Tag Archives: Courage

Finding Hope and Purpose in Everyday Life

17 Jul

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

My friend and blogger sister, DiVoran sends a daily email that she calls a blogette, to her friends. . She shares encouraging words with us that she has found in her in her reading and devotional time. Almost always she includes a video from You Tube.

I especially loved this one.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Prov:19:21

I can totally relate to the verse above. I am learning to hold loosely the plans I make.

Though you may stumble, you will not fall, for the Lord upholds you with His hand.

Ps.37:24

Oh how often I stumble quite literally and in trusting God. So thankful for the promise of my hand being held up by my Lord.

Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.

Job 11:18

So much chaos across the globe. So much division. I find myself wanting to withdraw from it all. Thankful that I love our God of hope. My hope comes from Him.He gives me courage.

The video of the children singing reminded me of my childhood at their age. I loved to sing and I really belted it out. I’m pretty sure it was more like shouting . Thinking back, I don’t remember my parents ever chastising me for being a loud singer.

As i look at these joyful singers, I wonder about their future. Will they remember that they once sang loudly ad joyfully about the coming of the king? Or will life trials dilute their fervor and discourage them? I pray that the words of the songs are planted firmly in their young hearts, as they were for me.

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2025 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

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Joshua 1:9

4 Sep

A Slice of Life

DiVoran Lites

“Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,

For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn.  She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”

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Five Secrets to Become the Best Mom

7 May

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged May 7, 2022

May 6, 2022

I went down on one knee. “Look at me, honey.” I turned my four-year-old Joe’s face toward me. “What’s in your mouth?”

“Nothin’.”

As the youngest of three, he never knew a mom with sight. A retinal disease robbed my sight when he was much younger. And my family’s adjustment was painfully inevitable.

I took him by the hand. “Is that chocolate I smell? It’s before dinner. C’mon young man, let’s spit it out.”

Outwardly I seemed in control. But I still questioned my ability as a blind mom. I fretted about their possible lack of confidence or even shame because of my blindness.

Mothering without sight was daunting.

The tasks challenging. I questioned my ways. Did I do too much? Not enough? Did I fail my sons in the way I corrected them? Was I too strict? Too lenient? Insecurities lay on the pillow beside me at night.

But along came David to save the day. Remember him as a boy? He was scrawny, a bit of a shy kid, the youngest of his brothers. And probably voted the least likely to succeed in the senior class of the local Shepherd high school.

And when Goliath showed up, David seemed inadequate, unprepared and way too weak to defeat the giant. But God knew different because He chose him. Skinny David held not a trace of insecurity, doubt or worry. He put on the backpack of courage and gathered five stones. But those stones weren’t what would defeat the big guy. But rather, David’s secret weapon called bold faith became the weapon to bring him victory.

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty…” (1 Samuel 17:44)

That’s the same way we come against insecurities in our mothering, in our doubt of our abilities, regret for what we did or failed to do. As we come against all of that in the name of the Lord, we put on our bold faith and gather our five stones. Even in these turbulent times, they are the secrets to succeed and be the best moms ever.

  • The stone of courage to stand firm and secure enough to know we have Christ’s power to silence the lies that whisper doubt and insecurities.
  • The stone of reassurance that God is with us every moment of every day to defeat fear, worry and anxiety.
  • The stone of wisdom, God-given wisdom to choose our words, direct our steps and guide our path.
  • The stone of trust to know God has His eyes on our kids. He will keep them safe, guard their lives and trace their steps.
  • The stone of joy to erase gloom, sadness or disappointment.

This Mother’s Day let’s celebrate not so much the perfect moms, but those who are perfectly devoted to Christ. Not the moms who have all the answers, but those who believe God has them. Not the moms who have it all together, but the moms who admit their weakness so God can make them strong. Not the moms who are raising stars, but those who teach them to rise above hard times. Not the moms who cover her kids with the latest fashion, but those who cover them with prayers.

God chose David. And He chose you, too. He hand-picked you to be the mom to those kiddoes. He didn’t leave David to bring down the giant on his own. He’s not leaving you alone either, as He’s already handed you the stones, He already given you the victory—in His power, In His might and in His name.

Let’s Pray

Father, may Your Word remind me You are watching over my kids, guiding them when I fail, teaching them when I don’t know how and protecting them when I’m not near them. In Jesus’ name I pray.

Which stones will you gather this Mother’s Day?

Janet

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I invite you to dance with me—celebrating one of my books, “Contagious Courage: A 30-Day Journey to Overcoming Stress and Anxiety.” Get your copy HERE and tell your friends, too.

Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.

CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.

Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.

Please share: Feel free to share Janet’s posts with your friends.

Let’s connect:

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

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Today I Will Choose To Wait With Courage

3 Aug

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

Do you find waitings as tedious as I do?

 

 

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Mom

8 May

A Time to Live

Melody Hendrix

 

 

I was born and raised in Florida. As a kid, I hated wearing shoes and still do. My friends and I walked everywhere enjoying the outdoors and exploring nature. In the evening when dinner and chores were done, I stretched out on the couch with my feet in Mother’s lap, and she pulled sandspur splinters out with tweezers. She was so gentle that I fell asleep during the operation.

 

 

 

 

Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s our family had little money. Our mother was widowed twice before she was twenty-five years old, and she ended up with four kids to look after on her own. She knew about pain and she knew about life. We children were her life, and she allowed us to be as carefree as possible. Sometimes, though, if she thought we needed chastising, she would call out a name, which many times was the wrong name. We thought it was funny, and our laughter got her back into a good mood. When Mom wanted to let me know I was in trouble, she’d call me, “Melody Jane.” In these cases, Jane was a bad-girl name. My friends heard it a few times and thought Jane was my middle name. Most of the time, though, Mom called me Honey-Dear.

Mom started working in at a bicycle shop in Winter Park. She and the owner fell in love and got married. He was the only father I knew. He had two boys, so now we had six kids in the family. But mostly they lived with their grandparents. When school was out, Mom’s kids sat in the business office until time to go home. It was a boring few hours, so mom did her best to keep us entertained. She’d put several layers of red polish on her nails and let us peel them off. She gave us long ball chains to dribble into circles which we pretended were pies. Sometimes we linked several together and made an extra-large pie.

 

 

 

Whenever I was sick I told no one, but somehow Mom always knew. She knew what to do, too. I marveled at that even as a kid. She would kiss the patient’s forehead to take their temperature. If it was high, the child was allowed to stay home from school and Mom bought him or her an inexpensive toy from the five and dime. The favored medicine was a cup of hot tea with cream and sugar and a piece of toast to dip. To this day, that is a healing comfort when I’m not well.

I recall thrifty foods Mom invented. She cut the crust off a slice of white bread, layered butter, sugar, and cinnamon, and then rolled it into a ball. Yum. A slice of white bread could end up on a plate with sugar and milk over it, and we ate it with a fork. She cooked macaroni and mixed in a can of stewed tomatoes and to this day I love that combination.

I still have a picture etched in my mind of the last day time I saw Mom alive. She had on a pretty denim Capris outfit with embroidery on the legs of it. After our visit, I started to walk out to my car. I turned to look back. She stood there smiling and waving. I waved and went on, but when I realized I hadn’t hugged her or told her I loved her, I thought I should go back. For some unknown reason I decided not to. Instead, I got in the car and drove away. I would never get to hug her or tell I loved her again. But you know, somehow I think she knew it and I believe she knows it still.

 

 

 

 

I am retired and enjoying life. My hobbies are my 5 grandchildren, son and daughter, and my loving husband. I am a photographer and extreme nature lover. I love spending time in my garden or in the wilderness connected to God my Creator.
Melody

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5 Apr

Onisha Ellis

On the Porch

 

I love this verse more every year.The boldness of the statement makes me feel brave. “For I am convinced that nothing can separate me from the love of God.  No wiggle room or hedging. I am loved by God and  N O T H I N G can change that.

 

For I am convinced

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Be Strong and Courageous

21 Feb

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

 

Courage seems to be my word for this season of life. Oddly, this is coupled with Rejoice. How can I rejoice as my heart is weeps? Because God has promised that He will be with me wherever I go, even into the depths of heartache He is there. All…the…time.

 

Crosscards.com

 

Amy VosKamp wrote a powerful post  Why God Doesn’t Heal People We Love, Brutally Honest, Psalm #3

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Somewhere

2 Jun

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

 

 

 

Somewhere there’s a place for me-
A place I have a need to be.
A new plateau, a goal to meet-
Purpose, direction, without defeat.

 

Oh God, give me strength
to greet each day-
with a cheerful countenance.
Don’t let me sway.

 

Please let me focus
on the issues of life
That bring joy to others,
that relieve their strife.

 

To have victory over
the enemy called “Fear”-
The energy and stamina
to persevere!

 

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Somewhere

2 Aug

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

author of Window Wonders

Somewhere there is a place for me.

A place I have a need to be.

A new plateau, a goal to meet-

Purpose, direction, without defeat.

Oh, God, give me strength to greet each day

With a cheerful countenance,

Don’t let me sway.

Please let me focus on the issues of life

That bring joy to others-

To relieve their strife.

To have victory over the enemy called fear

The energy and stamina to persevere.

I wrote this poem seven years ago after my husband died.  I truly feel that God answered it in a remarkable way. I have written poems about every subject that my imagination has allowed, but, before I get too boring, I do believe it is time to take a break.
             
Sincerely, Louise Gibson

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