Do you ever contemplate on the favor of God? I am constantly amazed at how much God loves us when I see Him in action, performing miraculous feats that I know are His handiwork.
For instance, this past weekend I was supposed to go to the beach with a large group of church friends. As we prepared, organized, and made arrangements, an ominous weather forecast developed - a hurricane was headed up the coast due to hit on the very day our group was headed into the beach area. Faithful group leaders extolled "full steam ahead" and I'm sure I was not the only one praying for the storm to not impact our trip. Upon arrival, all that remained of the storm were a few dark clouds and some wind. The sun soon appeared making for a lovely holiday weekend at the beach.
On sunday, I had my heart set on a delicious brunch at a local restaurant on the boardwalk. Church ran over, and I didn't arrive until after the breakfast hours were over. Bravely I asked a server if I could still order breakfast. "Lord, please let them serve me" I prayed as I watched him check with the manager and the manager check with the kitchen. "Only one more" breakfast order I heard the manager say - and it was mine! As the server delivered my much anticipated breakfast meal, I could only praise God for his great favor towards me.
Now I don't know how you see these things, but I choose to see God's hand. The hurricane could have very well hit the beach and the entire weekend would have been a washout. The manager could have stuck by the rules and refused to serve me.
Have you seen evidence of God's favor in your life? Have you asked for it? I'm positive you will see it and when you do, be sure to give God the glory and the thanks.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
August Already
Wow, I can't believe August is here already: the final month of summer. How's your summer been? Have you made time to have some fun and maybe relax in the sun? Summer is a time to recharge our batteries and take things a little easier. Clothes and meals are lighter. Time for snowballs and outdoor concerts, for reading and being a bit lazy.
I've learned it's okay to be a bit lazy sometimes. In fact, it's actually healthy. Our lives are so go go go, always in a rush to go somewhere or do something. The body and the mind can only take so much activity. I think that's why we have the seasons. As it says in Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the sun (Eccl. 3:1). We were not made to be on the go constantly.
Slowing down has immeasurable benefits both physically and mentally. I know I can think clearer when I don't have so much on my mind. I actually am more productive because I have time to think things through. Besides that, feeding off the adrenalin high of constant activity puts too much stress on both the mind and the body over the long haul.
I plan to take full advantage of the last month of summer. Maybe take in a few day trips and spend some more time at the pool. How about you, dear one? How will you enjoy the last lazy hazy days of summer? Write me and let me know!
I've learned it's okay to be a bit lazy sometimes. In fact, it's actually healthy. Our lives are so go go go, always in a rush to go somewhere or do something. The body and the mind can only take so much activity. I think that's why we have the seasons. As it says in Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the sun (Eccl. 3:1). We were not made to be on the go constantly.
Slowing down has immeasurable benefits both physically and mentally. I know I can think clearer when I don't have so much on my mind. I actually am more productive because I have time to think things through. Besides that, feeding off the adrenalin high of constant activity puts too much stress on both the mind and the body over the long haul.
I plan to take full advantage of the last month of summer. Maybe take in a few day trips and spend some more time at the pool. How about you, dear one? How will you enjoy the last lazy hazy days of summer? Write me and let me know!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Power of Words
Ever think about the words you use on a daily basis? See if you can catch yourself using the same words or expressions and then think about how they impact your mental state or that of a loved one. Our words can build up or tear down. The words we speak to others and to ourselves have more power than most of us realize.
Imagine if you meant to say to your son or daughter "What's bothering you?" but instead you said "What's wrong with you?" Think of the impact that would make on them.
In his book, Awaken the Giant, Anthony Robbins talks about changing the words we use to describe our feelings to either diminish negative feelings or intensify positive feelings. For example, instead of saying, "I am angry" he suggests toning it down by saying "I am peeved". Instead of "I am anxious" say "I am a little concerned." To increase our positive feelings, try "I am fabulous", "I am captivated", or "I relish the idea" instead of "I'm okay", "I'm interested" or "I like." Notice the difference?
Proverbs 18:21 says "There is life or death in the power of the tongue". James 1:19 implores us to be "Quick to listen and slow to speak." My mom used to say "Think before you speak."
What words are you speaking to those you love? Are they words of encouragement and edification? I know I can use some work in this area. How about you?
Imagine if you meant to say to your son or daughter "What's bothering you?" but instead you said "What's wrong with you?" Think of the impact that would make on them.
In his book, Awaken the Giant, Anthony Robbins talks about changing the words we use to describe our feelings to either diminish negative feelings or intensify positive feelings. For example, instead of saying, "I am angry" he suggests toning it down by saying "I am peeved". Instead of "I am anxious" say "I am a little concerned." To increase our positive feelings, try "I am fabulous", "I am captivated", or "I relish the idea" instead of "I'm okay", "I'm interested" or "I like." Notice the difference?
Proverbs 18:21 says "There is life or death in the power of the tongue". James 1:19 implores us to be "Quick to listen and slow to speak." My mom used to say "Think before you speak."
What words are you speaking to those you love? Are they words of encouragement and edification? I know I can use some work in this area. How about you?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Are You Happy Now?
"I will be happy when the kids grow up." "I will be happy when I lose 10 pounds." "I will be happy when I retire." "I will be happy when I find a partner." "I will be happy when I earn x$".
Ever hear yourself saying something like this? We are expecting some external circumstance to make us happy. The truth of the matter is that we really don't need ANYTHING to make us happy. Happiness is a mental state of mind that we CHOOSE. As long as we structure our lives on something we cannot control, we will experience pain and unhappiness.
Things will never be totally perfect in our lives. There will always be some area, some relationship, some problem that needs attention. The key, I think, is to not dwell on what is wrong with my life, but what is good in it. Today I went for a walk, took a dip in the pool, and had a nice lunch. These simple pleasures give me great happiness and I am thankful for them all.
Abraham Lincoln once said " People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Life is too short. Today, will you make a choice to be happy?
Ever hear yourself saying something like this? We are expecting some external circumstance to make us happy. The truth of the matter is that we really don't need ANYTHING to make us happy. Happiness is a mental state of mind that we CHOOSE. As long as we structure our lives on something we cannot control, we will experience pain and unhappiness.
Things will never be totally perfect in our lives. There will always be some area, some relationship, some problem that needs attention. The key, I think, is to not dwell on what is wrong with my life, but what is good in it. Today I went for a walk, took a dip in the pool, and had a nice lunch. These simple pleasures give me great happiness and I am thankful for them all.
Abraham Lincoln once said " People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Life is too short. Today, will you make a choice to be happy?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Mom's Not So Stupid After All
Parenting is a tough job, no doubt about it. Especially when you are a working parent and even more challenging if you are a working single parent like I was. Sometimes we just want to throw in the towel and quit. Don't do it. Your kids are watching you. Today's post is to encourage parents, especially single parents, to keep doing the right thing, keep being a good role model. No, you won't be perfect and yes, your kids will have to learn some things on their own, but you will have given them a good foundation.
Well, I'll be. This week my son, Jon, asked me to speak to his college class. He is majoring in business and his group needed a speaker.
"We need a successful business person and I thought of you. You've accomplished a lot and been through a lot."
"What do you want me to talk about?" I asked almost dumb-founded.
"You could talk about strength, and beginning with the end in mind" Jon said quoting a chapter from the book he's reading by Steven Covey.
Wow! How did we get from "You don't know anything, Mom" to "Will you speak to my class, Mom?" Amazing.
So I agreed. In fact, I felt honored that Jon would ask me to speak to these young people who will be the business leaders of tomorrow.
It just goes to show you, parents, that our kids are watching us. They are watching the decisions we make, how we stand up under pressure, and how we handle the tough times. We can preach to them all we want, but in the end, actions speak louder than words. We are the best role model our kids can have.
All these years I've worried about my sons. If we are following the Lord, then we can trust that our kids will see that as well. So have faith, parents, you may be doing a better job than you think you are!'
If you enjoyed this post, join our community and enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my bi-weekly posts plus a copy of my free eguide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path".
Stay tuned for more on igniting the power within and discovering YOUR destiny!
Until next time, keep looking up!
Ariel Paz
Well, I'll be. This week my son, Jon, asked me to speak to his college class. He is majoring in business and his group needed a speaker.
"We need a successful business person and I thought of you. You've accomplished a lot and been through a lot."
"What do you want me to talk about?" I asked almost dumb-founded.
"You could talk about strength, and beginning with the end in mind" Jon said quoting a chapter from the book he's reading by Steven Covey.
Wow! How did we get from "You don't know anything, Mom" to "Will you speak to my class, Mom?" Amazing.
So I agreed. In fact, I felt honored that Jon would ask me to speak to these young people who will be the business leaders of tomorrow.
It just goes to show you, parents, that our kids are watching us. They are watching the decisions we make, how we stand up under pressure, and how we handle the tough times. We can preach to them all we want, but in the end, actions speak louder than words. We are the best role model our kids can have.
All these years I've worried about my sons. If we are following the Lord, then we can trust that our kids will see that as well. So have faith, parents, you may be doing a better job than you think you are!'
If you enjoyed this post, join our community and enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my bi-weekly posts plus a copy of my free eguide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path".
Stay tuned for more on igniting the power within and discovering YOUR destiny!
Until next time, keep looking up!
Ariel Paz
Monday, June 14, 2010
What Are You Sowing?
We've all heard of the law of sowing and reaping; we reap what we sow, more than we sow and later than we sow. Originally, the term pertained to planting and agriculture. But in a spiritual context, the principle has a much broader application. We plant seeds everyday, if you think about it. Take for example, the choices we make about what we eat. If we choose nutritious foods, we plant seeds of health for the future. If we choose fast food, high salt, high fat items we are planting seeds of heart disease and obesity.
This principle applies to our character as well. The type of people we hang around with influence us more than we realize. Sooner or later we will begin to act like them. The type of entertainment we watch, the songs we listen to, what we browse on the Internet - all of this goes into our minds and makes us who we are.
What about our conduct? Remember the Golden Rule? It's not always a guarantee that people will treat us the same way we treat them, but all we are responsible for is our conduct before God. Are we sowing seeds of gentleness, kindness, patience, compassion, and love for others? God sees how we treat others. In fact, Scripture says with the same measure we treat others, it will be measured out to us.
Some religions call this principle karma. Whatever you call it, there is no escaping the consequences of our choices and our actions. Today, let's begin to be more aware of the seeds we are sowing in all the areas of our lives, so that down the line, we will reap a harvest of righteousness and peace, amen?
This principle applies to our character as well. The type of people we hang around with influence us more than we realize. Sooner or later we will begin to act like them. The type of entertainment we watch, the songs we listen to, what we browse on the Internet - all of this goes into our minds and makes us who we are.
What about our conduct? Remember the Golden Rule? It's not always a guarantee that people will treat us the same way we treat them, but all we are responsible for is our conduct before God. Are we sowing seeds of gentleness, kindness, patience, compassion, and love for others? God sees how we treat others. In fact, Scripture says with the same measure we treat others, it will be measured out to us.
Some religions call this principle karma. Whatever you call it, there is no escaping the consequences of our choices and our actions. Today, let's begin to be more aware of the seeds we are sowing in all the areas of our lives, so that down the line, we will reap a harvest of righteousness and peace, amen?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
What's Next?
Feel like you are at a crossroads in life? Not sure what you want to do next? Questioning your purpose? Fret not. We all have times in our lives when we feel this way. It usually means one season has ended, and another is about to begin. We have not been forsaken, missed the boat, or any other negative thing. It is merely time to start something new.
In fact, it is a pretty exciting time. The doors of adventure and opportunity are open before you and all you have to do is pick one and walk through it.
What is it that has been on your mind to do in life? Do you have a goal or a dream you always wanted to pursue? A hobby? A calling? A trip? There is no time like the present.
Don't worry about it, though. Just step out in faith and take the first step. You will know soon enough if it is meant to be or not. Things will either work out or they won't. You will know. And you will know when.
As the Nike ad encourages us all, "Just do it!" and let me know how it's going too.
Stay tuned for more practical and positive wisdom so you can ignite the power within and discover YOUR destiny!
Until next time, keep looking up!
Ariel Paz
In fact, it is a pretty exciting time. The doors of adventure and opportunity are open before you and all you have to do is pick one and walk through it.
What is it that has been on your mind to do in life? Do you have a goal or a dream you always wanted to pursue? A hobby? A calling? A trip? There is no time like the present.
Don't worry about it, though. Just step out in faith and take the first step. You will know soon enough if it is meant to be or not. Things will either work out or they won't. You will know. And you will know when.
As the Nike ad encourages us all, "Just do it!" and let me know how it's going too.
Stay tuned for more practical and positive wisdom so you can ignite the power within and discover YOUR destiny!
Until next time, keep looking up!
Ariel Paz
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