Archive by Author

The secret to peace is in the still of the moment. 

11 Mar

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

(March 3, 2017)

 

Who, me? It’s not my fault…we sometimes want to say. Blaming someone else for our sorry situation can be so tempting. When we mess up, pointing at another promises to be the easy way out.

That’s what the Israelites did.

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14: 10-14)

Have you ever complained like that? I have. Goodness gracious, where is Moses when we need him? Deep into our own struggles, we end up terrified like the Israelites. We grumble in the hot desert of frustration. And as we trudge through the dry land of conflict, of uncertainty and nervousness, we desperately look to be rescued.

But no one is there to do the rescuing. And when peace is gone, like those Egyptians, stress and anxiety come after us, threatening to ruin our day.

But should Moses show up in the midst of social media frenzy, He might use tweets to remind us: “The Lord will fight our battles; all we have to do is be still.”

That’s because in the still of God’s presence is when our nights know His peace. In the still of our heart is when His whisper brushes through. And in the still of the moment is when we see His promises come alive.

Can you tell me, in the midst of your hectic life, what keeps you from being still?

Janet

 

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Source: The secret to peace is in the still of the moment. | Janet Perez Eckles

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Know How To Fail Greatly When Things Fall Apart

10 Mar

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

 

Failure is a teacher,
It is not the end, my friend.
There is a lesson to be had.
This is what I recommend.

 

When I came to the end of myself.
and, yes, most people do-
I realized that what was missing
was our Lord’s point of view.

 

You can’t leave Christ out of your life
for your future will be bleak.
When I came to my senses,
His purpose I did seek.

 

God created us in His own image.
Bring glory to His name.
Give your life to Jesus, my friend,
You will never remain the same.

 

There is one main truth none of us can deny.
We can’t fully enjoy life-
Until we are prepared to die.

 

Photo Credit Wunder Photo

 

 

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Fun, Fun, Fun

9 Mar

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

When I began this blog in January of 2012 I had no idea what I was doing or how I would come up with consistent content. Well five years later, I still struggle with creating consistent content but I have been blessed with a group of bloggers who are amazing. Every week they share their lives with us. Having surgery, going on vacation? No worries, these folks send their blogs to me in advance. I have read that managing a group blog is hard, but I am telling you, these friends are a delight.

Wednesday we gathered for our annual blogger lunch and yea, everyone was able to attend. We have a new blogger this year, Melody Hendrix and since we don’t all live in the same city, she had not met some the bloggers. We had a grand time with laughter from start to finish.

Left side: DiVoran, Bill, Mike, me, Louise, Janice . Right Side: Fred, Judy, Janet, Melody, Janice.

Looking at this picture I realize what an amazing group they are. Each has a life story behind their picture. DiVoran is an author and accomplished artist and  her husband Bill worked as an engineer on America’s space program (He liked to blow things up). My husband, Mike retired from the space program and has discovered hidden talents in painting, carving  and woodworking. Louise, our poetess has written poetry her whole life as she followed her military husband across the country, making a hone for  her family. At the end is her daughter Janice, an antique connoisseur and baker of confections.  Whew!

 Starting on the right side is Judy’s husband, Fred  a retired military meteorologist for the Air Force. Next is Judy.  She is a pianist, a  crafter and a military wife. Enough said on that, we know the important role wives play for our country. Once Fred retired, she became the secretary for her church. Let me tell  you, church secretaries should get an extra jewel in their heavenly crowns. Do you see Janet leaning forward to be in the picture? She is a best-selling author, an international speaker, has an MBA degree and she cracks everyone up with her blind jokes. She can do that, she is blind, and an amazing testimony of walking by faith, not by sight. See the lovely blond? That is Melody, our newest member and a professional photographer and collector of inspirational quotes. Each week she shares beautiful photos with us. Missing is Lynn, she took this picture. She is the daughter of Louise and my very best friend from high school and my go to when Word Press make me crazy. She recently retired from her financial planning business where she counseled women on money matters.  She promises that she is going to begin her own blog and I am holding her to it.

I am already looking forward to next year’s lunch. Maybe this year we can mange a second one. We barely stopped talking the whole meal, yet we still had more to say! Next time we plan to try out “seat shifting,” so can don’t miss anyone. I am not sure how that will work while we are eating .

We met at a seafood restaurant in Orlando and its decor was  “fishy”. The booths were lit by these clever lights. The fish and sea creatures are metal art and they look quite happy. As I study it, I find myself thinking about how Jesus is the light that draws us all together.

John 8:13  Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

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Three secrets to make your day shine. 

4 Mar

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

A group of friends and I chatted during lunch at an Asian restaurant last Sunday. After we finished, the usual thing happened.

A waitress approached the table with a tray. “Fortune cookies for you,” she said with a lovely accent.

Although I don’t believe in that stuff, I took one. And it read: The worst lies you hear are those you tell yourself.

Oh my, for the first time this silly cookie contained a true statement. How many times have I done that? Have you? We goof at something and what comes out, “Oh, what an idiot!” we say to ourselves.

If that becomes a habit, what happens then is those negative words we utter turn to the attitude we embrace. And that attitude turns to the course we take. And sadly, the course can take us to a not-so-pleasant destination.

But here are three secrets to change that in order to make our days shine.

  1. We acknowledge the harm in those lies we say about ourselves. And recognize where they come from.

Jesus said: “He the devil was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

  1. We ask God to transform our words.

“Set a guard over my mouth, O lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3)

  1. We commit to change our words to reflect who we truly are.

“My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long…” because as the psalmist says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 35:28 and Psalm 139:14)

Next time we open a fortune cookie, we might find silly nonsense. But when we open God’s Word, we’ll find His truth, powerful truth worth replacing the negative words we’re tempted to say about ourselves.

Let’s celebrate the change because when praises, edifying words and positive comments flow from our lips, the enemy is silenced, our attitude is transformed, resulting in pleasantly sweet days.

What words have you been telling yourself lately?

Janet

Source: Three secrets to make your day shine. | Janet Perez Eckles

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It’s the Voice You Don’t Want to Hear

3 Mar

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

Louise Gibson

 

 

The voice of negativity is despairing to your spirit.
Don’t listen to its message.
It has discouragement in it.

 

The spiritual world is like a classroom.
Love or Fear?
God is love.
It is His voice you need to hear.

 

Don’t let doubt rob you of your peace.
Stand on the promises of God.
“I write these things to you who believe
in the name of the Son of God so that
you may know that you have eternal life.”
(1 John 5:13)

 

That is the voice we need to hear.
We already have eternal life
and this life is in His Son.
Trust in His promises-
The battle has already been won!

 

Our spirit is the part of us that is drawn to hope.
It will not give in to despair.
It is the life of us.
God’s promise is always there.

 

What is the difference between others betraying us
and us betraying our self?
When our own choices harm us,
we are betraying our self.

 

That is why we hold the Lord’s Prayer
deep in our heart.
Begin your day with our Savior.
He promises never to depart.

 

sunset-horse-rider-puerto-rico

 

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Just Twelve Items

2 Mar

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Just twelve items per family. That is all our church food pantry is able to give to families in need and it breaks my heart. And yet, the women and men who come are so darn appreciative of just twelve items. One woman was thrilled to get a dozen eggs. She was wanting to make her family a caramel cake. I asked if she had a recipe for it and she pointed to her head. “It’s all up there, if i can remember it, I haven’t made it in so long.” Eggs are a new addition since I worked in the food pantry last winter and they seem to be a big success.  The face of a child lit up, when he saw the eggs. “We get real eggs!”

My job this week was to greet people, assist them in choosing their items by answering questions, then bagging the groceries up and offering help to their car. I was fascinated watching them make their choices. Some knew exactly what they needed, while others browsed. I enjoyed the woman who was planning meals as she put items on the table. She exceeded the limit on soup, but there was no way I could bring myself to disrupt her plans. Imagine planning your meals for the week around just twelve items.

One of our regular ladies brought someone new. As she was showing her around, she placed an arm on her friend’s shoulder and said, “this is not food from the government, this is food from the people.”  We are a small church and went three years without a permanent pastor and many members left. Last December our food pantry ran out of money and our shelves were bare. We are working hard to connect with business in the community to help us serve our neighbors. Another option is asking friends to consider setting up a food donation box in their workplace. It may not seem like much, but just twelve items make a difference in someone’s life.

I don’t take pictures at the food pantry so I decided to share one of DiVoran’s lovely paintings.

mockingbird

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Just be Happy and Live

28 Feb

A Time to Live

Melody Hendrix

Teach us delight in simple things. Rudyard Kipling
Be happy for no reason, like a child. If you are happy for a reason, you’re in trouble, because that reason can be taken from you. Deepak Chopra
When you try to control everything, you enjoy nothing. Relax, stop worrying, let go and just live.  unknown
zen

 

 

 

I am retired and enjoying life. My hobbies are my 5 grandchildren, son and daughter, and my loving husband. I am a photographer and extreme nature lover. I love spending time in my garden or in the wilderness connected to God my Creator.
Melody

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The three secrets of a real winner. 

25 Feb

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

We all want to win, to triumph and reach success. But if you fail in these three areas, winning might not come your way.

The lady in this picture with me is sweet as can be. But inside, there’s a tenacious, driven woman. Not only is she a mechanical engineer with a successful career, but she happens to be a NASCAR driver.

“Tell me,” I said, “what did you have to worry about the most while on that racetrack being the only woman driver?”

“Other drivers,” she said. “I had to guard myself against drivers who were aggressive; against those who were vicious and against those who sometimes were spiteful.”

Not only that, but under those freckles and red hair, is a wise woman who knew the three secrets of a winner:

  1. Know your enemy.
  2. Be prepared.
  3. Be aware at all times.

With this simple strategy, she took home many trophies.

And so can we. During our own race of life, the Bible says, “Take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

Devil’s schemes? Goodness gracious the battle isn’t against that relationship that ended in heartache? It’s not against the husband who walked away? It’s not against the conflict that divides the family? It’s not in the stress that drains us each day? Or the illness that brings on fear?

Not at all! “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Although this sounds intimidating, there’s no need to fear. With a dance of reassurance in our step, we move forward as we know the enemy and his schemes, we’re prepared, and we are aware. Thus, we go ahead and pick up our trophy.

Driving the vehicle of confidence when fighting against those forces of the dark world, God almighty and powerful, brings on the victory. As we battle against all the unseen evil forces, His power shields, protects and guards against the influences of fear, loneliness, worry and sorrow.

We then head to the finish line, winners, triumphant and victorious.

No matter what you’re facing, are you boldly declaring your victory?

Janet

Source: The three secrets of a real winner. | Janet Perez Eckles

Be sure to check out Janet’s Amazon author page.

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It’s Not About You

24 Feb

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

Louise Gibson

 

 

 

God loves you because of who God is.
not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
He can give you a peace this week
that surpasses all you ever knew.

 

Life does present its challenges-
of this we are all aware,
but the Lord is there throughout it all
to comfort in our despair.

 

Seeing past the pain of the present
is a recommended state of mind.
God lifts us up above our circumstances
and gives us “vision” of a special kind.

 

Are you going through a rough place?
Don’t give up in despair.
Look to Him who created you.
His presence is always there.

 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything
by prayer and supplication, with thanks-
giving, let your request be known unto God,
and the peace that passes all understanding
will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus,
our Lord.” Philippians 4:6

 

ocean-lighthouse

 

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Want to be successful? The secret is to know when to celebrate. 

18 Feb

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

 

(February 10, 2017)

Is he ever a type A personality! Driven, zealous, bold, and often forceful. I’m talking about Paul’s commitment to win souls for Christ.

Can’t help it, but often he moves me with his unwavering faith, and he wins my admiration for his endurance. But sometimes he baffles me with some statements he makes, like this one: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

He delights in weakness? In suffering? Boasting about our weakness is an insane contradiction to the world’s standards where we need to appear strong, in control, all together, and have our success shine before others.

Paul shouts the total opposite. But a little pondering brings logic to his thinking. Boasting in areas in which we’re weak brings us to our knees to recognize our vulnerability, our powerlessness, and our feeble ways. And voila! That’s when God’s power bursts through with His ability to do the impossible, level walls of opposition, and remove hurdles we never could on our own.

Celebrate with me; let’s dig out those weaknesses, insecurities, the I-don’t-measure-up feelings, and toss out the inhibitions they caused. And with Paul’s same boldness, wait in expectation for God’s power to be made perfect in them.

How quickly will you celebrate your weaknesses?

Janet

Source: Want to be successful? The secret is to know when to celebrate. | Janet Perez Eckles

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