$373.75 and 96 Hours

$373.75 is the cost to repair the lower heater hose on our 2003 Pontiac Montana. With 127,000 miles  it still looks good and has a decent ride. But be aware of those plastic connections that wear with age. Sometime along the way auto manufacturers determined that plastic was better than aluminum or steel. I assume costs outweighed longevity...besides, who would keep a car for 9 to 10 years anyway. Keeping our van as long as we have wasn't the plan but it is how it has worked out. The positive is that we don't have any car payments. The negative is that we are wearing out all of the plastic parts. $373.75 plus 4 days without the van. The part was a dealer part and being a Friday can't be ordered till Monday. Thank the lord we still have three children at home and three cars to borrow for the weekend. Hmmm...I wonder if they will give us gas money.  
    

The Homeless Man

Recently I have noticed a change in the homeless that stand on our streets asking for money. Some are so bold to simply use the phrase 'need beer - why lie?'. Many are younger. I recently met a young lady, in her early twenties, a graduate of bible school from Virginia. Her name is Sara. I had seen her walking across the mall parking lot for several weeks. The morning I met her she had been sleeping on a bench in front of the mall. I waited for her to wake before approaching her. Our conversation was short. As I started to ask her questions to determine how I could help her she said she had to go. She got up from the bench, took her bags and walked north on 9th avenue.  I haven't seen her since. I don't doubt that there are truely those who are homeless. Recently I learned that there is an epidemic of teens who are homeless. Discarded by thier parents, left to live on the streets. I am told by my own children of kids in high school that are homeless. So if we all reach out to these teens we actually have a chance to change lives or at least assist on helping them get back on a path of love and support. According to a recent ABC documentory this is most what they want. A sense of belonging. Sara seemed afraid to recieve help. She seemed ashamed that her hands were not clean enough to shake hands. Maybe she was too proud to accept help. Maybe she just doesn't want help. Perhaps this is true with the homeless that are older. I simply do not know. Who is that teen that is homeless? Who is the woman or man standing on the corner? If Christ were to return today would you recognize him? After all, he was homeless and would most likely return as such. How do you look at the Homeless man, woman, child?     

Esteem One Another

I was thinking about how we should lift one another up, support one another, even motivate one another and in today's word from Joel and Victoria Osteen the term 'Esteem' was focused one. I think we need to 'esteem' each other more. It is true that it is difficult to constantly focus on others when we have so many challenges of our own. However I find that by giving to others I am continually on the receiving end of grace.

So today I want to share this from the Osteens...maybe it will help you to make a difference in your life and the life of another today.

From 'Today's Word with Joel and Victoria (joelosteen.com)

      “And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us...”
(Ephesians 5:2, AMP)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
In today’s culture, we don’t often hear the word esteem used very much, yet, scripture tells us to esteem and delight in one another. One definition of esteem is to hold in high regard. That means we are to honor and value one another. Even if we don’t always agree with one another, even if they don’t necessarily act honorably, we are to honor and esteem others because they are valuable in the eyes of God.
Think of it this way: if you had a costly and valuable piece of jewelry, you wouldn’t just wear it to the gym or leave it on the kitchen sink. No, you would treat it carefully. You would put it in a safe place and protect it. Well, when we see others as valuable the way God sees them, we will treat them carefully as well. We should be careful in the way we talk to others. We should look for the good in them and honor them for who God made them to be.
The Bible tells us that the way we treat others is like sowing seed, and it will come back to you. Choose to esteem and delight in one another. Sow good seeds, and you will see a harvest of blessing in your own life in return!

Your Words are Life-Giving-Water...from Joel and Victoria Osteen

I believe that our words are the strongest part of our personalities and leadership skills. Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen demonstate just how large an impact our words can have.

Hope you enjoy!

Life-Giving Water ...“The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters...” (Proverbs 18:4, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
All over the world, there are people who are lonely, they’re hurting, they’ve been through disappointments; they’ve suffered heartache and pain. As believers, God has given us something to offer them. We have life-giving, refreshing water in us. With our words, we can bring healing. With our words, we can lift them out of depression. With our words, we can tell them, “You’re beautiful. You’re amazing. You’re talented. God has a bright future in front of you.” Those life-giving words will break the chains of depression. They will break the chains of low self-esteem. You can help set people free from the strongholds that are keeping them back. You may not know all that is happening, but God can take one compliment, one encouraging word, and use that to begin the healing process and set that person on a brand new course. And when you help break the chains off of others, any chains that you might have will be broken off, too!
Today, choose to speak encouragement. Choose to speak life. Tell others what they can become, give compliments, and live life as a healer. Pour out that life-giving water with your words and watch it come back to you in abundance!

Cancer Sucks!

Not knew news I know...but all the same isn't there enough of it out there already. Seems like by now we could have developed a cure. My dear friend Fritz has been diagnosed with a rare form of throut cancer. At 62, a guy who never placed a tobacco product to his lips has throat cancer. The prognosis is good although the treatment will be life altering. There are others who have the ongoing battle of the nasty 'C' word. Several of my fellow church members are undergoing treatment. I know we serve a God of miracles and believe that He will heal Fritz and those others of this disease. Until, join me in lifting those with cancer up in prayer for healing and peace. The battle is a hard one fought. Peace, blessings and LiveToWin!    

What are your Hidden Gifts and Talents?

Think about the ways you can reflect the likeness of Christ in the way you live everyday. Following are “God Given” characteristics that each of us have.  Yes, he has given each of us these very same characteristics to live by. Read them one by one and think about the ones you use everyday and how you use them to let the likeness of Christ shine through.

Honesty, enthusiasm, positive mental attitude, confidence, patience, discipline, persistence, loyalty, faith, goals, common sense, knowledge, hard worker, self-respect, loving, sense of humor, friendly, motivated, compassionate, integrity, character, dedication, humility, organization, dependability, ability to make 

decisions, good listening skills, good communication, good learner, ability to empathize

What God given characteristics do you have? Are there others that you could adapt in your daily walk? Think about it.

The Mindset of Christ

Living a daily life with the mindset of Christ creates a life that is fulfilling. Christ walks with us. He opens doors of opportunity. He guides and protects us in our decisions. He provides for us. He facilitates change. He helps us with our attitude, our relationships, our job opportunities, our decisions, our health and our finances.

If you really want change in your life take the first step in Living to Win and place Jesus Christ first in Your Life!

Amazing things happen when you focus on Christ first! All the things that we want, need, dream of, fall into place. It’s in God’s perfect timing that we reach our goals. It is with God’s divine interaction that we achieve and receive. God gives us what we need, when we are faithful. He guides us toward our goals and when we reach goals in His perfect timing, we are more satisfied, more fulfilled, and the goals achieved endure.   

Live to Win..

Live your life in the mindset of Christ.

Look at the Sunny Side of Life...

This is something I recently submitted to the Pensacola News Journal.  

‘To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true,’ the  4th line of the Optimist Creed. Since Hurricane Ivan our Greater Pensacola area has taken a beating economically and mentally. Foreclosures and rate of joblessness have gone through the roof, the BP oil spill stifled the rebound of our beach and tourism industry for 2010, the rate of crime has increased. Enough already! We live in the most beautiful area of the Gulf Coast. We have breathtaking beaches, real historical relevance, a community waterfront park under construction that will change the face of downtown forever, renewed energy at city hall and a chamber that is committed to bringing new industry and jobs. I challenge everyone to make a difference in 2011. It is up to each of us as individuals to make our community successful. Support your church, be faithful. Pay it forward by giving something you cherish to someone who has less. Support our community leaders and together we will better Pensacola. Make 2011 your best year yet! Look at the sunny side of everything and make your Optimism come true.