Be Of Good Cheer

Much in life takes a great deal of courage to get through. We have to dig deep to push through to the other side of our trouble. One thing we know for sure, the sun will rise again. There is always hope. Christ said, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." He is the ultimate overcomer.

We can overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. But you may also be of good cheer. You will overcome. God will make a way for you and your family. I am asking God to make a way for you.

Keep a smile in your heart.
     Be kind to yourself.
          Be grateful.
               Be patient.
                    This too shall pass.
                          You will be stronger for it.

Look to God to help you. Seek God for understanding and direction. Trust Him to make a way. Be blessed.

I am praying for you. Leave a request in a comment or email if you have a specific prayer need.
God bless you.

Love 💓 Joy 💓 Peace 💓 Hope

Seek the best things.

Songs in the Night

YOU ARE MY HIDING PLACE

 I am glad God watches over me. Sometimes I fail. Sometimes I miss the mark. Sometimes I come across different than I mean. Sometimes I fail those I love. I am a peacemaker at heart. I don't want to disappoint or cause pain. Yet it happens. Then I can't sleep. Like right now. (4:00 a.m.)

Long ago I learned to take it to the Lord in prayer. He is where I receive comfort. When I hurt, when I am fearful, when worries crowd in, I can't handle them well on my own. I struggle. I need God. I need His wisdom. I cherish His grace. He gives me hope in the hard times. And then He gives me songs in the night.

"You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah." Psalm 32:7 NASV

You Are My Hiding Place https://youtu.be/uUx2WcC9JKoaa

Thoughts and Prayers Count (Part 1 of 2)

Thoughts and Prayers

“I’m praying for you,”  ‘thoughts and prayers,’ or ‘thinking of you,’ are statements that roll off the tip of the tongue, close out a Get Well card, and more often than not, end a Facebook or Twitter posting in response to the other person’s troubles or loss. ‘Thoughts and prayers’ speak to the need and says the message the writer wishes to convey to the friend or colleague going through a hard time. 

     But there is an outcry against this sort of thing. Some say it has little impact and falls short of caring, indicating it's trite and silly. But is it really? I beg to differ.

     When the person infers they’re praying, the other person receives it as ‘I’m standing with you in this, and I am backing you up in prayer.’

Yes, words like these bring comfort to the afflicted and light to the journey. People need each others’ comfort and encouragement. Dark days in the daily or on the horizon come to all people, spiritual or not. How others respond to the crisis, with love and prayers, makes a difference, and may determine whether the hurting person feels alone, or feels cared for by those who know their troubles.

I am more aware and self-conscious when I write the phrase ‘thoughts and prayers’ because of the criticism. Some see the sentiment as shallow, disingenuous, or as something that simply doesn’t work or move people to do the right thing. Is this criticism justified? Are ‘thoughts and prayers’ at fault? Does it not deliver the goods? Certainly, prayers should include right hearts and spiritual actions. The phrase is meant as an encouragement, a kind way to say, I’m hanging in there with you. 

For some, it’s not just a phrase, they do pray, and their prayers make a difference. How much difference, only God knows.

People reach out to each other in a way their community accepts and believes. In the Christian/religious community these kinds of phrases communicate the human element in combination with the God element. It invokes the Divine Presence to minister to the human area of need. “Thinking of you” is a secular form of addressing and acknowledging a loss or struggle. I think it brings comfort in its own way.

I mean it when I say, thoughts and prayers. How about you?

Your Place in the Cosmos

"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 7:11

You Have a Unique Part to Play

YOU ARE IN THE STORY. You are. You are an active participant, not as an observer but as a living, breathing, genuine, God-designed being. You have a gift that only you can give. You have a song that only you can sing. You have a message that only you can impart. 

This is your destiny. You are defined by your unique, God-given purpose. 

Before we were formed in our mother’s womb, God had a plan for each one of us. He put eternity in our hearts. God has a plan and a future for you, and he has a separate plan and future for me. God’s plan for us is our personal and spiritual destiny, combined into one. Our destiny is our number one purpose for living. Discover your purpose and you will know why you are here in the cosmos.

Be who you are meant to be. It is a waste of time and energy to build a false persona.

Find out who you are and then center yourself in this knowledge, your destiny. Stop trying to be someone you aren't and never will be, and stop trying to be like other people or like that other person you idolize. You never were meant to be those other people or like that other person. Be you.

God gave you your identity. Ask him to guide and direct in your pursuit of knowing him.  

The more you know God, the more you will know yourself (and your purpose). God has answers to our questions. When we begin to listen, when we pursue a living spirituality, when we make sacrifices of any personal, self-made ambitions, then we are able to come a little closer in understanding our own unique purpose. Let God in to help and guide you. Allow him access to your real self.

Your life will take on greater meaning and substance. You won't be sorry. Come alive.