Typically, during a Fast there are Break Thru’s within and possibly without in your Life. I had a Few this past week which led to a biggie. First I was shown several times God’s Love and Caring thru Blessings from friends. Then those led to reminders of my purpose in this garden on Earth. I realized the things of discontent in my inner garden are totally my doing : I let the weeds take over. I strayed away from my passions caught up in the illusions in the world which resulted in the seeds within my heart getting buried deeper and deeper within. Then Thursday night, I heard the still small voice of the Holy Spirit say, ” you have some commitment issues”.  Well what do you say to that?  I chuckled and replied, ” Yes, I guess I do” and then went about my way! Thinking ” I will look at that later” Like so many of us do. You see in that moment I told myself I don’t have time. The Yesterday 1/12/18), God in spite of myself, KEPT His commitments to Me, Blessing me & showing me Love and some relief thru several of my friends. The topper of the day was a call from a dear friend and the conversation we had which I would like to share with you today.

Between that and our conversation about commitment, my ministry, and how God showed me He is using me and Keeping His commitment in spite of my half steppin’ self – all I can say is: “Let the Light shine in”   And on that note, I went off to read my Bible, got down on my knees, apologized, & prayed for God to show me clearer than clear how to get those weeds out for good & return to cultivating my inner in The Way I Know that He has for Me. Including an outer garden like we had before…you see that outer garden sure will teach you A lot about how to care for the inner garden and it’s harvest is all good for the body!. Then Lordy, Lordy once I pondered it more, I had to say, ” I Do have commitment issues! I committed to Him and what He showed me in my Visions years ago and I keep deviating away or putting off the things I need to do to cultivate those visions. (like writing my 2nd book, settling down so I can plant that outdoor garden, and getting back into my heart’s desire – my walk with Jeshua Full On! )

Yep, I’ve been half steppin’!  Even telling myself, I am committed I just need to find the time to do the things He asks.. even saying to you and others ” I have got to stop procrastinating ” ( a deceiving way of wording my lack of commitment)….and NO No – like Wayne Dyer says: Excuses Be Gone!  I KNOW The Way and have been given the tools to cultivate and water my garden Daily. I have walked in my commitment fully before and had the seeds He planted within me to come forth in many seasons of my life.  It is totally my getting caught up in the illusions of worldly things and my lack of attention to my inner garden that the harvest of those seeds shrivel up and all but go dormat. I can say I’ve been ‘half steppin” in my commitments cause that is exactly what I have done. I walk in my purpose for a bit, then make a left and wander off, then the Lover that He is, Jesus keeps Knocking at the door of my heart and I get out the tools and begin digging those weeds out again only to repeat and get caught in “procrastination” (lack of commitment) and here go the weeds again.   Does this sound familiar to any of you. In your walk with God, with your Spouse, family, or with friends/community ? This year 2018, Excuses Be Gone! ( speaking of that: I am going to dust off those CD’s today and listen to them again)  I really didn’t have to ask, does it sound familiar. I have replayed some of the conversations I have been having with friends. Many of us could stand to pull some weeds & work on our gardens. SMILE

Hi ya’ll.  Ya know during a fast you learn a lot about yourself and it is my experience others surprise you too. Out of that often come Blessings! At least that is my experience. I had multiple blessings this week and definitely want to say, ” THANK YOU Jesus!”

One Blessing was this fabulous recipe: a Detox Beet-Orange Bliss. Just full of Vitamins and antioxidant packed super foods. Did you know Beets support your liver functions. For a squeaky clean drink check it out!

In your high powered blender (a bullet blender works fine) Combine 1/2 c. chilled unsweetened brewed green tea, 1/3 c. chilled carrot juice, 3/4 c chopped cooked beets, 1/2 c. frozen or fresh chopped kale ( I did fresh ) and 2 oranges cut into segments. (membranes removed) and Puree until smooth.  2 good size servings. Up the nutrition with protein rich hemp seeds or you can change the flavor by using spinach or swiss chard instead of Kale.  You could try pink grapefruit if you don’t like oranges so much.

And if you are on the Daniel’s Fast cause the totally liquid fast is just too much try this recipe:  ( I for one, am discovering I have to pray even more to do only liquids LOL )

Ethiopian Cabbage Dish: 1/2 c Olive Oil, 4 carrots thinly sliced, 1 onion thinly slice, 1 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp ground turmeric, 1/2 head cabbage, &  5 potatoes peeled and cut into 1 in. cubes

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the carrots and onion in the hot oil about 5 minutes. Stir in the salt, pepper, cumin, turmeric, and cabbage and cook another 15 to 20 minutes. Add the potatoes; cover. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until potatoes are soft, 20 to 30 minutes.   Yummy sounding.. My day is coming I can check this out! Can’t wait.. I will wait but, ya know what I mean. LOL  Here is the website for some other tasty dishes on the Daniel’s Fast. http://dish.allrecipes.com/recipes-kick-start-daniel-fast/

Well, that’s all for today except to say: Praise God! Hallelujah! and Thank You Lord for all the Love you have shown this week, the testimonies I have heard, and the Blessings received. I am so Blessed to have so many good people in my life and that is ever growing each and every day. I just can’t say Thanks and give enough praise about how much I love you Lord.

Shalom!

Morning. Thought I would share a couple of recipes today for the kick off of our 40 day fast. Remember: This is not a dieting fast. While you will likely loose some weight, this is a Fast of Obedience to the most important Commitments of Life: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. This fast is to fulfill these commitments in your Life. And in order to love thy neighbor you must 1st Love Thyself. This is the kick off to Living Life as we were created to Live and reaping the harvest of Love these commitments will bear in your life and the life of others.

So we go forth detoxing the negative/harmful things of life in this fast and here is a good one for the body: Detox Beet-Orange Bliss: Combine 1/2 c. chilled unsweetened brewed green tea, 1/3 c. chilled carrot juice, 3/4 c chopped cooked beets, 1/2 cup frozen or fresh Kale (the soft kind blends best) don’t like kale replace it with spinach, 2 oranges cut into segments (remove skin) Place all in high powered blender (like a Bullet or Nutra) and puree until smooth. Makes 2 glasses.  Amp it up with a tbsp. of Hemp seeds or ground flaxseeds for omega 3/s. Benefits: this is filled with vitamins/antioxidants/dairy free/ and the beets support your liver while cleaning your system.

Slash Sugar with a Cherry-Berry Chiller: 1/2 c. chilled unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 1/2 c 2% chilled greek yogurt, 1 c. frozen strawberries, 1/2 c. frozen sweet cherries, and 1/4 to 1/2 c. Ice in a high powered blender and puree until smooth. yields 2 glasses. Boost it up with oats for fiber or chia seeds. I add a scoop of Doterra Trim & Shake vanilla shake mix for a great fulfilling meal. Benefits: thanks to low glycemic berries and calcium in yogurt this healthy low calorie meal.

Need something Warm try Spiced Parsnip & Carrot Soup. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1916635/spicy-parsnip-and-carrot-soup

Remember to puree down to a liquid form. What for: Pureed is digested rapidly, as blending food decreases the amount of work that the body actually has to do to digest it. And of course the right food combos detox and cleanse your system.

Have a Blessed day and Keep your eyes posted for more great Tips to use during the fast.

Shalom.

Greetings my friends! Tomorrow, January 7th, 2018 is my Kick off of a 40 Fast to cleanse Mind, Body, & Soul that we may be bring forth the seeds of the Spirit of God within us. I look forward to the experience with those who “choose” to join me. In His Word 40 has significant meaning and clearing reveals how it takes time to cultivate, grow, and restore the garden to it’s natural state. It doesn’t happen in a moment. The weeds didn’t grow such deep roots in a moment and they won’t let go in just a moment. Somewhat like Jesus was led to fast in Matthew 4: 1-11 this Fast “for me anyway” is because the Spirit of God is leading me to do so. In Jesus 40 days of fasting He grew in the Word to the point when the Devil came to tempt Him he was Strong and responded with the Word in Obedience and did not succumb to all that Lucifer was bringing before him. I am also being led to share and invite any who “choose” to join me in this journey. Now this fast is not like Jesus fast in that we are not abstaining from food entirely. As God and I know, most of us work and have to continue in our daily lives. I can tell you this fast, should you be obedient in it, Will cleanse you inside & outside both mentally, physically, and spiritually. On that note, let’s get into the tools to begin our fast tomorrow.

Tool # 1:  let’s begin with a starter kit of what you can have in the area of food:  Healthy drinkable liquids. So pull out the blender & go stock up to create great smoothies, juices, broth/creamy soups, & teas. If it seems to much hassle to blend your own veggie drinks you can buy Naked Juice Green Machine and other blended juices at your grocery. Here are a few websites to aid you thru this 40 days: Of course: https://www.pinterest.com/?autologin=true & check out this site, No cheating though with any solid foods on this site (and there is one temptation. LOL)  https://www.yummly.com/recipes/healthy-fruit-vegetable-drinks Here is good greens site with video: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/230642/healthy-green-juice/  BTW: if you don’t have a juicer you can chop them up small & blend them on High speed and make great smoothies and you are allowed to add 2 tablespoons of yogurt.  Did you know? Both green and black teas contain relatively high amounts of vitamins C, D, and K and riboflavin, as well as good amounts of the minerals calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, sodium, nickel, and fluoride. However, it is the polyphenols of green tea that are responsible for its health benefits. A 6 oz. cup of tea contains only 1 calorie as carbohydrate, with no protein or fat. There are teas that help curb hunger pangs too: Numi Organic Toasted Rice. And ladies give your hormones a drink of Red Clover tea:  Red clover contains isoflavones which are believed to act like estrogen, and has been used by herbalists to help ease menopausal symptoms. A study published in the July, 2002 issue of “Maturitas” confirmed the use of red clover as effective in reducing the hot flash symptoms associated with menopause. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, studies show that using red clover extract can reduce bone loss in pre and perimenopausal women, and increase bone mineral density.  Oh and are you a coffee drinker like me? Surprise I am Not going to tell you give it up. (unless you want to) However, all things in moderation, keep it to One Cup a day. Some of coffees benefits are: of course energy, high in antioxidant also, a key to longevity, raises metabolic rate and helps burn fat, reduces risk of diabetes, and is said to aid with Alzheimer’s just to name a few. If you like Chicory join me in drinking Louisiana Chicory coffee. Chicory BTW is the root of the Endive plant. https://www.livestrong.com/article/422673-what-are-the-benefits-of-chicory-coffee/   There are many ways coffee and tea have been proven to be a benefit ” in moderation”, which is another of your tools in this fast ” Moderation”  Which brings me to tool # 2 :

Daily Prayer and Meditation 3 times a day utilizing The Word(s) of God. In the morning when you rise, midday, and prior to bed. Personally, I plan to start with the book of Proverbs (the books of wisdom & trainings) reading one chapter at a time 3 times a day and focus on any readings that cultivate the attributes of Love and Obedience. These are the tools God revealed to me that my garden needs, so I am on it. I believe God guides us in our walk and the tools of His Word He knows are best for you. Which means I am not here to tell you what Faith God has guided you to use in your Personal relationship with Him. Nor to tell you how to Pray and Meditate. That my friends I will leave to God. Just listen to that still small voice within and you will know. I can tell you this: ALL Religion has good and bad within them just like Man who created them. Yes Man, not God…God did not create division and different Religions…which is another post. LOL  I will say again, It is Not my place to judge or tell you what tools to use in your Prayer and Meditations.  As we go along, I can tell you I will give suggestions & will be referencing tools of many faiths for this Fast. I am a strong believer in walking as One with All God’s Creation. The main reason, ” for me “ in doing this fast is to cultivate, develop, and bear the fruits (attributes) of the seeds of Love God planted within me.  I can’t say I have been fully walking in His Love with Him, with myself, nor with my neighbors (mankind). Not to mention, the Holy Spirit pressing me to open my eyes and see: Matthew 12:25 “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand ” All you have to do is look around to know this is Truth. In that pressing I hear God reminding me of my purpose and who I AM in Him. Which has brought me to this golden season of “my life” where I have a good walk with Jesus going on. Not the religion of Christianity but, a walk with Jesus. We’ve been pulling weeds out of my garden the last 5 years and Now I Know it is time for me to cultivate, water, cleanse, and bring forth All that is meant for me. That starts with this Fast and my being Obedient to live as my license plate says it’s: ME n JC.  I came to my relationship with Jesus via a journey thru other faiths so I am very grateful for each and every one. Yes, I believe strongly in Co Existing and the Power of LOVE.  Enough, To hear more on my life story you can purchase my book Somewhere in Between on the home page.

Last but by no means least Tool # 3: 10 mins. of physical exercise 3 x a day.  Or 30 mins all at once. Your choice Here is a great site with some simple things you can do from home: http://www.fitstep.com/2/3-beginner-fitness/where-to-start/easy-exercises-you-can-do-at-home.htm

Ok, So 1st thing tomorrow, January 7th, 2018 when you rise: Take at least 20 mins for Prayer and Meditation before you jump into the whirlwind of the day. I promise you it will loosen up the tightness within your inner garden so Life and Love can begin to come forth within you. Here are some guided meditations to help get you started: http://www.ilivethelifeilove.com/10-best-guided-meditations/

My goal in this fast is to follow in the steps of my BFF, Jesus growing and developing my garden to the point when the temptations come I too can say what Jesus says in these verses: Matthew 4: 1-4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a] by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on “every” word that comes from the mouth of God.’^[b]”  It is in these words we find Love & Life everlasting.

BTW: Temptations and Trials Will come our way in this Fast/ in Life but, don’t look at them as a bad thing but, instead seek God and the tools to weed them out and to carry you THRU. You will see those very temptations and trials will make your roots stronger and His seeds within you will able to come forth and Bear Good fruit. The outcome of your garden in this fast is truly “all about your choices”

Shalom !

Here we go into another New Year!

As they say, ” Time flew” in 2017 with so many happenings good and bad thru the year. What did you cultivate in 2017 to bear fruit in 2018? My focus was finding a home to buy that fits Me. Ya know truth be told we all have our druthers when it comes to what community we what to live in. And if we believe in His Word and work it we can bring our heart’s desire to pass. That is not to say we just sit back pray and wait for it to be handed to us. That Does happen sometimes however, most of the time we have to Believe to the point of execution which means we have to ” DO ” our part in the creation of our gardens both inside and out. Yep, the seeds we plant inside and out manifest what comes next in our journey. The seeds are our thoughts which create our emotions which create our “choices” and those choices manifest what fruit bears in the garden of our Life.

That said it is IMPORTANT what words we think, plant, and develop throughout the year. Last years seeds of His Word was ” Love”  and it’s attributes:  ^{1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 :} Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.   Throughout the year God kept revealing and pressing upon me how Love is the Way to Live in His Kingdom, the Way to Peace, Joy, all the things I yearn for.

This Year the Holy Spirit is saying, ” 2018 is the time to cultivate that Love with the water of Obedience. In this, Love will take deep roots and bear the fruits your heart longs for.”

That Obedience is calling me to walk with God closer, fertilize the Love within 1st developing Love of myself so I can Be all I can Be bearing the fruit of Love to share with my neighbors. (which is all of mankind) so January 2018 I will be kicking off with a 30 Cleansing Fast. (which I will share starting Jan.7th in case you care to join me.) God has shown me for many years now the direction I should go and sometimes I have listened and sometimes I have wandered off letting the weeds grow in my inner garden. When 2017 hit I knew it was time we pulled those weeds and there were definitely some times of OUCH ! But, oh how it was worth it as now here we go together in total obedience to bring to pass all things meant for me. It is now My time!

I pray you all take a bit of time to seek the Spirit of God within you and ask ” what is the Word you have for me in 2018? What word will bring good fruit in my life and the life of others? Then once you are answered I pray you water that seed with Love & abundant blessings are your end result.  Now should you “choose” to stay closed and covered in weeds, I will be praying that the consequences of that choice will wake you before 2018 ends & you will rise and seek the Light and goodness you are meant to have.

Shalom!

Does Life ever have you wondering which way to turn? Guessing the answer from most is a resounding ” Yes “. Next question is, Where do you seek the answer to which way to go?  For years I sought answers from other people, from myself, and cried many tears when all to often the answers didn’t seem clear. I knew from my upbringing where I should go seek the answers and sometimes I did. Yet, all to often I insisted on continuing on in my own ways. Sometimes God allowed me to go My way and more times than I realized he stepped in or sent some of those ” others ” to aid in guiding me in my journey. Praise God and Hallelujah for that. As I grew older not only did I learn His Way is the Best Way, my eyes opened and I started seeing when He sent someone to aid me along the Way. There were times it was total strangers and other times those closest to me. The key is to open your heart, eyes, and ears while at the same time Seeking Him and His Ways. So much becomes clear. I reflect back at times when I was drowning & He sent the boat to save me. Sometimes I jumped in and others I stood on the roof blind to see saying, ” I am waiting on God, I’ll stay right here for now, it’s ok”  Blind because it wasn’t the Way I thought it should be so I thought, ” that can’t be the way”.  Or I got in the boat then when I got to where He wanted me to be, I fell back into Old Ways and still missed what He was trying to give me.

All to often, many of us get in our own way. Unable to see or accept where God is trying to lead us. Stuck in a rut or on the roof. Missing out on blessings, ways of provision, and even people who were meant to be in our lives. Instead we walk along with closed eyes, ears, hearts, and minds loosing out on The Way God planned for our lives. We were not designed to live in a Box. Not designed to get into a rut of samo – samo everyday. We are created in His image which is Open to newness of Life, Love, creating, cultivating, pruning, and willing to move on when He shows us is the best place for us to Be.  I have spent many years seeking ME, where I am supposed to Be, what I am supposed to be doing. Some things I have done were meant to Be and some things Not so much. I have learned from them all. And now I see God guiding me where I know I will be coming into the fullness of ME. I was there all the time…inside ME.  I just couldn’t find me cause I was so busy conforming to be the world’s Me..trying to fit into a circle I didn’t fit into..a circle that was keeping me in a Walk of struggling,often confusion, and unable to rest. Praying and asking, ” where should I be?”  Over analyzing things and instead of living in the moment and seeking Him 1st – I sought the many ways of mankind.

Then when I least expected it, when ” I ” wasn’t looking, when I stepped out of the way..He showed me the Way and the place He has for Me.  The best surprise was: I had this list of how I would love to live in a place that was a urban style tourist city, Diverse with every kind of nationality, affordable and close to water and if possible waterfalls. (they are my FAV) . It almost seemed unreal even to me that there is such a place. And as time and the world grew more & more greedy the more unlikely my list seemed possible to me. This past year I began to pray and say, ” Lord you know my heart’s desires and I will go wherever you say..just please show me the Way where I can BE who you created me to Be.. Then I went to Joyce Meyers Women’s conference ending it with a trip I had longed to take for years..  Much to my surprise, Low and behold He took me to the very place so that I Can Be Me and it includes everything on the list my heart desires…Why? because my heart desired what He had in mind for me all along…the List. A city where I can thrive with all mankind, a city beside the water where the Falls bring me Peace, a city that resonates with Me. What else I learned is ” all things in His timing”.  And the funny thing too is now when I look back I know the places I have been were, except a few, were where I was supposed to be in that season…places where he was setting it up for where he wanted my girls to Be. Now all grown they are thriving, have wonderful husbands, kids, homes & now it is My time to go the Way He has for ME to be fully Me.

Open your hearts…seek God 1st. Allow Him to show you The Way in this journey of Life. His way is The Way where it all turns out to BE exactly what it was meant to BE.  If you listen to that still small voice, you’ll know in your heart, mind, and spirit that you are on The Way that is meant to BE.

Shalom

Morning.. much of last week I fluctuated between Gratitude & Grief, Joy & Sadness, Appreciation & Frustration. Sound familiar to any of you? I have so many things I am Grateful for while at the same time those same things can bring grief. Like this: I am so grateful for how God has provided for my girls and how they are a new generation doing better than Mom was at their age..homes, good husbands, and the list goes on. Then here came the Wild Fires..both of them had fires to close for comfort and the Lilac Fire is much better contained but, not Out…which is just down the hill from my youngest. I am so full of gratitude for the protective hedge God has kept around their homes while at the same time grieving for those who lost their homes .. like all those in the Senior Mobile Home Park just down the road in Bonsall. My answer is just keep Praying.

Then there is Appreciation & Frustration, Joy & Sadness I can tap on all in one example: Work. I so appreciate being able to work remote with my job and in the big picture I just I love my Director, my team, & working the AR.  Success is doing the work you love. So, for the most part All of this brings me Joy! Yet, at the same time there are some days there are serious stressors & frustrations rise up tapping my ole self that make me wanna scream sometimes and do make me grumble and complaint. Sure as I allow that Ole Woman to rise up and take over – the Holy Spirit convicts me taking me to my knees saying ” Oh God, I am so sorry I am lost my Peace or Sorry my tongue said that” ie: my behavior cultivated Sadness.. grieving me I  let God down.  Then my New woman in Christ starts praying, ” Lord, I know I AM part of the I AM please guide me and give me strength to walk with You and let your light shine keeping that ” old woman” down buried in the grave”  It isn’t long God shines His Grace, Love, Patience, Compassion, Frogiveness, Gratefulness, and that list goes on me and that needed strength grows within letting me Know….this is a growing time my child… seek My Word not that of those saying,  ” it’s ok we all loose it sometimes ya know we are not perfect’. And I think that at the time too.. However, I know we are to be striving to be who God created us to be and Not giving into those words of the Flesh.. I hear that still small voice say, ” don’t fall into that thinking, if you allow yourself to fall into excuses then you are feeding that attitude which only bears more of that fruit. Instead, see My Word and weed out those thoughts clearing your heart that You stick to walking in The Way of Love. ” that will bring Good Fruit.. remember, Life is all about choices. Choose His Way and in Him you DO have the power to do just that…thru His discipline and my being obedient the Light of Love will bear Good Fruit. This last week.. it was brought clearly to my attention this is where I need more cultivation. Where my Ole Woman tries her best to Rise up and take hold. God even used Joel Osteen to tap me up Hard in today’s service.. and on that note I will sign off saying, ” if you are in the same place with me.. listen to Joel’s message tonight on TBN ”  I plan on listening again and taking notes of helpful verses this time. Smile

Joel Osteen’s message today 12/10/17 https://www.tbn.org/programs/joel-osteen

Hugs.. Shalom.

Greetings to all ! Today is a day to reflect and give Thanks for all our Blessings and those we Love and those who Love us.

It is a day to ” let go ” of stressors, relax, and break bread with family, neighbors, or if alone…spend the day Giving Thanks to God for being alive and for the day with Him. for If you are having kinda a down day ..please top and reflect and you will see whatever troubles have come your way, they didn’t come to stay. smile  Then get out and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Nature and soak it all in.  I spent some time reflecting and thinking on all I am Thankful for this morning and it sure did give me a Lift. Not only because it drew attention to all my blessing but, it revealed just How Much God has protected me, guided me, and brought me thru to the other side. It reminded me how Much God loves me and how much love I have in my life. I AM Blessed! and oh so Thankful for all He’s done and so Thankful for all the lovely people He has brought across my path over the years.

I was reminded how ” As a man thinketh so is he/she”. How blessed I am to be able to Choose Good things when darkness tries to surround me, His Word and Love it right there to kick that ole darkness to the curb.  How when I focus on God’s Love, Mercy, Grace, Compassion, and so much more – then share those Ways of Love; this is how the chains of darkness are broken. How in Thankfulness and Praise I am reminded, ” I AM a child of the most high God and can Never be a permanent slave to any negative bondage the world may throw my way”  Even if bound for a moment…I can Choose to seek God, pray, give thanks, and it isn’t long His Light shines brightly and Love comes my way.  So,Stop…Give Thanks and Praise then watch God work in your life and the lives of others.

Yep, God’s Teachings are to keep us Free and our Choices lead us to the road of Freedom Like KO says:  ” Choose Good things”  Look around at all your Blessings! Embrace them & as The Word says: ” in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” Thessalonians 5:18

May you enjoy these words & quotes of thankfulness from many faiths & various people.

“God had proclaimed: if you give thank, I will give you more; and if you deny my favours, my punishment will be dire.” (Surah 14, Ayat 7).

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough”
― Oprah Winfrey

“Whatever happens in your life, no matter how troubling things might seem, do not enter the neighborhood of despair. Even when all doors remain closed, God will open up a new path only for you. Be thankful!”
― Elif Shafak, The Forty Rules of Love    

“Perhaps it takes a purer faith to praise God for unrealized blessings than for those we once enjoyed or those we enjoy now.”
― A.W. Tozer

“Thankfulness creates gratitude which generates contentment that causes peace.”
― Todd Stocker

Did you know there are 2 ways to say Thank You in Hindi ? Shukriya and Dhanyavad

“I may not be where I want to be but I’m thankful for not being where I used to be.”
― Habeeb Akande

And last I share this website and a few words from it. Reach for a level where everything is for the good.  http://www.jewishpathways.com/mussar-program/gratitude

Today I pray God’s hand of Love thrives within you and like William Wordsworth says  “Rest and be thankful.”   Hugs to all. Renee’

Hi !  Here we go into the Holidays… are you in the Spirit?  I know I am for Thanksgiving!  It hit me this morning “hard”  I have so many things to be Thankful for!  Currently I am reading in Romans and ya know how you can pick up the Word and it seems to be right on time with what is going on in your Life?  Well, that is what happened this morning. Not only was Thankfulness on my mind but, my reading was all about “living in the Spirit” of Yeshua.  (check out Romans Chapter 8). That got me thinking about the Spirit of God (Love)  and what all that includes. Which only added to my Thankfulness. Smile

Now in all this thinking it did put a few conviction bumps in the road too. I had to look at myself, which resulted in a little bit of ” come to Jesus” taps asking me, ” so how are you doing as far as ” Living in the Spirit of Love? ”  I ended up saying, ” hmmm, lately about 65% I would say.”  Then that Loving Spirit gave me a rush of Hugs and encouragement with these words, ” Ok dear, now that you have confessed that let it go and let’s move forward with this increase of Spirit within you”   Just like that, I felt my heaviness lift and I responded, ” Yes, Yes…Thank YOU!   Which of course brought another wave of Love, Thankfulness, Forgiveness, Compassion, and a Light to guide me back on track.  And to back it up with more Love, I logged onto my email and there was my new Real Estate lady, Alisha encouraging me and assuring me we are all good to go on finding me my Home for my remaining ” golden years” .  God is So Good and on time all the time!

My next post will be on Thanksgiving Day as I am now FULL of the Spirit 100%. So check out my List of all I am thankful for! And Please join me and send your list back on my comments tab.  I would love to have everyone share some moments or a long list of Thankfulness!

PS:  You can post that thankful list anytime as honestly we should be giving Thanks Every Day!

Hugs!!! Shalom

Renee’

Hi Everyone! Have you ever listened to your conversations or even what you say to yourself? Try it for a weekend.  I did and had to ask myself who’s side are you on, Satan or God?  I realized I allow myself to get into to many conversations that sure aren’t inline with His Word of Love..with others and with Myself. I caught myself feeling like “Good grief, everything has gotten too darn intense”  Yes, there are a lot of intense things happening in the World today however, that is “in the World”.  And where do I belong in this world? Well, I AM part of the I AM in His Kingdom. That said, I had to ask myself, ” Do you believe in His Word, the Love within Me, the Promises of His Word?” Or do you believe the Lies of the father of all lies, Satan?  From what has been coming from my mouth, to much of late, I had to ask ” who’s side are you one anyway”. Another thing that drew my attention to my behavior was my recent trip to Niagara Falls! I had such a wonderful time meeting so many Nice people & found myself being my True upbeat, loving life self.  My time there really brought attention to how much better I felt after walking A lot!, talking about good things with the nice people I met, my massage, and just absorbing the wonderful energy. As my site says, ” Life is All About Choices”  So, I said to myself, ” Snap out of it, start walking and acting like you are a child of God, filled with His Spirit and stop wandering off.. And how am I going to do that? By choosing to be more conscious in how I speak to others and myself.. Hello, I AM on God’s side and I need to get back to being ME and behave as a member in the house of God. smile Knowing this:  I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me. That includes aging well, staying committed to taking care of my Mind, Body, and Spirit not to mention, sharing the Daily Love the family of God shares with me. And that’s ALOT actually.  The Niagara trip kicked me off on working out 3 days a week & I am pulling together index cards writing down God’s Promises so I can read them regularly. I must admit I sure wasn’t loving my body and more often that not it seemed I haven’t been speaking encouraging words to my body either. On that note: Did you know? Serotonin is the molecule of will power, of delaying gratification. Decreased serotonin means you have trouble finishing things, feel a bit down, get annoyed easy, and it can be hard to control you impulses.  Sound familiar? sure does to me. So here are some tips to raise our serotonin levels and improve your daily living:

1.) Spend time with God Daily. Look up the Promises of God and these words remind you of how much God loves you. Stop as you read an observe how He has shared those promises with you lately. Be observant and notice all the Blessings in the day instead of focusing on the darker side of life. Let your Light shine instead of creating a dreary day.

2.) Get 20 mins of Sun daily. Sunlight is not a dirty world. Over doing it is where it is harmful. But, our bodies need the Vitamin D.  Can’t get out there during the day. Drink Milk..not fake milk either or if you can’t tolerate milk take Vitamin D. But, best source is God’s natural good ole Sunlight.

3.) Massage – One of my favs! Several studies have proven this raises serotonin and improves your mood. Hard to say definitively whether it is the actual massage or the human touch though.. Whatever, if it works work it.

4.) Exercise – Numerous studies show Exercise increases serotonin levels and releases serotonin in the body. In particular, walking at a quick pace, running, and riding bikes. So make sure exercise is an essential part of your day….not to much though. Remember, All things in Moderation…extremes in either direction never have a positive outcome.

That’s all for now folks.. Shalom!