One the Porch
Onisha Ellis
I saw this photo on Pixabay and it stirred my curiosity. He looks scruffy and maybe a bit dangerous with those teeth. But there is something appealing about his eyes. He is just as he was created to be.
We don’t have to conform to what others think. Test and discern!
On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
I underwent a laser procedure on my eye this morning and it wasn’t fun. Imagine 50 pins pricking your eye. So, instead of posting my blog today I have been resting my eye, well except for scrolling through Facebook.
When I saw my church tagged in this picture from the Seafarers, Canaveral Port Ministry, I wanted to share it as a follow up to my Tuesday post about volunteering.
Yes, there is a Cookie Ministry and anyone can do it!
On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
National Volunteer Week is something to celebrate!
Our church is on the small side, averaging less than 100 each Sunday. This past Sunday the bulletin had an insert thanking the members for their volunteer activities. The insert was front and back listing the many ways the congregation volunteer.
The secretary who put composed the insert shared that the insert began with naming individuals who had volunteered. As the list grew, she realized that almost 100% of the members had volunteered in some form. Do you know how amazing that is?
To make a difference, one doesn’t have to be the head of a committee or lead a ministry. Yes those are necessary, but little acts of service make a difference too. Sunday a week ago, our church had a cookout in a park underneath a pavilion next to the Indian River. During worship service a small group of us went to the park to set up. My husband and I took on the task to wipe the tables, cleaning bird poop from the tops and the seats. Certainly not a presitgious job, but I felt a sense of accomplishment that my friends were able to enjoy their meal without any unpleasant surprises.
In Acts 20:35 Paul wrote: In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “
By this measure, I would say that we are a blessed congregation.
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Janet Perez Eckles
Reblogged April 6, 2019
With a lump in my throat, I fight back tears of gratitude for this note from one of my readers:
“My brother had your book Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow dedicated to me. I read every page. And my favorite part is when you explained about making Jesus the center of your life. I was compelled to do the same.”
Although those words touched this reader, my desire was to pour my soul through in the pages of my book where I recount the episodes in my life. Those chapters where I faced storms I thought were too violent to endure.
Not only violent, but too big for me. And at the same time, they seemed too insignificant for God. To fuel the fire of despair, I added more lies of my own:
Lies and more lies triggered self-pity and multiplied my tears at night. But morning of hope came shining in the story in the boat when His disciples, similar to my emotional state, trembled in the storm:
“He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” (Mark 4:39-40).
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, Quiet! Be still! Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
Not partly, but completely calm. He calms the storm within—enough to expose the lies so His truth can sing within. He brings peace around us, and invites tranquility to cover us.
He’s extending the same invitation to you. Maybe you’re holding on to the sides of the boat, knuckles white, heart drumming while the wind of loneliness blows. And, He’s asking you the same thing: Did lies erase your faith? Did you overlook His grace? Did you dismiss His reassurance He’s with you, right now, in Your pain and in Your storm?
Father, I confess the deceptive notions that burn in my heart. Even when my world is buffeted by the violent storm, I ask you to fill my heart with wisdom to recognize the lies that invade my thoughts. Replace them with deep faith to know You’re with me, near me, and over me till the storm passes by. In Jesus’ name, amen.
How about you? What lies do you need to silence during your storm?
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.
Source: https://janetperezeckles.com/blog/inspiration/7-lies-that-can-add-to-your-anxiety.html#
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
I’ve had John 4:46-54 in my Seeking Peace notes for a couple of weeks. I imagined a distressed father, who had probably run most of the way to find Jesus, dropping to his knees before him, desperate for his child to live. Jesus didn’t question him or preach to him, he simply said, “Go, your child will live.” The father, a Royal official didn’t hesitate. Maybe due to his position of authority, he recognized it in Jesus, or maybe he was too desperate to doubt.
Regardless of the father’s reason to obey, God sent him off with a promise, your son will live. In my journey into peace, I am learning to listen for the promise and go.
Love- Love is meant to be shared. Loving God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, infuses me with love to share with others.
Joy- To my surprise this week, I realized that despair actually led me to joy.
Peace- Peace comes in trusting that God has the authority to deliver on His promises.
On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
We enjoyed our Tuesday afternoon trip to EPCOT for our wedding anniversary. The weather was perfect for us, sunny, but with a cool breeze. I didn’t need to add another layer to my short sleeve shirt until we boarded the tram for the parking lot. The park was crowded as it usually is during Spring break, but since we were there for the flowers and not the rides, the crowd didn’t deter us.
One of my must see activities was the butterfly garden. It was enclosed in a high tent-like structure and while there were not a lot of butterflies in flight, our daughter got a nice picture of this one. Nearby, a girl was coaxing a butterfly to light on her finger.
The flowers and shrubs at EPCOT as well as the other parks are always beautiful, but during the Flower and Garden show the plantings are over the top and they are labeled. As I moved through the butterfly garden and observed the plant names, I was surprised at the variety. My take away is that if a plant has colorful flowers, it will attract butterflies.
We enjoyed all the colorful topiaries but Kermit the Frog was my favorite. I loved the excitement of the little one reaching out for Kermit.
The reflections of color in the water was beautiful and I was glad to be there at the perfect time to see it.
It was a good day.
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.
Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary and our daughter is treating us to a visit to EPCOT at Walt Disney World for the Flower and Garden festival. I checked out the list of music that will be rocking the festival and TobyMac will be there later in the month.! I may need to go back!
We enjoy strolling through the park marveling at the fantastic display of flowers and topiaries. I enjoy their butterfly gardens and try to get some tips on attracting butterflies to our yard.
I received a new camera at Christmas and hope to get some interesting shots. I am looking forward to the visit and even the weather is going to cooperate. High in the 70s!
Happy Anniversary to us, 48 years!
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Janet Perez Eckles
Reblogged March 30, 2019
He sure does. Animals played a big part in many events in the Bible. At one time, they tempted. In others, they brought destruction. In some, they brought a message of hope, or forced redirection, spoke warnings and even brought answers.
Daddy entered my room, smiled, and lifted a shining saddle in the air. “Do you like it?”
He knew a gift for my four-legged friend, Scout, delighted my 10-year-old heart.
I giggled as he bounced the empty saddle on the bed, mimicking a bucking horse.
“Scout will love this,” I said to myself as I carried the treasure the next day.
I entered the barn and found Scout in the back stall, hiding in a shadowed corner. As soon as I drew close, I quickened my steps. The soft dirt pressed under my feet. And the smell of wet hay filled the barn.
“Hey boy,” I said, “look what I have for you!” I swung the saddle up and positioned it on his back. I took a step back and observed his reaction. His wiry legs seemed stronger. He held his head higher and turned from side to side with pride. The colors of the saddle accented his shiny, dark brown hide.
No longer a scrawny, skinny, and scared horse; he was now a strong, radiant warrior ready to defend and conquer in any battle.
And soon, Scout became my warrior, defender, and my confidant. Together we rode over and over across familiar paths. He grew to know me better than I knew myself.
And as we bonded, the passing years faded some of the radiance of that new saddle, but our relationship continued to smooth and deepen just like its beautiful leather. Even at seventeen, I shared my fears and joy only with Scout. No one else listened as he did.
Scout grazed peacefully, sun rays stroked his hide and a soft breeze lifted his mane, What a profound contrast to my world. It shook violently in a whirlwind of emotions. The ophthalmologist announced, “There is no cure for this retinal disease.”
I sank in the chair, hoping he would offer some words of hope, but he followed his diagnosis with more dark news instead. “I’m afraid it will eventually take her sight. It’s only a matter of time.” He spoke to Daddy while I listened in horror.
We rode home in silence. Daddy offered his loving comments, but this time none of them drew a smile from me.
Instead, each passing day brought painful evidence of my diminishing peripheral vision. The retinal condition dimmed the light around me and darkened my world.
As my eyesight diminished, so did my desire to enjoy the activities I had loved before.
“Do you need any help picking out your clothes?” Daddy asked in a soft voice one day.
“No, I can do it myself!” I shouted back, unfairly venting my frustration at him. After he quietly walked out, I threw my clothes down, flung myself on the bed, and sobbed. I could no longer distinguish colors or shapes. Coordinating my clothes, a task I used to perform with ease, was now impossible.
“Anytime you need to go anywhere, just let us know,” friends offered. “You know we’re here for you.”
But in the midst of that storm, I shared my fear, anguish, and frustration with Scout. When I cried into his neck, he nickered softly and nuzzled my shoulder with his velvet nose.
I sensed his tenderness when I offered up my deepest pain and desperate longing as my life sank into a dark tunnel. I’ll be here for you. I’ll be your eyes, he seemed to say.
Scout was protective of his sightless rider as he galloped more cautiously. Unable to direct his path, I couldn’t guide him around dangerous obstacles. But I trusted him. And he proved more than capable, not only at carrying me around physical dangers, but also at easing me through my sadness.
His protective nature emerged against anyone or anything that threatened to harm me. No one else seemed to know how to take away the sting of living a sightless life.
With each ride he gave me joy, helping me forget my heart’s burdens for a while.
When my friends made plans to see a movie, they added, “You can go too if you want.”
“No, that’s okay, I’ll just go home,” I said.
Holding back hot tears, I made my way across the grass, following the sounds coming from the barn. With careful steps, I found the stall where my loyal friend waited and hugged his muscular neck, feeling the warmth of his body.
He understood more than just my words. With a long sigh, I stroked his face with palms wet from my tears. He seemed to cry with me, You’re not alone, I’m hurting, too.
He listened until the time I left for college. Daddy parked the car alongside the fence so Scout could put his head through the car window beside me. As I hugged his neck, our tears mingled once again. We didn’t need words. Like the beautiful saddle I had once placed on his scrawny back, he placed a shining glow of compassion and love on my broken world. Our hearts were forever braided together in a rope of unconditional love. He became my eyes, allowing me to see what sighted people could not. Even when I was unable to express my darkest feelings, he read my heart, sensed my pain, and now, he seemed to cry my tears.
From Janet: God’s comfort comes in many forms—through His Word, through friends and often He uses His creation to speak to our aching heart, our lonely moments and soothes our sadness with quiet comfort.
Father, thank You for Your love so intense that You would use all forms to dry our tears.
Will you be open to what God might use to turn your sadness into a smile?
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.
Source: https://janetperezeckles.com/blog/does-god-use-animals-to-speak-to-us.html
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
The strangest thing occurred a few nights ago. Some time around 3am, as I turned over my sleep, two names floated into my semi-conscience state. The people were not personally known to me but had been in the news frequently 2-3 years ago. At the time, I found them to be irritating, bordering on infuriating. As I write this, I can only remember the name of one of them. That’s how unimportant they are to me.
In my seeking peace journey, I have committed to say a prayer over those whose names come to mind, day or night. Should you decide to practice this, let me give you a 5 year shortcut. Don’t start as I did, asking God to change them in some way…..as in to see things my way. Ask God to bless them. Man, this was a struggle for me until I realized, asking for a blessing took me out of the equation. And that is a good place to be if I want to live at peace.
When the world around me seems crazy and even scary, I remember Isaiah 55:8-9 .
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
We had a guest pastor Sunday and he spoke on being made for more. One of his points was that we must continue to grow and one way is to spend time with other believers.
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Janet Perez Eckles
Reblogged March 23, 2019
“C’mon, girlfriend, we’re going to the mall.”
“Whoo hoo!” I hung up the phone with a huge smile. Any chance to hit stores and come home with bargains stirred girlish excitement. Since I lost my eyesight, these trips gave me a chance to get out, catch up, laugh and come home with crazy stories.
Anticipating a great time, my friend took me by the arm and we strolled through crowded store aisles headed to the petite department.
“I see a perfect outfit for you,” she said, “and I think it’s on sale!” Our steps quickened.
Once in the dressing room, she handed me the fitted top. “The colors are perfect. They’ll look great on you.”
I slipped my arms through. “Hmm… a little tight.” I tried to poke my head through, but got stuck midway. “I think I need a bigger size,” I muttered.
“No way. It’s your size,” she said. She tugged first one side then the other.
The top wouldn’t budge, on or off. My arms pressed against my ears, and my words of panic muffled by the blouse that smashed my face.
“No pain,” she said as she yanked with all her might, “no gain.”
My head poked through, jack-in-the-box style and while catching my breath, I stared in space. My arms limp to the sides, and my mind imagining this garment never to come off again.
Moments later, my friend gasped as she ran her fingers to the side. “Oh, I can’t believe it…”
“What?”
“It has a zipper.”
A zipper? She’s got to be kidding.
“Sorry. I just didn’t see it.”
But this one mirrored a difficult dilemma in my own life. I battled, trying to decide whether I fit into the world’s pattern or fit into the mold tailored by God. Initially, thinking it’d be a perfect match, I carefully chose goals, dreams, and expectations in line with the world’s standards. But when adversity swept through, the struggle began. I tugged, yanked, and pulled on various styles to find a way out of difficult situations. I became worn out by trying to make my own solutions fit my problems.
I even battled with the correct order of priorities. In my role as a wife, mom, friend, or church member, I desired to please everyone. Often anxiety visited reminding me of my inability to please even myself.
But did I change? No. I stubbornly continued to use my values, beliefs, and choices to overcome and find satisfaction.
But when the effects of losing my sight crushed my world, it became real, painfully real that my own ways to solve my problems were not sufficient. My solutions were not a match for a tragedy of this magnitude. Nothing I tried brought comfort, reassurance, encouragement, or hope.
And empty of hope, I began shopping for a dose of comfort—through fortune tellers, psychics, New Age healers, etc. They successfully increased my frustration and decreased the balance of my checking account.
My whole life was off balance. And when almost ready to tumble in defeat, I found the zipper – the opening. It was the entrance designed in my heart for Jesus to come in.
When He did, He provided freedom from the world’s deceptions. Once I received Him into my life, I made Him my Lord, my God, my all. His faithfulness, compassion, and guidance offered a perfect garment for my soul. The price tag read, “Free.”
This incredible gift, complete with the jewels of His trustworthy promises adorn my renewed life.
A new beginning, leaving behind unnecessary struggles when facing difficulties. A newfound reassurance knowing He created me and thus knows what will fit my soul. He knows the size of my needs, the color of my pain, the fabric of my fears, and the fashion of my insecurities.
Christ knows yours, too. Trusting in the pattern He custom-designed for you, surrender happens. Fear, anxiety, and doubt no longer fit a new life in Christ.
All becomes new. Redirection begins. No more desperation to be free from setbacks big or small. Christ is the one who gives eyes to see a new world—one of renewed hope, confidence, and peace.
And it’s that profound peace that filters through when God turns blindness or any other setback, to joy. And with a new outlook, we can hold on to his healing Word as it dances in our soul, “I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland.” (Isaiah 61:10 NIV)
Father, thank you for guiding my desire to unzip my heart and invite You in. Thank You for covering my life with the perfect attire of joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God has the perfect garment for your soul. Will you try it on?
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.
Old Things R New 