Honoring Our Senior Citizens

April 4, 2018 Gracie

Honoring Our Senior Citizens

There’s a large group of people in our world that I have tremendous respect for.

Many of them are veterans, and some not.

I’m talking about the men and women who make up our older generation.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where disrespect and a lack of manners are common.

I once saw a teenager eating with his grandmother at a local restaurant. It broke my heart to watch her try to engage the teenager in conversation, but he was way too busy checking his cellphone the whole time.

What’s happened to the social graces that Baby Boomers like myself grew up with?

Appreciating The Older Generation

Christian “change” can start with us.

I believe we should make an effort to show kindness and respect to everyone, but with a special nod to our senior citizens.

If an older person in your path is approachable, then by all means why not say hello, look them in their eyes, and ask how they’re doing? You can pray for them too if they say they have a concern.

We have to start recognizing again that there are years and years of valuable experience and wisdom that we can learn from them.

Paying It Forward

There are many ways to honor the older generation, but here’s one idea.

My husband and I do this at restaurants, anonymously of course. We’ll talk with the waiter privately and pay for the meal of someone, especially if they are a veteran.

It’s a double blessing of joy – for the other person, and for us.

Grace is like a breath of fresh air in our discontented world.

A Blessing For Me

This past week, I was sitting next to a much older man.

We had a few moments to chat and share a few laughs.

He’s been married over fifty years and was more than happy to share his wisdom about the secrets for a long-lasting marriage – including expressions of love, sharing laughter, and mutual respect.

I enjoyed our conversation so much. He was polite and a real gentleman.

After a while, we were interrupted, and he had to leave. As he left, he looked back at me with a smile and said, quite humbly, “I hope I didn’t talk your ears off.”

I didn’t get a chance to respond because he had to leave quickly, but here’s what I wanted to tell him.

No, Sir, you didn’t talk my ears off at all.

I’m grateful to have had the short time with you that I did.

And I won’t forget those little pearls of wisdom you shared.

Thank you for blessing me!

Our Exceptional God

Celebrating The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ

March 28, 2018 Gracie

Easter 2018 Is Here!

Don’t you just love this time of year?

Easter is here

It’s so pretty outside.

But…

It’s not about the beautiful flowers.

It’s not about the dyed Easter eggs.

And most certainly, it’s not about the bunny.

We celebrate because it is through Christ’s death and resurrection that we, as repentant sinners, can have eternal life with Him.

Thank You, Father, for sending us Your Son! Matchless King

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Mere words can’t adequately describe the beauty and magnitude of what Christ did for us.

You are the Messiah.
You are the Righteous King.
Your timing is always perfect,
For each and every thing.

You are the Savior,
Our Living Sacrifice
Tho we justly deserve death,
You paid the ultimate price.

– Copyright March 28, 2018, Gracie Jane.

The Celebration That Never Ends

In Psalm 72, we see that Christ’s kingdom will one day reign over all, and every nation will serve Him.

¹⁷May his name endure forever,
    his fame continue as long as the sun!

    May people be blessed in him,
    all nations call him blessed! – Psalm 72:17, (ESV).

That is a message worth celebrating, not just on Easter, but every day of the year.

May your Easter be blessed!

Be blessed

Our Exceptional God

Bible Verses About Fear

March 21, 2018 Gracie

Fear Is Expecting The Worst Will Happen

What scares you the most?

Bible verses about fear

Is it a fear of heights, or maybe a fear of spiders?

Perhaps the fear of dying?

As you know, there are many dangers out there, real or imagined, that have the potential to scare us.

When these fearful thoughts come to mind, it’s often stressful, even emotional at times.

For some unfortunate people, fear can even be debilitating.

Can you imagine being too scared to walk out of your own house?

It’s a real thing.

Trusting God

When my husband went through his heart complications last year, I’ll never forget sitting for hours at the hospital waiting for news.

When the doctor came out later to tell me that the procedure was a success, I burst into tears of relief.

Thankfully, I had two dear friends sitting with me for hours to support and encourage me the whole time.

Earlier, a couple of members from our church came and prayed with us before the procedure began.

It does help to have support from others in times of uncertainty and fear.

An encouraging hug from someone close can comfort you during anxious times.

The spiritual comfort we need most of all are the encouraging words found in Scripture.

There are Bible verses specifically about fear that can help.

You can find them online, but I have one resource for you right here:

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/fear-bible-verses/

Why not consider writing down some of these suggested fear verses on index cards?

I have placed several in various places around my house and office.

¹⁹When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul. – Psalm 94:19, (ESV).

What If

The “what if” game we sometimes play in our heads are enough to drive anyone crazy with worry.

It’s a game we can’t win.

When the “what if” game is rooted in fear, our human nature tends to consume us with thoughts of the worst possible outcomes.

Dr. Woodrow Kroll

I don’t know about you, but this amazing song from MercyMe brings me comfort.

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**Dr. Woodrow Kroll, Bible teacher and preacher, quotation, as quoted, from Christianquotes.info.

Our Exceptional God

Our God Who Cares

February 28, 2018 Gracie

A Helpful RX For A Case Of The Blues

Are you having a bad day?

Here’s a reminder to encourage you when a case of the blues set in.

God cares about you!

He cares so much, in fact, that it’s hard for our human minds to even comprehend the entire depth of His love for us.

The Heavenly Father is perfect, His Word is truth, and He is a righteous judge.

He is eternally good and loving.

If you really take the time to think about it, I’m sure you can recall how He has brought you through some serious challenges.

Sometimes we don’t get the exact answers to our prayers that we wanted, but that doesn’t mean that God is not good and holy. He never makes a mistake. There’s a reason for everything, even if we can’t always see the reasons why.

Dear Christian – the troubling events we see in this world are temporary.

We have the glorious reappearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ, to look forward to.

Maranatha!

Encouraging Words Set to Poetry

Recently, I read a lovely poem by fellow Christian Writer, Leona Mingo, that I wanted to share with you.

It’s a short poem with a lot of meaning.

Remember the comforting words from Scripture that God cares for the sparrows? How much more so that He cares for us. We need never doubt it.

On Hearing a Sparrow Singing in the Darkness
by Leona Mingo
08/02/16
Free to Share

On Hearing a Sparrow Singing in the Darkness

Oh, to be that bird that sings
its joyful song before the dawn;
while long night’s darkness ever clings
and casts its pressing gloom upon
the eastern, waiting sky.

He sings, full knowing
that the Lord is nigh;
and shades of darkness cannot hide
that day which can and shall be seen
by the faithful watching eye.

“Look up, lift up your heads, because your redemption draws nigh.” Luke 21:28b

Our God who cares

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– Poetry shared from article url: https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=185177.

Our Exceptional God

Amazed By Grace

February 21, 2018 Gracie

Amazed By Grace, Humbled To Witness It

What is grace?

There are several definitions online, but here’s mine.

Grace is an unexpected expression of love and compassion from one human being to another.

When I see evidence of grace in this world, it easily brings tears to my eyes.

Simply put, I am amazed by grace.

It’s like witnessing a little bit of heaven on earth.

How blessed we are to be in the right place at the right time to witness grace and mercy right in front of us.

Amazing Grace

Many years ago, I worked in downtown New Orleans.

My job was located in a huge high-rise, and I remember taking the elevator down many flights just to get to the cafeteria on the bottom floor.

At lunchtime, I would always see this homeless woman sitting and eating at a table by herself. I knew she was homeless because I had seen her before on the street.

She usually hung out nearby the office building, head down, wearing an odd hat and mismatched clothing.

My heart went out to her. She never begged or talked to anyone but would hunker down in a corner on the street.

Busy people going to and from work passed by her every day.

That’s why I was curious to find her in the cafeteria my first day on the job.

Was she with someone?

I never saw her with anyone.

amazed by grace

The next day at work, when I came down for lunch again, there she was eating at her table.

And the next day, and the next day.

I felt sorry for her but was glad that she was able to have enough money to eat a nice plate lunch.

One day, my lunch hour was a little earlier than usual. I went down to the cafeteria and, sure enough, there was the same homeless woman in front of me in the food line. She was mumbling incoherently to herself as she picked out food to put on her tray. When she got to the cashier, there was “no charge” and the homeless woman went and sat down at a table.

WOW.

This happened…every day.

I get happy chills thinking about it.

Some dear person in that hi-rise building made sure that the homeless woman had a hot plate of food every single day.

A Place of Grace

I’m no longer at that job in New Orleans.

Memories of my responsibilities there – writing and working with attorneys have all faded…but the cafeteria in that downtown high-rise will always be, in my mind, a “grace place.”

humbled by grace

Heavenly Father – thank You

for Your glimpses of grace

in this crazy world!

Our Exceptional God

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