Friendship

“We all need friends with whom we can speak of our deepest concerns, and who do not fear to speak the truth in love to us - Margaret Guenther

It's not an easy thing to find, but when you do, it's a wonderful thing to not have to walk on eggshells with a friend because you just know them well enough to know when to speak up, when to just listen, when to tell the truth and when to defend..... And vice versa 

You are

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit - Aristotle

Do not feel bad for exactly what you have become.... You worked hard for it :) 

Encouragement

“Encouragement is the oxygen of the soul - George M. Adams

Every now and then, even the toughest of them all needs a little encouragement to get through the tough times.

If you are on the other side, and in the position to recognize when encouragement is needed, never hesitate to give it ....... as one day, you too will need it also.

Repentance

A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece.

- Ludwig Erhard

Compromise used to mean that half a loaf was better than no bread.

Among modern statesmen it really seems to mean that half a loaf;

is better than a whole loaf.

- Gilbert K. Chesterton

Compromising in the faith is a place that some of us go to because deception has crept in and succeeded in convincing us that we are either missing out on something or somehow, we can master the act of putting both feet in and out of the world and it's fleshly desires. 

Very scary because at some point, not only do you lose your witness and the salvation of sinners into the kingdom of God but also you now look just like the person next door. One can no longer tell the difference between a sanctified Christian (saved by grace) and a non-Christian (that is searching for the truth).

It's all about choices people. What decisions do we and will we make that doesn't grieve the Holy Spirit? Will you decide to be different and stand apart from the dust of sin and it's nature? When it's all said and done, which master have you really been serving? You can't serve both.....so choose this day who you will serve..

 Lord, let our lives be pleasing to you as we repent ..Amen! 

Truth or lie

"The bad stuff is always easier to believe. Ever notice that?"-Pretty Woman

I heard someone say "people will always believe a lie before they believe the truth"....why? Because gossip is better and juicier to them..

No matter how much you try to convince people of the truth, they'll always stand by the lie that they have already mentally and emotionally entertained AND accepted; so much so that the real honest truth doesn't even stand a chance.

When in situations like this, just walk away and hold on to what you know is real, and let them hold on to what they believe. The lie will circle around enough but won't have a foundation to stand. You'll see....

Get back up

“In life you are going to make mistakes, you're going to fall down, but it's the getting up that counts. 

Just like in baseball: you'll get a few hits, but most likely, you'll strike out more than you'll get on base. But don't quit. Find your focus, relax, take a deep breath and give it a good swing" 

- Dave Pelzer - A Man Called Dave 

Letting go

It's sometimes easier to hang on to things because it could be that that very something is tied to our identity; or that thing makes us happy and we can't see ourselves any other way;  or we like to be and have control, so letting go would be a weaker response.

Whether its building a project and you aren't done, letting go isn't a sign of defeat; but may help you to sit back and reevaluate. If in a relationship, and things aren't working out as planned, letting go could be a really good remedy for you, if you are willing. 

There is no reason to entertain or marinate in a bad negative situation.

Being able to know when to walk away, is a value on you that is priceless! 

Do right by you .... 

Thanks for this discussion yesterday ladies! 

Right timing

Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons. Relationships must be chosen wisely. It's better to be alone than to be in bad company. There's no need to rush. If something is meant to be, it will happen in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you're ready, not when you're lonely.  Unknown quotes

70 up,

Good man

“Wherever you find a great man, you will find a great mother or a great wife standing behind / beside him -- or so they used to say. It would be interesting to know how many great women have had great fathers and husbands behind them.” 

― Dorothy L. Sayers

For some of us, a great father wasn't quite what we had behind or beside us; but graciously by the hand of God, we have been blessed with great husbands. 

What your earthly father didn't do, your Heavenly Father did. And what you desired in a good man, your husband has....and for my single sisters, your future husband will. 

The future looks better :) 

Determine

One of the most common causes of failure is the habit of quitting when one is overtaken by temporary defeat - Napoleon Hill

Determination is one of the keys to success. Often times, people know exactly what they need to do in order to achieve the life that they want but still aren’t able to make it happen. 

One big reason is that they give up too early. No one ever said reaching your dreams is going to be easy. In fact, it’s hard and that’s why most people fail to live the life that they want. 

Things happen; time changes things, challenges come along and people move on; but you have to set it in your heart that in times of defeat, the very determination you started with will help inspire you to get back up and push forward. 

Loneliness

Even the rich are hungry for love, for being cared for, for being wanted, for having someone to call their own.  Mother Teresa

It doesn't matter how much money or things you have or how popular you become, or how much you are in demand; if you aren't happy with your life and have a safe place to call home, you will always find your safe being lonely.

Check your priorities.... 

Relationships

How do we approach new friendships, and new relationships? 

Yesterday at "the discussion", we talked about how some people can either be a hindrance or a blessing. Let me explain. :)

For me, I find that most of the time, I am seen as a jovial, friendly, and extremely social person, which I am. But as you get to know me, I can be very serious and intentional in every idea, every conversation, every interaction. And intend to hold folks accountable to things they say and/or do (all in love, of course). Now, if the other person isn't comfortable or confident with my approach, it could really be a hindrance if they put up a wall and shut down. 

It does get challenging for me because I want to be myself and also be a friend.

What about you?

Selfless

Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that most people enter a relationship in order to get something. They're trying to find someone who's going to make them feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last is if you see your relationship as a place that you go to give, and not a place that you go to take - Anthony Robbins

Relationships is not as a bank that you run to when you need to make a quick withdrawal. Or the stashed away credit card that you pull out when needed for an emergency transaction. 

Relationships are built on how much of your love you are constantly willing to give, for the satisfaction of the other person you are involved with. If the other person is equally doing the same thing or more;  then you are well taken care of. 

But if it is one-sided....then, that's a troubling road you are traveling on. Re-evaluate....

How you see it

Some people are always complaining because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses.

Alphonse Karr

It's all about perspective ! 

Help

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.

Tenzin Gyatso

I

If you aren't willing to help someone out of ther situation, then don't talk about how bad it is for them. If you are not praying for them, quit talking about them.

If you cannot pay someone that is going through a tough time a visit or give them a call, then don't  engage in the gossip of discussing them all in the name of pointing out right from wrong.

Bottom line: it isn't helping, it's hurting them.

Pray instead! 

Crossroads

Crossroads are where your will meets God's and you struggle with the decision of self or the God-way. 

The more we talked yesterday at "the discussion", it seemed like a lot of us are in this exact same place; and we are all fully aware of the difference in the two wills. 

The challenge is after much prayer, "do we choose our will and hope that God blesses us along the way?" Or "do we wait on God's direction and take that path instead?" Or "are they one and the same?"

The good news is that we serve a God who has given us free will; and with this free will, we are and do make decisions solely based on our feelings, prayers, perspectives and gut. Is God there? Absolutely! And what's even more exciting is that God loves us so much that He doesn't leave or forsake us; so, of we chose the wrong path, He is still with us to guide us back to the promise. 

Make decisions with peace, prayer and trust in God. Best way to live ;)

Life goes on

• “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” - Robert Frost

Things happen. People grow apart. You change. Love happens. Babies are born. People come and go. Regrets creep in. Guilt, sure. Victory comes along. Breakthrough is real. And so on, and so on. 

What never changes is that life happens...and you learn to roll with it in joy and happiness. 

Give it your very best ...

Friends in need

"A friend is one who walks in when others walk out" 

-Walter Winchell

It doesn't matter how often you get a phone call, text, visit or email; but what does matter is when. 

For some of us, having a lot of people around us gives us some sense of security; some of us prefer a few and some don't necessarily need anyone around for validation......and then some or most of us fall into one of these categories for others.

Unfortunately, some friendship relationships are based on need; while some stand firm on trust and love. It takes experience in a friendship relationship to know which type you are in. 

Are you or do you have the "part of the crowd" friend(s)? Or the "I can always trust you" friend? because when it's all said and done, the popularity gets thrown out the window. Bottom line, when you need a friend, you are really and truly in need of a good one. 

Challenges

“Don’t confuse your path with your destination, just because it’s stormy now, doesn’t mean you aren’t headed for sunshine.”

The trying period is the in-between stage. The moment between your promise and the answer. What do you do? How do you reason? Where do you place your faith? When do you identify and embrace the big picture? 

I heard a preacher say "your problems have an expiration date". Meaning, they don't last forever and there is a promise on the other side. 

Once you understand this process, your expectations wouldn't be so cloudy; your future wouldn't be so blurry and your present moments certainly won't feel so challenging.