Jesus said, “I came that you may have life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows}.”  John 10:10

Hey friend,

            Happy Monday to you!  Not feeling it this morning?  Do you have the blahs?  I love to journal and the question I have been asking myself each day is, “What is my intention today?”  Is it my intention to grouse and complain?  Is it my intention to worry today—about money, the kids, my health?  Is it my intention to fault-find my co-workers? Or, is it my intention to enjoy today?   You and I don’t sit with our journals and deliberately write I am going to be cranky today.  Yet, we often wander through our precious hours dragging our feet and just trying to make it to dinnertime.  Then, we tell ourselves, I’ll relax and be joyful.   Then?  Don’t wait till later for joy.   Intentionally, set your compass to joy.

            Friend, we need to revel in each beautiful day.  It is a gift God gives us: one day.  And then the next. And it can be joyful no matter the circumstances.  We can find reasons to be happy.    Deep breathing first thing when I get out of bed.  Praise God, my lungs are functioning.  Joy!  The aroma of my morning coffee brings me joy. A butterfly unexpectedly flies by kitchen window.  Beauty in nature.  Joy!  Grab a pad of paper and write down three things you are grateful for.  Don’t miss the small, oft-overlooked blessings.  Soon you will find joy, joy, joy, joy, down in your heart and you might even break out singing.
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                          Wishing you sunshine and lots of smiles, Linda

​Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still.  And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39
Good morning my dear one,   
          I wish for you many blessings this coming week: peace, joy, love, all the good God fruit just hanging on the vines waiting for you to select for yourself.     Will you pick peace?  Will you reach out for joy?  We always, in all circumstances, have a choice.  You and I can choose to look at our troubles and grumble.  Or, we can actively participate with Jesus in calming the storms of our inner minds.   Through mindfulness training I am learning to identify my thoughts and consequently, my feelings, because feelings always follow a thought.  And when I’m sad or fearful, I am learning to speak kindly to myself with compassion.   I wish to share with you one of these techniques.
           Of course, my session always starts with being still and closing my eyes.  Next, I use my breath as my anchor to rule out any negative thoughts.  Then, I place my hand on my heart and repeat loving phrases to myself such as:                                                                                                                                                     May I be filled with loving kindness.                                                                                                                             May I be safe and protected.                                                                                                                                         May I be well in body and mind, strong and healed,                                                                                                 and may I be happy.
          Jesus said that we are to love others as we love ourselves.  It is only from a compassionate heart that we are able to empathize with our neighbor.  Friends, try this exercise.  Say the words slowly and with kindness to your own hurting places. I am healing.  You can as well, it just takes intention and practice.  I wish you peace.                                     Linda

A man was at the pool who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” (John 5:2-9 NASB)

Good morning gorgeous,

          I pray with all my heart that this week ahead of you will be filled with blessings.  And I pray for all my friends who are suffering with emotional, physical, or spiritual pain.  Life really does, for a season, present each of us with suffering.  The man in our Bible story had been ill for 38 years.  And Jesus asked him, “Do you want to heal?”  You might be thinking, “Well, Jesus, what an odd question. Of course, he wants to be healed.” 

          I must admit to you that this week, with my Jim being gone five months, I finally made the decision that I wanted to live.  That insight came in an instant—I knew I wanted to get well.  I have made a lot of good decisions on my journey of healing by seeking professional help, but a moment came when I knew that even though I will still go through the process of grief, I wanted to move forward with my life.  As I was studying, I came across a scripture that read, “Even in old age you will bear fruit” and I realized that God still has work for me to do in the here and now.  My life still has a purpose.

          Let’s be honest, friends, do you want to heal? Will you forgive your parents for not being perfect?  Will you let go of the unforgiveness you hold in your heart?  Will you allow yourself to heal from the pain of your divorce twenty years ago.  How long will you hold that grudge? Choose to ask God for healing in your hurting places and allow the process to begin.  Jesus told the man by the pool to pick up his mat.  He is asking you to take that first step as well.  You and I will walk upright again when we surrender our pain to Jesus and allow his healing work to begin in our heart.  Let’s decide to really live, to find joy again. 
​                                                                      I love you, my friend    Linda
 

Set your mind and keep it set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.       Colossians 3:2

Hello dear ones,
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          I pray that you are feeling peaceful and calm this morning.  When you and I are faced with a new week looming large, our emotions can be complex and constantly changing.  This week also begins a new month bringing summer to a close.  Days becoming shorter. A new school year.  Kids leaving for college. Our emotions may be signaling anxiety, frustration, or sadness, and we may be experiencing what Emily Dickinson calls “The mob within the heart.”  We may feel like we are tossed about like a boat without a rudder.  While it is important not to deny our feelings, Paul tells us to clothe ourselves with tenderness, kindness, mercy, gentleness, and patience. When we read these verses, we often tend to think of how we are treating others, and for sure we must love others; but can we please learn to love ourselves and tend to our wounds with as much kindness?   I am learning that when I feel grief, to place my hand on my heart, feel the sadness, and have compassion for my pain.  The sorrow doesn’t go away, but acknowledging, “Oh, this is how I’m feeling right now,” allows me to keep my mind and heart steady and calm.  I can enjoy this beautiful life.  Each day is an amazing gift.  I can make each day a good day even if it’s a sad day.
          Ask yourself often this week, “What am I feeling?”  Acknowledge the emotion.  Sit with it.  What are the underlying feelings beneath the sadness?  Is it fear?  Anger?  When we are not allowing our emotions free reign in our lives, when we trust Jesus to calm the storm inside, you and I can enjoy a peace-filled day.   Linda