What kind of day are you going to have?

We live in a world that can easily be a dark place. Beneath the surface and in the many cracks of life are slivers of negativity, anger and gossip.... just waiting to engulf us and lead us away from the light. It's interesting how quickly we can become a part of this if we are not careful. We all have a past... we have hurt people we love and we have been hurt. Some might think that since life has dealt them such a yucky hand, they are going to give nothing back but a bunch of "Yuckiness". There are people in the world that complain, they are bitter, they are mean for now reason, and they have this idea that nothing in life will ever be good. Even if we are not those types of people, we still have our moments.

Complaining does not get us anywhere in life. Yes, we all do it and we need time to vent about life, but eventually, we have to move on. If we continue to surround ourselves with negative conversations and continue to dwell on the little inconveniences in life, we are never going to be able to see the good.

I have had many conversations with people about optimism and a positive attitude, and some would say that life is just never going to get better no matter how many times they say life can be good. But I am convinced that what we say, what we think, what we give to others, whether good or bad, is what we will be surrounded with on a daily basis.

There are plenty of situations in life, such as cancer, death, terminal illnesses... that are real problems. These things are not easy and they give us the right to complain, be angry, question God, and to wonder if life really is all that good. It is inevitable that we will all face this one day, if we do not go first. But even in these situations, eventually God will want us to heal and be able to move on and see the good in life again.

On the other hand, there are things in life that we just need to deal with and move on from quickly. I am talking about small everyday things that come up. Every small setback can't be the end of the world. If you say that your day is ruined, than it is going to be. If you say it's just a little set back and it's not going to ruin your day, than it wont.

If we speak words of kindness, encourage one another, practice patience, listen to one another, offer our help, tell ourselves we can do anything we set our mind to... than these are the things that will fill our days, and they will have a positive affect on us. If we walk around with our heads down, dragging our feet, having something negative to say about everything... these are the things that will fill our day... and of course that's not going to be a good day.

In life situations, we can either choose to be a part of the problem or part of the solution. Maybe we need to stop complaining so much about what life isn't, and focus on what it is. Stop focusing on other's flaws, and highlight their strengths. Stop worrying about what could happen, and focus on how to move on from what has already happened. Stop telling ourselves we can't, and remember that with Christ, we can do anything.

Life is short- Over before we know it. Will we spend our time sulking through the imperfections or take those imperfections and make something good? I believe there will be moments of unhappiness, but I do not believe God would want us to go through life unhappy. The one thing life and others cannot control is your attitude and your outlook on life. No one can steal your joy without your permission.

I write this, because I too need to be reminded. When I get down on life, one of you can show me this :) We all need a little push sometimes, because life is hard.

If just for today, let's look at the good and have a positive attitude.

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)

There is beauty everywhere...

...We just need to take the time to notice :)

(Taken from my iphone in San Diego, Ca. May 23, 2010.)

"Remember that at any given moment, there are a thousand things you can love" :)

--David Levithan.

Thankful

Originally posted by Mindy Clark on January 30, 2009.

I am thankful that even when I think I've got things together in my life, God stretches me a little more, teaches me a little more, reminds me a little more... I am thankful that my life in this world will always be a work in progress. I'm never going to be "at" the perfect place in life, but this is my life, right now... and God's plan for me is perfect.

Today there is a lesson to learn, a person to love, problem to solve, a time to be tested, a moment to embrace, a picture to take, a friend to make, a song to sing.... I am thankful that even when I am looking forward to so many of the wonderful things God has for me in the future, that he reminds me of the beauty of today... and to cherish it.

Today I am thankful for every blessing, every burden, every challenge, every person, every moment... I am thankful to be alive today. I am thankful that God has given me a joy that does not have to be circumstantial, but through him, I have joy everyday. This is beautiful.

And all I can say is... Hallelujah.

"Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his miracles". Psalm 105:2

Thoughts...

I am currently reading a book called, "The Sacred Romance" by Brent Curtis & John Eldredge. I've only gotten into the 3rd chapter so far, but I am really enjoying it. Something that caught my attention as I was reading is this:

"In the end, it doesn't matter how well we have performed or what we have accomplished-- a life without heart is not worth living. For out of this wellspring of our soul flows all true caring and all meaningful work, all real worship and all sacrifice. Our faith, hope, and love issue from this fount, as well. Because it is in our heart that we first hear the voice of God and it is in the heart that we come to know him and learn to live in his love. "

"Starting very early, life has taught all of us to ignore and distrust the deepest yearnings of our heart. Life, for the most part, teaches us to suppress our longing and live only in the external world where efficiency and performance are everything. We have learned from parents and peers, at school, at work, and even from our spiritual mentors that something else is wanted from us other than our heart, which is to say, that which is most deeply us. Very seldom are we ever invited to live out our heart. If we are wanted, we are often wanted for what we can offer functionally. If rich, we are honored for our wealth. If beautiful, for our looks, if intelligent, for our brains. So we learn to offer only those parts of us that are approved, living out a carefully crafted performance to gain acceptance from those who represent life to us. We divorce ourselves from our heart and begin to live a double life."

"The heart does not respond to principles and programs; it seeks not efficiency, but passion. Art, poetry, beauty, mystery, ecstasy: These are what rouse the heart. Indeed they are a language that must be spoken if one wishes to communicate with the heart. It is why Jesus so often taught and related to people by telling stories and asking questions. His desire was not just to engage their intellects but to capture their hearts."

"God tells us in Proverbs 4:23, 'Above all else, guard your heart. For it is the wellspring of life.'

-Sadly, most of us watch the oil level in our cars more carefully than we watch over the life of our heart."

Some of my thoughts right now:

We have become so immune and somewhat numb to hurts and heartbreak, that we separate ourselves from our hearts, putting on a tough exterior and acting like we don't need anyone's help in life. If we work hard enough, make enough money, suppress our feelings, or convince ourselves we are just fine living in solitude, than we will have lived an impressive life. We have become so independent and self-minded that we begin to keep people & God at arm's length because we have somehow separated ourselves from the wellspring of life that is called our heart.

It is okay to hurt sometimes and express our feelings. It is okay to ask questions or ask for help. It is okay that we don't have the answers to all of life's questions. If I am living through my heart, that is when I am truly living for a purpose that God created... I don't want to float through life just existing in my earthly things.

So I ask myself this: Am I hiding the real me behind my bank account, my busyness, my hurts, my status, my religion? Or Am I living through love and cultivating a relationship with Jesus Christ, who gives me a real and true purpose in this life? Surely there has to be more to this life than the American Dream...

I'm going to let this stir in my heart this week.

Thoughts?

Vulnerability.

vulnerable |ˈvəln(ə)rəbəl|adjective:susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.
I believe this is one of Satan's favorite places for us to be at in life. He loves to see us weak. Just when it seems like we are barely hanging on, that's when he will attack. He indulges himself with our insecurities, hurts, fears and is just waiting to use those things against us. When we are struggling, that is when he will attack all the things that are most important to us: our faith, our marriages, our families, our abilities, our confidence and our dreams. He will do whatever he can to steal our joy and throw us the lowest of blows in hopes that we will fall apart.
But the Word of God is bigger than this.
Scripture says, "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
We can have peace knowing that the Bible is full of God's promises to us. We just have to believe.
"For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does." -Psalm 33:4
Satan may try to attack and steal our joy, but because of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, even in the hardest of times, we can cling to hope through the Word of God.
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4

Good enough?

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Matthew 9:12-13. It reads:

"When Jesus Heard this, he said, 'Healthy people don't need a doctor- sick people do.' Then he added, 'Now go and learn the meaning of this scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Matt 9:12-13

In my life, I have been surrounded with so many wonderful people who just feel like they are not good enough to attend church or pick up a Bible. My heart desires to convince these people that Jesus does not expect perfection from us. That was the law before Christ died on the Cross for us, but because of Christ's death, we have the freedom to serve Jesus despite our sin.

I remember before I began my relationship with Christ about 6 years ago, I struggled with guilt from my past. Silly that things from my past held me back from a relationship with my Savior, who just wanted me, sin and all, to come to him how I was. I thought I had to 'fix' myself and clean up my messy life before I could be in a relationship with Jesus.

I am so thankful that Jesus grabbed hold of my confused heart and told me to come how I was. It is up to Him to fix me. When a dear friend of mine passed away during this time in my life, I was quickly reminded of how fragile and short life is. I desired to be in relationship with Jesus, not because I was scared to die, but because I wanted to live the rest of my life with a purpose. I only have a short time on this Earth, and I want to spend that time introducing people I love to Jesus. I want us to spend eternity in Heaven together.

So my friend, if you are reading this and you have been holding Jesus at arms length because you are ashamed of a life you have lived so far, I am here to tell you to stop trying to fix yourself. Jesus did not come to save perfect people, but people like you and I who struggle with different forms of sin on a daily basis.

Don't waist anymore time wishing that you could be good enough for Jesus. He desires to change your heart and use you for a much bigger purpose than you or I realize. Let today be the day.

A Chance.

Originally written by Mindy Clark on December 27th, 2008.

Sometimes life is good...

Sometimes, not so much.

Sometimes we win...

Sometimes we fail.

Sometimes things are exciting...

Sometimes, things are pretty lame.

Sometimes we feel loved...

Sometimes we feel alone.

Things are always changing and nothing on earth is predictable. There are good days and there are bad days. Laughter and tears... But there is always hope in each new day. Circumstances change and people change, But the love of Christ remains the same. His promise is true and his love never ceasing.... He gives the hope of a new day.

With each new day, He gives new opportunity. Each new day is a fresh start. A chance to forgive. A chance to grow. A chance to encourage. A chance to renew. A chance to help someone. A chance to smile. A chance to make the most of it. A chance to go for it. A chance to learn. A chance to persevere. A chance to love. A chance to work it out. A chance to achieve. A chance to make a difference. A chance to create. A chance for laughter. A chance to decide. A chance to live for today. A chance to hope. A chance to embrace all that is good.

Sometimes we just need to believe He has a plan for us.... and take a chanceon Him.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” -Galatians 6:9