Attitudes/Answers with Olen Baker

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."