What goes "Clomp, clomp, clomp, bang, bang, clomp, clomp, clomp"?  The answer is, "an Amish drive-by shooting!"  This joke makes me giggle because recently I visited the Amish country in northern Ohio. It was fascinating!  The food as well as their workmanship were amazing!  The way they groomed their homes, farms and stores was excellent and the people were gracious!  As we stood in the long line to eat at an Amish restaurant there was a video of how they made their mashed potatoes from scratch.  By the time we were to be seated, we were salivating and ready to order mashed potatoes whether we originally wanted them or not!

While waiting in line a man and his wife came to join us.  When he saw how long the wait seemed to be, he began to grumble and complain that he was NOT going to get into that line. Instead of realizing that the food must be that good, he loudly complained that he was not going to wait!  All the ladies in the line suddenly were grateful that we were not married to that man and I think his wife wished she was not by the look on her face as they walked away!  The line moved quickly, and it was well worth the wait!  In the distance I think I might have heard "bang, bang".  Could it have been the embarrassed wife?  (Well, she might have thought it!)

Life and death are in our tongue!  (Pro 18:21) Isn't it amazing that we can with our words release life or release death?  We can encourage or tear down another!  Complain or give praise!  God has asked us to partner with Him in releasing life!  I love that!  I try to "buy up opportunities" everywhere I go, to encourage and make another's day brighter!  It makes life fun! (Eph 5:16 AMP)

Get the name of your server when you are dining.  Bless them with your words and with a nice tip when you go.  Let them know what a great job they are doing!  Be grateful and thankful making it a way of life for yourself!  There are people I would rather not go out to dinner with because they always complain to the waiters.  Nothing makes them happy!  And then the dinner is not fun for the rest of us!  (If the meat needs to be cooked longer, ask nicely!) "Bang, Bang!"

Build relationships as you go.  Do you realize that you will get further when you have favor than when you do not?  Building relationships by being grateful builds favor and builds the Kingdom of God!  When you come into a place the waiters should fight to have you at their table not run from you!  Be a delight!

Recently I heard a challenge on the radio to "thank someone today".  A lady proudly called into the show sharing how she thanked the grocery clerk before leaving.  I'm glad she did but thought how sad that we need to be reminded to thank one another! 

Col 3:12,13 "So, as God's own chosen people, ... put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]; bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive."   "Bang!"

Please join us on Tuesdays at Anna's Gate for more teachings on the strategies of Heaven that will help you live in victory!  If you are in the area, prophetic prayer starts at 2 PM (EST) and Worship at 4 PM.  Teaching will follow the worship right around 4:30 PM.  We live stream most of the teachings on my Facebook page for those outside the area, (CarolMarie Smith).  It's all about HIM!  When we learn that we can love as He does, our hearts can be healed!