How do you work to "regain" strength?  Do you go to a gym?  It works for strengthening leg and core muscles - I'm proof of it.  What about Spiritual strength?  Where do you go, what do you do, to feel God's presence and strength?  Are you taking TIME to do this for YOU?  

I know how hard it is to do either one of these let alone both.  I know taking a few minutes every morning, for my God time, helps me.  I know how things go crazy if I have to miss it,  I've recently added praise music to my evening God time - just before I go to sleep.  It has definitely added to the God time!!

​When do you take the time for YOU?  What are the excuses (reasons?) you are giving for NOT doing it?  Something to think about........​

This morning's God time was about Emmanuel - God IS with us even through the difficulties.  The most interesting thing, though, was the song on my Christian radio station (KTIS 98.5 here in the Cities) was playing "Praise You Anywhere."  Such a wonderful reminder!  The first verse is: "Sometimes you've gotta dance through the darkness
Sing through the fire
Praise when it don't make sense
Sometimes you've gotta stare down the giant
Worship from the lion's den

Something to think about..........
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Well it is actually in the double digits above zero!  That is the first thing to thank God for!!  Then the other things can start to come to mind.  One hard one to thank God for is how busy the schedule has gotten - but while thanking God we can continue to try to follow where God is leading.  How are you doing with that?

Meanwhile I liked this post and wanted to encourage so.....  It isn't quite as cold but staying warm and safe while having a GOOD day seems like a wonderful thing to thank God for.  Something to think about.............

Did you remember today is "Groundhog Day"?  Do you even care?  Where I live, in MN, it was probably going to be at least 6 more weeks of winter no matter what happened this morning.  It does, however, remind of some interesting stories of previous Groundhog Days.  

Stories - a good reminder of sharing how, and when, we see God giving us strength.  One of the hymns, yesterday, was "We've a Story to Tell."  The second verse is: "We've a song to be sung to the nations, that shall lift their hearts to the Lord.  A song that shall conquer evil and shatter the spear and sword, and shatter the spear and sword."

Stories to share.....  Emmanuel - God IS with us....And, during the winter (really all year but who's asking!), praise music and quilting.  Something to think about........
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Well "they" were right - we did get snow.  Enough snow, and slippery conditions, to keep some of us home.  Thankfully, with some work, technology actually allowed for worship online!  Then technology decided NOT to cooperate making posting on the website more difficult.  I am trying again......  I'm also asking if you were able to get to worship - either online or in person?  Time with God, praise music, Scripture, prayer and (if in person) fellowship.  Time to refill YOU so you can continue to reach out and help.  Something to think about........
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Well..... it IS warmer.... positive numbers and not much wind..... but "they" are using the 's' word for tomorrow.  AND, as of right now, there isn't anything on the calendar.  So..... a quiet day!  What do you work on when it is QUIET?  I, personally, have several quilt projects and four knitting projects I can be working on.  The knitting projects would allow watching out the window for the kids skating and playing in the snow.  Sometimes a QUIET day is a GOOD day!!  Something to think about......

New things in the New Year...... hectic schedules, trying to actually keep the resolutions....  All make for busy days when we can start feeling tired.  After "working out" in the morning muscles are saying "SIT" and rest!  It is also good we can wear heavy coats and hats! 

So....... We need to remind ourselves we are moving forward even if the pace is "as fast as a slow turtle."  We can also be reminded to keep trying.  We may not think we are "beautiful" but God thinks so.  Something to think about........

"You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I'm far away."  (Psalm 139:2  NLT)

Some mornings waking up, like a song used to say, "is hard to do."  How do you wake up?  An alarm that has your feet hitting the floor right away?  An alarm that gives you some time?  Maybe your alarm, like mine, is a radio so you can listen to music instead of a "buzzing sound."  The other important part of my waking up is my morning God time.  I start every morning with praise music, on the radio, and "Jesus Calling" daily devotional.

This morning the songs were "God Story" and "How Great Thou Art" while I was reading Psalm 139 verses 1--4.    In this crazy world with so much happening it really helps to KNOW God is with us.  So.... know you are loved and strengthened..... be encouraged...... Something to think about......

For something a little different.....  I want you to think about resting.....  Maybe a short nap, maybe a cup of tea (coffee?) and watch the birds out the window....  Just a few minutes to stop and rest.  I read, recently, to think of rest "not as laziness", but as preservation and wisdom.  If you think about it we, especially as Caregivers, are tired for a reason.  It isn't a weakness it is our body trying to tell us something we need.

So.... today..... give yourself permission to slow down, take a deep breath, have a cup of tea (coffee?) and let your mind have some quiet.  You ARE worthy of rest.

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 "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit."  (Ephesians 3:16 NIV)

I woke up this morning thinking about how to encourage others through the changes, and especially the challenges, happening around us.  My thoughts were with Ephesians - Paul's encouraging words about being thankful, and praying, for the believers. (Ephesians 1:16 NIV)  With everything happening, from changes in health to "winter storm" warnings over most of the country, it is easy to get discouraged. 

God time, in "Jesus Always," was Psalm 73:23 -24 "Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand." (v. 23 NLT) Then the praise music, on my radio, played "That's Who I Praise" talking about "faith like Paul."  This seems like a good time to remember, and remind of, Emmanuel.  God IS with us.  God will guide us and give us strength when needed.    Something to think about, and maybe, share.......