Women of Worth

If you are feeling lonely and depressed, here is a list of things you can do to lift your spirits.

• Teach someone to do something you do well – bake a cake, knit a scarf . . . They will appreciate it.
• Give someone a really great gift, no matter what the occasion. Watch their reaction, and you’ll get a high.
• Don’t forget that you’re special. Remember that no matter what anyone says, you know who you are and you like yourself that way.
• Don’t listen to people who want to get you down.
• Smile nicely at a mean person.
• WARNING: People may think you are fake and shallow.  Ignore them and express yourself.
• Spend time with God.
• Pray, meditate.
• Think on things that are good.
• Spend time reading the Bible.
• Remember that your life is in God’s hands and He takes great care of His people.
• “Smile awhile and give your face a rest . . .”

God’s sweet hand was on my life years before I realized it. I was raised “around” Truth and knew just enough to know that He was a Good God. When I was little, I went to Sunday School occasionally with my “Mawmaw”, and that’s when I first felt His presence. It wasn’t until I was seventeen that I went back to church and was baptized in Jesus’ Name and received the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost….and my “journey” began.

My pastor preached/taught that God was always faithful, His Word was true, and He would supply our every need. I fell in love with His Word and claimed those promises for my life. Little did I know just how faithful He was, how true His Word really was, and how He would supply every need in my life.

God sent a wonderful companion, Rev. Charles Bourn, for me to share my life with. We married February 14, 1981. He was a widower, pastored a church, and had seven precious children. A few years later, God gave us a son. Needless to say, my life changed dramatically. Life was busy and God was good to us! I loved my family and the ministry.

Fast forward from 1981 to February 10, 2003. My husband was coming home from revival to celebrate our 22nd anniversary. He said he wasn’t feeling well, and was having difficulty breathing. He went to the clinic. Our daughter, Tara, who was his doctor’s nurse, called and said I needed to get to the clinic because something showed up on the chest x-ray. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital. We were told it was a mass in his chest and some type of Lymphoma. Valentine’s Day, our anniversary, he was transferred to UMMC in Jackson to get the diagnosis. I followed the ambulance carrying my twenty-two yellow roses, praying, crying, and asking God for healing. We finally got the diagnosis: Stage 4 Burkett’s Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Chemotherapy started that day and ran five days. We finally went home to Columbia February 28th. We needed a miracle. Every three weeks, he would take another round of chemotherapy.

Our pastor, Rev. James Carney, our Woodlawn Church family, and many ministers and friends from all over the country prayed for him. He lived seven month, fifteen days then God took him “home”…the place he had preached about for many years.

Even while facing the heartache and devastation cancer had on our lives, I saw His faithfulness. In prayer one day, I told the Lord that I didn’t think I could live if He took him because we served together and we prayed together. God reminded me that I was serving Him first and that He would take care of me…and He has. I look back often. It been almost sixteen years since he went “home” and God has taken good care of me.

I asked God to help me see the sunshine on my journey again. The road of grief is a rough one, to say the least. So many times in pray, there were few words spoken, but many tears shed. I learned that tears are truly a language that He understands. I was 47 and there weren’t any other widows close to my age in my church. After having a wonderful marriage and seeing it end, I realized a part of me had died. I could walk into a room full of family and friends and still feel so alone because he wasn’t there with me. At times, I’ve felt like a “fifth wheel”…I was there, but not really needed.

I asked Him for financial wisdom and help to be a wise steward of my income. I wanted my tithes and offerings to be a blessing to the Kingdom. He has truly blessed me and I am eternally grateful. It’s been proven to me over and over that you can’t “outgive” God!

I asked Him to help me find “my place” in the church without my husband. I wanted to find things I could do alone. He helped me realize there was plenty I could do. I could pray. I could welcome people to His house. I could sing in the choir. I could send cards of encouragement. I could lead the Bereavement Team. I could be of support to my pastor and his family.

And now, as I’m getting ready to retire, I think about all the plans we had of enjoying all our grandchildren, traveling, and enjoying life together. The plans have changed, but God has plans for me in every chapter of my life. And one thing has not changed at all. He has been and will be faithful…as always!

Health Benefits of Cherries

Emerging research suggests that cherries or the natural compounds found in cherries may help . . .

Reduce inflammation and ease the pain of arthritis and gout.

Offer protection against cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

Reduce the risk of diabetes and insulin resistance syndrome.

Aid in the treatment and possible prevention of memory loss.

Cherries are one of today’s hottest “Super Fruits.”  A growing body of science reveals tart cherries, enjoyed as dried and frozen cherries and cherry juice, have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants compared to other fruits.  They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene (19 times as much as blueberries or strawberries!) vitamins C and E, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and folate.

Emergency Telephone Numbers

These are more effective than 911!  All these numbers may be phoned directly.  No operator assistance is necessary.  All lines to heaven are available 24 hours a day.

When –

you are sad, phone John 14

you have sinned, phone Psalm 51

you are facing danger, phone Psalm 91

people have failed you, phone Psalm 27

it feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139

your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11

you are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23

you are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34

you are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13

you feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39

you are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30

it feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90

you need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30

you are leaving home for a trip, phone Psalm 121

you are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87

you require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1

you are depressed, phone Psalm 27

your bank account is empty, phonePsalm 37

you lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13

it looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15

you are losing hope, phone Psalm 126

to get along with other people, phone Romans 12

Alternate Numbers –

For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47

For security, call Psalm 121:3

For assurance, call Mark 8:35

For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18

Paul’s secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17

One of the most over looked components of fitness is flexibility. Flexibility is defined as full range of motion around a joint. It is important to decrease injury, to keep your joints from getting stiff, and to maintain movement all over your body. Flexibility is important in every day life. Without adequate range of motion everyday activities like picking up a dropped object, reaching for things, gardening and even looking both ways before crossing the street become difficult and painful.

Maintaining and regaining flexibility is easier than you think and can be accomplished in small moments of time. Below are suggested stretches that will help improve your range of motion.

• Shoulder Circles –Roll your shoulders in large circles back and forward.
• Neck stretch –Tilt your head to the side as if you were laying your ear on your shoulder. Keep your shoulders down. Roll your chin to your chest and repeat the stretch on the opposite side.
• Chest Stretch –Sit on the edge of a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Reach your arms behind you and grasp the back of the chair. Gently squeeze your shoulder blades together and slightly lean forward to stretch your chest and shoulders.
• Leg and Lower Back Stretch –Sit on the floor with your back against a wall. Extend your legs in front of you and point toes toward the ceiling. Sit as tall as you can, without bending or leaning. Feel this stretch in your hamstrings (back of legs), calves, hips and lower back.
• Side Stretch –Stand with feet apart. Place one hand on your hip and reach the other hand toward the ceiling.  Gently lean to the side stretching your torso.  Repeat on the other side.

Flexibility training can be done daily. Hold each stretch at the point of tension in the muscle (but NOT PAIN) for 10-15 seconds without bouncing. If you experience limited and painful mobility, consult your physician prior to starting an extensive stretching program.

Purchase a new Bible that is intended to be passed to your heirs. Personalize it with special markings, baptism dates, your inspirational thoughts and make it a gift to your son or daughter or grandchild. This great heritage will be made much more personal to your loved ones as they read your notes and visualize your favorite scriptures. This passing of the legacy of your spiritual faith will be a cherished gift for a lifetime,

Begin each new year with a different Bible, so that all of your family members will have a priceless treasure in their possession. Any Bible may be used; however, Zondervanprovides one especially for this purpose. Be sure to include the plan of salvation right in the very front and list the scriptures for them to easily find. You may also want to list special scriptures for healing, faith, encouragement or any other subject. What a marvelous gift to bequeath to those who are important in your life. It will continue to be a precious heritage.