People vs plans.

I'm a planner. I like to organize what will happen when. I'm not much for being taken by surprise (although some surprises are really nice!). 

God is continually teaching me that His plan is much better than mine. He has to continually teach me because I often forget lessons learned.

This Thanksgiving/Christmas season, it's easy to become focused on what has to be done (cooking, decorating, etc) that we forget the people.

God reminded me again, yesterday, that people are more important than a timetable I created. Talking with people builds relationships and that leads to opportunities to share God's love and encourage others.

I'm learning to focus more on people and less on if the Turkey is perfect, or if the table is set with the best dishes, etc. Sometimes easy is better for all involved and then the attention can be given to those in attendance.

Think about it for a moment. What do you remember from past Holidays? I remember the silly things that happened, what we laughed about, or who was there. I can't tell you what dishes we ate off of, or how the table was set. 
Memories that are of people are the most precious. Memories created with smiles, laughter, and love last longer than the Thanksgiving turkey!

People vs plans. 
I am praying that I remember that, but if I forget, God will gently remind me again.
May your Thanksgiving be filled with opportunities to create memories with family and friends. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:13

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 13: Provides Conversation

With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. Psalm 119:13

With my lips: language, speech

Have declared: recount something, to score with a mark as a tally or record

All: the whole, any and every

Judgments: after the manner, custom, fashion — rightful due

Of Your mouth: according as after, speech

What do I talk about? Lately we've heard much talk about Hurricanes. How strong will they be? What path will they take? No one really knows until it actually arrives. But our conversations and actions were filled with Hurricane preparedness and "what ifs". 

What do I talk about? No matter the topic, my conversation should reflect what I believe about God. The particular words I choose, my intent, and emotion of how those were are spoken, should reflect God and His mercy and grace. 

But in order for me to have God's Word impact my conversation, I must know God's Word. 

What impacts my conversation? 

Proverbs 12:21-23 Honor in Communication

No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight. A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. Proverbs 12:21-23

Lying: deceitful, falsehood, untruth, sham

Abomination: something disgusting

Lord: God of deity, Yahweh

Truthfully: steadfastness, fidelity, faithfulness, trust

Delight: goodwill, good pleasure

Prudent: a shrewd (in a good sense) or sensible man

Conceals: overwhelms, is full, securely hidden

Heart: knowledge

Fools: stupid fellow, dullard

Foolishness: folly, (from the word "evil", meaning to be perverse)

Lying lips disgust the Eternal, but those who act faithfully delight Him. Proverbs 12:22
(VOICE)The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:22
(NIV)Lying lips are extremely disgusting to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. Proverbs 12:22 (AMP)

Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance. Proverbs 12:23 (GNT)

A clever man is careful in revealing what he knows, but a fool betrays his incompetence. Proverbs 12:23 (VOICE)

Prudent people don’t flaunt their knowledge; talkative fools broadcast their silliness. Proverbs 12:23 (MSG)

As I read these verses, I kept thinking that verse 23 should precede vs 22. If you don't talk a lot, you won't lie. Simple right? 

Although that is true. When I looked back at the verses, I realized one very important detail—where the Lord fits, and where I fit. 

Vs 22 clearly states that Lying is an abomination to the Lord. Lying is disgusting to God. He abhors it. 

vs. 23 shares the impact of talking on those around us. When we talk too much, we get ourselves into trouble. 

Vs 22: God directed.

Vs 23: People directed. 

If I guard against lying, I will THINK before speaking, and therefore I am more opt to keep my mouth shut! 

Lying is deceitful. It damages trust. It causes doubt. And it is disgusting to God! 

Too often we try to justify lying. We don't want to hurt someone's feelings, or we want to get out of trouble, or the lie makes us sound "better." 

No matter why we want to lie—it's sin. Period. No justification or reason makes lying "ok". 

"Smart people keep quiet." (Proverbs 12:22; GNT)

You don't have to tell everything you know. Often, it's better to remain quiet, than to share all the wisdom you have (or think you have). We've all been in situations where someone starts talking, and you soon realize that the person talking has NO knowledge about the subject, yet they can't stop talking — even if it is pure nonsense. Just because you KNOW something, doesn't mean to share that knowledge. Often it's better to be quiet and listen. 

We all like communicating. Phones aren't just for talking anymore, now there is texting, emails, Twitter, Facebook, integral, Pinterest..... the list goes on and on. No matter HOW you are communicating, the importance is WHAT you are communicating! 

Are my words TRUE? Are they KIND? Are they NECESSARY? Are they BENEFICIAL? Are they PURPOSEFUL? 

In order to have my communication truthful and appropriate, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when I am fearing and respecting God, I'll want to honor Him in my communication. 

Speech that Reflects God Almighty

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians.    

Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]. Colossians 4:6 (AMP)

Let your speech: Your conversation.

Be alway with grace: It should be such as religion is fitted to produce; such as to show that the grace of God is in our hearts. It means that our conversation should be such as to show that we are governed by the principles of religion, and that there is unfeigned piety in the heart. So as to show that the soul is under the influence of love to the Redeemer.

Seasoned with salt: That our conversation should be seasoned with piety or grace in a way similar to that in which we employ salt in our food. It makes it wholesome and palatable. 

That ye may know how ye ought to answer every man: Be imbued with the spirit of piety, that you may not utter any thing that would be rash and foolish, but be prepared to answer anyone who may question you about your religion in a way that will show that you understand its nature, and that will tend to edification. If he addresses you in a haughty, insolent, and overbearing manner, you will be able to repress the risings of your temper, and to answer him with gentleness and kindness.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Speech. Conversation. And yes, this includes Facebook, Twitter, texting, emails, and other forms of communication. 

When we communicate it should be through the filter of God's grace. Each word we speak (write), should be such that it reflects God Almighty. 

That does not mean that we can't talk about Sports, or the weather, or other topics. Rather when we are speaking about ANY and ALL topics, our conversation is one that will still honor God. We must make sure that we are speaking THE truth—not embellishing, or gossiping, or slandering .... the list can continue. 

Speech that reflects God Almighty. When certain people are present, our speech is altered. For example, most people won't swear in the presence of a Clergyman or Priest. If we wouldn't say something in the presence of a human, then why would be think it ok to say it at all? For God Almighty is ALWAYS present! 

Is my speech reflecting my relationship with God Almighty? Are the things I'm "liking" and reposting on Facebook and Twitter reflecting God's grace? Am I speaking the truth? Am I gossiping? 

Only when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of God's reverence (Acts 9:31 MSG), will my speech reflect God Almighty. 

Met some Heroes

I had the opportunity to accompany my Dad to a VA Clinic today. I created some "Thank You" cards to give to some of the Heroes while there. 

It was an honor to meet and talk with the Heroes throughout the day. I enjoyed hearing their stories and getting to know them a bit. 

If you want to meet some amazing people visit a local VA Clinic. There are long waits, and the Heroes sure could use some encouragement as they wait (often for hours).

I was blessed in many ways by talking with some of our Heroes today. 

Creating a positive day, isn't very hard, when you are in the company of Heroes! 

More About Him and Less About Me

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 61. Here is what I learned.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. Psalm 61:1 (AMP)

God, listen to me shout, bend an ear to my prayer. Psalm 61:1 (MSG)

Cry. Shout. 

The word rendered cry in this place sometimes denotes a joyful shout - a shout of triumph; but the connection makes it certain that it here refers to the voice of prayer. It is implied that it was audible prayer, or that the psalmist gave utterance to his desires in words. It is language such as would be produced by deep distress; when a sad and burdened heart gives vent to its feelings in a loud cry for mercy. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

As I read this verse this morning, I first am very grateful that when I am in trouble, or distress, that I can cry out to my God and He hears me. But is that the ONLY time I cry out to God? 

Do you like to hear people complain—all the time? I know I don’t. And I don’t like to hear kids (or even worse adults) with a “give me attitude”. But how often do my prayers to God sound just like that.... full of complaints and give me lists? Thankful that God hears and listens to my prayers.... but maybe, prayers need to be more than just complaints and wish lists. 

Prayer. What is prayer? Simply put,  prayer is talking with God. It’s a conversation. 

On June 10, 2010 I posted this on my blog: 

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. 

When I pray, I need to remember to Whom I’m talking—God Almighty! And as I talk with God, I need to stop my complaining and giving Him my wish list, and spend time getting to know Him.

To create a positive day, my conversations with God need to be more about Him, and less about me.

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.