A New Life

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.   
2Corinthians 5:17

There is a new life in Christ. Just as a butterfly goes through different stages in life so do we. The old things are passed away and everything becomes new. We have a new life in Christ. Forget about the old things (the past life) but look forwrd to the new life that you now have in Jesus. For the old things are passed away and all things become new in Him. Live your life to glorify God. Glorify Him in all things. It is because of Christ that we can have a new life, a changed life, a life of victory!

Our Refuge

God is our refuge, and what comfort that brings! He is your refuge when you awaken in the night filled with fear, and cold sweat breaks out. He is your refuge, your strength, a very present help when events transpire that you cannot understand.
–Charles Swindoll

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

He is our refuge even when we stray,
He is our refuge let come what may.
He is our refuge when we are filled with fear,
He is our refuge when we shed a tear.
He is our refuge when we can't comprehend,
He is our refuge let us not pretend.
He is our refuge in the storm,
He is our refuge holding us in His arm.
He is our refuge let come what may,
He is our refuge He will never go away.

Cell Phone vs. Bible

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm... where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don' t have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think; where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!


Trust in the Lord and *ASAP (Always Say A Prayer)

36 Little Pieces of Advice

I found this "36 Little Pieces of Advice" while surfing around on internet and thought it would be good to share with you. It is something that we could look at often to get a clear thinking on life in general.

"36 Little Pieces of Advice"

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus".
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

Hope you have enjoyed this. Have a great day. God Bless You!!!

What's Been Going On

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. The last several weeks have been very busy. Several weeks ago I received a call from the Coroner letting me know that my Father passed away. So that week was in shambles trying to prepare to go to South Carolina where my Father and family is at. I had to go and take care of things concerning my Father. It was a very sad situation. So I was there for a couple of weeks.
I got back home last Saturday night. Hubby came back home a week sooner than I did. I have been trying to get back into the swing of things and trying to get my home situated and in order and still in that process.
Also a new semester started this week. So now I am also busy with classes and school work. This is my last semester. WooHoo!! So I am still in the process of getting things in order and taking care of more of my Father's concerns. I would appreciate your prayers concerning all this.
So this is what has been going on within the last several weeks. I do want to post more but we will see because I don't think many people look at this blog although I also blog as a sort of journal as well. I need to think of what type of things to blog about. If you have any suggestions or things that you would like to see posted leave a comment. I hope you all have a great week and weekend. God Bless You!

Do You Know the Answer??

Matthew 16:13-16 (KJV)
13) When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14) And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15) He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.


Here we have Jesus with His disciples in Caesarea Philippi. He asked them a question. Really He was trying to stir up their thinking. He asked them, "Whom do men say that I am?"
The disciples responded by saying that the people said that He was this person and that person. They really didn't know who He was. They just had assumptions. They knew that He was different as was the men that they thought he was such as John the Baptist, Elias, Jeremias which was Jeremiah, a prophet, etc. But they really didn't who He was.

Then Jesus had another question for them. A more personal question for them to answer. He asked them "But whom say ye that I am?" Who do you say that Jesus is? Do you really know who He is? Or are you like the people and only have assumptions of who He is. Some say, "Well He's God". Some may say that He is just a religious figure of someone that people pray to. He was someone in the Bible that they think is just a good story. How would you answer the question of who Jesus is?

Let's see what one of his disciples said. Simon Peter spoke up and said "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God". Peter knew who Jesus was and is still today. He said that Jesus you are the Christ. Notice He didn't say that He was a Christ. No, none of that. He said with confidence "You are the Christ"!!

Not only did Peter say that He was Christ he also went even further as if to say "Jesus that's not all that you are. Peter said "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God". Jesus you are the Christ and you are the Son of the Living God. How did Peter know who Jesus was? How could he say who Jesus was with such confidence and boldness? Peter could do this because he knew who Jesus was. He had experienced Jesus. He had a real experience with Almighty God. He had a relationship with the one that matters the most.

You see before Peter was denying Christ but now we see Peter proclaiming Christ. Peter went from knowing of Jesus to knowing Him. He knew who Jesus was and is. But today Jesus has the same question for you. He is asking you today, "Do you know who I am?" Do you know who Jesus is? Not just of Him but do you know who He really is? Can you proclaim along with Peter stating that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God?

Do you know Christ?
Do you know the one and only true living God?

Blended Drinks (Frappuccino)

I have found an awesome recipe for blended drinks especially if you like frappuccino's.

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. Chocolate or Vanilla Carnation Instant Breakfast mix
1 Tbsp. Instant Coffee
2-3 packets of Splenda
7 oz. of water
2 oz. milk
1 Tbsp. liquid coffee creamer (your choice of flavor)
Lots of ice

Directions:
For each 16 oz. serving:
Add all the ingredients in the blender and blend and that is it.

You can top it with whipped cream and syrup or whatever else you'd like.

Substitutions:
I have made other coffees as well:

Chocolate/Caramel Mocha Frap: Substitute the Carnation Breakfast mix with 1 Tbsp. of hot chocolate(powder) and add some caramel syrup.

White Chocolate Mocha Frap: Again substitute the Carnation Breakfast mix with 1 Tbsp. of white chocolate (powder).

French Vanilla Frap: Use Vanilla Carnation Breakfast mix and add 1 Tbsp. of french vanilla liquid coffee creamer.

I have made all of these and they are all very good and so much cheaper to make than buying one at Starbucks or wherever you may go to buy them. They are also easy and quick to make even if you are in a hurry. I know because I have made them when I was in a hurry. You can also come up with your own concoctions as I did. I have also used slim fast instead of the Carnation Breakfast mix to make a coffee slimfast which is also good.

Something Fun!!!

I saw this on another blog, and it looks fun, so I've jumped in to do it too. If you want to do it, just put it up on your blog...

Below is a list of things people have done in their lives. I bolded the ones I have done. I'd love to see your answers, so if you do this on your blog (if you have one) leave the link in the comments. :-) Here's mine:

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been inside an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Here are a few of the most important things that I have experienced or had happen to me in my life so far:

- I became a saved, born again, Holy Ghost filled Christian!!!

- I have read the Bible all the way through and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.

- I married the perfect man for me.

- I have joy, peace and contentment from the Lord and hope in Him!!

Drink More Water

There are many reasons to drink more water. As many of us have heard that you can go many weeks without food but you can only go a few days without water.
Here are a few ways that our bodies use water:

1) Water is required to transport nutrients throughout the body through the bloodstream.

2) Water stabilizes and cools us allowing us to maintain proper body temperature.

3) Water hydrates our skin from the inside. It is the best lotion around.

4) Water dilutes toxins that our cells produce during metabolism and carries them away.

5) Water is part of every cell. 70 percent of our body is composed of water.

6) Saliva is used to moisten and predigest cooked food in our mouths.

7) Water helps to keep the colon clean. Our large intestine is like a sewer system. Keeping the body hydrated helps keep it clean and keeps waste moving through it.

8) Water dissolves mineral buildup in the body helping to eliminate arthritis and heart disease.

9) Water increases your energy. Adults lose as much as 10 cups of fluid each day through sweating, exhaling, urination, and bowel movements. Water provides more oxygen which is necessary to burn fat and allow your body and brain to function at their fullest potential.

10) Water helps assist in weight loss and balance. Dehydration decreases protein synthesis, the task of building muscle. With water, fat gets burned and converted to energy. Without its presence, fat increases.

11) Get Well: Water helps restore the body. It can help control a fever, replace lost fluids and thin out mucus

How Much Water?

To determine your specific recommended water intake, divide your weight (in pounds) by two. The resulting number is the number of ounces of water you need each day. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., try to drink 75 ounces of water daily.

In order to form the habit of drinking more water, it is important that you start small. Don’t try to drink 75 ounces the first day! Start by tracking your current consumption and add 8 more ounces each day or so.

These are just a few reasons to drink water and more water.
So let's get moving and drink up some water.

The Beginning

Well, another year has passed and another year has begun.
I have created this blog to journal about my life, every area and aspect of my life. That includes mind, body, soul and spirit. It is not only the physical aspect but also the emotional, mental, spiritual, etc.
At the beginning of each year lots of people have New Year Resolutions which isn't bad. It is actually good but not many people accomplish those resolutions.
Resolutions are merely goals that we set for ourselves. It is something that we would like to accomplish in our lives.
We tend to have major goals we want to accomplish year each but there are many minor goals that we need to set in place in order to accomplish that major goal.
Sometimes we are not self-disciplined enough to fulfill our resolutions.
But if we make them smaller goals we are more likely to accomplish them rather than not completing them and putting them off.
There is something about accomplishment that makes you feel good. I think everyone feels good knowing that they have accomplished something that they have wanted to accomplish.
I know for myself I need to be constantly correcting my course.
I must be checking and evaluating my life daily and maybe not even only setting goals monthly but also weekly and even daily as well. When we do this we tend to accomplish more things.
One of my big goals for this year is to lose weight which isn't a new goal because I have lost about 40 pounds last year. But I need to lose alot more. You ask how much more well let's just say a lot more.
I have done good so far but I need to continue on this journey. At time I may record what I have eaten each day and I may not it just all depends. I have learned alot of things over this time in order to lose this weight. I have some physical problems that have pushed me to lose this weight as well. It will happen as long as I keep going and not give up. Anyway enough for now. Have a great day!!
If you are reading this blog please leave me a comment and let me know. Thanks!