A Thanksgiving Meal

Thanksgiving was this week. My little family sat around the table thinking of all our favorite Thanksgiving days. Paul and I remembered Thanksgiving of '90, when we left Spokane for Germany. I remember my sister Susan, getting up early to join my parents in seeing us off at the airport.

We had a 24 hour layover in St. Louis, and since it was Thanksgiving day, we felt especially lonely there. We both cried in our strange hotel. Then we got up and went downstairs to the hotel restaurant. There was the most beautiful Thankgiving meal buffet, with linen tablecloths and real china and silverwear on the tables. Amazingly, we felt all better after eating! That was the first time I understood the term "comfort food!"

I also remember Thanksgiving days in different cities, enjoying the holiday with friends that were also away from family members.

I remember one special Thanksgiving meal in Spokane, with my dearest neighbors. Their family was from Pakistan, so my sister and I made them a full Thanksgiving meal at our house. Of course next to that tasty Middle Eastern food, our meal is bland and boring, but our guests were so gracious. They were also dressed in the most beautiful outfits, and I realized after I sat at the table, that I had not even remembered to change my clothes. There I was, eating in my home-maker uniform - sweats! Oh dear...why didn't Paul say something? In fact, I think I'm wearing the exact same sweatshirt, right now as I type this!

What dear friends, and how I miss them. Shaista, if you're out there, I sure wish you lived next door to me now! My prayers are with your precious Mama and your brothers too.

This Thanksgiving was quieter than I would have liked, but I will never get tired of a whole day devoted to an attitude of gratitude. I have so much to appreciate, that sometimes, the blessings leave me overwhelmed with God's goodness.

When I asked my kids what they're all grateful for, Kristan looked at me and cut right to the chase. "You mom. We're all thankful for you!"

That smarty-pants. She just wanted me to laugh...and pass her more turkey. It worked.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gina

The Problem - or the Promiser?

It has been said that struggling people often focus on their problems, while successful people focus on the solutions. I totally believe this. You could also say it this way, "You can either choose to focus on the problem, or on the promise."

A shortcoming of most people, is they are unaware of many promises. They spend little time in the Promise book, where their faith could be built up.

The easiest way I have found to receive a promise is to focus on The Promise-er! I love to read the Word, and sing songs about the Character of my Heavenly Father.

Abraham knew this secret. "By faith Abraham, even though he was past age, and Sarah herself was barren- was enabled to become a father, because he considered Him faithful who had made the promise." *

My very favorite attribute of God is his faithfulness. I was raised by some Pastors who must have said it to me hundreds of times, "God is faithful!"

One time my husband, Paul, was laid off work for 8 months. It turned out to be the most peaceful, precious, supernaturally provided-for time of our lives together. Why? Probably because night and day, my mind was racked with talk and thoughts of how Faith-ful God is. The thought that he might leave us to "go under" was unthinkable. It honestly did not cross my mind. Instead, I was excited to see what He had in mind.

Faithful, faithful, full of faith, unwavering, true...I can just think on that word and get happy! Hanging around a Father like that will naturally fill you with faith of your own. It's not something you strive for. It's just his DNA, manifesting in you, his child.

Then you understand the meaning of this: "Have the faith of God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."*

Whew! We'll talk about forgiveness next time. But for now, understand, having the "God-kind" of faith, is an effortless biproduct of fellowship with the Faithful one.

Today, as always, there may be a few problems, nagging for my attention. But I only have time for the Promise-er. How about you?

Enjoy the journey!

Gina
* See Romans 11:11, *Mark 11:22-25

Your Future is Not Dictated by Your Past

I have friends who are have had a hard life. Does it ever get any better? Yes. It can.

I love Timone and Pumba from the Lion King. They had wise words for poor Simba, whose past included some tradgedy, for sure. Simba's future didn't look very bright.

With a flourishing song and dance, Timone and Pumba encouraged the young lion. "That's why it's important to put your behind in your past!"

What good advice from some animated creatures.

Why do we dwell on the past? The good life is yours right now. If you open your heart to a spirit of gratitude instead of a spirit of dispair, you will find find your future is so bright, that you need sunglasses! How do you create a bright, wonderful future? The same way you create a bright, wonderful present - by giving voice to it.

Your words create your reality. Why? Because they affect the way you believe. Try saying some things right now.

"Right now I am blessed and not cursed."

"Right now I have more than enough!"

"My needs are met and I'm out of debt, and there's plenty today to give some away!"

"Today is the best day of my life."

"My future is brighter than my past!"

Keep it up. Your destiny is in your hands...and in your heart...and in your mouth!

Romans 10:10
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Closer to My Goal Tomorrow

Are you a goal-oriented person? I used to be. When I was a young, idealistic teenager, I wrote my goals regarding every topic in my life. I was very specific about what I wanted, and I usually got it. My closest friends were also high achievers, and they spured me on towards my goals.

Then something happened - LIFE. I don't think it was one specific event, but the older I got, the more I realized that life doesn't always hand me my fulfilled goals on a platter. Sometimes life just hands us all a curve ball.

Sometimes my relationships failed. Sometimes my schoolwork just didn't make sense. Sometimes my fitness goals turned into dangerous obsessions. Sometimes my work filled me dread instead of joy. One time I suffered for months with a terrible case of depression.

So what happened? As a result of many disappointments, I lost my courage to set any more goals. I hated feeling like a failure when I didn't succeed within my timelines.

Now, I have a system that works for me. I list who I want to be in each of my roles. How do I want to look, act, feel, and what do I want to accomplish in each role? Those are my goals. And then I ask myself, "What can I do today to bring me closer to my goal?"

My action steps are simple: "By finishing a 20 minute workout today, I'll be closer to my goal tomorrow. By working for 1 solid hour on my book, I'll be closer to my goal tomorrow. By planning what I'll cook all week, I'll be closer to my goal tomorrow. (Homemaker is not my strongest role!)

Anyway, you get the idea. I have learned that small, purposeful actions add up. We often say that if you continue to do what you've always done, than you'll continue to get what you've always gotten. If I continue to do the things I've done for the last several years, than I will continue with slow but steady increase. Maybe soon, I'll open my heart back up to fast and steady increase...but one step at a time!

How about you? What can you do today that will take you closer to your goals tomorrow? Don't be afraid to write them down.

James 2:17, 19
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead... Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

Single Minded Success

If you are striving but not finding the success that you desire, then chances are you have internal conflict about the issue. It is not easy to change yourself out of sheer will power. You need to instead, face the conflicting emotions and get into a place of internal congruency. That is when you achieve effortless success from a state called Flow.

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." That is a quote from James chapter one. We're also told that anyone who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. The doubter should not think he will receive anything from the Lord!

Well. In order to eliminate your doubts, I recommend that you be very specific about putting them into words. Don't let them be just an emotion. Then find out if there is any promise that is greater than your doubt.

As you consider your doubting emotion, accept yourself, doubts and all, and make the choice to believe the Truth. Then meditate on that exchange.

For example: "Even though I doubt I'll succeed at ever finishing this book, I choose to believe that God's blessing is on all the works of my hands, and the things I do prosper and come to full fruition."

You can use those ideas in a round of Flow On Demand, but to understand Flow On Demand, you need my pocket guide to it, and right now, that exists only in my head! Hint: It's very similar to EFT.

Let's keep pulling for eachother.

Gina

When You're Happy to See Your Siblings

Well, it is one of those weeks when friends and neighbors go on vacation, and my children go off to enrichment programs...all my children that is, except the oldest one. For some reason Jordan is usually the busiest of the four, but he has no baseball this week, (and no nifty "enrichment flyers" came home from the high school) and his best friend is in Florida. How pitiful. He roamed the neighborhood today looking for any of his buddies, but alas, none were available to "come out and play."

His little brothers and younger sister have been home for four hours now, and I think he has been playing with them the whole time. In fact, I think he plans to watch the twins during their Karate and Football programs tomorrow. I doubt he is desperate enough to watch Kristan play basketball tomorrow morning, but right now, anything beats sitting at home.

When are you happy to see your siblings? When there is nothing else to do! That is how you feel when you are fourteen.

Now that I'm nearly forty, I'd be ecstatic to see any of my siblings for any old reason in the world.

My parents are coming out on Monday to enjoy the second week of Fall break with us. Since they are so much fun to have around, their visit will be a treat for us all. Hopefully, we'll continue to enjoy the family fun, but next break...I'm planning a trip!

But What About Me??

Well, Fall break is upon us. What a glorious time to go on a family vacation...and if you are less organized, than it is a good time to lament the fact that you didn't plan one. Such was the case yesterday.

Our next door neighbors departed for a week at Disneyworld. This realization brought my son Nathan, to tears as he came in the house.

"How come we NEVER go anywhere fun?"

This was a good time to remember our wonderful trip just a few months ago to Pigeon Forge, followed by a glorious trip with the baseball team to Virginia. It turns out, we DO go great places....just so far, not Disneyworld.

Amazingly, the more he complained, the less inclined I felt to take him anywhere. My annoyance grew into a threat to leave him home on our next vacation!

"Nathan!" I told him, "When we are thankful for what we have, then more wonderful things come to us. But self-pity destroys our joy, and the joy of everyone around us. It stops blessings from coming to us!"

About an hour later, he came and found me and apologized with a hug.

"Mom" he said, "I'm really sorry that I was feeling sorry for myself. I totally forgot that I get to go to football camp this week, and I am really, really excited for that!

That reminded me...

"Nathan, do you like it when we go out to restaurants that have all-you-can-eat buffets?"

"Yeah!"

"Me too. When you see someone ahead of you in line with a great plate of food, do you get jealous, or just excited at the possibilites?"

With a knowing smile he answered, "excited at the possibilities."

I asked, "Why don't you feel sorry for yourself then? I mean, that person has something you don't have, right?"

"Yeah, but my turn is coming!"

Right!

Today, if you compare yourself to someone else and feel tempted to ask, "But what about me?" I encourage you to rejoice with that person and expect that your turn is coming!

Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice.

The Happy Bucks

A few weeks ago, I was the guest at the Local Kiwanis club.

A portion of their meeting consisted of the most delightful thing: They call it their "Happy Bucks," and it's a time when members get to stand and give a few dollars in honor of something that made them happy that week. What a hoot! Many of the dollars were given in relation to football games, (and NFL cheerleaders) and the whoops and hollars seemed to grow with each gift. Two of the men were celebrating wedding anniversaries that week. One man gave forty bucks for forty great years, while his friend, who was a little less prepared, gave one dollar and sheepishly promised an IOU. Cheers!

Over a dozen people donated Happy Bucks that night. My host leaned over and explained to me that at the end of the year they give the money to a charity. I figured that was a lot of money over a year of weekly meetings. By the time they were finished giving, my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard. What a great approach to giving!

Giving in response to gratitude is one of the keys to prosperity, especially when it's done with great joy! This morning on the way to school, I launched an impromptu "gratitude party" in the car. I was amused at all the happy ideas that poured from my kids' mouths. They were interrupting each other with gratitude. As we drove, the happiness grew. Their day was off to a good start.

Did I give any money away in response to such thankfulness? Of course! But money is not the only thing you can give. I encourage you to stop and count your blessings today, and as you do, just ask yourself, "What could I give in response to this?" It is a fun way to live.

2 Corinthians 9:7
...for God loves a cheerful giver.

What to Expect from an EFT Workshop

One day an acquaintance suggested some videos on this revolutionary "energy therapy" called Emotional Freedom Technique, which was refined by a Stanford trained engineer named Gary Craig. She told me that she was able to get through our grueling workouts due to this technique, and it helped her with all kinds of performance issues as well. So I ordered the first 13 hours of videos and eagerly watched the first one. As I watched, I thought it was so rediculous that I put it on the shelf and shared it with no one.

The idea is that all matter, including our bodies, is made up of energy, and all negative emotion is caused by a disruption in our energy system. So...we combine what we know about Western science and mix it with Eastern acupuncture meridians and perform a kind of "emotional acupuncture" on ourselves. We do this by tapping on these energy targets on our face and hands, while mentally tuning in to our distressing emotion or pain. As we do, the distressing thought loses its power to affect us any more. Absurd! ...Absurd?

Later one day while I was showering, I thought about the technique, and completed a "full round" on an issue that had bothered me for 15 years. Instantly, my life was changed in that area, and I couldn't believe it. I took the videos off the shelf, watched the other 12 hours (and then dozens more) and became a serious student of the subject. Soon, I started sharing it with my family and friends and then my coaching clients. The results were almost always amazing, and when they weren't, I went on a quest to find out why not. I have seen phobias cleared, athletes amazed, and limiting beliefs eliminated. This often results in weight loss for the overweight, freedom for the addicted, prosperity for the financially challenged, and peace for the distressed.

I have since learned so much about how our bodies and soul work, and I now love using EFT to help people get over all kinds of troubling issues where traditional therapy has failed. I even love using it with my Christian friends who have had a hard time walking in the reality of Biblical promises.

When you have unconscious, (or soulish) emotions that are contrary to the Truth, than your body or physical reality will line up with your soul, even if you try to "be positive." One way to renew that soul is to flood it with Truth. However, I have found that it is much faster to simply clear the conflicting emotion first, THEN install the Truth. Result - a desired state in response to a formerly distressing trigger. This can take place in moments! (or sometimes longer)

In an EFT workshop, we are able to identify those emotions and the beliefs behind them, and literally "tap away" their power. In their place, we choose the emotion or state that we desire. In the end, most participants discover that they are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made! They walk away with a new lasting freedom, and with a tool to help them any time they discover a feeling of distress.

I asked the Lord if this was a strange practice from a Kingdom perspective. He assured me that it is no stranger than an MD explaining to a Christian a proper view of nutrition. I am thrilled to be able to offer Emotional Freedom Technique to all who are open.

If the Son has made you free, then you are free indeed. It's time to put our spirit and soul and body into a place of perfect unity, that we all may be whole!

For more info you can check out Gary Craig's website at www.emofree.com

Feel free to post questions to this blog.

Yours,

Gina

You're Busted!

Yesterday was a perfect Saturday morning...I got to sleep in 'till 8, while Paul went to the gym. When I got up, the twins were ecstatic to greet me...they had already been tearin' it up for an hour! They were pretending to be cops- wearing superhero jammies and bearing light sabers.

"Mama, Mama! We've turned into house cops and we've already given Jordan four tickets!"

"Four tickets!" I replied, impressed.

"Yeah! Each one costs him a dollar. We're gonna be rich, RICH, RICH!!" squealed Matthew.

"You mean he's already broken the law four times?"

"Yes!" Exclaimed Nathan, as he gleefully counted off Big Brother's felonies:

"Number One- clothes on the bathroom floor!
Number Two - clothes on his bedroom floor!
Number Three- playing too much video games!
and Number Four - not making his bed!"

"Not making his bed! Well," I asked, "Where is he?"

"He's still SLEEPING!" they roared in unison.

Now that is the problem with the letter of the law. You're busted before you even wake up!

I told the twins that Jordan was allowed to seek legal counsel and since he's broke, I appointed Kristan to be his attorney.

"He'll never pay." She assured.

The law is pretty soft around here because the next time I looked up, there was my "accused" carrying his pajama-clad accusers under his arms, and tossing them onto the sofa.

They were all having way too much fun. So, they used all that energy to clean up the infractions and spent the rest of the day knee boarding, wake boarding and attempting to even sky-ski on the Lake.

I love it when Mercy triumphs over judgement!

My mega-thanks to Jim and Maggie Posey for showing us a fabulous time all day long. When I grow up I want to be just like them.


Romans 8:34
And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.

Bobby, Come Home!

This is a story that is told by gospel singer, Candy Hemphill Christmas. It is about a childhood friend of hers named Bobby:

Over the years Bobby had become rebellious and angry at God and his parents and his church. His life became consumed with drug abuse as he grew into a greater and greater prisoner of his addictions.

One day Bobby just disappeared. His broken hearted parents did not know if he had been murdered over a drug deal or if he killed himself, or just ran away. For two years they did not hear from him at all, not even one phone call or letter. He had just vanished.

Bobby's dad felt the crushing grip of months of pent-up frustration and pain while driving on the outskirts of the Arkansas city where he lived. He pulled his car off to the side of the road, got out and walked off some distance from the highway. He pointed his finger towards the north and yelled with all his might, "BOBBY, COME HOME!" Turning towards the south, he shouted in the wind, "BOBBY, COME HOME!" To the East and West, he did the same.

Two days later, this dad heard a knock at the door. There stood Bobby. BOBBY WAS HOME!

As his dad hugged him he asked, "Son, what brought you home?"

"Dad," Bobby said, "I was sitting on the front porch of an old shack on the edge of the desert in Arizona, stoned out of my mind. A wind started blowing and suddenly grew stronger. Dad I could have sworn that I heard your voice in the wind, 'BOBBY, COME HOME!' and so, I got here just as fast as I could."

Proverbs 18:21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue.

Story featured in The 2 Minute Miracle (Portal, GA: Portal Publishing Company) by Lynn Reddick

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