Impossible Circumstances and Unlikely Heros

"... that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
"God is glorified that we bear much fruit and so prove to be disciples of Christ."
"... to the glory of God the Father."

Thant's the point. It's the point Jesus made time & time again no matter what He was talking about: suffering, asking anything of Him, bearing fruit, worship, adoption ...

That's why God uses impossible circumstances and unlikely heroes. No one else can take credit. Without Him it would never have happened - not possible by the power, skill, or ability of people.

BUT ... this is the stumbling block. It's also these 'impossible' circumstance God brings our way to reveal the condition of our hearts - what do we truly rely on? On what do we base our actions? How is this any different than the world around us?

We're always trying to 'figure it out'. We discourage others because their aspirations appear unrealistic. We plan and create processes. We cause-and-effect everything. BUT GOD IS GREATER THAN ALL THESE THINGS!

Wake up Christians! Until we are "all in" ... until we as God's people TRUST Him by FAITH in the midst of impossible circumstances ... we will change NOTHING! God will not move. God will not work wonders in our lives that causes the world around us to take note and seek to answer the question, "How are these people different?"

1 Peter 2:9
"But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD. A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light"

Positive, Positive, Positive

I know we’ve heard a whole lot about ‘positive thinking’ … so much that we may grow tired of hearing it. But gang, it’s at least close to #1 on many scales: Success, Mental Health, Contentment, Marriage, Relationships, Family, School, Wellness … the list goes on. That’s the point! That’s why we hear about it so much. Think there might be something to this positive stuff?

How positive are you … really? What are your first thoughts in the morning? What mood are you in when you get to work/school? What mood are you in when you speak to your wife/family?

Attitude is your choice, not your circumstance. Attitude is the way you respond to the situation, not the situation itself. You have control.

How much are you missing because of your negativity? It is proven that when you concentrate on what you want, when you self-talk that you will achieve it, when you stay positive, you will succeed! It’s also proven that negative talk, negative thought, and negative attitude accomplish nothing but destruction and stress for you and everyone around you. Have you ever said, “I’m a realist!”? That’s a not-so-clever disguise for Mr/Mrs Negative. How many people have you discouraged? How many gave up because of you? And from it you gained what?

“It ain’t the rain, the snow, the boss, the competition, the spouse, the money, the car, the job, or the kids – it’s you! And it always has been.” ~ Jeffrey Gitomer

Let’s say you take a step out on faith to charge at something you’ve always wanted to do … and what do you hear from everyone? “You’re crazy!” People who tell you you’re crazy are known as “pukers.” They feel it’s their job to make you feel stupid, inadequate, or incapable of making good judgments. Pukers are people to avoid at all costs.

REALITY: Their attitude sucks and they’re basically cynical. They are incapable of encouragement because they would rather see you as a failure … just like they are.

WARNING: Don’t puke back! Be cool and lead by example.

Concentrate on positive. Try me! Make intentional efforts to praise and encourage others. Find something good/great in their personality to compliment. Shake off the negative thoughts before speaking. Control your freaking tongue. Stay humorous but never make fun of. Quit Whining! Think about and speak what you CAN do, not what you CAN’T. Tell me the solution, don’t puke on me.

If you just can’t muster the positive within … SHUT UP!