Hello my precious and positive friends. I look forward to seeing you next week at the Positive Woman Connection Bible study.  Please be sure to RSVP if you have not already done so.  We will meet on Oct 26 at Prestonwood Country Club 12 – 1. and On Wednesday, Oct 27 at Cottonwood Creek, 12 – 1.  Our topic this month is “Discovering who you are in Christ.”   See you soon. 

Here’s a devotional thought about the importance of moving forward from the past:

Looking forward to what God has in store can be difficult at times, especially when we have experienced pain or feel as though we are in a rut. Yet, it is important for us take small steps forward with our eyes looking to the Lord to guides us.  We must deliberately take our focus off past hurts and mistakes. Thoughts and reminders of your pain or disappointment or how things could have been may pop into your head now and then, but it’s time to leave the regrets behind and turn your eyes toward what God is planning for the rest of your life.

The apostle Paul offers us a good example. He could have chosen to live in his past, wallowing in regret about his former years before he knew Christ, but he chose to look forward. Here’s what he said to the Philippians: “I focus on this one thing; Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”9

Whether you are dealing with a divorce or an injury or a loss, you have a choice whether you will dwell on what could have been and your past dreams, or move forward to what is next. One talent we have as women is to replay the “I’m Hurt” tape over and over in our minds. They hurt my feelings. He ruined my life. She was rude to me. God didn’t listen to me. Once you have grieved a hurt or loss, it is time to stop reliving it and playing back the video over and over in your mind. Again this requires forgiveness and strength to move on. We have a loving God who is able to give us the strength to forgive. Seek his help when you just can’t get to the place of forgiveness, and remember forgiveness is not inviting a person to walk all over you.  Sometimes we must set wise boundaries. Forgiveness is releasing the right to hold something over another person.  Let it go.

The only time Scripture tells us to look back is when we are remembering what God has done. The Israelites were told to set up markers and memorials to remember what God had brought them through. We, too, must reflect on God’s goodness and recognize all he has done, instead of reflecting on our past life and wishing it were still there. To passionately live the life we didn’t plan, we must turn our eyes upward instead of backward in order to go forward.

This blog is an excerpt from my book Thrive, Don’t Simply Survive (Simon and Schuster).

 Hello Friends.  I’m so excited that we will be starting the study of Colossians in September.  The title for this year’s study is “Positively Radiant,” and we will be learning specifically about the secret to living a confident life.  If you live near Allen, Texas we will be meeting on Wednesday, Sept 22 at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church (12:00 – 1:00).  In north Dallas we will be meeting at Prestonwood Country Club on Tuesday Sept 28 from 12 – 1.  I hope you will join us at one of these locations for fun, food, fellowship and most importantly learning from God’s word.

Here’s a little devotional thought from my Thrive book.

His Mercies are New Every Morning

What has God provided for you? It’s easy to focus on our problems and forget to look for the provisions God has given us all along the way. It may be a helping hand or listening ear of a friend. It may be another day of health or the opportunity to visit with a family member. It may be a physical provision of some sort.  We can give thanks everyday for God’s presence and peace. We can also thank God everyday  for the mercy He shows us, and the forgiveness of sins through Jesus.

The Bible reminds us that God is our Keeper and our Provider. The apostle Paul while imprisoned in Rome said, “God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Let’s open our eyes to the care God is giving us. We can begin by turning our eyes toward what we can be grateful for and turning our focus away from on all that is awful. Consider keeping a “Thank you, God” journal as you walk your road of disappointment. Each day write down at least one provision God has given you, and thank him for it. It may be as simple as God’s provision of food for that day or a roof over your head or a friend who called to ask you how you are doing.

Giving thanks ought to be a continual practice in our lives when things are going well, and when things stink. Even in our most difficult days, there is at least something (even if it is small) for which we can be thankful. Putting an entry into a “Thank you, God” journal every day helps us slowly turn from our sadness and begin to see possibilities. It forces us to observe what God has done and find reassurance of what he can do.

A PWC member, Denise Waters, felt compelled to write down at least five things she was thankful for every day. This attitude of gratitude so transformed her life and her way of thinking that she even created a guided journal called Give Thanks 5 A Day, which has a place each day to write down five things for which you are grateful. Try the principles of giving thanks each day, and you will find it will begin to transform your thinking as well. Most importantly, it will help you open your eyes to God’s care and the way he is working in your life day by day.  I know you will experience a lift in your attitude and spirit.