Stressed? 3 Questions ...

"It's not stress per se, that can cause a problem in the body. It is how we perceive it and deal with it that can cause the problem." - Northrup

TO PONDER:

What's stressing you out most?

How have you been reacting to it?

What can you do to thoughtfully respond rather than automatically react?

Linda

Dear Lord - I pray for those who are overwhelmed who are reading this post today. I pray that You will use these 3 simple questions to help them see that they have a choice in how they handle the huge challenges that they are facing. May they reach out to the only One who can bring real peace. And I pray that you will equip them to walk through this storm with renewed confidence as they realize that You are there with them - and that You will never leave. Stretch and grow them in this time in ways that might not have been possible if life was easy.

In the Strong Name of Jesus, Amen.

Transitions Happen

Change. Transitions. I don't know that I've ever dealt with them well. More often than not, I've reluctantly dragged my feet, kicking and screaming. I'm not good at it. The familiar is too ... well, familiar. Safe. Comfortable. Known. Secure. Certain. And based on many conversations with young and old alike, I know I'm not the only one who balks at adjusting to something different.

In a recent newsletter, Gary Collins addressed Hudson's 4 seasons of transition -

1. Go For It

2. Doldrums

3. Cocooning

4. Getting Ready

Read on to discover what transitions are really all about. There can be some really positive, life changing aspects. And discover how to manage these uncertain seasons well ... and maybe even embrace the serendipity of what's ahead.

And then maybe you won't be so unnerved when the next one comes along. And maybe I won't, either.

One thing I am sure of. God won't be a bit surprised. And He'll be patiently waiting for me to let Him take me by the hand and lead me through the open door.

Linda

"I the Lord do not change" - Malachi 3:6.

Listening to God's Voice

Often we read in the Scripture about God’s speaking to people – to Samuel, to Mary, to Joseph, to Paul and others. But we wonder if God can and does speak to us today and how He does it. Some do not believe that God does speak to people today.

Let me reassure you that God does speak to us today. Like Elijah – we often expect God to use bombastic speech, like thunder, lightning, or some huge noisy event. Elijah’s encounter with God reinforces that God does speak – however, it is frequently in a still small voice. Could it be that the busyness, hurriedness, and noise all around us keeps us from hearing His voice?

Jesus taught us in John 10: 3,4 “The watchman opens the gate for him and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

Shepherds in Jesus’ day tended their flocks of sheep on the hillsides in the daytime and put them in enclosed pens at night for protection from wolves, bandits, and other predators. One sheep pen would hold the flocks of many shepherds on any given evening. How would a shepherd separate out his sheep from all the others in the morning? He would call them by name and the sheep followed their shepherd because they knew his voice.

I am wondering, if you know the sound of the Shepherd’s voice. Have you heard Him speak to you? Too busy talking to Him to take time to listen to Him? Are there noises or busyness or hurriedness that drown out His still small voice?

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

Listening ~ Bob

My Choices

"I die every day"
- 1 Corinthians 15:21.

Selfishness. Pride. Unkindness. Greed. Impatience. All have to go, to be released, to be abandoned, each day - by the power of Christ in me. I have to make those choices, moment by moment, to let Him be in charge of every aspect of who I am.

Bottom line?

My choices.

His power.

Minute by minute ~

Linda

A Mother's Day Blessing

"May the Lord repay you for what you have done.

May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel,

under whose wings you have come to take refuge"

- Ruth 2:12.

Blessing those who have been a blessing ~

Linda

Alexa Charis

I am delighted to announce the birth of our 5th grandchild, Alexa Charis.
(Charis means "grace" or "thanks" in Greek).

Her adoptive parents are our daughter, Kristin, and husband, Tom.

With great gratitude, we welcome her into our family
and praise God for this beautiful answer to prayer.

Joyfully ~
Ma