Heard, because it was Spoken!

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The twelfth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 138. Here's what Treasure I found today.

All the kings of the land shall give You credit and praise You, O Lord, for they have heard of the promises of Your mouth [which were fulfilled]. Psalm 138:4 (AMP)

All the kings of the earth will give thanks to you, O Lord, because they have heard the promises you spoke. Psalm 138:4 (GW)

heard: to hear intelligently, attentively, carefully, certainly, consider.

Praise was given to God because the kings of the land, HEARD. If the message isn’t communicated, then people can’t hear.. and there is no praise. 

In the world of twitter, facebook, emails, text messages, etc., we have instant access to telling people what is going on in our lives. We make sure everyone knows what we ate for dinner, or what we are doing at that very instant, or who we just saw, or even our location. 

But how many times do we share what God is doing in our lives? How many times do we share what God is teaching us? How many times do we simply share God’s love with others? How can people praise God... if they don’t hear? And how can they hear, if we don’t speak? 

I think it’s time I evaluate my tweets, wall posts, emails, and even my actual spoken words, to see if I’m speaking about God and His promises. For if I want the ‘kings of the lands” to praise God... it has to start with me voicing reasons that my God should be praised. 

Heard, because it was spoken—and if I want to create a positive day filled with praise to God, I must be speaking about Him! 

Communication

On Sunday, I received a phone call from my Dad. My Mom was in the hospital. Tests were being done, it could be her heart again.

As I waited for another phone call from my Dad, my mind went to the last words I spoke with my Mom. We had laughed about an ongoing family joke.... and that made me smile. 

A few years ago, I talked with my parents only once every 2 weeks or so. Long distance can be expensive. Yet, now I talk with my parents, especially my Mom, every day. Why the change? Our cellphone provider allows free calls.

With about 675 miles between us, our phone calls keep us connected. Our conversations aren't important to anyone else. We discuss what we ate that day, books we're reading, Max's antics, and even "watched" sport shows together. We talk about her life and about mine; the same yet different.  Over the past few years, through our talks, I've gotten to know my Mom better. 

Communication is important to our daily lives. We communicate in a variety of ways: phone calls, texts, emails, tweets, blogs, face to face talking, etc.

This past Sunday, after I spoke with my Dad, I spent time having a conversation with God sharing my emotions and thoughts. Prayer is comforting in so many ways. It allows me to share my thoughts, feelings, and frustrations with God. Knowing that God, who created everything, is listening to me overwhelms me with peace. 

Just as my conversations with Mom are providing me glimpse into her life, prayer teaches me more about God.

Prayer is not a vending machine—

say the right words and get what you want.

Prayer is the privilege of communicating with God.

Our ordinary views of prayer are not found in the New Testament. We look upon prayer as a means for getting something for ourselves; the Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself. --Oswald Chambers 

So when we sing, 'Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,' we are not thinking of the nearness of place, but of the nearness of relationship. It is for increasing degrees of awareness that we pray, for a more perfect consciousness of the divine Presence. We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts. --A.W. Tozer 

Communication.

So simple. So vital.

So taken for granted. 

The next time you have a conversation with someone, appreciate the moment. And as you spend time talking with God, adjust your mindset to one of thanksgiving and worship. 

When the day begins 'bad news', the only way have a positive perspective is to spend time with God. After talking with God, it's easier to accept His will and move forward with a positive mindset. 

My Mom is now home from the hospital and doing well.

Counting My Blessings!

3 minute Investment

This week, it was confirmed that I'll have surgery number 8 on my back. As far as surgeries go, this should be a "minor" one. I sent an email to some people who have been praying for me with the date and time.
It was amazing how encouraging several of the responding emails have been. None have been very long, or profound...just simple statements of support and more prayers. Or even people saying how I've encouraged them with my attitude through all this.
I'm amazed how a note or email can lift one's spirit. Yet, I put off sending a note, because I think I'm too busy, or I don't know what to say. Personally, it's not how long the message is or what is actually said....but rather the person thought enough and took the time to send me a note.
Today I timed how long it took to write an address on an envelope and sign a card...the entire action...including the stamp and sealing the envelope....took less than 3 minutes! Yes. LESS than 3 minutes. Do I know someone who is worth just 3 minutes of my time? I know many who I'm sure would enjoy receiving a card from me. So, I think after I post this blog, I'm going to spend 15 minutes and send out some cards. Maybe, I'll start spending 10 or 15 every day to send a card to write an email to someone.
I'd say that 3 minutes of my time to encourage someone is a wise investment with a return even Wall Street can't beat!

Creating a positive day for yourself, is so easy if you create a positive day for someone else!

What makes you smile?

I was reading a comic and started laughing. Later in the day, I thought of that comic again, and couldn't help but smile. This got me thinking. What makes me smile? Some days it doesn't take much. A funny comic, a joke, an email or note from a friend, a TV show, or Max doing something cute.
No matter what makes me smile or laugh, I always feel better afterward. If I laugh early in the day, it seems I laugh at more things throughout the day. I guess because I enjoyed laughing so much, I'm looking for things to make me laugh, so I can enjoy laughing again! Sounds silly, but it's true! Laughing in the morning, puts me in a "laughing frame of mind".
Different things make each of us smile, but we all smile at something. What would happen if instead of passing along the gossip and negative news at the water cooler and through emails, we passed along smiles and laughter? Think for a moment how you feel after you laugh or smile. Now think of giving that same feeling to others. If we all felt that good, the people with whom we interact would be happy, and kinder.
So the next time you smile or laugh, pass it on! Creating a positive day...is done one smile at a time!

To get you started:
A little girl while holding her stomach, approached her Mom saying, "Mommy my stomach hurts." Her Mom replied, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something into it!"
Later that day when the Pastor came over for dinner. The Pastor started to feel bad, holding his head, he said, "I have a terrible headache!" The little girl looked up at the Pastor giving her sweetest smile that only a child can give. Then she said, "Your head hurts, because it's empty. You have to put something in it!"

If you smiled, you've just started creating a positive day!

The Stars in my Life

The past few days, the news highlighted the deaths of two celebrities. People are lined up around former homes, various theaters, etc. During one news show, on person interviewed said "I wanted to meet him in person. He was like family to me". What? How can someone you've never met be "family"?
Personally, I'm not caught up with the movie stars, actors, singers, etc. I don't even know the names of actors who play the characters I watch on TV. I've never been "star struck". Yet, as millions of people spend time mourning the death of both these "stars", it got me thinking: Who are the real "stars" in my life?
Who are the people who have impacted my life....PERSONALLY? Who are the people with whom I interact, talk, laugh, and cry? Who are the "stars" who I care about and who care about me? As I started listing the "stars" in my life....I am blessed!
But it shouldn't stop there. Knowing that people in my life have blessed me, is only half. I need to let them know! Maybe knowing that they are "stars" in my life, will encourage them. Maybe it will get them thinking about the "stars" in their lives. We are all quick to share when someone does something wrong, or hurts us. But when they have a positive impact, we neglect to share that news.
Take a few moments and send an email, or make a phone call, or better yet, send a note to let someone know that they are a "star" and have a positive impact in your life. Those few moments will do two things: 1. Make you realize how blessed you are 2. Let others know they are a blessing.
Be positive. Share the positive. Multiply the positive!