Depression

Depression what is it you ask? Isn't it just being sad you say; no there is more to depression? Depression isn't just feeling down or sad which everyone has experienced in their life at one time or another.  One can experience feeling down or sad due to many different things like a death of a loved one, job loss, a divorce or separation. But that is not the same with depression it is a serious medical illness which is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Depression doesn't just go away, but it can be treated. If left untreated it can last for month’s even years. Depression isn't always easy to recognize but it does have certain signs and symptoms.

Here are the Signs of Depression:

• Loss of interest in things you normally enjoy.
• Feeling down, depressed, irritable, or hopeless. (In children or teens, this may be irritable mood.)
• Thoughts that life isn't worth living or that you would be better off dead.
• Feeling worthless or guilty.
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
• Unexplained decrease or increase in appetite. (Gained or lost 5 percent of your body weight during the last month.)
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, remembering, and making decisions.
• Feeling tired a lot of the time; having less energy
• Your feelings are interfering with your ability to work or take care of your daily responsibilities.
• Feeling restless, unable to sit still, or unusually slow in movement or action.

Depression isn't a weakness or flaw, and a depressed person can't just "snap out of it" like people tells them to do. I have heard this many times "snap out of it," I am sure like any depressed person we all would love to just "snap out of it". 

As we fight our struggles everyday against depression we are always wondering how long this bout of depression will last this time. Psalm 13:2 states this very thing..."How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?" Satan always tries to bring us down because he knows this is one thing we struggle with. But Jesus understands what we go through; while he was in Gethsemane he's speaking to his disciples in Matthew 26:38...Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow, because he knew what the Father was asking him to do. The Father was asking Jesus to lay his life down for us. You see Jesus understands that is why when we ask him to carry and comfort us he is there. When we are having a hard time and not sure how to get out the depths of depression that is when we need to get quiet before the Lord and let him be our counselor and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us to...Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 

Remember it says in Psalm 46:1 'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.' He is there when we need him; so trust him at all times and he will take care of you during this period. 

From experience I know what others that have depression go through. Oh wait let me guess you haven't told anyone you have this thing called depression because you aren't sure how they would treat you. Yes, I was there too very few knew that I had depression because I didn't want anyone to know. So you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, you are feeling weighed down. I know that struggle you are feeling; in fact I was fighting that very thing for the past several months. I just couldn't figure out why I was feeling that way. This past Sunday a gentleman shared a verse that the Lord had laid on his heart. This verse I had heard many times before it was Isaiah 61:3, but he said to focus on this part of the verse...the oil of gladness instead of mourning; and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. He said there are several people here this morning that you feel like you are weighed down by a blanket covering you; god wants you to focus on this part of the verse. Let's just say no one at church knew I had been feeling this way, because I was putting on a front only I knew. I was prayed for and God comforted me when I needed him the most He lifted the depression I was feeling off of me. 

Remember Satan wants to bring you down and God wants to lift you out of the mire clay and set your feet on solid rock. So are you ready to let Jesus be your counselor and comfort you in your troubles and time of need today. Sit quietly and let the Lord that understands and knows all be your counselor and comforter today. 

Book Review: The Oldest Enemy by Michael Webb

The Oldest Enemy

by Michael Webb

I was given the opportunity to read "The Oldest Enemy" by Michael Webb. This book is a thriller about David Lighthouse an investigative reporter for the Denver Post, back before he was accused of the brutal murder of his fiance and his life unraveled. Now, six years later, he is the assistant pastor of a small church in Florida. Armed with faith, sobriety, and a resurrected sense of purpose, he's putting together a new life. 

This book is for anyone that doesn't mind waiting for something to really happen for a couple chapters in and if you enjoy thrillers this is the book for you. Since I started reading I have been unable to really get into this book; I have been so lost since I have started reading. So I have to say this is not a book I would read. 

Michael J. Webb graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida and obtained his J.D. He has traveled the world for adventure for over the past forty years. Michael and his wife make their home in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Learn more about Michael J Webb here: http://www.michaeljwebbfiction.com/

I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

Remember growing up everyone asked you this question, “What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?” And we always had the answer correctly even though some of us had the same answers has our friends. When I was young my answer was a teacher, singer, or a veterinary which I became none of these. My path went down a total different way after high school. I went to work, got married and had kids mind you I didn't work at any of the careers I said I wanted to do when I was young. I have worked in housekeeping, dog kennels; clerical, different warehouse/assemble positions, sales, and Legal Secretary, now running my own business.

I have also asked my children this same question and they all have something in mind. My oldest daughter career choice has not changed since she was young and in fact she is working in that current field and is looking into going to school to get a degree. My youngest daughter career has changed several times over the years when growing up, but two of her choices have stayed the same. My son has decided to go to college to pursue his career choices. 

Now that my children are grown and the last one is graduating this year from high school, that one question has come to mind again; "What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up?" My heart desires has changed over the years so this is why this question has come up again. Now my answer is I want to be what God wants me to be, I want to accomplish his will. the only problem with that is I don't know what that is right now. I know that I need to sit and be still and listen to what God wants me to be, but I have to remember it's not just one day it could take many days for this to happen. This is where I need to learn to be patient and listen to him. I have come to recognize if I don't feel peace in my heart about what I think I am supposed to be doing it isn't from God. So again it means I need to sit and be still and listen. So have you figured out what you are supposed to be when you grow up? If not just maybe you need to take the time to sit and be still and listen for God's voice to tell you what you are supposed to be when you grow up.

A Time for Everything!

     While reading the Bible yesterday morning I was reading Ecclesiastes 3:9-14. I have been going over and over in my mind wondering what God was saying in these verses since this is the Chapter of A Time for Everything. Verse 9 asks; “What does the worker gain from his toil?” Toil from the Webster Dictionary means laborious effort. As I sat mediating on this question I have come to the conclusion that the worker gains the pay he worked for the experience of the task at hand, I am sure there is more too. But we have to remember God is the one that has provided the job we have, and he rewards us not only in our pay but in what we may eat and drink, and find satisfaction – this the gift of God. In verse 12 God is stating that he knows there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. But there is more to this, yes we want to do good and be happy. But everything doesn't always make you happy; yes it starts out that way but only for a time. This one I know from experience I am in a job that I was happy when I started but since then the zeal has left it. I keep thinking is this all there is. I have come to realize I am a person that likes to motivate people, but in turn I need that same motivation. In verse 14 it says that everything that God does will endure forever; and nothing can be added or taken away. God does it so that men will revere him.  So our purpose in life is to revere the Lord our God. To revere God means to respect and stand in awe of him because of who he is. Are we really standing in revere to God? I hope we are, but looking daily into our lives and seeing if we are doing this will put us in the right perspective of who and what we are revering.   

iChoose2 Live Intentionally Week #2

This week’s challenge was…

What 5 things do you value most?

The things I value the most is

      1.   God

      2.   Family

      3.   Friends

      4.   Women’s Ministry

      5.   Job

It asked me if these 5 things were currently incorporated into my daily life. If not, how can you begin to incorporate these values into your daily life?

Well, to answer the question honesty I would have to say somewhat. I do have my family, friends and Women’s Ministry in my life daily but the other two not is much. Don’t get me wrong I talk to God and spend a couple minutes in the word but not like I should. This one I am working on daily. The job I do but I am looking for another job to help out more, until my business is up and running fully. 

iChoose2 Love My Life Week #1

I started my journey the first week of January and the questions for this week’s challenges were…

  

 1.     What is going well?

 2.  What is not going well?

       3.  What needs to change?

       4.  One-year from today, when you complete this iChoose2 Love My Life journey, what do you hope will be different?

The answers to these questions were not very easy because I needed to think about them carefully.

What is going well is having my family and friends, my Women’s Ministry moving forward to bless the women of our church. The start of being Ambassador for iBloom, and my Avon business is doing okay.

What is not going well was a little harder because I could only think of one thing at first and that was finances (like everyone these are hard times). Then I realized the other thing not going well was myself, I feel I am not well I should be in life with Spiritual being first off. I need that closer walk with God now more than ever.

What needs to change was an easier question because I know finances need to change but also I want to live my life like God wants me to live and being happy with my life. Don’t get me wrong I love my life but there is some changes that need to be made and the first one is growing closer to God is my top priority right now.  

The last question was the easiest for me because I know what I want to strive for I just have to focus on that and that is from one-year from today, I would like to see my finances met to where we aren’t struggling, getting another job whether part time or full time. I also want to see life differently the way God sees my life. I want to be a blessing to others so in turn I will be blessed.

iBloom's 2013 Online New Year's Party Tuesday, January 8th

Join me at iBloom's 2013 Online New Year's Party Tuesday, January 8th at 8PM ET. Go to http://ibloom.co/2013 party to RSVP!

Reflections of Rosalyn, A Life of Victory (Book Review)

Reflections of Rosalyn, A Life of Victory

Author: Theresa Franklin

If you are looking for a book that draws you into the pages as if you were there then you are looking for the book Reflections of Rosalyn, A Life of Victory by author Theresa Franklin. This book is about Rosalyn after losing her husband of over 40 years is facing life along. As Rosalyn reflects on her life as a pregnant teenager Rosie she sees how she overcame the trials in her life to accomplish what she did and how she grew into the woman she became. This book will make you cry and laugh.

I really enjoyed this book and in fact it was hard to put it down. I would recommend this book to people that wants to be drawn into to where you feel you are there with character Rosalyn. This book is only available in kindle or PDF version it can be found at Amazon.com for $5.99.

Theresa Franklin is a Christian, wife, mother, administrator and teacher. Theresa has loved reading since first grade and always wanted to be an author. Theresa and her husband, Sam, live outside of Beaumont, Texas for 38 years. She became a teacher twenty-four years ago with the goal of showing children unconditional love. Theresa taught for 12 years, and then moved into administration. Now retired from education, she enjoys writing.

You can learn more about Theresa Franklin here: http://thereadingsection.blogspot.com/

I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.

A Love Story How God Pursued me and Found Me (Book Review)

A Love Story 

How God Pursued me and Found Me

Author: Samantha Ryan Chandler

The book A Love Story How God Pursued me and Found Me is about the author Samantha Ryan Chandler real life journey; one that shows many forms of emotions and trials. It moved me of how she faced the everyday challenges in life and how God pursued and found her. Her life had some funny moments even during the tribulations she endured. 

I really enjoyed reading this book because of not only being a true story of the author and all the tribulations she endured, but also because of knowing that she survived everything she went through and how God pursued and found her. I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a love story. This book is found in three formats…hardbound for the original price of $22, softcover for $10, and kindle for $5.99. You can find this book on Amazon.com for $28.95 for hardbound, $11.95 for softcover, and $3.99 for kindle.

You can learn more about Samantha Ryan Chandler here: http://wwwSamanthaRyanChandler.com

I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.

iChoose2 Love My Life

I came across a website last year called iBloom it is a site where they have Christian Life Coaching for women. iBloom is a place where they inspire and empower every woman on the planet to live a life they truly love. Back in November I was chosen to be an Ambassador for iBloom that is when I got a chance to get to know the wonderful women of the iBloom team. After becoming an Ambassador they sent me a book called iChoose2 Love My Life. So as I start this journey in the year 2013 I am so excited to share along the way. 

So you say you want to learn to love your life in the year 2013, than the book iChoose2 Love My Life book written by the iBloom – Team, Kelly Thorne Gore, Lori Burrell, Leigh Ann Napier, Betsy Ringer, Gena Sorenson and Jane Thorne is the book you are looking for. This book has 52 entries, one per week for an entire year. So don’t skip ahead to get all you want out of learning to live a life you love.  As I started reading this book; I have begun to learn a great deal about what I want out of life just in the first week of reading this book. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn how to live a life they love. 

So are you ready to begin living a life you love? Do you want to be inspired? Then you definitely want to come to the New Year’s Party that the iBloom team has set up.  I am sending out a special invite come and join the #iBloom Team and celebrate the start of the 1-year journey to live a life you love on 1/8/13 at 8 PM ET (7PM CT, 6PM MT, 5PM PT) http://ibloom.co/2013party!

So to RSVP for the party click the link above and choose either option #1 which is for the party and to get the iChoose2 Love My Life Book to use in 2013 for $10 or choose option #2 for the party without the iChoose2 Love My Life Book

I hope you can join me; I would love to see you there so we can all get to know each other. So JOIN in the fun http://ibloom.co/2013party!