What is the Picture?

Hey all,

Bonus points for anyone who can name where the picture on the top of the blog is taken from! 

Give your answer by Comment and let's see who is right:)

S&H,

-S

Come alive!

Hey all,

What do you do that makes you "come alive"?  That thing that gets you goin?.  What brings your heart to higher levels?  What makes you feel good and lifts your spirit?

One sure way to experience more life is by doing what makes us come alive.  When we lift our spirit by doing the things we love, we can then use that to fuel our spirit in the other "daily" things in life.  It is important to fill our "spirit tanks" occasionally so we can bring that "life" to our daily duties and obligations.  We are also  likely to bring more life to others when our tanks are full.  Sometimes I go far too long without filling my tank and everything suffers as a result.  Work, relationships, kids, etc. all seem to be heavier and tougher.  But when I am able to make time to do something I really love, it is amazing what kind of impact it has on those other areas of my life.  

I had a great day last Saturday.  I took my bird dog, Belle, out bird hunting for the first time this year.  It is definitely one of the things that makes me "come alive"!  I absolutely love to watch her hunt, point, and retrieve.  It is really awesome seeing her do what God designed her to do.  We had a great day together and spent time with good friends and family.  My tank was definitely filled.

Guess what......my week was better as a result.  Nothing changed as far as duties go...but my tank was full and my attitude was good and positive all week!

Is  your tank empty?  If so......get a fill up by doing what makes you come alive and see how it brings more life to yourself and others.

Strength and Honor,

-S



   

I am a Warrior

Hey all,

Here is something I read on occasion when I need encouraged.  Thought you might like it.

I AM A WARRIOR

I am a warrior in the tribe of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Barbarian King. The Holy Scriptures are my code of conduct. Faith, Prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare.

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this tribe, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will rather retire in this army at the Rapture or die in this army; but I will not get out, sell out, or be talked out. I am faithful, capable, and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there.

I am a barbarian. Not a baby.  I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.

I am a warrior. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and battling and building His Kingdom!

I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

When Jesus called me into this tribe, I had nothing. If I end with nothing, I will still come out even. I will win. My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ.

I am a warrior. Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me, and hell cannot handle me.

I am a warrior. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to a captain and then bring me back to rule this world with Him.

I am a warrior, in Jesus’ Tribe, and I’m engaging, claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not turn around. Here I stand! Will you stand with me?

Author unknown. (modifications made to original)

How about that?  I am a Warrior!  Are you?

Strength and Honor,

-S

Control or Influence

Hey all,



A good friend of mine told me once that as parents, we must go from being in control to becoming an influence to our children. This transition should happen in their early teen years and can (if we are effective at giving up control) become the foundation for a healthy and fruitful adult relationship with our kids. When we let go of the control and take our place as being an influence, our children can grow. And we can experience more life together. Sounds good doesn't it?



But......man is it hard to not want to control? For those of you with older children, you know exactly what I mean right? How often have we tried to "control" our teenager or young adult children? Tried to control situations that we knew we had no control of? How often have we used threats, grounding, bribes, etc. to try and control them or a situation. As my buddy Ron would say......."How is that working out for you?"

For those of us with teens or who have young adult children, we know the answer to that don't we? It doesn't work. And for those of you with young kids......guess what....it isn't gonna work for you either. The more we try and control, the less control we really have.



So check this out. I was reflecting on this today. GOD feels the same about us as adults. HE does not want to control us. HE doesn't need to be "in control", HE is control. Rather, GOD wants to influence us. To influence us in HIS ways and HIS spirit. HE wants us to choose HIM. HE wants us to make good decisions and develop good habits because of HIS influence in our life. HE doesn't want to be in control of us. To give us more rules and discipline. HE wants to have a healthy and fruitful relationship with us. When we allow GOD to take HIS place of influence in our lives, we can grow and experience more life from it. Pretty good advice for us all.



Strength and Honor,



-S