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

Changes to That Old Song

                           
        Remember that old song, "Home on the Range"?    Here's a change to the lyrics: 
“Where seldom is heard an encouraging word -- and the skies are cloudy and gray . ."
Does that sound like how you felt yesterday or how you feel today?
Perhaps there’s a simple-something you can do that boosts your happiness level today.  Speak up or write down some simple words of encouragement and send to somebody else.  Even if they don’t reply with an immediate smile via email or in person you can give yourself a nice nod of the head.  
Encouragement can be such a mood-lifter.  Especially if what that person says in return to you is pertinent and true.  Encouragement can be helpful.
So, duh, your encouragement to someone can be short, pertinent, true.  Possibly what you say, or write, or do will brighten their day. 
And later, when you remember that time and that person it will encourage you that you did the right thing.  You will be inspired and empowered to do words of encouragement a couple of times a week.  You up to it?

By Elaine Hardt ©2016

Encouragement! EnCOURAGEment!

Encouragement is more than a pat on the back,

It’s not just a friendly smile or nod,

Not only some words spoken or written:

It’s a powerful blessing from God.

You can grow in encouragement, speak it to yourself;

Enable it by what you believe!

Find the strength in God, know what His Word promises:

Courage for hard times and testings:  this receive.

In the challenge of life your example can count; 

Look around and you can see

Others need encouragement, too — this you can do;

Pray for them to be set free. 

When you’ve invited Jesus to be your Best Friend

God’s Holy Spirit empowers you,

Now you can experience real faith, hope, and joy,

Encouragement, and EnCOURAGEment, too!

                      + + + 

By Elaine Hardt ©2016

“Encourage” is found 14 times in the Old Testament, 13 times in the New Testament, New King James Version.  “Encouragement” is found 6 times; “courage” is found 28 times in the Bible.    Look up words at www.biblegateway.com 

“Be strong and of good courage, 

do not fear nor be afraid of them; 

for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. 

He will not leave you nor forsake you.” 

 Deuteronomy 31:6

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?

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.  

That Word "New"

One word that certainly gets attention is “new.”  

       Whether it’s good, like a “new” idea, a “new” recipe in the newspaper we might take a look and consider it. It might be different and improved or unusual.  

Or, it’s bad, like a “new” pain in the side, or a “new” problem with the snowblower or a “new” pronouncement from the IRS.  That definitely calls for scrutiny even if you are frowning when you search for evidence. 

Here’s a thought for this “New” Year.  See what needs improvement and think about what you can do.  Then set yourself a time and start out with a confident and positive attitude.  

Even if no one is standing there to observe you, the practice of improving is something that’s good for you.  Practice makes perfect.

       (I remember that’s what Mama told us kids.)

+ + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2016

Sing a New Song for a New Day, a New Year

The sun arose from darkness and shone brightly today;

I give thanks to our mighty Creator 

Who made all of His creation so magnificent and fine.

I give thanks for the roof over my head today

And the stuff I have accumulated

All the necessities that I say are mine.

I give thanks for the people in my life today:

Husband, our sons and their wives, and grandkids,

And I’m blessed with a good extended family.

I give thanks for the occasions I expect:

Looking forward to the days that will follow;

On to the future with opportunity.

I give thanks for what I’ve learned and know today,

Even the unexpected troubles did their job;

Challenges made me respond and grow.

I give thanks for finding Jesus, the Savior!

Amazing how He brought salvation, 

And I appreciate this reality to know

I give thanks for the invitation to pray:

To unload my burdens of confusion,

To ask and receive forgiveness for every sin.

I give thanks for this new day, this new year!

I acknowledge my uncertainties to Him

And I celebrate His blessed love I’ve received within.

by Elaine Hardt ©2016