THOUGHTS TO TALK

60,000 thoughts a day. What is one to do with all those ramblings?

Take every thought captive!  (2 Corinthians 10:5) Prior to those words.... "demolish...arguments against the knowledge of God. Demolish and captive are battlefield jargon. As Christians take thoughts captive they compare each thought to what they know about the character of God through His word.

In each and every moment remember this and "encourage other believers" to do the same--- for things that come out of the mouth come from the heart! (Hebrews 3:13) Our heart......where our mind, soul and spirit reside. As Jesus said it this way a couple of times: For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of" (Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:4) Keep your heart mindful of God's words.

Leave behind the words/thoughts of battlefield jargon; crushing, evil, painful, hurtful opinions and destructive.

Gentle words turn away wrath and anger; give life,....a fountain of life....(Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 10:11)

Let's think good thoughts & "talk" good words daily. 

"Mo-TEA-vating" : a Re-Brew, of sorts

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV)

"Meditating Mondays" were a part of this blog for years. A verse was given. Observations and interpretations were shared. Application was usually left up to readers. Last week's blog entry about the mo-TEA-vators in one's life, emphasized the value of the application aspect of Scripture meditation.

Motivating Mondays. "Mo-TEA-vating." Sounds good if it means putting hands and feet to the life lessons God is teaching through meditating on His word. Encouraging and exhorting others with God's truths, as one interacts with those whom God puts in his/her path, is application, at it's most practical. Why is motivating others with encouragement and exhortation so important? God's word answers that.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13)

Mo-TEA-vating cuppa---filled to the brim with encouragement and exhortation and served to others. Lots of others.

God's love being poured out into our hearts (Romans 5:5) should be all the mo-TEA-vation that one needs........to pour His love out to others.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: "Pick-me-ups"

11/10/13 Words of encouragement. Prayers. Flowers.  Food. E-mails. Slug mail. Phone calls. Doorstep delights. Pleasant, gentle stories. All positives during a somewhat difficult week. Aren't friends and family the best for keeping us "lifted" and on-track!!!

But encourage one another daily...(Hebrews 3:13)

Ashley Bryan's newest book arrived at my doorstep---enough to share. Thanks, Ashley!

Flowers w/berries and I love berries! Plus, a basket of books---"Be still my heart!"

Katherine's bran muffins, all the way from Atlanta, with a cuppa! Doesn't get any better than that!

Card from my caring & loving HHS lunch bunch!

2 evenings of experiencing the gentle "warmth of homespun tales" spun by the BEST  in the business,  Donald Davis.

"WALK-ALONG-SIDERS"

11/27/12 "WALK-ALONG-SIDERS" I heard that term from a recent Allen Bible Church's, Buddy Liles sermon. It has resonated in my thoughts ever since. We all need such folks in our Christian walk. We also need to be such a person for others.
The Christian life is NOT to be lived in isolation. Relationships in the faith are vital.
Hebrews 3:13 says it well.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

We all need "walk-along-siders!"

CHEERLEADER!!

3/11/11

Do you have a cheerleader in your life? Are you a cheerleader in someone else’s life? When Mother died in 2001 I lost my #1 cheerleader. It's such a loss when the one who loves you unconditionally is “gone.” Yet, the Lord in his faithfulness has given me lots of "encouragers" throughout my life. They just became more relevant when Mother was absent from said life.

At Noah’s “first graders” basketball game last week their Tiger team even had cheerleaders. Not sure they fully understood cheering for the team but the words were right and their equipment included megaphones and pom-poms---essential to making sure the words could be heard. Positive words. Encouraging words.

Even as a Morningside Elementary cheerleader, (short one on far right side of back row----can’t miss that home perm) I learned lessons about supporting others. All our cheers were of the "2-4, 6- 8, who do we appreciate" variety. We weren’t even allowed to “yell” anything with negative connotations toward the opposing team.

I need to be more of a cheerleader for my own family. Daughter Molly has a way of taking me to task if I become too “preachy.” I can all too easily recount the bad possibilities that one might encounter on chosen courses of action. I call it being realistic. She calls me a “Debbie Downer” or a “Negative Nancy”----especially if my remarks in anyway thwarts her plans. Even when I explain that I was only trying to be helpful, she says I spell helpful as c-o-n-t-r-o-l. Control is not encouraging. Neither is false praise or overindulgence. Enabling is not encouraging.

It’s scriptural to encourage one another. The world needs more cheerleaders. I would “suit up” but I’m no longer eency. But.....I still have several of my high school letters. Maybe I’ll hang them up as reminders to cheer on family and friends in their life journeys. Maybe I’ll look for that old “M” to urge me to be Molly’s cheerleader as my mother was for me.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily,……

Ask yourself these questions: Do I bring sunshine or gloom into the room? Do I excuse myself by redefining negativity, by saying, "I'm just a worrier or I was born that way?" Or, "It’s just my nature. I’m depressed, always have been."

Give it up for others. Grab a pom-pom and be visible with your support. Use a megaphone for words of encouragement and drown out the negative. Stand in someone else’s corner. Be on their team. Be their cheerleader.

Friday Frame of Mind

2/26/10 If you’ve ever worked in an educational setting you understand that phrase. When you awaken, you know. You’re step is lighter. The sun is brighter, even if there isn’t any. Dressing is easier because “casual” has been purchased to support St. Jude. All and all one’s mood is pretty upbeat. Those moods based on circumstance can reflect a "Friday Frame of Mind" any day of the week especially when life hands you a little "ease." The facts of Friday that aren’t conditional, it’s always right before the weekend. That thought of 2 days off can make most anything tolerable. Circumstances shouldn’t so greatly affect one’s moods but they can, and often do, whether you work outside the home or not.

So, what can one do about it? Make the most of it!! If you’re feeling good, help someone else feel good. If you find yourself with a lifted spirit because it’s Friday or you are rested or you found a stash of money you had forgotten you hid, use your joy---spread it---do something for someone else’s circumstance that might make their day a little easier or a little brighter. If a friend is struggling with exercise, show up and walk with him or her, a dieting friend might appreciate a cup of tea and a Weight Watchers 1 point snack, a worried friend, who can talk your ear off, might need you to listen just one more time.
Live out the good news. Be a light. Encourage someone. Do good to all especially to those who are partners in the gospel.

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," (Hebrews 3:13)

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)

The question is……will you share your “Friday Frame of Mind” while it is still “today” or do you have an excuse.