GET AN ATTITUDE!

We are complex, valuable, and funny people.  Each with unique features. But we are alike when it comes to emotions...we all feel the effects of spoken words or non-verbal language from others.  People have the ability to cause a sense of defeat or they can create a sense of  victory within us. Here are the results of sensing victory or defeat: 

Victory or Defeat -- It's All About Attitude

When People Sense Victory         When People Sense Defeat
They sacrifice to succeed                  They give as little as possible
They look for ways to win                 They look for excuses
They become energized                     They become tired
They follow the game plan                They forsake the game plan
They help other team members         They hurt others

Somebody wrote:
Attitude, to me, is more important that facts. It's more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is  more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.

Winston Churchill said, Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.  But, I believe attitude is a BIG Thing that makes a BIG Difference!

People are funny in that another person can affect one's attitude in an instant.  A look, a spoken word (or many words), a freely given opinion......they can stir your emotions, causing you to have a sense of victory or a sense of defeat. Then you respond accordingly!  Something about that just doesn't seem right.  How do we refrain from allowing external 'people' to affect the internal 'us'...  

Thomas Jefferson said: Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.

Keeping the right mental attitude is key!  Often, a positive "I can do this" attitude exists simply because you choose to have that attitude, regardless of external influences.  It's a challenge to block out negative attitudes brought on by negative people, negative circumstances, and negative self-talk.

I Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord....

Get an attitude!   An attitude for victory.  ON PURPOSE, become steadfast...unmoveable!  There are advantages to having a victorious attitude: increased life span, less depression, reduced level of distress, increased sense of well-being, along with stronger coping skills.

Dummies.com says:
A positive attitude doesn't guarantee success, but a cynical attitude guarantees failure.

It's for sure...if you have an attitude for victory, you will enjoy life a whole lot more.  And who is there among us that doesn't need to have a bit more fun out of life? 

Just tell me...who?
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Andy, Benji and Marley

                                             

I went for my usual evening walk around the 1/4 mile loop this evening...and I learned a lesson.  Don't look down at your feet while walking.

I was walking and listening to my mp3 player, in deep thought, looking down...suddenly a small black lab bounced into view around my feet - I was startled!  Then I looked up and saw two of his friends, size medium and large, running toward me.  I gasped slightly, a little frightened...until I noticed their owners hurrying to assure me that the dogs were friendly. 

The man had three wide leashes hanging loosely around his neck.  I wondered why they were hanging around his neck instead of the dogs. 

My second lap around the loop brought me in contact with the labs again.  This time I welcomed the smaller one as he bounced up to me with his tail wagging.  In a brief visit with the owners I learned the names of the labs:  Marley, Benjamin, and Andy.  Andy was the heaviest and the oldest. 

I tried to imagine life in their house with three large labs. 

The lady appreciated the fact that I was 'gracious' about her dogs scaring me.  Probably because she knew they should've been on a leash.  I'm thankful they were labs...for they are usually friendly dogs. 

A startling moment was turned into a pleasant memory.  Maybe my attitude had something to do with it.  Now, if I should meet Marley, Benji, and Andy on my walk, I will be glad to see them. 

Nice boys.

.....

AMEN! Oh, did that hurt you?

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +


Dangerous words: prayer and amen!


Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery declared that the Schultz family and their son would “suffer irreparable harm” if anyone prayed at the high school graduation...he banned students and other speakers from using religious language in their speeches.

There are times when words fail, even me! This is one of those times. Oh, to be profound as the great Ralph Waldo Emerson, to think with the depth of Ted Dekker, but alas, it is not to be! I have but a simple blog. 

Among the banned words or phrases are: “join in prayer,” “bow their heads,” “amen,” and “prayer.”  and....remove the terms “invocation” and “benediction” from the graduation program - His ruling also prohibits anyone from saying, “in [a deity’s name] we pray.”

If they violate the order they will find themselves in legal trouble!  Judge Biery ordered that his ruling be “enforced by incarceration or other sanctions for contempt of Court.  But, the judge did grant students permission to make the sign of the cross, wear religious garb or kneel to face Mecca.

I wish I could just turn my head, or at least put my head in the sand (at the beach).  I wish my feathers didn't get ruffled.....but they do!

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott called the ruling unconstitutional and a blatant attack from those who do not believe in God -- “attempts by atheists and agnostics to use courts to eliminate from the public landscape any and all references to God whatsoever.  This is the challenge we are dealing with here,  (It’s) an ongoing attempt to purge God from the public setting while at the same time demanding from the courts an increased yielding to all things atheist and agnostic.”

Ah, but then, perhaps I do have Dekker depths.  Now I understand!

Now I understand why it caused the student a great deal of anxiety.
Now I understand why the Schultz family and their son would “suffer irreparable harm.

1.  The words we speak are powerful
2.  Life and death are in the power of the tongue.
3.  By confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord and believing in our heart, we can be saved.
4.  Speaking words (with faith) produces power to move mountains.  
5.  Words of worship brings God into the atmosphere of our praise.
6.  Words of praise elevate us into the presence of God.
7.  Praise words are disgusting to the devil and he runs away from them.

Romans 10:10 "...and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Matthew 17:20  "And Jesus said unto them.....for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

Psalm 22:3 "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."

Judge Biery you have just confirmed what the Word of God has been trying to get us to understand all along!  We owe you a gratitude of debt. 

I am so excited!  My feathers are ruffled...but with the excitement of truth!  I am dangerous to the devil.  So much so...that he can't tolerate a simple word as 'amen' in a high school graduation.
So.  AMEN!  AMEN!  AMEN!  And may we all close with a resounding Amen!

Amen.
:)
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