Gift of Time

A phone call, card, or visit
    is a gift of time that's given.
Friendship's caring is a glimpse
    of Father's love in Heaven.

No one knows how long will be
   the lifetime God's given you.
Receive it as a treasure
    and spend it wisely, too.

Give time to God in worship,
    an honor that is due;
He lavishes His goodness
    every day on me and you.

Give time to others joyfully,
    prayerfully doing your best;
Cherish the opportunity,
    and your heart will be blessed.

by Elaine Hardt ©2019

Every Day is FATHER'S DAY

Fathers have a job to do,

thought I’d mention it here to you.

Raising your kids, helping your wife,

avoiding impatience and strife; 

Keep on smiling as your words you say —

it’s your challenge every day.

Notice other people too;

do they set an example for you?

Every day it’s God’s Word you read;

This is a blessing each of us need. 

“Nobody’s perfect,” you’ll hear it said,

but keep working to improve, tell your head. 

The LORD empowers you to think and do —

the Bible’s promises apply to YOU. 

So this is how to start each day,

Bow your head, and sincerely pray. 

Father’s Day 

is really every day !

God loves you, 

and that is true !

by Elaine Hardt ©2018

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

The Day Before the Day Before

     'Twas the day before the day before

          with lots of things yet to do!

     (Christmas comes sooner every year!)

          We’re almost ready; how about you? 

     Making a list, checking it twice,

          almost forgetting why we celebrate.

     God sent His Son to be our Savior;

          Read your Bible, and pray, and don’t be late.

     You make a quiet time today —

          Really now — contemplate God’s love;

     Lay aside make-believe children’s stories,

          Confess, receive blessings from Above.

     Remember Jesus, not mistletoe,

          Santa Claus is not the real reason,

     Receive God’s presence in your heart;

          This IS a very special season.   

                                        *

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

Here is TODAY

A new day!   A new week ?  A new month ?  A new year ?

     Well, any day is a day to celebrate

          when you remember to talk

               to your Creator who loves you!

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

Good News Today, Tomorrow and Afterwards, Too

Jesus is with me here and now

and everywhere I go;

I read God’s Word to be assured

I’m glad He loves me so!

What a comfort it is to know.

So, friends, open your mind and heart;

I want to share the good news.

Your eternal future

You decide how to choose;

Jesus’ love do not refuse. 

Amazing love for each of us,

Every person, child, woman, man.

Read the Gospel of John;

it won’t take long — do it —you can.

It’s God’s wonderful plan! 

***This is what it says in 1 Peter 1:3-5 ***

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is by His mercy that we have been born again, 

because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

Now we live with great expectation,

and we have a priceless inheritance —

an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you,

pure and undefiled,

beyond the reach of change and decay.

And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power

until you receive this salvation,

which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see."

Did You Hear This Song?

Have you heard any 12 year-old kid sing a solo in church recently?  When I sang there was no applause, no standing ovation, no hugs at the door.  I don’t remember any compliments, either, although there might have been.  But I will not forget the words of that tremendous song.  

I hope hearing those words was a blessing to everyone that day, and I’m sure that over the years many singers have lent their voices to share the words and melody of “The Love of God.”  

The writer of two of the verses and the chorus was Frederick M. Lehman in 1917.  http://www.tanbible.com/tol_sng/sng_theloveofgod.htm   He writes about that mysterious third verse as being written nearly one thousand years earlier by a Jewish songwriter.  The website says that the 3^rd stanza had been found penciled on the wall of a patient’s room in an insane asylum. Does that ever stretch the mind to try to comprehend!

Listen to the song, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEi463LcxxA   Maybe you’ve heard other singers perform this song.  Did it speak to your heart?  Have you considered the love of God?

Since it was 67 years ago when I sang that first solo I’m sure that now my voice cannot do it justice.  But the words are in my heart, and what I now share with other people are words I write,  not sung with a sweet soprano voice in a church in Phoenix, Arizona.  

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!

Understanding Mothers

Mothers come in various sizes, shapes, colors, and ages.  Maybe we are one, but at least we all have one. Understanding mothers is something we all should make a sincere effort to do. 

Mothers are different;  how?  why?  

A mother’s eyes sees something that needs to be done, so she gets up and does it, or she tells you to do it.

A mother’s heart sees something unfair, and she says —or feels like saying, “Cut that out.  Where are your manners!”

A mother’s memory sees her chubby babies, laughing and cooing, and she feels like scooping up the nearest baby and hugging the tiny stranger, right there in WalMart. 

A mother reads the newspaper and feels like saying, “What would your mother say!  Straighten up, or else!”

Remember and Forget

Some things are SO important we are told to “Remember!”  Some things we are to forget. 

Here is a list of some of the important points. There are many other Scriptures on this subject. Look up additional verses under these key words, remember and forget.  

1. “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”   Exodus 20:8 NKJV
2. “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations; ask your father…” Deuteronomy 32:7 NKJV
3. “But watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the LORD do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”  Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT
4. “Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders and the judgments of His mouth.”  1 Chronicles 16:12 NKJV
5. “I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Your word. Psalm 119:16 NKJV
6. “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth.”  Ecclesiastes 12:1 NKJV
7. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:” Psalm 103:2 NKJV 
8. “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each day.” Lamentations 3:21-23 NLT
9. “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”  1Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV
10. “Take a firm stand against him (the Devil), and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.”   1 Peter 5:9 NLT
11. “Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!”  1 Peter 3:17 NLT
12. “Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had thanked God for it, he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” Luke 22:19 NLT
13. “In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.’” 1 Corinthians 11:25 NLT 
14. “Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16 NLT
15.  “. . . remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35. KJV

What does God remember?  What does He promise to forget?  

We do not have to wonder what the answers are.  

I Want to be Happy

Happiness may be a choice,

Happiness may be a chore;

Sometimes it seems Happiness says, 

“You won’t see me anymore.”

Oh, Happiness please come back;

Oh, please come back to stay!

I was careless, it was my fault;

I really need you today.

So, thinking it over,

Considering its place,

Happiness is more than a

Little fake smile on my face.

Happiness comes from a peaceful

Trust in the LORD in my heart;

A prayer of welcoming Him

Gives Happiness its start.

Happiness knows: God sees and knows,

Taking me from trouble and strife;

Love and Joy come in with Faith.

Celebrating a new life. 

                                                              By Elaine Hardt ©2015

Love Has LOTS of Definitions (Maybe You Can Add to My List?)

“Love” is a word I use in a variety of ways. 

1. I love my husband. 
2. I love the sunrise we saw yesterday.
3. I love blueberry muffins like Mama made.
4. I love when the traffic is reasonable and I get to work on time.
5. I love the puppy that dad named First Golden Lady of Rickhaven.
6. I love your idea for inviting that new neighbor to the picnic at Fain Park.
7. Of course, I love God, our Creator.  He deserves my admiration and dedication.

Now, I am supposed to “love my enemy” but . . . 

1. I do not admire his words of threat and hate.
2. I do not appreciate how he has treated other people.
3. I do not know what to say that will help him behave himself.
4. I do not know how to give him enough time to repent and change.
5. I do not trust him, so I am prepared to protect myself the best I can.
6. I do not think he is setting a worthy example to the younger generation.
7. Of course, I remember this: he is labeled for prayer.  I pray for his repentance

And, I am to “love my neighbor as myself” which no doubt means:

A Miracle for David

What a relief to hear the good news. It was time for cheers and tears. Linda phoned to tell us about David’s miracle so we could all celebrate.

The habit of smoking had gradually become a problem, but there were other things that kept his attention. He was a hard worker at his job at Lake Tahoe, had a wife and two sons and a set of twin daughters.  But that sneaky nicotine did its worst.  He smoked for 30 years. 

Finally, his lungs had too much of a struggle and David was admitted to the hospital where the doctors' opinion was he was in “end stage respiratory failure.”  They offered to keep him comfortable or they could try using drastic measures and medication to try to reverse their diagnosis.  

Doctors suggested and prescribed and did their best, but of course, the battle was up to David.  Their pronouncement was a horrible shock.  His condition would be fatal, and there wasn’t much time left. 

If You Knew HOW MUCH God Loves You

If you knew how much God loves you,

today would be much different 

than you expected.

If you knew how much God loves you,

His blessings you would 

not have rejected.

If you considered how much God loves you,

your weariness and uncertainties 

would be affected. 

God Speaks

To some, God speaks in storms or surf or mountain stream;

they hear His voice outdoors where His majesty is seen.

Others seek to hear in many different ways,

as they’re pondering the meaning of life’s days.

God does speak; He has not left us or turned away. . . 

Can We Just "Get By"?

      Many people believe in hard work and good luck, but not in God’s wisdom and supernatural intervention.  Maybe you know someone like this?

     Many people don’t get serious about who God is; they generally ignore what He says. Their philosophy of life is “get by.”

     Jesus got to the crux of the matter when He told His disciples, “. . .You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37).

                        What does God really expect of me?

     Nothing less than complete obedience will do.  If we don’t obey His requirements for salvation we will be lost.  If we don’t obey His requirements for living we are wasting our life, and we are being a stumbling block to others who need to know Him as Lord.  Getting by is never good enough.

                                 What’s holding us back?

1. Tradition, culture
2. Apathy
3. Misunderstandings in the past
4. Beliefs that take the place of worshipping only the God of the Bible
5. Rebellion against God — what we think He caused to happen, what we don’t like about the Bible, what we don’t like about His plan of salvation and His way of life for us.
6. We think we’re doing OK and don’t want to appear to be fanatic.
7. Peer pressure from people around us
8. We may have convinced ourselves that we are Christians because we used to go to Sunday School when we were kids.
9. (Can you add to this list?) . . . 

     Does God allow people to make up their own rules? 

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 

Did You Notice That Label?

People who disagree with you are labeled for prayer,

People YOU disagree with are also labeled there,

People you hear about in the news,

Those really bad, and those you choose,

People you remember from way back then,

Others pop into your mind from who knows when,

They’re needing God, needing prayer,

So, less complaining when you are there!

The Lord has labeled them for you,

So, caring Christian, what will you do?

By Elaine Hardt ©2013

Consider Benefits: 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.

Remembering Your Dad

       Don’t let the wrappings of the holiday delay your opening of the package.  There’s something inside that dad gave you.  
For however long you had your dad there were happenings, both small and huge, words said to you, conversations engaged with you, activities demonstrated, activities shared.      
      You heard others talk about him. 
And you asked questions.  From the sweetly innocent childish ones to the more probing questions as you were growing up. 
Today for a few minutes longer, remember your dad.
Photos will help you remember dad.  Used to be big albums stacked in the buffet shelves, then so much easier to view via cellphone and computer. Maybe now posted on social media for the whole world to see.  
What’s inside the holiday awaits your own caring and private view.
Maybe after today’s sports event, the parade downtown, the Father’s Day special at the diner, a stroll through the mall for holiday bargains . . . Well, maybe after the doings of the day you’ll claim some quiet time alone.
Remember your dad.  What he said to do, and how to do it.  Warnings that you heard and saw.  Maybe even examples of what not to do, or what not to say: cause and effect.  
There were times for you to give forgiveness and kindness.  Did he set the example?  
Just for a little longer now, remember your dad.   

1. Places you went with your dad.
2. Songs you heard him sing.
3. Old time sayings you heard him repeat.
4. His favorite things to eat.
5. His jokes.
6. His compliments to you.
7. His compliments to others.
8. The last time he hugged you.
9. The last words you remember saying to him.
10. The last time you went to church together.

      Now, give thanks to your Heavenly Father for His great love.  All of life gives us lessons to learn.  You do want to do your best with the life the LORD has given you.  Do you have a favorite Bible verse about love?
      Remember your dad;  remember your Heavenly Father.   

by Elaine Hardt ©2013