For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. --GALATIANS 3:27, RSV I was thanking the Father today for His mercy. I began listing the sins He’d forgiven. My motives were pure and my heart was thankful, but my understanding of God was wrong. It hit me when I used the word remember.

Idolatry in all of its many forms retains one consistent principle: it does nothing for the worshipper, provides no power, offers no hope. God has a claim on our hearts, and this claim is exclusive. He yields ground to no other Master, no other god. He wants all of us, so that He can bless us in our totality.

In Shamanism, there is much importance given to animals as guides, totems and helpers. This is more than just having a favorite animal or being attracted to butterflies. Animals have been used as a source of diagnosis in healing and counseling by Shamans all around the world throughout recorded history.

To have an enthusiastic attitude about we do is essential. The origin of enthusiasm lies with God Himself. Enthusiasm brings power.

Many people have a longing for a slower, perhaps fuller life and are beginning to look inside themselves to find out what they truly desire. Learning to pause periodically during the day to re-group and replenish our energy can be a helpful first step, and can make an enormous difference in our hectic lives.

There is a lot of advice around regarding stress but everyone reacts differently to stress, with some people revelling in it as a challenge. There are two universal ways outlined here to tackle undue levels of stress.

When you are overwhelmed with stress, here is a two part process you can use to break free of the immediate stress and start creating solutions. Read on to discover how each step is a loving action that will support you in creating a new focus and positive solutions for stress reduction now.