A New Year, A New Me, A New You!

What a wonderful time of year this is.  Just one more day and out with the old and in with the new.  Time to set goals for ourselves, and make positive changes.

So many new things to look forward to, perhaps one or all of the following - a new life; a new mind-set; a new job; a new car; a new house; a new friend; a new church-house and, more importantly, a new year.

Where will you be found when the new year comes in, and what will you be doing?  Hopefully, we'll all be found in a good place doing the right thing.  NOW is the time (this moment and space in time when you read this) to make up your mind to do and be better in 2012.

Keep balance in your life.   Cherish your family members and friends.  Give God a chance.  After all, He's given us so many chances.  End the old year like you know your blessed.  Begin the new year like you know your even more blessed.

Behold, I do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19/KJV)

May we all have a truly blessed and Happy New Year!

What is Melancholy, Why Do I Have It and What Can I Do About It?

Melancholy: ('melenkoli) n. 1. sadness, dejection, gloom


We are complex human beings with different personalities and attitudes.  We experience a lot of the same things in life - tragedy, loss, change, disappointment, financial stress, etc., but all these things affect all of us differently.  Take for instance the fact that when change happens in my husband and my life, he fully embraces it, while I (even though have learned to accept change) will become somewhat melancholy because of the change.  I just experienced three major changes in my life.  One I decided for myself, one was inevitable, and one I didn't see coming.  This threw me into a state of melancholy.  The way we deal with things in our lives as adults goes all the way back to how we were raised as children.  Now that we know what melancholy is and why I have it, let's talk about what I can do about it.  When I reflect on the fact that a dear, sweet woman, that I know, lost her husband of some 40+ years this Christmas season, my melancholy pales in comparison to hers.  Always remember, that as bad as you think things are for you there is always someone worst off.  I refuse to stay in a melancholy state.  I'm going to eat some ice cream; play some music; talk with a friend; watch a comedy; go for a walk; pray and thank God for another day; read something uplifting like this - The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give them rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10/NLT)  It is okay to experience melancholy, but don't stay there.  Fight for your right to live the free life that Jesus died to give us so many years ago.

"A Prayer of Faith"

A PRAYER OF FAITH

(To be Read Aloud Every Day)

Father, in Jesus’ name I thank you for Your loving kindness toward me and for Your Word which says in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  I believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead and that He is now sitting at the right hand of God.  I thank You, Lord, that I have been set free from the powers of darkness and translated into the kingdom of Your Son.  I am forgiven of all sin.  My past is behind me.  I am born again.  I am a new person.  I am set free from sin and from the effects of sin.  I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.  Lord, because You have forgiven me I forgive those who have trespassed against me, and from now on I’ll bless those that curse me and pray for those that would treat me unfairly.

Heavenly Father, I ask that You fill me up with the knowledge of Your Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.  I open up my heart to You, Lord, that I may know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven.  Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  The Word of God is truth and I proclaim that Your truth sets me free.  Lord, I accept your Word for instruction, doctrine, and correction in order that I may be perfected, and prepared for every good work.

Jesus, You are my Shepherd.  I thank You that You lead me beside still waters and that You make me lay down in green pastures.  In Your presence Lord is fullness of joy and at Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.  I believe Your word which says in Isaiah 48:17 that You’ll teach me to prosper in all that I do and that You’ll lead me in the way that I should go.

In the name of Jesus I take authority over the evil one that would try to kill, steal, and destroy my life.  Luke 10:10 says that I have authority over all the power of the enemy, and I demand that Satan take his hands off my life and my finances.  I bind you evil spirits and I break your power and I command you to leave my right now in Jesus’ name.  I resist the devil and he flees!

Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that You lead me out of all temptation and deliver me from all evil.  I thank You Lord that You are my refuge and that You have given Your angels charge over me to deliver me in time of trouble.  I praise Your name Lord, and thank You for the riches of Your grace.  Blessed be the Name of Jesus.  Amen.

God Is Always There!

                 Times are rough; the economy is failing, people who were making a great living not so long ago are unemployed and when they go seeking jobs, they hear "you're over-qualified for this or that position."  These same folks find themselves at the food bank, a place where they may have donated not so long ago.  Millions of foreclosures, lots of credit card debt and the bills keep on rolling in.  We lived beyond our means and were caught up in a freestyle system, a system designed for us to fail, not prosper.  I know, because I made the same mistakes.

                 So who do you depend on when these things start weighing down on you. You can only ask family and friends for so much help, because they have their own lives to contend with. Do you give up and throw in the towel. There has been a lot of that. Suicide and murders are at an all time high. Everyday, we hear several tragic stories of family ruin.  We respond with, "what is going on; what is happening; I don't understand; he seemed like a gentle person; they seem to be so happy?"  Murder, suicide and family ruin is at an all time high because we try to appear to be what we are not.  

                We need a power higher than Man to guide, direct, and protect us. God is always there to provide what you need. He can do what people cannot do for you! So trust in God; know that he is there for you in the darkest of times, even when it seems like there is no hope, no way out.

                "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us" (Psalms 62:8)

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Happy Birthday Jesus! It's your day, yet it feels like it's my birthday.  Maybe that's because we both have died a death, and been born again.  Thank you so much for sharing this occasion with me.  I wanted to get you something, but all I could think of was to let you know I love you and want to be more like you.  I hope this is sufficient even though I'm not sure it is, but I should know that it is.  After all, You've made it perfectly clear in Your Word that we need to be more like you.  One case in point: "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." (Philippians 2:5/NLT) It is also very clear, in Your Word, that you want us to love You and each other.  The most important commandments can be found in Matthew: 22: 36-40. 36: "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." (NLT)  Your Word always makes everything perfectly clear, Your Word is the truth and You are true to Your Word.  We just need to learn how to erase all doubt, and receive the Word and determine in our hearts and minds to trust You, Jesus, and be more like you and love everybody by living the Word of God each and every day.  We love You Jesus, and by evidence of this writing we are becoming more like you every day. Hallelujah!

Time for Change

Most people don't like change.  We like to hold onto the familiar and traditions.  Some familiarity and some traditions are good and worth holding onto, but some call for change.  If we are holding onto the familiar, but it's keeping us from growing (for example: friends who still act the same at age 40 as they did at age 20) then we definitely need change.  Perhaps modern time has out-grown tradition.  A house wife always cut off the ends of her roast before she placed it in the pan to go into the oven.  One day her husband saw her do this and inquired as to why she did this?  She replied: my mother did it and so did her mother, it's like a family tradition.  He asked why did your mother and her mother cut off the end of the roast before placing it in the pan?  She said she didn't know she just followed suit.  She said she would call her mother and ask.  She asked her mother and her mother asked her mother.  Come to find out that grandmother cut the ends of her roast off to place in the pan because back then there wasn't a big enough pan made to accommodate a large roast.  What are you still doing just because mama and them did it?  Change is good, it brings balance to our lives.  I use to hate change, but I had to  learn change the hard way, but it blessed me.  Now I embrace it.  Recognize when it is a time for change and make it.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; (Isaiah 43:19A)

The Power of Love

Love is a small, four letter word with big power.  We must determine in our minds and our hearts to love God and each other.

Isn't it interesting how at such a blessed time of year tensions run high and so does crime.  This is the time of year, if not any other, that we should, and must love more.  We need to pray on our knees and not prey on man kind.  

Have you ever seen people act their worst when a love one dies.  Some funerals have been turned out by tensions running high.  Sure people are upset about losing their love one, but that is not what the fighting is usually about.  When loved ones gather together on such an occasion they should be united, encouraging each other to stand the test of time, you know - loving on each other, but instead they are fighting over the dead persons money and belongings.

Love is a function and not a feeling.  Love is an action word.  We like to say it, but nine times out of ten our actions don't follow through.  Most people don't know what real love is.  Real love is not selfish and doesn't hurt.

God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, that who ever believed in Him should not die, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind  (Matt. 22:37).  Love your neighbor as you would love yourself (Matt. 22:39). These are the two great commandments!

When we learn to love based on the above scriptures, the Word of God, then we will love the right way.

Charity is an Act of Love

Charity is an act of love, which allows us to do something that is the total opposite of our basic and selfish natures. We did not progress or get to where we are in life without the assistance of others. At very young ages, we display selfish tendencies and attitudes. As children, we show a "that's mine mentality " when it comes to objects such as balls, toys, and candy. Parents and teachers are constantly trying to instruct us in the principle of sharing; however, we struggle with this and may even have tantrums, if someone takes or tries to take something from us. Again, we did not get here on our own. Parents, siblings, teachers and others have had an impact on the lives that we now live. The goals we have been able to reach have more authors than just us alone. Family members, friends and coaches have all imparted something into the make up of our lives. Once we come to this realization and allow our egos to deflate, we then have the opportunity to have our hearts softened and think about others, who are in need. We should challenge ourselves at every opportunity, for it is right to care about others and to do whatever we can for one another. Looking back on the roads that we've traveled throughout our lives should bring to our memories many, many people that were a part of the successes and failures we have experienced. Let's be thankful about these memories and be willing to do the same for others.

Christmas Day Once Again

I was inspired to write about my Christmas day after I read my husband's blog.

I don't feel like any of my memories of Christmas were selfish because I was very naive.  I thought Santa existed until the age of 12 years.  I had no expectations about what I was going to get.  I was grateful for whatever I got.  We lived a modest (some would say poor) life.  Aunt Mamie, our Godmother, raised us, me and my sisters.  Aunt Mamie loved the Lord, and all His people, and these are the principles she instilled in us.  So Christmas was a concentrated focus of what we did and had every day.  Of course there were things that happened only for, and on Christmas, but it was the simple things that impressed me.  Aunt Mamie made brown sugar cookies and brownies (we would each get our own tin container full of these homemade, delightful sweets).  The Christmas tree would be six feet tall, and the house was filled with cooked food and baked goods smells, family, fun, new gifts, and love.  That's what Christmas was to me as a child.

Christmas for me as an adult has lost it's magic, but it's okay because that is just the natural perspective.  I know now that Christmas is not about you or me, but it is about the greatest gift that can ever be given to any individual - JESUS!  The gift that keeps on giving.

Christmas Day

When I think back on the Christmas mornings of my childhood, I still remember the excitement that it brought me. I couldn't sleep the night before, Christmas Eve, because, let's face it, I wanted to open my presents. That is all that mattered to me, nothing else. Did I get what I wanted and if not, how good of a Christmas was it? Wow, how selfish is that? I didn't take into account how hard my parents had to work to provide all the basic neccessities of life or just to make Christmas an occassion at all. After all, I was a child and really didn't know better. After I became a parent and realized what all the responsibilities were, it made me want to say thank you to my parents and apologize for the selfishness of my youth.
            Well this same thing applies when we think of the fact that Christmas is the birth of Jesus, and what he would eventually do for us. He died for our sins! He provided for our basic neccessities, so don't be so selfish thinking about your presents that you can't take time out to thank him for all He has done! God Bless You

Christmas

Jesus is the reason for the season, but He is also the reason we live each and every day.