Tag Archives: Inspirational

What if things get worse? Where do we find reassurance?

13 Aug

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

08-05-16 flat tire

VIDEO OF THE WEEK SNEAK PEEK  (CLICK HERE)

The sound was awful, the heat unbearable and the tummies were empty. That describes our ride home from a theme park with the grandkids this past Saturday.

The sound came from the rear of the car. We had traveled a few miles and were in the middle of nowhere. The heat read 99 degrees. And the 6- and 8-year-old grandkids in the back seat were more than a tad hungry.

So, what did these two wise, grandparents do? Nothing, we rode for a while hoping the noise would go away, and at the same time going through options for the reason for such noise.

Hubby pulled over and discovered a totally flat rear tire. Aware that our somewhat new vehicle doesn’t provide a spare tire, we waited for the tow truck.

We wiped sweat from our foreheads as the heat sizzled through the windows. And to pass the time, we played a silly game. It’s called the what-if game. We imagine alternate options, ones much worse than we face in reality.

We took turns. They began and we followed. What if we had an accident instead? What if we had no gas in this heat? What if he air-conditioning didn’t work? What if Papa couldn’t drive and Nana had to take over? (They gasped at this one!)

The game, as silly as it seems, teaches them that life has unexpected glitches, bringing painful surprises that leave us in the heat of discouragement. Then like the tire, our joy goes flat. But even in the worst or truly devastating what-if’s we can imagine, we’re triumphant still. We’re secure in the power of God’s love. And we’re in the reassuring shelter of His protection.

The Apostle Paul confirms this as he might have come up with some what-if’s of his own. And so he asserts: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37b-39)

No matter how dark your situation might be, have you considered the what-if’s?

Source: What if things get worse? Where do we find reassurance? | Janet Perez Eckles

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Who’s behind all your fear? 

6 Aug

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet's new book.

 

07-29-16 fear“I need my Xanax,” a woman said in the waiting room as we waited for my mom’s doctor appointment. “I can’t take the bad news anymore. The horrible stuff all around is too much.”

Although I didn’t comment because she was talking to the person beside her, I reflected on what she said.

It’s true that we’re living in hard times. We’re facing unprecedented violence. And to give us emotional indigestion, we’re viewing images of horrific tragedies. We watch this from our couch as we squirm with disbelief.

And when fear is eating us for lunch, Satan is licking his lips; we’re his prey, and we’re in his agenda as he takes care of the leftovers. But why should this catch us by surprise? Jesus said: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” (John 10:10a).

Satan did come, and is here to intensify the pain. But only if we let him. He steals our peace; God brings it right back. He kills our joy, but only for the moment because In God we can have it again. He destroys our serenity; God ushers it back.

And no matter what the next headlines read, we know we’re on the winning side. We’re on the triumphant court and rather than being afraid or stressed, we face all this with a secure heart because Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b).

What changes will you make to live the full and secure life Jesus offers?

 

Source: Who’s behind all your fear? | Janet Perez Eckles

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Nothing

5 Aug

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

Louise Gibson

 

 

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us
from God’s love. Neither death, nor life, neither angels
or demons, neither our fears for today, nor our worries about
tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from
God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below–
indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate
us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our
Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

 

Isn’t it comforting to know that God loves you and will
never leave or forsake you?
God loves you because of who God is-
not because of anything you did – or didn’t do.

 

Life presents its challenges,
Of this we are all aware.
But the Lord is there throughout it all
to comfort through our despair.

 

“When they were discouraged, I smiled and that
encouraged them and lightened their spirits.”
Job 29;24 TLB

 

heart-shaped-clouds

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The Sand Dollar

31 Jul

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

JUDY

 

As I’ve mentioned before – I grew up in the land-locked state of New Mexico. Those of you unfamiliar with New Mexico – it really IS one of our 50 states. Get out your atlas and look. See? Find Texas…go west to New Mexico…then west again to Arizona. I can assure you that there is a state between Texas and Arizona. Heard of Albuquerque? Or perhaps Santa Fe? Those are two of the main cities in New Mexico. The New Mexico Magazine, in every issue, has a page dedicated to “One of our 50 is Missing.” Most of the antidotes are hilarious – but some really get my temper riled up! I’m afraid our teachers aren’t teaching U.S. geography these days!

 

All that to say that, when we moved to Florida (Tyndall AFB, Panama City), we were living within 100 yards of the Gulf of Mexico. What a change! And we loved it. Fred had lived on Tyndall AFB with his family in his youth, when his father was stationed there as Base Chaplain in the 1950’s.

2

 

One of the things I learned about and enjoyed so much was the Sand Dollar. It is a living creature – according to Wikipedia: refers to species of extremely flattened, burrowing sea urchins…Related animals include other sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and starfish.

The legend of the Sand Dollar states: Visit a shell shop and you may find poems or sand dollars with the Legend of the Sand Dollar, which references Easter, Christmas and Jesus. Some references say that the 5-pointed “star” in the center of the top of the sand dollar’s test [skeleton] is said to represent the Star of Bethlehem that guided the wise men to the baby Jesus. The 5 openings in the test are said to represent Jesus’s wounds during his crucifixion – the 4 wounds in his hands and feet and the 5th in his side. On the underside of the sand dollar test, it is said that there is an outline of a Christmas poinsettia. The legend also says that if you break open a sand dollar, you’ll find 5 “doves of peace” inside. These doves are actually the 5 jaws of the sand dollar’s mouth (Aristotle’s lantern). (Credit About Marine Life)

In any case, I found them to be fascinating. When our oldest daughter, Karen, went to a camp one summer, she brought home a large sand dollar (some might call it a sea biscuit, because of its size). I still have it, and treasure it.

3

 

 

As we were leaving Panama City, one of the ladies in our church, an artist, painted a beach scene on a sand dollar for us. I think it’s beautiful, and reminds me of her, whenever I see it.

4

 

But I think my favorite sand dollar was one I found in a shop in Panama City. It is a pendant, dipped in gold leaf, and I thoroughly enjoy wearing it. It is so very delicate, and I always receive comments about it when I wear it.

5

 

I’ve heard about the legend of the sand dollar, and can definitely see where it might be a reference to Christ. I’m all for anything that brings Christ to the forefront.

God’s creation is beautiful – all of it. I hope you agree.

 

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Could it be that these 10 steps are keeping you from the abundance of life? | 

30 Jul

Walking by Faith, not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

 

07-22-16 10 stepsShocking statistic. I just learned that we spend 10% of all our waking hours looking for something—from a parking spot, to our cell phone, for the latest post on Facebook, etc.

What would happen if that 10% of our time could be spent in looking for something worthwhile, something that will positively impact our lives, make it better, happier, and richer?

That something is wisdom. For it’s the lack of wisdom that lead us to make bad decisions which result in the mess of life, in the disappointment that brings on sadness, and in the regret that makes our heart ache.

Good news because God said, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding…”

And put on your celebration hat because if, in that 10% of our looking time, we find God’s wisdom, these ten rewards found in Prov. 3:13-18 are ours:

  1. For she [wisdom] is more profitable than silver.
  2. And yields better returns than gold.
  3. She is more precious than rubies.
  4. Nothing you desire can compare with her.
  5. Long life is in her right hand.
  6. In her left hand are riches and honor.
  7. Her ways are pleasant ways.
  8. And all her paths are peace.
  9. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her.
  10. Those that lay hold of her will be blessed.

I’m waving my hand in the air. I want all that! Don’t you? But in our hectic lives with traffic jams, to-do lists that keep getting longer, and pressures that squeeze us dry, how do we find that wisdom? God’s answer: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…” (James 1:5-6)

How will you embrace God’s wisdom to make your days brighter and better?

Source: Could it be that these 10 steps are keeping you from the abundance of life? | Janet Perez Eckles

Janet’s joyful spirit lifts my heart. If you would like to learn more about Janet and her ministry, visit her home page.

Janet Perez Eckles, Igniting Your Passion to Overcome

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The Joy of Encouragement

29 Jul

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

Louise Gibson

 

 

 

What is loneliness?
It’s an unanswered cry for love.
Everyone needs someone.
Love stems from our Lord above.

 

What is a wounded soul,
but one aching for hope.
Reach out with a helping hand-
You will help the hurting to cope.

 

Good encouragers have to be genuine.
“Let love be without hypocrisy” (Romans 12:9)
When you lift up the defeated,
it is Christ that all will see.

 

“Sometimes you think you’re being buried,
when you’re really being planted.
God is using this season to grow you.”
Unashamed Impact

 

 

Blue flowers

 

 

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Simple quiz to see how you handle fear

16 Jul

Walking by Faith Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

LostWhat joy, the plane landed a bit earlier in Quito, Ecuador. My friend would be waiting for me and we’d be on our way to our week of ministering to those affected by the earthquake.

The airport employee who guided me out of the plane grabbed my bags and led me toward the exit of the airport. Then he asked, “What does the friend who’s picking you up look like?”

I leaned on my white cane and gave a silly grin. Although I met her during her visit to the states, being blind, I had no clue what she looked like.

“Don’t worry,” I said, “she’ll recognize me and we’ll be on our way.”

We waited. And we waited. No friend. Then logic filed in my head. What if, since I’ve been traveling so much, I ended up in the wrong country, or arrived on the wrong date.

“This is Ecuador, isn’t it?” I asked, sort of joking.

Whew! He said it was. At least it was the correct country. But with no one there to meet me, I had to decide what to do. I couldn’t use my cell phone; it had no service in a foreign country.

Here’s when we have the choice—whether we allow fear to rule us or faith empower us.

I chose the latter because of this test I gave myself. And I invite you to take it too:

  • Is God aware of our every glitch?
  • Is He faithful when we encounter unexpected circumstances?
  • Is His faithfulness active even when we fail?
  • Does His answer come in ways we never predicted?
  • Is His protection available no matter where we are?
  • Does He warn what to do about fear, worry and anxiety?
  • Can I rest, knowing His hand is upon me no matter if I’m blind, deaf or crippled?

King David might have taken this test because he declared: ”The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

I passed the test, then gathered my suitcases around me, plopped in a chair near the exit and relaxed while I waited. If you also answer “yes” to all of the above, you’re on the way to a life of faith. And if you recognize His promises as you answered the questions, you’ve arrived at a place where faith rules, where peace reigns, where your steps are firm. And best of all, even when circumstances don’t change, your heart is secure, your thoughts are calm and His answer is sure to come.

And my answer indeed came. My friend had received wrong information from the airline, telling her the plane was delayed for three hours. Eventually she sent someone to pick me up from the airport. And although I didn’t know this person, I still trusted—not so much in her as she was a stranger, but I trusted in god who is truly trustworthy.

How about you? Are you at a place strangely painful? What does the test reveal about your fear, about your faith?

Janet

Source: Simple quiz to see how you handle fear. | Janet Perez Eckles

 

This message from a friend took my breath away. She was recently diagnosed with last stages of leukemia. And she writes:

“My heart has been blessed. My mind is at peace, my direction for ministry is more clear. God heard and is answering. Thank you. I do have a spirit of joy and peace. Even laughter! I smile thinking I get to go to Heaven first. I’ve always loved winning a race. Ha! I’ll beat you there! In reality, I’m not giving up and I am trusting for a miraculous healing and that God will continue to teach me lessons I can share with the world. What a thrill it is to be a servant of the King!”

After reading this note from her, I reflected on my reaction should a doctor tell me I only have a few months to live. How about you? How would you react?

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The perfect hope for happiness. 

9 Jul

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

07-01-16 hope

No airplane flight has ever been boring for me. I hear stories and details from fellow passengers that make me think, surprise me at times but more often, they become fodder for my writing.

Here is the latest one: “Oh, I was really hoping this would be the one,” the woman seated beside me in the plane related as she sipped her coffee. “but didn’t happen. He was just another jerk. I married two of them already…don’t need another one.”

With disgust in her voice she detailed how for months and months she did all she could to find her soul mate, her partner for life, the husband to make her happy.

And each time she hoped God would send the right one. She hoped the matching website she signed up would render positive results. And to make it more urgent, she told me that, she hoped, really hoped her time clock would slow down a bit.

She wasn’t alone. King David might have been on the same search. However, His version of Christian Mingle was probably more effective as he had relationships galore. But sadly, he wasn’t the purest of them all. He was flawed, he failed, he lied, he cheated and he even murdered.

Yet…are you ready…God called him “a man after His own heart.”

How could that be! Possibly, one of those nights, like so many nights before, David drank yet another glass of sorrow and regret. As he dropped to his knees, his hope surged. But his hope was different than the woman on the plane. This is what he said:

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:3-5)

David finally got it right. He found the only hope for his happiness and meaning. What an example of a ghastly life with a glorious ending. That’s because David put his hope in God, the one who forgives, the one who provides and the one who brings our deepest desire to reality.

How about you…may I ask in whom or in what are you placing your hope these days?

Janet

Source: The perfect hope for happiness. | Janet Perez Eckles

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Through it All

8 Jul

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

Louise Gibson

 

 

 

It is easy to be pleasant
when life flows by like a song.
But the person worthwhile is one who will smile
when everything goes wrong.

 

For the test of the heart is trouble,
and it always comes with the years.
The smile that is worth the praises of earth
Is the smile that shines through the tears.

 

If you want to be happy, begin where you are.
Don’t wait for some rapture that’s future and far.
Begin to be joyous, determine to be glad.
And soon you’ll forget that you ever were sad.

 

Through it all, keep looking up.
That’s where our future lies.
Jesus bids us to come unto Him.
His peace is our ultimate prize.

 

“When they were discouraged, I smiled and that
encouraged them and lightened their spirits.”
(Job 29:24)

 

Rainbow over grass

 

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Independence Day Fireworks

4 Jul

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Chapter 32 Fireworks

Fireworks are so exciting! Because he’s a pyromaniac, Bill loves them even more than I do. We knew the father and uncle of a family who every year bought bags full of fireworks and got together to blow them up on the Fourth of July. Not long ago, Bill and I were invited to that party. The kids danced and whooped as sparks boogied around their feet. An adult brought out lawn chairs for Bill and me assuring us that we sat well out of the line of fire. Two dogs stayed in the house, and I could hear the big one barking. I knew the tea-cup poodle, who was my friend, would be shivering with fear. She’d go up against any big dog anytime, but loud noises scared her. Suddenly a feisty spark landed on my bare arm, and that was enough fireworks for me. I went into the house to comfort the poor dogs and sang to them while the outside part of the gathering lasted.

Most July Fourths we drove to whatever body of water the town elders selected to reflect their extravagances. When I was a kid, our tiny community raised the money for a grand display. The town leaders went to the other side of the reservoir and arranged the fireworks for the show. The only hitch was that, as we heard later, a match fell into the main box and then all the combustibles exploded in bursts of color and sound. Unforgettable!

I can’t omit the other sort of fireworks, though it was not on Independence Day. I experienced it when Bill got a visitor’s pass for me to go out by the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building) to watch the launch of the Apollo Twelve. The team of engineers he worked with effected the separation of the first stage from the second stage on the moon-landing vehicle by installing the explosives that separated the two parts. On this launch day the orange and white exhaust-plume against the blue sky was gorgeous, but the hurrahs of the crowd and the pulsating roar of the engines that seemed to shake the entire planet under my feet and travel though my body were so meaningful and unexpected that they made me want to cry.

Because of my fear, the fireworks loving family were kind enough not to ask us back for that particular holiday. Since we don’t have kids around anymore we don’t get in the car and go to wherever the pyrotechnics are. We may watch a few on Face Book or T. V., and we hear them from the neighborhood into the early morning hours, but that’s it. It’s not that we don’t appreciate all the reasons we are still an independent country, it’s just that we have found another way to be independent no matter where we are. We do it by learning to depend on Christ Jesus, Our Father, and the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and guidance through all the joys and troubles of life. We know that dependence by many people in the past and present is the answer to the question, what has made America the greatest country in the world. “God bless America,” land that I love. May He stand beside her and guide her through the night with His light from above and within.

 

“God Bless America,” Kate Smith

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