Have you had thoughts of despair, loneliness, anger, condemnation... shake it off...
Today's the day for a New Beginning!
John 1:1... In the beginning was the WORD, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. vs. 2.... The same was in the beginning with God. vs. 3.... All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
Recently, I was in a place of turmoil and uncertainty about what steps to take in my life. I was afraid to move, fearful that I'd make the wrong decision but angry at myself for not making a decision. I looked fine on the outside (just a front) but my heart and mind was tore up. I needed the love and support that only the Father could give. Even though I knew what I needed, going after it was something completely different.
How did I get here? Better yet, how did I move forward? The answer was simple "I needed to renew my mind (with His Word) and stop grieving God's spirit...Ephesians 4:23-32. I thought it couldn't be that simple, but when I began to take little steps the results were divine!
We all fall short sometimes and lose sight. However, it's important to know that it's okay; just as God was and is there for me, He is there for you as well. He is not just the God of Abraham and Jacob, He's OUR God! OUR Savior, and OUR Comforter! The next time you're in need of a father, a friend or whatever it may be... just call on Him. He desires to hear from us. Today is the day.... begin anew with a fresh Word from Him! And that my sisters is great news!
Whether you are exercising for health reasons or to lose a couple of pounds or lots of pounds it is important to build a regular exercise program into your lifestyle. This is the most important aspect of keeping your weight under control and your heart healthy. Try to do some exercise you enjoy and aim for three days a week for at least 30 minutes or more at a time. Walking, elliptical trainer, swimming and cycling are great ways to exercise with a friend or the family. If you haven’t exercised for a long time, check with your doctor for the most suitable exercise for you.
Here are some tips for exercise success:
If you've been sedentary for a long time, are overweight, have a high risk of coronary heart disease or some other chronic health problem, see your doctor for a medical evaluation before beginning a physical activity program.
Choose activities that are fun, not exhausting. Add variety. Develop a repertoire of several activities that you can enjoy. That way, exercise will never seem boring or routine.
Wear comfortable, properly fitted footwear and comfortable, loose-fitting clothing appropriate for the weather and the activity.
Find a convenient time and place to do activities. Try to make it a habit, but be flexible. If you miss an exercise opportunity, work activity into your day another way.
Use music to keep you entertained.
Surround yourself with supportive people. Decide what kind of support you need.
Don't overdo it. Do low- to moderate-level activities, especially at first. You can slowly increase the duration and intensity of your activities as you become more fit.
Keep a record of your activities. Reward yourself at special milestones. Nothing motivates like success!
Picture it, a young boy, a sling, and five stones against a formidable giant. How is it even possible to slay a giant with a sling and five stones? Looking at the facts makes it even more implausible. David was a boy- facing a 7 plus ft. giant. David had a sling - the giant had a shield. David had five small stones- the giant had a metal sword. Are you starting to get the picture? By all appearances the odds were against David. Think too about the crowd. Imagine the gamblers in the crowd taking wagers; betting all that they had against David. Imagine the hecklers, the jokesters and the psalmist who were already making up songs about David:
“There once was a boy named David
who was courageous though very small.
He tried to kill a giant with five stones,
but He was squished into a ball.”
What he was proposing to do was suicide. Some would say David had a death wish. As I think about this God infused story, I see many parallels with what the WOMBS Ministry has been called to do. We currently have a staff of five women faced with the giants of limited funds, religious tradition, spiritual apathy and ignorance. A giant, who by all appearances, we can’t conquer; But God! Our Father, who makes all giants look small; our Rock who is able to break through any shield; our Sword who is able to divide soul and spirit; is the “What” that is often over looked.
Although the giants maybe as big as mountains, we can stare them in the eyes and boldly proclaim victory before the battle!Like David, we too can face the giants knowing the outcome. Our victory will be a testimony to the naysayers and then we can declare to the giants, “the lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands!”
When I was 11 years old, I loved to read books.My favorite was a book by Judy Blume, called are you there God, It’s me Margaret.The main conflict in the novel comes from Margaret's need to settle her mixed religious heritage because her mother is a Christian and her father is Jewish. She also deals with her issues of belief in God.She constantly prays “Are you there God? It’s me Margaret. In school, she is assigned a year long independent study project, to which she chooses a study on people's beliefs, which proves to be more than she can handle as she is finding out a lot about herself as well.
At 11 years old and trying to figure out who I was, this book spoke volumes to me.I use to ask myself quite often, are you there God?Are you there when I am hurting, when I am being abused, when I feel lonely and abandoned?Are you there God?ARE YOU THERE GOD?I was a young girl waiting for him to answer.Sometimes as an adult I have that same question for God….Are you there God, It’s me Fatima….Are you there God when I am disappointed and get caught up in the way things are and the way things should be.When I feel devalued and used by people who call themselves my friends.When I feel lost and alone, Are you there God?????I have learned that God is there and He’s good even when my life is not.
When I got older I learned of a man who had experienced more loss and pain than I could have ever imagined.His name was Job and just when life seemed perfect, this happened to him….….
One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabena’s raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home.Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escapedto tell you.”(Job 1:13-19 NLV)
As I read that I thought…….Are you Serious, this is waaay too much.In a short time, not days, not hours but minutes, Job lost everything…everything that mattered to him, his family……..all his possessions.I wonder if Job asked the question that rings so constantly in my head and heart…Are you there God? Do you see what is happening to me? Do you even care?Instead some of the most beautiful words came from the pieces of his broken heart.
He said,
“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21 NLV)
Job was just as human and vulnerable as the rest of us, but he didn’t have to ask God was He there, he knew He was.Unlike us who focus on all the things that go wrong and all our disappointments, Job focused on his trust in God and the power of the God who holds everything together.Things do fall apart, usually quite often but we have to remember God’s promises in His word when the storms of life begin to blow:
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. (Isaiah 43:1-2 NLV).
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.(John 16:33 NLV).
For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer (Psalm 9:12 NLV).
I will never fail you. I will never abandon you (Hebrews 13:5 NLV).
I pray that you write these truths on your heart that in the time of trouble you will be reminded of Gods promises.In closing C.S. Lewis wrote: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shout in our pains.It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”He knows, He sees, He hears and more importantly He cares.
How much are you worth? How much of yourself have you sold to become known, wealthy, or to be accepted? To often women sell pieces of themselves to gain materials things-even love. We do this because we do not recognize our value or perhaps we have never been told our true worth. Take heart, the God of the universal calls us His "Treasured Possesion"!
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 14:2
Christian parents have claimed Proverbs 22:6 as a wonderful promise concerning their children. A promise that their sons and daughters would turn out to be model Christian young people. However, many Christian parents have been extremely disappointed and even bitter towards God when their kids have turned out to be anything but model Christians. Some rebellious "Christian" teenagers have even gotten themselves into big trouble. They know the word, they go church, but still they choose to go their own way. Parents may ask themselves what happened? Is God not true to His Word? Does He make exceptions to His promises? Did I as a parent claim a promise that really isn't a promise?
The answer is NO
In actuality Proverbs 22:6 is one of the least-believed, least-PRACTICED verses of the Bible by Christian parents. Just because a family attends church every Sunday, participates in ministries, and have their child (ren) in many “Christian” youth programs does not mean that the proper training was going on in the home. For example, what may appear as a model “Christian” home may not always be. Discipline may have been little to non-existent, family devotions may be infrequent, very little attention being paid to what children are reading, watching or listening to. Then there is the absence of communication and/or very little love expressed between parents and children. The teenager who lives in these homes are NOT exceptions, but rather proofs that Proverbs 22:6 is not really practiced. Most of Christian parents who do not use Proverbs 22:6 as a guide could possibly see their children stray. The catch is, NO ONE has ever done a perfect job in training up a child in the way he should go. However, to the degree that parents PRACTICE Prov. 22:6, it WILL WORK. It’s a promise and God is not like man that he should lie. Keep the faith and train your child. Even when you’re tired, continue to train. Even when you’re disgusted, continue to train. Even when allelse fails…TRAIN!!!
