All posts by lfish64
Exchange the Word Luck for Blessed.
Webster’s dictionary defines luck as the “force that brings good or bad” Luck is a pagan, non-Christian idea that views good or bad fortune and success as a tangible thing unto itself.
I don’t believe anything in this life happens because of luck. Having said this, I used to say the word lucky in my everyday conversations not thinking much about it. One day I was in a classroom at the elementary school where I worked. I happened to use the word lucky in my conversation with a teacher I was helping. When she corrected me by saying nothing happens by luck or chance, we are blessed. She went on to say how blessed she was, and that luck wasn’t in any part of her life. I have thought a lot about that conversation many times, she is right.
Webster’s dictionary defines blessed as enjoying happiness; specifically: enjoying the bliss of heaven bringing pleasure, contentment, or good fortune.
Many things that happen to us appear to be bad, but when we see the bigger picture, we realize that by enduring our challenges we were blessed. I believe with every adversity there is an equal or greater blessing waiting for us. Many things that happen to us appear to be bad, in the bigger picture we realize we were blessed, by enduring our challenges.
What does luck have to do with anything? When I hear someone say they are so lucky, I think to myself all good comes from God, not by chance. Blessings come from God.
Call me crazy, but when I was 12, I would play many games that were very dangerous. One of these games involved shooting an arrow into the air. Then without moving, we would see how close the arrow would land next to us. My brother Mel was very competitive. He was able to get the arrow to land about two feet away, so I knew I had to get a good shot to win this game. I shot the arrow up, and then lost track of the arrow. I was afraid if I ran, I would run into the path of the arrow. So I just stood still, closed my eyes, put my hands on top of my head, and prayed that the arrow would not hit me. The next thing I know, this arrow comes from no where piercing through my pants, not even touching my skin. My brother instantly declared me the winner because he knew this feat could not be repeated. Many people when they hear this story, said I was so lucky to be alive. I disagree. I believe there was no luck involved, I would say I was very blessed that day. I know my life was spared, because my life’s work is not yet finished. God has a divine plan for all of us. Be ready to accept all that God wants us to do.
Myrtle-Did You Know?
Did you know Myrtle is the oil of adaptability? Myrtle instills the soul with qualities helping you to adjust to new conditions, capable of being flexible, and recovering quickly from difficult conditions. Myrtle helps brings joy to the heart allowing things to flow naturally. It is helpful during difficult and challenging times.
The Ancient Egyptians knew of the therapeutic properties of myrtle, macerating the leaves in wine to counter fever and infection. The best and most fragrant myrtle trees came from Egypt. In Biblical times, Jewish women wore garlands of myrtle on their heads on their wedding day as a symbol of love, and to bring them happiness. In 1876, Dr Delioux de Savignac advocated the use of myrtle for bronchial infections, for problems of the urinary and reproductive system, and for hemorrhoids.
A study shows that myrtle oil kills Salmonella on fresh fruits and vegetables. Scientists intentionally inoculated fresh tomatoes, and iceberg lettuce with a strain of Salmonella. Then they used a cleaning solution that had a dilution rate of 1 to 1000 containing myrtle leaf oil to test if it would kill the bacteria. The results suggest that the use of myrtle can be an effective alternative to the use of chlorine or other disinfectants on fruits and vegetables.
Myrtle lowers blood sugar and has been traditionally used in Iran for the treatment of Malaria. It is also known for its ability to repel mosquitoes, and kills fungus, and mold. In some cultures myrtle is used to heal mouth ulcers, warts, and acne.
Portuguese Proverb
My Personal Shingles Story
Several years ago I started getting very painful burn like boils on the back of my neck and chest. It was a strange feeling starting deep in the tissues of my skin with itching. Then feeling like several dozen bees stinging me all at once the closer to the surface of my skin it appeared. Needless to say the sores were painful and very red.
I went to a doctor to see what was going on. He explained to me that I had shingles, a viral infection, caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. He also explained after a person has had chickenpox the virus lies dormant in the nervous system. Years later, that virus can be reactivated by disease, immune deficiency, or stress , and cause shingles.
I was given a prescription without the promise it would heal quickly. When you are told that it could still be several weeks before you are free from shingles, it is very disheartening.
Two years ago a friend told me he had shingles. I said come on over, and I will give you essential oils that will help ease the pain. John was reluctant, but came over anyway. I looked in my Modern Essentials book, and discovered that melaleuca, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, geranium, and bergamot have been studied to help with shingles. I put five drops of each oil in a roller bottle and then mixed them together with fractionated coconut oil. John rubbed the oil on his shingles from the roller bottle. Four days later John’s suffering with shingles was making a dramatic turn.
I never get tired of hearing stories of how essential oils may help ease the pain, and love seeing first hand the influence of essential oils.
Essential Oils for Bee and Wasp Stings
Pray and Meditate
PRAY AND MEDITATE.
“Prayer is when you talk to God;
meditation is when you listen to God”
Diana Robinson
When I was a young boy my Dad would tuck us in bed. Then he would tell us stories of his childhood and his family. One of these stories that sticks out in my mind is a story that takes place in Southern Utah. When my Grandma Fish was a little girl she and her brother Owen would spend the summer in the mountains on their family farm raising a big garden.
One year it was extremely dry. Since their garden relied on mountain rain storms to fill the mountain creek, they were getting concerned. My Great Grandma Cottam was known for her great faith. One day she was talking to her neighbors about how wilted her garden was looking, and how dry the ground was. They responded with “please don’t pray for rain until we can harvest our wheat, because we know when you pray the rain will come and ruin our wheat.”
Later that night, Owen was talking to his mother. He asked the question, “Why can’t we pray for rain only on our crops and not the neighbors? That was a very good question. His mother liked the idea. She then said, “Owen, why don’t you pray for rain tonight with me?” They did.
All that night, it rained and it rained, enough that in the morning they noticed that the irrigation ditch had water in it. They were worried about their neighbors crops, so they walked over to the fence line on my Great Grandma’s side of the fence. It was very muddy. On their neighbors side of the fence it was totally dry.
I love to share stories of faith and how important the power of prayer is in our lives. Prayer is our way to talk to God. Intuition is God’s way of talking to us. How many of us pray but we don’t take time to listen for the answers to our prayers? Meditation is the language of our spirit. When we take time to listen, we will hear the voice of our spirit. Many times we don’t take time to listen because we are afraid of the truth. Quiet the mind, then listen to your heart.
As I am watching the March Madness college tournament, I am reminded of a technique on how to quiet your mind when meditating. Picture a 24 second shot clock. Clear your mind of every thought except this clock counting down to zero. If you think of anything else except this clock during the next 24 seconds, start over until you are not thinking of anything else. It is harder than you think to clear your mind of everything.
It is so easy for your mind to wander, thinking of that appointment or problems you are having in your family. Successful people learn how to meditate. I am cheering you all on. I know you can be your best you.
Essential Oils Studied for their Laxative Properties.
Laxative
This means an agent that stimulates bowel excretion.
Basil Essential Oil
Basil is cooling to the skin, and can be used to soothe minor irritations. When diffused, Basil helps promote clear breathing, and healthy respiratory function while sharpening focus, and lessening stress.
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Bergamot Essential Oil
Italians have used Bergamot for years to reduce tension and stress and to soothe and rejuvenate skin. Bergamot is unique among citrus oils due to its ability to be both uplifting and calming, making it ideal to help with anxious and sad feelings.
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Black Pepper Essential Oil
Black Pepper is best know as a cooking spice however, Black Pepper also promotes healthy circulation both internally and externally, but should be used with caution when applied topically due to its strong warming sensation.
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Fennel Essential Oil
Fennel is best known for its distinct licorice aroma and taste, yet its ability to ease digestive troubles and monthly menstrual cycles are equally noteworthy.
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Ginger Essential Oil
Ginger can lessen motion sickness, soothe an upset stomach, and help digest food after a large meal. Ginger essential oil can also be applied topically or inhaled to help with digestion issues.
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Rose Essential Oil
Rose essential oil is known to promote smooth, beautiful skin.
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Spikenard Essential Oil
The health benefits of Spikenard essential oil can be attributed to its properties as a, deodorant, laxative, and sedative.
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Welsh Proverb
Increase Spiritually
As long as I can remember I have prayed daily. I remember kneeling around our large, round dining table praying before dinner. I have always paid a tithing of 10% ever since I earned my first dime and went on a mission for my church. I have also volunteered for many years with the youth of my church. Most of all, I love the Savior Jesus Christ and try to follow his example.
Now that I have painted this picture of my religious background I am open to all truth. I believe we can learn from the religions of the world.
I remember my son Daniel had an assignment to write about three different religions for his Humanities class. I went with him to a Catholic mass, to the Hari Krishna Temple, and an LDS sacrament meeting. We spent an hour at each place. My son then wrote a paper about his experience. I encourage everyone to do this. If nothing else it will make you appreciate your religion more. Or you will ask yourself questions about what is missing in your life.
I encourage everyone to find the truth that makes you happy. We will never grow spiritually if we close our minds to truth. It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
Many people are not ready to receive truth. We are all at different stages of learning. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
I remember when I was a missionary I would ask people if they were interested in hearing a message about Jesus Christ.
Many people would say, “I am sorry. I am not interested; I am Catholic, Baptist, or I am already Christian.” I don’t think we should ever apologize for believing what we believe, or belittling anyone for believing what they believe. We are all God’s children and should treat each other with kindness and love.
Humanity all started from one branch, so in reality we all come from the same tree. What I don’t understand is why would a tree cut off one of it’s own branches? We all come from the same source, so we are in reality brothers and sisters of humanity.
Len's Oils 