Be Strong Ministries Blog

My intention was to get to church early for a change. The services have been increasingly crowded making it nearly impossible to get seats together. On this sunny summer afternoon, with nothing on the to-do list, I longed for my quiet time with God in His holy sanctuary. 

The kids and I were showered, dressed and ready so early we had time to spare. I stole away to my swinging hammock in the shade and broke open a summer read.  Before long the eyelids grew heavy and drowsiness overcame my desire to read but sleep would not be happening so quickly.  Suddenly my beautiful bouncy girls, ages 13 and 8, bounded into my peaceful refuge.  They snuggled under my arms, each resting a precious mound of hair tenderly upon my shoulders. 

The setting could not have been more perfect honestly.  A gentle breeze blew over us with butterflies gliding past towards their bush. My little one feared the bees would come near, but they never did, nor flies, mosquitoes or other annoying pests that often disrupt the tranquility of a summer hammock swing.  It was simply heavenly, lying there with my two wonderful daughters as they, rather we, fell into a silent slumber, out there in the midst of nature. 

The minutes passed and I awoke with a start thinking it was time to pack up and head out for church.  But as I glanced at the two angels on my shoulders I thought, this indeed was a holy moment.  My thoughts ascended to the open sky above as I contemplated the need to seek a “holier” place in the sanctuary when clearly this was LOVE in the moment. This was Love, and Peace, Trust and Gentleness, all wrapped up in the arms of one lucky mother. 

Maybe some mothers out there get to lie down with their teenage daughters in moments of tenderness. Perhaps there home is not adrift with sibling squabbling and fighting.  Unfortunately, my kids too often choose bickering over compromise and avoidance over cooperation, so when a special moment of affection arises - it is rare.

My conversation with God at that moment on the hammock was one of gratefulness, but also compassion and understanding.  I knew in my heart that this awesome connection with my daughters was one to cherish and revel in.  His amazing heart would forgive the missed service (and even provide another opportunity to visit Him just 16 hours later.) My decision to forgo the sacredness of His sanctuary and the communal worship of the congregation, was made. THIS moment in time was to be embraced and used to worship and praise God, in place of ritual and tradition. My home had become, most definitely, A Holy Place, as I whispered grateful words of praise and glory.

May you find God in the holiness of the beautiful sanctuary, but also experience His awesome presence and love in the gifts of butterflies, children, silence, hammocks and more.  Embrace every last moment of summer!

“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes,

 in undisturbed places of rest,” says the Lord.    Isaiah 32:18

As we stretched and strengthened in the beautiful sunshine this past May at our first Be Strong outdoor event, I talked about working out. Not just exercising our bodies through physical fitness, but putting our faith into action and strengthening our spiritual muscles.

We’ve all heard lessons about trust, forgiveness, serving, perseverance and love. We teach our children to embrace these values and are quite familiar with how to execute them, we say.  But the funny thing about our God, as much as he wants us to KNOW about these attributes, He’s more interested in having us PRACTICE them. 

Listening, learning and knowing are great, but actually performing these actions is the true test of one’s faith.  It’s like joining a gym.  It’s one thing to have full knowledge of how all the exercise equipment works, but it is useless unless you actually get out there and do the exercises.

And so it is with our faith.  God presents us with opportunities to practice what we proclaim to believe. Call these trials or tests, for some they are serious struggles and for others it is a gentle reminder that God expects us not to just talk about being a Christian but to act as one. 

During these difficult situations we get to make choices. Will we choose:

trust over fear?

forgiveness over resentment?

peace over retaliation?

humility over self-righteousness?

giving over receiving?

caring over indifference?

and perseverance even when things seem to be going in the completely opposite direction of what we’re desiring?

Even Paul, with his incredible steadfast faith, had many trials to face and he pleaded with God to remove the pain. Listen to what God said.  2 Cor 7 ^“there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

As we sang in church today, “Your grace is enough,” I realized this song stems from God’s message to Paul, and thru Paul, to us, that God’s grace is sufficient for us. Managing trials is simply giving our faith a work out. With the grace and love of Christ working in and through us, we have the strength to do all things and make the right choices.

A good friend reminded me of a humorous way of looking at trials and tests recently. You know that beeping sound that comes from the Emergency Broadcasting System on the radio. “This is a test. This is only a test.” Consider life’s trials the same way, without panicking, but with a sense of trust that you can and will pass this test, not in your own strength, but with the grace and strength of Christ working through your veins, your heart, your soul.

Right on my desk is an orange post-it. It reads, “BEEP… this is a test. This is only a test (of faith). Forgive, love, trust!! Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

This is a test. This is only a test, not of the Emergency Broadcasting System, but of your Eternal Belief System. BELIEVE, forgive, love, trust, and BE STRONG!

“Two are better than one, for one can help the other to succeed. If one falls, the other will reach out and help.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)

 “Put down those cocoa puffs, pick up that wheat toast with light butter and orange juice. Today is a brand new day! You can do it! Start off the day right and push yourself towards your goal of a more fit, healthier YOU!”  the email read.

Wow! My first message from my new fitness friend. 

Yesterday I embraced the challenge I gave to everyone in our Be Strong Ministry class on Friendship.  I asked a neighbor to be my fitness friend and encourage me to reach my goal of being healthier and losing 7 lbs. by May 1. I needed someone with a can-do attitude who would motivate me to work out, celebrate my accomplishments, push me to be a stronger person, hold me accountable and remind to make healthy choices.  I wasn’t sure of the response I would get from the email request, but my friend eagerly agreed and asked me to support her in return.  I just put Ecclesiastes 4:9 into practice, I thought, knowing my chances for success just doubled!  “Two are better than one, for one can help the other to succeed. If one falls, the other will reach out and help.” 

Today in Be Strong Ministries we reflected on the importance of friends in our lives, how they contribute to who we are and help us survive this journey called life.  Even in ancient times women relied upon their girl friends for support, encouragement, clarity and to share joy.  Just look at the Daughters of Jerusalem in the Song of Solomon and the significant role they played in steadying and steering the enamored bride in this intense love story, Song of Songs 1-8.  Women need each other.  How good of God to make this clear in His word.

Then we looked at the deep and abiding friendship of David and Jonathon.  What an example Jonathon set for how to be a true friend, 1 Sam. 18 1-5.  He was not jealous, but generous, not envious, but encouraging and with Jonathon’s help and support, David was able to do all that God had intended.

Every woman today should have a diversity of friendships for the many different parts of herself and different occasions in her life.  Each friend is different, with the ability to bring the outside world to you in unique ways and each lets you display a different part of your personality.  Have a range of friends from colleagues at work, to neighbors, party buddies, to soul mates, prayer partners, etc.

These friends will encircle you like a life raft and help you to stay afloat when one of life’s crazy waves comes crashing in on you.  That happens.  If something happens to your marriage, your friends are your life raft.  If something happens to your health, your friends are your life raft.  If something happens to your child, your friends are your life raft.

If your girlfriends are not near by, just knowing they are praying for you can be life-saving as well.  We looked at the power of praying for ones friends by reflecting on what happened to Job. Job 42:7-10 “The Lord restored the prosperity of Job after he had prayed for his friends.”  We are called to be intercessors for our friends. In the midst of our beautiful and peaceful Be Strong yoga workout, we paused on our knees to pray for our dear friends this week.

Well I’m headed off to plug in an exercise DVD as it’s raining outside. Having a fitness friend gives me so much more motivation.  If I don’t do it, I suspect she will remind me, but that’s OK, for the bible tells us, Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens his fellow man.”  A true friend helps another to grow and be a better, stronger person, even if it hurts. 

The truth is you will develop into a stronger person by having friends, even ones who hurt you. They allow you to put the principles of peacemaker and forgiveness into practice.  And true, true loyal friends, (Proverbs 18:24) well with them you can experience the joy of fun and laughter, know the power of encouragement and support, feel the benefits of prayer and the ultimate, touching, uplifting, and empowering beauty of love.  Be Strong My Friends!

Ralph Waldo Emerson:   “The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.”

Can you picture the greatest party of the universe? 

Just imagine: the brightest, sparkling lights ever; the most beautiful harmonious music where every voice is raised with triumphant joy; an outpouring of devotion and passionate energy bursting forth from each and every beaming smile; hearts burning with the fire of adoring love.  Oh I bet the angels in heaven know how to rejoice each year at this time, celebrating the birth of their King, their Lord, their Love!

Listen to the words of the angel of the Lord who spoke to lowly shepherds many years ago, “I’m hear to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide. A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger. At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:  Glory to God in the heavenly heights. Peace to all men and women on earth who please him!” Luke 2:10-14

Everybody, from the East to the West, the poor and the rich, the young and the old, all people are meant to share in the glorious excitement of the Christmas season for He is our Savior, our Redeemer, our Love!

While we may be mortal human beings, separate and distinct from angels who are 100% spirit, that should not deter us from acting like angels, especially this season. Choose thoughts, words and actions that will bring honor and glory to our Lord, and joy and peace to all those on earth.

Saint Theresa of  Lisieux put it nicely, “Let us not be justices of the peace, but angels of peace.”

In Be Strong this week, we verified the existence of angels by reflecting on what the church teaches and the many instances in which angels helped mankind throughout history.  We also took a look at the many functions that angels serve.

As messenger; like in Luke 1:19 where the angel Gabriel communicated with Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, ”And the angel answered him, ‘I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you , and to bring you this good news.” 

As deliver of God’s commands as in Acts 8:26-29  “But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert road. And he rose and went.”

As a notary of impending disaster. Genesis 19:15  “When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” 

And as a guard and protector; Psalm 91:11-12  “For He will give His angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” 

Throughout our lives God’s angels are encamped with us, (Psalm 34:8) and based on the words of Jesus himself (Matthew 18:10) we believe there is a unique guardian angel protecting and shepherding us through life. 

So here’s a question for you?  How thrilled would your Guardian Angel be to see you celebrating Christmas angel style this year?  Go ahead, make them proud!  Herald your voice, raise your hands, open your heart and lift your whole being to the heavens in glorious praise and thanksgiving to the King of Angels himself.  I’ve got a hunch that with every declaration of Glory to God in the highest, you’ll soon be experiencing more peace on earth.  J

TWENTY ONE.   No I’m not thinking of playing Black Jack, or the age at which my children can consume alcohol, or the type of gun salute a hero would deserve.  Twenty one is the number of people we are serving for Thanksgiving dinner this year.

My first reaction to this unprecedented crowd was panic and stress.  One could easily expect chaos, confusion, clutter and be fearful about the upcoming locomotion of activity that will be steamrolling into our home in just a few short days.  But after reading Melody Beattie’s statement about Gratitude this week in Be Strong, my perspective has softened and even turned to joyful anticipation. 

She said:

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. I can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

I am so grateful for childhood memories of my aunts, uncles and cousins coming to visit my mom, brother and I for the holidays.  It was just the three of us after my dad died but those endless games of wiffle ball, football and tree climbing with my seven cousins will never be forgotten.  They made our small world feel large and our tender hearts feel embraced and loved with so many smiles, laughs, hugs, jokes, pinched cheeks and tickled bellies. 

Now it’s my turn! 

All my precious nieces and nephews gathered here in (hopefully) sunny North Carolina.  I’m so grateful everyone is healthy enough to come.  I’m so grateful I don’t have to sit in some of the worst traffic of the year.  I’m so grateful we have a home big and warm enough to hold all these people and I’m thankful we can afford to buy the food to feed them.  When I look at the holiday with this attitude of gratitude the stress melts away and the excitement builds!! 

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 118:29

I have to give all the thanks to the one in charge, my Lord God.  He certainly has taken care of me in the past.  He’s graciously providing for all of us this present holiday and I look forward to the wonderful things He has in store for us in the future.  He is so good.  I just love Him. His love does endure, forever.

For some, this year may be harder than previous years due to the economic climate,  but we must remember the words of St. Paul to the Thessalonions 5:13 “Give thanks in ALL circumstances.” It’s easy to do once you do what we did in Be Strong this week, restore your alertness to the numerous blessings all around.  Simply find something sense-sational to be grateful for, i.e. the scent of cinnamon, the hue of autumn leaves, the morning song of birds, the feel of the warm sun, and the incredible taste of… chocolate.  Whatever your individual senses fancy, be thankful for it!

We were very grateful to Michele our skilled yoga instructor who lead us in unique poses this week allowing us to thank God with our hearts and bodies.  During the beautiful Sunflower yoga pose we stretched our arms to the heavens in gratitude and bowed in worship & praise. Through Camel pose we opened our hearts to the Lord with sincere appreciation and thanks for all our blessings, including the most precious, the life and love of Jesus himself.

Recognizing the consumption of extra calories this week, our Be Strong Challenge is to get outside and walk, walk, walk.   Not only will you get that healthy heart pumping, you won’t be able to miss the bountiful blessings of God’s creation all around you.  Just remember to whisper those favorite words that He loves to hear with each step along the way…thank you, thank you, thank you.

May God bless you and your families on this Thanksgiving holiday and THANK YOU for being involved with Be Strong Ministries!

With gratitude and love,

Lisa

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Matthew 5:7

It was my junior year of high school.  I was in love.  His name was Brett and he was my first boyfriend.  Yes first.  Not until I was fifteen did the boys start to notice me. Each year I’d attend the school dances with guy “friends” but never anybody I was interested in, or visa versa, except for my junior year.  Brett and I attended our first dance together and I was in seventh heaven.  We exchanged boutonnières and corsages, took pictures and danced the night away.  He was so cool!

Three months into our relationship, something changed.  He stopped calling; didn’t visit me at work at the grocery store; ignored my calls.  I knew something was up, but was not sure what it was.  Until I saw him in his little yellow mustang drive right by my house, pick up my best friend from across the street and drive out again. 

CRACK!

That was the sound of my heart breaking.  My best friend and my boyfriend now out together without me!  I raced across the street to her house and asked her mom if she was home.  She said no, so I told her I’d wait for her in her bedroom if she didn’t mind and I sat there, weeping.  How could she do this to me? How could he?  (Oh the drama of 16 year old love.)  They burst through the bedroom door once her mother told her I was waiting and I lost control of my emotions.  Shouting and crying, pounding my fists into his chest and then tearing away committed to never again speaking to either of them.

A year and half later, I got accepted to the university I was dreaming of attending and had to share the joy with my “former” best friend. I just couldn’t hold it in.  She knew how badly I had wanted to go there.  I left a poster on the back of our car that she was sure to pass when getting off her school bus, declaring, “I got into Syracuse!”  She would know who it was from.  Sure enough she called me to congratulate me and we talked for the first time in what seemed like ages. 

I decided in my heart it was time to forgive her, despite never receiving an apology.  I asked my mother, do you have to forgive even if they don’t say they’re sorry?  The answer is yes.  You have to forgive them.  Just as Jesus forgave his persecutors in the midst of them torturing Him, we are to extend mercy and forgiveness even to those who don’t apologize. 

Ironically, two years later I went on to be one of the bridesmaids in my girlfriend’s wedding, to another man of course!

This week Be Strong Ministries was all about Mercy and Forgiveness.  We looked up Matthew 6:14 and Mark 11:25 which illustrate our need to forgive in order to be forgiven.  Forgiveness and mercy are not mere requests by Jesus. They are a requirement if we expect our own sins to be forgiven.  This can be hard sometimes, especially when the offender does not show any remorse, but that’s when we call upon the power of Christ and let the Holy Spirit in to help.

Together we read Psalm 51 and asked the Lord to help us extend mercy out to all others, without discrimination, and then forgive us our personal transgressions through petition and prayer.  The joy of the Lord filled the room as our hearts were cleansed and our steadfast spirits renewed.   It was truly a great way to prepare for the upcoming holiday of Giving Thanks!

Psalm 28:7  “The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.”

     With my bloody, panicked 7 year old daughter in the back seat, I raced like Jeff Gordon across town to the closet Urgent Care I could find. My hysterical baby had an open, bleeding gash just next to her eye.  As I drove, I repeated my plea to God, “Please Lord don’t let her need stitches. Please no stitches. Please just a butterfly bandage or derma-glue. She won’t be able to handle stitches and neither will I. Please God no stitches.” 

      By the grace of God, the urgent care was miraculously empty and the desk manager let us right in after seeing the bloody gauze.  The doctor arrived and upon first glance she murmured, “Oh yeah,” then turned to the supply cabinet.  My eyes popped open in distress, “What does oh yeah mean?”  She replied, “Oh yeah, she needs stitches all right.”  Just then this petrified wounded little child leapt from the table and ran for the door crying and shouting, “NO, NO stitches!” She grabbed me by the hand, pulled my face down to hers and looked me right in the eye saying, “Mommy please take me out of here.”

          Have there been times you have turned to God, your loving parent, and asked to please be set free from a painful situation? Please make it end, please get me out of this? 

          I responded to my baby with the same words I imagine God uses with us.  “We can’t leave honey, this is what you need.  Be strong and courageous and trust me.  Just trust me.”  My 7 year old could not comprehend the benefits of stitches, she only knew there was pain. 

          How often do you go through trials, crying out to the Father in fear and pain, not being able to comprehend the benefits of temporary suffering? Our human minds, in comparison to God’s mind, are so limited, like a child’s in comparison to an adult’s.  Yet we know what He wants us to do, just like we tell our kids, BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, (Joshua 1:9) and TRUST HIM.

          My sweetie freaked out for a bit, but finally she laid back, received the needle of lydocane and 5 stitches through her skin. She focused on me the whole time. Looking at me she amazingly got through it.  We got through it.

          How similar is our relationship with our Lord? Asking our loving father to spare us from the anxieties and suffering of this world. Praying for our way, (there was no way I wanted those stitches) but ultimately learning that we need to trust Him and His will, for His way is the better way and He will get us through it. Focus on Him. Look to Him.  He is our strength and our shield.

     I didn’t pray for strength, I prayed for a butterfly patch. Yet by the grace of God I was miraculously, and surprisingly, strong. I didn’t pass out, I didn’t freak out. The Lord was my strength.   Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength, my shield (protecting me from harm.)  My heart trusts in Him and I am helped.”

     Are there situations in your life right now that may require extraordinary strength? In Be Strong Ministries this week, we learned where to turn for just such strength.  1. The Scriptures - Nourish your soul with God’s word for an outpouring of His grace, love and strength. This “text,” the bible, is the way He communicates with you, letting you know that no matter what situation you are in, the Lord God is with you wherever you go.  (Joshua 1:9)  You can do all things, through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13) because the Lord is your strength.  Trust in Him and you are helped. (Psalm 28:7).

     As Mother Theresa pointed out, her amazing strength comes from prayer. Psalm 138 reminds us, “When I cry out you answer me and encourage me by giving me the strength I need.”  Any time, any where, prayer is powerful.  Use it!

     The Be Strong yoga workout this week definitely pushed us to strengthen our muscles, particularly our biceps in repeated efforts to do push ups, boat pose and other core strengthening postures.

     The Be Strong Challenge, hydrate with more water, should strengthen the body with all the health benefits of increased water consumption.  So drink that water, nourish your soul with prayer, feed on the word of God to strengthen you and remember God tells YOU what I told my little girl,  “Be Strong and Courageous, and Trust!”

Acts 20:35  Paul reminds us of Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

The doorbell rang and the kids stormed towards it to answer it.  No one was there.  Sitting on the front porch was a blue treat bag, containing candy and gum, and a picture of a friendly ghost.  We had been BOO’ed!  Out on the floor, the contents were dumped as my three monsters scavenged over the goods.  The Kit Kats went first. Then the gummies, and then a look of disappointment as this bag was clearly not filled to capacity like in previous years. 

After a short pause, the excitement and clamoring began again.  This time they realized it was our turn to BOO someone, to create and give our own bag of treats.  My oldest ran to the copy machine to make xeroxes of the friendly BOO ghost. My son and 7 year old daughter grabbed our green Frankenstein and orange pumpkin baskets and started collecting every Halloweeny item in sight.  These guys were determined to make their baskets great, filled with candy, scarecrows, Dracula teeth and plastic spiders.  

A family discussion narrowed down our choice of recipients for the BOO baskets. The kids got even more excited as they imagined the faces of their specific friends light up with surprise and joy!  A trip to CVS completed our adventure where they selected what they hoped would be their friends’ favorite treats.  I admired how they put thought into avoiding the gum for the child with braces and adding chocolate for the moms J (ok that was my suggestion.)   

That evening we bundled our babes up in dark, warm clothes and planned our strategy for the great BOO giveaway.  Out the door they ran, hiding in the shadows of the house. Three attempts were made to secretly reach the doorway without being noticed through the glass panels on the front door.  On the third dash, the doorbell was pressed and all ran full speed giggling and hiding back into the shadows.  After I gave the signal that all was clear (a blinking front porch light) the kids crashed through the door with shouts of excitement and joy!  Their hearts with filled with glee at the thrill of giving, especially so secretly.  The act of receiving paled in comparison to this emotional high of giving!

Jesus knows how good a heart feels when it gives.  The simple act of kindness not only affects the receiver in profound ways, but brings heartfelt joy and blessings to the giver as well.

This week we looked at the definition of blessing; an acknowledgement of sacredness that is already present.  It is or contains a touch of the Creator upon that person or object or situation.  A touch of the Creator.  Whenever God touches something, He blesses it. He brings the Holy Spirit upon it and from it emerges bounteous life and goodness. 

We discussed how we should be a blessing to receive blessings.  (1 Peter 3:8)  The perfect illustration being how God sent an angel to me, while I was in the midst of trying to help one friend through the tragedy of losing her home to a massive fire.  This angel friend, who briefly appeared on the scene, was the source that lead me to our amazing, graceful and gifted yoga instructor today, Michele.   In the midst of trying to be a blessing, I received one as well.

God’s generosity is beyond our comprehension, including the ultimate gift of His son.  With beautiful, peaceful music playing, we spent a few moments counting our blessings today; anyone, thing or situation that has brought goodness or God-ness into our lives.

During the yoga workout, with every grateful thought, prayer, movement and breath, we silently thanked God for His generosity and all of our blessings.  It was a beautiful conclusion to our 6 week Be Strong session. 

We hope you will join us for the next Be Strong Ministry starting November 3.  Yoga and prayer might be just the blessing you need to reduce stress and stay balanced during the upcoming holiday season. 

May the LORD bless you, and keep you;

May the LORD make His countenance shine upon you, and be gracious to you;

May the LORD turn His countenance to you and grant you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

With love and gratitude for being a blessing to me,

Lisa

     A long time ago when I was 8 years old I vividly remember asking God the same question Job asked – WHY? I was sitting in my bed, pushed up against the corner wall right next to the window and I looked out into the darkness. Staring into the stars, I begged for an answer.

     Why did you take my daddy from me? 

     Several months prior my 42 yr. old father was killed in a car accident.  After work one day, his car didn’t start so he asked a friend for a ride home. The young driver was a diabetic who passed out at the wheel, lost control of the car and crashed into a tree. 

     At first after I learned about the car accident I was strong, able to carry on with life, school, friends.  I didn’t want to upset my mom or little brother with tears, weakness or fear.  But after several months of carrying this heavy burden, I crumbled, with grief and with anger.  Why would God let this happen?

     I wanted answers, we all want answers, just like Job wanted answers for his suffering.  I wish I could say that a thundercloud spoke to me.  But it did not.  It spoke to Job, and as I later learned, God’s response to Job is His response to me, to all of us, as well. Do not question divine actions!  They are beyond our capacity and comprehension.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor my ways your ways.”  Isaiah 55:8

     If we’re looking for wisdom, ”it starts with fear of the Lord,” looking to God with awe and reverence. (Proverbs 1:7) His guidance can help us with our decision making but our quest should always begin with the right attitude-humility, and a sincere heart that has complete respect for the almighty Lord that He is.  This is where we start.

     And then simply ask God for wisdom.  James 1:5  “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

     After that step 3 is critical: Trust!  Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

     Sure enough, when your heart is open and your mind is clear, God will present His wisdom, just as He did to me.

     For additional words of wisdom from authors we didn’t have time to quote in our Be Strong class, see below and enjoy!

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.  Helen Keller

No one can make you feel inferior, without your consent.  Eleanor Roosevelt

Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death. A. Einstein

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.  Nelson Mandela

I can’t believe that God put us on this earth to be ordinary.  Lou Holtz

What I know is, is that if you do work that you love, and the work fulfills you, the rest will come.  Oprah

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.   Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Your  Be Strong Challenge: Increase your Omega-3 intake, either through salmon, walnuts or kiwi fruit. You can also use canola oil or walnut oil instead of vegetable oil.  Intellectual performance is affected most by the fat often found in fish, known as omega-3 fatty acids. A growing amount of research suggests that the omega-3s are best for optimal brain function; improving concentration, tuning motor skills, increasing motivation, magnifying memory and even preventing brain aging.

     If taking a fish oil supplement, the EPA/DHA content is what you want to look for; the lower the numbers, the less expensive the product.  Dr. Barry Sears, a nationally recognized “Fish Oil Guru” recommends the minimum ratio is 400 EPA and 600 DHA.  If the ratio is lower then you’re wasting your money.  The ratio on “Arctic Cod Liver Oil,” a recommended supplement, is 410 EPA and 625 DHA. Fish oil should be taken at night, when the heart is at rest and does most of its repair work.

     Be wise, be healthy, be strong! See you next week!

     Lisa

Each week after a Be Strong Ministry session I wonder to myself, am I making a difference? Are people listening and making changes to their lives to be stronger, both physically and spiritually, or am I just there – as the preamble to an exhilarating yoga workout that Michele leads?  Do people put up with my talk, waiting for the good stuff, the stretching, toning and strengthening?

I realized today though, after I took those few precious moments to reflect on my dreams, that regardless of how many others may be making lifestyle alterations, I myself am changing and growing beyond belief.  Maybe that is what God wants me to do after all. 

We talked about the value of dreams today and the number of people who followed their dreams, making a significant impact on the world, even in mid-life and beyond.  Martin Luther King, JFK,  Nelson Mandela, Charles Lindbergh, Julia Childs.  After seeing the movie Julie & Julia, Julia Childs mid-life transformation was such an inspiration for me. It was proof that dreaming has no age limits!

According to Jeremiah 29:11, God has plans for our lives.  We are to use the unique strengths He has given us and become the perfect creation He’s growing us to be so we can accomplish His dream; to be an instrument in which the melody of God takes shape;  playing our special part in His musical masterpiece.

Keeping in mind our desire to fulfill God’s will, we asked ourselves some interesting questions today.  We drafted our own personal “bucket lists” of things we want to do and see before we die.  Going deeper still, we answered, “If you can do or be anything, without regard to money or any limitations, what would you do?”  Our journal answers included several responses relating to various areas of life.

One of my dreams is to be a truly FUN parent, to play with my kids, whether it’s kickball, tennis, catch or 4-square.  I may be the only mama out there in the driveway serving up a mean round of 4-square, but if that makes my child smile and that’s what they remember about me, then I accomplished my dream.

Time doesn’t always permit playfulness, but today after I cleaned up from dinner, I sat down at my computer to write this blog while my kids laughed in the driveway.  I decided to take my own advice, rearrange my priorities a bit, and start accomplishing my dream immediately. Out to the driveway I headed for a great round of tennis with the gang and you know what, not only did I sense they were thrilled by my involvement, but I was thrilled to watch their teamwork and comradery.  It’d been a while since I’d actually seen them cheering each other on and giving high fives.

By following our dreams that hopefully match the will of our Father, I’m convinced not only will we find the desires of our heart, (Psalm 37:4), God has a way of blessing others through us.  Just ask my kids todayJ

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

Today’s verses:

• Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.”
• Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” 
• 1 Cor 9:24 – “Run as if to win. Do not run aimlessly.”
• Isaiah 40:30-31 “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.”

Michele, our yoga instructor, challenged us to accomplish more than we ever have in yoga before with the Eagle Pose standing up, and the Crow Pose trying to balance on our forearms.   By visualizing our success and taking one small step at a time we stepped out of our comfort zones into new territory.  Some of us successful, some not, but all enjoying the journey.

The Be Strong Challenge for this week on Dreams:  Get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Studies have shown that getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night can be beneficial for your health in many ways.  A good night’s sleep can do the following:

1. Make your heart healthy.
2. Help prevent cancer.
3. Reduce stress.
4. Bolster your memory.
5. Help you lose weight.
6. Helps the body make repairs.
7. Reduce inflammation.

Here are some tips to help you get those magic 7-8 hours of sleep. Pick one and try it this week.

1. Turn off the computer and/or TV at least one hour before you want to fall asleep. 
2. Turn on some music that you find relaxing.
3. A good book.  Try to stay away from stories that get your mind dwelling on things that you deal with during the day.
4. Imagery.  Picture a viewpoint where you are traveling down the road.  See your thoughts as signposts that you are passing.  Concentrate on letting them pass right by.
5. Warm bath using lavender oil, soap and/or creams.  Lavender contains natural relaxing properties.
6. Chamomile tea.
7. Write away worries during the day.  Plan out solutions for problems on paper rather than in your mind at night.
8. Exercise.  Exercise can promote more restful nights.
9. Avoid caffeine late in the day.
10. Stretching routine.  Gentle stretching several minutes before getting into bed can help induce sleep.

Sweet Dreams y’all!

Lisa