Don't Blow It!

Taking time to count your blessings is well worth the effort. 

Being thankful has been linked to deeper sleep and less anxiety,

but a recent study at the University of Kentucky shows it

also helps you control your temper. 

Researchers found that folks who wrote about the people and

things they appreciated were less likely to get all

riled up even when they had good reason to. 

 

So stop and smell those roses.

 

~Author Unknown

Family Circle July 2012

 

 

 

 

 

Source

Soul Surfer Review

As most of you know from my Post It Note Tuesday this past week I won tickets to the local premiere of Soul Surfer for last Tuesday night.  Sorry for the delay in writing this but if you have read my blog this past week you will recall that we had an emergency with our youngest daughter that kept us in the PICU for a few days. 

This movie hit close to home Wednesday, the day after seeing it.


Soul Surfer is the inspirational story of Bethany Hamilton, a 13 year old amateur surfer who had her left arm bit off by a shark while surfing off the coast of Kauai's North Shore in 2003.  Bethany Hamilton, more wise than her years, clearly has a rock solid foundation with her family and God.  And with that, she was able to remain positive, overcome her tragedy and went on to become a pro surfer despite her odds.

The story shows how life as you know it can change in an instant.  When you think you may have it all figured out, sometimes God has other plans for you.  When you ask "why me" rephrase it and instead ask, "why not me?"  Bethany, played by AnnaSophia Robb in the movie, said something similar to this at the end of the movie and it pretty much sums it up..."The tragedy allowed me to touch so many more lives than I would have ever before."


Since her accident Bethany has been able to use her fame to help others in so many ways.  Visit her official website for all the non-profit organizations she is involved in today.  She may have lost her arm but she did not waiver in her faith or lose her spirit and that made all the difference.


http://www.bethanyhamilton.com/


Soul Surfer, a great movie for all ages.  Go see it today!  Also starring Carrie Underwood, Helen Hunt, and Dennis Quaid.

Watch the Soul Surfer Movie Trailer

"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me" Philippians 4:13

My Own Little World...

Have you heard that song by Matthew West?  It happens to be one of my favorite songs. I have heard it a thousand times but this morning I heard it and it was different…not the song itself but the impact it had on me. 

It hit me like a ton of bricks.  An overwhelming sadness came down on me and I started to cry.  Not just a few tears...uncontrollable sobbing actually. And I don't cry like that very often.  I have no reason to, I am truly blessed and I know that.

The lyrics really got me thinking that so often, we, including me, are wrapped in our own little world.  Maybe that world includes your close family and a few friends but your still in your own little world.  Doing your *own* thing, taking care of your *own*.

Do you ever step out of it..your own little world? Reach out to others, befriend those with no friends, feed those with no food, warm those with no warmth, get out of your own little world and comfort zone to help someone else out who is less blessed than you?

Close your eyes for a sec...Think of all the things you are blessed with....

Now open them...

Read the lyrics...

In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world
Population me

I try to stay awake through Sunday morning church
I throw a twenty in the plate but I never give ’til it hurts
and I turn off the news when I don’t like what I see
it’s easy to do when it’s population me

What if there’s a bigger picture
what if I’m missing out
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now
outside my own little world

Stopped at the red light, looked out my window
I saw a cardboard sign said “Help this homeless widow”
Just above that sign was the face of a human
I thought to myself, “God, what have I been doing?”
So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye
Oh how many times have I just passed her by
I gave her some money then I drove on through
in my own little world there’s
Population two

What if there’s a bigger picture
what if I’m missing out
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now
outside my own little world
my own little world


Father break my heart for what breaks

Yours give me open hands and open doors
put Your light in my eyes and let me see
that my own little world is not about me

What if there’s a bigger picture
what if I’m missing out
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now

I don't wanna miss what matters
I wanna be reachin' out
Show me the greater purpose
So I can start livin' right now
outside my own little world

Listen....

To the words, put them into action, LIVE them...I challenge you!