Attitudes/Answers with Olen Baker

You know, even God does not always respond with a resounding "yes" to each of your prayers.  He knows the boundaries and he knows when to make sure you've done what's necessary to walk with Him.  Before you say "yes" to the next request, talk to God, first.

Okay, it's not about you.  It's about what you expect from others.  And so many times, others will let you down.  Do your best to imitate the Lord God.  Your efforts will benefit someone.  It always will.  Look to God for affirmation.

Can you accept that your children will not always like you, and that's okay.  Kids who respect their parents go out into the world with a greater chance for success.  It's okay when they don't like.  It's not okay when they don't respect you.

This is especially important when working with our children.  Yes is an easy way out of having to deal with an issue.  No, means that boundaries have been set.  Without boundaries, children have a way of walking in the wrong direction.  No is okay.  Go ahead, try it.

Wow, sharing your feelings can be tough.  It's not what you say, it's how you say it.  Don't ever get into a conversation without talking to God, first.  He will help craft the perfect set of words and emotions.  

Anyone ever ask you that question.  So, speaking honestly, without ego or expectations of a much higher rating, who are you?  Funny thing, the best descriptives come from others, not you.  Ask someone to fill in the blank for you and see what happens.

If "nice" is your only expression, you are missing "honesty".  God can help in those places where we are at a loss for words.  Speak to Him before you speak to someone else.  

Is being nice, being meek?  No, it's not.  Nice comes from within and from God.  "My peace I give to you, not as the world gives, but as I give."  Nice is a great place to be.

Yes you can, with the help of God.  He is a constant source of hope and power.  Leaving God out of the conversation will keep you stuck in a place you'd rather not be.

Just ask yourself; How would Jesus respond if he were facing my current issues.  And let his wisdom guide your response.  

You will and always will, belong to Jesus.  Jesus answers our need for purpose and belonging.  Have you responded to his invitation?

Instead of longing for what is out of bounds, make yourself focus on what God has provided, and be thankful.  Remember, God has a plan designed especially for you.

Simply, ask God to create in you, a longing for the righteousness of Jesus.  This is the foundation for you to be in a loving, caring relationship with God.  

It's as simple as allowing the word of God to set your course.  Remember, he designed a plan for your life.  If we listen, we'll hear it.

Our chldren depend on us to show rather than tell what a healthy routine.  You might not notice, but they are watching closely.  Doing, rather than telling is the only way to let them know that a routine is so very important that YOU also follow it.  

We sometimes want more, of everything in life.  This is a dangerous cycle as it leads to a dark place.  The toughest thing to do is to impose self-boundaries.  Not always easy, but much easier when we sit down with God and talk about it.  Go ahead, start, today.

A lack of trust creates the need to control, which limits freedom of choice.  God can help us see through trust and respect issues.  Ask him, today to help you.

The generation of the 1970's, was called "the me" generation, and it was labled as greedy and self-centered.  This attitude didn't stop as the decades rolled on.  Don't get caught in the trap of what's in it for me.  It's a dangerous place to be.

Most of us are guilty of being greedy at times. The problem becomes an issue when greed forms a vicious cycle in every day life.  God can help break that cycle.

Broken promises can alienate a person from God and others.  Today, ask God to help you turn the corner and make amends.  The beautiful promise from God, is that he will always be there to help.

Obviously, avoiding punishement is the top priority, but with some children, even adults, the impulse to lie evolves into a cycle of deception.  Fear turns into shame, and that is a very dark place.  Ask God to help you escape and start again.

A habit is strong, especially when it can override your better judgement and sound logic.  The good news:  God has the power to deliver and redeem you, if you're willing.  Go ahead and ask him, now.

Maybe not the easiest thing to do, but step one is always to completely yield to what God is directing you to do.  Simply, listening without speaking is the way to a much better place.  Shhhhh...

You've heard this before: frustration is thinking, doing or saying the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result.  There is a way out.  Find out how, right now.

Have you ever been stuck in a pattern of thinking and acting that produce negative results.  Self-control is the fruit of the holy spirit.  Start the process of healing, by surrendering everything to him.  He's waiting.

Jesus calls us "the salt of the earth, and a light to the world".  That pretty much sums it up.  You have a job to do.  And what a wonderful job it is.

Life is a distraction, but God always finds a way to get our attention, especially when we believe that we're too busy to hear.  Listen carefully and you will always hear his pure voice above and beyond the "noise".

Schedules are tough and many times, schedules can be a challange, or frustrating.  Make the plan, follow the plan, and take time to rest, just like God did.  You're not a machine, you are a child of God.

Be careful.  Don't get pulled into situations that on have some semblance of truth.  Those places are stumbling blocks to God's purpose and plan for your life.  

Negative thoughts are toxic.  They could the connection to God.  You can replace them with faith and trust in God.  Now is the time to do that.

We've all been there.  Problems, thoughts, become distractions, and they build over time into mountains.  As Barney Fife used to say, "nip it in the bud."  Barney was right.

Have you ever been caught in a mistake, or a lie?  Extend mercy to yourself by saying "you're right, I was wrong, I apologize."  

God doesn't want us to dwell on the past.  He wants us to see where we can go.  Letting go isn't always easy.

Life requires us to say goodbye to status quo and accept and adapt to what's next.  Not always an easy thing to do.

Many people cling to the old ways of thinking and feeling to keep themselves emotionally safe.  Not a great place to be stuck, because every day sets the stage for a new beginning.  

Sure, it could be a special present, an event, an announcement, a trophy or even a person that came into your life.  But the best gift ever, is mercy.

Mercy is God's undeserved, unfailing compassion and love.  And yes, it's hard sometimes to share that gift with others.  It's hard, but essential.

It's true, we all stray from God's gift of mercy.  Because life causes us to question, giving mercy to those we feel, don't deserve it.  Mercy is for everyone in your life, not just a few.

God has forgivin us for our sins.  Simply, He wants us to forgive others, even when we feel that forgivness is not there.  Is there someone in your life that needs forgivness?

You have been forgivin of your sins by God.  He wants you to do the same towards others, even when you feel they don't deserve it.  Not an easy thing to do, but always necessary.  That's, mercy.

Showing mercy is reflecting God's character in you.  It's true, showing mercy to others, even when we feel they don't deserve it, is how God wants us to live our lives.

Simply, mercy is kindness and goodness, the essentials for resrotation and healing.  Letting go and letting God show you the way, is the first step,

Simply, by expressing the abundant mercy He has shown us.  Let the anger go, and allow His mercy to help you move ahead.

We don't deserve it, but God's pardon, grace and mercy is always right there in front of you.  No secret password or limited time offer.  

Little problems hve a way of growing into major conflicts, especially when we decide that our way is the best way.  Wrong in so many ways.  Lean on God to help the next time trouble comes your way.  Trust him, always.

It's not true, it's not fair, and it hurts.  God can help you discover the best way to answer the issue.  Use his wisdom and his words to help move forward.

We have a choice on what we believe and how we move through life.  You are, who you are, because of your actions and integrity.  Integrity will pull you through the most difficult times, it's true.

God had a plan in mind when he created you.  A plan for every moment of your life.  Sometimes we go in the wrong direction, and God is right there correcting our path.  Listening is the key.  Responding to his voice is the way.

I'll bet you've heard it.  When facing a tough decision, or up against a major conflict.  God speaks to us every day.  How we listen is the most important part.  Are you listening?

You can choose to walk away from God.  That's a choice, a dangerous choice, because your life was designed by God and walking with Him every day means you are on the right path.  Just in case you get lost, he's there to get you back on track.

Simply, never deny that a problem exists.  So, what's your trouble, today?  God is waiting to have a conversation.