"Criticism" .... In The Small Stuff" -- by Bruce & Stan

* People of low ambition are overly critical because so much in their lives is beyond their reach.

* Motivate, don't denigrate.

* Listening to gossip is as wrong as spreading it.

* Gossip should never be disguised as "concern."

* "I'm sorry." Two words with unlimited potential.

* If you agree to bury the hatchet, don't leave the handle sticking out.

* Criticism and success are both difficult to handle, but one is ultimately more enjoyable.

* Never criticize your hair cutter -- at least not while yours is the hair being cut.

* Criticism and finding fault are NOT spiritual gifts.

* A word spoken in anger CANNOT be erased. It plays over and over again.

* Walk on soles, not on souls.

* Be generous with praise and stingy with criticism.

* To "belittle" is to "be little."

* Appreciate differences instead of criticizing them.

* The urge to criticize someone usually comes from feelings of resentment.

* If you make the effort to overlook the little faults in others, they will do the same for you.

* Rather than taking criticism "personally," -- look at it objectively.

* Learn to distinguish between constructive and destructive criticism.

* It's okay to give constructive criticism IF it's done in love.

* It's impossible to offer destructive criticism and to love someone at the same time.


"Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you have treated them." --Matthew 7:1-2

Bring contentment, love, & joy into your own life ... by bringing contentment, love & joy into the lives of others!!! -- NomiAnn ; )

May Is Here ... And There Is Hope!!!

Today has been chilly, in fact the whole week has been in the 40*'s ... which is really different for our valley. We have begun to long for some beautful spring weather to stay in the 60*s-70*s and bring out the climate for the garden plants to flourish, not freeze. : (

With the type of weather we've been having ~ the gorgeous tubular clouds are here, and they have just taken my breath away at times. My hopes are that our climate year will bring many days of the beautiful tubular clouds, they are my favorite.

I think what amazes me most is the way that God's creations work hand in hand, and yet there are allowances for them to work against each other, at times. For example, wind ... it can blow away impurities, which then cleanses our air. Yet, if there is a fire, winds can be treacherous, causing the fires to spread. Yet, over all, once the earth experiences a fire, it is actually enabling the ground to be refreshed. the ashes fertilize and bring richness back into the soil. So even through the painfulness which nature may bring, some good will come out of it in the end.

All of that to say this, in everything that happens, God's infinite wisdom will take it and make it for the good. It all has a purpose!

So ..... yes, I am tired of the chill in the air ... but if everything was the same all the time, life wouldn't be so exciting! So I'll take last week's warm weather, and the chilling winds of this week .... and I will live in great expectation and yet wonder of what tomorrow may bring. And whatever life brings my way ... I will continue to praise my Heavenly Father God, because He knows what is best for my life!

"HOPE CAN SEE HEAVEN THROUGH THE THICKEST CLOUDS." --Thomas Benton Brooks

"THE HOPES OF GOOD PEOPLE LEAD TO JOY, BUT WICKED PEOPLE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO NOTHING."
--PROVERBS 10:28

"THERE REALLY IS HOPE FOR YOU TOMORROW." PROVERBS 23:18