes. In fact, scientists admit that they don’t really understand the intricacies of how water works. (The New Mystery of Water, Live Science, December 2004) As water freezes, it actually becomes strong enough to split steel. As we all know, frozen water also becomes strong enough that we can walk on it and even drive a car on it at times. It’s also interesting to note that low-lying waters cannot freeze without a light current or wind to “ruffle” the surface. (The Adam Clarke Commentary)

6. How does Job 37:10 tell us ice is formed?

What science has tried and failed to explain, the Bible provides clear understanding. Ice is formed by the breath of God. Nature has a lot to teach us, and it is one of the clearest evidences of our Creator God. As you spend time in nature, notice the glory of God not only in the spectacular things like thunderand lightning but also in more ordinary things like water freezing. (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible) 

His hand is in all creation, and His breath is within mankind. (Job 12:6) Do you realize that this very breath that commands nature also flows through YOU and gives YOU LIFE?
On the next windy day, be reminded of the omnipotence of God as well as of our own mortality. Windy days bring a sense of a loss of control. No matter what we do, we cannot escape the impact of the wind when we go outside. Hair blows all over the place. Leaves blow into our yard. Sometimes walking becomes difficult if the wind is strong enough. And those examples don’t even get at hurricane and tornado winds.

Water covers approximately 75% of the earth’s surface, and the immenseness of it provides us yet another example of the power of God over nature. If you’ve even had the chance to sit at the ocean front and watch the waves, you can’t help but become overwhelmed at the power of God. Not only because of the vastness of the ocean at its endless appearance or the realization of its immense depth but also because of the realization that while we are seemingly at the mercy of the ocean, God is in control of it.

7. What appreciation does Matthew 8:27 give with regard to the power of God? 

Those individuals who have a lot of experience on or in the ocean know to “never turn your back on the ocean.” What this means is that while we can enjoy the ocean and even obtain benefits from it, we are
not in control of it. Many lives have been lost simply because people forgot that fact. No matter how much we’ve mastered them, the elements of nature continually show us that God is in control, not us. 

The same God who controls nature has given us His breath so that we may have life and wisdom. That same power that controls water and fire flows through our lungs every time we breathe. This realization should make us want to get as much of that life-giving breath as possible as well as to have it fill us completely. Our lack of control over elements such as ice, water and wind can remind us of the control that the breath of God has on the elements of nature and beyond.
In addition to the power of God’s breath being illustrated through nature, we can also experience that same life-giving breath through the power of scripture.

8. What connection does 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NIV) indicate there is between scripture and the
breath of God?

9. What word does the NAS version of the Bible used in place of “God-breathed” in 2 Timothy
3:14-17? 

The Bible is “God-breathed” (NIV) or “inspired by God” (NAS) and through its teachings we gain the wisdom to guide our conduct. Although the writers of the Bible used their own minds, talents, abilities, languages and experiences as well as from their own personal, historical and cultural contexts, they wrote what God inspired them to write. Interestingly, the Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary both offer similar definitions of “inspired” that basically say “to draw in breath; to inhale.” 
The connection is obvious. The writers of the Bible were inspired to write what they wrote much like we are motivated to draw in breath. They were compelled to write what God inspired them to write just like they were and we are compelled to breathe because it gives us what we need to live. And, what’s more, they come from the same source – the breath of God. Wow! 

Air Quality
Not only did God’s breath give us life, He also created an amazing system to create oxygen we need to sustain our lives. Plants and trees reproduce the air we need to breath; unfortunately, the quality of that air is continually being compromised through pollution in a variety of ways. We won’t take the time to study pollution and its impact in depth in this study, but we will take a few moments to raise awareness of the importance of the quality of the air that we breathe. First, we’ll take a look at outdoor air and then we’ll look at indoor air. 

Air pollution is the contamination of the air by impurities such as dust, pollen, smoke, and burning fuels. Air pollution can seriously impact human health and contribute to diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, and lung cancer. Air pollution also destroys plant and animal life. (www.discoveryhealth.com) While many individuals may feel like there is little that can be done on a small scale to positively impact air quality, that’s really not true. 

As we know from the focus of our study, small changes can add up to a big difference; that being the case, everyone making small adjustments can add up to a large change in air quality. The types of changes individuals can make include biking or walking instead of driving whenever possible, choosing vehicles that operate more efficiently and on cleaner fuels, conserving energy, recycling, buying Energy Star appliances, attaching a timer to outdoor lights, keeping tires properly inflated on vehicle and making sure the vehicle itself is well-maintained, and carpooling if possible.

10. What is one area you can focus on that will make a difference with regard to air pollution?

The majority of people spend up to 90% of their time indoors making indoor air quality (IAQ) a serious issue needing our focus. If you have mini blinds in your home, are they covered with dust? The dust didn’t just appear on the blinds; it got there through the air… the same air you are breathing. In addition to dust, a variety of other factors impact IAQ including cleaning products, gas stoves, fireplaces, carpets, candles, smoking and ovens. 

Scientific studies in the 1980s showed that air inside homes and office buildings is often more polluted than the air outdoors. In the article How Indoor Air Pollution Works (www.discoveryhealth.com) Jennifer Horton writes that “indoor air pollution, the degradation of indoor air quality by harmful chemicals and other materials, can be up to 10 times worse than outdoor air pollution.” Obviously, IAQ is a factor that needs to be considered with regard to a person’s health. 

Symptoms commonly attributed to poor IAQ include: headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, coughing, sneezing, dizziness and nausea. Ear, nose and throat irritation are also indications of IAQ problems. People especially vulnerable to IAQ problems include those with allergies or asthma, individuals with a suppressed immune system, people with respiratory diseases, and contact lens wearers. If you suspect that IAQ is a source of health-related issues, your first step is attacking the known sources of the problem. 

For example, asbestos needs sealed or removed, and pesticides need removed.
Additionally, being sure to operate using manufacturer’s instructions on items such as gas-cooking
stoves and fuel-burning space heaters is another good step. Making sure your living space is well-
ventilated is always a good idea too. Maintaining humidity levels of 30 to 50 percent can minimize
biological contaminants in the home as well as discourage dust mites and mold growth. 

Changingcleaning products used to those made with benign ingredients is another step that many individuals take. Air cleaners are another obvious step toward improving air quality. Do your research before buying to make sure you are choosing the best purifier for your needs. Note that some air cleaners clean the air well but can create high levels of ozone, which can worsen asthma and cause chest pain along with difficulty breathing. Again, do your research.

11. What one step can you take now to improve the IAQ in your home? Improving your air quality can go a long way in improving your health. To multiply the benefits of having good air to breathe, look to increasing the quality of each breath that you take. For this, we look now at how to breathe better.

Breathe Better
God’s breath gives us life and with every breath we take, God’s breath is moving through us. His breath gives us wisdom, and it guides us through life. These realizations can help motivate us to make the most of every breath we take. This section will focus on two ways, air quality and how we breathe, that we can help increase the physical benefits of the breath of God within us. First, let’s discuss the specifics of the physical benefits that good, deep breathing can bring. 

Deep breathing can have many health benefits. 
When done properly and regularly, deep breathing can:

 Reduce stress
 Reduce blood pressure
 Increase energy
 Increase focus
 Relieve pain by releasing endorphins
 Ease problems with sleeplessness
 Relaxes muscles, a major source of neck, back and stomach pain
 Be beneficial to asthma sufferers
 Strengthen abdominal and intestinal muscles
 Help eliminate waste from the body
 Improve blood circulation
 Relieve congestion
 Increase oxygen to the heart, thus relieving strain on that important muscle
 Help increase blood and nutrient supply to muscles and bones
 Aid in digestive function
 Strengthen the immune system
 Reduce wrinkles
 Help increase flexibility
 Increase joint strength
 Decrease recovery time from stressful events

Breathing can really do all of this? Yes, it can. First, remember that the breath flowing through you is the actual breath of God. That in itself is enough. Second, deep breathing relaxes muscles and increases blood flow, which benefits our bodies in enumerable ways. Not only does breathing itself directly and positively impact most of our physical systems, it also directly impacts them by allowing our bodies to operate more efficiently. For example, as we breathe deeply, our muscles relax, and as our muscles relax, they are better able to function as they are meant to function. 

One quite well-known physician and restorative health expert, Dr. Andrew Weil, has this to say about the impact of proper breathing on our physical health: “Improper breathing is a common cause of ill health. If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be simply to learn how to breathe correctly. There’s no single more powerful – or more simple – daily practice to further your health and your well-being than breathwork.”

Nancy Zi, a California-based breathing expert and author of the book and video set, “The Art of
Breathing,” says that “breathing incorrectly can produce tension, exhaustion and vocal strain, interfere with athletic activity and encourage aches and illness. Breathe correctly, however, and you can melt away tension and stress, improve energy or simply relax and unwind.”
According to www.discoveryhealth.com, breathing oxygenates every cell of your body, from your brain to your vital organs. 

Without enough oxygen, your body becomes more susceptible to health problems. One cardiac study found that patients who took 12-14 shallow breaths per minute (6 breaths per minute is considered optimal) were more likely to have low levels of oxygen in their blood. In contrast, deep breathing raises oxygen levels and promotes health by stimulating digestion and improving mental health and fitness.

12. What health benefits do you hope to gain from learning to breathe properly? What health
concerns do you currently have that may benefit from proper breathing? 

What’s even more powerful about the impact of proper breathing is that IT’S FREE! There’s simply no reason for us to not employ proper breathing techniques. The only reason we don’t is because our bad habits have us locked into our current way of breathing. And, as we all know well by now, “small changes can make a big difference,” and proper breathing is one small change that can have a tremendous impact. Dr. Weil understood the importance of small changes making a big difference over time. In his book “8 Weeks to Optimum Health” Dr. Weil says, 

“By definition, habits are repetitive behavior; as such they are easy and familiar, the ruts we fall into while moving through life. Changing habits is hard, especially at first, requiring determined effort and time to make the changes stick.” 

While changing our breathing habits won’t happen overnight, change will happen eventually, and this area is one that will produce quicker results than most other avenues for improving health. As we studied earlier, the quality of the air we breathe is obviously crucial for good health. But to take full advantage of quality air, we must learn (or re-learn) how to breathe properly. 

In the book, Chi Running by Danny Dreyer, among other topics, the topic of breathing with regard to running is discussed. While many participating in this study will not apply their newfound wisdom about breathing to running, the ideas found in Dreyer’s book are still relevant even if you are not a runner. Chi Running talks about the difference between “shallow breathing” and “belly breathing” and why knowing the difference is important.

“Shallow breathing activates the sympathetic survival instinct – the fight-or-flight response. This,
in turn, stimulates stress receptors in the chest and increases your heart rate. The fight-or-flight
response triggers the release of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, causing the body to
burn blood sugar and store fat. It also raises your blood pressure as a result of the lower
oxygenation rate of your muscles, which ultimately overloads the adrenal glands and breaks
down the body. 

Belly breathing (diaphragmatic breathing), draws breath into the lower lobes of the lungs, thereby stimulating the body’s parasympathetic response. As a result, the body releases a beneficial cocktail of hormones (namely, serotonin and beta-endorphin), lowers heart rate and blood pressure, improves circulation, and produces an overall calming effect and feeling of well-being.” So, how does one belly breathe? 

Follow the steps below for a simple way to reap the benefits of breathing deeply.

1. Slowly breathe in through your nose. Feel the air moving in through your nose and down into
the bottom third of your abdomen. Feel the abdomen rise as you continue to fill the middle
third and the top third of your abdomen into the lungs....hold very briefly.

2. Now slowly exhale your breath through slightly pursed lips as your lungs empty, then your
abdomen - as your stomach muscles begin to squeeze all the air out.

3. One more time.

4. Taking another breath in. Feel the air traveling through your nose to the depths of the abdomen. Imagine all the muscles in your body filling with oxygen expanding with nourishing life force.

5. Now slowly exhale. Let your muscles relax and imagine your body becoming relaxed.

6. Again, inhale and feel the air moving through your nose and into the bottom of the abdomen.
Imagine the abdomen filling with air from the bottom up. Fill the abdomen and lungs until you
can't breathe in any more....hold...hold...

7. Slowly exhale and allow your stomach to tighten as you exhale.

8. Again, inhale and feel the air moving through your nose and into the bottom of the abdomen.
But this time slowly count to 10. When you get to 10....hold for 3....and now breathe out for 12.

9. Do this one more time. 

The web site www.healthmad.com provides additional tips on deep breathing, including placing on had on your stomach and the other on your chest when doing deep breathing exercises to help you feel the difference between your regular breath and deep breathing. Keep in mind that you want to draw air into the lungs while expanding the stomach rather than your chest. Also, take breathes that are long and slow. This gives the body the ability to absorb more of the inhaled oxygen. 

Author Nancy Zi explains that shallow breathers are likely to take a breath and pull in their stomach, which pushes the diaphragm up so air has nowhere to go, while deep breathers will lower the diaphragm muscles and expand the abdomen thus allowing the lungs to elongate and draw in air. You don’t actually breathe into your abdomen, but you allow it to expand comfortably thus allowing you to take as deep a breath as possible. 

How can you incorporate deep breathing into your daily routine? Of course, the answer is small changes. Practice deep breathing while driving to work, sitting at your desk working, waiting in line, or sitting while watching television. Not only is your body reaping enormous physical benefits, you will discover additional stress-relieving and relaxation benefits as well.

13. Into what daily routine can you incorporate the above deep breathing steps? 
According to www.discoveryhealth.com, we breathe 20,000 times a day. Be aware of the fact that you are breathing right now (hopefully), and every day you have 20,000 opportunities to transform how you
breathe and to enhance your health and well-being. 

Small Changes

1. Do some research. The above breathing suggestions are a start, but don’t stop there. There are
a variety of internet resources as well as books that can give you additional suggestions on
better breathing.
2. Research air cleaners and possibly purchase one for a room in your home.
3. Consider testing the air quality in your home.
4. Begin incorporating deep breathing into your daily routines.
5. Practice deep breathing the next time you are stressed.
6. Start practicing at least one of the suggestions provided for helping to improve the air quality of
our environment.
7. Incorporate 5 minutes of deep breathing into your prayer time. Use that time to thank God for
the life-giving breath He has given you.
8. If you exercise regularly, try incorporating deep breathing into your exercise routine. Note that
different exercises might have a slightly different need with regard to breathing technique, so do your research first.
9. Read Psalm 150:6 and meditate on it in context of what we studied in this lesson.
10. Listen to the song “Breath of God” by Point of Grace.



Credits & Thanks to
NewHopeLadies