For Real?

Many of the most renowned authorities in the world of psychology speak to "being your authentic self" in other words "are you for real"? Is the person you show to the outside world really you or do you put on a persona for others to see. I remember my grandmother saying "you can walk on your tippy toes for just so long, but then it becomes uncomfortable and you have to walk flat footed". Are you for real? Faking who you are is a waste of time and energy. And let's just be honest. God knows your heart. Are you for real? Authenticity should be valued, expected and most importantly modeled. Are you for real? Be your authentic self. It's what God expects and it sure sets a good example for your children.

Aspire to greatness

And while reaching towards your aspirations, inspire others. We should each aspire to do great things with our time on earth. Not for personal fame or glory, but to fulfill our divine purpose and the master plan for our lives. So seek your highest aspirations. Seek to do great things. Seek knowledge. Seek understanding. Seek wisdom. Seek opportunities that make a difference. Seek aspirations that will positively impact the lives of others who inhabit the world with you. But as you aspire to greatness, make sure you inspire others. Because if you obtain those goals with which you have aspired, but inspire nor help those around you with a positive impact, you have gained nothing and wasted your time on earth.

Is God First

God needs to be first in our lives. So ask yourself is He? We all lead busy lives, have competing priorities and juggle at times an overwhelming set of responsibilities. But is God first? Many have amassed wealth, can enumerate accomplishments and look over the years of our lives and feel good about how far we have come versus where we were. But is God first. You may have the roles of spouse, parent, business owner, professional, student attached to your name, but always remember that your love of God and your submission to Him must be at the forefront of your mind, heart and soul. I admonish us to spend a little less time rehearsing into the hearing of others the things we have accomplished or gained and spend more time thanking God for what He has done for us and how He continues to bless us even in our state of imperfection. We have accomplished nothing but by His help and plan. We have amassed "things" only because He has allowed it. Everything we think we own or have accomplished can be wiped out in seconds, but God being the head of our lives and in charge withstands and outlasts possessions or achievements because God is first, whether we recognize it or not. Put God first.

Wise use of opportunities

It's common knowledge that our time on this earth is short relatively speaking. Each of us is given an appointed time and purpose. Anyone who knows me well, knows I can go on and on about fulfilling your purpose while on this earth, but that topic is not my focus today. Instead I would like to encourage you to recognize and see the opportunities given to each of us. God has given you a personal stage. Will you use your time and space wisely? Not every opportunity comes with the chance to verbalize a thought or message for the day. Some opportunities come without our even knowing we are on the stage. But others are watching and waiting and hoping and sometimes even clinging to the chance to witness a moment of uplifting and encouragement. If your mission yesterday was to uplift the spirits of the cashier at the grocery store, did you succeed? All the world is a stage, as the saying goes. Did your opportunity on stage yield positive results on the behalf of your fellow man? Use your opportunities wisely knowing that you are called to fulfill a purpose.

Forgiveness

A few years ago i came across a beautiful song entitled A Heart That Forgives. If you have never heard the song or listened closely to the words, take a moment and listen. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iUV5T9JIJZ0 Forgiveness is often a tough topic to take on for discussion in the best of times and it certainly is not one I can flippantly take on in this format. All I know is the thoughts surrounding forgiveness often drop in my heart. I know the scriptures speak to the importance of forgiving one another. But today my thoughts turned to the fact that God has always forgiven me with all of my faults, missteps, failings and shortcomings. And He didn't have to open His arms and forgive me when I was undeserving. I am forever grateful for My Father being one who shows love and forgiveness towards me. Give some time to rejoice in the forgiveness God grants us. More to come.

Take care of yourself

You only have one life on this earth and one body. There are no do overs with your health, though occasionally we can course correct. Take care of the body that God has given you. Please don't think I am some super health fitness nut. Nope. Just looking back on some of my not so wise choices and realizing they were always my choices to make. I try to do better and follow a better path, but I do wish I had started much earlier in life and kept up a steady and healthy path. Since your body is a temple, treat it as such. You are royalty and should take care of the temple in a conscientious, deliberate and healthy way. Get some exercise on a regular basis. Eat as healthy as you can afford to while taking the time to educate yourself on the good foods our body needs. Nourish your body as you nourish your soul. God loaned you the vessel so please take care of what He has made available to you.

Rise and shine

I grew up during a time when the little kids in church sang the song "Rise and shine and give God the glory". It was always a joy to hear the little ones sing with gusto. Not sure why the song came to me today other than noting I should be of a grateful heart. I viewed the most amazing sunrises and sunsets this week with in a beautiful setting. Being still or should I say, taking the time to see the hand of God in His awesomeness is always a level set for me to realize that I serve and am subject to The Creator, master of the universe. So rise and shine and give God the glory. He made it all.

Come on. Make my day

Have you ever taken the time to consider how your actions can be a blessing to someone else? A word of encouragement. A smile. A nod. A hug. Any act of kindness could be just the opportunity to sow positive seed into the life of an unsuspecting soul. We seem to have left the days of cards and letters, so how about a text or email? Can you pour into the life of another child of God and be their blessing? Every act of kindness will be rewarded. Be led to do good towards your fellow man. What you sow, you will reap.

I can do all things

I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. Long and tiring week. The "to do" list was so unbelievably long and at times seemingly insurmountable. But somehow the pile got smaller, not because of amazing skills on my part or tremendous organizational aptitude, but it has all been the strength of Christ. He gives me strength. He is my hope. He holds me up. He won't let me fall. He is my strength. So if in the recesses of your mind, doubt is trying to push through to the forefront, stop it right there. God is your strength. He has the plan. He is the way. He opened the door. He gave the direction. He is my strength. Why are you trying to figure it out when He already worked it out.