Inspiration

Most Christians go to church on Sunday’s. The main purpose is to worship and praise God along with spending time with their brothers and sisters in the Lord. Depending on the church you attend will be how you do worship. Every church is a little different. Not one church has the right way to worship God. In fact you may worship different than the person standing next to you. The importance is that you do worship and not how.

The other important reason to be at church is to be an inspiration to others around us. This should be part of our purpose in life. This can happen in church well as when we are out in the world.

Although we think so when we go to church the reason we are there is not for our own benefit but for others along with spending time with God. We may be strengthen during the time we spend in worship however we should be helping others out as well. Being an inspiration for others may be speaking a word of encouragement or letting know we care and love them. Also at times it can be just the way we act. We don’t necessarily have to say words for others to be inspired.

I know that there are times where we need to be inspired by others too. This works the same way we inspire others by seeing what they are doing. In fact this is a two way street that should work every week. It just happens some week’s people need help more than another. Hopefully we have someone that we mentor on a regular basis at church along with us being mentored.

I know that many churches have what they call prayer teams. I certainly know that my church does so if I feel that I need to have prayer I go up front at the end of the service. I hope at this point this is additional assistance after spending time worshipping God.

On Sunday’s there are times when I wake up where I feel selfish. This is when I don’t feel being an inspiration to others; however, this is when I should be more than any other time. This morning I feel a little sick however I hope that I have something to give to someone else besides the sickness. Right now I am praying for myself to be healed from my sickness. I am not feeling really bad just a little bit but I hope to be stronger as the day goes by. In the end I hope this inspires you too. Amen!

A Random Act of Kindness

                                                               All begins with love!

On Friday the Renton Washington Police Department said on social media that it was national random act of kindness day. I am sure they wanted to remind us all that it is important to be kind to our fellow man at any time. I am sure since they are a thinking how we can especially help when it comes to motor vehicles and traffic. I know that we can do so in many other ways and places too.

The Renton Police Department reminded me how on several different occasions where someone would let me know that I had low pressure in one of my tires or I had a light out or one of my turn signals wasn’t working. These act of kindness  make our lives a lot better off where we can have something taken care of before an accident may occur.

There are other ways we can be involved in random acts of kindness too. For example I have helped others in a grocery store with something heavy or too high for them to reach.

I am sure we all see where we can help others whether it is random or not. Most of all we can give someone a hug or a smile when they need one. The important thing is that we are open to opportunities every day and that we are ready to help when the time comes. It is especially gratifying when we help someone when we are on a time schedule or the circumstance will inconvenience us. I know that we appreciate it when someone stops and helps us out. Again nothing better than giving kindness to a fellow human being; have yourself a wonderful weekend.  

 

 

About Love

The greatest gift given to the human race is love. The capacity to love one another and especially one person more than anyone else; in that love is where marriage comes in.

The problem is that often we look for love in the wrong place or better known as the wrong person. Sometimes we go after someone we can’t have or at the very least doesn’t want us. Also we accept to love someone because we feel that is the highest we can go for love. Other words we may not feel that we deserve to love someone greater. The person we should be with is above our reach or someone we don’t feel that we deserve. We sometimes settle for someone that is below our level of love. There may be nothing wrong really about that person but we have decided we can’t reach the stars to speak of. I believe this is where marriages don’t work out. Also we may believe the person we should really be with will not truly love us. I sometimes wonder how anyone really falls in love but it happens all the time. Being single I am still waiting for the right person.  I don’t want to settle for number two or three or whatever.  I want my soulmate or true love or whatever name you put on it.

Another reason we have love is that God loves us so much that he wants for us to love him in return. This is where we go into error as well because we accept a lower of love. We may not believe our parents or our siblings love us. We look for unconditional love but we feel that there are conditions on love. What it comes down to is that our minds are being lied to and goes into our hearts too.

I have decided that when I read the bible I am going to see every sentence and paragraph that love is mentioned. The word love may not be in the sentence but I am going to see if the meaning of love is in each sentence.  I want love to go from my head to my heart.  When my true love comes into my life I will not have my heart divided. In my mind I know that God loves me however I want my heart to know the same thing too. I will let you know how all things work out. If you have that true love in your life hold on tight to her or him. Amen!

Getting Old

I have heard from many of the elderly saying to me never to get old. Unfortunately if we live long enough it is going to happen.

I do notice that I am getting older though I don’t consider myself old as of yet. I am now in the category of being a senior citizen however that is still different than elderly.  I am not sure what defines elderly but I would say most likely someone who is in their eighties or nineties or above.

That is the category my mother is in as she is ninety-six. If you saw her you probably would not think that she is her age instead more likely in eighties. Her skin is where she doesn’t have any wrinkles to speak of. Her mind is very sharp as well though she does forget somethings but who of us doesn’t.

She plays a lot of bridge at least twice a week and reads a lot. So she keeps her mind in order. Her social life is indeed busy for anyone no matter how old you are. I think that is what keeps her going. She just lost another friend in her nineties which I can imagine is tough but she keeps moving on.

Mother doesn’t walk to fast however she at least keeps moving on.  She uses a cane all the time. She does have a walker but doesn’t use it very often. The only time she uses the walker is when she goes on trips where needs to walk some distance.

When mother is asked by someone how her day is she replies that she woke up this morning so that is a good sign. I have to agree with her on that one.

I go walking almost every day depending whether it is raining or not. Even on those days it does rain I still get into a little walking because of grocery shopping or taking mother to bridge or one of her appointments. I feel it is important to walk some distance because I want to be able to walk at least well as my mother. I am Ok with using a cane but not thrilled with a walker. Although she is good at it most of the time I still have remind her once in a while to stand up straight. Often I see the elderly not standing straight up very often. I am sure some can’t because of their health but others may not realize what they are doing. If you have an elderly parent I would make sure that they stand up straight when possible.

The most important thing I believe no matter what shape you are in when you become elderly that you still have a purpose in life. You have to tell the younger people that you have knowledge and wisdom to impart to them. With your grand and great grandchildren talk to them as often as you can. This is even true when you live some distance from them.

Though not easy because I feel some aches and pains sometimes embrace the life of being older and use all you have to help others. We don’t know how long we will be around at all but make the best of everyday. Amen!

A Joyful Laughter

I don’t know about you however I believe we can all enjoy a joyful laughter.

This doesn’t happen once in a while I believe we can use at least one a day if not a lot more often than that.

I believe it is to be good to be around those are contagious when it comes to laughter.

It doesn’t mean that life will be any better than what we have been used to but I believe it will feel a whole better.

If you love to laugh meet a lot of people that you can pass it on. Our world will be a lot better off this way.

We can use this with those who we feel is part of our purpose and destiny. Begin with our friends, family and church.

Those around who get contagious with the laugh can pass it on to other too.

Paul said in Philippians 4:4 rejoice in the Lord always. Rejoicing and laughter sound a lot alike to me. You can call it either way in my mind. Purse it no matter what. Something we have a choice about.

 

St. Valentine’s Day

I will start out by wishing everyone a happy St. Valentine’s Day.  It is supposed to be the most romantic day of the year; at least for couples anyway. Those of us that are single it may be the day of wishing or not again.

Whatever the case is I hope that the goes well for everyone. This is a big day for card companies along with those that sell flowers and candy. Restaurants and movie theatres I expect will be busy as well.

The key to St. Valentine’s Day is getting your significant other a well-meaning gift. If you are a man is be sure that will be important for her. Often men think practical and that is what they will receive from their woman however it doesn’t work the other way. For the woman generally it has to have a lot of meaning behind it. Other words if you get the wrong gift for her you will be in the dog house for several days unless you have very well understand woman who knows you so well that is what she was expecting.

The couples who have been married a long time I have heard don’t consider St. Valentine’s Day being that important however I still recommend something really good to get them too. The main reason is that you will surprise them and they will feel so good that you don’t take them for granted. On the other hand they may feel so wonderful because you treat them in a manner that every day is St. Valentine’s Day. This will be good to for making this day special because you make every day special.

So I wish everyone a romantic day. If you don’t get what you thought you would be nice to them anyway, however let them know you like the effort sort of but looking for something more meaningful. Of course depending on the person you may have to put on a smiling face. Best wishes  to everyone.   

Enjoying Words

Always good to hear words of encouragement

Negative words are hard to hear

Speaking positive words help those you speak with while negative ones bring down those that hear

Writing positive words will bring life to those who read them in the same way those who hear them too

Words can give life in the same way that they tell a story

Let your loved ones hear and read the stories that you tell

They will last for years to come

Can bring much joy to those that hear and read them

I want to have others hear or read the ones that I say so they will be encouraged in life

Words are not for us that speak or write them it is for those who hear or read

Great joy comes in the morning while laughter at night

Dream well while you are sleeping and let others know about them

Let peace happen during the day so those who spend time with you will have peace in the evening

Your words can be spoken or be silent too

It is the look on your face that others will see and give them great life

Isn’t that what we want for those around us to have a wonderful life

Our days are number however we don’t know the last day

We will be surprised when this life ends so we can live it to the fullest

We will have pain and anguish at times however the words we speak will have great meaning

Enjoy the flowers and the trees around us

Be happy in the morning, the day and evening

The words will give us peace as well as those who hear and read ours

Most of all cherish love all the time

The words you speak or read should have love in it

Gig Harbor Shopping Center’s and Restaurants

                                          Uptown Shopping Center Gig Harbor

I remember when I was a kid in Gig Harbor there were only a couple shopping centers and only a few restaurants. We did not eat out very often. In fact most of the time we did eat out was when we were traveling north to Seattle, Bellingham and Vancouver, British Columbia. We ate out primarily in Marysville going to Bellingham and Vancouver. There was a restaurant that had good pie usually berry or apple. It was so delicious.

In Gig Harbor than there was the down town shopping where Thriftway was at along with drug store and bowling alley. Thriftway store is no longer and they are looking possibly turning the place into condos. The post office has been there for some time however they will be moving location as well. The bowling alley has been gone for a long time and the drug store been gone for a few years too.

The other shopping center is Olympic Center. It had only a few stores when I was a kid including a grocery store.  When I was in junior high school I was left off there when the basketball games were over when we went on a road trip. Olympic Village has been remodeled a couple times since those days. Fred Meyer’s is going to be moving into a new shopping center on the other side of the highway so hard to know who will be moving into their current spot.  The other stores there could struggle after Meyer’s move. The coffee shop I go there is very popular so they should survive.

On the other side of the highway there is currently three shopping centers so where Fred Meyer’s will be relocating will make it four.

There are two of the three shopping centers that have been around for a while during most of my adulthood. The third one went in about seven years after the second Narrows Bridge was built. The bridge brings traffic to and from Gig Harbor to Tacoma.  Growing up the current shopping center was almost all woods with a motel taking over a small area. Walmart wanted to build their however the citizens didn’t want them in. That shopping center also includes a ten-plex movie theatre as well.

When you go further north on highway sixteen after Gig Harbor there is what’s called North Gig Harbor. That area was all woods when I was growing up now there are a couple shopping centers and another one proposed.  A lot of homes are built and more being built in that area. Actually I am a bit disturbed along with a lot of others who have lived here a long time. All these homes are being built right next to each other and so many trees have been taken out. I don’t go there very often either.

So you see though Gig Harbor is still a small town it certainly larger than when I was growing up. I really hope that the area doesn’t grow a  lot more after these expansions but most likely will. Now people can eat out more often than I was a kid. I am sure most people my age had the same experience when they were a kid no matter where they lived. I guess you call it progress which I wouldn’t call it myself.

Though Gig Harbor has grown there are areas where the small town feeling is still in. At least that is good in my mind.  

                                           Green Turtle Restaurant on the Waterfront

 

Ask For Wisdom!

We all know the world is getting smaller and we can reach others anywhere else in matter of seconds.  On social media we can view live feeds of anyone who chooses to do so.

Whatever cause you follow or go against you will be either praised or criticized. Also this applies if you don’t agree with some people’s life style. This is why I stay away from controversy often as I can. Everyone seems to have a strong opinion when it comes to politics, religion or lifestyle. The big question is how to be loving and compassionate with others you don’t agree and this is especially true of family and friends.

I believe we do need to ask for wisdom.  If you have read the Old Testament in the book of first Kings Chapter three King Solomon who has taken over the kingship after the death of his father David he asked for discernment between good and evil from God. He became the wisest man ever on earth though like all of us he did make a lot of mistakes as well. We can all use wisdom daily in our lives. One thing I believe is that we need to know when to speak and when not to. I do have areas that I feel strong in however not giving my opinion most of the time I have found to be wise.  I say most of the time because I have given my opinion on social media and I have been praised and criticized. Many occasions it is a lose win situation to speak up however there are times where it is important to do so and that is where wisdom must come in.

So my answer to this is to ask God for discernment and wisdom. Know when to speak and when not too.  There are times whatever you say other people will not listen because they have so strong opinions and I know to that we all have these strong opinions. Other words we are in a no win situation.  In a way what could be funny is that there are those who may have strong feeling in what I say here and I am fine with that too.

I feel besides asking for wisdom is careful when you do speak. I don’t want you to lose family and friends because of it. We can’t win all the battles we fight. I end here wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Enjoying Our Time

Talking about pressing into our goals and encouraging you all that you can actually make it I feel that it is important for all of us to enjoy our time as well.

I feel sometimes being serious about doing something like getting your purpose and destiny it easy to forget that we should enjoy ourselves as well. I am part of a men’s group  at church where we are dealing about serious things going on in our lives and where we want to change how we feel about ourselves and others. Getting out of those areas in life that we struggle a lot with; however, we must take the time to be truly happy as well. We can get really drained if we focus so much on the serious side of life. Also we can get discourage if we don’t resolve things in the time we want to. I sometimes want a quick fix to those areas of life that have been disturbing to me.

Although I am working to get those areas of my life that I feel need fixing I want to be able to have those happy times as well. If you are married and you are working on your marriage it is a good idea to take your wife on a date. Since I am not married and no girlfriend at this time I should reward myself to go out and have a good time as well.

I do have a regular routine of going out for walks and visiting my favorite coffee shop which is a good thing however I need to do something that is out of my routine as well. I recommend that for all of us to do so. In some way you could call it going on a vacation. Be a good idea to go somewhere outside of where you live to enjoy the time with your spouse or by yourself. If you have small children get a baby sitter to watch them while you are gone. It would be like going on a retreat. In fact if your church has those kinds of weekends I make sure to go out on them as often as you can.

Even if we are not going through anything that is serious we can become busy as well so a time away to relax is good for whatever reason it. Another idea when you can’t get away still has the attitude that you will be happy under any circumstances. Best to you all wherever you may go.

Changing the Game Plan!

I am sure a lot of you saw the Super Bowl on Sunday between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons had the game in hand until they made some errors and changed their game plan. What we should learn especially when we are ahead that we should never change our plan. This is even true when the opposition starts coming back.

In the last part of regulation time before the Patriots tied it and went into overtime the Falcons all they had to do is run the ball like they had done earlier. Even if the Patriots would have stopped them without much gain the Falcons would have won the game because all they needed to do is make a field goal instead quarterback Matt Ryan tried to pass the ball and he was sacked. It put the Falcons out of field goal range.

This tells me that we can’t panic no matter what is happening in our lives as long as we have the edge. If we panic like the Falcons we will probably lose like they did.

We need to believe in the faith that we have that we will still win. No matter the Tom Brady in our lives that is leading the team against us we have been ahead in the game from the beginning so let’s keep doing the game plan. Also we have God on our side if we make mistakes and fumble the ball. We must continue running because that is where we have had the success. We are a team and the other members will make sure that we stay on course as well but even if they fail we are still the team.  We did not get to where we are by losing and falling apart.

That is what I like a lot about team sports. There is so much we can learn from them. Sometimes we may feel like a failure as an individual but our teammates will pick us up if we allow them too. Also we must believe in God the ultimate head coach.

What Is the Goal?

I have been thinking about pressing on toward the goal. That is what I wanted to do for this year as the theme or some could say New Year’s resolution. 

The big question though is what is the goal that we are pressing on to? I figure it is an individual thing for each one of us.  It all depends on our purpose and destiny. Where you are right now in your purpose and destiny will give you the goal that you are after so that is why I say it is different for each of us.

Do you know what your goal should be? For some it could be a number while another is what you want to accomplish. So we should look at the goal. It could be goal we want to set for the remaining of our life or for this year only. Actually we should look the goal for both. Important to be realistic when it comes to our goal. We can look at something way out there but we should look at what we believe the goal can be.

For me the goal is going to look at 2017 because I have no idea where it will go the rest of my life. I am looking at the plan going with the goal. I can look at the plan like being an architect, builder or owner. How the home will look with the amount of rooms. What accessories do I want to have as well and the key is how long it will take to build and for how much. Also knowing that changes might happen in the process too and adding things. We know all three the architect, builder and owner the finish product will not look anything like the original drawing.  I have an idea what the home will look like however the finish product will have some additions well as items taken out.  I feel that nothing looks like what the imagination or dreams are in the beginning. Every day I will learn something new that adds to the goal. The most important thing is to press on toward the goal. Never giving up even when it doesn’t look like the goal will be realized. Must feel positive and have the faith the goal will be realized.

Look to what the finish product you think will look like and make your plans. Also remember the finish product will look different than what you started out with. That is the great thing about our purpose and destiny it will turn out a lot different than we thought. Remember your purpose and destiny is not for yourself but for others. Another thing to keep in mind too.

Yes It is Snowing

                   
                                                 snow in my backyard

                                          my neighbor with her new three month old puppy
                                          on first snow day

Here in Gig Harbor winter has become official because we got some snow beyond a trace. I would not say it is a lot snow but at least enough to enjoy.

On Sunday before and during the Super Bowl we were getting wet snow however it was not sticking. I knew that if it continued into the night we would have snow on Monday morning which is the case.

I know that some are disappointed because they don’t like driving in the snow which I have no problem doing. I have driven in snow in Montreal, Quebec and when we have had over ten inches so I enjoy it very much.

We do have a lot of hills around here so we do have to be careful. So many don’t know how to drive in snow I have to watch what others are doing. That isn’t much different than a normal day though.  A lot of people around here have trouble driving no matter the weather.

The hills though mean when it snows you have to drive a minimum speed to make it up the hills. Often people drive to slow to do so and they get into trouble. It doesn’t help me out either. I make sure that I stay far distance away so I can have a running start. Depending on the hill to drive up it must go at least twenty-five miles an hour. Many people don’t realize that has to be the rule to do so. Most of all I try avoid the hills as much as possible. A lot of people live on hills that make it difficult for them to get where they need to go. I am fortunate to live where I don’t have the problem. On the other hand I don’t get as much snow either.

I would love to have more snow like when I was a kid however I will take whatever I can get. Mostly I like the beauty of snow on the trees.

Usually snow doesn’t stick around very long. I hope that the temperatures stay low this time so I can see and enjoy for a few days. It doesn’t have to snow anymore though I would not complain that is for sure however the amount now is fine and I can declare it being winter. Yes!