Keep On Going

"It won’t be easy, just keep on going,

  I’ll give you the power and show the way,"

  This is what God is saying to you today. 

"Don’t rely on yourself or what you can see.

  I’ll teach you when you want to learn,

  I’ll help you when you call out to Me."

"Don’t wait until later, your heart may grow cold;

  Now is the time, let Me embrace you with love.

  Don’t use up your years and wait till you’re old."

"You will be tested, but keep on going,

  I’m already near to each seeking heart.

  Your assignment is to keep on growing."

"When you find out that you need Me

  you’re ready to learn to trust and obey;

  Keep going, I have provided the way."

                                                By Elaine Hardt ©2001

A Miracle of My Own

Budding branches stir in the warming sun
   on stark tough trees
fragile beauty along the streets
   tenderness on the breeze

Springtime display of new birth
    happens again every year
but we hurry by with jaded eyes
    unaware of the miracles here

O God of more than I can understand
     Designer of blossoms I see
forgive my careless ways
     rebirth wonder and joy in me

You provided the Passover Lamb
    the sacrifice for man
Life and death and resurrection
   salvation's awesome plan
 
A miracle is what I need
   uproot unbelief and fear
plant faith to grow and ever bloom
   in purpose strong and clear

                -by Elaine Hardt ©1991

Those Aggravating Politicians !

The latest political ad just came up on TV, or Facebook, or Twitter, etc.  Maybe to irritate you some friend emailed you a link to it.  

What to do?  Quick!  Pray for that politician.   They’re labeled for prayer. 

Now, you’re doing something positive, something necessary, something that will also help you.  You pray for that person who obviously needs the LORD.  They’re saying something that’s a bad exaggeration, or a bold lie.  Pray for him or her or them to repent of their sin.  Pray for a change in their attitude and their outlook.  Pray that they don’t get elected and affect thousands of people for the worse.  Pray that they turn to God very soon. 

You are helping yourself develop an astute and devoted attitude.  People who talk like that, or wear a T-shirt with filthy language or pictures, or do suggestive actions to show off their boldness to get attention — they need help.  You care about their eternal soul,  as well as their influence on the younger generation, and people of your age, and even the old folks who are becoming careless in their decision-making abilities.

See ‘em, pray for ‘em.  The sooner you do it, then you’re less likely to forget.  The sooner you do it, the more of a burden you relinquish.  Don’t let the devil use such bad stuff to get your attention.  You have more important things to do with the life the LORD has given you.      + + + 

 

By Elaine Hardt ©2016

Spring Is Here!

Two words you may not like — it means work!

But these same two words you will like — it means progress!

        Spring cleaning — maybe you remember this as you were growing up. For grandma, it was a big deal, a big chore, but you pitched in, did your part, learned how to do a better job of it, and finally celebrated with a glass of sweet tea, or was it that bright-colored artificial fruit drink.

 So, Spring Cleaning . . . 

   Are you up to it ?  

   Do you remember how to do it ?

   You’ll celebrate when you’re through it. 

 So, how long will it take ?

   Involve the family ?

   Got a little time that’s free ? 

   When you finish won’t you’ll be happy ?

 So, start with a biggie ?

   Maybe dust some stuff ?

   For today, is that enough ?

   Postpone what’s too rough ?

 So, when it’s done, what then ?

   Any cobwebs in your brain?

   Stuff, you don’t want it to remain? 

   Make a list to see what’s a pain ?

Encouragement for YOU

Encouragement is something

I hope I’m giving to you,

And encouragement is something

You can give to others, too. 

There’s encouragement in Jesus,

He died so we could be forgiven;

And wonderful news! All who accept Him

Will see Him and will go to Heaven.  

Without forgiveness we are lost,

During this one lifetime: we choose —

Will we believe in God before it’s too late?

Salvation will be welcome news. 

Now, through life’s aggravations,

Challenges we face everyday;

The LORD empowers us to 

Overcome when we obey.

So, think it over by yourself

Carefully, in a quiet way;

See if you find this peace of mind

and celebrate your faith today.

by Elaine Hardt ©2016

What? A One Minute Prayer . . . Again?

A silly bedtime rhyme came to mind yesterday, “Good night, sleep tight; don’t let the bedbugs bite!”    Along with that childhood prayer,  “Now I lay me down to sleep,” it was a ritual for us little kids.

Lately there’s been a TV commercial about getting a new mattress because an older one might be infected with bedbugs, so no doubt that brought the rhyme to mind yesterday.

And today the big thought of how adults treat prayer as repeating memorized words, reciting them quickly without pause or consideration:  what did I just say to God?  Does the old prayer still mean something?  Am I just being careless, thinking that I did what I was supposed to do?  Do those words make me a believer, a Christian, a good guy?

Memorized prayers recited at home or at church can become useless when our minds are not paying attention.  Why do the leaders say those holy words to quickly?

While we might not be able to bring this problem to the attention of someone in charge, at least we can remedy it at home.  Are you going to pray the “Lord’s Prayer”? Speak slowly, pause between phrases and think about what you’re saying to God.  You are talking to your Maker, and He is listening.  Of course, He sees your attitude.

Now, what is it that you want to say to God?  Here is the “Lord’s Prayer” from the words of the Bible in Matthew 6:9-13  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A9-13 

Here are eleven foreign language translations http://www.lords-prayer-words.com/lord_traditional_king_james.html  that also gives details of the phrases, the context, analysis line-by-line, and prayers for important occasions through the year.   

Ask yourself now, is it a “magic formula” ?  Does it keep us close to the LORD? Then take a few minutes to look up the two websites listed here.  

Afterwards ask yourself, what?  What do I want to tell my Creator?  Would this be a good time to confess my weakness, my shortcomings, my sins?  Would it be helpful to put into my own words something to express my faith, my admiration, my thankfulness?

So, is one minute enough today?

By Elaine Hardt ©2016