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Shut Up!

I originally published this article in August, 2007.  After what I wrote in yesterday’s Pep Letter, I thought this would be a really good follow up.

Shut Up!

The title of this article might seem obnoxious to some people.  Others might find it down right rude.  But give me a moment or two, so I can explain why you may really need to shut up!

Words are indeed very powerful.  That’s no secret.  But most people do not realize just how powerful their own words are.  The truth is your words can change your life.

I’m talking specifically about the words you think and speak to yourself about yourself.  Some refer to this as, “self talk.” Whatever you call it, we all talk to ourselves.

Throughout the course of the day, we all mutter things to ourselves about ourselves.  We all have thoughts about ourselves.  Very few realize that those words and those thoughts are literally life changing.

What Are You Saying?

The sad thing is that what many people speak to themselves is negative.  They say things like, “I just can’t lose any weight.”  I’ll never find a better job.”  “I can’t find the right person to marry.” “My life is just miserable.”   And on and on they go.

If you consistently speak words of failure, you will continue to fail.  If you consistently speak discouraging words, you will continue to be discouraged.   If you consistently speak words of helplessness, you will not find the help that you need.

Here’s the key.  You will bring into your life that which you mentally focus on. This is reinforced by the words that you speak to yourself.  It is a universal law.  It is the way God designed us!  The dominant thoughts that you hold in your heart is what you will absolutely manifest in your life.

Low Self-Esteem

Do you know someone with a very low self-esteem?  I can absolutely guarantee you that people with a low self-esteem repeatedly speak discouraging words to themselves about themselves.  On the other hand, those with a high self-esteem continue to speak to themselves about victory, success and possibilities.

The words that you speak to yourself, and especially the words about yourself, will either bring you to success or failure.  What a great key in life this really is!  This is something you can do every day, throughout the day!  Speak words of success and victory to yourself.

Yes, it will take effort.  There may be a number of areas that you will need to adjust your thinking and self talk.  But isn’t it worth it?  Of course it is!

This Doesn’t Work

Now I know the naysayer will quickly pop up and try to tell you that you are out of touch with reality.  You can’t say things are going well if they really are not, can you?  That’s living in denial isn’t it?

No, it is not denial. It is choosing to change your reality from where it is to where you desire it to be. When planning a vacation you might hear someone say, “I am going to Hawaii; I can see myself now, lying on the beach…”  Is that being out of touch with reality? Or, is that planning, expecting, and visualizing what is desired?

Start your day by declaring, “This is going to be a great day!”  “Things are going to be fantastic for me today.”  My life is on track and I am headed for success.”  “Yes, I will erase all of my debt.”

Here’s Where “Shut Up” Comes In

When you begin to make an effort to speak positively to yourself about yourself, that little voice in the background will pop up and say, “Oh who are you kidding?  You’re never going to get out of debt.”

Tell the voice to, “shut up!” Then repeat the positives that you have just spoken to yourself.  “My life is on track and I am headed for success! Yes, I will erase all of my debt.”

And don’t just say it; express it with passion; feel it; breathe it; know that it is coming!

And here’s another helpful key. Make a decision to never, ever speak negatively about yourself, ever again!  If you do, then immediately say, “Shut up!”

Now, I know the phrase “Shut up” is a harsh phrase. I could have said, “Stop it,” or, “Be quiet,” or something like that.

But I think, “Shut up” carries a lot more force!  And if there are defeating thoughts in your mind, they really do need to shut up and go.

Just as changing the little rudder on a big ship will change the direction of the ship, so too changing what you speak will change the direction of your life. The words that you speak, whether out loud or silently, are an indication of what you believe in your heart.  

That’s why the words that you speak to yourself about yourself will determine the course and direction of your life.  So, whenever you need to, go ahead and tell yourself to shut up!

Mike Verdicchio
August 2007

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Honk! Honk!

Honk! Honk!

That phrase has been included in quite a few of the emails that I have received over the past week. It is in response to last week’s Pep Letter.

Since there are some visitors who do not get The Pep Letter, I thought I’d post that article here on the blog.  I figure in doing that you would then understand what all the honking is about.

So…

Let The Honking Begin!

Perhaps you have heard the sound of a flock of geese honking as they fly by overhead.  But do you know why they honk?  After reading this article you may be encouraged to do a little honking of your own.

Geese are really magnificent birds.  It is always an awesome sight to look up into a blue sky and see them flying in their familiar “V” formation.  This formation is with purpose and it serves them very well.  Because of the aerodynamics involved, it reduces the energy it takes for them to fly by as much as 50%.

It has been calculated, by those who study geese, that by flying together in that “V” formation, it can add as much as 71% greater flying range than if the birds were flying solo.  If you think about it, this is also true for people who decide to work together with others who share a common goal or destination.

But what is all that honking about?  Is that simply their way of singing as they enjoy their flight?  Are those the sounds of fatigue?

Believe it or not, science has discovered that all that honking in formation by geese serves to encourage those at the front to keep up their pace.  In fact the lead goose is the one who sets the pace and really determines the speed the rest of the flock will travel.  And when the lead goose gets tired, he simply rotates back into the formation while another goose takes the point position.

I think it is remarkable that they honk to encourage those at the front to keep up the pace.  Flying great distances, geese work hard flapping those big wings so that they can get to where they are going.  It is not effortless; it is hard work.

Humans could learn some great lessons from the way God designed the geese to succeed at what they are doing.  Perhaps the most obvious is to not try to do it all by yourself.  Flying together with those who share the same common goals and destinations that we do, helps all involved in arriving at the desired destination.

But what about “honking” for each other?  Do you need any encouragement these days?  Do you think someone else could use a little encouragement as well?

We can certainly utilize the concept and principle.  We can encourage others in our own formations.  There are those in our family, those we work with, and those in other interests that we have, who could all use a little “honking.”

The Bible talks about edifying others, building them up instead of tearing them down.  The days that we are living in are very challenging.  As a result, people need to be encouraged, edified, and built up.

We all know how it feels when someone is critical and looks for every fault we have.  But, we also know what it feels like when someone believes in us and encourages us.  And, while there may be a lot of complaining going on these days, we can choose to be one setting the example of encouragement.  If we do that, it will catch on, and others will fly right there with us, honking words of encouragement.

Did you know that when one goose gets sick or wounded and leaves the formation, two other geese follow it down and stay with that injured goose to protect it? They actually stay right there with that goose until it is able to fly again, or, until it dies.  Isn’t that a great lesson of helping and standing by each other during difficult times?

So the next time you see, or hear, a flock of geese passing by, stop for a minute and watch.  Think about the way the Creator designed these winged creatures to enjoy their lives to the fullest.  And, remember, we could learn some valuable lessons from these birds. Let’s encourage each other! Let the honking begin.

Mike Verdicchio
September 2010

By the way, something I didn’t put into this article is the fact that geese mate for life.  So, in that sense, I would encourage you to honk at your husband or wife!


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My Mistake

On Yesterdays post, This Is Really Big, the podcast did not play. I have fixed the problem.

What happened?

It was my mistake. While there are times that glitches do happen in the internet world, this was simply my mistake.

In order for people to be able to hear an audio file I need to upload the file to my web hosting server. Then it is always a good idea to check and make sure that it was indeed uploaded. It was not, and I didn’t check.

At the bookkeeping job yesterday, I received a forwarded email of someone admitting their mistake. A number of invoices have not been paid, and this person just flat out admitted that he made the mistake, and that he was taking care of it.

It was refreshing to me to see him admit his mistake.  Most of the time people either make excuses, or blame someone or some thing for their own mistakes.

Making mistakes is not fun, but everyone makes them. When you do, just admit it, fix it, and move on.

Have a great Tuesday,

Mike

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Remembering

Last year on this date, I posted a video by Alan Jackson.

Rather than re-post it today, I have just put the link to that post.

9-11

Feel free to leave comments on this post, or on the other one.

Mike

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I’d Rather See A Sermon

Yesterday I mentioned a line from a poem that I heard many years ago. So, I found it online and am posting it here for you today.

I’d Rather See A Sermon by Edgar A. Guest

I’d rather see a sermon
than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me
than merely tell the way.

The eye’s a better pupil
and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example’s always clear;

And the best of all preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it
if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lecture you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lessons
by observing what you do;

For I might misunderstand you
and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.

Both this, and yesterdays post, remind me of living life with the love of God.  The Bible talks about letting your light so shine that others can see and then glorify God.  It also talks about being a doer of the Word and not a hearer only.

Maybe, just maybe, there might be some who need stop “talkin'” and start “walkin.'”  What do you think?

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Live It

A friend of mine sent a story to me recently.  I don’t know if it is tre, but it makes a very good point.  What do you think about it.

A Christian

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.

When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, “You’d better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.”

Then he thought, “Oh, forget it, it’s only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a ‘gift from God’ and keep quiet.”

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, “Here,you gave me too much change.”

The driver, with a smile, replied, “Aren’t you the new preacher in town?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I’ll see you at church on Sunday.”

When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, “Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.”

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is an example of how much people watch us as Christians!  Always  remember that you carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself a “Christian.”

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch  your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they  become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Again, I don’t know if the story is true or not, but don’t you think that it makes an excellent point?  It reminds me of a line from a poem I heard many years ago:  “I rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” In other words, if you believe it, then live it everywhere you go.

(Chere, thanks for sending this to me)

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It’s His Birthday

We both knew it was getting close, very close.   But where was the doctor?  I told Kathy that I would go and try to find him again. We had been up all night, and now it was morning; around 6:00.

Returning to the room, without the doctor, I reassured her.  “Don’t worry, it will be okay; he’ll be here.”

It was now around 6:25.  We decided to pray that the doctor, wherever he was, would get to our room as quickly as possible.

There was a point when I thought that I might just have to deliver the baby myself.  That thought caused me to pray again for the doctor.   It was now 6:30 and Kathy was “all systems go!”

The doctor walked in.  He was at the end of his 18 hour shift.  “I was taking a little nap,” he said.  “I woke up a couple of minutes ago, and thought that I better come and check on you.”  I replied, “We couldn’t find you, so we prayed, and God woke you up for us.”

He sat down on his stool, and within 2 minutes of his arrival in the room, there was another arrival; our son, Michael Paul, was born at 6:35.

Last night, Kathy and I took Michael and his wife, Jacey, out to dinner for his birthday.  And, like always, I once again repeated the story of praying for the doctor to make it in time for the delivery.

Of course we have other “early days” stories about him as well as about our daughter, Paula.  If you have children, then I’m sure you have stories as well.  Do you tell them over and over and over like I do?

It is indeed a great blessing to have children.  We love our children; we would do anything that we could for them.  And that is, in itself, a constant reminder to me that our heavenly Father loves His children too.

I know how much I love my kids; but my love pales in comparison to the love that God has for each one of us.  And God has clearly declared that there is nothing that can ever separate us from His love.

And just as I enjoy hanging out and having a relationship with my children, so our heavenly Father desires to have a personal relationship with each one of us.  We can talk to Him any time, day or night, knowing His ears is always open to us, His children.

Last night the fellowship was sweet, the food was good, and until Christ returns, we look forward to celebrating more birthdays with our children and grandchildren.

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A Special Day

Yesterday was a special day for me.  It was the 28th anniversary of my ordination to the Christian ministry.  As I recount in This Is My Story, there was a gorgeous sunset on that evening, August 11, 1982.

These past 28 years have been exciting, challenging, and ever changing.  I did spend a good chunk of those years doing full time ministry work.  But, regardless of the times and the circumstances in my life, I have always tried to hold true to the words on my ordination certificate.

It says “a minister of the Gospel of Deliverance of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”  The English word “minister” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word that means “to serve.”  “Gospel” means “good news.”  So, I have endeavored to do my best in serving the good news concerning Jesus Christ that brings deliverance.

Being a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives me great flexibility and freedom.  I am not bound by the rules or traditions of a particular denomination.  I have the freedom to continue to examine the Scriptures and grow in my understanding.  I am free to teach and share anywhere anyone invites me.

I am aware that I am responsible for what I teach and share.  I have always done my best to share and teach what I believe is the truth and accuracy of God’s Word, the Bible.  But if and when I learn something new, I am not afraid to change and move forward.

I really love and enjoy doing this blog.  It is yet another avenue for me to reach out to people.  The day may come when I will have a lot more time to devote here.  I look forward to that day!

But until then, I am delighted to continue to contribute what time allows me, in hopes that it is both inspiring and encouraging.  I want to continue helping people to have more confidence in God and to enjoy the life God has given each of us to live.

Thanks for visiting this blog and allowing me to serve you some good news.

Mike Verdicchio

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What Is Truth?

It’s Another Podcast!

How can you be sure when it comes to spiritual matters that what you believe is the truth?  Lots of people allow the packaging and presentation to convince them that what they are hearing is indeed the truth.

In this short podcast (10:37) I talk about how you can absolutely know whether something is true or not.

Enjoy the podcast!

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

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Related Posts:
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Should You Do Or Should You Be?
Is He Willing?

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Around The World

The Stats

I publish this blog from here in the United States. And according to some statistics that I looked at recently, there are people all over the world who are enjoying the blog.

I’m grateful for all who visit this site.  But I wanted to say a special, “Thank You,” to those outside of the U.S. who are enjoying Confidence And Joy.

In case you are curious, here are the top 10 countries visiting this blog:

1. United States
2. Netherlands
3. Spain
4. Great Britain
5. Canada
6. Saudi Arabia
7. Russian Federation
8. Germany
9. Belarus
10. Nigeria

Victory Square - Minsk


Belarus

If you are not familiar with Belarus, according to what I found online, it is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe.

Horses grazing in Minsk province

Horses grazing Minsk province

It is bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest.

Its capital is Minsk. It is a country of approximately 80,000 square miles with a population of around 10 million.

From what I read, Belarus has historically leaned to different religions, mostly Orthodox,

The Resurrection Church of Brest is the largest church in Belarus. Over 5000 people can attend services

Catholicism (mostly in western regions), different denominations of Protestantism (especially during the time of union with Protestant Sweden).

Sizable minorities practice Judaism and other religions. Many Belarusians converted to the Russian Orthodox Church after Belarus was annexed by Russia after the partitions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. As a consequence, the Russian Orthodox Church now has more members than other denominations.

There are many other countries as well.  Perhaps from time to time I will post the “Top 10,” just for fun.

To all in Belarus, and all over the world, thanks for visiting Confidence And Joy.

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