Just Pray

If we're honest, we can acknowledge the fact that we can really be lazy sometimes when it comes to praying. We rush through it like it's a chore, but we expect God to spend time on us; to constantly bless, heal and deliver us and our loved-ones.

Let's change our old habit, that we may have unknowingly slipped into, and begin to pray without ceasing. Let's offer prayers of thanksgiving as well as the petition prayers. When you can't think of anything else to pray for, pray for others; pray for other countries; pray for school systems; pray for children; just pray!

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

April Showers

Weeping (your rain) may endure for a night, but JOY (flowers) comes in the morning! The way the seeds need the rain to grow into flowers is the same way we have to shed a few tears to get to our Joy! Not everyone will understand you when things are (finally) looking up for you, but that's okay; as long as you're good!

 

Change your mind, Change your life!  

Change Daily

I am so excited today! Why? Because we're here! We have, yet, another day to become the person we want to be; the person God designed us to be! Change is one of the greatest things we can do. It begins in our minds and in our daily routines.

If we commit to doing one thing differently daily, by the end of the year we will be amazed at the people we've become! It doesn't have to be something huge; it can be simple things like ironing your clothes at night, writing out a grocery list, taking the stairs, working on your passion for 10 extra minutes...anything! Let's just start...today!

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Let Me Count the Ways

1. Listen without interrupting (Prov.18)
2. Speak without accusing (James1:19)
3. Give without sparing (Prov.21:26)
4. Pray without ceasing (Collosians1:9)
5. Answer without arguing (Prov.17:1)
6. Share without pretending (Ephesians 4:15)
7. Enjoy without complaint (Philippians 2:14)
8. Trust without wavering (Corinthians 13:7)
9. Forgive without punishing (Colossians 3:13)
10. Promise without Forgetting (Proverbs 13:12

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Be Blessed!

 Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Leave Me Alone

2 Timothy 4:16-17 
"At my first defense no one stood with me...But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me..."

Sometimes it is necessary for us to stand alone. The feelings of loneliness, desperation, abandonment and fear can draw us closer to God. The physical presence of our friends, church members, families, spouses, etc., is not the same as the Spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit. We must be aware of His presence. He will renew our strength and help us get through. God will encourage us to change our minds while we are in a state of loneliness. Those quiet times may be the only way He can get our attention.

Let's change the way we feel about being left alone by realizing that we are never truly by ourselves, as long as we call on God to stand with us!

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Do it for the Vine!

Who are we doing whatever it is that we do for? Our bosses? Our families? Our friends? Or the Vine? No, not the new way to share and post videos, we're referring to the True and Living Vine, Jesus Christ. We are, simply quoted, "the branches." We must change our actions, our thought process and way of living if/since we're connected to the Vine.

John 15 New King James Version (NKJV)
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Route 66 (Part 3)

^{Just hang in there a little while longer; we're almost there! We know it doesn't feel good to go through, but what an amazing feeling it is when we come out! To God be the glory. Just keep moving and keep pressing. We will pass this test and come out fully refined.
 
Psalm 66:10-12}
For You, O God, have tested us;You have refined us as silver is refined.You brought us into the net; You laid  affliction on our backs.You have caused men to ride over our heads;We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.

 Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Route 66 (Part 2)

How easy is it for us to forget the things that we were brought out of? Sometimes we get through a sickness or difficult time in our lives and we just keep it moving. As stated in the previous entry, Route 66 (Part 1), we can use Psalm 66 as directions and instructions on how and why we are to praise God. In these verses (5-9), we are encouraged to take a look back at all of the mighty and wonderful things God has done. It is then when we remember His goodness; and if that's not a reason to praise Him, then what is?

Psalm 66:5-9 Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—come, let us rejoice in him. He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—let not the rebellious rise up against him. Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Route 66 (Part 1)

Most of us know the old, upbeat song, "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66)." It's a fairly simple song, mainly about driving towards the West Coast.

 We should take note, however of Psalm 66. This Psalm/song of praise is uplifting and it boasts about how amazing God is! Let us read it together and be encouraged to praise the name of the Lord. Reading it will change the way your day is going; it will change your mood; and it may even change the way you think about praising the Lord.

Just as the song, Route 66 gave directions/instructions, so does this passage. Let's give Him glory and honor, together!
 
Psalm 66:1-4
Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.All the earth bows down to you, they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.”

 

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Wake Up

We've all heard, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning;" well when will morning come? Whenever we wake up out of our situations! God's mercies are new every morning, so let's get up and get out of our funk, our mess, whatever it is that has us down, and grab hold of what it is that God has for us!

Good Morning!!

 

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Try it Tuesdays are Back!

Spring is here! The sun is (kind of) shinning, but our teeth shouldn't be giving it a run for it's money! It's time to get rid of those stains and not-so-white teeth!

Here's a very inexpensive way to whiten our teeth at home:

And since we'll have more to smile about, let's try these DIY lip exfoliation tips:

DIRECTIONS: mix everything together until it forms a paste, rub with the tips of your fingers, in a circular motion, on both the top and bottom lip for 30 seconds. Rinse and Moisturize with a chap stick.

Change Your Mind SMILE, Change Your Life!

Let God Take Over

My sincere prayer today is that we will simply change drivers and let God take over. He's waiting for us to calm down, pray and give it to Him. After we give Him complete complete control, He will give us that sought after peace and the desires of our hearts.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Be Blessed!!

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Pay Day

The word "change" can be scary; even when we don't even know what the change is. It could be something as simple as someone getting a new hairstyle or something bigger like moving to a new state. What we have to understand is that no matter what change we're facing, we must do it in Faith.

We usually consult several people before doing something different, but if it was laid on your heart, have faith and just go for it! Working in your faith will bring you the biggest and best Pay Day ever! Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

It is our job to trust God and have faith; especially when we're fearing change. Your dedication and belief will pay off!! Just keep moving!

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Throwback Thursday

Revelation 21:5
"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new..."

It's fun to participate in Throwback Thursdays on Social Media sites like Facebook and Instagram. We post elementary school pictures, old family photos and even old school music. Looking at our memories can be a good thing; it reminds us of happy times and shows us how far God has brought us. Most of us have changed since our younger days, but that change goes beyond the physical.

We think differently, act more mature and hopefully we aren't still wearing the teased bangs and Michael Jackson Thriller jackets! Not only have the times changed us, but God has made us new!

So here's to Spring and the New Us!

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Rock and Roll!

Life has a way of making us feel like we have to do everything on our own. Our friends and families depend on us; they dump problems on us; and sometimes without knowing it, become burdens. We turn on the news and all we hear and see is negativity. We have been so accustomed to putting on our parenthetic capes and calling ourselves Superman and Wonder Woman and trying to solve all of the world's problems by ourselves, that we began to get weighed down.

It's no wonder our hearts get so heavy. We have to learn to hear problems and/or issues, deal with them, then let them go. When we feel overwhelmed, we need to go to the Rock and roll with Him! God is willing to take all of our burdens if we just relax and give them to Him! Let go of the reigns and enjoy the ride!

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Spiritual Cardio

We all know that cardio workouts are good for us; It's a way to burn fat, maintain muscles and increase your energy levels among many other positive results. So when is the last time we did spiritual cardio? We don't have to purchase DVDs, a gym membership or equipment to do it, all we have to do is open the Word of God for our instructions. Running is one of the simplest, yet most highly recommended workouts; physically and spiritually!

2 Timothy 2:22 says, "Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts."

Hebrews 12:1 "...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us..."

The truth is, goodness and mercy may follow us, but sin is not that far behind. We're not running because we're afraid, we're running because we are strengthening our spiritual muscles; we're increasing our endurance; we're burning off those old things; and we're building our faith and confidence in Christ! Focus on the change that comes from working in the spirit realm and watch the blessings pour in!

 Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

But, why?

As a child, your parents/grandparents may have said things like, "Don't sit hunched over like that; take your elbows off the table; don't wear your clothes like that, etc." Whether we said it or not, more than likely the question in our minds was simply, "why?" Why did we have to carry ourselves a certain way? Why couldn't we dress however we wanted to or hang with that group of friends? What difference did it make? What was the big deal?

The big deal was that we were always a reflection of our parents, no matter where we went. They wanted us to have a sense of pride in ourselves, as well as in our family. They didn't want anyone coming back saying things like, "That whole family must be a mess, look at how he/she is acting."

The same holds true with our Heavenly Father. In Leviticus 20:26 (NIV), the Word of God says, "You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own." Since we are Christians (Christ-like), we must uphold the standards of Holiness and do things like our Father. Although it is tempting to sometimes ask God, "why," just know that it's because we are to be like Him and live a Holy life; one where people will be able to recognize whose child we are.

Let's try to change our "...but,why" into, "Yes, Father."

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Reminder

“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. 

Watch your actions; they become habit. Watch your habits; they become character. 

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” 

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life

Your Greatness is Showing!

Proverbs 18

1 Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. 24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Sometimes we beat ourselves up about not being good enough, but let's consider why we feel that way. Is it because our circle of "friends" don't recognize how awesome we are? Have they stolen our dreams; do they speak negatively to and about us; have they ever taken the time to get to know and understand us? If not, we have to find a way to change our surroundings. It's time to be surrounded by like-minded and goal-oriented people who recognize our greatness.

And since we're great friends, let's take some time today and let our friends know how great they are, too!

You're GREAT and I appreciate all of you!

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

Stay Prepared

Proverbs 31:21

When it snows, she has no fear for her household...

 

Here in Maryland, we woke up to a winter wonderland today. Though my children didn't have school, I still had to prepare for the day, which included going to work. Before I could leave my house, I had to make sure my children would be okay without me. Thankfully, I was already prepared and didn't have much to do to ensure that they would have a good day.

 

The referenced scripture is talking about a woman, however, we can apply that to all of us. If we stay prepared, we don't have to run around getting ready right before or during the storm. We need to keep our essentials in order at all time. What are the essentials? Well, we need to keep the Word in our hearts and in our hands; we must stay prayed up; we have to keep on the full armor of God; and we have to stay alert. We can also read Luke 12:35-48 as a reminder to stay ready for Christ.

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

New Year's Resolution?

Proverbs 19:21 New International Version (NIV)

²¹ Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

At the beginning of every year, we make resolutions or plans to do things differently or better; maybe to even stop doing certain thing. Making plans is a great thing! We've heard the quote, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail," but if God isn't in your plan, you may not get the results that you desire.

We must stay in prayer and ask God to guide us even in our planning stages, so that when it's time to put those plans into action, we have a clear idea of where where going and what we're doing. We need to know that God is our number one resource, but He has also given us people to turn to for help; we can't do everything on our own, so we need to make sure that we include a support system in our goals. God will get the glory either way, so we might as well start with Him.

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!

 

2014!!

Thank you for your Love & Support!!

I had to reevaluate some things and take my own advice: "Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!"

I'm back and ready for CHANGE!

Let's Go!!

 

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life