Remain Faithful in Legacy Creation

So today you find yourself tempted to give in – it may seem harmless – but after all we are building a heritage/a legacy for others to see and say, “you made a difference in my life. You inspired me.” In order to do that, we must not give in, even to what appears to be the smallest of temptations – like participating in gossip, or giving an opinion where not welcomed nor invited, or supposing to know another’s motives in a negative light.

Don’t give in. It will change everything!

You are not alone. Others have been where you are and stood fast for much is at stake. Remember: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1st Corinthians 10:13

I believe in you and there are so many that are watching your moves this very day to see how you handle the unkind comments of a co-worker, that trial at home or the casual onset of gossip. Be a peacemaker – be bold and faithful. There is a way to stand up keep your very legacy intact today.

And just for kicks – remember for a moment that person you aspire to be – the one God created you to be – and smile.

Pray with Gratitude

Charles Swindoll said “There is no more significant involvement in another’s life than prevailing, consistent prayer. It is more helpful than a gift of money, more encouraging than a strong sermon, more effective than a compliment, more reassuring than a physical embrace.”

How many times do we look at a day ahead or a circumstance and try to “figure out” how we are going to make it work. Imagine me – a creation – thinking I can even see all of the opportunities, tools, etc. available to me…. When all along the Creator Himself has told us – you have not because you ask not. He makes all things work together for good for those who love Him. That’s ALL things. So while prayer is not tangible, it’s the most awesome way we can contribute to another’s well being. God in His amazing love, power and kingdom has ALL – THAT’S EVERYTHING at His fingertips and His plans are far greater for us than we perceive or dare to dream.

So – open your heart, mind and soul. Close your eyes for a moment and remember your dream. Now – lay it at His feet with joy and gratitude…. And watch with wonder as He honors each step in faith as you walk toward the dream He has given you.

Blessings upon blessings to you today… and pray!

Free Indeed

William Penn wrote, “There can be no friendship when there is no freedom. Friendship loves the free air, and will not be fenced up in straight and narrow enclosures.”

Each aspect of our freedoms in this world have come with pain and suffering of one on behalf of another. Jesus died a horrible death – conquered death and rose - that we may be free, many lost their lives escaping from terrible tyranny and the inability to worship God and pray as their heart called in the trips and trials to America. The civil war was truly about the fact that no one should be enslaved to another as “all men are created equal under God.”

Those that would rob us of freedom continue to fight for their own way… yet in the place of the heart, I’ve recently learned within my own struggle… that it loves best when truly free. Stars return to our eyes when we allow, assist, encourage and even love enough to set flying those whom our hearts hold dearest. And while we may fear the launch… the open hand… the sending….it is only in freedom that we can remain friends and lay fertile ground for love to continue it’s flight.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 (NIV)

Loving well says, “I want the best for you no matter what.” So today- along with loving the heroes who’ve brought our physical, educational, and spiritual freedom to this place, I encourage you to look again toward your dearest loved ones with stars in your eyes and allow their flight to the greatest heights they can achieve as we cheer along the way, understanding we truly hold no one…. Yet God holds on to us.
You’ll find in the “release to soar” that you feel refreshed and liberated from grasp as well – for the Son has set you free – Enjoy being free indeed.

Joy Joy Joy - Live Life with Gusto

I read a great story. I think it's who I aspire to be...tee hee.... about a 63 year old woman who had been found (after five days) stranded on a river, her little inflatible fishing boat stuck to debri from a storm. Her son's comment to a reporter a day or two after she went missing was that "she's probably out somewhere she shouldn't be." And sure enough, in his opinion, she had been - out by herself fishing on the river. I admire her tenacity and spirit. She was a bit weather worn and dehydrated but was fully recovering and I'll bet she'd be so fun to know. I wonder if she used to have a partner in crime (like Lucy had Ethel).

I can think of many an adventure with friends or family where we laughed so hard at our predicament that we could not stand or in one case I remember, see for the tears from laughing so hard. I hope you can, even now, cite one of those times and revel in the joy of it. It's the same joy, I believe we can bring to this world every day...the same joy that I pray you experience from God.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

So, as this day unfolds - reflect - enjoy and project the joy of this life in the midst of it all.

http://gratitudeattitudetoday.blogspot.com/

Blessings Bountiful Anew

There was a man named Jabez, who was just an average man, but his prayer was noteworthy - enough so that he is mentioned only this once in scripture.

"Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested. (1 Chronicles 4:9-10)

Does your heart long for blessings? Would you bless others with the outpouring? God's favor upon you.... Do you understand that God is waiting to bless you - to pour out blessings that would spill over not only upon those you seek to bless, but those they seek to bless as well?

I once knew a man who asked "why doesn't God make me wealthy? I could give so much to this cause?" It wasn't long after that that you could find him complaining that he was NOT the recipient of a "free hat" that was reserved for the cause volunteers. He went so far as to boast that he was a donor and deserved one. I don't think he understood how loudly his actions spoke that day. His answer in plain view for all to see, but lost on him.

And so, today, I ask God for His blessings, to enlarge my territory to bless, for His hand to guide and direct my path, that He would keep me from evil that I might not cause pain.

I do not measure the blessing in dollars and cents, but rather in love and kindness...let's make Jabez' prayer our own that we may be a blessing indeed here and now. You can start with a smile and twinkling eyes, a "thank you" or "God bless you." I'm going to.....I'm looking for yours! :-)

Attitude of Gratitude - Inspired by a Legacy of Love

A young police officer and Marine boldly in Afganistan and his two tours in Iraq, and more quietly here stateside lived out a legacy each and every day that encouraged and inspired. Every day simple gestures that changed the world around him....yet to him, a simple act of kindness so much a part of his nature that it required no deliberation or second thought. Little did he know buying cookies for a young boy would be his last interaction with another on this earth.

How would you be remembered? Would it be your kindness? love? mercy? inspiration or even sense of humor that lit a room? Would it be an act "heard round the world" such as our young police officer?

And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body [a]to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 [b]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails;(1 Corinthians 13:3-8a)

I hope the following inspires you to live your life out loud in love and listen to that voice inside of you that prompts you to act and JUST DO IT. Every step you take will become more familiar and before you know it, your life will reflect a life of love and kindness and every day will hold "life changing" moments as those around you witness/feel your love in action.

http://www.godvine.com/Police-Officer-s-Final-Act-of-Kindness-Caught-on-Tape-Before-Dying-1065.html

It's a New Week and a New Dawn

Nicole Nordeman sings wonderful, soul-touching songs that speak to so many of our our heart's cries - part of one of her songs ....

It's a fear that keeps me wide awake, In the middle of the night
When the expectations are too great and the bar gets raised too high.

So I do the best with what I've got and hope that no one knows...that I strain to see how high I can try to stand on these toes
until I'm measured, but you know better

So thank You, Jesus - Even when You see us just as we are, fragile and frail and so far from who we want to be
So thank You, Jesus - Even when the pieces are broken and small, dreams shatter and scatter like the wind
Thank You even then...

I can relate to standing on my tippy toes to try to measure up, and having failed (at least my own expectations). I can feel consumed with sadness, fear and a horrible resolve that as a failure, "it will always be this way" when in fact, every day is filled with new opportunity.

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

I can stand today knowing that I am loved and this is a new week, a new morning - fresh, clean and full of opportunity. We never have to fall into "it will always be" when we are promised otherwise with each new dawn.
.
Enjoy a great new day!

(to hear the whole song go to http://www.music-lyrics-gospel.com/free_mp3_downloads.asp?artist=Nichole+Nordeman&id=art.14668 and select "Even Then.")

Of all the "attitudes" we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing. Zig Ziglar

Make it a Great Day!! Debby

You may fall, but glory is in the rising!

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall
by Confucious

I had a friend who was hit by a car while on her morning walk one day. The driver never hit the brakes because he’d been blinded by the sun as he traveled down the hill. It was touch and go for a while, but a whole congregation and many others across the country were called to prayer. Her first few weeks were spent in ICU and it was determined that she may never walk again – a vibrant young mother, a smile for everyone with a greeting that included your name and a “how are you” followed by an expectant wait because she really cared.

Months later she walked up a flight of stairs and across a stage to the podium to say thank you for all of the kindness and prayers that they (she and her family) had no way of knowing from whom they had come. Even now my eyes fill with tears as she is a beacon – “look what God has done” and look what she did! She never gave up – there was a period where she required a cane to walk – but she walks now free of any outward sign that she’d been knocked down.

Then there’s the young mother who suddenly fell very ill shortly after the birth of her third child. They thought she’d suffered a heart attack – but it was found she had congestive heart failure and the prognosis was transplant or an early end to her life, but she believed God had another plan – and so did those who prayed for, with and over her. A short while later she returned for another battery of tests. The doctors were amazed. She was completely healed. Returned to a vibrant, happy, grateful life with her husband and children.

Be anxious for nothing, but in all things through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6

You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2b

So – with these witnesses – do not fear the asking, but be bountiful with the gratitude. Feel the gratitude as though the final outcome has occurred – I think that’s the faith …. The faith that helps us to rise after the fall…. Not necessarily to the applause of a crowd, but the observer – who watched, prayed and cared and was overwhelmed in the rise. One such as myself.

Today I stand in awe of the rise and count it a privilege to behold.

Lift One Another Up

You can stand tall without standing on someone.
You can be a victor without having victims.
-Harriet Woods

This sentiment appears on the signature block of a business acquaintance and I’ve always loved it. If we are lifting others (each other) up then there are no victims… we are all victors in rising. For when we lift another – our hands are raised skyward acknowledging our “smallness,” and at the same time our strength in the lifting. And sometimes, we have to allow others to lift us.

For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. (Ecclesiates 4:10a)

A smile sent our way should never go unanswered – it should always be a dual blessing – though we should never expect its return to us. Some things naturally return to us in kind or in multitude simply because we’ve been the first to offer it. The shy and uncertain need to be bolstered by the light of your eye, acknowledgement and dawn of a bright smile.


I try to put this to practice – even with strangers – if someone looks lovely in something – why not say so? In the withholding, we’ve withheld love and kindness. I believe these things dawn on us because we are meant to share them. Even the man or woman who appears to have it all together may only be holding on by a thread. So lift high your beautiful smile, kind words and your neighbor today. Enjoy!

New Day - New Morning - New Life

Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.
~ William Ward

I love to watch the Ironman Triathalon in Hawaii. My favorite part is actually before the race begins when the commentators highlight the lives of some of the competitors. There is the cancer survivor who decided after winning one physical struggle, they would take on one they had control over. There is the father/son team who've been racing together for years - son in wheelchair due to a degenerative disorder - father dutifully - even joyfully pushing him along the way. There's the accident victim who was riding his bike one day in preparation for his next race, hit by a passing vehicle and now competes as a paraplegic. Their stories are so inspiring and cause me to wince with shame at excuses for not accomplishing some of my own goals.

It is a good reminder to me to “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16

As the new dawn appears, with it's brilliant light, I too can rise and start again in the morning. All things new again. Join me?

Light and Love

"Darkness can not drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate can not drive out hate; only love can do that." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King was an amazing man and it is right that we celebrate his life and never forget his message. Let us each be light in the darkness and love in the midst of hate that it might be said of us - as I believe it could of him, "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows." (Psalm 45:7)

God bless your goings and comings this week and may this message ring through your heart and actions.

Attitude of Gratitude - Loving Embracing the Unlovable

My wonderful friend, Cherie, in collaberation with another writer, sent this to me and I asked if I could share it. Thank you, Cherie.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Col 3:12-13

Love means to love that which is unlovable; or it is no virtue at all.

Every living creature has been blessed by God with a way to protect itself. When a sand particle gets inside the oyster’s shell, for example, that tiny abrasive becomes life-threatening to the oyster due to its soft, porous tissue. But the oyster secretes an essence from its own life to create a pearl from the grain of sand.

What would happen if we, like the oyster, didn’t try to discard the abrasive and unlovable people from our lives-even when we feel threatened-but rather welcomed them as opportunities for God’s love to create something beautiful inside us?

Those bothersome people might need you to help them experience God’s new life. Likewise, you might need them to develop your patience and godly love.

So don’t automatically expel difficult people from your life; ask God to help you turn an annoyance into a pearl.

Lord, I want to allow You to work in my life through any circumstances, even the unpleasant ones. Teach me to love with Your love. Amen

Attitude of Gratitude - It's a New Day - Day 1

Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are, help us to spend them as we should.” Psalm 90:12 TLB

News of yet another random shooting, another fatal auto accident, another missing person fill the headlines once again. It’s a near-daily reminder that we are not on this planet at our own will and design and that each day is a day that can not be returned once spent.


Today is a new day – a new start – a new adventure and I want it to count for everything. Should tomorrow take me to heaven, I want to have lived and loved well…to not have withheld love, kindness, goodness or encouragement from anyone, but to have added to the lives of those with whom I come in contact.

So I will number this day 1 and tomorrow day 1 and the next day 1 as well, planning to live each with the life and newness every new dawn brings.

Let’s go out and live, love and learn this day as though it’s our first opportunity ever to do so.

Have a great day!

Attitude of Gratitude - Two Lives & Legacy

In the last two days I've gotten word of the passing of two ladies who had each seen over 7 decades of life here on earth. One lived a life that poured forth love, compassion, gratitude, and joy no matter what she faced in life. People poured in upon news of her illness and she had constant companionship, whether aware or not. The love she'd shown each person with whom she'd come in contact was as a Stone dropped into a pond where it's impact sent wave upon wave ever expanding and reaching those who would never meet her, but benefited from the love of God she allowed to overflow from her heart toward others. Her legacy remains, she is missed, but those who knew her are even more vigilent to pay it forward.

The other woman lived a life wherein she "told it like it was" through her eyes, when a friend or family member was absent there were sure to be unkind words or judgments, and she was clear about who she liked and did not. She had several children, though nearby, not frequent visitors as she'd worked her "magic" on their spouses and children as well. Her unkindness was legendary. Visitors had trickled down to an obligated few. Her legacy.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have known each of the women. I learned from both; inspired by one and through necessity with the other. I offer these verses as they came to me so clearly to me and have been on my mind for days...long before the news of these two lives conclusion with us here.

" 1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body [a]to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 [b]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails..." (1 Corinthians 13: 1-8a)

God bless you as you step forward, continuing your own legacy creation.

Attitude of Gratitude - True Friends

I had a wonderful weekend filled with the joy of good friends, family, food and faith!

Richard Exley says, “A true friend is one who hears and understands when you share your deepest feelings…. A true friend prods you to personal growth, stretches you to your full potential. And most amazing of all, celebrates your successes as if they were his/her own.”

It is always my joy to share in good news of successes of friends and my privilege to share in praying for difficult situations and in hearing the “truth” that only a trusted friend can give.

...There should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all members rejoice with it. (1Corinthians 12:25-26)

I am so grateful today that I can rejoice in good news! While today may hold it's challenges, my joy in sharing in answered prayer this week is great and will remind me that God is indeed in control.

Let's create a legacy of love as we share in each other's joys and carry them as we share, too, in their sorrows.

Attitude of Gratitude - Revisit Renew your Dreams

We all mold one another’s dreams.
We all hold each other’s fragile hopes in our hands.
We all touch others’ hearts.

It is true that we help to shape and mold another’s dreams and aspirations. A nod of approval, silence, rolled eyes or an excited smile and exuberant expression of what the realization of the dream may look like all contribute or detract from the confidence with which one allows the dream to flourish.

When hopes are shared… they are laid out on a table bare for view as a small plant just starting to bud. If the life-giving sunshine it requires is withdra wn, it will wither away, never realizing the glory of the full bloom. We can provide that life-sustaining light or adversely cast a shadow upon someone’s hopes. It is a tenuous, trusting moment within which they have been shared and we must respect the privilege and be gentle in the care of it.

So… today, with fear and trembling along with wild excitement at the possibilities I encourage you to – right where you are – revisit your dream. Share it with a trusted friend… and GO FOR IT!!!!

May God bless you richly and grant you increasing freedom from all anxiety and fear. (1 Peter 1:2)

Attitude of Gratitude - Kind words go a long way

I have always been tall - always. Although an over-achiever, I was also heralded with such titles as the "jolly green giant" (perhaps my aversion to green for so much of my life), amazon, and skyscraper to name a few. At 12 years old and 5'8", let's just say, I stood out. As I entered junior high my confidence would swing between "on top of the world" and incredibly self-conscious. While my parents were always confidence-invoking, they were my parents and I knew, of course, that they were prejudice. Afterall, I was their first born. Across the street lived a family who also had two daughters. Their mother was tall and statuesque and it was rumored she'd been a model (or could have been). One day while I was over visiting my friend, she said to me, "always stand tall and be proud of your height. You are beautiful." I held those words in my heart for a long time. They meant so much to me and I followed them. I walked tall and confidently, regardless of my inner insecurities, her words resounding in my mind on many an occasion. I never forgot her words and she had no way of knowing their impact on my life, but it was as Mother Teresa said, “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

Is there a kind word you have for another - even a stranger - that could lift them up today? What is stopping you?

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it." (Proverbs 3:27)

Attitude of Gratitude - Behold!

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Each day we are given a gift...24 hours to do with as we choose. We have the choice whether we are going to step forward into the exciting process to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2b). Or we may choose to simply let time pass filling it with gripes and complaints as we gather co-conspirators in misery.

Choose life! Choose renewal! Open your eyes and heart that you may see that not only are we being transformed by the renewing of our minds, but we have a cheerleader - the lover of our soul - Christ Jesus as He has prayed to the Father I come to You Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. (John 17:11b)

As you love, as you give, as you show kindness to others - you will hear His voice. You will recognize His handiwork and answers to even the smallest of details in your long ings. Then you will see outwardly the gleam, the joy the love that will not be kept inside any longer as it "flows forth" unable to be contained within any longer. The outpouring is contagious and soon you will notice that the world around you has become a different, more joyful, kinder place. One decision. One day chosen each day can create an amazing legacy with His name and image all over it as we are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Start the Year with the end in mind!

Happy New Year!!!

You may or may not have made resolutions for 2012, but in keeping with your legacy creation and living on purpose, I encourage you to write down what you want your "final report" in life to be so that you can live toward it and years from now look back and say,
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7