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.