Thursday, May 31, 2012

Strive For Excellence

Someone once said, "Excellence is doing ordinary things, extra ordinarily well."

To achieve excellence we must go the extra mile; do more than what is asked. Yet often I think satan uses our known inadequacies to keep us from making the effort to give our best effort.

In contrary to what many may believe, excellence does not necessarily mean the absence of mistakes, but it does mean the presence of determination. A person who strives for excellence doesn't give up when faced with criticism, nor does he avoid the task for fear of failure. To be excellent, one must first determine to accomplish the task with the best effort he can give and then make it his goal to endure to the end.

In my opinion, a great modern day example of excellence can be found in a young man by the name of Tim Tebow. If you haven't heard of him by now, check your pulse it's possible you may be dead. (Just kidding!) Tebow is the handsome, devoted, outspoken Christian quarter back who played for the Denver Broncos, currently plays for the New Your Jets and formally a Florida gator. He isn't perfect; his critics would say he didn't deserve to be drafted into the NFL. They would argue his techniques are flawed and they projected he would crumble under pressure. Yet, I think that's exactly why the world is so attracted to Tim Tebow, because he is real. Yes he has made a few bad plays in his profession, he has often been publicly scrutinized by his haters, but he continues to get back up determined to become even a better player than the season before. His drive to give his best and his determination to stay focused through adversity, is motivating. Through it all, he still acknowledges Jesus Christ as his first priority.

I'm very thankful for Tim Tebow and the life example he is to so many. When we strive for excellence, keep our focus and align our priorities in the right order we will eventually make the ordinary seem extra ordinary and hopefully encourage others to follow on the same path.

Colossians 3:23-24 encourages us in whatever we do to  "work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward."

Blessings, Polly

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

I received this devotional from a dear friend in Georgia today and I wanted to share with my blog family:


...And the violent take it by force (Written by Jeff Anderson)
Jesus said, "The kingdom suffers violence and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12) I often despise victim mentality so I try to posture myself to not be a victim, and to recognize that pain is a standard occupational hazard for human beings, and particularly those who pose as a threat to our enemy. And so today dawns and through the people I know who were hurting continue to struggle, I personally am not back on my heels reacting like a punching bag for the enemy of my soul. In fact upon reflection, I like the ebb and flow of this life. I won't be surprised or sideline by pain, and I'm going to make the enemy pay for coming after me. It's not braggadocio: it's just a fact in the spiritual sense, I'm a violent man determined to war on behalf of those I love, the kingdom He has established, the widow and the orphan. We Jesus-followers, if our eyes are fixed on his kingdom and his righteousness are forever encroaching our enemy's territory. We're at least a nuisance to him and for some, we are a spiritual force to be reckoned with. I love meeting people like that and aspire to be one myself.  Our enemy's general strategy is to keep humans hopeless and isolated but in the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring them hope and connection. The enemy despises that! This looks like force to the enemy the kind of force that comes when you're gritting your teeth and have filled the cup of your soul to the brim with determination. My prayer is that many of you who have been wounded, sidelined, benumbed and restrained, would regain the gleam in your eye. Be a man or woman of violence. Seek the kingdom as the focus of your life, don't be deterred or distracted! Let's do it.....Jeff


Wow, what an inspiring and motivating blog by Jeff Anderson. Why sit back and watch the enemy hold captive the land and it's inhabitants that God said was yours? Proceed forward, with confidence, determination and a violent strength to have all He has promised. He can't give it to you if you won't get up and take it! I'm walking by faith but acting on what I already know....
Be Blessed,
Polly 

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Mom & Dad with their grandchildren (2010)
I received this poem from a friend and wanted to share it with my blogger community but first I want to wish my mother a Happy Mother's Day!

My mother is the most incredible mother in the world. Her giving heart has touched so many far beyond the scope of her reasoning. Her constant but quiet strength and faith in her God has has been an unshakable and firm foundation. Words can not express how grateful I am to have been given such a mother. I know this Mother's Day she will spend it like she has the last several years taking care of my father who is beaten down with the deadly disease "Dementia". Most likely she will be unable to take a much needed trip to the spa because time won't allow, nor will she willingly slip away to the mall to shop as we woman so often like to do. Her commitment to my father's care keeps her right by his side, caring for him, loving him when he can not reciprocate that love. Yet you will never hear her complain, no not once.

While other mothers have been in search of higher paying jobs, accomplished titles and degrees, catering to themselves, my mother has been the steady current of unselfish, unconditional love to her family.  My mother is amazing!

Note to Mom:
Mom, the years of sacrifice will never go un-noticed or unrewarded. You have taught me so much with your quiet strength, your committed faith and your unconditional love. If I can give my children half of what you have imparted into my life, they are far beyond blessed. You deserve to be honored today and everyday mom. I want the world to know the woman I am lucky to call, "Mom".  While many will receive their reward on this side of eternity your rewards will far exceed them all. Only eternity will accurately give an account of the many deeds of love you have sown, not just for your own family but also to so many others.


Happy Mother's Day ~~ I love you Mom!

Somebody Said
~Author Unknown~

Somebody said being a mother is boring. That somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a good mother your child will turn out good. That somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said good mother's never raise their voices. That somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother. That somebody never helped their fifth grader with her math homework.

Somebody said you can't love the fourth child as much as you love the first child. That somebody doesn't have four children.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery. That somebody never watch her baby get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten. Or on the interstate headed to college, or on a plane headed for military boot camp.

Somebody said the most difficult days have been when they were sick. That somebody never attended to a child with a 103 fever in the wee hours of the morning.

Somebody said a mother could do her job with her eyes closed and her hands tied behind her back. That somebody has never organized a 16th birthday party, or planned a family vacation.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married. That somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings and prayers.

Somebody said a mother's job is finished when her last child leaves home. That somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her so you don't need to tell her. That somebody isn't a mother.