Journals!

I absolutely love journaling. I've written quite a bit about it here at SimplyCintia.com 

Today I want to tell you about the different journals I currently use and how they can enhance different areas of life. 

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Road to WW Lifetime

I am so close to finishing the WW Journey I started a while back! Today I am inviting you to come with me! If you want a free month on WW, please grab your free month here.

Listen to the podcast here and let me know what you think in the comments (or on social). 

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Get out of that ditch

 

Life is not fun, sometimes. It feels like you're in a ditch. Here's some encouragement for those who feel the same way I do:

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Witness

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26 (NRSV)

My home was quiet after the kids went to school. I sat at my kitchen table to eat breakfast. I was thinking about my to-do list when I heard a lot of birds singing outside my window. The piney woods of East Texas are home to hundreds of species of birds. From my kitchen window, I saw bluebirds, cardinals and eastern towhee freely grazing. There was a freedom about the way the birds moved. The levity and beauty of their movement filled my heart with joy. 

As the birds flew away, I remembered Jesus’ words of care and courage in Matthew 6. The Bible teaches us that God cares for the birds and He cares for us. I thought about my cares for the day and I found courage as I started to pray. 

Prayer can be a lot of things:  monologues, Christmas lists, and even formulas. That morning, I learned that prayer can also be a witness to Christ. Witnesses testify of what they see. Christ is the Anointed One sent from God be our wonderful Savior. As I prayed that day, I told God of all the goodness I saw Him do around me. The sight and sound of birds reminded me that I am a person of value and He cares for me. This practice brings much hope. My tendency to be a woman of little faith is changed when I pray with this perspective in mind: God is at work all around me. I can recognize it and tell God about it as a witness in prayer. Where do you see Christ the Anointed One at work right now in your life?

Thought for the day:

God is at work all around me. How can prayer be a witness to Christ? 

Prayer: Creator God, you never cease to amaze us. Help us to see you at work and find trust in you. Amen. 

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Pastors Appreciation Month

October is the month we stop to celebrate Pastor's Appreciation Month. I love any reason to say thanks to my husband and to all the ministers who serve us so well. 

Being in ministry is not easy and still, ministers serve us so well. I observed how taxing the pandemic was to everyone but especially to those serving in ministry. 

Still, they showed grace, offered smiles, words of comfort, and prayers. Many didn't bother trying to answer the unanswerable but instead offered to be there, side-by-side as we walked thorugh the valley of the shadow of death. Many got sick themselves. Many are gone. We remember. We pray for their grieving families and congregations. 

I believe that the best gifts we can offer to pastors and ministers are prayers and encouragement. Prayers because they have real needs too. They mostly do not share what those needs are but God knows and He cares. Encouragement because everyone needs strength to carry on. Encouragement can come in the form of words, cards, messages saying "I am praying for you." 

I grew up in a church community that honored pastors from the heart. I am grateful for my upbringing. I learned to show honor and respect because it is due, it pleases God and it is appropriate. 

Thank God for those who are committed to caring for our souls. May they find all the acceptance, love, and joy they need to continue to serve well. They are faithful servants and we are better because of their diligence.

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