A Gathering of Our Sisters

10/06/2024

31/05/2024

Tampa Bay Area (Tampa, Brandon, Clearwater, Dunedin, St Pete, Wesley Chapel) and beyond. Plan now to attend for discussions on increased physical and mental well-being; fostering a positive environment for networking; finding time for self-discovery; Reducing stress, anxiety and depression; the creation of wealth and inspiration to form meaningful relationships.

Included will be a Celebration of Life Awards Ceremony to honor women who are shining in their communities. Register today at www.Paypal.me/Rebuild581, Eventbrite, $40.00 per person and includes Lunch, Swag Bag & Doorprizes. For more info email:
[email protected]

26/05/2024

Bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3

Remembering those who laid down their lives for us.

30/12/2023

Things Real Christ-Followers Shouldn't Do

I use the term Christ-followers because for some, the term “Christian” can be offensive or give others an excuse to be “different”. We are all united as an offspring of the Creator and are therefore expected to behave accordingly. However, that is not always the case. I invite you to review the following things many are guilty of and encourage you, if guilty, to consider that a change might be in order for this New Year.

Ignore the Needs of Others
Here in America, it’s easy to be comfortable and live in excess even though people are suffering around us -- whether it’s across town or across the world. In James 2:15-17 we are warned against being all talk and no action: “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Furthermore, when a rich man asked Jesus what good thing he must do to get eternal life, Jesus told him to obey God’s laws including “love your neighbor as yourself.” When this man claimed to keep all of these laws, Jesus challenged that love and said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Matthew 9:21). It’s a pretty tall order – one that few of us (myself included) can follow. But to be a Christ-follower, we have to be willing to lose it all to gain Him.

Refuse to Forgive Someone
Through the years I’ve received emails from Christian women telling me the circumstances of their hurt or betrayal and asking for justification to not forgive. I can’t find it anywhere in the Word of God and certainly not in the words of Jesus.
Christ said the world would know His followers by their love. And the greatest evidence of love is forgiveness – even when we feel wronged, betrayed, and taken advantage of. Even when someone doesn’t specifically ask for our forgiveness or show remorse. Even when we don’t feel they deserve our forgiveness.
In Matthew 6, Jesus taught us to pray “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (verse 12). True Christ-followers realize they are personally not worthy of Christ’s forgiveness, but because they are so grateful for it, they freely extend the same forgiveness to others. Christ-followers forgive – without exception – as they have been forgiven.

Gossip about Others
It happens. We gossip about others in the form of “sharing a prayer request” or voicing our concern about another person’s “fall from grace.” But a Christ-follower is burdened by the sins and frustrations of others and lifts them up in prayer, without hanging them out to dry. Scripture instructs: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).
Jesus said the second greatest commandment, next to loving God with all your heart soul, mind, and strength, was to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Love doesn’t gossip. It doesn’t run down another’s reputation. Instead “it always protects” (1 Corinthians 13:7, NASB). A Christ-follower speaks words that Jesus would. And Jesus didn’t gossip.

Fill Up Social Media Platforms with Self
Okay, I know I’m going to step on some toes here and lest I sound judgmental please hear me out. I’m sorry if you see it as a healthy self-esteem, but posting selfie after selfie on social media says “I’m all about myself.” Scripture says when we follow Christ we become all about Him. John the Baptist said “He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30, NKJV). For me to decrease, my selfies must decrease, too.
Showing no selfie-control means we haven’t yet grasped the truth of Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Put other people in those pictures with you and make it about the good time you are sharing with someone else. When people see you, they should see Christ, not a bunch of pictures of just you.

Get Easily Offended
The spirit of offense is alive and well in churches today. It looks like this.

Not only does Scripture tell us that “it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11), but the Apostle Paul told the First Century Christ-followers “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3, NASB). To be hidden with Christ is to identify with Him so completely that our personal feelings don’t dictate our actions, and we don’t care about our image or reputation anymore. It is a form of complete surrender. And it is what will tell the world you are not merely a Christian but a Christ-follower.

27/12/2023

Have you ever felt a tugging, nagging feeling about a situation or person and brushed it off because in your mind it just couldn’t be real?

Have you ever encountered a person who looked strange somehow - acted different, talked differently; you wondered their situation but didn’t take the time to inquire because you didn’t want to be involved?

Have you missed someone who you would regularly encounter during your regular travels only to find out that they had an unfortunate accident or worse died in their home due to illness or su***de?

Proverbs says, “the one who is wise saves lives” (11:30). The discernment that comes from doing right and living according to God’s wisdom can bless not only ourselves but those we encounter too. The fruit of living out what honors Him and His ways can produce a good and refreshing life. And our fruit also prompts us to care about others and to look out for their well-being.
As the writer of Proverbs asserts throughout the book, wisdom is found in reliance on God. Wisdom is considered “more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her” (8:11). The wisdom God provides is there to guide us throughout our lives. It just might save a life for eternity.
We are our brother’s keeper and yes, we have a responsibility to look after one another and expect the same in return. Let us be vigilant in nurturing our relationship with God, the gift of discernment will aid us in many ways.
If you see someone who is struggling mentally or emotionally, call for help or encourage them to dial 988 - crisis hotline.

15/12/2023

Rejoice While Grieving During the Holidays

The holidays are here, and it is a joyous time to celebrate Jesus’ miraculous birth as the Savior of the world. Typically, the holiday season is festive and filled with signs of hope and wonder. Nativity scenes, family dinners, ministry plays, and serving those who are in need are just a few ways that we celebrate the holidays.
While the holidays invite us to be joyous, it is difficult when we are grieving. When we may not feel like singing “Emmanuel,” the good news is that God is still with us and there is still a reason to rejoice.

God will walk with us in our grief, comfort us, wipe our tears, listen to us, and remind us that we are not alone.
In a world where we are conditioned to move on quickly and not dwell for too long, Jesus gives us permission to weep. In John 11:35, Jesus wept for his friend Lazurus’ death. We can rejoice and weep at the same time. Rejoice and mourn for who or what we have lost, hold onto cherished memories or lessons, and be reminded that God is with us daily as we navigate our grief.
When we grieve, the “merry” in Christmas becomes difficult at times. Despite our grief, there is hope as we continue to lean on God to help us as we move forward. God is with us as we sit in our pain, hold onto memories, and take one day at a time. If you are grieving during this holiday season and are seeking hope.

Rejoice That God Is with You During Your Grief
Grieving can be difficult during the holidays, and we often become disconnected and detached from our routine holiday festivities. While we may feel isolated, God is with us as we grieve. We do not have to hold back our emotions or push them away; we can share our hurt, anger or frustration with God, and the good news is that He receives them all. God doesn’t want us to grieve in isolation, but He promises to comfort us in His Word.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

Rejoice in the Memories
If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, you can also rejoice in the memories that you shared, the lessons that were learned, and the experiences you had together. I invite you to pray to God on how you can keep the person’s memory alive in your own life or through future generations. Memories are sacred and God has blessed us with opportunities to continue to live them out daily.
During the holidays, you can fix your loved one’s favorite meal, listen to their favorite song, or reflect on your favorite times together. Rejoicing in our loved one’s favorite memories won’t lessen the sadness of the pain we may feel, but it is an encouraging way to stay connected in spirit with them and give thanks to God for the time that we did have.
When we celebrate memories, it also can encourage us to be inspired and live our lives to the fullest, living out our God-given purpose. Rejoicing with memories also helps us to remember God’s faithfulness and loving care for us.

Rejoice in Community
When we are grieving, it is easy to want to be left alone and not engage with those who want to offer support and care. When you are ready, I invite you to connect in community with those whom God has placed to encourage and speak life to you. It could be a family member, close friend, or church member whom God has sent to encourage your heart and remind you that you are not alone.
If you don’t want to go out, be open to someone coming over to sit with you or make your favorite meal or holiday treat.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

God provides us community to strengthen, support, and pray for us during grieving and difficult seasons. Depression, anxiety, and hopelessness often are real effects of grieving, but it is important to stay connected in community for a listening ear, sharing, and encouragement. Knowing that someone cares can help to lift our spirits and renew our perspective.
by Kyrsten Mayden

13/12/2023

You know I'm always thinking about the well-being of my sisters so when I read this article I knew I needed to share it. I've never worn 5 or higher Ince shoes because I already have lower back issues and that we believe the heels help our posture, etc. This is what my Chiropractor says about the wearing of high heeled shoes:

Wearing High-Heeled Shoes Can Lead to Scoliosis

Aching feet aren't the only downside to wearing high heels. If heels are your go-to shoe, you may be at risk for developing scoliosis, a painful condition that affects the curvature of your spine. Choosing lower-heeled shoes and visiting your chiropractor could lower your scoliosis risk or help ease your pain if you already have the condition.

What Is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis occurs due to an abnormal curvature of the spine. When viewed from behind, a normal spine looks straight, although it actually it has a few curves that support your body. If you're diagnosed with scoliosis, your spine may look like a "C" or "S" instead of a straight line.

The condition is often diagnosed in teenagers, but people of any age can develop scoliosis. Any activity that stresses your spine or the tissues that support it, like wearing high heels, can increase your risk for developing scoliosis.

In addition to a curved spine, one side of the rib cage or one shoulder may protrude more than the other. Additional symptoms include:

Back, Neck, Hip, Rib, or Shoulder Pain
Headaches
Uneven Shoulders or Hips
Sciatica
Weak Muscles
Muscle Spasms and Soreness
Numbness in Legs, Feet, Hands, and Arms
Difficulty Standing or Sitting for Long Periods
Leg Length Differences
Posture Changes
How Can High-Heels Cause Scoliosis?

Wearing high heels changes the way you stand and walk and changes your center of gravity. Heels are designed to slope downward, increasing pressure on the front of your feet. The slope may cause foot pain, alter the alignment of your knees, hips, and back, and cause you to arch your back when walking. Muscles and tissues that support your spine may tighten as a result of your new posture. Eventually, the changes could cause spinal misalignments or affect the curvature of your spine.

High heels also stress the tissues and joints in your knees, hips, and back. Frequent high-heel wear could increase your risk for scoliosis and other conditions, like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and knee and hip arthritis.

In a study published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, researchers reported that wearing high heels could affect the spinal muscles and the pelvis. An increase in spinal muscle activity may cause muscle overuse and low back problems, while a lower pelvic range of motion tightens tissues in the pelvis and lower back.

08/12/2023

This whole "we aren't friends because she didn't check on me” or “she didn't support me"or she “never reaches out first” or "I figured she just wanted to be left alone" narrative sucks.
Women are out here struggling just to stay above water every second of every day, fighting their own battles 💔
There are women out here going through divorces, abuse, major anxiety/depression, financial trouble, family trouble, relationship trouble, health issues, work issues, deaths, and other mental illness... and they are supposed to constantly check in on YOU or stop to say, "Hey, I'm drowning" in order to be your friend?
My friendship doesn't have requirements.
My friendship doesn’t have contingencies.
My friendship doesn’t have obligations.
You don’t have to call every day. It doesn't have guidelines or quotas. As long as it's organic, unforced, and NON-TOXIC, you will forever have my love and support.

05/12/2023

The Holiday season is a good time to be reminded of the incident of su***de.

Many factors can increase the risk for su***de or protect against it. Su***de is connected to other forms of injury and violence. For example, people who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying, or s*xual violence have a higher su***de risk. Being connected to family and community support and having easy access to healthcare can decrease suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Su***de is a serious public health problem.

Su***de rates increased approximately 36% between 2000–2021. Su***de was responsible for 48,183 deaths in 2021, which is about one death every 11 minutes. The number of people who think about or attempt su***de is even higher. In 2021, an estimated 12.3 million American adults seriously thought about su***de, 3.5 million planned a su***de attempt, and 1.7 million attempted su***de.

Su***de affects people of all ages. In 2021, su***de was among the top 9 leading causes of death for people ages 10-64. Su***de was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34.

Some groups have higher su***de rates than others. Su***de rates vary by race/ethnicity, age, and other factors, such as where someone lives. By race/ethnicity, the groups with the highest rates are non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native people followed by non-Hispanic White people. Other Americans with higher-than-average rates of su***de are veterans, people who live in rural areas, and workers in certain industries and occupations like mining and construction. Young people who identify as le***an, gay, or bis*xual have higher prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behavior compared to their peers who identify as heteros*xual.

Su***de has far-reaching impact.

Su***de and su***de attempts cause serious emotional, physical, and economic impacts. People who attempt su***de and survive may experience serious injuries that can have long-term effects on their health. They may also experience depression and other mental health concerns.

Su***de and su***de attempts affect the health and well-being of friends, loved ones, co-workers, and the community. When people die by su***de, their surviving family and friends may experience prolonged grief, shock, anger, guilt, symptoms of depression or anxiety, and even thoughts of su***de themselves.

Need help? Know someone who does?

Contact the 988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. (CDC)

04/12/2023

The holiday season brings about great stress for many. We all handle stress differently, for some it's Domestic Violence, you're either the perpetrator or the victim

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is abuse or aggression that occurs in a romantic relationship. “Intimate partner” refers to both current and former spouses and dating partners. IPV can vary in how often it happens and how severe it is. It can range from one episode of violence that could have lasting impact to chronic and severe episodes over multiple years. IPV can include any of the following types of behavior:

Physical violence is when a person hurts or tries to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, or using another type of physical force.

Sexual violence is forcing or attempting to force a partner to take part in a s*x act, s*xual touching, or a non-physical s*xual event (e.g., s*xting) when the partner does not or cannot consent.

Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention and contact by a partner that causes fear or concern for one’s own safety or the safety of someone close to the victim.

Psychological aggression is the use of verbal and non-verbal communication with the intent to harm a partner mentally or emotionally and/or to exert control over a partner.

How big is the problem?

IPV is common. It affects millions of people in the United States each year. Data from CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) indicate:

About 41% of women and 26% of men experienced contact s*xual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported an intimate partner violence-related impact during their lifetime. Injury, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, concern for safety, fear, needing help from law enforcement, and missing at least one day of work are common impacts reported.

Over 61 million women and 53 million men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

IPV starts early and continues throughout people’s lives. When IPV occurs in adolescence, it is called teen dating violence (TDV). TDV affects millions of U.S. teens each year. About 16 million women and 11 million men who reported experiencing contact s*xual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime said that they first experienced these forms of violence before the age of 18.

What are the consequences?

IPV is a significant public health issue that has many individual and societal costs. About 75% of female IPV survivors and 48% of male IPV survivors experience some form of injury related to IPV. IPV can also result in death. Data from U.S. crime reports suggest that about 1 in 5 homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner. The reports also found that over half of female homicide victims in the United States are killed by a current or former male intimate partner.

Many other negative health outcomes are associated with IPV. Survivors can experience mental health problems such as depression and PTSD symptoms. They are at higher risk for engaging in behaviors such as smoking, binge drinking, and s*xual risk activity.

Although the personal consequences of IPV are devastating, there are also many costs to society. The lifetime economic cost associated with medical services for IPV-related injuries, lost productivity from paid work, criminal justice and other costs, is $3.6 trillion. The cost of IPV over a victim’s lifetime was $103,767 for women and $23,414 for men.

How can we stop it before it starts?

Intimate partner violence is preventable. A number of factors may increase or decrease the risk of perpetrating and experiencing intimate partner violence. To prevent intimate partner violence, we must understand and address the factors that put people at risk for or protect them from violence. Promoting healthy, respectful, and nonviolent relationships and communities can help reduce the occurrence of IPV. It also can prevent the harmful and long-lasting effects of IPV on individuals, families, and communities. (Per the CDC)