What interesting thing are you going to do with your lemons?

by | A Season of Caring, Quote Message

You have heard it said, that when life gives you lemons just make lemonade. maya angelou quote graphic

I found this quote by Maya Angelou and I like it even better, after all I love lemon pie.

Back on topic….

It seems that some people find it easier to make something of the lemons of life than others do.

Lemon meringue pie, lemon bars, lemon shortbread cookies or lemonade, it isn’t important what you make.  It is important that you learn to make the best of the lemons life hands you.  The best way to do this is to Change Your Thinking!

I can see your eye roll now.  I know it sounds too simple.  But think about it…..

We have all experienced something difficult in life at the same time someone we know or love has been right there experiencing it too.  Did you both respond the same way?

You had the same parents and upbringing as your sibling/s, do you remember it the same way?

You and your coworker lost your job the same day the business laid you all off and closed its doors.  Did you rebound the same?

Why is the same event experienced differently? 

When life hands us a lemon the questions we ask ourselves will determine what happens next.  Marilee Adams, PHD says that the questions we ask ourselves determines our actions and finally our results.

 

I’m not saying just think positive and everything will be fine.  I have lived life too long to believe it is that simple but I do think how we think is an important part of learning to live with peace and hope no matter what life brings.

 

So what interesting things are you going to make with you lemons?  Do you need some help learning to think differently about life’s lemons?

Don’t miss my upcoming opportunity to learn more about how your thinking impacts your relationships and success at work.

I would love to have you join me as we explore Marliee Adams, PHD concept of Question Thinking during the month of August.  I will be highlighting Question Thinking and then offering a workshop opportunity on how to make this powerful shift in your thinking.

Think Question Change Coming Soon

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Me Royalty?

by | Quote Message

Me, Royalty?   You must be mistaken.

You are the daughter of a king, right?

King, what king?

King of King and Lord of Lords.

Oh, yes, He adopted me.  I guess that means I am royalty too.

Have you accepted the fact that you are royalty?  Embracing your royalty is the first step to learning to view yourself as He sees you.

 

Precious, cherished, lovely, righteous, treasured, wise and forgiven.

What other words would you use to discribe how God sees you?

1 Timothy 1:17

“All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.”

Where does character come from?

by | Quote Message

Where does character come from?

The older we get the more we realize how important character is.  When people describe you, what do they say?  When they talk about your character, what kind of words would come to mind.  How many of those words would be the same words used to describe God?

Scripture assures us that proven character will come after tribulation and perseverance.  Where can I sign up for that?  Just joking,  I don’t think any of us get too excited about the thought of tribulation/trials in life.

This quote from Helen Keller tells it all.  I can not imagine facing the challenge of being blind but life is full of challenges for all of us.  Just as trees who have to endure drought, we grow deeper roots when we face trials.

When I think of deep roots I think of the roots I grew in while in elementary school.  I struggled learning to read.  I had help in a special class for a year and then after school and summer tutoring throughout my elementary years.

 

Romans 5: 3-5

3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

I wanted school to be easy.  I did not want to have to spend extra time on school work in order to get good grades but that is what I had to do.

The struggle of always doing my best even when I didn’t get the grades I wanted grew my character.  Doing homework when I would rather be playing grew my patience.

What life trials have you faced that helped to mold you into who you are today?  How have you found to dig deep and grow during your trials?

 

Where is My Miracle?

by | Cornerstone Posts, Growing in Faith, Quote Message

Lord, I need your help!  I don’t know what to do.

My husband (ex now) had suffered another devastating bought of depression.  He had not been able to work for 9 months.  This was a crisis, without a doubt.  I did all that I could in order to put one foot in front of another each day.  I continued to pray, asking for a miracle.

I had no idea how we would be able to pay the bills again this month even though I was working 3 jobs now.  I had to trust God to provide for us in a way I had not had to before.

I wish this crisis had a happily ever after ….  the depression lifted but we continued to struggle. I did the best I could to obey the Lord and repay all that we had borrowed.

Eventually I was able pay off the mountain of debt we accumulated but it was not without 5 years of hard work. It would have been nice if the miracle had come and I didn’t have to pay the price of our choices.  That just isn’t how God works most of the time.  He did continue to be faithful.  I am thankful His presence was never absent in this crisis or the many more to come.

Psalm 37:21

“The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous ….”

The Blessing of a Spounse!

by | Quote Message

The blessing of a spouse!

Most of us longed to find the person who would love us the rest of our life.  My dream like most was to grow up, get married and have kids.  As I have shared before I was married right out of college and it was a very long difficult 10 years and I did not get my happily ever after.

But when I saw this quote by Max Lucado I loved it.  It is easy for time to go by and for us to forget what a treasure we have in our spouse. Life is busy, the chores of  running a house and making a living can easily distract you from the importance of valuing your spouse.  Showing your deep passion and loving them in the middle of it all will make a difference.

Proverbs 18:22

“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD”

 

The farmer and I have been married almost 6 years now and I have found my happily ever after.  I am so thankful that I have done a better job of never letting my love for him go unspoken.  I have treasured him and told him about it daily.  I have proudly kept him a priority.  As I have done all these things he has been doing them as well.

Marriage is a beautiful partnership.  Having someone to love and serve the Lord with is a dream come true.  The death of a marriage is a very difficult time in anyone’s life.  But like in all things God’s love never weavers.  He is still faithful and will love and support you through it.  There is hope.

 

What are some of the most important things you have found to you help keep your spouse a treasured priority in your life?

What Brings Joy to Your Heart?

by | Quote Message

When do you feel joy? What does it feel like?

Rick Warren defines joy:

Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.

As I have thought about joy I realized I don’t usually realize I am feeling joy unless I take the time to notice.  Joy is a state of being which comes from being mindful and noticing how blessed we are.

How do you define joy?

When do you experience joy most often?

 How can gratitude effect how much joy you experience?

Psalm 21:6

For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.

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