Saturday, December 29, 2012

New Day

Why do wait for the end of the year to make resolutions? View each day as a new day to get it right, to do differently. Each day God's mercies are new! Resolve to do it better each day? type to you later.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Shift your Focus

Okay - no post-holiday blues.  You see, there is so much more than the traditional
getting ready for Christmas. If you had prepared in your heart for the joy of the season then you are still in awe - still celebrating the birth of the Divine child.

There has been so much happening in my life that I can do nothing but rejoice at how God loves me.  Does it mean that it all has been smooth?  Oh no, but God has smoothed out the rough places in a way that with Holy Spirit's guidance I can maneuver any rough place.  Now here is the crazy part- It has not been because I have it all together, it has been because I shifted my focus.  In shifting your focus from whatever ails you to the one that has all in control it allows you to live free.

In shifting your focus from the hustle and bustle of preparing for Christmas to adoration of the One that heralds the season there is no post-holiday blues.  Let it go now,  shift your focus to watch what God is doing- and enjoy your life.  type to you later.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Celebrate your Gift

Today- look for the joy of Jesus.  Look for the hope of faith.  Look for the guicadnce of Holy Spirit.  Look for what God has done, is doing in your life.  You don't have to worry about what God will do if you focus on what God has done and is doing- in your life.

Too often we see what is being done in the lives of others and compare our lives.  That cannot happen if we want our life.  God so has a plan for you, and it is designed with you in mind.  Here's the thing- it will probably not look like you think, oh but stay with it.  Hold on to it.  How can you do that?  Glad you asked (as F.G. Sampson used to say).  Shift your focus from you, your situation to listening, hearing, watching what God is doing. 

May I aid you in the quest?  God has already done for you what no one will do.  God loves you so much that He sent His son, Jesus -the most most perfect gift for you.  Celebrate the birth of Jesus by thanking God for such a perfect gift - the gift of life.  Celebrate!!!  type to you later.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Each Day- A New Day

I am thankful for the places I've been, the things I have done.  I find it interesting that most of us are waiting to go the next great place or do the next great thing. And I feel we miss so much by looking at life with that view.  You see, waking up to see another day of God's glory is an adventure.  And if we viewed each day with that perspective then each day would be a welcomed delight. 

Don't wait until your next big thing,  make each day a big thing in itself and you will find more joy and more peace.  Use your gifts, your talents to make the day big for others.  Go on- enjoy! type to you later.

Monday, December 17, 2012

To Callie Jackson

In this season of celebration there is one more bit. A dear woman of God went home today.  In this season of celebration there is still one more bit.  A dear woman of God has gone home to celebrate with Jesus.  She took me in as 'family' when I first joined Tabernacle.  Callie Jackson taught me so much more than just the tape ministry. She taught me servanthood with joy.  Together we worked, laughed, shared and even cried during those times.  Mrs. Sampson would come to be with us in community, it was a great fit.  Quite a few members thought I had always been a Tab and some even thought I was one of the Jackson's daughters.

Doc said that 'Presence is Ministry'.  I can't be with you LaRita, Alethia, Cheryl, Dionna, Clifton and the family; but I know how powerful prayer is.  Blessings of God's shalom.  My tears are joy because Mrs. Jackson is with Jesus.  And to take a line from Tyler Perry- Callie Jackson was a lady, and a lady knows when to leave.

I had to share that because Mrs. Jackson lived her life of God's direction.  Please take time now to consider your life, allow Holy Spirit to give you direction. let youir life be none of regret.  type to you later

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Contemplate and Celebrate

As scenes of my Israel trip come to mind I marvel at the wonder of God. I read a passage and I feel the area. No, I don't hold the negative things like throwing toilet tissue in the trash (that's another story), but I marvel at what God has for me. Enjoy the season you are in. As for this Christmas season I paraphrase from Charles Stanley- this is about Jesus. If you celebrate Christmas you have to go by Jesus' house (my add).

Celebrate this season of Jesus' birth! Celebrate your life! type to you later.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Think about It.

Since returning from Israel I have been more contemplative. I have been examining relationships and how important they are. Jesus displayed the importance of relationship. When we recognize what the relationship means in a real sense we can appreciate how together with Jesus the disciples changed society.

Take time today to contemplate where you are, who you are, who is in your community, whose community you are in. type to you later.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Shift-Focus-Dance

There is so much happening in my life - in your life. You see, the journey had so many twists and turns and if you allow Holy Spirit to guide you - oh my goodness! That is where the dance comes in. Even in your low moments don't miss what God is doing. How can you do it? Glad you asked. Shift your focus from any thing temporal to watching God move in your life.

When you can shift your focus so much more comes into a better view. type to you later.

Rejoicing Always

You have heard it do many times, please allow the meaning to permeate your whole being: "This is the day that The Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Rejoice! Rejoice! It is a new day for you. It is another day of exploration for you. No matter what you are going through - this is a grand day fit you. Let Holy Spirit meet you in this day. Allow yourself to let go and trust that God has a plan this day. Rejoice! And again I say Rejoice! type to you later.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Tell it to Go

I allowed discouragement to sit with me for a few days. Do you know what I discovered? The more I entertained discouragement the more I became separated from the truth of who I am and what I can do. So I had to put discouragement out. It had to go.

You never know what is waiting to trip you up. But you can make it. Allow Holy Spirit to be your guide. Blessings in this leg of your journey. type to you later.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Joy Blessings

Blessings of sunshine in your face, flowers bowing as you walk, warm breezes around you. Can you feel it? I bless you with the security of knowing who you are and walking in that.  Blessings to you in this thanksgiving season.  Enjoy this time, enjoy your life. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. And go Redskins! type to you later.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Connect

In order to effectively maneuver this journey you must connect with your Paraclete-Holy Spirit who walks alongside.  Holy Spirit is indeed a comforter in times of feeling alone, discouraged, defeated. When you connect you recognize that- although physically you may be alone, you are more than a conqueror.  How is that for lifting you? This is a great season to offer thanks for your journey, for your life.  it is a great time to listen and follow.  Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  type to you later.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Connecting with And

So now how do you connect with positive 'ands'?  Start with connecting with Holy Spirit.  Ask which way, and then follow guidance.  Watch what God is doing and go with that.  Wait on it.  Marvel each moment.  Enjoy each moment of life that you have been given- it is a blessing!  Get excited about your life and what God has in store for you.  There, now you have connected with the ultimate 'And'. 

Oh yeah, the ultimate 'And' was always there for you- now you get it.  So now - being connected with the ultimate 'And' opens doors for you for positive connections, positive relationships.  Allow Holy Spirit to guide you into those positive relationships and then cherish each one.  Enjoy this day- you know who made it! type to you later.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

And

Relationship is most important.  While in Israel, my instructor, Dr. John Beck, time after time reiterated the importance of relationship.  And how so? After all Jesus exhibited relationship and the importance of community with His disciples. 

When I was young everyone knew me and my sister as Annette and Terry. Now she has her husband, Clarence.  And it goes on, whether it is spouse, children, friends, links to organizations.  I thought about how important it is to have an 'and' in your life.  It is what gives many people hope, or to take a line from a movie, "it gives witness to your life."  Whether it is a as marriage, love, family, friendship, organizations, church friends, it is important.  And yes, the 'ands' may change as they are there for a season.

Take some time to examine the the positive 'ands' in your life.  Cherish those ands and the season.  Begin to see them as links to life as Jesus exhibited.  See how precious you are in the relationship and how precious they are to you.  See how precious the relationship is in this season of your life.  And- if you think you have no personal 'and' I encourage you to look harder.  We are linked and you have never been without Holy Spirit who is guiding and who will guide you.  I bless you with positive relationships. type to you later.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Never Alone

I just returned from another trip to Israel.  Each time I travel I learn so much, about the land, about Jesus and His ministry, about me.  This time was no different.  I am presently in such a contemplative period, and I watch to see what God is doing. 

I am clear about my passion for living, and I am clear that many people just don't get it.  I am also clear that to be concerned about whether someone may or may not understand about me is a distraction.  Do you know how hurtful people can be, if you let them? 

While we sojourn in this land, this society, we cannot allow toxic people, places, things to misdirect our our path.  Do not allow yourself to be misdirected from the path that God has laid out.  Yes, it can be a challenge, ah- but it is doable.  Stay the journey.  You are not alone.  You have never been alone.  Spend some time with Psalm 23 today.  Read it, recite it, soak it in.  And then find your place there. type to you later.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Look For It

It has been a contemplative time as I moved into a new year of my life.  I am constantly amazed at how God has allowed me to  grow from what I thought was okay, into more of what He sees for me.  Oh come on,  look at your life.  Check it out.  Where  is God touching you? How is God working in your life?  Oh He is working.  Do you see it?  Look for it! type to you later.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Watch

It has been a whirlwind of a few months, yet I have been able to witness so many awesome aspects of God's wonder in my life. I am so very clear that you can't see what God is doing unless you are actively seeking.  Even as I prepare for my third trip to Israel I marvel what God is doing. 

This morning a mentor and I were talking and a very familiar passage came up.  Let me share with you:  "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV).  Take some time with that and let's talk later.  As you contemplate, look around you watch what God is doing.  type to you later.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Don't Get Distracted

I watched with surprise as the Washington Redskin football player lost his cool when a Rams player pushed him.  The Redskins player had the ball and was in his rights, the Rams player was in his rights by trying to get the ball (maybe not by the best means).   So all is done, but the Redskins player turned around and threw the ball at the Rams player, who was already walking away.  And a penalty flag went down. That cost the Redskins a 15 yard penalty. The kicker could not make that punt and - game over. 

The rest is history. It has been said that distracted move lost the game- I don't know.  This is now, this is not about that game but how we move.  The Redskins player had the ball.  The idea is to move the ball while keeping possession of the ball. Right?
Along our journey there will be times when life is not fair, times when stuff just does not work properly for us.  There are times when we will be unfairly tripped. It is what it is.  We are to move along the journey staying focused on our individual and collective missions. Right?  If the enemy can distract us, then we may or may not properly move along.  I didn't say all will be lost, we just lose ground.  Can you see it?  At no time are we to back up to fight what we think is going on. It's life.  That player was distracted and lost his cool.  Now he must live with the penalty.  If he is smart, he will learn from it.  What about you?  How will you know when to fight and when to stand? Ah, that is where Holy Spirit as our paraclete comes in.  Listen before you move.  Take care.  type to you later.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Remember

Today, we pause for remembrance of the 9-11 tragedy.  And whether you knew someone, or you didn't- those were real people about what they do.  I have heard that these were heroes.  Not sure if would say that, but they are indeed due our respect.  These were everyday people handling their everyday business-which was their right.  The wrong of a group led by one man violated that right and changed our lives forever. So we are all in this together. 

After the first few days, we were all united, as the years grow us away from that date we appear to have grown from one another.  We are apart of the United States - the key word - united.  So yes,  those hearts, those souls who were violated deserve our prayers as they left behind someone, family, friends, me, you.  We say God Bless America, what does that look like.  I offer that we bless those that walk alone everyday even now with renewed camaraderie in being united. We bless each person with a strong sense of self and of respect for one another.  Blessings!   type to you later.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Give Thanks

Yesterday has come and gone.  My middle grandson has turned 14. Look at God!  I thank God for my son and wife, for my three grandsons, for my sister and family.  For those who have walked with me on my journey. 

How do you celebrate your thanks giving?  What causes you to thank God?  There are so many reasons. Try counting them.

I'm sitting at my desk. Looking out the window.  Searching the overcast sky for glimpses of light.  And considering the glorious possibilities of God for me.
Jeremiah said it best:
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.  I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.  Yet this I call to mind and therefore have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ' The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him'" (Lam. 3:19-24 NIV).

Every day, new mercies. Go get yours. type to you later.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Back To It

I find this season rather hopeful.  You see, the holiday is over and it is back to____ for many people.  You fill in the blank.  I offer that in the 'back to' we have a new day of 'getting to',  getting to a new place, a new hope, a new joy, a new adventure.  Allow this to be such a season for you. Each new day we are afforded God's mercies.  Look for them, look for God's moves in your life-today.  type to you later.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Records

I looked back over things I have done and letters I have received and I have been amazed.  I decided to keep a few cassettes and video tapes of my plays and sermons. At least I know what I have done.  I have a record.  You ought keep a record of where you have been and what you have done.  It serves as a marker for you of how God has guided you through the ups and downs.  And then, there is a greater record, one that you can check to see the grand way that God has guided so many through.  We have a record, check it. type to you later.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Connecting

It is time to connect the dots in your life.  Start easy.  Start with today and see how it connected with an incident, event last week, and then look farther back.  You will  be surprised to see how God has been moving in spite of you.  Get started.  Take care. type to you later.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Get Ready

Whew!  Change is good, moving is rough.  It wore me out.  But this move allowed me to look back over the many wonders that God has done in my life.  It has propelled into the next leg of my journey.  I am ready, I am excited!  The sky is indeed the limit.  No boundaries, no holds, obstacles will not stand. 

So what is happening with you?  Pause to reflect on your day, your place at this time in your life.   Are you ready for the next day?  Are you ready for the next hour?  Get ready by acknowledging what God has already done.  Get ready, don't miss it.  type to you later.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Change is Good

I am changing a few things, physically, philosophically, spiritually, emotionally.  Well change does affect so many areas.  Anyway.  I was praying to hear clearly and when I finished there on the floor near me was a screw. I don't remember seeing that screw before.  After all I would have walked on it. I was not at home so examining everything for the open hole would not have been feasible. 

I just stared at it and wondered what was not functioning as well as it could. And then -just like that- I understood.  That screw was me and I was not plugged in to what was intended. No matter how I tried, I no longer fit and had fallen away; yet I was being restored to a place where I would make a difference.  I was being renewed, re purposed, restored, rejuvenated. 

Change is good, renewal is grand.  There are times when you just don't fit anymore.  It is not a bad thing if Holy Spirit has ushered you into that spot.  You see, there is always something to be received from wherever Holy Spirit leads.  type to you later.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Get in Shape

Every athlete in London has gone into strict training in order to qualify.  How much more so should we get into training?  We have already qualified by accepting Jesus, but we should not stay there but strengthen our spiritual muscles by training.  When we train through study, spiritual disciplines, being in community with other believers, being in communion with God, we are strengthened in so many ways.  It's pretty cool how our spiritual well-being helps our emotional well-being.  And our emotional well-being can get us in position for our physical well-being.

Let's get in shape!  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize (I Cor. 9:24 NIV).  type to you later.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Get Real Direction

My my.  It is so interesting how we get caught up with what we think we should do and many times it is not necessary.  But when we actually stop to think about it. When we stop to get direction, (you see, usually a lot of our stuff has no direction or misguided direction) then we can cover more ground in less time, with less stress. 

Where does this direction come from?  (you ask)  Holy Spirit is constantly guiding, pointing the way.  I promise, the way can be made clearer and sticky stuff in your life won't be as sticky.  You will be pleasantly surprised. Go ahead, take a break, pause, rest hear from Holy Spirit.  type to you later.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

What you can Handle

I remember planning for my first women's spiritual retreat with the sisters in my ministry.  I took care to pause and hear from God on what should be done.  I pressed ahead although my treasurer was worried at times.  You see, if God said it - it would come to pass.  We planned for one hundred women who wanted to hear clearer from God.  No advertisement, but by word of mouth.  Yes, it was a bold move, but then we serve a bold God. 

Two days before the retreat was to begin was on us.  We did not have the numbers.  I was clear that I had heard correctly about the retreat- not the numbers- but the retreat.  I called my church to see if we could borrow what we needed for the accommodations as we were short.  Since this was not a ministry of my church the funds for those ministries was low.  But. . . don't you love buts?  God's buts anyway.  But the treasurer told me that he would have what I needed.  One minister went by the church the next day and picked up a check from the treasurer's personal account. 

We cried and I told him we would pay him back as soon as we could.  He told me not to do that.   He had watched the work I had done with the young people through acting, dance and in their lives and he knew I was making a difference for women.  But God!

The retreat touched each women in her own way.  But . . . yes another.  But we didn't have one hundred women.  We have a total of 32 women.  Thirty two women with accommodations and food for one hundred women paid.  I was troubled by the kow numbers, and I kept waiting for women to just show up.  That first night after the women had finished that evening, I had laid down marveling over what had happened that day for each person, thanking God for the day.  Then God said about the numbers, "I gave you what you could handle." 

Did you see it?  I was clear on almost every aspect of what I was to do.  Even when the money was low, to the dismay of my treasurer, I kept going.  I don't remember now if the number was chosen because of the women who expressed interest.  I do remember, "I gave you what you could handle."  When God points us on a direction we are to move.  We may not have all the details but we must have faith in what God will do.  Too often we hear the way to go and we run with it.  We fill in all details and go.  That is okay, but many times, in our haste to do good we go with our details, our directions.  I used to tell my seminary students we jump out and design our ministries and then tell God, "Come bless what I have done for you."

Watch, wait, listen, then move when your direction is clear, trusting that God gives you what you can handle.  Don't worry about what others are doing, or not doing.  You do you.  As F.G. Sampson used to tell me, don't let anyone out you you.  God give you what you can handle, that is Divine Favor. type to you later.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Moves

As I was contemplating my life to this moment I can see traces of where the dots connect.  And it became so clear to me - moves.  Now I am about to make a move f residence and although I eagerly look forward to the move, I still had a tad bit of apprehension.  So today - moves.  Moves are progress and why on earth do we fear some and look forward to others?  I mean, after all, we make one move or another every day.  If we possibly took more time to contemplate the moves we make, we could probably bypass some mistakes we make.

No, it does not mean that we won't make mistakes, after all, we are human. But just think how calmer life would be when if we took time to contemplate.  Yes, we have time.  You see, if we included Holy Spirit in the contemplation, if we paused for a check for God on our journey, if we got a nod from Jesus, then our moves would be surer.  You see, the path may still be crazy, yet inclusion of Holy Spirit in the decision would assure us that we will make it.  God didn't promise an easy path, but a sure path.  Jesus already handled our success through His life, death and resurrection.  Hey, what do we have to lose?

So get out there!  Get on the path of your journey.  Contemplate your moves by hearing from Holy Spirit and enjoy your every aspect of your journey. type to you later.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Coming Out

This has been a time of doing, of moving, of seeing, of being seen.  So what does it mean?  It has been hectic as I come out of a time of being stagnant. Well not really. You see, to an undisciplined eye it would appear that nothing is going on; yet to one who has experienced spiritual disciplines, to one who has been in that desert place - that trained eye knows that God is working.

It really should not be that big a surprise.  You see, all of God's creation goes through a moment of stagnation, of regeneration, and then life returns.  So what does that do for you?  Well I reminds me of a sermon I heard preached in Nassau long ago by Rev. Jeffrey Johnson.  In order to understand how God blesses you must know how Jesus presented that last supper.  Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and then used it.  And He takes us, blesses us, breaks us, so He can use us for His glory. 

Did you see it?  It would be helpful to understand what stage you are in. We He takes us, that is indeed special. He then blesses us-  but don't get too excited about the blessing phase because the breaking is coming. But it is all for the using us. 

Enjoy your place, contemplate segment. Find out what is there for you.
What is God doing with you? Where are you? type to you later.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Productivity

I love it when I am productive!  How about you?  Well, I suppose the operative word is 'productive.'  You see, you can be productive in ways that are going nowhere, especially when you are operating on your own, without instruction from Holy Spirit.
 On the other hand, when you are following Holy Spirit's guide- wow the things you can accomplish. . . being productive.  It's your choice, you always have a choice.  Follow your lead or follow Holy Spirit's guide.  How do you follow Holy Spirit?  Wait- wait on it- you wait, and listen.  Have a pleasant waiting experience. type to you later.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Think Before Acting

I am amazed at how people make decisions that directly and adversely affect others and they appear to have no concern about it. Since we do not live alone (as much as some want to think) we should take care of our actions. Okay, pause. . . think about it. Can you see how less complicated and more loving we could be just by doing that? And if that can happen, then think about how much more peaceful our community could be. And then as our community overlaps other communities. Can you see it? All because you took the time to think about how your decisions affect others. type to you later.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Check out the conference

There are so many great things moving. I posted the conference because it has something for all women. Check it out. And enjoy the day. type to you later.

Conference

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Another View

Did you know that it can only take a minute to get a different viewpoint? You can, but you have to want a different viewpoint. You see - your way is not the only way,not even for you. Since your way is not the only way, I strongly suggest getting another view. I suggest - try God. Check with God to sheet a divine viewpoint. Oh it will open up so much - if you are willing,
Expand your sight. Enjoy your life better. Type to you later.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

To the Mothers

To all the mothers. To those that birthed, and to those that cared for others.  For all you have done.  For your sacrifices, blessings of joy, peace, and accomplishment.  If no one calls, if no one comes back to say, 'thanks,' this is for you.  If you are so lavished with love today, this is for you. If  you are struggling to raise up godly children, this is for you.  If sometimes you feel helpless day to day, this is for you.  Enjoy this season, allow Holy Spirit to guide you into the peace of Jesus.  You are God's beloved.  He as a picture of you in His heart.  type to you later.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Reading is Fundamental

Reading is Fundamental.  How many times to hear that?  Oh but reading is indeed fundamental.  How do you read?  Some of us skip ahead to see what's up. Some pause and ponder every bit.  Some read, get the gist roll on.  And there are time that each of these may be beneficial.  But look at how may miss something when reading 'people'.  Look at how you read a scripture basically skipping over it because you know it.  Tat says that there is nothing else to be learned.  So not true. When you begin to read without your own filters,  or read through your filters you just may find a different view. So, try something for me.  Read the book of Phillipians.  Take your time.

Let me introduce you to the practice of lectio divina (sacred reading).  It involves four steps.
1. Lectio -reading the scripture to familiarize yourself with the verse.
2. Meditatio -pondering without analysis, on the verse, allowing one word or phrase to assume importance.
3. Oratio -praying or journaling regarding the significance of the word or phrase.
4. Contemplatio -resting and listening to the Lord for His message/invitation concerning the word or phrase.

Go ahead.  I will allow you to slow down and hear.  And it is good practice for slowing down before you make incorrect assumptions. Reading is fundamental.  Reading God'sWord is essential.  type to you later.
Go ahead

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Take Care of Yourself

I thought this was too important not to post. You see, too many people, too many believers are so grossly overweight, and they are dying with all kinds of health issues. 
Please read, and take care of yourself. type to you later.

Weight loss reduces cancer risk factor
Inflammation markers decline with diet and exercise
Web edition : 5:20 pm
 
Shedding weight can knock down levels of inflammatory cells and proteins in the body, a new study shows. Since chronic inflammation is a risk factor for many cancers, the new findings suggest weight loss might reduce cancer risk.
But the inflammation reduction only came with weight loss from dieting. People who embarked on an exercise-only program failed to lower their inflammatory load substantially, despite losing several pounds in many cases. The report appears in the May 1 Cancer Research.
“This is very promising,” says Gloria Ho, a cancer epidemiologist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. “This is a good study showing that if you reduce body weight you can actually lower these inflammatory markers.”
A three-way link between inflammation, obesity and cancer risk has been previously established, says study coauthor Anne McTiernan, an internist and epidemiologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. For instance, obesity has been linked to increased blood levels of a protein called C-reactive protein; those increased levels are also associated with an increased risk of breast, colon and lung cancers.
The new findings indicate that the obesity-inflammation segment is modifiable, McTiernan says, but it doesn’t address the cancer risk.
McTiernan and her colleagues randomly assigned 399 overweight and obese postmenopausal women to one of four groups — dieting plus exercise, dieting only, exercise only or a control group not required to do either.
People assigned to the dieting groups lost 8.5 to 10.8 percent of their body weight on average during the study, while those assigned to an exercise-only plan lost an average of just 2.4 percent.
Blood tests before and after the 12-month trial showed that women assigned to dieting who lost at least 5 percent of their body weight, with or without exercise, had substantially greater decreases in levels of inflammatory proteins and cells than the control group. That group showed no change in the inflammatory markers.
Scientists’ understanding of the role of fatty tissue in the body has grown as the obesity epidemic has spread. “We now know that fat isn’t just passive energy storage,” says Russell Tracy, a biochemist at the University of Vermont in Burlington. “It’s an active endocrine organ” that affects other aspects of the body; for example, fatty tissue contributes to chronic inflammation.
“Anything you can do to decrease your inflammatory status is probably a good thing overall,” he says, because the association between obesity and inflammation plays out in many conditions, including atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes.
“If you can tone all that down,” Tracy says, “you’re better off. And losing weight is a good way to do it.”

Trust

We often hear the mantra, "Reading is Fundamental."  I agree wholeheartedly.  Ah, but let me go back to Jerry Butler and his song, "Ain't Understanding Mellow?"  You see, you can read -without understanding.  So, these go together.  Oh, I know, because I have to catch myself to make sure I understand what I hear, what I read.  You see, we read, we hear, through the filters of our experiences.  And sometimes, we can't hear properly, we misread.  So what can we do?  Let's go back a little.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path" (Prov. 3:4,5). type to you later.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Number One Pick

The DC area is all abuzz about the upcoming draft for Robert Griffin III to the Redskins in the second round.  I ain't mad.  It is healthy to find something to get excited about.  But what about you?  What gets you excited? How about your life?  After all you were the number one draft pick.  Yes you were.  God has been so excited about you, about your great potential.  What about you?  You see, it has never been about the hard times that come your way, that is part of the game.  It is about how you handle it. Don't give up when things get crazy, it it only a part of  the 'all things' plan of God.  Check it out,  you have new chances every day.  His mercies are new every day.  Get up from where you are, get you directions from Holy Spirit, and get on with your glorious life.  type to you later

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Rest, Don't Push

Have you ever had those moments when you tried and tried to make something work and it looked like it just would not work?  And so you push and push to get it through, to get it done and you find out that it has become a disaster?  All because you pushed your way into what was not yours, or that it was not time, yet.  Let me go a little farther.  There are times when we are clear that God says yes, but we have no clue when it is to happen. 
When we push past God's time we push into what we believe to ours 'now', and we miss our process toward the destination. 

Help us! We need help in learning to wait on God's promise, provision.  Let us rest knowing that if God says it is so, it will be so-in God's time, and it will not fail. type to you later.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Sometimes it Crumbles

Have you ever waited for what you thought was for you, and it began to crumble?   The strong tower begins to crack.  You know, what you thought it would look like- and it looked nothing at all like what it would?

Try again, when you thought the job would last, the man /woman would be there, the life would be great.  And it all began to crumble.   Sometimes it needs to crumble.  Sometimes it needs to fall away, fall off. Sometimes you need relief from your self made belief of how it should be.  You see, out of the crumbles, new life can begin. Out of the ashes of the trash, you can begin to live.  So how can you know the difference?  Ask. Wait.  Listen.  And be ready to live.  To learn.  type to you later.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Don't Worry

Don't Worry. So what do you do so you won't worry? Wait, watch. It is more difficult because we want to control. We are not in control. Wait on God. Watch what God is doing. There is a plan and God is still in control. Type to you later.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Feel the Peace

Isn't it awesome when you can wake up and feel peace?  When you can say  'yes'? There is such a peace when you know that no matter what God is in ultimate control.  Oh I know you don't know it because there are times that I must remind myself.  Let me show you:  You see, we thank God for the good times but we cry during the bad times.  Now, the thing about it -if God has control in the good times, then He has control in the bad times.

Hold on-  The ultimate control belongs to God.  Stay there.  We have little control.  Yes, we have responsibility, God's control does not dismiss our responsibility.  Go a little farther. We do not sit and wait on God to handle everything.  We are to get direction on our way and then follow.  When we get direction, and follow, then we can rest assured that however way the day brings it, we got it.  We can do that because we have received instructions and can rest in having carried them out.

Try it.  I promise you can rest, and then you can sleep assured that you are in God's mix.  And when you awaken, you can awaken to the shalom of Jesus. Try. type to you later.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Resurrection Day

In the spirit of the resurrection, I bless you with coming out of those things that have held you bound.  When baby elephants are being trained to stay put they are chained to a peg.  They try to move away but found themselves bound.  After a period of training the peg is pulled out of the ground.  The elephant does not try because the chain says they are still bound.

You were so led to believe that you just could not do, couldn't get away, couldn't  do better. Bound by the chains of those lies.  But you see, the peg was pulled up before you were even born. Yes, life caused you to believe the lies, but they were never true.  Yes, Jesus died for your sins. Much more. Jesus died so that you would know and understand the peg has been removed, the chains have been broken. Walk in your resurrected spirit of renewal, re-commitment, restoration. Blessings on this Resurrection Day of our Lord!
type to you later.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Reach

You know, there comes a time in your life when not one more explanation is needed.  If Holy Spirit does not fix it- it doesn't matter.  We don't set our sights high enough.  Reach within, reach out to others, reach up to God.  And watch what God does. type to you later.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Too Much Clutter

We have too much clutter.  Not only materially, but emotionally.  I think we take so much outside information in that we get caught up in a whirlwind of wonders, thoughts, viewpoints.  And we find ourselves hopping from one idea to the next and wondering which way? what to do?  We get so caught up that we can lose self, our own ideas, our own thoughts.  Then we could lose ourselves- or so we believe.

Hold on- back up. Yes, there are times that our ideas, our beliefs may be somewhat convoluted by our background, our childhood, our family.  And what we believed to be truth for so long was actually truth twisted away.  So when we realize truth revealed, it may seem a betrayal to what we once believed.  That is dilemma that so many face.

But when you realize truth you can stand on truth.  How do you start?  "Glad you asked" (Thanks Doc).  By watching what God is doing in your life.  Listen to Holy Spirit's guidance.  Feel Jesus' love for you.  Check in- ask for truth to be revealed.  It really is easier than you believe.  You see, at that point you can feel the whirlwind of outside influence fade away.  And that takes worry away from you.  Now you have more time to enjoy the life that God has given.  Get rid of the clutter and enjoy the living of your life.  Try it.  type to you later.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Peace.

Shhh!  Get still.  Breathe easily.  That's right, slowly and calmly.  Can you feel it?  Okay, now listen, watch.  Be still and know that He is God.   Listen for His voice, watch His moves.  When you can get still, when you can listen and hear, when you can watch and see; then you will know the shalom of God.  Talk about a rest, a release- oh my goodness!  Try it - right now.  You can go back to your work in a few minutes. 

Can you measure the emotional well-being from a few minutes of peace?  Be still. I bless you with feeling the shalom of God.  type to you later.

Monday, March 19, 2012

On the Real Tip

A very real tip: Be still.  Practice getting quiet.  Look up,  Do some cloud watching.  Get outside at night, do some star watching. Watch for nests as the baby birds begin their flights.  Look around.  Marvel at the flower buds as the ground releases the new life.  Smile at the babies in their carriages, or on the arms of parents.  Close your eyes and be thankful for all you have witnessed.  Shake off the confusion, distractions in your life that cause you to miss the marvel of the life that God has given you.

Be still.  In that stillness know the love of God, hear Holy Spirit's guide, follow the examples of Jesus.  You can release so much baggage, by getting still.  You can learn more about who you are because of whose you are.  It is a very real tip.
"Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10).  type to you later.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Try

Do you know how hard it is to trust God? Hmmm. Not as hard as you think. Quite often, unfortunately, you have learned 'trust' through trusting people.  And we (people) are such a contrary mess, and to say we are human is no excuse.  But I offer a more reliable, more sincere, safer source to trust.  I offer the peace that comes from hearing your direction.  I can offer it, after all, it has already been offered to you through the shed blood of Jesus. 

I prayed with a woman that had been so disrupted by a spirit of guilt that she was afraid to let God near.  This is a believer who thought that God had turned His back on her, because of her mistake.  She knew what the scripture says, but she couldn't trust it for herself. Can you see how easy we get distracted by guilt?  She had trusted people that confessed to be 'experts' in their field.  Their lie almost destroyed her.  Almost- but God.  There is something that gives us release when we trust God.  Okay, sorry, I was just thinking.  If we could get that step- to trust God.  So how can start?  Get direction.

And your direction?  Well, Jesus has blessed us with Holy Spirit to guide us. Try. . . go ahead - this may be a new step toward trusting, toward hearing, toward learning just how much you are loved. type to you later.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Hold That Thought

We must be careful what we what we say . . . how we react . . . no, how we think.  But isn't that scripture?  "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor. 10:3-5 NIV).  We can change our action, our reaction, by taking every thought captive.  Take it slow.  Dedicate your thought.  Watch what happens. type to you later.

Friday, March 9, 2012

A Precious Commodity

When we understand how precious, how short life is, the better we will celebrate it. A significant amount of that understanding is being clear of our purpose as God has designed.
Hmm. Puts it into a different perspective, doesn't it? type to you later.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Focus

Hold me while I catch my breath. I don't want to say anything about a radio host who is a complete pig.  Okay that's enough.  Life will deal with him. 
There are so many distractions and we must learn to navigate around them.  Can you see it?  We can be so distracted by the woundedness in others that we miss our healing.  We can be so distracted by our own woundedness that we miss our healing. How can we stay eliminate our being distracted?  Focus-Watch, wait, listen.  And it is all about the object of our focus.
Let me share, some of you may have heard this before:
On my first trip to Israel as we were hiking to the cave at En Gedi I watched an awesome scene. We had stopped for our instructor to give us Biblical history on where we were.  The mountain was so steep as we looked out and above where we were.  There above where we were was a mother mountain deer and her baby.  The mother carefully tested each rock before taking the next step.  As she stepped to the new location she looked back at the baby and the baby stepped directly on the rock the mother had just vacated.  I watch for a while as I listened to our instructor.  Every step the mother tested and then the baby followed.  There were times that the rock was not stable and rolled down the mountainside.  (Sudden death) 
The remarkable thing about it was the mother was zigzagging around the mountainside, not straight up (as we would believe).  The passage came to mind as tears rolled, "The sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights" (Hab. 3:19 NIV). 
It didn't stop there.  Two weeks after I was home, I got the message.  Holy Spirit guides us through the dangers in our lives taking us up and then down but all the while guiding.  All we have to do is watch and follow.  My, my.  I bless you with watching, knowing your path is already tested, already tried, whether happy or sad; that Holy Spirit as our Paraclete is indeed walking alongside.

The Object of our focus? Holy Spirit as our counselor. type to you  later.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Let's Move Together

As we move toward Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season let us contemplate what we will fast. This fasting allows us to rid ourselves of something in sacrifice for our greater spirituality. It gives us greater a depth of who we are -if we dedicate this sacrifice to God, if we humble ourselves in obedience to God, if we pray more, if we become more diligent in seeking God's will for our lives. Let's start there. It may be that we need to introduce something in our lives. Whatever it is, do in the name of Jesus. Let's walk this season together, growing more spiritually. type to you later.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Goodby Whitney

I am stunned that a beautiful voice has been silenced.  Blessings of peace to the family of Whitney Houston. 

It brings us close to our own mortality.  What will be said?  No we cannot know when we will die, but we will.  We can, however shape what will be said about our life.  Have we reached out to another?  Have we shared God's love through our deeds?   Whether it is our walk, our talk, our connecting with others. . .what will be said? 

Whitney Houston's voice is incomparable.  God gave her that gift.  No one can take that away.  God has given you gifts also.  Use them to God's glory.  I am going back to CNN now. type to you later.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Let's Go

There are so many things we miss because we miss watching God move in our lives.  How can we start? Watch. Listen. Wait.  We get too hurried trying to do things our way and it never works out.  It really doesn't. . . but it can.

So take your time. The hardest part is to start.  And when you do, you will find yourself looking for God and for what is going on in your life.  Come on. I will go with you. type to you later.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Enjoy

Enjoy the day! Watch what God is doing in your life.  Get excited about it.  type to you later.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Check Our Priorities

As a retired civil rights activist I admit I have been loosely following the 'occupy' movement. I don't understand where they hope to go, but I support their 'voice.  My problem:  Today DC gave a new ruling, that the tents must stay but no one could sleep in them.  On the news there was at one guy painting "EVICTED" on his tent.  Evicted?  Evicted? From what I understand many left their places to participate. Evicted?  Talk to the many people who have lost their homes, their livelihood, those with no place to return, to those who are struggling to live, to find work, to find somewhere to live. I don't know. I think we have our societal priorities twisted. Okay, I had to get that out.  As a society, as individuals, we need to find our way.  Hmm, Holy Spirit?  When do we reach out to one another? type to you later.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Enjoy

Wow! It is such a blessing to awake and see sun. . . to awake and see. . . to once again be a part of God's plan on this earth.  Whatever your gripe, your problem, your concern, it can be handled . . . it will pass . . . you will see a different view.  I think sometimes life happens just so we can get a different view point.  Quite a while ago the late, Bea Arthur performed in "Mame."  Do you remember it?  One of the theme songs was "Open a new window, open a door."  Or something like that.  The idea to see something new everyday.  start by enjoying this day.  type to you later.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

It is Not too Late

It is crazy how we finally realize that 'oops it is later in life than we thought'.   And we think about how we could have done things differently. It is later, but it's too late.  Look at what you have accomplished so far.  Oh you think there is nothing, but you have so much more than you know.  Start there and then thank God for what has already happened, and for what will be.  The sky is the limit.  I don't care how low you feel, how empty you are, how meaningful life appears to be- there is hope!  

Allow Holy Spirit to guide you, listen with a willing heart to follow.  Sure, Holy Spirit will guide you through some interesting places, along some wild paths, but all for your good.  Can you become flexible enough to follow?  I have found that too many believers are not flexible.  And that rigidity has brought them to that place of 'oops it is later in life than we thought'.  Allow Holy Spirit to stretch you. type to you later.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Happy King Day

Happy King day! Allow this day to be a day of reflection, of contemplation. My parents used to tell my sister and I to leap from their shoulders. That stuck with me. Let this be a moment of leaping from the shoulders of Dr. King's ideas. Don't just celebrate his life. Celebrate the life God has given you! Celebrate because God trusted you with what you will do. Not sure? Lost your way? Allow Holy Spirit to guide you, to move you, to grow you. Allow Holy Spirit to show you where to share, how to show. Step off on the path of your destiny. Leap from the shoulders of your forefather/mothers. And then remember . . . and then reach back, reach over and pull another. type to you later!

Friday, January 13, 2012

Stop Thinking About It

Sometimes the thought of change is more difficult than making the change itself.  Quit thinking about it.  Quit making plans to do it. Take one step toward change.  Take another.  Soon you will find yourself walking in the change and it is no longer 'change' but you.  Enjoy the journey.  type to you later. 

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Enjoy

The weather is so uncomfortably warm. I say uncomfortable because it is not the norm. While we can enjoy we stay mindful that 'cold' is coming. When you hit those moments that bring you seasons of distress remember 'calm' is coming. Whatever the season, allow Holy Spirit to guide you. type to you later.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

All Things

As you journey there will be times when you almost missed it, you almost got around it, you got passed it. You know somewhat how birds flying over and you just couldn't get away.  Ah! but the poop got you.  (I'm just being real).  Treat it as what it is, fertilizer for your growth.  Keep walking, keep growing, keep faith.  Just a part of the 'all things plan'.  type to you later.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Today

Today marks a significant place on your journey. Accept the challenge of this day. Follow Holy Spirit's guide. Explore each turn. Appreciate God's love. Type to you later.