Friday Challenge: Be Open!

Today's relationship challenge is geared around being open-minded to new people...you don't know what's in store for you till you open the door of your heart and let others in. I recently watched a movie called "Lemonade Mouth" with my kids. It was a cute Disney movie about  some high school teens who made a band..great story of friendship.

These teens had to "Be Open" to new people. We get stuck in the same circle of friends and rarely do we roll the dice on newbies-

Today's Challenge: Branch out-roll the dice-take a chance on a new face! Reach out to one new person today! Don't be shy-the blessing is your to receive.

Challenge Issued!

Thursday: Know How You Roll

Just recently I was sitting with a group of women who are all within 5-10 years of retiring. One plans to retire at the end of the year. She has had several health problems along the way and is ready for the downtime.

She disclosed she was concerned about retiring because she wanted to maintain her standard of living  and not feel a financial pinch. She has had her investment portfolio reviewed by two different people. One told she'd be fine the other said he didn't think she'd make it--now she sits in limbo concerned over the conflicting views.

Today's Challenge: Know what you have and why. Your best financial planner is YOU! If you don't understand your investments for the future-stop investing till you know what your doing. This is your future-this is your money-don't blow it!

Challenge Issued!

Sunday Challenge: Support Those You Love Most

Today's Family Challenge is inspired by a woman's dream and the excitement on her spouses' face when it was completed. Sometimes we don't understand the choices and decisions our family members make.  The job they have, their choice to run a marathon, the decision to take the long way to dinner, sometimes their choices don't make sense to us.

Do they have too? Not always...when your child switches major from accounting to art...or marries the boy in the band, or choose to run 26 miles-support it!

Today's Challenge: Support the decisions you always dint understand.  Their victory will become yours!

Challenge Issued!

Physical Challenge: Are You Ready To Fight?

At the age of 42 my mom had a heart attack. Youth was on her side-yet her physical condition wasn't.   Since the age of 14 she smoked. Fried food and rich meals were part of our daily menu...exercise consisted of sprinting from baseball to basketball and she worked to keep up with three very active teens. It wasn't easy and it took it's toll.

Multiple surgeries, insane bills and a life that will never be the same. My mom wasn't ready to fight. We never know what blows are going to be thrown our way...we need to be ready to fight....for our lives, our futures and our families.

One of the best ways to prepare is to get healthy!

Today's Challenge: Examine your physical condition-be honest-do you need to lose weight, quit smoking, eat a healthier diet? Can you run for one mile? Make changes to get where you need to be. Choose two key health changes that will make a difference. Prepare to fight-you never know what life will deal you.

Challenge Issued!

Thursday: Go Green!

Today's money challenge is a bit of a repeat, however, I feel like we get away from the basics and miss out on the chances to save. The weekend is right around the corner. Instead of plopping down the plastic-pull out the cash.

Today's Challenge: Be focused on your weekend spending. Plan ahead what you will do and what you will spend. Get your cash out today. Be prepared.

Challenge Issued!

Wednesday: National Headlines

Today's SmaterU challenge is easy...there is so much going on international with foreign nations today we will check the headlines and feel the pulse if America.

Today's Challenge: Log on to a major paper-wall street journal, New York Times, Dallas Morning News and get the scoop. Scan the headlines and try to read one international story and one random special interest story. Be informed!

Challenge Issued!

Tuesday: Forming Good Habits

It can take as long as 90 days to truly develop and maintain a habit. The good ones are the toughest to train your body for and keep. Having a written plan helps motivate you toward that positive impact and keep you on track. 

People say give it 2-weeks...give it 90 days. What's 3 months?

Today's Challenge: Choose a healthy habit and plan how you will work it into life and stick with it. Drinking water, sleep, yoga, exercise, healthy shopping...what's your commitment going to be?

Challenge Issued!

Monday: Facing The Giants-Stonwall!

I love football...some of my favorite movies are: Rudy, Remember The Titians, Friday Night Lights. I have seen Facing The Giants several times, however last night I watched with fresh eyes a great story about our Saviour unfold. There is a scene in the movie when the team is playing for the championship and they are working to stop a touchdown on the goal line.

The defense was so tired, yet their leader yelled "Stonewall" which is related to a Nehemiah and how everyone was responsible for building the wall in front of their own house. Spiritually we are responsible for our own house...just like the defense was responsible for their own man/section.

Today's Challenge: Examine your own space...what part of the stonewall do you need to work on? Is it prayer life? Devotion time? Church attendance? Whatever it is-Remeber all things are possible with God. Get your tools and start building!

Challenge Issued!

Sunday: Mutual Respect

Josh McDowell says, "Rules without respect leads to rebellion."  Recently a friend was having a tough time with her teen...instead of yelling and scolding him her response was, "I respect your opinion but I need you to respect me."

What grace and wisdom she exhibited in that short phrase. Instead of diving into a deeper argument she walked away diginity intact and showed her son, honest respect. In return, he gave her the same. Whether your family member is 2 or 22 treated them with respect will train their hearts.

Hebrews 13:7--"Remember your leaders. They taught God's message to you. Remember how they lived and died, and copy their faith."

Today's Challenge: Lead your family members with respect and love. Show them a solid Christ-like leader!

Challenge Issued!