We R S.H.E.Talks

Although we are not talking about the weather, we know that storms have three stages: a start, a duration, and an end. This is also true about the storms of life. In other words, everyone falls into one of the three stages mentioned above. But what part does faith play in the whole scheme of things?   Stressed and WorriedPhoto by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash   What is faith and why is it important?  Believe it or not faith impacts every area of our lives in varying degrees. Moreover, according to Dictionary.com faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing. Now, when we look at faith from that perspective it is easy to see that we use faith every day.   Next, let's look at the definition of faith according to Hebrews 11:1-2 The Amplified Version;  1 Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. 2 For by this [kind of] faith the men of old gained [divine] approval.  As you can see, from a biblical perspective, faith takes what Jesus made available at the cross.  Jesus in the boat  Matthew 8:24-27 Amplified Bible (AMP)  24 And suddenly a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping. 25 And the disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us, we are going to die!”  26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was [at once] a great and wonderful calm [a perfect peacefulness]. 27 The men wondered in amazement, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”  So, if life has you in the midst of a storm this podcast episode is for you. Join Lady V and me as we discuss the different storms of life and how to come out on the other side victoriously.   Previous episodes you may enjoy  Wisdom — A God-listening Heart – S1E5  Mental Health: Cyber Bullying, Depression, and Suicide - S1E6  Mental Health Awareness – S1E7  Living Through a Diagnosis-S1E8  Christianity Misunderstood--Understanding Grace - S1E9  Ask your questions or share your feedback  Comment on the show notes  Email feedback Follow and like us on Social Media Take our quick Audience Survey  Check out these links  spreadinghopeeverywheretalks.com  Weekly Devotionals by Lady V  Get Merch with Positive Messaging  Classic Crewneck Sweatshirt with the I'M SO GLAD JESUS IS IN MY BOAT design from We R S.H.E.Talks. Get it now Credits  Music by Joakim Karud 

Lady V’s Weekly Devotional  They all got into a boat and began to cross over to the other side of the lake. And Jesus, exhausted, fell asleep. Suddenly a violent storm developed, with waves so high the boat was about to be swamped. Yet Jesus continued to sleep soundly. The disciples woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We’re going to die!” But Jesus reprimanded them, “Why are you gripped with fear? Where is your faith?” Then he stood up and rebuked the storm and said, “Be still!” And instantly it became perfectly calm. The disciples were astonished by this miracle and said to one another, “Who is this Man? Even the wind and waves obey his Word.”  Matthew 8:23-27 TPT  Devotional  Are you having the recurring forecast of storms in your life? Are you facing some giant waves and wondering if you’re about to get wiped out? Life can change in an instant. You’re riding easy one moment, and faced with a tsunami the next. You may start to wonder, “When will brighter days come and STAY?”  Much like the disciples, in Matthew 8:23-27, they must have assumed that storms wouldn’t come as long as they had Jesus in their boat. But that’s not so! Storms still come in life even when you’re walking with Jesus.   So, how do we handle the storms of life—in fear?  Do we handle it with an uncertainty of where our faith meter ranks? Consequently, the disciples had common thoughts of fear and little faith in the midst of an uncertain situation.   However, there was wisdom to gain in that storm. Jesus pointed out that the disciples needed to remember: first, do not give in to fear, and second, stand in FAITH. We must look through a constant lens of the Lord being with us in every situation we encounter.  Nothing is a surprise to God!  He is already aware of the intensity of the storm that’s going on around you. Hence, Jesus isn’t moved by the storms we face, and neither should we.    Sometimes we need reminding that the LORD is with us to resuscitate our faith. And, the reason we need faith during the storm is because we must believe that Jesus is greater.   The Word can calm the storm simply because when God speaks—something ALWAYS happens.  Jeremiah 1:12 (AMPC) says, “…for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.”   Therefore, our faith in Jesus should be so solid, that when the boat starts to overflow with water, and the waves intensify, we should instantly trust God. Our thought should be, “Jesus is in my boat, so I will trust Him in this.” Most assuredly, God is always faithful and HE cannot fail. So rest in HIM!  Beloved, if Jesus can rest during a storm—we should take the hint.  Rest with all certainty that you are not alone in this. Nothing is too big for God! And, Jesus is ENOUGH!  Furthermore, always remember that ALL things are working for your good! That’s a promise from God, which you can count on! Have faith in God!  We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.  Romans 8:28 (AMPC)  JESUS IS LORD!!!  Grace and Peace to You,  -Lady V  More devotionals you may like  Set Free for a New Start   JESUS is the Faithful Love  Rest in the Secret Place of GOD  Credits Intro & Outro Music by Joakim Karud  Devotional Background Music by Bensound Check out these links  spreadinghopeeverywheretalks.com  Get Merch with Positive Messaging  Classic Crewneck Sweatshirt with the I'M SO GLAD JESUS IS IN MY BOAT design from We R S.H.E.Talks. get it now

Take time to enjoy the holiday season. Photo 1 is by Christopher Ryan and photo 2 is by Aaron Burden on Unsplash. It is that time again--the holiday season has begun. And for many of us, it is a joyous time to behold. For the most part, people look forward to spending the holiday season with family and friends. Of course, others are happy for the long-awaited vacation time from work or school.  Reflection and thanksgiving  The holiday season is the perfect time to reflect on the many blessings you received this year.Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash Some Christians approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season with reflection. Lady V and I reflect on the goodness of God in our lives. Our family has a spirit of thanksgiving because we have overcome some difficult times. Thus, we are grateful to God that He is the one that has seen us through time and time again. He has remained faithful. Praise God! So, we hope reflection is a part of your holiday season too. You see, no matter your culture or religion everyone has something to be grateful for.  Celebrate the memory of a loved one  Also, during this holiday season let's keep in mind that for some people it may bring sadness because of a loss of some kind. We know that because of the cycle of life people are born, people live and sadly people die. For those families who are grieving the loss of a loved one, the holiday season can be especially hard.  And so, for those that like our family who've had a loss this year, we hope you will consider reflecting on the good times. Celebrate the person's life--honor him/her. Think of the last laugh you shared, wisdom imparted to you, a warm hug or a sneaky smile.  The holiday season is so much better with family and friends. Photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash In other words, celebrate the good memories instead of remaining in a mournful state. Surround yourself with family and friends who also loved that person. Know that your time with that person was a meaningful time because life is precious and no day, no time, no moment is purposeless when it comes to God. In fact, to God every moment of every hour is purposeful.  A new year and a new season  A new year is coming and hence a new season of We R S.H.E.Talks Podcast. So, Lady V and I are taking time out to prepare for Season 2 because it is our goal to spread hope everywhere. Thus, we will have more inspiring episodes in the upcoming year. Also, we appreciate everyone who takes the time to listen to us and/or read our blog and weekly devotionals. We hope that we have been a blessing to you. And we are believing God that He will give us further knowledge to inspire and pour into you in the new year.  So, we bless you, we pray for you that all things go well for you. That the year not only ends well, but the new year begins well. Moreover, we pray the blessings of God upon you and we pray blessings upon your family. So, however you celebrate the holiday season, we pray that you'll know Jesus as we do. And that God reminds you that He loves you and that your life and your family matters to Him. Likewise, be encouraged in knowing that His love knows no limits. Hence, because He loves He expects us to show love to others. John 15:17 New International Version (NIV), “This is my command: Love each other.”  #TheSpreadHopeChallenge  We challenge you this holiday season to let family and friends know that they matter to you. More specifically, don't assume that they know. Because sometimes we tend to take for granted that, the people we love just know. Sometimes a person doesn't know you care if they don't hear from you. You see, he/she can feel alone or they can assume that you don't care.  So again, The Spread Hope Challenge is to let family and friends know that they matter and that you care. You know, if you don't like to talk on the telephone, send them a quick text message, a cute little emoji or Gif.

Why is Christianity misunderstood?  Well, Christianity is misunderstood because some Christians do not understand Grace. You see, grace and truth come by Jesus Christ. He showed love to everyone He met. Unfortunately, there are Christians who don't represent Him well. Thus, causing others to not want anything to do with Him.  So then, some people give Christians a bad rap. They stereotype all Christians as angry, judgmental, hypocrites. And that's not true for so many of us. I say us; because Lady V and I are Christians too. And we have experienced those reactions first-hand.  Trust me, we get it because there are Christians who present themselves as perfect. And that is far from the truth of the matter. Jesus is the only perfect person to ever walk the earth. Believe it or not, we all needed a savior; that's why Jesus came, died, and rose from the grave.  The Mosaic Law [Old Covenant]  So why do Christians get such a bad rap? To begin with, there are three types of Christian churches. First, there are traditional churches that operate under the Mosaic Law. But the misconception is that the Law of Moses was only the 10 commandments.  In fact, God gave Moses 613 commandments for the children of Israel to follow. The 10 commandments written on stone plus another 603 written on scrolls and tablets. That people--was the Old Covenant. The traditional church often teaches that people are to live by the 10 commandments.  Also, the members must also follow the rules and regulations of the denomination. For example, one can't go to the movies, watch TV, play sports, eat certain foods, or go on dates. In many traditional churches, there is a hierarchy and women are at the bottom. Sadly, their opinions are often not respected or heard. And there are also strict rules for females. Such as, females are to wear a head-covering [hat or scarf]. They also must wear dresses and the dresses must be a specified length to the floor.  Now if one doesn't follow those rules and regulations some congregants look down upon him/her. In the same vein, there are those who judge people who live in any way other than by the 10 commandments. Trust me that is not New Covenant behavior.  Also, the tradition of no-wearing pants in a church becomes ingrained in some young women. Hence, even if one wears pants everywhere else--she won't set foot on the grounds or inside of a church. Because she is so scared, she's going to offend God.  Lady V and I agree; that line of thinking makes no sense. The fact of the matter is--the whole earth belongs to God. So, if wearing pants is going to offend God, one might as well get off the earth. And even then, you still aren't away from God because He created the universe.   Think about it, where are you going to go that wouldn't offend Him. But, let me reassure you, pants on a female don't offend God--in church or anywhere else. And God doesn’t look down upon women. The Word of God verifies this thought,  Galatians 3:28 The Passion Translation (TPT), And we no longer see each other in our former state—Jew or non-Jew, rich or poor, male or female—because we’re all one through our union with Jesus Christ with no distinction between us.  Grace and Truth by Jesus Christ [New Covenant]   Well then, what is the New Covenant. It is the grace and truth that comes through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 King James Version (KJV), "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." I also love how The Passion Translation puts it. John 1:17 (TPT), Moses gave us the Law, but Jesus, the Anointed One, unveils truth wrapped in tender mercy.  Since we are talking about grace, let's get some clarity. The Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms lists three types of grace. According to writers Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling they are as follows:  Common Grace: God's extension of favor to all people through divine care intervention.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six in ten Americans live with at least one chronic disease. So, when is a disease considered a chronic condition? Well, the CDC defines chronic disease as a condition that lasts one year or longer. Thus, causing a need for ongoing medical attention. And also limiting one’s daily activities or both.  In fact, the main causes of disability and death in America are diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. They are also the leading drivers of the nation’s health care costs which is an estimated 3.3 trillion dollars.   Healthy choices help in the fight against chronic disease. Now, the CDC reports that the above-mentioned chronic diseases are caused by poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoke, excessive use of alcohol and/or all the above. For some people, changing the preceding behaviors could help ease those chronic diseases. Now, on the other hand, there are chronic conditions that do not yet have a cure. Such as,  Kidney Disease Alzheimer Disease (AD) and Dementia Epilepsy Asthma HIV/AIDS Arthritis Crohn’s Disease Parkinson Disease Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Mood Disorder (Bipolar, Cyclothymic, and Depression) Muscular Dystrophy (MD)  Some of the above-mentioned conditions you may very well recognize. Whereas, there are others you may not be as familiar with. Still, there are people who suffer daily with one or more chronic sicknesses.  How people deal with chronic disease  This week we have our resident counselor, Ms. Melinda Fields sitting in with us. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Human Services and Counseling. She shares some clinical insights. As well as little bit of her own personal journey of living through a diagnosis.  Melinda shares how chronic disease can often take its toll on a person’s emotions. Such as when one is first diagnosed with a chronic or terminal disease. She says most people go through some type of grief process. For one thing, when looking from the traditional science side of chronic diagnoses, both Western and Eastern medicines only manage the disease. So, when looking at it from a scientific viewpoint, it is in rare cases that an incurable disease is cured. For that reason alone, some people have mixed emotions.  The five stages of grief  Since grief is very common, Melinda shares that there are five stages of grief. Therefore, according to the Kübler-Ross Method, when a person experiences a loss of sorts, he/she will experience one or more of the grief stages. Because the impact of chronic illness is very much like a loss depending upon the disease.  In other words, some people have difficulty with daily activities due to constant pain, severe fatigue and loss of functionality in different areas of their bodies. In the article, Grief in chronic illness: assessment and management, the normal response to losing physical functions is grief. Naturally, a physical restriction is heart-breaking for someone who is very active. Hence, the start of the grief process. First is denial, one doesn’t want to admit that there's an issue. Second is anger, the person then gets mad with everybody. For instance, he/she may ponder the following questions, ‘What am I doing wrong?’ ‘Do I need to go to a specialist?’ ‘What specialist do I need to see?’ ‘Do I need to pray?’ ‘Do I need to pray more?’ and ‘Do I need to have more faith?’   Some people get angry with God wanting to know where He is and why He let it happen. Depending on the state of mind of the person, some people who believe in God, turn away from Him. Whereas others turn to God for the first time because they feel like they’ve tried everything else.  The third is bargaining or negotiating with God. For example, some make promises to do good from now on.

Mental Health—no longer a taboo subject  For many years mental health was considered a taboo subject. Even though, in 1949 the month of May was designated Mental Health Month by Mental Health America. Also, October 10th, 1992, was chosen as World Mental Health Day to bring awareness to mental health issues around the world. Indeed, mental health awareness is at the forefront now more than before.  In fact, we have been witnessing the result of untreated mental illness in the headlines. And sadly, it has been the cause of horrific loss of life through shootings in schools, churches, workplaces, malls, theaters, and nightclubs.   Who does mental illness affect?   Believe it or not, most people have had moments of not feeling mentally healthy. For example, that moment when you felt like you were about to lose your mind. Yep, that moment right there--the moment or moments that just popped into your mind. Now when we break down some of the different mental health problems, we will better understand why mental health awareness is so important.  According to mentalhealth.gov, there are several different types of mental health issues that can affect a person’s thinking. And therefore, affecting one’s mood, and behavior. Such as the following disorders: Anxiety - a fear or dread response to situations or objects. This can include phobias, panic, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Behavioral – a pattern of disruptive behaviors that last for at least six months in young people. It causes problems at home, in school, and in other social situations. Behaviors such as Oppositional-Defiant Disorder (ODD), Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), and Conduct Disorder. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – repeating upsetting thoughts [obsessing] and doing the same actions repeatedly [compulsions] to appease those thoughts. Personality – distressing personality traits that cause problems for the person. It can happen in school, at work, and or in social relationships. This can include borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder. Eating - extreme emotions and behaviors concerning one’s weight and eating habits. The behaviors can include binge eating, bulimia, and anorexia. Mood – persistent feelings of extreme sadness, extreme happiness, or shifting between the two. This can include depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), self-harm, and bipolar disorder. Trauma and Stress-Related – can occur after experiencing or seeing a traumatic event. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) makes a person stressed out and, in many cases, afraid long after the danger has passed. Psychotic Disorders – this can include delusions and hallucinations. An example is someone with schizophrenia.  When looking at the above disorders, mental health problems are more common than people realize. Actually, one in five American adults has experienced a mental health issue (Mental Health Myths and Facts).   Our thoughts are directly linked to how we view life  On the Mental Health: Cyber Bullying, Depression, and Suicide episode, Lady V and I discussed how our thoughts are directly linked to how we view life. We also discussed the connection between cyberbullying, depression, and suicide with our special guest and resident millennial Alexis. She shared how she has witnessed people cyberbullying others on social media because of their opinions or artistic expression.  This week our special guest and resident counselor Melinda Fields, who has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Human Services and Counseling, shares some clinical insights on mental health awareness.   Warning signs of mental health issues  First, Ms. Melinda explained the difference between someone who gets sad and someone who is suffering from major depression [clinical depression]. She says everyone gets sad from time to time. So, if you’re just sad for just a few days, that's fine.

What are people thinking?  The frequency of suicide and murder-suicides have been in the headlines now more than ever. For that reason, it makes you pose the question, ‘What are people thinking?’ Let's keep in mind, our thoughts are important to our everyday living. Whatever we meditate on, most often affects our movement through life. In other words, we shouldn’t allow negative thinking to take over our lives. Because continual negative thoughts can lead to negative behaviors.  So, Lady V and I felt the need to address mental health awareness. We want to be a part of helping others that need someone to say, ‘I see you,’ ‘You matter to me,’ and ‘I want to help.’ Hence, we are discussing depression.  Our thoughts affect our lives  You see, our thoughts tie into how we view ourselves and our lives. Put it this way, our thoughts are directly linked to how we do life itself. Also, they influence our actions and how we treat others. Now, the Word of God makes it plain about transforming our minds and thinking or meditating on the right things. Moreover, right-thinking produces peace and the right actions.  On the other hand, wrong thinking can lead to some tragic outcomes. And sadly, we've seen some of those tragic outcomes in the headlines. Such as celebrity suicides and shootings in schools, churches, workplaces, and nightclubs.  Untreated clinical depression is a thief  Negative thoughts steal peace from many families. And for some families, negative thinking also steals lives.  In John 10:10 Jesus says,  “A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow!”   Now, Jesus wants us to have peace and to enjoy our lives well lived. Again, wrong thoughts can hinder the process and steal the lives of many.  A biblical example of how the thief can steal your thought life is in Genesis chapter 3. Most people have heard of the story of Adam and Eve. Well since the beginning of time the thief has been infiltrating man’s thought life. You might ask; ‘In what way?’ Look at it like this; when a person is convinced by others that he or she is ‘not enough’—that can lead to low self-worth. Now, when a person yearns to be excepted, he or she may find themselves doing something they shouldn’t.  Know who you are and whose you are   Ok, back to Genesis chapter 3. In the biblical account, Eve was speaking to the serpent in the Garden of Eden. She's listening to the serpent who is the thief and he plants these negative thoughts in her mind. And this confused her and it ultimately made her doubt God's words to her and Adam.  So, you might say, ‘What does that have to do with us today?’ Again, negative thoughts, planted in Eve's mind were seeds of doubt. They were seeds of lack and mistrust. And these negative thoughts stole something from her. The thoughts made her question her identity, her value, and most importantly, God's word. Keep in mind, with the thief, there's always something missing.  Likewise, today some of the same negative thoughts are plaguing the minds of people. Therefore causing, utter destruction and wreaking havoc on their lives and the lives of others. Lady V and I believe that Jesus wants every life to matter and for everyone to achieve greatness. And that's why we felt the need to shine a light on one’s thought life and mental health awareness.  What is cyberbullying?   According to stopbullying.gov cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices. For instance, it can take place on cellphones through text messages, and apps. It also happens online in forums, on social media, or through shared content a person views or participates in such as gaming.  Cyberbullies hide behind their devices.Photo 1 by Sergey Zolkin on UnsplashPhoto 2 by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash In other words,