A blog for women desiring insight, encouragement, and inspiration while on life's journey.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Joy To The World!
During this holiday season lights and trees go up, people give gifts, and parties are in full swing. But for some this is a time of sadness and grief. As we celebrate remember the Christ in Christmas and spread love to someone in need. Especially to those that are grieving and experiencing hardships. Send a card, send a "thinking of you" text message, send a monetary gift, pray with them, take them out for a night of fun, or just sit with them. Be present with them in silence as they remember, tell stories, or just weep. Remember that love covers a multitude of sin. But love also comforts, gives, heals, and strengthens. Be blessed as you are a blessing!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
The Pits!
"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!" I Corinthians 10:12
Have you ever found yourself commenting on someone else's life or pointing out someone's flaws? We do this for a variety of reasons, some good and some not so good. But, the realization we must come to is that somewhere, someone may be doing the same to us. Discussing our choices and criticizing our lifestyle. In the end, we are accountable for ourselves and change must begin with us. The next time you want to add your two cents, stop and ponder, "what areas of my life do I need to change?" "How is my relationship?" "How is my money?" "How is my relationship with God?" Because once we do this, the next comment out our mouths should be filled with grace, mercy, and love. We are in this together trying to make the best out of life. Remember this and be gentle with yourself and others, or you may be the person in the pit next week with everyone standing on the ledge looking down on you. And if you are, you would want them praying and having some grace and mercy on you.
Have you ever found yourself commenting on someone else's life or pointing out someone's flaws? We do this for a variety of reasons, some good and some not so good. But, the realization we must come to is that somewhere, someone may be doing the same to us. Discussing our choices and criticizing our lifestyle. In the end, we are accountable for ourselves and change must begin with us. The next time you want to add your two cents, stop and ponder, "what areas of my life do I need to change?" "How is my relationship?" "How is my money?" "How is my relationship with God?" Because once we do this, the next comment out our mouths should be filled with grace, mercy, and love. We are in this together trying to make the best out of life. Remember this and be gentle with yourself and others, or you may be the person in the pit next week with everyone standing on the ledge looking down on you. And if you are, you would want them praying and having some grace and mercy on you.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Baby You're A Firework!
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
Friday, November 23, 2012
I've Got That Good Stuff For You!
19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
Have you ever came across a really good deal, sale, or opportunity and wanted to tell your family and friends about it? Heck, you may have even wanted to tell a stranger. Well, we are commanded by God to spread the good news of the Gospel. To make disciples. What does making a disciple look like? It means sharing your journey of life with God as the center of everything you do. It means being real about your triumphs and your failures. It may be having a weekly bible study or reading a book together with a topic that's relevant to what they may be going through. It means telling as many people as you can about the "good stuff" God has in store for them if they only accept and believe in Him. When we get as excited about God and all the benefits a life with him gives us, more than that sale or opportunity, then we can lead people to the "Deal of the Century", no, how about the "Deal of a Lifetime!"
Have you ever came across a really good deal, sale, or opportunity and wanted to tell your family and friends about it? Heck, you may have even wanted to tell a stranger. Well, we are commanded by God to spread the good news of the Gospel. To make disciples. What does making a disciple look like? It means sharing your journey of life with God as the center of everything you do. It means being real about your triumphs and your failures. It may be having a weekly bible study or reading a book together with a topic that's relevant to what they may be going through. It means telling as many people as you can about the "good stuff" God has in store for them if they only accept and believe in Him. When we get as excited about God and all the benefits a life with him gives us, more than that sale or opportunity, then we can lead people to the "Deal of the Century", no, how about the "Deal of a Lifetime!"
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Give Thanks, With a Grateful Heart!
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:18
Life brings a series of ups and downs, curve balls, and unexpected tragedies. But, the scripture says, "In everything give thanks". How can we do this? How do we find joy in poverty, death, abuse, and a multitude of losses? The point is not to find joy in the situations that are painful. Its cultivating a heart of gratitude. Finding something to be thankful for everyday. It can be the feel of the sun across your face, children playing outside, great times with friends and family. Its learning to make your first thought a positive one. Its learning to give people the benefit of the doubt and giving them a chance to prove you wrong or right. Its letting go of past hurts and failures and taking in every moment and just resting in it. Then, we can truly understand and practice the art of "In everything give thanks" and then we can believe it and receive it, not only being the will of God, but a gift from God for us. Happy Thanksgiving!
Life brings a series of ups and downs, curve balls, and unexpected tragedies. But, the scripture says, "In everything give thanks". How can we do this? How do we find joy in poverty, death, abuse, and a multitude of losses? The point is not to find joy in the situations that are painful. Its cultivating a heart of gratitude. Finding something to be thankful for everyday. It can be the feel of the sun across your face, children playing outside, great times with friends and family. Its learning to make your first thought a positive one. Its learning to give people the benefit of the doubt and giving them a chance to prove you wrong or right. Its letting go of past hurts and failures and taking in every moment and just resting in it. Then, we can truly understand and practice the art of "In everything give thanks" and then we can believe it and receive it, not only being the will of God, but a gift from God for us. Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Ya'll Gone Make Me Lose My Mind Up In Here, Up In Here!
15-17 “If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love. Matthew 18:15-20 The Message Bible
Many of us struggle with the dreadful "C" word, conflict. Conflict is a part of life. There is good conflict and bad conflict. Some of us are taught to avoid conflict, but that can lead to misunderstandings, assumptions, lies, and torn relationships. We have to use conflict as a tool to get certain things accomplished. If you know you have a worker that is constantly late, and doesn't perform well, you have to speak to them, even if it may create conflict. They may not think coming in late is a big deal. But, in order to see change and make the work environment what it should be, a discussion has to be made. Some people hate conflict so much and want to always be the "good person", they will set other people up to be the criticizer and to take the hits. But, God has given us a road map on how to handle it in the above scripture. If you do not belong to a church, then go to a supervisor, friend, leader, family member, elder to be the unbiased mediator and witness. Work to settle the situation. Make sure that you and the other person is heard. (Rephrasing is a good tool to use). Most of the time conflict comes into our lives to make us better.So, next time you see conflict coming, don't run from it, speak the truth in love, hear what the other person is saying, and try to come to an end result that will be for the good (and that maybe losing something or someone). And most of all, learn from the conflict, what to or not to do next time you find yourself in a similar situation.
Many of us struggle with the dreadful "C" word, conflict. Conflict is a part of life. There is good conflict and bad conflict. Some of us are taught to avoid conflict, but that can lead to misunderstandings, assumptions, lies, and torn relationships. We have to use conflict as a tool to get certain things accomplished. If you know you have a worker that is constantly late, and doesn't perform well, you have to speak to them, even if it may create conflict. They may not think coming in late is a big deal. But, in order to see change and make the work environment what it should be, a discussion has to be made. Some people hate conflict so much and want to always be the "good person", they will set other people up to be the criticizer and to take the hits. But, God has given us a road map on how to handle it in the above scripture. If you do not belong to a church, then go to a supervisor, friend, leader, family member, elder to be the unbiased mediator and witness. Work to settle the situation. Make sure that you and the other person is heard. (Rephrasing is a good tool to use). Most of the time conflict comes into our lives to make us better.So, next time you see conflict coming, don't run from it, speak the truth in love, hear what the other person is saying, and try to come to an end result that will be for the good (and that maybe losing something or someone). And most of all, learn from the conflict, what to or not to do next time you find yourself in a similar situation.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
I Gotta Have Peace of Mind
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39
We are bombarded with so much in our lives. Our days are full of work, family, activities,etc...Now that we have the internet, we can keep going 24 hours a day nonstop. But, there is a cry within our soul for peace. A time when we stop with all of our doing and be still. A time to connect with God, our inner man, nature, and world. In this stillness, we hear the answers to all of our questions. In this stillness we are aware that there is so much more to life than our problems. In this stillness revelation, forgiveness, and healing take place. In this place of stillness is peace. No striving, no goals to meet, no errands to run. In peace nothing else matters. This is essential for us to live a soul healthy life. So, take a little time each day to be still and allow peace to surround you and be in you. It can be 5 minutes or 15 minutes. Just take the time. And watch how different your days will be. More focused, less stressful, and more joyous. Go, and get your peace of mind.
We are bombarded with so much in our lives. Our days are full of work, family, activities,etc...Now that we have the internet, we can keep going 24 hours a day nonstop. But, there is a cry within our soul for peace. A time when we stop with all of our doing and be still. A time to connect with God, our inner man, nature, and world. In this stillness, we hear the answers to all of our questions. In this stillness we are aware that there is so much more to life than our problems. In this stillness revelation, forgiveness, and healing take place. In this place of stillness is peace. No striving, no goals to meet, no errands to run. In peace nothing else matters. This is essential for us to live a soul healthy life. So, take a little time each day to be still and allow peace to surround you and be in you. It can be 5 minutes or 15 minutes. Just take the time. And watch how different your days will be. More focused, less stressful, and more joyous. Go, and get your peace of mind.
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