Author: sharon

“Eyes”

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“Eyes”

Words can never communicate what a shared look can say.  We need to practice the powerful communication of love by looking each other in the eye with that love with which Christ fills our heart.  Let us touch the soul of another person with the gentle look of love and acceptance.

We would all be amazed at how much good a look of love can bring to our world.  It might even become contagious.

“The eye is the lamp of the Body.  If the eye is good your whole body will be filled with light, but if your eyes are bad your body will be filled with darkness, how great that darkness.” Matthew 6: 22-23

“WILD”

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“WILD”

by Cheryl Strayed

This National Bestseller tells the story of Cheryl Strayed and her search for something, anything that would help her sort through the death of her mother, the scattering of her family, and her marriage falling apart.  Feeling there was nothing left to lose; Strayed decides to back pack alone into the wilderness.  Her adventure presents opportunities for her to look deep within.  What Strayed finds is her own personal strength, her sense of self-reliance and even a new found joy.  A great read…ready to inspire anyone who opens its pages….. 

“Love”

Posted on | by sharon

“Love”

Never love anything that can’t love you back. 

Our world tells us in so many ways that certain “things” will make us more acceptable.  TV, radio, the internet, magazines, movies, etc. tell us how important “things” are to our happiness.  The truth is that “things” bring only a fleeting moment of pleasure and often come to control our money and time.

Matt 6:21 tells us “for where your treasure is, there will your heart also be”.  A heart filled with things is a lonely place.  A heart filled with love is a heart connected to God and others.

Identify one thing in your life you will spend less time on,

and one person you will spend more time with.

“Bell Canto” and “State of Wonder”

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“Bell Canto” and “State of Wonder”      

by:  Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett is a favorite author to many of us.  She writes the kind of book you don’t want to put down but at the same time you don’t want it to end.  “State of Wonder” may start a little slow for some of your tastes, but before you know it you will find yourself deeply intrigued by the story and the adventure that unfolds.

“Grace”

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“Grace” 

There is nothing we can do to make God love us more.  There is nothing we can do to make God love us less.

Not having to do or be something, to receive a reward runs contrary to the world’s way.  Yet, the truth is, there is nothing more to do to receive God’s love.  Jesus did it!

“…and God is able to make all grace abundant to you…”  2 Corinthians 9

woman with eyes closed and hands folded in prayer

A Wellbeing Tip

Posted on | by sharon

    “God said No”

I asked God to take away my habit.

 God said, “No…
     It s not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.” 

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, “No.  His spirit IS whole, his body is only temporary.”
 I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, “No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t
granted, it is learned.”

I asked God to give me happiness

woman holding a bible

 God said, “No.  I give you blessings; happiness is up to you.”

I asked God to spare me pain.
 God said, “No.  Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and
brings you closer to me.”

I asked God to make my spirit grow.

God said, “No.  You must grow on your own but I will prune you to make
you fruitful.”

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
 God said, “Ahhhh, finally you have the idea!”
 

Sharin’ The Journey

Posted on | by sharon

“Communication” has become a valued skill and buzz word in our society.  Parents want to develop better communication skills with their kids, husbands want better communication with their wives, co-workers want better communication between themselves, employers desire better communication with their employees.  Clearly the point can be made that communication is a key ingredient in personal and professional relationships.    

So the question we are posing to you is ….”How is the communication between you and your creator, God, going?”        

A friend of CCM shared her story….

praying hands silhouette

Praying is my source of strength.  God is my confidant and my hope.  Most of all knowing God is always there gives me great comfort.  You might ask…”So how do you know God is there?”  My confirmation that God listens came through my deciding to keep a prayer journal.  In my journal I would write any prayer request I had for my needs or the needs of others.  I waited and when an answer came I would record it.  There were times I didn’t recognize that an answer had come until later.  In hindsight when I saw the answer I wrote it down.  What a faith building experience.  I learned that God doesn’t always answer the way I ask and usually it is in God’s time not mine….but there is no doubt that answers come.  I saw it in black and white.  As the pages of my prayer journal were filled my faith grew stronger and stronger.  Here is a glimpse into my prayer journal.  I was asked by a young girl to prayer for her as she had an eating disorder.  The entry was on June 19th.  I had encouraged her to tell her parents but she was sure they would not understand and so she was adamant about not saying anything to them.  My prayer entry included a request that God give her the strength to tell her parents and that her parents would be filled with compassion and understanding.  On July 30th the girl informed me that she had somehow found the courage to talk to her parents and that they were very supportive.  Her healing was able to move forward and my prayer was answered.  Another entry involved a friend who had lost his faith and made a conscious decision not to believe anymore. I prayed that my friend would find God in his life again.  Five years later my friend did reconnect with God and he was truly transformed.  I realize now that during that long time while I was thinking I had no answer that God was really giving me a gift.  The gift of learning to plant seeds of God’s love in my friend’s heart and with others.  This was a good lesson in never giving up on prayer.  Recording my prayers and God’s answers has been my way of communicating with God and living out these words…..

”Pray on every occasion.  Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit.  Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all.”    Ephesians 6:18

Prayer, meditation, and mindfulness all help to bring our minds, bodies, and spirits into balance.  There is no right way or wrong way to build on your Spiritual connection.  Truth is YOUR WAY, the way you choose is the most important way.
Prayer Offers Wisdom Expression Release
POWER to inspire and heal.

My Stroke of Insight

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My Stroke of Insight

In June of 2009 Jill Bolte Taylor’s book, My Stroke of Insight, was published.  The story told actually began thirteen years earlier when Taylor experienced a massive stroke in the left side of her brain.  As a trained brain scientist, Taylor shares the observations of her brain deteriorating, what it was like to be responding to the world from her still active right brain, and her 8 year-long recovery journey.   

If you have not read this book yet, now is the time.  Start by giving yourself the pleasure of reading the last chapter first…..Tending the Garden.  This brief chapter will give you a glimpse into Taylor’s insights that all people can benefit from.   If as you begin to read, My Stroke of Insight, you find that the first part of the book is too………..(fill in your own blank) remember that having a sense of the big picture only enriches the treasures shared in the remainder of the book.

“Even negative events can be perceived as valuable life lessons, if I am willing to step to the right and experience the situation with compassion.”  This is a great insight — but insight without action doesn’t get a person far.  Taylor not only grabs you with her insights she challenges you to take action….

On your mark….get set…..READ!