Thanks Living: Assignment

To stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening. 1 Chronicles 23:30

To stand: present oneself before, be attentive, arise, appear

Morning:  implying the coming of dawn, and even daylight

Thank: to revere or worship (with extended hands)

Praise: to boast, to rave; to celebrate

Likewise: faithfulness, in the same manner as before

Evening: originally sunset

In 1 Chronicles 23, David makes Solomon king and gathers together the princes, priests, and Levites, to assign them their proper jobs. I like the assignment given to the Levites, to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord—and do it again in the evening. 

Start the day thanking and praising God, and then end the day the same way. Beginning the day begun in thankfulness and praise will determine your mindset for the day. Ending the day with thanksgiving and praise will make you realize that God is working in and through you. 

How important is this assignment? Well, for David to have assigned it at all, shows that it is vital. Each and every morning and night, be attentive—specifically give thanks and praise to God. 

But what if I wake up on the wrong side of the bed, do I still have to thank and praise God? Especially on those mornings! For what better way to get an attitude adjustment, then to attentively thanks and praise God?! It's hard to have a bad attitude when thanking and praising Almighty God! 

Thanks Living is fully accepting the assignment of thanking and praising God each and every morning and night. A day that starts with thankfulness and praise will end on a high note!

A Crazy (about Christ) Christmas

A Crazy (about Christ) Christmas

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:3

Santa, reindeer, elves, and stockings,

Trees, wreaths, ribbons, and bows

These all overwhelm us in December

But it should be Christ, that we remember. 

Parties, concerts, and gifts to buy

There’s a crazy chaos this time of year.

But let’s be crazy about & magnify our Savior,

Let’s exalt Christ in our words and behavior.

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Redeemer, Savior, Lord, and Friend

To Thee our sounds of praise ascend!

-Rhonda Sawtelle

Proverbs 10:4, 5: Satisfaction in Laziness

He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son; he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. Proverbs 10:4, 5

Slack: negligent, idle hand

Poor: to be destitute -- lack, needy

Diligent: to be alert, to decide

Rich: to accumulate; specifically to grow

Wise: act circumspectly, prudently

Shame:  to be ashamed, to be disappointed

Work ethic. It's lacking in our society today. We used to take pride in doing a job well. Now people want to get nothing for little or no work. And many of those that do work, don't put forth any effort. 

Idle hand. Trouble begins when one has nothing to do. And idle hands lead to laziness and that leads to trouble. 

Diligent isn't just an idea, rather is translates into action. It is a specific choice and that choice then leads to action that leads to riches. 

Do nothing and be rewarded. That seems to be the norm in our world today. However, as we look around, we can see that those that live that philosophy are angry, discontent, and in trouble. Why are those who except everything for nothing so discontented? Because there is nothing to take pride in; there is no satisfaction in laziness. 

What about those that can't work? That truly are disabled. Even those that are disabled or too old still find purpose and meaning by doing what they can. Those that make excuses for doing nothing live in states of depression and frustration. Those that try to do all they can for themselves and others, are encouraged and happy. 

Negligent. Diligent. Two opposites. Satisfaction in laziness. Gratification in industriousness. 

Shame. Riches. Two opposites. Two different results based upon actions and attitude. 

The only way to assure that one does not create a mindset of having a satisfaction in laziness is to have a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when we respect and fear God, we want out attitudes and actions to reflect His wisdom. We want to obey Him and put forth the effort in knowing that we are doing a job—and doing it diligently. 

Mondays. Do we have to dread them?

Today is MONDAY. 

This morning I am doing laundry. As I was waiting by the elevator (the laundry room is on the 4th floor), a neighbor joined me. She was heading to work, and was late.... again! Then she went on to tell me that she is ALWAYS late on Mondays. She just can't get going on Mondays, because she doesn't like them... period!

Why are Monday's so hard? There is even a song, "rainy days and Monday's always get me down". I remember when I was able to work, it always seemed like it was harder to get moving on a Monday. I was never sure if I had too much fun on the weekends, or if it was the thought of going to work and the week ahead. Whatever, Monday's seem to bring a source of dread.

How can we dread a day,

when it hasn't even started? 

It's all because of our mindset! 

We've been conditioned to dread Monday's so.... we do! We think of Monday's as a punishment: back to work after having fun all weekend. But Monday's aren't really bad. In fact many good things happen...each day INCLUDING on Mondays! 

I think we should start calling the day after Sunday, MAGNIFICENT MONDAY!, or MARVELOUS MONDAY! Why not? If our mindset can make us dread the day, then let's change our mindset to look forward to the day! 

So far today, my Monday has been GREAT. I got up and took my shower, took my last "weaning off pill", am doing laundry, and will get to see my chiropractor later today. Max is sitting on my shoulder singing and saying "happy" and "pretty bird".  I'm sure that as the day continues, I'll enjoy some blessings too!

YES! IT'S POSSIBLE

to Create a POSITIVE DAY...

... on a MONDAY! 

It's all a matter of your mindset! So, will your Monday be Marvelous or Magnificent? (A dreadful Monday is simply NOT a choice!)

Equipment

The proper equipment, when working, makes our life easier, comfortable, and convenient.  Broken or the wrong equipment causes pain, discomfort, and frustration. Having the right equipment in working condition enables us to accomplish our goals and dreams. Yet, when that equipment breaks, it slows us down and can even sideline us. 

Being well equipped isn't just about having the right tools. It's also about having the right mindset. If we're well-equipped, we can handle both "good things" and "bad things" in ways which will strengthen us and enable us to grow.  When things are going along smoothly, we don't think much about the equipment we use, and in turn we don't think much about our mindset or much of anything. When a piece of equipment breaks, our world is turned upside down. 

Don't wait for equipment failure before you create a healthy body, soul, and spirit. Work on making sure your mindset, spirit, and body are healthy so that when there is equipment failure, you are prepared. When are you are prepared, equipment failure takes on a more positive tone. You can see areas that need attention so that you can grow. During the 'down' time, you can re-energize and be rejuvenated as things return to normal. 

I talk about creating a positive day and have written how God has use equipment failures to teach me more about Him and myself. The more I create a positive day on the 'good days' I find it easier to continue to create a positive day on those days that aren't as 'good'.  It's a choice to focus on the positive and respond with a positive mindset.

________________________

Regarding Equipment Failure: Bruce Johnson is running across America to raise money for the Community Crisis Center. He's experienced some major equipment failure—his shoes. Not only have Bruce's shoes caused considerable pain, they have sidelined Bruce a few times during his run.  While Bruce continues to work through his equipment failure, why not encourage him and make a donation! (To learn more about Bruce's journey or to donate, go to: UnitedStatesRun.com.)