IRON SHARPENS IRON!

It is that time of night, I should be in the bathtub soaking out the Max Walk-Off Class I went to at 4:15. Whoa! What women subject themselves to in order to fit into their clothes. Like they say, "I bit off more than I could chew." Actually, I am not sure I could walk all the way to the bathtub right now. You laugh, I am not!!

What a beautiful day. On days when it is 75 and no humidity, I can't experience enough. I want to work out, work in the garden, fly to Chicago for lunch, go shopping, do it all.
Hope it was good for you, whether inside or out. Each day I gain a little more towards getting my blog straightened up, facebook knowledge, and now we are launching a website. New Logo, mission statement, new photos, mission statement and design of the actual website are in the works. All thanks to my friend, Lori DeWitt, my personal graphic artist - John, and putting all our ideas together - Faith2Enterprises.com is arriving.

IRON SHARPENS IRON - PROVERBS 27: 17

"Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend (to show rage or worthy purpose).

In sharing this concept with you, I would have to start with how that intrigued me and why?

A morning this spring I was reading a devotion from Joyce Meyer. It took me aback when I realized what she was saying about what this means. When I read that many other times over the last 37 years, I visualized the obvious. A thick, heavy club of iron that would be used in old time shaping of horse hooves or oxen memorabilia.

You may have had the right vision. And, I finally got it penetrated through my thick skull that this is really about each one of us being that instrument of God that hones and shapes our friends. Or not! It is our challenge, therefore to be that image and God-like challenge in the people (friends and family). It is imperative, as I see it, that we evaluate each and every day. . .are we being that good influence in those around us. Praying for them, checking on them, confronting when necessary, teaching, loving them to be motivated to be more like Christ each day. AND. . .are they sharpening us? It gets tricky here. God wants us to always be on the look out for those who need to hear about the Way, The Truth, and the Life!

Therefore, the challenge really is - If I am being pulled down, walking around in a toxic emotional drain pool, and pulled into a whirlpool of evil; it is not workable. Iron does not sharpen iron. If this is how you evaluate it, then you must think seriously about how to distance yourself from that situation (person). Yes, I realize what I am saying. Sound judgmental? Let me assure you, 7X 70 does apply. But, even Jesus shook his sandals outside his own home town because it became too toxic and hard hearted.

It takes a lot of prayer and seeking God for the truth. I have had to ask myself some very important questions this year about several situations. I believe God has released me from those situations. You need to consider all aspects. How long have you been involved with this person or situation even a job? Have I tried everything?
Confronting, praying, fasting, gotten counsel. If you have, then seek God for release. I believe this verse proves that He will show you.

You are all welcomed to make comments. I am sure there could be some raised eyebrows here.

It will be another gorgeous day tomorrow. Carpe Dium!

AFTER THE PARTY GLOW!

Hard to believe isn't it? A 55th High School Reunion. John's that is! Friday night Jim Covell threw a catered meal - free to everyone at Eckhart Park. The Class of 1955, Auburn High School. About 40 came. Some brought spouses. I mention that, because it is really surreal to watch all these 70 something people always act like they just saw each other the other day. 55 years ago. I have never seen such unity of spirit. I enjoy all of them. That was my 8th visit to their class reunion. They laugh, they never get bored of sharing stories, and are always interested in each others lives. Many have lost spouses to cancer, or illnesses. The new spouse is as welcomed as the first or second one.

Today, we seem to be better at accepting changes in life. We are exposed to so many different paths in today's world. Some voluntary and others involuntary. In my book Fretting, Fussing, Stewing, & Steering I wrote a chapter on "Getting Up to the Resurrection or Getting Up to the Tomb! We have a choice every day to suck a lemon or make lemonade. Many times I wonder what happened to the days of sitting on the pier, or porch and drinking lemonade, reading a book, thinking about what to have for supper. Not today. I don't have major answers about why it has changed, we just have a lot of input from outside sources. Ex-wives, blended family problems, changing jobs, changing generations. There is probably the biggest part of it all. Changing generations. And, so, I am impressed with the "Builders" (Pre-war - World WarII The Greatest Generation. They are making lemonade.

Topics to be discussed ahead:

Changing Generations: Whats up with Generation Y and X
Iron Sharping Iron
Proverbs 27: 17

Remember our God is an awesome God. Enjoy your day Sunday!

"WHEN YOU CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK. . .

AT THINGS, THE THINGS YOU LOOK AT . . .CHANGE!" Dr. Wayne Dwyer

It's Thursday - TGIT'S almost FRIDAY! That is one way to look at things isn't it?
I have a theory about Thursdays. Thursday is a teaser night, you know? You have been going like a crazy person all week keeping up with each "tyranny of the urgent". You are pretty sure you don't have enough to go one more minute, yet the weekend is almost here. You can see the mirage way off in the distance, and you keep crawling towards the hope that maybe, just maybe the weekend is not going to be at all like the week was.

So, how do I change the way I look at Thursdays, so when I get there - hmmm! It's not so
bad. You perk up and get excited about Friday. On a serious note, I love this saying, it has a lot to consider. Perspective, perspective, perspective! You can get up to the Tomb or you can can get up to the Resurrection each morning. We all have that choice.
Think about that tomorrow morning, or any morning. I can change the way I look at things, or I can grit my teeth and scowl till I get through the day.

It's been a mixed bag all day today. So when I woke up, I wanted to cover my head up and choose to stay hidden. I chose to change the way I looked at that. I wanted the instructor at Fitzone during Walk-Off to DISAPPEAR! Man that was hard today! It is Thursday you know. I am loosing energy. But, I survived. And, then after a very powerful prayer time with two of my good friends, I knew. . .choice to change the way I look at things. God's wonderful plan, after all. That we get it. That we apply all these wonderful truth's. Don't you just love how He uses The Word and people like Dr. Wayne. Live Laugh Love. Learn - Apply - Breathe.

Good night and enjoy your weekend!

I get to go to two Class reunion get togethers with John and listen to all the operations, and Dr. appointments everyone has had over the last five years. Oh yeah, I forgot, I can choose to change how I look at that. Ha. Enjoy!

ABOUT THE DAY!

Hot days can be productive! Dakota got to go to the Pet Lodge today to visit her friends and get lots of long walks. I hurried on to Fitzone for a round of cardio fitness. I mention all these trivial pursuits, because sometimes we just need to love doing them. And, I did today. Right down to getting new frames for a pair of broken glasses, shopping for Dakota at Pet Supplies Plus, getting an iced coffee and picking up some Mary Higgens Clark books at the Novel Bookstore at Northcrest. If that wasn't fun all by itself, I picked up Emily and Jordan and we headed for the country. Jordan helped John refurbish our tired old screen door and Emily and began our book project.

WHISPERING WOODS: THE TALE OF MORGAN AND THE BULLY
written and illustrated by E.M. Ross
co-authored / photography by Faith

AN EXCERPT JUST FOR YOU:

(First page - Chapter one - "Wondering" (picture of little girl looking at the woods)

"Go outdoors Morgan, her mother began, explore and get some fresh air."
"Oh, alright mother, can I take Chevy with me?" asked Morgan
"Yes, of course," said her mom
Morgan smiled and marched out the door with her beloved doll, Chevy. She stared across the lake and started wondering if she should follow her instincts and go explore the woods. Just then, she heard a faint humming in the distance. Still clutching her doll, she began to walk slowly towards the woods. The humming got louder and it rang in her ears. She wondered again, 'who was there with her?'


to be continued -

What fun we had just getting that far. I do have to point out that today, when you work with a 10 year-old, you do things in between phone calls and texting.

My book project begins tomorrow as I retool 6 chapters in particular. The title of the book is "Fretting, Fussing, Stewing, and Steering" Celebrating Victory through the Pain. After talking with an agent for Believers Press-Bethany House, I am going to focus on those chapters. I will be interweaving my story and others about how you can achieve victory over stinkin' thinkin'.

Spending time with the Lord last Thursday on the trails at Pokagon, it became clear that I also wanted women to know HOW to declare Forgiveness and learn how to declare Spiritual Warfare. So, more on that later. How many ways can I say God is awesome and I am humbled by His plan for my life. The challenge for us all, people, is we need to be open to His plan, see it, and then do it.

Goodnight

from Faithvoice

WELCOME TO MY FIRST VOICE!

Hello out there!

This is my first attempt at my own blog. Hang in there with me, as I explore how it should look, what pictures, and what voice.

I will want to share my heart for the times we are in, sharing hinds feet on hinds places with you, and some exerts from my writings.

God Bless and talk to you later.

FaithVoiceTwo!