Janet Perez Eckles's Blog – September 2008 Archive (9)

That inquiry has become more common each day. Anxiety rises, worry presses on, uncertainty hovers above us and even the rope of job security is frayed.



You and I know this doesn't catch God by surprise, nor does He leave us without answers, solutions or ways to cope and bring back reassurance and peace.



He begins with this instruction:



“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you… Continue

Is there such a thing? My answer from first-hand experience says a resounding “yes.” Folks have asked the details. How did it happen? How did you find out? What did he do?



I look back at that time, how devastated I was. But those memories are like a difficult work-out—it hurt; at times it stung. But afterwards the results made us both stronger.



What was the secret? There was none. Forgiveness is no secret. It's as big and bold as a billboard written across the pages of… Continue

A friend with a vibrant mission ministry in Japan writes:



“The train was hot and crowded. We were a little anxious (and excited) as we headed to Yoyogi Park for a day of evangelism. We noticed a young high school girl take off her headphones and come stand near us as we rode. It wasn’t long before the girls on our team struck up an animated conversation with her (hand gestures and all). It was then that they noticed that there were many scars on her wrist. She said that because of… Continue

A SCRAPBOOK OF CHRISTMAS FIRSTS





(Leafwood Publishers, October 2008)



A wonderful new gift book, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, is available in October for Christmas giving. Today, I’ve invited the six coauthors to share their unique story of how they came together to publish this exciting book full of stories, recipes, tips for simplifying the holidays and so much more.



Please visit my blog at www.janetperezeckles.com to view the story in its… Continue

The devastation is evident, the threat is fierce and the results shake our lives. Those same reactions rumble in our hearts when facing emotional hurricanes—familiar to so many.



I’ve survived a few in my lifetime. And the help I received came not from the Federal government, but from the faithful God. He watches the winds howl, the waters of fear gush against us, and the flood of gloom that fills our hearts.



But great news—His relief is timely, complete and trustworthy. So… Continue

My memories of that date vary a bit from most. On the first anniversary of that horrific event, we buried our 19-year-old son, our youngest of three. The airplane of horror also crashed into our hearts setting flames of anguish to destroy our world.



So, what do we do with the memories, those that haunt our nights and cast shadow of sadness to our days?



The answer came to me with softness of dawn when erasing a black night. It wasn’t anything profound, deep or even mystical… Continue

Will I need to seek that next? A crazy thing happened the other night. I was sound asleep, when a nudge woke me up. It was hubby handing me a glass of water (he keeps one on the nightstand by his side of the bed). Half asleep, I took it and baffled by this bizarre gesture, I wanted to ask for an explanation. But, to my shock, he was sound asleep.



With the glass in my hand, I wondered what to do, trying to figure out what was going on. So, I pulled off the covers, went around the bed… Continue

Sarah Palin’s family affairs analyzed, election campaign gets tense, the economy gets shaky, and companies are closing down.



Sad news in the home front. But while submerged in our own issues, most are unaware, and totally oblivious to the horrors that are now touching our Christian brothers and sisters lives. I received this two days ago from my friend whose husband is the President of BCM (Bible Centered Ministries International). The details knocked me to my knees in… Continue

What if you and I made this commitment – are you game? Ready? Raise your right hand and repeat:



“I will not let myself rest. I will not let my eyes sleep nor close my eyelids in slumber until I find a place to build a house for the Lord, a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel” (Ps. 132:3-6).



What a pledge, huh? If you and I committed to build a place in our heart, our life, and our home a place where we can run to when life piles on us, when tasks pour down like sleet,… Continue