Encouragement

Lord, thank You so much for being there all the time, especially when I am discouraged and do not know what to do when in a predicament. Thank You that You point the way and direct my steps so that I will not slide or fall. "Move on, go straight ahead!" God is with me all the time!

 

 Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.(Hebrews 12:12–13 KJV)

 God says,"Lift up the hands that hang down." March straight through the flood, and behold! The waters will divide, the Red Sea will open, the Jordan will part, and the Lord will lead you through to victory.

Top Ten Ways to Tame Your Worry Habit

10. Separate worry from genuine concern. Determine if you can do anything about your situation. If so, sketch a plan to handle it (Proverbs 16:3).
9. Don't worry alone. Share your concerns with a friend or a counselor. You may receive helpful advice. Talking your fears out with someone often reveals solutions that were invisible before (Proverbs 27:9).
8. Take care of your physical body. Regular exercise and adequate rest can defuse a lot of worry. When our bodies are healthy, our minds can handle stress better and react more appropriately (I Corinthians 6:19-20).
7. Do what is right. A guilty conscience can cause more anxiety than a world of problems. Do your best to live above reproach. Take care of mistakes quickly by confessing and seeking frogiveness (Acts 24:16).
6. Look on the bright side. Consciously focus on what is good around you. Don't let yourself speak negatively, even about yourself (Ephesians 4:29).
5. Control your imagination. Be realistic about the problems you face. Try to live in the "here and now" not in the "what might be" (Isaiah 35:3-4).
4. Prepare for the unexpected. Put aside a cash reserve and take sensible measures so you'll be ready if difficulties arise (Proverbs 21:20).
3. Trust God. Keep reminding yourself to put God in your equation. Then when fear knocks, you can send faith to answer the door (Psalm 112:7).
2. Meditate on God's promises. Scripture has the power to transform our minds. Look for Scriptures that deal with your particular areas of anxiety. Answer life's difficulties with God's Word (2 Peter 1:4).
1. And the number one way to tame a worry habit? Pray! Joseph M. Scriven's hymn says it all: "O what peace we often forfeit,/O what needless pain we bear,/All because we do not carry/ everything to God in prayer" (Colossians 4:2).

- Source Unknown

Greetings! I'm back! I remembered this blog and thought, hmm, let me read my entries.... Then -
I was encouraged to blog again!

I want to share a poem that was a blessing and an encouragement to me as I wait on the Lord for His answers to my desires. This was taken from my 2000 journal entry...

"The Lord is sure to accomplish those things
A loving heart has waited long to see;
Those words will be fulfilled to which she clings,
Because her God has promised faithfully;
And, knowing Him, she ne'er can doubt His Word;
He speaks and it is done. The mighty Lord.

The Lord is sure to accomplish those things,
O burdened heart, rest ever in His care;
In quietness beneath His shadowing wings
Await the answer to your longing prayer.
When you have 'cast your cares' the heart then sings,
The Lord is sure to accomplish those things.

The Lord is sure to accomplish those things,
O tried heart, believe and wait and pray;
Peacefully, the evening chime still rings,
Though cloud and rain and storm have filled the day.
Faith pierces through the mist of doubt that bars
The coming night sometimes, and finds the stars.

The Lord is sure to accomplish those things,
O trusting heart, the Lord to you has told;
Let Faith and Hope arise, and lift their wings,
To soar toward the sunrise clouds of gold;
The doorways of the rosy dawn swing wide,
Revealing joys the darkness of night did hide."

Taken from Streams in the Desert
By Bessie Porter


What a comforting thought: God knows our desires and will fulfill them at the perfect time. Amen!

Secrets of a Happy Heart

This is the title of a Bible study series by Debi Pryde. I would like to share what I learned from the first lesson, "The Secret of a Happy Heart."

To fear the Lord is to:

• have a reverent regard or attitude for the greatness of God and how important He is to us.




• fear the consequences of disobedience.




• have a sense of thankfulness for the gracious mercy and love of God.

"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate." Proverbs 8:13 We develop a healthy fear of God when we become aware of God's presence and the reality that He sees and weighs all that we do and think. We learn to hate evil and arrogance when we realize sin's painful consequences.

To be wise means...

• We have a God-given ability to comprehend and apply knowledge and truth to life's circumstances.




• We respond to life's circumstances in a way that is consistent with Christ's responses.




• We understand that wisdom is the outcome of a healthy relationship to God Himself and cannot be separated from an intimate knowledge of the Word of God.

I have learned that the secret to a happy life is the wisdom of God applied in our lives... Thanks Debi Pryde for this nugget of truth.

Christmas 2010

School Starts

Today is Abby's first day as a junior higher, 7th grade. I'm excited for her. I know she's very excited. It's a different experience for her... Rey & I are happy for her, seeing her grow, coming out of her shell. Hopefully she'll become more confident, sure of herself and just enjoying the different opportunities that she will go through. Of course as a parent, I'm quite protective of her and always on guard. I'm just thankful we are partners with her God-fearing teachers at BJ Junior High.

Citizenship

Dad became an American citizen yesterday. Oath taking was in Newark, NJ immigration office. God's amazing blessing, a dream come true for my dear dad. Way to go, dad!