Let’s Make a Pledge!

Sometimes it seems we just cannot do it!  We can’t let go of something that is doing nothing but burning a hole in our good day.  It’s not helping you or pushing you forward.  It is only allowing you to spin your wheels or making you a big ole stick in the mud.  No one wants to hear about it…again.  You don’t really want to hear about it… again.

I know, I know, you are still in the midst of it.  It’s still causing drama in your life.  There is this huge elephant sitting in the middle of your brain screaming, “I’m still here!”  It’s like one of those catchy songs that gets stuck in repeat and you realize you are humming it again and again.  It’s not even the entire song, it’s just the chorus or even just one line AND YOU JUST WANT IT TO GO AWAY.  But instead of just going away, it swirls around like dust bunnies do when you are trying to capture them with a broom.  Well, it’s time to get the dust buster out!  It’s time to clean it up, throw it out and move on.

I’M DONE!

I’m not gonna allow my mind to dwell on things.  I’m gonna MOVE.  I’m gonna forgive, forget (as soon as I can!) and seek the One I’m supposed to in all circumstances and situations.  I’ve prayed over and over, but I’ve not moved.  I’ve not listened.  I’ve not allowed myself to look at what I’m supposed to be looking at.  Yes, I’ve told myself over and over to LOOK TO THE GOOD, but I haven’t truly done that.  Well, as I said…

I’M DONE!

I’m done with all that stinkin’ thinkin’ and I’m lookin’ to the future…the good..the golden!  I’m looking to the SON who did it all for me (and for you) and I’m gonna shine for HIM.  I’m gonna spread all the SON SHINE I can around no matter what annoying song gets stuck in my head.

LET’S MAKE A PLEDGE:

Let’s move FORWARD! Let’s not feel bad about the past even if it was yesterday. Let go of last week, the other day, last year or before. Do not dwell on heartaches, bad feelings or grudges we want to hug like a teddy bear. Let’s look toward the upcoming awesomeness that is sure to occur …thanking God in advance for all the blessings which will come! Woo hoo!!! No more need to hold on to the junk of tomorrow… I’m claiming the prize of now and beyond. Go away devil, you canNOT steal my joy!

Can I get an AMEN!?!

***smiling, dancing and giggling with excitement***

Sharing a blog.

I know that at times I may get on others nerves with my positive attitude.  Sorry, not sorry.  I love being positive!  Just thought I’d share this blog with you which talks about the benefits of being positive. It really is a good thing.  Being positive can change so much.  Looking at things in a positive light makes life better.

Maybe you don’t like blogs (you are reading one now! haha!), but this is a short, easy and good read.  Please give it a look and make today AWESOME!  When we have positive attitudes, we automatically share those with others…and in my case, it’s especially true for our STUDENTS.  They neeeeeeeeeeeeed it.

I promise you.  I may be the “dumb” art teacher, but I do know some stuff.  (reminds me of Forest Gump: I MAY NOT BE A SMART MAN…)

Hope your Thursday is super duper!

LOVE TO ALL!

-Rita

GO CHECK THIS OUT PLEASE:

http://www.successconsciousness.com/positive_attitude.htm

AWESOME, not perfect

I was born to be AWESOME! (not perfect)

‪#‎thankfulEVERYday‬ for JESUS!

Perfection is our worse enemy.  I’ve heard this, but never really thought about it in depth.  I mean, I agreed with the statement, but never stopped to think about it means–exactly.

I know comparison can get ugly if we are trying to compare ourselves to others.  You will never be something you aren’t.  Your physical self is created by God.  If you are obsessing about how it may not be “perfect,” you are messing with HIS creation.  He made you!  You want to argue with HIM?  I know we do a lot of times, but ALWAYS remember, WE WILL NEVER WIN.

We can strive to be a better person and even have role models to look to, but if you so want to be that person that it gets in the way with what GOD has for you, that is some dangerous stuff!

I know God made me to be Awesome.  He tells me in the Bible stuff like this:

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

EPHESIANS 2:8-10 NLT

HE had great stuff already planned for me to do!  That blows my mind.

I’m so glad I chose and continue each day to choose JESUS.

I know He was perfect and I will try my best to be more and more like HIM…

But as I said up there:

I was born to be AWESOME! (not perfect)

‪#‎thankfulEVERYday‬ for JESUS!

Wonderful, awesome, sassy and crazy…

A friend/co-worker of mine shared this t-shirt on my FB page today.  I LOVE IT!  What I love most is when I read that it makes me get even MORE excited about this coming Monday.  I *GET* to go back to work after summer vacation.  I’m so blessed.  I, of course, love my summer, but WOW, DO I LOVE MY JOB!  I do!  Some people think I’m nuts.  I’m cool with that. I am nuts about the job God has given me.

Because…I truly believe in this verse right here:

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, -Colossians 3:23 (HCSB)

We are SUPPOSED to be excited about our work…

Enthusiastic about our daily jobs…  here’s another version of the verse:

Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people.

(International Standard Version)

I love that..WHOLEHEARTEDLY!  Do it with all your heart. (BIG HUGE CRAZY SMILEY FACE HERE)

I have this saying hanging in my shop:  Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life.

Here’s another one: Make your vocation your vacation.

And let’s not forget to do this:

I thank God for my WONDERFUL job where I get to teach some AWESOME kiddos, work with some SASSY people AND they all love me even though I’m CRAZY!

A shout out to JESUS!

I’m gonna lift the name of JESUS up right here.  I hope that my life does that daily.  Don’t all Christians want that?

I sure hope so!

Thank You JESUS for your sacrifice and grace.  Amen.

Please click on the link below to view a touching photo… this is how I want to praise Him!

CLICK HERE!

A VERSE:

Last, the song I keep singing over and over…it’s my theme song.

Jesus got ahold of my life and He won’t let me go!
Jesus got into my heart; He got into my soul!
I used to be oh so sad,
But now I’m just so free and so glad,
‘Cause Jesus got ahold of my life and He won’t let go!

Sometimes I remember how I used to be livin’ in sin;
I tried to act happy and free but I wasn’t within;
I fooled a lot of friends of mine,
They tho’t I had some peace of mind,
But I never had a thing until I opened up and let Jesus in!

Jesus got ahold of my life and He won’t let me go!
Jesus got into my heart; He got into my soul!
I used to be oh so sad,
But now I’m just so free and so glad,
‘Cause Jesus got ahold of my life and He won’t let go!

Aren’t you getting’ just a bit tired of foolin’ around?
You try to laugh your way thro’ life but you’re not gainin’ ground;
Why not try the Lord today,
Just ask Him in your heart to stay,
And you’ll find Jesus’ love to be the greatest thing that you’ve ever found!

Jesus got ahold of my life and He won’t let me go!
Jesus got into my heart; He got into my soul!
I used to be oh so sad,
But now I’m just so free and so glad,
‘Cause Jesus got ahold of my life and He won’t let go

JESUS!!!

No, it’s not left to circumstance, IT’S ALL GOD!

Do you believe in circumstance?
I do not.

I believe in the real and true God who is in control and is still in the business of making miracles happen!

When we think of miracles, we may think of angels appearing, people being healed or even actual mountains moving.  I do not discount any of those.  I am certain those happen!

I am in constant awe of the miracles that happen daily.  In my younger and more ignorant years, I thought it all just happened because it just happened.  I know there are a lot of people out there that believe that–things just happen by circumstance.  I do not belong to that group of believers.  I’m of the group of believers that know that circumstance is like a fairy tale or legend. They make a good Disney movie, but they are not great truths to live by.

You cannot explain true Godly miracles–only He knows.  You can’t just blow them off as circumstance.  I can only tell you they are the work of my real and loving God.  To witness His work is amazing.

I have seen His hand in so many aspects of my life.  Recently, He has constantly had my hand and comforted me through times I thought would be so unbearable, I’d just crumble.  He has sustained me and not only that but invigorated me, strengthened me and lifted me up!  I have so many instances that I could share.  Most would, again, count these as circumstance, but I’m telling you, they are miracles!  Miracles Abound! …we just have to open our eyes, witness, realize and admit that they do!

• Tell me how a conversation about the exact thing I needed to know happens when I didn’t ask the first question?
• Tell me how a bill can be paid in full by the EXACT same amount you were given by people who donated their love offerings?
• Tell me how when I had no idea how to get in touch with a company that I must get in touch with, their number appears from a simple google search? AND THEN when I call, God puts a person on the other line that knew exactly what to do and did it with a sweet spirit?
• Tell me how people can bless me in the exact way I needed when they really didn’t even know what I needed?
• Tell me how certain events of which are most times truly dreaded end up being a blessing?
• Tell me how papers which were thought to be lost for years just appear when you really need them?
• Tell me how someone’s contact ends up in your phone when you have never needed to call them before, but when you do need to –it’s there!

I know these aren’t specific details of the miracles I’ve seen and only generalizations, but really, think about each of them?  How does this stuff happen?  It’s not because there is some cosmos of circumstance floating around to protect us.  There is a true GOD who loves us and protects us.  He sent His Son for us to cover our sins.  He knew we couldn’t pay our debt. He always provides for us.  And NOTHING is too big for God.  All the provisions we need…even finding a number we need …HE PROVIDES. He helps us, guides us, awards us!  I’m so thankful and so in awe of how He does it–ALL THE TIME!

No, it’s not left to circumstance,  IT’S ALL GOD!

Love, God

The last few days, God has revealed so many things to me.  He has made awesome things happen in my life.  These things cannot be explained or held to circumstance.  THESE THINGS ARE FOR REAL, AWESOME AND UNIQUE TO ME MIRACLES.  You can’t tell me any different.  No need in explaining in detail, but just know… to me, THEY ARE MIRACLES. Amazing showers of blessings is what I’m talking about!

Finding something you want after sincerely praying to God for it…that is an awesome miracle to me.  You’ve never had it happen to you?  TRY IT!  You might like it!  It is truly truly seriously, I’m for real… the best feeling.  It’s just like that little note above …a little letter to say “I LOVE YOU.”  He tells us in so many ways–we just have to recognize it!

YOU BEST RECOGNIZE!

I sooooooooooooooooooo thank God especially in the last few days (I know he does it all the time) for letting me know how much He has got me.  He’s got my back, covered me, protected me, helped me and held me up by His strength and power…

LOVE GOD!

Words we should hear AND SAY more often…

I love you, You are awesome, you are great, thank you, please, excuse me, I was wrong, may I have this dance….

There are so many words that are nice to hear.  I love it when someone says, “You smell good.”  BUT OUT OF ALL THE WORDS IN THIS WORLD, I truly believe, we don’t express ourselves enough when it comes to these…

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!

I know some of the phrases I listed above kind of say or mean the same thing, but don’t beat around the bush…say it like you mean it, with intent and mean exactly what you say:

I AM PROUD OF YOU.

I heard these words earlier in the week from my 2nd grade teacher.  She had me in class YEARS AGO (I’ve actually counted them…), but even though she hasn’t been in my daily life for many years, those words coming from her beautiful little self made my heart smile so!  I’ve thought about those words all week.  She made me feel more accomplished with that little sentence than any plaque or trophy ever could.

We NEED those words.

We need to say those words… not just think of them.

I have let those words go across the marquee of my mind so many times and not uttered them.  Why?  I’m not sure at all, but I make it my vow to voice them when I think them from now on.  I want to bless others as Mrs. Lattimore did me.  She may never know how awesome she made me feel, but I will pass that feeling forward.

I encourage you to do it too!  Tell those that you are proud of…

Say it audibly, clearly and intently, OUT-LOUD,

“I AM PROUD OF YOU.”

THE STING!

Our preacher used the story below in his EASTER sermon.  I think this is such a great analogy of how GOD protected and SAVED us by sending JESUS.  Thank you Lord for JESUS!

Once a boy and his father were driving along the road when a bee flew in the window. The boy got very upset when he saw the bee buzzing around his head and he began throwing his arms around madly, because he was allergic to bee stings! The boy was very frightened of the bee. The father quickly grabbed the bee!  He held it for a bit and then let it go again.  

The bee began to buzz around again and the boy was again frightened.  The father told his son, “It is OK, you are all right.” Then he opened his hand to show the boy the stinger was stuck in his palm.  His father had allowed the bee to sting him. He had taken the sting and had taken the danger out of the bee. 

Jesus Christ did the exact same thing for us!  He let death “sting” Him instead of us.  He did this so we could live forever and never die.  He took the danger out of death.  We can know that once we die, we can be with our Father in Heavan.  HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!!! (not a question, a exclamation!)

The Bible tells us about that “sting” being taken out of death by Jesus Christ:

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of
death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(I Corinthians 15:55-57)

I love how God did that for us.  He is just like a father who would take a sting for his child.  He did that for us!

What an amazing gift we have in EASTER!  

Again, thank YOU LORD for JESUS!

LOVE YOURSELF

This weekend I was blessed with some awesome words:

Do not say ANYTHING about yourself that GOD HIMSELF wouldn’t agree with.

An awesome lady named Gwyn shared that.  She came to the realization one day that this is important.  I SO AGREE!

Then, I was listening to a preacher named Joel Osteen…  (Side note: I know a lot of people think he’s just a feel good preacher and they don’t think he speaks truth or uses the Bible or even points people to Jesus… EVERYONE has their opinion.  I have mine too and mine is based on actually listening to several of his podcasts/sermons where he DOES talk about being positive, quotes and uses the BIBLE, asks and leads people to accept JESUS and speaks on how our lives should be lived through Jesus Christ.  Just putting that out there.)  One of his facebook posts keeps coming to me which is:

Proverbs 6:2, says, “You are snared with the words of your mouth.” Snared means to be trapped. Your words can trip you, what you say can cause you to stumble, and it can keep you from your potential. Don’t set the limits for your life with your words.

THIS KEEPS COMING TO MY MIND. OUR WORDS MATTER! Even when you are speaking to yourself.  ‪#‎truth‬

I just posted that on MY facebook.

I tell my students this all the time.  I encourage them to be content and happy with what they look like and who they are.  I do my best to boost their everyday self concept and confidence.  But when it comes to me…

I don’t always talk nice to myself.  I should.  Why shouldn’t I?  I’m a pretty sweet person to other people, why not to myself?  I am usually a pretty confident person, but for some reason, sometimes, I talk ugly to myself.  WHAT!?!   I have already confirmed in earlier blogs that I AM A SUCCESS.  I have an awesome family, great friends and soooooo many other blessings.  I cannot list them all!  Why should I ever call myself or refer to myself as anything but awesome?  God made me.  God loves me.  God wants me to love me, because HE DID A GREAT JOB ON ME!  There is no reason why I should think or say otherwise.

‪#‎perspective‬ #beYOUtiful
#‎loveYOURSELF‬ #truth