Stress

Stress is like a rubber band, when its stretched to far for to long, it will eventually break!

Stress is your bodies Alarm System: 

Martha was stressed while Mary was being blessed by Jesus' company.  Mary was doing the "good part".

Remember to be:

       Merry like Mary not stressed like Martha

Reflections & Directions

   For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:  Ecc. 3:1 AVS

·         Reflections & Directions: 

Reflection:  As we start the New Year, we often reflect on the old & then direct our attention on improving in the New by setting goals or New Year’s Resolutions.  For me, more Bible study/reading/leading, improving “prayer & family time”, organization, weight loss & exercise have topped my list & have ALL returned year after year after year! I guess it’s pretty clear to say that I’m NOT a “Resolution” or Goal setting person!  After a while, the reflection part bothered me.  It was like looking at my failures head on!    When I reflected on the past “resolutions” & the fact that I (yet again) fell short, it was dis-heartening to say the least.   Well, not this year!!!  Even though this year I have NOT lost weight (well I did but gained it all back plus some), NOR have I stuck with my exercise regimen but I DO HAVE A NEW OUTLOOK! I HAVE A NEW ATTITUDE!!!!   I have a NEW more CONFIDENT HEART!!!   So, as I reflect on the past year, I choose to reflect on the Memories of family times, and lessons learned that are making me a better person.  I am a complicated, yet simple work in progress & I am not defined by what I did not do in 2013!  The seasons of my life are not defined by the months on the calendar or the changing of the weather.  The seasons of my life are given by God, and I choose to allow him to continue to direct, guide and strengthen me. 

 

As I reflect on this past year, I have learned (or have been reminded) that

1.       My outlook of “time” is not God’s (He’s always RIGHT on time)

2.       For everything there is a season. (Ecc.3:1) its God’s Season NOT MINE, I’m just being allowed to be a part of it!

3.       Where I am is where God wants me to be.  Yet this doesn’t mean to be complacent & do nothing more than I have been doing.  It means that “it’s NOT about ME”!  I am where God needs me to be, in order to complete His works.

4.       That negativity hampers your Christians influence.

5.       If you desire for the Holy Spirit to dwell in your heart, you must create a heart, he’d enjoy living in. (through God’s word) & you must listen to Him!  You MUST know your Shepherds voice……, Listen!!!

Direction:  A local radio station use to feature a segment that ended with “A person who fails to plan is a person who is planning to fail”.  This always bothered me because I had no REAL goals or plans.  I’m HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY right where I am.  I do realize the importance of goals but failed to realize that they are not only for the “career minded, ladder climbing” individual.  They are helpful for anyone who does not wish to be stagnant.   Goals help us to grow, they help us to stay focused, ensuring that we are growing properly, physically, mentally & spiritually.  For this reason, I continue to set New Year’s resolutions……, well not really…., it’s more like a few things to strive toward. 

 

1.       Remember the lessons learned in the last year & build upon them

2.       Bloom where I am planted

3.       Shine so that others can see HIS light.

4.       To be more positive

5.   To be mindful of my AADD, recognize & overcome the obstacles it creates.

6.   Strive to lead our Ladies Bible Class in an exciting & encouraging way.

7.   Write more.

8.   Work on Perrette genealogy material for the 2015 reunion.

 

As I’ve grown and somewhat matured in my Christian walk, I’m happy to now reflect upon each season in life as a blessing.  No matter if it’s a hard time of struggles or pleasant sailing, I strive to recognize the big picture, God’s picture, God’s view.  What does God want me to learn from this situation?  What does God want me to do in this situation?  See a need for prayer, lift a helping hand, address a situation & get someone motivated to take action if I can’t.  Show me Lord.  To everything there is a season, a purpose under Heaven.  A purpose unto Heaven. 

Finding a Priceless Love in the Shadow of His wings

Chapter 3 of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope – Finding Love that want fail, even when I do.

Verse Psalm 36:7

How priceless is your unfailing Love, o God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

                The New King James version reads “How precious is Your loving kindness, O God!  Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings”. 

This verse reminds me of a mother hen, gathering her babies, under her wings to protect them from the soaring hawk or the pending dangers during the night.  The same holds true for us as Christians, as Children of God we can take refuge in Him.  All too often we get so busy in the things of this world that we become down (tired, weak, wronged, depressed etc.) from the cares or darkness of this world.  The more we work, the more we worry, the more we try yet the more we seem to spiral faster out of balance, out of control.  We fill our lives with so much, yet we fill empty.  How can this be?!?

When a baby chick wonders to far from its mother, the harder it is for the mother hen to protect her child and the greater its chances are to be lost.  The same is true for us as Christians,   when we allow the business of our daily lives to take us further & further away from our Father, it becomes harder for us to feel His love & protection. 

We must remember that He is our Father, our protector and come unto Him!  Like the mother hen, His love is unfailing and filling.  His Love is #priceless and is always a #perfect love.  The “worth’s” of this world always leak through your heart but if we allow our “worth” to be in God first and foremost, we will have the satisfying feeling of his priceless love that will comfort us during the good times as well as the bad. 

When you look up to find the light and only see darkness, you are simply in the shadow of Gods wings.  Protecting you while you rest, until the morning light shines again.  And it WILL shine again!

 

Go To The Ant

Both success and failure come little-by-little.  Like a garden, it just takes a little neglect to grow a lot of trouble.  A little neglect has cost teams their victory, people their lives, kings their power.  Think of the ant, consider her ways and be wise.  Proverbs 6:6

Fix your thoughts on God

 and

God will Fix your thoughts!

I Believe

In the Shadow of doubt

My thoughts from "A Confident Heart" by Renee Swope, Chapter one Discovering the Shadow of My Doubts.

Doubt is your thoughts gone astray.  Like a child who has wondered into the dark woods, our thoughts can lead us into the dark shadows of our mind.  Our thoughts, like our children, must be watched, nurtured & held accountable for their wrongs.  When the dark shadows sneak up on you, overshadowing you, do not get lost in its darkness.  Turn and follow the light.  God is our light and His word will change the way you think, which will change the way you feel and eventually transform the way you live. 

Fix your thoughts on God and God will fix your thoughts.

Then you will know that I am the Lord.  Those who hope in me will not be disappointed.  Isaiah 49:23b

And always remember,
 "What God told you in the light, remember in the darkness.  Rest in Him, stand on His Word!!" Paula White

Be Gracious

Be gracious in your triumphs and be even more gracious in others failures. Scott Penn

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