Whatcha Thinking About Cont…

Jan22

In a recent post Whatcha Thinking About I discussed the physical and psychological benefits of quieting the chatter from a spiritual perspective. This morning I received a link from my husband’s uncle which discusses the subject matter from a scientific perspective.

Because I am an Registered Nurse with a degree in science, I found the article fascinating so I am passing it forward.

Mindfulness meditation training changes brain structure in eight weeks

ScienceDaily (2011-01-21) — Participating in an 8-week mindfulness meditation program appears to make measurable changes in brain regions associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress. A new study is the first to document meditation-produced changes over time in the brain’s grey matter. … > read full article

Thanks Uncle Russell

Love Lee ♥

The People’s Choice Award

Jan20

It is my honor to introduce the most talented artists I know…My Brother

Daniel Kimbrough

Daniel Kimbrough is a self-taught artist and musician who is well-known for his affiliation with The world-renowned museum The Menil Collection. As a surrealist Mr.Kimbrough’s work was represented by The Menil Collection for 10 years making him the longest local artist in Houston represented by The Menil. He was named artist of the year by the collection in 2008. He currently resides in Houston,Texas where he cohabitates with his black cat Vladimer and his turantula Sircy.

I love what my sister wrote, “When I was a little girl, I’d sit beside him & as I’d watch him create things with his hands, I’d be thinking, “My brother is such an awesome artist, he’s going to be a famous designer”. Daniel Kimbrough is the epitome of creative art design. He IS a winner!” Cheryl Fairbank

Trish Bergerson writes, “WOW amazing…a true artist that is for sure”

Great talent deserves endless attention. This is his chance at $10,000 in grants, international publicity and a feature exhibition in Scope Art Show in NYC

“The People’s Choice Award”

Every Vote Counts to help Daniel obtain this coveted award.

I invite you join me in visiting this link daily to view and vote for Daniel’s art.

Click Here To Vote

To see more of Daniels art and even purchase a copy for yourself visit Daniel’s Website

Please Show A Little Support…

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Love Lee ♥

$2,000 cash grant

An online feature bringing international exposure

Be All You Can Be

Jan20

How many times have you heard…someone refer to another by their appearance?

She’s smoking hot
She has such a pretty face
Her hair is always perfect
He’s built
He’s got those bedroom eyes

You know…you’ve heard them all.

I know you have seen or been on a conference call where they put the picture of the person speaking up on the screen so everyone will have a face to go with the voice.

Today, I was face on the screen…I was the guest speaker delivering information to a group of salesmen.

The phone rang and the hotel manager on the other end of the line introduced himself and said, “I am going to patch you into the conference now”. I then heard a woman introducing me.

We immediately went into the subject matter and spoke to the group for about 15 minutes followed by a question answer session. Then to my surprise the audience applauded…

Oh My Gosh…I realized it was a conference room FULL of people…It was at that moment I realized putting my picture up on a screen in no way gave those people a clue who I was and I was reminded we are sooo much more than our appearance!

It is my voice, my knowledge, passion, enthusiasm, and excitement…Not just my appearance that defines me!

Now don’t get me wrong…anyone who knows me also knows I must be really ill if I have not applied my makeup or fixed my hair for the day. I am a firm believer in being the best me I can be at all times…

Do I do that for others?

NOPE! It is all for me…I love routine but I also love spontaneity so I kill two birds with one stone.

Routine: I have the same regimen every morning…
spontaneity: I’m always dressed and ready for any fun that might come my way!!!

While I may have been a face on the screen today…I am sooo much more. For that God gets all the glory cause He don’t make no junk!!!

My Father created me in His image…He loves me and is crazy for me!

Pssssst….

He feels the same for you!!!

My sweet friend…

Be All You Can Be…FOR HIM!!!

Love Lee ♥

Whatcha Thinking About

Jan19

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart [shall be] of understanding. Psalms 49:3

Meditation…what exactly is meditation?

The dictionary defines it as “A devotional exercise of or leading to contemplation”.

The use of Meditation for healing is not new. Meditative techniques are the product of diverse cultures and people around the world. It has been rooted in the traditions of the world’s great religions. In fact, practically all religious groups practice meditation in one form or another. The value of Meditation to alleviate suffering and promote healing has been known and practiced for thousands of years.

The author of Holistic-online.com does a fabulous job of defining the benefits of meditation.

Physical Benefits

Deep rest-as measured by decreased metabolic rate, lower heart rate, and reduced work load of the heart.
Lowered levels of cortisol and lactate-two chemicals associated with stress.
Reduction of free radicals- unstable oxygen molecules that can cause tissue damage. They are now thought to be a major factor in aging and in many diseases.
Decreased high blood pressure.
Higher skin resistance. Low skin resistance is correlated with higher stress and anxiety levels.
Drop in cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular disease.
Improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing. This has been very helpful to asthma patients.
Younger biological age. On standard measures of aging, long-term Transcendental Meditation (TM) practitioners (more than five years) measured 12 years younger than their chronological age.
Higher levels of DHEAS in the elderly. An additional sign of youthfulness through Transcendental Meditation (TM); lower levels of DHEAS are associated with aging.

Psychological Benefits

Increased brain wave coherence. Harmony of brain wave activity in different parts of the brain is associated with greater creativity, improved moral reasoning, and higher IQ.
Decreased anxiety.
Decreased depression.
Decreased irritability and moodiness.
Improved learning ability and memory.
Increased self-actualization.
Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation.
Increased happiness.
Increased emotional stability.

In order to meditate it is essential to shut down the mental “chatter”. Turn off the inner critic, negative thinking and brain chaos and instead allow your mind to quiet and meditate or reflect on God, His mercy, grace, and love. Allow the world around you to disappear for a few moments and totally reflect on Him. Once your mind is stayed on Him the wisdom will flow…

Think about it…doesn’t junk and negativity flow from our mouths when our minds are not on God?

So if you’re not thinking about Him…

Whatcha thinking about?

Love Lee ♥

Why Am I Here?

Jan18

Have you ever wondered, Why am I here…Why am I here on this earth, in this place at this time?

Last Wednesday First Baptist Church Brazoria began learning the music for our annual Passion Play. While all of the music is awesome there was one song that has ministered to me and has answered the question “Why am I Here?”.

As I was driving to work one morning this week, a light bulb went off in my head and I became abundantly aware of why I am here.

I’m here to WORSHIP THE KING!!!

Worship:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:1-8

We are here in this moment for one reason only…It is to WORSHIP THE KING…

Worship The King

by BJ Davis

I bow in rev’rence in the courts of royal majesty. Honoring His presence, I’m here to worship the King. I’m here to worship the King. Blessing and honor and power be to Him alone. Holy, holy, holy, we join the angel’s song. Come, let us worship the Lord, and crown Him Lord of all. Come, let us worship the Lord, and crown Him Lord of all, Lord of all! We join the angel’s song. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. I’m here to worship the King. I’m here to worship the King.

Have You Worshiped the King Today?

Love Lee ♥

A Couple of Minutes Made a Difference

Jan14

It was a morning like any other except, I was up and off to work early. I wanted to get my work day over as quickly as possible so I could get back home and spend time with my daughter who’s in for a weekend visit. It had been 18 months since her last visit.

I left the house at about 7:15 am and pulled out on Hwy 36 in route to work…no cares and no worries just settled in for the drive. Within less than a minute on Hwy 36 everything changed…

A white truck hit a car head-on, spun around then hit another car head-on. Before I realized what was happening all three cars were in the ditch. I jumped out of the car and ran to the man in the white truck. He was trapped in the car and screaming from the excruciating pain. It took me just a matter of seconds to realize there was not a thing I could do for this kid. He was pinned in the truck and the entire front end of the truck was sitting in his lap.

All I could do was try to talk to him and assure him help was on the way but that offered little comfort as he was in so much pain. As I am talking to him, I feel the light pressure of a hand on my shoulder and could hear a woman’s voice whispering “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus”. A very quiet and gentle woman had walked over and was speaking the name of Jesus over this young man.

Soon the police and EMS began to arrive on the scene. I answered a few questions and then left as I knew there was absolutely nothing I could do to assist and it was going to take a very long time to cut this man out.

Once I returned to my car and began to process the events of the prior 15 minutes, I realized had I left my home even 2 minutes prior, I would have been the one involved in a head-on collision. It was one of the most sobering moments of my life! In a flash, I recognized the miracle God had poured out on my life!

A Couple Of Minutes Made a Difference!!!

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalms 5:11

Father, I thank you for the Protection You Spread On My Life Today!!!

Love Lee ♥

Is the Grass Always Greener

Jan13

How many times have you seen this while driving down the road? That poor cow always trying to get to the grass on the other side of the fence. Aren’t we much like that cow? How often is it we want what we can’t have and pursue it without thought of the consequences?

There is much to be said for finding contentment with what we have rather than always pursuing that which is just out of reach. Oh wait, before you go there…I am all about goals…defining goals, planning a path to reach the goal and celebrating the achievement of goals.

I am not referring to goals…I am referring to the constant state of discontent. Are you always looking for something or someone to make you happy; that perfect job, perfect mate, perfect party, or perfect friend?

…godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

We celebrate being a Christian and being born again…we try to live our lives as Christ would have us live by acting right, talking right, walking right or anything else right…BUT are we content?

Are we content in knowing Jesus is our Lord and Savior and He is in control; that all we have belongs to him and…. all we are is because of him??? Well…we should be…In finding contentment in Jesus all the other “stuff” does not matter!!!

My friend, I am here to tell you…The grass IS NOT always greener on the other side!!! Stop looking for that something or someone to make you happy…Start looking for GOD!

Love Lee ♥

But How Do You Know

Jan12

Recently I was reminded of how not all is as it seems. Just because the clouds are dark and heavy it does not mean the sun is not shining. In fact the sun is shining so bright it is a blinding light. This picture proves my point. At the edge of the clouds…The Sun Is Shining!!!

So things are tough, not enough money, the kids are fighting, no one understands you, jobs got you down, your spouse has left you and you are lonely…Things are gonna get better!!!

I can hear you asking…

But How Do You Know

Well, it is quite simple…God said,

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:3

When it gets too much to bear…

He will CARRY you
He will SUSTAIN you
He will RESCUE you

He’s got this covered…No matter where you are or what is going on! God is still there whether you can see Him or not just as the sun is there…He’s got this!!!

God said it, I believe it, and that settles it!!!

Love Lee ♥

Out With the Old and In With the New

Jan8

Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. II Corinthians 5:17

Where have you come from? The person you were before Christ came into your life should be gone. The habits and attitudes that defined you then should be changed. You are a new creature a door has open in your heart that Christ walked through bringing love compassion, concern for others, honesty, justice and self-sacrifice with it. Every characteristic that defines Christ can now define you. The struggle is to keep that old person with all her old habits and attitude away old habits die-hard begin each day by asking the Lord to help the new person shine over the old person.

I have not arrived but I am definitely not what I use to be!!! God is soooo good!

Love Lee ♥

Oh What a Day

Jan7

Wow…what an intense day this has been! It started arriving early to my office in order to meet a reporting submission deadline; Whew made that one!!! Then off to two meetings back to back. Finished up the meetings at noon then flew out the door to attend a funeral. After the funeral headed home changed clothes and it was off for a date night…WooooHoooo the time together we have been waiting for all week!

Last Saturday Richard asked me if I would like to go out for a date on Friday evening. Well, of course I said, “Yes”…time alone with Richard, Duh that’s a no brainer!!! Then the work week began and forgot completely about the conversation and with Richard working nights we had not had a chance to talk. Wednesday I received a call at work and it was Richard. He said, “Hey are we still going out Friday night? I have been looking forward to it all week.”

Oh how that man can brighten my day…Yes, I had forgotten but thought of an evening with him totally elated me!!!

Now it is Friday, at 11:30 pm and I am finally able to write my post. It is still Friday and I got the post in before the end of day! Goal met…

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13