Month: June 2023

Daily Living

view of operating room

Hi, all. I am posting today about what’s going on with me. I have been dealing with some medical issues, from having a mini-stroke in March to having major carotid artery surgery last week. I have accepted the realization that you don’t go to the hospital to get rest, you go so that you can healthier to be able to rest when you get back home.

Today I write to not only encourage others but myself as well. There are times when things happen in our lives to help us refocus. Self-care is important and even with that, aging does appear to shoot darts at us. Truly living is not about blame or shame, it’s about apppreciating life every day. It’s about learning how to live and not just striving everyday to acquire levels  and accolades. 

abstract black and white pattern
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As I write this, I am faced with how easy it is to become overtaken by the chaos, by the misperception that achievement is all there is. What comes to mind is the Scripture “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)

I may be amiss here, but I would venture to ask, have we forgotten how to live? Enjoy the moments, whether sitting in the backyard and enjoying the breeze, or the early morning cup of coffee with silence and the aroma engaging our sense of smell; even thanking God for just that moment of being. Being present, whether it’s the coffee, the meal, the grandkids, or even a really good book, I just want to encourage you today, live for today.

white plates on table
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Jesus says He came that we may have abundant life. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) This abundant life is not about things and busyness, but about living out your purpose to serve God and others. Be present with those you love, including yourself.

Be blessed.

FOCUS – Focus On Christ Under Surrender

human standing beside crucifix statue on mountain
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Focus – a central point of attraction, attention, or activity; the ability to concentrate one’s attetnion or to sustain concentration.

If you have read any post I have written, my focus is on Christ, on eternity. I share today that I wouldn’t have it any other way. As I bend my direction from the things of this world to eternity, it becomes more and more important to make sure that I consider the anchor of my soul. We all know we are not going to live forever. We all have this in common, we are going to die. “And as it is appointed for men to die once,  but after this the judgment,” (Hebrews 9:27) Where are you going when you leave this earth? Christ will return a second time for salvation. He already came for sin.

I know this is a soberomg subject but has to be a part of the conversation about life. I have lost several family members at this point in my life. It does force me to consider eternal consequences for my actions. What is after the car, the house, the investments, the education and whatever else is of interest? It is left behind. We cannot hold onto anything to take with us but the love of Christ.

With all the chaos going on in the world, it is on my heart to mention eternity as a reminder that we are eternal creatures. I believe it is important for us to consider our eternal destination. This world is definitely temporary. I would just like to present this thought-provoking information to you. My hope and prayer is that you will take some time to ponder eternity.

Be blessed,

big wooden cross on green grass field under the white clouds
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Your Roadmap

Free Boston travel map image

Yes, we are still navigating through the chaos.

The post for 05/31/23 presented a challenge to choose one thing you would like to change and take steps toward that change for a week. Then revisit it. I made the point in that post that change takes time.

Today, I  would like to suggest to you that how you view the world, the lens from which you see things has a major impact on your change journey. The paradigm from which you have positioned yourself is what influences your thoughts, your thoughts then influence your behavior, and your behavior becomes habit. 

A paradigm is like a map to get you where you want to go. You cannot get to California using a map of Massachusetts. What am I saying? I am saying you may have to change your map, how you view things, to get where you want to go. You need to change your pattern of thinking.  

In choosing that one thing you would like to change, how do you view it? Is it based on truth and principle or just how you view it? Do you know how or why you came to accept this behavior as okay for you? Would you be willing to change your view of something in order to change you and/or your circumstances for the better? Definitely questions to ponder.

Be blessed on your change journey.