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Four ways to turn your life around.

6 May

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

    

I turned toward a new friend seated beside me during a writer’s conference. He’s got to be kidding! Did I hear him right? Did he say what I thought he said?

Those questions ricocheted in this crazy chica’s head when I heard him describe what he did on the side. I let out a quick gasp as he related, with a matter-of-fact tone, that he made jewelry out of, are you ready? …moose droppings!

I pinched my nose. “Tell me this is a joke,” I said.

“Nope.” (Friends, check the pictures above to prove it.)

Being from Alaska, he explained the process. And I tried really tried to understand this craft. My imagination went wild with not-so-pleasant images.

But, amigos got to spill it all. This brought to mind the yucky droppings of trials that had paraded through my days—blindness, my son’s death, the struggles of sorrow—all gave my life a bad smell of heartache.

But viola! God turned the trials to triumph as He saw beyond the pain, the sin, the ugly scenes and transformed it all to a shining jewel for His glory.

No, amigos, don’t you think for a minute I’m saying this chica is a jewel. But the triumph God ushered certainly is.

Your triumph is waiting for you too. In the horrible, ever-present battle you’re facing, He’s got his tools and is at work too. He is at work to clean, shine and make it glow.

And during the process, all you have to do is:

  1. Receive the joy for the moment. The joy that comes because you know He’s in control. The joy that resonates even when we don’t see the end result.
  2. Choose gratitude in expectation of what He will do.
  3. Look back at ways He transformed other smelly circumstances in the droppings of life.
  4. Spray the perfume of repentance on that smelly sin. When He’s done He will showcase His victory in you.

Life sometimes does stink. But no matter how unbearable the stench of sin or sorrow is, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Father, from a discarded soul, tainted with sin, smelling of pride, you polished life, beauty and sparkle through your son Jesus. Thank you that our life now has a glow of salvation, of freedom, of joy and hope. In His name we thank you. Amen

  • What painful situation stinks in your life now?
  • What will it take for you to allow Him to turn your trials to triumph?
  • What keeps you in the same rut?

Janet

Source: Four ways to turn your life around. ~ Janet Perez Eckles

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The Red Light Will Change-Be Patient

5 May

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

 

We suffer when we are not in control.
It affects our very being.
“Lord, I really wanted a sunny day,
but fog is all I am seeing.”

 

We are prone to create our own little world.
The old “normal” has to fall apart.
“We can’t go forward, Lord.
unless we have a change of heart.”

 

Accept the present moment.
Be patient, the red light will change.
God uses those “waiting moments”-
Our circumstances He will arrange.

 

Religion is one of the safest places
to hide from God.
Ego wants to be in control.
Forget about rituals and man made rules.
Make communing with God your goal.

 

How comforting to know
God doesn’t love you because you are good.
God loves you because God is good.
That’s why I love Him so.

 

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How to feel satisfied. 

29 Apr

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Stuff piles up when I’m heading out of town. And sigh! There are not enough hours in a day to prepare. Can you relate?

I zipped my suitcase and turned to hubby. “Ugh…didn’t have time for a pedicure. I guess I’ll take care of that when I get there.”

But I didn’t have to do that because the Chinese lady seated beside me on the airplane took care of that.

As is my habit to talk to anyone seated beside me, I began chatting with her. I asked her a ton of questions and often I had to ask her to repeat what she said because her lovely accent got a bit heavy at times.

Then it was her turn. “So, you totally blind?” No sight?” she said.

“That’s right.”

“Ah!” she said, then paused. “Why you so happy when you cannot see?”

But before I answered, she asked, “And where is your husband, in other seat?”

“No, I travel alone.”

“Ah!”

Her gasps of admiration made me smile. And with no hesitation, I shared my journey of the power of Christ in me.

Then my boldness died down a bit. And as we sat in silence for a long while. In my heart, I asked the Lord, “Should I present her an opportunity to invite Jesus into her own life?”

He didn’t give me an answer. Then I decided that if she said something to me first, that would be God’s sign for me to go ahead.

Silence. More silence. Then she tapped my arm, “Excuse me, I go to bathroom.”

That was my sign. When she came back, I asked, “Would you like to do what I did and invite Jesus into your heart?”

“Maybe,” she said.

I turned to face her. “Does that mean yes?”

“Yes,” she said.

The moments that followed played God’s sweet symphony of His plan in action—a life in a new direction. A heart that embraced the Good News. And a stranger who is now the daughter of the King.

Full joy, complete satisfaction, and delight burst in me. And my feet didn’t need a pedicure anymore because Paul said: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” Romans 10:14-15

Father, bring into my life more opportunities to share the Good News, to guide others to a saving knowledge of who You are, and give me boldness to tell all of your goodness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

What path are your feet taking you on lately?

Janet

 

Source: How to feel satisfied. ~ Janet Perez Eckles

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Celebrating Knowledge

28 Apr

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

 

Do you know why I think it is essential to learn something new?
Or why I try to glean new insights from observing what you do?

 

You generously share your thoughts with me,
‘ tho you might not be aware.
I listen carefully to your actions.
There is wisdom and insight there.

 

To learn something new each day,
listen with your heart.
There is a message in our actions
that words fail to impart.

 

Actions speak louder than words.
Body language can be strong.
Watch carefully before you judge someone.
Keep in mind, you may be wrong.

 

Thought for the Day

Yesterday is a cancelled check.
Tomorrow is a promissory note.
Today is the only cash you have.
Spend it wisely. Kay Lyons

 

 

 

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Matching My Mind to My Location

27 Apr

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Yesterday we loaded up the car and left Florida behind. Today we are saying hello North Carolina mountains. Both are beautiful and we are blessed more than we deserve to have precious friends and family in both places.

My first step toward settling in was a trip to the grocery this morning.  I was intent on mentally checking off the items on my list and taking advantage of the large store to get in a brisk walk. I wheeled around a corner and almost crashed into another shopper. People walk slower here, they take the time to smile and ask how you are. I realized I needed to switch my mind to match my location.

This past weekend I attended a women’s retreat at Park Avenue Baptist Church.  Old Things R New blogger, Janet Perez Eckles was the featured speaker.

Janet’s sessions were filled laughter, but with the purpose of leading us to think more deeply and to see how God equips us with strength and courage. In the days before the retreat I had been mulling a mental change of direction. I was tired of rehashing old hurts in my mind. I knew they were attacks from the enemy and I was so over the attacks.

Step back in time with me, about forty years or so. I was expecting our first child and even though I watched my food intake, I dreaded the monthly weigh in at the Obstetrician office. Being a football fan, I had heard that a good offense is the best defense, so at my next check up I took up an offensive approach. I moaned about my weight gain and was so dramatic in my distress that the doctor ended up comforting me rather than exhorting me!

At the conference I decided to go on the offense with the one who accuses. Each time an already confessed and settled episode comes to mind I am going to fling it like a flaming sword straight to heaven, but on the tip of the sword will be prayers of good  for the person.  I am changing my mind to match my eternal location.

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Can you pass this test on how to get rid of worry?

22 Apr

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

Reblog April7, 2017

 

We sat for lunch outside the Christian camp. And a warm Cuba breeze brushed through. I shooed a fly, and then another and another. “I’m used to this,” I said to my friend beside me. “When my family and I lived in Bolivia, flies buzzed all over. No one complained. We accepted the nuisance as part of life.”

And although in the United States, flies have no place, worry does. Its effects buzz around and show up no matter how often we try to shoo them away.

Here’s what I discovered: Worry is a language, a specific way of communicating with God. Our worry talks to God. Which of these is your worry telling God?

  • You are not capable of resolving what causes me fear.
  • You are not able to rescue me on time.
  • You are not aware of the details of my situation.
  • You are not able to heal my hurting heart or restore my broken plans.
  • You are not powerful enough to protect me from the evil one or from his lies.

If you checked at least one, you got a low score as you’re talking the language of worry…unacceptable to Him and destructive to us.

Worry-talk contradicts God’s Word and discounts His promises.

But what if we use the language of faith? We would speak of God’s strength. We would declare of His mighty power to correct the wrong, to heal the wounds and to soothe the pain.

Believing He can, we in turn can shoo worry away, bringing peace back. And once in the place of peace we repeat what God has been saying through the ages. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).

If we listen, we’d be singing, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust…” (Psalm 91:2b)

Pray with me: Father, Thank you that my worry dies in the truth of your Word. Thank you for that freedom. Thank you for your power at work in me to live with reassurance instead. In Jesus’ name, amen.

What has been worrying your heart lately?

Janet

 

Source: Can you pass this test on how to get rid of worry? ~ Janet Perez Eckles

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Stop That Thief

21 Apr

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

 

His name is “Loneliness”.
He steals our contentment.
I didn’t recognize his strategy
until I suffered from resentment.

 

Being alone is not always a choice-
Circumstance plays a role.
Prepare your heart for the inevitable.
Prevent it from taking a toll.

 

Use your ‘alone time’ as a blessing.
Plant the seed of creativity and watch it
grow.
You may amaze yourself.
You are far more talented than you know.

 

Church in the Wildwood by DiVoran Lites

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12 ways to overcome sorrow.

15 Apr

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

Everyone celebrates Easter Sunday, but for so long, I was stuck on the Friday, the day of sorrow, the day of pain and the day of darkness. It was because the death of our son, Joe, had covered us with the veil of grief.

But one spring, right before Easter, healing came. It arrived with Christ’s example as He also dragged the cross of His own sorrow. He bled his pain.

Without complaint, sorrow scraped his heart too. And then nailed on the wood, he tasted the bitterness of betrayal mixed with the hardship of injustice.

Why did He not fight? Beg for freedom from the cross? Or curse His fate?

The answer nearly exploded in my heart. Because He knew glory awaited Him. He was certain eternity was his. And He counted on heaven.

“I want the same,” my soul cried out. And God heard my plea.

So with the celebration of the resurrection of hope, and the rebirth of my joy, came a new beginning – my own Easter Sunday. And while wearing the new outfit of healing, of joy and renewed gusto, I got busy creating a new joy-filled life.

When the day comes and my chair is empty at the dinner table, celebrating Easter, what will my family say about my life? While they scoop up a second helping of mashed potatoes or more slices of honey-baked ham, will they remember the way I dreaded my Calvary or will they recall how I lived my Easters?

How about you? Have you reached your own Easter of triumph for others to see? Whether sorrow or serenity, we’re subtly creating a legacy, weaving memories and painting strokes on our own portrait. The one our family will hold in their hearts.

And for the Easters to come, the portrait will display the life we lived, the values we held and the conviction that danced in our heart when we answered:

  1. Did we sink under the weight of our cross?
  2. Did we keep moving with the strength of hope?
  3. Did we relish on our own Easter of joy?
  4. Did we choose to see life beyond circumstances, or did circumstances see us to despair?
  5. Did we face challenges with determination, or did we allow them to determine our destiny?
  6. Did we look for tomorrow with passion, or did momentary trials rob the passion for today?
  7. Did we reach out to others to encourage them, or did our own discouragement reached out to hold us back?
  8. Did we live life rich with God’s reassurance, or did we live empty of His grace?
  9. Did fear steal our joy, or did God’s joy erase all fear?
  10. Did we do things for our own interest, or did we first take interest in God’s ways?
  11. Did we follow our plans, or did we first plan to follow God’s path?
  12. Did we fret over petty things, or find the power of God’s precepts?

No matter what the answer, there is no cross of pain that can hold us down; no suffering that can hold us back because Jesus is alive. And with passionate Love He declares, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Father, I thank you for the triumph. And I pray your everlasting love nourishes my desires, goals and dreams. I ask for wisdom to leave a legacy that honors you, resonates with my children’s children, and reflects my obedience to your precepts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Janet

 

Source: 12 ways to overcome sorrow. ~ Janet Perez Eckles

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Two are Better Than One

14 Apr

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

 

People need people.
It is embedded in our soul.
Make reaching out to others
your foremost God-given role.

 

So simple, so painfully simple.
Two are better than one.
Two are more effective,
and, oh, so much more fun.

 

Friendships blossom over shared labor,
and we accomplish much more that way.
Open your heart to another.
See how it brightens your day.

 

Two are better than one for walking,
for if they fall, one will lift up his
companion.
But woe to him who is alone when
he falls, for he has no one to help
him up. Ecclesiastes 4:20

 

Two are better than one for working.
Two are better than one because they
have a good reward for their labor.
Ecclesiastes 4:9

 

Painting by DiVoran Lites from Go West

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Just One Quarter

13 Apr

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I think there is magic in the quarters used for the Aldi grocery store carts. I wouldn’t say there is enough magic to bring about world peace, but for brief seconds in time, people in the parking lot stop and smile at each other.

What brings about this spontaneous camaraderie?  The simple exchange of a quarter as the departing shopper offers their cart to someone heading into the store. Sometimes no quarter is exchanged as people decide to pay it forward. In the current climate of anger, I enjoy these simple moments of kindness inspired with just one quarter.

Photo credit OnMilwaukee.com

 

You might want to visit the blog Ten Reasons to Dig Aldi.

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