Memorial Day - A Time to Remember

Memorial Day



This Memorial Day, before I grill and before I spend time with family and friends, I want to spend time giving Thanks for all of the men and women who gave their lives to protect ours. Without them, our lives would look a whole lot different.

Let's also not forget all of the families and loved ones they leave behind. Their gift to our country is every bit as great as the men and women overseas protecting us.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

Happy Memorial Day to all!

Life is Not a Competition

I want to start this post with saying that I AM a fan of friendly competition.  I enjoy it.  A sports game, a board game, a Spelling Bee... Bring it!  There is NOTHING wrong with a little friendly competition. 

Now... here's something that I've noticed lately.  It has become obvious to me that more and more people are comparing their lives to others.  They see a blog update about something fabulous going on and then get upset that it didn't happen for them.  When did we stop expressing happiness for others?!

  Then there are THOSE posts, we've ALL seen them, the fairytale, fantasyland living Facebook posts.

Do you REALLY think that people are going to share ALL of their ups and downs with you?!  HECK NO!  They want you to see the good, they want to embellish their lives and it's NOT to make it appear to you that things are better than they are, I think it's to make THEMSELVES believe that things aren't really how they are.

Let me say, sharing the downs in life is not as enjoyable as sharing the ups, but it's LIFE and that is what life is!  Full of UPS and DOWNS!  They mold you and make you who you are... BE PROUD OF THEM!

If you are motivated by what others are doing and get discouraged because you are not achieving the same results, traveling the same destinations, building the same house, rocking the same body or driving the same cars, STOP IT RIGHT NOW!  You WILL end up disappointed.  Refocus, because someone will ALWAYS have more and always appear to be better off than you, ALWAYS and let's face it... the things that you have right now in your life are the things that you prayed for at one time.  Enjoy them, because life is to damn short to live miserably!

My Best Friend has been on a workout kick for the last year and let me tell you... She is a BEAST!  Her workouts are tough and she gives them ALL SHE HAS!  I am motivated by her enthusiasm... I am not motivated by her results (even though I am SO FREAKING PROUD) and let me tell you why.  I will not achieve the same results as her, in the same amount of time and I will not get through the workouts she does in one piece and you know what, THAT IS OKAY!  I will give my workouts all that I have and I WILL obtain results if I stay focused.

Life is truly the journey and not the destination.  I'm learning this daily.  Life is NOT a competition... Stop trying to do better than others, stop trying to achieve their results, stop trying to be what they are.  The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday.  If you do this, YOU HAVE SUCCEEDED!

Comparing yourself to others will only make you realize your own imperfections and insecurities.  REFOCUS!

Be proud of who you are!  Be proud of your ups AND downs!  Be proud that you are YOU and there is NO ONE else that could EVER compare!

And do you really want to get to the "Finish Line" before everyone else?!  :)

Good Friday Should Really Be Great Friday

(Although I wrote this post last Good Friday, I believe it is a great reminder for every Good Friday, so I've re-posted it at the top of my blog. Wishing everyone a VERY Happy Easter... May you focus on what this Holiday is truly about!)

Good Friday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day, Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Many Christians spend this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross.

The biblical account of Jesus' death on the cross, or crucifixion, his burial and his resurrection, or rising from the dead, can be found in the following passages of Scripture: Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30.


Photo I took of the Sagemont Church Cross

Today is Good Friday. If you read the account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus in the passages above, each of the gospels will tell a slightly different account of what happened that day. However, the core details are the same.

He was innocent. He was mocked. He was beaten. He wore a Crown of Thorns. He was nailed to the cross. His mother was there. He died. He was buried and He WAS raised from the dead.

There were many who believed that soldiers had removed Jesus' body from the tomb and there was no resurrection, UNTIL they saw for themselves the undeniable scars. His nail scarred hands and feet. Those scars represent redemption and they represent forgiveness. Those scars represent the love for mankind that our Heavenly Father and His Son bestow upon us. In His complete restoration, the nail scars and the scar in His side were left intact.

I see my resurrected Savior without the dirt and mud covering His body, without the dried blood matted hair, and without parts of the whip left in His back. However, I see the scars and although the jagged scars on his back may be gruesome to some. To me, it is a reminder of the love he showed that day. A mark of magnificence.

Do our scars mean the same thing?

I have had self-inflicted wounds from insecurity and little belief in my self worth. These wounds that are more than fleshly wounds. They are wounds left from hurtful criticism and every.single.one of those wounds has left a scar. Unless I forbid the enemy to use them against me, those scars will continue to ridicule and haunt me.

Choose to see your scars as a representation of redemption not only today, but everyday. They represent forgiveness. They represent a love for us that only our Heavenly Father and His Son can bestow upon us.

Dear Lord, may we realize afresh today what Your death and resurrection mean for us. Forgiveness … Freedom … and the ability to walk with You through this fallen world into eternity. May we always find our satisfaction in You and Your willingness to offer Yourself to us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have a GREAT Good Friday!

*Tiffany

One Minute Sermon with Tamara Lowe

I saw Tamara Lowe speak in February at her motivational conference (GREAT conference BTW). She didn't really keep my interest (only because Colin Powell, Rudy Guiliani & Lou Holtz were at the same conference), but too bad she didn't do this because she would've had me at Days of our Lives!

Happy Thursday!

There is something about this picture that I love.

Something so peaceful, Something so calming, Something so comforting.


Today, "Count your Blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with Grace, Strength, Courage, and Confidence!" ~ Og Mandino

When One Door Closes...

Another door opens.

OH how I believe this statement! The last few years have been quite a struggle for me, a struggle to remain strong in my faith that God has a plan for each of us. I was layed off 3 times within an 18 month period and we were dealing with some of the most financially stressful and emotionally difficult times that we have ever faced.

I felt like I was not going to be able to survive one more thing being thrown our way. There was nothing familiar about our tomorrow and I was scared to death. However, Abel felt confident in our security, while I started mourning the loss of my career and the loss of a life I really enjoyed.

It's apparent to me that I should NEVER doubt God's plan. Even when I feel that I have approached my darkest times, I now recognize that He is always there. He will bring you through a Season of suffering, so that the unimportant become glaringly unimportant. We have looked at the things that have been stripped away and realize that we can see God more clearly when they are gone.

Today, I continue to have faith in my God and I truly believe that when He closes one door, He will ALWAYS open another.

(Photo By: Basilio Robledo - It's an AWESOME photo, isn't it?!)

One year ago this very same week, I returned to the office on Wednesday from the exact same vacation. The very next day, I was layed of from a job (the job, not the company) that I loved so much. What a sad & very different place I was in one year ago. I am so very grateful that this year, I will be retuning to a company/office/friends who to assist me daily in growing & becoming successful.

Coy fish grow in proportion to their ponds & so does our Faith. If we are kept in safe, small ponds forever, we will never grow.

I am thankful for the gift of supportive family and amazing friendships that have carried us through and I am blessed with a Heavenly Father who carried the burden of my fear and anxiety and a Heavenly Father who continues to comfort me.

*Tiffany

Favorite Song Friday - Love's Divine

It's a GREAT one!!

Today my "Favorite Song Friday" is a song from a sweet friend of mine, DeDe Murcer Moffett. Take a moment to listen and to be uplifted!

DeDe Murcer Moffett is a Recording Artist, Speaker and the CEO & Founder of Snap Out of It. I cannot say enough wonderful things about her uplifting, postive spirit and the beautiful person she is (inside and out). DeDe combines her inspirational speaking and singing to deliver a message of hope and transformation after overcoming a 24 year alcohol addiction. She is a woman helping other women unleash their personal power!

"What I know is this, there is nothing that you cannot overcome or transcend. Life is a series of events and we label them good and bad, however they are truly just experiences for our soul to learn from as we keep expanding and growing. Me, you and all of us are worthy and loved. Let this be your knowing and may it propel you forward to the life of your dreams!" ~ DeDe Murcer Moffett



Read more about DeDe and how you to can Snap Out of It by clicking on the links below.

www.dedemurcermoffett.com

www.snapoutofitradionetwork.com

www.twitter.com/SnapOutOfItShow

Have a SPECTACULAR Friday!

*tiffany

I LOVE how NOTHING is to BiG for My God!

I continue to be amazed at the promises that have been made to each of us. The promises of God are trustworthy, because the God who promised them is Faithful! God's love is personal. He knows each of us individually and loves us personally with all His heart. I am thankful today for the love He showed me, long before I even noticed it and I'm grateful for His blessings and grace.

Here are a few reminders of God's promises... May you be blessed today and everyday.

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:6-8

Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him." Psalm 37:3-7

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," delares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity." Jeremiah 29:11-14

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:3,35,37-39

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." Hebrews 6:10

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:18-19

Hugs,

*Tiffany