Positive Thoughts

Things have been challenging over the last several years for me personally and over the world.  I've been looking for ways to keep my spirits up knowing while things may be bad, they could always be worse. 

One thing I tried early this year is signing up for several devotions from BibleGateway.com. This is a great site if you are looking for one that has many Biblical offerings all in one place. The site is also easy to use and has a mobile app.

In today's "Standing Strong Through the Storm" daily inspirational devotion author Paul Estabrooks quotes an anonymous inspiration using each letter from the American alphabet. Here it is below:


A lthough things are not perfect B ecause of trial or pain C ontinue in thanksgiving. D o not begin to blame, E ven when the times are hard. F ierce winds are bound to blow. G od is forever able. H old on to what you know; I magine life without His love, J oy would cease to be. K eep thanking Him for all the things L ove imparts to thee. M ove out of "Camp Complaining." N o weapon that is known, O n earth can yield the power P raise can do alone. Q uit looking at the future; R edeem the time at hand; S tart every day with worship. T o "thank" is a command U ntil we see Him coming V ictorious in the sky. W e'll run the race with gratitude; X alting God most high. Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad! 
  
© 2011 Open Doors International.

Today's Inspiration - The Donkey in the Well

I don't know the original source of this but take no credit. A dear friend posted it on Facebook and given all the tragedies around the world the past week, it's a heartwarming reminder there is always hope and you can turn lemons into lemonade!
 

 
 
"One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
...
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

MORAL :
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up."
 
 
And her advice:
 
"Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happens.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less from people but more from yourself.

You have two choices... smile and close this page,  or pass this along to someone else to share the lesson ."
 

How To Exceed in Life

• First, believe in God and that He has good things planned for you.
• Second, lose your negative attitude.
• Third, look at all trials and tribulations as learning experiences – for you to grow and to share with others.
• Fourth, share what you have with others, no matter how little it is.
• Fifth, admit your mistakes, make amends, and move on.
• Sixth, ask for forgiveness from God and humankind.
• Seventh, don’t automatically assume the other person meant harm to you.
• Eighth, forgive those who hurt you. This helps you, not them.
• Ninth, politely stand up for what you believe but don’t look for trouble.
• Tenth, don’t give up.