Tuesday Writing Prompt, If I Never…

If I Never…

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If I never explored the garden, of it’s love and beauty that be

I would miss yellows and purples or other colors to see

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If I never felt the raindrops, as it gathered on leaves around

I would never hear the beauty in its quiet, gentle sound

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If I never saw the sunset and it breathed after the storm

I would never see the beauty in the clouds as they form

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If I never saw the snowfall as to clung to trees above

I would never hear its quietness like the cooing of a dove

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If I never loved another how profoundly sad to be

For missing all those gifts from God that He would give to me.

Anita Neal

Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge which was started by our star writer Christine Ray. The prompts are designed to be quick challenges that can be written in 10 to 15 minutes, inspire you creatively, are fun, and get everyone interacting.

Today’s prompt: Write a poem using the phrase “if we never”

Come join in and as always, remember to be kind, it shows you true heart regardless of who, or what you are kind to. Let your kindness ripples be released into the world.

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Fragility of Life

Today I was slapped in the face by the fragility of this life and my heart was broken. I borrowed some pictures from google to help express my thoughts for tonight.

This life we have is so very precious and we tend sometimes to take it for granted. But scripture reminds us that flowers of life fade. But it is our duty to nurture every flower as long as we can, to always shower it in love and to always be kind.

The word love is mentioned over 130 times in the bible, so it is very important to God. He gave His son to us because He loved us. And we must be aware of Him as we walk beside Him because He still loves us…warts and all.

It is our hearts that show us who we are and it is through our actions that we show who God is…for God is love.

I encourage everyone to fully understand how very valuable you are to God. He created you…as you…for a reason and purpose. He was faithful in love in your creation and will remain faithful in love as you walk by his side.

So gather your beautiful flowers of loved ones around you and make sure they know how sweet their loving aroma is to God’s and you…and never ever forget how wonderful your aroma is to God and how very much He loves you. Have a blessed evening and remember to be kind.

Day is Over

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Day Is Over

The day is over and the night is near

Memories were made to hold so dear.

I think in earnest and reflect over this day

Of memories I made leaving nothing to say.

All memories made, some scary some fun

Will all be stored once this day is done.

Lift memories, thoughts and deep felt cares

To the Lord above who will always be there.

He watches with love as we close out each day

And promises to refill us with hope as we pray.

For the day is now over and night is near

So gather those thoughts and memories so dear.

Anita Neal

Photo Courtesy of Judi Beeler

There are times when God paints beauty in the sunset to remind us of His power and glory. When you day is over, take times to reflect on the gifts of that day and remember to always be kind.

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Nightly Encouragement, Laughter

Recently we started a new out-reach with our church to do evening encouragements. Normally people do morning encouragements to help get your day going but with Covid still among us and seeming growing for a second wave, we felt like all of our members could use some encouragement at the end of the day so yesterday we rolled out the Nightly Encouragements. The pictures are not mine but found on Christian websites that matched the message of encouragement I am trying to share. Tonight we are discussing the value of laughter. My hope is that if you decide to read on, that you are in some way encouraged to stand firm for another day.

In a time such as this, where we are weighed down with life around us…we need some laughter. We have been told laughter is the best medicine but laughter has many documented medical benefits as well.

But better than that, the bible tells us laughter is good medicine…

The benefits of laughter make us glad….brings us joy…and make us smile..

When we are filled with joy, we are kinder people. When we are filled with joy, we reflect the love of Christ. So, let us always be filled with Christ and reflect His grace.

Even when times are tough, things look bad, you can’t see a way out…remember God is always there. He is our rock that we stand on, our hope that we cling to and our peace that knows no other understanding except Christ alone. I leave you with this prayer in hoping a bountiful measure of blessing gets poured on you and your family.

And as always…try to be kind

A Little Nighttime Encouragement

With our hectic lives that we live, zooming here to there or staying closed off in our homes, we all need a little encouragement that everything will be okay…eventually. While no one can guarantee that, I can guarantee this…you are truly loved by God and I share this with you as a little encouragement to help keep you going.

To be encouraged is to be filled with courage, to face life as it moves around us. Let’s face it, there are many things we come upon that fill us with fear and discouragement, like… Is this what I need to do, am I good enough to get it done, did I do it right according to whomever, the list is endless… but Jesus encourages us with His word as He reminds us that all discouragements that have ever made in this world… He has ultimately squashed…

It is the enemy’s job to undermine out thinking, making us feel fear and uncertainty. While we are now in the middle of scary and uncertain times, I know for certain who really is in charge, God. While we do not understand His ways, we can understand His love. So let us snuggle up to Him as He gently gathers us in His loving arms for the evening. Let us relax in His tender mercies with the hope he grants us for restful sleep and encouragement for facing another day tomorrow.

Have a blessed evening. And remember to be Kind. It is a true reflection of Love.

Freedom

Good morning friends. Today in the US we are celebrating our Independence Day. I am dropping in to wish those of you who live here a very happy fourth of July and those who do not live here a special kind of freedom day. The freedoms we celebrate must always be cherished knowing freedom has NEVER been free. It is a costly choice. Each country has many brave men and women that fight to keep us free for the oppression of others who do not share our ideas of our cherished freedoms.

Back over 2,000 years ago, there was another person who made a costly choice because He loved and understood the beauty and power of freedom and all through scripture we are reminded of the power of this freedom and how it must be treasured.

When we live in freedom, sharing God’s love, peace and kindness with others, we allow the spirit of God to live freely in us.

So as you enjoy your country’s freedom, also relish in the the freedom from all sins that can bind us, for Christ has set us free.

As you feel the freedom of Christ, try to always share the peaceful feeling with kindness to others.

Morning Encouragement, July 2

Good morning friends. Today’s encouragement is straight from 2 Peter and reflects why I share what I read in the morning with you. We as Christians all understand who Jesus was, what the bible is but it does our hearts good to read the messages in His word and to share them with others to help us all feel the peace and love of God. The last section of chapter 1 in 2 Peter reminds us of the prophecy of scripture and these three pictures remind us of the core of His truths which allow us to stand firm on His word knowing the words bring us peace.

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And even though we have not seen Him in the flesh, we have felt Him in our hearts and in the works He has done around us as He shows us He is always there.

So we must stay tight in His teachings so that we understand the directions He gives each of us individually to help encourage fellow believers and to show our light to others in hopes to help bring them closer to Him.

So I remind you to stay enriched by His words and share your light with others who need to hear it. Have a wonderful day and remember to always be kind.

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Thursday Photo Challenge, Silver

We Will Stand Firm

I stand and stare at the silvery pool that was left by the outgoing tide. The beauty of its simplicity is in stark contrast to the darkness surrounding it and the menacing sky above as the storm moves on to other lands. This seems reflect my life for now, small pools of silvery beauty while the remainder of life storms all around me. A cold threatening darkness with winds of change that threaten to blow me down. But yet I remain standing, breathing, as I take in this silvery beauty of hope.

I am reminded of the power of strength given from above that helps us stand firm through all storms of life. God’s outstretched hand is ever present, ever guiding, and ever comforting. He reminds us all though his word – “I will never leave you” – and this encouragement gives us the strength, the determination and the hope to remain looking at the silvery pool even though the storm of life may rage around us.

We will stand firm.

Sue Vincent’s weekly challenge is a great way to put words to pictures with writephoto prompt. Come along and join in on the fun and stretch your imagination along with the rest of us.

For visually challenged writers, the image above shows a beach in the half-light, bounded by dark dunes and holding a silvery pool of water that mirrors the sky.

As you take in the beauty of life as it surrounds you, remember to always be kind. Kindness has a beauty that far surpasses the darkness that may be around you.

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Peace By the Stream

There are pictures that get posted here on WordPress inspire many to write amazing words to fit the pictures, then there are those of us (like me) who see beauty in the pictures and try to encourage others of what I see in a less professional but heartfelt way. The picture below is from Irene Tron, at Coffee Creek Watershed. This picture brought me a sense of peace, something this world needs desperately right now. May you feel the peace come through my words in my adaptation of the 23rd Psalm, and may we, all across this world, learn to find peace as God had intended.

Beside His Stream

God, the gentle shepherd is our caring guide

we do better following Him than our own selfish pride

He leads us by the quiet waters, refreshing our soul

Lying on green grass, us lacking nothing, is His goal

He guides along the right paths for His name’s sake,

while we struggle and flounder with mistake after mistake.

He never leaves our side even in the darkest of times

We fear no evil as it surrounds us, for into His lap we do climb

He prepares to secure our needs, even with enemies near

He pours forth His love, from overflowing cups so dear

His goodness and love radiate through the days of our life

as we dwell in His house and forever feel no strife.

Anita Neal, adaptation from Psalm 23

The 23rd Psalm is know by many, even some who do not really follow the word. This small Psalm by David shows that as we follow God and obey His commands, we then have hope for eternal life and security.(NIV notes)

As you feel the peace of God, remember to share that peace and kindness with others.

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Early Morning Encouragement

Good morning all. I bring you a little encouragement this morning as some of us are beginning to be able to get out a bit and try to resume life…cautiously. We are having a beautiful morning today but it will get hot as the day goes forward, so I bring you some early morning freshness from my yard and some heartfelt expansion from my morning devotion.

The pictures below are from my own yard this morning as the flowers are starting to open and express their beauty as God had intended.

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Have you ever thought about the wonders of Eden…and walking with God as you explore it together. What an amazing thing that would be as this earth is only a small glimpse of the beauty of heaven. Today in Jesus Calling, Sarah reminds us that we were chosen before the foundation of the world to walk with God along the unique path he chose for each of us. A path that he will walk beside us as we take each step.

Even though our paths may take us down bumpy roads or scary paths, our hope and future are rooted in heaven, where eternal ecstasy waits for us. So hang on to God’s hand as he walks with you along your chosen path.

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So let’s keep our focus on Him today and He will keep His focus on us. For we are sealed in His Love.

Have a sonshine day and always try to be kind.