365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS JULY!

God help me to SOAR! I was reading tonite about how eagles can SOAR and never seemingly get tired, with little or no effort and often without even flapping their wings. God gave them the ability to SOAR but He also has instilled that same ability to SOAR in us when we are born again. Without being reborn it is impossible to SOAR. Which is why some of us fail to ever get off the ground. Others may seemingly take off under their own power and appear to have it all, only to drop back down when that self propulsion fizzles out. When we put our lives and our faith in God's hands, He gives us the power to SOAR. Vocabulary.com/Dictionary has a great definition of what it means to SOAR. It says "To SOAR means more than just to fly; it means to rise swiftly, to feel the wind slipping below you as you ride it higher, higher, higher. Flying is just moving through the air. Soaring though, suggests exhilaration, even joy." I want to SOAR! To rise rapidly and go on and move upward. Who wouldn't want to SOAR with a definition like that? I asked God to give me a word early today since I need to sleep earlier than usual and boy did He give me a topic! Something that I have never thought much about although I do know that Isaiah 40:31 says, but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. (NIV) By God's grace I will SOAR and you can too...with God all things are possible!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS JULY!

Today was the final day of the FIFA WORLD CUP! I could say I am happy that I am not tied to my television anymore but really I will miss it. It was a long month for me considering I only missed two matches before I realized their were two on at the same time on two different channels...sigh. Football will still be being played all over the world but its not the same as the FIFA WORLD CUP. For that, I have to be patient for another 4 years or approximately 1460 days...yes I added them up...smiles. Because of my 365 Word Journey I have decided that rather than sulk...I will use those 1460 days wisely if I am so blessed to be on this earth for all of them. I have set some goals just like I set a goal to complete a number of exercises for each and every match I watched. After all that would have been a whole lot of sitting so I had to justify watching them for all those hours. I boycott cable so Big Ups to Univision and another Spanish channel who broadcast every single match and made it possible for myself and others to watch them all. On the rare occasion that ABC did show the matches, I often forgot to switch it over. Beside who is really more enthusiastically expressive...the Brits and Americans or the Latino/Latinas? Lol. Everyday was like a party on Univision! Now as I move on past the FIFA WORLD CUP and all the excitement and nail biter moments, the jumping, the yelling, and return back to "normal" life, I will look ahead, work on my 4 year goals, and dream of "The Beautiful Game." When those four years pass by, I will be able to look back and say #becausefutbol the incentive God used so that I would focus. With that I say...adios mi amigos y mi amigas! Vaya con dios!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS JULY!

Life can feel like a RACE, for some, a rat RACE, for others a marathon RACE, or perhaps even a triathlon. Just like the cyclists in the Tour De France, we hit cobblestones, stormy weather, and hills that feel unending. In my RACE I am beginning to feel like someone keeps moving the finish line. I am a great starter, I can start projects and tasks with gusto, but just like in a marathon or triathlon, my legs start to give out and my stamina drops just past the midway point. There are more hills in this RACE than I anticipated. Or the were a bit steeper that I imagined. I have even stumbled and almost fallen down a time or two. Still I RACE on...with the finish line and my prize nowhere in site. There comes a point when I realize there is no training for this RACE, however God's grace is sufficient...I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Even when my hills feel more like mountains and my RACE appears to have no end, I know God has a plan. All things work together for my good. The quickest way to a point is straight ahead but what road do you know that doesn't have curves. Eventually, even with detours, I will get where I am supposed to be. Jeff Galloway says it well..."The marathon is a competition between your will and your possibilities."

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS JULY!

I was reading today about the TEMPTATION to quit. There are days when I find myself pushing myself to do things that I know I have to do and should do. The Bible warns us not to give in (enter) into TEMPTATION. And when He came to the place, He said to them, Pray that you may not enter into TEMPTATION. (Luke 22:40) It is easy to give up...persevering is hard when the TEMPTATION to quit is so strong. I have often wondered how am I one of those who never gives up when I feel the TEMPTATION to quit so strongly at times. Even though I want to now and again, I pray I never give up.

I ENCOURAGE MYSELF AND YOU...

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS JULY!

I am learning to think and speak on PURPOSE. The Bible says as a man thinketh, so is he. I do not have to be passive in my thinking! I can think and meditate on God's Word and speak it aloud whenever I have thoughts that do not line up with the Bible. I can honestly say that is not an easy feat to accomplish but I am determined repetitive behavior will change that. I will think on PURPOSE! Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your site, Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS JULY!

This morning when I woke up I made my declaration that "something good is going to happen to me today!" It did! After 2 months of waiting patiently and without malice and angry conversations, maintenance showed up out of the blue late morning and repaired my ceiling! Amazing because after 2 months I was pretty much accepting that they had forgotten...again...sigh...and it wasn't going to happen until I asked the property manager yet again. I thought then maybe the third time would be the charm. I also had a phone call today that made me a good offer, but I am praying about that to make sure that it is the direction God wants me to go. I know DECLARATIONS work...maybe not always immediately...when those DECLARATIONS line up with God's Word! I declare that tomorrow is going to be even better! God is an awesome God!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS JULY!

Computer ISSUES all day...sigh. I wasn't the only one that had ISSUES apparently though. The match between Brazil and Germany was almost too painful to watch. I did learn something though, as usual. Never let your guard down when facing a challenge or your enemy! I am learned that if you see yourself like grasshoppers and your enemies (problems) like giants, you are already defeated! As for the ISSUES...this too shall pass! I am not defeated even when in the natural it may seem that way. My God works in the realm of the supernatural!