Oh, Say Can You BE ?

BE thankful for your abilities —

appreciate what you’ve got ! 

      Thankful for opportunities; 

aware of what yesterday brought.

BE thankful you can learn —

from problems you daily face.

      Put those aggravations

away in their place !

BE thankful for God’s presence —

He is always near

      Remember Scripture promises:

Trust, then do not fear. 

BE thankful for God’s promise —

for all who believe,

      anyone who prays to Him

eternal life in Heaven does receive.

BE thankful to be reminded —

blessings, when you pray,

      come to others when you care

to mention them each day.

BE happy, smart, useful, kind —

use that amazing brain you got.

       You don’t know how many more days —

  just a few or maybe a lot !  

by Elaine Hardt ©2020

Three Steps to Remembering

Here’s the short version.  Try each of these four approaches and see how it goes for you.   Then keep reading the rest of this page for more details, too.

1. Read the info you want to remember.
2. Speak that info aloud to yourself.
3. Listen as you hear yourself speak.

1. Listen to someone speaking.
2. Write down what you want to remember.
3. Speak it aloud to yourself sometime soon.

1. See something.
2. Write down what you want to remember.
3. Speak it aloud as you write it.

1. Say something you want to remember.
2. Write down what you said — take notes.
3. Read what you wrote down.

Smile at yourself for being smart.  You can remember it.  You’re doing good ! 

        Let’s get more details here.  

It’s a good idea to have a small tablet with you, in your pocket or in your purse.  So handy to jot down some key phrases or key points of info, like when you’re hearing someone speaking.  Later, when you have some time read through this info and add any details, like fixing your spelling, so your notes are more helpful. 

When you’re reading something and find something important or interesting maybe you can underline key words or phrases if it’s your book or your magazine.

When you’re out and about and notice something interesting or unusual if you’re alone you can speak aloud to yourself some info, some key words, etc. 

You can encourage yourself.  Say,  “I AM doing better.  I CAN do better.  I’m glad that I am improving these skills.”         + + +

                          

            by Elaine Hardt ©2020

What Can I Tell You About Life ?

          Life is down-right daily,

          mostly a lot of chores, needin’ repeatin’
          but it frees the mind for thinkin’

          Life is full-a waitin’
          but I finally up and decided
          to be thankful for the pauses

          Life is full-a decisions,
          some little spur-of-the-moment
          impulsive and superficial,
          and some heart-throbbin'
          big and scary
          life-changin' decisions —
          the prayin'-over kind

          Life comes with plenty-a mistakes,
          blushin' or moanin' ones,
          some you kin laugh on later,
          but all lesson-teachin'

          Life's always got some strife
          like sparks when friction's
          knockin' off rough edges
          in the tumblin' jar

          Life's pretty near unpredictable,
          and that don't suit some folks,
          but it do make it interestin'
          if you knows it's worthwhile

          All this is how I found out
          how to talk to my Maker
          and listen when He talks to me !

 By Elaine Hardt © 1984, improved in 2012,

published on this blog May 17, 2012. 

Hey ! You’re Still Alive TODAY.

Today is a NEW day.

Something different is on the way. 

What you choose to do and say,

     “Could be important to me.” 

Could improve what you see; 

could improve what will be. 

There’s something you can learn
as you choose which way to turn — 

     something interesting you’lI discern. 

Your Father in Heaven sees it all. 

Pray to Him so you don’t fall.
He hears your every call. 

It’s time now to think and do ! 

Be thankful for today’s view ! 

     See what really matters to you ! 

                    +++ 

by Elaine Hardt @ 2019 

A Problem is an Opportunity

Today will bring some problem . . . 

and a problem is an opportunity ! 

an opportunity to pray,

an opportunity to trust God,

an opportunity to learn,

an opportunity to respond,

an opportunity to share faith lessons 

by your example and

by your words. 

Keep your eyes open.  Be ready.

Watch for that problem today. 

by Elaine Hardt ©2018

Rating My Week

1. What did I learn in my life this week?
2. What did I learn from observing others this week?
3. What do I think God wanted me to learn this week?
4. What unfinished business do I have?
5. What’s my plan for next week?

Rate yourself for handling the good and not-so-good events that happened last week. Your assessment can bring a smile or a frown.  Honesty in this little personal exercise could bring a new flash of enlightenment.  A little nudge might be just what you need.  

Call this experience a challenge.  Consider the value of making personal changes.  Your frustration can lead to a new determination for a new beginning.  Confer with your boss, that is, pray to your Maker.  

If you’re serious about improving yourself write down your impressions. Keep track of your bright ideas. 

Rate your week about seven days from now; size up your progress and your success in life lessons. 

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

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  

Learning Now & Looking Ahead

Learning from yesterday’s troubles

I know there’s more to do;

I’m being trained to trust the LORD,

and He will see me through.

Praying for the LORD’s directions,

thankful for His blessings, too;

Looking ahead with confidence

now I’m planning what to do.  

: )     

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

Remember Mama? Write it Down . . .

Looking back to when we were kids each of us probably remember some things about Mama.  

And sometimes we reminisce and enjoy two things:  1.  Mama taught us some important things.  2.  We can still remember some of those times.  

So, write down what you remember.  It will be a treasure for the next generation.  There are lessons to be learned and that is good to do. 

This writing is just jotting stuff down.  No need to worry about spelling or punctuation —  that can be fixed at some later time.  

When you have more time jot down about some of your other relatives from those childhood days. Yes, you will enjoy doing this and reading it again later. 

So, how about it?  

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

Someone's Getting on Your Nerves ? ? ?

All of a sudden when the day was going well

Someone opened their mouth and snapped at you,

Or perhaps you heard about it second hand.

What’s a successful person like you to do? 

Maybe it was their long-standing habit

for someone to exaggerate or lie,

and you patiently ignored the problem,

So, now what strategy will you try?

Will you lose your temper like a little kid?

I’d like to encourage you to do better than that.

And maybe that is what you could tell that person,

“I’d like to encourage you to do better than that.”

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

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

Encouraging You

Growing older means you’ve learned a lot, 

so keep on doing good. 

You can!

Growing older means setting a good example

 for older and younger people.  

You can! 

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

Looking Again at 9-11-01

Shocking, horrible, unprepared 

to face the truth behind the attacks

we saw the devastating crashes replayed over and over

on television, written in newspapers, magazines, posted on internet.

We look again back at 9-11

from our viewpoint of 2016. 

Now, new buildings have been erected there

and people want to forget the trauma

of such unexpected evil.  

We want to emphasize the rebuilding

and stepping up, starting anew, 

with pride in how we have survived these foreign attacks.

The terrible terrorists’ attacks of 9-11-01 

on the World Trade Center in Manhattan in New York City, 

and the Pentagon in Washington D.C,

and the crash in a Pennsylvania field

which killed 2,977 victims,

with 19 hijackers committing suicide in the assaults. 

Lots of details are outlined on the Internet.

If you have time to review: here are three pertinent sources:

http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-timeline   = detailed outline day by day — 

http://www.wanttoknow.info/911/9-11-facts   = has links to major media websites 

uncovering lots of 9-11 facts that were hidden, not broadly publicized — 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines_Flight_93  = more is described

So, how do you deal with this hideous, barbaric, hateful act? 

Hurry past and find something positive to come from it?

This was a huge wakeup call for America.

Pray for our nation to repent of sins and turn to God.

Worse, brutal events may be in our future.

Pray today . . . pray now.

•  by Elaine Hardt ©2016

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

Several Mistakes to Avoid

          We all know by now that it’s a good thing to avoid mistakes.  While we can learn from them it’s evident that life would be more efficient and less stressful if we’d learn by observing the mistakes of others, with the result of making better choices than they did.

Can most people be wrong?

Jesus said that most people make the wrong decision (Matthew 7:13). Busy-ness and stress seem to occupy most people’s time and energy; they coast along with three assumptions that lead to a major mistake. 

What are the three assumptions?

Overwhelmingly, people of all times and all places in life have accepted three common assumptions that the Bible tells us are not true.  

1. God is tolerant.
2. People are good at heart.
3. We can earn God’s approval in some way. 

These three ideas are universally popular, but lead to devastating consequences — a dreadful mistake.  

Why are these assumptions incorrect?

• If God is tolerant, then He is not holy.
• If people are good, then where does sin and selfishness and evil originate?  It’s not a mere lack of education or absence of spiritual awareness that keeps mankind from goodness.
• If there were some way for us to earn or deserve God’s approval, some way to remove all of our imperfections, then God would not have sent His Son Jesus, the Messiah, to suffer and die to redeem mankind.  God’s Word then would have listed all the merits and demerits, and we would be on our own to work hard to assure our place in Life after death.

Solving That Problem!

          Got a problem? 

Talk it out

Figure it out

Work it out

This only lacks one thing to say:

Remember to pray!

Got frustration? 

Something’s wrong

Something’s incomplete

Something needs improvement

It’s very important today:

Don’t forget to pray!

Got a plan? 

You need words

You need examples

You need thinking

This might take a little time,

But don’t forget to pray!

Got a response?

Your Creator knows you, 

You know that’s true

You can get headed to Heaven 

You don’t really want to stray! 

So talk to Him: pray! 

Got a challenge?

Life is for learning

Life is for growing up

Life is for you choosing what to do

You’d better not delay:

Now is the time to pray.  

                         + + +

by Elaine Hardt ©2015