A Good Reminder about Worry

This is one of the devotions I get daily from Charles Stanley. It is well said.

November 11, 2008
Unraveling Worry From Our Life
Philippians 4:8-9

People fret over all kinds of issues, from safety and job security to election results. For many folks--and maybe you are one--anxiety is woven so tightly into the fabric of their day that they've learned to live with it.

We treat worry like a benign emotion when in fact it can actually be harmful. Anxiety clouds our thinking, divides our focus, and robs us of concentration. To complicate matters, the body can react to prolonged pressure on the psyche. Stress can manifest physically through tension headaches, elevated blood pressure, and even heart attacks.

Drifting through a mentally and physically exhausting life is not the Lord's plan for us. Our challenge is to take captive anxious thoughts (2 Cor. 10:5) and replace them with God-pleasing ones--dwelling on that which is pure, good, and right.

The best way to remove stray threads of worry is to crowd them out with something positive: weave Scripture into your mental grid instead. God has something to say about everything that concerns us. Feeling weak or under-qualified? "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). Afraid your paycheck won't cover this month's rent, clothes, and food? "Do not worry . . . for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things" (Matt. 6:31-32).
Jesus said worry adds nothing to our life (Matt. 6:27). In fact, we waste time and energy dwelling on concerns instead of affirming our trust in the Lord. We must choose to set our minds upon Him before anxiety leaves us feeling frayed.

Getting Closer

We now have our trim, paint, stain, and counters done. We are getting closer to being done. Here are some pictures of the finish product. I had to have one bold color in my house. I really wanted a red kitchen and Love the way it turned out! The Island will have the sink in it and across from that will be the cooktop.

Eating/Dining area

Living Room windows, we plan to screen in the back porch.
Back porch grill area.

Another Kitchen picture.

New Subdivision Halloween Party

Last night we went out to our new house (the one we are building) and we had a Subdivision Halloween Party. There were hot dogs, a costume parade, hay ride and trick or treating. We didn't do the hay ride because the trailer was full of kids. We opted on walking to all the houses. I ended up leaving Baby B with Grandma and Papa and the girls rode in the stroller. Em was so excited, she kept saying "Mom, I never been trick or treating before!" We usually just do the church thing and a few houses on Halloween Night. We got back to Grandma and Papa's house about 8:30pm, the girls were all excited about their candy.

It was a great night to walk and see all the stars that God created. All the neighbors were very friendly and it was nice to meet them and put a face to the house. Some of the houses just left their bucket outside on their porch, because they were trick or treating also. I just love it out there! I am looking forward to our move in the next month (hopefully!)

Here are some pictures of our kids dressed up.

This outfit came from one of my friends box of clothes that she let me borrow. She told me that it was her nephews and it is 15 year old. It has only been worn 2 times. It looks awesome and went well with the theme we went with. He was so cute in it!