Be Encouraged!

"He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners - to comfort all who mourn. ... a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor" (Isa 61:1-3).

Our Thoughts....

Our thoughts are powerful. They can lead us to the highest mountaintops or the deepest valley. I am going to stop you right now to clarify that I am not talking about pure "Pollyanna" talk, either. I am talking about affirming, positive, nurturing, encouraging, and comforting words that we say to ourselves when no one can hear.

We all want to hear words of affirmations and encouragement. All of us have a need for loving and comforting words. Not everyone is surrounded by others that have the capacity, tools or wiliness to provide these words to us. The good news...we ALL have the power within ourselves to speak these very words to ourselves through our thoughts.

In I John, there is a passage that talks about practicing real love and to have real love for ourselves involves getting rid of self-criticism.

^"My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves." I John 3:18-20 (The Message)

Start loving yourself and talking responsibility of your power by changing the words that you say to yourself. What affirmation and encouraging words do you want and need to hear?

• I did a good job today
• I am valuable
• I am lovable
• I am worthy
• I am successful
• I am a survivor
• I have courage
• I AM A WINNER

"Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." Proverbs 4:23 (Today's English Version)

Challenge: Create a “Who Am I?” Poster that reflects WHO YOU ARE! Use this as a tool to remind you of all the good inside of you!

 

Be encouraged and LIVE WITH JOY!

Stacey

Our Needs...

During a recent camping adventure to Caprock Canyons State Park, I saw and learned about many plants and wildlife that live in this arid land. As we hiked the canyons we came across the Prickly Pear Cactus. The forest ranger explained the many benefits and uses of this native plant. Throughout time, the Prickly Pear Cactus has been used for many therapeutic purposes, such as, diabetic issues, stomach problems, cuts and bruises, sun burn, wind burn. For instance, one can warm the pad of the plant which can be used as a heating pad to soothe a cold sufferer's torso. Filled with liquid, the Prickly Pear Cactus provides hydration for the thirsty.The edible fruit from the plant offers nutrition.

So, what does this have to do with anything? Well, I am reminded that God supplies for all of our needs. We are equipped by and through Him with the resources to not only survive, but to thrive!

In Philippians 4:19, Paul writes, "this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."

• Are you in the desert parched and hungry?
• Are you needing direction and action in your life in order to LIVE the life you are intended to live?

Be encouraged; Isaiah 58:11 provides a promise to us, "I  will always guide you. I will satisfy your needs in a land that is baked by the sun. I will make you stronger. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water. You will be like a spring whose water never runs dry."

What do you need to discover to move forward? What action do you need to take in your live to move from surviving to thriving?

I encourage you to take action and to become aware of the resources that are within you and around you.

Living in Joy,
Stacey

Need a coach? What is COACHING? It is a profession based in personal growth and client-initiated change. Coaching focuses on identifying and clarifying current goals with an emphasis on action, accountability and follow through. Creating a life that you are meant to live!  I would love to support you along your journey!

Choose To Have An Attitude Of Gratitude

Gratitude is a "joyful and selfless expression of thankfulness from within." ~Jack Canfield

I live in gratitude...

For all that I have given

And for all that I've received.

For the beauty in my life

And for the sorrows I have known.

For the challenges I've faced

And for just how far I've come.

For my courage and my gifts,

And for the wisdom I've acquired.

For the journey and experience

And for kindness on the way.

For my dreams and my desires

And for the trust that I have learned.

For the joy and inspiration.

And for my purpose, newly found.

For the miracles unfolding

And for what tomorrow holds.

For the love I've ever known

and for that I've yet to give.

For my friends, my home and family

And for the time to find myself.

For abundance and simplicity

And for grace and opportunity.

For the chance to make a difference

And for the faith to know I will.

~D.D. Watkins~

You have a choice. Each and every day, you can choose to appreciate, notice and acknowledge everything around you. Opportunities to learn, your success, friends, family, health, the sunshine, the rain, that fresh brewed cup of coffee.....STOP, LOOK, begin to notice all the things that you can choose to be grateful for. The feeling and expression of gratitude increases your sense of well being, awareness, enthusiasm, happiness, determination, and optimism....Go AHEAD start with just one thing that you can express gratitude for...you don't even have to have a reason....Let me hear what are you grateful for today!

I am grateful for YOU!

Living in Joy, 

Stacey  

WANT MORE JOY?

In Caroline Miller's book, Creating Your Best Life, she discusses the connection between the level of one's happiness to the level of success in one's life. How happy are you? It is up to YOU!!!!

Where to start? Discover what makes you happy and gives you joy!

Scientific evidence has proven that participating in certain activities will naturally lift your mood. These activities include "things like kindness, exercise, and meditation" (Creating Your Best Life, page 241).

Your challenge...create your own unique list of activities that bring you JOY! You ask...then what? When you are in need of more joy you will know what activities will boost your mood and bring you JOY! Refer to your list, choose an activity and experience the JOY it brings.

Here are a few that are on my list....
1) Boxing
2) Reading something inspirational
3) Turning my music up really loud and dancing without anyone looking
4) Calling a friend and telling them how grateful I am that they are part of my life

I would love to hear about what brings you JOY!!!!!

Living in Joy,
Stacey

Challenge

Recently, I had the opportunity to provide Words of Encouragement and Challenge to the graduates of the 2012 Winter Class at the Dallas Christian Women's Job Corp 's graduation ceremony. What a rewarding experience and honor! I want to share the three challenges with you!

1. Stay in the PRESENT and KEEP YOUR EYES FOCUSED ON THE GOAL!

With a heart of gratitude, acknowledge where you've been and what you have learned and forget the rest! Recognize what God is doing in your life TODAY! Be PRESENT and DANCE IN THE MOMENT!
           Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a new way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
           Philippians 3: 13-14 "but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on...."
           Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God words good for those who love Him and who have been called according to His purpose."

2. Surround yourself with POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND PEOPLE!

Speak positive self-talk and surround yourself with people who positively support you and encourage you.
          Romans 12:2 "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think."
          Proverbs 4:23 "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts."

3. Live PURPOSEFULLY!

Every day we have a choice. Be purposeful when making choices. Purposefully choose obedience; choose joy; choose life!
         Proverbs 3:6 "Listen for God's voice in everything you do, and everywhere you go; He is the one who will keep you on track."
         Psalm 5:3 "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
         Deuteronomy 30:19-20 "....I place before you: life and death, blessings and curses...Choose life so that you will live...LOVE God, your God, listening obediently to Him, firmly embracing Him...Oh yes, He is life itself."

Remember, "The Lord, you God is with you...He takes great delight in you and sings with JOY because of YOU!!!!!!! For indeed, "He, who began THIS good work in you, is faithfully by your side every moment and His mercies are new every day!

• Stay in the PRESENT
• Surround yourself with POSITIVITY
• Live PURPOSEFULLY

Moving Forward...

In your examination of your priorities (how you spend your time and your money), were you surprised? Are your "priorities" taking you in the direction that you desire and will they give you a life of joy, satisfaction and contentment?

If not, what needs to change? Create your vision of what you want your life to be. "Without good direction, people lose their way..." (Proverbs 11:14)

Make your vision...YOUR REALITY.

In Kevin McCarthy's book, The On-Person Person: Making Your Life Make Sense, he uses the illustration of a light switch. The light switch has an "ON" and "OFF" position. The challenge: Would your daily activities and your priorities be considered in the "ON" or "OFF" position? Are your activities taking your towards the life that you want to create?

What's your vision? I would love to hear from you!!!!

Don't know where to start? I would love to coach you...to be your champion...to help you identify your vision and to achieve it!

Living in Joy,
Stacey

Values and Priorities

What do you value? What are your priorities? How do you find the answers? Take an inventory and answer a couple of questions:
1) How do you spend your time?
2) How do you spend your money?

Chances are that the answers to both of these questions will bring clarity to your true values and your priorities. God's Word tells us in Matthew 6:21, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Are they in alignment with what you want for yourself? Does your walk match your talk?

You want 2012 to be different, but you don't know where to begin or what direction to take. I encourage you to begin with gaining an awareness and a clear understanding of where you are currently. What is your starting point? Focus not on what's behind you or get too caught up in where you want to be. Examining your current values and priorities will provide a foundation to build upon. Do you like your inventory? What would you like to be different? I have heard, said and repeated many times that if you want different results....you must do things differently. 

How do you want 2012 to be different? What do you need to change? Tweak? Continue doing?

Examine your heart....

Excited about your journey to reaching your full potential and living the life that you are meant to live!

   

 

2012...Who is in control?

Who has control? Who likes control? Indeed, I struggle with letting go and "giving" up control. In Isaiah 41:13 the Word of God says, "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hande and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Release what YOU are holding onto and trying to control. Set it down and "lift up holy hand in prayer." (I Timothy 2:8) What does God have planned for you in 2012? What is around the riverbend? My encouragement to you is to live each day in obedience, in prayer and in JOY....by letting go of your heart's desires and allow your heart's desires to become Christ's desires for YOU.  Live in obedience. Live in prayer. Live in JOY!

Come to Me, My Sweet Child

Walk beside me; I will be with you.

There has been a fog over you...surrounding you

But, I have been guiding you all the while.

I have never left you - even in your darkest hour.

I wanted you to surrender control to Me;

To listen to Me;

To let Me be the light of your path.

You have trusted Me in all of your frustration and doubt.

Oh, My Sweet Daughter, you finally allowed me to break through the hardened walls of your heart.

I sent people into your life to remind you that you are a gift.

I formed you.

I created you.

I inspire you.

Embrace your gifts and talents that you have received from Me.

Do not hide them! Do not quench My Spirit.

My message that I give for you to deliver to others....

My desire is for all...

Love Me fully; 

Love yourself as I love you;

Love others because I first loved others.

 

Passionately, I live to "encourage, comfort and urge others (you) to live lives worthy of God, who calls them (you) into His Kingdom and Glory." I Thess 2:12