Are You Sleeping-Tweet Tweet?
“Ian, it’s time-chirp chirp to wake up-tweet tweet.” Ian’s mother always started out sweet with a song in her voice. But Ian always managed to work her last pale lavender feather. “He is such a lazy parakeet-chirp,” Iris complained to her mate. “Can’t he just go to sleep-tweet early like the rest of us budgies-chirp. He needs his rest-chirp chirp to be ready for what the day brings-tweet.” Thor, Ian’s father, ignored her, and just turned his head the other way keeping busy with his song and picked at and fluttered his bright yellow wings. “He stays up too late-chirp with his cousins, Rollie, Sky and Gus-tweet. They think they’re men-tweet, but they’re acting like fledglings-chirp who don’t know any better-tweet. What will those males do-chirp the day when the weather changes-tweet tweet, how will they know where to go-chirp when they are not disciplined-tweet? What will happen to them-chirp at the time of a great fire-tweet, there will no be time-twerp to come back for them-tweet; they will not be prepared-chirp for that day of darkness-tweet tweet. Or what about when the branches-chirp are suddenly cut off-twerp twerp and we have to relocate-tweet; they will not be trained-chrip. We’ve lost many keets like that,” chirruped Iris to Thor her mate who may as well have been an old barren branch. “Ian - squeak!”
Ian remained still with his little crocked legs securely perched on two branches, tucked safely in a dark corner, with barely a hint of fluttered wings, and with lazy eyelids still closed he sluggishly replied, “Ma-twee, don’t ruffle your pretty-chir feathers,” he said with a bit of nectar in his peep. “I just need a few more-chir minutes.” Iris peeped inside, “He wasn’t going to-tweet do it to her again-chirp! He thinks he can get away with anything with a little-chirp chirp sugary chatter.” “Ian, look at your plumage-tweet, you’ve lost your bright color-chirp because you’ve missed your morning bath all this week-squack. You used to be a brilliant yellow-chirp, but now your whole body is almost black-tweet like the stripes around your neck. You’re starting to look like-twerp aunt LuLu and Maya, dingy and pale-chirp! That’s okay for them-chirp, they’re females-tweet, but not for a young male budgie-twerp. Get up Ian-squack!”
Iris looked at her lazy growing budgie and could see that his body was getting larger and larger just as a male budgie should. “You know Thor-chirp, your son is just like you-tweet. He’s growing to be a strong budgie-chirp chirp, but he doesn’t get enough exercise and stimulation-twerp twerp. He really needs to go out-chirp and do more foreaging-tweet. And you Mr. Bacchus-tweet tweet,” Iris turned to her mate, “why aren’t you out now-chirp chirp teaching your son to go migrating early-tweet tweet so the two of you can defend-twerp and stake out a territory for us-tweet tweet. Where-twerp are we going to have the other keets you wanted-tweet tweet, in our old nest? Chirp-It’s no wonder you’ve got almost no tail feathers left-twerp, you have me pulling on them regularly-tweet tweet. Ugh, you Bacchus parakeets,” Iris tittered lightly knowing she could not stay mad at her Thor for long.
Iris started to pluck at Ian’s feathers trying to clean his ashen yellow plumage without water while he was still trying to sleep. Iris kept talking to Ian. “Ian, don’t you understand-twitter? There are things you’ll learn-chirp away from our nest that will carry you-tweet through the rest of your life. Twerp-You never know when bad times will hit-tweet, and I want you to know how to survive-chirp chirp.” “I know what I’m doing ma-twee,” Ian barely twittered trying to quiet his mother. “Oh? Do you know enough-chirp to raise a family, be a provider-tweet, a protector-chirp chirp, and help your little ones when they’re lost-twerp twerp,” inquired Iris. “You worry too much-chir,” Ian half heartedly tried to settle his mother’s concerns.
There were no more responses forthcoming from Ian because he fell asleep again and his mother finally felt exacerbated by his lack of interest and twittered, “Ian Bacchus-squak, are you listening to me-chirp? You had better-tweet get a move on-chirp, we are all gathering-tweet tweet and the sun will be rising soon-chirp chirp.”
Once more, without Ian, the Bacchus parakeet family and their friends spent a beautiful sunny day together in flight, going from tree to tree, meadows, houses, barns, and gardens; and jumped, dipped, and swooped in and out of swimming pools, bird baths, wet curbsides, and water pools on the grass.
Ian’s older sister, Niblet, was never any trouble and was as usual the first in the water and the last to get out, she loved it. Her body was thin, with light pretty lavender feathers like her mother, and fine black lines that capped her head like a bonnet. Sunny, a male, was the largest and oldest of the Bacchus keet siblings who was bright yellow with no markings, pure as yolk, just like his father, Thor. Sunny was well trained and ready to start a family of his own. Then there was little Jazzi, the youngest always happily cleaning her contrasting black and yellow wings, standing tall showing off her thin lime green breast, a rarity for a female, a beauty mark passed down from her great great grandmother Isabella.
They swooped and fluttered in and out of orange, apple, and grapefruit trees and feasted on pine nuts that were nestled in beautiful umbrella shaped trees with foliage of light green to bluish coloring.
As Iris bathed and pecked at fruit she was lost in thought. Today, as well as many other times, her son missed the early morning flights to the orange trees, his favorite. Ian’s mother worried about her youngest. He was always the last to rise and leave the resting branches, and many times stayed behind sleeping. Any other time of the year she would worry about leaving him alone, but she thought she didn’t have to worry so much right now, because it was spring and he could still hide among all the bright flowers right through summer.
Iris talked to Ian until she was blue in the face about not venturing far away from their resting branches alone. She worried about Ian staying behind because it didn’t give him enough practice and experience with dodging and hiding to keep him from being the main course for much larger birds. There was so much that Iris wanted him to know and learn directly from the male keets; and most importantly those things he couldn’t learn from her about a song or call notes for begging calls for food, danger or distress.
“Iris,” peeped Thor, her mate, “have you seen Ian-tweet? Did he follow us-chirp? We’re ready to take flight-peep peep to practice patterns of journey formations-chirp chirp.” “No Thor,” Iris tweeted forcefully, “you said to just leave him-twerp, so we did! Thor Bacchus-chirp chirp, I don’t know why you don’t put your foot down-tweet tweet or use those strong plumage feathers of yours to nudge him up-twerp twerp. Sometimes I think all you’re good for is a beautiful love song or a cloacal kiss-tweet tweet. Really!” Thor knew when he was in trouble so he quickly began to soar and swoop around his mate Iris, singing her favorite love song. Expertly landing on a branch to show off his talents, he then hung from one foot and dangled upside down until she came to nudge him.
Ian started to stir as the warm morning sun peeked through the green leaves. It was quiet, and hardly a bird song or a call note was noticeable. He wondered how long it had been since his family left for baths and food. He was getting hungry now and his thirst was growing. He pecked around the nearby trees and shrubs but didn’t find anything significant to eat. He thought twice about staying put and waiting for the others, but decided to venture out into the open field in search of a meal and water anyway.
Ian was feeling still a bit sluggish and was lazily flying in search of food not being mindful of his route. He decided to land on top of a barren tree that overlooked a meadow. He stood perched atop the leafless tree and pecked at a few little tibits of seeds of some sort that had landed there probably from a light wind. He quickly lost interest as he started to think about pecking at some oranges. He looked around but didn’t recognize his surroundings. Ian was lost in thought and he didn’t notice the two black crows that were circling above.
Then suddenly he heard the loud flap of the black wings of the crows and fear set into him. He suddenly saw the dark shadows as they blocked the sunlight and his little black beaded eyes suddenly locked with those big dark marbles eyes of one of the birds. He rapidly flutters his wings and barely moved out of harm’s way at the first attack and the beak of the hungry crow just missed him. What seemed like a just a moment later came the next strike. Ian was still in the brown barren tree and realized he was a bright prime target. Yellow, he quickly thought, was like an orange in a dirt patch. Then he heard his mother’s words ring in his ears.
If during spring through summer you find yourself as the potential prey of a larger bird, hide among all the bright flowers. It will be hard for them to find you there.” So Ian swooped in another direction and headed for the dense foliage, where an array of colorful flowers, were in bloom. But before he could land there he felt his equilibrium suddenly off. His right wing had been nicked by the black crow and he lost control and spiraled quickly landing on a mix of dirt and grass. He hopped and flew low until he reached the safety of the dense vibrant flowers. “I made it,” Ian exclaimed to himself breathlessly. He panted feverishly but still kept moving, and finally stopped when he found a low level puddle of water. He drank only a few drops and kept moving in desperation.
As the pair of crows proceeded to swoop and soar across the vivid meadow with ease searching for their snack, Ian worked hard to move about the greens and flowers to be, if nothing else, a moving target. He finally slowed realizing that his normal bright yellow plumage was really not as easy a target because he was almost gray from the lack of baths this week. A blessing he finally thought.
As the hours passed and while it was still day light Ian realized that his wing would not serve him well to get him home. He had moved about for so long and in so many directions, that he didn’t know which way to go anyway.
He thought about sending out a call note but did not know what noise to make in his time of distress. Instead, he quietly uttered faint sounds that did nothing but make him whimper. He knew now that he would have to wait until morning, for what he didn’t know.
It was the first time Ian felt alone and he was now cold, hungry and thirsty. He didn’t know what to do and had no one around to help him. He suddenly realized that while he enjoyed sleeping, it did not serve him well for there were other things more important than himself. He imagined his family and friends would be worried sick. And his mother, well, he could only imagine what his mother would be going through. He wished now that he could feel that comforting familiar pecking at his body, the way she would gently nudge him to get up in the morning, and the stories she would tell him about life. Ian was lost in his thoughts for hours and finally grew tired and fell asleep in the deep cold brush.
Ian shivered now, and was awaken because of the bitter cold. He sat in the dark scared because the still of the night produced unfamiliar sounds. To get his mind off of his fear, he searched his memory bank for words and stories of his father, mother, uncles and aunts. He then realized that sleeping in and staying behind didn’t give him enough practice to keep him familiar with the new spots where his family and friends searched for food. Because he didn’t pay attention he didn’t know the whereabouts of his family when they were away from their resting branches. He also realized that he didn’t have enough experience with dodging and hiding from the much larger birds to keep him from being their main course. He became conscious of the fact that there was so much that he needed to know to be on his own and he felt the weight of disappointment fall hard on his back. “What is a keet without family-peep,” he finally surmised.
Then as day break shone the first hints of light, to his amazement he realized he knew more than he thought he had, he just didn’t practice much of anything enough to stay with him or in this case to be able to help himself when he needed it most. This empowered Ian to get up and out now.
Ian used his full plumage and made his feathers forcefully work as hard as his will. He looked up to thank his creator and he knew in his heart that he was headed in the right direction.
He swooped down to eat off the orange trees for nourishment and dunked himself and worked expertly to bath in the patches of water that looked familiar. With each new flap of his wings he became more excited and determined to reach his destination, home.
He didn’t know where it came from within, but out of his throat he produced sounds that were unfamiliar to him. They were pleasant sounds. He kept singing the same song again and again.
Then a new short call note came to him. He practiced it over and over and then paused. And again, he called out over and over and paused. This time he heard it. The response was exciting and stimulating. Other keets heard him! There were budgies who heard him! Ian did flips in the air, lowered himself in flight, and then soared high in the sky in celebration. His heart was now full of joy. Ian knew he was home.
Inspired by:
Matthew 24:42-47
“Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understanding this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions.”
Brothers & Sisters In Christ
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I've Got Work To Do!
I’ve got work to do!
Day in and day out most of us begrudgingly get up and go to work to pay the bills. We put in our required hours, 9 to 5, or 10 to 12 hour days, 4 days a week, or 6 days a week with one day off. Some work two jobs, or 7 days to meet their personal obligations. Today it requires two incomes, sometimes more, to keep a household afloat. It is not just the house payment and utilities that we are working for, it is so much more. Why are we working so hard and not enjoying what we do?
How did we get into this financial and convoluted mess in the first place? Trying to answer this question would probably be a huge waste of valuable time. The better question might be “how can we be freed of our draining emotional ways of thinking and burdensome economic obligations?
It would be important to first understand that our obligations are not forced upon us, they are frankly self-imposed and we continue to add to the rising negative balance daily. We live beyond our means and still hold on to subscriptions for magazines, cable television, and gym memberships (It’s only a waste if you are not using it to improve your heath! EXERCISE!!!! Exercise will keep your health costs down.). Our wallets are fat with credit cards. We shop needlessly for the latest trends in clothing, hip shoes, and stock up on fashionable accessories. We make financial investments in jewelry from the home shopping networks and indulge ourselves in other infomercial purchases. We’ve chucked home phones and opted to upgrade to cell phones only to be lured into feverishly keeping up with the latest technology. We replace our computers, laptops and portable music players just to increase the memory capacity, which is often before they stop working and in some cases prior to the warranty’s expiration. We purchase grown up toys like boats and motorcycles and pay for the storage of recreational motor homes and trailers that we rarely use. We are now boundlessly working to keep up minimum payments for these luxuries, comforts, extras, and extravagances that will, in some instances, breakdown before we can pay off the balance. When was the last time you were able to pay something off and how long did it take?
To begin to reduce our debt we need to stop being influenced by artful and persuasive commercials and refrain from spending on unnecessary impulse purchases. We can do without the new blow dryer that’s on sale when the one we have still works, or upgrade to a new washer and dryer because it doesn’t coordinate with our belongings when the set we have still serves it purpose. Hey if you can afford to buy these extras with hard cold “cash” go for it! Don’t marry yourself to your work forever just pay for your revolving desires and liabilities!
It’s no wonder our attitude toward work stinks. We have, on our own, given our occupation, the principal business of one’s life, vocation, calling, trade, the business which one follows, to procure a living or obtain wealth (one of Webster’s many definitions) a less than honorable place in our lives. The mere idea and mention of the word “work” seems to be able to zap out of us, instantaneously, all initiative and spunk. The thought of it robs us of our good spirit and can take a toll on us interrupting regular required body repairing time and soul rejuvenating sound sleep. The thought of work psychologically crosses and creeps over into our free time and we feel monopolized, cheated and exhausted even at the beginning of our day.
What’s more is that rather than being happy for our friend who has retired early because he worked hard to minimize or completely eliminate his debt and who saved for the future, we are instead jealous and make comments that equate to a hand outstretched asking for some sort of free gift as if all he had done had been handed to him on a silver platter. What’s viewed as his good luck and liberating life seems to be like salt in an open wound that stings us good or an unreal fairy tale that’s far out of our reach. We therefore, selfishly and unconsciously attack someone else’s hard work and good life and turn it into a negative and self pitying and depraved image of our own and make ourselves out to be the victim of some cruel punishment or crime.
We complain and say we would rather not be working and wish we could be home just doing nothing but relaxing our brains and bodies (this makes our brains mushy and our bodies plump). Too much time gives us a surplus of instances to impose and over think the negative thoughts we tightly weave into our lives. The lack of structure allows us to get sloppy and careless and we quickly lose faith in our gifts, talents, and abilities. We pull away from others and are overwhelmed by our obligations therefore leaving room for our ego and fear to grow stronger than our faith and hope allowing depression to squeeze its way into our days making them dark and almost impossible for light to shine through.
Our souls require positive relationships and constructive opportunities to confidently intertwine and root with each other allowing us to bond forces that would make us strong, create alliances, and ultimately partnership in good manners of conduct that would fulfill and satisfy our hungry deprived hearts and spirits. That, my friends, would be God’s word at work in you and it’s the only thing you are missing that needs cultivating so that your life’s crops will surely grow and turn into a flourishing harvest.
To conquer that bad attitude toward work we need to find that certain something that suits us. We should seek out an occupation that stimulates passion, excitement, zeal, and enthusiasm. To most this depiction is not one associated with a normal work description. We have equated the term “work” to be a buzz killer. Our work is tedious, laborious, a drudgery, a demanding effort, stiff, rigid, difficult, problematic, demanding, not easy, hard, and thorny.
Out with the old and in with the new attitude! Make your work challenging, stimulating, inspiring, motivating, interesting, thought-provoking, refreshing, invigorating, rousing, and energizing. You may say you have a boring job. Stop to think about what you don’t like about it. Even the most menial of tasks need to be taken care of by someone. If it happens to be you, take pride in your part of the process. The ultimate end result is a merger of many assorted tasks and diverse people.
If you have to punch holes in paper all day, allow your conversation and interaction with others to be opportunities to give of yourself generously in thought and meaningful experiences. Do you work along side someone who is difficult to work with or are you the difficult one? Is that someone a little too colorful for your taste, or are you drab or bland? We are all different and have various qualities, idiosyncrasies, habits, and quirks. You don’t have to live with them or marry them for that fact, however, we are under God’s decree to love your neighbor as yourself, therefore, all are deserving of love and respect just as you are.
The great news is that you have always been provided better options, choices and blessings. That is what life is all about, getting to the goods of God. Whether at work, home, church, grocery store, gas station, elevator, carpool or bus we are called to work together, to be united, care for, comfort, acknowledge, and to help and love one another. We are not alone on this planet. Therefore we need to change our old and stale approach to our new existence. Let’s raise the quality of our exciting new choices, lift up with the words we decide to use, and improve the attitude we impart upon others. Be clear and definite about upbeat, encouraging, and optimistic feelings because they all go through taxed emotional filters and ultimately affect someone else’s broken self. What we dish out, we will get back. So spread your positive aura around like wild fairy dust. Treat yourself kindly, give to yourself generously, love yourself laissez-fairely by doing the same to others.
Reinvent yourself and welcome your fresh insightful eyes to an innovative way of being for they are the canvas to your awe inspiring destiny planned for all along by God. Make them see new, ground-breaking and novel ways to make yourself current and up to the minute reborn, interesting, welcoming, and loving. If you don’t like what you do, or where you are, and are tired of playing in elementary school, move yourself to the university of God’s people and join those who know what they want! Make your time wherever you are an enjoyable experience so that when you get your paycheck it is simply the icing on the cake.
Be happy with what you have, because frankly, it’s a lot. The phrase “be happy with what you have” is probably immediately associated with material things of this world. However, “what you have” is so much deeper, plentiful and fulfilling than anything you can buy with money. Look to the riches you possess in the works of the heart.
Yes, you can do it! Make changes that will improve and get you closer to financial and emotional freedom. It is truly amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it. God has great plans for you. Open the door and let him in!
Let your work be truly one of service to others. Lead a human life that shows God’s work in you everyday. Because of your love for Him and your neighbor and your belief in God’s goodness, you will be blessed and able to enjoy the most trite of tasks.
You have the ability to change your attitude toward anything. Seek better, reach for higher ground, and don’t settle for anything less than wonderful. Work to exert yourself in order to do or make something stand out and be amazing.
Today with your new found gratitude and genuine attitude you can approach your new work day with absolute delight and say with new meaning, “I’ve got work to do!”
Have a great day!
Inspired by:
Matthew 23:23-26
You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you should lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.
Day in and day out most of us begrudgingly get up and go to work to pay the bills. We put in our required hours, 9 to 5, or 10 to 12 hour days, 4 days a week, or 6 days a week with one day off. Some work two jobs, or 7 days to meet their personal obligations. Today it requires two incomes, sometimes more, to keep a household afloat. It is not just the house payment and utilities that we are working for, it is so much more. Why are we working so hard and not enjoying what we do?
How did we get into this financial and convoluted mess in the first place? Trying to answer this question would probably be a huge waste of valuable time. The better question might be “how can we be freed of our draining emotional ways of thinking and burdensome economic obligations?
It would be important to first understand that our obligations are not forced upon us, they are frankly self-imposed and we continue to add to the rising negative balance daily. We live beyond our means and still hold on to subscriptions for magazines, cable television, and gym memberships (It’s only a waste if you are not using it to improve your heath! EXERCISE!!!! Exercise will keep your health costs down.). Our wallets are fat with credit cards. We shop needlessly for the latest trends in clothing, hip shoes, and stock up on fashionable accessories. We make financial investments in jewelry from the home shopping networks and indulge ourselves in other infomercial purchases. We’ve chucked home phones and opted to upgrade to cell phones only to be lured into feverishly keeping up with the latest technology. We replace our computers, laptops and portable music players just to increase the memory capacity, which is often before they stop working and in some cases prior to the warranty’s expiration. We purchase grown up toys like boats and motorcycles and pay for the storage of recreational motor homes and trailers that we rarely use. We are now boundlessly working to keep up minimum payments for these luxuries, comforts, extras, and extravagances that will, in some instances, breakdown before we can pay off the balance. When was the last time you were able to pay something off and how long did it take?
To begin to reduce our debt we need to stop being influenced by artful and persuasive commercials and refrain from spending on unnecessary impulse purchases. We can do without the new blow dryer that’s on sale when the one we have still works, or upgrade to a new washer and dryer because it doesn’t coordinate with our belongings when the set we have still serves it purpose. Hey if you can afford to buy these extras with hard cold “cash” go for it! Don’t marry yourself to your work forever just pay for your revolving desires and liabilities!
It’s no wonder our attitude toward work stinks. We have, on our own, given our occupation, the principal business of one’s life, vocation, calling, trade, the business which one follows, to procure a living or obtain wealth (one of Webster’s many definitions) a less than honorable place in our lives. The mere idea and mention of the word “work” seems to be able to zap out of us, instantaneously, all initiative and spunk. The thought of it robs us of our good spirit and can take a toll on us interrupting regular required body repairing time and soul rejuvenating sound sleep. The thought of work psychologically crosses and creeps over into our free time and we feel monopolized, cheated and exhausted even at the beginning of our day.
What’s more is that rather than being happy for our friend who has retired early because he worked hard to minimize or completely eliminate his debt and who saved for the future, we are instead jealous and make comments that equate to a hand outstretched asking for some sort of free gift as if all he had done had been handed to him on a silver platter. What’s viewed as his good luck and liberating life seems to be like salt in an open wound that stings us good or an unreal fairy tale that’s far out of our reach. We therefore, selfishly and unconsciously attack someone else’s hard work and good life and turn it into a negative and self pitying and depraved image of our own and make ourselves out to be the victim of some cruel punishment or crime.
We complain and say we would rather not be working and wish we could be home just doing nothing but relaxing our brains and bodies (this makes our brains mushy and our bodies plump). Too much time gives us a surplus of instances to impose and over think the negative thoughts we tightly weave into our lives. The lack of structure allows us to get sloppy and careless and we quickly lose faith in our gifts, talents, and abilities. We pull away from others and are overwhelmed by our obligations therefore leaving room for our ego and fear to grow stronger than our faith and hope allowing depression to squeeze its way into our days making them dark and almost impossible for light to shine through.
Our souls require positive relationships and constructive opportunities to confidently intertwine and root with each other allowing us to bond forces that would make us strong, create alliances, and ultimately partnership in good manners of conduct that would fulfill and satisfy our hungry deprived hearts and spirits. That, my friends, would be God’s word at work in you and it’s the only thing you are missing that needs cultivating so that your life’s crops will surely grow and turn into a flourishing harvest.
To conquer that bad attitude toward work we need to find that certain something that suits us. We should seek out an occupation that stimulates passion, excitement, zeal, and enthusiasm. To most this depiction is not one associated with a normal work description. We have equated the term “work” to be a buzz killer. Our work is tedious, laborious, a drudgery, a demanding effort, stiff, rigid, difficult, problematic, demanding, not easy, hard, and thorny.
Out with the old and in with the new attitude! Make your work challenging, stimulating, inspiring, motivating, interesting, thought-provoking, refreshing, invigorating, rousing, and energizing. You may say you have a boring job. Stop to think about what you don’t like about it. Even the most menial of tasks need to be taken care of by someone. If it happens to be you, take pride in your part of the process. The ultimate end result is a merger of many assorted tasks and diverse people.
If you have to punch holes in paper all day, allow your conversation and interaction with others to be opportunities to give of yourself generously in thought and meaningful experiences. Do you work along side someone who is difficult to work with or are you the difficult one? Is that someone a little too colorful for your taste, or are you drab or bland? We are all different and have various qualities, idiosyncrasies, habits, and quirks. You don’t have to live with them or marry them for that fact, however, we are under God’s decree to love your neighbor as yourself, therefore, all are deserving of love and respect just as you are.
The great news is that you have always been provided better options, choices and blessings. That is what life is all about, getting to the goods of God. Whether at work, home, church, grocery store, gas station, elevator, carpool or bus we are called to work together, to be united, care for, comfort, acknowledge, and to help and love one another. We are not alone on this planet. Therefore we need to change our old and stale approach to our new existence. Let’s raise the quality of our exciting new choices, lift up with the words we decide to use, and improve the attitude we impart upon others. Be clear and definite about upbeat, encouraging, and optimistic feelings because they all go through taxed emotional filters and ultimately affect someone else’s broken self. What we dish out, we will get back. So spread your positive aura around like wild fairy dust. Treat yourself kindly, give to yourself generously, love yourself laissez-fairely by doing the same to others.
Reinvent yourself and welcome your fresh insightful eyes to an innovative way of being for they are the canvas to your awe inspiring destiny planned for all along by God. Make them see new, ground-breaking and novel ways to make yourself current and up to the minute reborn, interesting, welcoming, and loving. If you don’t like what you do, or where you are, and are tired of playing in elementary school, move yourself to the university of God’s people and join those who know what they want! Make your time wherever you are an enjoyable experience so that when you get your paycheck it is simply the icing on the cake.
Be happy with what you have, because frankly, it’s a lot. The phrase “be happy with what you have” is probably immediately associated with material things of this world. However, “what you have” is so much deeper, plentiful and fulfilling than anything you can buy with money. Look to the riches you possess in the works of the heart.
Yes, you can do it! Make changes that will improve and get you closer to financial and emotional freedom. It is truly amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it. God has great plans for you. Open the door and let him in!
Let your work be truly one of service to others. Lead a human life that shows God’s work in you everyday. Because of your love for Him and your neighbor and your belief in God’s goodness, you will be blessed and able to enjoy the most trite of tasks.
You have the ability to change your attitude toward anything. Seek better, reach for higher ground, and don’t settle for anything less than wonderful. Work to exert yourself in order to do or make something stand out and be amazing.
Today with your new found gratitude and genuine attitude you can approach your new work day with absolute delight and say with new meaning, “I’ve got work to do!”
Have a great day!
Inspired by:
Matthew 23:23-26
You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you should lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.
Monday, August 17, 2009
My Ship Has Just Come In!
My Ship Has Just Come In!
God has raised His holy sails and sent His eminent vessel out into the vast ocean on an amazing journey to bring blessings to you! He has planned ahead and has allocated for your prosperity and your affluence in this world. It is with great forethought that He has arranged for your material and worldly goods and the treasures that will be yours in abundance.
He has deliberately worked and arranged through the circumstances of many lives to touch yours. You undoubtedly have had and will continue to have experiences that lead you down many unpleasant, mildly interesting, challenging and exceptional paths. How you prime yourself daily for your journey through life, will give you the tools to respond effectively to rise above unscathed and one day actually enjoy your storms or hiccups, bumpy rides and the calm after the downpour. What lies ahead in your horizon is unclear, but your faith and hope should be unmistakable.
Through a multitude of experiences of many people, God is deliberately working to move mountains for you. He uses situations in your life and plays them off others all for mutual benefit. Someone else’s loss of a job may be your gain of a promotion. A personal financial misfortune of one may be your unbelievable purchase of a house you never thought you’d have. You may be the recipient of a long awaited organ received through an incredible healthy donor. Dinner tonight could be paid for by the $100 bill you found walking to your car.
On the flip side, you may feel unloved, abandoned, rejected, deserted, walked out on, forsaken, left behind, or even forgotten because of your dire circumstances. You may envy the blessing of the birth of a perfect child while yours lay in an incubator fighting for its life. You might resent the person who abuses their elderly parent while you’ve lived a life without yours. You may feel bitter about someone buying a new car, while yours sits on the driveway because you cannot afford to fix it.
God is an on-time God. He will give you what you need when you need it, and not what you want when you want it! However, we live in an instant gratification world. We get it when we want it, and if we can’t have it we finance it, borrow, and sadly sometimes even steal it. You may have heard people say that they have never been happier than when they were the poorest and humbled. Get on board now people, re-evaluate your priorities and decide what’s important and what’s not. Don’t wait to be humbled to call on your faith with God.
Our sour and negative attitude is a l-i-t-t-l-e something that could perhaps work a tad bit against us. One might respond to the news of a well-off man winning the lotto, “Well that stinks. Why him? He doesn’t need it. Why couldn’t I win it. I could sure use a mansion, a maid, a couple of cool cars, new clothes and a satchel of jewelry. I could really think of ways to put that money to use.” A man (or woman) may squander all his money on foolish material things and one day he would have nothing left and what’s more, never shared it. We are called to share our abundant blessings with others and not to squander it. Apparently there are not a whole lot of us that God can entrust with such sums of money! What would you do if you won the lotto?
We cop many kinds of cynical and hostile attitudes, such as, “I’ll believe it when I see it”, and “You can’t tell me that God is going to get my house paid off, when I can barely afford to put food on the table.” Do you think you can kill a blessing with an attitude like that? Duh!!!
You’ve heard or may have said this many times before in your life, “All things happen for a reason.” It is not for you to understand why things go as they do, it will never make sense. However, it is assuredly God’s plan and desire for you to believe that you are in fact an heir of His great love, mercy and abundant graces.
There are many gifts waiting for you to come at the proper time in your life. What are you doing with that time? How do you intend to wait for your promised blessings? Could a new attitude open the floodgates that hold back your holy flow? What will you see if you remove the sinister blinders from your eyes? Are your ears trained to hear God’s direction? Are there layers of pessimistic thoughts that should be shed so that God can touch you? How can you perfect your vocabulary so that God’s words are the first to roll off your tongue rather than last and in desperation? What ingredients can you blend together to enhance the flavor of your existence, give tang to your being, and savor the experience of the gift of life?
Rid yourself of negative thoughts that hinder a positive outlook. Stop being your own encumbrance. Get yourself out of your way and don’t delay or prevent the progress of good things that are in store for you.
Veto all things that thwart your growth. Remember you are in a very special partnership with God. You have got to do your part so He can do His. Be brave and give yourself permission to move forward in bold faith and audacious confidence so that you may begin to enjoy life now while waiting to receive your just reward.
Begin to develop a better eye for ways to make progressive decisions for things that need improving in your life. But don’t stop at simple utterances. You’ve got to elevate your spirit onto higher ground and lift it up beyond just words. God is not impressed by the decisions we make, but rather by our trust and faith in Him which leads us to respond with confidence in our ACTIONS!!! Put noble WORKS behind your first-class words and watch how the course of life will begin to move in the divine direction set out for you.
So the good life is coming and you are ready! Yes, that’s it! Living like it’s already here! You have an eternal radiant light inside you that is powered by your faith so bright that God knows you are not sleeping. You are a gifted watchman (or woman) who is protecting your personal sacred channel by embracing with hope the promises that God gives you that will ultimately connect you to His abounding graces.
God has a divine vessel full of gifts, don’t delay the delivery, cover all angles and put a great big sign visible from the bow (front), stern (back), port (left) and starboard (right) of your waiting ship that says, “this receiving dock is open 24/7, bring it on anytime Lord! I am ready for my ration, portion, share, and my lot in life that has been designed for me and blessed by You. Thank you dear Lord for your love. I have confidence that no matter the weather, You will bless me with eyes that could see through the thickest fog, so that I am able to recognize and proclaim humbly, “Thank you Dear Lord, my ship has just come in!”
Inspired by:
Luke1:12-15 18-20
Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.”
Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stands before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
God has raised His holy sails and sent His eminent vessel out into the vast ocean on an amazing journey to bring blessings to you! He has planned ahead and has allocated for your prosperity and your affluence in this world. It is with great forethought that He has arranged for your material and worldly goods and the treasures that will be yours in abundance.
He has deliberately worked and arranged through the circumstances of many lives to touch yours. You undoubtedly have had and will continue to have experiences that lead you down many unpleasant, mildly interesting, challenging and exceptional paths. How you prime yourself daily for your journey through life, will give you the tools to respond effectively to rise above unscathed and one day actually enjoy your storms or hiccups, bumpy rides and the calm after the downpour. What lies ahead in your horizon is unclear, but your faith and hope should be unmistakable.
Through a multitude of experiences of many people, God is deliberately working to move mountains for you. He uses situations in your life and plays them off others all for mutual benefit. Someone else’s loss of a job may be your gain of a promotion. A personal financial misfortune of one may be your unbelievable purchase of a house you never thought you’d have. You may be the recipient of a long awaited organ received through an incredible healthy donor. Dinner tonight could be paid for by the $100 bill you found walking to your car.
On the flip side, you may feel unloved, abandoned, rejected, deserted, walked out on, forsaken, left behind, or even forgotten because of your dire circumstances. You may envy the blessing of the birth of a perfect child while yours lay in an incubator fighting for its life. You might resent the person who abuses their elderly parent while you’ve lived a life without yours. You may feel bitter about someone buying a new car, while yours sits on the driveway because you cannot afford to fix it.
God is an on-time God. He will give you what you need when you need it, and not what you want when you want it! However, we live in an instant gratification world. We get it when we want it, and if we can’t have it we finance it, borrow, and sadly sometimes even steal it. You may have heard people say that they have never been happier than when they were the poorest and humbled. Get on board now people, re-evaluate your priorities and decide what’s important and what’s not. Don’t wait to be humbled to call on your faith with God.
Our sour and negative attitude is a l-i-t-t-l-e something that could perhaps work a tad bit against us. One might respond to the news of a well-off man winning the lotto, “Well that stinks. Why him? He doesn’t need it. Why couldn’t I win it. I could sure use a mansion, a maid, a couple of cool cars, new clothes and a satchel of jewelry. I could really think of ways to put that money to use.” A man (or woman) may squander all his money on foolish material things and one day he would have nothing left and what’s more, never shared it. We are called to share our abundant blessings with others and not to squander it. Apparently there are not a whole lot of us that God can entrust with such sums of money! What would you do if you won the lotto?
We cop many kinds of cynical and hostile attitudes, such as, “I’ll believe it when I see it”, and “You can’t tell me that God is going to get my house paid off, when I can barely afford to put food on the table.” Do you think you can kill a blessing with an attitude like that? Duh!!!
You’ve heard or may have said this many times before in your life, “All things happen for a reason.” It is not for you to understand why things go as they do, it will never make sense. However, it is assuredly God’s plan and desire for you to believe that you are in fact an heir of His great love, mercy and abundant graces.
There are many gifts waiting for you to come at the proper time in your life. What are you doing with that time? How do you intend to wait for your promised blessings? Could a new attitude open the floodgates that hold back your holy flow? What will you see if you remove the sinister blinders from your eyes? Are your ears trained to hear God’s direction? Are there layers of pessimistic thoughts that should be shed so that God can touch you? How can you perfect your vocabulary so that God’s words are the first to roll off your tongue rather than last and in desperation? What ingredients can you blend together to enhance the flavor of your existence, give tang to your being, and savor the experience of the gift of life?
Rid yourself of negative thoughts that hinder a positive outlook. Stop being your own encumbrance. Get yourself out of your way and don’t delay or prevent the progress of good things that are in store for you.
Veto all things that thwart your growth. Remember you are in a very special partnership with God. You have got to do your part so He can do His. Be brave and give yourself permission to move forward in bold faith and audacious confidence so that you may begin to enjoy life now while waiting to receive your just reward.
Begin to develop a better eye for ways to make progressive decisions for things that need improving in your life. But don’t stop at simple utterances. You’ve got to elevate your spirit onto higher ground and lift it up beyond just words. God is not impressed by the decisions we make, but rather by our trust and faith in Him which leads us to respond with confidence in our ACTIONS!!! Put noble WORKS behind your first-class words and watch how the course of life will begin to move in the divine direction set out for you.
So the good life is coming and you are ready! Yes, that’s it! Living like it’s already here! You have an eternal radiant light inside you that is powered by your faith so bright that God knows you are not sleeping. You are a gifted watchman (or woman) who is protecting your personal sacred channel by embracing with hope the promises that God gives you that will ultimately connect you to His abounding graces.
God has a divine vessel full of gifts, don’t delay the delivery, cover all angles and put a great big sign visible from the bow (front), stern (back), port (left) and starboard (right) of your waiting ship that says, “this receiving dock is open 24/7, bring it on anytime Lord! I am ready for my ration, portion, share, and my lot in life that has been designed for me and blessed by You. Thank you dear Lord for your love. I have confidence that no matter the weather, You will bless me with eyes that could see through the thickest fog, so that I am able to recognize and proclaim humbly, “Thank you Dear Lord, my ship has just come in!”
Inspired by:
Luke1:12-15 18-20
Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.”
Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stands before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thank You God For This Friday! -Positive Quotes
Everything that lives, lives not alone, nor for itself.
-William Blake
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
-Mark Twain
What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other?
-George Eliot
Kindness is the ability to love people more than they deserve.
-Anon.
You don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here, too.
-Albert Schweitzer
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
-Mother Teresa
We are made kind by being kind.
-Eric Hoffer
All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.
John 13:35
-William Blake
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
-Mark Twain
What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other?
-George Eliot
Kindness is the ability to love people more than they deserve.
-Anon.
You don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here, too.
-Albert Schweitzer
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
-Mother Teresa
We are made kind by being kind.
-Eric Hoffer
All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.
John 13:35
My Personal Perpetual Prayer
My Personal Perpetual Prayer
Thank You dear God that I am blessed
with this divine day to honor You,
the all-powerful, all-knowing
creator of the universe.
You have bestowed upon me
the gift of life and time today
to be among my family and friends.
My choices in life are not perfect
and neither am I,
but for me, You forgive and provide
with unending love that carries me.
I may have illnesses and worries
that affect my body and attitude
and evil occupies me unnecessarily,
but I am confident as I draw nearer to You
I will be healed in body and spirit
and will be able to free myself
from undue worry and make room for fulfilling
and life changing promotions to come
provided through Your love, mercy and glory!
It is a delightful day to be alive
and I will go out eagerly
to love my fellow man.
With a sincere heart and patience
granted through Your unending graces
I will lovingly care for family and friends,
co-workers and neighbors,
and will, of my own accord,
enthusiastically respond with genuine concern
to the needs and well being of strangers.
Liberate my heart Lord
with boundless opportunities
for virtuous interactions,
thoughtful acts of kindnesses,
and productive and fruitful deeds
that will boldly connect me with others,
for every man, woman and child
deserve recognition and respect,
and above all are worthy of the same
unconditional love we receive from You.
I will begin by extending my obedient hands
in pleasant and joyful greetings
to all who pass or stand near me,
and I will offer a heartfelt smile
with every hello and goodbye
even if my good intentions
are rejected by others.
Release my chained hardened heart
to discharge others from my cruel
and deliberate judgment
and I pray for exceptional pardon by all
that I may unknowingly offend.
I call upon You to soften our hearts
so that we may become God loving people
in a world that is insolent only because
we are devastatingly naïve to Your word.
I ask that You continue to work
on me, in me, and through me
to be a pleasing influential ambassador
and a humble model leader for You.
I shall use my God given gifts
to help and arouse others to join me
in this moving personal awakening.
I will live today to the fullest
to increase my faith,
shape my spiritual life,
and rouse myself and aspire to be
a humble model of You.
I ask these things in Your name.
Amen.
Thank You dear God that I am blessed
with this divine day to honor You,
the all-powerful, all-knowing
creator of the universe.
You have bestowed upon me
the gift of life and time today
to be among my family and friends.
My choices in life are not perfect
and neither am I,
but for me, You forgive and provide
with unending love that carries me.
I may have illnesses and worries
that affect my body and attitude
and evil occupies me unnecessarily,
but I am confident as I draw nearer to You
I will be healed in body and spirit
and will be able to free myself
from undue worry and make room for fulfilling
and life changing promotions to come
provided through Your love, mercy and glory!
It is a delightful day to be alive
and I will go out eagerly
to love my fellow man.
With a sincere heart and patience
granted through Your unending graces
I will lovingly care for family and friends,
co-workers and neighbors,
and will, of my own accord,
enthusiastically respond with genuine concern
to the needs and well being of strangers.
Liberate my heart Lord
with boundless opportunities
for virtuous interactions,
thoughtful acts of kindnesses,
and productive and fruitful deeds
that will boldly connect me with others,
for every man, woman and child
deserve recognition and respect,
and above all are worthy of the same
unconditional love we receive from You.
I will begin by extending my obedient hands
in pleasant and joyful greetings
to all who pass or stand near me,
and I will offer a heartfelt smile
with every hello and goodbye
even if my good intentions
are rejected by others.
Release my chained hardened heart
to discharge others from my cruel
and deliberate judgment
and I pray for exceptional pardon by all
that I may unknowingly offend.
I call upon You to soften our hearts
so that we may become God loving people
in a world that is insolent only because
we are devastatingly naïve to Your word.
I ask that You continue to work
on me, in me, and through me
to be a pleasing influential ambassador
and a humble model leader for You.
I shall use my God given gifts
to help and arouse others to join me
in this moving personal awakening.
I will live today to the fullest
to increase my faith,
shape my spiritual life,
and rouse myself and aspire to be
a humble model of You.
I ask these things in Your name.
Amen.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
True Spirit Of The Heart
True Spirit Of The Heart
The height of her petite five year old legs barely allowed Ms. Caroline to gaze out the rear window of the Franklin Family’s black chauffeured sedan. Her light golden brown hair cascaded down to the middle of her back in perfect curls and was adorned with a picture perfect white satin bow. She donned a stylish pink party dress fitting for a child her age and wore white ruffled anklet socks and a pair of black patent leather shoes.
With Mr. Thomas, her driver since birth, standing erectly at the passenger door that was ajar, she peered out the rear window looking brightly from left to right, as if trying to see a hidden vista that lay around the corner. “Mr. Thomas,” Caroline called out excitedly to her driver, “Look at the pretty butterflies! I like the one with the striking tangerine orange wings with mint green and baby canary yellow swishes, it reminds me of sherbet rainbow ice cream at grandma’s house.” Mr. Thomas turned to catch a moment’s glimpse of the colorful winged beauties that caught little Ms. Caroline’s fancy. He would have run to the center of her panoramic view and pretend to fly and frolic among the pretty butterflies but today he knew better than to test the mood and authority of Mrs. Franklin. Instead, he simply smiled at the unpretentious things that took hold of Ms. Caroline’s fancy. She was after all a child whose innocence was refreshing and something to be envied.
Ms. Caroline’s mother and grandmother read to her voraciously since she was very little and her command for the English language was evidence of her early and abundant exposure to literature. She astounded many for Ms. Caroline was wise beyond her years and was very observant of her surroundings and used incredible lively details to describe life as she saw it.
As always on their way into town she would look around in awe of the beauty of the countryside as if it were a meadow of colorful candy that she was seeing for the first time. She spurted out colorful details of things as quickly as the speed of the car that moved passed them.
Ms. Caroline’s eyes grew bright as the car turned into the entrance of the road that led to her friend Victoria’s family estate. It was Victoria Vanderbuilt’s sixth birthday and Ms. Caroline now held on her lap a small pretty package laced with metallic curled ribbons that was designed especially for Victoria. With perfect diction and with a hint of a slight lisp on her tongue she inquired, “Mother, do you think Victoria has party hats and goody bag for all the children,” she asked optimistically and opened her eyes wide revealing the pure white that encircled and contrasted against her hazel eyes and black pupils. “I wonder if there’ll be ponies. Oh and a funny clown! Do you think there’ll be a funny clown mother?” When Ms. Caroline realized she would again receive no response, she turned back to the beautiful landscape outside her window that would not ignore or look right through her. She batted her long lashed eyelids that hinted at her excitement while the rest of her body sat straight up and proper as was expected, it seemed, more and more these days.
Deborah Franklin did not hear her daughter speaking; her mind was on her own concerns. This would be the first time that she attended a public event without her husband. Although his funeral was more than a year ago, it seemed just like yesterday. Deborah Franklin nervously fiddled with her white gloves as they turned into the entrance and headed toward the front gate of the Vanderbuilt estate. After taking a deep labored breath she closed her eyes in a last attempt to settle her rattled nerves.
Deborah Franklin and Ms. Caroline briskly proceeded through the receiving line that was moving rather quickly passed the front entryway. There were many guests arriving at the same time and Deborah was thankful that she didn’t have to go into great detail over her absence or any of the events of this past year. She simply held her head up high, offered her hand to the gentlemen who would routinely kiss the back of her hand and nodded and hugged the women as was appropriate according to their social status. Deborah was after all still a Franklin and continued with the pompous heirs of the Franklin Family.
They found their way out to the festivities with the others and Deborah insisted they immediately head to a drinking fountain to get refreshed. Ms. Caroline was already jumping out of her shoes in excitement. “Isn’t it amazing mother, look at the all the rows of huge white tents and extravagant decorations, and all the wonderfully dressed people! How will I ever find Victoria!” Ms. Caroline looked about this fabulous event with wild enthusiasm scanning the sea of adults and children. “Oh what a wonderful party Victoria’s having today, don’t you agree mother,” she asked with a heart full of life. Her mother grabbed her hand and shook her body to jolt it back into the calm state that she seemed to oddly prefer today.
Although aware of her mother’s stern hand, she seemed oblivious and unafraid of her mother’s lack of interest. Ms. Caroline continued, “Look mother, a carousel. Isn’t it a magnificent sight?” This time Ms. Caroline kept her hands to her sides and implored, “Oh my, the shiny golden horses are so pretty. Can I go on them p-l-e-a-s-e Mother!” Not a raised eyebrow or even pursed lips confirmed her awareness of her daughter’s request, nor was a response uttered from her austere lips. No reason was forthcoming from Deborah and this child was at a taunting heart-wrenching crossroads between loyalty to her mother’s unusual commands and that of a free spirited youngster being teased by a child’s dream playground. It was a birthday party for Ms. Caroline’s friend and she wanted to join it.
“Look mother there’s Victoria, may I go now?” Deborah held her daughter’s hand tight and did not respond verbally. “Mother please, may I go to meet Victoria?” Deborah could feel her daughter pulling and tugging at her sleeve. Deborah seemed to ignore every word and urgent request from her daughter and continued to engage in light conversations with other guests all the while not letting her daughter away from her side. Finally in an act of adolescent desperation Ms. Caroline pulled and yanked on her mother’s sleeve, and as she pulled, her mother lifted her arm swiftly as if to dismiss her or rid herself of this grave irritation. Her daughter fell back losing her balance and her tiny hands tore at the lace and pearls that adorned her mother’s sleeve. Her small behind was the first to hit the ground, and then her pink frilly dress lifted exposing the top of her thighs as her feet flew high above her head. Her daughter began to whimper at the mishap and then her mother abruptly raised her hand to silence her child. Ms. Caroline flinched at her mother’s surprising reprimand and curled into a ball which was an automatic protective response to such an unusual startling threat. Her mother grabbed her by the yoke of her party dress, and lifted her up in one swift move and huffed sternly, “You are a Franklin and your behavior is unbefitting.” Ms. Caroline tried to blink her tears away wanting to recognize this woman who was standing before her. Deborah angrily continued, “We will discuss the consequences of your actions when we return home.” Ms. Caroline put her hand to her mouth and scrunched her eyebrows as she tried to figure out the odd taste in her mouth. Her hand was wet now and her dress was now spotted red. Then, at the sight of the blood, it made Mc. Caroline feel woozy and she gasped aloud.
Before Deborah could react and complicate matters further, Mrs. Vanderbuilt dashed between mother and daughter and said, “Deborah, honey, let me take little Caroline and get her cleaned up.” She saw Deborah instantly reach for her white gloves from her handbag and watched as she quickly began to push her hot hands through her white gloves, shoving in her heated anger one finger at a time. “Deborah, it’s going to be okay.” Mrs. Vanderbuilt continued, “I’ve got a pretty dress that will fit Caroline, there’s no need for you to leave. Let’s allow the children to enjoy the party.” Mrs. Vanderbuilt gently led Caroline away from her mother and then turned back to her husband that was following nearby, “Dear, please get Deborah a flute of champagne.” Then she turned to her friend of many years and said, “Have a drink honey, relax, it’s going to be okay.”
Mr. Richard Vanderbuilt returned quickly with a topped off flute and immediately sat with Deborah Franklin at a round white linen covered table adorned with an array of fresh spring flowers and a large hunter green bistro umbrella that shaded them.
After a few sips of champagne and a rush of new thoughts Deborah felt her pressure subside and a cloud lifted that cleared her once foggy senses. Now suddenly sober in her thoughts she turned to her old friend, “Richard,” she began, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to cause such a . . .” He gently placed his hand on hers, and interrupted, “it’s okay Deborah, you’ve been under a lot of stress.” Deborah’s face, no longer stern, and her nerves suddenly calmer and sober as if radically shaken awake from a cruel spell, she continued, “But I hurt her.” Richard tried to help her, “It was a little cut. She was bleeding just a little Deborah.” She continued through her glossy eyes, “You don’t understand. I’ve hurt her. All these months, I’ve been so hard on her.” Deborah’s head was now hanging low, a shocking position that a Franklin woman would never have been allowed to display in public. “I don’t know what to do, I feel as though I’ve robbed her of her innocence and youth and I don’t know how to give it back.” Richard looked at this distressed Franklin woman and said something Deborah would never forget. “Your husband died unexpectedly, you were left with much to do. The stress of the months has piled up and now it’s come to a head. This is a good thing. You are ready to move on, ready to reinvent yourself. There are more important things in life than a family name. Who cares what name you bear, or who’s watching you or who claims to be in charge of the family’s business. What’s important is that you begin to enjoy the life that you have with your daughter. She’ll forgive you, children are resilient; she’s just like her mother!” Just then Deborah lifted her head, and saw her daughter Caroline walking toward her. Deborah ran to her child, scooped her up in her arms and hugged and kissed her feverishly. After her emotive tears subsided, as if handling a delicate piece from a rare collection, she put little Caroline down to stand on her own two feet and said, “I’m so sorry honey, for so many things. Mommy’s sorry.” Little Caroline wisely said to her mother, “You don’t have to say your sorry, Mommy, I always knew you loved me. You were just lost for a little while.”
Deborah looked at her child, just a baby, but so wise. She knew that things would be okay after today. “Honey, go see your friend Victoria and go hop and ride on the best looking horse on that carousel.” Little Caroline felt her heart leap with happiness and she hugged and kissed her mother like never before. “Go on now, go,” her mother sent her off sweetly.
Deborah Franklin watched as her daughter little Caroline ran off to enjoy the world in all her divine innocence and simple splendor, and in the “true spirit of the heart” for which life was so magnificently intended.
Inspired by Matthew 18:1-5
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
The height of her petite five year old legs barely allowed Ms. Caroline to gaze out the rear window of the Franklin Family’s black chauffeured sedan. Her light golden brown hair cascaded down to the middle of her back in perfect curls and was adorned with a picture perfect white satin bow. She donned a stylish pink party dress fitting for a child her age and wore white ruffled anklet socks and a pair of black patent leather shoes.
With Mr. Thomas, her driver since birth, standing erectly at the passenger door that was ajar, she peered out the rear window looking brightly from left to right, as if trying to see a hidden vista that lay around the corner. “Mr. Thomas,” Caroline called out excitedly to her driver, “Look at the pretty butterflies! I like the one with the striking tangerine orange wings with mint green and baby canary yellow swishes, it reminds me of sherbet rainbow ice cream at grandma’s house.” Mr. Thomas turned to catch a moment’s glimpse of the colorful winged beauties that caught little Ms. Caroline’s fancy. He would have run to the center of her panoramic view and pretend to fly and frolic among the pretty butterflies but today he knew better than to test the mood and authority of Mrs. Franklin. Instead, he simply smiled at the unpretentious things that took hold of Ms. Caroline’s fancy. She was after all a child whose innocence was refreshing and something to be envied.
Ms. Caroline’s mother and grandmother read to her voraciously since she was very little and her command for the English language was evidence of her early and abundant exposure to literature. She astounded many for Ms. Caroline was wise beyond her years and was very observant of her surroundings and used incredible lively details to describe life as she saw it.
As always on their way into town she would look around in awe of the beauty of the countryside as if it were a meadow of colorful candy that she was seeing for the first time. She spurted out colorful details of things as quickly as the speed of the car that moved passed them.
Ms. Caroline’s eyes grew bright as the car turned into the entrance of the road that led to her friend Victoria’s family estate. It was Victoria Vanderbuilt’s sixth birthday and Ms. Caroline now held on her lap a small pretty package laced with metallic curled ribbons that was designed especially for Victoria. With perfect diction and with a hint of a slight lisp on her tongue she inquired, “Mother, do you think Victoria has party hats and goody bag for all the children,” she asked optimistically and opened her eyes wide revealing the pure white that encircled and contrasted against her hazel eyes and black pupils. “I wonder if there’ll be ponies. Oh and a funny clown! Do you think there’ll be a funny clown mother?” When Ms. Caroline realized she would again receive no response, she turned back to the beautiful landscape outside her window that would not ignore or look right through her. She batted her long lashed eyelids that hinted at her excitement while the rest of her body sat straight up and proper as was expected, it seemed, more and more these days.
Deborah Franklin did not hear her daughter speaking; her mind was on her own concerns. This would be the first time that she attended a public event without her husband. Although his funeral was more than a year ago, it seemed just like yesterday. Deborah Franklin nervously fiddled with her white gloves as they turned into the entrance and headed toward the front gate of the Vanderbuilt estate. After taking a deep labored breath she closed her eyes in a last attempt to settle her rattled nerves.
Deborah Franklin and Ms. Caroline briskly proceeded through the receiving line that was moving rather quickly passed the front entryway. There were many guests arriving at the same time and Deborah was thankful that she didn’t have to go into great detail over her absence or any of the events of this past year. She simply held her head up high, offered her hand to the gentlemen who would routinely kiss the back of her hand and nodded and hugged the women as was appropriate according to their social status. Deborah was after all still a Franklin and continued with the pompous heirs of the Franklin Family.
They found their way out to the festivities with the others and Deborah insisted they immediately head to a drinking fountain to get refreshed. Ms. Caroline was already jumping out of her shoes in excitement. “Isn’t it amazing mother, look at the all the rows of huge white tents and extravagant decorations, and all the wonderfully dressed people! How will I ever find Victoria!” Ms. Caroline looked about this fabulous event with wild enthusiasm scanning the sea of adults and children. “Oh what a wonderful party Victoria’s having today, don’t you agree mother,” she asked with a heart full of life. Her mother grabbed her hand and shook her body to jolt it back into the calm state that she seemed to oddly prefer today.
Although aware of her mother’s stern hand, she seemed oblivious and unafraid of her mother’s lack of interest. Ms. Caroline continued, “Look mother, a carousel. Isn’t it a magnificent sight?” This time Ms. Caroline kept her hands to her sides and implored, “Oh my, the shiny golden horses are so pretty. Can I go on them p-l-e-a-s-e Mother!” Not a raised eyebrow or even pursed lips confirmed her awareness of her daughter’s request, nor was a response uttered from her austere lips. No reason was forthcoming from Deborah and this child was at a taunting heart-wrenching crossroads between loyalty to her mother’s unusual commands and that of a free spirited youngster being teased by a child’s dream playground. It was a birthday party for Ms. Caroline’s friend and she wanted to join it.
“Look mother there’s Victoria, may I go now?” Deborah held her daughter’s hand tight and did not respond verbally. “Mother please, may I go to meet Victoria?” Deborah could feel her daughter pulling and tugging at her sleeve. Deborah seemed to ignore every word and urgent request from her daughter and continued to engage in light conversations with other guests all the while not letting her daughter away from her side. Finally in an act of adolescent desperation Ms. Caroline pulled and yanked on her mother’s sleeve, and as she pulled, her mother lifted her arm swiftly as if to dismiss her or rid herself of this grave irritation. Her daughter fell back losing her balance and her tiny hands tore at the lace and pearls that adorned her mother’s sleeve. Her small behind was the first to hit the ground, and then her pink frilly dress lifted exposing the top of her thighs as her feet flew high above her head. Her daughter began to whimper at the mishap and then her mother abruptly raised her hand to silence her child. Ms. Caroline flinched at her mother’s surprising reprimand and curled into a ball which was an automatic protective response to such an unusual startling threat. Her mother grabbed her by the yoke of her party dress, and lifted her up in one swift move and huffed sternly, “You are a Franklin and your behavior is unbefitting.” Ms. Caroline tried to blink her tears away wanting to recognize this woman who was standing before her. Deborah angrily continued, “We will discuss the consequences of your actions when we return home.” Ms. Caroline put her hand to her mouth and scrunched her eyebrows as she tried to figure out the odd taste in her mouth. Her hand was wet now and her dress was now spotted red. Then, at the sight of the blood, it made Mc. Caroline feel woozy and she gasped aloud.
Before Deborah could react and complicate matters further, Mrs. Vanderbuilt dashed between mother and daughter and said, “Deborah, honey, let me take little Caroline and get her cleaned up.” She saw Deborah instantly reach for her white gloves from her handbag and watched as she quickly began to push her hot hands through her white gloves, shoving in her heated anger one finger at a time. “Deborah, it’s going to be okay.” Mrs. Vanderbuilt continued, “I’ve got a pretty dress that will fit Caroline, there’s no need for you to leave. Let’s allow the children to enjoy the party.” Mrs. Vanderbuilt gently led Caroline away from her mother and then turned back to her husband that was following nearby, “Dear, please get Deborah a flute of champagne.” Then she turned to her friend of many years and said, “Have a drink honey, relax, it’s going to be okay.”
Mr. Richard Vanderbuilt returned quickly with a topped off flute and immediately sat with Deborah Franklin at a round white linen covered table adorned with an array of fresh spring flowers and a large hunter green bistro umbrella that shaded them.
After a few sips of champagne and a rush of new thoughts Deborah felt her pressure subside and a cloud lifted that cleared her once foggy senses. Now suddenly sober in her thoughts she turned to her old friend, “Richard,” she began, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to cause such a . . .” He gently placed his hand on hers, and interrupted, “it’s okay Deborah, you’ve been under a lot of stress.” Deborah’s face, no longer stern, and her nerves suddenly calmer and sober as if radically shaken awake from a cruel spell, she continued, “But I hurt her.” Richard tried to help her, “It was a little cut. She was bleeding just a little Deborah.” She continued through her glossy eyes, “You don’t understand. I’ve hurt her. All these months, I’ve been so hard on her.” Deborah’s head was now hanging low, a shocking position that a Franklin woman would never have been allowed to display in public. “I don’t know what to do, I feel as though I’ve robbed her of her innocence and youth and I don’t know how to give it back.” Richard looked at this distressed Franklin woman and said something Deborah would never forget. “Your husband died unexpectedly, you were left with much to do. The stress of the months has piled up and now it’s come to a head. This is a good thing. You are ready to move on, ready to reinvent yourself. There are more important things in life than a family name. Who cares what name you bear, or who’s watching you or who claims to be in charge of the family’s business. What’s important is that you begin to enjoy the life that you have with your daughter. She’ll forgive you, children are resilient; she’s just like her mother!” Just then Deborah lifted her head, and saw her daughter Caroline walking toward her. Deborah ran to her child, scooped her up in her arms and hugged and kissed her feverishly. After her emotive tears subsided, as if handling a delicate piece from a rare collection, she put little Caroline down to stand on her own two feet and said, “I’m so sorry honey, for so many things. Mommy’s sorry.” Little Caroline wisely said to her mother, “You don’t have to say your sorry, Mommy, I always knew you loved me. You were just lost for a little while.”
Deborah looked at her child, just a baby, but so wise. She knew that things would be okay after today. “Honey, go see your friend Victoria and go hop and ride on the best looking horse on that carousel.” Little Caroline felt her heart leap with happiness and she hugged and kissed her mother like never before. “Go on now, go,” her mother sent her off sweetly.
Deborah Franklin watched as her daughter little Caroline ran off to enjoy the world in all her divine innocence and simple splendor, and in the “true spirit of the heart” for which life was so magnificently intended.
Inspired by Matthew 18:1-5
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
T-e-e-r-i-f-c Tuesday! Positive Hmmm . . .Quotes
From the fruit of his words a man has his fill of good things, and the work of his hands comes back to reward him.
-Proverbs 12:14
True miracles are created by men when they use the courage and intelligence that God gave them.
-Jean Anouilh
Anxiety in a man’s heart depresses it, but a kindly word makes it glad.
-Proverbs 12:25
Rule No. 1 is, don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule No. 2 is, it’s all small stuff.
-Robert Eliot
In the sin of his lips the evil man is ensnared, but the just comes free of trouble.
-Proverbs 12:13
Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God.
-1 John 4:1
The fool immediately shows his anger, but the shrewd man passes over an insult.
-Proverb 12:16
No good work is ever done while the heart is hot and anxious and fretted.
-Olive Schreiner
Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good?
-1 Peter 3:13
-Proverbs 12:14
True miracles are created by men when they use the courage and intelligence that God gave them.
-Jean Anouilh
Anxiety in a man’s heart depresses it, but a kindly word makes it glad.
-Proverbs 12:25
Rule No. 1 is, don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule No. 2 is, it’s all small stuff.
-Robert Eliot
In the sin of his lips the evil man is ensnared, but the just comes free of trouble.
-Proverbs 12:13
Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God.
-1 John 4:1
The fool immediately shows his anger, but the shrewd man passes over an insult.
-Proverb 12:16
No good work is ever done while the heart is hot and anxious and fretted.
-Olive Schreiner
Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good?
-1 Peter 3:13
Monday, August 10, 2009
Something to Remember Me By
Something to Remember Me By
The unknown and the abyss of a life lived on earth is an intriguing mystery that we unfold as it is experienced. We know much about yesterday from history books and tales told over centuries and to a degree history grants comforting ideals because our ancestors set many paths to follow. What does our future hold beyond this earthly sphere? How do we prepare for our future in a place that is beyond our imagination and comprehension? What will it take, what will we make of ourselves to prepare us for our divine place far from this life we know?
Photographs have captured moments we’ve experienced in our lifetime and those that preceded us. They’ve been used to preserve, educate and emulate times of the past. They can encapsulate a look, mood, attitude, feeling, an era, and a mindset. They provide something tangible and comforting that can be used to recapture an age, or refer back to when we’ve lost connection and require immediate recollection of an endearing person, place, thing or time in our lives.
We may not all be fortunate enough to have in our possession something physical to grab on to that would satisfy the needs of a content, blissful, happy, mourning, hungry, ailing or hurting human heart. We may be forced to dig in to the recesses of our minds and spirit, and sift through a multitude of memories and feelings, good, indifferent, and bad; and that is what we do, that is what we choose to carry us through life. How can we connect the past and present with our future?
A heart at its best is designed to impart unconditional love, experience a multitude of magnificent emotions, and be gratified by the compassion that it freely bequeaths upon others.
The vain heart seeks its reward in physical things and can selfishly pursue a form of a legacy to be left behind, and wants nothing less than to depart from this place we dwell in and be proud to boast and proclaim that it left, “something to remember it by.”
In our quest for self-worthiness we explore our prospects and dig our hooks into someone to imitate so that we may feel complete, validated, substantial, noticed and whole. It’s common to search the archives of the years of people of interest making the headlines, and relationships with our co-workers, family members, neighbors, and even characters from our favorite movies or television programs to make their claim to fame or mark in this world our own.
In exploration of our perceived personality or contribution to life, we look to the profound and sometimes poetic lyrics of a song to lift us to an elevated emotional playing field or perhaps the talent of an incredible athlete who has garnered multiple gold medals to push us to rise to our next physical level. We are enchanted by a magical dancer who can transport us to another place and time through a performance of elegant grace that poses a different view of our personal stage and platform. We may crave the taste and talent of an award winning and popular cook, cocinar (Spa.), cuoco (Ita.) or cuisinier (Fra.) who creates an aroma of delectable mouthwatering entrées and who elaborately manages to inspire us in our own kitchens, cocinas (spa.), cucinas (Ita.), and cuisine (Fra.) that mushroom and stretch us to expand beyond our mediocre recipes for life. We may envy a rainmaker whose success seems unattainable to the layman, and the profits reaped are deemed irrefutably beyond our reach, disappointing us before we are allowed to triumph and conquer the unthinkable. The look of an incredibly beautiful model or actress unconsciously, consistently, and assuredly dampens the human feminine spirit, and often destroys virtuous, blameless, moral and wholesome hearts. We may praise the inspirational attitude of a popular newscaster who’s delivery of sensitive topics touches our hearts consistently and may somehow innocently make us feel less capable of delivering similar perceptive recitations in our normal ever day lives. We are influenced by advertisements and cleaver catch phrases that drive, press, and perhaps empower us to “just do it” when we may very well prefer another choice of product. We may be swept away and entertained by watching many times over a movie that will temporarily transmit us into a fairytale relationship that awakens our hearts to a desirous longing for warmth, love, connection, simplicity, and sensitivity that is lacked in our off screen relationships. Our consciousness is mistakenly disengaged by fantasy that leads us to believe that simple truths of matters of the heart are only real in the realm of entertainment and not available for us in our own personal relationships and therefore our existence is lived out in a distorted misguided dissimilar way.
Our fleeting journey through this life is the bridge that arranges and houses the links of our past and present parts, elements and pieces of our hope, faith, beliefs, deeds, acts, and thoughts, and will ultimately connect us to our divine definitive impending heavenly future and imminent destination.
It’s time to strip away the fake facades that we hide behind and those we use to mask our undeveloped selves. Educate yourself with God’s powerful words and be unafraid of the ripples in the water for you will be going against the tide. Be rid of the ingenious handicap of yesterday, for it is no longer your compensation for strokes taken for past performances will no longer give you an edge. But rather, joyfully and expectantly rely on newly acquired holy skills, awe-inspiring morals and values and each new divine opportunity put before you affords you the open green, the new fresh horizon, to drive through, chip away, and putt and connect each hole so that at the end of your passage your new bridge is made of resilient fabric of life that is outstanding and pleasing to God, who wants to welcome you into his kingdom and who would be pleased to say to all who revere Him, this is My child, who has done My will.
Jesus Christ laid a simple and outstanding foundation for you. Take hold of this precious moment in time to change your course, direction and attitude. Cash in on this gift of opportunity to begin to build on that which was laid out for you complete and lacking nothing essential.
One day, unbeknownst to you, you will be called to the front to stand before God, and He will open the precious Book of Life. Be confident that you have built your foundation of gold, silver, and precious stones and not wood, hay and straw, for your works must withstand the fire, because they will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it. The people whose lives you have touched, helped, comforted, and prayed for will attest to your good deeds and heart, and their prayers will be heard by God. When the church of the earth that you touched and the church of the heavens unite in equivalent affirmations because you lived for the love of God, then you’ll know and could proclaim with the most humbled of hearts, “I left you something to remember me by.”
Inspired by Ephesians 4:25-32
Rules for the New Life.
Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil. The thief must no longer steal, but rather labor, doing honest work with his [own] hands, so that he may have something to share with one in need. No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. “And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.
The unknown and the abyss of a life lived on earth is an intriguing mystery that we unfold as it is experienced. We know much about yesterday from history books and tales told over centuries and to a degree history grants comforting ideals because our ancestors set many paths to follow. What does our future hold beyond this earthly sphere? How do we prepare for our future in a place that is beyond our imagination and comprehension? What will it take, what will we make of ourselves to prepare us for our divine place far from this life we know?
Photographs have captured moments we’ve experienced in our lifetime and those that preceded us. They’ve been used to preserve, educate and emulate times of the past. They can encapsulate a look, mood, attitude, feeling, an era, and a mindset. They provide something tangible and comforting that can be used to recapture an age, or refer back to when we’ve lost connection and require immediate recollection of an endearing person, place, thing or time in our lives.
We may not all be fortunate enough to have in our possession something physical to grab on to that would satisfy the needs of a content, blissful, happy, mourning, hungry, ailing or hurting human heart. We may be forced to dig in to the recesses of our minds and spirit, and sift through a multitude of memories and feelings, good, indifferent, and bad; and that is what we do, that is what we choose to carry us through life. How can we connect the past and present with our future?
A heart at its best is designed to impart unconditional love, experience a multitude of magnificent emotions, and be gratified by the compassion that it freely bequeaths upon others.
The vain heart seeks its reward in physical things and can selfishly pursue a form of a legacy to be left behind, and wants nothing less than to depart from this place we dwell in and be proud to boast and proclaim that it left, “something to remember it by.”
In our quest for self-worthiness we explore our prospects and dig our hooks into someone to imitate so that we may feel complete, validated, substantial, noticed and whole. It’s common to search the archives of the years of people of interest making the headlines, and relationships with our co-workers, family members, neighbors, and even characters from our favorite movies or television programs to make their claim to fame or mark in this world our own.
In exploration of our perceived personality or contribution to life, we look to the profound and sometimes poetic lyrics of a song to lift us to an elevated emotional playing field or perhaps the talent of an incredible athlete who has garnered multiple gold medals to push us to rise to our next physical level. We are enchanted by a magical dancer who can transport us to another place and time through a performance of elegant grace that poses a different view of our personal stage and platform. We may crave the taste and talent of an award winning and popular cook, cocinar (Spa.), cuoco (Ita.) or cuisinier (Fra.) who creates an aroma of delectable mouthwatering entrées and who elaborately manages to inspire us in our own kitchens, cocinas (spa.), cucinas (Ita.), and cuisine (Fra.) that mushroom and stretch us to expand beyond our mediocre recipes for life. We may envy a rainmaker whose success seems unattainable to the layman, and the profits reaped are deemed irrefutably beyond our reach, disappointing us before we are allowed to triumph and conquer the unthinkable. The look of an incredibly beautiful model or actress unconsciously, consistently, and assuredly dampens the human feminine spirit, and often destroys virtuous, blameless, moral and wholesome hearts. We may praise the inspirational attitude of a popular newscaster who’s delivery of sensitive topics touches our hearts consistently and may somehow innocently make us feel less capable of delivering similar perceptive recitations in our normal ever day lives. We are influenced by advertisements and cleaver catch phrases that drive, press, and perhaps empower us to “just do it” when we may very well prefer another choice of product. We may be swept away and entertained by watching many times over a movie that will temporarily transmit us into a fairytale relationship that awakens our hearts to a desirous longing for warmth, love, connection, simplicity, and sensitivity that is lacked in our off screen relationships. Our consciousness is mistakenly disengaged by fantasy that leads us to believe that simple truths of matters of the heart are only real in the realm of entertainment and not available for us in our own personal relationships and therefore our existence is lived out in a distorted misguided dissimilar way.
Our fleeting journey through this life is the bridge that arranges and houses the links of our past and present parts, elements and pieces of our hope, faith, beliefs, deeds, acts, and thoughts, and will ultimately connect us to our divine definitive impending heavenly future and imminent destination.
It’s time to strip away the fake facades that we hide behind and those we use to mask our undeveloped selves. Educate yourself with God’s powerful words and be unafraid of the ripples in the water for you will be going against the tide. Be rid of the ingenious handicap of yesterday, for it is no longer your compensation for strokes taken for past performances will no longer give you an edge. But rather, joyfully and expectantly rely on newly acquired holy skills, awe-inspiring morals and values and each new divine opportunity put before you affords you the open green, the new fresh horizon, to drive through, chip away, and putt and connect each hole so that at the end of your passage your new bridge is made of resilient fabric of life that is outstanding and pleasing to God, who wants to welcome you into his kingdom and who would be pleased to say to all who revere Him, this is My child, who has done My will.
Jesus Christ laid a simple and outstanding foundation for you. Take hold of this precious moment in time to change your course, direction and attitude. Cash in on this gift of opportunity to begin to build on that which was laid out for you complete and lacking nothing essential.
One day, unbeknownst to you, you will be called to the front to stand before God, and He will open the precious Book of Life. Be confident that you have built your foundation of gold, silver, and precious stones and not wood, hay and straw, for your works must withstand the fire, because they will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it. The people whose lives you have touched, helped, comforted, and prayed for will attest to your good deeds and heart, and their prayers will be heard by God. When the church of the earth that you touched and the church of the heavens unite in equivalent affirmations because you lived for the love of God, then you’ll know and could proclaim with the most humbled of hearts, “I left you something to remember me by.”
Inspired by Ephesians 4:25-32
Rules for the New Life.
Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil. The thief must no longer steal, but rather labor, doing honest work with his [own] hands, so that he may have something to share with one in need. No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. “And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Jesus You Have Taken Up My Cross
Jesus, You Have Taken Up My Cross
Jesus, I thought I could bear my own cross;
But only You control my extraordinary destiny.
Hear me, free me Lord, for You are my Savior;
I release my troubles, my heavy cross, unto You.
Through death You offer the world salvation;
I pray that a multitude of eyes will be opened.
So that the iniquitous world receives Your abundant graces;
I plead for hardened hearts to greet radical reform.
I breathe deep to fill my lungs with Your great hope;
So that I may exhale Your love that now permeates by body.
I am rekindled with a new voice for You, Jesus Christ, my Lord
And yearn for unspoiled words to share Your awe inspiring glory.
My steps now certain, I have a greater purpose;
My acute senses are now awakened to Your splendor.
Deficient earthly emotions tie my hands no more;
I now move freely on my journey toward You.
In unison my new born body and refreshed mind work;
My discerning heart and extended arms embrace Your blessings.
I am always thankful, and forever grateful;
For You give so much, and ask so little.
I praise You Lord, Jesus;
I trust You Lord, Jesus.
I love You Lord, Jesus;
You have taken up my cross.
Jesus, I thought I could bear my own cross;
But only You control my extraordinary destiny.
Hear me, free me Lord, for You are my Savior;
I release my troubles, my heavy cross, unto You.
Through death You offer the world salvation;
I pray that a multitude of eyes will be opened.
So that the iniquitous world receives Your abundant graces;
I plead for hardened hearts to greet radical reform.
I breathe deep to fill my lungs with Your great hope;
So that I may exhale Your love that now permeates by body.
I am rekindled with a new voice for You, Jesus Christ, my Lord
And yearn for unspoiled words to share Your awe inspiring glory.
My steps now certain, I have a greater purpose;
My acute senses are now awakened to Your splendor.
Deficient earthly emotions tie my hands no more;
I now move freely on my journey toward You.
In unison my new born body and refreshed mind work;
My discerning heart and extended arms embrace Your blessings.
I am always thankful, and forever grateful;
For You give so much, and ask so little.
I praise You Lord, Jesus;
I trust You Lord, Jesus.
I love You Lord, Jesus;
You have taken up my cross.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Happy Friday! Positive Quotes
Positive Quotes
Could we change our attitude, we should not only see life differently, but life itself would come to be different. Like would undergo a change of appearance because we ourselves had undergone a change in attitude.
-Katherine Mansfield
The unthankful heart . . . discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart . . . will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessing.
-Henry Ward Beecher
Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
W.W. Ziege
Our minds can shape the way a thing will be because we act according to our expectations.
-Federico Fellini
Think you can, think you can’t; either way, you’ll be right.
-Henry Ford
Could we change our attitude, we should not only see life differently, but life itself would come to be different. Like would undergo a change of appearance because we ourselves had undergone a change in attitude.
-Katherine Mansfield
The unthankful heart . . . discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart . . . will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessing.
-Henry Ward Beecher
Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
W.W. Ziege
Our minds can shape the way a thing will be because we act according to our expectations.
-Federico Fellini
Think you can, think you can’t; either way, you’ll be right.
-Henry Ford
Thursday, August 6, 2009
"Got Scraps?"
“Got scraps?”
“Ummm,ummm, ummhh! Thelma, that there was dee-li-cious! Woman, you sure know how to cook up some’m out of nuth’n!” Sam loosened his warn tight belt and looked over toward his wife and asked, “Whatcha gonna do with those leftovers honey?” “I don’t know Sam. I just was think’n to toss them outside into the can. There’s not nearly enough here for two for another night’s meal.”
Sam got up slowly from his chair, rubbing his belly and declared, “Now don’t go wasting that there food!” Sam’s eyes were as wide as lumps of coal! “Oh no you don’t Mr. Samuel Baker, you ain’t hav’n another servin! You’ve had about enough! I don’t know what you could be think’n,” said Thelma as her ample body shook in unison with the rhythm of her laughter.
Sam was in a rambl’n mood tonight and continued, “I don’t know why you always have them there leftovers, you make extra food like yer prepare’n for another sett’n. Thelma kept a straight face, but inside she was feeling hopeful, “It’d be nice if one evening we’d invite someone over. The company would be like a breath of fresh air and entertain’n for a change. Don’t ya think?” Sam’s overgrown salt and pepper eyebrows lifted and he barked, “Woman, you know I don’t like company and I sure don’t like wasting good food on somebody else.”
Thelma tried to keep a pleasant face on the outside, but the sadness broke through anyway, internally she was broken and lonely. Know’n how this conversation was gonna end, Thelma offered, “Well Sam, if you’d like, I could just give them there scraps to the dog.” Sam stood in the middle of the dining room, with his hands folded across his large protruding belly, and stared out in front of him as if pondering this thought for the first time. Thelma took a deep breath and waited with a bit of annoyance for his usual reply. “May as well. Huh! That there dog eats better than some of the folks round here!” Thelma didn’t like seeing Sam getting rowdy, but every once in a while she dared to say, “I could always make a nice plate and give these scraps to one of the young’uns down the road.” Knowing her sharp words would cut through a thick steak she braced herself for the inevitable scold’n. “Woman those kids have got a daddy, they can take care of themselves! Why you always look’n to do things like that. Go on now, get those scraps in that there dog bowl.”
Thelma drearily cleared up the dishes from the table and stacked up things as best she could in the kitchen sink for washing in a bit. She wrung out a warm towel and tossed it over her shoulder, then gathered the leftovers and caringly arranged them on a clean plate. When she was done, she went to the threshold of the kitchen door and looked in the direction of the sitt’n area near the warm roar’n fire. Thelma tilted her head forward, peered over her steamed up bifocal glasses, and took a somber look at her husband sitt’n as comfortable as can be right next to the fireplace on his much loved rock’n chair. She deliberately counted, “Five, four, three, two, one, wheewww, aahhhh, wheewww, aahhhhh.” Then she looked up as if she could see right through the ceil’n in the house, “Thank you dear Lord for all my bless’ns.” Thelma called out to her sleep’n husband, “Sam, I’m go’n out back for a while. Gonna peel some corn and gath’r some
eggs for the morn’n.
Thelma hastily knocked on the barn door and looked carefully behind her as she always did. Hold’n the plate of food in her left hand, she pushed the barn door open with her right and entered. She tossed the dog a few scraps of food and shoed him away. Thelma took a deep breath which barely helped to clear deceit from her upset tummy. Her heart however needed no cleans’n. She whispered, “Lit’l Carl, you there? I brought you some snippets of food, boy.” Through only the light of the full moon that shone through a single shutter window, a young boy appeared from the darkness. “I’m here, Mrs. Bak’r.” Thelma heart’s leaped for joy right through the roof, and she bit her bottom lip nervously at the sight of him. She had held inside so much concern for the young boy for the past couple of months. She saw that he wore the same ol’ high watered pants she had salvaged for him, the grayed shirt that used to be white, and the hand-me-down shoes that were now too small for his grow’n feet. His toes were healing from cuts she imagined he obtained from shrubs, and the like, and now peeked out from the new frayed holes. Her hands burned to urgently work on fix’n his shoes. She shook her head in disbelief and heartbreak at what he wore and her imagination ran wild over where he might have been sleep’n. She vowed to get up the nerve to stand up to Sam and take this boy in and meanwhile to try to do better than her last patch work on them shoes.
With caring labored hands she pushed aside his long disheveled hair that covered his pleasant youthful eyes, and then she wiped with a warm soft cloth his brown streaked and nicked face that told of the dirt and gravel he must have slept on. Then he sat on the floor cross legged and gobbled up the warm home cooked food, and licked his fingers clean. Then with an incredible sparkle in his eyes that shone right through eyelids that drooped down in a natural sadness, he said, “Thank you, ma’m. This is the best meal I’ve had in a long time.”
When he was done eat’n Carl showed Thelma how he had peeled the corn for her, gathered the eggs, and moved the bales of hay like she had shown him once before.
Thelma pulled out her worn bible from underneath an old horse’s saddle and unwrapped it from the white cloth that protected it and sat down and read a bit of scripture to him. Finally, Carl got up and went on over and peered out the window look’n straight up to the heavens and asked, “Ms. Bak’r, have ya ever seen a real Angel of God?” Thelma placed her warm hand on the small of his neck and smiled looking at the boy rather than the sky, “Well, I have to say that maybe . . . I have once.” She looked at him endearingly knowing he would not understand that he has been sent to her from the good Almighty God above. She asked him quite seriously, “Have you Carl? Have ya ever seen an Angel of God?” He pondered the thought a moment and replied, “I don’t think I have.” He squinted his brows and pursed his lips while he was think’n. ”I don’t quite know what brought that to mind, but I get the feeling I’m real close to see’n one.”
Okay, so let’s go over this whole, “got scraps” idea. It’s all about making things go as far as we can to avoid waste and then of course with our abundance (aka “leftovers”) exercise ways where we can help others, give a gift, offer aid, tender a donation, provide assistance, show compassion, do a good deed, and/or carry out an act of kindness. I’m talking “charitable” not as an afterthought, but as a preconceived idea.
Now if you’ve got a charitable heart already, God bless you, keep at it. You are a great model for others to model and mock. “Mock?” Yes. Us humans, we have a nasty streak in us. We really do have a good heart inside our hardened exterior, however we don’t mean to be cruel, it just comes out naturally. We’ve unconsciously been conditioned to respond this way. We might say things like, “how can he help that lady with fixing things around her house when he’s got his wife at home who needs help.” Or how about this one, “look at her she thinks her cooking is so good that she’s gotta bring trays of it into the lunch room.” Oh, what about this, “that family thinks they’re so special because the priest goes over to their house for dinner.” The message here is that we can be those people too. Not for the attention or some sort of personal glory, but for the good of another. That elderly lady may be a widow, divorced, or perhaps her children neglect her and may have no one to lean on. Frankly, she needs help. The woman with the trays of food worked hard to prepare it for everyone in the office wanting to share an act of love; it could be that she has no one at home anymore to cater to. Be honest, have you ever taken a plate of her delicious enchiladas and was thankful on a day you didn’t have any lunch money? Come on now, blessings are everywhere and for everyone! And what about the priest, why isn’t he at church? Well, he is still a human after all. He has given his life to God, not given up his life. He requires social experiences, deserves to be cared about and loved, and would enjoy a home cooked meal every once in a while. You’ve got a priest in your parish, a dining room in your warm home, and a special meal that you are, well, kind of proud of. Go for it!
We are wasteful with a lot of things in life. Let’s do start with food. Yes, we over eat! We might in fact have enough for another meal or perhaps enough to include a couple of invited guests at your dinner table. And at the same time we may be able to begin to address the portion control problem we face today, hence, our obesity problem. We will live with a little less on our plates. While we’re at it, we can lower our high caloric intake, high cholesterol, and maybe give our heart a rest by not falling asleep as soon as we sit down to watch television.
Good for you! You served smaller portions and made dinner to last two days instead of one. Agh, and what a nice person you are, you thought about someone else, and PLANNED IT that way! That’s so lovely that you were able to provide a meal for your nice widowed neighbor, or for the woman who is going through cancer treatments and is so sick she cannot care for her family as before, and the priest at your parish did not have to eat a frozen dinner again. Wow, you invited over for dinner the “only child” who lives across the street who is at home alone every night because his single parent is working the night shift. What’s the reward? Do you have to ask? Would being a blessing to someone be good enough?
We’ve got an overabundance of aluminum and plastic containers so we are called to recycle to save the environment and the planet. If you are too lazy or frustrated to take those plastic milk containers, soda cans and beer bottles to the local recycling center (I agree it is a pain), then PLAN TO donate those big filled trash bags to a school or local center that could use the dough! Schools collect box tops too!
If you are a sewer, like say a quilter, a crocheter, or a knitter, make the beautiful blanket for yourself or the gift you intended, and then with the leftover yarn or material make some potholders, or booties, little purses, or hats and scarves and PLAN TO give them to those who might enjoy it like a preschool class, a retirement home, or a children’s hospital.
If you received an inheritance from a loved one decide how you can share a portion with a needy family or a charity that survives on donations.
There are numerous ways in our lives that we can help each other that won’t necessarily require money. What about time folks? We go around acting like we are so busy. Hey, we make our own schedules, and we can rearrange them for the benefit of someone else. Granted there are some instances where the work hours go beyond reasonable. Financially, I get it, things are tight. However, who do you spend your time with at work? How can you make a difference during work hours? The ideas and ways are endless.
Here’s an idea, turn off the television. What, not my boob tube! There is way too much television being watched and time that we can be utilizing much more effectively and productively. We can spare an hour or perhaps a day and lend it to a needy situation or cause. Get involved in something that matters. I tell you, when you are feeling the pressures of life, financially and emotionally, there is no better way to deal with it than to take the attention off of yourself and your circumstances.
That’s it. Rise up! Stand firm! This is the new you! You are more than capable of helping heal a lonely heart and able to offer solutions to simple everyday dilemmas. And what’s more rewarding than doing for others so that their burdens are lighter, seeing hearts warmed by your thoughtfulness, and feeding a smile rather than rousing tears. I think someone named Jesus lived that way and was mocked for it. Things that make you go hmmmm.
Got scraps? Yeah, I’ve got scraps! But, I AM PLANNING to use my leftover fragments of time, morsels of love, and bits and pieces of my heart for the good of others. And I refuse to let particles or crumbs be wasted anymore.
Sounds like a plan to me! Is it time to eat again? You bet it is! Feast on love all day long!
Inspired by Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
“Ummm,ummm, ummhh! Thelma, that there was dee-li-cious! Woman, you sure know how to cook up some’m out of nuth’n!” Sam loosened his warn tight belt and looked over toward his wife and asked, “Whatcha gonna do with those leftovers honey?” “I don’t know Sam. I just was think’n to toss them outside into the can. There’s not nearly enough here for two for another night’s meal.”
Sam got up slowly from his chair, rubbing his belly and declared, “Now don’t go wasting that there food!” Sam’s eyes were as wide as lumps of coal! “Oh no you don’t Mr. Samuel Baker, you ain’t hav’n another servin! You’ve had about enough! I don’t know what you could be think’n,” said Thelma as her ample body shook in unison with the rhythm of her laughter.
Sam was in a rambl’n mood tonight and continued, “I don’t know why you always have them there leftovers, you make extra food like yer prepare’n for another sett’n. Thelma kept a straight face, but inside she was feeling hopeful, “It’d be nice if one evening we’d invite someone over. The company would be like a breath of fresh air and entertain’n for a change. Don’t ya think?” Sam’s overgrown salt and pepper eyebrows lifted and he barked, “Woman, you know I don’t like company and I sure don’t like wasting good food on somebody else.”
Thelma tried to keep a pleasant face on the outside, but the sadness broke through anyway, internally she was broken and lonely. Know’n how this conversation was gonna end, Thelma offered, “Well Sam, if you’d like, I could just give them there scraps to the dog.” Sam stood in the middle of the dining room, with his hands folded across his large protruding belly, and stared out in front of him as if pondering this thought for the first time. Thelma took a deep breath and waited with a bit of annoyance for his usual reply. “May as well. Huh! That there dog eats better than some of the folks round here!” Thelma didn’t like seeing Sam getting rowdy, but every once in a while she dared to say, “I could always make a nice plate and give these scraps to one of the young’uns down the road.” Knowing her sharp words would cut through a thick steak she braced herself for the inevitable scold’n. “Woman those kids have got a daddy, they can take care of themselves! Why you always look’n to do things like that. Go on now, get those scraps in that there dog bowl.”
Thelma drearily cleared up the dishes from the table and stacked up things as best she could in the kitchen sink for washing in a bit. She wrung out a warm towel and tossed it over her shoulder, then gathered the leftovers and caringly arranged them on a clean plate. When she was done, she went to the threshold of the kitchen door and looked in the direction of the sitt’n area near the warm roar’n fire. Thelma tilted her head forward, peered over her steamed up bifocal glasses, and took a somber look at her husband sitt’n as comfortable as can be right next to the fireplace on his much loved rock’n chair. She deliberately counted, “Five, four, three, two, one, wheewww, aahhhh, wheewww, aahhhhh.” Then she looked up as if she could see right through the ceil’n in the house, “Thank you dear Lord for all my bless’ns.” Thelma called out to her sleep’n husband, “Sam, I’m go’n out back for a while. Gonna peel some corn and gath’r some
eggs for the morn’n.
Thelma hastily knocked on the barn door and looked carefully behind her as she always did. Hold’n the plate of food in her left hand, she pushed the barn door open with her right and entered. She tossed the dog a few scraps of food and shoed him away. Thelma took a deep breath which barely helped to clear deceit from her upset tummy. Her heart however needed no cleans’n. She whispered, “Lit’l Carl, you there? I brought you some snippets of food, boy.” Through only the light of the full moon that shone through a single shutter window, a young boy appeared from the darkness. “I’m here, Mrs. Bak’r.” Thelma heart’s leaped for joy right through the roof, and she bit her bottom lip nervously at the sight of him. She had held inside so much concern for the young boy for the past couple of months. She saw that he wore the same ol’ high watered pants she had salvaged for him, the grayed shirt that used to be white, and the hand-me-down shoes that were now too small for his grow’n feet. His toes were healing from cuts she imagined he obtained from shrubs, and the like, and now peeked out from the new frayed holes. Her hands burned to urgently work on fix’n his shoes. She shook her head in disbelief and heartbreak at what he wore and her imagination ran wild over where he might have been sleep’n. She vowed to get up the nerve to stand up to Sam and take this boy in and meanwhile to try to do better than her last patch work on them shoes.
With caring labored hands she pushed aside his long disheveled hair that covered his pleasant youthful eyes, and then she wiped with a warm soft cloth his brown streaked and nicked face that told of the dirt and gravel he must have slept on. Then he sat on the floor cross legged and gobbled up the warm home cooked food, and licked his fingers clean. Then with an incredible sparkle in his eyes that shone right through eyelids that drooped down in a natural sadness, he said, “Thank you, ma’m. This is the best meal I’ve had in a long time.”
When he was done eat’n Carl showed Thelma how he had peeled the corn for her, gathered the eggs, and moved the bales of hay like she had shown him once before.
Thelma pulled out her worn bible from underneath an old horse’s saddle and unwrapped it from the white cloth that protected it and sat down and read a bit of scripture to him. Finally, Carl got up and went on over and peered out the window look’n straight up to the heavens and asked, “Ms. Bak’r, have ya ever seen a real Angel of God?” Thelma placed her warm hand on the small of his neck and smiled looking at the boy rather than the sky, “Well, I have to say that maybe . . . I have once.” She looked at him endearingly knowing he would not understand that he has been sent to her from the good Almighty God above. She asked him quite seriously, “Have you Carl? Have ya ever seen an Angel of God?” He pondered the thought a moment and replied, “I don’t think I have.” He squinted his brows and pursed his lips while he was think’n. ”I don’t quite know what brought that to mind, but I get the feeling I’m real close to see’n one.”
Okay, so let’s go over this whole, “got scraps” idea. It’s all about making things go as far as we can to avoid waste and then of course with our abundance (aka “leftovers”) exercise ways where we can help others, give a gift, offer aid, tender a donation, provide assistance, show compassion, do a good deed, and/or carry out an act of kindness. I’m talking “charitable” not as an afterthought, but as a preconceived idea.
Now if you’ve got a charitable heart already, God bless you, keep at it. You are a great model for others to model and mock. “Mock?” Yes. Us humans, we have a nasty streak in us. We really do have a good heart inside our hardened exterior, however we don’t mean to be cruel, it just comes out naturally. We’ve unconsciously been conditioned to respond this way. We might say things like, “how can he help that lady with fixing things around her house when he’s got his wife at home who needs help.” Or how about this one, “look at her she thinks her cooking is so good that she’s gotta bring trays of it into the lunch room.” Oh, what about this, “that family thinks they’re so special because the priest goes over to their house for dinner.” The message here is that we can be those people too. Not for the attention or some sort of personal glory, but for the good of another. That elderly lady may be a widow, divorced, or perhaps her children neglect her and may have no one to lean on. Frankly, she needs help. The woman with the trays of food worked hard to prepare it for everyone in the office wanting to share an act of love; it could be that she has no one at home anymore to cater to. Be honest, have you ever taken a plate of her delicious enchiladas and was thankful on a day you didn’t have any lunch money? Come on now, blessings are everywhere and for everyone! And what about the priest, why isn’t he at church? Well, he is still a human after all. He has given his life to God, not given up his life. He requires social experiences, deserves to be cared about and loved, and would enjoy a home cooked meal every once in a while. You’ve got a priest in your parish, a dining room in your warm home, and a special meal that you are, well, kind of proud of. Go for it!
We are wasteful with a lot of things in life. Let’s do start with food. Yes, we over eat! We might in fact have enough for another meal or perhaps enough to include a couple of invited guests at your dinner table. And at the same time we may be able to begin to address the portion control problem we face today, hence, our obesity problem. We will live with a little less on our plates. While we’re at it, we can lower our high caloric intake, high cholesterol, and maybe give our heart a rest by not falling asleep as soon as we sit down to watch television.
Good for you! You served smaller portions and made dinner to last two days instead of one. Agh, and what a nice person you are, you thought about someone else, and PLANNED IT that way! That’s so lovely that you were able to provide a meal for your nice widowed neighbor, or for the woman who is going through cancer treatments and is so sick she cannot care for her family as before, and the priest at your parish did not have to eat a frozen dinner again. Wow, you invited over for dinner the “only child” who lives across the street who is at home alone every night because his single parent is working the night shift. What’s the reward? Do you have to ask? Would being a blessing to someone be good enough?
We’ve got an overabundance of aluminum and plastic containers so we are called to recycle to save the environment and the planet. If you are too lazy or frustrated to take those plastic milk containers, soda cans and beer bottles to the local recycling center (I agree it is a pain), then PLAN TO donate those big filled trash bags to a school or local center that could use the dough! Schools collect box tops too!
If you are a sewer, like say a quilter, a crocheter, or a knitter, make the beautiful blanket for yourself or the gift you intended, and then with the leftover yarn or material make some potholders, or booties, little purses, or hats and scarves and PLAN TO give them to those who might enjoy it like a preschool class, a retirement home, or a children’s hospital.
If you received an inheritance from a loved one decide how you can share a portion with a needy family or a charity that survives on donations.
There are numerous ways in our lives that we can help each other that won’t necessarily require money. What about time folks? We go around acting like we are so busy. Hey, we make our own schedules, and we can rearrange them for the benefit of someone else. Granted there are some instances where the work hours go beyond reasonable. Financially, I get it, things are tight. However, who do you spend your time with at work? How can you make a difference during work hours? The ideas and ways are endless.
Here’s an idea, turn off the television. What, not my boob tube! There is way too much television being watched and time that we can be utilizing much more effectively and productively. We can spare an hour or perhaps a day and lend it to a needy situation or cause. Get involved in something that matters. I tell you, when you are feeling the pressures of life, financially and emotionally, there is no better way to deal with it than to take the attention off of yourself and your circumstances.
That’s it. Rise up! Stand firm! This is the new you! You are more than capable of helping heal a lonely heart and able to offer solutions to simple everyday dilemmas. And what’s more rewarding than doing for others so that their burdens are lighter, seeing hearts warmed by your thoughtfulness, and feeding a smile rather than rousing tears. I think someone named Jesus lived that way and was mocked for it. Things that make you go hmmmm.
Got scraps? Yeah, I’ve got scraps! But, I AM PLANNING to use my leftover fragments of time, morsels of love, and bits and pieces of my heart for the good of others. And I refuse to let particles or crumbs be wasted anymore.
Sounds like a plan to me! Is it time to eat again? You bet it is! Feast on love all day long!
Inspired by Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
All aboard! Step Forward Please!
All aboard! Step forward please!
“Oh, look there she goes, another 10 steps,” exclaimed grandma! Lisa ran into the room and saw Carlie just as she went “plop” on the floor. “Come on Carlie, do it again for mommy. I know you can do it,” Lisa pressed her little one. “Plop,” down she went again. “I don’t know why she stops after just a few steps, she must realize that she can do it,” said Carlie’s mommy seeming a bit annoyed. “I want her to walk already!” “Not all little ones are ready to walk at 11 months. She’s just not equipped yet honey, but look at her she keeps trying,” grandma replied confidently.
“You know you didn’t walk until you were 13 months old,” said grandma as she picked Carlie up from the kitchen floor. “I didn’t?” “No. Your father had to carry you everywhere we went,” her mother smiled with sweet recollection of the past. “You’ve always been a late bloomer and frankly, slow to trust. Let me rephrase that, you’ve always been afraid of the unknown. It’s hard for you to trust and to take a step forward.” “You think I’m afraid, I’m not afraid of anything,” she retorted defiantly. “Not of anything Lisa, of yourself.”
“Listen Lisa, you were afraid to walk. You were also afraid of your dog Candy. You refused to be on the floor if she was anywhere near you. We used to have to keep Candy in the yard when you were awake and running around. You didn’t like my bird Toby, and he was in his cage for goodness sakes. You didn’t want to take ballet or play any sports unless your cousin’s did it first. It was just a lack of confidence. Actually if my memory serves me right, you’d stick like glue to your father’s pant leg at birthday parties and visits to your grandma’s house.
Sometimes, just as we were about to leave, you’d finally get the courage to play, and then, you’d cry all the way home because you didn’t get the chance.” “That’s silly mom, you’re exaggerating. Anyway, I’m sure there are plenty of children who didn’t want to do those same things”. “Of course there are, you just lacked confidence.”
“Huh,” Lisa murmured. She wasn’t sure if she was angry about being called a late bloomer or the suggestion that she lacked confidence. “I’m ready for anything, I’m not afraid, especially of myself” she rebounded internally.
“I’m leaving now, Lisa,” grandma called out from the next room, come and get Carlie she just walked me to the front door!” Lisa arrived at the door and saw Carlie sitting at grandma’s feet. Lisa picked up Carlie and brought her close so grandma could kiss her goodbye. “Bye, bye my baby,” grandma kissed Carlie sweetly on the top of her head. “Grandma will see you soon.” With a raised eye brow, pursed lips and eyes that peered over her glasses, she turned to Lisa, “Did you make that appointment yet with Dr. Diletta?” There was an odd silence and Lisa looked away. “You’d better make it soon! The sooner you know what’s going on the sooner you’ll be at peace.”
Lisa held Carlie close for a long moment after the door closed. She put her forehead against that of Carlie’s and looked right into her round eyes and asked, “Am I a good mommy Carlie?” Not waiting for a reply Lisa hugged her daughter tightly. “I don’t know if I’ll be a good mommy to another baby.” Lisa closed her eyes, and gently buried her daughter’s head of silky thin curly hair beneath her chin and sobbed.
As the old saying goes, “there is nothing to fear, but fear itself”. We do all kinds of crazy things to avoid our own fears. We might point our fingers at others in blame. We’ll be quick to anger when we’re broached with conversation about “that thing.” We’ll even go to extremes and not show up at a party or avoid contact with someone who is sure to follow up on your last conversation.
I am reminded of a reading from Matthew 14:22, that reads in part:
“Then He made the disciples get into the boat and precede Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. After doing so, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When it was evening He was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, He came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost,’ they said and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Peter said to him in reply, ‘Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord save me!’ Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”
Why do we doubt? We may not have skills but we have some desire. We may possess the skills and yet we are leery. We can doubt ourselves when someone inflicts their own insecurities upon us. We may also resist change and not necessarily our abilities. Often we doubt because of the unknown.
“I doubt if I can do that,” we say this without even trying. “I don’t know if that’s possible”, puts a negative connotation upon the idea. “He’s never succeeded before, why would he now,” no confidence in the possibility of change. “You may as well give up now, you’ll never make it”, dismisses all hope.
Today you are going to turn things around! “Oh you of big faith,” is now your mantra. “I have the skills to do it!” Your skills will not be limited to the tangible. Oh, no! We can do only so much with material things in the natural and the physical. You have skills far beyond that which humans can acquire through classes, education and imitation.
You must recognize that you have God given gifts and talents. Your confidence comes from your trust in the promise of God. He sent His Son to assure us that if we are loyal to His word, are devout in our thoughts, have faith in His promises, we would have an abundant life. We will gain a genius for, a knack for, the capacity for fighting fear. We possess an endowment, a gift, for fighting dread, fright, panic, alarm, trepidation, apprehension, anxiety, phobia, and worry. We have to become confident and open our hearts to the idea that our trust in the Lord allows us to conquer all things. Trust makes all things doable, tolerable, and attainable. We will triumph over negative attitudes, sour faces, jealousies, and insecurities of others and of ourselves.
Keep moving forward on your journey. Avoid being stagnant at all costs. You’ll go through awkward and testing cycles of life, but be consistent and confident and you will prevail by riding with God in the conductor’s seat right to the last leg of the trip. You are on the right track now. Yes, this is your train! All aboard! Step forward please!
“Oh, look there she goes, another 10 steps,” exclaimed grandma! Lisa ran into the room and saw Carlie just as she went “plop” on the floor. “Come on Carlie, do it again for mommy. I know you can do it,” Lisa pressed her little one. “Plop,” down she went again. “I don’t know why she stops after just a few steps, she must realize that she can do it,” said Carlie’s mommy seeming a bit annoyed. “I want her to walk already!” “Not all little ones are ready to walk at 11 months. She’s just not equipped yet honey, but look at her she keeps trying,” grandma replied confidently.
“You know you didn’t walk until you were 13 months old,” said grandma as she picked Carlie up from the kitchen floor. “I didn’t?” “No. Your father had to carry you everywhere we went,” her mother smiled with sweet recollection of the past. “You’ve always been a late bloomer and frankly, slow to trust. Let me rephrase that, you’ve always been afraid of the unknown. It’s hard for you to trust and to take a step forward.” “You think I’m afraid, I’m not afraid of anything,” she retorted defiantly. “Not of anything Lisa, of yourself.”
“Listen Lisa, you were afraid to walk. You were also afraid of your dog Candy. You refused to be on the floor if she was anywhere near you. We used to have to keep Candy in the yard when you were awake and running around. You didn’t like my bird Toby, and he was in his cage for goodness sakes. You didn’t want to take ballet or play any sports unless your cousin’s did it first. It was just a lack of confidence. Actually if my memory serves me right, you’d stick like glue to your father’s pant leg at birthday parties and visits to your grandma’s house.
Sometimes, just as we were about to leave, you’d finally get the courage to play, and then, you’d cry all the way home because you didn’t get the chance.” “That’s silly mom, you’re exaggerating. Anyway, I’m sure there are plenty of children who didn’t want to do those same things”. “Of course there are, you just lacked confidence.”
“Huh,” Lisa murmured. She wasn’t sure if she was angry about being called a late bloomer or the suggestion that she lacked confidence. “I’m ready for anything, I’m not afraid, especially of myself” she rebounded internally.
“I’m leaving now, Lisa,” grandma called out from the next room, come and get Carlie she just walked me to the front door!” Lisa arrived at the door and saw Carlie sitting at grandma’s feet. Lisa picked up Carlie and brought her close so grandma could kiss her goodbye. “Bye, bye my baby,” grandma kissed Carlie sweetly on the top of her head. “Grandma will see you soon.” With a raised eye brow, pursed lips and eyes that peered over her glasses, she turned to Lisa, “Did you make that appointment yet with Dr. Diletta?” There was an odd silence and Lisa looked away. “You’d better make it soon! The sooner you know what’s going on the sooner you’ll be at peace.”
Lisa held Carlie close for a long moment after the door closed. She put her forehead against that of Carlie’s and looked right into her round eyes and asked, “Am I a good mommy Carlie?” Not waiting for a reply Lisa hugged her daughter tightly. “I don’t know if I’ll be a good mommy to another baby.” Lisa closed her eyes, and gently buried her daughter’s head of silky thin curly hair beneath her chin and sobbed.
As the old saying goes, “there is nothing to fear, but fear itself”. We do all kinds of crazy things to avoid our own fears. We might point our fingers at others in blame. We’ll be quick to anger when we’re broached with conversation about “that thing.” We’ll even go to extremes and not show up at a party or avoid contact with someone who is sure to follow up on your last conversation.
I am reminded of a reading from Matthew 14:22, that reads in part:
“Then He made the disciples get into the boat and precede Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. After doing so, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When it was evening He was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, He came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost,’ they said and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Peter said to him in reply, ‘Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord save me!’ Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”
Why do we doubt? We may not have skills but we have some desire. We may possess the skills and yet we are leery. We can doubt ourselves when someone inflicts their own insecurities upon us. We may also resist change and not necessarily our abilities. Often we doubt because of the unknown.
“I doubt if I can do that,” we say this without even trying. “I don’t know if that’s possible”, puts a negative connotation upon the idea. “He’s never succeeded before, why would he now,” no confidence in the possibility of change. “You may as well give up now, you’ll never make it”, dismisses all hope.
Today you are going to turn things around! “Oh you of big faith,” is now your mantra. “I have the skills to do it!” Your skills will not be limited to the tangible. Oh, no! We can do only so much with material things in the natural and the physical. You have skills far beyond that which humans can acquire through classes, education and imitation.
You must recognize that you have God given gifts and talents. Your confidence comes from your trust in the promise of God. He sent His Son to assure us that if we are loyal to His word, are devout in our thoughts, have faith in His promises, we would have an abundant life. We will gain a genius for, a knack for, the capacity for fighting fear. We possess an endowment, a gift, for fighting dread, fright, panic, alarm, trepidation, apprehension, anxiety, phobia, and worry. We have to become confident and open our hearts to the idea that our trust in the Lord allows us to conquer all things. Trust makes all things doable, tolerable, and attainable. We will triumph over negative attitudes, sour faces, jealousies, and insecurities of others and of ourselves.
Keep moving forward on your journey. Avoid being stagnant at all costs. You’ll go through awkward and testing cycles of life, but be consistent and confident and you will prevail by riding with God in the conductor’s seat right to the last leg of the trip. You are on the right track now. Yes, this is your train! All aboard! Step forward please!
Positive Quotes: Godinsight4me GNS4M)
Positive Quotes: Godinsight4me (GNS4M)
One small step for a man of doubt, one giant leap for a believer of faith.
-GNS4M
Confidently place one determined foot in front of the other. Step by step you will close the gap between fear and success. Your triumph is near, and your victory knows not of failure.
-GNS4M
Pushing forward in confidence moves you beyond the door to nowhere. Be self assured in your ability to succeed beyond your past threshold.
-GNS4M
One small step for a man of doubt, one giant leap for a believer of faith.
-GNS4M
Confidently place one determined foot in front of the other. Step by step you will close the gap between fear and success. Your triumph is near, and your victory knows not of failure.
-GNS4M
Pushing forward in confidence moves you beyond the door to nowhere. Be self assured in your ability to succeed beyond your past threshold.
-GNS4M
Monday, August 3, 2009
Positive Quotes - Start Your Day right!
Positive Quotes – Start your day right!
As impossible as it is for us to take a breath in the morning large enough to last us until noon,
So impossible is it to pray in the morning in such a way
as to last us until noon. Let your prayers ascent
on Him constantly, audibly or silently, as circumstances
through the day permit.
-O. Hallesby
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day,
He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mark 1:35
Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day; but swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God.
-Oswald Chambers
Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning.
-Psalms
I feel it is far better to begin with God, to see His face first, to get my soul near Him before it is near another. In general it is best to have at least one hour alone with God before engaging in anything else.
-E.M. Bounds
Temptations which accompany the working day will be conquered on the basis of the morning breakthrough to God. Decisions, demanded by work, become easier and simpler where they are made not in the heart of men, but only in the sight of God. He wants to give us today the power which we need for our work.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
As impossible as it is for us to take a breath in the morning large enough to last us until noon,
So impossible is it to pray in the morning in such a way
as to last us until noon. Let your prayers ascent
on Him constantly, audibly or silently, as circumstances
through the day permit.
-O. Hallesby
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day,
He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mark 1:35
Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day; but swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God.
-Oswald Chambers
Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning.
-Psalms
I feel it is far better to begin with God, to see His face first, to get my soul near Him before it is near another. In general it is best to have at least one hour alone with God before engaging in anything else.
-E.M. Bounds
Temptations which accompany the working day will be conquered on the basis of the morning breakthrough to God. Decisions, demanded by work, become easier and simpler where they are made not in the heart of men, but only in the sight of God. He wants to give us today the power which we need for our work.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Saturday, August 1, 2009
It's A Jubilee For Me!
It’s A Jubilee For Me!
Everybody likes to be a part of a celebration. We enjoy birthdays, retirements, job promotions, remembrances, anniversaries, and new births. In my family we celebrate real specials things like hang nails and potty training a toddler!
These special times encourage us to pay tribute to, honor, remember, and celebrate accomplishments. It also give us an opportunity to dust off our best clothes (or not!) and buy extraordinary and sometimes useless gifts. However, we use these occasions to say congratulations, a job well done, pray together or share a See’s sucker or cigar (if you’re too young to know we used to give cigars to men and See’s suckers to women and children when a baby was born – gee whiz – now we get a text – hopefully with a picture attached).
Sometimes it’s a long time between these social events. Why? One might be quick to suggest that well, it’s expensive to put on a good “shin dig” (hello – “shin dig” is a party, bash, jamboree, get-together – isn’t it fun? – you get a lesson on expanding your vocabulary). Perhaps, more to the point, it’s the lack of value and importance we place on the people in our lives and the mundane way we’ve chosen to live out each day.
All families are different when it comes to visiting with each other or sharing a meal. It used to be that families were all home for dinner, there was no television to entertain, everyone was cleaned up and dinner conversation was appropriate for all ages. However, now, we are eating on-the-go, at the kitchen counter, the television is turned up, and the family is well, scattered about.
Notice that it takes a grand event to get us to step up our game. At grandma and grandpa’s 50th golden anniversary everyone is all “decked out” (dressed up-ha! did you know that one?), sitting together and sharing a meal in celebration of a milestone event.
Something very interesting happens when we are gathered at such an event. It becomes a joyous commemoration of love. We put our best forward, tell of the good things in life, share and make new memories, and give compliments to Aunt Mary and Grandpa Chato. For some reason we are able to put the life that sometimes “sucks” (to draw liquid out of something with the mouth – why do we use that word?) into the closet for a short while, and forget it’s even there, that is, until tomorrow.
What’s my point? Come on now, you know I have one. My point - put that life “of poor quality” (below an acceptable standard in quality or performance) permanently in the closet. Have a change of attitude and a change of heart. Don’t let your circumstances drain you of your great spirit and rob you of the joyous life you deserve. Hey, it is what it is! Some things we can do something about, and some things are simply out of our control. Whatever! You are not alone. There is a whole bunch of us sprinkled about all around the world in the same sinking (or stinking) boat. Make a decision. Are you going to sink or swim? Everyday you have a choice to put on a happy face or a frown. Everyday you can put your best attitude forward or you can be a sourpuss (somebody regarded as gloomy or bad-tempered). You are exceptional and unique and so are the people in your life! Make everyday distinctive and extraordinary!
Since you are receiving lessons so easily today, let’s talk about a time recorded in the Old Testament (don’t you love it!). Once every fifty years, the Jewish people would celebrate the Year of Jubilee. During the Year of Jubilee, all debt was forgiven, prisoners were set free, and land that had been repossessed was returned to its' original owner. Wow, would we be in heaven today!
Question – Why couldn’t you have your jubilee today? Set free what keeps you prisoner in your miserable set of circumstances. Make a job change and stop complaining about the one you have, or better yet, thank God you have a job. Get rid of extra expenses that set you back each month (personally, cable is over-rated). We can only have so many pairs of shoes and purses (right ladies?). Guys you don’t need every new silly gadget that comes out on the market, okay? Pull away from those who bring you down, surround yourself with positive people who will lift you up. Stop fighting it man, marry the girl, she’s good for you! Don’t worry the guys will only razz (tease, harass, torment, goad, egg on) you for a while!
Celebrate the little things often. If you can’t find something, make it up (I don’t know choose to celebrate the fact that he ONLY left 3 soda cans on the table today – while she ONLY complained 3 times about the program he decided to watch). Life is special, it is short and it is meant for you to enjoy! Why wait for something extravagant, your jubilee (celebration) is now!
Inspired by:
Leviticus 25:10 And thou shalt sanctify the fiftieth year, and shalt proclaim remission to all the inhabitants of thy land: for it is the year of jubilee. Every man shall return to his possession, and every one shall go back to his former family.
"Remission"... That is, a general release and discharge from debts and bondage, and a reinstating of every man in his former possessions.
Jesus came to set us free from our bondage. Take his beautiful gift and use it. Fight the evil temptations of life with your sword of words “what would Jesus do with my circumstance” and move closer to God’s favor and you will experience the Jubilee intended for you.
Everybody likes to be a part of a celebration. We enjoy birthdays, retirements, job promotions, remembrances, anniversaries, and new births. In my family we celebrate real specials things like hang nails and potty training a toddler!
These special times encourage us to pay tribute to, honor, remember, and celebrate accomplishments. It also give us an opportunity to dust off our best clothes (or not!) and buy extraordinary and sometimes useless gifts. However, we use these occasions to say congratulations, a job well done, pray together or share a See’s sucker or cigar (if you’re too young to know we used to give cigars to men and See’s suckers to women and children when a baby was born – gee whiz – now we get a text – hopefully with a picture attached).
Sometimes it’s a long time between these social events. Why? One might be quick to suggest that well, it’s expensive to put on a good “shin dig” (hello – “shin dig” is a party, bash, jamboree, get-together – isn’t it fun? – you get a lesson on expanding your vocabulary). Perhaps, more to the point, it’s the lack of value and importance we place on the people in our lives and the mundane way we’ve chosen to live out each day.
All families are different when it comes to visiting with each other or sharing a meal. It used to be that families were all home for dinner, there was no television to entertain, everyone was cleaned up and dinner conversation was appropriate for all ages. However, now, we are eating on-the-go, at the kitchen counter, the television is turned up, and the family is well, scattered about.
Notice that it takes a grand event to get us to step up our game. At grandma and grandpa’s 50th golden anniversary everyone is all “decked out” (dressed up-ha! did you know that one?), sitting together and sharing a meal in celebration of a milestone event.
Something very interesting happens when we are gathered at such an event. It becomes a joyous commemoration of love. We put our best forward, tell of the good things in life, share and make new memories, and give compliments to Aunt Mary and Grandpa Chato. For some reason we are able to put the life that sometimes “sucks” (to draw liquid out of something with the mouth – why do we use that word?) into the closet for a short while, and forget it’s even there, that is, until tomorrow.
What’s my point? Come on now, you know I have one. My point - put that life “of poor quality” (below an acceptable standard in quality or performance) permanently in the closet. Have a change of attitude and a change of heart. Don’t let your circumstances drain you of your great spirit and rob you of the joyous life you deserve. Hey, it is what it is! Some things we can do something about, and some things are simply out of our control. Whatever! You are not alone. There is a whole bunch of us sprinkled about all around the world in the same sinking (or stinking) boat. Make a decision. Are you going to sink or swim? Everyday you have a choice to put on a happy face or a frown. Everyday you can put your best attitude forward or you can be a sourpuss (somebody regarded as gloomy or bad-tempered). You are exceptional and unique and so are the people in your life! Make everyday distinctive and extraordinary!
Since you are receiving lessons so easily today, let’s talk about a time recorded in the Old Testament (don’t you love it!). Once every fifty years, the Jewish people would celebrate the Year of Jubilee. During the Year of Jubilee, all debt was forgiven, prisoners were set free, and land that had been repossessed was returned to its' original owner. Wow, would we be in heaven today!
Question – Why couldn’t you have your jubilee today? Set free what keeps you prisoner in your miserable set of circumstances. Make a job change and stop complaining about the one you have, or better yet, thank God you have a job. Get rid of extra expenses that set you back each month (personally, cable is over-rated). We can only have so many pairs of shoes and purses (right ladies?). Guys you don’t need every new silly gadget that comes out on the market, okay? Pull away from those who bring you down, surround yourself with positive people who will lift you up. Stop fighting it man, marry the girl, she’s good for you! Don’t worry the guys will only razz (tease, harass, torment, goad, egg on) you for a while!
Celebrate the little things often. If you can’t find something, make it up (I don’t know choose to celebrate the fact that he ONLY left 3 soda cans on the table today – while she ONLY complained 3 times about the program he decided to watch). Life is special, it is short and it is meant for you to enjoy! Why wait for something extravagant, your jubilee (celebration) is now!
Inspired by:
Leviticus 25:10 And thou shalt sanctify the fiftieth year, and shalt proclaim remission to all the inhabitants of thy land: for it is the year of jubilee. Every man shall return to his possession, and every one shall go back to his former family.
"Remission"... That is, a general release and discharge from debts and bondage, and a reinstating of every man in his former possessions.
Jesus came to set us free from our bondage. Take his beautiful gift and use it. Fight the evil temptations of life with your sword of words “what would Jesus do with my circumstance” and move closer to God’s favor and you will experience the Jubilee intended for you.
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