Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday June 9, 2011

The other day Dr. Joyce Brothers spouted: "No matter how love-sick a woman is, she shouldn't take the first pill that comes along."

I heard the Great Blonde mumbling, "I heard that almost 47 years too late." I don't know much about love sick women or first pills. I do think Joyce Brothers was on target with this next word to the wise:

"No matter how much pressure you feel at work, if you could find ways to relax for at least five minutes every hour, you'd be more productive."

The principle of taking periods of relaxation throughout the work day is well documented through the scriptures and the history of outstanding leaders, both men and women.

Daniel prayed three times each day with his face set towards Jerusalem and his heart lifted to the one true God, even though the government had ruled such practice illegal. He was only one of many mentioned in the scripture.

The account of a man who had been crippled from birth receiving healing as Peter and John went to the temple to pray. The regular prayer of men like Peter and John should help us to understand that "a brief period of relaxation via prayer" is conducive to a more productive and fulfilling life.

One of Edison's methods for solving problems that were in effect roadblocks to some of his inventions was the practice of intense concentration on the object/project at hand and then periods of thinking about something else, even napping and seemingly out of nowhere the answer would come.

I repeat the actual account of how Elias Howe invented the sewing machine needle. He had been working his head off with failure after failure, and upon falling asleep from exhaustion he had a nightmare. In the nightmare he was surrounded by savages, probably Baptist, and each of the warriors held a spear, unlike any spear he had ever seen. Upon waking, Elias made a drawing of the spear from his dream, and in a flash the new life changing machine was well on its way.

The needle that made it possible had an eye near the head or point of the spear. At that time and even now hand held needles had/have the eye near the tail end. During a period of relaxed sleep while dreaming the solution to the puzzle appeared.

The answer, the solution too many of life’s problems will flash into our mind while we are praying, or thinking about something unrelated. I recommend the prayer break.

Jesus said: Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2011 Use with credit

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