Today I did my first Let's Play video, and it has been an endeavor in perseverance. I tried to do it on Saturday. The first time through there was no video, the second time there was no audio, the third time the audio was completely garbled, the fourth time the video was not recording again, it froze my computer and had to hard reset it. This was just to get a usable video. The trials continued as I tried to find software to put the beginning and end on the actual video, and had it fail twice. Then once I got that done my first upload to YouTube failed. Some of you are probably wondered why I bothered to keep going. This took two day to actually go from recording to posted on YouTube. I kept going because I really wanted to complete this project. It is also because, I wanted to continue living out my theme for this year. NO EXCUSES!
I could have given up and made excuses for why it was too hard to complete, but I really want to complete the projects I start this year. Even if it seems difficult, even if there are obstacles, I want to see things through to the end. If you want to check out what all my hard work accomplished, feel free to check it out at the following link. https://youtu.be/uXM03lKMucg What are some projects you are doing? Have there been obstacles? Have there been difficulties? Have there been trials? This may be your opportunity to persevere, to push past the obstacles, to work through the difficulties, to endure the trials. James has something to say about this, "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." James 1:2-4 This principle is true in our lives, our character grows if we overcome the hardships and bring things to completion. The same is true in our walk with God. If we give up when things get hard, then we will have stunted growth, but if we push through the hard times and continue forward, we will find deeper character and as a result a deeper relationship with God as well. I am determined to live this year with NO EXCUSES, not only in my day-to-day life but in my faith as well.
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Gentle words are powerful. Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. Have you ever witnessed this? I have. When my husband and I have gotten into arguments, it usually doesn't calm down until one of returns with gentle words, which is usually the result of spending some quality time with God. Let's face it, if left to my own devices, I must admit, I am not always gentle with my words.
Last night, I was teasing Walter and I really hurt his feelings. Once I realized that I had really hurt him, I spoke gently to him and sincerely apologized. This could have escalated into an argument instead it was ended in peace, love and understanding. It is amazing how gentle words can calm the heart and sooth the soul. When we speak to others what words do we use? This is important! We could be building relationships or tearing them down with our words. Be very careful with your words, people who love you and value what you say will carry those words around with them. I challenge you, the next time you are angry, take some time and ensure that you return with gentle words, it just might make all the difference. It is hard to live in freedom. There are always people in your life telling you how you should be doing things. Listening to these voices, it may be easy to lose yourself to the expectations of others. People we know and love may not even realize they are putting these expectations on us. They may have ideas of how you should act or what you should say and after awhile you begin to start second guessing yourself. This has happened to me.
God created you just the way you are for a purpose. Every time you try to please another person and change yourself, we are losing a bit more of the freedom, to be who God created you to be. Living in freedom the way that God has called you to is difficult. This means that pleasing God is more important than pleasing people. We have all tried to please another person, whether it be a teacher, a parent, a coach, a trainer, a boss, a friend. We all want others to like us and we alter ourselves to make those people pleased with us. When I was younger, I had quite the sense of humor, now the only time I seem to crack jokes is when I am around people I know accept me truly for who I am and not who they want me to be. My encouragement today is this. Be who God created you to be! On the other side of the coin also be the person who accepts people for who they are and journey with them, not trying to change them, but loving them for exactly who they were created to be. You may just be surprised at the hidden gems that people only reveal in the presence of complete acceptance. I woke up late this morning and it would have been easy for me to let things fall to the wayside, like writing for example, but I was still committed to doing everything I needed to do today. I have actually had a really productive morning as a result.
I am so filled with JOY. I did my devotions and just spending that time in close communication with God has brought in such a flood of joy. I woke up feeling overwhelmed and dragging, but as soon as I put on the music about God and began to read his love letter to us, there was a flood of joy, peace and love that flowed over me. This reminds me of a post that I wrote several years ago that I recently found in my drafts. Below is the post: I have really been challenged lately on the whole concept of joy in my normal everyday life. How much do I experience joy on a day-to-day basis? To be honest, it is hard to experience joy when I am focused the circumstances that surround me. I find whenever my focus is consumed by my circumstances I do not experience joy. The only time I experience joy is when I shift that focus to God. This is a not a new revelation, I have noticed this before. It is interesting how we tend to forget things as life bogs us down. I also find that every time a truth is rediscovered in my life it takes on an even deeper meaning. GROWTH! I have not been sleeping well lately. This lack of sleep could steal my joy if I let it. It is up to me to allow God to my strength even in my sleep deprived state. I have experiences more joy this week than I have in a long time and it is because God has been showing me how relationship with joy relates to my everyday life. Most people I know struggle to live a life filled with joy, not because they do not want it (who does not want joy in their life), but because it has slipped away. Once joy has slipped away it is not easy to get back. JOY comes when God is the focus. This is so true with what I experienced this morning. God was my strength to push through all of the feelings of being overwhelmed and embrace my time with him. As a result, joy came. If you are struggling with joy, take some time and let God be your only focus. You may just be surprised at the result. For those who have been following me for some time, I wanted to give you a quick update about my dad. He is still alive and kicking. His faith is intact, and he seems to be doing well. Thank you for all the prayers and support of my family and friends.
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Connie BlackwoodJoin me on my journey through life's joys and difficulties. Archives
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