What If You Never Make the Top Ten–or Anyone’s List?

January 16, 2012

The Top Ten

At the beginning of each year you’ll usually hear or read about a list of  people who have made the”Top Tens”:  Top Ten Fashion Designers, Top Ten Bloggers, Top Ten Musicians, Top Ten Authors, Top Ten Wage Earners.

We may never see our name on a ”Top Ten” list–or on anyone’s positive kind of list. Things in our lives can easily slip from bad to worse. And it’s entirely possible that some circumstances will never change, no matter how hard we try to influence them. Life may never seem fair. How can we possibly handle that without giving in or giving up? Read more

Five Ways to Find Healing from Your Past – Part 2

January 9, 2012

Quick Review of Last Week:

Life-altering wrongs committed against us may never be corrected in this lifetime. But what about the times when we’ve wounded others? How can we remove the “Cain-stamped” seal on our souls–the glaring sins and blunders that have almost destroyed our lives in the past?

Only God can completely remove those, but Part 2 shares two more ways to help you find healing from your past. Read more

Five Ways to Find Healing from Your Past – Part 1

January 2, 2012

“Get over it!” “Move on!” “The past is gone!”

Well-meaning friends may offer you their best unsolicited advice, but their words hurt. Why? The past still haunts you. Are new beginnings possible? Is healing a reality? How do we confidently release the past and embrace the future? How do we find the strength to “press on?”

I’ll be the first to admit that some gut-wrenching issues in my life have taken time and even Christian counseling in order to heal and move forward again. So I’m not offering you pat answers.

Life-altering wrongs committed against us may never be corrected in this lifetime. But what about the times when we’ve wounded others? How can we remove the “Cain-stamped” seal on our souls–the glaring sins and blunders that have almost destroyed our lives in the past? Read more

25 Christmas Prayers – Day 23

December 23, 2011

Jesus, how many times have we stumbled through the dark in the middle of the night trying to find our own way? Why would we choose to go through life the same way? You are the Light of the World, shining in the darkness. Read more

Are You Spiritually Dehydrated?

November 15, 2011

Recently I bought a new plant called an ornamental mustard. Beautiful leaves, pretty colors–different from anything I owned. I wasn’t sure where to plant it, but I knew we’d find a place for it.

New plants always perk up the garden, especially in Fall, when some things are fading. I found a temporary spot on the back porch, until I decided on its permanent home. But I forgot something vital about that plant. Read more

Encouragement for Writers…and You

November 1, 2011

Springtime in Winter

Call me optimistic. Persistent. Unrealistic. Dreamer. But I learned as a writer to discover God’s encouragement in the most ordinary places–like a surprise of Springtime in Winter. Read more

Five of the Best Gifts You Can Give Your Children (Part 2)

October 25, 2011

What kind of gifts do you give your children? Last week we talked about three of the five best gifts you can give your children. We could list many more. But here are the last two: Read more

Five of the Best Gifts You Can Give Your Children (Part 1)

October 18, 2011

What parent doesn’t want to give good gifts to their kids? But what kind of gifts should they choose? Here are five of the best gifts you can give your children: Read more

If You’re Courageous, You Can Change

October 4, 2011

“It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.”

When I saw that quote by Mark Twain, Read more

10 Simple Truths/Lessons We Can Learn from 9/11

September 11, 2011

What have you learned from 9/11? None of us will ever be the same since that day. We’ve all been profoundly touched in some way. Many of those changes were negative. But today, on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, here are at least ten simple, positive truths we can glean from this tragedy:

1. Miracles still happen
2. Little things matter
3. Heroes are real people
4. People do care about each other
5. Life is precious
6. God brings good out of evil, and our only hope still lies in Him
7. Courage makes a difference
8. Love ones seem dearer; heaven seems nearer
9. Crisis can bring unity
10. Make every moment count; today may be all you have

No doubt that list will grow, as you add your own lessons and truths. Most of these we knew already; but 9/11 both reinforced and magnified them. Last year I shared a poetic reflection called “If Only We Had Known, that also expressed some simple truths.

Tomorrow is another day. The anniversary memorials will cease, and life will continue as usual. But the lessons we learn will stick with us, if we let them. Like a well-read novel, the takeaway will emerge and contribute to who we are, and to the person we can become, if we let God define the wisdom.

“But as for you, you meant evil…but God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20, NKJV).

“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6, NIV).

Simple Prayer for Today:

Lord, we cry out in solemn remembrance of that day ten years ago–a day indeliby written on our hearts. Comfort those who lost loved ones and friends; draw near to those whose lives changed forever by the cruelty of others.

Jesus, our only hope is in You. Help us to sow love instead of hatred. May we never forget the lessons You taught us–and help us to trust You for the answers we can’t seem to find. Make us wise, as we look to You for direction. Help us trust You for the courage to go on, one day at a time. Equip us to make a difference in Your world. Our nation is in Your hands. Keep us close to You, for it truly is in God we must trust.

What about you? What lessons did you learn from 9/11? Or what truths did that event reinforce for you? Please share your comments below. Your words might encourage someone today! You will not be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you do so. Feel free to email this blog to someone or to re-post on social media, using the buttons below. If you want to re-post any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first. And if you’d like to, you can sign up for my blog/newsletter and updates at the top of this website page/sidebar. Your e-mail address will never be sold or given to anyone!

 

 

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