Beautiful Trail to Indoor Fresh Air

Just a click on the above photo brings you to a world of beautiful products. Enjoy clean air in your home -- breathe easier and healthier -- with Himalayna Salt lamps from Solay. They're small and compact, fit in even the smallest places. Purify a whole room or just your personal space -- especially wonderful around your computer, and so much more. Learn more today. You'll want one of these unique treasures for every room. Wonderful find.

What is Your Dream?

What are your dreams? If time, resources, and fear of failure was not an issue what would you do with your life? Have you taken the time and prayed for God's dreams for your life?

Having traveled the path she expresses in this devotional, I felt compelled to share today. Renee Swope addresses the questions above in THE REAL ME.While the road we travel is not always easy, knowing who we are in Him and His dreams for our lives as He empowers us to touch others in very intentional and practical ways gives us purpose and direction. We may come to realize that we are able to like ourselves for who we really are -- the life that Jesus' sees, and the Jesus' others see in us. That is most freeing.

SURVEY QUESTION:
What is your dream? Are you living it? Do you know who you are, and especially who you are in Jesus?

Lush Meadows and Drink from Quiet Pools

Surrounded by so much chaos . . . stress and frustrations on the left and on the right . . . in front and rear too . . . take the time to sit . . . and rest . . . focusing your eyes on the one who securely holds your hand . . . perhaps meditate on the words penned by a famous shepherd . . . they may tickle sweet emotions long forgotten . . . speak soothing life to your parched spirit . . . If these words of the 23rd Psalm sound a little different, they are . . . smile! Take a fresh look . . .

From THE MESSAGE -- Psalm 23

GOD, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows; you find me quiet pools to drink from.

True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.

You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of GOD for the rest of my life.

I pray you will find your lush meadow and quiet pools today.

Photo courtesy of BigFoto.

Migraines Helped Through Reflexology -- Study from Denmark

Please click the headline above for the complete story from Sylvia Carlson.

The results from this Danish research indicate that an astounding 81% of those in the study reported being helped by this therapy. Many even believed it was their cure.

Migraine sufferers, that's worth checking out!!!! Was I one of those unfortunate enough to suffer the debilitating pain of migraines and even if I didn't know much about reflexology, after reading this article I feel rather certain I would give reflexology a chance.


Also, I love visitors. Stop by my reflexology site, too.

Why Do We Expect God to Bless America?

Everyday in America we here someone somewhere asking, "God Bless America!" I'm wondering why it is we expect Him to do that. The craziness circus (in my opinion) of an election year that is well underway . . . A happy and blessed nation would do well to heed and follow Godly Biblical views on a number of the BIG issues. Where do the candidates stand on that? I'm not one to wish to debate politics on this blog (And I won't! Don't even think about posting political ads -- They'll be rejected). I'd love to hear comments on "Why this is our expectation in the light of the way we treat God?"

What I pray that we would see as a nation is the respect and blessing we withhold from the God who has blessed us with way more than we'll ever deserve. The following passage from Malachi speaks to us today, as well. . . and "NO" it's not just about money. It is about repentance and seeking HIM and serving HIM. It's ALL HIS!! It's ALL ABOUT GOD. . . It's NOT about us. However, the incredible God I serve does "pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams." When the nation HUMBLES itself and turns to HIM, I believe we may continue to rise from our sinking state and once again "be voted 'Happiest Nation,'. . . and experience what it's like to be a country of grace"

The Master You've Been Looking For
1 "Look! I'm sending my messenger on ahead to clear the way for me. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you've been looking for will enter his Temple—yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you've been waiting for. Look! He's on his way!" A Message from the mouth of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

2-4But who will be able to stand up to that coming? Who can survive his appearance?

He'll be like white-hot fire from the smelter's furnace. He'll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry. He'll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He'll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they're fit for God, fit to present offerings of righteousness. Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to God, as they used to be in the years long ago.

5"Yes, I'm on my way to visit you with Judgment. I'll present compelling evidence against sorcerers, adulterers, liars, those who exploit workers, those who take advantage of widows and orphans, those who are inhospitable to the homeless—anyone and everyone who doesn't honor me." A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

6-7"I am God—yes, I Am. I haven't changed. And because I haven't changed, you, the descendants of Jacob, haven't been destroyed. You have a long history of ignoring my commands. You haven't done a thing I've told you. Return to me so I can return to you," says God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

"You ask, 'But how do we return?'

8-11"Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day.

"You ask, 'How have we robbed you?'

"The tithe and the offering—that's how! And now you're under a curse —the whole lot of you—because you're robbing me. Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. For my part, I will defend you against marauders, protect your wheat fields and vegetable gardens against plunderers." The Message of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

12"You'll be voted 'Happiest Nation.' You'll experience what it's like to be a country of grace." God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so.
Malachi 3:1-12 The Message

A bit preachy? Perhaps. I still had the need to share my thoughts on this. I pray that as a nation we will really look at how we are robbing God, humble ourselves to repent, and turn to serve Him. I believe we will be blessed again beyond our wildest dreams.

Is There Mercury in Your Mascara?

So, what is in your mascara anyway? Mercury is not often listed as an ingredient (or it's disguised as something else) on the labels. When this article came across my desktop this morning I was very upset. I was even more upset when I visited the SkinDeep website to look at mascaras listed there.

Whether or not the 400 or so mascaras I found contain mercury, I really do not know. What I do know is that all but a very few fell into the moderate to high concern groups. Many of them rated 6-8 on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest level of concern to the consumer.

Now you may have already guessed that I would have a product to share with you that falls in the safer "green" (0-2 concern level) section of the SkinDeep database. Pictured above is the miessence® mascara. This product was in the safest 3% of all mascaras listed. WOW!! I'm certainly thankful that is what is going on my eyelashes these days -- at least on the days I really do add a little enhancement to my middle-age face.

With so many topics I would love to tell you about, I come back to these products often. Please know that my heart is to inform you of the healthier options that are available. Whether you visit ONEGroup's miessence® line and perhaps even become a customer, or choose from another source, I pray that you will consider the safety of the products you use for yourself and your family. This organic company's prominent headline "What is Your Skin Eating?" calls from their homepage. So, WHAT IS your skin eating?

Puffy eyebags and dark circles . . . is this your plague? Yesterday while running around the blog world my interested was piqued by suggestions for puffy eye remedies. What "magic tricks" do you think I happened upon?

1. Coffee Grounds
2. Egg Yolk Paste
3. Bag of Marbles
4. None of the Above

Yes, pretty silly, to be sure. Please don't attempt any of those things at home. I'm not sure what the outcome might be. "None of the Above" is, of course, the correct answer.

What I have learned is that slices of organic cucumber over your eyes are very refreshing. Green tea bags (wet ones to be sure) may offer some real benefits in this area. You might enjoy watching a video demonstration of these on Fran's blog. Also, I read about doing Yoga shoulder stands, working up to being able to do this about 3 minutes per day as an excellent preventative for puffy eyes.

All that said, I'd like to bring another option to your attention. This one is not home made, but is definitely certified organic and a very healthy food choice for your skin. These products are on the shelf in my reflexology space. Clients are welcome to "play" with them. The reviews on the Firming Eye and Neck Serum pictured above have been excellent. Those who have tried it, have loved it. This link will take you right to the product, where you'll find beautiful pictures and descriptions of all the product and all the wonderful, healthy ingredients from which it is produced.

Sweet Honey in My Mouth

Others often see us in a much different light then we see ourselves. My usual thoughts when someone compliments me as an encourager is to think that while I give it my best, I feel very inadequate to make any difference. That's certainly not truth, and not very impressive "self talk" either. (You may look for more on that topic in an earlier post.) The TRUTH is without Jesus that is exactly what our lives are: INADEQUATE!!! That was pointedly addressed in my quiet time this morning. Another TRUTH is because of JESUS, when our trust is in Him, WE ARE ADEQUATE -- PERFECTLY ADEQUATE. No accident I'm certain, that this quote appeared on my computer screen via email just minutes later. Let its message bring sweet words of encouragement for you today.

The name of Jesus is in my mind as a joyful song, in my ear a
heavenly music, and in my mouth a sweet honey.

-- Richard Rolle