Amping Up Gratitude Through Appreciation

Gratitude just can't be emphasized enough. Radical gratitude means we’re going to walk through life being grateful in every situation, no matter what — in times of plenty, when times are tight, when times are good, bad, right, or wrong. We can develop an attitude of gratitude by choosing to be grateful in every situation. The attitude of radical gratitude actually can become a ministry when we realize how well it serves others.

We know those clergy "ministers", but, you and I, as believers, are also ministers. When we minister to someone, we are serving them. The Latin word for minister is "servant". Every Christian is a minister, which means we serve others. And that ministry can be called the "ministry of appreciation".

Here's what I know about appreciation and depreciation. If you’ve ever bought a car, you know the meaning of depreciation. The moment you drive it off the lot, it’s worth less than what you paid for it, even if it’s a brand-new vehicle. Depreciation means to decrease in value. But, APPRECIATION means to raise in value. When we appreciate our spouse, we raise their value. When we appreciate our kids, we raise their value. When we appreciate our boss and co-workers, we raise their value to us and to the company. When we appreciate our friends and those who serve us at a store or business, we raise their value.

We can make a ministry out of raising the value of people simply by appreciating them. I’ve discovered that everyone needs massive doses of encouragement. I’ve never met anybody who’s said, “Oh no! I don’t need a compliment! I have too many. Please, stop! I’m too affirmed. Don’t give me any more.”

We ALL have a need to be affirmed, to be loved, to be appreciated — and so does everyone else. If we want to be used by God, here’s one way: Affirm everybody. Appreciate everybody. Show gratitude to everybody. BTW -- I sure do appreciate YOU, my beloved social media friends and family!

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

Don't Be Normal. Be Different. Take the High Road.

I warn you! DON’T click on THAT link!!! Because I did. I clicked on a link that was in my timeline. The link led me to a well-known actor speaking at the Tonys Awards with such vile and profane words against our President that I quickly exited out. Here’s what God says to us about that:

~ Colossians 3:8 “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”
~ Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up that it may give grace to those who hear.”
~ Matthew 12:37 “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.”
~ Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

How “different” are we from what is “normal” to others? Some say that “It’s NORMAL to say it like you feel it. It’s normal to be angry, speak hatefully about people, and on and on.” “Normal” to some is ranting and raving right along with everyone else who is just downright bitter about whoever and whatever.

"Normal” isn’t where God called us to be. He called us to live a radically abnormal life where kindness, love, joy and peace rules. Believing that way makes us not just different, but we are also difference makers. We take the High Road.

In Matthew 5, Jesus told us to be glad we are treated unfairly and wrong. What? THAT’S just not normal. In Matthew 5:11-15 He gave us a completely different way to handle those normally cranky folks. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for, in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

There are many differences to be found in devoted God-followers. These differences are seen in our relationship with God, in our place in the world, in our purpose in life, in our personal goals, in our commitments, in our motives, in our values, in our choices, and in our beliefs. One of the greatest differences is found in the attitudes of our hearts:

~ We are LOVINGLY different -- extending His love freely and unconditionally to others.
~ We are TRUTHFULLY different -- believing the truth and loving the truth, we speak the truth and live the truth.
~ We are MERCIFULLY different -- knowing that God’s mercies are new every morning, we extend His mercies to those who have failed and disappointed us.
~ We are PRAYERFULLY different -- we pray in faith, we pray because of who God is and what He can do, we pray because of what God has said in His Word. We pray because we have the assurance that God hears us and answers our prayers.

We are NOT normal. We are DIFFERENT, and DIFFERENT never felt and looked so good! I think I'll cruise on over to the High Road. How about you?

If You Can't Say Something Nice -- Say Nothing At All

Day 147 of Photo Inspirations – “If You Can’t Say Something Nice….Say Nothing At All”

Those were words I heard over and over again from my sweet Mama. Those times when I would grumble about the rain and not being able to go out and play; when I would say something ugly about someone; when I would speak negatively about myself – like, “I’m so skinny (I know it’s hard to believe that, but there was a time when I took “Weight ON” pills).” LOL!

When Mama spoke, I listened because if anyone had a reason to complain or speak negatively, she did....but didn't. When I was 8, my Daddy was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and subsequently survived brain surgery. He was never the same after that. He became more like a sibling to me than my Daddy. Mom had to work so hard to take care of him and I because Daddy had no health or pension benefits. I remember her taking her wedding ring to the Pawn Shop and selling it to get a few dollars for us. My Dad passed away 7 years later. She never grew bitter, never was depressed or angry. She never complained. She was always giving (oh how she stretched her social security check). She never knew wealth in this world’s measure. But, I assure you – I have never known a happier, more contented, full of life, joyful and RICH woman as my Mama. She walked and talked like every day was full of sunshine – in the weather…..and in her circumstances. I still hear her singing “This is my story. This is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.” She taught me best by her living. These scriptures best describe the way she lived:

Psalms 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD…”

Ephesians 4:29 “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

Philippians 4:8 “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—keep thinking about these things.”

I know that the best of me came from this precious woman and, in this message today, I hope you receive this “best of me” to you – that you will understand the riches of being a PRAISER rather than a COMPLAINER. I get that there are plenty of things TO complain about – we all face some significant struggles and the future could look pretty bleak at times, but I assure you that finding the good, and ONLY speaking the kind, generous, loving, faith-filled and caring words, you’ll find SUNSHINE on a cloudy day…..when it’s cold outside, you’ll find the month of May. I’m talking about my God, my God. So, in my Mama’s words…..”If you can’t say something nice…..say nothing at all!”