September 2016 - Stephanie L. Jones

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Dreaming Big September 22, 2016

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by Stephanie Jones

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MY MISSION

Empowering women to give their best life through giving to themselves and others, practicing gratitude, and pursuing one good goal, with a foundation of faith.

© 2021 Stephanie L. Jones, Giving Gal

Since June, my mom has battled severe pneumonia. S

Since June, my mom has battled severe pneumonia. She spent eight days in the hospital and has been off work for three months.

My mom is a runner. She was training for a half marathon when pneumonia knocked her for a loop. In July, she struggled to walk up and down the driveway. But she encouraged me by saying, "Even though I could walk in any shoes, I'm putting on my running shoes. I have two goals, one to get back to work and two to get back to running."

Wow!

Such a small action, but each day, as she walked, she focused on her goal, mentally telling herself; I will run, and to run, I must lace up my shoes and walk.

Yesterday, I told her I was going for a run. She said, "I'll come with you. I ran four minutes last week. Two minutes a break and two more minutes. My goal is ten minutes."

As we go through tough times, we might need to start small, and that is okay. Two minutes of running doesn't seem like much, but when you were in the hospital or could barely walk up the driveway, two minutes of running is significant progress.

We hit the trails. I couldn't believe the pace she kept. She was step by step with me and chatting up a storm. It's hard enough to chat when you are in shape, let alone recovering from pneumonia.

"Mom, we are at six minutes; how are you feeling?" I asked.

"Great!" she replied.

"Mom, we are at ten minutes. Awesome job!" I exclaimed.

"I'm going to keep going to twelve." She stated.

"Mom, we are almost at thirteen minutes. Do you think you can go fifteen?" I asked.

"I can if you keep talking." She replied.

"You got it!" And I chatted for two minutes.

I can't tell you what a huge accomplishment running fifteen minutes was for my mom. As we ate dinner, she already set her eyes on trying to run half of the half marathon and walk the other half. It's in November.

I didn't want to burst her bubble, but I said, "Let's see where you are at the end of October."

So, next time you are going through a tough time, think of my mom, set a small goal, and do something every day, even if it's as simple as lacing up your shoes, to focus on the good that is on the other side of your trial.

Culture wants to divide and label us. *Red vs. Bl

Culture wants to divide and label us.

*Red vs. Blue States
*Right vs. Left
*ProLife vs. ProChoice
*Black vs. White
*Vax vs. Unvax

And the list goes on and on.

Yet Jesus unites us as one. And when we have unity we have peace. But peace and unity takes breaking down the walls of our hearts and seeing people and not as the culture labels us.

Love one another❤️❤️❤️

Today is National Thank a Police Officer Day. Th

Today is National Thank a Police Officer Day.

This is my officer and for twenty years he has selflessly served the citizens of Indiana. In the media, officers get a bad rap, but this is what I know to be true.

*My officer has missed countless family events and holidays to serve his community.

*My officer has almost been run over on numerous occasions.

*My officer has found missing persons and brought them home.

*My officer and his partner Boss took thousands of pounds of drugs and almost a million dollars in drug money off the streets that were going to your community.

*My officer has missed many meals and left his wife home alone because after working a full shift he was called back out to search for escaped criminals or help with crashes during blizzards.

*My officer has fed the hungry and provided warmth for the homeless.

*My officer has fought for his life on the side of an interstate with a man high on drugs.

*My officer has carried the casket of a fellow officer who was gunned down and murdered by a coward.

*My officer has pulled dead children and burned bodies from cars.

*My officer has revived people from heroin overdoes.

*My officer has taken drunk drivers off the streets so they couldn't kill themselves and others.

*My officer has captured, jailed, and spent hundreds of hours building cases against child molesters and pornographers so they would never see the light of day to hurt your children. He has seen things you could never imagine and will never unsee them. They are burned in his memory forever.

*My officer leaves home with a bulletproof vest on because people want to kill him for the uniform he wears. But did you know he wouldn't hesitate to lay down his life for that same individual.

Everyday when my officer leaves I send him on his way with hugs, kisses and I love yous. Some days I stand in the window watching him pull out of the driveway searing the memory in my mind, just in case he doesn't return.

So today, and everyday, take a moment to remember all that officers do and what they have to deal with on a minute by minute basis. Pray for our officers and their families. And when given the opportunity say THANK YOU!

Christ Is Our High Priest 14 So then, since we ha

Christ Is Our High Priest

14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Hebrews 4:14-16
#bibleverse #bible #scripture #scriptureoftheday

I recently sat down for an interview about the hab

I recently sat down for an interview about the habits I use to be a successful author.

I decided to take those lessons and chat about them on my recent episode of the Giving Your Best Life podcast.

The habits aren’t just for authors, but anyone wanting to move forward in business and life.

Enjoy!

#podcast #podcasts #habits #author #authorsofinstagram #linkinbio #writer #writersofinstagram

Do Not Judge Others 7 “Do not judge others, an

Do Not Judge Others

7 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others.[a] The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.[b]
3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye[c] when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend,[d] ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. 6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy.[e] Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

Effective Prayer

7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

The Golden Rule

12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

The Narrow Gate

13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell[f] is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Matthew 7:1-14NLV

Each year as we reflect back on the tragedies of S

Each year as we reflect back on the tragedies of September 11, 2001, people ask the same two questions.

Where were you on 9/11?

What were you doing when you heard of the attacks on 9/11?

I've asked and answered these questions over the years but I think they are the wrong questions.

These questions make this day about us and not about those killed or the families, coworkers, and friends whose lives were forever changed on that fateful day.

It doesn't matter where we were or what we were doing. This day isn't about you or me.

It's a day...
*to remember the 2,996 that were killed and the 6,000+ that were injured.

*to let the families know we will never forget.

*to thank our first responders as so many ran to the danger as civilians were running away. Many never to return home to their families.

*to show support to survivors that somehow walked away from the rubble of the towers or pentagon but deal with PTSD and the terrors from this day.

*as the United States of America we were united as one.

Several years after the towers came crumbling down I had the opportunity to walk the hollow ground where so many perished. If you look in the background you'll see a make shift memorial of the names of those that lost their lives.

If you haven't done so, go read the names of the victims of 9/11 (link in the comments). Learn about their lives and next year when someone asks you where you were on 9/11, don't share your story, share the story of someone who is no longer here.

Make today, the National Day of Service and Remembrance, about all that made the ultimate sacrifice.

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise y

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.

Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you.

They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.

The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.

You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.

The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

Psalm 145
#scripture #scriptureoftheday #psalms #psalm #bibleverse #bible

We learn by trying new things. Life gets stagnant

We learn by trying new things. Life gets stagnant staying in our lane on cruise control.

Stepping outside our comfort zone is well…uncomfortable which is why many prefer to live a life where today reflects yesterday, and yesterday reflects the day before.

But what happens when something piques our interest?

When an idea pops in our mind and we get excited?

Curiosity unfolds.

The mind strengthens with new connections as learning is good for the brain.

I recently came across this picture and it reminded me of a time in my life where I planted a garden.

I had no clue what I was doing.

But I loved reading books about gardening, scouring website of what’s best to grow for homemade salsa, and finding natural ways to keep bunnies and deer from eating my fruits and vegetables.

The garden was a labor of love.

But at the end of the season the garden gifted me sunflowers, glass gem corn, and enough veggies I made enough salsa to feed a small community.

If life seems to be playing the same record on repeat, get hopping to learn a new skill or find a new hobby.

You never know what can happen if you just try.

Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they

Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.

Fools have no interest in understanding;
they only want to air their own opinions.

Doing wrong leads to disgrace,
and scandalous behavior brings contempt.

Wise words are like deep waters;
wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.

It is not right to acquit the guilty
or deny justice to the innocent.

Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.

The mouths of fools are their ruin;
they trap themselves with their lips.

Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart.

A lazy person is as bad as
someone who destroys things.

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe.

The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.

Haughtiness goes before destruction;
humility precedes honor.

Spouting off before listening to the facts
is both shameful and foolish.

The human spirit can endure a sick body,
but who can bear a crushed spirit?

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.

Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!

The first to speak in court sounds right—
until the cross-examination begins.

Flipping a coin[a] can end arguments;
it settles disputes between powerful opponents.

An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
the right words bring satisfaction.

The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,
and he receives favor from the Lord.

The poor plead for mercy;
the rich answer with insults.

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18 (NLT)
#Proverbs #bibleverse #bible #scripture #verseoftheday #scriptureoftheday #jesuslovesyou #christian #havefaith #godisgood

At age 13, I think, my dad’s best friend, Jon, h

At age 13, I think, my dad’s best friend, Jon, hired me to work at his pharmacy. I stocked shelves, took inventory, and was the cashier.

Each afternoon after school, or summer day, I’d hop on my 10-speed bike and pedal my way to the shop. I’d lean it against the building, and it was always there when I left. Gotta love small towns.

I enjoyed the days when magazines and books came in. I’d flipped through the pages before putting them on the shelves.

If all my work was done, I’d grab a book and read it behind the counter. I read more books on FBI profilers than I can count.

I also loved stocking the candy bars. No shock there. I’m surprised I made any money as I often left with a candy bar or two.

Minimum wage in 1990 was $3.80 and jumped to $4.25 in 1991. I loved getting a paycheck, but regret I didn’t invest it more wisely at a young age.

I remember when sports started to interfere with my work schedule. It was all I could do to make it from practice to work on time.

I found another job at the Dairy Queen which had more flexibility and better hours.

I wanted my dad to tell Jon I wanted to quit and go work at the DQ. My dad didn’t give me the easy way out and made me have the conversation with Jon.

I was so scared!

He had given me this opportunity and I felt like I was bailing on him. He took it great, but boy was I nervous.

From that first job to today, I’ve never been unemployed. Many times working two or three jobs to make ends meet, but always finding a job, maybe not the most fun, but they have always paid the bills.

Today as we celebrate Labor Day, I’m grateful for the opportunity Jon gave me always those years ago. I learned a lot working in his pharmacy and those lessons would carry on from job to job to the career I have today.

What was your first job?

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love t

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

Love each other with genuine affection,and take delight in honoring each other.

Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Romans 12:9-13

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