Gayla's Magazine

Queen Marie Antoinette - France

Just finished reading a fascinating book about one of the Queen's of France - Marie Antoinette.

 

Many things about her life were a paradox.  This particular picture was changed as she had  her baby  in that crib next to her  during the process of the painting being done.  After the death of the child - she had the baby painted out - it was just too painful to view day by day. She did have a heart.... and a love for her children.

She was misquoted as saying, 'let them eat cake' - this was simply not true.  She never said it.  Yet the lie remains. Those who she loved, loved her.  She made unknown powerful enemies - that became her downfall due to her lack of understanding and temperance in all things.

What is to be learned from her life?  Keep one's appetites simple, ones heart pure, and one's mind ever learning. 

For the challenges of life depend upon three things.

1. Learning the human needs around us and responding with compassion and care.

2. The courage to live a life of character and morality no matter what others are doing.

3. The sensibility to discern that today's wishes received, may become tomorrow's chains.

She lived and died - the end of the long line of Kings and Queens... time was changing  in the 1700's and alas she knew it not. 

She is a  powerful person every pastor's wife in leadership should study.

 

Sir Winston Churchill

In my yearly personal inspection it's important to see what's been read and what area I should be studying next. A variety of books  is interesting, educating and so good for  mental training.  I have 4 books going this summer..... and enjoy reading each of them.
Sharing books is one way to encourage reading in those around me.  Pastor's wives often need the impute of other lives to strengthen or educate in important areas of which they are responsible for.  Also I find that reading important works is the way to truly grow mentally. 
Wait, before I show you maybe I should tell you that I am married to one of God's Generals in this generation.  Pastors everywhere recognize the extreme spiritual warfare that the church at large is involved in.  The intense battles of financial burdens, complicated legal systems, social and political pressures of increasing city and township inspections, rulings and  ever encroaching building codes and regulations weighs heavily on Ministers today.  They face pressures unlike any other generation before has experienced in ministry.  It's complicated, full of pitfalls with sensitive hurting people, and must provide for costly programs of provision in every church and ministry family.

Bishop Gregory L Holley and I  stand together working in these minefields, daily carrying out spiritual warfare on behalf of the church both locally and nationally.  I hear many conversations  my husband has daily with ministers across America who all are under the gun battling for their churches.

We made a decision some years ago to raise up the next generation of  Ministry here carefully and well equipped.  My husband works hard to raise up and imprint, impress, educate, support and train well ahead of the curve of the full weight of ministry for the young Pastor here.  We want his shoulders to be strong, and to see that he is well equipped for the challenges he will face in the coming years. 

So how do I handle all of this as a wife?  I read. And here is the current book I am studying personally that is fascinating.  It's about another great 'war hero' in the earth.  Sir Winston Churchill.  His battles, pressures and the forces against him are all insights for me as my General also in in a war.....

 

Winston Churchill CEO - 25 lessons for bold business leaders. For every Bishop and Pastor  who provide  leadership for the lives of others, this book is a wonderful resource! And for Pastor's wives?  Essential reading material!

This is my current study book.... it's a good thing.

 

'Eat This Not That' Book

I just have to share this fabulous book with you!  If there is just ONE book I could inspire you to get for the health of your family, this is it.  It's called, 'Eat This Not That'.  A Supermarket Survival Guide.

The reason 'regular' food keeps packing on the pounds is all the hidden fats, sugars and chemicals that manufacturing companies are sneaking in processed foods.  This guide shows you which foods are the safest ones for actual human consumption.

With all the advertizing hype it's hard to know whats really the truth. Here's your answer!

Did you know that high fructose corn syrup added to foods, actually  will 'help' you to gain weight? Here's a list of juices and the truth about each one. 

You know you need these two pages!  An ice cream guide to help you choose wisely.  I bought the right one - a true ice cream and wow it is good. No more chemicals!

Now this page is important.  Ever wonder what all that 'stuff' that can't be pronounced in  the ingredients list is?  Here it is...... Along with the safety or dangers each one is. 

This book helped me to find the first lunch meat product made without sodium nitrate (a known carcinogenic that I can't believe is legal to put in food)   I found it at my local grocery store and we had lunch meat for the first time in years!

Get this book - your health is worth it!

I have been studying this book for the past month in my private devotions and I have now finished it, and I am starting it over AGAIN. I read this years ago, but recently felt gently nudged to read it again. The very first chapter is a life changer!

Most of us believe God made us  to complete works and do good things.  But do you realize that He made us - in His OWN IDEA....HIS IMAGE....  FOR HIS OWN PLEASURE.  We were made for HIS OWN PURPOSES.  Not our own.  This is profound to think about!

I know the plans I have for you, plans of good and not of evil to give you an expected end.  ..... have you heard this verse quoted before?  It has a new meaning for me.  GOD'S PLANS FOR ME - NOT MINE FOR ME!!  Wouldn't life be better if we could stop asking God to bless what we are doing, and start doing what He is blessing?

so my prayer for today is.....

"Lord God I am your Creation.... I am created for your own purposes, for Your pleasure.  I fully give up on my own ideas for my life, I did not make me, and it's absurd to think I could possibly have plans and dreams for myself - obviously You have plans for me so I submit to Your plans and ideas for me. 

Make my life a smile on Your Face today Father.  I am created BY YOU and FOR YOU.

I want to be a joy to You my Father this day.  No control issues today!! I am all Yours"!

Thank you Rick Warren for a life changing book! Your book is a blessing to  this pastor's wife!! I now  understand the messages in it's valuable pages.  I may read this book many times to fully let it change the inner core beliefs of my life.

www.purposedrivenlife.com  Get a copy and start changing your life this very day!!