As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about how important it is to have a positive attitude in PRAYER. Sometimes PRAYER can be rather routine, like marking something off of the To-Do list. But sometimes PRAYER can be deep and contemplative.

What I have come to realize is that it is my attitude that is what is important. When I pray, I am bringing myself present to the Lord and allow my SOUL to reach out to touch MY CREATOR. When I have a POSITIVE attitude, my PRAYER is that much more powerful. I find myself full of gratitude and blessings. The problems have not gone away. There is still a long list of things to do, but, for that moment, I allow my soul to touch HIM. With open arms, HE embraces me and lets me know that everything is going to be OK; actually, not just OK, but WONDERFUL.

Today, take a moment to PRAY! PRAY with thanksgiving and praise. PRAY with confidence and trust. And then let me know what happens, because there’s nothing like hearing someone share their story of meeting God face-to-face.

Have a blessed day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus (with my new mug!), I am thinking about the need to REACH OUT. Sometimes in our daily walk, our energy is low. We might be fighting depression or we just feel overwhelmed with problems. That is when we should hear the words from our Lord, “REACH OUT!”

In times like that, we need to go outside ourselves and reach out to others. Call a friend, visit someone who is sick, write a card to somebody who is in the hospital, make sandwiches for the homeless; do something to get out of self. REACH OUT!

And while you are reaching out, REACH OUT to the Lord. Ask HIM to bring light into your life and into your heart. Ask HIM to inspire you so that you can inspire others. Ask HIM to lift you out of darkness into his loving embrace.

REACH OUT, and have a blessed day.

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was reflecting on INNER STILLNESS. Several years ago, I went through a personal crisis. During that time, I was paralyzed, overwhelmed by circumstances, filled with intense anxiety and helplessness. Even thinking about it now brings tension into my body. Inside my heart, I could hear only a whisper, “Be still and know that I AM GOD.” Something greater than me and my circumstances was holding me together.

Even today, I seek that stillness, that moment where I can find the truth that God is WITH me. Don’t get me wrong…it’s been a long journey, but the voice gets louder, and as I become more still, the only thing I hear are the words, “Be still, and know that I am God”.

Today, as I begin my day, I take a moment to be STILL and listen to that voice that speaks from my inner soul. I continue to forgive, and I know that will bring me to the peace that only comes from HIM! Find that Stillness and you will find HIS PEACE!

Have a blessed day. And remember these words, “Be still and know that I am God.”

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about the word PERSPECTIVE. No matter how wonderful life seems to be going, if our spirit is crushed, it’s almost impossible for us to experience joy! But when our PERSPECTIVE is Heaven, we can endure almost anything!

Fifty years from now, most of us will be long gone and everything we went through on this earth will have no more meaning. The only thing that will matter is eternal life. The Scriptures tell us in Romans 8:18, “I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Everything we go through, everything that God allows us to experience, is preparing us for eternal life in HIS presence!

So today, realize all of the suffering, pain, and loss is nothing compared to the promise of eternal life, where there will be no more suffering, tears, or pain. Keep things in PERSPECTIVE, and know that today is going to be an amazing day, one day closer to being with the KING of KINGS.

Have a blessed day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I think of the word NEIGHBOR. I am blessed to live in a wonderful neighborhood. I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t see someone doing something kind for someone else. Yesterday, I sat on my porch on a beautiful afternoon and saw a NEIGHBOR across the street take some food to another NEIGHBOR who has been under the weather. I watched some families ride by on their bikes; they stopped to say hello. And there were lots of dog walkers and people are out planting flowers in their gardens, taking time to chat.

It’s important to get to know your NEIGHBORS. So much fear has come into our world that people are afraid to get to know each other. Neighborhoods are really just small communities, but together we can do great things.

So, today I am going to pray for my NEIGHBORHOOD and see what I can do to be a better NEIGHBOR. Today, be a great NEIGHBOR, get to know the people around you, and try to build a community based on peace and love. Jesus would expect nothing less.

Have a blessed day, Neighbor!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about the power of POSITIVE THINKING. It is so easy to look around and complain, to feel that everything is going wrong. But, as Christians, we are called to see God’s hand in everything.

Maybe you’ve spent a lifetime around negative people and have absorbed that disease. Negative thinking empowers the problem. We need to find the balance in our lives and open our eyes to what is good each and every day. We need to bring the POSITIVE message of the GOSPEL. Positive energy heals, brings love, and transforms!

The Scriptures remind us in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Today, make it a POSITIVE day. Fill the morning with positive thoughts. Bring the POSITIVE message of Christ to the world.

Have a blessed day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about a book I read years ago called, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.” I know this saying is true, but it’s harder to practice living it. It makes me wonder why I make such a long To Do List every day, or why I have trouble sitting still and reflecting, or how I get annoyed when something I plan doesn’t go just the way I wanted.

When we choose to follow Jesus, we can’t “sweat the small stuff”. Jesus is always bringing us sacred interruptions to see if we can find the HOLINESS in the moment. We can learn that we do not have to control the moment; rather, we can actually be present in it. Whether it be a house that needs to be cleaned, or a flat tire, or the endless list; our attitude makes all the difference. Are we serving our To Do list or our Lord? Can we see the lessons in the sacred interruptions? Are we holding onto the past or embracing the present? When we strive to put Jesus in the center of our lives, it’s all small stuff!

Today, I will strive to see Jesus in all the simple tasks, the small things, and make them prayers of GRATITUDE. I think I will put that on my list!

Have a blessed day.

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about a phrase I came across yesterday, “STAND FIRM.” I found it in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be watchful, STAND FIRM in faith, be strong.” Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to STAND FIRM against the schemes of the devil.” And in 1 Peter 5 it says, “Resist him, STAND FIRM in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by others throughout the world.”

Sometimes it is easy to want to throw in the towel or to give up the fight. We can sometimes begin to lose our patience or become negative or critical. It is certainly easy these days when the norm no longer seems to be the norm. So we can gain strength from the words of Christ, “STAND FIRM”. Stand firm, that this too will pass. STAND FIRM, that we can make a difference. STAND FIRM, that we can grow and become better people. STAND FIRM in the WORD and presence of Jesus, even in the storm.

Today, let us STAND FIRM in our belief that all is in the hands of Jesus. Jesus walks with us through our trials. And these trials will bring us into a deeper relationship with HIM.

STAND FIRM and smile! And have a blessed day.