Wednesday word

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

It occurred to me this morning that this is the key to life. Seek ye firsts he kingdom of God.  Not second or third. Not after I tried everything else and it failed. Seek ye first the kingdom God. So what is the kingdom of God? Life, hope and truth. Jesus preached that he came to bring us life. It is that life that comes through him which brings us hope. That hope brings us to a place of trusting his word which is truth.

Our society is so quick to take a pill to fix  our situations, but the word instructs us to stop worrying and seek God. For years, in church, we sang the song whatever you need God's got it, but did we really believe it? If we did we wouldn't be so worried about our everyday situations. 

It goes on to say and his righteousness. So as I seek his truth, life and hope I need his righteousness around me, in me and radiating through me so that the light of God is illuminated larger than my current situation. We need to get back to seeking the righteousness of God. It is through seeking his righteousness and his word that we are cleansed from sin. As I see more of the craziness that is happening in this world. I just want to be right with God. 

Tuesday tools

As I tried to figure out what tool to share the Lord said the bible. I share it with you because we have gotten away from it. In our world of modern technology we look to everything and everybody but the word of God.

The enemy fights to keep us away from the word because that is what will give us direction,  correction, and  encouragement. The best love stories and mysteries can all found in the word. Stories of healing and triumph are in the word. Stories of betrayal and redemption are found in the same word. We often get stuck on the hard and complicated parts and say it's boring but I challenge you to try it again. Find a version that makes more sense to you than King James. Fall in love with the word of God and see your life begin to change.

Monday motivation

What motivates you? What or who can get you moving? I know that at different periods of time our it can wax cold, but what makes you percolate.? There is nothing that you can't accomplish if you will get rid of that little word called fear.

We, as people in America, are so afraid of the opinions of others, until we won't move on/in what we know is ours.

I'm not into the blood moon and all of that,  but I read a post where someone was explaining the significance of this last moon in the set of four. She said that because of its timing it makes the church world be at the year of new beginnings due to its timing on the Jewish calendar. I don't know if she is right or wrong,  but I will receive a new beginning. A chance to step out with a renewed mind,  a renewed motivation and a renewed passion for what I have been called to do.

Ladies,  let's get motivated to walk in whatever we were put on this earth to accomplish.  As Dr Venus says,  "Make your mess your message." Don't take those ideas with you to the grave. Share them,  write them,  teach them,  preach them, but don't let them go to the grave with you. 

Be motivated to do YOUR work. Yours may not look like mine, but that diversity is what gives a beautiful cornucopia of gifts of which we should be thankful.

Friday Findings

This one won't apply to all of you who read regularly. However this is no longer just a dad issue, plenty of mom's have child support issues.  Share with is who need help managing their situation.

Thursday thoughts

Ok so aim kind of this hymn kick right now. This one dropped in my spirit. 

 Time is filled with swift transition,

Naught of earth unmoved can stand,

Build your hopes on things eternal,

Hold to God’s unchanging hand. 

Refrain:

Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand,

Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand;

Build your hopes on things eternal,

Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Trust in Him who will not leave you,

Whatsoever years may bring,

If by earthly friends forsaken

Still more closely to Him cling.

Covet not this world’s vain riches

That so rapidly decay,

Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,

They will never pass away.

When your journey is completed,

If to God you have been true,

Fair and bright the home in glory

Your enraptured soul will view

.

http://youtu.be/OKyXumYIKSo

I just want to hold on to Gods  unchanging hand. I linked in a YouTube clip if you don't know the song. Please don't send hate mail cause I used Carlton Pearson version, it's the one that I could hear in my head. Lol

Wednesday word

This is the word the wants me to share today. So often we stop at verse 15 and don't realize that if we don't turn destruction will come. There are some destructive situations happening right now. I encourage all of us to return to the Lord like never before.

12 One night the Lord appeared to Solomon and told him, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place where I want you to sacrifice to me.

 13 If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust swarms to eat up all of your crops, or if I send an epidemic among you, 

14 then if my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land. 

15 I will listen, wide awake, to every prayer made in this place. 

16 For I have chosen this Temple and sanctified it to be my home forever; my eyes and my heart shall always be here.

17 “As for yourself, if you follow me as your father David did, 

18 then I will see to it that you and your descendants will always be the kings of Israel; 

19 but if you don’t follow me, if you refuse the laws I have given you and worship idols,

 20 then I will destroy my people from this land of mine that I have given them, and this Temple shall be destroyed even though I have sanctified it for myself. Instead, I will make it a public horror and disgrace.

 21 Instead of its being famous, all who pass by will be incredulous.“‘Why has the Lord done such a terrible thing to this land and to this Temple?’ they will ask.

22 “And the answer will be, ‘Because his people abandoned the Lord God of their fathers, the God who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead. That is why he has done all this to them.’”

Tuesday tools

Wichita on the cheap is the tool I would like to share with you http://wichitaonthecheap.com

You wwill find end out about a lot of free and inexpensive things to do with you and the family.

Both way, today is bountiful baskets order if you are interested .http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/

Last thing if you are interested in the movie War room meet me at Iasis tonight at 7pm (1914 east 11th) popcorn will be free. Bring your own drink, I should not have to say this but I feel compelled. Make sure your drink is appropriate.

Monday Motivation

Good Morning Ladies,
I had a very exciting weekend and I hope you did as well. As you might  have noticed last week I was a little off on Thursday and Friday with getting the blog completed. I was asked to speak at a women's conference in my hometown. I always love being able to go back, as an adult, to share the word of God. So my topic was Flower Language. Yes, flowers do have a language, and no you can't hear it. I will just tell you about a few of the flowers because I want it to motivate you to think about what you are saying this week.

Snapdragon- leave a trail of destruction, snapping and puffing smoke along the way. Prov 15:1
Tulips- Don't use your two lips to speak out of both sides of your mouth. Prov. 4:24-27
Bachelor's Button- Keep your opinions to yourself- Button your lips- stop the gossip Prov 10:19
Red Hot Poker- Some of us have a habit of stirring up trouble. Busy bodies always in the business I Tim 5:13
Dracula Flower-  Some of us have Dracula mouth and sink out teeth in everyone we come in contact with. We give little digs to get the other told. Prov 26:24
Scorpion Orchid- They sting and dish out poisonous venom- Psalms 140:3
Elephant Ears- Be careful what/who you listen to because words have power Prov 26:22
Dandelion- Every blow sends weed seeds all over your yard- Prov 12:22

Make sure that your words are building and not tearing down. Don't allow a temporary situation dictate your future. Be blessed on this Monday morning.

Friday Findings- Fish and Depression

More evidence of a diet-brain connection. (Photo: Stocksy)

People who eat a lot of fish may have a lower risk of depression, according to new research.

A review of 26 studies that was published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health showed that men who regularly ate fish had a 20 percent lower risk and fish-eating women had a 16 percent lower risk of depression, compared with those who ate less fish and no fish at all.

“Higher fish consumption may be beneficial in the primary prevention of depression,” researchers concluded in the analysis, which included data from more than 150,000 people in Europe, North America, Asia, Oceania, and South America.

However, Fang Li, one of the co-authors of the review, notes to Yahoo Health that “further studies are required to define how much fish people should eat to reap the benefits.“

Depression is the leading cause of disability for people age 15 to 44 in the U.S., the Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports, and more than 14.8 million American adults are impacted by the disorder.

Previous research has shown a link between eating fish and depression, but the impact varied by gender. A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that women who didn’t eat a lot of fish were more likely to be depressed (but the same wasn’t true for men).

The connection is clearer among those who take fish oil supplements. Alarge Norwegian study of 22,000 people found that those who took fish oil were about 30 percent less likely to have symptoms of depression than those who didn’t. The longer study participants took fish oil, the less likely they were to experience symptoms of depression.

But what could explain this connection? Even the study’s researchers aren’t sure.

Among their theories, spelled out in the study: The omega-3 fatty acids in fish may alter the structure of the brain’s cell membranes, or the fish’s fatty acids can impact dopamine and serotonin levels, which can lead to lowered rates of depression.

Related: Don’t Give Up On Fish Oil Supplements Just Yet

But psychologist Paul Coleman, PsyD, tells Yahoo Health the link may be even simpler. “It could be that people who eat more fish are health conscious and less likely to eat junk food,” he says. “Because they are health-conscious, it means they also take care of themselves in other ways — more exercise, clean living, etc., all of which can reduce the likelihood of depression.”

Coleman also points out that the reverse can be true: People who aren’t depressed may be more likely to eat fish.

Certified dietitian-nutritionist Gina Keatley tells Yahoo Health the link could be due to fish’s “zoonutrients,” substances found in animals that are beneficial to human health.

“There are zoonutrients in fish that impact our bodies in ways we don’t yet understand,” she says. “Researchers think it has to do with the omega-3 fatty acids and their impact on our neural structure and function.”

While scientists found that more fish was better for fighting depression, Keatley recommends that you eat at least eight to 12 ounces of fish a week (and avoiding high-mercury versions like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish).

Thursday thoughts

Our pastor had to preach at another church last night. He posed a thought. We ask for increase but we are not specific about how we want to be increased. So I challenge you today as you go through your day to specifically ask to send increase into the areas of your life you need it most.

Increase...
My healing
My health
My wallet
My love for family, Co worker's and church
This not my list but some thoughts to get you started. 
Have constitution day.

Tuesday Tools-

Today's tool that I would like to share with you is bountiful baskets. 

http://bountifulbaskets.org/

We hope you enjoyed your experience with Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op (BBFC). BBFC distributes produce baskets, organic produce baskets, artisan bread and sandwich bread every other week.

BBFC is a group of people who work together for mutual benefit. This is a grassroots, all volunteer, no contracts, no catch co-operative. Since there are no employees at Bountiful Baskets, we as a group pay rock bottom prices on your food. This also means the co-op would not happen without volunteers. If you are interested in the co-op continuing, please volunteer occasionally. All it takes is a little time, energy and a smile. Volunteer opportunities include helping prepare the baskets, breaking down boxes, assisting with the distribution, and packing up. To help out, simply arrive an hour early dressed and ready to work with water to drink.

One last little thing… To quote a press release that a local City put out to encourage residents to consider participating, “Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op is a participatory experience. Participants all save a substantial amount of money on healthy food. In exchange there are no employees to guide participants through the experience.” Please read the contents of the FAQ and Policies before emailing us. All the information necessary to participate is available on the website

A friend Jackie turned me on to this group.  I went for my very first time last Saturday and absolutely loved the experience. You will need to go to the link to find out the closest location to you. The baskets are literally in every state. I hope you take the time to make a healthy choice. 

By-the-way if you are in Sedgwick or Butler County we are week A so we don't order again until next week. Below is a picture of last weeks bounty. 

Monday Motivation- God's Got Your Back

Wow, when I got up this morning to come blog that is what God said to share with you today. God's Got Your Back. The hymn that he laid on my heart was 

Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you!

Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you!

God will take care of you, Through every day o’er all the way;

He will take care of you; God will take care of you!

Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you!

When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you!

All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you!

Trust Him, and you will be satisfied, God will take care of you!

Lonely and sad, from friends apart, God will take care of you!

He will give peace to your aching heart, God will take care of you!

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you!

Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you!

Sorry, I got a bit carried away. I love hymns so much because there is meaning behind the song. This along with His eye is on the sparrow and His blood will never lose its power were written by CD Martin. She was a very sickly woman but had great faith that God would bring her out. Some of this new music has flair and catchy tune, but these hymns will get through, over and out of a situation. When you can't find any of your earthly friends and family know that God's Got Your Back. People will check caller id and keep on pushin' but God's got your back. Kids are driving you crazy, but God's got your back. 

In mortal combat, people that are fighting together will back up to each other and fight facing out. This keeps their backs covered. That is what God wants to do, but he can only have your back if you activate his power through your prayer life. Seek him early and honestly. 

Friday findings

September 6-12 is suicide prevention week.

After cancer and heart disease, suicide accounts for more years of life lost than any other cause of death.

In 2013, the highest suicide rate (19.1) was among people 45 to 64 years old. The second highest rate (18.6) occurred in those 85 years and older. Younger groups have had consistently lower suicide rates than middle-aged and older adults. In 2013, adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 had a suicide rate of 10.9 

So let our prays today be for those that don't have any hope and believe that death is the only solution. Let's pray that tactics of the enemy are exposed. Pray that the pressures of life can be kept in perspective. Pray that depression, alcoholism, drug addiction a and other mind altering issues will be cast of the hearts and minds of people. Let us pray that God would use each of us to help someone along the way. Amen.

Thursday thoughts

You must take the time to relax. I know we all think we are super woman,but if you don't take the time to rest you will come crashing down. So this morning I just want to share a few tips to relaxation. Yeah I'm reading this too. Ever you good preacher will tell you as God gives the message it hits them first. Lord I hear. Lol

1. Organize your time. Many of us never have time to relax because we are always running behind.

2. Give yourself permission to relax. Rest is not a sin. It's ok renew yourself.

3. Your mind, body and spirit have to be balanced and at peace in order for you to rest. Some things you have to release to God. You can't fix them anyway.

4. Meditation and yoga are not a sin. You have to think on positive things and seek out a mantra that builds you.

5. I know this one is some times hard to do because as a woman we like to fix all of the non beautiful things in our lives. Cast your cares on God. Stop stressing. Ulcers are not cute and not the way you were designed to live.

6. Final but not least go into your war room and pray about everything and leave it there. 

Wednesday word- Passion

Passion is any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling that one has toward something or someone. 

So my question is what are you passionate about? What makes your heart skip a beat when you think about it? Too often many of us have gotten comfortable in our situation. Our passion has not been stirred up enough to make us move. We are content to stay on the sidelines and talk about those that are in the game. Giving commentary on the game. Saying what everyone should be doing, but not participating. 
I am going to challenge you to get in, step in, jump in the game. Don't allow opportunities to pass you by. Allow your passion to be ignited. The spark on the inside of you is all some individual needs to set their world on fire. 
My sister what compels you emotionally?  Where is your passion? 

Tuesday thoughts

Today the Tuesday thought  is about goals. Write down your goals. Writing them down makes them real. It is too often that people will dream about what you want but won't push those dreams to the next level of goals by writing them down and putting actions with them.

When you were in school you took notes and went back and studied them to stay sharp on your subject.  Too often we make everything our subject other than ourselves. When you become your subject you will begin to study you and know everything that makes you happy, sad and where you want to be in a week, minth, year, 5 years and beyond.

Set your goals and rehearse them.

Monday message

Go see war room!!!!!!!!!
It will be the best 10$ you've ever spent.

Friday Findings

For those of you that may not know. Proverbs31 is a fabulous website for women's ministry. Great if you have a big group or even if you just want to do something on your own. I have included the link to the online bible studies but look at the other resources to see what is available for you.

 http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/

Check these out and give me some feedback

http://sistahscanwetalk.weebly.com


http://www.eventbrite.com/e/breast-cancer-awareness-brunch-tickets-18459903067?aff=utm_source%3Deb_email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dnew_event_email?utm_term=eventurl_text

Thursday Thoughts

I just want to share with you a blog that I receive but these are some things to think about even if you happen to be an empty nester. 

Are you balanced in your approach to the calling of God on your life? 

The Battle for Balance
Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:4-5, NASB).

Friend to Friend

It’s that time of year again. Schools are recruiting parents for classroom duties, sports teams are looking for team moms, and the women’s ministry is begging for help … and the list really does go on and on. 

How do you react when an opportunity for service presents itself?

Do you feel guilty saying “no” and give in to the demands for your time?

Why do women feel as if they have to do it all? 

Oh, I am fairly certain most women can do just about anything they set their minds to do.

I’m just not sure they can or should do it all at the same time. 

I tried. And the results were disastrous.

For years, I tried to earn the love and approval of God by doing everything I could find to do. If a position needed filling, I filled it. If a job needed doing, I did it. If volunteers were called for, mine was the first hand in the air. After all, if I was doing all of these important things then I must be important, too. Right? 

The result was two dark years spent at the bottom of a deep, ugly pit called clinical depression. It was as if God allowed me to run to the end of myself, and then shut the door and turned out the lights. I heard Him loud and clear, “That is enough! It is time for you to abide in me.” I knew very little about “abiding” but a whole lot about “doing.” I soon learned that to abide in God means to rest in Him and requires a balanced life with right priorities.

One of the main factors in my battle with clinical depression was that I didn’t understand how to live a balanced life. I found it difficult to set boundaries. I failed to establish margins of time for the unplanned or unexpected, and unwittingly surrendered my God-ordained priorities to the empty, vain addiction of just “doing the next thing” or pleasing the loudest voice. Balance can easily become a casualty of this ongoing battle.

While sitting in the darkness, waiting on God, I discovered that the pit of despair is a common destination for those who refuse to measure and balance the sometimes overwhelming demands of home, family, friends, work and personal growth. I had been running the race for the wrong audience. I had been using my own power instead of God’s power. 

I wish I could tell you that I now lead a perfectly balanced life, but the truth is that I constantly have to re-evaluate my priorities and goals in order to find the holy balance God intends. Many of you tell me that you have the same struggle.

I constantly have to make difficult choices between the good things and the best things. When I make the wrong choices, I can sense myself sliding toward the dangerous edge of darkness. I don’t want to go there again – so the battle continues. 

The good news is that I don’t have to fight alone and neither do you. God is with us, urging us toward the light and His restoration power that comes from a heart and life that rests and abides in Him. 

Let’s Pray

Father, I desperately need Your guidance in setting the priorities and goals in my life. I want to please You and do what You alone have created me to do. Please help me see and do Your plan.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

• Set aside 30 minutes this week to spend alone with God.
• Examine your life for areas that are out of balance.
• Record each area in your journal.
• Surrender that imbalance to God and ask Him to show you how to abide in Him instead of relying upon yourself and your own strength.
• Set aside one day this month for a silent retreat. Go to the beach – a park – your back yard! Just get alone with God and take a spiritual inventory of your priorities, time management and goals. The results may surprise you. 

More from the Girlfriends

The reality is that a perfectly balanced life was lived only once on this earth – by Jesus Christ. My chances of doing so are slim. It would be so easy to just throw my hands in the air or dive back under the covers and pray that the world will just go away and leave me alone. Been there? You are not alone, girlfriend. Gwen, Sharon and I fight the same fight. We are all in different seasons of life, but the struggle is the same – learning to put God first and then allowing Him to set the agenda for each day. Need help? My book, Escaping the Stress Trap is a great guide for learning how to abide in God. Check it out!

Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website. Connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 1311
Huntersville, NC 28070

Wednesday word

I just want to share the word that is on my heart this morning.

Hebrews 4:12-13The Message (MSG) God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what.  

Amplified Bible (AMP)12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [a]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

This is such a powerful word from our Lord. 

With his, word there is nothing in my life that can't be defeated. 
His word is so sharp, precise and powerful that it can cut out all unrighteousness from me. 
His word should be the exposer of the things that need to be dealt with in my life so that I can draw closer to him. 
With all of the crazy things happening in our world, we need to ask God to operate on us. Lord cut out the stuff that is not like you and will keep me from being in communion with the holy spirit.  
The president and the pope are supposed to be meeting about a universal money system. Friend if we have never been at a time in our lives that we need to seek his face and hear him clearly we are arriving there quickly. 

Tuesday thoughts

Wow I was listening to Christine Cain as she was sharing her testimony. Something that stood out to me was that if you embrace the pain of recovery you will come out much stronger. The recovery pain is much greater than the original injury.

So in other words, if I stop fighting the pain and put all of that energy into my recovery this thing that was trying to take me out will actually make me stronger ? So the thing I have been crying about is really just an instrument to get me in and around the throne of God?

The thought for today is fight through the pain and push through the recovery. Both are only making you stronger. So I share this to encourage you today.


http://youtu.be/TWrGjzBheno