I was looking through a magazine one day, and I found this short list called "Practicing Simplicity." As I read it I knew I wanted to put it in my blog. This might be some good advice for the holiday season. So here it is:
Practicing Simplicity
1. Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.
2. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.
3. Develop a habit of giving things away.
4. Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry.
5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them.
6. Develop a deeper appreciation for God's creation.
7. Be skeptical of all "buy now, pay later" schemes.
8. Obey Jesus' instruction about plain, honest speech.
9. Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others.
10. Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God.
~from Richard J. Foster, 'Celebration of Discipline'.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving
(Lizelia Augusta Jenkins Moorer)
Let us give thanks to God above,
Thanks for expressions of His love,
Seen in the book of nature, grand
Taught by His love on every hand.
Let us be thankful in our hearts,
Thankful for all the truth imparts,
For the religion of our Lord,
All that is taught us in His word.
Let us be thankful for a land,
That will for such religion stand;
One that protects it by the law,
One that before it stands in awe.
Thankful for all things let us be,
Though there be woes and misery;
Lessons they bring us for our good
-Later 'twill all be understood.
Thankful for peace o'er land and sea,
Thankful for signs of liberty,
Thankful for homes, for life and health,
Pleasure and plenty, fame and wealth.
Thankful for friends and loved ones, too,
Thankful for all things, good and true,
Thankful for harvest in the fall,
Thankful to Him who gave it all.
Hope that you all have a very Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!!
(Lizelia Augusta Jenkins Moorer)
Let us give thanks to God above,
Thanks for expressions of His love,
Seen in the book of nature, grand
Taught by His love on every hand.
Let us be thankful in our hearts,
Thankful for all the truth imparts,
For the religion of our Lord,
All that is taught us in His word.
Let us be thankful for a land,
That will for such religion stand;
One that protects it by the law,
One that before it stands in awe.
Thankful for all things let us be,
Though there be woes and misery;
Lessons they bring us for our good
-Later 'twill all be understood.
Thankful for peace o'er land and sea,
Thankful for signs of liberty,
Thankful for homes, for life and health,
Pleasure and plenty, fame and wealth.
Thankful for friends and loved ones, too,
Thankful for all things, good and true,
Thankful for harvest in the fall,
Thankful to Him who gave it all.
Hope that you all have a very Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!!
Monday, September 25, 2006
You Are My All in All..
You Are My All In All
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is your name
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is your name
Taking my sin my cross my shame
Rising again I bless your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down you pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all
Written By:
Dennis Jernigan
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is your name
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is your name
Taking my sin my cross my shame
Rising again I bless your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down you pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all
Written By:
Dennis Jernigan
Thursday, August 10, 2006
The Embarrassing Joys of Being a Mere Human Being
Ever had a day at work that you did something really stupid and then you had to tell your boss what you had just done?? Well, that was what happened to me today at work....
The business that I work for delivers to certain states and I had to make some of those delivery phone calls to the customers so that they would know when to expect their delivery. I do this every week so this is nothing new. Before I call though, I write down the driver's cell phone number on the sheet of paper off of which I make my calls. Well, what I didn't realize this time was that I had written down the wrong phone number!! It was a cell number to one of our other drivers. Imagine my horror and frustration when I realized what I had done after making all of those phone calls! Then, I had to tell my boss. Thank the Lord for a very patient boss!!!! :)
I then had to let the other driver know what had happened "just in case" any customers wondered where "he" was. No one was angry, Thank the Lord! Those who heard about it only laughed. I have to admit though, I'm still pretty embarrassed about it!
That brings to my mind an awesome example about Jesus. While I am only a mere human being so very prone to mistakes I have a never failing Father in Heaven who is perfect and who promises to help me thru all of my trials and mistakes. "He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might He increases strength." Isaiah 40:29
That is really good news for an embarrassed, mere human being!!!!!!
The business that I work for delivers to certain states and I had to make some of those delivery phone calls to the customers so that they would know when to expect their delivery. I do this every week so this is nothing new. Before I call though, I write down the driver's cell phone number on the sheet of paper off of which I make my calls. Well, what I didn't realize this time was that I had written down the wrong phone number!! It was a cell number to one of our other drivers. Imagine my horror and frustration when I realized what I had done after making all of those phone calls! Then, I had to tell my boss. Thank the Lord for a very patient boss!!!! :)
I then had to let the other driver know what had happened "just in case" any customers wondered where "he" was. No one was angry, Thank the Lord! Those who heard about it only laughed. I have to admit though, I'm still pretty embarrassed about it!
That brings to my mind an awesome example about Jesus. While I am only a mere human being so very prone to mistakes I have a never failing Father in Heaven who is perfect and who promises to help me thru all of my trials and mistakes. "He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might He increases strength." Isaiah 40:29
That is really good news for an embarrassed, mere human being!!!!!!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
God's strength for every situation
God has really been so good to me lately! It's not that I haven't had trials but that He has held my hand through them. I started a new job three weeks ago working in an office and it was really tough for me at first. Everything was new and I had to learn things I've never learned before. 1st Corinthians 12:9,10 has really been a comfort for me! I like to take the verses and apply them to my situation. This is how I worded these texts:
"And Jesus said unto me,"My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly then will I take joy in my problems, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. So then, I take joy in infirmities, in my stress at being new in the office, in reproaches, in feeling like a new baby just learning things for the first time, in necessities, in now having to ration all of my free time(which isn't much now), in persecutions, in distresses, in more distress, all for Christ's sake: for when I am weak and exhausted and can't go on , then I am at my strongest!!!!"
Why?
..Because..
Philippians 4:13 says:
"I can do ALL things thru Christ who gives me strength!"
There is a quote by Peter Pan that goes: "Nothing is really work, unless you would rather be doing something else."
You know that is so true! When I look at my job sometimes it can seem like work but when I put it in perspective that I am doing what God has put on my path, that this is His will then it isn't just a job anymore. This is His work! Wow!!!
I have wanted so much to do His work, to do His will in regards to where I am supposed to be in life and it is so good to know that I am in the center of His will at this very moment!
That doesn't mean though that sometimes that I won't be burdened or frustrated or even embarrassed by my lack of knowledge on the job. Ralph Waldo Emerson penned this thought so beautifully:
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day."
Tomorrow is a new day, and a new opportunity to continue on in His will.
"And Jesus said unto me,"My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly then will I take joy in my problems, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. So then, I take joy in infirmities, in my stress at being new in the office, in reproaches, in feeling like a new baby just learning things for the first time, in necessities, in now having to ration all of my free time(which isn't much now), in persecutions, in distresses, in more distress, all for Christ's sake: for when I am weak and exhausted and can't go on , then I am at my strongest!!!!"
Why?
..Because..
Philippians 4:13 says:
"I can do ALL things thru Christ who gives me strength!"
There is a quote by Peter Pan that goes: "Nothing is really work, unless you would rather be doing something else."
You know that is so true! When I look at my job sometimes it can seem like work but when I put it in perspective that I am doing what God has put on my path, that this is His will then it isn't just a job anymore. This is His work! Wow!!!
I have wanted so much to do His work, to do His will in regards to where I am supposed to be in life and it is so good to know that I am in the center of His will at this very moment!
That doesn't mean though that sometimes that I won't be burdened or frustrated or even embarrassed by my lack of knowledge on the job. Ralph Waldo Emerson penned this thought so beautifully:
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day."
Tomorrow is a new day, and a new opportunity to continue on in His will.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Has it made all the difference?
There is an awesome quote that goes:
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the road less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
~Robert Frost
Which road are you on today? Has it made all the difference?
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the road less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
~Robert Frost
Which road are you on today? Has it made all the difference?
Friday, March 03, 2006
Good Advice....
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered:
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives:
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies:
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you:
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight:
Build anyway.
If you find serentiy and happiness, they may be jealous:
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow:
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough:
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, It is between you and God:
It was never between you and them anyway.
~Mother Teresa
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives:
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies:
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you:
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight:
Build anyway.
If you find serentiy and happiness, they may be jealous:
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow:
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough:
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, It is between you and God:
It was never between you and them anyway.
~Mother Teresa
Monday, February 20, 2006
Life is a journey....
I want to share with you something I read from one of my most favorite books. All of us are on a journey of some sort spiritually speaking and I want this blog to not only be informational about health for the body but I want it to be health for the soul as well. Listen to this quote and let it speak to your soul.
" Prayer is the breath of soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Wellspring of life, and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayers, or engage in prayer spasmadically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor... It is a wonderful thing that we can pray effectually, that unworthy, erring mortals possess the power of offering their requests to God. What higher power can man desire than this,-to be linked with the infinite God? Feeble, sinful man has the privilege of speaking to his Maker. We may utter words that reach the throne of the Monarch of the universe. We may speak with Jesus as we walk by the way, and He says, I am at thy right hand." ~Messages to Young People p. 249
This is really beautiful advice. It is just like exercising. If you don't exercise consistently you run into problems. One of the problems I would run into would be that if I didn't keep exercising, I would get to where I knew it was right but I wouldn't "feel" like it anymore. That can happen to us in our spiritual lives. Life is a definitely a journey and there are times when you don't understand. Believe me, I know. But we can still trust and keep on! Enjoy your journey,with God.
" Prayer is the breath of soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Wellspring of life, and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayers, or engage in prayer spasmadically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor... It is a wonderful thing that we can pray effectually, that unworthy, erring mortals possess the power of offering their requests to God. What higher power can man desire than this,-to be linked with the infinite God? Feeble, sinful man has the privilege of speaking to his Maker. We may utter words that reach the throne of the Monarch of the universe. We may speak with Jesus as we walk by the way, and He says, I am at thy right hand." ~Messages to Young People p. 249
This is really beautiful advice. It is just like exercising. If you don't exercise consistently you run into problems. One of the problems I would run into would be that if I didn't keep exercising, I would get to where I knew it was right but I wouldn't "feel" like it anymore. That can happen to us in our spiritual lives. Life is a definitely a journey and there are times when you don't understand. Believe me, I know. But we can still trust and keep on! Enjoy your journey,with God.
Friday, February 03, 2006
I've been so busy....
Hello :~)
I am planning on getting another post added very soon on another health topic. I've been so busy that I haven't had time to finish it so I could post it but it should be out soon.(hopefully soon!!!!!!) So, please keep checking back!!!!
Jess
I am planning on getting another post added very soon on another health topic. I've been so busy that I haven't had time to finish it so I could post it but it should be out soon.(hopefully soon!!!!!!) So, please keep checking back!!!!
Jess
Monday, January 16, 2006
Exercise!
This new year is already on the move. Time seems to fly the older I get. The older we get the more important it is to take care of ourselves to prevent disease. I've started exercising on my treadmill in the garage and I am walking 2 miles,5 days a week.(I'm gonna try to get that to 6 days a week) In the light of this article I want to share with you, you may also want to start getting that much needed exercise! I believe that I found this in the Adventist World Magazine. It states:
" A recent International Research Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Cancer heralded some good news in the fight against cancer.
1. Being physically active may be more important than body weight or body fat to the risk of breast cancer. In a study of postmenopausal women, those who exercised nearly four hours a week saw their breast cancer risk drop more than 50 percent. Exercise offers benefits even after menopause by reducing circulating estrogen as well as body fat.
2. Failing to limit adult weight gain may account for up to one third of all breast cancers. Weight gain of more than 11 pounds as an adult, along with getting less than 30 minutes of physical activity per day, is linked to increased risk of breast cancer.
3. Eating protective foods together seems to boost their cancer-protective effects. A diet consisting of a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans offered the greatest anticancer effect. -Environmental Nutrition."
I enjoy life, how about you? :)
" A recent International Research Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Cancer heralded some good news in the fight against cancer.
1. Being physically active may be more important than body weight or body fat to the risk of breast cancer. In a study of postmenopausal women, those who exercised nearly four hours a week saw their breast cancer risk drop more than 50 percent. Exercise offers benefits even after menopause by reducing circulating estrogen as well as body fat.
2. Failing to limit adult weight gain may account for up to one third of all breast cancers. Weight gain of more than 11 pounds as an adult, along with getting less than 30 minutes of physical activity per day, is linked to increased risk of breast cancer.
3. Eating protective foods together seems to boost their cancer-protective effects. A diet consisting of a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans offered the greatest anticancer effect. -Environmental Nutrition."
It's not too late to start taking care of yourself! Infact, it's not too late to make it a New Year's resolution. To be honest, I didn't start my exercising January 1 either.
The book Health Power by Aileen Ludington, MD and Hans Diehl, DrHSc, MPH is an excellent resource for healthier living. Under Obesity it says, " Every extra pound shaves about one month from your life span. Sixty extra pounds, in other words, can cost you five years!
I enjoy life, how about you? :)