On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
People around us are angry, dare I say, even a bit crazy. Some days it seems that even the alligators are upset.
Photo credit Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from PixabayPhoto credit
Philippians 2:15 encourages us to choose to be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation so that we will shine like the stars of the universe. So friends, let’s shine!
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Janet Perez Eckles
What keeps you from believing in miracles?
A mother answered these questions with boldness and unique faith. The results stirred attention and a film was made of this miraculous event.
The scenario took place in a St. Louis hospital. The story is about John Smith who fell in icy water and remained there for 15 minutes. The news read, “When rescuers brought him to SSM St. Joseph Hospital West, the teen wasn’t breathing. Paramedics and doctors did everything in their power to bring John back, not willing to give up. They performed CPR and other life-saving measures on him for 43 minutes—without regaining a pulse.”
They called his mother to the room to give her the bad news.
What did she do? She prayed. She declared out loud God’s power and the Holy Spirit upon her son and believed she would receive it.
What happened next is that blood began to flow in that dead boy’s veins.
The doctors shocked and stunned couldn’t give explanations. They only had one conclusion: it was a “genuine miracle.”
Here are the chilling details: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/02/04/inspiration-nation-mom-prays-son-back-to-life/22883985/
I’d like to meet that mother and tell her, “I want faith like yours. To be that bold, and overflow with trust.”
Her trust didn’t drive her to beg, but declare God’s healing power. Her faith didn’t lead her to lament the circumstance, but prompted her to praise the Lord for what He knows how to do. And she didn’t sink into sorrow, instead she believed God’s promise, claimed and received it.
While she claimed it in faith, the mountain was removed.
“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).
Father, teach me to look to you for that unwavering faith that proclaims what You can do and what You will do. In Jesus’s name.
What miracle are you expecting?
Janet
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Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.
CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.
Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.
Please share: Feel free to share Janet’s posts with your friends.
Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR
Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.
On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
Yesterday Adobe Spark sent me an email offering me four free templates. I like free, so I added them to my account. I used one of the freebies to make this a graphic. It offered me two download options, one with a transparent background, the other colored. Let me know which you think looks better.
Life is busy this week! I have been experimenting with some branding apps and one of the ones I downloaded included a platform to publish posts. It is Adobe Spark Post. I have no idea how it works. I wrote a short paragraph to go with a photo and it gave me a link. I am pasting it into this post to see what happens.
Growing up, Did you have pepper vinegar on your table or is it a southern thing?
On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
The 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon launch and landing is kind of a big deal in my hometown and all across the Space Coast complete with street parties and an old fashioned Astronaut parade in Cocoa Beach.
We are in North Carolina and missing out on the activities but our daughter, an ardent fan of space exploration has been enjoying the activities. Saturday she attended the parade complete with astronauts riding in vintage Corvettes!
One of our downtown businesses, Hotpoint Boutique commissioned an artist to design a unique print that celebrates the 50th anniversary. The design is sold on tee-shirts and a fluffy blanket as well as the 11×14 print.
If you enjoy historical fiction based around the race for the moon, my daughter is running a giveaway of this print in 11×14 size and a signed copy of her award winning novel, Undaunted. (Previously titled Jessie)
For my friend outside of the US, she can substitute digital copies of Undaunted and Destiny’s Call, books one and two of her Jessie Cole Series. Unfortunately she cannot include the print.
My daughter wrote an entire blog about the activities on her website, Rebekah Lyn Books including some photos of her dad, my husband at his job as a mechanic on the shuttle fleet.
I read this promise a few days ago.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace. Isaiah 55:12
Galatians 5:22 lists the fruit of the Spirit as love followed by joy, then peace. I believe without God’s gift of love, joy and peace in my oh so fallible heart, I am incapable of reaping the rest of the fruit: forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
I am claiming the promise of Isaiah 55:12.
He has promised, I need to be willing to be led.
On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
Cool mountain mornings have lured me to spend time on the porch each morning. My husband built a small water feature near the porch and it sets a calming beginning of my day. Usually, tendrils of cool air tinkle the wind chimes he also made. It’s easy to spend time in prayer and meditation there.
Except this morning. The tendrils of cool air tinkling wind chimes were replaced with sticky stillness and a buzzing insect. If the benefits of porch time outweighs my fear of buzzing insects, I will suck it up and not give up my space. Today, I gave it up.
We haven’t figured out how to grow vegetables in clay soil, so I have resorted to having two small raised beds. I am growing three tomato plants, basil and an okra plant. They are doing well so far. Hopefully the tomato worms won’t climb up to them. I do not like those worms!
Last summer I had a pot filled with coleus and tall grass. When we returned to Florida for the winter, we took it with us. If the Florida winter is mild, we have had success with extending the life of our summer plants. One flowering basket is on its third summer.
I can’t remember the name of this plant. Do you know?
The coleus survived but had become quite “leggy.’ My husband repotted it, cut off the leggy stems and put them into the new pot with the original plant. To my surprise, the coleus has flourished while the grasses have taken all summer to rebound.
Last fall, my friend Sharon shared some pansies with me. They were kind of puny when we left for the winter. To my surprise and joy, they survived winter and are thriving now. I love them!
Repurosed stepping stones and cement column. I love repurposing!
When have been blessed this summer with visits from family and friends and I like to have a cheerful greeting at the door. This summer I chose coleus mixed with what I call, Polka Dot plant. In Florida, I could only grow the spotted plants on a window sill, due to the heat and they never grew tall. It seems they love the North Carolina mountain temperatures. They are getting out of hand!
I had no idea what I was going to write as I started this post. I knew that I wanted to share the photo of the coleus, but that was it. I had fun sharing about the plants. I wonder if that is because my ancestor roots are firmly attached to the soil?
This week I began researching my family tree I knew my parents came from farming families (well except my dad’s time as a moonshiner), but I had no idea how many generations farmed in the same county. As in back to the 1700s. I am in a love\hate relationship with the research. It is addicting. Have you explored your ancestors? Suggestions appreciated.
Title is a play off the name of a Christian band, For King and Country, one of my daughter’s favorite bands.
My mom was a fiery lady, full of fun but didn’t take any guff. Maybe the guff part came from growing up during the Great Depression in a tenant farmer family of 3 boys and 9 girls. The girls worked the fields, picking cotton and barning tobacco alongside their elder brother. The other two boys came along later, once they had moved to town.
All of her siblings grew to become successful adults, some owning businesses, raising families and living a better quality of life than their parents, at least materially.
That is one of the things I love about my country. With hard work, one does not have to remain in the circumstances of their childhood.
Today was her birthday and I find it fitting that she was born on a day celebrated with fireworks, food and family. She moved to Glory 18 yrs ago and I still miss her.
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Janet Perez Eckles
Reblogged June 28, 2019
I was shocked. My friend Becky is a powerhouse of faith. But she felt lame. Here’s her story:
A crippled man lay by the pool of Bethesda for days, months and perhaps years hoping someone would roll him into the pool for healing. (John 5:1-17)
I visited the pool of Bethesda a few years ago while traveling in Israel. The pool was located directly over some underground springs of water. When the water bubbled up from the spring, people thought an angel was stirring the water and that if they rolled in, they would be healed. Believing for a miracle the lame man lay there waiting. But he never quite made it into the pool. Victimized by unfortunate circumstances, He was left crippled.
A few months ago, I broke my ankle and was lame myself. I had to wear a cast for a few weeks, hobbled around on crutches, graduated to a walking boot and then finally upgraded to an ankle stabilizer. I looked lame, I walked lame. I felt lame. Here’s the thing. It’s easy when we’ve experienced unfortunate events to settle into “lame thinking”. Lame thinkers feel victimized. Lame thinkers feel they have no options in life. Lame thinkers imagine that their circumstances will likely never improve. Jesus approached this man and asked one simple yet profound question, “Do you want to be healed?” Ah, such a profound question.
When our thinking becomes lame, we settle for self-limiting and God limiting beliefs. The next time you catch yourself settling for lame thinking, hold a little self-management meeting. Remind yourself that though life may feel difficult, God is still able. Spend a few moments praising Him and thanking Him in advance of what He will do. What He calls you to do. He empowers you to do. End. Of. Story.
When I fall into lame thinking, I structure my time of thanksgiving around God’s faithfulness in the past, present and future. I ask myself 3 questions:
Question 1: How has God worked in the past?
Asaph, the writer of Psalm 77 wrote, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord”. I make a thankful list of the miracles I have seen God do in the past. As I thank Him for each one, my trust in His faithfulness grows.
Question 2: What is God doing at this moment in my life?
I may not feel like God is on the move in my life but if I spend a few moments seeking Him, He shows me that He is indeed at work. As I thank Him for what He is doing in the present, I find more faith for the future.
Question 3: What does God want me to trust Him for in the future?
As I spend time praising and thanking God that He will work in and through me in the future, my faith is re-kindled and my trust revived.
Becky Harling is an author, speaker, and certified coach (The John Maxwell Team). Her recent books, The 30 Day Praise Challenge and The 30 Day Praise Challenge for Parents, are helping thousands to develop the habit of praising God so that worry and fear are replaced with more joy, courage, and less anxiety. For more information, visit Becky at BeckyHarling.com
I hope Becky’s reminder to step out of lame thinking as we shed notions of self-pity encourages you to look to what God has done, what He’s doing and will do.
Father, thank you for lifting me from the lake of lame thinking. I praise You for placing my feet on the solid ground of faith, empowering me to do the impossible. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Janet
______________________________________
Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.
CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.
Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.
Please share: Feel free to share Janet’s posts with your friends.
Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR
Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.
On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
Spring came late to our house. Well, the actual season came on time, but Spring cleaning didn’t happen until summer.
I am not the best housekeeper. I tend to think that when windows need to be cleaned, it is time to get new windows-or move. Since neither are currently an option, my husband and I decided to tackle the chore, but slowly.
For the slow start, I chose two windows in our dining area. Our drapes are quite long and are mounted almost at the ceiling. My husband took them down for me, then I set about cleaning.
I had no idea if the drapes were machine washable or needed to be dry cleaned. Once the pair were down, I searched for a label with washing instructions. As none was found, I decided to go for the dry clean option. Fortunately, a year ago I purchased a package of Woolite dry cleaning cloths to use in the dryer. I removed the top rings and tossed them in, not sure how they would come out. It was a success! They looked like new and had a faintly fresh scent. All in all, I like this method over machine washable as there would have been a chance I would have needed to…horrors-iron!
While the curtains were bouncing in the dryer, I went to work on the windows. We are blessed to have the type that can be dropped open so that one can clean the outside from the inside. Our windows are high off the ground and without this feature, I would have needed to stand on a ladder outside. And that would not happen. We would have to move.
After I finished the dining area windows, I moved to the guest bedroom. Once again, my husband was needed to take the curtain rod down and then I set to cleaning feeling a lot more optimistic about the chore. I was pleased with my first effort at cleaning windows and drapery and decided that Thursday we would tackle the living room with its four long windows.
I use the word tackle as this room would require moving furniture to gain easy access to the windows. I know some women delight in moving furniture to different locations. I am not one of them. As the Beatles once sang, “Let it be” is my motto about furniture.
My husband was feeling poorly on Tuesday, hence my solitary work on the windows, but Thursday he was better and offered to help.
As these windows are harder to reach, the window blinds were in sore need of a good cleaning. After a couple of false starts, we hit on a good method to clean them. We used the duster part of a Swifter (removed the handle) to clean the surface dust followed by a thorough washing using disposable sanitizing wipes left over from flu season. Due to their high alcohol content the blinds dried quickly with no drips or smears.
Like Tuesday, I put the draperies in the dryer. These windows required three loads to clean them all but they were done by the time we finished the windows. We knew these windows were a big job, so we took a short break after each one, drank some water and relaxed. At this point, I had begun to enjoy the task. There was something soothing about methodically turning grime into shine. In fact, it must have soothed my husband too as he promptly took to his bed for a nap once the job was done.
I left the blinds pulled up the rest of the day. I had forgotten how much I enjoy looking out of these windows.
There are more windows to clean but I need to purchase additional dry cleaning sheets. I think a day off to do some shopping and enjoy the outdoors will be my plan for today.
I survived window cleaning and came to enjoy it.Who knew that was possible? Do you have a task that you avoid or dread?
After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience. Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites, Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix
In addition to blogging, I work as the publicist/marketer/ amateur editor and general “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books where we frequently host the best in up and coming authors.
My 2019 goal is to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media. You can visit Real Life Books and Media You Tube Channel if you would like to view some of the mini-videos I have created for our church, Gateway Community in Titusville, Fl.
Old Things R New 