​David danced before the LORD with all his might.                            — 2 Samuel 6:14
 
Good Morning Dear One,
 
        How are you feeling this morning?  Weepy?  Are you mourning a loss?  Of a friend, a missed opportunity, or of your youth?  Our emotions are varied and can be disruptive of our mental health.  We feel these emotions and that is healthy and can be a teachable moment.  However, when we linger longer than necessary in sadness, gloom tends to cloud our vision and all we see feels hopeless and over.  
 
The good news is that you and I can break that cycle.  It might be a struggle, but you and I can choose to laugh and dance. Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us there is a time to weep…and a time to mourn, there is also a time to laugh…and a time to dance.  To tell you the truth as I sit in my comfy chair with a heating pad on my achy back, dancing doesn’t seem like an option.  A friend many years ago gave me a snippet of paper with the words, “Your feet can know the steps, but only your spirit can dance.”  So, I am choosing, in this very moment, to dance.  Life isn’t perfect, far from it, but I am breathing, my mind is functioning, and I’m focused intently on listening to the tune of the universe calling me to wonder and joy.  It’s my choice in this moment.  I am going to dance with all my might.                                                                                                                                                                      Linda
 

​Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

Good Morning, Sweet One,
        I understand that ahead of you lies a busy week, I get it.  While we each have different lifestyles and responsibilities, we all keep quite a hectic pace.  And then, there are the extras: texts, e-mails, phone to calls to make, TV in the background.  And these are the very things that make me crazy.  Off balance.  Out-of-sorts.  I crave stillness and quiet.  Jim can attest to the fact that if I get grumpy, which, of course, I never do, ha ha, it is because I am on overload and have not taken time to refresh. If you look to the lifestyle of Jesus, yes, He was with disciples 24/7 and crowds of people needing healing and teaching.  Yet, in his infinite wisdom, He modeled the need for solitude.   After He was baptized, He went into the wilderness for forty days of reflection. Many times, we read in scripture that Jesus retreated into the mountains for prayer.  Even on the night before his crucifixion, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane for a talk with his Father.  You and I would do well to follow this example.  Yes, ministry is important, but only from a full and refreshed heart. This week, my friend, make quiet time a priority.  Your mental and physical health depends on it.  Be still, dear one.  Enjoy your life.
                                                  Linda

​The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. Psalm 118:6
Good morning fearless warrior,
            I am declaring over you this morning that you are a warrior.  You can face whatever challenges may come your way this week.   I know you can because God’s Word says so!   Maybe the fears won’t be Goliath size, but they loom large in your mind.  The Bible tells us to “set our mind and keep it set” (Colossians 3:2).  You absolutely must not allow your mind to dwell on your fear!  I know your first instinct might be to run away or to not acknowledge the threat.  John 10:10 says that “the devil wants to kill, steal, and destroy your peace.”  Are you going to let him?  Focus your thoughts on the things above.  Did you know that the phrase “do not fear” appears 365 times in the Bible?  One reminder for each day.  I believe God knows that fear can be a deadly force—ruining your joy and your day, but He says, “Lo, I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20).     David was not alone when he slew Goliath.  He called upon the name of the Lord.  You have that power available to you as well.    Set your mind on the affirmation, “I will not fear,” and go be a hero.  Slay that giant.  Win your battle over fear.
                                      Urging you to be fearless,                                                                                                                                            Linda