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What Is Your “Above All?”

by dlt037

When you think about life long and hard you’ll have some limits some of which will be above and some not. Then consider this, why not analyze what your limits are and change them before you reach a point where there’s not enough time to weigh it all out? Sometimes we’re reactionary and are always caught off guard. So why not have a plan, and plan to adhere to the goals and outcomes determined from well thought out research.  First of all who do you answer to and why there will be many answers to this one. Secondly who or what is your highest authority and why. Thirdly how far would you go to achieve your goals would it include bodily harm to another or yourself? Fourthly what are your priorities within your family (home, church, and work)? Take a moment and write out the answers be honest with yourself. Fifthly evaluate the thoughts you’ve written on paper you may need to think it over more than once!

You may have a moral code that you live by already, if not, consider these verses of scripture:

     7  Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get understanding!  Proverbs 4:7 MSG

        14  Above all these, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together perfectly;
        15  and let the shalom which comes from the Messiah be your heart’s decision-maker, for this is why you were called to be part of a single Body. And be thankful —                        Colossians 3:14-15 (CJB)

Be mindful of your plan of action in any situation and set your standards above all.

Be Blessed — DT

My Thoughts on Life the Beginning

by dlt037

Life is a complicated and beautiful art from our creator God to our physical form on earth. I find it totally amazing how all our cells know exactly what to do from conception to death. If you have a chance check out Hole’s Anatomy it is available in bookstores and Amazon for purchase. I would recommend starting at the reproductive chapter it gives you physical meaning to “being fearfully and wonderfully made” in illustrations (Psalm 139:14). There is programming in the very essence of our being to grow, seek care for our needs, mature, do work rear children, and die. So we have an A-Z timeline, but everyone knows there is a lot more in between. Humans share certain attributes past the outward covering of skin, blood, nerves, muscles, organs, and bones. Humans are fascinating beings with innate abilities to survive extreme harshness in society and from the environment. Destruction of life is something Humans can do well in the name of survival of the fittest. It is far easier to kill what we fear because we don’t understand it. The alternative would be to evaluate, learn and work together to remove the fear of those different from ourselves. Let’s appreciate life, treasure it because in a while it is over as we know it and all that’s left is the impression we had on another’s life. As one life cycle ends another begins in the process of time, let’s make it a better place for the new lives being brought into this world.

Making a Do-Over

by dlt037

First of all, I thank God for being alive. Works of Grace Ministries was started in the 90’s as a ministry to help women of all ages to be healthy in mind body and spirit. There were young women at the facility where I worked who were struggling to survive life. I started to help them in the spiritual aspects of living God’s way first and foremost, explaining that this puts things in order. Several of the young ladies had at least one child, and no spouse to contribute to the rearing of that child. I sought to mentor them, tell them “good job” when they did well, and I had a word of encouragement from the Word of God. I was given the name of the ministry with an explanation, we are all works of grace had it not been for grace we could not be saved from eternal hell. Grace is God’s unmerited favor towards us and he renews it every day along with mercy. God provides what we need spiritually and that determines how we are physically. Are we morally correct? Do we show kindness? Is there love for our neighbor? Do we speak positively? Is heaven our final resting place? The answer to these questions can be “yes” when our lives are given (submitted) to God.

In the process of life, I’ve had to adjust to many changes; illnesses, surgeries, allergies, and the effects on the body. There are probable complications with any illness you have to learn to deal with them, and I have learned to cope quite well.  In my case, there was lost of moisture to my skin, hair, and nails. I had to search for ways to keep my hair on my head instead of my comb and brush. I bought store made products, stopped putting perms in my hair that helped some, but I needed more. So I sought ways to make products geared toward my level of dryness. I sought after Do It Yourself sites on the internet and in magazines for products to improve my skin, there were trials and errors with each product until I found exactly what worked I started with foot balm, sugar/salt body scrub, and facial moisturizer. Next was a cream for sore joints and muscles, facial scrub, and body butter. My daughters inspired me to create the right fragrance they liked in the products they used one is very earthy and the other soothing. I made bug repellent, where we live there are lots of mosquitoes, my children and I have extra sensitivities to bug bites, this repellent helps the skin heal if you have already been bitten before using it.

I took the time to learn the use of several herbs and essential oils. I grow mint and lemon balm in my yard. When I buy ingredients I look for organic and purity. Each product is tested on me first, then my daughters and mother I listen to their feedback to make improvements. I pray that every product I make is a blessing to the user to meet the need for their skin. Starting a small business was the beginning of my do-over.

herbal display