Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.
Charles Caleb Colton
(1780 – 1832)
Sometimes it not know until later, if ever, the impact we make on peoples’ lives. We do make an impact. In the relationships we all have, a little bit of us is absorbed into the others’ lives. Perhaps God brought you together to grow them, grow you, or (more likely), grow you both. Be grateful for the pleasure and the time you spent in another’s life. Thank Him for His gifts.
To all those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this great nation, we cannot thank you enough.
When the bullets start flying on that two-way rifle range, you’re no longer fighting for your country, mom, or apple pie. It becomes a fight for your fellow soldiers… brothers and sisters.. that are there on your right and left flanks. These fallen members of our military pictured above gave all that they had so that we could enjoy freedom. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
-John 15:13
Walking the tight rope in Moab, Utah
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”
-Matthew 7: 13-14
Being a Christian is not an easy road. As sinners, we all fall short of being completely Chris-like. The temptations of this world and the influences of our culture can sometimes cause us to make choices that go against what the Lord tells us to do. The wide road that many people are on is lined with many seemingly pleasing and sought after qualities like fame, love, success, and wealth. But, like in Hollywood, these qualities are only built to give the impression of something deeper. A look behind the false wall will reveal unhappiness, lust, anger, sadness, theft, dishonesty, fear, and eternal suffering. God, however, has a different path for his children. A road much narrower, much less traveled, but much more promising. This road is paved with peace, love, hope, well-being, and eternal life. As narrow as this road is, it can sometimes resemble a tight rope. Keeping balance can be tough and if we fall, the wide highway to hell is always there and waiting for us. However, our Lord and savior expects us to stumble and, much like a baby taking her first steps, He is there to catch us, pick us back up and He will walk right along with us on our tight rope journey to eternal life. So when you feel like your going to fall, reach out to God’s magnificent grace. Hold on and he will not allow you to fall far.
Blessings
The smile on her face says it all
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” -Epicurus
Sometimes we get so caught up in focusing at what we desire that we forget that which we already have. We must remember to stop and look at all that we have and be content in the blessings that are in our lives. When it feels like God is denying you that which you desire, stop to thank Him for all the blessings in your life. The Lord already knows the desires of your heart. He loves you and wants the absolute best for you in your life. Scripture tells us to “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” [Matthew 6:33] Now, notice that Jesus says everything you need here. Make the determination of wants versus needs, and take them all to the Lord in prayer. If it’s within His will, he will always provide you with that you need. Sometimes he’ll even mix in some of your wants 
“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4: 11-13
Blessings
-clj
Overlooking The Royal Gorge, a canyon on the Arkansas River near Cañon City, Colorado.
“Lord, please bless me with patience… right this second!”
Yeah, if it only worked like that. My name is Carl and I’m not a patient person at all. As a result, I’ve felt frustration, acted in haste, wasted money, wasted time, stirred up dissension, caused heartache, displayed folly, and felt heartache.
With that kind of track record, you’d think that I would be very open to change. Sadly, I’m not not fully there. I’m trying, learning, and growing in this area. God has placed quite an obstacle in my path and I keep hearing him saying that the way to overcome this is through patience. A friend of mine once told me “As children, we sometimes think we know better and that our timing is better then our creator’s; and just like a loving father, God patiently waits with arms open wide to receive us and kiss our wounds when we realize that our way isn’t the better way.”
In the book, The Benefits of Waiting by Stephen Rye, he writes “You know you are learning patience when you call out to the Lord for help , and he seems to be on vacation. I can testify to this because I definitely feel like He’s not around sometimes but those are the times that he’s actually so close to me that I “can’t see the forest for the trees.”
In praying one day, I was lead to Matthew 7:7 in the bible which reads, ”Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”. I could feel the Holy Spirit telling me “…caveat- you must have patience.” Many of us struggle with different issues on our heart. I thank God that I’m able to recognize this shortcoming in my own life and I pray that He will assist me in overcoming this obstacle by trusting in Him, gaining wisdom, and having patience. He knows the desires of my heart and only wants the best for me… as He does for all of us. When my heart is troubled and I feel the evil one causing me impatience, I need to remember to be still and know that He is God [Psalm 46:10]. No matter your goal, remember all things worth having are worth waiting for. Good things come to those who wait. Goals are just a series of baby-steps and some of the most rewarding things in life will require the most patience and persistence. Getting that job, losing weight, finding the right marriage partner, etc all require patience. Trust in God, all will work out if we keep our eyes on Him.
Be blessed.
Forgiving someone that hurt you and asking God to bless them in their lives is hard to do. Especially when the someone that hurt you is a very close friend. Still, as Christians, that is what we are called to do. Holding on to hurt feelings only makes you angry and bitter. In total forgiveness, you’re actually helping yourself. It’s easy to be angry. It’s much harder to forgive someone and wish them well in their adventures. That’s what I’ve learned this week.
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
-Colossians 3:13
“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
-Matthew 6:15
I used to tell her that she always received lots of comments on her photographs she posted on Facebook while I usually received significantly less comments on mine. Yes, I was somewhat jealous of that. She would say “I comment. I love your work” I’d say, “Yes but that’s different; you’re biased”. Well, on a recent photograph I posted, I received an astonishing number of favorable comments. Even a couple of purchase offers. While I was very thankful to receive those, I found that one comment was missing. I later posted the photo on another site and she made a comment on it. It was then that I realized that the one persons’ opinion that matters most to me, more to me than any other, was hers.
Appreciation… pass it on.
-I’m sure there’s more to this list but these are pretty good rules of thumb. Of course, I’m not, nor never have been married so I could be totally off.