Mother’s Day

I want to wish every mother a great Mother’s Day. If it weren’t for you and God we wouldn’t be here.

We thank you for your sacrifice in our lives well as your love.

My mother’s generation didn’t really say I love you or express it in very few ways though we did know they did. At least in the USA has worked this way. Many of my friends experienced the same way.

So whether you are the child or the mother or the father “Say I love you”. It is worth more than you think.

I know there are those who may not need to hear the words but there are those who do.

Though we appreciate everything you have done we need to hear it as well. Just in the same way you have to hear “Happy Mother’s Day.”

What Does It Mean To You?

I am sure everyone has their own meaning of life purpose. I am sure you realize I believe our life purpose is what God created us to be.

Often circumstances get in the way of us living out our life purpose to the fullest. The reason is Satan doesn’t want us to and he will block us in doing so.

The reason Satan makes every effort for us not to live our life purpose is he knows how powerful we can be if we live out our purpose.

Living a life of purpose is more than in the natural it is spiritual as well. The natural and spiritual are supposed to work together.

Let you know I don’t have a handle on the natural and the spiritual. I am still trying to figure it all out like anyone else. So today take a little time if that is all you have to work on your purpose in the natural well as the spiritual.  

Our Motivation

Our number one motivation has to be love. This in regards to our purpose or helping others in general at all times.

Any other motivation we have we need to think whether love is involved. If not then we need to scratch it off the list.

The people we meet need to realize that we are genuine. We can’t be someone we are not just to help them. This is especially true of individuals we may feel uncomfortable around.

No matter how much love we have for people there will be those we won’t feel comfortable around and it is OK. Doesn’t change that we can’t love them; in fact, loving them will give us more strength. Other words the more we help those that we feel uncomfortable around someday we will be comfortable with them too.

I find those that I am not comfortable around have nothing to do with love actually. I am uncomfortable because I haven’t spent a lot of time around them. Usually, we are comfortable with people we know and those we are alike. For example, if someone likes sports I feel comfortable around them because I like sports while at the same time if they like Opera for instance than I won’t be comfortable. If they like sports and Opera than I will be comfortable when they are talking about sports and not when talking Opera got it!

I will stop here right now. I am sure you know what I mean about being motivated by love. Have a great weekend and let your love shine.

Discovering Our Purpose

Whether we are living out our purpose right now or not it takes time to discover it all.

We don’t have all of our purposes right now. We learn along the way.

I know what my purpose is for right now but I am excited to see what comes along in the future.

What I am excited about are the people I will meet. This is where my purpose is fixed on.

What can I do for others right now? What are their needs that I can help with? Sometimes all it is being with them.

Life can be a lonely road sometimes. I have learned the lesson well. Helping others can take our eyes off of us. Amen!

A Road Trip

Right now I figure that I am going to take a short road trip on Thursday.

I will be heading north on highway 16 here on the Kitsap Peninsula. Where I live in Gig Harbor, Washington is the beginning of the peninsula.

I will be going through Bremerton which is the largest city on the route. The biggest employer in Bremerton is the Naval Shipyard. It has been around a long time. My grandfather Nightingale when he came to Washington State had his first job at the shipyard. After a few years, he transferred to Tacoma where he worked as an engineer for the electric company where he stayed until he retired.

Also, on the route is Bangor known for the Naval Submarine Base.  I will cross the Hood Canal Bridge then shortly go east to my destination of Port Townsend.

It has been several years since I have been to Port Townsend. I expect some changes have happened since the last time I was there. In fact, they were doing some road construction during my last visit that I wasn’t able to go down to the historic area of the town. It will be interesting to see the changes.

I will be taking my camera so I will show some pictures after my return. I will make several short stops on the way there and on my way back. I hope this will be one of several short trips over the next several months.

The weather is expected to summer like having the temperatures reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It will be a lovely day for a trip.

Pictures and More Pictures

With the arrival of smartphone, photography has become a big thing whether it has to do with selfies or showing family pictures on social network.

I have several friends that do photography as their livelihood. Also, if you are a travel writer pictures sell more than anything. It is a great way to use the talents given to you and for your purpose as well.

So I have decided today to show some of my pictures I have taken the last several years. Here goes……….

We Do Influence Others

My church right now is doing a series during the sermon time about us being a positive influence.

We influence others whether we realize it or not. The question is it a positive or negative influence. We do have the choice in our hands in going either way.

I sure hope that I am being a positive influence. I believe so with the response, I get here as well as elsewhere.

We are all evolving all the time. We will make mistakes but the important is to keep it at a minimum.

Loving others is a good place to start when influencing others in a positive way. How others respond to us will give us the idea where we are at influencing.

I have faith that you are doing a good job so keep it up. Amen!

Going Around Being Nice

Reading a lot of different posts on social network the conclusion I come up with is that a lot of people like those that are nice.

This could be one of the top attributes when it comes to living a life of purpose.

We should be able to be nice even to those we don’t agree with. I have mentioned before though we have freedom of speech in the USA we still need to be careful about how we use it. Saying something in the wrong way may allow you to have free speech but it can allow an employer not to hire you.

In another way, I could say don’t be loose cannon. Think before you speak. It took me a while to learn this one for sure. Wisdom can get you out of trouble real fast.

So be kind and gentle to those you don’t agree with along with those that you do. They may not agree with you but they will admire you which is a good step toward agreeing with you.

A To Do List

Below is a good to do list for us all to live by. 

Saying Goodbye

Whether they are friends or acquaintances I find it interesting when they move and I have to say goodbye.

My neighbor of four years moved from Washington State to Michigan. She has a friend in Michigan that she would like to be closer to and her daughter is going to college in New York. She didn’t want to move to New York but wanted to be closer to where her daughter is.

Before coming to Washington State she lived in Arizona. Her parents live in Oregon and they have a ranch. Her dog Amber she decided to leave with her parents where she can roam.

Anyway to say all that I hope someday I hope to see her again. I am sure the chances are not great here unless her daughter decides to come back to Washington. Neither of them is attached to the area other than some friends.

I figure I may have to go to Michigan or see her while I travel the country someday.   I am sure the odds are great against it but you never know.

This is what our purpose and destiny are all about seeing people and being involved in their lives even for a period of time. In September a reunion is already planned to see those I used to go to church with. Some will be there that I see at my current church or I run into them once in a while around town while others I haven’t seen for quite some time or not since we were in church together. 

I feel these people are still family though we don’t have a relationship going on regularly. When we see each other it will bring back great times and memories; much in the same way when I see those, I went to school with.

I figure the most important thing is for us to spend time with people as often as we can because we have no idea how long the time will last. All these people have a place in my heart in one fashion or another. I am sure you have a lot of people in the same boat.

We are blessed when we have friends where we have spent time with for many years or even more so a lifetime. Enjoy as you can. Amen!

It’s May

Really hard to believe it is May now. We know time goes by the older we get.

Here in Western Washington, we have the sun out all week long. This weekend we are expected to hit 70 degrees.

Last year I went up to British Columbia, Canada to visit my cousins in May. It was very hot last May. It actually got up to the 90s.  I wouldn’t be going this year but I hope to again next year. It will be nice to stay in the 70s at best. I am not ready for summer yet though nice to have the sun out.

Look forward to seeing the flowers blooming here now to. Enjoy the fresh air as well.

The only downfall for May is my birthday comes again in 14 days. At some point, it isn’t as fun to enjoy your birthday. Age is getting up there though I don’t feel it most of the time though do have some small aches and pains.

Anyway, wherever you are have yourself a wonderful May. Enjoy every second taking each day on its own.  Amen!

Consistent

There is nothing better than being consistent.

People think better of us when they can count on us at all times. Of course, things do come up but otherwise, we should be there.

I am not saying this to be rude or anything but as a reminder. It is important to call if something comes up as well.

We are a rock when others know we are solid. They will be there for us when we are there for them.

Consistent is what we should live by regardless if others don’t. Peace!

Challenge You

I hope that I am challenging you besides encouraging you. They go together I believe.

I believe we are all in the same boat. Discovering our purpose or expanding it.

I believe the world is our playground and we go as far as God wants us to go. I believe he has no limit for us.

Often as Christians, we think that we can only go so far but I believe God wants us to go further.

Yes we are to love our neighbors, however, we can do by having as much as we want and God wants us to have as well.

God told Israel they could enter the promised land but only Caleb and Joshua believed him. Also, we are told with faith we can move mountains.

All God asks that we follow and do our best. He will do the rest. So go for it and see how your life changes. Amen!