Daily GPS

Good morning friends. Hope you are all doing well. I have been out of touch lately for minor health concerns but in today’s Covid world, nothing seems minor, especially if upper respiratory systems are malfunctioning. There is no such thing as the common cold anymore. So when that happens we stay home to keep from sharing our fun. But when we pull out of the physical connection we have to then turn to satellite connections and if our satellite connections are not working correctly we are at a loss.

We have been talking on Sundays about how we are all connected for one purpose – to share the love of Christ – through various teams and many different ways. And we need to stay connected to be able to do that which can be difficult. We are sometimes dependent on satellites to help us navigate through our inabilities to be there in person and when we get the famous sayings that can run across our screen like – “Lost Internet Connection” or “Satellite Connection Not Found” – then we feel frustrated. My connection Sunday was funny and I am sure it was all on my particular internet feed. I got the message of lost connection but yet I didn’t lose the voice, the picture would just blip off a second or two and come back on but what was funny was the picture and sound were no longer in sync. My devotion this morning reminded me of our dependence on technology and how even when driving to unknown places we turn to GPS to find our way. The more I read, I chuckled a bit and thought there is really only one GPS connection we must maintain…
G – God’s

P – Personal

S – Salvation
In reality, the fast and amazing technological connections of today may let us down and the connections we have with our friends and family may periodically let us down. There is only one connection that will NEVER let us down, and that connection is the one we have with God.

Through God’s own GPS system, He will help us navigate through any situation we may come across, and when we don’t have the strength to go on our own, He will carry us…No satellite connection required.

So even when you feel unconnected with the world around you, you will always be connected with God.

Relax in the warmth of His connection today and remember to always be kind.

January 26th & 1Minute Fiction

Bruster stared down from the top of the towering building. How could a creature have done this on purpose. All the beautiful forest, its majestic trees…gone. And the loss of so much life. All done in what they call growth…or something called progress.

“Humph,” said Bruster shaking his head, ruffling his feathers and stretching out his massive eagle wings.

He thought on memories of before. The beauty of the land, the sounds of life from those who lived in and around the trees…all gone, replaced by unimaginable noise. He raised his head and took flight in hopes of finding another forest he could call home.

Come join in with Cranny’s Cove of #1MinFiction and share your thoughts. And as you play with your writing and pictures remember the beauty of kindness and be kind to all of creation.

Thoughts Behind Encouragement

Good evening friends. I had someone ask “why I do this” the other day and after thinking seriously about it, I did come up with an answer that I always thought was it – Because I was asked to. But lets back that up a bit and unpack it. While I am a Christian and I do go to church, that is fully not the reason.

“The church is the only institution that exist primarily for the benefit of those who are not its members.” William Temple, Arch Bishop of Canterbury

Think about that statement that was made several decades ago that still rings true today. This past Sunday, pastor Rob spoke on this statement and what it really means for the church to be reaching out. And we are not talking about the church as a building but the church as an entity, its people. We are told to go and invite others to come see what Christ is about. All through the New Testament, Jesus tells us to go and tell His story. His story of how much He loves us and how much He cares about everything we are going through, good and bad. He cheers with us when its good, He carries us when its bad. And he wants everyone to know this so He tells us to go tell others. Plant the seed of curiosity and see if it will grow.

I am in no way any type of preacher or evangelistic leader. I am a tiny light in this dark world who has experienced dark times and the bright light of Christ. So, I choose to share it here with those who care to read. Because I am a visual person, I incorporate pictures with scriptures because to me they are easier to read.

When we can share His stories of hope, with the love, kindness and goodness of what Christ is all about, then it intrigues others to want to hear more, so you tell them more. And all through God’s word are stories of how much He loves us.

And nothing can break that bond of love once it is established.

***From Genesis through to Revelation, His Love for you is ALWAYS there.***

Therefore, I write encouragements to help others who may need to have a moment of kindness, a handful of hope and a direction of where to go find other assurances of love that is there for all who want it. ALL! If I can encourage 1 person with each note that I write, then I feel my note was a good one. And I read more inspiring works from people(and the Bible) to find new ways to encourage others of how special they are because God never makes a mistake in creating.

Always remember we are all wonderfully made for His purposes. Yes, we do get off track time to time, but He is always right there to help guide us right back where we need to be. And He does it gently and with kindness which is why I always close with a picture showing the beauty and power of kindness.

Exposure in Mistreatment of My Dog

Come join in with Debbie at Travel Intent to share your 6 Word Saturday fun.

And as always, remember to be kind.

I Moved

I posted last week that I created an office in my spare bedroom which was a good idea to get me off the high chairs I have at my dining room table. Well, it turns out that the second bedroom was not a good choice. Its a corner room with two outside walls and when is -2 degrees outside, that room is a bit chilly. Okay so I am a wimp but the other thing is the light in that room needed new lightbulbs. Easy enough, right…wrong. That light is so old the bulbs are rusted in or just set in place without coming out. I can not do a new light right now so we move again.

My bedroom is quite large with enough room for a small couch. No need for that but my new desk fits perfectly at the end of the bed. I can then rotate in my chair if I want, to watch the fireplace. Daisy loves this choices because she gets to be close to mommy, the fireplace and sprawl all over the bed.

Now we just wait for inspiring words to come to mind to be able to write.

I think in all that we should write, kindness should always find a way to come forth somewhere, it should be important in all that we do. Even in stories of bad things happening, there can always be a moment of kindness – it gives us hope.

***We who write can always add kindness,***

Weekend Encouragement

Good morning friends. I have not given any encouragement this week and thought today would be a good day. It’s the end of one week with our eyes focused on a new week to come. Today I bring you encouraging words from Steven Scott and his devotion book Jesus Speaks. It’s a wonderful devotion that has a commentary hosting all the words that Jesus spoke that is separated by topics.

Since this is a quick word of encouragement, we all understand how easy it is to get discouraged. But we need to remember where our discouragement comes from. It comes from our adversary, satan, whose task it is to steal our life of happiness. He knows that if he can make us miserable, we focus on what we have lost, what we no longer have for it has been taken away from us. But we must remember that Jesus came to give us life.

Jesus is our Shepherd that brings us abundant life that is eternal. When Jesus gave up his life for us on the cross, He defeated satan. Jesus broke satan’s power and authority over us. But we are merely human and have a tendency to forget this power and submit to the rules of this temporary kingdom, forgetting our eternal kingdom. This robs us of the joy we find when we are in touch, by mind and heart, with Jesus.

So start each day in His Word with thankfulness and He will surround you with an inner peace beyond anything you could imagine, regardless of the chaos of this world that is beating at your door. Breathe in His peace.

And remember to reflect this peace with kindness in all that you do and the light of Christ will shine from you.

FOTD, Jan 19

So glad Cee allows archive pictures when there is several inches of snow on the ground. Snow can be so depressing for us who are not a big fan of it. But flowers always make is smile. So for my Flower of the Day, I jump back to 2019 when I had multiple colors of Vincas in my yard.

The feathering out of the white into the light purple color gave them a softness. I have not been able to find that color again but will look again in the spring. Come on spring. LOL.

We should embrace the beauty of each day and not wish the seasons to go too quickly. Each season has a beauty of its on, I am just not a big fan of cold and snow.

Come join in on the fun and share a flower with us.

And remember the beauty kindness and share that wherever you can.

JusJoJan the 17th

Linda Hill brings us the fun interesting side of January with Just Jot January.

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 17th, 2022, is “joy.” Use the word “joy” any way you’d like. Enjoy! This prompt was brought to us by theindieshe. Thanks, theindieshe! Please be sure to visit their blog to read a post and say hello.

Joy – I am probably not filled with joy right now as my neighbor is playing loud music at 1:00 am. But I am filled with joy as my college football team won the National Championship.

Joy is not a feeling. Happy is a feeling. Joy is a state on mind, a choice. Its generally not driven by emotions. It come from the inner being of your soul. Joy is something you share with others to show them you are standing with them, you get them.

In my Christian life, Joy is peace. Peace knowing there is a God who loves you even when you don’t feel loveable.

And I come back again to choice. Joy is a choice. Like Kindness, kindness is also a choice so try to choose to plant kindness today.

Ready…Set…Go…

For the last year plus I have been having issues with my back and sight when I sit for long times at the computer. After much investigation, I boiled it down to two things – 1 ergonomics and 2 -age. Age I can do nothing about – well I can but what fun is that – so what can do do ergonomically to help.? Get away from the dining room table with the high hairs where my legs hang. While these chairs are fashionable and comfy for eating, there is little to no support for my arms or back…or legs for that matter.

Solution…

A writing desk…just for me. It’s not big but its big enough. Ergonomically comfy chair, desk at correct height, a window where I can see outside and my puppet friends above and below who encourage me and give me ideas to write about. Bruce, down below, has a tendency to be snappy but alas he is a shark, so…

Saturday I was able to pop out a 7,000 words short story and NO PAIN. YAY! Still have a few vision issues but I am old and got new glasses with a filter built in that blocks the light coming from the computer. So we will see how that goes. So hopefully with these new changes, and the start of a new year, we can get more stories written, more fun shared plus more stories read and pictures shared.

Hope you are ready as well for this new year and let us always remember that in all we do, let do it kindly. Share the beauty of kindness like fresh fallen snow – it covers everything.

Encouragement Analogy

I woke up this morning still tired from the pacing and stress of the night. My throat is still sore from all the yelling and pleading…at the TV. It was National Championship night for college football. And yes, my team won. Yeah, Go Dawgs.

But this morning I was reminded that we are all winners in a championship game. This life is temporary but we are in it for the win. Jesus is on the side lines, in the stands and standing right beside us cheering us on as we do good and pacing when we misstep, ever guiding us along the Way. He never leaves our side. And we must praise Him in this promises.

What is a promise – according to Webster – a statement telling someone that you will definitely do something or that something will definitely happen in the future.

All through His Word, Old Testament and New, he reminds us of how important each person is to Him and how He is ever on the sideline cheering us onward. His love for us knows no bounds. This picture below is called First Day of Heaven, but just remember, while we are on this earth, He is still hugging us that fiercely.

So I encourage you today to feel His love as it surrounds you. Embrace it and know that it is real and be assured that no person, no circumstance, no misstep you may make will ever turn Him away from His love for you.

As you embrace this day, let His light shine from you to others whose light may not be as bright. But the light is always there, sometimes you just have to dust it off a bit. Dust with kindness and that light will shine bright.