Category Archives: From the Heart

From the Heart

Shining in Perilous Times

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Shining in Perilous Times

It’s a cruel dark world out there. Ephesians 6:12 tell us so. And, unfortunately, darkness is not relegated to a specific day of the year when demons and goblins are invited to roam freely, trying to scare the life out of unsuspecting people. No, it lurks about constantly.

We see it rear it’s ugly head while watching the real (or fake news), we hear it in the constant barrage of negative political advertisements, we think it when we relive our past failures, we feel it each time a hate crime is committed, and it can be…frightening.

But with all the darkness around us, Psalm 34:5 assures us that “Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.” This was the conclusion after the fretful psalmist made his prayerful petition and was able to take his eyes off of the circumstances and lift his countenance toward the Lord. Basically, he changed his focus, and thus radiated life-giving joy with confidence.

We should all make this a practice. Imagine the people you would draw when they see you joyful in stressful times. It is also the sincerest invitation to tell someone about our source of Light with hopes that they would look to the Lord and shine radiantly, as well.

Dear Father God, in the name of Jesus, I want to shine for you today and draw others into your loving presence. Therefore, I am not going to react and whine about the darkness in this world. Instead, I ask that you would help me by your Spirit to act in faith, power, and your authority according to Ephesians 6:11-13.

From the Heart

All the Ways to Shine Bright In 28 days

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“Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-16 MSG

Shine in this text denotes the transliteration of the Greek word, lampó. It is a primary verb, meaning “to beam, i.e., Radiate brilliancy (literally or figuratively) — give light, shine.”

And, if God says we are to do it, that means we can do it! Right?

We have absolutely no excuses.

It only takes 28 days!!! Can you believe it?

You better, because it’s the truth. Believing is your first step, and it is the start of a brighter life.

So, how does it work?

One word: Consistency. Within 21 consecutive days, any habit can be created, but with an additional 7 days, that habit becomes a long-term memory pattern. That’s the clincher and the most magnificent part of the process. By day 28, that old habit, of being dull (uninteresting, lacking luster, stupid, sluggish, listless) will be an attribute of your past.

Let’s Take the Challenge to SHINE BRIGHTER, Together, in 4 Simple Steps:

  1. Choose a different word that means to shine from the Wordlist each day for the next 28 days. I’ll add definitions as I go through the 28-day process.
  2. Meditate on that word with the five senses (see it, touch it, feel it, taste it, and smell what the Lord is cooking up in you)!!! It should take you about 5 – 7 minutes to do this.
  3. Throughout the day, find ways to use this word in your verbal or written communication. Maybe you will use the word in your journaling or in an affirmation or how about a compliment to someone else. *** If you need to remain accountable, as I do, come back to this post and share the action you took for the day.
  4. Repeat the above steps for the next 28 days.

The results!

Brilliance. Radiance, and the like. You will have developed the new habit and long-term memory of shining all the time, well beyond the 28 days it took to change your dull ways. Shining will have seeped from your mind and become a part of your heart.

The effects!

You and l will want to do better, be better and help others just as Matthew 5:15-15 tells us.

Isn’t this exciting?

Time really does work for us when we set our minds to stay the course. It changes our hearts and helps us to become all God created us to be. I pray you will accept this offer and never be dull again!

If this blog has inspired you, please take the time to post a comment.  Thank you. Until the next time, SHINE BRIGHTLY and give God the glory,

Reallyleah.com

From the Heart

Getting ready

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Good afternoon, readers and friends.

“It’s better to prepare than to repair.”

― John C. Maxwell

I am not afraid to admit that I am still adjusting to the time change. While I have been up for a few hours – walking, reading, dressing, eating, planning.

My bed is calling me: “Leah, we miss you…please, come back.”

To which I respond, “I miss you, too. Parting really is sweet sorrow. “

While I could continue to blame this foggy brain on the time change, I know that I am slow today because I had that early morning jolt when I broke from nocturnal bliss to help my sister to the bathroom.

Who knew those breaks could take so much out of you. But, that is a whole other story that I’ll gladly share later.

What I really wanted to share today with my reader friends and visitors is that this website is currently a work in progress. Though I have much I want to begin writing, the nitty-gritty work of customizing the site takes time.

And you know what? I have decided to not rush this process. I am going to enjoy it!

Because in my head, I am building this beautiful gathering spot for us to sip and share, and while I could get anxious about getting to all the sipping and sharing, I know that if I don’t take this time to construct this site properly, the walls will fall in on our heads.

I’ve done that before. I’ve rushed to the wedding ceremony before thinking about the importance of the vows.

But that’s the old me.

This time, this girl is awake from her sleep and delusions of ill-prepared grandeur. There is work to be done (by all of us) and it requires that we do it well, and with clarity.

So, in theory, I am waiting for the foundation to set so that I can put up the walls, hang the pictures. You get it.

Until, then, keep dropping by. Our sipping and sharing will happen soon.  (Visit the Contact page for more information).

Really yours,

L.A.

“I was set free because my greatest fear had been realized, and I still had a daughter who I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became a solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”

―J. K. Rowling

“Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.”

― Proverb 24:27

credits: photo by Nolan Issac

Authors, From the Heart

Welcome for 2018

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Dear Reader,

Welcome. It is great to make your virtual acquaintance. I am not quite sure how you got here. But, I am really, really glad you did.

And now that you are here, allow me to share some high points on what Reallyleah.com is all about. In short, this website is about:

  1. Miracles, builders, authors, lovers, and givers.
  2. Expressing needs through thoughtful transparency, and
  3. Finding seeds of support.
  4. Reuniting and staying connected with my old buds. Psst. Perhaps after we leave here, we can set up a time to meet-up, sit down, unwind, and exchange some common oxygen.
  5. My lifestyle (a little), which I hope initiates a meaningful conversation.
  6. Change, growth and togetherness.
  7. Laughing and not getting overwhelmed by what will happen next.

So, thanks for visiting. I hope you’ll save this site in your Favorites and come back often. And, please feel free to react to any of the aforementioned or anything you see on the site. You’re always welcome to do so.

Really yours,

L.A.