A Fresh Start

Marty

We all need a fresh start every now and again.  There are days that I need one every couple of hours.  We took our two dogs, Marty and Badger, to the groomer this past weekend, and boy did it ever give them a new lease on life! They are bouncier, happier and all around better smelling than they were before.  I think sometimes a fresh start is all we need to invigorate ourselves a little and refocus on the positive, bright side of life.

Badger

It's easy to get down on ourselves when we have been failing to live up to our own goals or expectations, and it's even harder to feel encouraged when we think we're letting God down. But guess what-- God isn't going to give up on you, and He will let you start over as many times as you need to.

Newly Fresh and Beautiful 

Isaiah 43:18-19 says, "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."



Give yourself a fresh start today. Forgive yourself for your shortcomings and ask God to help you reach your full potential.  Don't ever give up on yourself, because God never will.

Gratitude Greens

About one week ago, I jumped on my computer very quickly before heading out of the house, and what I saw in my inbox blew me away!  I had gotten an offer from a real live publishing company that was offering me a contract for my book.  The book is called “Gratitude Greens,” and it’s the first book I’ve ever written.  I just assumed that I would have to self-publish it, as I am brand new to the industry.  I’ve always loved to write, but I am also realistic about how competitive the book business is. 

I read the email from CrossLink Publishing 4 times before I actually believed what I was reading.  Then, just to be sure, I called my husband at work and read it out loud to him.  Could I be mistaken? Is this real? Could I be reading it wrong?  It was real, and the journey of publishing my first book has only just begun. 

I have always been fascinated by the power of positive thinking and the idea of the law of attraction, but I have wondered how and if those theories line up with God’s Truth. I am a Christian, and I know that God tells us not to fall prey to deceiving spirits.  I also know, however, that I feel much happier, lighter and more joyful when I focus on the positive and expect the best to happen.  For a period of time, I worried that relying on these theories of the “universe” bringing me what I focus on was in direct opposition to what the Bible teaches. 

After praying about my convictions and reading the Bible, looking for clues, I came to a realization.  God, Himself, tells us to focus on the positive.  Philippians 4:8 says “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” 

That sounds like positive thinking to me!  God also says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones,” in Proverbs 17:22. 

This made sense to me and enabled me to reconcile my belief in God as the one and only Creator of the universe and my beliefs in the law of attraction and positive thinking.  After all, the law of attraction claims that the universe will bring you what you focus on.  Who made the universe? God did!  Who made it work the way it does? God did!  The only way the universe is going to bring you what you focus on is if God wants it to.

I wrote “Gratitude Greens” as a way of expressing my belief that when God calls Christians to be the Light of the World, he is calling us to be grateful, positive and light-filled. This can only be done by focusing on the many blessings and wonders we are surrounded by each and every day.  This must be done on a continuous, consistent basis.  It is a choice, and we are each called to make it.

What are you grateful for today? Give yourself a few minutes today to focus on your blessings. How does this make you feel? Try to carry that positive feeling with you throughout your busy week.