The Magazine for Inspiration and Life TM
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The Magazine for Inspiration and Life HeartSongs Magazine c/o HeartSongs Publications Unlimited P.O. Box 59763 Birmingham, AL 35259-9763
This publication is copyrighted. All Rights Reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted without the expressed written permission of the Editor. Please contact the authors directly for permission to reprint, distribute or re-publish their work. All material is re-printed with permission. Photo Credits: FRS Photography, Master Art Collection and Various Artists All Rights Reserved
FREELANCE WRITERS WELCOME HeartsSongs Magazine is currently accepting submissions of original high quality content for future issues. If you are interested in having your work published with us please contact us at via email at heartsongsmag@gmai.com for submission guidelines and information.
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The Magazine for Inspiration and Life
ON THE COVER 9
Artist Spotlight: Eric Lige
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Can You Stand the Heat? by Kelvin Bonner
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Grace & Mercy by Curtis Mincey
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I Know You Are, But What Am I? by Stephanie Lyas
IN EVERY ISSUE 14
Wisdom Words/Quotes
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What's Cookin’ in the Cafe
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A Message From the Editor
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A Free Gift for You
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Love Notes from Heaven 3
Just Chill! Summertime is the perfect time to slow things down a bit. Take a trip. Read a good book,. Pack up the family and enjoy nature’s beauty. Or simply...chill. As the temperatures rise and we carry out our daily activities, the weather man constantly reminds us to stay cool and avoid overexertion . If our work and play is in the direct sunlight, we are advised to find a nice, shady spot in which to rest. The same is true, spiritually. Sometimes life itself turns up the heat. We are tempted to get worked up over the cares of life, often finding ourselves simply exhausted. The good news is that there is rest and refuge in the Almighty God. Psalm 91:1-2 offers us assurance that He offers us shelter when we remain under His care. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Who do you trust today? Is it God? If so, you have every reason to rest in Him, knowing that He has you covered. With God, you have it made in the shade!
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Greetings, Dear Friends, I hope your summer is going well. Mine has been eventful at times, but I remain blessed and thankful to God for his faithfulness in through it all. It is in times of transition that I am reminded that “nothing will ever be able to separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:39) Producing HeartSongs Magazine continues to be my labor of love. Throughout the obstacles I have faced, I am encouraged to continue working hard to produce a quality publication that will enrich the lives of others and bring glory to God. I know that this endeavor is part of a much bigger plan for my life than I could ever hope or imagine. As I grow through the process, I am reminded that anything worthwhile takes effort, commitment, prayer and lots of patience. I’m also learning that I don’t have to have perfect conditions in order to accomplish His work. God gives favor and grace to all who are willing and obedient to serve Him. Throughout the Summer Issue you will find articles, poetry, special features and information designed to inspire and enhance your life. I welcome your questions, comments and suggestions on how to make HeartSongs Magazine even better. Feel free to send me an email to heartsongsmag@gmail.com or visit our blog at www. heartsongsmag.blogspot.com If you are inspired to write for us, please get in touch. Guidelines and information on how to submit your material for consideration is found on page 25. We are always in search of great content including articles, devotionals, blog posts, poetry and more. If HeartSongs Magazine has been a blessing to you, please let us know. Your encouragement and support mean more than words can say. Faithfully yours,
Stephanie Lyas Founding Editor, HeartSongs Magazine
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Stephanie Lyas, Founding Editor HeartSongs Magazine
CONTACT US HeartSongs Magazine c/o HeartSongs Publishing Unlimited Stephanie Lyas, Founder P.O. Box 59763 Birmingham, AL 35259-9763
by Stephanie Lyas
And Mary said: “ My soul magniďŹ es the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. Luke 1: 46-47,49 (NKJV)
It seems, the older I get the smaller things appear. It’s probably a natural part of the aging process, but it deďŹ nitely takes some ge ng used to. Every now and then I ďŹ nd myself reaching for the magnifying glass when I’m looking up a number in the phone book, or sewing a bu on on a shirt. A"er all, the point is to make the object appear bigger, right? How many &mes to we magnify the wrong things? We worry, complain and focus on our problems instead of magnifying our God, Who is working on our behalf. He is not only able, but willing to help us in &mes of distress. The key is to make God appear bigger than the problem. I’ll bet Mary was a li le unse led when she ďŹ rst heard that she would be the mother of our Savior. She could have very easily become fre,ul of what was to take place. Instead her heart’s song was, “My soul magniďŹ es the Lord.â€? She chose to magnify God in the midst of a very uncertain and seemingly impossible situa&on. There will always be opportuni&es to focus on the nega&ves of life. Instead of making our problems appear bigger than they are, it is always to our advantage to magnify GOD and watch Him work the situa&on out for our good.
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by Stephanie Lyas
Growing up I witnessed my share of disputes among kids who didn’t know whether they wanted to be arch-rivals or best friends. Back then, it seemed a person’s status could fluctuate on an hourly basis. That’s how we related to one another, though. We could hate each other’s guts one minute and make up the next. Life was simple and crazy back then. I recall a game we used to play in which an insult was quickly retorted with, “I know you are, but what am I?” One time, two kids at school were arguing on the playground. One boy yelled out, “You’re a nerd with cooties!” The other’s response was, ‘I know you are but what am I?” That exchange went on for several minutes until the teacher came over to break it up. I, being a curious bystander, was eager to see which boy actually found out who he was, based on the other’s insults.
I realized that the answer was not going to magically appear like handwriting on the wall. I knew that my discovery was a process that would take some time to complete. Understanding that took a lot of pressure off me to present myself as a “finished product” to the world. I came to the conclusion that I am continually being molded into the image of God. And God can take all the time He wants. With that understanding, I am learning that patience with the process is key to maintaining a level of sanity in this walk with Christ. My identity in Him is not based upon the world’s criteria like what my pedigree is, what I do for a living, or anything else. It is all about who, what, when, where and how God is designing me to be. And nothing less.
Throughout my late teens and early adulthood, I began to ask some of the same questions—not in retaliation toward anyone, but in search for meaning and purpose in my life. When I became a Christian, I found myself struggling with my identity as a new creature in Christ. I often wrestled between the person I was used to being and the person who God was making me. As I learned more about Him, it became apparent that I also needed to learn about me. So over time, my prayer became, “I know who You are Father, but what am I? Who am I?”
And I Quote “It’s okay to be yourself. To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are.”- Anon.
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“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.� Isaiah 43:1-3 (NIV)
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Artist Spotlight
International Vocalist, Recording Artist & Songwriter
Birthday: January 5, 1975 Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama
What’s it like being a Chris an in the music business? I am conďŹ dent that I am exactly where I am supposed to be How did you get started in the music industry? because I chased a er God rather than A er gradua ng from high school, I joined the music. He made room for me and I am cast of a traveling music and drama team based able to eect posi ve change in the lives out of Allegan, Michigan. We toured the USA, of many people that I encounter along Canada, and abroad presen ng programs on the way. drug abuse and self-esteem in junior high and high schools. What is the best thing about being an Who has been the most inuen al person in your career? I would say that singer, songwriter, and TV show host, Babbie Mason, has been the most inuen al person in my career. I studied her wri ng, singing, and memorized Bible verses she sent to me back when I was in high school.
ar st? The feeling that comes from knowing that God is using my songs and singing to literally inuence the way people live their lives. God brings a4en on to me so that I can bring a4en on to Him.
What are some of your challenges as an ar st? In some circles, there is a mindset that ar sts who are believers in Jesus Christ should How would you describe your music style? do everything for free. I was recently at a venDiverse & soulful. ue where the host expected me and the other You have a newly-released CD called “Sole ar st to give our music to everyone for Desire.â€? What do you want listeners to experi- free. They forget it cost us me, money, sweat, ence with this album? I want listeners to and some mes even tears to put out a really experience music that inspires, upli s, encour- good "tool" for them. I wish that I could give it ages, and challenges this. I want people to all away, but that would be poor stewardship of experience God's powerful presence each me God's money. they click the play bu4on. What is your life verse? Gala ans 3:13 at the moment. It tells me that "God has redeemed me from the curse of the law becoming a curse for me." What advice would you give someone who wants to get started in the music industry? Serve, serve, and serve. Don't try to open your own doors. Make sure God is calling you to the music industry. Seek His kingdom ďŹ rst before seeking "all these things". Develop your cra .
FAST FACTS Favorite song: “Show me How to Loveâ€? by Babbie Mason Favorite vaca on spot: Crete Island Favorite food: Thai cuisine (Pad Thai Noodles) Favorite drink: Zico's dark chocolate coconut water Hobbies: Reading autobiographies, prank calling close friends/family, traveling. What most people would be surprised to know about you: I'm naturally shy. Being "out-going" is learned or some mes forced. Guilty pleasure: Gourmet coconut vanilla cupcakes from Fros ngs in Lake Forest, California Some of your musical inuences: Babbie Mason, Helen Baylor, Chicago, Stevie Wonder, Jim Brickman, Ron Kenoly, Michael Jackson, anything Motown
“Sole Desire� is available at www.ericlige.com Amazon.com iTunes.com
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by Chelsea Howard
“For the LBCD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” Deuteronomy 20:4
In mes of ba le in the Bible, the ones who were victorious were usually the ones who had God on their side-the ones who gave honor to God and kept His commandments. David was victorious over the giant. Joshua was victorious at Jericho. There are others, especially in the Old Testament, that came out victorious as long as they kept God in their plan. As soon as God was le& out, victory was given to the other side. Moses and his people were allowed to stay in the wilderness because they lost sight of God. They had become distracted and doubted what God could do. The scripture helps me to reflect on yet another truth about God. He goes with us to fight our ba les. We need him, He doesn't need us. Every me we read of the Good News, He reiterates His desire to be our Protector. Psalms tells us so eloquently; "I will fear no evil for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me". Why do we doubt that God can fight our ba le? Why do we believe the ba le is bigger than Him? The next me you are in the ba le, “look towards the hills for whence cometh your help” (Psalm 121:1) Your help and victory come from the Lord!
If you enjoyed this ar cle, please visit my blog at h p://godsaidi believeit.blogspot.com
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Health & Wellness
by Stephanie Lyas
Water is essen al to life. The human body is composed of approximately 60% water and is vital in nourishing our cells and internal organs. It also helps with diges on, circula on, transporta on of nutrients, and maintenance of healthy body temperature. Besides quenching your thirst on a hot summer day, water has other great health benefits. Plus, it is quite inexpensive in comparison to other drinks. Below are a few reasons why you should maintain a healthy consump on of water each day. Check with your doctor to find out how much is right for you.* 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Water helps with the weight loss process. It helps you feel full and boosts your metabolism. Water fights dehydra on which may cause you to feel drained. Water helps the blood transport oxygen and other essen al nutrients to your cells. Water lubricates the joints and helps prevent cramping. Water is good for your skin. It hydrates skin cells, elimina ng fine lines and wrinkles. Water flushes out impuri es in the body and improves circula on and blood flow. Water helps promote healthy diges on and elimina on. It helps dissolve waste par cles and passes them smoothly through your diges ve tract. Be well and drink to life!
*The ps in this ar cle is for informa on purposes only. It should not be used to replace the advice of your physician. Please consult your doctor regarding any changes to your specific diet, exercise or weight loss regimen.
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Okay, so it’s not a coupon for a free skinny mocha latte! It’s way better! God gave us Jesus Christ, the only One good enough to pay the sin debt for all mankind– past, present and future. It’s not about being religious or following a bunch of man-made rules, but it is about being reconciled to God our Father eternally through Christ. His gift is free to us, but cost Him everything. That’s pretty awesome!
So here’s the deal…. Maybe you’re wondering, “This sounds too good to be true. How do I take advantage of this free gift? ” It is fairly simple, but you must receive it by faith —trusting in God. ACKNOWLEDGE that sin has separated you from God. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Admit that you’ve broken God’s rules but you really want to change. He’s more than willing to forgive you and help you if you are willing and sincere. BELIEVE that God sent His Son Jesus as the only acceptable sacrifice to pay the debt for our sins. Because God is as Holy as He is loving, He could not tolerate the rebellious, wicked state of mankind. So, instead of punishing us , which would have been fair, He showed us mercy and sent His only Son to take our place. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) CONFESS or say what you believe. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) Again, this must be done by faith. “For with the heart man believes and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10).” Be courageous enough to share with others what God has done for you. And finally.. make a DECISION to live your life to glorify Him. You may think that it’s too hard, but if you ask Him, He will empower you to do just that. Your lifestyle should represent what your new relationship with Christ is all about. CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve made the most important decision of your life and you are now a member of God’s family! Develop your relationship by spending time reading and studying the Bible. It may be helpful to connect with others through a local church or small group fellowship to get you started. Communicate openly with God through prayer and meditation in His Word and finally, surround yourself with others who will help you grow you in your new walk with Christ. Your life will never be the same. You are a new creature in Christ. Old things have passed away and all things are new! (2 Corinthians 5:17) And that beats a latte any day!
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by Curtis D. Mincey
Have you ever found yourself at a point in your life where you thought to yourself, “This is it. This is who I am. This is what I am. This is the way I am: and this is the way it's going to be until I die?” Have you ever thought to yourself, “There is no hope for me. That nothing will ever change. I'm going to be unemployed forever, I'm going to be homeless forever. I'm going to be a drug-addict forever. I'm going to be alone forever?” Then one day Jesus passed and inspired you to do something different. He inspired you to take a chance. He told you to go fill out a job application and you got the job. He told you to go to rehab and you got off drugs. He told you to move to a new city and you found a place to stay. He told you to be friendly and you started making friends. Do you remember what it was like then? Well that's our history. That's our testimony, That's our personal story. All of us were once lost and confused, dazed and abused. Life had dealt us so many low blows, we didn't know what to do. Then one fine day Jesus found us sitting in darkness and He opened our eyes. Jesus was standing in our presence when we didn't even know He was there. Jesus was about to work a miracle in our life when we didn't ask Him for it. Jesus set us free from the disease of sin when we weren't looking for a cure. Jesus gave us grace and mercy when we didn't know we needed it. Contact Minister Curtis Mincey at www.theministerscorner.blogspot.com www.metrochristianministries.com
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To make the most of life… Appreciate what you have and don’t worry so much about the things you think you need. Love the things that are simple, the things that are free. Count wealth not in money, but in love and memories. Take pleasure in simple things like laughter, love and sunshine peeking through the clouds. See yourself as the kind person others see you. Hold onto dreams no matter how large they are or how silly they seem to others. Give thanks every day. Be kind always and treat people right. Most of all remember that whatever happens, life is still wonderful, God is still good, and there is a beautiful world out there to see, feel and love. ~Author Unknown
Do you have Words of Wisdom to share? Maybe it’s your favorite short verse, quote or saying? We want to hear from you! Send your Wisdom Words to heartsongsmag@gmail.com
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Cooking & Entertainment
“Skinny� Tex-Mex Layer Dip What You Need 3/4 cup fat-free sour cream 2 tbsp. packaged taco seasoning mix 1 14 oz. can fat-free refried beans 4 oz. shredded, 2% reduced fat cheddar cheese 1 4 oz. can sliced black olives, drained 1/2 cup chopped, fresh tomatoes 1/4 cup chopped green onion
How to Fix 1. In a small dish, combine the sour cream and taco seasoning mix, and mix well with a fork. Set aside. 2. On a medium-sized, flat serving dish, spread the refried beans evenly with a rubber spatula. Next, spread the sour cream mixture evenly over the refried beans. Sprinkle the cheese onto the dip, followed by the olives, tomatoes, and green onion. 3. Serve immediately with tortilla or pita chips, or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serves 10 Calories Per Serving: 94
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by Kelvin Bonner kelvinbonner@hotmail.com As the intense summer temperatures begin to sizzle on the outside, it is not difficult at all to contrast the heated situa ons that believers can some mes experience in rela on to their spiritual walk. These heated experiences are o en demonstrated through tests, chal lenging situa ons, and opposi on that we may face even when we are doing what we feel to be is the right thing. The familiar account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s encounter with the fiery furnace in Daniel 3 is the perfect example to consider for this discussion. These young Hebrew men, who were taken cap ve by the Babylonians, experienced the favor of God by being pro moted to esteemed posi ons in King Nebuchadnezzar’s administra on a er their friend Daniel was able to accu rately interpret the king’s dream. However, a reversal of fortune occurs when the men refuse to obey the king’s order of bowing down to the golden image because it was contrary to their adher ence to the commandments where they worship only the one Al mighty God rather than idol gods constructed by the hands of man (Ex. 20:4). In light of observa ons from the ac ons of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I would like to share 5 prac cal lessons that can be help ful for believers today:
People will some mes get upset with you. These young men were not fully embraced by all of the king’s na ve leaders because they were considered to be outsiders who were promoted to posi ons that some likely felt should have been limited only to people of true Babylonian heritage. Therefore, it brought these Babylonian leaders great pleasure to report to the king that the Hebrew men refused to bow down to the gold statue as he had decreed. This in turn made the king upset as well to learn that the men were rebelling against his wishes. Some mes the heat that believers must face is following through with deci sions and convic ons exactly the way that God directs you even when it is not popular or may even be contrary to the wishes of family members, friends, or other people whom you respect. Wise counsel from trusted individuals is al ways in order when making key decisions. However, a er all is said and done, the most important one that we are to be concerned about pleasing is God, and not man (Gal. 1:10). You will face opportuni es to compromise. The young men had an exemplary reputa on as King Nebuchadnez zar‘s servants up to this incident, and even though the king was an gry at first learning from those close to him that the three men re fused to follow his instruc ons, he gave them one last opportunity to
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abide by his wishes or else suer the consequences of death for not doing so. The Hebrew men could have easily given in to the fear and in mida on from the king’s stern request, but they remained true to their faith convic on and refused even when given a chance to change their minds. Always remember that just because opportuni es to compromise come your way that does not mean you have to give in to the challenge.
the ďŹ ery furnace. The Bible is clear in no ng that the men had no visible scorching of their hair or clothes nor were there any residue of smoke on them that would normally be expected of anyone associated with going through such an intense ďŹ re as they did. They survived the very thing that was meant to destroy them. Psalm 34:19 declares that many are the aic ons of the righteous, but God delivers us out of all of them. Regardless of what your situa on looks like or feels like right now, just know that God is with you and will bring you out if you only trust Him. He promised that He would never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 31:6). His strength is indeed made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). Be encouraged in knowing today in all that you may be facing that God is for you, not against you (Rom 8:31).
You will encounter ďŹ ery furnace experiences. It is important to note that being subjected to the ďŹ ery furnace was common during this period in history. However, it was not as common for the heat to be intensiďŹ ed seven mes ho%er as it was for the young men. Daniel 3 notes that even the soldiers that escorted them to the furnace were instantly consumed by the intense ames. I believe that it was Hebrew men’s des ny to go through the furnace. This had to happen for God to get the glory. Harry S. Truman is said to have coined the popular phrase, “if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.â€? In other words, if you can not stand the pressure of a situa on, then remove yourselves from it. That certainly makes logical sense, but in the life of a believer removing oneself from the furnace (challenging situa ons) before God has completed His perfect work in us, is not a viable op on. As God’s crea on, we are valuable to Him and He desires to use each of us for His glory on this earth. Anything of value, even in the natural, must go through a process. Diamonds and gold are at their very best only a/er encountering intense heat and pressure. Just as heat and pressure remove the impuri es in diamonds ands gold, the same holds true in our own lives. God allows us to encounter uncomfortable circumstances in order to reďŹ ne us so that we might grow to our full poten al and operate at our very best in fulďŹ lling His purpose for our lives (James 1:2).
Others will give God praise a er seeing Him bring you through. A/er witnessing Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and the “fourth manâ€? survive the ďŹ ery furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar could not help but to give praise to the Almighty God that these young men serve. If we are honest, we would agree that it does not feel good at all to the esh while in the midst of going through ďŹ ery tests and trials. The selďŹ sh approach would just be to have a pity party and complain about everything going wrong in one’s life. However, the rewards are far greater with the mature response of seeing how God has brought us through to be used as a tool to encourage others in their faith and ul mately draw them closer to Him. Prayer Dear Heavenly Father: Thank you for being an awesome and faithful God. You promised in your Word that you would not put more on me that I could stand. Thank you for knowing what I can handle and challenging me to grow fully into the person that you have called me to be. I lean on you for strength in my mes of weakness. Thank you for being with me and delivering me out of every situa on that comes my way. Please help me to stand strong in your Word and not compromise when faced with tempta on. Allow my response and my tes mony to be an encouragement to all that you bring across my path, and most importantly that they may be drawn to a closer rela onship with you. In Jesus Name. Amen.
God will show up and show out. The discussion of the ďŹ ery furnace being turned up seven mes ho%er ul mately leading to the demise of the soldiers escor ng the young men there, would be insigniďŹ cant without this key point that God did show up and delivered the Hebrew men from the eects of
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Get your autographed copy now through the end of 2012 for only $10.00 (plus free shipping)
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What Exactly Does it Mean to Pray? You might say, “I don’t know how to pray,” or “I don’t feel worthy enough to pray.” The good news is that prayer is simply communication with God. It is open, honest dialogue with the Father that doesn’t always require a lot of words. In fact, some of the most profound moments in prayer can be spent in absolute silence as we prepare to connect with God. The wonderful thing about our Father is that He knows the unspoken meditations of our hearts, and, even in the stillness, speaks to us. Excerpt from “It’s Me Again, Lord” by Stephanie Lyas Printed in Reflections Magazine, June 2006
“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16 (NLT)
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Lost Keys by Stephanie Lyas
Lost in the shuffle of life Amid the rubbish and useless things Keys still have value Even at the bottom of the heap All that’s needed is Somebody willing to get their hands dirty And reach way down Rinse away the residue And use them again
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by Stephanie Lyas
Remember the story of the little engine that could? It seemed like the little train had everything stacked against him. Getting over that hill seemed nearly impossible. So what made the difference? Faith? Determination? Confidence? Maybe all of the above. The important thing to remember is that he rose above the challenges and achieved his goal. The little engine was, at one point, discouraged by what seemed an impossible feat. He could have allowed the “negative committee” inside his head to convince him to quit. Instead, he changed his mindset and his speech. As he pressed forward against the odds, his attitude evolved from “I think I can” to” I know I can.” There is something about persevering in the midst of difficulty that reveals what a person is truly made of.
“Giving up was not one of my options. Starting again with a different mindset was.”
Maybe you have encountered setbacks as you work toward your goals. You may be tempted to quit in a moment of defeat or discouragement. Instead of giving up, re-focus and regroup. You may need to modify your goal some. I have had to do this in my own life on occasion. Once, I was working on a project that seemed like it would never be completed. For six months straight, I devoted countless hours working on it-day and night, only to discover that I really wasn’t as far along as I would like to be. So I worked harder and longer to no avail. I still was not making much progress. Finally I got disgusted with trying so hard and seeing no immediate results. Naturally, I became discouraged that the project that once brought me a great satisfaction had become a huge burden. I felt like a failure of sorts, because I had not completed what I started. I remember crying out loud, “I can’t do this. It is too much for me!” Almost immediately I heard a voice from within saying, “Oh yes you can!” Actually, it was more like “ Oh yes you will!” Giving up was not one of my options. Starting again with a different mindset was. I decided to take a break, step back from the entire thing for a few days and re-evaluate my priorities. I decided to look at my work as a labor of love, and kept the end result in the forefront of my mind. I kept thinking of the little engine who overcame great odds to reach his goals. And eventually the project was complete and successful. I’ll always remember how great it felt to finish. That is what kept me motivated—the end result. Whenever you feel discouraged and think that the task ahead of you is too great, remember that the power inside you is greater than the obstacles before you. You can win. You can finish. Yes, you can!
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Relationships
by Stephanie Lyas
So you’ve found the perfect person. Every time you hear their name you get “butterflies”. You think about them almost every minute of the day. And you’re ready to take things to the next level. You’ve found your soulmate. But not so fast! There’s more to it than that. A popular TV judge coined the phrase, “Look deep before you leap!” And ain’t that the truth. Sometimes in relationships, we give and expect too much too soon. We base our long-term happiness on short-term information, and often that information only scratches the surface of who that person really is. Your soul mate, however, is just that—a person to whom you are connected on the soul level. That means that your mind, heart, emotions are all in sync with that person . They “get” you and still are devoted to you-no matter what. You have a bond that goes deeper than just the physical. You are literally connected at the soul. Throughout my young adult life, I’ve met several guys who, at some point, I believed was my soul mate. On certain levels we shared the same spiritual ideals, outlook on life, goals, dreams and so on. But I must admit to being premature in calling any one of them my soulmate. Our connection wasn't deep enough to cut it long term on the soul level . What I discovered is that, none of those relationships had “staying power” and therefore could never outlast any potential adversity that would arise in our relationship. The “X” Factor was simply not there. What do I mean by the “X” Factor? Exactly what I stated. It’s unknown until two hearts are connected on a deeper level. It’s like, knowing something is missing, but not knowing what it is until you find it. Your soulmate is the one who “fills in
some of the blanks”, and vice versa. So, as a word of advice, from someone who knows, it’s best to wait and allow God to reveal to you who that person is. Does that mean that your soulmate will always be there? Ideally, yes. But life happens. Things fall apart. Communication breaks down, and unfortunately even the unthinkable happens. But when your soulmate enters your life, you just know it. And if you’re wise, you put in the time and work to make your relationship the best it can be. I don’t claim to be a relationship guru. I’ve had some good ones, and some terrible ones. But time and wisdom have taught me a lot. And I choose to share it with anyone whose heart is open to learn from my experiences. I have debunked some of the relationship myths and have also included some facts, too. I hope that this is helpful to anyone seeking to cultivate, healthy, happy, stable and loving relationships.
First… the Myths Your soulmate is someone who completes you– you This is dangerous thinking because only God can fully complete you. Like I stated earlier, your soulmate might be able to “fill in some blanks” If a person on this earth can complete you, why would you need God. Your soulmate is supposed to be just like you– you Not true. You are individuals with different life experiences, personalities, etc. While you may have much in common, there is no rule that says that your soulmate has to be exactly like you. That would make life pretty boring. Embrace the fact that you bring different things to the table.
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Your soulmate will never hurt youyou- Also not true. We are human. We make mistakes. We mess up. We cause pain, sometimes unintentionally. To think that your soulmate is a perfect person is to set yourself up for major disappointment. It is also not fair to place unrealistic expectations upon them.
Now… the Facts Your soulmate will accept you no matter what and accepts you the way you are-the good, bad and the ugly. More importantly he or she helps you to be a better you. Soulmates see the best in you while helping you deal with the worst in you. Your soulmate is your greatest friend on earth– earth A soulmate genuinely likes you, and likes to be around you, and wants what is best for you. It is someone you can pray with, share personal, intimate details about your life, goals dreams, and someone who makes you feel secure in their presence. Your soulmate is someone who shares your vision and will help you complete your mission and purpose. That person will enhance your relationship with God, not stand in the way. They will not demean your vision (even if they don’t understand or agree) but will love, protect and nurture you for life.
Have comments about this article? Let’s talk about it! Send us an email to heartsongsmag@gmail.com We may post your comments in a future issue!
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Love Notes From Heaven
by Stephanie Lyas
One night I was getting ready for bed, when I remembered that I hadn’t set the recycling bin out by the curb. The truck was to come early the next morning and I, not wanting to take a chance and miss it, decided to go and set it out. Reluctantly, I got dressed, grabbed a flashlight and headed outside. No sooner than I got to the curb that I heard the plastic milk jugs rattle inside my bin . I paused a moment wondering if fatigue had set in, causing me to imagine things. I waited a few seconds and as soon as I began to move again, so did the contents of the bin-except this time much more vigorously. Curious to find out what was going on, I set the bin down in the grass and began to shuffle through all the paper and plastic. I didn’t see anything unusual at first. Then, all of a sudden, out jumps a large and very startled frog! I immediately dropped everything and ran for the hills! I did, however, have enough composure not to scream too loudly and alarm the neighbors. From a distance, I watched as the frog hopped nervously from spot to spot, trying its best to get away from me. I must say, the feeling was mutual. The truth was, we were both shocked to discover something we weren’t used to— I, a lurking amphibian in the twilight, and the frog, a terrified lady with a flashlight. After that experience, it took me weeks to work up the nerve to even touch that recycling bin again. My fear of “critters” was at an all-time high. But I knew that I couldn’t avoid recycling forever. I had to face my fear head on. And that I did. I reminded myself that “God has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7) Plus, that frog was probably more terrified of me than I of it. How many times do we allow fear to hold us back from accomplishing important tasks? Fear of the unknown causes us to avoid doing what we know we should. When we face our fears and remember God’s promises, we can rest assured that He has thoroughly equipped us to accomplish what He intends for us to do. Like the popular acronym goes, we can ”Fully Rely On God” (F.R.O.G.) Because He is with us, we can “fear no evil.” (Psalm23:4)
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Providing a Variety of Inspirational Electronic and Print Media Products HeartSongs Publishing Unlimited P.O. Box 59763 Birmingham, AL 35259-9763
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