02.03.10
Interview with the Devil
01.30.10
*Weekly Inspiration
Join the group, "Light and Salt" on facebook to receive your free daily word! It will appear weekly on CBS.
Down In The Valley
Once, one of my wonderful daughter in laws said to me a very remarkable thing. Her comment was that the best pastures are in the valleys and not on the mountain tops. In my area, the river bottoms, that area of land that borders a river, is the most fertile land; the best pastures. We often believe that we are much better when God allows us to be on top of a mountain. Being on top of a mountain is a nice place to rest and relax but when God is ready to bring new learning into our lives we often must travel into a deep valley. Sure we complain; we like the trouble freeness of the high country. The valley represents problems, troubles and in Psalm 23, even death. The next time you find yourself in a valley, stop; ask God to explain the purpose of the move and what you are to receive in the valley. God is very willing to tell you the lesson He has for you. He doesn't hide what He wants to teach you but, if we will ask, will make it abundantly clear. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it will be opened to you.
I Am What I Am
Sometimes I become so frustrated with me. I see others around me who appear different; who seemed to have a completely different outlook on life than me. My human nature tells me to desire to be as those I see, to become a cookie cutter copy of everyone else. But God tells me I am unique; He didn't make another just like me. Of the billions that have come before me and many that will follow, I am the only me. Even before God designed this earth and began to create it, He had a plan for me; He knew I would exist now. He had a devised plan for my life, allowing me the freedom to either follow or reject that plan. Because of His marvelous love he has influenced me along the way and today I am what I am. We are told that to whom much is given, much is required; much has been given to me therefore much is required of me. I must take the blessings received and the uniqueness created and focus my life on service to God by being a servant to all.
Check's in The Mail
If you remember, I suggested that we contribute to the relief effort in Haiti an equal amount as we spend on ourselves during the weekend. I always try to comply with what I suggest and I did this time. However, when I said what i did about giving I had a figure in mind based on what I normally spend during a weekend. This weekend was going as normal until I happened to stop by the shoe store again; I had been looking for a few weeks. This time I found just what I needed and bought them. I didn't think of the giving to Haiti until after the purchase was made, then God said "you just bought your neighbor a pair of shoes". To be honest, I twisted and squirmed. I tried to convince myself I couldn't do this but God wouldn't allow me to back out. Yesterday, I wrote the check including a pair of shoes and dropped it in the mail. I do hope my neighbor likes their new shoes. I really like the feeling I have knowing I did what I should do. Thank you Lord, for helping me to give.
Yes, We Can
I just saw the report that the GOP won the special election to fill the Senate seat of Teddy Kennedy; in a state with a large democratic majority
I will insert my disclaimer here: I am not saying these political parties represent good and evil. We can bring about a change in this world if we will follow our leader and unite. We need to stop allowing the enemy to divide us. If we would but focus on the goal at hand with country, this world can change. We can lead the lost to Christ. We can recommit ourselves to the Lord. We can stand up and speak up for what is right according to the Word of God. Why is there a Republican senator in Mass. today? Because many people wanted a change and were willing to do what was necessary to make a change. God isn't going to change our land until we do our part. He is not going to make the first move. Are you happy with the status quo? If you are sit still and do nothing but if a world according to the laws and principles of God is your desire then take the first step. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Humble yourself, pray, seek God and repent of your sin are the first steps necessary.
I will insert my disclaimer here: I am not saying these political parties represent good and evil. We can bring about a change in this world if we will follow our leader and unite. We need to stop allowing the enemy to divide us. If we would but focus on the goal at hand with country, this world can change. We can lead the lost to Christ. We can recommit ourselves to the Lord. We can stand up and speak up for what is right according to the Word of God. Why is there a Republican senator in Mass. today? Because many people wanted a change and were willing to do what was necessary to make a change. God isn't going to change our land until we do our part. He is not going to make the first move. Are you happy with the status quo? If you are sit still and do nothing but if a world according to the laws and principles of God is your desire then take the first step. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Humble yourself, pray, seek God and repent of your sin are the first steps necessary.
You Are a Writer
We each are busy wrting the story of our life. Each day we add a bit more to that story; be it good or bad. We have the luxury of creating the story we desire. As you plan the story of you, what do you desire to include. Is education going to be a major chapter? What about having a family: marriage, kids, a home, bills, headaches, laughter, hugs, and all that comes with a family? Have you considered including anything about God? Will God be an important chapter in your story or just casually mentioned from time to time throughout your life's story without any real importance given to God? You are writing this story not so much for you but for those that follow you. What do you wish them to find? Does your life include loving, giving, sharing, putting others first? Does your life's story tell of that time when you confesssed your sin to God and accepted the gift of Hiis Son as payment for your sin? You are the author, write your story as you desire; but remember others will read it. Once it is written you can't change it.
01.30.10
Weekly Inspiration 2
I will be posting my daily writings, weekly on this webpage. If you would like to get them daily, please join the group Light and Salt, on facebook. Members will receive my daily message. Please provide feedback! God Bless.
Donald Huffaker
Just a Bit Different
This is not to be Obama bashing or Bush bashing but I am concerned about the direction this country is going. Today, I am requesting you to respond to a few questions. 1. Do you like where this country is today? Whether you answer yes or no, please give a reason for you response. 2. What would you like to see changed about this country? 3. What can you do to make the desired changes? Please don't be one of those that simply answer that these are just a signs of the times and there is nothing we can do. God is very much alive and in control .
Jeremiah 7:24
"They did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward." Is Jeremiah writing about this generation; our world today. Too many people live their lives following only the dictates of their hearts, wills and minds. There are no absolutes remaining in our culture; nothing is forever wrong or forever right. I guess those that believe that absolutes have vanished believe if they drop something it may float upward; the law of garvity is an absolute. God is also an absolute; his commandments are a settled issue. Failing to follow those commandments have predetermined results; another settled issue. The world will lead you to destruction but God will give you life eternal. God's counsel is right listen and incline your ear to Him.
God Made a Mistake
It would have been so much better if God had made all of us alike. All of us should be the same color, the same height, the same weight, the same sex, the same intelligence, have the same gifts and talents; all of us should be just like every other person. We see a person that differs from us in some way and judge them according to our prejudices. If they weigh more then we say they are lazy and should work to keep their weight down. If they are of a different color we judge them on some preconceived stetrotype of people of that color. Maybe we should be more like God and see people as they truly are, not mentally changing them into our accepted format. To often our opinion of another is based on exterior appearances and not on what is on the inside. We make quick decisions based on physical characteristics, many of which the person has no control over; we should, with the help of God, learn the true person; the one on the inside. Maybe for just one day it would be nice to wear ourselves inside out. God sees us on the inside; shouldn't we see others the same?
Hey, This Ain't It.
No 'it' is yet to come. This life is much like school; preparing us for life-eternal life. This is the time we are intoduced to Jesus and must decide if we wish for Him to be our instructor or to find another. If we accept Him as instructor then this becomes the time to learn by the 'hands on' method. We learn patience by having to wait. We build strength by suffering; ever heard 'no pain, no gain'? We learn love by giving, by sharing. We develop boldness by standing up for Jesus. You do still remember all those tests those great teachers gave while you were in school. Jesus is our teacher, He is no different than other teachers; He gives tests. Are you committed to making good grades or are you satisfied by just getting by? Remember those multiple choice tests; life has many. We must decide which is the right answer. Jesus has provided a study guide; the correct response to each question we face is included. Do you wish to graduate with honors and hear our instructor say, "Well done"; one of the choices you must make. This ain't it, it begins at commencement.
Footprints
Today I received a post about 'Footprints in the Sand'. It depicts one set of footprints in the sand and shows a person being carried by another. We normally say and according to the poem that this is Jesus carrying us at times through our life's journey. In reality, the way we often act it is probably us carrying Jesus. Too many times we take the lead and to speed things up a bit we grab up Jesus and hurry toward our destination. We get the cart before the horse. How often we forget that we are here for the pleasure of God. We are to do as we are directed. We are to follow His leadership. It is time for us to get up from the throne of our lives and allow the righful One to be seated. Then we should bow at His feet and beg forgiveness. Time for us to play that kids game of 'follow the leader'. We need to be followers and He be the leader.
Why The Rain
Where I am today it is raining. I began to think of the raindrops as tears from the eyes of God. We know that Jesus wept more than once so I am sure the Father weeps also. But what would be the cause of the Father's tears? Maybe God looks down from His throne and sees all the pain and hurt of His creation brought about by the downfall of man. Man's sin is the cause of all the misery we suffer. Maybe God looks at those that claim to be His children and see how disobedient they are. I have three sons and at times it brought tears to my eyes when they did wrong. Just maybe those are not tears of sorrow but tears of joy. Maybe God sees within your heart how you have decided to return to Him and to walk the path He has set for you; what joy He feels over one lost sheep returning to the fold.
01.10.10
The Woman Who Gave so Little, but Gave it All
If you could just crawl into my mind and visit all the wonderful memories I have of this lady it would be much better than for me to try to put it into words. There have been a few people throughout my life that have made lasting impressions. It seems a bit odd but most have been women. But for now allow me to share some of my memories of Miss Artie.
I really don’t remember when I first met Miss Artie; she just seems to have always been there, a permanent fixture of the church I attended. Miss Artie was a very small woman; when she rode the bus to church the driver had to pick her up and place her on the bus. I really can’t tell you how tall she was but I do remember when she sat on a pew at church her feet stuck straight out like a very small child. She had problems walking because of some deformity to her feet and legs.
Miss Artie may have been small physically but she was a giant spiritually. I often think about what the Bible says about entertaining angels unaware when I think of Miss Artie. No, Miss Artie was one of us; flesh and blood and a sinner saved by the grace of God. She was always ready to share that with anyone that would listen.
For a few years I was responsible for giving a short devotional before Sunday school. Everyone met in the auditorium for a few minutes and then went to their respective classes. Each Sunday morning I would take my place on the front row awaiting my time to speak and each Sunday morning Miss Artie was there in that front row. She always greeted me with this big smile and then we would talk until time for the program to begin. She always had so much encouragement to share. I was very shy and really didn’t like to be in front of people speaking but God had plans for me and this was the first step. She would assure me that God was with me and I would be fine. She said God had given me what to say and to just open my mouth and let it out. At times during my short talk I would glance in her direction to be always met with a smile and her eyes filled with thoughts of encouragement.
As I said earlier, Miss Artie was always ready to share what God was doing in her life and how blessed she was by Him. I can remember a few times she would go forward during the invitation and ask the pastor to allow her to speak, to share what God had placed on her heart. The church we attended was ultra conservative at that time and took very literally that passage that says something about women are to remain silent in church. I would sit in my seat listening to Miss Artie’s testimony and at the same time wonder which of the men had enough ‘intestinal fortitude’ to go forward and tell her it wasn’t allowed for her to speak publicly. I remember thinking if someone had attempted to ‘shut her up’ it might have been like when the two that sold their property and gave only part of it to the church saying they had given all were struck dead.
Another example of how this wonderful woman impressed me was in her faithfulness to give to the Lord. This church operated a youth camp and received offerings from anyone that desired to support this ministry. I only know she gave because at this time the church published in a newsletter each month the gifts received. You need to remember this was in the 1970 so money was money then. Miss Artie each month faithfully gave her two dollars. You may say that wasn’t much but I am sure that to her it was equivalent to others giving two hundred or even two thousand. When I would see the report and always see her name I would be reminded of the poor widow that gave all she had. Jesus didn’t honor those that gave of their plenty but He did honor this woman that gave so little but gave all.
If Miss Artie was just as she was here on earth when she got to heaven I am sure Jesus Himself bent down and gently picked her up and carried her into the glory of heaven.
12.25.09
The Day After Christmas
Another Christmas has come and gone. Time to take a deep breath, relax, and remember all the pleasant things you've just experienced. The cleaning can wait, exchanging those wrong-sized or unwanted gifts can be done another day, and you new diet can begin sometime after January 1. Did you get want you wanted this year? Was this the year that you were able to truly smile and be thankful for what you received?
All my family gathered on Christmas Eve at my Mother’s house and had, as nearly as possible, our traditional Christmas celebration. As is tradition, I prepared the meal, this year I fixed home-made pizza. Maybe it was just within me but it seemed to be almost a farewell to what we had all known and shared since childhood. Mother was in her room in her hospital bed and seemed to know and sometimes respond to those around her, but it was truly different. I received some of the best presents I have ever received. I received thanks from my brother for preparing the meal and for getting some of the other parts of the evening organized. Does that sound odd? Maybe! But it was so meaningful to me. I received smiles from many members of my family. That isn’t unusual but was very special this year. I received help and heartwarming thanks from the lady that cares for my Mother; she has become a part of the family. We aren’t a huggy/kissy family so when I received a few hugs I accepted them as very special gifts. But the most special gift I received was being allowed to spend one more Christmas with my Mother and my family in the setting where I have celebrated Christmas for some sixty four years. I must be very hard- headed because it has taken me so many years to finally realize in a personal way the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas, in truth, has nothing to do with decorations, presents, food, or stress. Christmas is a point in our long year when we are brought face to face with the birth and reality of love. Christmas is that one day of the year when we are brought face to face with Jesus; we are brought face to face with love. I am sure none of you and neither did I, open a present and find a package of love. I did receive love in every present I opened. It wasn’t in those presents; it was in the faces, words, and actions of my family. God so love me that he gave me His Son to die for me, but he also gave me so many people to affirm that love He has for me. I had a wonderful Christmas. I received what I truly needed and it fits perfectly. I hope to wear it every day. I don’t even care if wearing it so much wears it out because I feel confident that God will renew it. My simple prayer is that I have learned to love and will share the love I have been given with all I meet. I believe it is more blessed to give than receive so I desire to give and give and give every ounce of love that is within me. I had a lovely Christmas!
12.20.09
Christmas Evolution
It is the Christmas season again, the time of lights, mistletoe, gifts, and too much to eat. It is the time of hurry, hurry, hurry and stress. If you have even a glimmer of a belief in evolution; please explain how that original Christmas, the birth of the Christ Child, has become what we today call Christmas. As much as I try to understand how the birth of God’s Son under such meager circumstances has become a time of extravagance, too many gifts and too much to eat; I come up without an acceptable answer.
The Baby was a gift from God the Father to a lost world, sent with the expressed purpose of dying; not for a life of personal attainment but of sacrifice. The Wise Men that came from countries east of Israel sometime after the birth came to see the young child, to present gifts to Him, and to worship Him. They didn’t simply give a gift to a family member or to a neighbor to justify their need and desire to presents gifts directly to Jesus. Today we spend many hours preparing for this day we have set aside to celebrate Jesus birth. We spend many hours going from store to store searching for that perfect gift for that special person. We often buy something just to satisfy that need to give a present, spending time and money to fulfill the societal norms. We justify our efforts by saying it is our representation of what God did for the world. Sounds so good and almost holy but do we really even think of that precious gift from God as we scurry about the malls. God the Father set it all in motion and gave the first Christmas gift to those in need. Maybe we should reevaluate what we do and to whom we give gifts. To me if but one person receives a gift then that gift should go to the “Birthday Boy”. In this culture it is proper if a gift is given to give that gift to the one having the birthday. I doubt many of you have ever attended a birthday party and took gifts to all the guests and didn’t include a gift for the person having the birthday. Why did we allow it to evolve to the point that time and money is spent on everyone other than the appropriate one?
Wouldn’t it but fantastic for us to include Jesus on our gift list; actually His name should be first? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the most expensive gift was purchased just for Him? I am sure you are questioning my reasoning, wondering why would even mention such a ridiculous notion as to buy a gift for a person that is only here in spirit. If you bought a gift what would you buy for a spirit? My idea may sound foolish but it is Biblical. Let us read Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Christmas is truly nothing more than the celebration of a birthday; true, it is the birthday of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, but still it is a birthday. Our customs dictate that we give gifts to the one having a birthday. If we wish to remain in line with the customs of our culture then we definitely must give Jesus a present and He has provided the way to accomplish this. Can you begin to fathom the good and the help to those in need if we would follow the directions given in Matthew 25:40? All we need to do to give that special gift to Jesus is to give a needed gift to one of the least; the least are those with great need and God wants to use us to satisfy that need. If we fail to do as directed then possibly that need will exist longer and those with the need will suffer longer.
As I was thinking about writing this, I thought what could happen to change the world if all the money spent on Christmas presents would be used to meet the need of the poor and suffering. Isn’t that what Jesus is all about—love. God so loved, Jesus came and died all for the love they have for us. We are to reach into ourselves and pull that love of God out from our core and share it with those around us; those in the greatest need. If you are wondering about the effects on the economy; relax, the same amount of money is being spent, it may be for different things now but the cash flow is still the same. Well, maybe that isn’t completely true since much of what we do now is on credit and would we still go into debt to help the less fortunate.
Another thought surfaced, consider all the time expended with preparing for Christmas; multiple hours spent running back and forth, up and down the halls of all the retailers, time spent wrapping each present just so soon that bright paper can be ripped off to reveal what is hidden. What if even a percentage of this time was given to do good for those requiring help? How would it be if some of the time we spend on Christmas was given to servicing meals to those that are hungry? We could spend some time passing out blankets, coats, and gloves to those that must endure the cold. We could do many wonderful things for the least of our society, those that according to the Bible represent Jesus.
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year but we could make it wonderful to many more if we would follow the example of God the Father and give that Christmas present to a world in need.
12.13.09
Denominationalism: Diversity or Disunity
For years I have thought that denominations were a curse and a product of Satan. I wanted to finally study the subject and not simply carry about some unfounded idea. Was denominationalism just something I view as evil or was there a basis for my belief?
To begin my study I needed to find the number of denominations that existed: Christian denominations. This has proven to be an impossible task because there is no certifying agency for denominations, therefore a group maybe be considered a denomination in one part of the world and a cult in another, while in some areas it may be consider neither. The best I could find was an estimated number; this was found on Wikipedia. According to their information there are over 38,000 Christian denominations. If you heard what you thought was a sonic boom, it was simply my jaw hitting my desk. I was astounded that what was begun only 2000 years ago had split and re-split so many times.
With my jaw back in its proper place I turned to God’s Word, the Bible; the one authority on Christianity. What does the Bible say about denominations and which is the proper one? Which of the some 38,000 denominations that cover this globe was established by that person that laid the foundation for the Church, and became its head? I am not a Bible scholar and there is much within the pages of the Bible I don’t know but none of my study has brought me to that one denomination sanctioned by the Founder. He never set up an agency that would license franchises of the original.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 3:21 “Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” I may make too much of it but in this verse it does use the word “the” instead of “a” which denotes only one as if there was some choice. According to this verse there is only one church from which the Father can and will receive glory through the Son, Jesus Christ.
In Hebrews 10:25 we are told “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” We are to come together in a corporate worship for the purpose of exhorting or uplifting and supporting each other. We have a mandate from God to assemble ourselves together and thereby bring honor and glory to the Father through Christ Jesus.
In simple terms a church is those Christians or believers in Jesus Christ that cover together from time to time to refresh and to uplift other members of the assembly. An assembly of Christians: what can we glean from who composes this assembly as to the purpose and work of this group? 1 John 4:11-12 says, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us.” From what John says in this verse the one cementing component of the church is love and not the love we express for our dog, car, or favorite food but the love of God which is made perfect in us. As true Christians we have the Spirit of God living within us and that makes the love of God instrumental in our behavior.
Jesus said in John 17:21-22 “That they may be one: as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” Whether you are a Christian in the east, north, south, or west parts of this world we are to be one. Yes, on this earth, we may have a different language, like different foods, or even dress differently when worshiping but we are to be one. We all have that same Spirit of God teaching us, correcting us and praying with and for us. We are all children of God through the shed blood of Jesus and that makes us brother and sister and joint heirs with Jesus. We have a common Father and one who loves us so much he gave an unfathomable sacrifice for us.
Most denominations have been spawned by conflict and confrontation; disunity. This is not a product of the Spirit of God that indwells true believers but the product of the Evil One. God’s Word speaks of the original church as being of one mind as they waited for the coming of the Comforter promised by Jesus. God does not bring discord but unity; God is the originator of organization. God is the grantor of peace and where there is conflict and discord there is no peace. God has the ability to take even something that had a flawed beginning and use it for His honor and glory. Disunity brought about the split or the birth of a new denomination but with the guidance of the Holy Spirit diversity took its place. I remember an old saying from childhood about ‘birds of a feather flock together’. We seem to migrate to that which we are like and shun that which we have a difference with even if there is a basic similarity. I am the type that moves to the more traditional and relaxed form of worship while other may like the more ritual and formal. If we hold to the foundation of our existence then both are acceptable; we are diverse but unified.
When asked what was the greatest of all commandments Jesus answered, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Our neighbor may be our brother or sister in Christ but because they are diverse from us we have determined they are no longer worthy of our love and we refuse to worship with them. When any denomination or even any church within any denomination determines they are right and only they are recipients of the blessing a leadership of God; they are heading in the wrong direction. God doesn’t even just bless His children but the lost as well; it rains on the just and the unjust. If a group decides that they are much better that the rest of the world and God favors only them, they are ready for destruction since they are guilty of pride. To truly be in the will of God, one must be humble. If your denomination reaches the pinnacles of piousness and refuses to love and fellowship with their brothers and sisters in Christ they are wrong and are following Satan. If, however, you welcome with love and opened arms that person that may outwardly be different than you but nevertheless is a brother or sister then this is the unity of the church founded by the Lord. There are three groups of people we as Christians are to love; first we are to love the brethren; these are our fellow Christians. Second we are to love our enemies; the scope of those that may be our enemies is so wide that it is impossible to list all. We are to love our neighbors. These three groups may overlap at times and to me are all inclusive. I believe all of mankind falls in one of these three categories. As Christians we have the love of God within us and we are to show that love as He does to all. I didn’t say we are to love everything everyone may do but the person is to be the target of our love.
I can be a rather simple person at times and as I watch people and their relationships with others I am amazed. It has entered my mind on numerous occasions that when the Rapture comes there is going to have to be a whole lot of changing going on from earth to heaven. We can’t seem to get along here and I wonder how we think we will there.
Remember what Ephesians 4:5-6 says “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and in you all.” I don’t really care what name you hang over the door of the place where you gather to worship it is only important what name is in your heart and on your lips. Jesus told the nucleus of today’s church as he was about to ascend back into heaven to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” With diversity we can accomplish this task but with disunity we become the laughing stock of the world and the gossip on the town’s lips. With diversity we have more resources and many more opportunities to reach the world. There are people that a person in a coat and tie can’t reach while a person in overalls can. It is okay to be different; God told us to be different, we are not to conform to this world but to be transformed. However, we as Christians are on the same team and our goal is to spread the gospel to every creature; disunity will hinder if not make reaching that goal impossible.
Denominationalism based on diversity is good and energizes those involved to accomplish much. I like diversity, as much as I like a good hamburger I would hate to have to eat one at each meal. Denominationalism as the product of disunity is sinful and wrong. I know you may be doing great works in a group that has a foundation of disunity and lack of love and fellowship for your brethren but didn’t some come to Jesus at the judgment and say they had done many great works in his name and in His name cast out demons? What was the answer Jesus gave? Depart from me you who work wickedness. Find a denomination that is based on and practices love and the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ shun the rest.
12.09.09
It's Been Nice I Love You All
Weird? Maybe! But isn’t this a summation of life or at least how we are to respond to it? Amazing how these words seem to resonate in my brain and how important they are when expressed.
It truly has been nice. I have had a wonderful life and hope to have many more chapters to add to my book of life. No way has my life been perfect; it has been blessed with its fair share of trials, heart ache, problems, disappointments and grief. I do wish my vision had been as acute when I was younger as it has become since I have grown older. When I was young, I saw much of my life in very negative terms; I guess I was just a spoiled brat. With age and a bit of maturity life has developed a positive charge and life now is fun, exciting, and very challenging. Not nearly as frequently do I host one of my spectacular pity parties.
We, through our lives are to be busy creating memories; for us and for others. How we respond to each circumstance is part of the formation of a memory. Do those you have impacted have cherished memories or do they flinch when a memory of you and their life associated with you flashes through their brain? Wouldn’t it be so nice if most of the memories each of us have helped to create would bring that fuzzy feeling when relived? Wouldn’t it be nice if as that memory floats through the brain a smile spreads across the face and the words, ‘that was so nice’ form mental pictures of pleasure and comfort.
Even in those times of troubles, each of us must pass through, we can create good memories. If you have suffered the loss of a loved one you may have memories of that hug from a dear friend and the shared tears. Later you may have had the honor to support them in such a situation. Cherished memories of friendship, love, support wrapped in the blanket of loss. Loss, yes, but peace, comfort, and love because of the response of one that desired to share your pain and tears.
Thanks, isn’t always a word but often an action. It isn’t a bad thing to say “Thanks’ but many times it is much better to show thanks. A smile can be a gesture of thanks that will create a smile on the lips of the recipient. A hug, is a thanks, that gives that feeling of connection and that fuzzy feeling that what you have done was truly appreciated.
Take a few seconds or even a minute or two and express your appreciation for all those things that you receive. Many are small and a few may be huge but your gratitude should be shown for each. Drag yourself away from the materialism of our culture and refuse to equate to their monetary value. The best gifts I have ever received were priceless and I mean there is not a store in the world where they can be bought. The best gifts came from the givers heart and soul and went straight to my soul.
Have you ever received and encouraging word when things weren’t going just right in your life? What is the commercial worth of that? I have received many words of encouragement which have been worth the world to me; as precious as life itself.
When those words ‘thank you’ form in your brain and are to be expressed to someone propel them with warmth and love. Never allow those words to slip from your mouth without intense feeling. Make those words carry your feelings; communication is the act of transferring information, and in this case, feelings or emotions to the hearer. Remember how you feel when a person expresses their gratitude to you over that thing you injected into their life be it large or small.
I love you. It trickles from the tongue so easily at times. That little sentence is the foundation of this world. Be careful how you use these words. These words have been used selfishly to obtain our desires; so wrong, so evil, so ungodly. When you utter the words ‘I love you’ as they are to be rightfully spoken you speak from your soul. You are sharing God with that person; that God that lives within you and that God in whose image you were made is the source of that love you just shared.
Speaking of love is speaking of God; speak from your soul and not from your human desires. God isn’t a play thing to be toyed with and the love you speak is should be of God. The Bible tells us that God is love, not just something He does but what He is. We as humans have no ability to truly love apart from the love given to us and placed in us by God. We are not love but the channel for love. Sharing the love that is within you as a gift of God will be replenished. This defies the laws of man. With man if we give things away were have less but with God the more we give the more we have to give. If you want to be completely filled with love give love away to all you meet.
It’s been nice, thanks, I love you. What a way to depart from the presence of another. You never know if you will have another opportunity to speak these words so do avail yourself of every opportunity. It is a fact that there will come a time that it will be your last chance. Don’t have to face the dawning of that day with your last chance forever gone without the satisfaction that you parted with those words ringing in your ears as they traveled to the heart and soul of another. It’s been nice! Thanks! I love ALL of you!
