Yes! You Can!

You can come out of this stronger

if you’re determined to do good,

if you learned something that you should,

if you want to now . . .  you could . . . 

You can come out of this stronger!

Take a new look at what went wrong.

Don’t sing a “I’m Defeated” song.

Let new ideas come along.

You can come out of this stronger!

You’ve got things to be thankful for.

Your faith in God is at the core.

Don’t be so upset anymore.

You can come out of this stronger!

Toss aside that frowning brow.

You didn’t really forget how.

Give yourself a smile right now.

You can come out of this stronger!

Of course you can, you really care!

Put words to your heartfelt prayer.

Remember that the LORD is there!

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

Your Discovery, Your Decision

Go to Amazon.com and open the page that's "books by Elaine Hardt." https://www.amazon.com/Your-Discovery-Decision-Elaine-Hardt-ebook/dp/B00CMVCEAE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1500848934&sr=8-2&keywords=books+by+Elaine+Hardt
 Notice this. The Kindle edition doesn't cost anything to view.  It's 114 pages about real people with real problems.  The 73 writings point us to the love of God.  With an open mind and a teachable attitude there are things about life to learn, to experience, to celebrate.

Your Discovery, Your Decision

   

 For 99 cents you can have a copy of my 122 page book, "Your Discovery, Your Decision" which was published by Amazon in May 2013.   The stories encourage the reader to face life's challenges with faith and determination.  Take a look at the sample pages here https://www.amazon.com/Your-Discovery-Decision-Elaine-Hardt-ebook/dp/B00CMVCEAE/ref=sr_1_2/152-7384266-3603144?ie=UTF8&qid=1474840165&sr=8-2&keywords=Elaine+Hardt+books 
You might recommend it to a friend, too.  

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

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!  

Success Comes When - - -

Review the basics.
1. Life is full of choices for me to make.
2. In my own ability I cannot make all the right decisions or do all the right things.
3. God allows this so I will see that I need Him in my life.
4. If success was easy we wouldn’t have opportunity to learn.

Come into agreement with what God says.
1. God wants us to be saved, healed, victorious.
2. Jesus has already done it all. He has provided for salvation, healing, victory.
3. God invites us to boldly come and take what He offers.
4. I must personally accept Jesus as my Savior.
5. His Holy Spirit comes to live within us, enabling us to do what pleases Him.

Review what the Bible says about the devil.
1. The devil will lie and deceive us so he can destroy us.
2. He will make us miserable so our testimony is ineffective.
3. He has a legal right to attack us when we are in disobedience to God.

Pray for wisdom, and be obedient to do what God reveals.
1. He will give us direction when we ask.
2. We must listen and obey.

My Version of "The Old Rugged Cross"

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
It was a sad day long ago;
And that’s where my Savior died for my sin.
Yes, the Bible proclaims it is so!

So I’ll commit myself to the LORD,
And tell others of God’s great love;
I will bow at His feet some glad day
When I meet Him in Heaven above!

Oh, I’m grateful to know Jesus paid for my sin
With His blood shed at Calvary;
There was nothing that I myself could yet do.
He revealed God’s love amazingly!

To mankind He displayed His marvelous grace,
In His death He would pardon our sin;
You and I must confess to receive now today
Wondrous forgiveness within!

To my dear Jesus Christ I will ever be true,
I will stand up, declaring His ways;
Holy Spirit empowered, I obey Him and grow,
Dedicated to telling His praise. 

By Elaine Hardt ©2015 

This is my version of George Bennard's hymn from the early 1900s. I think it improves on the message, making it easier to understand, and putting the real focus on Jesus, and not so much emphasis on the old wooden cross on which He died for our sins.  And He arose, and He's coming again!

I Can and I Will

This challenge is hard, but I’m going to do it;

This trouble is tough, but I’m going through it.

Trouble can’t last forever — not much longer;

I will not be discouraged, I’ll get stronger.

Though the light gets dim, and I don’t know what to do;

Jesus holds me close, and He will see me through. 

My mind settles down, my lips form a prayer;

I don’t know how exactly, but God gets me there. 

The Evening News and YOU

Several friends recently confided to me that they don’t watch the evening news on TV anymore. I agreed that the news reports are mostly no fun, and watching for an hour and a half at supper time interferes with family conversation.  

    We don’t need to listen or watch the news all day long, but we do need to know what’s happening.  To prudently prepare we need to be properly informed. Honestly, we cannot ignore or deny the problems of our town, our nation, and the world. 

    We can pray.  No, God does not need our ideas.  We don’t tell Him what He doesn’t know.  But praying right then acknowledges the seriousness of the situations, while it lifts our burden of worry, fear, or anger. 

No, I Don't Wanna Be - - - !

Can you add to this list any qualities or features that you dislike 
   in other people?  

Can you identify attributes of your own that you want to avoid 
   and list them here? 

What’s your plan to improve on your own attitudes and actions?

If you notice someone with an undesirable attribute they are labeled for prayer.

What a relief to know God forgives the sins we own up to 
   and we want to avoid.

What a relief to know He enables us to do better!                + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2015 

Looking Around & Looking Ahead

The LORD has something for you to do,

Maybe not the same, but probably new;

Challenges have been piling up, that’s true,

But perhaps that was a growing point for you.

Setting an example, Paul was steadfast, 

He believed the tough times could not last.

Others were blessed, as things got worse for him,

God gave strength when circumstances looked dim;

Finally, things got worse and then Paul died,

No doubt his friends and colleagues cried;

Sooner or later each of us arrives at death,

Where will we go after we take our last breath?

Pray today that your faith stands strong and true,

Pray that the LORD gives wonderful wisdom to you;

The Purpose of a Problem

Determination makes you strong, 

Apathy makes you weak;

The problem brings a choice to you.

Reject confusion, depression!  

Stand tall inside your heart;

God gives the power to you.

Pray for wisdom, help, protection.  

Analyze, plan, then do;

God means for this to strengthen you.  

          By Elaine Hardt ©2009

FOCUS!

That’s how you hit the target now…..or eventually.
That’s how you say the right things now . . . or eventually.
That’s how you spare unnecessary energy.
That’s how you gather evidence.
That’s how you put the right ingredients into those cookies.
That’s how you just buy the thing you need now…
           instead of looking all over the store.
That’s how you improve your memory.
That’s how you decide what’s true about life . . . and death. . . 
           instead of buying in to the latest fad or the oldest traditions.  
That’s how you read the Bible. . . instead of just remembering 
           little stories from your childhood Sunday School.  
That’s how you talk honestly to your Maker.
F O C U S !

by Elaine Hardt ©2014 

Vinegar & Bleach

In a hurry to get the washing started before running to town Tina impulsively decided to add bleach to the load of white bath towels — now a shade of faint pink —  so she grabbed the jug, measured out a cup and poured it into the dispenser on the washing machine. The detergent in, the right buttons pushed, and Tina was off like a flash. 

 The reason for the rosy hued items was her fault in the first place. Her husband, Dan’s new white socks with bright red stripe on the top had tinted the towels and washcloths. 

 Back from town a couple of hours later, she was stuffing the wet towels into the dryer, and noticed they didn’t look any better.  “Maybe I should have added more bleach?”  Again she reached for the jug on the shelf.  The first thing on the label that caught her eye was a recipe for pickles.  

 Turning the bottle around she saw to her chagrin she’d used vinegar instead of bleach. There’s nothing like using the wrong product to give the wrong results. 

 Something similar happens in our busy lives when we grab for what we think will do the job, and it fails us.  
  Many people see the word, “spirituality” and grab that.  Or, they see the word, “religion” and think it’s the real thing.

  Let’s slow down and take a closer look.  

For Such a Time as This

Perhaps you are where you are today . . . 

Because it was a mistake you made,

But there’s some reason why you are where you are;

Something to learn?  Something to do?  Something to say?

Perhaps you are where you are today

Because of someone else’s fault,

But there’s a reason why you are there;

Something for others to observe? A reason to pray?

Perhaps you are where you are today

Because it’s a detour to something better,

But there’s a purpose in God’s plan for you;

Something to be thankful for? Something today?

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 

Your Assignment for This Summer. . . .

Remembering can make you happy, 

Remembering can make you sad;
It all depends upon
The kind of life you’ve had.

Anticipation can make you sparkle, 

Anticipation can make you blue, 

You’re in charge of your feelings: 

The choice is up to you.

Plan ahead with determination, 

Take time for genuine prayer; 

Summer can be a new beginning 

To demonstrate you care!

Enjoy the possibilities,
Stretch yourself and grow; 

Accomplish something useful, 

Summer won’t last, you know!

By Elaine Hardt ©2009

You know, every season of the year presents to you this opportunity.  Pray about your attitude, words, actions.  God loves YOU! 

Freeway Frenzy

        Driving somewhere on vacation?  Watch out for freeway frenzy — theirs and yours!  Take a few minutes to read about a vacation several years ago . . . 

We might have prayed for you this summer.

If you were the red-headed lady in the gray mini-van with three kids in the back, driving the long stretch of highway heading north out of Salt Lake City, we prayed for you.

If you were the truck driver in a shiny blue Peterbilt with an Iowa license pulling a big black tarp-covered load up the mountains of Montana, we prayed for you.

In fact, we prayed for hundreds of drivers.  Young, elderly, in-between. People in cars, pickups, motorcycles, tractor-trailer rigs, even one long white limo.  Maybe you were one of them. 

All along the interstate people seemed to be in a hurry and in a bad mood, too.  When we left enough room between our vehicle and the one ahead some joker was quick to pull in the space.  Everyone was following too closely.  The whole scene was freeway frenzy.  

Ordinarily I would have been a basket case.  But this trip was different.

You Will Do Greater Things

“Greater things! ”  Jesus said you and I would do,

Wonderful things will happen for His Word is true;

We are to trust and obey in His Word we read,

By faith we step out as His promises we heed.

Be aware!  Be brave!  Be strong!  Speak up!  Do it now!

The LORD calls each of us and He shows us how;

Give these words some serious contemplation,

Then step up, shake off unbelieving reservation.

In these dark and hard days, greater things we need,

His Holy Spirit empowers us to do each deed;

We can do greater things — He’s the life, the truth, the way,

Give God the glory for what you can do today.

        By Elaine Hardt ©2013