Bad Face Day

Okay, I know you've all experienced "bad hair" days, but have you ever had a "bad face" day? And I'm not talking giant zits right in the middle of your nose and forehead that seem to magically appear overnight or that your makeup isn't right either. What I mean is that everything seems normal but you just don't feel your face looks right. Something is off and amiss. It's hard to explain, but I'm sure you've had those days that no matter what, you just look like poo! It just happens. Somedays I look in the mirror and I think I look good. The next day, I do everything the same, but when I look in the mirror something is off, but I can’t pinpoint why. So that's when I conclude I'm having a baaad face day and avoid mirrors like the plague! It's much easier that way and if someone should ask how my day is going, I simply say "I'm having a bad face day" and most people give you that "nod" of knowing and nothing more needs to be said. Completely uncomplicated.... ; )

Rethinking Obedience

Paul says, "God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him." Philippians 2:13

Isn't it true that most of us don't connect obedience with pleasure? I think we're used to obeying out of necessity or fear. As kids I think we all had parents who made us obey "because I said so!" It's certainly not wrong for parents to expect obedience from their children or bosses to expect cooperation and productivity from their employees. But I don't think it's the best definition or the highest motivation for obedience to God. In my mind the key element missing is the "want to" factor. This takes the "ought to, have to, better do it or else God will zap you" element out of it. It then elevates obeying God to a level of joyful response to all that He's done for you. Obedience isn't something you have to manufacture. Rather I believe it's something you need to cultivate and then activate because the desire is already present within you. When you put this into action it's better known as "serving the Lord with gladness." Anything else really is outward compliance. It's sort of like the little boy who misbehaved and was told by his mother to go and sit in the corner. After a few minutes she called to him from the other room, "Are you still sitting down?" He said, "Yeah, I'm sitting down on the outside, but I'm standing up on the inside." This may look like obedience, but it's really nothing more than outward compliance without the inward response of eager and joyful obedience. How times are we sitting in our corners with that mindset toward God?!! Yep, joyful obedience...just another way of dying to self!

Worship inspires worship

A friend recently posted this on his blog and I thought I'd share it here with you..."Worship is a learned behavior. Worship is modeled by the saints who have gone before us and the worshippers who surround us. When we sing in church, the new believer learns from the person caught up in passionate praise standing next to them. When we dish out chicken noodle soup in a soup kitchen, the old believer is reminded to give their lives as an offering. Just like Jesus said, as he held the dirty heel of Peter in one hand and a towel in His other, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

Indeed, worship does inspire worship!

Misplaced keys

So why is it that I never misplace my keys when I'm not in a hurry?? I thought it a worthy question....

Negativity

I've realized lately how easily we all can be seduced into thinking and speaking negatively. Negativity is seductive, there's a meth-like rush of energy and power in anger, snideness, gossiping, and cruelty (it's sick actually, isn't it?) Sadly my grandmother fell into that trap, and most of her conversation was loaded with tearing down something or someone. Sometimes it was easier to join her and feel a common bond of anger, a closeness in shared negativity. Wow, those seeds take root so easily and I want to tear them out as easily as they come! Yikes, it's so easy to get sucked into that vortex. But when I focus on living a life of gratitude then my heart opens. And when my heart is open, God enters in. I had a craving last night and this morning to read Ephesians and when I read 5:18 I was halted by these words: '...making music to the Lord in your hearts". I need to fill myself with the melody of life, the harmony of love...a heartsong. I'm going to use that word as a prompt whenever my thoughts turn away from ones of Love, from ones that bring life.

Evil talk kills three people: the speaker, the listener, and the one who is spoken of. (Talmud, Erachin 15a) But the same applies in the reverse: speaking favorably of another, accentuating his or her positive side, will aid him to realize himself in the manner that you have defined him.

Yes, YOU!!

Pretend an angel suddenly appears before you and says, "You are God's favorite". How does that make you feel? Hopefully, pretty dang special, because you are God's favorite!!! : )

Check this out!

Find Out the #1 Song the Day You Were Born here...
http://www.joshhosler.biz/numberOneInHistory/selectMonth.htm

Hmm...So I wonder if it counts if I've never ever heard the song before?? Who on earth is Freddie and the Dreamers and their song "I'm Telling You Now"!? However if I add on a few more years, my song would be "Aquarius" by the Fifth Dimension which I'm familiar with at least!