Author: terriplace89

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines pessimism as: “an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome”.  My friend, ‘Merriam’ also says that pessimism is a doctrine; “the doctrine that reality is essentially evil”, and “the doctrine that evil overbalances happiness in life”.  Although I find those doctrines rather appalling, they show me that some people have such an inclination to expect the worst, that it can become their way of life.  However, I understand the process because I was taught that practicing error long enough eventually becomes doctrine. 

Perhaps you know someone who always sees the glass half-empty.  Someone who takes a negative view of every situation, who can put a cynical spin even on good news.  These folks are pessimistic and generally unhappy.  Why?  The short answer is that they choose to be so.  But we know that there is usually more to the story than short answers. 

It is likely that these people may have suffered hardships and disappointments in their lives, maybe multiple times.  Their experiences have fostered an attitude of pessimism.  It has become easier for them to expect bad things rather than hope for good things and be disappointed.  This kind of thinking often starts with an attitude of self-preservation.  People feel that they can’t endure any more disappointments, so they build a wall of pessimism around themselves. But unfortunately, that reaps pessimistic results, so they are discouraged and the cycle repeats. 

Another cause may be wrong teaching.  Someone’s parents or a trusted teacher might have a pessimistic attitude and that influences them.  Even some churches teach that adverse happenings in one’s life are necessary for building humility.  These ideas can permeate people’s thinking and lead them down a negative path. 

Now, let’s look at optimism.  The MW dictionary defines optimism as: “an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome” and “a doctrine that this world is the best possible world”.  Interestingly, optimism is also a doctrine, which means that people can practice it long enough that it becomes their way of life, their doctrine. 

Do you know anyone who is optimistic?  Are you optimistic?  Do you see the glass half-full?  Do you have a positive attitude toward life despite its disappointments?  Do you expect a favorable outcome in adverse situations?  Why?  Again, the short answer – because you choose to do so. 

Optimistic people experience hardships and disappointments just like pessimistic people but choose a different path to deal with them.  They refute the negatives rather than accept them.  They expect a positive outcome in spite of discouragement.  Their positive expectations produce positive results.  And for the most part, they are happy people. 

Pessimism and optimism are direct opposites.  They oppose each other.  Their effects are at opposite ends of the spectrum.  Even their definitions contrast one another. 

The world is full of opposites – light and dark, good and bad, up and down, yes and no, day and night, the list goes on.  I should note that in practice, some of these opposites may mingle.  For example, an optimistic person may be pessimistic in a particular situation.  A ‘yes’ answer may carry a ‘no’ stipulation in it.  Even day and night meet at dusk.  

Sometimes opposites fluctuate.  We can be up one day and down the next.  We can feel good, or we can feel bad.  These are not constants.  But there are two opposites in life that never mingle and are always constant – the one true God and the devil.  God is all light, and the devil is all darkness – they never mix – ever!  Light always dispels darkness – always!  Even a lit match in a dark room can be easily seen.  Think of how tiny fireflies’ lights are.  Yet those tiny specks of light dazzle us on warm summer nights.

We Christians live such an interesting dynamic in this day and time.  The devil is called the god of this world because he essentially stole that authority from Adam.  We are in this world, but we are not of this world and therefore we are not subject to the devil’s rules.  Pessimism is one of his rules.  We don’t need to be subject to it, but we may be bothered by it.  We may find ourselves with pessimistic thoughts from time to time.  But the marvelous thing is that we can choose to change those thoughts. With a knowledge of God and His Word, we have the ability to put new and unique thoughts in our minds.  Thoughts that are contrary to worldly rules and can override them.  Thoughts of what God says.

Now the devil may have the authority to run the place, but God still owns the earth, so there is still inherent goodness in the world. (I Corinthians 10:26). Nature, love, laughter, and music are some examples.  Therefore, optimism is present, even for those who don’t know God.  People can be optimistic and receive the benefits of their optimism, but the world dissuades it.  Have you ever heard the term Pollyanna? It comes from a 1913 novel of the same name by Eleanor H. Porter.  The world’s depiction of Pollyanna is “someone who is blindly optimistic about every situation, sometimes to the point of foolishness. The term is typically used in a negative way, to describe someone who cannot think about the more serious ramifications of various situations.”  That viewpoint appears to be designed to discourage people from being optimistic.   Personally, I don’t know how anyone can be optimistic without being able to cling to the positives of God’s Word, but I guess some are. 

Not only is the Bible light and truth, but it is full of edification, exhortation, and comfort.  God is aware that we are surrounded by negative worldly influences.  He knows that we must battle those influences in our minds every day.  So, He calls out to us with words of loving support.  He builds us up.  He strengthens us with encouragement.  He has equipped us with everything we need to win the battle. 

As we face all the opposites in the world around us, let’s do our best to choose the positive ones.  Let’s seek the goodness of God and refuse to be intimidated by the world’s opposition.  in fact, let’s be the opposite of the world. Let’s be totally light and shine in the darkness for all to see.

Note to my readers:  Ignore the world and stay optimistic!  Thanks for reading! 

P.S.  I call the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “my friend” because we visit almost every day!  We have a close working relationship!  😊

Writers yearn to say something profound.  And I am no exception.  As a Christian, I yearn to say something inspiring.  As a wife, I yearn to say something endearing.  As a mother and grandmother, I yearn to say something enlightening.  And as a friend, I yearn to say something trustworthy. 

As I writer, I yearn to convey all those things in all my writings.  Of course, not everything I write is going to do that.  But the joy of writing is the anticipation that one of my words might reach someone’s heart and bless them.

I often think of life like writing.  I yearn to do something outstanding in my life.  And just like each post I write offers an opportunity to say something profound, each day offers an opportunity to do something outstanding.  We all know that not everything we do in our lives will be outstanding, but we still have the joy of anticipating that we might do an outstanding thing today. 

In comparing life to writing, I often think of New Year’s Day like a ‘backspace’ key.  Before you stop reading because that sounds like a ridiculous statement, please hear me out. 

Picture yourself typing on your computer’s keyboard.  The blinking cursor is your current location.  If you review what precedes your cursor and you don’t want to keep it, your backspace key erases it.  It is a handy tool to use in editing one’s writing.  For any number of reasons, we may want to erase our prior typing and start over with fresh new words. 

In life, the backspace key can erase bad memories of things like blunders or heartaches. We know that we can’t change the past, but we can keep it from hurting us now by managing our thoughts.   And the new year is a good opportunity to accomplish that.  The old year is past, and our cursor is blinking on a brand-new year.  We can use New Year’s Day as a backspace key to erase the previous things that are weighing us down in our minds and start over with fresh new thoughts.  Of course, any day can serve as a backspace key, but the day that ushers in a new year seems to give us a little extra impetus to want to put the past in the past.  And in-so-doing, we can have renewed excitement for the future. 

There is a corresponding action when using the backspace key, which is replacing what was erased.  This is done in mainly two ways.  First, by simply joining the words prior to the erasure to those after.  This not only removes the words in between, but also the space that they were occupying.   Think of how difficult it would be to read this blog if every time I used the backspace key, I left a blank space.   I t  co  uld  be           nea    rly    imp     oss        ible   t   o  r  ead  .    Our minds aren’t designed to work with voids.  We must remove the empty spaces or fill them.   Our thoughts must be whole.   Therefore, the second option is to replace the erased words with new ones.  This is basically filling the space with new thoughts.  It is a correction rather than a deletion. 

In our minds, some thoughts need to be deleted, and some thoughts need to be corrected.  For instance, the memory of that scary movie I watched in Junior High, needed to be deleted and no space left for its return.  But the fear I had of a boogie man in my closet, needed to be corrected with right teaching.  This is an ongoing process because we are always thinking.  As adults, we don’t have the same fears that we had as children, but fears can linger none-the-less.  We can use the New Year’s Day backspace key to facilitate deliverance from those fears.  We can kick out those fears and leave no room for them to come back, or we can correct those fears by right believing. 

The backspace key works for fears, memories, bad habits, and anything that is bringing us down.  Some people live a lifetime under the shadow of a mistake, or behind the closed doors of fear.  At any point we can utilize the process of correction or deletion and rewrite our thoughts.  We can overcome the negatives that persist in clouding our minds by changing our thinking.

We can start the new year with new plans, new ideas and new resolve.  We can change the way we think and thereby change our actions.  We can succeed where we may have failed in the past.  And just as our goal in writing is to replace the words that we erase with better words, we can replace our old thoughts with more profitable ones.

And the only guaranteed profitable thoughts come from thinking God’s Word.  Putting God’s Word in our minds and changing our thoughts accordingly is the key to power.  That power enables us to change and be better; to grow and flourish; to overcome any adversity.  We can utilize that power because God has given us the gift of holy spirit, which in inherently powerful.   And since it is ours, we have the God-given authority to use it. 

Most all of us want 2022 to be better than 2021, even if 2021 wasn’t a bad year.  2022 certainly can be a great year if we keep our thinking aligned with God’s Word.  If we use that backspace key to erase the negatives that need erasing.  And if we replace those negatives with the glorious light of God’s Word in our minds. 

Philippians 3:13

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Note to my readers:  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  Thanks for reading!

People have many different ideas about this time of year.  Some people love it, and some people hate it.  Some people look forward to it, while others dread it.  Some people revel in the celebration, and others can’t wait for it to be over.  This time of year, which we call the “holiday season” elicits an opinion from just about everybody.  And because those opinions are based on personal experience and teaching, they as varied as snowflakes.  Even within ourselves we may have mixed emotions about the season.  Our current circumstances definitely influence our attitudes, as do our surroundings.  Religious beliefs and family traditions also play major roles in our sentiments about the holidays.   

So, here is a little bit of my seasonal reasoning… (for what it’s worth) 😊

Society embraces this season, and that allows us time to spend with our family and friends.  Of course, society’s motives are driven by profit margins, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t take advantage of the opportunity.  Kids have a lengthy break from school, and parents often take some time off work.  Even if we can’t be with family, we can use the time to enjoy a little change of pace.  There are often gatherings of some sort; co-workers, neighbors, or friends have parties.  Civic events, like tree-lightings can bring people together.  And holiday entertainment is usually uplifting.  Just about everyone has a favorite holiday movie.

Holiday decorations are typically dazzling.  There is just something to be said for all those lights!  I still remember my dad driving us around to look at them when I was a kid.  It was a highlight of the season for me.  And even now, I get excited by festive light displays.  Our little town does an outstanding job of lighting the main street; and there is a lovely display of lighted trees by the lake and another around the pond.  I smile every time I see them.  We recently attended a party at a friend’s house that was beautifully decorated for the holidays.  It was a pleasure to behold all of the tasteful adornments.  It looked like a holiday movie set. 

I enjoy decorating my own house as well.  The tree with all its lights and ornaments, and my other decorations bring back many good memories and special thoughts.  When I unpack the ornaments that were gifts, I think about the givers.  Even the things that I’ve gotten for myself remind me of certain times or experiences for which I’m thankful.  Plus, I just like looking them. 

Presents are a central theme of the season.  And I love to give them.  My heart thrills when I find the perfect gift for someone.  I like seeing lots of presents wrapped in colorful paper under the tree and seeing the smiles as they are opened.  Even though gift giving is really promoted by commerce, people generally do think more about the act of giving during the holiday season.  People seem to be a little friendlier, a little happier, and a little kinder at this time of year. 

These are just a few of the things that I appreciate about the holiday season.  These things make me happy.  You might not observe or enjoy these same things.  But as I mentioned earlier, our opinions don’t have to agree.  Your experiences and mine may be very different.  How we were raised and what we were taught contribute to our individuality and our free-will opinions.  There is no one-right-way of celebrating the holidays – even if it’s not celebrating them at all. 

Most Christians are aware that December 25^th is not the actual day that Jesus was born.  But it is the day that our society makes time for us to celebrate it.  Given the state of the world these days, I’m thankful that there is still a time set aside to recognize our Savior’s birth even if it’s not the right date.  So why not use the time available and rejoice anyway? 

The popular holiday activities with all their trimmings are simply remnants of traditions handed down through the years and can be fun if we want to participate.  Santa Claus, trees, lights, and decorations have no connection to Jesus’ birth and I don’t try to put them in the same category.  But a lot of the classic carols and other references to our Lord are still around at this time of year and I appreciate that too.  I think of it like two simultaneous but separate celebrations. 

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I hope you have a wonderful holiday no matter what your opinions are of the season.  Whether you choose to celebrate or not, I hope you are blessed.  My prayer is that you have peace and joy, that you love and are loved, and that you smile.   

One of my favorite holiday shows is “A Charlie Brown Christmas”.  I think it’s great that Linus recites scriptures from Luke:

Luke 2:8-14

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Our wonderful savior, our Lord Jesus Christ should never be far from our thoughts.  And thinking about his birth during the holiday season is not a bad thing.  Whatever you feel about the holidays, savor every moment. 

Note to my readers:  “Happy Holidays”!  “Merry Christmas”!  Whatever you choose to say – enjoy.  Thanks for reading!

I had the privilege of learning God’s Word from a master teacher.  He was like a father to his students because he taught us so much and genuinely cared about our well-being.  He had a saying, “A lot of things, kids”, which I have remembered often over the years.  I’m sure that most of his students remember this saying and it means something different to each of us.  But this is what it means to me… 

When I remember my teacher saying this, I hear him saying it with a sigh.  Not a sigh of discouragement or anxiety, but a sigh of hopeful contemplation.  He spoke from the wisdom of his age and experience, which none of us students had yet.  And he spoke from his knowledge of the Bible, which we were just beginning to learn.

Looking at things with hopeful contemplation allows us to see them for what they really are.  When we take the time to thoughtfully consider something in the context of what the Bible says about it, the pure light of God’s Word reveals it clearly.  We are not duped by circumstances or confused by situations because we see them plainly through that light. 

Picture yourself walking around your house in the dark.  Even in that familiar environment, you may be fooled by your surroundings.  You might trip over something you can’t see, or wrongly identify a shadow.  But if you turn on the lights, all becomes clear.  The things that were hidden in the shadows are now openly visible. 

God’s Word lights our paths with unmistakable clarity.  And when we have that clarity, we can be hopeful.  A lot of things happen in life that are not positive.  Some are downright awful.  But we can contemplate those things in the light of God’s Word and expect God’s solution, which allows us to remain hopeful.

“A lot of things, kids” is a reminder that life is full of experiences, opportunities, challenges, and learning.  Can you list every experience that you’ve had since birth?  Of course not!  There have been millions of them.  But reflecting on memories of what we’re learned can help us manage in the present and prepare for the future.  When we remember the opportunities that we’ve had, it boosts our confidence that we can have more of them.  And reminding ourselves of past triumphs, encourages us to believe that we can do it again.  All of this is learning.  And learning is an exciting adventure. 

I have gained a modicum of wisdom from my age and experience, and I have learned a bit of the Bible over the years.  There have been good times in my life and bad times.  There have been successes and failures.  There have been times of laughter and times of tears.  But all of these things and more have been woven together to become the life that I have now, and it’s a good life.  Not only am I a son of God, but also, I’ve been taught God’s Word, rightly divided.  I have a wonderful family.  I have terrific friends.  I belong to a fantastic fellowship of believers.  And that’s a lot of things!  What more could the heart look for?

Sometimes, I wonder what God ever saw in me to call me to be His son.  I was a screw-up from way back!  I was full of fear, doubt and worries.  I had the self-esteem of a garden slug.  But God saw past all of that and picked me anyway.  He gave His only begotten son for me and everyone like me!  My teacher said once, “God is so good to me, I sometimes wonder if He’s mixed me up with someone else.”  He said that with tongue-in-check candor, but it expressed his humility and gratitude well.  And it reminded me that God loves me too.  For that I am thankful. 

Finally, I hear the caring compassion of a parent in my teacher saying, “A lot of things, kids”.  Regardless of our ages, he called us all “kids”.  And I think he meant it.  As parents, we always want the best for our children.  We take the responsibility of parenthood seriously.  Our hearts yearn to train up our children according to God’s Word and to do whatever we can to secure their happiness and well-being.  Their successes are our successes.  And in the difficult times, their tears are our tears.  God is our Father, and He treats us as His beloved children.  We are to imitate Him.  God is our #1 example of parenting; and He is full of compassion and extraordinary kindness. 

For me, “A lot of things, kids” is a fond memory of my teacher.  It is also an inspiration for me to appreciate all the things that have transpired in my life to bring me to this day and time.  It reminds me to be thankful to my Heavenly Father for everything that He has done, is doing and shall do for me.  It is my prayer that you may find similar inspiration in this simple saying, “A lot of things, kids”. 

Note to my readers:  “God bless.  I love you.  You are the best.”   Thanks for reading!

Florida has the second longest coastline in the United States, longer even than California; and the vast majority of Floridians live along that extensive coastline. *  But another statistic that people may not know, is that Florida is also full of lakes.  According to a report by the Orlando Sentinel, Florida has 30,000 lakes, which cover a little over 3 million acres.  So, I think it’s safe to say that water plays a significant role in the lives of almost every Floridian.  (*Alaska has the longest coastline.)

Now, you might be saying, “Thanks for the geography lesson, but what does that have to do with set-backs?”  Allow me to explain…

I often think of life like being in a boat on the water.  Sometimes the waters are calm, sometimes they are turbulent.  Sometimes we struggle against strong currents, sometimes the currents take us where we don’t want to go.  Sometimes storms cause damage or may even capsize us.  No matter where our boat is taking us; one thing is certain, the waters are ever changing. 

Overall, life is mostly calm waters.  We float through our daily routines on the gentle sway of the water’s path.  One day is like another and we have no complaints.  We are comfortable and content.  But sometimes the path leads to turbulent waters that require much attention and effort to navigate.  Our lives become difficult.  These times are set-backs.  We may wonder what we did wrong to be surrounded by these choppy waters.  We may feel seasick.  But when we remember that it is simply the nature of the waters to be either calm or turbulent, we are able to put things in proper perspective and deal with the situation.  We remind ourselves, “this too shall pass” and that God is able to guide us back to the calm waters.

Perhaps after enjoying the calm waters for a season, we wake up one day to find ourselves completely off course – carried away by a current we didn’t even notice.  We’re not sure how we ended up where we did, but there we are!  This is also a set-back.  We then become tasked with diligently rowing against the current to get back to the calm waters where we want to be.  We learn that we must not ignore the currents and that God can help us identify them.  It is quicker to get back to the calm waters from a few feet off course than from miles away. 

There are also times when storms arise, maybe without warning.  Storms bring the greatest turbulence and the strongest currents.  Storms can be devastating and destructive.  We may feel overwhelmed by the storm’s force.  We might find ourselves in distress or upheaval.  These are the set-backs in which we must rely on God more than ever.  We must be confident that He is able to quiet the storm, repair the damage, and restore us to the calm waters.

Life is full of set-backs.  Some set us back a few steps, others knock us down.  But no matter what the results of our set-backs are, God is able to handle them.  Think about it – if God is omnipotent (which He is); do you think that He judges situations by their level of difficulty?  Of course not.  He is all powerful.  There is nothing too hard for Him.  It is only we humans with our limited abilities who assign levels of difficulty to situations.

Jeremiah 32:27

Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

No matter where you are in life, this verse is applicable.  No matter what your circumstance is, no matter condition you’re in, God is able to supply, and He shall take care of us.

Set-backs can take the wind out of our sails.  But we must always batten down the hatches and persevere.  Just as ships were made to sail, we are made to succeed.  And the only way we can really do that is by utilizing God’s resources and support.  It is the power of God that brings about our true success.  It is God’s love that guarantees our victory. 

Psalm 37:5

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Looking to God in every situation, (including every set-back) is the best way to assure our smooth sailing.  Set-backs may slow us down, but they need never stop us!  Always remember – without a challenge, we would never taste success. 

Note to my readers:  Full sail ahead!  Thanks for reading!

Today is my sister’s birthday and it is a milestone one for her.  She is a very special person, and I’m thankful to have her in my life.  So, I begin this post by saying “Happy Birthday” to her. 

Birthdays mean different things to different people, but mostly they are considered days for celebration.  For children, birthdays mean parties and presents.  For adults, they mean achievements.  For young people, birthdays often represent another step closer to a goal-age.  And for older folks, they represent another year effectively accomplished. 

But birthdays can also be viewed negatively as unwelcomed mile-markers of aging, or as reminders of unpleasant memories.  Whether we think birthdays should be celebrated or ignored, there is one thing that we can’t deny: time marches on.  Whether we recognize our birthdays or not, the years are passing.  And I can personally attest that forgetting birthdays does NOT slow time’s progression – I’ve tried it and I’m still getting older! 

I think birthdays are opportunities to appreciate one another.  They are occasions that allow us show someone that we appreciate them; or to allow others show their appreciation for us.  We are always so busy in our lives, that stopping for a moment to observe someone’s birthday can be a much-needed break.  Even small gestures of birthday recognition can make people happy.  However, I must add that appreciation does not always mean purchasing gifts.  Perhaps for children, buying gifts may be necessary; but for adults, it is not.  A kind word, or a heartfelt note, or a homemade present can mean more to the recipient than something we might purchase.  In any case, giving gifts should be done out of the freewill heart’s desire of the giver, and not because of a required social convention. 

Almost all holidays are centered around some kind of remembrance.  Just as Thanksgiving is a day to remember all the reasons that we have to be thankful, a birthday is a chance to remember someone special to us.  As parents, we celebrate our children’s birthdays because we love them, and we remember the rejoicing that we had on the day they were born.  For birthdays of other family members and friends, we often reminisce about our shared experiences and the impacts that their lives have had on ours.  Overall, remembering someone on their birthday is a pleasant reminder of their significance in our lives. 

I like traditions.  As long as the tradition isn’t at cross-purposes with God’s Word, it can be an enjoyable, memory-making activity for families and friends. Birthday parties can be a delightful tradition for all ages.  I still remember some of my birthday parties from childhood.  They were such special events for me.  I always got to wear a pretty dress, and there were kids, and presents, and cake, and games.  I remember the first time my mom got me a store-bought birthday cake.  It didn’t taste any better than her homemade cakes, but it had flowers on it – beautiful pink edible flowers!  And surprisingly, not everyone liked the beautiful pink sugar-laden flowers, so I got to eat most of them. And I probably remember this because I might still be on that sugar high!

I also remember birthday parties that my friends in Ohio would have for me as an adult.  I don’t know exactly why it always seemed to be my birthday that we celebrated together, but it was; maybe because I’m the oldest?  Anyway, we played games, we did crafts, we ate and drank.  And the fellowship was terrific.  Those are very special memories for me. 

I remember my children’s birthday parties, especially the ones for my boys in the 8-12 year old range.  I have pictures from one particular party of a bunch of 8 to 10 year-old boys very proudly flexing their less than bulging arm muscles.  It is cheerful reminder of those years.  And for my daughter’s birthday slumber parties; I can still hear the high-pitched sound of giggling that only little girls can make!  But most of all, I cherish the memories of my kids’ birthdays with their grandparents.  The pictures from those times are irreplaceable.     

I could continue my walk down memory lane for pages, but I think you get the idea.  Birthdays can be a wonderful way to commemorate life.  Even if you have no tradition of celebrating birthdays, you can still bless someone by remembering them on their special day.  Sometimes just telling someone that you love and appreciate them can be the best birthday present you can give. 

No matter what your thoughts are on birthdays – good or bad, remember that our lives are blessed by God regardless of how old we are, (or young).  Age is relatively insignificant compared to eternal life, which we received when we got born again.  And the gift that God gave us on that day is the best present we could ever receive on any day including our birthday!

And if today happens to be your birthday – revel in God’s blessings.  Enjoy every moment of your day.  Congratulate yourself for another year successfully completed and look forward to many more years of God’s wondrous works in your life. 

Note to my readers:  Whenever your birthday is, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”  Thanks for reading!

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, we may hear more people talk about being thankful than at other times of the year.  Thanksgiving Day is a reminder to all of us to think about how much we have to be thankful for and to honestly say “thank you” for it.  Some might struggle to find reasons to give thanks.  Others may joyfully recount all their blessings.  But no matter which end of the spectrum you’re on, there is always something to be thankful for.

Did the sun rise this morning?  Even if it was obscured by clouds, it rose.  And for that we can be thankful.  Take a deep breath.  For that we can be thankful.  Even the most fundamental things in life offer us reasons to be thankful if we take a moment to recognize them.

Thankfulness is an attitude that we must maintain.  It doesn’t happen automatically; we must choose to be thankful.  And that choice often starts with making the effort to notice and appreciate our surroundings. We need to pay attention to the things around us, to the people around us, and most importantly to God, who is always around us.  Simple things may be taken for granted or appreciated.  The choice is ours.  However, taking anything (especially God!) for granted profits nothing.  But appreciation is the basis of a thankful lifestyle. 

But it can get tricky.  Society teaches us to not appreciate what we have or who we are by taunting us with things that we can’t afford and physical attributes that we don’t have.   The decision to appreciate God, and all the good in our lives is almost always in direct opposition to what society is propounding.  The evil in this world would like to keep us miserable, but being thankful can impede those efforts.  Thankfulness brings peace and rejoicing into our lives.

Sometimes we face hardships; some are difficult, others are devasting.  It may seem impossible to be thankful at those times.  But we can weather those storms by looking toward a victorious outcome.  We are not thankful for the hardship, but we can be thankful to God for His help to get us through it.  Prayer gives us that ability.  Our prayerful requests with thanksgiving to God give us peace that guards our minds.*  And when we receive our victory, rejoicing abounds. 

Consider the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday.  The Pilgrims who came to this country to escape religious persecution in Europe suffered tremendous hardships on their voyage to the New World.  By the end of their first year of settling here, nearly half of their company had died and many of those who remained were weak or sick.  But through prayer and believing they survived and prospered. And at harvest time, they celebrated the abundance that they had received with great thanksgiving.  That thankfulness eased the memories of the hardships that they had endured.  Our thankfulness can do the same. 

Another essential element of thankfulness is expressing it.  We cannot be silent in our giving of thanks.  We must thank people when they bless us.  It is the polite thing to do but much more than that, it is our way of giving back.  It is a healthy response for both speaker and hearer.  Wouldn’t your heart break if you never heard a word of thanks?  Bear that in mind the next time someone does something nice for you.  And of course, God wants to hear our words of thanks.  Prayer and praise to God are an integral part of our relationship with Him.  And if anyone deserves our thanks, it is God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy!  God, who satisfies our mouths with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s; God, who gave us His only begotten son so that we could be saved and have eternal life ** – that God deserves all of our thanks all of the time!

When we live a thank-filled life, we are blessed.  Not only are we recognizing the good that surrounds us rather than focusing on all the bad, but we’re also recognizing that God is our sufficiency, and that He meets our needs.  We are allowing God to open the windows of heaven and pour out His blessings on us.  I heard it said that a lifestyle of thanksgiving is “thanks-living”.  Isn’t that the way we want to live?  Let’s be thankful for all that we’ve been given, for all that we have and for all that we will receive.  Praise God with lips of thankfulness and joyfully receive all the bounty that He has to give.  Then, as we give to others with a blessed and thankful heart, the cycle will start all over again.      

Isn’t it wonderful that our country has set aside a day for giving thanks?  In the hustle and bustle of daily living it is easy to forget to say thanks for all the things that bless our lives.  So let’s take advantage of the opportunity that Thanksgiving Day affords us; and be especially thankful to our God and Father for His goodness, for His extraordinary kindness, and for His mercy that endures forever!

         Scripture references:

         *  Philippians 4:6,7

** 1 Timothy 6:17, Psalm 103:5, John 3:16

Note to my readers:  HAVE A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING!  Thanks for reading! 

A friend recently commented that she thought I was flourishing.  After I thanked her for her kind words, I thought, “What did she mean by that?”  So, my quest began.  First, I turned to my trusty Merriam Webster’s dictionary, and I discovered that the first two definitions of the verb, ‘flourish’ are, “to grow luxuriantly – thrive”; and “to achieve success – prosper”.  That made sense to me because my first two ideas about the word were of a garden flourishing or a business flourishing.  I don’t really tend a garden and I don’t run a business, so how am I flourishing? 

When we think about it, we all can flourish in so many ways.  In our lives, we are always growing.  We can learn something new every day.  Each day is a new experience. We flourish when we embrace these opportunities; when we approach our days as new adventures, rather than thinking. “it’s just another day”.  What if we started each day by asking ourselves, “What exciting thing does God have in store for me today?”  Inviting God into our lives sets the stage for luxuriant growth.  What if we asked God, “What can I do for you today?”  Each day would be an occasion to thrive.  Growing in our understanding, our commitment, and our service to God is flourishing at its best!

The second definition, “to achieve success – prosper” takes growth a step further.  We all have goals and aspirations; but how do we achieve them?  The first rule of success is that we cannot quit.  And the only way to prevent quitting is by positive conviction and the corresponding action.  We must be fully persuaded that we are able to achieve our goals and then we can proceed accordingly.  And the only way I know to assure we can accomplish that, is to trust God to help us and guide our steps.  Walking with God is the greatest way to flourish because God WANTS us to prosper.  

Here is a little side trip down one of my logic trails… 

God wants us to prosper, as the Bible clearly states in 3^rd John, verse 2.  And according to the MW dictionary, ‘prosper’ illustrates ‘to achieve success’, which is a definition of ‘flourish’.  So we can safely say that God wants us to flourish.  Now, if God wants us to flourish, it must be available.  And since God is well aware of our limitations, He must certainly intend to help us flourish.  And because God is all powerful, we know that with His help we are able to flourish.  When we believe that we are able; we won’t quit.  And if we don’t quit, we will achieve success, which is to flourish.  And not only will we flourish – but we’ll flourish with God’s kind of flourishing, which is the best kind!  (How’s that for ‘flourishing’ logic?? 😊)

So much of our lives is determined by our mind-set.  Are we positive minded or filled with negative thoughts?  Do we expect good things to happen or fear the worst?  Do we see the silver lining in the storm clouds or expect that rain will ruin our sunny days?  Do we see each day as an opportunity to succeed, or worry that we might fail again? 

The difference in these attitudes is the difference between flourishing or not.  If our minds are clouded by a plethora of negatives, we cannot flourish.  But if we regularly expect God’s best in our lives, we will assuredly live a flourish-filled life.  Now I know that our lives are not always a bowl of cherries, no one’s is.  But even at the challenging times, it’s available to flourish with God’s help.  We just need to trust Him and not be swayed by our circumstances.  We cannot allow the situations with which we are faced to be the determining factor of our attitude of believing.  We can flourish in negative circumstances by patiently anticipating God’s resolution and by confessing our belief that God will come through for us.  Confession is a key to keeping our minds on track. And confession is not always audible words that we speak, but often is just words that we say to ourselves.  We remind ourselves that God is able.  We remind ourselves that God WANTS us to flourish.  We remind ourselves that God is love. 

Flourishing is maintained by a positive attitude, which is maintained by continued positive confession.  Thereby we enjoy the benefits of thriving and prospering.  Flourishing is not dependent on our surroundings, but our surroundings can be improved by our flourishing.  Flourishing is the way of life that God desires for His children.  Why not expect to flourish in everything you do?  And if you’re not flourishing now, expect that you soon will be.  Expect God to help you in any and every situation and allow His abundant grace and peace to cause you to flourish.  Never forget that God loves you and that He is ABLE.

Note to my readers:   3^rd John 2   Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Thanks for reading. 

This post marks the one-year anniversary of my blog.  This venture has been a most fulfilling endeavor.  It was something that I had wanted to do for a long time but lacked the confidence to try.  When I finally made the leap, it was a great victory for me. 

Everything I’ve written has been for the sole purpose of blessing others.  I prayed each week for inspiration and trusted that God would help me with my words.  If only one person got blessed by only one post, I would still be thankful for this opportunity.  But many have responded with positive feedback, and that makes my heart soar. 

I have renewed my site license for another year. So, we’ll see where this thing will go!  I thank each and every one of you who have encouraged and supported me.  You are the motivation for my continued writing.

Poems have always been special to me, and this one is one of my favorites.  It was written by Edgar A. Guest, an American poet who wrote from the early to mid 20^th century.  His poems are known for their inspirational and optimistic views of everyday life.  It is reported that he wrote some 11,000 poems in his lifetime!

Sermons We See
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; 
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. 
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear, 
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear; 
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds, 
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done; 
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run. 
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true, 
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do; 
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give, 
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind. 
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind 
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me 
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be. 
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today 
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.

One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold; 
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told. 
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear, 
For right living speaks a language which to everyone is clear. 
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say, 
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day

How loudly this poem speaks to us from the hearing and seeing standpoint!  Of course, we want people to ‘say what they mean and mean what they say’ – and the only proof of that is in their actions. We have more respect for someone who walks their talk; who lives according to their creed; than for someone who is always preaching one thing and doing another.  And absolutely, we learn more from someone’s example than from the words they spout. 

But this poem speaks even louder to me about what I am doing.  Am I walking the talk?  Am I living according to the words that I am speaking?  Am I being a good example?  My heart’s desire is to be a sermon that someone sees.  To be the one who walks with others rather than giving them directions and sending them away.  I want to be the one who helps and teaches by my example, the one who shows kindness, the one whose honor is visible.  And why is that my heart’s desire?  Because I know if I am doing those things, I am walking the way my Heavenly Father wants me to walk. 

Basically, Christians yearn to be pleasing to God.  But sometimes they get side-tracked, or tricked, or complacent and they forget what they are really supposed to be doing.  It takes much less effort to talk than it does to take the required action.  So people can find themselves in a situation of thinking they are doing okay because they are saying the right things; but they are actually missing the mark.  We do not want to find ourselves in that boat!

Let us all show the world what it means to live for God; to live the way that our Heavenly Father designed for us to live.  Let’s be bold.  Let’s be fearless.  Let’s do more than just talk!  Let’s be good examples of what it means to be Christians.  Let’s be the sermons that everyone can see! 

Note to my readers:  I cannot thank you enough for reading!  I love you all. 

This post is a bit different than my usual writing.  I wanted to do something to honor my friend, Rev. William I. Winegarner.  If you knew him, I hope my reminiscing will bless you.  If you didn’t know Bill, maybe my thoughts will spur your memories of someone special to you.  I am dedicating this post to the legacy of Bill’s life.

Bill Winegarner fell asleep on October 27, 2021.  It was a great loss not only for his family but also for the body of Christ.  It was a personal loss for me because I counted him as my friend and brother.  Many of my readers may have known Bill as an active force in the Way Ministry.  If you were a WOW Ambassador or attended the Rock of Ages, even if you didn’t know him, you probably heard of him.    

Bill was many things to me.

He was my brother in Christ, and my big brother in the Word.  He was my friend and the husband of one of my best friends.  He was my boss and my real estate broker.  He was my trusted counselor and my confidant. 

In addition Bill was a great example of the believers.  He was a wise teacher and a faithful minister.  Bill was a dedicated husband and a loving father and grandfather. 

 I first met Bill in the early 1970’s.  It was at a time when God’s Word was making a great resurgence and many of us kids were turning-on to It.  Poor Bill was charged with raising all of us from the central Ohio area in God’s Word.  I say poor Bill because I guess there were over a hundred of us hippie kids in our late teens and early twenties who all were zealous for the Word, but clueless about life.  It must have been like herding cats for him. 

Bill taught us many things back then, but there is one lesson that I have never forgotten.  He was running a meeting and when he began to speak, it was obvious that he had a bad cold.  I for one was perplexed — being so young in the Word, I couldn’t understand how a leader could get sick.  I must not have been the only one with those thoughts racing around in their head, because Bill paused his agenda and sternly addressed the group, “Don’t you dare judge God’s Word because I have a cold.  You need to get to the place that you believe the Word is truth regardless of what your senses say!”  I took his admonishment to heart.    

I remember when Mary told me that she was going to marry Bill.  I was surprised and a little puzzled.  I thought, “But Mary, he’s a grown up!”  She said that he was the kindest, most unpretentious man she had ever met.  So, I gave her my blessing – not that she needed it – and I was very happy for both of them. 

Bill and Mary moved to the Way headquarters in New Knoxville, Ohio, where Bill served in positions of great responsibility.  Our lives moved in separate circles for many years.  But then as God would have it, we ended up in close proximity again, and Mary and I reconnected.  When we started spending time together, it was like we had never been apart.  And to me, Bill was still my leader in the Word. 

My husband and I asked Bill to be our real-estate agent when we wanted to buy our first house.  Boy did we look at some unusual houses together!  However, what I remember the most was the absolute confidence we were able to have with Bill on the job.  He was genuinely more concerned about us getting the best house / deal than he was about making his commission.  He was honest and trustworthy.  I remember thinking, “Why would anyone choose another real-estate agent instead of Bill??”  Later, we called him again to sell that house and find us a new one, and eventually to sell that one.  As a real-estate broker, Bill really knew his stuff and he was a shrewd businessman.

It just so happened around the time we sold our first house, and were buying our next one, I needed a new job.  Of course I mentioned that to Bill.  And after the new house deal was done, he hired me to work for him at a retiree organization of which, he was the Administrator. 

I worked for Bill for about 6 years in that organization.  During those years, our brother-sister relationship grew.  I would unload all my problems on Bill – I mean really, isn’t that what big brothers are for?  And he would always counsel me with God’s Word and sometimes with other tidbits of wisdom.  One day after having had an argument with my husband the night before, I was complaining to Bill about how hard marriage is.  And he gave me one of those tidbits that was the best advice EVER!  He said, “One thing you must always remember about your spouse is, their best quality is that they put up with your raggedy ass.”  He referred to himself in that same manner and those were the perfect words to get me back on track. I have repeated his advice many times, not only to others but also to myself. 

Another thing I learned about Bill during our time working together is that he loved a good debate.  I learned to never casually say, “The Word says…” without making sure that I knew what I was talking about!  It was such good training for me to “study to show myself approved unto God”, rather than just repeating something I had heard.  I learned so much from all of our debates!

Another one of my favorite memories happened after Bill got the Board of Directors to approve 3 days of paid leave for employees for snow each year.  He did this not only for me because I had a long commute, but also for an older employee because he didn’t want her driving in bad weather either.  Well, one year we had a terrible ice storm, which was especially bad out in the rural area where I lived.  I missed three days of work because everything was engulfed in 2 inches of solid ice.  I actually had to use a hammer and chisel to get the ice off my car.  Well, the next week when payday rolled around, I was not paid for those days because the Treasurer said that my absence was due to ice and not snow.  What??  So I marched right into Bill’s office ranting and raving.  I told him that he could keep his stupid snow days because there was no way that I was going endanger my life driving on in icy roads to get to this job whether he paid me or not.  Bill sat quietly and listened to my tirade, then grinned and said, “I just wanted to see if you were going to fight for yourself.”  I got paid for those days. 

My time working for Bill ended because my husband got a job in New Jersey, and we moved.  During those NJ years, Bill and Mary remained part of our lives.  I would often visit with them when I returned to Ohio to see our kids.  We would get together whenever possible.  They came a couple times to visit us while we were camping with our son’s family for the Fourth of July.  Those visits were particularly special to me. 

This year, Bill and Mary joined our online fellowship on Sunday evenings.  It was always great to see them even though it was just video conferencing.  On Sunday, October 17, I had the privilege of sharing God’s Word with the group.  Bill was online that night.  He liked my sharing.  That was our last interaction.  I will always cherish that memory. 

We all may have experienced losing someone.  So we know how sad this time can be.  BUT – praise God that we have The Hope.  We know that our loved ones are asleep awaiting the sound of the trumpet. There is no consciousness of time for them.  The next thing they will know is their getting up and meeting the Lord.  And if we are still alive at that time, we will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  (ref: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)

Everything in this life is temporal. Knowing the truth of God’s Word about our future brings great comfort to our hearts, especially at these sad times.  We know that right now, God is nigh unto the broken hearted,* and we know that all of our tears shall be completely wiped away by the absolute glory and joy that we will have for all eternity being together with the Lord.*

1 Thessalonians 4:18,  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Note to my readers:   Mine was only one of the many lives that Bill touched.  I hope my memories gave you a glimpse into the wonderful man that he was.  Thanks for reading. 

** ref: Psalm 34:18, Revelation 21:4