The Wellness Wheel

Good Morning Everyone!

As I was doing my daily reading, this happened to be the chapter I was on and it struck me, we are witnessing this right now. People are being led astray by those who desire power, recognition and money. They are working to destroy our country and our world. They have no regard for the violence and death they are causing and, although they stay far away from doing the actual damage themselves, they have infected the hearts, minds and souls of enough individuals with their lies, their followers are doing the damage and paying the price while they sit by and deny it’s happening, they rewrite the facts, change the history, try to limit opportunities to educate others, take rights away from others, blame others, use others for their own purposes. I have been disillusioned at times, but I trust the word of God and know that He will see us through these difficult times, we just need to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, stand fast in our beliefs, guard ourselves with, “…the full armor of God!” We need to stand up for what is right, speak up and be heard. We can be the “healing hands” that can bring people back together, expose those who would divide us and hold them accountable and trust God to lead the way! Remember: You are valued, you are loved and the world is a better place with YOU in it!❤️

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
(2 Timothy: 3:1-9) ESV

Dear God,
We are grateful for each new day. Please grant us wisdom and discernment as we go through the day. Keep safe those who work to keep us safe and healthy and to make life better for as many people as they can. Help us to recognize, “Wolves in sheep’s clothing” and avoid them. Please use us as instruments of healing for our country and our world so we may help to bring peace, prosperity, kindness, unity and love for others, as Jesus instructed us to do.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen

Good Morning Everyone!

For those of us who may find ourselves thinking about what may have gone wrong in our lives, people who may have not been the friends and supporters we thought they were, children who are struggling, opportunities we have missed, difficult relationships…I could go on, but you get drift. We have been given instructions on how and what to meditate about and, if we do follow these instructions, we will be much happier and break a cycle of thoughts that only bring us sadness and self-doubt. Let’s decide instead to meditate on what has gone well, what lessons we have learned over the years, what brings us joy. Let’s find peace in doing as we’ve been instructed to do while meditating and find our joy and peace! Remember: You are valued, you are loved and the world is a better place with YOU in it!💕

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. “(Philippians: 4:8–9 KJV)

Dear God,
We are so grateful for Your written Word. Thank You for all the blessings we enjoy every day and for our past struggles that helped us grow closer to You. We thank You, Lord, for teaching us how to keep our thoughts focused on what is good and true and to stay focused on Your love and blessings. Thank You for all You do Lord and for being here, with us always, just as you promised!
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen

Good Morning Everyone
For those living in New England, I hope you’re enjoying the snow! I hope everyone, everywhere is having a good morning. I found this prayer this morning and thought, how often do these situations happen to me because I rush into my day? I have learned to read my Bible, pray and spend time with God before I begin my day and, yes, it makes a big difference in my attitude, my outlook and my patience. Hopefully, this will start your day off right and give us all something to think about! Remember: You are valued, you are loved and the world is a better place with YOU in it! 💕

"I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I didn't have time to pray.
Problems just tumbled about me,
And heavier came each task;
'Why doesn't God help me?' I wondered.
He answered, 'You didn't ask.'
I wanted to see joy and beauty
But the day toiled on gray and bleak
I wondered why God didn't show me
He said, 'But you didn't seek',
I tried to come into God's presence;
I used all my keys in the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
'My child, you didn't knock.'
I woke up early this morning,
And paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray."

Good Morning Everyone!
It looks like snow is on the menu for the weather later today so, if you are able, get those errands done early and stay home and watch the snow, it’s peaceful! (Truthfully, it’s not my favorite season, but I like to focus on the positives and the quiet-drifting snow is definitely a positive for me.) I chose the verse below because it speaks to everyone and it seems appropriate in the current climate we are living in in our country and in the world. Putting away, “…bitterness, wrath, anger clamor and evil speaking…” is difficult, but how much more peaceful would everyone be? How much more accepting of one another? How much more could we accomplish working together? None of us is perfect, but if we can just step back a few seconds before we speak or act, maybe we could soften our approach to one another and make our points without harming anyone in any way. Maybe we could fulfill God’s Word and, “…be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God forgave us!” Have a wonderful day and remember: You are valued, you are loved and the world is a better place with YOU in it!💕

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV)

Dear God,
We are grateful for this new day and the opportunities and blessings, big and small, each new day brings. Please walk with us this day and every day and help us to focus on the positives and blessings in life. Help us to shine Your light of kindness toward others so we may make a positive difference in someone’s life today.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen

Hi all!

I am hoping on this cold weekend that you will be able to take a few minutes to vote for your favorite non-profits (Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities being one of them) for the Community Matters More Voting 2023 through Bangor Savings Bank. The top 11 write-in vote recipients will each receive $5,000 with runners up able to also earn money.

It is simple and would mean so much to our valuable committees and programs like SRC, Thrive, Strength Training class, RSU 25 technology program, and so many others that we are supporting or hope to add in 2023 like a Yoga class. Please vote before February 28th, 2023 and pass the information along to your friends.

Here are the steps:
1. Go to: https://www.bangor.com/community/community-matters-more/cmm-voting
2. Click on the Blue "Vote Now" rectangular button at the bottom of the page
3. Enter your contact information on the next page
4. Click on the box in front of the first blank line and then write in: "Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities"
5. Click "Finish" to make sure that your vote was entered.

You can only vote once but can add in multiple non-profits. Thank you in advance for all of your support!

Best in health,

Vanessa Newman, M.S.
Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities Coalition
207-469-6682
[email protected]

Community Matters More | Bangor Savings Bank With thousands of votes cast by the people of Maine and New Hampshire during the 2018 Community Matters More campaign, the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation will donate more than $100,000 to the following local non-profit organizations.

This is the entire 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians. In light of what is happening in our country and our world, it’s a good reminder that those who seek war, division, hate, predjudice, money and power, those who spread lies and condone violence and vengeance and use God’s Words as their excuse for doing so, they are NOT being honest with themselves or anyone else. It is up to us to read the Word of God and live a life that honors and glorifies Him. We must ask for understanding, wisdom and discernment and we must stand strong against those who would divide us in order to advance their own, personal agendas. We are ALL the body of Christ, we must NOT let others separate us. Remember: you are valued, you are loved and the world is a better place with YOU in it!💕

13 If I speak in the tonguesof men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part,but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Dear God,
We ask for wisdom and discernment today and every day. Help us to recognize those who would divide us. Help us to lift one another up, even as You lift us up. Let us be Your light and source of healing in a country and a world that so badly needs it.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen

Good Morning!

As you may know, I have been reading my Bible each day and have been struck by how much of what has been going on in our country and our world is predicted or demonstrated in the Word written centuries ago. This morning we are reminded to stay away from those people who would try to divide us through their words and actions, that they are NOT serving our Lord. It can be very hard in these modern times of tv and social media with persuasive hosts and some smooth talkers, especially when times are tough, to think clearly and make up our own minds! We want to believe it when someone points the finger at “those people” and tell us they are the root of all our problems and, if we just eliminate them, things will get better. These are Satan’s lies, meant to turn us against one another, we MUST NOT buy into their stories. Only God knows why things happen the way they do and ONLY GOD can lead us, not false prophets or selfish and divisive voices! It is up to us to listen to one another, to lift one another up and work together to make sure honest, moral and ethical people are chosen to work for us and help us to turn things around. It’s important that, as individuals, we question those who behave immorally and unethically and try to convince us that only they can bring us out of difficult times, whether those people are in leadership roles or in church. We need to be in God’s Word more, pray every day for guidance and watch what people do, listen carefully to what they say and ask God for wisdom and discernment so we are not persuaded that what we see and hear is not what we actually saw or heard. We need to hold accountable those who lie, mislead us and try to divide us. We need to lift each other up and not threaten or hurt others and put one another down-those behaviors are NOT taught ANYWHERE in the Bible, but are meant to anger and keep us distracted from what is truly happening. Let’s pledge to work together, all of us to bring peace to our country and our world. Let’s pledge to call out and hold accountable (through legal and nonviolent ways) those who would attempt to divide us and let US be the change we want to see in the world. It is NOT “us vs them” it is “us vs us” right now, let US come together as ONE and watch what happens with God’s help! Remember: YOU are loved, YOU are valued and the world IS a better place with YOU in it!💕

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.” (Romans 16: 17-20 NKJV)

Dear God,
We are in awe of the guidance, peace and love You give us through Your word and the power of the Holy Spirit each and every day. Please grant us wisdom and discernment that we may no longer be misled by those who would divide us. Bring us together as one and help us to heal this hurting country and bring peace, kindness, good health and prosperity to our country and our world. Please wrap the loving wings of Your Guardian Angels around us and keep us safe, give us strength to do the work that must be done and watch the healing happen as we work together with You.
In Jesus’s name we pray,
Amen

I read and reread these verses several times because they made me pause and think about how often we “cherry pick” a verse or two to make a point. I felt it was important to include these verses as a reminder to myself, and others, that Jesus came to us because God knew we could not successfully live by the law. The law was just the beginning of an education about how to behave with common decency and morals. Jesus came to remind us HOW to conduct ourselves toward on another. What we are witnessing in our country, and in our world right now, are those who are not behaving as Jesus taught, but rather, are motivated by greed, selfishness and the allure of power. NONE of those things were taught or demonstrated by Jesus! He taught us to be kind toward one another, to lift up those less fortunate, to help others whenever possible, to be patient, forgiving and understanding. Jesus reminded us that WE are not to judge others, but to know God will be the final judge of how we lived our lives. I have a lot of work to do toward these lessons Jesus taught, how about you? Remember: You are valued, you are loved and the world is a better place with YOU in it!💕

“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”(Romans 15:1-6)

Dear God,
Thank you for bringing our attention back to the lesssons taught by Jesus. Forgive us when we fall short of respecting one another or try to control one another through lies, manipulation, threats, or by any other means. Grant us wisdom and discernment so we will recognize those who would lead us away from You for their own gain. Help us to realize that we are not here to tell others what they can read, how they must live, who they should follow, but to live a life that reflects those lessons so that we make be a beacon of Your light into a world that is hurting. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, help us to reflect the hope and peace that only You can bring.
In Jesus’s name we pray,
Amen

Happy New Year Everyone!
As we begin another year, there are many things that need attending to, our relationships with one another being one of those things. God instructs us to, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” This is not happening, our “leaders” are not following this rule and our country needs to be reunited in one mission, taking care of one another. As human beings, we are naturally weak in the flesh, it’s easier to blame others for our mistakes and to join the crowd that shouts the loudest, let’s commit to following God’s Golden Rule and see where that takes us, even though it may be hard to do, it IS what we would want for our children and ourselves. Don’t let evil win! Remember: You are loved, you are blessed and the world is a better place with YOU in it!💕

“Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:17-19)

Dear God,
As we ring in this new year, help us to recognize our own weaknesses and work on changing those things which have become bad habits. Guide us to do the right things, to take responsibility when we make mistakes (as all humans do) and to treat others with the same dignity, respect and caring that we want directed toward us and our children, friends and family. Grant us wisdom and discernment so we may be the leaders of peace and positive change and not be fooled into following those who don’t really follow You.
In Jesus’s name we pray,
Amen

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, let’s keep in mind all His teachings and stand strong in the faith, giving thanks every day for God’s eternal love and patience.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans5:1-5 KJV)

Dear God,
May Your love, mercy, grace and peace be with all each and every day. Please heal those who are sick or injured, comfort those whose hearts are hurting and bring strength, grace and peace to our world. Thank You for the gift of Your Son and help us to share His love, light and lessons of hope and faith to those we meet through the power of the Holy Spirit.
In Jesus’s name we pray,
Ame