December 23, 2006
How To Be Happy
“How to be Happy”
Rachel Olsen, Senior Editor Online Devotions, P31 Speaker and Author
Key Verse:
“Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Devotion:
“Happy Thanksgiving!” people wish me repeatedly this week. Seems like everyone wishes for happiness. Everybody wants some. Everybody seeks it. Many people pretend to have it, yet few seem to truly possess it. Why is happiness so hard to find?
Pssst … lean in closer… I will whisper where to find it … the fourth chapter of Philippians. Look up and read verses six through thirteen, or read them below in the Power Verses section.
Notice in verse six, Paul gives three clear instructions for finding lasting contentment. He says:
1) not to worry
2) pray about everything
3) thank God for everything
What if today we took this instruction to heart and put it into practice? What if today we decided not to worry about anything? What if when we found ourselves worrying, we stopped and handed the situation over to God in prayer? What if we then thanked Him for taking care of the issue? In fact, what if we spent most of our mental free time today thinking about what good care our awesome God takes of us? What would happen then?
Paul says in verse seven, if we begin to live this way we will experience amazing peace – a kind of peace we can’t even imagine. This kind of peace is so powerful that it has a protective function on our hearts and minds – which only makes it easier and easier for us to stop worrying and be thankful. That sounds like a state of happiness to me!
In verse eight Paul elaborates on what to think about instead of our worries – whatever is good, true, honorable, pure, lovely, praise worthy, and right. Many things can fall into these categories, but Christ encompasses them all! This is not just “positive thinking,” this is spiritual thinking.
Further down in Philippians 4:10-13, Paul goes on to attest personally to the truth of this 3-step process as he writes from a Roman prison. From behind bars Paul says, “I’ve learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little … I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little” (Phil. 4:11-12). Did you catch that verb? Paul LEARNED how to be happy and content. It didn’t just happen once he reached his goals. In fact, he claims his ability to be happy had nothing at all to do with his circumstances, but rather his increased trust in Christ.
So happy contentedness is not something that comes once our waistlines have slimmed, our wrinkles are erased, our houses are clean and well furnished, our children are successful, our husbands dote on us, or our dreams are fulfilled. Instead it is learned as we become prayerful (verse 6) and thankful (verse 6), as we practice spiritual thinking (verse 8), and as we trust utterly in Christ (verse 13).
I can’t think of a better day to start practicing Paul’s process of prayer, thankfulness, and “spiritual thinking” than today. Happy Thanksgiving!
My Prayer for Today:
Dear Lord, I’m turning over all my fears and problems to You to handle today. I can’t fix a single thing by worrying about it – but you can fix anything because nothing is impossible for You! Thank You for my blessings, big and small. Thank You for Your loving care for me. Thank You for being in charge of my day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Get out your Bible and highlight Philippians 4:6-7. Memorize those two verses.
Reflection Points:
Do I think about what is good, lovely, pure and right, or do I think about what is depressing, frustrating, unfair and wrong?
Does thankfulness characterize me?
Power Verses:
Phillipians 4:6-9, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” (NLT)
November 24, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving!
All in all, despite wanting to be with my true family, my husband and son, I had a pretty good day. I went with my sister to her dad’s house. He acted so glad to see me and kept telling me how much he loved the rehab campus I am going to when he went. He told me that he is so glad I am going to go and that he knows I will love it there. He sang Almost Home for me too. It is so remarkable to see this man who only has one arm and one leg do all that he does. I love to watch him cook. He has a confidence in himself that is so inspiring and he can do anything he sets his mind to. But I felt so bad for him today when everyone there was laughing and talking and he was sitting there just watching them. I could see the love for everyone beaming from him but I could also see the loneliness and sorrow in his eyes. When he sang that song for me I watched as tears gathered in his eyes. This man has always went out of his way to be nice to me and show me that he cares about me. And I think when I’m around him he has always treated me like another one of his kids. I hadn’t been to his house in years but today when I went in that familiar home feeling came back that I used to feel when there, like I was a part of his family. I hope he knows what a blessing he is to me. He has touched my heart in such a way. To feel like I am wanted somewhere is rare for me but today I did. He has always made me feel and treated me as one of the family. He isn’t my dad but I do find myself feeling that father love for him, always have. I can tell why my brothers and sisters love him so much, I do and I’m not even really related to him. He is one of my biggest inspirations. I wish I had a digital camera so I could have gotten a picture with him today. But today I am thankful for this man. GOD thank You for Ray.
So today was great. I didn’t sit here alone and sad all day for once. I didn’t even cry once today! Nancy and Wes are two more people I am thankful for today. Well, other than Wes trying to kill me twice hahaha! Just kidding. I was a little afraid they were going to realize what a hassle I am though. I was afraid to let them help me, but other than that it went well. They make me feel so comfortable to be around them. My nephews were there and gosh, ya’ll should hear Shannon sing and play guitar and the songs he writes. Truly a gift from GOD Himself. And Corey… WOW!! He is getting so big and handsome! I got to hear some of Bug’s new songs, awesome as always. He did say something that shocked me today though. I always though Bug didn’t care that much about me and that he just saw me as a sister who could exist or not and he wouldn’t really care. But today he asked if I was going home later and would I be all alone here. I’m like yeah and it so shocked me that he acted like that worried him. He asked why I wouldn’t go to Gene’s house with everyone out here. I didn’t want to tell him the truth, that no one really wanted me there and I didn’t want to be in the way. So, haha, when he asked that and Jerry started laughing and commenting that if I had gone there I would told someone off or hurt someone, haha, and laughing I just said "well as Jerry knows I don’t get along with them all that well". LOL!! But Bug acting concerned about me, wow. 🙂 So GOD, that is another thing I am thankful for today.
Another thing I am thankful for today is my friends. And though most are friendships over the internet, I still love them all dearly. One that I have to name is Chad. Hehe see, I told ya I was going to name you tonight. Thanks for your friendship, thanks for making me feel beautiful, thanks for letting me know that I am worthy of love, thanks for letting me know that there is at least one guy out there who thinks I am fabulous, and thanks for always being online haha. A few others I am thankful for are Tippi, Holly, Gevin, Joe, Christina, Candace, Amanda, and Missy. And all those I didn’t name. I am thankful for all the groups I am in. A few are WOP, ESTHER, and CWI. Thank you GOD for leading me to all these people.
Right now I am sitting here, so tired, and trying to hurry and type this out. Despite the great day I did have, my heart is yet again yearning for the two loves of my life. GOD, thank You for this blessed day and thank You for the hope in my heart that next Thanksgiving it will be even better because I will be with my family. I am speaking it and believing it, LORD. Nest Thanksgiving I WILL be with my family!
Happy Thanksgiving, Wally. I do hope you had a fun and fulfilling day. I couldn’t tell you that today but I do.
Goodnight Christian and Wally. I love y’all!
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November 23, 2006
thank You, LORD
I just want to thank You, LORD
for every time that you’ve heard me pray
I just want to thank You
for always being there
when I was so down and out
You came along and made me wanna shout
I just want to thank You, LORD
thank You, LORD
I am thankful that GOD is up there, down here, all around, everywhere. I am thankful that I know no matter how lonely, sad, lonely, or hopeless AI might feel HE is with me at all times and with HIM I have everything to hope for. I am thankful that HE sent me HIS son Jesus Christ so that I may know HIM and someday be with them in my home above. I am thankful that no matter how disheartened I might become HE is always there with blessed assurance that in HIS time all will be fine. I am thankful that Jesus loved me so much that he died just so I could live.
I am also thankful for my sister, Nancy. If it wasn’t for her and the love I feel from her I probably wouldn’t be alive right now. I would have given up as a teenager. She has no idea how much she helped me tonight, just by hearing her voice. I was sitting here this evening, alone as usual, and slowly sinking yet again into my thoughts of pain and hopelessness. The devil kept whispering silent messages of doubt, heartache, and grief into my heart and again I was beginning to question whether or not GOD even cared. Then the phone rang and it was her. Last night she asked me if I would like to have Thanksgiving dinner with her at her dad’s house. I had planned on spending the day alone and no doubt crying. My mom asked me to go with her to my uncle’s house but I don’t want to go and be in the way of people that I know don’t want me there. When my sister asked me to go with her I told her I didn’t know but it probably wouldn’t be too good of an idea for me to go because I’d probably do nothing but cry watching the others with their families and me not having mine. But today she told me that her dad was all for me coming and that my brother, Bug, wants me to come too. So I might. I just don’t want to be the reason why anyone else doesn’t have a happy day. I’m still not sure if I’ll go. I don’t feel worthy to be around anyone, especially on days that are supposed to be festive. Mom won’t say she doesn’t want me to go but I can tell that she is ticked at the idea. Her and my grandma say they just want me to to ask questions about those out here. But anyway, I’m thankful that my sister wants me to have a little happiness.
Lately I’ve been thinking, "Am I worthy to ask GOD for anything at all let alone restoring my marriage?" I keep thinking that no I’m not, I’m too low for even GOD above to care anything about. Why do I let myself think these thoughts? I know I am. I hope I am. No, I KNOW that I am. GOD loves us all, even me. And I’m thankful for that and knowing that he is going to restore my marriage in HIS time. I am so thankful to know that HE will never give up on me.
This will be the second Thanksgiving I am going to spend without hubby beside me. They say time makes things easier but for me it keeps getting harder and harder. But I am trusting in GOD that if it’s HIS will this will be the last Thanksgiving I will be apart from him. What I wouldn’t give right how just to hear GOD’s heavenly voice telling me that my heart’s desires will be given to me soon. I guess that is what faith is for though…………
What I wouldn’t do right now for a phone call. A simple phone call. And to hear an I love you. And a don’t worry perhaps.
I am thankful for my hopeful heart telling me he does still love me.
Everyone this year as you’re sitting around your tables for a turkey dinner with those you all love, look around you, make a memory of all the faces and never forget it. You never know if you’ll be with those you love next year. It is hard to imagine them not being there, but try, can you? Don’t forget to tell them each and every one how much you love them and how much they mean to you. Next time they might not be there to hear it. And not just Thanksgiving, but every day be sure they know they have a little piece of your heart with them at all times. Two years ago I remember Wally holding my hand and not caring who seen and feeling so safe and loved. I never told him how special just holding my hand made me feel and how much those little memories meant to be, and how it was those little things that meant the most. I wish I had. Now he may never know.
GOD, please let him know how much I love him.
Happy Thanksgiving Christian and Wally. Goodnight and I love y’all!
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November 22, 2006
one thing I’m thankful for
I’m supposed to write about something I’m thankful for tonight. But I’m having another one of those days where it is hard to think about anything to be thankful for. I am gonna try though. So here goes.
I am thankful for my son and the joy that he gives me when I see or talk to him. I don’t see him near enough, but when I do that happiness is immeasurable. I am thankful for my sight that allows me to see his radiance, my ability to hear his sweet little voice, my sense of touch so I can feel his little hands holding to mine, my sense of smell that allows me to smell that Christian scent that no other has, and my ability to speak which allows me to tell him I love him. I am thankful that he is an energetic, healthy young boy full of life, love, and dreams. I am thankful for every moment that I’ve spent with him, ever from the time he was still inside me. I am thankful that he is safe and warm and doesn’t have to go hungry. I am thankful that he has grandparents that also love him so much. And thankful to be able to be at ease when I don’t see him knowing that he has a grandmother who would stop the earth from going around the sun if she had to to keep him safe and a grandfather who will do everything in his power to make sure he never wants anything and doesn’t get it. I am thankful that he is smart and has a want to learn. I’m thankful for the little songs he sings for me, the little dances he does, and every little joke he tells. I am thankful that he wraps his little arms around my neck at night. I am thankful that I make him feel safe. I am thankful that I can give him comfort. I am thankful that he is able to be open and tell me about stuff. I am thankful that he knows I’ll never hurt him. I am thankful for his gorgeous red hair and thankful for his bright blue eyes. I am thankful for him having the faith he has and his want to know more about Jesus, GOD, and the Bible. I am thankful that he knows he can ask or tell me anything. I am thankful for his ten fingers and ten toes, his ears, his arms and legs, his cute little “Hurt” nose, and even his “daddy’s” cute little belly button. I am thankful for the confidence he seems to have in me. I am thankful to GOD for letting us take care of one of HIS children while on earth.
I am thankful for the unconditional love that I feel for Christian. I have always known that I love him but until about two years ago for some reason I didn’t know just how much. Or maybe I did and was just afraid to admit it to myself for a while. Anyway I am honestly thankful that things with him happened the way they did. Because if they hadn’t I might to this day not be letting myself admit to how much I do love my son. I am thankful that for the past year and a half, all in all, he has been happy and well cared for. I am thankful that he is in a place where he is being taught about Jesus. I am thankful that he is being taught to pray and that when he does GOD hears him. I am thankful that he is in a place where he is being taught about the importance of family and love.
So, I am thankful for Christian, my son, the power behind my heartbeat. I am thankful for everything about him. I am thankful for him holding my hands to feel me close when he falls to sleep. I am thankful for him getting comfort from playing with my hair. I am thankful for each and every time he puts his hands in my hair while he is asleep. Even the funny things he does. For instance, ever since he was tiny, rolling through a store or somewhere with a lot of people or sometimes just watching television he has put one of his arms down my shirt. I guess he gets some kind of comfort from it. I remember him being about a year old, going through a store and I would notice it and always say in a funny accent “get yo hand outta my shirt” and he would laugh and laugh and still does. I’m thankful for those memories. I am thankful to be able to give him whatever comfort it is that he gets from that. I am thankful for his adorable little laugh. I am thankful for every memory we have ever made together and hopefully for the ones that are yet to be made.
I am thankful to know, if nothing happens, he will be with family having fun and eating turkey and everything else Thursday.
I love my son more than anyone or anything. GOD above knows I do. Thank you, LORD, for my miracle child. I am thankful for every little thing about him, from his “donkey butt” chin that he got from me hehe, to his eyes that light up in amazement when the toys come on tv commercials and I hear I want that can I have it, to the feel of his breath when his is asleep beside my face, to his heartbeat that I listen to so often, even the soul filling his body. Thank you, GOD.
One more thing to write that I’m thankful for tonight. I am thankful for my dreams. I wish they were more reality, but nonetheless I am thankful for them. Last night I had a dream of doing something with Wally is so special to me and I cry many nights afraid I’ll never get to do it again. An no, it’s not what you are most likely thinking. At night while in the bed sleeping we would hold hands. It is so hard now knowing his hand is there. But last night I dreamed we were in bed and I reached over and we locked our hands. Thanks GOD for that dream.
November 21, 2006
What are you thankful for?
What to write, what to write. More random thoughts on this Monday night.
Wednesday is a special date. Some shout outs… Happy Birthday Gevin! Happy birthday Mom!
Wednesday is also the day a year ago that hubby went to jail. Not a very memorable day. I remember when he called the night before and hearing him say that he loves me and bursting out in tears while trying not to let him hear. I was so afraid that would be the last time I heard him say that. I was so afraid for him and his safety and sanity for the next nine months. I am so glad that it is over with now.
As we all know, Thursday is turkey day! A national day of thanksgiving. For GOD’s children though every day should be thanksgiving. This year what are you thankful for? I promise if you sit and think about it each of you have a lot more to thank GOD for than you might think.
For the next few nights I am going to be blogging about things I am thankful for.
Tonight though I have to cut it short and go to bed. Gotta go to the doctor tomorrow, so good night everyone!
Goodnight Christian and Wally. I love y’all!
Just some inspirational thoughts from a group I’m in.
“Get Yourself glory, Lord, through my stand, through believing Your Word is true when it says, ‘Let no man put asunder what God has put together!”
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we
do not see….And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and
that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:1,6
1 John 5:14-15
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.
John Haggee says that marriage is like mashed potatoes. You take two individual potatoes, you wash them, peel them, slice them up, and put them in boiling water. Then you take the potato masher and mash them,add some milk and butter, and some salt. When you’re done, can they be separated into two individual potatoes? Well, you can make two separate helpings out of them, but each helping takes a part of both potatoes with them.
November 12, 2006
not alone
A lady in a group for marriage restoration wrote this today. Reading what she had written make me think wow, there are actually others out there struggling with the same stuff that I am. Her circumstances might be different than mine, everyone has their own circumstances, but it helps to know that I’m not alone in this struggle. There is one thing that all of us standing for our marriages do have in common though, and that is satan. He wants us all to give up and let him win. We are all in a battle with the devil himself. It’s good to know that we are all fighting him together, and it is even better to know that GOD is in front of us every step of the way. Thank you LORD for being with me and fighting these battles for me, for us. We are in the battle but LORD you are there in front of us fighting and guiding our steps. FATHER keep us all and don’t let us forget that YOU are the one who is winning our battles for us.
Here’s what she wrote:
As I was laying in bed last night not being able to fall asleep even though I was exhausted, I kept praying for the Lord to tell me what to do now, how do proceed ahead, what did He want me to accomplish, etc.As I was laying there, I kept thinking that I was so ready to give up,be done with it, throw it away. Why do I want to continue to be with someone who doesn’t love me, doesn’t want to be with me, isn’t going to
move forward in life with me, etc.? I mean, what’s the point?
But then I thought – do I really want to let the enemy win? Do I want to turn against what the Lord has called me to do. Do I really want to disappoint the Lord? He has put His trust in me. Do I want to lose that? The answer was NO!!!! I love my husband with all of my heart and I want to spend my life with him. So I need to put the same trust in the Lord that He has for me.
Goodnight Christian and Wally. I love y’all!
November 10, 2006
stubborn me
As you all know I went to the doctor yesterday and as I said I finally found a doctor who didn’t try to sweeten the bitter cup of tea that life has served me when trying to help me get through to my mother with my future reality. Well, I am glad that he was straight with her, though it does bother me that it was so obvious that again I knew more than the professional when it comes to FA and he told her exactly what I have been telling her for the past ten years and she wouldn’t hear me. That’s a load of bull. But my reaction to hearing what I already knew shocks me. People who have known me for a while might remember that stubborn girl who refused to be another statistic and refused to let this disease bring her down and control her life. That girl who when she was told what is wrong with her fought with everything in her to not let something as small as a mere DNA factor tell her she couldn’t do something that she was going to do regardless. That girl who refused to let herself get worse and for a few years her determination paid off big time. That girl who used to be me. That girl died years ago though and gave up to accepting her someday unhappy ending. Or so I thought. Yesterday when I was sitting there hearing what I already knew be verbally confirmed, that part of me seemed to come out from hiding and I found myself sitting there thinking that’s what he thinks and I’m going to prove them wrong. Wow, I didn’t think I’d ever have that determination again. So with GOD’s help, that stubborn girl is coming back to life. Another thing bothered me yesterday, that doctor completely dismissed the idea of GOD keeping me relatively unprogressed for the past four to five years. Well he’ll see and he’ll have no choice other than to know that GOD almighty is the one keeping me and standing by me. Thank you, FATHER!
Everyone keep Christian in your prayers. He’s sick. 😦
Goodnight Christian and Wally. I love y’all!
November 2, 2006
covenant
God considers marriage to be a covenant relationship.Furthermore marriage is a God-sealed Covenant for in (Mark 10:8-9)Jesus teaches that God Himself joins the husband and the wife together.
Quote: “AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; consequently they are no longer two,but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together (suzeugnumi yoked together as oxen and so coupled together as a team), let no man separate (put space between, isolate one from the other).”
The verb joined together is in the aorist tense which speaks of a definitecompleted action (in context in the past) and active voice indicates He(God) actually did this! This is a mystery but it is truth.
* * * * * * * *
October 18, 2006
a nice forward
God still sits on the throne.
Each and everyone one of us are going through tough times right now, but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can. Keep the faith.
My instructions were to pick four
people that
I wanted God to bless, and I picked you. Please pass this to at least (4) people you want to be blessed and a copy back to me.
This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another.
The prayer:
Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.
(If the Lord lays upon
your heart to send this to more than four "4" people, you are truly blessed).
October 16, 2006
the video
Mom was sitting in there talking with Trigg tonight, and I saw her go toward the tv looking for something. I asked what she was trying to find and at first she acted like she didn’t want to tell me and said just something. Then she told me she wanted to show him my and Wally’s wedding video. I started tearing up and getting shakey as soon as she said it. Well she found it and played it. I almost burst into tears a few times, but instead I would pray and tell GOD that it was in HIS hands and I thank HIM for taking care of it for me. I have to admit I am so disappointed in myself when I watch that. I’m sure it was just where I was so nervous, which is so very apparent, but I didn’t seem to be putting my heart and soul into what was happening. I mean, I did mean every word I said and he did and does still have my whole heart, but it didn’t seem that I payed enough attention to what Audie was saying or didn’t put enough emotion into it all. You can tell I was on the verge of tears the whole time, and was so nervous, and I think he almost cried there a couple times. I don’t know how I got the "I do" out wiithout sobbing through that, that part was really clear on the video. And him, when he said "I do" and looked at me, I think I could have seen into his soul, but I was about to cry myself so didn’t look into his eyes all that much. That day I thought there was no way in the world, I thought it impossible, to love him more than I did there that day. I was so wrong. Love is infinite. Never ending. Never stops growing. I heard on tv, love is infinite, you can always make more when you need it, and just because you want to give some to someone else, doesn’t mean that you will be taking any away from me. I love that saying. That is how it is witht Wally and Christian, my love for those two will never stop growing. I do wish that I had included GOD more into our wedding though. And when GOD brings us back together, HE is going to be the center of everything.
Goodnight Christian. I love you!
And Wally, I said till death do we part, and no matter what. I meant it. I love you too.
Today, tomorrow, always…….
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I pray today....... 