Tag: protection

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Protecting My Peace

The Manna Chef

You may have heard a Sister say that she is “protecting her peace.”  That comment usually follows some drastic measure that she has taken.  Or maybe it’s a phrase she uses to help her set boundaries (which is necessary in our everyday lives).  “Protecting my peace” is also a popular phrase used in therapy.  But today, Sisters, I want to give you another way to view peace.  Peace is not a weakness or vulnerability that requires your protection.  You don’t need to protect peace.  Peace is protection.  You need to pursue peace.  You should seek peace to help you establish healthy boundaries.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

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Lessons from the Fall

The Manna Chef

For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity. (Proverbs 24:16 NKJV)

Sisters, I want to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, even if it means you fall.  That may sound a little weird, but I want you to step out and allow yourself to experience something beyond what you could have ever imagined.  Step out of the familiar.  Go ahead, Sisters, take that leap!

I recently joined a pretty exclusive club:  those who have fallen off a horse!  Yes, Sisters, I fell, and it was glorious!!  It was one of the best rides I’ve ever been on!  And before I go any further, let me say this right now:  find something that you LOVE and commit to doing it this month, whatever it is that brings you joy and peace. 

Horseback riding is something that I’ve come to love.  It’s a private moment with me and God as He allows me to bond with one of His most beautiful creatures.  Riding has become like therapy for me—I can get away from it all and fully immerse myself in nature.  So, I try to go pretty regularly.

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Unafraid

The Manna Chef

Recently, I was telling a dear friend about my Florida vacation with my husband last year.  There were many highlights, but one really stood out as I was recalling the events of our trip.  Honestly, I didn’t even realize how profound it was until she responded with amazement.

I had decided that what I really desired was to see was an alligator in the wild (which I did)!  My husband and I went on an airboat adventure, a first for us both, and what I witnessed left me in awe.  As we enjoyed the breeze and talked among the other guests, we noticed cows grazing on grass that was growing up from the marsh.  Cows right there in the water—the same marsh where alligators were swimming?!  I’d never seen cows in the water like that, and I was fascinated that they didn’t seem the least bit phased by the predators lurking around. 

As tourists do, we began to take pictures and flooded our captain with all kinds of questions.  He explained, “Oh, the cows aren’t afraid of the alligators because those cows are huge.  They don’t see the alligators of too much of a threat.  It would take so many alligators to harm even one of them, and the alligators don’t even approach the cows.  The cows just keep their young from coming out too far into the water.”  Mind. Blown!  I mean, think about it.  How could anything not be afraid of an alligator?

Well, the captain told us:

  1. The cows knew how big and strong they were.
  2. They knew the behavior of the alligators.
  3. The cows stayed in groups and shielded their young.

That got me thinking, of course.  Sisters, do we really know who we are (and Who we serve)?  Have we equipped ourselves with the Word of God so that we know how to prepare ourselves for any attack the enemy may try to bring? 

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