Vacation from Stress

How do we take a mini vacation from stress? First, to relieve stress,  REJOICE. 

R est in Christ's love
E nter into Godly praise
J udge not
O pen the heart to love
Y earn for fellowship with God
C alm your fears in God's word
E nter into thankfulness

Little Short Cuts in a Tiny Capsule-of-Time

     What better way to start off a Monday morning than finding ways to make our busy schedule better.  Within our daily capsule-of-time we need joy in our lives to prevent that end-of-the-day fatigue. 
     Our days should not always be about work, work, and more work.  There should be some  pleasure or, as some might say, "mini vacations" inserted into the day.  We actually rob ourselves when we lose unique mini opportunities to find pleasure and time to "just breathe" along life's way.
     We can actually rejuvenate our souls by practicing a few simple breath taking moments.  Think of it like giving a 10% tithe of time to yourself. 

    Here are 10 examples: 
1.  Before rising from bed say Psalms 118:24, "This is the day the Lord has made; We (I) will rejoice and be glad in it."
2.  Thank of a friend's name or even a co-worker's name and say a prayer for them.
3. As you open the door, look up and thank God for the beautiful sunny day.
4. Observe a flower and acknowledge that just as God cares for them, He will care of you today as well, and thank Him. 
5. Send someone a "Good Morning" text and wish them a good day.
6. Look in the mirror and tell your reflection, "I love you."
7. Stop in the middle of a stressful work assignment, think of 3 things you like about yourself and thank God for them.
9. Choose a word you want applied to your life, like: joy, love, peace, sharing.  Put that one word into action; practice it in your life for this one day.
9.  Recognize something good someone has done and thank them for it.
10. Be silly! Hug a tree!

There are countless and simple things or "mini vacations" which can be taken to relieve the work stress and to grab enjoyment during the daily capsule-of-time which so quickly passes, leaving us with an over-whelming feeling of "how to get it all done." 


   

What IN IT?

There is a quote by John Piper in my Sunday School lesson which gives insight into the essence of worship.

Just what is true inner worship?  John Piper puts it like this: "The inner essence of worship is to know God truly and then respond from the heart to that knowledge by valuing God, treasuring God, prizing God,  enjoying God,  and being satisfied with God above all earthly things."

Most would ask, "What's in it for me?"  John Piper tells us that we gain "deep, restful, joyful satisfaction in God which overflows in demonstrable acts."

Then the question could be, "What's in it for God?  Piper says that these demonstrable acts overflow into "acts of praise from the lips and demonstrable acts of love in serving others for the sake of Christ."

So, what is in it for others?  I would answer a demonstration of our  loving service to them. 

Oh Lord!
I lift my hands in praise.
My hearts flutters within your presence.
I value your inner dwelling,
  treasure your faithful promises,
  prize my very life and salvation.

I value your peaceful tranquility. 
  treasure the blessings you provide.
  prize my waking healthy moments.

I value your Word,
  treasure your Walk with me daily. 
   prize my Heavenly protection.

I lift my hands in praise,
Thanking you for your love,
  for the love of friends and family,
  for opportunities to share You.
                                      AMEN
                               
                             

Wait

     I have been so blessed throughout my life, but there are always times I worry about this or that.  Yet, God tells us not to be anxious.  I wrote the following as a reminder to take all my troubles to God,  to leave my fear at His precious feet and then wait for His answer.

                         Wait!

Troubled and tried, torn apart?  Take heart!

Pause, listen.  Be Quiet. Absorb heaven's diet.

Wait!

In prayer advocate.

God has not forsaken

  though hallowed fields of life seem shaken.

Stop for a while; be not anxious!

Look to the God who is merciful and gracious.

Hold strong through human wrong;

Be still against other's ill-will.

Troubled and tried, torn apart?  Take heart!

God is the Rock;

In prayer take stock.

Hold fast and firm to God's love and hope

  within vision's scope;

  within life's pre-planned horoscope.

Stop! Wait!

God infiltrates.

Within all troubles, be still.

Seek God's direction and will.

With patience, wait! God knows your fate.

Wait! Pause for the echo of God's planned cause.

                      Mary Crisp Jameson  2/212020  

The Best Seat in the House

     By nature, we all want the best seat in the house.  No one wants to be left with what is called the "nose bleed" section furthest away from the action.
     I am sure believers in Jesus Christ can rest assured that when we arrive at Heaven's Gate there will be an honored seat assigned to each of us.  Regardless, we indeed know that we will be among those joyful people singing, "Alleluia to the Lord our God."  I can only imagine!

Revelation 19:1  "And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God."

The Father's Love Letter

     This is a writing I read researched and compiled from Genesis to Revelations.  Since I did not want to lose it, I decided to post it on my blog for future reference.  The site said it was used by permission Father Heart Communications with a copyright of 1999.  I am blown away by how each verse intertwines to create this cry from the Father's heart to His child.

My Child,  You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1  I know when you sit down and when you rise up.  Psalm 139:2  I am familiar with all your ways.  Psalm 139:3  Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.  Matthew 10:29-31  For you were made in my image.  Genesis 1:27  In me you live and move and have your being.  Acts 17:28    For you are my offspring.  Acts 17:28  I knew you even before you were conceived.   Jeremiah 1:4-5  I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12  You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.  Psalm 139:15-16  I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.  Acts 17:26  You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14  I knit you together in your mother's womb.  Psalm 139:13  And brought you forth on the day you were born.  Psalm 71:6  I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.  John 8:41-44  I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love.  1 John 4:16  And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.  1 John 3:1   Simply because you are my child and I am your Father   1 John 3:1  I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.  Matthew 7:11  For I am the perfect father.  Matthew 5:48  Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.  James 1:17  For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.  Matthew 6:31-33  My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.  Jeremiah 29:11  Because I love you with an everlasting love.  Jeremiah 31:3  My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.  Psalm 139:17-18  And I rejoice over you with singing.  Zephaniah 3:17  I will never stop doing good to you.  Jeremiah 32:40  For you are my treasured possession.  Exodus 19:5  I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.  Jeremiah 32:41  And I want to show you great and marvelous things.  Jeremiah 33:3  If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.  Deuteronomy 4:29  Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4  For it is I who gave you those desires.  Philippians 2:13  I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.  Ephesians 3:20  For I am your greatest encourager.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17  I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4  When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.  Psalm 34:18  As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart.  Isaiah 40:11  One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.  Revelation 21:3-4  And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.  Revelation 21:3-4  I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.  John 17:23  For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.  John 17:26  He is the exact representation of my being.  Hebrews 1:3  He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.  Romans 8:31  And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.  2 Corinthians 5:18-19  Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.  2 Corinthians 5:18-19  His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.  1 John 4:10  I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.  Romans 8:31-32  If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me.  1 John 2:23  And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.   Romans 8:38-39  Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.  Luke 15:7  I have always been Father, and will always be Father.  Ephesians 3:14-15   My question is…Will you be my child?  John 1:12-13  I am waiting for you.  Luke 15:11-32  

Love, Your Dad.

Almighty God

Worldly Misconceptions

     What is it about appealing to what people think others want to see, hear, and read rather than applying the Words of God that would make this world such a better place?
     During the big Super Bowl, one of the main events was the half time entertainment.  True, some enjoyed it a lot, but then some did not; they could see through what the world wanted us to see.  Here was an event that portrayed women as sex symbols.  There were children present and watching this so called attraction.  Was this sometime children should watch? What impression was it making?
     Reading through a book that was quiet interesting plot-wise another unnecessary occurrence  sprang up to lessen the enjoyment of the reading.  It seemed the author was quiet fond of placing God's name into the language of the characters.  This was not done on just a page or two but on almost every other page.  I began to black out God's name which was used vainly and found the reading was much improved.  There had certainly been no need to use God's name or the name of Jesus and of Christ in profane language.
     Jesus died for me.  He is my Savior and Christ.  His name is holy!  God is my Creator, Father, and Power over all the earth.  His name is holy! 
     I am saddened that the world has gotten so far away from righteous living and thinking.  If I am saddened can you imagine what God is thinking and feeling about His children?