A Time to Live
Melody Hendrix
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.
A Time to Live
Melody Hendrix
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Janet Perez Eckles
September 8, 2017
Inspiration to be a good grandparent is simple—as long as we have love, we have what it takes.
“C’mon sweet baby,” I called to my 2-year-old granddaughter.
With quick steps, she came. And as she stood with her back toward me, I carefully pinned the bells to her blouse, which she told me was pink.
The sound of those bells helped me keep track of her. She might not have understood her Nana was blind. Or maybe she did. What’s important is she knew that we don’t need eyes to love, to guide and to teach.
Time swept by way too fast. She’s 9-years-old now and her brother 7. They both run to me for hugs. But neither needs bells anymore as they answer when I call.
But the call for a grandparent is different. It’s to enrich their lives no matter what we have or what we lack.
Here are ten treasured moments that create that special bond:
Grandkids learn from what we do, what we say and how we love.
Appreciate that gray because “gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” (Proverbs 16:31)
Even if you’re not a grandparent, there may be someone in your life who hungers for what you have to offer.
Janet
Video sneak peek: https://youtu.be/89drJoQ0VCQ
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.
Source: Ten Inspirations for Grandparents ~ Janet Perez Eckles
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Janet Perez Eckles
August 18, 2017 Reblogged
Why do we look behind and long for what we had yesterday to come back? We wish we could roll back time and go back to days where life was easier. Have you done that? God knows we all do at times.
“Okay, here’s another box full of VHS tapes,” Jessica said. She’s my teenage friend who comes to help out as she’s earning funds for a mission trip.
“Can you read the label on some of the?” I asked.
As she read the content of those tapes, my mind went back to that time when my two younger sons were in diapers, and I was living a “normal” life. I had eyesight back then. And with not a care in the world, I’d pack all three of them in the back of the car and zip to the store or appointments, or to the park.
What a long road it had been as I transitioned from full sight, living a full life to being blind, completely blind and terrified.
But before my physical darkness turned to emotional darkness, this verse came alive in me: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18).
How beautifully He had brought streams of hope in the wasteland of my blindness. When I cried to understand why, instead of an answer, He gave me peace, sweet peace.
When I grumbled with frustration after burning my finger when cooking, God soothed my pain when my boys asked for seconds.
I also brought back memories of the times when hubby and I would go out to dinner and he didn’t have to lead me by the hand, but what joy when God took me by the hand and led me to the banquet He had prepared for me.
And what a privilege to be able to write these lines and remind you to look at the present and gaze at God’s power that’s making a way in your desert and creating streams of hope in your wasteland.
Father, help me to focus on the good of the present, on the blessing of the moment. On the new things you’re still doing. On the gift of your provision as my eyes read this. In Jesus’ name, amen.
How will you overcome the past to see the new beginning?
Janet
Video sneak peek: http://bit.ly/1JodQQQ
Source: How to turn our ugly past into a beautiful future. ~ Janet Perez Eckles
Painting and Paraphrase by DiVoran Lites
Day 28
Wisdom
Matthew 10:16
Beloved,
Be glad and serene when tempest clouds form.
I always bless in the eye of the storm. D. L.
Because you gave your heart and soul to Me
Through the redemption of Jesus Christ,
You are My true child.
Fly with the joy I impart to you.
Don’t allow the worry-bird to make a nest in your hair.
I want you to be as wise as serpents,
As gentle as doves.
Simplify according to my directions.
Instead of living in the next moment or a past one,
Delight in Me now. Put your mind on whatever you are doing
Let Me give you grace and bathe you in love.
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Janet Perez Eckles
May 26, 2017
Memorial Day is what sparks not only memories of those who died in wars, but remembering special moments in life. A while back, my friend and I entered a hotel’s conference room, eager to receive nuggets of wisdom from each speaker. A loud buzz filled the room.
The special part for me was that Cecil Murphy was teaching the sessions—the illustrious author of over 100 books, including “Ninety Minutes in Heaven” which has been on the New York Times bestselling list for 130 weeks and has been translated into 37 languages.
I settled in my seat, anticipating the wisdom he’d pour out. And he did.
Once the first portion ended, I chatted with other writers, catching up. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice to my left. “Excuse me,” he said. “I just want to say hi.”
He took me by the arm, and gave me a big hug.
My delight turned to awe. It was Cecil Murphy! His warm gesture left me touched and ever so grateful. Yes, THE Cecil Murphy, the famous author actually remembered me after we first met five years ago!
Why do we have that reaction when someone of a great stature extends kindness toward us? Could it be we feel we’re unworthy or undeserving?
Okay, time to admit it. I’ll be the first. We often have that same notion when it comes to a connection with Jesus. We fall into that false idea that Jesus, the Lord of our lives, the King of kings might not be interested in lil’ ol’ me down here.
And with sentiments of unworthiness, we rationalize: His divine and awe-inspiring presence couldn’t be real. At least not really enough for me to have personal contact with Him.
How wrong we can be. What He wants is to know Him enough to feel comfortable to call upon Him. He so longs for us to whisper any need, any doubt, any insecurity. He’s not way out there in the universe somewhere; He’s right by us, watching our tears, hearing our sobs, reading our longings, and so, so very aware of our pain.
Personalizing this verse just a bit: “You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted (like the person reading this right now); you encourage them, and you listen to their cry” (Psalm 10:17 [NIV]).
Father, help me to let go feelings of unworthiness, for you make me worthy—with your unending love, your constant nurturing, and your trustworthy reassurance. In Jesus’ name, amen.
How close do you feel to Jesus right now?
Janet
Source: How to feel worthy. ~ Janet Perez Eckles
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Janet Perez Eckles
(May 19, 2017)
The experience was unique on my last trip home. The plane ride was bouncy and rough. I stretched out on the seat beside me in that 10-passenger small plane.
I must have dosed off because all of a sudden, I notice the engine slowing down, the plane seem to lose power. The engine turned way too quiet– a frightening kind of quiet. There was no one beside me to ask. A bit of worry knocked at the door. So I thought, “Lord, here I come, open those heaven gates.”
Suddenly, the plane stopped. Unable to see the surroundings, I had no idea we had landed. The change of the engine sound was because we were on the ground already.
Please make me feel good and tell me you did something silly like that, too. You assumed the worst when it was the best instead.
I don’t feel too bad, though. The disciples did something similarly as related in Matthew 8:23-26.
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, and “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Father, forgive me when I lose my faith and doubt that you’re in my boat, present during my storms. Grant me wisdom and conviction to know I’m never alone, to be calm when the winds of disappointment, of heartache and fear blow fiercely around me. I will count on the safety of your presence in the storms of all sizes. In Jesus’ name, amen.
What storms are you facing today? Who’s in your boat.
Janet
Source: God, calm my storm. ~ Janet Perez Eckles
I took this photo in October 2019 on the Newfound Gap highway in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The curve in the highway teases unknown sights to be seen… a bear crossing the road or simply another breathtaking mountain view.
I don’t have a story for this picture. I love lighthouses but haven’t taken any photos for quite some time. Fortunately, my photographer friend, Melody Hendrix shared this photo with me. A lighthouse is symbolic of light and direction, the opposite of those who stir up strife. Let’s strive to be a lighthouse!
