“Forget yesterday.
Don’t worry about tomorrow.
Trust God today.”
-Faith Carr
Photo by Taryn Elliott on Pexels.com
“Forget yesterday.
Don’t worry about tomorrow.
Trust God today.”
-Faith Carr
Photo by Taryn Elliott on Pexels.com
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For Believers, “living your best life now” is not found in this world or it’s ways. Our best life is yet to come for an eternity of days. But we can absolutely and most assuredly live our “blessed life” right now!
Jesus said,
“I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly!” – John 10:10 TLV
This is the blessed life, the abundant life, the “I get to walk with Jesus everyday and experience His love and goodness!” life.
Praise God!
Psalms 23:6 says,
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,(that’s now!)
and I will dwell in the House of the LORD forever!” (that’s for eternity!)
So with that,
We can happily say, with peace and assurance, “I’m living my blessed life now!”
âHumble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, like a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, Who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.â
âTo Him be Glory and Dominion Forever and Ever. Amen.â
I Peter 5:6-11
Here’s a “post from the past” at my daughter’s request. Blessings! – Faith
Once, many years ago, when visiting a new church for the first time, an elderly lady invited us to her house for dinner. We gladly accepted, and followed her home after service.  As we sat in her living room, we had a very pleasant conversation, and got  to know a little more about each other. She was a long-standing member of her church,  and well-loved by the congregation.  Although she was elderly, she was vibrant and enthusiastic, and very happy to talk about how much she loved the Lord, and all that He had done for her. She enthusiastically shared some of her many testimonies, and we talked a little about our faith experiences.  I mentioned how our two children, a son and a daughter, toddlers at the time, had been miracle babies, because I was told that I would never conceive, and even so, I was still praying and believing God for another baby.
She looked at me, with a smile in her eyes, and said, âYou see that hat rack over there on the wall?â I answered, âYes.â she said, âWhenever the Lord does something for me, I imagine that Iâm hanging a hat on a hat rackâŚand every time he answers I just keep adding a new hat.  And the next time I find myself frustrated about something that Iâm praying for, I just take a look at that hat rack, and see all those hats hanging there, and Iâm reminded of all the prayers that God has answered, (some that I may have even forgotten), and I am encouraged that He did it before and Heâll do it again.â
I really appreciated this example and made an effort to apply it in my own life. In fact the Lord did answer my prayer and blessed me miraculously with another sweet baby girl!
When I think back on this example, it reminds me of what young David said to King Saul, when he volunteered to fight GoliathâŚ
âDavid said⌠The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this PhilistineâŚâ I Samuel 17:37
You see, the lion and the bear were hanging on Davidâs hat rack!!! He just took a look back, and was fully persuaded, that God would do it again. :)
“Has it been awhile since you took a look at your own hat rack?”
Surely God has blessed you and answered your prayers in the past, and hey, there’s always room for another hat, so
Just take a look back, have faith, and,  like David, be fully persuaded that God will do it again!
HUGS AND KISSES ARE GOOD FOR THE HEART, BODY, AND SOULđ§Ą
Reduce harmful physical effects of stress;
Calm deep pressure on children, tantrums, and mellows moodiness;
Help the bodyâs immune system, cures depression, and induces sleep;
Invigorate and rejuvenate
Increase heart rate and stabilize blood pressure;
Give a positive emotional state;
Bring out a surge of serotonin and dopamine, which are known as âfeel goodâ brain chemicals.
Relieve pain, make you healthier and happier;
Help to overcome fear
Good for the heart, as it creates an adrenaline which causes your heart to pump more blood around your body.
Stress-reliever, lowering your cortisol âstressâ hormone.
Endorphins produced by kissing are 200 times more powerful than morphine.
Reduces anxiety and stop the ‘noise’ in your mind.
Increase the levels of oxytocin, an extremely calming hormone that produces a feeling of peace.
Great for self-esteem. Make you feel appreciated and helps your state of mind.
Those who kiss quite frequently are less likely to suffer from stomach, bladder and blood infections.
Those who kiss goodbye each morning live five years longer than those who donât.
“… Greet one another with a holy kiss.” – 1 Corinthians 16:20
âLord, I love the house where You live, the place where Your glory dwells.â
Psalm 26:8
“So letting your sinful nature control your mind, leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” – Romans 8:6
“There will be no peace in any soul until it is willing to obey the voice of God.”
– D.L. Moody
“Jesus is The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
“May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way…”
– 2 Thessalonians 3:16
“There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, and yet is not cleansed from its filth.
There is a generation whose eyes are so haughty, whose eyelids are lifted up disdainfully.
There is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose molars are knives, to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from humanity.”
“What Does God Require?”
“He has told you, humanity, what is good, and what ADONAI is seeking from you:
Only to practice justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.“
Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak,
For the justice of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth,
judge righteously,
plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 30:12-14, Micah 6:8, Proverbs 31:8-9 TLV
“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“The comeback is often stronger than the setback.”
– Anonymous
“Afflictions make the heart more deep,
more experimental, more knowing, and
more profound, and so; more able
to hold, to contain, to beat more.”
– John Bunyan
“There is a Friend
Who
Sticks
Closer
Than a brother.”
Proverbs 18:24
“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition
when infinite joy is offered us;
like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in dirty streets
because he can’t imagine what’s meant by the offer of a holiday at the beach.”
“We are far too easily pleased.â
– C. S. Lewis
“It is my practice, to determine the value of something,
by imagining my life without it.”
– Herb Kelleher
“A Very Happy New Year to you all!!!”â¤ď¸
Smiles and Blessings – Faith
All the way my Savior leads me-
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who thru life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know what-e’re befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know what-e’re befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
All the way my Savior leads me-
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Tho my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see.
All the way my Savior leads me-
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings in flight to realms of day,
This my song thru endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song thru endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.
Hymn- “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” – by R.Lowry and Fanny Crosby
“I am trusting You, Lord Jesus-
Trusting only You;
Trusting You for full salvation,
Great and true.
I am trusting You to guide me-
You alone will lead,
Every day and hour supplying
All my need.
I am trusting You for power-
Yours can never fail;
Words which You Yourself shall give me
Must prevail.
I am trusting You, Lord Jesus-
Never let me fall;
I am trusting You forever,
And for all.”
Hymn- “I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus”
By E.W. Bullinger and F.R. Havergal
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, least among the clans of Judah- from you will come out to Me One to be ruler in Israel,
One whose going forth are from of old, from days of eternity.”
Micah 5:2
The prophet Micah announced the birthplace of the Messiah in Bethlehem,
which means “House of Bread”
Centuries before Christ was born in Bethlehem,
Naomi and her family left Bethlehem due to a famine.
Sadly, returning 10 years later, after the loss of her husband and two sons,
Naomi had gained a devoted and loving daughter in Ruth, the Moabitess.
Together they returned to Bethlehem.
They returned to the “House of Bread”, and from their story, “The Bread of Life”, came to us, a Wonderful Savior!
“…Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given:…and His Name shall be called
Wonderful,
Counselor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
There was One who was willing to die in my stead,
That a soul so unworthy might live
And the path of the cross He was willing to tread,
All the sins of my life to forgive.
He is tender and loving and patient with me,
While He cleanses my heart of it’s dross
But, “there’s no condemnation,” I know I am free,
For my sins are all nailed to the cross.
I will cling to my Savior and never depart,
I will joyfully journey each day,
With a song on my lips and a song in my heart,
That my sins have been taken away.
Hymn “Nailed to the Cross” by Mrs. F.Beck and G. C. Tullar
“… Whatever is true,
whatever is honorable,
whatever is just,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is commendable,
— if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise,
— think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8
My computer broke down and REFUSED to open several months ago. I’m still sulking over it and so, no blogging. Yes, I know that I could use my iphone or my tablet but after all these years, I’m always most comfortable writing with my computer, and this computer was only 18 MONTHS OLD when it gave out on me. After paying so much for it and with only a 12 month warranty, I WAS LIVID.
It’s a matter of principle. The main reason I bought this computer was so I could “depend on it for years to come”, or at least that’s what they told me at my “friendly neighboorhood Best Buy”, saying, “It is after all a Macbook Pro!” They got me… And now, here I am, writing on my teeny-weeny, tiny tablet.
But,
When I stop and think about it. I realize that there are alot worse things that could happen, and I’m reminded of what Paul says in Phillipians 4:11,
“I have learned in whatsoever state I am to be content.” so I’m learning, doing what makes me happy, and it’s good to be back!
Have a great weekend.
“But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon Him;
and with His stripes we are healed.”
– Isaiah 53:5
“To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
“A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.”
Ecclesiastes, 3:1-8
Start where you stand and never mind the past,
The past won’t help you in beginning new,
If you have left it all behind at last
Why, that’s enough, you’re done with it, you’re through;
This is another chapter in the book,
This is another race that you have planned,
Don’t give the vanished days a backward look,
Start where you stand.
The world won’t care about your old defeats
If you can start anew and win success,
The future is your time, and time is fleet
And there is much of work and strain and stress;
Forget the buried woes and dead despairs,
Here is a brand new trial right at hand,
The future is for him who does and dares,
Start where you stand.
Old failures will not halt, old triumphs aid,
To-day’s the thing, to-morrow soon will be;
Get in the fight and face it unafraid,
And leave the past to ancient history;
What has been, has been; yesterday is dead
And by it you are neither blessed nor banned,
Take courage, be brave, and drive ahead,
Start where you stand.
Berton Braley.
When they saw Him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples,
“With tax collectors and sinners He eats?”
On hearing this, Jesus said to them,
“Healthy people don’t need a physician, but sick ones do.
I did not come to call righteous people, but sinners.”
– Mark 2:16-17
“Don’t despise small beginnings…”
“Though your beginning is small, your latter will greatly increase ”
Job 8:7
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation; and sustain me with a willing spirit.”
Psalm 51:1-12
“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”
Charles Spurgeon
“The ordinary acts we practice, every day at home, are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.â
-Thomas Moore
“Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can,
to all the souls you can, in every place you can,
at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can,
as long as ever you can.”
John Wesley
“For the love of Christ constrains us…”
2 Corinthians 5:14
“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
âEarth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.â
Thomas Moore
 Hugs
Reduce harmful physical effects of stress;
Calm deep pressure on children, tantrums, and mellows moodiness;
Help the bodyâs immune system, cures depression, and induces sleep;
Invigorate and rejuvenate
Increase heart rate and stabilize blood pressure;
Give a positive emotional state;
Bring out a surge of serotonine and dopamine, which are known as âfeel goodâ brain chemicals.
Relieve pain, make you healthier and happier;
Help to overcome fear
 Kisses
Good for the heart, as it creates an adrenaline which causes your heart to pump more blood around your body.
Stress-reliever, lowering your cortisol âstressâ hormone.
Endorphins produced by kissing are 200 times more powerful than morphine.
Reduces anxiety and stop the ‘noise’ in your mind.
Increase the levels of oxytocin, an extremely calming hormone that produces a feeling of peace.
Great for self-esteem.  Make  you feel appreciated and helps your state of mind.
Those who kiss quite frequently are less likely to suffer from stomach, bladder and blood infections.
Those who kiss goodbye each morning live five years longer than those who donât.
Here’s to Hugs and Kisses! OXOX
 âAn eternal question about children is, “How should we educate them?”
Politicians and educators consider more school days in a year, more science and math, the use of computers and other technology in the classroom, more exams and tests, more certification for teachers, and less money for art.
All of these responses come from the place where we want to make the child into the best adult possible, not in the sense of virtuous and wise, but in the sense of one who is an efficient part of the machinery of society. But on all these counts,the soul is neglected.â
-Thomas Moore
“…So  commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine.(says the LORD)
Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you go to bed and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 11:19
Go for it.
“By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he was to receive as an inheritance.
He went out, not knowing where he was going.
By faith he migrated to the land of promise…”
Hebrews 11:8
He’s In The Waiting.âĽ
“Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
Hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He’s never failing
He’s never failing.”
“Wait for ADONAI. Be strong, let your heart take courage, and wait for ADONAI.” – Psalm 27:14
Take Courage Lyrics- Kristene DiMarco/ Photo- Google Images
Double Rainbow
“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.”
Isaiah 61:7
It’s Blooming in the Desert!
After 5 years of devastating drought in southern California, the mountains and deserts of Death Valley are exploding with beautiful blooms and color!
Thus says ADONAI…
“Here I am, doing a new thing; Now it is springing up!”
“I will make a way in the desert and rivers in the wasteland”
– Isaiah 43:19
TLV
Cactus blooms in Southern California desert/Photos-Â CBS News
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples,
âLetâs cross to the other side of the lake.â
So they took Jesus in the boat and started out,
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea,
Insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves:
But Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat…
 His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, saying,
Lord,… “Carest thou not that we perish?”
And He saith unto them,
Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?
Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea;
And there was a great calm.
But the men marveled, saying,
What manner of man is this,
That even the winds and the sea obey Him!”
Matthew 8:25 and Mark 4:38
-As we “cross to the other side”, through the storms and trials of life,
Jesus cares.
He is “in the boat” with us.
He cares
and He will calm the sea.”
“Let all that I am
wait quietly before God,
for my expectation
is from Him.”
Psalm 62:5
“He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.
Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”
Psalm 91
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,”
                      “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
     Luke 2:8-14
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed…
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”
 Luke 2:1-6
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‘Two are better than one;…. For if they fall, the one will lift the other up.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
“Preserve me, O God: for in You do I put my trust…
I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel: my heart also instructs me
in the night seasons.
I have set the LORD always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope…
You will show me the path of life:
In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”
 Psalm 16
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“I am only one; but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.
I will not refuse to do something I can do.”
Helen Keller
“A cheerful heart is good medicine. “
Proverbs 17:22
“Don’t be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow shall be anxious for itself” Matthew 6:34
“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”
Charles Spurgeon
“Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can.”
‘The best of it is, God is with us.”
– John Wesley
“You never know how
STRONG
you are until
being strong is the only choice you have. “
– Bob Marley
“In the world ye shall have tribulation…”
“But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after that ye have suffered a while,
He Himself will restore, establish, strengthen, settle you.”
John 16:33 and I Peter 5:10
“O LORD, how long will You forget me?
Forever?
How long will You look the other way?
How long must I struggle
With anguish in my soul,
With sorrow in my heart
Every day?”
Psalm 113:1-2
Oh, that I might have my request,
that God would grant what I hope for,
âWhat strength do I have, that I should still hope?
What prospects, that I should be patient?
I have been allotted months of futility,
and nights of misery have been assigned to me.
When I lie down I think, âHow long before I get up?â
The night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.
âMy days are swifter than a weaverâs shuttle,
and they come to an end without hope.
Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath;
my eyes will never see happiness again.
Job 6:8, 6:11, 7:4-7
A Place Called Hard
Lord, I have me a mountain,
I need You to remove
I have me a situation
only You can improve.
Lord, I got me a dilemma,
that needs to be resolved
I have me a problem
I need You to be involved.
Lord, I have me a river,
itâs as wide as it is deep
I have me a condition
that I donât want to keep.
Lord, I have a clear view,
of the storm thatâs ahead
I have me an idea
itâs going to be widespread.
Lord, Iâm between a rock,
and a place called hard
so I am going to need You
to be my constant guard.
Lord, Iâm placing my life,
in the palm of Your hand
trusting this predicament . . .
is just a part of Your plan!
-Deborah Ann Belka
Suffering may endure for a season
And we wonder when relief will come.
Is this for a time of testing
A really deep trial for some?
Day by day we endure our heartaches,
Often questioning why,
We don’t seem to fully understand
And we come before God with a sigh!
“Just quiet yourself in My presence,” He says,
“I have blessings for you in store,
This time with me will be precious,
Even more than ever before.”
The wonderful promises in God’s Holy Word
Bring comfort, encouragement and peace,
And as we nestle up close to Him.
Our Faith brings sweet release.
So let us joyfully praise the Lord,
If, through suffering we can learn,
Truths that will help to guide our way,
And His Word more clearly discern.
Elsie K. Young
“She speaks wise words
    and teaches others to be kind.
 She watches over her family
    and never wastes her time.
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Her children speak well of her.
    Her husband also praises her,
 saying, âThere are many fine women,
    but you are better than all of them.â
 Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you,
    but a woman who respects the Lord should be praised.
Â
Give her the reward she has earned;
    she should be praised in public for what she has done.”
Proverbs 31:26-31 NCV
“Forget yesterday.
Don’t worry about tomorrow.
Trust God today.”
-F. Carr
“In quietness and confidence is your strength.” Â Isaiah 30:15
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation; and uphold me with Your free Spirit.
Psalm 51:1-12
“He cuts out rivers among the rocks; and His eye sees every precious thing.”
Job 28:10
…”Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts,…”
“…Choose you this day whom ye will serve…”
Hebrews 3:15 and Joshua 24:15
PURSUING THE GOAL
“Forgetting what is behind, and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal for the reward of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
“You can fool all the people some of the time,
and some of the people all the time,
but you can’t fool all the people all the time.”
 ~Abraham Lincoln
“He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds…
Great is our Lord, and of great power;
His understanding is infinite.”
Psalm 147: 3,5
Just remember, Desserts is Stressed spelled backwards,
So relax and have a great weekend,
You deserve it!
Promise Yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
The Optimist Creed
…Sometimes pain’s the only way that we can learn
You can never fall too hard, so fast, so far
That you can’t get back when you’re lost, where you are,
It’s never too late, so bad, so much,
That you can’t change
Who you are, you can change who you are,
You believe in freedom,
But you don’t know how to choose
You gotta step out of your feelings
That you’re so afraid to lose, and everyday,
You put your feet on the floor…got to walk through door
Its never going to be easy
But its all worth fighting for
You can never fall
Too hard, so fast, so far,
That you can’t get back
When you’re lost where you are,
Its never too late, so bad, so much
That you can’t change who you are
You can change who you are.
So let the ashes fall where ever they land
Come back from wherever you been
To the foot of the cross
To the feet of Jesus
To the feet of Jesus
You can never fall too hard, so fast, so far
That you can’t get back when you’re lost
Where you are
It’s never too late, so bad, so much
That you can’t change
At the foot of the cross
It changes who you are
At the foot of the cross you can change
Who you are.
You can never fall
Too hard, so fast, so far,
That you can’t get back.
Lyrics- “Who You Are” by Unspoken
âGrace is what picks me up and lifts my wings high… and I fly!” –Â Joybell
Monarch butterflies take to the air on a 2 month, 2,000-mile flight over fields, forests, cities, plains, open water, deserts, and mountains to a tiny region of central Mexico where they’ve never been before, arriving at the exact same time each year!
“Until you spread your wings you’ll have no idea how far you can fly.”
– Unknown
âThe ordinary acts we practice every day at home
are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.â
-Thomas Moore
Time goes by so slowly, and yet
“I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
and in His word I put my hope.”
Psalm 130:5
“They spread a net for my feet, I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path,
but they have fallen into it themselves.. Stop and think of that” Â Psalm 57:6
“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”
Isaiah 59:19
and
“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai.”
Esther 7:10
“Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leads to life,
and few there be that find it.”
Matthew 7:14
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:14
“The LORD, He it is that does go before you;
He will be with you,
He will not fail you, neither forsake you:
Fear not, neither be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
“Come unto me,
all ye that labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest”
Matthew 11:28
“Preserve me, O God: for in You do I put my trust…
I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel: my heart also instructs me
in the night seasons.
I have set the LORD always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope…
You will show me the path of life:
In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”
From Psalm 16
O LORD, how long will You forget me? Forever?
How long will You look the other way?
How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
With sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
Turn and answer me, O LORD my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
Donât let my enemies gloat, saying, âWe have defeated him!â
Donât let them rejoice at my downfall.
,,,I trust in Your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because You have rescued me.
I will sing to the LORDÂ because
He is good to me.”
Psalm 13
“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In His hand are the deep places of the earth:the strength of the hills is His also.
The sea is His, and He made it: and His Hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”
Psalm 95:1-6
âAs for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried:
He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.
For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
It is God that girdes me with strength, and makes my way perfect.
He maketh my feet like hindsâ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up,
⌠thy gentleness hath made me great.â
Psalm 18:30-35
Quietness and Trust
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,…”
Isaiah 19:15
Pumpkin muffins in August… Really?
Just like  Ecclesiastes 3:1 and the classic folk song says: “To everything (turn, turn, turn) there is a season, (turn, turn, turn)
or simply put
“To everything there is a season…“
And I know it’s been unseasonably cool this summer, but it’s still summer, and although I like pumpkin bread, muffins, and coffee during  the fall, I’m just not ready for them now, while it’s still 80 plus degrees outside.Still there are all these commercials on TV now that are just taking all the fun out of my cozy seasonal traditions.
First, its Christmas trees in late October, and now warm pumpkin pie in August?
I’m just sayin’ … ‘Tis not the season :)
Sometimes it’s hard to wait but…
“Waiting is a sign of patience and true love.”
âĽ
“…as it is written, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.”
I Corinthians 2:9
“For since the beginning of the world no one has heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither has the eye seen, O God, beside thee,what He has prepared for those who wait for Him.”
Isaiah 64:4
âNo person ever ended his eyesight by looking on the bright side.â
Zig Ziglar
 Learning to turn my troubles over to the Lord...I surrenderAll to Jesus I surrender; All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all, All to Thee, my Blessed Savior, I surrender all. J.W. Deventer
âWhen you sense that your dark night is one of pregnancy and oceanic return,
You could react accordingly and be still.
Watch and wonder.
Take the human embryo as your model.
Assume the fetal position, emotionally and intellectually.
Be silent.
Float in your darkness, as if it were the waters of the womb,
And give up trying to fight your way out or make sense of it.â
Thomas Moore
“He was handed over for our transgressions and raised up for the sake of setting us right.”
“He is risen, just as He said!”
Romans 4:25 and Matthew 28:6
TLV
“Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”
Psalm 30:11-12
“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed,
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
 our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
 âThe Lord has done great things for them.â
The Lord has done great things for us,
 and we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears
 will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow,
Will return with songs of joy,
 carrying sheaves with them.”
Psalm 126
“…For behold, the winter is past….
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of singing has come.”
Song of Solomon 2:11-12
“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying,
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love…” Â Jeremiah 31:3
âMy deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ
and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it.â
Brennan Manning
“Faith says that no matter what lies ahead of me…God is already there.”
Author Unknown
“Happiness is… Â enjoying the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.”
Seneca
“What’s holding you back? What’s keeping you down?”
“… This kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting.”
Matthew 17:21
“Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it.” – Charles Dickens
“And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light…”John 3:19
“But even old Scrooge came around, and let the Light shine on his ways!” Â :)
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
Promise Yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
The Optimist Creed
“The best of it is, God is with us.”
John Wesley
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore
Matt Redman-Â Lyrics 10,000 Reasons
“Come ye yourselves apart into a quiet place, and rest a while.”
Mark 6:31
“This is the day which the LORDÂ has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24
  Â
‘Two are better than one;…. For if they fall, the one will lift the other up.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
“Freedom isn’t free.”
“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13
“For we are a sweet fragrance to God in Christ
 among those who have life and among those who perish. “
2 Corinthians 2:15
It’s Bright!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11