Wind of Change

March is known as the "Windy Month." As a child in grade school we used to recite a nursery rhyme of the months and seasons. I remember singing a tune to the rhyme, "March Winds, April showers bring May flowers."  I also remember making a kite out of a couple of sticks, newspaper and string and running so that the wind would catch my kite. My siblings and I would have hours of fun flying our kites on a windy day. 

Several scripture verses in the bible associate the wind with the Holy Spirit. For example, in his gospel, John recounts a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Council. In the conversation, Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”(John 3:5-8 NIV)  

To experience a "New Birth" in Christ is to have experienced the Holy Spirits work in one’s life. In John chapter 3 Jesus describes the Spirit's work as mysterious like the wind. In other words, there is a mystery about the new birth experience. There may not be a change in one’s appearance, he or she may look the same, but we can see the effects of a spiritual transformation in a person’s character and behavior that is the manifestation of an unseen power.  One who is born of the Spirit is like the wind, we cannot tell its direction or source, yet we can see its effects. Therefore, the life of a regenerated soul is a life that has encountered the "Wind of Change."  

We are halfway through the Lenten Season and Spring is on the horizon. Let us look forward with heartfelt anticipation to growing in the Spirit of God. As we move toward Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter (Resurrection) Sunday, I encourage you to open your heart and soul to the Wind of Change and allow yourself to be revived, renewed and rekindled in Christ our Redeemer.   

 

Jacqueline

Love Is In The Air

February 6th is American Heart Association's 'National Wear Red Day" and of course, February 14 is Valentine's Day. For those two reasons February is widely known as the love month.  However, there are millions of people in the world who find themselves very much alone. For them, love may be in the air, but for them, there is simply no one to love.  Feelings of loneliness can lead to bouts of depression, but if this is how you feel then what can one do?

When life throws the curve ball of loneliness your way, doesn’t catch the ball, or hold on to it. Doing so will may leave you feeling sorry for yourself and, as I've already stated, it can lead you into depression.  Instead of catching it and holding on to it, let it bounce off of you and keep on going. Here are a few suggestions that will help you do just that:

• Be honest with yourself and try to pin-point exactly why you feel so lonely. Ask yourself, "Am I really alone, or am I lonely for a particular person?"
• Flow with your emotions. If you feel like crying go ahead and have a good cry, but then dry your eyes and get over it.
• Never forget you still have yourself to love. Love yourself by taking better care of you. Join an exercise class. Try walking and if you have a pet, take him or her along. Find a hobby. Gardening is very therapeutic. Or, pick back up one you use to do and enjoyed doing it. 

One important thing to remember is this, you are never alone. The Eternal One is ever present with you. It does the heart well to focus on the extravagant love God has for us. Francis Chan, author of Crazy Love, talks about the many ways we ignore God by failing to respond to God's love. Chan reminds readers that not only does God love us; God wants to be in relationship with us. I recommend this book to every person who is feeling unloved.  I will close this month’s blog with a prayer from Chan's book. 

 "O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need  for more of your grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O' God  the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing for You; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I many know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, 'Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.' Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long." Amen. (Pg. 99)

A Plan to Successfully Migrate Through the New Year

Happy 2015,

 

We are blessed to begin a brand new year and like most, you have high hopes and great expectations for what this New Year will bring. Many have already made New Year's resolutions and millions have made promises to do this or that. By providing you with tips to help you migrate successfully through this year, I wish to encourage you to do all you can to stay the course and reach your goals. 

 

We all can safely assume that in 2015 we will encounter unexpected twists and turns, and life will through us some curve balls. So, how do we plan for them, what paths do we take to avoid them. I hate to disappoint you but the truth is there is no real way to avoid curve balls or the unexpected in life, but we can plan ways to weather them positively as we move forward through this year. On last month I provided you with suggested ways of packing your car and your heart for winter emergencies, now I will provide you with a suggested strategy to help you successfully go through this year regardless of any obstacles that may come your way. 

 

First things first, expect the unexpected. Allow yourself to embrace the true reality of knowing things are going to happen that will stress you out. Admit the fact that stuff happens and there is nothing you can do about it. And, when the unlikeliest of things occur, allow yourself to experience true human emotions like fear, shock, anger, pain, so forth and so on. But, do not get stuck there. Do not remain in fear or shock. Neither should you fester in your anger or pain, but instead, breathe. Breathing is very important.  Devout Yoginis will tell you, "Connecting with your breath is a method for being present. When you concentrate on each aspect of the breathing process, you are present; you let go of the past and future and are focused on the moment inside the breath. Moreover, breathing consciously has a positive biological effect on our mental, emotional, and physical state." Know that your ability to breath will lessen the effect of the initial impact that the sudden unexpected surprise has on you.

 

Secondly and more importantly pray. If you are not in the habit of praying, begin your prayer life now.  There is a verse of scripture written in James 5:16 that states, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." having an active prayer life can help prepare you for anything in life. Why, because if you are willing to pray then that means you have the faith to believe in a source of Power outside of yourself. God desires to be your source and your strength so much so, that God has promised, Pray to Me, seek Me and I will guide you. As it is written in Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you."  So, my friend, with God leading you and guiding you through each day of this year you are on your way to migrating through 2015 successfully. Always remember, we can and sometimes will fail, but God will never fail.

Peace to You,

Jacqueline

References:
http://www.doyouyoga.com/why-is-breath-so-important-in-yoga/

Pack Your Car for a Winter Emergency

You never know want to be stranded in your car in extreme weather conditions. But in case you are, here are a list of things you should pack in your vehicles trunk: blanket, towel, extra set of clothing and shoes, gloves, toilet paper, water or Gatorade, non-perishable food items; cellphone charger, flashlight and extra batteries, whistle, pencil/pen and paper, umbrella and poncho, emergency money (at least $20.00); first aid kit, duct tape, garbage bag, multi-tool or knife, ice scraper and a small snow shovel. By all means be sure to have on hand the usual car supplies to have year round like a car jack, tire iron, inflated spare tire, fix-a-flat, jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle. 

 

                                              Pack Your Heart for a Winter Emergency

Now, it’s one thing to have these kinds of items on hand if you are every stranded in your car in extreme weather, but you also need to spiritually prepared as well. Here are a few scripture verse to pack not just in your car, but in your heart and mind:

 

 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 

 

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:9-10 

 

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 

 

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 

 

 “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:17-18 

 

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12