Archives For Encouragement

Promotion…

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  December 1, 2017

Today would have been Moms birthday and I would have scrambled around to find lotion, facial wipes, oil of Olay bath set and face cream and maybe perfume for Mom from her grandkids present to her. Then maybe a gift card to either Old Country Buffet or Red Lobster from me. 

The kids would have baked her another round cornbread with a candle as a cake that they proudly made themselves…

Then grandma would have acted like it was the best ever and make a fuss even if she had the same lotion and perfume on her dresser still there from Mother’s Day. 

But this year it is her first promotion to her reward in heaven day because Mom loved Jesus and accepted Him in her heart. 

I pray all those she touched with her life seek to be best friends with God as she did. 

God was #1 and she let me know clearly because I was never allowed to skip church or Sunday school without significant discomfort that week…

Here is her favorite verse she would recite in the car to my kids:

Psalm 121

“I will life up mine eyes unto the hills, 

From whence cometh my help. 

My help cometh from the Lord

Which made heaven and earth.”
God Bless You Grandma Dottie

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Thanks…

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  November 22, 2017


Lord we give You thanks…

To be quite honest it’s not always easy to serve You  Lord but definitely worth every minute. 

Life is not always fun. In fact this year has been brutal and beyond words. At the same time it has been phenomenal professionally. 

But You are thrilling Lord and You flood hearts with Your Delicious Presence which brings us:

Peace that makes no sense at times

A smile when we connect with Your heart 

An idea 

A solution to a parenting or work problem

New resolve 

Courage

Unbounded, unconditional love 

Relief

A fresh perspective 

Grace, grace and more grace

Life

Humility when needed

Exhilarating Joy 

Safety in close calls

Heavenly help

Gratitude when we realize how much we are blessed 

Hope for the future no matter what it looks like

Chuckles, even at my moms funeral when the kids said “9 kids!!!” 

Favor

Resilience.  How are we still standing Lord? 

Freedom 

Ability to see others as God says and not their current state. 

Re-Grounding and soundness of mind

Happiness 

Countless other blessings. 

God we thank you for Jesus who is our advocate and savior. We Love You Lord. 

Happy Thanksgiving to God. 

–Heloise

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Fire

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  July 27, 2017


Thank you for every kind word and prayers…

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Teach Children 

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  June 26, 2017

In this cute dance recital picture I see not only my daughter and her buddy but potential. 

This verse popped out to me because it suggests something profound to me….

Blessed are we when read the Word of God to our children then blessed are they if they hear it. Moreover, they will be stellar if they take the lessons “to heart” and choose to live them. That would be phenomenal. 

Prayer:

“We thank you for Your promises of blessings Lord. So cool! 

Lord it is not in our strength that we can read your Word regularly to our children. 

Please help us Jesus to prioritize and have strength to follow through as we juggle our family responsibilities. 

You know our hearts Lord and give mercy. 

 You are truly our priority and source of all life. 

We praise Your Mighty Name Lord in Jesus Name. 

We love you God.”

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N = Renewing the Mind = Neuroplasticity

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  March 17, 2017
New Hope Foot

N = New Mind Renewal = Neuroplasticity

 N = New Mind Renewal = Neuroplasticity

Yes, Yes, Yes… I know I may seem to be oversimplifying a huge scientific concept with basic ideas but I believe it works.

In my opinion, science is starting to get a glimpse of what the Bible taught us many years ago. I found a whole page of renewing verses but here are the best if you ask me:

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Romans 12:2 ESV 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Science Catching On with the Bible

Over 20 years ago, the world of neuroscience provided significant breakthroughs to support our understanding… we now understand that we have the ability to renew our brains. Scientists like Daniel Amen and others have used brain scans to illustrate how what we do on a daily basis can change our minds. Other thought leaders like Dr. Caroline Leaf and Dr. Curt Thompson are digesting these truths to reintegrating science and the Bible as it started historically.

Since brain / mind renewal is a lifetime process that comes up often… I want to share a few resources I like to use to help me cope with the daily stressors of life if you have others please add them to the conversation in the comment section:

  1. The Bible.
    • While it’s all good I tend to “hang” in Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, the Gospels, Ephesians or James.
    • If I am sad or disgusted = Psalms. David was a man after God’s heart. They were close and when David had problems he transparently beefed with God and did not hold back. Yet he honored God in the process even though he screwed up often.
  2. YOUVERSION or http://Bible.com
  3. Journal on paper or on phone with  http://Evernote
  4. Podcasts:
  5. Audible & Free Hoopla Audiobooks through local library (when the kid’s book fines have not blocked my account =)
  6. Listen to iTunes U to learn topics of interest

You may have noticed most of these resources are for “on the run” rebooting of the mind. Sitting still is not always an option =)

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