Let us Give Praise and Encouragement Today

Yesterday while waiting in the hospital waiting room, I love to people watch. I guess it's a habit, I've become more aware of as I have gotten older. I love watching how people view their surroundings, how they communicate with one another, body language and how they interact with other people around them in different ways.

One trend that I seem to notice that almost everyone around them responds to is praise and encouragement. It's almost like people are completely starved for this type of attention. Whether people pore their heart and soul into their work, whether it's their job or a task they are doing, it makes it seem worth it, when someone notices. When they acknowledge what you did. Whether it's that new recipe you tried, that your family ah's and oh's over, to the photograph you uploaded on your social media site that not only are people liking but commenting on; or that new venture you've tried to step out in faith on and find you really enjoy; I don't think for one moment, that no one hates praise or encouragement.

They might find it embarrassing but deep down inside, I believe it's something God created inside us to respond to in a positive way. I believe it is why God loves us to praise Him. He knows how good it feels to be loved, admired and have us say positive things that are on our hearts. But I believe praise needs to be genuine and honest, not something you fake your way through just to say something nice to someone.

I believe praise and encouragement is best applied when it is sincere and it needs to be administered when we see it to have the very best results. It doesn't mean as much if you wait til the end of someone's life to let them know what they meant to you or how their life impacted yours in a life changing way. How often do we take for granted that loving meal made by our families, or the laundry that is washed, dried and folded for us to simply put away; or what about the husband or wife that bring home a paycheck after putting in hours so food is on the table each night, the lights are on, and there is water when we turn on our faucets?

What if for one moment, the things we take for granted each day that we never acknowledged simply ceased to exist? How would that change how you conveyed your praise or encouragement or how might that drive you further each day to work that much harder? The better question might be how much of life would be left if we failed?

I'm sure that there are countless people who ask themselves every single day, "Does what I am doing really matter?" "Do I really matter?" "Does anyone really care?"

Can't you hear the cries of the souls of every single person you meet? Is it that hard to thank the waitress sincerely by looking her in the eyes and let her know how much you enjoyed her bringing you your food and taking care of your dining needs? What about the nurse who responds to your care while you are sick and hurting? How about a simple sincere word of thanks?

I think too often people are trying for the bigger rewards instead of recognizing that people all around you, that you will encounter every single day, are just looking for a word from you that they matter, that you notice them, that you appreciate them? I would encourage you to view every single person you meet today with this simple thought, "What if this was their last day on earth, that at the end of the day, today, they would simply die?" Suppose it was a divine gift you were bestowed today by God. How would that impact how you treated each person you came into contact with.

I guess the bigger question is this, "What are you waiting for?"

People every single day need your praise, your encouragement, so since it's FREE why not hand it out in the largest doses we can today. I bet it will not only change them, but it will also change you!

Are you game?

Well, what are you waiting for?

Yard Sale or Garage Sale Items?

It's early in the morning. The sun is on the move to rise above the eastern sky and head west and the breeze is still cool. One of my favorite times of the day when things are still quiet. Peace still exists.

Then you begin your quest. You make sure you have an adequate amount of small bills and head out, looking for the signs you are bound to find on street corners, whether taped to poles or propped up in cardboard boxes, but they all point to one thing. Yard Sales or Garage Sales.

Whether you have one of your own for the purpose of clearing out space in your home, garage or yard or simply on the hunt for something you need, a bargain awaits. It seems like lately however, yard sales or garage sales are everywhere. Before you use to find them only on Saturday or Sunday mornings, but now they begin as early as Thursdays now. In some cases they run the entire week.

With the latest additions of reality shows like the Antique Road Show and now Pawn Stars, American Pickers, and Auction Kings, everyone is looking for a deal. Lately your junk is someone's else's treasure. Whether it's in search of some long lost childhood memory or fulfilling a need you have, these sales are now going full force.

I've even had the pleasure to share with some bloggers who have captured their latest finds and have come across some amazing bargains. Even if you can't wait for a sale, you can always find something you're looking for on Craig's list or now even Freecycle. We just found a video game system we had growing up, and got quite the deal. Sorry Steven and Caitlyn! We'll keep checking for you!

So it begs to ask the question, where did this all start? When did buying someone's junk become the latest fad? It certainly isn't because you feel that you will snatch up some priceless treasure someone didn't realize that they had. I think it's because deep down inside we're all still searching for something. Something that may fulfill a need, a want, a desire, or a hope for happiness. Yet in this search for a treasure among someone' junk, we find what we are looking for, the price is perfect or often times it can be negotiated to what we would love, a smile appears on our face when the deal is secured and off we go back to our car. It's truly a win/win for both buyer and seller.

Sometimes, we are searching for treasures that most don't see. It may be a cobalt blue glass vase that speaks to our heart because our grandparents may have had one and we are searching to find a way to reconnect to that memory or perhaps decorate a room with unique knick-knacks that tell a story. But someone along that way, genius was discovered. Someone who would turn useless stuff into a great treasure.

Much like what God does with us. He takes us at often times at our complete worse and smiles once He sees us sitting like junk on a shelf. He sees the value behind our facade, deep into our hearts. There is no price too great for Him to pay to purchase us. We are worth every single penny. No matter what condition God finds you in, He is satisfied with you just the way you are right this minute. No need to rush off to be refurbished or restored before He'll pick you up! Nope, He wants you just the way you are. God knew all along right where you'd be, He's never going to give up searching for you.

You are priceless in His eyes, always will be, no matter your condition. So stop worrying about being perfect. Be willing to turn yourself over to God right where you are at now. You will make His day and all of Heaven will stop and celebrate over your decision. The best part, is that you will never find yourself unworthy in His eyes ever again. We place the value on ourselves, but to God, you are the best thing He's ever discovered and created. We only have to believe it.

The best part is that it will completely change your life forever. If your willing, of course?

What do you have to lose?

If your tired of feeling less than perfect, looking for acceptance and unconditional love and want more out of your life than what you've been getting lately, invite Him into your heart. He stands at the door, are you willing to let Him in? What can it hurt?

Believe me, it will completely change your life for the better! Here's all you need to do:

1. Talk to God. You don't need anyone's help. Just stop where you are right now and ask God to change you. Tell Him how difficult your life has been up this point. Ask Him into your life.

2. Ask God to forgive you for failing to meet up to His expectations for your life. Believe He will change you and love you unconditionally. Believe He is the only one who can completely change you. Believe that He is the one true God and that He died for you to pay the price for all your sins, past, present and future. That He rose again on the third day and is now residing in Heaven, waiting for all of us to join Him.

3. Ask Him to show you the path for your life now. Open a Bible and begin reading what life is really about. I'd suggest start in the book of John. Read it like you were there and ask God to reveal Himself to you through His word.

Then believe, you are now a perfect child, a heir to the throne of God, a prince or princess that will live forever in a kingdom far perfect from the world we live in now, and that when this life ends, yours will not! You will dwell in a perfect place filled with streets of gold, and no more tears, death, fear or pain exists. Trust me, Heaven and Hell are very real places and there will be no partying in Hell, but there will be in Heaven. The choice is yours today! I hope you make this the best sale ever in your life!

Maintaining Our Teens Self Esteem

I often worry about the state of our teens as you have often heard me write about in previous posts. My concern here is more about what our teens are doing when us, parents, are out in the working world and don't seem to have time for them. I read an article today on the Focus on the Family website about the alarming things that are happening to our teens and how parents are basically turning their backs on them.

I realize that parents have to work and there can't always be someone home with them when they get home, but eventually you do get home. Do you talk to your teen, really talk to them? Do you even know who their best friends are? What they do for lunch? What their favorite classes are? If you don't, I would strongly encourage you to find out. You are missing out.

We are entrusted by God to "raise" our kids in the way of the Lord, so when they are older they will not depart from it. Raise is knowing about your teen, encouraging conversations with them and their friends. I also don't think that being your teens best friend is the answer. They need boundaries that parents can provide! They need limits on the choices they can make until they reach 18. They need guidance, not free time. They are spending so much time in the electronic world, with Myspace, web pages, Instant Messaging and Cell Phones that when these devices don't work, they honestly don't know what to do with themselves.

We need to make time for them. We need to give them our attention to listen to the things and issues that are going on in their lives and help guide them in the direction they should go. I am saddened by the parents who simply don't care about their kids. To them, it's simply a count down of how long before they leave the house and they can get on with their life without being tied down to that teen anymore. Quite honestly, that parent at some point in their life will regret that decision and they may lose that contact with their teen/s forever.

Our teens today are so overwhelmed not only with technology and trying to keep up with their friends and social events, but with homework, classes, clubs, sporting events, church, before they have a moment of free time. They were never designed to just automatically handle the ability to master task like a work employee. They don't even get paid to handle that work load. We need to help guide them into handling and managing that rough schedule.

In addition to this, students feel the need to cheat in order to stay and keep ahead. The national statistics show that 90% of highschoolers cheat either on homework or tests in order to maintain grades. They feel the pressure of getting into good colleges if they don't maintain good grades. The truth be known, not all kids are straight A students, yet we make them feel as they need to be. I mean the kid next door doesn't seem to have that problem. Our teens need an outlet to express themselves and get out from this unbearable workload.

We also need to be concerned about weight issues and sex. Most kids these days don't see it as any big deal if they lose their virginity before they enter high school and teenage pregnancy can be handled by abortion or adoption. It is amazing that teens don't see anything wrong with that attitude. They don't even see anything as wrong until they are confronted by it.

What they need from us besides our time while we can be here to give it to them is to be that role model for them to follow. Set some time aside and just hang out with your teen and just see what they have to say. All too often their friends are giving them the wrong advice because no one is there to give them something better.

Make time for your teenager now, before it's too late and all that time has slipped away from you!