Work-To-Do Wednesday-Developing a Better Attitude

Our attitude is our most important quality. The attitude we have determines what kind of person we are. I feel safe in saying that all of us struggle to have the right attitude from time to time, yet we all should desire to have a good attitude. A good attitude is essential for a proper relationship at home, work, school and in the church. Our attitude affects every single aspect of our lives. So here are five suggestions to help us develop better attitudes.

1.     Think positive. Most people who have bad attitudes are very negative people. There is always something wrong, never anything right. Individuals who fit into this category are usually very unhappy and hard to get along with. A better attitude begins with being a positive, optimistic person. Negativity is a part of life but it not something we can afford to dwell on. Do not allow yourself to become so negative that you cannot function as a child of God.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.”

Philippians 4:13

2.     Learn to cope with failure. We fail, both spiritually and in our day to day activities of life, but how we handle failure will determine what kind of life we have. David and Peter both failed miserably, but neither allowed it to destroy them. Judas did. Jesus told the apostles, “..he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22). Endurance is the key.

“If you keep on swinging, sooner or later you are going to connect.”

3.     Keep busy doing things for others. It’s very difficult to have a bad attitude if your focus is continually on others. Individuals who fill their lives doing for others are the most happy people on earth and they are missed when they are gone (Any one remember Dorcas? Acts 9:36).

“…It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

4.     Don’t let sickness, suffering and death cause you to become bitter. Unfortunately, sickness and death are part of this life and sometimes bad things happen to good people. (It would do us all good to read the book of Job often.) Only a deep abiding faith in God will see us through. May we never forget that our eternal abode is a place free from sickness, suffering and death (Revelation 21:4).

“As we live our lives we either become bitter or better.”

5.     Pray CONSTANTLY that your attitude will be right. God WILL help all of us to have a better attitude. The question is-do we want to change? Are we satisfied with a bad attidue and a miserable life? If we want the right kind of attitude, God WILL help us get it.

“Pray without ceasing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?

Mention-Worthy Monday (Quotes Edition)

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“Social media’s like a brick — you can use it to build an orphanage or throw it through somebody’s car window.”

– Grat Tucker quoting from “Stuff Christians Like”

 “Being spiritually content does not mean our life here will be perfect and problem-free. We learned that from Paul.”

-Buddy Elders

Putting money in the collection plate isn’t the only way to help others and do the Lord’s work.

-George Robinson

 “Friendship evangelism is great except when it is all friendship and no evangelism.”

– Wade Webster quoting from “Our Last Great Hope”

Fill-Your-Cup Friday

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2 Timothy 2:19 KJV

Traditional Thursday (Recipe Edition)

Fruit Tea

In the South, sweet tea is a staple and every southern girl has her own favorite recipe for making it. In the summer, we get even fancier with our sweet tea. I am a huge fan of Fruit Tea, especially in the summer and that is the recipe I’m sharing with you today. Enjoy!

 

Ingredients:

6 regular tea bags

4 cups boiling water

1 ½ cups sugar

1 (6oz.) can frozen orange juice concentrate

1 (6oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate

10 cups water

2 teaspoons almond flavoring

Place tea bags in boiling water. Let steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bags. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Add remaining ingredients. Stir until well mixed. Best if allowed to ripen in refrigerator overnight. Mix well before serving.

Work-To-Do Wednesday-Shopping For School Supplies

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Last Sunday morning, it was hard to keep our children focused on the lesson during Bible class. They were very excited about going to school the next day and it was most important that they inform me what grade they would be starting. Last night at midweek Bible study, I was given reports on how they like their teachers and whether or not they have been given homework yet.  I remember being excited about a new school year because it meant shopping for new school supplies. (Things haven’t really changed much for me in that area. You can still leave in Staples for a few hours and I’m completely content.)

                  Last week, I came across a new podcast, which I fell instantly in love with. This is a podcast hosted by the Faughn family, a husband and wife, who are simply trying to share anything that will help make life easier for other families. I have been following their blog for sometime now, so I was really excited to see them join the podcasting world. In keeping with the back-to-school theme, their very first podcast (not counting their introductory episode) features what spiritual tools are needed for going back to school. I strongly encourage you to listen to it here, but just in case you aren’t able to do so, enjoy the notes I took below.

Spiritual School Supplies list (from a parent’s prospective):

1.     A ruler-to measure our words. Do not be surprised to hear your children badmouthing teachers, coaches and classmates if they listen to you badmouth bosses, coworkers and neighbors. We need to be the godly example for our children to follow and we need to help them remember that while teachers and coaches are the leaders, they are still human and will mistakes. Sometimes they will make bad decisions and we need to be understanding and forgiving.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

Ephesians 4:29

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Colossians 4:6

“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”

Proverbs 10:19

2.     Glue-to stick to God’s word. Often we acknowledge the importance of practices and homework, but we let Bible study fall by the wayside. It is our job to encourage our children to find time for God’s word. It is our job to make sure Bible study is a priority in the life of our child. Encourage them to read a chapter every morning with breakfast if they have an afternoon full of activities or vice versa. It doesn’t matter what time of day we study, it only matters that we get the spiritual food we need everyday.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Psalm 119:105

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

2 Peter 1:3

3.     Scissors-to cut our harmful influences. Sometimes it is our job as parents to cut off harmful influences because our children are not old enough to recognize it yet. To do this we must be aware of who our child’s friends are.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”

1 Corinthians 15:33

4.     Paper & Pencil/Laptop or iPad-to communicate with God. Like supply #2, we need to encourage our children to make time to speak with God in prayer. To pray every morning that He will guide the decisions for that day and to always thank Him for our blessings. Our children need to hear us mention them by name in our prayers and ask God to guide the decisions they make.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15

Tough Truth Tuesday-Significant Lives

                  Are we living significant lives? Is such a thing possible? The answer depends on the context in which the matter is considered. If we ask the question in terms of what the world considers significant problems arise. There are billions of people on the planet now. What is important or notable in one place is inconsequential in another. If we think of significance in terms of what is popular or important at any particular moment we are faced with the reality that such things change with the wind of time.

                 

                  Even when we think in the most material of terms, significance is a slippery thing. There was a time when knowing the blacksmith was important. Now the automobile mechanic is a technician who uses a computer along with his wrench. Inventions and inventors are significant for their time, but time changes.

                  What of the significance of “great men?” I admire men like Locke, Jefferson, Weaver, Reagan and a good number of others. Perhaps all thinking people admire certain men of thought. When we consider this we come a bit closer to the idea of real significance. The truly significant life is one of good and right ideas. It is, in other words, spiritual, not material.

                  The dictionary says that “significant” means “having or conveying a meaning suggesting or implying deeper unstated meaning.” Going back to definition provides insight into the question. Definition always does that. Given that material existence is always moving and changing and thus what is significant in one moment is nothing the next, real significance in life flows out of life’s deeper meaning.

                  It is right here that Jesus Christ makes all the difference. According to Him, “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). According to Him “And indeed there are last who will be first and first who will be last” (Luke 13::30). And this, according to His friend John, whom He inspired, “And this world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).

                  The only real and actual significant lives are those lived according to eternal and true princuples. Thus a true follower of Christ, a Christian, in a second century Palestinian village lived a significant life. So does the Christian who lives a faithful life here in North Alabama today. Significance in life is not determined by one’s possessions, one’s fame or one’s experience of the world. The significant life is the Christian life.

                  I think of these things when I hear folks talk about “great” people: politicians, ball players, and all sorts of popular folks. These “great” folks sooner or later reveal their feet of clay. We all have feet of clay. I am made to think of the people I know right here who lead truly significant lives of faithfulness. The world might not consider them consequential, but in so many ways their steadfast quiet faith makes them better than the famous.

                  In the end, a life is not made significant by the things that have become associated with it. It matters not at all whether we end up in this world rich or poor. “For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.” (Proverbs 27:24). We also remember Probers 30:8-9: “Give me neither poverty nor riches-Feed me with the food allotted to me: Lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’” What will matter in the end, what will be significant about life, is our relationship with God. What is the significane of your life?

Unknown

Taken from The Voice of Truth

East Huntsville church of Christ bulletin

March 3, 2013

Mention-Worthy Monday (Link edition)

D.V.I.-Satan's New Tool - I believe that discouragement is Satan's greatest weapon against us as Christians and it seems to be running rampant lately. Seems this writer thinks so as well.

Dear Sisters in California, I am so sorry  - The ruling regarding transgender school children has taken us down a scary path, yet Cindy Colley gently reminds us to take heart, because our Lord is still in control.

I Really Wish She Hadn't Said That - This one is a toe-stepper, but it is a must read. (My toes are still sore.)

How Well Do You Manage Your Home? - I cannot say enough good things about this article. God has given us, as ladies the most wonderful job (and one of the most important jobs) in the world, keeping the home. This author does a fantastic job of not only pointing this out, but going on to give simple solutions to better home management.

How To Have A Great Marriage, one day at a time - We can have a great marriage, but in order to do so we must constantly work at it. One. Day. At. A. Time.

World's Longest Yard Sale-Year Two - Because of this writer's blog and Instagram pictures, the WLYS is now on my bucket list. Who's with me?

Fill-Your-Cup Friday

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion says my soul; therefore I will hope in him.

The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Lamentations 3:22-25

Thankful Thursday-The Problems in My Shoes

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                  Some weeks seem to go by quickly and relatively problem-free. This has not been not of them. When I think of all the problems, worries and concerns I am carrying I am reminded of an email I received several years ago. It told a story of a young man who went to God and told Him that his cross was too heavy; he just couldn’t bear it. He asked God is he could cut part of it off so God allowed the young man to do so. The young man kept walking down life’s road but complained again that his cross was too much to bear. Once more, God allowed the man to cut off a portion of the cross he bore. Now this man was happy. His cross was so light! He could carry it so easily, but before long he came to a chasm on his journey. He was didn’t know how he would get across. Then he watched other travelers approach the chasm. They used their crosses as a bridge to cross over. The young man’s cross had been cut too short to use as a bridge. The young man realizing this knelt down and wept.

                  So today, I will not complain. I am thankful for my problem-filled week. I know that God will use these problems for His glory. I know that these problems will make me more appreciative when I do enjoy those relatively problem-free days. I will not wish my life was more like my neighbor’s because I if I walked in their shoes for a day, I might just want to pick my problems back up.

PLEASE CLICK HERE.

“The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us but those who win battles we know nothing about.”

-unknown

Work-To-Do-Wednesday-Brighten the Corner Where You Are

We cannot all be famous

Or be listed in “Who’s Who’s,”

But every person great or small

Has important work to do,

For seldom do we realize

The importance of small deeds

Or to what degree of greatness

Unnoticed kindness leads—

For its not the big celebrity

In a world of fame and praise,

But it’s doing unpretentiously

In undistinguished ways

The work that God assigned to us,

Unimportant as it seems,

That makes our task outstanding

And brings reality to dreams—

So do not sit and idly wish

For wider, new dimensions

Where you can put in practice

Your many “Good Intentions”

But at the spot God placed you

Begin at once to do

Little things to brighten up

The spot on which they’re standing

By being more considerate

And a little less demanding

This dark old world would very soon

Eclipse the “evening star”

If everybody brightened up the corner where they are.

From Someone cares

The Collected Poems of Helen Steiner Rice

Tough Truth Tuesday- The Waiting Game Is a Dangerous One

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This week has started off as an emotional one. While I am praising the Lord for a new brother in Christ, I am remembering in prayer the family of a sister who has gone on to her reward. How comforting it is to know that sister is with our Maker at this time. What a blessing it is to be in Christ; to be called one of His children and to know that if we live a life faithful to His word, we can live eternally with him.

Too many people have thought about becoming one of God’s children, only to delay their decision. What is the danger in delaying becoming a Christian or carrying out your duties as a Christian?

1.    Opportunities cannot be recalled once they have been wasted. Felix and Agrippa wasted opportunities (Acts 24 & 26). We cannot afford to turn a deaf ear toward an opportunity to teach, help, or even listen to someone. Sure, another opportunity may come along, but that one is forever gone.

2.   We are not promised tomorrow (Jam. 4:14; Prov. 27:1). The rich farmer found this out only after it was too late (Luke 12).

3.   The longer you procrastinate, the less it bothers you and the more hardened your conscience becomes. Those in Ephesus were “past feeling” (Eph. 4:19).  Paul wrote to Timothy, that there were those whose conscience was “seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim. 4:2).

4.   The example you will leave behind. In Luke 16, the rich man in torment pleaded with the Lord to send Lazarus to warn his brothers not to follow his example, lest they spend eternity in torment as well. The excuse of, “But if I become a Christian, then I am condemning my father/mother” is a worthless one.

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

James 4:14

Mention-Worthy Monday (Quotes version)

 
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“Recognize that what you do daily becomes your legacy.”

-John C. Maxwell in Five Levels of Leadership

“We need to be people of prayer. Things happen when we pray.”

-Carl Dunlap

“The gifts we treasure most over the years are often small and simple. In easy times and in tough times, what seems to matter most is the way we show these nearest to us that we’ve been listening to their needs, to their joys, and to their challenges.”

-Fred Rogers in The World According to Mister Rogers

“It’s not enough just to work together. People worked together to build the Tower of Babel and crucify the Lord.”

– Eric Owens

Fill Your Cup Friday

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV