Well, this morning brings another beautiful sunshiny day, although a bit brisky. Had to go back in and grab a light jacket for my morning walk; and the warm conversation and birds chirping all around, set the tone for a wonderful relaxing time. Such a refreshing start to any day!
I love walking and talking with the Lord in the early hours of morning, before all the hustle and bustle of life begins. Allowing God to become the main focus of my life and giving Him control over every thing, no matter how great or small, has brought such a relaxing peace of mind too difficult to describe; but so wonderful to experience! Knowing that no matter what comes my way, good or bad, God's got it all covered in the palm of His hands, is an assurance that brings peace beyond measure. Life is good, and God is greater!!!
The purpose of our life is far greater than our own personal fulfillment, our own peace of mind, or even our own happiness. It’s far greater than family, careers, or even our wildest dreams and ambitions. To know why we were born and placed on this planet, you must begin with God. John 1:3,"Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made" We were born by His purpose and for His purpose. Jeremiah 29:11," For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future." God created you and me for the good, but unless we come to know Him and allow Him to guide us; we cannot know His divine plan and will for our life.
Ephesians 1:11-14 tells us, "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory."
It's in Him that we find out who we are and what we are truly living for. From birth, He has had His eye on us, had even created perfect designs on us for glorious living, and desires for us to enjoy an abundant life built on Jesus. It's not about obtaining wealth, or a sense of success, or even obtaining degrees(which are good in their own right), but it's about finding Jesus and God's will for our life; and then setting our focus on the His predestined pathway; that we obtain true success in all areas of our life and feel the refreshing peace flood through our minds that no man can give. Only in God can true peace be found.
My prayer for you is that you will begin to set your mind on things above that are eternal and not on earthly things that pass away. A life built on the foundation of Jesus will stand firm when all manner of hell comes against it. With God, and In God, we can do all things! Have a wonderfully blessed day, dear friends. God loves you and so do I~~~
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Emergencies Happen
Around one o'clock this morning one of my friends called me and was having severe chest pain, was clammy, and couldn't seem to get her breath which required EMS transport to the hospital, of course. Due to her severe pain and shortness of breath and inability to think at times, I began thinking about how all of us need to make a list and place it on the inside of our front door with necessary information for EMS showing: at least 2 emergency contacts' name and phone numbers, allergies, medications, and medical history for times like these.
I thank God that she is now in stable condition and being kept for observation and more tests; but it was difficult to get this information from her due to the severe pain and distress she was in; and God forbid, if she'd had an acute heartache how would we find the information needed to get her the best care possible or to notify her family? I am just so very thankful she was able to receive the help needed and as for me and all of us here, the emergency list is certainly something we will be attending to quickly.
I pray that each of you will take to heart that just because you're healthy right now doesn't mean this can never happen to you. This happened to a very healthy and energetic young lady who speed walks around our complex morning and evenings and who was in great shape. People suffer heart attacks and strokes of all ages and again, having the necessary information readily available for those attending to you can be a matter of life or death.
So please take a few minutes and make your emergency list and place it where emergency personnel or someone trying to help you can easily find, for times like these; and keep in mind there is no guarantee you will be able to tell them where to find it, so please place it in a noticeable place like the inside of your front door and you can even place it inside a cover; but be sure to mark it Emergency Info.
Be Blessed, dear friends, and stay healthy. God loves you and so do I~~~
I thank God that she is now in stable condition and being kept for observation and more tests; but it was difficult to get this information from her due to the severe pain and distress she was in; and God forbid, if she'd had an acute heartache how would we find the information needed to get her the best care possible or to notify her family? I am just so very thankful she was able to receive the help needed and as for me and all of us here, the emergency list is certainly something we will be attending to quickly.
I pray that each of you will take to heart that just because you're healthy right now doesn't mean this can never happen to you. This happened to a very healthy and energetic young lady who speed walks around our complex morning and evenings and who was in great shape. People suffer heart attacks and strokes of all ages and again, having the necessary information readily available for those attending to you can be a matter of life or death.
So please take a few minutes and make your emergency list and place it where emergency personnel or someone trying to help you can easily find, for times like these; and keep in mind there is no guarantee you will be able to tell them where to find it, so please place it in a noticeable place like the inside of your front door and you can even place it inside a cover; but be sure to mark it Emergency Info.
Be Blessed, dear friends, and stay healthy. God loves you and so do I~~~
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
RUNNING THE RACE
Woke up early and while taking my morning walk around our complex I noticed our fast walkers up ahead and couldn't help but smile as the story of the tortoise and the hare came to mind. These ladies are fast walkers like the hare where I have to pace myself slow and easy like the tortoise, lol. But in my healing I have found that just taking my leisure walks, in my own pace and my own time, helps me finish the goal set before me for that day; while enjoying the journey along the way. Wisdom comes from past mistakes and I have learned that it's not about how quickly things are accomplished that make us overcomers; but that we continue to move forward, one step at a time; finishing the race set before us.
Life is too short to worry about the little things like trying to measure up to mankind's standards. Peer pressure can only be imposed on those who allow it; and learning that early on in life can prevent a multitude of hurt, set backs, and loss of self esteem. No two people were created exactly alike in every thing and it seems that variety is meant to be the spice of life. It savors everything from fashion styles to the foods we eat, and is noticeable in everything we come in contact with; allowing us to see how unique things of life can be in our very own perspective. Variety is meant to be a good thing.... a very good thing!
God created every thing with its own uniqueness; in a variety of sizes and colors from the flowers to the trees, to the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, to the greatest mammal or the smallest creature, to the majestic mountaintops or the lowlands of the earth; every thing was created in His beauty. Seeing all this and realizing God loves variety, let's slow down our pace and begin to enjoy this life God has given and finish our course in due season. Let's run the race set before us and enjoy life and all its pleasures along the way. And as you do, begin looking at 'You' as that unique individual God created and loves beyond measure; and as you run your race in your own pace, begin to feel His loving smile upon you in whatever you do. Have a wonderfully blessed day, dear friend. God loves you and so do I~~~
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Showers, Rainfall, Storms
This is the day the Lord has made, Let's rejoice and be glad in it! The showers have been off and on throughout the weekend refreshing and replenishing the earth and more showers are on their way. Will there be thunder? Will there be lots of rain- or just showers? Will we use umbrellas or just try to run fast enough to avoid getting wet?Will the showers bring on storms? Decisions, concerns, wonders- life is filled with all that and so much more. But somehow, knowing God is in it all and working within us through it all, makes it all so amazingly wonderful.
Life is how we perceive it and how we choose to accept each change, both good and bad, that grows us into who we are and who we will become for His glory. The Word of God declares in Jeremiah 29:11 that God has our future all laid out and that He desires not just a good life, but actually, an abundant life for each one of us. Whatever comes and whatever may go, the assurance that God has us all in the palm of His hands, can bring about the greatest peace in the midst of storms.
So, whether you are blessed with showers, or an abundance of rainfall, or even endure a storm or two today, may you look at each with the assurance that you are not alone. God is right there with you and will guide you through it all. May life treat you kindly and if you encounter roadblocks along life's way, may you always remember God is greater than any thing this world has to offer and certainly greater than anything that may come against you. So enjoy the amazing wonders this day has to offer and "SMILE, GOD LOVES YOU" and so do I~~~
Saturday, June 4, 2016
STOP! BE STILL, AND LISTEN~~~
To most of us weekend's are our time to relax and unwind from those busy schedules and events that bring so many stressors into our lives; but have you ever stopped to wonder why we allow our Monday thru Friday schedules to do that to us? Why we can't be content and enjoy life as it is, every day of the week, no matter what day it is or what comes our way? Sounds good, doesn't it? Actually, sounds like a dream world at times, right?
Reality finds that this old world holds so many people with so many personalities; and since everyone has their own opinion who believe their opinion is right; those differences can quickly turn our perfect world into a living hell. Can I get a witness on that? Amazing how lively and motivated people become in trying to prove their opinion to others who don't see eye to eye with them. I've witnessed people who otherwise would be too exhausted to get up and move about and be so weak in speech; BUT who become so insistent in proving themselves right, that suddenly energy arises from deep within and a new person springs forth; and too often, it's not a person we care to engage further in conversation, if ya know what I mean.
Life is truly an interchanging experience from start to finish as we learn to walk and talk early on but as years are multiplied unto us, we learn to sit down and be quiet. I've learned that the lessons that mean most to me came by sitting down, being quiet, and listening. We have to stop and truly listen to understand what is being told, and if we're not still long enough and quiet long enough, then we can never really listen. Life could be filled with so much love and joy if we would just stop trying to prove our points and peacefully agree to disagree. Learning to live peacefully, when possible (Romans 12:18) leads to a life of contentment in whatever state you are in, as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11.
Keep in mind that we are to be a reflection of Jesus if we declare ourselves to be Christians; and being mindful of others' opinions as well as their feelings, demonstrates what truly lies deep within each of us. Learning to Stop what we're doing, Sit down, Be quiet, and Listen shows our undivided attention; and It's in that quiet stillness that we are able to hear them, as well as listen to Holy Spirit's direction, and then we will know how to guide them in God's Love. Learning to speak the truth in love is more than a phrase to be thrown out when we want to justify our opinion and it is divine interventions of peaceful living from God within us that leads others to Him.Think about it!
Have a blessed day and a wonderful weekend. God loves you and so do I~~~
Reality finds that this old world holds so many people with so many personalities; and since everyone has their own opinion who believe their opinion is right; those differences can quickly turn our perfect world into a living hell. Can I get a witness on that? Amazing how lively and motivated people become in trying to prove their opinion to others who don't see eye to eye with them. I've witnessed people who otherwise would be too exhausted to get up and move about and be so weak in speech; BUT who become so insistent in proving themselves right, that suddenly energy arises from deep within and a new person springs forth; and too often, it's not a person we care to engage further in conversation, if ya know what I mean.
Life is truly an interchanging experience from start to finish as we learn to walk and talk early on but as years are multiplied unto us, we learn to sit down and be quiet. I've learned that the lessons that mean most to me came by sitting down, being quiet, and listening. We have to stop and truly listen to understand what is being told, and if we're not still long enough and quiet long enough, then we can never really listen. Life could be filled with so much love and joy if we would just stop trying to prove our points and peacefully agree to disagree. Learning to live peacefully, when possible (Romans 12:18) leads to a life of contentment in whatever state you are in, as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11.
Keep in mind that we are to be a reflection of Jesus if we declare ourselves to be Christians; and being mindful of others' opinions as well as their feelings, demonstrates what truly lies deep within each of us. Learning to Stop what we're doing, Sit down, Be quiet, and Listen shows our undivided attention; and It's in that quiet stillness that we are able to hear them, as well as listen to Holy Spirit's direction, and then we will know how to guide them in God's Love. Learning to speak the truth in love is more than a phrase to be thrown out when we want to justify our opinion and it is divine interventions of peaceful living from God within us that leads others to Him.Think about it!
Have a blessed day and a wonderful weekend. God loves you and so do I~~~
Thursday, June 2, 2016
SOLID FOUNDATION
Is your future built on a solid foundation? A solid foundation that will never crumble or that can ever be torn down? Mine is..... and I love this old song, "My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand." The lyrics to this old hymn came to mind as I was reading in I Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you." WOW, this passage just seemed to pop out at me! Did you get it?...... "into an inheritance that can NEVER PERISH, SPOIL OR FADE", and I love how it declares that "this inheritance is kept in Heaven for me." Kept in safe-keeping..... Totally Awesome!!!
Our hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus Christ' and righteousness(right standing with God through Jesus Christ). "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; It is the gift of God: Not by works, lest any man should boast."(Eph 2:8,9) Clearly not by our works so we could boast, but through faith in the works of Jesus, Who met each requirement set by God and conquered them all to assure us that our sin debt is Paid In Full; nothing lacking; that's why from the cross He cried out, "It Is Finished!" He had fulfilled all that was needed for our redemption.
I hear people talk of loved ones who passed and how they 'hope they made it in' and they talk about how 'good they were' and 'all the works they did for His kingdom'; and it seems they just can't comprehend the truth that it is not by our works that we make it in; but by belief and faith in "Jesus and His works completed for us", that we make it in. We are fully covered under His blood and His righteousness when we repent and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. ALL our sin debt is washed away, as God told us in Isaiah 43:25, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more."
I ask you this, dear friend, Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Is your sin debt paid in full? I pray you will not let another minute pass you by without accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. We can never measure up to what would be worthy; nor would all our good deeds ever be deemed worthy enough; that's why Jesus came and gave His life as a ransom for anyone who would believe upon Him and the works He has done..... and only through Jesus can anyone be redeemed through His Holy blood. Our sins washed away, past, present, and future; and through Jesus Christ we stand redeemed before God Almighty; covered by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus!!! Old things passed away, and all things become new.
If you are not sure of your salvation or if doubts have clogged your thinking and made you feel inadequate for God's love; remember that it is not by our works, but by His Amazing Grace, that He has already taken care of anything and everything needed to make us acceptable before God; so take a moment right now and ask Jesus into your heart. He is right there beside you waiting, with arms open wide, to accept you just the way you are. He loves you with a love like none other; and His Love is Totally Unconditional. If you once accepted Him but have wandered out in the pathway of sin, and you feel there is no hope and He is no longer with you; remember it was you that moved away because He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you, no matter what. So stop doubting and place your hope on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ and enjoy an abundant life fully dependent upon Him and His Divine Love for you. He is the author and finisher of our faith!
Be blessed, dear friends. God loves you and so do I~~~
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
STOP, AND SMELL THE ROSES
What a beautiful day God has given! I treasure my early mornings sitting on the patio my daughter created for me; my very own beautiful oasis, a relaxing patio cabana, no less. Thank you so much, Mechele. It is so wonderfully relaxing to just sit out here and enjoy time with God, sip my morning coffee, and just enjoy all the splendor of God's great Handiwork while listening to the birds chirping and all the sounds of nature surrounding my life. I finally understand the validity of that dear old saying, Take time to stop and smell the roses. Life has so much Beauty to offer if we just take the time to look for it. He has given so many beautiful things to grace our life if we just look for them, but we tend to be in such a hurry that we only see things affecting our life right now and fail to see what's out there, in the distance. I am just so thankful I am finally able to see it and ENJOY!
It's true what they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It really is in how we look at things and how we choose to see them. Is it good, or is it bad? Do we see it in a positive way, or in a negative way? Or do we even want to see it in a good or positive way? I believe beauty is truly found when we choose to live life to the fullest; knowing God is in full control of every area of our life; from the tiniest notion to the greatest move; and knowing He wants only the Best for us. That awareness encompasses you with His Love and brings to fruition an awesome Peace of mind and Joy within like none other; and suddenly life becomes beautiful all around. In all you see and all you do the beauty of His creations shine through.
What a joy fills my heart today! What a relief to know that He watches over me and all those who are mine and has us all covered in the palm of His hand. I pray that as your day continues, that you won't be in such a hurry that you fail to see the beauty He has placed around and in your life. God asks so little of us; He just desires a little time from our busy life to just steal away somewhere safe for a little alone time with Him so the two of you can find solace in sharing one to another the needs that will make your life complete in Him. If we just try to fit Him in to our busy schedule our mind shuffles back and forth between Him and the tasks ahead and we're unable to truly concentrate and allow Him to refresh, to strengthen, and to equip us for the day ahead. That's all He asks. Simple, but vital to our well being and peace of mind.
So I pray that sometime during your day, you will choose to take time to Stop!....and smell the roses. Enjoy the beauty all around you and enjoy a wonderfully blessed day, dear friends. God truly loves you and so do I~~~
It's true what they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It really is in how we look at things and how we choose to see them. Is it good, or is it bad? Do we see it in a positive way, or in a negative way? Or do we even want to see it in a good or positive way? I believe beauty is truly found when we choose to live life to the fullest; knowing God is in full control of every area of our life; from the tiniest notion to the greatest move; and knowing He wants only the Best for us. That awareness encompasses you with His Love and brings to fruition an awesome Peace of mind and Joy within like none other; and suddenly life becomes beautiful all around. In all you see and all you do the beauty of His creations shine through.
What a joy fills my heart today! What a relief to know that He watches over me and all those who are mine and has us all covered in the palm of His hand. I pray that as your day continues, that you won't be in such a hurry that you fail to see the beauty He has placed around and in your life. God asks so little of us; He just desires a little time from our busy life to just steal away somewhere safe for a little alone time with Him so the two of you can find solace in sharing one to another the needs that will make your life complete in Him. If we just try to fit Him in to our busy schedule our mind shuffles back and forth between Him and the tasks ahead and we're unable to truly concentrate and allow Him to refresh, to strengthen, and to equip us for the day ahead. That's all He asks. Simple, but vital to our well being and peace of mind.
So I pray that sometime during your day, you will choose to take time to Stop!....and smell the roses. Enjoy the beauty all around you and enjoy a wonderfully blessed day, dear friends. God truly loves you and so do I~~~
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