Tag Archives: God

Waste of Brain Space

25 Jan

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I awoke this morning feeling unsettled in my spirit. Last evening as I prepared for bed I felt prompted to boot up my computer and write something, but I had no idea what or why, and booting up the computer once I am done for the day is not a pleasant thought, so I didn’t.

Of course, this morning my mind began running through all the scenarios of what might happen today because I chose to ignore the prompting. Let me tell you when it comes to possible negative outcomes, I think my brain could challenge the newest AI bot.

In my life, I have wasted so much brain space and energy thinking about life’s “what ifs.”

My thoughts zipped from, was I supposed to write something, to share something, to read something then on to are my children ok and a lot more. All of this before I made it past the end of my bed.

Then I realized what I was doing and sharply commanded my brain to stop, just stop now. Every fear I felt was created in my mind. “What is going on with me?” I asked myself.

Then I remembered I had forgotten one of my life’s biggest lessons. But God.

I don’t think I would have emotionally survived a serious family conflict without taking every fearful thought and turning it into hope.

“What if they never speak to me again?” And I would in my heart respond, “but God, I trust that if they don’t ever speak to me, you will heal my heart.”

I am not sure why the fearful thoughts captured me this morning but I am so thankful I didn’t have to remain mentally captive.

I'm a winner

After 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’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2024 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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You Are My Heart’s Desire

22 Jan

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Dear Jesus, 

You alone are my heart’s desire, my chief delight, my soul’s

Glory, joy, and crown. Every advantage life offers is rubbish compared to the overwhelming gain of knowing you. You are worthy, Lord—worthy to be thanked, praised, worshipped, and adored.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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No Limitations

15 Jan

My Take

DiVoran Lites

God has no limitations. 

We have no limitations except ignorance, unbelief,

And flesh. Learn to renew your mind with God’s spirit truth 

concerning favor with God and man. 

God favors me today. God honors me today; I am a success today. I gave God’s special favor upon me today. He makes His face shine upon me today. He is gracious to me today. I am someone very special to the Lord. 

Favor, The Road to Success by Bob Buess

Photo Credit:Pixabay

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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The Wicked Slink Away

8 Jan

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Psalm 112:7-8;10

They will not live in fear or dread of what may come,

or their hearts are firm, every foe until they all go in defeat.

Never stingy and always generous to those in need,

Their lives of influence and honor will never be forgotten,

For they were full of good deeds,

But the wicked take one look at a life lived like this 

And they grit their teeth in anger, not understanding their bliss.

The wicked slink away speechless in the darkness that falls,

Where hope dies and all their dreams fade away to nothing,

Nothing at all!

Photo Credit:Pixabay

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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5 Ways You Can Have a Victorious New Year

6 Jan

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged 1/06/2024

A few days ago, I opened an email that read: FRAUD ALERT: There’s suspected fraudulent activity in your bank account.

Another spam, right? No. the email was real. The details included the correct amount and check number. Once I verified the amount deducted and realized there was no fraud, I breathed a sigh of relief that all was well.

But not so when a large amount of joy has been deducted from your life.

Then, you are indeed a victim of fraud. Satan is a liar and is at work. He’s a master in decreasing our confidence, withdrawing our peace, and putting us in the red of fear. And be aware, His lies increase with each year that passes by.

While the world begins another year with more tension, he points out the sorry situation you’re in or the lack of joy because of the adversity that continues into the new year.

He’s quick to point out the financial hardship and repeats you’ll not make it this new year either.

He reminds you of past setbacks, the failures, the regrets and the unexpected heartache.

He speaks of the gloom and doom in the world and the darkness of your own world.

But what Satan doesn’t count on is your bold declaration of God’s power at work in you. His truth that silences his lies, and His faithfulness to lift you above any setback.

5 Truths for You

In the stillness of night, should spiritual fraudulent activity destroy your peace or invade your security, tuck these declarations of God’s truth under the pillow of your heart.ds

  1. No attack can reach you because “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord“ (Isaiah 54:17).
  2. Fear may draw near, and the evil may whisper more lies, “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
  3. When the enemy of your soul speaks of your vulnerability and worry, remember “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
  4. If adversity makes you weak and feeling unprotected, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
  5. When feeling alone and anxious, God’s Word reassures you, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

God’s wisdom at work in us recognizes the lies. His truth dismantles them. His faithfulness exposes them. That’s why victory comes in the New Year riding in the power of God’s truth.

Let’s Pray

Father, no matter what fraudulent activity surrounds me, I shall carry your Word in my heart to guard me and my family.  I will stand strong and secure as I count on Your protection all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name.

How will you protect yourself against spiritual fraud?

Bonus article on today’s topic.

Janet

Celebrate with me! My new release, Now I See: How God’s Amazing Grace Transforms the Deepest Pain to Shining Joy won the 2023 Memoir of the Year Golden Scroll Award.

Your copy waits for you HERE.

Let’s Stay in Touch

You and I are only a click away. You can use this CONTACT FORM to leave your prayer request, make a comment, ask a question, or invite me to speak to your group. Or simply reply to this email.

I also invite you to visit my WEBSITE. You’ll find more inspirational blogs along with my story, books, and videos. You’ll also learn the passion and mission of JC Empowerment ministries.

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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Christmas is Coming-Part 5

31 Dec

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Well, Christmas is behind us, but the decorations are still up.  Fred likes to leave them up until January 6, or The Three Kings Day.  I don’t mind – it’s only one month each year, and we like the decorations.

Back to our living room/dining room…early on in our marriage, when we were poor, and I didn’t know how to decorate very well (not sure I do even now!), I went for “simple,” and would just lay or drape gold garlands across some of the furniture – like I’ve done here with our teak-wood sideboard:

and other places around the house, as will be shown in other pictures.

There is a “runner” on the sideboard above – we purchased that from a vendor in Rothenberg, Germany, on our Viking River Cruise in 2015.  She had a lovely little shop along the main street, and I liked this one.  We remember that shop and owner every Christmas when we put it out.

The next thing to see is our teak-wood dining room table.  I purchased the runners through the mail when we were living in Heidelberg, Germany in the early 1980’s.  They have held up nicely, and I use them every Christmas.  The pinecone wreath I purchased while we were living in Wiesbaden, and have used it ever since.  I really enjoy it.

This is how the room(s) look from the kitchen doorway:

In the short hallway between the living room/dining room and the kitchen is a short wall, where I hang a Disney Advent Calendar (regular calendar the rest of the year).

On the opposite wall, I hang these Christmas stockings (regularly baskets and greenery).

And now into the kitchen/family room/den area.

There is a short wall between the kitchen and the living room, where I hang this Santa figurine (usually German bells).

Opposite that wall, I have what I call a “green bakers rack.”   As you can see, I’ve added some gold garlands to each of the shelves.  The candle in the middle of the top shelf we purchased in Wiesbaden.  It has a topper that holds a wick that comes off and allows you to place a candle inside that can burn.

The middle shelf holds a figurine of the gate to Heidelberg, Germany.  Our daughter, Karen gave that to us many years ago, and we love it, since we lived in Heidelberg for three years.  There is a small electric bulb inside that I have kept lit all those years – and it has never burned out!

The lowest shelf holds a Lennox cathedral, given to us by my best friend quite a few years ago.  It also has a small electric bulb in it, but I only burn it during the evening hours.  The “angels” I purchased some time ago, and are “Hope” “Faith” and “Love.”

~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Merry Christmas

25 Dec

Bill, DiVoran, Janet, Judy, and Onisha

Isaiah 9:6

This child is our King. He is our wonderful counsellor when we are hurting or perplexed, He is truly our mighty God who fights for us and He is our everlasting, loving Father. He is not only the Prince of Peace, he is our peace. We hope that He is yours as well.

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Good News in the Midst of Fear and Loneliness

23 Dec

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged 12/23/23

Night after night while the smelly sheep slept, the worn-out shepherds watched over them. But this night something bizarre happened, frightening really—an angel showed up. The shepherds must have jumped up and wiped their eyes, making sure they weren’t seeing things as they shook with fear, “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:10-11).

All the people? That’s us. That good news is for us and the do not be afraid is a message for us today as well.

Jesus is the Good News

Good news:  evil may trample with force, but God has the victory.

Good news:  the valleys we walk through have an end.

Good news:  loneliness has hope as the companion.

Good news:  when relationships end in heartache, Jesus prepares a new beginning.

Good news:  because when devastating diagnosis leaves us numb, His healing has already begun.

Good news: because when fear and anxiety barge in, He’s wiping them out.

Good news: when depression strikes, His Word brings the sunshine back.

Good news: no matter the darkness, His light will shine through.

Good news: when things look hopeless, He’s working on something great.

Jesus, the Christ was born.

But His birth is just the beginning. He died so our punishment would die, too. But then He rose again, so we can join Him in the forever glory…and that’s super Good News!

I pray all of you, whom I love dearly, will enjoy a Christmas rich with the joy no one can take away, the peace that won’t end, and the hope that never wanes. Merry Christmas!

Bonus article on today’s topic.

Janet

Celebrate with me! My new release, Now I See: How God’s Amazing Grace Transforms the Deepest Pain to Shining Joy won the 2023 Memoir of the Year Golden Scroll Award. Your copy waits for you HERE.

Let’s Stay in Touch

You and I are only a click away. You can use this CONTACT FORM to leave your prayer request, make a comment, ask a question, or invite me to speak to your group. Or simply reply to this email.

I also invite you to visit my WEBSITE. You’ll find more inspirational blogs along with my story, books, and videos. You’ll also learn the passion and mission of JC Empowerment ministries.

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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Melodies of Praise

18 Dec

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Psalm 93

Melodies of praise will fill the air as every musical instrument

Joined with every heart overflows

With worship.

No wonder I’m so glad; I can’t keep it in 

Lord, Lord, I’m shouting with glee

What mighty miracles and your power at work, to name a few 

Depths of purpose and layers of meaning

Saturate everything you do.

Such amazing mysteries are found within every miracle.

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

 

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The Slowest Fastest Christmas

15 Dec

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Christmas is in ten days. Nine days if you count Christmas eve. It’s is coming on fast and I am moving slow.

Some years will celebrate Christmas in Florida and other years at our home in the North Carolina mountains. This year we will have a mountain Christmas. To jump start the season, our daughter who was visiting over Thanksgiving, prodded us to set up the Christmas tree and decorate it.

We have boxes of ornaments including the special ones from our children’s growing up years. As our daughter rummaged through the decorations I hesitated. While I would love a tree filled with memories, I didn’t think my energy level would be up to the effort required to later take down the tree. We settled on a one color tree.

Our daughter returned to Florida, and the tree stood lonely in the undecorated house.

When our daughter who decorates for every holiday and season told us she wasn’t going to put up any Christmas decorations this year since she was going to be with us, I knew I needed to get moving on the holiday cheer.

My moving started slow. I like to decorate our guest bathroom with the seasons.. I store seasonal flowers and small ornaments under the sink and a change of seasons is a five minute operation.

Photo Credit: Hobby Lobby

Next, I ventured to the attic and brought down a small,handmade, net Christmas tree and a matching indoor wreath made by the same crafter.They are a fairly recent addition to our Christmas decorations and they make me smile.

More time passed and I I began to feel twitching of Christmas past. I remembered I had tucked some Christmasy items into the drawer of an antique sideboard. It didn’t take much effort to take them out and place them along the sideboard.

The Christmas spirit in me was moving and it began to spread to my husband. We aren’t able to put up Christmas lights these days, but we do put out Christmas lasers. My husband surprised me by setting them up in the yard. Then I put a big red bow on the artificial topiary on the porch.

The stair bannisters leading to the attic began nagging me to dress them for Christmas as well, followed by the front step bannister. Greenery was abounding.

And finally, I dug into the closet where seasonal tablecloths, chargers and place mats are stored. I chose a cloth with a poinsettia pattern. It looks very nice and Christmasy. I think I am finished decorating. It was a slow process, but I think we enjoyed it more that way than rushing through it.

Now it’s on to baking and making Christmas treats. This year I am corralling my husband to help with the candy making. Christmas is coming fast and we are moving slow-but we are still moving!

I'm a winner

After 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’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2023 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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