I have just had a grim week, just kind of stressful and sad, mostly watching other people crash and burn. There have been some senseless deaths, some stupid politics, and just some overall blech.
Whenever that happens I have to shift my focus, get back to Philipeans 4:8, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Gratitude is huge too. Often when I get run down it is because I am focusing on all the things that did not go the way I wanted, rather then all the things that did. The weather here has been just beautiful, astounding really, and I am exceedingly grateful to have blue skies over my grey funk.
A woman I am fond of, a woman we prayed for as a church, walked into work last night, standing upright, looking younger and healthier than ever. She put a smile on my face, that’s the Lord for you, not only does He heal, He’ll make you look good, too! She’s a fairly young gal, survived cancer, but went on to have some serious strokes, and the prognosis just wasn’t good. And yet there she was, upright, walking, looking younger than ever! Love that. So grateful for a church that prays, for a Lord who heals.
I’m grateful too, for Pastor Anthony so far away, for his church with the little red door. I so covet that little red door. I’ve always wanted a church with a little red door, a focal point, a well marked entrance. So it is I have often found myself focused on that little red door when life has just gotten too grey this week.
I appreciate Anthony too, because he has also been having a really tough week, and yet he is still pastoring up a storm, ministering with his whole life. He’s preaching today and he said he has no idea what he’s even preaching, but whatever it is, the devil isn’t going to like it.
Bahahaha! I just loved that, that is a perfect recipe for a good life. “I really haven’t got a clue what I’ll be doing tomorrow, but whatever it is, I promise the devil isn’t going to like it.”
I’m telling you, sometimes the only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning is coffee and pure spite, the sheer joy of imagining the enemy just deflating like an old stale balloon when he sees me not only out of bed, but standing upright and looking good.
Whatever I do today, however I do it, I promise the devil isn’t going to like it one bit.
Pingback: The Grim Reaper and the Little Red Doorโฆ | Phil Slattery, Author
Vincent S Artale Jr said:
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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Anna Waldherr said:
I saw a plaque for sale that read, “Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the Devil says, ‘Oh Crap She’s Up!’ ” I think you fit the mold.
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authorstephanieparkermckean said:
You go, Girl! Give him a migraine he will never forget or get over. Come to think of it…you do that every day! Good for you.
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Anthony Baker said:
Wow. Iโm humbled.
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Anthony Baker said:
Iโd like to share this, but would that be weird?
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insanitybytes22 said:
No, that’s not weird. ๐
What’s weird in the best way, is that I wrote this before I went to church. Then I walked in and the sermon today was called, “meditating on doors.”
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Anthony Baker said:
Whoa! That would have got my attention.
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seekingdivineperspective said:
“I really haven’t got a clue what I’ll be doing tomorrow, but whatever it is, I promise the devil isn’t going to like it.” Were you quoting someone else, or is that your original? I’d love to quote it in my next book, called, coincidentally, “Satan’s Worst Nightmare.” (Not describing myself! but I’d like to be part of the nightmare, that’s for sure.)
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Anthony Baker said:
Go for it. ๐
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Clyde Herrin said:
I wish I could be certain the devil won’t like what I am going to do tomorrow. Sometimes that is the case but I go through times when the devil approves of everything I do.
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seekingdivineperspective said:
Well, you are aware of it, so you’re already better off than people who are his slaves every day and don’t even know it. The blessing is, every day is a new beginning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
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insanitybytes22 said:
Ha! I get that, but somebody smart once told me, don’t “wish.” This isn’t Dream of Jeannie. Proclaim it, declare it, speak it, pray it, insist that we are the righteousness of Christ within.
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patrickhawthorne01 said:
Amen! We just had a gentleman come back to church the other day to attend a class for for those wanting to become members. The incredible part is that two weeks earlier the church was praying for his healing because the doctors told his family to prepare themselves for his impending death.
But God!!!
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insanitybytes22 said:
“But God!!” Love that. Kind of wonderful when we get to prepare for our “impending life” instead.
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Mel Wild said:
“Whatever I do today, however I do it, I promise the devil isnโt going to like it one bit.”
Amen, IB! On that note, here’s a prophetic blessing from Graham Cooke for you. ๐
“You have My blessing and permission to make the enemy confused. I anoint you to weary him by your rest. I appoint you to discourage him by your faith. I empower you to demoralize him with your joy. I refresh you so that he is depressed by your endurance. I commit all that I am to you so that the enemy becomes dispirited by your favor. I embrace you in all that you are not, and all that you may become, so that enemy is defeated by your grace. Be refreshed. Receive My mindset in these matters and be renewed in the spirit of your mind!” (Graham Cook, “A Renewed Mind is Focused on Majesty” from “Thinking With God)
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insanitybytes22 said:
Amen! I’m going to have to start reading more Graham Cook. ๐
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dalegreenearts said:
I always loved that quote. It reminds me so much of the thought behind law of attraction.
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