Benefits of Sprouting Grains

Y’all know I’m the salad queen but occasionally hubby likes a good sandwich for lunch and the kiddos do too. But all breads are not created equal. Most breads on the market today have unhealthy dough conditioners, bad for you oils, genetically modified grains and harmful sweeteners.

 

No good.

 

But not to worry. Silver Hills’ organic sprouted breads have NONE of those harmful ingredients. Their breads have only good for you ingredients that you can actually identify and pronounce. 

 

I feel good knowing I’m feeding my children and husband food that support good health. And not only that, their new loaves are chock FULL of fiber, protein, iron, selenium, zinc and more, providing key minerals and vitamins that your body needs to run optimally. 

 

And let’s not forget that Silver Hills’ breads are made from sprouted grains. What’s so special about sprouting? I’m glad you asked. There are immense benefits to sprouting grains. Sprouting:

 

  • Unlocks more of the foods nutrients
  • Helps your body more easily and readily absorbs the nutrients
  • Make food more easily digestible 

 

Desiree Nielsen, Registered Dietitian shares “Sprouted grain breads are higher in filling plant-based protein and fiber than standard whole wheat breads. Sprouted grains, being intact whole grains, will have more nutrition: sprouted grain breads have on average 12 grams of plant-based protein per two slices, and a whopping 10 grams of fiber. Compare this to 7 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber for an average supermarket whole wheat loaf.”

 

To learn more about the benefits of sprouted bread CLICK HERE. 

 

Now grab your Silver Hills Sprouted Bread and give my new sandwich a try.

 

Smoky Tempeh Sandwich

 

Steam tempeh for 10 minutes. In a separate pan, heat 1 tbsp grapeseed oil on medium. Fry tempeh until golden on both sides. Season tempeh with 1 tsp coconut aminos and ½ tsp maple syrup. Splash a little water in pan and let sizzle to carmelize. Grill your Silver Hills Wheat & Greet Sprouted Bread. Take one chipotle pepper in adobo and mix with 2 tbsp vegan mayo. Slather on the bread. Stack lettuce, tempeh, red onion and avocado. Enjoy!

 

 

 

“And you, take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and emmer, and put them into a single vessel and make your bread from them. During the number of days that you lie on your side, 390 days, you shall eat it.” Ezekiel 4:9

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

 

I received this product to review. Opinion expressed are here are my own.

/2 Comments/by

5 Tips for Living In The Present Moment

Urgency. Immediacy. Insistency. Life has a way of trying to choke out your ability to live fully in the present moment.

 

Kids always need something. Your boss always needs something. Even your past tries to haunt you playing scenes over and over again in your mind like Groundhog Day. 

 

But God doesn’t want you living a slave to urgencies nor does He want the past to rob you of the present. In fact, Jesus addressing this saying:

 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

 

Jesus is urging you to not worry about tomorrow but to seek the kingdom. And finding the kingdom isn’t difficult. From the time after His temptation in the wilderness thereafter He preached where to find the kingdom. He said it was AT HAND! 

 

At hand, in the present moment there is perfect love. At hand we have an opportunity to bask in what IS. Yesterday is a memory and tomorrow yet exists but the present moment is ripe and bursting with God’s tangible manifest presence if we would just avail ourselves to experience it.

 

So just how do we lean into the present of His presence? Here are 5 practical tips for living in the present moment.

 

1. BREATHE – Friend are you oxygen deprived? Don’t feel bad, most people are. Be intentional about your breathing. Are you breathing shallowly? When you focus your attention on your breath, it forces you to slow down and draws attention to the present. As you inhale deeply, expanding your diaphragm, give thanks to God. Thank Him for the Pneuma (breath, wind of God) and ask Him to fill you afresh.

 

2. BODY AWARENESS – Right now bring awareness to your body. Are your facial muscles tight? Are your shoulders hunched? Is your jaw clenched? Drawing attention to your body brings you into the moment and extends to you an invitation to relax. As you draw awareness to your body and relax, thank God for creating you fearfully and wonderfully. Commit to using all your members as instruments of righteousness for helping to build His kingdom.

 

3. ENGAGE YOUR SENSES – God created you with a physical body that has senses so that you can engage with all of creation. Fully utilize your senses. Look and BEHOLD all the beauty before you: the blue sky streaked with cirrus clouds, buds on the tree, the wrinkles on the hand of your grandpa and even the crooked grin of a two year old. Listen to a bird’s mating call, the lap of the ocean and the hum of the air conditioning unit. Utilizing your senses is a powerful way to connect with what is happening now. Habakkuk 2:1 says I will stand on my watch to see what He will say. When our eyes are open we can hear from God. Did you catch that? Isn’t God amazing?!

 

4. BE A NOTICER – Jones, in the book The Noticer by Andy Andrews has the uncanny ability of seeing things others miss. When we lean into God, we can sharpen our discernment, catching things that we may have otherwise missed. Again when we are inundated with the cares of the world, we can miss many God moments. Let us pump the brakes and slow down enough to be a noticer.

 

5. GIVE THANKS – My, my my! Gratitude is a game changer. Your heart beating in your chest, running water, shelter, provision, creative genius, cognitive function, love, I can keep going and going. One of my children has been struggling lately with serious quarantine fatigue so I had them start a gratitude journal. It’s been going well so far and has been a way for this child to redirect the energy of harping on the past or trying to predict when life will return to some semblance of normal; and turn their attention to giving thanks for what is. 

 

I’ll leave you with these words from Brian Courtney Wilson in his song Already Here. I love how this song affirms where we find God. Be blessed as you embrace living in the present moment.

 

“We watch and we wait, Lord, anticipate the moment you choose to appear. We worship, we praise until there’s no debate. And we recognize you’re already here. YOU’RE ALREADY HERE!”

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired to Live Fully!

 

/0 Comments/by
,

20 Powerful Bible Verses On Healing

Make no mistake about it, the Lord wants you well. Let these 20 powerful bible verses on healing stir your faith. But before we get to those, let us reflect on the earthly ministry of Jesus. One of the major hallmarks of Jesus’ earthly ministry was healing. Jesus himself tells us the reason He came: that we might have life more abundantly (John 10:10). We see Jesus perform all manner of healing: healing for the mind, healing for the body and healing for the spirit. 

 

And healing is not just something I’ve read about in my bible. I have experienced 1st hand the healing power of God. 

 

I have been healed of childhood wounds

I have been healed from emotional eating

I have been healing from an autoimmune disease

 

My faith has made me well!

 

Even science confirms the role that faith plays in healing. It has been demonstrated time and time again that spiritual practices such as prayer are associated with better health outcomes. From decreased rates of stroke to lower death rates due to cardiovascular disease and lowering depression, people of faith fare better in their health. 

 

I am touching and agreeing with you that you walk in complete healing and wholeness. We know that God‘s word does not return void. So activate your faith and declare these verses over your life. 

 

20 Powerful Bible Verses on Healing

 

 

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. Matthew 9:35

 

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. Psalm 30:2

 

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

 

Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. Jeremiah 33:6

 

Saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.” Exodus 15:26

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

 

Then Jesus said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well!” Luke 17:19

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. Psalm 103:2-4

 

Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health. You restore my health and allow me to live! Isaiah 38:16

 

For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares!’ Jeremiah 30:17

 

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:14

 

I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the Lord, “and I will heal him. Isaiah 57:18-19

 

He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Psalm 107:20

 

The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health. Psalm 41:3

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8

 

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16

 

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

 

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 John 1:2

 

My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22

 

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14

 

 

Now be sure to partner with these verses through your daily actions. Make a point to get sunshine, fresh air, to pray, and to eat foods that nourish. Any wellness plan must be a holistic one nurturing the mind, body and spirit and give thanks to Jehovah Rophe, God our Healer.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired to Live Fully!

/1 Comment/by
,

One Simple Way to Get Healthy

For the fourth straight year in a row, U.S. life expectancy has yet again declined.

How is it that the one of the wealthiest nations on the planet has the poorest health?

How is it in a world with access to money, food, and medical care that poor health is on the rise and life expectancy is on the decline?

Despite our nation having the highest per capita spending on healthcare, Americans are more likely to die from poor health by age 65 than their counterparts in other countries.

 

This news grieves me and I can only imagine it grieves God. It does not have to be this way. Sickness and disease do not have to be our portion. Here’s what Jesus has to say:

 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

 

It is God’s desire that we walk in wholeness. He said He would not put disease on us (Exodus 15:26). But let me say this. From the Word of God we see repeatedly that His promises have conditions. His promises require our obedience. In Exodus 15:26 He said He would not put the disease on you IF:

 

  • You heed His voice
  • Do what is right in His sight
  • Give ear to His commandments
  • Keep His statutes

 

So the first step, and one simple way to get healthy is to OBEY God. That’s it. It’s just that simple really. It all begins and end with obedience.

 

Obedience to God will show you what’s going on with your health and why. Obedience to God will empower you to make the right lifestyle choices for health. Obedience to God will activate the Holy Spirit’s power to work in you to will and to do for God’s pleasure as opposed to your flesh (Philippians 2:13). Obedience to God will enable you to walk away from those things that detract from your health.

 

Now I’m not saying that process is easy but I am telling you what I know. And I KNOW that obedience is one simple way to get healthy. How do I know? I’ve been walking the journey myself for over 15 years. Daily I present myself a living sacrifice. Daily I take up my cross and follow Him. Daily I recognize that body body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. And daily He compels me to obey Him.

 

Heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure in almost all cases can be eradicated with lifestyle changes. But it’s up to you to decide. It’s up to you to declare that you shall LIVE and not die then it’s up to you to follow through on that declaration with actions that support LIFE. We support life when we:

 

  • Eat the good of the earth, Genesis 1:29 foods
  • Eliminate processed foods
  • Cut the sodas, cookies, cakes and other sugar
  • Avoid the fatty fried foods
  • Get sunshine, clear air and exercise
  • Pray and meditate

 

In this manner you choose blessing not cursing so that you and your descendants may live (Deuteronomy 30:19).

 

I’ve made CHOOSING LIFE accessible to you by pulling together 30 of my favorite salad recipes. These salads and homemade dressings support your body’s ability to ward off sickness and disease while enabling you to be healthy, strong and vigorous. CLICK HERE for my book 30 Days 30 Ways to Salad Heaven.

 

PRAY WITH ME……

 

Elohim, Mighty God you are my Creator. Thank you for forming me fearfully and wonderfully in your image. I thank you for your Spirit which dwells within me and empowers me to do your will. Lord I present my body a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to you. I thank you Lord for sending your son Jesus through whom I have life and have it to the full. Lord I repent for the times I’ve dishonored you by abusing my body with lack of nourishment, lack of rest and lack of exercise. You said you would not put disease on me if I listen to your voice, do what is right and obey you. Lord I commit to listening to you and obeying you. It is because of your mercies that I am not consumed. Thank you for your abounding grace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired to Live Fully!

 

 

 

/0 Comments/by

How to Hear From God

Whales can communicate with each other from distances of up to 2 miles apart. And how? Sound is transmitted better where molecules are closer together, such is the case in water.

 

Oh that we would find ourselves immersed in rivers of Living Water, that we would hear from and communicate with the Lord. That the molecules of our souls would be so close together that nothing would impede our communication with Him. 

 

Perhaps you are saying YES, I want to know how to hear from God but do you have an ear to hear?

 

Communicating with God requires that we hear from Him. And to hear from Him we must lend an ear. At least 7 times in the Gospels Jesus says, “He that has ears let Him hear.” Jesus took aside a man that was deaf, put His fingers in the man’s ears and said to him, “Be Opened!’ and the man’s ears were opened (Mark 7:31-37).

 

Suffice it to say the Lord wants us to hear. And from these instances we can ascertain that the Lord is not only drawing our attention to the ability of our ears to hear but more so that we will TAKE ACTION on what has been heard. Yes we know that we have two ears on the sides of our head, but do we have ears to hear what the spirit is saying? 

 

It is not enough for sound waves to enter the outer ear, to travel through the auditory canal, then on to the eardrum, through the cochlea, up the auditory nerve and to the temporal lobe. Once that information HITS the brain, it compels a response. And the same is true with God. When He is speaking to you, His words have to travel through your mind, weave their way through your will, and navigate your emotions so that they can reach your spirit. He is trying to reach your inner most being He wants to do something! 

 

But depending on where you are emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually, that can be rocky terrain through which the Lord has to traverse to reach your spirit. 

 

So how do we position ourselves to have ears to hear?

 

  • We have to dial down the internal and external chatter

  • We have to clear out some of the mental mess

  • We have to avoid eating food that clogs up our ability to think and to hear

  • We have to guard our ear gates and eye gates

 

We must incline our ears. 

 

And let us not only hear with our ears but also with our hearts.

 

Incline your ear to wisdom and your heart to understanding Proverbs 2:2

 

Why does He need to have our ear?

 

He has need of us. He wants to remind us that we were fearfully and wonderfully made. He wants to assure us of His everlasting love for us. He wants to remind us of His word. He wants us to remember how we defeat our adversary. He wants to give us the next imperative for our kingdom assignment. He has plenty that He needs to share. And we get to reap rewards for listening.

 

There is blessing for the one who has an ear to hear.

 

Hearing increases discernment.
Hearing increases faith.
Those who hear bear fruit.
A sheep who knows the Shepherd’s voice is kept safe.
Hearing Him and responding in obedience is an act of love.

 

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28

 

Do you have ears to hear?

 

What barriers are in the way of your hearing? What will you do to make room to hear from Him?

 

LIVING FULLY is a holistic approach involving the mind, body and spirit. And we can nurture the spirit through prayer, meditation, bible study, and more but even greater than that we can commune with God through our listening and our obedience.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

/0 Comments/by
,

How To Avoid Getting Sick

In the name of Valentine’s Day we do it

In the name of Super Bowl Sunday we do it

In the name of Easter we do it

In the name of family traditions we do it

We eat ourselves sick.

 

Clever marketing and the manipulation of our taste buds have us coming back to the junk that makes us sick time and time again. The more we consume detrimental foods, the more prone we are to catching disease and the more sick we become.

 

So how do we avoid getting sick? We must stay away from foods that degenerate our health.

 

How can you have an immune system that’s healthy enough to fight off disease when all you’ve fed your body is trash masquerading as food? Surely Doritos, Poptarts, Cereal, and BBQ chicken and macaroni and cheese are not the building blocks for making your immune system strong and healthy?

 

I know, I know, it tastes good. So what? Is it good for you? Is it promoting strength, health, energy and vitality? Or is it breeding obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease?

 

Recently, my husband and I stopped in the store to pick up one thing. As soon as we hit the door we were bombarded by garbage. 

 

12 foot long display of Valentine candy. Just steps away from that a towering Super Bowl display laden with chips, dips and soda. Then we proceeded to walk past an end cap that was also full of sugar. I said to my husband, “I bet each end cap is full of sugar”. So I went to verify my hypothesis and indeed it proved true. 

 

And this is why heart disease is the #1 killer on the planet.

 

And this is why diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity run rampant in my community. 

 

GOD BUT!

 

He has an answer.

 

He said the leaves on the trees are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2). 

 

“But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear” Matthew 13:16

 

You can avoid getting sick when you have eyes to see. The next time you go grocery shopping search out LIVING FOODS. Let the scales fall from your eyes so that you can SEE all the cookies, cakes, chips, sodas, candy, packaged foods for what they really are, HEART DISEASE IN DISGUISE. Don’t be fooled by the costume of packaging. 

SEE

 

 

Eat LIVING food like this. This is similar to what my lunch looks like daily. You can find this recipe and more HERE

 

Hear what I am saying and receive the truth in love.

 

When you have seen and have heard, you KNOW the truth and the truth makes you free. 

 

 

You can be free from sickness

You can be free from disease

 

 

And when you are set free you can choose to WALK in freedom.

 

February is American Heart Month. Love yourself and love your heart by avoiding those things which are making you prone to get sick. Say NO to heart disease by not purchasing the trash and by eating more fresh vegetables, fruits, seeds, beans, legumes and moderate whole grains. Say YES to your heart health by going for a walk. 

 

Declare that you shall be in good health and prosper even as your soul prospers (3 John 1:2).

 

Thank God that you CAN do all things because He gives you strength (Philippians 4:13).  

 

You are worth it and sickness does not have to be your portion!

 

As always it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

/0 Comments/by
alignment with God

Get Into Alignment With God

How do you get into alignment with God when the moment you awake life demands your attention?

 

The 67 unread work emails.

The kids missing school assignments.

Your doctor’s appointment.

And oh yeah your freezer won’t stay cold and your brakes are metal to metal.

 

Meeting the screaming demands of temporal needs pulls your attention and if you aren’t focused, diligent and discerning, you can easily drift away from God. It may not be a complete or quick falling away either. It’s more like a slow creep, inch by inch drifting farther and farther away.

 

Away from the intimacy of time spent in His presence
Away from the selfless abandon of pure worship
Away from the fervent, unceasing prayer life

 

Before you know it you look up and you’re bobbing alone in the middle of the sea. And that’s surely NOT where you want to be.

 

We also come out of alignment because we just want to do what we want to do. The world says, go your own way, blaze your own trail, do whatever you want to do. Not so! Jesus said He came to do the Father’s will. He wasn’t out there pushing His own agenda. Let us not be found leaning to our own understanding and doing whatever we want because that’s when we come out of alignment.

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7

 

But you Beloved are the one that wants to get in alignment and remain in alignment. Being in alignment with God is operating in His perfect will. It is being obedient to what He tells you to do. It is walking in the paths He’s set before you. It is hearing from Him and doing what He says even when it is hard.

 

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:25-27

 

So how do we get into alignment?

 

Eliminate Distractions

The enemy is crafty and one of his most common strategies for derailing us is to draw our attention away from God. When the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh or the pride of life rise up we are drawn out of alignment. And this is where our enemy wants us. Like the Pied Piper he plays an alluring tune drawing our attention to social media, to what others are doing, to food, to anything he knows will attract our attention. So we have to walk circumspectly, being aware of his devices and stay focused on our God priorities. 

 

Spend Time in Prayer and Meditation

When we spend time in prayer and meditation, we bring our will into alignment with His will. We hear from Him. He shows us great and mighty things that we do not know. Our minds are renewed. This is alignment.

 

Stay Aligned

Once you get aligned, you’ve got to fight to stay aligned. Just like it only takes hitting a pothole to get your car out of alignment, all it takes is one bump in the road of life to get you out of alignment. I’ve been blogging for over 7 years and my most popular post by a long shot is 4 Things We Must Know To Stay Aligned. Staying aligned is critical and requires maintenance. 

 

Getting into alignment with God and staying in alignment is key to a prosperous life. When we are in alignment we position ourselves to receive His unmerited favor, to receive His mercy and to receive blessings

 

By the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you, you are walking in alignment with God!

 

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. Joshua 1:7

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

/0 Comments/by

You Shall Wear A Crown

It would be an understatement to say that 2020 was rough but not to worry because you are the one who shall wear a crown.

 

Even in the midst of civil unrest, political turmoil, global pandemic and seemingly endless death God remained faithful. Many experienced His grace and favor. People reaped a harvest of time as many “busy” activities suddenly came to an end. Many reaped a harvest of health as they took the time to plan their meals, cook at home and since there was nowhere to go they took their neighborhoods getting plenty of exercise. Many saw a harvest in their finances as the Lord allowed them to recoup some of the money that would have been spent on travel, eating out and making unnecessary purchases. 

 

And there is a promise for the year ahead. God is crowning you with goodness.

 

You shall wear a crown.

 

 

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11

 

 

God will continue in this vein by crowning this year with bountiful harvest, causing even the hard paths to overflow. And not only is He crowning your year beloved, He is crowning YOU!

 

You shall Wear a crown.

 

 

Picture with me for a moment the Lord placing a royal diadem upon your head. He has selected the most precious, flawless gems and placed them in a crown of gold. He takes this crown and slowly approaches you. As you humbly bow, He places the diadem upon your head. And while the crown is heavy, He gently places His hand on your chin, lifting your head. As your head rises up and you meet His gaze, your spirit is strengthened all the more and the “weight” of the crown pales in comparison to the weight of His glory. 

 

 

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Isaiah 62:3

 

 

Let me pronounce this prophetic decree over you and your household. 

 

You are the righteous of God. God dwells with you and you with Him. As His chosen beloved Child, you are an heir to the throne of grace. You have received His inheritance as your reward. Your year is crowned with a bountiful harvest. Overflow is your portion. Because of your obedience the blessing of the Lord overtakes you. You walk in radiant health. Your relationships are deep and fruitful. Your God ordained business ventures are blessed. Your household is blessed. You are blessed when you come and bless when you go. Goodness and mercy follow you all your days. You are crowned with goodness, glory, grace and honor. Love encircles your head. Your thoughts are true and praiseworthy as you are crowned with the mind of Christ. God’s wisdom is the nuggets and gems that ring your head. You are seated at His right hand. His right hand leads you, guides you and protects you as you walk in paths of righteousness for His namesake. Your year is marked with evidence of God’s faithfulness toward you. In Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen!

 

As always it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

/1 Comment/by
,

When Giving Thanks is Hard

This week will find people gathered around tables all across the U.S. as they celebrate Thanksgiving. Sure there will be the obligatory saying of grace. Families may even go around the table and share what they are thankful for. Some may even write out their prayers and hang them on a “thankful” tree.

 

But what do you do when giving thanks is hard?

 

Somebody has been isolated from social connections because of Covid so giving thanks may be a bit hard

 

Somebody has recently lost a parent so giving thanks may be a bit hard

 

Somebody has been struggling financially so giving thanks may be a bit hard

 

Somebody’s body is betraying them and is ravaged with disease so giving thanks may be a bit hard

 

But what I’ve come to learn and what the Lord has been especially impressing on my heart all week is Give Thanks Anyhow!

 

Despite what you see. Despite what you feel. Despite what you think. Give thanks anyhow!

 

Because it’s not about what we think, see or feel but about the ONE who deserves our honor, who deserves our adoration, who deserves our praise.

 

When giving thanks is hard, sometimes it requires you to take your eyes off yourself and off your situation and lock your gaze unto His.

 

When giving thanks is hard sometimes you have to deal with the spiritual cataracts so you can “see beyond” and see into the spirit.

 

Sometimes it will require you to humble yourself, recall where He bought you from, what He’s rescued you out of or what He spared you from.

 

Even when giving thanks is hard, the ONE who was, and is and is to come is still worthy. And because He sees and He knows and He cares, He will prod you and prompt you and remind you of just how much He loves you. You’ll hear it in the bird’s song or in the smile of a child. He’ll illuminate and bring back that verse you’ve hidden in your heart at just the right time. And when He does that, it may still be hard to give thanks but you’ll be compelled to do it. Because that’s the thing, praise and giving thanks are sacrificial. Oh yes, it’s going to cost you something.

 

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Hebrews 13:15

 

In the hard spaces of laying aside pride, convenience, or even hurt and sorrow, GIVE THANKS. It is actually God’s will that you give thanks is all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

 

Will it be hard to give thanks sometimes? Yes

Will it cost you something? Yes

But isn’t He worth it? YES!

 

Sometimes the words are hard to come by if you’re hurting but there is help. All you gotta do is turn to His word. Let these verses minister to your heart and may they flow from your lips as you offer up your true thanks giving

 

  • O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto Thee forever. Psalm 30:12
  • {I} Rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God has given unto me. Deuteronomy 26:11
  • Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:57
  • O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good. His mercy endureth forever. Psalm 118:29
  • Giving thanks always for all things unto God. Ephesians 5:20
  • Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Psalm 100:4
  • It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High. Psalm 92:1

 

So with the fruit of your lips, even if it’s but a whisper, release your Thank You Father…….

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

/0 Comments/by

How To Be Content In A World Full of Discontent

Discontent with 2020

 

Discontent with virtual learning but unsettled about sending them back

 

Discontent with the government 

 

Discontent with work

 

Discontent with yourself 

 

 

So how do we cultivate contentment in a world full of discontent?

 

Contentment is a decision. It is a state of mind. It is looking at the issues of life in the face and choosing JOY in spite of it all. 2020 has presented me ample opportunity to be discontent: 6 children underfoot ev-er-ry second of ev-er-ry day , limited time to execute the treasure trove of ideas in my head, health challenges, missing my friends and more.

 

But you know what?! I am committed to conquering discontent. Every morning when I rise, I give thanks to God, I ask for His wisdom, I come into agreement with heaven’s plan for my day and I purpose in my heart to choose joy.

 

So if you’re in the middle of the battle, here are 10 practical strategies that will position you to be content in a world full of discontent.

 

Train Your Brain

When thoughts of discontent arise like, “The world really sucks right now!” capture those toxic thoughts and replace them with the truth of God’s word. You have the ability to take those thoughts captive and make them obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

 

Have Godly Perspective 

When we look at things from our vantage they can sometimes appear skewed. The eyes of the natural man can warp a scenario like one of those amusement park funhouse mirrors. Which is why we have to see through eyes of faith. We have to have a godly perspective. We can gain godly perspective when we spend time in His word.

 

Purposeful Purge

Get rid of things that no longer spark joy. Purging is so therapeutic for me. The idea of getting rid of stuff just brings me a feeling of satisfaction. Purging also creates space in your heart, mind and emotions. Clear out your house, your contact list, your friends list. Try the purge, it’s very cathartic.  

 

Embrace The Moment

Slow down. Plain and simple.  Be a noticer. Take time to see leaves falling from the trees, a bird soaring overhead, to hear a child’s joy filled squeal, to slowly chew your food and savor the flavor, to feel your chest rise and fall as you breathe deeply. We spend so much of our energy moving from one thing to the next to the next that it’s very easy to miss the beauty that exists in the present moment.

 

Be Humble

Humility recognizes that without God, I can do NOTHING. And maintaining that posture puts your faith and reliance on God and God alone. Your humility positions you to abound in His grace, in His mercy, in His favor and this my friend is the secret sauce for contentment, HUMILITY. 

 

Silence The Voice of the Accuser 

The enemy of your soul wants you discontent. That’s his primary job, to sow lies and discord into your head. He wants you to think you’re not enough. He wants you to think you don’t have enough. Don’t buy into his nonsense. Silence that fool. Tell him what God said, resist him and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

 

Be Grateful

While the enemy may be trying to get you to focus on what you don’t have, give thanks to the Most High for what you DO have. Express your gratitude in praise and worship unto God. What are you grateful for right now? Go ahead, what 5 things immediately come to mind? Thank Him for it.

 

Be Generous

When we give, we take the attention off of ourselves so that we can love and serve others. Are you giving of your time, talents or resources?

 

Eyes on God 

When our attention drifts to what we see what other people have and what other people do,  we can begin comparing. Comparison is an evil trap that robs us of contentment. So let’s be diligent to keep our gaze fixed on God.

 

Honor Yourself

Neglecting yourself is a sure fire set up for discontent. Make a commitment to honor yourself by showing yourself some love, care and attention. Create space for you to nourish yourself, to get rest, exercise, to spend time with God and to embrace the moment. It can be done. Listen, I’m a mom of 6 and it’s not easy as everything is clamoring for my attention. But in order for me to give my best to those counting on me, I’ve got to honor myself. And it doesn’t have to occur in big blocks of time. Ask God to show you the windows of opportunity where you can put yourself on your daily schedule.

 

Listen friend, in the Lord there is no lack! Let me remind you of this verse, you know it well. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want Psalm 23:1. Another version translates that to I LACK NOTHING. So if there is no lack, then there is no discontentment because in Christ you have everything you need.

 

In a world of discontent, the totality of Christ’s love, grace and mercy abound toward you, enabling you to be content.

 

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 1 Timothy 6:6-7 

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired to Live Fully!

/0 Comments/by