Archive by Author

Caution; you might not be following God’s Will

7 Jul

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

Caution; you might not be following God’s will.

 

 

Reblogged July 7, 2018

Poor doggie, July 4th is a torture for him. My friend’s puppy had to be protected from the noisy fireworks that blasted his furry ears.

For him they were a nightmare, for me the sound of July 4th fireworks reminds me of a dream come true.

New Citizen of the United States

A few decades ago my parents chose to make the U.S. our home. Soon after, we received our residency papers and five years later, the big day arrived.

We entered a large court room. The red, white and blue of the American flag covered the front wall.

“Raise your right hand,” the immigration official instructed me and my family. And with gratitude bursting in us, we pledged our allegiance to the United States. At the same time, we renounced our allegiance to our native country of Bolivia.

My Citizenship in God

Oh, how I wish I had made that same pledge giving my allegiance to God’s plans and His will. I didn’t. Instead, I vowed to follow my own.

And, with misdirected passion, I crafted the blueprint for my life—get married, have healthy beautiful children, enjoy financial security, serve God and watch our grandchildren grow up around us with love overflowing.

That was the path to happiness I envisioned, and the plans I designed. But God had a different path. His didn’t match my own. And that’s when the battle began. I clung to my plans and resisted His.

Have you done that? You formed simple expectations, nothing extravagant, nothing complicated. And when least expected, your world turns upside down with disappointment dragging with it unwanted heartache.

The reason is our plans have great intentions, but flawed expectations. They hold a specific image of what life should be but lack the foresight of what life often brings.

There’s good news.

Sweet freedom begins when we let God’s will rule. We allow His will to dictate our moments, order our days and design our future.

To accomplish that, He invites us to step in the courtroom of His love. Raising our right hand, we pledge to renounce those unrealistic dreams, those flawed plans. And turn our allegiance to His plans instead.

And should nights turn lonely and the black of sadness close in, those plans of His speak tranquil reassurance to our soul.

Jesus gave us the secret to that tranquility. He came to His knees with similar sorrow and, in the midst of pain, He said: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

He relinquished to God’s Will. He gave up His own. He stepped away from His desires and invited God’s instead.

What were the results?

He suffered still, but victory came. He was crucified, but glory followed. He took His last breath, but when he came back alive, He breathed in us life eternal.

And today in the midst of all the ugliness of life, we do the same. We declare, “Not my will, but yours, Lord.” And His will takes over. Makes the way. Opens doors. Erases fear. Heals the wounds. Pours grace and makes the impossible possible.

What will it take for you to surrender and pledge your allegiance to God’s divine will?

Some inspiration for you.

I cherish your notes and comments. Please send them on. And if you need inspiration and a good summer read, dance over to www.janetperececkles.com and get your own copy of Simply Salsa—my book showing you the simplicity of living out the abundance of life.

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.

Let’s connect:

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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Where’s My Bag?

30 Jun

Walking by Faith, Not by SIght

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

Reblogged June 30, 2018

If you’re like me, while traveling, your mind wonders with possibilities. Unable to see, I sometimes think about someone walking away with my bag or me grabbing someone else’s suitcase. Despite those thoughts flashing through at times, I still travel with no worries.

But, on one trip, that very thing happened. The plane landed, and armed with patience and chatting our time away, my friend and I sat in our seats waiting for other passengers to disembark. Suddenly, my friend calls out, “That’s my bag!”

Someone had slipped her bag from the overhead compartment and was pulling it away down the aisle.

Good thing she noticed. In addition to her laptop, she had stored valuable material she worked hours to create.

Promises from Psalm 103

Sad, isn’t it? When we least expect it, we can risk losing something critical, something that belongs to us, something we hold dear, valuable and essential. But in the airport of life, the truly crucial possessions of the soul that no one can take away are outlined in Psalm 103:

  • No one can rob our self-assurance because we always remember all God’s benefits-and He who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases.
  • No one can rob our hope because He redeems our life from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion.
  • Nothing can snatch our expectation for good things because He satisfies our desires with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
  • No one can steal our strength when facing attacks because the LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
  • When feeling guilty or condemned, nothing can rob His love because the LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
  • Reassurance for mercy belongs to us because He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever.
  • His comfort is ours because He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him.
  • Freedom of forgiveness has our name written on it because as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

How’s that for good news? When traveling through life, have you marked all those attributes with your name? They belong to us; God meant for us to engrave them in the label of our heart. And if the enemy is trying to sneak them down the aisle of your life, claim them with all you got!

Let’s pray.

Father, thank you for your many promises. Thank you that we can use them to defeat the enemy. Thank you for being completely trustworthy, and full of mercy. 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.

 

 

 

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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Love For A Thousand Generations

29 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

Today I choose to walk in God’s love rather than the world’s anger.

 

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The Good Things

28 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

“The more you look for good things in your life, the clearer your vision becomes..” This morning as I read these words in Jesus Always by Sarah Young, I pondered on how true this is in my life. My friend and fellow blogger, Janet Perez Eckles shared this on Facebook.

 

Just think, every single hurt or aggravation is the past, even if it is only seconds old. I confess to needing to inhale a lot more of Jesus daily.

 

Focusing on good things

 

Earlier in the week, I snapped pictures of the blooms in our yard as well as the progress of our tomato plants. The Dahlia is the first we have managed to bring to bloom. When our daughter comes to visit, I hope she can get a better picture with her camera. The plant has more blooms waiting to open!

 

 

 

 

We have had abundant rain, bordering on excessive and our tomato plants are doing well. So far, the Tomato worms have not climbed the table to eat them. I wonder if I scatter Diatomaceous Earth around the base of the table, if it will deter them. The basil we planted in one of the boxes on the advice of our daughter, is doing well too and I look forward to some tomato, basil and mozzarella Caprese salads!

 

 

From my kitchen window, I have been noticing a bright splash of yellow. As I walked the yard, I was thrilled to see that it was blooms on  my newly planted yellow Knock Out Rose. Since it wasn’t planted until recently, I didn’t expect the blooms yet!

 

 

In the same area a couple of Day Lillies are blooming and down below the Hydrangea are showing off their blue beauty.

 

 

When we built our house in North Carolina, our friend Bill, who owned a summer home here, was a master gardener and gave us many cuttings to add to our landscape. Our Rose of Sharon plant is one of them and its blooms herald the beginning of summer. Also from Bill, our Butterfly Bush is making a decent comeback after a hard freeze two years ago.

 

Update on my computer refusing to give up its data to my new one:

The new computer is now the owner of the old computer’s data and I am enjoying the speed of the new one.  My husband was right, this is the oe I should have purchased.

I’m sure you have heard the saying “Good things come in small packages.”  But good things aren’t limited to a package are they? They are everywhere. What good things are you focusing on this week? 

 

 

 

 

 

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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In The Woods

26 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

 

 

Have you ever been in a difficult situation and you have cried out for help, waited on a word of encouragement and felt despair attempting to wash your heart in endless tears?  In my Monday morning quiet time, this verse resonated with my heart.  I found this picture of my husband. It brought a smile to my heart so just for fun, I created this graphic and decided to share it with our readers. Just in case you have ever felt this way. You are not alone.

 

 

 

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Sitting on the stump of life

23 Jun

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

Sitting on the stump of life.

Reblogged June 23, 2018

I sat on the stump, like a fool, shaking and wondering…

While perusing messages in my inbox several years ago, I was just about to press the delete key when I decided to read the following story. Once I read it, an itchy, nagging kind of feeling tugged at me. Here’s why.

That morning, my heart was churning with possibilities regarding an ailment my then three-month granddaughter was experiencing. The symptom, possibly quite serious, pulled me into the fear mode, then worry, then prayer, then back to apprehension, then faith, then with clammy hands, I yanked worry back again.

A Merry-Go-Round of Emotions

Have you ever traveled through that merry-go-round of emotions? You know, the kind where you’re sure of your faith, you have God’s Word hidden in your heart, you’ve shared it with others over and over again, and you’ve applied it diligently.

But when a loved one is being threatened in any way, all wisdom woven together in your soul begins to unravel. Your mind knows, but it’s not in sync with what burns in your heart.

Until…until, God, in His awesome wisdom nudges you in the right track. He did that for me, through of all things…this story:

Cherokee Indian Right of Passage

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth’s rite of passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him, and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night, he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this

experience because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appears and he removes his blindfold. It is then that he discovers his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

With heart pulsating, I too sat on the stump, in the darkness trembling at the possibilities I could not see, imagining the worst regarding my grandchild.

Foolish, right? God was beside and He still is, to stand guard. He was and continues to be more than able to keep my granddaughter from harm. I had blindfolded my heart and missed the comfort of knowing He was within inches from me.

How about you?

Are you sensing you’re alone, in the dark, and dreading the beasts that might lurk around?

I pray you remove the blindfold to see the reassuring presence of the Lord, watching your every move, knowing your every thought and counting your every tear.

“Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me your consolation brought joy to my soul” (Psalm 93:16-19).

My Prayer For You

I’m praying that, because of Christ, you also pass the test of sitting on the stump of life with calmness and confidence.

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.

 

 

 

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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I’m Choosing Joy

22 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

 

Computer Update

My current computer is not willing to give up its data. In fact, it will not even agree to join the same network. It seems computers have control issues too. Fortunately, I had scheduled a session with tech support to give me a tour of all the new bells and whistles today and I will ask them for help. I will post an update after the session.

Computer Update 2

The bells and whistles session was a dud, but the gentleman was very kind and sent me to Teach Support with instructions to schedule a new learning session.  First level tech support was stumped. He transferred me to escalated support who suggested scrapping the whole computer to computer route and using my back up drive. That worked perfectly EXCEPT Microsoft Word didn’t make the cut and I need to reinstall. Oh joy. I am pretty sure the program was a download. What to do???

 

 

 

 

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 this 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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To Transfer or not Transfer… Data

21 Jun

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

My computer is a 2009 model. It began getting cranky and running slow, but a RAM upgrade about a year ago made it happy again. I know its life is coming to an end but I love it. I know where everything is stored on it. I know its quirks.

Then there is the issue of having to move content from my current computer to a new one. To me, it is like packing up a home and moving to a new one. You don’t want to take all of the unused, accumulated stuff from the old place, but feel sure that if you throw it out, you will surely need it. My husband still bemoans the items from his backyard shed he tossed to the curb when we moved eight years ago. On the positive side, I plan to keep my “Old Faithful” computer so I can access whatever I did not transfer.

So, my quandary-transfer it all and load up my new computer hard drive or spend time cleaning the old one?

I blame this quandary on Groupon and our daughter. She found an amazing deal on a refurbished laptop and sent me the link. The computer was an older model but it was exactly what I had been wanting. The newer Mac computers don’t have the ability to upgrade the hard drive size and I need a large hard drive due to my work on videos and marketing graphics. I checked with the husband to see if he agreed with the purchase before clicking the buy button.

That is when buying the computer became complicated.

He suggested I check on the price of a new computer or a recent refurb. As I clicked over the Apple store, I inwardly fumed. He is not listening to me. I told him I don’t want that model.  We found a refurb that had a large hard drive and at a good price. I decided to just give in and get the one he wanted me to have.

His motives were pure and generous but he wasn’t giving me what I wanted!

Later, after my turmoil passed, I thought about how I respond to God when events happen in my life that I don’t want to experience.  God, you aren’t giving me what I want. How silly of me to demand to have my way, when God says in Isaiah 55:

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 

I am glad my husband pushed me to choose the newer model. He knows me well when it comes to tech.  I would have been happy to have the type of hard drive I wanted, but I love techy things and was sure to regret not taking the opportunity to use newer technology.

Once I upload this post tonight, Wednesday, I plan to begin the transfer of data to the new machine. I’ll let you know how it works out.

 

 

Photo by Ricky Kharawala on Unsplash

 

 

 

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 this 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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Father’s Day 2018

17 Jun

SUNDAY MEMORIES

 JUDY WILLS

 

 

I have written about Father’s Day in previous years, and sometimes feel that I’ve written just about all there is to tell about my father, and Fred’s father.  I know that isn’t true – I can’t put a lifetime of memories in just one posting. And so I think of other things along the way that each of those men said or did, and it makes a good memory for me.

I was blessed with a Christian daddy, and the love of God that he instilled in me.  Of course, his job entailed working in the church-related side of life.  But he loved it, and did a wonderful job of it. He was quite dedicated to his job and his Lord.

 

1942 – Dallas, Texas
Daddy, Bill, Judy, Mom

 

Fred was blessed with a Christian daddy, as well. His dad was a military chaplain when I met him, and served 28 years in the military as a chaplain.  He had a tremendous love of God and country, and passed that along to Fred.

 


1946 – Columbus, New Jersey
Kitty holding Larry, Charles holding Sally
Emily and Fred standing

 

But there are more “Fathers” in my life, not just my father and father-in-law.  My husband is a father, and has been a solid rock for our family to cling to.  His love of God and country is recognized by many – those he’s worked with in his past military days, and those he worked with in retirement.  He was the Church Administrator at our church for just about 13 years.  He was and is still highly respected by those in the congregation, as well as the vendors he dealt with in the up-keep of the church facility.  The vendors sometimes still ask to talk to Fred, rather than the current administrator.

 

1976 – Panama City, Florida

 

Fred has loved God for so long, and deeply, and he has been able to share that love with his daughters.  They learned to love God, as well, from him.  They learned that loving God is more than just attending church on Sundays.  They looked at Fred and realized that loving God is living a life dedicated to God – every day of his life.  He is just amazing, and I love him.

My brother, Bill, is another man of God.  He has led his family with faith in our loving Lord, to the belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  His life – and the life of his family – show the love of man for family and man for God.  I am so proud to be his sister, and to share the love of God with him.

 

1985 – Titusville, Florida

 

Well, what more can I say?  I am surrounded by the love of God and I couldn’t be happier with that situation.  God has placed me with loving people.  I am blest.

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY 2018

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God is with us, always and forever.

16 Jun

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

 

 

 

God is with us, always and forever.

Reblogged June 16, 2018

“May I take that out of your way?”

S-L-O-W  S-L-O-W  S-L-O-W

I hate when the waitress asks that question. That means those with whom we’re having dinner have finished their meals, and it’s a sign for me to hurry. Tough to do because chances are I’m still munching away and have a half-filled plate of food still in front of me.

Why I eat so slowly is a mystery I’ll never figure out. Some tease saying it’s because I talk too much during meals. But I have tried eating in silence. It didn’t work.

I’m still the last one to finish, wa-a-a-ay after everyone has ordered dessert, cups of coffee, and run out of conversation.

I guess I can ask for a doggy bag…but they always end up in the trash.

Our friends are too polite to complain. And hubby never expresses impatience. Take that back…one day he did say he’d bring a book to read while he waits for me.

He Will Always Stick Around

But no matter what, I know he’ll stick around with me until the end. He always has and I’m confident he still will.

God is also like that. He’s with us till the end—whether we’re in the middle of a conflict, writing a book, dealing with broken relationships, or just figuring life out—He’s with us till the end.

Why?

“For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end” (Psalm 48:14).

So…if you’re wondering who’s going to stick by your side no matter what…here’s another promise for you:

“[God] In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end” (Psalm 102: 24-26).

Life changes, but He remains the same. People disappoint you, but His love still pulls you forward. Circumstances turn dark, but His light of hope still shines.

Let’s Pray

Father God, every one of us has felt alone at times…abandoned…without hope. But Praying you lean on Him till the end. But your Words to us through the Bible are clear: you are with us. You will be our guide to the end. May we lean on your promises to be with us always. 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.

 

Source: https://janetperezeckles.com/blog/god-is-with-us-always-and-forever.html

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