GROW AND GLOW!

How does one grow and glow?

Growing anew with a life change of location and all a move to a new state involves is all beyond me at this stage in life. 

It's not beyond the Lord. 

Trust is key when circumstances change both suddenly and dramatically.

How can one leave a beloved church family whose support she/he has cherished for 45+ years?

Keep on keeping on---in His strength/ the power of His might. (Ephesians 6:10)

Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and spirit and serve Him well......

• not hesitant
• not holding back 
• not lazy
• not lagging behind
• not slacking
• not slothful
• not tired of working

Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame.....(MSG)

CHOICES

Choose, Dotsy! It's your choice!

My "just in case" plans..........God's Plan A.

Pull up by my bootstraps mentality........God's strength.

Walk in my own way.............Walk worthy of the gospel message.

What does it look like when I make poor choices and depend on self rather than God? The visual answer is below.

I either run out of steam temporarily.....or I burn out completely.

Brother Buddy reminded me that I was embracing a little too much of "Mildred's" busyness/do it all for everyone persona. I tried to explain that I was being "other-oriented." He reminded me as I choose to be  God oriented, He will help me say no when necessary. 

The Lord will direct me to be "others-oriented" on His guided path. (Proverbs 3:5-6, a Bro Buddy fave) 

Where He guides, He provides---with time and strength. I think I just heard an "AMEN" from my brother!

God's s-TEA-rength : an exercise

I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, 

(Ephesians: 3:16, NET)

ABCs of God's strength were clear to me this morning as I sipped my cuppa Harney and Sons organic English Breakfast, a strong black tea, while looking for my exercise band.

ABCs---All 'Bout Core.

Core is the exercise world's buzzword these days. One can even find it digitally---as a hashtag, a YouTube video or in any other of the 24,300,000 google results.

But God....showed me as I stared into my cuppa "strong" tea that was giving me a needed physical lift, that soul strengthening comes from Him. His strength. His might. (Ephesians 6:10 & Philippians 4:13)

His strength is available for my inner person, my spiritual "core." 

I've moved up weight sizes as I've exercised regularly for physical core strength---tho it might not be evident to others who see a measly "3" weight in my right hand or or the "green band," not the lowest, but close. The fitness instructor seems to use the term, core work, to emphasis our "core" focal point--- regardless of what we're doing. She tries to take us to that level because strengthening of the core is essential.

Just like I need exercise along the lines of continued practice for my physical core, I need the continued spiritual practice of soul strengthening. It is essential. I must sit upright before Him as I seek His strength for each and every day He gives me. 

Consider Him. Seek Him. 

If not, I "grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:3)

All 'Bout Core comes from knowing All 'Bout Christ!

God's s-TEA-rength, a daily cuppa teamed with spiritual exercise of prayer and study, can strengthen one's core.....her very soul!

S-TEA-rength

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13, NASB)

So many scriptures deal with the availability of God's strength---so why do I forget to appropriate it immediately? Why do I exhaust my own strength and then consider Him? Why is it sometimes hard to cry out to Him? Do I need to tattoo, "in my weakness, He is strong" on my forehead?

God's Word clearly says that His strength is there for the taking---maybe accepting is a better word choice.

His strength is offered.....

• every morning (Isaiah 33:2) 
• for renewal (Isaiah 40:31) 
• for the weak (Isaiah 40:29) 
• for help in trouble (Psalm 46:1) 
• to the weary soul (Psalm 119:28) 
• and is sufficient to handle insults, hardships, persecutions & difficulties (2 Corinthians 9:10) 
• through his Spirit for one's inner being (Ephesians 3:16) 
• along with His power (Ephesians 6:10) 
• for everything (Philippians 4:13) 

In everything, He's there (Phil. 4:19)....including strength---
---which friend Ann can certainly attest to
these last six months.

I need to sip a cuppa HIS s-TEA-rength daily. Certainly, casing to strive in my own strength will enhance my joy in Him. (Nehemiah 8:10)