God Has Promised.....series

God Has Promised

~God stands back of every promise He has made.

"For any gift HE has promised, we may ask; then we are to believe that e receive, and return thanks to God that we have received." Education, p. 258

"God stands back of every promise He has made." ~Christ Object Lessons, p. 147

"Can you not trust in your heavenly Father? Can you not rest upon His gracious promise? ....
Can we not have implicit trust, knowing that He is faithful who has promised? I entreat you to let your trembling faith again grasp the promises of God. Bear your how weight upon them with unwavering faith; for they will not, they cannot, fail." ~Testimonies, vol. 2. p. 497

"Let these blessed promises, set in the framework of faith, be placed in memory's halls. Not one of them will fail. All that God hath spoken He will do. 'He is faithful that promised.' " Testimonies, col. 5, p. 680

"We should now acquaint ourselves with God by proving HIs promises. Angels record every prayer that is earnest and sincere. We should rather dispense with selfish gratification than neglect communion wit God." The Great Controversy, p. 622

"Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know nothing." The Desire of Ages, p. 330

"Think of Christ. Look to Him in faith, believing His promises. Keep your mind trustful. He will be your stay. Lean on Him, depend on Him....Put your trust in One whose arm will never fail....Looking to Jesus you will find encouragement." Selected Messages, book 2, p. 265

"The Comforter that Christ promised to send in His name abides with us. In the way that leads to the City of God there are no difficulties which those who trust in Him may not overcome. There are no dangers which they may not escape. There is not a sorrow, not a grievance, not a human weakness, for which He has not provided a remedy." The Ministry of Healing, p. 249

"All things are possible to him that believeth; and whatsoever things we desire when we pray, if w believe that we receive them we shall have them. This faith will penetrate the darkest cloud and bring rays of light and hope to the drooping, desponding soul. It is the absence of this faith and trust which brings perplexity, distressing fears, and surmising of evil. God will do great things for His people when they put their entire trust in Him." Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 140

"All His (God's) gifts are promised on condition of obedience." Christ Object Lessons, p. 145

"The enemy never can take out of the hand of Christ the one who is simply trusting in His promises." The SDA Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, on Revelation 3:3, p. 959

"If you have...given yourself to Christ you are a member of the family of God, and everything in the Father's house is for you. All the treasures of God are opened to you, both the world that now is and that which is to come. The ministry of angels, the fit of His Spirit, the labors of His servants--all are for you. The world, with evertying in it, is yours so far as it can do you good. Even the enmity of the wicked will prove a blessing by disciplining you for heaven. If  'ye are Christ's,' 'all things are yours.' " Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 110

"To him who is content to receive without deserving, who feels that he can never recompense such love, who lays all doubt and unbeliefs aside, and comes as a little child to the feet of Jesus, all the treasures of eternal love are a free, everlasting gift." ~Ellen G. White letter 19E, 1892

"It is through the gift of Christ that we receive every blessing. Through that gift there comes to us day by day the unfailing flow of Jehovah's goodness. Every flower, with its delicate tints and sweet fragrance, is given for our enjoyment through that one Gift. The sun and moon were made by Him; there is not a stay that beautifies the heavens which HE did not make. There is not an article of food upon our tables that HE had not provided for our sustenance. The superscription of Christ is upon it all." Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 287,288

"The Saviour has not promised HIs followers the luxuries of the world, their fare may be plain, and even scanty; but His word is pledged that their need shall be supplied, and He has promised that which is far better than worldly good- the abiding comfort of His presence." The Desire of Ages, p. 367

"He(Christ) is to be with us, not only at the beginning and the end of our course, but at every step of the way." Steps to Christ, p. 69

"It is possible even for a parent to turn away from his hungry child, but God can never reject the cry of the needy and longing heart." Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 132



If you would like to check out any of these quotes - you will find most of the books at Ellen G. White Estate
You won't find the quotes from letters or the Testimonies at the site above but you would be able to find the rest.

For those of you with DIRECTV

Ok - so I have shared several times how I like to work out with Jennifer at Rise Up Ministries.
Well I have some great news for anyone who has DIRECTV - you can now find her exercise programs on the NRB Station which is channel 378 at 9:00am Monday - Friday. The awesome thing about this is that you can set it to be recorded and then do the workouts when you have time! I love this- because I have had to use my ipad to do the workouts and the volume doesn't get very loud and I am limited to the 6 workouts they have on her site. I have really enjoyed doing these - but I look forward to getting to do new workouts. It will mix things up a bit and be more enjoyable for sure!!!

There is an exercise program on after Rise Up - called "Faithful Workouts" I have recorded a couple of these and may try one soon. I will say this - she is in great shape and I don't know if I can keep up with her or not- I might have to do my own slower pace workout with her. So if you are fit or up to a challenge I recommend you checking her program out as well. Good luck!! :O)

Health and Wellness Journal

Last week at a local GW store - I found this great journal. It is an 8x10 sized journal with great lined pages. Only problem is that it had a pretty good sized sticker on the front cover. When I removed the sticker - that area was very sticky. So I decided to make my own pretty cover for it. I put down the first piece of tape before I realized that I needed to get my stickers and all on it, that is why there is no writing on this label. If I had have written a title for it - I would have named it Health and Wellness.

 

I have come across some great health information in the past and I continue to learn more awesome health tips. And I thought it would be a great idea to gather my information to one area - so I could always refer back to this journal when needed. It could help inspire me when I am have a rough time. It could be a great tool to keep me on the path to wellness and health.

And the best part - it was less than $3.00!!

 

Now I can't wait to come across healthy information so I can add it to my book.

Would you like to know the first information add to my Health and Wellness Journal?

 

Last week I caught the tail end of a program about health. I found out that exercising helps the body produce two substances that really help with wellness- one of the substances is an anti - hypertension substance and the other one helps with diabetes prevention. Isn't that exciting information?!

 

I also heard it said that laughter is really good for your health - even forced laughter can do you good. Just 15 seconds of laughter can help with cardio health. So especially on days that you are not going to be able to get your exercising in - be sure and laugh at least 15 seconds- even if it is forced it will do you good.

 

One of the last things said on the show - and I think he went over it more during the show and I am SO hoping to catch this show again because I would love to learn more about this - but he said drinking water helps with dopamine. If I am able to catch the program again - I will write a post more in depth about this. It sure sounds interesting. Drinking water is excellent for us - so whether we know all the details about what all drinking water can do for us - or not - it is just best to drink the water and enjoy the benefits!! :O)

 

This will actually be another series I will be doing here on my blog. When I come across great health and wellness information - I will share the information with you guys - so we all will benefit from my journal. Also just in case you would like to start your own journal.

 

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Soon I will be sharing about another journal I am actually going to began yesterday, but I would like to see how it goes before I write up a post about it. So be watching for that.

Come back tomorrow when our new series on "God Has Promised" will begin - you won't want to miss this one. :O)

 

Pausing at the Wall

In our journeys to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle any of us have things that derail us. It can be different things for different people and some of us can have more than one wall that we will face.

So last I spoke of a wall- I shared of making it passed the wall of time. In the past, I have attempted to lose weight only to fall off the wagon at about the one year mark. Thankfully I have made it passed that wall.

I also hinted about making it passed another wall and I would share of it soon. Now, a couple of weeks later and no post sharing about this mysterious wall. Well I have a very good reason for that, I really do...Stick around and I will explain.

The wall I was talking about is overwhelming emotions. Many eat for emotional reasons to help soothe the pain. I also struggle with emotional eating.

In 2009(I think it was) my husband was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's. Actually this was the main reason why I started this blog. I waned to connect with others going through the same things - this did not work out how I wanted it too. In fact, a fellow blogger, who I had highly respected actually left me comments that basically told me to suck it up buttercup. Not in those exact words, but that was the message. I was so disappointed because I thought I would connect with others- not that I would be chastised for sharing our pain and disappointment with this diagnosis.

Anyway, so my husband was on meds for a while till he had a back surgery, they didn't give him meds at the hospital, and he did not want to start taking them again - so he didn't and for a few years was able to go without hem. Until earlier this year, when the shaking began to make it challenging for him to do his job, so he make an appointment.

While he was off his meds, I had thought that I had come to a place of acceptance of the situation but going to this Dr appointment and being reminded of some of the unpleasant side effects stirred up the emotions; apparently I had just tucked that pain neatly away. Going to this appointment and my husband having to go back on meds brought a lot of those negative emotions up. The first two weeks after the appointment were a big of a challenge. I was still caring for my granddaughter and I wanted to spend quality time with her, but I feel that with putting so much energy into trying not to break down- distracted me from what I had wanted my time with her to look like.

Once the end of July came and it was time for SweetPea to go to her Mom- that's when I broke down - not just because of my husband, but also because my granddaughter did not want to go back and my heart broke for her. She shouldn't have to be away from either parent- divorce stinks for everyone involved....

For the next two weeks, I struggled like I hadn't struggled, well since going through chemo and losing my hair. A lot of tears were shed. yesterday was the first day in two weeks where at the end of the day my mascara was actually still on. I noticed this fact by chance, I was fixing to wash my face and looked in the mirror and thought something was different- a closer look revealed my mascara still in tact. To be honest though - there were a few times through the day where I almost started to cry but was able to distract myself by getting busy or reading an encouraging quote or two. ~(which by the way I will be sharing a little gem of a book with you all named "God Has Promised~ God stand back of every promise He has made," beginning on Wednesday- I know of others who are hurting and need encouragement as well- and I am sure there are other reader who need it as well.)~

So all of the previous information to help you understand that over whelming emotions that I was talking about and these emotions hurt and because they hurt we want to find relief- food is one of the many vises that people turn to in order to soothe themselves and in some ways I have done this. And because of this I did not feel right talking about making it past a wall that I had actually paused at.

Thankfully, I have not allowed the overwhelming emotions to cause me to give up on my goals and my choice for a healthier lifestyle, but it has caused me to allow myself a few more deserts here and there which has stopped the weight loss and has added a couple of pounds to the scales. So right now I can't brag about making it past this wall- all I can do is tell you where I am at - a pause by this wall. I hope the next time I am able to tell of the success of making it past this wall. This week I will be working towards getting the extra couple of pounds off and my hope is that soon, I will be able to report on the success of this mission.

I am not beating myself up for this pause. Many years are spent developing habits of how to cope and we can't expect to change these unhealthy coping skills to healthy ones overnight - it takes time and practice.

I maybe pausing at this wall but I don't expect to stay here. The painful things that I am dealing with in my life are hard and don't seem to be going away, but I am putting my trust and my hope in my heavenly Father - that He will get us through. And that He will help me develop healthier coping skills.

Be sure to come back for my new series on Wednesday. This booklet has helped me not fall into the pit of depression and I think it will be of encouragement to you as well.

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,

that He may exalt you in due time,

7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about

 like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings

are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,

after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

1 Peter 5:6-11                            

Still Here, Still Struggling

So this week has been another challenging week for me. In fact, probably more challenging in some ways than last week was. I have done my best to keep myself busy- keeping myself busy kept me from crying- at least helped distract me for a bit. I have really felt like I am struggling to not fall into a pit of depression. God has brought a very helpful little booklet to my attention and I will probably share some of the quotes that have really helped me slowly get to a better state of mind.

My sewing room seems to be a good therapy place to be and things to do.

This first project that I finished this week - has been a project on my mind for about a year. I have a friend who has had breast cancer and so I decided to make this "HOPE" banner for her. This week I finally finished it - I am hoping to be able to give it to her tomorrow - if not hoping it will work to give it to her next week.

 

I actually finished the current BOM - when I finish it early in the month - it just seems to make it easier for me to work on other projects- it's like Ok, I have my assignment done - now I can work on what ever project I want to.

 Which led me to being able to get this BOM from a past year - cut out and put together. And I have started a third red/white/black block- good news is I only have 2 more blocks to finish and I will have my blocks done for that quilt. I will need to get the fabric to put this quilt together though.

I also spent time in the kitchen. I needed to make up bread - so I did! I just have to say,

I love home made bread!!  

I also made up a batch of granola! I actually ended up cooking it a bit longer than this photo shows- so it was a bit more golden brown. When it is more golden brown - you have a better chance of getting delicious crunchy granola. And I have found a great way to have granola without over doing it. When I have yogurt - I will add some granola to it - and it is delicious!! I LOVE it! This way I get to enjoy the granola without eating a bunch at a time!

I had a couple of appointments to take my MIL to this week. Oh and the "Check Engine" light came on in my car at the beginning of the week - so I have been without a car most days. I did get to drive my husband's car today so I could go get groceries - that was really nice. I am hoping it will be able to be fixed this week end, but if not at least we have a plan.

 

I am sorry I have not had a chance to get posts done up for this week end. They would have been easy and not taken much effort other than typing them up, but just didn't get around to it. Hopefully I will be able to get some more therapy in my sewing room this week end and hopefully I can get back to myself. I really need to get some blog posts written up - I have some great ideas, I just haven't gotten them typed up yet.

It is still quite warm here in Texas! But sadly, that is normal for August - which is most of the time the hottest time of the year. This year has not been all that bad - I think yesterday was day 8-9 of triple digit temps for the summer- and I am about sure we hit the century mark today as well.

Ya'll stay warm.

Asking again....

 I'd love to ask for prayers for my family and myself. For the last few weeks I've been bogged down by some unpleasant realities. And to be honest I feel alone. I feel like too often I have to ask for prayers, but some of these burdens that I'm carrying are so heavy. And right now I'm not feeling very strong. As I write this~ Bible verses are coming to me ~ like Matthew 11 28 "Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls."
And as I read I really want to take Him up on that, but I just don't know how.

The other verse that comes to mind is found in the book of Joshua. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

 These verses are encouraging to the soul but boy, these burdens are SO heavy. Trust me when I say we need prayers. Thank you so much.

Remember a couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about getting passed one "wall" and that I had another one? Well that other wall is part of what is really concerning me right now and I'm hoping to get a chance to get on here and write about it soon. Until then if you could remember us in prayer, I would really appreciate it.

The Attitude of Gratitude... series...

Today I am sharing a little poem so that Friday we can start on our assignments. See you then :O)

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Thou that hast given so much to me

Give me one thing more, a grateful heart;

Not thankful when it pleaseth me,

As if Thy blessings had spare days,

But such a heart whose pulse may be

Thy praise.

 

~ George Herbert

Beloved Names of God...series ...Abba

 

"And he said, Abba, Father, all things at possible unto thee;

take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Mark 14:36 kjv

 

• Name of God the Father
• God is referred to as "Abba" three times in the kjv.
• Abba, in Aramaic, is the familiar version of "Father," the equivalent to the modern "Daddy."
• Jesus was facing His imminent crucifixion and in possibly His most intimate conversation with God, He asked if there was any way He might avoid His fate- before submitting His will completely.

 

In the early New Testament books, God is the mighty Creator; addressed with reverence, awe, and more than a little fear. And in the time just before Jesus, the title of Abba, or Father, came into popular use, implying a more familiar; loving relationship.

 

 

Jesus is the bridge between the older, more formal relationship between man and God and the closer, one-to-one relationship we now have with Him. In Mark 14:36, Jesus addresses God in the most familiar of terms, like a scared child asking his daddy for help. God remained silent and watched as His son was taken away to His trial and execution. Callous? Hard-hearted? Or weeping silently? No longer Jehovah "the smiter," we now recognize God as a generous Father who suffered for our sake.

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Next week we will look at the name ~ "Rain upon the Mown Grass" this is one I am not familiar with- are you?