“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 3:18
Today’s post was inspired by an entry in All God’s Creatures, a Guideposts publication. Shirley Raye Redmond wrote a commentary titled, “Keep Growing” for the November 27 entry.
She ended her thoughts with this quote by Oswald Chambers:
“Spiritual maturity is not reached by the passing of years, but by obedience to the will of God.”
Isn’t it interesting that when I search for photos related to obedience, the pictures all are of dogs? Not us human beings. No, the word conjures up obedient dogs! Would that we could be as responsive to discipline as a dog is! Or as committed to growth as a lobster!
Bee like a lobster Or a dog – Committed and Obedient…
“How do you define inspiration?” I asked my husband, Bob, that question at breakfast this morning. He said, “Enthusiastic Appreciation that Motivates.” I nodded. Yes, when we are inspired, the next step is action!
We may not be inspired to physically climb mountains, But inspiration will lead us to climb higher than We would without that motivation, right? I am motivated to be grateful for all my blessings.
In my gratitude, I know I am blessed to be a blessing. I am inspired to reach out in love to those around me. I am inspired to share the things that keep me moving. I am motivated to want to help my friends move forward, too.
Actions do speak louder than words, but words count! I can bless my friends and family with affirmative thoughts, Just as you inspire me by your positive comments. I am grateful for the way you inspire me.
Today is “Presidents’ Day” in the USA – a day to remember – Remember and be grateful for the two presidents who Inspired our nation to form as one union and then to unite After a Civil War that tore us apart: Washington and Lincoln.
In my Daily Guideposts today, the writer, John Dilworth, Was inspired by Colossians 3:23 to write about his experience With President Jimmy Carter’s Air Force One when the Then President Carter visited the base where he was stationed.
His picture of Air Force One is a reminder of the way The team of cadets worked at the fueling station With total commitment, unified teamwork, and Precise execution to service the President’s plane.
Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com (This may not be the president’s plane – but you get the idea)
Col. 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
What inspires you to total commitment? When have you experienced total team commitment? Where have you seen precise execution of a task? What do you think inspired each of those situations?
John Dilworth ended his message with this:
“Today as we honor our past and current presidents, I must ask myself, ‘How can I do my best for the president today?’ … One thing we can all do every day is pray for the president.” Pray for our world’s leaders, for their discernment, safety, and effectiveness.
Here is my Elfchen for today – Inspired by Proverbs, chapter 15 (An “Elevenie” – poem with 11 words in a pattern of 1,2,3,4,1):
My 2020 resolution is to “Walk the Talk.” It is a daily commitment. What was your 2020 resolution?
Try to “Walk the Talk.” Try to live your commitments. Express them daily.
Today I walked with my TOPS friends. Here are two of them with me: Cherrie & Jeannie. We walked in our Lion’s Club Park. Did a lot of talking as we walked. Tried to solve all the world’s problems!
Valais, Switzerland
No, this isn’t my walking path… it’s my daughter, DeAna’s, in Sierre, Switzerland. She walks this trail up into the Alps – often joined by one or two of her three sons. Yesterday she sent this photo. Our grandson, Chris, was her walking partner.
DeAna “walked the talk” with Chrissy as they navigated the trail on the terraced mountainsides and enjoyed the outdoor time together.
Here is DeAna, our daughter, with her new haircut. No, she’s not in Paris. That’s just her “photo op!”
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And before that haircut:
She says she’d like to be on a tropical island! I’d say being in Switzerland is not a bad option!
Today De’s walk was with Christine, a friend who was one of their waitresses for almost 20 years in the restaurant they once owned on main street in Sierre.
Christine – on the balcony overlooking the Swiss valley
Half way up the Alps from their city is a beautiful little place called Vissoie, De and Andre’ have purchased a new restaurant… new to them, but with a long history in this Alpine village.
It has that typical Swiss chalet appearance with a hotel attached above and on the right. They take possession in October, I think.
Isn’t this an inviting spot? As they plan for this new venture, they get to “Walk the Talk” of trust. Trust that this pandemic world will not always keep people sequestered and afraid to go out and dine together. Trust that the people of Vissoie and the surrounding communities will accept them and frequent their dining hall. Trust that visitors will stay in their hotel.
My prayers are with them, of course, as I encourage them in this exciting new time on their lives.
Lion’s Club Park, Ennis, Montana
As my lady friends and I walked the trail in our beautiful park, we talked about family, commitments, future events, the racial injustice that is sparking protests all over the USA, and the COVID-19 situation that is far from over.
My goal is encouragement and positivity. I share my faith here on WordPress, and I share the Source of my Joy with my walking friends.
There are plenty of people out there who want to show their love to others. They want to give to make a difference. You are probably one of them.
Besides giving to those we love around us, there are “causes” we care about. We want to give love to those, too. Especially while staying at home during this COVID-19 pandemic, I have felt the need to reach out more than ever.
But, how do you know the cause is “legitimate,” and if you donate to a cause, then the money is going to its intended purpose – and not to line some executive’s pockets – or make an advertising company wealthy?
Intermountain is a nationally recognized nonprofit providing Hope & Healing for children, youth, and families.
On their website, this is INTERMOUNTAIN’s mission statement,
“When families need help with the complex emotional challenges children and teens sometimes face, Intermountain offers innovative treatment developed from years of experience. Our caring professionals rely on our relationship-based approach and client-centered treatment solutions to meet the individual needs of each child and family and help them heal. Our goal is to help every child and family we serve thrive and grow.”
Commitment
Because I believe Intermountain is committed to meeting its goal – and I have visited its campus in Helena, Montana, and seen first-hand the enormous good they do, I am signed up for an automatic deduct from my retirement stipend each month to send a donation to Intermountain. It’s a small contribution, not enough for me to even miss it, but it is consistent. It adds up to real help when it happens month-after-month, year-after-year. I am committed to doing my small part.
If everyone who heard about Intermountain donated a small amount every month, just think of how much more they could do to help needy children and their families!
Assurance
I have the assurance that my donation has arrived and is being put to good use because every single month I receive a thank you letter from Beth, the Sr. Development Officer there who is in charge of Special Events (and obviously also in charge of written acknowledgements). Here is a copy of the letter we received in January from Intermountain:
As an educator for 36 years, I have a passion for children – their health and well-being, their safety and their enlightenment.
I know there are children out there who are facing complex emotional challenges. I am not equipped to help each of them (but I wish I could). Their problems are beyond my resources of time, money, and skills.
Some face separation anxiety with parents who were abusive, or parents who are in prison, or parents who are deceased, or… well, you name it!
I can’t help them all, but I can do a little to support this place in Montana that DOES have the facility, the love, the skills and materials to make a difference.
Reach Out
God has blessed you to BE A BLESSING. If giving to Intermountain is not in your future, then look for a place in or near your community – a place that is legitimate – a place that pools its resources, love, and skills to make a difference in the lives of others in need. There are so many … so many less fortunate than we are … Reach Out to bless others in whatever way you are able!
It’s never too late to capture the 2020 vision…
Make it a year of 20/20 clarity of purpose! Think about your passions, think about your blessings, and with gratitude, consider your giving.
Tell me some way you are giving in love to share your blessings with others in need. I’d love to have you write your ideas in the comments section – and inspire others to give in love, too.
When I was introduced to the half-hour sitcom, I didn’t realize how much it would affect my view of problem-solving. I didn’t realize how much it would affect the world’s view of how to deal with trouble. There was a tidiness about those sitcoms. Usually they started out bright and cheery. Then a problem was introduced. The characters struggled with it. By the end of the half-hour, the issue was resolved and the world was rosy again.
Real Life
In real life, we came to expect those instant solutions. We stopped understanding the need to live through the hurts, the frustrations, the anger for more than a half an hour. More than a day. More than a month. Divorce rates sky-rocketed and continue to do so … except that today’s generation, having watched their parents’ marriages dissolve, is afraid of commitment. They just live together. To heck with marriage!
The Farce and the Force
The tidiness of the half-hour sitcoms was a farce. It did us no favor. Problems come. That’s a given. But they don’t go away in the blink of a TV show. They don’t go away with a magic wand. Or a twitch of “Bewitched” nose. They can not be solved without time, effort, patience, guidance, wisdom, and often forgiveness. They are better resolved with prayer. We need a Higher Force! Let the Holy Spirit in. Ask for help.
Rewards of Joy and Peace
Problem solving is not quick and tidy. It is a messy, time-consuming business! Don’t let the half-hour sitcom mentality deprive you of the joy and peace that comes from tenacity, persistence, forgiveness and the rewards of hangin’ in there!
