A Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine!

“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart and good news gives health to the bones." Proverbs 15:30

King Solomon who was considered the wisest man who ever lived, gave this simple, yet powerful lesson - the importance of a smile and an optimistic word. As you move throughout your day, working, walking, traveling, attending a conference or whatever, do you take time to look at the countenances of the people you meet. You’ll notice a variety of expressions. Sometimes a scowl or a frown, maybe a look of anxiety and worry. You may meet expressions of deep concentration, anger or total absentmindedness.

These expressions don’t do too much for us, but what about that special face, with eyes shining and mouth smiling at us? What’s your first reaction - to smile back of course. Suddenly your whole heart is cheered up. I often feel I want to talk to that happy person. I think we should ask God to remind us to put a smile on our faces so we can bring joy to the heart of others. There is a young woman on the staff at Women Alive who glows with the light of Jesus. She always greets visitors with a cheerful look, and Solomon was right – we always leave with a heart full of joy.

What about good news and an optimistic report? A few weeks ago some friends visited me for a few days at my cottage. We had some work to do to prepare it for the summer, like putting up screens, washing windows, cleaning cupboards, along with other things. But the hours of work flew by and we enjoyed wonderful hours of sharing about what God is doing in our lives, reading special scripture passages and praying together. We all felt invigorated and energized by our time together – good news and an optimistic outlook gave ‘health to our bones.’

Who are the people in your life that are contributing joy to your heart and health to your bones? They are the ones you should stick to.

I’d love to hear how this is happening to you or how you are blessing others in this way. Please send me your thoughts.

Until next time,
Eileen

How do you define 'health'?

When you hear the word health, what comes to mind? Absence of illness? Size or weight? Exercise? Diet?

The word health is so broad and big - almost abstract. What seems or feels “healthy” to one person might be very different to someone else’s picture of health.

Why is this significant? (and why I am I asking so many questions?!) The significance is that health is something that ALL of us want. We want to be free of pain, to have energy, to be able to carry out daily tasks with ease and so on. But sadly, our “vagueness” around what health looks like to us individually can actually prevent us from getting there (wherever “there” is!).

I struggled with this very issue in January of this year. With a milestone birthday approaching in the Spring, I had a personal goal to be “in the best shape of my adult life” by my birthday. The only problem was - I didn’t know how to turn that goal into a plan. My goal was abstract - and without having a clear idea of where I wanted to go, how could I expect to get there?

The fact is that we cannot do that which we cannot imagine. We need a clear picture of our destination in order to plan the steps to get there. Imagine a building that did not first have a blueprint. How would the builder know where to begin? A well thought out plan is half the battle.

So, I’m wondering...What does healthy living look like to you? I’d love to hear!

May 7th, 2009:
I just returned from a bike ride, my first for this season- a forty minute mini vacation along the trail in our area. Thinking pleasant thoughts while cycling cleared my mind and energized my spirit.

In the Old Testament such care was given to each part of the tabernacle, where God met His people. Although God no longer dwells in the Old building, I've learned the value of looking after my temple, His new dwelling place.

1 Corinthians 6:19 "Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit?" The Message

As women we often feel selfish when we spend time on our own recreation and hobbies.
That's not a Scriptural teaching for Corinthians goes on to say that we are bought with a price, God owns all of us. Let's look after His possession.

What are you doing this spring that will keep you healthy physically, spiritually and mentally? I'd love to hear from you.

Suggestion: Dividing your day into three parts- morning, afternoon and evening is one way to know how you are doing looking after yourself.

You need one of those parts each day for rest and recreation. For instance, if you work at night, you'll need either morning or afternoon for rest and recreation.

Sometimes our schedules have two or three days where all three parts are booked up. In that event, we need a whole day or as many parts as we've missed.

As well, each day I like to ask myself what I've done in each category- body, mind and spirit.

Let's share some ideas.

Live like it's real, because it is!

Were you in Waterloo this past weekend??

We had an incredible weekend with speaker Debbie Alsdorf, worship leaders Colleen and Grace, and singer Deborah Klassen. Breakout speakers addressed key issues facing women today - like how to parent adult children, deal with anger in a God-honoring way, marital struggles and divorce, happiness, thriving through change, and going deeper in prayer.

It was one of those weekends where you see God's hand on all of the little details, tying together the thoughts and scripture shared on stage in ways that no one could have planned but Him. :)

Going back to 'real life' after a transforming weekend away can sometimes hit us like a brick wall - we feel as though we've gone through a heart makeover, though our life situations often haven't changed a bit. "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

And let's remember the words of keynote speaker, Debbie Alsdorf who exhorted us all in our faith to "Live like it's real, because it is!"

Transformed,
Michelle

Women's Lives Changed

It's here! The week of our Brandon and Waterloo conferences! It has been an incredible spring season, seeing God at work in lives of women across the country.

Margaret and I had the opportunity to travel to Grande Prairie, Alberta for our 10th Annual Women Alive conference in that city. Hearing women share their stories of how the past 10 years of conferences have impacted their relationship with God and how they have grown in their faith was a tremendous encouragement. We made new friends with women right from Grande Prairie, and many who had traveled through the snow -- up to seven hours! And we continue to lift up in prayer the families of several youth who lost their lives in an unrelated car accident not too far from Grande Prairie the same weekend as the conference.

The following weekend we were back in Brantford, Ontario (the home of our National Office) for our "Just the Word" conference with Precept Minstries. A woman there attended Margaret's sessions on Nehemiah and accepted Jesus Christ into her life just days later as a result!

This past weekend, Women Alive was at Missionfest Toronto. Thanks to everyone who came by the booth to say hello and share how God has used Women Alive to touch your life. Many of you shared that our annual Waterloo conference is the highlight of your year and a much-needed spiritual refreshment!

We're looking forward to this week ahead, with both Waterloo and Brandon conferences. And we're excited for all that God has in store - far more than we could ever ask or imagine!

Won't you join with us in prayer? That women attending these next two conferences will be impacted by the Truth of God's Word, the Hope of Jesus, and Joy of living for Him!

With love,

Michelle

A Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful ...and a cheerful heart is good medicine” (Prov. 15:13; 17:22).

What is so important about fun and relaxation that I would write about it three times? In the first two blogs, I shared experiences that were both fun for me and and relaxing at the same time. Both stories involved people, talking, laughing, sharing dinner and telling stories. Did you ever notice how much more fun you can have when there are others around? Being alone is not fun - you need someone to share it with.

Scientific studies have proven that “hanging out with friends for fun and relaxation actually counters stress that women experience on a daily basis.” Dr. Laura C. Klein, of Penn State University, says that engaging in friendships and relaxation reduces stress and produces a calming effect in one’s life. This fact has significant implications for our health. Dr. Klein and associate, Dr. Shelly Taylor found in their research that social ties, friendships and relationships “reduce the risk of disease by lowering blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol.”

If having fun and relaxing with others is so good for us, why don’t we do it more? What is the stumbling block? Most of us are so busy, we think we don’t have time and we put our friends on the back burner, promising them and ourselves, “We’ll try for next week.” If only we could remember the source of strength our friendships provide, we would not be so quick to put them on hold. Is there a friend you need to call today and set up an uninterrupted time just to be together, to talk and share as friends do? It will be a healing experience.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about fun and relaxation. Why not take a moment to share some of your experiences with us.

Eileen

Seize the Moment!

Life is busy for everyone. It seems like there is never enough time to do everything we need to do. Who has time to even think about fun and relaxation? One of my friends said to me recently, “I never take time to relax and have fun. I’m too busy.”

I started thinking about that. I have a full schedule as well and don`t plan for fun as often as I should, but somehow it seems to happen for me. Just a week or so ago, my 19 year-old grandson had a birthday and I was able to host the party. You can imagine ten young people around the table and everyone laughing and talking. It was wonderful - each one telling stories on the others. For about two hours I enjoyed the most wonderful entertainment. It was both fun and relaxing. I seized the moment.

Early last Sunday morning a friend I don`t see very often, called and asked if I could have lunch with her after church. It was a spontaneous invitation and I responded in the same way. She had made a scrumptious dinner and as we sat at her little table, beautifully set, we had lots of fun and laughter, as well as some serious conversation. After dinner, we relaxed in the living room and talked some more. Driving home, I realized how blessed I was. Those two hours, spontaneously ordered, were both fun and relaxing. We had seized the moment.

Eugene Peterson tells us we need to “pay attention to the ordinary,” and to realize that “God is in the everyday.” I agree. Sometimes we let the days slip by without watching for the special moments God may have planned for us - and we miss them. We keep waiting for that large block of time when we can take a big holiday when we think we will have lots of fun and relaxation. We need to keep our eyes open and watch for God’s everyday surprises - and seize those moments.

Have fun!

Till next time,
Eileen