This book is packed with great practical and helpful information on getting yourself into a healthier new you. I love the focus of this book because it examines stress eating and how much that can impact you if you are not careful about it. Let's just be real honest here, we live in a stress-filled world. How do we handle that stress? Do you think you are a stress eater? Find out by taking the quiz here.
Surprised by the results? I was. I had to own that I am indeed a stress eater and with that knowledge I can now do something about it. The great thing about this book is it is divided into four practical sections that are all there to aid in the process of better stress management. Each section is filled with great advice also on how to not be a stress eater. Unlike other books I have read in the past this one gives you a plan that you can easily follow. I now know what I have to do. It is a process. If you struggle with this in your life then you can get a copy of the book here.
See the authors' website here.
See what others are saying here.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Does This Look Like Your Church?
Loved this video because it really makes you think. What are your thoughts?
Monday, February 16, 2009
Leading Women Who Wound - Book Review
This book is an incredible resource. I believe it should be a required read for anyone leading women in ministry. I am a woman who has been severely wounded by others in the church. If I was given this book to read beforehand, it would have better prepared me for the task and ministry God had at hand. Unfortunately I had to learn many lessons the hard way.
This book was a breath of fresh air. Dealing with conflict in the church is such an important subject but more specifically conflict among women. God desires unity of the body of Christ. Because we women are so relational there is so much potential for us to fall into misunderstandings.
This book was a healing component to my journey. It opened my eyes to things that may have been going on behind the scenes in the conflicts I encountered. It walks through the appropriate way to Biblically solve conflict. It also addresses areas that can be handled incorrectly opening my eyes to my errors. God has given us a ministry of reconciliation and it is our job to be peace makers in ministry. In unity we are strong. This book addresses all of these key areas. Ladies if you are at all interested in ministry can I plead with you to read this book. It will help so much. Seriously if you were serving on my ministry team I would be buying it for you. It is so worth the read.
To get your copy go here.
To view the author's website go here.
To see what other bloggers are saying go here.
This book was a breath of fresh air. Dealing with conflict in the church is such an important subject but more specifically conflict among women. God desires unity of the body of Christ. Because we women are so relational there is so much potential for us to fall into misunderstandings.
This book was a healing component to my journey. It opened my eyes to things that may have been going on behind the scenes in the conflicts I encountered. It walks through the appropriate way to Biblically solve conflict. It also addresses areas that can be handled incorrectly opening my eyes to my errors. God has given us a ministry of reconciliation and it is our job to be peace makers in ministry. In unity we are strong. This book addresses all of these key areas. Ladies if you are at all interested in ministry can I plead with you to read this book. It will help so much. Seriously if you were serving on my ministry team I would be buying it for you. It is so worth the read.
To get your copy go here.
To view the author's website go here.
To see what other bloggers are saying go here.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Vertical Life
Hey y'all! I am now vertical and it is such an amazing privilege. How often we take life for granted. The little things like health, cleaning our house, cooking, driving, etc. Most days most of us would not give those regular activities a second thought. This past week I have had much time to think and be still. I am so thankful for the little things that I can do. Thanks so much for all your prayers and remember to be thankful in all things!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Being Still Part Three - A Psalm
More bed rest. More down time. Several days with the hopes of this spot properly closing up...Lumbar Puncture Gone Wrong A Psalm by Angela. :)
I am in a house filled with people yet feel so alone.
Waiting is hard. Being still harder. Time goes by
Be my everything Lord so I won't sit and cry.
Helpless to do anything. If I do it prolongs this
I am not sick yet treated as my health is amiss.
Lonely I feel. Perfect functioning yet no getting up
Doesn't anyone understand the heaviness of this cup?
I will hold on to God for He is always with me
He is here to keep me company yet His face I do not see
I trust with quiet confidence after all He is my prince,
my King, my Everything. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Lord.
I appreciate the quiet. I do not want to fight it. Lord, hold me close
Help this time be some I make the most of. Life is fast. Far gone is
the past. Enjoy each moment, it will be gone before you know it.
I am in a house filled with people yet feel so alone.
Waiting is hard. Being still harder. Time goes by
Be my everything Lord so I won't sit and cry.
Helpless to do anything. If I do it prolongs this
I am not sick yet treated as my health is amiss.
Lonely I feel. Perfect functioning yet no getting up
Doesn't anyone understand the heaviness of this cup?
I will hold on to God for He is always with me
He is here to keep me company yet His face I do not see
I trust with quiet confidence after all He is my prince,
my King, my Everything. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Lord.
I appreciate the quiet. I do not want to fight it. Lord, hold me close
Help this time be some I make the most of. Life is fast. Far gone is
the past. Enjoy each moment, it will be gone before you know it.
Journey of a Strong-Willed Child - Book Review
This was a great book for me personally to read. I have a strong-willed child. I wonder how many of you out there do as well? Whether you have one or not, it is probably safe to say you have been in contact with one. They are all around us. We need to know how to interact effectively with the strong-willed.
This book gives great insight into the mind and thinking pattern of the strong-willed child. It is unique in its presentation because the author has experienced life with a strong-willed child the whole way through. She uses practical examples all through different stages of life along with tips that a parent can use. Also, another interesting addition is the strong-willed child referenced but now grown adds his input as well. He can confirm what he was actually thinking and what was going on in his mind. This was extremely helpful to me because I just want to get into my child's head and figure out why she makes things so very hard. Aaron helps us to understand.
One more thing I loved about this book was that not only did mom and son add input but it was a family project. The father also added his input which is so important on this journey of raising children. He was an active force in the child-rearing as well and he shared his input into that as well. It is a wonderful family effort and a great read for anyone desiring to understand the strong-willed child.
To get the book on Amazon go here.
To see more about the author go here.
To see what others are saying go here.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Being Still Part Two
11:00 rolls around. Finally I get moved to a room. I am with a woman who seems to not want to talk to me or look at me as a person. I am a number. It is probably easier that way. But I was going to make myself known as a person. I am not a number nor is any patient in that hospital. I may be the 100th Lumbar Puncture done on this day but it is the first to me. I was determined. She will know me and I will know her. We are people and are the same.
As we conversed we got the technicals out of the way and started to finally talk about personal stuff. Our families, church, and even God. I believe God gave us that time. My procedure was suppose to take place at 10am. Now we have 11, 11:15, 11:30, 11:45 going by. An emergency happened in the hospital so it pushed me back even more. It was fine. My nurse had been hurt in a few local churches. She needed to experience the love of Christ. She was worth the wait. God loves her so. As for me, I just wanted quality care. Is that too much to ask for? I will wait for quality.
Noon rolled around and the doc came in then within 10 minutes he was gone. The procedure was done. It was time to roll me back to my room. I am passed off to others down the gurney road. I am at peace because I finally get to reunite with my husband. That brings me comfort, peace, and joy. On the third floor where he waits in my room. He is with a great nurse who keeps tabs on me. She keeps fresh coffee going, she jokes and laughs and is personal with us.
She even has to take blood but she is gentle. She cares. She loves. Big difference from the x-ray floor. I thank God for her.
I wait two more hours while my husband feeds me on my back. I drool but it doesn't gross him out. I whine a bit to him and he listens. He prays for me, He comforts me, He is God's example and perfect gift to me. He makes me laugh. He helps me feel great peace in these present trials.
We ride home. My man is a strict care taker. He is a follower of the rules. No exceptions. I lay flat for 24 hours. Yet I arise with head pain. It was not enough rest. I lay yet some more. Four days later I am still not healed from the puncture. I am leaking spinal fluid. I am having to lay flat for a few more days.
This time is good for reflection. Things slow to a stop when you are forced still. I reflect on my contentment in life. With or without these circumstances. God is teaching me to see Him in everything. I love Him for that. He is amazing. So, as I wait, I reflect. I pray to the God of all comfort. It is a good place to be in His arms. In His perfect peace and great comfort.
As we conversed we got the technicals out of the way and started to finally talk about personal stuff. Our families, church, and even God. I believe God gave us that time. My procedure was suppose to take place at 10am. Now we have 11, 11:15, 11:30, 11:45 going by. An emergency happened in the hospital so it pushed me back even more. It was fine. My nurse had been hurt in a few local churches. She needed to experience the love of Christ. She was worth the wait. God loves her so. As for me, I just wanted quality care. Is that too much to ask for? I will wait for quality.
Noon rolled around and the doc came in then within 10 minutes he was gone. The procedure was done. It was time to roll me back to my room. I am passed off to others down the gurney road. I am at peace because I finally get to reunite with my husband. That brings me comfort, peace, and joy. On the third floor where he waits in my room. He is with a great nurse who keeps tabs on me. She keeps fresh coffee going, she jokes and laughs and is personal with us.
She even has to take blood but she is gentle. She cares. She loves. Big difference from the x-ray floor. I thank God for her.
I wait two more hours while my husband feeds me on my back. I drool but it doesn't gross him out. I whine a bit to him and he listens. He prays for me, He comforts me, He is God's example and perfect gift to me. He makes me laugh. He helps me feel great peace in these present trials.
We ride home. My man is a strict care taker. He is a follower of the rules. No exceptions. I lay flat for 24 hours. Yet I arise with head pain. It was not enough rest. I lay yet some more. Four days later I am still not healed from the puncture. I am leaking spinal fluid. I am having to lay flat for a few more days.
This time is good for reflection. Things slow to a stop when you are forced still. I reflect on my contentment in life. With or without these circumstances. God is teaching me to see Him in everything. I love Him for that. He is amazing. So, as I wait, I reflect. I pray to the God of all comfort. It is a good place to be in His arms. In His perfect peace and great comfort.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Being Still
Why is it that difficult for us to just be still before God?
Yesterday I struggled with this more so than most days. I was in the hospital in my lovely gown with holes in it (get the visual here). I am not sick (hospital sick) but I have a test to do so it is procedure. I am rolled down hallways back and forth on this gurney and then parked. Not in a room but in a hallway with lots of other gurney patients waiting like me for various tests. The area is quiet. It is very sad. Most seemed pretty sick. And then there was me.
I wait. My test was scheduled for 10. 10:15,10:30,10:45...I wait. Remember we are in this hallway. The environment is depressing and it seemed not "pc" to talk or laugh. I counted tiles, holes in the ceiling, and various equipment on the wall. I could barely contain myself. Then it hit me. I could be using this time to pray. I could be here for that very purpose to pray for each one sick. I may be the only one praying. So I started looking at people and smiling and praying. One thing I did notice is as people walked past the hallway they tended to avoid eye contact with us gurney patients. I felt convicted because I often do the same. We don't want to see pain or sickness. We want to pretend it is not there. But as much as we want that to be the case there is a time that we have to realize that this is a very temporary life. We were not made to last here in this body. We all have to die. But it is a choice if we really chose to live.
As I sat there I wondered what the lives were like of these people? Who were they? Did they have children? Did they have a family? What are their hobbies? Some things I noticed the staff avoid. They see numbers of gurneys. Another test, another number. Yet, I made sure to be heard. I made sure to remind them that we are people not tests. I was a voice for the ones who didn't have the strength or voice. I cried out to our God the Great Physician. The Great Healer. He is the true healer. He heals as He chooses. It is up to Him. All things are in His hands. We have to hang on and trust. Do we? Are we still enough to listen?
Yesterday I struggled with this more so than most days. I was in the hospital in my lovely gown with holes in it (get the visual here). I am not sick (hospital sick) but I have a test to do so it is procedure. I am rolled down hallways back and forth on this gurney and then parked. Not in a room but in a hallway with lots of other gurney patients waiting like me for various tests. The area is quiet. It is very sad. Most seemed pretty sick. And then there was me.
I wait. My test was scheduled for 10. 10:15,10:30,10:45...I wait. Remember we are in this hallway. The environment is depressing and it seemed not "pc" to talk or laugh. I counted tiles, holes in the ceiling, and various equipment on the wall. I could barely contain myself. Then it hit me. I could be using this time to pray. I could be here for that very purpose to pray for each one sick. I may be the only one praying. So I started looking at people and smiling and praying. One thing I did notice is as people walked past the hallway they tended to avoid eye contact with us gurney patients. I felt convicted because I often do the same. We don't want to see pain or sickness. We want to pretend it is not there. But as much as we want that to be the case there is a time that we have to realize that this is a very temporary life. We were not made to last here in this body. We all have to die. But it is a choice if we really chose to live.
As I sat there I wondered what the lives were like of these people? Who were they? Did they have children? Did they have a family? What are their hobbies? Some things I noticed the staff avoid. They see numbers of gurneys. Another test, another number. Yet, I made sure to be heard. I made sure to remind them that we are people not tests. I was a voice for the ones who didn't have the strength or voice. I cried out to our God the Great Physician. The Great Healer. He is the true healer. He heals as He chooses. It is up to Him. All things are in His hands. We have to hang on and trust. Do we? Are we still enough to listen?
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Surprise of Christian Marriage - Marriage Monday-well Tuesday.
Whether you are a Christian or not marriage certainly comes with its share of surprises. Life is full of unexpected circumstances. Things we could classify as surprises. These come in the good and bad form.
The vows that we took on that blessed day were that nothing would separate us. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. On that blessed day we see our future as carefree. We do not even consider the "surprises" that may come our way.
I have experienced a deeper love through the surprises of uncertain circumstances. We have experienced all of those seasons, better, worse, rich, poor, sick, and well. Without the surprise of them I would not know what unconditional love really looks like. I know I am loved because real love, that unconditional God love is the kind that never fails. To me that is the biggest surprise and mystery of Christian marriage.
To see what others are saying go here.
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