Friday, August 31, 2018

Connected To The Source


Connected To The Source

Feeling drained? Do You feel like you are just spinning your wheels and not getting anywhere?

Have you ever looked down and saw that your charge cord was plugged into your phone or computer, but not the outlet in the wall? What good is it if the plug is just laying on the floor?

How often do we operate each day in our own power and not connected to our Source of Power? 

If we make a point to seek God's Face and give him the reigns of our daily things, he will certainly lead us in the way we should go.

Trust God at His word, and Plug in!

"..but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
Women Encouraging Women
Transformation Through Truth And Testimony

Friday, August 24, 2018

The Power of Habit


The Power of Habit

"It's frequent repetition that causes natural tendency."
~Aristotle

Intentional living 
vs 
Backsliding

Whether we are talking about the way you operate in your thought life, health, relationships, your school work,
 your career, or spiritual life...

it's our daily choices that make all these things either a 
great blessing or a burden.

The results are just the consequences of our very own choices. 
The first step is usually the hardest, decide you want to change something (or everything!) and make the first move.

Check out Mel Robbins' The 5 Second Rule...so motivating and with a simple little trick she created that worked for her and lots of others since she has shared her passion. You can find her on TED Talks, Youtube, Podcasts, and/or read her book.

Think
Feel
Act
This works both directions.

It all begins in our thoughts. God's word says to:

Take Every Thought Captive 
(2 Corinthians 10:5)

Transform Our Minds 
(Romans 12:2)

 Renew Our mind 
(Romans 12:2)

Be Careful What We Think 
(Proverbs 4:23)

I love what one wise friend told me when I complained to her that I'll never be addicted to going to the gym. 
Her answer changed everything for me....

"You don't get addicted to going to the gym,
you get addicted to the results."

ummmmm.....wow. 
GAME CHANGER. And as simple as that. 
BOOM! Challenge accepted. I am now a regular at our local gym, and cannot imagine not going several times a week. 

I now seriously love the results, the friends I've made at the gym, and mostly pushing through my mental blocks. 

"No, I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should." 
~1 Corinthians 9:27

Transformation Through Truth & Testimony


Friday, August 17, 2018

Eliminate Distractions For A Better Life


Eliminate Distractions For A Better Life

Distraction can be a death sentence for many healthy and good things.  Be aware that there are so many business models that are based solely on getting you habitually addicted to their product or service.  

Just to name a few off the top of my head: 
Social Media, Television, Computer Games, The Food Industry (processed food), and Pharmaceuticals.  

Once you come to terms with what you sacrifice for these things it's much easier to say no to them. What do you think that you are you giving up for the habitual use of these things? 

The mindless usage of such things keep us from the creative use of our brain, from getting work done, connecting with our spouse and children, fun memories with friends, getting exercise, and time in God's word.

Set limits or a timer when you use things like Social Media. This will help to not to get sucked into that black hole just to look up an hour or more later. I have a dear friend who won't open any social media if her family is in the same room. Take the app off your main screen, turn off the notifications, and limit your use to a certain hour a day. 

Instead of staying up late surfing the internet, read a story or devotional to your child. And PLEASE, please go to bed at the same time as your spouse and save energy for him--
it is vital for your relationship. 

Schedule your workouts, make meal plans, and have quality time with your valuable relationships. You will begin to start reaping the amazing rewards today. 

You won't regret the investments you make into your life, health, and family.  Better make it count 'cause you can't get it back.

Escapism: noun 
The tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy. Habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine. 


"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses." Deuteronomy 30:19

Transformation Through Truth And Testimony 


Friday, August 10, 2018

Feeling Alone or Isolated?


Feeling Alone or Isolated?

I have been there... 
it's not fun to feel like you don't connect to anyone. You would love to have a few sweet friendships and some people to do life with. Friends are certainly the spice of life and worth changing a few important mindsets to get there.

Here are a few ideas to help you...

~Say YES to invitations! 
Definitely, Show up! No excuses.
Not only will you surprisingly enjoy yourself, but you will get invited back if you won't decline.

~Stop overthinking
...really, just stop.

~Don't presume things
 that are just not true. 
ex: "They don't like me." or "We have nothing in common."

~Pray for opportunities
 to meet others and make connections.

~Join a fitness group/gym
 or a Life Group at your church.

~Start a neighborhood Dinner Club.

~Have a Block Party.

~Invite someone
 that you would like to get to know to lunch or for a walk.

~Look for needs
 that others have and offer to help.  Keeping the focus off ourselves is truly where you find joy.

~Reach out! 
However that may look, but it could be to bake cookies and introduce yourself to a new neighbor...give her a card with your number so she can call if she needs anything.

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also the interests of others." 
Philippians 2:4

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil." 
Ecclesiastes 4:9

"A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34

"Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter 1:2

Transformation Through Truth And Testimony










Friday, August 3, 2018

Don't Play The Blame Game


Don't Play The Blame Game

When we concentrate our focus on others being to blame for our problems, hurt, or suffering we are just making excuses for holding onto hurt. Blaming others is a waste of time and just keeps us stuck to grow more and more bitter. 

One of the best things I ever did was to officially stop for good pointing the finger at others. When I finally stopped doing this, but gave grace and forgiveness instead, these relationships drastically improved or just no longer affected me. 

Someone cannot chase you if you don't run. 
Refuse to get baited into their game, or even worse, presume something to be upset about when it's really nothing at all. 

You see, the blame game is keeping a record of wrongs and the bible clearly says we should not do that. I look inward and ask the Lord, "What is my part in this?" I have to make certain that my heart is right and that I'm not carrying bitterness, resentfulness, or unforgiveness. 

I am only responsible for me. I release the others to the Lord, and he is my defender. 

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:3

"The Lord is your mighty defender, perfect and just in all his ways; Your God is faithful and true; he does what is right and fair." Deuteronomy 32:4

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Colossians 3:13-14

women encouraging women



Wednesday, August 1, 2018

T2W Summer Wellness - Renew My Mind

T2W Summer Wellness - Renew My Mind
Carri Lynne Pratt


"Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve
what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will."
Romans 12:2

Webster's defines renew as; "To begin something again especially with more force and enthusiasm."  Things we can renew might be a magazine subscription, library book, or a friendship.  However, God's word tells us that we should take the time to renew our minds. 

As we experience daily life we are showered with ads, songs and other things that show us how the world wants us to live.  Many of these suggestions are against what God's will is for our life.  The only way to separate worldly ideas for life, from the truth of how we should live, is to take the time to read Scripture or listen to Godly people / preaching.

The precious moments we spend investing in renewing our minds give us the strength we need to be transformed into holy people of God, we are the Saints spoken of in the New Testament.  It is worthy of our attempts to live up to our calling.

Mind: Read Scripture. Each day read a short passage of Scripture. You can use a daily reading plan, a favorite devotional or try reading one Psalm and a Proverb.

Body: Supplements. Good quality supplements, especially magnesium, potassium, vitamins C and E and a multi-vitamin, are essential to renewing the cells in our bodies to keep them functioning properly.

Soul: Hide Scripture in your heart. The most important way to fight off worldly or negative thoughts is to pull out a favorite verse to cling to during moments of weakness.