Simply Said - K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Silly.

  Rest Assured I believe a lot of us need to hear this so that we can rest assured. One morning while I was watching television, a young lady came on and shared her testimony.  She told how while out swimming, she got into trouble and almost drowned. She explained how she cried out to the Lord for help and was saved, as she put it, twice that day, physically and spiritually. Her story really brought home to me that we don't know what's going on between anyone else and God, especially when they're taking their last breath.                                                                                                                  Simply Put:   Some let You in at the beginning, some at...

Receiving It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Another translation says there is more happiness in giving than receiving. The operative word here is more.  Jesus doesn't tell us not to be happy or blessed in receiving but that our primary focus should be on how we can help or bless others. So why do so many of us find it hard to receive?  Whether it be gifts, compliments or help, we enter an uncomfortable zone. I don't have all the answers but I do believe that one of the biggest reasons is that for some reason or another we feel unworthy.  Well, I have some freeing news for you.  Jesus came so that we could enjoy life in all it's fullness (John 10:10).  In His eyes you are worthy and that's all that counts.  Yes, we are to be gracious givers but we should also receive graciously.  Let's not take away the joy of the giver.                                ...

  Gratitude Developing an attitude of gratitude can be a game changer in our lives. When we can focus on all that we have to be thankful for instead of what we don't have, it improves our overall well being.  Just think about it, if we are always lamenting about what we don't have, it can wear us down.  If we switch over to an attitude of gratitude we will automatically start to feel better. In Philippians 4:11 the apostle Paul said that he "learned" to be satisfied with what he had.  We can learn to have an attitude of gratitude knowing that God will supply our needs (Philippians 4:19) and, yes, also the desires of our hearts ( Psalm 20:4) in His time and in His way.                                                                     Simply Put:   A daily gratitude practice has been shown to si...

  Listening Listening attentively communicates value and worth.  I really like this statement.  I think most of us at one time or another have said "I hear you", when someone was speaking to us but we had been otherwise preoccupied. There is a big difference between hearing and listening. Merriam-Webster defines hearing as the process, function, or power of perceiving sound.  Listening, on the other hand, means to pay attention to sound; to hear something with thoughtful attention; and try to understand what it means. I'm reminded of the teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoon. She's speaking and all the kids are hearing is wah wah woh wah wah. Just think of how all of our relations could be enhanced if we would only listen.                                                         James 1:19 tells us to be quick to listen and slow to...