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Guest Blog Post by Sharae Jenkins

Hello ladies! Today I have a guest blogger, Sharae Jenkins, sharing with you on one of the most important things that you need to know when you reclaim your power and identity so that you know you are enough: building resilience and flourishing. Building resilience and flourishing involves a holistic approach of nourishing the whole person emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically . Her article will deal with the physical, or wellness aspect, i.e., being careful of what you are putting into your bodies. I pray that you will find her post encouraging, motivating, and enlightening. Be blessed!

Sharae Jenkin’s Blog Post:

When you’re stressed out, the foods that you’re more likely to turn to are traditional ‘comfort’ foods – think large meals, take-out, fatty foods, sweet foods, and alcohol.

While turning to these foods can make you feel better temporarily, in the long run, they can make you will feel worse. When your body isn’t getting the right nutrition, you can begin to feel less energetic, more lethargic, and in some cases less able to concentrate and focus. All of this can lead to even more stress.

Foods that Fight Stress

If you’ve been feeling more stressed out than usual lately, it’s important to know which foods are best to choose and which to avoid when it comes to combating stress and helping you to deal with feelings of stress and anxiety. The best way to fight stress is to have a healthy, balanced diet which includes a moderate amount of each of the different food groups.

Filling up on foods such as whole grains, leafy vegetables, and lean proteins as the basic staples of the diet is the best way to ensure that your body gets the optimum amounts of nutrients to fight both physical and mental health problems. When it comes to choosing the foods to eat, some have a range of great properties which help the body to combat stress. Choosing these stress-busting foods will help to heal and calm your mind in the long-run rather than providing a temporary fix.

Part 1: Some of the best stress-fighting foods include:

  • Avocado – Avocados are a creamy and versatile fruit which can be eaten in a range of different ways whether you enjoy it raw, made into sauces, dressings and dips, or in a smoothie. Avocados contain higher levels of vitamin E, folate, and beta-carotene than any other fruit, which boosts their stress-busting properties
  • Blueberries – Blueberries have some of the highest levels of antioxidants, which means that this berry has been linked to a wide range of health benefits including sharper cognition, better focus, and a clearer mind – all of which can help you to better deal with stress.
  • Chamomile Tea – Drinking liquids which are high in sugars and caffeine, such as coffee, energy drinks or soda, can actually increase your stress levels if consumed regularly. Chamomile tea has long been used as a natural bedtime soother, and it has also been used in clinical trials, which determined that chamomile tea is effective in reducing the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
  • Chocolate – Dark chocolate in particular is best for you, as it contains more flavanol’s and polyphenols, two hugely important antioxidants which can help combat stress
  • Beef – Grass-fed beef has a huge range of antioxidants, including beta-carotene and Vitamin’s C and E, which can help your body to fight stress and anxiety.

Part 2: Some of the best stress-fighting foods include:

  • Oatmeal – As a complex carbohydrate, eating oatmeal causes your brain to produce higher levels of the feel-good chemical serotonin, helping you to feel calmer and less stressed.
  • Walnuts – If you’re looking for a healthy snacking option which will help you to stay better in control of your stress levels, walnuts are a great choice. There is no denying the sweet, pleasant flavor of walnuts and they can be a tasty snack for in-between meals or as part of a desert.
  • Pistachios – Studies have found that simply eating two small, snack-size portions of pistachios per day can lower vascular constriction when you are stressed, putting less pressure on your heart by further dilating your arteries. Along with this, the rhythmic, repetitive act of shelling pistachios can actually be quite therapeutic!
  • Green Leafy Vegetables – Leafy, green vegetables should be a pivotal part of anyone’s diet. Along with helping to combat stress, leafy greens are full of nutrients and antioxidants which help to fight off disease and leave your body feeling healthier and more energized. Dark leafy greens, for example spinach, are especially good for you since they are rich in folate, which helps your body to produce more mood-regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which is a ‘feel-good’ chemical.
  • Fermented foods – Last but not least, eating fermented foods such as yogurt can help to keep your gut healthy, which actually in turn will help to improve your mental health and reduce stress levels.

Putting Together Your Diet Plan

Planning your meals wisely is key to not only staying physically fit and healthy, but also to staying mentally strong and being able to best manage your levels of stress. Knowing which foods to avoid and which are the best to reach for to snack on when you’re feeling worried and anxious is important to helping you get control over your emotions and fears.

A good example of a healthy, stress-busting menu would be:

Breakfast: Oatmeal with berries or a fruit smoothie with avocado and berries

Mid-morning snack: Greek yogurt with fruit or a handful of pistachio nuts

Lunch: A whole-grain pasta salad filled with plenty of leafy greens

Afternoon snack: Dark chocolate

Dinner: Grass-fed beef with vegetables

Before bed: Chamomile tea

Of course, you don’t need to stick to this menu – but it gives you a good idea!

Remember to practice portion control when eating foods such as nuts, chocolate, yogurt or avocado! As the saying goes, you are what you eat – so make sure that first and foremost, you’re filling yourself up with foods which are good for your mental health.

P.S. Just in case you missed the exciting news, I just released my Summer Shape Up Recipe Book! 40 delicious, summer-inspired recipes to help you stay Fab + Fit this summer and beyond! Get the yummy details here!​

Yours in wellness,

Sharae Jenkins, MBA, FNS

Nutritionist + Health Coach + Blogger

Text FABFIT to (877) 660-2651 for practical wellness tips + exclusive recipes!

I help career women who struggle losing weight create effective and sustainable lifestyle changes while eating food they enjoy! Learn more about my 1:1 Health + Nutrition Coaching or my Personalized Meal Planning Service!

You can follow Sharae Jenkins on instagram at @fab_fitcoaching.

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The Sun and Its Effect on Trauma

Part 1: The Sun and Its Effect on Trauma

When we think of the sun, we automatically think of its natural ability to provide us with Vitamin D. And boy does it make a difference when it is out as opposed to when it’s not, especially when we are talking about a day like today in the Midwest where it is super windy. Have you ever stopped to think about the sun and its effect on trauma? If not, and you think you are alone, think again. I hadn’t given it that much thought until about eight years ago to be exact.

sun, emotional health, psychology, valley of grace, trauma, ptsd, emotional health, mental health, healing, from broken relatinships to resilience and flourishing
The Sun And Its Effect on Trauma-Photo by Tomas Hustoles at Burst by Shopify

After having a series of events that led to compounded trauma, I started noticing that the sun has a tremendous effect on how I am feeling once the seasons are nearing a significant change. It is so much so, that it can be disorienting. The sun itself is the main trigger, but surprisingly, what goes along with it is the manner and angle at which it is shining, etc. that makes it a trigger.

Part 2-The Sun and Its Effect on Trauma

For example, two weeks of last month was a challenge for me when the sun came out. Thankfully, I had my toolbox available and ready. As I sat at the table taking notes for my class, I observed how beautifully the sun was shining through the kitchen window. I also noticed that my body was having a reaction to it. The birds were singing their tune, and it sounded so pretty, yet something seemed off.

I knew that being still long enough would give me the answer. While listening to the teacher, I reminded myself, “This is a trauma trigger. The source of the sun causing havoc will soon be revealed.” And in no time it did. My mind went back to something that happened literally twenty-four years ago, on my birthday, when I had to rush and leave work because I thought I was having a heart attack, only to find out a few months later. Along with this revelation came the feelings along with it, as I sat there at the table.

Part 3-The Sun and Its Effect on Trauma

I allowed myself to feel the loneliness that I felt back then, allowing myself to remember it, and the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual toll that it took on my health; but then also reminding myself that it happened in the past. I could lean in, discover the origin, feel it, and then process, and move on with my day.

In the comments down below, would love to know if you have noticed how the sun and its presence triggers your trauma. If so, how were you able to get yourself back to a point of resiliency?

Thanks and be blessed y’all.

Katina

The Danger of Burnout

Black Bean Penne Pasta with Tomatoes

At Valley of Grace, we believe in thriving. In order to thrive, we have to begin grounding ourselves in our identity. The first step in making this happen, is dealing with the effects of our childhood wounds. Click here to get started in Online Therapy today.****This is an amazon affiliate link where a commission is paid to offsite the cost of providing this information to you.

Are you saying to yourself, “I’m sick and tired of being in this state of languishing!” , but you are confused about how to get out? You need someone to walk you through the process, step by step. That’s what the course Broken Pieces is all about. This course walks you through with personalized videos, getting you to the heart of the matter. ****This is an amazon affiliate link where a commission is paid to offsite the cost of providing this information to you.

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Four Inexpensive Hobbies to Try Right Now with Online Support

Introduction to Four Inexpensive Hobbies to Try Right Now with Online Support

weight, fitness, walking, jogging, wellness, health, katina horton, simple functional grace-filled living, support, online support, routine, physical health

Happy Monday all! Today, I am featuring a guest blog post from fellow blogger Gabriel Patel. He enjoys writing about health and wellness, and co-founded Health Well Wise with a group of friends who share the desire to help people live happy, healthy lives. Have a blessed rest of your Monday.

If you’re in a rut and struggling to fill your days with meaningful, enriching activities, then perhaps you need a new hobby. There are thousands of hobbies that keep millions of people engaged, so what should you choose? You may want to start with something fun, relatively cheap, and easily learned through online resources. Here are some of your best bets.

Pick Up Jogging/Running or Walking

You can gain tremendous health benefits from moving your legs at any pace, and whether you run, jog, or walk is completely up to your fitness level. However, as long as you get up and get moving, running or walking is a hobby that will be forever cheap and forever satisfying. From weight maintenance to the release of feel-good brain chemicals, strapping on some decent shoes, and pounding the pavement is a great idea.

Very few hobbies are cheaper and more convenient than this. All you need are those aforementioned shoes (decent ones to avoid injury) and nature is your playground — or more aptly put, your treadmill. When you’re ready to go, there are a whole host of free apps to help train you, log your progress, and keep you motivated, including Strava, Runkeeper, MapMyRun, and C25K!

Learn to Play the Ukulele

Few hobbies are more rewarding than playing a musical instrument, and few instruments are better for beginning adults than the ukulele. That’s because it only has four strings (as opposed to six on a standard guitar), works for people of all hand/finger sizes, and is light and portable. Plus, as TakeLessons.com notes, once you learn the ukulele, it becomes easier to pick up other, more intricate stringed instruments.

The other great thing about the ukulele: It’s relatively cheap when compared to other musical instruments (especially if you purchase one used). Still, the learning of any instrument is the important thing, so if the ukulele doesn’t sound like it’s up your alley, try something else. Free tutorials and music learning classes (both instrument-specific and theory) are abundant online. Beyond that, there are tons of free apps to supplement your instruction.

Become Multilingual

What could be more rewarding than learning to speak another language? Well, speaking it fluently or at least conversationally may be. If the definition of a good hobby is one that occupies a good amount of time, doesn’t cost a lot, is fun, and is a wellspring of possibilities, then learning a new language is a very good hobby.

Although you may remember expensive language learning software being all the rage years ago, things have shifted to a free (or at least freemium) model as of late. Duolingo is the most well-known language learning software out there (free), but many more exist; Babbel, Tandem, and Memrise are just a few. The best thing about making multilingualism a hobby is that there will always be more languages to tackle. Get good at French? Move on to Japanese! Most of these free apps and software support dozens of languages. You can also search out discounts and coupons for language lessons through sites like Groupon.

Convert your Creative Outlet into Cash Flow

Enjoying a hobby has the potential to become a career. People frequently realize that their job can be a source of enjoyment, and reward them well for their work, regardless of whether it’s a side hustle or full-time operation. In both of these cases, an important consideration is to consider the type of business you plan to establish. LLC Illinois formation is a popular option due to its flexibility, tax benefits, and smaller amount of paperwork.

While there are several steps involved such as submitting forms for an EIN, this varies by state. If you’re eager to get started, there are some options that will help you with the process, such as hiring an attorney – or utilizing a formation company, which for simpler entity types is a much more cost-effective option.

It’s much easier to stick with a hobby if that hobby doesn’t deplete your wallet. It’s also easier to make progress if that hobby is well-represented online and through free apps. Any of these hobbies fit that bill, and they all have the bonus perk of enriching you — body, mind, or spirit.

Photo by SJ Baren on Unsplash

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Episode 80: Begin to Declutter Your Mind

The Valley of Grace Podcast
The Valley of Grace Podcast
Episode 80: Begin to Declutter Your Mind
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Begin to Declutter Your Mind Introduction

begin to declutter your mind, season 5, episode 80, podcaster, podcasting, katina horton, blogger, emotional health, mental health, physical health, stress-free sleeping, insomnia, healing, pride, Elijah

When I think of clutter, I think of paper. And when I think of paper, I can’t help but think of the paper that took over the tiny closet in my first apartment when I was married. There were tons of paper built up from all the different classes that I was taking in college. And I mean tons of it. When you think about it, every piece of information that goes into our brains is just like those tons of paper that were stored in backpacks and every other kind of bag it could be stuffed into.

We have tons of papers in our brains, and we all have our own filing system for those papers. But, have you ever stopped to think about the paper that you are storing, whether it is good or bad, toxic or not, informative, etc. Today we will begin to dissect and declutter the paper in our brains and find out whether it is necessary, or if we are just on overload. Are we doing what I did at the time, stuffing and stuffing more into our brains, not paying attention to whether or not you really need to hold on to it? Or perhaps you need a better system.

Click here to catch up with the last podcast episode.

Podcast Outline

  • Introduction
  • What are we doing?
  • Where is your focus?
  • You won’t let go
  • What are you neglecting to do?

Meditation Verses

Philippians 4:8 

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.

1 Kings 19 Part 1

19 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

3 Elijah was afraid[a] and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.

The Lord Appears to Elijah

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

Have a blessed week!

Katina

***This page contains affiliate links, meaning that I would receive something back for you purchasing something through this link. Click here for your 2021 Prayer Calendar

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Episode 76: “The Time is Now” An Interview with Evangelist Bernina Davis: How Obtaining Multiple DUI’s Led to A Divine Appointment with the Creator in Jail & The Ministry of Evangelism-Part 2

The Valley of Grace Podcast
The Valley of Grace Podcast
Episode 76: "The Time is Now" An Interview with Evangelist Bernina Davis: How Obtaining Multiple DUI's Led to A Divine Appointment with the Creator in Jail & The Ministry of Evangelism-Part 2
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Just when you thought that the story was over, it isn’t. There’s much more to come. As a recap of yesterday, when I interviewed Evangelist Bernina Davis, she took us on a journey of the importance of relationships and connection, having a relationship with God, knowing God and knowing self, and along with this knowing, being able to put your revelations into practice during this pandemic. She also took us through some of her family traditions around blackness, and the importance of not blindly following our passions, but following them with purpose, drive, and intent. Lastly, Evangelist Nina began the journey of taking us through her brokenness, explaining the importance of not turning others into idols, and the things that women often do that create this type of destructive behavior. Today, we are going to continue her road of redemption and grace that God gave her as she found herself in a situation of being arrested by the police. Listen in and find out how God made this pivotal moment in her life a divine rescue from brokenness and divine calling for life.

Podcast Outline

  • Brokenness: Evangelist Bernina Davis’ Testimony Cont’d
  • Bible Verses for Meditation: Genesis 39

When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.

2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. 

The Time is Now: Joseph Part Two

5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. 6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!

Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, 7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.

8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

The Time is Now: Joseph Part Three

10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. 11 One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. 12 She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.

13 When she saw that she was holding his cloak and he had fled, 14 she called out to her servants. Soon all the men came running. “Look!” she said. “My husband has brought this Hebrew slave here to make fools of us! He came into my room to rape me, but I screamed. 15 When he heard me scream, he ran outside and got away, but he left his cloak behind with me.”

16 She kept the cloak with her until her husband came home. 17 Then she told him her story. “That Hebrew slave you’ve brought into our house tried to come in and fool around with me,” she said. 18 “But when I screamed, he ran outside, leaving his cloak with me!”

Joseph Put in Prison

19 Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. 22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

Revelation 22:13

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Psalm 18:3

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn [1] of my salvation, my stronghold.

Revelation 3:8

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Until next time!

Katina

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Episode 72: An Interview with Valetta Brinson on Teaching, Fear, Loss, Singing, Relationships, Mentoring, & Brokenness

The Valley of Grace Podcast
The Valley of Grace Podcast
Episode 72: An Interview with Valetta Brinson on Teaching, Fear, Loss, Singing, Relationships, Mentoring, & Brokenness
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We all benefit from the wisdom of a mentor/important person in our lives. Has this ever been an opportunity of yours, and if so, what made that person important? Studies have shown that for every negative influence, we need five more positive influences to counteract those effects. The bible also teaches us the importance of having older women and men take the younger generation under their wings. I have done this myself, as well as having been mentored within the last eight years, and it has truly blessed me. I have learned that the older people get, the more authentic they become when they allow God to take the lead.

Yesterday, I was graced with the opportunity to interview Valetta Brinson, An Associate Professor at Southwest Tennessee Community College, A Performing Artist, and Business Owner of Brinson Music Group. Click to listen in on her mentor/mentee experience and much more!

Valetta Brinson Podcast Outline

  • Childhood
  • Relationships
  • Music
  • Singing
  • Blackness
  • The Pandemic
  • Her Career
  • Her Advice
  • Definition of Brokenness
  • Her Brokenness
  • Advice on Dealing with Brokenness
  • Unhealed Brokenness
  • Home

Relational Bible Passages to Focus on :

Joel 2: 25-32

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming [a]locust has eaten,
The crawling locust,
The consuming locust,
And the chewing locust,
My great army which I sent among you.
26 You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the Lord your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
And My people shall never be put to shame.
27 Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:
I am the Lord your God
And there is no other.
My people shall never be put to shame.

God’s Spirit Poured Out


29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
32 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be [b]saved.
For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be [c]deliverance,
As the Lord has said,
Among the remnant whom the Lord calls.

Titus 2: 3-8

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Have a blessed week!

Katina

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Episode 70: The Poison Container

The Valley of Grace Podcast
The Valley of Grace Podcast
Episode 70: The Poison Container
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How many of you have found yourself being someone else’s poison container? How many of you have tried making someone else your poison container? I know. All this talk of poison and containers sound a little weird. Some people like to use the words punching bags. Same difference. Whether you are the victim or the perpetrator, the whole concept is one that is very unhealthy. Tune in to this week’s podcast episode to find out what happens in both situations.

Podcast Outline

  • Poison Defined
  • Container Defined
  • Poison Container Defined
  • How it works
  • Workable Solutions

Bible Verses to Ponder On:

Biblical Examples Of Laban and Jacob using Leah as their poison container of deception and past hurt

And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant. 25When morning came, there was Leah! “What have you done to me?” Jacob said to Laban. “Wasn’t it for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?”26Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older.…

Now during the wheat harvest, Reuben went out and found some mandrakes in the field. When he brought them to his mother, Rachel begged Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”15But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” “Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.”…

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Episode 62: It’s Not That Bad!

The Valley of Grace Podcast
The Valley of Grace Podcast
Episode 62: It's Not That Bad!
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Have you ever been in a conversation with someone, sharing your pain, pouring out your heart and soul, only told to be told, “It’s not that bad!” Tune in to today’s podcast episode to find out if it is “that bad”.

Podcast Outline

  • What is Comparative Suffering?
  • What is empathy?
  • Why Comparing Pain is Bad?
  • How can we do better when talking about our pain?

Background Scripture: John 21

Question for the week: What will you do the next time that you are tempted to rank your pain with someone else’s?

Challenge

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Episode 60: Listen to Your Body

The Valley of Grace Podcast
The Valley of Grace Podcast
Episode 60: Listen to Your Body
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We listen to our friends, our enemies, “our hearts”, the radio, our children, etc. How many of us listen to our bodies? Did you know that listening to your body can give you clarity into listening to the needs, longings, and desires of your soul? Take a listen to this week’s podcast to gain a bigger perspective. Just in case you missed my last podcast, you can grab that one here: Episode 59: The Gift of Margin. God bless!

Podcast Notes

HALT

  • Hungry
  • Angry
  • Lonely
  • Tired

Bible Passage Focus for Meditation:

1 Kings 19

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

3 Elijah was afraid[a] and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.

1 Kings 19
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Episode 57: Are We Expecting Too Much?

The Valley of Grace Podcast
The Valley of Grace Podcast
Episode 57: Are We Expecting Too Much?
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Do you expect too much of other people? What about yourself ? Did you know that expectations are tied into limitations? In case you missed our last episode, you can catch it here: “The Gift of Limitations”. Click down below to listen to this week’s episode to see how you fit in.

Reflection Questions:

What areas are you expecting too much of yourself?

What areas are you expecting too much of others?

What areas are others expecting too much of you?

How can you tie in limitations to your unreasonable expectations?

Bible Verses for Meditation:

The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

1 Kings 19: 15-18