Have A Peaceful Holiday

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 4:6-7

Soul Surfer - A Must See Film!

The movie, Soul Surfer, is the inspirational true story of Bethany Hamilton based on her book by the same name. When Bethany was 13 years old, she lost her arm in a shark attack when she was surfing with friends. It was a miracle she survived.

At 13, Bethany had a promising career as a professional surfer and was a deeply spiritual Christian that prayed for God to use her. The sudden tragic accident did not change her goals. She went on with her surfing career to become a champion and gained world-wide appeal because she only had one arm.

Bethany believes that her mission is to inspire others and spread God's Word. She turned her loss into a plus through faith and courage.

Holiday Thanks

This last Thanksgiving I decided to visit my relatives, but instead of sending them love to change them, I decided to just let everyone be themselves. At the holidays last year, I discovered that it would take me about two hours of mentally sending love to change my crabby relatives into pleasant company.

This year I wanted to practice acceptance, which would allow me to experience them as they really are with clarity and understanding. At the first house, I had a delicious meal, learned about football and received a lecture on my selfishness. At my next family stop, I enjoyed good company and conversation but had to leave early to deliver medicine to my daughter, since she was home sick.

On the way there, my car caught on fire, so I pulled off the road, ran from it and dialed 911. Some wonderful strangers stopped to help and would not leave until after the fire truck left and the tow truck arrived. The firemen were happy to be there and help! They even joked about needing some exercise after their big Thanksgiving Day meal and would not leave until the tow truck arrived.

After meeting all of these great people in my time of crisis, I felt like a part of a community of love and support. This had been a wonderful ending to a day set aside for thanks, and I certainly felt grateful to God for my variety of life experiences.

Free Holiday Stress Relief

If you are feeling stressed for the holidays, I am offering a gift of free advising through email until February 1, 2012.

Just put "Free Holiday Advice" in the subject line of your email, and I will be sure to answer you within a few days. All correspondences are confidential and I am very accepting, so feel free to express your concerns.

Happy Holidays,
Susan

Be Love

Love is not a feeling. It is ceasing to see the self as separate. I experience you as part of myself. When I experience and love myself, that is not a feeling either; it is the agape-love, whereby I love you and all beings as myself. I am participating in the Creator's love who makes His sun to shine and His rain to fall on all alike; all participate in this kind of love. It involves compassion, feelings.

~ from the book, Praying Naked; The Spirituality of Anthony De Mello by J. Francis Stroud, S.J.

Be Uncomfortable And Experience God!

How many times have I told You, no, God?

How many times because I was too tired, too insecure, too uncertain, too busy, or too selfish have I walked right past Your divine appointment for me and missed experiencing You?

~ from the book, What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, by Lysa Terkeurst

Partner Up With God

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.

~ Proverbs 3:5-6