Embrace

My Reader,

Embrace the new thing that the Lord is doing in your life. Let go of the past. Let go of the old and embrace the good thing that the Lord is working out in your life. When you look back, it keeps you from focusing on the present moment. If you aren’t present, then where does that put our Lord? The Lord will never leave you, never. If you aren’t present, then you’re not focused in the moment, and the Lord is right here, right now. Be present with the Lord, and give HIM your troubles and concerns to work out.

Embrace today.

Embrace the new.

Embrace the good.

Taking Subjects

Do you have a topic/subject matter that you would like my input on?

If so, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments box.

I will do my best to answer any questions you may have!

~Elle

Quote

"The difference between school and life?

In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test.

In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson."

~ Tom Bodett

Quote

Remember this quote the next time life deals you a challenge:

"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure."

~ Peter Marshall

Quote

"Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity."

~Gilda Radner

Scripture Sunday

We want to be in control, we want to figure everything out, we want things to happen now, but we have to remember that God is in control and that HE knows best for us. When you start to question life, remember Psalm 46:10 and trust:

“Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God.”

Quote

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."
~ Marie Curie

A Prayer Request For You!

Prayer:

Lord, I request that you bring me back into alignment of your will for my life. You say that I have a sound mind, please bring me back into that alignment. You say that you have a good plan for my life, to prosper me, please align me with that plan. Align me with your love, grace, mercy and protection. I ask this in Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

Bones of Healing

Proverbs 17:22

“A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”

What is a happy heart?

What is a cheerful mind?

Anything that is positive and good comes from God.

Good news and encouraging outlooks are what will bring you back into a happy heart.

A cheerful mind is a mind that fixes itself on

noble, pure, and good things.

Don’t walk with a broken spirit. Focus on how God has come through in the past and get excited about the good things that are coming.

Ask God for good news today.

Focus on the things you have instead of the things you’re waiting on.

Fill your bones with life…you have soo much to offer!

Face

Whatever you’re facing, just keep looking up at our Lord.

Keep facing our Lord.

There was a great question overheard the other day,

“How much time do you spend with your problem,

and

How much time do you spend with God?”

Whatever you place your attention on…

that is what grows and magnifies.

Magnify God and what HE has to say

verses your problem or concerns.

Spend your time facing forward in God’s direction;

HE will always help you.

Keep looking up.

If you are facing fear, turn away from that fear and the thought of fear and face God.

If you are facing stress, turn away from the stress and trust God; Keep looking at HIM.

If you are facing a tough decision, turn to God for guidance;

Keep seeking HIS help.

Face in the direction where there is help. Face in the direction where there is peace. Face in the direction where there is comfort.

Stress, fear, confusion, frustration, and worry are emotions that are not from our God. Hand your overworked emotions over to God; your concerns are HIS concerns, so give them to HIM.

Game Plan Thoughts

The best advice that I can stow upon you this Monday is:

Know your thoughts

Thoughts and how you think about things will determine how your day will go. Actively think on things that are positive and uplifting. If you don’t like the thought or the attitude that comes with a situation, it’s okay; acknowledge that the thought came, but let it go at the same time. DO NOT dwell on unhealthy thoughts.

Unhealthy thoughts can be categorized as:

 Criticism

 Judgment

Assumptions

Mocking

Belittling

Playing down/small

Nitpicking

The unhealthy thought list above can be aimed at others and at yourself; either way, they are not healthy or productive thoughts.

Surround your day with positivity. Nobody will think your thoughts for you, so make sure you are actively participating in the direction you want your thoughts to go. How you want your thoughts to go is directly related to how you entertain your thoughts. Unhealthy thoughts will come, but it’s all about how you choose to respond to them. As stated before, if you have a harsh thought that it not healthy for you, simply choose to let it go and start thinking on something positive. It may help if you have a few positive affirmations already in place so that when a negative thought comes, you’re ready with an already established thought to take its place…it’s what athletes like to call, having a game plan.

Here’s a great affirmation that you can have as part of your game plan: God Loves Me!

Days turn into weeks and weeks turns into months which follows into years. Start with your days and watch how the years improve.

Scripture Sunday

Matthew 6:25-35

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

²⁸ And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

 ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

The message for today in Scripture is: “Stop Worrying.”

The Lord is with you. The Lord knows all of your needs and will take care of you; HE knows what is best for you.

Happy Sunday!

Have You Ever (Re-Post)

Have you ever felt like you needed to be a certain way to be loved or admired? Have you ever felt as though you had to be perfect? Have you ever wished you had someone else’s life? Have you ever wondered why others around you receive the blessings you’ve been praying for as you’re waiting on God’s timing?

There are a lot of ‘have you ever’ questions in life. To some degree it’s normal or common to have such thoughts, but it’s not healthy to measure your whole life or existence on these, ‘have you ever questions.’

If a friend or family member is upset or comes to you with these questions, I’m sure you’re there to comfort them and remind them how great they are…you’re their personal cheerleader pulling them out of there funk, right? Why is it so hard to be our own cheerleader? Why is it easier for others to see our value or talents while we stay down on ourselves?

Each one of us has a purpose. We all have something valuable to contribute and it is not healthy to look at others for validation. You are loved and accepted as is. You don’t have to be perfect; just do your best, and let God’s perfect love, love you into wholeness. You don’t have someone else’s life and you will never have someone else’s life, so start enjoying the one you have and be thankful for life. I’ve come to learn that sometimes when you admire someone, you discover at some point their life is not as rosy as you thought.

God is not harsh on you, he loves you….so learn to love and accept yourself; View God this way, have you ever?

Good News!

There are times when I just want to hear some good news! I have felt defeated after leaving certain conversations with others; which begs me to say,

“can’t I get some good news here!?!”

If you’re like me, and you want some good news, remember that today is a new day. This is a good day that the Lord has made and HE is in control. Cast your cares and list a few things that you are grateful towards. Know that I think about my readers and care for you. I declare good news and favor over all of us!

Have a good-news filled weekend, Readers!

Quote & Thought

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."
~ Mark Twain

There are great, open-hearted, and wonderful people in this world. There are people that would welcome you, encourage you, and help you become all that you are meant to be. Sadly, there are a lot of unkind and mean spirited people in this world too. Remember that people have issues and those issues can stem from jealously, bitterness, resentment, pain, rejection, and unhappiness. Never allow the pain in people to pull you down or stop you from God’s good plan for your life.

Remember the post, “In the bubble?” Place your heart in God’s bubble and protect your heart. Never let the belittling of small minded people hurt you. Surround yourself with love, even if that means you have to ride solo for a while.

Quote & Scripture

Psalm 118:5-7

“In my distress I prayed to the Lord and the Lord answered me and rescued me. The Lord is for me, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me.”

“Prayer offers us a way out of our fear. It is all a matter of calling upon Jesus' name. Only in His name is there help. The more we call upon His name, the more we will experience this truth.”

~Mother Basilea Schlink

You’re So Vain

You’re so vain, you probably think this post is about you.

(Thanks Carly Simon for the pun intro).

Vain, I’m sure you’ve heard the word before, especially when it’s attached to a very beautiful woman who can’t stop looking at herself in the mirror. But, have you ever heard of vain repetition praying? Vain repetition praying is a new term I just learned.  Look at this post for further explanation just as that vain girl would with her mirror.

When we pray, remember that Heaven hears you. If you find yourself praying the same prayer over and over and over again like a robot stuck on a loop, you are performing vanity repetition praying. With vanity prayers, it’s all about you and nothing about trust. How so?

God knows everything about you; HE knows the beginning from the end. God knows every prayer and prayer request you’re ever going to make…from the ones yesterday to the ones ten years from now; Take comfort in this. If God knows everything, does that mean I still have to pray? YES. Think of prayer as a conversation. You can have conversation with the creator of the universe…how awesome is that?!?!?!

Back to the trust question; how is vanity repetition prayer a lack of trust? If you prayed to God and asked HIM to take care of a situation, then you need to trust HIM to take care of the situation. If you keep asking and asking, it is a form of fear. Maybe you fear that the situation won’t work out, so you keep praying. Maybe you fear HE didn’t hear you because you don’t see change, so you keep praying. Maybe you keep praying which turns into begging- as if you’re convincing God to work. This is all fear and a lack of trust.

God never leaves us. God always answers prayer (just not always in the way we wanted). God has a great plan for our life. God can do anything and can turn any situation around. Having these thoughts grounded in your prayer life, should give you confidence.

This is how you should pray over a concern:

Go to God and talk to HIM, just as you would with a dear old friend.

Give HIM your request over the concern in your life.

 Finish your prayer by asking it in Jesus’ Name.

Then surrender; Don’t continue to pray over and over and over about the same issue. Instead, continue to praise HIM for working on the situation. Remind HIM of your prayer through positive confessions. Confessions can be scripture that you find that align with your situation. Confessions can be giving thanks and thanking HIM for working behind the scenes bringing everything together. Confessions can even be thanking HIM for handling the situation the best way HE sees fit instead of how you see fit.

Always be praying. Always be talking to God. God is always available to talk to. Just remember to pray and trust. Pray and release it to HIM. Keep the answer in front of you instead of the problem.

Go to God about everything. When you’re done with one concern, go to HIM for another; always keep going to HIM.

Let the vain stand before the mirror, not before our God.

Scripture Sunday

Psalm 25: 4-5

^{4 "}Show me your ways, LORD,
      teach me your paths.

⁵ Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long."

This psalm scripture can be used as a great daily prayer.

The Lord is easy and gentle, and we know that HE wants the best for us, so we should be seeking that grace-filled path that HE has set upon us.

Why are some paths hard?

Well, remember that everything is brought to you as a teaching moment.

However, your life is also meant to be enjoyed.

Some paths are hard, when they are not intended to be.

Paths can be hard because we have free will.

The Lord never messes with free will.

Because of our free will, we can get in our own way and create unnecessary messes.

We can create stress in our lives simply by trying to figure out everything out on our own;

Thus confusion and frustration, anxiety and unhappiness ruins our days.

The Lord wants to you invite HIM into your life.

The Lord wants you to lean on HIM; trust in HIM.

 Let the Lord show you the way; Let HIM teach you.

When you pray this scripture, you are bringing yourself back into alignment to where you are meant to be.

Flap your Wings!

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly."
~Richard Bach

The butterfly must go into its cocoon so that it can be transformed.

It IS being transformed.

Once the transformation is complete the butterfly must break free from the bondage of that tight-knit cocoon shell.

As soon as it breaks from its shell, the butterfly can fly into the fresh-aired blue sky.

Are you in your own cocoon?

Are you being transformed?

If so, know that you are being transformed;

it IS happening!

The Lord is setting you free…

free to fly into blessings, promotion, and a joy filled life.

The master is making you beautiful and HE is giving you a new start!

In the Bank

Guess where I was the other day? In the bank.

Yep, smart me decided to run in the bank for a quick errand on national payday!

What time were you in the bank? Lunch time.

Yep, smart me decided to run in the bank for a quick errand during an hour where everyone tries to squeeze in some errand running.

Frankly, I didn’t think my situation through. When the shinny bank doors peeling open from the pull maneuver, I saw my afternoon fate…in the bank.

The rope line that swivels into a maze was filled with people; and I, the last one in line.

While standing in line, I had a lady standing in front of me and behind me. I said to the ladies, this is where our patience is developed. The women smiled and agreed by nodding their heads to the universal yes.

Life has many, in the bank moments. We are going to wait for something in our life (at some point). You may have to wait for a job to come through, a marriage to blossom, or a house with an affordable down payment; nonetheless, you will wait for something in life.

How are you going to wait? Are you going to wait frustrated and irritated, or peaceful and clam. Life is not about withholding from you or what seemingly feels like pushing against you. No. Life is designed to teach you.

Waiting in the bank is a small test. If I can pass the small tests, then hopefully I can handle bigger tests. Test scores are reflective to your level of trust. How so? Well, when you wait, you should be waiting with hope and expectance. When I’m in the bank, I know that my time will come for me to see a teller, so I can accomplish the task/reason I came in for; I just have to give it time.

What’s the best thing about being in the bank? I can see the progress of the line moving forward; I can see how close I am to the front of the line (for it to be my turn). I waited in the bank for 40 minutes. How silly would it have been for me to leave the bank (line) as soon as I got to the front of the line?

My point?

In life, you cannot see how close you are to a breakthrough or dream coming to pass, but this is where trust, faith, and patience come into play. Keep moving forward, just like the bank line. Don’t leave your dreams early, because you never know how close you are to your breakthrough.

The tellers had to work and hustle so that line would keep moving. I couldn’t see what the tellers where doing, but they were working. Think of our Lord in the same way, you don’t see what HE is up to in your life or how things are coming together, but know that HE is working to move you forward.

Stay in line.

Wait with expectance.

Be patient.

Know that the Lord is working!

Life can teach you all sorts of lessons, even when you’re in the bank!

Quote

"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security."
~ Gail Sheehy

 A lecturer explained how we all crave change, yet at the same time, we fear change because of the unknown (that is attached to change). How true! We want more, we seek more, but when we start to move out of our comfort zone, we can start to worry and question if it’s all going to work out.

If you stayed the same, how would you evolve? The quote say’s that we will have a temporary surrender; nothing is permanent. Once you grow and change, you will be settled into your new norm/new comfort zone. Your new norm will soon become your old norm if you decide to keep moving forward with the flow of your life.

Don’t be worried, because the Lord says that HE will never leave you. Keep growing in HIM and like the quote say’s…you’ll really start to live!

Scripture Sunday

Matthew 11:28-30

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

This is the scripture that I am personally meditating on. It is time to let go and let God. Change begins in the heart, which starts in the mind. Let your head knowledge sink down into your heart. Remember, that your soul is another word for ego. Ego is not always made-up of a cocky-chip-on-the-shoulder attitude. Our ego (soul) is a shadow of our fleshy emotions, thoughts, perceptions, and even our will. The Lord says, you will find rest for your soul in me, who is gentle and humble in heart.

Ask the Lord this Sunday to bring you back into alignment with Him, and to give you rest while you put your trust in HIM. Let’s not just say we are trusting our Lord, but actually live it.

Happy Sunday, Readers!

Reason-4-Bubble

The reason I have not posted a new post since, In the Bubble, is because I want my readers to really have a mental picture of that post. I purposely gave a visual for that post (which I worked hard on) so that you can keep that picture burned in your memory when you go out into the world.

Protect yourself from the mean actions of the world, stay true to who you are, and be proud of your makeup.

Happy Saturday, Readers!