Sunshine Rodgers's Blog - Posts Tagged "blogpost"

Sand Between Your Toes

I wanted to spotlight "Sand Between Your Toes" by Anna Kettle as my pick for THE BOOK OF THE MONTH.

"Sand Between Your Toes"’ is a collection of Bible based reflections, prayers and practical tips on living a slower, simple and more soulful life. This book is themed all around learning to live in God’s rest in your every day life.

Genre: Christian Devotional

Book information: 100 devotionals, each double pages but they are quite light and easy to read - ideal reading for people with busy lives. Also, they aren’t dated or numbered so you can dip in and out of wherever you want to.

I asked the author...What makes your book different from those in its genre?

"I’ve not written it as an ‘expert’ or as someone who finds resting easy, but rather as a learner on the journey. So it has a really ‘with you in it’ style and focuses on small, manageable changes that we can all make in our everyday lives." -Author Anna Kettle

Quote from the book: “Saying no when you already feel over-stretched and overloaded in order to prioritize the health of your own soul is not selfish; it’s necessary. And it’s also the right thing to do, both for you and for those around you. You simply can’t give what you don’t have, and you can’t care well for others if you don’t care for yourself.”

"My hope (for my readers) is that they come away encouraged and inspired that the more restful life they long for isn’t out of their grasp. They can begin to live in it now, without completely re-ordering every single aspect of their life." -Anna Kettle



To purchase your copy of "Sand Between Your Toes":

Amazon



To find out more about Author Anna Kettle:

Website

You can download some sample pages of the book out now for FREE - click here

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Anna Kettle
Sand Between Your Toes: Inspirations for a Slower, Simpler, and More Soulful Life

Whenever I go for a run, I strap in Velcro weights to my ankles, tie in a burner belt, fasten my hair into a tight ponytail and secure my headphones to play music as I walk/run for 1-2 miles a day. With the Florida heat, I look like a crazy mess when I am done, in desperate need of a shower!

As I am running, I look over at a younger girl who is also walking across the sidewalk. Her long hair is down, she is wearing makeup, is not even breaking a sweat.

I thought about the authentic Hustlers.

You know the ones. Some examples include:

I can describe the real writers with books versus the one-book-wonder. The real writers have bags under their eyes from nights of finishing deadlines, their fingers stained with pen marks and bruised from paper cuts.

I can spot those who have been married for years versus those still on their honeymoon. The ones who have been married for decades have a trust in their eyes, a mature spirit when it comes to their spouse and a solid heart towards the other that is only gained through years of togetherness, strength, communication and experience.

If you are in a season where you are persevering....

If you are maturing into your next steps....

If you are becoming all that God has made you to be....

Then celebrate knowing that you represent the Authentic, the real, the raw, the true with your passion, with your beauty, with your grace, with your faith and with your love.

So, keep hustling! And know that your personal effort will pay off in time.

If you need prayer, let me know. I would love to pray for you!

Sunshine Rodgers

I want to remind you today to…Choose the right attitude. Come into work with a pleasant demeanor. Shift the atmosphere for the better. Watch for ways on how you can be a blessing to others. And watch what you say and what you do. Let me remind you, when people like you, they want to work with you and that favor will open doors and connectors will want to elevate you.

I recall a certain celebrity who is not casted for movies anymore and the supposed reason is because she is difficult to work with.

I don't want to be that person. I want to stay positive and maintain those connections and be slow to burn any bridges, apologizing (even if it's not my fault), keeping the peace and staying humble.

I was watching the movie, The Internship (2013), and the deciding vote to approve Billy and Nick for the job opportunity was this one question:

Lyle: Our final judgment is always based on the layover test, right? 'Who would you rather be stuck next to at an airport bar for a six-hour delay?'

It's important to me that I work well with others, that I make everyone feel good in my presence and I purposely bring the light and keep the situation calm. I know it helps others and it is also in the best interest for myself to remain professional and steady in the public eye.

Just a suggestion to you.

If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you.

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Sunshine Rodgers

I was watching the movie, The Company (2003) and the story follows along a ballet company in Chicago.


I was mesmerized by the talent and athleticism of each dancer. The ballerinas were pros, practicing and rehearsing for weeks for this one performance. But what really intrigued me was that the dancer landed exactly – precisely – directly - on the beat of the music. They didn't jump one second before or after, but exactly on cue. They knew the song that well, clearly memorizing the routine and performing by heart.

I thought about God's timing. As these dancers know the routine, God knows our story. He has my life memorized like a book, knowing exactly what page, what chapter and what point I am on in my life. And He appears on cue. He knows when to show up. God is not one second too early or one second too late. He knows at just the right time, at just the right place, with just the right person and just the right experience to give my story a happy ending.

I trust God's timing. He knows what is the very best for me. I just need to watch in awe of His precision and accuracy and grace in every little thing that happens in my life. Because truly I am mesmerized by His wonders!

Ecclesiastes 3:1: There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—

Isaiah 60:22: At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.

If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!

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Sunshine Rodgers

Anyone a fan of wrestling?

I have seen this storyline play out time and time again. The heel (who portrays the villain) is clearly winning the fight. The babyface (the heroic good guy) is losing and losing badly. Bloodied, beaten-up and sprawled out on the floor, the fan favorite is clutching his sides in pain. The villain just smashes his force into the pathetic-looking hero, grabbing the limp man and dropping the hero head-first on the mat, then aggressively kicking him until the good guy falls off the mat, laying prostrate on the concrete floor. The villain is smiling as the audience boo’s him. The heel gets up on the turnbuckle about to, once and for all, finish this fight and the hero is hopeless….ultimately down for the count.

This sets the stage for a Suddenly! moment! Sometimes, the stage lights will flicker. Other times, music will blare from the speakers. But it's clear…something is happening. And Suddenly!, a secondary babyface – a friend of the injured – a hero to the hero - sprints out from the back and powerbombs the heel. The villain didn’t see it coming. The bad guy was claiming victory, securing his win, but it was a Suddenly! intervention that aggressively shifted the results.

The crowd is on their feet. The announcers cannot believe what is happening. The villain is down and all his endeavors destroyed in one swoop. The cheers are crying out. The Redeemer picks up the Injured hero and lifts him up, holds him up, elevates him up to claim the victory.

And this message rings loud and clear. The good side will win. Help is on the way. The Redeemer is coming quickly to rescue you. And though you may be down and out, scarred and bruised, battered and shaken, there is more on your side than against you. And your Suddenly! moment is near.

Let's remember, our Savior saves! And his angelic army is for you. And whenever you take life's punches and literally cannot get back up, here comes the Lord with a divine mission, with a battle cry, attacking your enemies until they are all down, all finished… until the final bell has sounded. Because no one messes with Heaven!

If you need prayer for anything, let me know, I would love to pray for you!

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Sunshine Rodgers

Don't eat the lemon drizzle cake with a fly in it.

And what I mean by that is - don't accept a tastefully delicious but painfully tainted gift from your enemy. Even though you love lemon drizzle cakes, if given to you from the wrong person, well, the cake could be poisoned, not made right or is given with an ulterior motive. A scenario being… if you eat a bite, are you indebted to that person? Are there attachments or unexpected ties involved?

Because, let me remind you, a true gift will come with no expectations at all.

Let me take this parable another way. The lemon drizzle cake is a rare treat. You can't get this cake just anywhere.

So, it sure looks extra appealing when the enemy brings it to you. It sin-sational and your mouth is watering.

I would warn you. Wait. Wait right there. Do not pick up your fork. Do not take a bite.

I know you love that lemon drizzle cake. But so many times we are called to wait. And wait we must until God himself brings that treat to us. If I am speaking to you one message, it is this: wait for the very best gifts from the Lord and do not settle. It may not be today. It may not even be tomorrow or next week. It could be years before you are even presented with such a delicacy.

But when it comes, when it's presented from the right source - it will be perfect - and it will all yours to enjoy…with no strings attached.

Don't eat the lemon drizzle cake with a fly in it.

If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!

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Sunshine Rodgers

Whenever I go out running in my neighborhood, I always keep my keys with me. These keys are tied to a tight band around my wrist. It's very important that no matter where I go or what I do, these important keys stay with me at all times. Night or day, I would never want to forget them! I cannot get into the house without them!


I also want to prioritize the spiritual keys that I never want to be without:

PRAYER:
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. – Colossians 4:2

PRAISE:
My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long. – Psalm 71:8


FAITH:
For we live by faith, not by sight. – 2 Corinthians 5:7

THE BIBLE:
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. – Romans 15:4

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP:
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. – Matthew 18:20

Let's remember that keys work both ways. The keys to my house allow me to access all the great blessings within my four walls. And the keys to God’s Kingdom allow me access to all the great blessings within the Heavenly realm. Let’s keep these keys close to our hearts at all times.

If you need prayer, let me know. I would love to pray for you!

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Sunshine Rodgers

I want to have the fear of God over my life.

I receive conviction, living with a holy fear of the decisions I make now because I never want to repeat the past. I am a new creation in Christ and I need to act like it! I always want to acknowledge the Spirit of the Lord around me. The Lord is watching, and Heaven is observing, and angels are surrounding me. I know that God is nearby. I want to be disciplined in what I say and how I act. I respect His sovereignty. I stand in Faith. I place the Lord first by making decisions that please Him while taking the opportunity to love and serve His people.

I remember what my life was like without Christ and I want to make sure I never go back to that time.

A single day in your courts
is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. – Psalm 84:10

Reverently respect God, your God, serve him, hold tight to him... - Deut. 10:20



If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!

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Sunshine Rodgers

I was reading a passage from the Christian Nonfiction book:
"How to Age Without Getting Old"
By: Joyce Meyer

And this passage really spoke to me and perhaps it can be a blessing to you as well:

"As I've grown older, my capacity for handling stress has diminished. To deal with stress better, I try to:

- Fight fear of the unknown with God's help and His Word

- Assure myself that slowing down isn't bad; it's a healthy thing to do as I age

- Ask for help when I need it, and let go of pride that prevents me from asking for it

- Not hang on to negative emotions, but remain positive with God's help

- Go for walks and stretch and exercise regularly

- Focus on what's important. Let go of nonessential things

- Memorize Scripture and recite it when stressed or going to sleep

- Make every day count"



If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!

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Sunshine Rodgers

I am reading through the Christian Nonfiction Book:
"Jesus with Dirty Feet"
by: Don Everts

And I read this chapter on Prayer. I wanted to share my favorite quotes from that chapter:

"Tiny humans and the "I Am" (whose bountiful largess dwarfs entire galaxies with a mere eyelash) come together!

Broken humans and a holy and perfect God talking.

According to Jesus, it's a conversation that's enjoyable, satisfying, comfortable and, yes, quite possible.

When you pray, be intimate.

Pray to your Father who is sitting in your room with you where you are praying.

Prayer is no rare, fancy - worded performance. It's a daily family conversation. It's simple.

Prayer is not an attempt to impress. It is a time to finally relax and be honest.

It is a real child interacting with the real Father.

Whether said while kneeling beside a bed, walking along a street, driving on the freeway or taking a morning shower, prayer is to be genuine.

Sometimes prayers end with a little word: "Amen." That tiny word holds a big meaning: So Be It! Let It Be So! Make It So!

Prayer accomplishes. Prayer is the ridiculous being born. Like moving Mount Everest with a word."

If you need prayer, let me know. I would love to pray for you!

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Sunshine Rodgers