A Celebrated Life

06/18/2013

HE SETS THE PACE

Today’s Thankful Tuesday message reminded me that God is in control. I am to run this race, as Paul says, with patience while I look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of my faith. No matter what my day brings me, if I keep my attention focused on the eternal goodness of my Father, I can rest in the blessed assurance that He has me. He knows my times and has mapped out when He will bring those things He intends for me to manifestation at His appointed time. In the meantime, I can trust the pace He has set for me because He loves me!

You are my beloved child. I chose you before the foundation of the world, to walk with Me along paths designed uniquely for you. Concentrate on keeping in step with Me, instead of trying to anticipate My plans for you. If you trust that My plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, you can relax and enjoy the present moment.

Your hope and your future are rooted in heaven, where eternal ecstasy awaits you. Nothing can rob you of your inheritance of unimaginable riches and well-being. Sometimes I grant you glimpses of your glorious future, to encourage you and spur you on. But your main focus should be staying close to Me. I set the pace in keeping with your needs and My purposes.

Read Ephesians 1:4, 13-14

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

________
Young, Sarah. (2004). Jesus Calling. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

04/23/2013

http://youtu.be/1ozj6XqZjPI

Dear Lord I will always trust You even though sometimes I dont feel your presence in my life I find myself worried thinking Im all alone in this big world, Father I know that you never leave my side. I trust you Lord and I need more of You. I thirst for You

03/09/2013

I am happy to announce that A Celebrated Life has just opened its store on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACelebratedLife?ref=shop_sugg

Take a peek and let us know how we can celebrate life.

Thank you for selecting A Celebrated Life as your customized resource in creating your memories.

02/28/2013

A Celebrated Life has launched its new website.

www.aclplanning.com

Kindly provide constructive feedback. We thank you for your continued support of A Celebrated Life - Honouring and Celebrating the Life You Shared Together

02/28/2013

WHAT LOVE IS

Love is a quality of one's heart.
If we fully understood that, we'd be so smart.
Love isn't something that you can find;
It's something that's within us all of the time.
Many expect someone to give it to them;
No one can give what's already within.
Love is a basic human need;
It's not authentic if you have to beg and plead.
For so many, trying to get love is a must,
But what we give will surely come back to us.
Love is what keeps our hearts warm.
Love is the calm after the storm.
Only when we love ourselves can we connect to another.
Love that comes from the heart is like no other.

- Cheryl L. Nicks "Poems for the Heart with Steps to Grow By"

10/12/2012

"I don't know why God, but I trust you"

09/06/2012

Give yourself permission to be less than perfect.

One of the most frequently heard complaints from members of my bereavement group is the one about not being able to do the things they normally did before their loss due to not having enough energy to keep up with their current obligations. In experiencing grief related fatigue, this will often leave you feeling guilty for not being "super mom" or "super husband."

This is one of the toughest issues for us to try to tackle. It is an issue that is connected with self-worth stemming from your personal history and how much you were encouraged to give to yourself while were growing up. Many of my group members were brought up with the admonition to "put other people's needs first," rather than becoming "self-absorbed" or being "selfish," by tending to their own needs as well.

My reply to this is that when other people call us "selfish," it's because we are not doing things "their way." Bottom Line: We can only show others love, care and compassion if we FIRST have it for ourselves. We have to be "okay" with giving it to ourselves FIRST, before we can successfully give it to another. We have to be willing to nourish our own soul before we can help nourish someone else's.

08/29/2012

Mary had it all together. Mary didn’t think she would die. Mary didn’t want to make any decisions about her burial. Now, it is 15 days until her funeral and Mary’s family is fighting over the plans. They are “discussing” the funds necessary to put everything in place. Mary had no funds set aside for her burial. No plans written down. No one in the family has any idea of what Mary would really want. Mary’s family is just plain upset and mad at each other. Mary did not plan. Mary did not take action. But now, you are not Mary. You are wise and taking action. You are reading this and you want to take action and make plans. You want to make your passing more harmonious for your family. Grief is overwhelming. You want to help them. You want them to know your wishes. You want your family to have funds immediately. You want to do this. You are doing this. You will let me help you.

08/27/2012

Over the course of the next few weeks, I am going to focus on getting your house in order. Please feel free to contact me with any questions and comments.

It is important to learn and document a person's wishes about using artificial life support before any crisis arises. A living will or durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC) expresses a person's wishes when he or she can no longer speak for him/herself. These documents can help instruct hospitals or nursing homes on an appropriate course of action to be taken at a critical moment. By law, all hospitals must now inform patients about their right to fill out these documents.

When a person is confused, or otherwise unable to express preferences, family members are often put in the position of becoming surrogate decision makers. Such decisions present a thorny array of medical, legal, and moral questions.

Decisions to provide or withhold life support are based on personal values, beliefs, and consideration for what the person might have wanted. Such decisions are painful. Family members should give themselves ample time to cope with these life and death decisions and to process feelings of doubt or blame which may surface.

08/19/2012

"I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give is not fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid." - John 14:27

08/19/2012

Grief is a natural process, an intense fundamental emotion, a universal experience which makes us human. It is a process that entails extremely hard work over a period of many painful months or years. People grieve because they are deprived of a loved one; the sense of loss is profound. The loss of a spouse, child or parent affects our very identities—the way we define ourselves as a husband, wife, parent or offspring. Moreover, grief can arise from the survivor's sudden change in circumstances after a death and the fear of not knowing what lies ahead.

The death of someone close can be a life-changing experience. If you are the primary caregiver of someone you love, this experience can affect every aspect of your life for some time. It is natural to grieve the death of a loved one before, during and after the actual time of their passing. The process of accepting the unacceptable is what grieving is all about.

08/03/2012

"Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted."
- Matthew 5:4