Quote & Thought

"We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same."

~ Carlos Castaneda

 

 

It takes the same amount of effort, time, space, energy, and (as the quote says) work, to focus on things that are not going right with our lives as it does to focus on what is going right with our lives.

Focusing on the mistakes or the past or things that haven’t worked out, will un-doubt ably make you feel miserable. As the negative aspect is true, so is the positive; if you focus on God’s promises, what is going right, goals you see getting closer to fruition, will un-doubt ably make you feel strong.

 

 

Scripture Sunday: Direction

Isaiah 30:21

²¹ Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (NIV)

Forward Friday

Friday is our day here at Renewed Corner where we celebrate sharing, and we call it Forward Friday.

Let today be a day where you forward an act of kindness. It doesn’t matter if your kindness is big or small; all that matters is that your kindness is genuine.  

We all appreciate an act of kindness when we are on the receiving end, but it’s as important to give as it is to receive.

So move forward today with an act of kindness, because who you help might get inspired to forward kindness themselves…and wouldn’t that be a nice chain reaction?!?!

Happy Friday and Happy forwarding.

Heart of Man (Re-Post)

There is this man. A young man. He has walked the streets a thousand times, without anybody ever noticing him. He keeps his head down when he walks. He speaks when spoken to. He can’t bring himself to make eye contact through his thick bottle neck glasses he nervously adjusts, when you toast him. This young man is different and quirky. This man humbles me; he literally melts my heart. He makes my soul freeze in silence; I start to see our society and then I start to see our God.

I can sadly understand why people treat this man like he is invisible. He is not the pretty boy. He is not going to wow you with swagger. He is what our world describes as painfully shy and noticeably odd. He has probably gotten overlooked countless times in his life, simply because the jock-ess guy bullshitted their way pass him by using their angelic looks and charm (the only tools they know how to use because they lack any real depth or resourcefulness).

This man is so gentle and smart. If you engage in conversation with him, you’ll quickly learn how immensely bright and well educated he is; he completely surprises you.

I think we look past people too often in this world. I think we get caught up in the pretty instead of the real. Notice the soul in the corner. Notice the soul that wants to use their voice, but has a hard time finding somebody to listen.

Charm is great, and when used appropriately, it can be very effective. But remember, pretty fades, charm gets old, and shallowness gets ugly.

God has used this man in a very unique way. I’m sure all the people that once were shamelessly poking fun at him, misunderstanding him, or completely ignoring him are now dumb founded by his success.

Don’t pass through life not noticing the beauty hiding in unassuming disguises. God can use anybody…no matter what the package, background, experience, or circumstances look like.

Our society may see exterior, but our God sees the heart of man.

Quote & Thought

"Most people are so busy knocking themselves out trying to do everything they think they should do, they never get around to do what they want to do."

~ Kathleen Winsor

 

 

 

It isn’t uncommon for people to do things that they THINK they should be doing, because it’s what they feel society, family, friends, or colleagues pressure them to do. Remember to follow your heart and gut. Move forward with what you feel is right for you in the time and space that feels right. There are a lot of dream killers of the world; don’t let someone or something talk you out of doing what you want.

 

Scripture Sunday: Stay Encouraged

"Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad. "

~Proverbs 12:25

In Due time

Dreams and goals can seem so close yet so far away. Have you ever wondered when your dream would turn into reality? Have you ever wondered why things take so long to manifest in your life? Like marriage, you wonder when your better half is going to show up as you rsvp your way into another wedding. Perhaps you want to have a child and everyone you know is having a baby…everyone except for you that is. That promotion you’ve been eyeing that promises a corner office with a greener paycheck goes to a complete slacker, and you wonder how you’ve been unfairly overlooked.

We tend to think that when it happens to someone else…that engagement, that pregnancy, that promotion…it’s unfair. Why unfair? Because we want it and we want it first. We don’t like the idea of having to wait. The truth is, we don’t really mind that someone got their desire fulfilled, we are upset that they got it before us.

There was a time not that long ago when I was praying and asking when it was going to be, ‘my turn?’ There was such a need to move forward in my life that I wanted things to happen now, instead of later. When I took my request to our Lord, I remember looking in the bible and seeing scripture about, in due time. Intellectually, I knew the in due time scripture was the Lord speaking over my situation. But, what does in due time mean? Due time means, when the time is right. Do I know when the time will be right? No. Just because I don’t know when something is going to happen doesn’t mean that it’s not going to happen; I just have to place my trust and faith in the fact that it will happen when it is truly meant to happen.

Use the Lords eyes to see your situation. There is a time and a place for everything. The Lord is able to arrange things in our favor, but arranging takes time; we don’t see the arranging but we feel the wait. The Lord would not make you wait if there was no purpose behind it. Be confident that your due time is coming. Our Lord knows everything, and there is already an actual due date to your due time…so why stress? Your stressing, worrying, complaining, doubting, and crying won’t speed up your due date, so relax, and most importantly, trust.

In due time, you will see promises fulfilled. Your due date is already scheduled. If you’ve been waiting don’t fret, because God is working; HE will do what HE says HE will do all in due time!