Day 1

All to often,  I experiencing circumstance and events like being in a storm at sea, kind of  like the disciples experience while Jesus slept, and feeling sick to my stomach and fearful. Mark 4:35-41.      I know that Jesus is with me but I’m still experiencing being tossed around emotionally.  

It is the response that should supersede reaction.  That’s what experience and maturity in Christ should bring.  Responding, not reacting. 

……

Day 2

Ok, seriously I “CAN DO THIS” !  I’m totally living in the moment. There is a squall coming. (I think that is a nautical  term for storm? So dumb that I need to use a term I’m totally unfamiliar with)    I see the signs.  I must keep focused on the destination. No, it’s not about the journey!  It is about the destination.  Without keeping our eyes on the destination we veer off course.  My destination is clear in my mind.  It’s eternity !  My life is but a vapor in eternity (Jame 4:14) so whatever God has planned for me and what ever he “allows” I “CAN DO THIS”!  After all it is my story.  A story where each chapter is another adventure.  Sometimes a chapter may seem  a little mondane and boring, but that’s ok. I need those respite times. This current chapter has the makings of a nail bitting cliff hanging…. WAIT a MINUTE! Nope, there will be no cliff hanging or nail bitting, because I serve a great and powerful God, who by the way is my Heavenly Father.  And scripturally if I ask for bread he will not give me a stone. (Matthew 7:9).  With HIM, all things are possible.( Matthew 19:26)  He will never leave me nor forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6) Yes, when the wind kicks up (and I see signs it will) and the waves start to roll, I WILL BE READY!  I’ll put on my armor (Ephesians 6:11-18)  and I’ll cling and SPEAK God’s promises and Hold on fearlessly, In FAITH!  Because He is with me on the boat.

When He is ready, He will calm the sea’s.  He is my Dramamine (RX) He is my everything.  He is all I need.

Ok, I’ve spoken and heard myself

Ciao

…….

Day 3

Key word or Phrase.  My experience tells me that there is tremendous power in a word or phrase. When repeated it brings strength and peace. How? Two reasons. One because it re-focuses your mind. Two, the word or phrase conjures up a belief or memory that you believe in and therefore it elicits comfort, peace and even strength. 

Recently my word has been “rollerskate”.  The word pulls out the memory of childhood freedom and an exhilarating pleasure as I glided down the sidewalks by my childhood home.  There is more to it than this imagery.  The scriptures say, Matthew 18:3 “Very I say unto you, unless ye become as a little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven”.  Yes, Our Faith!  Trusting God just as a little child trust their parent to take care of all their needs, and even some wants too.  

So, when the symptoms of anxiety or fear begin to well up within me (and trust me, sometimes we don’t even recognize the trigger that releases these emotions) I just say “ROLLERSKATE” like as if it’s a weapon to shoot down the negative feelings. Or, ok… like a magic wand to wave it away.  It works!

Prior to my coming up with my Key word “Rollerskate” The scripture came to me found while  in a desperate state of fear and anxiety, it was “ALL GOOD”.  Yes, the scripture Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.  

Oh my it was some moments of tears and rocking back and forth saying out loud… “ALL GOOD, ALL GOOD” and redirecting my mind to this scripture as fear wanted to overtake me as to what laid ahead. The thought behind the words was what ever happens I choose to believe it will be ALL GOOD for the Glory of God. A testimony to God’s healing, goodness, mercy and grace in our lives. 

Last night again, (and for the past few days)…. I  woke in the middle of the night.  Not sure if my dreaming prompted a portal for fear to enter into my mind but I woke with the sick feeling in my stomach and thoughts of events going sideways.  I fought it by saying “JOY”.  Yes, Joy which in Sunday school as a little girl was taught to stand for : Jesus, Others, You.   “JOY”, synonymous for Jesus, but in a beautiful prism of colorful lights.  You see, we fight a spiritual battle for our mind.  The devil wants to defeat us and our mind is where he attacks.  Yes, to rob us of our JOY. To pull us down to the pit of hopeless, helpless, thoughts. Ok, now “refocus” (a conscious thoughtful choice) and think, as I did,  about the fact that we serve a powerful God. The God of the Universe. A God who is a God of Love.  So much so that in order for us to have a relationship with him as like a child,  he sacrificed his own Son to pay the penalty for our sins.  All we have to do is accepted him as our Savior and we’ll live for eternity in His Presence of Love.  Oh my that is pure joy.  So with eternity in our hearts and mind, we should live and breath pure JOY.  Yes, a joyful rollerskating life. But Ahhhh we’re still living and breathing a fleshly life on earth, in  an unfair sinful world.  The sin of the world brought sickness, injury, sorrow and death that separates us from our loved ones.  But again… pull out the scripture: Romans 8:31 telling us we have the victory over death, sickness, trials, troubles.  We are more than conquerors because of Christ. 

So again, how do we face life’s unfair events?  With Christ.  With his promises, With Scripture, With Faith, With JOY.  There is a marvelous song “Center of my Joy” https://youtu.be/Mq6hprGOxpY

So as I face an upcoming event that leaves me at times breathless, when in my flesh I have thoughts of an outcome that can be “unfair”, I quickly “respond” by saying:  “ROLLERSKATE”  yes, my Heavenly Father has heard my cry and I trust He has a plan for GOOD.,  Yes,  “ALL GOOD”.  All things work together for our GOOD.  So  …be full of  “JOY” .  Yes, will not be robbed today of walking and singing a Joyful and  grateful song unto the Lord.  I am to be a witness (Influencer) to those around me.  I choose for those around me to see the strength, peace and JOY of the Lord that I choose to have rule my mind, heart and soul.  

Ok, time to go rollerskate!

Ciao

…………………

 So, I keep thinking about writing a book.  Haha… just an idea! However, I just realized I have a blog, so what I have to say can be written here.  Why not?  Maybe you ask me what is the book about? Thank you for asking…. The word “Influencer” keeps coming to my mind.  Recently I was told that many of the YouTube bloggers are called “influencers”.  Well, that makes sense.  I can see how someone can create a vlog that creates a sense of “I want that or I want to do that or I want to go there, I want to eat that, I want I want I want.  Isn’t that the culture today?  It is the “I want it and I want it now”. 

Ok, I have to show this…

https://giphy.com/gifs/willy-wonka-and-the-chocolate-factory-dont-care-veruca-salt-vO8F4fYQd39h6?utm_source=media-link&utm_medium=landing&utm_campaign=Media%20Links&utm_term=

It makes sense that there is an appetite for watching “others”  to see what they have and what they are doing.  The “others” become influencers.

This brings me back to a counseling session I had long ago (yes, I’m able to share that I have seen counselors).  Disclosure: I had stated that I almost never stop in the lady’s restroom to look at myself in the mirror. I mean to see check my make up make sure there isn’t spinach in my teeth, ya know.  The counselor had a curious look on her face.  I explained it seems so conceited to do so.  The counselor was eager to share that taking care of oneself and our appearance is important. Because we are influencers.  Yes, she said that.  We represent to others “who we are”. Who am I?  I am a child of the living God.  I am to be Christlike and be a witness of the one who created me.  So, again… how someone see’s me and my life is NOT about ME but what I represent.  

Back to why in the past year I’ve given a lot of thought since hearing about  Vloggers being influencers. Yes, to my family and friends I am actually an influencer.  In fact you are too, even if ya don’t know it.

Ok, I think I may start blogging  a book.  

Salute! 

 It’s been quite a while since I last blogged. Just thinking about…

Have you ever asked the question “Who am I”? Or maybe “what is life all about”?

Maybe you’ve ask “why me?”.  To all those question I would ask “where do have you look for the answer”? 

It’s really not so complicated. Yet I see and hear people belabor their search for “self awareness”.

Ok, so you want to explore your type of personality: Perfectionist, people pleasing, driven, withdrawn.. etc. 

Ok, let me get the the point in my head (frightening)

1. Know who you are

2. Know what your purpose is

3. Know what your passionate about

4. Know your gifts/talents

5. Know where you are going

Remember what I said early, it’s not the questions you ask it’s were do you look for the answers.

Since this is my Blog I’ll tell you what I believe.  The answer to ALL questions must be found in truth.

The only truth that has stood the test of time is the Bible.  There I said it.  It has stood the test of time.  ALL answers are found in God’s word. 

Who you are:  A child of the living God who created the heavens and the earth

Your purpose: To please and bring Glory to the God of the Universe

Your Passion: Passionate about Loving God, being obedient to his Word, being joyful and Loving to all

Your Gifts and Talents:  That you can explore  (I know my talent is not signing…)

Your Path: All roads you take should have the destination of eternity with God

Seriously, why make things so complicated and so “all about you”.  When you know where to find the answers, you’ll have life abundantly and free. No matter what your circumstances are and what life has thrown in your path.  

Just Thinking 

Plan Purpose Promises

A lovely friend of mine had her beloved husband suddenly taken from her.
In a text of encouragement to her I quoted Jeremiah  29:11
Her reply was “ I am waiting to hear His Plan”

My text reply :
Funny you ask that question?
It gave me pause to think about it.

“I think “ not knowing the full scope of his plan for our lives is about trusting him.
It’s like driving using Siri to give us direction. We didn’t put in the destinations and we just have to follow Siri directions when we’re told where to turn and went to turn.

Waiting on the Lord, reading his word, calling upon him to give  strength courage and the Will to keep  on goin is like  trusting Siri to give us directions when we don't know where we are going.

The question  of “why “never leaves our heart when we see our lives take a different direction.  Yet the comfort and confidence of knowing God‘s Purpose (when I don’t understand the plan) is to bring glory to his name, it is the essence of what keeps us living.

I can’t help but think if our "only" focus is on the end destination we will miss out on all the beautiful things out the window as we drive down the road.

Today I 🙏 pray you see the beauty 🌷 of  God‘s hand in the little things that’s around you.  And with hope in your heart you know that God has great things in store for you.  I pray each day HE fills the void in your heart ♥️ with His presence.

A big virtual hug to you
With love 💕 your sister in Christ


Day 3

Well, I'm proud of myself.

Baby Steps!  (Love "What about Bob" movie)

I wasn't kidding about setting realistic goals for exercise.

Do what you love or in my case "like" and start VERY VERY Slowly with "baby step" goals.

Yap,  3 minutes last night for exercise turned in to a whole 4 minutes.  LOL
The day was slipping away.  I had the usual energy for motivating myself to exercise.
But fortunately I have that silly looking bright orange board smack dab in the middle of the family room in full view  It is the  slimplyfitboard.com .  So, I got out of the reclined position I was in watching TV and said to myself.  "Self, do it while the dumb commercials are on"  Yes,  commercials are about 3-4 minutes.  Perfect!

As I thought this mindset does reinforced how NON-Painful it was to do a few minutes of exercise.  Ok, I got it. What is the benefit of twisting for 3 minutes?  It isn't the  physical exercise but the "mental" exercise of developing a habit of exercise.  I know how this works.... it's a mind game getting ourselves to exercise.

We are selfish by nature.  We only "want" to do what feels good.  Now, for most of us sitting and eating mindlessly while watching TV  is what feels good at the moment.  Then we become very sad when putting on our skinny jeans. Why because we "mentally beat ourselves up" over sitting and mindlessly eating while watching TV when we should be MOVING and getting some exercise.

So, starting out with "telling ourselves"  we can manage 3 minutes creates an empowerment that will evolve into "Hey, this isn't so bad, I can do more than 3 minutes".  Eventually the goal is to exercise  at least 30 minutes a day.  10 minutes warm up 10 minutes cardio blast and 10 minutes cool down.
Weight bearing for bones and cardio for overall health! I am well aware of the drill.

As I said, today I actually got on my elliptical machine!  Yap, turned on the church service I normally watch on the couch with a cup of coffee and instead  at a very low stress impact did a casual 10 minutes.
Yippee.... I am on my way to developing a consistent new habit for the next 30 days!

Collagen Shake in the morning
Some form of exercise every day!


Ciao... feeling strong... feeling brave and ready to Rejoice, Pray and Praise God for what He has done for me.