I read this weekend that if someone is depressed or feeling bad about themselves that giving them compliments does not really provide much help. The article suggested that if someone is feeling like this they should put themselves down.
Really, it said that their “self talk” should not be about what they are good at, instead it suggested they should pay themselves an “un-compliment”. What they meant by this is that they should think of something they are not good or bad at and reverse compliment themselves. You need examples? Okay.
Let’s say I’m in this mood where I'm suffering from ingrown eyeballs. Here are some “un-compliments” I could say to myself:
“I would be the worst waitress in the world.” (see this is true, I know it, I accept, and I don’t care, it even makes me giggle to myself)
“I’d be terrible at doing surgery.” (I bet you are all glad I know this)
Wow, I’m feeling better already. Kidding, I’m actually in a good place today. But as I practiced this I did find out that my mind was forced to think of things I don’t do and why, which caused some internal thoughts that reminded me of my strengths. So maybe there is something to the article I read. I have to admit that until typing this post I really thought it was a bunch of nonsense.
Personally, I find the best way to correct my faulty thinking is to look at God’s word. No matter what I'm facing; hardship, attacks, illness, difficulties; it doesn't seem to weigh me down as much after I take it to the Lord. He has a way of helping me put "my things" into an eternal perspective. That typically gives me the strength and courage I need to move on. And when it doesn't, well then I need a REALLY good and courageous friend to look me in the face and say something like, "just get over yourself." Fortunately, God has given me many friends like that.
Chronicles 15:7
"But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work."
Job 11:18
Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.
Psalm 31:24
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.
Psalm 138:3
When I asked for your help, you answered my prayer and gave me courage.
John 16:33
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
Philippians 1:28
Be brave when you face your enemies. Your courage will show them that they are going to be destroyed, and it will show you that you will be saved. God will make all of this happen.
James 5:8
You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
1 John 2:28
And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.
My hope is in you Lord! Grant me courage no matter what I may face this week. Thank you Lord that you showed me the way and that you equip me with everything I need, WHEN I need it. Not before I need, and not after I need it. God, grant me opportunities this week to show others how much you love them. Allow me to be a source of strength for someone. I trust you God in all things. Praise the Lord oh my soul! In Jesus' name, AMEN.
WELCOME!
T - i - double G - grrrr
August 31, 2009
August 25, 2009
Putting God First - Encouraged
I have no idea what kind of day you are having. Regardless if this day is bringing you joy or bringing challenges, or maybe both, I pray you will be encouraged by reading this post.
2 John 1:3
“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.”
What GREAT words: grace, mercy, peace, truth, love!
AND all used in one sentence. How often do our sentences include that many words of encouragement and affirmation? WOW!
Abba Father,
May your words be my words today. Thank you for seeing to it that your Message would be written and kept alive for thousands of years. Keep my thoughts pure and help me to speak words of encouragement and affirmation to others; to family, to the mailman, to the clerk at a store, to co-workers, to whoever you bring into my life this day. AMEN
2 John 1:3
“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.”
What GREAT words: grace, mercy, peace, truth, love!
AND all used in one sentence. How often do our sentences include that many words of encouragement and affirmation? WOW!
Abba Father,
May your words be my words today. Thank you for seeing to it that your Message would be written and kept alive for thousands of years. Keep my thoughts pure and help me to speak words of encouragement and affirmation to others; to family, to the mailman, to the clerk at a store, to co-workers, to whoever you bring into my life this day. AMEN
August 24, 2009
Putting God First - Waiting
One night as I drifted off to sleep I reflected on the day. I felt that it was productive and was mostly at peace. Yet I found this small restlessness in my heart and so I asked God to examine it. I silenced my thoughts and waited. In the stillness of my heart I felt God saying “wait”. “Wait for what?” I wondered. No answer came just that one word “wait”. Slowly I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning I did a Bible word search on" “wait on the Lord”. I searched in 4 different translations and nothing came back. I was disappointed. I was positive there had to be a Bible verse on waiting on the Lord and since I couldn't find it I searched only on the word “wait” but so many verses came back that I was overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed or not I began the daunting task of reading the verses that came back on that search. It was in that search that I found what I was looking for. It isn’t “wait on the Lord”, it is “wait for the Lord”.
What a huge difference that one word makes. I redid my search with "wait for the Lord" and eight verses came back. Here are two of them:
Isaiah 40:31
“Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”
I love this as often I find myself tired and weary.
Psalm 27:14
“ Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
Hmmmmm…must be important when the search phrase I use is quoted twice in one verse.
Here is one that I found great comfort in:
Judges 6:18
“Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you." And the LORD said, "I will wait until you return."
Wow! God waits FOR us!
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your patient waiting. Thank you that you never tire of waiting for me. I don’t feel worthy for such honor. Help me wait for you Lord as your plan for my life is carried out. Help me to remember that every person (husband, child, friend, co-worker, store clerk) I speak to is a person You directed to me. Help me be patient as I wait for you Lord. Help me to remember that Your word never fails and that You will make Your presence known. God there is none that compares to you. AMEN
Originally written: May 28th, 2009
The next morning I did a Bible word search on" “wait on the Lord”. I searched in 4 different translations and nothing came back. I was disappointed. I was positive there had to be a Bible verse on waiting on the Lord and since I couldn't find it I searched only on the word “wait” but so many verses came back that I was overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed or not I began the daunting task of reading the verses that came back on that search. It was in that search that I found what I was looking for. It isn’t “wait on the Lord”, it is “wait for the Lord”.
What a huge difference that one word makes. I redid my search with "wait for the Lord" and eight verses came back. Here are two of them:
Isaiah 40:31
“Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”
I love this as often I find myself tired and weary.
Psalm 27:14
“ Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
Hmmmmm…must be important when the search phrase I use is quoted twice in one verse.
Here is one that I found great comfort in:
Judges 6:18
“Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you." And the LORD said, "I will wait until you return."
Wow! God waits FOR us!
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your patient waiting. Thank you that you never tire of waiting for me. I don’t feel worthy for such honor. Help me wait for you Lord as your plan for my life is carried out. Help me to remember that every person (husband, child, friend, co-worker, store clerk) I speak to is a person You directed to me. Help me be patient as I wait for you Lord. Help me to remember that Your word never fails and that You will make Your presence known. God there is none that compares to you. AMEN
Originally written: May 28th, 2009
August 21, 2009
Desperate
So I'm driving home after an almost 12 hour day. Yikes can that be right? Started at 8:30 AM left at 8:00 PM. Yes I guess that's right.
Anyway, I decide to take the road less traveled home because the drive is so beautiful and less stressful than I435 and Metcalf. It had been a long day, that followed a long day the day before.
The windows are down the sunroof is as open as it can go. I'm wishing I had a convertible because it is just so incredibly beautiful out. I feel the stress that fills me beginning to leave.
I just put my head back and breath in the fabulously fresh air. I smell the trees, the grass, the flowers. I marvel at what a gift this evening is. My arm hangs out the window catching the wind and dancing to the beat of the music coming from my radio.
I start to think of all the wonderful blessings God has given me. I wonder "why me Lord"? There are so many I know who need and probably deserve blessings more than I do. But my heart fills with gratitude that can't be explained. Then a song comes on the radio and as I sing the words "I'm desperate for You" my heart is turned to heaven.
I cry because I'm so overwhelmed.
"This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me"
The words of the song fill me as I breathe in the fresh evening air. I fill my lungs as I rest in the assurance that God's spirit is living in me. I belong to Him.
"I'm desperate for You
I'm lost without You"
My soul is at peace as the song concludes. I'm content.
Anyway, I decide to take the road less traveled home because the drive is so beautiful and less stressful than I435 and Metcalf. It had been a long day, that followed a long day the day before.
The windows are down the sunroof is as open as it can go. I'm wishing I had a convertible because it is just so incredibly beautiful out. I feel the stress that fills me beginning to leave.
I just put my head back and breath in the fabulously fresh air. I smell the trees, the grass, the flowers. I marvel at what a gift this evening is. My arm hangs out the window catching the wind and dancing to the beat of the music coming from my radio.
I start to think of all the wonderful blessings God has given me. I wonder "why me Lord"? There are so many I know who need and probably deserve blessings more than I do. But my heart fills with gratitude that can't be explained. Then a song comes on the radio and as I sing the words "I'm desperate for You" my heart is turned to heaven.
I cry because I'm so overwhelmed.
"This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me"
The words of the song fill me as I breathe in the fresh evening air. I fill my lungs as I rest in the assurance that God's spirit is living in me. I belong to Him.
"I'm desperate for You
I'm lost without You"
My soul is at peace as the song concludes. I'm content.
August 11, 2009
Putting God First - Shhhhh
Have you ever been told a secret and then blabbed it to someone else? Have you ever shared your secret with someone and then found out that they told someone else? Remember the feelings from when that happened?
In the first situation there is something exciting about being able to tell someone something they didn't know. You can feel somewhat powerful. If you get away with it you might even think it did no harm. But we never "get away" with it, do we. God always knows. And what if it back fires and the person who trusted you found out what you did. AND then they confront you about it. Ever have that happen? Sadly I must confess I have. I still remember that feeling like it was yesterday. I never want to experience that again.
Then what about when you were the one who shared something and was betrayed by someone who didn't keep your secret. Remember those feelings. Quite different from the situation above. Hurt replaces shame. Anger replaces embarrassment. Sometimes friendships can be destroyed.
Mark 1:40-45
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news.
There are a number of things that strike me about these Bible verses. However, the part that hits me the most is that Jesus instructed this man to NOT tell others about the healing that He did. But the man could not be silent. His life was changed forever as a result of God in Flesh touching him, having compassion on him and healing him. He knew this was a miracle and he knew that the man who performed it had told him to tell no one. Yet he told everyone who would listen. Jesus knew this would happen and yet used the situation to bring glory to God. He didn't strike the man dead or shame him, even though his telling others meant more crowds of people trying to find Jesus. No, Jesus forgives.
I think about this man who must have wondered if he told others about what Jesus did would Jesus make him sick again? Or maybe he never wondered that at all. Maybe he was just caught up in the moment. This secret was just too good to keep and so he risked it all and told everyone who would listen about this Jesus and what he had done. Why? Because his life was forever changed by this one encounter with the Son of God.
Today God continues to change lives and now He instructs (or is it a “strong warning”) us to go spread the Good News; but how often do we just stay silent. Interesting. When our lives our profoundly changed by God we might tell a person or two but rarely will someone in this culture tell "everyone" they meet. No, talking about God or what He has done in our lives is not politically correct so we risk nothing and stay silent. This must make God sad. This must speak to God's infinite patience with us. When he says "be silent" we talk, when he says "talk" we are silent. Hmmmm
Dear Heavenly Father,
Make me more like the man who had leprosy. Fan a flame of desire in me that is so strong I can't ignore it. Allow me to share what you have done in my life and may I never stay silent on it. You Lord God changed my life and my heart and it is with unending gratitude that I desire to serve you. May I never make you sad by missing an opportunity you give me to share what you've done with others. Open my eyes and my ears. Help me to focus on the true need that lies in each person you allow me to have contact with. As You had compassion on the outcasts of society may I also have compassion on those that our society considers of little or no value. Allow me to shine light in the darkness. Guide me in all wisdom and let my voice be heard. Not to bring me into the spotlight or on center stage Lord, but so that others will see past me directly to you. The only one who can change lives. Thank you God that you have called me to speak for those in the womb who cannot speak for themselves. Thank you God that you allow me the privilege of working with men and women who have been deeply hurt by abortion. Thank you that you provide those holy moments where I can see you changing a life that was once lost in darkness. Never let me forget how much you have done for me. AMEN
In the first situation there is something exciting about being able to tell someone something they didn't know. You can feel somewhat powerful. If you get away with it you might even think it did no harm. But we never "get away" with it, do we. God always knows. And what if it back fires and the person who trusted you found out what you did. AND then they confront you about it. Ever have that happen? Sadly I must confess I have. I still remember that feeling like it was yesterday. I never want to experience that again.
Then what about when you were the one who shared something and was betrayed by someone who didn't keep your secret. Remember those feelings. Quite different from the situation above. Hurt replaces shame. Anger replaces embarrassment. Sometimes friendships can be destroyed.
Mark 1:40-45
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news.
There are a number of things that strike me about these Bible verses. However, the part that hits me the most is that Jesus instructed this man to NOT tell others about the healing that He did. But the man could not be silent. His life was changed forever as a result of God in Flesh touching him, having compassion on him and healing him. He knew this was a miracle and he knew that the man who performed it had told him to tell no one. Yet he told everyone who would listen. Jesus knew this would happen and yet used the situation to bring glory to God. He didn't strike the man dead or shame him, even though his telling others meant more crowds of people trying to find Jesus. No, Jesus forgives.
I think about this man who must have wondered if he told others about what Jesus did would Jesus make him sick again? Or maybe he never wondered that at all. Maybe he was just caught up in the moment. This secret was just too good to keep and so he risked it all and told everyone who would listen about this Jesus and what he had done. Why? Because his life was forever changed by this one encounter with the Son of God.
Today God continues to change lives and now He instructs (or is it a “strong warning”) us to go spread the Good News; but how often do we just stay silent. Interesting. When our lives our profoundly changed by God we might tell a person or two but rarely will someone in this culture tell "everyone" they meet. No, talking about God or what He has done in our lives is not politically correct so we risk nothing and stay silent. This must make God sad. This must speak to God's infinite patience with us. When he says "be silent" we talk, when he says "talk" we are silent. Hmmmm
Dear Heavenly Father,
Make me more like the man who had leprosy. Fan a flame of desire in me that is so strong I can't ignore it. Allow me to share what you have done in my life and may I never stay silent on it. You Lord God changed my life and my heart and it is with unending gratitude that I desire to serve you. May I never make you sad by missing an opportunity you give me to share what you've done with others. Open my eyes and my ears. Help me to focus on the true need that lies in each person you allow me to have contact with. As You had compassion on the outcasts of society may I also have compassion on those that our society considers of little or no value. Allow me to shine light in the darkness. Guide me in all wisdom and let my voice be heard. Not to bring me into the spotlight or on center stage Lord, but so that others will see past me directly to you. The only one who can change lives. Thank you God that you have called me to speak for those in the womb who cannot speak for themselves. Thank you God that you allow me the privilege of working with men and women who have been deeply hurt by abortion. Thank you that you provide those holy moments where I can see you changing a life that was once lost in darkness. Never let me forget how much you have done for me. AMEN
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