Foundations for Living

FOUNDATIONS FOR LIVING

BY

LAURA WASHINGTON

Foundations for Living

by

Laura Washington

DBA: Christ Foundation Publications

©2011

Print ISBN# 978-0-615-50593-0

Cover Design by: Joe Champeaux

Cover Photo by: Kim Jeffrey Mayes

*Note: Unless otherwise noted all scripture references are from the KJV and Amplified Bible.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword

Endorsements

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Authors Thoughts

Chapter 1 Framing Your World

Questions and Thoughts to Ponder

Chapter 2 Bondage or Liberty

Questions and Thoughts to Ponder

Chapter 3 Peace or Quiet Desperation

Questions and Thoughts to Ponder

Chapter 4 Perception or Reality

Questions and Thoughts to Ponder

Chapter 5 More Than A Conqueror

Questions and Thoughts to Ponder

Chapter 6 What Would Jesus Do

Questions and Points to Ponder

Chapter 7 If It Is to Be-It’s Up to Me

Questions and Thoughts to Ponder

Resources

Author Bio

FOREWORD

Laura Washington has a gift. She sees the beauty of God’s creation all around her, and most of all, she sees it in her fellow man. Her thoughts are foundational, fundamental, comprehensive and conceptual. Laura speaks to you in a prayer which is inspirational and spiritual. Gifted and generous—she is an instrument of the Holy Spirit.

Through her daily prayer and meditation Laura has prepared herself, and devotes her life to the sharing of her gift with others, hoping they will also experience the love of God in their lives.

Laura is also a spiritually gifted writer; she can simplify her thoughts so that they are clear, and yet profound. She creates her messages like a humble servant of God, beautifully founding her passages from Holy Scripture.

Let Laura Washington help you find God’s peace and joy through her Foundations for Living. Let her show you that God can touch your soul and ignite your spirit, if you are open to Him.

Be Inspired!

With fond appreciation,

Joe Champeaux

ENDORSEMENTS

Laura Washington is without a doubt one the most inspiring persons I have ever known. If any woman has removed the word can't from her every action and thought it is Ms. Washington. Godly, selfless, helpful, caring, sharing, and intelligent, along with the greatest faith I have ever seen describes this wonderful woman. This book will inspire you to plateaus of faith and trust. It is a must read for anyone who wants to attain the impossible. ~ Joseph Banks, Senior Pastor, Living Word Christian Center, Lake Charles, LA

Foundations for Living is a captivating and well written book. It is transformational. As I read, the book demanded my attention. Laura Washington has poured her heart out to the Body of Christ so that we may be equipped for the battles that are sure to arise in our lives. ~ Pastor Mike Robinson, Pastor, Breath of Life Praise and Worship Center, Lake Charles, LA

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To Helen Bryant, my closest confidant (my unpaid advisor). This has been our private joke, but, seriously, thank you Helen, for being there when I wondered why I am doing this. Your steadfast confidence assured me that I was within the will of God with what I was doing.

To Patricia Galentine, thank you for your Godly words of encouragement and for paving the way with all of the drama you went through so I wouldn’t have to.

To my reading audience: If you can read this, thank a teacher. I still remember the words of my high school English teacher, Ms. Gloria Rogers saying, The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on. The lessons I learned about proper English have been invaluable to me over the years.

It is wonderful to have a 'bestest' friend in the whole wide world, however, I know I am truly blessed because I have two 'bestest' friends! Betty Ricks Harris and I have logged in more than 40 years while Stephanie Chambers and I can boast of more than 20 years of true friendship. Thank you both for believing in me.

To my oldest grandson, Michael David Conner: I thank you for seeing me as a praying grandmother, for believing in the God in me.

To my middle grandson, Michael Christopher Ivory, hold the steady course that you are on, keep God first in your life and you will become a man destined for greatness.

To my youngest grandson, McKeil Sonnier: I know that you will be all God has called you to be. You are wise beyond your years because of the plan God has for your life

To my children Gregory Orlando Freeman, Pamela Sonnier and Tanya Mayes, Sons-in law Alton Sonnier and Kim Jeffrey Mayes, I say, "Reach out and touch somebody’s hand, make this world a better place BECAUSE you can."

DEDICATION

In memory of Reverend Thomas Washington, my father, my best friend who has gone home to be with the Lord…

Thank you Daddy for imparting into my life the things of God from the time I was a small child. I remember reading the Bible to you even as a small child because you could not read, but the Holy Spirit revealed to you what you needed to know from the scriptures. Thank you, daddy, for giving me a Bible as my high school graduation gift. Though it’s tattered and worn, I still study from that Bible today. Though I did not understand at the time, the things you taught me have kept me close to God. Thank you daddy for telling me I could be all that God created me to be.

In memory of Mrs. Ruth Washington, my mother, who has gone home to be with the Lord.

Your last words to me before you went home on your morning train were, I beat the devil running. You ran a long time and into the arms of Jesus. Thank you for imparting a spirit of tenacity that the world could see.

AUTHOR’S THOUGHTS

From Me to You!

INTRODUCTION

This book is not intended to give you a warm and fuzzy feeling, only to leave you cold and dry when its contents fade from your memory. This book is intended as a catalyst for you to take action. When you finish reading and taking the action steps necessary, you will have dissected yourself and put yourself back together again—brand new.

What is this (thing) we call life and how can (do) we live it?

We must adequately and accurately define life before we can know how to live it. One of Webster’s definitions of life is The quality that distinguishes animals and plants from dead bodies or inorganic matter, marked by metabolism, growth, reproduction, irritability, etc.: the time during which such quality continues.

Have you ever wished or hoped that you would be in the right place at the right time?

What would be the value to you to be positioned to give your children a lifetime gift of self esteem?

What would be the value to you to be positioned to have a better relationship with your spouse?

What would be the value to you to be positioned to learn to be healthy with lasting results?

FIVE WAYS YOU’LL BENEFIT FROM READING THIS BOOK

1. You’ll learn to understand your true nature. You may have been taught to aspire for things in the natural; however, you will reach a different level of understanding. You’ll come to the understanding of why and how your quest is or should be for spiritual rather than material aspects in this life. When you were a child, others may have discouraged your dream, however, God created you with the ability to dream.

2. You’ll learn to recognize foundations on which some of your belief systems were built. You’ll see how you are where you are today because of the thoughts that have gone into your mind and the words that have come out of your mouth.

3. You’ll discover that no two thoughts can occupy the same space at the same time. You’ll learn that by changing your thoughts you can change your habits and change your world. You’ll discover ways to choose your thoughts, therefore choosing who and what you want to be.

4. You’ll learn how to root out impurities and plant nobleness in the garden of your mind.

5. You’ll learn to gain insight on how to stay motivated. True motivation comes from within and you’ll discover or rediscover how to tap into that special place known as your spirit.

MY PHILOSOPHY

Each of us has an innate desire to be the best that we can be in this life. Being the best that we can be is an attitude that starts inside of you and works its way to the outside. You’ve heard the old adage: I finally got it all together, now I’ve forgotten where I put it.

It is my prayer that this book will not only help you rediscover what it is, but will also help you remember where you put it.

People I don’t know approach me frequently, and their comment is you look happy.

I’d like to share with you some information that will bring about inspiration which will lead to revelation on how to be happy.

MY INSIGHTS

Experience is a great teacher, capable of instructing all who ask for the wisdom born of it. Those who know me can attest to the fact that my view is, When the going gets tough; the tough get going.

My gift is to inspire you to look at yourself and see the uniqueness of the creation of God, the creator. This book is designed to, not only point you in the right direction, but also to give you the tools you need to make the necessary changes in your life.

MY INSPIRATION

I care about people and have been given the ability to stimulate people to positive action. I can and will reach deep within me, pull out my God-given abilities and share them with you.

So who motivates the motivator?

My inspiration comes from more than twenty years of certain habits that have become a lifestyle: One or more hours of prayer and meditation every morning, utilizing inspirational and motivational books, tapes, CD’s, and DVD’s daily, and most importantly, daily practicing and living in the presence of God.

MY GOAL IN WRITING THIS BOOK

"As you teach, so shall you learn."

My goal is to be a good student as well as a good teacher. I do not profess to know all there is to know about anything, not even the subject matter being presented. I only know that my life is a, Yes, Lord, life.

Throughout the day every day I say as Samuel said, Speak Lord, for your servant hears.

You have within you the seeds of greatness, placed there by God. My goal is to water those seeds and allow you to watch them grow. Your reward for reading and absorbing the material in this book will be a happier and more balanced life. My reward for writing this book is, knowing that, although we may never meet in person, I have touched your life in a positive way.

VISION STATEMENT

"Change the Thought and you'll Change the World."

I will never pass