The World According to Coach Liz

Judge Carefully if You Must Judge at All

FIRST, A PERSONAL NOTE

Dear Reader,

I seem to be having some trouble getting started today. Cleaned out one load from the dryer, but forgot to move the next load from washer to dryer. I am certainly glad that God doesn't seem to suffer MondayMorningItis, aren't you?

joy and blessings,
Liz

TODAY'S LIFE COACHING TIP

It is but seldom that our first thoughts are truly correct...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thomas Paine, "Common Sense"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

POINTS FOR MEDITATION OR JOURNALING

How often has your first impression been wrong?

RECOMMENDED READING

"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." -John 7:24

Don't Jump to Conclusions Without a Bungee Cord: And Other Wise Advice by Martha Bolton

The Mind of Christ: The Transforming Power of Thinking His Thoughts by W. Hunt

SUGGESTED EXERCISE

The next time you hear yourself judging something or someone (even yourself) in your mind, stop immediately and think just the opposite. Ask yourself, Is it possible that the opposite of what I thought first could be true? Allow yourself to consider the implications of that to sink in. Are you still feeling that it is necessary to judge?

SOMETHING EXTRA

Recipe for Spicy Gingerbread Men

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DAILY DELIBERATE ACT OF KINDNESS

Whatever your literary tastes, you can share the pleasure of a good story by volunteering to record an audiobook for the blind. Many associations for the blind offer audiobooks to their patients, clients or members. If you like to read, and you can find an association that needs this kind of help, it may just be a match made in heaven.

God is in your Brokenness

FIRST, A PERSONAL NOTE

Dear Reader,

Take a look at my most recent photograph.  It is really special to me, and I hope it will speak to your heart as well.

Gumbo passed up a chance to chase ducks at the park yesterday. I don't know what's wrong with him!

joy and blessings,
Liz

TODAY'S LIFE COACHING TIP

...suffering is not evidence of God's absence, but of God's presence... it is in our experience of being broken that God does His surest and most characteristic salvation work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eugene H. Patterson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

POINTS FOR MEDITATION OR JOURNALING

How have you experienced God when you felt broken?

RECOMMENDED READING

"A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out."
Isaiah 42:3a

Rebuilding Your Broken World by Gordon MacDonald

All Cracked Up: Experiencing God in the Broken Places by Patsy Claremont

SUGGESTED EXERCISE

Confess your resistance and resentment about brokeness to God today. Invite Him to work through your brokeness to build you into a new creation.

YESTERDAY'S BLOG POSTINGS

• Contest Results, Miscellaneous, Thumbshare, and Collage Copyright Issues

SOMETHING EXTRA

Gotta Cut Back on the Coffee!

I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!

Please feel free to respond to this newsletter with any comments or questions you might have. Although I write from a Judeo-Christian worldview, I enjoy learning how different cultures and religions view things. I'm happy to share your insights with my readers as well.

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The 30 Second Secret to Blasting Your Energy Levels Through the Roof in the Morning

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DAILY DELIBERATE ACT OF KINDNESS

Shop with your conscience; know your labels. For eco-friendly products, look for the Green Seal or Scientific Certification Systems labels, or other labels offered by respected environmental organizations. For wood products, check for certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). For seafood, look for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. For coffee, environmental responsibility is reflected in "organic" and "shade grown" labeling. (benevolantplanet.com)

The Power of Silence

FIRST, A PERSONAL NOTE

Dear Reader,

I entered a contest in a photography club at DeviantArt. The topic was sky. I was thrilled just to submit a fairly good picture. Then I was thrilled that I got a few votes. Then I was really thrilled when I won 3^rd place. There's no prize except the joy of knowing that I stepped out and took a risk. You can see all the entries at ASOS. My entry is under my devID, 16stepper.

Gumbo and I had a big disappointment last night. I got Gumbo all spiffed up and smelling pretty to go to visit the boys, and when we got there, the entire facility was under quarantine. Some kind of flu bug that has had several of the boys down for over 2 weeks. I didn't stick around to find out any more than that!

joy and blessings,
Liz

TODAY'S LIFE COACHING TIP

It is a difficult lesson to learn today -- to leave one's friends and family and deliberately practice the art of solitude for an hour a day or a week. And yet, once it is done, I find there is a quality to being alone that is incredibly precious. Life rushes back into the void, richer, more vivid, fuller than before.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

POINTS FOR MEDITATION OR JOURNALING

Do you have any silence in your life?

RECOMMENDED READING

"But the LORD is in his holy temple;
let all the earth be silent before him."
Habakkuk 2:20

Keeping Silence: Christian Practices for Entering Stillness by C. W. McPherson

The Spiritual Art Of Creative Silence: Lessons In Christian Meditation by Jeanie Miley

SUGGESTED EXERCISE

Spend time today worshipping God in His holy temple of silence. When you return to the world, notice how everything seems more colorful, vivid, and alive with meaning.

SOMETHING EXTRA

Daily Truth Wallpapers

I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!

Please feel free to respond to this newsletter with any comments or questions you might have. Although I write from a Judeo-Christian worldview, I enjoy learning how different cultures and religions view things. I'm happy to share your insights with my readers as well.

FEATURED FREEBIE

Why People Fail

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DAILY DELIBERATE ACT OF KINDNESS

Volunteer at a care center for the elderly. In addition to nursing homes, there are day care centers and community programs for the elderly that always need volunteers.

What is Courage?

FIRST, A PERSONAL NOTE

Dear Reader,

I spent the last 10 days being completely spoiled by my parents, and I seem to be more or less over the vertigo. Be sure to check the blog postings for more news about what I've been up to while taking time off from writing the newsletter. Be sure to check the blog postings section for links to pictures of Gumbo in the swamp! You'll also see some of my art, plus my mom and dad's new kittens (which Gumbo and I helped pick out).

I am sporting a nasty bruise and lump on my right arm. As I was getting Gumbo out of the car, my mom whacked me with her car door hard enough to knock me flat on my back. I guess I overstayed my welcome! I'm home now, the cats are demanding their 10 days of attention, the laundry needs to be done, and Gumbo needs a bath. We go to see the boys tonight!

joy and blessings,
Liz

TODAY'S LIFE COACHING TIP

Courage is the capacity to hear what others say is impossible and believe you are the one to make it happen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nancy Shugart
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

POINTS FOR MEDITATION OR JOURNALING

When have you been courageous?

When have you failed to be courageous?

RECOMMENDED READING

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9

Suffering And The Courage Of God: Exploring How Grace And Suffering Meet by Robert Corin Morris

The Courage to Be Christian: Entering a Life of Spiritual Passion by Mike Nappa

SUGGESTED EXERCISE

Before you get out of bed every morning, make it a priority to pray that you will be given the courage you need to do whatever is set before you during the day. When you get up, believe that you have received it and walk in faith.

YESTERDAY'S BLOG POSTINGS

• DeviantArt Postings
• Gumbo Pictures

SOMETHING EXTRA

Today is Louisa May Alcott's birthday (November 29). In her honor, read her story, "A Country Christmas" with someone you love today.

I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!

Please feel free to respond to this newsletter with any comments or questions you might have. Although I write from a Judeo-Christian worldview, I enjoy learning how different cultures and religions view things. I'm happy to share your insights with my readers as well.

FEATURED FREEBIE

101 Romantic Ideas

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DAILY DELIBERATE ACT OF KINDNESS

Donate flowers to a meal delivery program.

Gumbo Pictures

Gumbo loves taking a walk in the afternoon

Gumbo the Swamp Dog

Plum Tuckered - it's not easy being the world's most handsome dog