365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...ALL BUT FINISHED!

Today is the last day of APRIL! Wow! That is hard to believe...APRIL came and went so fast. APRIL showers brought flowers and did not wait until May. APRIL was pleasant, APRIL was blessed. I think APRIL is the first month I do not have to catch up on a post...smiles...that alone is a blessing. I look back over the words I have learned and reflected on in APRIL and see that I have gained much knowledge. The key is retaining that knowledge and building on it. By God's grace I will. 

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...WINDING DOWN!

I woke up this morning at 4.30am to distant thunder and some raindrops on my window. Although there was a tornado in Northern Georgia, I thought my area must not have had a STORM until I walked outside. Leaves and limbs and puddles were everywhere. The flowers which I had wanted to photograph this year because they looked extra beautiful and fresh....were a bit of a mess and not so fresh looking anymore. The point is that, even when I didn't know there was a STORM, God protected me. In my spiritual life...God is there to protect me in the midst of a STORM just like He is in the natural...even when I don't even know there is a STORM brewing. God's glory will be canopy and refuge and a hiding place from the STORM and rain. (see Is.4:5-6) 

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...WINDING DOWN!

Preparing for possible TORNADOES is a bit unnerving, but by God's grace and mercy all will be well. It doesn't bother me so much in the daytime...but possible TORNADOES at night time while we are sleeping is another thing. But God has not given me the spirit of fear so I refuse to give into that. I pray that all of you will also be safe. 

This word...TORNADOES...is a test of faith. Usually I am afraid during thunderstorms. My normal reaction to that was to get in my bed and will myself to sleep. Now I stay awake and I prepare. Most of all...I have faith and trust God!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...WINDING DOWN!

LAUGHTER really can be the best medicine! Who knew Today had its ups and downs...but LAUGHTER turned the whole day into joy. Most of my day was joyful anyway...filled with worship and praise and tears of gratitude...LAUGHTER just filled in all the cracks and crevices. LAUGHTER was the cherry on top! Funny how 3 short sentences texted from a friend filled me with so much LAUGHTER I couldn't stop. God always knows just what you need! Stay blessed and have a wonderful new week! May it be filled with LAUGHTER, peace, and joy!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...WINDING DOWN!

Tonite, just so I don't feel like my life is too repetitive. I will RELAX and write more tomorrow. I did change things up a bit today. I had an out of order type of day. Meaning I changed up my normal routine. It felt great to RELAX on purpose. 

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...WINDING DOWN!

There is so much SELF-HELP information floating around. It is a popular topic of many books, magazine articles and their covers because it helps pull in sales. Even the internet is peppered with SELF-HELP snippets and blogs. I think change can be a really good thing...I didn't always but hey change is inevitable...so now I have resolved to just enjoy (or endure) change. The problem with SELF-HELP is that it contains the word self...and yes there is a lot we can and must do but we need to partner with God. Too many of the SELF-HELP suggestions totally lead us away from our Creator, Lord, and Savior. Everything sounds and looks so enticing...try this...do that...do this...get that...but the Bible says Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (see Matthew 6:33 KJV) Whatever I need to do...God will show me. He will show me what needs changing and how to change it. I don't need SELF-HELP! I need God's biblical and spiritual help! There are many great teachings (on cd and dvd) and other resource materials in the form of books that should not be confused with SELF-HELP, but as spiritual guidance. The right resources will always give you scriptures to back everything up. The answers to everything is in the Bible. Spiritual help is the very best type of help! It is very easy to get off track and follow other ideals and many of those ideals are focused on idols. Keep your eyes focused on God and His word and principles and you can never go wrong! 

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...WINDING DOWN!

There are often days...like today, when I feel my life is all about REPETITION. Sometimes the REPETITION creates a comfort zone...a type of bumper, but other times REPETITION creates that, "why am I here?" syndrome or the "theres got to be more to life" syndrome. For me it was neither...my daily REPETITION is what it is. I get up at the same time almost daily, watch Joyce Meyer at the same time each morning (weekdays) which is why I get up at the same time Monday through Friday, make the bed at the same time, get my coffee...go about my day unmake the bed removing all the pillows in the same exact reverse order and stack them in the same exact place. Am I retentive? Perhaps, but it makes logical sense because there isn't anywhere else to put them or for that matter any other order in which to do things...is there? On occasion I am a rebel and I leave the pillows stacked and once I even left the bed unmade. I find it uncomfortable to get back into an unmade bed but hey if you aren't feeling well...how would you notice that...Smiles. REPETITION can be great if I am doing things worth repeating. However I really am feeling I need a little more freedom in my day. Will tomorrows REPETITION be different? Who knows but I do know a change is coming...I can feel it...smiles.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...WINDING DOWN!

I think if I had to choose one word for today I would choose CHAOTIC! It was also hectic, and almost stressful...almost because I made up my mind not to allow it to be stressful. Family members always...in their own way...remind me why I keep my distance. Most of them have barbed wire on the outside. They cut you with words. Happy I had on my armour today...smiles. I had to go to the market late and apparently so did everyone else. I tried to remember to let my light shine and let people pass first, grab first, walk slow, almost trample me, and so much more. Of course the enemy reminded me that I could have acted like everyone else. Not! I changed checkout lines 3 times...4 if I count the one I returned to and then left again. Each lane had a problem or was a mile long. I waited patiently...considering it was late and I did not want to wait long for a bus. I stood in line doing my "Freaky Flamingo" stance from my Daily Challenge on meyouhealth.com. After all that had already occurred in my CHAOTIC day...I was almost across the parking lot to the bus stop when the bus appeared. My first thought was he is not going to wait, but there were still people getting off so I rushed and although he had shut the door...he opened it again. I was really happy...up until he turned where I didn't want to go! Uhhhh! Bad very bad! I asked him if he was going back the other way and he said yes...he wasn't...sigh. He was going back the way where I had just got picked up from. Just a big circle. Thank God the bus I needed...same one but without the L after the number was parked right behind it. A blessing! I knew the one with the L existed but I am not out at the hours it runs...which is very early and very late afternoon. Oh what a CHAOTIC day! That got me home 30 minutes later than I would have been had I got on the right bus, but hey, I was just overjoyed to be home. After all that though I was too tired to eat what I had bought for dinner. My CHAOTIC day had chased my hunger away. Oh well...Lord willing there is always tomorrow...if not I will be where I will never hunger or thirst so it won't matter...smiles. So here's to a more peaceful day tomorrow...I am planning that in advance. Tomorrow is Thursday already...didn't we just have the weekend???? Totally another word....smiles

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...WINDING DOWN!

Sometimes it seems that everything and anything that is PLEASURABLE always is bad for you in one way or another and gets taken away. I am really enjoying my hot sauce addiction and what does the doctor say? Hot sauce has too much sodium! Everything on this planet has too much sodium! If I remove what I won't eat because it's unhealthy, and remove what I don't feel like eating...healthy or not, and remove what are the PLEASURABLE things I feel like eating but I am told I shouldn't because of the sodium by one doctor, there is nothing left. The other doctor says all the time why are you limiting sodium...you need some, just don't use the salt shaker. Urgggg! My salt shaker and the pepper shaker are there strictly for decoration or there if someone asks I can at least point to it without having to explain I don't use it. My homemade stir fry with veggies and rice was one of my wonderful and PLEASURABLE things until the sub doctor told me it might give me diabetes because of the starch. I know cultures that eat rice daily...I am just saying. Now I have no appetite for anything since I gave up the hot sauce...almost...and I barely eat at all. What does the doctor say? You need to try and eat at least 1,000 calories a day! Eat what? I am basically a vegetarian except not I can't eat veggies because I get ill. A friend once told me cheese is lethal and that you may as well paster it to your hips...that was a  turn off. I even gave up coffee for awhile bcause of the sugar and the fact that tea is supposed to be better for you. Tea makes me sick...so I went back to the coffee with way less sugar...ick...and I ignore that the corn syrup in the powdered creamer is on the PLEASURABLE look but don't indulge list. One positive thing is that I am on the SNAP diet plan so soon I am sure I will only be able to afford bread...and maybe water...oh wait breads a starch....sigh. Nothing PLEASURABLE about that now is there?

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...WINDING DOWN!

Did you know we are never ALONE? God is always with us! Not only is He with us, but He is for us! Like a father with his children, our Heavenly Father may not always condone what we do, but He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us! Even when I feel ALONE and lonely I remember that my God said He would never leave me nor forsake me. The Holy Spirit is here to guide and comfort me. Holidays are always the hardest for many people, including me, who feel more ALONE, when so many people are with their families. I will admit two things...often with family or in a group, I still feel ALONE...and I am ALONE by choice. Yes by choice because sometimes it is better to be ALONE than be aggravated. I enjoy being peaceful. I don't like loud talking or people talking over top of each other...at all! I do not like arguing either. Maybe because I never saw my parents...or heard them for that matter, argue or even say unkind things to or about one another. I also grew up an only child...basically ALONE. I missed all those "fun" moments, built in playmates, running around the house screaming and yelling, talking all at once. The thing is, if you never had that, you never miss it...until later...when you are ALONE. Part of my journey of 365 words is spiritual, part of it is mental, and part of it is physical. Today I am looking at me...from the inside out...and not the outside in. Not always an easy thing to do. if you feel ALONE, just remember you are never really ALONE. God loves you, He watches over you, and He will take care of you, like the loving Father He is, if you only have faith.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...HE HAS RISEN!

For a Christian, EASTER is the holiest time of the year. You almost wouldn't know it though by the commercials on Tv and researching the internet. Even Google who loves doodles did not acknowledge EASTER with a graphic. Maybe cause they just didn't want to "offend" anyone or perhaps the CEO is Jewish. Who knows...I do know that looking for EASTER graphics and/or wallpapers for my Facebook page left me shaking my head. Its all about the bunny! The eggs! The candy! The ham! A few days ago I was researching the origin of the EASTER bunny. I wanted to learn just when he...and the bunny is a he...officially, took over EASTER. I love buns, of course I do, I have one...but the bunny did not die for my sins, and a dead bunny (sorry Bailey) is just that...a dead bunny. The bunny was not resurrected, wasn't laid in a tomb...maybe the dinner table...God forbid! The EASTER bunny is actually a very old dating back to at least 1682 in the German Lutheran church...yes church, although other accounts say that it has its origins in pagan beliefs. Almost every religion has ties to the "egg" Ukraine for the decorating, the Jewish for bring egg dishes to funerals, the Orthodox churches for boiling them for preservation during Lent. The EASTER bunny idea arrived in America somewhere around the 18th century implemented by a tale told to children by the Pennsylvania Dutch, in the late 19th century, the Germans brought the tradition to Sweden where they were confused because of a language barrier and thought the were saying an EASTER wizard, so they dressed as witches for EASTER (ewww)...and so on. To me the EASTER bunny feels like it has grown to epic proportions in just the past few years so it was rather shocking to learn it has been around a long long time. In the "EASTER" aisle at a big box store, I found 2 crosses that were for decoration and one small Bible. Out of about 4 aisles with EASTER merchandise on each side...that's 8 sets of shelves...that was it. Sad! The point is while looking for anything EASTER related all you basically get...is the bunny. Online and off. Now I understand while those who know and follow Jesus now refer to EASTER as RESURRECTION DAY! I am not condemning the bunny...I just prefer the purity of RESURRECTION DAY. What a beautiful event...to know that Jesus laid down His life for me! I praise God for that. So to all the Believers...A very Happy and Blessed RESURRECTION DAY!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A TIME OF REMEMBERING!

For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only BEGOTTEN SON, that whosoever BELIEVETH in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (See John 3:16)

What a wonderful time to receive your SALVATION and have your sins FORGIVEN on this blessed Easter Sunday. Don't just go because it is Easter, go with a plan...Gods plan! Now is the time to be SAVED...

On this eve of Resurrection Day, one word is not enough...but the most important word to you should be "SAVED!"

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A TIME OF REMEMBERING!

Today is GOOD Friday! God created the earth He saw that it was GOOD. When He created the light, the seas, the dry ground He said that it was GOOD. The animals, the trees, the plants, all able to reproduce their own kind...God saw that it was GOOD. Many many things in the Bible are/were considered GOOD. GOOD used as an adjective means; to be desired, approved of, having the qualities required for a particular role. As a noun GOOD means; that which is morally right, righteousness, benefit or advantage to someone or something. As an adverb GOOD means; well. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins it was devastating to those who knew Him and loved Him but this was God's perfect plan. Jesus, through God, had all the qualities required to carry out God plan. Jesus was morally right as well as righteous. When Jesus died on the cross it was for our benefit and advantage...for the remission of our sins...Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice...and it was GOOD! (Well) I praise my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for making that ultimate sacrifice and dying on that cross for me. Even more I thank Him forever more for giving me a heart that was receptive and accepting of that knowledge. 

I pray your GOOD Friday was blessed as you reflected on what Jesus did on that GOOD Friday. When He died (gave up His spirit) He didn't say it was GOOD...He said..."IT IS FINISHED!"

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

Today I was reading about having a case of the "IFs"...what IF this, what IF we had that, IF only...all a case of the IF's. I try my best to always see the glass half full and not half empty. Not always an easy feat but it is something I know is honorable to God. I have met people in life that always wonder IF, and those people love to live with their focus on the negative and not on the positive. This sets us up for defeat. Sure living on $41 a week for food and hearing about those who grumble because the only have $400 a week to spend...could, IF I allowed it, give me a case of what IF? I don't...why? because I know people who don't have food everyday or at the very least eat the same food daily. Oh how blessed I feel! It takes creativity to say the least but thank God I don't focus on the what IF for longer than a moment or two. To live with what IF is to live with regret...I try to focus on the good part of every bad situation...and there is always a good part because God uses every experience to teach us, and to elevate us to new levels! I have decided to focus on...what IF I have faith, what IF I learn all that God is teaching me on my 365 word journey, what IF I retain what I have learned, and what IF I put it all into practice, and what IF it works...and it will!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

A close friend asked me today why I had not CHECKED on him in months. I took responsibility and apologised. I did explain that I was certain he was just enjoying his family but said I had no excuse. People have always CHECKED on me and I have been very grateful for that...however I have never been good at being the one that CHECKED on others. I have always felt, in many ways insecure about that. I feel like I am intruding on the lives of friends or family, not to mention the fact that when they have CHECKED on me...I know they really want to communicate with me. Insecure yes but also...I see now...that this has been a habit filled with selfishness although not on purpose. I tend to get all caught up in my own little world as well as that fear of rejection. It never occurred to me that I could make someone else feel loved, or treasured, to let them know I am thinking about them or praying for them. Very big oversight on my part. Those that have CHECKED on me...I appreciate you! If I have not CHECKED on you...I am very sorry and will try to do better...by Gods grace,(which I did start a few days ago.) Sometimes...many times we have to step out of comfort zone and go above and beyond to uplift someone else. Have you CHECKED on anyone lately?

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

A well known man in the Metro Atlanta area passed away a few days ago. He was known for his charity work, fundraisers, and many other GOOD deeds he had accomplished throughout his lifetime. He was a GOOD person...many called him a great person...and he probably was but my first thoughts were...I hope and pray he knew Christ Jesus. Unless we are born again of the spirit we will perish and our GOOD works will not help us...we can not work or buy our way into Paradise. I have noticed during my 365 word journey I have often paused and reflected on the hereafter. The Bible says we are always to be anticipate how it will be in our new home. I never gave it much thought beyond a few things I have heard in sermons or read. I am learning that it is glorious! We must always be ready. I always want to be ready. Tomorrow is not promised to us and I am learning life can be and feel very short.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

Today while I was returning home there was an abundance of RAIN! The wonderful thing is that it felt amazing! I don't remember ever being completely okay with getting caught in the RAIN and trying to avoid the water racing past my feet. It would have been way above my ankles if I did not find a few creative ways to avoid it. I can even admit I felt frightfully....wait for it....happy! I walked in the pouring RAIN and was happy! I had an umbrella...a larger one than usual, so at least I was not drenched...just pleasantly soggy. I had wanted to leave home earlier so that I would be back before a drop fell...although I was really thinking it wouldn't rain a drop...even after the sky became very dark and ominous. I am happy I didn't. I enjoyed the RAIN! I  felt like a child again...ok...I wasn't running...or splashing...but if I had a toy boat...it would have been the icing on the cake. Appreciate the RAIN! Embrace it! Some people don't have it and wish they did. If they don't get it soon...we will all wish they did! An abundance of RAIN...can be a very very good thing!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

Many people want to WAIT to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. They want to WAIT till they are older, or WAIT until they have sampled more of what the world has to offer in case they might be missing out on something, or WAIT because they don't want to lose friendships or relationships. I was thanking God that I did not WAIT, but was led to accept Him as a teenager. The Bible tells us to seek God while He can be found...see Isaiah 55:6-7. Has it all been a bed of roses? Certainly not! Not because of Jesus...He was always right there...waiting to pick me up if I stumbled or fell...The truth is it is we who move away from Him and not vice versa. If I had chosen to WAIT...I believe I would have gone through much of my life in pitch blackness and with a blindfold on! With Him if I wander into darker territory, He is there not too far away...and like a flickering candle flame allows me to find my way back again. I praise God I was not one of those to WAIT. When He knocked on the door of heart I answered. Don't WAIT because tomorrow is not promised to us.

Today was Palm Sunday...Thank you Lord!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

Today was all about The BAILEY! Cleaning the "Pet Palace" of The BAILEY, playing with The BAILEY, telling The BAILEY I am going to give him a "bunny beating" (not really, but he didn't know that...wink) if he shred one more piece of paper that was lining his litter box...the one he refuses to go near since "the incident." The incident happened when he jumped in or out...I am not sure which because I didn't see the incident happen...only the aftermath...smiles...anyway he jumped and apparently the lightweight dish with water in it went up in the air and got the inside the litter box wet and God forbid...I am assuming...him too. Okay so if my toilet splashed water all over me...I might be hesitant to use it again too. Of course I would call a plumber...The BAILEY called his mum or at least he went on an anti litter box crusade until she noticed. Same effect...I spent over an hour cutting a walk-through on his Sterilite litter box. Now Sterilite may be cheap but it cuts like steel. No scissors, or knife, or box cutter could permeate that thing so I resorted to...melting it...smiles. Yes I melted an opening and even that was not at all easy...but oh so worth it...to make and keep...The BAILEY happy. The BAILEY was oh so well behaved, so I praised The BAILEY the remainder of the day...and so I am up an hour past my bedtime...not unusual...but today...for the benefit of...naturally...The BAILEY. 
Todays lesson from my word...do unto others as you would have them do unto you...even if it is your fur-baby :- )

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

Today on the way home I saw the aftermath of a horrific car accident. In reflection it was a reminder that we must always be READY to meet our Maker. Whether any of the occupants were fatally injured...I don't know. I prayed they would be able to live, especially if they did not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Lesson in life...always be READY...if you are READY...stay in faith and lead others. Time is short.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

I have always felt that if I am not moving forward...I am moving BACKWARD. I had the best intentions today by starting with a couple small tasks in between my tummy pain. Doing the dishes went well. I even did them twice to catch up on the two days I missed...however I didn't do my reading today...that's definitely a step BACKWARD. I did not do much after this morning. That's a step BACKWARD. Small things can become big distractions. But today is already the past and I don't live in the past...I live in the future. Tonite I move forward...tomorrow will be better...by God's grace.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

I am totally ill again. VEGETABLES have become the enemy. When I eat just VEGETABLES I get really sick with stomach pains. I forgot and ate them again. VEGETABLES are supposed to be healthy and instead they make me feel like they are trying to kill me. I appreciate any prayers. Back to bed for me :-( I know God is a healer however I am beginning to think I should have the surgery to correct the issue. I am seeking God on that. 

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

God always gives us a way OUT of every situation. We may not always see it at the time, or take it, but there is always a way OUT! God opens doors and He closes them...it is up to us if we want to walk OUT or walk in. I always want God's Direction in my life. I pray for that. I also pray to do the right thing and let go when He gives me the way OUT. Whether its a job, or friendships, or material things I must...let go and let God because the way OUT is in reality...always the way in.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

I was thinking that Christian life (walk) is a lot like  HIGHWAYS...we have curves, detours, roadblocks, stop signs, green lights to move forward, caution signals to warn us of what's ahead, dead ends, bridges we can cross over that will get us where we need to be faster (our destiny), tunnels where we feel closed in or cut off...but we are okay as long a we focus on what's straight ahead (Jesus). There are hills, and valleys along the way. Some HIGHWAYS are crowded and others are so desolate we feel totally alone. There are HIGHWAYS so smooth they feel like glass and the ride is so wonderful, and just when you are comfortable, out of the blue comes one full of potholes (tests). Along those HIGHWAYS we may glance at someone and our eyes may meet, but we never see them again in this life because they are not a part of our future...our destiny. We are instructed to stay on the narrow path...driving too close to the edge of the HIGHWAYS of life can lead to unnecessary roughness along that edge, or worse...off the side...leading to destruction. If the HIGHWAYS you are traveling on are riddled with red flags or caution signs...it is best to turn around...you are on your way to being lost...after all no one really wants to stay on those HIGHWAYS for 40 years when the journey may only take a few short days. Yes life can be much like the HIGHWAYS we travel...after all one day we will arrive at our destination...the Promise Land...its so much better if we arrive without damage...but we are nice and shiny and new...just like we were created.

Update: The next day I learned about yield signs, and U turns. Confirmation indeed!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

Yesterdays word...struggle...was definitely an issue that lasted well into the night, but this morning every teaching, every comment, everything I read and everything I listened to (music) was a direct encouragement and yes a scolding from God! I would have to say that in reverse...a scolding and then encouragement. I did learn a lot today. Mainly that I need to set my mind and keep it set (Col. 3:2) and that I need to develop a MINDSET of not only thinking positive and not negative, but that I need to wake up and think and be positive on purpose! I need a MINDSET to do that because if I do not...if I let one small negative thought slip into the open door of my mind...even if its just open a crack...and a passing negative though gets in...I (you) will begin to spiral...and I did. Pastor Joel Osteen told a story of 2 people, one got up and said, "Good Morning Lord!!!" and the other who got up and said, "Good Lord!!! Its Morning!" Obviously we need to have the MINDSET of the first one. Afterall...this is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. I was not created to struggle, or to be in a bad (down) mood, or allow circumstances and/or people to change how I feel during the course of my day. That can only happen if I allow it! I was created to be filled with faith! To be victorious! To be filled with joy...unspeakable joy! To be the head and not the tail! To lend and not borrow! To live in abundance and not lack! I do not have to let my mood or emotions blow in the wind like wheat! I can have a MINDSET that I am in control and with Gods help I will be as steadfast as a steel rod! Tomorrow when I wake up...I am expecting great things! I am expecting that I will have Gods favour in my life as well as the lives of my family! I declare that we will be blessed when we go out, and blessed when we come in...in Jesus Name...Amen! Have a blessed new week and remember to have a MINDSET this week to be positive and not negative in all that you say and do...and do it on purpose!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

Today was a day filled with inner STRUGGLE. Not exactly sure why but I guess some days are more of a STRUGGLE than others. Days like this make you stop and reflect on many things...of course that was part of the STRUGGLE. Too much thinking. The past should always stay in the past however it is always creeping up into the now and bleeding into the future. Tomorrow all will be well, and I will not!!! STRUGGLE!!!!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OD FRESH AIR!

Yesterday as I mentioned, today would have been my Mother's Birthday. When our LOVED-ONES pass on we miss them. We grieve for them. That is to be expected. The wonderful thing is...in Christ Jesus we have the knowledge that we will see our LOVED-ONES again in Paradise. (2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:23, Luke 23:43) I find great comfort in that knowledge. Perhaps my Mother is smiling down on me or perhaps she was way too busy celebrating every minute like a perpetual birthday with everyone's LOVED-ONES. Do you have the assurance that you will be in paradise? No one comes to the Father except through the Son (John 14:6)

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

Every year I thank God that my Mother visited COLORADO when I was younger and didn't like it. She had planned on relocating there and living near her brother, my uncle. Why do I thank God? COLORADO is always the first to get snow and the last, so it seems, to get rid of it! All the snow they received today and Winter is long over in my opinion. It will be 2 weeks tomorrow since Spring arrived. Ironic tomorrow would have been...(is) my Mother's Birthday. Before she died I always used to tell her how grateful I was that we did not move to COLORADO. Count your blessings large and small. Everything happens for a reason, whether we can see that reason at the time or not. COLORADO was not part of my future and I can honestly say...I don't mind one bit at all...smiles.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

Today was a great day! I love when my new Christian inspirational materials (RESOURCES) arrive in the mail! I kept looking in the mailbox everyday and it was either empty or there was junk! Today I hit paydirt smiles. Everything arrived at once. RESOURCES are offered on many of your favourite television Pastors websites or even during or after the broadcasts. These RESOURCES keep you inspired, spiritually healthy, and counteract much of the damaging media that is out there. I do not watch a lot of TV so these RESOURCES give me something to listen to and read. If you don't like reading the teachings are often offered on CD and/or DVD. There are RESOURCES for children. moms, dads, singles, and married couples. With the wealth of RESOURCES available now we have no excuses to not be immersed in God's Word daily. Look up your favourite Pastor, check out the affordable RESOURCES available to you and even watch live streaming, radio and TV broadcasts, podcasts, and much more! This 2014 enjoy your spiritual walk, take it to a new level, and become well grounded (rooted). This is a part of my 365 day journey and I hope you will make it a part of yours...365 days...or not.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...APRIL...A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

Wow! Its hard to believe that it is APRIL already. Where is the time going. I wonder if I should even put the Christmas items in storage because it comes back around so fast again. Last year I did not even bother. I was happy I didn't when it came time to drag it all out again. APRIL in most areas of the country is a time for renewal...the leaves re-appear...the flowers bloom...the bugs return...and it often rains...a lot. When you live in the South though...all that has already started happening and there is a rain deficit. So Happy New Month and welcome to APRIL...I feel blessed to see it...there are so many who didn't. Everyday,every breath, every sunrise, and every sunset is a blessing.