Transformed

Ok so now that you have learned How To Change Your Mind, you must also RENEW your mind!

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

So once you make the decision to “change your mind” you would think it is a one time decision and you will never have the same thoughts and behaviors again…right?

WRONG!!!

Do you actually think the world stops just because you have made the decision to ask Jesus to come into your heart? One would think it is that easy but unfortunately satan is alive and roaming around checking out who he can get to next…We are bombarded with unwholesome TV, commercials, movies, internet, games, and music.

But the good news is…

It’s a choice…Your choice!

Choose Wisely!!!

Love Lee ♥

How to Change Your Mind

Feb3

Everything that happens to you; everything from your past and everything in your future all relies on one simple thing: How do you choose to process that which happens to you? The way you choose to process everything that has or will happen to you makes up your entire experience of life. Most people are oblivious to this powerful fact, mostly because the majority of our thoughts are shaped automatically by our past conditioning.

I have always said the hardest thing to change is your mind; how you process information has been ingrained in you since the day you were born. You have spent years watching your mom and dad’s reactions to life circumstances. Watched others respond to both positive and negative occurences over the years and without even knowing it your prejudices, likes, dislikes, and opinions have been formed; both good and bad…

I have good news…All those negative concepts, thought processes, prejudices and opinions can be reprogrammed. It all began at birth right? Rather than go back to the beginning your natural birth…Just get born again!

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. ” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:3-7

To Change Your Mind and Your Mindset and Letting Your Past Be Your Past…

Be Born Again!!!

Love Lee ♥

The Snowball Effect…

Feb2

It is so much easier to tell the truth than it is to tell a lie. In-fact it is virtually impossible to tell a lie and pull one off without being found out…my kids can attest to this hypothesis…In-fact they think I am human lie detector.

In some ways I guess they are right…My Father gifted me with the gift of discernment. From out of nowhere this sense of “something’s not right” comes over me and I become a little nauseated when someone is telling me an untruth.

Recently a friend was in a dilemma and asked me “what do I tell them?” My reply was “try the truth!!!”

Being truthful is a choice. Like any attribute of a Believer’s life, integrity can release blessings if you choose to live a life based on truth. The Bible says, “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9, NIV)

Oh, and just for the record…there is no such thing as a “Little White Lie”. It is what it is….A LIE!!! If you tell one then you have to tell another and before you know it, you are burdened with the task of remembering who you told what…The Snowball Effect.

Yes, there may be consequences for telling the truth and may even be a little uncomfortable but…

God Will Bless You for Living a Life of Integrity!

Love Lee ♥

Hey Goldilocks What’s Your Temperature?

Feb1

The big headlines this morning in the news is for a hard freeze. Temperatures in the 20’s is so atypical for South Texas. It is not uncommon to hear “I can’t stand cold weather” but then in the summer I frequently hear “it’s too hot”. We are sooo like Goldilocks we don’t want it too hot or too cold. Instead, we want it just right!

Hmmm….Not God!!!

Our Father is very clear on this matter. He finds it distasteful to be lukewarm. So much so He wants absolutely nothing to do with us…He will just spew us out!!!

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.Revelation 3:16

So what does lukewarm sound like, look like, or feel like for a Christian?

Here are some questions that might help you determine whether your Christian walk has become lukewarm…

Do you find yourself worrying?
Is there sin in your life?
Do you love the things of the world more than you love God?
Are you too busy for Jesus?
What are your priorities?
Do you use God’s name in vain?
When is the last time you prayed for someone or something other than yourself or your desires?
Do you share your faith no matter what others think or say about you?
Do you seek wealth and recognition over God?
When is the last time you followed God’s direction or obeyed His word?

Well there you have it…He didn’t call us to be perfect. He called us to be on fire for Him!!!

What’s Your Temperature?

Love Lee ♥

Mover, Shaker, or Procrastinator

Jan31

In life there are three kinds of people…MOVERS, SHAKERS, & PROCRASTINATORS

The Movers

The “movers” are those that dive in and help crank out the work. They are result oriented and like immediate gratification. The “movers” can work circles around all others and typically enjoy getting their hands dirty. A “mover” typically walks fast and completes assignments on time or ahead of schedule.

The Shakers

The “shakers” are those that walk in and make an announcement about what needs to be done. They typically motivate others to get busy and do a great job of delegating work to others. They often pitch an idea, sign you up to carry it out and then step back and watch it all happen. A “shaker” typically talk fast and conducts business verbally.

The Procrastinators

The “procrastinators” are those who know what needs to be done and may acknowledge it verbally but does not take action. They typically think or say to themselves they will do it later but usually talk themselves out of doing anything all together. They have minimal to no motivation and seldom if ever follow through. A “procrastinator” walks and moves slowly, talks slowly, and is typically seated and often announces “I’m gonna” or “I’m fixin too”.

Movers, Shakers, and Procrastinators are found in the home, the work place, on the job, and even in the church and often each are intolerant of the other.

The “mover” doesn’t want the “shaker” to tell them what to do and they certainly don’t want the “procrastinator” to sit and watch them work.
The “shaker” gets frustrated when the “mover” makes things happen before they are even able to delegate the task to them and to delegate to a “procrastinator” is even more frustrating because they know typically the work won’t get done.
The “procrastinator” does not enjoy being around the “mover” or “shaker” because it means work or being told they should participate in work.

The word work appears occurs 420 times in 380 verses in the KJV. God gives instructions on how to be a “mover’ and a “shaker”. He put more emphasis on work than rest.

Even God worked for seven days prior to resting. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Genesis 2:2

And…He tells us to do the same. Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest. Exodus 34:21

Hmmm…I better get moving! It’s time to go to work!!!

Love Lee ♥

OCD…Absolutely!!!

Jan29

One thing I learned in my years of bedside nursing was…Nurses Don’t Diagnose! Only a physician has the credentials to diagnose and treat. Even a nurse practitioner must practice under the supervision of a physician. Often I knew exactly what was wrong with a patient but never used the diagnosis but instead objective and subjective data to describe the patient’s condition.

For example: Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) was described as fluid overload as evidenced by jugular vein distension. , shortness of breath, S3 heart sounds, crackles in the lung bases, and 2+ pitting peripheral edema…It would be so much easier if we could just call the physician and say…”Your patient has CHF”.

I find it interesting society uses labels to describe people when they feel they have someone figured out. We are quick to slap a diagnosis or an acronym on when describing their behavior or personality.

I have been the recipient of one such label in my adult years…OCD (Obsesive Compulsive Disorder). Wahahahah….if they only knew!!!

I AM OCD…Organized, Creative, & Dedicated

Organized

Yes, I absolutely love order… I take after my Father! He created the world in an organized and purposeful manner. Think about…It wouldn’t make much sense if He created the fish before He created the ocean. Applying logic to thought processes and actions is not rocket science! To be organized is key for effeciancy…so rather than spending my time digging through piles of papers on my desk or digging in a closet for something…I choose to walk in put my hand on what I am looking for and crank out my work so I can play!

Creative

I sooo dislike doing the same things over and over again!!! I recognize routine is an essential component of life however…I love change, the unexpected, and the spontaneous things about my life. Now there is absolutely NOTHING compulsive about that!!! My Father loved to create too! For goodness sakes…He created the heavens and the earth…He created you and me AND He said “it is good”!!! Creativity is one of my greatest gifts! Unfortunately it doesn’t pay well sooo…I moved to a science based field which yielded a better income.

Dedicated

Now here is the piece that pulls it all together…I am so dedicated to living my life in such a manner that all that I do, all that I say, and all that am is to bring glory and honor to my Father in Heaven! To give less than my absolute best would be a dishonor to Him! Do I get it right all the time…NO! Does that give me permission to give up…NO!!! I am dedicated to a Biblical Work Ethic…

My whole existence is to bring Glory and Honor to Him!!!

Am I OCD?

Organized, Creative, and Dedicated…You Bet I am !!!

Love Lee ♥

What’s in Your Glass Today?

Jan28

I received this message in an email a couple of days ago and immediately requested permission to share it…

“A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience; with a raised glass of water, and everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, ‘half empty or half full?’….. she fooled them all… “How heavy is this glass of water?”, she inquired with a smile.

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you’ll have to call an ambulance. In each case it’s the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “and that’s the way it is with stress. If we carry our
burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won’t be able to carry on.”

“As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we’re refreshed, we can carry on with the burden – holding stress longer and better each time practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night… pick them up tomorrow.”

My friend added ******”But, I would have to add to this message – why even pick them up tomorrow? Give them to the Lord!”. She is sooo right!!!

I would say why not just empty the contents out completely…Pour out your burdens to Jesus!!!

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalms 55:22

What’s in Your Glass Today?

Love Lee ♥

How Much Are You Willing to Pay

Jan26

No one ever said it would be easy to be a follower of Christ…In-fact the price one must pay is quite expensive.

He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

To pursue a life with Jesus can be a huge challenge, especially when it is our nature to make everything personal and centered around our needs and desires. We are a selfish people with most of our decisions based on what works or is best for us. Often we do not even consider how our decision will affect others. In-fact many of us have never denied ourselves of much in life; if we want it we pursue it at all cost.

How awesome would it be if we pursued Jesus with that same passion? To say I will follow Jesus no matter what the cost…Popularity, Acceptance, Employment, Possessions, and/or Relationships…

Think about it…Jesus didn’t say follow me if it is popular with the world or accepted by our friends…Nope, he said we must put aside our selfish desires, personal preferences, and expectation of others and pursue Him.

So I ask, are you willing…

Stop making everything about you?
Lay aside your plans and dreams?
Stop what you are doing at any moment?
Allow Him to be in control of your life?
Put others first?

Are You Willing To Deny Yourself and Pay the Price to Be a Follower of Jesus…

Love Lee ♥

Can’t Touch This

Jan24

Today I had cause to think about Job and all that satan put on him in effort to get him to curse God. But what I find interesting…

Before Satan was allowed to touch Job, he had to have permission from God.

“Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:10-12

Now how cool is that??? Satan had to approach God and request permission to tempt a child of God…WOW!!!

I take great comfort in knowing I am the King’s kid and absolutely nothing or nobody can touch me without God’s permission!

So, you ask why would God give Satan permission to tempt us…

Because, our Father knows us…We are His and He believes in us!!! We are allowed to go through the test because He knows we will pass! Bottom line God knows us better than we know ourselves!

When We Say…. He Says…

“I can’t go on” “I am Your Sustainer”
“I am thirsty” “I am The Living Water”
“I am scared” “I am Your Protector”
“I am hungry” “I am The Bread of Life”
“I am lost” “I am The Way”
“I don’t have enough “I am Your Provider”
“I’m not” “I AM”

He knows us, He loves us, He has a hedge of protection about us and Satan does not cross that hedge unless given permission by your Father! Most importantly…God told Satan “but on the man himself do not lay a finger” and he…

Can’t Touch This!!!

Love Lee ♥

Hoop Hoop Hurray She Made It!

Jan23

New to basketball with approximately three hours of practice under her belt, Cheyenne gets a chance to score…

Cheyenne #22 does an outstanding job at defense but also does a great job at offense in this game. In-fact she received an award for outstanding offense.

Way to Go Cheyenne!!!

It is so fun to watch not only my only granddaughter celebrate her successes, it is also fun to watch my kiddo enjoy being a Mommy… which is Brandi’s greatest joy!!! I so grateful Brandi ensures Cheyenne is involved in positive and uplifting activities while maintaining a healthy balance…