Starting Things Out Right! 

Executive Director,
Kathy Weckwerth 

 

It's the beginning of a new year, and with that realization, excitement can build in our hearts and minds as we plan on making big changes.  But how do we determine what changes need to be made?  

 I have found over the years what works for me is grabbing a big steaming cup of coffee, my favorite journal and pen, and then heading for the old green chair.  

As I sit in quietness and reflect, I ask the Holy Spirit to show me what's working in my life and where are things more difficult.  Are they challenging in a good way or are they dull and mundane?  These are the questions I ask myself:

1.  How is my relationship with God?  Did I spend good quality time with Him each day in prayer and in scripture reading?

2.  How is my relationship with Farmer Dean?  Am I putting him first before my calendar and my own selfish desires?

3.  How is my relationship with my children?  Am I working on being a good mom, listening intently, encouraging daily, and praying with my girls?

4.  What kinds of friends do I have?  Are they life-giving or are they draining?  

5.  What words and attitudes are coming out of my mouth? Whatever I said and focused on last year is what is in my heart and comes out through my words and actions.

6.  Where did I make some good progress?  Did I change bad habits and incorporate new ones?

7.  What needs to change and improve to lead my Best Life?

Once I do some good reviewing, I can make a list (and I make it 3 things ... no more or its overwhelming, no less or its not challenging) of what I will work on for 2015.

If you NEVER make goals, you will never work to be better.  If you don't work at being better, by challenging your entire being ... heart, mind, soul, and body ...you will just live an ordinary life.  

We can't turn the clock back.  We can ask for God's forgiveness and start fresh with the hands of time pointing towards a new year and a fresh start.

What's holding you back?  Where will you make changes?  How will you work to get to your goal?

Whatever you decide, put God first and with a deeper relationship with Him, everything else will fall into place.

Happy New Year!  From my family to yours!  Kathy

      Click Here to Download:  BLM's 2015 Daily Scripture Reading Schedule

One of the simplest things we can do to improve our health is think positive. You might be asking, "What does my thought life have to do with my health." Here is the short answer. Research now tells us that whenever we have a positive thought our bodies instantly begin to cascade us with happy hormones that make us feel good. 

This means the opposite is also true. Negative thoughts begin a cascade of hormones that induce a stress response in the body. Stress has a huge impact on the body. It increases your chances of heart disease and many other chronic diseases. Those who choose to live with a positive attitude live longer, healthier lives. This research is proving scripture to be true.

You can add your own to the list. Make note of how you feel when you choose to be positive. With practice it has become easy for me to notice the changes. If I'm around someone who is negative, I can feel them pull me down. It's at that point I choose to turn the conversation positive or risk becoming negative myself. 

 

Paying attention to how you feel at any point throughout the day will help you make conscious choices in your attitude. In no time you will start noticing the difference. 

 

It is the easiest thing to try to improve your 2015. 

   

Starting Out the New Year Right!

Worship~Food for the Soul

By:  Donna Miller 

 

  

  

 

 

 

Take time in the moments of your week to respond to God by valuing and appreciating the beauty around you.

 

"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature." Romans 1:20 NLT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most football movies have a common theme, the rise of the underdogs. There is something within all of us that makes us want to cheer them on and see them win. The movie, "When The Game Stands Tall"has a completely different perspective. When the story begins we are introduced to the legendary De La Salle High School football team.  A team that hasn't lost a game in twelve years (No underdogs here).

 

De La Salle is preparing themselves for what they expected to be their one hundred and fifty-first win. Early in the movie we get to see a glimpse of how the team works as well as the Christian morals on which the program is built. It's a team of friends that share problems, hold one another accountable to the goals they set for themselves and more. It extends beyond just a team, they are family...brothers. At a team meeting the coaches take note that most of the sharing and encouraging is done by the seniors, a problem they have to try to fix if they want the camaraderie and family to continue. Because of the familial bond that has grown and been nurtured by the coaches (and a lot of hard work) they win the state championship...again. Yet the story is only just begun.

 

Coach Bob Ladouceur (played by Jim Caviezel) has a great approach to many of the teams struggles on and off the field. All through the movie we see him helping his students grow in wisdom and understanding the true qualities that will help them live life. A wonderful set of morals is displayed throughout the film not just in words but deeds as well. Yet, the coach is still shown to be human. Coach Ladouceur has a few lessons of his own to learn and is on this journey with his team.

If you like the action of football games you'll enjoy the game scenes. Unlike other movies, which can be one sided in story telling, "When The Game Stands Tall" does an excellent job at showing the other teams out-playing De La Salle, which makes the story more realistic. 

 

The Bottom Line: "When The Game Stands Tall" is an excellent sports film filled with an uplifting and inspirational message. The word tells us pride goes before a fall but it also tells us that we don't have to stay down. Jim Caviezel is the main character but the team really became an entity.  I would strongly recommend this film to sports enthusiasts or anyone who has ever been a part of any team.  If you liked Remember the Titans, or The Blind Side, this movie is for you!!