Thursday, August 29, 2013

Medleys by Pete Strayer


Fairfax, VA Sunset. August 2013.
Photo taken by Laura Moody

I am so proud of my talented family! 

Click on this SoundCloud link 
to hear tunes written and 
performed by Pete Strayer. :)

https://soundcloud.com/pete-strayer

May Love Rule in Your Hearts Always! - Laura

<><

Voice of Truth - Have you Heard It Lately?


This wonderful tune by Casting Crowns was on the radio recently and as it would be, God's timing for me to hear it was perfect! Big changes happening this year! :)

I wanted to post them here on my blog for others to view. There are also many videos on the You Tube web site that feature the song itself. While watching a couple of them I realized that it was in the movie "Facing the Giants". I commend both the vocalists who sing the song and the folks who made the movie. The message they share is so important for others to know.

Here is a link to the movie site - http://www.facingthegiants.com/

Here is a link to the music group Casting Crowns - http://castingcrowns.com/music/acoustic-sessions-volume-one

CASTING CROWNS LYRICS - "Voice Of Truth"

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth!


Peace <>< Laura

http://www.lamocreations.com
http://www.latestlinesfromlaura.blogspot.com

Photo above taken by Laura Moody in 2012.
The Lord has been so good to me! Hallelujah!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Are You A Reflection of Christ?


Below is an excerpt from a daily devotional book that my wonderful friend Margie gave me. The text is called Discovery: Experiencing God’s Word Day by Day and written by a man named David Jeremiah, who also has his own web site that features many of his other periodicals and broadcast ministry ventures. http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/magazine.aspx

The August 23rd entry on page 256 really spoke to me and now appears here on my blog, because, my readers, I really wanted you to know and consider his good words!
Mirror Angst
He who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer…this one will be blessed in what he does. – James 1:25, from the New King James version of the Holy Bible.

A fashion retailer recently commissioned a study of what women thought of their appearance in the mirror. Researchers found that 90 percent of women in their 40s and 50s are unhappy with the way they look and suffer from “mid-life mirror angst syndrome.” According to the report, middle-aged women are four times unhappier than teenage girls with what they see in the mirror.
Not so fast. For Christians, time enhances our appearance because the joy of the Lord shines through. As we age, Scripture tells us we take on the “incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God(1 Peter 3:4).

But how much better to gaze into the mirror of God’s Word! James said that the Law is a mirror to show us what we’re like. Without Christ, all we see are the wrinkles of wickedness and ghostly pallor of despair. But with Christ, looking into God’s Word doesn’t bring condemnation or judgment.
Don’t suffer mirror angst. Study His Word today and see the mirror image of Christ.

“The mirror of the Word not only examines us and reveals our sins, but it helps to cleanse us as well.” – Warren W. Wiersbe (Taken from The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: the Complete New Testament (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2007), 859).

As the Christian’s journey unfolds, the person that he or she grows into is one as bright as Light who is meant to show Love to their fellow man and to worship God alone. We were made to love and be loved by the Lord of the Universe. To say “How wonderful” is quite an understatement! Marvelous is more like it!
Peace to you - Laura <><

http://latestlinesfromlaura.blogspot.com
http://www.lamocreations.com



Thursday, August 22, 2013

Wise Men Still Seek Him – Jesus the Ultimate Authority



Who is Lord over your life? I pray that it is Jesus, the God of the Universe. I pray that you are asking for his input with each decision you make. He has a wonderful plan for your life each day. Are you willing to find out what it is? When was the last time you prayed silently or vocally and asked Him for help?

Will you trust Him enough to bless you with each moment that He created just for you? God is wonderful like that. Jesus knows exactly how to meet you so you not only know that it is Him communicating with you but that He is the sole Authority and Ruler of every detail of your life.
His interaction with you will be intensely personal so you will have no doubt that His words are meant for you alone to hear. His whisper of guidance and direction may sometimes catch you off guard, but have no doubt that He knows your every thought and what you need long before you approach Him with your concerns.
If you seek His will during your journey He will share it with you. Incredible to consider isn’t it? It is even more wonderful to experience it. Jesus loves you so much!

Is Jesus your God? If yes, then you are surely His child. Make it a point to desire to know him better. He wants so much to show you amazing things as only He could. Praise Him. Love him. Call Him yours. Treasure each encounter as He grows you into the person you were meant to be.

May Peace and Joy be yours in Abundance! <><
 

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

It's August :)


Alright - so I just realized that the lyrics of the song that I am posting today just happen to be by an artist with the last name August. That's funny. :)

Chris August's song Starry Night has been on my mind for days. Lyrics are below. His web site is - http://www.chrisaugustmusic.com/


"Starry Night"
From the birds that sing
In the tallest trees
To the human life
Of you and me

From the desert sands
To the place we stand
He's God of all
He is everything

I'm giving my life to the only One
Who makes the moon reflect the sun
Every starry night
That was His design

I'm giving my life to the only Son
Who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring
'Cause He is everything
'Cause He is everything

From the autumn leaves
That will ride the breeze
To the faith it takes
To pray and see

From the painted sky
To my plank filled eye
He's God of all
He is everything, whoa

I'm giving my life to the only One
Who makes the moon reflect the sun
Every starry night
That was His design

I'm giving my life to the only Son
Who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring
'Cause He is everything
Everything

Hallelujah, hallelujah
I believe, oh, oh
Hallelujah, hallelujah
I believe

I'm giving my life to the only One
Who makes the moon reflect the sun
On that starry night
He changed my life

I'm giving it all to the only Son
Who gave me hope when I had none
So let the praises ring

I'm giving my life to the only One
Who makes the moon reflect the sun
Every starry night
It was His design

I'm giving my life to the only Son
Who was and is and yet to come
Every angel sings
That He is heavenly

So let the praises ring
'Cause He is everything


~ * ~
Photo above snapped by Laura Moody.
Summer flowers in bloom are called Rose of Sharon.
The plant is part of the Hibiscus family.
Here are more details - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_of_Sharon
Peace. <><
~ * ~
http://latestlinesfromlaura.blogspot.com
http://www.lamocreations.com

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Staying Healthy in a Hectic World and Continuing to Grow!



Life is short. It was meant to be lived. How will you start?

Form good habits and become their slaves! (Og Mandino)

1)      What’s in your frig? What do you consume regularly? Avoid coffee, alcohol and dairy. Keep a journal of what you eat. Stay hydrated year round. Consume water, tea, fruit, soup, vegetables which are all high in water content.

2)      Rate your Overall Health, which includes not just your physical state, but your emotional and spiritual situations too. How do you react to life? Are you enjoying it or are you worn out? Stress and worry cause so much disease in the body. Don’t go there! God is in control. Ask Him how you should be living.

3)      Take steps to make changes! Plan ahead. Manage your life. Be prepared. Step One – Breathe. Step Two – Recognize that all you want to accomplish cannot be done in one day! Delegate. Say no. Set boundaries and know that it is okay to do so! Smile. J

4)      Live Love! Love God, Love your neighbor, Love Yourself enough to take steps to get back on track! Love your family, friends, people you don’t know. Perhaps spend some time volunteering in order to give back to your community.

5)      Schedule Time on your calendar for You! What is your passion? Reading, running, gardening, opera? Make an appointment for yourself and keep it. Consider getting a massage or going to a chiropractic appointment. Take those vacation days regularly. Visit some place locally that is new to you, whether it be a restaurant or park or perhaps it is place that you don’t go often, but always think a visit is a good idea because it makes you happy… the library? J Or perhaps see a movie or play at a local theatre.

6)      Keep Work in Perspective. Most of us have forgotten that by definition, a job is just a job. (job=job) While you may aspire to be the best employee that you can be, remember that the job should only require your attention for 7.5 hours each day, 5 days a week. There are supposed to be at least two 15 minute breaks in the day somewhere, however, we all know how easy it is to get tied up and do without them. Schedule them! Learn to work smarter, set limits and don’t feel bad when you leave the office and did not manage to accomplish the other 100 things on your to do list. By design, there is always too much to do. You are one person, a part of a team, generally dependent on others for various projects and their completion. Coming in fresh and rested each day is just as important as showing up! Getting run down defeats the whole purpose of earning a paycheck to live! So be well and make good choices.

7)      Get rid of cable and say goodbye to consistent noise. Do you really need to have the TV on 24/7? Other options - Spend time with your family, go outside, read a good book, commune with God!

8)      Be creative. We are made in God’s image and God is super creative! Look at all the different types of people he put on the planet! Doodle, paint, sculpt, make jewelry, or decorate furniture!

9)      Move your body! (That’s why you have one. J) Don’t sit at a desk all day… take a walk; park your car at the back of parking lots to get those steps in… dance, run, skip or what about joining an acting troupe or choir?

10)   Figure out your best qualities! What are you good at? Could you use those skills to help others? Are you using your strengths at work? If not, perhaps take steps to pursue employment where you could be executing them. Or, talk to your current boss about how you can re-write your current job description to include them.

11)   Respect Yourself! Sleep is so precious and absolutely required. Also, remember to see your doctor for regular check-ups to make sure that you are aware of anything that might need to be addressed. Be positive! Don’t fall prey to negative thoughts and don’t compare your weaknesses to the strengths of others. You have wonderful attributes too! God created all of us differently so we could help each other.

 
Peace of mind is a necessity. Work in the items above to your life and there is a very good chance you will be a happier, more pleasant and less stressed individual.
 

Carpe diem!

Laura

 
Photo above copyrighted and taken by Laura Moody.

It is of new growth on her dogwood tree that will have white blooms later this Spring.

 


 

<>< 


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Spiffy Spring Flowers!



So I had another idea J … flowers made of beads, wire and sushi sticks. Why not?!

My friend in Leesburg is now selling the product for
$5 each in her shop, Weathered Elegance.

Check out her Weathered Elegance items in person when you are in Leesburg’s Historic District or visit her site on the web: http://weatheredelegance.org/

Thanks for supporting local artists!

:) Laura