Joyfull Living

Oh that dreaded feeling of disappointment.  Are you familiar with it?  It can be defined - " the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one's hopes or expectations."   In my own life, I have found myself actually lowering my expectations in hope of avoiding being disappointed.  But, it doesn't work... disappointments can never truly be avoided, they are a fact of life for each of us.   Lowering expectations or seeking any other avenue to avoid disappointments is vain, but we do have a powerful option to face disappointment head on - our attitude and our faith.    Christians serve a Savior who has overcome the world.  God has given us His promises and has a plan for each of us.  He has also given us a free will to choose how we respond to life's situations and trials.  He has equipped us each with a measure of faith.  It is up to us whether we will choose to allow the disappointments of life to drive us away from God or will w

Have you ever done the assignment where you describe yourself with one word?  One of my descriptions would be 'peace'.  Peace and peaceful surroundings keep me grounded.  I like people to be at peace around me and when things are not peaceful, I love to help bring peace to situations.    While loving peace, I hate confrontation.  I avoid it, run from it, steer clear and try to bring peace before it escalates.  But....conflict and confrontation are inevitable.  In fact, conflict can be found in the strangest places!  I once found myself on the receiving end of confrontation for simply calling someone to try to help a family member.  Ouch!!    Since confrontation will occur, it is important to be prepared for when that time comes.  The first response is often to guard our selves and respond with defensiveness and pride.  Sometimes... • We emphasize our strengths and make excuses for our weaknesses. Then when we compare ourselves to others, we naturally think, “Hey!

  Today is Grandparents Day!!  If you have grandparents, you know how special they are. I lost my grandparents when I was young and before I understood the blessing of wisdom, and love they can pass on. It is amazing the things we remember about our grandparents.  I remember sitting on the porch shelling acre peas, watching my grandma slice a tomato in front of the sink and eat it.  And, I will never forget her fried chicken!    My children have been blessed with several sets of grandparents.  They have had love lavished on them, godly wisdom spoken to them, learned hobbies and made memories through the years.    If you still have grandparents, make sure and wish them a Happy Grandparents Day and let them know how much they mean to you! GRANDPARENTS Grandparents bestow upon their grandchildren The strength and wisdom that time And experience have given them. Grandchildren bless their Grandparents With a youthful vitality and innocence That help them stay young a