Blessings or Bruises?

Hello, Dear Readers-

Start with a Clean  Slate

We’re half way through the first month of the new year. They say we start with a clean slate, but do we? Or do we drag our giants from the previous year over the edge of yesterday and into today?

David Facing the

Giant Goliath

A lot can happen to us in 365 days. There’s a top ten list of the most stressful things that can happen to a person. One year I had everything except the death of a family member and a divorce occur plus a few things that I think should be on that list. Though I was battered and bruised, when I got to the end of that year I breathed a sigh of relief and praised the Lord that by His grace I made it through.

The little boy, David, in the Bible fought a giant. A real, nine-foot, nine-inch-tall giant named Goliath whose coat weighed 125 pounds. David had been tending his father’s sheep when he was called on to take some food to his brothers on the front line. Goliath started taunting the Israelites trying to stir up a fight. David stepped forward with faith in His God and his slingshot and a few stones. Overcoming all the odds, David won the battle for the Israelites. How can David’s approach to his giant help us with ours?

1)      Approach life from a spiritual perspective: Ask yourself, “What does my situation look like from God’s perspective?” David knew that nothing was impossible with God. It wasn’t David standing there staring Goliath down. In David’s mind, it was God standing there with slingshot in hand.

God Always Keeps

His Promises

      2)     Have a personal, practical faith: God is faithful to keep His promises to His children. It is not in His character to break a promise. Have you had a personal experience with the God of Heaven where you asked Him to be your Lord and Savior? You are part of His family and part of your inheritance can be found in the promises of the Bible.

3)      Focus on God’s Glory: Is your focus on self-glory or God’s glory. Little David was sure and certain about His God and took no credit for the outcome of the battle. He gave all glory to God. I have no doubt that regardless of the outcome, David would have done the same.  Is your focus on your blessings                                                                  or on your bruises?

You can read David’s story here to see for yourself how he handled the giant that was looming over him. It takes great courage to stand and face our giants, but with the lessons we learn from David, it will be much easier. And, hopefully, we can focus on the blessing of victory as we overcome what the world throws at us.

Going out with joy today-

Cathy

Day Eight of 2018, and I'm a Week Behind!

Happy New Year, dear Readers-

Does Running Behind

Count as Exercise?

It’s day eight of the brand-new year, and I am already a week behind. I started the year with some kind of evil virus that attached itself in the wee hours of the morning on December 29^th and dragged me right into 2018. I’m almost back to 100% and, yesterday, was finally able to do some of the things I have on my January list (yes, I am a list maker).

I gave up making resolutions long years ago. It seemed like such a waste of pen and paper, and that’s a mouthful for a list maker to say. I do like having a word for the year though, and it’s amazing how the word I chose is woven throughout the whole year. It’s like having Jiminy Cricket resting on my shoulder whispering my word to me at opportune times.

The Lord has been dealing with me about this year’s word since mid-November. I’ve gotten lax in several areas and I’m counting on this year’s word to help me snap out of it.

And the word is: INTENTIONAL

I WILL be intentional with God. I want MORE of God this year. I aim to be intentional about the

Deep Study of the Scriptures

adds Depth to Life

time I spend alone with Him each day. I want to talk to Him more and dig deeper into the scriptures, not just surface read so I can check Bible Reading off my list.

I WILL be intentional about my health. I want to make better choices when I eat; more protein and veggies and water. I want to be aware of how much I move during the day and take steps (no pun intended!) to move more; park farther away from the door in parking lots, do some stretches throughout the day to overcome stiffness. I was running a 5K a couple of times a month but that fell by the wayside over last summer. I may not get back to that, but I’d like to be closer than I am right now.

Healthy Living

I WILL be intentional about my writing. I was so slack with my writing in 2017. I am mostly a seat-of-the-pants writer, not much on planning ahead. This year, I have a calendar where I have penciled in topics to write about in the next few weeks. I’ve lost hold of so many good writing ideas because I didn’t capture them somewhere and they escaped.

My plan is not to be too rigid with myself, but to have that word circulating in my consciousness reminding me gently that I have choices. I’d love for you to share your plan for 2018 with me and my other readers. Leave a comment. It might help us all.

Going out with joy today, thankful that I feel good-

Cathy