Friday, October 30, 2015

We Can Do Better

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a teacher. As far back as primary school my dreams were of standing before a class with colored chalk in hand.  These days it’s a dry erase marker, overhead or computer screens.   

How things change.  There is something that hasn’t changed though, and that’s my desire to keep reaching new heights in the way I do things.  You could say that I have a competitive personality, but it’s not always aimed at outside competitors.  My goal isn’t to see if I can do better than someone else, but to improve in areas in my own life.  There’s always something inside me that says, “You can do better than this." If that is true, I want to live like that.

Learning to do better in my career began many years ago when I was student teaching.  It was something the principal said that drove me into thinking “I can do better.” 

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The Board Contest 


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A recent conversation with a friend took my thoughts back to an October over a few decades ago when I created my first actual bulletin board for a classroom.  I got ideas from this book.

Each class was to participate in a bulletin board contest and the winner would be given the honor of designing the school’s theme for the season. There was another prize but I can’t remember what it was. 

I was the only student teacher in the school, and for some reason Mrs. P. decided it was time I work on the decorative aspect of the classroom.  It didn’t take lots of brain activity to see what the other teachers were doing to replicate it with some sort of a twist. 
Incorporating student papers was key to a successful board I was told.  So that’s what I did using various subjects the class was studying.  The kids really were the stars; I just stapled their papers in some sort of pattern and added a bit of color. 

The principal liked the work and I was selected to design the board for the entrance hall of the school.  It was my senior year of college and I already had a lot on my plate, I didn’t expect this.  Within a few days I received a copy of a letter he had sent to the college on meeting the criteria for graduation. 

In a letter of recommendation he included this statement “…. the only concern we have is the high standards she sets for herself …” His report raised the bar on how I would approach going about designing the board for the entire school.  It was pretty scary. 

Although I was surprised and flattered to be chosen being a rookie, I didn’t know if I could take on the task.  My nerves were getting the best of me as a young teacher.  What could I do to capture the essence of the school, all the while bringing my personality to the piece?   

For weeks I bounced ideas off my husband until I finally decided on a 3D concept. With some creativity, paint, paper, cardboard, pudding boxes and various textures, the masterpiece became a reality.  In the end my choice was a medieval castle with rounded towers, windows that opened, cotton clouds and other materials to make it an interactive activity for the kids.  It was a hit with the staff, parents and students, but I was less than thrilled.   

The bulletin board had to be set up in sections and took hours to assemble.  It may have looked cool, but was it really better than the one I did in the classroom?  I wasn’t pleased with my prideful attitude. My PMA (Positive Mood Attitude) was all over the place. 

Happy Accidents, Really Bob? 

What would be the lasting effects of the purpose of this theme that people really learned from it?  I doubt anyone remembers that board and frankly, why should they? 

What was the difference between the two boards?  The “prize” board was all about me and showcasing my abilities, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  However, when I designed it my thoughts did include the classes, but I mainly wanted everyone to shower me with praises and tell me how creative I was. 
Trying to “do better” didn’t include making Jesus look good, nor did I take into account if He would have been pleased with my work. 

“Every day is like a gift on a canvas. Study it. Sometimes even the mistakes turn out to be a learning experience that is even better than you were trying to do.  Evaluate it. We don’t make mistakes, just happy accidents.” – Bob Ross 

I’m not sure God would have considered my selfishness a “happy accident” like painter Bob Ross said, but it does make mistakes seem less harmful emotionally wouldn’t you say?  I do know that God doesn’t make mistakes and if we let Him, He will turn our life brush stokes into masterpieces for Him. 

Doing Better without Disobeying  

My second thought along the lines of “doing better” brought me back to another learning experience about ten years after the first incident, only this time I did bring Jesus into the process, well for the most part anyway. 

We had three 8’ x 16’ kennels in our yard for our dogs.  Dream kennels of my husband’s design for a “better way” of living for pets.  These were the best kennels any pup would love … you would think.  These wonderfully built dwellings were never occupied by our precious four legged kids, because they refused to go inside of them.  Well, that’s not completely true.  They would if we did! 

So now what do we do with these 6 foot tall, concrete floor, chain link enclosures?  Turn them into greenhouses!  When my husband learned of what I had in mind, he agreed that we could do it with one kennel, but not the others.  He had hopes of using them one day for raising dogs.  Like that would happen, knowing how we couldn’t do it with the ones we already had. 

I explained to my husband what I had in mind using building materials we already had.  Part of creating this included placing several 4’ x 8’ lattice pieces on top, fastening them so they didn’t fall through, adding poles, wiring, garden mesh … you get that this was no easy task for a petite lady. 

He was game, but there was one catch.  On that particular day I would have to wait for him to be able help me.  If you haven’t noticed, I’m not good at waiting and that’s when the wheels in my head got to turning. 

My husband was remodeling a house about thirty miles away and would be gone the entire day.  He knows that when I come up with an idea I like to move on it right away if possible, and that I generally get started with or without him.  When he has time he joins the project and doesn’t get upset if I begin the process. 

He was emphatic that I not get on top of the kennel and I knew he was right. One time impatient me didn’t listen and broke a wrist, so I was resolved to do what he said with joy. 

The problem was, how could I accomplish what I wanted to do without disobeying my husband’s wishes? Surely there was a way to create a roof without my feet leaving the ground. 

Walking around the yard gathering materials for the project, I asked the Lord to show me how to do this wisely and without getting hurt.  I worked so hard to have it completed before my husband came home wanting to show off what I was able to achieve during his absence.  

This time being able to accomplish something better wasn’t about finishing a difficult job on my own, but about trusting the Lord to give me direction on every aspect of the task. 

It was just like this. Loved it!
Over the course of the day I can’t tell you how many times I said aloud, “I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength” as I shoved and pushed cumbersome supplies above my head hoping none would fall and land on me. I took the scripture literally and believed God would do as He promised. He faithfully did provide what I needed.

God showed me how to use leverage, design pulleys and manipulate materials into position without getting on a ladder or climbing on top to wire anything in place.  My neck and shoulders were sore from looking up all day, but boy did I feel good otherwise. 

I was exhausted but thrilled at being able to do a better job because I listened to the Lord and my husband.  Believing God would show me the steps I needed led Him to granting me favor with my husband, who rewarded me with a new outdoor planting station. 

I Can Can
Watch the commercial..
This leads me to present day (October 2015). Every year the Shop Rite grocery stores have something that is called “The Can Can Sale,” where certain products are put on a super sale allowing customers to stock up on the items for the season. 
This is a perfect time to buy cases of cans for 1/3rd the price of what you would normally pay, and a great way to buy more food to give to food pantries.  By the end of October businesses, churches, soup kitchens and homeless shelters are frantically putting the word out for food drives to fill Thanksgiving baskets for the needy. 

Last week a young friend of ours asked us if we wanted to attend the Christian film Woodlawn.  Having already viewed it for an article I wrote, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see it again so soon.  Then Mark dangled some bait that we couldn’t resist.  

The hook was, watch the movie for free in exchange for a can of food.  That did it, we were in on the invitation, plus there was a bonus … this time it wasn’t work and I’d actually be watching it all the way through. 

When we discussed what food we wanted to bring I told my husband that I wanted to do better than one can.  He said he was thinking the same thing.  We both wanted to bring a case each. Our wanting to do more was based on the scriptures where we are to feed those in need or give when it is in our power to do so. (See Matthew 25:31-44 

The Lord already knew our hearts and allowed a “can can” sale at a store nearby. With cases in hand we walked into the theater, not because we wanted to outdo anyone else, but because as believers we should be putting our best foot forward as representatives of Christ.   

“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it,
to him it is a sin.” (James 4:17 NKJV) 

After the movie I noticed a few people coming in as we were making our exit.  Each had one can per person in exchange for a ticket.  I wasn’t judging them; maybe they brought all they had, who knows. It was nice to see people taking action in doing something good for the community. 

Witnessing the exchange caused me to think about how the unsaved business owners sacrificed their earnings for food they wouldn’t be able to keep.  Immediately my attention was drawn to the passage where Jesus spoke of requiring more from those who believed in Him when He said: 

“… love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you… and just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 

But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you
(meaning you’re no different than the world)?  For even sinners
(those who don’t believe in Christ) love those who love them
(and know to do these kinds of things/deeds).”
(from Luke 6:27-32 emphasis mine)  

God didn’t mean we had to bring more cans to “one-up” the others, but that we were to make a difference by doing something better than what the world can deliver. Doing better may have meant bringing two cans, if that’s what God spoke to a person’s spirit, but not necessarily.  I do know our giving was supposed to be better than what we had done in the past, regardless to what anyone else did. 

Listening Your Way out of Trouble 

We brought green beans and corn to the event. Out of curiosity I asked my friend what he brought to exchange.  Standing by the car door Mark said what it was and continued.  “I was going to bring a can of pineapple too, but wanted to eat it later so I didn’t and I didn’t want to bring anything expired.”  

In a parent-like voice I said, “You couldn’t trust God to provide a can of pineapple for you?”  Why do you think you felt that you should have also brought the canned pineapple?” 

He didn’t know but felt he should have also brought another can.  I explained that,  “It was the Holy Spirit leading you.  Sometimes we miss it, but hopefully in the future we won’t make as many “happy accidents” as Mr. Ross put it.”  

Leaning into the car my friend said, “I know ... I can do better!”  Wow, that really stuck with me.  You see Mark is about the same age I was when I created that first bulletin board many years ago, only he already got the point about learning to do better for Jesus.  It made my heart feel good when I saw his smiling face and heard those inspiring words. 

So many times the Holy Spirit is trying to get us to listen to Him so we can be delivered out of trouble or taken into a spot where the favor of God resides.  God wants our journey of faith to be a good one, and His Holy Spirit will lead us into the paths of righteousness if we would do better when it comes to listening.

This Week’s Challenge:
We Can Do Better  

Wanting to do better the first time was all about me. The second time it was mixed, but mostly what God did for me.  It’s taken some years to get to example three where doing better was all about representing the Christ who lives in me. 

Our challenge this week asks us to “do things better” … whatever it is.  At home, take care of it better. Don’t just sweep the floor, wash it (get my point). Do better at your job and work harder for Christ.  Step out in your neighborhood, community and church by doing better than you have in the past.   

A good place to start is always with kids (they seem to be more forgiving).  Little humans will be making their way to our doors this weekend expecting to receive goodies they’re not allowed to consume without parental consent.  We can do better than hand out treats filled with sugar that only gives a temporary adrenaline high. 

Instead of candy, give something they will remember that will lead them to Jesus. 

Provide crackers, cookies, money (that one they’ll come back for every year), but include a gospel tract, children’s Christian book or Bible coloring page.  

When shopping this week include one extra canned food item to sow for each member of your family.  Bring the family to a food pantry or shelter to see what it really feels like to do better (and more) than the usual.  Can we do this?  Yes we "can can"! 

President John F. Kennedy once said in his campaign, “We can do better.” referring to America; I’m not talking about nations or politics, but am addressing Christians in every nation. 

We don’t have to be like the rest of the world just getting by on what’s required … we can do better church. Through Christ, we can do this.  Let’s demonstrate what we say we believe about the Word of God when it comes to loving as God loves, not as the world loves.   

No matter what task you are doing this week, keep this thought in your mind during the process … I can do better … I will do better!  

P.S. For those where this applies, don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour Saturday night for Daylight Savings. 

If this article has encouraged or helped you please consider sharing it by using the social icons provided at the end of this post.


Until next time, favor God and you will do better!   

“Believe My favor & strength is on your life.”
Jesus Christ


Note: The words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no place in our lives.
Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness. 

What’s New This Week: Click on link.
Become A Better You - Anniversary Edition
by Joel Osteen 
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Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also.  Click on the above tab “Tell Me” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.

Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy. 
Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway
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Image:  Fall Bulletin Boards 
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Friday, October 23, 2015

In the Mood: Maintaining Your PMA

“I’m just in the mood” is a phrase we are familiar with and understand that when someone says that it means we need to back off asap. 

One little word can be the difference between “I’m in the mood for an ice cream sundae” or “I’m just in the mood to let you have it!”

By the time a person reaches that “just” point it means their emotions are about to fly off the handle. Their mood is swinging all over the place.
It’s easy to let things bother us, especially when you’re not feeling in the best of moods anyway.  We can easily get offended by taking what others say into our spirit.  Sure it would be great if on those particular days we could close ourselves in behind huge castle walls, but that’s not really a solution … that is unless you happen to live in one.
No, for the average person we look to other things for picking ourselves up by the bootstraps to move on in the day.  That takes me back to the time I was a senior in high school.
Welcome new friends this week from:
See if your city/state/country made the list. 

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You are welcome to leave comments or prayer requests below.  All are private. I would love to hear from you and how Daily Favor has worked in your life.  Contact me by leaving a message in the box at the bottom of this week’s post.  

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Read Messages, updates on Hubby’s Heart and visit the Q & A or other sections.
 

Fashioned for Success
It was custom that each senior class did something to inspire the classes that were to follow, by challenging them to step out of their comfort zone and believe in themselves.  The elected members of the student council came up with a project that would challenge us to take past events and turn them into positive things in our future.
For our senior year, this life changing event was really a two day community and school function that took place as a fashion show. Through strategic planning the theme chosen was from the 50’s jazz era to the present.
Our class vice president was a young innovative girl named Anne, who wanted to depict women as successful, bold and forceful.  The song “In the Mood” by the Andrew’s sisters was chosen because of the lyrics that asked us to see things in a different light through uplifting activities.
Using the same music, the planning team changed the lyrics to fit our generation. Even though the song was talking about relationships (dancing and music), there were several lines they selected as encouragers to force the point into the ears of our audiences.
Phrases like, “steppin-out” of your comfort zone, “building-up” one another.  “Be alive, and get the jive. You’ve got to learn how.”
Along with a few more …
“You can see the wonders that this evenin’ has done …
You were only hungry for some musical food,
Now you’re positively, absolutely in the mood" for success.

Although I was a singer, I wasn’t selected to participate in the vocals.  At that time I was part of our family singing group and we traveled on the weekends, and practiced on weeknights.  Instead, I was roped into being a runway model … something way outside of my area and certainly not what I thought I could do.  
The day of the event arrived and I was nervous to the point of almost being sick.  None of my family or friends came, however one person showed up who believed in me.  He wasn’t even my boyfriend yet, but that person would become my future husband you affectionately know as “Hubby”. 
This was big time with companies who sponsored the event coming to critique our performance. The first time I did the designer’s strut, I practically fell from worry and anxiety, but by the closing show I walked out on that platform with confidence.  My mood changed from negative to positive thinking.
That one experience fashioned the way I looked at my life, so what my classmates had in mind worked, at least for me.  Little did I know that experience would be groundwork to put me “in the emotional mood” for future speaking conferences.  All that negative energy was turned into positive and I enjoyed the experience regardless of who came to witness my success.
 
Energy Thieves
Worry and frustration are things that tend to put us in a defensive mood quickly.  If we wake up in a “mood” that is already unsettling, we can be sure that the rest of the day will follow that pattern if we don’t get our emotions in check right from the start.
Allowing negative types of emotions to enter our spirit will prevent us from receiving the best God has for us.  If we spend time on the negative it takes away from our energy and weighs us down, stopping joy from manifesting in our activities.
How much energy do you want to have sucked out of your day?  I don’t know about you, but I don’t have tons of energy to spare, so wasting it on things that don’t matter isn’t really something I want to do. 
When we allow emotions to rule over our lives, it drains or literally steals from us physically.  Our families suffer, our performance at work is compromised and the Christian testimony is ineffective.
There will always be something that will try to keep believers offended, stressed, discouraged or frustrated. The dark cloud seems to follow some around all the time, because they let the things other people do or say filter into their system.
I agree we cannot prevent people from saying things about us that may get under our skin, but we can stop those things from becoming a part of our thinking. 
Pastor Kenneth E. Hagin used the phrase, “You can’t stop birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from building a nest in your hair.”
Stop letting the birds build their nest on your head; in other words, don’t let what others are saying or doing settle into your thinking negative thoughts about your future.  Learn to guard your heart with the Word of God.
 
Guarding Your Heart
Proverbs 4:23 in the New Living Translation of the Bible says, “… guard your heart.” As Bible believers we are to be selective in what we give our time and thoughts to when it comes to what we allow to dwell in our thinking.  If we spend time on things that don’t really matter, we won’t have any brain space left for the things that do matter.
The New King James version says it like this: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life.”
What are the issues of life? The issues of life takes in everything that falls on your plate concerning the world, your life and what's going on around you.
God has promised a good future for us, but if we focus on the poison words of others, our dreams will never come to fruition.   We can’t pump toxic words and thoughts into our system and expect to live a faith filled positive life.  It doesn’t mean we are supposed to ignore things, but that we are to trust God with the details.
Part of the problem is that we want to “know all the details” when it comes to what people are saying about us.  There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t see something negative posted on the internet about a person, because the second party is airing their dispute in public for all to see.  I remember listening to a famous evangelist say that he never reads what people are saying about him (good or bad), because it can affect how he presents the gospel.  We all could take that advice.
Instead of feeding the fire when it comes to having our emotions on the defensive all the time, we are to be disciplined in where we let our feelings take us. We have the choice not to let the world dictate our emotions.

Fashion Your Victory
When it comes to success in anything people forget those who have lost the battle. All the focus is on the winners. No one cares about the person in last place.  The more favor that is on a person’s life the more criticism will come against them.  People will find fault with almost everything because they want what God has given the “other” person.  They never stop to see why God’s hand was on the winner or what they had to go through that fashioned their victory.
The Bible gives us plenty of examples of those who walked in the favor of God and those who were envious of them.  The individuals who didn’t have  the Lord’s blessings became very nasty, and did whatever they could to destroy the favored of God through their behavior or negative words.  Jesus’ life is the best example of that.
Those who honor God and follow His guidebook will always walk in the Lord’s favor.  There will be people who will hate you because of the favor on your life and we can’t stop them from feeling the way they do.  Not everyone will be happy because of what God is doing in your life.  Don’t waste your life on those people trying to win them over; it’s not going to happen.
The blessing of God in your life will bring controversy.  Some will be happy for you while others will find ways to take you down.  They will belittle you, talk trash and bring out all your faults, but don’t let that affect your mood. 
 
Retain Power
I have spent the majority of my life thinking on the positive things like it tells us in the Bible.  However, there are times when I have done the opposite.  Jesus didn’t tell us to think on your problems, dwell on those who hate you and give attention to those who will never like you.
God has given us wisdom, knowledge and understanding to change some things, but we’re not always going to be able to change everything.  This is where we have to act on what we say we believe by really trusting in God to turn the situation around.  In doing so we will learn to live the peace of God in all circumstances.
Part of the ingredients in making a bad situation grow into something bigger is when we spend all our waking hours trying to find a solution.  We feel we need to do something about it right away and by doing that we don’t give God time to work in the matter.
Don’t give people the power to offend you by reacting to every sentence that comes out of their mouths.  It is when we emotionally give offense the permission to infiltrate our thoughts that the Word of God becomes fruitless, and blessings cease to exist.  It is a choice to maintain a good attitude and mood.  When we give in to offense, we give away our power.
Think of it like this, if the favor of God wasn’t on your life people would leave you alone.  God has a great destiny for you, so don’t stop your own blessings from coming because you’re allowing the wrong things to change your mood and outlook on life.
Walking in the favor of God isn’t about you, but about what God has preordained in your life for His plan to be established.  When we understand that we are supposed to be blessed as children of God, we would learn to disregard what others thought about us and would only be concerned with what God says.
God has something spectacular planned for your life that is still locked up inside you. It will take all the favor of God on your life to walk out that destiny, so it is our responsibility to block out those things that will prevent the best to come into our lives.
 
Stay in the Faith Mood
You may have some really bad things that happened in your life and think that there isn’t a successful future in store for you.  That’s not true. God knows all that you have experienced and promises to use what the devil wanted to harm you with and turn your mess into a message He can use.  Nothing you are experiencing will stop your destiny from happening if you stay in faith.
God didn’t create you to live a life defeated.  Your something is coming, but you have to stay in the mood emotionally for the blessing of God to be manifested.  God sees what you don’t. He knows the greatness He has put in you. 
“… the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor the bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11 NKJV)
King Solomon learned through his time with God that, “Time and chance come together for every person.”  That means God is going to send people into our life that will give us favor even when they don’t know why they’re doing it.  Situations and circumstances will change if we stay in faith and believe good things are coming.
The spirit has to come into agreement with the Word of God for favor to be given.
God has amazing things planned for your life, but even though He has them planned you can turn off the favor by the negative mood, thoughts and words that are making a nest in your hair (your mind).
The external world will affect the internal person if we allow it.  You cannot hang around negative critical people and expect the favor of God to work in your life.  Surround yourself with positive people and focus on joyful things that will stimulate a peaceful mood in your life.
 
Create Your Environment
I make it a point not to engage in conversations with people that bring me down.  I’ve had people try to discourage me in walking out what I feel I’m called to do by God.  I’ve been told “you’ll never ….” more times than I care to mention, but it hasn’t stopped me.  In fact, most of the time it has made me more determined to keep going, because I know God has better plans yet to be manifested in my life.
Surrounding yourself with people who believe in the call on your life is vital. When you are around people who stimulate your faith, nothing will stop you from reaching your goals.  Don’t let people turn off your future with their poison by allowing your emotions to be fed by bad things. 
For the past few weeks my husband and I have been asking people this question.  What things put you in a good mood?  In other words what kinds of things do they engage in to alter their mood by changing their surroundings?
Create the environment you want in your life with things that stimulate a healthy mood and attitude.  Stop limiting God with your thinking and choose to believe you were made for more than this. 
Get out of that negative environment and wrong thinking mentality that will stop you from being all God wants you to be.  There is more to you than you think, believe it.  One act of favor from God can change everything in your life.
Maintain your life with God by, “edifying and building yourselves up on your most Holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 1:20 NKJV)
 
This Week’s Challenge:
Create A PMA
 
In terms we can all understand, we're going to re-create our environment to release our destiny.
PMA is my new phrase otherwise known as “positive mood attitude,” while my husband has his own version and calls it a “mood-a-tude” change.  
Several weeks ago I asked my husband what he does to put himself in a good mood.  He had this cheeky grin on his face and said, “I look in the mirror!”  Then he calmed down and said, “I don’t know, what do you do?”
Right then I began listing a ton of things that help lift me out of a negative mood.  All sorts of things make me smile like giving flowers to strangers, and taking pizza to businesses or doctor’s offices. It makes them freak out, but puts me in a good mood.  As soon as I dwell on those things it brightens my day.
With him not being able to give me a slew of things off the top of his head, it made me wonder if others were having the same difficulties when it came to encouraging themselves.  Thus my need to find out began with us becoming reporters on the street.
Geek on the street interviews by Hubby (him being the geek – his “negative” words, not mine.).  He asked: “If you’re having a bad day, what do you do to try to get yourself out of a bad mood?”
Here are a few of the answers he received that you may consider.
Pray/read the Bible.
Take a walk, jog, go to the park.
Talk it out with a co-worker to help her.
Think about her kids.
Remind myself of where I was in life and where I am now.
Call mom, because she always knows what to say.
Create a PMA – a positive mental attitude by thinking about spiritual things.
Listen to music, sing or read.
Put praise music on and dance with Jesus.
Spend time with pet(s).
Drinks an energy drink to overcome emotions – one I wouldn’t recommend, but someone said they do it.
I was surprised but pleased no one mentioned food or shopping.
Here's the Task
This week we are challenged to create our own PMA – positive mood attitude plan.  Wait, there's more.
Forget those sad story songs that play on your emotions and put on uplifting music that will exhilarate your spirit. 
Post scriptures that motivate you and alter your mood, throughout your home.  Anyone that has ever been in my house knows I have verses posted everywhere, even in the bathroom. 
Recognizing when you’re about to be “just in the mood” will change how you respond to people when you realize God’s favor is at stake in your life. 
In the comments section below, share what you do to maintain a good PMA (positive mood attitude).
The second part to the challenge is to ask this question to everyone you come in contact with this week. 
“What do you do to improve your mood?”
You’ll be surprised as to how many people turn red when you ask them.
Following through with the assignment my husband came to a new level in his understanding what mood can do to your day.  When he saw a miniature rose bush in the store he stood there and stared at it.  He found himself smiling and his mood changed in a second.  It really changed when he presented it to me by surprise!
Don’t live a life of regret because you let people talk you out of your destiny. It’s still inside of you.  Get in agreement with God and thank Him that your dream will come to pass.  Stay in the right frame of mind and believe Jesus over all others or negative circumstances. 
Declare the favor of God is upon you and that you will become everything God has created you to be.
 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”  (Philippians 4:8 NLT)
Thinking on these things will help you to maintain your new PMA.
Whatever is Lovely by Michelle Wagner
 
If this article has encouraged or helped you please consider sharing in by using the social icons provided at the end of this post.
Until next time, PMA promises God’s favor! 
 
Check Messages throughout the week.  
 
“I’m always in the mood to give favor.”
Jesus Christ
Note: The words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no place in our lives.
Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
 
What’s New This Week: Click on book or link.
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1167566&item_no=549115
 Living Beyond Your Feelings: Controlling Emotions So They Don't Control You
by Joyce Meyer
 
Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also.  Click on the above tab “Tell Me” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.
 
Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy. 
Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Gateway Bible
Image credit: Google Images or Dreamstime Creative Common License if not specified.
Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.