Considering Benefits of Greater Things in Your Life

Greater things are a possibility for me!

Greater learning improving personal ability;

Greater satisfaction is something I can achieve,

Greater usefulness is possible, because I now believe.

Greater significant victories!

Greater inner strength and freedom to see;

Greater insight into important things,

Greater happiness that inner freedom brings.

Greater stamina so I don’t so easily tire!

Greater connections with people up higher;

Greater ideas are welcome in my mind,

Greater inspiration I am able to find.

Greater vision and expectation as I sow a seed!

Greater outreach to be a help to others in need;

Greater encouragement I am able to give,

Greater spiritual understanding in how to live.

Greater peace of mind means finding real rest!

Greater determination to succeed in life’s test; 

Greater power comes by exercising faith anew,

Greater things you and I can consider, attempt, and do.

Greater growing in faith and hope and love!

Greater thoughts about dying and going Above; 

Greater accomplishments, greater acknowledgements, too,

Greater expectations that brings hope to me and you. 

Jesus said,  “I assure you: The one who believes in Me

 will also do the works that I do. 

And he will do even greater works than these, 

because I am going to the Father.”  

John 14:12, Holman Christian Standard Bible

by Elaine Hardt ©2013 

Tip-toe Back to Your Childhood Christmas

YES, another Christmas is on the way.  Decorations in the stores have been reminding us since October,  the calendar on the wall makes it plain.  

        You’ve been making lists:  buy this, do that, make some calls, write the Christmas letters.  It’s a little more pressure on an already-busy person like yourself.

        But, take a few moments just now, and tip-toe back to your childhood Christmas.  What do you recall of that Christmas as a little kid?  What was it like when you were in grade school and had that first party?  How did you celebrate in the following years?  Anything you would have changed?

On Veterans Day, We Remember

Proud of our servicemen and women who

Step up to the call of the red, white, and blue;

Duty and honor, hard work, concentration,

Distinguishing themselves and serving our nation.

There’s no surrender when faced with evil force,

We have determined servicemen, and women of course.

Taking an oath under God, upheld by prayer,

Those of us at home are glad they are there. 

What will the outcome of this struggle be?

Will right prevail, will our nation remain free?

Our people want justice, and are willing to fight,

Looking for our flag by dawn’s early light. 

Here Comes Thanksgiving Day

We know there’s a reason for this day in history,

We learned about those Pilgrims and Puritans in school; 

To refresh ourselves with the history here’s a site to see: 

http://www.plimoth.org/learn/MRL/read/thanksgiving-history  

So, let’s plan a family feast and family fun for this season,

Yes, but it’s time to thank God for His blessings!

Sometimes being busy makes us forget this lesson; 

Let’s not forget gratitude is the reason. 

Put honesty to God in your November prayers,

Every day we should remember the LORD,

His Word tells us He loves us, He really cares.

This is definitely a message each of us shares.  

Not just formal words at a fancy dinnertime,

Prayer is a thoughtful habit to cultivate;

So, every day can be a thanks giving time,

Reminding you is the real purpose of this rhyme. 

By Elaine Hardt ©2013

The One Best Word

         Could the “one best word” be the happiest word? The one word that cheers up each person who has a good reason to use it?  Is it the one word you’ve said recently that improved your whole day, maybe your entire outlook on life?

Of course, you make the pronouncement yourself. Perhaps you have thought of other people saying this one word in some situation, but here, just briefly, we are speaking of you.  Read on with yourself in mind.

        That one simple word that is so powerful, so broad, yet it can be applied so specifically, is “temporary.”  Is that what you anticipated?

Anyhow, let’s take a look at its use, its possibilities, its good points. When a tiny zit pops up on a teenager’s face. When company arrives for just the weekend.  When you stubbed your toe in the dark on the way to the bathroom.  When there’s a shipper’s delay in getting that nifty new tool delivered via UPS.  

Even, when the elevator at work is stuck between floors! When there’s a traffic jam on Interstate 19! When your little kid fell off the swings and broke his arm!

As you picture these situations you will probably agree that when that #1 happiest, best word, “temporary,” comes to mind it does help alleviate the stress, frustration, and unhappiness.  

  Instead of totally dwelling on the bad event you can have a measure of relief. Whatever that uncalled for, or stupid, or aggravating event was there’s an expected end to it. Things could go back to normal.  Things might even be improved as a result of thinking about cause and effect and possible prevention and solution.  

When huge unwelcome circumstances invade your household, your job, your commute or your vacation this one happy word, “temporary,” can spur you on to doing some serious thinking, planning, and rearranging. It can encourage you to action. 

By now you have thought of some recent events in your own life that warrant the audible verbalization by you of this word, “temporary.“ You could be writing some short article yourself!

But, before we close this mental exercise there’s one very certain situation where the word “temporary” does not apply.