Living Life Abundantly

I love this forward enjoy…

THE BUZZARD:
If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open
at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an
absolute prisoner.

The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground
with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it
will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small
jail with no top.

THE BAT:
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble
creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the
floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt ,
painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can
throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

THE BUMBLEBEE:
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it
dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top,
but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the
bottom.

It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE:

In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We
struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing
that all we have to do is look up!

Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, But faith looks up!

Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and trust in our
Creator who loves us.

(thanks for sharing this fwd Mae)

a word of encouragement for those going through hard times, may this lift your spirit

ONLY BELIEVE

Has that trial in your life been going on so long
That everything in you screams, “This is so wrong.”

You can’t understand, it seems God is far away
As with tears you cry out to Him everyday,

If you read God’s Word His truth you will see
That He has a job for you and a job for me,

ONLY BELIEVE! is what He has to say
At His feet this problem you must lay,

In His time and in His way
An answer to your problem will be there one day,

Keep on believing, don’t lose hope
He’ll give you His grace enabling you to cope,

Keep your eyes on Him as to to Him you cleave
He has promised He will never forsake you or leave,

Give Him time to work it all out
The devil just wants you to worry and doubt,

Praising Him is one thing He’s looking for
To bless you is what He has in store,

So no matter what, even when you don’t understand
ONLY BELIEVE! that’s what moves His hand.
—By Beverly Shaffer

BE OF GOOD CHEER YOU HAVE THE VICTORY!

“What seems to be a great loss or punishment often turns out to be a blessing. I know, through my own experience, that God never closes one door without opening another.” — Yolande D. Herron

Too many people spend too much time worrying…

WORRY causes STRESS…stress causes DISEASE!

Living life abundantly is like becoming an inverse paranoid (someone that believes the universe conspires to do them good). To experience more joy, happiness, and success in life be thankful, do your best, hope for the best, believe in the best, and refuse to stress!

Anthem For the Blessed

I’m too blessed to be stressed,

too anointed to be disappointed.

I refuse to be discouraged,

to be sad or to cry.

I refuse to be downhearted

and here’s the reason why:

I have a God who is almighty;

who is sovereign and supreme;

I have a God who loves me;

and I am on his team.

I refuse to be defeated!

My eyes are on my God!

He has promised to be with me,

as through this life I trod.

—Author Unknown

In times when it seems that the world is going to hell in a gasoline handbasket I still believe in miracles. I’ve been blessed and am blessed daily and have no choice but to believe in miracles. In my 32 years I’ve seen and experienced some things that cannot be explained.

mir·a·cle
An event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God.

As November becomes December and we get in a frenzy about the holidays its important that we not lose sight as to what the holidays are really about…the holiday season is rooted in MIRACLES.

No matter what you personally believe in, you cannot deny that all of the rituals, observances, and symbols surrounding this time of year are rooted in miracles…The miracle of the fat man in a red suit flying with reindeer sliding down chimneys with gifts, the miracle of enough olive oil for one night lasting 8 nights during the re-dedication of the temple, and the birth of Jesus to a virgin.

While we celebrate all of these things it often seems that many of us are reluctant to really believe in miracles. Yet when we examine our own lives everyone of us can attest to miracles.

Today I’m thinking about a conversation I had a few weeks ago with a friend. We were talking about worrying and how worrying doesn’t help things. I had a similar conversation this afternoon with my big sister. It has taken me many years to understand that worry causes stress and stress manifests mess. I now live free of stress because I KNOW without a doubt that I am blessed.

This same time 7 years ago I was sick riddled with Sarcoidosis barely able to get out bed some days and on an assortment of medications getting shots in my hip! (I HATE needles). Today I’m healthy, I feel great, and I’m not on any medication (Thank God).

I remember standing on the bus stop at 4am to get to the train station to catch another bus to get to work by six. I remember working late (after the bus stopped running) and having to call friends and family for rides home. I remember the days of rain and cars passing by drenching me on the bus stop. I recall days of missing buses and trains by a second. I recall days when buses just passed me by…I remember when my first car a 1983 Buick Regal threw a rod on a bridge in Virginia.

I remember when the transmission in my old Chrysler, Taurus, and Fairmont died. I have the painful memory of losing the Palm My Ride Contest in which I was competing for a new Ford Mustang. I remember the day before Christmas last year when our car was stolen (got it back hours later that same day).

This year, The day after Thanksgiving we were blessed with a new car.

Today I’m driving a 2008 Camry! (God is Good).

I believe with all my heart that my Maker is well aware of my needs and has it all under control (my every need is supplied) no matter how things may look to my natural eye. It’s not our place to worry about anything. A few weeks ago a friend expressed concern about praying and waiting for things to happen, her view is its about taking action. I get that… After all, faith without works is dead…

However, I know the power of prayer and have seen it at work in my life. My prayers are answered. Sometimes I have to wait for the answers to manifest because God works in His time not mine. Miracles and prayer go hand in hand. Miracles and blessings are very real! Prayer is powerful. No matter what the situation, no matter how dismal things may seem, we all have access to divine intervention.

Nothing is impossible to those that believe.

You can’t change anything by worrying. Worrying will not improve your circumstances. In fact, worrying will only make matters worse. The more you worry, the more your mind wastes energy focusing on problems rather than solutions. Worry causes both mental and physical stress which can result in more problems.

Stop worrying.

The answer to your problems lies in your ability and resolve to be happy no matter what. I know that this may seem easier said than done…But it can be done. So how does one make lemonade when life throws you lemons? It begins with your mind, your faith, and the words that you speak.

Step 1
Think or meditate on things that are lovely and pure. Philippians 4:8

This doesn’t mean think about butterflies and sunny days with pretty rainbows…to a person with problems and seemingly unsurmountable obstacles the solutions to overcoming life’s hurdles are lovely and pure. Wouldn’t it be lovely to solve the problem? Wouldn’t it be pure joy to know everything is really all good? Think about what makes you happy. (Most people are more adept at thinking about what makes them unhappy. The problem is a source of unhappiness so again avoid thinking about the problem). Meditate on the answers to the problems. See the problem solved. The more you think about the solutions the more hopeful you will feel. You may not know exactly how or when the solution will manifest but by focusing on the solution you open yourself to receiving divine inspiration.

Step 2
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Remember the George Michaels song Faith? Well, he is absolutely right…YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH. I’m not talking about ordinary natural faith…What I am talking about is mountain moving faith. The even though you can’t see it, touch it, taste it, feel it, or hear it but you boldly and confidently believe it, kind of faith. You must have faith that your problems are solvable and that they will be solved. You must be able to believe no matter what circumstances look like, everything isn’t always as it appears. You cannot always rely on what you see, you have to believe without a doubt, and stand on your faith.

Step 3
Speak things that are not as though they are. Romans 4:17

Your words have creative power, speaking faith filled words can breath new life into any situation. No matter what you are facing the words that come out of your mouth can change your circumstance. I often hear people say that they are broke over and over and they stay broke because who ever without a doubt “…believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” Mark 11:23 This is why it is of the utmost importance that you are selective with what comes out of your mouth. Don’t speak the problem speak the solution. If finances are of concern instead confessing you’re broke confess something like: God is the unfailing, unlimited source of my supply. My financial income now increases…Remember to ask, believe, and receive.

Nothing good ever comes from worrying! Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things…” Matthew 6:34

Don’t Worry, Be Happy Lyrics by Bobby McFerrin

Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don’t worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don’t worry, be happy……

Ain’t got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don’t worry, be happy
The land lord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don’t worry, be happy
Lood at me I am happy
Don’t worry, be happy
Here I give you my phone number
When you worry call me
I make you happy
Don’t worry, be happy
Ain’t got no cash, ain’t got no style
Ain’t got not girl to make you smile
But don’t worry be happy
Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don’t worry, be happy (now)…..

There is this little song I wrote
I hope you learn it note for note
Like good little children
Don’t worry, be happy
Listen to what I say
In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry
You make it double
Don’t worry, be happy……
Don’t worry don’t do it, be happy
Put a smile on your face
Don’t bring everybody down like this
Don’t worry, it will soon past
Whatever it is
Don’t worry, be happy