READY… “LORD, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you.” Psalm 88 NIV
AIM… In times of crisis, we cry out, “Please God, help me.” When others are struggling, we cry out, “Please God, help them.” If we are scared, we cry out, “Please God, protect me.” When there’s more month left than money in our bank account, we cry out. “Please God, provide for me.” On the occasions when our child is sick, we cry out, “Please God, heal him.” We want God to do so much for us and we want His grace, peace, and deliverance immediately.
What about God’s cry to us? Truthfully, God’s cry is a simple whisper. He only asks for two things: “My child, please love Me” and “My beloved, please love others.” That’s it. God only asks us to do two things, yet we ask Him to do SO many more things for us. It hardly seems fair that the scales are greatly tipped in our favor. However, that’s just how He wants it. God wants to bless us abundantly. He wants us to cry out to Him when we need Him. Most of all, He wants us to know there is someone who loves us and will love us right back no matter how often we need His help or need to cry to Him. Are you crying out to God today or are you loving Him and those around you?
FIRE! Find time to be still and bask in the presence of silence today. Listen to God’s quiet whispers. Pray for wisdom and follow your heart. God will be waiting to hear from you.
Be Excellent!
Lori
April 25, 2012
April 17, 2012
Being Strong
READY… “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
AIM… It’s such a popular mantra, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” If that statement is true, how much is too much? Where do you draw the line? You know what they say, “No pain no gain.” (Who are ‘they’ anyway?) I suppose the pain depends a lot on the situation you are faced with. Are you talking about your fitness commitment or quitting a bad habit? Perhaps you are referring to a toxic relationship or an uncomfortable work environment? Whatever the case may be, only you can determine when you've hit the limit between healthy and harmful or productive and hurtful. What doesn't kill you may truthfully injure you physically or scar you emotionally or, even worse, leave you beaten down and completely unmotivated. Only you can decide when to draw the line. Only you can decide when you’ve had enough. Only you can determine when you are strong enough to make the change you need. Don’t let the world, or someone else, decide what makes you stronger.
FIRE! Be courageous and strong this week! Recognize one area in your life where you’ve had enough and you are ready to be done. Find that inner strength to take one step to exercising your strength. Be confident and strong and stick up for yourself!
Be Excellent!
Lori
AIM… It’s such a popular mantra, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” If that statement is true, how much is too much? Where do you draw the line? You know what they say, “No pain no gain.” (Who are ‘they’ anyway?) I suppose the pain depends a lot on the situation you are faced with. Are you talking about your fitness commitment or quitting a bad habit? Perhaps you are referring to a toxic relationship or an uncomfortable work environment? Whatever the case may be, only you can determine when you've hit the limit between healthy and harmful or productive and hurtful. What doesn't kill you may truthfully injure you physically or scar you emotionally or, even worse, leave you beaten down and completely unmotivated. Only you can decide when to draw the line. Only you can decide when you’ve had enough. Only you can determine when you are strong enough to make the change you need. Don’t let the world, or someone else, decide what makes you stronger.
FIRE! Be courageous and strong this week! Recognize one area in your life where you’ve had enough and you are ready to be done. Find that inner strength to take one step to exercising your strength. Be confident and strong and stick up for yourself!
Be Excellent!
Lori
April 12, 2012
The Real You
READY… “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland
AIM… I am a firm believer that you need to live this life as the person God created you to be. So many people I know walk around wearing disguises and should really get an award for their acting skills. Why on earth would you want to put on an act and try to be someone or something you clearly are not? It must be exhausting to worry day after day which mask you’re going to wear with which person and when. Friends, if you cannot enjoy life as the person you are and appreciate the talents, gifts and personality God blessed you with, then I’m sorry to say you will live a very unfulfilled and unsatisfied life. You will never achieve greatness because you will constantly be pursuing the goals and dreams everyone expects from you…except yourself. Stop chasing the acceptance and approval of others who can’t or don’t like you for you. If you have to change your behavior, your wardrobe, or lie about your family, career or lifestyle to impress others or gain friendship from others, then you are not only fooling other people, but you are lying to yourself. Embrace your uniqueness! Love yourself! Once you shed the costume and allow your true self to be known, you will see what a liberating feeling you have. Don’t worry if some “friends” drop by the wayside. Real friends love you for you; warts and all. Start being a first-rate version of yourself today.
FIRE! Write down a list of all the things you do well. Are there personality traits that attract others to you? Post that list in a place where you will be reminded of the positive creation you have become. Commit to being the best version of yourself you can be every day and enjoy the freedom of being the REAL you.
Be Excellent!
Lori
AIM… I am a firm believer that you need to live this life as the person God created you to be. So many people I know walk around wearing disguises and should really get an award for their acting skills. Why on earth would you want to put on an act and try to be someone or something you clearly are not? It must be exhausting to worry day after day which mask you’re going to wear with which person and when. Friends, if you cannot enjoy life as the person you are and appreciate the talents, gifts and personality God blessed you with, then I’m sorry to say you will live a very unfulfilled and unsatisfied life. You will never achieve greatness because you will constantly be pursuing the goals and dreams everyone expects from you…except yourself. Stop chasing the acceptance and approval of others who can’t or don’t like you for you. If you have to change your behavior, your wardrobe, or lie about your family, career or lifestyle to impress others or gain friendship from others, then you are not only fooling other people, but you are lying to yourself. Embrace your uniqueness! Love yourself! Once you shed the costume and allow your true self to be known, you will see what a liberating feeling you have. Don’t worry if some “friends” drop by the wayside. Real friends love you for you; warts and all. Start being a first-rate version of yourself today.
FIRE! Write down a list of all the things you do well. Are there personality traits that attract others to you? Post that list in a place where you will be reminded of the positive creation you have become. Commit to being the best version of yourself you can be every day and enjoy the freedom of being the REAL you.
Be Excellent!
Lori
April 4, 2012
"Son"shine
READY… “The thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 NKJV
AIM… I had one of the most insane weeks last week. Just as it seemed nothing else crazy could happen, it did! The week started out fantastic because my eight year old daughter decided to get baptized. Hooray! There was a party in heaven on Sunday and in all of our hearts as well. However, as the week progressed, each day I was faced with one obstacle after another. Monday, we had to pay $1800 in taxes for our new car – surprise! Tuesday, there was a bomb threat at my son’s school and they had to evacuate. Wednesday, my daughter missed the bus and I was late getting to work, where I experienced a computer glitch and various other obstacles. Thursday, I discovered I had a flat tire when pulling out of the garage and had to hurry up and change it so I could make my doctor’s appointment. Friday, I locked myself out of the house and thankfully got our spare key from the neighbor. I know, seriously?!? Each day, after each challenge, I kept saying, “It’s gotta get better from here.” Truly, I was believing life to get better each day and yet, each day something happened that attempted to sway my positive attitude. Ugh!! It wasn’t until Friday when I was talking to my mother that she brought it to my attention that after Alyssa’s obedience to God by getting baptized, the devil was most likely upset and starting attacking our family in any vulnerable way possible. Yes, those incidents were thankfully minor, but in the grand scheme of things, they added up to much frustration on my part. It’s true; the devil is alive and working against us in many ways.
Take 2 minutes to listen to the predictions in this clip from Paul Harvey’s radio broadcast back in 1965. Scary to realize the connection to everything we are experiencing in 2012, isn’t it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJc8Mzg0C-c&feature=player_embedded
This week, as Christians prepare their hearts for Easter celebrations and the joy of Jesus’ resurrection, take time to reflect on the greater purpose of this important holiday. While the devil attempts to ruin our lives, Jesus died to wipe the slate clean and cover ALL the mistakes from our past, present and future so we could live positively, successful and amazing lives full of blessings. I’m so glad I know my life is better this week and with each new day because the SON is shining down on me.
FIRE! When life gets crazy, stay positive. I think Helen Keller put it best, “If you keep your face to the sun, you cannot see the shadows.” So when the devil is lurking in your neck of the woods, let the SON shine through and light up the darkness you are feeling.
Be Excellent!
Lori
AIM… I had one of the most insane weeks last week. Just as it seemed nothing else crazy could happen, it did! The week started out fantastic because my eight year old daughter decided to get baptized. Hooray! There was a party in heaven on Sunday and in all of our hearts as well. However, as the week progressed, each day I was faced with one obstacle after another. Monday, we had to pay $1800 in taxes for our new car – surprise! Tuesday, there was a bomb threat at my son’s school and they had to evacuate. Wednesday, my daughter missed the bus and I was late getting to work, where I experienced a computer glitch and various other obstacles. Thursday, I discovered I had a flat tire when pulling out of the garage and had to hurry up and change it so I could make my doctor’s appointment. Friday, I locked myself out of the house and thankfully got our spare key from the neighbor. I know, seriously?!? Each day, after each challenge, I kept saying, “It’s gotta get better from here.” Truly, I was believing life to get better each day and yet, each day something happened that attempted to sway my positive attitude. Ugh!! It wasn’t until Friday when I was talking to my mother that she brought it to my attention that after Alyssa’s obedience to God by getting baptized, the devil was most likely upset and starting attacking our family in any vulnerable way possible. Yes, those incidents were thankfully minor, but in the grand scheme of things, they added up to much frustration on my part. It’s true; the devil is alive and working against us in many ways.
Take 2 minutes to listen to the predictions in this clip from Paul Harvey’s radio broadcast back in 1965. Scary to realize the connection to everything we are experiencing in 2012, isn’t it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJc8Mzg0C-c&feature=player_embedded
This week, as Christians prepare their hearts for Easter celebrations and the joy of Jesus’ resurrection, take time to reflect on the greater purpose of this important holiday. While the devil attempts to ruin our lives, Jesus died to wipe the slate clean and cover ALL the mistakes from our past, present and future so we could live positively, successful and amazing lives full of blessings. I’m so glad I know my life is better this week and with each new day because the SON is shining down on me.
FIRE! When life gets crazy, stay positive. I think Helen Keller put it best, “If you keep your face to the sun, you cannot see the shadows.” So when the devil is lurking in your neck of the woods, let the SON shine through and light up the darkness you are feeling.
Be Excellent!
Lori
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