Making the Choice to Rejoice

                                                   
                                                        

Phil 4:4 says: "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say rejoice!" In the original language this is written in the imperative, meaning that it is a command, not simply a suggestion, or an option. It is an act of our will, not merely an emotional response. So what does it mean to rejoice? How can we rejoice even in the midst of extremely difficult circumstances? I look forward to hearing some of your thoughts and encouragement on this subject over the next few weeks. In looking up the word rejoice, I found that it means to "take joy in something or someone, focus on the joyful aspect of something; to enjoy." The verse says rejoice IN THE LORD. We may not be rejoicing in a circumstance, but we can rejoice in the Lord in the midst of that difficult, by focusing on Him and His unchanging character. When we choose to do this as an act of obedience to Him, He gives us true joy. ALWAYS really does mean in every circumstance. When we choose to praise Him, we invite His powerful Presence into our circumstances. "He inhabits the praises of His people." He will use even our suffering for His glory of we are faithful to obey Him in the midst of it. What are you facing today? How can we encourage you to rejoice in the Lord? 
By Katherine Fellrath
(blog contributor from Choosing Joy Women's Ministries)https://www.facebook.com/pages/Choosing-Joy-Womens-Ministry/199338723598608

Take Time To Be Still

Taking time to renew your mind daily takes discipline. It's easy to be busy in this day and age and to be distracted with technology and all your 'to do's' on your lists of activity and plans and demands. 

As you may know from my blog, I love to travel and try new adventures. This photo you see attached to this blog post is a pic I took a couple years ago when visiting my family in Washington State for a late Christmas and Happy New Year family reunion. We rented a farm house on Whidbey Island and we all packed into this enchanting old estate. I woke up the first morning and looked out my upstairs window and this was my first view that morning. I still can't believe it's a real image. I did not use a filter on this either. This photo literally everything is "quiet", and still. The grass is frozen over by the frost created by the 23 degrees we had that morning. The bushes are frozen and can't move, there is no wind, and the colors all compliment each other to make this gorgeous view.

The first thing that comes to my mind when I look at this picture now is 'BE STILL'. I think we need to practice and make a habit of being quiet and still in our daily lives. Just like eating healthy takes developing a new habit or stopping an addiction to eating or drinking too much wine or trying to stop going online to check facebook is a habit that was created by doing it over and over, so we also need to learn to practice the new habit of stillness. 

Life Coaching Tip for you today :

1. Today wherever you are, find a window and stand there looking out at whatever is there, and stare out that view for at least 3-5 min. After you do this, take deep breaths in through your nose and exhale out through your month 3 times. Enjoy the peace of the moment and remember to do this as a new habit daily. 

Verse of the day: Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God"