A New Year, A New Me, A New You!

What a wonderful time of year this is.  Just one more day and out with the old and in with the new.  Time to set goals for ourselves, and make positive changes.

So many new things to look forward to, perhaps one or all of the following - a new life; a new mind-set; a new job; a new car; a new house; a new friend; a new church-house and, more importantly, a new year.

Where will you be found when the new year comes in, and what will you be doing?  Hopefully, we'll all be found in a good place doing the right thing.  NOW is the time (this moment and space in time when you read this) to make up your mind to do and be better in 2012.

Keep balance in your life.   Cherish your family members and friends.  Give God a chance.  After all, He's given us so many chances.  End the old year like you know your blessed.  Begin the new year like you know your even more blessed.

Behold, I do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19/KJV)

May we all have a truly blessed and Happy New Year!

What is Melancholy, Why Do I Have It and What Can I Do About It?

Melancholy: ('melenkoli) n. 1. sadness, dejection, gloom


We are complex human beings with different personalities and attitudes.  We experience a lot of the same things in life - tragedy, loss, change, disappointment, financial stress, etc., but all these things affect all of us differently.  Take for instance the fact that when change happens in my husband and my life, he fully embraces it, while I (even though have learned to accept change) will become somewhat melancholy because of the change.  I just experienced three major changes in my life.  One I decided for myself, one was inevitable, and one I didn't see coming.  This threw me into a state of melancholy.  The way we deal with things in our lives as adults goes all the way back to how we were raised as children.  Now that we know what melancholy is and why I have it, let's talk about what I can do about it.  When I reflect on the fact that a dear, sweet woman, that I know, lost her husband of some 40+ years this Christmas season, my melancholy pales in comparison to hers.  Always remember, that as bad as you think things are for you there is always someone worst off.  I refuse to stay in a melancholy state.  I'm going to eat some ice cream; play some music; talk with a friend; watch a comedy; go for a walk; pray and thank God for another day; read something uplifting like this - The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give them rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10/NLT)  It is okay to experience melancholy, but don't stay there.  Fight for your right to live the free life that Jesus died to give us so many years ago.

"A Prayer of Faith"

A PRAYER OF FAITH

(To be Read Aloud Every Day)

Father, in Jesus’ name I thank you for Your loving kindness toward me and for Your Word which says in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  I believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead and that He is now sitting at the right hand of God.  I thank You, Lord, that I have been set free from the powers of darkness and translated into the kingdom of Your Son.  I am forgiven of all sin.  My past is behind me.  I am born again.  I am a new person.  I am set free from sin and from the effects of sin.  I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.  Lord, because You have forgiven me I forgive those who have trespassed against me, and from now on I’ll bless those that curse me and pray for those that would treat me unfairly.

Heavenly Father, I ask that You fill me up with the knowledge of Your Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.  I open up my heart to You, Lord, that I may know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven.  Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  The Word of God is truth and I proclaim that Your truth sets me free.  Lord, I accept your Word for instruction, doctrine, and correction in order that I may be perfected, and prepared for every good work.

Jesus, You are my Shepherd.  I thank You that You lead me beside still waters and that You make me lay down in green pastures.  In Your presence Lord is fullness of joy and at Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.  I believe Your word which says in Isaiah 48:17 that You’ll teach me to prosper in all that I do and that You’ll lead me in the way that I should go.

In the name of Jesus I take authority over the evil one that would try to kill, steal, and destroy my life.  Luke 10:10 says that I have authority over all the power of the enemy, and I demand that Satan take his hands off my life and my finances.  I bind you evil spirits and I break your power and I command you to leave my right now in Jesus’ name.  I resist the devil and he flees!

Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that You lead me out of all temptation and deliver me from all evil.  I thank You Lord that You are my refuge and that You have given Your angels charge over me to deliver me in time of trouble.  I praise Your name Lord, and thank You for the riches of Your grace.  Blessed be the Name of Jesus.  Amen.

God Is Always There!

                 Times are rough; the economy is failing, people who were making a great living not so long ago are unemployed and when they go seeking jobs, they hear "you're over-qualified for this or that position."  These same folks find themselves at the food bank, a place where they may have donated not so long ago.  Millions of foreclosures, lots of credit card debt and the bills keep on rolling in.  We lived beyond our means and were caught up in a freestyle system, a system designed for us to fail, not prosper.  I know, because I made the same mistakes.

                 So who do you depend on when these things start weighing down on you. You can only ask family and friends for so much help, because they have their own lives to contend with. Do you give up and throw in the towel. There has been a lot of that. Suicide and murders are at an all time high. Everyday, we hear several tragic stories of family ruin.  We respond with, "what is going on; what is happening; I don't understand; he seemed like a gentle person; they seem to be so happy?"  Murder, suicide and family ruin is at an all time high because we try to appear to be what we are not.  

                We need a power higher than Man to guide, direct, and protect us. God is always there to provide what you need. He can do what people cannot do for you! So trust in God; know that he is there for you in the darkest of times, even when it seems like there is no hope, no way out.

                "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us" (Psalms 62:8)

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Happy Birthday Jesus! It's your day, yet it feels like it's my birthday.  Maybe that's because we both have died a death, and been born again.  Thank you so much for sharing this occasion with me.  I wanted to get you something, but all I could think of was to let you know I love you and want to be more like you.  I hope this is sufficient even though I'm not sure it is, but I should know that it is.  After all, You've made it perfectly clear in Your Word that we need to be more like you.  One case in point: "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." (Philippians 2:5/NLT) It is also very clear, in Your Word, that you want us to love You and each other.  The most important commandments can be found in Matthew: 22: 36-40. 36: "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." (NLT)  Your Word always makes everything perfectly clear, Your Word is the truth and You are true to Your Word.  We just need to learn how to erase all doubt, and receive the Word and determine in our hearts and minds to trust You, Jesus, and be more like you and love everybody by living the Word of God each and every day.  We love You Jesus, and by evidence of this writing we are becoming more like you every day. Hallelujah!