My Birthday Greeting to God

DEAR GOD,  I want to thank You that I was born to my mama.  I didn’t know anything at the time, except that I had been disturbed.  I didn’t know Your whole world was waiting for me.

It’s been little by little for me to see and experience and find out about this town where mama and daddy had been living for more than 20 years before they married.  They told me a little about You for my curiosity. 

Now, I want to thank You for letting me live on Your earth for this long.  There has been a lot for me to learn, and even before I appreciated You being our Creator, You have been taking care of me.

I found out that some things I did were not good for me, not nice to do to my siblings. You are the most patient One I have ever heard about.  Later, I found out that I should apologize to You, so I did.  And, how nice that You forgive me for being careless, clumsy, and crabby.  

Soon I heard others talk about You, and I read about You in the Bible.  Jesus coming to our little Earth from Heaven was wonderful.  I would have cried to see Him die, but I would have been jumping up and down to see Him get out of the grave and then go up in the sky to Heaven again.  Every day I read in the Bible some of what He said and what He did. 

You are completely amazing, totally magnificent, greatly to be admired and respected and obeyed.  Wow!  You created all those stars and everything;  You are powerful. 

I see everyday that I should talk to You, own up to my misbehavior and get back on friendly terms with You.  I heard that when I asked You would show me what to do and say, so I would be able to be good.  

Some old people died when I was growing up, and it didn’t make any sense to me, except that they got too old and that was the end of them here.  Later I realized how sad people got when other people died.  I heard that even young people died when their bodies got too sick or too hurt. 

When older people told me about where You live and how You invited people to come there when they die I thought that was the best news ever!  I talked to You then and told You I wanted to be with You forever and ever.  

Little did I know that I would live for this long and have these many days for thinking and learning and doing stuff.  I still love You and admire You!  I still want to come to live with You forever and ever.  I still say I am sorry when I think or do or say something that is not nice. 

It’s been a terrible thing to hear about people who are very, very bad, choosing to do the opposite of helpful and kind ways.  It is shocking to realize that they defy You and hate You.  They will one day stand before Your Throne and get punishment.  When I heard names of some of them I prayed they would change, but they did not choose to listen to You. 

In closing, I wanted to tell You that I am relieved that when I talk to You it is not interrupting something important that You are doing.  It is awesome that You care about every person in the world, and I am amazed that You can hear everyone praying at once.  I am so glad I don’t have to worry about dying because You will take care of me now and then and forever.  I love You, God, and I am so happy to call you my Heavenly Father.   

 Signed  _____________________

National Armed Forces Day, May 16, 2020

It’s a special day on the calendar

to recognize men and women who serve.

They demonstrate their dedication

and they work with brains and nerve.

So, fly the flag of the USA,

speak up to the people you know.

We each can reach out to others,

patriotism and love we can show. 

The future holds much uncertainty,

we always need help from others;

This is a reminder to us here — 

pray every day for one another.

We appreciate our many blessings !

Life means making decisions each day.

Choose to open the Bible and read;

See what your Maker has to say.

Stand up for what’s good and true !

Tell what Armed Forces Day means to you.

by Elaine Hardt ©2020

Bringing YOU Up-To-Date

So what’s it like to move in June ?

     is it fun, but necessary to do ? 

Well, looking back a few months now . . . 

     I wouldn’t recommend it to you.

First, there’s downsizing,  oh my,

     Who would have predicted this for me !

Who knew all our stuff would be so much !

     Try to box it up in three days and see !  

Well, then came those nice firemen movers,

     and off we went fifty-two miles away.

So nice to see the cute townhouse rental,

     We live in this small place today. 

Take a new look at the stuff over here,

      Some we may never really use,

Sell, donate, give to our kids and friends,

     Now the challenge is ours to choose.

So, our advice to you, our friends ?

     Don’t wait till your husband is eighty nine;

Think ahead, plan accordingly,

     Take time for fun, this suggestion is mine. 

Of course, we have much to be thankful for . . . 

     every day we talk to God in prayer;

and we pray for family, friends, and neighbors,

     not neglecting those politicians we share.

                      + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2019

“I will tell everyone about Your righteousness.
All day long I will proclaim Your saving power,
for I am overwhelmed by how much You have done for me.”

Psalm 71:15 NLT

Right on Time !

Ever been in a rush, but then slowed down to see

    something unexpected that happened on the way ?

Life can be a lot like that sometimes . . . 

    Give it some thought now:  what do you say ?

How often does everything go just perfect

    and you get something important done just in time ?

It is so helpful to pause in your daily rush;

    consider what’s most important, so you’re right on time.

Your ideas and plans might not be God’s timing or plan;

    Consider your eternal life now, before you die some day.

Take a new look at the Bible — how about today ?

    Now talk to your Maker as you honestly pray.

                                   #  #  # 

by Elaine Hardt ©2018

I Want to Write Words for YOU

I want to write something

So wonderfully simple,

Yet interestingly complex:

Entirely sufficient and totally adequate. 

I want my words to paint a picture that

Enthralls the viewer,

gathering up scattered pieces of memory,

bringing them into the now.

I want my words to sing an anthem that

resounds from the mountains,

Yet coaxes a smile from a young child,

And blends familiar harmony with the new.

I want my words to caress the mind,

Yet awaken the slumbering soul;

I want my words to reach out,

Embracing the lonely and weary.

I want my words to knock vigorously,

Beckoning friends and strangers alike

To open their heart’s door and receive

God’s invitation to resurrection life.

May my small gift of words today be

Satisfyingly descriptive,

Yet sparse enough to easily recall;

May my words bless you ! 

By Elaine Hardt ©2004 

Not Valentine's Day ?

Not Valentine's Day ?
        Any day will do —
Speak words of love,
        It's up to me and you.

We take the time
        to show and say,
So let's pretend it's 
        Valentine's Day!

by Elaine Hardt ©2018

Celebrate Your Progress

Remember your blessings,

    Celebrate your progress,

Appreciate God’s love,

    Your shortcomings confess.

Receive His assurance,

    Ask for wisdom you need,

He sees and hears and knows,

    His instructions, take heed.

Grow in determination,

    Label that trouble:  “opportunity.”

Learning improves your doing,

    Speak up correctly.

Consider your goal today,

    Your attitude shows the real you,

but pleasing your Father

    is the way that’s true. 

Keep on going, keep on growing! 

A wonderful future can be yours! 

by Elaine Hardt ©2018

A Special Gift for YOUR Kids for 2018

     Which Christmas do you remember, growing up?  Which family vacation do you remember when you were just a kid? 
     Here's a special gift you can give YOUR kids this year . . . on some special day . . . or just any ordinary day.

     Jot down some memories of the early Christmas things you remember.  (This is not a Master’s thesis for ASU.)   Just get started on some of it today.  Later, in your “spare” time . . . if you have any empty time before bedtime . . . your clever, busy brain will think of some other things to add to it.  

     Then take some other spare minutes to jot down some other memories you have.  When they're written down that's a big help.  

     See how good you're doing so far?  Go back and add other interesting details that come to mind. 

     Keep in mind what a nice surprise this will be for your kids someday in 2018.  Maybe at a family meal for a holiday, or any other day when you've made your memories into a booklet you have a unique gift . . . one of a kind!

     Keep a copy for yourself in case you live to be 99 and are slightly forgetful by then!

     ( Don't you wish computers and printers were invented back in Grandma's and Grandpa's day?  What a wonderful blessing that would be for you, as well as the coming generation, to know more about living in those olden times !) 

by Elaine Hardt ©2018

     

I'm Glad You Came to Visit . . .

I rearranged some dust molecules in honor of your visit,

Then I emptied out waste baskets, lest you’d ask, “What izzit?”

I saw a tiny swirl of lint as I wiped a venetian blind,

So I contemplated, and God’s creation was on my mind.

      No wonder cleaning house is an on-going chore,

The universe is full of dust molecules, a whole lot more;

So, hoping to keep everything in balance 

I removed a spider’s web atop the window’s valance.  

      It’s been awhile since I heard the vacuum cleaner’s roar,

I do admire silence, but music accompanies this chore. 

I stashed the dirty dishes, so they are out of sight,

My eyesight is suddenly sharper, and I ask, is that right?

      I spied some breakfast crumbs there under the table;

I know I should keep cleaning house as long as I am able,

But for myself I mostly avoid this chore

Until someone says they’re coming to my door.  

      In His wisdom God made ingredients large and small,

And it was perfect until Adam and Eve took that sinful fall.

Oh, well. I needed some exercise, and this will do,

      So sit a spell, and visit me;  I ‘m happy to see you.

      Later on, after you leave and I am by myself,

I’ll sit and watch dust accumulate on each and every shelf. 

I’m thankful for your friendship, there’s always lots to say;

 Do phone before you come again, on some other day.

+ + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2009

Veterans Day 2017

On November 11, the day to honor veterans we pause 

     to remember their service and sacrifice because

now we’re glad our nation finally has peace at last.

     And we look back on all the yesterdays that are past,

we consider all the wars that the world has seen:

     hordes of people who are angry, violent and mean,

but it’s also a day to remember that we can pray

     for God’s protection and His guidance every day. 

--Elaine Hardt ©2017

Finding Out More

For the newlyweds Guy’s idea was to ask each of the nearest relatives to contribute a Bible verse so he could type it all up as a booklet with a verse a day for a month. Everyone chipped right in and soon the booklet went out to the family and to the bride and groom.  

For the first couple of months it was an interesting “chore” to read the daily verse, see who had sent it in, and give it some thought.  

Guy was curious to see what that daily Bible verse word of instruction or encouragement meant to some of the family. He’d ask Zack first, the oldest brother of the family.  He sent a message over via social media and got a brief report back.  Obviously, Zack was too busy to mention any details. 

Then, it got a little more personal for Guy.  

At the Wednesday fellowship meeting of the OK (Older Kids) at church, the man giving the ten minute devotions read some verses from Revelation.  It was part of a letter to some church in a place called Laodicea.  Verses 14 through 22 was the overall look, with emphasis on “I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone opens the door . . . “  
        He held up a small framed picture that most all the 2 dozen men and women there recognized.  He closed with a short prayer, inviting Jesus to come in to each life and bring His blessing.

Guy’s curiosity woke up there.  He took it on as a personal challenge to dig into more of those nine verses from the last book of the Bible.  But as he looked at the maps in the back and the concordance in the back of his Modern English Version of the Bible he sat down at the computer and hatched some ideas to improve his own understanding.

It turned out to be quite helpful, and he wrote it up for the OK group for next month’s handout.  At the following month’s meeting there was a lively discussion with lots of positive comments directed to Guy.

Here’s a copy of that handout. 

                                                 How to Find Out More

Zipping through that one Bible verse in your family’s daily devotional booklet or reading some devotional on the Internet page.  Try this:  S-L-O-W—-D-O-W-N—-Read that verse again and ask yourself . . .   Don’t know?  Maybe read a few verses ahead and a few verses afterwards.  See if you find a little more background that helps you picture what’s going on …..for them….and in your own life.  

1. Who is saying that, or who wrote that to someone?
2. Who did he write it to?
3. When was it said and written?
4. Why did he write that particular information?
5. Do we know what happened afterwards?  Any big change of attitude or circumstances there?
6. Do you know of anyone in these days who commented on this verse and its surrounding ones?
7. Have you heard anyone quote that verse or section of verses in giving a today’s version of a testimony in public or in conversation you heard?

OK.  You be a better thinker?  You can apply something from that verse to your own life? 

+ + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2017  

Have YOU Said Anything Like This Lately? Who? When?

I’m sorry that . . . 

What I meant was . . . 

I don’t quite understand . . . 

I need some help with . . . 

I didn’t realize that . . . 

Congratulations on your . . . 

You did a good job . . . 

I appreciate how you . . . 

Thanks for your help with . . . 

Your idea was so . . . 

Anything I can do to help with . . . ?

Anything I’m forgetting here . . . ?

Anything I need to clarify with . . . ?

Anything I can improve with this . . . ? 

Anything like this you should — and can — say today or tomorrow? 

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

You're Been Growing Older? NINE Reasons to Celebrate !

• Growing older means you’ve learned a lot, so keep on doing good. You can!
• Growing older means you’ve had time to view other people, other situations.   Did you carefully judge what was right and what was wrong? Did you learn from what you observed? That’s learning. 
• Growing older means you’ve succeeded in a variety of things you attempted. You’re better off now because of some smart choices and some hard work. Does anyone else deserve some of that credit? That’s learning.
• Growing older means you’ve made a few mistakes by now.  Analyze a few.  Now consider one. What started it? What happened?  How did you end it?  Did you apologize for your mistake?  That’s learning. 
• Growing older means you’ve committed a few sins by now.  Did you remember that the Bible says Jesus died for your sins so you could be forgiven? Did you confess your sins to God?  Did you find the relief that He gives when we own up to it? That’s learning.
• Growing older means you’ve had a lot of opportunities to learn what other people taught. Read any good books lately?  Read any news analysts lately?  Critiqued some speaker with your amassed information? Accumulated more knowledge? That’s learning.
• Growing older means you’ve had lots of experience in talking with others. You notice others who need to hear what you can say? You can gain attention by your reputation, by your approach? You can share information in an appropriate way? That’s learning. 
• Growing older means young people need to know you’re interested in them.  Old people need to know that you still care about them, too.  How do you communicate with them? 
• Growing older means you’re still alive. What about life after death?  Have you read what Jesus said about everlasting life? (see John 3:16)  www.biblegateway.com  You could read more about it in the Bible.  Growing older means get going now so you can keep on going even after you die!                        + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

Today is a Holiday

Today’s a holiday!  

They named it Labor Day,

so what do we say?

How thankful each of us can be;

each of us has talents, can you see?

One person’s ideas sparks others to

do stuff that by yourself you can’t do.

Like parts, all those parts inside a car,

without each other we wouldn’t go far,

and today we can pause . . . 

and be thankful because . . . 

We each can do and we each can learn!

For some of this some wages we earn,

but consider the attitude of your heart

and pray for each other, that’s a start! 

by Elaine Hardt ©2016

Bravely They Serve, Faithfully We Remember

On Memorial Day we honor veterans who died.

On Veterans Day we honor those who are still alive.

There could be more time for recognition, celebration,

More time given for our thoughtful consideration;

Let us pray for these brave women and men

Who give their lives In the service of our nation.

Yes, fly the flag, watch what we say,

And for their families, we also pray.

And pray for our leaders to do what is right,

Turn from sin’s darkness towards the light.

We, should bravely serve each other, too.

The LORD has a blessing for me and for you.

by Elaine Hardt ©2016

Your Determination! Your Success!

            Our newest booklet is now ready.  "Your Determination!  Your Success!" is number 83 and you'll find the entire list of our booklets when you go to Labels at the side of this blog page and click on Booklets published.  These booklets are free. We make them on our own computer and printer with ClickBook from bluesquirrel.com. You'll read about 6 people who came through serious problems.  Hopefully, it will encourage you!  

A Compliment Today Helps the Blues Go Away

If you can come up with some nice comment to deliver verbally with a smile --  or even send via email -- it could brighten up your day, as well as the recipient’s day.
Just looking for something positive to say can help you.  Finding the good that someone has done is a nice chore.  (And your mama would be glad you did it.)
This idea might catch on.  Someone, someday might send you a good comment on something you did.  That nice surprise could help you make it through a difficult or unpredictable day.  And it is a reminder for you to pray for that person.
Try it, you’ll like it.    + + + 

By Elaine Hardt @2016

Analyze & Appreciate

This wooden chair I can see and feel,

I know this chair is something real,

But when it’s God I want to see

I cannot find where He can be.

My little brain and imperfect eyes

Only knows things of little size;

How can a great Creator be up There?

To find the truth I really care.

What is logical?  What is true?

Does this really concern me and you?

Look at the evidence, what did Chance bring?

One tiny blob evolved into everything?

Blessings for Believers

Assurance of salvation

Boldness to become the Me that He says I can be

Courage to call myself a Christian 

Discovering life’s purpose 

Enthusiasm for every new day

Forgiveness for every sin

Gratitude for every blessing

What a Relief!

        Keeping up with the TV news and the Internet postings is a challenge and a chore!  Discussing some of the related issues of what's going on in the nation and the world, we take a look at some really good reasons to exclaim, "What a relief!"
        This is the title of our latest booklet and we give all of our booklets away for free.  Drop us a line and let us mail one to you.  You'll find some info and commentary that you can share with your kids, your friends, your relatives, etc.
        Look at the list of all our booklets which I keep updating, Booklets I've Been Writing.  Maybe you'll find something else that interests you.