a "CARDENAS" ATTITUDE

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

Wise words from a fella named Charles Swindoll; reiterated and shared last night by a wise and lovely lady Teresa Cardenas at our local high school’s graduation. Teresa is a graduate of distinction but more importantly a dear friend to my daughter Samantha and our family.

As she shared this important message last night to her classmates and the crowd I was quickly reminded of the challenge that Teresa faces each and every day; a blood malady that at times can make life intensely difficult.  But Teresa embodies the little quote she opted to share last night.  She has GREAT attitude.  You rarely see her without a smile. Whether intensely guarding the goal on the soccer pitch or sitting around my kitchen island coaching a little chemistry, Teresa is one of those special kids who puts others first and practices what she preaches.

She has a wonderful and infectiously positive attitude!

Go back and read that little encouragement from Charles and Teresa again. 

Ask yourself.

How is your attitude today? 

You do have control over it.  You do. 

You can choose to approach today with your glass half full or half empty.  It is up to you.

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” ― Abraham Lincoln

And while Lincoln is spot on with his encouragement, the Bible offers even more when it comes to attitude.

Colossians 3:2

Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

When we CHOOSE to see and deal with the “things” in life from GOD’s perspective, when we choose to not focus solely on our circumstances or allow them to dictate our mood or reactions we are so much better off.  Far too often we allow our attitude to be dictated by our surroundings or our circumstances; things we can’t control.  

Instead we should remember that little line from Charles and Teresa today.

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react.

Therefore before you react to your surroundings and circumstances today, consult GOD.  Allow Him to “set the perspective”. 

You will be amazed at the impact to your attitude.

“You may live or work around a bunch of weeds, but don’t let that stop you from blooming. Realize that your environment does not prevent you from being happy. Some people spend all their time trying to pull up all the weeds. Meanwhile, they miss much of their lives. Don’t worry about things you can’t change. You can’t change the traffic in the morning. You can’t fix everybody at work. You can’t make all your family members serve God. But you shouldn’t let that keep you from being happy. Bloom anyway and focus on the things that you can change. You can change your own attitude. You can choose to be happy right where you are.” ― Joel Osteen

 

I love you all!

HAVE A BLESSED (and GOOD attitude) Day!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney