Category Archives: Brighter Days Ahead

Brighter Days Ahead

We Can Ask God for Help

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On his visits to my house,  my nephew’s favorite thing to do is to climb the tree in my front yard.  The problem is, he’s only 4, so reaching even the bottom branch is impossible.  Even with no chance of success, he keeps trying to climb it.  Benjamin reaches as high as he can, he stands on tiptoes, and he even tries to climb the trunk.  Eventually, he asks me to lift him up.  Then he immediately reaches for a higher branch and takes those little tennies and steps onto the lowest branch.  His face instantly lights up like he’s standing on top of the world.  I like that I get to be a part of his success, and that he asked for my help. It makes my day to see him so happy.

God likes to make our days better too.  He watches us struggle and waits for us to ask for his help.  Unfortunately, we often try to fight our battles alone.  Why do we do that?  We can ask God for help. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, BSB) We don’t have to worry and fret about the storms that surround us.  We can ask God for help.  “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7, NLT) Instead of struggling in the valley, let’s ask God for help so he can lift us to the mountaintop.  It makes his day to see us happy.

Things to do today:

  1. Ask God for help.
  2. Read a similar blog called ‘Good, Good Father’ and listen to songs ‘Need You Now’ and ‘You’re Gonna Be Okay.’
Brighter Days Ahead

We Need a Change

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We Need a Change
Sunlight Over Spring Flowers

Yesterday my family had  a garage sale at my house.  The day started cold and rainy and we wondered about our ‘brilliant’ plan to have a sale on this day.  Let’s face it-this cold, wet, and dreary weather has held on too long-we need a change.  Throughout the day people talked about the cold day and the length of the winter; it seems we’re all hoping for a change in the weather.  We actually ran a small heater in the garage and bundled up in jackets and blankets.  We took turns running into the house to get warm and repeatedly drank hot tea to ward off the chill.  Who thought we’d need to do that at the end of April? Looking at the forecast for next week, I am happy to say warmer temperatures are heading our way.

We need change in other ways  too.  Perhaps a sickness has held on too long, or a particular problems lingers on.  There are times stress, worry, and fears remain in our lives long after their ‘expiration’ date.  Take heart, right now God is planning good things for us.  “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19, NLT) The faithfulness of God gives us hope when we need a change in our circumstances.  “I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope:  Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! ” (Lamentations 3:21-23 HCSB) When winter lasts way too long, we need a change. That’s the perfect time to let hope rise…while looking forward to the beauty of a new season.

Things to do today:

  1. Get your hopes up and believe for change.
  2. Read a similar blog called ‘A New Season’ and listen to songs ‘Promises’ and ‘I Need a Miracle.’

 

Brighter Days Ahead

Timing is Everything

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Spring flowers on a garden path...
Timing is Everything

It’s that time of year when I realize it won’t  be long before I’ll be mowing the lawn on a regular basis. The bumps in the yard right now make me feel like I’m walking across a rocky terrain.  Seriously, sometimes the ground is so uneven I think I should be wearing ankle protection.  As I was pondering what to do about the rough ground, I saw a man rolling my neighbor’s yard, so I went and asked him to take care of my lawn too.  It was a heavy  lawn roller and really did the trick on my uneven ground.  Apparently, timing is everything because the owner said springtime is the perfect time to do it.  So perhaps the ankle protection should go back to the store…

God knows quite a bit about timing too.  As we are rushing to get through the problems in our lives we forget to recognize at that very minute God is going ahead of us and continually works on them .   “We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, CEV)  When we’re pleading for an end to our problems, God is calmly smoothing out the road before us.  When we’re thinking this is an impossible situation and nothing will ever change, changes are happening.  God is secretly preparing good things for us.   “I will go before you and level the uneven places; I will shatter the bronze doors and cut the iron bars in two. I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches from secret places…” (Isaiah 45:3-4, HCSB) Sometimes we forget that timing is everything, but God never forgets.  “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV)

Things to do today:

  1. Ask God for strength during this current challenge.
  2. Read a similar blog called ‘Perfect Timing’ and listen to songs ‘Jesus Take the Wheel’ and ‘Shepherd.’
Brighter Days Ahead

At a Crossroads…

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At a Crossroads
At a Crossroads

Crossroads Community Church in Norwalk, Ohio is celebrating 10 years of being in their current building.  Ten years ago they were at a crossroads-in order to move ahead,hurdles would have to be scaled.  Just the financing for such a project is staggering.  Then add the careful planning that had to go into the big decisions that were made: location, size, and placement of church and parking lot on the land. After that comes the gazillion (Is that even a word?) other decisions that would have been made starting from the ground up.  Just thinking about it overwhelms me!  One thing I know for sure: they built the church on a firm foundation.  How do I know?  It’s still standing.

We all come to a crossroads in our lives where we need to make a decision.  Do we want to carry on as we are: in worry, stress, and pain? Or do we want to start building something new with a firm foundation?  Jesus is the Rock we should build on.  “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.” (Isaiah 28:16, NLT) In the storms of life, our ‘house’ will stay standing because God himself watches over it. “The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side.” (Psalm 121:5, HCSB) We don’t have to live in a house filled with anxiety;  we can  live in a house filled with peace.  God’s already dropped off the welcome gift on the doorstep. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  (John 14:27, NIV) So the only question is: will we pick it up?

Things to do today:

  1. Accept the peace that God is offering.
  2. Read a similar blog called ‘Hold Fast to Peace’ and listen to songs ‘Prince of Peace’ and ‘Perfect Peace.’
Brighter Days Ahead

Even With Obstacles…You Can Keep Going

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Even with obstacles, we need to keep going.  I learned this one summer when my friends and I hiked the Billy Goat Trail in Maryland on what had to be the hottest day of the year.  The trail itself offered its share of challenges with much of it covered in rocky terrain.  We climbed over, then slid down, giant boulders on a regular basis.  The sun beat on our backs as the flowing waters of the Potomac River tempted us from far below.  One of the biggest challenges was scaling a steep cliff face along the Potomac’s Mather Gorge.  Although we consumed water regularly, the weight of it in our packs seemed to get heavier as the day wore on.  Despite the deterrents that day, I’m happy to report we kept going and made it to the trail’s end.

We all have obstacles that try to block our path: health issues, relationship problems, and challenges in the workplace.  But we can keep going.  God’s message is clear: “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2 NLT) So often we waste our energy trying to figure out why ‘something like this’ would happen to ‘someone like us’.  Instead of fretting about the problem, we need to trust in the one who knows what to do about it.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:4-5 NASB) Although we’re in the valley right now, we can keep going, because the mountaintop is just ahead.

Things to do today:

  1. Trust God is going to bring you through this current challenge.
  2. Read a similar blog called ‘The Battle is Yours’ and listen to songs ‘Trust in You’ and ‘Eye of the Storm.’
Brighter Days Ahead

You Can Get Back Up

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Bent Tree in front of Ocean
You Can Get Back Up

I just read a story about a skier and the unimaginable trials he endured as he pursued his dream to be an Olympian. Despite continually being knocked down, he got back up.  His name is Torin Yater-Wallace and his specialty is the half-pipe.  In layman’s terms, the half-pipe is doing aerial tricks on skis, jumping upwards of 25 feet in the air. Although he is only 22 years old, Torin has seen his share of struggles.  From serious challenges within his family as a child and to injuries from the sport itself, he could have given up.  But he didn’t, he got back up.  His trials continued when a medical mistake had a needle puncturing his lung, greatly affecting his first try at the Olympics in Sochi.   But he got back up.  Lastly, a rare bacterial infection had him hovering near death just 2 years before this Olympics.  His skiing competition is up ahead, because even in the tough times, he got back up.

Most of us will never compete in an Olympic competition, but times of testing will come.  Question: When adversity knocks us to our knees, how will we get back up? Answer: Quite simply, the Lord Most High.  “The Lord helps all who fall; he raises up all who are oppressed.” (Psalm 145:14 CSB) Having no strength left, we can reach for God. In doing so, we’ll see, he’s also reaching for us.  “For I hold you by your right hand–I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.'” (Isaiah 41:13, NLT) We’re not in this fight alone.  “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NLT) On the tough days, we keep pushing on, because we CAN get back up.

Things to do today:

  1. Ask God to strengthen you in this current battle.
  2. Read a similar blog called ‘Stay in the Fight’ and listen to songs ‘Warrior’ and ‘This is My Fight Song.’

 

 

Brighter Days Ahead

This is Only a Season

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Sunlight over a snowy landscape.
This is only a season.

Tonight as I drove home in the late afternoon the sky in front of me appeared gloomy and gray.  The barren trees lined the snow-covered road.  Freezing rain is in the forecast and the ominous clouds seem to agree.  If I let myself, I could easily hide under the covers until winter moves on.  But one thing I know, weather has a way of changing, sometimes quite quickly.  In Ohio we may have 3 inches of snow, then the following day have temperatures in the 50’s with a little sunshine.  I can get impatient when waiting for spring, but year after year it proves faithful, spring indeed does come.  I must remember this is only a season.

We often hope for change in our lives too.   Perhaps we’d like a better job or improved health.  Maybe we need a change in our relationships or in our finances.  When we’re in a tough season, we can cry out to God.  He is always listening. “Our LORD, we belong to you. We tell you what worries us, and you won’t let us fall.” (Psalm 55:22, CEV)   When the clouds are blocking our view of what’s ahead, we can trust God is planning to ‘change the weather’.  “I will bless you with a future filled with hope–a future of success, not of suffering.” (Jeremiah 29:11, CEV) Hang tough, just like the cold winters of Ohio, a change of season is coming.  “Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come…” (Song of Solomon 2:11-12, NLT)  Although the sky is dark today, keep looking up, because this is only a season.

Things to do today:

  1. Tell God your troubles, worries, and fears.
  2. Read a similar blog called ‘A New Season’ and listen to songs: ‘Cry Out to Jesus’ and ‘Hope in Front of Me.’

 

Brighter Days Ahead, Hope

A Reliable Forecast

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Purple Montains with Snow
A Reliable Forecast

Sometimes I enjoy the unexpected.  But once in awhile, it would be nice to have a reliable forecast. When people talk about weather in Ohio, I have to laugh.  At one point last week, 22 inches of snow was predicted.  The projected snowfall amounts fluctuated all week until someone posted on Facebook that we could get anywhere from 0-100 inches of snow.  Hilarious. There are times you just don’t know what to expect.  As it turns out, Friday brought rain and 50 degrees in the morning. There were falling temperatures throughout the day, which resulted in icy roads.  Then the day culminated with strong winds and steady snowfall.  It’s hard to know what to expect when the unexpected keeps happening!

Wouldn’t we like a more reliable forecast?  Wouldn’t we like to have something or someone we could rely on?  God is the dependable one.  He is always faithful.  “Your loving-kindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” (Psalm 36:5 NASB) We can lean on  God in every area of our lives.  When storms come our way, he is a willing and waiting shelter.  “…He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him… He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (Psalm 91: 2;4 NLT) We don’t have to be unsure in any situation.  We don’t have to spend our nights worrying about what is going to happen; we can choose to trust our faithful God.  “Those who know your name trust you, O Lord, because you have never deserted those who seek your help.” (Psalm 9:10 GWT) Although tomorrow’s weather is uncertain, with God the forecast is unwavering.

Things to do today:

  1. Let hope arise.
  2. Read a similar blog called God is Faithful and listen to songs ‘You’re an Overcomer’ and ‘I am Not Alone.’
Brighter Days Ahead, Hope

The Gifts I Want to Give

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Present with Twinkling Lights: The Gifts I Want to Give
The Gifts I Want to Give

It’s that time of year again when my mind searches for the perfect Christmas gifts.  Truth be told, all the money in the world won’t buy the gifts I want to give.  I’d like to give my friends and family one more day with the ones they are missing: their husband, their dad, their mom, a special friend, a precious child. I’d like to give my friend perfect health-to completely chase out the cancer invading her body.  A friend’s mom keeps forgetting-I’d like to give her a whole day of laughter, love, and joy.  One friend’s husband has a health crisis.  I’d like to give her a  worry-free day.  To the ones who are hurting in unseen ways, I’d like to give you peace.

I can’t give the gifts I want to give,  but God can. He wants to give you comfort. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles…” (2 Corinthians 1:4, NIV) He wants to give you peace. “I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart…” (John 14:27 NLT) He wants to give you strength. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 ESV) Incredibly, he also wants to give you life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV) On the first Christmas so long ago, God gave the best gift ever: Jesus.  With this perfect gift, you not only get another day…you get the gift of forever.

Things to do today:

  1. Accept the freely-offered gifts from God.
  2. Read a similar blog called ‘The Sun Will Shine Again.’ Also, listen to songs ‘One More Day’ and ‘Take Courage.’
Brighter Days Ahead

The Destination is Just Ahead

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Beautiful Clouds: The Destination is Just Ahead
The Destination is Just Ahead

My mom and I took a trip this past week and encountered many obstacles.  It was hard to remember that the destination was ahead.  First, the roads were jammed with traffic.  Second, there was road work being completed and three busy lanes merged into one, creating major slowdowns.  Then, a heavy rain crashed relentlessly against the windshield making it hard to see.  Unfortunately, I took a wrong turn and added an extra hour to an already never-ending drive.  Mom and I were weary when we finally reached our journey’s end.  But amazingly, when we were finally in the place we wanted to be, all the earlier trials faded into the background.

Difficulties can get in the way of our hopes and dreams too.  But we won’t give up, because the destination is just ahead.  “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians  6:9 NLT) Remember, we’re not traveling this road alone. God says with his help, our dreams are attainable.  “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'” (Matthew 19:26 NIV) The plan God has for our lives is good, so we can travel with confidence.  “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT) Let hope arise, because the destination is just ahead.

Things to do today:

  1. Take time to dream.
  2. You can also read another blog called ‘Despite the Obstacles-Keep Going’ and listen to two songs by clicking on the blue lines above: Come to Me and Glorious Unfolding