If you have never read anything by Mitch Albom, I encourage you to try just one.  He is an amazing writer and his stories invite you into the scenes of each page.  You will find it difficult to put the book down, not wanting to wait to finish the story.  He has his own web site and if you prefer watching his stories, most have been made into movies.  He has a new book release on 11/12/13!  My favorites are “Have a Little Faith” and “The Time Keeper.”

Website: http://mitchalbom.com/d/

New Book: “the first call from heaven”

 

While having lunch with a friend last week she suggested that I share my decision to disconnect from TV with all of you, my friends and followers, so here goes… About a year ago I was plagued with a question and I did not like my answer…I was a TV “junkie” and to be honest I still enjoy watching a few programs through my internet connection and I do see TV (news) on a regular basis as it is part of my job.  My dilemma was too much TV.  I recently joined a church and have been gradually getting more and more  involved, when I realized that I knew more about current TV plots than the stories in the Bible. The Bible tells me my history and my future, TV shows and this world in particular with all pass away, are you seeing the point to my story?  There was a time when I was able to quote verses, I was raised in a Christian home and attended church on a regular basis and even attend a Christian College but I had allowed my life to become cluttered with the things of this temporary home.  Life was good at times and had been very bad at times, I had unknowingly put God in a corner and I would occasionally remember to say “hello” and “thanks” but mostly, a reminder that caught the corner of my eye from time to time.  I made a declaration that I needed an intervention!  I was DVR(ing) several shows each week and basically used my 2 days off work to sit in front of a TV!  I no longer wanted to be a slave to my TV and furthermore, what was I really gaining from that experience?  The answer, absolutely nothing!  Sure I could join in conversations about who was seeing who or who did what…but it left me feeling very empty.  So, I starting reading my Bible more, started reading more books and the best part of it all, I was allowing myself to meet new people (thanks Brandi for the encouragement).  The past 6 months or so have been remarkable, I am sharing my life experiences with my friends and family on a more regular basis, I started attending classes and workshops at church and I have been an active member of a couple of groups at church. And bonus, I started this blog (thanks Jan).  God is blessing me beyond anything I ever imagined.  I just wish I had not been so stubborn and resisted the call to come home, but God never left me and He welcomed me back with grace, mercy and unconditional love.  Unplugging may not be for you, find what works for you and spend time with God, you will not be disappointed, I promise. I cherish my devotional and prayer time with God, He wants to share in my joys, my struggles and my life.  No matter what the weather is like outside or the state of the world’s affairs, knowing God walks with me makes every day beautiful!

Peace and Blessings~

Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth:
unite my heart to fear thy name.
 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart:
and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
 For great is thy mercy toward me:
and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Psalms 86:11-13

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2086:11-14&version=AKJV

http://youtu.be/_ATftuXf2KA

Wow, it’s been almost a week since I’ve updated my blog.  So many things are happening within me and around me but I just have not made the time to sit and write.   This past week I have been acutely aware of just how blessed I am, God has poured His blessing upon me and I am in awe of His love.  As I speak daily with God I know that I have not done anything worthy of the things I have.  Things that are often taken for granted like the air I breathe, the clothes I wear, the food I eat, my shelter and my nutrition…the list goes on and on.  Only by God’s grace and mercy am I able to enjoy such things.  Life is difficult and lessons are sometimes repeated until we grasp and learn the skills necessary to triumph over the task we face.  I am here to encourage you to stay in the fight, you will have victory!  God loves you and He will never leave you or forsake you, turn yourself around, seek God!  God welcomes His children back into His loving arms!  Have ever experienced losing something and do you remember the joy that came over you when what was missing was found?  Multiply that feeling by the highest number you can imagine and it will still not come close to the joy and celebration that God feels and shares with His angels in Heaven, when we return to Him!  Luke chapter 15 provides 3 separate stories of things that were lost and found.  I have provided a YouTube video below that speaks about Luke chapter 15.  Friends, you are loved and you were uniquely created by God!  Peace and Blessings~

Sermons:   http://www.avonchristian.org/worship/

Sermon Lost and Found dated 09/15/2013:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LduVUmEpmh0

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015&version=MSG

 

Today is a most special day for me; my mom would have been 67 this very day. I miss her each and every day but knowing she can finally rest and be pain-free brings me comfort. Her love continues beyond the grave, just being her daughter gives me a sense of empowerment because of the life she led and values she passed on to me. My mom was not perfect but she was an extraordinary woman! I miss her ability of knowing when I needed something; moms just have that perfect sense for their children. My mom was a no-nonsense kind of person, she was not much for “coddling” but I cannot remember a time I did not have the things I needed and even having most of the things I wanted while growing up. She encouraged play time and was always my biggest fan no matter what I was pursuing. She had such a strong sense of family and taking care of others. She worked 2 jobs most of her life, married at sixteen and had two children by nineteen. My mom was strong and resilient; she gave freely and lived her life in the shadows, asking only to be treated with respect. What a legacy she left for me, my brother and my dad. She believed in equality, meaning everyone who works the same job should have the same expectations…she worked in a factory and struggled with the generational gaps of ethics and working to be proud of the product you were making verses just showing up for a paycheck. My mom was definitely “old school” and I couldn’t be more proud of this trait that she nurtured and helped to develop within me. My life has been so enriched by the lessons I have learned from my family, I was blessed to have actually met my great-grandparents of my mom and dad’s families as well as several aunts and uncles plus numerous cousins. Every August, we have a family reunion for my mom’s side of the family; I did not attend in 2012, the grief of losing mom in June was just too difficult to face everyone, that and I had to work. Honestly, I did not want to attend this year but I needed to go and I am so very glad that I did. Seeing relatives and catching up on kids, grandkids and even great-grandkids was wonderful. What an amazing world we live in, where healing happens with family to share your grief and all the many memories that immediately bring smiles, tears and much laughter. I am reminded of just how very precious family is now that the matriarch of my family is gone, I know that she knew I loved her and my love continues just differently now. She always insisted she did not want gifts and that she did not need anything at birthdays and holidays…that always made me look all the more for that one perfect gift. My mom was a very practical woman, not wanting more than she needed and never placing herself above others. She is my hero, I know that I cannot be her… but I can try to be the best “me” I can be while holding onto the values and morals she taught me and I am living into the person she always knew I would be. We saw and experienced life differently but no matter where I was or what I was doing she loved me, she loved me completely.
Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you! 

         

Proverbs 31:29-31 (NIV)
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Oh Lord, my God I come to you seeking comfort and asking for guidance. I am so very tired and I have lost my way. I love you, you are my salvation I am giving but my giving feels empty, teach me the lessons I still need to learn. My heart is aching because the gift of giving lacks understanding and truth. For your word says in John 8:32 (NIV) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” I want to be free of this burden, I cannot continue this journey alone, my intentions were good but giving merely from a sense of obligation is wrong, causing strife, pain and guilt. I am missing the joy of giving, my heart no longer sings songs of gladness but now is filled with sadness and regret that I have been so foolish. What started out as helping, hiding my gifts now only fills my soul with darkness and disappointment. Oh God, I am at a loss, I am broken and need what only you can provide, your grace and your mercy. I want to empower others through my gifts not enable them. I want my giving to reflect you and your mighty works, I am nothing without you. I am uniquely created and I am your child, I pray for courage to be able to finish this journey for your glory, I need to teach, not simply do…I am to share the gifts you have given to me and gifts mean more than financial assistance; often it is the sharing of insight, knowledge, training and letting go of control because that should never have been mine to take. I am reminded that sometimes the lessons we need to learn are difficult; however, the reward is not in easy answers that someone gives you but the appreciation learned by going on the journey. I have been selfishly thinking I was the solution as if to take the honor, but all honor goes to you, dear God, all that I am and all that I have are gifts from you.

Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you.-Proverbs 3:27-28-(Contemporary)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.-Proverbs 3:5-6-(Contemporary)

Here it is from The Message
Proverbs 3:5
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;don’t try to figure out everything on your own.Listen for God ‘s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.”

It’s About Forgiveness

I have no right to be angry
But I am…

Life comes with no guarantees
It can consume us, if we allow it..

Self loathing and pity we give freely
Responsibility we hide in corners.

Out of sight, out of mind
Hoping it will be lost forever

Oh but it returns full of vigor
At the height of our pride

Making us humble and weak
Truth sometimes frees us

Truth often hurts before freeing us
No more burden to bear alone

Forgiveness, sweet as a spring rain
Refreshing and allows growth within

I want to dance in the rain
I want forgiveness
It must start with me…

~C.A.Robinson
August 25, 2012
2:16pm

Peace & Blessings~

My Friends, James 3 has been a passage of scripture that has been heavy upon my heart for the past few days and I wanted to share my thoughts with you.  In chapter 3, James is addressing “Taming the Tongue,” the can tongue can heal as well as destroy, being smooth, sharp and quicker than a double-edged sword.  Our words are so powerful and we often do not realize the strength they contain.  I have been and continue to use words that hurt people in my life I truly love and cherish; however this also means those individuals I struggle with are often treated worse.  I have noticed that especially during times of distress, disappointments and personal critiques (viewed as attacks by me) that my defense is retaliation, I am NOT advocating this!  Daily, we must fight to control our words/tongue.  I like the New International Version of James 3:3-6; the writer describes the mighty power of something so very small in comparison to the whole body that can cause such havoc upon others. 

 “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” 

I was reminded of the complexity of our words during worship this past Sunday, although the sermon scripture used was Luke 15, and entitled “Lost and Found,” God was still speaking to me in reference to James 3.  The Pastor challenged the congregation to “Rejoice!”  Rejoice when sinners are saved; rejoice when someone lost returns and to find the person(s) in our lives that it is difficult to love then find a way to love them, perhaps in spite of not liking them and rejoice!  Praising God for His steadfast unconditional of love He has for everyone.  The message I received from that challenge was very clear, I need to find a way to interact with the people in my life that present difficulties for me, find a way to love them even though they are at times very difficult to like.  God commands us to love one another, not necessarily like everyone.  I say this not out of malice but out of truth, not everyone likes everybody…but isn’t that’s what makes us so very unique and individual.  Each of us was created by God, in the image of God, to glorify God and each with a specific purpose.  Praise be to God!  

 This photo was used during communion and I loved it and wanted to share it with you.

www.artbyshalisha.com/gallery.php

 

Closing Thoughts:

Emotional Stimulus for the Today’s Economy

As we all look to the future it can be easy to fall into a sea of depravity, staying positive with constant negativity circling us can be a difficult task even for the most positive of individuals.  I have found the following insights to be very therapeutic during these turbulent times.  I hope that you can utilize at least one of the following to lighten your outlook.      

~Peace, Charlotte March 6, 2009 @ 3:08am

 F    R    E    E

Focus, Refresh, Everyone, Everyday!

 Free Things to be the Best you can be:

Time – spending it with family, friends, partners and lovers.

Reading – books, magazines, anything

Dancing – public or at home

Smiling – spread freely

Hugs – spread freely

Planning – Visionary, dreamer

Talking – sharing with others

Listening – to others

Praying – thankfulness for blessing

Singing – public or at home

Volunteerism – anywhere

Library cards – only need a form of ID

Church – of your choosing

Church activities – classes, discussions, events, festivals

Contrasts that Provide a Path to Appreciation:

Worthless to worthiness                    Rain to sun

Cold to hot                                            Winter to summer

Love to loss                                           A little to abundance

Failure to success                                Poor to rich

Old/aged/new                                      Dim/tarnished/bright

Night to-day                                          Sorrow to joy

True value is determined only by the depth of its loss.

Diamonds must be cut for their true beauty to be revealed.

Gold’s beauty and brilliance visible only after great heat and pressure.

References:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+3&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15&version=NIV

http://www.bookofjames.info/3.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_the_Just

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=abstract+painting+of+the+last+supper&id=12C493306A38935A821158566F16722D541594A7&FORM=IQFRBA#a

Friends and followers, I want to clarify what I said in my blog about self-esteem.  My description of “high” and “low” self- esteem in people can come across as egotistical or pathetic; however, it really is not quite that simple.  People do not always exhibit these extremes for the same reasons, someone that presents themselves in an egotistical manner might utilize this to cover up personal insecurities and does not even realize the manner in which they interact with others. The same can also be true for individuals with low self-esteem issues. I do apologize for any confusions or judgments I irresponsibily cast. We are all uniquely created by the Great creator of all things, God the Father! Remember we all have needs, wants, wishes and desires…lets interact and communicate with one another with peace, hope and love. 

Peace & Blessings~

Today, I have decided to share something very personal to me and about me concerning self-esteem.  My hope is that others reading might benefit from what I share or know someone who could benefit.   I personally suffer from depression and much like an addiction; it’s a daily regimen of recognizing and facing it.  I have dealt with depression all of my adult life, usually I can recognize the precursors happening and prepare myself to appropriately deal with when situations present themselves but there are still times I am taken by surprise.  Along with my depression comes periodic bouts of low self-esteem, making me question my worth and my value.  I struggle with listening to my positive inner voice at times, not accepting myself or assuring myself that I am a good person and I matter.  When this happens I seek out things and people to valid my personhood and my value, this is not a healthy choice but sometimes I feel like I have no control over it, it consumes my thoughts and I just react.  I have found that having strong and healthy relationships help tremendously.  By far, the best thing I have done to help myself understand my depression is to see a licensed therapist and renew my relationship with God.  God has always been a huge part of who I am I just got to a point of being lazy at being a Christian.  Finding a church and congregation that feeds me spiritually on a weekly basis has been amazing!  Now, with that being said, we all know people who are the extremes of “high” self-esteem and those with “low” self-esteem; the “high’s” are often referred to as “Egotistical” and the “low’s” as “Pathetic” this meaning that most people fall into the middle somewhere.   These extremes are a huge deal for the individuals that suffer from LSE (Low Self-Esteem); they have a constant need to be reassured that they are lovable.  Everyone has a basic need of believing that they are lovable and that they are loved.  Individuals that suffer from LSE are anxiously unsure of themselves and likely even question if they are lovable. One of the main ways people try to find an answer to this question is to look to others, hyper-vigilantly watching the others’ behaviors, listening to their words and tone of voice, mentally recording the ways that person acts toward them, even keeping score of what they think works and doesn’t work.   Desperately seeking reassurance that they are lovable, those with low self-esteem look outside themselves and at the behavior of those closest to them, to find answers to the question of being lovable. Then, if the person who professes to love them/care for them, does not act in ways that they think would indicate this, LSE sufferers either:   

• Tries harder to please in order to win love and attention.
• Become angry when they feel something is being withheld from them they need/want.
• Feel they must be deserving of this treatment (or perceived treatment) and conclude that they are indeed, unlovable.

Finding this explanation unbearable to fully conclude, however, they continue to vacillate between depression and anger toward themselves or the person from whom they want affirmation.  Unfortunately, much of the disappointment LSE sufferers have toward the significant other/friend is the result of their own insecurities and their neediness that demands constant reinforcement, their unreasonable expectations, their irrational storytelling, and an inability to look at their own issues. On the other hand, all too often those with LSE choose partners/friends who are similar to the people who created their low self-esteem—possibly their parents—who may have withheld love and affection, had low self-esteem themselves, or in other ways did not meet their needs as children. Such partners/friends are unable to give of themselves in ways that are warm, nurturing, and loving as they also feel depleted or feel such nurturing is unnecessary. Overtime as people go through the recovery process, they come to believe in their own assessment of themselves rather than “needing” to seek the appraisal of others.

Tips to Increase Your Self-Esteem

• Act as if you were confident! You will feel more confident.
• Focus on who you are and what you like about yourself. Why do your friends like you?
• Prepare thoroughly for any task so that you can be sure you are ready. Knowing that you have prepared well will make you better able to cope with anything that may come up.
• Work on any skills you need to do what you want, you can never be over trained or over skilled for any challenge in life.
• When you come to challenging and difficult moments relaxing will enable you to control your negative emotions and project more positive ones. Breathing is one aspect of this that is so important because controlling your breathing controls your body’s reactions to what’s going on around you.  *See relaxation exercises below.
• Always smile and stand up straight. Your posture and smile will project confidence and you will feel better able to cope with anything. You will also find that others respond to you better and this will give you an added boost.
• Set reachable goals for yourself and break difficult tasks into smaller steps. You will be able to believe that you can achieve your larger goals if you can see the clear steps towards it and know that you can be successful by taking these smaller steps.
• Reward yourself when you succeed no matter how small the achievement. Remind yourself that you are moving forward with determination and that you are one step closer to achieving your goal.
• Do not be too competitive or compare yourself with others. Be yourself and accept that life is not a race against others but your self-esteem depends on you and your personal needs. Set your own standards and allow yourself to overcome challenges at your own pace.

Relaxation Exercises

• Control your breathing – you should breathe from the stomach not from the chest. Using on your breathing helps you to relax and stop the body’s panic reaction.
• Relax your muscles – start with your face muscles and then neck, shoulders, back, arm, chest, buttocks, leg muscles and tell each muscle to relax one by one. When you have relaxed your muscles you are sending a message to your brain to stop any panic reaction that your body produces. This will calm you down and help you to think more clearly.
• Relax mentally – when you breathe in think calm and when you breathe out think release negative thoughts. You may also hold a positive and inspiring image in your mind to further help you relax.

What Does the Bible say about Self-Esteem

Song of Solomon 4:7 ESV “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.”

Psalm 139:13-14 ESV “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”

In closing, I would like to say that God has blessed me beyond measure with loving and caring friends and family, they love me when I feel unlovable.  And, although my friends occasionally call me out when I am too needy or too insecure; I know that it is only because they love me.  I am reminded that I alone control my feelings, if I feel sad or low it is a result of my choosing…I don’t like hearing the truth at times, but it is the truth.  I need to respect and accept the answers or lack of answers I receive when asking questions.  I pray that this information has been helpful.

Blessings & Peace~   

Sites & material used:

http://www.getesteem.com/lse-symptoms/behavioral.html

http://www.more-selfesteem.com/relaxation_technique.htm

http://www.openbible.info/topics/self-esteem

Yesterday, I chose to do something I’ve been talking about doing for quite some time, always trying to plan and make time…the best laid out plan is an executed plan. I said to myself, “why not today?” The only thing stopping me, was me! No great planned out trip, I just fueled the car grabbed food and drink for a 2 hour drive…it was so freeing! I visited a friend and showed up unannounced and bringing gifts! I’m not sure who was more excited my friends or me. My college friends will not be surprised at this, I used to get in my car and drive to a destination just to surprise them with a visit! Today, I captured that feeling again, it was amazing! That feeling of freedom and the only thing holding me back, was myself. I recently read a wonderful book by Jeff Goins, “The In-Between,” a marvelous book, [thanks Margaret]. Today, was an in-between moment for me, I had been so bogged down with the planning of a 2 hour drive and the details of finding the right time and right date…I would have missed being in the moment of seeing my friends, taking in the beauty of the countryside and watching people rushing to and from their destinations, if I had continued to postpone my visit due to “planning!” I know from my experiences that sometimes the hype of planning things and only seeing the beginning and the end, I miss the best part of all…the happenings in the in-between. I used to describe this as wasted time, thinking of getting from one point to another as more important, not giving thought to the journey itself. I was completely aware of the journey but thought the best part was at the end, I was so completely wrong. I am not much of a risk taker and perhaps I thought by planning everything there would be less chance of anything being left for “risk” to ruin it. Life is a journey to be savoured, taking in all the moments, the full gamut of feelings and emotions. I would highly recommend Jeff Goins book and challenge you to empower yourself to experience the in-between moments in your life, I am certain you will be pleasantly surprised. [It was awesome to see you Mary & Mark and all my fellow co-workers at FWA!].

 

You can also follow Jeff Goins on twitter Jeff Goins@JeffGoins

Or follow his blog at: http://goinswriter.com/

http://goinswriter.com/inbetween/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kohp0qCM9Jo  great video

Instead of living life wishing you could jump ahead to the next adventure, these pages will inspire you to slow down and savor the in-between.
—Crystal Paine, founder of MoneySavingMom.com 

If you find yourself in the quiet valley of waiting, Jeff Goins offers a kind voice in the silence. This gently honest book challenged me to surrender to the waiting moments rather than try to rush ahead to the next thing — a simply lovely read.
—Emily P. Freeman, author of A Million Little Ways and Grace for the Good Girl