Monday, September 27, 2010

Toxic Thoughts

0 comments Posted by Jane Story at 8:51 PM



Science, meet Bible.  Bible, meet the awakening of the knowledge'd man, proving your very words. Last year I read Dr. Caroline Leaf's book "Who Switched Off My Brain" after seeing her on popular preacher and best selling author Joyce Meyer's TV show. For the science educated, this book will be a little bit of a bore with it's simplified language and silly drawings, but definitely a good read in how to control your thought life. As Joyce says, "the battlefield is in the mind" coming from her book Battlefield of The Mind (Check out her newest book which is a continuation called Power Thoughts, putting the principles from Battlefield of The Mind to practice).



So as I was saying, sometime last year after reading that book as well as Battlefield I challenged myself to be positive and to begin the process of renewing my mind. 
A lot of us are carrying around a lot of junk upstairs, self hatred, pity, negativity, depression (I mean emotional depression, not depression linked to chemical disturbances), you get the point...we all have a lot of bad things going on in our head everyday and we seem to be our own worst enemies. Today after not having worked out in two weeks, I decided I'd try my best to get back into it, it was such a struggle. I had constant thoughts like "you're fat", "you'll never finish this", thoughts of anger towards myself and feeling like I just couldn't do it. I wasn't determined. Now, I'm gonna tell you something, something that could quite possibly change your life. You DON'T have to think that way. I don't have to think that way. Most people see think they're the ones saying these things in their heads, which sometimes yes you do, but we have to realize that Satan can put thoughts into our heads. Thoughts that God would never think of us. 
If you took a look at the bible and see all the things God says about his people (don't get me wrong, you'll see God frustrated and mad at his people, but this is because of their sin and his deep longing for his people to be restored unto him) you'll notice God's desire for us to be like minded. God says that we have the mind of Christ, the crown of thorns that Jesus bore, won the victory in our mind, for our thought life. That believers would be capable of thinking like God does, "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:16). We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5). 
So you see what I'm getting at? You CAN control your thoughts! It takes the power of your mouth to speak things over yourself and confess things. In the tongue is life and death, you can speak blessings, or you can speak curses. I got through my work out today because I kept saying "I can do this, I can do this". At first you may feel a little silly and you may still feel angry, upset or whatever the feeling may be, but as you begin to speak positive things over yourself, speak God's word over yourself and your situations. your attitude begins to change, as do your circumstances. For as he thinks in his heart, so is he (Prov. 23:7).
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. (Phil. 4:8)

 

Monday, September 20, 2010

Sam's Herbal Clay Mask

0 comments Posted by Jane Story at 5:53 PM


For those of you who love to spend an occasional evening pampering yourself, give this a try. French clay powder can be bought in bulk online or if you're lucky you can buy it at a local natural foods store. It's fairly inexpensive when bought at a local store if you can weigh your own. I like to add lavender for it's calming effects, it is also an antiseptic and can benefit acne prone skin. Echinacea is also an herb I like to use for acne. I have tried using it alone as a facial toner once in the morning and once at night to see how my skin would react. I made an herbal infusion (tea) out of it and applied it to problem areas, after a week of use I did not notice any irritation or an increase in acne (this is with the Simple Echinacea Toner). It made my skin feel refreshed and helped calm acne flairs.

Echinacea is a good source of vitamins and minerals, some including vitamins A, B-Complex, B3, C and E among others. The polyphenols in Echinacea also protect the skin from oxidative damage from the sun and the antioxidants prevent cellular decay (Zak). In 2006 the German government approved the use of Echinacea for the treatment of minor skin wounds, and various other studies have shown Echinacea to be effective in treating a variety of skin disorders.

The yogurt in this recipe is optional, I have added it with and without and didn't notice any difference. The recipe will make enough for about 4 applications and can be kept in the fridge for a few days. More or less clay or infusion may be added for the right consistency.

Note: Be careful the clay will stain your clothes and washcloth. It will not stain your skin. French green clay may also be used. 

Simple Echinacea Facial Toner:
Add about 2 Tsp. dried Echinacea (purpurea, angustifolia, pallida) or 2 tea bags of pure herb to a cup water and boil. Let steep for a few minutes till it gets brownish in color. Let cool in the fridge and apply to face with a cotton ball. Store in fridge, make fresh toner every three days. 


http://www.skincare-news.com/n-2930-Germany_Approves_Echinacea_as_Skin_Care_Treatment.aspx

(20,000 Secrets of Tea: The Most Effective Ways to Benefit from Nature's Healing Herbs- Victoria Zak)

 

Saturday, September 18, 2010

The art of Masala Chai

0 comments Posted by Jane Story at 10:16 PM

An Indian friend of mine gave me a taste of the real deal, Masala (spice) Chai (tea). Of course, her blend of tea and spices was perfect. After my first attempt today...I realized that too much of the spices is just too much! I'm typically a strictly plain girl when it comes to my tea, I like it au natural, but it was suggested to me that I add milk and sugar to this blend. I agree, add it. For those that don't know Chai, you're really missing out. It's a aromatic blend of cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, fennel seeds, peppercorns, and cloves added to orange pekoe black tea.


When asked do you love tea more than God? I'd have to admit, it's easy to get caught up in God's creation and loving the creation more than the Creator (http://wherethecloudsettles.blogspot.com/) but God is so totally radical it's pretty hard to not want more of Him. <3 We can be pretty foolish, all we have to do is go to the source (God) and he will provide everything we need.

Promise Land Style

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we 
trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7).

 

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Doing YOUR work

0 comments Posted by Jane Story at 9:18 PM

Just when I felt overwhelmed and I wasn't sure how I'd make it through this year....I looked down at my bible and read this...


Nehemiah 6:8-9 "I sent him this reply: "Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head." 9 They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed."But I prayed, "Now strengthen my hands."

So strengthen my hands Lord, to do the work you have set me here to do. To reach this land for you. Day by day, step my step, word by word, action by action, love by love, reaching the hospital here for Christ! Why work for man, when you can work for God!

 

Monday, May 24, 2010

Jesus's ownership over the Earth

0 comments Posted by Jane Story at 11:55 PM

Why Jesus?

-He established authority over the laws of nature, walking on water (Matt. 14:25)

-He controlled the forces of nature, altering weather patterns (Mark 4:39)

-He trumped the laws of physics, multiplying food, turning water into wine, translating his physical body from one place to another, and destroying trees simply by speaking to them (Matt. 15:36; John 2:9; 6:21; Mark 11:13-14,20)

- He demonstrated authority over the animal world, using a fish to collect money needed for a tax (Matt. 17:27)

-He had dominion over disease, healing multitudes (Acts 10:38)

-He even displayed power over death, bringing dead people back to life (John 11:43-44)

-He rose from the dead, physically (1 Cor. 15:35, 39, 42-44)

http://www.carm.org/christianity/christian-doctrine/jesus-resurrection-was-physical

 

Monday, March 22, 2010

Boast & Brag

0 comments Posted by Jane Story at 9:35 PM

Boasting is usually wrong, but not when it involves Christ.


So often, Satan gets us to believe that we are nothing, we're weak, pitiful, cowardly,etc. you get the point. To sum it up, Satan makes us think that we are nobody, but if you're in Christ, you're SOMEBODY, somebody VERY special.

You ARE a citizen of heaven (Philip. 3:20), God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10), God's temple (1 Cor.3:16), justified (Romans 5:1), complete in Christ (Col. 2:9-10), born of God (1John 5:18), hidden from evil (Col. 3:1-4, 1 John 5:18), can approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3:12), and it continues.

So why the constant struggle in our minds? Why do we allow toxic thoughts of "I am worthless" to bombard us every day? I believe we are afraid to start walking in the truth of Christ's work because it requires that we boast.

The apostle Paul said
"Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. (Philippians 3:1-4)

The Greek word used here as glory, means "boast". We put no confidence in the flesh, but we boast in Christ. To boast in Christ cuts through our pride and gives us confidence in God.

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Gal. 6:14)

Boasting in Christ provides us with strength in our trials

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Cor. 12:8-9)

What would happen if we started walking in the I AM in CHRIST ALONE. We'd probably have less turmoil in our minds, we'd be more focused on the things of God than in the lies of Satan, and we could start walking in the confidence of the Lord.

Praise God that our confidence is not in what we do day to day. Christ has made us acceptable to God, and because he has made us acceptable we can be confident that God will never leave us nor abandon us.

Credit to: http://efcbemidji.org/widgets/download.aspx?file=%2Ffiles%2FMedia%2FSermon+Transcripts%2FJanuary+31%2C+2010+Sermon.pdf.

 

Friday, January 1, 2010

The furious love of God

0 comments Posted by Jane Story at 5:43 PM

I was googling "The Furious Longing of God" by Brenden Manning and somehow clicked Maps on the search engine. My screen popped up with a map with a bunch of dots on a map of the U.S. I then realized something. God has his eyes on us, he is with us, he is near us, he is watching us. Believers shine with his love (though we fail many times and even have a hard time loving others). His love shines down on us as if a spotlight on each and everyone of us. His love is perfect, unconditional, unimaginable, infallible.

Psalm 139:14 (New International Version)
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

From me to you: A King's kid with a golden cloak, you are loved- furiously, jealously, passionately.

Resolutions for 2010: Read through the Bible in a year, be thankful more, worry less (stolen from Ashley)
Declarations for 2010: Spiritual growth, an increase in spiritual gifts, an anointing on my life and relationship with Jon, growth in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Plattsburgh State.

 

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