We go around seeking ways to find Peace, Joy, and Love just to name a few.  The Way is found in the ages of teaching, most all teachings BTW. Below I have listed some of the major faith websites with the teaching on Daily Living should you be so inclined to check them out. I personally, find these verses sum it up and when followed will create in you your heart’s desires.

Let me begin with these verses: Phil.1: verse 6 ” I am sure of this: that the One who began a good work among you will keep it growing until it is completed on the Day of the Messiah Yeshua.”  verse 9 “ this is my prayer: that your love may more and more overflow in fullness of knowledge and depth of discernment, ” verse 4  “Rejoice in union with the Lord always! I will say it again: rejoice! 5 Let everyone see how reasonable and gentle you are. The Lord is near! 6 Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. 7 Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua. 8 In conclusion, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy.”  Now just stop and meditate on these verses… now make a list of One day of your life, your choices, behavior, your thoughts…how much of the day fit within these verses.  Now List what things you need TO DO to make the Life changes you need to find your Peace, Joy, and Love… Smile  Maybe the sites below will provide more insight and wisdom to aid you as you make your To Do List.

96 Bible Verses about Life:   https://dailyverses.net/life

http://jewishonlinemuseum.org/daily-life-and-rituals

http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduwaymain1.asp

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/muslims/beliefs.html

Shalom!

Let me begin with HAPPY 4th of JULY!  I pray you are enjoying the day.

2nd Thank You to all those who have fought and continue to fight for the Independence of America…you know who you are and words cannot express my gratitude.

Now let’s talk a bit about independence: ” not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself: an independent thinker. 2. not subject to another’s authority or jurisdiction; autonomous; FREE. “

The definition of the word brings the question: Is today’s America Independent ?  How many are really even striving to maintain that Independence anymore? Or is it better said that there are independent Thinkers in America today that have fought and still fight in the Hope of our country remaining Independent and FREE: ” enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery: … existing under, characterized by, or possessing civil and political liberties that are, as a rule, constitutionally guaranteed by representative government: the free nations of the world. Now I ask to you think, is the world today adhering to the intentions and God given rights written in the Declaration of Independence?  Is that the direction our leaders are going now in 2017? Toward Independence and Freedom?  Freedom: “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint…the right to Choose”

Have you read the Declaration of Independence? If not, take time to read and really pay attention.  If there is any going back it should be to uphold what I have bolded in the Declaration of Independence. NOT Back to the Kingdom rules listed against the King of Britain in this document.. (which sound very familiar) We need to follow the Words and LOVE of Jesus which walks in agreement with ALL mankind are created equal. Love does allow Independence and should never Bind anyone in Chains, it does Not Judge, it does not force, nor leave anyone homeless and hungry. Love allows each of God’s creations to choose and pursue Life with all it has to offer.

Take a moment and Read the  Declaration of Independence.

In Congress, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL mankind are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.

To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. 

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Now that you have read these facts written about the King of Britian, who does it sound like? How many of these words apply to what’s going on in the world today? What are we the people allowing to take place? Which direction do you want America to go? 

Shalom

HELLO! The main purpose of this website is to bring light to the Daily Living guidance of The Word…The Way of Healthy Living Mind, Body, & Spirit. smile  As you see I have added a link to my doTERRA oils website and Yes Avon which both tie into my posts of tips for a healthy Mind, Body, Spirit. Today’s post provides a couple tasty healthy dishes utilizing ” Oils” which benefits your mind and body therefore, giving you a happier spirit.  The oils involved in these recipes are Olive Oil, Lime Oil, Wild Orange essential Oil, & Basil oil. (check out my doTERRA site to purchase your oils:  https://www.mydoterra.com/reneejones14/#/ ) The use of herbs and Oils goes back to the beginning of time proving ” Natural Eating” is something we can all benefit from. On that note, check these out these recipes this summer:

Citrus Beet Salad

4 medium size beets, cooked and cut into quarters — 1/2 cup micro greens (here’s a great site telling you all about Micro greens: http://www.freshorigins.com/ )  1 C. Cherry tomatoes – halved —  1/3 c. feta cheese — toss ingredients then make your dressing.

Dressing:   1/8 c Olive Oil — 1 tblsp. white balsamic vinegar — 1 tblsp. of honey — 2 drops Lime essential Oil — 2 drops Wild Orange essential Oil — salt and pepper to taste — whisk together the ingredients and pour over you salad.

Basil Lime Hummus:

2 drops Basil essential Oil — 2 drops Lime essential Oil — 1 tsp paprika — 1/2 tsp onion powder — 1/2 tsp black pepper — 2 15 oz cans of chickpeas — 2 cloves garlic — 1/4 c. tahini — 1 tsp sea salt — fresh juice of One leman — 1/2 c. olive oil — 1 tblsp. fresh basil for color

Directions:  Drain chickpeas in a strainer, reserving the liquid in a side bowl. Use a food processor or Magic Bullet to blend basil, garlic, tahini, chickpeas, seasoning, and essential Oils. Pour the juice of 1 lemon (no seeds) into mixture continue to blend. Pour in the Olive Oil and 1/4 of chickpea liquid until hummus reaches your desired paste like consistency.. Done….serve with pita slices or fresh veggies….ahhhhh refreshing and good for you too. smile

Some info on the essential oils used in these recipes: Lime Essential Oil: The oil works as a mood uplifter with its stimulating, invigorating aroma, providing a pick-me-up in the morning and evening. It can also be used in making soaps, perfumes, and detergents, Lime oil is also great blended in DIY household cleaners.

Wild Orange essential Oils:  Primarily it is a Powerful cleanser and purifying agent – commonly used for digestive and immune support, as well as skin health. It protects against seasonal and environmental threats as it is High in antioxidants, which are essential to overall health Uplifting to the mind and body.. For your disffuser & to tap on your skin: Wild Orange blends well with Cinnamon, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, and other citrus oils.

Basil Essential Oil:  The health benefits of basil essential oil include its ability to treat nausea, motion sickness, indigestion, constipation, respiratory problems, and diabetes. Basil oil is also a good source of Vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, iron, and calcium.

Just for interest I have added a couple of interesting websites sharing info on the Oils of the Bible and their benefits. http://drericz.com/12-healing-oils-of-the-bible/

11 Amazing Benefits of Basil Essential Oil

Living in a Mosquito State check out Skin So Soft Oils on my Avon site… Mosquitos don’t like this oil at all. https://www.avon.com/category/bath-body/skin-so-soft?rep=reneej

Well ya’ll that’s it for today… Enjoy and I pray you are having a Fun summer.

Shalom.

She ain’t what she used to be. Do you ever have days you feel like that should be your theme song?  I know I do. These days my next thought is something my Mom said as she aged, ” It’s no Fun getting old”.  After all, I am creeping up on 62 yrs. Thought #3: “Now you stop that line of thinking right now! 62 is not old.”  True I am not what I used to be, (and with that thought I say: Thank God! ) but, that is another conversation… in this post, I am talking energy. It is not really age driving the days I get up singing the Ole Gray Mare, 70% is due to the go, go, go darn near 24/7. It is the fact running hard has become the Culture of Society today. Like a bunch of rats running around and around the maze of Life. The other 30% being Me getting caught up in the rat race which results in my not taking the best care of ” Myself ”  And yes, I am tapping up this subject Again in my posts. LOL  Why? Because each week I am hearing consistently the same complaints  from Young & Old. Here are just a few:  ” Geez, I am exhausted, there are not enough hours in the day, I think I am getting sick, I can’t keep up with it all. ”  When I listen to how their days are so overloaded it is no wonder. Ya  know we were not designed to go, go 24 hrs a day/ 7 days a week – we are not machines…heck even the machines start kicking you out when overloaded. LOL . So, Stop! You may have to eliminate a thing or two but, When you do…you will find more Love, Joy, Peace, and that REST is one of the things that creates all of these. The family may resist at 1st but, if you play your cards right and choose Good things to do together for the day…you will find they too will benefit from a day of Loving Rest and FUN!

God Created us to have a Day of Rest. Genesis 2:2-3 ” By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. ”  Notice even God Rested after 6 days!  Did you know there are 33 top verses on REST : http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/rest-bible-verses/ .  We need to honor God’s Word and our temples on the Seventh Day and REST.  There is a lot of dispute of what is the Seventh day. I personally follow Saturday but, whatever your day of Rest is, the point is out of Seven days One should be for REST of Mind, Body, and renewing of your Spirit. It is a day for a Love relationship with God, Family, and Yourself. Leave work at work, remove yourself and your family from Running, running to and fro, allow your bodies to rejuvenate, renew your Spirit with the Word, have some FUN out in nature, paint, draw, take a drive, go to the pool, the lake, spend time at ocean, hiking in the mountains, do some quiet reading/meditating in the garden, play in the yard with the water hose…” shouting Gotcha! as you spray water on the kids”. You don’t have to load up a ton of stuff either just dress for the day and do things the simple way. Play games in the pool, at the lake, ocean..build sand castles, play marco polo, splash one another, and so on. At the end of the day, let Calgon take you away then go to bed early. These are just a few  venues of Fun & REST. DO Not spend the whole day cooking and running around waiting on others – where is the Rest in that? (unless you Love cooking that is)  Eat light, go out to eat, & if you do find rest in the kitchen; get the family involved and let them share time with you in the kitchen..you & your kids need Time together having FUN…just remember, don’t get stressed if they spill.. the kitchen is designed to wipe it up..show them how to clean up their mess in Fun ways..be silly while you clean. Throw on some music, dance, give hugs while you share the Day. RELAX .  

Is it your Mind having trouble getting to a place of Rest… Let go of the thoughts making you weary and Begin the Day in the Truths of the Word like Matthew 11: 28 -29 says, ” Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ”  Remember Proverbs 23: 7:  ” As A Man Thinketh in his/her heart so is she/he” If your mind is always on go, overload, the stressors of society that is where it will stay & it is what it will continue to create each and everyday.  AUGH ! I can testify when I take my day of Rest (& moments during the week), to allow my mind to think on good things, the blessings that Are there each day, to do little random acts of kindness, seek the ways of God in how to handle those very stressors I find my days grow brighter, I am renewed and new Life continues to grow and those stressors, they Chill! The key is: making all this a habit! 

Well I think I have more than made my point. Now I pray you have read this and if you are not already honoring One day a week as a day of Rest…start Now!  Let it begin with a new theme song like James Brown, ” I feel Good! like I new that I would now…”  Or in my opinion the best is: Pattie LaBelle’s “ I got a New Attitude”  (google ’em )

Shalom !

Morning All !  I want to ask, Do you have any addictions? Before you answer look at the definition of addiction:  “the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, person, or activity ”  Boy, doesn’t the definition cover a lot of areas; chocolate, exercise, work, sex, food, substances, cleaning, and the list can go on and on.   If everyone is honest most of us are an addict (to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively) in some form.  Now I ask again, Do you have any addictions?

Many who know me would tell you I am addicted to work. Personally, since I am down to one job I feel like I have kicked that habit. LOL  Yes, for 35 years I worked 2 sometimes 3 jobs…I would like to make the excuse it was to sustain myself and my children but, if I am honest that was only a portion of the reason. I do like working and I do like play too which means I have to work a little extra to have the funds to play. I learned from experience in my other life (teens to 20 yrs old) the way to kick a habit (addiction) is when you finally get to the point that it is a True Hearts Desire to Quit whatever. Then to drive it home so you don’t forget:  go Cold Turkey : (Quit in a sudden and abrupt manner). Funny idiom Cold Turkey: it stems from the American phrase “talk turkey” meaning “to speak bluntly with little preparation“.  Which is what I am doing today talkin’ turkey. smile Back in my other life I had drug addictions and a long list of other addictions stemming from that addiction. I got to that place of ” Wanting and Choosing to Quit”  Enough was enough and I had a baby coming… it was like my heart came to life again saying, ” Is the road you’re on one you want your child to travel”  Heck, I didn’t like the road I was on, I sure didn’t want my baby girl to take that route. So, with the aid of my BFF, Yeshua (Jesus) & her father who took care of me, I locked myself in the bedroom for 30 days and QUIT!  Lord have Mercy! That was an experience I will never forget and NEVER return too. Now here I am almost 62 years old and still Thanking God for bringing me thru and Out.  And now here I am realizing Cold Turkey is the route I need to take whether it is a Major or a Minor addiction,  which in my interpretation means bad habits. Like my addiction to too much TV, which I acquired when I dropped down to one job. LOL    When I get off work, I find myself going straight to my room to relax and indulge in TV programs.. when I actually need to practice what I preach; ” all things in moderation” and spend some time doing more exercise and in the Word of God. I have procrastinated in this far too long. Making excuses of I am tired after a long days work. And yes, I am tired sometimes but, most of the time really I am just addicted to my shows. Recently, once again, I heard that still small voice in my heart saying, “really, are TV programs your hearts desire?”  When put that way it really tapped me up, OMG NO!  This made me see I had made another Left in my journey and now need to go back to the Right.  I love the Lord and my hearts desire is to grow in The Way of His Word. I love Me and I have let the physical aspects of me get out of shape sitting & lying down all day. (I sit at a computer all day then lie around watching TV evenings)  My active time is mostly on the weekend.. “Not enough” and as I age I am seeing the Fruit of my actions.  Then my past popped in my head saying, ” You know what you need to do”.  Once again, Go Cold Turkey for 40 days and cut that TV time down to 2 hours a night (or less) & get back to your Habits (not addictions) that will uplift My Mind, Body, and Spirit…top of the list, getting back into spending quality time with the family of God in His Word and 30 mins a day in some form of exercise!

My challenge this post:  Look within..what is your addiction? What are you hooked on that is not to your benefit and maybe even you don’t even really enjoy? Once you see it won’t you join me in the 40 day Cold Turkey challenge… it will be a challenge but, I can testify in the end it is so worth it and Know this:  You can Call on Jesus, seek His route on the journey and He will carry you thru!

Shalom!

There are all sorts of reasons to Fast. Physical, Spiritual Cleaning, prior to a procedure, and I am sure there are others. 5/26/17 Ramadan began. This is a spiritual time in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (Sawm) to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. In addition to the fasting the Quran is read from beginning to end. I have done this fast both reading the Quran and reading the Bible from beginning to end. It is a very enlightening and renewing experience. Just about all faiths practice some form of fasting. This site gives a list of many faith fasting practices:  http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2001/02/Fasting-Chart.aspx   And here is another great website with Much info on Biblical fasting. http://www.allaboutprayer.org/prayer-and-fasting.htm  As this site states: Except in The Old Testament specifically required prayer and fasting for only one occasion, which was the Day of Atonement. Nowhere else does the Word of God “command ” believers to spend time in prayer and fasting. However, throughout The Word prayer and fasting is definitely indicated as something we should be doing. Far too often, though, the focus of prayer and fasting is on abstaining from food. Instead, the purpose of Biblical fasting should be to take our eyes off the things of this world and focus our thoughts on God. Fasting should always be limited to a set time because not eating for extended periods can be damaging to the body. Fasting is not a method of punishing our bodies and it is not be used as a “dieting method” either. We are not to spend time in prayer and fasting in order to lose weight, but rather to gain a deeper fellowship with God. 

Introduced by Abraham, Issac, and Jacob Jewish Law makes it our duty to pray three times daily: in the morning, in the afternoon and at nightfall. These prayers are called morning prayer (shacharit), afternoon prayer (minchah) and evening prayer (arvith or maariv ).  When practiced prayer 3 times a day sure does help keep you focused on The Way of our Lord (Jesus was a practicing Jew ya know, so this is Not a Old way of Jewish Law).  God says our bodies are the Temples of God 1 Corinthians 6:19-20..That said Prayer and Fasting is both cleansing your mind and your body.

Most people take baths or showers to keep the outside of their bodies clean, but they do very little to keep the inside of their bodies clean.  (Which is even more important.)  Fortunately, there is a way to remove the excess toxins that have built up in your body over the years, and it’s called “cleansing”.  There are many different ways to cleanse the body, but the most natural and the most effective is to simply go on a fast. This site gives 6 steps of Fasting. http://www.sixstepstobetterhealth.com/cleansebody.html      Our bodies have the ability to “heal themselves of virtually anything”, but if the inside of your body is a highly toxic environment where disease can easily manifest and thrive, fasting may be the best way to give your body a chance to really work it’s magic.  Is it a bit of a sacrifice? YES..however the end result is so worth the sacrifice.

On that note:  I pray you read all the info above and consider joining me in a Fasting period of cleansing Mind, Body, and Spirit. Try 3 prayers a day sharing all your troubles and Praises along with the reading of His Word ..even if it is just a few verses. I personally am doing a 30 day water and Veggies Fast. Then once completed I plan to do a 3 day fast monthly. I haven’t done one all year and no doubt the toxins in my body are stacked up. We all get so caught up in the “world” we tend to neglect ourselves. Remember, if you do not Love yourself it is hard to love another and if you get ill from lack of taking care of yourself how can you care for those you love? Not to mention, why feel yucky if there are ways to ” heal thyself” ..

Shalom.

In this post I want to focus on the benefits of moderation. I’ve said over the years, ” you know the Word says all things in moderation.”  Well actually the Word doesn’t literally say that. Even though countless others use the same ” verbage ” from a spiritual standpoint, I discovered there is no actual Bible verse saying, “all things in moderation?” There are verses that translate to the meaning of the statement like:            1 Corinthians 6:12 ” Everything is permissible for me – but, everything is not beneficial. Everything is permissible for me – but, I will not be mastered by anything” or Proverbs 25:16  “If you find honey, eat just enough-too much of it, and you will vomit ”   Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying there is not Truth in the statement,  all things in moderation. Just saying, man can and does “reword the Word”.  Usually with all good intention. Which is part of why I have this website… to seek His Word, the benefits of it for our lives, and to bring awareness to how the foundations of God’s Word is revealed in All the various “religions” man has created. It amazes me how even though man divides and segregates, the Truth of God’s Word leads us to integrate and Love one another as ONE.  This is found in Moderation ” Moderation”.

Moderation: The avoidance of excess or extremes; temperance. Like when you go to a buffet, have a little bit of everything instead of gorging on steak and ice cream…(or gorging period. smile) After doing some CSI investigation on Moderation, the Spirit revealed to me the key to happiness, success, etc is living ” SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN” in all things we do. In this post I share examples of the consequences of extremes for you to ponder and consider as you make your Life Choices. Please know my comments are not condoning alcohol or drug use; personally I only have one drink tops 5 times a year. Usually only twice.. my B’day and New Years. His Word further proves how God views the matter: Ecclesiastes 9:7 “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” Numbers 15:5  “and you shall prepare wine for the drink offering, one-fourth of a hin, with the burnt offering or for the sacrifice, for each lamb.”  & my proof of His clarity in moderation: Ephesians 5:18  “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit ” or 1st Timothy 5:23 ” Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for the sake of your digestion and thy frequent infirmities.- a verse with proof in the Word to substantiate scientific Facts Wine (and some alcohols) can be beneficial to your health.. “in Moderation.” Also, I am not living in denial as though no-one does either of these things – whether it be recreationally or prescribed. smile Did you know 9 golden raisins soaked in Gin & eaten daily aids in Joint Pain? Here is a site for more details. https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2014/10/23/how-to-make-gin-soaked-raisins-for-joint-pain/  Ok moving on: Let’s say you go out to have a drink with friends, the 2 drink limit is a good rule of moderation to follow so you can walk away relaxed, you had some fun, and you won’t vomit, wake up with a sick headache (see my post on July 31st, 2014 for a headache cure recipe) , nor will you get sloppy and insult anyone. (as a rule, if you have a very low tolerance maybe you should be the designated driver and don’t drink at all.)   Same with drugs, prescription or otherwise, if you “over”indulge in the recommended amount your body will not have a positive reaction. In FACT, you can count on excess with either of these Will create health problems and can lead to your Death. Did you know this is true of most things in life? Too much food on a consistent basis can cause disease within your body that will result in health issues of which most are full of suffering and or just take you out. Like obesity or too much stress can result in heart attacks . Too much sex (believe it or not) can kill you…in several ways; mentally, spiritually, and physically. Here is one form of how that goes: In women too much sex can cause a urinary tract infection, as the urethra is literally right next to the vagina and when you have sex the bacteria from the vagina can get rubbed into the urethra, where it travels up to the bladder. It is a Medical Fact that a UTI can range from a minor infection to a life threatening illness.   I love the Sun and being out in it however, over indulgence can lead to skin cancer and what…death. Now think about these examples I’ve given and look back over your life…can you see what I mean about living ” Somewhere In Between” (extremes that is)  results in better days? Or maybe you will see how it Saved your Life.  I know I can look back and one time my extremes had me pronounced Dead!  Praise God for that smart Dr. that said ‘ No, do the paddles one more time”… and here I am today able to testify over indulgence of drug use Can and Will take you out…usually in multiple ways 1st Mentally, then Spiritually, then Physicially. I Praise God for the Angels He sent my way to Pull that pulled me back to the Life He created just for ME. I Praise God for opening my eyes and giving me ears to hear; ” Don’t be an extremist in Anything you do” Not in Religion, Politics, Eating, Drinking, Spending money, Water,  TV, phones, computers, Earth abuse, and so on and so on. I leave you with this request:

Look around you in the world today on any or all of the matters that I mentioned then ask yourself:  What happens when we do to little or too much in relation to any of these areas of Life ? What are the consequences I see right in my face of excess? What do I see as I look around me? What consequences do I see in the lives of people & on this earth when moderation is the choice?

Remember: Proverbs 23:7   ” For as a man thinketh in his heart, so Is He. ”

It has been my experience as a man thinketh in his heart he will DO that thing. Now I ask; ” What are you thinking and choosing to DO? What have the consequences been or what will they be of your “thinking and Doing?”

Shalom!

What is that exactly? In today’s world it seems to become more and more difficult to eat healthy. Between the preservatives, additives, this is good for you, that isn’t, ooops we were wrong Coffee is good for you, Oh and we can’t leave out the cost of eating Organic .. it seems it is not a simple task.

Or can it be? ..a simple task that is. Many including my daughter and son-in-law have become Vegan Urban Farmers, growing most of what they eat right in the yard! That is the front and backyard of their little beach cottage. My nephew went the hydroponic route with live fish providing the nutrient filled water. And me I am patio & indoor pots grower highly considering a Garden Tower so I can grow more.  Just haven’t decided should I do dirt and compost like this site shows: https://gardentowerproject.com/shop/product/garden-tower-2/ $389.00  or should I go hydroponics with This: https://foodyverticalgarden.com/ which is what I am leaning toward since it can be indoors or out. Foody vertical growing has several styles and sizes ranging from $64.95 to $289 to and they have a Soil tower $139.00. Less maintenance and cleaner too, plus the tower is too cute!  All are pesticide Free and grow such Tasty and Fresh foods for my body. There are vertical wall hanging styles at Target but, since I rent I won’t be choosing those. Smile  It trips me out how great tasting some of the recipes my daughter comes up with are. I am finding myself choosing to lean more into her Vegan lifestyle choices as each day goes by. Everything tastes so good I don’t even miss the meat. I am not all the way there (yet) cause I love me some Fish, occasional chicken, and fancy cheeses like Brie. So, like I told her I think I can commit to an 80/20 plan.. 80% Vegan. You can check out some things she makes on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/theFlourfield/appetizers/   This is good food tip too: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/26/hummus-health-benefits_n_4834315.html

And for the best guidance on what to grow and eat…it’s in the BOOK ! Which includes meat but, the Book is not speaking of meats/foods full of fillers/additives/and by products of who knows what.  Genesis 1:29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.  This site shares more verses on foods according the His Word: https://www.openbible.info/topics/eating_the_right_foods  

Just remember:  Your body is the temple of God so do all things in Moderation. Smile

So, I say if you can…join us in becoming Farmers for your home. And should you have moe than you can eat:  Show some Love & Share with your neighbors. I know if I can grow my own veggies/fruits/herbs in Las Vegas these things can be grown anywhere.

Hugs… Shalom

Your Life…that is His gift. And when I say “your Life” I am not just speaking of the physical Living and Breathing. Life: the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.

Now that says volumes doesn’t it? The skinny of it is: All things you do – including all things around you are Life..all part of the Whole. Hard to say that isn’t one Fantastic Gift.  So what will You do with this Gift?

There is a saying, ” Your Life is God’s Gift to You…what You do with it is your Gift to God”   This saying, of course is the motivation for this post. I started thinking on the very definition of Life and all I can say is:

“WOW! I AM BLESSED and I LOVE my GIFT!”

See ya, gotta go look at what I am going to do with it in this next stage of LIFE.

Shalom.

at least on this Earth.

That said, what are you doing with yours? In assorted seasons of my life I have asked myself that question…I ponder and make lists of what I feel led to do or just would like to do or see happen in my life…then all to often Life in general and all it has to offer sends me off down another road. There was the season of being “Young and Restless” trying out a bit of everything and I mean that literally. (and yes I am a soap opera nut – which is enough “reality” TV for me…check it out..the now so called “reality” TV is very much the same) Then the years where I walked somewhere in between…what I call my General hospital years..going thru the change of life and all that goes with it..lots of chaos and needing God’s hospital of healing on a daily basis. And Now my Golden Years..a time I am realizing more and more that we have but One Life to Live and I better get to living it. I know for sure I need to get back to those lists (visions) of what God showed me was mine to Life to live. To take advantage of the opportunities and doors that continuously open for me and not let things pass me by. To kick Lucifer to the curb when he tries to distract my mind with those whispers of ” what about this, or that?” Or “do you really think you can do that?”  And worst of all when I let fear get into the drivers seat. I realize now that fear is a lack of trust shining through. Silly me, with the family of God on my side I truly have nothing to fear.  His Words: Worry about nothing, pray about everything immediately popped into my head.

When that slapped me up this past weekend, I realized I needed to dig deep into my inner garden and pull out those roots of mistrust bearing fruits of fear. Because I DO want to LIVE my Life I was created to Live.  I ask you: Do you have vines of fear growing within you? Roots of mistrust that have taken hold that you too need to dig in and eradicate? Are you living in who you were created to BE? If not, Why Not?  As we begin the time of Lent, March 1st to April 13th it is the perfect time to dig in…giving up & weeding out those things holding you from LIVING the Life you were meant to Live. As part of this project I suggest you make it a point to carve out ( at least) 1 hour a day for meditation and prayer. I personally am following King David’s lead in Psalms 55:17 “As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice“ Not to say I am always praying in distress..OFTEN my prayers are in Praise and I am sure his were too…One hour comes out to 3 x a day 20 mins each.  Did you know the Bible even lays out the times?  The three daily special times of prayer observance recorded in the Bible both the Old and New Testaments) were at: 9 A.M., 12:00 P.M., and 3 P.M.                   

Here is a website with more info on this & good prayers:

http://www.prayerfoundation.org/dailyoffice/z_daily_office_000_index.htm  

I love how God is the God of all mankind and the prayers found in various religions of mankind – this site list the essential prayers of many of those religions:

http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/prayer/essential-prayers-of-world-religions.aspx 

This is a good way to better know thy neighbor..as our prayers for sure reveal us.

So now I leave with this invitation: Won’t you join me in taking the steps needed to Be ALL that you Can Be!?  Whatever those steps my be..open your heart and I know the family of God will show you the tools you need to accomplish just that.

Happy Lent! Shalom!  Renee’