HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

“I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:2-4 NKJV

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY  to all those men who are strong when we are weak, offer shelter from life’s storms, and pull us up when we fall down.

In memory of fathers who served and sacrificed, held thankless jobs without complaint and simply did the best that they could…

Thank you.

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

into the woods devotional 11-2015 Traveling over the river and through the woods or staying close to home, give thanks for blessings large and small; with God we are never alone.

B Blessed!

Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! 1 Chronicles 16:8 NKJV

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 NKJV

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV

 

 

Great and Grateful…

Living in the “Bible Belt,” I read many a church sign. Some of them are witty, and others are downright weird.

I did come across one that I did like. It read “A GRATEFUL MIND IS A GREAT MIND.”

As I reflected on that particular sign, I thought about my various “states of mind” on any given day.

Some days I am focused.

On others not so much.

On occasion, I can keep a clear train of thought and accomplish much in record time. Then there are days I’m left looking around having nothing substantial to show for my efforts.

Yet, when I focus on counting my blessings, I gain the clarity that at other times alludes me.

When I am grateful, it puts into perspective all the minor and petty things that don’t matter. Annoyances, headaches and temporary trials don’t compare to God’s great grace, mercy and favor.

If I did not continually count my blessings, I would become bogged down in nonsense, drama and mired in things that bear no fruit!

We must renew our minds daily to magnify our God instead of our problems.

When we make a habit to appreciate how good God is to us, we are compelled to offer mercy, compassion, and kindness as we have received it. The knowledge of what we have received from the Father should compel us to love our neighbor/brother enough to not just pray for him but actually “do” for him.

In this season of thanks, don’t settle for being grateful, do something great!

Allow gratitude to manage your attitude.

Be kind.

Be generous.

Be a blessing!

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:11-12 NKJV

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” Psalm 100:4 NKJV

Not So New…

My many hydrangeas have pretty much passed their peak. Most of the flowers are no longer pale and soft. These days, fresh blooms are few. Yet, I welcome their transformation; I’ve learned to appreciate the “not so new.”

How is it that the blessings we ask God for and gratefully receive are often taken for granted as we pursue something new?

 The excitement of new love gives way as a relationship weathers the daily routine. The joy of a new baby yields to the time and fatigue required to parent properly. Even friendships can become abandoned when they are no longer “fun” and good times are few and far between.

I challenge you to look at the people and relationships in your life with a fresh perspective. Even though they may not be what they once were, you should appreciate them for all they have become.

Appreciate your home as if you’d once been homeless. Love your loved ones as if you nearly lost them. Choose to thank God for the gifts you have today instead of looking back on what was or even longing for what can be…

View that job out of gratitude, if you have one.

Love the people in your life for getting you where you need to go, coming along for the ride, or for simply tolerating you through the years!

Contentment doesn’t necessarily breed complacency. Rather, it can grant you peace and gratitude.

 Remember, new isn’t always better.

Family, friends, good books, and wine. Some things become priceless with the passing of time.

“Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.” Psalms 71:9 KJV

Great and Grateful

Living here in the “Bible Belt”  I read many a church sign. Some of them are witty and others are down right weird.

I did come across one that I did like. It read  “A GRATEFUL MIND IS A GREAT MIND.”

As I reflected on that particular sign I thought about my various “states of mind” on any given day.

Some days I am focused.

On other’s not so much.

On occasion I can keep a very clear train of thought and accomplish much in record time. Then there are days I’m left looking around having nothing substantial to show for my efforts.

Yet, when I focus on counting my blessings, I gain clarity that at other times alludes me.

When I am grateful it puts into perspective all the minor and petty things that don’t really matter. Annoyances, headaches and temporary trials don’t compare to God’s great grace, mercy and favor.

If I did not continually count my blessings, I would get bogged down in the nonsense of the day, other people’s drama and become mired down in things that aren’t any of my business!

We must renew our minds daily as not to magnify our problems instead of God!

DSC_6110 (2)  When we make a habit to appreciate how good God is to us, we are compelled to offer mercy, compassion and kindness as we have received it. The realization that we are not worthy but God loves us anyway should move us to love our neighbor/brother enough to not just pray for them but actually “do” for them.

Allowing our gratitude to move us into action produces great deeds and great love, the kind Jesus would have us show toward one another.

In this season of thanks, don’t merely settle for being grateful, act grateful. Allow your gratitude to move you to do something for someone else. What you may consider a small gesture can make a world of difference for someone else!

Allow gratitude to adjust your attitude.

Be grateful and B Blessed!

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! 1 Chronicles 16:8 NKJV

Faded Flowers

“Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.” Psalms 71:9 KJV

As I was looking at the remnants of my hydrangeas, one in particular caught my eye. The flower was no longer the fresh sweet pink it had been upon blooming many weeks ago. Instead, it was faded and speckled but still it had a beauty all its own.

It made me reflect on how many times we casually toss things aside or fail to appreciate people after the “newness” has worn off. The joy and excitement of new love at its onset often fades as years wear on and relationships weather everyday routines and obligations.

We often don’t appreciate things and people in their “less than new state,” failing to recognize a different beauty that has changed from what was to what it is now. How is it that the blessings we ask God for and receive, we so can easily make the last of our priorities or quickly dismiss in search for the next new “thrill?”

The excitement of parenting quickly gives way to the responsibility and time required to do the job properly.  Friendships are often neglected when the fun times are few and far between. When the butterflies of new-found love are long gone, can you appreciate the great qualities, faithfulness and reliability of your significant other?

Relationships are never perfect as they are composed of imperfect people, but often our flawed (not destructive!) relationships are more satisfying than having none at all. Too many times we stare at the flaws instead of being in awe of the perfect people for us that God has allowed in our lives.  DSC_0022

I challenge you today to look at the people and relationships in your life with a fresh perspective. Even though things and people may not be what they once were, they may still be beautiful in new and different ways.

Appreciate the home you have as if you’d once been homeless. Appreciate the people in your life as if you almost lost them. Make a deliberate choice to appreciate the blessings you have now instead of looking back on what once was or even what can be…

View that same old job with a gratitude that it’s still there! Look at the house in need of repair not with disdain but as a place you really can call home. Your kids may not be perfect (and who is) but at least you’ve gotten them this far!

Like a car when the new shine wears off, dependability should be celebrated instead of longing for that new car smell. Love the people and things in your life for getting you where you need to go, coming along for the ride, or for simply being available and being there.  Why wait until a time of loss to appreciate what you have right now?

New isn’t always better. There is more to be said for faithfulness, dependability, and long-lasting love than for the glitz and glamour of the latest and greatest whoever and whatever!

Contentment doesn’t necessarily breed complacency; it can instead allow you peace and joy for where you are now, your personal journey and the people and things you’ve been blessed with along the way.

Family, friends, good books, and wine. Some things are better with the passage of time.

“To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

This Memorial Day…

 

As we celebrate a long Memorial Day Weekend here in the States, let us be mindful of those whose sacrifices allow us the freedoms we have today. Take time to remember those who serve, have served and especially those who gave their lives that we may enjoy the blessings we so often take for granted.

“The memory of the righteous [is] blessed,” Proverbs 10:7  NKJV

 

Many, Many Thanks!

In this season of Thanksgiving I am grateful for many things, far too many to detail here! However my families… immediate, extended and work are just a few of the things for which I give thanks!

This year I have been blessed with a new family of sorts, people who give me a glimpse into their thoughts and their lives, who inspire and encourage and some who just give me a laugh when I need it. Some are thought-provoking while others force me to take a hard look at myself.

I have been a member of this “blogging community” for less than six months. In this time I have interacted with some wonderful people, been embraced, supported and motivated beyond what I would have ever imagined.

Last week, I received  a nomination for The Versatile Blogger Award from a very kind lady in the UK for my autism blog God, autism and me (more on that later).

Today Clayton Paul at Clayton Paul Better Ways for Better Days nominated me for The Imagine Award. I am grateful that my venture into this world of words has not only given me the opportunity to try to inspire others, but to be inspired as well. And per my award criteria…

Five reasons I enjoy Clayton Paul Better Ways for Better Days

You never know what he’s going to post. The topic matter is varied yet always informative. He is in fact a very Versatile Blogger!

His blogs always have a positive slant toward them. I am often encouraged or inspired.

True to his motto, Clayton does indeed encourage the reader to implement “better ways for better days” through thought, deed or action.

The information on his blog always leaves me feeling better after reading his blog than before I begin.

Finally, he’s a very nice guy!  The comments he leaves in the blogosphere are constructive. His comments build others up, not tear them down. And I love that!

My nominees for the Imagine Award are the following:

A View from My Summerhouse    kindred spirit

Simply Life, living your best life one day at a time    makes me smile

Youth of A Nation…bent not broke    powerful blog about mental illness and more

On Her Way to Perfection     also makes me smile (I like to smile)

Devotions by Christ Hendrix   helps me keep things in perspective 

Sometimes God gives us people who will push us up when we feel like falling and prod us along when we feel like stalling.

THANK YOU to my READERS and fellow writers for doing that and so much more. Yet another thing to be grateful for.