You Were This Way

I just wanted to write a reminder post. I know I have posted before about being yourself and not wishing to have someone else's life, and loving the life the lord blessed you with but I just wanted to do a reminder post to remind any of you that like me sometimes get stuck in the "i wish", "why not me" stage. In the words of Lady Gaga "I was born this way"

It’s so easy to start comparing ourselves with others and end up jealous, depressed, frustrated and even angry. This happened to me recently and this is especially annoying to me because I’ve worked so hard at NOT comparing myself to others and letting me be me and them be them.But sometimes, when we are tired, or feeling a bit overwhelmed by life we can slip back into those old ways of thinking are start wishing we had the life of someone else or start thinking someone has had it easier than us. By the end of the day were praticly screaming at God “Why them? Why NOT me? Why can’t I have that life?!”

Just remember each of us have an unique experience in life, one that cannot be compared to another. We have different kinds of parents, up bringing, siblings and so on. And we all have different natural talents, spiritual gifts and personalities. Each of us are needed in the world we live in. How dull would it be if we were all Johnny Depp? There is only so much you can do as a actor. God wants artists, visionaries, missionaries, doctors, sales associates, secretaries, moms and all the other careers and callings that are needed to be filled with His children. He made us uniquely suited for the calling He has on our life. And you can bet no two lives are identical. We all go through life at a different speed and just because someone has accomplished something before you doesn't mean you cant or want.

When I find myself down and out with my life or frustrated with the way things are going I find it helps to think of what I DO have, things I HAVE accomplished, and things that I am thankful for. Hang in there friend, it gets better.

GOOD THINGS ARE COMING

Scared!?!

Sometimes the things we face in life are scary. Sometimes the 5pm news is scary. Sometimes it’s just down right scary in the world these days.

And where is God when we are scared? When things get to the point where we just want to hide under the covers and not come out?

God is seated on His throne in Heaven. Everything in our life passes before the eyes of the Lord and come into our lives with his approval. Now you might be thinking, “I’ve had some pretty awful stuff happen to me.” Or maybe you’re going through some pretty awful stuff now and you think, “well that’s not very helpful.” But wait, if we can realize that all of the stuff we face is not random and totally out of control, that it has ALL gone before our Lord and He will never leave us in the middle of trials, then it IS comforting. It’s a different kind of comforting, like knowing you have someone to call upon when you feel alone.

I love the way the psalmist puts its in Psalm 139:5-10 You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

There is no place we can go where God cannot see us, reach us and save us. There is no place we can go that He hasn’t ALREADY seen that we will go. Isn’t that amazing? I love that!

“Nothing can happen to us in this life without coming through God’s filter.”

More comfort! Even when it’s tough stuff we are enduring, we can rest and know that it’s not “totally out of control.” God will see you through it and one of His promises that I love is in Matthew 28:20 “…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

You’re not alone against the world, people, your circumstances, your health, children or anything else. If God is with you, who cares who is against you?!!!

And remember that we are the CREATED ones, so it makes sense that our CREATOR knows more, is more intelligent and has a better plan for us than we can ever even imagine!

Ecclesiastes 11:5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

Rest in the comfort of knowing that God ALWAYS remains in control.

“not even a blade of grass sprouts up without the approval of God.” How much more valuable are we than grass! God loves you, and when it seems like He doesn’t, remember what He did for you on cross. Loving before you were even conceived in your mother’s womb. People will come and go in this life, but God never will. He will be the stability of your times, but it’s up to you to put all of your trust in Him who is more that trustworthy!

praying that God's comfort and peace wraps you up like a blanket.

CLC

I Just Want To Thank You

Heavenly FATHER,

THANK YOU Father for answered prayers. Thank You Father for listening to my pleas and coming to my rescue. Your so gracious to me Lord. I continue to pray for your blessing and favor over my life. This year will be the year of reaping. The things your about to do in my life are beyond what I ever imagined. I pray for your direction continually Father. Lead guide and protect this feeble heart of mine Lord. Continue this work in me Father and send me where you want me. I pray protection over my family and I. I pray for favor in everything we do. I pray for relationships to grow and strengthen this year lord. This will be the year our careers go further, we make lasting relationships, and our careers blossom. Thank You lord for loving someone like me. I love you Lord

Closing The Door Of The Past

Years ago, when I worked at the Sheriff's Department. There were two sets of double doors about 15 feet apart. They were both automatic doors with a person sitting at a desk to ensure the people who passed were ok. In order for the second set of doors to open, you had to let the first set of doors totally close. As long as I stayed near the first set of doors, the next set would not open. I had to go beyond a certain point to trigger the second set of doors. Really, it's the same way in life. You have to move beyond your past disappointments, move beyond your failures, and move beyond the hurt. You have to let those doors of the past totally close. There's nothing you can do about them anymore. You cannot change the past, but you can do something about the future. What's in front of you is more important than what is behind you.

Maybe you feel like life has knocked you down. The key is: don't stay down! Get back up again, dust yourself off, and move out of the way so those doors can close. If you can't find anybody to encourage you to take a step forward, you've got to learn to encourage yourself. Get up in the morning, put your shoulders back, and look in the mirror and say, "You know what, I've come too far to stop now. I may be knocked down, but I'm not knocked out. I'm going to get back up again. I know I'm a victor, not a victim." Keep yourself stirred up so you can see new doors begin to open. And I believe if you will have the right attitude, you will see more opportunity in your future than what you've lost in the past. This is a new day.

Today let me encourage you, God is a good God, and He has good things in store for your future. Don't camp out between the doors of the past and the doors of the future. Don't settle in the land of "good enough." Keep pressing. Keep believing. Keep moving forward. You've got great things on the inside you. You were not made to be average; you were made to excel! You were made to leave your mark on this generation. Choose to let go of the past, choose forgiveness, and choose to move forward through the open door of blessing God has right in front of you!

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead" Philippians 3:13

Enough About Me...

What's the one thing most people like to talk about?

Yeah, you guessed it.....THEMSELVES!!!

Unfortunately, this concept prevents many sales from moving forward. In most sales conversations the sales person spends most of his time talking about his product, service, or solution which means he is essentially talking about himself. However, the prospect has the innate desire to talk about her situation, business, or circumstances. The longer the sales person drones on about his solution, the more likely the prospect will lose interest in the conversation.

The most effective sales people understand the importance of getting their customers and prospects to open up and they spend the bulk of their time listening to their prospect talk about their specific situation. They ask questions that encourage open conversation. They probe when they hear something vague. And they resist the temptation to talk about their product or service until they know as much as possible about each prospect.

The challenge is that most sales people feel that they aren't selling if they aren't talking. But remember, the more someone talks about their situation, the more information you will gain which will help you better position a solution.

Have a productive and profitable week!

Looking UP instead of DOWN

"One day in retrospect the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful."

~ Sigmund Freud

Someone told me that I had to stop looking from side to side and I needed to look up to God. Yes, I needed to raise my face to God. Oh Yeah...God, remember him? God, the one who hears me, sees me, cares for me, and above all understands what is best for me. I used to get so upset that I would want to fix the situation myself and I was looking all around for the answers or solution, but the solution wasn’t looking from side to side or looking to my friends for help, it was by letting go and looking up.

I’ve learned through experience that it is best to wait on God’s timing. I don’t want to look from side to side trying to figure out my solution, because that means I’m stepping out of God’s timing. If I step out of God’s timing, then I don’t have his grace. If I don’t have God’s grace, then the ‘solution’ I fought to find is going to crumble. When it crumbles, then I’m back to square one. My plans should crumble, because God’s plans are better than my plans, his ways are better than my ways. Look up and know that you are cared for. Be patient for your breakthroughs. Stop worrying over your concerns. Looking up instead of side to side.

looking up instead of down

CLC

Prayers

Lord I pray that if this man is not suppose to be apart of my life long term that the relationship would end. Lord If this man is not who you have for me I pray that he and I would loose interest before either one develop feelings and get hurt. Lord If I am currently in love with the wrong person right now I pray for a way out of the situation. I pray for the courage to be able to end it and the peace to know that you have someone better for me. Lord for the first time in my life I pray for your will be done in my relationships instead of my own. Your way is better than my own lead, guide and direct me Father and protect your daughters heart. Thank You Father for your love. Amen