Keep on keeping on

Our Daily Bread
I guess I am out of touch with popular TV today because I don't see the kinds of Tshirts around like I did when I was a younger person.  It seemed like every TV show or commercial had a "saying" that was stamped on thousands of Tshirts and worn daily by young and old.  "What you talkin' bout, Willis?" or "Dyno-mite!" or "Where's the beef?" are just a few of the ones I remember.

One popular saying that didn't really get its own Tshirt was "Keep on keeping on".  It was an encouraging statement to keep doing what you are doing no matter what you face.  It was further interpreted by some as a spiritual message to stay strong in the Lord so you might hear it in a sermon at church.

I find all of this so incredible.  There was a paragraph in the 2 Isaiah lesson this week that I forgot about.  The writer of 2 Isaiah had trouble getting the people of Israel to believe and accept the fact that YAWH promised to restore Israel.  They had believed for so long, but it had not happened.  The book mentioned that it is difficult to maintain faith when the promises of God continue to be postponed seemingly time after time.  Isn't that the way we feel today?  We must remember the "Keep on keeping on" message as we realize that Christ is walking or running next to us to bring us home!

Lord, thank you for working ALL things to the good of those that love you.  Praise God!

Wellness Wednesday
Nine daily habits that will make you happier - from Inc.com
I like looking around for different types of articles for wellness.  I thought this one was very interesting.  I am not unhappy, but I am always looking for ways to be happier so I can be a better beacon for God.  Let's take a look at them.


1. Start each day with expectation.
If there's any big truth about life, it's that it usually lives up to (or down to) your expectations. Therefore, when you rise from bed, make your first thought: "something wonderful is going today." Guess what? You're probably right.

2. Take time to plan and prioritize.
The most common source of stress is the perception that you've got too much work to do. Rather than obsess about it, pick one thing that, if you get it done today, will move you closer highest goal and purpose in life. Then do that first.

3. Give a gift to everyone you meet.
I'm not talking about a formal, wrapped-up present. Your gift can be your smile, a word of thanks or encouragement, a gesture of politeness, even a friendly nod. And never pass beggars leaving them something. Peace of mind is worth the spare change.

4. Deflect partisan conversations.
Arguments about politics and religion never have a "right" answer but they definitely get people all riled up over things they can't control. When such topics surface, bow out by saying something
like: "Thinking about that stuff makes my head hurt."

5. Assume people have good intentions.
Since you can't read minds, you don't really know the "why" behind the "what" that people do. Imputing evil motives to other people's weird behaviors adds extra misery to life, while assuming
good intentions leaves you open to reconciliation.

6. Eat high quality food slowly.
Sometimes we can't avoid scarfing something quick to keep us up and running. Even so, at least once a day try to eat something really delicious, like a small chunk of fine cheese or an chocolate. Focus on it; taste it; savor it.

7. Let go of your results.
The big enemy of happiness is worry, which comes from focusing on events that are outside your control. Once you've taken action, there's usually nothing more you can do. Focus on hand rather than some weird fantasy of what might happen.

8. Turn off "background" TV.
Many households leave their TVs on as "background noise" while they're doing other things. The entire point of broadcast TV is to make you dissatisfied with your life so that you'll buy stuff. Why subliminally program yourself to be a mindless consumer?

9. End each day with gratitude.
Just before you go to bed, write down at least one wonderful thing that happened. It might be something as small as a making a child laugh or something as huge as a million dollar deal.
Whatever it is, be grateful for that day because it will never come again.


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Trusting God’s faithfulness dispels our fearfulness. - Our Daily Bread web site