I know Valentine’s Day is hyped and every jewelry store, card shop, and chocolate maker hopes to get your money this month but, regardless, don’t you enjoy celebrating LOVE? When I saw my husband at the airport a few days ago returning from a two week trip, I felt a surge of love. Watching my daughter cradle her sick, little toddler filled me with love. Playing with my pre-school granddaughter produced more love. Love is something that floods the senses with joy—and we all need it on a regular basis.
As you read this month’s THRIVE, I hope it will inspire you to do three things:
- Stop and savor the surge of love you feel for those close to you—tell God “thank you”!
- Choose some specific way to show your love to others (chocolates, notes, words of appreciation), AND
- Work on one attitude that can help you be loved more fully by those around you.
Karen, my assistant, has been observing the different attitudes expressed by an aging relative in a nursing home and her room-mate. Their responses to situations and the resulting happiness levels in these two women are totally opposite. Wanting to check her attitudes now before it’s too late, Karen wrote down what she saw and heard. Her comments fit so well with this month’s focus on SAVVY GIRLS GROW BY CHOOSING POSITIVE ATTITUDES that I asked her permission to include them in Espresso for the Soul. For more ideas, check out Want to Grow? Let us know if you find this topic strikes home!
God’s love (and mine) to you,
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Savvy Girls Grow -
By Choosing Positive Attitudes
by Poppy Smith
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What’s the difference between viewing a situation as an opportunity to grow or an obstacle? Attitude. Choosing your attitude is the single most important daily decision you make.
A positive attitude, not circumstances, makes you more open to new opportunities and determines your level of fulfillment in life. Instead of being negative or rigid, pay attention to what is positive in others, in yourself, and in the situations you are facing right now.
Difficulties contain seeds for growth in Christlikeness—you could choose to trust God in a fresh way, you could choose to look past someone’s difficult personality and focus on their good points, you could look for ways to help one person who is worse off than you.
It does take discipline to catch negative thoughts that surge into our minds when tough or discouraging situations come up, but you can do it. Choose to think on what is faith-filled and positive. For Scriptures that will help you do this, see Want to Grow? By choosing a positive attitude even in hard situations, you show the ... [read more] |
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By the time you read Thrive, I'll be back in Singapore where I lived for over two years and have since visited frequently. I'll be talking to women of all nationalities urging them to "Take Care of Yourself--spiritually, physically, emotionally and intellectually." A few days later I'll be headed to Thailand for a Christian medical missions conference and will share the same talk with the spouses of docs and dentists working throughout Asia. Later in the week, I have the privilege of speaking on "Sex, Power, and Serving God" and I'm praying it will be of great help to those doctors and dentists who attend.
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| I spoke at a women's conference in Singapore on my last trip in 2007 |
I feel humbled and blessed by the many opportunities God has given me to speak in other countries and to a great variety of people. From villagers in Indonesia to sophisticated women in Singapore and Hong Kong, expatriate wives and singles in China, delightful Aussies and loving New Zealanders plus many more, I've seen God do awesome things as he steers invitations my way from time to time.
With my background of growing up living in England, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Kenya I see how God prepared me, long before I knew Him, to enjoy being with people from all different cultures and sharing the Word with them. As you look at your life, HOW HAS GOD UNIQUELY EQUIPPED YOU TO SERVE HIM? He's done it for you as much as for me! Look back and trace His hand on you.
If you want more help to do this, you can either order the CD "Find Your Passion and Live it" or have me come and share with you how an exciting but easy way for you to trace God's shaping of your life. Seeing how He has led you so far not only strengthens your faith, but will help you see His direction for your future! Either way, be assured, God has been, and still is, at work in your life--just like He is in mine! |
Dressed for the Indian culture! |
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Which positive action do you need to take today?
Read Philippians 3-4.
3:1—Rejoice in the Lord
3:12—Press on, take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of you
3:13—Forget what is behind, look forward to what is ahead
4:6—Pray about everything, tell God what you need
4:8—Think about what is true, honorable, right, pure and admirable
4:13—Believe: I CAN do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need |
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I'm Too Human to Be Like Jesus
— Spiritual Growth for the Not-So-Perfect Woman!
Do you blow it sometimes? Compare yourself to others who seem spiritually all together? Wonder if a not-so-perfect woman can still be loved and used by God?
"I'm Too Human to Be Like Jesus" provides more than inspiration. It gives you practical ways to become the woman you long to be. With thought provoking questions throughout each chapter and discussion questions at the end, this book is ideal for group discussion or individual study.
Book Price $12.00
(FREE Shipping & Handling in February)
Click here to place your order!
Find Your Passion and Live It!
An inspiring, motivational talk that invites you to DREAM and follow the passion God has put within you.
Message available on CD: $6.00
Click here to place your order! |
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