Attitudes/Answers with Olen Baker

It's never easy, but sometimes we all need a reality check to discover if cautious optimism is distorting our life.  Being upbeat is good, but looking at life from God's perspective is always necessary.

Where were you on 9/11?  The day went from a beautiful, tranquil morning to chaos in a matter of minutes.  God was there on that day to help us deal with the tragedy.  Here is there everyday for us.

Your words and actions are your brand.  Find wisdom and direction from God and put those actions at the top of your list, every day.  

When 911 hit, our world turned upside down and inside out.  The following week, church attendance surged.  God is at the center of everything that can heal us on a bad day, or a day like 911.  

Find a quiet place, epmty your thoughts, and find clarity to be ready to spend time with God.  And, be a good listener.  You will hear His voice, loud and clear.

God gives us the ability to adapt to what might seem impossible.  When the sun comes up, lean on God to start your day.

God does not intend for us to languish in doubt, but to trust his power, protection and provision.  He also gives us the option to allow those things that are out of our control to find a path to resolution.  

We don't know what tomorrow will bring, but with God, we are always prepared for what's next.  He knows what our tomorrow is and you must trust Him to help you navigate what's next.  He's there, every day and always.

Let's face it.  Change makes us anxious.  We don't like change.  We love status quo. But that's not how life works.  God gives us the power to make changes, IF we believe and come to him with faith and trust.

Being adaptable, or facing change is all about seeing positive options and managing what lies ahead.  God gives us the platform to do that.  Let God get you there.  

Life is filled with ups and downs and life drains us of energy and purpose.  But God intended for every day of our lives to count.  He will give us what we need to move forward, every day, and every breath.  Start each day with Him.

A negative attitude builds negativity in all aspects of your life.  Negativity doesn't change things, it damages your path forward.  Ask God to help you turn "negative" into "hopeful".

This might be hard, but trusing God to provide for your needs instead of yielding to feelings of hopelessness, is the only way to get there.  Can you do that?

Simply look at the upside of whatever you are facing.  What is a beneficial outcome and how can you get there.  Life presents fear and anxiety to everyone.  God can help you see what will be.

Fortunately, we are not up against the cutting edge of condemnation for we belong to Jesus Christ.  Is there someone in your life that might not be there?

Yeah, we all make bad decisions and those decisions also affect others.  Whatever bad decisions you have made, God provides a path  to move toward recovery, if you honestly repent.  Can you do that?

God gives us the will and strength to face challenges in life.  You can't avoide conflict, but your faith can help you power through with a good resolution.

You might be able to "fake" what's on the inside, but God competely undestands who you are and where you are.  Go to God when the stress is just too much.

Are you afraid at letting someone see the "real" you?  Putting on a smile when inside it's a frown?  

You and your children are created in God's image.  Teach your children how to be good stewards of God's word, to make good choices, and consider others before themselves.  You can say it, but demonstrating it will have a lasting effect.  Be the person you want them to be.  Show them how.

Your identity is always on display and while some may see past your false identity, God knows exactly who you are.  False impressions cover up weaknesses and are a tough place to be.  It's time to be who you are...the real you.

Anytime you try to be someone you're not, you create a dangerous situation.  God designed each of us to be in His image.  There is no time limit on when God has time for you.  He has time, every minute of every day.  Keep that connection strong by making time to connect.

Have you ever been taken the wrong way in a conversation?  It's not just the words, or the way you put the words, together.  It's body language and very much a visual communications action.  Discover how you can be a better communicator.  Star with God and He will give you a valuable lesson.

False impressions can have damaging results.  Are you being your true self?  Not a great place to be.  It's time to start being you.

Life is all about change, and getting older sometimes tires us out, our body and our faith.  Life won't let up, but God always amps up the power within us to move forward.  Faith is about staying connected and leaning on God to help.

We trust our GPS to get us where we are going.  We trust our doctors to keep us healthy.  But what about trust between two people?  Is someone depending on you to show trust?  Let God show you how to make that happen.

Have you ever been convinced that love and acceptance existed, when it really didn't?  Tough spot, but God has a way of turing your focus on the truth.  He will also help you through the process of healthy trust.  Maybe it's time to have that talk.

Yes it is, and accountability is attached to faith that assures you that God's unfailing love is worth fighting for.  A simple concept that is not always easy to grasp.

False trust believes that God will supply everything you want, no matter how out of bounds it is.  Healthy trust is where you need to be.  There, you remain assured of God's love.

Are we accountable to those who think they are worthy of our trust?  Hope so.  Trust is accountability, proven when we stand by our word.  So, are you trustworthy?

So what you believe about a situation is purely speculation.  But trust is a scary place to go, IF you don't first talk with God.  Remove doubt by trusting in what God sees, because it is the truth.

Interesting question, but the answer is simple.  By trusting God, you have built a foundational trust that can carry you through every day, every decision, the bad days and the good days.  Trust in God is valuable and always there.

Trust is a foundation on which all healthy development depends.  Confidence, your identity, and success, directly parallel trust.  God, our creator is the ultimate foundation of trust.  So, how can you NOT trust God?

You are, not today, not tomorrow, a self-made person.  You are accountable to God for what you permit to invade your life.  His grace and mercy will hold you on course, every day.  

So, something good happens and we get wrapped up in the "good" part.  But we should be focused on the "God" part.  Think about, what happens in our lives comes from God, our creator.  So, before you celebrate, take time to say "thanks, God".

You can't turn back the clock and get a chance to do something in life.  You won't ever need to, if your life is anchored in Jesus Christ.  No regrets.  That's how you do it.

It starts with good judgement.  It also might be a good idea to run your idea past God.  He has a way of directing our path.  Without Him, we're pretty much...lost.

You are as powerful as a tiny mustard seed.  To tap into that power, tape into your faith and trust in God.  Do more listening, and less talking.  That's how you will hear the answer.

Faith, like a tiny mustard seed is a reminder that no matter how small, we are capable of producing enormous results.  God intended for each of us to be co-creators alongside him.  You are more powerful than you think.

"If only" is the sad song that keeps us stuck in life.  God has a plan for all of us.  If you're stuck, take a moment and let him give you a tow.  You have a gift.  It's time to use it.

There are present and future rewards in store for those whose faith and trust in God reflect their path in life.  It all goes back to one simple place.  Have you had a conversation with God about where you're headed?

We are held accountable first to God for our beliefs, thoughts, talents, and actions.  God wants us to remember  that He is the one who made it all possible.  

Opportunity.  What a beautiful thing.  But if we live our lives with a negative mindset, we go nowhere.  Turn off the negative noise and focus on what God has in store for your life.  You will be amazed.

God has a lot invested in you, but sometimes we fail to see our full potential because we are uncertain and afraid.  Instead, rely on God to help direct your steps, and let your journey, begin.

Simple, believe in God and believe in you.  We are all created by God for a specific purpose.  God knows who you are and what you will do in life.  It's time to have a conversation and get busy.

It's called "self-care" and unless you find the time for you, your life will be damaged.  Step one, make time for God and let Him know how you feel right now.

Simply, by taking ownership of what has happened.  If you don't do this, your heart will become corrupt with resentment, and that will damage your mind, body and spirit.  

Getting older is something that is part of every life.  How we deal with mid-life and senior-life is a big deal.  Using God as our anchor is the key to understanding and responding to life stages.  He is right there with you, every day.

It's okay to be sad.  That's part of the healing process when something in life goes wrong.  Let God help you with the process of working through and healing.  He is the way.

Denial, depression, anger and finally acceptance.  Yeah, it's a process that must play out.  With God by your side, it's a journey is still painful, but with a much better end result.