More Control

by Kay Heitsch

The more control you have over your reactions the more peaceful your life will become. ~ Life Quotes ~

Now, this is a good one for me! I heard a message that a person can actually get to the point where things that drove them crazy in the past didn't bother them at all anymore. I'm not there yet but I'd like to be.

Today's Bible verse, if put into practice, would help with this. "Do not be worried and upset," Trust in God, and trust also in me. John 14:1

It's pretty obvious that we can take control of our reactions or it wouldn't say, "Do not be worried and upset" When we put our trust where it needs to be we can have a more peaceful life.

The more control you have over your reactions the more peaceful your life will become.

Focus On The Good

by Kay Heitsch

The best way to be happy: Turn the negatives into positives. Focus on the good. Don't let anyone or anything steal your joy. Life Quotes

When we're going through a difficult time it's hard to focus on the good. We tend to drift off into the negative. But if we want to stay happy we can't let anyone or anything steal our joy.

The Bible says “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. When we understand our strength is found in our joy we may not be so prone to fall into focusing on the negative.

The best way to be happy: Turn the negatives into positives. Focus on the good. Don't let anyone or anything steal your joy.

Overthinking

by Kay Heitsch

Overthinking is a big cause of unhappiness. Keep yourself occupied. Keep your mind off things that don't help you. ~ Life Quotes ~

I truly believe we can overthink something and get ourselves in a real fit! I have more times than I care to mention. Personally, I've learned that keeping myself occupied can help.

There's a good reason I have this Bible text on the wall. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 NLT

I know if I want to be happy I need to keep my mind off of things that do not help. When I turn situations over to the LORD I have a sense of peace and I don't feel a need to depend on my own understanding.

Overthinking is a big cause of unhappiness. Keep yourself occupied. Keep your mind off things that don't help you.

Pay Attention

by Kay Heitsch

Everything you go through helps you grow. Pay attention to the lesson. ~ Life Quotes ~

Instead of saying, "Why did this happen to me?" We can say, "What did I learn from this?"

We all go through things we don't like, but I truly believe if we stop and take note we can learn something from each experience.

Our Bible verse helps us to look for the lesson. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28 NLT

Everything we go through is not good. But if we look for what we can learn from it we can grow.

Everything you go through helps you grow. Pay attention to the lesson.

Live The Life

by Kay Heitsch

Life is a journey. Make the most of it and enjoy the ride. ~ Life Quotes ~

How much of your life do you really enjoy? This is a good question we can all ask ourselves.

Our Bible verse really got my attention when I read it. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10 ESV

How much of our journey do we allow the thief to steal? If we ask ourselves this question we might be surprised. Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly. I want to live this abundant life.

Life is a journey. Make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

Little Things

by Kay Heitsch

Enjoy the little things in life because someday you will look back and realize they were the big things. Life Quotes

It's funny how we do remember the little things in life and smile. I remember some sweet little things our children said or did and smile. At the time they seemed little and insignificant, but now they hold a big place in my memory and heart.

Our Bible verse says, "Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God." Philippians 1:31 NLT

Every time we think of some little thing or a person who made us smile we should thank God.

Enjoy the little things in life because someday you will look back and realize they were the big things.

Positive Countenance

by Kay Heitsch

Your smile will give you a positive countenance that will make people feel comfortable around you. ~ Life Quotes ~

I smile at people naturally. I don't even know I do it most of the time, but I like people. When people smile back I feel comfortable around them right away. I believe they do too.

Today's Bible verse says, "May the LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace." Numbers 6:25&26

When the LORD makes His face to shine on us we will have His positive countenance upon us. His countenance gives us peace and we smile.

Your smile will give you a positive countenance that will make people feel comfortable around you.

Two Hands

by Kay Heitsch

As you grow older, you will discover you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. Life Quotes

If we don't take care and help ourselves it's not likely we will be able to help anyone else.

Today's Bible verse says. "The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:31

The verse before this says we need to love God first. But if you don't love yourself it's very difficult to love and help anyone else. Sometimes it takes growing older to discover this.

As you grow older, you will discover you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. Life Quotes

Let It Go

by Kay Heitsch

Don't ruin a good day by thinking about a bad yesterday. Let it go! ~ Life Quotes ~

It's funny how our minds can wander back to something bad that happened if we aren't careful. When we do we can ruin what would have otherwise been a good day. We need to let it go!

Here are parts of two Bible verses. "Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 3:13 ...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead I press on. Philippians 3:13

If we think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise and forget about what is behind we won't ruin a good day by thinking about a bad yesterday,

Don't ruin a good day by thinking about a bad yesterday. Let it go!

Get It Done

Get It Done by Kay Heitsch

The more I want to get something done the less I call it work. ~ Get It Done Quotes ~

Isn't it funny how moved and motivated we can be when we really want to get something done? Let's say you're expecting some company...boy, most of us know we can get things done in a hurry. :D

Today's Bible verse says, "Work hard and cheerfully at all you do just as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for men. Colossians 3:23

Wow, work hard and cheerfully. Now that's a tall order but I think we would be happier if we did that.

The more I want to get something done the less I call it work.

Feeding Your Mind

by Kay Heitsch

Keep feeding your mind healthy thoughts, this way it will stay positive and strong. ~ Feeding Thoughts Quotes ~

I wonder how many people even think about what they are feeding their minds? I've found it's just as important as what I'm feeding my body.

Our Bible verse says, "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8 NLT

If we want to be peaceful and happy we need to be careful about what we are feeding our minds.

Keep feeding your mind healthy thoughts, this way it will stay positive and strong.

Internal Vs External

by Kay Heitsch

Happiness doesn't depend on external conditions, it is governed by our internal attitude. Internal External Quotes

It is really not so much what is going on around us externally, but what we are thinking internally. It's our choice how we choose to live.

Our Bible verse is very interesting, "The thought of my pain, my homelessness, is bitter poison. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end" Lamentations 3:20-22 GSV

When we constantly think of our pain, according to this verse, it's "bitter poison." But if we call to mind the steadfast love of the LORD we have hope. When we are hopeful we are happy.

Happiness doesn't depend on external conditions, it is governed by our internal attitude.

Unexpected

by Kay Heitsch

Sometimes the things we can't change end up changing us. ~ Unexpected Quotes ~

When the phone rang May 18th, 1973 I was not expecting to hear, "I'm sorry your mom didn't make it." What? You must be kidding! My mom only had a simple gall bladder surgery. But it was true. The anesthesiologist put mom too far under and she never woke up. It was a week after Mother's Day.

As you know this was something I could not change that had a changing effect on me.

Our Bible verse says, To everything, there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: time to be born and a time to die. Ecclesiastes 3:1&2

There is a time for everything whether we're expecting it or not. These unexpected things have a way of changing us.

Sometimes the things you can't change end up changing us.

Appreciate What You Have

by Kay Heitsch

Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have. ~ Balance Quotes ~

I was talking to a friend who told me she knew someone who was never happy. It didn't matter what she had she always wanted something more.

If we want to be happy we need to be thankful for what we have. Our Bible verse says, "I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the wonderful things you have done." Psalm 9:1

When we think and tell of all the wonderful things the LORD has done how can we not be thankful and happy?

Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.

Just Care

by Kay Heitsch

To make a difference in someone's life you don't have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful or perfect. You just have to care. ~ Life Quotes ~

We all would like to make a difference in people's lives. I find this quote tells it like it is. All we really need to do to make a difference is to care.

Our Bible verse says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 NIV

When we are kind and compassionate we are showing that we care.

To make a difference in someone's life you don't have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful or perfect. You just have to care.

Don't Wait

by Kay Heitsch

Don't wait! Life goes by faster than you think. ~ Life Quotes ~

I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "Where has the time gone?" I believe the older we get the more we have this thought.

Our Bible verse says, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12 NIV

When we number our days and realize how fast time goes we will take advantage of the opportunities each day brings.

Don't wait! Life goes by faster than you think.

Worry Less and Smile More

Kay Heitsch

Worry less, smile more. Don't regret, just learn and grow. ~ Life Quotes ~

I wasn't sure what to expect going through security on an international flight. I thought I had taken off everything and put it in the tray, but I hadn't.

The next thing I knew I was being pulled out of the line and asked to step over to the side. First, I was put through a few machines then I was padded down. All of a sudden I knew exactly what the problem was... my Vivofit (step counter) I had strapped to my ankle. 

I smiled and said to the girl, "I think I know what the problem is." She was not smiling and was very serious, at first. As she was waiting for some wand to give me the once over we started to talk. I told her why I had this Vivofit on my ankle instead of my wrist and before you know it she was smiling too.

Our Bible verse says A cheerful look brings joy to the heart. Proverbs 15:30. I think my smile helped both of us to relax. I don't regret going through this experience. I learned something that day.

Worry less, smile more. Don't regret, just learn and grow.

Play The Hand You're Dealt

by Kay Heitsch

Life is not fair at times and we can be dealt a poor hand. It's up to us how we play the hand we're dealt. ~ Life Quotes ~

Life is not always about holding good cards, but playing a poor hand well.

I know people who have folded when they've been dealt a poor hand. But I've also known people who do the very best with the hand they've been dealt.

Our Bible verse says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

This verse doesn't say you might have trouble. It says you will have trouble. Life isn't always fair and we all will be dealt a poor hand at times. However, we can have peace in the midst of it all when we live in relationship with the Lord.

Life is not fair at times and we can be dealt a poor hand. It's up to us how we play the hand we're dealt.

One Small Move

by Kay Heitsch

Life is like a steering wheel, it only takes one small move to change your entire direction. Life Quotes

Most of us can relate to this quote. How many small moves on our part have changed the direction of our lives? We decide to change our way of thinking. Instead of being negative we look for the positive. When we do our life begins to change direction.

Our Bible verse says, "This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Making a choice to rejoice and be glad in each day is a small move we can make. When we do it can change the direction of our lives.

Life is like a steering wheel, it only takes one small move to change your entire life.

Funny Jordan River Story

by Kay Heitsch

I was more than a little apprehensive about getting baptized in the Jordan River. First of all, putting my face in the water is something I do not like to do. Second, the Jordan River is not clean.

However, I made up my mind I was going to do this. Just like the LORD, He brought about some humor into the situation to take the edge off.

There was this cute little southern gal on the tour. She was Miss Prim and Proper and came down to get baptized with a shower cap on from the hotel. Somehow she thought this was going to keep her hair dry. Just seeing her with this shower cap on made me start to giggle.

We all watched as she went down into the water wondering how this was going to work. Well, it didn't work and the shower cap flew off and down the Jordan River her shower cap went!

When it was my turn to be baptized I felt less apprehensive and I knew the LORD had helped me lighten up and He was smiling too.

We're Home

by Kay Heitsch

Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. Quotes About The Unknown

First, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to pray for us on our trip to Israel. It was an awesome experience, to say the least. We met wonderful people! Our travel guide from America Israel Tours Barack was #1 on our Roots Of Your Faith Tour. I would highly recommend this company if you ever have the opportunity to go to Israel.

I bet you're wondering if we got baptized in the Jordan River. Yes, we did! For those who know me well understand what an ordeal this was for me. I do NOT like to put my face in the water! Our daughter said it must have been a "miracle" for me to do this.

I took over 300 pictures but like most trips, they would be meaningless to anyone but me. After I go through them I may post a few others would enjoy.

Thank you again for your prayers. We arrived home last night safe and sound.