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God’s Grace Is On The Way, Free eBook

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grandma

Growing up my grandmother used to say, “you have the grace of God with you.” For the longest time I did not know what this meant. As I have got older and wiser I realize that she meant I had a faith filled view of life. I always talked with optimism, and believed that all would work out.

Personally, I never looked at this as a gift, thinking everyone was the same, but dealing with people I quickly became aware that a faith filled view was a very rare quality.

An outlook of faith can change so much, you notice simple little things that connect you to nature. The feeling you get when you walk outside on a cold January day all wrapped up and are thankful for the coat that is on your back. You feel Gods power as you look out at the rising sun.

Just for that moment all stresses worries fade away because you feel His creative force flowing through you and in the world.

There is not a passing day goes by that I am not grateful for this connection to God, but I also believe this connection can be felt by everyone. There is great power to be gained from connecting with nature, and in the reading of faith filled words. Both of them make us realize that there is a power in this world much greater than ourselves.

To often we can let worry and doubt dominate our thought life; we become disconnected from God. The feeling comes over us that we must do everything on our own strength.

This is a lonely place to be, your faith can weaken, your defenses can break down leading to illness and pain.

Each day you must spend time focused on God, focused on faith, focused on gratitude. Take a walk into nature and you will feel Gods power and grace all around you. But you must be present

You invest hours at work, on the internet, watching your favorite dramas. So, its about time you started to invest time in you. If you are waiting for others to motivate or inspire you; you will be waiting a long time. People are to busy dealing with there own lives.

My new book, God’s Grace Is On The Way, is a reminder that there is good in your future. No matter how your life is now, brighter days lie ahead. It’s a faith builder that will help you connect with your inner desires and dreams.

I believe 2018 will be a great year for you, its time you believed that too.

Download the book today for free by clicking on the image below, all I ask for in return is an honest review. Promotion ends 29th of January.

Thank you.

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6 Steps How to Stop Worrying

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You’ve attended the interview it seemed to go well, but you’re waiting with worry to hear back from them. You had an extra slice of cake with your afternoon tea and you’re worried if it was one too many for the waistline you’re watching.

Or maybe you’re about to go have a nice evening out with your friends and you’re worried whether it will rain. The common denominator in all these things is that you’re worrying about things you can’t change – so stop worrying!

You’ve already attended the interview so you’ve done what you can to get the job. You’ve already eaten the cake so there’s no point beating yourself up for it when it’s already in the tummy. And the weather is uncontrollable so worrying about isn’t going to change it.

How often do you worry about things you can’t change?

Probably a few times a day – if not more. This creates unnecessary additional stress for both your body and mind, and also prevents the joy and enjoyment you can experience today.

Matthew 6:25-26
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

 

So it’s time you learned to stop worrying. Let’s start by looking at what research has said about worrying in general:

  • About 85% of the things we worry about never happen.
  • If what we worry about does happen, 80% of us said we handled the outcome better than we thought we would.
  • People who let go of worries instead of stressing over them are much healthier than those who don’t.

So how do you let go of this worrying that sometimes drives you crazy – especially when you’re worrying about things you have no control over?

Try the six strategies below to stop worrying once and for all – there’ll be a time and a place for each of them.

call a friend

Number One – Call a friend to talk about your worry.

Talking about your worry will help you get your head straight about whether your worry is realistic, worth worrying about, and something you can actually do anything about.

It will help you understand that there’s no point worrying about it if the outcome is out of your hands. Talking will offload some of the weight you carry around.

prayering-image

Number Two – Time with God.

Learning to take time each with God. Being aware of His presence through prayer and stillness will help you keep your mind focused on what you’re doing now rather than worrying about things you can’t change.

Even 10 minutes of sitting down just focusing on your breathing, has been shown to reduce everyday stress.

Number Three – Accept uncertainty & learn to thrive in it.

The beauty of life is in how unpredictable it is – you never quite know what’s around the corner! Learn to embrace this uncertainty and thrive in it. Who knows, it could even bring some exciting new opportunities you never even thought about. Put your heart and soul into the things you care about, and work hard on achieving your dreams. That’s all you can do. The rest is up to God.

distract3

Number Four – Distract yourself with another activity.

Really can’t seem to get it out of your head? Go do something completely unrelated and different that forces you to focus on something else. This is most effective if you choose an activity that you get fully immersed in, such as practicing your hobby or reading an exceptional book.

For example, I’m able to escape the world when I take my dog for a walk in the forest – just spending time with him takes my mind away from other things.

exerise

Number Five – Exercise!

Doing some kind of exercise you enjoy will give you a break from your worries whilst reducing the levels of your stress hormones, stimulating the production of feel-good brain chemicals, and improving your self-image.

If you’re struggling to get your mind to be quiet during exercise, put some music on in your headphones or push yourself even harder. When you challenge your body you will need to focus so you won’t be able to worry about anything else other than the exercise itself.

writing

Number Six – Have a designated worry time and worry notebook.

If you really want to take control of those worries and you’re finding that the above strategies don’t work, allow yourself to worry for a certain time period every day.

Spend time writing about all your worries in that notebook, and accept that when the time is up, the worrying has to stop. That way you will get them out of your head and onto paper, which research has shown is very effective in clearing your mind.

If you’re at least able to stop worrying about things you can’t change, you will be able to reduce your stress levels and boost your positive emotions. For the things you can change, do something about them, fight your worry with action!

For the things you can’t change, have a play with these six strategies and see how you get on with letting go of your worries!

Enjoy your weekend.

Rev J Martin

On With The New in 2018

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Due to a very eventful four to six weeks I have not been doing my usual updates. I had some family problems that needed my care and attention. All is much better now, its so easy to get caught up in negativity. Time to move on.

Put_On_The_New_Self

Ephesians 4:22-24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

We all know deep down the areas that we must change, maybe you are quick to anger, resulting in broken friendships and relationships, or maybe you lack faith and sit back thinking things will remain the same.

Whatever it maybe 2018 is the time for new growth.

Change doesn’t have to be something that flips your life upside down. Small changes work best. For example you want to lose weight, which seems to be an example we can all relate to…lol

Most people give up after a few days. Why?

Because they do to much to soon. Start small. Walk around the garden or walk the children to school. Walk to the corner shop or to a neighbors instead of using the car. These small changes may not seem like much at first but over a couple of weeks you will notice the difference.

Or maybe you want to have more faith. Instead of thinking you must spend hours in prayer. Start by saying a few prayers, while waiting in traffic, on the train, or in line at the department store. It may seem small but moments of prayer create peace, and the more you feel peace the calmer you become.

So in stressful situation where in the past you would worry or doubt you will find that you have a peace within to help you calm that storm.

I would like to wish you, your family and friends, health, success and happiness in 2018 and beyond. Remember that small things lead to big results.

Have an amazing weekend.
Rev J Martin

Free ebook —You can transform your life — Learn the true power of prayer

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When writing a book on prayer I wanted to address all people. Those that pray often and those that want to but don’t seem to have the time, due to work, social, or family commitments.

Prayer is an area that is very important to me, but there was a point in my life that I looked at it like a chore. Mainly because after a busy day the last thing that I wanted to do was pray.

I was worried, I doubted my abilities, and was stressed from the day.

gif businessAs I have become more mature my view on prayer has changed. Prayer has many different forms, all of which are powerful but we must never lose the sight of the fact that we are in constant communication with God.

Recently, I was talking to a young lady who was only out of University and was finding it hard to get work; she wanted to be a journalist, but when I told her about an opportunity that had just become available for a national newspaper, she replied, “I can’t-do that. That would be too much for me.”

As the conversation continued, I offered her another option for her to consider, to which she remarked, “That’s impossible. No journalist has taken that route.”

I started noticing a pattern throughout our conversation: Her perspectives about everything — her career and choices— were coming from scarcity. She felt her options were always limited and there would never be enough.

“So what do you want to do? What do you believe is possible?” I finally asked.

She had great difficulty responding. This young lady had been focusing so long on what she didn’t want; she wasn’t able to work out what she did want. Her faith in herself was faltering. And everything she was experiencing was taking her further off course.

If you let thoughts like, I cant, I will never, I’m not good enough float through your mind; these simple prayers can shape the rest of your life. You stop growing, you stop stretching and only go for what you think you are capable off.

This young lady had let these negative thoughts get a foothold, she started to believe that she wasn’t good enough. What was possible for her got smaller and smaller until the point her faith in her abilities almost vanished.

We all can relate to this girl in some way, we don’t go for the new job because we don’t feel good enough. We don’t do that night class because we think were to old and everyone will make fun of us, so we don’t fulfill our dreams because we settle for second best.

gif second place

Second best is not what we where sent here to achieve. God wants the best for us. We need to stop talking negative, we need to stop letting fear direct our lives, we need centre our mind on faith.

In my new book, You Can Transform Your Life, I will share my personal view of prayer to help you get the most out of your life, so that you can fulfill your dreams.

Book on free promotion until Sunday on Amazon. Click image below. Feedback would be very welcome. Thanks.

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How I Overcome my Fears and Left The Comfort Zone Behind

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When you fear— what do you do?

You paint pictures in your mind, sometimes very vivid ones, about how your not smart enough, talented enough or attractive enough.

What are you really doing —You’re telling yourself stories.

You are the main character and fear likes to take you down a dark road, where there is no moon, or lights up ahead. The further you go— the darker it gets. Each step you take is less and less certain— so you slow down, until you stop, retreating back the way you came.

walking down a dark roadIt sure is dark down here…

Then we try to justify our decision with the fact that we didn’t really need the new job, didn’t really need to do the course, or attend the seminar.

I’m happy enough where I am anyway. And where is that?

The comfort zone.

Childhood Fears

Remember when you were a child the stories that you would tell your self. I don’t know if you had the same fear as me but I was afraid of the dark.

Looking back, was it really the dark though?

Not really.

It was the fact that in my imagination it was not an empty room. As children our minds are open, so every monster, vampire or werewolf we have ever seen or read about could possible be in that darkness.

turn_off_the_light_What’s that sound?

I remember turning on the light, reassuring myself that all was ok. Checking all the wardrobes and underneath the bed.

When the light went out again the fear did subside only to return. What was I really doing?

I was telling myself a story, replaying a film or something that I heard or read. I was just told I had a very vivid imagination, and I would grow out of it.

We may grow up but that child remains, we simply tell ourselves a different set of stories, the vampires and the werewolf’s are replaced with, the story, I’m not good enough.

Fears A Good Thing

If you haven’t felt fear in a long time you may think that is a good thing— but its not. Why you may ask?

Because it means that you are living in a comfort zone. The comfort zone is not a happy place, but it’s comfortable.

People work jobs they hate, why?  Because its comfortable.

People stay in relationships they are not happy in, why? Because it is comfortable.

Rather than step out and do their own thing, most people just have a look around and do what other people are doing.

Its like the blind leading the blind.

What I have learnt from experience is this, before you follow other people— LOOK AT WHERE THEIR GOING— because that is where they are taking you.

The average person tiptoes through life hoping to make it safety to the other side. What a dumb game; life is not a practice run, we get one shot at it. Mark twain famously said, do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain.

Usually when we fear something we have a story in our heads of how we think things will play out.

fear gifIts just our shadow. GET ME OUTTA HERE

The story just plays over and over until the fear can turn to anxiety, you can begin to sweat, feel uncomfortable, and start to feel knots in your stomach, maybe even leading to sleepless nights.

When you actually confront your fears you quickly realize that it is never as bad as you first imagined, plus you have a sense of achievement; which drives you on.

Well it may seem like I have taken you down a dark path but there is a light at the end of it.

Just like you tell yourself a story where everything goes wrong— you can start to tell yourself a story where everything goes right.

Next time you step out of our comfort zone, instead of pulling up a chair and listening to Mr Fear’s story, tell him a story of faith. A story where you win. A story where you are the hero.

In time you will realize there was only one story teller. You’ve been looking into a mirror the whole time.

mirror

So I challenge you to face your fears embracing the concept of story telling. So instead of I will probably fall flat on my face, change it to, I will soar above the clouds.

Thanks for reading.

Tell yourself a story of faith today. 🙂

11 Ways To Stress less.

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stress

“Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.
Wayne Dyer

Our daily lives can be busy, hectic and at times overwhelming. It may feel like the idea of a stress free life is just a hopeless wish. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Small changes over time can make a big difference. Today I would like to share 11 of my favorite tips for finding more peace and calmness in everyday life.

  1. Slow down. If you slow down your body you will find that your mind will slow down also. You will start to feel less stressed. Many times people will say, “but I have so much to do?” To them i say, ‘if you get sick things still get done.’

 

  1. Ask instead of guessing. Reading minds is impossible. But we still try it and create  unnecessary anxiety, and uncertainty for ourselves. So ask and communicate instead. It may be hard at first but it can save you and the people around you so much trouble in the long run.

 

  1. Be 10 minutes early. It’s a small habit but it has transformed much of my travel time during the year. From always feeling stress to feeling relaxed and recharged.

 

  1. Remember the 5 little words that’ll help you to stay sane: one thing at a time. By keeping those words in mind and letting them guide you through your day. You will find yourself less stressed and more focused. Not only will it bring you more inner peace but it will also help you to get things done quicker and better.

 

  1. Find a relaxation technique that works for you. By taking time to myself each day, listening to soothing music or a relaxation cd. Link. I find that it releases tension and recharges me. What works for you? Long walks, music, yoga, meditation or going for a swim? Find out and do that.

 

  1. Accept and let go. If there is something negative from the past. Something someone said, or did that replays in your mind. Then accept it and let that feeling and thought in, instead of trying to push it away. When you accept it; that is when it starts to lose power. And while the facts may still be there in your head the negative feelings become a lot less powerful. At this point, let it go and direct your focus to the present moment and something better instead.

 

  1. Disconnect over the weekend. Leave your work – and work phone – where it belongs. Disconnect or at least limit your internet activity. Put your smart phone on silent, stop checking every notification. Spending more time with your family, friends, hobby or out in nature.

 

  1. Unclutter your world, unclutter your mind. De-clutter your workspace or your room. An uncluttered and ordered space brings clarity and order to the mind. And don’t stop there. De-clutter, simplify and organize your home and life too. Live in a more relaxing environment.

 

  1. Don’t make mountains out of molehills. This can create much unnecessary stress. When facing a mountain ask yourself questions like. “Does someone on the planet have it worse than me right now? Will this matter in 5 years?” These questions help you to realize that things may not be that bad.

 

  1. Breathe. Breathing is an excellent way to relax your mind when stressed, lost in the past or future. Keep your attention on the breathe for two minutes and focus on the air going in and out. This will calm your body down and bring your mind back into the present moment.

 

  1. Remember: There’s a day tomorrow too. When you have a bad day. Or life interferes with your plans, stress can kick in and get you down. In my experience the best way to handle such a situation is to tell yourself that there’s a day tomorrow. You can get it done then. Beating yourself up is not a helpful strategy.

 

Thanks for reading. Like or share if this helped you in anyway, so it can help others.

Rev J Martin

 

Be yourself?

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be Yourself-1024x683

You probably heard this a thousand times. What does it actually mean?

This question has had me confused for most of my life. I think I get it, but then I lose it again. No one could be harder on me, than me.

I have my moments where I am at peace, but most of the time I am striving to be the person that I think I need to be, never happy with where I am.

Does being yourself actually mean being happy with who you are, focusing all your awareness on what makes you unique. Embracing what makes you, YOU.

I guess it does.

Yes, everything is not the way I want, but will it ever be? I guess being yourself means connecting with the part of you that never changes.

Appearances may change, but the spirit within remains the same.

With the world at my fingertips, It’s so easy to lose focus of who I am.

In the peace and silence, my want to be more subsides.

bee yourself

Stop

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Cartoon-stopI find it almost impossible to STOP; while others seem to take relaxation in their stride.

My mind is always racing with ideas, all the things that I convince myself, I must do. All this added pressure doesn’t help. I want to do so much but have so little time.

Im sure I am not on my own.

The only solution that I can come up with is allocating time to rest. Just time each week that you turn everything off and unplug from the world. Phone off. Laptop off. Take time just to be.

I visit certain people who live a relaxed lifestyle, just being in their presence I feel a calmness within my soul.

It is in this calmness that most of my ideas, wisdom and mental clarity happen, so why do I not spend more time there?

In these moments I see the world so beautifully, then I’m off on the road again.

In this busy world, we need to make conscious effort to slow down. If we don’t— the stress and pressure can build up to illness and pain; the body can only take so much.

Our bodies slowly break down.

I regularly have sore backs, sore throats but rather than Stop; I carry on. My body is giving me messages, but I refuse to listen.

Waking this morning, I didn’t feel good at all. This idea, STOP, shouted louder than anything else, so I decided to write it down. Maybe its time I stuck this up on the wall as a reminder that if I don’t slow down, I will STOP.

I’m beginning to realize that I need to take time for myself each week. I can’t reply to every message or email, and even when I do the tiredness distorts my judgment.

When you are at full strength, only then can you give others the energy that they deserve, and need.

thank you for reading and have a good day.