Stop planning...

"many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that will prevails." Proverbs 19:21(NIV)

This is something I have always dealt with. I always have some kind of plan to do something bigger than me or to travel and speak different languages or to become some kind of philanthropist. I know we tend to think about the future and plan out things we want to do or become rich and famous or whatever it is we think we seem to know.

But the reality is...it does not matter what we think or what I think, if God is not in it. The Bible teaches us, that "many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that will prevails." Proverbs 19:21(NIV)

You should take some time to think and pray. A lot of times we go through our day and don't even have time to think to ourselves. Life becomes routine. 

I would like to encourage you, to take some time to think and pray about what it is God is speaking to you about. Because the reality is we can plan plan plan and nothing will ever come of the plan if God  isn't in it.

God has a purpose for us and it is not to waste it on thinking about ourselves and our own plans. Let's serve those around us and become the change we want to see.

Simply LOVE!

Taken from Tony Dungy

Friends--What Are You Willing to Do?

I always considered the members of my teams as family. But Tom Walter, the baseball coach at Wake Forest, has taken that "family" relationship to an entirely new level. He donated a kidney to one of his players.Coach Walter didn't hesitate to volunteer to help Kevin Jordan, a freshman outfielder attending the school on a baseball scholarship. Kevin's athletic skills had not gone unnoticed: the New York Yankees had picked him in the nineteenth round of the amateur draft. But even that news didn't change the fact that Kevin was very ill. His first semester, Kevin was so sick from a rare kidney disorder that he was on a dialysis machine in his dorm room eight hours a day, attending classes and team practices when he wasn't. He wondered if he would ever be able to play bal again.

You may not be in a situation like Coach Walter and Kevin, but you may be called to do something else. It's not the "what" that is important; it's the "what will you do" that is important. As you strive to be like Christ, be ready to lovingly sacrifice something for others. It may be the most important thing He calls you to do

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:12, 13 NIV)

I just want to encourage you, to just simply show EVERYONE you come in contact with LOVE. Whether its a smile, opening a door, or saying thank you! It's so much more easier to smile than to frown. One of my favorite people of all time is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I am inspired every day I wake up another day to serve friends, family and strangers all alike regardless of who they are, where they come from, what they look like, etc. It's about people and relationships. We were not made to live by ourselves, but we were made to live life together. Friendships, relationships, cruising on ships and taking trips, buying gifts and giving tips, all of which are worth more than to simply exist. 

Live life appreciating the simple things is what we are supposed to do. We are Not to live life waiting to step on or climb over the next person for a promotion or a dollar.

Ok I'm off my soap box! I just want to inspire the people reading this to LOVE! 

See the GOOD in every situation and in EVERYONE...

It's been a long time since I last blogged and SOOOOOOOOOO much has happened since then...got engaged, got married, new life, new treasures, new beginnings, new everything!! But here is something I came across by Rick Warren:

What do you remember about people? The good experiences or the bad experiences? Paul said, "I like to remember the good things about people, focus on the good times we've had, remember the positive experiences."

When Paul said this he had not had an easy time in Philippi. Acts 16 tells us that when he went to Philippi he was illegally arrested, whipped, humiliated, and thrown into prison -- before finally being asked to leave town. Yet he says, "I thank God every time I remember you."

Paul could have dwelt on the negative. He could have remembered the painful memories. He chose not to remember the painful; instead, he focused on the things he could be grateful for.

Maybe you have been hurt in the past by a parent or a partner and you're still holding on to that hurt. As a result you can't enjoy being around them today. You're still focusing on the bad and the negative. Be grateful for the good in people. Pleasant memories are a choice. I can choose what I'm going to remember about the past.

If you want to enjoy others, you've got to focus on their strengths and not their weaknesses. With some people it takes a lot of creativity. But you can find something good in everybody.

I'm not saying that you deny the hurts you've had or that you excuse the weaknesses in other people. That is psychologically unhealthy. But focus on the good and choose to emphasize the strengths.

DP's thoughts: I like to always say, don't worry about the things you cannot control but focus on the things you can control....your reaction, your words, your actions, etc... It's toooooo easy to focus on the negative... If you want to be rebellious then let's rebel against having negative attitudes. We have to be grateful for the simple things in life...air to breath, eyes to see, legs to walk, mouth to talk, etc...

I just want to encourage whoever gets to read this to see the good in everyone, to stay positive and to show love to everyone.