Saturday, October 30, 2010

The zinc found in pumpkin seeds (as well as in oysters and baked beans) can enhance immunity

Sleep, Exercise Can Prevent the Common Cold


by Bob Curley on October 25, 2010



Getting more sleep and exercise provides natural protection against seasonal colds, RealSimple.com reported Oct. 22.



People who get less than seven hours of sleep nightly are three times more likely to carch a cold, researchers say; sleep regulates release of the immunity-boosting hormone cortisol. Regular moderate exercise also boost the immune system, but prolonged, high-intensity workouts could make you more prone to illness, experts say.



Another simple way to stimulate your immune system is to alternate hot and cold streams of water in the shower. A hot shower also can clear your nasal passages of cold germs; another way to wash out bacteria, viruses and irritants is by rinsing your nasal passages with a neti pot or irrigator.



The mineral zinc has been shown to enhance immunity, and foods like oysters, baked beans, and pumpkin seeds can give you the zinc you need in your daily diet. Vitamin D, which regulates the immune system, improves calcium absorption and cuts inflammation, can be found in multivitamins or supplements as well as milk, fatty fish, and sunlight.

Friday, October 29, 2010

‎1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong. Your every action must be done with love.



You are the heartbeat of the Father! He loves you with an everlasting love and will never change His mind about His love for you! He longs to open doors you cannot open and move things you cannot move. Allow Him to be your Hero!!



 ‎2 Corinthians 1:4-5 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so our comfort overflows through Christ
‎"The LORD has eyes for the just & ears for their cry. When the just cry out the LORD hears & rescues them from all distress. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed. Many are the troubles of the just but the LORD delivers from them all." ~ Psalm 34:16-20



Defeating Fear


Is fear destroying your destiny?



Fear paralyzes people of purpose. It destroys destinies and leaves dreams unfulfilled. It impedes people in their businesses, ministries, churches and homes.



What if fear no longer controlled you?



What if you could rally the courage to conquer fear

and achieve the victory you long for?



You Can!



Destiny Coach and speaker Carrie C. Stone’s proven Biblical battle strategies empower you to conquer the giant of fear and live God’s destiny for your life with passion and purpose. In Defeating Fear, she shares her personal triumphs over the paralysis of fear and reveals the action steps she has used while coming face-to-face with:



• The humiliation of foreclosure

• The debilitation of years of illness

• And the retaliation against neighborhood drug dealers!



You will be inspired, exhorted, encouraged and empowered to step onto the battlefield and live out God’s purposes for you. So get ready to:



Fight,

Establish,

Advance and

Resist your way to victory...



as you master the art of Defeating Fear!







~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~





Pre-orders for the first release,

limited edition of Defeating Fear

are now being taken.





Get your order in before November 2

in time for Holiday gift giving!









* Please print and mail this order form along with your check to:





Carrie C. Stone

3719 M Avenue

Anacortes, WA 98221





I am happy to purchase ________copies of Defeating Fear @$20 per copy





Shipping and handling costs:

$4 per book for books shipped individually

$3.50 per book for 2-5 books shipped to one address

$3.00 per book for 6-9 books shipped to one address

$2.00 per book for 10-19 books shipped to one address

FREE shipping for orders of 20 or more books





Find enclosed my check for $________which includes $________ for shipping





Please include: shipping addresses, instructions for signing and personalizing. Examples:

Who is the book signed to? Is there a personal message? Or do you want just a signature?

Would you like the date of signing, or perhaps Christmas 2010, or no date?





THANK YOU FOR YOUR ORDER! GOD BLESS YOU!









(c) Carrie C. Stone ~ http://www.carriecstone.com/
Girlfriends In God on Crosswalk.com ‎"Like a morning with no coffee, there are times when we are sluggish in our faith. There are times we need a shot of God-caffeine in our day. A spiritual espresso...Are there things in the Scriptures that tell us how can we strengthen and jump-start our faith?"


What is your favorite "espresso" Bible verse?

A Fresh Brewed Faith - Gwen Smith

budurl.com

‎"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength..." -- Every morning I walk straight to the coffee pot and push the ON button...

.
The Respect Dare Today is housekeeping day with relationships. Determine who your friends REALLY are...and who are people you should be mentoring. Dare you to carefully consider and pray about what to do with those gals in your life who are constantly slamming their husbands or gossiping! Dare you to be holy with your friendships.



Reward yourself after completing something you've put off.



Hide


How to do it


Set out to accomplish a task you've been putting off, like scheduling an appointment, and then give yourself a small reward when the task is completed. You might treat yourself to a coffee break or indulge in reading your favorite blog. The reward can be small, but allow yourself some time to relax once your goal is accomplished.






Why it matters


Finding the balance between productivity and relaxation can reduce your stress and help you feel more motivated to move on to the next task. While there's usually no easy way around difficult or mundane tasks (unless you can afford to have someone do them for you, of course) you may be able to tackle them successfully with rewards -- rewarding yourself!






By Paula Silva










"Oh, Lord,

You alone are my Hope!"

~ Psalm 71:5





All of us have from time to time said things that we later regret. Emotions run high and anger comes to the surface. There are, though, individuals who consistently remain in a pattern of behavior using words to destroy others out of a sense of entitlement, superiority, and power. In James 3:6 we find, “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”





These abusive people can even profess to be “Christians” using this mask to cover up what is really in their heart. “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” James 3:9-10 NIV





When confronted with a verbally abusive person, we have a tendency to explain or defend ourselves over and over again hoping to prove that their statements are false. This only gives the abusive person more ammunition to use against the victim.





In Patricia Evans’ book, The Verbally Abusive Relationships, she states, “If you are encountering abuse and feel that if you could explain things, he’d understand, remember this: If someone started throwing rocks through your windows, you would be more inclined to tell him to stop than you would be to explain to him why he shouldn’t throw rocks. Verbal abuse is like a rock thrown through your window.” Verbal abuse shatters the window (our spirit) of our heart into pieces. Eventually we will no longer know who we are.





Therefore it is critical to identify the categories of verbal abuse.





· Name Calling—The abuser uses derogatory names.





· Abusive Anger—The abuser exhibits sudden outburst of anger which are usually irrational and unexpected.





· Threatening—The abuser knows the victim’s greatest fears and uses these to intimidate and keep control.





· Withholding—The abuser refuses to acknowledge the victim’s thoughts and feelings while remaining aloof, silent, and emotionally distant.





· Countering—The abuser refutes the victims perceptions, thoughts, opinions, feelings, and life experiences usually stating the opposite viewpoint. This causes the victim to not trust her own perceptions.





· Discounting—The abuser invalidates denies, and distorts the victim’s perceptions, feelings and thoughts stating; You’re too sensitive. You make a big deal out of everything..





· Blocking and Diverting—The abuser either refuses to communicate or controls what is to be discussed. Sometimes information is withheld or the topic of discussion is suddenly switched to a new topic other than the original. This puts the victim into a position of defending herself. You’re such a nag. You’re always trying to start something. These are common statements used to block or divert.





· Accusing and Blaming—The abuser blames the victim for his anger and problems. He accuses the victim of doing something wrong.





· Judging and Criticizing—The abuser consistently judges, criticizes, and negates the victim’s feelings, thoughts, opinions, and actions.



· Trivializing—The abuser considers the accomplishments, talents, abilities, and statements as insignificant.





· Undermining—The abuser undermines the victim’s decisions especially parental decision regarding rules and consequences given to children.





· Ordering—The abuser demands instead of asking politely.





· Denial—The abuser denies that he is abusive by saying statements like: I never said that. That never happened.





· Forgetting—The abuser denies he said or did something even if it happened recently.





Responding to verbal abuse in appropriate ways is a difficult task. Our tendency is to become defensive and angry ourselves. This only adds fuel to the fire. Setting boundaries such as telling the abuser to stop, walking away or becoming emotionally distant are appropriate responses for a victim who remains in the relationship.





Everyone should be quick to listen,

slow to speak and slow to become angry,

for man’s anger does not bring about

the righteous life that God desires.

~ James 19-20 NIV
Tune out the voices of negativity and focus on the voice of the Lord. If God be for you, who can be against you? Have faith in the calling God has on your life and be strong in the face of adversity. Therefore, I challenge you to focus on the people in your life who are genuine; and if you have no one, remember you have God
Don't be afraid to reach out to those in need. Your finger prints will never fade from the lives you touch.



RAW THOUGHTS ABOUT THE RAW DIET

Jaqui Karr
October 24, 2010
Comments (8) 20194

ShareEvery time I write an article or present a seminar about the raw diet I can’t help note how we have evolved so far away from nature that we now need to take courses about eating food in its natural form. Quite astonishing when you think about it.



DEFINING RAW (also called “sun food” and “naked food”): food that is not heated above 118°F (46°C) in order to maintain nutritional integrity.



Raw Foodism is getting a whole lot of press lately and it is coming across as the newest fad diet yet there isn’t one person alive, dead, or in some world in between who can deny that raw was the first diet to ever exist and has been present all these millions of years. Isn’t it striking that most people in the developed world now need cookbooks to eat raw food? Welcome to the new millennium.



The majority of interest is coming from the miraculous health benefits and although science backs it up, common sense can tell us why many benefits come with eating naked food:



1) What you are NOT eating when eating raw: toxins, carcinogens, chemicals



2) Our bodies are made up of living organisms, trillions of cells that need to renew themselves constantly; raw food is full of live cells and enzymes and helps the body in this natural process



I list the fact that we are avoiding toxins first because this is what is presently causing most of the health disasters we are facing. The human body was never designed to fight thousands of chemical substances disguised as food. Somehow we have managed to become desensitized to the fact that we are eating poison – don’t we all joke about how we can’t pronounce most of the ingredients in processed foods? Stop and think about that for a second: we are eating some of the same ingredients they use to bleach outdoor sailing tarp, chemicals used by military in deforestation tactics during wars, and even ingredients used in making nuclear bombs – all of the above can be found in a serving of milk and cookies! No wonder Santa doesn’t fit in the chimney anymore.



We are physically designed to create antibodies against the odd bacteria here and there, maybe, possibly, sometimes, and rarely counter the cortisol that is released when we are stressed…do “maybe”, “rarely”, and “sometimes” describe the frequency with which you are stressed?



Our bodies are fighting a very difficult battle they weren’t meant to fight on a daily basis and they are doing it with not only no ammunition, but blindfolded and with arms tied so to speak, all the while our cells are literally under attack by chemical warfare. I’m always amazed that there are only 200 million people clinically diseased in North America. Our bodies are so brilliant and amazing that we are not extinct yet…but clearly on our way.



It is important to note that technically meats and fish in raw form can be considered raw food, however for the health benefits we are discussing here, only plant based foods are considered healthy.



So let’s debunk the two major myths that raw food is boring and that there are nutrients like protein lacking from this diet. If you have been eating cooked food your whole life, wouldn’t it stand to reason that same old same old cooked food is now boring and exploring a whole new method of food preparation would open interesting doors? There are literally thousands of recipes within raw cuisine – how many thousand recipes in cooked food do you incorporate in your diet on a yearly basis? How many new recipes and exotic ingredients did you try in the past week?



As for the question of nutrients, everything your body needs is built into raw foods by Mother Nature and no one should be surprised by this. Protein in broccoli, calcium in kale, omega-3’s in walnuts…and this list goes on and on…it’s just a question of re-educating ourselves about nutrition.



Going raw requires several steps, and Victoria Boutenko has an interesting book titled “12 Steps to Raw Foods”, but to keep this blog entry reasonably short, let me summarize to 3 steps. The second step in going raw is to know where to find essential nutrients (from a health standpoint all nutrients are essential, but in medical terms, “essential” refers to nutrients your body cannot create on its own and must be eaten through food). That’s the second step. The first step? …knowing how much of what nutrients your body really needs and this should be done regardless of a person’s diet being cooked or raw. Most of us do not know what we need and in turn consume too much of what we know to be important, like protein, when in fact excess protein is the root of many evils. The third and easiest step is finding new recipes; there are countless recipes online and even more in your bookstore.



A little research is in order to transform your diet for the better and whether you do it through reading on your own, taking a course, or consulting with a nutritionist, ask yourself if there is anything more worthy of your time than your optimum health. You certainly don’t want to be asking yourself that question when it is too late, as MS and Alzheimer’s patients will tell you.
‎"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)



 If you don't see God coming through for you right now - and you are seeking Him - don't throw in the towel. When God delays His deliverance, He is delaying for a greater purpose. Trust Him
Walk an Hour a Day to Prevent Breast Cancer


by Bob Curley on October 28, 2010



Post-menopausal women can cut their risk of breast cancer by 15 percent by taking a brisk, one-hour walk each day, new research suggests.



Reuters reported Oct. 27 that a study involving about 100,000 women also found that women who increased their activity even marginally after menopause were 10 percent less likely to get the disease compared to those who remained sedentary.



Researchers tracked the women for 20 years. They found that brisk walking seemed to provide the greatest protection against breast cancer, and that women didn’t need to engage in vigorous workouts to see benefits.



Exercising “is one of the few breast-cancer risk factors that women can do something about, and it’s never too late,” said lear researcher A. Heather Eliassen of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.



The findings were published in the Oct. 25, 2010 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine
 Believe and declare you will see every dream, every desire, every promise God put in your heart come to pass!
The hour of victory can easily become the hour of defeat.











We will never be out of reach of temptation.










We should always have the shield of faith


in our hands as part of our spiritual armor.










To "walk with God" does not come automatically.










It requires a daily exercise of entering into His Presence,


listening to His instructions and following them without reservation.


Thursday, October 28, 2010

Sudden Breakthroughs


.by Joel Osteen Ministries on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 6:56am.TODAY’S SCRIPTURE



“...the Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like the bursting out of great waters...” (2 Samuel 5:20, AMP)







TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria







God wants to give you a breakthrough — a sudden burst of His favor; an explosion of His goodness. He wants to release His power in such a way that it overwhelms you and drives out your enemies!



Maybe you’ve been praying about a relationship for years; and suddenly, things get into place. That’s a breakthrough. Or, you were trying to get a certain job. They said there were no openings; but suddenly, they call you back and you get the job. That’s another breakthrough. Perhaps you’ve struggled with an addiction for a long time; but then something happens, and it’s not a struggle anymore. Those are all breakthroughs.



No matter what you’ve been facing, no matter how impossible things look, know this: the God of the breakthrough wants to visit your house. Get ready! Look for His favor and goodness. Remember, God rewards the people who seek after Him. So keep expecting, keep believing because the God of the breakthrough is ready to overwhelm you with His goodness today!











A PRAYER FOR TODAY



Father in heaven, today I am expecting Your goodness. I am looking for Your favor. I’m trusting that You, the God of the breakthrough, are working mightily on my behalf. Help me to live a life pleasing to You as I wait for Your hand to move mightily in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.



— Joel & Victoria Osteen



.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

http://www.sunfood.com/pages/recipes
Raw Cacao and Banana Smoothie



.(makes 1 cup)






The Cacao and Banana Smoothie is a protein filled, antioxidant rich drink that is great for after a workout or anytime throughout the day when you need to recharge your batteries.






Ingredients:1 cup brazil nut milk


1 cup ice


1 banana


2 Tbsp. raw honey or agave nectar


2 Tbsp. cacao powder






Preparation:Place the brazil nut milk, ice, banana, raw honey and cacao in Vita–Mix blender. Blend on high until smooth and all of the ingredients are combined. Pour and enjoy!






Dr. Mehmet Oz Pumpkins are loaded with vitamin A and C. Skip the pie and if you carve a pumpkin – be sure to toast the seeds for a dose of magnesium, iron and zinc. Anybody have a healthy pumpkin recommendation
Wednesday, October 27, 2010


Mary: Mom of Praise (Pt. 3)



Part 3: Mary’s Salvation



In the book One Million Arrows, Julie talks about a young man who is a Bible smuggler. When I read his story I immediately prayed, "Dear God, please don't call my boys to be Bible smugglers." I have prayed this multiple times since then, specifically for my three year old, since he already seems to be a thrill seeker. Studying the life of Mary brought conviction upon my heart for this prayer. More than anything I want my boys to follow God's plan for their lives, no matter where that takes them.



When Jesus was even younger than my boys, Mary knew His life would not be easy. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to make their sacrifices they met Simeon. Simeon was “waiting for the Consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25). He had a word of praise to God, and a word of warning for Mary. “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (vv 34-35). As she watched her Son and Savior hang on the cross, the spear that pierced His side pierced her soul!



Mary supported Jesus' ministry. She was present at His first miracle at the wedding in Cana. She becomes a faithful follower. But even that wasn't easy for her. Even though Mary was Jesus’ mother, His first loyalty was to His Heavenly Father. He makes this point when He does not allow His family to distract Him from doing God’s will in Mark 3:31-35.



At the cross Jesus’ thoughts are of Mary. He charges John with the responsibility of caring for her. We see her again in Acts 1:14 praying with her sons, the other women who followed Jesus, and the disciples. She recognized Jesus as not only her Son but also her Savior. From the immaculate conception, to the torment of the crucifixion, and finally to the joy of the resurrection, Mary was there. She supported her Son in spite of her grief.



Hard as it is, we also must recognize our children’s first loyalty should be to God. And we must allow them to follow God’s path, wherever that may take them. Too many parents discourage their children from moving away, taking a ministry job that doesn’t pay much, or not support their decisions to conform to the likeness of Christ, however that may work out personally and practically. We can follow the example of Mary and support our children in their walks with God
October 27, 2010




Hush my Mouth

Sharon Jaynes



Today's Truth

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye! How can you say to your brother, ‘let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3, 4 NIV).



Friend to Friend

I couldn't believe it. The announcement of one of the most important days of my life…my dream come true… and there was a misprint! A horrible misprint. My husband and I got married in a small eastern North Carolina town, on a beautiful August afternoon. There's not a lot going on in Rocky Mount, so weddings and funerals get full coverage. My wedding picture, in all its bridal glory, was a 4x5 crisp black and white photo displayed in the local section of the paper. Under my smiling face read the caption…Mrs. Steven Hush Jaynes.



I was mortified! My mother-in-law did not have a lapse in judgment when Steve was born. She did not name him HUSH. His middle name is Hugh. Oh my goodness. What were those people thinking? How could they be so careless? Didn't they realize I would cut that picture out and put it in my wedding album for all eternity? Didn't they understand the teasing that would surely follow that misprint? Didn't they understand how important this was? Hush! I was furious. My only hope was that the even smaller town where I was actually born would also run the wedding announcement. They did. A few days after discovering the "hush" dilemma, the tiny newspaper from Spring Hope, North Carolina arrived. I unfolded the page and there, as big as day, was my wedding picture. This one was 5 x 7 and underneath it read…Mrs. Steven Hush Jaynes. Oh my glory! Now I was crying.



On the same day, I received the newspaper from my husband's hometown of over 500,000. Underneath my itty bitty wedding picture were the words…you guessed it…Mrs. Steven Hush Jaynes!



Suddenly the truth began to sink in. This was not the error of inept newspapers. It was my fault. When I print, I'm a bit sloppy and my "g" seldom closes, looking like an "s." I guess it looks a lot like an "s." So now it was time for me to hush.



Have you ever been in a situation where you were blaming someone for a mishap and suddenly realized you were the one at fault? Have you ever pointed the finger at someone and then realized you were the problem? Jesus said it this way, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye! How can you say to your brother, ‘let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3, 4)



I have since learned that when you point a finger at someone, there are at least three other fingers pointing back at yourself. The best way to avoid that is not to point the finger at someone in the first place.



Jesus went on to say, "First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye" (Matthew 7:5). I don't know about you, but I have plenty of sawdust in my own life to keep me busy.



I still put the newspaper announcements in our wedding album. It is a great reminder of two truths. Number one: August 16, 1980 was one of the happiest days of my life. Number tw when I start casting blame or pointing out faults, I need to take a good look in the mirror and hush.



Let's Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, sometimes I am so quick to blame someone else for my mistakes. Help me to always examine my own heart and let You take care of the rest. Thank You for the embarrassing reminders that I am a work in progress and You are not finished with me yet.

In Jesus' Name,



Amen.



Now It's Your Turn

Can you think of a time when you blamed someone else for a difficult situation only to discover that you were the problem?



Can you think of a time that you wish you had "hushed up" instead of getting upset with someone?



Today was a fun devotion. I hope it made you smile. Now, to finish it off, read Job 40:4b and make it part of your day. As you read it, think about this…Your hand is made to perfectly fit over your mouth. I wonder if that was Divine DesignJ



Does today's devotion remind you of an incident where you pointed a finger and it came right back at you? I hope you can laugh at it today? Click on www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes and tell me your story.



More From The Girlfriends

Words! They are difficult to control sometimes. If you would like to learn more about how to use your words wisely, you'll want to read The Power of a Woman's Words by Sharon Jaynes. And for a more in-depth look at what God's Word has to say about the words we speak, see The Power of a Woman's Words Bible Study Guide.
He Wants Us to Thrive


.by Joel Osteen Ministries on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 7:34am. "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers”(3 John 1:2, NKJV)







TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria



Many people today are living in “survival mode.” If they can just make it through the day, they’ve accomplished their goal. And, there are times when circumstances can seem overwhelming. There are seasons that are more difficult than others. But God doesn’t want us to just survive, He wants us to thrive. He wants us to prosper in all things.



One definition of the word “thrive” means “to realize a goal despite circumstances.” That means you can prosper in all things no matter what is going on around you. You don’t have to settle for an average year; you can have an extraordinary year. You may be planning on just getting by, but God is planning on abundance. He’s planning on overflow. It’s time to get into agreement with God. It’s time to walk in His ways. It’s time see your dreams come to pass. It’s time to thrive because God has a plan for you to prosper in every area of your life!







A PRAYER FOR TODAY



Father God, thank You for the gift of today. I choose to cast my cares on You knowing that because You care about me, You care for me. Help me to see the good plan You have for me so that I can thrive the way You intended. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.



— Joel & Victoria Osteen



.
Mix it up! Take a different route to or from a place you're going today.



Hide


How to do it


You probably have a set route to work, the grocery store, the babysitter's -- even to different rooms in your own home. Today, mix it up! Instead of going the way you usually go, find a new route. If you're at home and can't, or don't want to, go out for some reason, take a different path than you normally would to get from one room or part of your house or apartment to another.






Why it matters


Scientists now know that in order to keep our brains sharp, we need to do more than recall information we already know (as is the case when you play trivia question-and-answer games). We need to tackle new things that take us out of our comfort zones. Physical exercise is hugely important too because our brains, like our hearts, need oxygen and blood flow to keep them agile and to create new brain cells. Activities like taking a new route to work nourish new connections in our brains and keep them fit. Making new friends, learning to play a musical instrument, even engaging in a friendly debate are also constructive activities. Just don't try to do them all at once!






Long Commute Does Not Preclude Exercise



by Bob Curley on October 26, 2010






If your daily commute is too long to walk or bike there are still some simple exercises you can do in the car or on the train, the Washington Post reported Oct. 24.






Squeezeitin.com, a website dedicated to fitting exercise into your daily routine (their motto is “Let life be your workout”), recommends:






■Contract your abs or glutes when you’re sitting, or twist to one side and tighten your oblique muscles


■If you’re standing by a pole on the train, lift up on your toes to perform calf raises


■Don’t just stand on the train platform — see how many times you can walk from end to end before your train comes


Tuesday, October 26, 2010

MOV01868.MPG

MOV01870.MPG

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death



of despair...


of depression...


of doubt...


of desperation...


...Lord - I will fear no evil for You are with me


Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies


Thou anointest my head with oil(blessings)


My cup runneth over..surely goodnes and mercy shall follow all the days of my life.


Lord I thank you and I love you
Today's Daily Challenge Tuesday Oct. 26, 2010



Healthy Behavior


Pick a whole grain food to eat at one meal or as a snack today.


Hide


How to do it


Brown rice, whole wheat bread, popcorn, oatmeal, whole grain pasta, bulgar, and tabouli are just a few whole grain foods you might consider today. For sandwiches, choose wheat or rye bread over white bread. If you like rice, have brown rice instead of white rice. Likewise, if you're into pasta, try whole grain pasta. For an afternoon snack, spread a little peanut butter on 100-percent whole wheat crackers.






Why it matters


Whole grains contain as much as four times more fiber than their refined counterparts, white bread and white rice. Eating whole grains boosts fiber intake, which can aid digestion, help with weight loss, and lower cholesterol. Whole grains have also been linked to a reduced risk of developing some forms of cancer, diabetes, and asthma. When in doubt, check the food label to make sure it says, "100-percent whole wheat" or "100 percent whole grain." If it says "seven grain," "stone-ground," "100 percent wheat," "cracked wheat," or "bran," it is probably not a whole-grain product.






Choose Joy


.by Joel Osteen Ministries on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 7:41am. “This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it”(Psalm 118:24, NLT)







TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria



Happiness isn’t just a random feeling; happiness is a choice. It’s a decision that we have to make by an act of our will. All throughout life, you’re going to have plenty of opportunities to lose your joy. We all go through disappointments. We all have times when things don’t go our way. It’s very easy to let the circumstances of life make us sour and dejected until we just go through the motions of day-to-day living. But if you’re going to live in victory, if you’re going to thrive the way God intends, you’ve got to make the decision that you’re going to enjoy your life. You’ve got to choose to be happy in spite of your circumstances, every single day.



Today, remember, this is the day that the Lord has made! Choose to rejoice and be glad in it! As you choose joy, you are tapping into His strength which will carry you through to victory all the days of your life!







A PRAYER FOR TODAY



Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to bless and serve You. I choose to rejoice today no matter what comes my way. Thank You for Your peace and strength to overcome in every area of my life! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.



— Joel & Victoria Osteen



.
Most of us learn to endure the doubts of others, but the real challenge arises when your own mind begins, like Job, to question God. There is a level of glory in us that cannot be revealed without struggle. There is a level of glory in you that exposes itself only as you go through crushing experiences.



Dare you today to ask your husband what he thinks about something and then actually listen and ask questions. Don't argue - so don't pick something that will make you defensive! Pick something and get his perspective. Men are wired by God to advise...we miss a lot when we won't ask for their input!



Monday, October 25, 2010

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.



If there is no struggle there is no progress.
It’s not too late to begin a new career or launch a business. God has you here for a reason, you have something left to do. Take all that you’ve been through and throw it up against what you’re facing. There’s strength for the stage you’re in right now. There’s another mountain in you.



"Full Circle"


.by Peggy Lee on Monday, October 25, 2010 at 9:14pm.A word for my FB friends: I've been spending time with the Lord and I feel strongly that there is something He wants me to share with you.







I believe the Lord has told me that we have entered into and will be in, from now until the end of the year, a season of "full circle". That there will be things in our lives such as jobs, etc., that will be "ending" -- in one form or another because they must, in order for God to bring forth the new things He has for us.







I feel He wants us to know that if and when these endings come, not to be too upset, because He is allowing this situation for His perfect will in our lives to be accomplished. He spoke this to me personally first, so I'm hestitant to post this, but then I truly felt He said for me to share it, so that many of you will be prepared for this same "full circle" season.







Please don't be fearful in anyway, but just aware.....and confident that the Lord loves us very much and ALWAYS has our best interest at heart. As my precious niece Brielle always says, "it's all good" -- and it is, I promise! God has a plan and it's NEVER exactly what WE would have planned--because it's ultimately SO MUCH BETTER! Great things are ahead -- just get through this to the other side!



.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Water, water, water, water. Drink lots of water. The more water you drink the less bloated you will be. Doesn't make much sense? Water cleanses your body and washes away toxins. Aim for at least two to three litres a day. I always have a bottle with me. I carry it everywhere. Only water counts. Coffe, sugar free drinks and tea can add liquid to your plan, but doesn't count as the real thing.



Written On Your Heart


.by Joel Osteen Ministries on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 7:30am.





“They demonstrate that God’s law is written on their hearts...”(Romans 2:15, NLT)







TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria



In the Old Testament, God’s commands were written on stone tablets and kept in the tabernacle. Today, when we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, we become His temple. He lives in us and engraves His promises and commands in our hearts.



How can you be sure of this? This verse goes on to say that it’s because your conscience, or inner man, has a stronger knowing of what is right and what is wrong; what you should and shouldn’t do. Because you are drawn to follow the Word of God, you know that the Spirit of God is on the inside of you guiding and directing you. Every time you follow His leading, your ability to hear and know Him is strengthened. But if you choose to bypass that prompting on the inside, your heart can become hard which will affect your ability to hear Him in the future.



Make the decision today to demonstrate that God’s law is written on your heart by quickly obeying His leading. As you do, He’ll guide you down the path of blessing, and you’ll experience the abundant life He has in store for you!







A PRAYER FOR TODAY



Heavenly Father, thank You for making Your home in me and for guiding me down the path of peace and blessing. Help me to clearly follow Your promptings all the days of my life so I can honor You in all I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.



— Joel & Victoria Osteen



.
Unforgiveness is like a cancer in our souls...destroying our positive efforts, even as we try to change. Dare you to 1) actively forgive (let go completely of) the wrongs your spouse has done to you over the years, and 2) ask God for the same for you... let the healing begin! Double dog dare you to read the Scripture, chew on it, then watch the video!



Wednesday, October 20, 2010

 Decide today to fill your heart with God’s promises and His expectations for your life
The Respect Dare Is your husband withdrawn? This is frequently his natural response to feeling attacked by a demand from his wife for an emotional confrontation. The withdrawal frequently results in escalation by us, trying to get hub to hear how upset we are, which only makes him withdraw more! Dare you to be a woman who creates an atmosphere of unconditional respect, then bring up issues in a calm, unemotional way to resolve them!



Give Grace


October 20, 2010

tags: Teri Lynne Underwood, John, Colossians, 1 Peter, grace, Hebrewsby Teri Lynne Underwood

.Grace … receiving what we do not deserve.



We cling to this verse:



For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV



Not from ourselves. Not of ourselves. Not through ourselves.



We can’t earn grace. We don’t deserve grace. It is the gift of God.



But somehow, though we have been given such great grace so freely, we are stingy with it. We demand grace be given according to our need and yet we resist offering that same grace to others.



It happens in churches. A lot.



The pastor’s sermon isn’t as well delivered as I’d like.



The worship leader doesn’t sing the same words as are on the screen.



The Sunday School teacher is distracted and the lesson isn’t very good.



The nursery worker failed to change the baby’s diaper before I picked her up so she was wet. Very wet.



No one spoke to me during the welcome time.



But what if you knew that the pastor had been at the hospital all night comforting parents whose child had been in a car accident and was in a coma.



Or what if you knew the worship leader had received a call early Sunday morning that his best friend’s wife had left him.



What if the Sunday School teacher hadn’t studied because he was laid off last week and was just having a hard time figuring out how to trust God in the midst of his fears about providing for his family.



And what if that nursery worker hadn’t changed your sweet baby’s diaper because she had spent time comforting the child of a visitor who had never been to church before.



What if the people who normally speak to you didn’t because they were checking on a young widow who was back at church for the first time since her husband’s tragic death.



Does that make a difference?



Should it?



Truthfully, not a bit.



Our extension of grace should never be based on our feelings or understanding of a situation. Instead, we are called to give grace because we have received grace.



And, this is never more true than in our local faith families. Jesus spoke to this truth plainly:



“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:34-35, NIV



Love gives grace … willingly.



We must give grace in our words.



Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 NIV



We must give grace to prevent conflict.



See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 NIV



We must give grace as we serve.



Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 NIV



Am I saying this will be easy? Nope! It won’t. In fact, giving grace is hard. Giving grace requires laying down self and giving priority to others. Giving grace necessitates that we let go of our expectations and focus instead on encouraging others.



But time and again, I have seen this truth: Grace multiplies!



And so my challenge to you is to give grace in your church. To the pastors, the leaders, the teachers, the nursery workers, the technical crew, and to the people in the pews.



Time and again, give grace! Not because “they” deserve it but because you didn’t deserve it either.



Have you seen grace multiplied in your church? How can you give grace this week?
The obstacles of past scars can be overcome by present truths. Your deliverance will not start in your circumstances; it will always evolve out of your mentality. Whenever someone tells you what you can’t do or be, or what you can’t get or attain, then tell them, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! I am a transformer!”



Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers”(3 John 1:2, KJV)








TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria



In the New Testament, John prayed that we would prosper and be in health “as our souls prosper.” One translation says “as you are strong in spirit.”



God wants your inner man to be strong and healthy because your internal condition affects your external condition. If you are healthy in your soul, you will be healthy in your relationships, finances and every area. On the other hand, if your internal condition is negative, sour and defeated, then your life will reflect the same thing.



How do you become strong and healthy in your soul? First of all, by making Jesus your Lord and Savior and dedicating every area of your life to Him. Then, as you meditate on and follow His Word, you are giving strength to your inner man. You are programming your mind and heart in the right direction. You are setting yourself up to prosper and be in health in every area of your life!







A PRAYER FOR TODAY



Father in heaven, thank You for Your goodness. Thank You for choosing me and setting me up to prosper in this life. Today, I dedicate every area of my heart and mind to You. Strengthen my inner man by Your Spirit today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.



— Joel & Victoria Osteen



.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

By Gretchen Rubin, DivineCaroline via The Happiness Project



Exercise is one of the keys to happiness. Research shows that people who exercise are healthier, more energetic, think more clearly, sleep better, and have delayed onset of dementia. They get relief from anxiety and mild depression, comparable to medication and therapy. They perform better at work.



Also, although it’s tempting to flop down on the couch when you’re feeling exhausted, exercise is actually a great way to boost energy levels. Feeling tired is a reason to exercise, not a reason to skip exercise.



But even when you admit that you’d feel better if you exercised, it can be very hard to adopt the habit. My idea of fun has always been to lie in bed and read, preferably while also eating a snack, but I’ve managed to keep myself exercising by using all these tricks on myself:




3. Never skip exercising two days in a row. You can skip a day, but the next day, you must exercise, no matter how inconvenient.



4. Give yourself credit for the smallest effort. My father always said that all he had to do was put on his running shoes and close the door behind him. Many times, by promising myself I could quit ten minutes after I’d started, I got myself to start—and then found that I didn’t want to quit, after all.



5. Think about context. I thought I disliked weight training, but in fact, I dislike the guys who hang out in the weight-training area. Are you distressed about the grubby showers in your gym? Do you try to run in the mornings, but recoil from going out in the cold? Examine the factors that might be discouraging you from exercising.



6. Exercise several times a week. If your idea of exercise is to join games of pick-up basketball, you should be playing practically every day. Twice a month isn’t enough.



7. If you don’t have time to both exercise and take a shower, find a way to exercise that doesn’t require you to shower afterward. Twice a week, I have a very challenging weight-training session, but the format I follow doesn’t make me sweat. (Some of you are saying, “It can’t be challenging if you don’t sweat!” Oh yes, believe me, it is.)



8. Look for affordable ways to make exercising more pleasant or satisfying. Could you upgrade to a nicer or more convenient gym? Buy yourself a new iPod? Work with a trainer? Get a pedometer to keep track of your walking distances? Exercise is a high life priority, so this a worthwhile place to spend some money if that helps.


9. Think of exercise as part of your essential preparation for times you want to be in especially fine form—whether in performance (to be sharp for an important presentation) or appearance (to look good for a wedding) or mood (to deal with a stressful situation). Studies show that exercise does help.



10. Remember one of my favorite Secrets of Adulthood, courtesy of Voltaire: Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Don’t decide it’s only worth exercising if you can run five miles or if you can bike for an hour. I have a friend who scorns exercise unless she’s training for a marathon—so she never exercises. Even going for a ten-minute walk is worthwhile. Do what you can.



11. Don’t kid yourself. Belonging to a gym doesn’t mean you go to the gym. Having been in shape in high school or college doesn’t mean you’re in shape now. Saying that you don’t have time to exercise doesn’t make it true.



People often ask me, “So if I want to be happier, what should I be doing?” and I always say, “The first thing to do is to make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep and plenty of exercise.”



I know that answer doesn’t sound properly transcendent and high-minded on the subject of happiness, but research shows that you’d be wise to start there. And I’ve found that if I’m feeling energetic and well rested, it’s much easier to follow all my other happiness-inducing resolutions
The Respect Dare Contention and contempt. The opposite of Respect. Research shows that non-verbals communicate 93% of the message. Dare you today to think of the last time you and the hub "got into it" and assess your non-verbals...double dog dare you to do it in front of the mirror! Any eye rolls? Pursed lips? Ouch!



T.D. Jakes Ministries/The Potter's House Sometimes saying goodbye to certain people, habits or things helps us to transition for God’s divine purpose. For many of us, change is traumatic. Others crave change. To be used for your highest, you must be a forward thinker and plan your life with change in mind.



If you are going through a hard time remember nothing can ever come your way that hasn't first gone through God's throne.  And if he allows it to come your way, it is with great purpose.  He loves you, and knows exactly what you need to become the person he has purposed you to be. 
Things could always be worse.  Be thankful for what God has done for you.  Be thankful for all that you have.  Make a list of the many blessings in your life.  Focus on what you have, not on what you don't have yet.  Trust in the lord with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.
 God wants to bless you.  Put your faith in him.  Seek him with all of your heart.  He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek him.  He is a rewarder I said.  He wants to reward you.  Obey him.  He will reward obediance.  If you don't know what he wants you to do, read his word and find out.
 When I am going through a hard time I start thanking God.  I thank him for all that he has done in my life, and all that he is doing.  And I thank him for what I believe he is going to do, as if he has already done it.  Because certain things he has promised he would do if we follow him.  So I believe he is doing those things.  That is faith.  Without faith it is imposible to please God.  If we want the reward, we must please him.
Remember, God wants to bless you.  We are his children.  Do you get pleasure out of blessing your children?  He get's pleasure out of blessing his children.  Do you want to bless your children when they are misbehaving?  Or is it easier to bless an obediant child?
We have so much to be thankful for everyday.  Don't forget to thank him everyday for all of your many blessings.  Name them.  Don't focus on what you don't have yet. 
If you have your health.....Thank Him.  If you have a job....Thank Him.....etc..  It all comes from Him.

Thank you Lord for my health...thank you for my family....thank you for my husband...thank you for the job you are going to give me...( I know you have always taken care of me).  Thank you for my husbands job.  Thank you for our home.  Thank you for the joy of my granddaughter.  Thank you for our home.  Thank you for cars.  Thank you for the clothes on my back.  Thank you for peace.  Thank you for healing... Thank you for restoration.  Thank you for Joshua's job.  Thank you for wonderful daughter in laws.  Thank you that my boys are doing well.  thank you for protection.  thank you for being concerned with every area of my life.  Thank you that I am much more precious to you than the sparrow....yet you know when one sparrow falls to the ground.  Thank you that the hairs on my head are numbered, and that you will perfect that which concerns me.  Thank you for leading me and guiding me.  Thank you for a good church.  Thank you for baby Anabelle, who has brought us so much Joy!  Your timing is perfect.  I put all my trust in you.  You have never let me down.  You have done many miracles in my life.  You always come through, just in time.  You are an amazing God.  I praise you, and worship you.  Draw me closer to you, I want to do your will.  Help me to be obediant.  Help me to love my enemies.  Help me to bless those who curse me.  Not just those who bless me.  Help me to please you!  Help me to do what you have called me to do.  Help me NOT to want to do things my own way...help me to remember to seek you, and follow you Lord.
Observe to Do


.by Joel Osteen Ministries on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 7:14am.









“Be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go”(Joshua 1:7, NKJV)







TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria



The Bible has a lot to say about prosperity. Prosperity simply means thriving, vibrant and alive. It’s a picture of vitality. When you are prosperous, you have more than enough to give to others. That means more peace, more grace, more hope, more love.



The key to receiving all these spiritual blessings is found in today’s verse. When we are careful to “observe to do” what God has commanded, we are setting ourselves up for success. We are engaging in His system of doing things; and when we do things God’s way, we get God’s results!



Today, choose to “observe to do” what God has commanded. Invite Him to search your heart and mind and remove anything that is displeasing to Him. Put Him first because when you make Him your number one priority, you are setting yourself up to prosper wherever you go.







A PRAYER FOR TODAY



Heavenly Father, thank You for Your precious Word which is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I choose to put You first place in every area of my life. I submit myself to Your Word that I may follow You and be blessed in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.



— Joel & Victoria Osteen



.

Monday, October 18, 2010

The Respect Dare Dare you today to ask your husband's advice about something you are dealing with...even if it's not anything he'd normally have information about! Did you know God will often lead us through our husbands? Over and over we see this happen...



 “Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your saviour, your guide? If He is, you don't need to search any further for security.” ~ Elisabeth Elliot
The Respect Dare Simple truth about men: Their brains are wired differently than ours. Literally. They have fewer connections between their right and left sides of their brains than we do. Doesn't mean they are "brain damaged" but "different." SO, don't expect your hub to be able to process info plus emotion the same way you do
Abundant Life Today


.by Joel Osteen Ministries on Monday, October 18, 2010 at 7:41am.

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”(John 10:10, ESV)







TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria



Are you living the abundant life Jesus came to give? I’m not talking about living in the fanciest house or driving the newest car. No, His promise of abundant life goes way beyond material things that this world offers. Abundant life means “life to the full.” That means no matter what is going on around you, you can partake of the full blessings of God. You can have peace in the midst of a storm. You can have joy when things are uncertain. You can have hope when circumstances seem hopeless.



A lot of times it’s easy, as believers, to look at that verse and think, “God is going to give me abundant life someday.” But the truth is that God wants you to have abundant life TODAY!



Don’t waste another second living in mediocrity or settling for less than God’s best. Receive His blessings by faith today. Receive His hope, joy, strength and favor. Declare that you are living the abundant life today and every day!







A PRAYER FOR TODAY



Father God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus so that I can have eternal life. I know that You want the best for me. Help me to keep my heart and mind focused on You so that I can walk in Your ways all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.



— Joel & Victoria Osteen





.
The Respect Dare Dare you today to ask your husband's advice about something you are dealing with...even if it's not anything he'd normally have information about! Did you know God will often lead us through our husbands? Over and over we see this happen...



Friday, October 15, 2010

The Respect Dare In the midst of your stress today? Dare you think of where your husband is, what he's dealing with as well or just at work. Few things help our own crisis situations than serving someone else! :) Oh, and yeah, you'll need God's strength to do this one!



God has an expectation of greatness for your life, but sometimes we fall short of the mark. Have your children confronted you with news that’s fallen short of your expectation? When facing life’s circumstances, you have to remember that your children are still seeds and this is still seed time. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).



It helps so much to know that resting in God is NOT being irresponsible; it is relying on His gifts to be what you need for this season. That’s right, rest is a gift that often only comes from God. Often rest for your mind only comes when God blesses you to transfer the stress and burdens of your life on to Him.



.“But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out His special favor on me — and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by His grace”(1 Corinthians 15:10, NLT)








TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria





In this day and age, many people are filled with worry about their future. They live stressed out, wondering, “What’s going to happen if I get laid off?” “How am I going to handle it if my loved one doesn’t make it?” Or, “My parents are getting older. How can I take care of them and my own family as well?” Here is the answer: God’s grace is going to be there at every stage of your life to help you do whatever you need to do.



See, God’s grace is what saves us, but that’s not all. Grace is God’s enabling power. His grace will give you the strength, wisdom and favor to accomplish what you could not normally accomplish on your own. His grace is sufficient for whatever you need in your future.



If you’re in a difficult marriage, if you’re raising a child that’s hard, if you’re facing a sickness, one thing you can count on is that the grace of God will be there. Receive His grace today, by faith, and let Him empower you to walk through that difficulty into a place of supernatural victory in Jesus’ name!













A PRAYER FOR TODAY



Father God, thank You for Your grace that is at work in my life. Thank You for empowering me every day to fulfill Your purposes. Keep me close to You and teach me to trust as I walk with You one day at a time. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.



— Joel & Victoria Osteen



.
The Respect Dare Dare you today to participate in a 7 minute Count Your Blessings Competition...how many GOOD or GREAT things are there in your life right now? Dare you to 1) prayerfully ask God to show them to you, 2) set a timer, and start the list, AND...3) double dog dare you to share this number and one of His surprise blessings for you today here! :)



Want Healthy Habits? 21 Ways to Get There - 21 Simple Ways to Be Healthy- Beliefnet.com

Want Healthy Habits? 21 Ways to Get There - 21 Simple Ways to Be Healthy- Beliefnet.com

Thursday, October 14, 2010

This too shall Pass - Encouragement for Today A little fun....



Being a Christian is a bit like being a pumpkin...God handpicks you from the patch, brings you in, washes all the dirt off of you. Then he cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then he carves you a new smiling face and puts his light inside of you to shine ...for all the world to see

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Meekness is not weakness.The word "meek" means yielded.It literally has the idea of strength under control. When an animal, especially a horse,is domesticated,its trained so a rider can sit on its back.The proper term for this process is that the animal has been "meeked." It has been broken.Now it yields to the rider. Now the animal exhibits strength under control. That's what meekness is. ~ Mike Clark
Grace and Peace to You


.by Joel Osteen Ministries on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 8:57am.

“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace”(2 Thessalonians 1:2, NLT)









TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria



Grace and peace are such powerful forces in the life of the believer. Grace empowers us and peace directs us. It’s like this: grace is the gas and peace is the navigation system. You need both to reach your destination.



The Bible tells us that we are saved by God’s grace through faith. We don’t deserve it and can’t earn His grace and forgiveness, but He gives it to us anyway. Grace opens the door to salvation, but it doesn’t stop there. His grace is supernatural empowerment to live the life God has called us to here on earth.



Peace is every bit as powerful. It’s not just a feeling; it’s a state of being. Peace literally means “to set at one again.” When we are at one with the Father in thought, word and deed, we can physically feel it on the inside. We are settled internally. And nothing external can move us from our position of peace.



Today, receive His grace and peace and let them carry you into the destiny He has ordained for you!







A PRAYER FOR TODAY



Father in heaven, thank You for Your grace and peace at work in my life. I choose to stand in my position of peace by following Your Word. Thank You for guiding me into the life of blessing You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.



— Joel & Victoria Osteen
 An evidence that our will has been broken is that we begin to thank God for that which once seemed so bitter, knowing that His will is good and that, in His time and in His way, He is able to make the most bitter waters sweet.
"...the Chilean miner rescue is a gorgeous picture of OUR rescue by Jesus...Who went down into the depths of sin and the grave to pull us out and allow us to LIVE...someone needs to tell those miners and their families the Gospel message............~ Deena Ward Peterson
T.D. Jakes Ministries/The Potter's House ‎[Repost] It is my prayer that a new sense of who you are in Christ would emerge. I pray that you receive a new sense that God is constantly with you in the midst of your trials. This is essential. I pray that you would emerge with a new calm, new determination, a new zeal for God and a new sense of destiny
Mary Adams Miller Before God changes our circumstances, he wants to change our hearts. If our circumstance change for the better and we remain the same, then we will become worse. God's purpose in providence is not to make us comfortable, but to make us comformable, "Conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom 8:29) Christlike character is the divine goal for each of His children
T.D. Jakes Ministries/The Potter's House It is my hope that some relationships that have gone sour would receive a makeover and that some failed test would grant you a do-over. I wish all of this for you so that you can seek a chance, as we all do, to right the wrongs and refocus on what really matters in life.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

T.D. Jakes Ministries/The Potter's House It is my prayer that a new sense of who you are in Christ would emeT.D. Jakes Ministries/The Potter's House It is my prayer that a new sense of who you are in Christ would emerge. I pray that you receive a new sense that God is constantly with you in the midst of your trials. This is essential. I pray that you would emerge with a new calm, new determination, a new zeal for God and a new sense of destinyrge. I pray that you receive a new sense that God is constantly with you in the midst of your trials. This is essential. I pray that you would emerge with a new calm, new determination, a new zeal for God and a new sense of destiny
“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10).




“Be still” –who me? Yes, that is what God wants from us–to be still before Him and allow Him to work in our lives.



Be still and know that God is in control. That is hard for me to do and it is something that God is working on in my life. I tend to want to jump in and fix things myself but when I try to do it on my own I always mess things up. Over the last several weeks I have struggled with a flair up of my lupus.



I had been feeling pretty good and able to do a lot of the things I want, need and enjoy doing. Then all of a sudden just walking from the bedroom to the living room felt like I had run a marathon. I wanted someone to do something and make it better right now. I was frustrated why did this have to happen again? Why now? Then in my devotions I read “Be still and know that I am GOD.” Okay, God. I may not understand what is going on or why but I trust you and know that there is a reason.



God knows what is best for me and I need to quiet myself before His throne and allow Him to work in and through me.



Sometimes we think we know what the answer is and jump and try to fix everything, but we usually end up making a mess of the situation and then we turn to God and ask Him to fix it. We need to learn to go to Him and trust Him first in all situations.



Prayer: Lord, continue to work in and through me. Teach me to be still before you and listen to you as you show me what it is you have for me. Thank you for your love and for the peace that comes when we are in the center of your will.



About the Author:

Linda Aufrance lives in Phoenix with her wonderful husband of 36 years. She is blessed to live close to her daughter, son and his (wife along with two of the greatest grandkids ever. Linda has dealt with multiple health issues including lupus, MS, and diabetes for over 30 years but remains as active as possible. She knows that her strength comes from the Lord and each day is a blessing to be used to try and bring hope and joy to whoever she may have contact with
The Respect Dare So yesterday we took a good look at our bedroom...today we look in the mirror. (Yikes! :) ) Daring all of us today to rethink the effort we put into ourselves while we were trying to get caught by this man...the effort we made in our appearance and behavior while courting...daring all of us to make a commitment to put effort back into ourselves, physically, emotionally, spiritually, whatever made us interesting and attractive before - let's not be women who "let themselves go!"

Monday, October 11, 2010

Receive Grace


.by Joel Osteen Ministries on Monday, October 11, 2010 at 7:11am.

“It is through Him that we have received grace (God’s unmerited favor) and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name’s sake among all the nations”(Romans 1:5, AMP)







TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria



Do you want to see more of God’s favor and blessing in your life? Receive His grace. Grace is God’s favor, but it’s also His supernatural empowerment. When you have God’s grace and favor, it enables you to accomplish more and be more effective both in your own life and in building His kingdom.



This verse says that God’s grace enables us to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples among all nations. In other words, grace empowers us to live the life God has called us to. Now, maybe you can’t go to all nations today, but you can make a difference in the lives of the people around you. You can “promote faith” by living a life of love and obedience to God’s Word. You can “promote faith” by encouraging the people in your life and living as an example of His goodness.



Today, open your heart and thank Him for His grace that empowers you. Let His truth set you free and then enjoy that freedom! Live as an example of His love because you are making a difference in the people around you.







A PRAYER FOR TODAY



Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace, favor and mercy that empowers me to live the life You’ve called me to. I receive Your grace by faith. Help me to stay obedient to Your Word and live as an example of Your love and light. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.



— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

 None of our trials come upon us by chance! They are all appointed in weights and measures and are all designed to fulfill certain things in our lives . And however painful they maybe at the present , they are intended for our good. When the trial comes upon you, it would help if you could view this as “This trial is sent for my good. And then Praise Him in the midths of your storm.
 Being a believer is not so much that you choose Christ. More accurately, its that Christ has chosen you. He calls ordinary people and He does not hide their ordinariness from us. He exposes them to us that we might be well-acquainted and fully understand that God uses people who are flawed like Judas, who have issues like Peter and who have inner struggles like Thomas. Yet, these were hand-picked men of God.
 Every person in the world, including myself, will encounter various trials throughout life. Satan seeks to defeat you by tempting you to trust your own wisdom, to live according to your self-centered feelings, and to gratify the desires of your flesh. In contrast, God’s will is for you to be an overwhelming conqueror in all of these tests for His honor and glory. "IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM" Seek ye the Kingdom !!!!!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Elizabeth: Mom of Perspective




Elizabeth is one of my favorite women in Scripture. Her story is in the first chapter of Luke. She is the wife of Zacharias, the mother of John the Baptist, and a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus. But when we first meet her she, like so many woman we have studied, carried a heavy burden. Luke 1:7 says Elizabeth and Zacharias were childless and advanced in years. But even before we learn of their difficulty, Luke tells us about their character in verse 6, “They were both righteous before God, walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” Elizabeth George writes, “Dear one, there is no other way to endure difficult times and remain righteous, obedient, and blameless but to visit with the Lord and look to the Divine One… daily, diligently, and devoutly.”



Elizabeth was faithful when it was hard to have faith. We often think we should get what we think we deserve; or at least, others should get what they deserve. Luke tells us Elizabeth was righteous and blameless. She must have felt like she deserved a child. All Hebrew women wanted to be the mother of the promised Messiah.



My pastor husband counsels many people, and he has sat across the table from a few who have said, “I have done everything right and my life (marriage, family, children, job…) is still a mess.” At the root of this comment is entitlement. “I did it right and God owes me.” Elizabeth could have easily spiraled downward into bitterness as she thought about what God owed her for being righteous and blameless.



But a life free from trouble is not promised in the Bible. In fact, we are told to expect the opposite. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). God did have a special plan for Elizabeth. She obviously trusted in that. Elizabeth George explains, “Only the Lord and the knowledge of Him could have given her a cheerful heart, strength for her work, and the determination to glorify God in all she did, including suffering.”



One day when Zacharias was serving in the temple, the angel Gabriel visited him and announced that Elizabeth would have a son, and they should name him John. But John would live an unusual life with a unique purpose. He would be the forerunner of the Messiah, as prophesied in Malachi 4:5,6. John would have the spirit and power of Elijah! Even while in his mother’s womb he would be filled with the Holy Spirit! Remember, this is before Pentecost when the Spirit began to dwell in men and women at their salvation. Zacharias was confused and probably scared. Gabriel rebuked his doubt and Zacharias was mute until after John was born. Imagine Elizabeth’s response when Zacharias came home from his service in the temple. We know later he communicated by writing on a tablet. He must have been writing furiously to relate the story to her. Elizabeth soon conceived and hid herself for five months while this precious life was growing inside of her.



God had heard her pain and responded in His time and through events that could only have been orchestrated by Him. God gave her strength for each day and she never lost her faith in Him. Elizabeth George challenges us with this thought, “What contributed to her faith and faithfulness? Perhaps—and possibly and probably—it was a daily devotional time.” Each day she had to go to the source of living water to quench her desires and pain. Each day she needed to be reminded of God’s love and faithfulness to her and all His people. Each day, filled with struggles big and small, we also need to refresh and recharge. The best way is to spend time in prayer and scripture meditation. Let God’s Word fill you and refuel you each day. Just as He had a divine purpose for Elizabeth, He also wants you to follow His way and find His purpose for you!
Don’t Be Surprised


.by Joel Osteen Ministries on Monday, October 4, 2010 at 8:33am.







“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed”(1 Peter 4:12–13, NIV)







TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria



It’s one thing to know that you’re going into a challenging season. You get prepared for it. You get mentally ready. But what about the difficulties that we don’t see coming? The unexpected crisis that catches us off-guard? Sometimes, it can seem so overwhelming that it almost knocks the wind right out of us.



The Scripture says that we shouldn’t be surprised by fiery trials. That’s because the forces of darkness would not be fighting against you if they didn’t know that God has something amazing in your future! Sometimes, those unexpected difficulties are just a sign that you’re on the right track. It’s always darkest just before the dawn appears. The enemy always fights the hardest when you are closest to your breakthrough. The key is to stay the course and keep fighting the good fight of faith. Keep your joy and keep declaring God’s Word over your future. God has promised that you will overcome every obstacle. You will defeat every enemy, and right now, I declare that you will fulfill your destiny in Jesus’ name!







A PRAYER FOR TODAY



Father God, thank You for walking with me in every season of life. Today, I cast all of my cares on You. I cast all of my difficulties, all of my questions, and all of my concerns. Thank You for working all things out for my good. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.



— Joel & Victoria Osteen