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How to achieve the best of life

11 Aug

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

How to achieve the best of life.

 

 

Reblogged August 11, 2018

Could you help me please?

In one of my trips to Mexico, an airport escort guided me into the airplane. As we turned the corner to head down the aisle, a flight attendant handed immigration forms to each passenger. “One per family please.”

With form in hand, I headed to my seat. I sat by the window, and after the announcements ended, I reached up and pressed the light to call for assistance.

Moments later, the flight attendant came. “Could I help you?”

“I’m blind,” I said. “Could you please help me fill this out?”

“Sure. Come with me.”

I gathered my stuff and followed him to the front of the airplane.

“You can sit here to your right,” he said.

I settled in the leather seat, spacious and comfortable. I stretched out my legs, plenty of room.

We finished the form and he asked if I wanted to stay in that seat. I was in first class. “Are you kidding?” I asked with a silly grin. “Sure, I would love that.”

I made myself at home and began to compare. Rather than getting the medicine-size cup of water I would get in the other section of the plane, I got a fresh, cold bottle of water. Rather than the tiny bag of peanuts, I received my choice of appetizers. In this VIP section, the trip was, well, unexpectedly delightful.

Low expectations.

As I dozed off, my thoughts took me to the class of life for which I had settled. Was it the VIP section? Not at all. Unaware, I had occupied the cheap seats. The reason? I expected only a limited amount of happiness. I gathered only a few sporadic moments of joy. And I expected only a reasonable amount of prosperity.

Why do some of us do that? Because we want to be cautious not to appear greedy, selfish or needy. So, we purchase our ticket the world sells. The one that lets you in the back of the plane of life. We find a seat and settle there. And mistakenly, we expect to find true happiness when we marry the right person. We anticipate education and the right job will be what bring on prosperity. We count on peace when our plans work out. And, with false expectations, we take off to the next chapter, hoping for more happy moments.

Sometimes, none come through. And we squirm in the uncomfortable seat of disappointment. Al the while, we ask ourselves, where are the results we hoped for, where is the security we need, and during the turbulence that shakes our world, where is the protection?

As we try to figure it all out, we make the biggest mistake of all. We overlook Jesus’ calling us to the first-class kind of living He offers. He reserved a seat. It has our name on it. Should we accept his invitation, the view changes. There is no limit in what He offers. There are no boundaries of the perks He has stored. And there are no barriers in what could delight our soul.

We all need a nudge to accept God’s best.

In order to enjoy them, we all need a nudge. Someone has to give us a push to leave that seat of mediocrity. Though it may be okay and familiar, we need the courage to leave it behind. Something great is waiting ahead. And with a firm spring in our step, we Head down the aisle to the first-class section of His love.

The abundance is waiting. If we long for a new beginning, He will grant a glorious one. If we wish to live with joy, we can begin to relish in it. If we desire freedom from chains that bind, we declare it to be so.

All of the best, the greatest that God has is ours. It’s ours because we simply accepted His invitation. Often, He exceeds our expectations as we have access to the abundance the world could never give.

And that abundance halts our searching. No more looking for just enough. He has all blessings in great quantities. No more average success, He offers triumphant victory.

Victory is Ours

That victory is ours even when violent turbulence brings terror into our nights and the arrows of worry fly during the day. While those in the other section of doubt, become victims of destruction. That new VIP place is not a seat anymore. It becomes a place where we can move in permanently.

And once there, our darkest trials and deepest suffering are no match to His first-class protection because…

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and fortress, my God, in whom I trust.  Surely, he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, neither the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. (Psalm 91:1-6)

This elite kind of protection is not for the every-day person who doubts and chooses to settle in the coach section which the world offers. It’s reserved and available to those who choose to dwell in the VIP shelter of almighty God.

Let’s Pray

Father, there is terror in my nights sometimes; there are arrows of fear during the day, too. But the protection you offer is mine as I choose to sit in the VIP seat of your unending love. I praise you because I can relish in the spiritual luxury you have reserved for me. In Jesus name.

What will it take for you to accept His invitation to the first-class section of life?

Janet

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Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? This what people have said about Janet’s speaking:

More than one thousand people heard Janet Eckles’ story about overcoming trials. She is fabulous. Her humor, her presence and her powerful testimony all work together to make for a successful event. She will encourage, inspire and challenge all who hear her.

Justin Miller, Lead Pastor, Real Life Christian Church, Clermont, FL

Because your heart is pure and your spirit is content, it gives the listener a sense of your authenticity. You leave us with hope, inspiration, and encouragement to make it through any circumstance.

Thelma Wells, Founder of A Woman of God Ministries, Women of Faith Speaker

Janet Eckles is an amazing speaker! Her love for the Lord is captivating and her love for life is contagious. She’ll make you laugh, she’ll make you cry and she’ll leave you changed forever!

Renee Swope, Executive Director of Proverbs 31 Speaking Ministry

To invite Janet to speak, please go HERE  and check out the variety of topics that will inspire and uplift your group.

 

Source: https://janetperezeckles.com/blog/direction/how-to-achieve-the-best-of-life.html

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Today I Choose to Look for Flowers

10 Aug

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

 

 “Look for flowers of Joy growing in the rich soil of adversity.” Jesus Always by  Sarah Young

 

Photo by Isaac Mehegan on Unsplash

 

Joy doesn’t have to be a big splashy bouquet. It’s ok to find it one tiny flower at a time.

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D.I.E.T

9 Aug

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

Tomorrow is my husband’s birthday. Usually we celebrate with an ice cream cake, banana splits or, if I near one, a cake from Publix grocery. They have the BEST cakes! This year, we are eating a low carbohydrate diet, so the birthday cake is a challenge.  I have been watching videos on YouTube, Cooking Keto with Kristi and decided to try a chocolate bundt cake with peanut buttercream frosting. It’s now in the refrigerator and ready for tomorrow.  The downside is that after tasting and licking the mixing bowl, beaters and spatulas, I am pretty sure I am way over my carb allotment for the day! The things we do for love!

 

Photo by Jamie Matociños on Unsplash

 

I’ll let you know how it turned out. I did discover that natural peanut butter, that in my pre-diet life, I thought was nasty is now delicious!

 

 

I'm a winnerAfter 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.

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Trial to Triumph

7 Aug

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

I enjoy the photography of Annie Spratt at Unsplash.com When I saw this photo, I knew I wanted to create something inspiring with it and Janet’s quote seems a perfect fit.

 

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What can I do when facing impossibilities?

4 Aug

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

 

Reblogged August 4, 2018

It’s a crazy sight.

Without a second thought, I push my Mom on a wheelchair. No blind person should be pushing anything at all, much less a ninety-year-old sweet lady.

But this past week, I did just that. I held on to my Mom’s arm as we entered the store. She spotted a wheelchair close to the entrance and settled in it.

I gripped the handles in the back. We made our way down the aisles as I listened carefully to her instructions. “Go straight, stop…turn left…”

Our method worked beautifully until a salesclerk approached us. “Do you need help?”

I grinned. “Sure do. She can’t walk and I’m blind.”

A long silence followed. Then she cleared her throat. “How can you get around like this, if you’re blind? How are you pushing her?”

What she asked was the obvious. She was focused on the circumstance. She saw the barrier and analyzed the impossibility. She saw the facts in the natural. Not me.

I choose not to see things that way.

I focus on the supernatural instead. I count on God’s supernatural way to make things happen. He’s been doing that through the ages. He did when all seem odd, strange and unlikely. He did when people didn’t deserve it, when people turned their backs on Him. And he did when they became arrogant and foolish.

Know anyone like that? I’m waving my hand in the air because I’m one of them. Yet, God’s mercy, compassion and supernatural love still go into action.

And to erase doubt He can still do that. Here are three reminders of the supernatural power, and over-the-top deeds He has performed.

  1. Thousands of yesterdays ago, God parted the Red Sea. He protected the Israelites who didn’t deserve the favor. He extended mercy. He showed compassion and displayed His power.
  2. Supernaturally, God gave wisdom, strength and determination to a 14-year-old boy named David. With one small stone, he defeated a giant. God proved that, when He’s in charge, we can expect nothing humanly logical about to take place. There’s nothing normal or average., Instead, He only presents supernatural results that leave all in awe.
  3. He sees us doubting but is patient still. He observes our stubborn heart and is loving still. He knows what we deserve but extends grace in spite of it. And this reaction that flows from His unending love is not natural, normal but super ordinary.

But why do ordinary people live under the weight of problems and under the stress of the moment? Because they’re limited by the details in the natural. And ever so sadly, fail to see the possibilities that exist because of God’s supernatural power.

Let’s Pray

Father, when I face impossibilities, grant me wisdom to trust that You are at work in a supernaturally powerful way. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Will you face your situation in the natural? Or believe in God’s supernatural solution?

Janet

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Did you know Simply Salsa contains real-life stories of God’s power at work to turn adversity to blessings? A reader writes:

“First of all, thank you! Thank you for writing this amazing book. I can’t explain the rush of emotions that I felt as I turned each page of Simply Salsa. It’s one of those books that you just can’t put down! I cried, I laughed, and I reflected. I reflected on my life and the choices that I have made. Your book truly touched my heart Janet. I felt like you were talking to me, like we were lifelong friends and you knew all my worries and concerns. Your book brought happiness and hope into my days.”

Eliana Sarria

Get your own copy of Simply Salsa HERE.

I also 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.

ONE-MINUTE inspirational video.

 

Source: https://janetperezeckles.com/blog/what-can-i-do-when-facing-impossibilities.html

 

 

 

Janet Eckles Perez

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.

www.janetperezeckles.com

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Today I Will Choose To Wait With Courage

3 Aug

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

Do you find waitings as tedious as I do?

 

 

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The Drip

2 Aug

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

My husband and I have been dieting for two months and the amount of food we consume at a meal has definitely decreased.  As a consequence, I find I need to prepare half recipes. A few weeks ago, I make a whole recipe of meatloaf and put half of it, uncooked, in the freezer. It would come in handy one of my “I don’t know what to cook” days. I have a lot of them!

SIDE BAR: Tell me I am not the only one who has a love/hate relationship with cooking. Some days, I enjoy hours planning a meal, relishing the mingling of ingredients and flavors. Other times, I don’t want to have anything to do with a pot or mixing bowl.

I prepared  the meatloaf for the freezer by lining my loaf pan with aluminum foil, then placed the meat in the foil wrapped pan shaping it to conform to the pan.

 

I can’t remember where or when I purchased the pan. It has a lot of scratches but I am pretty sure they are the result of the pan wars, you know when you are looking for a baking pan and have to shift the whole cabinet to find the one you want?  Anyway, this pan was not used often. I tell you this because, this pan let me down, big time. So much for “made in Italy” equating with quality.

On one of my I hate the kitchen days, I pulled the meatloaf out of the freezer, thawed it a bit in the loaf pan then popped it into my newly cleaned  oven. Instant supper!  After about 20 minutes, I began to get a whiff of a burned smell. I peeked in the oven and everything looked fine. The smell grew stronger over the next 15 minutes so I checked the meatloaf again. The meatloaf looked fine but there was a blob of black on the floor of my nice, clean oven. I took the pan out and searched it for a leak but could not find anything dripping or that looked burned.  So, I put the meatloaf back in the oven to finish cooking. When the meatloaf was done, I took it out of the oven and held it up, looking for a drip. Nothing there that would explain the big black blob. I did see one place that looked like a scratch/dent but no evidence of dripping.

My husband has breathing issues and smoke triggers coughing attacks so I opened windows and a door to try to clear out the smell before we sat down to eat. After supper, I put the loaf pan in the sink to wash and as I pushed it down into the water, two streams of water shot up. One in the bottom and one in the side. The hole looked exactly like the other blemishes.

 

 

Now I have a flower-pot made in Italy! 

 

 

 

 

I'm a winner 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.

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You Are Loved

31 Jul

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

 

 

Have a joyful Tuesday, my friends! 

 

I'm a winnerAfter 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.

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Meal Time~Part 3

29 Jul

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

 

As for desserts – mother made a terrific cherry pie.  I remember as a child going to Bosque Farms, just outside of Albuquerque, and picking cherries off the tree.  Mother had a hand-cranked machine that was a cherry-pitter.

 

Credit Google Search and eBay

 

Put a cherry in, crank the handle, and it would remove the pit and “spit” it out one way, and the remaining cherry another way. Much easier than hand-pitting. She would freeze the cherries in containers, with just enough to make a pie.  That pie was usually our Sunday night dessert, with fresh vanilla ice cream. Yummmm.

 

Credit Google Search and Dreamstime.com

 

I’ve also mentioned before that we had a lone peach tree in our back yard. The peach tree is directly behind Bill.

 

My brother, Bill Lites, with his young daughter in our back yard.

 

Daddy really pampered that tree – wrapped it in cheese cloth so the birds couldn’t get to it, fertilized it, watered it – and it produced some of the largest, sweetest peaches I’ve ever tasted. Mother would take the peaches, seed and cut them up, and freeze them.  Sometimes in the summer we would make our own ice cream (I got to sit on top of the churn – it was covered with folded towels) and she would add some of those cut-up peaches.  Delicious!!

Credit Google Search and White Mountain website

 

She also made a frozen jam (uncooked – just hot enough to dissolve the sugar) with some of the peaches, and we would top hot buttered biscuits with that.  Oh boy! was that good!  When our girls were growing up, I tried my hand at that, but they didn’t like it.  So I make a frozen strawberry jam, and they like that.  But I certainly remember that frozen peach jam.

 

 

I also remember that she would save the seeds from any apples we ate until she had “just enough.”  I don’t remember how many were “just enough,” but she would boil the seeds and from the juice left, would make an apple seed jelly.  It was a little bland, but was still tasty.  That would also go on buttered biscuits.  I’ve had other apple jam and apple butter, but nothing like what my mother made.

One thing mother made that Bill and I both have avoided since then:  sauerkraut and wieners.  That wasn’t one of daddy’s favorite meals, so she would only fix it when he was away on a business trip.  It, obviously, was an easy meal to fix, and she did it at least once each time daddy was traveling.  After having lived in Germany for six years, I realize that German sauerkraut is much, muchdifferent from American sauerkraut.  The German style does not have nearly as much vinegar in it, and it just much more tasty.  Nevertheless, I don’t eat much sauerkraut these days.

Mother would also make macaroni and cheese as a meal, but usually with spaghetti noodles rather than either shells or elbow macaroni.  She said that once, she found bugs in the elbow macaroni, and refused to use it any more. But the spaghetti noodles make a good macaroni and cheese dish, as well.

 

Credit Google search and Cracker Barrel website

 

There are probably a lot of other dishes my mother made, but these stand out in my mind and memory.  She didn’t waste anything, and would try to find a way to use everything she had.  She was a great cook.  Wish I was as good as she was.

 

~~~~~~~~~~The End~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

 

 

JUDYJudy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years.
Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.
She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.
They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born.
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing.
She was a stay-at-home mom for many years.
Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.
Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer.
She also enjoys scrapbooking.
She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins.
She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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What you should know about the end time

28 Jul

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

Reblogged July 28, 2018

 

Questions

We all want to know. What will happen? How will it happen? Will I be around? Yikes! What if I am! Or what if I’m not?

“We’re seeing the signs, aren’t we?” a preacher asked recently.

Some would agree. Others would cringe, shaken up with that realization. And yet, others, dog-paddling through their troubles, don’t even have a breath left to ponder on that notion.

There’s no denying, things are changing, and not for the better. Are we witnessing signs of the “end times?” What is your reaction? Without hesitation, I know what mine is—joy mixed with a bit of anticipation.

Some Promises to Stand On

I assert that not because I live a perfect life, have all my words, thoughts, and deeds lined in the correct order, or my soul is squeaky clean; but because of the promise God made to you and me: (1) we have reason to anticipate good things; (2) we have the hope for eternal life; (3) we have a priceless inheritance; (4) The invitation to receive our salvation through Christ is still open; (5) our trials are temporary; (6) God’s power is protecting us; (7) there’s a reward when we trust in Him; (8) we have permission to live with great expectation.

God gave us the details in (1 Peter 1:2-10).

We have something waiting for us. “A priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.”

We have strong protection. “And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.”

Trials are part of the plan, but so is His freedom. “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.”

Adversity turns to our advantage. “So, when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”

While the world scatters in fear, chased by stress and burdened by anxiety, those who trust in God are resting, relaxed, and reassured.

The end times are truly here.

The time to end our fear for tomorrow, the end to worry about what will happen. The end of wondering where we will be, how we will be, and when will all happen.

Time to end all negative emotions and instead get busy and prepare our portfolio. one built not on financial assets, but the spiritual portfolio of God’s Word—the silver of His faithfulness, the gold of His mercy and compassion and the stock of His promises which never decreases in value.

We can confidently draw from the divine dividends that never diminish nor run dry.

Let’s Pray

Father, thank you for the riches of your love that takes me through each day, each season and through trials and joyous moments too. I count that the approaching end times will mark a deeper commitment to you. In Jesus name.

Where do you find reassurance as the end times approach?

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.

 

Source: https://janetperezeckles.com/blog/encouragement/what-you-should-know-about-the-end-times.html

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