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Stop Saying That!

Have you ever had “one of those days?”  It seems like I have had “one of those days” for three weeks now.  Busy, busy, busy, and a little under the weather too.

So, if you don’t mind, this week I am going to post a couple of articles that I published 3 or 4 years ago.  I hope you enjoy them, and thanks again for visiting my blog.

Stop Saying That!

Standing by the desk in my office one day, I suddenly blurted out, “I am really getting frustrated over this!”  And I was, too!

About five or six seconds after saying that, I caught myself, and said, “I need to stop saying that!  Why in the world do I want to admit, agree, confess and focus on all the frustration that I am having here?”  I knew that by putting my focus and attention on that, I would simply attract more frustration.

After a short prayer, I decided to stop thinking about the dissatisfaction I was experiencing, and instead start telling myself that a breakthrough was coming soon. I simply made a decision to change what I was thinking.  Once I changed my thoughts, my attitude changed, and I was in a much better mood.

Emotions

Emotions follow our thinking.  That’s the way we were designed and built.  Try it out.  Close your eyes and think for a few minutes on your most favorite food.  See it in your mind, taste it, go ahead have another bite!  Wow, that is good!

And just how do you feel after doing that?  Are you angry and upset?  No.  Thinking pleasant thoughts will evoke pleasant emotions.  Be careful though, because food thoughts can get you feeling hungry too!

My point is, that soon after I changed my thinking, and my attitude changed, I did have a breakthrough, and yes, that was so much better than all the frustration I had been trying to deal with.

It Happens To All Of Us

No one has reached nirvana.  Everyone faces obstacles and challenges.  But we can still choose how we are going to think in challenging situations.  And we certainly ought to make an effort to stop blurting out defeating phrases.

I have from time to time quoted Orison Swet Marden, and I’d like to offer you another excerpt from one of his writings.

“No matter what comes to you, defeat, threatened failure, never lose your victorious consciousness.  I am a winner!

The more trying your situation, the harder the way it looks to you, the darker the outlook, the more necessary it is to carry the victorious consciousness.  If you carry the down-and-out expression, if you confess by your very face that you are beaten, or that you expect to be, you are a goner.  The victorious idea of life, not the failure idea, the triumphant, not the thwarted ambition, is the thing to keep uppermost in the mind, for it is this that will lead you to the goal you aspire to reach.

Have faith in your God-given power to succeed in a worthy ambition.  Concentrate your efforts on its realization, and nothing on earth can keep you back from success.  Such an attitude will make you a winner.

The conviction that you are born to win is a tremendous creative force in your life, just as the conviction that you are a failure will keep you down till you change the model of yourself.  Life is not a losing game.  It is always a victorious game when properly played.”

Good Advise, Isn’t It?

Those are some really inspiring words, aren’t they?  It is quite obvious that we are the ones who decide which thoughts we will entertain.  Consistent thoughts of victory will produce victory in our lives.  Consistent thoughts of failure will produce failure in our lives.

Far too many people have chosen to think thoughts of failure and they cloak it with being a victim.  Being a victim or a victor is a choice.  Being a failure or a success is a choice.  God’s desire for all Christians is to be victorious in every area of life.

Keep thinking and speaking victory, day by day!

Michael Verdicchio
2007

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Love Heals!

What’s Love Got To Do With Healing?

Whenever someone close to me is sick, I pray for their healing. Often times in doing that, I think about the many records in the Bible where people received deliverance and healing.  Perhaps you do the same thing, too.

I know and believe that healing from God is available; I wrote a book about it.  But there is something in that book that I certainly pointed out, but really didn’t elaborate or expand upon as much as I could have:  the healing power of love.

Take a few minutes to consider the concept of “love heals.”  There are those in the medical profession who know and understand this.  They have literally seen patients healed by love, and I’ll share with you a great quote about that in just a bit.

Let’s Start With You

Do you ever doubt at times whether God really loves you?  If you do, then stop it.  The truth is that God loves all of mankind.  The Bible says that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. So, if you are a part of the human race, guess what?  God loves you.

I know, lots of people don’t buy into that.  To some, it might sound nice, but there are plenty of people who would ask the question of “Why?”  Some think, “What have I ever done to deserve God’s love?  I really don’t deserve His love.”  Thoughts of unworthiness continue to keep people from receiving what God wants them to have, including healing.

Can we please get logical here?  If you think that God’s love is dependent upon the things that you do, or the things that you don’t do, just how good would you have to be, consistently, to earn the love of the Creator of the heavens and earth?  Who could ever be good enough?  No one, and that’s the point.

Who Initiated Love?

God’s love to us was not in response to our love toward Him. The Bible says that He loved us first.  In other words, He is the One Who initiated love.  Why?  Because love is His nature; God is love.  And He demonstrated His love by giving His only begotten Son so that we could have eternal life.

How Do You Define God’s Love?

God’s remarkable love is composed of three main elements.  First, the love of God is giving.  If you are going to love with the love of God, then it is an act of giving.  God so loved the world that He gave…

Second, love is giving whether it is earned or deserved.  Love is not a reward; love is freely given even if it is not earned or deserved.  The Bible says that God loved us even while we were yet sinners; we didn’t earn or deserve God’s love.

Third, love is giving without requiring anything in return.  God gave His Son for all of mankind and in doing so what if all of mankind will not accept His Son?  What about those who would not respond back to Him?  Has everyone accepted Christ?  No, but that didn’t stop God from giving His Son.

God’s love is giving, regardless of whether it is deserved or not, and love is expecting nothing in return.  That is how God, Who is love, initiated His love to us in sending His Son to die for our sins so that we could have eternal life.

That’s why the Bible says that we love Him because He first loved us.  Sadly, a lot of people have it backwards; they think that God loves them only when they love God first and do all the right things, and never make a mistake.  Not so!  He loved us first; we then can choose to love Him because He first loved us.

But What About All My Mistakes?

Some people think, “How can God love me?  Look what I’ve done.  I’ve messed up again.  I really don’t deserve His love.”  Who really deserves God’s love?  Which of us could ever be good enough to earn it?

We have to remember that God’s love is unconditional.  He willingly gave His love to all.  The Bible says that there is nothing that can separate you from His love.  Why not accept that great truth?  Why not accept His love?

How Powerful Is Love?

In his book Love, Medicine, and Miracles, Bernie S. Siegel makes two statements: “I am convinced that unconditional love is the most powerful known stimulant of the immune system. If I told patients to raise their blood levels of immune globulins or killer T cells, no one would know how.

But if I can teach them to love themselves and others fully, the same changes happen automatically. The truth is, love heals.” And second, he says, “Remember I said love heals. I do not claim love cures everything, but it can heal and in the process of healing, cures occur also.”

So just how powerful is the love of God?  It is so very powerful, and it is a choice, it is a decision; we choose to love with the love of God.

Check This Out

I made reference to the scripture in John 3:16.  A lot of people have heard this verse.  Many times at sporting events, you see someone in the stands hold up a sign that says, “John 3:16.”  I was looking at the Bible in a hotel room a few years ago, and it had that scripture in about 75 different languages in the back of that Bible.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

I have a nice framed calligraphy of that verse hanging in my home, with a really neat explanation of that verse.  It says:

For God — the greatest lover

So loved – to the greatest degree

The world – the greatest number

That He gave – the greatest act

His only begotten Son – the greatest gift

That whosoever – the greatest invitation

Believes – the greatest simplicity

In him – the greatest person

Should not perish – the greatest deliverance

But – the greatest difference

Have – the greatest certainty

Everlasting life – the greatest possession

Remember…

Always remember that God is the One Who initiated love; He loved you first.  You did nothing to earn or deserve His love.  His love for you is unconditional and nothing will ever separate you from His love.

Because of His love to us, we love Him because He first loved us.  And, if God so loved us, then we ought to love others also.  Jesus said that by this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love one to another.

The Bible also says that when it comes to believing, hope and love, the greatest of those three is love.  Think of the great impact that you can have on others if you will simply love them like God loves you!  And, think of how you can play a very important part in someone receiving their healing because of your commitment to love them.

Love heals!

Michael Verdicchio
2011

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Good Job!

Recognition at the workplace.  I know it and you know it.

How long has it been since someone told you, “You’re doing a good job?”

I was thinking about that last night.  I was doing some announcements for an awards banquet.  It was a managers conference for a company of over 30,000 employees.  This particular conference was for around 800 of their managers.

They received awards for safety, production, performance and other categories.  Very few of the recipients spoke, but those who did were very gracious.  As I watched many of them walk by our sound booth, carrying their trophy, it was obvious how good they felt to be recognized in such a way.

It made me think about the different places where I have worked over the years when someone told me that I was doing a good job.  I know, we should do a good job whether anyone notices or not, right?  But you and I both know that it feels good when someone compliments you for your work, shakes your hand or pats you on the back.

However, on other hand, I remember someone saying that if you wait for people to compliment you or show appreciation, you’re going to be waiting a long time.  Just always work heartily and do your best.  God remembers all the good that you do and He will bless your life.  That’s a lot better than a pat on the back, isn’t it?

Michael Verdicchio
2011

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Working Hard Does Not Produce Success

Are you working hard?

The economy in our country, and around the world, is still in serious trouble. I published an article three years ago that I think is even more relevant today than it was back in 2008.

So, I have reprinted that article for today’s post. There are also some links after the article that will take you to some really good related posts.

Have a great weekend!

Working Hard Does Not Produce Success

One of the pieces of advice about life that many young people hear is, “If you want to be successful and get ahead in life you need to work hard.” That advice means to get a good job and put your nose to the grindstone by working hard at it, and doing your best.

A lot of young people start out doing just that.  They really put forth a great effort and work hard, sometimes working long hours and weekends too.  They believe that being successful requires hard work, and they are willing to work as hard as they can so that they will be successful.

When things are not going as well as expected, many think that it is because they aren’t working as hard as they should, so they begin to work even harder.  Many people in their 40’s and 50’s have taken on a second job.  It certainly is a lot more work when you have two jobs than when you have just one job.  That is definitely working harder.

I remember someone once saying, “Learn to work smarter, not harder.”  What great advice that is.

I have nothing against hard work.  I enjoy working hard, putting all of my effort and energy into the project at hand. And, it is true that if you are going to be successful you do need to work hard.  But, if you look around you, it is evident that many people who have worked hard all their lives do not have enough means to enjoy their sunset years.

Plenty of people who have worked hard their whole lives are now struggling to support themselves.  So, they still work a job.  I’m willing to bet you that most of the over 60 crowd you see pouring your coffee at Denny’s, or greeting you at Wal-Mart, are not there by choice.    And yet, they worked hard all their life.  What happened?

Is there a deeper issue to consider?  It is very obvious that just working hard will not bring you success.  It is true; working smarter can be very advantageous.  But, it seems that something vitally important is often overlooked or dismissed.

The picture that you carry of yourself will determine the course you take in life.  If you have no specific, clearly defined goals or desires, you will not just wake up someday in nirvana, with a well padded retirement account.

Yes, we work hard to be successful, but we also have to choose to be successful.  It is a decision.  It is a conscious effort.  It takes mental discipline. It is a deliberate mindset.

It takes consistently evaluating our thoughts and then changing those thoughts when necessary.

It takes specific goals and desires that we must pursue with diligence.  It is up to us to reevaluate and reformulate those goals and desires as life changes. A lot more is needed to be successful than just arriving at a job and working hard all day!

In addition, we must remember that negative, defeating thoughts will always produce defeat.  Fears and worries will bring failure.

It is through positive, successful mind processes, that we come up with ideas for success.  When we keep our mind focused on our desires, opportunities become very obvious to us.   That is a big part of the “working smarter.”

Our culture has really changed in the last 40 years.  Working for one company and then retiring with a nice pension has become almost obsolete.  Staying at the same job for a long time is becoming a novelty.  And social security will not pay you enough, even if it’s still there when you retire.

So, work hard at your job, but work even harder with your brain.  Stay clear and focused on where you truly desire to go in life. Stay clear on the things that you really desire to see happen, and then, act on those desires.

Look for and expect opportunities to come your way.  Expect to have more ideas for your own personal success.  And, never forget that the Creator has promised to give you the desires of your heart.

And by the way, the next time you’re in Denny’s and a grandmother waits on your table, give her a ten or twenty dollar tip.

Mike Verdicchio
2008

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The Greatest Love

For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Related Posts:
John 3:16 Part 1
John 3:16 Part 2
John 3:16 Part 3
John 3:16 Part 4

John 3:16 Part 5
John 3:16 Compilation
Buy Without Money
He Got Kicked Out Of The Wedding!

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Holding A New Baby

I remember when I held Paula, our firstborn, for the very first time.

It was just minutes after she was born.  It was a thrill that words just cannot describe.

I have told people over the years that suddenly there was another person in the room and they didn’t come in the door!

The miracle of human birth is just awesome.

This past weekend I got to hold our first grandchild in my arms – Paula’s daughter, Ava.

It was again a thrill that words cannot describe.

And even though it is not my child, there is something that just ignites inside your heart at that moment.

Is it love?

Is it care and concern and protection?  Is it knowing that that little infant is a part of your family, and a God given instinct kicks in?  Is it the love of God being manifested toward a new human being?

Perhaps it is all of those and more.

And while my trip to Denver was brief, it was well worth it hold her and pray for her and let her melt my heart.

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How Do You See It?

So many times we forget the great blessing by looking at the task at hand.  Perhaps, we ought to take a step back and remind ourselves of the blessing to our lives instead of just seeing the work at hand.

Here are some tasks you may do, and, the blessing that might be overlooked.

The task: A big pile of laundry.
The Blessing: The people you love are very close by.

The Task:  Listening to someone’s very annoying voice.
The Blessing:  You can hear.

The Task:  A never ending “to do” list around the house.
The Blessing:  You have a home.

The Task:  Having to walk really far because the parking lot was full.
The Blessing:  You can walk.

The Task:  Reaching for the alarm clock in the morning.
The Blessing:  You are alive.

The Task:  Putting up with everyone’s opinion about the government.
The Blessing: You live in a free country with free speech.

The Task:  Having to pay outrageous taxes.
The Blessing:  You are employed.

The Task:  Cleaning up after a party at your house.
The Blessing:  You have friends.

Those are just a few, and perhaps you can think of some others.  Share them with the rest of us in the comments section below. We really do have a lot of things to be thankful for.

Michael Verdicchio
2011

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Is There A solution?

It’s Another Podcast!

When facing difficult situations, many times people feel hopeless.  They feel like they are just stuck with no way out and that there is nothing they can do about it.

Some even go so far as to say that maybe it’s just, “meant to be.”

This short podcast (4:26) is all about possibilities and solutions.  No matter what you are facing today, there has to be a solution!  There has to be a way!

Enjoy the podcast!

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

Don’t Be Shy – Leave A Comment!
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Very Proud!

She Has Finally Arrived!

Our daughter, Paula, gave birth on Monday to her and Tyson’s first child, Ava Violet.

They are very proud first time parents, and Kathy and I are very proud first time grandparents.