not quarrel. "Everyone loves a good fight" - isn't that how the saying goes. I don't know how accurate that is. I personally don't understand all the arguing over every little thing in life.
Do you get caught up in your opinions, your preferences, and your own quirks so much so that you find yourself constantly 'debating' with others? (I call it 'debating' because those of you knit-pickers are positive about the validity of your point that you will debate its merits to death!!!) Think about the conversations during your day. Is the majority of time spent on these quarrels with others over each tiny spec of detail and the conversations never get around to the important, huge factors? Stop getting caught up in the minutia. Sometimes you can just let it go. Not everything has to be your way, on your terms, and in your timing. Instead of being quarrelsome over everything because you want total control, how about picking your battles? Is it really the end of the world when the soup can is in the wrong place in the pantry? Will civilization as we know it end if your co-worker put the header on the report to the right instead of centering it? Will all of heaven and earth cry out in disgust if your kids prefer to mix their t-shirts and shorts in the same drawer instead of separate ones? Figure out what your passion is regarding truly critical matters and then hold fast to those principles only. But if, when making your list, you find you are still listing which type of mayonnaise must be used at all times and that all flossing of teeth must be down from right to left by every member of your household - start the list over!! Eliminate the stuff that you should be able to adapt to, let go of, show some flexibility on, or just plain stop being so stubborn.
So, for today I will not quarrel. I will begin a new pattern of relaxing and being flexible. I will acknowledge that not everything has to be my way and that a different interpretation doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong. I will save my fights for vital, critical issues and I will learn to be at ease with the little stuff. And since this may be hard for me, I will pray for patience and discernment throughout the day!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
read my bible...
read my bible. This is the greatest book ever written, but none of us take enough time to read from it, learn from it, grow from it. Today, read your bible.
I'm not talking about starting at page 1 and reading it the whole way through. That's a tough thing to do, but people have done it. Let's make this a little easier though. If you used to read your bible often, get back into the habit. Go back over those highlights and favorite chapters or stories. Seek out those beloved passages and re-energize your soul. If you have never read your bible, I would suggest starting at the New Testament with the gospels - the Book of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. After that, finish the New Testament or move into my favorite, Psalms. I love Psalms because it's shorter inspiring passages and you can find something about every subject under the sun! If you don't have a bible, get one. There are great study bibles available that help you understand the more difficult passages or historical references. Take the time in the book store to open them and read some passages. If the language is confusing, try a different translation that you are more at ease with. If you think it's confusing to read - you'll never read, so find the right fit for you. Now comes the easy part, take 5, 10, 15 minutes in the morning, mid-day, or evening and open up your bible and read. That's it. The bible has information about every single aspect of life. God has given us a blueprint to follow for everything we will encounter on earth. You will struggle less and lead a more contented life when you read the bible and find your answers. So instead of self-help books, get the only help you will ever need book - The Bible!
So, for today I will read my bible. I will start (or continue) the practice of finding a few minutes to read my bible and allowing God to give me the information I need. I will use the bible as my source of strength, peace, guidance, instruction and hope. My life will be much more blessed when I am counting on God's advice and wisdom and holy word. God is the ultimate self-help life coach, so I will trust and honor His word and read my bible.
I'm not talking about starting at page 1 and reading it the whole way through. That's a tough thing to do, but people have done it. Let's make this a little easier though. If you used to read your bible often, get back into the habit. Go back over those highlights and favorite chapters or stories. Seek out those beloved passages and re-energize your soul. If you have never read your bible, I would suggest starting at the New Testament with the gospels - the Book of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. After that, finish the New Testament or move into my favorite, Psalms. I love Psalms because it's shorter inspiring passages and you can find something about every subject under the sun! If you don't have a bible, get one. There are great study bibles available that help you understand the more difficult passages or historical references. Take the time in the book store to open them and read some passages. If the language is confusing, try a different translation that you are more at ease with. If you think it's confusing to read - you'll never read, so find the right fit for you. Now comes the easy part, take 5, 10, 15 minutes in the morning, mid-day, or evening and open up your bible and read. That's it. The bible has information about every single aspect of life. God has given us a blueprint to follow for everything we will encounter on earth. You will struggle less and lead a more contented life when you read the bible and find your answers. So instead of self-help books, get the only help you will ever need book - The Bible!
So, for today I will read my bible. I will start (or continue) the practice of finding a few minutes to read my bible and allowing God to give me the information I need. I will use the bible as my source of strength, peace, guidance, instruction and hope. My life will be much more blessed when I am counting on God's advice and wisdom and holy word. God is the ultimate self-help life coach, so I will trust and honor His word and read my bible.
Friday, August 20, 2010
fast...
fast. Many people have the perception that fasting is only centered around food. Not so. Today find a new way to fast as an act of discipline, thankfulness, and praise.
What do you have a weakness for? Is it a particular food item? A favorite drink? An obsession with video games? An inability to ever be without your cell phone? A laziness to stay on the couch all evening? Whatever it is, this is your chance to give it up for a time period as an act of respect to God. So, pick a time length that challenges you. Don't pick an unrealistic one and set yourself up for failure before you've begun. Pick a time frame difficult enough to make it tough on you, but not so much so that you spend the entire time complaining and miserable about what you gave up - that's not an act of praise! Once that's established, pick the item or habit or activity and give it up and let it go!! Occupy yourself with other things. Pray during your fast time. Prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of strength, prayers of gratitude and solice. Instead of focusing on the item you have given up, focus on all you do have and keep a constant stream of communication going up to God. You'll feel stronger, more at peace, and a little more aware that the item you thought you couldn't live without - you actually can!!
So, for today I will fast. I will spend time praising God instead of doing things that I want or like. I will give up that thing that is my weaknesses, that thing I don't want to go without, but fro God will give it up gladly as a small token of my great appreciation, admiration and love for Him.
What do you have a weakness for? Is it a particular food item? A favorite drink? An obsession with video games? An inability to ever be without your cell phone? A laziness to stay on the couch all evening? Whatever it is, this is your chance to give it up for a time period as an act of respect to God. So, pick a time length that challenges you. Don't pick an unrealistic one and set yourself up for failure before you've begun. Pick a time frame difficult enough to make it tough on you, but not so much so that you spend the entire time complaining and miserable about what you gave up - that's not an act of praise! Once that's established, pick the item or habit or activity and give it up and let it go!! Occupy yourself with other things. Pray during your fast time. Prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of strength, prayers of gratitude and solice. Instead of focusing on the item you have given up, focus on all you do have and keep a constant stream of communication going up to God. You'll feel stronger, more at peace, and a little more aware that the item you thought you couldn't live without - you actually can!!
So, for today I will fast. I will spend time praising God instead of doing things that I want or like. I will give up that thing that is my weaknesses, that thing I don't want to go without, but fro God will give it up gladly as a small token of my great appreciation, admiration and love for Him.
Monday, August 2, 2010
take it minute by minute...
take it minute by minute. I believe in living life one day at a time and not getting caught up in the "what ifs" of the next day, but sometimes even facing a whole day is rough.
For today I will just take the day minute by minute. Instead of getting anxious and stressed about what I need to do later in the day, what good or bad may come my way today, I will just take a breath and get through the next minute. God does not give us more than we can bear, but some days we don't feel like we have the strength to make it through the day. So just pray for the strength and comfort to get through the next minute. After that, ask for peace in the next minute. After that, ask for hope in the next minute. Don't jump ahead and start worrying or getting tired. Minute by minute today. Let the day unfold minute by minute and do a breath prayer as often as you need it (a breath prayer is just a short simple statement you repeat over and over during your day, ie.. "Be with me Lord" or "I'm trusting you God" or "I need your strength God").
So, for today I will take it minute by minute. I will stay in the present and not worry or stress about the future. I will do what I can with each moment and give my full effort to each minute. I will call on God to get me through each minute today - and He will see me through.
For today I will just take the day minute by minute. Instead of getting anxious and stressed about what I need to do later in the day, what good or bad may come my way today, I will just take a breath and get through the next minute. God does not give us more than we can bear, but some days we don't feel like we have the strength to make it through the day. So just pray for the strength and comfort to get through the next minute. After that, ask for peace in the next minute. After that, ask for hope in the next minute. Don't jump ahead and start worrying or getting tired. Minute by minute today. Let the day unfold minute by minute and do a breath prayer as often as you need it (a breath prayer is just a short simple statement you repeat over and over during your day, ie.. "Be with me Lord" or "I'm trusting you God" or "I need your strength God").
So, for today I will take it minute by minute. I will stay in the present and not worry or stress about the future. I will do what I can with each moment and give my full effort to each minute. I will call on God to get me through each minute today - and He will see me through.
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