Positive Attitude

Love Blessed Me Today

It is not often that I am speechless, but today was one of those days.

My family has been through a very difficult death in the family. Those who know my family understand the situation, for others just know it has been a very difficult death that we have been dealing with.

I teach the young adult Sunday School class at my church. I love investing into these young adults who have energy but have not experienced enough life yet to be full of wisdom. I thrive off their energy and enthusiasm – they put up with my corny jokes.

Our lesson this past week came from 1 Peter 4:8-10 where Peter is telling Christians to love each other deeply. I said for us we can take that in one of two ways – love the same people more deeply, or love more people deeply. We agreed that Peter meant that to be an AND statement – love more deeply the people you are to love and love more people deeply.

I likened this to our favorite dessert. My favorite dessert is blackberry cobbler. I asked would you like more helpings of your favorite dessert, or have more access to your favorite dessert. Of course the answer was YES! We want more and more often! The same way it is with love – we need to love more and more often.

So today I get a call from one of the group members and he asks if I am going to be home. I say sure and he says he is stopping by with a little something for me. I don’t think much of it because I was busy at work and other things I had going on.

Then around 4:30 this guy calls and says he is in my driveway, so I come downstairs to meet him. We exchange a quick hug and he gives me a silver container and says here – my family made this for you.

I was almost driven to tears when I opened it and saw it was a blackberry cobbler – MY FAVORITE!

I was just blown away that this guy remembered what I said (I really didn’t mean for anyone to bring me a cobbler), and actually followed through with it!

The action of showing me love just overwhelmed me to be honest. I was blown away by the generosity to love on me when those who know me know our family has been hurting. This just brought such a joy to my heart because I know it was an action of Godly love being displayed to me! AND it was blackberry which wins every time!!!

blackberry cobbler

I write today to say thank you to that young man and his family for loving on me and my family in such a unique way that really brough joy to my heart. This was such a great demonstration of loving others more deeply that has challenged me to do the same, and now I challenge you.

Love others more deeply as Peter told us “Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others”.

Blackberry Wisdom on Friends

I started a Live Series sharing content from my book Blackberry Wisdom. Each series will include 3 sessions. The first was on friends.

I wanted to share a few thoughts on friends. One aspect I always find interesting and a good conversation starter is on the five types of friends I believe we need in our life.

Adventurer

Artist

Encourager

Fun

Honest

I believe we become the sum of our 5 closest friends, so having a well rounded group of friends makes your life more robust.

Watch each of the sessions here:

Session 1 – Friends: 5 types of friends

Session 2 – Being the friend you want to have

Session 3 – choosing and becoming the best spouse

Blackberry Wisdom eBook Promotion

For those who haven’t had a chance to get my book Blackberry Wisdom – here is an incentive for you. For the next 2 weeks the kindle version will be $0.99!

I am trying to share the message of the book and request ratings on Amazon. If you already have a copy of my book could I ask you to leave a rating at Amazon?

To rate:

  1. Go to the product detail page Blackberry Wisdom. If you’ve placed an order for the item, you can also go to Your Orders.
  2. Click Write a customer review in the Customer Reviews section.
  3. Select a Star Rating. …
  4. (Optional) Add text, photos, or videos and click Submit.

To order my book you can search for Blackberry Wisdom on Amazon or follow this LINK!

Let me also say THANK YOU to those who have bought my book and provided a rating on Amazon! I am truly thankful and appreciate you!

Healthy Habits

How do you create a healthy habit?  I believe that we can set a goal of making a healthy habit.  Some people say if you do it for 21 days you will form a habit.  But I believe there are some circumstances that allow a habit to be formed quicker and sometimes longer.  It just depends on the three stages of forming a habit.

Digging Disciples – Mary, the virgin mother

This week our focus in preparing for Christmas is Mary.  Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus!

Luke 1:26-38 gives us a glimpse into the announcement and proclamation of what was about to happen to Mary.

We find a few glimpses into the simple person of Mary:

  • Angel’s announcement takes place six months after Elizabeth becomes pregnant with John the Baptist.
  • Mary lived in the village of Nazareth
  • a virgin (mentioned twice)
  • Betrothed (engaged) but not yet married

Gabriel announced specifics about the baby to be born:

  1. Mary will become pregnant.
  2. Mary will give birth to a son.
  3. The child must be given the name “Jesus,”
  4. The child will become a great person
  5. His title will be “Son of the Most High”
  6. He will inherit the “throne of His father David”
  7. His kingdom will never end

Just like Mary did not know what would happen in the next 34 years, neither do you or I.

But like her – we should be watching for what Jesus will do in our lives over the next 34 years (and 3 or 4 days)!

Jesus – the hope we have – the hope of Christmas!

Digging Disciples – Defilement of the Heart

This week at Digging Disciples we talk about what defiles a heart, and how to keep yours pure.

Watch this episode of Digging Disciples here

 

Digging Disciples – Thanksgiving

Thankful for Thanksgiving week!  From time off work, cooking, eating, spending time with family, getting into the woods and praising Jesus – this is a great week!

The Thanksgiving edition of Digging Disciples covers the beheading of John the Baptist in Matthew 14.  The lessons we took away were:

  • Followers of Jesus are not immune to hard times.  Matter of fact we will have very tough times in this life.  Prepare for them and don’t be blown away when you are down.
  • When you are disappointed, discouraged or beat down – get alone with God.  Others will help, but only God will be there at all times with truth.

 

DTM Achieved!

On Monday, 11 Oct 21 I gave the last required speech to earn my DTM or Distinguished Toastmaster award!  I have now completed 2 Toastmasters pathways and what a journey it has been!

Less than 1% of all Toastmasters ever earn the DTM. Why?  Well because it is hard, it takes time and dedication, and it takes help from others along the way.

I shared in my speech the accomplishments I had in and outside Toastmasters, as well as the lessons I have learned.  I will share a few of the highlights below but the full speech is available in the YouTube video.

  • Leadership Development – 2019
  • Presentation Mastery – 2021
  • Pellissippi Toastmasters Club President 2019-20
  • Pellissippi Toastmasters Club President 2021-22
  • Area 23 director 2020-21
  • Youth Leadership Program for the Emerald Youth Foundation 2021
  • Club Mentor for G3 2021 

Toastmasters has a proven system for developing communication and leadership skills.

Pathways is the Toastmasters education system for developing communication skills, while club and district roles develop leadership skills.

DTM is the AWARD, but experiences along the journey is the REWARD !