Blog - Page 67 of 69 - Diana Derringer

I’m All Ears

October 1, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 5 comments

This little rabbit nibbled grass near our back door. He lifted those ears as soon as he heard us behind him. His body went down, but his ears went up! “I’m all ears” he seemed to say. “I hear your every move and sound.”

He stopped:

Eating
Twitching his nose
Hopping
Looking around.

We had his full attention.

We can learn a lot from that kind of focus. Don’t you wish people would listen to one another so well? How often do we try to talk to someone, but we don’t give or receive full attention? While one person talks, the other person’s attention strays to:

The television
A cell phone
A computer screen
Another person
A book
Work
Anywhere but on the person talking

What does that say to the person trying to be heard?

I’m too busy.
You’re not important.
Leave me alone.
Someone or something else matters more than you.
I don’t care what you have to say.

Let’s listen to one another—really listen, with our ears, with our eyes, and with our body language. Like our rabbit friend, let’s send the message, “I’m all ears. I want to hear what you have to say.”

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19 NIV).

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Blowing Off Steam

September 24, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

Old Faithful, the best known geyser in Yellowstone Park, blows off steam on a regular basis.

Park employees keep her schedule posted, so visitors know when to gather around her.

The “oohs” and “aahs” begin when that built-up thermal pressure blows. The height of her eruptions varies from 100-180 feet. You can watch Old Faithful blowing off steam by webcam at Old Faithful Live.

Some people blow off steam on a regular basis.

Anger wells up within them until they can hold it no longer. Then they explode.

We love to see Old Faithful blowing off steam, but not people.

Anger, an emotion we all share, is not necessarily a bad thing.

Jesus, who lived a perfect life, vented his anger when appropriate.However, we can carry anger to an extreme.

We need to control our anger rather than allowing it to control us.

Confront anger rather than letting it build.
Express anger in helpful rather than harmful ways.
Once we resolve the situation causing our anger, let the anger go.

“’In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Ephesians 4:26 NIV).

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On Top of the World

September 17, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

We love to be on top of the world.

Yet, we don’t have to climb a mountain or fly a plane to get there. Think about:

Wedding vows
The birth of a child or grandchild
The first day of a long-awaited job

All these and more can make us feel on top of the world.

What if we could experience those emotions forever?

We would be exhausted – no good to ourselves or anyone else. We love grand moments. However, we cannot maintain that level of excitement forever.

Real living includes level ground.

Washing dishes
Changing diapers
Difficult days at work

Level ground keeps our families and our world functioning as they should.

Real living also includes valleys.

Relationship difficulties
Death
Financial crises

Valleys may not be fun. Yet, through them we grow stronger.

From the valleys, we look up.

For many, that is where we find our strength. Through the power of God’s love, we can stay on top of the world, regardless of our circumstances.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (Psalm 46:1-3 NIV).

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Get to the Bottom of It

September 10, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 0 Comment

To get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, we must travel by foot, mule, or raft. Be prepared! Hikers should carry plenty of water and food. We also need lots of sunscreen and appropriate shoes and clothing. To see firsthand what’s down there requires an investment of time, money, and effort.

To get to the bottom of anything, we’re seeking an answer or solving a problem.

We want the truth—to know exactly what’s going on. That takes work, regardless of the task. Some people declare they will get to the bottom of a situation “if it’s the last thing I ever do!”

Examples of those who get to the bottom of problems on a regular basis include:

Police investigating a crime
Parents questioning disobedient children
Counselors exploring individual or family difficulties
Executives seeking answers for business losses

Each of us needs to get to the bottom of our purpose in life.

We have only a few short years. Will we use them well? Will we continue to explore until we discover life’s greater meaning?

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NIV).

Thanks to Emily Akin for suggesting this expression.

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Sharp as a Tack

September 3, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

A few fortunate people are sharp as a tack.

They see, hear, or read information and understand it instantly. Because they are smarter than most, they have what it takes to do well in life.

Deciding what to do with this wonderful gift, however, makes all the difference.

Some choose to help others.
Some help only themselves.
A few take advantage of people not so sharp.

Individuals in the last two groups prove that smart does not mean wise. They never become all they could be.

When not used properly, the point of a tack becomes dull.

When people fail to develop their potential, they lose their sharpness as well. Mental laziness leads to mental dullness.

Tacks grow crooked if not driven in the right direction.

They may then do more harm than good. The same is true of people’s minds. If people focus only on themselves or hurts others, they rob everyone of a life well lived.

What a waste when people throw away the potential God gave them.

Far better when they grow into all they can be – when they stay sharp as a tack.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17 NIV).

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Icing on the Cake

August 27, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 0 Comment

Cake by itself tastes great. Most people think icing on the cake makes it better.

The rich gooey texture of icing (frosting) delights the taste buds in a way cake by itself cannot.

Who ever heard of a wedding cake without icing?
How can bakers create their works of art without icing?
What child does not enjoy playing with cake icing on his first birthday?
How many people steal a bite of cake and then cover the hole with icing?

Cake is dessert. Icing is dessert with attitude!

Icing on the cake means extra has been added.

Extra flavor on a cake
More help than expected for someone in need
Out of the blue surprises that make any day great

Why not put icing on the cake for someone today?

Make their day better by going the second mile. Perform a random act of kindness.

Instead of the usual tip for good service, double it.
When buying a movie ticket, purchase one for the next person in line.
After completing a job, help co-workers complete theirs.
When preparing a meal, cook extra for busy neighbors.

Everyone appreciates smiles and ordinary good will. Why not do more? Do the unexpected. Add a little icing on the cake. People who receive those surprising acts of kindness love it. So do the people who give them.

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you” (1 Thessalonians 3:12 NIV).

How have you experienced icing on the cake? Please comment below.

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Go the Second Mile

August 20, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 1 comment

Not everyone knows that go the second mile is from the Bible.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) gave His followers clear, but far-from-ordinary, guidelines.

Officers in those days could force people’s assistance for one mile. No one was required to go farther. Yet, Jesus told his followers not to stop after mile one. Instead, he said to go the second mile.

Jesus encouraged going beyond what law or custom demands.

Go the second mile was only one of several examples.

Through Jesus’ words and life, we learn more than what to believe. We learn how to act.

He provided God’s model in a less-than-godly world. He continues to challenge His followers to let the light of God’s love shine by:

Service rather than selfishness.
Forgiveness rather than revenge.
Humility rather than pride.
Respect rather than dishonor.
Assistance rather than neglect.

In all we do, let’s go the second mile.

“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles” (Matthew 5:41 NIV).

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Penny Wise and Pound Foolish

August 13, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Penny wise and pound foolish describes people who spend carefully on small items but waste money on larger expenses.

A person needs several US pennies (or British pence) to equal one British pound.

Several years ago, someone showed me all her bargains from a clearance sale. She proudly told me each item’s price. Near the end, she began saying, “I don’t know what this is, but it cost only …” Most amounts were less than a dollar. However, her total cost was large.

I remember wondering, Just what will she do with all these mystery objects? They’re not bargains if she has no use for them.

She was penny wise and pound foolish.

People might be penny wise and pound foolish if they:

Attempt their own home repairs but require an expert to repair their repairs.
Clip grocery coupons and then eat at an outrageously expensive restaurant.
Drive several miles to save a few cents per gallon on gasoline.
Neglect regular medical care that results in permanent disability.
Buy sale items on credit but pay the minimum on their credit card bill.

Don’t we often do the same with our life decisions?

We make the easy choices or do what looks good at the moment. Yet we fail to consider the long-term consequences.

Easy or cheap does not equal good or wise.

Let’s make smart choices in all our investments—financial, educational, occupational, social, emotional, and spiritual.

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise” Ephesians 5:15 (NIV).

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For Good Measure

August 6, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

For Good Measure--grocery scales above fruit Many of us prefer shopping at neighborhood stores and farmers markets. The product quality is only a small part of what makes them special. These merchants usually add extra to our purchase for good measure.

For good measure means more than a fair amount.

Such merchants believe giving extra is the right thing to do.If they lose a little money, that’s okay with them.

They value every customer.
We always receive fair treatment.

We like to buy from people we trust.

Even if their prices are higher than other stores, we still go there. They are our friends and neighbors. We go to the same activities and attend the same schools and churches.

However, they also give strangers more than necessary for good measure. Such kindness makes a difference in many lives.

Why not follow their example?

Let’s give more for good measure – more

Smiles
Encouragement
Financial help
Time
Attention to what matters most in life

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38 NIV)

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Let Go and Let God

July 30, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

If we Google let go and let God, we receive about 37,400 results. This expression is probably best known as a slogan for Al-Anon, a support group for friends and family of people with addictions. Yet, its popularity goes much further. But what does it mean?

First, let’s look at what let go and let God does not mean.

It does not:

Justify neglect of responsibility
Equal apathy or laziness
Mean accepting defeat

God gave us a brain and physical abilities for a reason. He expects us to use them, under His guidance.

Let go and let God does mean we:

Realize we are not all knowing. God is.
Understand we are not all powerful. God is.
Accept we cannot be everywhere. God can.
Recognize we do not sees life’s big picture — past, present, and future. God does.
Confess our limitations in order to receive God’s unlimited power.
Let go of fear, jealousy, ego, worry, and other negative emotions.

Releasing control goes against our nature.

Some of us want to:

Fix any problem
Take responsibility for every solution
Manage everyone and everything

Yet, only by releasing our lives and those we love to God’s will can we experience true peace.

Like the child in the offering plate, we must give God all. God’s answers may not come in the way and at the time we expect. Nevertheless, they will come.

We have a choice.

Will we let go and let God or continue our self-defeating quest for control?

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

Thanks to Karen Atwood for the suggestion.

Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

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