Pep Talk

Brody's appointment went well on Thursday. He weighed...are you ready for this?..... 16lb 2oz. Wow, he has grown fast. He received 3 shots and cried a lot, poor Angel. He has started something new this week...he is getting really attached to Mommy and Daddy. We went to my parent's for Poppy Pancakes for lunch today and Brent and I were in the dining room and he cried without us. Poppy Pancakes are pancakes that my Daddy makes. Poppy is what all the grandchildren call my Daddy, so probably once a month he makes a breakfast smorgasbord and we all go over after church. Master Brody was just taking in all the sounds and sights. Looking at each person then hopping to the next. He really stared at my nephew Andrew, we think because he has hair, lol. Neither Brody, his daddy, or either of my brothers do. Boys with hair was a new sight for Brody. Well that way he can see how he'll look at every stage of life.

Saturday we went to Game Day on the MileGround to get a free football autographed by 3 football players. OK, we all know I am NOT a sports girl so...a guy named Mike, one named Adam, and another Grant. Nice guys to give up their afternoon for WVU Children's Hospital kids. Of course Bro couldn't go with us but we took his pictures. And proceeds that day went to the WVU Children's Miracle Network, so we helped the cause. Brent and I both bought new sweatshirts and some bibs for Bro. They've invited us to some Blue/Gold Game (or something like that) in the near future also. Brody can't get out yet and he is getting just the busiest calendar. Soon enough he can go everywhere with us.

Today one of mine and Brent's favorite teachers, Ed Young, was talking about "Entering the Door of Negativity". Ed is on USA at Sunday 8am if you ever want to hear some sound teaching. It has had me thinking. You probably have noted over the past 6 months that I am most days a pretty positive person. Ed was speaking of choosing the Door of Negativity today. Which indicated two things to me today; 1) Being negative is a choice. 2) Being negative is a temptation for some (I never thought of that before). I know lots of peps read this that have never met me but I have to say that life has given me several reasons to be negative. There have been times in my life when I have given into that temptation to be negative. But with the Power of Christ I clung to the Promise of Abundant Life and fasted my negativity. I have even rid my daily life of negative people.

Think of those you know that never have a positive word. Do others want to be around them? Do they make good leaders? Do they have effective relationships? We are charged to lead others to Christ, how can that be accomplished with a negative attitude? And negativity seems to be contagious (especially at work, church, or school).

The thought of Abundant Life used to overwhelm me. I didn't want an Abundant Life because I was afraid if I had an Abundant Life it would be taken away. Then God spoke to my heart, "Child you already have an Abundant Life." Wow!!! I did and I had it every day, yet I was negative because I kept waiting for something....I already had it all and I wasn't enjoying it because I was living in the past and wishing for the future. Do you want to take steps today to rid negativity?

1) Get rid of your big BUT - Negative people use but to justify their negativity. " I know I shouldn't say this BUT......"

2) Don't live in the past. - We can't change it, we can only accept it and move on, so do it.

3) Count your blessings - It's hard to be negative when you appreciate your life.

Philippians 2:5 (NIV)
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."