Wednesday, October 22, 2008

5 questions for a better life

1. Why am I here?

This question gets to the core of your life mission. Every experience, every contact and every gift or talent that you have exists to support you in accomplishing your mission in life. If you are alive, you are here for a purpose. What will be the most important mark you make on the world?

2. What would I like to learn?

The most interesting people are those with a diversity of perspectives and experiences. Life is a learning journey. The more we learn, the more we grow ... and the richer and deeper our life experience. Make a list of things you'd like to learn and make plans to learn them. Be willing to try something new, something that takes you outside of your comfort zone.

3. What brings me joy?

Often it is the simple things that bring us the most joy. Make alist of the things that bring you joy, then begin incorporating those things into your life on a daily basis. Don't wait for a special occasion to purposefully make your life joyful. You deserve joy every day.

4. What am I most afraid of?

Fear can be our enemy, if we allow it to be. Fear also can be a great teacher and a catalyst for change. For example, fear that you will fail can motivate you to be creative and work hard so that you succeed. On the other hand, fear can keep you from living your highest potential if your fear paralyzes you from moving forward in your life. Once you identify your fear, you can begin determining ways to reduce the risk that your fear presents. Once you make the decision to overcome your fear, you find your fears are often more perception than reality. As a result, you fear less in your life than ever before.

5. What is one step I can take today to move closer to my ideal life?

Taking a step towards your dreams will generate excitement for the possibilities available to you. Write a vision of your ideal life and then move towards it one step at a time. Celebrate your steps along the way. Consider that following rules and tradition is not a prerequisite to success. Open your mind to creating your own opportunities.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

pray for Josi

Please pray for Josi. She is in the hospital here. She is fighting infection in her pump that puts medicine in her body. I think that's the accurate report anyway. They are trying to decide whether to take her to Denver or leave her here. She needs surgery to remove it. I think they'll do it here. I talked to Mary Ellen a couple hours ago and she said they didn't know what to do yet. Joe drove here from Kalispell this morning and arrived at 7:30 and has been with her ever since. Debbie was with her all night, so she went home to rest. They are both very tired and very weary, but aren't giving up! So, they need our prayers, too. And pray for Josi's dog. He is dying. Mary Ellen didn't know why. Josi loves her dog. He sleeps with her and keeps her company. He's a doberman, so of course, I'm scared to death of him. This is a long hard struggle for everyone. August 13th was 2 years! God love her.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Don't be ashamed of standing up for Jesus

Read the comment I published under my last entry here.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Is God speaking to America?

Read 1 Chronicles 28:7-8

"If he continues to obey my laws and commands I will make his kingdom strong forever." I feel the Lord showed this to me as a warning for America. In this passage he is speaking of Solomon, but I feel it can be spoken to our leaders, and to us as well: " IF he is steadfast to observe God's commands and HIS judgements He will establish America forever." Vs 8 says "So be careful to seek out the commands and judgements of the Lord. (Pray - spend lots of time with Him, listen), so that this good land can remain as it is, and so it can be left as an inheritance to our children". And 2nd Chronicles 7:12-18 tells us how we stay in God's grace and how He will protect us. "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place (America in this instance), for a temple for myself. Things may go wrong, but then if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven . I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land. I will listen to the prayers prayed in this place." Yes, I will always watch over it and love it (America?)

BUT . . . 2nd Chronicles 7:19-22 tells us what will happen if we forsake Him and His commandments. Or serve other Gods. "If you do, I will take the Holy Spirit out of this land. And I will leave this place. All the nations will make fun of it and speak evil about it. This place is honored now, but then, everyone who passes by will be shocked. They will ask, 'Why did the Lord do this terrible thing to this land?" The answer will be "This happened because they left the Lord, the God of their ancestors, the God who brought them out of Egypt (captivity to a free land). They decided to follow other gods and worshiped and served them, so he brought all this disaster on them."

Could this be a warning for America? Could He be calling us to pray for our land? I believe so. Be awake! Listen!

Read Romans 15:4 "Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us patience and encouragement so that we can have hope."