Meaningful Decisions.

Let's start today with some

Meaningful Scripture: There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth: A right time for birth and another for death, A right time to plant and another to reap, A right time to kill and another to heal, A right time to destroy and another to construct, A right time to cry and another to laugh, A right time to lament and another to cheer, A right time to make love and another to abstain, A right time to embrace and another to part, A right time to search and another to count your losses, A right time to hold on and another to let go, A right time to rip out and another to mend, A right time to shut up and another to speak up, A right time to love and another to hate, A right time to wage war and another to make peace. But in the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-9

What this means to me:

Sometimes it's right to consider every option long and hard. Sometimes, it's right to jump in and never look back. Each decision is dependent on specific circumstances. You have to look at your own life, pray, and decide which road is right for you at the time. As to whether or not it really matters what we do, it does, only in regards to how God sees it, and how we see it ourselves. Do what is right in God's eyes, and what is right for you, no matter how your peers may see it.

Meaningful Quote: I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong. -Abraham Lincoln

Inside My Life: New fav show- Jamie Oliver's Food revolution. Check it out; it may just rock your world. Or at least kick your chicken nugget addicion ;p

Keep on Smiling

Truthful

It is not length of life, but depth of life.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"10I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;

I refused my heart no pleasure.

My heart took delight in all my work,

and this was the reward for all my labor.

11Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done

and what I had toiled to achieve,

everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;

nothing was gained under the sun. " Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

Striving for happiness will get you no where. It's better to be happy with what you have rather than working to make it happy. The more you stress about being happy the more unhappy you will make yourself. God has it under control and will give you what you need when the time is right.


Spring is coming soon. Stop and thank God for the beautiful day.

Don't ever stop smiling.

Meaningful Forgiving.

Quotation: "Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart." - Marcus Aurelius Antoninus


Today's Topic: True Forgiveness.
Alot of the time, we think of forgiveness as accepting apologies, and moving on. We think it must be asked for, and often we expect it to be earned. We say things like, "no biggie, but now you owe me." But TRUE forgiveness, the forgiveness Christ calls us to give, is given freely. It is given not only to our friends, or those who ask for it, or "deserve" it, but also to those who continually wrong us. To truly forgive means not only do you let the grudge go, and move on. You also wish them well. You pray for them, and pray for their forgiveness. While being stoned to death, Stephen looked to the Heaven's and said "Lord, do not hold this against them," just as on the cross Jesus said, "forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do." This complete forgiveness is an example of the ultimate love. The love God has given us, and the love we are called to share.


Related Scriptures: But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. -Acts 7:55-60



Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. -Ephesians 4:32

Never Stop Smiling.

Forgiven.

Thought of the day.
You hear so many times, "I've messed up. God won't love me still." Well I have news for you. God will ALWAYS love you. Just because you mess up doesn't mean God will strike you down. It is never too late to turn to God. But once you turn to Him, you should stay that way. You shouldn't think that just because you are saved that you can do whatever you want. Being saved is living for God.

Scripture
"In your anger do not sin. When you are on your beds, search your heart and be silent." Psalms 4:4

You probably pray all the time and think you never get what you asked for. Your prayers will always be answered. But it's not always like you want it to be answered. God knows what is best so leave it to Him and trust that he will take care of you.

Don't ever stop smiling.

Loving Thoughtfulness

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go." - Hermann Hesse

Thoughtfulness of Today:

Sometimes, life is hard, especially in relation to love. Sometimes, things get in the way. Other times, the person you love doesn't love you back. No matter the case, the important thing to remember is that God has a plan for you. This plan may not be what you think you want, but it will always be what is best for you. So when life is hard, be still and quiet and seek God's direction for you. And remember: You may not get the answer you want, but you will ALWAYS get an answer, & it will be the answer you need.

Inside My Thoughts:

Life would be boring if it were easy. You have to work for love so you appreciate it. & In the end, the only thing that matters is God.

Biblical Thoughtfulness:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

Never stop smiling.

Inspirational Day #2

Ouote of the day!
"Love it, hate it! It doesn't matter. Just live it to the fullest!" -Grant Thompson

Scripture of the day!
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us, If a man's gift is porphesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12: 6-8

Live to the fullest. But be cautious at the same time.

Don't ever stop smiling.

Truthful Tuesday

Quote of the day

"As the Sandwich-Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself, so we gain the strength of the temptations we resist”-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Scripture of the day!

"Be careful, then, how you live-- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Ephsians 5:15-18

Ideas...

Everyday we are tempted to do many things. But more importantly, we are offered opportunities to do great things. Everytime a bad temptation is thrown in your face, think of something better that you can do for God. Praying is a good technique. One thing about being a growing christian is that it is never easy. It only gets harder and harder. And the temptations only get stronger and stronger. But if you pray, God will help you. And he is stronger than any temptation you will ever be faced with.

Life is a rainbow. It's never just one color.

Don't ever stop smiling.

Meaningful Monday 1

Quote for the Day: "I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and the willingness to remain vulnerable."
- Joseph Addison



Todays Meaningfulness:
Did you know that lying by omission is still lying? This means that if you leave out any part of the truth, at least if directly questioned, you might as well be lying. That's why in court, you have to "swear to tell the truth, the WHOLE truth, and nothing but the truth..." Remember though, this doesnt mean that there are not things better left unsaid. ie: "your spray tan makes you look orange" not a good thing to tell someone; just leave it alone. But when somebody asks you a question, answer it honestly and completely.



Meaningful Scripture:
These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do NOT plot evil against your neighbor, and do NOT love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the LORD.
-Zechariah 8:16-17

Never pretend to be something you're not.

Never stop smiling.

Funky Friday

Scripture of the day!

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

1 John 4:8

Inside my head.

You will never find true love until you give up everything for God.

Sing for God. Read for God. Live for God.

Funkiness

Socks can often make your day.

Don't ever stop smiling.

Thoughtful Thursday #1

Quote for the Day:
"The most important things are hardest to say, because the words diminish them." -Stephen King.


Today's Thoughtfulness:
The Golden Rule- "do unto others as you would HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU." so basically, "treat people the way you treat yourself." This means that, not only is it wrong for you to tear others down, but it's also wrong for you to stand by and let someone else tear them down. Just something we should think about... (thanks Ray, inspiring this topic).


Food for the Spirit:
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Ephesians 4:29

Don't ever stop smiling.

Inspiration Day #1

Quote for the Day!

"You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the books you read, the people you meet, the places you go, and the things you memorize." -anonymous.

Inspirational fact

If you get up off your butt, you can walk.

Don't ever stop smiling.