Honoring Those Who Have Gone Before Us

Now that I live in Tennessee, I have become more familiar with the country music culture. My favorite quality of these current superstars is their undying reverence for those who have gone before them. Even though the modern songs sound different from the music of the older Grand Ole Opry stars, those musical forefathers hold a place of honor.

Did you know that you and I can benefit from looking at our own families and honoring those who have gone before us? The Bible tells us that honoring our father and mother is the first commandment with a promise of prosperity and long life.* I believe this goes beyond just one's immediate parents, and extends to honoring your forefathers as well.

We may have forefathers (and mothers) who were not perfect, and who had certain failings, but their hope was that things would be better for us. Have you honored them for doing the best they knew? I believe there is a place in that unseen realm where time and space do not exist. We can close our eyes and go to that place, and turn around and literally bless those of our blood line who went before us. In our blessing we can forgive them for their shortcomings, and release a measure of righteousness upon them.

It is interesting to note that one way that God manifests this blessing on them is to pour out on their offspring the "double portion" of blessing. They are actually vidicated by your success and prosperity. You may think that your inheritance from them was worthless, but the original plan said "A good man lays up a treasure for his children's children."* Perhaps they were not able to lay hold of that themselves, due to lack of understanding, but their inheritance is still available, flowing in your veins. Why is it that we are often more aware of any generational curses than blessings?

I have begun to walk in a new level of prosperity since blessing my forefathers, including those of my husband. We will honor them by faithfully handling all of the goodness that comes our way. We will fulfill our divine destiny. Something in that blessing has altered our DNA for good.


* See Ephesians 6:1-3
* See Proverbs 13:22
Isaiah 61:9
And their offspring shall be known among the nations and their descendants among the peoples. All who see them [in their prosperity] will recognize and acknowledge that they are the people whom the Lord has blessed.

They Might Not Like You!

I was reminded of a conversation I had with a mom when I was 14 years old. We had just met this family and they invited my whole family to their home for dinner. I was excited because they had some kids close to our ages. I was enjoying the evening very much when this Mom said to me,
"Gina, you are the most interesting young girl I have ever seen. As I watch you, it's like it never even occurs to you that people may not like you!"
I stopped in my tracks, wondering what in the world she meant.
"Excuse me?" I asked.
She repeated her observation, and so I asked, "Do I bother you?"
"No." She said with a smile, "I just think it is interesting how easily you mix with everybody."
I left the room thinking what a bummer it would be to spend my life worrying about whether or not everyone liked me.
Over the years however, I have realized that most people have some sort of this fear of rejection. They fear reaching out to other people because they are not sure they have any internal value to offer. People who fail to see value in themselves are quick to see the weaknesses in others as well. This sometimes comes off as a critical spirit, and it makes the people around them feel badly.
As a result, the critical, under-confident person may indeed be unpopular. The fear fulfills itself.
The Great Commandment teaches us to love our neighbor as ourselves. There is nothing holy in not loving yourself. You cannot give away what you don't have, but you only get to keep what you give away.
Don't be afraid. God's love in you can not fail. If you get a revelation of how loved you are, it is easier to break the cycle of defeat.
And what about those people who really don't like you? Well, greater is the Love in you, than the hate in them! Choose the higher way -you'll know what to do.

Gina
1 John 4:19
We love because He first loved us.

You Have Not Because You Ask Not

Yesterday while I was making dinner, my cell phone rang on my hip. The caller was one of my children, phoning from the bathroom down the hall. The toilet paper roll was empty and this child was requesting a refill - promptly! The other 3 siblings found this hysterically funny.

Personally, I am always proud when any one chooses to handle life's annoyances with creativity and humor.

How often do you and I face a situation of lack, and instead of just asking for what we need, we spend all of our energy getting annoyed and upset? Possibly, we just determine that our desire is out of reach.

I believe that nothing is out of reach, if you persist in faith and patience.

I currently have a desire to attend a conference in Seattle to take my Performance Coaching to a much higher level. This is because I want to effectively help thousands more people. The conference is on the 3rd weekend of October, and right now, attending looks out of reach.

I am asking my Heavenly Father to get me there. Since I am sharing it with all of you, you will see if I press through and lay hold of this one or not. Wow. I have not publicly shared an endeavor before it was reached.

For any of you who are also reaching for the impossible, GO FOR IT!

If at first you don't succeed, then try and try and try again. You may be surprised where your efforts take you, if your steps are indeed ordered by the Lord.

I want to leave you with a favorite Scripture today. I'll find a translation that does the best job interpreting the original Greek tense.

Keep the switch of faith turned on,

Gina

Luke 11:9-10 (Amplified Bible)

9So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.
10For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.

Footnotes:
Luke 11:9 Charles B. Williams, The New Testament: A Translation: The idea of continuing or repeated action is often carried by the present imperative and present participles in Greek.

The Posture of Defeat

"Strike three!"
The inning was over and the player headed to the dugout, head down, face tense and shoulders slumped.
Worse yet, as the team took the field, the posture on all of the players looked remarkably similar - defeated.
I turned into the loud-mouthed performance coach, "Get those shoulders back! Put your chins in the air!" But it was to no avail. The players had frustration coursing in their muscles. They could not bring themselves to act in a way that was inconsistent with their emotions.
Here is the secret - YOUR ACTIONS CAN CHANGE YOUR EMOTIONS and THEY CAN ABSOLUTELY CHANGE YOUR PHYSIOLOGY.
Practice this exercise: Think of a specific time when you were feeling totally successful and victorious. Remember every detail as clearly and brightly as possible.
How did you stand? How did you breathe? What expression was on your face? What thoughts were you thinking just before your success?
Now stand up and remember a time you were totally frustrated and embarrassed. How did you stand then? How did you breathe? (Did you forget to breathe?) What expression was on your face just before your "crash?"
As you are reliving your frustrating moment, you should be able to feel the emotion of it.
Now, switch posture. Choose the empowering posture of your first memory - the great one. Just choose the posture and the breath, and the facial expression.
Did you feel a difference? You are the master of your fate. You can choose power at any moment. Chances are, you are perfectly equipped to face whatever it is that is confronting you right now.
Refuse to go at it in fear. Put your game face on.
Now, go play!

1 Corinthians 9:24
Run in such a way as to get the prize.

editor's note: the subject of this photo, Mr Jordan Parris, takes issue with being described as having "defeated posture" in this pic. He says that was not the case. (This is true, it was taken at a game where his team kicked some buns.) I say it was the only thing in my archives to stick up there. Sorry Jordan....now, go play!

The Hero of the Story

My in-laws stopped by for a visit last week from San Diego. As they drove into our driveway, they were greeted by the twins. Matthew was wearing a shirt that said, "Robin Hood."
"Guess what." Matthew told them, "I was in a play called Robin Hood."
"You were? That is wonderful."
"Yes, and I was the HERO of the story!"
"The hero!" said Grandma. "You mean you were Robin Hood?"
"Well, no." He replied. "I was a skunk. Actually, I was Skunk Number Two."

You have to love a director who can convince a skunk that he is the hero of the story!

You are probably a hero to somebody. Today you can tell yourself, "I am the hero of this story!" And then create your day just as you desire.

We're going to Williamsburg Virginia for a week of baseball today. I will be a hero if I can stay cheerful with 4 kids in a car for 12 hours. Each Parris child will be a hero if he stays sweet. And the All-Stars will be heroes if they play like they know how...in 3 digit heat.

Pray for us,
Gina

The Limits are in Your Head

I have had the privilege of working with a great baseball team these past few weeks. They are the 13 year old Babe Ruth all-star players from my town, and they were hosting the Tennessee State Championship last weekend. Since they were the hosts, they got to play, even though they didn't qualify at the district level.

They decided that with a little mental conditioning to go along with their outstanding fundamentals, they could win the state title.

We decided to address the beliefs that held them back before. I used the Flow On Demand Technique to get them to realize that all their limits were in their head, not in their muscles. They learned that they could hit with perfect vision and timing and form, and they could choose to "bury" the opponents when they got ahead, rather than fall apart. We spent about 20 minutes each practice, just on the mental game.

At the tournament, they came out every night and astounded the fans by doing exactly as they had mentally (and physically) prepared. They won all of their games handily, and went to bed the last night as State Champions! It is an experience they will never forget.

I love to see an underdog come out on top!

Do you ever feel like an "underdog?" Do you feel stress when you think of performing under certain pressures? Well, I assure you, the limits you place on yourself on in your mind. They are not in your ability. You can choose to shut off the limits.

Be blessed,
Gina

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

PS. Photo by Mike McGee at www.tullahomasports.com Used entirely without permission, so if you like it, go buy it, and check out his other archives as well!!

When Things Don't Work Out

Sometimes life comes at us with heartache. At those times we have the opportunity to discover what we really believe. I am reminded of a Psalm that talks about the life of Joseph. Joseph went through terrible times that did not seem to support the promises that God had given him. Still, it was not God who was on trial.

Psalm 105:17-21 AMP

17He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold as a servant.
18His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron and his soul entered into the iron,
19Until his word [to his cruel brothers] came true, until the word of the Lord tried and tested him.
20The king sent and loosed him, even the ruler of the peoples, and let him go free.
21He made Joseph lord of his house and ruler of all his substance,

Eventually, the promises over Joseph all came true. He was able to recount the worst of it and know that even though it was meant for evil, God used it for good.

I will never claim to understand why things don't always seem to work out in this life, but I know this: I am the one being tried and tested by the Word. God is not on trial. He already proved his limitless love for me by sending his son in the likeness of human flesh.

Sometimes we stand toe to toe against the adversary and declare, "I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I know."

1John 4:16
16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

Yes, I am convinced that joy will return in the morning. Healing will come. Comfort will come. You will look upon your enemy and say, "You hit me with your best shot. But look at me. I am still standing!"

Don't quit now. You are not alone.

Gina

The Washing Machine

When I was in my second year of Bible College, my two roomates and I had our first faith victory together. We believed God for a washing machine. Here's how it happened.

We had just learned Hebrews 11:1 Which says: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." We were told that one translation of that verse reads, "Now faith is giving substance to things hoped for..."

We latched right on to that idea. At our house, we had a nice dryer for our clothes but no washing machine, so we were hauling our clothes to the laundry mat, and bringing them home all wet, to throw into the dryer. It was obvious to us, that our faith could "give substance" to a washing machine. So we started saying it all the time. We would go to the laundry mat and say, "I"m so glad our faith is giving substance to a washing machine!"

The boys that we hung out with, found this quite amusing. They would usually come over and say something like, "Hey, nice dryer. Where's the washing machine again?"

Without flinching, we were quick to reply, "Our faith is giving substance to one!"

One day I was at the home of one of these boys, who happened to live with his older sister. His sister happened to be one of the instructors at the school. Somehow the topic of our "faith project" came up and this boy chuckled at me again. "I love how you girls are giving substance to a washing machine!" he said.

"What?" His sister had overheard us. "Gina, do you need a washing machine?"

"Why, yes." I replied, "We are believing for one."

She looked right at her little brother. "Scott!" She ordered. "Go get Steven right this minute, get the washing machine that Mom and Dad gave me out of the garage, and take it to the girls."

I was surprised. "You've had an extra one this whole time?"

"I never thought about it! " Scott answered.

Within minutes, the brothers were delivering it to our house. My Texan roomate was so excited to see where it came from that she jumped up and down and screamed, "It's an anointed washing machine!" (That's Christianese for "Really Cool.")

The three of us enjoyed this washing machine for the whole year, and it served as a constant reminder of Hebrews 11:1.

Since then, my faith has given substance to nearly every good thing in my life. I know that every good and perfect gift comes from my Heavenly father, and all I have to do is receive it by faith.

Your beliefs are giving substance to some thing all the time - either good or bad!

Believe for the best!

Gina

Mark 11:24
24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

The Pink Color

Back in the summer of '94, my son Jordan was just 2 years old, and we were living in hot, dry, New Mexico.

Suddenly he was hysterically in need of something. "Mama, the Pink Color! I need the Pink Color!"

I thought this was odd, since he was not coloring at the time, but I grabbed a pink crayon and asked, "Here's the pink color, do you need this?"

"NO! The PINK Color!"

This went on for some time while I tried to comfort him with every pink thing I could find.

Finally, he tore off his t-shirt and ran outside to the SPRINKLER-where he was aching for some relief from the heat. He waved it in front of me, jumped up and down and with a big smile, said it again, "The Pink Color, the Pink Color!"

Well, that was easy enough! He just wanted to run through the sprinkler! (Those were the days!!) so on came the water, and all was good!

So often we hear people through our own perceptions, instead of really trying to understand what it is they are feeling and saying. How much better could our relationships be if we took the time to really listen to people, look them in the eyes as they speak, and hear from their perspective?

Remember, effective communication requires two things - acute observation and personal flexibility. You can make someone's day by giving your undivided attention long enough to really understand.

What does he need? The pink color, or the sprinkler? The difference is in understanding how he speaks!

James 1:19
dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

Listen with your heart today, and your ears, and your eyes...

Bless you!

Gina

There is a Healer

A few years ago I came home from a dinner where I was singing and playing the keyboards with our band, and I realized that Paul was not happy. In fact, I was pretty sure that somehow, I was in trouble! Something must have made for a tough night at home with the kids.

"I can't believe we have no children's tylenol in the house!" he finally blurted.

"Oh dear." I thought. Surely that is the kind of thing a more organized mother would keep on hand. " I hardly ever think to use tylenol," I replied. "What happened?"

"Well Nathan has a raging ear infection!" (The twins were four then.) "He screamed in pain for over an hour, just like the last time it was infected."

I winced again. "Ooh. Where is he now?"

"Well," Paul quietly smiled. "He went to Jordan, and as soon as Jordan prayed for him, Nate stopped crying and fell asleep, so he's sleeping next to him right now."

Way to go, Jordan! Big brother was just 10.

This was NOT the time to ask, "Goodness! Why didn't you pray first?" So I mentioned, "When we were little, Mom used to put iced cold water in our ears with a dropper to stop the pain."

Paul just looked at me like Mom was going to lose her nursing licence. "I have never heard of anything like that."

I grinned, "Well, if he's still hurting tomorrow I"ll take him to the doctor."

We were still in bed the next morning when we heard the triumphant yelling from Jordan's bedroom. It was Nathan. "Hey everybody!!! I'm healed!!!"

He tore into our bedroom and said, "Guess what! Last night Jesus came into the bedroom and he poured something in my ear, and he healed me!!"

I looked at Paul, "You went and put something in his ear?"

He was just as surprised, (and we are faith people!) "I didn't do it - it must have been Jesus."

Nathan turned into an evangelist - he had seen the Lord!

After telling all of the family members about his supernatural encounter, he got on the preschool bus with Matt, and joyfully told the whole bus crew, "I was sick with a bad ear ache, and Jesus came to me last night and healed me!"

After school was out, he saw all the school kids descending from their bus stop, and he ran out the door to holler out to them, "Hey guys, there is a Healer, and his name is Jesus! I know 'cause he healed me!"

For two whole days, Nathan had no other song but "I was in pain, and Jesus healed me."

It was a wonderful lesson for all of us. Why do we so often pray last? Would we possibly pray without believing for a miracle? Why bother?

Lord! Thank you for the faith of a child.

Matthew 18:3-4
And [Jesus] said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

The Benevolent Universe

Man has made some remarkable discoveries about the world around us. We know that all things are composed of matter - smaller and smaller and smaller particles of matter. But what makes up the matter? Energy!

Everything you see with your eyes, as well as everything you can't see, is really just energy. Even solid things that you can hold in your hands, are made up of energy, held together in a certain order.

This begs the question to me, "What is holding everything together?"

"The Benevolent Universe," some will reply.

Yes. That is the Eastern mindset - that all is energy and all is one, and all is ultimately the Universe - the Benevolent Universe, the Divine. It's like The Force on Star Wars.

Oh! That is so beautiful, but the Bible elevates it even more. The Great Force is not the Universe, but the Creator of the Universe, who wants to fill you with his fullness and call you his friend, make you his child.

Colossians 1:16-17
For by him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together.

Who exactly is this Creator? Well, it is Jesus, who is also called the Living Word of God.

Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful Word.

Yes, He is "benevolent," because God is love. He does not posses love. He is love. He is light. He is life. He is Holy.

When you live in the presence of this Living God, and when His Word lives in you, you finally understand the meaning of Life. You operate on a supernatural level. You see miracles. You are more than a mere man or woman- you are a loved child of God, who has access to everything good in the universe!

It is all just energy! So fix your eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen - you can see farther that way.

Bless you.

Gina

Sowing "Good Seed."

I was very pregnant with twins, exhausted from shopping, freezing cold, and ready to get my other tired children home. Paul was driving.

Suddenly, we noticed a woman was blocking traffic with her broken down car. Paul, true to form, jumped out to offer assistance.

"Honey!" I protested. "She already has a cop there to help her."

He leaned back in towards me, "Gina, one day it will be my sweet wife whose car gives her trouble, and I will want to know that someone is there to help you -so I'm sowing good seed!" and off he went with a smile.

As Paul and the officer moved the car out of the street, I marveled at how quickly the job was done. It took less than 3 minutes.

Only a few weeks later, I was coming home from a youth event, when I ran over something in the dark and felt my tire go completely flat. I pulled into a driveway where a woman was in front of her house talking on her cordless phone. I asked if I could use her phone to call my husband.

She smiled and nodded, and signaled that it would only be a minute. In that moment, her husband popped out of the house and changed my tire. He was so fast, I thought he worked for nascar!

He laughed and said, "I own the body shop down the street. I do this a hundred times a day."

When I got home and told Paul about it, he threw his jubilant hand in the air.

"Oh yes!" he exclaimed, "It's because I sowed good seed for that!"

I had to smile. Good seed indeed.

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

The Famous Flight of the Bumble Bee

I was thinking about the bumble bee today. I have heard it said many times, that aerodynamically speaking, it is impossible for a bumble bee to fly, and yet it does.

The joy of the internet, is that now one can google such a subject, and read from a dozen physicists argue as to why we now believe a bumble bee can indeed fly. Isn't that a marvel?

There are two lessons there for me:

1. A bumble bee can fly even though his body is big and his wings are small, and he doesn't obey certain laws of aerodynamics.

2. Many scientists can study such a mystery and come up with different laws of physics that supercede certain other ones. Science is always evolving. New answers come through new ways of looking at things.

I find both lessons inspiring. Either way, if the bumble bee quits flapping his wings, or if the scientist quits looking for new answers, motion is halted.

You and I have opportunities every day to find ourselves stuck. Maybe you would like to fly out of an uncomfortable situation. Maybe you would like an answer to a puzzling dilemma.

I am convinced, that if you refuse to quit, anything is possible. Nobody needs to explain the reasons for your success. Only you have the ability to reach inside of yourself and develop the seeds of greatness that God put there.

You can live your dreams, even if the whole world says it can't be done.

The truth is out there.

"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." -John 8:32

Lessons from Aladdin

I love to watch Disney's story of Aladdin.

It is a tale of a young orphan who dreams of finding himself in a better place with the woman of his dreams. The woman is of course, the princess.

The real show stealer is the genie, who would like to convince the boy that magic carpets and princely clothes, and mighty elephants are not what make him a prince worthy of the princess. It is his ability to be himself, brave and true.

Because the princess is already true royalty, she has the perception to see that this "street rat" belongs in the palace, despite his humble upbringing. She sees his royal qualities, even when he does not.

In the end, Alladin becomes the prince, not by the power of the genie, but by the power of his selfless love. His character was proven in the face of danger.

Many people see themselves as unworthy street rats, when in reality, they have been called to be royalty, seated in heavenly places.

It is said that you don't know what is inside of a teabag until you put it in hot water. The same can be true of a man or woman. Whether you are a prince or a pauper will be evident when the tough times come your way.


James 1:2-4
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,(royal) not lacking anything.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light

The Baseball Glove

My youngest son's baseball glove had been missing for over a week. We had turned every corner upside down looking for it. In our house, the loss of a beloved glove is quite painful. We are not quick to run out and replace one. It was with sadness that I watched him play his games with a borrowed glove. Who in the world would take such a thing?

Yesterday, happiness filled the home when the glove was returned. While the children played out front climbing the trees, a stranger drove up and hollered out to them. She was someone's mother. She looked at Nathan and asked, "What is your last name?"

"Parris." He answered.

"Did you lose a glove?"

"Yes!"

She handed him the treasure, inscribed with his name, and drove off.

I love it when people do the right thing!

This morning, I looked at the dear glove, at home in the family room, cradling a baseball, and I rejoiced again.

Luke 15:8-10
"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

And again I say, rejoice!

-Gina

What do you see?

"A man without a vision is a man without a future. A man without a future is destined to repeat his past."

What is vision? Vision is the ability to look at what is and see what could be! Vision is that creative force that lies within the child of the Creator and designs a better reality.

Every thing that we see and behold with our eyes, existed first in someone's mind. It was vision.

God the Father is a God of vision. He looks at a childless old man named Abram, and calls him a Father of many nations, and it comes to pass.

He looks at a restless, compulsive young man named Simon, and calls him a Rock, and the man affects history.

He looks at you and sees not what you are, but what you can be in him. His reality is greater than your senses.

The best thing you can do for your life, is get in touch with a Vision Statement from Heaven. How? By getting to know the God of the Bible. If you can quit being self- conscious, and instead, be God-inside conscious, you will start to walk out a new vision of who you really are.

You are who He says you are - a royal, faithful, loved, child of the King. You were created to rule and reign in life by Christ Jesus.


Proverbs 29:11
18Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]--blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.(A)



Be blessed.

-Gina

Time is Not Your Master

I decided to write a post this past weekend on "Time," but I ran out of it! Nonetheless, I am boldly proclaiming to you today that time is not your master. Let us stop complaining that we don't have enough time, or that something is taking too long.

Time is a funny substance. Sometimes it "flies" and sometimes it "drags." When I am with certain friends, the time definitely flies, so I refuse to look at my watch when I'm with them. Why be time- conscious during a good thing?

But what about things that take too long?

Some of you have spent much time wondering, "When will my longing be fulfilled? Should I just quit hoping?"

No! Do not throw away your confidence! Build your faith for that desired thing. Expect it - do not be afraid of disappointment. Fearing is the worst thing you could do.

"Fear not. Only believe."

"At the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not faint."

Too many people quit before their miracle manifests because they just get tired of believing, of hoping, of waiting. But not you!

You consider it done. And then wait for it to appear.

Wait? Yes, wait. There is a Hebrew word that we interpret "wait," as in "wait on the Lord." It's the word "chiyl." One meaning of this word is to dance, whirl or twist!

For heaven's sakes, don't wait in agony! Do the dance of expectation! Dance upon the head of time...which tries to tick along to test you! If you are not there yet, there's no condemnation. Just get back into the Word and dwell on the promise that applies to you...until thinking of it causes you to dance and rejoice. Then it is on it's way!

Time is not your master. You will receive.

Carpe diem,

Gina

Gratitude Walk and the Turtle

This morning I went on a walk. This is my daily "gratitude walk." I highly recommend this - for mental and physical fitness.

While I raced along the few miles, I gave thanks for all the beautiful things that I noticed - the freshly cut grass, the honeysuckle and daisies, the blue sky, friendly contractors (who never seem to be working! ) and the three different friends who honked and hollered out my name, reminding me that there are worse things than living in a small town.

And then...as I was cruising along, thinking about all I have to do today, a turtle nearly tripped me. Yes, he was almost crossing the paved walking path. I picked him up and he tucked his head and legs into his shell faster than you could say, "slow and steady." I did not know that turtles make a vacuuming sound when they do that. I must have stressed him.

I stared at his beauty and contemplated bringing him home. He could be my token reminder to slow down. I wondered if he belonged to the orthodontist, from whose multiple acres he was emerging. I considered a phone call:

"Hey Doc? I wondered if I could have this turtle in exchange for the four grand I just dropped on Jordan's already perfect teeth..." That could be fair.

But alas, I carefully placed my beautiful frightened buddy back on the huge lawn, and thought about his pace. Slow and steady, slow and steady.

Today, I take my lesson from the turtle. I will win the race. I will stay peaceful and diligent, and if I get stressed, I'll vacuum!

How about you?

Did you take a gratitude walk today? If so, or even if not...let's hear some things for which you are thankful! You can post right here.

Yours,

Gina

The Power to Choose

We were created with an amazing free will. The angels long to look into the things available to us, for they were not made in the image of God, were not given the power to choose, and they do not sing the song of the redeemed.

To you God says:

"See, I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live..."

No matter what you are facing today, there is the opportunity to choose life. Death may call out to you in the form of loss, defeat, resentment or struggle, but at any moment, you can choose life. How?

"...by loving the Lord your God, listening to his voice and holding fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he promised..." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

If you have a promise for something, than refuse to accept anything less than fulfilment of it. For the Lord is your life. If you hide yourself in his love and his power, than death cannot consume you, for He has already conquered death, and Jesus' victory is your victory. Loss cannot overtake you, for abundance is within you.

Stay in faith! Keep faith- filled words on your tongue. Stay thankful! Stay in the precious present. Right now, the Life within you is creating the thing promised.

bless you!

Gina

photo by Ann Carrier

Love and Marriage - No Emotion Necessary

For the past 16 years, I have been married to the most attractive man I have ever met. That is a great feeling. What surprises people who know us, is that even in a marriage as wonderful as ours, the "great feelings" come and go!

I was amused last week to realize that both Paul and I have been equally influenced all these years, by the following story. It's a story I've told dozens of times, but I don't remember us ever talking about it. If there is a secret to our success, it lies in this tale:

One day there was a wife who was wickedly angry at her husband. She was hurting bitterly from years of unmet needs, and disappointment in her husband's behavior. She dreamed of ways to get back at him, to make him hurt in return.

Somebody told her about a very old wise man, who sat atop the nearby mountain. Surely he would have a clever idea for her.

At the suggestion, the woman climbed the mountain and found the wise man.

"Sir," she told him. "All I want to do is to cause heartache for my husband. I don't think he even has feelings, but if he does, I want to hurt them!"

"Aaaaah, of course," he responded with great empathy. "I will tell you what to do. For the next 2 months, I want you to just pretend that you actually love him. This is just for a short time, and there is no emotion necessary. Just ask yourself often, 'what actions would I take if I loved him?' and then do those things...then, come back and see me, and I'll tell you what to do to hurt him fiercely."

"Okay," said the bitter wife. "I guess since it is just for a short time, and no emotion is necessary, I can act like I would if I loved him. Oh, boy!"

In the following weeks, she enacted the plan wholeheatedly. She faithfully acted like she was in love with her husband, and then she returned to the sage on the mount, for the rest of the plan.

"So you followed my advice? Good!" said the wise old man. Ready? Here is what you do next. You climb back down that mountain and you just leave your husband. That's it. He will be so shocked after your kind actions, that you will break his heart!"

"leave!" gasped the woman. "I can't leave now!"

"But why not?" he asked.

"Because..." she began, stunned at her own discovery. "...because now, I love him!"

"Aaaaah, yes." smiled the sage. "I suppose you do!" and he said no more.

"For God so loved he gave..." John 3:16