Not Going to Give Up, Are You?

Is life worth living?  I’d say YES. 

And these ideas I’d like to share: 

Hold on, fight on, keep on;

Though troubles may seem hard to bear.  

When things look so unsettled

analyze, be practical and prepare;

Now’s the time to get tough,

Stand tall -- of course you can -- you care!  

Others are watching to see what you do,

In your life someone else does care;

Don’t quit, don’t check yourself out,

Ask for wisdom and help in prayer!  

Believe it or not, God loves you,

And He is the one to please;

There’s peace of mind awaiting you

Talking to Him down on your knees.

You have more potential than you thought,

Toss aside those perplexities;

Put on determination so you can 

Find opportunities

                     + + + 

By Elaine Hardt ©2011

Maybe, Probably, Certainly

  Is it “Yes,” or is it “No”?

Is it “Later,” or is it “Now”?

Finding the right answers,

the LORD will show you how.

Challenges will come every day!

Do not complain and do not shirk;

You’re growing older and wiser,

Good decisions help do the work.

Lots of things allow a little time

to think, and plan and do —

achieve success, find happiness. 

Other things say, “Hurry!” to you. 

Start first thing in the morning

to anticipate your day;

Read the Bible, make your lists,

and, of course, you’ll want to pray.

Yes, you’ll learn lessons from mistakes —

it’s the sensible thing to do;

But, what a relief in the evening

to know that God has blessed you. 

            
by Elaine Hardt ©2016 

Ten Good Things About Being Sick

1. Your brain gets to exercise, trying to figure it out with the details you already know.
2. You have something to compare with yesterday and last week.
3. You can get determined to get over it.
4. You might gather some facts and information from people.
5. You will hear what happened to others with these symptoms.
6. You will find out who is sympathetic.  
7. Your body switches gears from energetic to tired, so you have to see how to cope.
8. You bravely examine your feelings about possibility of getting sicker.
9. You very bravely think about dying.
10.   What’s missing here?  Write your idea. 

Got your idea written down?  Now, here’s the grand finale, at least for now.  This is a new opportunity for you to pray about your sickness.  

The bigger the problem

The bigger miracle you need;

Start praying boldly now,

See where the LORD will lead.

Yes, life is a challenge! 

In God you must believe,

And grow in faith today

So His blessings you’ll receive.

When your life’s days are over,

Heaven is where you want to go!  

Open up your Bible and

The truth about dying you’ll know. 

So, smile at everyone you see!

You can cheer up today!

Life is worth living because

Jesus shows us the way.

           + + + 

By Elaine Hardt ©2016

My Friend Is Gone

She died.  She’s gone. My friend is dead.

My thoughts came tumbling out of my head

“I didn’t tell her . . . “

“I didn’t ask her . . . “

“Did she know . . . “

“Was she ready to go?”

I didn’t expect it, but my friend is dead,

What could I — should I — have said?

Thinking about her, thinking about me

I open the Bible today to see.

Oh, LORD I need to be obeying You;

Tell me every day what to say and do.

For all of us life will one day end,

Now is the time to receive Jesus as friend.

Confess your sins honestly,

When you die you want in Heaven to be! 

I hope my friend is certainly There;

I’m learning now my faith to share.  

                                             By Elaine Hardt ©2016