Category: Faith

Interesting Facts:  ‘Members of the most effective work groups give one another six times more affirmation than disapproval, disagreement, or sarcasm.  Least productive teams tend to use almost three negative comments for every helpful word.’

In other words ;P, words are powerful.  Ignore the whole, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but, …”.  Words do hurt…if used in a way that could possibly have a lasting negative psychological effect.  But, who wants that?

There is a lot of value in words.  They shape relationships and, determine outcomes.  And, I think that if our hearts are in the Right Place, and, we’re striving to live The Good Life, we naturally will be ‘great encouragers’ and, ‘cheer one another on’, all with the right intentions, of course…to bring out the best in others.

And, in order to do just this, we really ought to practice active listening.  So, when we’re having those conversations with a friend, for example, that really needs someone to talk to because he or she is dealing with something that is causing a stirring of emotions, then, that’s when giving others affirmation, that what they are going through is temporary, that there is a bright side, is key.  This conversation may be just what your friend needed for him/her to move forward.

We also don’t want to be ‘story toppers’.  Let’s be careful to ‘avoid flattery’.

When we stop and take a moment to think about what Jesus endured for us, doesn’t it make it that much easier and, gives us reason to ‘comfort, forgive, inspire, and lovingly challenge one another‘?…in the workplace, at home, in public…anywhere?!

Here’s to giving people a reason to smile!

Love,

Lisa

1 Thess. 5:9 – 28     Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

“Father in heaven, please help us to give others a small taste of the mercy and kindness You are forever offering us.”

What are your driving forces that push you to achieve your goals?  Perhaps, we want fame.  Fortune.  Freedom.  Balance.  Or, to learn a new skill/language, check things off our to-do list :P, whatever.  Whatever our goals, what is our motivation, our drive for going after what we want?

Sometimes I think that what drives us isn’t always influenced by The Big Guy.  Instead, we get so fixated on what we want, no matter what, and, unfortunately, ignore the signs that come before us, that clearly showed us that we needed to change directions to ensure a happy ending.

But, when we do things for our own self-glory, to “make a name” for ourselves, we fall short with what we originally had hoped.  It’s true.  Take a minute to think if you know of anyone that went after something.  Was determined.  Stayed persistent.  But, meanwhile, the people that love and care so deeply for them, saw that it wasn’t a good choice, and, to maybe try something a wee bit different.  🙂

Someone very dear to me once said that when we’re undecided about something, and, the people whom we go to to talk with, people we trust, all share the same feelings about the situation, communicating the best option for us, then, that is probably what we would want to go with, as well.  And, vice versa.  Does that make sense?

And, two, “God answers prayers, but, we don’t always get the answers we want.”

Shucks!

But, really.  It’s allll good, because I’d rather know prior than getting knee deep in mud and, then, making it really hard to “get out”. Our hearts have to be ‘fully committed‘ to Him, though.  Period.  Because if our hearts are in the right place, then, we’ll have on our Listening Ears, we’ll pay attention to Him and make adjustments when necessary.

Is your heart in or, is it out?  That is the question.

When we’re obedient, we have peace and love.  Oh, yeah, baby,

Lisa

1 Kings 8:54 – 63     May he turn our hearts to him to walk in obedience to him.

“Father, give me the desire to obey You and do everything for Your glory.”

This goes out to all of the fathers, mothers, friends, human beings that have relationships with others…Oh.  Is that all of us?!  So, maybe, we should all pay attention to this?  😛

Today’s Daily Bread is all about keeping our conscience at check, striving to keep our relationships with the people we love and care about strong.

It’s too easy to beat ourselves up, get caught up in our own minds and think to ourselves, ‘should’ve, could’ve, would’ve’.  But, in reality, when we try to put our best foot forward, whatever our best is, it usually is good enough, and, actually does make a difference.

I think what really matters is that the people that we love and care about know that we do.  There should never be that doubt.  Do you think it all boils down to quality versus quantity time spent?

The work travel trips aren’t going away.  The time it takes to dive into a hobby is sufficient, and, isn’t going away, neither.  Nor, should it.  These are just two examples of how someone’s time is utilized, regularly.  This all adds up!  The time we get to spend with our friends and family members is cut short.  But, we shouldn’t feel bad.  Work is necessary.  Making time to do something that “belongs to you” is important.  It does all work out.  Because, if we value the time that we do get to be with our friends and family, we’ll be sure to do our absolute best to make even the 5-10 minutes that we can squeeze in, is awesome…and, memorable, and, filled with joy.  Remember, quality versus quantity.  🙂

We also can’t ignore those “teachable moments”.  If we do our best to ‘correct, comfort, instruct, and provide for the needs of his children’, we’re leaving behind the best inheritance for our loved ones.  Through these ‘acts of kindness’, we are ‘modeling for our loved ones our perfect Father in heaven.’

Now, when we take the time to reflect on our days, would we be able to say that we nourished our relationships and made sure we were there for them emotionally, mentally and physically, even if the time was cut short?…due to all of the juggling that we we do?

Here’s to solid quality time spent with the people we love!

Kisses and hugs,

Lisa

Proverbs 20:3 – 7     The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness that I can always count on.  Please help me to live today in a way that leaves behind a legacy of faithfulness and love.”

It’s just like when we go and visit a grandparent in a nursing home or pick up the phone and converse with grandma/grandpa!  Their face lights up, showing they are just delighted to be around their loved ones or hear their loved ones voice(s).  And, we know, for sure, they love the visit because he/she makes it very clear!  The holding on tight to their visitor’s hands, when it’s time to leave, combined with a little sarcastic comment will give that away!  😛 And, even though grandma/grandpa doesn’t remember everything, the fact that that visit touched his/her heart in a way that made their face light up, makes it all the worthwhile.

This is a just a little example of how Papa feels when we reach out to Him.  We may go days, months, years without any communication with The Big Guy; we may sin and lose hope, or fear Him.  But, it’s never too late to accept the fact that the Universe is a magical existence.  And, it would be a shame, honestly, to not utilize The Greatest Resource known to man.  It’s a “no-brainer”, if you ask me.

Let’s have The Greatest get delighted, just like our grandparents.  And, that’s easy to do. Try just saying, “Hello.”.  The conversing with Him should be just as natural as any conversation we have with people we trust.  And, just like our grandparents, Papa doesn’t like to be ignored.  We are His children, after all.

God knows our hearts.  One place that is almost always a guarantee that our hearts will be happy is if we spend time outdoors…looking around, taking it all in, and smiling internally and externally, thankful for all the beauty that surrounds us (God).

So, let’s take a walk and, have Papa “perk up His ears” when He hears us speak to him. He’ll be delighted that He is remembered and valued.

Hope your day is full of smiles,

Lisa

Psalm 147:1 – 11 The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

“Dear Lord, it thrills us that You want to have a relationship with us!  Thank You for the opportunity to learn of You through the Bible and to talk with You in prayer.”

Think about all of those miracle stories we could hear if we had the opportunity to sit and chat with people, lots of people.  Now, let’s take a moment and think to ourselves if we have already heard a miracle story (or, several)…how did hearing these make you feel?  For me, every time I do it gives me chill bumps and just reaffirms that We Are Not Alone, and, I’m sorry, but, THAT’S AWESOME!

It’s very normal to have those times in our lives where we need to be “awakened”.  Our sins tend to take a toll on our psychological, physical and emotional well-being.  And, boy, sometimes it feels like we just can’t get out of our own “funk”.

But, we can!  It really is temporary.  And, we really ought to give credit where it’s due…because of God, and, his “mercy-rich self”, we can “reawaken” and become “alive”, once again.  This gets an Amen!  😛

So, what does ‘reawaken‘ and ‘become alive, once again’ mean to you?  What would be some personal goals, short and long-term?  (three is always a good start 🙂 ).  Be sure they are SMART goals, too!…

S – specific

M – measurable

A – attainable

R – realistic

T  – time-bound

Why did we choose these as our three goals?  Do you think it’s tied in with how they will make us feel while on the journey?  Or, perhaps, how they will make us feel when the goals are accomplished?  Would you say, both, maybe?

Would we feel awakened and alive?  Yes!  You betcha we would.  So, what’s stopping us? Perhaps, we need to change or modify our goals (to be SMART)…

Now, on to my journal so I can write three SMART goals (long and/or short)…

Talk with you lata,

Lisa

Ephesians 2:1 – 10     You were dead in your transgressions and sins.

“Thank You, Father, for love that conquers sin, life that conquers death, and grace that has conquered my heart.  May my life be a sweet aroma of praise to You.”  (how sweet)