​Jesus answered them, “I tell you the truth:  the Son can do nothing on his own.”                                                                                  (John 5:19, TEV)                                                                                   Hello Friend,
            I was talking with my friend, Gale, and she recited a quote attributed to Dr. Dyer that I was unfamiliar with:  Ego is edging God out.  Isn’t that interesting!  Perhaps you have already heard that quote, but it merits some reflection.
            Fill in the blank:  I’m a ___________________.  Did you say artist?  Or great teacher?  Or an architect?    Do you take great pride in your accomplishments? That is fine--as far as it goes.  We should be proud of our hard work and the rewards of our labor.  But I affirm to you, without God I can do nothing.  It is the Father who gives gifts, talents, and abilities.  Jesus knew this truth, do you? 
            You might think you are doing well on your own—earning a good salary—living in a lovely home—driving a nice car, but how much more could you accomplish if you allowed God to work in and through you?  Or, perhaps you are struggling to make ends meet or clawing your way up the ladder of success? Either scenario, you need God. 
            Jesus is completely dependent upon God; He does none of his works on his own, and He tells his audience just that.  Jesus, who could have really bragged about his accomplishments, knew the secret of his success.  He claimed God as his source and gave Him the glory!  This week, I ask you to consider your ego—the times you are edging God out.  As Dr. Phil likes to say, “How’s that working for you?”  Might your week, your work, your relationships be better, if you let God in?
Prayer:  Lord Jesus, help me to understand that there is nothing that can happen this day that you and I together cannot accomplish—or overcome.  Amen.
Relying on Jesus,                                                                                                                 Linda

In this world you will have tribulation…                                                         John 16:33


Good Morning dear one,
                        When we hear the above scripture about tribulation, what usually comes to mind are catastrophic events such as the death of a loved one, a diagnosis of terminal cancer, a broken marriage, or a wayward child.  But with Thanksgiving approaching let me be clear, this holiday can be a form of tribulation. Not all families represented at the holiday table look like the Rockwell portrayal on the cover of Saturday Evening Post, and too often, we assume they act as perfectly as they look.   I want to give you some blessed good news.  Your dysfunctional family is normal.    To be clear, we all want to believe this year will be different.  That the family will all get along.  That Aunt Suzie will not have one too many glasses of wine.  That past grievances will not be aired at the dinner table.  That sibling rivalry will not rear its ugly head.  And that Uncle Bob will refrain from telling dirty jokes and using profane language. 
          Let me give you some unsolicited advice.  Lower your expectations to a realistic level.  We are all fallible humans coming together around a dinner table in a pressure cooker environment with someone needing to blow off steam in whatever way appropriate or otherwise.  Cut your family some slack.  Be the grown-up in the room.  Float above the turmoil.  You don’t have to attend every fight you are invited to.  Get a new attitude; one of gratitude.  Be grateful for each person attending. We are often so ready to fault-find.  Instead, find a quality that you can admire and tell them.  Be the loving Christian who accepts and forgives others.  Love as Christ has loved you.  And enjoy the turkey.    Happy Thanksgiving,
                                                                                      Linda

I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.  Jeremiah 31:3

Hello Dear One,
​
        You and I are at the beginning of a brand, new week.  I love that.  Clean slate.  Fresh start.  Maybe over the weekend you were grouchy. Maybe you didn’t stick to your diet.   Maybe you fell off the wagon.  Maybe you were hurtful to a family member or friend.  I get it.  I didn’t feel terrific this weekend and was not my usual cheerful self.  And, I’m sure I hurt some feeling.  But here’s the good news.  Making mistakes does not make us unlovable; it makes us human.
        Let’s, you and I, cut ourselves some slack.  God never expected that you and I would be perfect.  No need of a Savior if you and I never sinned.  In fact, God sent his Son because he loved us “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8).  So today, let us not beat ourselves up for not being perfect.  We are a work in progress.  Make amends when necessary and move on.  Part of authentic joy is believing that we are enough, just as we are.  Try saying it aloud, “I am enough.”  Breathe in deeply and believe it.  Right at this very moment with all my ridiculous quirks and foibles, I am loveable.  And so are you.  Be kind to yourself this week.  God loves you right now in this very moment.  Being human is ok.  We can learn from our mistakes and move on.  Receive God’s gift of unconditional love.                                     
          You are special and wonderful, believe it!                                                                                      Linda

​Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.                                                                                                Galatians 6:4
​
Hello friend,
Happy Monday! 
This week I want to take a load of stress off your shoulders.  Don’t you want to be light and free.  Free to be you.  Then, let me share a little secret with you.  You have to, absolutely must, let others be free—to make their own decisions.  To live their own life.  Your interfering is making you and them miserable, and if you are honest, not changing their mind and heart to your way of thinking.  Oh, I understand you think you know what’s best for them.  And, you may be right.  It would be better if they listened to your sage advice.  If they would quit drinking.  If they would change jobs.  If they would just leave their abusive relationship and start some counseling and self-care.  But no matter how much you manipulate, cajole, brow-beat, each must live their own life.
So, what do you and I do in the meantime while we wait for our loved one to get help?  We can pray!   We can ask God to help us focus our attention on things that are actually under our own control. We can work on our own issues.    We can serve others. We can work for causes that need our attention.  And when the time is right, we can walk beside our loved one on their road to recovery.
                                                          Enjoy your journey, Linda

​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

​See what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God.        1 John 3:1
 
Good morning, dear one,
            This week I want you to lavishly love on yourself.  It is my guess that you have neglected to put your needs first for a long, long time. And you are worn out.  Burned out.  As Christians, we put a high priority on service.  On loving our neighbor. On nurturing our family and friends.  And while loving and serving is so important, the truth is that once in a while you and I need to take a time-out.  A time to refresh.  A time to re-start.  A time to set goals that will bring joy to our heart and put a skip in our step.  Take time this week to examine your life.  Is it well with your soul?
            We are God’s beloved children.  Jesus said,” I came to bring you joy, to the full and overflowing, enough to share.”  That is how I want you to serve—from a full heart.  Those of us who are parents would not want our children to live lives of dullness, drudgery, and toil. God wants us, his children, to live up to our full potential.  To explore our own talents.  Your soul will jump for joy when you put time into something that is important to you.  You are amazing and capable and so very loved.  Value your time.  Spend it wisely.  And remember, you deserve tender, loving care.  Treat yourself to a relaxing bubble bath.  Bake your favorite cookies.  Try meditation and allow yourself to relax.  You are so loved by our Father.  Treat yourself kindly this week.
                                                         Encouraging you to be your best,
                                                                                          Linda

​Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven:        Ecclesiastes 3:11
Good morning sweet one,
                Yesterday was the first day of fall, my favorite season of all.  Love, love the crisp air, yes, even in Palm Harbor it was a little cooler. Love the changing of the leaves and hope to convince Jim to take me north to see them again.  Change is inevitable, in nature, in all of life.  For most of us, change in our personal lives might seem scary, or maybe, you are one of those adventurous people who thrive on the edge.   Usually, I like to view change, consider it, run for cover, peak out again, and take a first baby step toward something new.  But to embrace the new, we must let go.  This week, I ask you to ponder:      “What in your life is done? What is over?                                                                                                            What relationship is over?                                                                                                                                             What outdated belief do you need to let go of?                                                                                                     What are you clenching in your hand?                                                                                                                What do you need to let go of to truly embrace the new that God has already prepared for you?”  Be brave.  Life is exciting.  Let go of the old.  It may hurt for a while, but just beyond the pain is where miracles happen.   Hold hands with hope and take a leap of faith,                                                                                  Linda