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Month: January 2013

TODAY THE WORD is MOMENTUM



TODAY THE WORD is MOMENTUM.  When we think of momentum, we probably think in terms of speed and motion. We think of athletes having a lot of momentum to endure the race, the game, the trials and practice sessions. We also associate them as being fit physically and mentally to enable the achievement of high momentum. This is mandatory for them to “stay on top” of their game or event. People assume they come from different genes to maintain such high and fast momentum. Inherited genes may play a part in their make up, but when I see fit, lean athletes with their parents; I wonder! My reference to momentum is not so much physical  momentum as I am writing about individual momentum as it relates to our life in general. I understand that most people are not truly optimistic as a general rule. It would help if more people would exercise more positive assertion or “momentum of life”. I love to see posts from people who find a great reason to live, work, play, love and care. I have always respected people who keep the negative to themselves or ones that are close to them and when I see them, they have a smile on their face. This is the momentum, or the velocity thrust into living and meeting the challenges on a daily basis. This is the strong “athletes” of life. They endure, they excel, they fall and get up again, they run until they are so tired they have to walk, and they love with the strength of Hercules but with the gentleness of the meekest lamb. Now for the deeper thought…..How is our momentum when we are faced with challenges? Do we sink or stand taller in our faith, our work, our family and our friends? Warp speed is how we need to rise when things go wrong. We should welcome when it is us that others call when they are struggling to share our strength with them and most of all, with a smile and an open heart. God loves heroes, as He has set the example of The Greatest Hero of All!
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

(c) copyright 2012 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

TODAY THE WORDS are DO OVER



TODAY THE WORDS are DO OVER. I noticed that someone posted the other day she needed a “do over”. Now, exactly what is a do over? Since it is a definite slang expression, I checked and this is what came up….”a second attempt or chance.” Most of us have had numerous “do overs” in our lifetime. If we didn’t get it right the first time, we tried again. Sometimes, again and again was more like it; maybe more like “multiple do overs”. I wonder if we don’t count it as a do over until we get it right and then if we have to re-do something, it becomes a do over. I am not quite sure; I do know some people have a harder time of getting something right the first time. Some lessons are harder to learn and we really have to practice do overs. Since we ladies refer to our hair style as “hair dos” and I see a lot of ladies making regular trips to the salon. Are they getting “hair dos or do overs? Just a little thought provoking before the deeper thought……Do we need a do over in our life and I am not referring to divorce? Some of us had to do that too, but I am talking about all of us that are in marriage, relationships, or actually still single. I had to realize for my marriage to be all that it can be, I had to adjust myself (in other words do a do over on my thinking). Both of us had been single for quite a while and had become great decision makers on our own. This was the big need for a do over as marriage is a partnership, a union, a bond, and a compromise. Our “do over” had to make it possible for us to learn how to make joint decisions or compromise to the one who had more experience to make a decision and it be agreeable for each one of us. Do overs take some time to work and don’t happen overnight. It was worth the effort; do overs work! What have we done in our lives to improve what used to be acceptable; times have changed and have we changed with them? I am not talking about “trendy” changes; I am talking about becoming more dedicated; more loving; more forgiving; more humble; more charitable; and more faithful to Our Maker. Do overs can be exciting!
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

(c) copyright 2012 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

 

TODAY THE WORD is LOVE

TODAY THE WORD is LOVE. I had the honor of congratulating one of my dear friends and her fiance on their engagement and the word love formed thoughts in my mind. Most of us have experienced several kinds of love in our lives. We had our first love and our little hearts pounded even though we didn’t understand exactly why it was pounding. Normally, our first little loves or crushes didn’t last too long partially because we weren’t in a stage where our interests migrate from one to another, usually in the same day. We, as we grew older, many of us thought we were in love when it wasn’t love at all, but more physical attraction with a shallow amount of “love” involved. For some, love did find its way in hearts and it lodged with a life long feeling that never went away. For others, many of us loved several times only to have our hearts broken until “the one” came along. Love also comes in the form of a natural love of our children and in return, love for our parents and this one stays (unless outside factors cause rifts) throughout our lifetime, parents’ lifetimes and some grandparents are like our parents and a deep love happens. Sometimes, true love comes later in life, and for some reasons, we seem to appreciate the later love very much. Now for the deeper thought…..Love has to be nurtured to thrive even if it is strong in its young stage. People are more susceptible to hurt from someone you love and they love you. A stranger’s harsh words do not penetrate the heart as one slight murmur from a loved one can pierce with the cut of the sharpest knife. Love has to cherished by both lovers and doesn’t have room for more people in a relationship. Friends are good but they are included in the friendshp but cannot become more important that the couple. Love has to be based on trust, friendship, loyalty, and I believe faith has to be in the forefront. God seals our love with each other and puts a barrier to protect that love for each other. To me, this is the only other presence that should be in true love. Valentines Day is coming soon and I think if we show our loved ones the same expression of love that we show them on this holiday on each and every day of our “love life”, Love will blossom as the roses that are sent.
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

(c) copyright 2012 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

 

TODAY THE WORDS are MENDING FENCES


TODAY THE WORDS are MENDING FENCES.  Not all of us have worked on a farm, but some of us have helped when a fence needed repair or as we say in the South, “We have some fences that need mending”. As we see the meaning of “mending” in the dictionary is:


mend·ing /ˈmendiNG/

Noun

Things to be repaired by sewing or darning: “a muddle of books and mending”.
Synonyms

repair – mend – correction – refit – darning

The reason I wanted to show the meaning of mending is the synonyms for this word and how my thoughts are going this morning. “Repair” -“mend” – “correction” – “refit” – “darning” are words that we should use in our lives. Not too many of us will ever experience the actual art of “mending fences” but what about mending fences in our lives? A lot of us have people that during our lifetime we have had disagreements and have torn down relationship fences. We have said things in anger or disapproval that in time need to be “fixed”. Mending is repairing or correcting; so there lies the need to correct or repair relationships, friendships, families, and/or co-workers. I think we can reap the rewards of mending fences by looking at a “job well done” when we have spoken or hashed out our differences and made peace. Have you heard stories of how sisters or brothers; parents or children; business partners; and in extreme cases husband and wife not speaking for long periods of time? Those are fences in bad need of mending. Let’s mend fences with those we love and look at our life in a proud accomplishment. Now for the deeper thought…..Has God repaired or mended you? He is the Master Carpenter, Handiman, and Architect and will gladly add an addition to your home, His Love, Mercy and Grace if you contract with Him to live a life filled with love, charity, understanding, and forgiveness and repentance.

DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
Mark 11:22-25
22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23I assure you that you can say to this mountain, ‘May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,’ and your command will be obeyed. All that’s required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart. 24Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it. 25But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too

(c) copyright 2012 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

 

 

 

 

TODAY THE WORDS are RUBBER BANDS



TODAY THE WORDS are RUBBER BANDS. Oh the fun rubber bands have played in our childhood. We shot them at each other; we made our homemade version of slingshots from them; most of us girls wore pony tails using them; and so many other creative uses were invented. They came in different sizes but they all served the same purpose holding things together. I saw an article and it lised 52 uses for rubber bands and I thought I would list a few of them to see if your memory will be jogged (kind of humorous since one of the uses is to put a rubber band on your finger to remind you to do something). Here’s a few uses: 1. A hair tie; 2. A diversion; 3. An eraser; 4. A sports-glasses holder; 5. An eyeglasses safety strap; 6. A poster scroll; 7. A handle grip; 8. A mafia wallet; 9. A humble reminder; 10. A candle dewobbler. (for all of the 52 Uses for Rubber Bands, google it with reference to by Paul Michael on 12 May 2010;  Wisebread).
 Now for the deeper thought……a rubber band has many uses in this life and so do we!…..But how many of our talents and abilities do we use? My Mother, only in her 60’s, found out by doodling, that she had talent for drawing flowers. She went from doodling to acrylics and then on to oil paintings. None of her works are hanging in any museums, but a lot of her work was distributed in our homes and homes of her family and friends and they are priceless. That talent was lying stagnant until she started doodling to pass some of her free time. How many of us have stagnant talents waiting to be shot acroos the room? Remember someone had to shoot the first rubber band to find out what fun it can be. This life is short and instead of finding something to complain about, become a “rubber band” with at least 52 things that you can do. Seek out your talents; ask God for help in using your hidden talents to help others; try different things (as I do with my writing of this blog); discover things that you enjoy doing and do them; and start soaring in this life. Who would have thought a rubber band would have 52 uses, so what are we waiting for? A little afterthought about the simple rubber band….it can stretch to unbelievable lengths; so we need to stretch our comfort level and go for things that take us out of our comfort zone!

DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
1 Kings 8:54 ESV     
Now as Solomon finished offering all this prayer and plea to the Lord, he arose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had knelt with hands outstretched toward heaven.

(c) copyright 2012 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

TODAY THE WORDS are FIT AS A FIDDLE



TODAY THE WORDS are FIT AS A FIDDLE. Most of us have heard the ole phrase, “fit as a fiddle” and I never knew what that was supposed to mean or why a fiddle was used. This phrase was used in the 1600’s to describe a servant that was qualified to do her job. Of course the ‘fiddle’ here is the colloquial name for violin. ‘Fit’ didn’t originally mean healthy and energetic, in the sense it is often used nowadays to describe the inhabitants of gyms. When this phrase was coined ‘fit’ was used to mean ‘suitable, seemly’, in the way we now might say ‘fit for purpose’. It somehow, when I was young, was used to describe someone in very good physical fitness, so therefore, the switch of meaning to this phrase. This morning I am taking a third switch so come along with me. Have you ever looked at a fiddle or violin closely? It is the crafting of this fine instrument that I want to share thoughts. A violinist craftsman’s wife wrote that the minimum time it takes her husband to build a violin is 250 hours of intense work to make it. Others say a slighter number of 160 hours. Either way, this is a difficult, painstaking work of art and musical enchantment for all listeners. We have seen many fine fiddlers and from observing, it takes talent and a lot of energy to play this instrument. Now for the deeper thought and why this subject on a cold Saturday morning……Have you ever thought about what makes the difference between a fiddle and a violin? Nothing, except what kind of music is played using it……simple, right? When we think of a violin, we think orchestra, classical music, romantic genre. When we think of a fiddle, we think bluegrass, down home music, foot stomping or rowdy crowds. We are born as a possible violin or fiddle (same instrument) by the most creative maker ever and then it is up to us what music we want the musician (being life) to play thus defining which one we become, fiddle or violin. We can be more refined and have a desire to be more classical or we can love the down home music and be comfortable in jeans. What is important, is we are still the same instrument from God’s hands so one doesn’t have to be “all fancy” or nothing is wrong with being “down home country”. God loves us all the same. So whether you are comfortable as a violin or a fiddle, we should try to stay “fit as a fiddle (or a violin) and that means “fit for the purpose” we were designed to be. Make some music in your hearts today and whether it is a concert or a hoe down, show love in all you do.
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
Psalm 101:1
A Psalm of David. I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music

(c) copyright 2012 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

 

TODAY THE WORDS ARE OUT ON A LIMB

Olive tree (Image)



TODAY THE WORDS are OUT ON A LIMB.  How many of us, when we were children, climbed a tree and sat on a limb? We seemed so fearless in those days and climbed, swung, hung by our heels, and thought we could fly at times. It amazes me when I reflect on those times how few broken bones came from those adventures. If now, we would see a child climbing like we did, we would freeze in fear and try to get them to climb down. Is the reality of fear the difference; we didn’t see fear then; we see fear now? Do any of you remember how farther it seemed that we could see from the limb than from the ground? It was empowering to say the least. Was it fearlessness or a lack of experience of how dangerous it could have been? One weak limb and down we could have fallen to the ground. We laughed and encouraged each other to climb higher or go farther out on the limb. Now for the deeper thought…..in our lives are we willing to go “out on a limb” for each other? How many times do we care enough to do something for someone that is unexpected? Do we listen with caring ears when someone is sharing painful thoughts or do we just “uh huh” them to death? Do we ask what we can do to help? Do we volunteer our help without having to get in all of their business? Do we go “out on a limb” for a stranger in need? I saw a news flash about a boy that when he was only 7 years old and had seen a homeless man with a sign that read “Need a meal” has built an organizational food bank with his friends (same age) and has raised over $20,000 and is definitely a person who has gone “out on a limb”. I heard his words and they stuck with me, “You are never too tall or too small to make a difference”. I want to be even more willing to help others and climb high enough to see the ones in the distance that can use our help and crawl out on the limb! Have a day that allows you to go “out on a limb” for someone who needs our help. If you are out on the limb needing help, find trust and hope in God as He is the Power who encourages us to go out on the limb to help you.

DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
Romans 11:17
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

(c) copyright 2012 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

TODAY THE WORDS are GOOD TO GO.


TODAY THE WORDS are GOOD TO GO. There are many times during our lives that we have to evaluate a situation, assess the conditions, and give the “good to go” signal. Whether it is in our work, our family, our community, and/or our country; we either give our approval or disapproval on many areas of life. I have heard that as we age, our minds go to younger days and my mind must not be any different as I walk that memory lane many times. This morning, it went to our early childhood races with each other. They weren’t long distance races and were more short sprints. We would line up against our “opponents” who were usually our best buddies. We were determined, we dug our feet firmly to get a good jumping start, and we waited for the “Ready, set, GO!! In those races, we didn’t have any formal training, we just ran our hearts out! Did we evaluate any situation, or assess any conditions; I don’t think it ever occurred to us. We just ran! Sometimes in our adult life, we try to hard to assess, evaluate, and spend entirely too much time on getting a “good to go” signal from others. We worry, we fret, we take everyone’s opinion too highly. There are days we just need to run! Let go and run. We need the escapes, the fun, the silly moments of not caring how we look or feel and live life. God has set the guidelines of truth, devotion, and love for us to follow but do we think we have to be so serious every minute of every day. Now, I believe with all of my heart God has the best sense of humor in the universe. He gave us the blessing of laughing so here is the deeper thought…..the real good to go signal in life is to let go and have a good laugh at ourselves. Laugh with others and not at them; but laughter is the best medicine that God has given us. The “good to go” signal should be used only to evaluate our expression of faith and how we live up to God’s standards. God is the One who is in charge of this world’s “good to go” signal and He is in control. As long as I believe and live my beliefs; I can relax as I understand “God’s got this!” Let us run, laugh, and live!

DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
Hebrews 12:1
Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

(c) copyright 2012 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

 

TODAY THE WORDS ARE LAST CALL


TODAY THE WORDS are LAST CALL. For all of us who have had our lives changed, might remember the old partying days when “last call” was for the last sale of alcohol at the bar. It might seem a little strange for this to be a topic, but when it comes to my mind first thing in the morning, I do not hesitate to write on this subject. Last call could mean a lot of other things and that is the focus. If we are going about our daily lives, and some may still be out partying and this is definitely their choice; we are experiencing a lot of last calls in a lot of ways. When we receive the notification of a loved one who has passed, we automatically go to the “last” time we spoke with them, laughed with them or cried with them. “Last time” becomes very important as it is the last opportunity to share times with them on this earth. When a person changes a job, there is always the last day of work, sometimes a celebration and sometimes sad. When a marriage falls apart and people divorce, there is that last day when the divorce is final and it is usually, and rightfully so should be, sad for all. When children graduate from school or college, it is the last time of youthfulness and they become adults. In other words we experience a lot of “last calls” in our lifetime. Now for the deeper thought…..we will experience a last call in this life (unless we make it to the rapture). There will be a day that no other earthly day will occur. Our Maker will make the “last call” for us and call us home. No one knows exactly when this will happen unless we are marked with a terminal illness which gives us somewhat of a timeline. We listen to the news and it is constantly full of people who are taken because of some unforeseen tragedy or accident. They left their homes that morning or later, and had no idea this would be their “last call” day. Anything they needed to do before their life would end would either be completed before their departure or left undone. Anything needed to be said to a loved one would either have been said or never uttered. I do not believe in gloom and doom; I believe in eternity with happiness and peace. I believe in loved ones who express after a loved ones death their belief in where their loved ones are….Heaven at peace and forever happy! Think about today and if today is our last call; may we have lived our lives in a pleasing way; have loved with all of our hearts both to God and our loved ones; and may we smile when we hear “last call” as we know our destination.

DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
(Job 14:5)
“You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer.”

(c) copyright 2012 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.

 
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