My Source of Encouragement

There are days that I give encouragement and there are days I need it. Today is the latter. I'll depend upon my podcasts to lift me up and I know that will happen.

Ron Estrada's podcast, Ten Writers Publish, isn't just for the young. He has a lot of encouraging advice for all writers. He also periscopes around mid-morning.

The Wally Podcast is where I get uplifting, and light-hearted energy from. Two guys, Two girls make this a fun show.

Johanna Penn, Creative Penn, podcast encourages writers. Her australian accent is fun to listen to.

I already listened to Daily Audio Bible.

Max Lucado has a one minute inspirational talk. I love it.

That's a few of my encouraging stars that are in my life. Who encourages you?

4 Ways to a Clutter Free Mind

Do words rehearse over and over in your mind, sometimes keeping you awake at night? Do words enter your thoughts when you should be focusing on something else? If yes, it's obvious something is bothering you. Maybe you can do something about it, maybe you can't. Here are four ways to unclutter and throw out those worthless words.

1.  Someone once said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison hoping your enemy dies. The first point is to forgive, let it go.

2.  Be thankful. It's tough for negative words to stick around when one is thankful. Appreciation is like a flower scent. Smell goodness and the pigpen of thoughts will dissipate.

3. Fill yourself with good word. Psalms help when emotions are running havoc. The Psalmist experienced human ups and downs. It has a calming effect.

4. Be where you're at. I'm speaking thought wise.  Exercise your mental muscles by staying in the moment. At home? Mentally be there and not at work.

Practice these and enjoy a peaceful mind. Above all, join with your Creator through Jesus Christ, who promised peace beyond measure.

Eye of the Storm

Years prior I had been in hurricane Helena, while living in Gulfport, Mississippi. Sheltered in a Navy warehouse with hundreds of people, I felt somewhat safe. Then the huge doors came open. The sun shined, and the people left the shelter to walk into the eye of the storm. The imagery of multi-colored Caribbean birds flying, a deep blue sky, no wind, all brought a peaceful scene.

Considering this scenario, I thought of the peace I receive when I go to the secret place of the Almighty. I'm there now. Hope you join me.

When Comfort From People Isn't Enough

The book of Job, you may know, is in the middle of the Bible. A man suffers; his friends attempt to comfort; they fail; Job suffers more.

Job suffered much loss. His kids were killed. His livestock was destroyed. His life now in ruin.

And then arrive the friends, who want to diagnose Job's dilemma. You know the people. They have all the answers and tell Job all he needs to do is humble himself, admit he was wrong. But Job says he hasn't done anything wrong. He states his case, but his friends won't listen. He wants to connect with them, to be comforted by them. He wants them to understand him. They don't.

Job then turns to the One, who is there for him. "My Redeemers lives, and one day, He shall take His stand upon the earth."

Who is Your Boss?

Who is Your Boss?
I think of myself as an employee. When I'm in the scope of my employment, my boss will supply me with everything I need to get the job done.

Seek first the realm of God and then all these things will be added to you. What things? Everything you need for life.

I seek to know what God wants. It's simple. He wants a relationship with people. I can do that when I smile at someone or interact with a child. I'll accomplish it through writing or responding to an email. My writing is not with religious words or a finger shaken at them but in love.

When I make God's priority my priority He takes care of everything I need. I've seen Him do that through the house we live in, the car we drive and the clothes we wear.

Topic to Ponder

Each Sunday I conduct a mini-church service with my family. Each person is asked to bring something. Even my little ones have a picture card file in which they pick out a Bible story. This morning the topic that is on my heart is vision. I want my kids to think of 5 years from today and beyond.

At the same time, I want them to live for today. I'm reading a Karen Kingsbury book in which a mother pushes her daughter in the area of acting. She pushed the young girl so much, Sarah didn't like performing. Then a horrible accident occurs. At her daughter's funeral the mother tearfully told the crowd to live for today, you may not have tomorrow.

See tomorrow but live today.

Slicing Up Worry - Here's How

A New York Firefighter has a day off. His phone rings at 8:00 am and wakes him up. "Hello?"

"Hey Chris, this is Joe."

Wondering why his boss would be calling him, Chris waited. Joe informed him that a meeting was scheduled for that afternoon.

"Could you be there?"

Chris agreed and shut off his phone. He began to go through scenarios like to why he would be asked to go to a meeting. He scanned his mind to see if he "messed up." Anxiety overtook him for the next half-hour.

Deciding worry wasn't the way to go, Chris looked in Philippians 4. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything submit your requests to God."

He spent the remainder of the morning reading the Bible and praying. Peace and contentment came upon him.

When he went to the meeting, he found out that he was being promoted.

Anxiety hits all of us and we can hit it back with the Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God.

"Take a slice out of worry."

Strange Dream

I woke up this morning, a weird and strange dream on my mind. I had dreamt that I was with a few people and one of my younger kids inside a huge church. Darkness spoke over and over again. Not in voice, but in impressions. I spoke back to the evil as I felt its attempt to shame me and accuse me of past wrongs I had committed. I admitted the wrongs and silenced the evil. I woke up. At first I was concerned that others would think different of me, until I confessed.  The darkness had no hold over me in my confession.

Identity

In the early 80's a mini-series was produced called, "The Winds of War." I and several sailors were chosen to be a part of the Pearl Harbor attack. We traveled by bus to Long Island, California. On site they put us in costume and told us where to stand. Some had officer's clothes on, some regular sailors. I witnessed a transformation right before my eyes. Those that had put on officer's clothes took a superior role.

I think about that when I consider identity. As a young boy I didn't have an identity and worked hard to get one. I never liked what I came up with. Then someone introduced me to Jesus. From that point on I knew who I was and whose I was. I am secure in that.

Emotions

A feeling came over me. One that could be described as deep sadness. At first I didn't understand my emotions. I scanned my mind as to why I would feel that way, then I remembered the book I was reading: Redemption by Karen Kingsbury. It's a story of a married couple. He has an affair and gets caught. The beginning of the book goes into great detail describing the emotions each feels. I was truly amazed at how Karen and co-author Gary Smalley was able to bring such a depth to a story, one so deep it caused great sadness in me, even beyond the pages.

I wonder how much more our Creator is emotionally hurt by human weakness.

Reflections

I listened to the K Love radio program this morning. They talked about the most visited cities for a vacation. Charleston, South Carolina was named one of the top spots to visit. We use to live in a superb of Charleston called Summerville.

When we lived there, we visited a few attractions, like Fort Sumter, but I didn't get the full impact. Reason: I was too much into what was happening at the present time. I allowed the Navy to fill my every thought.

What if I chose to enjoy life at that time. I would have many more memories of a rich culture. I can't do anything about the past, but I can learn and make right now richer.

Freedom & a Multi-Millionaire

Howard Hughes, a multi-millionaire.

He was born on Dec 24th, and since it wrecked his mother's body, he would be an only child.

His mother had a germ phobia, always bathing him and keeping him isolated. His father was absent. Howard became a hypochondriac in order to get attention. Faking illness became a norm.

At the age of 19, Howard sued and became an adult in the eyes of the law. He then went on to buy out the tool company owned by his father and then became a millionaire.
It has been said that America would have lost World War II had it not been for the medical facilities he built.

He had everything and yet he died of dehydration, neglect and starvation.

He did not have freedom.

"Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." Jesus

I Wills

From Psalms 9

I Will....
  Give thanks with my entire heart
    Recount all of Your wonderful deeds
      Be glad
        Exult in You
          Sing Your praises

God Has Cerebral Palsy

I listened to a speaker, with Cerebral Palsy say, "God has Cerebral Palsy." He had trouble getting the words out but his message was loud and clear. The place became quiet as we waited for his explanation. With difficulty he told us what Cerebral Palsy is. (I wrote the definition below:)

Cerebral palsy is a movement disorder that symptoms vary between people. Problems include: weak muscles, poor coordination and trouble speaking. 

The speaker explained it this way: "The brain is perfect, the limbs are perfect, the signal from the brain to the limbs is perfect, but the interpretation of the signal is flawed. Thus, "God has Cerebral Palsy."

Moving - 11 year-old Girl's Essay

Moving - Girl’s Essay

Angelina Sughroue, 11, didn’t talk about her mother’s death, her father, Samuel said. Kodi, the Mother, died in February 2010 from cancer, leaving five children: Erika, Brooke, Nathan, Angelina and Isabella.

“What My Mother Means to Me” essay won first place. “I used my memory to write it,” Angelina says. “like how sweet she was and loving. I just remembered her …. She was very nice. She wouldn’t let me down.”

Angelina said her essay reminded her of how her mother, "always kept me smiling."

Angelina’s Essay:

My mother sacrificed a lot of money for my family and me. She was a single mother taking care of 5 kids by herself. My mom worked at night so my older sister, Erika had to take care of us. Life was great until she went to the doctor. The doctor said that she had breast cancer. I was only 4 when this happened. I remember at our house that it was quieter. I didn’t like it. Months and months she stayed in the hospital.

One day we rushed to the hospital. I didn’t know what was going on. In February she died. One day after we rushed to the hospital. I still remember her soft voice and her black shiny hair with eyes like chocolate. She’s the best mom that ever lived.

This is personal to me because I lost my dad when I was ten. I’m sure writing this essay helped Angelina.

Self-Worth?

Where do you get your self-worth?

When I attended Re-Write Conference, one theme kept coming up. “Where do you get your self-worth?” We were told not to put your self-worth into getting published. I’m adding a few more to that list. Money or making money should not be a booster. Losing weight is another one that shouldn’t be on the “Something to make me feel important list.” The list can go on and on.

The question remains, “Where should we get our self-worth?” I know the answer, but it’s not always easy to follow. The cash flow decreases, my self-worth can follow. The weight increases can create an opposite result with my ego.

Self-worth should be connected to: “Am I doing what I’m created to do?”

What if?

300 trillion suns, in a galaxy far, far away is the most luminous galaxy ever seen. It's 12.5 billion light-years from Earth.

The galaxy was spotted by NASA's Widefield Infrared Survey Explorer, a space telescope orbiting Earth. WISE scans the entire sky in infrared light, picking up the glow of hundreds of millions of objects.

The name of the galaxy is WISE J224607.57-052635.0. I suppose NASA wanted the name to be original.

What if?
NASA discovered heaven?

Qualities of a Best Friend

Qualities of a Best Friend

Jonathon, the son of the King, had everything in the area of physical comforts. Power, prestige and position, were all his for the taking. Yet, his best friend did not share the same level of life.
In danger, Jonathon stepped down from his secure position and went to his friend who was a fugitive.

(A good friend will come to where you are, not vice versa.)

Jonathon cared not for his own well-being, but for his friend’s emotional state. There Jonathon encouraged his friend, spent time with him and made him feel better. If they were caught they would die, but they would die together.

(A good friend doesn’t try to fix the situation but encourages.)

Jonathon knew his position. He was next in line for the throne. He was destined to be the next King. Yet, his statement to his friend demonstrated the King’s son valued friendship above position. “David, you will be the next King of Israel, and I will be your second in command.” The King’s son was conveying: “I’m not jealous of you, my friend.” “I want you to succeed above me.”

(A good friend will not be jealous when you succeed.)

1 Samuel 23:16-18

Dream Unfulfilled, Fulfilled

Dream Unfulfilled Fulfilled

David fled for his life. The King wanted him dead. David, the national hero became a fugitive. His crime: He followed orders.

The King, mentally disturbed, felt his kingdom threatened by a teenage boy. It was foretold that a new king would take the throne – David. The King would not allow that to happen. He would fight it as long as he had breath, so David ran.

 “You will be King over Israel and I’ll be your second in command.” Jonathon, the King’s son, proclaimed. He loved David and vowed his allegiance to the next ruler.

That never happened. Jonathon was killed in battle. David lost his best friend and dream. But that’s not where the story ends. Mephibosheth, Johnathon’s son, became a person that David showed kindness to. He welcomed the young man into his kingdom. The dream came back to life in a crippled boy. (Mephibosheth was five years old when a nurse dropped the boy.)

Jesus and Social Media

If you tweet the Word of God and ignore it, you'll be like a person who builds his house on Facebook." Matthew 7:26-27

If you have 700 followers on twitter, at least 666 are headed to destruction. Matthew 7:13

So what if you own Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all of Amazon but loose E-Life. What good is that? Mark 8:36.

Faith is like a on-line video that goes viral. Mark 4:30