My Friend Is Gone

She died.  She’s gone. My friend is dead.

My thoughts came tumbling out of my head

“I didn’t tell her . . . “

“I didn’t ask her . . . “

“Did she know . . . “

“Was she ready to go?”

I didn’t expect it, but my friend is dead,

What could I — should I — have said?

Thinking about her, thinking about me

I open the Bible today to see.

Oh, LORD I need to be obeying You;

Tell me every day what to say and do.

For all of us life will one day end,

Now is the time to receive Jesus as friend.

Confess your sins honestly,

When you die you want in Heaven to be! 

I hope my friend is certainly There;

I’m learning now my faith to share.  

                                             By Elaine Hardt ©2016 

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. 

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!”

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 One Best Word

         Could the “one best word” be the happiest word? The one word that cheers up each person who has a good reason to use it?  Is it the one word you’ve said recently that improved your whole day, maybe your entire outlook on life?

Of course, you make the pronouncement yourself. Perhaps you have thought of other people saying this one word in some situation, but here, just briefly, we are speaking of you.  Read on with yourself in mind.

        That one simple word that is so powerful, so broad, yet it can be applied so specifically, is “temporary.”  Is that what you anticipated?

Anyhow, let’s take a look at its use, its possibilities, its good points. When a tiny zit pops up on a teenager’s face. When company arrives for just the weekend.  When you stubbed your toe in the dark on the way to the bathroom.  When there’s a shipper’s delay in getting that nifty new tool delivered via UPS.  

Even, when the elevator at work is stuck between floors! When there’s a traffic jam on Interstate 19! When your little kid fell off the swings and broke his arm!

As you picture these situations you will probably agree that when that #1 happiest, best word, “temporary,” comes to mind it does help alleviate the stress, frustration, and unhappiness.  

  Instead of totally dwelling on the bad event you can have a measure of relief. Whatever that uncalled for, or stupid, or aggravating event was there’s an expected end to it. Things could go back to normal.  Things might even be improved as a result of thinking about cause and effect and possible prevention and solution.  

When huge unwelcome circumstances invade your household, your job, your commute or your vacation this one happy word, “temporary,” can spur you on to doing some serious thinking, planning, and rearranging. It can encourage you to action. 

By now you have thought of some recent events in your own life that warrant the audible verbalization by you of this word, “temporary.“ You could be writing some short article yourself!

But, before we close this mental exercise there’s one very certain situation where the word “temporary” does not apply. 

Confident About Going Home

           Three close friends and her few remaining relatives gathered in the hospital room to say goodbye.  Pam had bravely fought off some painful condition, the doctors did what they could, but day after day there was no improvement.  But Pam didn’t say it was hopeless.  She’d smile and say, “One of these days I’m going home.”  

Of course, it didn’t happen.  But when Britanny leaned over to say, “Pam, the doctors say you aren’t going home”  Pam spoke a little louder, but painfully slow.  “I’m going to my Father’s House.  You know,  Heaven!”

Larry reached out his hand to touch Pam’s hand. “You have an amazing faith.”

Later that night, all alone, yet not really all alone, Pam took her last breath and died.

When Larry phoned to tell me I couldn’t help crying. But the joy was greater than the sadness.  Yes,  Pam had faith.  I wondered if I’d have that faith.  

As I pondered those Two Big Questions of life, what is dying like? And,  where do you go? I remembered something I’d read awhile ago. I knew I must write it down to help put it in some kind of sequence in my mind.  

                          Here’s how my writing began: 

Have you ever had a disappointing day?  An aggravating day?  A scary day?  Have you ever been terribly sick?  When you or I feel like complaining to everyone within sight, or even complaining to God, it might help to take a look at a woman who suffered real suffering, and who grew even deeper in faith. 

To Easter, or Not to Easter? That Is the Question

Some call it “Easter,” a long tradition of celebrations,
Others chafe at those religious inclinations,
So, what’s a normal person to do?

Shop ‘til you drop, buy the latest fashion and toys?
Or find a quiet backyard place to consider springtime joys?
My friend, the answer’s up to you.

If you meet God and ask Him the questions you mention,
He’d answer your heart so you’d examine your intention,
If you’ll be honest while you see this thing through.

Is It True?

        Our friend, Lucille, died yesterday. She KNOWS if it’s true, or not.
        You and I are still here, and we don’t know what Lucille knows.
        What happens at death? Where did this vivacious woman go? Her worn out body is left behind, but she is not here.