REPENTANCE, Prayer & Fasting, Day 2

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. (1 Peter 1:18 NLT)

Yesterday we reiterated our TRUST level needed to b of such, that if we didn't "get what we want," we would still confidently trust in him.

Today, because we trust a God who has proven faithful even in our UNfaithfulness, we are going to surrender ourselves and repent.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. (Romans 5:6 NLT)

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8 NLT)

To have fellowship and communion with us is the core of God's will. From the Garden of Eden till now, the only physical ability we've had to hide our sin from God, so that in his perfection he could commune with us, was life's blood. The verse above reminds us, he didn't pay our ransom with mere gold or silver. Christ was that Almighty God himself. And he took on the "form of a servant," so he would have the ability to pay the ultimate price for our redemption; his OWN life's blood.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, (Romans 3:23-25 NLT)

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:4, 5 NLT)

We're dealing with a Savior so perfect & holy, that our best, righteous deeds are as filthy rags in comparison.

O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked. Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil. (Psalms 5:4, 5 NLT)

The bottom line is that our arrogance must be snuffed out. Our stubborn will must be surrendered to him. Our weaknesses and sins must be confessed to him. When we confess our sins, weaknesses & failures we are able to "hide" our sin. Not beneath our own pretense, because unlike the crowds around us, he can actually see the reality of our hearts.

He covers our unholiness and imperfections beneath the precious blood he shed. And the covering of his blood is what makes it possible for us to "boldly approach the throne of grace."

Repentance is an act of faith and trust.

We should ask for God's blood-covering daily. Speak this aloud so that God, the devil, your atmosphere, and your own self hear you acknowledge your sinful, carnal state, and your total dependence on God's grace and mercy.


This repentance and seeking of forgiveness through faith and prayer puts you in a very strong state of authority in this life, making you able to tear down the devil's strongholds.

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. (Revelation 12:11 NLT)

Pray in this manner, "God, forgive me for ______. Show me what i need to do differently and better. Cover my past, present and future in your blood."

Try this link for information about fasting.

Click here for yesterday's devo.

TRUST, Prayer & Fasting, Day 1

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord ! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! (Habakkuk 3:17, 18 NLT)

When life is bare, void of beauty and emotional nutrition, it is possible to still yet "rejoice in The Lord!" It is possible to CHOOSE to rejoice, not in the gifts, but in the God of your salvation.

I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” (Daniel 3:15-18 NLT)

Both of these passages of scripture demonstrate TRUST in God rather than dependence on a miracle.

In this time of prayer and fasting we will most definitely ask and believe God for miracles. But I want us to start with TRUST.

Our attitude must be, "I know you're able. I'm asking for this miracle. But even if you do not do or give what I ask, I will never serve other gods. I will never leave you, God."

The SAME trust we expect from God... That he will NEVER leave or forsake us. We should allow God to have that same confidence and trust in US!

In your prayer time, even throughout the day, say this multiple times out loud. Besides God hearing you say it, let the atmosphere hear you say it. Allow your own ears to hear you say it.

"I'm trusting that you, God, know what's best. But I'm also pledging that you, God, can trust me to not bow to the pressures of the fiery trials."


Try this link for information about fasting.

Types of Fasts

The scripture does not label types of fasts, but these fasts are all described in scripture. Of course, make sure you check with your doctor. I will not be held responsible for your health.

PARTIAL FAST
Pre-determined rules of what will be abstained from. This could include dietary rules (akin to the "Daniel's Fast.") or substance rules (abstain from specific, exact media, or activities.)

TRADITIONAL FAST
No food or drink. Water only.

TOTAL FAST
No food or drink, including not consuming water. NOT RECOMMENDED!!! Jesus & Moses were the only two in scripture who fasted in this manner. They were both very unique people (to say the least! lol) in very unique situations.

Because I'm trying to quickly get this info out to the people who have said you want to be made aware of a daily prayer & fasting focus during this 14 day period. Rather than explain ALL the many variations of the partial fast, I'm simply going to explain how I will be fasting and let you take it from there for your own needs.

I'll be doing the PARTIAL FAST, during which most days I will drink beverages & eat one meatless, low-carb meal in a 24 hour period. There will be some days I will do the TRADITIONAL FAST as I may feel the Spirit prompt me. I will not do the TOTAL FAST. (Unless God tells me to. DUH!) lol

My suggestions for your fast is to not be vocal about it. (I wouldn't be, except I want people to be encouraged to join this amazing, supernatural experience.) Also, pre-determine the MINIMAL rules. It's possible The Lord will direct u to stricter rules at some point, so that may change through the 14 days. But set what your minimums will be.

Don't be surprised if its hard, but don't give up. Simply pray more. Read and/or listen to scripture. SPEAK LIFE! Speak with authority when you pray.

Lastly, BE PATIENT WITH PEOPLE!!!
When you fast, besides the spiritual movement that occurs, your body's' chemicals go wacky. Perhaps your body is used to more sugar, or more caffeine, or more protein, etc. The mere changes in your bodies chemistry will likely make you easily irritable, sluggish, or even extra hyper (the hyper happens to me!) PLUS ur spirit becomes very alert and sensitive to the spiritual realm. So realize this and STAY COOL! :-)

I ain't skeered... I'm excited! Lol

Guardian

Guardian
I know who I am...
Therefore I'm cautious with my open hands.
What I GIVE is free...
And I give abundantly.
But to guard this treasure...
So I'm not deceived,
I must be careful of WHO I RECEIVE.
~Denée Richardson

I learned as a child that protecting your reputation and anointing was WORTH the loneliness and isolation. God will always provide somebody to love you, and for you to love. There may be some dark "waiting periods" in between. But God will provide.

Be cautious. Your treasure in your earthen vessel is more important than emotional and human attachments, even with the friend you feel is God's provision. Never, NEVER, allow them to become so important you feel you can't live without them. Humanity, sometimes, has no power over whether or not they will never leave you. Sickness and death just happens sometimes. A force outside of the two of you comes to wreck the relationship sometimes.

I've learned that even when you're forced to lose who you love the most, the gifts and talents within will sustain you,, strengthen and inspire you. 

Know who you are to this world. Know your gifts and talents. Sharpen them. Use them. PROTECT THEM.

They will be what God uses to save your life.

Thanks to Lisa Velie for editing!

Devotion; How To Allow God To Work

On Friday's, at 9:00am(EST) I provide a free devotional via conference call. To listen to the conference call LIVE, simply dial, 805-399-1000, and when prompted enter access code, 150884#.

Click here for the devotion call from 4/5/13. (This recording expires, 4/17/15.)
Or you can listen to the recording on your phone by dialing,
805-399-1099
Access:316519#

This devo is my hobby, therefore my family and job will be prioritized. Stay connected with me on Facebook and Twitter to get updates and reminders about the devotion call. I'll be posting there if I'm not able to have the call.

All for one, and one for all! We are the Body of Christ! =)

Have a great day, muh peeps!

Check out this blog from the past: The Glory of Enduring

The Healed

[this is still under constructions. But it can still be gleaned from in the meantime.]

I received this email:
I was reading your blog post from 4/2/13. Thank you for those tidbits. I too went through a divorce... Not only am I still very ashamed of the divorce but I find myself very sad about it. The event changed me and I need help finding that joyful girl who wasn't afraid to love. I am proud of you because you are allowing God to use you to help others. I hope that one day I am able to help others heal but know that I need to completely heal from my pain.

I realized when reading this that people do not realize when THEY ALREADY ARE in a position to be used of God to help others. I've had the best training on earth from childhood on, from the ultimate "presentation tutors," my parents, James and Naomi Varnum. They lived it behind the scenes, on the world's stage, they were legit. And they taught all of their kids to present a positive image, to put our best foot forward, to smile regardless of the emotion, and so on.

It's dawned on me after reading this email that because people see what I consider my "worship and faith posture," and they do not see my crumpled heaps in the midnight hour, that they consider me "back to normal," while they're seeing themselves still broken and a bloodied mess. They feel like they're barely coping. I want to help people who have endured crises, maybe even multiple crises, to see themselves in a more positive light! I want to help people who have been battered and bruised to realize THEY'RE READY to help others God is putting in their path. If God put you two in the same room, God considers you healed and ready.

Consider this story of one of my mother's life-breaking tragedies and take heart; you are more "ready" than you realize.

When I was 2yrs old, I had a sister, Gina Louise, who died when she was 7 months old. I'm now 40 years old. That means she's been dead for 37 years. My mother will STILL feel the sting of that death & mourn her loss. We go to her grave EVERY year on Memorial Day to put flags on my great uncles' graves who served in World War 2, we put flowers on my grandparents graves. And we always put flowers and a toy on my sister's grave. This is my mother's plan and she clearly leads the event. She doesn't always cry at the grave, but she does sometimes. I remember specifically, the year Gina would have graduated from high school my mom cried at the grave.

But 37 years later...? My mom is in no way, shape, or form a depressed person. She is one of the most enjoyable, jovial humans on this planet. But she still cries over Gina. Clearly, still hurts sometimes, right? Right.

And yet...

Since Gina's death she's had a a son who is now a 36 yr old man and gives her every reason to be thankful. He is a great father and husband and pastors under the anointing of God. She's VERY proud of him, thankful for him, and HE MAKES HER HAPPY.

She had another daughter 28 years ago, my sister, Lacey. Lacey has given her SO MUCH JOY!

But she still feels the pain from the sudden loss of Gina. (Contact me through facebook or twitter to get her book that includes the story of Gina's death, as well as their joys in ministry.)

What's inspired me to write this blog is that I think in general we have a misconception of what "healed" is. We think it means we're back to the pain-free, innocence of childhood. And because somewhere along the line we've learned "wounded people aren't in a condition to help other wounded people" we miss out on saving someone else! We miss out on the many joys that come from being used of God to minister to others. (Click here to read about habits we form in a crisis.)

"Healed" doesn't mean you no longer feel pain from that wound. But it means things have mended enough for you to move forward and function.

I know people who have been in terrible car wrecks, who limp because they still feel pain from their wounds. They'll need to "baby" that particular leg more in severe weather changes. They'll perhaps buy different types of shoes than the fad-shoes others are wearing, or they'll not participate in certain activities. They may need to alter their lifestyle a bit. But they're out of the hospital, the stitches are gone, the yucky medicine is no longer needed, they're finished with all the gauze and wrappings. They've healed. Would it be nicer if they healed from the damage of the wreck without pain? OF COURSE! But what's happened, HAPPENED!

So, we should not wait for the "pain" to be gone to believe we've healed emotionally. Because we have a day here and there where we need to "baby" a past wound does not mean we're useless. Even people in wheelchairs, or full paralysis have been known to accomplish great things! Having days where the old wound acts up on you is normal. But you need to stop, cease, and desist going through motions that are no longer needed. Perhaps you were a victim. But you're not now! Perhaps you were a "patient" in a spiritual hospital, and I'll even go so far as to say its possible you didn't receive proper care. But you have to get hold of yourself and say, "Enough is enough!" You will NEVER get people to fulfill your needs and wants. And as long as you keep focusing on people who won't apply the medicine, people who seem to walk around with butcher knives reopening old wounds, you'll never live as God intends you to live. You and God ALONE can properly apply your medicine. And if you've got people in your life still ripping your to shreds; GET OUT OF THERE!

I've seen people who have experienced atrocities like molestation, beatings, the death of someone vital to their life, the destruction of their character, divorce, losing a career... The list of tragedies that humanity faces is mind-boggling. But these people still want care even though time, God, and maybe even supportive people helped their wound heal long ago. But because they've still got an emotional limp, that does indeed some days cripple them, they're demanding to be put back in "the hospital." Or they keep getting out the yucky medicine and trying to use it. They're still trying to wrap it with gauze. BUT THE WOUND HAS HEALED! None of that will work anymore! It's done it's job. It's over, and YOU ARE HEALED!

I'm not trying to disrespect those of you still feeling the pain. I'm not trying to make light of your pain, or say "it's all in your head." My friend, your pain is very real. But the mistake we make sometimes is in thinking because we still have a crippling day, we're not fit to minister others. And that's the thinking I seek to change.

If you know the story of Job in the Bible, you know that his children died, his business died, his marriage died; in short he lost everything. And we feel his pain. But isn't it such a triumphant ending? He again experiences the laugh of children, he rebuilds his business to prosperity, and because his 1st wife was cursed of God to not be able to bear children, we know in order to have more children, he had to have a new wife. We LOVE that he got it all back, and more! Living the dream, baby!

But I know human nature. I'm a parent. I've seen my mom cry because she misses Gina. And though the scripture doesn't spell out this detail; I'm certain Job had days after he was back to living the dream, when he thought about his first children, and he ached, and he mourned them. I wouldn't be surprised, if I could have a conversation with him, to hear him say, "There were some days I had to FORCE myself to get out of bed and get dressed because I missed my children." Or even, "There were panics and fears that would hit me sometimes... fears that I would lose it all again within a matter of minutes."

Sure! Job was living the dream of his restored wealth and prestige. But what kind of difficulties did he have with his "first wife?" According to the culture she was probably still his wife, and he either married a different woman, or had a concubines situation going on, which means her likely bitter attitude was still in his home. The point is, just because God healed him in body, soul, mind and spirit, and everything was restored, he likely had days, (his first children's birthdays come to mind) when perhaps he couldn't breathe.

And yet, he seems to have done like my mother, and found joy where he could.

Imagine a doctor who had been severely wounded in an accident, which in turn caused him to limp, or to need to get around in a wheel chair, or with a cane. But he comes across you lying on the side of the road, bleeding to death. Within him is not only the knowledge of how to stop the bleeding, how to stitch you, how to save your life. But he even knows how to survive a near-death experience. But he doesn't help you because his limps and he's not like he used to be. I hope you'd sue that jerk!

TEASING ABOUT SUING! =)

But I am not teasing about the fact that you may walk with a limp after your tragedy, but that does not excuse you from helping others get over and through their own tragedy. As a matter of fact, you are obligated to offer your services. Accept your limp. It was a terrible experience you had. You never want to go through that ordeal again. But you did. So accept you'll never be the same again. Stop trying to recapture your former self. Quit occupying a hospital bed, there are other patients who need care. And YOU can care for them better than almost anybody else.

The world needs you. The Kingdom of God needs you.

I'm not trying to be harsh. But I am asking for help. There are a lot of hurting people, and those of us who have gone through the darkest of valleys are the ones who can help navigate other's through the same valley.

And don't forget, when you seek to do the work of God, HE will add all "these things" to you! Assume the "worship and faith posture." Exemplify your faith by putting your best presentation on. Honor and worship God with your smiles. It doesn't mean you FEEL giddy, or FEEL whole or worthy enough to offer help. And it's certainly not because you don't feel pain anymore. It's because God is worthy of your "best foot forward." And the hurting are worth you taking time & expending energy to minister to them.

Please don't assume that the reason I display confidence, happiness and try to help by telling a bit of my story is because I'm painless. I still, 3 years after, deal with stress and confusion of my own tragedy. I still cry and hurt deeply. But I decided it was time for somebody else to have the hospital bed. I decided it was time I stopped depleting the medicine supply. And it was time I joined the nursing staff, limp and all!

Don't forget, Jacob carried the mark of his fight for the rest of his life. Jesus carried the marks of his crucifixion. Both were "healed." They simply found themselves in a place to show their scars and say, "See? I've been through that too. Now let me help you."

You may benefit from praying these same scriptures I pray. Click here.

Scriptures of Growth I Pray, Claim And Declare

Let me be like the trees planted by the riverbank, w/roots that reach into the water.
Let me not be bothered by heat, or worried about drought.
Let me always be fresh, green & fruitful, no matter the season.
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7, 8 NLT)


Make me like a majestic cedar, strong and far reaching, a producer of seed.
Make me strong enough that people of "every sort" can rest and find shelter in me.
“...It will become a majestic cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter in the shade of its branches. (Ezekiel 17:22, 23 NLT)


Make me flourish and grow.
Psalms 92:12
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.


I will plant myself in my church and flourish there.
Psalms 92:13
Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

I will live a righteous life and flourish as a branch.
Proverbs 11:28
...the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Let my household flourish.
Proverbs 14:11
...the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.


For MY well-being:
   Let me live in your shade.
For the well-being of those I'm responsible for:
   Let me flourish like grain.
   Let me blossom like grapevines.
   Let me b as fragrant as wine.
My people will again live under my shade. They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon. (Hosea 14:7 NLT)


I claim these exchanges & trade outs so that I can b called a tree of righteousness, a planting of The Lord... BE GLORIFIED IN ME!
Isaiah 61:3 (KJV)
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.


Let your promises of healing & deliverance, blessings & favor, love & newness of life be verified in me. RAISE ME UP.
And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. (1 Kings 8:26 KJV)

Click here for more scriptures I pray, claim and declare.

Video of Me Demonstrating "Just Smile"

Enjoy the simplicity of "smiling for no reason."

Watch this video!

Denee Richardson believes you should "smile for no reason." Science shows us that smiling releases "happy juice" in ur brain. Sadness can sometimes be the result of a habit formed in the midst of a tragic life occurrence. Denee believes that with God's strength you can teach your brain "happy habits" by purposefully doing certain actions. Follow her on Twitter & Facebook! www.deneerichrdson.com

Opposite And Equal Reaction.

For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.

Sometimes that action is so severe, so extreme, that the "opposite and equal reaction" is mind boggling.

I've been divorced for nearly three years. The repercussions have been vast and awful. I don't suggest divorce as an option to ANYBODY because of how dark and painful it makes life. I honestly don't care how "right" or "biblically OK" it is. In my case there was no hate or animosity. I had not handled my mental, emotional, nor physical health properly when I knew things were not happening right. I had not asked for help. Then suddenly, it was too late to ask for help. (Yes. Three and a half years later I still feel like it was too late. Even with all my regrets. I still feel like it was too late.) I thought a divorce would give me an emotionally clean slate. I knew it wouldn't make life "better," but I believed "different" was all I needed to heal and find my feet again.

I'm sure some day I'll write about all my concerns in coming to the decision to follow through on the divorce. But for the peace of mind of my children, I'm not going to give the details publicly that led to my decision. I'm a "sharer." I grew up believing that everything I learned and experienced was somehow to be conveyed so that others could better make their own decisions based off the info I provided. So, I'm sure someday I will even write publicly about the details. But CERTAINLY not before my children know the cause and affects.

Therefore, this writing is not about the details of my divorce. I'm deeply sorry for the pain it causes you to know of this disappointing part of my life. But I want to write about the very purposeful, daily "opposite and equal reactions" I had to do in order to bring some sanity and healing into my life.

I have learned through this experience that the more extreme the tragedy, the more extreme our reaction must be. Our reactions cannot be "knee-jerk reactions." They can't be uncontrolled outbursts that send everyone in our community spinning. The initial action will send more than enough people spinning. Getting balance back into life will not magically "happen" one day. The "equal and opposite reaction" to balance out the turmoil must be planned and very purposeful. And it must also match the impact of the initial action.

I had always been a naturally happy person. I grew up sheltered (which I think is HEALTHY for a child. We need MORE sheltering.) I grew up with cheering parents. I grew up in a close-knit, church community. I'm still friends with the exact same people I was in first grade with; from teachers to children. So, I was exactly as a person who grew up in that environment was SUPPOSED to be; happy, healthy, & productive.

Before the divorce I had already experienced panic attacks, depression, illness; all the typical things associated with the spirit of a person being wounded, and indeed crushed. But I didn't realize what it all was associated with. So, I assumed this "clean slate" was going to fix all that. It did not because I wasn't writing anything NEW on the slate.

The natural result of tragedy brings some very legitimate actions and behaviors; such as crying, feeling angry, getting protective of our wounds, etc. But what happens more often than not, is that these behaviors that were at first triggered by healthy emotional drives becomes nothing more than a HABIT. The crying, the negative, depressive thinking that grief causes becomes destructive habits that we carry out even after the tragedy is behind us. For each person, for each situation, the "behind me" time period will vary. So I can't say, "After a year you need to dry it up and not feel emotional pain any more." I don't know what a "healthy time frame" is. We'll leave that to the professionals. I just know what I've seen and experienced. In my case, good things were occurring all around me, but my "happy response" had been deadened. And I needed to get it cranked back up!

About a year and a half after my divorce; praying daily for death to take me, disconnect from friends and family, an utter barrenness of my former creativity, incessant sadness, negative thinking, etc. I ran across a book at my library called, "Happy For No Reason." It was an informative book. But the information about "smiling" stood out like a neon light. I had, of course, been praying throughout all this time. In fact, I was praying more often, for longer periods, and in much deeper ways than ever. DURING prayer I had relief. But as soon as I was done praying, I would be back to "basket case" status again. So I started a regime to live by for when I stood up from prayer.

My new disciplines were extreme to everyone around me. They were even extreme to me! I had NEVER needed to PLAN to smile before in my life! Joy and loud laughter was "just what we did" growing up! Creativity was written in every strain of my DNA! Leadership was natural, especially leading people into fun and a light ambiance. But sadly, no more. And it was downright awful to me to actually have to PLAN to smile.

And because interaction with God is, I feel, so vital to our health and well-being, I had to include all the spiritual elements in this "Happy Exercise" as well.

I had started losing weight and was well aware of the repetitive disciplines required to lose weight and exercise. I had experienced the results of reusing the same muscles repetitively and how it made the workout easier and easier. So I believed my brain could be "built" in the same way. As a matter of fact, I was aware of how dendrites worked within the brain, so I KNEW I could teach my brain new tricks, new habits.

In my simple layman's terms, dendrites are what causes habits. For every action you make a dendrite is made. And every time you repeat that action more dendrites are made. Those dendrites begin to group up with the earlier dendrite you made. The grouping gets bigger and stronger. This is how balance is built in a baby learning to walk. This is how language is learned. This is how habits are made. When you cease the action, the dendrites deteriorate, therefore you lose the habit.

So based on my experience with repetitive exercise, my little understanding of dendrites, I created my "Happy Exercise." I set alarms to go off every hour, from 9am to 2pm, my office hours.

When the "Happy Exercise" alarm went off the first thing I did was smile. I just smiled. Whether I was in a meeting, sitting at my desk, reading, whatever I was doing, I just smiled.

The next thing I did was stand and do something active. At first it was a walk. But I began to work in an office, so instead I closed and locked my office door and did some toning and strength poses.

I also read scripture and prayed. And I would very deliberately close my eyes and think of at least one thing I was thankful for.

Depending on the day, I could relax and take my time in this process. Other days I had to go quickly through the routine.

I still do this every hour, every day. And it's made a HUGE difference! I don't feel giddy when I do it. As a matter of fact, I still feel that funk sometimes, but when my alarm goes off I MAKE MYSELF go through the routine, and I'm always better because of it. I was correct about it becoming a "needed" habit. If the office is in an extra busy season, getting ready for a conference, or something out of the ordinary, and I push off my "Happy Exercise," I'm as bad as a drug addict trying to find a fix! OK. Maybe not "as bad," but it's definitely missed by my mind, body and spirit. I've said a couple times that I was going to change it to every-other-hour since I'm doing so much better. But so far I can't. I love it too much!

It was an extreme action to take, but I was in an extremely bad state of mind. An "opposite and equal" reaction was required. Extremity required extremity.

So, whether your dealing with divorce, or death, or chronic physical pain. The list of tragedies we each find ourselves in is far too long. But my encouragement to you is that you not forget that you MUST take control of WHAT YOU CAN! You can't control that somebody you loved died, but you CAN control what you eat during that period of mourning. You can't control getting cancer, but you CAN control what your watch, or read while you receive treatment. You can't control somebody hurting and rejecting you, but you CAN control your own behavior. You can't control A LOT of things, but I have found you CAN control how often you smile.

#Happy #Habit

You may find peace & faith in praying these scriptures I pray and claim for myself;
http://musingdenee.blogspot.com/2013/04/scriptures-i-pray-claim-declare.html?spref=tw

Here's a video of me demonstrating how easy it is to JUST SMILE! =)

Scriptures I Pray, Claim, and Declare...

Give me a Manasseh & an Ephraim.
Let me forget all my troubles & those who've hurt me.
Let me be fruitful even while I'm still grieving.
Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.” Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.” (Genesis 41:51, 52 NLT)

Let my future glory be greater than my past glory!
Bring PEACE to me!
The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!” (Haggai 2:9 NLT)

Spark my enthusiasm!
So the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God’s people. They began to work on the house of their God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, (Haggai 1:14 NLT)

Make me strong.
...It pleases you to make us strong. (Psalm 89:17 NLT)

Make me able to rise above difficulties, emotional crashes, negative thinking.
2 Samuel 22:34 (KJV)
He maketh my feet like hinds' [feet]: and setteth me upon my high places.

Habakkuk 3:19 (KJV)
The LORD God [is] my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' [feet], and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Don't let me stumble as I try to get thru & out of this unfamiliar, dark, rocky place.
He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber. (Psalm 121:3 NLT)

I want to desire ONLY what God wants me to desire.
I want my desires (emotional drives) to b of God.
Not my will, but God's will be done.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Philippians 2:13 NLT)

...I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. (Jeremiah 32:40 NLT)

...I will put my laws in their minds,
and I will write them on their hearts... (Hebrews 8:10 NLT)

I claim these exchanges & trade outs so that I can b called a tree of righteousness, a planting of The Lord... BE GLORIFIED IN ME!
Isaiah 61:3 (KJV)
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

For MY well-being:
   Let me live in your shade.
   Hide me under the shadow of the Almighty.
For the well-being of those I'm responsible for:
   Let me flourish like grain.
   Let me blossom like grapevines.
   Let me b as fragrant as wine.
My people will again live under my shade. They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon. (Hosea 14:7 NLT)

Let ur promises of healing & deliverance, blessings & favor, love & newness of life b verified in me. RAISE ME UP.
And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. (1 Kings 8:26 KJV)

Click here for more scriptures I pray, claim and declare!