THE ADVENTURE of LIFE : Advantages, Adjustments, Advances, Adversities, Advisories

Life is an adventure — like baking a yummy cake,  like an exercise program, like a          pair of glasses, the bank statement, the dishwasher, a hammer, and more. 

        Here’s some considerations for YOU, the thoughtful reader: 

What is Hope?

        How is Hope different from "wishful thinking"? See if you agree. . .

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Some people declare that Hope is not logical, and the intelligent thinker will abandon such a childish concept and plunge ahead in their search for the ultimate desire:  success,  recognition,  ample finances,  etc.

This was the outlook of a guy named James.  He wasn’t completely egocentric, but he was very observant.  He saw who got interviewed on the TV programs and the newspapers.  He found news reports on the Internet.  None of these people were shy about talking about themselves and their achievements.  Even someone who had a spectacular failure was right back on the stations, smiling and assuring everyone that there were so many new possibilities, now that he’d taken those first steps of exploration.

James didn’t want to get to old age with some worthwhile achievement not even attempted.  Of course, he’d like his family to be proud of him, but even without their backing him he really wanted to prove himself to himself. 

One day after work, unwinding in the local coffee house James spoke up and found some great conversation when he asked for their opinions of the idea of Hope.

Definitely Determined

Definitely, times are a-changin’

And lots of things are getting worse, that’s true!

The LORD gives us the wisdom and strength

To do what He’s calling you and me to do.

What’s the next challenge?  Where’s the next test?

I’m determined today to do my best! 

by Elaine Hardt @2013

Let's Take a Look at Love

LOVE

Ah, what thoughts this word brings to mind.  It’s a strong word that can also play frivolously.  Did you have a tiny kitten named Lovey?  Years ago, I knew a family with the last name of Lovejoy.  It made my Anderson seem too ordinary.  

I love sweet potato fries.  I love the view from the north rim of the Grand Canyon Lodge.  I love that new, sparkly black and gold scarf.  I love the way the Honda Odyssey is easy to park.  I love that song, “How Great Thou Art.”  Of course, I love my husband.  Well, I could go on, but you get the idea? Love can mean different things.  But, let’s take another look at LOVE. 

“Hurry up!”  you say.  “Get to the point.”  

Someone Who Cares About You

Someone who cares about you       

wants to send you this little word of love.

Please receive it with thoughtful consideration.

It is true that you can know

that You are right before God, your Maker;

forgiven of every sin you ever said or did.

On the authority of God’s Word I can tell you this. 

Please don’t be offended; I do not mean to judge,

but I want to share the good news I’ve found. 

What NOT to Say, When You Pray

Dear Lord, if You’re not too busy . . . 

Dear Lord, let me be the first to tell You . . . 

Dear Lord, in case You didn’t already know . . . 

Dear Lord, please disregard what I said last time because . . . 

Dear Lord, I don’t know what to tell you to do about her . . . 

Look Up At the Sky

Ponder now the sky's scene of beauty,

That unpredictable surprise;

Those magnificent shapes and colors

Will soon dissolve before your eyes.

Our busy days demand attention,

But sometimes there’s an outstanding view;

The sky presents an intriguing picture,

An optical phenomena looking at you. 

Treat yourself to a thoughtful moment,

You’ll do well to consider the how and why;

The grand Creator of Everything

Shows us splendor in the sky.

Photo by Peter Hardt, ©2013, taken at 8 a.m. on 1-3-13   
     (Click on photo  to enlarge your view.)

He tells us it's a "22 degree halo with 2 sun dogs and a tangent arc on the top."

Poem by Elaine Hardt ©2013