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Five Keys to Make This New Year Happy

28 Dec

“We play games every night,” my friend said. “We’re miles apart but we spend time enjoying a game online. It’s great fun.” Imagine that. Sharing time online, playing, enjoying and connecting with loved ones without having to hop in an airplane.

“How cool is that!” I said. “It’s like being close to the person, interacting and enjoying the cyberspace company.” I pondered on what my friend shared. And since I have the habit of trying out what I hear is fun, interesting or enjoyable, I decided to check out this new pass-time.

Sadly, I lack the time to play games. So I thought I’d try my own version of online connection. I’d connect with God, with His Word and with His guidance on a more intimate level.

Here are five ways I plan to connect with Him in the cyberspace of His love.

1. When He makes the first move to open the door to serve Him, I respond with no reservations.

2. When He moves a tough situation my way, I respond by seeing the possibilities, not the obstacles.

3. When He makes the move to bless me, I’m quick to move into the gratitude mode.

4. When He seems silent and makes no move to answer my prayer, I respond with gratitude anyway.

5. When He moves, displaying His discipline, I respond with requests for wisdom to learn.

Maybe I’ll begin that game before the New Year. I’ll make the first move: “…Cast my cares on the LORD…” and He will respond with His promise: “He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall” (Psalm 55:22).

Father, for this New Year, I plan the online connection with you to be rich, my efforts to be rewarding and my satisfaction, profound. In Jesus’ name, amen.

• With whom are you connecting lately?

• Who brings the satisfaction that fills your soul?

• What new connections will this New Year bring?

Legacy

Janet Perez Eckles,

Grateful for the privilege of inspiring you…

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Does Everyone Go to Heaven

21 Dec

Does everyone go to heaven?

On my recent trip to the West Coast, I held on to the escort’s arm that dashed me through the crowds in the Los Angeles airport. No time to waste–only half an hour between flights.

We stepped outside. “We’ll wait for the shuttle here,” he said.

Gulp. Did he say “wait?” We can’t. I’ll miss my connecting flight for sure.

The shuttle finally came, and I boarded. When it stopped I jumped to my feet, hoping there would be someone to guide me to the gate.

I twirled the tip of my white cane between my fingers. Nervous? A tad. The clock was ticking. Finally an agent took my arm, “ready Mrs. Eckles? I’ll take you to the gate.”

He didn’t take me. We practically flew through the groups of passengers and luggage.
“We’re here. This is your gate,” he said.
While trying to catch my breath, the PA system announced, “Ms. Janet Eckles…paging Janet Eckles.”

“That’s me,” I called out.

To my relief, they had prepared an assigned seat and had my name on the list to pre-board. Woo hoo! They were prepared for me.

I boarded the plane, and as I settled in my seat a thought darted in my head. The same scenario will play when I arrive to take the flight that will take me to eternity. Jesus bought the ticket with His life and I count on the guarantee He has a place ready for me.

For that reason, this Christmas will shine brighter with the reassurance that no matter what happens in this life, He’s prepared the place. No matter how deep the pain, He has a promise waiting at the other end of this life. And no matter how long the wait, His love keeps the door open for us to come in.

And until that time, we can face tough moments on earth, but Jesus calls us to face this truth: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” John 14:1

Father, how this life changes, knowing you have prepared that place for me. Hope shines brighter, joy flows easier, and peace bathes our days more frequently. In Jesus’ name I thank you. Amen.

–What has you rushed these days?
–Do you know your destination when your days end on this earth?
–Where are your steps leading you today?

Legacy

 

 

 

 

 

Janet Perez Eckles,

Grateful for the privilege of inspiring you…

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Relishing on the Journey

7 Dec

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

“Mom, please, please, can I have that for Christmas?”

Christmas used to be seasoned with pleas from our kids to get them that one more toy. We weren’t perfect parents; we gave in sometimes. But why wouldn’t we? Just like our kids, we’d fallen for the popular competitive race. It used to be called “Keeping up with the Joneses,” but now the Jones family is bankrupt. You’d think we would have learned, but no. I would put on my running shoes, slip on my headband, and put on my T-shirt that read, “Heading to Win – I’m on a Mission,” and dash off to the finish line. Anxious voices cheered me on: “Get the best, gather more, and grab every opportunity!” That included indulging our sons so they too would be a tinge above the competition. Finally, with wobbly knees, I reached that elusive finish line. But to my disappointment, rather than contentment, another finish line awaited. There was ALWAYS another finish line to reach.

Competition often throws us into the compare snare. And caught in its web, contentment is as elusive as snowflakes in Orlando. Way back in 1927 poet Max Ehrmann wrote, “If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter.” Now, years later and with a bit of wisdom flickering in me, I broke loose from that snare. By replacing competition with contentment, stress is greatly reduced. I learned this from a pretty great guy. He found contentment in ways foreign to most of us. He’d been in prison, beaten, insulted, and even left for dead, yet, he found real contentment. How did he do it? Paul is his name and he wrote a letter revealing his secret. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13) The “Christ” in Christmas is what gives us the strength to change competition to contentment. So, while sipping on a cup of hot apple cider, I’ll ponder on this truth: Contentment ushers in, not when reaching goals, but when receiving His grace to relish on the journey.

For nuggets of inspiration, visit Janet at: www.janetperezeckles.com
Legacy
Janet Perez Eckles,
Grateful for the privilege of inspiring you…
Inspirational video  just for you.

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How Can I Celebrate Thanksgiving

23 Nov

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

“Quick, Honey,” I said, “get your shoes in the closet, and make sure the remote controls aren’t all over the place.”

The videographer from a local TV network affiliate was about to arrive. And the clips were to be used as part of my intro as I keynoted an event. So I dashed around to and fro making sure the house was pretty tidy.

Crazy isn’t it? Why don’t I worry about taking a moment to take a deep breath and say thank you—thank you, Lord for the opportunity, for the exposure, for the way you guide the ministry. And how about worrying about cleaning my heart, my attitude, my habits and complaining tendencies instead?

That should be my priority as God doesn’t need a video camera. He’s already there sitting on the sofa of my heart. He’s observing where I put my faith. Where I tucked my trust. And how much joy I stored in this life of mine. I made a decision—to truly celebrate thanksgiving by making sure my heart is clean and adorned with gratitude…

 “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him (II Chronicles 16:9).

 Father, even though my life isn’t perfect, my flaws are evident, my weaknesses real, help me to have a heart that is lined with genuine appreciation for what you granted me and a heart that is perfectly clean for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

• What are you grateful for today?

• What will you do to make the needed change in your attitude?

• What will you do to show gratitude?

Legacy

Janet Perez Eckles,

Grateful for the privilege of inspiring you…

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What Is Your Legacy

16 Nov

“Do you remember how Joe would make us laugh with his silly comments?” I said to my sons at the dinner table the other day. They affirmed. And we all laughed remembering his wit, his unique insights and his gusto for life.

As I relish on my son Joe’s sweet memories, I reflected on the memories I, myself would leave behind. How about you? Do you ever wonder what will people remember you by? What will your children’s children talk about when your name comes up? Will they know what you wanted them to know?

In good times and bad, we’re subtly creating a legacy, weaving memories and painting strokes on the portrait our family will hold in their hearts. The portrait will display the life we lived, the values we held, the dreams we made come true, and the answers to these questions:

  • did we choose to see life beyond circumstances, or did circumstances see us to despair?
  • did we face challenges with determination, or did we allow them to determine our destiny?
  • did we look for tomorrow with passion, or did momentary trials rob the passion for today?
  • did we reach out to others to encourage them, or did our own discouragement reach out to hold us back?
  • did we live life rich with God’s reassurance, or did we look to insure our own way?
  • did fear steal our joy, or did God’s joy erase all fear?
  • did we do things for our own interest, or did we first take interest in God’s ways?
  • did we follow our plans, or did we first plan to follow God’s path.
  • did we fret over petty things, or find the power of God’s precepts?

No matter what the answer, “…from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him and his righteousness with their children’s children-with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts” (Psalm 103:17-18).

Father, 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.

• What memories will you leave behind?

• What do you want to be remembered by?

• What would you change if you knew tomorrow was your last day on earth?

Janet

Legacy

Janet Perez Eckles,

Grateful for the privilege of inspiring you…

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Secrets to Find Freedom from Burdens

9 Nov

“Did you read that?” my friend said. “What an idiot…”

Harsh words, I thought, but part of me agreed with her.

A man was fishing in the ocean somewhere. He cast his line and hours later, he got a tug. But it must have been a fat, papa fish because the struggle got fierce. The fisherman gripped the line with all his might. The struggle grew more intense. And what’s to be expected happened—the fish won. One strong yank pulled the man right out of the boat and he splashed into the ocean.

Not funny, not really. You and I have done the same thing. We ask, pray and believe that God will take care of our concerns and all the ugly stuff that happens. But when we do, in our heart, we’re still gripping on so tight. And before we know it, we’re about to be pulled off from the boat of peace into the ocean of turmoil.

Here are three secrets to let go our burdens today so tonight, sleep can come back.

  1.  Choose to whom you will cast that pain, that disappointment and fear. If the Lord is the first choice, the solution has already begun.
  2.  Believe that He, the God of the universe, powerful and mighty can sustain us, carry us and provide what we need for the journey.
  3.  Change your grip—instead of holding on to your burden, hold on tight to God’s promise and to the belief that He wants to set us free And trusting that no matter how dark it gets, how much the pain sears and how deep the fear burns, He will never, never let us fall.

God said so: “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Psalm 55:22).

Father, I confess the burdens that trouble my heart still have my fingerprints on them. I vow to let them go, to release them, and be set free from the. Grant me the wisdom to remember the battle is yours and you already proclaimed victory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
• What are you holding on to right now?
• Where do you go first when troubles come through?
• What will it take for you to be set free?

Freedoom

Janet Perez Eckles,

Grateful for the privilege of inspiring you…

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Seven Ways to Live With Confidence When Facing Spiritual Terrorists.

27 Oct

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Peraz Eckles

“Nana, she told me it was flab,” my 4-year-old granddaughter said.

Flab? Who could’ve put that word in this child’s vocabulary? I asked and verified. Her great grandmother had informed her of this term.

She had lifted her wrinkled arm in the air. With the other hand, she jiggled her hanging flesh. “See?” she said, “that’s called flab.”

Goodness, that generation has bold honesty. No vanity or masks. They call it what it is.

So does God. He is honest. He doesn’t mask anything and is bold when it comes to unsightly wickedness. Even the sound of the word “wicked” jars me a bit. But the Lord is not known for his pretense or ambiguity, rather… “The LORD is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:16-18).

“Wickedness” is alive, attacks are fierce, and terrorism is in action. But those who follow Christ can smile with reassurance, walk with trust and live with hope. Here are six reasons why:

1. God’s protection is certain: “Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.”

2. His protection is near: “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge…”

3. His ways will be your shelter: “His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

4. He will remove all fear: “He will not fear the terror of night, or the arrow that flies by day…”

5. His protection is constant: “…nor the pestilence that stalks in neither the darkness nor the plague that destroys at midday.”

6. All may be attacked, but you’re protected: “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.”

7. He’ll set you apart: “You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked (Psalm 91:3-8).

Father, how can I doubt the clarity of your ways? Hesitate in believing your justice. Or wonder about your love for those whom you protect. In this world that turns more violent each day, I turn to you for you are my shield and my refuge. In Jesus name I thank you. Amen.

• What attacks have you faced lately?

• Who is your protector?

• How well do you sleep at night knowing the Lord is guarding your soul?

Terror

Janet Perez Eckles

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Two Sure Steps to go to Heaven

19 Oct

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

We took pictures, from every angle. Our granddaughter was the flower girl at my brother’s wedding. So our camera was smoking from those umpteen pictures we took of our princess. We planned to send them to the world.

But all that planning fell apart. On the way home the camera slipped of the console between the seats, right into a large cup of water.

We lifted the dripping camera. There went our pictures. There went our hopes of those priceless images.

To diffuse the tense moment, I gave a silly grin at hubby. “Maybe this is an underwater camera, and we just didn’t know it?”

“Wishful thinking,” he said.

That’s me—the wishful thinker. I used to wish about lots of things. In fact, I wished my way would be the one that would bring me to heaven: By being good. By praying. By staying out of trouble. Through my religion. Or wishing God would be good enough to swing open heaven’s doors and unable to resist my pitiful look, He’d say, “C’mon on, silly chica.” I wished that.

Then some powerful truths evaporated my wishful, wrong thinking. God’s truth—the spiritual GPS programmed my destination: heaven.

The map showed two turns outlined in chapter 10 of Romans:

1. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’

2. And believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Father, how awesome of you to make it so simple to be saved from hell and enter heaven. I confess there was a time when I doubted the path would be as simple. But now I know when I made the commitment to follow you, my heart was transformed. My life was changed. Joy was renewed. And hope for eternity turned to reality. I thank you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

• When you take your last breath, where will eternity find you?

• Were you like me, wrong about the way to be saved from eternal gloom?

• Is Jesus knocking at the door of your heart?

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Janet Eckles Perez

Janet Perez Eckles,

Grateful for the privilege of inspiring you…

My website in English

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Inspirational video just for you.

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Where is Papa?

12 Oct

“Where is Papa?” my sleepy 5-year old granddaughter said the moment she opened her eyes in the morning.

“Papa already left for work,” I said, grinning at her love for her Papa.

“I want to be with him…I just want a hug from him. I love him so much,” she said.

After the sweetness of the moment faded, a not-too-sweet reminder came to mind. What about me? Do I ask for my Father’s presence the first thing in the morning? Rather than my soul longing to be with God, in His presence and to seek His company, my thoughts often turn elsewhere. How different it would be if I did wake up each morning with a yearning to be held by Him. To be reassured by Him. And to be guided by His grace.

God knows that weakness. He knows how we begin our day by letting worry nag. How we allow stress to creep up. And how we give in to restlessness. But because He also knows how deeply we want peace, security and victory at every stage, He gives His direct instruction: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Father, I confess that worries fill my head when I wake up. I have been a fool to seek you only when troubles com, when challenges show up or gloom threatens to step in. I ask that you give me wisdom to first choose my thoughts and fill them with you every morning. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • What fills your mind when you open your eyes in the morning?
  • What longing fills your heart?
  • What is the order of your priorities lately?
Papa

Janet Perez Eckles

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What Has Frightened You Today

28 Sep

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

He really, really grabbed a snake. This past Sunday I was relaxing on my lounge chair beside our swimming pool and dozing off. Suddenly I heard a gasp; a second later, a splash.

“I thought it was a rope that fell in,” my Dad said, who’s completely blind and with a voice a bit agitated. “I grabbed it, but it was a snake.”
A snake? He grabbed a snake? Gulp. Friends, how quickly do you think I jumped to my feet and ran for cover? Not so much because the snake was slithering around the pool, but because my Dad, unable to know where I was seated, could’ve tossed it my way! I dashed and slipped behind the fence. With something protecting me I felt safe—shaken but safe.Okay, no more gasping.
But, why was I so worked up? I’ve been there before. Life threw at me snakes of adversity. The venom went right through my heart with pain and sorrow.
Not a pretty place. You’re probably familiar with those unexpected problems, burdens, and confusing moments that slither right in. No warning. No clue. We’re relaxing in life, when least expected, we hear the splash of another disappointment—another glitch in life.
Maybe you’re there right now—overwhelmed with life and in the pool of anxiety. Or numb because of the bad news you just heard. Or the hopeless situation has emptied you of all the tears. And with the heat of sorrow, you’re too exhausted to run for cover.
Good news: when we’re attacked, helpless, on the verge of despair in this imperfect world, “The word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect” (Psalm 18:30-32).

Father, so often I feel attacked, in the midst of slithering enemies of confusion, worry and fear. Protect my days, shield my life and count me among those who put their hope in you. I will declare I am your child standing behind the fence of your grace. And while I wait for your answer, I shall rest secure and safe. In Jesus name, amen.

What has you frightened today?
• Who arms you with strength during tough times?
• Have God’s promises to keep you safe filtered deep into your soul?

Fear

Janet Perez Eckles,
Grateful for the privilege of inspiring you…
My website in English
En Español
My story (video)
Inspirational video just for you.

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