Heartfelt Greetings from Pedro and Rosita!

I know it's a little corny, but I'm a sucker for anything cute, and chihuahua puppies especially. So when I received this in an email, I just had to pass it on to you! I hope it brings a smile to your face and happy thoughts to your heart, as it did to mine. Enjoy!

It's a romantic full moon, when Pedro said, "Hey, mamacita, let's do Weeweechu."

Oh no, not now, let's look at the moon!" said Rosita.

Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I do Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Pedro begged.

"But I wanna just hold your hand and watch the moon." replied Rosita.

Please, corazoncito, just once, do Weeweechu with me."

Rosita looked at Pedro and said, "OK, one time, we'll do Weeweechu."

Pedro grabbed his guitar and they both sang.....

"Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

In spite of the busyness, the "issues" and anything else that may come up, choose to make this a very Merry Christmas, as we remember Christ is in the center of Merry Christmas!

From my heart to yours!

The Power of One

It only takes ONE to make a difference!
One word - One act - one look - one smile - one person! It all starts with you - and me.

We all make a difference in one way or another - some positive, some negative. Think about the ripples in a pond when a pebble or rock is thrown in. The ripples keep spreading out and moving on. We have a choice to make about what kind of difference we will make each day, with each action or non-action.

I recently saw the movie "Pay It Forward" again and want to share this clip with you. It inspired me to be more conscious in making a difference in the world around me.

I challenge you to do the same - and see where your ripples go...

Singing our Hearts Out!

I just came across this cute yet amazing video.



Just as the parents of this child, I rather think God as our Father must be smiling on our feeble attempts to do what we do in life, including our ways of praising him or just expressing ourselves in ways beyond words.

With the same love and pride you know this child's parent felt for her as she sang this challenging piece the best way she knew how, feel God's love and pride for you right where you are in life today. Enjoy that embrace of love for a moment.

Then go and live your life empowered by the heart of God for you!

Squirrel Talk - Gotta Minute to Listen?!

Have you seen the picture taken by a vacationing couple where a squirrel jumped in the picture with them? If not, you'll want to view it and read the brief story at: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2009/08/ground-squirrel-photo-crasher.html

Actually, I've got my own cute squirrel picture!

I was looking out the window over my deck and saw this squirrel having breakfast and a conversation with an angel! I wish I'd been able to shoot a video of it or get a clearer picture, instead of this one through the screen door, but as soon as I moved to open the door, the squirrel dashed away in a flash.

I hope you enjoy it! Perhaps it's good to be reminded there are interesting things going on all around us, if we only have eyes to see!

What is God trying to show you today through the eyes of your squirrel - er, soul?! Perhaps there's an angel right where you are now with a few observations for you... ;-)

Don't Send a Man to the Grocery Store!

Have you had your belly laugh today? Medical authorities reiterate how important it is to laugh much. Even the Bible tells us "A cheerful heart is good medicine..." - Proverbs 17:22a

When I came across this video, I just had to laugh out loud at her story and way of looking at things, as well as her delivery. Jeanne Robertson is a humorist I've recently come to appreciate with a gracious southern woman's perspective. Not only is she one of the top speakers with the National Speakers Association (of which I'm a member), but she's a former Miss North Carolina and is involved in giving back through her speaking and other projects.

Once I viewed this video, I had to review a few more and check out her website. It was a 30 minute break in my day that actually inspired and empowered me, and even helped my health through the "laugh oxygen" it generated!

Share it and spread the good "medicine" with your friends!

For more quick laughs, visit http://www.real-life-institute.com/articles.html
and click on "Rough Day" on the right.

Lotsa Heart and Power!

A great group of Christian women all wanting to move ahead more powerfully with their dreams gathered last night in my home.

The meeting was the second of the Heart & Power Women's Connection Group. I started this group with a vision to encourage and empower more women to step up to the plate and start living out their purpose with passion and power.

What I've found is that most Christian women want to move ahead with their life and serve God in some way, but they are not really sure which way to go or how they should be doing it.

Through my struggles with this issue myself, I have gained much strength and power, focus and direction, support, resources and knowledge along the way. All of this is burning a hole in my soul to be shared with others so they can live their best life too!

If you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt you could achieve whatever you set out to do, and that all the resources of time, money, support people, knowledge and ability - everything you needed - was there for you - WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING NOW?!!

The good news is that all the resources ARE ALREADY AVAILABLE TO YOU! You CAN accomplish whatever you set out to do. Help IS available! After all, God owns the cattle on a thousand hills - it's ALL His. He will give you everything you need to fulfill his purpose. But you need to step out in faith and expect it to be there when you need it. That is true faith: believe it and then you'll see it (not believe it when you see it).

I've experienced this so powerfully since I realized that I CAN do everything God puts in my heart to do - one step at a time. But I must take that first step - and then the next - and the next. And watch with awe as God meets me step by step on the journey with even more than I could think to ask to propel me towards my destination of purpose!

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love and of power and of a sound mind." - 2 Tim. 1:7

May you take the challenge to stir up the dreams in your heart. Accept they're given to you from God. Move forward with faith (not fear). Gather support and momentum as you keep going. Think of all the people whose lives you'll enrich by what you can do for them! Live and enjoy your best life now!

For more info, visit http://heartandpower.org

For help in living your best life also visit: http://real-life-institute.com/

New Vision

You may have noticed I haven't published a blog post for the last two months. In case you wondered if I fell off the planet, I actually didn't! But I have been in the "plan it" stages of a new vision God has given me.

This vision has brought a huge step up of faith and action, with an amazing unfolding, including quite a few trips, a whole new circle of friends, and the beginnings of a great support team of thinkers and doers. So I have been focused on going from "good to great," as author Jim Collins likes to say!

For news and insights into what I've been up to, visit: http://heartandpower.org/.

If you have enjoyed my writings and posts to date, you can continue to be inspired in the future. I will be continuing my writing through several books and ebooks I am producing. I will also post lessons I'm learning at this site as time permits.

So stay tuned for the next chapters of life to unfold...!

In the meantime, as I always like to relate your life to mine, why not carve out some time to hear what God might be saying to you about expanding your vision?

What I discovered is that God is not looking to send us somewhere unpleasant or to do something we hate: quite the opposite. It would be senseless for God to have given us talents, abilities, skills, ideas and passions and then ask us to do something totally the opposite of what He has been preparing us for (unless that area is a needed part of future preparation).

I have been amazed at how God has brought all the crazy things I've done and enjoyed into the vision He has for me now. He has taken my interests in writing, speaking, coaching, studying human nature & spiritual issues, and even my artistic side plus the financial services career - and all the other experiences of being an entrepreneur and leader.

Now he has rolled that all into one ball of wax and sent me spinning down the alley of life thoroughly enjoying the ride along the way to where He is aiming me! Only He really knows where the destination is, as we see only the small view ahead of us as He reveals it. But I sure am enjoying the scenery along the way!

My main verse for this season is:

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7, NIV

May you be empowered by God's love and his power to move forward with the discipline and wisdom of a sound mind, as you step out and up today!

Pirate Saga Hero

I’ve been following the drama on the high seas, as most Americans have this past week, with the pirates of Somalia versus Captain Richard Phillips.

When I first heard that the captain had willingly sacrificed his life for his crew and ship, my ears perked up. It had special meaning during this week leading up to Easter. The parallel between that and what Christ did for us was too coincidental to ignore!

As I followed the progress with latest updates on my computer screen, I continued to pray for the captain and his family. But Saturday night I was convinced that he would be freed Easter Sunday. I just felt that God was so in control, and that the dramatic symbolism of the message that was being sent to us would not be lost on the world.

Just as one normal human being like Captain Phillips was willing to lay down his life for his friends and fellow shipmates, so was Jesus willing to do the same for us.

That was his plan from the beginning. But the difference was that we were not his friends. He was truly ours, but we were so lost in our sins and evil ways that we (as a human race descended from Adam) could not even fathom the kind of sacrifice Christ was willing to make for us. We would be considered the pirates in this case! ;-)

So if Captain Phillips is a hero today, who is Jesus? He has to be at least a hero, but obviously is more than that.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. – John 15:12-14

Let us rejoice in the salvation of both the captain and the crew! In the meantime, you may want to take a moment to read and meditate on the powerful words of the whole chapter of John 15. They may take on greater meaning in light of this pirate and hero story.

Ignorance is Bliss?

I just read a great joke online. Let me share it with you here.

A friend whose husband was stationed at Fort Bliss, in Texas, actually got a letter addressed to "Fort Ignorance."
"How did you know where to deliver it?" she asked the mailman.
"We were stumped at first," he admitted. "But then I remembered, Ignorance is bliss." ;-)

Are there times in your life when you are so overwhelmed you don't want to know what you don't know?!

I would call that a time when you might think that "Ignorance is bliss."

However, if you get pulled over by a policeman for a traffic violation, or get audited by the IRS, or have to appear in court for violating a law you weren't aware of, you will quickly find out that ignorance is not bliss!

Ignorance truly is something to be avoided in regard to the important areas of your life. In this age of information overload it can be a daunting task to keep up with everything relevant. But the most important thing to make sure you're not ignorant about is the purpose and meaning of your life.

We only have a brief time on this earth. It's like a drop in the bucket compared to the timeline of human history. And when you get to the end of your life and look back, it will seem like a flash as well.

Make no mistake - you will be accountable for how you lived your life: the choices you made and the things you did. What will you say to Almighty God when you stand before him one day and he asks why he should let you into heaven?

Many people think that if they are good enough they will enter. But think about that for a minute.

After all, God makes the rules, does he not? What does HE say about his entry requirements? He tells us that all have sinned; none of us are righteous - no not one.

Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned - Romans 5:12

So if none of us are righteous and no amount of good works could pay the price, how could we then be worthy to enter heaven?

This is where we must receive and accept the answer that God in his love and his wisdom provided for us.

In the Old Testament the only way the Israelites could be forgiven was to offer blood sacrifices. This was a symbol of God's solution to us in replacing the continuous daily sacrifices by one final sacrifice in the blood of the Lamb, God's Son Jesus Christ. Jesus was God in the flesh - totally God and totally man - the only possible answer to the problem. He was the only one who could be holy and perfect enough to qualify as a spotless, sin-free sacrifice for us.

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. - Romans 3:21-25

The grace of God is all that can save us from our self-righteousness and pride, and our hearts that naturally turn away from God. Once we realize and grasp the truth that we are incapable of saving ourselves, according to God's requirements, we then can be ready to accept the finished work of grace and love that was provided for us through Jesus' death on the cross - the ultimate - and final - sacrifice.

But the glory of Easter and the symbol of the power we have in Christ is in the Risen Christ. It is He who overcame death, and along with it sin and the devil and the power of our fleshly nature (with death as its ultimate outcome).

Our spirits are then reborn and we have the power to live by the new nature of our enlivened spirit man instead of the fleshly nature with its striving for its own desires. That is where the wonderful fruit of the Spirit can burst forth in new life, bringing forth love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Hopefully, you are well aware of the above concept and have chosen to accept God's grace and love into your life. You truly have something to celebrate every day, not just at Easter.

But if you have never heard God's love and plan for you expressed quite this way, reread the above and ask God to reveal his truth to you. Allow the direction, purpose and consequences to line up to be the best possible for you - not only while you're living here on earth, but forever after you've gone on from this earthly realm. You will live a life beyond your dreams!

Ignorance is definitely not bliss! I trust you will be celebrating this Easter with new eyes and a blissfully overflowing heart for God's wonderful gift of new life to you today!

Just One Degree

While I was waiting for some soup I was making to come to a boil, I noticed first the steam started rising and slowly the bubbles started popping one by one in various places. Then it finally came to a full boil before I turned it down to simmer awhile.

As I watched, I thought about what a difference just one degree makes. The temperature can’t be one degree less than the boiling point, or you can wait day and night, and it will never come to a full boil.

In thinking about my life, I thought that was an appropriate analogy as well. For many years I’ve had a particular dream and big goal I’ve aspired to. I’ve kept the dream alive and simmering over the years. There have been occasions when I’ve turned the fire up a bit and things have been steaming hotter towards my goal. But somehow, I never was able to sustain the intensity of the fire long enough to bring it up to boiling and get to that next level where things are really cooking!

That’s why I’m excited that recently I’ve seen a way to move forward with that big dream I’ve had. I’ve lit the flame and have been tossing on the fuel to help it turn into a big glowing bonfire this time! I trust that you will see the result of that as things come to pass within the next 12-18 months, which I’ll share with you along the way.

What level of intensity are you experiencing with your biggest dreams and goals? Are you getting close to where you want to go? Do you need to turn it up a degree and get your activities to the boiling point to make your goal happen the way you really want it to?

Usually it just takes time added to activity sustained in order to accomplish a goal. So just keep on doing what you know and turning up the flame till you get where you want to be – and your life is bubbling over with happiness and pride of accomplishment!

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. - Philippians 3:13-15, NIV

In the meantime, I’ve discovered a great video that illustrates this principle of 212 degrees. Enjoy and be inspired! http://tinyurl.com/212insp

Great food for thought!

P.S. The picture above is of a painting I did, titled "Changes of State."

Pearly Whites

You may have heard someone declare, “It’s either black or white! There’s no gray area!”

Have you ever had your chimney cleaned? The flue can get pretty sooty and that can be dangerous. It won’t work well or be safe in a dirty condition with creosote build-up. When it gets to that point, it’s time to call in an expert to take care of it properly and make it clean and functional again.

Sometimes we feel drab and need whitening and cleaning in our lives to make us functional and not in danger of "catching fire" and doing some harm to ourselves or others.

I just came from getting my teeth whitened. It was my first time and a quick process with a great system I discovered nearby (and reasonable too). Here are my before and after pictures – a difference of about 6-7 shades in just 15 minutes.

As I was thinking about having a whiter smile, I thought about some of the verses below relating to our sins becoming white as God grants us forgiveness. He covers them up with the righteousness of Christ, who paid the price for our sin and dirt and mess. They are gone forever. The stains are removed once and for all through his grace.

With all the stuff we do and think and that comes our way in life, we can get really stained and dirty. We need to go before the Father, confess our sins before him, and ask him to make us clean – inside and out – to take the stains of the world, the flesh and the devil away from us.

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. – Isaiah 1:18, NIV

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! – John 1:29, NKJV

And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. – Revelation 7:15, NIV

For details on the teeth whitening company I used, visit: http://www.whitesmileusa.com for a location near you.

Just One Day

What a difference just one day can make!

Yesterday I was out enjoying the beautiful flowers and flowering trees in the yard and neighborhood. The day was sunny and beautiful, with short sleeves in order. It appeared that spring had definitely sprung!

What a difference today! Rain showers and overcast skies greeted the day and popped up intermittently throughout. And just to show you the difference in flowers from one day to the next, take a look at these two pictures. One I took just yesterday and the other today (in between showers!). It always amazes me how fast things seem to grow once the first green shoot sticks its head up through freshly mulched beds.

Think about the different days you’ve had for a minute. Many of them are just routine, all fading into a blur with the commonalities of everyday life. But some jump right out in your memory, as defining moments, when nothing stayed the same after them.

Perhaps the moment may have been a serious event that changed the direction of your life. It could have been a business decision, a job loss, a health diagnosis, a relationship crisis or divorce, or a serious accident.

Or perhaps it could have been an insight or paradigm shift that caused you to make a decision to change your life direction and go God’s way – or the opposite. Or a variety of other things in between.

Take a moment to think about the difference of a day long ago when Jesus rode into Jerusalem amid shouts of “Hosanna!” (meaning “save us.). He was being hailed as the Messiah, the coming King who would save his people. Garments were thrown before his path, palm branches were waved. He was treated with honor and respect due a kingly office.

But the next major scene shows the fickle crowd turned against him only days later. His plan to save them did not line up with their expectations. Amid shouts of “Crucify him!” Jesus laid down his life like a sheep led to slaughter. He died with a crown of thorns to symbolize his kingly office and the suffering servant.

Indeed, only a couple days later, he truly did complete the plan of the coming king to save his people, through his resurrection and power over sin and death.

What a difference a day makes! Ponder the differences of the days and the mindsets of the people and of Christ: from the Palm Sunday parade to the crucifixion of Good Friday and on to Easter morning and the arisen Lord and King!

May this Holy Week make you more aware of the importance and fragility of life. We know not what the next day will hold. Let the Risen Christ rise within your heart and change your world today!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:16-17, NIV

All We Need

Sometimes a powerful story can shed light on a struggle we may be having. This story was forwarded in an email. The original source is unknown. May it be a blessing to you!

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told his father that the car was all he wanted.

As graduation day approached, the young man anxiously looked for signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and he told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold.

Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.

Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago.

With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matthew 7:11, ‘And if ye, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly father which is in heaven, give to those who ask Him?’

As the young man read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words... PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God's blessings because we ignore Him and are blinded by our own arrogant expectations of how things should happen?

If you have been asking God to do something in your life, perhaps you have already received the answer – and you may not recognize it yet. Or it may be right around the corner. Will you know it is God’s answer when it comes?

"Opportunity is missed by most people beacuse it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." (quote attributed to Thomas A. Edison)

Reflect again on the verse above in Matthew 7. Trust that God your Father knows what you really need before you even ask him!

The passage below comes just before Jesus teaches his disciples the Lord’s Prayer.

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” – Matthew 6:7-8, NIV

Counting Down to Debt Freedom Day!

"Owe no man anything, except to love him." - Romans 13:8, KJV

I'm sure you're familiar with that verse. There are many verses in Proverbs that also talk about the snares of being in debt and how it can suck the life out of a person.

How about you? Do you have debt, or does it have you?

Being a slave to debt holds many people back from doing what they really want in life. What would YOU be doing if you had no debt?

Think about it for a minute!

If you're looking to get out of debt in record time so you can get on with your real life, I may have the perfect solution for you. The program I'm about to share with you is sweeping the country and has already changed many lives.

How would you like a plan that helps you get there without changing your lifestyle (no scrimping, getting 2 more jobs, or living a deprived life!), and uses the same money you already have? This capitalizes on using the power of interest to work FOR you instead of against you. You have total control and just use your money in a different way, like the banks do.

Many well-respected people have endorsed and are using this program. And Ernst & Young gave it an Entrepreneur of the Year Award last year. I am using it myself, along with several of my family members and friends.

Check out the videos at: http://www.halfmymortgage.net/wordpress-join/ to see how you can pay off your mortgage and all your debts in half to a third of the time. Once you've viewed the overview videos, contact me through: www.u1stfinancial.net/debtsgone to find out more and obtain a free analysis to see how this will work for you.

You will be surprised how quickly you can reach your own Debt Freedom Day!

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." - Romans 13:8, NIV

Need Some Relief?

Everyone has levels of stress that build up during the day. There's only so much our bodies or minds can take before needing a break to keep working at a peak state. Part of living a balanced life involves being aware of how you're feeling and taking proper care of yourself. A little prevention goes a long way to keeping yourself healthy. And it will help keep your attitudes and outlook on life more positive.

Today I received a newsletter from my massage therapist with some great tips she's allowed me to share here with you.

Bust Work Stress: Tips to feel better and work better
Letting stress build up at work can lead to tension and irritability and can even cause you to dislike an otherwise interesting job. Here are some suggestions to better manage the effects of stress.

- Pace yourself. Keep your expectations of yourself and co-workers realistic and don’t make a habit of putting in extra hours. If you find yourself trying to meet unrealistic expectations, learn to distance yourself emotionally or take up a physically demanding sport.
- Set boundaries. Accept that you can only do so much and give yourself wholeheartedly to that. Be willing to say “no.”
- Take breaks to get away. Don’t ignore your coffee break. If you don’t drink coffee, take a brisk walk or take 5 long, relaxed breaths. Get a chair massage or schedule a table massage after work one or twice a month.
- Take time for yourself to review and evaluate the big picture. Listen to your inner voice about what’s important and what’s not.
- Laugh! Find the humor in your life. Watch funny movies and be willing to laugh at yourself.
- Get a massage. Massage can help reduce mental stress and anxiety and relieve muscle tension that can lead to pain and injury.

Thanks to Cecelia Edic, CMT of URelax Therapies, for allowing me to excerpt the above tips from her newsletter. For more information, visit her website at: http://www.urelaxtherapies.com/ and stay stress-free and healthy!

For more good advice to live a healthy life, read through the book of Proverbs and meditate on some of the verses that impact you the most. Taking some quiet time each day to reflect on your life with biblical principles to keep you healthy, wealthy and wise!

Four Things to Remember

Ever have times in your life where it seems everything has been piling up and there's too much to deal with?

One of my relatives has been dealing with a lot over the past 10 years, with the discovery of cancer in herself, then when that was dealt with, a rare type of cancer in her 18 year old daughter, along with her husband's continuing major health challenges. Add in a couple of moves, job changes, financial and other upheavals most people would be totally stressed by. It's just seemed like there was one thing after another through the years I've kept up with her.

As a life-threatening crisis with her husband's health arose recently, her brother had a conversation with her about how she was dealing with it all. I'd like to share part of an email she sent in response, copied to all of us and shared here with her permission.

After our conversation last night, I was thinking about why I think the way I do. People are always telling me they don’t know how I do it, and they couldn’t, etc.

Basically, it comes down to four things. First, it’s like we discussed: SURVIVAL. I literally have to fight for my health (stress kills) also I have to fight for sanity. All of these challenges can make a person crazy! In addition, like any mother (human or animal), I have to fight to protect my family (from their health to teaching them how to stand up for themselves in a world that tends to take advantage of young people). It’s all survival skills.

Second is FAITH. Let me try to explain the way I see it. About three years ago, a tall mountain with sheer cliffs was placed in front of me. I needed to figure out how to get over that mountain to the other side. I had two choices as I looked up. I could take control, use lots of equipment and try to scale it alone, clawing and fighting to reach the other side. Probably making very slow painful progress and never getting anywhere. OR… I could take the hand that was held out to me in faith, and be assisted up the side of the mountain and over the top.

I chose to take the hand, in complete faith, KNOWING that I will be OK no matter what. Once I did that, I have faced every day head on, knowing that God has my back and that everything is happening just as it is meant to, and at just the right time. I never get angry, or question why me? Why not me? Why someone else instead of me?

Third is SERVICE. I live every day in service to others. I wake up each morning ready to help, encourage, smile and share. I have a peace inside in spite of the adversity, knowing that I’m doing the best that I can, and that God is okay with that.

Fourth is GRATITUDE. I live in that state every day.

That’s me in a nutshell.
Love, xo

None of us are exempt from the problems that come upon us, deserved or not, in an imperfect world. How we handle them - and Who or what we turn to in those times of challenges - determines the quality of our life, and how much peace we will have. It can also determine the outcomes of our lives, as it sets us on the path that leads to our future.

I believe that God is there in the middle of our most challenging times (as always) and that He wants us to get to know and trust him more. The more we know about someone, the more we will trust them if their character is strong and true, as is our God's.

Remember whose hands you're in, no matter what you're going through. You can trust God in the good and bad times in life, knowing that he will keep you strong and give you strength when you're not. He is always there for you to lean on.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, NIV

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. - Jude 1:24-15, NIV

Captain Potato Progresses

You may recall from prior posts a story I wrote about “Captain Potato.”
(See posts for http://dailyfaithlessons.blogspot.com/2008/12/captain-potato.html and http://dailyfaithlessons.blogspot.com/2008/12/spudly-joins-captain.html.)

Here’s an update and some thoughts for you.

Take a look at the most recent photo of the Captain & compare it with the prior picture. Looks like he’s put a little age on, as well as a few little growths here and there! (Perhaps he’s gotten a cigar and some legs?!)

Normally, you’ll see potatoes growing eyes and sprouting long white roots, as they’re usually kept in the dark. But I’ve given Captain Potato a place of honor by my sink, so he has been living in the light for the past few months. Watching his transformation has been fun and educational.

Yes, time has a way of adding a few wrinkles to our lives. What’s actually happening to the Captain is that he’s using the nutrients inside him to sustain his life. He’s being transformed from the inside out! Therefore, he is turning greener on the outside and growing appendages that are actually reaching out trying to find additional nutrients (found in soil) so he can sprout new growth.

It’s interesting that this is the inherent nature of potatoes: after their useful life (food for us), if they’re not consumed, then they start turning that nutrition and energy from the inside into growing roots to start new plants. They are full to capacity with life and energy and must “overflow!” The energy can’t just sit there, but must do something. They will give up their own needs (i.e., staying the same and maintaining the normal potato form) so they can be fruitful and multiply into many more potato plants. They are being transformed into a multiplication of new life.

In essence, they are dying to give birth to greater abundance in their life! Their “death to self” is therefore not in vain, but is part of the process and stages of life.

Have you ever thought about how that applies to you? The more you are filled up to overflowing with the love and grace of God operating in your life, the more your needs are filled from the inside – and just can’t help overflowing on the outside. In that overflowing you will produce more fruit around you. You will inspire and encourage others. There will be new life and growth and energy all around you.

What stage of growth are you in now? Are you letting God’s spirit fill you up to overflowing? If not, you may need to soak a while in the presence of God, breathing in the nutrients of life from His atmosphere for your inspired growth. Once you’re full, you will happily want to share your new life with others. It’s really that simple!

Let me leave you with a prayer to meditate on, as penned by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians:

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:16-21, NIV

Ivy League

Every once in a while I'll take this little ivy plant out of its vase to check what's happening with its root system. The last time I took it out, it hadn't been tended to for a long while. The roots had all bunched up and wrapped around each other in a mess. I could hardly get it out of the container. So I trimmed the roots aggressively back, hoping it would allow more energy to go into growing the plant stronger and perhaps larger.

The photo above was the result I discovered recently. Apparently all the growth went into one long root! I couldn't believe it! It must have been over three feet long, but all that showed above the vase was about 6" with three or four small leaves! I guess all is not as it appears!

It reminded me of Psalm 1 (NIV translation). I have printed it here for your meditation:

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

We need to have the proper nourishment for our souls and spirits. That is achieved by planting our thirsty souls near God's refreshing spirit and staying close. We will never run dry of what we need when we go to God to satisfy all our thirsty longings.

Come close to him today. Drink from his well that will never run dry! He will grow your roots strong in his love through spending time with him. He knows when it's time for more nourishment, or time to trim your roots so you can grow stronger and expand your reach. He will make you strong enough to stand firm and not wither or be washed away or blown away. Let God give you everything you need to be strong and healthy and stand firm like the wise man today!

Are you living in line with God's principles? Are you listening to his wisdom? If so, you are in the same league as the little ivy plant - and the willow tree from Psalm 1. God promises that you will thrive and prosper no matter what life brings your way.

Taste of India

Recently we hosted a dinner party where I prepared 20 different dishes showcasing a variety of types of Indian food. It was an amazing evening, with so many varied flavors, textures, smells, colors, and temperatures! All the guests seemed to be thoroughly impressed and amazed with the variety and interesting flavors presented. Several of them had trepidations beforehand about the dinner, thinking it might be too spicy or too strange tasting to really enjoy. But their worry turned to delight as the dishes appeared. The freshness of the ingredients and spices with everything made from scratch that day made all the difference. And not enjoying too spicy foods that overpower one’s palette, I was careful not to let any seeds from the fresh Serrano chilies get into the dishes.

My son helped me with the food prep work all day and the night before. I truly couldn’t have done it without him! In fact, the next day he showed me the blister he got from so much chopping!

Prior to this dinner experience, I had never really cooked much Indian food at all, although I’d been to several Indian restaurants and usually enjoyed what I had tasted (if it wasn’t too hot). I really wanted to learn more about Indian cuisine, with all their interesting spices and styles of cooking. That’s why last summer at another dinner party I suggested an Indian-themed dinner party at our home. Since I didn’t know much or have many recipes, I bought a few cookbooks in my travels to assist me in my research.

My thoughts for preparing so many dishes were to not only have a variety of flavors from different areas but to really get immersed in the way of thinking about food prep from the Indian chef’s perspective.

For instance, I learned that many recipes start out with heating the spices – either dry (in the pan with spices alone or perhaps a bit of vegetable oil) or wet (with more oil or with water or vegetable liquid). They do this along with crushing the seeds or leaves to open up and bring out the true essence of the wonderful flavors. The preparation of the spices is the main part of their cooking. Then, of course, simmering all the flavors together with the meat or vegetable carriers or marinating them together for a few hours in the refrigerator all work to enhance the richness of the total food experience.

What also amazed me was the salad. I used cut up baby spinach leaves and then sprinkled a special warm dry spice mixture over them with a few splashes of lemon juice. It was so simple, yet an amazing way to start the meal! Very fresh, yet simple and interesting. It prepared the guests for what was to come.

Something else that left everyone amazed as well was the saffron ice cream. I had made it the night before with some creams and a few threads of fresh saffron. I couldn’t imagine it would turn out as it did. But the magic of being frozen overnight turned it from a bland liquid into a rich yellow frozen treat - a great refreshing way to end the taste trip.

Since it was my first time attempting all these recipes, I was as surprised and amazed as my guests all evening long! I thanked them for being willing guinea pigs that didn’t mind me testing these new recipes on them!

I couldn’t help but think through this whole experience about all the wonderful flavors of life God wants us to enjoy on our journey. Think about it for a minute. The taste experiences we have can be salty, sweet, bitter, bland, spicy, hot, with cold or hot temperatures, and textures of crunchy, soft, chewy, hard, mushy, tender, and various others. For the eye there are many colors to the foods we eat and various ways to prepare things to give us an unending variety of both the food combinations and the artistic presentations.

Doesn’t that compare with life – and all the feasts of the experiences God has for us to enjoy? Most of all, he wants us to feast on him – to take delight in being with him and enjoying the warm of his love and the fragrance of his spirit wafting in and around and through our lives.

A picture in my dining room says it all: “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm 34:8)

Remember today that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17, NIV)

So look for the delights God is bringing your day each and every day. Even in the contrasts of flavors such as bitter and sweet there is delight and joy. Just make sure you are living in a place where you can seek refreshing from the Lord if your diet in Life experiences seems a little too spicy, bitter, or bland at the moment!

Cure for Money Problems?

As I drove by this sign, I did a double take!

Think about it for a minute. Doesn’t this message epitomize what got us into the economic trouble in the first place?!

Taking out a loan to pay off one’s debt still leaves one in debt, doesn’t it? It just shifts it around and adds on another interest payment to boot. Isn’t that just what our country’s leaders are doing with the bailouts and other economic plans in motion?

It is during such times in our lives that we truly need to be reminded to examine ourselves and take responsibility for areas that need cleaning up. I know fear and panic can set in during times like these. But if you’re operating from a place of fiscal responsibility, you have been keeping an eye on others who may be managing your financial affairs, making them accountable to you. You are armed with basic knowledge about the type of investments you’re in.

You realize how fear and greed cause market cycles where investors buy high and sell low – totally the opposite of wise investments. But you’re seasoned enough to use a strategic entry and exit plan to circumvent the psychological games that get many into deep waters. You know that what goes up must come down and vice versa. You have diversified assets and income streams so that an unforeseen disaster in one area does not bring your whole house of cards falling down.

Should you find yourself under duress or feel things falling apart in this economy, it may be time to put your focus on God’s plans through these difficult times. Yes, you need to address your issues and attitudes and education about money. You may need to take responsibility for some unwise decisions. Don’t bury your head in the sand, but take this opportunity to gain wisdom and learn how to turn this into opportunity for the future.

Through it all you can trust God to bring you through it. The ride may be bumpy. Things could get worse. But what is really important in life? What if you did lose it all? What would you have left of value? Sometimes doing a worst case scenario makes you truly grateful for what you really have.

Sometimes God needs to shake us up so we draw closer to him. He longs to show us himself in all his power and glory. His love for us, his children, never fails. After all, when we leave the temporary life of this world, we will be with Him and will bring none of the material goods of this world with us. All we will have will be the eternal treasures we’ve sent on before us that we’re storing up in heaven.

Where is your treasure today?

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. – 2 Corinthians 4:7

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. – Matthew 6:21

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. – Proverbs 15:22

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5

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

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. - Isaiah 33:6

Think on these things from the Word of the Lord. Then take whatever action God is telling you today. Be sure to praise him for his love and mercy and grace through it all! He knows the end of the story…

Chai Tea or Tai Chi?!

When I recently enjoyed a cup of chai tea at home, my mind was playing with the words and I ended up with “chai tea or tai chi” running through my head. (Pronounced “chī tē or tī chē.”)

That led me on a journey to connect the two by their commonality and see what I could take from this mind game to enhance my life! As it happens, they both can contribute to better health. Taking time for a tea break and letting out the breath you’ve been holding in with your tensions all day is a great stress reliever. With tai chi as a form of stretching, balance, and even somewhat of a strengthening routine as well, it helps increase your concentration and confidence as a bi-product, along with relieving stress.

What are you doing in your day to give your body a break, which can nourish your soul and spirit as well? Do you have a special place you can go to breathe, relax, let it all hang out, and wind down? Even if you’re in the middle of a busy environment, you can have that place in your mind to retreat to. Think of a wonderful vacation retreat: Feel the warmth of the sun and breathe in the air there for a moment or two before you get back to work.

You could take a quick break from your desk or other circumstances if possible for even a few minutes to get up and stretch and move, walk and breathe, and ultimately get your mind focused on something different for a mind break as well. You might even want to set a timer or use a computer program to help you “put your hands up and step away from your desk!” every 60 minutes or so. Try it for one day and see what a difference it makes in your attitude, your alertness, and your productivity. You might just make it part of your normal routine!

Perhaps you work alone. Your break might need to be from yourself! Maybe it’s time to visit with someone socially for a few minutes over a cup of chai tea (or something else you prefer), even if it’s just over the phone. But nothing beats the human touch and a face-to-face if you have a neighbor or nearby friend you can chat with regularly.

In the meantime, you have the greatest Friend and Restorer of your soul who’s always with you. He has promised to give you rest from the weariness of your soul.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” - Matthew 11:27-29, NIV

He brings refreshing when you need it. Take a moment to read or recall the calming words of Psalm 23. Make sure you review all the verses where the Good Shepherd takes you down the path to quiet places and “restores my soul.” (Go to the passage online at: http://tinyurl.com/9g8jv if you like.)

I’ve also been told: “A belly laugh a day keeps the doctor (and psychologist!) away!” Have you had your belly laugh today? If you want a few laughs, go to my website at: www.Real-Life-Institute.com/articles and click on “Rough Day” in the top right box. You can also Google some joke sites or funny pictures on the internet. Share them with a friend. It’ll do you both good! And remember not to take yourself too seriously!

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22

All of these techniques are ways to keep your mind and body healthy and prevent getting burned out. It’s important to take care of yourself, as a good steward caring for the Temple of the Lord, which your body is. With the mind-body connection, taking that mind break and keeping your perspective and attitude right is all part of a well-balanced life.

And know that God is always there to help you with your burdens, to trade yours for his as part of walking along the journey yoked with him (the stronger carries the most weight, the other only what they are able to carry). So stay close to him and rest in his great love for you today!

"The joy of the Lord is my strength!" - Nehemiah 8:10b

Aren’t Girlfriends a Treasure?!

At a meeting last May a friend I just met agreed with my comment that it would be great to have a group of girlfriends to get together with, to encourage each other and develop a tighter support group. We decided to start a GirlFriends Club and each invite a couple more girls who felt the same way to join us.

Since then we have managed to meet at least monthly as a group, usually for dinner somewhere. It may be a restaurant one month and someone’s home the next. In between times, the “GF’s” may get together individually to do fun things, do business together, share insights and resources or ideas, or simply call or email to keep in touch. We have our own online photo album of shared times together. And there’s an instant prayer chain, as we rally around each other when there are times someone needs extra prayer for a situation.

In this hectic-paced society with fragmented family units there just seems to be a greater lack of community than ever before. The family, relatives, and community support of those being more aware and in touch with their neighbors have waned over the past few decades. In light of divided families, the transient nature of our society, privacy and isolation desires as people are jammed closer together in larger cities not knowing their neighbors – all is exacerbated by the further isolation through internet-based communications versus the previous high-touch methods.

Many live in fear and loneliness and even guilt. Or they live at a high pace that would preclude any time to develop new or deeper relationships. The age of accountability is long gone. People come and go as they please, not wanting their activities or attitudes to be judged by others. They have settled for being content in their discontent.

So the insights from all this societal philosophy I’ve presented is that there are deep needs for meaningful relationships. These needs are undulating just below the surface in many people, waiting for a tender loving touch to draw them out.
Will you be the one God uses today to reach out and touch someone at a deeper level? Will you be the first one to reach out a hand of friendship to someone in need? Are you willing to just listen to those whose hearts are aching to share what they feel inside – whether joys or sorrows?

If you’re wishing you could have a few more close friends, why not start your own GirlFriends Club with a few women God brings your way?

When I prayed for God to send me a couple of good friends, he told me to find some ladies who were looking for a friend and then for me to be one to them. I have more GF’s than I ever imagined with this approach!

God is so good! If you’ll ask him for what you want – and then wait expectantly, you will see how he’ll amaze you with his answers!

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." - Luke
11:9

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:13

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." - Jeremiah 33:3

For pictures of our GF Club to inspire you to start your own, visit our photo album at: http://tinyurl.com/GFAlbum

Retreat to Leadership

Recently I joined a group of ladies from the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) at an area retreat. We had a delightful time on a cold winter weekend meeting new friends, working on missions projects and enjoying good food and fellowship.

This was my first time to a LWML retreat. In fact, since I’ve only been attending the Lutheran church for under two years, I didn’t know much about the missions group and what they did.

My first visit to a LWML meeting was an end of year luncheon that was not a typical meeting. It was in a local restaurant where there was mostly fellowship with a brief business meeting at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the ladies I met and planned to join them in the fall for their regular meetings. During the business meeting, they said there was a need for a person to present a devotional at each meeting. Since I love to speak and share how I see God moving in my life and the world around me, I volunteered. Another lady spoke up and joined me as co-chair.

Since September when we presented our first devotional, I’ve learned a lot about who the LWML is and how they work. Things were not as I had perceived from an outsider’s view, as usually is true in everything! As I developed more friendships through the group, I looked forward to the retreat at a conference center I’d always wanted to visit. And I looked forward to getting to know more of the women in my group better at the event.

Little did I know what amazing things were in store for me!

I shared a ride and a room with a lady from my group I didn’t know at all. She was a treasure, with such a kind and sweet spirit and great faith that showed, even though she had been going through a lot of things with her family’s troubles.

We were the only ones from our church who stayed overnight on the Friday night. My roommate knew most all the ladies present from the other churches, so we were invited to sit at various tables for different events throughout the evening. It was great to meet lots of women from the area and find out about their churches and their LWML group’s projects and activities.

Not only did we have a whole lot of fun together, but the retreat center was located in a virtual paradise of nature! I’ve posted a few pictures here and others on my photo site (link below). You may notice it was very cold, as there was even ice on the water in some areas. We rarely see that in this part of Virginia even in the winter! To my artist’s eye, the stark beauty of nature was unmistakable even in the midst of this barren season. Perhaps you’ll get the idea when you view more of the pictures at:
http://tinyurl.com/LWMLRetreat

Now here I was at my first LWML Zone Retreat - enjoying the beautiful natural setting, the great fellowship and fun and meeting new ladies from the area. I kept getting volunteered to read Bible passages, be a team leader, and be in a skit. I was having too much fun, I think!

Then during the business meeting midday on Saturday, they were looking for new officers to lead the area for the next two years. Some of the ladies told me I should volunteer. I told them I was so new I really probably wasn’t the right candidate for any of the jobs. Well, they introduced me to the nominating committee who immediately jumped all over me and begged me to be the new president. I guess they were looking for some “fresh meat!” and it looked like I was it!

After some going back and forth and finding out more about what the job entailed, I finally acquiesced. The women in my group that had nominated me said it didn’t matter about knowing all about the organization; they just felt I was presidential material & that was all that mattered to them! I was amazed! But I figured it would be a great way to widen my circle of friends and influence, as well as learn a lot more than I ever might normally about the bigger picture of the LWML.

A strange way to step up to leadership by going on a retreat! But my prayer and purpose in going was to be a blessing to others and to see how God wanted to use me further. I think my “mistake” was in asking God to “enlarge my territory” as in Jabez’s prayer.

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. - 1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV

Be assured he is just waiting for you to ask and he will do it! ;-)

The Excellence Edge

January has always been a time for me of looking forward and moving ahead with my life. I want to make it better each year.

In looking ahead to the life I want to create going forward in 2009, the word “Excellence” comes to mind. God has really challenged me to step up to the next level in being all that he wants me to be.

When I’ve read about excellence, I’ve been amazed to see the small difference between just being average or mediocre and being excellent and outstanding. Just taking that extra step, going that extra mile, spending that extra minute on doing something right makes all the difference!

Think about the Olympics for a minute. The difference between being a gold medal winner and a silver, bronze or no medal winner are in many cases only fractions of a second! The difference means fame and millions of dollars in endorsements - or obscurity, even for an awesome performance!

In the world of professional golf the difference between first and second place, which could be only one stroke apart, may be half a million dollars in earnings!

What are you losing by not going all the way? What could you gain by pushing yourself to the limit of your capabilities? This can apply in your personal relationships as well as in sales, your job or career activities, board positions or volunteer activities you’re involved in. Being at the next level or at number one or on top of your game or profession may be only a small nudge away from what you’re already doing.

What is that little extra you can do to be your best? Is there something else you can do to move beyond your best to be the best? Hint: study the top people who are doing what you want to do and you’ll gain some insights into the edge they have by what they’re doing that you’re not. Often the people who complain the loudest about people who are successful, thinking they don’t deserve to be, are the least willing to do what the top dogs had to do to get where they are.

What is it you’ve been unwilling to do in order to be the most successful?

Would it be worth it to you to do so?

How would you feel if you accomplished your best?

Are you willing to stretch yourself a little and move perhaps a little (or a lot!) out of your comfort zone?

In case you need a little more guidance, incentive or inspiration, here are a few verses to remind us of the kind of people we can become and that God expects us to be, if we call ourselves followers of Christ. Remember that He is with us in the process! And we will bring honor to his name because of how we live.

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. – Ephesians 4:1

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. - 1 Corinthians 9:23-25

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. - Hebrews 12:1-3

Here are some other verses you may want to look up: 2 Timothy 2:15, 2. Timothy 1:7, 1 Chronicles 28:8-10, 1 Peter 5:8-9, and Ephesians 6:10-20.

For more in this topic and to view a recently published article I wrote on pursuing excellence, go to: www.Real-Life-Institute.com/articles.html and click on “Entering the Excellence Zone.”