H.E.A.L.T.H.2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Most of us talk resolutions at the beginning of each new year, but most of the time we build those resolutions on a shaky resolve, our own strength, which too often gives away before the first week is over.

Our resolutions must be built on a foundation of determination. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:2, “I determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

May our resolutions be built on that same determination, resolve first that in all we do, we do it all to the glory of God.

Random Thought: Sometimes the stranger you ignore is the connection God wants you make. Don’t be so quick to kick that stranger to the curb because they are not a part of your circle. This could be the person God has sent to you as an answer to that prayer.

Random Thought: This year, take out the trash and leave it there. Oh, you know what I’m saying, all that rubbish you put up with last year, take it out and leave it out!

Random Though: 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Freedom didn’t come on the day that document was signed. That freedom was secured through the deaths of many, black and white, for two more years. There is a freedom today that can be instantly yours, bought with a great price, it is God’s gift to you. Romans 10:9-10 / John 8:36. Make this your day of Emancipation. “Nuff said!”

Random Thought: I recommend that you discover the song, “All Rise,” by Babbie Mason. It will bless your soul and change the focus of your worship.

H.E.A.L.T.H2013

H. HOLISTIC
E. ENTHUSIASM/EDUCATION
A. ATTITUDE
L. LOVE/LAUGHTER
T. TIME
H. HOPE

Holistic: The whole person, all that you are, the total self

1 Thessalonians 5:23
Philippians 1:6
Set you aside, consecrate you for His service

Man is triune, spirit/soul/body.

Spirit: that in you which connects to God
Soul: Mind (seat of intellect/reasoning). How is your God connection? On what do you meditate; where is your focus? How is your soul connection with God?
Will (place of decision), Emotions (our reactions/responses to stimuli). Emotions can keep us off balance. The only thing emotions validate is that we have them. They should not rule our decisions. Everything that feels good to you is not good for you.

Body: The flesh through which satan can work. How is your walk with the Lord because the flesh has memories.

Sanctify [all of ] you wholly/completely

Preserve: Guard from loss/injury, body/soul/spirit guarded from loss and/or injury

Spirit – Your communion with God. A God connection
Soul – Your witness before men and women. A soul commitment.
Body – Your walk with the Lord. An obedient life.

Enthusiasm: Passion

11 Timothy 1:6,7

Timothy was a little timid so Paul reminded him of his spiritual legacy as well as the fact that the passion for the word of the ministry was his responsibility, “Timothy, stir up (rekindle) the gift that lies within you!” It is easy to be complacent, lackadaisacal, even about the things of God. Sometimes we are a little too timid when it comes to the pursuing of God and the things of God, in the use of our gifts. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 63:8, “My soul follows hard after God,” which translates that my mind/will/emotions cling and adhere to God, my soul pursues God and as I do so His right hand upholds me, keeps me in place. The passion for following after God has to be in place.

Education

11 Timothy 2:15

We must take in all of the word of God; we take in the Word of God so that we might give it out correctly.

Once upon a time, because it had been denied to African Americans for centuries, education was a priority, even a premium. At one time it was the mantra of our community — “Get an education!” Sadly, it no longer seems to be a important as it once was, perhaps because too many of us have believed the lie that we can’t learn or have accepted he devaluation of our humanity by hateful others.

Study to know God
Study to know yourself, your strengths, your weaknesses
We are never too old to learn

Attitude

Proverbs 17:22
Philippians 4:5-8

No, not the eye rolling, head swiveling, hands on the hips Sister Girl attitude. It is your outlook, how you choose to view your life an all that comes with it — the good, the bad, and the ugly. If someone would should “Attitude Check,” would your response be “Praise the Lord?”

Someone once said, “Attitude is 99% of everything we do.”

What was your attitude in 2012 towards

Your job
Your associates
Your church
What you have
What you don’t have
Family

In the words of one of the characters in a children’s short story I’ve written: “You can change your socks but you can’t change your family.” Here’s another thing you can change; you can change your attitude.

Are your bones dried up, brittle? Maybe it’s time for an attitude check. I must learn to trust God in the place where I don’t want to be, that He can sustain me in any place of discomfort or distress. May our goal be to be the one in the room with the good attitude, the dispenser of grace. We do not have to walk in brokenness. Be thankful. Be grateful. Live life to the fullest. Wherever you are, you are not there by happenstance, God is present with you. Put on the armor of God and deal with those issues in your life with grace. Choose Joy! Choose to Rejoice! The peace of God can guard your heart and mind from anxiety and doubt.

Love

1 John 4:7-12

Love is a choice, not the goose bumps when you see him or her. Love does not just feel; Love acts. God’s love is perfected in us and if we love God, then our goal is to love others. Love is challenging, but move in it to do what you do because you love God.

Laughter

“A merry heart doeth good.”

Some of us remain mired in misery because we do not, or we choose not to laugh. I love to laugh not only at things that are humorous but also at myself. Laughter is good for the soul. Pass the laughter to the next generation. It is easy to walk through life looking like one is sucking on sour lemons. Choose to laugh and enjoy the beauty of humor. My laugh is not a gentle trill, it is loud and raucous and I will laugh. Learn to laugh at life, embrace the merriness.

“Lord, teach me how to laugh when stuff hits the fan and blows back in my face.”

Time

Time management is so key for good health and for success in anything. When you mismanage your time, and you find yourself scrambling to accomplish anything, your blood pressure goes up and stress levels are off the chart. Why subject yourself to this when all you need to do is manage your time well. It is rude and disrespectful to ask me to show up at a certain time and then you are late and you expect me to wait for you to begin? Respect the time of others and others should respect your time. Manage your time, get things together, make a to-do list, organize. As soon as something is out of place, put it back in place. “There is a place for everything an everything in its place.” Is it time for some serious house cleaning? Let us have some order in our lives. If God is not the God of confusion, why are His children operating in confusion?

Sherry Lewis, the puppeteer, shared the following during an interview:

“The day begins the night before.” Plan for your day the night before.
“To be on time is to be late; to be early is to be on time.”

‘Nuff said!

Hope

Philippians 1:20

Not wistful thinking but confident expectation. We must expect God. He is always present (Jehovah Shammah) but we must live expecting Him in every aspect of our our lives. We must look for Him in everything, learn to practice the presence of God. We labor in confident expectation that God is always with us and that without Him we can do nothing.

Paul writes of persistent expectation and hope, a confident expectation that God is with us in all things an in that confident expectation we want Christ to be magnified. One day Jesus will return, but I live in the confident expectation that God is with me in all things. We move forward in confidence, pressing our way body, soul an spirit.

PSALM 23: A Song Of Hope

dmwilliams 12/2013

The Lord is

He is the The Lord

All powerful, Ever present, All knowing

My shepherd;

He takes care of me; He provides for me; He watches over me

I shall not want.

I may not have all I want, but He makes sure I have all I need

²He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me to abundance in barren times

He leads me beside the still waters.