Alcoholic Finds God Can Transform

Sometimes you receive a letter that inspires and humbles you--a letter that tells of God's incredible goodness and power to transform a life. I want to share this kind of letter with you. It came today and I will be careful not to divulge personal details. May it bless and encourage you!

"Dear Poppy,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have just finished reading your book, I'm Too Young to be This Old. Wonderfully written. I have learned a lot from your book. I must say that I have a lot more learning to do.

I will let you know a little about myself: I have been an alcoholic for many years. And untill two and a half months ago, I just couldn't put the cap back on the bottle. After I became a Christian I don't have the urge whatsoever to even take another mouthful.

Yes, I realize that I've wasted quite a few number of years (not to mention $) on alcohol. But thank you Heavenly Father for your mercy! When I called upon Him, He answered in more than one way.

He took the urge to drink away and placed peace in my heart and mind. Now in the morning when I arise, I thank Him for another day and ask Him for guidance. I've been reading the Bible daily and also praying! The Bible is so interesting.

After I read your book, I felt I should write to you and let you know how much your book has helped me look at myself. Thank you very much for writing the book. So Poppy, continue what you're doing. God bless you."

(The writer found a copy of my book in a little general story in Saskachewan. Isn't God good to send what she needed to a tiny town in Canada!)

I'll get back soon to blogging on what I've been teaching. This week the focus is on Sabbath-keeping. What is it? Is there something for today that God wants us to understand?

Can Journaling Help You Know Yourself?

This Thanksgiving week I'm going to spend time loving the three little ones you see here--as well as cook, decorate, and do everything else moms and grandma's do. I'm not sure how much time I'll get to journal during the holidays, but I'm sure I'll have all sorts of thoughts and experiences I'll want to process after life returns to normal!

How does journaling help you know yourself? And do you even want to? That's a good question to consider! But assuming you realize the value of thinking about your life and your reactions, here's some suggested topics to write about.

Know that you can write anything that's on your mind. Don't worry about grammar or spelling, just write--and keep your notebook/journal locked up if you're concerned about someone reading it. Journaling enables you to:

• Explore your life, your thoughts, your feelings, your dreams.
• Weigh decisions you're dealing with: Record your options, their consequences, what you desire to see happen.
• Work though problems by writing down the pro's and con's and your feelings about them.
• Set goals and lay out how you will reach them.
• Talk over anything with God by writing a prayer letter to Him: Dear God....
• Read Scripture and write your responses--what is God saying to you?

You can gain more insights into this self-revealing spiritual practice by reading Ronald Klug's book: How To Keep A Spiritual Journal, www.augsburgfortress.org/store

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving--and be sure to record what you experience, feel, say and do during the holidays. (I'll do the same and share some thoughts with you after Turkey Day.) You'll be surprised at how much helpful insight God gives when you journal your thoughts rather than let them vanish into the air, or let them stew inside and give you heartburn!

Blessings and peace,

Ten Tips for Spiritual and Personal Growth: Read Scripture!

Reading and applying Scripture has made an incredible difference in my life, my attitudes, my values and reason for living.

I get excited just thinking about the power God has to take words off a page, burrow them into my mind, cause me to see where those words apply to me personally, or to a situation in my life, and then move me to perhaps change my perspective or my actions.

Scripture is powerful when applied by the Holy Spirit! It is alive and life-changing!

If you take time to read Scripture, you begin to know who God is and how He works in your life. We also discover practical and sound advice for living a life that honors Him and helps others.

There are countless tips for successful living in Scripture just waiting to be applied by the Holy Spirit, here are some from Psalm 119:9-16. Check them out and see what I mean.

The writer of the Psalm asks a question we all need to ask: How can I keep my life pure--not just sexually but also from selfishness, a 'me-first' attitude, greed, grudges, and pride? In other words, how can I live successfully from God's perspective? Here are some of his answers:

• Live according to God's Word--it isn't that complicated!
• Seek God with all your heart.
• Depend on God, asking for help not to stray from His commands.
• Hide God's Word in your heart--start memorizing some promises or truths you need.
• Make inner change your reason for memorizing.
• Ask God to teach you what He wants you to know.
• Rejoice in following God--it is a great way to live a positive and productive life.
• Consider, think about, meditate on what God says and the greatness of who He is.
• Delight in God's decrees--He intends them for good, to bless and energize your life.
• Intentionally make time for reading Scripture--refuse to neglect it.

Now I need to go and practice what I preach!

So, Why Read the Bible?

Spiritual Reading: Getting More Out of Scripture

Have you ever asked yourself, WHY do I read the Bible?

• Do I read out of duty: "All good Christians should read God's Word?"
• Do I read out of desire: I want to grow closer to Jesus?
• Do I read for information: I want knowledge?
• Do I read for transformation: I want to know how to live in a way that pleases God?

Actually, these are all good reasons--because they get you to pay attention to what God says, and hopefully, lead you to some sort of positive action.

Here's another question: What impact has the Bible had on your life? Can you think of a specific situation?

You know how I would answer that? Reading Scripture taught me to:

• Zip my lips and learn to speak wisely (I'm still working on this). Proverbs and James helped.
• Think differently about people and situations. Check out Romans 12:1-2; Phil.4:8-9; Heb.12:1-2
• Realize that God is awesome, real, all-knowing, personal, and near. Read Psalms and Isaiah for input.
• Forgive and deal with resentments, to love sincerely, and if I can't, to ask God for help!
• Risk and try new ways to serve Him--to step out in faith even if my knees are shaking.

There are many more things I could add, but I challenge you to think about your own life:

• How has Scripture spoken to you?
• What has the Holy Spirit shown you, and how have you responded?

I'll write some more on reading God's Word in my next blog--especially about our attitude to it. Keep reading and opening yourself up to what God is saying to you personally.

Blessings,

Blogger: Poppy Smith - Speaker and Author - Manage Posts

Find A Spiritual Friend!

Have you ever wished you could sit down and talk with a mature Christian who would listen and pray for you? Are you willing to share what is on your mind and heart, knowing everything will be kept in confidence? If so, begin praying for God's encourager to come into your life.

As a professional spiritual director/supportive friend and companion, it's a privilege to listen to women's struggles with relationships, self-image issues, and confusion about God's expectations, among other things . Helping women in their spiritual journey through sharing Scripture, pointing to Christ's presence, and giving hope, transforms these times into holy moments.

What qualities should you be watching for in someone you might approach?

A woman who not only loves the Lord but is actively seeking to grow herself

A woman who has faith and confidence that God is alive and wants to lead and bless you

A woman who keeps confidences and is supportive, as well as straight-forward when needed!
How do you find this person?

Look at women in your church--observe their involvement and attitudes. Would their personality and yours mesh?

Ask your women's pastor or leader for a mentor--being specific about what you are looking for.

Ask women leaders you know if they could suggest someone for you to contact.
Be understanding if some women cannot add one more commitment to their lives at this time--don't take it personally! This process can take time, but persevere in praying for discernment and direction.
Any questions, suggestions, or stories that would help others? Feel free to post a comment.

Blessings.

Take Care of Your Emotions and Mind

Last night I went to the gym and worked out. After a day at the computer my body ached for some stretching and exercise. In the morning, I dug into some Scripture. In both cases I was TAKING CARE OF MYSELF.

In addition to taking care of our spiritual and physical needs, valuing God's gift of life means taking care of our emotions and intellect. Here's some suggestions for doing this:

EMOTIONAL HEALTH:

Analyze just how much you can cope with and learn to say 'NO' before you stress out.

Decide: I will make it a matter of prayer before agreeing to another commitment. Offer to do part of a job if you really want to be involved.

Think through your priorities and let them guide you when deciding what to do.

If you're struggling with tears, depression, fears, or wanting to withdraw, recognize you need help. If you're not ashamed to visit a doctor or dentist, why feel you can fix emotional pain or damage without any help? It doesn't make sense and robs you of the joy and support God wants for you.

INTELLECTUAL HEALTH

God gave us minds to think and learn. Honoring His gift of life includes continuing to stretch our intellect by feeding it on more than television sit-coms! What book are you currently reading that is helping you grow spiritually or personally? When did you last take time to read something helpful?

Read in snatches if you don't have much time. Carry a book with you wherever you go and dig in as you wait (but not at red traffic lights!).

When did you last take a class? Check with your church, local community college, library, or newspaper--and the web, of course. Is there a skill you'd like to develop? Start researching and move forward one step at a time.

Never think you're too old to keep learning--as I said in my best-seller: I'm Too Young to be This Old, don't climb into your coffin until it's your time! In the meantime, keep stretching, informing, and using those grey-cells that God blessed you with.

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If you would like some over the phone or email spiritual support or coaching, contact me at: poppy@poppysmith.com To check out my motivational book for women, plus other resources, visit: www.poppysmith.com

Caring for Yourself Spiritually and Personally

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!

In addition to my normal business card that simply describes me as Speaker/Author, I've added another one. This card says:

Poppy Smith Ministries: Spiritual Direction/Support/Coaching.

As Christians, we sometimes want to separate our "spiritual" side from the rest of who we are. The truth is, God has made us body, soul, and spirit. All parts of who we are come under His concern and care. All parts of us are to be valued and attended to because we belong wholly to Hm.

Sometimes we need help to break this down into practical steps that work for us, which is where coaching comes in. Sometimes we need focused spiritual support to help us hear what God is saying about our life priorities.

In my Sunday class on Spiritual Disciplines this past week, I taught on creating a Personal Covenant of Care. The covenant is between you and God. Being a not-so-discplined woman I like to soften the covenant part to:

"I will, to the best of my (limited) ability, seek to intentionally care for

what God has given me spiritually, physically, emotionally, and intellectually. "

Let me share some thoughts on Spiritual and Physical health that I've written in my own Personal Covenant of Care. I'll add some ideas on taking care of ourselves Emotionally and Intellectually next time. I hope these examples help you to develop your own Covenant of Care so you grow both spiritually and personally.

Spiritual Health:

• I will choose and commit to specific practices, i.e. I will set the alarm for ....... to spend time with God reading His Word, listening and responding in prayer or other practices.
• I will meet with a spiritually mature friend once a month, inviting her to listen and speak into my life so God can work more deeply in me.
• I will give ..... hours a week serving others, reflecting Christ's heart who came to serve.

Physical Health:

• I will take care of my body by getting at least 7-8 hours sleep a night.
• I will work to attain or maintain my best weight for my height and age.
• I will either go to the gym or walk four times a week for 45 minutes.

As you can see, a Covenant of Care requires you to be specific and takes into account your individual circumstances.

Don't let this produce feelings of condemnation--that's not from the Lord our Encourager. Instead, ask Him what three things you could do to take care of yourself spiritually and physically. I'd love to hear what you currently do, or plan to put into practice.

Blessings,