These words appear in the most unlikely places since the events of September 11on mailboxes, fences, bumper stickers. No one is afraid to ask God's blessing on our great country.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord..."

Psalm 33:12a NIV

I AM NOT ASHAMED TO ASK GOD TO BLESS AMERICA.

I am learning constantly, whether on the playing field or in the classroom. I must be aware of the opportunities around me every day to INCREASE learning.

My family, my teachers, and my coaches are in the business of teaching and training me to be all that I can be.

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels."

Proverbs 1:5 KJV

I WILL BE AWARE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE LEARNING AND ATTAIN UNTO WISE COUNSELS.

Everyone must submit to a higher authority - at school, at home, in the work place, in law enforcement. These leaders are for our protection and for our correction. They protect me from getting into situations where I might be harmed. And, of course, if I disobey, I must suffer the correction.

These leaders are for my good. When I obey them it makes their work easier and they are a happy bunch. When they're happy, I will be too.

"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Hebrews 13:15 Amplified

I WILL SUBMIT TO THOSE IN AUTHORITY. THEY ARE FOR MY GOOD..MY PROTECTION AND MY CORRECTION. I APPRECIATE THAT THEY CARE ABOUT ME.

The NIV uses the term "instructed tongue". God has given us an instructed tongue to know just what to say to those around us.

The start of the day usually sets the tone for the whole day. I will smile at the first 10 people I meet each morning. It will make a difference to my day as well as the day of those around me.

"The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary..."

Isaiah 50:4 KJV

I WILL START MY DAY WITH A SMILE FOR THOSE AROUND ME. THIS WILL IMPROVE MY DAY AS WELL AS OTHERS.

The power of God's Word is awesome. By His Word He created the world. I am created in His image with His Word.

If I am created in His image and have the power of wordsâ"no other created thing has this power - then how powerful (full of power) are my words?

"By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth...For He spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast."

Psalm 33:4, 9 KJV

REALIZING HOW POWERFUL ARE MY WORDS, I WILL BE CAREFUL WHICH WORDS I USE AND HOW I USE THEM. I WILL USE THEM TO BUILD UP OTHERS.

How wonderful to be completely known by God.

"Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord."

Psalm 139:4 NIV

I WILL MAKE SURE MY EVERY WORD IS PLEASING TO THE LORD WHEN I KNOW HE KNOWS BEFOREHAND WHAT I AM GOING TO SAY.

The closest thing to seeing God is to see His LOVE at work in ME.

"No man has at any time yet seen God. But if we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us and His love (that love which is essentially His) is brought to completionââ'¬"to its full maturity, runs its full course, is perfected - in us."

1 John 4:12 Amplified

I WILL SHOW THE PERFECTED LOVE OF GOD IN MY EVERYDAY ACTIONS!

Bullies pick on weaker persons who will not take up for themselves. Be a champion of those you see at school, on the playing field, in the neighborhood. Be a champion and stand up for them.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves..."

Proverbs 31:8a NIV

I WILL NOT STAND AND WATCH BUT I WILL BE A CHAMPION AND TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT THE WEAK.

When my words and thoughts are in line with God's Word, my enemies cannot come against me. They are at peace with me.

"When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him."

Proverbs 16:7 NIV

MY WORDS AND MY LIFE ARE PLEASING TO THE LORD AND I LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE.

In the military, personnel are assigned a "watch". It is their duty to keep a lookout for the enemy. They cannot fall asleep on their "watch".

"The Lord will keep you from all harmââ'¬"he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

Psalm 127:7-8 NIV

I WILL RELY ON GOD'S WATCHââ'¬"HIS IS FOREVERMORE!

September 11 events sparked a unity never before seen in the United States. I can promote that unity by living peaceably with my brothers and sisters.

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity."

Psalm 133:1 NIV

I WILL LIVE IN UNITY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Many athletes are known for their athletic prowess on the field but it is far better to be known for their good actions on the field.

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver and gold."

Proverbs 22:1 NIV

I WILL STRIVE TO HAVE A GOOD NAME AND A GOOD REPUTATION.

Power is an awesome force and I marvel at the powerful force in athletes such as Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, etc. Their power can alter an entire game or even an championship season with one swing.

My heavenly Father could use his power to cause me to obey Him in everything I do. But He insists on human freedom so no control from Him will alter our choice to love him. That is why we were createdââ'¬"to have a relationship with the Father.

"And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love and the one who abides in love, abides in God, and God abides in him."

1 John 4:16 American Standard

MY CHOICES TODAY WILL BE ONES THAT WILL SHOW LOVE TO OTHERS AND TO MY HEAVENLY FATHER.

There was a man who always carried a small mirror in his pocket. He told others as he pulled the mirror from his pocket, that he used the mirror to catch light from the sun or the light in a room to reflect into a dark corner or place where there was no light.

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Matthew 5:16 American Standard

TODAY I WILL REFLECT THE LIGHT OF MY FATHER TO LIGHT UP THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND ME.

We all want to stand out and be noticed. We want to shine.

"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the start for ever and ever."

Daniel 12:3 KJV

I WILL BE AS THE STARS WHEN I SHARE WITH MY FRIENDS THE WORD OF GOD WHICH TELLS THEM WHO THEY ARE.

Our government was set in place for our welfare and our good.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

Romans 13:1 NIV

I WILL BE A GOOD CITIZEN AND RESPECT THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF MY COUNTRY, MY SCHOOL AND MY HOME.

Do you want to have a lot of friends? Then guess what?

"A man that hath friends must show himself friendly."

Proverbs 18:24 KJV

I WILL BE FRIENDLY AND KIND BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT IS REQUIRED OF ME.

What is my duty as a human being?

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV

IF I FEAR (REVERENCE) GOD AS MY FATHER AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENT TO LOVE MY FELLOWMAN, I AM FULFILLING MY PURPOSE IN LIFE.

"A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in a setting of silver."

Proverbs 25:11 KJV

I WILL SHARE ONLY GOLDEN APPLES EACH DAY.

"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord life up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."

Numbers 6:24-26 KJV

THANK YOU, LORD, FOR WATCHING OVER THOSE CLOSE TO ME.

If I am in a right relationship with God, does it matter how I act or what I do?

"I, the Lord, search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."

Jeremiah 17:10 NIV

KNOWING THAT MY REWARD (TO PLEASE GOD) IS DEPENDENT ON MY CONDUCT AND DEEDS, I WILL DO ALL TO SHOW GOD'S LOVE TO MY FELLOWMAN.

In this day of multiple and ballooning credit cards, we understand debt.

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law - Love your neighbor as yourself."

Romans 13:8-9 NIV

I WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN THE DEBT OF LOVING MY FELLOWMAN AS MYSELF.

This is our nation's destiny and responsibility.

"And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth."

Deuteronomy 28:1 KJV

MY NATION MUST KEEP GOD FIRST IN THE HEART.

We have heard the saying that "No man is an island." The Word of God reiterates this truth.

"For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone."

Romans 14:7 NIV

I WILL BE A NEIGHBOR TO EVERYONE WITH WHOM I COME IN CONTACTââ'¬"NO MATTER THE AGE, COLOR OR BACKGROUND.

Love is the answer to all the world's problems of strife and bickering.

"Love does no wrong to one's neighborââ'¬"it never hurts anybody. Therefore love meets all the requirements and is the fulfilling of the Law."

Romans 13:10 Amplified

I WILL MEET ALL GOD'S REQUIREMENTS BY LOVING MY NEIGHBOR AS MYSELF.

The words that I speak are powerful. They can uplift another or bring him down quickly.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue."

Proverbs 18:21 KJV

I WILL SPEAK ONLY LIFE TO THOSE WITH WHOM I COME IN CONTACT.

A friend who shares all your emotions is of great comfort in time of need.

"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."

Romans 12:15 KJV

I WILL SHARE HAPPINESS AND SADNESS WITH THOSE AROUND ME.

It is unpleasant to work with someone who is constantly grumbling and complaining. And what a pleasure it is to work with a cheerful, upbeat person who goes about their work with a zeal.

"Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining and questioning and doubting among yourselves."

Philippians 2:15 Amplified

I WILL BE PLEASANT IN MY WORKPLACE AND MAKE PEOPLE REJOICE TO BE AROUND ME.

Any team to which you belong is made up of many members. All of them have different talents and make unique contributions. The pitcher cannot win games without a catcher. The second baseman must have a first baseman to catch the ball to produce a double play. No one can do it all by himself.

"If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole body hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body?"

1 Corinthians 12:17-20 KJV

I WILL SEE MYSELF AS PART OF THE COMPLETE WHOLE AND FUNCTION ACCORDINGLY.

When we give of ourselves and our time for the benefit of others, we will not go unrewarded. But our reward is according to the size of our gift.

"But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

2 Corinthians 9:6 KJV

I WILL GIVE OF MYSELF TO OTHERS FULLY AND COMPLETELY BECAUSE I AM FILLED WITH GOD'S LOVE.

God's Word sheds the light of truth in our lives. We must walk in the light or according to the Word of God.

"Anyone who professes to be in the light and yet hates his brother is still in darkness. He who loves his brother continues in the light and his life puts no stumbling-block in the way of others."

1 John 2:9-10 Weymouth

I TREAT EVERYONE WITH LOVE BECAUSE I WALK IN THE LIGHT OF LOVE.

I like being different from the "rest of the herd". I want to be a standout. When God called me out of darkness, he made me different from the crowd.

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

1 Peter 2:9 KJV

I ENJOY BEING PECULIAR FOR GOD.

Criticism for government officials flow freely from our lips. Would it not be better to pray for them?

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peacable life in all godliness and honesty."

1 Timothy 2:1-2 KJV

I WILL PRAY FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY OVER MEââ'¬"ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT.

Consider this: what would be the wording if all the laws of our country were combined into one single law? Is this possible?

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

Galatians 5:14 KJV

WHEN I HAVE LOVE FOR EVERYONE, I WILL WALK IN PEACE AND HARMONY WITH MY NEIGHBORS AND EVERYONE WITH WHOM I COME IN CONTACT.

As children we said, "I'm gonna pay him back" when one of our friends did something to anger us. But now that we are adults our thoughts should be:

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody."

Romans 12:17 NIV

I WILL PAY BACK WITH KINDNESS AND LOVE TO PLEASE MY HEAVENLY FATHER.

Someone once said that we are the only Bible that many people will read. Does our life show that God's Word is true?

"...And that the Word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth."

1 Samuel 17:24b KJV

KEEP MY MOUTH, O LORD, UNDER YOUR CONTROL SO THAT PEOPLE WILL KNOW THAT YOUR WORD IS TRUTH AND DWELLETH IN ME.

Do you know someone who always seems to choose just exactly the right gift for every occasion? Well, I know someone like that.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

James 1:17 KJV

MY FATHER GIVES PERFECT GIFTSââ'¬"THE GIVE OF LOVE. I CAN DO THAT.

It's not your OVERWORK that blesses others,

But your OVERFLOW.

"Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall."

Genesis 49:22 KJV

I AM OVERFLOWING - - - OVER THE WALL.

A good listener doesn't feel compelled to fill up all the blank spaces.

"The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them."

Proverbs 20:12 KJV

I WILL CULTIVATE BECOMING A GOOD LISTENER.