STRESS INDICATION TEST: An Informal Tool to Help Christians to Reduce Stress

I have a new publication, STRESS INDICATION TEST: An Informal Tool to Help Christians Reduce Stress. The Lord gave it to me a few years ago and I recently revised it. Included is an informal test that indicates your level of stress and recommendations to help you to get rid of stress. Stress Reduction techniques and activities and other helpful information are also included. For more information or to purchase, please feel free to contact me at RozStanley@aol.com

LORD, I OFFER MY LIFE TO YOU

Have you ever taken a look at yourself and realized that you are different? That something has changed in your life? It could be positive or negative. When you recognize it, usually you want to do something to get better if its negative or you may stand in awe of God, if it is positive, because you realize that you, in and of yourself, could not have made such a wonderful change. This song written by Don Moen, Lord, I Offer My life To You was and is a song that has ministered in my life over and over again. The more that I let go of my life and offer it to the Lord, the more peace I gain and the more He uses me for His glory. The reality is that no matter how much better our lives get, our relationship with the Lord is always progressing, growing and deepening, otherwise it becomes stagnant with the potential of it moving to the negative (Christians term it backslidding). If perhaps, you do not have a relationship with God, asking Him to come into your heart is one of the easiest prayers to pray if you mean it with your heart. He, then, lovingly comes in to give you the ability to choose to make the changes that will allow you to fully experience the Life that He paid for through the work of Christ on the Cross; and He did it for you (Romans 5:8 )!

Recently, the Lord directed me to share a seminar that He gave me some years ago. As He gave me the words and ideas, I wrote it, then left it in the book. While at my church's Women's Encounter, the Holy Spirit asked me why I hadn't shared it, confirming for me that I must at this time in my life and ministry. So, I took the step and offered it. God is steadily opening doors in different cities, even in the Dominican Republic where my children are serving as missionaries. He is serious about people understanding who He is and being willing to trust Him, choosing to offer their lives to Him. As I walk by faith, I "go" in His strength and for His purpose with His leading and guidance.

Are you at the place where you truly, honestly, and sincerely want to offer your life to Him?

Even though you may be apprehensive because you are not certain what that may mean for you, the willingness to trust the Lord, which is faith, pleases Him (Hebrews 11:6). Just remember that God is always with you and will never leave or forsake you. He is a good God and loves you. Even though we may not understand some circumstances or situations in ours or others lives, does not discount the goodness of God and the fact that He has our best interest at heart. Continued faith in Him will keep us on the right track and lead us to His peace and joy over and over again. So, join me as I again offer the stuff of my life to Him knowing, by faith, that "He who calls you/me is faithful and He will do it" (2009 motto for Trinity Church of Cedar Hill, Texas as taken from First Thessalonnians 5:24 )

YOUR DESTINATION AWAITS YOU: Go and continue

“But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way…”

Acts 21:5a

It is important to be sensitive to the Spirit of God so to know when “our time is up” in a place, situation, relationship or assignment. Regardless as to how we feel about it, good or bad, agree or disagree, what those around us may say about it-positive or negative, ultimately, we must know for ourselves.

And when we know, we must take the courage to “let go” and to literally “go” away from it. According to the above noted verse, they “left and continued on their way.” They started out with an intended destination. As they traveled, they encountered some disciples; believers in Christ Jesus. They took time to fellowship with them. Just as at their last stop, they enjoyed the sharing and receiving. They strengthened the believers, and in turn, were strengthened. It felt good and relaxing. It was a comfortable atmosphere and certainly a place where Paul was needed and could find reason to make his permanent ministry.

However, evn though knowing in advance (because the Spirit had spoken to him through a prophet) that trouble awaited him at his intended destination-Jerusalem, he remained focused and on task. He did not allow fear or concern about what was ahead, to get next to him. His only goal was to please the God whom he served and to finish his assignment, whatever the cost.

At times, God is leading us to make a change in our lives. Maybe it is to let go of a ministry position that you’ve held for awhile. Perhaps, He has someone else prepared and ready to move into that position and has something else for you. It could be that you are lounging at a particular place, but it is time to go – your time is up.

Or, perhaps, you have lost sight of your destination because you have become settled, comfortable, or complacent where you are. You have decided that where you are is your final destination (whether it is a position, place, an assignment or possession), so you have closed out your ability to hear what the Spirit of God may be saying to you.

Paul kept his destination in full view even as he stopped to accomplish a ministry assignment on the road to his destination. He did not stay there. When it was time to go, he left! He did not allow his feelings, his personal agenda, his level of comfort, the relationships he developed or the fear/concern about what awaited him, to keep him from his God ordained destination. His goal was to fulfill the Master’s plan, no matter what. (vs. 13)

How about you? Take some time to contemplate about your place in life. Are you on task? Or have you allowed current circumstances, good or bad, cloud your focus? Have you, perhaps, allowed fear or concern about the destined place, stop you in your tracks? The Bible records these words, it is said, 365 times: “do not fear.” God is with you wherever you go. Stop, ask Him to clear your focus. If you recognize that your time is up in some area of your life, follow Paul as he followed Christ Jesus. Leave that thing, person, place, assignment, and continue on your way. Do it for the glory of God, not considering your own glory. But, remembering that God knows everything about you, His plans for you, and the way He has made for your life. Trust Him and go on your way. He’ll carry you through and to the destiny He has prepared for you!

DEATH IS WRAPPED UP IN LIFE

I’ve noticed that there are seasons when death and dying seem to have center stage. During such times, they demand our attention leading some of us to meditation and careful reevaluation of our times and activities on earth. Questions begin to flood our thoughts:

Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing? How much time do I have left? Is my perspective on this side of life, correct? Do I have my priorities in order? What can I do to better my relationships?

The problem is that for some, the questions come and go quickly without much thought. For others, they become defining moments bringing about new or renewed commitments, diligence in living, and/or letting go of vanities and insignificant activities. As I give thought to death and dying once again, my goal is to live with determination being more sensitive to the Lord, freer in my soul and spirit to be led by His daily will, choosing His way each day.

As I think about those who have passed on, from many years ago to the most recent, relatives, friends, my friends loved ones, and celebs, I want to give honor to their lives as I can almost see them as they made their departure. Looking behind recognizing the vast difference between here and there and the difference in what is priority and the difference in perspective that awaited their steps as some approached The Pleasant Peaceful Pure Place of Presence with our Lord.

Many of you can relate as you have watched loved ones walk away in readiness to “The Place” we all aspire-even the wicked. Some others have gone on suddenly without a plan with loved ones never knowing where their departure landed. “Our times are in His Hand,” if we yield to Him. Otherwise, we kick against the goad spending life on earth in absurdity; taking a path that has no value bringing a sense of void when the door of finality is open.

This is why we, those who are given the task, must proclaim the Lord and His ways. In so doing, Someone will hear! Someone will change! Someone will make it to the right place, the place that God has ordained for men; the place where Jesus has gone to prepare for us and is peacefully awaiting our time of arrival. That place where our Lord’s Presence is so steady and real, so strong and abounding with glory! He gives us an occasional glimpse. It’s a glimpse that takes us out of the time and flesh barriers that we live in. It’s a glimpse that restores our hopes and lessens our fears. Oh Lord, bring me nearer to You! Nearer to Your Heart, that while I’m here, I can feel You and love You and touch others in a way that they, too, will look above!

©2009 Rosalind M. Stanley

HAVE IT NOW

What you have, have it now.

So that later you don't regret.

Don't wait around and continually fret,

Thinking that "it" has not come yet.

Now is now so have it now!

Do it now!

Be it now!

Teach it now!

Love them now!

Write it now!

Live it, give it, use it now!

Enjoy and cherish what is now

Because now will never come again.

(c) 2009 Rosalind M. Stanley

James 4:13-14

"Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. NKJV

THE SECRET OF THE LORD by Oswald Chambers

The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him . . . —Psalm 25:14 What is the sign of a friend? Is it that he tells you his secret sorrows? No, it is that he tells you his secret joys. Many people will confide their secret sorrows to you, but the final mark of intimacy is when they share their secret joys with you. Have we ever let God tell us any of His joys? Or are we continually telling God our secrets, leaving Him no time to talk to us? At the beginning of our Christian life we are full of requests to God. But then we find that God wants to get us into an intimate relationship with Himself— to get us in touch with His purposes. Are we so intimately united to Jesus Christ’s idea of prayer— "Your will be done" ( Matthew 6:10 )— that we catch the secrets of God? What makes God so dear to us is not so much His big blessings to us, but the tiny things, because they show His amazing intimacy with us— He knows every detail of each of our individual lives. "Him shall He teach in the way He chooses" ( Psalm 25:12 ). At first, we want the awareness of being guided by God. But then as we grow spiritually, we live so fully aware of God that we do not even need to ask what His will is, because the thought of choosing another way will never occur to us. If we are saved and sanctified, God guides us by our everyday choices. And if we are about to choose what He does not want, He will give us a sense of doubt or restraint, which we must heed. Whenever there is doubt, stop at once. Never try to reason it out, saying, "I wonder why I shouldn’t do this?" God instructs us in what we choose; that is, He actually guides our common sense. And when we yield to His teachings and guidance, we no longer hinder His Spirit by continually asking, "Now, Lord, what is Your will?"

BEST STAY AT HOME MOM

You know that I had to blog about this!

(Click the link to Treasure You: http://www.treasureyou.org/Treasure_You/TY3.html or go to Good Morning America for the May 4th show.)

My daughter, Victoria Dominguez, was honored as "Best Stay at Home Mom" today on GOOD MORNING TEXAS! She was surprised by Pat Smith, Show host & founder of TREASURE YOU, which is also a segment on the show. Pat is a former Miss Virginia (among many other accolades), wife of Emmitt Smith, an industrious stay at home mother of four, and woman of God! We were all surprised today as we saw how God orders our steps and connects people in the strangest ways! I went to church with Pat's sister Pam in my early Virginia days. Vickie, not knowing Pat, many years ago saw her on a TV show and was prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray for her, and I can tell you that she has faithfully for years, without Pat knowing her. My former pastor, Bishop McBath (a different church than the one that me and her sister attended), dedicated her oldest baby. Then we meet up in Texas! Incidences, not coincidences, but God directed journeys. You know blogging is a one way chat. So, I am chatting with you. Comment, if you'd like to. As I mentioned on the program, I was 13 years old when I gave birth to Victoria. Many of you know that, many of you are probably surprised. When I look back, I am amazed. I won't go into any details about that, but I do plan to publish a book one day soon. 13 is sooo young. As I have opportunity to share with young girls, pregnant and not pregnant, I try to express to them the importance of waiting for marriage to have sex. Instead to work on allowing themselves to develop wholistically, and to learn how to have healthy relationships. Why? Because that wasn't fun...it was hard! And it certainly was not God's way or God's best for me. But God, as my sweet, wonderful mother says, forgives and restores. We had a hard life, but God... I am touched today more than my words can express. I have been privileged with seeing a change in my generation! As Vickie said, I am blessed to see the "fruit" of choosing to change for the good (our CTC slogan-http://www.christiantrainingcenter.vpweb.com/). The real truth is, allowing the Spirit of God to work in my life when I did not even know Him. What I do today, as a minister, as a counselor, is because I do know what pain feels like, what unhealthy living looks like and the drama of bad relationships. But, have been touched by God through Jesus Christ and am now a new person!! Better than before and getting better everyday (ask my husband : ). But God... God is the only One with the power to bring change that goes deep into the recesses of our souls, healing us and making us truly whole people. He did it, and is yet doing it for me/in me. What I am blogging about? Simply to say that GOD IS GOOD! His mercy endures forever! Pray for your children, your family members, your spouse, your relationships. Pray and CRI, CRI and pray as Donnie McClurkin's song suggests. CRI, Christian Relationship Initiative, a ministry of Christian Training Center, is in the works to help you pray your family into healthiness, godliness, and Victory. More to come about CRI. In the meantime, choose to allow God's way in your heart and life. It will more than likely mean letting go of some things. But, the rewards, the joy, the peace, and the blessings (Psalm 103), far outweigh what you must let go of to get there!!

Make a decision to be the change agent in your family... God extends His love to a thousand generations of those who love Him! (See John 14:15)

PS. If you would, tell Vickie that she did well. She was so shocked that she does not think she responded well.

HAPPY MOTHER's DAY

to moms, grandmoms, aunties, play moms, angel moms, sister moms, etc.... Without you, what?