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Cosmetic surgery? How to become the new you

2 Apr

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet Eckles Perez

03-25-16 cosmetic surgery

 

I just heard that Costa Rica is the place to go for a make-over of the body. You know those muffin tops? They can be gone now. Or if you want a little tuck here, a little fat removed from here, some added there. The whole body can be transformed.

“And the price is incredibly reasonable. You can come back a new woman,” my friend said. I’m having all kinds of extra stuff removed even getting these ugly age spots off my hands.”

“Not me,” I said, “I had all that done years ago.”

The transformation was complete. Los of changes and enhancements took place. And I got a great deal. It costs me nothing. Well, change that…it cost my pride.

I undressed my heart and left my pride at the door. Then I lay down on the table of humility. That’s where I underwent a soul transformation. When Jesus came into my life, He became Lord of my imperfections.

He removed pounds of insecurities. He carved out fear, the kind that made me think I wouldn’t make it through the trials. He pulled out unsightly lies, misconceptions, and negative thoughts from my mind.

I came out a renewed woman—new thoughts, new attitude, new approach to life. And He even removed those spots of gloom that formed when I faced adversity.

All was gone. And great news, His invitation is directed to all of us. He plans to perform soul surgery because He has a purpose. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

We can’t know His will unless we let Him renew us. We can’t relish in His glory if we do not endure the change. In addition, we cannot expect glory unless we’re willing to have Him perform the transformation on the operating table of His love.

What needs a little improvement in your life these days?

 

Visit Janet’s blog to learn more.  Cosmetic surgery? How to become the new you. | Janet Perez Eckles

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A Taxi to There

29 Mar

This touched my heart. It explains so well the journey into recovery from grief.

A Generous Helping

The sad man trudged alone in the dark of a miserable, gray night when a sudden shock of yellow caught his eye.

“Taxi!” he yelled with his hand raised.

The right tire of the cab sloshed into a puddle just before reaching the curb splashing murky water all over its fare, adding insult to his already dank prospects.

“Where ya headed?” the cabby asked pleasantly after the man settled in his seat and shook off some of the dampness of the road.

“There,” he said resolutely. “Just away from here.”

“Well, I can drive anywhere or nowhere,” the cabby reasoned. “But it would help to have a destination.”

The man looked into the small mirror, locking eyes with his driver. “I don’t care, really. I just have to leave this place.”

“Okay then. I’ll shut-up and drive.”

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Improvise

11 Mar

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

Louise Gibson

 

“Nothing on earth can stop the man with the right mental attitude
from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with
the wrong mental attitude.”
Thomas Jefferson, Third President of the United States

 

“Ageless Body, Timeless Mind”
Deepak Chopra

 

Think happy – be happy
Our thoughts affect our chemistry

elegant lines

 

Positive Mind, Healthy Heart

Two nuns were on their way to the hospital where they worked when their car ran out of gas. They walked to he nearest service station, which didn’t have gas cans. Then one of the nuns remembered they had a bedpan in the trunk. They filled it at the gas station and carried it carefully back to the car. As they were pouring the gas from the bedpan into the car two men happened by in a truck. Staring in disbelief, one said to the other, “Now that’s what I call faith”. And were they surprised when those two nuns
passed them on the freeway. : – )

 

Lesson:  You need to locate the ability that lies within you to respond
creatively.  Be flexible.  When things don’t go your way, improvise.
Happy Sam from Flickr via Wylio

© 2013 Ryan Hyde, Flickr | CC-BY-SA | via Wylio

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Four things you must do when facing a plate full of issues.

5 Mar

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet Eckles Perez

4

Recently, someone asked me the same question many have before:

When you lose one sense, like in your case, your eyesight, is it true that other senses develop and sharpen?”

“Sure is,” I said, “in my case it’s my sense of humor.”

I looked toward the mirror; I never have a bad hair day. And when you can’t see, eating can be fun, too. With a plate full of food before me, every bit is a surprise and meals end up being an adventure.

But it’s quite different when life presents a plate full of difficult issues. We look closely at all of them, and before we know it, we get a bad case of emotional indigestion. Here is how to avoid it:

  1. Use each challenge as a channel to taste God’s grace.
  2. Use every disappointment, heartache and even tragedy as an opportunity to savor the sweetness of God’s comfort.
  3. Use each moment of joy, triumph and success is a chance to delight in His provision.
  4. Use each setback as an opportunity to sit back and wait in expectation.

If you’re in that place right now–facing tough, painful issues, I invite you to close your eyes. Let your soul savor God’s promises. His promises that say He is at work in that situation. He’s about to bring the solution. And until He does, he’s holding you ever, ever so close. “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119: 103)

Source: Four things you must do when facing a plate full of issues. | Janet Perez Eckles

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New “Florida Backroads” Promotional Video – 02-29-16

1 Mar

Our family friend, Mike Thomas is a great photographer who loves the beauty of Florida.

Florida Backroads

MT-GrnScr-FLABackroads1Hey Folks!

Just an FYI – I just competed producing a new promotional video for the Florida Backroads project. It’s more geared towards this who would like to have me come in and do one of my multimedia shows coupled with a fine art photography exhibit of my stuff. Either way, enjoy!

Peace – Mike T.

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Five reassuring truths to conquer stress. | Janet Perez Eckles

30 Jan

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet Eckles Perez

What were they thinking? The Israelites had God by their side. They had food shower from heaven. And they counted on God’s protection against those awful Egyptians. But as they shuffled through the desert, were they grateful? Not really. Check out how they react.

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)

Those last words from Moses should be enough to calm the heart and soothe the soul with reassurance. But it wasn’t for them. And, so sadly, often it’s not enough for us either.

So when we flee from the Egyptians of stress, uncertainty and anxiety, we can count on these five reassuring truths:

  1. We know God is aware of the battles we face and of the enemies of anxiety that chase us through the desert of life.
  2. We recognize those battles are beyond our human capability to conquer. They require a God-size warrior to defeat them.
  3. Acknowledge we’re not abandoned. But rather, God is powerfully present in our every encounter with adversity, of disappointment and of setbacks.
  4. We receive His invitation to win the battle for us. When we step aside and allow Him to do what only He can do, triumph is the next step.
  5. Rather than wring our hands, fret and worry, we engrave this in our heart: “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

For Janet’s closing comments visit her blog:  Five reassuring truths to conquer stress. | Janet Perez Eckles

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Reflections of the Heart: The Trade-Off

15 Jan

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

FEBRUARY 3, 2007

Pigeons are not on my list of favorite creatures-

They destroy my peace of mind.

The feeder in my yard was dwarfed by pigeons of every kind.

 

They came each day and flapped their wings

as they fought for a position.

The feedeer was too small, you see,

which affected their disposition.

 

My patio used to be a placeof quietness and contentment

Until the pigeons came in droves

and filled me with resentment.

 

“Lord”, I cried, “I need your help.

I cannot stand their spats.”

The Lord obliged, to my chagrin

and sent, instead, eight cats.

 

No squirrels, no birds, they fled in fear-

The cats, you see, do domineer.

Now you find no pigeons on Chipola.

God sent them all to Lake Eola!

 

HDR Skyline

Source: Reflections of the Heart: The Trade-Off

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Invisible GIfts

24 Dec

wreath02 skinny

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I'm a winner

I haven’t written a blog since Thanksgiving. Thankfully, I am blessed with amazing and faithful friends who have a blog ready every week. They even “blog ahead” when they are on vacation or know they have a busy time coming up.  Divoran, Bill, Louise, Janet and Judy, I appreciate and admire you more than you can imagine. You are  invisible gifts underneath my Christmas tree.

Yesterday, tornados slashed a path of destruction across the Southeast, leaving homes in ruin and lives were lost. I am adding safety and protection as an invisible gift under the tree.

ws_Green_Christmas_Tree_320x480
SAFETY
FAITHFUL
christmas-gifts-object-talk

At Christmas people say “it is not the gift, it is the thought behind it” or “It’s not the presents under the tree but the people around it.” For me it is the invisible gifts that last far longer than the newest tech gadget (although I love new tech) or a piece of shiny jewelry, that stays with me. I treasure growing up in a family that loved the Savior. My parents are a precious invisible gift.Mom-and-Dad-copyI could ramble on and list more gifts, but it is Christmas Eve and I would rather here from you. When you think of invisible gifts, what are you thankful for.

PS: Our sweet poet, Louise Gibson is not doing well. We would appreciate prayers for her and her family as they care for her.

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The best recipe for Thanksgiving dinner. | Janet Perez Eckles

24 Nov

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

 

My friend stopped by the other day and rumbled in her purse. “You have to see the pictures I took during our trip,” she said. I smiled. “Oops,” she added, “I always forget you…well…that you can’t see.”

“I forget myself,” I said with a chuckle. (I like folks with a sense of humor.) For me, having no sight is a way of life…actually a wonderfully blessed life. My days sweep by with gratitude, so much thankfulness. And for that reason I thought I’d share my unique recipe for this Thanks giving dinner. I don’t mind if you copy it and serve it to your loved ones.

  • Gather the ingredients stored in the cabinet of God’s Word.
  • Stir together large portions of His promises, spoonful’s of His direction, and dashes of His admonitions.
  • Place in large bowl several cups of commitment to read His Word.
  • Add generous amounts of faith to cover all traces of doubt.
  • Blend together, adding sprinkles of laughter, of enjoyment, fun, and unexpected surprises.
  • Bake in the oven of your heart till triumph is golden brown.

 

With songs of thanksgiving playing in the background, present it to the guests who come into your life. And unlike the rest of the world, instead of entering the doors to stress, gloom or anxiety for the days to come, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4).

Why? “For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:5).

It’s your turn, can you share some things you’ll be giving thanks for this year? Would love, love to read them. You can send them to me via comment. Did you know most of my writings are drawn from my bestselling book, Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta? Did you get your own copy yet? It’s available HERE.

Be sure to read the rest of the story:  The best recipe for Thanksgiving dinner. | Janet Perez Eckles

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Sometimes it hurts. | Janet Perez Eckles

21 Nov

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet Eckles Perez

 

 

Some time ago a friend and I traveled together. The airport where we landed was small. Actually, everything in it was small. With her caring nature, my friend made sure she guided me through all doorways, hallways, and elevators – being careful to avoid obstacles in my path. But when entering elevators with our bags and suitcases on wheels, and with me holding on her arm, the squeeze was tricky, awkward and cumbersome. I came home with some scratches on my elbow.

But know what? I’m familiar with narrow pathways—the ones we encounter in life. Sometimes it hurts as we try to squeeze through, and we doubt we’ll make it. And others as we try to force our way, leave scratches of discouragement in our heart.

You might be going through ones yourself as you read this. We all do. We try to get through the narrow stretches of discouragement, loneliness, of chronic illness, of unresolved conflict, and painful, unforeseen circumstances.

And though unpleasant, we keep going, traveling through the airports of life hoping we eventually see the wide doorway leading to the answer, the healing, the break we hope for or the solution we seek.

That’s why God’s reminder turns hope to encouragement. Opens the wide door of trust. And makes the entrance easy and simple. The sign above the doorway says: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Source: Sometimes it hurts. | Janet Perez Eckles

 

In the News

A wonderfully crazy thing is happening in a few days. A camera crew from the Telemundo Network will be visiting my home to film a feature of me cooking and serving a Thanksgiving meal to my family. There will be 12 of us for dinner. And I’ll be busy in the kitchen preparing my homemade, healthy dishes like Quinoa casserole. All done before the cameras. Gulp.

“We want to show how much you’re able to accomplish even when you don’t have sight,” the reporter said.

In the next issue, I’ll let you know how it went.

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