A Quick Look at Stress

By Priscy Marie

Stress!  You feel it in your neck, your back, and head and all over your body.  You can even see it, like around your waist line.  It amazes me how during times of stress we either go on an involuntary fast or become compulsive overeaters and others’ bodies store fat during this involuntary fast and create unwanted insulation that is quite visible. UGH!!!! STRESS!  I feel bloated just thinking about it.  Even when it’s related to a good thing like a wedding or promotion, stress is, in itself, not desirable.  Why would God let us go through stress that makes our hair fall out or turn grey, our skin denourish and wrinkle up?  People can die from stress.  It kills us!

Is stress a sin?  Hmm… I wonder.  According to Webster’s dictionary it’s a constraining force or influence.  That does not sound pleasant to me at all.  When we stress, are we, sometimes, doubting that it will not work out well?  I believe that when we doubt that God will come through.  We are doubting God’s faithfulness and in essence doubting God and in that, sinning against Him.

Stress leads to frustration and frustration is work of the flesh.  I don’t know about you but I don’t want my flesh leading me anywhere.  When the flesh leads, it usually ends with time lost in regret from decisions hastily made. 

The truth is that God always makes a way and He tells us to cast our burdens on Him and that He will carry our load.  He is our God.  He is faithful.   He is the provider of all because He is the creator and we as His creation, are reapers of His provision, including constraining forces.  It’s great to know
that we don’t have to stress and that He actually prepares us before situations happen.  We just have to open our eyes to see that He’s there and has been there all along.  He never leaves us.  He is waiting for us, waiting for us to give Him our burdens. He tackles all the good and bad and ugly.  He takes it all and works it for our good.  All we have to do is love Him. And if love Him then follow His ways.  So, let’s stop stressing and regain our waistlines and youth.  Let’s live the life God wants us to live and not just believe He has us but KNOW it.           

Hesitant, yet hopeful

    We shall all remember Sunday, May 1, 2011, when the President of the United States announced the death of Al-Qeada leader, Osama Bin Laden.  We shall also remember the tragic events of September 11th, when so many were killed so quickly and unexpectedly.  These along with many others have marked the history of our nation, and the lives of thousands will never be the same.
 
  I remember wondering if the death of one man, can save a nation from the perils of terrorism that have changed our nation since 2001.  Will his death mean an end to the efforts of this group?  What does this mean for this "war on terror"? And I continued to ponder on a hundred, "What Ifs".

  While so many rejoiced upon the death of this man, I will admit I was hesitant.  I hesitated, not because of the questions that flooded my mind, but because this is a man, a life, for which Christ died for.  For, while we were all still sinners, Christ died for the ungodly, that includes Bin Laden.  Or have we forgotten that?
 
  He is one more life that was so overtaken by evil, that he slay so many lives without regard for the value of life. Did Bin Laden reap what he sowed? I would say yes, for the wages of sin is death.  It is an eternal death that all sin yields, if we do not remember, recognize and honor the One that died to free us from the slavery to sin and to give us life, Jesus Christ.

   Slavery to sin?? Yes, that's what it is. Bin Laden, was unable set himself free from the holds of sin, even if he wanted to.  He was bound to this evil, allowed hate to take root and bloom that which it did. Maybe it's not murder or overt evil that you foster, but what are you allowing to take root in your heart, and what is coming forth?

  So while I know that the evil that led Bin Laden is still around, the victory of his death is short lived.  I pray that those who are willing to foment the works of evil and hate will see how the life of one man only leads to death, including his own.  But that through us, be able to see that the death of another brings forth life, and Life Everlasting.

Yes, evil exist but Jesus Reigns! And His life -exemplary, His death -redeeming, His resurrection -transforming!

be blessed & a blessing,
Minda

 

Passover Me

By PriscyMarie

From Palm Sunday to Resurrection day, last week was a time of focused reflection on the sacrificial gift that is for every and anyone.  So, I’m thinking, how does God feel? Does He celebrate or feel sad or upset? I mean, he gave this great gift and so many refuse to receive it and those who do often only apply the salvation for eternity piece, not the healing and redemption for today. 

My question is; does God feel the same hurt when His gift is rejected in part as when it’s rejected completely?  Knowing what is to come, how does He suffer the heart break?  Can I comfort God? 

I don’t know the answer to my questions yet, but I don’t want to take the risk.  I don’t want to hurt Him anymore; though I am sure He can handle it.  I want to please Him.  I want it to be, sky opening, dove descending, voice from the heavenly kind of obedience.  He has endured more than enough from each of us.  Even the one who has done and thought the least wrong has completely offended and sinned and caused Him pain, He has to judge and sentence.
 
Have you ever thought how difficult that is?  He alone is God, He alone is perfect, and He alone is love.  His love brings forgiveness, and that brings us back to the cross, the terribly wonderful gift of the cross.

The life, death and glorification of Jesus the Christ; He died in the flesh so that I might also die to the flesh but LIVE in the spirit.  Just a few moments of thought on this provoke me to evaluate my heart and ask how am I treasuring Him?  It provokes me to ask you to do the same. 

The many shades of Red...yep that's me.

Hello everyone, Minda here! Pray you are well. 

As you know Priscy and I have been busily working on building our business the Pink Daisy Cafe ~ Studio Live. We have been blessed in going around the tri-state area ministering through, music, drama and the Word. We are also working diligently on some writings and some pretty cool products. Please keep us in your prayers! 

It has all been quite exciting!

For instance, this past weekend I had the opportunity to attend and serve as interpreter for In God's Image Ministry's annual Marriage Conference. I had expected to either sit by one or two who needed English translation or to go to a section in the back of the church and interpret just to that small group, however that was not the case. I was asked to interpret from the very altar of the church, which is not uncommon however, definitely unexpected.  So I approached the altar and was handed a microphone, began to interpret for the Husband and Wife team that were speaking to the couples.  It was going quite well, but soon enough I felt my face get warm and my mind and mouth not quite able to communicate or for that matter translate appropriately... I was red-faced, and the speaker paused, asked if I would be able to continue, I chuckled and said, I wondered that myself.  Everyone laughed. 

There I was a single woman, interpreting for these speakers who were tag teaming as they spoke, (that is tough enough) to these couples. That's when it hit me that they would be at some point talking quite frankly about sex and sexuality in a marriage (among other relevant topics).  In my naivete I had not really thought that it would come up, yes foolishness I know... however there I was all red-faced before a church full of couples awaiting to learn and grow, to improve their marriages.  So, I had to muster all of the composure that I could and continue on with the morning session.  By the end of the Session I was very calm and collected and during the lunch break I was asked if I would be alright to continue, as the next session was precisely about sexuality within the marriage. So I took the time during the lunch to just relax and pray that the Lord help me remember that these speakers are doctors and therapist and that this is what they do, I am simply relaying the message, in another language. While praying, God, please help my face not turn too many shades of red. 

While the afternoon session was definitely a bit, spicy it was done so with much respect and realness that I appreciated and I could tell that the couples present were able to enjoy, if their laughter was to be any indication.  So despite my red-face, I learnt quite a bit and feel all the more prepared to embark onward in my marriage, whenever that day shall come. Now before you get on me about that... let's just say that is a topic for another conversation and another day. 

Til later, Be blessed & a blessing!

Minda

SUGAR 3 - MINDA ??

It's been about two weeks since we closed out our fast, and 3 weeks since my ever increasing cravings began.  At the end of our fast, it went pretty well, it took me a while, ok like a day, to incorporate meats and sweets back into my diet.  That next day, after my dinner I was doing alright, but like 10 minutes later, I got this hankering, a longing, a deep desire for something oh so yummy... I began looking through the cupboards, and the fridge, then I opened the freezer, and as I moved things around, I found a box of Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake bars.

Just looking at the box took me back to days gone past when as a young girl I would get so excited that Mom picked some up for us or if on a Sunday, she or Dad would give us the special treat of letting us get one of them or an Orange Creamsicle from the corner store next to our church after services, to enjoy on the ride home.  Flooded with fond memories I go and reach for the box, and begin to wonder, when did these get here, I know I didn't buy them, did Priscy?... hmm no matter, I have my Shortcake bar and I am going to enjoy it!  So I opened it up and began to eat, and this my dear friends was just further proof that I am indeed addicted to sugar, God help me.  The ice cream bar was a bit well overly-frozen... it had that kind of aroma that one knows.. this is not the freshest of bars. I suppose that unlike a Twinkie with the shelf life of like 100 years, Shortcake bars, are much shorter than that.  However, my desire for sugar and all things sweet, overcame my doubts of the bar's freshness.

I took a big bite of the bar and as I suspected, it WAS overly-frozen and didn't taste as delectable as I had imagined or remembered. I took a step back and held onto the bar and looked at it and thought, "How could it be?? You look so good, remind me once more of your deliciousness" So I took another bite, still not the flavor I was going for, maybe the third bite has it.. nope not there either.   My fellow sugar addicts, it was just like that, that I succumbed to sugar, and lost the battle, with what was a somewhat stale or frostbitten strawberry shortcake bar.  I convinced myself that in eating that little bit that was left, I was not being wasteful, do not believe the hype! It was not good, and at the end did not satisfy and so off I went and ate a handful of Oreos, Dutch Sugar cookies with a nice glass of MILK... Do not let this happen to you my friends, learn from one who is slowly but surely overcoming the horrid grip that Sugar has.

 So my fellow recovering sugar addicts, while these past few weeks have been a challenge and as this commentary on just 1 day after my fast shows you anything is that, yes if I have a reason or a purpose to say NO, I will, I can and I have. However, it I have seen that for some reason, if I am not intentional, I will and I have succumbed to the savory goodness of all things sweet. Be it the shortcake bar that Sunday or the triple servings of cake tastings at the fellowship dinner this past Sunday, or even the fact that I had a Raspberry Creamy Cheese cake goodness type of dessert for lunch on Monday, when I was trying to see if I could reserve my dessert eating to just the weekends and holidays... UGH..

Tell me how your journey to Freedom is going... remember that maybe you as I have had a set back, or two or three.. we are called to be free!
And though I lost this one, or two battles the war is not over, and I know that in the end VICTORY shall indeed be MINE!

Sugar Addicts Unite!

Hello I'm Minda, and I'm Addicted to SUGAR!
I know that they say that most Americans are, but I have confirmed it and if I was a doctor or a nutritionist, I would certify it... and in my medical folder it would read: Minda is an Addict!
The Good Book says to not tell one hand of the other hand's doing, but I feel that this has been a growing time for me, as a fast should be. I have been fasting now for 3 weeks eating fruits and veggies and whole grains, I have gotten fairly used to the diet, and one's creativity really begins to flow after the first week, for the sake of not being bored with simply mashed potatoes every night. Or is that the point.. since you don't think of your meals.. you can concentrate on God, yeah.. He is still working on me! Progress is being made HALLELUYAH!!  

This time has been one of great reflection and I have seen the Lord move in great and mighty ways, and even in clarity and boldness in Him. It has been awesome!  However, considering the fact that I have not really had any processed sugars for the last three weeks, I have found myself these last few days eyeing every form of processed sugar you can imagine....ahhh JELLY! ohhh POP TARTS!!! Give me those BROWNIES! And right now I will be honest, I desire some Cake A la MODE!
I shall refrain from such things, until I am finished with my commitment unto the Lord, but it made me realize how addicted I am.  I mean, my naturalist told me I was, but I will be honest, I thought, she must tell that to everyone.  I humored her however and purchased these Sugar Control pills, that suppress your desire for sweets, those suckers really do work, I did not even think of sweets!

However I have not taken any of the pills during my fast, because isn't fasting about you using your own will power to have your spirit discipline your body?  So it is that as I am not taking them.. I realize I AM ADDICTED! and so I come to this place of a new epiphany... wherein recognizing that I have a serious addiction is the first step to being liberated, I ask you to join me as I ask for DELIVERANCE!!   Yes, I will always know that sweets are delectable, and that chocolate is good whether it melts in your mouth or in your hand, and if you have a Kit Kat or a Twix, while they are designed for sharing, not doing so is always appealing.   But I also recognize that too much of a sugary thing can cause health problems and we are to be good stewards over these earthly vessels we have been given... and while I long to see my Saviour, I also know that there is a great deal of work that He would have me do here on earth.

For we can have a taste, and not need  more. That soda, malta, kool-aid, sunny d, tang, or fanta be an occasional drink and not the norm. I know that we can have our fruit in forms other than pie, cookies or shakes!!!  I know we can do this!  So, will any fellow Sugar Addicts Unite, as we defeat a common foe.. that seems oh so friendly, but in so many ways tries and has controlled our lives!

Join me as Sugar Addicts Unite 

to be weaned from Sugar.  

His Love Perfected in us

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

JOHN 3:16-17

Earlier today I was reading the above passage, and taking time to reflect and dig deep as I read it. I paused for a moment as I read verse 16, John 3:16, such a well known verse, by both the believer and non-believer alike. As I read it, my eyes drew near to the words 'so loved', "For God SO LOVED the world..."  and I began to wonder, How exactly is the love that the Father has towards and for us?

A prayer almost spontaneously began, for the Father to allow me to know all the more His love. 

This took me to other parts of the Word and I began to Read 1 John 3 & 4.  I have read these verses time after time, but today I read them with new eyes... and while it was known information, it spoke to me in a clearer way.

In chapter 3 we see that Christ laid his life down for us, for his great love for us... and so in turn he calls us to love one another, and it is this love that has us pass from death to LIFE.  Thus, without Love we remain in death.  LOVE is Active and produces LIFE!

Therefore LOVE is a Verb, so we are to love with actions & in Truth!

When we move on to chapter 4, we see that This very Love comes from God, and if one knows Love, then we know God, for God is LOVE.  

God=Love!

And he sent His son as a sign of that Love.  And because God loves us, we ought to love one another... what an inference!  It is by us walking out and exhibiting this Love for one another that we can see that God LIVES IN US and His love is made complete, or perfected within us.

But God is perfect & complete, as is His love, so then, how can it be MADE COMPLETE or PERFECT? perchance it means that because within us, imperfect us, we hold back or rather not give room for His love to fully exhibit itself, BUT GOD still loves us, imperfect us, quite perfectly, and it just shows all the more how perfect is His love!

And the Word goes on to say that we know & rely [depend] on the love God has for us, WHY? 

Because God is love, who ever lives in Love, lives in God & God in Him,

and it is in this way that HIS love is COMPLETED in us! 

And then I read on to verse 18, this was like AHHH, that had me going leaps and bounds... 

1 John 4:18

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

Which took me to 

*2 Timothy 1: 7

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid [spirit of fear], 

but gives us power, love and self-discipline"

*Romans 8:15

"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; 

rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. 

And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.” "

for the Lord is Love and has given us LOVE... and not fear, therefore fear not!! he has given us LOVE, POWER & SELF DISCIPLINE. What a package, comes with His love, so much so, that He calls us His Children, upon the receipt of His love!  How amazing is His love! Let us bask in it for a moment....

ah...

As I read 1 John 4:18 again we see that the Word says, Fear has to do with Punishment, however this takes us back to John 3:17 we see that:

 "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 

but to save the world through him."

So this fear that we are speaking of here, could not come from the Lord...this was speaking to my heart so loudly and clearly... Sin = Death, this is the punishment for our sin, But we are redeemed by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, for he took upon Him our sins, every single one, and the punishment of our sins that is, DEATH, when He, Christ died on the Cross. So upon receiving Christ I am set free from the slavery of sin and therefore slavery of fear of the punishment to come, but in turn, I have been given the Spirit of LOVE! Love = Life

If you live in fear, in whatever form it takes, from a lil here or a lil there, or heck a lot a bit in other areas... we know by the Word, that God's who is LOVE, shared with us His LOVE, which Pushes away, out of our minds, hearts and very lives, any and all fear.

let His love be perfected in you... let his love grow, and push out all fear.. so that His love may be perfected in you!

Help me expound on this.. what are your thoughts

Be Blessed, 

Minda