Keeping it Personal» Teri

February 6, 2012

Teri — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:00:27 +0000

Grace is the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. There is no bottom to God’s well of grace; it is a free gift always available to us. We can be our own stumbling block, the wall, that prevents us from receiving forgiveness and grace from God if we are unwilling to extend it to ourselves. Are you holding on to regret, past mistakes, or beating yourself up over things you’ve done wrong? If so, what would it take, for ‘you’ to forgive ‘you’, extend grace to yourself?

Love is Patient, Love is Kind

Teri — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:39 +0000

L O V E <— how are you doing with this in your life…loving?

Each week in February I’m going to talk about…L O V E. I know it’s a little “cliche” to be talking about this in the month of February, but stick with me as I unpack the most commonly sited scripture verse in weddings…

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

This week I challenge you to think about verse 4: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Are you patient? Are you kind? Are you envious? boastful? proud?

Looking in the mirror I know there is work that needs to be done in my life…

Patience? This “fruit-of-the-spirit” –long-suffering– isn’t always present.

Kind? There are times I say things to people I “love” that are NOT kind. Most often it’s my words that are not kind {sometimes, the look on my face, or rolling my eyes can reveal this too!}

Envious? This is one area of my life, thankfully, that I’m genuinely doing good at. I am authentically happy and excited for others. I rejoice with others in their successes and want the best for all.

Proud? I bring this one to God in prayer often. My desire is it to be humble, but I am aware that pride can sneak in when we least expect it. I know that I. am. nothing. without God and everything with Him and because. of. Him.

That’s my honest look in the mirror as I reflect upon what L O V E is…

What does this look like in YOUR life?

Photo Credit: Freeman Mester

February 5, 2012

Teri — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:00:09 +0000

If you want something, give it away. If you want compliments; compliment others. If you need affirmation; affirm others. If you want to be forgiven; forgive others. If you want to be loved, love others. Remember, what goes around comes around. Don’t expect things to start with others; let things start with you.

February 4, 2012

Teri — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:00:27 +0000

Our talk. The words we speak. Our tongue. This can be one of the hardest things to tame. What types of seeds are you sowing with your tongue? What seeds are you watering with your words? “Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps,

Weekly Digest

Teri — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:33 +0000

Just in case you missed something — Have a GREAT weekend…

Monday: Action Conquers Fear

Tuesday: Purposely Equipped

Wednesday: 10 to Happier

Thursday: Three Faces of Eve

Friday: Thorns Have Roses

February 3, 2012

Teri — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:00:21 +0000

Not taking things personally mitigates hurt and drama in our lives. So often we make the “why” about us. We seem to think the reason why others do things has something to do with who we are. ”Don’t take anything personally”, practicing this is VERY difficult, “Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.” – D. Miguel Ruiz

February 2, 2012

Teri — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:00:53 +0000

Perfect is conforming absolutely to the description or definition of an ideal type, or excellent and complete beyond practical or theoretical improvement. This is just NOT possible. We are not perfect, we will never be perfect. Knowing this, why are we so quick to magnify others’ imperfections? Should we not focus on acceptance and forgiveness? Who are we? “When you love and accept someone’s imperfections they become perfect to you.” – Chanel Smith

February 1, 2012

Teri — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:27 +0000

It can be very difficult to watch others whom we love and care about go through painful experiences. Our initial reaction can often be to want to “jump right in” and help, or figure out how WE can fix it. Are you placing yourself in someone’s ‘experience’ where maybe you really don’t belong? Experiences build

January 31, 2012

Teri — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:48 +0000

Living out what you know is when knowledge, having facts, turns into wisdom, applying facts. We can gain plenty of knowledge, but unless we apply it, it is useless. Are you wise? Intentional about living out what you know to be true and right? What holds you back? ”Fear of the Lord is the foundation

January 30, 2012

Teri — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:00:39 +0000

To reject is to to refuse to have, take, recognize or refuse to accept someone or something. To reject is to discard as useless or unsatisfactory or to cast out. Rejection is painful and wounding. When we experience feelings of rejection, we are not feeling accepted or approved of. How do we stop allowing the “rejection” darts to penetrate our heart? “Human beings, like plants, grow in the soil of acceptance, not in the atmosphere of rejection.” – John Powell