Impact of Friends

"I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'  As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." Psalm 16:2-3 English Standard Version

"I say to the Lord, You are my Lord; I have no good beside or beyond You. As for the godly (the saints) who are in the land, they are the excellent, the noble, and the glorious, in whom is all my delight."  Psalm 16:2-3 Amplified Bible 

"I say to God, 'Be my Lord! Without you, nothing makes sense'. And these God-chosen lives all around—what splendid friends they make! Psalm 16:2-3 The Message

As I was studying The Book of Job, and the response of his "friends", God brought to mind lessons I've learned from people He introduced me to over the years. It was a joy to reflect on some of those people and the impact they each had/have in my life as they taught/teach me truths about God Himself and showing examples of living godly lives. 

This week God made me very aware of some of the purposes He has for introducing me to various people. 

Purpose 1: For me to share God's love 

Purpose 2: For me to help them grow in their spiritual lives

Purpose 3: To teach me more about Himself (God) 

Purpose 4: To teach me more about God's truths and living a life pleasing to Him

Purpose 5: To share joys and laughter

Purpose 6: To share sorrows and encourage each other

Purpose 7: To support each other through prayer

Often we don't know the impact we have in the lives of people we meet. But I'm learning more and more that I do have an impact on EACH person I meet. Am I impacting them in a positive way? Or am I having a negative impact? 

I have a dear friend who often says, "It's not about me." And that is true... it's not about ME, rather God should be shining through my life and radiating to those around me. My actions, attitude, words, tweets, Facebook posts (including pictures, etc), should be reflecting God and His goodness.

"And these God-chosen lives all around—what splendid friends they make!" I am VERY grateful for each "God-chosen friend" in my life. My life is much richer because of the impact they each have in my life. 

Creating a positive day is more fun
when you can share it with God-chosen friends!

Cares right down to the last detail!

Won another contest this morning! (No, not the *elliptical contest—still waiting to hear on that.) I won an Amazon.com gift card! Combining that to a gift card I got for my birthday from some VERY DEAR friends I'll be able to get a Dehydrator! When I reach Phase 4 on the Moore Health Idea Weight Loss program, I'll be able to enjoy homemade jerky, veggies chips, etc!

"God cares, cares right down to the last detail."

James 5:11 (The Message)"

When I received the gift card for my birthday, I picked out a dehydrator. I was going to buy it, but it was a bit more than the gift card. As I thought about the purchase, I knew I would not be a good steward if I spent additional money right now on the dehydrator. Especially, since I wouldn't be able to use it for several more months (when I reach Phase 4 of the diet program). 

I knew that when I was to buy the Dehydrator, God would supply the rest of the money needed. This morning, I won an Amazon.com gift card, so now I have enough to buy the dehydrator. I just love God's attention to details!

Once again God used a contest to provide for me. It's so cool how God continues to SHOWER me with gifts. 

*In my last few posts I spoke of trying to get an Elliptical. I found a contest for one, and am waiting to hear if I won. If I don't win the Elliptical, then I know that is not the machine God wants me to have, and I'll wait on His timing and provision to get a different Elliptical. God cares...cares right down to the last detail! That means, He'll supply the perfect machine for me at the perfect time. 

The fact that God cares—

cares right down to the last detail—

makes for creating a positive day!

Need? Want? Or a mix of both?

In my last post, I mentioned that I've been searching for an Elliptical. One question which I've been asking myself is:

"Is the Elliptical a need or a want?" 

Exercise is "good for the body". And my Chiropractor and I have been trying to figure out what types of exercise I can do without increasing the chronic pain too much.  With my back and leg injury and the chronic pain, I'm limited on the types of exercise I can do.

Last Summer, I found a Step Machine at a Garage Sale. The Step Machine had a feature that I thought would make it work for me—each step was adjustable. I could set the "bad leg" side to very little resistance, while "working out" the good leg. However, my "bad leg" just couldn't push down the step.  

I have a "peddle cycle" which I use with my arms, however, it puts strain on the back, and increases my back pain. Last week, I tried walking again. I walked around my apartment complex's parking lot. It felt good to be outside and "moving". But my back and leg can't take the "pounding" of the pavement.

So, what's next. The apartment complex's pool will open in a few weeks. Pool exercise is good for me, and doesn't add stress to my back and leg. Yet, how much I can "exercise" depends on how many kids and adults are in the pool at the particular time I'm there.

That brings me back to the Elliptical. Is it a "need" or a "want"? Or maybe a mix of both?

To be healthy, I NEED to find a type of exercise that will not increase the chronic pain. I've tried the forms of exercise available to me; however, they aren't working. An Elliptical provides a movement I can do without over-stressing the back and leg. So, does that make the Elliptical a "need"? 

I WANT to be healthy. And to be healthy, I need to exercise. So, does that make the Elliptical a "want"? 

I think it's a mix of both. Since my goal is to be healthy the Elliptical is both a need and a want. 

Over the last 11 years, I've seen God supply my needs, and even some wants, and provide some gifts, in the most creative and amazing ways. Even most recently, how God continues to provide for the new MacBook. I know that if God thinks that I "need" an Elliptical, He'll supply it—in His time—in His way.

I have a responsibility to make sure I'm not spending money, that I don't have. I also have a responsibility to WAIT on God and allow HIM to lead and direct me to the RIGHT Elliptical at the RIGHT time. I'm not a "good waiter". Once I make up my mind on something, I want to go "full-steam" ahead! But, on the Elliptical, I don't have a choice—but to wait. I can't spend money when I have other bills—that is not being a good steward. So, I wait.

Often creating a positive day,

is not about getting what I want ASAP.

Rather, it's about waiting on God.

Looking for 1 thing... finding another!

I'm searching for an Elliptical. One of those exercise machines that lets you move without stressing the joints. My online search and visits to a variety of stores has taught me that the machines are expensive. I've moved my search to garage sales. Maybe someone out there has one they'd like to sell... cheap. 

Yesterday, I stopped at one garage sale, thinking maybe, just maybe, they'd be selling one. I looked around and although they had a lot of stuff, no elliptical.

I was wearing my RED (Remember Everyone Deployed) Soldiers' Angels shirt. The gentleman asked what Soldiers' Angels was. I explain how we support current Military men and women, their families, wounded Soldiers and our Veterans.

He mentioned that he was a Navy Vet. He served on the USS Philippine Sea many, many, years ago. It was such an honor to talk with this gentlemen and hear some of his military service. What a wonderful surprise. I went searching for 1 thing.. and found a Navy Veteran!

It always amazes me when I meet Veterans and our current Military men and women—they are so humble and proud of serving our Country. I walk away from talking with them, enriched having just met and spent some time in their company. 

To each and every Military Man & Woman

and to each Veteran

"THANK YOU!!"

Often it's those unexpected surprises that create a positive day!

Celebrating my Birthday!

Today is my birthday!

The celebration has been wonderful.

This year, God gave me a new Don Moen CD! Last night, I learned that I won a contest for his newest CD—Uncharted Territory! How cool! I have a few of Don's CDs and enjoy them very much. So, I'm excited about receiving his newest CD.

I also received several cards from family and friends—love the variety of the cards and the encouraging notes. Many friends posted greetings on FaceBook. And I also received several gifts. One gift is a framed art work of Proverbs 3:5-6 created by Timothy Botts. Mr. Botts is an amazing and very talented artist.

Today, I was able to enjoy time and lunch with a great friend. God even provided a restaurant where I could enjoy a good meal without cheating on my diet! (That was very important to me, since I've lost a total of 20 lb so far. I still have more weight to lose, but since the Moore Health Ideal Weight Loss program is working, I really didn't want to cheat and delay my progress.)

(The last picture is Jake, my server, and me. Jake did a superb job of making sure our meal was very enjoyable.) 

And of course, Max provided some extra laughs today. It was 9 years ago that God gave me Max as my birthday gift. Max has learned a new sound. It's a soft and sweet whistle. When I say, "Pretty whistle", Max will whistle this new sound. I love it.

As I think back over today, I am truly blessed by God. It's so very special to be His child. Creating a positive day is very enjoyable when I'm counting my blessings!