Mind/Spirit: New Artwork

This lovely new metal art piece is now hanging in my living room. I love it!
It makes me smile when I add something I really like to my home and well my life. If you think about it - we create our surroundings and I will agree women "get this" more than men - but I think God created us that way. We are "nest-fluffers" by nature.

It brings me some happiness :-) I think it causes us to use our mental abilities (to figure out what is meaningful to us) and it also causes us to feel filled-up spiritually when home improvement and decorating endeavors are successful.

Here is the thing - be thoughtful and purposeful in your selections.
You are adding this decor to your everyday life.

Now let me tell you about this particular purchase.
 I love metal wall hangings and I wanted something found in nature.
So, I started to research symbols in the natural world and when I found that the Moon is predominately a symbol of femininity and womanhood. I was drawn to that (there is way too much testosterone in my house!) Then when I went on a shopping/discovery trip I found my new addition.
As you noticed there are a lot of stars on the piece so I was hoping that popular symbolism for stars was something good (hahhaha), since I had already purchased it.

Stars generally symbolize adventure, mystery, and excitement!!! Yay!

So when I see this artwork everyday I think "A new woman ready for a day of adventure".

Or I smile and say "Let me live life today as full and dependable as Mrs. Moon does."

Getting inspired to keep a lovely & enjoyable home experience is a trait of a virtuous woman!

From Proverbs 31 v 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
And from  v 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Mind/body/spirit- moments of clarity

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Have you ever let yourself down and acted so out of control that you barely recognize yourself? I have, and I am tired of "losing" it. My personal goal for this week is to be able to stay on track with my diet/exercise/bible study/prayer. I feel like I am split into 2 types of people, but this only convinces me more and more with each day that I need God to help me be the virtuous woman that He intends for me to be. The flesh is weak and my heart aches for transformation (mind.)
What I mean about 2 types of people is something akin to what Paul was referring to when declaring (paraphrased) I do not want to do what I do.

My problem is deeply rooted in having too big of an emphasis on "people". I want praise, attention, and adoration from others. I have always felt like there is an empty spot in my being that is based on the reality of feeling un-loved and unwanted.
The fact is God loves me and he wants me to be happy "just being" His child. God's love is really the only one that truly can be depended upon.
People can never give you enough to make you truly joyful.
Looking for love and fulfillment in alcoholic drinks won't work and causes others to lose respect for you.
Looking for love and  fulfillment in food  doesn't last very long and brings your view of yourself down.
Looking for love and fulfillment in others' opinions of you; will only result in dissappointing perceptions of you sometimes. Very inconsistent and so subjective.

What to do?
Look at life in a different way - Instead of always asking "what can I get out of life?"  ask "what of my life can I give to serve the Lord?"
Excerpt from Virtuous Woman << Family Life ;The virtuous woman is a woman of strength. Though the weaker vessel, she is made strong by wisdom, grace and fear of God. Perhaps one reason for the rarity of a virtuous woman is that she is seldom sought. Too often the search is made for accomplishments and external qualities rather than for godly internal worth.



I have bought into the concept of being valued for the wrong things -- I am hoping my internal/external changes and growth will be consistent from this point forward.

 
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spirit: what motivates you in your Christian walk

Yesterday at church I was highly aggravated with the sermon that was being delivered by our dedicated preacher. You see, he was giving examples of how bad things happen (really bad) to people that are very good people. John the Baptist, Job, Joseph etc. I have known these bible stories, and always heard sermons about how we are always going to face tough times, but I had never digested the fact that there is no guarantee that our life will be any better because we live a Christian life, or that we will not necessarily be rewarded with comforts and/or adoration from others.
I was slapped in the face with an angry feeling that bloomed out of "this is not real motivating to live a moral Christian life". I have to say that what has come out of the sermon for me has been life-changing. 


I realized that I was looking to other peoples's opinions for fulfillment, and happiness. I am doing good "expecting" a reward (usually in the form of being adored).

The fact is now evident; that we should be motivated by the desire to please God and not by what goodness we can gain.  

If you look to people appreciating you as your main source of happiness then you will be let down everytime.

I will strive to be motivated by a pure humble desire to please our sweet heavenly Father.

mind/spirit: what to do with myself?

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I am again alone; my husband is out "wheeling and dealing" trying to get people to sign up for a texting system for businesses, my sons are both at friends' houses, and here I am-- trying to stay on my diet and abstain from my favorite beverage of choice (ice cold beer). Oh yes, there is plenty of cleaning opportunities and laundry to keep me going (yuck). I have watched some t.v. (smithsonian documentaries) and Bravo brain mush as well.
I feel this way often and have decided to turn to the Bible for healing -

Putting Psalm86 into my own words has comforted me and I would like to share what I have written and in affect prayed out loud-

If you are feeling like me - make a cup of tea and read this aloud from your heart and then spend some quiet time with God. I pray that the following words help you as much as they are helping me through this evening:

Paraphrased 
Psalm 86-
Help me Lord, because I need it
I am devoted to You Lord
I trust and serve You
Please  bring me joy, because I
have been praying constantly
You are good to anyone who
calls on You, and I know
You forgive those
that call on You

PLEASE hear me and I know
you will answer me when I
am troubled

You are the greatest of all the
deities that any people have
ever believed in and the only
true God. One day, all the people
You have created will worship
You and bring glory to your name
Dear Lord

Teach me how to do things your
way Lord
Help me focus on You with all
my heart and NOT  to let other
things divide my heart

I want to live according to your
truth
I want to praise You and glorify
your name forever
I know You REALLY REALLY
love me!
Especially, since You have delivered
me from (just lying in) the grave
for eternity
I have many attacks, weaknesses,
and hardships
but, Lord You show compassion
and grace
You are slow to anger and show love
and faithfulness to all

Please help me have your strength
to show your love through me
Give me a sign of your goodness
that others (those that don't love
and appreciate me) may see and feel
ashamed and less than great compared
to You
THANKS for loving me and comforting me