Not Going to Give Up, Are You?

Is life worth living?  I’d say YES. 

And these ideas I’d like to share: 

Hold on, fight on, keep on;

Though troubles may seem hard to bear.  

When things look so unsettled

analyze, be practical and prepare;

Now’s the time to get tough,

Stand tall -- of course you can -- you care!  

Others are watching to see what you do,

In your life someone else does care;

Don’t quit, don’t check yourself out,

Ask for wisdom and help in prayer!  

Believe it or not, God loves you,

And He is the one to please;

There’s peace of mind awaiting you

Talking to Him down on your knees.

You have more potential than you thought,

Toss aside those perplexities;

Put on determination so you can 

Find opportunities

                     + + + 

By Elaine Hardt ©2011

A Miracle of My Own

Budding branches stir in the warming sun
   on stark tough trees
fragile beauty along the streets
   tenderness on the breeze

Springtime display of new birth
    happens again every year
but we hurry by with jaded eyes
    unaware of the miracles here

O God of more than I can understand
     Designer of blossoms I see
forgive my careless ways
     rebirth wonder and joy in me

You provided the Passover Lamb
    the sacrifice for man
Life and death and resurrection
   salvation's awesome plan
 
A miracle is what I need
   uproot unbelief and fear
plant faith to grow and ever bloom
   in purpose strong and clear

                -by Elaine Hardt ©1991

Those Aggravating Politicians !

The latest political ad just came up on TV, or Facebook, or Twitter, etc.  Maybe to irritate you some friend emailed you a link to it.  

What to do?  Quick!  Pray for that politician.   They’re labeled for prayer. 

Now, you’re doing something positive, something necessary, something that will also help you.  You pray for that person who obviously needs the LORD.  They’re saying something that’s a bad exaggeration, or a bold lie.  Pray for him or her or them to repent of their sin.  Pray for a change in their attitude and their outlook.  Pray that they don’t get elected and affect thousands of people for the worse.  Pray that they turn to God very soon. 

You are helping yourself develop an astute and devoted attitude.  People who talk like that, or wear a T-shirt with filthy language or pictures, or do suggestive actions to show off their boldness to get attention — they need help.  You care about their eternal soul,  as well as their influence on the younger generation, and people of your age, and even the old folks who are becoming careless in their decision-making abilities.

See ‘em, pray for ‘em.  The sooner you do it, then you’re less likely to forget.  The sooner you do it, the more of a burden you relinquish.  Don’t let the devil use such bad stuff to get your attention.  You have more important things to do with the life the LORD has given you.      + + + 

 

By Elaine Hardt ©2016

What? A One Minute Prayer . . . Again?

A silly bedtime rhyme came to mind yesterday, “Good night, sleep tight; don’t let the bedbugs bite!”    Along with that childhood prayer,  “Now I lay me down to sleep,” it was a ritual for us little kids.

Lately there’s been a TV commercial about getting a new mattress because an older one might be infected with bedbugs, so no doubt that brought the rhyme to mind yesterday.

And today the big thought of how adults treat prayer as repeating memorized words, reciting them quickly without pause or consideration:  what did I just say to God?  Does the old prayer still mean something?  Am I just being careless, thinking that I did what I was supposed to do?  Do those words make me a believer, a Christian, a good guy?

Memorized prayers recited at home or at church can become useless when our minds are not paying attention.  Why do the leaders say those holy words to quickly?

While we might not be able to bring this problem to the attention of someone in charge, at least we can remedy it at home.  Are you going to pray the “Lord’s Prayer”? Speak slowly, pause between phrases and think about what you’re saying to God.  You are talking to your Maker, and He is listening.  Of course, He sees your attitude.

Now, what is it that you want to say to God?  Here is the “Lord’s Prayer” from the words of the Bible in Matthew 6:9-13  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A9-13 

Here are eleven foreign language translations http://www.lords-prayer-words.com/lord_traditional_king_james.html  that also gives details of the phrases, the context, analysis line-by-line, and prayers for important occasions through the year.   

Ask yourself now, is it a “magic formula” ?  Does it keep us close to the LORD? Then take a few minutes to look up the two websites listed here.  

Afterwards ask yourself, what?  What do I want to tell my Creator?  Would this be a good time to confess my weakness, my shortcomings, my sins?  Would it be helpful to put into my own words something to express my faith, my admiration, my thankfulness?

So, is one minute enough today?

By Elaine Hardt ©2016

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

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?

Success Comes When - - -

Review the basics.
1. Life is full of choices for me to make.
2. In my own ability I cannot make all the right decisions or do all the right things.
3. God allows this so I will see that I need Him in my life.
4. If success was easy we wouldn’t have opportunity to learn.

Come into agreement with what God says.
1. God wants us to be saved, healed, victorious.
2. Jesus has already done it all. He has provided for salvation, healing, victory.
3. God invites us to boldly come and take what He offers.
4. I must personally accept Jesus as my Savior.
5. His Holy Spirit comes to live within us, enabling us to do what pleases Him.

Review what the Bible says about the devil.
1. The devil will lie and deceive us so he can destroy us.
2. He will make us miserable so our testimony is ineffective.
3. He has a legal right to attack us when we are in disobedience to God.

Pray for wisdom, and be obedient to do what God reveals.
1. He will give us direction when we ask.
2. We must listen and obey.

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

Sleepless? Sing a Silent Song

You haven’t drifted off to sweet slumberland just yet?  Sing a silent song.  As you’re lying there in bed find a line of a song that starts with the next letter in the alphabet.  See how far in the ABCs you can get. Here’s the idea:
            A,  abide with me, fast falls the eventide
            B, because He lives I shall live forever
            C, create in me a clean heart and . . .
            D, do Lord, oh, do Lord, oh do remember me
Well, some of those are old songs and choruses from my early days.  Maybe they don’t fit in your memory lane.  So, substitute a line, not even necessarily the first line of the song or chorus that comes to your mind.  See how far in the alphabet you can go.  
Maybe one of your songs will strike a happy chord in your memory and you can recall singing that in Sunday School or church or that youth group from back then. Whatever.  
Give your busy brain a simple task and see how it relaxes you!
Next time you don’t have to try to recall those same first lines; you’ll probably think of some others.  That just proves how helpful your brain can be.  
     And hopefully, some of the lines you’ve remembered will bring back some of the rest of those song lyrics, too. Sleep in blissful sleep.  
                And . . . 

Important Message to Friends, and You, Too

Happy Birthday today!
What more can I say?
The date I don’t know;
Not to fret, now and so 
I send my greetings to you.
Hope that this poem will do!

And while we’re at it, this too:
Happy All Holidays to you;
Let your calendar say
If it’s a special day.
Remember, I think you’re nice,
So perhaps celebrate twice.

We pray for friends every day
That many blessings come your way,
So until we see you sometime
Be encouraged by this rhyme.
Happy All Holidays to you!  
Celebrate them all, not just a few!  

by Elaine Hardt ©2015

The Race, the Competition, the Loser

        The first time I lost a race was 7^th grade in Des Moines.  I remember lining up on the track with the others, the firing gun going off and my knees instantly feeling like rubber bands.  Everyone else got to the finish line before I did.

The second time I lost a race was in Scottsdale.  It was a 3K that spring of 1973 and the only reason I entered was that all the girls in the exercise class had entered and talked me into it.  There were hundreds of runners.  And off we ran!  Up and down streets, on and on to the finish line by the shopping mall. 

I lost, of course.  

Afterwards my sister Carol wrote to ask, “Didn’t you feel bad when all those people ran past you?”

“No.  When they went by they’d say, ‘Oh, good.  We passed Elaine!”

I haven’t run anywhere since then. But I do like to watch races, the horse races, the running races, the dog races in Alaska.  I know just a tiny bit of the anticipation, the training, the preparation of the day, the exhaustion afterwards.  I just don’t know the excitement of winning or the frustration of coming in second or third after having everyone watching the exceptional effort.

Yesterday's horse race grabbed my attention and, of course, I watched it on TV.  What a big deal with the huge crowds cheering thunderously as the jockey and that short-tailed horse crossed the finish line first. 

What good does it do to work so hard and train and enter the race? What was the goal?  What was the challenge?  What was -- or can be -- the lesson learned?  

Putting words on the computer screen helped me focus on a newly-hatched thought.  See if you can get any challenge and encouragement and help for yourself personally from this:  

                     The Goal, the Challenge, the Lesson Learned

Those other runners,

The challenge of the race,

It made me better, try harder, run faster;

I didn’t win, but I did improve.

My outlook was focused on winning,

My abilities were pushed to do more,

And I heard the cheers for the others;

I didn’t win, but I did improve. 

It was just a race to run,

I was just expecting to do good,

It was more effort than I had;

I didn’t win, but I did improve. 

Maybe someday my training will kick in,

Maybe someday the crowd will cheer for me,

Maybe someday I’ll win the race;

I can appreciate the stress of losing now.        + + + 

This different point of view tied all the earlier random thoughts into a useful lesson, a reminder of what it means to exert yourself, invest your stress and your strength into a huge goal.  Wow!  Those competitors made the race more important.  If I had been the only runner I wouldn’t have trained and participated at all.  Is that life for you, or what!

So, in the quiet minutes after the excitement of viewing the race on TV, seeing the winner so pumped up, the crowd so excited I could identify a little with all the losers. 

Later I found this verse  “ . . . Let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.  Let us look to Jesus . . . “  Hebrews 12:1-2.  This lead me to another verse, “Do not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart,”  Galatians 6:9.  And a similar verse is in 2 Thessalonians 3:13. 

Now I made this a matter of serious prayer:  Oh, Lord,  I want to do something good with my life.  I haven’t amounted to much, but I am so thankful that You love me and there is a purpose for my life.  I can reach out to others to tell them about Jesus and the amazing, gigantic future of life after death. I am “somebody” in Your plan!  You enable me to do what I cannot do just by myself.  Thank you!

+ + + 

By Elaine Hardt ©2015 

Roots Are Needed for Life & Strength

Working in the garden, planting . . . or pulling weeds?
Here's something to consider . . . 
        
        Roots, not seen -- but so necessary,
        The life link for flowers, crops, trees;
        I know I need to be rooted in Christ,
        That’s the only way my life will please.

        LORD, root me wide and root me deep   
        in our relationship’s inner place;
        I give all glory to God as I dwell 
        secure from life’s storms, safe in His grace.

        Others are looking for substance and food,
        I want the fruits of the Spirit growing;
        What a blessing to others and to me
        When my love for Jesus is showing. 

This is an All-purpose Poem in Honor of the Up-coming Day of Observance

You now hold in your hands an all-purpose poem,  

It’s here to tell you I care;

It’s got appreciation and remembrance

And more, all written to share.

If the calendar shows there’s a holiday coming

Consider this before the rest,

You’ve been noticed, recognized and greeted

With a prayer that you’ll be blessed.  

Go ahead and celebrate whatever day it is,

Relax, enjoy with a smile;

We share a certain something, though undefined,

Friendship won’t go out of style.  

I’m a person who believes in our Creator

And I am one who prays,

Thus you receive from time to time

My writing to brighten your days. 

So, in honor of the up-coming observance,

To life’s meaning give thought;

It’s me, saying “Hi” to you in this greeting

And this is the poem I’ve wrought.  

By Elaine Hardt ©2007  

Your Prayer: Good, Better or BEST ???

Someone speaks up, or emails you, or posts something on their Facebook page.  You are concerned.  What to do?  Pray.

* Here’s an Iffy way to pray.  Just say, “I’m praying for you.”  (Hopefully you remember at bedtime to mention that person’s issue in your quickie prayer.)

* Here’s a Good way to pray.  Say, “Drop me a line when you’ve got more time.  I will pray about that tonight.”  (Written down means the person puts in a few more words so you have a couple of specifics to mention when you do that goodnight prayer to God.)

* Here’s a Better way to pray. Say, “Let’s pray right now. Dear Father, there’s a need now for . . .“  And you pray out loud with that person right then, right there.

* Here’s an Even Better way to pray.  (First, you do pray that Better way, right at that time with a few audible words, to the point, not dragging on and on, and close with a smile, assuring that person that you do believe God hears and answers prayer.)  
        And, then . . . 

A Time to Remember Your Father

       Every day is Father's Day, so any day will do,
       Let's reclaim those past memories, too.

        Well, the poem started out without much help from me.  But the "official" Father's Day is past, and Dad's not here.  But looking through some old photos was a good excursion into the past.  My first thoughts were about him, but later my thoughts were about you -- friends, relatives, readers of this blog.  For each of us growing up was a challenge.  Then having our own children was another challenge.  Now, watching the grandkids growing up.  Years do fly by!  
       The one closing thought is for prayer.  No matter who or where you are, pray for better communication with your family.  Pray for wisdom, ability, strength. 
        Our Heavenly Father loves each of us.  A personal relationship with Him means we've owned up to our sins and weaknesses, we've asked to be forgiven. Now life has wonderful opportunities, empowered by His Holy Spirit.  So celebrate every day in some meaningful way, starting with prayer.  

by Elaine Hardt ©2014

Life Looks Like a Puzzle

 Life looks like a puzzle,

Unpredictable pieces,

You find them here and there;

You have choices to make!

Blessings of wisdom help you

So, ask for that in prayer. 

First, the challenge,

Then the celebration!

The LORD shows the way;

Let His Word instruct you,

His presence with you

Will encourage you each day.

by Elaine Hardt ©2014

FOCUS!

That’s how you hit the target now…..or eventually.
That’s how you say the right things now . . . or eventually.
That’s how you spare unnecessary energy.
That’s how you gather evidence.
That’s how you put the right ingredients into those cookies.
That’s how you just buy the thing you need now…
           instead of looking all over the store.
That’s how you improve your memory.
That’s how you decide what’s true about life . . . and death. . . 
           instead of buying in to the latest fad or the oldest traditions.  
That’s how you read the Bible. . . instead of just remembering 
           little stories from your childhood Sunday School.  
That’s how you talk honestly to your Maker.
F O C U S !

by Elaine Hardt ©2014 

Time Alone, then Time Together

We deserve a small, quiet “Time Alone” at the first of every new day.  Find your focus. Think of what you’re thankful for. Declare your determination to live for the LORD.
Now, enjoy a “Time Together.”  Jesus is really there with you.  His blessings are what we need for a successful day.  We can talk to the actual Savior when we pray! 
What do we need for today?  Consider this: Faith, Hope, and Love. 
Many people have a weak definition of the words, FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE.        But the Bible points out the power of each of these words.  

“Therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God 

through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, 

through whom also we have access by faith 

into this grace in which we stand, 

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

And not only that, 

but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 

and perseverance, character, and character, hope. 

Now hope does not disappoint, 

because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts 

by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” 

Romans 5:1-5  

Look here http://www.jewsforjesus.org/files/pdf/newsletter/newsletter-2014-03.pdf   for the article by Karl deSouza.  He gives us these strong definitions: 
        Faith has the force of trust in something that is true.
        Hope is a forward-looking assurance of a promise to be fulfilled.
        Love is sacrificial and committed.
Here’s your challenge:  every morning this week have Time Alone and then Time Together.

By Elaine Hardt ©2014 

Vision, Action, Results!

Are things getting better?

Are some things getting worse?

What do you think you can do? 

By our vision

We enlarge our possibilities

Growing in obedience to God

By our actions

We live a new life 

Demonstrating God’s love 

By our lifestyle

We set an example

Giving others something to see and talk about.

By God’s provision 

We are equipped

Expanding an outreach to bring glory to God.  

Is this your focus?  Is this a worthy goal?

Is this a matter for you to pray about? 

Vision, action, results! 

By Elaine Hardt ©2013

Your Assignment for This Summer. . . .

Remembering can make you happy, 

Remembering can make you sad;
It all depends upon
The kind of life you’ve had.

Anticipation can make you sparkle, 

Anticipation can make you blue, 

You’re in charge of your feelings: 

The choice is up to you.

Plan ahead with determination, 

Take time for genuine prayer; 

Summer can be a new beginning 

To demonstrate you care!

Enjoy the possibilities,
Stretch yourself and grow; 

Accomplish something useful, 

Summer won’t last, you know!

By Elaine Hardt ©2009

You know, every season of the year presents to you this opportunity.  Pray about your attitude, words, actions.  God loves YOU!