Forgiveness Factor

Forgiveness is a gift that increases in value as it is passed on to others.

Choosing to forgive others is often one of the most difficult decisions I face in life.  After all, when I have been wronged, I am the one who hurts.  I am the one who suffers.  I am the one who has to deal with the emotions and the circumstances.  I usually want to get even or seek revenge.  I want them to apologize to me and make it right.  BUT, that is not what forgiveness is about.

Forgiveness means to “pardon an offense or an offender; to cancel the debt or obligation.”  Forgiveness is a choice I make.  Simply, it means that I choose to release the anger and bitterness I am holding in my head and in my heart.  This release frees me to move forward in my life.

Forgiveness is not forgetting. 

Forgiveness is not denial of reality.

Forgiveness does not negate responsibility of the behavior.

Forgiveness does not change the consequences of the behavior.

By choosing to forgive, I free myself to live in a way that the offense and the offender no longer have control of my emotions.  I am free to move on, leaving the burden behind.

Forgiveness may be difficult, but it is the right choice to make.

Is there someone you need to forgive today?

Forgiveness doesn’t change the past, but it enlarges the future!

Time Is Ticking!

        “Everything requires time.  It is the only truly universal condition.  All work takes place in time and uses up time.  Yet most people take for       granted this unique, irreplaceable, and necessary resource.”                   ~Peter Drucker

Everyone has the same 24 hours each day, so why do some people seem to have an abundance of time and others seemingly have none?  I believe the answer lies in two factors:  your attitude about time and how you actually spend your time.

How we think about time sets the framework for how we use our time.  If you value time and think of it as a precious gift, you will use it to the greatest advantage.  If you take time for granted, you will waste the benefit of the day.

Following are some simple thoughts on how to make the most of your time:

1. PRAY - Get up 20 minutes earlier than usual - use the time to prepare your heart and mind for the day
2. PRIORITIZE- Begin with what you value most, then add the “must do’s” and the “want to’s” - make certain you find the most appropriate time slot for each item
3. PLAN - Make a specific agenda on how you will carry out your prioritized list
4. PRODUCTIVITY - Your goal should always be to accomplish something - whether it is tending a relationship, completing a project at work, volunteering at your church, exercising, resting, relaxing, playing or learning something new - each minute should hold the reward of accomplishment
5. PURPOSE - Having a determined heart about why you do what you do will fuel your energy for using your time wisely

I hope you have the time of your life today!

Contagious Heart Condition

Who I am matters because everyday I influence others - not that I have a huge platform or name recognition or great riches or power - that’s not it at all.

Rather it is the fact that I have been placed in a specific setting, in a specific time frame to live my life.  That unique place creates a circle of people who come in contact with me…some for only a moment…some for a while…others for a life time.

That is why who I am in my own heart matters.  My heart condition shows itself to others.  Isn’t it strange how easily kindness, love, hope and joy can be made known?  It only takes a moment for someone to benefit from those things flowing from a sincere heart.

It is also true that fear, hatred, rudeness, despair and anger can appear in a flash from a troubled heart.  That is why it is important for me to pay attention to the condition of my heart.   The people who come in contact with me are exposed to my heart condition, and many times, they “catch” it and pass it on to others.  Yes, my heart condition is contagious!  And so is yours.

It is a good reminder to take the time to cultivate a sincere heart…to rid myself of those undesirable traits…to work through my own issues in a healthy way…to sow seeds of joy and encouragement.  Those are the things I want people to “catch” from me…and I hope they do pass it on!

Open the Gift

There is a gift that is always delivered several days after Christmas.  The gift is ushered into every life at about the same time.  Everyone recieves it, and it is the same gift for all, but not all have the same feeling about it…you see, some feel anticipation about the gift and others feel apprehension about the gift.  Some tear open the gift anxious to see all that it holds…others never open the gift, they merely acknowledge its presence, but never see what is really inside.

The gift is this:  A  BRAND NEW YEAR! !

What we do with the gift is up to us…we have the option to “open” it or not.  We have the prerogative to greet it with anticipation or apprehension.  We have the privilege to discover unending possibilities -  or out of fear or laziness never tap into all that is there for us.

Certainly the future has its unknowns and its ups and downs, but in the midst of the good times and the challenging times there are possibilities for us to grow,  to become more, to contribute and to make a difference.

I encourage you:  DON’T LEAVE YOUR GIFT UNOPENED!  Set aside any hindrance and determine right now to open it and enjoy ALL the opportunities there for you.

Join me in smiling at the future!

Just A Glimpse

When you see with the eyes of your heart, even the briefest moment reveals its deeper meaning.

I have discovered even in the midst of busy, hectic days, there are moments strategically placed to encourage our hearts.  I have experienced some of those moments and though they passed quickly, the meaning lingered and blessed my heart.

I caught a glimpse of:

• an elderly couple holding hands and smiling in a crowded hotel lobby

• the sun with its dazzling rays bursting through the clouds at 32,000 feet

• a young couple clinging to each other as disappointment swept into their life

• a man growing as he had an “I get it!” moment

• a child’s eyes filled with joy as he played and fell to the floor laughing

• ocean waves crashing against immovable rocks on the shore

 Those brief glimpses were seen with my eyes, but also with my heart…I saw, I was touched, and I was encouraged.  I was encouraged to know that joy and laughter have no age limits…I was encouraged to see the strength and power of love even in difficult times…I was encouraged to remember that we all have opportunity to grow and learn…I was encouraged that the Lord of all creation places His handiwork for us to see and enjoy.

So try seeing with the eyes of your heart today and when you catch that glimpse, smile and be encouraged!

Magnified

Have you ever noticed how this time of year seems to magnify everything?

• relationships are either enjoyed deeply or strained to the limit
• we are either truly thankful for what we have or we become very aware of what we don’t have
• we either experience physical energy or overwhelming lethargy
• business is either booming or coming to a total standstill
• we either feel great happiness or deep despair
• we either find just the right solution or we are faced with multiple problems
• our plans work out or get replaced by an unknown agenda

So if things are going to be magnified, why not focus on the good?  Don’t allow yourself to slip into the downward spiral of the negative.  Here are some tips that might be helpful:

1. Acknowledge reality:  not everything is perfect, BUT there are some things that are good
2. Focus on the things that you can do something about; not on those things that you have no power to change
3. Take care of yourself physically - get adequate rest, exercise, and nutrition
4. Be flexible on the little things - save your battles for the important things
5. Cultivate a positive, grateful attitude
6. Practice kindness
7. Smile!

Let us live our lives in such a way that we can laugh when we are together and smile when we are alone.

Generation to Generation

“…we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will praise You forever;  from generation to generation we will recount Your praise.” Psalm 79:13

It is important to praise the Lord, to honor Him…to be thankful.  It is also important to share your thankful heart with others. 

Thanksgiving Day provides the perfect opportunity to recount to family and friends the blessings of the Lord.

Perhaps you have see the hand of the Lord at work in mighty ways…or maybe you have heard the whispering comfort of that still small Voice…or maybe you have felt the joy of His presence.  Perhaps you have been surrounded by His love and enjoyed His peace that passes understanding…You know the blessings that are yours.  Why not take time to pass along those blessings? 

Generation to generation - proclaim the greatness of the Lord!

“Come and see what God has done,

 how awesome His works in man’s behalf!” 

Psalm 66:5

Progress in the Process

Anytime we choose to make a change for better, there is a process involved:

• Recognition of the need to change
• Making the decision to change
• Learning “how to” change
• Walking it out step by step

As we continue the journey of positive change, the PROGRESS reveals itself through the PROCESS.  Sometimes the process involves a huge leap of faith - a big decision to “jump” in with both feet and DO something.  Sometimes the process is a big step out of your comfort zone…changing behaviors, letting go, exchanging your existing “mode of operation” for a new one.  But most of the time, the process is a series of very small steps, inching your way along in the right direction.  It is in those moments that the progress is taking place even though it might be difficult to see.  The good news is that as long as there is positive action - no matter how small - you will eventually see positive results!

So I encourage you today:  You CAN make changes for good.  You CAN do things you’ve never done before.  You CAN form new, positive habits.  You CAN take the next step.  So smile and walk on!

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier - not that the task itself becomes easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved.”

Broken

 “At the Winter Feeder”   ~ by John Leax:

His feather flame doused dull by icy cold, the cardinal hunched into the rough, green feeder but ate no seed.

Through binoculars I saw festered and useless his beak, broken at the root.

Then two:  one blazing, one gray, rode the swirling weather into my vision and lighted at his side.

Unhurried, as if possessing the patience of God, they cracked sunflower seeds and fed him, beak to wounded beak, choice meats. 

Each morning and afternoon the winter long, that odd triumvirate, that trinity of need, returned and ate their sacrament of broken seed.  

Perhaps you are one of the “broken” today…broken in body or spirit…not knowing what to do, but sensing great need.  I encourage you to find a spot where “feeding” takes place…it could be a quiet place of reflection or a chapel filled with praise songs.  It could be in the company of trusted friends or a time alone with your Creator…You know where you have been fed before - go to that place and see what awaits you.  I believe help, hope and clarity are very near.

Or perhaps you are one called out to help the broken.  Do you see the broken beaks?  Sometimes they are hard to spot - covered or disguised.  But you can see the hunger, the longing…the weariness.  Will you take the time today to be the encouragement that they need?  As you have been blessed, so bless others.

Two Are Better Than One

In today’s world there are many opportunities for independence - and that can be a good thing as long as you don’t allow independence to become isolation.  When independence is the only road you travel, you miss out on some great benefits. 

Instead, when you choose to join together with others in authentic relationship, you can experience the joy of:

• shared effort

• increased creativity

• mutual support

• true encouragement

• deeper strength

The energy it takes to cultivate a relationship is well worth the effort.  Take some time today to seek out a friend who is willing to walk alongside you…then enjoy that fact that you don’t always have to “go it alone.” 

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.” Ecclesiastes 4:9