I choose to be remembered as a relaxed person who looks for the good and proclaims it.  I am curious, joyful, loving, kind, assertive, dependable, loyal, enduring, diligent, sincere, honest, patient, gentle, fair, enthusiastic, content, grateful, God fearing, courageous, attentive, decisive, sensible, secure, wise, available, flexible, generous, creative, responsible and

mostly obedient. I rest easy in God’s care. I love fiercely and live peacefully. I know God, therefore, I agree with the worth He assigned me. He empowered me, He accepts my imperfections and my weaknesses.  I embrace my need of God and I am aware of my limitations without the Holy Spirit. I can laugh at the days ahead, and I am indeed enchanted by how God makes my mess meaningful and beautiful. Bless God!

I chose NOT to be a burden or remembered as a person who was always exhausted, pitiful, stressed, always busy, rushing, and self sufficient. “The Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts” course in discerning positive qualities through negative traits teaches: “The purpose of friendship is to assist one another in developing Christ-like character.” Bill Gothard

Every negative trait is a positive quality misused. A person who is careless with their attitude is misusing the quality of obedience. A person who is critical and judgmental is misusing the quality of discernment. A person who is stingy is misusing the quality of generosity. The person who is lazy is misusing the Christ like quality of diligence.

Any person who is joyful looks at what is RIGHT in every situation.  They look for the good, and choose to trust that God is at work in each circumstance. With a positive, hopeful attitude, God’s favor is evidenced. HOWEVER, the positive Christ-like quality of ALERTNESS could be misused with a quick criticism.  The positive quality of COMPASSION could become insincere sentiment.  The needed quality of Christ-like DISCIPLINE could become rigid, harsh, tyrannical.  Christ-like HUMILITY could result in unjustified self criticism, and a lack of confidence in the Lord. GRATEFULNESS could sound like flattery, gushiness to win approval of man. PATIENCE could look like indifference, disinterested. EFFICIENCY could morph into perfectionism, overly fussy, angry impatience. LOYALTY could become idol worship, blind obedience. SENSITIVITY could result in being easily offended.

DILIGENCE could easily be misused and become a selfish, ruthless pursuit. DISCRETION could bring about secretiveness, or undue timidity.  Our CONFIDENCE could result in overbearing conceit. Over ORDERLY could make one become too picky, as details outweigh God’s purpose. Security vs Anxiety. Boldness vs Fearfulness. Forgiveness vs Rejection. Sincerity vs Hypocrisy. Endurance vs Giving up. Accuracy vs Carelessness. Patience vs Restlessness.

Matthew 11:29-30 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” ❤️ Matthew 23:12 “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” ❤️ Luke 1:52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” ❤️ Ephesians 4:2-3 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

In a society where we pick and choose according to personal preference, our church leaders do not stand much of a chance as we are prone to critique. After a sermon, many focus on what did not match a preference. BUT GOD says; “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17 NKJV Our leaders need our prayers and sincere encouragement.

FEELINGS FOLLOW ACTION

I am successful in my faith journey, because I choose to do things I don’t feel like doing!  I do NOT rely on motivation. I took action and began to pray for all who God placed over me. On an app, I read the Bible in a year program. I also began to take care of my 73 year old body by using an indoor walking app. Additonally, fasting 4 days a week with all these disciplined positive actions, each motivate me greatly. Nobody is motivated all the time. I had to develop a mindset on taking steps towards a vision. I must take action daily, regardless of how I feel. My motivation kicks in while I’m doing the things that I don’t always feel like doing. ❤️  Just do it! Be encouraged. “Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.” Philemon 1:21 ❤️  “This is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.” 2 John 1:6 ❤️ Love yourself by walking in faith.  Trust God for results and buddy up for accountability. Crew in Christ