I have been working on this post for several weeks, and have struggled finding the words to express all that I want to convey. It felt appropriate to finally finish the post on the day before what many call “Resurrection Sunday.”

​For years I have felt a sense of peace and calm when I would hear many of the words that begin with “re.” Some of the words that come to mind include:

• Resurrect
• Reborn
• Renew
• Revive
• Reflect
• Resume
• Relax
• Repent
• Rest
• Rejoin

​As I asked myself why I felt peace when hearing these words, I realized it was because the words confirm that I have the ability to start again – to hit the “reset” button. Just think about some of the words above. Resurrect – to be brought back to life; Reborn – to be born again; Renew – to become new again; Revive – to bring alive again; Rejoin – to join again.

Because God loves us so much; He is patient, and gives us time to start over. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9, KJV).

In those moments when we feel downtrodden, put-upon, misunderstood, anxious, confused, or unworthy – we must remember God’s love. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, KJV)

If God blesses us with morning, then we have the power of “re” – the ability to begin again.


Blessings – Janice

I love listening to Christian/Gospel music.  I find it comforting, edifying, and one aspect of my daily worship to God.

I was recently listening to a song by William McDowell “I Give Myself Away.”  Part of the song goes:

               I Give Myself Away, So You Can Use Me

​I have sung the song many times, and am moved every time.  I sing it with passion and with genuine desire to be used by God. During my most recent songfest, I started pondering the word “give.”

Merriam-Webster defines the word “give” as to make a present of; to accord; to yield; to offer; to bestow. When you give a “gift” to someone, it no longer belongs to you.  You (the giver) no long have any power or say in how, or in what manner the gift is used.   All of the power concerning the “gift” belongs to the receiver.

If we substitute the above ideas into the song, we get something like:

          I yield, bestow, and offer my life to you God;

        You God alone have all the power or say concerning my life; and

        You God alone have all the power and say concerning the way in which my life will be      
         used.

When you give yourself to God your life is no longer your own.   I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me… Galatians 2:20 KJV.  The way in which you live your life is now dictated by God, through His word.  The purpose for your life is revealed by God, through prayer.

The beauty of giving yourself to God, is that you are giving yourself:

• To one who loves you perfectly, even in your imperfection.  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.  John 3:16 KJV

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• To one who who continually seeks your good.  I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

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• To one who can allow you to live eternally in His presence.   And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life. I John 1:25 KJV

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During our lifetimes we will give and receive many things.  It is revealing that the greatest gift you can give and can receive at the same time, is to give your life to Christ and receive all of His many promises.

I Give Myself Away can be heard here:  I Give Myself Away – William McDonald


Blessings To You

​Janice Caldwell, Professional Life Coach

I have always felt it was necessary to push the "pause button" on our lives from time to time.  This period of pause allows us to catch our breath, to get our bearings; to meditate; to make some decisions.

I think about the football player that the Coach brings off the field to take a moment. After the player has taken that moment (the pause), he is ready, anxious, and asking the Coach to get back in the game!  During that pause, he had the opportunity to catch his breath, think about some of the former plays, and think about what he will do when he is back in the game - back on the field.

Christians are really are no different.  The beauty of the pause, is that they give us the energy to continue in our lives.  These periods of pause certainly vary in duration, from a few hours to several days.  My vacations are "pauses" in my life.  When my vacations are over, I have found that I am not only happy, but anxious to resume my life - to end the pause - to get back on the field for Christ.

It is important for Christians to understand the need for and the power of the "Pause" in their lives.  

Blessings to You - Janice Caldwell

Can You Let It Go?  This was a question I asked myself several times last week.

My feelings were hurt by someone.  One voice was telling me that I needed to confront the person and share my feelings; another voice was telling me that I simply needed to move on.

During this process I sought God’s wisdom.  I read scripture and prayed on the issue for a couple of days.  I began to ask myself a series of questions.  Why were my feelings hurt? What benefit would come from confronting the person? Would God be glorified in my actions?  It was when I came to the last question that I realized that all of this hoopla was about me.  About how I was feeling, about how I thought I should be treated.  If I were to confront the person, there was nothing in my actions that was glorifying God.  By letting it go (truly letting it go), I was demonstrating long-suffering, and allowing God to be magnified in me.

You've heard it said “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind,” “They aren't going to get away with that,” “They can’t treat me this way,”  “I’ve got to tell them how I feel.”  When experiencing these emotions, the first question to ask yourself is "Will God be glorified through my actions?"

As we mature in age, we should also be maturing as Christians.  Our lives should become closer and closer to reflecting Christ.  In order to do that, we have to die to self and understand that our life is now in Christ and that our actions should reflect that new life.

If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-4)

So the question and challenge is –  Can You Let It Go?

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