“Hope is something you can work at. You can put it on the menu, you can dish it out, you can consume it whole.” Sean CummingsSean Cummings was diagnosed with chronic COPD, likely contracted innocently inhaling powdered cement when he was a tile setter in his youth. So when I had a back injury as a result of a rear-end car accident, I knew I needed to engage Hope to replace the emotions I was struggling with. Sean’s example of learning to live with COPD (Breath of Life, Guideposts, November 2018) by adjusting his lifestyle, challenged me to learn to make the necessary adjustments to live with a bad back until I fully recover, or possibly for the rest of my life, as happens with many people injured later in life. Are you fighting circumstances that just happened to you? Do you find yourself defending your position as the innocent victim? How will you engage Hope in your life today? Lord, thank You for the Hope that one day all pain will be gone and all tears dried when we spend eternity in the next life. Amen “…we exult in our trials knowing that trials bring about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint…” Romans 5:3 to 5
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“Some people won’t love you, no matter what you do. Some people won’t stop loving you, no matter what. Go where the love is.” Eleanor Brown
I still had to work with her but I chose not to socialize with her. I suppose she interpreted it as being stuck-up or self-righteous, but it was more important for me to take care of myself and remain neutral toward her. Being new in town and knowing few people, testing the waters as I tried to make new friends was my way of being careful to befriend only people that were encouraging, friendly, and kind. We enjoyed our time together that day. Although, I didn’t regret the self-protection choices I took twenty years earlier, I may always wonder if we could have been friends sooner if I had not been so ‘neutral’ and avoided her. I discovered sometimes rather than look for Love, in order to "go where the lover is" I need to be the one to take Love with me. “Where Love Is, There God Is” Leo Tolstoy Are you in a situation where you are enduring rather than flourishing? Are you able to be kind even when others are not kind to you? What will you do this holiday season to “go where the love is” by taking Love with you? Lord, help me get better at being a peace-maker and loving others who are not necessarily friendly toward me. Amen “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Eleanor Brown (1973- ), novelist, anthologist, editor, teacher, and motivational speaker. She is the New Your Times and international bestselling author of novels The Weird Sisters and The Lights of Paris.
“Four saying that lead to wisdom: 1) ‘I was wrong,’ 2) ‘I’m sorry,’ 3) ‘I don’t know,’ and 4) ‘I need help.’” Louise PennyGetting out of my car I noticed a woman running up to me, yelling. I reacted to her screaming thinking: Is she some kind of a nut? But then I listened. She was livid that I had cruised through the parking lot about twenty-five miles an hour.
I walked up to the open door and said, “I’m the one. I sped through the parking lot.” I went on to try to explain that I would never intentionally put kids at risk. I apologized, multiple times, before we finished talking. Later the school secretary approached me and thanked me for the way I handled it. I felt I had apologized, so I had done all I could do, all I was responsible to do…but I still felt badly. Later, thinking it through for the hundredth time, it occurred to me: I said I would never do anything to put children at risk….but I had done just that. She was right in her assessment.
Have you ever been annoyed when someone points out something you did that was uncharacteristic of you, but still the wrong thing to have done? Did you ever apologize and still not feel relieved of the guilt? If given a do-over, how would you have handled it?...or how will you handle it next time? Lord, thank You for the message that got me back on track – keeping kids’ safety paramount – even though the reminder came to me through a screaming mother and a guilt-trip. I’m grateful You got my attention before I actually injured an innocent child. Amen “For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.” II Corinthians 8:21
“If you haven’t got all the things you want, be grateful for all the things you don’t have that you don’t want.” Anonymous“Thank you for the roof leak in the garage; and that we still have a roof over our heads,” we prayed as we left to drive to my mother’s for Thanksgiving. Thanking God for a misfortune that could have been worse, set the tone for what was about to befall us in just two hours.
We were not seriously injured, the air bags didn't deploy, the engine still ran, so we were thankful to drive the rest of the way to my mom's that evening.
Clearly a car accident was a misfortune, but when we focused on what we didn't have happen, it was a lot less stressful and we were more grateful.
Life happens. Are you looking at your misfortunes only? Are you considering how grateful you are that it wasn't worse? What can you be thankful for what didn’t happen, or what you didn’t get as a result of your misfortune? Lord, thank You for helping me see the good amidst the not-so-good and for the perspective to see how it could have been much worse. Amen “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 What are your thoughts? Libby “Maybe now is the time to offer a true sacrifice of thanksgiving, trusting that God has allowed even the worst circumstances for His unseen purposes.” Juli Slattery
The clock registered 11:20. God had answered the prayer "please take him this morning" that I’d prayed when watching him struggle for a breath. I stood, paced the room, sat on the floor, and through my tears thanked God for answering my prayer...taking Dad while still morning.
Have you had a crisis this year that you wouldn’t think could be God ordained? Can you find something to be thankful for even in the difficult times? As we approach Thanksgiving, what can you thank God for this year?
What are your thoughts?
Libby Note: Juli Slattery (19??- ), an American clinical psychologist, author, speaker, and broadcast media professional who co-hosted Focus on the Family from 2010 to 2012; she co-founded Authentic Intimacy and is the co-author of Passion Pursuit: What Kind of Lover Are You Making?, Finding the Hero In Your Husband, Beyond the Masquerade, and Guilt Free Motherhood. “It was then I learned that gratitude is the best feeling I would ever have…it is perhaps the genesis of all other really good feelings in the human repertoire.” Lewis Smedes, after almost dying
So when an acquaintance suggested I begin to keep a ‘gratitude journal’ writing at least three things I’m grateful for at the end of each day, I topped each page with: “What I learned today was…”
Or I’d think how my social life was virtually non-existent. Then I’d write, “What I’m learning is…my one year old puppy is calmer and less likely to misbehave when I spend more time with him.” After several weeks of choosing to look for the gratitude in each day, I went from what I called was a ‘half-empty’ perspective to a ‘half-full’ perspective. My life hadn’t changed much in that time, but I found myself less depressed and enjoying my days more. Do the unfortunate parts of your day come to mind first? Is your glass half-empty as opposed to half-full? How will you alter your perspective and enjoy the blessings of a grateful heart?
What are your thoughts? Libby
“The future will be made up of todays and todays, stretching out as short as now and as long as eternity.” Anonymous
What I didn’t say was, yesterday I had a great time. What I thought would take two or three hours actually took over six hours. But there’s something about helping other people that turns a busted agenda into a blessed day. Today I’ll get done what’s most important. When unexpected events take my agenda on a detour – like the task I thought would take 40 minute but took over 2 hours – I’ve discovered that it’s more likely God had something else in mind for me today.
Lord, it’s been years that I’ve said, “I desire to do Your will,” but only recently I’ve learned to take the detour and let go of my agenda and I thank You for the blessings. Amen
“We know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, for those who are call according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 What are your thoughts? Libby “Satan’s greatest victory is to convince us that the battle was only in the past; that we no longer need to be on our guard. It’s okay to relax and be comfortable.” Dwight Koopmans
Our vacation went as planned...needle work while my husband drove, and then visiting with friends, sightseeing, and shopping at each destination. After two weeks I was relaxed. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “The rebellion of your moods against your real self is going to come anyway. That is why Faith is such a necessary virtue: unless you teach your moods ‘where they get off,’ you can never be a sound Christian…consequently, one must train the habit of Faith.” If my mood of relaxation so easily diminishing my habit of making oatmeal, how much more vulnerable am I to temptation if I don’t continue to strengthen my faith daily, even while on vacation? Have you bought into the lie that the battle for your heart is in the past, so you can relax and be comfortable? Do you take a vacation from God (quiet time, prayer time, etc.)? What can you do today that will reinforce your ‘habit of faith’? Lord, I know it was no accident that I came across those sermon notes; help me to double-down on my disciplines that keep my faith strong, at home and away. Amen “And He said to His disciples, ‘Temptations to sin are sure to come...’, The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” Luke 17:1, 5 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), British novelist, poet, academic, literary critic, lay theologian, lecturer and Christian apologist. He held academic positions at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities (1925-63). Although most all of his published works are still in print, he is best known for The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Space Trilogy, Mere Christianity, Miracles, The Four Loves, and The Problem of Pain.
“…as we look down the road where all the prodigals have walked, one by one the enemy has whispered lies and led them off as slaves…” Lauren Daigle & Michael Farren, from Come Alive (Dry Bones)Later I was speaking with friends and confessed that although I pray for my mother, I don’t often remember her when I’m in church worshiping. The very moment when I’m closest to God I don’t remember to ask for one of the most important things in my prayer life. It may not be so bad that I’m focusing on God, but when I sing words from songs like this and don’t pay attention to the words, don’t give my mother a thought, don’t ask God to soften her heart toward Jesus, am I mis-using this intimate moment with God? Or, it might better be asked, am I not taking advantage of the passion in my worship to lay my earnest request at the alter?
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26
What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Lauren Ashley Daigle (1991- ), an American contemporary Christian singer and songwriter, signed to the Centricity Music label; Come Alive (Dry Bones) was on her debut album How Can It Be, released April 2015 and went on to achieve Platinum Record status. Daigle was named New Artist of the Year at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards. “The most valuable gift you can give another is a good example.” Unknown Author“Don’t bother to talk to her about God, it just makes her shut down and push God farther away.”
They moved in and I enjoyed the company. Baby Delilah's cry was so quiet I could barely hear her. I’d never been around a newborn before. Delilah's mother was very protective; after all we were virtually strangers. For weeks she saw me read my bible at night and have a quiet time in the morning, but I never spoke to her about God. Eventually she let me hold Delilah and even feed her.
St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the Gospel at all time and when necessary use words.” Is there someone who might be watching how you live your life? Does your life reflect the faith you profess? What will you ask God for today to ensure you are living a life that reflects the good news of God’s grace and mercy to you? Lord, thank You for teaching me the lesson of how important a living witness can be; and, that there is always someone watching. Amen “He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3
What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Saint Francis of Assisi, a.k.a. Giovanni de Pietro de Bernardone (1181-1226), an Italian Catholic friar, deacon and preacher know for founding the Third Order of Saint Francis (among other church Orders); he is one of the most venerated figures in church history, also widely remembered as the patron saint of the natural environment and of animals. |
WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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