“Accountability is the key to integrity…Corruption comes when we avoid accountability.” J.R.R. Tolkien (Frodo Baggins, The Hobbit)“So, how many days did you have a quiet time this week?” Yikes! I wasn’t expecting that question. I had just joined an accountability group and I expected to be held accountable for getting the prescribed materials read and ready to discuss, which I did. No one would know that I did five of the short lessons—designed for daily study—the night before in one marathon session. When I had finished I was pleased with myself that I had covered all the materials. I justified that I did it more effectively since I would better be able to discuss the topic having just studied it the night before.
We met as a group for a year. By the end of that year my quiet times were as much a part of my morning as combing my hair or brushing my teeth. Now, years later, when I lead an accountability group I ask the same question. The material is secondary to developing a good habit that will impact the remainder of our lives. Do you view an accountability relationship as a partnership? What good habit do you want to develop in your life? Who will you approach to ask to be your partner, and hold you accountable to develop this habit? Lord, thank You for giving me someone who cared enough to hold me accountable and left her mark on my life. Amen Note: John Ronald Reuel (J.R.R.) Tolkien, CBE, FRSL (1892-1973), an English writer, poet, philologist, and professor, best known for The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. A close friend of C.S. Lewis (author of the Narnia series), they were both members of the informal literary group known as the Inklings.
0 Comments
"The idea of purpose is the idea that what we do matters to people other than ourselves.” Angela Duckworth"There has to be more to life than this,” was the parrot-cry of my life, despite the fact that I was young, single, had a good job, a comfortable apartment and was able to live within my means. I kept busy doing fun things with friends on weekends. My mother used to say, “You’re doing too much, save something for when you’re older.” I just ignored this comment; I was having too much fun. I figured I haven't been blessed with a husband and children so it wasn't really being selfish to focus all my time and effort on myself. In fact, there were those who envied my life. On Monday afternoons the same two married-with-children women would wander by my desk to ask what I did over the weekend. I’d share my bike ride around Angel Island or walking across the Gold Gate Bridge or the Shakespeare play I’d seen or the mystery dinner party I’d attended or rock climbing in Yosemite or going to the coast for the Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society. They would happily live vicariously through my escapades. Yet, after a while I think I was getting more pleasure out of wow'ing these women and less pleasure out of my ramblings. Why, if they thought my life was so interesting and adventurous, was I not more satisfied.
desire to leave a legacy of some kind? Do you know what your gifts, talents and aptitudes are? What will your first step be toward making a difference? Lord, thank You for helping me see my self-centered lifestyle for what it was. Help me constantly renew my focus as my own selfishness tries to pry me away from being useful to others. Amen Note: Angela Lee Duckworth (1970- ), an American academic, psychologist and popular science author, a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Her first book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, when reviewed by the New York Times she was said to be “the psychologist who has made ‘grit’ the reigning buzzword in education-policy circles.”
Note: Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942), a Canadian author best known for a series of novels beginning in 1908 with Anne of Green Gables; she became famous in her lifetime and gained an international following. "Time is a fixed income and, as with any income, the real problem facing most of us is how to live successfully within our daily allotment.” Margaret B. Johnstone
I heard a woman who had recovered from a serious illness say she lives each day not pondering the day before or worrying about the next day. Each day was a blessing just to be alive and she was going to fill it with all that she could fit in. It made me rethink procrastinating. 'Someday' may never come. Her words inspired me and I went home and checked out my to-do list. The first thing I realized was, my list had been prioritized by what was the most urgent (which task had the nearest deadline) instead of the most important, I rewrote the list and then immediately tacked the item at the top of the list. Do you have a to-do list that plagues you; steeling your peace of mind? Is your 'Bucket List' not likely to ever see this light of day? What important task will you do today that will bring you both peace of mind and a sense of satisfaction? Lord, remind me how good it feels to accomplish something of worth, and help me become more disciplined. Amen “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Margaret B. Johnstone (1899-1968), an American author that published two books on how to care for people in their homes after suffering a stroke, and how to regain normal movement following a stroke. “After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box." Italian ProverbApparently the division manager was having car problems. “Can I help with anything?” I asked. “Thanks for asking, but a tow truck is on its way. See ya tomorrow.” I went on my way, but I have to admit, it was sort of surreal. Someone who makes four times what I make is having car troubles. What was I thinking! Of course he has car problems. Just because people get out of his way when he walks down the hall, and everyone spends hours preparing before a ten minute presentation to him, he’s still just like the rest of us. He has to get his teeth cleaned, just like the rest of us. He has to walk his dog before going to bed, just like the rest of us. When I got in my car I waited, watching him from a distance. I thought of the line in the movie The Family Man where the tire salesman said to the Wall Street CEO, “Wall Street, Main Street; it’s all just a bunch of people getting up in the morning trying to figure out how they’re going to send their kids to college. It’s just people.” Are there people in your life - film stars, athletes, musicians, Internet personalities - who are somewhat intimidating? Do you wonder what it must be like to be them? How will you think of them differently so you won’t be intimidated; and you’ll feel just as real, just as important, just as significant?
Lord, may I never forget to see people through Your eyes; to remember that You love each of us the same regardless of our jobs, our talents, or our accomplishments. Amen “Of course it’s not possible to experience constant euphoria, but if you’re grateful you can find happiness in everything.” Pharrell Williams The Oroville dam’s main spillway was severely damaged. It could not release water as fast as rivers poured in. When the dam was full the emergency spillway failed after only a few hours causing five towns to be evacuated in case the dam might also fail. People took the shortest route to higher ground. Roads were packed. Families were separated. Parents had to trust that schools and daycare workers were getting their children to safety. I cried listening to the evening news, hearing mothers’ pleas to re-connect with their children. Days later after the water level was lowered and people were allowed to return, my friend posted a picture of an amazing rainbow—the biblical reminder to look at the bigger picture, that God is still in control. After the damage was surveyed, Oroville’s mayor was on the news with encouraging news. So much earth had been washed downstream they were preparing for a veritable gold rush—Oroville is Spanish for ‘city of gold.’ The very next report on the news was that the ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada Mountains expect to stay open until July 4th. For resorts that suffered so much during the drought years, this is exceptional. For me, Pharrell’s comment doesn’t dismiss the tragedies, instead it causes me to look for the silver lining in the storm clouds. It reminds me to turn away from the constant temptation to worry and look for something to be grateful for. As Francis Anfuso said, “Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its problems, worry empties today of its peace.”
So when the next storm comes—and it will come—illness, financial, children, loss, change, or weather; I will remember the rainbow and look for something to be grateful for, rather than be tempted to worry. Is there a storm cloud in your life that's stealing your peace and Happy-ness? Are you worrying about a cloud on the horizon? What concern is tempting you to worry today, and how will you avoid collapsing under the pressure of the temptation? Lord, thank You for rainbows that remind me to focus on the bigger picture, be grateful, and enjoy the Happy-ness. Amen “When the rainbow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Genesis 9:16a, John 16:33b “All growth is a leap in the dark; a spontaneous, unpremeditated act without the benefit of experience.” Henry MillerRecently I had coffee with a friend. There was so much going on in her life, I settled into active listening mode. I asked questions, she told stories. It was glorious. Much of my life I have been told, “You talk too much,” or “You need to listen more.” Talking too much is my greatest character gap between who I am and who I desire to be…but, not for lack of trying. When young, my dad used to tell me, “When you’re talking you can’t learn anything new; you can only repeat what you already know.” I really tried to listen, but I discovered I’m one of those people that learn by synthesis. So I need to draw a correlation in my own life or put the concept into my own words in order to fully integrate the point. I learned it was easier to listen silently with a pen and paper in hand. But taking notes in casual conversation is awkward. As we drank coffee, my friend shared her experiences, and my mind conjured up a been-there-done-that experience of my own, but without feeling the need to share it aloud. It reminded me of a line in the Anne of Green Gables movie where Anne said, “If you only knew how many times I want to say something and don’t.” Listening to my friend I learned so much about her, her family, and even about a book she had read that I now want to read. More importantly, I felt as if I’m growing as a person not having to say every thought that comes to mind. Is there an area of growth that you want to work on? Do you have a habit that you would like to change for the better? What will you do differently today that will be the leap of faith without the benefit of experience that will help you grow? Lord, I hope you continue to surprise me with precious gems of friendship when I choose to listen instead of talk. Amen “Know this, my beloved brothers; let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” James 1:19 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Henry Miller (1891-1980), an American writer and painter, known for breaking with existing literary forms that developed a new sort of semi-autobiographical novel. Examples of this style are Tropic of Cancer (1934), Tropic of Capricorn (1939). He also wrote travel memoirs. “We told her it was wrong to believe that the white people were somehow essentially superior to the black people, or the brown, or the red, or the yellow ones for that matter. People who thought that way were wrong to think that way…sometimes hateful, usually stupid, but always, always wrong.” William Rose, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner After a particularly large merger where I worked, thousands of people needed to learn to work together. As many organizations as possible had face-to-face meetings to meet the remote people they would be working with. At my meeting the leaders conducted an exercise, calling the people from one company "Blue" and those from the other company "Red" corresponding to the colors of their former company logos. It failed in its attempt to have us recognize our similarities and appreciate our differences. In fact, it had quite the opposite effect. It separated us into factions and began years of name-calling: “Pre-merger Red” or “Pre-merger Blue.” In essence it introduced segregation. It began the labeling of individuals with mistaken interpretations of the other company’s practices, policies, and procedures…in other words: it established prejudices. For years the merged company suffered from these problems. Only after years of working closely as individuals did the notion of our former company affiliation lose importance. As we worked on projects with each other, helping each other, and supporting each other in our common goals did we drop labels and name-calling. It breaks my heart to see a world divided by prejudice. Different areas in the world divide people groups differently. Some separate by the color of their skin, others by their religion or nationality, others by their social or economic standing, and still others by boarders and politics. But the one that hurts me the most is the political divisions; pitting families, friends, and neighbors against each other. I sometimes need to be reminded that God created us man and woman. He created us tall and short. He created a variety of colors of skin, hair, and eyes. But He didn’t create companies, countries, or governments. We may have different company backgrounds, different cultural history, and different political views, but are we that different...really? Have you been influenced by well-meaning people that have unwittingly caused a separation between you and others around you? Are you tired of the strife and name-calling? Will you take the first step to see people as individuals and not label them into groups?
Lord, thank You that we all are the same when it comes to our desire to live free and prosperous lives, leaving a better world for the next generation; even if we believe differently on how to achieve freedom and prosperity, and how we define ‘better.’ Amen “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united…” I Corinthians 1:10 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: William Rose (1918-1987), was an American screenwriter who wrote screenplays for British and Hollywood films. He won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the 1967 ground-breaking film, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. “Illusions are dangerous people; they have no flaws.” Screenwriters Barbara Benedek, David Rayfiel, and Samuel A.Taylor When I was single I lived for a while in a neighborhood I used to call Married with Children since I was the only single and childless person living on my block. I walked my dog to the mailbox every evening so I got to know all the kids and most parents after a while. I was known as “Button’s Mom.” When I took Button on longer walks down other streets, we passed houses where I knew very little about the people who lived there. Mostly I just imagined who lived in these homes. There was the home with a giant willow in the front yard, the home with a courtyard in front, the home with a paved, black pebble driveway, and so on. Button’s short legs went slowly (and he stopped to sniff every blade of grass) so I used to imagine who lived behind these architectural façades. In all my imaginings these families never had financial problems, illnesses, tragedies, or even misfortunes like divorce, unemployment, or a child on drugs. In the back of my mind they all lived perfect lives; no one had a demanding boss, cancer, or car problems. They weren’t real, they were illusions. Gradually, after years of walking Button, I began to suffer from envy. I was dissatisfied with my life. This became dangerous when I was having a bad day or working long hours and little time for social events. When I didn’t have an activity on a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon, I would imagine all the things these imaginary happy families were doing, while I slogged down the street with nothing more exciting to do than walk my dog. On the verge of depression, someone came into my life that helped me see I was viewing life as half-empty rather than half-full. She challenged me to write down three things that I was grateful for every night. In a matter of a few months my thoughts shifted from ‘woe is me’ to ‘praise God.’ Is there an imaginary person, family, celebrity, athlete, or colleague in your life? Do you find yourself comparing your life to what little you know about theirs? What thoughts of thankfulness can you focus on that will replace these imaginary musings?
Lord, remind me to be grateful when I’m tempted to be envious, give me the gift of contentment. Amen “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content…those who want…fall into temptation…and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” I Timothy 6:8-9 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Barbara Benedek, David Rayfiel, and Samuel A.Taylor wrote the screenplay for the 1995 version of the movie Sabrina, with Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond, and Greg Kinnear. This quote, my favorite from the movie, was a line for the character, Irene, played by the famous French actress Fanny Ardant. “Your prayer for someone may or may not change them, but it always changes you.” Craig Groeschel Last week I had a test done and sometime this week I expect the results. So many people were praying for me before the test so I had complete peace. But today it feels like all the prayers have worn off, like lotion when you wash your hands. My husband prayed with me this morning. It reminded me that God is in control, even if I’m worried. The test is over, the results have been captured, and now I wait; but still I feel a new calm since praying. It has nothing to do with the results; the calm is the change that came over me. In the movie Shadowlands (where Anthony Hopkins played C.S. Lewis), the Chancellor commented on how hard Lewis had been praying and how God was answering his prayers. Lewis responded, “…the need for prayer pours out of me, it doesn’t change things, it changes me.” Right now I feel the same way. It’s as if a temporary amnesia that prevented me from remembering God’s power and grace was lifted. My eyes were opened and, by remembering, I am again covered in His blanket of peace.
Is someone praying for a particular need you have? Are you praying for someone else? How is God changing you as a result? Lord, I do not understand how Your grace and peace work, but I’m grateful that it does. Help me remember I can return to a closer relationship with You, and Your grace and peace, through a simple prayer. Amen “That I may know Him.” I John 5:20 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Craig Groeschel (1967- ), minister, author, speaker, and both the founder and senior pastor of Life Church, the largest church in the United States with twenty five locations in seven states (100,000 members in 9/16). He is married to Amy and has six children. They line in Edmond, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City, where Life.Church is based. “I follow my heart, and even more, I follow God’s lead. I’ve found that if I’m listening closely, they take me to the same place.” Meagan GoodWhen I was young I loved to read. I wanted to write children’s books. When older I wanted to write personal interest stories and devotionals. I wrote as part of my job and became adept at writing to inform, to persuade, to influence, to negotiate; even winning an award for the design of training materials. I kept a quote board outside my office and found that people looked forward to stopping by for a daily dose of encouragement.
At one point my manager made it my role to review all submissions to the divisional newsletter from our department. And, I was frequently challenged by management with, “I don’t know what I want, but I’ll know it when I see it.” I thrived on the challenge of creating something from scratch. One spring after years of working in high-tech, four things happened in unison. First, I told my husband I didn’t have a peace about accompanying him on a mission’s trip to Peru. Weeks later, I was presented with the opportunity to attend a writer’s conference. Next, during the conference I had an amazing experience, an interview that resulted in getting the attention of, and dozens of business cards from, agents, editors, and publishers all interested in a particular topic. Finally, shortly after my return from the conference, my company offered an enhanced early retirement program which required me to be in the office to train during my husband's trip to Peru. Although I met the qualifications, I was only in my 50’s. To leave and begin a new career was risky and challenging, especially since I knew nothing about writing fiction. All too often in the writing world they say, “…but don’t quite your day job.” My husband and I prayed and I took the package. This immersed me into the world of fiction writing. The more I learned about fiction writing, the more I realized how much I still needed to learn. But I reasoned, if I could learn business writing and the design and development of training materials, job aids and websites, I could also learn fiction writing. It has taken much longer than I imagined and I still have much to learn, but I get so much joy when someone is touched or encouraged by something I write. God has not only given me the desire of my heart, but He has also put me into a new relationship with Him. Instead of relying on my skill set, confident in my accomplishments, and my abilities, I am now in a place where I need to constantly depend on Him. There is no question that although this is my desire, it is also His will for me: completely dependent on Him, a channel for His words to reach others. Have you given the desires for your life to God in prayer? Are you willing to take the risk of stepping out on faith in order to realize the joy of being in the center of His will for you? Lord, help me keep my eyes on You so my words will be Your words, and will continue to bless others with joy and encouragement. Amen “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Meagan Good (1981- ), an American actress since the age of four; has appeared in numerous television shows, films, and music videos. She is most recognized from her performances in Think Like A Man, Anchorman II, and three seasons as the main character in Nickelodeon’s Cousin Skeeter. |
WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
All
Archives
July 2019
|