Christmas

 in the Star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him...”
(Matthew 2:9–11, NKJV)T4

he wise men traveled a considerable distance to see the great King whose arrival the Bible foretold. They followed the bright star, and when they found Him, it says they rejoiced exceedingly. Those men were so happy that they couldn’t hide it. Notice what they did next; they fell down and worshiped Him.

When a wise person seeks Jesus, they are filled with indescribable joy. They are compelled to worship Him! Let that be you and me today. Let’s let the joy of the Lord fill our hearts and be reflected on our faces during the holiday season and every day of the year. Don’t allow the pressures and busyness of life steal your joy. Let those around you see that you’ve been with Jesus. Rejoice in Him, worship Him, and walk with Him in victory all the days of your life!

Merry Christmas , Jill -

Creamy chicken casserole ~~

Creamy Chicken Caserole :-) 

I am so glad I found this tasty casserole; have tried it and I llove it and I am sure-you will as well !! For our families we love this will get a thumbs up !!  I wanted to share it will be one to add to your recipe file :-)

 Frozen hash browns with onions and peppers are topped with cooked chicken, a delicious soup mixture and Cheddar cheese. Baked until hot and bubbling and sprinkled with crumbled bacon,

Bake: 45 min. 

Ingredients & Instructions Nutritional Info Notes What You'll Need 1 package (28 ounces) hash brown potatoes with onions and peppers, thawed 1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup or (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell’s® Condensed 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup 1 cup sour cream 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese or Colby Jack cheese 1/2 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 3 cups shredded cooked chicken 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or thinly sliced green onion How to Make It 1 Heat the oven to 375°F.  Spray a 13x9x2-inch baking dish with vegetable cooking spray.  Season the potatoes as desired

If you have any questions feel free to ask , 

Enjoy ,

jill 

Be yourself !!

As I am sitting here tonight thought I would write and share some thoughts ; :-)

Being kind is not the same as being nice; you don’t always have to be nice, but you should always try to be kind. Be brave. Try things that scare you. Speak up for yourself and your friends. Speak up to your friends when they’re causing you pain. If you try and fail, cry about it, then figure it out and move forward. Love people fearlessly, even after you’ve been hurt.

Be honest ,Be present. Give yourself room to grow. Forgive yourself when things go wrong. Remember that tomorrow is a second chance. Be yourself. Be as much of yourself as you want to be, all the time. Be loud, be intense, be ambitious, be defensive, be sad, be angry, be unapologetic about anything you are that isn’t hurting other people — and when other people tell you that you’re hurting them, apologize and be better.

Be you, a better you , you just never know what life wil bring your way , God has a beautiful plan for us He knows all before we do ! !!

Have a great evening ,


Jill

So many people today get down and discouraged because they only focus on their present circumstances. They’re constantly dwelling on their problems, what they don’t have, and what’s wrong with them. They don’t realize it, but they’re allowing the enemy to steal their hope. This negative frame of mind is what keeps people from moving forward in life.
Understand today that faith is confidence and assurance about the things we hope for according to the promises of God. Like an arrow, your faith points to the target of hope. If you don’t have hope, that arrow of faith has nothing to aim for. It won’t accomplish anything. But when you keep your hopes up, when you keep expecting and believing, it’s like making that target larger and larger and easier to hit!
Choose today to live with an attitude of expectancy. Don’t focus on your circumstances; focus on your God! Get your hopes up! Take captive every negative thought. As you focus on God’s goodness and faithfulness, you’ll feel that hope inside of you growing. Give your faith a target and move forward confidently in the direction of your dreams!
Jill

Don't Give Up !!

Today are you believing God for something that is taking longer than you thought or expected? If you are praying according to His promises, no matter how long you may have been standing, don’t give up! Your season is coming. Your harvest of blessing is on its way. It might be today, it might be tomorrow, it might be next week, next month or next year; but remember, at the right time you will experience your breakthrough. Be encouraged today because God is faithful, and His promises are true. Keep standing, keep hoping, keep believing. Keep doing good. Keep declaring the promises of God over your life. Choose to be around people who are going to encourage you and fill your heart and mind with Good thoughts. Let a song of praise come out of your mouth and sing like there isn't a tomorrow. As you continue to press on in faith and keep an attitude of victory, you will see your harvest of blessings come true !! :) Don't give up God loves us and he knows when and what we need and don't need in our lives;  with all said ~~ have a beautiful day and remember- He is here with us and he doesn't want us to give up !! :) <3

Life is a Journey

Peaceful Me

Peaceful Me

Peace begins with me
starting over and breaking free
Peace begins with me
opening my eyes beginning to see
Peace begins with me
Curious about what I’m gonna be
Peace begins with me
knowing I no longer have to flee
Peace begins with me
having self dignity
Peace begins with me
taking on more responsibility
that is why peace begins with me

Not the post at all I intended here at this time, yet this is an expression of my own that timing took care of for me. The thoughts and ideals I share here are also shared by many, and are not unique to me. Every once in a while even the most upbeat and positive mentality can receive a crack in its armor. Resealing the crack up is not difficult, but it takes perseverance of a principled mind-set, and being surrounded by loving & healing energy to move beyond it and NOT let it become the normal. The principles I hope to master so that my wish to thrive while striving for a life of peaceful easy feelings and bliss will be my norm. It is with a strong purpose and intent I strive to live daily with these principles, this ideal, practicing this faith that sustains me.

Assimilating to living a peaceful life takes practice of which I hold out hope for that I will continue to be successful in all things possible. I always have carried hope in my heart and always will, even if I back pedal for brief moments. Practicing is a way of processing through a period of learning and growing. On practicing I have become quite adept of late, with seeds of new beginnings planted and waiting for a warm summer days to see them come into full  bloom.  Using this time, this winter of my soul to find the path that allows for safe navigation and passage to master those  peaceful and easy feelings in my life.

if you really want to...you can seize the day

capri deim

Take control and be in charge of your destiny.

You are the only one who really knows what you want from life and if you're on the right road for you. You are the only one who can fulfill your dreams and receive the joys and happiness that come from reaching those aspirations and goals.

Don't expect others to be responsible for your happiness and your success. You must take control and be in charge of your destiny and day-to-day situations. Take advice (most of the time it's free) and listen to what others have to say and what concerns they have; it's important to have different points of view. But always validate those words of wisdom with your own set of standards and make sure that the advice has meaning to your sense of reality.

You must understand yourself enough to know what you want in life and what desires you believe are worthwhile for your future. You need to depend upon yourself and your talents. Appreciate others for their personal skills and abilities, but always continue to focus on your own strengths and energies. Life is much too short to spend it worrying about someone else's accomplishments or expecting someone else to be responsible for making your life better.

If you have dreams, then you have a purpose. You have something to believe in and work towards obtaining. Dedicate yourself to yourself. Promise yourself a life filled with love, and then whatever roads you travel will be the roads you want them to be.

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there; they serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become.  You never know who these people may be; your roommate, neighbor, professor, long-lost friend, lover or even a complete stranger who, when you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

Sometimes things happen to you and at the time they may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower or heart.  Everything happens for a reason.  Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck.  Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.  Without these small tests - whether they are events, illnesses or relationships - life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere.  Safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.  The people you meet who affect your life, and the successes and downfalls you experience, create who you are; even the bad experiences can be learned from.  In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to.  If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally; not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love, and they are opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.Make every day count.  Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.  Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen.  Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.  Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself; for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you, either.  You can make of your life anything you wish.  Create your own life and then go out and live it.

Can you remember the time when you first discovered a big dream in your heart? Maybe you were determined to excel in your career, or as a parent, or maybe you were focused on deepening your walk with the Lord. You probably started out with enthusiasm, but maybe things got a little difficult or didn’t happen as quickly as you would have liked. Oftentimes, when things don’t go as planned, people decide, “I’m just going to settle here. It’s not exactly what I wanted, but at least it’s good enough.”

Today , in this new season,lets recognize that we were made for more than “good enough.” We were made to increase, to excel, to grow and stretch. Why don’t we take a step of faith this year and embrace the new life He came to give us. Not only does Christ offer new life in eternity, but He offers new life here on earth. Let's pick up those dreams and be determined to see them through. It’s a new day, and He is making everything new in our life!

.

I have learned over the years that if you keep these promises all will be well for you and others !!

I promise…”

1. “I will accept everything I am, and everything I am not.” – Self-worth comes from one thing: thinking that you are worthy.  So be confident.  Too many days are wasted comparing ourselves to others and wishing to be something we aren’t.  Everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses, and it is only when you accept everything you are, and aren’t, that you will truly find happiness and success.  
2. “I will appreciate others for who they are.” – Sometimes the way you think about a person isn’t the way they are.  On the outside, maybe they laugh, and maybe they cry; but you would be surprised at everything they keep deep inside.  So pay close attention, and love the people you care about for who they are, and not for who you want them to be.  In the long run, this is how you will get the best of them.
3. “I will speak kindly and consciously to others.” – Open your mind before you open your mouth.  Don’t mix bad words with a bad mood.  Just be calm and deal with your emotions.  You’ll have many opportunities to change your mood, but you’ll have an extremely tough time recovering the words you have spoken.
4. “I will speak kindly and consciously to myself.” – Wait, what did you just say to yourself?  Were they the inspiring, comforting words  you would speak to a friend?  Or were they the belittling remarks you mightshout to an enemy if you had no heart.  Or the negative assessments about life you would utter if you had no faith?  All day long we speak silently to ourselves, and a part of us believes every word.  So stay mindful, and ask yourself, “If I had a friend who always spoke to me in the same way that I am speaking to myself right now, how long would I allow that person to be my friend?”
5. “I will stop trying to control everything.” – I hate to break it to you, but you can’t control everything in your life no matter how many safeguards you put into place.  But thankfully, you don’t have to control everything to find peace and happiness.  It lives with you always, deep within.  More than getting into the nuances of control itself, you should be more interested in encouraging yourself to commit to giving it up, on purpose.  See what happens when you loosen your grip, throw your hands into the air, and allow life to just happen and flow as it does, without constant micromanagement.  
6. “I will appreciate the beauty of small moments.” – Positive minds live positive lives.  There is always, always something to be thankful for and something to smile about.  The happiest people are not those who get everything they want; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, notice and appreciate the beauty and sweetness of everyday moments.

Living Proud * Living Loud !!!!

{Inspired by the project for September’s Chronic Pain Awareness Month 2012}

I am a person of deep faith. My faith runs proud and it runs loud and brings to my life a constant sense of Hope and Dreams. Having hope allows the possibility of my dreams to sustains me. I have finally found a way to own that.
To Live It Proud,  To Live It Loud. (in my heart)
I believe in the spiritual power of Hopes and Dreams. I believe that keeping Hope alive is as essential to my life as is breathing. The times without hoping for dreams are as dark as they are bleak. Time’s of my past, I know My faith needs to include hope for dreams, and now shines lightness and brilliance.
I am not so naive or such an overly positive person that I do not know things, events, life can get in the way and dampen the lightness & sparkle. There was a time when I believed chronic illness had wiped all those dreams and my hopes away. It was like a light had been switched off suddenly, and life became smothered in darkness.
Without HOPE dreams are useless.
Yet dreams are persistent in some magical way. maybe they never  really do leave you alone. Instead, possibly when the light went out it only shadowed all my dreams, I believe in all possibilities.
With light being what light is, it spilled glancing glows despite myself, showing me that it is I that has been completely unaware, and had turned away; reminding my soul that it is up to me to see and to feel the castings of the small glimmers of hope. “They are there” a reminder from the universe. A reminder glimmering in the shadows.
Possibilities?  Dreams? Hope?
Was it possible that I was not seeing that dreams were still there in the shadowed light? Could it be all along that they have always been right there under my own nose? Just because I was not seeing? Or refusing to admit what I was seeing was real.  Hope & Dreams” as I thought they should be, meaning = I was not seeing them at all. The Should have’s, the could have’s, the what if’s  all got in the way, they have no place in Hope & Dreams,  that is where I became confused.
Listening to my soul is an option. There are no should haves or would haves, there are no what if’s or could be’s.. It just is. That is what my faith is. It’s all, or it’s nothing with soul talk, no more second guessing, the light shines brightly through and I see it.
My eyes are opened wide today. Soul talk is a powerful thing. It takes a leap of great faith to listen to the soul sometimes when it feels frightening. I’d quite rather be frightened with a deep faith in something more powerful than I than to be without. This spirit feeds me, why would  I ever question it?
Today I Live Proud.  I Live Loud.  I Live again with my Hope for Dreams.

Is it possible to think that we’re happy, that we are living our best possible life, and not ever know that there’s so much more out there for us?
Scientist and author Dr. David Hamilton suggests listening to your heart: “Ask yourself, ‘If there were no limits and I had all the resources I wanted, what would I do?’ When we live our passion, life takes on new meaning because what we’re doing is aiming in a particular direction. The first step is really to ask ourselves the above question. The second is to ask, ‘What can I do today that can move me in the direction of living my passion?’ The third is to do it.”
I strongly believe that we all have a particular talent or skill and we are here to use it and share it with the world. Living out our passion, the thing that sets us alight, really makes us shine. This light attracts every perfect and synchronistic opportunity to us and when we are living on purpose, aligning what we are meant to do, to what we actually do,’ then everything falls in to place easily.  When we shine, others will be able to live in the light.
Coach and author Suzy Greaves shares that “Many of us grew up living our lives by someone else’s rules, playing the roles that society demanded we played in order to be 'happy.' We did all the 'right' things, lived by all the 'right' rules. So we can’t understand why we are resentful and exhausted. To start living a passionate life, you need to dig around and start getting back in touch with what you love, what you enjoy and what makes your heart sing.”
It’s really important to know that when it’s right, it will happen. Celebrity hypnotist and author Joseph Clough agrees – it’s about drawing a line in the sand: “We can find our passion by seizing this opportunity. All change starts when we take responsibility for this moment and make the empowering decisions from here on. The crucial first step is to know that we believe in you, to take responsibility, and that now is the time to take inspired action to make this happen today.”
One of the big things that keeps us down is a lack of energy. We’re so drained by our lives, our responsibilities, that we can’t muster the enthusiasm to shake things up. Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach explains that “One of the main problems that most adults struggle with is lack of energy when it comes to pursuing something bigger or better. Rejuvenating ourselves from the inside out can help to boost our energy and enthusiasm for life so that we can seriously entertain our passions. Decide to be healthy, decide to become all that you can be, decide that your life is worth living in its shiniest most exciting version, because you really do get to choose.”
Business coach Laura Leigh Clarke adds that “When you look inside and take note, and then go do fun stuff, you can’t help but run into your passion along the way! When we live our passion we become more of who we are. Bizarre synchronicities happen to make our dreams unfold in the reality in front of us. We have more energy. We attract more people to our cause.”

We are each responsible for our own happiness, for demonstrating what can be done when we shift our beliefs for the better and truly know what living our life on purpose means.

Did you know that God has equipped you with everything you need to fulfill your destiny through His Word. That means you are well able to do what He has called you to do. You can accomplish your goals. You can fulfill your dreams! You have the ideas, the creativity, and talent to be successful. You can overcome any obstacle. You’ve been armed with strength for every battle. Not only has God equipped you, but He is also working on your behalf. He has already gone before you and lined up the right people and the right opportunities. You have everything you need to live a victorious life — you were created to excel! You may not have seen it in the past, but if you’ll stay in faith, it’s just a matter of time; victory is on its way. Don’t settle where you are. Don’t have a weak, defeated mentality. Have the attitude, “I am anointed. I can accomplish my dreams. I can overcome any obstacle. I am empowered by the Creator of the universe, and I am thoroughly equipped for every good work that God has called me to!”  Help me to stay focused on Your Word and Your plan for me today. Help me to walk in Your anointing so that I can do all You’ve called me to do. I bless You today and every day!!!

What is happiness? Let me share this little story with you .

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, one of the staff members provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

“I love it,” he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

“Mr. Jones, you haven’t seen the room; just wait!!”

“That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” he replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged. It’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away. Just for this time in my life.”

Why not start building your happy memories today by choosing to be happy. Take charge of your thoughts today. It’s not your mind if you allow anyone and any media to fill it indiscriminately. It’s not your choice if you’re choosing between the options programmed for you to choose between. It’s past time to become the programmer of your own mind. To own happiness you must first get beyond all those negative thoughts and feelings that have been foisted upon you as a part and parcel of your enculturation.

Begin today by finding the good in all if it requires saying to yourself, “I can’t wait to see what good comes from this.” Hold onto that gratitude attitude and happiness will follow. Help another and the speed by which happiness arrives will be accelerated. Do a good deed every day and you will glue that happiness to you.

To let go is to open a door, and to clear a path and set yourself free.

To let go isn't to forget, not to think about, or ignore.  It doesn't
leave feelings of anger, jealousy, or regret.  Letting go isn't about
winning or losing. 

It's not about pride and it's not about how you
appear, and it's not obsessing or dwelling on the past. 

Letting go
isn't blocking memories or thinking sad thoughts, and it doesn't leave
emptiness, hurt, or sadness.

It's not about giving in or giving up.
Letting go isn't about loss and it's not about defeat. 

To let go is
to cherish the memories, but to overcome and move on.

  It is having
an open mind and confidence in the future. 

Letting go is learning
and experiencing and growing. 

To let go is to be thankful for the
experiences that made you laugh, made you cry, and made you grow.

It's about all that you have, all that you had, and all that you will
soon gain. 

Letting go is having the courage to accept change,
and the strength to keep moving. 

Letting go is growing up.  It is
realizing that the heart can sometimes be the most potent remedy.

To let go is to open a door, and to clear a path and set yourself free.

written by Louise L. Hay I had to share this , it was in my daily reading and I adore her writing!!!

I will let the fear pass through me

And only I will remain."

The important point of this statement is that fear comes, passes, and leaves.   It does not adhere to us unless we grab hold, hang onto, and internalize it.

Facing our fear may also involve embracing it and letting it go.  Looking it in the eye, acknowledging it, then setting it free as being something that is not solid or lasting but meant to pass through and on.

When we identify with our fears by making negative statements about ourselves, we have forgotten who we truly are.

Each of us is a precious one-of-a-kind event that is necessary for the world to move forward.  There is something that only we can do, a destiny that we create and fulfill for ourselves that impacts the whole.

We may not feel that we are worthy or entitled but that is simply a byproduct of fear and as unsubstantial. It simply is not true.

We have more impact on the lives of others and the way things play out than we can ever imagine.  We have more power than we can contemplate.  Perhaps understanding the magnitude of this is the greatest fear of all.  For then we understand that we are responsible for our own destiny and must let go of any thoughts of blaming anything outside of ourselves for who we are.

In reality, this understanding sets us free.  For though we rarely can control the situations that come to us in life or the word and actions of others, we can always control what we do with them.

Situations come to pass, they never come to stay.  And when we allow them to pass and disappear into the past like shadows, our vibrant spiritual selves remain, powerful in the present moment. That is the constant, the unchanging, in an ever changing world.

Have a great day and be good to yourself.  

You truly deserve it!

 

Believe in yourself !!

There may be days when you get up in the morning and things aren’t the way you had hoped they would be,
….that’s when you have to tell yourself that things will get better.
There are times when people disappoint you and let you down,
but those are the times when you must remind yourself to trust your own judgments and opinions, to keep your life focused on believing in yourself and all that you are capable of.
There will be challenges to face and changes to make in your life,
and it is up to you to accept them.
Constantly keep yourself headed in the right direction for you. It may not be easy at times, but in those times of struggle you will find a stronger sense of who you are, So when the days come that are filled with frustration
and unexpected responsibilities,
remember to believe in yourself and all you want your life to be, because the challenges and changes will only help you to find the goals that you know are meant to come true for you.
Keep believing in yourself.

image by:idleherts.com

When you thought I wasn't Looking

When I think of ALL my family I wanted to write this:

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick,  and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good-night, and I felt loved and safe.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say,  "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

 

Life is TOO Short…to NOT Know Where You Are Going!

Having a vision is a beautiful thing. It makes dreams feel more concrete and obtainable. It gives you focus, direction and a barometer upon which to make life decisions. With a vision. you live with intention and purpose because you know exactly where you are going. Without the direction of a clear vision for guidance, it is unlikely you will feel fulfilled because you will not base your decisions on what you want and where you are headed, but instead you will base them on circumstances of the moment.
Try creating a vision of what you want your life to look like in all areas of life, and picture it in your mind everyday. Then create your plan to get there, take action with a resolve not to quit, and watch what happens. Even the smallest steps will lead you to your goals.