Author: Marie Nicole Zimmerle
Hi I’m Marie Nicole. I’m 43 and I have cerebral palsy. I love sharing the story of what God has done in my Life and I hope I can use my story to inspire and encourage you to follow him and his plans for you and your life.
Center stage Dance Studio in Orange County California needs our help to continue the works that the amazing instructors are doing
Lead instructor Kristi Devar has owned the studio for 15 years and has made an impact on so many young performers. Please Help keep the inspiration going for years to come https://gf.me/u/yr25yy
I’m beginning this blog post while still on vacation. We are at the arrowhead resort. When we got here we were given a room with a view of the parking lot.
The view that came with the room we are in is one that includes a seating area for two and a view of the resort restaurant patio, obviously not the lake but much more scenicThis was a photo I captured just a few minutes ago.
This vacation has been interesting. When we got here, we decided to explore Arrowhead village. It’s very cute, but it was my first time walking long distance in a very long time and I am super sore, to say the least.
The restaurant we went to was called Crestline Cafe, it was so so yummy. I would highly recommend it.
A Negative outlook Never leads to a Positive Life
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What Optimism is Not:
- Optimism is not a Denial of reality
- Optimism is Not Blind Faith
What optimism is:
The Unwavering Expectation that our loving God is working in Every Situation
Optimism is confidence in the future
Mini Takeaways
- What consumes your mind controls your life
- your quality of life will never exceed the quality of your thoughts
The big idea
, feed my faith and starve my fears
Something to think about:
If I have more input from the media than I do from the word of God my discouragement is self-inflicted
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Romans 8:26
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 N
Here are some useful things to keep yourself in check:
- Dress for success-Always Check the Dress Code
- Do Not be late, your time is not more valuable than that of the person you are making wait for you.
- Don’t have a friend tell someone that you are going to be late, do it yourself, by making an honest phone call
- Don’t overstay your welcome
- Remember that people with small minds talk about people, people with average minds talk about things, and people with great memories talk about events
- Stand up straight and sit up straight
- Refrain from Gossip at all costs
- Don’t own a conversation
- Know how to give and take a complement
- Don’t talk about what people are eating or their weight or yours at the table
- Don’t have your phone on the table put it on silent and put it away
- Lend assistance, think about others
- Leave people better than you found them
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you are and your place in God’s family. “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort, and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
Matthew 5:1-12
What kind of persecution is Jesus talking about?
1. It’s not mistreatment you experience because of who you are.
2. It is the mistreatment we experience because of who Jesus is.
Why would anyone treat us this way?
“If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you. “When that happens, remember this: Servants don’t get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.
John 15:18-20
- We are behaving differently than the world does. We are going against the flow
How does this impact you and me?
“There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.
Luke 6:26
You’ve been a good apprentice to me, a part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings—suffering along with me in all the grief I had to put up with in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. And you also well know that God rescued me! Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it. Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse.
2 Timothy 3:10-13
Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you. Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.
Hebrews 13:1-4
Application
Ask yourself
- Am I more like Jesus than I was a year ago?
- Is there anyone closer to Jesus because of me?
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9
What does it mean to.be called children of God?
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
John 1:12
- It means we’ll look like our heavenly father
What is the process of peacemaking?
Abraham and Lot
Compromise, let others have the first pick
So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.
Genesis 13:8-12
Genesis 26
- Walking away
Joseph and his brothers
Genesis 37-50
- Forgiveness
- Involving someone Else
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Philippians 4:2-3
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8
Why the Heart?
It is the control center of our:
Intellect
Emotions
Will
If I have a pure heart, it will reveal itself in 3 ways.
1. My mouth
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29
2. My thoughts
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
3. My actions
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
1 Peter 1:15
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14
Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?” Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ ? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching. Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
Matthew 22:25-38
How can I become Pure?
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord . “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Isaiah 1:18
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalms 51:10
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:7
What does it mean to be Merciful?
- It is not mechanical
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:10-13
- It is not measured
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
Matthew 23:23-24
- It is Love in action
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
Luke 10:25-28
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10:29-37
What does mercy look like?
If I’m merciful ….
- I’ll see those who are suffering
- I’ll have compassion on those who have fallen
- I’ll help those who are hurting even if they are my enemy
How can I become merciful?
I need to…
- Recognize that I need mercy
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:13
2. Receive the mercy that God offers
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:4-5
3. Risk being merciful to others
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Hebrews 4:15
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:3-6
What Does it Mean to Hunger and Thirst?
It’s part of the human experience.
Why is there happiness in being hungry and thirsty?
- It’s a sign of life
- It’s a sign of health. People who are sick and dying will not be hungry
- We should be hungry to be right with God
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
Psalms 42:1-2
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Psalms 63:1
“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Jeremiah 2:13
Memory Verses
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6
but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:14
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:35
A prayer To Hunger And Thirst
“O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am
painfully conscious of my
need for further grace. am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; /
long to be filled with
longing; I thirst to be made
more thirsty still.”
A.W. Tozer
Encouragement Notes Podcast 