June 22, 2016
Verse of the Day Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21 NIV Positive Thoughts Loving Kindness for All. Posted: 21 Jun 2016 11:37 AM PDT As a Burmese teacher once told author Andrew Harvey, "Out of compassion for myself, let me let go of all these feelings of anger and resentment toward others." As we focus on the adversary, all manner of divergent feelings may arise about what happened, about who said what to whom, and what someone did or did not do. To get to loving kindness, we have to accept those feelings while also letting go of the story, releasing the details. Who did or who said what is not relevant; what matters is the shared human experience. Hurt and disagreement and anger arise when we forget our essential unity and hang out in separate, isolated places, while knocking heads with each other. By letting go of the story, we are going beyond the ego's affront to the shared space. We can extend kindness toward people who are upset, angry, or irritable, whether their feelings have anything to do with us or not. In this way, we can stop negativity from affecting us. Whether it is our boss or a bus driver or our partner or teenage children, wishing them well helps us keep our cool. Kindness does not stop with us; we can extend it outward from ourselves, like the ripples on a pond, toward our family, friends, and loved ones. This is relatively natural and effortless. But for loving kindness to be genuine, it cannot just end with the people we know and like; it has to go further, toward those we do not know and even do not like. This includes people we may be having a hard time with, someone with whom communication is difficult, where negative issues have arisen that are pulling the relationship apart, where there is anger, resentment, or dislike. When we are affected by someone being hostile, dismissive, critical, or hurtful, then it is often because there is a hook in us for that negativity to grab hold of, a place where it can land that triggers all our hidden feelings of unworthiness, insecurity, doubt, even self-hate. However, when we extend kindness toward such a person, as we can in meditation, an extraordinary thing happens: The landing place, or the hook within, begins to dissolve. There is no place for the negativity to take hold. The negative reactions that arise within us during moments of discord or disagreement cause continued suffering and conflict. Extending kindness toward the adversary is, therefore, really extending it toward ourselves, as it releases the inner pain and puts us into a more balanced place. From extending kindness toward an adversary, the natural next step is to extend it toward all beings, whoever and wherever they are. Theoretically, this sounds very straightforward, but it can highlight hidden issues of prejudice and resistance. Can we really extend kindness toward terrorists, murderers, or dictators as easily as we can toward caregivers, charity workers, or our loved ones? Can we step beyond personality to the essence of shared beingness? Can we find a place where all beings are equal in our heart? Prejudice can go very deep. It is only healed when we end the war within and accept those parts of ourselves we find so unacceptable. Then we will have the courage to accept those who are different from us, who have different beliefs, who are a different color, or who live differently. When we can tolerate ourselves, then we can be tolerable toward others and extend kindness to all equally. As Mohandas Gandhi said, "We must widen the circle of our love until it embraces the whole village; the village, in turn, must take into its fold the district, the district the province, and so on, until the scope of our love encompasses the whole world." Ed and Deb Shapiro June 21, 2016
Verse of the Day Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19 NIV Positive Thoughts "Nothing external to me can have any power over me." Posted: 20 Jun 2016 11:41 AM PDT The ocean has many moods. Sometimes the colors of the sunrise are painted on the ocean surface as on a huge smooth canvas. At other times whitecapped waves thunder against the shore. The surface of the ocean changes constantly. Now it is smooth and quiet. Again it becomes violent and tempestuous. But in its depths, down under the storms that whip the surface into a fury, there is a zone of eternal calm which no storm ever reaches, no hurricane ever ruffles. The surface of life is also in a state of constant flux, with good days and bad, victory and defeat. To maintain, as the ocean does, a deep inner calm, while the storms of misfortune, fears and worries lash at the surface of life, is to discover the secret of serenity. Years ago, when Thomas Edison's factory burned down, he wasted no time bemoaning his fate. Immediately after the disaster the reporters found a calm, quiet man already at work on plans for a new building. When Emerson's home was destroyed by fire and his precious books were being reduced to ashes, Louisa May Alcott came to console him. The great philosopher said, "Yes, yes, Louisa, they are all gone, but let us enjoy the blaze now. Isn't it beautiful!" Such people are ocean personalities. In their inner depths they are not defeated by what happens to them. The towering waves of circumstances cannot reach us when we go deep within to seek the peace that passes all understanding. While the surface of life is in turmoil we can find an inner calmness to see us through. Walt Whitman must have discovered this truth, for he wrote, "Nothing external to me can have any power over me." The stillness of the ocean depths is a symbol of perfect poise. Wilferd A. Peterson June 12, 2016
Verse of the Day For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, Titus 2:11-12 NIV June 10, 2016
Verse of the Day The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 NIV Positive Thoughts There are two days in every week, about which we should not worry. Posted: 09 Jun 2016 04:19 PM PDT There are two days in every week, about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension. One of these days is Yesterday with all its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone forever. The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow with all its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and its poor performance; Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in Tomorrow, for it is yet to be born. This leaves only one day, Today. Any person can fight the battle of just one day. It is when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities Yesterday and Tomorrow that we break down. It is not the experience of Today that drives a person mad, it is the remorse or bitterness of something which happened Yesterday and the dread of what Tomorrow may bring. Let us, therefore, live but one day at a time. June 9, 2016
Verse of the Day Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5-6 NIV Positive Thoughts Life Posted: 08 Jun 2016 12:51 PM PDT Life, believe, is not a dream, So dark as sages say; Oft a little morning rain foretells a pleasant day: Sometimes there are clouds of gloom, But these are transient all; If the shower will make the roses bloom, Oh, why lament its fall? Rapidly, merrily, Life's sunny hours flit by, Gratefully, cheerily, Enjoy them as they fly. What though Death at times steps in, And calls our Best away? What though Sorrow seems to win, O'er Hope a heavy sway? Yet Hope again elastic springs, Unconquered, though she fell; Still buoyant are her golden wings, Still strong to bear us well. Manfully, fearlessly, The day of trial bear, For gloriously, virtuously, Can courage quell despair! Charlotte Brontë No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life. Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs. Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing. June 3, 2016
Verse of the Day For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3 NIV Positive Thoughts This Mirror Life Posted: 02 Jun 2016 02:10 PM PDT The good you find in others, is in you too. The faults you find in others, are your faults as well. After all, to recognize something you must know it. The possibilities you see in others, are possible for you as well. The beauty you see around you, is your beauty. The world around you is a reflection, a mirror showing you the person you are. To change your world, you must change yourself. To blame and complain will only make matters worse. Whatever you care about, is your responsibility. What you see in others, shows you yourself. See the best in others, and you will be your best. Give to others, and you give to yourself. Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful. Admire creativity, and you will be creative. Love, and you will be loved. Seek to understand, and you will be understood. Listen, and your voice will be heard. Teach, and you will learn. Show your best face to the mirror, and you'll be happy with the face looking back at you. unattributed May 29, 2016
Verse of the Day Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, Ephesians 5:25-26 NIV Positive Thoughts Who are your friends? Posted: 28 May 2016 06:43 AM PDT Who are your friends? They are the people who are there in hard times or when you're hurting beyond words. Or with a few words of encouragement and concern, make you realize you're really not lost at all. Friends comes in both sexes, in all shapes, colors and sizes, but the most important thing they have in common, is the ability to share with you, your best joys and your deepest sorrows, for they are your friends. ~Glen Campbell. I guess the real fact of the matter is, we don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring and the only thing we really have is right now. So, don’t stay angry for too long and learn to forgive. Love your friends and family with all your heart. Have fun and live your life the way you want to live it. Most of all, don’t worry about people that don’t like you and enjoy the ones who do. May 27, 2016
Verse of the Day Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 NIV Positive Thoughts Make the Most of Your Opportunities. Posted: 27 May 2016 04:17 AM PDT Like many other youngsters, I played Little League baseball. I was a pretty good fielder, but when it came to hitting, I was -- to put it bluntly -- pathetic. That's because I was afraid of getting hit by the ball. So, when the pitcher reared back to throw, I'd tend to back away from the plate. One day in my little league "career" stands out in my memory. It was my turn to bat, and I stepped up to the plate to face one of the best pitchers in the league. This kid threw hard. Well, he fired a fastball and I swung. CRACK! By some miracle, I hit the ball and sent a long line drive between the center fielder and right fielder. Let me tell you, I was stunned, never having heard that sound come from MY bat before. So, I began to race around the bases frantically, chugging as fast as I could. The ball rolled so far that there was no way the outfielder could retrieve it in time. I could have crawled around the bases and made it home safely. Well, after I crossed home plate my teammates jumped all over me. They, too, were amazed by my slugging prowess. I was elated . . . until, out of the corner of me eye, I saw the catcher from the opposing team walking toward our dugout. He had the ball in his hand . . . and he tagged me. The home plate umpire yelled, "You're out! You missed home plate." Talk about the agony of defeat -- not to mention the embarrassment! My home run was snatched away from me. Then, adding insult to injury, the first base umpire said, "He missed first base also." Oh, well--at least I touched two of the four bases. How did it happen? Why did I have so much trouble running the bases and completing the home run? My problem was, I didn't expect to hit the ball. So when I did, I wasn't prepared. You see, when your expectations are low, it's hard to take advantage of "the breaks" that come your way. With that in mind, here are two specific suggestions to help you make the most of your opportunities. Adjust Your Attitude When I stepped up to the plate in those Little League games, I had a lousy attitude. I kept telling myself, "I'm not a good hitter," and "I'll never hit the ball very far." This became a self-fulfilling prophecy and, as a result, I rarely hit the ball. When I did hit the ball into the outfield that day, I was stunned and ran around the bases like a chicken without a head. Remember, low expectations lead to disappointing results. Are there any areas of your life where you're giving yourself negative messages right now? If so, it's important to change your attitude immediately. Otherwise, your performance will remain at a low level. Be Prepared A positive attitude, by itself, won't guarantee that you make the most of your opportunities. The next crucial step is preparation. Because I didn't expect to hit the ball, I didn't study the technique for running the bases. (There is a proper technique, you know!) Had I practiced navigating the diamond, I would have been more successful when I actually hit the ball. The same is true in your career. Let's say John is a successful salesperson and has a chance to be promoted to district manager. What kinds of skills might be important for him to develop? First, he'll probably be required to do some public speaking at monthly meetings or sales conventions. If John isn't already an accomplished speaker, he'd do well to join a group like Toastmasters to improve his speaking skills. John may also need help in motivating and managing a staff with diverse personalities. He can read books, attend seminars and obtain guidance from other successful managers to develop this skill. Regardless of his approach, however, if John fails to prepare, he probably won't make the most of his promotion when it comes; and he may not even land the promotion at all. By the way, when should John start to prepare? As early as possible! The sad truth is, most people start to prepare when it's too late. If John aspires to be a district manager, he should start preparing well before he gets the promotion. That way, he'll demonstrate that he deserves to move up the ladder and, when he gets the new job, he'll be ready to show his stuff! It all comes down to this: when you combine a great attitude with thorough preparation, you're sure to hit many home runs! Jeff Keller is the President of Attitude is Everything, Inc. For more than 15 years, Jeff has delivered presentations on attitude and motivation to businesses, groups and trade associations throughout the United States and abroad. Jeff is also the author of the highly acclaimed book, Attitude is Everything. For more information, go to http://www.attitudeiseverything.com May 25, 2016
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AuthorLana A. Spencer, Ministry Administrator Archives
May 2017
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