Talk Is Cheap

A man bought a parrot at an auction after some heavy bidding. "I hope this bird talks," he told the auctioneer.

"Talk ?" the auctioneer replied, "Who do you think has been bidding against you for the past ten minutes?"

Sad to say we seem to be living in a day when a person's word has less and less value. Once upon a time a man's word was his bond. Not any more I'm afraid. For far too many their word doesn't mean a thing. We've become pretty adept at parroting what we think people want to hear.

I remember one of my college professors teaching us that a person's character (among other things) could be measured by what value he or she puts on his/ her word. People who don't keep their word have a character issue and cannot be trusted.

Fortunately, however, of one thing we can be certain, God always keeps his word and always keeps his promises.

Dear God

please make me

a man/woman

of my word

so I can always be trusted

to say what I mean

mean what I say

and do what I say I will do.

 

Thank you for hearing and answering my prayerz

Life With a Purpose

Motivational speaker, Mark Victor Hansen, said, "Setting goals is one of the most important things you can do to guarantee your personal, professional and financial success. Goals are like a road map to your target destination. Each goal accomplished is another mile behind you on the way to where you want to be."

Years ago I heard another speaker say, "Success is the ability to embrace a worthwhile goal and employ all of your powers for the achievement of that goal."

A life without goals is like a ship without a rudder drifting where the winds and waves of chance direct. However, even more important than setting goals is to first discover one's God-given life purpose and then establish goals to fulfill that purpose. 

Dear God

please help me 

to discover 

and clearly define 

my God-given life purpose 

and then direct me 

in the setting of worthwhile 

and specific goals 

that

with your help 

and my commitment

will assure 

the fulfillment 

of my life purpose. 

Thank you for hearing and answering my prayerz

As You Think

Golfer Arnold Palmer has won hundreds of trophies but he never flaunts these. In his office is only one trophy on display. It is a small cup he received at his first professional win at the Canadian Open in 1955.

On his office wall is this lone framed plaque that reads:

If you think you are beaten, you are. / If you think you dare not, you don't. / If you'd like to win but think you can't, / it's almost certain you won't. Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man, / But sooner or later, the man who wins / is the man who thinks he can.

Life's battles, challenges, successes and/or failures are all fought, won or lost in the mind.

Be assured, too, that "what the mind dwells on the body acts on." If you don't agree with this, just think how temptation works.

Dear God

please help me 

to guard my heart 

and mind with all diligence … 

and keep my thoughts focused 

on things that are 'true, pure, and of good report.' 

Thank you for hearing and answering my prayerz

Choices

It has been wisely said that "it is choice not chance that determines our destiny." The fact is that we are where we are today primarily because of choices we have made in the past. Furthermore, we will be where we are in five, ten, or twenty years—and throughout eternity—based on choices we have or will yet make.

Floyd Lane, a talented basketball player who attended City College in New York in 1951, accepted a $3,000 bribe to shave points in just three games. Because other players were doing this, he decided to go with the group.

Big mistake. He and the other players got caught, arrested, and expelled from school. For the next 23 years he was unable to get a job as a player or a coach in sports because of what he had done. Finally, in 1974 his old college employed him as a coach.

When we make mistakes, which we all do from time to time, it's encouraging to know that we still have the choice to put things right. Fortunately, when we admit what we have done, God forgives us. And where possible, where we have hurt others, we need to make amends for what we have done. We also need to forgive ourselves. The important thing is to think first, pray, and make wise choices from now on. 

And most critical of all is to choose to accept God's forgiveness. Whatever else, DO NOT leave earth without God's gift of forgiveness. 

Dear God

please help me 

to make wise choices 

in everything I do

—especially in choosing 

to love 

Thank you for hearing and answering my prayerz.

Give of Your Best

Give of Your Best

I have read how on one occasion when visiting Scotland Queen Mary was strolling with a group of children. Suddenly the sky turned gray and thick, dark clouds appeared. The queen stopped at a nearby house and asked if she might borrow an umbrella. She told the lady of the house, 'I'll send it back to you tomorrow.' The lady was understandably reluctant about lending a good umbrella to a total stranger, but she remembered that she had an old one in the attic. One rib was broken and there were several ragged holes in it, but she nevertheless, turned it over to this lady at her front door with a weak apology.

"The next day there was another knock at the door. This time, when she opened it, a man in gold braid stood with a big envelope in hand. 'The queen sent me,' he said, 'and asked me to thank you for the umbrella.'"

Can you imagine how this woman must have felt knowing she gave the Queen a broken umbrella and didn't give her best.

For those of us who claim to be God Fearing I wonder how we will feel at the end of life's journey when we stand face to face with God to give account of our life and realize that we didn't give God our best—but only our broken "unwanteds." 

Uncommon Common Sense

Have you ever noticed that common sense is not very common and that much of our reasoning is not always reasonable?

We have all sorts of reasons and excuses for why we say what we say and do what we do. And then there are the real reasons—the motives behind our choices and actions.

People come to discussions with hidden agendas. Some bully to get what they want. Others manipulate. Some even quote or misquote Scriptures to get things done their way. Whether this type of control is with a high and mighty hand or in a sweet, manipulative manner makes no difference. Both are equally dishonest and are destructive to personal growth, conflict resolution, and interpersonal relationships.

Common sense tells us that we need to avoid these and all other dishonest games. Being truthful can be difficult at times, but when our words are spoken in love, it is the only way to grow and develop healthy and intimate relationships.

While God doesn't make our choices for us, he has, as noted in today's Scripture passage, promised to give wisdom (common sense) to all who ask him. So wisdom is available if we will ask God for it and truly mean it.

Dear God

please give me

wisdom

and discernment

so that my life

will bring much glory

to your name.

 

Thank you for hearing and answering my prayerz

Thoughtfulness

According to William A. Ward, "Thoughtfulness comes in many forms, and is virtually always welcomed by its recipients. Thoughtfulness is a habit—a way of life well worth cultivating and practicing.

"The thoughtful person is quick to pay a well-deserved compliment, or to send a prompt note of congratulations to someone who has received a promotion, an honor, or special recognition.

"Thoughtful people don't wait for opportunities—they imaginatively create numerous opportunities to make life brighter, smoother, and more enjoyable for those about them. Our thoughtful attitudes and generous deeds can make many people happy—including ourselves."

Being thoughtful is being kind, it is being loving.

Today, make sure you go out of your way to be thoughtful and kind—first of all to your own loved ones … and in some way to every life you touch.

Dear God
please help me
to be loving
kind
and thoughtful today
to my own loved ones
and to someone
who needs
a touch from you.

Thank you for hearing and answering my prayerz.