A Matter of Perspective

Life is hard. I hear people say that statement, and I say it. Life IS hard. There's no way to get around it. But God is good. My mind thinks that thought as the answer to the equation. Two big truths connected together by an unseen thread, one conjunction that brings the two side by side. Life is hard BUT God IS good.

All I know in my human limitations is that every time I go through hard times I draw upon God to help me get through them and grow in the process. He carries me along, sees my tears, gives me hope, and blesses me in the process. That's being a good Father God. I never welcome the struggle and I complain more than I should, but I'm never alone.

I asked an elderly lady how she was doing. She said, "I'm upright." Yes, some days it is that way. We are hanging in there and pushing through. God is pushing with us, the unseen partner that we call upon time after time. Some days he seems more distant, that is where trust comes in. He teaches us to trust him for the journey. Later on, we look back and are amazed that we made it through. Praises and more praises.

The deeper we go with God, the more we center our thoughts and being in him, the more we will know his blessed peace in the middle of a storm. He calms the storm with "Peace be still." I know it's true. He's been that for me. New challenges keep coming, and I am stretched a bit further in a new direction. Life is hard but God is good. He teaches me how to handle these new dynamics and disappointments. He is my best friend throughout it all. I love him.

God bless you today

Is the Bible Relevant for Today?

Is the Bible relevant?

I have been reading in Genesis, Psalms, and Mark lately. It so impresses me how stories in the Bible are full of drama.

Joseph's story is one of them. It plays out like a movie, with injustice after injustice, event after event, and so forth. He sorrows for his homeland, his people, even though he rises to second in rank in Egypt. And the story line has one amazing, unexpected, unpredictable resolution.

And, in the book of Mark, walking with Jesus and the way each situation occurs and causes people to stumble, rejoice, heal, reject or whatever. There's never a dull moment for the disciples. And the audience? Three days without food while sitting on the hillside listening to Jesus. Could or would we do that?! I love reading the words of Jesus. They speak life and cut to the chase, don't you think?

I read the psalms and see my own kaleidoscope of emotions, defeating fears, incredible joys, depressed feelings, and multiple sorrows ... with ever-present steadfast hope in God. This is the one book in the Bible that I read a chapter of almost every day. It is extremely applicable to the daily struggle and gives us what we need to carry on.

Is the Bible relevant? Yes, the Bible is relevant. At least for me it is. The Bible speaks the language of heart, Spirit, and truth, and that is what makes it relevant for every age.

Blessed I am by its words.

YOU CAN DO THIS

Be Others-Focused, Just Because

You can do this.

You can. You can do this.

You can find your voice and use it wisely. You can extend grace, show mercy, and be kind. Your life can make a difference in the world. The focus changes when you live to give, not to get; live to help, not to hinder; live to love others and not to hate them.

 Live for the better good. Be a remarkable citizen. Roll up your sleeves and do the hard work to make life better for others in your community, county, country, and world. When you see a problem, do something about it rather than say to yourself, that’s not my problem. 

Lead the way to making a better day. Believe in others, the process, and lead and guide the discussion to motivate action in others. 

Be sincere. Listen to others. Motivate your own actions through love that chooses to bless others.You are given a chance to make a difference in this world. 

Change it up. Get it right for yourself and show how it can be done for others. Be a person of quality and integrity. Rethink what you do and how you come across. Work on your stuff first before advising others. 

Become the person you can be. Address your habits and your purpose. Speak life to others and secure a right relationship to health and well-being for yourself and for others. Don’t sell yourself short. 

You can do this. 

You can’t change someone else but you can change yourself. You can’t make the world become a happier place, but you can make yourself into a happier person. 

I have watched people do that. I did that. I literally changed my focus to an outward focus. Mothers often do this. They put themselves last and others first. It is not because they are weak or ineffectual, it is because they are selfless and caring. They want their family, friends, and others to be happy. Period.

This puts people on notice that somebody’s happy around here. 

How sweet it is!