Cultivating Character

What Motivated you to Choose your Goal? What inspires you to succeed at it? What pushes you to keep trying? What carries you through times of self-doubt?

Your answers to these questions comprise your Character; they define your interests, values, strengths, and means of support.

The Stronger your Character; the More Stable Your Success.











True Character Needs A Source Of Conviction & Power …….

Self-trust is the first secret of success, the belief that if you are here the Authorities of the universe put you here, and for a cause, or with some task strictly appointed you in your constitution, and so long as you work at that you are successful. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The Authorities of the Universe put you here…”

Wow! What a Character Cultivating truth. The Holy Trinity Put me here to be and do something They need me to Be & Do…….. Time to step up from stupid!

You will never reach the Palace talking and acting like a peasant.

Change what you Believe God thinks about you and you will Change!

Get a New Conviction and watch your Character Grow.

Then see that source of “Conviction” (God’s Purpose) as the Power to stand in Character against all that would attack, or compromise these Convictions.

You will, undoubtedly, meet people who will try to shut you up or entice you to compromise your principles in any number of ways. They’ll try to seduce you and distract you with money, power, security and perhaps most dangerously, a sense of belonging. Don’t let them; it’s just not worth it. One of the biggest threats to our world is the culture of silence and compromise – politicians who compromise their beliefs because they are scared they will anger their voters and won’t get reelected, corporate executives who put profit over principles. You can have a conscience and still make money. You can have genuine values and still get elected. You can even make movies that do well at the box office without playing to the lowest common denominator. ~Samuel L. Jackson

Character is a Choice.

Choose to Believe that God has a Purpose a Plan just for you.

He needs you to be unequally YOU!

Begin to Do the things you Have to Do when you have to do them; and the day will arrive when you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them.

One of the Greatest Qualities on earth is the Willingness to Become.

O keep me, Lord, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed or disappointed, for my trust and my refuge are in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for and expect You. ~Psalm 25:20-21

Thanks for taking the time to Read our Ramblings… Deb & I Believe in YOU! But you need to Believe That God Believes in You! See You in Church
Would you leave a little “Feed-Back”? And Check out a short Study Tool Below.

“Seven things that Characterize Caleb’s Character…”

Encouragement

The root of the word “Encouragement” means to “Put Courage Into.”

What a wonderful picture of one person standing beside another saying, “Take Courage!” God has given you the ability to be that person to others.

Ask Him to show you those who could use a kind word, an uplifting thought, a simple prayer. They could be strangers on the street or members of your own family.

Your Encouragement may just help someone walk when they might have stumbled. You might help someone stand firm instead of giving in. And Encouraging others has yet another benefit. Those around you are strengthened so they can offer you an encouraging word when YOU need one.


I think too many Christians are “dying on the Vine” for lack of encouragement from other believers.

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing. ~1 Thessalonians 5:11

Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the man who speaks such a word. ~William Barcklay

Encouragement is Oxygen to the soul. ~George Adams

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel great, they make you feel like you, too, can become great. We tend to become what the most important person in our life thinks we will become. So be careful who you allow to become important in your life.

One of the secrets to encouraging others is to get excited about the right things. Some people get excited about pointing out mistakes or finding someone’s failures. Instead we should get excited about their strengths and the little things they are doing right.

How To Become An Encourager

1. Appreciate the Power of Encouragement ~It really is Oxygen to the soul.

2. Believe in People ~ If you don’t believe in people they won’t believe in you.

3. Build Relationships ~The closer you are, the more your encouragement counts.

4. Walk your Talk ~ Model first what you would encourage others to do.

5. Show people you think they are Important ~ Remember their names and ask for help.

6. Give people a Reputation to Uphold ~People rise to our level of expectations.

7. Reward what you Value ~What gets Rewarded gets Done!

8. Hold more Celebrations ~Acknowledging wins Motivates people to keep trying.

9. Encourage Participation and Ownership ~People don’t get down on what they’re up on.

10. Raise the Bar ~Many people will stretch to Success if Challenged.

If you’re wondering who needs encouragement, just look for the brokenhearted those who have failed, or had a set-back… isn’t that when you needed the most encouragement in life?

The wisest person pardons mistakes and even forgives intentional transgressions. In that way, he/she insures the upward spiral of their own prosperity & blessing. The inferior person cannot resist the opportunity to chastise, criticize or even condemn another and, in so doing, brings judgment and resentment onto themselves, destroying unity, and crushing enthusiasm, thereby destroying their own chances for success

Jesus was “The Great Encourager” especially of those who “Failed.”

Listen to this and Be Encouraged!

If you have messed-up, if you are not perfect, if you’re life grade is a D- guess what? God still Loves YOU! He wants to help you turn things around, He will use your Pain & and show you how to Gain!

Deb & I want to Hopefully Encourage You TODAY!

See You in Church!

Check out this STUDY TOOL …

“Hope for the Discouraged Heart”

Life is about making choices.

On average, an adult spends hours each day just making decisions. We must decide what to wear, what to eat, when to get up, where to drive, what floor we want the elevator to stop at, whether we’ll overlook an insult or not, whether we will consciously love the unlovable. The choices we make range from the important to the mundane—but they all require our time and prayerful concentration.

The most Important choice we will make is not “where we will go” but rather “Who will we become?”

The only true freedom each of us has is the freedom to choose. But once we choose, we become the servant of our choices!

In this Blog we will look at one of the most power-filled choices we can make in life: choosing to withhold revenge.

If we could see the secret history in our enemies, we should find in each life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all our hostility. ~Henry W. Longfellow

When we see everyone (in church) is a part of us, that any criticism we make is self-criticism, we will extend to ourselves an unconditional love that will light the world. ~Henry Palmer

Whether or not you recall the names of the two wealthiest people in the world—or the last few winners of the Heisman Trophy, or Academy Awards----I’ll guarantee you can remember the names of two favorite teachers, a coach, or friends who stood by you when everyone else walked.

We remember the people who “Cared”

And we can become one of those people who are held in others’ hearts and memories long after we have passed from this planet. It is what we are here to do; next to simple acts of kindness & forgiveness, all our personal achievements pale.

Acts of kindness, love, forgiveness and tenderness close the circle of life and connect us to others. What we do for ourselves dies with us, but what we do for others echoes throughout the ages.

We can see and enjoy every sight around the world, experience every luxury and pleasure. But when we look back on our lives and review our memories, none of it will match the delight of bringing a smile to someone’s face, or performing some act of courage, kindness or forgiveness. These “Things” take us beyond ourselves, past our separation; they bring meaning and purpose to life.

We are each angels with only one wing; we fly only by embracing one another. ~Luciano de Crescenzo

A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a few times, and began to cry. The other eight youngsters heard his cries, slowed down, and looked back. Then every one of them turned around and went back. A girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him. Then all nine children linked arms and walked together to the finish line.

Can we learn from these youngsters to compete and collaborate at the same time?

Can we celebrate our journey “Together” as brothers and sisters “In Christ” in a spirit of cooperation and willing forgiveness?

Perhaps we could “Together” discover our greatest Purpose yet!

Let’s Learn To Get Over Ourselves!

Ninety percent of the art of living consists of learning how to get along with people one cannot stand. ~Samuel Goldwin ……… (Rough! But I like it!)

The Lord Needs You…..

Deb & I Need You!

See You in Church!

Check out the attached study tool……

“Our Response”