Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself."


Good Morning my sweet friend,
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The battle to maintain a healthy lifestyle starts in my mind and in yours.  You and I can be transformed from depression by renewing our minds.  One great way to start your day off is with positive affirmations.  This is not as easy as it looks.  Just focus on one discipline each day.  We deserve joy. 

• Sunday:    Today I will think only positive thoughts.
• Monday:   I believe that I am awesome and smart.
• Tuesday:    I will remain focused and calm no matter the circumstances.  I believe that God is in control. 
• Wednesday:    I will not let fear destroy my wonderful new day.
• Thursday:    I will be an example of God’s love to everyone I meet.
• Friday:  I will not allow any person to ruin my mood.
• Saturday:  I will rest my mind, body, and soul.

 
                                         Wishing you a joyful week, Linda

​The steadfast love of the love never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.                                                                    Lam. 3:22
Good morning dear one,
          Last week when I wrote to you, I was feeling overwhelmed by life’s stressors.  Always trying to keep it real when I write to you. My pastor says that if you are feeling top of the mountain, be alert, because you will soon be headed into the valley.  He wisely says, “that is just the pattern of life.”  And as Christians, we don’t have to pretend that life is all bubbles and balloons.  We live in a real world with real problems.  The key is not to stay in the valley forever and to know that help is available.   Believing that God’s mercies never end and are new every morning enables me to get out of bed and demonstrate the wonderful scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:14). To help me stay focused, I have this little message on my bedside table.  You and I have a reason to get up and to get about the business of doing God’s work. With God’s mercy, love, encouragement, and strength, we can do all things. ________________________________________________________
       Every morning is God’s way of saying one more time; go make a difference, touch a heart, encourage a mind, inspire a soul, and enjoy your day.                                                                                                                             Love ya, Linda

​Whatsoever things are true, honest, pure, lovely, think on these things.                                                            Philippians 4:8
Hello Dear One,
                I am finding it difficult to think on things that are lovely, pure, and true.  Being in quarantine allows me to think small, narrow, and dark.  I’m not seeing the light in the midst of Covid’s ever-rising death toll , a heated, deeply divided election, Black lives Matter controversies and divisions even among family and friends.  So, when I saw this end of week check-in, I felt this would be a helpful tool for me to clarify  my emotions.  Perhaps, you might want to use this as well.  It is important to be proactive rather than allowing ourselves to be overcome with turbulent waters and tidal waves of swirling confusing thoughts.  My friend, try this exercise.  Remember, it is ok to be honest with yourself and with your God.  He understands and offers peace when navigating troubled waters.  And, frankly, I’m sinking and need to reach out for Jesus’ hand.
I feel  . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .
I forgive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I celebrate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
            My prayer is that you will find clarity while doing this exercise and trust that God is always in control.    Linda

​This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.                                                                                                               Psalm 118:24
Good Morning Dear One,
          It is not a fantastic day.  We didn’t win the lottery.  It is not an exciting day.  We didn’t go to Disney.  Nor a special day.  Not a birthday or anniversary in sight.  In fact, it is just an ordinary day. 
          I was texting with a good friend this morning.  We have been through some rugged times together and after sharing for a bit, we both decided, “It is a boring day and boring is good.”
          I once read a quote on the side of a computer at the registration desk at a hospital.  It read, “Make each day a good day even if it’s a sad day.”    Friends, the Lord made this day.  If you’re reading this, you woke this morning with an entire day in which to rejoice.  In fact, you have 86.400 seconds in which to rejoice.  Don’t waste a moment.  That doesn’t mean you have to do every task at warp speed.  You don’t need to be stressed, and if you are blessed, you will have another day tomorrow.  Enjoy this moment.  Relax.  Smile.  Read.  Take a nap.  Do a crossword puzzle.  You choose.  Life isn’t boring if you are living each moment.  Some say, “Stop and smell the roses.”  That’s not boring; that’s appreciating God’s amazing creation.  And if you gaze at that flower long enough to really see it, take in its beautiful creative design and enjoy the array of colors, that’s not boring.  That’s living to the fullest.  You are too blessed to be stressed.  It is truly a blessing to be bored.  To have time to savor and enjoy each quiet moment. Now that is the kind of day I can rejoice and be glad in.  Linda

​        I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.                                                                                                  Philippians 4:13
Good Morning friend,
          I am not sure why I rebel when I know the right things to do.  And then I suffer the consequences!!!  Such was the case yesterday morning, I awoke with extreme pain everywhere.  And I bemoaned my fate, and yet from somewhere out there, a voice said clearly, “You don’t listen.”  When I checked my food diary, I had to admit that 7 grapes do not equal the 7 anti-inflammatory fruits I am supposed to consume each day.  And I had pizza with thick crust (white flour) and tomato sauce (nightshade vegetable).   And who wants to exercise when movement causes pain and my recliner is so comfy.    A wise man at Nature’s Food Patch said to me, “When you don’t move, you lose,” and then he listed all the consequences of not exercising and recommended some clearly gross supplements to help with my inflammation.  So yesterday, for lunch I had a green protein smoothie with seaweed, kale, and kelp.  And I prayed the above scripture as I swallowed the slimy pea-green gunk. 
          So, it is with sin.  We stray just a little from the path, and lo and behold we find ourselves mired in troubled waters.  But I love the story of Peter trying to walk on water, and when he took his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink.  But Jesus, But Jesus, our loving Savior saved Peter from drowning and he reaches right down into our messy lives and pulls us to safety. Wouldn’t it be easier if we just learned to listen to the still, small voice that urges us to make good choices, to walk in the spirit, and live victoriously?           Linda

Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.”    Matthew 12:25
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Hello dear ones,
            This week I have continued to study Rhythms of Renewal and how God has a plan for the renewal of the earth.  We have four seasons, each one with a particular role to play in maintaining balance within nature.  God said, “Behold I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5), and a thought came to mind that God surely must have a plan for the renewal of our country.  One would have to have their head completely in the sand to not understand that we are a nation in turmoil.  A nation divided.  Lacking in love.  Instead, there is contempt and a complete disregard for anyone who does not look or believe exactly like us.  Even individual denominations within the Christian faith are proclaiming that they have the only correct dogma and openly offering distain for anyone who dares to practice their faith differently.  As for respecting other faiths, witness the upsurge of anti-Semitism within our nation.  Are we not “One nation under God” however you choose to address Him?  Our country will not mandate masks citing individual freedom and failing to adhere to the 2nd greatest commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Can we not sustain a small amount of discomfort to safeguard our neighbor’s health?
  
             So where does renewal in our nation begin?  With you!  When everybody does a little, a lot can change.   Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see.”  We cannot wait for our nation’s leaders to mandate renewal or demonstrate the change we wish to see.  God has a plan for our nation and He wants your help. Let us pray this week for a renewal of our hearts.   

Prayer for this week:  Create in me a new heart, O God, and renew a right spirit with me.  Amen                                 Psalm 51:10
 
                                               Linda                                               

Be ye transformed by the renewal of the mind!  Romans 12:2

Hello sweet tired one,

          I’m a truth-teller.  So here goes!  I’m tired, weary, and worn out.  According to Webster, to be “worn out” means damaged to the point of being no longer usable.  As you might well guess, my joy level is one degree above zero.  I’m tired of bad news about the Coronavirus.  I’m tired of racial strife.  I’m tired of political commentary.  I’m tired of being in quarantine.  My body is tired from by battle with PMR.  And from conversations with friends, you are feeling the same.  Clearly, you and I need some good news.  I am a great believer in bibliotherapy so I headed to Amazon books and perused books on renewal.  And low and behold, by coincidence or God-intervention, I found a book by Rebekah Lyons called Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose.  Couldn’t wait for it to arrive and begin reading. 
          So here is my message for this week taken from Rebekah’s book.  There are four rhythms that help us regain life-giving peace:  Rest.  Restore.  Connect.  And Create.  Let’s you and I focus on the first renewal principle of rest.  It’s a biblical mandate.  God calls the day of rest holy.  Much of my stress is from an over-saturation of news.  So, for this week, I am limiting my access to technology to one hour a day. I will renew my mind with soothing music, walks in nature, and reading uplifting books.  So, friend, are you with me?  Do you want to re-capture your joy?  Let’s begin now. Say with me:

Affirmation:  I will quiet my mind and seek rest for my soul.
​
                                                              Linda

 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
                                                                                          Proverbs 31:10

Virtue (noun)  a beneficial quality, feature, or trait leading to excellence; advantage or goodness.


Hello dear one,
  
         
            Friday I was the officiant at a memorial for a loved and wonderful wife and mother.  After speaking with her daughter, Proverbs 31 came immediately to mind as the topic of my message.  She was a faithful wife for 64 years and clearly “her children arise up, and call her blessed” (verse 28).  So, my question to you this week is, do you know a virtuous woman or man?                         
            What makes a person virtuous in our culture today?  I remember the good, old days when I was a young woman.  A first kiss was not payment for taking me to the movies or even out for a lovely dinner. Webster defines a kiss as a touch with the lips as a sign of love, sexual desire, reverence or greeting.  I have never greeted anyone with a kiss unless it was with a quick smooch on the cheek of a close friend or relative.  That first kiss on the lips was reserved as a sign of genuine affection.   And, oh my, how special it was!  And moving in together meant that your groom swept his bride into his arms and carried you across the threshold into your new home.  Did you catch the word “groom?”  Showing my age?  Maybe!  But I wouldn’t change a moment.
             Jim and I taught a course entitled, “Love is a decision” based on a book by Gary Smalley.  When a person tells me they are in love, I always ask, “What you do love?”  And the answers are telling.  I am always looking for virtuous qualities.  Not the, “He is so cute.”  Maybe I’ll write more next week about love as a decision.  For this week, think of a virtuous man or woman you know.  What do you admire about him/her?  Better question maybe?   Are you virtuous?  Not too late, start now.
                                                                        Linda

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
                                                                             Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Good Morning Sweet Soul,
          I have been known for my booming voice in the classroom or from the pulpit. Microphone not working, stressful for some, not for me.    My voice carries.  What you might not know about me is that I hate conflict and angry arguments.  In my childhood, my favorite place was my bedroom closet where I would often retreat from loud shouting matches between my parents. Dad would raise his voice and mom would raise her voice louder.  The situation would escalate and most often the declared winner would be the one who shouted the loudest and longest.  Therefore, it is probably no coincidence that I married a strong, silent type. 
            In our marriage we have disagreements as all couples do, but we do not fight.  In our first year of marriage I betrayed a secret I had been asked to keep for a very good reason.  This was the first time I had ever seen Jim angry.  And he wanted so badly to say something mean and that simply is not his nature at all.  So, in a somewhat raised voice, at least for him, he said, “You, you, you old hen.”  That was as mean as he would go.  And then we both burst out laughing because I was the ripe old age of twenty-one. 
            In marriage, parenting, friendships, heck, even with strangers there are scenarios that trigger our emotions and cause anger.  I find it is important to voice your opinion and defend your point of view.  But if you raise your voice and they raise their voice, the real issues become secondary to who can shout the loudest.  I love the Message Bible interpretation of the above scripture, “Fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense… Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.”   Let’s you and I choose our words carefully this week and always.  Let us pray for peace to reign supreme in our homes and in our nation.          
                                                                                                         Linda

God gives wisdom to those who ask.  James 1:5

Dear friend,
            Wow, sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by negativity.  Our state now has over 13,000 hospitalized with Covid and over 4,000 new cases each day.   I wear my mask every time I leave the house only to be met with two men at Lowes who ridiculed me and called me stupid.  Job losses abound and many insist it is safe to reopen yet, restaurants are closing as fast as they are re-opening.  Many insist it is safe to eat indoors without social distancing.   Black lives matter marches on our streets are met with quite differing viewpoints also.    So, I feel like I must be careful in my conversations.  There does not seem to be a middle ground on these and other issues that is safe to discuss.  So, how does a Christian respond with love to those with differing and /or offensive views.

            First, humility is crucial, and your perspective is critical to handling the person as Jesus desires. Try not to view the person as a “negative person” but respect, pay attention to, and love them. Do not violate his dignity—no matter how aggravating he is or has been.

            Next, it’s important to pray for the negative person in question. Also, pray for wisdom and for God to reveal to you what to do next and about how to proceed. Be aware that the best way to deal with a negative person may simply be to limit your contact with him, if possible.   If they are family, it is still okay to reduce the amount of time you spend with them.  It’s also important not to feel guilty about this, argue with them, or get drawn into their drama.  This is your life.  You have a right to your opinion.  You have a God-given mandate to “Choose Life” (Deut. 30:19).  You’ve got to accentuate the positive—eliminate the negative.  Do it today.    I wish you joy today and always.
                                                               Linda