• DO YOU NEED TO BE RESCUED?

    ByKathy Stephens

    Three years ago I took in a DOG. On my way to get a massage that cold snowy night she came out of no where. She was staring at me with those beautiful GOLD EYES. I rubbed her head and went on inside for my massage and deep down I was saying “lord please don’t let that dog be there when I come out.”
    Spent an hour on the massage table and as we finished up and we walked to my car she was GONE. OR so we thought…. ALL the sudden here she came out of the dark from an old building, wagging her tail and almost talking to us with those beautiful gold eyes. I got a flash light and we went inside the building to see if maybe there was puppies or something but NO, NOTHING. Just a place under an OLD desk that she had sorta made for herself.
    She was super friendly and my massage girl and I started saying to each other ” WELL we can’t leave her here.” IT was freezing. One of those RARE OCCASIONS when we actually get snow in Mississippi.
    She called her husband and he said NO, NO, NO. SO we walked back out to my car, I opened the hatch back and I said, “come on girl your going home with me.” NOTE: One of my bad traits in case you don’t know is doing things and saying things BEFORE I THINK.
    She came home with me that night and slept in my laundry room. She was housebroken, so dang sweet and very loving. Her eyes seemed to get even more gold as the days went by. Dennis wasn’t surprised when I showed up with her that night. He was like, “baby we can’t keep this dog”. Knowing in his heart… we were keeping the DOG. haha
    Long story short, “GOLDIE” was pregnant. SOOOOO about 5 weeks after bringing her home she had 8 beautiful puppies. I raised them for about 6 weeks and then began to find them all great homes. GOLDIE went to live with an older guy out of meridian. He too was alone and needed some company.
    When this came up on my memory page today my heart jumped for JOY. I would rescue HER all over again.
    {POINT OF SHARING THIS WITH YOU ) It made me think about how CHRIST has rescued us. How he took us in and fed us and gave us his living water. How He keeps us warm with HIS word, engrafts us with a heart for others and takes away (removes) our pain.
    Sometimes we seem HOPELESS… Just like Goldie that night. Held up in a cold , wet old building. Sometimes we are held up by LIES of this life. I’m not enough…. No one loves me…. I don’t fit in….. I”M ALONE…..
    Are you feeling HOPELESS today? IF so turn to HIM. Allow Christ to RESCUE YOU. Give your heart and your life to HIM. What a better time to REST IN HIM…….
    Psalms 37: 40 “The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in HIM.”

  • Worrier or Warrior???

    ByKathy Stephens

    Worrier or Warrior?
    When I first saw this picture I laughed outloud. The crazy things that go through our minds, even in Yoga. Yoga have proven for me to be such an avenue for better health. Mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. One thing to know however is that it is so much more than the “cute” yoga pants. Yoga training taught me how to get quiet before the LORD on my mat. Truth is Yoga was a great tool for healing during the beginning stages of my GRIEF journey. #yogafaith.
    Have you ever been a worrier? I know I sure have. I spent a great part of my adult life worrying about everything. Truth is worry kept me a prisoner for way too long. Worry can make you sick, deplete your love tank, steal your JOY, and make you a person that no one wants to be around. Worry is an element which contributes to a growing lack of faith. Here are some reminders from God’s word about worry.
    Philippians4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray, about everything.
    Proverbs 12:25 Worry weights a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
    Matthew 6:27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
    Isaiah 7:4a Tell him to stop worrying.
    Looking at this picture I know it’s a “play” on yoga truly, but DO you see yourself at all? Now ask yourself, ” what is the opposite of being a worrier?” the ANSWER. “being a Warrior.” In Yoga there is a pose we call WARRIOR 2. IT is a POSE that simply makes you feel strong and courageous. It is a grounding effect of strength and balance.
    SPIRITUALLY we must be a Warrior as well… Being guarded and ready for the battles of LIFE. We are never alone when we are faced with adversities, with disappointments, with illnesses, with loss. In Jeremiah 20:11a we are reminded. “but the Lord stands beside me like a great Warrior.”
    But what are we to do??? Ephesians 6:11-18 says… “put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly placed. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.” This next part is very important. “then after the battle you will be standing firm.” In the physical it is a GREAT reminder as we form our Warrior 2 POSE But spiritually ….. Let’s continue……….
    Here’s how….. Vs. 14 “Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. Vs.15 For Shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. Vs. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Vs. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Vs. 18 Pray in the spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
    Where are you today? Worrier or Warrior?????