Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Those Areas of Life That are Most Important

At A Pen for Your Thoughts, we not only love to share with you  the lives of new and experienced authors, and ongoing encouragement to our military and a love of country, we also like to offer occasional writing tips, and last, but hardly not least, a reflection now and then to lift those weary spirits that often overtake us.


What more could a person ask?


One of our several regular author contributors, this week, MaryAnn Diorio, who I know you'll want to get to know better, is here to offer a little encouragement to us through our summer months. (Check in the column at the right, and you'll see who MaryAnn is. If you don't yet  MaryAnn, give her a wave, and stop by to say hello, if you get a chance.)


 
WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?

By MaryAnn Diorio

Some of you may know that in addiiton to writing fiction, I am a Certified Life Coach. Recently, I held a teleclass for Christian coaches on Mark 4: 19: “ . . . but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”


Perhaps at no time in the year are we tempted to allow the cares of this life to choke out the Word than during the summer months. Traditionally times of slacking off, the summer months beckon us away from those areas of life that are most important; namely, prayer, Bible study, and building our relationship with Jesus Christ.

What can we do to resist these dangerous temptations?  Here are some suggestions:


1) Expect the temptations to come.  We usually fall into temptation because we’ve let down our guard. When you expect the enemy to try to derail you from your destiny, you will be alert to his attacks.


2) Prepare for the battle. As the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed. When you know you’re going to be in a fight, you get ready for the fight.  When you understand how Satan operates in your life, you will keep ahead of him.

3) Lean on Holy Spirit to sustain you. Jesus sent His Precious Holy Spirit to dwell in us and to lead us into all truth.  Make it a priority to cling to Holy Spirit’s side during the summer months and always.  He will alert you to temptation, and He will give you the strength to resist it.


Above all, cultivate your relationship with Jesus Christ no matter what the cost.

NOW TO YOU...WHAT ARE SOME OTHER WAYS YOU MIGHT CULTIVATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS? DROP US A LINE AND LET US KNOW.
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10 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 20, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    Thanks for this. It was a great way to start my day. You asked for other ways, I would have to say taking a few minutes to read my bible before i get going around the house and at my job.
    I hope to get to know you better through Shirley's blog, Mary.
    Betty Fimple
    California

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  2. Karen LangeJuly 20, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Wonderful advice! I think I will apply it year round. :)

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  3. Carrie TuranskyJuly 20, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Hi Shirley and MaryAnn, thanks for this good reminder. I love the summer months, with the extra time they provide to be outdoors, enjoying my gardens and nature. Time with Jesus is precious...and I really love to sit out in my backyard and enjoy some time with Him there.

    Blessings,
    Carrie

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  4. UnknownJuly 20, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    What excellent thoughts, Carrie. You are so right. Time with Jesus IS precious. And Karen, I couldn't agree with you more, that this should be something in the forefront of our minds year around. I agree with you too, Betty. I love to start my every day with my scriptures open to lift my spirits.
    We all need this kind of uplift in between all else we do. Blessings to all.
    shirley

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  5. Janice IanJuly 21, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    I cultivate my relationship with God through prayer most of all during the summer. Morning, noon, and night. Thanks for the devotional. I loved it.
    Janice

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  6. MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFAJuly 21, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    Thanks very much for your comment, Betty. I appreciate your taking the time to post.

    Blessings,
    Maryann

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  7. MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFAJuly 21, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Thank you, Karen, for your post. I always appreciate hearing from you.

    Blessings,

    Maryann

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  8. MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFAJuly 21, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    Carrie, you have alluded to the concept of relationship with Jesus. That's what Christianity is all about. When people ask, I tell them that Christianity is not a religion; it is a personal relationship with the Lord of the Universe!

    Thank you for your valued post.

    Blessings,

    Maryann

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  9. MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFAJuly 21, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    Dear Janice,

    Thank you so much for posting. How amazing that we can communicate with our Creator through prayer! You have grasped the meaning of prayer. Thank you for sharing.

    Blessings,

    Maryann

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  10. MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFAJuly 21, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    Shirley, I agree that we all need communion with Jesus. He is the focal point of all that was, is, and ever will be.

    Blessings,

    Maryann

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