think about it Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving!

"It is impossible to be negative and grateful at the same time." --Helen Keller

Now, she is someone who had a lot of reasons to be negative, but chose not to be. It's a real lesson to me, because, besides being a perfectionist, I am also by nature a pessimist. (I think they go hand-in-hand.) I mean, I could find something wrong with a double rainbow in the Rockies at sunset. Now, that is sad! This ugly trait is not something I'm proud of. And in fact, I've been working real hard on being quite the opposite, because my pessimism can make my very good life extremely miserable. Honestly, it's been very difficult for me, but I am trying hard to refocus my perspective, and am seeing bits of improvement here and there.

I've finally discovered that prayer is just what I need to help me overcome my pessimism. (Isn't it funny how we tend to save the best source of help until last?) Last week in church we had the following prayer during the time of confession, and it really spoke to my heart. While I didn't identify with every part of this prayer, I was definitely convicted by some of it, and motivated to continue pursuing optimism.

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Father,

You are the source of all we have, yet our ingratitude and greed show that we often assume we are owners rather than stewards. We have not been content about our lot or generous with what we have. Instead, we have worried about what we lack, complained that we do not have enough, hoarded more than we needed, envied the prosperity of others, obsessed on material objects and defaulted on relationships in our insane drive to amass more. We have used people and loved things rather than loving people and using things. And we have robbed you of tithes and offerings while excusing our spiritual embezzlement with a host of pious justifications. Merciful Father, forgive us and free us from the bondage of our covetousness. Calm our avarice fevered souls by teaching us that you are the true treasure for which our souls long.

Through Jesus, the fount of all true wealth we pray,
Amen.
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I think Helen Keller is right. Negativity and gratefulness cannot co-exist.

Think about it.

think about it thursday: 11.13.08

I heard this song in the movie Fireproof. I totally recommend it.

Love is Not a Fight, by Warren Barfield

Love is not a place
to come and go as we please
It's a house we enter in
then commit to never leave

So lock the door behind you
Throw away the key
Work it out together
Let it bring us to our knees

Love is a shelter
in a raging storm
Love is peace
in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave;
May God send angels to guard the door
No, Love is not a fight
but its something worth fighting for

To some love is a word
that they can fall into.
But when they're falling out
keeping that word is hard to do

Love is a shelter
in a raging storm
Love is peace
in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave;
May God send angels to guard the door
No, Love is not a fight
but its something worth fighting for

Love will come to save us
If we'll only call
He will ask nothing from us
but demand we give our all

Love is a shelter
in a raging storm
Love is peace
in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave;
May God send angels to guard the door
No, Love is not a fight
but its something worth fighting for.

Cause I Will Fight For You
Would You Fight For Me
It's Worth Fighting For.

Think about it.

think about it thursday: 11.06.08

if what you are doing isn't important to God, it's not important.

think about it.