Hope Archives - Page 13 of 28 -

5 Truths-God’s Light overcomes Darkness

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God’s Light Overcomes Darkness

Christian Spencer has captured sunlight filtering through the wings and tail of a black and white Jacobin hummingbird. I believe there are many life-lessons in these photos.

We live in troubled times.

Our friends and our families daily face obstacles we never imagined a few years back. Therefore, we can easily give in to despair, seeing only the dark side of a situation.

#1 Life can often be overwhelming.

The world around us can seem futile and hopeless with no end in sight. Certainly, family issues, broken friendships, illnesses and unexplained tragedies can cloud our view and pull us down.

Think about this: without the light in the photo illuminating the feathers, the hummingbird wings appear solid black or gray. Because the photographer added a bright light behind the bird, we see an entirely different picture.

So it is with our circumstances, no matter how dark and gloomy they may appear, there is hope. We must allow the Light to shine on our situations in order to see clearly.

Jesus said: “I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

#2 Our vision is poor.

Our loving Father sees and knows all. He knows our past, He knows our future.

God loved us enough to send His only Son, Jesus, that we might be with Him in eternity. We can trust Him with the dark things in our lives; only He can shine light through them. Trust His vision.

“… we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face-to-face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now.” I Corinthians 13:12

#3 God is worthy of our trust.

God sees and knows our deepest, untold needs. His love is more than we can comprehend. He alone can be trusted with our heaviest burdens. He alone brings real peace.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

#4 He is waiting to comfort and guide us.

All we need to do is call upon Him. He will always answer. He wants to calm our doubts and direct our paths.

“Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

#5 A bright future awaits us.

The photo one tiny hummingbird’s wings in breathtaking. Have you thought of what awaits God’s family when we finally get Home?

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” I Corinthians 2:9

My prayer for you is that you know for sure Heaven is your eternal home. That you are prepared to meet Jesus. And, I prayed today for you and your family and your circumstances. My God be more real today than ever before. May you be able to turn all your cares over to Him.

As always, I look forward to your notes. How can I pray for you today?

Hugs,

For more fun facts about hummingbirds, click here.

Making My Resolutions with 2020 Vision

Making my resolutions with 2020 vision!

Does making my resolutions with 2020 vision mean that I know what the year 2020 holds?

Absolutely not! However, this one truth I’m absolutely sure of:

“For I know the thoughts that

I think toward you, says the Lord,

thoughts of peace and not of evil,

to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

With that beautiful promise in mind, here are my resolutions for 2020.

#1 I am resolved to focus more on others and less on self.

First of all, to keep me on target, I set aside 1/2 day each week for the entire year. As a result, I will be prepared to call, visit, or write those who need encouragement. Do I really have extra time for this? No, I do not!

My husband has a favorite saying which I’ve found to be true: “We find the time to do the things we want to do each day. The things that mean less to us, we leave out.” God has put people in our paths to love on, and with His help, we will do just that.

#2 I am resolved to pray more faithfully for each member of our family!

For this, I made a centerpiece on my kitchen table. Each person (young, old, close, distant) has their name written on a pebble. Candles and ivy surround Jesus’ open hands holding the pebbles (my loved ones). I often pat Jesus’ hands as I go in and out of the kitchen; thanking Him that He has them in His care.

This January, a friend and I began a journey of praying for each other’s children/grand children daily as we pray for our own. Throughout the year, we will do lunch and share concerns and praises. I hope and pray you have such a trusted friend in your life.

One of my favorite hymns is “I am Resolved”. Follow this link for the words and story. “I am resolved” is my Life Vision for 2020. Therefore, here are my 3rd and 4th resolutions for 2020.

#3 I am resolved to focus more outward than inward.

You should have caught this one by now. Each year, we naturally want to accomplish more, eat healthier, lose or gain pounds, etc.

Do you do that? How’s it working for you? I’m not saying I don’t have goals … and a program to reach them. However, these goals are not as important as my resolutions. I know that as I keep the resolutions faithfully, the goals will take care of themselves.

#4 I am resolved to seek Jesus and His plan for my life more diligently.

This actually is the most important of all my resolutions, and the secret to accomplishing the rest of them.

I have set aside a definite “meeting time” five days a week. I hope for more, but I know I will keep these as they are on my new calendar! For me, I go into the kitchen before the world wakes up and draws me away. For some of you, another time will work best. I need to hear God’s voice early – and often!

Well, I would like to hear from you. How is your year going? Can I pray with you about something?

Hugs,

Let my hear about your resolutions or your hopes and dreams for the new year. You’ll never know what your note means to me.

Finding Your Passion Can Change Your Life

Finding your passion can seriously change your life. What drives you? What keeps you going when life throws curves?

We have developed some great friendships in our community and in the churches we have served for nearly 20 years. We continue to be amazed at what we still learn about those we’ve grown to love.

Recently, we were invited to Ron and Diana’s home after church to view some beautiful paintings. Of course, we were also there to enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal, complete with a carry-out bag for later!

Through the years, we’ve watched as Brother Ron had to give up his work, much of his driving, and many of his outside activities. Often his memory fails him. And yet, we have watched him stay at peace with himself and the world. At times I personally questioned how he could lose so much and yet be such a positive influence on others.

His wife explained, concerning his paintings, that she is continually on the lookout for anything large enough to put a brush to. Pictured above are a few of his paintings on old saws that adorn the outside of their home.

Inside, Ron proudly showed us his very own “man cave,” well-equipped with an assortment of brushes, trowels, paints, etc. Their walls are a virtual art gallery, displaying beautiful paintings of every size and subject.

Since each visitor is encouraged to choose a painting to take home, we each chose one which he readily autographed for us.

We never knew he had a passion for painting. He can get in his room and create to his heart’s content. Just him and his Heavenly Father communing for hours as he works. He is at peace with His Lord and with himself. He spreads joy with his endearing smile and thoughtful words.

I have to ask you? Do you know what your passion is? What is it that fulfills the God-given urges inside you? What brings you peace in the midst of your storms?

What is it that you really would like to do if you had the time? I suggest you make the time … just a little now and then and stir up that passion. It will bring a smile to your heart and spread out into a hungry world.

Hugs,

One of my passions is sketching, which I’ve not done of late. Patches Book II is finished; soon to be shipped! It will feature THREE of my sketches. Praise the Lord for His goodness to this old gal!