hope

What Are Words by Chris Medina – Music Video

“What Are Words” by Chris Medina – Music Video

“What Are Words” by Chris Medina

released as the single “What Are Words”

Chris Medina sings “What are Words” in this music video. 2011 American Idol castoff, Chris touched everyone’s hearts with his heartbreaking love story about his girlfriend who currently suffers from brain injury due to a car accident. Two months before his wedding, his beloved fiance was involved in a terrible accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury.

Chris continues to stand by her side, hopeful for a miracle.

“What Are Words” Song Lyrics:

Anywhere you are, I am near
Anywhere you go, I’ll be there
Anytime you whisper my name, you’ll see
How every single promise I keep
Cuz what kind of guy would I be
If I was to leave when you need me most

What are words
If you really don’t mean them
When you say them
What are words
If they’re only for good times
Then they don’t

When it’s love
Yeah, you say them out loud
Those words, They never go away
They live on, even when we’re gone

And I know an angel was sent just for me
And I know I’m meant to be where I am
And I’m gonna be
Standing right beside her tonight
And I’m gonna be by your side
I would never leave when she needs me most

What are words
If you really don’t mean them
When you say them
What are words
If they’re only for good times
Then they don’t

When it’s love
Yeah, you say them out loud
Those words, They never go away
They live on, even when we’re gone

Anywhere you are, I am near
Anywhere you go, I’ll be there
And I’m gonna be here forever more
Every single promise I keep
Cuz what kind of guy would I be
If I was to leave when you need me most

I’m forever keeping my angel close

“LORD, I cry unto you: make haste unto me;
give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto You.
Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense;
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice…
My eyes are unto You, O GOD the LORD:
in You is my trust.”
— Psalm 141:1-2,8

Enjoy this beautiful, heartfelt song and be sure and take time to pray for a miracle for this young lady.

God bless you –

Cheers,
Brenda

Share
Continue Reading

Healthy Living: Hope for Asthma and ADHD Sufferers and One Man’s Personal Testimony

Healthy Living: Hope for Asthma and ADHD Sufferers and One Man’s Personal Testimony

A Journey to Healthy Living

Healthy Living Asthma FreeDo you suffer from asthma, ADHD, and or mental fogginess?

A recent interview on local radio station WWIB.com

with nutritionist Karen Hurd really sparked my attention.

It included the personal testimony of a man that greatly

improved his health and reversed some health issues

he’d struggled with for over 30 years;

simply by making some basic diet changes.

It is highly likely that you are like me, and you either struggle with some of the same issues this man did, or you have friends or loved ones that do. I feel really impressed to share this interview and testimony with you to pass on some hope.

I’m continually amazed at how the most powerful solutions are often so simple.

The interview was on January 26 of 2011 during “Wellness Wednesday” with Karun Hurd on www.WWIB.com. (I was able to download the free podcast of the show from their website, and I highly recommend listening to the whole thing yourself.)

Tom’s Journey to Healthy Living

Let me give you an overview and summarize Tom’s testimony of his long battle with asthma, ADHD, mental fogginess, and unwanted weight.

Tom is a 48 year old man from Wisconsin and currently attending college and pursuing his second degree. He’s struggled for 30 years with asthma, ADHD, and the ability to think clearly, (he said he felt as if he was walking around in a mental fog).

His journey to healthy living actually began with searching for solutions for his son. Tom’s 20 year old son was hospitalized five times the summer before with severe joint pain and the doctors thought it was lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. He was prescribed medicine but with little relief and lots of side effects.

Tom wondered if his son’s illness might have something to do with his diet or a reaction to something he was eating. After searching online for answers, Tom had his son eliminate some foods from his diet. This resulted in all his joint pain symptoms going away and being able to stop taking the prescribed medications.

At that point they eliminated gluten from their diets and to be supportive, Tom did too. Tom was surprised to discover that within two weeks he was able to go off his asthma medication (which he had been on for 30 years) and the ADHD medication (which he had been on for a couple years).

Tom was feeling better but still dealing with low energy at night and unwanted weight that he just couldn’t get rid of; regardless of working out and counting calories. So last summer, Tom and his wife went to meet nutritionist Karen Hurd.

Karen taught them some basics of a healthy diet, including the importance of getting plenty of fiber and protein, and how beans are an excellent source of both. Tom began to eat beans at every meal and started to lose weight, even though he was actually taking in more calories. The increase in fiber was helping his body balance out and shed unwanted weight.

What is Tom Eating Now?

A typical breakfast is two fried eggs, a half cup of baked beans, and maybe some bacon. Lunch is usually a trip to the Mexican restaurant near campus for a lettuce salad with chicken and beans. Snacks throughout the day are things like yogurt, psyllium husk, cheese, vegetables, and nuts. Dinner might be eggs and beans, or stir fry steak with veggies and some beans.

In addition to helping a person lose weight, the additional fiber in the diet helps clean out toxins and bile in the system. As the body cleaned up, Tom noticed that he not only lost weight, but gained increased energy and mental clarity.

The Fog Has Lifted and Mental Clarity Has Moved In

The last two semesters Tom had the highest grade point averages ever, even though he had the most difficult and taxing classes. Normally he would have to read and re-read something several times to try and remember what he read. Now he can read and recall and remember what was written! Tom said he hasn’t been able to do that since grade school or Jr. High.

Men in their 40s typically experience increasing loss of memory and inability to focus. Tom said he always seemed to have what he described as “mental fogginess”; an inability to focus, which he thought was normal.  He said it was like always reading something and not being able to remember what he just read.

But now after making these changes to his diet, Tom says:

“It’s like the fogginess is gone and the cloud has been lifted out of my brain.”

Karen pointed out that Tom also eliminated sugar and caffeine from his diet. She said getting rid of the sugar is the biggest key to helping lift the brain fog. She recommends removing pop and desserts from your diet because these have such large amounts of sugar. ADHD people metabolize sugars really fast and have mental crashes, preventing them from fully accessing their mental capacity.

Tom said he used to be a sugar junkie and literally have two 20 ounce Mt Dews a day, candy bars, donuts, etc. – he loved sweets. He said he knew it was going to be tough to let those go, but now that they are out of his system it is not hard to avoid them.

Tom said he had been on asthma medication for over 30 years and his chest had always been tight and wheezy. He said a couple weeks after taking gluten out of his diet he had gone out of town and forgot to take his asthma spray with. But he realized he felt fine and didn’t even need it and hasn’t used it since. He’s felt fine and hasn’t had an episode even with working out, etc.

Did Tom Even Have Asthma?

Tom thinks he never even had asthma. He said he learned that gluten intolerance can make the immune system attack what it is intolerant to and create mucus. In Tom’s case his lungs produced mucus, but once he eliminated the gluten, there was nothing to react to and therefore he no longer had mucus in his lungs and what seemed like asthma symptoms.

If you suffer from asthma or ADHD, you may want to apply some of these diet suggestions and see if you experience the benefits. (Of course this is not medical advice and you should consult your doctor before making any changes.)

Want to Know More?

If you want to know more and gain a wealth of information about nutrition, then checkout:
www.KarenHurd.com

May you have hope for a better tomorrow, live healthy, and enjoy growing prosperity!

God bless you always,
Brenda

Share
Continue Reading

Christian Meditation – Meditate to Release Bad Habits and Face a Bright Hopeful Future Fully Alive!

Christian Meditation – Meditate to Release Bad Habits and Face a Bright Hopeful Future Fully Alive!

Discover Christian Meditation to Help You…
Put Your Dependency on God and Live Fully Alive

Christian Meditation for a Hopeful Future Living Fully AliveChristian meditation can help replace those

negative memories and heavy weights of our past by

turning our faces toward a bright and hopeful future.

No matter how our wrong choices, bad habits,

or the storms of life blowing through have negatively

affected our health, employment, relationships, finances, etc.,

we can face a hopeful future and begin to build up what has been torn down.

Replace a Negative Dependence with a Higher Power

Negative, unhealthy thinking leads to a dependency on negative habits. Soon the bad effects of those negative habits weigh a person down more and more. Whether the dependency is on overeating, smoking, drinking, gambling, lying, gossiping, stealing, hating, or any other unhealthy addiction, it is time to find a new outlook on life.

Do not allow yourself to harbor disturbing thoughts that cause you to depend on bad habits. It is time to learn how to change from a low level of negative thinking to a higher level of positive thinking. It is time to break the dependency on bad habits that tear down.

Now is the time to depend on GOD instead!

Get Honest, Release the Weights, and Live Fully Alive

What an awful load people carry around with them when they live dependant on negative habits. It causes them to live only half alive due to the constant negative effects and fear of being found out.

Get honest with yourself and with other people. Release those heavy weights you have been carrying around on your shoulders and leave them in the past. Allow yourself the right to break the dependency on any bad habits.

Commit to Depend on the Almighty Power of GOD and Live Fully Alive!

“They should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us: For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.” 
— Acts 17:28

A Daily Christian Meditation to be a Channel for God’s Spirit:

I keep my life calm and composed. My task today is to find peace and acquire serenity. I think of constructive things until calmness comes. I seek the Lord and in Him I live, and move, and have my being. When I am calm I act as a channel for God’s Spirit. The things of the Spirit come in to take their place. God’s love and peace and calm come in and fill me up and I live fully alive.

Closing thoughts: In the spiritual world, just as in the material world, there is no empty space. No matter what fears, worries, and resentments you may have, replace them with thoughts of constructive things. Sweep your life clean, allow good to come in, build yourself up, and be constructive by practicing Christian Meditation daily.

May God’s love and peace make you fully alive and fill your life with growing prosperity!

God bless you always,
Brenda

Share
Continue Reading

Encouragement of Hope! Why All the Sad Faces if this is the Happiest Time of the Year?

Encouragement of Hope! Why All the Sad Faces if this is the Happiest Time of the Year?

Discover Encouragement Affirmations to Live with Hope for Tomorrow!

Holiday Blues Discouragement and DepressionEncouragement to face the light and…

live with hope for tomorrow is –

much needed during the holiday season.

The music, movies, commercials, etc…

all shout that the holidays are the happiest time of the year.

If this is the case, why are there so many sad,

discouraged, and depressed people walking around?

In the USA alone, the suicide rate back in 2007 was stated at Suicidology.org to be 34,598, or about 95 suicides per day. That is about one fatal outcome every 15 minutes. What a terrible tragedy to have so much self-destruction when life is so precious.

The Discouragement Factor

Why do so many people take their own lives? The primary reason is overwhelming discouragement. Discouragement is a destructive force that changes a person’s mindset and outlook to become dark, negative, and hopeless. They lose their courage and find it replaced with fear.

Holiday seasons come with the expectation that happiness is required. However, the fact is, holidays tend to have added stressors on top of the rest of life’s challenges, including financial trouble, illness, loss of loved ones, and more. And unfortunately, many people find themselves discouraged and depressed during this season.

Victims of discouragement can quickly end up with hindered decision making skills and in no condition to do things effectively. Their whole mentality is placed at a disadvantage as their mind becomes depressed. Discouragement darkens the mind and can cause a person to make fatally wrong decisions.

The Encouragement Treatment

Discouragement stems from a feeling of separateness from God and this causes a consciousness of weakness and a feeling of standing alone. Treat this disease by conquering those mental enemies with positive affirmations. Drive out fear, anxiety, worry, and the “blues” by affirming your connection with God.

“We are all ‘under fire’ all our lives, and the real hero is the one who keeps straight on in spite of discouragements and disappointments, never losing one jot of heart or courage, never giving way to despair, trusting always in the Divine Power that will lead him to his goal.” 
— Orison Swett Marden

Begin to eliminate those negative things that stand between you and your Maker and allow free access to the flow of God’s Divine Power by regularly affirming His truths.

Encouragement Affirmations:

Holiday Encouragement Affirmations of HopeSay to yourself:

‘I am a child of the King of kings and there is something inside of me that is bigger than my circumstances. I am a co-heir with Christ and all that He has.’

‘I am strong, courageous, confident, and hopeful for the future. My mind is serene and I sleep peacefully knowing my destiny is in the hands of Him who controls everything and who does all things well.’

‘I declare my power to conquer difficulty and overcome. I trust in God and forge ahead. I dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. His truth is my shield and protector.’

The truth is: We can allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by discouragement, OR we can rise above it. Overcome by speaking positive, encouraging, success affirmations. Strengthen your mind by using positive thoughts to drive out negative thoughts.

Choose to encourage yourself and others regularly, so that you keep a heart of courage, thoughts of hope, and trust always in the Divine Power of God in your life.

May you be encouraged, keep your face toward God’s light, and live a life of growing prosperity!

 God bless you always,
Brenda

P.S. This article is inspired by Marden’s book “How to Get What You Want” and specifically the chapter “Discouragement – How to Cure It”

Share
Continue Reading

God of This City – Bluetree – Music Video

God of This City – Bluetree – Music Video

“God of This City” Acoustic Version

Aaron Boyd of Bluetree plays an acoustic version of “God of This City”.

You’re the God of this City. You’re the King of these people. You’re the Lord of this nation. You are…

You’re the Light in this darkness. You’re the Hope to the hopeless. You’re the Peace to the restless. You are…

There is no one like our God. There is none like you God!

For greater things have yet to come – And greater things are still to be done in this City.

And greater things are still to be done here

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves,
and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin
and heal their land.”
— 2 Chronicles 7:14

Enjoy this song and music video – and invite God to be Lord of your city!

God bless you –

Cheers,
Brenda

P.S. You can find the album or singles from “God of This City” by Bluetree on Amazon.

Share
Continue Reading

Prayer of Hope! Free Christian Meditation Download

Prayer of Hope! Free Christian Meditation Download

Prayer of Hope Through the Power of the Holy Spirit

LORD, Your Word says:
The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
I pray that You would help me Lord, to serve Christ in these things, so that
I may remain acceptable to You God, and approved of men.
Thank you, that through patience and comfort of the scriptures, I have hope.
And now thank You Lord, the God of Hope, for filling me with all joy and peace in believing,
that I may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I thank you for these things In Jesus Name, Amen.
— Romans 14:17-18, 15:4,13

Download a FREE JPG image copy by right-clicking here and saving to your computer:
Prayer of Hope Through the Power of the Holy Spirit

God bless you,
Brenda

P.S. Make the Word of God your daily prayer and confession. Fill yourself up with the Word of God until it spills out of you like rivers of living water and overflows into the lives of others. 🙂

Share
Continue Reading

Future Hope – Top 10 Inspiring Reasons to Believe Your Future Is Bright!

Future Hope – Top 10 Inspiring Reasons to Believe Your Future Is Bright!

A Future Filled with Hope and Success

Hope for the future is available…

but it can sometimes seem hard to come by.

It is often said we have our whole life ahead of us.

Yet, many people go through difficult seasons in life and question what there is to look forward to.

No matter where you are, hope for the future is available for you to grab onto.

10 Inspiring Reasons to Believe Your Future is Bright:

1. Mistakes in Life Do Not Have the Final Say

If you make mistakes, you can start over. Mistakes are a part of the growing process and learning curve of life. As we start putting our mistakes in the past, our future begins to look bright.

2. You are a Work in Progress

God has promised to keep on working in you and with you. Growing and developing takes time and we should expect continued personal growth in our future.

3. Never Too Young or Old

You are never too young or old to fill your days with meaning and purpose. Consider Moses: He was 80 years old when God called him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt!

4. Every Day is a New Day

Each day is new and fresh. You can make the most of each one. If we’ve fallen short today, we can look forward to a new day tomorrow. Thank God that His grace and mercy is new every day. (Lamentations 3:21-23)

5. You are Never Alone

God said He would never leave you or abandon you. (Hebrews 13:5) People may leave us, but God will not. The future is bright knowing God is in it.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 15:13

6. God Loves You

God loves you unconditionally! God loves you just the way you are. But like the saying goes, He also loves you too much to leave you the way you are.

7. You Have a Purpose in Life

God created you with a purpose and you can discover it. We have all been given unique gifts and talents that help us fulfill our purpose. Discovering our purpose and living it makes the future bright not only for us, but also those around us.

8. God Shall Supply All Your Needs

God will take care of your needs as you seek and obey His Word. (Philippians 4:19) “The Lord is my portion, says my soul: therefore will I hope in Him.” – Lamentations 3:24

9. Mansions in Heaven

God has created a wondrous place in heaven for His children. We have hope that after our life on earth we graduate to eternal life in heaven. “In My Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you.” – John 14:2

10. Guidance from the Most High God

If we trust, rely on, and acknowledge God, He will direct our life. The God that created the universe is available to help guide our life. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:6

Hope for the future may have faded for you. You may feel like you are in a prison and have no future. But no matter where you are, God has promised to bless you with a future filled with hope and success, not suffering. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Do yourself a favor: Have hope and believe your future is bright. Let the truth of God’s love set you free. God is a miracle-working God. He does not punish us all our life for our mistakes.  He wants us to look forward and not backward. Put your hope and trust in God and allow Him to be an active part of your life.

May your hope be strong, your future bright, and your life full of growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing –

Cheers,
Brenda

P.S. Feel free to share your thoughts… and thanks to Billy Alexander for this fun image – you can view more of his creative images here.

Share
Continue Reading

Abundance – Want a Powerful 3 Step Formula that Reveals Secret to Your Abundant Prosperity?

Abundance – Want a Powerful 3 Step Formula that Reveals Secret to Your Abundant Prosperity?

Tap Into Your Built-In Potential to Create Prosperity!

Law of Abundant ProsperityAbundant prosperity is a built in potential God has put inside each one of us.

Just because you are unable to see the potential inside yourself at any given moment does not mean it is not there.

You can’t see your emotions or your thoughts, but they are real, and they do exist.

How do you reveal that built in potential and tap into it?

This powerful formula is simple, but extremely effective, and gets results. It’s been taught and explained in many different ways over the years. Why? In an attempt to get people to live the life they were designed to live. How sad to see people go to the grave never accomplishing that thing they were created to do!

From Potential to Potential Realized

1.) FAITH & CONFESSION

Start where you are and begin using the measure of faith God has given you. Just like there is great built in potential for a future harvest inside the smallest seed, your faith has built in potential to manifest abundance.

A seed won’t produce results if it’s not planted. By faith you must plant the seeds of change you wish to harvest in your life.

How do you do that? You set the law of faith into motion with your confessions. Life and death are in the power of the tongue.  (Proverbs 18:21)

By faith, confess (speak) your desire; your belief. Verbally state out loud to yourself what it is you believe to manifest. Faith speaks what it believes.

Understand that faith works in your heart, not in your head. Use your mind to make a plan and decide what it is you need and desire. Then by faith, speak it to get it planted in your heart where it will go to work.

Hearing yourself speak your desire is not only the secret activator of your faith, but it also increases your faith. As your faith grows, you’ll find yourself thinking and talking more often about that thing you need or desire. This positive cycle helps you become fully persuaded; which leads us to the next step.

2.) FULLY PERSUADED, HOPE & VISUALIZATION

Faith is described as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. (Hebrews 11:1)

In order to manifest your desire, you must have faith that is fully persuaded. It is important to eliminate doubt, wavering, and wishy-washy thinking. Become fully persuaded and certain of what you believe.

Have hope that positive things are coming to pass.

Visualize your desired goal in great detail and keep hopeful and focused on the prize. Have confidence that what you can now only see by faith will manifest in the natural.

3.) ACTION, ACTION, & MORE ACTION

It is now time to mix your faith with action. Faith without works is dead. (James 2:20)

The law of faith may be a spiritual law, but it works along with natural laws. If you believe, then you’ll take action; which is required to get results.

The farmer doesn’t plant seed unless he believes it will produce a harvest. After sowing the seed, his work is still not done. It requires more work tending to it. Even after it is fully grown it still requires massive action to reap the harvest.

Also keep in mind; everything produces after its kind and you reap what you sow. Speak only your desired result or solution, not the problem. Keep your thoughts, words, and actions lined up with your desired belief.  If you let fear or unwanted thoughts creep in, then you’ll soon have an unwanted harvest.

Now go use this formula in your life. Exercise your faith and put it to good use. For ultimate results, find out what the Word of God has to say over your situation and speak it. Tap into your potential and reveal abundant prosperity.

May your faith increase and your life be full of growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing –

Cheers,
Brenda

P.S. Have any of these steps helped you manifest prosperity in your life?

Share
Continue Reading