Encouragement

Good Evening, or whatever is the best greeting to you, in your part of the world!

Today, things have continued to be somewhat 'tumultous'; a carry over from yesterday. Small wonder, both Alan and I were ready to see our bed last night! You can refer to yesterday's post, if you wish.

Earlier this afternoon, we received an email / newsletter from Joyce Meyer Ministeries; and it arrived 'right at the right moment!'. THANK YOU, JOYCE!!! I saw her insightful video re: 'Encouragement in Difficult Times'; and it reinforced me to 'NOT TO GIVE UP'; no matter what tid is going on around us. Her website is: www.joycemeyer.org. I seriously recommned any of you, who want some refreshing encouragement, to tune into her site. She also offers wonderful resources to be of further help. I will be sharing a tidbitz tomorrow about 'Enjoying Everyday Life', and then on the day following (Thursday) on 'Living Truth' with Charles Price.

Will begin first, with a bittidz re: 'Hour of Power' (www.hourofpower.org) with Dr. Robert Schuller. ie. The guest speakers; and it is still best to check his site out, for your own tidbit knowledge and clarity. Methinks it is better to share tidbits on each ministry, one day at a time; so that you can appreciate each one more fully. However, for those of you, who are inspired asap to know more ('Seek and Ye Shall Find'), here are the websites, in order of T.V. appearance on the Vision Channel on Sunday mornings. www.hourofpower.org; www.joycemeyer.org; and www.livingtruth.ca.

'Hour of Power' - Dan Merchant, known as the 'Bumper Sticker Man' and Author of the book, 'Lord, Save us from your followers'; is also a T.V. film producer / writer. He invites open bittids of dialogue ('Bumper Sticker Man') with all those he meets, to have a better understanding / communication with the Lord. He basically shares: 'By having total Trust in Him for Truth, and the Power is 'letting' Him Guide you; not you, relying on yourself'.

Should mention too, that Jeannette, on the "Hour of Power', sang in a beautiful voice, 'I will try again'. Not sure if that was the name of the song; but it was peace to one's ears.

Also, on 'Hour of Power'. was Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, Illinois. We have heard him speak before on 'Hour of Power'; and he is an awesome inspiration! Still better for you to check out the websire, to receive the best info! He shares a story, based on a 'prompting' or 'a whisper from Him' (love that thought!), when he was out boating; and having reached the shore in the late afternoon / early evening. He ended up going to the place where he attended as a youth at a Christian camp and stood in the same bittid spot, where he first genuinely accepted Jesus Christ into his heart. He was not able to hail a taxi immediately (a small community); however, he was successful in locating a telephone number, to reach a 'person' who was motivated by earning some money. The 'person' was a young man, 'down on his luck', drove a beaten up vehicle, on empty. In addition to the fare, Bill offered to pay for some gas; in fact to fill it up. The beaming young man, as they were driving away from the gas station, said, 'It never has been filled before and it handles differently with a lead of fuel'. (I am thinking - WOW! Isn't that encouragingly true about everything!!!). Back to story; Bill visited the 'spot', where he stood years before; and on the return trip, the young man was full of questions! One of the questions: 'Would He still do it for a loser like me?' Bill's response: 'You are not a loser; you are made in the Image of God. You are someone who God wants to meet and adopt into His Family!' What a wonderful way of putting it! Bill listened to the 'Whisper from God' (ie in his morning Prayers, he ASKS God, to 'use him'. Thus Bill, was able to INFLUENCE this young man, to reflect, and be Saved by Him! You can refer to Luke 15 for the Biblical stories of the 'missing' - ie. the 'lost sheep', the 'lost coin', and the 'wayward son' for hope and encouragement!

Another heartwarming tale is a little closer to the heart; which involved Bill and his young son, when they were out windsurfing; ie with the little guy perched on Bill's shoulders. Both were not wearing lifejackets; and when the 'boat' overturned, there was no sign of his son. Pretty scary as a parent; feeling totally helpless! To make a long story short (if you link into the website, you can hear the full story for yourselves!), the Dad screamed his son's name (Todd); to the point where he had no voice left. God stepped in for the 'missing' in this case.

Bill asks the question: 'When is the last time that you have searched to Help someone who has gone away?' And, 'to be used by Him; always an eye and a heart for the outsider!' Also, as in a Church who 'reaches out'. In his Church's office, Bill sees a 'cosmic celebration' picture, of a 'Head Table', with a Banner. Imagine seeing your name on the Banner! HE (Jesus Christ) LOVES us all that much! Hope I have provided the 'gist'; however, I encourage you to tune into Bill Hybels. If we lived in his part of the world, I would be attending his teachings; he is very 'real'.

Reminds me of an amusing story when I was a youngster (may have told the tale in an older post); and I used to sit on my Dad's shoulders for 'waterskiing'. Usually, there was a friend to 'man the boat'; however, on this particular day, my Mum was the 'designated driver'. We started from the water, lifejackets on both of us (I was 6 years approx); and away we went! Whee around the bay! For whatever reason, my Dad fell - I think with my hands over his eyes; and gleefully and fearlessly shouting, 'Go Faster! Go Faster!' did not help matters! LOL! My Mum stopped the boat; we got ourselves 'ready to go again'; and my Mum put the boat in REVERSE! Full steam backwards! Yep, right at us, folks. My Dad (fortunately, he was an athelete), pulled with great dexterity, both him and myself under the water with lifejackets; just in time. We narrowly missed being 'smushed' by the propeller; as we saw it whirling close above us. Methinks that was a pretty close call! 'Someone' (Him, I now realize!) was watching out for us! My Mum never drove the boat again!

Tidbit - Do your best to keep your 'spirits up'. A sense of humour is a valuable tool!

Bittid - Just when you think about 'giving up'; do NOT! I was not going to 'give up'; eventhough I was a bittid discouraged. I was 'prompted' or 'heard a whisper' to go to my computer at that exact time; and there was Joyce's email! No kidding; and there are NO bit ooincidences here (have written a few posts on 'No Coincidences', if you wish to locate them). It was / IS a BLESSING; that 'perked me' right up! The 'message' came at the right time!

Just had a phone call from 'Maureen's' daughter to give us an update on Maureen. Not the best news. Apparently, Maureen has now 'picked up' a 'kidney infection', has 'pneumonia', an 'inflated' heart, and more blood clots. It was pretty much what my Mum went through when she remained in the hospital for her cancer checkup; although she did not have a pacemaker (she had a esophagus tube instead); but she 'went downhill' and rapidly - to her death. And yet, the hospital was where she had to be; but you wonder about 'infections', that were not present, before admittance? Maureen is a 'young' 79 years old! Her daughter lives in the United States; and has to return home; however will return on the weekend. Alan has just driven her to the bus stop; and we are on 'standby', if needed to 'pitch in'. We think we are experiencing our difficulties; but this is way worse! Appreciate and be thankful for your Blessings, comes to mind here! Also, just said an Interecessary Prayer for Maureen.

Will be back tomorrow; and I look forward to sharing some tidbitz thoughts that I learned and appreciated from Joyce on 'Enjoying Everyday Life'. Also, I have mentioned the word, 'encouragement' quite a bittidz of times in today's post; but isn't life all about giving! ie ENCOURAGEMENT to others in need! I LOVE the above photo image of 'Seek and Ye Shall Find'.

Good Night and God Bless.