Growing Stronger for Today's Challenges

         Consider why and how you can grow stronger.  Consider what your needs are today.  Consider how much God loves you!

        You can grow stronger for today's challenge.  Consider these simple words in this short prayer. 

Dear Father,

I want to learn what You have for me to learn.

   I do want to grow in grace.

I can do better than I’m already doing,

   In my life’s challenging race.

I know others are watching, listening,

   And I want each one to find You,

So strengthen me, help me to be in the right place;

   Show me what — today — I should do!     AMEN.

Did You Notice That Label?

People who disagree with you are labeled for prayer,

People YOU disagree with are also labeled there,

People you hear about in the news,

Those really bad, and those you choose,

People you remember from way back then,

Others pop into your mind from who knows when,

They’re needing God, needing prayer,

So, less complaining when you are there!

The Lord has labeled them for you,

So, caring Christian, what will you do?

By Elaine Hardt ©2013

Your Assignment for This Summer. . . .

Remembering can make you happy, 

Remembering can make you sad;
It all depends upon
The kind of life you’ve had.

Anticipation can make you sparkle, 

Anticipation can make you blue, 

You’re in charge of your feelings: 

The choice is up to you.

Plan ahead with determination, 

Take time for genuine prayer; 

Summer can be a new beginning 

To demonstrate you care!

Enjoy the possibilities,
Stretch yourself and grow; 

Accomplish something useful, 

Summer won’t last, you know!

By Elaine Hardt ©2009

You know, every season of the year presents to you this opportunity.  Pray about your attitude, words, actions.  God loves YOU! 

Freeway Frenzy

        Driving somewhere on vacation?  Watch out for freeway frenzy — theirs and yours!  Take a few minutes to read about a vacation several years ago . . . 

We might have prayed for you this summer.

If you were the red-headed lady in the gray mini-van with three kids in the back, driving the long stretch of highway heading north out of Salt Lake City, we prayed for you.

If you were the truck driver in a shiny blue Peterbilt with an Iowa license pulling a big black tarp-covered load up the mountains of Montana, we prayed for you.

In fact, we prayed for hundreds of drivers.  Young, elderly, in-between. People in cars, pickups, motorcycles, tractor-trailer rigs, even one long white limo.  Maybe you were one of them. 

All along the interstate people seemed to be in a hurry and in a bad mood, too.  When we left enough room between our vehicle and the one ahead some joker was quick to pull in the space.  Everyone was following too closely.  The whole scene was freeway frenzy.  

Ordinarily I would have been a basket case.  But this trip was different.

You Will Do Greater Things

“Greater things! ”  Jesus said you and I would do,

Wonderful things will happen for His Word is true;

We are to trust and obey in His Word we read,

By faith we step out as His promises we heed.

Be aware!  Be brave!  Be strong!  Speak up!  Do it now!

The LORD calls each of us and He shows us how;

Give these words some serious contemplation,

Then step up, shake off unbelieving reservation.

In these dark and hard days, greater things we need,

His Holy Spirit empowers us to do each deed;

We can do greater things — He’s the life, the truth, the way,

Give God the glory for what you can do today.

        By Elaine Hardt ©2013