I performed a social experiment last week. I was waiting in a long line for early voting and enjoyed some people watching as the line fed back and forth. One lady shared her entire phone conversation with the voting world. (She’s going on a cruise and we voters got the first take on ALL the plans for the weekend!) Others just stood in silence with no phone in hand. Some brought along real paper books and were actually reading. But most of the waiting audience was engrossed in their phones. Confounded by this pattern of phone behavior that I, was participating in as well, I put my phone in my purse and started a conversation with the young woman in front of me.
It turned into a delightful conversation. She worked at a well-known resort in the area and had just got off work so she could vote. It didn’t take long to learn her about her waitress position at the resort and share some of the joys and sagas of waitress work. The time flew because all at once we were admitted to vote.
We will never know someone’s story unless we ask. We will never realize the power of encouragement, unless we give it. We will never understand the sadness on someone’s face, until we listen to the excruciating pain they’ve experienced. We will never know the simple connection we can make with someone, until we do.
Our phones have captured our attention to the degree that we miss out on the people right in front of us. It takes intention to place our phones down and look up towards those around us.
Get outside your world and encourage someone today. Not just those close to you, but someone you normally wouldn’t reach out to. Who can you encourage today? Use your life to ‘put courage in’ someone else. Inquire about them. Ask some questions. Encourage them! And listen really well. You have no clue what a change agent you’ll be.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good things.” Galations 6:9
“The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.”Proverbs 10: 21
“Love more, not less. Will you take a hit? Of course you will. Do it anyway.” Bob Goff
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, October 29, 2018
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Occupied Minds
What occupies your mind each day? The average person has approximately 50,000 thoughts occupying their mind in one day. That’s a lot of thoughts, especially if we let our minds run wild!
Could it be that there are thoughts that occupy our mind that if left unchecked, do more harm than good? Let’s just take a few of those mind culprits….
What do I worry about? Worry has the ability to totally compromise what could have been a glorious day. If our mind is constantly worrying about “what if’s” or the “if only’s” or the “why’s”, there is no room for joy. A glorious day can get gloomy pretty quickly when worry is present.
What do you fear? Fear can be crippling. When our mind is free to roam, fear can jump in. What fears occupy your mind today? How does fear keep you from living freely? Soaring in your work and dreams?
Seeking approval of others? Are you constantly looking around for others approval or attention? Rick Warren writes: “Few things rob your happiness faster than being criticized or feeling like others are working against you. Why? Because we all want to be loved and approved. We want everybody to like us.” (Daily Hope with Rick Warren, May 30, 2014)
So what do we do when our minds become occupied by worry, fear or approval of others? Ask God for help. He hears every prayer! Read God’s Word and tuck His truth away in your heart. The more we fill our minds with His Word, the more our “occupations” will be pleasant.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell god your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.” Philippians 4:6 (The Living Bible)
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
“Jesus, free us to live today defined by the gift of your righteousness and the wonders of your love. May the approval of people, the Dow Jones average, our own self-assessment, where we are in the Org Chart, or our failures or successes, matter nil compared to our union with you.” @ScottyWardSmith
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Could it be that there are thoughts that occupy our mind that if left unchecked, do more harm than good? Let’s just take a few of those mind culprits….
What do I worry about? Worry has the ability to totally compromise what could have been a glorious day. If our mind is constantly worrying about “what if’s” or the “if only’s” or the “why’s”, there is no room for joy. A glorious day can get gloomy pretty quickly when worry is present.
What do you fear? Fear can be crippling. When our mind is free to roam, fear can jump in. What fears occupy your mind today? How does fear keep you from living freely? Soaring in your work and dreams?
Seeking approval of others? Are you constantly looking around for others approval or attention? Rick Warren writes: “Few things rob your happiness faster than being criticized or feeling like others are working against you. Why? Because we all want to be loved and approved. We want everybody to like us.” (Daily Hope with Rick Warren, May 30, 2014)
So what do we do when our minds become occupied by worry, fear or approval of others? Ask God for help. He hears every prayer! Read God’s Word and tuck His truth away in your heart. The more we fill our minds with His Word, the more our “occupations” will be pleasant.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell god your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.” Philippians 4:6 (The Living Bible)
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
“Jesus, free us to live today defined by the gift of your righteousness and the wonders of your love. May the approval of people, the Dow Jones average, our own self-assessment, where we are in the Org Chart, or our failures or successes, matter nil compared to our union with you.” @ScottyWardSmith
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, October 22, 2018
Hidden Rules
The Pharisees were leaders in the Bible who followed the law, but didn’t really have a love for God or man in their hearts. They loved their hidden rules and enjoyed showing others where they fell short. They wanted to appear to be good people. They refused to take responsibility for their own sin.
I’m afraid to admit, that sometimes the Pharisee comes out in me. Honestly, I think we’d all like to hide the Pharisee in us. We naturally want to behave and believe that we’re pretty good people too! As Beth Moore writes “No one sees the Pharisee in themselves, but we all have one…. We all suffer from willful blindness.”
How could there be a “Pharisee” in each of us? We have our favorite rules too. We want others to follow our rules and when they don’t??? We push the judgment button and hastily dismissed them as insignificant and wrong.
Just when we feel totally justified to judge those we think judge, we forget that we’re judging too!
Just when it’s easier to pass the blame even when we blatantly messed up, we do it anyway.
Just when we are hurt by the gossip of others, we forget that we have done the same thing.
Perhaps, we’re all ‘in hiding’ to some degree. We don’t want to get caught. We don’t want others to know that we really don’t have it all together. We’re not perfect, but please don’t let anyone know.
Every day, I’m tempted to act like a Pharisee. There are days I do. But, I’m so thankful for God’s grace when I sin. Admitting my sin before a loving and forgiving God is a good start. He is so ready to forgive me! There is freedom in knowing I don’t have to be perfect. I don’t have to make up hidden rules. I’m just one woman forgiven by a beautiful God.
With Christ, there is no condemnation for our sins. There is no limit to Christ’s grace. There is no separation for God’s love. Why do we try to hide?
“Our character must matter more to us than our reputation. We must learn to love the light, even when it exposes the darkness in us.” Scott Sauls
“I was buried beneath my shame. Who could carry that kind of weight? I was my tomb, till I met You. I was breathing, but not alive. All my failures I tried to hide. It was my tomb, till I met You. You called my name and I ran out of that grave. Out of the darkness into Your glorious day.” Glorious Day by Passion
“We are profoundly ambivalent about kindness in that we are never as kind as we want to be, but nothing outrages us more than people being unkind to us.” Karen Swallow Prior, On Reading Well
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
I’m afraid to admit, that sometimes the Pharisee comes out in me. Honestly, I think we’d all like to hide the Pharisee in us. We naturally want to behave and believe that we’re pretty good people too! As Beth Moore writes “No one sees the Pharisee in themselves, but we all have one…. We all suffer from willful blindness.”
How could there be a “Pharisee” in each of us? We have our favorite rules too. We want others to follow our rules and when they don’t??? We push the judgment button and hastily dismissed them as insignificant and wrong.
Just when we feel totally justified to judge those we think judge, we forget that we’re judging too!
Just when it’s easier to pass the blame even when we blatantly messed up, we do it anyway.
Just when we are hurt by the gossip of others, we forget that we have done the same thing.
Perhaps, we’re all ‘in hiding’ to some degree. We don’t want to get caught. We don’t want others to know that we really don’t have it all together. We’re not perfect, but please don’t let anyone know.
Every day, I’m tempted to act like a Pharisee. There are days I do. But, I’m so thankful for God’s grace when I sin. Admitting my sin before a loving and forgiving God is a good start. He is so ready to forgive me! There is freedom in knowing I don’t have to be perfect. I don’t have to make up hidden rules. I’m just one woman forgiven by a beautiful God.
With Christ, there is no condemnation for our sins. There is no limit to Christ’s grace. There is no separation for God’s love. Why do we try to hide?
“Our character must matter more to us than our reputation. We must learn to love the light, even when it exposes the darkness in us.” Scott Sauls
“I was buried beneath my shame. Who could carry that kind of weight? I was my tomb, till I met You. I was breathing, but not alive. All my failures I tried to hide. It was my tomb, till I met You. You called my name and I ran out of that grave. Out of the darkness into Your glorious day.” Glorious Day by Passion
“We are profoundly ambivalent about kindness in that we are never as kind as we want to be, but nothing outrages us more than people being unkind to us.” Karen Swallow Prior, On Reading Well
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, October 8, 2018
Texas Loves Texas
When I moved to Texas in 1980, I never realized how much Texas loves Texas. Of course, I must have had some luv too, because I was making the trek from the Midwest to start my career in Dallas. As time went on, I integrated well into the culture and could roll off my tongue a ‘ya’ll’ or an ‘all ya’ll’ with ease.
What state has so much written about their beloved state? Here are some good lines from the twitter handle “Texas Humor".....
“Never met a Texan I didn’t like, until I was stuck behind the one who goes the speed limit in the fast lane.”
“Texans ain’t cocky. We really are just that great.”
“It must be sad living in a place where the stars at night aren’t big and bright.”
“Name any food, and chances are a Texas has deep-fried it before.”
“The rest of the country is pulling out their boots for fall, while Texans have had ‘em out all along.”
Ya gotta love Texas! Most folks that live here actually do love Texas! I certainly do! And for those like myself that weren’t born here, we can always add the redneck bumper sticker to our car “I wasn’t born in Texas but I got here as fast as I could.”
In recent weeks, I’ve found myself meditating on Psalm 91. The more I read it, the more I see that I can have the perfect “home” in God.... a dwelling place like no other!
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
God’s protection is real. Every time I read through Psalm 91, I’m reminded that even though I may not always see or feel it, God is always with me. He can’t forget or ignore me if I belong to Him. To note, the word “dwell” used in this verse means “to take up permanent residence in.” For me, this verse reminds me to stay in his presence, so that I will “rest” in the “shadow of the Almighty.”
What state has so much written about their beloved state? Here are some good lines from the twitter handle “Texas Humor".....
“Never met a Texan I didn’t like, until I was stuck behind the one who goes the speed limit in the fast lane.”
“Texans ain’t cocky. We really are just that great.”
“It must be sad living in a place where the stars at night aren’t big and bright.”
“Name any food, and chances are a Texas has deep-fried it before.”
“The rest of the country is pulling out their boots for fall, while Texans have had ‘em out all along.”
Ya gotta love Texas! Most folks that live here actually do love Texas! I certainly do! And for those like myself that weren’t born here, we can always add the redneck bumper sticker to our car “I wasn’t born in Texas but I got here as fast as I could.”
In recent weeks, I’ve found myself meditating on Psalm 91. The more I read it, the more I see that I can have the perfect “home” in God.... a dwelling place like no other!
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
God’s protection is real. Every time I read through Psalm 91, I’m reminded that even though I may not always see or feel it, God is always with me. He can’t forget or ignore me if I belong to Him. To note, the word “dwell” used in this verse means “to take up permanent residence in.” For me, this verse reminds me to stay in his presence, so that I will “rest” in the “shadow of the Almighty.”
So, being in the shelter of God beats living in Texas or anywhere, for that matter! Check out Psalm 91 today and let the promises of God wash over your mind today. Believe His promises. Receive His Love. Welcome his presence.
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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