We've had these words from Chuck Swindoll hanging on our refrigerator for a few years. We often goof up so these words are good reminders that we do have a choice. Enjoy:
"The longer I live the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company....a church....a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the past....we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes."
3 comments:
Oi Blumes!!
Dear Blumes,
My name is David Elam. I know you don't know me, but I actually met your daughter Ansley last year in the airport in Rio as she was on her way to the states. I had been in Brazil for four weeks last summer on a mission trip as well as visiting friends. I was so anxious to speak English to somebody by the last day! When I saw Ansley, I thought she might be American, and then I saw her pull out her Bible, and I was so much more excited that she was probably a Christian! So, we started talking and she told me about your ministry in Brazil. It's been really cool to read your blogs and see what God is doing there and how He has moved you into an environment that is so much more real than we most often experience. It makes me sad that we generally don't operate like the Church in Acts. But I believe we're going to get there! In fact, especially in America, we're going to have to just to survive in the days ahead. Anyway, it is so cool to hear about what you guys are doing.
Just to let you know a little bit about me, I actually fell in love with Brazil on a missions trip I went on with Christ for the Nations, Institute in 2003. I was student there in Dallas, where I live. After I graduated in 2004, I lived in Belo Horizonte for a little over five months working at a Bible school, teaching English, and traveling with a worship team and ministering in various churches. Last summer I went back to Brazil on a mission trip with CFNI again, and stayed a little longer on my own to visit friends. I'm going back this year with another group from CFNI. We leave in about 2 weeks! I can't wait! We'll be there for three weeks conducting worship conferences and ministering in drama, as well as preaching and personal ministry. We're headed to Rio, Brasilia, São Paulo, and Salvador.
I would love to meet you guys sometime! It's really in my heart to be in Brazil at least once or twice a year. If there is anything I can do to help you guys out, I would love that! And, I'm sure that I would learn so much from you all! =) I have always loved home ministry, and we are starting to live in that here in Dallas. It's so much fun!! I've never had so much fun as I am now with what God is doing in bringing people together to live together in Him! I love it! I am the worship leader at a small church of about 70 people, and we also have a sister Spanish church in Dallas. Our pastor has been encouraging us more to have home meetings outside of the regular service for more discipleship and evangelism. I would love to see how you guys do things. Honestly, I think I love home ministry more than anything. It's so natural, isn't it?!
Also, our church does a lot of personal prayer ministry/deliverance. We have been seeing God do some awesome things in people's lives like breaking curses from witchcraft/generational iniquities, healing fractures and wounds, setting people free from bondages to sin and physical healing as well, through deliverance! Isn't God amazing! If there is any way that we could be of help in that area, we are available. We have various teachings on CD and DVD that I could send you if you are interested.
Anyway, I would love to connect with you guys at some point. I'm here to help!
I hope you guys are having a blessed week in Brazil!
Sincerely,
David Elam
David,
Thanks for your comments. They were very encouraging to us. Sorry it took so long to answer. We would love to get in contact with you and share more. What's your email address?
Peace Brother,
Kevin
Hi Kevin!
Don't worry, I understand things can be super busy. Thanks for the reply. My e-mail address is jesusaveddave@gmail.com. Yeah, I would love to connect with you guys. I'm actually in Rio right now. I'm with a group of 20 people from Dallas. The last couple of days, we've been ministering to people in some poor areas. It has been so awesome. On Monday, we went to Complexo do Alemao and ministered some physical needs, as well as spiritual, to the people there. It has been everyone's favorite part of the trip so far. We connected with a really great ministry called Rede Missionaria Sal e Luz here in Rio. Anyway, I guess we can talk more over e-mail. Hope you guys are doing great. The Lord bless you!
David
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