Inspirations

As I grow older, I find more joy in handmade gifts. They may  not be perfect, but what I see is the thought and talent put into that gift. It's something I will appreciate. It says I care enough to give you a part of myself. I see time spent making the gift and I'm grateful. I see the uniqueness of that gift made just for me and my gratitude overflows. I see the personality of the giver in what was made and I'm overjoyed. Thank You, God, for handmade  gifts that I have received  and for the ones who loved me enough to trust me with their treasures.  As I use the gift or look it, I smile and see love.

Thank you, God, for helping and encouraging us to widen our horizons. Thank you for helping me to try new foods some I liked, and others were awful, and I'll never try again. Thank you for putting within us the desire to branch out in other areas as well like writing, and painting. Thank you for the milestones that these new things created. I have met new people, I learned new things. Sometimes as I have branched out, I have succeeded.   Other times I failed, but I did  learn more about myself in the process. Thank you, that, as you expand our horizons, you are right there cheering us on, and smiling as we take those baby steps. Thank you for standing close-by, ready to pick us up if we fall.

First world problems.    I ordered a phone case.     I got a letter saying it was undeliverable and they refunded my money.    Then I received the case.    Now I have to try and pay for the case or return it.   Ugh.    On top of that, I had to call our mortgage lender because  they forgot to take out the money for the housing payment.    If you're like me, things like this can drive me crazy!    As I was thinking about my predicament,  it occurred to me that  these things that are getting under my skin  are really first world problems.    People in other countries live without cellphones. Others don’t have a housing payment because have no house.   So when I look around at the house that I can't keep clean,  or pace back and forth in a store because  I can't decide if I want an...

It's Veterans Day. A day of  the year set aside to honor those who have, over the years, fought in many wars. Some, paying the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Why would they pay such a high price? I am convinced that they would rather die than be in bondage. They believed that freedom was worth any price they would have to pay. They knew there  was the possibility that they might die, but it was a risk they were willing to take. These are the men and women that God entrusts  with the job of protecting our country; many go unnoticed.  They get no fancy memorials They go home to families and loved ones; they get jobs  and try to live a "normal" life just like  anyone  else.  But they're not just anyone, they are heroes. They get no applause or recognition for what they did under conditions that would break most of us; myself included. They have a stren...

Pastors.  Those people set apart for the work of leading the Lord’s people.  Most work tirelessly day after day to bring us God’s word.  They often put the needs of their congregation  before their own needs and those of their families.  I know they are not perfect, none of us are.    However, these heroes of the faith are the backbone of the church.  I am thankful that, over the years,  I have had the privilege of getting to know many pastors.  Most of them have been amazing servants of the people  and have been used by God for my training,  teaching,  and sometimes correcting.  I am in your debt.  Thank you for being a good shepherd of the sheep.   Thank you for the pastor's wife  who often works alongside her husband (pastor) in support roles.   You guys are amazing people.

Thank you, God, for our powerful minds.  Thank you that our thoughts do not control us,  but instead that we can control it.    You graciously give us the ability to think  and choose what we allow to be in our minds.  We can put and give negative things a foothold in our minds.  Or we can,  with your help,  focus on the right and positive in every situation.    Since, our thoughts also shape us,  and we often become what we allow ourselves to dwell on Let us think about what is good and pure excellent and worthy of praise.

It's a dark, gloomy, rainy day. A day when it's easy  to let your mood match the weather. So Today I thank God that  it does not rain every day. Soon, the sun will shine again, wiping away all traces of the rain. I also thank him  that  it doesn't just rain on me. Sometimes it feels like  it's just me on which the rain pours down,  but it's not.   There is no thundercloud hovering over my house. I am also thankful for the nourishment that rain provides for the ground.  if it never rained things would soon wither and die,