Power of a Positive Attitude--from Eternal Encouragement

Earlier this year, I was able to attend an Extreme Mom Makeover with my Mom.   It was great actually meeting Lorrie and convicting to listen to her lessons. The theme was "The Power of Positive Attitude".  

Now, you can be blessed and convicted, too. Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement will be making these lesson available to all come November 1, 2012. This will be Collection 3.

It was a blessing to not only hear this lesson from Lorrie in person, but now to hear it again. Boy do I need it. It's obvious God doesn't want me to forget and remember to apply what I've learned!

I need to remember that I set the tone of my home by choosing my attitude. Most of the time, I don't make the choice, and I can see the results which I don't like. Lorrie pointed out that contentment (like all fruits of the Spirit) is a decision not a feeling. I also need to remember to choose gratitude which then affects my attitude. This has been a couple of years full of challenges, and truly I have tried to be thankful even during the trials, but I need to do better. 

I think one of the most convicting things Lorrie mentioned is being thankful for the imperfect gifts. God had given us many things to sustain us during my husband's unemployment. At times, I know I haven't been as thankful as I should be because I've seen the gifts as temporary fixes/imperfect gifts unworthy of full gratitude. I confess that now. 

Lorrie also points out that we are often ungrateful for our bodies or our health. Our bodies and health are often imperfect gifts because of this fallen world, be wee need to be thankful for what we have. As I write this, I'm heading into a period of pain and discomfort. I definitely have not been thankful for my health and overweight body. I need to choose to be thankful for the times I am without pain and the activities I can do.  I will be fully grateful for even the imperfect gifts. 

This set will include MP3s and fill-in-the-blank PDFs. I also like how each section  has an exercise which will help you apply or further learn about what Lorrie has taught. It helps it go beyond the MP3 and PDF.

So starting on November 1, visit HERE to get your "Power of a Positive Attitude".

As a Gabby Mom, I was given the product for free in exchange for my honest opinion on the product. 

A Cup Brimful of Water--speaking out of the abundance of your heart

My pastor is an expository preacher which basically means he preaches straight through a book of a Bible instead of topically. It's a big blessing because you can see Scripture in the context of which it was written which is the way it was made to be read if you think about it. 
After all, when you read a book or a letter, do you start in the middle, jump to a sentence at the beginning, read the end of another book....etc.? It's probably why I like to teach history in order, too!
Anyway, knowing what my pastor is going to preach on next Sunday allows me to review that passage ahead of time. That's why this passage is really standing out to me this week!

For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:43-45 ESV emphasis mine)

This is so convicting. What comes out of my mouth when I haven't run it through my "spiritual" filter before I speak it? I'm not going to tell you, but obviously it's something I need to work on or I wouldn't be writing about it! It reminds me of a quote from Amy Carmichael:
If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.
Sometimes when I'm jolted, I'm not very sweet.

What am I doing to work on it? I'm working on filling my heart with more good than bad. I'm reading the Word more. I'm reading godly books more. I'm listening to audio sermons, Scripture on CD, and Christian music more. AND I'm talking to myself more and listening to myself less. Unfortunately, when we listen to ourselves, it's usually grumbling or negative, so in this case, being slow to listen and quick to speak the truth is a good thing!


Give me some ideas. What do you do to be brimful of sweet water, so don't spill even one drop of bitter water?

Extreme Mom Makeover with Lorrie Flem

For over a year now, I've done reviews for Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement.   I've also started writing articles this year for Eternal Encouragement Magazine and EE Etc. Web Magazine. It's been a big blessing to be sure, and this weekend, I had an additional blessing. I was able to meet Lorrie and sit under her teaching live by attending an Extreme Mom Makeover.  

It's an interesting fact in our computerized world that you don't actually have to meet someone to work with them or for them! So first off, it was great to actually meet Lorrie!

Even though she was fighting a sinus infection, she took the time to visit with me and to truly minister to all the ladies at the meeting. Her topic was The Power of a Positive Attitude.  

There was soooo much. I think one quote Lorrie shared kind of sums up what she was trying to teach us, and that is "Good attitude isn't from the environment but from the invironment. The whole day was spent trying to work on the what is in us that could affect our attitudes either negatively or positively. It all rises and falls on our spiritual growth which is directly related to the time we spend in God's Word and prayer. I'm going to be re-writing my notes and chewing over the contents.

Now, this Extreme Mom Makeover was four hours away in Omaha, NE, so I knew I wanted someone to attend with me for safety but mostly for fun. There was a special discount on the registration for any mother or daughter that came along, so I brought my mom along.

The blessings didn't end with little trip, however, but also with the return home. Mija had planned a "party" for us which included kool-aid and some little snacks. It was sweet to walk into read this banner:

She also gave us both presents from her stockpile of toys. What touched me most upon my return, however, was mija's note which read, "Dear mom, We love you very much. Were going to Mecdoldnla for snak.  We love you! Kiss Kiss"  (spelling errors intact).  

What a day?  Blessings from beginning to end!

A Queenly Review and an Eternal Encouragement Giveaway

My daughter is all into PRINCESSES.  After all, she IS a princess.

Which makes my husband the king and me, well, it makes me the queen...

I know.  I'm really classy and elegant thanks to my Burger King crown.

So needless to say, I was immediately attracted to my newest Gabby Mom review which is a MP3 from Mrs. Lorrie Flem entitled "Keys to a Queenly Castle."  It's about the role of a wife and mother as queen of her home.   I really appreciated how she related to the command God gave for male and female to have dominion over the earth.

Boy, was it ever convicting and timely.  But of course, that's how most things are from Eternal Encouragement

Last Thursday, my husband lost his job.  It's been happening to a lot of people, so I'm sure there are other wives out there who are facing the same thing.  It hasn't even been a week, and people have already commented to me, "Well, maybe you should go out and get a job." 

I know they mean well.  And in a weak moment, if I weren't so "weak" physically right now, I might be tempted by it. 

But thanks to Lorrie's MP3, I remember that I'm "building a wall" and am too busy to come down!  She mentioned how Nehemiah was invited to "come down" by some important Arab men, but instead, he said, "...I am doing a great work and I cannot come down..." (Neh. 6:3).  I need to keep the vision of the great work God has for me here at home regardless of the chaos or temptation surrounding me!

Another MP3 that Lorrie made available for The Gabby Moms is "Attitude Adjustments".  I haven't even really gotten a chance to listen to it yet, because I was still processing all the information from being a QUEEN!

I am defintely going to listen to it, however.  I know my attitude is correct, but maybe it will help me point out what attitudes others need to adjust!  Pardon me now, while I go pull this log out of my own eye! (Matt. 7:3-5)

HOW ABOUT A GIVEAWAY!!

Now for the really fun part!  Mrs. Lorrie Flem is making one MP3 available as a giveaway.  Not only will it be free, but it will be one of your own choice.  That's right!  You can choose one of these I mentioned or another one of your choice.  Trust me.  You can't make a poor choice.

Here’s how to enter: (please complete all in ONE comment-one entry per person)



1. Click here to chose the MP3 file you’d like to win


2.  Go to www.TheGabbyMoms.com and post a comment on which one you’ve chosen. (The link for comments is under the Facebook and Twitter icons.) 


3.  Make sure to also comment that you found out about it from me.  (Betsy or MrsPriceisRight)


4. Leave your contact email.  After all, I think you would want to know if you win, right? :-)

5. Winner will be chosen on Saturday, June 18th via random.org.  You will need to claim your prize within 48 hours or an alternate winner will be selected.



I recieved these MP3s free in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was provided.

Whining, Complaining, and Bickering, Oh My!

From Nancy Carter of theoldschoolhousemagazine.com

When it comes to whining, complaining, and bickering, my policy is, "Just say no!" I don't like those things in myself, and I don't particularly enjoy being cooped up in a house with others doing them either.

Philippians 2:14-15 tells us, "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."

We aren't promised an easy life and in fact, we are challenged to strive to be content in ALL things. It will serve our children well in life if they learn at an early age how to be pleasant and appreciative even when things aren't going their way.

Here are my tips for kicking the Grouchy Gus attitude to the curb:

• Do not reward whining, complaining, and bickering with attention.
• Restrict what they're watching on TV. Many TV shows model and breed negative attitudes.
  
• Acknowledge the child's feelings, but redirect his thinking a la Romans 12:2.
  
• Cut down on bickering by having them clean each others' rooms or do each others' chores.
  
• Help your children to memorize verses about giving thanks, getting along with others, and joy.
  
• Have them list five things they're thankful for each day.
  
• Compliment them and build them up when they're showing self-control and maturity in how they handle difficult situations. Celebrate those good choices.
  
• Keep pointing them towards Scripture. Stories of faith and forgiveness, like Joseph and his brothers, illustrate somebody doing the right thing even when he had every reason to whine, complain, and hold a grudge.
  
• Be a good role model. Pay attention to your own words and actions.
  
• Do your best to set the kids up to be successful. Create a positive environment in your home, head off trouble at the pass, and stay engaged with your children.