Diocese of Florida Daughters of the King
Archive - January & February 2005

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Dear Daughters

January is here and this month usually brings resolutions for change for many of us.  How many of you said, "in January I am going to start exercising or go on a diet or change a behavior that you are not happy with?"

Well, I recently read the book “Your Best Life Now” -- 7 steps to living at your full potential, by Joel Osteen. 

This is a wonderful, uplifting, spirit filled book that I highly recommend.  Therefore, I am dedicating my message this month to the principles outlined in his book.

  1. ENLARGE YOUR VISION - Raise your level of expectancy.  God has more in store for you then you can imagine.  To get there, you have to break the barriers of the past, persevere when God is calling you to something and learn to speak God’s favor over every area of your life.

  1. DEVELOP A HEALTHY SELF IMAGE – Know that God made you in his image so you are very valuable to him.  Believe in yourself and know that God has a plan for your life.  Develop a prosperous mindset and ask God to bless all areas of your life, especially your ministries.  Also, be happy with who you are.  God loves you and wants you to love yourself.
     

  2. DISCOVER THE POWER OF YOUR THOUGHTS AND WORDS – Reprogram your mental computer to choose the right thoughts.  Remember the power of your words, they can heal or hurt.  Speak life changing words to yourself and others in need.  Ask God to guide your words so they can be a blessing to others.
     

  3. LET GO OF THE PAST – Don’t let bitterness take root and let go of emotional wounds.  Trust God to bring justice in situations where you may have been hurt and don’t let life’s disappointments defeat you.  Remember, when God closes a door he opens another.
     

  4. FIND STRENGTH THROUGH ADVERSITY – Learn to trust God when life does not make sense.  Know that there is a purpose to trials and that we must trust god’s timing.  Don’t give up, keep praying, keep believing, and keep hoping in faith.
     

  5. LIVE TO GIVE – Get you mind off yourself and on to others that God has called you to bless.  Show God’s kindness and mercy in all situations.  Remember, somebody needs what you have to give of your time, talent and treasures.
     

  6. CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY – Remember, happiness is a choice.  Live with enthusiasm, it is contagious. Be a person of integrity, do everything with excellence as unto the Lord.

 

Dear Daughters,

I had the honor and privilege to represent the Daughters of the King at the Diocese of Florida 2005 Convocation, entitled  One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.  What a wonderful experience.

Bishop Howard invited intelligent, powerful, and godly speakers to communicate with the participants on the issues that face our church today.

Ms. Maria Campbell taught us how to communicate with one another, especially when we might disagree with the other person’s position.

Ms. Mary Tanner gave us a view from outside the ECUSA.  One of the questions she posed for discussion was, "Do you consider that the recommendations of the Windsor Report are the right ones?  If so, how could they enhance the unity of the Anglican Communion?"

The Very Rev. Peter Moore spoke about “Investing in Anglican Futures – or scaling the heights while avoiding the crevices”.  He introduced some very thought provoking ideas for further discussion such as two parallel, though temporary, Anglican expressions in North America and consideration of the working theology of ECUSA as opposed to the stated theology. (Very interesting small group discussions on this topic)

The Rev. Ephraim Radner’s message spoke about Communion and Holiness.  We discussed the relationship between living “in communion” and “holy living”.

The Rt. Rev. Mark Dyer spoke to us about “The Windsor Report: A Way Forward in Communion”.  Dyer was a participant in the creation of the report so his insight as to the reasons behind the way the report was written was very valuable.

Bishop Howard closed on Saturday calling us to unity and prayer. 

I believe that the need for prayer during the next several months is paramount to the future of the Episcopal Church.  So I ask each of you reading this message to pray daily for God’s wisdom for our leaders and that God’s will be done concerning the future of our church.  DAUGHTERS’ PRAYERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.