Those Four Words

     A real accomplishment for Antonio at the age of seven!  Looking back on it these years later he explained his grown-up understanding to the teen boys in the class he taught.

     “Our assignment in second grade Sunday School class was to memorize and then one at a time recite the Lord’s Prayer in front of the whole congregation at a Sunday morning service.  Standing alone on that stage in front of all those people was scary.  But mom and dad had drilled me for days, and now I had a little bit of confidence.”  

     He continued, “Maybe that’s how you feel when you’re about to take a test at school, but at least you were sitting down, just writing answers on a piece of paper.”  

     The boys smiled and nodded as Antonio went on, “We all thought we knew what we were saying, but now I have lots more in my head and in my heart.  The one biggie I’m going to tell you about today is four words there next to the end. ‘Deliver us from evil.’  Jesus brought it up in the 68 words of the prayer that He taught His disciples one day. 

     “Those four words and especially the word ‘evil’ informs us that evil is real. What is evil?”

     Antonio paused and the boys spoke up . . .

Your Busy Brain at Work

Your brain makes labels

for the challenges you had;

Was it an invitation to learn?

Did it turn out good or bad?

Did you appreciate this

learning opportunity?

Can you smile, at least inside,

these lessons that you see?

Was there something you remember?

Or was it something new?

Did you face it calmly,

happy to make it through?

Did you congratulate

someone for doing good?

Did you you write to them,

or say it as you should?

Size up life’s situations,

Pray for wisdom now;

Here come more challenges

What to do?  You’ll know what and how.

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

HAPPY TODAY & TOMORROW !

It's a Happy Day, because God's love is always here!

Each person, friends, and family is a special dear;

We love each other and each of us will pray,

We ask the LORD’s blessing, and so we say:

Life is complicated, but we all know this much:

It’s important for us to try to keep in touch.

Jesus loves us, and He empowers us to do

Important things, like I am reminding you.  

Trust and Obey, remember that old song we’d sing?

Great memories for you, no doubt this will bring. 

Days of our life seem to be quickly flying by!

Of course, we look ahead to when we will die.

That’s why we read our B - I - B - L - E 

where instruction and inspiration we see.

Oh, what a relief it is to know what’s ahead!

So don’t forget what the Bible has said.

Happy Today and Tomorrow, and expecting more to see,

It will be an interesting challenge for you and for me. 

By Elaine Hardt ©2015 

Pray for the Police Officers, Firemen, Ambulance & Rescue Teams!

Wisdom    +   Protection   +   Ability   +   Strength   +   Help

   Pray for reliable, truthful bystanders,

   Pray for excellent, honest leadership, 

   Pray for excellent, honorable leadership in our towns, cities, states, and US.

   Pray God’s blessing also on their families!

How often should I pray?  And what words should I say?

Just remember Who you are talking to; your Creator listens to you!

           Prayer is not a memorized bunch of words!

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

The Missing Gold Ring

    The gold ring was lost, but she didn’t know it.  That old family ring was slightly larger and had been taking the place of her wedding ring since Olivia had put on a few pounds. 

Dressing up to go somewhere, the gold ring went on, but getting back home, the ring went into a pretty cup on the bedroom vanity.  It was a little loose, but doable.  She just didn’t wear it around the house.  The drive to the grocery store would be later this morning, so she didn’t know the ring was missing. 

“Hey, what’s this!” exclaimed her barefoot husband who was walking down the hall.

A quick look, bending over to separate some of the long carpeting fibers turned up that gold ring. 

If he’d been wearing slippers he probably would not have felt the ring. 

Before Olivia knew the ring was missing, there was a nice little surprise waiting for her.  

Ever found something you didn’t know that you’d lost?