Sept 16
"A positive attitude is perhaps more important at home than anywhere else. As spouses and parents, one of our most vital roles is to help those we love feel good about themselves." Keith Harrell.
What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!
"I hear people say, 'Why do you want to go to church? They are all just hypocrites.' I never understood why going to church made you a hypocrite because nobody goes to church because they're perfect. If you've got it all together, you don't need to go. You can go jogging with all the other perfect people on Sunday morning. Every time you go to church, you're confessing again to yourself, to your family, to the people you pass on the way there, to the people who will greet you there, that you don't have it all together, and that you need their support. You need their direction. You need some accountability, you need some help." - Rich Mullins, the "Awesome God" guy
The Power of Responsibility By Michael Josephson of Character Counts (501.5)
It's been said that the line between childhood and adulthood is crossed when we move from saying "It got lost" to "I lost it." Indeed, being accountable--and understanding and accepting the role our choices play in the things that happen--are crucial signs of emotional and moral maturity. That's why responsibility is one of the main pillars of good character.
Many people have been seduced by the Peter Pan philosophy of refusing to grow up and avoiding the burdens implied in being accountable. Yes, responsibility sometimes requires us to do things that are unpleasant or even frightening. It asks us to carry our own weight, prepare and set goals, and exercise the discipline to reach our aspirations.
But the benefits of accepting responsibility far outweigh the short-lived advantages of refusing to do so. No one makes his or her life better by avoiding responsibility. In fact, irresponsibility is a form of self-imposed servitude--to circumstances and to other people.
Responsibility is about our ability to respond to circumstances and to choose the attitudes, actions, and reactions that shape our lives. It is a concept of power that puts us in the driver's seat. The grand panorama of the potential of our lives can only be appreciated when we begin to be accountable and self-reliant.
Responsible people not only depend on themselves, but show others that they can be depended on. This breeds trust, and trust is a key that opens many doors.
If you want more control over your life and the pleasures, prerogatives, and power of freedom and independence, all you have to do is be responsible.
Generations have praised the wisdom of getting up early in the morning, but a Japanese study says early-risers are actually at a higher risk of developing heart problems. The study, conducted by researchers from several universities and hospitals in the western Japanese city of Kyoto, revealed a link between wake-up times and a person's cardiovascular condition. "Rising early to go to work or exercise might not be beneficial to health, but rather a risk for vascular diseases," said an abstract of the study. The study, covering 3,017 healthy adults aged between 23 through 90, found that early risers had a greater risk of heart conditions including hypertension and of having strokes. However, the study also noted that early risers were usually older. A separate study released in June by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that chronic sleep deprivation adds stress to the heart, putting a person at greater risk of cardiovascular disease and death.
Psalm 23
This an eye opener; probably we never thought nor looked at this Psalm this way, even though we say it over and over again.
The Lord is my Shepherd That's Relationship!
I shall not want That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul That' s Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness That's Guidance!
For His name sake That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death That's Testing!
I will fear no evil That' s Protection!
For Thou art with me That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies That's Hope!
Thou anointest m! y head with oil That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life That's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord That's Security!
Forever That's Eternity!
Face it, the Lord is crazy about you.
It is not until the flower has fallen off that the fruit begins to ripen. --J. C. Grey
Good "food for thought"! Chapman cited the 23rd Psalm in answer to the question, "Where's the comfort?" Amid the crisis.
In his comments about the psalm, Chapman included an observation about "one of
a sheep's greatest dangers" in his reflections on verse 3: "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
That danger, Chapman said, "is a condition called 'a cast sheep,'" one that can
only be remedied by a shepherd.
"The cast sheep is a sheep who has fallen on its back with its feet straight up
in the air and cannot get up on its own power," Chapman said. "A sheep is top- heavy. When it steps the wrong way in a small depression in the ground, its center of gravity shifts and the sheep falls over on its back. It is powerless to help itself out of this dilemma. If the shepherd fails to restore the sheep, the sheep is vulnerable to attack, loses circulation in its legs and air to its lungs. Without restoration by the shepherd, the sheep will suffocate and die. The shepherd not only restores the weakened sheep to an upright position by gently supporting it and by nursing its wounds, but the shepherd also places the sheep on the right path heading in the right direction.
"Across this country, our souls are downcast," Chapman continued. "This terrorist attack has turned our world upside down. The victims in the planes and buildings experienced the collapsing of their worlds and, yes, even their lives. Likewise, the rest of America has been knocked off her feet emotionally, financially, professionally and spiritually. We are struggling to get up.
"We need our shepherd to restore us and to place us on the right path, the path
leading back to wholeness and health," Chapman said. "While our government leaders decide [on how to respond to terrorism], we must be more focused on resolvedly sharing the gospel."
When my three-year-old son opened the birthday gift from his grandmother and found a water pistol. He squealed with delight and headed for the nearest sink. I was not so pleased. I turned to Mom and said, "I'm surprised at you. Don't you remember how we used to drive you crazy with water guns?"
Mom smiled and then replied, "I remember."
CHANGE/CHOICE
"The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude." -- William James
"Every life form seems to strive to its maximum except human beings. How tall will a tree grow? Answer...as tall as it possibly can. Human beings, on the other hand, have been given the dignity of choice. You can choose to be all or you can choose to be less. Why not stretch up to the full measure of the challenge and see what all you can do?" -- Jim Rohn
"For many people, change is more threatening than challenging. They see it as the destroyer of what is familiar and comfortable rather than the creator of what is new and exciting." -- Nido Qubein
"To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly." -- Henri Bergson
One song can spark a moment, One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation, One sunbeam lights a room,
One candle wipes out darkness, One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey, One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits, One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom, One heart can know what's true,
One life can make the difference, You see, it's up to YOU!
My goal in life is to be the sort of person my dog thinks I am.
They say not to put all of your eggs in one basket, but I'll be darned if I am going to roll twelve shopping carts out of the grocery store.
What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!
"I hear people say, 'Why do you want to go to church? They are all just hypocrites.' I never understood why going to church made you a hypocrite because nobody goes to church because they're perfect. If you've got it all together, you don't need to go. You can go jogging with all the other perfect people on Sunday morning. Every time you go to church, you're confessing again to yourself, to your family, to the people you pass on the way there, to the people who will greet you there, that you don't have it all together, and that you need their support. You need their direction. You need some accountability, you need some help." - Rich Mullins, the "Awesome God" guy
The Power of Responsibility By Michael Josephson of Character Counts (501.5)
It's been said that the line between childhood and adulthood is crossed when we move from saying "It got lost" to "I lost it." Indeed, being accountable--and understanding and accepting the role our choices play in the things that happen--are crucial signs of emotional and moral maturity. That's why responsibility is one of the main pillars of good character.
Many people have been seduced by the Peter Pan philosophy of refusing to grow up and avoiding the burdens implied in being accountable. Yes, responsibility sometimes requires us to do things that are unpleasant or even frightening. It asks us to carry our own weight, prepare and set goals, and exercise the discipline to reach our aspirations.
But the benefits of accepting responsibility far outweigh the short-lived advantages of refusing to do so. No one makes his or her life better by avoiding responsibility. In fact, irresponsibility is a form of self-imposed servitude--to circumstances and to other people.
Responsibility is about our ability to respond to circumstances and to choose the attitudes, actions, and reactions that shape our lives. It is a concept of power that puts us in the driver's seat. The grand panorama of the potential of our lives can only be appreciated when we begin to be accountable and self-reliant.
Responsible people not only depend on themselves, but show others that they can be depended on. This breeds trust, and trust is a key that opens many doors.
If you want more control over your life and the pleasures, prerogatives, and power of freedom and independence, all you have to do is be responsible.
Generations have praised the wisdom of getting up early in the morning, but a Japanese study says early-risers are actually at a higher risk of developing heart problems. The study, conducted by researchers from several universities and hospitals in the western Japanese city of Kyoto, revealed a link between wake-up times and a person's cardiovascular condition. "Rising early to go to work or exercise might not be beneficial to health, but rather a risk for vascular diseases," said an abstract of the study. The study, covering 3,017 healthy adults aged between 23 through 90, found that early risers had a greater risk of heart conditions including hypertension and of having strokes. However, the study also noted that early risers were usually older. A separate study released in June by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that chronic sleep deprivation adds stress to the heart, putting a person at greater risk of cardiovascular disease and death.
Psalm 23
This an eye opener; probably we never thought nor looked at this Psalm this way, even though we say it over and over again.
The Lord is my Shepherd That's Relationship!
I shall not want That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul That' s Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness That's Guidance!
For His name sake That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death That's Testing!
I will fear no evil That' s Protection!
For Thou art with me That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies That's Hope!
Thou anointest m! y head with oil That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life That's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord That's Security!
Forever That's Eternity!
Face it, the Lord is crazy about you.
It is not until the flower has fallen off that the fruit begins to ripen. --J. C. Grey
Good "food for thought"! Chapman cited the 23rd Psalm in answer to the question, "Where's the comfort?" Amid the crisis.
In his comments about the psalm, Chapman included an observation about "one of
a sheep's greatest dangers" in his reflections on verse 3: "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
That danger, Chapman said, "is a condition called 'a cast sheep,'" one that can
only be remedied by a shepherd.
"The cast sheep is a sheep who has fallen on its back with its feet straight up
in the air and cannot get up on its own power," Chapman said. "A sheep is top- heavy. When it steps the wrong way in a small depression in the ground, its center of gravity shifts and the sheep falls over on its back. It is powerless to help itself out of this dilemma. If the shepherd fails to restore the sheep, the sheep is vulnerable to attack, loses circulation in its legs and air to its lungs. Without restoration by the shepherd, the sheep will suffocate and die. The shepherd not only restores the weakened sheep to an upright position by gently supporting it and by nursing its wounds, but the shepherd also places the sheep on the right path heading in the right direction.
"Across this country, our souls are downcast," Chapman continued. "This terrorist attack has turned our world upside down. The victims in the planes and buildings experienced the collapsing of their worlds and, yes, even their lives. Likewise, the rest of America has been knocked off her feet emotionally, financially, professionally and spiritually. We are struggling to get up.
"We need our shepherd to restore us and to place us on the right path, the path
leading back to wholeness and health," Chapman said. "While our government leaders decide [on how to respond to terrorism], we must be more focused on resolvedly sharing the gospel."
When my three-year-old son opened the birthday gift from his grandmother and found a water pistol. He squealed with delight and headed for the nearest sink. I was not so pleased. I turned to Mom and said, "I'm surprised at you. Don't you remember how we used to drive you crazy with water guns?"
Mom smiled and then replied, "I remember."
CHANGE/CHOICE
"The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude." -- William James
"Every life form seems to strive to its maximum except human beings. How tall will a tree grow? Answer...as tall as it possibly can. Human beings, on the other hand, have been given the dignity of choice. You can choose to be all or you can choose to be less. Why not stretch up to the full measure of the challenge and see what all you can do?" -- Jim Rohn
"For many people, change is more threatening than challenging. They see it as the destroyer of what is familiar and comfortable rather than the creator of what is new and exciting." -- Nido Qubein
"To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly." -- Henri Bergson
One song can spark a moment, One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation, One sunbeam lights a room,
One candle wipes out darkness, One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey, One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits, One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom, One heart can know what's true,
One life can make the difference, You see, it's up to YOU!
My goal in life is to be the sort of person my dog thinks I am.
They say not to put all of your eggs in one basket, but I'll be darned if I am going to roll twelve shopping carts out of the grocery store.
posted by joypastordon at 9:49 PM
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