Category: General Writing

This past Tuesday was Valentine’s Day.  People seem to have strong opinions about Valentine’s Day.  The skeptics think that it’s not a real holiday, just one made up by the greeting card companies.  And the romantics think that it is an opportunity to demonstrate all their feelings on a grand scale.  Most of us, however, are somewhere in the middle. 

The history of the holiday is rather vague, but here are some things I read about it.  There were at least three Roman Catholic “saints” named Valentine, who are credited as the namesake for the day.  All of which were martyred.  One of the legends says that a Bishop Valentine was imprisoned for helping Christians escape from Rome under the rule of Emperor Claudius II.  While in prison, Valentine fell in love with a young woman who visited him during his confinement.  It is said that right before his death, he sent her a letter and signed it, “from your Valentine”.  And so, Valentine’s Day was established to commemorate his martyrdom.

Another idea is that the Roman Catholic church instituted “Saint Valentine’s Day” to oppose the pagan holiday, Lupercalia, which was a fertility festival celebrating Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Romulus and Remus, the “founders” of Rome.  This was celebrated each year on February 15.  At the end of the fifth century, Pope Gelasius officially declared February 14 as, “Saint Valentine’s Day”. 

During the Middle Ages, it was a commonly held belief that February 14 was the beginning of the mating season for birds, which led to the romantic connotation being associated with the day.  In 1375, the English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer recorded Valentine’s Day as a romantic celebration. 

Valentine’s greetings began to be exchanged in the early 1400’s among the British and French royalty. And by the 17^th century, the day had become popularly celebrated.  Around the middle of the 18^th century, it had become commonplace for friends and lovers to exchange tokens of affection or handwritten sentiments on Valentine’s Day. 

In the 1840’s Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America.  “And the rest as they say, is history.”  Today, Valentine’s Day is second only to Christmas in the number of cards exchanged. 

We may have mixed emotions regarding Valentine’s Day because of our experiences.  Perhaps for some it is a beautiful celebration of a loving relationship.  But maybe for others it’s a painful reminder of a broken heart.  Quite possibly it is some of both for most of us. 

When I was young, we celebrated the day in elementary school every year.  We made our own valentine mailboxes and decorated them as elaborately as we could.  We brought them to school and set them on our desks to receive cards from all our classmates.  We had a party with treats like homemade cupcakes or cookies and milk from the cafeteria.  We played games and had fun.  It promoted comradery and friendships in the classroom. 

However, there was the risk of hurt feelings.  Maybe that one special boy that you liked purposely didn’t put a card in your mailbox.  Or someone called your valentine mailbox “ugly”.  But isn’t that true of most things in life?   There is always a risk of hurt when feelings are involved. 

So, some boy in 4^th grade broke your heart on Valentine’s Day.  If that scarred you for life, then you must still have a 4^th grade heart.  Perhaps you should strive for a more age-appropriate heart??  Also consider; if we had never experienced a broken heart, how would we learn what it takes to recover from one?  And more importantly, how would we learn not to break someone else’s heart?  All the ups and downs, hurts and healings, good and bad of youth, help teach us how to become who we want to be as adults, and how to avoid being who we don’t want to be. 

Maybe you had a broken heart as an adult.  Did you recover from it?  Then you can help someone who has a broken heart now.  Do you have a broken heart now?  Seek someone who has been where you are, for they probably can help you heal.  A broken heart can be a ‘lemons into lemonade’ type of situation. 

I don’t mean to oversimplify a broken heart.  I know it can be a devastating blow.  A callous betrayal, a cruel conflict, a losing battle can pierce us to our very soul.  But with God’s help, even the most shattered heart can be put back together. 

Jeremiah 32:27

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

This is one of my favorite verses.  Is there anything too hard for the Creator of the heavens and the earth – the God of all flesh??  He made everything including us.  Don’t you think He knows how to take care of everything, including us? 

Do you remember the scripture that says, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)?  He cried because he saw the pain that Mary and Martha were experiencing because of the death of their brother, Lazarus.  And his heart was hurting also because Lazarus was his friend.  That was definitely a heart-breaking event.  Think of how his heart must have been utterly crushed by Judas’ betrayal.  Jesus was acquainted with the pain of a broken heart. 

We all probably know that “by his stripes we were healed” is the promise of physical healing.  We also know that Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection paid the price for our redemption.  But do we expect that we can be released from our emotional pains?  Well, we can.  Jesus Christ was and is our COMPLETE savior.  He felt all our pains and paid the price for them ALL.  So, if Valentine’s Day makes you sad, you can change that by casting that sadness to God and accepting your heart’s healing that Jesus Christ made available. 

Now, if Valentine’s Day makes you happy – hooray!  Enjoy!  Take the opportunity to show someone how much you love them.  Send cards, get flowers, eat chocolates.  Demonstrate your feelings.  Take advantage of what the day provides.  Why not?  And if you are the recipient of such demonstrations, be grateful.

If Valentine’s Day is just another day in your book, that’s ok.  There is no obligation to recognize this tradition.  It’s a personal choice.  But I will say that anytime we can bless someone by showing them a kindness or letting them know that they are loved is a worthwhile endeavor.  So, if you choose to do that on Valentine’s Day, it can’t be a bad thing!  I might even go so far as to say, why not make every day Valentine’s Day?  We don’t need to limit our appreciation of others to one day a year.  And we don’t need to confine our admiration to the giving of a heart-shaped box of chocolates.  Let’s seek opportunities to help and bless whoever we can, whenever we can.  Let’s be the beacons of God’s love every day, all year! 

Note to my readers:  I hope your Valentine’s Day was a happy one.  Actually, I hope all your days are happy ones!  Surely love you and thank God for you!  Thanks for reading.

I recently saw a video that a young woman posted online about the horrors of having a job.  Restraining tears, she ranted about the inhuman treatment that people expected her to endure because she had to get up at the crack of dawn to go to a workplace that was cold and had fluorescent lighting, and not only that; she had to spend eight whole hours of her day in that tortuous environment.  Furthermore, she was expected to do this FIVE times a week!  “Oh, the humanity!”  

We might laugh at the absurdity of this video; but what if this is not an uncommon way of thinking for young people?  Has the latest generation gotten so weak and lazy that they can’t imagine even a 40-hour work week in an office?  My generation is scratching its head.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that my generation had it so hard.  We missed the Great Depression and World War that our parents endured.  But we do know how to work! 

In July of 1945, (which was before my time, by the way) a military aircraft hit the Empire State Building in New York City.  A very foggy Saturday morning is blamed for the accident.  The plane hit the building around the 79^th floor.  Upon impact, the plane’s fuel exploded and several parts of the aircraft, including the engines, were strewn through the building and into nearby structures.  Fourteen people were killed. 

I read an account of that event written by one of workers who was in the building that morning on a lower floor.  Since it was a Saturday, there were fewer people than normal in the building, but there were still quite a few people working.  She recounted her fright and the confusion surrounding the event.  While down on the sidewalk after being evacuated, she saw her boss who had come to check out the situation.  She assured him that his staff was accounted for and safe, and he reminded her that they would have to make up their lost hours. 

That seems rather harsh to me, but it wasn’t out of the ordinary at that time. Can you image that in this day and time?  I can hear it now… “A SIX-day work week?  Are you kidding me?”  Or “Make up my time?  That’s inhuman! You’ll be hearing from my attorney!”   My, how much attitudes have changed over the years!

Now, I think the balance lies somewhere between the two examples.  It seems unreasonable to require someone to make up their time lost due to an airplane hitting their place of employment.  But ranting on the internet about being expected to work 40 hours a week – seriously??  All of this got me thinking – why do we work? 

If I did a survey, probably most people’s answer to the question would be, “To make money”.  We all understand that.  Our society is based on a monetary system.  For the most part, we no longer barter, nor are we independently self-sufficient.  So, we need to work to make money in order to function in society. However, this system has a major flaw – GREED. 

Money itself is not inherently bad, but the Bible is clear that the love of money is.  Whenever money is involved, the temptation to love it is there and people can become greedy.  Of course, there is nothing wrong with working hard and earning a good living.  I have the utmost respect for those who do that when their heart is in the right place.  But working solely to amass great wealth is loving money and the Bible calls that “the root of all evil”.  And doesn’t that seem so prevalent in our society today?  Think about this also.  Isn’t expecting to be rich without doing any work also a form of loving money?  Both attitudes are completely selfish. 

If gaining money were the ONLY reason to work, then money would be the principal thing and God wouldn’t admonish us not to love it.  But the Bible does warn us not to fall into that trap.  God’s Word encourages us that whatever work we do, we should do it heartily as unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:23)  So that tells me that the Lord must be the principal thing – NOT money.

And indeed, the Lord is the principal thing in our lives.  When we look to God as our sufficiency, He takes care of our needs.  He provides the increase.  When we recognize Him in all that we do, He will open the windows of heaven and pour blessings upon us.  (Malachi 3:10)  If we put our trust in money, we will never have enough. 

Work is more than just our employment.  Yes, we have jobs to provide the money we need to function in society, but our jobs are merely a means to an end.  We certainly can have profitable careers, God wants us to prosper and be successful, but our reason to work is so much greater than that. 

God designed us to work.  Even Adam and Eve worked in the Garden of Eden.  Working keeps our bodies strong and our minds sharp.  Accomplishing a goal takes work.  Taking care of yourself and your surroundings takes work.  Raising a family takes work (and a lot of it).  Even loving someone takes work.  And a job well done is a very satisfying and fulfilling experience that cannot be attained without work. 

Matthew 6:33

 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The context of this verse talks about things we need in life, like food, drink and clothing.  And this verse declares that God will supply all those things when we seek Him first.  So, can we seek God first in our jobs?  Absolutely!  Can we keep Him first in our careers?  For sure.  We can seek God first in anything that we do.  And bear in mind that seeking is also work.  It is actively pursuing something, which takes effort and focus.  Seeking God should be our priority.

When we keep God first in our lives, all the facets of life fall into their proper order.  That includes our jobs, and every other kind of work we need to do.  Need to do yardwork?  Do it heartily as unto the Lord.  What about school?  Housework?  Relationships?  Do them all heartily as unto the Lord and God will bless your efforts.

1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

So why do we work?  Because our labor is not in vain in the Lord.  The most profitable work we can do is the work of the Lord.  That means that if we put forth the effort to seek God first in all that we do, He will provide whatever we need to be able to do whatever needs done.  And we can be wildly successful in everything we do (including our jobs/careers) because our God is that big and He loves us that much. 

Note to my readers:  This is my 100^th post.  Can you believe it??  Thanks for reading. 

I am going to bare my soul to you in this post.  For many years, my husband has wanted a puppy.  When we got married, he had a dog.  When we moved to the farm, he had three dogs, none of which were very well trained.  Then my husband changed jobs and we moved to New Jersey.  Our lifestyle with apartment living, work and travel was no longer conducive to having a dog.  (His first dog had passed away and the other two were given away before we moved.)  However, during all those years in NJ, he still wanted a puppy.  To try to satisfy that craving, first he got an aquarium, then birds, and finally a cat.   None of which seemed to satisfy that craving for a puppy, although Samuel, our cat was a good pet.  He was well behaved (mostly), independent and fairly low maintenance.  He had a quirky personality and was affectionate – when HE wanted to be.  We had him for almost 19 years.  But sadly, Sam passed away in 2021.

Once the grieving period for Sam had ended, my husband began an urgent pursuit to get a puppy.  This urgency met with strong push-back from me.  We had lived pet free for a year and half and I enjoyed that freedom.  In addition, I know that a dog, especially a puppy needs much attention on a consistent basis.  I truly did not want to subject myself to that task.  Nor did I want to be incumbered with a pet that would potentially have accidents on my carpet or chew my furniture.  I was enjoying my pet hair-free environment and being unrestricted by the responsibility of pet ownership.

Now here is the crux of my story.  My husband’s insistence on getting a puppy and my refusal began to weigh on our relationship.  We began to fight over the issue.  The more insistent he became, the stronger I resisted, and our marriage began to suffer.  Each of us felt that the other was being unreasonable.  I felt like I was being forced to accept a situation that I didn’t want to be in, and he felt that he was being denied his heart’s desire.  We were at an impasse.  Neither wanted to give in.  And a wall was growing between us.

Then one day last fall, we had decided to stop by a new restaurant in town to check it out.  It was very crowded, so we ended up sitting at the bar.  We struck up a conversation with the gentleman next to us only to find out that his wife is a dog breeder. And by the way, there will be puppies available around Thanksgiving.  My husband quickly made a hand-shake deal to get one of those puppies.  Inside, I was fuming.

This began a strong resentment in my mind.  Why did I have to agree to something that I was so opposed to?  (My opposition was every bit as strong as his urgent need.)  I kept this inside until it festered into a consuming flame.  Our fighting continued.  My resentment grew.  Sometimes when we find ourselves in these situations, it is easier to complain to our friends than it is to continue fighting with our spouse,  Even though that is not the right course of action to take, that is what I did.

Now, to be clear, I like dogs as much as the next person, I just don’t want one.  It falls in the same category as babies.  I love babies, but I sure don’t want that responsibility at my age.  Let me hold them and love on them and give them back!  Let me pet your dog, even watch it for a time, and then you take it home.  My friends knew that I did not want a dog.  So, imagine their surprise when I told them we were getting a puppy.  Of course, few agreed with my opposition because really, who doesn’t want a dog??  But all recognized that it was an issue for me. 

One day, a friend suggested that instead of being so angry, I could pray that the situation would be a blessing.  I could pray for God’s help in training the puppy and for the puppy to be a happy addition to the family. I was struck in the heart.  Afterall, the puppy is my husband’s heart’s desire.  Should I fight against that?  And I know prayer works.  God’s answers are available.  God is able and willing to bless us in every category of our lives.  Can He help me in this one?  Of course! 

Now accepting this has not been easy.  I have cried almost every day since the puppy was born (before we even had her at our house).  I actually can’t tell you why.  It has been a big burden on my heart, though.  Maybe I cried because I knew that I needed to change my mind and couldn’t manage to do it.  Maybe it was because I was overwhelmed (and still am) by this prospect.  But I’m working on it.  And I’m ever so thankful for my friend’s wise counsel. 

I share all of this because my plight has afforded much learning for me.  In any situation we face, God can and will provide a solution.  But what if the solution is not the one we want?  God can help us with that as well.  We can change our minds when needed, and God will help us do that.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Either these verses are true or they’re not.  We know they ARE true! 

In situations such as this one for me, we need to trust in the Lord.  We can trust Him in every situation.  Do we think that the situation we are facing right now is any different?  It is not.  However, often in situations of need, even of despair, we don’t know the answer, so we are more willing to accept God’s solution.  But in this situation for me, I had already determined what the answer should be – MY answer!! Those are the times that we bind God’s hands.  We need to trust that God knows what is best and His way is right.  And seriously, do I think I can do a better job than God can?

Which brings me to another element in these kinds of situations – pride.  One side of pride is stubborn arrogance, and the other side is satisfaction of a job well-done.  They are two very different aspects and cannot be confused.  When we recognize the wrong kind of pride in our lives, we must root it out and throw it away.  In my case, I had to ask myself if my resistance was due to wrongful pride.  Was I determined that I had to get my own way because of pride?  To be honest, I don’t really know, but I was willing to change my mind after I put the situation in God’s hands.  I was willing to trust God’s answer. 

Well, we brought the puppy home, this past Monday.  She is adorable, but my house is in much disarray.  There is a corral in my living room, and there are coverings on the couch and rug.  There are puppy toys scattered everywhere.  My time is consumed with puppy supervision and cleaning up after accidents, of which there have been MANY.  I still cry at times and I still feel overwhelmed.  But each day, I grow a little more positive and I see a little more ‘light at the end of the tunnel’.  God continues to answer my prayers.  And every day, my heart relaxes a little more as I continue to seek His aid in the situation.  God never leaves us nor forsakes us.  He cares about everything that affects us – the big things and the little things.  I remind myself of the old hymn, “I know He cares for me.”  We all are that important to Him!

So, we all can trust God and lean not to our own understanding in any and every situation that we face.  We can acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths.  And we can be assured that God’s direction is always the right way to go.  We can cast our cares upon Him and see what He will do for us!  This may take time, but with God’s help we can do it. 

Note to my readers:  I will update my story in a couple months.  I’m expecting a victory in this situation!  Thanks for reading. 

It is not uncommon to think of the new year as a fresh start, a clean slate, or a new beginning.  All the hoopla and celebration of New Year’s Eve has schooled us to think that life is brand new every January 1^st.  There is an element of comfort in thinking this way, and an element of excitement.  We are comforted by considering that the problems of the prior year are over; and we are excited by anticipating the fresh solutions that the new year will bring. 

However, in reality January 1^st changes nothing but the calendar.  New Year’s Day is not any newer than today is or tomorrow will be.  Every morning is a new beginning and a clean slate, and a fresh start.  Look at Lamentations 3:22, 23. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness”.

Every day we have the opportunity to write success, or status quo, or failure on our slates, and each new morning offers us a “do-over”.  Each day gives us a chance to remedy a disappointment, to right a wrong, or to overcome an adversity.  Each day offers us the prospect of achieving our goal, being wildly successful, or witnessing a great victory. And every day, God’s faithfulness is great.

Now, I’m not disputing that January 1^st is a special day.  A new year does change things.  The first thing that comes to mind is our age.  Whether we like it or whether we don’t, every one of us will add a year to our age in 2023.  Anniversaries will also add a year.  Maybe you are graduating from school in 2023, that couldn’t happen until the year arrived.  But my point is that although a new year provides new opportunities, every morning is a fresh start and a new day.  Every day we can have comfort in considering that the problems of yesterday are past; and excitement anticipating the fresh solutions that the new day can bring.  Those ideas are not limited to January 1^st.

Think about resolutions…  We all probably make New Year’s resolutions.  And if you are anything like me, you break those resolutions frequently.   Maybe we should consider making daily resolutions instead of making New Year’s resolutions.  For example, we might make a New Year’s resolution that we are going to walk every day.  But the first time that we miss a day of walking, we become discouraged because we have broken our resolution.  How much easier would it be to make a resolution that you are going to walk today?  Small goals are often more manageable than long-term goals.  Also, achieving small goals can build a pattern of success that helps us reach those big goals.

Why not have the same excitement every day that we have on January 1^st?  It’s just a matter of how and what we think. 

In Colossians 3:2, it says, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”  The word ‘affection’ in this verse means our mind, our thoughts, our understanding, our opinions, our interests.  We are to direct our thinking to a higher place, which is heaven.  And everything we know about heaven is found in God’s Word.  So, bottom line – we must direct our thoughts toward what the Bible says. 

This is further explained in Isaiah 55:9, where God says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

It is also explained in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” 

The word renew also means to renovate or make a complete change for the better.  Since birth, our thoughts have been governed by our 5 senses only.  But when we got born again, we received holy spirit that offered us another avenue of learning.  This means that we can renovate our old way of thinking so it will reflect what God’s Words says.  And that is definitely a complete change for the better!

When we change our thinking to agree with what God’s Word says, we open the door for God to work in our lives.  He will guide our steps. He will strengthen us.  He will deliver us.  And none of what He does is limited to a specific day on the calendar.  So, our expectations shouldn’t be limited either.  God’s mercies are new each morning. He is always with us to help us tackle whatever comes our way.

In conclusion…  Happy New Year!!  I can’t deny that a new year is exciting.  I just encourage you to look at each new day with the same zeal that January 1^st elicits.  God’s compassions fail not. That alone should inspire us.  We can be enthusiastic every day because the future is as bright as the promises of God, no matter what year it is or what day. 

Note to my readers:  I am reminded of the wonderful old hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, where in the chorus it says:

…Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Thanks for reading! 

At this time of year, “gifts” seem to be the prevalent topic of conversation.  Gifts are the theme of almost all advertising these days. So consequently, gifts are on everyone’s mind.  So, it should be no surprise that I want to talk about gifts. 😊  The dictionary defines the word “gift” as, “a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present:”

Often young children only think of gifts as the presents they receive, especially at Christmastime.  Perhaps they sat on Santa’s lap and told him all the things they wanted for Christmas.  And then anxiously awaited Christmas morning to see if he brought them what they asked for.  Their anticipation of Christmas and the activities of the day center around those presents. 

As children get a little older, they start to learn the joy of giving gifts.  When I was in elementary school, the school would set up a special section of the gym that kids could go in without parents to buy presents for their families.  Store owners would donate merchandise, the school would sell things at lower-than-retail price, the proceeds would benefit the school, and it was a good deal for families.   Win-win-win!

I remember my mom giving me money and how grown-up I felt going into Santa’s gift shop by myself.  His helpers would guide me in my diligent quest for the best presents.  I can’t say that I remember everything that I got for my mom each Christmas, but I can remember being happy when she liked her gift.  Thinking back, I’m sure that most of her enthusiasm was for my benefit, but she was happy just because I wanted to give her something, and that made me happy. 

As children continue to grow, they learn even more about the joy of giving.  They may start working so they have their own money to buy gifts.  One of my favorite things in the whole world has always been finding ‘the perfect gift’ for someone.  I’m as excited for them to open their gifts as I was as a kid opening my own. 

The dynamic of gift giving changes when we become parents.  We endeavor to see our children as happy as we were when we were kids.  We want them to experience the thrill and excitement that we felt.  We may relive our childhood Christmases through them.  In this process, we gain more appreciation for what our parents did for us; and we realize that we are the happiest when our kids are happy.

But…  presents are only one kind of gift we can give.  There are many gifts we can give that may mean more or benefit more than a physical gift. 

One such gift that comes to mind is a helping hand.  If someone is having a hard time, a helping hand could mean a lot more to them than a present.  Helping to carry someone’s burden; pitching in when they are overwhelmed; or surprising them with a considerate gesture are all things that can be “given willingly to someone without payment”.  What’s the worth of a shoulder to cry on or the assistance received when you couldn’t do it by yourself?  Those actions often demonstrate generosity more wonderfully than buying a present.  Being willing to give our time and energy can mean the world to someone in need. 

I would like to interject here that in addition to helping someone in need, our time and energy can also be demonstrated by handmade gifts. There is something so special about receiving a homemade gift. They are not only unique one-of-a-kind items, but they also represent the giver’s heart and that makes us feel special.

Another gift we can give is a kind word.  Have you ever been really troubled, and someone comes along and says just the right words to get you through?  Words can make (or break) someone’s day.  Words can heal, help, restore, inspire, or deliver someone.  Think of how much a genuine compliment means to our soul.  No matter what frame of mind we are in, a compliment makes us feel good.  How about a word of thanks?  Don’t we all like to know that we are appreciated?  Friendships are built on words.  Marriages thrive with words.  Souls connect via words.  Words are easy to give.  It only takes a little forethought before we speak to say something that will really uplift someone.   Words don’t cost us a dime and can mean so much to the hearer. 

Giving presents is a thoughtful act.  It makes people happy.  Kind words and helpful hands can be delightful gifts that bless others.  But of all the gifts that anyone could ever receive, nothing compares to the gift of salvation that God gave to us.  Being born again with holy spirit inside – Christ in us; and knowing that we have eternal life is more precious than a trillion of the most expensive presents in the world.  God’s acts of kindness far exceed the kindest thing that we could do. And the kindest words that we can speak come straight from God’s matchless Word of life.  His words bring peace and joy. 

Could a new car, even a Lamborghini rival having God Almighty as our Father and His son Jesus Christ as our brother?  How about a mansion?  The biggest mansion on earth can’t compare to the home that’s prepared for us in heaven! 

 So, it seems to me that the best part of gifts is the giving.  It’s wonderful to receive gifts, we all like it.  But there is so much satisfaction in the act of giving that it in and of itself is a gift to us.    Enjoy your Christmas celebration.  Give presents, speak kindly, help out wherever needed.  Embrace the joy of giving and see what God will do for you. 

Note to my readers:  Merry Christmas!  Happy Holidays!  Feliz Navidad!   However you want to say it…  I’m sending my love to you and your family. 

The holiday season is upon us.  It seems that people have mixed emotions about this time of year.  Some love it, some hate it.  Some see it as a religious observance, others are into the commercial side of things.  Some even discount the whole ball of wax.  Most of us are somewhere in the middle.

So, I thought that I would share my opinion about the holidays.  Take note, however, that my opinion is simply that – my opinion.  It is not the only right way of thinking (for sure).  It is only my way of thinking.  It seems that we, as gregarious humans, are often interested in sharing our opinions and hearing the opinions of others because we like to know if our opinions agree.  And we are drawn to those with whom we share similar opinions.  But we must always remember that opinions are personal and individual.  They are formed by our experiences and the teaching that we’ve received.  Therefore, different does not necessarily mean wrong when the subject of our opinions is innocuous.  For example, in my opinion, vanilla ice cream is better than chocolate.  You may say, “That’s crazy.  Chocolate is the best.”  That difference of opinion does not affect our relationship, nor is one more right than the other. 

However, opinions can be right or wrong when the subject is of a critical nature.  It is difficult to have a relationship with someone whose opinions are completely opposite from ours regarding the important things in life because we have no common ground on which to meet.  These kinds of opinions involve truth or error.  If someone’s opinion is based on error, I cannot agree with it, nor should I.  It is the same if my opinion is based on error.  I don’t want someone to substantiate my error, I want someone to teach me the truth.  Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for these kinds of opposing opinions to battle.  Resolution can only be found when the standard of truth is agreed upon. 

After that little sidebar, here is what I think about the holidays…

Being Christian, of course the holiday season revolves around Christmas.  (I cannot speak to the other celebrations of the season.)  For me, the days preceding Christmas are spent preparing for it and the days afterward are spent recovering from it.  Preparations include decorating, shopping, wrapping, card writing and baking.  The celebration includes family, friends, traditions, eating and presents.  Recovery can extend well into January sometimes.  All of this may sound familiar to you, especially if you have young children. 

But here is where opinions diverge. 

There is debate among Biblical scholars whether December 25^th was actually the date of Jesus’ birth.  The Bible doesn’t clearly identify the date, but it does say that shepherds were abiding in the field keeping watch over their flocks on the night of Jesus’ birth.  Generally, the shepherds would not have been in the fields in Israel in December as it would have been too cold.  Also, the taxing that prompted Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem would have been counterproductive as travel could be difficult in December’s winter conditions, which might have prevented some from making the trip.  Piecing together historical data, there are indications that Jesus’ actual birth date is likely to be in early fall.  And I agree with this assessment. 

People have strong opinions regarding this information, though.  Some refute it all together and embrace the traditional teaching.   Others accept this information but feel that is hypocritical to celebrate December 25^th as Jesus’ birthday, and therefore they do not celebrate. 

My opinion is somewhere in between.  I don’t believe that Jesus was born on December 25^th.  But our society is totally geared toward that date.  I don’t think that society is going to change anytime soon, and currently it allots time for celebrating and promotes conversation about Jesus more than at other times of the year.  For that, I am thankful.  I recognize that most of the Christmas trimmings and traditions have little or nothing to do with Jesus’ birth, but they are things that make me happy – probably because of sweet memories from my childhood and from my children’s.  So, in my opinion, I recognize Jesus’ birth at this time of year, and I celebrate the holiday called ‘Christmas’ with my traditions and trimmings. 

This time of year provides us with extra opportunities to give and bless others; to enjoy the company of our family and friends; and to be thankful for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I very much enjoy gift-giving.  It thrills my heart to find the perfect gift and bless someone by giving it to them.  Many of my favorite memories are holiday celebrations with my family.  Lots of those were occasions of great laughter and much camaraderie.  And, although Jesus Christ is in my thoughts daily, it always blesses me to think about his birth and what that night must have been like for Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds.  I read and re-read the account in Luke chapter 2 frequently during the holiday season. 

Luke 2:7-20

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

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.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

No matter what your opinion is of the holiday season, I think we all can agree that the night of Jesus’ birth was a joyous occasion, worthy of much celebration.  I thank God every day that He so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten son so that we could be saved.  Could there be a better gift at any time – whether during the holiday season or not?? 

If you celebrate the holidays, enjoy!  If you choose not to celebrate, be at peace with your decision.  In either case, the Bible admonishes us to be fully persuaded in our own minds.  (Romans 14:5). Our difference of opinion in this matter need not impact our relationships as we can respect both sides as personal choices that we each are entitled to make. Whether we celebrate or not, doesn’t change the truth that Jesus Christ was born, that he lived and that he gave his life for us. On this, we can totally agree!!

Note to my readers:  Happy Holidays!  I sure love you.  Thanks for reading.

At this time of year, we are encouraged to think about family, giving, and being thankful.  Commercials on TV are filled with images of loving families happily enjoying their Thanksgiving Day meal.  Charities solicit for donations more vigorously because this is the “season of giving”.  Consequently, it might seem that people are a little kinder and more generous during this season than at other times of the year.   It’s been said that the holiday season brings out the best in people.  Perhaps.  It’s hard to say. But for most of us, we try to be giving and thankful all year-round.  Of course, this season may provide extra opportunities for families to be together, but our families are never far from our thoughts anyway.  Aren’t we always looking for chances to share of our pluralities?  Don’t we love to bless people?  Aren’t we forever thankful?  Isn’t giving a way of life for us?  We know that this kind of behavior is not limited to being Christian, but as Christians, we embrace this lifestyle. 

However, it seems that sometimes, people might need this season to remind themselves to give and be thankful.  I guess this happens because life is so busy all the time.  It’s easy to forget the important things of life when the falderal keeps rolling in.  Sometimes I think that a million little things can be just as hard to deal with as one big thing.  But whatever is going on, it is no secret that life places many demands on us, and that those demands can be overwhelming at times.  BUT, those demands do not need to rob of us the things that are truly important in life.  This is where remembrance comes in. 

My friend, Merriam Webster defines remembrance as:

1: the state of bearing in mind

2a: the ability to remember: MEMORY

b: the period over which one’s memory extends

3: an act of recalling to mind

4: a memory of a person, thing, or event

5: something that serves to keep in or bring to mind: REMINDER

From these definitions we see that remembrance is more than just remembering.  For example, we must remember what time our doctor’s appointment is, but when it’s over, we no longer need to remember that.  But what about being kind?  We can’t be kind once and then forget about it.  We need to put it in remembrance and keep recalling it in our minds.

There are things in our remembrance that we don’t even realize we are remembering.  We just do them.  Do you put on clothes every day?  Do you struggle to remember to do that?  Oh, I certainly struggle with what to wear, but so far in my life, I have never left the house naked because I forgot to get dressed!  We simply put our clothes on.  It’s something that we have the ability to readily remember.  It is a habit.  Our habits can be so deeply ingrained in our memory that they take place without conscious thought.  We can make something like thankfulness so much a part of us that it just happens.  Unfortunately, this can also apply to bad habits, but the good news for those is that habits can be changed. 

Habits are often learned.  For instance, my mom taught me to brush my teeth.  She taught me how to hold my toothbrush, how to put the toothpaste on it, how to brush up and down and side to side, and how to spit out the resultant foam.  She reminded me every day to brush my teeth until it became my habit.  But habits can be changed.  I was in the habit of brushing my teeth, then the dentist said that I needed to floss, so my habit changed to include that.  Then as a teenager, fresh breath became my priority, so I added mouthwash to my routine.  And this is the routine that I still follow.  But unlike getting dressed, I do need to think about it sometimes.  If I am particularly rushed in the morning, I might get distracted and forget to brush my teeth.  Talk about leaving a bad impression!  It’s not something that I want to forget too often!

My examples may seem silly because getting dressed and brushing our teeth are so commonplace in our lives.  But what about giving, or being thankful, or walking in love?  Do we do these things with the same effortless regularity?  Is doing them as easy for us as getting dressed in the morning?  Are they habits?  I think most of us put forth our best effort to do these things, but there can be times that we forget, or become distracted or complacent. 

Not to worry!  Even if we forget to be thankful at some point, we can change that by being thankful again.  And if we forget again, we change it again, and if we forget again, we change it again.  And each time that happens, it builds the habit a little stronger.  Forgetting doesn’t mean that we have failed.  If I forget one morning to brush my teeth, I haven’t ruined my teeth forever.  I just fix the situation when I remember.  This works for any attitude that we want to include in our code of conduct. 

The important things in life can’t be seen with our eyes, but the effects can be registered.  Being thankful is gratifying.  Giving is joyous.  Walking in love makes everything better!  Plus, we know when we are behaving in this manner, we are pleasing to God.  And as my dad used to say, “that is worth the price of admission.”  The is nothing better in life than being pleasing to our Heavenly Father!  Doing His Will sets the stage for multitudes of blessings and rewards that we can’t even fathom.  We may bless others in ways that we may never know about.  And we will receive the rewards that God has in store for us.  Reminding ourselves repeatedly of these things will help us walk the way we really want to walk – as Christ did. 

Being thankful, kind, giving, and loving are all attitudes that we can develop into habits by keeping them in remembrance.  Reminding and re-reminding ourselves of the truly important things in life will help these attitudes be our first response to any situation and the hallmark of our lifestyle.  (And a little sidelight – we know that one kind of giving is thanksgiving, but did you ever think that another kind of giving is forgiving.  Just some food for thought.)

Even though we endeavor to act in a giving, loving and thankful manner all the time, why not take advantage of this “season of giving”? We can be especially good to those we love, especially kind those we know, and especially gentle to those we meet.  Couldn’t hurt!  If nothing else, it’s good practice! 

Note to my readers:  I hold you dearly in my remembrance.   Thanks for reading.

                                                    HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I think that one of the most fulfilling things that we can do is helping others.  Think of how good you feel when you do that.  We can help friends or family with physical tasks, like moving or yard work.  We can help by offering good advice or lending a shoulder to cry on.  We can give financial or other material support.  We can help others by holding the door open for them, giving up our seat on the bus, or reaching something off the top shelf at the grocery.  We can volunteer to help organizations or causes by donating money or our time and energy.  And each time we help someone, we get blessed. 

People like to help the ‘less fortunate’.  Who doesn’t want to help a child in the hospital, or a wounded warrior, or a homeless soul?  These situations tug on our heartstrings.  Charities thrive on this feeling.  They afford an easy way for us to demonstrate our compassion and help people that we may not otherwise be able to help.  

However, some people support charities because it is an easy way to do their ‘duty’.  They write a check and go on their merry way because they have fulfilled their obligation.  But this isn’t the kind of giving that comes from the heart of someone who truly wants to help people.  Yet, whether the giving comes from the heart or simply out of obligation, there is a principle involved.   

Helping is a form of giving.  And the principle of giving and receiving works for us when we help others.  Now, I’ve been taught that if you give, you will receive. But I didn’t really understand the greatness of that for a long time.  The principle of giving is most often discussed in the context of tithing, and I understood it in that context.  But the principle is not limited to that category, nor is it limited to money.  We can give in a million ways and get blessed for all of them. 

As Christians, our hearts lean toward helping people learn God’s Word so that they can be saved.  But our help doesn’t stop there.  We can help people understand God’s Word more perfectly so they can claim the promises that God has made to them and live the life that God has intended for them.  We can help people get up after they fall.  We can help people stay put on the Truth.  We can help people grow.  And we will get blessed for doing any of those things.  But we don’t do it in order to get blessed.  No!  Our hearts are to help people.  Therefore, we are fulfilled when they succeed. 

But as noble as our motives are, we can’t even approach the heart of God when it comes to helping.  Probably the most familiar scripture of all time is John 3:16.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God GAVE and what He gave is beyond our comprehension.  And why did He give?  Because He so loved the world!  We love lots of people.  Think about the person you love more than anyone.  Would you give that person for a bunch of people who didn’t care one thing about you?  Absolutely not!  I wouldn’t do it for a bunch of people who liked me!  But God so loved that He willingly gave; and what He gave, He gave to any and every person in the world.  It says whosoever.  God’s heart is to help every single person! 

We can’t come close to God’s ability to help either.  The Bible is full of examples of God helping people.  God parted the Red Sea so Moses and the Israelites could escape from the Egyptians.  Do you think that helped them??  In the time of Elisha when the Syrians besieged Samaria, God caused the Syrian army to hear the sounds of a great army of chariots and horses so that they fled for their lives.  And when the lepers came to their camp, the army was gone but had left all their belongs behind.  Do you think that helped the Samarians?  God healed Naaman by having him wash in the river Jordan 7 times.  I’d say that must have helped him!  God’s ability to help is unlimited and His willingness is unrestrained.  God is THE Giver.  In Psalm 46, it says that God is “a very present help in trouble.”  We can always, always, always count on God’s help.  He is willing and able to help us in any and every situation we face. 

God gave His only begotten son.  And Jesus Christ gave his life willingly. What examples of unselfish love!  We are to walk after the example that Jesus Christ left us.  That doesn’t mean that we have to give our lives.  It means that we are to live and give with the same unselfish heart of compassion and caring that he had.  We strive to help because we know how much we have been helped.

Never underestimate the power of a smile or kind word to help someone.  We never know who God might send across our path.  We might help them change their lives forever!

Note to my readers.  Thanks for reading!  I hope this helped you.  😊

Everyone said that we would miss the changing seasons when we moved to Florida.  But we don’t, too much.  Most northerners don’t realize that Florida (unless you live in the southern-most part) still has seasons.  They are a little different than those up north, but there are seasonal changes, nonetheless.

The seasons around here in Florida are:  summer swelter, fall reprieve, winter chill, real spring and 3 or 4 fake springs.  (Fake springs happen intermittently during real spring and feel more like summer swelter than spring.)

A lot of my friends up north say that Florida is too hot for them.  They have a valid point.  It is very hot in Florida in summer (and in fake spring).  But when the northerners a huddled around a roaring fire trying to keep warm in winter, we are wearing sweaters outdoors.  Don’t get me wrong, this part of Florida can frost on occasion, but the thermometer never comes close to the northern winter temperatures.  And if it frosts at all, it’s usually only 2 or 3 times during the whole winter season. 

I will admit that I do miss the fall foliage.  I used to marvel at the vivid colors of the changing leaves against what seemed like the bluest sky of the year.  It was definitely a sight to behold.  But in Florida, most of the trees stay green year-round, and there is something to be said for that.   

But, I really do miss spring flowers.  Flowers like tulips, daffodils, lilies of the valley, and hyacinths do not grow down here, nor do lilac bushes.  And those are some of my most favorite flowers.  But the tropical plants with their brilliant hues make suitable replacements.  There is nothing quite like birds of paradise blooming in your garden!

When I lived up north, I spent most of the winter season inside.  It was just too cold to go out.  When I would get home from work, often I would not go out again, (even for something fun!) because of the cold and dark.  Winter days are shorter in Florida too, but dark isn’t as bad when it’s not so cold.

Now in Florida, I spend a lot of the summer inside.  It is just too hot to go out.  It feels like walking into an oven when you step out your front door.  And when the humidity is high, it can feel hard to breathe.  Humidity can be high in summer up north too, but not for such a continuously long time.  So, like many things in life, seasons up north or down south are trade-offs.

But weather seasons are not the only kind of seasons.  Life has many seasons as is clearly stated in Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, verses 1 through 8.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Doesn’t that just say it all?  Sometimes I think about the seasons of my life – all the seasons that I’ve lived and all the ones that are to come.  At this point in life, more seasons have passed than there are to come, but that’s okay.  Wisdom is received from passing seasons.

From my favorite chair, my view includes four palm trees, a crepe myrtle, our rubber tree, our magnolia, and various bushes and flowers, which all stand against the backdrop of many more trees and bushes in the neighborhood.  As I watch the breeze gently rustle the greenery, I think about this season of my life. 

The late afternoon sun is casting long shadows on the ground and the trees seem to be settling in for a rest.  The magnolia stands in quiet dignity, but the crepe myrtle is spent.  The rubber tree is stately and proud, and the palms just keep growing.  The bushes offer a little privacy and the flowers, a splash of color.  It’s a pleasant scene, and quite tranquil most of the time. 

At this season of my life, the Word of God stands in all its dignity.  After many years of study, I have barely scratched the surface of all the light that The Word has to offer.  Sometimes I read verses that seem like I’m seeing them for the first time, even though I’ve read them many times before.  One of the things I love about God’s Word is that time only increases our appreciation of it.  It never gets old!

My body, on the other hand, is spent.  I have to wear glasses to see and hearing aids to hear.  My joints get stiff and I’m not as strong as I used to be.  I forget things, like closing the kitchen cabinet doors, and I’m easily distracted.  But even with all these things, this season affords me a calmness that many past seasons did not.

However, I still can stand stately and proud because I have faced many things in life and I’m still here.  There have been times that I despaired of life, but I did not quit.  I’ve been knocked down, but I have gotten back up.  I’ve had successes and failures, ups and downs, highs and lows, but all of them brought me to this season of life.  I am proud to be a Christian.  I am super-proud of my family.  And I am proud to be called, “friend” by some of the most wonderful people in the world. 

And even though my age shows on my face and my body doesn’t look or work like it used to, it seems that I just keep growing.  I’m growing older, I’m growing wiser, I’m growing more peaceful inside.  The hubbub of life doesn’t bother me like it used to.  I have much less drama now.  The ‘ups’ are more appreciated and the ‘downs’ are not as frightening.  I don’t compare myself to others anymore.  I try to do my utmost for God, by being faithful to His Word, and by endeavoring to live my life according to His Will.  I love my family and the family of God.  And I pray – a lot.    

So even though the shadows are long on the ground now, this season is a welcomed addition to the patchwork quilt that I call my life.  Every season that I’ve lived has contributed some fabric to the quilt. And when they are all sewn together, the result is a colorful life that is uniquely mine.  Every season of my life has taught me something – even if it was, don’t do that again!  And if I remember that there is “a time to every purpose under heaven,” I can view my quilt with a thankful heart. 

So, no matter what season you are living in currently, find the good and refute the bad.  You have purpose because there is only one you in the whole world, and without you there would be a void.  Every day affords us the opportunity to shine.  Seize that opportunity and shine as brightly as you can.  Make the most of every minute. Delight in the seasons you’ve lived and look forward to the ones that lay ahead.  Remember, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

Note to my readers:  At the risk of sounding very cliché, life is good.  Enjoy it!  And don’t forget that if you’re experiencing a tough time right now, “this too shall pass”.  Thanks for reading!

What do you think of when you hear the word perspective?  Artists, architects, and photographers may think of “the technique or process of representing on a plane or curved surface the spatial relation of objects as they might appear to the eye.” (Merriam Webster)

Perhaps if you are a teacher, lecturer, or politician, you may think of perspective as, “a mental view or prospect”, or “the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance”, or simply “point of view”.  (Also Merriam Webster)

In any case, perspective is a big part of our lives.  We utilize physical perspective on a daily basis.  We need perspective to navigate when we walk or drive.  Our spatial awareness is critical to keep us from bumping into things.  (And we really don’t want to bump into things in our cars!)  We’ve learned however, that our perception is affected by factors such as distance, and because of that, we adjust our thinking accordingly.  For example, an airplane in the sky is tiny.  An airplane at the airport is giant.  The airplane did not change its size, but our perspective changed.  When you were a kid, did you run down the railroad tracks to see the point where they came together?  I did.  And when I got there, the tracks were as far apart as they were where I started.  Thus we recognize that perspective influences our viewpoint.

Light and dark also affect our perspective.  Driving during the day is exponentially easier than driving at night for me.  Darkness limits my field of vision and changes my perspective.  And for someone who navigates by landmarks, this greatly limits my driving capacity.  How about walking through your house in the dark?  As familiar as those surroundings are to you, you can still bump into something because you can’t see it.  Darkness can intimidate our perspective. 

We understand physical perspective.  Things are not always exactly as they appear.  But what about our point of view mentally?  So much, if not all, of our thought processes are based on our perspective.  Consider where you grew up, how you were raised, your education, your career, any and all of these things have played a role in your mental perspective.  They have been factors in your decision making process over the years.  The people who have been a part of our lives, situations that we’ve faced, our experiences and the things we were taught have all influenced our mental perspective.  Consequently, everyone’s perspective is a little different.  And this is okay because we are and should be individuals.  Bottom line, our mental perspective is a summation of all the experiences we’ve had in our lives, what we’ve been taught, and the corresponding decisions we’ve made.

Another thing about our mental perspective is that it can change.  We probably all have experienced this in our lives.  Let’s say you were raised in the country on a farm.  Your perspective on life is based on farm living.  But you grow up and move to the city.  City life is very different, and you must adjust your lifestyle.  You now have two environments influencing your perspective, so it has to expand and change.  Take it even further, you get married, you start a family, you move to the suburbs.  All these things actively impact your perspective and bring many changes to it.

Now in the course of all this living, we form opinions and hold on to beliefs, which are directly related to our perspectives.  For example, I grew up in suburbia.  And from my perspective, it was a great place to grow up.  So, when I had children, I wanted to raise them in a suburban environment.  That opinion was formed because of my perspective.  Unfortunately, negative opinions can be formed from perspectives as well.  I have a friend who came from a very strict religious background.  As a young adult, she wanted nothing to do with religion because from her perspective, it was too hard to follow all those nonsensical rules.  She got burned out.  So for many years, she held on to her opinion about religion until one day she heard the Word of God that set her free.  She is now completely committed to the truth of God’s Word.  Her perspective has totally changed. 

Have you ever known anyone who always thought that the world was out to get them?  That opinion was likely formed after a series of adverse events colored that person’s perspective.  We cannot control every event around us, but we can control our thoughts and opinions.  And when those thoughts and opinions are based on the positive truths of God’s Word, our perspective will correspond to that.  And we will find that the positive truths of God’s Word will deliver us so that we no longer need to be bound in those negative perspectives.

Things in the world are constantly challenging our point of view.   Our minds are constantly being flooded with information designed to influence our perspectives.  Therefore, people can find themselves like the waves of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed to and fro.  There is only one unmovable truth and that is the Word of God.  When our perspective is based on that, we can be steadfast and secure.  We will be able to see things in their proper perspective and keep ourselves grounded. 

There was a little story circulating online about a father using perspective in seeing an airplane in the sky and then up close at an airport, to show his son that things are bigger the closer you are to them.  The father further explained to his son that God is like that.  He is bigger when you are closer to Him.  This little story blessed me because God is so BIG to all of us who know Him.  Here’s a great verse:

Psalm 145:18

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Nigh means near, near in place, near in time and near in relationship.  I’ve heard it said that God is closer than your very breath to those who are born again.  When we keep our perspective aligned with that knowledge, we need never be shaken by anything that the world throws at us.

Proper perspective, balance and harmony are found in God’s Word.  When our thoughts are bonded with God’s thoughts, we will see those qualities evidenced in our lives.  We can withstand the onslaught of worldly confusion being hurled at us daily and we can enjoy the peace of mind that only God’s truth can provide. 

Note to my readers:  Thanks for reading!  You have no idea how thankful I am for your efforts to read my blog!  I am approaching two years of this adventure and the journey has been amazing to me.  However, as life happens, other things are vying for my time.  So, I will be posting every two weeks from now on.  I hope that you will continue to follow my writings and that they will continue to bless you.  I am pursuing some other opportunities that I hope I will be able to share with you as well.  In the meantime, thank you again for reading.  God bless you.  I love you.  You are the best!