Fragrant offerings:Psalm 141:1-4Revelation 5:6-8Phil 4:17-192 Cor 2:14-17Luke 11:1-11, 33-36“I know that if I feel any deprivation or fear about money, the solution is to give. The solution is to go find some mothers on the streets of San Raphael and give them tens and twenties and mail off another $50 to Doctors Without Borders to use for the refugees in Kosovo. Because I know that giving is the way we can feel abundant. Giving is the way that we fill ourselves up…For me the way to fill up is through service and sharing and getting myself to give more than I feel comfortable giving.” Anne LamottGenerosity:-Increases oxytocin which alleviates stress-decreases fear-strengthens immune system which makes us healthier-releases endorphins which make us feel good-helps us to have a deeper sense of abundance -Increases life expectancy-connects us to other people (which has all sorts of benefits)-strengthens our spiritual livesHow do I become more generous?This takes practice – we have to practice being generous…1.Imagine yourself being more generous – imagine giving, being hospitable, volunteering2.Watch other people do it3.Give money generously When giving: i.Imagine where your money is going – how it is blessing others – be blessed by that ii.Pray when you give – “God, I pray that you would use my gift to bring hope, relieve suffering and bring life to this situation and these people – that people would know your love and compassion and follow you because of this gift and that your Kingdom would be increased and allow me to be a deeper part how you use this money for your glory”4.Volunteer. Do it – an hour or more a week and you’ll be happier, live longer and be generally healthier – not to mention, you’ll be serving God and bringing life to others! 5.Remember, this benefits you! It is what God is commanding us and it has incredible affects on our life, our emotions, our health, our relationships and our faith. This is the miracle drug!

Fragrant offerings:Psalm 141:1-4Revelation 5:6-8Phil 4:17-192 Cor 2:14-17Luke 11:1-11, 33-36“I know that if I feel any deprivation or fear about money, the solution is to give. The solution is to go find some mothers on the streets of San Raphael and give them tens and twenties and mail off another $50 to Doctors Without Borders to use for the refugees in Kosovo. Because I know that giving is the way we can feel abundant. Giving is the way that we fill ourselves up…For me the way to fill up is through service and sharing and getting myself to give more than I feel comfortable giving.” Anne LamottGenerosity:-Increases oxytocin which alleviates stress-decreases fear-strengthens immune system which makes us healthier-releases endorphins which make us feel good-helps us to have a deeper sense of abundance -Increases life expectancy-connects us to other people (which has all sorts of benefits)-strengthens our spiritual livesHow do I become more generous?This takes practice – we have to practice being generous…1.Imagine yourself being more generous – imagine giving, being hospitable, volunteering2.Watch other people do it3.Give money generously When giving: i.Imagine where your money is going – how it is blessing others – be blessed by that ii.Pray when you give – “God, I pray that you would use my gift to bring hope, relieve suffering and bring life to this situation and these people – that people would know your love and compassion and follow you because of this gift and that your Kingdom would be increased and allow me to be a deeper part how you use this money for your glory”4.Volunteer. Do it – an hour or more a week and you’ll be happier, live longer and be generally healthier – not to mention, you’ll be serving God and bringing life to others! 5.Remember, this benefits you! It is what God is commanding us and it has incredible affects on our life, our emotions, our health, our relationships and our faith. This is the miracle drug!

Luke 11:1-13Compassion is defined as consciousness of – and desire to – alleviate distress. Essentially, compassion is the antidote to distress, and thus the antidote to the deadly effects of distress.Positive effects of compassion include:Healthier heart and brainImproved memory and decision-makingBetter communication and co-operation skillsHealthier relationships (with yourself and others)Significantly reduced risk of depression, chronic pain, sleep deprivation and mood disordersCompassion not only helps others – it helps yourselfJesus Compassion: 1 Peter 4:7-8, Luke 6:35-36, Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:13-14, Matthew 20:34Prayer of Compassion (Center for Healthy Minds – UW Madison)Settle into a comfortable position and allow yourself to relaxTake a deep breath and release – repeat for 30 secondsPicture someone in your mind (someone you love, yourself, an enemy)Continue to breath deeplyImagine Jesus, covered in light, extending to them from your heart and covering their life – genuinely wishing them the love of Christ.Pray this prayer for 1 minute directed at them: May you have happiness; May Jesus set you free from your suffering; May Jesus give you joy and happiness; May you be free from this suffering; May you have joy and happiness.

Luke 11:1-13Compassion is defined as consciousness of – and desire to – alleviate distress. Essentially, compassion is the antidote to distress, and thus the antidote to the deadly effects of distress.Positive effects of compassion include:Healthier heart and brainImproved memory and decision-makingBetter communication and co-operation skillsHealthier relationships (with yourself and others)Significantly reduced risk of depression, chronic pain, sleep deprivation and mood disordersCompassion not only helps others – it helps yourselfJesus Compassion: 1 Peter 4:7-8, Luke 6:35-36, Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:13-14, Matthew 20:34Prayer of Compassion (Center for Healthy Minds – UW Madison)Settle into a comfortable position and allow yourself to relaxTake a deep breath and release – repeat for 30 secondsPicture someone in your mind (someone you love, yourself, an enemy)Continue to breath deeplyImagine Jesus, covered in light, extending to them from your heart and covering their life – genuinely wishing them the love of Christ.Pray this prayer for 1 minute directed at them: May you have happiness; May Jesus set you free from your suffering; May Jesus give you joy and happiness; May you be free from this suffering; May you have joy and happiness.

Luke 11:1-13Compassion is defined as consciousness of – and desire to – alleviate distress. Essentially, compassion is the antidote to distress, and thus the antidote to the deadly effects of distress.Positive effects of compassion include:Healthier heart and brainImproved memory and decision-makingBetter communication and co-operation skillsHealthier relationships (with yourself and others)Significantly reduced risk of depression, chronic pain, sleep deprivation and mood disordersCompassion not only helps others – it helps yourselfJesus Compassion: 1 Peter 4:7-8, Luke 6:35-36, Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:13-14, Matthew 20:34Prayer of Compassion (Center for Healthy Minds – UW Madison)Settle into a comfortable position and allow yourself to relaxTake a deep breath and release – repeat for 30 secondsPicture someone in your mind (someone you love, yourself, an enemy)Continue to breath deeplyImagine Jesus, covered in light, extending to them from your heart and covering their life – genuinely wishing them the love of Christ.Pray this prayer for 1 minute directed at them: May you have happiness; May Jesus set you free from your suffering; May Jesus give you joy and happiness; May you be free from this suffering; May you have joy and happiness.

Luke 11:1-13Compassion is defined as consciousness of – and desire to – alleviate distress. Essentially, compassion is the antidote to distress, and thus the antidote to the deadly effects of distress.Positive effects of compassion include:Healthier heart and brainImproved memory and decision-makingBetter communication and co-operation skillsHealthier relationships (with yourself and others)Significantly reduced risk of depression, chronic pain, sleep deprivation and mood disordersCompassion not only helps others – it helps yourselfJesus Compassion: 1 Peter 4:7-8, Luke 6:35-36, Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:13-14, Matthew 20:34Prayer of Compassion (Center for Healthy Minds – UW Madison)Settle into a comfortable position and allow yourself to relaxTake a deep breath and release – repeat for 30 secondsPicture someone in your mind (someone you love, yourself, an enemy)Continue to breath deeplyImagine Jesus, covered in light, extending to them from your heart and covering their life – genuinely wishing them the love of Christ.Pray this prayer for 1 minute directed at them: May you have happiness; May Jesus set you free from your suffering; May Jesus give you joy and happiness; May you be free from this suffering; May you have joy and happiness.

By responding to the stress of everyday life with the same surge of biochemicals released during major threats, the body is slowly killing itself. The biochemical onslaught chips away at the immune system, opening the way to cancer, infection, and disease. Hormones unleashed by stress eat at the digestive tract and lungs, promoting ulcers and asthma. Or they may weaken the heart, leading to strokes and heart disease. "Chronic stress is like slow poison" – Psychology TodayLuke 11: 1-13Luke 12:34Proverbs 4:23Philippians 4:7John 14:27This is a heart issue...1.You are who you are in your heart2.What you believe in your heart is what you believe3.You do what you do based on what’s in your heart4.Your heart is programmed to protect5.Your priorities are determined by what is in your heartHow do we bring healing?1. Tell yourself the truth -- know what you want and say it2. Remember that it takes power to achieve these results3. Believing releases power4. Believe the truthLuke 12:22-34When we have health, relationship, career problems – we should be asking ourselves: What is the stress causing this? What is the heart problem and how do I heal it?1.To heal our problems we need to heal our stress.2.In order to heal our stress we need to heal our “heart” – our deepest values and memories about who we are. 3.This starts with healing our view of God.

By responding to the stress of everyday life with the same surge of biochemicals released during major threats, the body is slowly killing itself. The biochemical onslaught chips away at the immune system, opening the way to cancer, infection, and disease. Hormones unleashed by stress eat at the digestive tract and lungs, promoting ulcers and asthma. Or they may weaken the heart, leading to strokes and heart disease. "Chronic stress is like slow poison" – Psychology TodayLuke 11: 1-13Luke 12:34Proverbs 4:23Philippians 4:7John 14:27This is a heart issue...1.You are who you are in your heart2.What you believe in your heart is what you believe3.You do what you do based on what’s in your heart4.Your heart is programmed to protect5.Your priorities are determined by what is in your heartHow do we bring healing?1. Tell yourself the truth -- know what you want and say it2. Remember that it takes power to achieve these results3. Believing releases power4. Believe the truthLuke 12:22-34When we have health, relationship, career problems – we should be asking ourselves: What is the stress causing this? What is the heart problem and how do I heal it?1.To heal our problems we need to heal our stress.2.In order to heal our stress we need to heal our “heart” – our deepest values and memories about who we are. 3.This starts with healing our view of God.

By responding to the stress of everyday life with the same surge of biochemicals released during major threats, the body is slowly killing itself. The biochemical onslaught chips away at the immune system, opening the way to cancer, infection, and disease. Hormones unleashed by stress eat at the digestive tract and lungs, promoting ulcers and asthma. Or they may weaken the heart, leading to strokes and heart disease. "Chronic stress is like slow poison" – Psychology TodayLuke 11: 1-13Luke 12:34Proverbs 4:23Philippians 4:7John 14:27This is a heart issue...1.You are who you are in your heart2.What you believe in your heart is what you believe3.You do what you do based on what’s in your heart4.Your heart is programmed to protect5.Your priorities are determined by what is in your heartHow do we bring healing?1. Tell yourself the truth -- know what you want and say it2. Remember that it takes power to achieve these results3. Believing releases power4. Believe the truthLuke 12:22-34When we have health, relationship, career problems – we should be asking ourselves: What is the stress causing this? What is the heart problem and how do I heal it?1.To heal our problems we need to heal our stress.2.In order to heal our stress we need to heal our “heart” – our deepest values and memories about who we are. 3.This starts with healing our view of God.

By responding to the stress of everyday life with the same surge of biochemicals released during major threats, the body is slowly killing itself. The biochemical onslaught chips away at the immune system, opening the way to cancer, infection, and disease. Hormones unleashed by stress eat at the digestive tract and lungs, promoting ulcers and asthma. Or they may weaken the heart, leading to strokes and heart disease. "Chronic stress is like slow poison" – Psychology TodayLuke 11: 1-13Luke 12:34Proverbs 4:23Philippians 4:7John 14:27This is a heart issue...1.You are who you are in your heart2.What you believe in your heart is what you believe3.You do what you do based on what’s in your heart4.Your heart is programmed to protect5.Your priorities are determined by what is in your heartHow do we bring healing?1. Tell yourself the truth -- know what you want and say it2. Remember that it takes power to achieve these results3. Believing releases power4. Believe the truthLuke 12:22-34When we have health, relationship, career problems – we should be asking ourselves: What is the stress causing this? What is the heart problem and how do I heal it?1.To heal our problems we need to heal our stress.2.In order to heal our stress we need to heal our “heart” – our deepest values and memories about who we are. 3.This starts with healing our view of God.