Heroes…what do you think of when you hear the word hero? A red cape and tights, perhaps? A faithful soldier fighting for a cause? A woman fighting breast cancer? A missionary on the front lines of faith? We all love to see something heroic or watch someone being heroic. Let’s be honest, we flock to the theatres to watch the newest hero action movie. However, being a hero is more than a mere cape and tights, my friends. Being a hero implies courage, strength and faithfulness. Aren’t these great attributes? Aren’t these things that you and I need more of? YES!
I have often heard it said that you are what you focus on…don’t think that is biblical but it is definitely true. So, I would like to focus these next few blogs on hidden heroes, people who go above and beyond, but may never be recognized.
I work in the medical field and am around people day in and day out that need something quickly. It is rare to have a person be willing to wait on anything, but wait they do. For example, if a patient needs some extra care, it can put our schedule behind 30 minutes. That means that all the other patients that were scheduled for the rest of the day will have to wait. No one ever wants to wait and this can end in some seriously cranky patients. Let’s just say that it doesn’t make things easy for us or the patients.
The other day I was at the check-in desk and overheard a conversation between two patients. One patient was an older gentleman who needed to be finished by a certain time in order to get to another appointment. The gentleman was worried that he would miss his other appointment because the schedule was behind by about 30 minutes. The other patient was a professional 20-something woman. To be really honest, she looked as though business was her middle name. She was dressed in a suit and was carrying her laptop with her. She heard the gentleman talking to our receptionist. As the gentleman went to take a seat, Misses Professional leaned forward and told the receptionist that she would like for the gentleman to take her appointment and she was willing to wait. I was very surprised that this conversation had taken place. In the end, the gentleman took the earlier appointment.
The professional woman was the older gentlemans hero on this day. It really touched my heart to see someone else sacrifice for someone that they don't even know. Isn't this how we are suppose to live?
Until another hidden hero story...blessings!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sinking Into The Wall
I love looking at walls. I suppose it is the interior decorator in me that just loves to see what new designs and patterns are being put together. I like to see what other people think looks good together and take away ideas for my dream house. The other day I found myself staring at a wall. It was the kind of design that seems to move and makes you feel as if you are going to sink into it. You know the kind…it’s the bathroom wall that makes you dizzy as you sit there pondering life’s hardest questions…it’s the living room wall that you just can’t take your eyes off because you need to count all the flowers on the wall. I think you get the idea. We have all seen that type of wall that just makes you feel like you are sinking into it.
I bring this up because I have been thinking and studying about fear and doubt a lot. What, you may ask, does a design on a wall and fear and doubt have in common. Well, on the surface they don’t have anything in common. Upon a closer look it is clear to me that fear and doubt also allow you to sink into it, if you aren’t paying good attention, just like the designed wall. As you ponder that thought, let me share with you a quick story from my favorite book, the Bible.
This is the story of twelve men who were sent on a special mission. This mission was to scope out the land and those that inhabited the land. The ultimate goal was to see if the land was fertile and if the people residing there were strong, weak, many or few. The mission took time. The men had time to become fearful and filled with doubt. During that time, ten of the twelve got together, looked at the men and women in the land, and decided that it was too dangerous to battle the people in the land. They looked and saw with the lense of fear and doubt. They were afraid. There were two men who stood up and said, “Do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up.” They did not stop and look at the impossible. They saw the possible. They didn’t allow fear and doubt to cloud their vision. Here is the big deal with this mission. Because the ten saw the impossible, they, along with all the children of Israel, were sent to wonder in the wilderness for forty years. What a consequence for fear and doubt. If you would like to read the story in detail, it can be found in Numbers 13 and 14.
My point is that fear and doubt can hold you in bondage. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be in bondage. So, what is the solution? It’s simple: just have faith in the Lord and what He says. Simple, right? In the book, Breaking Free from Rejection, John Paul Jackson states it this way: “our personal relationship with God will determine our perspective. Our perspective will determine our decisions, and our decisions will determine our destinies.” (Page 52)
If you and I want a life free from fear and doubt, we can’t allow ourselves to sink into it. We must look away from the fear and doubt and look to the only One who can help us. Jesus is the answer.
Well, after all that I bet you won’t look at the funky design on the wall the same way again. God can teach a truth even through a crazy design on the wall. Until next time, may He teach you something new also.
I bring this up because I have been thinking and studying about fear and doubt a lot. What, you may ask, does a design on a wall and fear and doubt have in common. Well, on the surface they don’t have anything in common. Upon a closer look it is clear to me that fear and doubt also allow you to sink into it, if you aren’t paying good attention, just like the designed wall. As you ponder that thought, let me share with you a quick story from my favorite book, the Bible.
This is the story of twelve men who were sent on a special mission. This mission was to scope out the land and those that inhabited the land. The ultimate goal was to see if the land was fertile and if the people residing there were strong, weak, many or few. The mission took time. The men had time to become fearful and filled with doubt. During that time, ten of the twelve got together, looked at the men and women in the land, and decided that it was too dangerous to battle the people in the land. They looked and saw with the lense of fear and doubt. They were afraid. There were two men who stood up and said, “Do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up.” They did not stop and look at the impossible. They saw the possible. They didn’t allow fear and doubt to cloud their vision. Here is the big deal with this mission. Because the ten saw the impossible, they, along with all the children of Israel, were sent to wonder in the wilderness for forty years. What a consequence for fear and doubt. If you would like to read the story in detail, it can be found in Numbers 13 and 14.
My point is that fear and doubt can hold you in bondage. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be in bondage. So, what is the solution? It’s simple: just have faith in the Lord and what He says. Simple, right? In the book, Breaking Free from Rejection, John Paul Jackson states it this way: “our personal relationship with God will determine our perspective. Our perspective will determine our decisions, and our decisions will determine our destinies.” (Page 52)
If you and I want a life free from fear and doubt, we can’t allow ourselves to sink into it. We must look away from the fear and doubt and look to the only One who can help us. Jesus is the answer.
Well, after all that I bet you won’t look at the funky design on the wall the same way again. God can teach a truth even through a crazy design on the wall. Until next time, may He teach you something new also.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Bold And Beautiful With A New Life
Hey friends!
I have so many projects going on right now, but I wanted to quickly share one that I worked on before Christmas. I was in sad need of a chest of drawers (i.e. clothes were all over my floor with no home to be put in). So, I started my quest for a chest of drawers at the local thrift shops. I love all the fun things that can be found in a thrift shop, but I wasn't able to find what I was looking for. I was starting to give up hope that I would find anything that could work, when I decided to look at Craigslist. I will admit, I am a bit hesitant to use online classifieds, but this time it paid off.
Thanks to my family for putting up with paint fumes and to my friend for driving down into a scary knoll on my first adventure of buying an item on an online classified site. It was an adventure and I enjoyed every minute of it...I think I shall try it again soon! Until next time...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Young and Restless on Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day, dear friends!
What a fun day!!! A day to celebrate love. The love of family and friends and the love of God.
Recently I have been restless. Plain and simple...just restless. Content is not the word I would use to decribe myself at this moment. I have been wrestling with why I am restless and for what. I personally think there are many reasons for this restlessness, but as I was driving into work this morning I was thinking about God's great love for me and it hit me. At the very core of it all, I am restless for my God. I need more of Him. I need more of His face. I need more of His love. Why am I restless for Him? Simply because I love Him.
When you love someone, you want to be with them. You want to learn more about them. You can't wait to see their face. Shouldn't it be that way with the Lord too?
As you ponder the love of God, take a listen to this powerful song by Caleb Andrews. It is awesome! And have a great Valentine's Day! Until next time...
What a fun day!!! A day to celebrate love. The love of family and friends and the love of God.
Recently I have been restless. Plain and simple...just restless. Content is not the word I would use to decribe myself at this moment. I have been wrestling with why I am restless and for what. I personally think there are many reasons for this restlessness, but as I was driving into work this morning I was thinking about God's great love for me and it hit me. At the very core of it all, I am restless for my God. I need more of Him. I need more of His face. I need more of His love. Why am I restless for Him? Simply because I love Him.
When you love someone, you want to be with them. You want to learn more about them. You can't wait to see their face. Shouldn't it be that way with the Lord too?
As you ponder the love of God, take a listen to this powerful song by Caleb Andrews. It is awesome! And have a great Valentine's Day! Until next time...
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Something To Believe In
While on vacation, I was eating lunch at a local diner. This diner was filled to the brim with character. There were fun signs and saying all over the walls. The people working there were unique and full of personality. I would even go so far as to say that the food was unique and different. It was overall a very fun experience and let me just say that I would defiently go back.
As I was eating my food, there was an older gentleman sitting a nearby table chatting with some younger men about the war and what it was like. I enjoyed listening to him talk about what it was like when he was in the service. I could tell that he was enjoying having an audience and his companions were enthralled with his stories. I also overheard another conversation with a family at another table. It was funny to hear them talking about a recent trip to the shoe store. Now before you go on thinking that I just sit around listening to other peoples conversations, please understand that those that I heard were talking loud enough for the whole diner to hear and I enjoyed good conversation with the people at my table also.
So, finally I was waiting to pay and heard a conversation between a young man and an older man. The young man was trying to convince the older man that there was indeed a book of secrets that the President of the United States has and uses. The young man used everything from Hollywood folklore to actual facts to support his belief. As I listened for a few brief moments, I was hit with realization that this young man simply wants something, anything, to believe in. I don’t know much about a book of secrets, but I do know that when we have something to believe in there is a hope for tomorrow. This young man in all his zeal about a book of secrets has missed the most important thing to believe in. It is Christ. He is the only one who can give us a hope and a future. Sure the enemy can give false hope in many things, but he can never give true hope. True hope comes only through the Lord.
So, I learned a lesson today... everyone wants something to believe in. I have a responsibility to point those people to my Lord, who is my hope. Why would I do anything less? Until next time…
As I was eating my food, there was an older gentleman sitting a nearby table chatting with some younger men about the war and what it was like. I enjoyed listening to him talk about what it was like when he was in the service. I could tell that he was enjoying having an audience and his companions were enthralled with his stories. I also overheard another conversation with a family at another table. It was funny to hear them talking about a recent trip to the shoe store. Now before you go on thinking that I just sit around listening to other peoples conversations, please understand that those that I heard were talking loud enough for the whole diner to hear and I enjoyed good conversation with the people at my table also.
So, finally I was waiting to pay and heard a conversation between a young man and an older man. The young man was trying to convince the older man that there was indeed a book of secrets that the President of the United States has and uses. The young man used everything from Hollywood folklore to actual facts to support his belief. As I listened for a few brief moments, I was hit with realization that this young man simply wants something, anything, to believe in. I don’t know much about a book of secrets, but I do know that when we have something to believe in there is a hope for tomorrow. This young man in all his zeal about a book of secrets has missed the most important thing to believe in. It is Christ. He is the only one who can give us a hope and a future. Sure the enemy can give false hope in many things, but he can never give true hope. True hope comes only through the Lord.
So, I learned a lesson today... everyone wants something to believe in. I have a responsibility to point those people to my Lord, who is my hope. Why would I do anything less? Until next time…
Monday, January 2, 2012
A Refreshing Of The Old
Happy New Year, dear ones!
I have been delinquent in my blog during the month of December and I am sorry. I have been fighting off a rather nasty sickness that has left me in the bed quite a bit this past month. Anyway, I feel as though I am on the mend and can't wait to get back started with my varied activities and goals. I look forward to what the Lord has for 2012.
As with any new year, I take this time to look over the past year and see what the Lord has done. He has been good, faithful, gracious, giving and loving in so many ways. However, this year I am more looking forward to what the Lord wants to do into the next year.
During this time of illness, I have realized that God has given me dreams and goals that He wants me to take off the shelf, dust off and get moving toward. It is a refreshing of the old. I have learned through scripture and godly teaching that God doesn't just give us dreams and goals to give us hope, but He gives them to us for fulfillment. I believe that God will fulfill the dreams and goals He has given me and I am excited about the prospect. I look forward to the moment of fulfillment. And that in turns gives me hope for tomorrow. God has given me hope!
What a joy it is to know that God has plans, good plans, for me and you and He can't wait to bring them to fulfillment. So, during this new year of resolutions and goals, ask the Lord if there are dreams and goals that He wants you to take off the shelf and dust off. God is in the business of fulfilling the dreams He gives us.
Blessing for 2012, my dear ones! Until next time...
I have been delinquent in my blog during the month of December and I am sorry. I have been fighting off a rather nasty sickness that has left me in the bed quite a bit this past month. Anyway, I feel as though I am on the mend and can't wait to get back started with my varied activities and goals. I look forward to what the Lord has for 2012.
As with any new year, I take this time to look over the past year and see what the Lord has done. He has been good, faithful, gracious, giving and loving in so many ways. However, this year I am more looking forward to what the Lord wants to do into the next year.
During this time of illness, I have realized that God has given me dreams and goals that He wants me to take off the shelf, dust off and get moving toward. It is a refreshing of the old. I have learned through scripture and godly teaching that God doesn't just give us dreams and goals to give us hope, but He gives them to us for fulfillment. I believe that God will fulfill the dreams and goals He has given me and I am excited about the prospect. I look forward to the moment of fulfillment. And that in turns gives me hope for tomorrow. God has given me hope!
What a joy it is to know that God has plans, good plans, for me and you and He can't wait to bring them to fulfillment. So, during this new year of resolutions and goals, ask the Lord if there are dreams and goals that He wants you to take off the shelf and dust off. God is in the business of fulfilling the dreams He gives us.
Blessing for 2012, my dear ones! Until next time...
Thursday, December 8, 2011
O Christmas Tree
Happy Christmas!
My family enjoys many things during the holidays, but I think my favorite is decorating our Christmas tree. Because of our current situation, we had decided that a Christmas tree was not the most important thing on our list this Christmas and we were willing to enjoy all the other decorations without a tree. I think that God cares about even the small things, in life. I say this because He provided a tree for us to decorate. It was a simple blessing!
As we were decorating the tree, we laughed at the ornaments that we made when we were two. You remember the ones, the cotton ball laden paper with glitter that is suppose to be a snowflake and the tin foil covered cup with a jingle bell that is suppose to be a Christmas bell. I also love the fun ornament that dad brought back from a trip when I was six. Those are the fun memories that are so fun to share when decorating our tree. We laugh and giggle like a bunch of kids. It’s just one big night of fun and laughs with my family!
This years tree is full of ornaments…I mean FULL! As I looked at the tree, it hit me that there is a good life lesson here. You know how I love to pull life lessons from the simple things in my life What could this lesson be?
As I pondered, the lesson hit me: We love to decorate ourselves for all to see, but the most important thing is the backbone that is holding it all together. Jesus is the backbone. I can make myself look all pretty on the outside, but He is the one who makes everything stay together. Interesting right? The tree is the most important part of the beautiful display that is our Christmas tree. Let’s face it, without the tree we would just have a pile of colorful plastic and glass. It’s the same with me and Jesus. Without Him, I would just be a mess of colorful clothing and makeup. I need Him to perfect me. I must press in and learn more about Jesus if He is going to hold me together. It does me no good to simply say that I know Him; I must grow closer to Him. I must read about Him. I must talk to Him. I must spend time just being with Him. I must hold tight to the backbone, so the “decorations” are all the more beautiful.
Praying that you enjoy simple blessings this Christmas! Until next time..Blessings!
My family enjoys many things during the holidays, but I think my favorite is decorating our Christmas tree. Because of our current situation, we had decided that a Christmas tree was not the most important thing on our list this Christmas and we were willing to enjoy all the other decorations without a tree. I think that God cares about even the small things, in life. I say this because He provided a tree for us to decorate. It was a simple blessing!
As we were decorating the tree, we laughed at the ornaments that we made when we were two. You remember the ones, the cotton ball laden paper with glitter that is suppose to be a snowflake and the tin foil covered cup with a jingle bell that is suppose to be a Christmas bell. I also love the fun ornament that dad brought back from a trip when I was six. Those are the fun memories that are so fun to share when decorating our tree. We laugh and giggle like a bunch of kids. It’s just one big night of fun and laughs with my family!
This years tree is full of ornaments…I mean FULL! As I looked at the tree, it hit me that there is a good life lesson here. You know how I love to pull life lessons from the simple things in my life What could this lesson be?
As I pondered, the lesson hit me: We love to decorate ourselves for all to see, but the most important thing is the backbone that is holding it all together. Jesus is the backbone. I can make myself look all pretty on the outside, but He is the one who makes everything stay together. Interesting right? The tree is the most important part of the beautiful display that is our Christmas tree. Let’s face it, without the tree we would just have a pile of colorful plastic and glass. It’s the same with me and Jesus. Without Him, I would just be a mess of colorful clothing and makeup. I need Him to perfect me. I must press in and learn more about Jesus if He is going to hold me together. It does me no good to simply say that I know Him; I must grow closer to Him. I must read about Him. I must talk to Him. I must spend time just being with Him. I must hold tight to the backbone, so the “decorations” are all the more beautiful.
Praying that you enjoy simple blessings this Christmas! Until next time..Blessings!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)