Memorial Day – a day to remember
Those who gave their lives
That we might enjoy freedom.
How quickly that freedom dies!
Some want our soldiers to believe
They are giving their lives so we
Can live in liberty and can behave
However we choose – we are free!
Free – what do you think it means?
Free to worship as we please –
Free to squander resources at random –
Free to waste and abuse? Jeez!!
Today more than ever before,
We must exhibit a life of respect.
We must oppose the forces of hate
And show love for all … Otherwise expect Universal Destruction!
I want to be free to see a world with:
no war
no hate
no hunger
no suffering
no abuse
no prejudice
no squandering
May have to wait for the Promise of Eternity, huh?
Photo by Reynaldo #brigworkz Brigantty on Pexels.com
JUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!
Have a Love-filled Memorial Day Be the Missing Peace!!
We are learners all
Living in Discovery
New every morning
Sunday Sermon Notes “Learners”
– based on John 14:23-29
– preached by Rev. Jean Johnson
– poetic notes by JanBeek
. We cannot hold on to life. It is not ours to control. The winds of time blow over us, And our life continues to roll. . Jesus gives us a precious gift, The one we can count on today And always: PEACE! He gives it To us… speaks it as He is going away. . He leaves us with a peace that Passes all earthly understanding. He promises, “I will be with you… Love Me – Obey Me,” He’s commanding. . Reading scripture daily is a way To know the Word and live it. Praying daily is a way to receive His love, so we can give it. . Love, Life, Word and Spirit are The way His peace we receive. The reality of these gifts are ours When we learn His Word and Believe. . Let not your heart be troubled. Let go your grasp for life’s control. Give it to God, your Anchor; Let His peace permeate your soul. . Amen? . Amen!
Thank you for joining me for
Day #8 in the A-Z series Adding Meaning and Purpose to Life
H = Hope & Happiness
In the search for meaning and purpose,
and in an effort to live
more intentionally to fulfill my purpose,
I have discovered
that living with a spirit of Hope
is the key to Happiness.
Let’s focus on three ways to bring more Happiness to our lives through the inclusion of HOPE as a key factor.
Step One: Eliminate Fear
Is there an area of your life where fear abides? Perhaps a health scare or a relational difficulty? Maybe it’s just fear of tomorrow – the unknown.
Author Maya Angelou said,
“Hope and fear
cannot occupy the same space
at the same time.
Invite one to stay.”
By inviting HOPE to occupy the space fear might have taken, we can find greater peace.
In so doing, as Sandy C. Newbigging wrote, we can have a more positive impact on others.
Impacting the lives of others in a positive way is a sure key to happiness.
Step Two: Place your Hope in the Lord
In 1Peter 3:15, we are reminded to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
Biblical hope is marked by confident expectation based on the promises given to us by God. God gives us promises of His care today and in our future. With trust in the Lord, we can live knowing our purpose and God’s plan for us extend beyond this physical life. We can take joy in His promises.
Check out how God’s – By Grace Alone – helps us go forth!
The Maranatha Singers (I love ’em!)
Step Three: Release Expectations of Perfection
Hope does not exist in an atmosphere of perfection, so we need to let go of perfection as a goal. Rather, HOPE walks us through the imperfect times. HOPE accompanies us as we navigate the difficult circumstances of life. HOPE picks us up and helps us learn from our errors.
Our errors are not stop signs in our lives. Instead, they are opportunities. We need to lay them at our feet and use them as stepping stones to guide us to a happier, more fulfilling path.
See yourself opening doors to joy, peace, healing, prosperity, and love.
Doors to understanding, compassion, and forgiveness.
Doors to freedom…
Doors to self-worth and self-esteem…
Doors to self-love…
It is all here before you…
Which door will you open first? ~ Louise L. Hay
I have a lot of crackpot friends
Who make me laugh and sing
They say good friends always are
Half-cracked (if there is such a thing)
It’s through the cracks that light
Can sneak in and add levity
To the darkened places in
The hearts of you and me
We need those crackpot friends
Like we need doors that open wide
To let the light shine in our lives
And erase the shadows we try to hide
So, crack the door open, friends
And invite your light to shine bright
I need it in my life each day
I need it today; I’ll need it tonight
For life can be filled with darkness
If you close yourself into a knot and stay curled
Open your heart to the blessings out there
Crack the door open and welcome the world!
