​  There is a time for everything and a season for every activity.                                                                                                                                                             Ecclesiastes 3:1
Good morning my beautiful friend,
          On Wednesday, September 22, we entered our second and final equinox  of 2021.  In the Northern Hemisphere it is known as fall or autumn. 
Autumn  is my absolutely favorite time of the year; beautiful leaves and crisp morning air.  As I teenager I remember walking home from school and hearing the crunch of leaves under my feet.  A glorious season.  A new time.  A season for every activity.  My question for you this morning is, “Are you stuck in a particular season?”
          Scripture tells us, “There is  time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. . .”  An equinoxs occurs when the position of the sun is exactly over the equator.  When this happens, the hours of daylight and the hours of darkness are about equal almost everywhere on Earth.  Light and darkness are about equal in each day. Yes, we can be in a season of mourning.  But amidst the grief, we can experience light.  One of my favorite quotes is, “Make each day a good day even if it’s a sad day.”  Life happens and gives us reason to weep, but we are urged to find a time to laugh.  Equal time.  Its our choice.  You and I can set our minds.  I am determined to find peace, laughter, and kindness each day.  Let’s give joy equal time.  Let’s dance!
                                        Love ya,                                                                                                                                                                                           Linda

Oh, happy day, dear one,
            What if we lived this week in relentless optimism?  Life is supposed to teach us lessons through pain, but also lessons through joy.  And as I always preach, joy is a choice.  On Monday, I am having surgery.  I could have spent this past week in fear and trembling with anxiety, but I choose to stay in each present moment and find joy. 
            I recently read:   Anticipate beauty, Believe in miracles, Count on grace, Decide on joy, and Expect peace. This fabulous patio is right outside my screen porch, however, the porch was quite dirty and the foliage overgrown.   As I will be homebound for about a month, I decided to call Les and Renee who are amazingly talented painters, tile installers, landscapers, they do it all, and are reasonably priced.  They came and worked and lifted my spirits so high that I am over-flowing with joy.  I now have a once-again glorious retreat in which to rest, read, and write.  God is so good.  I anticipated beauty and was not disappointed.  I decided to find joy and it arrived in my own backyard.  I’m blessed by His grace and I trust God for miracle healing.  Jesus tells you and me that if we are heavy-laden, He will give us rest and peace.   We just have to come into His presence.  I invite you to do that right now, this very moment and enjoy the refreshment of His Living Water.   Love you all and covet your prayers on Monday, Linda

​But Daniel made up his mind. . .
                                                      Daniel 1:8
Good morning, dear one,
          September’s calendar was inspired by my 2021 Word, Renewal. The first affirmation was “I have the power to change my thoughts.  No actions can be accomplished until you change your thinking, so I made up my mind that the areas of my life that were not pleasing to me could be changed.  I have persevered in the face of challenges and setbacks.  I made up my mind to stick to my plan.  And I have succeeded in several of my goals while others are still a work in progress.  But my mind is made up: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
            So, my challenge to you this week is:  What do you need to make up your mind to do?  Choosing an action can make a huge difference in your life.   Here is a list of suggestions that you can set your mind to do.  Just to get you thinking.

1.  Choose to forgive the person who hurt you—to release bitterness and walk in freedom.
2. Make up your mind to stop buying stuff on a whim.  Abstain from Amazon for a month.
3. Make up your mind to spend time in God’s word every day even if only for a few minutes.
4. Make up your mind to watch less television in the evenings and spend more time with spouse, family and friends.
5. Make up your mind to step out of your comfort zone.  Say yes to something God has been pressing you to do.

            When we make up our minds to take an action, don’t look back.  Say, “I’m done with those things and I’m ready to make a change.”  Change begins with the willingness to be brave.  And God will strengthen your resolve, promise.  Linda