Monday I had one of those days that made me want to scream. It was partially my fault for not going to bed at 8:00pm. Cold Case and Without a Trace were coming on and since I’d missed them the week before, I felt that I was entitled to a little “me time.” So today in the midst of my draining day I thought, “today is the worst day of the rest of my life.” That thought gave me hope; it gave me something to look forward to, God willing I should live to see tomorrow.
Upon further reflection, my day wasn’t so bad. All I really needed was some sleep. For the month of March, I’ve posted a few suggestions for a little R&R for the mind, the body and the spirit.
For the Spirit - Comfort from God’s Word
You’ve been told to be grateful because others people’s misfortune are worse than yours. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my source of comfort to be other people’s pain. I prefer for my source of comfort to be the one who can effect change—the Lord. Here are some kernels of comfort from God’s word.
Lonely? Psalms 68:6 says, “God setteth the solitary in families”
Mystery in your life? Daniel 2:28 says, "There is a God in heaven that revealeth mysteries"Lacking Financially? Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth”
Trouble Sleeping? Proverbs 3:24 says, “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet”
Feeling Spiritually Dead? Amos 5:4 says, “Seek ye me and ye shall live”
No Heat for the winter? Ecclesiastes 4:11 says, “Again, if two lie together, then they have heat” (obviously you need to be married)
Doubt About Your Marriage? Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two are better than one; because they have good reward for their labor"
Barren Womb? Matthew 19:26 says, “With God all things are possible”
Feeling Suicidal/Tired Of Your Life? 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new”
Feeling Misunderstood? Psalms 139:2,3 says, “Thou understandest my thought afar off and art acquainted with all my ways”
Feeling like no one's on your side? Romans 8:27 says, “And he that searchest the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God”
Feeling Ashamed? Psalms 3:3 says, “But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head”
For the Body - Scrambled Tofu (contributed by Cynthia Johnson, Nutritionist)Ingredients:
Extra firm tofu (frozen then thawed and drained)
1/2 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 stalk green onion chopped
Few parsley leaves chopped
Tumeric
Sea salt
Preparation:
Crumble tofu. Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil. Add tofu and sauté for a few minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Once thoroughly cooked, add more of the seasonings as your taste buds desire. You can experiment with your favorite seasonings or fresh herbs.
Serve with your favorite bread or a nice honey-sweetened whole grain bread (e.g. Rudi’s). Spread a little Vegannaise (soy based mayonnaise) on the bread for an added taste explosion.
For the Mind – Arts and CraftsPaint your own pottery at the Mud Hut. The Mud Hut is a neighborhood pottery-painting studio. They are located in Olney, Maryland. They have one of the largest selections of bisque in the area.
Have your birthday party or bridal shower here. Create personalized
gifts. This a great place to find a respite from the business of your day. Working with you hands to create something is quite therapeutic. It's also a great place to get together with some friends for an hour or two.
3231 Spartan RdOlney, MD 20832
(301) 260-8786
www.mudhutstudios.com2007 Winter, Spring, Fall Hours:
Tuesday - Thursday: 12 - 8pm
Friday: 12 - 9pm
Saturdays: 10am -6pm
Sundays: Noon - 5pm
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
TOTAL BODY R & R
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
A CHRISTIAN'S TESTIMONY
A Christian’s Testimony
I visited your church the other day. The joy within me was so overwhelming; I had to share it with someone. I figured, why not share my joy with the whole congregation, after all, that’s why we’re here—to fellowship and praise the Lord for his wonderful works.
My joy was quenched however, well, not quenched, just suppressed until I could share it with others who were open to hearing about the goodness of the Lord. Your deacons and elders wouldn’t let me speak in front of the church, so I quietly went back to my seat and enjoyed the rest of the service. Like I said, my joy wasn’t quenched, I still worshiped the Lord through singing, the reading of scripture, the sermon and the appeal. I just wish I could have also worshiped through sharing.
By the way, all I wanted to share was the fact that I almost lost my home that I’d lived in for 6 years. I thought we were doing well. We had the usual tests and trials here and there, but nothing major—at least nothing compelling me to make church or prayer meeting a priority. Then September 11th happened and the rug was pulled out from under me. A drastic downsizing in my company, a pay cut, rising utility costs, a car accident that hospitalized me, and I was almost done for. The self-sufficient, resourceful Christian was struggling to keep food in the fridge, struggling to stay current with the mortgage, struggling to keep three kids in church school and the list goes on and on.
Well, PRAISE JEHOVAH, my kids are still in school, not church school, but a good enough public school. They have a place the come home to everyday. Their daddy has meals ready on the table and the temperature in the house is comfortable. I had to sell my Jaguar and pull most of the money out of my 401K. I’m now only working part-time at the same company, but Praise the Lord, they increased my hourly wage. When I’m not working or spending time with the children, I’m working on starting my own business.
I’m more grateful then ever for each meal that goes on the table, for each night I have to tell the kids not to have all the lights on in the house, for each A or B they bring home on their report card and for each mortgage check I’m able to write.
So, church family, please don’t take God’s blessings for granted. Don’t be ashamed to tell others what God has done or is doing in your life. Don’t just wait for the glamorous testimonies like, “God blessed me with a new car” or “we just closed on 5-bedroom house in Mitchellville,” or “I married a handsome doctor” or “I just got 6-figure job offer.” Rejoice and share all God’s blessings, the 1-bedroom apartment that’s roach free; the daughter that checked herself into a drug rehab program; the wife that broke off her affair and returned home; the son that’s refraining from pornography, the bible study that’s well attended by your neighbors, the accident that you caused, but no one was hurt, the routine physical that went well, the class that you should have failed, but the teacher gave you a C. Whatever it is, just share it. Don’t second-guess its value. Since God blessed, it’s valuable. JUST PRAISE HIM!
“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his wonderful works to the children of men”
My joy was quenched however, well, not quenched, just suppressed until I could share it with others who were open to hearing about the goodness of the Lord. Your deacons and elders wouldn’t let me speak in front of the church, so I quietly went back to my seat and enjoyed the rest of the service. Like I said, my joy wasn’t quenched, I still worshiped the Lord through singing, the reading of scripture, the sermon and the appeal. I just wish I could have also worshiped through sharing.
By the way, all I wanted to share was the fact that I almost lost my home that I’d lived in for 6 years. I thought we were doing well. We had the usual tests and trials here and there, but nothing major—at least nothing compelling me to make church or prayer meeting a priority. Then September 11th happened and the rug was pulled out from under me. A drastic downsizing in my company, a pay cut, rising utility costs, a car accident that hospitalized me, and I was almost done for. The self-sufficient, resourceful Christian was struggling to keep food in the fridge, struggling to stay current with the mortgage, struggling to keep three kids in church school and the list goes on and on.
Well, PRAISE JEHOVAH, my kids are still in school, not church school, but a good enough public school. They have a place the come home to everyday. Their daddy has meals ready on the table and the temperature in the house is comfortable. I had to sell my Jaguar and pull most of the money out of my 401K. I’m now only working part-time at the same company, but Praise the Lord, they increased my hourly wage. When I’m not working or spending time with the children, I’m working on starting my own business.
I’m more grateful then ever for each meal that goes on the table, for each night I have to tell the kids not to have all the lights on in the house, for each A or B they bring home on their report card and for each mortgage check I’m able to write.
So, church family, please don’t take God’s blessings for granted. Don’t be ashamed to tell others what God has done or is doing in your life. Don’t just wait for the glamorous testimonies like, “God blessed me with a new car” or “we just closed on 5-bedroom house in Mitchellville,” or “I married a handsome doctor” or “I just got 6-figure job offer.” Rejoice and share all God’s blessings, the 1-bedroom apartment that’s roach free; the daughter that checked herself into a drug rehab program; the wife that broke off her affair and returned home; the son that’s refraining from pornography, the bible study that’s well attended by your neighbors, the accident that you caused, but no one was hurt, the routine physical that went well, the class that you should have failed, but the teacher gave you a C. Whatever it is, just share it. Don’t second-guess its value. Since God blessed, it’s valuable. JUST PRAISE HIM!
“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his wonderful works to the children of men”
Copyright 2005 Leuanna Matheson
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