Walking in kindness

Mathew 5:39

Jesus speaks on “an eye for an eye”

But I tell you , do not resist an evil person, if someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Everyday is a challenge, just knowing you have to get up and go  work or school is a tough. But don’t turn your back on people because you are angry or not happy today. Try with all your might to live as though you were meant to see this person today. They are teaching you something. Be kind, even if they are not. Show you belong to the Lord and follow in his footsteps.

Prayer Changes Everything

For many years I was just a pray when you need it, prayer, but often enough, I didn’t see a lot of prayers answered, don’t get me wrong, there were answered prayers but sometimes God would give me things I really should not have asked for, I took my shallow prayers and the sometimes awful outcome lessons to the pit. But you know what, I learned God’s grace lifted me up and taught me so much about my walk with Him.

You see prayer isn’t something to take lightly, there are many books out there that can help you to pray, but for all the books I have read and all the time I put into reading about it, as comforting as it was many times, I realized, my prayer life could only change if I asked God to change me and make my life reflect His life, only then, did things begin to make sense and become clear, the more I trusted Him the more I prayed!

As maturity set in and studying the Bible, my prayer life reshaped into instead asking for constant desires to asking to be more like Jesus and reflect Him in all I do and say. This took many years of asking and praying to develop in me and help me understand what to pray for.
You may want to pray for someone that is hurting or someone that is lost, the Holy Spirit can help guide your prayer life and direct you to a situation that is planted in your thoughts.
Just ask!

Each person has at times many needs and in the midst of storms, prayer is essential to ask for help, guidance, God’s will, plan and purpose in every situation. If you don’t go to Him in prayer we don’t get to have that personal relationship with Him that He desires for us to have. We must really concentrate on what is most important in the day, is it getting everything done and ignoring the one who helps get it or praying for help and strength to know what to do at every turn.

Hebrews 5:7
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

I really want to try to help you understand that you are a child of the Most High God and He loves you, your prayers, petitions and wants you to seek Him in everything you do. So I’m encouraging you today, where ever you are to ask God to help you get through whatever your situation might be, you will see God’s hand as you turn your life and prayers over to Him. Sometimes even the simple prayers are the best, as all prayers are heard and nothing is ignored.

Praising His Holy Name Forever and Ever, Amen

Nancy
The Christian Writer

#prayerchangeseverything

The Falsehood Of Reincarnation

When I was growing up I believed that you could come back into this earth and become someone or something else. Just imagine coming back as something exciting, that’s an interesting thought. But as I grew and matured I began to take this seriously, so seriously that it was consuming to my soul on a loop of coming back, never resting.

The falsehood of reincarnation is that when you follow this thought your life is never going to be satisfied, it will always long for more chances to make things the way you think they should be. That can destroy any kind of hope for rest or joy. The joy that only can be experienced with Jesus Christ. 

The revelation of Jesus Christ has always been the way to eternal life, from the moment you were born the decision to follow Him was always up to you. Jesus came to give you abundant life on earth and life eternal with Him. But following such non-sense as coming back is only something that the devil wants you to follow so that you will turn from the true way into heaven.

Through Christ blood shed on the cross, he defeated death and the strongholds of this world were broken, as he rose from death and is the eternal one, that is the truth. So when you see the sign on someone’s lawn that says: John 3:16, that is the reminder what God did for us through His Son.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Enough said,

Shalom 

Nancy

The Christian Writer

Corny Christmas Movies Are Fun

I think I’m on my 10th Hallmark movie of 2018, I’ve laughed, cried, smiled and fell in love with every girl-guy romantic moment. I love the decorating and get many decorating ideas to liven up my house. So, the plots are encouraging and seem quite the same -if you are an avid Hallmark movie fan, you understand this, but if you aren’t here’s the scenario: girl or guy in their 20’s-40’s go to a small town either by chance of getting stuck there or some relative/business needs help, passes away and then either a child/ person comes to the rescue. That person decides they are there only temporarily but we know as die-hard fans of Hallmark, they will be meeting somebody that will change their life and they make the decision to either stay or leave that town or situation. (I’m not spillin’ the beans, you’ll find out!)  Always fun to watch the outcome, I’m never disappointed!

I know I summed it up, don’t be dismayed though, because each combination of characters brings its joy and we as watchers are rooting for that perfect outcome. These amazing movies, bring us out of our everyday lives into a perfect world, (we want to think so) it’s truly a nice escape, I would rather watch an uplifting movie even if it’s so corny I could pour maple syrup all over it- than a movie based in violence, sex and drugs. We need more good things to watch! To take our minds to another place even if it’s temporary, real life doesn’t play out this way but it’s a nice escape for two hours.

So every year I make a point to tune into the Christmas movies because the best part of Christmas is to enjoy family, friends and people that my life is surrounded by, I really think that Hallmark has captured this, putting some corky life situations into play that help us connect with the story, character and outcome that we enjoy. 

Ok, you want to know my favourite one? Can’t help it I watch every year and it’s one of their top movies “The Christmas Card” 

http://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/the-christmas-card

It’s a love story with a twist of beautiful fate. (plus they sing in church, just adore that)

Roma Downy also has a wonderful channel and believe it or not I get this channel on my antenna, it’s free TV. It’s call Lighttv  https://www.lighttv.com (you can also watch on your computer or phone) and its programs are good and easy on the eye. They have classic Christmas Movies on as well.

Roma is certainly an angel on earth, years ago she starred in a TV series called Touched By An Angel  https://www.hallmarkdrama.com/touched-by-an-angel  

The character Roma plays as Monica an Angel that is learning lessons and has a heart for God that capture audiences because we can relate to her up’s and downs. Over the years we have been blessed by the programs and content that Roma and her husband Mark Burnett produce, the Bible Series is a beautiful way to see the Bible in action- Truly Worth Watching!

 Bible Series Interview

In closing,  step out of your everyday craziness relax with your favourite beverage, watch something that’s good for your soul and maybe reminds you of days past. May your Christmas be joyful, light, beautiful and full of love, as we celebrate Jesus Christ, the birth of the One who came into the world for you.

Shalom, Merry Christmas 

Nancy

The Christian Writer

Matthew 2:1 

 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

#Hallmark

#Christmas

#Roma Downey

#lighttv.com

#Hallmarkchristma#JesusChrist

Is God Real?

Is God Real?

Many years ago while I was searching for truth I asked the question, “Is God Real?”I grew up in a church that really didn’t teach much except to be afraid of God, lots of rules and ways to behave, I still struggled to know if God was real and how is He relevant in my life?

After searching, studying and speaking with other Christians I know  He’s real, operating in every way through your life. Do you wonder does God even know who I am?

This is what the Bible tells us:

• He knew you in the womb: Psalm 139:13
• He set you apart: Psalm 4:3
• He counts the hairs on your head: Matthew 10:30
• He knows what you need before you ask: Matthew 6:8
• He hears your prayers: 1 John 5:14 
• He blesses you: Psalm 67:6
• He protects you: Proverbs 2:8
• Jesus prays for you: John 17:6
• The Holy Spirit guides you: John 16:12-13
• He has a plan for you: Jeremiah 29:11
• His love for you endures forever: Psalm 100:5
• His kingdom never ends: Luke 1:33
• He makes a place for you there: John 14:3

The Bible points us to Scripture many times of God knowing you, intimately, even before you were born. You see the Holy Spirit that is given to us the moment we believe and surrender our lives to Christ will show us the way and the truth that can set you free. Maybe you feel the weight of life upon you and you just want to break free of those chains, you can, if you believe in the One and Only True God, Jesus Christ.

The Bible is not a fable, it’s truth speaks to us and works as a guidebook, it’s rich history and lessons stand every generation. Reading through God’s word you can see the Holy Spirit guiding men and women who have listened and took action to what God had for them. If you feel that somehow this doesn’t make sense to you, then pray and ask. You will get your answer, seeking God for answers will help you get to know the great God that is over us and you will know God is real when you do.

God had a greater plan when He sent His Son to this world, living 33 years and the last three in ministry and instruction, what Jesus accomplished has changed the world. He fulfilled what the prophets spoke about, a Savior that would come and be a sacrifice for us, for forgiveness of sins. 

Jesus says:

Matthew 20:28

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Apostle Paul says:

Hebrews 9:26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

If you still don’t understand who God is and if He is real,  the first place to start to know Jesus in the Gospel Matthew, that will show you the genealogy of Jesus and miracle virgin birth God did through Mary. God is real and is around us everywhere, leading you to Himself, so that you will have an eternal home, but you must trust God for this and have faith!

Shalom,

Nancy

Christian Writer

Flames Of Fire, No Escape

All around the world, people are watching out of control wildfires in California. News reports are coming in as fast as the fire spreads, new areas are being hit with consuming flames. Sadly we can see that people have abandon their homes, cars and possessions to escape the surrounding fires, some didn’t make it out in time, they most likely went in the wrong direction and perished a horrible death. Burns are the worst pain anyone can suffer.

As people escape the forces of fire they cannot see what is around them as fire is spreading at a rapid rate they can’t see where to run. In the intense heat, firefighters and volunteers are trying to find survivors, hoping to contain flames as winds kick up the flames. Some of us watching are holding our breath, praying for them, hoping for survivors to emerge.

But this isn’t just about the fires in California, what would you do if you knew the way out?

These are some things to think about:

Everything that you possess with perish someday, everything. 

Time goes on, generations will pass and what was, will be forgotten.

What you try so hard to become in this world won’t hold eternal significance.

Are your possessions more important? 

What do you prioritize in your day?

Do you spend time praying for yourself or others?

But this is important:

Your eternal life with Christ should be held closer, thought about and prayed for.

John 3:16

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

So now you know the way, this is what Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Matthew:

Matthew 13:40-42 

“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This is written not to try to convince you to go to church, or to be a perfect person, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God, but that’s why Jesus went to the cross for you, so that you don’t come ashamed, but come to Him in prayer, repenting of the wrong you have done and wanting to know Him better, so He may enter your life to show you joy and peace that you didn’t know existed, Jesus shows you compassion, love and escape from the eternal flames of fire. 

It’s your decision.

Shalom,

Nancy, 

The Christian Writer

 

 

Finding The Dream Job

I often wonder about people who say they are living the dream job. To them the dream job is doing something they love everyday and talking about it, enjoying what they accomplish in it, possibly profiting well from it. I do believe that people can retire from what they have done and talk about it as if it was a lifelong dream to do what they did and can say it was a great journey. There are many articles written
to date about the effects of work on your health.

Have you ever thought of your dream job?

~What you would have loved to do before you got caught up in all of the non sense of where you are?

~Were you thinking you wanted to go one way and you ended up going in the least desirable other way?

Let’s look at steps you can take to move  to a direction that not only can set your mind in looking outward and possibly to make part or if not all your dreams come true.

Write out where you are-

Just write it in a journal and keep it near you.

Write what your dream is or desire to see yourself

Write out your goals, you want to be _____ in 5 years, 10 years etc.

Talk to people who have achieved where you want to be

Let people know what you want to do, you may just get some ideas!

Keep writing- when you hit an incline, pit or mountain write it out, go back and read what happened.

Don’t give up if it’s in your heart —that’s not an option because if you don’t reach the dream another will go in it’s place

You will get discouraged, that’s not an option, everyone does when you are focusing in on something- the journey is way cooler when you don’t have a clear path, have faith.

This is your guarantee: YOU WILL GROW and see growth over time.

*God reveals a lot to us when we go through our lessons of faith, maybe what you desired to do so desperately at one time wasn’t-isn’t good for you and God has something better. So pray continuously for guidance and help.

Lastly, nothing on earth can ever satisfy what Jesus can. You could look forever but when you give yourself fully to Him, He will make your paths straight.

Shalom
Nancy
#Livingthedreamjob #faith #don’tgiveup #God

The Voice Of God

Throughout our lives we will hear many voices and struggle with our own thoughts, you could either find yourself in a pit of despair or know God’s love and mercy. Listed below are just a few of the how to discern the Spirit of God from the false voices of satan. 

1 Corinthians 2:14

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

Let’s look at what God doesn’t say and what God does say.

God doesn’t say:

You are worthless

No body cares about you

No one loves you

You should end your life

You can’t do that

You aren’t good enough

You aren’t smart enough

People hate you

You are alone and always will be

Church is for hypocrites

My prayers don’t get answered

You can’t forgive

Heaven is a fairytale & God isn’t real

And endless, negative thoughts and feelings.

Romans 5:5

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

God says:

You are loved with an everlasting love

I bring you peace

I give you comfort & mercy

I give you hope & a future

Love others as I love you

Forgive the unforgivable

Let go of pride

I promise you

I make you strong

I fulfill your everyday needs

I am the way into everlasting life

Jesus is our redeemer, master & King and sits at the right hand of God

-God will speak into your heart and you will know His presence, you will feel peace and love not hate and ridicule. When you give yourself to God and allow His will to lead you, you will be able to discern the negative voices and know truth, your life can be at peace instead of turmoil giving you the ability to know and understand truth. May you continue to seek God and hear His beautiful, loving voice. He is the God of peace

Shalom 

Nancy 

Making Difficult Decisions

Have there been times in your life when making a decision was really difficult?

Plenty of times!

There are some ways to help you understand that not all decisions are right on target.

If you have to pick a school or work that offers everything you need but may be out of reach financially, do you take that leap of faith to test the waters?

Difficult to say…..

What if you made a decision already and there’s just something about it that makes you feel uneasy? Do you let it play out or take the other road and turn back?

Tough Decision…..

What happens when you are offered an opportunity and you say “yes” or “no” but then later have regrets because you didn’t think it all the way through.

Ugggg……

These are things that happen to us all, but life is like that, God gives us opportunities to embrace our life and learn from how we make decisions. Recently I have learned is that after making a decision I feel peace about it, God has given me a great tool to understand that not everything I pursue is going to work out ( and I have pursued a lot of different things throughout my life). I believe God leads you to calm waters when your decisions are in line with His will. But if you start doing something that’s in left field, the Holy Spirit will guides you back, although your will can at times fight against the will of God until you learn that God’s way is better than your way. Thank Him for that!

Many great and historical men and women have made life changing history through prayer and waiting to be lead. Praying before you make difficult decisions will help you make them with a knowing that God will bring that choice to you even if it’s a difficult one to an end that will help you understand your situation and it’s outcome.   

     Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course,

    but the Lord establishes their steps.

 

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed in distress over the suffering He was going to go through, to be a sacrifice for us all, on that cross. That decision made a difference in our eternity and where we will spend it. Jesus knew that decision was for you, that his suffering would be temporary but the blood would cover a multitude of sins.

My prayer for you today is that you would commit your life to Jesus. 

                   He can and will turn your life around.

James 4:14 

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

This life will come and go like the wind but to have a relationship with Jesus, 

                                            that’s an eternal decision. 

Shalom, Nancy

Nurturing Family Traditions

Nurturing Family Traditions

You think it would be simple, right? Plant many vegetables and you have variety, that was my story for many years until rabbits, deer, woodchucks and chipmunks came along with the to help them selves to the salad bar at my wired in plot that I worked so long to protect, nurture and cultivate over a hot summer. Frustrated over the years the small plot in my backyard has gone mostly to a battling of weeds over my discouragement of trying to fight nature. But I still try to grow a couple of things wired in on an old picnic table back there.

My Italian Grandfather (Pop) was a huge gardener, as my cousin pointed out in the past, I need to recognize and tell you about his garden. He had a pretty decent backyard, in the summer he grew so many tomatoes that anyone who came over would go home with grocery bag full, plus basil and whatever else he was growing. Unlike the tomatoes you get in the store that are picked early so they can be sold, Pop’s tomatoes were pretty darn big and some of the shapes of those 2-3 pound tomatoes that I can recall were odd in shape, but he left them on the vine to grow to the max, just about falling off. They were so good that some of the family would just eat them like apples. He would grow cucumbers, sometimes the size of half an adult arm, it really looked like that when I was a kid but I’m sure my siblings and cousins can verify. His Italian was very strong and I remember him saying to me in broken english, “don’t cut off the skin that’s were all the vitamins are.” Today if you buy them in the store you have to wash and peel them, unless they are grown organic, but you still have to wash them. Pop had the most amazing fig trees, we loved figs! Each year he grew a crop of figs, so tasty you just wanted to keep eating them, unlike the fig tree in my garden, Pop’s fig trees were handled every Fall with tender care, he wrapped them very nicely so that they would bear the most delicious fruit every year for us all to enjoy. Nana would cook and send us home with leftovers, Pop would plant and send us home with produce.

Simple kindness.

Many of you have your own stories of your grandparents and the legacy that they left behind in the things they did and taught, family traditions that we are passing down from generation to generation and new traditions that we have incorporated into our own families. Our heritage and legacy is very important and what we leave behind is a blessing to our families and friends and when we do it with love it becomes a memory that won’t ever be forgotten.

What are your great memories?
Are you passing on traditions?
Shalom
Nancy

Jesus is the Vine in the garden of your heart

John 15:1
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

 

#garden #vine #fig #tomato #nurturingfamilytraditions

Step Back, Adjust Your View

Seeing things from a different perspective

Just recently I purchased a car with a back up camera, it’s a great feature and to know what’s right behind the back of my car that I can’t see. Although this is such an revolutionary idea, I still have to look around the sides and adjust my view, sometimes the camera can’t see everything. The same goes for photography, my grandson took a picture of the garden from his perspective, but if I took it from my view it would be very different. That’s the great thing about photography everybody has a different sense of an angle or depth of field, we adjust our way of looking at things, we adjust our view. ( I adjusted the size of the photo above) you can point the camera to to mountains and turn 360 degrees and take a water fall, it’s how we look at things and how we want to look at things.

Then there is my garden…

The deer have chewed our Hostas down to picks, I get it they love the salad garden we grow here at our house but I really get upset and would never cause any deer harm, so I changed my point of view from allowing them free reign to now spraying to keep them away, planting flowers they don’t like and just by changing our view and using the knowledge we have been given we are seeing the results!

In life, not only can we adjust our view by seeing, we can adjust by receiving and responding. We just have to step back and understand what’s really important to us, winning the fight or seeing the answer by someone else’s view. Pride can make you look only through a peephole, but let it go and see the whole bigger view that maybe you haven’t seen at all!    Step back, adjust your view.

Do you see yourself looking at things through one view or perspective?

The best solution for understanding comes through prayer, asking God for help, seeking Jesus in times of struggle and uncertainty and relying on that, trying to see things from God’s view!

Psalm 19:14 

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart

    be pleasing in your sight,

    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Please share

Shalom

Nancy

#Stepbackadjustyourview

#Jesus

#God

#perspective