Beyond the Ordinary

Way beyond what I thought
Or ever dared to pray,
God has revealed in His word;
Amazing provision for outstanding works
That applies to me today.

Not for a few perfect saints,
Not for a time long ago;
God’s commands and promises
Given for ordinary people, you and me;
Truths He expects us to know.

What I let hold me back
Keeps me in weakness and sin.
I’m called to obedience,
And welcome the powerful presence of
His Holy Spirit within.

Not to earn His love,
Not to earn some fame,
There is work to do
To demonstrate His mighty power,
Bring glory to His name.

Called to be far greater;
Called, a mighty work to do,
God expects me to grow up, beyond the ordinary,
and trust Him to work through me.
Now I’m willing and able, too.

by Elaine Hardt ©2001, improved ©2009

Writing It Down. . . Important for Both of Us

What you think
can slip right out of your brain.
What you say
can slip right out of your mouth.
What you write has potential
to bless you, remind and help you;
and what you write has potential
to go out and bless others.

Appreciate these gifts from God,
the ability to think and speak,
but especially the opportunity to write
information, challenge, encouragement.
Ask Him about it, and then get started doing it
with peace and joy and enthusiasm.
This writing it down is important for both of us,
and today is the day to begin.

By Elaine Hardt ©2009

What If?

What if? Two little words can bring a frown.....or a smile. What if?

Two little words beckon our minds to survey, consider, examine, contemplate, and react. What if?

It's an interesting challenge to think things through. From the frivolous to the serious, we can benefit from asking "what if." Depending upon the circumstances surrounding us we might respond with fear or anger, tears or laughter.

Everything from figuring out what to cook for supper, to how best to navigate a sudden spring storm while on the back roads of town, the words "what if" might lead to careful, mature steps which might help us achieve some very necessary results.

Presupposing there are alternatives, we could be playing with, or plagued by, some mental gymnastics. Unless our schedule has us chained to rigidity we have a certain freedom. Perhaps not freedom to change our circumstances, but in any case, the freedom to change our attitude about it.

Eventually, we may even question our own existence! We might find the answer to why we were born and why we will die. People from ancient times until today have concocted all kinds of ideas as to who is responsible for this world, the universe and everything else. Conveniently, some have concluded that there is no creator, hence no requirements, no rules, no qualifications to consider.

Take a look at ninety photos: http://www.hubblespacephotos.com/ These views interrupt our small, solitary thoughts with immense, magnificent vistas beyond our small earth and blue sky. Did it all “just happen” and here we are — with no design, no purpose, no future?

A satisfying solution to this what if can be possible for the honest, searching mind willing to spend a little time asking that two-word question. What if there is no creator, no Heavenly Father? What if there IS a God?

It's time for some serious thought about that huge, gorgeous night sky and the One who made it, and us.

Photo from http://www.hubblespacephotos.com/a-thumbs.html