Thursday Thougts

It is time to change the clocks again, time to fall back.  I don't know about you, but this is the hardest time for me. It is dark when I go to work and dark when I come home. It is also the beginning of the holidays.

So here are a few things to keep in mind as the season changes.

• Watch your friends and neighbors who have lost loved ones, the holidays along with the dark can be a trigger for depression.
• This is a great time to change the batteries in smoke detectors, replace light bulbs, review family emergency plans, review insurance and other policies to make sure that they yet meet your family needs and make sure that you have re-enrolled in your companies insurance pool/ flex spending. 
• Start transitioning your sleeping so that it is not so hard on your body next week. 
• Other things to do: flip your mattress, wash pillows, clean your curtains, clean refrigerator coils, vacuum out dryer vents, change filters and check your pantry for holiday staples. 
  

Wednesday word

Today I want to share with you a teaching by Pastor Rick Warren. 

How’s Your Spiritual Appetite?

BY RICK WARREN — OCTOBER 26, 2015

“You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment.” (1 Peter 2:2 NLT, second edition)

Are you hungry for God?

It is possible to maintain a spiritual hunger for God for the rest of your life. Here are five ways to keep a spiritual appetite.

1. Remind yourself how much God loves you. The more you understand how much God loves you, the more you’re going to love him. The Bible says in Ephesians 3:18-19, “May you have the power to understand … how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (NLT, second edition). 
2. Stop filling up on junk food. You are a spiritual being with a God-shaped hole in your heart that only God can fill. When you try to fill it with salary, status, success, passion, possessions, power, prestige, or anything other than God, it’s not going to be fulfilling. Proverbs 15:14 says, “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” 
3. Make knowing God your number one goal. Happiness is a byproduct of knowing God. Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well” (NCV).
4. Get into God’s Word every day. The Bible is food for your soul. Eating a meal once a week won’t keep you healthy. In the same way, you need to feed on God’s Word every day. “You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment” (1 Peter 2:2 NLT, second edition).
5. Appetite is influenced by association. If you hang out with people who only care about politics, that’s all you’re going to care about. If you hang out with people who only care about sports, that’s what you’re going to care about.

Join a small group for support, because whatever you talk about when you’re with others is what you’re going to be hungry for. Proverbs 2:20 says, “Join the company of good men and women, and stay on the paths of the righteous” (MSG/NLT, second edition).      

Tuesday tools

Twelve uses for Epsom salt

http://www.doctoroz.com/slideshow/epsom-salt-uses#cmpid=em102715

Monday message

I just keep hearing in my spirit, that all things are working for your good. I don't know what you are facing but it's working for your good. Understand, that in the working time it may not feel good, but it's working for your good. Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. My sister the darkest time of the night is right before it converts to morning. Push through to your break through. Don't allow the devil to steal anything that belongs to you.

Most of all, in the midst of it all, know that God has not forgotten you. You are always on his mind.    Live blessed

Friday Findings

Breast cancer awareness month is drawing to a close but I wanted to share this with you. Ladies, silence, in this case, is not golden. Make sure you know your body and when something changes. 

http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/10/22/450830752/breast-cancer-in-the-developing-world-rising-rates-shrouded-in-silence

Also join us on Saturday. 

Thursday Thoughts

Good Morning.
My first thought for today is I will be so glad when the wheat (or whatever that crap is) cutting season is over because my head can not take it anymore.  LOL that was just on the top.

My next thought is. PARENTS show up to your child's parent/teacher conference no matter what. I know that it is not always convenient but it is necessary. Your, not showing up sends a message, and it is probably not the one that is true.  If your work schedule is crazy and the times don't work or you don't have transportation, cool. But call and convey that information and set up a time to talk on the phone. You are your child's best advocate. You have to be the most concerned party in your child's life. I know life can be hard, thank God my kids are grown, but parents please step up.

As a teacher, I am so thrilled when I see dads show up to conferences. It helps to break the stereotypes, especially for our children of color, not just for me but for all teachers. Children of color have it hard enough in this world lets give them every advantage that they can get and education is one of those advantages.


Finally, This week is pastoral care week. Send your pastor(s) a note or card that will encourage his/her spirit. It might not hurt to throw in a gift card to some place they like to go. So many times parishanagers take their pastor(s) for granted and think nothing about the sacrifices they make to do what they do. So, take the time out to personalize a thank you to your pastor(s) and let him/her know that you as an individual notice what they are doing, how much time they spend and acknowledge their sacrifices of time, money and family they are making to pour into your life. I know some of you all are going to say, "We just had our pastor anniversary wasn't that enough?" The answer is No because that was a collective, planned, non-personal appreciation. This should be personal and specific about how you  have been blessed by the ministry.

Ok enough of my thoughts for today. And as always I admonish you to live blessed.

Wednesday word

Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way." (HCSB)

Wow, what a powerful scripture. I could say a lot but I think it may be better to just ponder this scripture today and see what God is telling you about his word. What offensive things are on the inside of us and What are we going to do about? 
Pray about this today.