Number 350

I find myself overwhelmed, not just at the fact that this is my 350th blog post, but I had no idea my blog would be read by so many people in different countries. Over 24 countries, in fact.

Who would have thought 20 years ago, that the gospel and the love of Jesus could be reached at an escalating number throughout the world, and so quickly as by the stroke of a keyboard?

I enjoy sharing the Good News. You readers are the reason I still do what I do and hopefully my articles have not only been a blessing to you, but have encouraged you in your faith.

We all have the opportunity everyday to share the love of Jesus, but not many take full advantage of that.  When you make a batch of excellent tasting cookies and bring them to work to share with your co-workers, your sharing brings great joy to you, otherwise you wouldn't share them. That's how it should be when sharing the love of Jesus. If you love Jesus, and watched Him time after time deliver you from a situation, or even just the grace that He gives you day after day, isn't that love worth sharing with others?

God put a million, million doors in the world

For His love to walk through

One of those doors is you - With Every Act of Love, by Jason Gray

 

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works

and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mathew 5:16)

 

As always, if you are living in an area with no access to a Bible,

click on www.biblegateway for more of

God's encouraging Word.

 

The Words You Speak

Imagine your a mom with a three-year old son, and you've been given only a short time left to live, what do you do for your son?
What do you say? How do you say goodbye? And what's the proper etiquette for preparing his future with you not being there for him?

Some hard cold facts that faced a woman in the UK most recently. Three years ago this woman had a child and then 6 months later she was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Within her fight, she and her husband began to think about their son's future and the questions he might ask his mother if she were around. Questions about life in general at every age he approaches until adulthood. Questions about life, about girls(when he gets older), and feelings he may go through as he approaches each age of puberty.

The woman decided to prepare ahead of time some birthday cards for her husband to give to their son at each of his birthdays and even one for his high school graduation and wedding day.

No matter how much you can prepare ahead of time for your child under these circumstances, the feeling of loss will always be there for that child. I believe that is why the words we speak to others is important, even after we have left this place we call earth.


Francis of Assisi is said to have said, "Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words."

And even if your not into the whole preaching the gospel etiqutte, the words you speak are still powerful and can resonate well after you have passed.

 

How many of you can remember someone else having said something profound to you, and it's stuck with you throughout your life?

 

Let your words be an impact to others. Be remembered for something.

 

 

 

 

It Ain't Over Till It's Over

If you find yourself in need of hope, this most recent true story will help:

A Pastor in Grand Rapids was diagnosed with ALS disease (Lou Gehrigs disease) to which there is no cure. He had been given 2-5 years to live. This man of God seemed to accept his fate without wanting to fight, and became despondant. He began to question God, "Okay, what now? Do I just wait to die?"

Then a former acquantance came to his rescue. A New York man who had fought drug and alcohol addiction for years and had several near death experiences, called him and simply said,

"Keep fighting. It ain't over, till it's over."

So, 12 years later, this Preacher from Michigan has walked his daughter down the aisle and has seen his grandchildren born.

We will all face difficulties in life, some more than others. But take heart, God still works miracles. Choose to live life according to God's plan, it's a perfect plan.

Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life. (Proverbs 4:23)

If you live in an area with no access to a Bible, click on www.biblegateway.com for more of God's encouraging Word.



 

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Mark Twain once said, "Why complain about the weather, you can't change it."

Whether you live in Idaho, Minnesota, Chicago, or any of the New England states, it's cold outside right now.
For those of us that live in extreme winter conditions yearly, it's become a way of life to not just complain about the temperatures,  but continue on with our daily lives, as much as we don't feel like it. But dealing with the weather is just a part of life.

As much as I have distanced myself from being a baseball fan the last few years, I am looking forward to hearing,
"Pitchers and catchers are now reporting for duty." Which means spring training is coming, which also means Spring is coming!

The one constant that remains about the weather is it's affect on our attitude. If you've made not complaining your New Years resolution, you've probably failed that one already, if you are enduring the bone cold, chilly climate these last few days.

But take heart, Mark Twain has also given us a great pearl of wisdom to live by,

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer someone else up."

Now, for those of you who are living in another country with a different climate, you are probably persevering through something more drastic than the weather: lack of food, water, or medical attention.  And I applaud you on how you persevere without complaining, and choose to take it one day at a time.

But, you see, here in America we have become spoiled. So when extreme weather conditions come, it kind of puts everything back into perspective for us. Within our complaining, some of us do become grateful for the simple things, such as: heat, food, and water.

Enduring through frigid, blizzard like conditions has it's advantages. Thank God it brings me back down to earth, so I may declare,

Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises. Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds. (1 Chronicles 16:9)