Got Character?

What do you do when things don’t go your way? Do you pitch a fit, and throw a tantrum, get mad and not speak to anyone?

What do you say when you are falsely accused, maligned or slandered? Do you strike out in revenge, slander right back and fight and claw to bring about your own deserved justice? Do you take the “martyrdom high road,” and manipulate the ones accused with guilt and shame to bring retribution? Or do you recede into nothingness, pretending you don’t care, it doesn’t matter, and you don’t matter anymore?

How do you react when everything falls apart, and it seems the world is closing in around you? Do you cry, scream, become apathetic or create scenarios of denial all around you?

Life brings with it sufferings, unfair events and painful injustices. Sometimes, it will kick you in the teeth and, just for the fun of it, kick you again when you’re down. Sometimes, it just is what it is, and there’s not a blessed thing you can do about it.

What you do in those critical moments will determine your character, integrity and stability in handling far more than that moment for all to see and know for a lifetime. What you say and do in that moment can make an impact for life.

So, I ask you again… what do you do in those crucial moments? What do you say? How do you respond? How do you react?

Where Do You Run?

When the trials of life settle in like a cold, hard rain, where do you run?

When the pain beats in your chest in rhythm with your own heartbeat, how do you keep breathing?

When all seems lost, and the world feels as if it’s closing in around you, what do you do? Who do you call?

Some run to a friend. Some run to a lover. Others find solace in a bottle or a pill. Still others fight it, deny it or even lash out at all those around like a wounded animal.

Yet, can I tell you there is One who will never fail? Can I tell you there is One who will bring comfort and strength, grace and peace?

His name is Jesus, and He’s reaching out His Hand. He’s calling to you in the rain.

Can you hear Him? Just say His Name.

*I do not own nor possess any pictures in this post. A simple Google search led me to each.*

Got Snow?

We went to the North Georgia mountains the other day, and I thought it’d be appropriate to post them today with so many getting snow across the country.

Did you get snow? I’d love to see your pics and know where it’s from! 😊❄️☃️

Tuesday’s Treats #103

Cafe Intermezzo

Location: Atlanta, Ga

This place is so cool! The atmosphere is different than the Coffeeshop I visited a few weeks back. It’s more of a “cafe” venue, but that definitely doesn’t take away from the enjoyable surroundings.

The desserts are amazing, and the coffee is so strong, it might get up and walk out on you 😂, but everything is delicious! They have a plethora of desserts from which to choose, and they have actual meals to order, as well, but we’ve only had coffee and desserts.

We ordered the apple pie and cherry pie ala mode. I had the Coccoloccino with white chocolate added. Oh. My. Word. Delicious!! The others in our party had the s’mores cheesecake, black coffee, and another non-alcoholic coffee, but I don’t remember the name, and I can’t find the coffee menu on the website. (Yes, they have a food menu and a coffee/beverage menu that’s like a book!)

The noise of the place was surprising a good him at about 10:30 pm on a Wednesday night, but it wasn’t overpowering. It was a comfortable atmosphere for our party of 7 to chat and fellowship for a while.

The special things around the cafe are what is so intriguing. They add special touches within each room to give it character. Like right near the bar area, just in the wall, three or four gold racks had been placed and a few newspapers were hanging. Coming from the restrooms, there were two huge mirrors placed on either side of the wall; so, when you stood there, it was as if your person went on forever. My son called it the infinity mirrors. Near the end of this post, I will post a pic that I rarely ever do for restaurants. I will post you a picture of the bathroom! They were so cool! They have the old fashioned, wood grain, Barclay Victorian style toilets. It looks like it’s right out of the scene in Godfather II. The ceilings had copper tile, and the time and attention they put into ever detail shows.

They have several locations within the Atlanta area. We had been to the Peachtree Street location many years ago and loved it. This might, we were at the Ashford-Dunwoody Road location. For more information, check out their website here.

True POWER

Where do you find your power?

Where do you find your strength for living?

Where do you search for might when all seems lost, and you feel you can’t take another step or even another breath?

Ok, so this will be controversial, but I’m not really looking for a debate or a fight. Just gonna share with you what I know to be true in my life.

Some chase after fame, fortune or prestige. Some run after men/women, programs or jobs. Others seek for friends and family to bring them encouragement and stability. Still others try to find their strength, and even their peace, in a bottle, drugs or sex.

I’m here to tell you, all those things will fail you. All those things will, eventually, leave you broken, desolate and hopeless. Only One can bring you all the hope, peace, strength and power you need. His name is Jesus, and He loves you right where you are!

If you don’t know Him, just say His Name. Just ask Him to reveal Himself to you today. He’s pretty good at that. 😉💗

Stand Tall

Remember…

You can do this hard thing that opposes you! You can persevere! So, stand a little taller. Hold your sword a little higher, and fight! Fight to win!

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

Why wait?

So, what will you do in the new year of 2018?

Don’t wait for tomorrow, for none is guaranteed tomorrow. We are not guaranteed our next breath. Make your decision. Make you plan. Make your choice. Get moving, and start today. You can do this thing! Just believe!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13

Tuesday’s Treats #102

Saltgrass Steakhouse

Location: Pensacola, Fl

This place is amazing. The atmosphere makes you feel like you just stepped into a true Texas Roadhouse (not the restaurant chain), and the steaks don’t disappoint! Which I suppose is pretty good; since, they have 67 locations and only 14 of them are outside the state of Texas! Haha.

Check out their website for locations and menu items.

What Do You Do In The Pit?

The story of Beniah, son of Jehoida, that is found in 2 Samuel, is always a challenging one for me. It’s not like he went looking for that pit, and it doesn’t appear he was expecting to find a lion when he fell in. Yet, when the adversity came against him, he was ready. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t back up, and he didn’t cower in despair. He fought, and he fought valiantly, and only onlybecause of this response, he won!

This is really how we should approach life and adversity that comes our way. We are built internally with a natural “fight or flight” mentality; yet, if we approach every situation with a flight response, we will never learn how to persevere under pressure. We will never learn to excel despite the odds. We will never learn the depth of our strength and ability, because true character is produced through our perseverance in trials.

If Beniah had run in fear that day while in the pit, he would be dead, and his story could never be an inspiration to us today.

Something to think about… 😉

How Do you Start the New Year?

Regrets or Do-Overs?

Remorse or Recommitment?

Sorrow or Joy?

It’s all in your perspective. What will you do with the past? What will you make is the future? Your choices in these few things can and will determine your tomorrow.

Choose cautiously. Choose wisely.

Kingjamesbibleonline.org