Sunshine Rodgers's Blog - Posts Tagged "motivate"

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

I hate doing yard work. I do not enjoy trimming the bushes. I do not like raking the leaves. And I especially do not like pulling weeds. Why do the weeds just continue to grow even though I pluck, pull, spray and use every effort to get rid of them? I walk out into my front yard and see the weeds growing and I think, "I thought I got rid of you?"

As this new year starts, let's do an inventory and check the “weeds” in our life that may have grown…. the negatives or habits that may need to be pulled and straightened out so that we can grow and mature without distraction or without hinderance.

Let us pull out the weed of complaining and negative talk: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” - Ephesians 4:29


Let us pull out the weed of idleness or prayerlessness: “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” - Psalm 5:3

Let us pull out the weed of distraction (lack of focus): “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge.” - Proverbs 12:1


Let us seek God’s light in 2023 and keep pulling and yanking out those personal weeds so that this year can be the best one yet… full of richness and a bountiful harvest!

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

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Sunshine Rodgers

I enjoy being the cheerleader, the one screaming and supporting others. And the man I am helping and supporting and praying for – he wins his victory and the band plays… and the balloons and confetti fall down…and I understand that I may not receive any personal recognition. And it's fine because I do understand that the personal victory for this man was truly a team effort!!

But I can imagine that must be how Jesus feels when He orchestrates everything so perfectly and so beautifully and as soon as the race is over and the victory is won - we don't even give a second thought to thank the reason for the win - the Designer and Orchestrator of our success.

Forgive me for not recognizing you, Jesus first and foremost for all you have done for me! You are the reason I have what I have and without you, I would have absolutely none of this! I praise you and thank you, Lord!! This victory is YOURS! Let's celebrate together!

This will be my last weekly blog post for a while. Travis and I are on a 21-day hiatus with the Lord, interceding for others and receiving His direction and guidance for our lives.

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

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Sunshine Rodgers

Back in High School, I ran track and field. I sprinted in the 4X4 and the 400meter dash. Running competitively was exhilarating! I heard the applause from the sidelines. I experienced the cheers and the excitement from the crowds which energized me out on that track. Even if I was exhausted from my efforts, hearing the screams would make me run harder and sprint faster.

Fast forward years later. I am older now. I am still running, though not competitively like I was. I am running miles around my neighborhood. Metaphorically, I am running to advance my career. I am running to progress forward in life. I am running to beat my PR (personal record). But the difference is now, there is no applause. No one is off on the sidelines cheering me on. When I feel drained, I don't always get that sudden boost from the crowds to keep going.


I am going to have to keep going even when there is no applause.

I want to encourage you that even when the stands are empty. Even when the prayers are not answered. Even when you are tired to the point of quitting - don't stop. Learn to lift yourself up. Encourage yourself. Be your own fan. Be your own cheerleader. Because, who knows? You may pass the outside curve and experience a wave of supporters who have been watching you the entire time, inspired by you, learning from you and applauding your progress.


Never give up. Keep running.

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

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Sunshine Rodgers

I use a fluoride mouthwash and the instructions are to swish the liquid substance around in my mouth for exactly one minute as to build up the tooth enamel. Whenever I watch the clock for the entire 60 seconds, the time is just so slow and it's painful to keep count. But I have found out that if I walk around the room, and move around, almost distracting myself, that the time goes by quicker because I refocused my attention on something else.

White we wait on something to come to pass in our lives… while we wait on the manifested Promises of God… while we wait on our prayers to be answered…

Let us go about doing something while we wait. Let's divert our attention on something else- anything else! Let's pray and let go. Enjoy the little things. Be gracious. Exercise and take care of ourselves physically. meditate on the Word of God and takes care of ourselves mentally. Have fun and laugh and take care of ourselves emotionally.

Let's not stare at our watch and demand things to move on our own personal timelines - tap our toes and get impatient with God. Keep moving, keep progressing, keep advancing even while we wait!

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

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Sunshine Rodgers

Working with media files and deadlines with quick turnarounds, I need to be patient when a show doesn't process quick enough or when I sent through a file but it's not appearing on the server. And my co-workers encourage me. "It might be the file size. It might be the system being slow. Don't overreact. Just give it some time."

In the same way, we need to trust God even when we don't see things moving “quick enough” or manifesting as we expect.

I was reading through the "Enjoying Everyday Life" Magazine and Joyce Meyer has this to say about trusting God:

"The Bible says that God is always working behind the scenes to help us - even when He is silent (see Romans 8:28; John 5:17). God always has a proper time for things. When He is ready, He will speak, and until He does, it is our job to keep listening and waiting for expectancy.

Instead of getting confused or frustrated while trying to reason and question things in life, why not simply trust God to work with us on a "need to know" basis?

When we trust God, we have to get comfortable with not knowing everything - not knowing how God is going to accomplish what needs to be done or when He will do it."

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, Free Guy and noticed in the beginning scene how content and joyful the main character, Guy (played by Ryan Reynolds) seems. He has one goldfish, one outfit to choose in his closet drinking the same black coffee everyday but he is just in love with his life. There is violence all around him, murders and gun shots, but he is as happy as can be. He doesn't let the outside chaos affect his inside joy.

Here is the beginning scene of Free Guy:



------------------------------

GUY: My name is Guy, and I live in paradise.

GUY: Good morning, Goldie.

I’ve lived here in Free City my whole life. I’ve got a best friend, I’ve got a goldfish, and I work at the bank. What more could a guy want?

NEWS ANCHOR: (ON TV) Sunday should be warm and sunny with just a scattering of drive-bys. Great day for the beach, but not Hitman’s Beach, which will be mined and sprayed with high-caliber fire from a renegade gunship stolen by…

GUY: And every morning, I start my day with the most delicious coffee in the whole, wide, whole world.



-----------------------------------

Guy has this inner joy, inner peace and is excited over the good things and remains happy over the small things.

I don't ever want to allow the negativity of the world to change me. I want to stay in a bubble of excitement filled with exuberant energy. I can have that with God's peace and God's covering. It's a choice and I choose to be happy.

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

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Sunshine Rodgers

I remember riding the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom. In fact, I've ridden that ride multiple times.

One time, it was very hot and the sun was out and none of the wild animals could be seen. They were either hiding or seeking shade.

Then another time, it was gently raining outside. And even though I didn't like being wet at a theme park, the lions and elephants and zebras loved it! They were all playing and enjoying the cool air. It was an unbelievable experience seeing the liveliness of the animals.

I believe that when it rains in my life, something also shifts in the spiritual.

Let me explain.

I have gone through trials and difficulties in my life and all of a sudden, people, resources and support seem to come out of nowhere! Connections I haven't talked to in years now want to bring about divine opportunities. Unexpected money arrives in the mailbox (yes, that does happens!). A calm peace suddenly waves over me. I may not like the rain, but there is a certain sense of wonderment happening even in the storm.

I want to remind you… In the good days, we can enjoy the victory. But even in the bad days, we can even still enjoy the victory. Because God will send support and help and love and solutions… even in the rain.

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

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Sunshine Rodgers

Have you ever read a book and in the story, there are plot twists and unexpected surprises and you want to read ahead but you refrain because you are so caught up withy what might happen next?

I am a writer and I know each book I’ve written by heart. I know the endings to my stories. I know that even though there may be confusion, frustration and heartbreak in Chapter 7, there will be a happy ending and everything will work out by Chapter 10.

Only the Author knows the ending.

You have to trust the Author.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11

…looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; - Hebrews 12:2


Jesus Christ is called the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is writing our personal stories. Trust the Author. He has a good plan and path for you. And your best days - your best chapters - are just ahead!

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

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Sunshine Rodgers

I knew the ending of the movie. In fact, I knew that the ending of that particular movie was a good one. A perfect one. And that's why I recommended we watch it.



But my friend who was watching the movie for the first time was stressed out by the story. He didn't know how one thing connected to the other... but I did. He didn't know why one character had to go through this and that... but I did. I knew it all made sense.



And that's what made the ending so beautiful!!



As my friend was enduring some of the scenes on the screen, I turned and whispered, "It gets better. I promise."

The scene going on right now in your life may be a stressful one. And you're unsure of what is going on. And I am here to tell you that it gets better, I promise. Keep holding on. The ending is worth it. In fact, you are going to love the ending! Everything happens for a reason. The pieces come together nicely and it will all work out. You'll see! Just wait. Wait for it. The best is yet to come!

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

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Sunshine Rodgers