inspiration

Very Inspiring Blogger Award

very-inspirational-blogger

Yesterday I mentioned that I had been nominated for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award” by Tony Roberts of the blog, “A Way With Words” http://writingforfoodinindy.wordpress.com Today I’m going to continue fulfilling the conditions for acceptance, which are:

1. Display the award logo (see above)
2. Link back to the person who nominated you (also see above).
3. State 7 things about yourself (see below)
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award and link to them (see further below)

7 things about myself (definitely not in terms of importance).

1. I can play the tenor sax (badly). I sing better than I play the saxophone. I can’t dance, don’t ask me
2. I became a Christian at a church summer camp in 1972.
3. I am the father of one and the grandfather of two. You might ask, “Of what?” I assure you they are humanoid and often bring tears to my eyes, mostly tears of joy.
4. I have successfully completed over 30 years of marriage to the same wonderful woman and I’m grateful for each day, including the extra day in leap years.
5. Though my wife treats them like the most delicious treats, I have never completely come to terms with Brussels sprouts.
6. I have a very large tattoo of a dragon on one side of my chest and an equally large tiger on the other side. I added a Celtic cross to my right forearm recently. The comment I have received most over the years: “You don’t seem like the kind of guy who would have tattoos.”
7. I have survived many years in the retail world, most of them selling books.

Now, on to the blogs I find inspiring. I will gradually add to this Inspiring blog list until there are 15.

Soul Artist: “Giving Hope When Times are Hard” http://soulartist.blogspot.com

Raising 5 Kids With Disabilities and Remaining Sane Blog: http://5kidswdisabilities.com

Life Out of the Box: Giving back in Nicaragua. http://lifeoutofthebox.com

God and Stuff: “Christianity, not just for old people” http://www.godandstuff.com

A Devoted Life: “Practical Daily Devotions for the Real World” http://boyslumber.wordpress.com

Giving of Ourselves

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. Romans 8:18

Our time in this world can weigh on us so
that some days we can seem almost crushed,
and our relationship with God can suffer
when we do what is good because we must.

Instead we should give in joyful expectation
as Gods presence in our lives is revealed,
sharing our gifts because we want to,
not just fulfilling our end of the deal.

A heart that is filled to overflowing
can’t help but give joy away.
All creation is waiting to assist you.
He can use you. You’ll be amazed.

I was always here

Here, before the beginning of time as you know it, before the perfection of My design.
Before temptation and the fall which separated us.
Here when you heard my call, which had been broadcast all along, only waiting for you.
Here in your struggles, in your pain and your joy.
Here, when you turn from me, searching where I am not.
Still here, when you turn back to the truth.
When you submit to being used as my hands and feet I am here.
When the world you touch needs to see all I am, I am here.
Here even when all of your senses reach out and can’t prove it,
when all you have is faith to go on, I’m still here.

Just Keep Walkin’

You gonna give him a bad reputation
just keep walkin’ just keep walkin’
the devil thought he had you in the bag
keep on walkin’ just keep walkin’
then you stopped in to check out a preacher
just keep walkin’ just keep walkin’
and somehow his words got through your chemical haze
just keep walkin’
and STOP

Do you think it’s possible you can change?
Is it all just for them and not you?
Is this feeling what some people call hope?
Aw man… I don’t know

Now you’re thinkin’ ‘bout the things he was sayin’
just keep walkin’ just keep walkin’
‘how God’s son came down for all to get saved
keep on walkin’ just keep walkin’
how he could take away your guilt and give you new life
just keep walkin’ just keep walkin’
but you’re still so scared that you could get played
just keep walkin’
and LISTEN

you’ve tried it your way
and you’re tired of the games
you’ve heard all satan’s lies
it’s just always the same
now your heart starts to melt
is it true you can win?
it’s time to let heaven in
and PRAY

Oh let Him in
your walk will never be the same
you’ll stand just a little taller
God don’t never play games
He’ll take away the pain inside
that was all you could ever share
and replace it with something real
new hope living there

just keep walkin’
a new direction dude
keep on walkin’ just keep walkin’
you’re walkin’ for Jesus, bro’
just keep walkin’ just keep walkin’
this little light of mine
keep on walkin’
ya gotta let it shine man
keep on walkin’ keep on walkin’
keep on walkin’ keep on walkin’

An Understanding Heart

Sebastian Temple composed a wonderful hymn in 1967 based on the “Prayer of St. Francis.” The refrain from that hymn says:
Oh Master, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console.
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love with all my soul.

The great King Solomon, the son of King David, represents one of our best models of a wise man. The wisdom he possessed came through his proper relationship with God. The Bible mentions Solomon’s request of wisdom from God in 1 Kings 3:2-4:34. In verse 9 he says, “So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” Solomon knew that if he was to have any chance of being a proper King and judge over his people he would have to see with God’s eyes.

When I look at the world, Lord
I see through the lens of my own clouded eyes
and it becomes a scene of my own making.
With Your surgeon’s hands clear my sight to see in hearts
as though from a dream I’m waking.

Light and Life

Those familiar with forest ecology will tell you of the miracle of renewal that a forest experiences following a fire. Many plant species require fire to germinate and flourish. People whose communities have been devastated by earthquake or storm gather together, and neighbors who may have never communicated bond to demonstrate true unity in the face of loss. Whether a particular tragedy is suffered by one or many, the ripple effect touches us all, first with sorrow, then with hope. Hope brings light to places we would never expect the darkness to leave once it has spread its cloak.

Lord, when the walls close in on me
and I think that I’m alone
when all I feel is despair
help me remember the life you’ve designed
to emerge from the ashes
remind me of those who have gone before
with your Son’s example to guide them
what might seem so fragile a breath could break
through a wasteland of fear still passes
the hands that tightly hold a flame
that fades and flickers and gutters
will once more grasp hands of hope
leading the way through foreboding passes
never alone on the journey
never alone on the journey
never alone on the journey