Being The BestAugust 25th, 2008
One thing I have learned through the years is that being the best is a good goal to have. Now sometimes we win a prize for being the best. We might get money or fame. That is ok, nothing wrong with money and fame! I would not mind a little of both myself! LOL! That is not what I am talking about though. What I am talking about is ever so much more important than money ever could be, and a million times more important than fame. I am talking about the goal of being the best YOU that you can be.
Does that strike you as funny? The Bible tells us it is not wise to compare ourselves amoung ourselves. I most of you would say you believe that scripture, but why? Why did God tell us that? Because he made each of us unique! Each of us has talents that make us special in the Kingdom of God. We may share some talents with others- there may be several people you know who all sing well for instance. Yet do they sound EXACTLY alike? No, no two people have the exact same talent. Also, we are not just one talent people. God gives each of us several talents that when working together make us more than the sum of our parts. No two people are given all of the same abilities. God spreads things around to be the maximum use in the world. He has a plan for your life that is not exactly like the plan he has for anyone else! You and you alone can completely fill the life work he has for you.
My family enjoyed watching the Olympics this month. We stayed up several late nights and cheered as the winners set record after record. It was amazing to watch those young people compete. Do you know what I noticed most though? They really were not competing with each other, as much as themselves. They were pushing to do their best, to reach their goals. You saw friendly conversations going on between teams. You saw hugs of congratulations to both the winner and those who did not win. We felt blessed to watch a swimmer step down from the start line and go ask a judge to allow another swimmer time to go change because her suit was torn. That swimmer was not from her country. They were competing against each other- or so it might seem. That torn suit would have put her at a disadvantage, it would have effected her time enough to make the difference between winning and losing. Yet here was the competition asking for a chance to make it a fair race. The judge allowed the swimsuit change and we watched the hugs exchanged before they both stepped onto their start lines. That is being your best. May we all reach for the best in us. May we reach to be the people God designed us to be. Hugs, Barbara
Monday, August 25, 2008
Loving God Is Not Enough
Loving God Is Not EnoughAugust 20th, 2008
Are you shocked? Well, that statement is true and I stand by it. A very important person in history felt the same way. He talked about and preached about it. He said we needed to do one other thing. The church leaders of his day were shocked too. So much so they wanted to kill him. He was the target of a huge plot, carried out perfectly. He was betrayed by his own man, someone very close to him. He was eventually capture, tried (with false witnesses), and killed. He never recanted. Till the end he did what he preached. His last words, breathed as he was dying held the same message.
What did he preach we needed to do besides love God? Love each other. What was his name? Jesus.
This is not a salvation issue. Jesus knew he, and he alone was the answer for our sin. No, this is a life issue. It is what we are here for. We are to be loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving each other. God’s plan for each of us is to reach out to others. The idea of sitting alone doing nothing but talking to God day and night is mans invention. God never tells us to spend our lives that way. There may be times we do pull out of the mainstream to commune with God, perhaps even fasting as we do. That is not to be our lives though. Those times are only to prepare us to get back out into the world and make a difference. They are short times, to regroup and hear God clearly. They are not our main job in this life.
Jesus gave us the pattern in his own life. Serve, love , care, heal, comfort, and protect. Think of the last words Jesus spoke while on that cross. This was it. This was the end of his time to preach on earth as one of us. Yet what did he do? Did he yell out a few more rules for us? Go read it. He made sure his mother was going to be cared for. He asked God to forgive us. In his last moments, in the pain of the cross, he was loving people. All people. The very people who planned and carried out his death. He was speaking for them. He was speaking for those who did not even realize they needed forgiven. He was speaking for us. Love for man was on his mind as he was dying. Jesus died as he lived, caring for mankind.
Let us mold our lives around the example Jesus gave. Let us be about the business of our father: loving people. Hugs, Barbara
Are you shocked? Well, that statement is true and I stand by it. A very important person in history felt the same way. He talked about and preached about it. He said we needed to do one other thing. The church leaders of his day were shocked too. So much so they wanted to kill him. He was the target of a huge plot, carried out perfectly. He was betrayed by his own man, someone very close to him. He was eventually capture, tried (with false witnesses), and killed. He never recanted. Till the end he did what he preached. His last words, breathed as he was dying held the same message.
What did he preach we needed to do besides love God? Love each other. What was his name? Jesus.
This is not a salvation issue. Jesus knew he, and he alone was the answer for our sin. No, this is a life issue. It is what we are here for. We are to be loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving each other. God’s plan for each of us is to reach out to others. The idea of sitting alone doing nothing but talking to God day and night is mans invention. God never tells us to spend our lives that way. There may be times we do pull out of the mainstream to commune with God, perhaps even fasting as we do. That is not to be our lives though. Those times are only to prepare us to get back out into the world and make a difference. They are short times, to regroup and hear God clearly. They are not our main job in this life.
Jesus gave us the pattern in his own life. Serve, love , care, heal, comfort, and protect. Think of the last words Jesus spoke while on that cross. This was it. This was the end of his time to preach on earth as one of us. Yet what did he do? Did he yell out a few more rules for us? Go read it. He made sure his mother was going to be cared for. He asked God to forgive us. In his last moments, in the pain of the cross, he was loving people. All people. The very people who planned and carried out his death. He was speaking for them. He was speaking for those who did not even realize they needed forgiven. He was speaking for us. Love for man was on his mind as he was dying. Jesus died as he lived, caring for mankind.
Let us mold our lives around the example Jesus gave. Let us be about the business of our father: loving people. Hugs, Barbara
Beautiful People
Beautiful PeopleAugust 19th, 2008
I have to say I am amazed at the beautiful people I have had the pleasure to meet in my life. I don’t mean their faces, though many , many of them have been beautiful too. I am speaking about the lovely hearts we meet as we go through life. Sweet people who make the day a little brighter.
I am also amazed, after getting to know them better, to find that many of those happy, sweet people are bearing heavy burdens. Often people are bearing burdens we know nothing about. They live their lives with beauty and grace despite the challenges they are facing. No matter what is going on in the background, what you see is inviting. The hardness of reality has not hardened their hearts. They remain open and loving to life.
What is it that makes some people still be able to smile? How do they remain open and soft? It is the outworking of faith in their lives. What does that kind of faith come from? It comes from a relationship with God. Not just a head knowledge, not a fancy degree in Bible studies, but a one to one relationship with Christ. It is a deep understanding of God’s pure love, because it has gone from being head knowledge to heart knowledge. No longer is religion important, it is God who takes center stage. They do not have to worry about jumping through hoops anymore, because they are ruled by an inner love of God, not the outer laws of men.
These are the people who reach out and touch your heart. They carry something that can not be contained. Christ is alive in them, so he is able to work through these dear souls. They carry a special brightness in their eyes. They have a lightness to their step. You feel you have been friends with them the moment you meet. The love they carry is Christs love, and it surrounds them like a gentle breeze. Each time you meet, you feel refreshed just having been near them.
I thank God for each of these special people I have been blessed to meet. They make the world a lovely place. Lots of bad in the world? I guess so, but I see more things that are wonderful, than that are bad. I see the hope of a world in the eyes and smiles of those who carry Jesus with them where-ever they go. Look around, I bet there are some beautiful people in your world to. Hugs, Barbara
I have to say I am amazed at the beautiful people I have had the pleasure to meet in my life. I don’t mean their faces, though many , many of them have been beautiful too. I am speaking about the lovely hearts we meet as we go through life. Sweet people who make the day a little brighter.
I am also amazed, after getting to know them better, to find that many of those happy, sweet people are bearing heavy burdens. Often people are bearing burdens we know nothing about. They live their lives with beauty and grace despite the challenges they are facing. No matter what is going on in the background, what you see is inviting. The hardness of reality has not hardened their hearts. They remain open and loving to life.
What is it that makes some people still be able to smile? How do they remain open and soft? It is the outworking of faith in their lives. What does that kind of faith come from? It comes from a relationship with God. Not just a head knowledge, not a fancy degree in Bible studies, but a one to one relationship with Christ. It is a deep understanding of God’s pure love, because it has gone from being head knowledge to heart knowledge. No longer is religion important, it is God who takes center stage. They do not have to worry about jumping through hoops anymore, because they are ruled by an inner love of God, not the outer laws of men.
These are the people who reach out and touch your heart. They carry something that can not be contained. Christ is alive in them, so he is able to work through these dear souls. They carry a special brightness in their eyes. They have a lightness to their step. You feel you have been friends with them the moment you meet. The love they carry is Christs love, and it surrounds them like a gentle breeze. Each time you meet, you feel refreshed just having been near them.
I thank God for each of these special people I have been blessed to meet. They make the world a lovely place. Lots of bad in the world? I guess so, but I see more things that are wonderful, than that are bad. I see the hope of a world in the eyes and smiles of those who carry Jesus with them where-ever they go. Look around, I bet there are some beautiful people in your world to. Hugs, Barbara
Friday, August 15, 2008
What Is The Worst Thing That Can Happen?
What is The Worst Thing That Can happen?August 15th, 2008
I have been thinking about success and failure a lot lately. I have been reading and reading about people who were successful in meeting their goals. The thing that keeps standing out to me is that many of them really felt they did not have any particular talents. They did have a burning desire to succeed. They had a dream and they never lost sight of it. They never wavered. year after year they kept plugging away, eye fixed on the goal.
The reverse is true also. I have read of some amazingly talented people who never did a thing. They expected the world to beat a path to their door, and it did not. They wasted their talents. They were lazy and whinny. The slipped into nothingness.
it seems on the path to success it is more important to have umph than raw talent. Now that does not mean no talent. They worked, and worked hard to perfect what talents they did have. They used the little natural talent they had and worked very, very hard to gain more. They perfected their skills. They were always learning and searching for ways to become better. If the chance came along to learn something new- they took it.
Which person are we? Do we value what God has given us and work to turn it into all it can be? Or do we dig a hole and hide out talents in the ground, afraid to step out into the unknown? What is the worst thing that could happen if you reached for your dream? Failure? Humm, it depends on your definition of failure. If learning and growing is failure, maybe. I would not call it that though. I think that through that process you might find yourself lead in a different direction. Your goal may change as God shows you where he wants your gifts used. Is that failure? Not in my book! Hugs, Barbara
I have been thinking about success and failure a lot lately. I have been reading and reading about people who were successful in meeting their goals. The thing that keeps standing out to me is that many of them really felt they did not have any particular talents. They did have a burning desire to succeed. They had a dream and they never lost sight of it. They never wavered. year after year they kept plugging away, eye fixed on the goal.
The reverse is true also. I have read of some amazingly talented people who never did a thing. They expected the world to beat a path to their door, and it did not. They wasted their talents. They were lazy and whinny. The slipped into nothingness.
it seems on the path to success it is more important to have umph than raw talent. Now that does not mean no talent. They worked, and worked hard to perfect what talents they did have. They used the little natural talent they had and worked very, very hard to gain more. They perfected their skills. They were always learning and searching for ways to become better. If the chance came along to learn something new- they took it.
Which person are we? Do we value what God has given us and work to turn it into all it can be? Or do we dig a hole and hide out talents in the ground, afraid to step out into the unknown? What is the worst thing that could happen if you reached for your dream? Failure? Humm, it depends on your definition of failure. If learning and growing is failure, maybe. I would not call it that though. I think that through that process you might find yourself lead in a different direction. Your goal may change as God shows you where he wants your gifts used. Is that failure? Not in my book! Hugs, Barbara
Thursday, August 14, 2008
It Can't Be Done!
It Can’t Be Done!August 14th, 2008
I was watching the Olympics the other night. One of the men on the rings was able to pull himself from his body and legs sticking straight out behind into a handstand position without “bouncing”. By pure arm strength he tipped up slowly to a perfect upside-down T. it was amazing to watch, especially since the reporter said that before this man had done this move it was thought to be impossible. He said even two years ago the experts all said the human body could not do that.
Remember the movie The Right Stuff? It was thought we could not break the sound barrier, that it would kill a human to go that fast. It was said we would never make it to the moon, yet we have moon rocks to sit and study now. Amazing.
So what is impossible in your world? What do you think can not be done? What do you want to do that others say can not be done? Are you going to let that stop you? Those who say “never” are right about one thing- THEY will never do it. Of course as they are sitting there blah blahing about never- the guy who says it can be done will go right past them in a streak of glory!
I was told my marriage would “never” last. We had our 28th anniversary in June.
I was told I would “never” get my book in print. Wanna buy a copy? Polka-dot Star Flowers: Real Help for Real People came out this April! LOL!! “Never” tell ME “Never”!!
Can they tell you never??? Hugs, Barbara
I was watching the Olympics the other night. One of the men on the rings was able to pull himself from his body and legs sticking straight out behind into a handstand position without “bouncing”. By pure arm strength he tipped up slowly to a perfect upside-down T. it was amazing to watch, especially since the reporter said that before this man had done this move it was thought to be impossible. He said even two years ago the experts all said the human body could not do that.
Remember the movie The Right Stuff? It was thought we could not break the sound barrier, that it would kill a human to go that fast. It was said we would never make it to the moon, yet we have moon rocks to sit and study now. Amazing.
So what is impossible in your world? What do you think can not be done? What do you want to do that others say can not be done? Are you going to let that stop you? Those who say “never” are right about one thing- THEY will never do it. Of course as they are sitting there blah blahing about never- the guy who says it can be done will go right past them in a streak of glory!
I was told my marriage would “never” last. We had our 28th anniversary in June.
I was told I would “never” get my book in print. Wanna buy a copy? Polka-dot Star Flowers: Real Help for Real People came out this April! LOL!! “Never” tell ME “Never”!!
Can they tell you never??? Hugs, Barbara
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Falling Flat On Your Face
Falling Flat On Your FaceAugust 13th, 2008
Do you know what the difference is between those who fall flat on their faces and those who never do? Those who fall flat where actually trying to do something! I have done a lot of reading about successful people. The thing that stands out to me over and over is that they all fell flat many times. The things they wanted seemed out of reach. They did not have what they needed to reach their goals- or so it seemed. They failed a lot. Sometimes they failed so many times they lost count!
So why did they end up successful? They kept getting back up! It is not the falling that makes a loser. Losers are the ones who never try in the first place, or give up at the first hint of failure. Winners fall and fall and fall, BUT they also get back up, get back up, get back up! They keep getting back up until they stay up!
Which way are you going to live your life? Are you going to miss it sitting on the sideline afraid to fall? Are you going to try, fall, and quit? Or are you going to keep getting back up, and keep moving toward the goal? Are you going to win because you refuse to fail?
Get stubborn! We often think of that as a bad trait. It is only a bad trait if you are heading for a wrong goal. It is actually the thing you need if you are sure your goal is the one God has placed before you. If it is, keep at it. Let nothing scare you off. Don’t let failure burst your bubble.
If what you are doing is failing, find another way around the mountain, but get to the other side. Go to the left, go to the right, go over, or go right through but get to the other side of that mountain. Still can’t get there? Then you need to have more faith!
Where did I get a crazy idea like that????
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20
Can’t get around, over or through that mountain? Then move the mountain!! Hugs, Barbara
Do you know what the difference is between those who fall flat on their faces and those who never do? Those who fall flat where actually trying to do something! I have done a lot of reading about successful people. The thing that stands out to me over and over is that they all fell flat many times. The things they wanted seemed out of reach. They did not have what they needed to reach their goals- or so it seemed. They failed a lot. Sometimes they failed so many times they lost count!
So why did they end up successful? They kept getting back up! It is not the falling that makes a loser. Losers are the ones who never try in the first place, or give up at the first hint of failure. Winners fall and fall and fall, BUT they also get back up, get back up, get back up! They keep getting back up until they stay up!
Which way are you going to live your life? Are you going to miss it sitting on the sideline afraid to fall? Are you going to try, fall, and quit? Or are you going to keep getting back up, and keep moving toward the goal? Are you going to win because you refuse to fail?
Get stubborn! We often think of that as a bad trait. It is only a bad trait if you are heading for a wrong goal. It is actually the thing you need if you are sure your goal is the one God has placed before you. If it is, keep at it. Let nothing scare you off. Don’t let failure burst your bubble.
If what you are doing is failing, find another way around the mountain, but get to the other side. Go to the left, go to the right, go over, or go right through but get to the other side of that mountain. Still can’t get there? Then you need to have more faith!
Where did I get a crazy idea like that????
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20
Can’t get around, over or through that mountain? Then move the mountain!! Hugs, Barbara
Monday, August 11, 2008
Second Chances
Second ChancesAugust 11th, 2008
Have you ever failed in a relationship that you really wanted, or that you really did not mean to mess up? I don’t just mean your love life here, though it can be that kind of relationship. I am speaking of any relationship- spouses, parents, children, friends, co-workers, etc. I know I have. I have blown several relationships in my life that I really, truly thought I was acting in the best way possible. My heart was right. I was doing the best I knew to do, yet the end result was terrible. I hurt people I loved. I said things I didn’t mean, or maybe I did mean them but not like they came across.
So what do you do? First talk to God about it. Ask him to show you where you went wrong. Ask him to give you insight into what went wrong, and then listen to what he tells you. it can be hard to “hear’ but listen, you need to know. Then what? Say your sorry. Say it and mean it. Don’t try to defend your mistake, just say you are sorry.
Does it work? Most of the time it does. Most of the time the people you love really do love you back. We can be different in how we show that love, but it is there just the same. Most of the time you will find more forgiveness than you expected. Some times it does not work though. Sometimes the wounds are deep and have been allowed to fester. Those take time. The old saying that time heals all wounds is true in a way. In time God can heal those wounds and often he will open a closed door for you to try again. Keep praying and believing in the power of love. God tells us to be long suffering, and to believe all things. I have found that to be perfect advice- go figure?
In the mean time don’t sit and pout. Don’t keep flogging yourself over your mistakes. if you have talked it over with God, and set it straight with him, and asked for forgiveness from the person you hurt, move on. Even if there is no forgiveness from them. Move on. Punishing yourself serves no purpose. It changes nothing and makes you useless. We live in a hurting world. You do not have time to sit and be useless. God has other things for you to be doing. Ask him, and he will be able to use your open heart to help others. Maybe you can not fix the things of the past, but you can build a better future. Your life can be a ray of hope to another in this life. Allow yourself to live again. Allow God to live through you. Forgive yourself and reach out. Touch a life. Make a difference. Hugs, Barbara
Have you ever failed in a relationship that you really wanted, or that you really did not mean to mess up? I don’t just mean your love life here, though it can be that kind of relationship. I am speaking of any relationship- spouses, parents, children, friends, co-workers, etc. I know I have. I have blown several relationships in my life that I really, truly thought I was acting in the best way possible. My heart was right. I was doing the best I knew to do, yet the end result was terrible. I hurt people I loved. I said things I didn’t mean, or maybe I did mean them but not like they came across.
So what do you do? First talk to God about it. Ask him to show you where you went wrong. Ask him to give you insight into what went wrong, and then listen to what he tells you. it can be hard to “hear’ but listen, you need to know. Then what? Say your sorry. Say it and mean it. Don’t try to defend your mistake, just say you are sorry.
Does it work? Most of the time it does. Most of the time the people you love really do love you back. We can be different in how we show that love, but it is there just the same. Most of the time you will find more forgiveness than you expected. Some times it does not work though. Sometimes the wounds are deep and have been allowed to fester. Those take time. The old saying that time heals all wounds is true in a way. In time God can heal those wounds and often he will open a closed door for you to try again. Keep praying and believing in the power of love. God tells us to be long suffering, and to believe all things. I have found that to be perfect advice- go figure?
In the mean time don’t sit and pout. Don’t keep flogging yourself over your mistakes. if you have talked it over with God, and set it straight with him, and asked for forgiveness from the person you hurt, move on. Even if there is no forgiveness from them. Move on. Punishing yourself serves no purpose. It changes nothing and makes you useless. We live in a hurting world. You do not have time to sit and be useless. God has other things for you to be doing. Ask him, and he will be able to use your open heart to help others. Maybe you can not fix the things of the past, but you can build a better future. Your life can be a ray of hope to another in this life. Allow yourself to live again. Allow God to live through you. Forgive yourself and reach out. Touch a life. Make a difference. Hugs, Barbara
Friday, August 8, 2008
Dirty Little Secrets.....Shuuu
Dirty Little Secrets…shuuuuAugust 8th, 2008
How many of you hold on to some secret part of your past? Something you are ashamed of, have even asked God to forgive you for but, you can not forgive yourself?
I see this a lot. I think it is one of the slickest tricks Satan uses on us. He wants us to stay locked in guilt and shame so we will not be powerful in God’s kingdom. He knows your soul is not his to toy with, but he hopes by playing mind games with you he can keep you out of the game.
Have you ever watched a sporting event where one side cheated? They knew they were not as talented as the other team. They had not worked as hard and were not as committed. What happens in a game like that? The losing team will often hurt the best players on purpose. They will kick a knee, or elbow someone in the face. They might get a penalty assigned to their side but they feel it is worth it. The best player is now out of the game. They win by taking out the strongest, the ones who could score the most points.
Satan is like that. He knows that it is the people with the best testimonies that have the ability reach the most people. The people who have been forgiven the most, love the deepest. They are powerful forces if they are unleashed! If you are burdened with the details of your past being constantly whispered in your ear, then Satan is trying to shut you up. He is afraid of you, and is using the only thing he has to keep you from spreading the Good News….your guilt.
Stop letting him use you. God has completely forgiven you. You are his child and he adores you. God has made you a new creature. You are not a patched up anything. You are new in Christ. When Satan tries to whisper your past in your ear, turn around and punch him in the nose. Tell him Barbara sent you. Hugs, Barbara
How many of you hold on to some secret part of your past? Something you are ashamed of, have even asked God to forgive you for but, you can not forgive yourself?
I see this a lot. I think it is one of the slickest tricks Satan uses on us. He wants us to stay locked in guilt and shame so we will not be powerful in God’s kingdom. He knows your soul is not his to toy with, but he hopes by playing mind games with you he can keep you out of the game.
Have you ever watched a sporting event where one side cheated? They knew they were not as talented as the other team. They had not worked as hard and were not as committed. What happens in a game like that? The losing team will often hurt the best players on purpose. They will kick a knee, or elbow someone in the face. They might get a penalty assigned to their side but they feel it is worth it. The best player is now out of the game. They win by taking out the strongest, the ones who could score the most points.
Satan is like that. He knows that it is the people with the best testimonies that have the ability reach the most people. The people who have been forgiven the most, love the deepest. They are powerful forces if they are unleashed! If you are burdened with the details of your past being constantly whispered in your ear, then Satan is trying to shut you up. He is afraid of you, and is using the only thing he has to keep you from spreading the Good News….your guilt.
Stop letting him use you. God has completely forgiven you. You are his child and he adores you. God has made you a new creature. You are not a patched up anything. You are new in Christ. When Satan tries to whisper your past in your ear, turn around and punch him in the nose. Tell him Barbara sent you. Hugs, Barbara
Thursday, August 7, 2008
I Dare You!
I Dare You!August 7th, 2008
Remember when you were a child, how you would dare each other to do crazy things? Sometimes you were frightened out of your whits, but you did not want to back down from a dare, so off you went! Well, I am going to dare you today. Let’s see if you are a scaredy cat now that you are grown!
I dare you to dream again! I dare you to actually dream of something you really want in this life, and then to go out and make that dream come true. As a matter of fact I double dog dare you! So take that! LOL!!
You know, many of us had big dreams as kids and teenagers. We wanted to make a difference in the world. We wanted our lives to amount to something- and not just money goals either. We wanted to be special, important, needed. We wanted to be the one that made a change in things. Somewhere along the way many of us got side-tracked. Life got in the way. Little by little we lost sight of those goals. The business of surviving got in the way of really living. Some dreams we laid down and let the dust cover. Other dreams just sort of slipped away , with-out us even realizing they had gone.
I want you to dream again. Maybe you will want to dust off an old dream, or maybe you need to dream a new dream. Either way I challenge you to dream big. Don’t piddle. People who piddle around never change a thing- they just make a lot of noise. Instead think long and hard about your role in this life. What do you need to accomplish before your life story is finished?
I saw a quote the other day. There was no source but I really loved it. It said, ” What would you try if you knew you could not fail?” It got me thinking. The difference between those who make a dream into reality, and those who only dream is in that thought. The people who make dreams come true refuse to fail. Failure is not an option for them. They just keep trying until they find a way.
I dare you to dream, and keep on dreaming until your dream is reality. I double dog dare you! Hugs, Barbara
Remember when you were a child, how you would dare each other to do crazy things? Sometimes you were frightened out of your whits, but you did not want to back down from a dare, so off you went! Well, I am going to dare you today. Let’s see if you are a scaredy cat now that you are grown!
I dare you to dream again! I dare you to actually dream of something you really want in this life, and then to go out and make that dream come true. As a matter of fact I double dog dare you! So take that! LOL!!
You know, many of us had big dreams as kids and teenagers. We wanted to make a difference in the world. We wanted our lives to amount to something- and not just money goals either. We wanted to be special, important, needed. We wanted to be the one that made a change in things. Somewhere along the way many of us got side-tracked. Life got in the way. Little by little we lost sight of those goals. The business of surviving got in the way of really living. Some dreams we laid down and let the dust cover. Other dreams just sort of slipped away , with-out us even realizing they had gone.
I want you to dream again. Maybe you will want to dust off an old dream, or maybe you need to dream a new dream. Either way I challenge you to dream big. Don’t piddle. People who piddle around never change a thing- they just make a lot of noise. Instead think long and hard about your role in this life. What do you need to accomplish before your life story is finished?
I saw a quote the other day. There was no source but I really loved it. It said, ” What would you try if you knew you could not fail?” It got me thinking. The difference between those who make a dream into reality, and those who only dream is in that thought. The people who make dreams come true refuse to fail. Failure is not an option for them. They just keep trying until they find a way.
I dare you to dream, and keep on dreaming until your dream is reality. I double dog dare you! Hugs, Barbara
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Giving Up
Giving UpAugust 6th, 2008
I get a lot of mail from people who are ready to give up. They feel they have waited long enough. Their marriage is not what it should be. Sometimes it is not bad even, but it is not what they thought it would be. Like a fruit tree that has no fruit, they feel their marriage is not worth working on any more.
I have fruit trees behind my house. We planted those tree 16 years ago. Now 16 years is a long time. Through the years we have not gotten but a tiny handful of fruit. For the first few years we tended those trees well, but still they did not grow fruit. After awhile we stopped tending them. We let the weeds grow and did not feed the trees anymore. They were still there, but we basically ignored them. Time slid by. No fruit, but who cares?
Then a couple of years ago several of the boys got interested in the trees. They cut down all the weeds, they feed the trees. We got lots of blossoms but frost hit them over the next several years and we still got no fruit.
I wish you were here. I would take you to my kitchen window and have you look at my trees. They are so full of fruit the limbs are shagging from the weight of it all. Beautiful peaches and apples hang on those trees. The fruit is bursting on them. It took 16 years, but we have a wonderful harvest.
I see marriages that way. Some do not bear much fruit the first few years. Problems come and weeds grow. Those weeds are not tended to. Even if some effort is made, it is not enough, frost hits- those unexpected problems. Many people cut down the tree in frustration. They are sick of waiting. They miss the harvest.
I am not saying there is never a dead tree. I suppose there are. I am saying that I think most of the trees not bearing fruit are really just untended. It takes a tree several years of growth to bear fruit. While waiting the farmer needs to still be tending to the tree. Sometimes things like frost do happen. The faithful farmer waits and looks forward to the next season- tending as he waits. He knows in time, With love and patience he will get a harvest. He believes.
If your are ready to call it quits, stop for a moment. Perhaps you need to clear out some weeds. Maybe you need to feed your marriage. A harvest may be right around the corner. A harvest you will be amazed at. Hugs, Barbara
I get a lot of mail from people who are ready to give up. They feel they have waited long enough. Their marriage is not what it should be. Sometimes it is not bad even, but it is not what they thought it would be. Like a fruit tree that has no fruit, they feel their marriage is not worth working on any more.
I have fruit trees behind my house. We planted those tree 16 years ago. Now 16 years is a long time. Through the years we have not gotten but a tiny handful of fruit. For the first few years we tended those trees well, but still they did not grow fruit. After awhile we stopped tending them. We let the weeds grow and did not feed the trees anymore. They were still there, but we basically ignored them. Time slid by. No fruit, but who cares?
Then a couple of years ago several of the boys got interested in the trees. They cut down all the weeds, they feed the trees. We got lots of blossoms but frost hit them over the next several years and we still got no fruit.
I wish you were here. I would take you to my kitchen window and have you look at my trees. They are so full of fruit the limbs are shagging from the weight of it all. Beautiful peaches and apples hang on those trees. The fruit is bursting on them. It took 16 years, but we have a wonderful harvest.
I see marriages that way. Some do not bear much fruit the first few years. Problems come and weeds grow. Those weeds are not tended to. Even if some effort is made, it is not enough, frost hits- those unexpected problems. Many people cut down the tree in frustration. They are sick of waiting. They miss the harvest.
I am not saying there is never a dead tree. I suppose there are. I am saying that I think most of the trees not bearing fruit are really just untended. It takes a tree several years of growth to bear fruit. While waiting the farmer needs to still be tending to the tree. Sometimes things like frost do happen. The faithful farmer waits and looks forward to the next season- tending as he waits. He knows in time, With love and patience he will get a harvest. He believes.
If your are ready to call it quits, stop for a moment. Perhaps you need to clear out some weeds. Maybe you need to feed your marriage. A harvest may be right around the corner. A harvest you will be amazed at. Hugs, Barbara
Friday, August 1, 2008
What Is The Worst Thing You Have Ever Done?
What Is The Worst Thing You Have Ever Done?August 1st, 2008
Ok, I want you to think about it. Be honest with yourself. What is the worst thing you have ever done in your life? Don’t tell me, just think about it. Got it in your mind?
Now, What is the best thing you have ever done for someone ? Be honest, what is the very best thing you have ever done in your life? Got it in your mind?
Now, answer me this, which was harder for you to come up with? Most people can instantly think of the thing they have done that is the worst. They still feel the hurt and shame of it, but people often cannot even come up with the best thing they have done. Is it because they have never done anything good? No. I think it is because we tend to brood about the bad, and re-live the bad again and again in our minds. We beat ourselves up over the mistakes we have made. We do not forgive ourselves. We pass over the good, as if it does not count somehow.
That is a trick Satan would like to keep playing on you. He wants you to live in the past, in the hurt and shame of your human failures. God does not. When God looks at you he does not see the mistakes. He sees the joy of his child, the love of his heart. Do you doubt it?
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
God has removed those sins, so why do you want to hang on to them? Let them go, forever. Begin to make a new play list in your mind. Relive the chances God has given you to bless others. Replay the good times. Look for more sweet times to come. Let the past stay where God has it and look ahead to the blessings that await! Hugs, Barbara
Ok, I want you to think about it. Be honest with yourself. What is the worst thing you have ever done in your life? Don’t tell me, just think about it. Got it in your mind?
Now, What is the best thing you have ever done for someone ? Be honest, what is the very best thing you have ever done in your life? Got it in your mind?
Now, answer me this, which was harder for you to come up with? Most people can instantly think of the thing they have done that is the worst. They still feel the hurt and shame of it, but people often cannot even come up with the best thing they have done. Is it because they have never done anything good? No. I think it is because we tend to brood about the bad, and re-live the bad again and again in our minds. We beat ourselves up over the mistakes we have made. We do not forgive ourselves. We pass over the good, as if it does not count somehow.
That is a trick Satan would like to keep playing on you. He wants you to live in the past, in the hurt and shame of your human failures. God does not. When God looks at you he does not see the mistakes. He sees the joy of his child, the love of his heart. Do you doubt it?
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
God has removed those sins, so why do you want to hang on to them? Let them go, forever. Begin to make a new play list in your mind. Relive the chances God has given you to bless others. Replay the good times. Look for more sweet times to come. Let the past stay where God has it and look ahead to the blessings that await! Hugs, Barbara
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
