8/12/2019 Women's March Spice Newsletter 2014

1/4

T H E W O R D

B A L A N C E B E A M S

March 2014

The Lord directs the steps of the

godly. He delights in every detail

of their lives. Though they stumble,

they will never fall, for the Lord holds

them by the hand.

Psalm 37:23-24

Make God the focus instead of thestress.Keep your eyes fixedon him, not your circumstances.

Reach out for help.Rely on Godsstrength rather than your own. Andthank God for his hand that catches

you when you wobble!

Keep Jesus as your strongfoundation. Its impossible tobalance when youre standing onunsteady ground. Jesus doesntwaver. Let him be your rock.

Finding BalanceAmy was in the kitchen doing dishes, while her husband and preschoolson played in the living room. She overhead her husband tell her son,Go see if your mom wants to come and join us. So he excitedly ranto the kitchen and blurted out, Mom, do you want to come enjoyus?

Yes, Amy chose to put down the dishes and enjoy time playinginstead. It took a 3-year-old to help her find the right balance in her life.

Balance. As soon as our feet hit the ground in the morning werepracticing itand not just with our bodies. Sometimes simply puttingon our socks and shoes is a balancing act, but the bigger challengesare balancing the relationships, responsibilities, and emotions thatchallenge us every day. Wed love to appear as graceful as Olympic

gymnasts and effortlessly balance the demands of life. Instead, wewalk a tightrope, barely able to keep ourselves steady as circumstances,fears, relationship issues, and busy demands try to push us off. Is therea way we can stay upright without falling downor apart? What doesliving a life of balance really look like?

When we look at people who are experts at physical balancejugglers,tightrope walkers, gymnastswhat do we see? Are they relaxed,spontaneous, and having fun? Hardly. In their faces we see stress,seriousness, and intense inward focus. Isthat what God wants for our lives? No! Itsnot Gods desire for us to tightrope-walkthrough life!

How can you get off the tightrope? Insteadof trying to balance things yourself with listsof priorities and things that must be done,start with a simple change of perspective.God is your focus. Place total trust in Godto help guide your choices and find balancein all areas of your life. God is your centerpoint, your core strength, and your balancepoint. And dont forgeta balanced life is anenjoyablelife. Thats what Jesus promised!

My purpose is to give them a richand satisfying life. (John 10:10)

The Salvation ArmyThe Salvation ArmyThe Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army310 N DeSpelder310 N DeSpelder310 N DeSpelder310 N DeSpelder

Grand Hav Grand Hav Grand Hav Grand Haven, Michiganen, Michiganen, Michiganen, Michigan

8/12/2019 Women's March Spice Newsletter 2014

2/4

MARCH 2014

Mess Equals Stress!

Your Health: Falling FactorsDid you know that fear can make you fall? Studiessuggest that people with a fear of falling significantlyincrease their risk for actually falling (and injuringthemselves). Most of us have experienced this fear

response ourselves, standing near a cliff or walkinga narrow bridge and losing our balance.

The fear of falling often leads people to startavoiding activity. Less activity results in increasedweakness, which furtherincreasesthe risk of falling!A number of factors contribute to older peoplehaving impaired balance, including decrease invision, medication side effects, illness or inactivity,tripping hazards in the home, and poor lighting.

But heres something to think about:You couldbe at risk of falling in your spiritual life for thesame reasons! Check it out:

Decrease in visionlosing focus on Jesus

Medication side effectsthings you turn toinstead of God to cope with life

Illness or inactivityspending less timeexercising and developing your faith

Tripping hazardstemptations or sin inyour life

Poor lightingnot enough of Gods Word(Psalm 119:105).

Having regular checkups and exercise, removinghazards, improving lighting, and using the rightequipment can significantly reduce the risk offalling for older people. Isnt it time to give thesame attention to your spiritual life?

Two Are Better Than One!Having rewarding and affirming relationships is animportant and integral part of developing a happyand balanced life. Studies have shown that peoplewho spend a significant amount of time alone are

more likely to report imbalanced lives. They alsosuggest that these people suffer more illnessesand dont live as long. So stay connected, andbe happier, healthier, and live longer!

This month try one of these ideas:

1. Invitea single friend or family member to go tochurch or participate in a Bible study with you.

2. Attenda first free session of a dance orexercise class.

3. Starta book club or other interest group that

would meet regularly.4. Visit someone who is ill or homebound.

5. Makea list of activities you enjoy, and pickone to do with someone every week!

Thats what the experts say. According to Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, the author of TheWell-Ordered Home, its harderto be organized now than it was a generation ago. Why? Because we have more stuff! Compared to life in the 1950s:

We handle six times more paperabout 660 pounds per year!

Our houses are twice as big.In the 1950s, the average home was 900 square feet.

The average new home is nearly twice that size. We shop more.Easy credit has made it easier for us to buy more and less likely to

follow a budget.

How can you combat the stress of your mess? Here are two easy tips:

Keep paper from stacking up.Sort mail daily, and discard or recycle. Donate oldmagazines. Request online banking and credit statements instead of paper. At leastonce a year shred documents you no longer need.

Resist the temptation to fill all the space.Less time spent organizing, cleaning,and managing stuff means more time for family, friends, and fun! 2011 Photos.com, a division of Getty Images.

All rights reserved.

2011 Photos.com, a division of Getty Images. All rights reserved.

8/12/2019 Women's March Spice Newsletter 2014

3/4

8/12/2019 Women's March Spice Newsletter 2014

4/4

Design and base content 2011 and 2014 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland, CO, group.com/women. Permission to photocopy granted for local church use

A Taste of Whats Happening for Women

Name:Capt. Sally Davis

Phone: (616)842-3380

Email: Sally_Davis@usc.salvationarmy.org

March

Contact for more information

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

WorshipWorshipWorshipWorship

ServiceServiceServiceService

11am11am11am11am

SewingSewingSewingSewingSistersSistersSistersSisters5p5p5p5p----7p7p7p7p

Wms Mtg 1p

H20

Capt.Sally

World DayWorld DayWorld DayWorld Day

of Prayerof Prayerof Prayerof Prayer Spring Ahead!Spring Ahead!Spring Ahead!Spring Ahead!

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

WorshipWorshipWorshipWorship

ServiceServiceServiceService

11am11am11am11amSewingSewingSewingSewingSistersSistersSistersSisters5p5p5p5p----7p7p7p7p

Wms Mtg 1p

Stuck

Char W.

CRAFT DAY

11A-5P

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Worship Serv 11aWorship Serv 11aWorship Serv 11aWorship Serv 11a

Corp CouncilCorp CouncilCorp CouncilCorp Council12:12:12:12:15p15p15p15p

RobbinswoodRobbinswoodRobbinswoodRobbinswood

Service 2Service 2Service 2Service 2:30p:30p:30p:30p

St.St.St.St.PatricksPatricksPatricksPatricks

DayDayDayDay

SewingSewingSewingSewing

SistersSistersSistersSisters5p5p5p5p----7p7p7p7p

Wms Mtg 1p

St. PatricksDay

Twila B.

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

WorshipWorshipWorshipWorship

Service 11amService 11amService 11amService 11am

United MtgUnited MtgUnited MtgUnited Mtg....

HollandHollandHollandHolland 5p5p5p5p

SewingSewingSewingSewingSistersSistersSistersSisters5p5p5p5p----7p7p7p7p

Wms Mtg 1p

Karen H.30 31

WorshipWorshipWorshipWorship

ServiceServiceServiceService 11111am1am1am1amNoisy OfferingNoisy OfferingNoisy OfferingNoisy Offering