Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Laugh again” Our Bible verse for today: “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Keep that attitude positive”” Charlie “Tremendous” Jones was a popular motivational speaker and author. He was hired by companies and organizations to speak to their employees to help motivate them and to help them develop and maintain positive attitudes about their work, but also about life in general. Charlie was so upbeat and positive that his attitude was contagious. But it was a lot more than just ‘rah-rah” cheerleading stuff. The reason his books and seminars were so popular was because his message resonated with people and his strategies worked. And also, deep inside, most people really do want to be positive and upbeat. People want to feel good and they want to enjoy life. Charlie was pretty effective at helping people to achieve that. Your life is better when your attitude is right. More than twenty-five years ago I bought one of his books called “Life is Tremendous!” and I still have it on my bookshelf today. In fact, I have it in front of me right now as I write this. When it comes to having a good attitude, I’ve always been inspired by God’s command to Joshua recorded in Joshua 1:9 above. Choose to be strong and courageous, and push back against discouragement. That command fits hand-in-glove with a similar command given by the Apostle Paul to his young protégé Timothy recorded in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear (or timidity), but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” Your attitude and overall outlook on life is one of the most important things about you. A pessimistic person with a bad attitude is destined for a life of misery and failure. A positive person with a good attitude is much more likely to have a happy life. And, your attitude is your choice. You decide how you are going to approach life. You decide whether you will be downcast and morose, or upbeat and positive. Personally, I choose to believe that life is tremendous and full of fun and adventure, because that’s a better way to live than being pessimistic. Likewise, living with a sense of being empowered by God to accomplish meaningful things is so much better than being fearful or timid. Your attitude is your choice. It has often been said, and I know it to be true, that a bad attitude is like a flat tire – you’re not going to get anywhere until you change it. So, if your attitude needs changing don’t wait until you’re bumping along on the side of life’s road like a car with a flat tire and not getting anywhere. I encourage you to change it now. Your attitude is your choice. God Bless, Pastor Jim |
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