The Superior Scribbler Award

Carrie at Cogito Ergo Scribit has passed along to me the Superior Scribbler Award. Thanks Carrie! I truly feel honored.

Award:
The Superior Scribbler

1. Each Superior Scribbler, must in turn, pass the Award on to 5 most-deserving bloggy buds.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author and name of the blog from whom he/she has received the Award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display the Award on his/her blog and link to this post which explains the Award.

4. Each blogger who wins the Award must visit this post and add his or her name to the Mr. Linky List at the Scholastic-Scribe's blog. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who wins this prestigious Award!

5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

According to the rules, I hereby pass this prestigious award to the following bloggers.

Mari at Dzmari Photoblog

Tim at Live Smart

Barbara at Melancholy Musings

CK0712 at Football News from a Chick

Erich at WorldView Conversation

WordlessWednesday 30 Sep 09

Too Many Two's To Be Two for Tuesday

Everyone has heard of Two for Tuesday. People use this phrase all of the time for selling their wares, for events and for numerous other groupings of two. There are more than two, Two for Tuesday's. Well, today being Tuesday let me add another, Two Quotes for Tuesday for lack of a better name. In fact, leave a comment with your suggestion of what I should call Tuesday's article.

God helps those who help themselves,

but there are times when we are quite incapable

of helping ourselves. That's when God

stoops down and gathers us in His arms

like a mother lifts a sick child,

and does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Ruth Bell Graham



Therefore I will look to the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
My God will hear me.

Micah 7:7

Sometimes We Must Wait

Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the Lord,

The Creator of the ends of the earth,

Neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the weak,

And to those who have no might He increases strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

And the young men shall utterly fall,

But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Many times in our lives we must be patient upon the Lord to give us the strength we need to overcome the trials and tribulations in our lives. For me, my health was progressively getting worse. I suffered a panic attack about three years ago and was diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure) but I did not listen and change my habits. Two and a half years ago I had congestive heart failure for the first time, still I did not take heed and change my ways. I had fallen a few times which made my condition even worse and made it more difficult to walk. Two years ago I came to the point where I was unable to walk and breath without pain. I continued to try to work but then I got an infection which made it impossible and caused me to become bed ridden. I had all but given up hope on myself. The Lord continually tried to make me take notice to make changes to become healthy which I ignored. In November of last year I finally came to the point in my life where I was feeling better and started to make some casual changes. However, in February, I had congestive heart failure and respiratory failure; I almost died. I had slipped into a coma. Then, as the priest was annoiting me with oil the Lord stepped in and said He was not ready for me to go. He had given me a second chance at life. He had work for me to do. It was at that very moment my health began to improve. Now, I am no longer bed ridden, I am able to walk short distances and I have lost over 80 pounds. I feel wonderful and I am starting my new job today.

The reason I tell this tale is to point out that even in my weakess moments He was there for me. I have struggled many times in my life but the Lord has always been with me and leads me to His will. I may sometimes have to wait for the Lord to renew my strength but as He does I learn and become stronger in many ways. If you are experiencing rough times in your life, have faith. You may have to wait upon the Lord, but He shall renew your strength and raise you up to spread your wings.

Sunday Song of Celebration

Watch and Enjoy the music video and feel free to sing along, I have.

The Value of a Smile

It costs nothing, but creates much.

It enriches those who receive without impoverishing those who give.

It happens in a flash & the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

It cannot be begged, borrowed, or stolen, but it is of no earthly good to anyone until it is given away!

So if in your hurry you run across someone too weary to smile - leave one of yours.

No one needs a smile as much as he who has none to give.

Author Unknown

Big Problems? Take Baby Steps Today

Problems too big? Do you procrastinate? Are you one of those people who always puts off things until tomorrow or Monday? Well, start today. Make a decision to work on the problem or project you have been putting off.

Perhaps your troubles are too large to accomplish all at once. This does not mean just because you cannot solve everything to give up and do nothing. You can start today, as a favor to yourself and to break the habit of procrastination, do something to make your situation better.

Take baby steps. The old saying, "Rome wasn't built in a day," holds true. For example, I am overweight and on a journey to a happier and healthier lifestyle. I do not expect to lose all of the weight I put on over the last 25 years quickly and with no effort. I know it takes baby steps. I did not put all of this weight on overnight and I will not be able to take it off overnight. But I can change my habits little by little and start to make strides in achieving my goals. Even a small step in the right direction is still a step in the right direction. A small baby step is better than no step at all.

The grace of God is sufficient for all our needs,
for every problem and for every difficulty,
for every broken heart,
and for every human sorrow.

Peter Marshall


Like the father in the picture above,
our Heavenly Father will guide and help us take our steps.

Suggested reading:
Blurt: Optimism? But I’m Having a Self-Pity Party

Footprints in the Sand

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

“You promised me Lord,that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

Mary Stevenson, 1936

WordlessWednesday 23 Sep 09

Tackling Adversity

In our lives we all experience adversity and tough times along the way. None of us have a perfect life where nothing ever goes wrong. The world is an imperfect place and from time to time we all will face troubles. During these hard times we may be forced to rearrange our lives, our priorities, our plans, our goals and our dreams. But even when we are at the bottom of the well and can find no way of escape we must remember God’s love is always there.

How we deal with these times of woe and despair depends on our choice to either face them head on, or not. If we choose to tackle and deal with these times of adversity we usually will find we can keep them from growing into a major catastrophe. Choosing to ignore them only delays the inevitable. We must try to keep a positive attitude and let God’s grace and peace into our lives.

We know that God loves us and he wants the best for us as any father would for his child. He will protect us. He will comfort us in our despair. In our grief, He stands closely by and dries our tears. In times of hardship, He carries us through. We must put our trust in Him and continue to strive to work hard tackling and facing our problems. We must hold fast to our faith. He is always with us.


When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior
Isaiah 43:2-3

Monday Morning Misery

I offer this poem for all of those who just can't seem to get going in the morning.

Monday Morning Misery

by Brian, the old man

Oh where, oh where
Is my coffee pot?
I look everywhere
And I find it not

It couldn’t have flown
Or walked away
Why oh why
How could it stray?

I know that I left it
And cleaned it out
I just can’t find it
I’m about to shout

I have to get ready
Or I will be late
But I need my coffee
Oh such is my fate

There you are
How’d you get there?
Under the table
On top of the chair

Now where are the filters?
Oh this can’t be true
Forgot to buy them
Now I’m so blue

Maybe I should
Just crawl back in bed
Tuck under the covers
And lie down my head

Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.
Victor Hugo

Good Sunday Morning

Please join me in praying the Lord’s Prayer in the words our savior gave us

Our Father,
Who art in Heaven,
hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Amen.