G.I.V.E.

Interesting how quickly we become accustomed to having our amenities at our fingertips. As I am sitting here this morning watching the digital clock click over the minutes before I am due at work, I anxiously await any sign of a good Samaritan willing to lend me a shower. It seems to be a common occurrence that the hot water likes to 'sleep in', here at my humble little apartment complex . I should be thankful that I generally have the convenience of running hot water at the twist of my wrist, but this morning I find myself annoyed. Until it's unavailable I forget to appreciate the blessing it is.

I thought of how I might apply this situation in a more meaningful way as I burn the time hoping for a call. I drew a parallel with relationships---friends, family, co-workers, grocery clerks, gym members etc...How often do we forget to smile, extend a greeting, or even acknowledge those around us. At times I feel as if we all revolve around each other like inanimate objects. There is much life behind each set of eyes if we only took the time to extend the invitation for conversation, offer a compliment, or enjoy a warm embrace. I am guilty of allowing too many people to slip by without acknowledging their existence; it's time to change that. Better to live fully and experience rejection then to live withdrawn and never have the chance to experience true life. How will you make an impact, or leave a legacy if you don't extend yourself? Lets think G.I.V.E for the month of November(or whats left of it).

G.ENUINE--be real
I.NTENTIONAL--live it with purpose, direction, and motive
V.ALUE--seek worth in all life
E.MBRACE--love

Don't wait until it's too late to say the words you wanted to say, or accomplish the goals you dreamed of. Don't wait until people are gone before you remember to appreciate them. If there is unfinished business left between you and another, heal it, make amends. Bitterness only destroys the soul of the one who holds it dear. Gift those around you this holiday season with the attributes of G.I.V.E. it's one present that you won't mind if they return or even 're-gift';)

What Will You Choose?

Your path of Life is a daily choice. What path are you traveling? Is it leading forward to an impending destination or are you wandering the backwoods crossing your fingers you'll happenstance upon a fulfilling future? Do not waste one more day, one more hour, one more minute without observing where you are currently in your spiritual life, emotional being, physical strength, mental health and financial expenditures. The longer we continue traveling the "backwoods" trail(not living with intention and purpose), the further in debt we may become, the deeper in to depression or dissatisfaction we will dive, mental and physical alertness and energy will be squandered and your spirit will be like an empty well.

As I prepared to go to the gym this early Wednesday morning I felt an unusual compulsion to remain at home and study rather then rush out the door. I read over a few emails I had received and then opened my notebook and let the pen begin to write. Before I knew it I had recorded 3 pages of script in response to what I read in Proverbs. This has been the most challenging and yet refreshing thing I have done all week. As I stopped and observed my own Path as of recent...I realized it has been quite a trek through vines and dense foliage as I have become less diligent about discipline in my daily life. Though I thought my laziness was making life lax and enjoyable it actually produced in me a greater anxiety and feeling of despair. Contrary to what our culture preaches, discipline of the body, mind, and soul plays an essential role in the outcome of our future.

I brought these questions to myself this morning as I prayed:
What Path will I chose today?
Am I being complacent or compromising?
What produces Joy and Exuberance in my life?
Am I taking steps toward my desired future?
Do I trust God knows best, and will I submit to Him?

In Proverbs I read these verses which pressed me to look inside and be honest with myself:

Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:

'How long will you simple ones love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.

But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you---When calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

Then they will call to me but I will not answer, they will look for me but will not find me.
Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not
Accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled
With the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and
the complacency of the fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me(Wisdom) will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.'

----If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as silver and search for it as a hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding."

Stop this moment and think about your life. You have Wisdom available to you; Knowledge that will guide your life to an abundant future; will you tap in to it, will you search after it like a hidden treasure? or will you continue down the wayward path? By choosing wisdom, you are choosing life; and you have the ability to positively effect the lives of everyone around you whether it is revealed to you or not. Don't be the foolish one who puts off his/her future, start today taking steps of preparation. Don't waste this opportunity...take a stand for Exuberant LIFE!