What is courage?

 

I think it is when someone keeps going even when they feel like they cannot take another step. Like the lion on the Wizard of Oz. He kept going on his journey to the wizard even though he came across obstacles that were frightful. He kept putting one foot in front of the other and kept moving. There were times he needed encouragement from his friends but he kept going. Also when his friends needed him he was there for them. His whole journey to the wizard was showing courage. He felt like he didn't have it until the wizard gave him a metal that said courage. But the truth is he had it all along. How many times do you think you have no courage at all? Stop and evaluate. When things get hard do you keep getting up? Do you take a step when you feel like you just can't? Do you keep pushing when you think things are just too frightful? My friend you have courage if you answer yes to any of those questions. You might need friends to help you but there is nothing wrong with that. As friends we should be there to lend a helping hand to those that are weak. You will not always be weak. Hold your head high and take courage my friend. If you need me I am here to help as my friends have there for me. Have a great day.

Gel Pen Magic

 

A number of years ago when gel pens first came out I thought they were the greatest. Then came black paper to use with those fabulous pens. Of course I had to have both. I thought it was awesome to see how that ink showed up on the paper. A regular pen was harder to read and was not half as bright. The ink from the gel pen made the words look like they was going to jump off the paper. The once dull black paper was given a new bright look, that was very cool. I think that is kind of how our lives are sometimes. We have made mistakes and darkened our lives. We use a pencil trying to right the wrong but it is hardly even noticed. Then we go to a regular pen that will make a bigger impression to find the result is still not the best. Try as we might we cannot brighten our lives very much. Discouragement sets in leaving us wondering can life get better. Then if we're not careful we just start moping around living in that darkness. Woe is me attitude. To change the gloom we need to allow God to write His grace on the darkness of our heart. It will improve our lives permitting us to see things in a brighter, healthier way. I think I will do my best to allow God to use His gel pen on my life. What about you?

Are you smiling?

Are you smiling?
I'm smiling as I look at the people I pass. I got questioning looks and some people hurried right on by like something was very wrong. A brave soul stopped me. "What makes you smile so big" she asked with a frown on her face. "I smile because I'm different or unique as I like to think" I said. I felt my smile begin to grow just at the thought. This dear lady looked a little confused. "What troubles you" I asked as I watched her puzzled face. "Being different is not something to be so proud of" she said next to tears. "I disagree dear friend. Unique is great when you realized God took such care to make us that way. That tells me we are all very special to Him" I said as I looked into her troubled eyes. "Even me?" she asked. "Even you dear friend" I said with great confidence. She stood not speaking a word. I could tell that something quickly popped into her mind. She was lost in thought for a few minutes as I waited. Tears began to stream down her face. "I had been told that in Sunday School as a child…... I guess I had forgotten….. I have been busy trying to do good things…… and I lost sight of the fact that God loves me for who I am. Thank you for such a great reminder." she said with great brokenness of speak. I smiled at her and said "You're welcomed". As she turned to walk away I saw a big smile creeping across her now shining face. I am sure she will be stopped as I was, I thought as I began walking again with an even bigger smile than before. The next time you see someone smiling remember it might just be because they know how special they are. But you never know about some of us we also might be up to something. Have a happy smiling day.

God does answer pray.

It was my privilege to spend time with a retired missionary when I was in Bible College. She served in India for many years. She told how God took care of her in many life threatening situations. Her stories were also full of marvelous answers to prayers. She shared something I pray I will never forget. It was when she came back to the states to visit churches a number of people started asking her if anything happened on such and such a day because God brought her to their mind for prayers. Up to that point she never thought about writing anything down. When she returned to India she made it a point to keep a journal of those extra special times. Then when she came home she found those dates corresponded with those of the praying people in the states. I began to wonder if that is why people popped into my mind. I started the practice of praying for those individuals that came to my mind, in spite of the fact I didn't know what was going on. I have not really asked anyone to check dates. My prayers might just be short  or it might be one that goes throughout the whole day. As long as they stay on my mind I kept praying. I probably will never know what was going on in their lives and I am fine with that. My responsibility is to pray. "Pray without ceasing." I Thessalonians 5:2. God does the rest. I want to challenge you to pray for those that come to your mind. We never know what hard times another person might be having.

LOVE

Love is a strange thing. There are people that say "I love you" to everyone they talk to. That makes me wonder how do the people they are talking to know the difference between a passing word and them really meaning it with their heart. I had a dear friend that died a few years ago that I had known since I was six (over fifty years), he was like a father to me. He never said he loved me till just three or four years before he died. Did I wonder if he did? Not really. He showed he cared in many different ways. When he told me it was an affirmation of the actions he showed all those years. To me those are heart words. If they are spoken without any action they are just empty words. I don't mean we will always treat the people me love the best, we are only human and will mess up from times to time. God has spoken His love for us from the beginning. He also took a giant step in showing His love to us by sending His son. What an awesome gift of love. Jesus gave His life as a showing of His love as well. God doesn't speak His words in idleness. He shows it in many ways. What He does want is for us to love as He loves. I must ask myself do I love like He loves. I must say not always. But I will keep trying. I think that is the whole key to life is to keep trying to live as God has laid out for us. The words I want you to take away from this is "Love as God loves."

Let Go Of Life's Hurts

When someone hurts me it is sometimes hard to let it go. No one wants to be hurt but it happens to everyone. There are times I hold onto it like it's a good friend. I also know that is not what I should be doing because it keeps eating away at me. I am the only one suffering from such action, the other person has moved on with their life. I need to just let it go. Wow how easy does that sound? I don't always find it that easy. The best thing is to talk to the person and get things settled. When that is not possible, the next best thing for me is to write (go figure). Writing puts things out there where I can see and evaluate them. It might not even be as bad as I thought. The key is to get it released and move on. When I release the hurt I feel lighter inside. I am less grumpy. I even smile easier. What a relief it is to throw the hurt aside and get all with life. How do you deal with hurt? You need to find a release that works for you, then do it. Don't allow the chains of hurt to keep you weighed down, brake them and throw them away. Get your smile back.

Forgive how many times?

"Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" This was the verse on our devotional at work today. I really don't think Jesus was saying to keep a notebook of people that you have forgiven, then on number seventy-seven draw the line and throw them away. I think He is really saying to keep forgiving as He does. I am glad He does not keep count of how many times He forgives. I am afraid I might have reached my seventy-seven times a number of years ago. I know it is not always easy to forgive but it is necessary. Holding onto situations and thinking about it only keeps you worked up the other person most likely has moved on to something else. We all make mistakes, we are human. I guess we should ask ourselves "When I make a mistake do I want to be forgiven?" If the answer is yes, then we should extend that grace to others. Jesus help us to forgive like You.  Have a great day forgiving.