Making time for God in your daily life…

Have you ever had a day where you wake up feeling overwhelmed by the tasks on your to-do list?  I do.  In fact, I had one just the other day. 

I had so many things to do, but I knew I HAD to have some time praying and reading the Word.  (I’m currently working on a Beth Moore Study called A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place.)  I sometimes get my priorities flipped around.  I do all my “stuff” first and then sit down for quiet time.  It was on my heart this particular day to put things in proper order.  I was honest before God and told Him that I had so much to do but that I wanted to honor Him first.  I asked Him to bless that day and all that had to get done.  Then I dug into the Word.  Let me tell you, it was AWESOME!  Not only did I get ample time in the Word, but I also got everything on my list done… and more!

I came across an article a few weeks ago from Growing Christian Ministries.  I haven’t looked into this ministry at all, and I have no idea how I ended up with the article, but it has some great ideas that I wanted to share with you:

5 Simple Ways To Weave Your Faith Into Your Life Today

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­­Here are five simple ways to find time for God in your packed schedule today. Make these tips a habit and you'll soon discover that your renewed desire to spend time with Him will make the other must-dos on your list seem more manageable and even, perhaps, a little trivial. Best of all, you’ll begin to experience His peace throughout your hectic days.

Commute With Christ. How much time do you spend in the car each day? Whether you are commuting to and from the office, driving the kids to school and sports, or running errands, you can turn what is often a frustrating, energy-draining waste into a rejuvenating time of worship or learning. Find the Christian radio stations in your area and discover what programming is available during your commute times. Listen to Christian audio books from your local library or download podcasts from your favorite preacher.

You could listen to the Bible read on CD or listen to praise music. Most importantly, turn off the traffic report, the local news and anything else that would tend to hype you up or stress you out. Sit quietly before God. Think about how much He cares for you and all the little ways He is showing His love to you today.

Look for God in Your In Box. Subscribe to an e-mail devotional or two.  Many ministries will send you a devotional thought or verse each day. Check out the selection at Back To The Bible. They send short selections from books by favorite Christian authors, like Elisabeth Elliot, Warren Wiersbe and Charles Spurgeon, as well as other resources such as radio transcripts and daily Bible reading plans. They’ll even provide devos on your PDA if you prefer. You’ll find these quick thoughts can redirect your mind toward God and His peace when things are going nuts around you.

Make a Lunch Date With God. What do you usually do during your lunch hour? Talk with co-workers? Read a magazine? Work right through? Chances are you could put at least part of the time to better use. Find a quiet spot—even your parked car in the company lot will do—and dedicate some portion of your lunch break to reading; perhaps a chapter in a Christian book or a psalm or two. Depending on the length of your lunch hour, this might be an ideal time to start studying the Bible. Take a moment to ask God to bless your work that afternoon and help you to keep Him constantly in mind. You’ll be amazed at how satisfied you feel after having lunch with God. (If you’re at home with the kids where no one gives you a lunch break, what about nap time? Or the half hour when you let them watch PBS? You definitely need at least a coffee break a day with Him.)

Hold That Thought. Each day, select one short Bible verse or part of a verse, to keep in mind all day. Ask God to illuminate its meaning to you throughout the day. Ask Him to make it so plain that it hits you over the head or between the eyes (or divides between soul and spirit like a double-edged sword, if you prefer more Biblical terminology). Off and on throughout the day, think about what the verse means. Ask yourself what it meant to the people who first heard it. What does it mean to God's people in general and to you in particular? Ask yourself how, if you really tried to live by its teaching, your life would change. Think about whether it impacts any of the decisions you must make today. Think about how it relates to any other Bible verses you know. At first it may be tough to remember to do this throughout the day. Stick a reminder on your mirror, your steering wheel and your computer screen. How about your TV screen too? Soon you'll find your mind returning more and more frequently to the things of God.

Hem Your Day With Prayer. I sometimes see this saying on Christian websites and T-shirts: A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel.  Use the first moments you wake up and the last moments before you drift off to sleep to acknowledge God and thank Him for the day. In the morning you may want to thank Him for safety during the night as you slept and to ask Him for His guidance in all you'll have to do today. Ask Him to go over your to-do list and redirect it if necessary. Dedicate the day to God and ask Him to bring Himself and His words to your mind throughout your busy day no matter how crazy things may get. Beginning and ending the day in conversations with God, however brief, will help you remember who is really in charge and what really matters. With that in mind, your day is less likely to unravel and you’re less likely to come undone or unglued.

And finally, remember to hem your day in prayer again as your head hits the pillow. Thank God for safety for yourself and those you love. Thank Him for providing food, clothing and a bed. Thank Him for delivering you and your kids from evil.

It may have been a long, crazy day but you have taken the first steps toward doing two of the most important things God has asked you to do: to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to meditate on His words day and night (Joshua 1:8).

What are some ways you make time for God in your daily life? 

G.O.S.P.E.L.

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Be Who You Were Meant to Be

I found this article at Simple Mom.  I wanted to share it with you because I like what the writer says, especially at the end of the article, "You have a choice. You can express the elegance you already possess as a human being, or you can barely glimmer. You already have everything you need."  

As a woman, I often use other women as my measuring stick.  While I believe we can learn a lot from other women, I don't believe we should measure ourselves against them, only feeling confident when we can accomplish the things that they can accomplish, fit into the clothes they can fit into, or be the mom they are.  

We were all created by God with a specific design in mind.  For us to try and be someone we were not created to be confuses in us the original plan for our lives.  So, don't try to be like anyone else.  Be who you were created to be!  

Enjoy the article below.  It gives helpful tips that I think could boost our self-confidence and help us to tap into who we are inside.  Let some of that goodness flow on the outside as well.  Have confidence that the God who designed you knew exactly what He was doing when He created you in your mother's womb.    

Thanks for stopping by,

Attraction is a funny thing.

If you’re like many, you believe physical appearance is the driving force behind attractiveness. If you hold that belief, you’d be wrong.

While physical appearance plays a role, your thoughts and how you carry yourself are the dominant power behind attractiveness. You don’t have to be dressed in the latest trends or wear the right label to be attractive. You also don’t have to lose the pounds to attain your ideal body weight.

With the right mindset, you can unveil your natural beauty. Here are ten ways how.

1. Be real.

A lot of people hide their true self by putting on false persona. When you do this, you not only  obstruct your true self, you also create false relationships.

There’s no reason to hide your faults or pretend they don’t exist. Embrace your true qualities; no one expects you to be perfect.

Those who are true to themselves are inherently more attractive. Never be embarrassed of falling short. Being real means accepting who you are and loving yourself as a result. Only when you love yourself can you genuinely begin to love others. And as your self respect increases, so does your attractiveness – self respect is the best aphrodisiac there is.

2. Talk with purpose.

There’s something attractive about those who have a purpose with their words. Don’t simply talk for the sake of filler. When you talk, speak with authority.

“Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” - Abraham Lincoln

3. Listen.

In an increasingly opinionated world, the skill of genuinely listening has become a lost art. When you talk, really talk — and when you listen, really listen. Suspend judgment, and open your heart and mind to listen.

The person who really knows how to listen is magnetic.

4. Laugh.

When you laugh, you radiate an inner beauty. While it’s possible to overdo it, laughing is virtually always positive. Plus, a sense of humor is alluring. No one likes to be around a grouch.

5. Smile.

Combined with laughing, smiling is one of the easiest ways to radiate attractiveness. When you smile, you connect with everyone around you. Did you know the most successful individuals are the ones that smile the most? It’s true.

Plus, a smile is contagious. Your smile will help others smile.

6. Walk with your head up.

How do you walk — with your head down? A simple shift in the way you walk will do wonders in how you are seen by others. Confidence goes a long way. Look up and observe the beauty of the world, and in turn you will radiate it.

7. Look people in the eye.

The ability to look others in the eye displays a certain confidence. It also allows for a better connection with others. Practice making eye contact with those you’re around. Acknowledge them. Looking them in the eyes shows you care.

8. Don’t complain.

If you’re like the majority of people, a great deal of your thoughts and conversations involve complaining. Complaining is like a rocking chair. At first it feels comfortable and you feel like you’re accomplishing something, but you don’t end up getting anywhere. Do everything in your power not to complain.

Plus, it’s a fundamental truth that those who complain attract more situations to complain about.  Instead, embrace each and every moment as a blessing. Don’t expect to glow if you choose to whine.

9. Feel attractive.

How can you expect to be attractive if you don’t feel like you are? Each of us overflows with natural beauty. When you feel attractive, you release attractiveness.

Now, there is a fine line between confidence and cockiness — always avoid the latter. When you sincerely believe you are an attractive individual, those around you will think the same.

10. Be open.

People aren’t attracted to people who are closed off and inaccessible. Be open to authentic relationships and watch the connections unfold.  We are all part of human race. When you allow others to connect with you, you instantly become more appealing. Be real, open and willing, and watch your authentic relationships manifest themselves.

You have a choice. You can express the elegance you already possess as a human being, or you can barely glimmer. You already have everything you need.