Thanks & Praise

It seems that the theme for my week has been PRAISE. My heart and mind have been parked on PRAISE & THANKS to God!
This scripture in particular has been on my mind...

Life Lines ~ Guard Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23 instructs “Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it spring the issues of life.”

To keep means to guard, protect and maintain. The first strategy in keeping your heart is to guard your heart. A guard is set in place to protect something of value.Is anything more valuable than your heart—that which represents your inner self?

Dr. Caroline Leaf, author of Who Switched Off My Brain? writes, concerning the heart, that science has caught up with the wisdom of Scripture. “Your heart is not just a pump; it also acts like a mini brain.”

As we look through Scripture, we often see the heart portrayed as the seat of thinking, emotion, and the dwelling place of the Lord and the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 23:7 records, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

In Luke 5:22 we read that Jesus perceived the thoughts of men and questioned what they were "reasoning" in their hearts.

Jesus said of Himself that He “searches the minds and hearts” Revelation 2:23.

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" I Corinthians 3:16.

So how do you guard your heart? Scripture indicates that by taking our requests to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, the result is peace—the guard of our heart.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Anxiety is a sure path to a troubled heart but there is an antidote to anxious thoughts. When fear threatens to hijack your heart and terrorize your thoughts, present your requests to God by means of prayer in an attitude of gratitude.

In addition to making your requests, try asking God for a different perspective on the circumstances. Often a shift in viewpoint changes the whole picture!

Then, look for ways to be a blessing to someone despite your present situation. You don’t have to “have it all together” before you can be a godly influence on another.

Finally, give generously in the midst of a trying time. According to “Dr. Mel,”* generosity relaxes the tensed muscles and worry lines produced by anxiety.

So give!

Give a donation, a smile, a kind word, a pan of brownies!

May the supernatural, impermeable, impenetrable peace of God guard your heart today.

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( *I'm not really a "doctor" I just play one at home thus my family's nickname for me. ;> )

Excerpted from my Life & Style topic "Guard Your Heart." Interested in a Life & Style conference? Go here.

A Praising Woman & a Link to Another "praising woman"

Please go here to read the post that brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. Thanks, Julie, for sharing this beautiful story of the praise that brought peace.

"A Praising Woman Influences"

(from my Life & Style topic EVEry Woman Influences)

Recently I heard that a woman I am acquainted with lost her teaching job ~ a job she was very good at. (I know because she taught my daughter.)

The news hit her hard and out of the blue, and yet the same day I heard of her loss I marveled at her response. It was a Sunday morning and after hearing the news I watched as she lifted her hands in praise to God. Perhaps it was a sacrifice of praise I witnessed. Nevertheless I was blessed to see her praise God with the same passion week after week. Her passionate response of praise influenced me and I rejoiced with her.

In the midst of a trying time her praise sparked the praise in me. Praise because I have also been in trying times and yet have come out to wide open places with greener pastures. Praise because of the realization that although we cannot see around corners, God sees the end from the beginning. Praise because it is a sure pathway to the throne of God.

This praising woman unreservedly revealed her heart to all who would see. In the lean times or the mean times there is always a meanwhile. What will you do in your meanwhile? Will you offer praise to God? Or will you give Him the silent treatment? A praising woman may never know whose life she influences. But there is always someone watching. So...influence for good!

Interested in hosting a Life & Style conference? Go here for more information.

100th post and Introducing Life and Style By God's Design

It's my 100th post and I have an announcement.
With joy and excitement I introduce to you a newly launched women's ministry called Life & Style By God's Design.

A little over a year ago my best friend, Alisa Brown of Carolina Panache, and I began talking in earnest about pursuing our passions. We encouraged one another to take action steps. One of the steps I took was to register for the Proverbs 31 conference She Speaks. I followed the speaker track and was evaluated in a speaker group. While attending She Speaks, I stayed in Alisa's home throughout the weekend of the conference.

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Alisa took some action steps, too, which included going from the corporate world to full time home life! In the pursuit of following our God given passions, we have combined our interests and giftings in a new women's ministry called ~

Life & Style By God's Design

(Follow the link.)

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Alisa is passionate about making the home a haven and a retreat from the world. I have seen first hand the beautiful ideas Alisa is able to bring into fruition. Just stepping into her home is inspiration. She enjoys opening her home and extending hospitality to others. As a recipient many times over of her hospitality, I know she will inspire women to realize the value of home, family and gracious living.

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My passion? Teaching God's Word in a way that inspires, motivates and leads others to know God to the fullest extent and be fully available to Him. To borrow a quote from Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge, I want women to know that "the more His we become, the more ourselves we become; more our true selves."
To be the "real you" you must know Him in a "real way." No more carbon copies of one another. No more comparisons where someone wins and someone falls short. No more competition. There is room for every spiritual gift where love is the foundation. Women helping women reach their potential. That's what energizes me!

April 2oth, (tomorrow) Alisa and I will be guests on HomeKeepers, a program on the Christian Television Network (CTN). The show is hosted by Arthlene Rippy who has over 20 years of speaking and TV hosting experience. HomeKeepers is based on Titus 2:4-5. Arthlene interviews us about the launch of Life & Style By God's Design. It was a lot of fun and I hope you will be able to view it. If not, we hope to add some of the show segments to our blogs. See the information at the bottom for stations and times. Or log on to CTNonline.com on Monday, April 20th to view the Live Streaming video at 5:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. EST.


Alisa Brown & Melanie Dorsey

on the set of HomeKeepers Talking about Life & Style
Arthelene Rippy, host of HomeKeepers with Alisa & Melanie

The table awaits Alisa's creative design. Wonder how she used those boots in a tablescape? Watch the show!

Melanie aka Bella~Mella in the studio kitchen at HomeKeepers

Yeah, baby! I have visions of being on the Next Food Network Star!

Interested in Life & Style By God's Design? Alisa and I are available to speak at your ladies retreat, conference or one day event. Contact us at mylifeandstyle@aol.com

To view "HomeKeepers"

Dish Network - Channel 267,DirecTV - Channel 376, Sky Angel IP TV - Channel 136

Affiliate Stations:

WCLF TV - Clearwater FL,

WYBU TV - Columbus GA,

WRXY TV - Ft. Myers FL,

WVLR TV - Knoxville TN,

WHTN TV - Nashville TN,
WFGC TV - Palm Beach FL,
KFXB TV - Cedar Rapids IA,
WGNM TV - Macon GA,
WTJR TV - Quincy IL,
HHBR TV - Pensacola FL,
WVUP TV - Tallahassee FL,
KNLJ TV - Jefferson City MO,
WLCF TV - Decatur IL