-A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape, but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape.
-A strong woman isn't afraid of anything, but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.
-A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her, but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.
-A strong woman walks sure footedly, but a woman of strength knows God will catch her if she falls.
-A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face, but a woman of strength wears grace.
-A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey, but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.
Philippians 4:3 "And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life."
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
One Of Those Days
Have you ever had "one of those days"?
You know, the kind of day that begins with the ear piercing sound from an alarm clock? You just want to sleep a little longer. Just ten more minutes. You can't hit the snooze button because, afterall, that only gives you seven more minutes of rest. Suddenly you awake and realize forty-five minutes have passed. You should have been out the door and on your way to work by now. You scramble around the house muttering how stupid you are. Run out the door to your car and hope traffic is light, only to end up behind a car whose driver insists on going five miles below the speed limit. Now you are really upset. You think words that you would punish your child for saying. You say to yourself, "the whole day is shot" and you spend all day trying to make up for those forty-five minutes of rest. By day's end you are exhausted, and wonder was the extra sleep worth it.
We've all had days like that. Days that we've have been so exhausted both physically and mentally, we could and have cried. It's on those days we learn as well. We learn that when we feel overwhelmed with work and self-pity, we can turn to God. On those days we ask Him to open our eyes, so that we may see what is really important in our lives. Our family, friends, and health. We think about His creation-The sweet song of a bird, the vastness of the ocean, and the beauty of the mountains. When we begin to think about all of His glorious creation that surrounds us how insignificant our problems then seem to be. How wonderfully blessed our days become when we glory in HIs presence and not in the trials of the moment.
You know, the kind of day that begins with the ear piercing sound from an alarm clock? You just want to sleep a little longer. Just ten more minutes. You can't hit the snooze button because, afterall, that only gives you seven more minutes of rest. Suddenly you awake and realize forty-five minutes have passed. You should have been out the door and on your way to work by now. You scramble around the house muttering how stupid you are. Run out the door to your car and hope traffic is light, only to end up behind a car whose driver insists on going five miles below the speed limit. Now you are really upset. You think words that you would punish your child for saying. You say to yourself, "the whole day is shot" and you spend all day trying to make up for those forty-five minutes of rest. By day's end you are exhausted, and wonder was the extra sleep worth it.
We've all had days like that. Days that we've have been so exhausted both physically and mentally, we could and have cried. It's on those days we learn as well. We learn that when we feel overwhelmed with work and self-pity, we can turn to God. On those days we ask Him to open our eyes, so that we may see what is really important in our lives. Our family, friends, and health. We think about His creation-The sweet song of a bird, the vastness of the ocean, and the beauty of the mountains. When we begin to think about all of His glorious creation that surrounds us how insignificant our problems then seem to be. How wonderfully blessed our days become when we glory in HIs presence and not in the trials of the moment.
Not Nearly
Two elderly ladies were standing in the grocery store catching up on old times. The first one jokingly asked her older friend how old she was now. The older lady answered loudly and to everyone’s delight: "Honey, I’m not nearly as old as I used to be."
I realized when I heard that statement that I'm not nearly as old as I used to be either.
-I'm not nearly as old as I used to be when I constantly worried about my bills and how I was going to pay them. Now I just trust in God and I always seem to have more than enough.
-I'm not nearly as old as I used to be when I fretted about my weight and my thinning and graying hair. Now I just look in the mirror and smile. The body may look a little older, but the soul on the inside is younger than ever.
-I-m not nearly as old as I used to be when I was always judging others, being angry with them, or worrying about what they thought of me. Now I just do my best to judge none, love everyone, and share my joy with the world. Life I have found is too short to live any other way.
You don’t have to be as old as you used to be either. God made all of us both ageless and forever young. By choosing love, joy, and oneness with God you can always keep growing younger and younger on the inside. By sharing that love and joy you can give your youth, energy, and vitality to the world. By living from your soul you can stop counting your birthdays, start living for eternity, and always know that you will never again be as old as you used to be.
I realized when I heard that statement that I'm not nearly as old as I used to be either.
-I'm not nearly as old as I used to be when I constantly worried about my bills and how I was going to pay them. Now I just trust in God and I always seem to have more than enough.
-I'm not nearly as old as I used to be when I fretted about my weight and my thinning and graying hair. Now I just look in the mirror and smile. The body may look a little older, but the soul on the inside is younger than ever.
-I-m not nearly as old as I used to be when I was always judging others, being angry with them, or worrying about what they thought of me. Now I just do my best to judge none, love everyone, and share my joy with the world. Life I have found is too short to live any other way.
You don’t have to be as old as you used to be either. God made all of us both ageless and forever young. By choosing love, joy, and oneness with God you can always keep growing younger and younger on the inside. By sharing that love and joy you can give your youth, energy, and vitality to the world. By living from your soul you can stop counting your birthdays, start living for eternity, and always know that you will never again be as old as you used to be.
Reason, Season, or Lifetime?
When someone is in your life for a reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.
When people come into your life for a season it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy, but, only for a season.
Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons-those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (any way); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
Some of you are more than friends, you are family. And some of you are more than family, you are friends.
Thank you for being part of my life.
Listen With Your Heart
What are you listening for in this life?
-Are you listening for the latest lottery numbers to be announced or are you listening for the sweet songs of the birds in the morning?
-Are you listening for the newest gossip people are saying or are you listening for the happy sound of your children’s laughter?
-Are you listening for the shouting voices of anger and hatred in this world that try to fill our ears and hearts with their poison?
-Or are you listening for the gentle voice of God whispering to you: "I love you My Child. Come work with Me and we will shower the world with love and joy together."
Either way what you listen for is what you will hear. Open your ears, mind, heart, and soul then listen with them for all this world’s joys. Listen with them for the loving voice of God within you. Listen with them and delight in the glorious music that is life. It could be the sound of a baby's first cry or the wind blowing thru the autumn leaves. It could be the voice a phone line of a long forgotten friend or the first words spoken by a child.
What you listen for is what you will hear. Hear with peace in your heart and you will receive peace in your life.
-Are you listening for the latest lottery numbers to be announced or are you listening for the sweet songs of the birds in the morning?
-Are you listening for the newest gossip people are saying or are you listening for the happy sound of your children’s laughter?
-Are you listening for the shouting voices of anger and hatred in this world that try to fill our ears and hearts with their poison?
-Or are you listening for the gentle voice of God whispering to you: "I love you My Child. Come work with Me and we will shower the world with love and joy together."
Either way what you listen for is what you will hear. Open your ears, mind, heart, and soul then listen with them for all this world’s joys. Listen with them for the loving voice of God within you. Listen with them and delight in the glorious music that is life. It could be the sound of a baby's first cry or the wind blowing thru the autumn leaves. It could be the voice a phone line of a long forgotten friend or the first words spoken by a child.
What you listen for is what you will hear. Hear with peace in your heart and you will receive peace in your life.
Applause That Makes A Difference
"Do you think my hair is soft and shiny?" Jessica asked Josh one moonlit evening.
Josh answered, "Yep."
"And are my eyes bright and beautiful?" she continued.
"Yep," he replied.
After a few minutes Jessica forged ahead, "Josh, do you think my skin is smooth and clear?"
"Yep."
At this, Jessica smiled brightly and declared, "Oh, Josh, you say the sweetest things!"
Lucky for Josh, he got a little help!
No relationship can be built on flattery, but sincere compliments smooth over many rough edges. A thoughtful compliment is a way of saying, "I care enough to notice." Even relationships that are not romantic in nature will benefit from well-placed compliments.
Granted, some people feel suspicious, embarrassed, or defensive when complimented. They sometimes suspect that fine words might be part of a manipulative design. And quite often, people respond to compliments with mixed emotions rather than plain gratitude, primarily because they find the sincerity behind them suspect.
But most often, sincere encouragement can bolster self-confidence and cement friendships. In love relationships, thoughtful compliments can help keep the fires of romance burning vigorously.
One marriage counselor says, 'Compliment your spouse at least once every day." He cautions against flattery by adding, "It should be sincere. Then point out something new you appreciate about him or her every week. Make sure it is something you have never mentioned before. You'll be surprised at what it does for your marriage."
Sincere compliments cost nothing and can accomplish so much. In any relationship, they are the applause that refreshes.
Josh answered, "Yep."
"And are my eyes bright and beautiful?" she continued.
"Yep," he replied.
After a few minutes Jessica forged ahead, "Josh, do you think my skin is smooth and clear?"
"Yep."
At this, Jessica smiled brightly and declared, "Oh, Josh, you say the sweetest things!"
Lucky for Josh, he got a little help!
No relationship can be built on flattery, but sincere compliments smooth over many rough edges. A thoughtful compliment is a way of saying, "I care enough to notice." Even relationships that are not romantic in nature will benefit from well-placed compliments.
Granted, some people feel suspicious, embarrassed, or defensive when complimented. They sometimes suspect that fine words might be part of a manipulative design. And quite often, people respond to compliments with mixed emotions rather than plain gratitude, primarily because they find the sincerity behind them suspect.
But most often, sincere encouragement can bolster self-confidence and cement friendships. In love relationships, thoughtful compliments can help keep the fires of romance burning vigorously.
One marriage counselor says, 'Compliment your spouse at least once every day." He cautions against flattery by adding, "It should be sincere. Then point out something new you appreciate about him or her every week. Make sure it is something you have never mentioned before. You'll be surprised at what it does for your marriage."
Sincere compliments cost nothing and can accomplish so much. In any relationship, they are the applause that refreshes.
Monday, November 2, 2015
The Value Of A Penny
1 Corinthians 1:27 "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;"
Several years ago, a friend and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. The woman was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.
The first day and evening went well, and my friend was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants.
Knowing she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, she was enjoying herself immensely.
As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of his guests. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.
There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.
He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. "How absurd!" she thought. What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?
Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.
A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?
"Look at it," He said. "Read what it says."
She read the words "United States of America."
"No, not that; read further."
"One cent?"
"No, keep reading."
"In God we Trust?"
"Yes!"
"And?"
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!"
When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.
Several years ago, a friend and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. The woman was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.
The first day and evening went well, and my friend was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants.
Knowing she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, she was enjoying herself immensely.
As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of his guests. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.
There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.
He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. "How absurd!" she thought. What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?
Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.
A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?
"Look at it," He said. "Read what it says."
She read the words "United States of America."
"No, not that; read further."
"One cent?"
"No, keep reading."
"In God we Trust?"
"Yes!"
"And?"
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!"
When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.
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