New Year’s Eve!

Something new is on the horizon. With the new morning dawn comes a new year! And, with a new year, comes a new start!

I encourage all of my readers to reflect over 2012 and think about how you want to improve for 2013.

Be determined that this will be your best year! Be determined to be the best you that you can be, because life is too short to be less than your best!

Be safe tonight, and ring in the New Year with a new attitude of love, hope, and new beginnings!

Love,

~Elle

 

Scripture Sunday

Colossians 3:12-15 NLT

 

"Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must take allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace."

Branch out in Faith!

And She Walked Away…(Re-Post)

Trust is an incredibly important element in your spiritual life. The Lord has been dealing with me on trust. I trust the Lord, I’ve seen the Lord deliver on promises, and I’ve been on the receiving side of HIS goodness, so why would I need to be schooled on trust?

I can say that I trust and believe all day long, but does that show trust? No. Why? Because actions speak louder than words. It’s not enough to just say that I trust; I must also behave like I trust. And to be fully open, I struggle with this. I struggle because my flesh wants to get answers, and it gets anxious, and I start to worry, and I think about the situation over and over and over again. My flesh needs to get a grip. All the things my flesh wants to do, does not show any signs of trust…but my heart really is in a trusting place.
So what do I do?

I need to become still. I need to ask the Lord to help me get through the day; take one day at a time. When I catch my flesh acting out, I must say out loud, “I’m trusting the Lord with this.” God does not need my help; I can truly trust HIM.

Mary is a great teacher to me, because she shows me how to deal with trust. The first miracle that Jesus ever performed was at a wedding. The wedding needed more wine. Mother Mary went to her son and asked Him to perform and supply the need for more wine. It is my opinion that Jesus had to be a little nervous to perform HIS first miracle. In fact, Jesus even says to His mother… “My hour has not yet come.”

We are talking about trust. We are talking about our behavior and how we show trust. When we go to our heavenly family, we can trust them to give us what is the best for us. We do not need to beg or figure things out. Trust. Trust that the Lord hears you and is working, and then back off so HE can continue to work. Leave your request with HIM and trust. And once again, Mary shows us just how to do this:

When Mary asked HIM to fix the wine problem, HE hesitated; feeling as if HIS time to perform a miracle has not come. Mary simply and powerfully displayed trust by walking to the servants (waiters) and telling them, do whatever Jesus tells you to do…and then she walked away.

Do you see how powerful her actions are? She asked. She said, “Do whatever HE says.” And then she walked away. It was done; she had enough belief and trust to place the answer, whatever the answer was, in HIS hands…and she showed trust by walking away. It doesn’t say she went and begged Jesus for the wine. It doesn’t say that she went and worried about the wine. It doesn’t say that she got nervous or got impatient. She knew how to leave the request in HIS hands, and she probably went and enjoyed the rest of the celebration in peace…and how did she do this? She trusted and she walked away.

 

Quote

"Hope is a light diet, but very stimulating."

~Honoré de Balzac

MCX3

This is our third Christmas together, Readers!!!!

 

Wishing you and yours a very special

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in

 believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you

may abound in hope.”

 

 

 

Merry Christmas Eve!

Wouldn’t you Agree???

 

ü The hot chocolate is poured in my holiday mug.

ü My favorite Christmas movie is about to air.

ü The lights are strung high and the stocking are about to be stuffed.

ü Hanging ornaments on the tree while listing to my favorite Christmas CD.

(These are a few of my favorite things!)

There are carolers, and sleigh rides, and snowmen outside…oh, my!

There is a scroll with a list of fun activities during the holiday season…wouldn’t you agree???

Christmas is undoubtedly a personal favorite time of year. Something magical and hopeful laces the crisp winter air during Christmas…wouldn’t you agree???

As fun and fairytale the season can be, we shouldn’t let these things bring distraction to what the season is meant to bring. Wouldn’t you agree???

Christmas is a celebration. We celebrate the fact that Our Savior was born; we recognize the gift, the beauty, the miracle within that midnight hour in Bethlehem. It’s important to take a time out from the tinsel and remember this…wouldn’t you agree???

It’s not about how much money you spend, or how many Christmas parties you get invited to. It’s not about finding the “perfect” gift, or having the fanciest Christmas tree.

It’s about having the joy of Christ in your heart and enjoying what you have with whom you have it with!

Enjoy the festivities that will continue to come, but stay mindful, of the reason for the season…wouldn’t you agree???

 

 

 

Scripture Sunday: Rest

Psalm 116:7

^{7 "}Return to your rest, my soul,

for the Lord has been good to you."

 

Let it Snow!

No two snow flakes are the same;

they are unique and one of a kind…

just like you and I.

May blessings fall on you like freshly fallen snow,

and to that I say:

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Forward Friday

Friday is Forward Friday; A day where we celebrate the art of kindness by doing something (big or small) for someone else.

We need to be a light in this world.
Never underestimate the act of kindness.

Your smile, your encouragement, your offer to help, or your compliment, might be the thing someone needs to keep moving forward!

~♥~

 

ElleCross references:

1. Jeremiah 29:11 : Ps 40:5
2. Jeremiah 29:11 : Isa 55:12
3. Jeremiah 29:11 : S Job 8:7; Zec 8:15

 

Illuminate

Things may seem confusing but they are not. The answers you seek may seem far away but they are not. There is always a spot of light that leads to the path of fulfillment. Illuminate my steps. Oh what a romantic journey we are on to see our dreams and prayers unfold in mystical ways. My day is filled with wonder and expectancy, because I choose to see the spot of light that calls my name. My faith filled eyes can see the promises and my heart has decided to stop questioning what it sees. Illuminate my intentions. I don’t need to know everything, because I believe in the one who does. I don’t need to worry about my life, because I believe in the one who already has every answer to my needs. Illuminate my divine destinations. I must be still to find that flashing light that never extinguishes. Illuminate my purpose. I will not fight the gentle hand that lights my northern star; instead, I will stretch out my hand back to you and we’ll walk this illuminated path together.

Scripture Sunday

Numbers 6: 24-25

²⁴ “The Lord bless you

and keep you;

²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you”

Forward Friday

Hi Readers!

It’s so nice when someone thinks of us, remembers us, and does something kind for us. We all want to feel appreciated! So today, be that someone for someone else and forward an act of kindness!

 

 

Kindness Quote

“Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”

~Scott Adams

Picture Perfect

 

 

Christmas Novena

During the Christmas season a special prayer is recited, and it’s called the “Christmas Anticipation Prayer,” or also known as, “Saint Andrew Christmas Novena.”

Typically, you would recite this pray from November 30 until December 25. Yes, this prayer is being posted late, but don’t let that discourage you from starting this novena.

It’s noted that if you say the Christmas Anticipation Prayer, you are praying to God Himself, even though it’s known as the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena. The Novena is recited 15 times a day with the focus on the birth of Jesus Christ, and what this time of year represents. Present your prayer request(s) and desires alongside your novena; you’re asking God to grant your prayers in honor of HIS son’s birth.

Christmas symbolizes miracles and hope, if you believe!

 

 

"Christmas Anticipation Prayer"

 

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.

Amen.Cross references:

Jeremiah 29:11 : Ps 40:5

Jeremiah 29:11 : Isa 55:12

Jeremiah 29:11 : S Job 8:7; Zec 8:15

 

 

Scripture Sunday: Your Future

Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹ 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."

Cross references:

1. Jeremiah 29:11 : Ps 40:5
2. Jeremiah 29:11 : Isa 55:12
3. Jeremiah 29:11 : S Job 8:7; Zec 8:15

 

Quote & Thought

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."

~ Helen Keller

 

 

 

There are moments when God wants us to move forward or change with the season. Change is good. Change is inevitable. Don’t get stuck looking at the closed door, instead, go with the flow with the change that is in front of you, calling you, growing you, and causing you to reach a new level!  

Forward Friday

Happy Friday, Readers!

Hope everyone has a nice Friday that leads into an even nicer weekend! Today is Friday, so remember to forward an act of kindness today, because here at Renewed Corner, Friday is our...

Forward Friday!!!

Stay in Peace,

*Elle

Quote: “Solving Problems”

"How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself - so always think positively."

 

"Believe it is possible to solve your problem. Tremendous things happen to the believer. So believe the answer will come. It will."

 

~Norman Vincent Peale

 

Quote

Quote:

"Facing it — always facing it — that's the way to get through. Face it!"

~ Joseph Conrad

 

 

What do you need to face?

Scripture Sunday: Healing

Jehovah-Rophe: The Lord Heals and Restores

“Christ heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

~ Psalm 147:3

 

“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD.”

~Jeremiah 30:17

Thanksgiving

Hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving!

Here at Renewed Corner, I want to say thank you to all my Readers. Writing my blog has been a rewarding experience for me and that is thanks to my wonderful Readers!

To Left-overs and Pumpkin pies,

~Elle

Thank You

Manners are important. It would be nice to hear a few more please and thank you in our world today. We can get so caught up in our schedule, that we don’t take a moment to appreciate what is really going on in our lives. We can focus way too much on what is going wrong than what’s going right in our lives. It’s important to focus on the beauty in life. What you focus on grows.

It’s impossible to have a negative and a positive thought at the same time, so if you are in a negative slump, turn it around with some positive thoughts and praise. Yes, praise! Praise is a form of gratitude. It’s not to say that you ignore problems; no, problems are very real and if you are facing something challenging, then work on your challenge head on so you become an over comer. You are an over comer, and you will get there much faster if you focus on the positive and learn how to say thank you for the lesson learned in the challenge.

Can you list at least three things to be thankful for? Sure you can! In fact, you can pause reading this right now, and list three things you are thankful for…I’ll be here when you’re done.

Welcome back! Let’s proceed.

Recently, I was on a road trip. The road brought nervousness because I wanted to travel safely. I was nervous about the road conditions, the weather, arriving on time, and with the new daylight savings, I wanted to return home before it got dark. The first call of duty was to pray for a safe trip. The second call of duty was to continue to thank the Lord for helping me…and this was being done as I was behind the wheel. The hand of our Lord was felt that whole day. The trip was successful and I know who gets the credit too. I was very thankful for having the Lord guide me that day, and I let HIM know I was thankful by simply saying thank you.

Learn to appreciate all the things the Lord helps you with, even if it’s with a road trip. We all like to feel appreciated, and I ponder the fact that our Lord probably wants to feel appreciated too…HE does so much for us…so let’s give thanks!

If you are thankful for something, I would love for you to leave a comment in the comment box below. Share a gratitude moment with me…share your praise…you might inspire someone to think about gratitude…and that would be much appreciated, thank you!

 

 

Quote

"One day in retrospect the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful."

~ Sigmund Freud

 

Scripture Sunday: Think On…

Philippians 4:8

⁸  “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.”

 

↑↓

Thoughts are an essential part of living the kind of life you wish to live. Thoughts can build you up (↑) or they can tear you down (↓). Pay attention to your thoughts; do you have more down (↓) arrows than up (↑)?

It’s easy to get emotionally built up ↑ when everything is going your way and it’s just as easy to get emotionally down ↓ when you face obstacles or struggles. The key, is to not let your circumstances be the pendulum of your self worth.

With the slightest turn of the hand, the downward facing arrow ↓ can be turned facing back up ↑, but how do we do this?

First, it’s natural to experience emotions that make us feel down ↓. It’s probably a safe bet to say that even the most happiest and atomistic of people have a negative thought once in a blue moon (ONCE IN A BLUE MOON). The trick is to not allow yourself to get stuck in the emotion that makes you feel down ↓ or negative. How do you become unstuck, you ask? The answer is, by talking positively over yourself and the situation.

We all have an inner dialogue (if we realize it or not). It is important for anyone to start becoming aware of their dialogue, because it will show you how well you treat yourself, and it will show you the quality of life you’re living. Your thoughts create your believe system about yourself, and you will act and behave within a manner that reflects what you believe. This is why you should always speak kindly to yourself. This is why you should get into the word and learn the wonderful ways that the Lord speaks about you. Never be harsh or unforgiving with yourself, because our Lord is never harsh or unforgiving with you. The Lord is always trying to build you up ↑; don’t work against His good work.

Get ↑, stay ↑, and remind yourself of the big man ↑stairs who is always trying to build you ↑.

Bottoms Up!

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!

 

Pick A Side

Quote & Thought

"We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same."

~ Carlos Castaneda

 

 

It takes the same amount of effort, time, space, energy, and (as the quote says) work, to focus on things that are not going right with our lives as it does to focus on what is going right with our lives.

Focusing on the mistakes or the past or things that haven’t worked out, will un-doubt ably make you feel miserable. As the negative aspect is true, so is the positive; if you focus on God’s promises, what is going right, goals you see getting closer to fruition, will un-doubt ably make you feel strong.

 

 

Scripture Sunday: Direction

Isaiah 30:21

²¹ Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (NIV)

Forward Friday

Friday is our day here at Renewed Corner where we celebrate sharing, and we call it Forward Friday.

Let today be a day where you forward an act of kindness. It doesn’t matter if your kindness is big or small; all that matters is that your kindness is genuine.  

We all appreciate an act of kindness when we are on the receiving end, but it’s as important to give as it is to receive.

So move forward today with an act of kindness, because who you help might get inspired to forward kindness themselves…and wouldn’t that be a nice chain reaction?!?!

Happy Friday and Happy forwarding.

Heart of Man (Re-Post)

There is this man. A young man. He has walked the streets a thousand times, without anybody ever noticing him. He keeps his head down when he walks. He speaks when spoken to. He can’t bring himself to make eye contact through his thick bottle neck glasses he nervously adjusts, when you toast him. This young man is different and quirky. This man humbles me; he literally melts my heart. He makes my soul freeze in silence; I start to see our society and then I start to see our God.

I can sadly understand why people treat this man like he is invisible. He is not the pretty boy. He is not going to wow you with swagger. He is what our world describes as painfully shy and noticeably odd. He has probably gotten overlooked countless times in his life, simply because the jock-ess guy bullshitted their way pass him by using their angelic looks and charm (the only tools they know how to use because they lack any real depth or resourcefulness).

This man is so gentle and smart. If you engage in conversation with him, you’ll quickly learn how immensely bright and well educated he is; he completely surprises you.

I think we look past people too often in this world. I think we get caught up in the pretty instead of the real. Notice the soul in the corner. Notice the soul that wants to use their voice, but has a hard time finding somebody to listen.

Charm is great, and when used appropriately, it can be very effective. But remember, pretty fades, charm gets old, and shallowness gets ugly.

God has used this man in a very unique way. I’m sure all the people that once were shamelessly poking fun at him, misunderstanding him, or completely ignoring him are now dumb founded by his success.

Don’t pass through life not noticing the beauty hiding in unassuming disguises. God can use anybody…no matter what the package, background, experience, or circumstances look like.

Our society may see exterior, but our God sees the heart of man.

Quote & Thought

"Most people are so busy knocking themselves out trying to do everything they think they should do, they never get around to do what they want to do."

~ Kathleen Winsor

 

 

 

It isn’t uncommon for people to do things that they THINK they should be doing, because it’s what they feel society, family, friends, or colleagues pressure them to do. Remember to follow your heart and gut. Move forward with what you feel is right for you in the time and space that feels right. There are a lot of dream killers of the world; don’t let someone or something talk you out of doing what you want.

 

Scripture Sunday: Stay Encouraged

"Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad. "

~Proverbs 12:25