The Magazine for Inspiration and Life The Magazine for Inspiration and Life TM

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The Magazine for Inspiration and Life

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ON THE COVER

Move It and Lose It– by Stephanie Lyas

Your Pain Can Be Your Reign– by Shannon Keith

Bullseye! How to Land Every Goal You Set– by Eric Garner

Get the Rebound! Why Your Setback is Really a Comeback– by Stephanie Lyas

The Grass is Always Greener– by Dionna Sanchez

IN EVERY ISSUE

What's Cookin’ in the Cafe

A Message From the Editor

A Free Gift for You

Love Notes from Heaven

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Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning. Two words that many of us hate to

hear. De-cluttering, organizing, dusting, mopping and

sweeping are all things we dread doing, but we sure

do love the results of a good cleaning, don’t we?

There’s nothing like the feel of a home when things

are tidy and in order. When things are in their proper

place we can think more clearly, and be more productive. The same

is true with our spiritual “houses.”

When the seasons change, it’s always a good idea to spruce up.

There’s just something about cleaning that makes you feel revived

and renewed. Clearing out old habits, old mindsets, and relation-

ships that don’t really serve us well is important to growth. Tossing

out bitterness, envy, strife and unforgiveness clears the way for new

relationships to thrive and old ones to flourish.

In this new season, I pray that we will put away the junk of the past. I

hope that we all make a conscious effort to get rid of the things that

serve no productive purpose in our lives. May we go after our

dreams, strive to be better as individuals and live

the life that God has designed just for us. It all

starts with a good cleaning!

.

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Stephanie Lyas, Founding Editor

HeartSongs Magazine

CONTACT US

HeartSongs Magazine

c/o HeartSongs Publishing Unlimited

Stephanie Lyas, Founder

P.O. Box 59763

Birmingham, AL 35259-9763

Happy Spring! Signs of life are bursting forth all around us. The

blooming flowers, fresh air, and warmer weather are all such a

welcomed change.

To me the spring season represents newness. I’m boldly going in

the direction of my dreams, goals and callings. I’m grateful for

the courage to step outside my comfort zone into the wonderful

destiny that God has promised me. It’s time to move forward!

If you feel stuck in the winter season and like nothing is happen-

ing right now— don’t lose heart. In order for new life to emerge,

there has to be a period of dormancy. That’s why certain flowers

and seeds have to be planted at the right moment so that when

the time is right, they will sprout up and emerge as beautiful new

creations. We don’t get to see what is happening in the dirt, but

we believe that whatever we have planted will soon come forth in

all its glory!

Maybe you’ve been in a dormant season in your life. And it looks

like everything is dead and lifeless. I challenge you to take anoth-

er look. Look up. Look around you. Look inside you. The dreams

that God placed inside of you are still there. The good work that

He has begun is ready to be completed. And God is able to resur-

rect things that seem dead and done. Only believe!

As we reflect upon the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ and all that He means, I’m reminded that what was once

dead is now alive forevermore. Because He lives, I can face to-

morrow with unspeakable joy!

I pray that this season will be one of abundant blessings, hope,

encouragement, and growth for you. I also pray that HeartSongs

Magazine will be a small part of that process. Thanks always for

your love and continued support.

Faithfully yours,

Stephanie Founding Editor, HeartSongs Magazine

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HAVE hope

TRY new things

BE active

SEE the good

SAY “I Love You” more

CHALLENGE yourself

CHOOSE to be happy

EAT better

ENJOY today

FORGIVE quicker

READ more often

BE the best you can be

Source Unknown

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Funny thing about snowballs, they’re beautiful to look at, but they sure don’t last very long. I’m not talking about snowballs made from actual snow. I’m referring to those gorgeous flowers that bloom every spring like clockwork. I believe the scientific name for them is hydrangeas but, my grandmother always called them snowballs because that’s exactly what they look like in full bloom- white, and ever so delicate blossoms of beauty. I could always tell when spring had officially arrived. Not by the calendar, but by my grandmother’s flowerbed. Snowballs, azaleas and daffodils were the one sure way to know that spring was in the air. Granny took pride in her “snowball bush” as I recall. She would often get compliments from neighbors, and passersby who admired the towering white shrubs. And when the wind blew, even just a little, you could count on those fragile little petals falling to the ground like a snow-flakes. I was always fascinated by those beautiful bushes and now, I know why. The snowballs would, in later years serve as a reminder of the wonderful memories I have of my grandmother who passed away sever-al years ago. The snowballs represented her in so many ways. Like her, they were quaint and delicate, yet commanded the attention and admiration of everyone who had the pleasure of seeing them. As the anniversary of her passing approached, I began to reflect on her life and the things she taught me. “Do right and right will follow” was one of her favorite sayings and, I believe, was the theme of her life. As I passed by her house one day, I noticed that the snowballs were in full bloom just as they had been every spring. Every single branch of the enormous shrub was blessed with the presence of a gorgeous white orb of beauty. I had pre-viously resisted the urge to go and cut some, but this particular time was different. I had to have some. Plus, I already had a vase to put them in. That, I thought would be a perfect way to remember perhaps the most influential person in my life. As I carefully selected each flower, I thought to myself, “Granny would be furious to see me cutting on her snowball bush.” I smiled, knowing that, she would actually be honored to share something so lovely with me-especially something that gave her

so much pride and joy. As I carefully selected each stalk, I did so with her in mind. I remembered how she always encouraged me to strive for the best, so I dared not pick anything less. By the time I was finished, I was teary-eyed and proud of my enormous bouquet of snowballs. Of course, some shed their petals before I got them home safely to their vase, but overall the bouquet was simply breathtaking-like something you would find in an upscale flower shop. This was one display that I knew Granny would be proud of. A few days later I passed by her house again, and to my sur-prise, the snowball bush was brown and withered. I could hard-ly believe that the lovely snowballs had died. Gone. Almost as quickly as they had come. I had no idea that the snowball bush

would not be as beautiful that day as it was just a few days before. In fact, I was planning on pick-ing a few more to place on her grave. I felt a little sadness at the sight of the dried, lifeless rem-nants of that once breathtaking bush. At the same time I was glad I picked my bouquet when I did. At least I was able to enjoy it for just a little while before it withered. In actuality the snow-balls were gone, but the bush itself was still

green and vibrant. I thought to myself, “Nature has a strange

way of showing you things.” Who knew that a simple hydran-gea bush could teach me some of the most important lessons I could ever learn: 1). that life is precious 2). that physical beauty is short-lived 3). that everything beautiful blossoms in its own time, and 4). that we should enjoy the simple pleasures in life because they can be here in one instant and gone the next. I thought about how fortunate I was to enjoy my Granny the same way-her bright smile, her wit, her kindness and her zeal for life. I reflected on all the wonderful things she taught me grow-ing up. Of course, I will never be able to recapture those years, but I will always cherish my precious memories of Granny and her snowball bush.

© Copyright 2005. Stephanie Lyas

by Stephanie Lyas

A recently picked snowball bouquet from Granny’s yard

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I usually try to avoid watching the local news because of all the bad news. It’s true what they say, though, “If It bleeds, it leads.” Sometimes

I wonder why somebody hasn’t come up with a news network that reports only the good stuff. But that wouldn’t be realistic, would it? So,

when I come across a really good “feel good” story, I try to appreciate it—and learn something from it.

Tonight, there was one of those “you gotta see this” stories about a mother duck who led her eight (yes, eight) babies across a busy five-lane

interstate in the middle of rush hour. The miracle was that all nine of them safely crossed without a single feather out of place! It was as if

they each had some invisible, supernatural Traffic Cop guiding them. The amazing part was that the mother instinctively knew exactly when

to stop and when to proceed with her “precious cargo” in tow. It was fascinating watching them weave in and out of the lanes with the babies

huddled as close as they could possibly get to her side. When she stopped, they stopped. When she moved, they moved in perfect precision.

One false move and it could have been disastrous for all of them. I was on the edge of my seat like I was watching a suspense thriller and sat

there with my eyes covered as they avoided a couple of near fatal misses. At times, the cars zoomed by so fast that it knocked a few of the

babies off their feet and almost into another lane where they would have been run over. But GOD…

Here’s what really got me, though. Each time one or more of the babies would get knocked off its feet, the mother and the rest of the group

would patiently wait for them to get back up- then the huddle would proceed cautiously to the next lane. I let out the biggest sigh of relief

when that sweet little duck family made it safely across the highway and out of harm’s way. It was truly something to witness!

One of the newscasters made the comment that the mother duck “foolishly put her babies at risk” by leading them across the dangerous inter-

state. “What was she thinking?” he asked. Those words stuck with me a moment as I thought about my own life. How many times have I

put myself and others at risk of danger by making foolish choices? How many times did I follow the crowd, oblivious to the danger that

awaited? And how many times has God led me safely to the other side when I probably deserved to get wiped out?

We all have made foolish choices in life. We've been followers instead of leaders. Many times we have failed to think before we acted and

took stupid risks. To others watching our lives, we deserved to be punished for our carelessness. But GOD…

Like that brave mother duck, God led us to a place of safety. Yes, we could have gotten ourselves hurt or even killed. Yes, the outcome of

our choices could have affected those we love. Yes, we could not have survived to tell our stories. But GOD…

Seeing those ducks on TV that night taught me a powerful lesson about the grace and mercy of God in my own life:

1). That even in the midst of foolish choices that I have made, God still has a plan for me.

2). That, as close as I come to totally wrecking my life, God patiently waits for me to get back on my feet and even picks me up at times when

I fall.

3). That like those baby ducks who helplessly clung to their mother's side, not making a move without her, I desperately cling to my Heaven-

ly Father to guide me, sometimes unaware of the danger around me.

4). That because God loves me, He will order my steps and lead me to safety, and

5). Because Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior placed Himself in harm’s way, His “precious cargo” can make it safely to the other side.

“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.” –John 1:16 (NIV)

Copyright ©2012. Stephanie Lyas. All Rights Reserved.

In Harm’s Way

by Stephanie Lyas

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Personal Development

by Eric Garner

Why is it that some people set goals and give up on them while others set goals and achieve them with amazing ease? The an-

swer almost certainly lies in applying the following 7 secrets of goal-setting.

1. Start With Your Strengths. Although you can base your goals on anything you want, your chances of success are greater if,

first, you base them on your strengths and second, on the current opportunities in your field. To find out your strengths, do

some self-research, such as a personal SWOT: your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

2. Put Your Goals In Writing. Written goals have a way of transforming wishes into wants, cant's into cans, dreams into plans

and plans into reality. The act of writing clarifies your goals and provides you with a way to check your progress. You can even

add reasons to give you more motivation. So don't just think it - ink it!

3. Dream Big. One of the factors that restricts the realization of our full potential is the belief that we shouldn't go for big

goals. Yet all the evidence of those who realize big goals is that we can always achieve far more than we think. David Schwartz

says in his book "The Magic of Thinking Big": "Big goals attract big resources like a magnet."

4. Pitch Each Goal. Once you have set your ultimate goal, you then need to set the intermediate goals that will get you

where you want. Don't pitch these too easily or too ambitiously or they will drop into the Drop Zone. Aim to make them chal-

lenging: out of reach, but not out of sight.

5. Express Them Right. It's important to express your goals in the right way.

· never express your goal in terms of what you don't want; always in terms of what you do want

· express your goals in performance terms not reward terms

· express your goals in terms of how others benefit

· express your goals according to the principles which matter.

6. Set Goals In Terms of Behavior. When we set goals for ourselves, they should be expressed in behavioral terms, rather

than in terms of status, rewards or position. That’s because behavior is something within our power, while status, rewards and

position are not. Formulating goals in behavioral terms also means we present a strong positive image of ourselves to our brains.

The brain, not knowing the difference between a real or imagined experience, then seeks to act in accordance with the pre-

sented image.

7. Pursue Your Goals With Passion. The driving force behind your goal-achievement is Desire. You must desire your goals

constantly, vividly and with a burning passion. If you do, you cannot fail to achieve them. It was said of Michelangelo that he

could blot out every distraction while working on a project such as the statue of David, until it was completed.

When you pursue your goals with these 7 habits, you’ll be amazed at how quickly they manifest themselves and how much

more enjoyable the process becomes.

© 2005, Eric Garner, ManageTrainLearn.com

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When my life is really hectic and busy, I long for quieter days where I can putz and roam at "will." I dream

of a day where I can delve into a project or have everything around the house caught up on, so that I

can read for hours with my children or play game after game with them without worrying about the time.

But then when those slow days seem to come, it seems like I look around me and feel like everyone is do-

ing something exciting in their life but me. I tend to feel like maybe I'm boring or maybe I should look into

a new opportunity or activity in my life.

Have you ever felt that way? We tend to always want what we don't have. Have you ever stopped to

wonder why that is?

I think it's because we don't know how to be content with what we have and where God has placed us in

our lives. We take our eyes off of the road He has placed us on, and we look at someone else's road. We

fail to take into consideration that that someone could be looking at our road and wishing for our set of

circumstances as well! We just carry this mentality with us of thinking that we need to be doing (or not do-

ing) what the rest of the world is doing!

We trip ourselves up a lot with this way of thinking. I know there have been many times where I have wal-

lowed in a little bit of self pity only to remember later on that I had asked for that certain situation or set of

circumstances to come up! And when it did, I was only ungrateful.

The grass is always going to look greener on the other side of that fence if we continue to look at what

everyone else has instead of looking at how much we have to be thankful for. When times are busy, we

can be thankful for friends who invite us to activities, or healthy children who are well enough to partici-

pate in sports. And when they are slower, we can be thankful for those times to recharge, catch up

around our homes, and spend extra time loving on each other.

I think it's all in how we look at it.

The Grass is Always Greener

by Dionna Sanchez

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Health & Wellness

Recently a friend asked me when was the last time I went to the gym. Embar-

rassed, I answered, “It’s been so long that I’ve forgotten my locker combination.”

Knowing my hectic lifestyle, his reply was, “Well you know you have to exercise to

stay healthy and keep up with yourself.” And he was right. I go a lot, but I'm not

physically active enough in a way that is conducive to reducing stress, and making

a healthier me. I was convicted to star t back on a regular workout schedule.

I’m no poster child for Physical Fitness, but I do, know a thing or two about exercise. Several years ago, I

made the decision to lose weight by exercising and making smarter food choices. I’m not saying that I haven’t

fallen off the wagon a few times, but I am aware of the positive effects of proper nutrition and exercise on a per-

son’s overall well-being. Studies have shown that simple lifestyle changes can drastically reduce one’s risk of

obesity, life-threatening illnesses, and can evenly positively affect mental clarity and focus. Following these

simple guidelines will bring you one step closer to a healthier you. In turn, you will lose those unwanted pounds

and look and feel better. Just a few minutes of aerobic activity each day will get you going and help you lose

all the stuff you don’t want like extra weight, stress and fatigue.

Disclaimer: Be sure to consult with your doctor before making any dietary changes or beginning any exer-

cise regimen. These are just a few of my personal fitness tips. Results may vary.

Here are a few tips that helped me on my journey toward a healthier me:

1. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially before and after your

workout.

2. Pace yourself. Start slowly then build.

3. Stretching helps reduce the risk injury. Be sure to learn the proper techniques.

4. Listen to your body. Don’t overdo it! If you feel fatigued or experience pain,

STOP. Consult a doctor if the pain persists.

5. Invest in a pair of comfortable shoes and workout gear. Choose fabric that is light, well-fitting and

“breathable”.

by Stephanie Lyas

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What comes to mind when you think of the “sweet life?” Owning a fancy home or luxury car? Wearing the hottest designer labels? Vacationing in a tropical paradise? All of these things, while great in their own right, are what many people attribute to living well. Contemporary culture sets the standard for what the good life is. The desire for material things, social status and the quest to “keep up with the Joneses” overshadows our ability to really enjoy the simple things in life. There is nothing wrong with desiring and having nice things, but how many times do we chase the “bling” and miss out on the simple things? Do yourself a favor and take time to savor the sweet life that God has provided for those who love Him and trust Him. No, you may not have the material possessions that others have, but that’s okay. Don’t waste time wanting what others have. Instead, spend more time enjoying what you have, and who you are. You may not have the talent, the looks, the money, or the notoriety that others have, but guess what? Life is still worth living. You are still blessed! The life you have now is “sweet,’ especially if you are in God’s family, so, cherish each day, and enjoy the sweet life that is yours already. Here are eight of my favorite “Life Savors”. I hope they will become yours, too: 1. Admiring a beautiful sunset 2. Taking a Sunday afternoon drive 3. Watching children play in the park 4. Reading a good book 5. Petting a friendly dog or cat 6. Going on a nature walk 7. Taking a mini vacation. Even day trips can be refreshing. 8. Singing or listening to old songs that you used to enjoy. Nothing brings back the “good old days” like

good music. So the next time, you feel like life is passing you by, take a moment to enjoy the simple things. These life savors can be real life savers!

© Stephanie Lyas. The HeartSong Café. 2006

Eight Simple Ways To Enjoy the “Sweet” Life

by Stephanie Lyas

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Cooking & Entertainment

Delicious Lemon Parmesan TilapiaDelicious Lemon Parmesan Tilapia

What You Need: 1-2 lbs. Tilapia fillets Parmesan-Lemon Sauce

2-4 tsp. Butter or margarine, softened 1 cup low-fat mayonnaise 2 tsp. Fresh lemon juice 2 tbsp. lemon juice

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

How To Fix: 1. Rinse the tilapia fillets in cold water and drain thoroughly.

2. Top with butter or margarine and lemon juice. 3. Broil about 4 inches from the source of heat for approximately 5 to 6

minutes or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.

4. Top each portion with 1-2 tbsp. of Lemon-Parmesan Sauce; broil 2-3 minutes or until sauce puffs and turns golden brown.

5. Place fillets on serving plate; garnish with lemon slices and fresh parsley.

Serves: 4-6

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “Most people are willing to change, not because they see the light, but because they feel the

heat!” -Unknown

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Okay, so it’s not a coupon for a free skinny mocha latte! It’s way better! God gave us Jesus

Christ, the only One good enough to pay the sin debt for all mankind– past, present and future.

It’s not about being religious or following a bunch of man-made rules, but it is about being recon-ciled to God our Father eternally through Christ. His gift is free to us, but cost Him everything.

That’s pretty awesome!

So here’s the deal….

Maybe you’re wondering, “This sounds too good to be true. How do I take advantage of this free

gift? ” It is fairly simple, but you must receive it by faith -trusting in God.

ACKNOWLEDGE that sin has separated you from God. “For all have sinned and come short of the

glory of God.” ( Romans 3:23) Admit that you’ve broken God’s rules but you really want to

change. He’s more than willing to forgive you and help you if you are willing and sincere.

BELIEVE that God sent His Son Jesus as the only acceptable sacrifice to pay the debt for our sins.

Because God is as Holy as He is loving, He could not tolerate the rebellious, wicked state of man-

kind. So, instead of punishing us , which would have been fair, He showed us mercy and sent His

only Son to take our place. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that

whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

CONFESS or say what you believe. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in

your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) Again, this must

be done by faith. “For with the heart man believes and with the mouth confession is made unto

salvation (Romans 10:10).” Be courageous enough to share with others what God has done for

you.

And finally.. make a DECISION to live your life to glorify Him.. You may think that it’s too hard, but

if you ask Him, He will empower you to do just that. Your lifestyle should represent what your new

relationship with Christ is all about.

CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve made the most important decision of your life and you are now a

member of God’s family! Develop your relationship by spending time reading and studying the

Bible. It may be helpful to connect with others through a local church or small group fellowship to

get you started. Communicate openly with God through prayer and meditation in His Word and

finally, surround yourself with others who will help you grow you in your new walk with Christ. Your

life will never be the same.

You are a new creature in Christ. Old things have passed away and all things are new!

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

And that beats a latte any day!

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“What does God think of me?” “How could I

do such a thing?” “I can’t do anything

right…” At one time or another all of us have

probably uttered these words about ourselves

in moments of frustration. Sometimes, when

we make mistakes, feelings of humiliation

and shame have a tendency to weave them-

selves into the very fabric of our existence

and discourage us. It is a tactic of the enemy

to cause us to believe that God is angry at us,

that we are not worthy of His love and for-

giveness, and that we do not have what it

takes to be successful in life. Nothing could

be farther from the truth. God is a merciful

Father, and it is His desire that we understand

the total depth and breadth of His love for

us. That perfect love encompasses grace and

forgiveness, and gives us a sense of com-

pleteness that only comes from a relationship

with Him. Even when we fall short of His

absolute best, He lovingly guides us back

into fellowship with Him. It is the Father’s

desire that we become stable, mature, indi-

viduals so that we may ultimately glorify

Him. Often, He uses the negative circum-

stances of life, including our mistakes, to

teach, transform and train us. What is most

important to our spiritual growth is finding

grace, through prayer, to overcome mistakes,

and to move toward the remarkable future

that God has in store for us.

So What Exactly Does it Mean to Pray?

You might say, “I don’t know how to pray,”

or “I don’t feel worthy enough to pray.” The

good news is that prayer is simply communi-

cation with God. It is open, honest dialogue

with the Father that doesn’t require a lot of

words. In fact, some of the most profound

moments in prayer can be spent in absolute

silence as we prepare our hearts and minds to

receive from God. The wonderful thing about

our Father is that He knows the unspoken

meditations of our hearts, and, even in still-

ness, speaks to us.

What Prayer is Not

Often, we are temped to use prayer as a way

to alleviate our guilt without true confes-

sion. We might bargain with God or make

empty promises to avoid His discipline. How

many times have we prayed, “God, if You’d

only...then I promise to…” knowing in our

hearts that we are not being totally truthful

with God? Such halfhearted actions do not

lead us to finding God’s grace, but actually

hinder or delay our blessings. Prayer is de-

signed to be a safe method for us to effective-

ly communicate with our Father. It is not a

means to manipulate God into blessing us

despite known sin in our lives.

How To Find Grace Through Prayer

Throughout the course our lifetimes we will

have made many mistakes-some seemingly

trivial and others monumental. It is im-

portant to not allow ourselves to be ensnared

by the pitfalls of guilt and condemnation, and

to recognize that they serve no real purpose

but to cause us to lose focus on the truly sig-

nificant things in life. In actuality, they create

a hidden rift between God and us-one in

which we cannot earnestly connect with Him

in prayer. The truth is that the enemy desires

to separate us from our Power Source which

is God the Father. Without the ability to

communicate with Almighty God, Satan

knows that we are literally defenseless

against his tricks and schemes. God, on the

other hand, wants to maintain fellowship with

us so that we can be triumphant in every

situation. He desires for us to approach Him

with all sincerity in prayer, especially when

we make mistakes. His Word says that we

can “…come boldly unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy and find grace to

help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV)

There is no greater time of need than when

we stumble along the way. Scripture clearly

(Continued on page 26)

By Stephanie Lyas

Finding God's Grace When We Make Mistakes

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YOUR PAIN CAN BE YOUR REIGN

by Shannon Keith

Most of us have all played the vicious game of chasing and

running. We chase after the things that we think will make us

"happy" and then run from them once we realize that these

"things" or "lifestyles" are nothing but terrible pain. This cycle

will continue until we each come to the very end of ourselves.

You may ask, “How do you come to the end of yourself?”

Basically, the end of yourself is when you have made a com-

plete mess of your life and hurt the ones around you and still

cannot feel the emotion behind the mess that you have creat-

ed. This emotional void is what happens when we distance

ourselves from our faith. I like to refer to it as getting lost in a

worldly slumber, that feeling of drowning in the guilt and

shame of the past.

This type of distance or as I call it, worldly slumber, is when

each of us should listen to the words of Psalm 46:10 and "Be

still and know that I am God." At this point, we are normally

brokenhearted over our mistakes but if we allow God into the

chambers of our soul it will be the most intimate encounter.

Words cannot describe the peace that only He can bring with

just a whisper into our spirit. He comes to help us restore our

spirit in our time of need so the vicious game of chasing hap-

piness and running away can end.

God will help you navigate yourself out of the mess that you

have made in your life. I know you must be thinking, “Are

you kidding me?” No, this is no kidding matter, neither are

your previous life experiences or your heartaches. God will

take the mess that you have gone through in your life and ac-

tually use it for someone else in the midst of their pain for His

glory, if you will just be patient and allow Him into your soul.

So listen for His whisper and remember that your pain can be

your reign!

© Copyright 2012 Shannon Keith shannonkeith7772@yahoo.com

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Waiting is something that no one really likes to do. But waiting

is a part of life. Even in this “microwave society” it seems like

everything in life requires waiting. In fact, we spend much of

our day waiting on something or someone:

waiting for the kids to get ready for school

waiting in traffic

waiting in line at the grocery store

waiting at the doctor’s office

waiting on the phone for customer service

Life is full of waiting. But let’s take it a step further. How

many times have you prayed for something for a long time and

the longer you pray, the longer it seems you have to wait?

You’ve trusted God, stood firmly on His Word, been faithful

and obedient, and the very thing that you’ve been believing for

is the main thing that seems to elude you? You are not alone.

And although God seems to be taking His time, rest assured

there is a purpose for the waiting.

I was reading something recently about training for a marathon.

Although their goal is to finish the race in a record time, runners

must also learn to run at a certain pace to avoid overexertion. In

other words, they are learning endurance. The race is about do-

ing your personal best and developing patience.

The Bible tells us to "run with patience (endurance, persistence) the race set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finish-er of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2, KJV) It seems like running a

race with patience is an oxymoron. After all, isn’t the goal to

hurry up and finish before everybody else? Well, it depends.

The goal of running the race of life is not to beat your opponent,

but to finish your course and develop the patience, persistence

and character that God desires.

One morning. I was getting ready to get up and hit the ground

running with my usual long list of things to do when a little

voice said, “The most productive thing you can do today is to sit

quiet and wait on Me.” I knew it was the Holy Spirit because I

sensed the calmness and peace that only He could provide. Of

course, me, and my “high-strung” self was not at all comfortable

with that. I wanted to hurry up and pray, hurry and get show-

ered and dressed, hurry up and check email so I could hurry up

and get out the door.

Then, it occurred to me, “Today is an off day. I don’t have to be

anywhere in a hurry. Why don’t I just chill a minute?” Many

times we are in such a hurry to do something, that we act too

hastily and miss God’s instructions. Only He knows what disas-

ter we may be avoiding, what answers He may be providing, or

which direction He is trying to show us. To patiently wait for

Him is never a waste of time, no matter how busy the day may

be.

DON’T JUST DO SOMETHING… STAND THERE!

The world often equates busyness with productivity. And when

a crisis occurs, we immediately want to react. In fact, often in

an emergency we might hear someone say, “Don’t just stand

there, do something!” Yes, there is a time to act when time is of

the essence. But many times when we are faced with a pressing

matter that requires making a wise choice, the Spirit of God is

saying the opposite, “Don’t just do something, stand there.” In

other words, don’t be so hasty to act-especially when you don’t

have all the information. And especially when you haven’t con-

sulted God through prayer.

Remember that the race of life is a marathon, not a sprint. You

are not in competition with anyone else. You have a specific

race that has been custom designed by God for you. It doesn’t

matter how fast you progress compared to other people, just as

long as you get there. Run with patience so that you can learn

the lessons and finish strong.

by Stephanie Lyas

18

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19

Busy Signal

Rejected

Is how I feel

when I want to talk

But you’re in a hurry

“Some other time” you say

as you scurry

To and fro--

STILL BUSY

Guess we’ll talk some other time

SOME OTHER TIME

Those words

Penetrate like shards of glass on naked flesh

Because all I want

is to spend time with you

and tell you things

to make your day go better

share secret things or

simply love on you

Night falls

I sense the cares of the day

Have taken their toll on you

Still I wait

Maybe we’ll talk tomorrow

If you’re not too busy

© Stephanie Lyas. 2009. Dwelling Places

20

Beauty and Fashion

We all know that beauty is not just about a person’s outward appearance. Besides, all the clothes and

makeup in the world can never mask a heart, mind and personality that is ugly. Every woman I talk to has at

least one area in her life-whether physical or emotional that she would rather cover up. The truth is, those

things don’t matter as much when you have beauty and self-confidence inside. No matter what you look like

to yourself and others, you are beautiful, not because of how you look or what you do, but because you are

a Designer’s original. Start with where you are in creating the best YOU you can be!

As a beautiful woman you are entitled to:

At least 7 flattering outfits that look and feel good on you-one for each day of the week Clothing that is ill-

fitting (too small, too big) definitely steals your confidence. My personal motto is, “if it

makes you look fatter, it doesn’t flatter”. Freely develop your own fashion sense and

style. Avoid extremes in any direction. Be comfortable, have fun, and accentuate the

positives! Don’t break the bank, though. Start simply with what you have and go from

there. Accessories are also very important. While the outward appearance is trivial in

the grand scheme of things- I believe that God affords us every opportunity to be our

best. That includes looking our best in whatever we have to work with.

Blessed Quietness. Try to give yourself at least one hour every day of personal quiet

time and reflection. Turning off the TV, cell phones, iPads and other distractions pro-

vides a wonderful time to pray, meditate, or journal. You might have to break it up into segments, but do it!

Your spiritual well-being is worth it. There is happiness in the simple things.

The Gift of Laughter. Studies have shown that a good “belly laugh” does wonders to

fight many common and some life-threatening illnesses. Even the Bible teaches us

that “a merry heart does good like medicine.” (Proverbs 17:22) Whether it’s watch-

ing your favorite funny movie or show or talking to that person who you can always

count on to tickle your funny bone, adding laughter to your day is good for you.

Freedom from knowing all the answers. You don’t have to know how everything is

going to work out, but you do have to have faith it will. Release yourself from the

bondage of having to know it all. You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.

To make mistakes and to learn from them. Mistakes will happen. But they are just indicators that you’re

trying. Overcome them and learn the lessons.

To love someone unconditionally and to be loved. Enough said.

by Stephanie Lyas

21

22

The years passed. Another son joined our family. And another. And yet another. Life was good. We were outgrowing our home. We started to dream about finding a larger place. We looked at small acreages but nothing seemed right. Very rarely did the question surface now. We were busy: family, church, work, and school. There was no time to waste thinking about What if? We were here. This was our home. We were settled. Then one day as I read my Bible, a passage seemed to jump out at me. It was as if God Himself was speaking the words right into my heart: "At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I re-store your fortunes before your very eyes" (Zephaniah 3:20, NIV). I argued with God. “I am home. I don’t need to move.” But the feeling that God was speaking to me persisted. Almost afraid to share with my husband, I did so nevertheless. Although we rarely spoke of it now, his desire to return home had never less-ened. We agreed to seek God’s will. I dared to ask: “Are you prepared to pray that if this is not from God, that He would take the desire away?” “Yes. But are you prepared to pray that if it is from God that He would strengthen the desire - in both of us?” If my husband were willing to give up his heart’s desire, surely I should be willing to have my desires changed. But it wasn’t easy. Oh, how I longed that his desire would be taken away. Surely God would-n’t ask us to move.

“How would you feel about moving back home?” Heart hammering in my chest, I glanced to where my husband was holding our firstborn son in his arms. It was our first family holiday since our son had been born four months earlier and we were enjoying a walk around the headland. But the wind blowing off the Bay was nowhere near as chilly as the fear now working its way through my body. Was he serious? This was home. This was where I’d been born and raised. This was where my ancestors had chosen to settle and build a new life for themselves. Why move? “We could just go for a few years maybe.” A few years? My family was here. Our son’s grandparents. And great-grandparents. How could I leave? The question was dropped and I struggled to put it out of my mind. Surely he hadn’t meant any-thing by it. Probably just one of those idle thoughts we all have from time to time. But over the years the question would arise again and again. Each time the fear was less, until eventually the fear abated altogether. It was just talk. He was feeling homesick. He’d get over it. There was absolutely no reason to get con-cerned or upset. And so I would try and distract him. Cheer him up so that he would forget about his homeland. Try and convince him that he should be perfectly content with what he already had. Another son was born. And then we heard that my husband’s sister was getting married. A fami-ly reunion was called for. Eight siblings together for the first time in years: what an occasion that would be! We flew over for the wedding, spent time with his family, and visited all his childhood aunts. We toured his homeland, collected souvenirs and took photo after photo to place into our family album. And then we flew back home. To our home. “It feels so good to be home,” he said as the plane touched down. I relaxed. He’d just been missing home. Things would be fine now.

Going Going Home Home

by Julianne Jones

23

Time marched on. Circumstances changed. My husband left his job. He was offered another job. He tried to refuse it. Several times. But they per-sisted and eventually he agreed. “Just until Christmas,” he told me when I expressed concern. I started to entertain the thought that God might just require us to move. Always wanting to be prepared, I searched for information about my hus-band’s homeland. What I learned was depressing. “Lord,” I prayed, “How can I give up everything we have here? Everything we’ve worked so hard for? If we sell up and move now we’ll never be able to afford a home of our own. Things are so expensive over there. And, anyway, we’re just starting to get involved in our church here. We’re help-ing out with youth group and I’m playing the piano again. Surely you can’t ask us to give all that up? What if we never get asked to do anything in another church again? We can’t move.” But God spoke words of comfort into my heart: "For I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you ..." (Jeremiah 29:11-12, NIV). I stopped fighting. Who was I to question God’s plans? Yet underneath it all, there was the feeling that I wasn’t going to like those plans: that I would have to settle for second best. After all, I knew what I wanted and my plans were best. Weren’t they? Somehow I had lost sight of the last part of God’s promise to me. Yes, I believed that He knew the plans He had for my life, but I failed to see how there could be hope and a future in His plans. Yes, for my husband perhaps: but me? I didn’t think so. I even went so far as to see myself as a modern day martyr. But things were about to change. One Sunday afternoon after my husband and I had been debating whether God was really telling us to move, I asked: “Have you ever thought of moving back in with your parents and finding employment in the town where they live?” “No.” Memories of his boyhood town had always drawn him. We’d always as-sumed that if we returned it would be to that particular town. We had never considered living anywhere else. “Perhaps we should. We could stay with your family until we find some-place else.” Suddenly it was as if blindfolds had been removed. The question as to whether he should go alone and send for the rest of us later was no longer an issue. It all seemed so obvious now. The next day the phone rang: there was a job in his field in the town where his parents lived. Were we interested? “Do you think I could pray that I get the job without an interview? This close to Christmas, we can hardly afford for me to fly over.” I laughed. “I think we just have to accept that we’re going to have to spend that money if you want the job.” He applied for the job and was interviewed over the phone. The job was his. There was no reason for him to fly over. They would meet him when

he started employment. Oh you of little faith (Matthew 6:30, NIV). Suddenly it was happening. And there were so many things to do! Four weeks was all we had. Four weeks in which to get the house in order and to pack up the paraphernalia of twelve years and seven people. Four weeks in which to say goodbye to friends and family and church. Four weeks to arrange flights and passports and put the house on the market. And somewhere in the midst of those four weeks, somehow find time to celebrate Christmas and end of year school concerts. The travel agent laughed when I tried to book the tickets. “It’s the summer holidays here. Everyone’s going overseas. You should have booked months in advance. There’s no way you’ll get seven seats on the same flight.” She rang back subdued. “You’re all booked. You got the last seven seats on the connecting flight. There’s only twenty seats on that flight and there were seven left!” God is good. It’s been over ten years since we left my homeland. People warned us about homesickness. They predicted that we’d be back within a few years.

They were wrong. God showed us quite clearly that this is where He wants us to be, and until He says otherwise, this is where we’re staying. The day I booked our flight my husband told me that he had prayed that I would be blessed by the move. At the time I was skeptical. But as I look around today I realize that God has blessed me far more abundantly than I could ever have imagined possible. As I care for my home and family I remember how I prayed for a home large enough for all seven members

of our family and for those that would visit us in our new homeland. I prayed too that we would have the bathroom facilities to cope with a large family! Now almost eleven years down the track, I still marvel that God gave us more than we ever asked for. We have been blessed with a wonderful church family, and the ministry roles that I was so afraid to give up He has restored to me many times over. He has led us into new areas and I have been excited by the oppor-tunities that have come our way. I’m doing things now that I never thought I would ever have the courage to do. I’ve watched my family grow and mature, and as I’ve seen the opportuni-ties they have had here can only say “Thank you God.” I look at where I am now and acknowledge that this may never have hap-pened had we not allowed God to move us away from all that was familiar: had we never allowed Him to show us His plans and to give us hope and a future. Yes, God is good.

Julianne Jones is an Australian writer passionate about sharing God’s love through the written word. A wife, mother of five, and early childhood teach-

er, she currently lives in New Zealand where she is actively involved in music, drama and youth ministry in her local church.

"For I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope

and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I

will listen to you ..." Jeremiah 29:11-12, NIV

24

25 Ways to Stay Creative

1. Make Lists 2. Carry a notebook everywhere

3. Journal/Free write 4. Get away from the computer, TV and telephone for awhile

5. Help others solve their problems 6. Stop beating yourself up

7. Take frequent breaks when working 8. Sing in the shower and in the car 9. Listen to different kinds of music

10. Be open to new ideas 11. Sometimes drive a different route home and to work.

12. Get feedback from others 13. Surround yourself with creative people

14. Don’t give up when it gets hard 15. Collaborate

16. Practice 17. Get plenty of rest

18. Take risks 19. Do more of what makes you happy 20. Write down every idea and thought

21. Keep your workspace tidy 22. Have fun and enjoy your life

23. Finish something you’ve started 24. Read a good book 25. Create something

25

Overcoming the Martha Syndrome

Why Busyness is Not Always Better

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha

opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what

he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him

and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to

help me!" Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things,

42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."- Luke 10:38-42

In the modern world, women play various roles that cause them to behave like Marthas instead of Marys. We are expected to cook,

clean, care for the children, teach, nurture, serve, sing, play, dance, read, do a multitude of tasks at home, work and beyond. We’re

all Superwomen in a sense, but we still need balance in our lives. Women who work in and outside the home should be careful to

avoid what I call “The Martha Syndrome.” Yes, being an overachiever looks great, but it can also lead to spiritual, mental and physical

burnout. As tempting as it may be, we women are not meant to be all things to all people. There are times when we, like Mary, must

choose the one thing that is the most important-sitting at Jesus’ feet and allowing Him to speak to our hearts.

Take the test below to find out if you are a Mary or a Martha:

The “Martha” Syndrome Self Diagnostic Test

Symptoms:

1. Unfruitful “busyness”

2. The need to impress others

3. Murmuring/complaining

4. Unwillingness to simply enjoy the presence of God for fear of not adequately “serving” or performing one’s duties

5. Hyperactivity/Inability to rest our minds and bodies

6. Playing the “blame game”/fault finding

7. Distraction-inability to focus on what is truly important (sitting at Jesus’ feet)

8. Misguided view of Christ’s concern for our well-being (Martha: “Lord, don’t you care?”)

9. Sinful preoccupation and worry

10. Inability to be properly be nurtured, taught, fed.

Can lead to:

1. Spiritual “Burn-Out”

2. Fatigue

3. Hypertension

4. Depression

5. Illness-Suppressed Immune Function

6. Apathy toward the Church and spiritual things

7. Ineffective “witness”

8. Loss of Self-Worth/Low Self-Esteem

9. Failure

10. Damaged relationships with Christ and others

Be Good To You! Learn to create a healthy balance between what your wants and what is needed. Choose to eliminate distractions

and take time to be still and listen to what Christ is speaking to your heart. Choose what is needed.

© Stephanie Lyas. 2009. The HeartSong Café

Women’s Health: Be Good To You

26

teaches us that there is grace available to help us when we need it.

How, then, do we tap into the fullness of God’s grace? There are four

truths that will help us discover the goodness of God, even when we

miss the mark. No matter what the mistake is, when we committed

it, or who we offended in the process, grace is available to us through

the awesome vehicle of prayer which helps us to overcome and live

in victory:

1. If we are not real, we cannot be healed. Remember, God is a kind

and loving Father, Who desires to have fellowship with His children;

however, if we attempt to avoid shame or feelings of incompetence

by disguising the truth, we have already defeated the purpose of pray-

er. God desires truth and total honesty. The psalmist David discov-

ered firsthand the secret to obtaining the grace of God after he com-

mitted a series of offenses against God. In Psalm 51:6, he demon-

strates the significance of honest communication with God in prayer:

“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts;

and in the hidden part thou shalt make me

know wisdom.” It is always in our best interest

when praying, to be completely forthright with

God. Besides, He already knows what is in our

hearts even before we utter a word.

2. Our mistakes do not necessarily define who

we are. Mistakes are just that-mistakes. They

happen. They are a part of life. They are actions

that we commit but they do not always neces-

sarily reflect our true character. Mistakes, how-

ever, can become character flaws when they are

deliberately committed, carried out with sinful

motives, cause intentional harm to ourselves

and others, and remain unconfessed and habitual. God is fully aware

that we are subject to err. He is not surprised when we makes mis-

takes, but instead offers His assurance that we can be restored com-

pletely through Him. That is what makes His grace so amazing! A

wise person is one who daily petitions God’s help to develop the type

of character that pleases Him.

3. God loves us no matter what. His Word tells us that, nothing can

“separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:35) and

goes on to list many circumstances that have the potential to interrupt

the flow of God’s love to our hearts. His love never fails, even when

we fail. The key to tapping into the grace of God is to confess our

mistakes and allow God, through prayer and His Word, to teach us

the right direction to take in the future. At times it is easier to simply

punish ourselves and avoid facing God altogether, but that is not His

desire. He wants us to find forgiveness within ourselves, and often,

we are much harsher on ourselves than God is. A key element of

prayer is immersing ourselves wholeheartedly into the boundless love

of our caring Father. His Word affirms that we have the privilege of

“casting our care upon Him, for He cares for us.” (I Peter 5:7)

4. We can bounce back. Mistakes do not mean the end of the world

for us. Rather, they can serve as catalysts for tremendous growth and

change in our lives. God has invested in each of us the divine poten-

tial for greatness, and it is His desire that we succeed in life. We must

not allow mistakes of the past to set the course for our future. We

have the ability to change, and through fervent, effectual prayer we

can experience the best that God has to offer. Scripture indicates that

a “just man falls seven times, but gets back up again.” (Proverbs

24:16) Undoubtedly, he does not accomplish the feat in his own

strength, but by connecting to God, the Source of our strength, in

prayer.

How Do We Know that God Really Hears Us When We Pray?

God hears us when we pray according to His will. (I John 5:14) It is

His will that we live happy, productive lives that please Him. It is

also His desire to reach out to us when we feel empty and disconnect-

ed from His loving embrace. There is a blessing in knowing that we

are always in God’s will when we pray earnestly and ask for His

guidance. When we make a mistake, we have assurance in His Word

that He faithfully forgives us (1 John 1:9). The grace of Almighty

God overrides any condemnation that tries to defeat us. Best of all, it

requires nothing of us except a heart that is open and willing to re-

ceive it.

How Do We Receive Grace When We’ve Made a Mistake?

Once we have reconciled in our hearts that

God is for us, we must be careful to adopt an

attitude of humility. What is important is to

focus on the grace of God that covers our

faults and failures. Instead of running from

God, we must run quickly to Him in pray-

er. He is more than willing to listen to the

cries of our hearts and exchange our weak-

ness for His strength. A simple prayer like

this is all that is needed to receive the grace

and power of Almighty God that transform

our lives:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your amazing grace that covers my faults, mistakes

and weaknesses. Even when it seems like I have failed and have no

chance of restoration, remind me to find a quiet place and draw

strength from You. When I fall short, help me to remember that Your

love covers a multitude of sins and that my character is not entirely

defined by my actions. Give me a mind and a heart to please You. Let

me sense Your abiding love and give me the courage to move for-

ward in life, remembering that You are with me always and that the

power inside of me is greater than the past behind me.

Help me to hear Your voice of wisdom and grant me the joy that only

comes from communion with You. Help me to learn from my mis-

takes so that I can be complete, lacking nothing. I thank You for the

privilege of coming to You openly without fear of rejection. Most of

all, thank You for your Son Jesus, whose blood washes away all guilt

and condemnation because I abide in Him. I confess that apart from

You I am nothing, I have nothing and I can do nothing, but through

You I can do all things.

In Christ’s Name,

Amen.

Stephanie Lyas is a freelance writer of Christian inspirational and motivation-al literature. She is the Founder of The HeartSong Café and HeartSongs Mag-

azine written hundreds of articles, poems, and short stories, fiction and nonfic-

tion works.

Reprinted with permission from Reflections Magazine 2006

© All Rights Reserved.

(Continued from page 15)

27

Short Story

“What is she doing here?” they whispered among themselves.

“Everyone knows about her. How could she possibly have

the nerve to show her face in a place like this? Why should

we have to associate with the likes of her? This must be a

mistake. I thought only the best in society could come in.

“Well, she must have gotten lost between the dining room

and the kitchen. She must be one of the helpers or some-

thing.”

These words pierced her very soul like a dagger as they point-

ed and laughed. She herself wondered, “How did I end up in

this beautiful palace with all these extravagant things? I don’t

belong here. Surely, the King made a mistake when He invit-

ed me. After all, I don’t deserve to be treated like royalty after

I’ve done what I’ve done and been where I’ve been. I think

I’ll just leave quietly and slip out the back door. Besides, no

one wants me here anyway.”

As I got up to leave, one of the King’s messengers came to

me and said,” Why Madam, you haven’t been served yet, and

besides the King personally invited you to attend this feast.

He will be awfully disappointed if you left before He had a

chance to personally welcome you.”

Shyly, I hung my head at those words. “Yes, but there must

be some mistake. How did I end up in the King’s palace? I

don’t really fit in with all these people here. I’m not wealthy

or famous. I don’t have fine clothes and possessions like

them. I can’t speak with fancy words. The only thing I have

in common with these people is that I greatly respect the

King. I guess I should feel honored enough to be able to get

this close to Him.”

The messenger listened intently but didn’t say a word.

“If it pleases His Majesty, I would be happy to serve His

guests, just for the opportunity to spend the evening in His

company. I don’t even have to eat, I’ll just wait on the

guests, and help to clean up after they leave. Then surely, I’ll

get a chance to see the King in person. By the way, where is

He? Is He running late?”

“Don’t worry,” replied the messenger, “He’ll be here soon.

You see, He has an appointed time for everything. Please,

relax. By the way, I noticed that, when you were offered the

invitation before, you refused. May I ask why?”

“Well, I did receive the invitation before, but I was too

ashamed to show my face in public. After all, I didn’t feel

worthy enough to come. Besides, I had no decent clothes to

wear. I figured the King only wanted me to come so I could

be further humiliated. I just decided to stay home.”

“So what made you decide to come now?” asked the messen-

ger.

“One day I came across a woman whose story was similar to

mine. She was very discouraged and depressed because her

life was falling apart. She wanted it to end. She came to me

and put her arms around me and said, ‘I understand what

you’ve been through, because I went through it too. She went

on to tell me how someone invited her to the King’s Banquet.

She was reluctant to go at first because she had so much to do

and didn’t have the proper attire. That morning she had been

out scrounging around in the trash to find food to feed her

starving children. When the messenger saw her, he informed

her that the King was expecting her.

Naturally, she wanted to go home and get cleaned up first.

But there was no time for that. The messenger said that once

she accepted the invitation, the King would see to it that she

would be presentable for the feast. “Don’t worry about chang-

ing. The King knows where you’ve been and has your gar-

ments already prepared.”

(Continued on page 31)

by Stephanie Lyas

28

When I was a teenager I had an odd job of babysitting a little boy who was obsessed with trains. One

of his favorite things to do when I came over was to play with his elaborate train set. As soon as I ar-

rived, he would give me a quick “leg hug” and run to get the box so we could put the tracks together

(Not a task that I particularly enjoyed but I knew that it meant a happy kid– at least for awhile). How

fun it was to see the battery operated train go around and around the track and back again with its

blinking lights and realistic whistle sounds. One time the train got derailed because Christopher

put several of his toy cars on the track and action figures on the track, just for kicks. “Aw man!”

he exclaimed as the toy train got derailed and bit the dust in the carpet, wheels still chugging.

“It’s okay,” I replied, “just set the train back on track and let it go.”

Many times we get off track with our goals. Fear, discouragement, and the circumstances of life

sometimes throw us off course. During those times, it’s important to get right back on track and

keep moving. Sometimes we can do it on our own, and other times we need a little help. Here

are three essential things help you get on track and stay there.

1. Accountability with people who understand the concept of teamwork.

2. Brainstorming new ideas and developing a plan of action.

3. Collaborating with people who can help you solve your problems.

© Stephanie Lyas

THE ABC’s of Staying On Track

29

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103: 11-12

30

I’ll admit it. I’m a sports nut. When football season is over, I can’t wait to catch some of my favorite teams battle it out on the hardwood. There’s something about an intense game of basketball that gets me pumped! From March Madness to the NBA Playoffs, the excitement of a good game is enough to tide me over until football starts again. Seeing my favorite teams hustle down the court, full speed ahead is the best. But I’ve learned that even the best player misses an occasional shot here or there. Sometimes they even have a streak of missing a free throw or three pointer-especially when they’re tired or just out of rhythm. And make no mistake, the crowd definitely lets the team know how they feel about it. What a lot of people probably don’t like to admit, though, is that even the most skilled athlete misses the mark every now and then. That’s just the way it is. But missing is not an excuse to be defeated and quit. Players know that if a shot is missed, there’s always the rebound. The same is true in life. Sometimes we miss the mark. There may be times when we put all our effort into achieving success at a certain thing only to come up short. In fact, if you’re like me, you’ve been successful at failing at a lot of things. Failing does not make us failures, though. It just simply means were human and we make mistakes. And just like in the game of basketball, every shot you take is not a guaranteed score. But in the words of a famous ath-lete, Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” So you cant allow fear of failure to hold you back. Instead, take risks. And stay ready to get the rebound– just in case you miss. The setback is designed to help you come back and work harder to achieve success. When you fall short of your goals, you have two choices: allow the missed opportunity to set you back further; or regroup and refocus. The decision you make is an important part of setting the course for the rest of your life. Be fearless. Have faith. And never give up.

© Copyright 2013. Stephanie Lyas.

Why Your Setback is Really a Comeback

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t

take.” -Wayne Gretzky

by Stephanie Lyas

31

“But how can this be? How does He know me? How can he

accept me as a guest in the condition I’m in? I wouldn’t dare

disgrace His presence by coming before Him like this. I’ve got

to change and then I’ll think about coming to Him.”

“Madam, you don’t understand. The King would be awfully

disappointed if you didn’t accept His invitation. After all, He

has prepared this exquisite feast, with the finest food and the

best of everything. He has even prepared some garments of

beautiful and choice fabric just for you. Trust me, all you have

to do is accept the invitation.”

“But what about my starving children. I couldn’t possibly leave

them at home alone while I’m dining in the King’s palace. Who

will care for them?”

Madam, the King has already made provision for them. Don’t

worry, they are in good hands. They will be very well taken care

of. They even have more than enough to eat and some to spare.”

“So let me ask you something… why does the King want me there? He could have picked the highest in society. Why me? I

don’t have anything He could possibly want. I don’t have the

best education, I’m not the prettiest woman in the world, I’ve

been used by men, I’ve abused drugs and alcohol, besides I’m

poor. I can barely make it. Why could the King possibly want

me to come to His house for a feast?”

“Let me explain something to you about this King,” the messen-

ger replied. “He is not like any other King on this Earth. This

King has a special place in His heart for people like you. He

knows what it’s like to be hurt and rejected even though He’s

the King. Unlike many Kings, He is kind and compassionate to

those who have been cast aside. He is a friend to the ones who

feel out of place. That is why it is so important that you come to

this banquet tonight. He wants to meet you personally.”

With tears in my eyes, I followed the messenger to the King’s

palace.

Once I got in, there were the usual well-to-do guests, peering

around and whispering behind my back. You can imagine their

surprise to see me-with my dirty face and torn ragged clothes. I

smelled like the garbage that I was just immersed in, but I trust-

ed the words of the messenger and believed that the King really

wanted me there.

I did everything he said , but got rather uneasy when he left my

side. He assured me that all was well and said something about

having to check in with the King to get further instructions

Meanwhile, I just enjoyed the beautiful surroundings. The pal-

ace was absolutely breathtaking-unlike anything I have never

dreamed or imagined. There was beautiful music in the place

and a lot of singing and dancing. There were hundreds of beau-

tiful tables set with the finest china and crystal. There was gold

everywhere! For a moment, I simply stood in awe of what I was

seeing.

Finally, someone had announced that the King had arrived. Of

course, everyone stood in reverence of Him, but for some reason

I felt even more out of place. Thinking about how the messenger

found me, I wished that I could snap my finger and go back

there. Instead, I stood at the back of the room, and tried to hide

in the crowd of guests.

The messenger found me and asked, “Where have you been

hiding?” The King wants to see you.

“Wants to see me? No, this cannot be true.” I was beginning to

have second thoughts about meeting the King in person. I saw

how beautiful He was and felt so ashamed to meet Him like this.

I trembled at the thought of being in His presence. Still, I felt

very welcomed and accepted the longer I stayed in the palace.

When the messenger escorted me to the banquet room, I could

hardly speak. And I didn't have to. The King, Who had been

seated already, looked at me with a loving and pensive glance.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” He said. “I’ve been expecting you

for quite some time now. I just want you to know that I am so

delighted that you came. I want you to know that I have seen

you digging through the rubbish. I’ve seen you at your best and

at your worst and I’m happy that you finally decided to come

and be my honored guest. Be seated at the King’s table.”

“Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if

you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be

blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Luke 14:12-14

(Continued from page 27)

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He is Risen Indeed! EMPTY TOMB EVIDENCE THAT MESSIAH HAS INDEED

RISEN FROM THE DEAD. MASSES IN AWE!

Calvary- Reports have surfaced that Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah has risen from the dead, as He predicted. Local eyewitness ac-

counts point to evidence that the Christ, who was publicly executed and buried in a borrowed tomb, has been seen walking and

talking among the townspeople. His entourage, better known as His Disciples, also report that they have personally talked to the

Christ, believing that they themselves had mistaken Him for a ghost. One disciple, Thomas admits his own skepticism and asked

the man, who claimed to be the Risen Lord, to show him further evidence that He was indeed Jesus who he once followed. The

Man obliged and even went as far as showing the man, nicknamed “Doubting Thomas” His wounds. That single demonstration left

no doubt that the Man, the self-proclaimed Messiah had indeed suffered horrific and serious bodily harm, of which no person could

possibly endure and survive.

The Christ, personally insulted by the man’s unbelief, issued the following statement as a result: “Thomas, because you have seen me you

have believed. But blessed are they that have not seen, yet have believed.” (John 20:29) The Christ was, in fact referring to billions of

believers worldwide whose eternal security rests on the fact that Christ, the Son of God, Who was without sin, unjustly bore the penalty for

the sins of mankind. Furthermore, these Christians, as they are called, believe that Jesus Christ redeemed all who receive Him, from eter-

nal damnation and has ensured them a permanent home in Heaven.

Sources worldwide seek to uncover the reason why an innocent Man, Who had the ability to escape punishment, chose to die such a horrif-

ic death. The explanation-a simple one: “ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in

him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son to condemn the world, but that the world, through Him might be

saved..” -according the account of his beloved disciple, John (John 3:16-17). That account has been accepted worldwide and is used to

explain the significance of the Resurrection of Christ and the importance of following Him.

When asked if Jesus left any final words or instructions before his departure, or ascension back to Heaven, His faithful disciple Matthew

quoted the following words of Jesus, “All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptiz-

ing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all thing whatsoever I have com-

manded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

According to modern-day “Disciples, Jesus is alive today and lives in Heaven and in the hearts of those who have received His “gift of

salvation.” Believers all over the world hold on to the notion that He will one day return to the earth and will take all who have accepted

Him as their Savior back to Heaven where they will live and reign forever. Tragically, those who reject His sacrifice, however, will be

required to spend eternity in a place called the Lake of Fire-eternally separated from God-a place of indescribable anguish, pain and mis-

ery. Contrary to popular opinion, there is only one way to the Father- through the Son, Jesus Christ . He emphatically states: “I am the

Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes unto the Father except by Me.” (John 14:6)

To take advantage of the free gift, simply repent Him to be your personal Savior. Information is available on page 14. Then, join billions

of believers all across the land who boldly proclaim” The Lord is Risen. He is risen, indeed!”

© 2006. Stephanie Lyas. All rights reserved.

34

This is a letter I wrote to my mother a few years back. I want to share it with you. Since there are so many wonderful wom-en who have nurtured and raised me, I take this opportunity to say “Thanks” and to honor you all. If you are a woman, whether you have given birth to your own children or not, you are a mother. Your love and kindness is of great value and that’s what makes you special. To all my grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, friends and women I may never meet— I salute you. To those who have passed on before us, I remember you with love. Happy Mother’s Day! Dear Mom, As we pause to celebrate another Mother’s Day, I want to let you know how much I love and appreciate your impact in my life. Through the years you have helped me and countless others in so many ways. I can’t begin to describe how much you mean to me, but I pray that these simple words will be meaningful to you now and in years to come. You go above and beyond to make sure that others are cared for. You are a treasure. I am blessed by your faith. No matter how dark it looks, you are always have total confidence in God. You serve a great purpose in the lives of all who know you. I am convinced that God put you here to teach wisdom, comfort , nurture and protect others. That, is just one of your many gifts. I can always count on you to pray for me and encourage me when you feel like I’m down. Your gift of discernment is a true blessing. I am inspired by your spirit of giving. You have taught me that you don’t have to have much to give much. Many times I have seen you give when it is obvious that you needed for yourself, and always with the sentiment that “every good and perfect gift is from God.” I appreciate your giving freely from your heart. For you, it is truly more blessed to give than to receive, and I know that God will continue to pour blessings into your life as you have freely given to others. I am amazed by your talents. You have always enjoyed using your voice to encourage others. Everywhere you go to sing, you leave a strong impression upon all who hear you. That, truly is the anointing of God, and I am inspired to use my gifts because of you. I have learned the meaning of unselfishness from you. It’s funny how the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree . Thank you for being my mom. It may not always be easy, but all of your hard work will pay off for you. May this Mother’s Day be a blessing to you as you have been to so many. The best is yet to come for you! I pray that God will continue to strengthen and keep you in His care. Your Loving Daughter,

Stephanie

Happy Mothers Day to Every Beautiful and Special Woman!

Mother’s Day 2013

35

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Love Notes From Heaven

For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing

has come.

Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Nature is a great teacher if you pay close enough attention. Once I was lying in bed on a lazy Saturday morning. The

kind in which the pouring rain outside made me glad to have a day off with nowhere I had to be and nothing to do.

As I lay there I enjoying the soothing sounds of raindrops against my window, I noticed the most awkward sound in

the midst of it. Right outside my window, there was family of birds in a nearby tree just singing their little hearts out.

And not just a cute little “tweet” here and there. Their loud chatter was enough to nearly drown out the sound of the

rain. I don’t know what they were singing, but their sweet music, along with the rain and an occasional murmur of

thunder, was one of the most beautiful sounds I had ever heard. So I kept listening.

Right then I had an “aha” moment. God was speaking so clearly to my heart and using the birds as my personal in-

structors. Many times we go through storms in our lives. Financial difficulty, health issues, family and job stress and

so much else can come at us all at once. And attempt to steal our joy. And although it is hard to be happy in the

midst of life’s circumstances, it is possible to still have joy. I always heard that happiness is unreliable because it

depends on stuff happening. But joy is lasting. It remains even when situations change.

No matter what comes up in your life, stay determined to keep your joy. Yes, storms will come. Situations will

arise, but take heart. They are only temporary. Those birds were the perfect reminder that, no matter the weather, I

can keep a song in my heart.

by Stephanie Lyas

39

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Publishing Unlimited ™Publishing Unlimited ™

Providing a Variety of Inspirational Electronic and Print Media Products

HeartSongs Publishing Unlimited

P.O. Box 59763

Birmingham, AL 35259-9763