The Best Attitude

Good morning everyone and God bless you!  We have been getting some rain the last couple days and we had a pretty good storm yesterday.  It is chilly this morning, so I spent some time with the Lord next to our little fire pit out back.  I also took some photos with my good Canon PowerShot camera that I’d like to share with you.  During my time enjoying the stillness of the morning, a set of verses came into my mind regarding the attitude Jesus had and I’d like to share those with you too.

I love being outside in the early morning.  The crisp air from the Rockies is so refreshing and I love hearing the little sparrows sing their morning tune.  Even though it is overcast, it is still a beautiful morning.  I have a wood burning fire pit under the deck, but this little propane fire pit is nice and puts off a good amount of heat.  The kids like roasting marshmallows over it.

Here are some photos of our neighbor’s tree.  I love the pretty flowers that bloom in early summer.  They look like bunches of grapes and they smell so sweet.  Sometimes a good wind will catch it just right and the beautiful fragrance swirls through the air.

Our peach tree made it through the spring snow storms and it is full of peaches!  I had to prune two big branches near the bottom due to the heavy snow damage, but it is strong and thriving.  Take a look at all the new peaches!  Callahan organic peaches make great smoothies!  And they are Non-GMO and pesticide free too!  You know my all natural style!

Our rose bushes are starting to bloom too!

There were no deer in the open space behind our house this morning, but we did have another mountain lion sighting yesterday.  This time it was in the field just behind the houses across the street from us on the other side of the open space.  They have been spotted walking through our open space in the past.  Having dangerous predators around is just a normal part of life here in Colorado, even when you don’t live in the mountains.  We live in an area that used to be a Native American hunting ground complete with bison, elk, rolling hills, a stream, and woods.  We don’t have bison and elk here now, but a lot of wildlife lives in our neighborhood.  We get black bears and mountain lions coming through at times, and there are plenty of resident deer, coyotes, foxes, snakes, hawks, owls, and little critters that call our area home.

Here is the open space.  There is a lot of tall grass back there now and it is real easy for a cougar to hide in it.  Our kids ride their bikes on the trail through there, so I am always vigilant about watching them and I have a .45 on tap to take care of any threats.  Mountain lions are elusive and most of the time people don’t see them, but we know they could be around anytime.  We don’t live in fear, but we are very aware at all times.  Here are some photos of the open space.

The open space is a pretty large area at about 500 yards long.  There is also a connected trail system throughout the entire 300 acres of our neighborhood that links to trails leading into town.  The builders kept it very open and wild, which is cool.

Here are some photos of mountain lions I found online.  The first one is of a mountain lion sitting in some tall grass at a state park here in Colorado.  If these big cats crouch down, they would just disappear in the tall grass in our open space.  A lion could be there and we wouldn’t even know it.  They can get up to 150 pounds and can jump 15 feet high and leap 40 feet.  They have powerful jaws and sharp fangs and they are just as deadly as any jaguar or leopard.

Definitely not something you want to tangle with!  Welcome to Colorado!  It is both beautiful and dangerous.

So, while I was outside by the fire taking pictures, a set of verses from Philippians ran through my mind.  I love these verses because Paul talks about Jesus’ attitude and encourages us to have the same attitude.

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God

something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a

man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death–

even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the

highest place

and gave him the name that is above

every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee

should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under

the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus

Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:1-11

That is a lot different than the “me, me, me” attitude the world says we should have!  The world tells us to be selfish and fight to “get yours.”  Paul exhorts us to be humble like Jesus and love each other.  To serve and not be selfish.  To have compassion for others and not be vain.  In this crazy world we live in, we need to have the humble loving attitude of Jesus more and more!  It is the absolute best attitude we could ever have!

When we are mocked, love.  When they hate us, love.  When they persecute us, love.  Jesus made himself nothing.  He took the very nature of a servant and humbled Himself to the point of dying on a cross for the forgiveness of our sins!  May His Name be glorified forever!  His Name is above all names and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, in Heaven and on earth and even the evil one and his horde under the earth!  Jesus is exalted to the highest place sitting at the right hand of the Father in Heaven and He is coming back soon!  Wait for Him, look for Him, and rest in Him and may we keep His attitude and love people the way He does forever!

Grace and peace to you all!