Why be thankful when you can complain;
A little less/more sunshine, a little less/more rain.
Bankroll could be fatter, the garden more green;
Less crime in the cities, more decency seen.
Bald men need hair, more manners for youth;
Less bad news on TV, a lot more truth.
We’d like more new stuff, thanks to technology;
Where God fits in is getting harder to see.
Postpone old age so good people won’t die;
Not sure about the Bible, wish babies didn’t cry.
God, if You’re listening I’m sure in a muddle;
Complaining has stirred up a whole lot of trouble.
I really don’t want to grow crabby and such;
I sure could use a Thanksgiving touch.
I’m sick and tired of being depressed;
Lord, come into my heart; I really need Your rest.
So this is me, saying I’d like a new start
Show me how to live with a thankful heart.
***
By Elaine Hardt ©2000
EncouragingU * * * * * * * * * * * * We ALL need a word of encouragement once in awhile.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Wondering . . .
What will our Father do
through me, through you?
What new adventure lies ahead
when we’re obedient, as His Word said?
What ways will He use
if faith is what we choose?
Who will He bless through our talk?
Who will He bless through our daily walk?
When we lay aside thoughts somber and gray,
welcome God’s glorious love today,
listen, obey, as He’s telling us to,
what in the world will our Father do?
# # #
by Elaine Hardt ©1997
through me, through you?
What new adventure lies ahead
when we’re obedient, as His Word said?
What ways will He use
if faith is what we choose?
Who will He bless through our talk?
Who will He bless through our daily walk?
When we lay aside thoughts somber and gray,
welcome God’s glorious love today,
listen, obey, as He’s telling us to,
what in the world will our Father do?
# # #
by Elaine Hardt ©1997
Saturday, October 21, 2006
ABCs for An Amazing Attitude
Avoid the anger,
Beat the blahs,
Clobber the complaining,
Discard depression,
Evict the evasion,
Forfeit the fear,
Give up grumbling,
Heave out the heaviness,
Ignore icky impulses,
Jettison the jitters,
Knock off the knavery,
Limit the lassitude,
Minimize the moaning,
Nix the nasties,
Obliterate the objecting,
Put down pessimism,
Quit the quandaries,
Relinquish the rubbish,
Stop the sniveling,
Terminate the trouble,
Unearth the uncertainties,
Vanish the vanity,
Whap the whining,
X-it the exaggeration,
Yield your yammer,
Zip the sassy lip.
God wants YOU to have an amazing attitude;
Get going, trust Him and obey.
He will help you do what needs to be done;
Happiness is doing it His way.
By Elaine Hardt ©2000
Beat the blahs,
Clobber the complaining,
Discard depression,
Evict the evasion,
Forfeit the fear,
Give up grumbling,
Heave out the heaviness,
Ignore icky impulses,
Jettison the jitters,
Knock off the knavery,
Limit the lassitude,
Minimize the moaning,
Nix the nasties,
Obliterate the objecting,
Put down pessimism,
Quit the quandaries,
Relinquish the rubbish,
Stop the sniveling,
Terminate the trouble,
Unearth the uncertainties,
Vanish the vanity,
Whap the whining,
X-it the exaggeration,
Yield your yammer,
Zip the sassy lip.
God wants YOU to have an amazing attitude;
Get going, trust Him and obey.
He will help you do what needs to be done;
Happiness is doing it His way.
By Elaine Hardt ©2000
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Autumn's Harvest
Remember the seeds you once held in your hand,
Small, smooth or rough, speckled or plain,
Dry bits of insignificance,
But full of potential; fascinating
miracles appear.
Remember the work, the time you invested,
Preparing, planting, tending, weeding,
seeing the miracle of seed to seedling,
From plant to produce, spring to autumn,
Harvest is near.
Consider yourself, your potential for growing,
Challenge comes to make you stronger;
God brings you through the storm,
Anticipate, receive His blessing;
Harvest is nearly here.
✍ Elaine Hardt ©2006
Small, smooth or rough, speckled or plain,
Dry bits of insignificance,
But full of potential; fascinating
miracles appear.
Remember the work, the time you invested,
Preparing, planting, tending, weeding,
seeing the miracle of seed to seedling,
From plant to produce, spring to autumn,
Harvest is near.
Consider yourself, your potential for growing,
Challenge comes to make you stronger;
God brings you through the storm,
Anticipate, receive His blessing;
Harvest is nearly here.
✍ Elaine Hardt ©2006
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Advice From a Dead Man?
Recently an author’s statement caught my attention. She wrote that she follows a path of self-enlightenment by Buddha. I wondered what made her think that a dead man could help improve life in 2006.
I decided to sort out some information to pass along should I meet her or someone with a similar life philosophy.
One article, “Connecting With the Divine,” written by former atheist, Marilyn Adamson, at http://everystudent.com/features/connecting.html pointed out features of well-known world religions.
Men such as Buddha, Muhammad, and Confucius all identified themselves as teachers or prophets. None of them claimed to be God, and all of them died. Are these dead men qualified to help you and me?
What about the founders of the world religions?
Brief biographies reveal that none of these men claimed they would die for the sins of mankind.
Buddha, born circa 563 B.C. in Nepal, died c. 483 possibly of food poisoning. He began preaching after achieving “supreme enlightenment” at age 35. It’s claimed he escaped the cycle of rebirth. His teaching was a middle way between self-indulgence and self-mortification.
Mohammad, (570-632 A.D.) believed he had a message from an angel and warned of a Day of Judgment. Writer Mohd. Saleen wrote, “God’s Love Toward a Radical Muslim,” which has been posted at http://everystudent.com/wires/radical.html
Confucius (551-479 B.C.) taught ethics of virtue and humanism, but not a systematic theory of life and society. The belief is cornerstone to Chinese culture.
Hinduism comes from ancient India and has no single founder. They believe in many gods and reincarnation. Author Rabi Jaharaj wrote, “My Experience as a Hindu Guru” which is posted at http://everystudent.com/wires/rabi.html
Shinto comes from Japan, and is based on the rulers’ descent from the sun goddess. Veneration, festivals, and rituals are said to enable practitioners to live in accordance with divine will. They believe in a great host of deities.
What about modern religious thought?
Since all these men died are they in any position to give advice? Some might say, “We read books for advice and it doesn’t matter if the author is still living or not.” What about the New Age which does purport to give helpful and personalized advice?
An authority in astrology and psychic advice, Marcia Montenegro relates her fascinating life story, “A Strange-But-True Spiritual Journey” posted at http://everystudent.com/wires/marcia.html
Everyone who is serious about doing the right thing with their one and only lifetime will take a look at what everyone else is doing and saying, so they can make up their minds and follow their own path.
What about Jesus Christ?
With four biographies of Jesus and a total of 27 books by eyewitnesses in the New Testament of the Bible, we readily find major contrasts with other religions. Innumerable books have been written and sermons preached about Jesus, but here is a brief look at some of the highlights.
There’re some unpleasant teachings of Jesus:
1. Everyone has sinned.
2. God doesn’t like our sin and our sinful attitude.
3. There is punishment for sin. (Luke 13:5).
There are teachings only made by Jesus:
1. His death was to atone for our sins. (I Peter 2:24).
2. We can begin a relationship with God right now by asking for forgiveness. (I John 3:1).
3. There is no need for rituals, self-punishment, no uncertainties about the After Life. (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
There are some outstanding facts about his life and death:
1. He worked miracles, healed, raised people from the dead. (John 14:6-11).
2. He arose from the dead, and was seen by over 500 people in the next 40 days. (I Corinthians 15:6).
3. His coming and His life, death, and resurrection fulfilled over 300 prophecies which had been made more than 400 years earlier to the Jewish nation.
Want to take a chance?
You know people who are willing to “wait and see.” Why take a chance?
You know people who claim their good will outweigh the bad they’ve done. Why take a chance?
You know people who had godly parents and rely on that getting them past God’s requirements of a personal decision, a personal confession, and a personal relationship. Why take a chance?
You know some people who hate the idea of going to church, so ignore God. Why take a chance?
You do have a choice.
You can live your life to suit yourself. But, do remember that God loves you more than you can even imagine. He will forgive your sins, whatever you call that attitude or action. But you have to ask. Call it “prayer” or “conversation,” it’s better than advice from a dead man. ❤
©2006
I decided to sort out some information to pass along should I meet her or someone with a similar life philosophy.
One article, “Connecting With the Divine,” written by former atheist, Marilyn Adamson, at http://everystudent.com/features/connecting.html pointed out features of well-known world religions.
Men such as Buddha, Muhammad, and Confucius all identified themselves as teachers or prophets. None of them claimed to be God, and all of them died. Are these dead men qualified to help you and me?
What about the founders of the world religions?
Brief biographies reveal that none of these men claimed they would die for the sins of mankind.
Buddha, born circa 563 B.C. in Nepal, died c. 483 possibly of food poisoning. He began preaching after achieving “supreme enlightenment” at age 35. It’s claimed he escaped the cycle of rebirth. His teaching was a middle way between self-indulgence and self-mortification.
Mohammad, (570-632 A.D.) believed he had a message from an angel and warned of a Day of Judgment. Writer Mohd. Saleen wrote, “God’s Love Toward a Radical Muslim,” which has been posted at http://everystudent.com/wires/radical.html
Confucius (551-479 B.C.) taught ethics of virtue and humanism, but not a systematic theory of life and society. The belief is cornerstone to Chinese culture.
Hinduism comes from ancient India and has no single founder. They believe in many gods and reincarnation. Author Rabi Jaharaj wrote, “My Experience as a Hindu Guru” which is posted at http://everystudent.com/wires/rabi.html
Shinto comes from Japan, and is based on the rulers’ descent from the sun goddess. Veneration, festivals, and rituals are said to enable practitioners to live in accordance with divine will. They believe in a great host of deities.
What about modern religious thought?
Since all these men died are they in any position to give advice? Some might say, “We read books for advice and it doesn’t matter if the author is still living or not.” What about the New Age which does purport to give helpful and personalized advice?
An authority in astrology and psychic advice, Marcia Montenegro relates her fascinating life story, “A Strange-But-True Spiritual Journey” posted at http://everystudent.com/wires/marcia.html
Everyone who is serious about doing the right thing with their one and only lifetime will take a look at what everyone else is doing and saying, so they can make up their minds and follow their own path.
What about Jesus Christ?
With four biographies of Jesus and a total of 27 books by eyewitnesses in the New Testament of the Bible, we readily find major contrasts with other religions. Innumerable books have been written and sermons preached about Jesus, but here is a brief look at some of the highlights.
There’re some unpleasant teachings of Jesus:
1. Everyone has sinned.
2. God doesn’t like our sin and our sinful attitude.
3. There is punishment for sin. (Luke 13:5).
There are teachings only made by Jesus:
1. His death was to atone for our sins. (I Peter 2:24).
2. We can begin a relationship with God right now by asking for forgiveness. (I John 3:1).
3. There is no need for rituals, self-punishment, no uncertainties about the After Life. (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
There are some outstanding facts about his life and death:
1. He worked miracles, healed, raised people from the dead. (John 14:6-11).
2. He arose from the dead, and was seen by over 500 people in the next 40 days. (I Corinthians 15:6).
3. His coming and His life, death, and resurrection fulfilled over 300 prophecies which had been made more than 400 years earlier to the Jewish nation.
Want to take a chance?
You know people who are willing to “wait and see.” Why take a chance?
You know people who claim their good will outweigh the bad they’ve done. Why take a chance?
You know people who had godly parents and rely on that getting them past God’s requirements of a personal decision, a personal confession, and a personal relationship. Why take a chance?
You know some people who hate the idea of going to church, so ignore God. Why take a chance?
You do have a choice.
You can live your life to suit yourself. But, do remember that God loves you more than you can even imagine. He will forgive your sins, whatever you call that attitude or action. But you have to ask. Call it “prayer” or “conversation,” it’s better than advice from a dead man. ❤
©2006
Friday, September 22, 2006
Through the Storm
Dark clouds gather on the advancing wind,
The world has become a dangerous place;
Forces of evil are fighting to win,
Everywhere you see the wreckage of sin.
Temptations allure. What can a person do?
We need a bold confidence born of faith,
Remembering Who we believe,
Thankful for what we received.
Circumstances sometimes better, then worse,
Outnumbered by unbelievers,
God gives us this challenge to grow;
Surrounded, yes; discouraged, no!
Putting the struggle into perspective,
Continuing to trust and obey the Lord,
With an eternal destination in view
Keep in mind He will empower you.
God is greater than the wind and storm,
His amazing love revealed in Jesus;
One life to live, so we should see
Each day is opportunity.
By Elaine Hardt ©2006
The world has become a dangerous place;
Forces of evil are fighting to win,
Everywhere you see the wreckage of sin.
Temptations allure. What can a person do?
We need a bold confidence born of faith,
Remembering Who we believe,
Thankful for what we received.
Circumstances sometimes better, then worse,
Outnumbered by unbelievers,
God gives us this challenge to grow;
Surrounded, yes; discouraged, no!
Putting the struggle into perspective,
Continuing to trust and obey the Lord,
With an eternal destination in view
Keep in mind He will empower you.
God is greater than the wind and storm,
His amazing love revealed in Jesus;
One life to live, so we should see
Each day is opportunity.
By Elaine Hardt ©2006
Monday, September 04, 2006
Make a Memory
Make a memory with your children,
Spend some time to show you care;
Toys and trinkets can't replace those
Precious moments that you share.
Money doesn't buy real pleasure,
It doesn't matter where you live;
Children need your own attention,
Something only you can give.
Childhood's days pass all too quickly,
Happy memories all too few;
Plan to do that special something,
Take the time to go or do.
Make a memory with your children,
Take the time in busy days;.
Have some fun while they are growing,
Show your love in gentle ways.
by Elaine Hardt ©1977
As of September 4, 2006 a total of 87 websites have quoted this poem since it was first published in my book Four Minute Fun for Parent and Child. We give permisson for this poem to be quoted as long as my name and copyright notice appear.
Spend some time to show you care;
Toys and trinkets can't replace those
Precious moments that you share.
Money doesn't buy real pleasure,
It doesn't matter where you live;
Children need your own attention,
Something only you can give.
Childhood's days pass all too quickly,
Happy memories all too few;
Plan to do that special something,
Take the time to go or do.
Make a memory with your children,
Take the time in busy days;.
Have some fun while they are growing,
Show your love in gentle ways.
by Elaine Hardt ©1977
As of September 4, 2006 a total of 87 websites have quoted this poem since it was first published in my book Four Minute Fun for Parent and Child. We give permisson for this poem to be quoted as long as my name and copyright notice appear.
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