How Much is Enough?

1. How much  complaining is enough?

2.  How much  worrying is enough?

3.  How much  frowning is enough?

4.  How much   pessimism is enough?

5.  How much  pretending  is enough?

6.  How much  denying your mistakes is enough?

7.  How much  ignoring the situation  is enough?

A thoughtful person considers the circumstances: Who said it?  Who did it?  What happened?  How can this situation be fixed?  What can I do to help?

Here’s a suggestion:  open your eyes and your mind and your heart.

Can you do better? 

No matter how small the situation, no matter how huge the problem there is something you can do:  Pray.  Pray for yourself.  Pray for the others involved.

Reviewing it, is there something you need to confess to God?  Is there something that God reveals to you — now — that you need to say and do?

Life is full of opportunity for you to learn and do and discover and grow.   

                                                     + + +

         

by Elaine Hardt ©2015 

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!

A New Verse for "Almost Persuaded"

Have you heard this song at your church?  Did you like it? 

Philip Paul Bliss who lived from 1838 to 1876 wrote “Almost Persuaded.” Hear the original song  and read the words at https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/1046  Recently, we heard it on a old CD sung by George Beverly Shea.  

The song has quite a message, but it lacks a grand finale.  Here is the final verse that belongs there.  Or, this could be a separate song.  See what you think of my poem: 

Yes, I’m persuaded now to believe!

I invite Jesus the Savior to receive;

His forgiveness I see I need,

His Words I do now heed,

His grace now fills my heart,

My life has a new start!

Thank You, dear Lord. 

     This new verse can be sung with a big smile on your face.  You can have the amazing peace of mind when you’ve thought it through and made that wonderful decision.

Not sure about it yet? You can talk to your Creator right now.  Discuss what’s on your mind.  Realize that what’s out in the Universe did not just accidentally come into being from some lonely, tiny cell.  You were not an accident.  You are a valuable human with tremendous possibilities for doing life very well now, and for transitioning to an eternal life that has no end. 

My Most Practical and URGENT Request

Oh, Lord, help me keep all my marbles!

I don’t want to lose what You’ve given to me;

I don’t want to neglect living good now, as You can see.

Oh, Lord, fix my forgetter!

Help me remember what I’m starting to forget;

There’s so much inside my head, and I don’t want to regret.

Oh, Lord, fix my learner!

Help me acquire the knowledge I’m gonna need so;

The rest of the world keeps doing new stuff that I need to know.

Oh, Lord, fix my sorter-outer!

Help me get things in logical order for work and play;

Have names and dates and places for what I’ll need each day.

Oh, Lord, fix my analyzer! 

Help me improve my thinking things through;

I’d like to understand why and how and when and who.

Oh, Lord, fix my thinker!

Help me notice and find ways to be helpful to others, too;

The world needs to be reminded that Your love is true!

Oh, Lord, fix my attitude!

Help me not lose track of my life’s biggest goal

To go to Heaven when I die; You saved my soul!

Thank You!  Thank You!  Thank You!

                            By Elaine Hardt ©2015

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 

Fly YOUR Flag Tomorrow

Tomorrow is 9-11 Flag-flying Day
And while putting up your flag
Be sure to pray!

There’s some bad situations
Don’t overlook those complications
Be sure to pray!

You need protection
All of us need the LORD’s direction
Be sure to pray!

These times of danger
We know can grow stranger
If our nation does not repent and pray. 

by Elaine Hardt ©2015

This is for YOU

Your  Faith

Your  Troubles

Your  Endurance

Your  Opportunity

Your  Joy

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way,

consider it an opportunity

for great joy.

For you know

when your faith is tested

your endurance has a chance

to grow.

So let it grow,

for when your endurance is fully developed,

you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

James 1:2-3

May God “…make YOU complete in every good work to do His will,

working in YOU

what is well pleasing in His sight…”

Hebrews 13:20-21 

 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, 
and in the power of His might,”  
Ephesians 6:10