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Sharing experience and strength offers hope to those who seek wisdom. |
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** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** THE GIFT OF EXPERIENCE: HOPE PREVAILS Hope is the reasonable expectation that something good is going to happen. Without hope, our lives seem desolate and empty. Hope has enabled me to overcome extraordinary amounts of adversity. A good friend pointed out that my circumstances were given to me because I am here to help others. If you are reading this then you should know my faith is strong, and it has only been through the grace of God that these experiences have not overwhelmed me. Welcome.
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“You have to step out to find out,” -Joyce Meyer This quote means without trying you will never know where, when, or how you will succeed. If you have what your brain tells you is a great idea, but you dip your toes in the water and get burned, that idea probably was not destiny. I'm not saying there will not be any adversity, because there definitely will be, but if you run into hot spring after hot spring, it may be time to consider another option. The thing is, it's in those rejections and corrections, and it's in the perseverance and persecution that we truly learn what we are made of inside. It's in how we handle opposition. It's in how we handle failure. It's in how we manage our hope that really matters. How many times did it take Edison to create the light bulb? How many attempts did Ford make to develop a running vehicle? How much do you believe in yourself? How much do you believe in what you are creating? In essence, the lessons we learn as a result of failure are extremely valuable because they show us what does not work. Same in a relationship. If we meet someone we like, but they exhibit xyz behavior from the get-go, we will learn with time we should have listened to our hearts. We let them go, and take that knowledge with us through life as something we do not want. As we make mistakes, we grow in our knowledge of ourselves; equally, as we succeed, we hone in on our talents and learn to harness those assets and train in those areas. |
Hope is a salutation to expectancy. It means despite distant past mishaps and future fears we maintain a semblance of faith that everything will be better. As we are in the most joyful season of the year which, for 2020, is calling us to reach deep within to find that hope, many of us are finding a richer and more rounded and vibrant version of ourselves. 2020 has called us to define ourselves and discover who we were meant to be. The Christmas season is about Jesus, and more specifically, His love. So, as we move into the last couple of days of this holiday, let's be careful to remember that while a lot of us have the love of Jesus in our hearts, many people do not. It's important for us to, despite our own hardships, be kind to others. We have to be the hands and feet of Jesus and show unbelievers why they should want to know Him. We must give out hope generously. Merry Christmas! |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** "Certainly we should be very active in seeking God, and Jesus himself called us to 'ask, seek, knock' in order to find him. Yet those who enter a relationship with God inevitably look back and recognize that God's grace had sought them out, breaking them open to new realities." - Tim Keller ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Five is the number of grace. When we think of the miracle Jesus performed in John Chapter 6, the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus asked the disciples how much food they had. The disciples then searched through the crowds and found a little boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. The boy surrendered his lunch and they brought it back to Jesus. After giving thanks, Jesus broke the bread and the people ate as much as they wanted. In order to receive the grace of God, we have to first submit our hearts and our troubles to Him. We have to give thanks for His faithfulness, usually in advance. In fact, it's a huge advantage to us to place our trust in God and express our faith through thanking him before we see our triumph. Jesus was giving us an example when He thanked God and broke the bread. The result was God's grace in supplying more than enough for all the people to eat. The number 2, like the two fish, is a significant number, also. It represents duality or partnership. Five loaves of bread = grace. Two fish = duality. So in the aforementioned example, I believe Jesus is exemplifying a courtship of reverence between himself and God. The relationship between ourselves and God is so important. If we are not seeking His will for our lives, how will we ever find our purpose? I believe purpose comes from a pairing of God-given talents and an active desire to use them to glorify Him. "Pairing" is also, as we know, another way of saying "two coming together." When added together, the numbers five and two equal seven, which is the number of completion. If we are not in partnership with God, how will we receive His grace? In the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus pairs his duality with God, and His submission of will, (along with his need to feed the many people,) and God gives his grace by answering his prayer. He supplied enough food to fill everyone and gave each of the disciples a doggy basket. ("...more than you can ask, think, or imagine.") That signifies God's completion of a miracle. "So it is by grace, through faith, that you have been saved--and this is not from yourselves, but it is the gift of God-- not by works so that no man can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 Grace + Duality = Completion. He reaches toward us with Grace, we honor Him with our partnership/relationship, and the result is Completion by way of Miracles. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** "Thinking of you makes my heart flutter as though thousands of butterflies are lifting me away." ~eli_asenova ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I have not written much by way of the Black Lives Matters movement. It's such a strong, powerful, and touching statement that I feared I may misspeak and cause an uproar. Something came to my heart today as I was on the bus going home from errands, though, and it made such an impact that I asked a young African American mother how she felt about it. She said it was thoughtful and worth sharing with others. The "Black Lives Matter" slogan doesn't pack as much punch to me as "Black Hearts Flutter." Bear with me. I know that Black Lives Matter. I've seen the horror, in person, of white people who did not think so. I've been a witness from inside a house while my African American friend was beaten mercilessly by white police officers when they thought that no one was around. Quite frankly, I was steaming. And when I came out to confront them, and they found out I had been watching them, they cuffed me too, with no rhyme, reason, warrant, nothing. I was a witness. No. It's not enough to say, Black Lives Matter, because what's most important is that Black Hearts Flutter. Black Hearts Flutter when they experience the sadness of loss and despair. Black Hearts Flutter when their eyes dance with joy and laughter. Black Hearts Flutter when love and romance turn their smiles toward the sunshine. These ordinary human emotions, feelings that African American people experience every day of their lives, seem to have been eliminated from remembrance in the midst of this, the worst time for violence in recent American history. It feels to me that the Black Fluttering Heart must hope a little harder, pray a little more consistently, wish on more stars, and that is just not right at all. Because God made us all secretly, and God has no favorites. And since he made humans secretly that means he must have put incredible, secret things within that are worth Black Hearts shining to glorify Him. Black Hearts Flutter just as beautifully, and maybe more so than any heart. I believe those hearts are fluttering in the direction of hope because hope is universal. Hope does not know the boundaries of racism. Hope only knows the vastness of optimism, and the broad range of possibilities we believe God has placed within us. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** It is, in many ways, through our diversity that God gives us examples to love those who are different from us. We can take that love as far as we would like. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Sometimes we are greedy, but our fellow believer is generous. Sometimes we act foolishly, but our fellow is wise, patient, and prudent. Sometimes we are inconsolable and so grieved we forget how to love, but our fellow has plenty of love, and maybe a hug to offer in our darkest moments. ... And sometimes we Are the fellow to someone who is greedy or grieved, or acting foolishly. We are God's children, the Brethren of Jesus, sisters and brothers in Christ. I wanted to tell you how proud I am of you for your dedication to God, and your eagerness to carry out His will to be a fellow to so many. God bless you. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** "I tell you" He answered, "if they kept quiet the stones along the road would burst into cheers." -Jesus, when the Pharisees tried to hush His disciples. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I found myself in a creative writing mood and couldn't think of a better place for the piece than my blog about hope. Here's what was on my mind: With a glimpse of the new moon, God's words spill forth and decorate my heart and my life like pink baby roses along the church aisle, cheering the bride as she makes her way to the altar. My path in foresight; it's a decision to live on the high level of faith, never bowing to the fear from my youth. The strength I have gained is wisdom; it hovers in the wing. The light of the Spirit is the passion that translates into destiny. If I should ever have rain in the forecast, I will dance in the puddles and laugh at the stars believing that with every storm comes a rainbow, a promise from God that all things are possible with Him. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** "An attitude of Hope brings about consequences of positivism." ~Crissy ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** We get to choose what to focus on in our lives. Those things which bring dismal results, or those things over which we have no control, should stay in the back of our minds. Staying hopeful about our situations and future, and focusing on that which is good and right, will bring about the joy so many of us pursue daily. "If only you knew what I'm going through," you say. "My teen is hard-headed and stubborn and loves to argue with me." Your teen will make an excellent lawyer. "My spouse comes in from work and doesn't help around the house." Do you commend your spouse for working hard and supporting the family? We all play a role in society and at home. Keeping hope alive means not only for yourself, but for your family, colleagues, and friends as well. When we learn to give positive feedback, to focus on what's RIGHT rather than what's WRONG, it becomes an attitude of gratitude and hope follows suit. I've seen this in my own son. When he was about 11 years old, I began writing him encouraging letters. At that age, it was hard to get him away from his friends to talk to him about the things that matter, so the letters were my effort to communicate about important issues. I once summarized I Corinthians 13 (which, in the Bible, is the chapter that describes what love is and is not) in one of those letters. He said it made him tear up. Him voicing those words brought me hope that I was getting through to him. Today, he is 20, and has an excellent job in an up-and-coming field installing solar panels and he's making great money. My hope for him, even through his difficulty in school, stayed intact and the consequence was positive. So, stay hopeful despite your current difficulty, and you will reap a harvest of goodness. God Bless. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** 23 "At last!" the man [Adam] exclaimed. "This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called 'woman' because she was taken from 'man.'" 24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. -(NLT) Bible Genesis 2:23-24 ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** When two people are married, they should put no other person between themselves and their spouse. Naturally, if we are Christian, God should come first. Children, friends, co-workers, and hobbies should come somewhere further down our list. I have only just learned this principle. I always said after my divorce that no man would ever come before my child. I did not grow up in a Christian home, and wasn't saved until I was 29. My step parent was not a nice person, and my natural parent did none of the disciplining, which is the reason for the vow I made to myself. I refused to let myself drown out my child in favor of my own (what I thought to be) selfish happiness. I didn't understand the concept of balance and priority according to the Word of God. When you receive someone's hand in marriage, that relationship should be second only to the one you have with God. I learned this concept, by reading my Bible and by listening to and watching the teachings of Jimmy Evans of Marriage Today with Jimmy and Karen {http://www.marriagetoday.com} Had I understood this as a teen, I would have seen why I did not come before my step parent. At the time, though, it was hurtful. Jesus said, "Love one another just as I have loved the church." Your spouse is the closest person to you. The two of you make big decisions together if your relationship is healthy. I see now how making your spouse your priority and serving one another in love will teach the children to have healthy, functional lives. It is not Biblically sound to return to your mother or father for comfort and advice when you have committed your life to someone in marriage. Plans, secrets, problems...these are things to be kept among the two of you. Jimmy Evans, Pastor and marriage counselor, says you show love by serving each other and building one another up. Men need honor and respect. Women need security and communication. When you show love in this way, you will grow closer and will not feel the need to return to the parents who raised you for validation. God intended for us, according to the abovementioned scripture, to (aside from Him) depend on our spouse for advice and comfort, and not our mothers and fathers. So here are my questions to you: Are you married to your best friend? Do you show them they're valued? Do you really listen to their needs? Do you respect them in front of others, whether they're there or not? Just food for thought, but feel free to answer in the comments section. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** "If you want to have a life that is worth living, a life that expresses your deepest feelings and emotions and cares and dreams, you have to fight for it." -Alice Walker ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I heard a story of hope about about a stubborn old mule. One day he was grazing in a lush pasture. He was enjoying the scrumptious vegetation so much that he didn't notice the pit before him. He fell blindly into the deep pit and was stuck there for quite some time. Finally, one of the farmer's hands found the mule and ran quickly to tell the farmer of the tragedy. The men realized there was no way to get him out so they decided to bury him. They began to shovel dirt on top of him to the dismay of the mule. Each time they threw in a shovel full of dirt, the mule shook it off his back and stomped on it. Eventually, he was level enough with the ground to walk right out! The moral of the story? When life throws you dirt, shake it off!! [Embed For Use By Upgraded+] I was thinking today about hope. Sometimes, when we are buried in our daily routines with all the things that monopolize our time, we may forget about the dreams of our hearts. It's important to remember the hopes that once drove us. Believing that good things will happen puts pep in the step and a sparkle in the eye. We may have fulfilled some of our dreams when we got married, had children, and/or bought a home, but what is in your heart that you have yet to bring to fruition? For some here at WDC, it may be to publish that novel. It may be that running in a marathon will exhilarate and challenge you physically. Perhaps you would like to serve in some manner at your church. In order for our dreams to come to pass we must step out and try. Alice Walker also said, "Women have to summon up courage to fulfill dormant dreams." I believe that is true for men as well. Dreams often stem from our natural gifts and talents. When our dreams correlate with our talents, we are most certainly in for a win-win conclusion. There may (probably will) be some setbacks, but we must press on toward the purpose for which we were prepared. God Bless You as you follow your dreams. May you always first seek His will. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** "If you learn to really sit with loneliness and embrace it for the gift that it is...an opportunity to get to know you...to learn how strong you really are, to depend on no one but you for your happiness, you will realize that a little loneliness goes a long way in creating a richer, deeper, more vibrant and colorful you." -Mandy Hale ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Setting expectations for ourselves is vital to becoming the best people we can be. Goals and aspirations, dreams and fascinations...they require us to be accountable, if only to ourselves. We may need to take baby steps. First we have to crawl, (some of us out of the pits of hell's grip) then stand, and finally walk toward our predetermined future. I added this today because I believe we should never lose HOPE in ourselves. We may go through periods of down time, but in spending time alone we develop a strong sense of self that can carry us through rough patches. We should ask ourselves some questions when we feel down. A) How did I overcome my last obstacle? B) Who are my positive role models? C) What is my finest attribute? D) Can I use a former experience to help me through this? Once you've answered them, get out and chase the wind until you discover its color for yourself. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
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