Got Enemies?

Do you have enemies?

Do you grow weary with the drama, the ridicule, the manipulations, the plots and slander that plague your life?   Do you have people that come against your marriage, your family, your goals and ambitions with the intent of harm and not good?

David had enemies too.  In fact, David had to spend a lot of time on the run and hiding because he was pursued with the intent of being killed.  Reflect on David’s attitude toward being hounded by the enemy in Psalm 27.

The Right Choice

Wisdom is Making The Right Choice!

Why Do The Right Thing?
*For Recognition?
*To Ease Your Conscience?
*To Look Good?
*To Gain Favor?
*To Look Superior?
*To Earn Brownie Points?
*To Get Into Heaven?
How Do You Think God Would View These Reasons? 

Let’s Admit:  It’s easy to do the right thing when it’s easy to do the right thing…..Right?
And it’s easy to do the right thing when we gain something from it.

But what about when it isn’t easy or isn’t going to help us out?  What about if it might even cost us or be hard on us to do?  Then what?
Why Do The Right Thing Then?

Under The Dogwood Tree

When I was a little girl, I remember playing under the dogwood trees in my grandmother’s yard.  

Every spring, they would bloom so beautifully.  My grandmother was a kindergarten teacher and so she would always find teachable moments.  The dogwood blossom was the opportunity to remind us of the true meaning of Easter….Christ’s death and resurrection.

The white blossom has 4 petals in the shape of a cross.
The petals have blood colored stains at each tip and a marking like the nail prints in the hands and feet of Jesus.
The crown of green buds in the center of the blossom represents the crown of thorns placed upon Jesus head.

A Valentine For Your Man

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Women are easy to satisfy on Valentine’s Day because we love cards, candy, jewelry, dinner out, flowers,etc.
But what does a man want?  What  makes him feel special?

A Clue: Listen to your man this week, and see how many times he seeks your appreciation.

A Vintage Love

Wisdom is protecting the sanctity of your marriage and making it a Vintage Love.

Vintage: Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic.

Feb 8th I will celebrate my 21st Anniversary to my beloved.  His parents just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and some day I hope that we will also reach that important milestone.  I don’t want to be “just married”, however.  I want to be “happily married”.

As I reminisce through early dating memories, I recall the one thing my husband did that truly won my heart.  He committed to me through 3 months of being very far apart.  In that day, there was no internet, cell phones, texting, etc. and long distance calls were very expensive.  To keep the romance alive, he sent me at least 2 cards a week.  Some were funny, some were cute, and some were serious.  I loved them all, and to this day I have kept every one of them.

Just Dust

WISDOM IS KNOWING THAT WE ARE JUST DUST

For He knows our frame;

He remembers that

we are dust.  -Psalm 103:14

When I fail to meet your expectations….remember that I am dust.
When I cause you heartache and sorrow…..remember that I am dust.
When you are lonely and I am not there….remember that I am dust.

Watch Over Me

Wisdom is……being diligent to watch over and protect what is entrusted to you.

It was busy this weekend in the grocery store.  I sat in my car waiting for the cars behind me to clear.  When my car is in reverse, my bumper camera comes on and a beeping sound is emitted if  something is detected behind my car.  The beeping was getting annoying because cars were behind me and not moving anytime soon.  I decided to just put my car in park and wait patiently…

Availability vs Being Selfcentered

This is WEEK 3 of the Character Development Series I am doing for 2012.  So glad you stopped by.

“To the world you may just be someone, but to someone you may be the whole world.”

In this busy, busy world it is hard to be a steward of your 24 hours without crumbling into a broken, burned out heap at the end of the day.  But God asks you to be available, and needs you  to be available…because He may have a purpose that He needs fulfilled….a purpose just for you.  We should strive to be AVAILABLE vs Self-centered. 

Alertness vs Being Unaware

THIS is WEEK 1 of the Character Development Series I am doing for 2012.  So glad you stopped by.

Whenever we go into a public restaurant, my husband is going to sit down in a position where he can see what is going on in the restaurant, and he is going to be paying close attention to the people and the events happening the whole time we are there.  I, on the other hand tend to have tunnel vision and to be oblivious to most of what is going on in my surroundings.  This is not safe, as my husband is quick to remind me on an almost daily basis.  ”You need to pay attention”, he says……”always”.  This is good advice in terms of our physical safety, but it is also good advice in terms of our spiritual well being too.  We should strive to be ALERT vs Unaware.

ALERTNESS means:
1. Vigilantly attentive; watchful: alert to danger.
2. Mentally responsive and perceptive; quick.
3. Brisk or lively in action

Synonyms for Alertness:  aware, cognizant, conscious, sensible, awake, alert, watchful, vigilant
Antonyms for Alertness: unwatchful, unvigilant, unalert, sleepy, sluggish, somnolent, dull, inactive

2012- A Year of Developing Character

As I reflect upon my spiritual goals for the year 2012, I desire most to focus on developing Godly character. When I would encounter difficult challenges in life during my growing up years, it became a common expression of my mom to say “Great chance for character growth,” and that would usually halt my pity party. For some reason, changing my focus to developing character always made it a challenge, and gave the circumstance a focused goal….thus the grit that often needs to accompany God’s grace began to be molded into my life.

Ephesians 6:10-18 – We must put on the whole armor of God.  We must have the character of Jesus Christ.  It is impossible to have the power of God without having the character of God, which is holiness.

The Bible lists many attributes of godly character, and I would like to borrow from a list of 49 attributes ( and their opposites) that was developed by Drs. Debbie and Don Dunlap ( biblical counselors that were very instrumental in developing my character through the years.)
They encouraged parents to teach these qualities to their children and developed a worksheet of 7 steps to guide parents with the teaching process.   1. Know the definition (dictionary and biblical).  2. List synonyms and antonyms.  3.Name similar character qualities (Refer to list).  4. Find examples in scripture.  5.Name some men/women in the Bible who did NOT demonstrate the quality.  6.Talk about how Jesus demonstrated the character quality in his ministry and life.  7. Identify how you can demonstrate the character qualities in your own personal life.

I plan to look at a character quality each week on this blog site.  Hope you’ll join me in your own pursuit of character development.

List of Character Qualities (and opposites):

Alertness vs Unawareness * Attentiveness vs Unconcern * Availability vs Self-centeredness *Boldness vs Fearfulness *Cautiousness vs Rashness * Compassion vs Indifference *Contentment vs Covetousness * Creativity vs Under-achievement *Decisiveness vs Double-minded * Deference vs Rudeness * Dependability vs Inconsistency * Determination vs Faint-heartedness * Diligence vs Slothfulness * Discernment vs Judgement * Discretion vs Simple-Mindedness * Endurance vs Giving Up * Enthusiasm vs Apathy * Faith vs Presumption *Flexibility vs Resistance * Forgiveness vs Rejection * Generosity vs Stinginess * Gentleness vs Harshness * Gratefulness vs Ungratefulness * Hospitality vs Loneliness * Humility vs Pride *Initiative vs Unresponsiveness * Justice vs  Fairness * Joyfulness vs Self-Pity * Love vs Selfishness * Loyalty vs Unfaithfulness * Meekness vs Anger * Obedience vs Willfulness *Orderliness vs Disorganization * Patience vs Restlessness  * Persuasiveness vs Contentiousness * Punctuality vs Tardiness * Resourcefulness vs Wastefulness * Responsibility vs Unreliability *Reverence vs Disrespect * Security vs Anxiety * Self-Control vs Self Indulgence * Sensitivity vs Callousness * Sincerity vs Hypocrisy * Thoroughness vs Incompleteness * Thriftiness vs Extravagance * Tolerance vs Prejudice * Truthfulness vs Deception * Virtue vs Impurity *Wisdom vs Natural Inclinations

Character Quotes:
Character, not circumstances, make the man.
–Booker T. Washington

Distance tests a horse’s strength. Time reveals a person’s character.
– Chinese Proverbs

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.”
–Helen Keller

Everyone tries to define this thing called Character. It’s not hard. Character is doing what’s right when nobody’s looking.”
– Unknown

A man’s reputation is what other people think of him; his character is what he really is.
- Unknown

Prayer for 2012:  May you grow in your knowledge and understanding of God.  May you allow Him to mold godly character into you in whatever circumstances this year may hold for you.

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