Plans & Dreams

Thought this would be a good time to remind you – At every crossroad – continue to follow your dream. Whether it’s hot, cold, muggy or mild outside – the dream you hold within should be sparkling in your eyes and give your face that beautiful countenance of light with a dash of joy as though you hold inside something just bursting at the seams to come out.

As we look to our friends – the spark can start a fire within them as well… and even to those with whom we come in contact.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.

http://gratitudeattitudetoday.blogspot.com/

A New Day Dawns

Sometimes we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed, just trying to keep our footing in the sand that seems to be washing from beneath our feet, let alone trying to move forward….

Good news!! Today is a new day full of new challenges, opportunities and even a new friend or two. Remember – nothing today is by accident. There will be amazing people dropped before you for whom a mere smile will trigger a conversation or an elevated spirit in both of you.

Remember your big rocks – those items of greatest importance in your life. Get at least one in to your day today: it may be as simple as a phone call to a friend, getting in a work out, reading a chapter in a book, or simply planning your week or day for tomorrow. You will derive energy and a sense of accomplishment great enough to propel you into the remainder of your day and even tomorrow with a renewed sense of purpose, for there are great plans for you that have already begun.

Remember… dream big and each small step will account for more than you bargained for. Your legacy is depending on it.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:5-7)

Gratitude in the Midst of the Heat

The heat is on this week with record temperatures that can wear on us physically and emotionally, but the morning brings a new, bright and amazing day filled with opportunities that can only be realized with the passage of time…. And time only comes my way but once, so I will endeavor to live this day well with love and kindness.

Truly, there is eternal value is in the way we greet a stranger, treat a loved one or a not-so-trusted one. The “things” will pass away, but our spirits remain.

I received this message on a calendar given to me by my friend, April. It is written by Thomas Chalmers.

Live for something…Write your name in kindness, love and mercy on the hearts of thousands you come in contact with… You will never be forgotten.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

So today, put on your best clothing - compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience and go out to meet the world. Perhaps in this wonderful frock, we will be quick to give thanks, to love, listen and show mercy. I'm praying for success in the attempt, but I know if I give it over to God, He is able and I am able through Him.

Let's go change our world!

Thanksgiving every day

"Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God just as he had done before." Daniel 6:10 Daniel's life was a practice of praise daily and lion's mouths were closed.


Imagine! What if we all expressed our gratitude to God at least 3 times a day. Imagine the concert of praise that could be heard in the heavens and the change that could be made right here on earth. As I've become more and more aware of the wonder that surrounds me each moment, the incredible gifts found therein, I take the time to express my praise and low and behold I am changed.


Won't you join me in choir of praise? Commit to 30 days and you'll be hooked...just watch those around you and how everything changes.

Change and a whisper

Change seems all around me these days and for several months. It's no use "waiting it out" for stabilization...I've been "on hold" in some ways and it's time to get on with living this day with all that it holds - even if on wobbly ground. As the change swirls around me I close my eyes and when I am listening, really listening, I hear that still small voice that says to me...."Be still, and know that I am God; …." (Psalm 46:10)

Another version says – “cease your striving and know that I am God;”

I love to hear that whisper to my heart, my very spirit. I am grateful for that promise today… and I am still in wonder at the beauty, the majesty of our earth and that the Almighty Creator of all of the Universe takes time to speak to me from a love that we can’t come close to imagining, but He calls us to accept. It is truly a miracle that in my infinitesimal being – He speaks to me, loves me and even knows my name. Miracle of miracles – He came here to save us… and I stand in awe – grateful, amazed, blessed and embraced.

http://gratitudeattitudetoday.blogspot.com/

A Temple of Praise

In the quiet of the morning or the bustle of the day you can create a temple of praise.  It takes but a single action.  Gratitude in the moment in and for the small things.  Sarah Ban Breathnach said Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.

Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16)

Our gratitude is holy.  It is showing our thanks for the very act that saved/saves us and there is so much we have to be grateful for…for clouds that change even as we gaze…for warmth of human touch…the scent of a flower on the air…the smell of fresh baked bread or grandmother’s perfume…the sight of one who cares.

Look today and see what you find in the moment you passed blindly by just the day before and be grateful.  You are here to enjoy this moment…that this time may not pass in vain.  

Blessings in Disguise

This weekend I truly felt the words of Laura Story's "Blessings". More specifically...."what if your healing comes through pain... And what if the trials of this life, the rain, the storms, the hardest nights are Your mercies in disguise?" (I encourage you to listen to the whole song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOOFAaUGfRE)

We'd never have avoided a catastrophic event if not for a headache that took us to the doctor. As a result there were some very hard nights as a merciful and loving God healed one who might have otherwise met his end instead...mercies so amazing and such a blessing in disguise.

Do you find yourself going through a hard night, pain, or a storm in your life? Can you fathom that it is a blessing to be revealed at a later time?

 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire —may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7) 
If you're going through one of these times, tell someone that they may know and come around you with prayer and support and then may join you in the praise, glory and honor when Jesus is revealed in the situation.

I am so very grateful for those amazing friends and family who shared in this great blessing in disguise. May God be glorified!

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