| | | Joyfully Ever After Newsletter | | Celebrate the Season! A few weeks ago, when it became apparent that fall was approaching, I admit that I felt a little melancholy. It was barely August when we already began to notice acorns falling from the trees and squirrels digging holes in the yard. Retailers began discounting patio furniture and started their back-to-school sales campaigns. Then by Labor Day, Halloween decorations were already on display. My husband Rick and I agreed that we'd been "cheated" out of our summer because the weather had been so often rainy and unseasonably cold here in Michigan. However, if viewed with a "glass half full" mindset, I realize that we're fortunate because we had several weeks to begin to wrap our brains around the fact that autumn was approaching. Now it's here and personally, I'm grateful because if nothing else it means God has blessed me to see another season.
During no other season does He show off His majestic artistry than when He uses His gilded palate to paint the canvas that is our world. I like to think of it as redecorating the landscape and the horizon. So rather than lament over the fall season, I chose to embrace it as God's handiwork and emulate by making a few changes in and around my home. You don't have to hire an interior decorator to do so; in fact it's more fun to allow your own creative juices to flow. Changing your immediate surroundings can not only improve your mood, but studies have shown that having well appointed aesthetics in the home and work environment contribute to better health. There is an ancient Asian philosophy called Fen Shui which recognizes how the body and spirit are affected by physical surroundings. I am keenly attuned to the fact that textures, scents, colors and even sounds can have both positive and negative effects on our physical and emotional well being - and routinely make conscious efforts to keep a pleasant, peaceful atmosphere in our home.  There are lots of cost effective ways to incorporate changes in your home's décor. Here are just a few: 1. Use pillows, throw rugs and curtains in varied hues of red, gold, brown and green 2. Strategically position scented candles, plug-in air fresheners or oil infusers throughout your home using the smell of autumn (such as apple-cinnamon or pumpkin spice) 3. Surround your exterior with live fall flowers. Hardy Mums come in a vast array of colors and like their name are sturdy enough to last until mid-November 4. Change your furniture around. Be creative and don't be afraid to move some pieces from one room to another 5. Add an indoor water treatment such as a table or desktop waterfall 6. Go on a family road trip to see the breathtaking fall scenery. Take photos of trees and wildlife preparing for fall, then display them in beautiful frames.
These are only a few suggestions for welcoming the new season. Embrace life, live in the moment!
" Venus
| | Fall Home Maintenance Tips | | Ideas to keep you warm and safe. . .
Schedule your fall furnace tune up. This important maintenance will most likely pay for itself in system efficiency and longevity.
Change your furnace filter. Changing the filter regularly increases operating efficiency, reduces the chance of a break-down, and improves air quality in the home. If you have questions, call a certified and/or licensed heating technician.
Clean out gutters. Hire someone or do it yourself, but make sure you don 't forget! Clean gutters to prevent clogging and the possibility of other damage.
Have fireplace checked. A professional check is essential once a year. Burn only well seasoned hardwoods in your fireplace.
Winterize your gas powered lawn equipment for winter storage. At the end of the season, remove the oil and spark plugs from your lawn mower. Also lightly oil your tools.
Remove garden hoses from outside faucets and store. Frozen hoses can cause pipes to burst.
Check weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows. Eliminating drafts can significantly improve efficiency and comfort.
Check your air conditioning unit. Most units don't require covers, however, you'll want to make sure your unit is free of leaves and grass debris from fall cleanups. Use a brush or vacuum cleaner to clean the exterior surface if it gets dirty. See your dealer to order or replace a cover.
Have winter supplies readily available. If your area gets snow, make sure you have salt, snow shovels with curved blades (to protect your back), and other supplies on hand. Check the batteries in your flashlights.
Leaves. Use a high pressure hose to spray leaves into a pile. The wet leaves compress into trash bags more efficiently or can be added to a mulch pile. When leaves are wet, the wind won't blow them around the yard again.
Windows & Screens
Before heating starts, take your vacuum cleaner hose nozzle off the wand and thoroughly suction out window sills to do away with cobwebs, insects and leaf parts. Also, rather than washing window screens, use the vacuum nozzle to suction them. It's so much easier than taking the screens out one at a time, using a garden hose, etc. Store and replace with storm windows wherever possible.
Chimney
Have your chimney checked once a year and install a chimney cap to keep out animals and other items that could block the chimney. | | "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." (3 John 1:2) | | I would like to share a portion of an eNote I received New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia regarding our physical well being.  Paul states in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "...do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bouPaul states in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "...do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." The more we seek God's kingdom first, the more this scripture, along with the rest of His word, will resonate with us.
Examine yourself. Which category describes you?
- You've made the faith and fitness connection and you're striving to keep it strong.
- You're aware of God's word and the connection between faith and fitness, but you haven't put what you know into action.
- A faith and fitness connection is totally new to you.
No matter which category you're in, my loving advice to you is to stretch farther. Start each day asking God for a renewed mindset of discipline, self-control and contentment. Then give it all you got. Go to the next level. Create productive habits. Pay closer attention to body functions and reactions. Approach eating differently. Push to incorporate exercise. Set up boundaries. Connect with people who make healthy living a priority.
Whether you're already in a good place or not, fight to make it better. Some say small steps are required for change, while others insist that extreme or drastic measures are the only way. Whatever works for you, do it. But know that successful change can't happen without consistency.
Remember, I'm on this journey with you. God Bless. Bishop Eddie L. Long Sr. Pastor New Birthday Missionary Baptist Church
Walk it off! 
It delights God when we use the limbs He designed. He inhabits it as praise just like any other form of praise--singing, playing instruments, clapping, etc.
Walking is an excellent opportunity to meet with God and pray. It's a chance to witness His wondrous creations on the land and in the sky. It's an opportunity to hear from Him. Challenge yourself to go to make a commitment to meet with God in a special place every week.
While you praise Him with your legs, you'll also reap the physical blessings and rewards of walking...
> Walking lowers blood pressure.
> Walking strengthens the heart.
> Walking reduces bad cholesterol.
> Walking helps to control weight.
> Walking relieves stress.
> Walking improves joint mobility.
> Walking improves balance and circulation.
> Walking prevents heart disease.
> Walking reduces the risk of stroke.
> Walking improves mood.
> Walking contributes to brain fitness. | | Confidential Connie Writes... | | My husband and I have been married for 13 years. I've been a Christian for the past three yeas but he still doesn't go to church. I see to it that our 9 and 11 year old sons attend church and participate in activities for their age. He doesn't mind that they go but when they sometimes resists he says they don't have to go if they don't want to. My 11 year old seems to be leaning more toward his father's ways every day. I'm feeling frustrated with him and I'm also afraid that his indifference will affect our children when they're old enough to choose. My patience with him is running out! ---J.M., Smyrna, GA The enemy is literally hell bent on dividing husbands and wives; and to destroy the family unit. My advice is to pray for your husband's salvation and that you live a life that would make him want to have the joy that you have within. Pray for your children as well and continue to expose them to wholesome Christian living. Teach them about the love of God and allow them to learn about unconditional love by the way you treat your husband. Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husband; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear (reverence or respect). I Peter 3:1-2 Nagging and threatening hell fire rarely motivates an unsaved person to come to Christ. Also, be sure that you're maintaining a balanced life. In other words, be sure that your homefront is well covered and that you are not neglecting your responsibilities as a loving, affectionate wife and a caring mother while attending church or participating in church functions.
"Expect your spouse to be unreasonable about spiritual things," writes Jo Berry. "[Your] godliness is threatening, convicting and confusing." But that doesn't make an unbeliever the enemy. In the chronicle of her own marriage, Bebe Nicholson warns that such an attitude will sabotage your relationship and ruin even the best efforts to be effective examples of Christ's love (When a Believer Marries a Nonbeliever [Priority Publishing]). Self-pity, Nicholson writes, projects the attitude, "I could've done better in the marriage department" and is a refusal to accept God's sovereignty in all matters. Self-righteousness not only hinders compassion but, if left unchecked, easily turns to contempt and hatred.
"God created us to be lovers," writes Nicholson. "The more we love God, the more open our hearts are to loving each other. ... The strength of our love for our partner can draw [him] toward Christ and bring glory to God." Until that happens, there are some practical things believers can do to help bridge the spiritual gap and help themselves stay spiritually strong.
Live in the now.Accept your relationship for what it is and concentrate on cultivating peace and happiness. Instead of striving to alter your circumstances, set your mind on enjoying your life. Find what's good now and build on it. The loudest form of evangelism is a life that's changed. Gary Oliver, executive director of the Center for Marriage and Family Studies at John Brown University, counsels believers to show Christ in the little things, like taking out the trash and vacuuming. "I let my husband know I'm glad I'm married to him," said Margaret, "and I never talk about him without him knowing about it first." At Bible study, Julie told me she honors her unequal-yoke marriage by not filling her calendar with church events. She and the kids go to Sunday morning services, and she attends Bible study and events like MOPS during the week. But when her husband is home, he's her priority. Jeanne Hendricks adds, "It might not be easy, but it speaks volumes when you let your spouse know, 'I like you as a person.' When wives honor their husbands by making them feel appreciated and good about themselves just as they are, it often softens their hearts to the things of God." Find common ground and have fun together. My friend Jodi makes a list of things she and her husband enjoy: swimming, watching Star Trek movies, vintage cars and sex. Stay affectionate.Gary Oliver says both sexual and nonsexual touch are important and cautions (women especially) against shutting down physically. "Although it's difficult for women to remain open physically when they feel they can't share the most important part of who they are, men especially need touch. Sexual touch reaches him at his core. When a wife enjoys her husband, he feels loved, valued and appreciated." Prayer is our link to God's presence, power, wisdom and comfort. You might pray for conviction of sin and godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10); that God will take a spouse's heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh (Ezek. 36:26); wisdom, courage, discernment and opportunities to speak. Cultivate your relationship with Christ. It's crucial to maintain Christian fellowship, Bible reading and prayer. If you can, join a small group and have them pray with you for your unsaved mate. God knows what he's doing, and he knows those who are his (2 Tim. 2:19). Trust that he will do what's best for you and your spouse. We have this hope: "God is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9). That means there's hope for your spouse-and hope for mine. Read the entire article | | | | | Introducing the Mason-Dixon Relationship Line
Blogtalk Internet Radio Show! |   | I will be teaming up with Minister/Author/Marriage Advocate Christina Dixon The Real 411 on Marriage!
Call in bi-weekly on Tuesdays @10:30 a.m. Beginning October 1 347.989.8396 log on:
Mason and Dixon on the air | | | October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month |  | | I'm teaming up with the Greater Grace Temple Powerful Women of Purpose to walk for the cure! Please help me reach my personal goal to raise a minimum $500.00 for the Making Stride of Detroit Walk for the Cure.
Making Strides of Detroit Saturday, October 10, 2009  Option 1 - $10.00  Option 2 - $20.00 Option 3 - $50.00 | | | Live at 5! Saturday, October 5th |  |
Been There, Done That, Now What? The gloves come off in this totally transparent discussion featuring... Darryl and Cozette Ford also, Special Guest, Stephanie L. Jones, Author of The Enemy Between My Legs and Diarra Dee, Praise Dancer Presented by The Bible Motivate Women Evangelist Lou Anne Stewart, Founder This is event is free - All are welcome
| | | Thursday October 15 - Saturday October 17 |  | | Ladies, get ready for a Mountain Moving experience by attending the Greater Grace Temple Power Women of Purpose Retreat. Held at the Spectacular Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel in Downtown Detroit, this retreat will deliver a refreshing renewal for your mind, body and certainly for your soul! Meet me there!
Registration Fee: $105 *Hotel Reservations not included.
Register for the conference
Click here for hotel reservations | | |
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1 people saying something:
Thanks for sharing your fall moments. I just enjoy this time of year and love burning my fall scented candles to pick myself up. Thanks for posting about breast cancer.
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