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Gratitude

The Gratitude Tour

by Andy Wood on November 28, 2011

in Enlarging Your Capacity,Five LV Laws,Insight,Life Currency,LV Cycle,Principle of Abundance

Hey.  Glad you’re here for the tour.  I have something I want to show you.  Well, actually, lots of things I want to show you.  And it’s a little weird because you know more about this stuff than I do.  You see, this building – and all the rooms in it – is actually your life.

That explains why the upper floors are still under construction.

It also explains why many of the lower floors are being renovated.

Yes, it explains why some of the floor and rooms are dark, dark, dark – and why many others are very bright and festive.

Now before we begin the walk-through, I have some things for you to keep with you at all times.  First up – your hard hat.  Hey, it’s a construction zone.  Hard hats are required.  Sure, you can call it the “helmet of salvation” if you want.  I don’t care what you call it – just wear it.

Safety glasses are also a must.  It’s important that you protect your eyes, and also that you see clearly.  Some people say these are a rose-colored.  I like to think of them as shades of grace.

Also, keep this little container with you.  You’ll see why later.  Inside you’ll find some bread (unleavened, of course) and wine.

One more thing to notice is the inscription on your container.  After all, this is the Gratitude Tour…

always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father (Ephesians 5:20).

Finally, I have a bonus surprise for you. [click to continue…]

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Someone Out There Still Believes

by Andy Wood on November 21, 2011

in Five LV Laws,Following Your Passion,Leadership,LV Cycle,Principle of Eternity

When the Son of man comes will he find faith on the earth?

-Jesus Christ (Luke 18:8)

Welcome to the waterdown season.

Welcome to the days when we’re thankful, but not really sure Who to thank.

Where we count our blessings, but choke on the Name of the Blesser.

Welcome to the days where we deck the halls and hang the balls,

And sing wistful songs about traffic jams and bells and chestnuts.

When the world becomes a Winter Wonderland without a Wonderful Counselor –

And seeks peace on earth without the Prince of Peace.

But I’m not whining or pining away for the days of Rockwell or Currier and Ives,

Because God has always had a remnant of believing hearts and transformed lives.

And I’m still hopeful and expectant that in the city sidewalks or crowded stores,

In festive churches or feastful tables, someone out there still believes. [click to continue…]

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Gratitude – the Gateway to Abundance

by Andy Wood on June 13, 2011

in Allocating Your Resources,Esteem,Five LV Laws,Life Currency,LV Cycle,Principle of Abundance

I have a Master’s degree in Moody.  There are some who see the glass half full, and others who see the glass half-empty.  Left to my own devices, I see the glass as 100% of whatever mood I may be in.

That said, I’m re-learning (God is such a patient teacher!) a powerful, powerful principle:

Never, never, never pass up an opportunity to say “Thank you.”

Why?

Because gratitude is the gateway to abundance.  I am living it.

Gratitude widens the road – at least in the spirit, if not in the circumstances.  As I live gratefully, forces line up to move the circumstances.  But in the meantime, even while the circumstances are narrow, my soul is broad.

That’s hard for the Master of Moody to accept sometimes.  I am capable of such broodiness that disciplined gratitude must be that – disciplined.  And I don’t do it well. [click to continue…]

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A Heart Made Glad

by Andy Wood on April 19, 2011

in Five LV Laws,Life Currency,Love,Principle of Abundance

To know I can rise to the dawn of a new day,

Having surrendered my fatigued sorrows to a night of rest…

To see my hope ascend with the sun

And feel the comfort that only Your presence can provide…

This is the story,

This is the song

Of a heart made glad by love.

 

To hear the sound of laughter in places reserved for mourning,

Knowing the troubles are lighter lately because You carry my load… [click to continue…]

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How God Comforts a Grieving Heart

by Andy Wood on February 9, 2011

in Five LV Laws,Insight,Life Currency,Principle of Legacy

It was a year ago today.  

In one sense, as my Dad said yesterday, it has flown by.  In another, it felt like a thousand years.

But if one thing has emerged from the past 365 days, it’s that when people or Bible writers talk about the “God of All Comfort,” I can say “Amen” and turn the pages with credibility.

But it didn’t start – or end – with the events surrounding my mother’s sudden death.  In fact, the biggest lesson of all was that healing of the heart is a journey through time.

Translation:  Don’t tell me how much comfort or encouragement you’re feeling in the funeral home.  You have no clue yet about comfort.  You’re still being buoyed and insulated by kind people and the truths of your faith.

Comfort – the real kind – comes later.

In the last year, I have been blessed to live what I have preached for years – that the words we use about a Heavenly Father who is who is able to empathize with our weaknesses and invites us to boldly approach a throne of grace are all true.  And believe me, other than the promise of eternal life, I can’t think of a promise that is more vital.

How does He do it?  If you’re the one just leaving the cemetery or the courthouse or the hospital, what can you expect?  How does the Lord put the pieces back together?  While every experience of loss – whether it is through death, rejection, forced job termination, or the death of a dream – is unique, I think I have found some common elements in the way our Heavenly Father brings about His healing. [click to continue…]

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How to Be a Good Receiver

by Andy Wood on December 13, 2010

in Five LV Laws,Life Currency,Love,Principle of Increase,Words

‘Tis the season. . . to roll your eyes whenever somebody starts something with “’Tis the season!”

Anyway…

This is the season to give, give give!  Toys for Tots, help for the homeless, marches for missions, and then, of course, those never-ending shopping lists. 

With all the emphasis on giving, how about a nice change of pace?  You’ve heard that God loves a cheerful giver.   Well, guess what givers like?  Cheerful receivers! 

Did you know it’s possible to actually motivate someone to be thoughtful and generous, to feel good about themselves and you?  It all comes when you learn the wonderful art of being a good receiver.  Here are seven ways you can do that: [click to continue…]

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The Six Most Powerful Things You Can Say to Someone

by Andy Wood on December 3, 2010

in Life Currency,Words

Remember the time your life was changed because you doubted your ability, and someone you trusted convinced you that you could do it? 

Do you remember the healing effect that took place when somebody who hurt you deeply said those magic words?  “I was wrong” or “I’m sorry” changed everything in an instant.

How about the time somebody saw something in you that you couldn’t see in yourself – something unique, special, gifted – and pointed it out?

All of these are examples of the six most powerful things you can say to someone.

You and I wouldn’t have to talk very long to agree that words have power.  The old proverb still rings true that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).  If that’s true, then doesn’t it make sense that we have the power to intentionally choose life with our words?

I’ve made my living with words for a long time.  And yes, I have seen up close and personal how words can crush someone’s spirit, destroy relationships, and create a slow (or quick) march to death.  But I have also been on both sides of conversations where words gave life, strength, renewed passion and courage.

There are all kinds of ways to encourage, inform, and give new vision.  But six expressions stand apart, in a league of their own.  If you want to take your words to the next stratosphere, try one or all of these six in your relationships: [click to continue…]

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A Psalm Symphony of Gratitude

by Andy Wood on November 25, 2010

in Esteem,Life Currency

Give thanks to the Lord, the God of gods, the Lord of Lords, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.  The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. The Lord is good to all, righteous in all His ways, kind in all His deeds, and His mercies are over all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him in truth. 

I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.  For Your name is near; You have answered me, And You have become my salvation.    [click to continue…]

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Bobo Brown Saves Thanksgiving

by Andy Wood on November 22, 2010

in Insight,Spoofs

If you know my oldest-by-five-minutes daughter at all, you will eventually have the ex-Thanksgiving Conversation (XTC for short).  Carrie’s growing frustration is that in the rush to jump from Halloween to Christmas, the world has turned on Thanksgiving 

If you decide to hang your holly before you’ve baked your turkey, it may be a good idea to keep it to yourself.  Otherwise, if “Baby A” finds out about it, you may get The Look.  Or worse, execution-by-XTC.

So when we caravanned from Texas to Alabama this weekend for Thanksgiving, to Carrie, it was all about giving thanks.  And when we attended the Baptist church in Millry Sunday morning, Carrie became a shouting Baptist when Brother Billy talked about Thanksgiving being the Forgotten Holiday.

“Amen!  It’s about time!” she shouted.

Yes, I mean shouted (though she may take issue with my choice of terms).

Still a bit edgy and armed for early-Christmas bear, this led to more conversation.  How can we teach people to value Thanksgiving?  How can we turn the tide of obscene Christmas shopping, at least until the cranberry sauce is back in the fridge?  What can we do to capture the true meaning of what may be America’s most important holiday?

Deep stuff, friends.  Insight needed beyond my little pea brain.  This calls for the wisdom of Solomon, the intelligence of Einstein, and the people skills of Bill Clinton. 

“You’re in luck,” I proclaimed to the fam.  “It’s time to go over the river and through the woods!”

“But we’re already at Grandmother’s house,” said Cassie.

“Different river, different woods!” I exclaimed triumphantly.  “It’s time you met Bobo Brown.”  [click to continue…]

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The Veteran

by Andy Wood on November 12, 2010

in LV Stories

I showed up at the gym yesterday, ready to tangle again with Jacobs Ladder, its newest chamber of horrors, among other things.  Just as I hit the sidewalk, I passed an older couple getting out of their car.  “Older” as in mid-to-late sixties, I suppose.

There was something different about him.  Maybe it was that he moved with a straighter, more invigorated gait than other men his age.  Maybe it was the intentionally-tight silver buzz haircut.  Maybe it was the black Army t-shirt he wore – something similar to the one pictured here.

“Stop,” said that little voice inside my head.  (You have one too… you may want to pay more attention.)

A bit out of character for me in places like this, I paused to ask:  “Are you a veteran?”

His already-alert face lit up as he helped his wife to the curb.  “Yes, I am,” he smiled. [click to continue…]

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