Are You Listening?

 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27

We have a new family member, Jack, a Jack Russell Terrier. Jack is a sweetie pie, cute as a button, the total opposite of Zeke. Jack loves to hunt, he has a field day in our yard running from tree to tree chasing whatever it is that he is chasing. He plays keep away with Zeke, they chase each other around the house, each one trying to keep the ball or stuffed animal away from the other. Jack has never had an accident, he’s not chewed up anything except chew toys. He’s a good dog. But Jack does not listen to me.

I can be calling his name and he’s so focused in on what he’s doing … he totally ignores me. I have to actually go over to him and pick him up for him to stop doing what he’s doing and look at me. Jack does not hear my voice.

Zeke, on the other hand, who has been my best buddy for over five years always hears my voice. Even when I don’t want him to hear me, he does. I cannot say one word without Zeke being at my side. Sometimes I don’t have to even speak, I can just look at him and he’ll come over and lay his head on me. Zeke loves me, he listens for my voice and the second he hears it, he responds.

Sometimes I act like Jack, with God. I am so busy running around doing my thing, I don’t hear His gentle whisperings. He literally has to put a wall up in front of me for me to stop what I am doing and listen.

I want to be more like Zeke in my walk with Jesus. I want to hear His voice, whatever I’m doing – where ever I’m doing it. I want to stay attuned to His call.

I want to be part of His flock. I want to follow HIM.

Father, thank you for allowing me to see this example so clearly. Teach me Lord Jesus, how to hear your voice, no matter what the circumstance.

I Love You Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen

God’s Blessing Upon You!

Love,
Joyce

Million Copy Give-Away.
    Will You Help?

http://www.alifedecision.org

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…
   it’s about learning to dance in the rain!

What Makes You Feel Good About Who You Are?

When do you truly feel as if you’ve “come into your own.” In what atmosphere, setting, or moment in time have you felt like you were the person you truly wanted to be? What makes you feel good about being YOU?

So many women don’t feel good about themselves. You can see it in their faces. Maybe they believe lies that were told to them when they were young. Maybe no one has encouraged them or told them they were valuable in a really long time. Or maybe they are just trying to be something…someone that they simply were not created or destined to be!

I’m still in the process of “coming into my own.” But the more I am able to truly know who I am, what I feel, and what embodies or makes me “me” – the freer I feel in my own skin. The more relaxed I am able to be and the more I seek to learn about myself, because I have found that I am a very intricate person!

For me, I have found that I will never be okay with who I am when I am seeking things outside of God’s love, plans, and messages that are aimed just for my personal heart and soul. The more I desire to be closer to Him, the more I embrace the truth that He loves me “just as I am” – then those are the moments where I can enjoy life the most and live it with the most abandon, because then, I can forget myself in the process. And I believe that is how God truly wants us to live.
 

It’s time we stop putting so many unnecessary demands on our shoulders, stop trying to meet expectations placed on us by others, and instead start discovering what our true calling in life as a woman and an individual is ….
 
 
…. it’s the only way we will ever truly feel free in being just the person that God created us to be.
~ Dionna Sanchez is the Founder of EmphasisOnMoms.com.  Subscribe to her free monthly newsletter for moms at http://www.EmphasisOnMoms.com/newsletter.htm

Throwing Stones

There is an old saying, “People who live in glass houses, shouldn’t throw stones.”  I was reading a story in John the other day where Jesus made a similar statement.  He had been teaching in the temple, when the religious leaders brought before him a woman caught in the act of adultery.  They wanted to know what punishment the woman should have.  The Law of Moses commanded that she be stoned, but Jesus came to bring repentance to sinners; to save them, not destroy them.

The religious leaders were trying to entrap Jesus, to put him between a rock and a hard place.

Jesus encouraged the crowd who were pointing fingers at this woman to look inside themselves.  He urged whoever was without sin in their life to throw the first stone.  And no one could.  One by one, they turned and walked away.  When it was just Jesus and the woman left, he asked her if anyone had condemned her.  She said, “No.” 
 
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11)

Jesus didn’t condemn the woman, nor did he condone what she had done.  He implored her to move on … and stop doing what she had been doing.

WOW … that is such an encouragement for me.  I don’t have to beat myself up when I make a mistake.  I don’t have to be stoned to death … I simply need to STOP – to ask Jesus for forgiveness and turn away from whatever it was I was doing wrong.

And when others mess up … I need to not throw stones … but take a good hard look at myself.

Father, thank you for this lesson.  Teach me how to keep myself clean and clear; to not throw stones at others.

I Love You Jesus!
   In your name I pray,
   Amen

God’s Blessings Upon You!

Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Overwhelmed By Love

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
I John 4:7

Today I turned 50 years old. When I was a child, 50 seemed pretty old. As I’ve aged, the number still seemed to be a pretty significant number, in my mind. A couple of weeks ago, I was reminded that my birthday was approaching. I really didn’t want to think about it. I didn’t want to say I was 50 years old.

Maybe because if I was really 50, I shouldn’t still mess up so much?

Oh, I mean well, but some days I feel like a kid with my ups and downs and life stuff.

Maybe someone who is 50 should be more responsible – more mature.

Maybe being 50 would mean that I shouldn’t bounce so much?

Maybe it would mean that I shouldn’t drink too much coffee and be silly?

Maybe it would mean that I was on the ‘down’ side of life?

I’m not really sure what I thought would happen. I just knew I wasn’t looking forward to it.

What if? …  always an interesting question.

But then … I felt God saying to me .. “EMBRACE YOUR DAY … EMBRACE YOUR LIFE … EMBRACE ME!”

Okay … I can embrace God .. I want to embrace God. But … do I want to embrace 50?

Okay God … I’m diving into 50 – HEADFIRST!  It’s only a number, and if you gave me this number, for this day, for this year, for this time. I’M IN!

I accepted dinner out with my two best friends … MEXICAN … a good time PROMISED!

Okay … that was easy enough.

Dinner cooked by Bobby … I can invite a couple of friends … okay … I always enjoy that.

Then I decided all I really wanted for myself was to have a pedicure … I LOVE PRETTY TOES.

So … Thursday, after work, I went and got my Pedicure … and I was happy!

I came home to cards in the mail … surprise money! WOW … how very special that someone loved me enough to remember my birthday with a special gift.

Then my friend, who had had to leave the country suddenly two weeks before arrived back to her home. I was so excited to see her when I went to take care of her dogs. Even though she was leaving again shortly, I felt relief that she was back and ready to close the chapter of her life here in Naples.

I can go on and on …. from the time I awoke today, to even now sitting here on the couch beside my Bobby, I have been surrounded by love, people who I love, people who love me, people who love Jesus.

Dinner out with my friends turned into a WONDERFUL SPECIAL EVENING!  They threw me a surprise party and instead of dinner with 2, God turned it into a blessing of dinner with over 30!! I was tongue tied, I was so surprised. I’d never had anyone throw me a surprise party before and it was just the BEST evening … spending time with so many people that I love and appreciate!

I believe God gave me a glimpse of heaven today and I am so very thankful …GOD IS LOVE.

Today … LOVE FOUND ME.
TODAY … LOVE FLOWS FROM ME.

Father … thank you for filling me with LOVE … thank you for such a special family that you have given to me. Thank you JESUS for giving me a New LIFE through You.

And thank you to all my friends … I truly do love you!

God Bless you!

Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Serving Despite Inconvenience

Have you ever offered to help someone else? It goes something like this, “If you need anything, anything at all, let me know!”   Does that sound familiar?
 
You had good intentions.  But then things come up, life gets busy and that phone call comes at an inopportune time.  You see if they can handle the situation on their own first or you see if you can pawn it off on someone else. 

I just wonder, why do we offer to help others in the first place if we don’t intend to follow through with what we say? Even if you had good intentions, good intentions don’t go far if you can’t put action behind your words.  If you say something, you should mean it – DESPITE the inconvenience it might cost you.  You see, that’s what true service is. It involves sacrifice. If you have to wait until a convenient time to help someone else – then no one would ever get your help!  We have to make the decision ahead of time, to be willing to be there for someone else at whatever time he or she might need us. Otherwise, we shouldn’t offer.
It hurts to have people offer to be there for you and then realize that they didn’t really mean it.  It hurts to have to go through things on your own when your load could be lightened by the love and time of friends and family.  It hurts to feel alone.
 
There are times in life where people are going to need you. Maybe some more often than others depending on what hand they are dealt.  Be the kind of person who is truly there for someone else – not just in words, but also in action.  Because some day, you might be the one who needs someone to be there for you.  And if you have been a “taker” most of your life and not a “giver,” at some point, people are going to get tired of the one-way relationship your friendship offers them.
 
It’s not up to us to evaluate someone else’ “need.” It’s only up to us to fill it if we are able to.  God wants us to serve others with our time.  Don’t let a little inconvenience get in your way of serving on His behalf.
 
 
 
 
~ Dionna Sanchez is the Founder of the Emphasis On Moms Ministry at http://www.EmphasisOnMoms.com

Victim or Victor?

On Sunday night we were reading the story of the healing at the pool, from John, Chapter 5.  As the story goes, Jesus had gone up to Jerusalem for one of the feasts, and he was walking through the pool of Bethesda, where many disabled people hung out.  It was said that once a day, an angel stirred the water of the pool, and if you could get into the water, you would be healed. So this was a popular hangout for those with infirmities.  Jesus came upon a man lying by the pool who had been an invalid for 38 years.  He asked the fellow an interesting question, “Do you want to get well?”

 And the guy had an even more interesting answer, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

Okay … So this guy made the effort to get to the pool every day, but when the water got stirred, he could never get into it for the healing. 

Seems to me, if I had someone help me get to the pool, after 38 years, I’d be asking them to stick around one day and help me get into the water.  Or something?  But the guy had determination, he hadn’t given up … he was continuing to make the effort to get there.

At first the guy’s response sounds like he’s a victim to his situation, but then we see the evidence of perseverance – he continues to come to the pool, in spite of the lack of  healing.  I believe this guy has some character.  How difficult would it be to continue dragging yourself to those waters day in and day out with no positive results?

There are always two ways to look at our situations.  We can be the victim, blaming others for what is going on in our lives.  Sometimes it just feels good to have that pity party for ourselves – but does it do us any good?  Do we feel better afterwards?  Are we any closer to Jesus?  Are we any closer to freedom or healing?

Or we can be the victor … taking responsibility for our actions and our reactions.  Although no wrong doing on our part caused the situation, we are looking for a positive way to remedy it.

Paul tells us:  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

So … am I a victim – living in the unfairness of my past, or a Victor, straining towards what is ahead! 

Father, help me to let my actions and my life portray the victory that I have already won through YOU!  Thank you that YOU are the Prize … life eternal with you. 

 I Love You Jesus!
   In Your Name I Pray,
   Amen

od Bless You!

Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Feeling Lonely

I’ve been feeling lonely lately. You see, several of my closest friends have left my life within the past year. And I’ve been praying for a long time for God to bring some new Godly women into my heart and life. We are such social beings – we need that close, intimate socialization and friendship. We need other women in our lives to hang out with, to talk with, and to rely on.

Don’t get me wrong – I still have friends. I have friends both here where I live – and those who don’t live near me. Yet my heart desires a few “best” friends nearby. Those who you can laugh and be girlie with – those who are there for you and your family when you need them – those who you just “click” with. They can see you at your best, and see you at your worst.

I have always been blessed to have very precious people in my life. I still have them. The thing is, that most of them aren’t able to be here “in the flesh” for me right now.

I have been praying about this for quite awhile. And I’m not asking for anyone to feel sorry for me. Deep friendships can’t be forced – they will take time and God will bring those dear friends into my life at His timing (which is always perfect) and in His way. Yet, I think that it needs to be okay for women to say “I’m lonely” without feeling like a reject. It’s not always a reflection on you – sometimes it’s just circumstances that have taken intimate friends out of your life. And it’s okay to desire best friends in your life. You don’t have to act needy or desperate to acknowledge that you need that in your life.

I know that God will teach me great things about relying on Him through this “dry spell.” HE will somehow use what goes through my heart, to write and help other women. But I sure do miss having women that I can count on. I miss having a girlfriend call me up or check in on me. I miss being able to laugh and be all “girlie” with someone else by going out on the town or just hanging out with one another’s families. I miss close girlfriends! Plain and simple.

I seem to have been a friend for the most part – that has been there for others when they’ve needed me. I love being that kind of friend – dont’ get me wrong. My heart has always wanted to be that kind of friend for others. But now – I just really desire an equal friendship with a few other women. Women who inspire me in the Lord and who I can inspire. Women who love their husbands and are trying their best to raise their children in the admonition of the Lord. Women who can come to my home and not have to be “entertained.” Women who don’t already have best friends so that they don’t have room (or time) for me or my family. Women who don’t mind how far away their house is across town from mine. Women who respect the differences in our personalities and character – so that neither one of us has to judge the other – but can enjoy one another. Women to cry with, laugh with, be sick with, and be embarrassed with.
They say it’s lonely at the top. And although I don’t really feel like I’m at the “top” of anywhere – I do feel that I’ve been used by God in a certain forum and manner. And for whatever reasons – He is walking me though this time in my life without a best friend – or two – or three!

I will wait on the Lord… and I will trust in Him and His plans. But I also want to be honest. And for today – I just want to aknowledge that I need some best friends in my life. It would sure be great if God chose to send them to me soon…..

~ Dionna Sanchez is the Founder of the Emphasis On Moms Ministry. Visit her blog weekly at http://emphasisonmoms.blogspot.com

Happy First Day of School

Today is the first day of school … summer vacation is officially over. When we woke Carson this morning, Chase’s first words to him were, “Happy first day of school!” He was so excited to be going back to school, seeing his friends, getting back on a schedule.

This can be a happy day or a sad day, depending how you look at it. Chase chooses it to be a happy day!

Yesterday, our pastor was sharing a message on attitude. Our attitude affects our outlook. Our outlook affects our outcome.

There is a lot of negative in the world today. If we allow it, it can consume our thinking. And we become what we think: For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ( Proverbs 23:7)

But Paul tells us what to focus our thoughts on:
Finally, brothers, 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. (Philippians 4:7-9)

Your choice …

Father, thank you for showing me what to focus my thoughts on. You are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Help me to keep my eyes and my mind on YOU!
This might not be the first day of school for me, but help me to look at today as a new day to serve you!

I love you Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen

God’s Blessings Upon You!

Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…
it’s about learning to dance in the rain!

Parenting Prayer Partners

Moms tend to try and travel the roads of parenting by themselves.  I think a lot of us do this because we’re afraid others will perceive us as “inept” or “failures” if we ask for help, advice, or support.

How wrong we are!

In the days of our ancestors, moms depended on one another to learn and survive!  They would congregate together to help a fellow woman in need.  But today we think we need to have it all together.  Yet everyone needs someone.  Women especially, were created for fellowship.

One thing you can do for yourself is to seek out and find another mom who can be a prayer partner with you.  Find someone whom you can relate to both spiritually and in personality.  Ask her to commit to pray for you and your family.  You will commit to pray for her and her family as well.  When you have a commitment and support system like this, it is a real bonding and growing experience.  You will be there for each other helping each other raise and guide your children in the Lord.

Keep a prayer journal for one another and record praises and milestones in each other’s lives.  You will feel encouragement and hope like never before just knowing that someone’s “got your back.”

Don’t try to fly solo anymore as a mom, wife, or woman.  It’s time to get the love and support you need and deserve.

~ Dionna Sanchez encourages moms through her website and blog – subscriber to her free monthly newsletter for moms at http://www.EmphasisOnMoms.com/newsletter.htm

Staying Awake with Others

My eight-year-old son has been having many bad dreams lately. They often come just as he is drifting off to sleep. He will come out of his room and ask me to say the “bad dream protection prayer” again that we say each night and then sit outside his door for a little while. That simple act of my sitting there brings him comfort and eventually he does drift off into a peaceful sleep.

So many people are having a hard time right now. It seems that even in my own small circle of friends, everyone is hurting in one way or another. As one of my friends aptly phrased it, “everyone is under attack.” Unlike a child’s nightmares, these problems are not so easily solved. They might not be solvable at all. The hurts go deep. There is the pain of disease and failed relationships. There is economic pain and lost jobs. There is psychological and spiritual pain. I can fix absolutely none of these problems. Neither can any of my friends. We offer whatever assistance we can which is helpful, but this assistance is like putting a small bandage on a gaping wound. We pray and turn the problems over to God which is of utmost importance, but sometimes we still want to do more.

So, then, what can we do for others in their time of heartache and need? I’m reminded of Jesus suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. “Then Jesus came with them to a plot of land called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Stay here while I go over there to pray.’ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. And he began to feel sadness and anguish. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here and stay awake with me.’ . . . He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, ‘So you had not the strength to stay awake with me for one hour?’”

Our Lord and Savior was in the midst of the greatest suffering of His life. He knew what was coming and was terrified. His humanity was at a breaking point. He knew his friends could do little to help him. He would have to face his future no matter what. The pain was not going away. Yet, the thing he desired most at that moment was to have his friends with him. It isn’t always easy to sit with someone in the midst of their pain. It isn’t easy to let the tears fall or listen to the anger and suffering, especially when we know we are powerless to help the cause. It is easy to get caught up in our own pain and feel that we don’t have the time to spend with another’s burden. Like the disciples, we may simply be tired and want to sleep. Yet, sometimes that simple act of sitting with someone and sharing in their pain can be a huge help. We may not be able to alleviate another’s suffering but we can help bear it. Like a small child who takes comfort in the simple presence of his mother, staying awake with another can be a huge help. May we all be there for each other during these difficult days.

by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
http://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com