She sets about her work vigorously, her arms are strong for her tasks... She is clothed with strength and dignity’ she can laugh at the days tom come.
"Proverbs 31:17,25"
God designed you with an amazing ability to release stress that's fun, free and available the moment you are. Exercise!
While you may be tempted to consider this: physical activity rev up your body's capacity to let go of tension, clears your mind, strengthens your body, and gives you more energy. So take advantage of this built-in stress reliever. As you do, you'll feel better in body and spirit as the benefits help you experience a simpler life.
Elle was exhausted and stressed. She cared for her infant and two-year-old child as well as worked part-time as a writer. When her neighbor suggested they walk together, she didn't think she had time, but decided to try it anyway. The pair agreed to meet after dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays and walk a mile-long loop. As the weeks and months passed, they added days and distance. Elle discovered that by walking regularly she felt better. Elle discovered that by walking regularly she felt better. She had more energy and she felt calmer. Her schedule hadn't changed, but her attitude had and it made a difference.
Ready to de-stress? Talk a walk. As you step out, marvel at God's intricate design: feet that support you, knees that bend just right, bones that give you structure, muscles that strengthen you. Take long, smooth steps, and allow your arms to swing gently and naturally. Your heart quickens to match the tempo of your stride, and your lungs inflate fully to bring your body, so that as you move physically, you move mentally, too.
Tensions slip away. You feel lighter, more energized. A sense of well being comes over you. A walk refreshes in so many ways.
The quest for simplicity is as natural and easy as moving your body. So discover what you love to do-and do it. Allow God's natural stress reducer to bring good health and serenity into our life.
Final Thought
Exercise is a God-given gift that helps you let go of stress and experience a fresh surge of energy.
You, God, created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
“Psalm 139:13”
When you can gratefully acknowledge what a gift it is to feel good, to be able to function, to actively enjoy life, you’ll find the motivation to be healthy for life.
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you
“3Joh 1:2”
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Learn to Love your Life
Be content with what you have. Hebrews 13:5.
Have you ever slipped into an attitude of discontentment? Without even realizing it, you may become dissatisfied by dwelling on what you don't have rather than being grateful for what you do have.
Grumbling and griping are hallmarks of this lifestyle. When allowed free reign, discontentment can grow strong, stubborn, and hard to weed out. Simplicity, on the other hand, consistently and consciously can nourish contentment. When you are content, you are aware of God's many blessings and feel satisfied. God's abundance fills you up. You experience inner peace-and the simple life-as you rest in the assurance that God provides for every need.
For years, Andrea struggled with feeling discontent. When her children took on a similar attitude, replete with complaining and whining she knew she had to change. First, she asked God to forgive her for her own complaints. Then, trusting in his help, she worked hard to move from grumbling to gratefulness. Each time she said something that reflected discontentment, she restated it in a way that reflected contentment. Though it seemed a bit unnatural at first, it helped Andrea make the shift. Eventually, her children began to speak in terms of contentment, and experienced greater peace and restfulness as they focused on what was right-instead of what was wrong-in their lives.
To grow in contentment, grow in gratitude. Notice the Lord's blessings and thank him daily. Count the people: the parent who taught you to dream, the friend who makes you laugh, the neighbor who brings you a smile. Count the moments: a sip of steaming coffee, a child's good-bye kiss, a book that moves you. Count the familiar: the sky above, the ground beneath, the sun that warms, the rain that cools. Count the unfathomable: freedom and faith and God's unfailing love that goes on and on, just like your blessings. Thank him for each one.
As you do, you will nurture contentment like a well watered flower. A calm, restful sense of simplicity moves aside the dissatisfaction that once stirred up complaints.
Final Thought
Nourish a sense of contentment and simplicity by consciously thanking God for blessing you so richly.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.
You and I are to really learn to be content. We need to practice this as we would practice the scales on the piano.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Finding our security in Christ rather than in our own ability was painful and humbling. We began to learn the fine art of contentment. In our kitchen we now have a cherished plaque that reads, Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have..
"TERRY MEEUWSEN"
Contentment, an integral element of the simple life, thrives in an atmosphere of gratefulness.
__ God surrounds you with wonderful gifts. As you find delight in his many blessings, you will cease striving and find the simple life.
__ Contentment is an art, a decision, and an attitude one that causes simplicity to flourish.
__ Trust that God hears your heart's desire to grow in contentment. He's answering right now.
Choose one area where you feel dissatisfied and ask God to help you move toward contentment. Think of five things you love about your life and thank the Lord for them.
Practice contentment by catching yourself when you're complaining, making a conscious effort to change your dialogue.
Read the Bible and uplifting books that encourage a grateful attitude.
Create a gratitude journal by counting your blessings on paper. Write in it every day.
I look back on my life like a good day's work-it was done and I am satisfied with it. I was happy and contented; I knew nothing better and made the best out of what life offered.
“GRANDMA MOSES”
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Ticktock, Stop the Clock
Help me, God, to slow down, to be silent, So I can hear You and do Your will and not mine.
"Marian Wright Edelman"
You have many responsibilities- so many, in fact you sometimes wonder how you will accomplish everything. Life feels like a whirlpool of activities as you press more tasks into fewer hours. Deep inside, you know a more restful pace is God's desire for you, but you're not sure how to slow down. the key is to pray, seeking God's wisdom about how to best use your time. Then begin to make changes. As you do, you will experience a more leisurely schedule and calmer spirit, as well as discover the simplicity you so desire.
Anna's days were frenzied from the get go. Early mornings, she raced to do some housework- a pile of laundry started, the dishwasher unloaded. Then she got breakfast, took her kids to school, began ab hour-long commute to the office. It was just as hectic for her after work. Anna began to pray, asking God to help her make wise choices about her schedule. She cut back a little bit at work and asked her family to pitch in more around the house. When new opportunities came up, she said no more often. Over time, her efforts to slow down paid off. She felt more rested physically and more rested spiritually, too.
Share with God your desire to do all that he requires of you-and to do it well. Then ask him what tasks he does not have for you. Perhaps you head up two committees but have time for only one. Maybe you bring work home that you could leave at the office. Perhaps your children are involved in too many extracurricular activities, or you could save time by consolidating errands or delegating tasks. God cares about even the smallest detail of our day, so trust him to help you. Be assured that he desires rest for you, taking to heart the words of Psalm 46:10. "Be still, and know that I am God".
As you pray to the lord and have faith in his guidance, your life will become less hurried. You will slow down and discover a calm, restful spirit as you love a simpler life.
Final Thoughts
See God's wisdom as you as you consciously slow down, and you will experience a calmer, more peaceful spirit.
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
"Genesis 2:2"
He will whisper...to us not in the mad rush and fever of our striving and our fierce determination to be someone, but rather when we are content to rest in him.
"Emilie Griffin"
I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
"Psalm 131:2"
I need to slow down. And I'm asking the Lord to help me do it. I want to move slowily enough to be aware of all the joys He has hidden for me. I want to slow down enough to grow as He wants me to grow. I want to be quiet enough to har HIs voice. I need His wisdom to know how to spend my time and how to order my days.
"Karthryn Hillen"
"Marian Wright Edelman"
You have many responsibilities- so many, in fact you sometimes wonder how you will accomplish everything. Life feels like a whirlpool of activities as you press more tasks into fewer hours. Deep inside, you know a more restful pace is God's desire for you, but you're not sure how to slow down. the key is to pray, seeking God's wisdom about how to best use your time. Then begin to make changes. As you do, you will experience a more leisurely schedule and calmer spirit, as well as discover the simplicity you so desire.
Anna's days were frenzied from the get go. Early mornings, she raced to do some housework- a pile of laundry started, the dishwasher unloaded. Then she got breakfast, took her kids to school, began ab hour-long commute to the office. It was just as hectic for her after work. Anna began to pray, asking God to help her make wise choices about her schedule. She cut back a little bit at work and asked her family to pitch in more around the house. When new opportunities came up, she said no more often. Over time, her efforts to slow down paid off. She felt more rested physically and more rested spiritually, too.
Share with God your desire to do all that he requires of you-and to do it well. Then ask him what tasks he does not have for you. Perhaps you head up two committees but have time for only one. Maybe you bring work home that you could leave at the office. Perhaps your children are involved in too many extracurricular activities, or you could save time by consolidating errands or delegating tasks. God cares about even the smallest detail of our day, so trust him to help you. Be assured that he desires rest for you, taking to heart the words of Psalm 46:10. "Be still, and know that I am God".
As you pray to the lord and have faith in his guidance, your life will become less hurried. You will slow down and discover a calm, restful spirit as you love a simpler life.
Final Thoughts
See God's wisdom as you as you consciously slow down, and you will experience a calmer, more peaceful spirit.
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
"Genesis 2:2"
He will whisper...to us not in the mad rush and fever of our striving and our fierce determination to be someone, but rather when we are content to rest in him.
"Emilie Griffin"
I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
"Psalm 131:2"
I need to slow down. And I'm asking the Lord to help me do it. I want to move slowily enough to be aware of all the joys He has hidden for me. I want to slow down enough to grow as He wants me to grow. I want to be quiet enough to har HIs voice. I need His wisdom to know how to spend my time and how to order my days.
"Karthryn Hillen"
See God in the Ordinary
Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Small wonders of nature are everywhere. Yet these miracles are so easy to miss, especially as the pace of life speeds along. Days and weeks whirl by, and time for noticing nature's beauty slips away. What a blessing the simple life provides as you pause and pay attention to the handiwork of the creator. As you do, you awaken to the presence of God himself. You experience his fingerprint in every intricate detail, his closeness in every moment. This awareness moves you gently and naturally toward the simpler life you desire.
"I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf", said one woman. "I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silve birch or the rough shaggy bark of a pine. I feel the delightful, velvety texture of a flower and discover its remarkable convolutions." Helen Keller, blind and leaf in early childhood, learned to use her sensitive fingers to explore nature's most intricate details. She was rewarded with a keen awareness of a magnificent creation- and a keen awareness of God's presence, too.
intoxicating fragrance of peonies and the clean scent of fresh-mown grass in spring. Delight in frilly edged butterflies lighting on daisies and waves of wheat stalks in summer.
Marvel at the kaleidoscope of colors on maple trees and spider webs bejeweled with dewdrops in autumn. Feel the icy air nip your face, and feel the lacy snowflakes melt on your tongue in winter. Revel in the wonder of creation and experience the nearness of God. Discover firsthand the words of Romans 1 :20: "Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen" (NIV).
Let each hummingbird, each tulip, each blade of green grass remind you of God's care. Let his grandeur, flung like confetti over all of heaven and earth, captivate you. And let his presence expressed so eloquently in every tiny detail, draw you into his presence and into the simpler life.
Final Thought
The intricate details of nature nourish your soul and invite you ever nearer to the Lord.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
"PSALM 19:1"
Ordinary things have great power to reveal the mysterious nearness of a caring, liberating God.
Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory 0 his name; make his praise glorious! Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power."
"PSALM 66:1-3"
What an inexpressible joy for me, to look up through the apple-blossoms and the fluttering leaves, and to see God's love there; to listen to the thrush that has built his nest among them, and to feel God's love, who cares for the birds, in every note that swells his little throat; to look beyond to the bright blue depths of the sky, and feel they are a canopy of blessing-the roof of the house of my Father.
"ELIZABETH CHARLES"
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