Jim: Thanks for the comments ladies! I agree with Danaly....it sometimes takes time to develop the right motivation. Going to the Lord in prayer about it is the faith based approach, but like you say Julie...it is hard to keep that in mind some days. We all want to be real with others and have outward expressions that represent our true feelings, but this only happens as we are conformed to the image of Christ more and more. Thanks for your thought! (November 28th, 2008)

Danaly Payne: Hi, we don't know each other... I get to your blog from Lindsey's blog (who also doesn't know me, she's a far relative). Anyway, this topic has really been in my heart lately and I just recently heard a sermon about it so I wanted to answer the question left on the comment before mine.   Should we not do the good deed just 'cause our motives are not right?  The pastor I heard suggested that we still do the good deed, just pray for God to change our motive, change our heart.  It was an "Aha!!" moment for me so I thought I'd share.  Love you family, love your blog!!  - Danaly Payne  (www.lucypayne.blogspot.com) (November 22nd, 2008)

eiluj03: i have a really hard time with this, with making sure my motives are pure....because the outside is what others see, right? so if they think we look good, its easy to deceive ourselves into thinking we're doing well.    so....are you saying it would be better to NOT do a good thing at all if you're doing it with the wrong motive? because that would mean that some days...i should hardly get out of bed...because i struggle with coordinating motives with actions! (November 22nd, 2008)