Ever have an important decision to make when you know you are not yourself!  Sometimes we get down, tired, exhausted with all the demands of busy living, we all get nudged off center from time to time  Sometimes illness can cause depression, the weather can get us down as it seems the winter is the endless season of the new year!  If an important decision has to be made and you can feel in your spirit that you aren't as strong and confident as you could be, better to wait a day or so.  Think about your choices, surround yourself with positive influences, get enough sleep, and pray!  Time really does heal all wounds and remember, "this too shall pass".  Be wise!

New year, new opportunity?  Take time to give yourself credit for the accomplishments you've made to date!  Where do you want to go from here and what will it take to get you there?  Write it down!  Determine what has to happen to initiate the change that you are so eager to see and start making plans.  Write down short and long term goals.  Create a vision and keep it in front of your eyes so your mind will begin to work on accomplishing those things which are important to you!  Nothing happens until you make it happen!  You have to take responsibility for who you are and the situation you are in, now!  You have to decide what you want to change, no one else can do that for you.  Create a blue print for yourself and work it out!  You have the power to make things change!   Take credit for the changes you have made so far and keep on marking off the successes large and small.  Make every positive step toward change and make the change positive.  It's up to YOU!

We live in the greatest country in the world!  God has always blessed America, we truly have been a nation under Him.  I am so thankful for all the men and women who have fought to keep this country safe, all who have sacrificed so much for so many.  We take for granted that our freedoms will always be there not realizing at what price our freedoms have been bought.  Be diligent, pray, and ask that God keep us and protect us always.  We celebrated Veterans Day yesterday and in our group I saw in the faces of those who have served our country, a reverence for that life experience  and a very personal transformation in recalling the memories of service. They have been forever changed by war.  Life lessons are often hard and deeply meaningful and are always cause for growth and change.  Thank you, all!  May God continue to bless America!

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.  Proverbs 3:7

A principle attitude for the Christian life is humility.  If we commit to the precepts of His Word, then this most precious attitude of humility should flow from us.  Being humble minimizes arrogance, removes pride, and makes us a person who is pleasing to Christ.  This means we become a person that He can use--fully and powerfully.  It is our fallen nature and weaknesses that cause us to think we are better than we are, which, in turn, causes us to strive to lift ourselves above others and God.  Such an attitude places us in a useless and destructive place before God and others.  We need to be teachable people. 

Don't get discouraged and give up on your dreams; trust God.  The Bible promises that those who believe and have faith in Him will experience prosperity in every area of life.  And don't for a minute believe that He doesn't take into consideration the time, effort, and passion you put into making your desires a reality.  Even if you do not see immediate results from your hard work, keep your focus on God and His Word (2Corinthians 5:7)  Through the Word, you are equipped to conquer self-doubt when the enemy tries to discourage you.