Quote

"Believe that you can do it, under any circumstances. Because if you believe you can, then you really will. That belief just keeps you searching for the answers, then pretty soon you get it."

~ Wally "Famous" Amos

Scripture Sunday

"There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

Dishes

When you serve up your favorite dish…you’re not only left with a full stomach, but you’re left with a sink full of dishes. If you’re anything like me, then you love to walk into a clean kitchen. And it’s a safe assumption that most people in your home gather in the kitchen. What is it about a kitchen that makes it the heart of a home? There are some important lessons that are life reflecting, and the awakening can be as clear as your reflection in your spot free dishes.

We never know what grace or challenge we’ll face in a day. Life can be messy. There are unexpected things that can move into our day that we’re not prepared for. The day may start fresh and clean, and at the end of the day, we find ourselves in a sticky mess.

Our lives are like our kitchen. When you start to cook up a dish- the kitchen can be clean and sanitary; the end of the meal can make your kitchen look like an explosion went off in it. No matter how clean things were before or how messy things become later, one thing is for sure…things can always be cleaned and made new again.

No matter how messy your life looks, you can clean it up. There is no problem too big for God. If you reach your hand out to God for help, HE will reach back. Nothing is impossible with God.

Cleaning the dishes can seem like a never-ending chore. As soon as you clean the kitchen, a hungry soul could walk in and dirty it up again. Let’s take a deep look at what a dirty kitchen can truly represent.

If your sink is full of dirty dishes, then that means someone ate. If you ate, then a need was met. If a dish is dirty because you ate then that must mean you had food in stock to cook, again another need was met. If you have food in stock that must mean you had money to stock your kitchen…another met need. The job that paid for the food, the car that drove you to the grocery store, the utensils that you need to mix and measure your ingredients, are all graces that help you met needs in your life. Take a deeper look at all the small graces that help met your needs in a day.

I recall a lady who was so thankful for dirty dishes. Most of us think dirty dishes are a hassle. In fact, I make sure my sink is clean before I go to bed, because I hate waking up to a dirty kitchen. Why would someone be happy about having a sink full of dirty dishes? It represented her health. She was a cancer survive. She spent too many days stuck in a hospital, unable to do the never-ending chores we moan and groan over. To her, washing dishes meant that she was healthy. Being able to stand and have energy to wash dishes was a welcomed change; the alternative was being sick and weak. Dishes meant health; another importantly met need we so often overlook.

Next time you walk into your kitchen…smile. Smile knowing that messes can be cleaned, your needs are being met and you’re being cared for.

Never overlook the small graces you have in your life…even dishes!

Quote

"Nothing in life is to be feared,

it is only to be understood."

~ Marie Curie

Bottoms Up! (Re-Post)

Recipe:

1 Clear drinking cup

3-4 Scoops of dirt

Clean water

Take your clear cup or drinking glass and toss in your scoops of dirt. Then fill clear cup or drinking glass with clean water. View content of glass: Do NOT drink. What do you see? Is the glass cloudy? Does the water look appealing to drink? Would you serve this drink to friends or family? No!

Think of the cup as your mind. The dirt represents mean, harsh, worried, negative thoughts. The clean water represents kind, encouraging, uplifting, positive thoughts. Now, even though you only have a couple of dirt scoops (negative words) in the glass, it still causes the glass (your mind) to be unappealing and not serve worthy. Even a couple of negative thoughts in your mind are causing you to not serve at your best. It’s only natural to have moments of stress that bring on negative or worried mindsets, but follow the rest of the recipe.

Take your glass that still has the dirt scoops in it and keep pouring clean water in it. What do you notice? You’ll find that as you keeping pouring the clean water into the cup, the cup overflows and overflows until the dirt gets lifted to the rim of the cup and flows out. Keep running the clean water long enough and you’ll find there’s no longer any dirt in the cup; the cup is crystal clear and ready to serve!

That’s the recipe to a healthy mindset: Keep pouring positive words and thoughts into your mind until the negativity flows out. Keep pouring, and when you think you don’t need to pour anymore….keep pouring. This is not an overnight recipe, but the results are delicious!

Cheers!

Quote

"Don't play small! Stand up! Take charge! You are doing yourself and others a disservice by catering your actions towards how you think others will react.

Instead, just be yourself, exactly as you are. When you are simply being yourself you will attract everything that is in alignment with who you truly are. You will be shocked to see who drops away. Their absence will leave a space for new and amazing relationships to enter your life. Just be you, and let everyone else do what they may.

You are not what others believe you to be, you are what you know you are and nothing else. Just be. You will be rewarded for your courage with a life that reflects your true essence instead of an invented identity created to "please others". Ahhhh, doesn't it feel good to just be!?" 

~ Jackson Kiddard

=

Thoughts=Behavior

Behavior=Actions

Scripture Sunday

Isaiah 55:8-9

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

This scripture tells me to trust God in a deeper way, because HE knows what is best; HIS thoughts and ways are better than my ways, so I will trust HIM. I will allow HIM to move in my life, and bring things to pass the way HE sees fit…I don’t care about how I think something should play out or manifest, because I do believe that the heavens are higher, and that they are always watching out, in higher ways then me.

Got Questions?

My motivation to move you forward has motivated a reader to ask me some pretty important questions.

Naturally, I want to help! From a comment to a post…here we go…

·        How do you keep moving forward?

·        How do you keep from comparing your life to others and not get down?

·        What is your reassurance that reassures you that you will get the break in life you know you are promised?

To Move

There must be a marriage between faith and trust; they cannot be divorced from one another. Moving forward is another way to say: Look forward and not backwards at your life. When we look backwards, it slows us down…just ask any runner. We tend to question and over-analyze things from our past. We
cannot change the past. We cannot un-do the past. So why keep focusing on something that is out of your control? What you have control over is your attitude. Are you going to continue to dwell in the past OR are you going to learn from your past and move forward? Look at your hand. Clench your hand into a fist. Think of yourself as the clenched fist. You’re tight, holding on, and tense! That is what it is like when we try to control or when we are fighting for our timing or when we are holding on to the past. Now release your hand and open it up. You’re only truly able to receive from the Lord…when your hand is open; He has space (your palm) to place the new thing HE is wanting you to have. How can you receive something if your hands are clenched? You want to be moving toward something that is in front of you. None of us know what that something is, because only God sees the BIG picture and knows what’s to come…and that is where the faith and trust come into play. You have to trust and believe that your something is going to be good, because God is good.

Ephesians 3:20

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

 
Move forward with a positive attitude. Move forward by stop looking back. Move forward by letting go and being open to receive. Move forward by staying in God’s word and HIS promises. Do what the Lord says in Philippians 4:8, so that you’re rooted with a strong spiritual and mental foundation to carry you on your journey…

“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”

To Compare

"If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise."
 ~ Johann von Goethe

When we see someone who seems to have everything we want, what we’ve been waiting and praying for…

It’s real easy to say, why not me? It’s real easy to wonder if you’re going to have your lucky break. It’s easy to think nothing is ever going to change. It’s easy to ask God, when? It’s easy to ask God, how is this going to happen? I have found myself even saying to God a time or two…What did they do or say to get that-What am I doing wrong?

The “it’s real easy” stuff…is a lie to take your eyes off the Lord. When we compare, the underlining thought is…Where’s the special plan for my life? Again, more lies.

We are ALL designed with a unique purpose and plan. The truth is…God DOES have a special plan for your life. God knows the beginning from the end…nothing is a surprise to HIM. Set-backs  are really divine ordered steps set in place before you were even born. When things seem to be going wrong, in reality, things are going right. Wrongs doors must close in order for the right doors to open. Be thankful for when something closes, because it ultimately means protection. Why would you want to be somewhere, where you don’t belong?

Instead of focusing on what’s going wrong or what’s not happening just yet in your life, focus on what you do have. Everyone goes through trials. Everyone. Don’t compare yourself to others, because you never know what someone goes through. You never know what trial or set back occurred before their success…all you see is their success. You never know what trail someone might face in the future. If it’s success now or success later, the bottom line is…we all go through trials; it’s part of the human experience. God is with them just like HE is with you. Next time you see someone that you start comparing yourself against, remind yourself that if God did it for them, then HE will do it for you too.

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."~ Judy Garland

Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

To Reassure

What is your reassurance that reassures you that you will get the break in life you know you are promised?

It’s through my experience with the Lord that gives me reassurance. It’s knowing and continuing to learn about the Character of our Lord that gives me reassurance. It’s remembering the times the Lord fulfilled promises, and keeping that spark alive for future promises.

Every promise in the Bible is for you and I. Every promise. God is all love. God is good. If God promises you something, then you know it’s going to happen, because to know God, is to know that HE is not a liar.

Numbers 23:19

“God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn't change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it.”

If I am not getting something that I feel has been promised to me, then I would conclude that it’s not the right time. God is at work all the time. Everything has a divine order to them. When God is working in our lives to prepare us for that promise, keep in mind that HE is also arranging and preparing the other people who will be involved in the situation. Don’t get anxious about the when’s of life. When things happen, let them happen in God’s anointed time…because that is when you will experience grace and protection; HE knows what’s best for you.
Knowing God loves me and Knowing God’s character is what gives me reassurance.

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
~Luke 12:25

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
~1 Peter 5:7

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

 ~ Jeremiah 29:11

In Closing

I want to tell all of you that I understand. I’m able to give advice because God has been teaching me so much through my own life, my own experiences, that HE is now helping me to help you.

The Lord has stripped me of everything, in order to show me that HE is my everything. HE also showed me an example of a butterfly.

A caterpillar goes into their cocoon, hidden from the outside world. The caterpillar goes through such a transformation in the cocoon…once the transformation is complete, it breaks free…it’s able to fly in complete freedom and is admired for its beauty.

Let God transform you. Keep stretching, reflecting, and hoping. Think positive, say what is positive, and believe what is positive.

1Peter5:10

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”

Now that’s a scripture you can carry on your butterfly wings!

Last Time

When was the last time…

You told yourself, everything is going to be okay.

When was the last time…

You told yourself, God loves you.

When was the last time…

You told yourself, I have a bright future.

When was the last time…

You told yourself, God has a great plan for my life.

When was the last time…

You told yourself, Something good is happening in my life.

When was the last time?

Quote

"We are made to persist.

That's how we find out who we are."

~ Tobias Wolff

Keep moving forward, readers! Never give up!

Stations of the Cross:13&14

Stations of the Cross

Station 13&14:

Station 13: Jesus is Laid in the Arms of His Mother

Station 14: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

I wanted to take you on a journey. The Stations of the Cross series has come to a close. Did you learn or grow on that journey? The point of the series was not only to take you on a history lesson, but to open your eyes to the experiences that come with life and the comfort you can find with our heavenly family in your times of suffering; They know first-hand what it is like to suffer, and they give us graceful instructions on how to move forward with our crosses. It is my hope that your cross feels a little lighter after our time with this series.

Remember to pray, stay in faith and peace, and to always pick up your cross and walk.

Stations of the Cross: 12

Stations of the Cross

Station Twelve:

Jesus Dies

If Jesus was able to overcome death…


wouldn’t HE be able to help you?


Of course HE can, and of course HE will!


Joy and peace can even be found in death. Do you see this? Death is just the start of a new beginning. Even view change as death; something may not physically pass away, but there are times when we are removed from something in order for a new birth to begin.


Everything works for our benefit, even in the death of Jesus. In Jesus’ death we are given hope, love, and victory.


Life is a precious gift. Jesus gave HIS life for you. Enjoy your life. Be thankful for your life.


Get up every day and say thank you for the day. No matter what you face in the day, the Lord gave you that day and is always with you.

Stations of the Cross: 11

Stations of the Cross

Station Eleven:

Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Jesus is nailed to the cross. What could possibly be more painful, I question myself? We may look at a decorative cross that symbolizes Jesus on the cross, but it can never fully capture the actual viewing of Jesus nailed to the cross.


I was taught years ago by a very spiritual woman, that just (humbly) sitting in front of a cross can bring something magical to you.


Jesus loves us so much and HE was committed to HIS purpose and service to us. Jesus was stretched out on the cross, which is a great metaphor; How are you stretching yourself to become better, to come up higher, to live your best life?


Stretch out your hand to Jesus, because HE has already stretched out HIS hands to you!

Stations of the Cross: 10

Stations of the Cross

Station Ten:

Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

We are living in a time where our economy is in a downward spiral; we are literally being stripped of many things: Job security (whatever that is), homes, vacations, fancy dinners, limited Christmas gifts and celebratory parties…the list keeps stretching.


I’ve been stripped. The lord has taken things away from me…things that I really cared about. The Lord has stripped me and caused me to go inward to find a truer source of fulfillment: HIM.


Stripping is just a momentary problem. Don’t feel discouraged if you have been stripped or you feel like nothing is going you way, in fact, everything is working in your favor. Sometimes things have to fall into ruin so that a great rebuild can take place; Focusing on the Lord will cause the next rebuild to have a strong and stable foundation.


The Lord told me that HE stripped me of things so that I may see that HE is truly my everything. The message holds true for you too.


The Lord is our provider. Material things may come and go, but the Lord is our provider, our source, our love, our everything.


I’m sure our Lord faced great humiliation in that moment of being stripped. I can remember feeling embarrassed when someone asked me how everything was going during my stripped period. But in that moment, you must realize that God is working. You never know when the Lord will turn your situation around…and HE will turn things around. You don’t need to always justify yourself or your situation to someone else; stay confident that God is doing a good work in you, and that the stripping is producing the greatest love and come-back story.


Remember that the Lord is the source to ALL of your needs; ask HIM for help (even outside the realm of material possessions).

We must also strip off all things that are weighting down our hearts. We must strip away

un-forgiveness, impatience, doubt, fear, worry, and anxiety.

Our Lord is our:


Jehova-Jireh: Lord Provider
Jehovah-Nissi:  Lord, Banner of Victory
Jehovah-Shalom: Lord of Peace and Wholeness
Jehovah-Rohi:  Lord my Shepherd
Jehovah-Tsidkenu: Lord my Righteousness
Jehovah-Rophe: The Lord that Heals and Restores


Scriptures:


“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” 2 Corinthians 8:9


“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” ~ John 14:27


Hebrews 12: 1-2


^{1 “}Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,


 ²Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.^”

Stations of the Cross: 9

Stations of the Cross

Station Nine:

Jesus Falls the Third Time

Another fall!  Doesn’t this third fall seem overwhelming? Doesn’t it feel like there needs to be some relief? Isn’t He due for some joy and peace?


Sometimes in life, it’s the darkest before the light. That fall that you thought was going to ruin you, is just pushing towards something really great.


In your falls, learn to keep your focus on our Lord and not on your circumstances. Know that the Lord can turn any situation around. Everything is subject to change. I mean, everything and anything can turn around, except our great and always good God. Put your faith in the spirit world and don’t worry how many times you have fallen. Think of it like this: more falls equals greater victory. You may fall tonight, but joy can rise in the morning; never give up.


Reflection:


If you are experiencing the same fall over and over again…stop and reflect.


What do you need to learn in this chapter of your life?


What do the falls really represent in your life?


What lessons does your soul need to learn, so you don’t repeat the same fall?


If you’ve become an expert in this specific fall, can you give valuable lessons to someone else (that you've seen fall the same way)?

Stations of the Cross: 8

Stations of the Cross

Station Eight:

Jesus Consoles the Women of Jerusalem

Do you know how important you are to the kingdom of heaven?

"My tears are stored in your flask; are they not recorded in your book?" ~Psalm 56:9
Yes, the Lord knows you so deeply, that HE has counted every tear you have ever shredded or will ever shred. 

Jesus will also be there to console you; HE cares so deeply about every area of your life. Our heavenly family is always with you and you don’t always have to feel their presence, all you have to do is know and trust that they are there.

Jesus, being in the hardest time of HIS life, saw a group of saddened women and stopped to take the time to encourage them. I think the women would have understood if HE didn’t stop; the cross was heavy, HE’s fallen twice, HE’s full of sweat and blood, HE’s walking to HIS death, but HE still cared enough about the women to stop. What makes you think that Jesus won’t stop for you? What would make you think that HE isn’t hearing your prayer or working in your life? Because you have to wait and you don’t see anything happening. No. Our heavenly family cares about you. You are not a surprise or an accident; you are thoughtfully made and cared for. The Lord has a great plan for you. The Lord is always willing to stop and listen to your desires and needs. HE is not too busy for you. HE will not tell you to come back later. Do you see how powerful prayer can be? If the Lord can bring comfort and encouragement to the women of Jerusalem, then HE will and does, do it for you!

Stations of the Cross: 7

Stations of the Cross

Station Seven:

Jesus Falls for the Second Time

How many times do we fall? We’re in good company because at station seven, we see that Jesus falls for the second time.

We need to keep getting up and moving forward. I’m sure Jesus was wanting to give up, but what good would that have done? Where would our salvation be if HE had given up? Don’t give up, because God has a plan for you, and you won’t see that plan come to pass if you give up.

Falling is painful and embarrassing, but don’t let that discourage you; Look to Jesus for inspiration. Falling can be your best teacher, because you learn so many valuable lessons, and mature in those times. You’ll also experience a deeper level of appreciation, when you rise from your fall.

Some Fallen moments:

Relationship break-ups
Bad Grades
Work-related complaints
Health Issues
Breaking a commandment

Life can give us daily pushes to the ground. Remember to pick yourself up, don’t put the burden on someone else to pull you up; pull yourself up, dust yourself off, and face the day.

Stations of the Cross: 6

Stations of the Cross

Station Six:

Veronica Wipes Jesus’ Face

A woman comes from the crowd to care for Jesus; Her name is Veronica. Veronica takes a moment to dampen a cloth to wipe Jesus’ face, which is covered in not only sweat, but also in blood. She doesn’t offer much, but at least she offers something to help Jesus. You have something to offer, and Veronica is a reminder that we all can do something to help… big or small.
If it’s through donation, charity, or volunteering… help is help, aid is aid. Little moments count. Little acts of kindness never go unnoticed. Simon and Veronica show us that it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, young or old, or what part of the walk you’re on…you have the ability to make an effort, the ability to serve, and the ability to be a nurturer.

Reflective Question:

Have you cleaned someone’s face today?

Happy Birthday, Renewed Corner!

Happy Birthday, Renewed Corner!

Today is a big day for Renewed Corner…she turns 1 year old today. Can you believe it? I can’t!

This year has gone by fast, and I am so honored that you have allowed me into your heart; to help give you reflection and hopefully some personal growth.

I am thankful for my blog experience, and I am thankful to all of my readers who have made this journey extra unique for me.

To all the google searches and left clicks that helped you find me…and to a big slice of birthday cake!

Happy Birthday, Renewed Corner! And Happy Saturday, Readers!

~Elle

Stations of the Cross: 5

Stations of the Cross

Station Five:

Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

The cross became too heavy, the soldiers were becoming impatient and wanting to go home, and Jesus needed assistance. So what did they do about Jesus’ weakness…they pulled a bystander named Simon to help carry the cross.

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to hand over your cross when it becomes too heavy? In fact, we are able to hand over our cross…when we hand over our cross to the Lord, for HIM to worry about, then that should allow us to get some rest. Rest in the Lord. Trust in the Lord. Be an example of the Lord. How so? Be a Simon. When you see someone struggling, help them. When you see someone needing encouragement, assistance or favor, give it to them.

They say we are never more Christ like than when we help someone. How many times has the Lord helped you? How many times has someone been good to you? Isn’t it time to pay the favor forward? It’s never unfashionable to be humble. You never know when that call of help might present itself, so make sure you’re ready to answer the call.

Reflective:

üGive your cross to the Lord so you can enter HIS rest.

üWhile you rest, be a Simon and help those who are struggling with their cross.

Stations of the Cross: 4

Stations of the Cross

Station Four:

Jesus Meets His Mother

Mary was right there. A faithful mother who had to watch the overbearing crowd push, yell, and torture her son. She never left him. I’m sure Jesus felt some relief when HE saw his mother. HE knew, and she knew that there was nothing to do, except to accept the will. How much pain did Mary experience seeing her son and knowing he was walking to his death? You could say that she was facing her own cross in that moment. How did Mary handle her cross? By facing it and being there for her son and showing him love.

Reflection:

Do you show love to people when they are facing their own cross?

Do you walk with someone when they hurt? Do you let the sufferer see your face?

How important is family? How important is it to always be there for one another?

As Mary is Jesus’ mother, realize that she is also your mother. She is your heavenly mother just as God is your heavenly father. Parents don’t want to see their children hurt, suffer, or be in pain. Mary experienced losing a child; Mary understands pain, so she will understand your pain too. Don’t be afraid to turn to Mary for comfort. No matter what cross you carry, know that Mary and our Lord will always be there in the crowd; their face is always fixed on you.