Striving for Excellence

Nov9

“Striving For Excellence”… No where in that statement does it say “Arrived at Excellence”. The road to excellence is a journey and God provides the necessary roadmap for the journey when He says,

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

People can call you obsessive compulsive, passionate, annal, or any other term with a negative connotation but bottom line, if you are working with all your heart as unto the Lord and you are in pursuit of excellence you will find JOY.

Pearl Buck says it well…

“The secret of Joy in work is contained in one word-Excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.”

If you’re not enjoying your work perhaps you are working to gain mans approval rather than God’s. I challenge you to begin your journey toward excellence today!

Love Lee ♥

If Momma Ain’t Happy

Nov8

It is amazing how much influence a woman has over her home. For years my husband has jokingly said, “If Momma Aint Happy; Aint Nobody Happy”. There is so much truth to that saying. We as women set the tone in our homes. Having a bad day? Well, you can pretty much bet everyone else in the house is too. Happy and joyful? Give it a little time and your happiness will affect the whole family. Think about it…the attitude of the wife/ mother sets the tone for entire home. That is a lot of power we possess!

I also feel it would be safe to say, the priorities of the wife/ mother becomes the priorities for the entire family. If it is a priority to attend an event, you can pretty much bet the entire family will be there. If it is a priority to clean house, momma will enlist the help of the family. Amazingly everyone’s priority becomes housework whether they are in the mood to clean or not.

When a woman gets it in her mind to do something there is little a man can do to sway her from it. In fact, the woman has a lot of power over the man to sway him to her line of thinking. This phenomenon is demonstrated in Genesis when Eve persuaded Adam to partake of the forbidden fruit. Knowing this, we as wives and mothers must be so very careful because the results of our persuasion can undermine our husband’s wisdom and authority in the home.

Ladies, I challenge you to set priorities which places God in the center of your home, to serve Him, and to create an atmosphere of worship in your homes. Meet the challenge and set priorities that will provide the opportunity and atmosphere for the rest of your family to make God important in their lives.

“But as for me and my household we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Has this scripture been put into practice in your home? Is serving God a priority for your home? Are you living the example so your family recognizes this as a priority?

Place Jesus in the heart of your home and your home will have a heart like Jesus!

Love Lee ♥

Why Me?

Nov7

I love a good “chick flicks”! I love how 99.9% of the time the story ends with “Happily Ever After”…But, have you ever thought how boring a “chick flick” would be if they had not had to go through some “stuff” to reach that happiness; if they had not fought to get to the Happily Ever After? Our lives are much the same. There is so much drama and adversity we have to endure to get to the happy…Have you ever wondered why or better yet wondered why me???

In II Corinthians chapter 12 Paul talks about his “stuff” but he didn’t call it “stuff”, he called it a thorn. He even explains why he has to go through all his “stuff”…

“…I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me , ” My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:

In this passage, Paul acknowledges his “stuff” has a purpose. Did he want his “stuff”?… NO!!! In fact he pleaded with God to take it away from him.

Do you have some “stuff” in your life which you have pleaded with God to remove?… Are you tired of dealing with it?… Feel like giving up?

Wait, hold on…according to Paul there is a reason for the ” stuff in our lives is it make us strong.

Hmmm…Interesting concept isn’t it…

In hardships: Those circumstances in life which are hard to endure. Something that causes discomfort, suffering, poverty, or pain. Whether the “stuff” in hardships can both physical and mental.

Persecution: To be oppressed or harassed with ill-treatment, especially because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or beliefs or to annoy persistently; bothered

Difficulties: Those obstacles in life that are difficult or bring you trouble or distress.

At some time in everyone’s life they have reason to ask, “Why me, why does my life have to be so stinking hard?”

Here’s why…

Your “stuff” becomes your testimony!

How effective could you be if you had never walked through your “stuff”. You can not speak as an expert unless you have been through it. When you have walked through adversity it adds credibility to your life.

Hmmm…if you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, had everything you ever wanted and more, would you be taken seriously by one who was living in poverty and had no idea where their next meal would come from? NO!

Everyone has “stuff” and everyone’s “stuff” is different but not everyone uses the “stuff” they have been through to minister and help others. So rather than ask…”Why Me?” perhaps we should thank Him for allowing us to have “stuff” in our lives which will be our future testimony and perhaps ministry. By using the “stuff” you have been through to minister to others…

You Ever After Will Be Happy!!!

Love Lee ♥

The Value of Recognition

Nov5

I will never forget playing the role of Widow Carney in the musical “Oliver”, it was both challenging and fun. I like all my other classmates worked hard to ensure the production was a success. What I never expected was to receive the award for “Best Supporting Actress”.

Wow.. I didn’t even know there was one but it was such an honor to receive the award. In fact, I still have the trophy today.

What I learned from receiving this honor was…

It Is So Important To Recognize People For What They Do!

Today this concept was reinforced when I attended Stephen F. Austin Elementary’s Awards Ceremony. Watching my Granddaughter Cheyenne receive awards for “A” Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, and the coveted Gator Award was priceless. Cheyenne beam as she looked around the room and realized everyone she had invited was there. While receiving the award was very important to her, it was more important for those she loves to witness her receive the awards.

I am so very proud of Cheyenne…She worked very hard for her awards. I would also like to thank the teachers and administrators at SFA Elementary for recognizing the children for their hard work!

Recognition is vital for the well-being of an individual. So, I ask you…

Have You Recognized Someone’s Efforts Today?

Love Lee ♥

Gotta Win The Race!

Nov4

Have you ever noticed that runners wear the bare minimum of clothing when they run? By doing so it makes it easier to run. Can you imagine how hard it would be to run in winter boots and an overcoat? They would get tired very quickly!

Although the author of Hebrews is unknown he gives a good analogy when he writes, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

We are running the race of faith. The race that makes our faith deeper and our trust stronger. And when we are running the race of faith in this world we need to get rid of the “junk” that can weigh us down.

There are no secret sins and you can not keep a couple of your favorite sins hidden away in a closet and think no one will know.

God knows!!!

So Lighten Up…Get Rid of the Junk and Start Running the Race God has Set Before You!!!

Love Lee ♥

Moving On

Nov3

Life is not fair and there are a lot of injustices in this world but does that give us an excuse to blame our present behaviors on the past?

For every event in our lives there is an emotion associated to that event. And, while an event may be a positive experience for one, it can be a very negative experience for another. Think about it… Holidays are a time of celebration with family and friends with lots of food, laughter, and hugs.

Well, for some that is true but for one friend that was not the case. Growing up she lived in a home where both parents were alcoholics, they had no money, she owned one dress and had to wash it every day so she could wear it the next, she lived in a shack, and their family was looked down on in the community. For her Christmas was a horrible day. Her parents would get drunk, fight, and pass out. She never had a Christmas dinner or received a Christmas gift.

Another friend was punished when she made a mess in their “immaculate” home. Today, she is obsessive compulsive about her home and it must be perfect because that is how she was raised and that was what was expected of her.

While another was made to cook and clean for her family as a child and to this day refuses to clean house and blame her parents for her dirty house and dysfunction.

As an adult these ladies have two choices…

Live in the past and be miserable, dwelling on all the negativity, abuse, and heartache they had to endure as a children.
Live in the present, forgiving, and releasing the emotions associated with their past while enjoying the present.

Now let me ask you…does it make sense to live in a home where you can not be comfortable because you are obsessed with keeping it immaculate? Or better yet, does it make sense to live in an absolute pig pen because one is rebelling against their past…

Many are faced with that same choice. Perhaps you had a horrible childhood, your parents didn’t provide the love and acceptance you needed, you lived in poverty, or perhaps you suffered some type of abuse in your life. You have the same two choices as my friends.

How sad is it that we validate the past by giving it so much volume in our present?

Letting your past render you paralyzed and ineffective in the present is not God’s plan for your life!!! For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

I use to blame my behaviors on my past, thinking my past justified my present behaviors. Then I realized…the injustice was done. It is over!!! It is the emotion tied to the injustice that lingers on.

So…It is the emotion we must deal with not our past!!!

He wants your life to be full of love, laughter, and peace of mind. He adores you! And so much so that He allowed His son to be the ultimate sacrifice for all sin, injustices, negative emotions, and bad thing that has happened in your life…

‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!’ 2Corinthians 5:17

I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. He has made me a new creation and I am not the person I use to be…I am a His!

Not only has He given me the grace to deal with the emotions tied to my past, He has also given me the grace to love those who have not!

So for those of you my friends who have not dealt with the emotions associated with your past and continue to use it as an excuse for your present, I encourage you to give your past to Jesus and…

Step Into the Present With Freedom With Him!!!

Love Lee ♥

Read about one who overcame a horrific past…Joyce Meyer’s

One Physician Who Cared

Nov2

In July of ’98 a storm blew through Brazoria and I spent most of a Saturday picking up tree limbs and debris. Early the next morning while getting dressed I noticed a red raised circle on my stomach. I didn’t give it much thought and went on about my day.

Approximately a month later, we were out-of-town and after dinner we decided to go back to our hotel room and take a short nap before going to a movie. My short nap lasted for over 12 hours. The next morning when I woke, I had to sit down and rest after getting dressed. We walked over to a little diner for breakfast and I could hardly hold my head up because I was so exhausted.

I went to a couple of Doctors and both told me “Oh, you are just depressed”. Depressed??? I was not depressed! I was sick and something was wrong!!!

The exhaustion continued and got to the point I was confined to bed every minute I was not at work. As for work, it took every ounce of energy I had to make it through my shift. In fact, there were days my co-workers carried me. I had memory lapses, chills, and severe muscle aches. I even thought at times, “I am going to die”. I can not remember a time when I was soooo sick and for soooo long.

Then one day a physician walked through the ICU unit where I worked and caught me with a thermometer in my mouth. He asked me if I was sick. I told him I was and that I had been running a 98.9 temp which was high for me (my normal was 97). He asked me if I had been to a Dr. I told him I had but they just told me I was depressed. The doctor looked me in the eye and said, “Depressed people don’t run a fever. Call my office and set up an appointment.”

I called his office and set up the appointment. After a 30 minute visit, I was about to leave when he said, “Just for grins let’s run this test too”.

BINGO…He found it!!! I am alive today because a physician by the name of Dr. Dalal heard me and cared to look beyond the obvious to find the source of my illness!

The whelp on my abdomen was from a tick bite. I had Lyme Disease.

After 6 weeks of IV antibiotics the Lyme Disease was resolved. To this day I still have challenges with of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia but I am ALIVE!!!

I thank God for Dr. Dalal and physicians like him who care enough to keep digging for the answers.

Why did I share my story? Because, there is someone out there that is struggling with an illness and I want you to know sometimes God provides the healing and sometimes He provides a healer!

If you are out there experiencing pain, fatigue, or other symptoms, I want to remind you…

Don’t give up!!! God knows your battle and He will never leave you or forsake you. I don’t know your name but He does!

I am praying for you,

Love Lee ♥

Knowing Your Job

Nov1

In this day and age everyone is so busy. Lives becomes a “To Do” check list. At times we get so busy it is difficult to find meaning to life. Even our church commitments become routine and busy work. We find ourselves in a rut and everything becomes mundane or we find ourselves spread so thin we become ineffective.

Who says we have to be that busy; certainly not God. According to His plan we have only one single job and that is to…

“Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

Wow, what a liberating thought…The whole duty or major of work of man is to fear (respect) God and keep His commandments!

But wait….before we can keep His commandments we need to know them so we can commit to living a life of obedience to Him. God provides a written plan of His expectations of us.

Obedience is one of the highest forms of respect. Without obedience, there is no respect!!! So as you learn and obey God’s commandments you will find the meaning to life and you will honor and glorify God in all you do.

I love my Job…How about you?

Love Lee ♥

Stand Firm & Be Still

Oct30

How often do we forget God goes before us and He has everything under control. This is especially difficult when everyone and all evidence around us screams failure…

This is not a dilemma specific to this day and age. In fact, in Exodus the Israelites faced the same dilemma. The Israelites had fled Egypt and was following the pillar of smoke by day and the pillar of fire by night when they had left Etham. God spoke to Moses and told him to tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. When Pharaoh found out the Israelites fled he took 600 of his best chariots along with all the other chariots of Egypt and pursued the Israelites. As Pharoah approached the Israelites looked up and there were the Egyptians marching after them.

Now I don’t know about you but the first words that come to my mind when I am in a pinch is “OH GOD” and that is just what the Israelites said. They immediately began to cry out to the Lord. Then much like we do today, they started blaming Moses for the mess they “thought” they were in. Hmmm….”Thought Life” possibly a future post!

Did Moses cave under all the pressure? No…

“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid.” Stand firm and you will see the deliverance of the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight fo you; you need only to be still.”

Wow…don’t know about you but if the enemy were marching toward me standing still would not be my reaction!

My dear friends we face the enemy every day!!! It is in the form of Illness, Debt, Hunger, Broken Relationships, Bad Attitudes, Loneliness, Fluctuating Emotions…

What does your enemy look like? Are you panicking, blaming, or frozen by your fears?

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever…He knows the army you are facing. So stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today! He will fight for you if you will just be God is the same still and stop trying to handle everything yourself!

Let Go And Let God!

Love Lee ♥

Queen of Bling

Oct29

Several years ago a dear friend said to me, “You know, are always dressed so nice, your hair is perfect, and you’re makeup looks great but… have you ever thought about accessorizing?”. Hmmmmm….I had never really thought much about accesories…I wore the same little necklace, stud earings, and rings every day so I realized, I didn’t know how to accessorize.

Once she made me aware of this opportunity, I set out to learn how to accessorize. I began to do my homework…Magazines, Store Displays, Internet, and Jewelry Shows. It didn’t take me long to figure out I LOVE BLING!!!

Guess what…GOD DOES TOO!

Glen Pease does an awesome job in his article “The Jewels Of Heaven” . I love every word he wrote and how he explains the importance of Jewels to God. I now realize…His children are His bling! Now I not only enjoy wearing bling but…