Category Archives: Attitude

Mar22

DAY 81 (2015)

Posted on March 22, 2015 by lsgrlr

What we cultivate is what we’ll give to those around us.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Mmmm… it’s be awhile with the DAY posts. I feel regretful about that. I have been caught up with many things. Things that many times have kept me from where I know I am suppose to be and from what I know I am suppose to be doing. Which is why today’s post is so fitting and so God-breathed. Today’s praise and worship was beautiful; I could feel God’s spirit literally breaking down that walls I have (over the past few months) been building. We came to a particular song, one that we have sung many times before. But today the song resonated in my heart and soul in a different way. Today the meaning of the lyrics came to life and it was as though I was understanding them for the first time. The lyrics:

It’s Your breath in our lungs so we pour out our praise

pour out our praise

It’s Your breath in our lungs so we pour out our praise

To You ONLY…

The question came while singing. Do we? Do I… Pour out praise to God only? Honest answer… no. My praise is not always for God alone. I give my praise to many things, things that are not really worthy of it. Things like: friends, family, work, and attaining more stuff. However, none of those things came to earth to stand in the gap for me. None of those things gave up their one and only beloved for me. None of those things blew their breath into my lungs. Therefore they don’t deserve my praise. It is reserved for HIM only.

It’s God’s breath in our lungs. So we should pour out our praise to Him ONLY.

“Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).

So what am I thankful for today? God’s breath.

Jan23

DAY 23 (2015)

Posted on January 23, 2015 by lsgrlr

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The fences of our past aren’t meant to keep us out. No, sometimes they are saying…fight to get in.
(Picture by Lisa R)

I have been in training in my new job for close to three months now. The training is pretty intense, but really fun at the same time. One of the many things that we get as a result of the training is constructive criticism. Our trainers will monitor us and tell us what we did good, but they will also tell us what we did that was NOT so good. I am not bad with criticism, but that does not stop that stinging feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you hear you didn’t do something as perfectly as you thought you did. I have been pondering the feedback lately, and I had this thought; as much as I may dislike it, as much as it may make me feel uncomfortable, in the end it really is for my benefit. Then I compared the discipline of my trainers to the discipline that God sometimes gives, and I realize if my sinful, very human trainers discipline and give feedback for my good, how much more does God. God who created me, and loves me so much that He sent His son to die. I realize that when the trial and hard times come it is a form of God drawing the line and teaching me to move in a different direction. Don’t despise the discipline of God. Because if our human parents and leaders do it for our good, then God does it for out GREATNESS.

“My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, for whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3″11-12).

So what am I thankful for today? A loving God who disciplines me for GREATNESS.

Jan4

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on January 4, 2015 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 King 3. “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days” (Verses 11-14). I have often thought about what my answer to God would have been if, He posed the same question to me. Would I have asked for something that would benefits others (like Solomon did), or would I have chosen something of benefit only to me. I would hope it was the first, but my very human nature tells me it would more than likely be the latter. I want a heart like Solomon’s, a heart that wants to take God’s grace, love, and wisdom and share it with the world. I want to know that if God does ask me that question later on in life, that my response would be as pleasing to Him, as Solomon’s was. So today let’s align our goals, with God’s goals. Let’s bless others and not seek to only bless ourselves.

Jan2

DAY 2 (2015)

Posted on January 2, 2015 by lsgrlr

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Fill in the blank…

I am actually kind of in shock that it is already a new year. It feels as though 2015 just crept up on me out of now where. For some parts of 2014 I really struggled and that struggled kept me somewhat anchored in place. Then God (literally) picked me up and moved me. I fought it for a bit, because although I was struggling, I understood the struggle. It was both uncomfortable and comforting (not sure if I am explaining it properly), it was as though I was so use to the struggle that I didn’t know anything else. When I moved it was a shock to my system, because I had to learn a new place, learn a different culture, (believe me Buffalo is a way different culture from Florida), the odd part was this… even though it was a shock, and even though it was different, it felt like coming home. Today in my quiet time, God answered the why. When we do what God wants us to do, it will always feel like home; even if we fall, even if we make mistakes, even if the obedience isn’t immediately rewarded. The goal of obedience is not the reward (of course it is nice). The goal of obedience is to grow in our relationship with God, and as we grow closer to Him the rewards come. Just for the record I am not talking money or fame. No, I am talking about peace, the peace of knowing that no matter what happens God is still on the throne, and He still loves us and has a plan for us. So on this, the second day of a new year know this: if your year didn’t start out the way you wanted or expected, it’s okay God loves you, He is still on the throne, and He has a plan for you that will knock your socks off. Happy Day 2!!!!

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 23:11).

So what am I thankful for today? That God has a plan, that He loves me, and that He is still on the throne.

Dec28

DAY 362 (2014)

Posted on December 28, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Let God direct our path…expect miracles EVERY day.

I have forgotten A LOT. I have let the troubles of this world, of this life drown out what I KNOW to be true. What I KNOW to be right. Which is: “As Your love in wave after wave crashes over me. You are for me, you are not against me. Champion of heaven You have made a way for ALL to enter IN.” This song reminded me today of several truths that I had forgotten, maybe forgotten is wrong… more like pushed aside, sitting in the farthest realms of my mind, instead of front and center. I had forgotten that God’s love flows over me like the waves of the sea, in countless ways and in abundance. I had forgotten that He is FOR me. He is NOT against me. I had forgotten that He is the CHAMPION of heaven, and that He has made a way for ALL to enter IN. Life is crushing, in that it makes us many times push aside what we know to be true to be right, leaving us grappling to hold on to things that will ultimately cause us to sink. In our forgetfulness we shake our fists at God and ponder why He left us. When in truth is He is still were WE left Him. His love still willing to wash over us in waves of abundance. He is still for us, even when we wonder, even when we fall short… He is NEVER against us. He is ALWAYS for us. He is still the CHAMPION sent from heaven. He still has the door open for us to ENTER IN.

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

The Lesson: Don’t forget to remember… GOD IS FOR US.

Dec28

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on December 28, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

2 Samuel 22. “He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me” (Verses 17-20). Praise. It is what gets us through the hard times, and helps us not to be over taken by the floods and fires of life. Praise sets our hearts in the right place and gives us the right perspective. David has gone through a lot over the past several chapters. But today he is ALL about praise. He took time out to thank God for all He had done so far. He understood that the reason he had made it at all was because God had gone before him. Did life get rosy and pretty all of a sudden? No. Did David have less enemies, and more friends? No. Did he sin less, was he more holy? No. Life had not really changed around him, but his praise and joy came because he knew where his STRENGTH came from. He was secure in God’s love for him. He remembered to give PRAISE.

Dec23

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on December 23, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

2 Samuel 20. “And the king said to Amasa, ‘Assemble the men of Judah for me within three days, and be present here yourself.’ So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah. But he delayed longer than the set time which David had appointed him.And David said to Abishai, ‘Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, lest he find for himself fortified cities, and escape us'” (Verses 4-6). Do you see it? War! David knows when to fight. We should learn this lesson as well. We have watched in several chapters, several book of the Bible, when the man who God made king, did not fight, but instead forgave. He was chased by a king, by his son, and by his people and yet he forgave, and it was God who went to battle. Today David is fighting back. Why? Because there are some days where God fights with us. In the previous chapters, God fought FOR David, but in this one God fights WITH him. The lesson to learn today: Know that there will be days that God fights FOR us and other days where He fights WITH us. But every single day He LOVES us.

Dec18

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on December 18, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

2 Samuel 16. “And David said to Abishai and all his servants, ‘See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the Lord has ordered him. It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.’ And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust. Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there” (Verses 11-14). David is having a bad month. His son has betrayed him, his trusted adviser as well, and now the people are turning on him. Bad, bad, day. But here’s what I love about David, he sees the lesson. he doesn’t curse the man back. No he leaves him alone and chooses to let God handle the issue. Today I have an problem that I am facing. I want to throw my hands up in irritation, but David has taught me to see the lesson in my situation. To learn from it, and then let God handle it. Life can be rough, the solution: learn from it, then let God handle it.

Dec17

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on December 17, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

2 Samuel 15. “Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God—there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head. David said to him, ‘If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me. But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father’s servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,’ then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me'” (Verses 32-34). This is a sad story, and I would give reasons why, such as: David’s son betrays him, the very son he forgave and brought home after he killed his brother out of revenge. Then there is the fact that David’s most trusted counselor also turned his back on the king by joining his son. It had to hurt, David should be angry throwing things, wondering why God had forsaken him, but “David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God.” David did not choose his flesh, he chose the Spirit of God… instead of whining, he worshiped. I pray that is our goal for the day. Worship, don’t whine.

Dec5

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on December 5, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

2 Samuel 9. “‘As for Mephibosheth’, said the king, ‘he shall eat at my table^[a] like one of the king’s sons.’ Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Micha. And all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet” (Verses 11-12). This story is such a picture of our relationship with God. We come to Him broken and lame. We are nothing, He is EVERYTHING and yet He gives us the right to eat at His table. We are made sons and daughters. He shows us kindness and sets us apart. God doesn’t require that we change. He doesn’t require that we make ourselves whole. Remember Mephibosheth sat at the king’s table and he was lame. We can come as we are, God is waiting.